I woke up in the trash and got adopted by the local trio.
I'm taking an EXTREME liberty here with Sigurd's character/information from the epilogue/secret ending of KHUX since we know nothing about him at this time, and I don't want to make an OC.
Also, I just wanna say that in an earlier chapter I talk about channeling Fate Grand Order Merlin/'s backstory. I don't entirely recall if I also said his younger appearance is related, but… young Merlin, since I dunno if the Disney version even has one, is the FGO (Ascension Stage 3) one in appearance in my mind, usually minus the fancy staff. Just in case you needed something more concrete to imagine. You can look up the FGO Babylonia anime if you need further help with imagining him, though his appearance is of his Stage 2 Ascension. He does make use of Excalibur in some of his attack animations. You may otherwise imagine young Merlin however you like.
TW: Vomit/Characters having strong emotional reactions. Disassociation from appearance.
Please R&R!
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
It wasn't that Kairi felt nervous about saying anything. It was simply that she knew how much the Memorial meant to them after all they'd been through.
But this was for Ven's sake, so they would understand. They'd have to, or else she'd destroy it herself.
Kairi was fine with them having bitterness towards her, if it allowed Ven to do what he needed. To gain closure to his grief that they weren't there to witness. She didn't know if they could empathize with his situation the way she could. Bits and pieces? Of course. But… having unclear Memory was… it was so very hard.
She could find another teacher if need be, even if Aqua was the best she could hope for. Her boys had managed, and she could too.
Kairi took a deep breath before entering the main hall where she and Aqua usually practiced. It was rather early, but she knew her Master and Terra warmed up by facing off with one another there as well.
Terra still had his own hang-ups to get through, after all.
Terra noticed her first due to the angle he was at, "Morning Kairi."
Aqua stopped mid-swing and pulled back, glancing between Kairi and Terra. Terra nodded and Aqua gave Kairi her full attention with a smile, "Good morning, Kairi." She noticed something was off and frowned, "What's wrong?"
Kairi sighed internally, was she that obvious? She smiled nervously, "Morning Master Aqua, Terra. I… I have a bit of a request. A favor to ask." She minded her fingers at her waist, incapable of holding still.
Aqua and Terra frowned as she stepped forward and responded, "Of course, what did you need?" Terra followed leisurely as he stretched out one of his arms.
Kairi swallowed the lump in her throat as she focused her gaze on the floor to build her nerve. She hoped Ventus had a good night's rest after she'd helped him to bed rather late the night before, "It's about Master Eraqus's Memorial." She looked up towards her Master with pleading eyes.
Aqua was now confused, "What about it? Was it damaged?"
Kairi clasped her hands tightly, "No. It's just…" This was so hard! There really wasn't a good way to explain this! "Ventus needs that Keyblade."
The two Wielders before her stared at her in surprise, baffled. Terra frowned, "What for? The three of us erected it together!"
Kairi released her hands and stood her ground, summoning Destiny's Embrace and lifting it straight up into the air, "In accordance to the wish left behind by our forebears, I, Apprentice Kairi of Destiny Islands, humbly request that the Keyblade left in Moratorium of Master Eraqus be relinquished to Ventus. This is the wish left behind by Ephemer, a Wielder of our most early origins."
Aqua gasped softly, taking a step back at Kairi's formality and the information she'd given. Terra narrowed his gaze towards her, "That's a lot to claim, Kairi."
He and Aqua had only just found vague documents speaking of Master Ephemer in Eraqus's study. A rather old book with barely there lettering from its age.
Kairi lowered her arm, determination still in her stance, "I know that! I know what I'm asking for is a lot, but Ven's your best friend, isn't he?!"
Aqua pursed her lips, a hand clasped tight over her chest as she thought it over. "But still… Only Masters can touch that Keyblade."
Kairi raised her head, "Then why not see? If Ven can take it, won't that mean it's his right? That he has been deemed worthy?"
