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[innermonologues]

Messenger Bird/Voice/Image/Action

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[innermonologues]

[ Luckily for the both of them, Squall has grown a little less squeamish being close to others after being here for a few years. It helps when the king of friendship somehow made himself one of Squall's closest companions in this world.

In a way it was similar to sharing a chocobo with someone. There wasn't much room on a chocobo, but as long as it was old enough and strong enough, it was doable. ]

Sounds easy enough...

[ Squall gives him another glance before finally reaching out his hand to him. ]

[darkearth]

[With his elbow, he helps Squall get on behind him, but also reaches around to take Squall by the forearm so Squall doesn't fall over and through, up until Squall is too far settled behind him to reach.]

You'll have to hold onto me. I won't go as fast as it can, but it's still fast. If you feel sick, or if you want to stop, just tell me.

Ready?

[innermonologues]

[ Squall gives him a small nod as he tries to make himself as comfortable as he could on this glider. Awkwardly Squall reaches out and puts his hands on Terra's waist with a firm hold. ]

Ready as I'll ever be.

[darkearth]

Alright. Here we go.

[The glider is an extension of his keyblade, and his keyblade is an extension of his heart. That's how it functions, sort of, essentially. But here, it's a little more than just "the heart," like back home. It's emotions, too. The more hopeful he is about a good flight, the better it glides.

They take off, straight up; not exceedingly fast, but quick enough the ground sweeps out from beneath their feet and begins to shrink. If Squall was relaxing on the roof, this may be better. Not in relaxing exactly, but in view: higher than the roof, higher than most of the other roofs, up far enough to have a good look without being wildly in orbit.]

You okay?

[innermonologues]

[ Squall didn't mind high places at all. It's probably why the roof top was one of the easiest places to find him. His hands on Terra's waist seem to grip on a little tighter as he stares off around them. They were so high up and this strange glider could actually lift the two of them so easily. This was... incredible.

A soft wind blows past the two of them, the scent of a warm spring rain. No rain in sight though. ]

Yeah... this is. Fine.

[darkearth]

[Terra nods in acknowledgement. The spring rain scent is strange, but he hasn’t quite parsed how to read emotions. But in any case, Squall gets a ride.

There had been no plan for where to go, so Terra simplies flies. Going forward isn’t much different than going up. Everything zips by without being too fast to see. The city is more elaborate when all of it is taken in at once. Bigger than it seems on the street, bigger than just a roof.

Once they are further into new territory, he slows down some. The glider takes them around the observatory, though not close enough to get in trouble. And he pauses again to glance over his shoulder and check on Squall.]

[innermonologues]

[ He'll notice that Squall wasn't looking at him in return. Instead his sights seemed to be around the new sights instead. His eyes had a strange sparkle mixed in with his usual stormy hue. Is this how Terra got to travel all the time? Because Squall had to admit, this was actually pretty cool. He had a flying school back home, but somehow that seemed to pail in comparison to the glider, at least to Squall anyway.]

[darkearth]

[For a second, Terra is surprised, but then he’s a bit amused and smiles faintly. Yeah, he looked the same way the first few times too. Squall helps him appreciate what had become second-nature to him. Flying from world to world with his focus on other things.]

It’s nice, isn’t it? Sometimes, flying would help me think and clear my head. I could hear what my heart was trying to tell me better when there wasn’t any other distractions.

If you ever want to go, you can let me know.

[innermonologues]

I can't believe I'm going to say this... but you guys are starting to make me wish I had a keyblade.

[ Squall gives Terra a look before laughing a little. Don't get him wrong, he loved his Gunblade. But still...]

[darkearth]

[This gets Terra it actually, for once, smile. It isn't big, but it's genuine. He pushes the glider on, a pretty slow and easier pace than before, so the wind isn't too loud to talk over.]

Have you talked to Sora about it? All it takes is a strong heart. It won't be easy, but... even you could wield a keyblade.

[innermonologues]

Sora's already busy with a lot of stuff. I wouldn't want to bother him with

[ Squall pushes his hand through his bangs and mimics himself. ] "Hey I know I made fun of your giant Key before for not being as great as a Gunblade, but can you show me how to wield one?"

[darkearth]

[Is he... is he mimicking himself? Squall...]

You teased him? [Terra doesn't look angry, just a bit disappointed in a scolding way.] Only those with very strong hearts can wield keyblades. It isn't easy. They're powerful enough to protect worlds.

I don't know about the gunblade. If you want to try learning to wield a keyblade... we can help you, but... [He shakes his head.] You're going to have to apologize to Sora.

