No it's fine. I think anyone who felt... something is a little on edge right now.
[ Squall rubs at his neck, trying to keep his voice sounding calm. It's not easy, and it probably sounds forced, but Sora wouldn't want him to sound so upset. He knows Sora wouldn't and he knows if he wants to protect these amulets he has to be more positive. ]
In all my time of being here I've never heard of so many people just going back home all at once. Could this mean something dangerous back home... is a coincidence? It's just so confusing.
[Kor understands the nature of bonds better than anyone, especially the ones he forms with people.]
Me and Sora, we have a bond. And no matter how thin they get stretched, no matter how much time and space separates you, a bond doesn't just vanish. Even if your mind forgets, your Spiria--your heart--it doesn't forget the people that have touched it.
[There's a pause from Kor. He's not the type to get troubled by thoughts like this. But it's hard not to when it involves the person he thinks of like a brother.]
[ Squall frowned softly to himself, feeling himself clutch at the fabric of his shirt. He understood the worry Kor had, and he knew how close the two of them were. Sora's told him a bit about Kor and how they both had this really strong connection of the hearts, even offering to go inside his own heart once upon a time... so feeling like that connection severed somehow... ]
I think I know what you're talking about... it was early in the morning and I woke up to this pain? It felt like something snapped and I didn't understand what it was. Could it have been because of Sora?
[There's a pause from Kor, the silence only permeated by a dull, low static sound. It made sense that Sora had his own connections with people, just like Kor did. He knows Sora's touched the lives of many people here. So just how many people, then, might have felt the same pain he's feeling right now?]
...Uh-huh. Like someone just... ripped something right out of you, right? At least, that's what it was like for me.
[Even though the pain's since faded away, the sensation it's left behind was still all too prominent. A sensation of emptiness.]
But... Those connections shouldn't just break like that. Especially with someone like Sora. He'd never let his heart forget people. So what if... [...something happened to Sora in his world?
You don't need to finish that sentence... that's what's been bothering me this whole time.
[ Squall lets out a soft sigh. Kor seems to know a lot about this heart business, about as much as Sora does he was pretty sure. So him being this concerned... it meant there really was a reason to be concerned.
Squall wanted to tell him it was all fine. He wanted to try and ease Kor's mind somehow, like he had been doing with other people. He wanted to but--]
Damnit...!
[ In the background he could hear something fall over. ]
[lashing out in anger sounds pretty nice right now. It sure captures how frustrated Kor feels over this. But Kor knows well enough to not ever let anger dictate his actions or control his feelings. No matter what, he has to keep that in check.]
If Sora's amulet's still here, that means he's coming back. [Kor's tone is unnaturally even, as he forces himself to remain calm. But Squall might pick up on his voice wavering even despite that.] So... We just need to believe that he's gonna make it back in one piece.
[Because that's what Kor really desperately wants to believe.]
I'm not used to this unwavering sense of belief, so tell me... how do I believe this? You even said so yourself that it's never done something like this before...
[ Squall's voice almost seems to crack a little. Normally he was a lot calmer than this, but whenever it came to Sora, it seems his emotions betray him and he just can't hold back. ]
It's nothing something you can learn to do. You just... do.
[That's about all there was to it. Believing in somebody wasn't something you could learn to do, like some kind of new skill. You just... had to do it, no matter how much logic tried to tell you otherwise.]
I'm worried about Sora, whatever might be happening right now. Terrified, even. But... I know what kind of person Sora is. He'll find a way to pull through, so we just need to believe in him, that he will pull through.
[When it came to guys like Sora, logic didn't really apply.]
After all, if Sora's friends don't believe in him, how can he believe in himself?
Believing in him has never been a problem for me. He's done so many incredible things and he's always bounced back with greater force than before.
[ Honestly it's one of the things he really admires about Sora. Sora was everything he wasn't. He was bright, charming, friendly, and just strong in more ways than one. It didn't make Squall envious of him, not even in the slightest. It just drew him toward Sora more. ]
My problem I guess... is my lack of confidence in myself. I've been trying to reassure others that Sora was going to come back just fine, but... I'm afraid.
[ It was embarrassing to admit. ]
What if I didn't make a lasting impression on his heart? What if that pained feeling doesn't reconnect when he comes back here?
