Unspoken Memories

[Moonie]

"Noel Kreiss."

The boy produced his ticket and I.D. upon stating his name. Once the man approved, he moved onto the train and took a secluded seat. His oceanic eyes looked at the view of what he believed as his hometown for the last time, watching as the people went on with their lives as normal. But it shouldn't be. It seemed too robotic, too planned. Too boring. He didn't belong here. For years it seemed like something was calling to him, and now he was acting upon it. As the train began on its trek, Noel sighed and tore his eyes away from the window. A shadow crossed his mind, the millionth one in three years. It began the day he had woken up in the hospital, his two friends there loyally.

Apparently he had gone missing for a couple of years after his parents' death, no where to be found. Then one day, suddenly, they found him laying outside of town unconscious. When questioned, Noel couldn't remember anything after his parents' death. Only that he had been gone. That something had happened. And someone. He had met someone. Frequently, when he tried to remember, he simply saw a void. There was no memory. Nothing to prove it was more than a mere dream, if anything.

"Noel, you need a girlfriend...in all my years of knowing you, you've never had one."

"I've had a girlfriend, Caius. I just... For the life of me, I can't remember what happened to her."

"Maybe it was a dream." Noel looked at Yeul, giving the younger girl a flat look, but instead of annoyance, it held affection. She'd always had a place in his heart ever since she befriended him.

"She has a point, Noel."

But it can't be a dream.

"I have to go. The train will be leaving soon..." He shook the hand Caius held out to hin, sharing a smile. Then he turned to Yeul.

"Don't cry. We will meet again, Noel.."

He opened his eyes to find that the train was coming to a stop. Had he slept the entire time? Rousing himself, he grabbed his backpack and stood, heading for the doors as soon as they opened. Once he set foot in the station, something changed. It almost seemed like the world shifted underneath his feet. Twilight Town. Was there something here that would help him figure out what was missing?

[Juicebox]

Outfit

A sleek grey engine was waiting next to a platform, multitude of people crowded the boarding dais. Metal overheads hung in the wrought-iron archway, digital screens flashing countless destinations and scheduled times. Smoke drifted over the heads of the masses, shading the girl in the back of the station within the swirling smog. Eyes of frosty hue observed bypassers from her corner, safely tucked from view in the unlit intersection. Kicking the tip of a combat boot into the ground in a impatient tempo, she gave a quick once-over of her wristwatch as if to mistrust the time the depot gave. Lips curled unpleasantly in a grimace to read the same hour of the transportation facility. So far, nothing was going according to plan.

Subtle vibration in the girl's pants-pocket arrested her immediate attention. Serah slid the phone out to her ear, already opening to the receiving call. Liltingly subdued, her voice quietly greeted her sister. "Well?"

"The call just came in, they should be boarding right now with the shipment."

As on cue, the said train came into the lane. Doors folded open to the passengers, new flood of swarming assemblage met her eyesight. Half of her body rested against the burnished panel, incapable of pinpointing the carrier from the clusters.

"I don't want you to linger too long, it'll attract attention. Grab the merchandise as fast as you can and get back to the warehouse."

Serah slipped the phone back to its place after the line dropped. Minutes later she merged into the crowds passing by, integrated with the flow until she reached the meeting point. Feigning a insouciant facade as she circled around the row of benches, careful to dodge around sitting bystanders during her search.

It took a handful of moments to finally locate the seemingly innocent briefcase taped underneath the seats. Fluidly dropping to a knee in the sham of tying her shoelaces for a brief second then ripped the fastened case from its place. Short but all the sweeter, a faint smile graced her lips before a hard jab hit her shoulder. Glimpsing through the veil of her rose tresses, a security guard loomed behind her bent form. "Ma'am, can I help you with anythi-…what's going on here? Miss, I'm going have to ask you to show me some ID or a ticket."

Arctic eyes rolled at his pompous tone, fingers flexing into a tighter grip on the bag. So much for not attracting attention. Swiftly, the girl swung in axis as a leg struck the man's vulnerable ankles and promptly dropped him to the floor. In the window of opportunity, she jumped off her feet and over the columns of pews, diving through the throng of people with case in hand. Serah made it down the tightly spaced stairs by the time the man recomposed and blew his whistle in chase of her. Soon enough, more security was on the lookout for her and the runaway was too far from the exits to make a clean break. Escaping with the tides of the drove was a risky option now, she cursed. Between two guards, the lithesome girl fell into a duck and descended from sight in a feral crouch, arms hugged the case to her chest. How was she going to get out of here with all this attention?

