002 | ❝Destiny's Union...❞

[destinedwaters]

Who: Aqua and everyone
Where: Varies; Capricorn District and Nyx's Nightclub being two of them.
Summary: Just your average nights as a worker... with a little training and a KH cast meeting on the side
Warnings: Spells that make things go boom in the last option. You have been warned.

Pisces Apartments 7-08, locked to KH cast
It wasn't long after seeing that notice on the network that Aqua took down the details and messaged the others before heading home early. Something about it was bothering her, though she did appreciate how this Suou was forthcoming with information. That would make it easier to come up with what to do or at least get on the same page with the others.

She began waiting for the others just outside her apartment, calming herself and going over the information in her mind. ...At least there's some hot chocolate ready.

Monday - Friday Nights; Capricorn District
It's almost funny how wandering in a dark area with possible danger everywhere was something she was far too used to at this point. At least it would be, but it's something consistent and she loved helping to protect others and maintain peace. As much as could be afforded.

Bother her?

Saturday-Sunday Nights; Nyx's Nightclub, Taurus District
If anyone had told her six years ago that she would be loving her job as a makeup artist at a club run by demons, she would have likely stared at them as though they spouted a second head. Though now it wasn't too far from the truth as she stood there in her... uniform. Oddly enough it isn't much less than what she normally wears, and the people she works with are... Okay no, she can't completely even think that.

Hat hiding her eyes somewhat, she still smiles faintly as she sets up her station. What? Did you think she was a dancer? Sorry, fanboys~ Only a makeup artist unless someone sees her Lightbloom shotlock.

Afternoons, Capricorn or otherwise
Well, she was going to be entering the tournament when signups became available. Might as well practice while she could before having to work, right? Aqua was being discreet about it though, making sure no one was around when she began practicing not just with Eudora or Tatsu Blaze, but her strongest spells if it came down to it.

Which is why she was in Capricorn; the small forest and vast plain were perfect for practicing without hurting anyone who could accidentally stumble across her. Not to mention negate a lot of property damage. She was not here to cause the destruction of city property, after all. Her job patrolling here at night at least gave her some familiarity with the area, too.

Of course, it didn't stop her from practicing elsewhere with the more minor skills. ...Bother? Be brave enough to sit from a safe distance to gawk/enjoy popcorn/whathaveyou?

...She was beginning to miss her home castle, either way.

Comments

Capricorn - Afternoon. Because they kind of need to talk.

[quakega]

Strangely enough, Terra wasn't here for any kind of training. Although he was tempted to sign up for the Grand Prix once he was able to, he would prefer being able to actually summon his Persona first. Instead, he was here for Aqua.

Following their bond had been easy enough. As he drew closer to her location, he could see the tell-tale signs of her practicing magic and using her Persona. Not wanting to be an unintentional target, he decides to approach carefully, waiting until a break in the casting before announcing his presence. "Aqua?"

He... sounds kind of hesitant, like he's not sure he even wants to bring up whatever it is that's on his mind.

yes, yes they do. 8[

[destinedwaters]

Aqua had always been diligent in her studies, more intuitive even if her social skills weren't the best. Though when she'd awakened was rather embarrassing, she was glad Eudora appeared when she did. It was likely now that she would be the one on the inside.

Terra had caught her when she had Eudora summoned, casting Aques on an old tree stump. At least she was growing more accurate with her mind's eye, too... !! That presence-!

"...Terra?" Eudora vanishes back into the sea of her soul, but that wasn't what worried her. That tone... was similar to the one he used a long time ago. "What is it?"

Did something happen?

this is going to so hard for him to get out.

[quakega]

It was a good thing that Eudora had been out when he approached, because that made it somewhat easier to ask about this. "It's... hard to explain."

He pauses, clearly hesitating. Then an urging from within--that it was all right, and that asking her wouldn't make her think any less of him--made him steel his resolve. He takes a steadying breath, and decides to just say it outright. "I think I need you to scan me."

