And so, here we are. My attempt at a slice of life here. They deserve a break, all things considered. But also some well deserved talks between our two blue-haired members of this trio. Some more Final Fantasy VII characters cameos here, and some OCs of mine mentioned.
I hope you enjoy.
Three days had passed since then.
In an effort to take the time to relax before they resume training for real, Yen Sid urged the three of them to take their time in their recovery. The Secret Forest is the place for that, at least. Not just for training, but also for mental and physical recovery.
They also added a small routine of not just meditating, but also caring for their Dream Eaters.
When Lea heard that Chirithy can be customized, he was excited. While it was difficult to come up with something…Lea had an idea that required a teleport from Merlin to the castle, Hollow Bastion. It reminded Isa to tell Leon and the others about possible survivors still in the town. A teleport later, the boys introduced the Chirithys to them (with Lea keeping his away from Yuffie, leading to yet another spat between them that Aerith had to break up), before reporting that people are slowly coming back, and that there might be survivors. The two sadly couldn't join up with them, however. They were understanding, and the two did promise to take what time they had to help with the reconstruction – even if it's small, really.
Afterwards, Lea went to search…and found his keffiyeh – he wanted to give it to his Chirithy, as a small cape. It's a little big on him…but, it gave Isa an idea for his own Chirithy. He managed to find his old jacket. It's big on the small Dream Eater, but he wanted to take it with him to be used as a reference for the three Good Fairies. With those items in hand, they returned to the tower.
Lea's keffiyeh was resized to be used as a small cape for the little Chirithy, and with a small black bag (a coin purse, more like) that has the design from Lea's frisbees (and the star sigil in the middle for some reason), Lea's Chirithy was happy with his gift from Lea.
Meanwhile, a smaller jacket in the likeness of Isa's old one is made and fitted around his own. He also has a small bag (blue with a full moon on it, and also that star shape)…and Isa figured that one more wouldn't hurt, having a clip-on earring on the right ear of his Chirithy. Inspired by the idea, Lea insisted on having one that matches, Lea's Chirithy also having that earring.
Both Chirithys looked happy with what they were given. Lea was too, clapping happily and grinning. Isa shook his head with a smile.
The following days in the Secret Forest were spent learning how to care for their Dream Eaters, but also on meditation. Healthier ways to deal with what happened in the Dark Realm (and their battle with Vanitas).
Of course, while Isa chastised Lea on spoiling his Chirithy (by having him outside more often and sleeping with him like a pet), Lea playfully reminded him that he's doing the same, feeding his own with special meals made for it. Isa didn't deign to give Lea an answer. Well, a verbal one. He settled for flicking water at his friend's face, since he was doing the dishes that time. He took a small bit of satisfaction at the sputter and yelp Lea made.
The past few 'weeks' within the Secret Forest did wonders, really. There was still a bout of nightmare at times, but…they managed it enough to be okay.
The very next day (real time), Lea and Isa decided to return to Radiant Garden – with permission. Aqua went with them, mostly to also lend a hand but to also make sure nothing happens. Merlin came along as well – he did live on the world as well, technically. The reunions were…something.
Elmyra looked a little older now, after nine years. But the surprises were of the trio, Jessie, Wedge and Biggs.
Biggs was the same age as Isa and Lea before they went into the dark realm, so it was a shock to see him an adult. Well, him, Jessie and Wedge anyway. He's among those who helped them raise the kids, being good at being a teacher for them as some had to be home schooled. (A couple due to disability – not always physical, but not all of them could stand crowds or noises. Not that Isa could blame them).
Jessie was two years younger than they were, but she at least kept herself busy. She helps with some of the technical sides, helping Cid out with a few of them. Funny, that she once aspired to be an actress…but, the 'Fall' basically cut that short.
Wedge was five years younger than Isa, Lea and Biggs…and he had certainly gotten round. He certainly got issues around his weight, but he wanted to be able to help out in rebuilding the town.
It was…a mostly strange reunion, but Lea seems happy that the three are well and okay – and in time, everyone else would be back.
At least Leon is grateful for the new help, and after some urging, is convinced to call for Scrooge to help with the reconstruction efforts (mostly by Aerith, Cid and Yuffie). Whatever deity out there knows that they would need that help, as well as the money for reconstruction.
