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

8)

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

[She hesitates, still clearly confused, but after a moment, realizes what must be happening.]

You don't know where you are, do you?

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[And there goes the smile. He falters, eyebrows pinched together. It almost feels like he's admitting weakness... Or suffering the other manly shame: having to ask for directions. But he can't bring himself to care enough to pretend that he knows where he is or that he understands what's going on.]

... No. I was on that beach, talking with that man... and then I was here.

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

[What is it with men and asking for directions? The woman lets out a soft sigh.]

This is going to be a little hard to believe, but we're on a different world. In a different universe completely. They call it the dressing room around here... basically, this place is full of all kinds of magic, not all good either, and it traps people here.

I've been here for almost a year now.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He is fast becoming a professional starer. He finally remembers to breath and shakes his head.]

How? How did we get here?

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

No one knows for sure. The general consensus is that it's just this place's magic that brings people here.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

And... Xehanort? What happened with him?

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

There's a few around here... none of them seem to be up to anything, though.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

But you're free?

[He can't think of any other way to put it.]

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

[She walks over to him, holding out a hand to help him up.]

Terra, I'm not the Aqua you think I am. There are multiples of everyone. My heart is fine, I've always been free...

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He looks up, searching her face for any trace of insincerity and finding nothing but the stark honesty he'd always known her for. Terra can only sigh, his heart made heavy again. He brushes his hand against hers but gets up on his own. Once he's up, he trains his attention on the people moving along in the distance.]

Different worlds, huh? I get it.

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

[Her hand falls back to her side, turning her gaze to follow where his went.]

Yes... there's no way out of here either, unfortunately.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

... Of course.

[Out of the frying pan and into the fire.]

Is there something we're supposed to be doing?

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

Not that we know of. Some people think we're here just to entertain the place itself. About once a month there's a spell that does something to make our lives worse for a few days.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

Spell? What kind of spell?

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

That varies. Sometimes it's something generally innocent, like making the lights all go out or an aging or de-aging spell. Other times it's not so nice. There has been poisoned food, glass wall that splits the place in two, and there was an alignment spell that made those affected swap powers. There was a lot more darkness around during that one.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

And no one knows who's responsible for all of this? It can't be the world itself... Worlds are just worlds. I don't think even the heart of a world could do half those things.

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

There's no other explanation.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

... Great.

[He hits the wall behind him lightly with his fist, but there's no real anger in his expression.]

Anything else I should know?

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

Be careful who you trust around here. Not everyone is from the same kind of worlds.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

You mean there's more to worry about than Xehanort... and Vanitas?

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

Yes. There are Geminis- polar opposite versions of people- around that like to stir up trouble. The Organization members tend to not be so nice either- they're the ones in the black coats. It's usually pretty obvious who you can and can't trust, but even so. Be careful.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

I will be. I didn't come this far just to get taken down now.

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear it.

[She gives him a small smile. It's nice to see a Terra still determined like this.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He returns the smile.]

And I'm glad you... and your heart got through everything safely in your universe.

[diamondusts.livejournal.com]

[Her smile may have drooped a bit a that, her eyes locked on his, but she nods, turning away to try and hide that.]

Me too.