[OPEN]

[undeterrable]

Who: Terra and YOU
What: the prodigal son post patrol return
When: S1:21
Where: Carnival grounds naturally
Warnings: n/a unless you count allusions to the vampire war



(arrival)

[After the failure on his part to ensure that his coworkers were safe during the vampire war, Terra had an itch called guilt. It was a familiar itch, one that crawled under his skin and threatened to spawn further, but he hadn't thought about that moment in his life in just over three years. Guilt, and everything that came with it, was not fun to dwell on, nor was it purposeful in any way, shape or form. It made him feel more human than he had felt in a long time, and he hated that.

His Glider comes to a stop, and he steps off, dismissing it with a flick of his wrist into a spark of light before rolling a shoulder. He must have injured it somehow, fighting one of those Nightmares earlier on in the previous week, but it was worth it. Long tail swishing behind his legs, Terra takes in the familiar sight of the carnival and inhales, feeling himself relax marginally. This was home, and considering his (first) last home had been destroyed in a whirl of Darkness, he needed to be better equipped to protect it.

First thing was first; a visit to the medic tent.

He's bound to make a sight - unguligrade hooves, bulky/tall form, large horns that many other veterans might have seen grow from their pubescent form, dexterous tail. But it's the golden eyes that are a bit unnerving, the gemstones and stone embedded in his skin, the vines crawling along his arms sprouting buds. One has to wonder how long he's been here and how long he plans to keep at it, but the mental strain has dulled his empathy, so when he turns to look, he gives an almost apathetic stare before speaking.]

Did you say something?


(evening)

[There's no such thing as a break to Terra. There never has been and never will be. Considering he has, just recently, returned, that just means that there's more to do than can ever be done (there's far too much to take in here). Even after visiting the medic tent, there's too much going on. You might find him jogging around the carnival circuit, meditating in a quiet spot in the trailer park, or doing kata with his keyblade in hand.

Whichever happens, make sure you call out first. Poor boy's a bit easy to startle.]


(dinner/night ~stargazing~)

[It's almost strange. The Cook House is a lot noisier than he remembers it being in the months post the war, not that it's necessarily a bad thing, but it's almost too much. He remembers different people, voices, faces. People that should be there but aren't. Reasons why he quietly excuses himself from the table and steps outside to take a breather.

The stars were never the same. But they felt familiar, at the very least. A comfort of sorts He sits, long tail curling around his legs, then speaks, out loud without caring that anybody might be listening.]

They used to say, that long ago in the age of fairy tales, the worlds were bathed in Light. People lived happily under that Light, protected by the χ-blade. Many came to desire the Light, and their hearts grew Dark with greed and jealousy. They introduced Darkness in the form of war, and the χ-blade was shattered. Those worlds became the stars that we see.

[He hums, tilts his head and places a hand to his chest.]

Wherever we go, whatever happens, our hearts are connected.

[Sometimes, it felt good to say that out loud. Terra glances up then, horns swinging with the movement of his head.]

What do you believe?

Comments

EVENING

[otoko]

[He's finally mastered walking on his own two- erm.

Four.

Legs again-it took time and practice, but he got there. He can run, jump, walk...they're there for at least six more months, god forbid he decide he actually wants to keep them under the effects of a glamor afterward, so it's only right he has adapted. Shirts akin to his uniform are still in the making however. Same as..........any kind of bottoms, really, but he'll make do with his t-shirts for now.

Somehow.

While Terra is performing kata then, he may catch sight of something flaming red and gold, the lower body laying down as neatly as Gongenzaka can manage while he otherwise holds his hands in the typical folded position for meditation.

Now doesn't that guy look familiar...]

[undeterrable]

[It's the colours more than anything that get his attention at first, though it's a bit hard to do considering the aesthetic of the carnival, or maybe it's the dulling empathy that he's been feeling as of late. It takes him a full set of kata with his keyblade, straightening his stance and grinding a hoof against the ground as he contemplates his next move, wrist flicking his weapon away. For the briefest moment, his gaze is drawn up, away from his thoughts, and he stops for a minute.

His tail swishes in agitation behind him.

He saw their faces regularly in nightmares, the ones that hadn't survived the vampire war, but especially the younger ones, and people that he'd worked close with. A sickness burns in his stomach and for a moment Terra thinks that he's hallucinating before his Light Sense picks it up. Familiar. Too familiar. Inhaling deeply, he walks over, until he's a few feet away, then sits, assuming the meditation position as well. It's familiar too, something that Eraqus had long ago instilled in his training.

It takes him a few minutes before he speaks, voice soft and maybe a bit shaken,]

You're back.

[otoko]

[He opens his eyes slowly-but it is when he sees who speaks, that he starts-most of him, he is familiar with. There have been a few slight changes, here and there, but...

Gongenzaka stands, a mix of emotions on his face. Shame-he should have sought out those he knew, but perhaps he had assumed they had left. Relief-at least this one is still here, but all the same...

He bows his head.] I, the man Gongenzaka, must apologize... ...You should have been notified the moment it were possible; and instead of seeking to do so, I foolishly assumed.