Aqua glanced to the side towards Terra. It almost seemed cruel to claim in their minds that Ventus, who had never been truly considered for his Mark, would gain it before Terra. Still, Kairi's suggestion did have merit. Keyblades wouldn't allow themselves to be Wielded by the unworthy.
Terra closed his eyes before slowly exhaling, "Fine."
Aqua turned to him in surprise, "Are you sure?"
Terra looked at her with a tired shrug, "There has to be a reason, right?" He looked at Kairi, "And in the end, Ven'll just be disappointed if it doesn't work out. I don't know what you two are up to, but I know Ven wouldn't just take down our Master's Memorial for no reason." He smiled faintly at Aqua, "Why don't we ask him ourselves, if that's what he wants?"
Aqua's swirl of uncertainty fell away and she gave him a relieved smile, "Right."
"It is what I want."
Aqua turned towards Ventus's voice, her stomach dropping at the sight of him as her hand covered her mouth in surprise.
Ventus looked terrible, his eyes were dark and puffy, and his hair a little worse than usual. He made his way over to Kairi, nodding to her with a barely there smile before looking between Aqua and Terra. "I'm starting to remember my past in a jumbled and confusing order. I want to find out more- to learn what Ephemer left for me and the others." He bowed his head as he broke eye contact with them while placing a hand on his chest, "I need this… to help gain closure." He looked up to them desperately, "And maybe... even reunite with some of them! Please Aqua, Terra!"
Aqua bit the inside of her cheek while Terra scrutinized him, "Are you really sure, Ven?"
Ventus nodded in determination, grasping Kairi's hand for strength and startling her just slightly at the abrupt action. Yet, she quickly grasped his hand back, to try and ease his trembling only she could feel.
Aqua sighed gustily, "Alright." She looked to Terra before walking ahead, leading the group towards the Memorial.
It was a silent and tense walk, with Terra behind Aqua, and Kairi with Ventus in the back. Kairi kept glancing at Ventus, to make sure he was alright. She could feel how sweaty his palm was, and if it weren't for his determined look, she'd wonder if he was sick.
Or well, if he was going to be sick.
Ventus on the other hand thought he might throw up.
He knew how difficult this was and was going to be. He didn't want to do this alone, but he couldn't ask either Aqua or Terra to come along.
They would, unfortunately, baby him unintentionally.
He needed an equal, someone who would take his words seriously.
Ventus would take Kairi with him, if she agreed with it.
It took what felt like forever to get to the Memorial, and yet, when they reached it Ventus thought it hadn't taken long enough.
Time was cruel like that.
He stepped forward as Aqua hesitated with Terra stiff beside her, and took back his Wayfinder.
Aqua clenched her fists and forced back tears as her throat closed up. "Ven."
Ventus looked at both of them as he put away his charm. His chest felt tight as he croaked, "Please."
Terra sighed and took both his and Aqua's Wayfinders back, handing hers over as Aqua shakily took back her Wayfinder.
Kairi took the wreath down, holding it close to her and studying the almost dead flowers before looking back to Ventus with a nod. They were due for replacement anyway.
Ventus looked between all of them for a long moment before turning to Master Keeper. Chirithy poofed between them to witness the moment, knowing they would be needed to Guide Ventus to Scala ad Caelum.
They could already feel their old connection to Daybreak Town reopening. It had evolved and now felt different, but the path was well worn and familiar all the same.
Ventus reached towards the hilt that was just slightly too tall for him, awkward as he grasped the hilt with as much confidence as he could bear to muster in his heart and pulled the Keyblade out of its place. It immediately accepted him and changed, its shape shifting to fit into his smaller hand and shorter build to be more comfortable to Wield.
Master's Luster
He breathed out a shaky relieved sigh as he held it in front of himself for a moment, looking over the Keyblade before flicking it to the side to dislodge the dirt on the tip of the shaft.
It felt truly strange to hold a Keyblade in the correct grip, but he couldn't picture carrying it in any other way. He turned to Aqua and Terra and nearly dropped Master's Luster at their mixed reactions. Terra was clearly trying to hide his confused devastation, while Aqua just looked like she'd been slapped.
