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 evening

[unohana_hat]

Not quite alone: Sora was in the Capricorn district himself, and the light of her magic caught his curiosity. The forest was perfect for cover, and he lept between the branches until he could get a good look at the source.

Should have guessed it was a single person. Were this The World, Sora would do his usual approach with his blades, but that was too dangerous here. Instead, he jumped down with a loud rustle and a "vroom!" so he was sure to be noticed.

"Evenin'!"

[destinedwaters]

At least he had been far enough away that her Mine Seeker hadn't targeted him. That could have been a problem as she weaved her magic spells, since they had gotten stronger since. Though she could sense someone or something nearby if she were paying more attention-

Whoa holy crap-!

She stopped there,hearing the loud rustle before the voice that accompanied it.

"G-good evening." Blink, nope. Nothing out of the ordinary with her giant key. Nope. "Sorry, I didn't realize anyone else was close-by."

[unohana_hat]

Nope, Sora has seen weirder rare weapons back in The World. Maybe nothing like a key, but it's not too startling, if too conspicuous for Sora's tastes. Chuckling, Sora approached Aqua casually, as if he were strolling to the post office instead of in an isolated wilderness at night.

"Most people tend to miss me when I want them to. Training for the tourny?"

He wasn't sure if he was gonna join or not, but scoping out the competition couldn't hurt, either way.

Looks like I'm kicking this shin-dig off. :U [A.k.a. Outside Pisces Apartments 7-08]

[whereibelong]

Xion was waiting. She and Sora were still staying with Aqua, so it'd been a simple matter of catching her elder brother's (it was still strange to think of him like that) attention and relocating to the living room area of that floor. If she was gathering everyone from their world, they'd need more room than a single apartment could provide.

When Xion looked up and saw Aqua standing by her door, she raised a hand in greeting. "We're over here," she said, visibly worried.

[quakega]

It hadn't taken very long for Terra to make the journal from Capricorn to Pisces using a Corridor; the part of the district he had been patrolling in had been quiet enough that he had felt comfortable with leaving as soon as Aqua's message had been received.

He'd even gotten a pot of hot water started as she had asked, and brought out multiple mugs for the others that would arrive. Based on who had responded to Aqua's message to begin with, he took out ten, figuring it would be better to have more than was needed at hand. It hadn't taken much longer for Aqua to arrive.

When he heard Xion's voice from outside, he looked towards the door and sighed. Looks like we're going to get started soon. He might as well get Xion's and Sora's mugs ready for them.

[terra_nullius]

He hadn't been certain what was going on, but getting a summons must have meant something important was happening... and so that day's troublemaking exploration was put on hold while he made his way to Aqua's apartment.

It seemed as though there were already a few people there... he waved at Xion and Aqua, standing off to the side so that there would be room for others. How many more were coming? It was rather curious.

Capricorn, afternoon

[nofairy]

Link's found that Capricorn has a lot of space for him to practice, too. As Aqua heads past the small forest, she might hear a 'thunk thunk thunk' as arrows hit a trunk, and then a distinctive 'hyah!' as a boy tumbles out from the trees.

He slashes left, then right, then up, fighting against unseen and remembered opponents, before tucking and rolling with a 'hup!' and coming out of the roll on his feet. He makes a motion to do another round of strikes, when he notices Aqua and freezes.

"... Ah?"

[destinedwaters]

Aqua wasn't going to say anything, really... but when she heard the sounds of someone else practicing, she couldn't help but be slightly nostalgic. How long had it been since she heard one of the boys practicing-?

...Light, she was beginning to sound like their Master.

"I don't mean to interrupt; I was just passing by and overheard." Could anyone fault her for being curious? Especially when it was someone so young in the forest alone. Was it suspicious that she was passing by? Maybe, but then, she was just going to practice deeper in the wood.

[nofairy]

He looked a little embarrassed. "Oh... um. Sorry if I disturbed you or anything."

Link relaxed, sheathing his sword and rubbing the back of his head a bit. His leggings had grass stains on them from where he was rolling around, and his face was a little dirty.

"Did you come out here to train too?"

Night, capricorn

[greyerrant]

The roaming demons are stalked by a silent wolf, a huge, but quiet, armored figure ghosts from foe to foe, dispatching them with brutal thrusts of his combat blade, holding his chainsword and bolter in reserve. He pauses for a moment, upon seeing someone else wandering this dark place. He growls at Aqua.

"What are you doing here?"

