IC Inbox for Empath

[innermonologues]

Messenger Bird/Voice/Image/Action

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[innermonologues]

I don't... want to take up a lot of your time.

[ Squall finds himself feeling a little embarrassed now. He cleared his throat, glancing off to the side. He's not exactly sure how busy Terra usually was, but he knew he'd probably want to stick by his friends, and not to mention he's pretty sure Riku's seemed brighter ever since Terra came here. ]

[darkearth]

[For a moment or two, Terra is quiet, and then he reaches back with an elbow to lightly jab Squall in the chest. His smile is subdued, but reassuring.]

I learned that... a dream is enough to light any kind of darkness. If you have the dream to try to wield a keyblade, I don't mind helping. My... former master helped me. Aqua and I helped each other.

[innermonologues]

[ Squall lets out a soft sound to the light jab and lets out a huff. ]

Are you sure... it wouldn't be a bother?

[darkearth]

[By now, Terra has steered them halfway back to Squall's place. The movement is still slow and easy, giving them less wind to talk over and more view to take in.]

Somehow, I can feel in my heart it's the right thing to do. Maybe the light lead me here for a reason. To... have more chances. And if helping you is one, I'll take it.

[When they arrive back where they started, Terra lowers the glider straight down until it's hovering a few inches off the ground like it had been when he showed up initially. He looks back over his shoulder, though, at Squall.]

Whenever you're ready to try.

[innermonologues]

Fine... but don't be too disappointed if I'm not good enough.

[ Among being a realist, Squall's way of thinking was usually more pessimistic when it came to himself. Still, Terra was willing to try, even if he didn't know what might come of Squall training with him.]

[darkearth]

Come on, Squall. I thought you were stronger than that.

[Someone showed him a good attitude back at the carnival games, and not with only one of them either. So Squall gets A Look as he's twisted a bit back.]

If you want a heart that can wield a keyblade, you can't think that way. You have to believe you'll be able to do anything. You have to feel it. You said you have a Gunblade, right? And training for SeeD.

If you can accomplish those... no dream is out of your reach.

[innermonologues]

Yeah but those things aren't really magical heart accomplishments. I listened during class. I studied. I fought and claimed Ifrit and passed the final mission to become a SeeD. I trained everyday with my Gunblade to be good enough.

[ He says these things as if they're just natural easy things to do.... Squall plz. ]

But listening to my heart, it's never been easy for me... It wasn't until I met Sora here that I even let people back into my heart in the first place.

[darkearth]

[Squall pls.]

No matter what you do, if it's something important, you put your heart into it. Even Sora would have told you something like that, I'm sure. Doing all of those things took a strong heart. You're halfway there.

[Reaching back and around, he thumps Squall gently in the chest with a few knuckles.]

Listening to your heart is hard sometimes. I get it. I had a hard time listening to my heart, too.

[innermonologues]

[ Squall makes soft grunting sound to the thump and let out a soft sigh. ]

Alright. I'll give it a try. An honest try. I might get frustrated, but don't give up on me.

[darkearth]

If I can train with Ven, you won't be a problem. There were times when he thought about giving up, too. Don't worry.

I won't let you. I know you can do it.

[He twists more around, enough to be able to scoop up one of Squall's arms and hold it at the bicep. He doesn't haul Squall up so much as hold Squall in place with surprising strength.

The glider below them busts into a swarm of faintly tickling, warm and bubbly light which rises up and disperses into him. It's practiced, him stepping into place as it vanishes, but he knows it may be a surprise to Squall.

Which is why he's keeping Squall steady with an arm.]

[innermonologues]

[ It's a good thing that Terra held onto him, because when the glider sort of disappeared from under them he felt himself almost stumble over. ]

..!

[ How did Terra do this and make it look so easy?! ]

[darkearth]

[Don't worry. Terra's got you, bro. He makes sure Squall doesn't end up face-first on the ground, steady, and only then does he let go.]

Sorry. I should have warned you first. Are you okay?

[innermonologues]

[ Squall appreciates not being left to be face first in the dirt. ]

I don't say this often, but that was honestly kind of awesome.

[darkearth]

Thanks. [Terra is at least appreciative of the praise.] Once you're able to wield a keyblade, you'll be able to practice what you can do, too.

[innermonologues]

Don't count your chickabos before they hatch, Terra.

[ Squall leans in to give him a light elbow back, just like he had done earlier. ]

[darkearth]

[Terra accepts the elbow because it really doesn't do much for him. Well, Squall has kind of a bony elbow, but it's fine.]

I just believe you'll be able to do it.

[innermonologues]

[ Sorry, Terra. We can't all be built like a tank like some people are. ]

And I believe you're heart might even be able to compete with Sora's for "bright and shiny".

[ Squall snorts softly, a soft smile forming on his face. ]

[darkearth]

I think you're confusing me with Ven.

[Ven (and now Sora) are the only two people he knows off the immediate top of his head with some kind of thousand gigawatt heart.]

[innermonologues]

[ Squall snorts softly at that. Okay, so that was a fair point but still... ]

You don't give yourself enough credit, Teacher.

[darkearth]

[Freaking sassy. Terra drops his hand on top of Squall's head and ruffles it briskly and teasingly, though he seems a tad modest about the reminder.]

I'm still a student, too. We should let Auron know. If you get the chance, you should let Aqua and Ven show you their gliders. Aqua is a Master. She... could probably teach you better.

[innermonologues]

[ Squall makes a grunt at the hair ruffle. ]

There's no way I'm telling Auron anything. [ He can just imagine that teasing look on his face now. ugh. He glances up at Terra.
He was only a little taller than him, but still...] Master or not, you're the one who offered. You can't back down on me now.

[darkearth]

No Auron and no Sora, huh? [Terra is just going to have to go at this alone, it seems. Him and Squall, keeping a training secret from Dad and boyfriend and rival.] I guess the two of them mean a lot to you.

Don't worry. I won't abandon you. We'll work on it together.

[innermonologues]

I guess we don't have to hide it or whatever, it's just embarrassing. [ Not that being trained by Terra was embarrassing. That was probably the only thing that wasn't. He just knew Sora would get all jumpy and excited and Auron would get all... dad on him and he wasn't used to that kind of treatment. ]

I would give my life for them. If my heart has any strength in it, it's there for them.

[darkearth]

That's good. [He smiles gently.] To have people you want to protect. It makes your heart stronger. When you want more power, you think about them, about protecting them.

I've learned... you don't have to worry about the darkness then. The people you care the most about are all you need.

[innermonologues]

Then I guess when you love someone, that makes your strength that much stronger then?