[he hadn't been traversing the alleyway, but coming up a nearby street when roxas heard the sound of a voice. amid the normal city sounds, this one seemed different—out of place, maybe because it was confrontational.
either way, it's something of idle curiosity that draws his attention. and almost immediately, he balks at the sight—he's not really a fan of ceres or their robots, so seeing what looks like a physical threat is enough for him to feel the need to go into action. maybe this person is wrong; roxas doesn't know without any context, but it doesn't matter. someone getting hurt because of ceres is just not cool with him at all.]
Hey! [he calls out, more to get the robot's attention than anything else. he's making his way down the alley, one of his keyblades already in hand and before there's much chance for anything else to happen, he's raised it to the metal claw, preventing it from being able to make any sort of contact with the girl.] Don't you guys ever play fair?
[because it doesn't seem like it. even if she's done nothing wrong, she didn't seem to be armed, and she'd said something about injuring someone else. he snarls a little at the bot, but then looks back to her, brows knit.]
[That voice is very familiar, and even though there's a robot all up in her face, she turns to look.]
Roxas?
[And then he's blocking the robot's claw and she gets a better look and knows that it really is Roxas. He's really here and not gone as all the people she'd known were. She's staring, robot momentarily forgotten (because her attention scatters easily).]
I am not hurt, but what about you? I cannot leave you here. [And makes no move to get out of there at all.]
[roxas? she knows his name? he doesn't recognize her, so it takes him a bit by surprise—enough so that he turns his head to look at her.
...probably not he wisest idea, since the robot wants to use that moment of vulnerability to push forward with more strength.]
Augh— [okay, turning his head back to the robot and putting more strength by way of summoning the other keyblade and forcing it back a couple of feet.]
I can hold it off, and probably shut it down. Don't worry about me!
[She gasps when the robot pushes forward, hands clenching tight even after Roxas succeeds in pushing it back. The thought of leaving never crosses her mind, not even upon seeing the twin keys in his hand. She'd never seen those before, but won't ask him about them now. The Roxas she knows is her friend, and she could never leave him behind in order to save herself.]
'Probably' is not 'definitely'. If I must leave, we are leaving together.
[She didn't have any physical skills to speak of, but she could use magic. The old bandage and rolled-up strand of hair in one of her coat pockets was more for distraction and couldn't do much damage. But she did remember that 'fresh' magic had been able to stop one of these robots.]
[he is concerned with this, because she doesn't seem to have much of a means of defending herself. roxas doesn't really want anyone getting hurt.. all the same, he's used to people who can use magic still having a weapon or something to use for offense with it.
and given how she'd been arguing, it didn't give him a reason to think that's how things would go, anyway. he's still holding the robot back, though he won't be able to do this much longer without properly retaliating.]
[There were no maids, no squires and no Rida here to ask her to leave. And even if they were here, they'd make it clear that it was futile trying to tell the princess to do anything she didn't want to. (Worse because she had a habit of nodding to signal that she had heard your request and then doing her own thing.)
She quickly breaks off a strand of hair, looping it in her fingers before pressing forward, her free hand reaching for his elbow.]
Close your eyes, Roxas.
[She's never used magic at such close quarters before but she won't leave him behind no matter how strong he thinks he is. The strand of hair is pointed towards the sky as she'd been taught and she knows the words off by heart.
If he doesn't close his eyes, he'll be treated to a blindingly bright blast of red magic that hits the robot square in the chest, knocking it back.]
[because roxas is as belligerent as he is, it takes him a moment before he closes it eyes— it's not until the brightness starts to hit his eyes that he closes them and uses his arm as an extra shield instinctively.
he can feel the pressure from the robot's force lift from the arm still holding it back with his keyblade, and it's enough for him to draw back a bit and lower it to his side. it'll take another moment before he covers his eyes, popping one open cautiously. he's still kind of seeing spots from the initial blast, but it's not enough to totally impede him.]
Whoa... [he's a bit awed, if only because he's never seen magic quite like that. it's probably not the best time for that to happened but... well, some things just can't be helped.]
[Veronica probably should have checked to make sure his eyes were closed, but she had assumed that he'd listened. That and she'd closed her own eyes, turning away to make sure she could still see afterwards.
The robot crashes noisily into the wall across from them, stuttering and shaking as it tries to pull itself free. She managed to knock something loose, but it really is more of a temporary solution than anything.]
