IC Inbox for Empath

[innermonologues]

Messenger Bird/Voice/Image/Action

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[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?

[darkearth]

It does. So don't forget it when you're practicing. [Reaching up, he taps two fingers against Squall's chest over the heart.] Decide when you want to start, and we'll pick a place.

You didn't want anyone to know, right?

[innermonologues]

I work at the Hearth during the day, so I guess it depends on if you like early mornings or evenings better.

[darkearth]

Hm. [Terra is thoughtful for a moment or two.] I'm okay with either for now. Are you a sleepyhead like Ven? Do you think you can get up early, or would you rather practice before dinner?

[innermonologues]

[ He snorts softly at that, shaking his head. ]

I don't really sleep all that much anyway so I'm usually up pretty early.

[darkearth]

[It's not surprise Terra looks a tad concerned.] Alright. In the morning then. [Terra offers his hand out. Shake on it.] You should try to get some sleep.

You want your heart to be rested, right?

[innermonologues]

Don't worry about me, Teacher. I've been like this for a while.

[ Squall eyes Terra's hand for a moment before reaching out to grab it. He gives him a firm grip. ]

[darkearth]

[Teacher... Geez! He feels as if he is so very far from a teacher. There’s no credentials there. Should he even be doing this, he wonders. Maybe he’ll have to talk to Aqua... Will she chastise him for approaching this when he couldn’t even pass his own exam?]

Just Terra is fine. [He squeezes and shakes the hand.] We can start in a few days. Early morning as long as you promise to get some sleep.