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 does stop... but he's not about to walk away.]

I'm sorry.

[That he couldn't save her, but he doesn't mention that part.]

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

[She gives a nod in acknowledgement.]

Is there ... anything you need while we're here?

[She might not be this friend he's talking about, but no reason not to be civil.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

No.

[He can't think of anything. He might be tired and he might be hungry, but the things he really needs- an answer or a solution to this mess- aren't going to appear out of nowhere. He shakes his head to back up his answer.]

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

Ah, well. [A slight sympathetic smile.] I'd say just go get some rest, then. ...If my advice means a lot right now. You look like you need it.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

Sleep?

[His chuckles humorlessly. Even if someone presented him with the most comfortable bed in the universe, he's not sure he could get to sleep.]

Where are you going?

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

[She gives a bit of a 'huh' expression at his reaction.] If you can. And I was just on my way to the library...

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

I'll go with you.

[His mind's made up.]

I... haven't seen a library in a long time.

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

[She smiles, although she's still a little worried that he's doing this because of his friend.]

If you'd like to, you're welcome. I'll point out a few landmarks as we go.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He straightens up, trying to shake the sleep out of his posture before nodding.]

All right.

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

[A bigger smile, and she takes a step onwards-]

Come on, then.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He follows her readily, all the while keeping an eye on the world around them.]

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

You'll find just about everything here. Places to live, places to entertain yourself, places to train and study - even rooms that seem to have entirely different worlds inside them. Though I've less idea about how that works than anything else...
[She looks at him briefly] Well. It's quite something.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

It sounds like you don't mind being here.

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

It has - a few upsides to it. But if I could get home, I'd do so in an instant.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

Home?

[He pauses in peering into a nearby room with an open door.]

Oh. Radiant Garden, you mean. Why?

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

[She runs reasons around in her head for a while, most of which she can't tell this person who seems to be trusting her so much, and simply says -]

Because it is home.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

What makes it home to you?

[Seemed like a more appropriate response than 'you're wrong' again.]

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

Apart from the fact it's all I've ever known? [She smiles.] The people, the atmosphere... it's somewhere I - fit in.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[And he frowns.]

How much farther do we have to go to get to the library?

[He's not above abrupt subject changes, no.]

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

[Oh, yeah. She's noticed, and raises an eyebrow. Hit another nerve? Well, she was just answering what he asked for...]

It's not far. Just along this corridor.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

Good. I was worried we might have a long walk ahead of us.

[That last bit is muttered.]

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

[He was the one who chose to come along, she thinks but doesn't say. Shortly-

Ah. We're here.

[And she pushes the door open.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[He waits for her to enter before he walks in and eyes all the book cases.]

Bigger than Master's was...

[exmariascientia.livejournal.com]

Bigger than the one b- [let's not say 'back home' again] the one I knew, too. There's books from all sorts of possible worlds.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

I bet you spend a lot of time here.

[He finds a table nearby and, after making sure it can hold his weight, takes a seat on the edge of it.]

... You know, as a scientist.