[Moonie]

- outfit -

Noel had began walking precariously, taking in the sights. But something overwhelmed him. He wasn't usually the type to be nervous, but he had no actual goal in this place. He had no plan. He had just suddenly decided to jump on the train and come to Twilight Town. Noel remembered the reason though. He remembered the encouraging words. For a brief moment, he looked at the ground, to his feet. Something caught the corner of his eyes. Reaching down, he picked up the slips of paper and stood.

Just as he did, Noel heard the blaring noise of whistles and feet hitting the pavement hard in a sprint. He glanced around, wondering if he had caused something. Instead, he saw a girl running, almost as if her life depended on it. Forgetting what he had acquired, he slipped it into his pocket as he kept his eyes curiously on the girl. She really was in trouble, he noted, as a guard shouted down the hall. He wasn't sure what was happening, but he suddenly propelled forward at a quick, brisk walk. He kept his eyes on her movements, tried to keep pace with her.

Suddenly, she dropped out of sight. Seeing the guards on either end of the walkway, he paused. He had to make a decision. Was he to run away and stay out of it? Or was he to help her? A smirk appeared on his face as he imagined what Caius would say. A troublemaker at heart. Quickly, he darted forward. Reaching the girl's huddle form, he dipped down and wrapped a hand around one of her arms. His azure eyes glinted at the sudden excitement of law breaking.

"Come on, this way," he said to her, trying to pull her to her feet. Ditching his bag against a wall, he started toward a door near them. Uncaring if it was unlocked or not, Noel deftly kicked the door near the knob, causing the obstruction to swing open haphazardly. Turning around briefly, he grabbed one of her hands to make sure she kept up with him. The shouts of the guards echoed as he made like a bandit through the door. "I know it isn't the best time to ask, but just in case we get caught, what the hell did you do to get all those guys on you?" He asked her the question amidst the retreat, the feel of exhileration coursing through him. It was like the beginning of some adventure and he couldn't complain.

[Juicebox]

Chain of chiding rebukes outpoured her thoughts. Impetuously sloppy, how could she allowed herself to be caught like this? Too cocksure, the idiot had let her guard drop and made a erroneous slip-up in her haste. Iced pupils assessed the range between the incoming guards, her cover was close to its limits. People were warily dodging the space around her, skeptical of the cowered girl edged into the corridor.

What recourse of escape was available now?
Calling for assistance gave her a bitter taste, not only mortifying but unprofessional. No, that course of action was not in the cards. The girl shifted from the base of her feet, tensed; ready to make an abrupt start when the security hedged closer.

An unexpected grip on her forearm caused alarm, instincts initiated to go into the offense. In fear of being apprehended for castigation; the girl turned to the precipitous grasp, prepared to ram her palm into the restrainer's nose. Hesitation stilled her movement, the staggering familiarity was a rude awakening. Serah was close to limp in the sweeping rush he whisked her away in before her wits came back. What the hell was this kid doing?

Nonplussed by the man's theatrics, she snapped her attention to behind them impatiently until he kicked open the door. Unable to argue his involvement, he already had her by the hand and wrenched her forward without warning. They absconded from the scene like bats out of hell, spurred by the inbounding shouts. Aggravated to be shepherded by a stranger, she paced beside him in refusal of being led. The girl jumped the stairs after his guide, then broke start into the narrowly spaced back-alley. "I didn't have a ticket."

[Moonie]

An abrupt bubble of laughter swelled out of Noel after they had turned into the alley. Typical. The smallest thing in the world could cause a giant, earth-tilting dilemma. But it was those small things that rocked the world of so many people. Almost like himself, so reckless and spontaneous. His choice of actions, however, rebelled against his thoughts. He was an unusually deep thinker when not in the midst of impulsive actions.