[destinedwaters]

He wasn't the only one who was silent. Even more so because she was a sniper with the kind of Glider her Keyblade transformed into. There was no sound of metal shoes, as she sometimes hovered above the ground and other times seemingly danced between cover as her giant, ancient-looking metal crossbow softly hummed with every shot fired. Of course, she was only taking out threats and not innocent bystanders, but-

She paused when she heard Garviel's question.

"My job," was the quiet whisper. "I was assigned night patrols in this area."

[greyerrant]

"By whom?" He doesn't seem inclined to argue the point, clearly more curious in who put her up to it than anything else.

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?

Capricorn; afternoon

[sageprincess]

This district is quiet - quieter than the rest of the city, at least - and over the course of the month she's been trapped in this place, Hyrule's Princess has made something of a habit of visiting when she can. It's not quite home, but it's close, and that's enough for her to keep her sanity amidst the towering buildings and blinking lights of this 'modern' world.

As she strolls through the forested district, collecting her thoughts, she feels the distinct tingle of magic in the air. Unfamiliar magic, purer than the technological-hybrid the city itself is fond of using, but magic all the same. Curiosity compels her forward, and before she knows it, she's watching a blue-haired woman fling spells around a clearing from behind a tree not too far away.

The spells themselves are enough to be impressive - they are certainly powerful - but what's even more so is the woman's mastery of them. Zelda herself is capable of great feats of magical ability thanks to the blessings destiny has given her, but actively honing that ability had been impossible under Ganondorf's rule. This woman must have trained for years...

... Her awe is making the Princess a little less sneaky than she would like, though. Notice the long-eared young woman who's not-so-subtly peering at you, Aqua?

[destinedwaters]

That it was, which is what made this place a perfect place for practicing something that took a great deal of concentration at first before the skills became as familiar as breathing. Of course, it was her Persona summoning that needed more patience and concentration than her magic at this point, but it didn't hurt to practice the basics and advanced skills she'd honed for ages in the stifling darkness. To be honest, it surprised her to see how potent they were when there wasn't that need to focus inwardly to create a sort of magical shield in place of her armor.

Yet as she got to the advanced Fire skills, she noticed a presence nearby. ...?

The long ears honestly didn't register as much as the massive levels of awe and wonder in the other person's eyes. Something she couldn't help but discreetly smile to herself at. It wasn't often that she awed someone else, especially lately. "...You're welcome to join me, you know."

Capricorn, Afternoon, sometime after the Grand Prix announcement/keyderp meeting if that's okay?

[whereibelong]

Ever since the announcement Xion had felt restless. She wasn't going to enter herself in the Grand Prix, she knew. She hadn't even awakened her Persona, and meanwhile while she was the best at magic of the three of her trio (even if none of them were here now), she still didn't think it would be enough to let her go far.

Not to mention she wasn't comfortable with putting herself up as bait.

The fact that there were others - including Aqua - who were going to enter though left her feeling uncomfortable, because she didn't' want to stand by doing nothing. Even if it hadn't been for that, she still wouldn't have wanted to just ignore the situation. But the whole plan was full of danger. She really... needed to find some way to practice, or something.

Practice required open space though, and that's part of why - once work had let her out for the afternoon - she'd headed over to Capricorn... and found she wasn't the only one who'd had that idea.

Still, she didn't want to interrupt, and truth be told Xion was curious to see if - by observing without the high stress circumstances of things like little scorpions swarming around them - she might be able to figure out how Aqua was able to do some of the more advanced magic she herself couldn't.

Totally okay.

[destinedwaters]

It was funny because Aqua was used to the levels of stress that it made her feel back in her element again, even with the amount of danger that presented itself. Though now she was worried for the others, which was something she didn't have to actively think about for years. There was also the consideration of their own feelings and, knowing them, at least one or two wouldn't want to sit by and do nothing while some who already had awakened to their Personas. She knew Terra would be one of them, especially with her entering, but what about the others-?

How ironic that she could think of all this while lifting up her blade, causing a Glacier spell to form on the remnants of an old stump she'd found. Not as good as the enchanted rings they had back home, but it would do.

She stopped for a moment,wiping her forehead with her sleeve out of habit as she took a break. It was peaceful for the moment, but the city was humming with excitement and anxiety. Anyone with skills in reading the auras around each and every one of them could see it. Still, there was something else she could see. Or, rather, sense behind her.

"You're welcome to join me, Xion." There was no scolding tone, no judgemental stare, just a strange kind of patience to her tone. After all, she... had enough of fighting alone for a little while.

