sirenspull | Tenth Journey // Video - Backdated to earlier today

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Tenth Journey // Video - Backdated to earlier today

[You're very tall today, Siren's Port. Or rather, Sora's in a place high enough that we should all watch our step or risk a very, very long fall. Sora's rather at home at the edge of the rooftop though, and the NV's steady where it's been set. Sora's busy chewing on his pencil's eraser, pondering what to write.]

I've been thinking. We've all got things we regret. We beat ourselves up, even if there's nothing we can do about it.

[Sora's pencil takes to the paper, scrawling out his thoughts.]

'If I could just go back in time, maybe I could fix it. If I could do it all over again, I'd really change things! Make it all better.'

Right?

[He finishes decisively. Then... turns it over, folding it lengthwise. Corners down, foldback the edges and... there. One completed paper airplane, wings branded with Sora's distinctive handwriting.]

The other day, a really brave friend taught me something important. Me and my friends, we've been in some pretty scary places. When you're lost in the darkness, it can get really hard to find the light.

[He pushes up off the ground with a small bounce an stands upright on his own two feet.]

But it's always there-- you just gotta look for it. I mean, if things never happened the way they did, who knows where or even who we'd be. I'm me because of the good and the bad. Mistakes and all. I'm me because of my memories, and the people I've met along the way. Including everybody here in the Port.

It's not easy letting go. Sometimes it takes forever. But one thing I know that really helps... [One flick of his hand sends the paper airplane flying off the edge. Sora shields his eyes from the sun and stands right at the edge, watching as the wind sweeps it up and takes it on a spiralling path out of sight.

Feels good.]

... is having a somebody who'll hear you out.

So how about it?

Ever look back? Or wish you could do something all over again?

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So who did he think you were supposed to be?

Vanitas.

[That's a case of mistaken identity Sora should be able to relate to.]

Remember back when you first got here—when they made the X-blade all over again? What he looked like?

[His expression hardens.] Remember? How could I forget?

[He takes a moment to consider this, putting aside the memories for now. He thought Roxas... was Vanitas. While it makes a little more sense, it's no less startling.]

So he knows now, right? Who you really are?

[He nods.] Uh-huh. Thanks to Terra. He saved my life.

Good going Terra. Talk about in the right place at the right time.

You're not Vanitas. Nothing like him. [Not now, not ever.] So everything should be okay now... right?

Should be, yeah. I mean...it might be a little weird.

[Awkward is the word.]

But I think he felt bad. And he won't do it again.

I think so too. I'm glad it all turned out okay.

[Roxas doesn't seem to be holding a grudge, and Eraqus is all settled. He doubts anything similar would happen a second time.]

But there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about.

[It's the real reason he called Roxas up to the roof.]

Edited 2013-03-25 02:38 (UTC)

Yeah?

[So not just about paper airplanes, then.]

You can talk to me about anything.

[Well, probably. They haven't tested that yet. But it's a nice thought.]

[No. If his more somber demeanor is any indication, it's about something far more important than that.]

Do you remember... the diary you gave to me for Christmas?

[The one he couldn't keep safe.]

[Roxas doesn't answer right away, although of course he knows the answer. He's only ever kept two diaries. One is at home, safe under his pillow; the other he thought would be safe with Sora. It wasn't.

He looks away. It isn't Sora's fault that Vanitas found it and took it, but it is uncomfortable to think about.]

Yeah. Of course I do.

Roxas...

I'm really sorry. That day you gave me the diary, it meant a lot. It wasn't just a bunch of words. It was all your most important memories. It's what made you who you are. [The diary was his life. It chronicled so much of what made him different from Sora. An individual. But it also showed him how connected they were. It was something to be cherished.]

You gave it to me because you trusted me to keep it safe.

Especially from people like Vanitas.

[His fingers close into a loose fist for a moment. Then he's looking skyward, letting his hand fall to his side again.]

I know I can't take back what happened, no matter how much I wish I could. But even if it takes forever--I'll make it up to you one day. I promise.

[All true. And that's why it's so painful to think of it in Vanitas' hands. It's not some secrets he was keeping from the dark boy, it's his whole life right there in an open book.

But Sora's wrong about at least one thing.]

You don't need to. It wasn't your fault. [He shakes his head.] You did keep it safe. How could you possibly have known what was going to happen?

It was just bad luck. I don't like it any better than you do...but I don't want you to blame yourself, either.

[He shakes his head.] I do. [He still wants to make it up to him somehow. Even if Roxas insists otherwise.]

If you make a promise, you have to keep it. No matter what.

[He slowly reaches into his pack and pulls out a familiar black book. He runs his hand over the engraved sigil, like he's done many times before. With little fanfare or even much of a change in tone, he gently offers it to the boy beside him. He doesn't think he has the right to keep it.]

Edited 2013-03-26 01:20 (UTC)

[He's opening his mouth to insist that no, it's fine, he doesn't have to make up anything—and all that is lost when he sees what Sora pulls out of the pack.

Jolted like someone just threw a thunder spell at him, Roxas sits up straight, eyes wide and disbelieving. He accepts the notebook and opens it, though he already knows what it is—after all, who in this world would go to go to the trouble of engraving such an odd symbol onto the cover?

It's his diary. But it's not supposed to be here.]

How did you get it back? [He frowns a little as a more specific question occurs to him.] What did you have to do?

[Just the memory of that afternoon is enough to almost make him flinch. Still, in the grand scheme of things, it was worth it. Wasn't it? He's still here in one piece and the diary is right where it belongs. With Roxas.

Of course his Other is smart enough to know that Vanitas wouldn't give it up for just anything. He just... doesn't have to know the specifics.]

We made a deal. That's all.

No, that's not all.

[He lets the diary rest on his lap as he gives Sora his full attention. Should he be happy about this, or not?]

You can't just give this to me like nothing happened. I mean—I'm glad, really, but you gotta tell me. Otherwise I'm just going to worry anyway. What kind of deal?

I wanted the diary. He wanted information. [Of course, the method by which he gathered information was the most trying part. He'd spent the better part of several days recuperating, but it wasn't anything time couldn't fix.] We both got what we wanted.

And now you've got your diary back. That's what's important, right?

[He lets out all his breath in kind of a guh sound, and looks very closely at Sora before he relaxes a little bit. He looks all right...]

It's not the only important thing.

But...thanks. I didn't think I'd ever see this again.

[He rubs the back of his neck at the seemingly exasperated noise. He's relieved when Roxas seems to drop the subject. If he'd questioned any further, he wouldn't know how to explain.

Despite what had been a harrowing experience at the time, he's pretty sure if he had to, he'd do it all over again. Some things, and some friends, are just worth it.]

You don't need to thank me.

[Roxas isn't sure it won't come up later, but Sora looks so uncomfortable that he can drop it for the moment. Even if he won't forget.]

Yeah, I do. You didn't have to get it. It's not like he could use it against me.

[Except to mock him. And Vanitas already does that, so...so what?]

I'm glad you did, though.

[He still feels sorry for what happened, but at the very least, he feels much lighter now. It's a relief that the diary is right where it belongs. There's something of a smile on his face now.]

So... how about those paper airplanes?

[It feels like the tension is broken, enough for Roxas to crack a grin. He holds up a bag containing a stack of plain folding paper for Sora to see.]

Sure. If you think you can make one good enough to go the distance.

[He's on his feet before you know it.]

Can I?

Mine are going to the next city at least!

No way, they're only gonna go half as far as mine.

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Tenth Journey // Video - Backdated to earlier today

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