Between the lines of fear and blame (spoilers)

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[There's a Terra trekking through one of the Dressing Room hallways. A passerby wouldn't have to be too observant to notice that the wide-eyed, slack-jawed, and all-around bewildered expression on his face pretty much reads "new arrival". He might as well have a flashing arrow hanging over his head, pointing out just how new to this place he is. He doesn't seem all that intimidated by the abrupt change in his surroundings or by the many doubles wandering around, though: as far as he's concerned, this is a dream. It has to be a dream, right? That's the only explanation that makes any sense.

Even if, with the initial adrenaline rush tapering off, he still feels as tired- no, as mentally and physically exhausted as he had moments before he'd found himself in this dream world, even if it had hurt when he'd caught the edge of his shoe on the floor, tripped, and hit the wall with his shoulder earlier, even if his shoulder still aches now, this has to be a dream. It has to be.

Rubbing at his arm again, he stops to lean against a closed door. He slumps against it, letting his heavy eyelids shut for just a second or two. It is about then that the door gives way, swinging out from under his weight. Terra's deposited none too gracefully onto the cold ground inside the room. He can't help the startled shout and gasp that escapes his throat as he lands on his sore shoulder.

He stays down at first, working to get the air back into his lungs, as well as to will away the pain. He won't waste precious energy summoning his Keyblade to Cure spell something as minor as a bruise. Terra lifts his head a moment later only to notice the dimly lit path that snakes out ahead of him. Darkness surrounds the path on both sides. Strange formations decorated by glowing blue streaks jut out of the shadows. He all but scrambles to his feet, aforementioned soreness forgotten.]

No... Not again! Not back here again!

[A soft, shuffling groan from somewhere deep within the darkness is his answer. Yes, Terra. Oh yes. The Darksides appear one at a time, drawing themselves up to their full heights. Terra can only stare at first, but finally the fear is replaced by a tired flicker of aggravation... or maybe that's determination. He holds his hand out as if to summon his Keyblade only to reconsider before the weapon appears. His fingers hurriedly search one of his hakama's pockets instead. His glare flicks from the orange charm he soon produces, up to the Darksides.]

If this is how it has to be...

[He holds the charm to his chest, closes his eyes tight, and waits. Trust. He's got to trust in that bond. He even thinks to smile, remembering the first time those flashes of light, those Keyblades, helped him out of a tight spot. He'll never again forget how much his friends mean to him or how much he means to his friends.

...

Anyone who happens to be walking down that corridor might find themselves being run into by a man who, despite his size, has been flung back through the doorway by the impact of one of the Darkside's attacks.]



[ooc: From exmariascientia's AU. Spoilers hinted at under cut, comment spoilers.]

Comments

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't know how long he was in the Realm of Darkness... It's easy to chalk up the age difference as a matter of time passing while he was lost. But Ven being awake in another issue altogether.]

When did you get here?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

About a year ago.

[At least... he thinks it's been a year. Close to one, anyway.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

... And before that?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

We were in the Keyblade Graveyard.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[His voice sinks to a whisper.]

What?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

And I asked you to... put an end to me.

[Sob. He does not like thinking about it, but he might as well be honest here.]

I know it sounds crazy, but that's another thing about this place: people come from different times and even different dimensions.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

I remember that.

[He sways on his feet but disguises the passing dizzy spell by turning and moving away from the door. He expects Ven will follow.]

Is that why there's... more than one of different people?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[Oh, Terra. Ven will certainly follow! There's no way he'd ditch one of his best friend, alternate or not.]

Exactly! There's at least two of just about everybody, and some of the doubles are really different.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

Ah.

[He keeps going, sticking close to the wall.]

How do people leave? What does everybody do here? ... What's with the rooms?

[No, wait, stopping.]

Aqua. Is Aqua here?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[So many questions, Terra! Good thing he's not going to scream like last time.]

Uh, well, people can't really leave on their own. It usually just happens, the same way they get here. People do tons of stuff; there's rooms with just about anything you could imagine, even parts of worlds!

[... And as for that last question--]

Yeah, she's here! There's a couple of Aquas, actually.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He's so out of sorts, you could answer "blue, fifteen, chipmunk" and he wouldn't notice right away. It's a lot to take in (and, truth be told, he hasn't let go of the dream idea 100% yet), but he nods his understanding.]

A couple of her? Have you seen an Aqua with...

[Terra trails off and rests his hand on his shoulder lightly. He can't bring himself to say it. It reminds him that he never told Ven what happened.]

I knew something was wrong when I saw her armor in Departure. She wasn't in it.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

Her armor?

[That's...odd. Something seems off about that.]

What d'you mean, Terra?

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

Her armor was alive. She... It was moving on its own. It changed the castle and the whole world. It made our home into something different.

[He runs the back of his hand across his cheek, expecting to wipe off tears but finding his skin dry.]

I left you with it. I knew it would help protect you.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

But how'd that happen? I didn't think our armor could have a life of its own...

[Still, that's interesting. Much different than the circumstances of his world.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He shrugs, absently checking behind another door. Courtyard of the Castle of Dreams.]

I don't know, Ven.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm glad it did. Someone's gotta take care of our home.

[Whoa, what? Give him a second. Ven's going to peek inside, because he never did get to see the castle.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He opens the door wider when he notices Ven's interested. No giant monsters in there, at least. He steps in himself and heads for the fountain. Terra considers saying that when he left Departure, it wasn't their home anymore... But it doesn't feel right. Maybe he could tell that to an Aqua, but never to a Ven.]

I promised you I would find her. I was going to wake you up somehow after I brought her back.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[This is so coooool. Yeah, Ven follows him right inside, taking a good look around.]

I'm sure you will, Terra. If anyone can do it, it's you.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He'll sit on the edge of the fountain and watch Ven explore.]

I did find her, Ven. Remember Radiant Garden?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[And this is where it gets complicated. He shakes his head.]

No... The last thing I remember's when Vanitas--

[He cuts off. ]

But what happened when you found her?

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

When Vanitas...?

[The question distracts him from pushing the subject. He drops his gaze to his reflection in the water.]

She wasn't herself.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about it, Terra.

[There's no need to worry him. He wouldn't like hearing the end result, anyway.]

She wasn't? What d'you mean?

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[Don't think you'll be able to avoid that discussion forever, Ven. He yawns behind the cover of his hand before going on. He'll have to be careful with how he words this.]

She didn't... have control over her own heart.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[...and he droops. Yeah. He thought it might be something like that.]

Was it Xehanort?

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

... Yeah.

[He turns where he's sitting to lay back on that upraised edge.]

I'm sorry, Ven.