eternalpromise | 1st Sketch

Entry tags:

1st Sketch - Action

[While she wasn't aware of ever having fallen asleep, Naminé was aware of waking up. Not to mention the fact that it was suddenly much, much colder than her room in The Old Mansion - even if it felt like there was a bit more covering her shoulders than normal. When she opened her eyes the stark difference was even more obvious. Where-

And then she remembers where she was last, trying to stop Xion as she ran to confront whomever from the Organization had found them. Was that why- except this didn't seem like anything the Organization would do. Not leave her alone in a place like this - her powers were too valuable to them. And what about Sora? He was still asleep, and if anything happened... She'd promised Riku she'd keep him safe.

Well as much as she didn't like it, those were all things to worry about later. First was first, she needed to find out what was really going on here. Whoever'd brought her here had thoughtfully deposited her with her back against a building - the bakery to be exact.

Reaching out to push herself up, her hand brushes the cover of something and she looked down to see - not her sketchbook, as she expected, but some sort of journal. Much bigger than Jiminy's Journal, to be sure. She briefly opens it up, skims through some of the pages before - not seeing anything that helped or explained what was going on - closing it again and pushing herself to her feet properly properly.

From there she'll be hesitantly poking around the village - especially around the plaza, trying to figure out what happened. Any people she sees will be regarded with a mixture of wariness and curiosity, though she doesn't say anything unless asked. She and DiZ were sort of supposed to be in hiding from the Organization, after all...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Well, a certain Replica happens to be out fetching groceries right about now. It's been a while since he stopped scouring the village every New Feather cycle. Which is why when he looks up to see the familiar girl standing across the plaza, it takes him a good several seconds to realize who he's looking at. The groceries fall to the ground, and he's taken several strides forward before he even pauses to think. ]

Namine!

[ But he stops abruptly. His memories... were fake, right? So he didn't even know how much time they had actually spent together, in the worlds outside Luceti. Sora's gone and come back a lot, and seems to forget about this place every time. So Namine might not even have the memories of Luceti. And besides... he himself looked so different from how he was over two years ago when he'd first showed up. She probably wouldn't recognize him as who he was, even if she did know.

... But she had to be cold, dressed like that, and that was something he could at least help with. So despite the momentary awkward pause, he continues to walk towards her, though he's still a bit hesitant.

... And hopefully this wasn't just something the Malnosso did to Xion again. ]

[Her head turns upon hearing her name - the voice at least is familiar, even if she doesn't immediately realize it isn't who she thinks it is. Upon catching sight of the person running towards her, though she pauses, relief turning to faint surprise. He was a little taller than she remembered, and it hadn't been too long since she'd seen him last. The black streaks were new too. He also wasn't wearing a blindfold.

Unless... but... how...?]

Riku?

[She's not sure, though she has a guess. She could probably confirm it too - see if the memories she'd created were there - but if this really was him... She'd already interfered with them enough.

It still didn't explain all the differences, though. There was also another possible explanation, one that she knew could happen, though she didn't like to contemplate it.]

[ He slows again as he approaches her. She's here. She's really here.

... Is that a good thing? ]

... Close, but not quite. It's... complicated, but. I'm the replica.

[ He waits to see how she reacts to that before going on with the rest. ]

I see.

[She's not disappointed or unhappy, though there's a certain measure of discomfort. More than anything there's guilt. She'd done so many things wrong, back at Castle Oblivion, things she'd done even to him.

Where does she even begin?] It's... good to see you. It's been a while.

[ That catches him for a moment. "A while"? How long? What's happened for her, for him, both of them, beyond when he left?

He couldn't ask Axel, but... would he ask Namine?

... Not right now, at least. ]

Same here. This place... it's called Luceti. It's another world, not like any of the others. Time is weird here, and... it's been two years for me. Since I first came here.

[Two years? Well, there was no need to ask what he meant by time being weird here. It was fairly self-evident from the start.]

That is quite a while. [Longer for him than it's been for her - not even a year, though it's been getting close to it] Have you been doing well?