A little ways down the alley, Noel stopped next to a wall and glanced around. They may have shook off the guard for now, but he wanted to be sure they would lose their trail. Spotting a fire escape just a few paces ahead, he turned to the girl and gestured for her to follow. Quickly, Noel pulled down the ladder and pulled himself up easily. Once on the first set, he squatted and waited for the girl to follow and lead the rest of the way up. He wanted to pull up the ladder after her, so if the guards chased them this far, then their obvious escape would be eradicated from thought.

"So, do you usually take the bus without a ticket? Its rather risky," he inquired. "On top of that, you must be talented to evade I.D. security check. Where are you from, anyway?" He didn't know anything about this girl. Only that it was unusually fun to be put in such a situation with a fellow trouble maker. Perhaps, in due time, they'd be almost like partners in crime, without the real crime being involved.

[Juicebox]

Censorious brows furrowed at the startling chuckle. Somewhat irked by the rich note of his voice; her dry humor usually was lost on others or ignored. Unknownst to him, a string of misplaced attachment tugged harshly within her chest. The sonorous sound had roused memories that were best left untouched; it took a push of will to swipe them from her mind. Years of practice had given her aptitude to do so without the pain returning in their wake, almost. Just because the boy reminded her of him, it gave no right for her unwanted recollection to return. Iced pupils averted from the stranger with new discomfort of his presence.

A moment of conflict rooted the absconder, in silent debate on leaving her rescuer to his own vices or to follow after. Vexed by her own indecision, the pearlescent girl quickly went with her gut feeling on the spot. So far, his incentive saved her hide from being caught. Maybe tailing after the man a while longer wouldn't be the worst, Serah was being irrational. She could always ditch him later on if he proved useless, after all. Bag strap secured, she took the fire escape ladder two steps at a time and climbed after him in seconds. The fugitive glared up at the next flight of stairs in distaste. Great. Guess she would have to roof hop home now if they didn't get down soon.

The roseate escapee's mien turned perplexed at his unreasonable curiosity over her little escapade. This isn't a Q&A between a couple of old friends. "What's with all these questions? Not to sound ungrateful, but what's your take in this." Let me guess, he's helping me out of the goodness of his selfless heart.

No, this was no good. He was not to blame for being helpful nor did he give any cause for the unjustly suspicion directed at him. Too cautiously irascible for her own good, she lambasted her reaction. Serah subdued the unwarranted hostility then tried to facilitate the tension. "Look- I'm grateful for your help back there, but don't get too cozy with the situation. I'd appreciate it if there was no interrogation about the station specifically, can you handle that."

Wintry eyes evaluated their route to the rooftop, already in motion on the ascending stairs. Serah draped the band to the briefcase over her shoulder as she raced to the top then stopped on the first pier on the notch. She mimicked his squiring gesture of follow then nodded her chin heavenward impatiently. "I know my way around here, we can slip out this block unnoticed if we go this way."

[Moonie]

Once she was up the first flight of stairs, Noel retracted their escape but paused at the end to to turn and look at her. At her acidic question, he raised a brow. Were people here usually like her? Perhaps. He had to remember he wasn't in his quiant little hometown where everyone knew everyone. Shaking his head, Noel stood to follow her. His mind was realing with why she would want to stray from the topic of the train station. Unless she really did do something against the law that would warrent more than a slap on the wrist for no tickets.

"You know, maybe you could just accept the fact that I helped you. Would you have liked me turn away and let you get hauled to jail over something illegal, like 78% of the human populace?" he retorted in a smooth voice. Noel had to stop sharply to keep from barreling into the back of the smaller girl. He let slip a breath he had been holding and relaxed back onto the soles of his feet. Looking down at her face with a scowl, his vision suddenly flashed from white to black, then returned to normal. The brief flash brought a light pain to his head and he quickly lifted a hand to his forehead until it melted away.

He hadn't had one of those since he had tried to remember things from before his amnesia. He couldn't remember a brief span of his life; only the few things his friends told him. He remembered his parents had died, but between then and when he was found, he knew nothing. He didn't even know where he had gone.

Noel recovered quickly and smirked down at the girl, continuing his tirade from earlier. "Plus, it would be a shame for a girl like you to be put in jail. You have potential. And skills. Its not very often you find a cute girl who likes play dirty, rough up the law a bit. Or can you handle that?" he chided playfully, almost challengingly. "Noel, by the way. Noel Kreiss."

