thoughtformed | [this post comes in both text AND audio, since it's important]

Hey.

Guess the time has come to be a little more obvious about this. Something strange just showed up. They're colorful monsters that are running all over the place. I haven't seen these ones before, but I know they're familiar. Thing is, familiar is bad. These things can hurt you. I'm not sure of what all they're capable of, but if you see anything, bright, colorful, and monstrous running around ... go in the opposite direction.

And—I was gonna try avoiding this, but here's a proper introduction. My name is Riku. Where I come from, and probably where other people come from, even if they just don't know it yet, some people have the power to wield keyblades. These keyblades are a sign of a strong heart. Recently, I ... well, I got named keyblade master. So while we're all stuck here together, I guess I'm in charge of looking after you all.

That—uh, that isn't to say you guys can't do it, too. I've seen people fight from all different types of places. And my best friend ... he's seen even more. But I can't slack on the job.

Anyway, if you have questions about these things, go ahead. I'm about to go personally check them out myself.

And Lea? It's time to see what you can do.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah.

Not could, Xion. Do.

No one should've told you otherwise.

... so ... so maybe ... if I'd never had Sora's memories, I could just ... be me?

That's the idea.

[ There's a long silence. ]

.... that's all I ever wanted. To... to....

[ She chokes up. In a whisper ]

Sorry.

... Hey, look. Roxas and Lea are here. You've got it now.

[even if Sora ... isn't okay, he isn't going to take that away. when he looks back on himself, on all that he's done, and he thinks about the fact that that data even exists—

it makes him regret it. it's not hard for him to regret things, to want to test himself.

and since getting here, he's felt a little aimless, lost, uncertain—sure, he doesn't say it, not outright. Lea's caught on to it. but the others don't need to know that he's worried about his best friend. but he can't let that worry transform into what it did before.

even if he has his doubts about whether he deserves that title, it's a good thing. it keeps him in check. and the other side, with roxas' own animosity—yeah, that helps, too.

and right now, if he can make her believe she deserves a right to exist, when he already told her the opposite—then maybe he's doing something right.

so after a pause:]

As far as I'm concerned, "now" can last a very long time.

I never wanted to go away!

[ She's crying. The thickness of her tone and the catch in her voice make that clear. She hiccups once or twice, just -- overwhelmed with her own, sudden desire to keep living her own life. Davesprite, Dave, Sheska, Kate, King... her new friends. And her old friends, her best friends... she doesn't want to leave them. Any of them.

Hiccup. ]

I ... I want to stay here... I like having friends and a life. The week everyone's memories got confused... everyone thought I was a student, and... and I had my job, and school, and my friends, and... even if it was hard... it was so nice. No missions, nothing to fight, no one... no one telling me I was a mistake... I really liked it. I wish everything could be like that forever...

If I can be myself... without hurting Sora... then that's what I want. That's what I want...

Edited 2013-06-17 04:40 (UTC)

[he's silent on his end for a long time.]

Then my first promise as a keyblade master ... is to make sure that happens. I'll find a way to bust us out of here—but that doesn't mean we can't come back. We're keyblade wielders. That's part of our job.

[ She sniffles once more and recovers, more or less. ]

... thank you, Riku. I'll stop... I'll try to stop saying I have no right to exist. But... only if you stop being so hard on yourself. You were doing the best you could... and Sora needed my memories. This time, though... we'll find another way. Together. Okay?

[you really are connected to them.]

Yeah—I'll do my best. Promise.

Then it's a promise.

I've got to go. I think I found some of those... whatever they are. And my friend is coming to help me. I'll talk to you after we take care of them!

All right. Show them what you're made of.

... you got it!

[ and away she goes, shutting off the connection. ]

[this post comes in both text AND audio, since it's important]

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