[Even if she hasn't seen him in so long, she can't help but wonder, maybe even worry ~~except that's an emotion~~.]

Yeah. [ ... Actually, he's not sure if that's the real answer to that question. He's... struggled, a lot, here. But it's been better, especially since he turned back from a Heartless.

But now that she's back, he's torn between his still-strong desire to protect her, and the knowledge that they were never as close as he had once believed they were. Even after two years, knowing his memories are fake doesn't make them any easier to ignore. He doesn't know how close the two of them were in reality. Before, or now.

He wants the two of them to be close. But is that fair to Namine? ]

... How are you?

[She wouldn't mind - if anything it would be... nice, much better to have real bonds there, rather than the one she created.]

I'm fine. Just... a little bit confused. Waking up here was... very unexpected.

[Come to think of it... it was the first time she'd been properly outside in a while.]

[ He gives a soft laugh, but it's strained. ]

Yeah, it is. We can't leave, either. They- [ ... oh wait ] ... Are you cold?

[Did somebody say bakery?!

Because, you know, Ven is totally gonna be waltzing right out of the bakery with a tasty fruit tart when he spots Naminé and smiles. New person radar is go! He might be a bit exhausted from the mission, but it never hurts to meet new people.]

Hey there!

Edited 2012-03-09 05:13 (UTC)

[Why yes. Someone did. Though Naminé hadn't expected for someone to just... walk out of it. She's not sure what she was expecting, really. Everything about this situation is an unknown.

Still, she turns to face the speaker before stopping in surprise. The person in front of her... Looks just like Roxas. Except he isn't wearing a coat, like Roxas should be right now...]

Hello. [She pauses] Do you know where we are?

[Well, Ven doesn't see any cause for alarm, so he'll stay casual. The thought that he resembles Roxas hasn't crossed his mind, really. After all, he has no idea that Naminé is from his universe.

Ah well. He'll nod, giving her one of his derpy smiles.]

I sure do! This place is called Luceti.

Luceti... [Hm... another world, by the sound of it. This was a problem. What had happened to DiZ? Or Riku, or Xion? And of course, what about Sora, Donald and Goofy?]

Do you have any idea how to leave? Or how we got here? I have... somewhere I need to be.

[Finding out how to leave might be a long shot, but how they got there would be a clue, at least.]

[Aww, shucks. He hates being the bearer of bad news, but Ven isn't one to tell a lie. He frowns, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. How to put this...

Hrm.]

Well, nobody really knows how we got here. Just that people tend to show up every few months, and this organization called the Malnosso brings us into the enclosure. As for leaving, well...

[He sighs.]

Nobody can get outta here by choice.

[You know what, Naminé? Don't mind Roxas here. He hasn't even noticed her yet because ~~he's still pretty deep in his mourning~~ he's focused on holding onto the end of a leash. And on the end of that leash is...a cat. Specifically, his cat, Neapolitan, a present from Axel a few years ago. Roxas has taken to treating the cat like a dog or a child prodigy, but the cat seems fairly hesitant about being outside.]

Nea, come on. You and I both needed to get out for a while...[He's trying to lead said-cat to the grocery store, but that's not really working out for him.

What will you do, Naminé? What will you do?]

[Well, first of all she's going to stop and stare in surprise, then tilt her head to the side a little in bemusement. As much as she's surprised to see him here - and confused as to the change in attire from what she's used to - his actions are enough to put off some of her unease.

... a little bit. At first all she does is watch. But then after a while... she steps a little closer and hesitates for a moment before saying, a little quietly]

I don't think it wants to go.

[He's bending down to pick up his cat, not quite facing her yet.]

Yeah, he's pretty stubborn when he wants to be. Not sure which one of us he takes after. [And by 'us' he means himself, Axel and Xion. However it's about that time that he lifts his head and catches a glimpse of who he's speaking to.

And. Well. He just simply stares. When was the last time he saw her anyway? A few years ago when she was here briefly? He knew she wouldn't remember, there was no way she could possibly remember her time here, but...]

...Naminé. Hi. [...hi? That's the best you can come up with, Roxas? Come on.]