Isa helped make the food with Elmyra for some of the people who had managed to survive and returned. It amazes Isa on how many people wanted to do their part to help. At the very least, with several people keeping the Heartless occupied, they made some decent progress in cleaning up what can be considered the residential district. Lea helped with the cleaning up, as Aqua helped keep the Heartless occupied.
At the end of the day, the three had to return to the tower with Merlin in tow. They promised to come back soon to help further in reconstruction.
That had been yesterday.
Isa is sitting at the edge of the Mysterious Tower, looking out at the sky above him. He ran over the past few days in his head.
About Master Xehanort. About what they had learned in the realm of sleep from Joshua. About Vanitas.
Organization XIII. Their plans for Naminé. His and Lea's replicas.
…A lot had happened since then. To think, he and Lea were blissfully unaware of what was going on behind the scenes. The concept of other worlds was just…unbelievable at first. Including magic, magical weapons…things you'd see in a fairy tale. Yet, it took a chance meeting with the girl to turn their world upside down. They were naïve to the bigger plot at hand. They could have ended up with Nobodies. Could have been gaslighted into thinking they have no hearts, for the man to have his thirteen vessels. (A very believable one since they had 'lost' something, after all.)
What would he and Lea become had it happened? Cold, unfeeling…they would more than likely be monsters. And his own obsession to find Subject X could have blinded him. Could have…
So many 'could haves' that could happen.
Isa sighed heavily. Chirithy appeared next to him in a smoke. "What's wrong?" He asked him.
"Well…just…thinking," Isa answered.
"About what?" his Chirithy asked curiously, sitting by him.
"A lot of things."
"What things?"
"Things that can give you anxiety."
"That sounds bad."
"It does," Isa nodded. "It keeps you up at night." He looked up at the stars above.
…He thought about back in the mirror world within the realm of darkness. About what happened. What he said.
His shoulders slumped, leaning forward. "Are you okay?" His Chirithy asked him.
"…Well…no," Isa admitted. "Just thinking some more."
"Is it causing you anxiety?"
Isa blinked. And smiled softly. "Well, no. Just…a different feeling." And considering a few things...he knew what it is.
Guilt.
He had gotten to know Aqua a little more, especially after leaving the Mirror World and escaping the dark realm. How human she is. Instead of like…a 'robot' of sorts. That all she cared about was the mission, and not…
Well, no matter the reasoning, he still accused her of it. Still accused her of being…
He felt his Chirithy move away from him, and heard, "Someone's coming."
Isa looked over his shoulder to see Aqua approaching him. "Hey," she greeted.
"Hey," Isa greeted back. Aqua's Meow Wow appeared the same way his Chirithy did, squeaking. Isa's Chirithy ran over to the Meow Wow, chatting with it. As they did that, Isa looked at the woman. "What brings you out here?"
"Checking up on you," she answered, sitting down beside him. "Apparently Lea asked Merlin to take him to a different world for an errand."
"Ah." Isa looked out.
"What's wrong?" She asked him.
"…Well, thinking of a few things, really," Isa admitted, slightly kicking his legs. "Realistically, I know that it's only been about, what, eight days since we've arrived at the tower to train…but, it felt like longer. And I don't mean with the Secret Forest."
Aqua hummed at that. "We had been through a lot. Since we first met in the dark realm."
Isa slightly winced at that. He thought back to that meeting, on how cold he was to her. Always looking at her in suspicion. Only because she had a Keyblade. A similar weapon Xehanort had. It wasn't…exactly fair of him to treat her like that. But, understandable, considering that experience. He and Lea nearly got killed by Xehanort, after all. He had every right to be wary. He also barely knew Aqua at the time, other than her name and her being a wielder. And at the time, finding Lea was his top priority. He didn't…have qualms about using her to find his friend. He didn't care about the lonely woman, who had been stuck down there for a long while. Sure, she knew Ventus, but they barely knew the blond boy as well. He didn't exactly…approve of Lea trying to get to know her – not that he's jealous, he just didn't get why Lea would make the attempt…yet, Lea had a good point. But though she offered that bit about her life before, he was still…iffy.
That's what lead up to…
Isa covered his face.
"What's wrong?" Aqua asked him. Sounding concerned.
Isa huffed out a sigh, sliding his hands down. "…We need to talk," he said finally. "I want to get this off my chest now."
"…Uh, okay?" Aqua sounded uncertain. "What brought this on?"