[Juicebox]

For a considerable amount of time, she was half-tempted to kick the boastful stranger down the fire-escape ladder for reminding her of her close-failure. A hot flash of chagrin swallowed her previous discomfort; she took a deep breath to pacify her blood-pumping pique as he came to a standstill. Sure she accepted the fact he helped, it didn't mean she liked it any bit. It went without saying he had a hand in her escape, but she would've made do without him. Given a few seconds more, a solution would've been made clear. Granted, it would had been at the cost of her identification being discovered or worse- but she wasn't a damsel in distress in the need of a cocksure knight. Especially one such as him, she opined pertinaciously.

Gratitude didn't exempt him from the glare the girl shot him over her shoulder. A snide riposte hung heavy and thick on her tongue, then went leaden. Unmoving, the scornful words died upon seeing his pained expression. Fleeting moment of worry temporarily swayed Serah; an outstretched hand halfway reached for his shoulder up to the moment he smiled again. Feeling incline to wipe that smirk off his face, old resent roared back to life. Instantly, her hand turned into a fist and snapped back. It took most of her will to safely place it away; far away from his head mainly. Why the hell did his grin give a familiar invigoration? Screw it, there was no point in mulling over useless things and too irksome to deal with more troubling thoughts. She continued on the next staircase ladder, brows furrowed.

"Right. Such a pity to see me hauled off into jail, surely the greatest of grievances. Because women of my caliber are so hard to find these days." Serah dully answered the persistent brat's sweet-talk as she hauled herself to the top. Maybe she wasn't used to flattery. Or assistance. But now the girl remembered why she preferred going solo, smalltalk got annoying fast.

Noel. Out of all names a person could have, the bastard had to share the one and the same as the one she dreaded for five years. Serah didn't believe in coincidences, too alike for her liking. He was going into dangerous territory fast. They were not name-basis friends or even acquaintances, did he not hear her warning before or simply did not care? At this point, her only concern was she had wasted too much time and still had to deliver the shipment to the warehouse before sundown.

"Noel Kreiss. Got it, considered it handled. Let's move on, if we cross down to the westside of the block then we're in the clear." She diverted their focus; better to prepare to part ways than to wait for the awkwardly inevitable moment to come. Adjusting the bag strap from mid-lining her bust to her shoulder, Serah leapt off the banister railing of the fire-escape to hoist up to the mansard roof. "Consider this a tour of the city, keep up."

[Moonie]

Noel couldn't keep himself from scowling at her back. Not only was she stubborn, but she seemed to have a penchant for keeping things short and simple. He was only trying to make things a little less tense, butit was obvious it wasn't going very far. With a sigh, he accepted she wouldn't divulge him a name, and also the challenge of the speedy tour to follow.

His mind reeled back to his friends and his home. What it woud be like if they were here. Would he have noticed her? Would he have seen that she needed a bit of help escaping? He couldn't be certain, but he liked to believe he would have. His character was brash sometimes, but he wasn't one to turn his back too often. Plus, something about this girl had almost seemed to reach out to him, like a tendril thriving to make a connection. Or perhaps it was his mind playing tricks.

It didn't take too long before the silence stretched his discomfort too thin. He bit his lip as he pulled himself up easily to the roof right behind the girl. Noel fought the urge to talk, but it didn't seem right. Something seemed to push him, making a light feeling expand in his chest. Oh well, he thought as he caved in. If she's going to be upset, it wouldn't be any different as Yuel.

"So... how long have you lived here? I just came here from Cocoon. It's a nice town and all, but... I don't really think I belong there anymore." He spoke while following her, his intentions on keeping the conversation light if possible. If she was a fighter, he didn't want to provoke any feelings of violence while on the rooftops.

[Juicebox]

Had she the strength in her to do so, the brick under her clenching hands would have turned to dust. Exasperation stifled her at his unfaltering perseverance, seeing no end to the stranger's questions. Of course he wouldn't shut up, that would be all too tolerable for the likes of her. Insufferable prattler.

Not too keen on being matched on pertinacity, Serah scaled up the ascending rooftop glowering- close to throttling the tag-along behind her. If she answered him once, would he stop? Faint hope made her begrudgingly indulged Noel's curiosity. "All my life and far too long."

