first quake ☆ first text then video because tower's network is a troll

[handstands]

|

hello?|

search: location|

results not found

search: where is this?|

results not found

[then, to the sound of furious typing, the video feed starts. for anyone who knows the Tower well enough, it looks like the terminal in use is in the third floor library. the one using is is a frustrated-looking young man, typing very fast without noticing that he's being recorded and getting more and more irritated, until--]

Oh.

[--he looks up, mildly surprised. he shifts uncomfortably, slightly embarrassed:]

Hello? [he clears his throat.] My name is Terra. Is anyone there? I came here from-- [he stares, mouth forming the next words, but his expression darkens and he clearly changes his mind, shaking his head.]

What is this place? [a pause.] Is this world dealing with monsters that you can't control? I can-- [--nope, he can't. Terra's jaw visibly clenches.]

I may be able to help. But... Please. I need answers. [whatever thoughts were distracting him finally catch up for a moment:] I shouldn't be here. This isn't possible.

[he shakes his head again, before fixing the feed with a firm stare:] Thank you for any help.

Comments

video; 1/3

[keybearer]

[... Hold on.

Brb, trying to process this.

It's... it's him. It's really, really him.]

video;

[keybearer]

[At least, it looks like him. The way he remembers him... granted, those are ten year old memories, but...

Okay, pardon Riku if he's staring a bit. He doesn't really realize that he is. Um.]

video;

[keybearer]

[Okay, he should just... pull himself together. Keep it cool. First impressions are important.

Right, he'll, um. Clear his throat.]

I might be able to fill you in.

[... ... ...]

But I think that's something we'd better discuss in person.

[handstands]

[Terra's expression doesn't change, except for a twitch of an eyebrow.]

...Okay. I don't know where I am, besides from "a library".

[keybearer]

Funny you mention that. I'm in the exact same place.

[A beat.]

Hold on. I'll be right there.

[OKAY, yeah. He's going to... step away from the terminal now, summon Oathkeeper, and start scurrying through the library for Terra starting... now!

Does he really need to rush? Maybe, maybe not. He just wants to see Terra with his own two eyes. In the flesh.

...sooo, yeah. Sooner or later, he should find a silver-haired teen with a Keyblade wandering around. Whatcha gonna do, Terra?]

akakakakshun

[handstands]

[Terra stays sitting, but turned around in the stool so he can watch and wait, arms folded. they don't stay that way for long; they fall in unison with his jaw, in disbelief, when he finally sees the boy approaching - Keyblade in hand.

that light. he'd know it anywhere, never mind the face, the hair--

it was him. that boy from the islands.]

How--

[keybearer]

[He takes a deep breath, placing his free hand on his hip. Here, he'll even manage a faint smile. It's... really him. He's here. This isn't some crazy illusion or a dream.

And to think he had to wind up in a crazy tower to see him again.]

That's the funny thing about this place. It kind of pulls people from different times.

[handstands]

"Funny" doesn't really cover it...

[it almost...doesn't feel real. as much as that explains, it still boggles Terra's mind that it had been such a short time since he'd last seen this kid, and he couldn't have been any more than seven. Terra stands up and walks over, taking it all in - that Keyblade was so clearly one of a very strong light, and something about the boy--

Terra crouches down, staring at the Keyblade. then he smiles up at the boy.]

You did it. I knew you had it in you.

[keybearer]

[He's... proud, isn't he? Proud that he's got the Keyblade. For a moment, Riku just sits there, letting it all soak in. This is the guy who gave him the Keyblade in the first place. Who he'd been looking for for so long...

And then he laughs. Laughs because, hey, a lot's happened since he left home, and it hasn't all been easy.]

Still, it's been a bumpy road. You don't know the half of it.

[But how does he even bring up some of his mistakes when Terra's so happy? It's... hard.]

[handstands]

[sorry kiddo, he's just riding on the knowledge that 'I did something right.' but the grin widens.]

Maybe not, but I think I know the feeling.

[he stands up, searches the boy's face, and extends a hand with a smile.]

We never properly introduced ourselves, that time. I'm Terra.

[keybearer]

[...Handshakes? He can do handshakes! Yeah, he's totally going to do that right now.]

Name's Riku.

[handstands]

[everything about Riku just gives Terra more and more a sense of having done something right, having chosen well. he shakes hands firmly and confidently, and then looks over at some of the study tables]

You should tell me what's happened since I saw you.

[keybearer]

It's... kind of a long story.

[He might've tensed up for a split second. There's a lot to cover, and not all of it's pretty.]

[handstands]

[Terra doesn't miss that, and he smiles a little]

You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. Still, I'd like to get to know you better.

[keybearer]

Yeah, same here.

[He hesitates just a little, though.]

I guess I should fill you in, anyway.

[handstands]

Now that doesn't sound good.

[totally light-hearted, even if it's hard to tell. Terra walks over to a study table and sits on the opposite side]

[keybearer]

[In that case, Riku will go ahead and take a seat as well.]

Hey, it wasn't all sunshine and roses.

[This is actually the truth, in fact.]

[handstands]

[oh, such an understanding ghost of a smile]

If it was, there'd be no point to Keyblade wielders.

[keybearer]

Not to mention it'd be boring. I mean, conflict isn't necessarily good, but it keeps things interesting.

[And better than happy sunshine peace time, anyway.]

[handstands]

[smirrrrk]

That too. There have to be some perks for all we give up, right?

[keybearer]

Yeah, there's always some kind of silver lining. You just have to squint to see it.

[Or be an optimistic dork like Sora.]