kingdomdressing | (no subject)

[...this causes Ienzo to raise a brow. He's used to younger versions, but he's yet to encounter a Xehanort that knew Donald and Goofy specifically. Odd.]

Er, hello.

[And that earns a hell of a relieved look.]

I've been looking everywhere! Are the others around here, too?

Unfortunately, they don't seem to be any longer, although I did encounter Braig and Dilan some months ago, as well as Master Ansem.

[still, this is a bit strange to him. Whatever the case, he might as well explain.]

I suppose their absence could very well be due to the nature of this world.

Months ago? I saw Braig and Dilan this morning...

[Though the mention of Master Ansem earns a flicker in his eyes, glancing aside as he swallows. His tone's rather more determined when he asks-]

What's happening here? What is this world?

Over time this world has become known as a Crossroads, due to its nature of drawing in those from different worlds, times, and even universes. In a way, however, this world also acts as a prison. Escapes have been attempted, but none have been successful. The reason why it has been months for me is because I've resided in this world for more than a year now.

But I just saw you earlier...

[His voice trails off.]

I did, but you didn't. Because you're here. Because you just said that. But how can this work?

If only I knew. Unfortunately, I've found that using science and logic often proves neigh impossible when applied to this unusual world. I have tried before, believe me.

Whatever the case, I believe the most logical assumption would be that the Ienzo you're familiar with and myself are two entirely different individuals-- or rather, that my own version of Radiant Garden is from another reality, considering that the Xehanort I'm familiar with is an adult.

[‘It’s been a long time’ since he’s bothered to patrol the Dressing Room’s endless hallways. There hasn’t been much for him to do or many guests in the false sanctuary he’s felt inclined to meet- they’ve cast off their duties, given in to simple pleasures or pointless activities to pass the time. But every so often Terra returns to make his rounds, searching patiently for still-silver emblems, tarnished armor, blue hair.

He’s not a particularly lucky man, though, and he’s reminded of that as he rounds a corner and notices his sworn enemy. Or, well... a boy with the appearance of the man that carried the name of his sworn enemy. Close enough.]

Xehanort.

[He tries his best not to give in to the desire to strike first and ask questions later, but his grip on the Keyblade tightens as he approaches.]

[He nods along - this is amazing, but he's seen a lot of amazing things lately...]

A different reality. A different universe... that's incredible. And I'm older than you there?

[Okay, that actually gets a smile.]

Even more strangeness.

[He looks the armoured figure over, glances at the keyblade...]

...Do I know you?

[It's like he's trying to dredge up a memory of a dream. Something's eerily familiar, but he can't place it. And that's not a feeling he likes.]

Indeed you are, Xehanort.

[this one seems a lot less sinister than other Xehanorts, so he'll ease up a bit. No mention of darkness so far.]

It's strange, but I find this world fascinating, despite the fact that it often seems unexplainable, much less believable.

[He's still learning the whole 'ranting on' thing, really.]

I suppose I got to use the laboratories properly over there, too. [He laughs.] And if anything can't be explained, it just means we don't know how yet, doesn't it? There have to be answers!

[a tiny little girl can be found staring at him, looking very curious.]

[...holycrap. Someone pinch him, quick.]

Kairi! I can't believe it - I thought Maleficent...

[He shakes his head.]

It's so good to see you again.

[cue the look of confusion. nonetheless, she starts walking over.]

Malef'cent?

[He frowns. Well, she'd told him...]

You don't remember a - green woman? Black cloak?

Well, the laboratories were built, but when I'm from, the experiments haven't gone very far, which, in retrospect, I'm rather grateful for after being here and learning the inevitable results.

As for answers, it's still very much a possibility. The means of which to obtain the answers, on the other hand, are still unknown for the time being.

['Inevitable results'. He knows what that means, and nods as Ienzo speaks.]

They ... went far enough back home. [And he sounds worried again.] I've got to get back! I was supposed to fix things...

Oh! She's here! I dunno where, though.

[she stops next to him, looking him over. she's never seen a Xehanort this small.]

Well. As long as she hasn't ... as long as you're okay. I was so worried...

[oh god such a relief. Something's nagging at him, but it's all good for now.]

I understand, really, I do. Many here have left behind not just their homes, but problems left unsolved-- however, no means of escape has been discovered, other than simply waiting. It's deplorable, but many have ran out of ideas.

[He stops at that and swings the Keyblade off its place on his shoulders. None of them ever remember. He almost prefers it that way. Almost.]