Come. We will leave before it frees itself.
[She gives him a tug because even though she has enough stamina to cast at least one more spell, she's saving that as a last resort.]
[that's enough to snap him out of being a bit stunned by the situation. he's not exactly dismissing his keyblades just yet... he doesn't know how long that robot will remain stunned and he'd like to make sure they can keep the upper hand.
but he'll follow veronica's lead (albeit cautiously) with the hopes they don't get further pursued. getting on the bad side of a ceres-bot wasn't really part of his plans for the day, even if he doesn't regret getting involved. maybe it's for the better, because now he has questions for her to ask once they've safely gotten away from the danger. he may not be talkative at this juncture, but that'll change soon enough.]
[Getting on the bad side of a CERES-bot wasn't on anyone's agenda for the day, but she just can't leave someone alone when they're in trouble.
She's explored extensively since she's been here (even in seedier places that most people thought she shouldn't be in), so she leads him in the direction of the outer streets so they can hide in a crowd if necessary. The robot is still struggling to get out of the wall, so they should be fine for now even if it swivels its head quickly to note their direction.
As soon as they're out of sight though, she turns to him and checks him over for injuries.]
[as they make their way to the more populated area, he finally dismisses his keyblades—it would draw unnecessary attention, that much he knows.]
I'm fine, but... [he's quick to shrug over the way she checks him over. he didn't get hurt, so aside from his vision being very slightly impeded from the residuals of that flash of light, there's nothing wrong with him.
there's something more important and pressing he needs to ask about right now.] How do you know my name? Have... we met before?
[he doesn't remember meeting her, that's for sure. and nobody else who knew him from any of the worlds connected to the ones he's familiar with would ever call him by that name unless they were acquainted. it was always someone els—sora, ventus. never roxas. but... he would remember meeting her, wouldn't he? he remembers all the other people he's spoken to, both here and in other worlds. so he's definitely a bit confused about this situation.]
[The keys (although they were much too big and ornate for anything but a huge keyhole) are gone when she looks back, and her eyes flick quickly to his hands before they turn back to his face.
He was fine.
That was wonderful to hear, but she stops for maybe a moment too long when it becomes clear to her that he doesn't know who she is. There'd...always been that possibility, hadn't there? She tries not to be disappointed, fails, and soldiers on anyways.]
I am glad to hear that you are fine.
[She just wants to make that point clear first.]
I met you once in another world called Holly Heights. That is why I know your name. We- [Are? Were?]
[it's clear that roxas is absolutely puzzled by the things she's telling him. they were friends. he'd been to some world called holly heights...
but he doesn't remember any of this. there's nothing about it that rings familiar, and he can't help but wonder how something like that can even be possible. was it even really him? he can account for his entire existence—just not who he was before that. there's a feeling that goes alongside this, one that weighs heavy in his chest because there's no recollection.
it isn't like other things he's experienced, where he doesn't consciously remember but something within him finds an answer. this... this is completely blank.]
Sorry but... I really don't remember anything like that. I've never even heard of that world. [he feels kind of bad, because she doesn't look pleased to hear this news. but at the same time, it's frustrating to have someone claim to know you when you have no recollection of it.
...especially if they're supposed to be friends. and it can't be a mix-up, either, because she called him by that name. what does it even mean?]
[She's upset him, and that's so many times worse than not being remembered. Her expression calms and she smiles at him as best as she knows how to. Though she'd had lots of practice watching the courtiers at the capital, she just can't really manage it perfectly, but she doesn't want to make him unhappy. Veronica will deal with her own thoughts, somehow.]
We were. [She still thought of him as a friend, but they could hardly be friends in the present tense if he didn't even know her.]
And you need not apologize. I knew that there was always the chance that you would not remember. It is all right.
[it doesn't really make him feel that much better. if they were friends and he forgot that... well, she would be hurting from him not remembering, right? even if it's hard to believe, even if it sounds kind of ridiculous, and even if he doesn't have much reason to trust her...
something seems sincere about what she's saying. he wants to believe it, because it seems like a strange thing to make up. it's difficult to reconcile, but he shakes his head with a bit of determination.]
I don't think it's okay. Something like that... it's important. [it's not something he wants to forget, even if there's not even the faintest recollection of it.]
That....is true. [She wouldn't have wanted him to forget it either. But she was slowly learning that things don't always go the way that she wants them to.]
