⒈ action & video

[brighthearted]

[ Here is a young woman walking slowly through the streets of Asgard, noticeably new if only by the concerned look on her face as she glances about, her surroundings obviously unfamiliar to her. But perhaps of greater interest is the armor she wears, though her helmet is off and tucked under one arm, her strange key-shaped sword clutched in her other hand.

She's got a lot on her mind. The first thing she'd noticed is that her armor wasn't responding to her, only to lead very quickly to the realization that her Keyblade was ... inert. It felt dead in her hands, like all the light and all the power had gone out of it.

And as she walks, she notices other senses deadened, too. She cannot feel the Light or the Darkness. The only magic she's been able to produce has been a bit of ice - none of her normal spells, and nothing of her own personal magic, either.

When she finally stops, she stands before the Welcome Hall of Odin, staring up at it with more than a little uncertainty. She shifts her Keyblade into the hand also gripping her helmet, and presses her free hand to her mouth. ]

Restoring this world... and the one from whence I came.

Something about this is not right.

[ With a final sigh, Aqua lowers her arm and moves towards the door of Odin house, letting herself in to find "her" lodgings and perhaps come across anyone who might be able to explain things to her.

When she later does make it to her room, she will use her bracelet to make a video post to the network -- by now, she has managed to take off all of her armor and store it and her Keyblade out of sight, leaving her dressed in her normal clothes. ]

I've been told I can use this bracelet to communicate with all the other travelers in this place. My name is Aqua, and I'll be staying in Odin. Please, if anyone could help me, I'm looking for my friends. Their names are Terra and Ven. It's really important that I find them, so if you've heard anything at all, I'd really appreciate hearing it.

[ A beat, before she continues. ] Is ... it true that each person here is from a different world?

[ She remembers her charge: "do not tell anyone there are other worlds." But it was one of the very first things mentioned in the welcome letter she was given. Perhaps she can find out more about this strange place, what could very well be a nexus of all worlds -- the first thing of its kind that she's ever heard of.

How very strange indeed. ]

Comments

[text]

[brighthearted]

[ ... well, this is strange. Aqua feels a measure of uncertainty at the anonymity of this message, but she'll go with it, for now. She does not turn her video off, but she responds in text in kind. ]

You do? Please, can you tell me where he is?

[anon text forever]

[showmeanguish]

Around. Not sure what house he's in.

[B|]

[brighthearted]

I see. Well, thank you for your help.

[B)]

[showmeanguish]

No problem.

I do have one question for you, though.

[(fuu)]

[brighthearted]

Yes?

[showmeanguish]

[There's a pause, almost as if on purpose before the next text comes.]

Have you told him about Terra's gift yet?

[brighthearted]

[ ...

Who is this? ]

What do you mean, Terra's gift? Who are you?

[showmeanguish]

The wooden keyblade he left behind on that backwater little world?

Don't tell me you don't remember what happened to it.

[brighthearted]

Vanitas!

[ She drops the text in favor of yelling. She's instantly angry, and instantly stunned -- hadn't she taken care of him? Why is he here? ]

I thought I was through with you. If you've hurt Ven, I swear--!

---> audio

[showmeanguish]

Shut up and listen closely. Ventus barely matters, anymore. The worst he's gotten off with is a little gender confusion and awkward dancing.

[brighthearted]

Why should I listen to you? You'll do anything to get what you want, Vanitas, including lie if it suits you!

[ ... though that bit about the gender confusion and awkward dancing is pretty weird. ]

If you've hurt anyone, Vanitas, you'll pay for it. I won't rest until I've found you!

[showmeanguish]

Still as square as usual. Man, I'd almost forgotten how serious and mature you are.

[brighthearted]

And I'd almost say you're like a child, if I didn't know for sure how dangerous you are. [ Her voice is a little flat. She doesn't think that's very funny. ]

[showmeanguish]

[There's a slight sound, almost like a chuckle but not quite.] That's almost a compliment, coming from you. But I don't need to explain; you'll find out on your own just how different things are here, Master Aqua.

[brighthearted]

[ From him, the "Master" sounds like an insult, and she bristles. ]

You could earn another compliment right now by telling me the truth. How long have you been in this place, and have you hurt anyone while you've been here?

[ She doesn't expect the truth. But his answer might still be revealing. ]

[showmeanguish]

Hard to tell... And as a matter of fact, no. I haven't touched anyone.

[brighthearted]

... fine. But if your story doesn't check out when I talk to Ven, you know what's going to happen.

[showmeanguish]

Think you'll find that threatening people doesn't go over too well, either.

[...Considering everything that's been happening, lately.]

[brighthearted]

Threatening? I think anyone who knew the things you've done would take my side, Vanitas. Besides, I'm not threatening you. I'm promising to keep the rest of this place safe from your tricks.

[showmeanguish]

[Tricks? Is that all? He expected a little more venom from Aqua, all things considered, but...

If Ventus didn't remember, then perhaps Aqua doesn't either.]

Doesn't matter. My 'tricks' will be the least of your worries once you get settled in.

[brighthearted]

What's that supposed to mean?

[showmeanguish]

[click! And that'd be him hanging up on her.]

[brighthearted]

[ ... GRR!

She'll find out what you meant, Vanitas. And she'll find you. Don't you worry about that. ]