[... wait, he recognizes her? That shouldn't be.]

You... know who I am?

[Well, of course - he'd just said her name. But it still doesn't add up. She hasn't ever met Roxas - not face-to-face that she can recall. Not yet, at least.]

[And now it's his turn to be confused.] Am I not supposed to?

[Well... this is quickly turning into a rather awkward spiral. If only she understood what was going on here...]

I don't believe we've met, face-to-face. [Not yet, at least - though to be fair she wasn't sure if they would. It was hard to say, given what would happen, especially if they were forced to adopt DiZ's plan, which it was looking more and more like they would have to. She does know who you are though, at least.]

[...abuh. Wait, hold on. What about the talks they had, the promise they'd made? Was it possible that the Malnosso had really screwed up this time? Seems that way. He pauses again, unsure just how much he wants to tell her.]

Maybe not. What's the last thing you remember before this place?

[That... was a delicate topic. Given the situation back in her time, what had just been happening. Speaking with Xion, knowing what had to happen to both her and Roxas himself... There might be a slight gnawing of guilt there too. If. She felt emotions. Which she shouldn't be.

How to answer his question though?]

I was speaking with Xion, though... she left suddenly.

[She'll... leave it at that for now.]

[And his entire face changes then, slowly shifting from confusion to sadness as he realizes what she means.

'She left suddenly.'

He knew that meant 'she was erased.' It had to mean that, didn't it? He doesn't speak for another few moments, trying to let this all sink in. The girl really was in the dark, wasn't she? You know what, let's just focus on petting the cat that's still in his arms.]

...she's here, you know. Xion.

[Luke here was just about to get some more tea. He'd been exhausting it lately, and he needed more. So, he's about to head into the store - and his eye catches a head of blond hair, so he glances -

Only to double take. Because that is a very familiar face he just caught a glimpse of.

So he just stands in the doorway and stares, unsure of what to think. Was this... did something happen to Xion? Did the Malnosso do something? ~~Did she dye her hair thanks to her mourning~~ No, that couldn't be, she was wearing a New Feather dress. So maybe...

Luke does recall seeing this girl when Xion had been transforming into different people. He never got the name, but...]

Um... Hello?

[Naminé turns, surprised at being addressed. She doesn't recognize the person speaking to her, though the red hair reminds her briefly of Axel. Even though he very clearly isn't.

Whoever this is does seem innocent enough - though she really doesn't know them at all. She's still a little wary.] Hello.

[No recognition. So it must not be Xion.

Luke turns to face her fully, head tilted slightly.] Let me guess... You just got here, right?

Edited 2012-03-11 10:36 (UTC)

Yes.

[That was a fairly easy and simple enough question. Now it was time for a guess of her own, though.] I'm guessing you know what "here" is?

Yeah... Yeah, I do. [Jeez, why does he suddenly feel nervous? He should't! Just because this girl looks like a blonde Xion...!

He rubs the back of his head as he steps out of the doorway and takes a few steps towards her.]

We, uh... might have to sit down for it, though. It's a long story.

[She hesitates, briefly. She still doesn't know who this person is, though they seem helpful and friendly enough. A little bit flustered though, for reasons she doesn't know.

There was no changing the fact that he knew what was going on and she didn't, though.]

All right.

[She glances around, then looks back to Luke. You know the area, not her.]

[Don't worry, he won't go far. In fact, all he does is gesture for her to follow, then lead her to the fountain, where he sits at the edge. He pulls one leg up and rests his arm over it while he leans his weight on his other hand, then gives her a glance once he's comfortable enough.]

This place doesn't look familiar at all, does it?

[He was bored today- as usual... without the odd magical battles the witches gave him he was actually finding himself with less and less to do. Well, he could go and read the entire library... he could probably go through all those books in about a month.

So, walking.... walking...

Hoh?! A girl-? Battler, being the idiotic redhead that he is, b-lined for the girl.]

Oho! What's this what's this? Are you new?

[So many strange redheads today coming to greet her. Forgive her for being a little on the wary - and confused - side.]

New? [That's a very broad term...] What do you mean?

