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]

[Terra should count his blessings he didn't find himself in the ball pit room.

Talk about your jarring contrasts from the Dark Realm, though.]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[This is so much better than the dark realm! Rides, snacks, games... rides...

Yeah, Ven's grinning ear to ear.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[And by 'from', I obviously meant 'to'.

Terra's practicing his gawking technique, but he smiles. Too typical of you, Ven. It reminds him of Disney Town in a way.]

Why am I not surprised?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

Hey, what's that supposed to mean?

[Pff. THIS FACE, Terra.

But, in all honesty, he expected that kind of reaction.]

You should see some of the rides here. There's this one roller coaster that's really fast!

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

If you don't know by now, I'm sure not going to tell you.

[He's investigating the snacks first. He hadn't noticed he was hungry until he could smell the food here.]

Faster than you?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

Aw, man.

[No fair, bro. But food does sound good right about now, so he'll hover by the food stands. Hot dogs, cotton candy, burgers... ice cream. Ooh, now that is tempting. If only they had Double Crunch.]

Yeah, way faster! It's huge, too!

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He's going for a burger. Or two.]

Would you say it's powerful... as far as roller coasters go?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[Burgers are good, too. So he'll grab an ice cream cone and a burger for great justice.]

Definitely! When me and Kairi rode on it, it went so fast that we screamed. It was a lot of fun, though.

[Yes. He's made a new... 'friend'. Someone forgot to mention that.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He's so preoccupied with taking a bite of that burger, chewing, and savoring it, he almost doesn't catch the unfamiliar name. Almost.]

Kairi?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[...eheh. Whoops!]

She's someone I met here.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[Ah, mystery revealed.]

She's a new friend of yours?

[Careful, Ven.]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

Uh. Well...

[No. No, no, no! No blushing around Terra. That's a recipe for disaster.]

Yeah! That's right.

[...too late. It's there. Right on his face, and it's not going away any time soon.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He makes a thoughtful 'hm' noise as he continues to practically inhale that burger. He might not have it in him to tease now, but you can bet he won't forget this news any time soon. Or, you know, ever.]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[So he's doomed to being teased, eh? Well... he's kinda missed Terra teasing, anyway.

Now then. He'll look over the ice cream and then the burger and... ice cream first. Otherwise it'll melt.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[Eraqus would give you trouble about spoiling your dinner by eating dessert first.

But he isn't Eraqus and isn't looking to become Eraqus, so starting on burger number two it is.]

Will I get to meet her?

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[Master is a good man, but Ven is a derp that rather enjoys ice cream. Therefore, Terra's acceptance is appreciated.]

Sure! I bet she'd love to meet you.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

What's she like?

[Probably not a question he'd be asking if he honestly believed Ven only considered her a friend.]

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[Hey, he totally considers her more than that. It's just weird talking to Terra about it. In any case, hmm... Thinking. How to describe her...]

Well, she's really nice, for one. She's lots of fun to be around, even if she does tease me sometimes. Kairi's the kind of person that really cares about her friends, and sometimes she reminds me of Aqua.

[What else...?]

Oh! And she's a really good cook.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[Still smiling here, but his expression is tinged with sadness: the comparison to Aqua got to him. He brushes his hands off once he's finished with the burger.]

Can't wait to meet her.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[...Oh. That totally slipped his mind for a moment. In any case, he'll finish off his food before taking a quick look around.]

So, d'you wanna check this place out?

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He tucks his hands into his pockets and follows Ven's gaze.]

You're not getting me on any of those rides today, if that's what you're thinking.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[See that pout?]

Aw, why not?

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He's averting his gaze away from the pout. If he can't see it, it has no power over him.]

... I can't do everything on my first day.

[erasemefriend.livejournal.com]

[...Aw. Well, he'll look over to some of the games. And... is that It's a Small World playing from one of them?]

Well, maybe we could check out some of the games.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[Don't you dare, Ven.]

Do they have any games that involve lying around?