He won't say why. He can't. How do you explain that you want to be sure that you aren't going nuts?

shh... it's gonna be okay... /shooshpap

[destinedwaters]

Aqua raised an eyebrow at that. Hard to explain? To her? Normally that either equated to something very, very embarrassing, or something very, very bad.

"...Scan." As in analyze? Her own brother? Okay, something was definitely up... but he wasn't the kind of person to ask for something without there being a reason. "Okay. Though, I may need a clue as to what I'm looking for."

She paused for a moment, as if thinking to herself before she clasped her hands together as if praying. "...Persona."

The blue light flared up behind her as the water nymph appeared behind her, hair billowing behind her as their closed eyes focused on the one in front of them. Sure enough, they would sense Terra's unawakened Persona, and-- huh? That was weird. Not malevolent, but... familiar somehow?

"...What-?"

[quakega]

"... yeah." He knows, it sounds absolutely crazy. And he's not sure what to make of this.

He sighs when she asks that. It... makes sense. "Anything out of the ordinary. Something that doesn't belong--"

He 'feels' a shot of something... very apologetic, and continues. "... or something extra. I've been--"

Eudora is called and the scan begins, and he can only tense up at the surprise. There... was something? "I've... ... been hearing things. Feeling emotions that aren't mine. It's been going on since that week of hell in Promenade."

It just wasn't ever really obvious until recently. And he's getting worried.

[destinedwaters]

Something extra... That was one way to put it.Aqua scanned again and again, focusing on what he was saying. Hearing things, emotions that were not his... that was worrisome considering when it began. Funny how easily it came to mi-

Aqua... we need to focus.

Right. Eudora, scan his heart.

"This is... reminding me of something I read about once." Not just read about, though... More like observed with how similar Ven and Sora are in personality, and how Roxas looks identical to him. It hadn't made much sense before, but now was another story. "Hang on. I'm going to try and scan again."

She sighed, calming herself to focus easier. Something about this was familiar, and this warm feeling that began to overcome her - light, loving, but burdened with a pain and sadness that was not Terra's alone to bear - she knew it from somewhere, yet she couldn't quite place it right away. So as she tried to find out what Eudora marked as a question mark, she couldn't help the anxiety as well. It was so familiar... so why couldn't she-?

Yet that moment it started to dawn on her, she began to reach out as well like she did with Izanagi; a CommLink in the middle of a basic Analysis.

'Can you hear me?'

[quakega]

Well, that's a double dose of shock on his part. "You've... read about something like this?" So he wasn't going crazy? But that still didn't explain why the voice was Master's. And anything he could contemplate was... insane. It had to be.

He nods, and tries to calm himself down somewhat, hoping that it might help her find whatever she is looking for.

He feels... something again, that isn't him, when Aqua uses CommLink. Surprise. Wonder, perhaps, before... something very hard to put a name to. It almost felt sad, but there was something else tinting it to make it different enough to be distinct.

'Yes, I can. Hello, Aqua.' The response comes easily, without the odd interference that made the voice only speak up occasionally. And it was a voice Terra knew all too well.

Now he could go into a minor form of shock.

[destinedwaters]

"Mm. Once-" A very long time ago, and witnessed just the same. That's what made it easier to pinpoint exactly what she was looking for, and when she did.

Her jaw dropped, mouth opening slightly in surprise as though someone had metaphorically pulled the carpet from under her feet. It all came into place for her in her mind when she heard that first sentence, and it was further confirmed by the greeting she received through Eudora's ears and her Heart.

The grave news of his murder, the implications of the accomplice, the last words he'd spoken with her before she went to fulfill the two requests he'd asked of her...

She didn't have to say it, yet she mouthed it out as she thought it.

'M-Master Eraqus...'

She felt her knees begin to shake, but she kept the link there. She could... almost see his pensive smile again, that loving-yet-stern look in his brown eyes that he always gave them. He... was inside Terra's Heart-?