Capricorn, Afternoon

[disconinjafrog]

Aqua wasn't the only one training for the tournament in the Capricorn district. A certain Yosuke Hanamura had to see if he could get Susano-o to learn any new skills by the time the tournament rolled around, he really only had a weak to practice. Despite being skilled with his Persona, he'd never formally fought with another Persona user before, he'd only even faced Shadows. And frustratingly, Susano-o just wasn't as strong as he used to be.

He was glad to at least have Garudyne and Tentarafoo up his sleeve, abilities that had saved his life more than once in the TV World. Plus Susano-o had already relearned one of his physical skills... though it wasn't any Brave Blade.

Even if his opponent was resistant to wind, he still had a chance if he could hit them with confusion.

So Yosuke had been summoning his Persona the way he was most used to, by breaking the card that always appeared before him. Susano-o's Magarula probably makes quite a loud ruckus as he hits four trees at ones, sending the snow in the tree tops flying into the air in a blizzard. He doesn't notice Aqua right away, catching his breath from the release of energy. When he hears her call out an attack, though, Yosuke looks up in surprise and mild excitement, running in her direction, his headphones on his head and battle glasses on his face.

"Hey, Aqua! I didn't think I'd see you here!"

[destinedwaters]

Not going to lie, but Aqua most certainly heard that Magarula above the noise and din that she was making with her own spells.It tipped her off way before Eudora mentally tapped her on the shoulder to say that yes, it certainly was a thing. Or had she been and Aqua just hadn't paid attention? Either way, she noticed now, and was working on focusing her shots where she could sense movement in the air away from where that vaguely familiar Heart was.

It was almost funny when Eudora's crossbow and her own pointed away from Yosuke and to a tree when Eudora used Dream Needle.

"Well, I normally work here at night... but I thought I might as well get in a little practice, you know?"

She smiles faintly, fixing her sunglasses as she lowers her metal bow. Strange, it almost looked to be the same texture and color as her key-shaped blade.

"I guess the small forest here is a little popular for people who want to practice without causing property damage."

After the TEENBEAT ISSUE

[deathboss]

It's strange isn't it? Suddenly there was a lot less sounds coming from dead cats than before. Moreover, it was odd how the guy who was always very loud and giving you a wave whenever you met began to not show up.

Or how he tended to avoid your eyes and walk off like he needed to be somewhere else.

YOU MEAN THE ISSUE SOMEONE TRIES TO IGNORE THE EXISTANCE OF?

[destinedwaters]

Just a little bit, and it was...rather concerning, considering his personality. To be honest, it kind of reminded her of someone she'd met before. Well, would have if the guy wasn't a grade A jerk. Still, she at least wanted to apologize to him again now that he was in his right mind and not wearing a loincloth, light above have mercy?

Not to mention as time went by she grew increasingly worried. So of course, she was going to wait for him to come back home one day we do not talk about what she is wearing under her longcoat, noooope and knock on his door. Seriously, something was up and even though Zack flirted with her once? He was still one of her close friends back home.

...if she ever got back home, but MOVING ON... Knocking on his door, yes.

"Michel? Michel, please answer..."

> You sense a concerned Starsis...
> Answer the door?

Going with Nyx's Nightclub here.

[fools_journey]

Minato is a regular at Nyx's Nightclub, and he's not entirely sure why. Maybe it's the dancing. Maybe he just likes teasing Yu. Maybe he subconsciously wants to be a crossdresser too. Or maybe he just likes nightclubs, and this one is pretty nice.

Whatever the case, this is hardly the first time he's been here, but he's never really talked to Aqua before, that he can recall. He's pretty sure he's seen her around, though. So in a lull, when she isn't fixing someone's make-up, and he's not chatting with some demons, he comes on over, lifting a hand in a bit of a wave.

"Hey."

Minato, why do you start so many social links here--

[destinedwaters]

Could they go with another option of 'All of the above'? Because that seemed to be rather accurate and Aqua had seen him often when she took her breaks and watched Yu's act. Not that she ever got the chance to speak with him before, because she'd always been busy fixing someone's makeup or handling their customers (Incubus if you end up stuck in a wall again she is not getting you out, no sir).

She blinks when she hears him, turning around to see someone who didn't look much younger than she did. Still, it was quite the surprise. Not unwelcomed, though.

"Hey." Just don't mind her fixing her hat; she's a little embarrassed about this job, still.