So many noises...
Vanille could not recognize any of the sounds that suddenly overwhelmed her ears, and though she wanted to cover them she found herself unable to move. The entirety of her body was rigid, whatever cold surface that was beneath it causing it to shiver. There was nothing but complete darkness, and Vanille could not discern whether her eyes were open or closed. A strange sensation arose within her chest, feeling as if someone were gripping her heart. The beats steadily became harder and the organ's movement more pronounce, soon growing to be painful.
The girl found herself finally able to move, placing her hands over her chest as she began to writhe. The forceful squeezing of Vanille's heart was making it near impossible to breathe, and the noises around her intensified. She choked for air, managing to cry out the name of her fellow Oerban in hopes that the woman may be nearby. Vanille received no response, however, and so tears formed within her eyes.
With what felt like a heavy blow being dealt to her chest, Vanille found a sudden mass of colors erupting before her eyes as her body jolted. The pain had subsided and it took the girl several minutes to realize that her eyes were now open.
But where was she?
As she lay there to inhale a few breaths of precious air, Vanille began to recognize the sounds whose origins were previously unknown to her. Trickling and faintly splashing water, the croaking and chirping of what were more than likely amphibious creatures, and the occasional distant sound of thunder. The air, she noticed, was damp and held the aroma of moss and rock. Then, as if a sudden realization came to her, Vanille shot into an upright seated position.
"The Springs!" Vanille exclaimed, scrambling to her feet and calling out for Fang again despite there being no response before. She glanced around, listening for any sign of her friend. The only things moving, besides herself, were the orobons and ceratosaurs, as well as the latter's kin. After calling the woman's name again, a heavy frown appeared on Vanille's face as no answer was heard.
Vanille soon concluded that if she were awake then Fang must be too; but where could she be? Oerba? Fang may or may not be there, though Vanille thought it the best place to look first.
"Off we go I suppose," she chirped, heading towards the edge of the island of rock she stood upon. With a quick jump the girl landed safely on the next tiny island, humming to herself as she moved across.
With no idea why she was awake, Vanille found herself not caring as long as she was finally free. That, however, made her stop in her tracks. Dreading the worst as she lifted a portion of her skirt, Vanille breathed a heavy sigh of relief when she found no brand. Just to be safe she inspected her other hip, both legs, arms, stomach, chest...all showing no signs of the mark of a l'Cie.
The momentary worry now cast aside, Vanille continued on her way through Sulyya Springs.
I hope you're there Fang.
Please be there.
Nearly halfway across the steppe and heading north, Fang realized that it was going to be quite the walk to Oerba. Once she was clear of her current area the woman would need to cross through Mah'habara and Sulyya Springs before reaching Taejin's Tower, which would lead to her and Vanille's hometown. A rather long walk indeed, and the weather seemed keen to make the trip miserable.
While there could have been other places for Vanille to be, Fang decided her best bet would be Oerba. Given how far it was and how much ground she would cover, she may just come across the younger woman before ever reaching her planned destination. There was a chance that Vanille was not even around, that maybe she was still within her crystal stasis. This was, of course, something that Fang did not want to consider. Whatever force roused her must have done the same to the other Oerban, and Fang was not going to dismiss that chance.
The woman growled in agitation as the rainfall grew slightly heavier. Her hair was flattened, wet from the rain she had already walked through, clothes beginning to soak through. Normally Fang would not care if such weather occured, however due to her mission she found it to be an annoyance. At least it was the slightest helpful, Fang thought as she stopped for a moment. She cupped her hands to collect the drops of water, moving the liquid to her mouth and drinking.
After her brief little refresher, Fang continued onward. Many of the beasts that would have usually been about were nowhere to be seen; an effect of the stormy weather. Even the oretoises were absent, though she could spot one's shell jutting out from a set of separated cliffs. The giant creature's position indicated that it was blocking access to the area beyond it, which was more than likely home to a nest of other oretoises. Upon passing a cluster of grass covered rock formations, Fang heard the familiar sound of bleating. Glancing over, the woman could see a tiny group of sheep huddled close together beneath an outcrop to prevent being rained on.
She was reminded of Vanille and how the girl loved the little critters, a thought that brought a smile to her face.
"Stay dry," Fang called to the sheep, who responded with their faint call. The woman chuckled, returning her gaze ahead. While her mood was in slightly better spirits, the Oerban suddenly began to wonder why she was there. Fang wondered the reason, and was certain that she had heard a voice prior to her awakening. However, if that were the case the sound was so faint that Fang was unable to make it out; if there was even a voice at all. For the time she decided not to dwell on such things, but found her eyes wandering to her right shoulder. The scorched, white mark was still there and was something she would probably be stuck with the rest of her life. She did not, however, feel the sense of dread of being branded a l'Cie and having to carry out some foolish Focus.
That, along with the hope of Vanille being awake, was enough to drive Fang through the pouring rain and clashing thunder.