IC Inbox for Empath

[innermonologues]

Messenger Bird/Voice/Image/Action

Comments

[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.

[innermonologues]

[ He snorts loudly at that, shaking his head in amusement. ]

See. I told you you were as bad as Sora. He scolds me about the same thing.

[darkearth]

[For a moment, he rubs the back of his neck at the hairline.] Sora is a different story. [So he thinks. There's no way he can be compared to such a bright, bubbly, sweet boy.]

Maybe if I scold you, too, you'll listen to him.

[innermonologues]

Don't worry too much. I can usually get some sleep if Sora's around. So it's not like I'm running on two hours of sleep or anything.

[darkearth]

I hope not. [The words sound earnest and genuine in their worry.] Being able to summon a keyblade requires a strong heart, but being able to use one...

Your body has to be strong, too. [He peers curiously at Squall a moment.] Is there a reason you don't sleep well?

[innermonologues]

[ Squall rubs the back of his neck a little. ]

Not quite nightmares, but something similar.

[darkearth]

Nightmares... [He's had his share of things like that. Briefly, he's thoughtful, holding his chin, and then he nods.] I have something I want to give you.

To help with... the sleep. It's at home, though.

[innermonologues]

A-ah..?

[ That caught Squall off guard a little. ]

You don't need to give me anything...

[darkearth]

It's okay. I want to help. [Caught in the clutches of a keyblade wielder's friendship, Squall.] It isn't much, but... You can try it.

[innermonologues]

[ Darn it. He should have known friendships with keyblade wielders would be his downfall one day. ]

If you don't mind I guess... I can try?

[darkearth]

Alright. Are you going to be home for a while? I'll get it and bring it back. I don't know if you want to go all the way to Snow's house.

[innermonologues]

Yeah, I'll still be around. I didn't have anything planned today.

[darkearth]

[At this, Terra nods.] Okay. I'll be back in a bit. [The wide, heavy-looking keyblade shimmers to his hand again. He slings it up into the air; come on, there's no way it can be that heavy with how easily he tosses it.

The keyblade melts into the glider, and the glider streaks back down toward him. He grabs it and hops on as it keeps going. But don't worry, he'll be back shortly with Squall's little present.

If it even works.]

[innermonologues]

[ Squall stands there watching as Terra leaves so quickly. His eyes seem to look amazed as he zooms off. It's crazy how impressive that is, and while... he still doesn't think anything keyblade note worthy will come from this experiment, being able to train with Terra might be fun...

Squall moves to sit down in front of the house, figuring it'd be easier for Terra when he got back. ]

[darkearth]

[The gift isn't heavy or huge, so Terra returns not very long after leaving. Being able to use the glider helped. He gets off the glider much the same way he got on: fluidly and stepping off at the very end as it breaks apart in a swarm of soft light.]

You didn't have to wait outside. [It is small. What Terra pulls out of his pocket is a flat, thin cloth with a stringed band attached. It's definitely a sleep mask.] I've worn it a few times.

I didn't have bad dreams that woke me up.

[innermonologues]

A sleeping mask...?

[ Squall tilts his head a little, looking from Terra to the mask a few times.]

[darkearth]

Yep. [He said it wasn't anything special!! The mask if offered out to Squall on his palm when he walks over.] You don't have to take it if you don't want. I know... it seems silly.

But I believe... it helps somehow. Maybe it'll help with you, too.