He felt himself go grey, as the World around him began to desaturate.
Maybe it would be better if I never reme-
Kairi clasped his Keyblade hand joyfully, breaking him out of his mind's desperate attempt to automatically protect him, "You did it, Ven!" She grinned at him toothily, truly happy that the Keyblade had accepted him.
That he could journey to find answers.
Ventus couldn't help but try and feed off of her excitement for him, smiling weakly, "Y-yeah?" He looked at Master's Luster, "I did, didn't I?" The tightness in his chest abated slightly as he felt slightly embarrassed before frowning, "But I never received my Mark."
Kairi huffed and planted her hands on her hips, "You're an ancient Keyblade Wielder, aren't you?!" She looked to Chirithy, "Can you tell if he's a Master or not?"
Chirithy jumped in surprise, "What!?" They tapped their chin, observing their Wielder for a moment before deliberating, "Well I mean… Of course he has his Mark. He's had it for a long time! He was chosen by Master Ava as a Dandelion after all. All of them were of Master-level quality, and Ven really did quietly watch over hundreds of thousands of Wielders. I'm sure if it wasn't then, then perhaps we'll find out how he got his Mark from whatever it is that Ephemer left behind?"
Kairi nodded in acceptance, seeing no issue at all with these turns of events. Yet, Aqua and Terra couldn't.
Not because they didn't love Ventus, but because they did! Mastery was hard earned, given to the respected and clear of mind!
Ventus was still too immature for such a huge burden!
Aqua burst out, "But he's still so young!"
Kairi immediately turned to her, disappointment burning in her chest as she threw her hands out beside her and declared, "So's Riku! Yet everyone's accepted him as a Master!"
Aqua grimaced and turned her face away ashamed. Tera balled his fists tightly as he kept a calm grip on himself despite his damaged pride, "Kairi- you don't understand."
Kairi growled and grasped Ventus's hand, startling him as she couldn't help but exclaim, "Exactly! I don't understand! Why can't you be happy that your best friend will finally gain some answers about his past!? Not being able to remember where you came from- it's horrible! I don't remember my parents, and I can barely remember my life before I showed up at Destiny Islands! You know that!" She sucked in a few gasping breaths before turning to Ventus sharply, "Go, Ven. Go and find your answers so you can have peace of mind."
Ventus swallowed, his throat tight as his eyes burned from wanting to cry again. He was feeling too many murky emotions, swirling things that made it so very hard to look at his friends.
Yet he understood all of their silent concerns, all of their reasons.
He just couldn't be shackled by them right now. He needed this to move on!
Kairi's defense of him was dazzling.
He took in a shaky breath, "You're coming with me, Kairi."
She blinked, "W-huh?!"
Ventus pushed aside his sorrows and looked at her with courage, "Please. I can't do this alone, Kairi. I'm sorry to ask this of you, but-"
Kairi relaxed and exhaled shortly and answered with a smile, "Alright. I'll go with you." She had her own curiosity about Scala ad Caelum, anyway.
Aqua cried, "But how are you even going to get there!? You're not equipped with Keyblade Armor like we are, and the paths are too dangerous!"
Ventus closed his eyes and released Kairi's hand before shifting his stance. He lifted Master's Luster straight into the air, the pathway opening up in his mind as the Keyblade responded to his Heart's Guide. He pointed it ahead of himself, and with a growing gleam, a shot of light went out and created a Light Corridor.
Just like in the old days.
Aqua and Terra gasped in surprise while Chirithy whooped and poofed away. Ventus looked back to Kairi with a smile, "Let's go."
Kairi grasped his hand with a happy and determined nod, "Alright. Let's do it."
They walked through.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
Vanitas stared at his reflection with a frown. Something was off about it. It was wrong.
It wasn't what he thought it should be.
This wasn't the first time he'd disassociated with his appearance. He'd first felt that he should have Ventus's face, after all, why should he be left as a blank doll while that idiot got to keep his identity?