[innermonologues]

It's not like I knew it was connected to all this heart business when I first met him.

[ A small pause. Did Terra just-- ]

Wait you want me to apologize?

[darkearth]

It's the first step in strengthening your heart. [Terra so did.] Being able to apologize to Sora for teasing him about the keyblade.

Saying sorry isn't about being afraid. Saying sorry is about having the courage to tell someone you made a mistake. And then, with practice, you might can show him.

Even you can wield one of your own.

[innermonologues]

[ If Terra looks back at Squall at all he'll be getting the biggest deadpanned stare. ]

So you want me to apologize for teasing Sora and somehow this will make me able to wield a keyblade.

[ Hyne... I feel like a five year old being scolded by his older brother. What does it matter if I apologize or not? Sora knows I didn't do it to be a jerk.
Well... maybe I did, but Sora's face when he gets mad is priceless. ]

[ Squall lets out a soft huff as he stared at Terra. ]

[darkearth]

Not exactly. It's a lot of hard work. [He does look back. The expression gets a wry, tiny smile.] But you'll be on your way to having a strong heart.

I think Sora would be more than happy to cheer you on.

[innermonologues]

[ His cheeks seemed to turn a little pink at the mention of Sora cheering him on.]

That's not saying much. He's always happy to cheer everyone on.

[ Squall lets out a soft huff at Terra's words, but the look on his face shows he was genuinely considering them. ]

What about... darkness. I was told before that I was useless against the darkness. If I could wield one of these things, could I... fight it as well?

[darkearth]

Your cheering isn’t any less special.

[Still glancing over a shoulder, Terra looks suddenly a bit surprised then... somewhat pensive. He turns forward again, and he’s quiet as they cruise along, like he’s trying to think of what to say.]

Darkness... Almost everyone has darkness inside of them. It’s why... I visit Auron. He’s helping me with the darkness. Riku, too. My... former master said darkness shouldn’t ever be used. But Auron says it’s about... balance. The darkness makes you stronger, but you have to be careful not to lose control. Like the emotions in this world.

But even hearts full of darkness can be strong and wield keyblades. [Xehanort. Terra frowns, looks back again.] We can work on the darkness.

[innermonologues]

I don't really know how much darkness I have myself... I just know I was told I wouldn't be able to help protect someone important to me... and I don't want to hear that again. If something happens to him again, I want to be the one that helps. Not pathetically sitting on the sidelines because "I don't know anything about darkness".

[ Squall's grip on Terra's sides tightens a little. Everything might be done and over with, but Squall... he still can't forgive himself for not being the one to pull Sora back.]

If... being some kind of key warrior will help so that doesn't happen again... I don't care what I have to do, how embarrassing it is, I want to do it.

[darkearth]

[Well, this is something Terra understands, and his expression softens some.] The darkness is strong if you have doubts, if your heart falters. That’s why it takes a lot of practice to become a Keyblade Master. I guess that’s why they were worried. They didn’t want to lose you maybe.

I felt the same way about Ven. But... he was stronger than I gave him credit for.

What... happened? That someone would tell you something like that?

[innermonologues]

I doubt that. [ He snorts softly. Back then Riku couldn't stand Squall. ]

Sora... I'm not sure what happened exactly, but he turned into this... creature of darkness. He was running around causing trouble. He ended up hurting me, but I didn't care about that...Anyway, Riku told me I wouldn't be any help, I didn't know anything about the darkness. So instead he saved Sora from that.

[ While he's grown a lot, and gotten past a lot of feelings, he still feels that pain of inadequacy. ]

[darkearth]

[Terra's brows furrow. Granted, he didn't know Riku especially well necessarily, but... it's odd. That doesn't sound at all like the Riku he's met, and he's not aware he's not the only one.] Riku...

Sora was... darkness? [He feels like he's missed a lot. He has no idea. He'll have to ask.] I can't say if it would have worked out if you got involved. It's okay.

If you want to see if you're heart is strong enough to wield a keyblade, we can try. Next time, you'll be able to help Riku. And Sora.

[innermonologues]

[ To be fair, when Riku said that it was when he was going through a rough time. ]

I want to see... if it's strong enough. If my heart can wield a keyblade.

[darkearth]

[At this, Terra manages a weak smile back at Squall, and then he nods.]

Let's test your heart then. It'll take a while--to be able to summon one. Are you up for it? It's a special honor to be able to wield a keyblade and protect the hearts and light of other worlds.

[innermonologues]

I've trained twelve years to become a member of SeeD, a little longer isn't going to make me want to quit.