Who left the BGM on?

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

[There's music coming out of one of the labs today. Something of a rock-ish persuasion*, actually; Xeha, for this is whose lab it comes from, seems to have a taste for things epic.

He is, actually, chilling out in there with a coffee. Even dedicated researchers need downtime...]

*((Link is not recommended for the spoiler-avoiding.))

Comments

[todomarishi]

[He shakes his head and sighs lightly.]

I guess I should be glad.

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

[A little puzzled-] How so?

[todomarishi]

[He takes to looking around the lab at all of the... weird equipment he's never seen before. Oh, you researchers with your science "toys".]

It would have been strange if you had ended up short.

[And abrupt subject change when he realizes where that thought train is headed.]

What have you been you doing in here?

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

There's only so much that changes. [He shrugs.] And I've been up to a bit of private research. I've ... [he looks a bit nervous, thinking about one link that could be drawn] been studying the different abilities and constructions of keyblades on a scientific basis.
[And planning to make one. But he's not letting that on straight away.]

[todomarishi]

[Okay, have a skeptical look, Xehanort.]

Keyblades. You're... using science on Keyblades.

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

[He shrugs.] It's been working so far, surprisingly enough. And 'science' is just a way of looking at the world ... as far as that's concerned, that applies to magic and its artifacts, too.

[todomarishi]

[This is still his face.]

What's the point? What do you get out of... studying Keyblades? Is that how you improve your battle techniques?

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

In some ways, it does. It allows me to see the limits of their ability in a different way. And it's hardly as if I don't train in the conventional manner on a regular basis... this is a side project. Not a replacement.

[todomarishi]

... Okay. If you say so.

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

And besides - if it leads to the things I hope it might, it will be useful. [A shrug.] But I suppose we've just got different perspectives on these things. You had Eraqus. I had Ansem. I've been a scientist longer than I knew I was a keybearer.

[todomarishi]

[He nods a little in reluctant agreement.]

What are you hoping it will lead to?

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

[He thinks for a minute.] Ways to complement the abilities I gain from training. For example, being able to design a keychain to boost specific areas in combat - I could analyse those chains and blades with similar traits, and use the data to synthesise a new one. Or even to allow abilities no naturally-given chain or blade has... there's possibilities, I think.

[todomarishi]

Synthesis? You want to be able to... make Keyblades?

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

Someone had to in the first place. [He looks down.] I know. I don't want to do what he did. But if they were created once, they can be created again. Even if it means trying to find out things that were lost a thousand years ago.

[todomarishi]

[He's not sure what to think about that. It's a... disconcerting proposition, but Xehanort has a point about Keys being made in the past. So long as it's not that Keyblade he's trying to create, what harm can it do?]

You must have given your Master a lot of headaches.

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

[He chuckles, although it's tinged with sadness.]

A few. We did have our disagreements. But things ... largely worked out.

[todomarishi]

... Largely?

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

[He looks down.]

Things happened between us the last time I saw him. It's... a little awkward to talk about.

[todomarishi]

[Another nod. He focuses his attention back on the lab equipment.]

Right, of course. Sorry.

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

You weren't to know. [He shrugs. At least that's one messy explanation less for today.]

[todomarishi]

You're probably right... [Probably being the key word.]

Speaking of Masters, do you have any plans to earn the title for yourself?

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

[Another sigh.]

One day, I'd like to - to earn it by my own right. But I'm not sure how possible that is.

[todomarishi]

I don't see why it wouldn't be possible.

[walkingspoiler.livejournal.com]

[He shrugs.] It should be, I'd suppose. It just depends on a few things. [Listing on his fingers...]

Whether I'm ready as I think I am, given I've never had any formal tuition - I don't know what the expected standard is, and I know my abilities aren't ... quite the norm.

And whether I can find a Master to examine me who'll be happy with naming a second Master Xehanort.

[todomarishi]

[He nods along with the listed reasons... until the last reason given. He grimaces at that one.]

Maybe a Master who's never heard of Xehanort?