'I'm sorry; this must be as big of a shock for you as it is for us.'

[quakega]

'I had not expected this particular turn of events. This is... not a fate I would have chosen for myself willingly.' The words ring through Terra's thoughts and Heart, heavy with guilt, sadness, and remorse. It's enough to make him almost feel off-balance. The thought comes without Terra getting a chance to filter it.

'How--? You- you fell, I tried to catch you, and you disappeared--'

'Try to calm yourself, Terra.' The firm command has him freeze, and attempt to do just that. It takes several seconds, and he's still subtly shaking from the shock.

At least with the shock, Master's emotions were easier to pick out. Much easier.

[destinedwaters]

'I don't think any of us would have.' Oh man, both of them really should sit down but she continues to stand, pushing aside her own emotions when she could sense and hear their Master's so clearly. Though when she did, it was clear by her Persona's tears that seemed to float into the sky and then nothing.

She was too busy listening to notice. Terra's words were more poignant. Still, she was patient as ever... or at least trying to be with all the thoughts swirling in her head that she doesn't voice. What was this, and why- why did things have to be this way?

At least she isn't yelling in contempt just yet.

'Master... What happened?'

[quakega]

With his own shock slowly starting to ebb way to grief and remorse, it's hard for Terra to ignore the pang of the same feelings from where his father figure's Heart was. And when Eraqus begins speaking again, he stays silent, listening.

'It is not something I am proud of. I only hope you can forgive me for my foolishness.' It's amazing, how tired he sounds with that one sentence.

'Ventus had returned on his own. In my relief to see that he was unharmed, I missed the conflict that was occurring within him.

He lashed out when I said that he was not ready to go to the outside worlds on his own yet, claiming I was keeping him imprisoned. And then ... he revealed what I was least expecting to hear. That Xehanort still intended to forge the χ-blade, and that he intended to use Ventus to do it.' This was the part of the conversation that Terra had missed, and the revelation... shocks him, but not nearly as much as it could have. But something stood out.

'You knew what Xehanort was up to?'

The guilt and disappointment is almost tangible. 'I tried and failed to stop him once. After he brought Ventus, I had hoped that he had given up the pursuit of it on his own. Learning that he still intended to cast the worlds into chaos... I made the decision to do the unthinkable.'

Suddenly... it made sense. And that made what had happened hurt all the more.

[destinedwaters]

Aqua stood there, listening to every word as he spoke through the connection they made, however temporary. How her heart ached as she did, how he asked for forgiveness and explained what happened. What Yen Sid could only begin to hint at when she returned Mickey to his care.

So many things seemed clear, pieced together with that admittance that she had to place a hand over the part of the mask that covered her mouth as though it could cover the sob that wanted to come, yet didn't. As though the words she had wanted to scream in Yen Sid's face were on the tip of her tongue once more.

How foolish was I... to think that everything was so black and white? That none of us could make mistakes?

She's silent for a long while as hers and Eudora's tears go unseen, unheard. All this pain and guilt he held...

How blind we all were.

It was a while before she could do more than keep her shoulders from shaking when she spoke again, starting off with a sigh that spoke volumes.

'We were blinded by the light we shared, our hope. He was your brother-pupil, right, Master? It makes sense that you'd want to believe in him.We all did.'

Though after what Terra had said in Radiant Garden, something seemed off to her. Like they were being railroaded onto a destiny that hadn't always been their fate.

'... I can't... hold any grudge against you, Master.' All of this guilt, the burden she had to bear on her own... 'I didn't accompany Ven or let him follow me when we ran into each other because I was worried for his safety if he did come along. I see that was a mistake, now; I should have let him.

He did forge it, Master. He did, and I had to fight the one who possessed Ven in order to help destroy it. ...As far as I know, he... hasn't woken up, yet.'

They'd both failed those they outranked. Them, and the worlds.