No, this was an easier issue to deal with.
His appearance was a reflection of Sora after the unwitting new Heart had connected to Ventus to heal him. He'd known what had happened and been affected by it after all.
His hair wasn't right. It didn't match the way Sora looked now. The way he appeared in his Dreams as they conversed with one another.
Vanitas rubbed his index and thumb finger over his side burn spikes, feeling their texture before scoffing with a roll of his eyes and leaving the bathroom. "Merlin!"
Something made a racket as the Wizard startled, a slew of nonsense coming from his mouth before Magic made things right again. "Vanitas." Vanitas smirked at his tone. Sometimes Merlin was just so tired of his shit, and he just gave him more of it anyway.
He turned around the hallway corner and looked at the unwitting and young-looking Wizard, "Can you cut my hair?"
Merlin stared at him with a deadpan look before sighing and looking away, "I'm not exactly the best person for the job. The Three Fairy Godmothers? Certainly. I on the other hand…" He made an uncomfortable face before asking a question of his own, "What sort of haircut are you looking for?"
Vanitas winced, abruptly realizing this may not sound the best. "...I want it to look more like Sora's."
Merlin frowned, a furrow to his brow as he stated, "You're getting too close to him, Vanitas."
Vanitas clenched his teeth and bore them, "Tch, I'm well aware of that! But it just feels wrong that my hair isn't-" He fumbled, making a face as he tried to motion with his hands Sora's more sleek and kept style, "Neater?!"
Merlin blinked before he burst out laughing, covering his mouth with the side of his hand as he tried to reign himself in.
Vanitas flushed, annoyance burning in his chest as he yelled, "Stop laughing at me! It's not funny!"
Merlin held up his other hand as he struggled to answer between his laughter, "I-I'm sorry! It's just- pfft! The way you tried to explain it to me!"
Vanitas slouched slightly, pouting in angered annoyance as he roughly pulled out a chair and flopped into it with petulantly crossed arms. Merlin continued to chuckle with a slight cough before he finally settled with a sigh and his hand on his chest, "I apologize." He made his way closer to Vanitas, "I suppose if it's just a light trim, I can manage it. But don't blame me if it's too much."
Vanitas pulled away from him a little, weary and suspicious, "...Now I don't trust you."
Merlin huffed and lifted his wand, "I can do that much with Magic. I'd just need a picture of him."
Ah. That was… a hard thing to ask for. Did anyone even have his photo?
Vanitas curled into himself slightly, "That's…"
Merlin tapped his chin, "I'll go ask the Three Fairies, alright?"
Vanitas reluctantly nodded as Merlin's appearance changed to that of an old man again. Vanitas really didn't understand why the Wizard kept changing his appearance like that, but who was he to stick his nose in someone else's business?
He sighed gustily, sprawling out in his chosen kitchen chair to stare at the ceiling.
"You're changing."
"Of course I am."
Sora smiled at him, something strange hidden within his look as he continued, "I know."
Vanitas observed him silently, searching his features for a clue as to what was clearly bothering him. "Are you afraid the others will change too much, and you'll be left behind?"
Sora's eyes widened before he laughed weakly, "Oh wow, you're even able to notice that much now? You really are changing a lot, Vanitas!"
Vanitas sighed heavily. He wasn't in the mood for subtlety, "Sora. I was trained to observe." Not that he did half the time just to piss off Xehanort.
Sora gave him an empty look of affection. It was an odd expression, but he knew Sora was slowly losing pieces of himself. His strength and will to go on like he was. Humans could only deal with so much despair and loneliness. "Still, compared to when we first started to talk like this, you've really grown as a person. I'm really…" He trailed off for a moment, "It makes me kinda happy."
Vanitas felt his chest tighten. What could he do for his brother? He tried to pull those negative feelings towards himself, to lighten Sora's burden, but Sora shook his head. "They're my feelings. It's okay, Vanitas."
