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]

[Sad, sad.]

Yeah. The Mark. Can't believe you haven't heard of any of this.

[skybright]

What is it, exactly?

[at least she's incredibly curious about it all.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

The point where a Keybearer is ready to stop being an apprentice and a student and become a Master, more or less. The exam was all about showing you had learned enough and could fight well.

[skybright]

Sounds kinda cool. I wish there'd been someone around to teach me when I first got my Keyblade.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

It's never too late to learn... more.

[skybright]

I'd have to find a teacher. There aren't exactly a lot of those around here.

[she scratches her cheek, frowning thoughtfully.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

There aren't? No Masters...? Like Master Yen Sid?

[skybright]

[she stops short at that, looking at Terra with wide eyes.]

But no one ever said anything...

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

About... what?

[skybright]

Well, after I woke up, we went to see Yen Sid, and no one mentioned anything about any Masters. Not the Keyblade kind, anyway.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

Maybe he's taking his retirement more seriously than I thought...

[skybright]

She, in my world. But maybe you're right. Still, I wish someone had mentioned something about Masters. No one said a single word about it!

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

... [Give him a minute to process the idea of Yen Sid being a woman. Or Eraqus. Or Xehanort. There's a mental image that will show up in his nightmares.]

I don't know what to tell you, Sora. They couldn't have forgotten about it and there's no point in keeping it a secret.

[skybright]

[don't think too hard on it, Terra. Sora just sighs and shakes her head before smiling.]

Aw well. Whatever everyone's reason was, I guess I can't really complain about it now, since it's already happened.

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

[If any of them show up here, he'll be a broken man.]

True. You could always mention it to them if you see any of them around, too.

[skybright]

Maybe I'll wait until I go back home.

[if she ever gets to, anyway.]

[exsolumsomnia.livejournal.com]

Why's that?

[skybright]

I dunno, I'd just rather ask someone who I know is from my world, you know? There aren't really many people here from worlds like mine, where everyone's genders are... switched or whatever. And there's actually not a lot of adults, unless they're adult versions of people I know who are teenagers... or members of the Organization.