"Mostly about…a lot of things. Especially during our time down there in the dark realm," Isa began, "I…I treated you so coldly when we first met. I only had finding Lea on my mind…I didn't even think of after. Finding him was enough, then…we could figure it out from there." He laced his fingers together, taking in a deep breath. "…Even if it meant using you as protection against the Heartless. Those were my thoughts at first. To be honest, I barely had an idea on what the hell I'm doing. From trying to find Lea, to surviving…it's…different and out of my element. I was just taking things one step at a time. Or at most, took Lea's direct route." It was strange how the roles had reversed after their time down there. But some bits are still the same, really. "Lea had the right idea to get to know you – he's right about one thing: we had to be together to survive. But I was just…iffy around you still. Lea took the time in attempting to get to know you. The two of us barely knew Ventus, yet…you do treasured the bonds you had with him, Terra and Eraqus. Funny, how we considered a boy we barely knew as a 'friend'. It's…strange like that."
Isa's shoulders slumped. "Though, we were soon sucked into that mirror world. Lea and I faced our own phantoms. And then yours. I just…went and accused you for not cherishing your friends as much. Rather, I thought you might have been lying, and only considered them as 'classmates' considering. We were just…ignorant of what really happened. It just…bothered me it that felt like you took your duty too seriously and didn't leave room for your friends. Or you didn't make time to make more friends than the two." He sighed softly. He has to say it. "I'm…sorry. For accusing you like that back there. I was ignorant. But also sorry for the way I treated you back there."
There. It's out in the open. He had his eyes closed, leaning forward a bit. Waiting for her response.
He jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder. But it was gentle.
"It's all right," she told him. "Our situation wasn't…ideal back then." Isa looked to her as Aqua lowered her hand. "We were in the dark on Xehanort's machinations. You had little idea of what's going on."
"Aqua…you can't just…" Isa shook his head. She shouldn't just excuse his actions back then.
"I know," Aqua responded. "But…there was one thing I did realize back there." She looked up. "After all, I just recently became a master back then. I didn't have much experience yet. What I had been doing was emulating on what a Keyblade master should be. The…only master I knew was ours, Eraqus. Even when you got the title of it, it doesn't make one a 'true' master. What makes one a 'master' is not only how skilled you are, with time and experience, but it's also on how well you knew yourself." Aqua lowered her head. "My own naivety, ignorance and the mindset we were taught…the three of us made mistakes back then. You weren't the first to accuse me of it. Ven did as well. I wasn't able to explain myself properly, and Terra…" She sighed, shoulders slumping. "Miscommunication at its finest. You know what they say about assumptions."
Isa let it sink in, before humming. "…Yeah. It can make asses out of anyone."
"And you'd be right," Aqua nodded. "To be honest, I thought you and Lea were the ones who should be protected. I guess a part of me felt…protective. Maybe a part of me wanted to make it up to how I failed to protect Ven in the end. Though, I most likely end up smothering him too much."
Isa looked over at her. "…You do realize you're not his mom," he pointed out.
…Aqua's eyes went a little wider, and her face flushed. "Yeah. You're right," she said finally. Her face scrunches up. "Ugh…that's an unpleasant thought. I'd rather go with 'sister' thanks."
Isa gave a soft chuckle. "Right."
Silence fell between them. But…it's comfortable now. The same kind of silence he shares with Lea when they ran out of things to talk about. Isa looked back up at the stars, kicking his feet a little. His eyes searched a bit…before he noticed something. That formation…
A larger hand gently lifting a smaller hand, to point at a star cluster. The larger hand gently helped the smaller hand trace the outline of it.
He looked up at a man with short blue hair and amber eyes. The man gave a smile, looking back up and talking.
A sense of wonder filled him, at whatever the man was saying…
"…a? Isa?"
Isa jumped. "Huh?"
"Are you okay?" Aqua asked him. "You zoned out. You were also pointing at a constellation."
Isa looked at his hand. It's indeed pointing out a cluster. A familiar one. He lowered it. "…Oh," he muttered.
"What's wrong?"
Isa pursed his lips. That constellation…it stirred up an old memory…
"Nothing," he muttered. "Just…an old memory."
He just wanted to leave it at that. Didn't want to think about…that man. How he just…
"…Well…all right," Aqua said reluctantly. Isa nearly breathed a sigh of relief, but then says, "Though…you felt rather strongly about friendship. Is there a reason why?"