He wanted to cry. It was the first time he truly wanted to cry for someone's misfortune. "Sora." He didn't know why he said it- what compelled him. Yet he believed it wholeheartedly, "Let your heart be your guide, right?" Sora blinked in confusion, "Ask it to lead you to the one who's been watching. Who can see you. Maybe they can help."
Sora turned pale- even paler than he'd become during his time in that dark misty city, "But Vanitas, I'm-"
"You're scared. Lonely. It's festering Darkness within you. I don't want you to be eaten, Sora. I…" He frowned, trying to understand himself for a moment. "I admire you a lot, I guess."
Sora stared at him in surprised shock, "Huh!?"
Vanitas sighed heavily, ruffling his hair as embarrassment bloomed, "Look. Just pretend I didn't even say that."
Sora laughed, a good proper laugh that hadn't been heard for some time, "Alright Vanitas. Thank you."
Vanitas grumbled as Sora clasped his hands behind his head and swayed, his mood up again. "Let's talk again soon."
The Dream began to melt away, and a flash of silver caught his eye in the distance. His pleasant mood turned to fear just as his eyes opened.
He exhaled shakily as he tried to focus on that silver flash. His instinctual fear of it.
It was a familiar shape. An odd one that wasn't quite human, though it was attached to one.
He closed his grey eyes in furrowed contemplation.
The room was dark as they coaxed the child into the depths of that place. A shadow blotted out the light, and they couldn't help but internally smile.
They would make this child's wish come true. After all, it was easy and innocent enough.
Easy enough to twist and taint towards their collective goal.
"Hello! Is anyone here?"
They would take their time.
The Wielder and her pet's disappointment was delicious as they turned away from them.
-Closer-
-Closer Still-
They attacked, their form sliced through the Child of Light so easily. They were all so fragile and weak, but flesh was necessary for their collective goal.
A book fell.
Pick it up.
The boy, his eyes stolen in illusion obediently bent down to take it and followed their urgings towards the bright exit.
They disconnected from him, changing their shape into the one they had observed as instrumental to the cause of the Dandelion faction.
"Is this really alright, Master Ava?" The young voice was so innocent and unaware.
They took her form and answered pleasantly, "I've chosen you, because-"
They would sow discord and breed the desire for revenge. They would tear those pathetic Union leaders apart along with this weak little boy with too much Light.
Then, when their Hearts had been soaked in the deepest black, they would all possess them.
Vanitas gasped as he swiftly made it to the sink before vomiting. There was some of that black tar mixed in, but it was mostly the sort of thing humans would throw up. He gagged, gripping the counter with white knuckles to keep himself steady as he continued to be sick there.
He didn't want those Memories!
He didn't want to remember the sort of wretch he'd started out as!
It was so easy for them to throw them aside. To absorb their attacks. These children couldn't hurt him. (Him?)
The boy with too much Light that (t)he(y)'d clung to- he'd served his purpose. (T)He(y) summoned Darklings to collect the boy so (t)he(y) could truly replace him.
The children were confused and worried at the appearance of those devoured nownot-children. And then their (his) expectations were unsettled. The boy awoke, his Heart strengthened somehow despite his sorrow and manipulation.
He began to glow with the Light's blessing, and used it to eradicate the dark beings around him. He walked towards (them) him, and he (they?) felt fury at the boy's audacity. His Strength of Heart despite being worn down.
"If you're pure darkness, that makes me pure light. If you used me to reshape yourself, then I can reshape you again. I'll give you a new form… that we can defeat!"
This insolent child! This wretch with Light's Grace!
The boy even had the audacity to comfort those who more than deserved to harm him!
Light erupted.
And then (He) knew nothing more.
Not until the Keyblade of the Atonement of Darkness ripped them apart and gave him new flesh.
"From darkness bidden, the name Vanitas given."
He gasped, sweat now covering his whole body in a horrible film. He gripped his chest as tears gathered in his eyes.
He couldn't breathe!
He couldn't exhale or inhale! He was suffocating, and he couldn't understand why!
"Vanitas!"
