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

[skybright]

[she shakes her head, frowning a little.]

I've... my friends and I, we're connected, but I didn't think it meant everyone. And I still don't really know why I got the keyblade in the first place, but I've been doing my best to keep everyone safe with it...

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[Frowns are contagious.]

I see...

[He thinks it over and eventually gestures with one hand.]

It's true, though. It has to be. I believe what that man said about you.

[skybright]

Well... well, even if it is, I'm not exactly your Sora. 'Cause there are a ton in this place, and most of them are boys.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

... Heh. I was wondering about that. The you I saw a long time ago was almost definitely a boy. But... how can that be?

[skybright]

Well, see, this place we're in is called the dressing room, and it's a crossroads between worlds. Except I guess it means worlds on an even bigger scale, because there are doubles of people all over the place.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

Different worlds brought together... doubles of people. Are you sure this isn't a dream one of us is having?

[skybright]

I've kinda been here too long for it to be a dream.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

How long is too long?

[skybright]

Well, I don't think dreams last months at a time...

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

... No, probably not.

[skybright]

And some people have been here for years now.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He backs up to the wall to lean against it.]

You're kidding.

[skybright]

'fraid not, sorry.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He thinks it over, tilting his head back to rest it against the wall, too.]

Why don't they leave?

[skybright]

Because there isn't an exit.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[Gee, that sounds familiar.]

At least it's lighter... [Mumble mumble to himself.]

And you're here.

[skybright]

[do you even hear yourself, Terra. she's going rather pink, even though she figures he means that because of all the YOU'RE OUR ONLY HOPE stuff he was talking about earlier. watch her stutter for a moment.]

Aw, that's not really a big deal. There's tons of Soras here. Most of 'em are even the gender you were expecting and all.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He can't help himself. Years in the Realm of Darkness and fatigue have made him into a veritable Sora fanboy. Fanguy. Fanman.]

My Master once told me that it's not the gender of the Keybearer but his or her heart that matters.

[... He was probably told that early on while complaining about having to spar with Aqua.]

[skybright]

[if he breaks out the pompoms, she's knocking him out and putting him in a bed.]

Sounds like a pretty smart guy!

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[What about confetti? Fireworks?]

He definitely was.

[skybright]

[...does he have either of those-]

Man, it must've been nice having someone teach you how to do all that keyblade stuff.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He has both.]

It was... [Wait, what.] You didn't?

[skybright]

[she just shakes her head.]

Far as I've been able to figure out... there wasn't anyone left to teach me. Getting the keyblade was a total surprise for me. It showed up when my home was being destroyed by Heartless.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry.

[Kind of slips out without him thinking about it. He's not even sure what he's sorry about- her home being destroyed, the fact that there was no one around to teach her.]

Everyone I've ever known who could wield the Keyblade was trained to do so by a Master. Did anyone ever come to you when you were little?

[skybright]

What are you apologizing for? Not like it was your fault.

[and if he elaborates on the home being destroyed thing, she'll be happy to inform him it was fixed.]

Hmmmm. Nope! When I got mine was the first time I'd seen one, that I can remember.