Do you? Or like the others, has the memory of what came before escaped you?

[Ngh. He shakes his head.]

It's not right. I can't just sit back and let the darkness take everywhere else... we did it, it was in our hands to repair the damage. I ... suppose that all of you are still there, though.

[He shakes his head.]

I don't ever remember seeing you. Not for as long as I can remember.

You're not so different from the rest of them.

[He shifts slightly, looking across the hall and back again. His anger abates ever-so-slightly: it's difficult to stay enraged when you're staring down at a young teenager.]

Explain yourself then, Xehanort. What do you remember?

The rest of them...?

[He shuffles slightly.]

And - I remember - Radiant Garden. [He swallows as he says the words.] That's all. The first thing I remember is waking up there when I was sick and Master Ansem found me. Everything since then's been - life in the castle.

Xehanort. Xehanorts. The shell and the heart of another, as well. Those that were brought here each followed a different fate, but they all began with... their awakening into that world.

[He scoffs.]

What of the Darkness?

[And this Xehanort looks confused through the first bit of the speech, but at the second... he sounds genuinely nervous, every ounce the worried teen.]

It's... it's here. It's there. Home. I thought they'd stopped before it could go any further... but now I've - got to heal the damage that's been done.

[That ‘clunk’ would be the sound of the tip of Terra’s Keyblade hitting the ground. He’s heard a lot of crazy talk out of Xehanorts before, but this is one discussion he’s never had before. And never expected to have, really.]

... Heal the damage that’s been done? You?

Yes. Me.

[He glances at the keyblade as the noise escapes it.]

Radiant Garden was mine, my home - so it's mine to restore.

[He's quick to recover from his surprise and hoists the Keyblade over his shoulder again. His posture is almost casual as though he's come to the conclusion that this Xehanort isn't a threat.]

You don't restore worlds. All you know... All any of you have ever known is how to ruin them.

[He sounds almost panicky again.]

I know what we did. I know it was our fault! But that's why I've got to try... I don't know the way. That's true. I'm just beginning. But I will learn.

[He takes a step toward him and the Keyblade’s on the move again. This time he points it toward the boy’s chest.]

I sincerely hope you don’t learn, Xehanort. The worlds benefit from your ignorance.

That's very bold of you, but it seems that your intentions are genuine; needless to say, I am a bit surprised, considering what became of many other Xehanorts from parallel worlds. That being said, it would be foolish to judge one based on the actions of what could have been, or what could be, so I most certainly won't.

I suppose Radiant Garden is in ruin, then? That seems to be a common phenomenon, just as the fall to darkness, creation of Nobodies, and the Princess being sent away.

[He steps backward, eyes wide open. Eeep. Is he threatening him here?]

Why? How can they benefit from not being helped? I want to push back the darkness - I want to understand the light. To follow it. I want to use it, as I was given it to use. I want to do what I can!

[He closes his eyes and nods.]

The last I saw of it, it was just a... shadow of itself. And the ...Princess went missing a few weeks before things went wrong.

[Still not used to calling her anything other than just 'Kairi'.]

Edited 2009-03-13 08:47 (UTC)

... That isn't good at all. What happened?

[in truth, he's much more used to referring to her by name as well, but he's used to hearing others call her such. After what Xehanort says, though, he frowns.]

The Kairi from my own world is here; she's a dear friend of mine, despite the age difference, though considering that you yourself are much younger, now I'm curious. Is she still a young child in your case?

[He nods, swallows, tries to explain it all. It feels so weird describing things to someone who, his heart says, should already know...]

She's only young, you're right. I used to help teach her sometimes and keep her company. She vanished one day, I don't really know what happened - the last I saw of her was her running off somewhere. But... the darkness arrived shortly afterwards... we thought that there was nothing to worry about, but - there it was.

[He finishes speaking in sad, fragile tones.]

... Hm. The presence of darkness and the heartless isn't something to be taken lightly, but, at least in my own world, Kairi is pure-hearted, thus the darkness would be unable to corrupt her if the same applies to the one you know.

Do you have any idea why she would run off?

[He shakes his head.]

None. I saw her talking to her grandmother in the library - I didn't catch what they were saying, but she seemed upset...

Hm, well it is possible that time may not be affected. It seems to vary from world to world, really...

How do you mean?

Those who do leave occasionally return, and it seems that in certain cases time remains unchanged upon their return, while in others it continues to pass.

[He nods.]

Strange. But I guess it's no stranger a phenomenon than being here...