He felt Merlin as his vision became speckled. He knew the Wizard was doing something to make him breathe again. His ribs hurt, and something cracked sickeningly inside, but suddenly his airway was opened and he coughed miserably. His broken bone(s?) pointedly crying out in agony as he shuddered a breath and wept.
He didn't want this.
But it was certainly the least of what he deserved.
Vanitas fell Asleep again despite outwards cries to stay awake so that he could escape it.
He was truly weak. Weaker than Ventus ever had been.
He just didn't want to understand that, not until now.
The body isn't the only thing that needs to be strong.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
Ventus stepped out of the Light Corridor and froze. The trip hadn't been long, but as Kairi looked around disturbed, they had not expected to arrive to... this.
Maybe he just hadn't spent enough time here to notice, when they'd ended their fight against Master Xehanort… but he hadn't expected the once pristine city to be so damaged.
Cracked pavement and decay, a grey and cloudy sky with random sunny patches. It was like the World was supposed to be filled with sun and Light, but due to whatever tragedy had befallen it, it couldn't get there. The World wanted to cry and mourn but simply didn't have the strength for it.
Kairi herself was unsettled by it. She vaguely understood how beautiful this city was supposed to be.
Her Heart had been split into pieces and tossed around the area by Xehanort to be recollected.
Ventus moved forward, tugging her along as they looked around in distraction. Decaying business signs he could just barely read in an almost familiar script. It was surreal as Master's Luster led him along.
They came to the city square, the old image of Daybreak Town's fountain coming to Ventus's mind as he looked at it and gasped. His eyes trailed up the damaged statue until he met Ephemer's stone face. Still familiar despite the wear and tear. The damage from the fall of the World. The Keyblade that had once been held high now in varied pieces within the dead, algae filled fountain.
Kairi held her free hand to her chest, "Ephemer…" She'd only met him as a ghostly Memory, but she could feel a connection to him. Somehow it hurt as though she herself had lost a friend. An ally in their fight against the Darkness.
Against Master Xehanort.
She sighed softly, "Well…" She looked towards her companion, "Where should we go?"
"aH. tHerE yoU Are."
Kairi and Ventus jerked around to face the strangely robotic voice that spoke to them. Ventus blinked at the individual's attire. A cloth covered face with black and orange trimmed hood. A black hooded purple capelet with black and gold details, grey-green button up shirt, taupe pants, and black boots. Their black trench coat had purple and orange details, grey embellishments, and light blue breast panels. Their black hat also had orange and purple details. They tipped their head jerkily, "I aM SigUrd. IT is A PlEaSuRE tO meE-eeT you. MaSt-tt-ter Ven-N-N-tUs."
Ventus blinked, "Y-you were expecting me?"
Sigurd attempted to nod but got stuck halfway, their mechanical joints creaked shrilly with clicks as they tried to complete the motion before giving up. "apoLOgiEs foR My POo-or ConDiTion. MA-a-Ain-taNAnce iS HArD to cOME bY."
Ventus nodded in flustered understanding, "I-it's alright. I can understand why."
Sigurd shifted and raised a jerky arm in directive, "M-M-masTER EphEMeR s-s-ssssaID Y-Y-YYYou would a-aAAARRr-r-riVe on th-th-th-THIS day. COme aL-L-ll-long. Y-y-yyyyouR FRieNd aS WEll."
Kairi nodded and together they followed the mechanical being. She couldn't help but ask, "What are you, exactly, Mister Sigurd?"
Sigurd paused for a split second before continuing, "AnDRoiD."
Kairi was surprised. She understood the concept from sci-fi literature, but it sometimes seemed too fantastical to be true.
Of course, her own story was rather unbelievable.
Ventus kept looking around as they were led along, the sound of gears shifting and something mechanical stretching worryingly as Sigurd walked. He felt sorry for the android, that he'd fallen into such disrepair.
"DO Y-yyyoU kn-nnn-Now K-k-k-chhhiiiing MickEY?"
