The Hidden L'Cie

Beeping, followed by a man's voice over the intercom—notifying everyone of their arrival, had woken the brunette. She then heard train doors opening, latching themselves onto the platforms to disembark. She roused her head from the tough backrest, wiping the remains of her drool—hoping no one had seen her in such a state. Her eyes flittered on and off, and eventually they dawned into awakening. 

Lightning saw the bustle of other passengers, mostly military men, carrying luggage the size of family members past the corridor glass. She too, opened the cabin drawer beneath her, fetching out her small suitcase. So, she's finally here. Her sister and everyone were waiting for her. 

She joined the bustle, as they made their way to the light beaming from outside. The heavily-armoured, mesh-like windows of the train—for the protection against wild Pulsian beasts, namely Svarogs; their sharp claws bashing against the metal roofs and frightening even the most stoic aboard—kept everything inside dark and cool. Stepping outside, she embraced the rays of sun. 

There were people everywhere, but she removed her hood—flicking behind her long, black hair, before turning towards the tunnel exits. The excitement she felt looking at her new life, the horizons there in front of her, bubbled within. The decision to live here had felt so right, nothing could compare to it. These years, she felt she was missing something. It would lead to a blank feeling she'd find in those quiet moments, and she felt it seep into other aspects of her life. 

She left a good job, that made her (and Serah) a lot of Gil, where she did something she was good at, and that they needed her for—a, all blemishes (dangers) considered, comfortable existence. 

Albeit, here she was. Failing to suppress her smile. She'd come here—to Cocoon's Rest, once and for all, following the strange, mysterious workings of one's heart. 

Light specks of water hit her cheek and hand as she made her way to the exits. She suspected that would be the last of the sun for the day. Beyond, the entrances to Tonberry Market were long arches that followed all the way to the end of the platform: peculiar stone structures receding backwards at an angle; one could climb them easily. 

The many stalls around her were interesting. The market was lively, with different colours of people moving through, browsing the many stalls, chatting within their groups of families, or friends, lovers, and others travelling on their lonesome. Maybe she would start her own family here too, like Serah suggested. 

Find herself a date, someone who is well-mannered, with a kind, open heart, who would take her through a marketplace such as this. To buy fairy floss. That would be fun. 

She lifted her hand, inspecting a junk trinket masquerading as a piece of emerald jewellery. The necklace had a fancy design but had a flimsy band. The colour reminded her of Hope. She didn't know why, maybe because of the similar colour of the boy's Eidolon crystal—but there was something about the design of it. Her arm jolted when the stall's attendant spotted her just beyond it. The older woman gave her a smile, and Light lowered her hand, returning the smile reflexively, before swimming back towards the crowd. But she turned around again. 

"How much for this?" 

"500 Gil, love." It was a little expensive. But her day had been pretty great so far... very much unlike the previous one. 

"I'll take it."