[MINGLE] One-Man Show

[sixthiteration]

WHERE: Inari Shrine and elsewhere
WHEN: 25 January 2019 through ?
OPEN TO: All opted in characters
WARNINGS: Please warn in the subject line of your comment as needed, and remember to move anything turning adult to a new post.
IMPORTANT NOTES: Final reminders and informational links are here. Please label all top-levels clearly so that there is no confusion who they are open to and what they are for, and DON'T FORGET TO ADD YOUR TAG!
Have fun and ask questions here!

Comments

[killorder]

Jake isn't sure what to think of any of this. At least he's with Cougar, and somehow that makes it a little bit better. The last tim he had woken up in an odd place without knowing where he was, he had come to this place and spent several weeks there without Cougar. So not losing him again, that's a start. At least for him.

This though, this is nothing he's prepared for, and after the second video, he's terrified of what is going to become with the third and fourth, because he can imagine what it might be with his life, with the things from their lives.

But for now he's focusing on the others because that is easier than mentally trying to face what is about to be of his life. Both broadcast of it, and living through it again.

"I'm sorry," he says, which he knows is weak and wishes he had more to say, better things to offer. "You gonna be okay?" Not even needing her to be okay now, but knowing she will be.

[aguidingkey]

There are a lot of things she could say in response to that question. She isn't really okay, hasn't been okay in ten years, not since before she and Terra took their mark of mastery exam. That day changed everything. She became a keyblade master and that was her dream for so long, but she lost so much after that day. That was the beginning of losing Terra and Ven, the last time she saw home in one piece before it fell to the darkness. So much happened after that and this vision paints that with stark color.

A moment passes as she takes a breath to steady herself before she turns to face one of the men. "I will be," she answers with a nod. "I have a lot of work to do when I leave this world. I'll find a way to save Terra. And this time, I won't fail. The darkness can't have him."

Xehanort can't have him.

[killorder]

It's a dumb question, and Jake knows it. He just doesn't know what else to ask. No, none of it's okay. Most of all that they're all having to experience this. None of that is okay in the least, but if they're going to get out of whatever this place is, they're going to maybe have to pretend at okay. He realizes that as well.

"Good," he says, smiling a bit. "If I can help, with anything before we can find a way for you to get back, I'm willing to try," he offers. He knows how that is, the need to find a way to fix it. He goes over that a lot in his head when he's working on the chemical warfare and weapons he's been working on to not feel useless in this place. Ironic as that kind of work might be for him.

[aguidingkey]

Aqua appreciates the offer, even if she doesn't think there's much of anything anyone can do. She can't even help herself escape once she gets off this world. The only good thing is that at least in the realm of darkness, she has the Master's keyblade. It's better than being completely unarmed like she is here.

"Thank you," she says, meaning it. "I don't know if there's anything anyone can do. I'm still lost in the realm of darkness and there's no easy way to get out of there. But... I'll survive. I have too much to fight for to let the darkness win."

[killorder]

"You never know though. If and when they boot us back to where we started, you might end up in a whole other space in your world. I mean..." He sighs, knowing he doesn't even entirely believe they'll ever go back. Not with his belief in the clone theory, but he can try and give hope? Even if he's not entirely great with pep talks.

"But that's what matters, right? No matter what you're not going to let them win." At least that's something he's sincere and honest about, believing in much the same thing for him and Cougar as well.

[aguidingkey]

Aqua hasn't heard the clone theory yet, but even if she had, she wouldn't be inclined to believe it. If that were true, then a lot of her determination and drive and reason to fight would cease. Those she won't give up easily.

"Mm," she hums affirmatively, with a crisp nod to match. "That's true. We have to keep fighting. Xehanort can't win and I won't let him keep control of Terra. I have to go back to set things right."

And to wake Ven and a whole host of other things.

"But thank you," she says with a smile. "Sometimes you just need someone to remind you to keep fighting and keep believing."

[killorder]

"That's the spirit. A spirit that sucks and it's dumb we have to basically be nuts and pretend it's all okay but, hey. Fake it until you make it, right?"

Even he winces at using that line himself, but it's not entirely off.

"But I've got faith in you, and I think we can do this."

Not that they have much choice in his mind. Staying there and dying is not an option, after all.

[aguidingkey]

"I guess so." Maybe that's what Aqua has already been doing for so long in the realm of darkness. Pushing on until the day the darkness swallows her heart. Well, maybe she won't do so badly here, if it's a lot like what she's used to.

"So do I. If we believe in each other, we'll have a better chance of making it out okay."

[killorder]

Jake offers a bright smile, not even having to force it. Just doing his best to try and get everyone through this. It's all about "hacking" this place, and he's not letting anyone fall behind.

"Exactly, and we're not accepting anyone not making it back. That's just not an option."

[aguidingkey]

Aqua nods in agreement, a small smile making its way across her face. "Even without this shared experience, I think we're a group of people who wouldn't leave anyone behind. Maybe that's why we've all been chosen: because our hearts have the capacity to care."