[Well. Maybe not foolishly. The ringmaster DID make that radio-wide announcement...]

[undeterrable]

[He looks up as the younger stands, tail twitching at the tip before he places his hands on his knees, standing in turn. Terra's own expression is pensive, lips pursed together before he shakes his head and glances away, clearing his throat awkwardly. After a minute of thought, he reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it comradely.]

You have nothing to apologize for.

[Really, he didn't. There was nothing to be done about his own absence at the time, so there was nothing to apologize about, in Terra's eyes. The vines around his arms slither in response before he retracts his hand, then bows his own head.]

I'm just glad someone is alive, at the very least.

[otoko]

I, the man Gongenzaka, could say the same. [There is a slightly gruff sort of cough-almost a 'wuff', if anything, and he continues.] Admittedly, I'm just as glad that you did not simply leave.

...I was told many had done that, after what happened, after all.

~Stargazing~

[destiny_key]

[How did Terra always know when he was there? It must've been part of that 'sense' thing. Sora was pretty sure he'd never be able to sneak up on the guy, at least.

He notices Terra looking at him, and nods.]

Our hearts are connected. I think that... I'm living proof of that.

[He wanders over, and pops himself down on the ground beside his friend, crossing his legs. He looks up at the stars; they always feel the same to him, no matter where he is, and it's comforting. Just like Kairi said.]

I would've never gotten this far without my friends.

[undeterrable]

[Living proof? Terra pauses, then decides not to ask, instead simply shaking his head with a small smile. Of course, as a keyblade wielder, they're probably more connected than any others, but it would of course vary from person to person. He watches the younger boy sit down next to him, tail flicking up between them and curving into an S shape. Something in his eyes flickers, though, and he glances out across the grounds.]

I wish I could say the same.

[He got where he was the opposite way. Ignoring friends that were as close as family, ignoring his Master, charging down the path of Darkness alone. What a fool he'd been.]

I see you decided to stay.

[destiny_key]

[Sora thinks of all those hearts sleeping inside of his own. He has to stay. For them.

But that's not a bad thing. He grins.]

Yeah. I had a favor to ask the Ringmaster. And this seems like a fun world. I wouldn't mind staying in one place for a while.

I just wish I could show Riku and Kairi.

[That's a bit of a lie. He wouldn't want to wish a contract on them; he just wants them to visit. He's barely spent any time with his friends in going-on-two years. ]

How 'bout you? Did you have a favor to ask, too?

[undeterrable]

[He chuckles a little, if a bit sourly. Really? A fun world. That sounds like something Ven might say, and the memory of receiving the tickets to Disneytown before things went sour in Radiant Garden comes to mind before he brushes it off. There's something about this kid that brings memories to the surface - memories that Terra had pushed down to keep from distracting him, from the heartache and pain.

The question about his own contract makes him raise an eyebrow, leaning back on one hand and crossing his other over a knee. He pauses, brow furrowing, and then speaks, careful in his words.]

There was...an incident. I was heavily wounded from battle and my armor decided it would transport me here. [He inclined his head.] I was healed, and in thanks I gave the Ringmaster a year and a day of my life. It seemed only fair.

stargazing

[puddingemote]

[It was a bit stuffy in the cookhouse, so Tamaki goes outside to eat his food, sitting near the cookhouse door. He's never been quite comfortable around so many unfamiliar people, and even though he's slowly getting used to the other carnival workers, sometimes he still likes to escape the crowds.

When a big, rather odd looking man comes outside (though Tamaki is getting used to those with strange appearances, even though he hasn't been around long enough to have significant changes start to show, himself), he at first tunes out some of what he's saying. Light? Dark? Worlds in the stars? Sounds about as coherent as when Iori tries to help him with his science homework.

But then the man says something that catches his attention.

Wherever we go, whatever happens, our hearts are connected.

He looks back at the man, eyes wide.]

I think that, too!

[undeterrable]

[It's something that he's always carried with him. The lore that he was told as a young boy, stories that shaped his lessons. It's especially helpful here, away from the familiar, even after three years. In a great deal of ways, he hasn't changed, just on the physical aspect. His horns tilt to the side with his head as he considers the other - new, he'd hazard to guess.

It was still so strange to see new people around.

Terra smiles, then, though it's a small thing and he inclines his head with a small nod. Even if he had only really listened to the last part, it was something that newcomers should at least consider thinking about, he figured.]

Not many do. You're...new?

[Not wanting to be rude, he decides to forgo being obvious about it, golden eyes piercing as he looks, as though he expects an answer.]

[puddingemote]

[Tamaki recognizes the way Terra's looking at him, even as he tries to hide it. It's the same way kids in the orphanage always looked at newcomers, not sure if they were a new friend or a troublemaker.

He gives a shrug in response.]

I've been here for a few weeks.

[It's not quite a month, but he's already done some performances. He's a fast learner.]

[undeterrable]

Forgive me, I did not mean to...imply anything. Just familiarizing myself with new faces.