Oh don't worry- I was new last time around.

I mean, new to Luceti. [A pause. He realizes he shouldn't ask that since he doesn't know a lot of people here either but....]

Hm- ....or was that the wrong term to use....?

[Luceti... was that the name of this place? It sounded like it. The rest of what he says though doesn't make much sense. Last time around? Wrong term?]

I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.

Oh! By wrong term I meant... I didn't really know if you were new or not...

But... judging by your reaction- I'm guessing that's a yes, right? Don't worry~! My name's Battler, what's yours?

Yes, I am...

[She wouldn't exactly call herself worried (then again she would be skeptical if told she had emotions in the first place), though she is wary and a little concerned, given all that had been happening just before she'd gotten here...]

...Naminé.

[He grins down at her after he finally knows her name.]

Oho! What a pretty name~! Aah.... I guess I can answer any questions you have but-... I arrived not too long ago either, I might not be the best person to ask.

[Did someone mention a certain Journal? Because a certain avatar of it had decided to go looking for a certain pastry-loving blond guy he happened to be living with at the time. Mainly because... he's still curious because he knows there isn't an entry of him in his records, yet there is a ghost--an idea, a memory--left in the data within the journal, but he hasn't had the opportunity to ask. Then again, would he even know? There were many pieces left to be placed together, and until then... he couldn't rest, even in this world.

That's when he noticed a glimpse of another blond in the plaza, wearing a new feather's dress. ...Why did she seem familiar, too?

He decides to approach, curiosity he shouldn't truly have as a mere collection of data and memory lit in his eyes. Though he doesn't say anything just yet, gauging for what kind of reaction he'd receive by merely walking over.]

[Thankfully he's got his hood down ~~since I asked you about that very thing~~ otherwise the reaction might not have been a good one at all.

As such she still stiffens when she sees it, though she relaxes - mostly - a moment later when she looks up and sees his face. There's still something odd though - he isn't wearing a blindfold, and he seems... younger.

She watches cautiously as he gets closer, before finally asking] Riku?

[How about one (1) redhead walking out of the bakery with a few bags of ingredients and baked goods in her arms? She can't quite see where she's going because she has so many items, but she's going to try and move forward. That being said? She probably doesn't see Naminé.

Kind of like how she probably doesn't see that last step leading down to the level ground.]

[She may be leery and nervous being in such an unfamiliar atmosphere, but that doesn't mean she's going to let a person fall. Though thankfully she notices Kairi almost missing the step before she notices that it's Kairi herself. Otherwise she might have been too surprised to see her Other here of all places to say anything]

Look out-!

[And with that warning Kairi suddenly jerks back, coming to a halt right at the edge of the step.] Oh! [She peers around the bags, noticing what she was being warned about before taking that step down carefully.]

Thanks. I probably should get another wagon to carry all of this stuff, but--

[She suddenly cuts herself off as she looks up, coming face to face with. Well. Someone that kind of has her face. Pardon her while she remains speechless for a moment.]

[ Xion just happens to be out and about in the village today - actually, right now she's sitting on the edge of the fountain, munching on a snack and watching the sky thoughtfully before she heads home.

Of course, when Namine of all people wanders out from beside the bakery, she quite literally drops what she was doing in order to stare, startled.

And then she leaps to her feet and runs over, torn between surprise and joy. ]

Namine?!

[She recognized that voice, and turned in an instant. Well... that was a sort-of relief. She still didn't know what was going on or why, but she'd had a bad "feeling" when Xion had run out to confront the Organization member who'd followed her, not to mention just seeing a familiar place in a location like this...]

Xion!

[Though Namine only saw her a little while ago, the differences were fairly clear and obvious. Xion was older, her hair longer... something was going on here.]

What happened?

[She's.... potentially referring to multiple things here.]

Um... [ A sheepish laugh. ] Wow, it really is you! I don't even know where to start. But ... you remember me! I mean ... from when? Twilight Town?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

1st Sketch - Action

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

...I AM THE QUEEN OF LATE TAGS. OTL

It's fiiiine I'm slow too orz

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject