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

[handstands]

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hello?|

search: location|

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search: where is this?|

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[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

[handstands]

[GRRR FACE]

...I know Vanitas.

[lethechained]

[Hm.]

What will you do if you meet him here?

[handstands]

...If he keeps away from my friends, I'll leave him alone. But if he goes after them or anyone else, I won't hesitate to defend them against him.

[lethechained]

I see.

[She supposes she couldn't ask for much more.]

Then I wish you luck.

[handstands]

You don't sound very happy about that.

[lethechained]

It's a sad thing isn't it? That you might have to fight to save your friends?

[handstands]

[he doesn't respond for a minute, because he'd never thought about it before. at least, not in that way.]

...I'd do anything for my friends. If that means fighting, then I'll fight. Maybe it's not...the best thing to do, but if it's for them, it's the right thing.

[lethechained]

I guess sometimes there's no choice but to fight. I'm glad that you're brave enough to try.

[handstands]

No, there isn't always a choice. [sigh] As much as we may wish there was.

[he'd learned that the hard way.]

I wouldn't say I'm...brave. It just has to be done.

[lethechained]

Not everyone is strong enough to do what has to be done.

[handstands]

...Sounds like you've got a story to tell.

[lethechained]

[She does... though whether or not she's ready to is another one.]


I'm sorry.

[But maybe-- a little wouldn't hurt.]

You could say that I [....] have done things I shouldn't have because I was too weak to do the right thing. [At least until she couldn't take doing the wrong thing, anymore.]

[handstands]

[wow does that sound familiar. Terra nods.]

You're not the only one.

[lethechained]

[... It both a relief and a sad thought.]



Thank you.

[handstands]

For what?

[lethechained]

For understanding.

[handstands]

Just speaking from experience.

[lethechained]

Then I'm sorry.