But...you looked troubled. [At least, that's what she thought.] I did not wish to make you unhappy.
[She's watching him as she says this, looking for any sign that she was troubling him once again. That wasn't an expression she was used to seeing.]
[he says the words somewhat quietly, but shifts his gaze away from her for a moment. this is somehow only making things worse, isn't it?]
I just don't like not being able to remember something that important. Friends... if we were friends, that's not something I should forget. [he shakes his head a little; roxas means well by it all. even if it's baffling and overwhelming, it doesn't feel made up.] But it's not your fault, so... don't feel bad.
[they should both blame whoever's responsible for it, right? which is probably ceres, he figures.]
Do not apologize. [It's strange to her that she'd said this to Roxas a long time before, as well.
What was it that Kaoru had said to her when she first arrived?]
You need not try to remember if you cannot. Many who are returned also lose their memories. Kaoru also did not remember, but she is still Kaoru, as you are still Roxas. Is that not so?
We are not friends now, but perhaps you would be willing to be my friend again?
[he gaze shifts back to her, looking a bit puzzled. honestly, he's not sure what it's supposed to mean. "many who are returned also lose their memories?" and... kaoru?
it doesn't really make much sense to him. but there is something she says that sticks with him a little more. "you are still roxas." —being told that he's himself is always sort of jarring, though not in a bad way.]
I... guess you're right. [even if he can't remember—if it was him, then it still had to be him, right? he hopes so. after a moment, he'll offer her the barest hint of a smile before nodding his head.]
I'd like that. I don't know if it'll be the same, or if I'll ever remember those things. But... I think we can be friends again.
[If he has asked her, she would have been happy to explain to him that "returned" was when they were brought back to their real worlds and not the facsimile of a world that the Landlord had created for them.
The smile he gives her is comforting, at least. And it's familiar enough to her that she smiles quietly back.]
I would like that, too. And it need not be the same. The fact that you are willing to try is enough.
And I have not yet introduced myself: I am Veronica. Thank you for helping me earlier.
[he repeats it back for two reasons. the first is some fleeting hope that hearing the name will trigger some memory that's locked away (it doesn't, of course). the second is just for his own sake to memorize the name and make sure it stays that way.]
You don't have to thank me for that. I think you kind of did most of the work getting us out of there anyway. [which obviously had not been his initial plan by jumping in, but it worked. so he guesses he can't complain about that.]
[Since he'd already told her that he didn't remember, she has no expectations that her name would be enough, especially as she knew he had many other friends as well. Still, she's always liked hearing people use her name (and not princess or miss) because to her, it was an acknowledgement of her as a person, as more than just the princess.]
If you had not been there, I do not think I would have been able to find the opportunity to cast the magic. [Because she knew how to cast it, but had only ever cast it in self-defense once.]
I couldn't just leave you like that, I had to try and help at least. Just... in case you couldn't do anything about it.
[it didn't feel right to just leave someone in need, even if that had never really been his agenda in the past. it didn't feel right, and that's why he can't help but be modest about it.] But if it helped then... I'm glad.
[in the end, it somehow all works out, so he's happy for that much.]
[She can understand that feeling because it's similar to what she thought when she'd helped to draw the robot away from the civilian earlier. Even though she wasn't always strong enough and she couldn't bring herself to hurt another living creature, she couldn't leave without trying to help when someone was in need.]
Well, I am glad that you did. And if you are happy, then all the better.
You didn't end up getting hurt at all, right? So... then I guess it worked out in the end.
[he's not sure he'd call it "happy," just glad. relieved, mostly. but it feels like despite the conflict and the strange acquaintance and identity troubles, it's all worked out. so that's good, as far as roxas sees it.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
coexistent) wrote2015-07-03 05:05 pm
action;
either way, it's something of idle curiosity that draws his attention. and almost immediately, he balks at the sight—he's not really a fan of ceres or their robots, so seeing what looks like a physical threat is enough for him to feel the need to go into action. maybe this person is wrong; roxas doesn't know without any context, but it doesn't matter. someone getting hurt because of ceres is just not cool with him at all.]
Hey! [he calls out, more to get the robot's attention than anything else. he's making his way down the alley, one of his keyblades already in hand and before there's much chance for anything else to happen, he's raised it to the metal claw, preventing it from being able to make any sort of contact with the girl.] Don't you guys ever play fair?