[It was a sentiment Kor could sympathize with, even though he was well aware that the relationship he has with Sora is very different from what Squall has with Sora. But the fact remains that Sora was important to both of them; they both had strong bonds with him.]
What does Sora mean to you?
[It was a simple question, yet the answers could be exceedingly complex.]
You don't have to tell me your answer. But bonds are a two-way connection. Unless you both feel the same way, it's not something that happens. So with the way you feel about Sora, [with the way Sora feels about you] do you really think his heart would forget that?
[ Squall falls silent as he listens to Kor talk. It was strange, Kor came to Squall trying to find out some answers and perhaps to ease his own worry, but Squall's the one getting comforted in the end. Of course there was going to still be some doubts in his mind. Squall just never had an easy time letting himself be happy, but he still seemed a lot lighter now.
Like a weight or two he was carrying was now being shared instead of being all on him.
Kor was right. Sora once told him before just how much he believed he'd find Squall if they ever parted from this world. Sora believed that from the bottom of his heart. If he could believe something like that so passionately, then this... wouldn't be different. Sora wouldn't forget him or anyone else he made a lasting connection with here.
[It wasn't the first time Kor heard that about him and Sora being alike. And it definitely wouldn't be the last. At first, it used to embarrass him. But now he's learned to just own it.]
[Thankfully for Squall, Kor catches onto the teasing. Or just doesn't catch onto anything besides the intended teasing, maybe?? It's tough to say. Either way, he laughs. He knows how Sora is, he's a social butterfly.]
Haha, I don't think there's any arguing that. He'll make a friend out of anybody.
[...Funny, Kor came to Squall wanting to get some answers, and instead he got some relief out of being able to help somebody else out. Not that he really feels any better about what's going to happen to Sora. But he's just got to believe that Sora will pull through, just like he's telling Squall.]
[ Squall falls silent for a moment, like he was trying to think how to phrase his thoughts to Kor when he finally speaks up again. His tone was softer, but there was less force on his tone. ]
Kor? Thank you... This isn't going to be an easy time for any of us, but I feel like maybe I can concentrate a little better now.
I'm glad I could help you feel better, [And without a Spiria Link involved!] but... you don't need to thank me here.
[Might as well just... admit to his intentions here.]
It's not like I contacted you wanting to help you feel better. I was just worried about my friend. If anything... I was just trying to make myself feel better.
It might not have been your intention, but it's still something nice that came from it.
[ Squall didn't think Kor came for him specifically. They barely even knew each other, and probably only knew of each other through Sora in the first place, but still.. ]
So if your mind was able to calm down a little along with mine, I don't see anything wrong with it.
[Kor could try, but honestly, he knew he couldn't argue against what Squall was saying there. Because he was right.}
I was able to rethink things a little by talking to you, so thanks for listening. And if talking to you helped you rethink things a little, then... [...] You're welcome! I guess it's just in my nature to help people in need, even if I don't know they're in need? Heheh.
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[That tension in Kor's voice pops, like a bubble.]
You're sure about that? You're sure they're their amulets?!
[There's a pause.]
...Sorry, of course you're sure. It's... That doesn't make sense, though... What the heck's going on here?
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[ Squall rubs at his neck, trying to keep his voice sounding calm. It's not easy, and it probably sounds forced, but Sora wouldn't want him to sound so upset. He knows Sora wouldn't and he knows if he wants to protect these amulets he has to be more positive. ]
In all my time of being here I've never heard of so many people just going back home all at once. Could this mean something dangerous back home... is a coincidence? It's just so confusing.
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[Kor understands the nature of bonds better than anyone, especially the ones he forms with people.]
Me and Sora, we have a bond. And no matter how thin they get stretched, no matter how much time and space separates you, a bond doesn't just vanish. Even if your mind forgets, your Spiria--your heart--it doesn't forget the people that have touched it.
[There's a pause from Kor. He's not the type to get troubled by thoughts like this. But it's hard not to when it involves the person he thinks of like a brother.]
But I felt it vanish.
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[ Squall frowned softly to himself, feeling himself clutch at the fabric of his shirt. He understood the worry Kor had, and he knew how close the two of them were. Sora's told him a bit about Kor and how they both had this really strong connection of the hearts, even offering to go inside his own heart once upon a time... so feeling like that connection severed somehow... ]
I think I know what you're talking about... it was early in the morning and I woke up to this pain? It felt like something snapped and I didn't understand what it was. Could it have been because of Sora?