[And he didn't. Though he might have been looking at a bit more than just the boy's face. It sort of helped with things a bit. Terra gives a small shrug with his good arm.]

It's been a while since we had newcomers. I hope the Carnival's treating you well.

Arrival

[waitingforplayer2]

N-no.

[ She just came to visit Zecora and say hello, honestly. She shouldn't be surprised by new carnival workers anymore, but she can't seem to keep herself from staring regardless. But she averts her eyes when he questions her. ]

Are you okay? [ He is at the medic tent... ]

[undeterrable]

Just an ache.

[Really it was probably more. A bit of torn sinew here and there, maybe something broken. Terra's healing ability wasn't all that great - on the scale to his worst spell, however, it was not - but it took a bit more than a Curaga to deal away with injuries that he didn't let distract him. She looks a bit...young, and he purses his lips. He's always had problems with the idea of kids being caught in the carnival, but that was just the way the Munny dropped sometime.

Sorry, penny.

He gestures towards her, looking a bit concerned if the arch of his brow was anything to go by.]

I should be the one asking if you're okay. If you're here to see Zecora I mean.

[waitingforplayer2]

I'm okay. [ No injuries on this child. Her ears flick and she looks around the quiet tent. No sign of the zebra anywhere. ]

She'll probably be back soon... [ With nothing else to do, and not sure how to interact with him, her fingers reach for her game console. She guiltily remembers Psii's words and doesn't turn it on just yet, just plays idly with the dead controls in her hands, remembering level patterns and tricky combos. ]

[undeterrable]

[He's never been good with kids. Well, Ven was more like a little brother so that was entirely different. His own elfish ears flick as well, glancing off to the side with golden eyes before he turns his attention back to her, then goes to sit, lowering himself like a horse would due to his legs. It's quiet while he does so, resting his hands on his thighs before he turns his attention towards her again, pausing as he watches before speaking.]

You are...good with memory?

Arrival-ish!

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[The medic tent held a familiar figure -- only a familiar figure. In the wake of the vampire attack and a key resignation or two, a former nurse now holds the position. Zecora looks up from her work over a cauldron as he steps into the tent, then smiles broadly.]

A sight for which the carnival yearns:
The wayward prodigal returns!

[undeterrable]

[It's good to see someone familiar. Though many died there was also others that had left, and while Terra could have, there was really nothing waiting for him back home, had he chosen to return. He shakes his head when she speaks, smirking with a soft chuckle before shuffling his hooves and kneeling down to her height - much like a horse - hands on his thighs despite the ache in his shoulder.]

It's good to see you too, Zecora. [Golden eyes shine with slight amusement before he continues, reaching to scratch at one of his antlers with his good hand.] I apologize for intruding.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[It's kind of him to be considerate, though Zecora is so used to people at this point that she barely notices the height difference any more.]

If you came seeking treatment
There is no intrusion meant.
And if you came just to say hello
I would never have forgiven not doing so.

[undeterrable]

Well, my shoulder is a little banged up. Nightmare fight.

[He gives it an experimental roll and winces slightly. That Curaga mustn't have worked as well as he'd thought. He then gives her a slight smile.]

Though I can't say I didn't come to say hello too.

Arrival

[pipers_son]

I said "it's been a long time, ain't it?", but it seems yer a bit out of it.

[To be exact, he'd said "Cor, did the Ringmaster misplace ya under a rock somewhere", but Joker suspects that Terra is really out of it. He makes a loop around the younger man, bright pink eyes making sure he's not too horribly injured.]

S'been a bit, hasn't it, Terra? I almost thought I'd be gone by the time ya came back, ha.

[undeterrable]

[Well...truth be told he actually does kind of feel a bit out of it, but that might just be the transition talking. He never really got used to traveling without his armor, even though the gauntlet still rests on his forearm. Terra watches Joker move around him, shifting a hoof in order to shift his weight to the other as he rolls his injured shoulder.]

As if she'd ever let you go, Joker.

[It's meant in jest, but it kind of...falls a bit short as a joke. Really. He shakes his head, raising a hand to crick his neck.]

My apologies. I must have lost track of time.

[pipers_son]

Ha! Maybe, maybe~.

[For all his teasing, it is actually something Joker has considered in concern before. It wouldn’t be the first time, after all, he’d have been screwed over after putting his trust in someone. Still, so long as she keeps her end of her bargain… He thinks he could stomach that.]

[It’s not like he has any other choice.]

Anyway, don't worry about it! A bit’s changed since you’ve been gone! When Zecora gets ya all checked out, ya care ta get some food ta eat? Get ya nice and rested up after goin’ who knows where.

[undeterrable]

[Sometimes he wonders. Terra has had his fair share of being screwed over by people he believed he could trust, some to a fatal extent, or that put others in danger, but for now he had no reason to distrust the Ringmaster. For now, though, he nods, antlers moving with the motion and causing him to unintentionally brush against something overhead.

And then his stomach speaks for him with a growl and he taps his cheek with a finger, smiling a little awkwardly.]

So I've noticed. [He shakes his head.] Food would be great. An actual meal would be fantastic actually.