[because it doesn't seem like it. even if she's done nothing wrong, she didn't seem to be armed, and she'd said something about injuring someone else. he snarls a little at the bot, but then looks back to her, brows knit.]
If you're not hurt, you should get out of here.
action;
Roxas?
[And then he's blocking the robot's claw and she gets a better look and knows that it really is Roxas. He's really here and not gone as all the people she'd known were. She's staring, robot momentarily forgotten (because her attention scatters easily).]
I am not hurt, but what about you? I cannot leave you here. [And makes no move to get out of there at all.]
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...probably not he wisest idea, since the robot wants to use that moment of vulnerability to push forward with more strength.]
Augh— [okay, turning his head back to the robot and putting more strength by way of summoning the other keyblade and forcing it back a couple of feet.]
I can hold it off, and probably shut it down. Don't worry about me!
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'Probably' is not 'definitely'. If I must leave, we are leaving together.
[She didn't have any physical skills to speak of, but she could use magic. The old bandage and rolled-up strand of hair in one of her coat pockets was more for distraction and couldn't do much damage. But she did remember that 'fresh' magic had been able to stop one of these robots.]
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[he is concerned with this, because she doesn't seem to have much of a means of defending herself. roxas doesn't really want anyone getting hurt.. all the same, he's used to people who can use magic still having a weapon or something to use for offense with it.
and given how she'd been arguing, it didn't give him a reason to think that's how things would go, anyway. he's still holding the robot back, though he won't be able to do this much longer without properly retaliating.]
I can take care of this.
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She quickly breaks off a strand of hair, looping it in her fingers before pressing forward, her free hand reaching for his elbow.]
Close your eyes, Roxas.
[She's never used magic at such close quarters before but she won't leave him behind no matter how strong he thinks he is. The strand of hair is pointed towards the sky as she'd been taught and she knows the words off by heart.
If he doesn't close his eyes, he'll be treated to a blindingly bright blast of red magic that hits the robot square in the chest, knocking it back.]
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he can feel the pressure from the robot's force lift from the arm still holding it back with his keyblade, and it's enough for him to draw back a bit and lower it to his side. it'll take another moment before he covers his eyes, popping one open cautiously. he's still kind of seeing spots from the initial blast, but it's not enough to totally impede him.]
Whoa... [he's a bit awed, if only because he's never seen magic quite like that. it's probably not the best time for that to happened but... well, some things just can't be helped.]
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The robot crashes noisily into the wall across from them, stuttering and shaking as it tries to pull itself free. She managed to knock something loose, but it really is more of a temporary solution than anything.]
Come. We will leave before it frees itself.
[She gives him a tug because even though she has enough stamina to cast at least one more spell, she's saving that as a last resort.]
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[that's enough to snap him out of being a bit stunned by the situation. he's not exactly dismissing his keyblades just yet... he doesn't know how long that robot will remain stunned and he'd like to make sure they can keep the upper hand.
but he'll follow veronica's lead (albeit cautiously) with the hopes they don't get further pursued. getting on the bad side of a ceres-bot wasn't really part of his plans for the day, even if he doesn't regret getting involved. maybe it's for the better, because now he has questions for her to ask once they've safely gotten away from the danger. he may not be talkative at this juncture, but that'll change soon enough.]
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She's explored extensively since she's been here (even in seedier places that most people thought she shouldn't be in), so she leads him in the direction of the outer streets so they can hide in a crowd if necessary. The robot is still struggling to get out of the wall, so they should be fine for now even if it swivels its head quickly to note their direction.
As soon as they're out of sight though, she turns to him and checks him over for injuries.]
Are you all right, Roxas? Are you hurt?
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I'm fine, but... [he's quick to shrug over the way she checks him over. he didn't get hurt, so aside from his vision being very slightly impeded from the residuals of that flash of light, there's nothing wrong with him.
there's something more important and pressing he needs to ask about right now.] How do you know my name? Have... we met before?
[he doesn't remember meeting her, that's for sure. and nobody else who knew him from any of the worlds connected to the ones he's familiar with would ever call him by that name unless they were acquainted. it was always someone els—sora, ventus. never roxas. but... he would remember meeting her, wouldn't he? he remembers all the other people he's spoken to, both here and in other worlds. so he's definitely a bit confused about this situation.]
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He was fine.