They both started at that question as Kairi answered, "Yes! Why? Is he here?"
"Yes. I Hhhh-h-h-have beEn assISTIng hhh-hhim with h-hi-his resss-s-earCH."
Ventus brightened, "Can we see him?! Uh- later?"
"Of cOUrse."
Ventus smiled. He wondered what the King had managed to find during his time here.
It took a long while for them to arrive at their destination, but their lack of familiarity with the World and the overall layout of the city, its buildings and their halls, made it a fascinating experience. There were a few moments when they had to stop, to wait for Sigurd's gears to cool down from overheating, but they didn't mind. The temperature was pleasant, and it allowed Ventus more time to accept that this was actually happening.
He tried to push away the butterflies of nervousness.
Suddenly his stomach lurched, and he barely had time to half collapse against a wall and throw up. The sickness came from nowhere, yet he felt a rush of distraught emotion that most certainly wasn't his, that he empathized with.
He coughed as his stomach clenched miserably while he croaked, "What..?"
Kairi was trying to get his attention, but his ears were rushing with the sound of his own blood. A strange hand that most certainly wasn't human gently laid against his back.
The feeling of Magic flowed into him, something strange and familiar about its Light-filled caress.
Brain ruffled his hair with a smile on his face, "Don't be so impatient, Ven."
His stomach settled and tears fell from his eyes as he gasped softly, "What in the world is happening to me?" To Vanitas?
Sigurd pulled back his hand and helped Ventus straighten up and reorientate himself. The android handed him an Elixir, and Ventus drank it greedily. There was something off about it, and he couldn't help but wonder if it was an expired one as he easily finished it off.
Luckily they never went rancid, but their quality and taste was definitely questionable after a certain point.
Though, considering how long this World may have been abandoned, it was probably uncomfortably aged.
He hiccupped and covered his mouth startled.
"APOloGIes. ThEY SOMetiMes GeT a LITtLe ferMENTed."
Ventus blinked. "Wait, you can get tipsy off of these things?"
Sigurd made an odd chuckling sound, "yyyyyyYOu woUld have to BE A reaL LiGhtWeiGht to get aaaaaa-a-any s-sorT of BuZZ off of T-T-that."
Ventus flushed lightly, "Oh." If he felt weird later, he'd know exactly why.
Kairi giggled lightly, "I don't envy you, Ven."
Ventus huffed and lazily Cast a Water Spell to clean up his mess. He frowned as he brought a hand to his chest, "I wonder what that was even about..?"
Sigurd made an odd sounding hum before postulating, "Yy-y-y-you'RE HEArt is c-c-c-conneCTED TO aNNNNNNother."
Ventus nodded at Sigurd's observation, "Yeah."
"Ttthhhey are UNwELL."
Ventus couldn't disagree with that assessment. "You can tell?"
Sigurd's mechanics hummed and churned as they collected their thoughts. "I cAN stoOOre infomAt-t-t-t-tion. MMMmmmaaAsTer EphemmmER llllleft a lot of DAT-t-tT-a."
Ventus nodded numbly as the three continued towards their destination. A few hall turns here and there, and then they'd arrived in front of a large set of doors that were carefully sealed. Sigurd looked up to it as gears clicked in an off beat rhythm, "Uuuuse y-y-y-y-y-yyouR KEybLAde TO unLOck th-thththththe dOoR."
Ventus nodded and shifted, moving into position before holding Master's Luster outwards. A beam shot out towards the keyhole, unlocking the room beyond with a gentle click before the doors opened on their own. Sigurd bowed slightly with a jerk, "IiiiIii will be llllllleaVINg-g-g you for nnn-n-now. I w-w-w-will inFORm the K-k-k-k-ing that you arrrre here."
Kairi smiled with a nod, "Alright." Kairi and Ventus spoke in unison, "Thank you Sigurd."
The Android nodded slightly before turning and making their way to their destination.
Ventus and Kairi looked back up towards the door, looked at one another, and went in.
The doors softly shut behind them.