Perturbed at the similarities, there was also disparity between the two Noels. This one sociably chatty, to the point of maddening individuals. Inquisitive as an eager child, as if seeing the world anew. There was also charm in him, a steel of steadfastness. Yet none of these were qualities that made her own Noel dear to her. Beyond the visage, what else was there to remind her of an old beloved. Maybe her head was playing tricks on her. Perhaps she was so desperate to have him back, the girl deluded herself into connecting the two. Serah tucked the case closer, ambivalence made it hard for her to speak again.

"If Cocoon isn't your home, what makes you think you belong here? Your family and friends there, wasn't it enough for you?" No tacit acrimony was implied in her question, only placid interest. Frankly, the idea of "home" was laughable to her. What made a place feel like home? People would claim it was memories or people. Family. That was never the case for Serah. It was unimaginable to be tied down to a single place, the girl shuddered at the thought. Serah may have lived the aggregate of her youth in Sunset Terrace but her sister kept them moving, always on the move.

More pressed to disclose their association than before, the girl peeked over the edge for their route out. Since he involved himself in her predicament without her saying, he was still a lone outsider in an unknown city. What else could she do other than send him off before leaving him to the vultures. Serah climbed to the abode edge then hurdled over the terrace to the next building alined. A few more turns before they were wholly safe. "Do you have a place to go while you're here?"

[Moonie]

Noel kept up in his strides. Even to him, it was surprising that he suddenly took on a spurt of agility and endurance. But as they continued, he was finding it harder to keep talking to her. His hopes of befriending at least one person was failing completely. Perhaps it was time to give up his forced facade of what he would assume was a normal person.

And just as he let it go, she spoke. He almost faltered in his steps. Her voice wasn't begrudging his decision to leave everything behind, but curious in the most. He dropped his eyes, watching the rhythmic movement of his feet.

"Of course it was enough. What more could a person ask for?" he replied, honest in answer. He was no longer going to force her attention, his intention! when he arrived in this city. "But there's something missing in my life that I can't remember. I have a feeling it's important..."

Noel trailed off on his words, unsure of how to continue. He wasn't even sure if he could trust this girl with something as important as his amnesia. It didn't seem like she cared for much, anyway. "Forget about it. Let's just say I'm here to figure out something personal." He followed her across the rooftop with ease. But at her last question, Noel slowed his run until he stopped completely.

He bent over for a few second to regain his breath, hands on his hips, before standing straight again. "Okay. I haven't even known you that long and you are the most confusing girl I've ever met," he said, throwing his arms up. "I can tell when you don't care and your keeping your ties limited, but what I don't understand is that you can turn around with a simple question and make me think twice about you being, for a lack of a better word, heartless." Running his hands through his hair, he took a few steps forward, more in frustration than fear of her leaving him behind on a strange rooftop. "And to answer your question, no. I don't have a place here. But I figured a hotel would be as good of a place as any."

[Juicebox]

Personal reason.
Whatever. it should be no concern of her's as long his intentions didn't include her. Dewed lips gave a slight quirk, amused to see him out of breath. The sight of him windless was satisfying- mainly because it meant less prying on his half. And still, in the short time spent together it hadn't been terrible. He never stayed quiet long enough to prove she sucked at small talk and took her resistance in stride. Hell, he'd gotten her to say more in a single day than she did in a week generally. To say he did so on purpose or it being a talent of his was a stretch, but it eased her to some level of comfort around him. That alone rattled the thief, questioning her own defenses.

Startled by Noel's abrupt outburst, Serah was close to tumbling off the passing ledge beneath her. Crouched on the ridge, the girl turned back to him with a glare. She was beginning to rethink his so-called 'charm' after being called both heartless and confusing. Not bothering to withhold the bitterness in her voice, shoulders shrugged off the mild sting of his words. "You must not have encountered many girls in your lifetime if I'm too complex for the likes of you."

Upon waiting for him to meet her pace, she let the moment pass to use the new silence for the more pressing matter. Serah watched him in wary patience as she mulled over his lack of preparation. "Do you think staying at a hotel after that escapade back at the train station is a good idea? You're bound to be on the police's radar for a few days if you keep sticking your nose out, newcomer or not."