That was wonderful to hear, but she stops for maybe a moment too long when it becomes clear to her that he doesn't know who she is. There'd...always been that possibility, hadn't there? She tries not to be disappointed, fails, and soldiers on anyways.]
I am glad to hear that you are fine.
[She just wants to make that point clear first.]
I met you once in another world called Holly Heights. That is why I know your name. We- [Are? Were?]
-were friends.
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[it's clear that roxas is absolutely puzzled by the things she's telling him. they were friends. he'd been to some world called holly heights...
but he doesn't remember any of this. there's nothing about it that rings familiar, and he can't help but wonder how something like that can even be possible. was it even really him? he can account for his entire existence—just not who he was before that. there's a feeling that goes alongside this, one that weighs heavy in his chest because there's no recollection.
it isn't like other things he's experienced, where he doesn't consciously remember but something within him finds an answer. this... this is completely blank.]
Sorry but... I really don't remember anything like that. I've never even heard of that world. [he feels kind of bad, because she doesn't look pleased to hear this news. but at the same time, it's frustrating to have someone claim to know you when you have no recollection of it.
...especially if they're supposed to be friends. and it can't be a mix-up, either, because she called him by that name. what does it even mean?]
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We were. [She still thought of him as a friend, but they could hardly be friends in the present tense if he didn't even know her.]
And you need not apologize. I knew that there was always the chance that you would not remember. It is all right.
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something seems sincere about what she's saying. he wants to believe it, because it seems like a strange thing to make up. it's difficult to reconcile, but he shakes his head with a bit of determination.]
I don't think it's okay. Something like that... it's important. [it's not something he wants to forget, even if there's not even the faintest recollection of it.]
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But...you looked troubled. [At least, that's what she thought.] I did not wish to make you unhappy.
[She's watching him as she says this, looking for any sign that she was troubling him once again. That wasn't an expression she was used to seeing.]
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[he says the words somewhat quietly, but shifts his gaze away from her for a moment. this is somehow only making things worse, isn't it?]
I just don't like not being able to remember something that important. Friends... if we were friends, that's not something I should forget. [he shakes his head a little; roxas means well by it all. even if it's baffling and overwhelming, it doesn't feel made up.] But it's not your fault, so... don't feel bad.
[they should both blame whoever's responsible for it, right? which is probably ceres, he figures.]
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What was it that Kaoru had said to her when she first arrived?]
You need not try to remember if you cannot. Many who are returned also lose their memories. Kaoru also did not remember, but she is still Kaoru, as you are still Roxas. Is that not so?
We are not friends now, but perhaps you would be willing to be my friend again?
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it doesn't really make much sense to him. but there is something she says that sticks with him a little more. "you are still roxas." —being told that he's himself is always sort of jarring, though not in a bad way.]
I... guess you're right. [even if he can't remember—if it was him, then it still had to be him, right? he hopes so. after a moment, he'll offer her the barest hint of a smile before nodding his head.]
I'd like that. I don't know if it'll be the same, or if I'll ever remember those things. But... I think we can be friends again.
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The smile he gives her is comforting, at least. And it's familiar enough to her that she smiles quietly back.]
I would like that, too. And it need not be the same. The fact that you are willing to try is enough.
And I have not yet introduced myself: I am Veronica. Thank you for helping me earlier.
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[he repeats it back for two reasons. the first is some fleeting hope that hearing the name will trigger some memory that's locked away (it doesn't, of course). the second is just for his own sake to memorize the name and make sure it stays that way.]
You don't have to thank me for that. I think you kind of did most of the work getting us out of there anyway. [which obviously had not been his initial plan by jumping in, but it worked. so he guesses he can't complain about that.]
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If you had not been there, I do not think I would have been able to find the opportunity to cast the magic. [Because she knew how to cast it, but had only ever cast it in self-defense once.]
So allow me to thank you for that, at least.
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[it didn't feel right to just leave someone in need, even if that had never really been his agenda in the past. it didn't feel right, and that's why he can't help but be modest about it.] But if it helped then... I'm glad.
[in the end, it somehow all works out, so he's happy for that much.]
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Well, I am glad that you did. And if you are happy, then all the better.
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[he's not sure he'd call it "happy," just glad. relieved, mostly. but it feels like despite the conflict and the strange acquaintance and identity troubles, it's all worked out. so that's good, as far as roxas sees it.]
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