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...Uh-huh. Like someone just... ripped something right out of you, right? At least, that's what it was like for me.
[Even though the pain's since faded away, the sensation it's left behind was still all too prominent. A sensation of emptiness.]
But... Those connections shouldn't just break like that. Especially with someone like Sora. He'd never let his heart forget people. So what if... [...something happened to Sora in his world?
But Kor doesn't let himself finish that thought.]
Never mind.
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[ Squall lets out a soft sigh. Kor seems to know a lot about this heart business, about as much as Sora does he was pretty sure. So him being this concerned... it meant there really was a reason to be concerned.
Squall wanted to tell him it was all fine. He wanted to try and ease Kor's mind somehow, like he had been doing with other people. He wanted to but--]
Damnit...!
[ In the background he could hear something fall over. ]
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If Sora's amulet's still here, that means he's coming back. [Kor's tone is unnaturally even, as he forces himself to remain calm. But Squall might pick up on his voice wavering even despite that.] So... We just need to believe that he's gonna make it back in one piece.
[Because that's what Kor really desperately wants to believe.]
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[ Squall's voice almost seems to crack a little. Normally he was a lot calmer than this, but whenever it came to Sora, it seems his emotions betray him and he just can't hold back. ]
How do I convince myself...?
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[That's about all there was to it. Believing in somebody wasn't something you could learn to do, like some kind of new skill. You just... had to do it, no matter how much logic tried to tell you otherwise.]
I'm worried about Sora, whatever might be happening right now. Terrified, even. But... I know what kind of person Sora is. He'll find a way to pull through, so we just need to believe in him, that he will pull through.
[When it came to guys like Sora, logic didn't really apply.]
After all, if Sora's friends don't believe in him, how can he believe in himself?
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[ Honestly it's one of the things he really admires about Sora. Sora was everything he wasn't. He was bright, charming, friendly, and just strong in more ways than one. It didn't make Squall envious of him, not even in the slightest. It just drew him toward Sora more. ]
My problem I guess... is my lack of confidence in myself. I've been trying to reassure others that Sora was going to come back just fine, but... I'm afraid.
[ It was embarrassing to admit. ]
What if I didn't make a lasting impression on his heart? What if that pained feeling doesn't reconnect when he comes back here?
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What does Sora mean to you?
[It was a simple question, yet the answers could be exceedingly complex.]
You don't have to tell me your answer. But bonds are a two-way connection. Unless you both feel the same way, it's not something that happens. So with the way you feel about Sora, [with the way Sora feels about you] do you really think his heart would forget that?
[there's a pause.]
That's what it means to believe.
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Like a weight or two he was carrying was now being shared instead of being all on him.
Kor was right. Sora once told him before just how much he believed he'd find Squall if they ever parted from this world. Sora believed that from the bottom of his heart. If he could believe something like that so passionately, then this... wouldn't be different. Sora wouldn't forget him or anyone else he made a lasting connection with here.
Squall let out a soft sigh. ]
You know... you sound a lot like him.
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Why do you think we get along so well?
[Sora's his brother from another mother.]
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[ He meant for that to come off more teasing than it might have. ]
I do see why you two are so close though...
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Haha, I don't think there's any arguing that. He'll make a friend out of anybody.
[...Funny, Kor came to Squall wanting to get some answers, and instead he got some relief out of being able to help somebody else out. Not that he really feels any better about what's going to happen to Sora. But he's just got to believe that Sora will pull through, just like he's telling Squall.]
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Kor? Thank you... This isn't going to be an easy time for any of us, but I feel like maybe I can concentrate a little better now.
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[Might as well just... admit to his intentions here.]
It's not like I contacted you wanting to help you feel better. I was just worried about my friend. If anything... I was just trying to make myself feel better.
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[ Squall didn't think Kor came for him specifically. They barely even knew each other, and probably only knew of each other through Sora in the first place, but still.. ]
So if your mind was able to calm down a little along with mine, I don't see anything wrong with it.
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I was able to rethink things a little by talking to you, so thanks for listening. And if talking to you helped you rethink things a little, then... [...] You're welcome! I guess it's just in my nature to help people in need, even if I don't know they're in need? Heheh.
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