Of course, guilt came back to bite her in the rear for messing up an innocent's life. His involvement with her was only an inconvenience, she couldn't fault him even if she didn't trust him. There were few possibilities to amend this she realized. Serah peeked from the corners of her eyes, careful to keep neutral. "If you need a place to stay, you can borrow my safehouse until something else is available. If you want, that is; it's better than nothing."

[Moonie]

Exasperation caught up with him. Out of everything, she decided to backlash against him instead of helping him understand. Then her words caught up to him, sobering his mind completely. He quirked an eyebrow at her, suddenly understanding why she must be keeping to herself.

"I helped you because I figured you didn't have a ticket or something. Something small so it was under the jurisdiction of the transit guards. But the town's police? What exactly did I get myself into?" he questioned cautiously. All signs of exasperation and aggrevation disappeared in his voice.

There was no question now to where he was staying. He would probably be better off separating from her, but there was the probability of him getting caught. She seemed to hold her own fairly well, it seemed, other than the earlier incident. Then there was the fact he'd ditched his pack to help her, so they now had his information. Noel rubbed at his forehead, silently cursing himself. Only in town for barely a couple hours and he was a wanted man.

[Juicebox]

"I didn't ask for your help." The girl near hissed at him, abrupt frustration taken hold of her. Exhaling heavily through her nose, she recomposed and loosened the tension in her shoulders. Serah stepped down from the ledge onto the roof, thighs leaned against the stoned overhang. Hands gripped on the ridge at each side, she looked to the case hung on her shoulder. All this trouble for such a tiny thing, better be worth it in the end. Her sister wasn't one to send her on silly goose chases, she reasoned.

"Look. Even if I seem ungrateful, I am thankful for the dumb decision you made on the fly." Like she said, he was on the radar now. Her mission, her mistake, her fault. She owed him something for his assistance. She added solemnly, "You might've dabbled into something unsafe. So until the mess blows over, I owe you."

Digging a chain of keys from her pocket, wintry eyes lingered on the charm gifted to her years ago then tossed it to her abettor. Serah couldn't rely on his capability alone; the chance of him being caught wasn't going to be on her shoulders. Blame her stupid, nonexistent conscience if he must. "I'll drop you off at the safehouse first, if you agree. After a day or two, they'll forget about your interference and scratch out the probability of you being an accomplice. Whatever you left behind at the station, I'll be sure to reimburse with interest. Sound good?"

Being forward was a normal thing but she was dealing with an unknown element. Noel was a stranger to this town and its ways, this wasn't a good fresh start for him. Additional involvement with her would just damn him all the more. Practically labeling him a delinquent by being at her side. Serah should've been more prudent about this. First thing she would have to do is get his information swiped from the system if he had anything vital on him, there was no use of him getting a record here. Other matters could wait, the thief started down a nearby fire escape. "We're only a street away, let's get to the road now."

[Moonie]

Noel ruffled his hair, thinking on her words. He had no real choice in the matter, anyway. He highly doubted they would forget him. Despite the fact his money and his phone, he had his ID and the proof stub of the train ticket in the backpack. They had nearly every piece of vital information in that single front pocket. Caius would just love this, he thought to himself. His thought was interrupted by a jingle and he caught the chain before it could slap him in the chest.

Biting back his words, he followed her onto the street. His eyes glanced around sharply, uneasily, in search of the police. He had always wondered what criminals felt like, always looking over their shoulder, and now he knew. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to get used to it.

"All right, first off, there's nothing to reimburse from that bag. It was just clothes. Second, I think your logic on them forgetting about me might be close to zilch because my ID was in there. The only chance of them writing me off is if what I'm involved with is a petty street crime, meaning you should be written off, too. But you seem too experienced, so that's off the list." Noel began speaking in a lower tone, walking next to her as if they were friends. From watching a few movies, it was obvious you had to blend in a little bit. "Third, why would you have a safehouse and why would you give me the key? What is all this, anyway?"

The brunette held up the chain, looking at the small assortment of keys. Suddenly, he took notice of the small charm. It seemed familiar and he wanted to say so, but there was the blockade of amnesia pushing at him. "Where did you get this...?" he asked her, unconsciously pressing his fingers to his head to try and still the incoming pain.