…Well. Shit.
Isa looked away, with his cheeks warm. "It's…it's dumb."
"I won't judge," Aqua told him gently.
Isa's eyes shifted at her, at her face. He glanced away, uneasy. Tch. Isn't this childish? Unwilling to give more to the woman who told them bits of her own life, yet she barely knew a thing about them. They knew her enough by now…and it didn't seem fair to not give anything to her. And that isn't fair.
He took in a deep breath through his nose, puffed his cheeks and exhaled. "…You know of Lea and I being orphans, right?" He began.
"Yeah?"
Isa curled his legs in, having his arms over them. "…We were only eight when we became orphans," he explained. "I had a mom and a dad…Lea only had his mom. My mother, Mera, had been sickly for as long as I could remember. And my father's name is Argent." He took a lock of his hair and played with it. "I got my hair color from him, and my eyes from my mom. Lea's mother is named Mila. He has his hair and eye color from her. Weird that we both got colors that are considered a 'recessive' trait for our eyes, but that's beside the point. We never knew his dad; he hadn't been around since Lea was a baby. We weren't sure if they had been abandoned or…something happened. His mom was able to raise him because Aerith and her mom helped her." He looked up at the stars. "I was…young when he left. No explanation. If there was one, I was too young to remember what it was. He left on an adventure, and never came back. As the year went on, I saw how upset my mom was…and I grew to resent him for just…leaving us behind like that. So, I got sick of waiting, and at five years old, I had to 'grow up' to help my mom around the house."
"…So, you had to grow up to help your mom…" Aqua muttered softly.
"Yeah. It was a year later when Lea and I met for the first time," Isa explained. "He's stubborn. The first time, I ignored him. I didn't have time for games. Yet, he still came to me, chatting away on things that came to mind. I didn't understand why he would talk to me, while the other children ignored me. Then, one day, the topic of 'dads' came up. What I had felt about my father just came…spilling out. My contempt, my…sadness. I just…" he sighed, shaking his head, "I just didn't like the way how he had just exited our lives like that. Like we didn't matter anymore." He squeezed his knees a little. "Lea never knew his father…but, remarked that I was lucky to have one…and that I cared enough about him for his departure to affect me."
He remembered how surprised he was at hearing that. And the sympathetic look Lea made at him. The emotions he had felt on his father's departure, and the year of keeping it bottled up…something cracked, and his tears came pouring out. Lea looked panicked, before he gently embraced the crying boy.
Isa get himself out of memory lane, to continue the story, "After that, we started to hang around more. He looked happy to see me open up to him. Though…a part of me feared that Lea would leave me as well. Like my father. What sealed our friendship was me asking him why he wanted to be my friend. I had nothing, I didn't seem like a child of an important person or anything. Why would that bright boy want to be friends with me. Did he pity me, or…" He gave a soft smile, shaking his head. "His response surprised me. 'Because I wanted to'. He befriended me because he wanted to be my friend. It was just…so simple. Yet, it was also such a 'Lea' response too."
Aqua hummed. "I can see that, actually," she said. "He really is a sweet boy."
"Well, he can be a bit of a crybaby," Isa said. "I used to tease him about it…but, it shows that he cares. He's a very caring person. Heh. So I wasn't surprised to see him cheer up Ventus like that. Almost like he sensed Ventus' loneliness. I got to know him pretty well. You can say he's like a 'sun' to some people. He can be mischievous, sure, but he's got a good heart. He can be impatient, and reckless at times…but when he sets his mind to something, he can become pretty stubborn. It can be endearing…but, other times, not so much." The smile fell slightly on his face. "I got to know Lea's mom in the two years. She's beautiful. And a good friend to my mother, too. I learned a little more about him, from Aerith. She and her mom, Ifalna, helped raise Lea…so, the two of them are sort of like siblings. It was the happiest I've seen my mom. But…then…"
"…The incident?" Aqua asked.
Isa nodded. "I don't remember much of it…but, it was pretty bad. It happened on the eve of Lea's birthday, October 8th. The incident had many become orphans, including Aerith. We weren't told anything but…" Isa lowered his legs. "I remember the pain of loss in losing my mom. And Lea's mother…disappeared. No one knew where she went. Lea was as upset about her gone…Lea later told me that, before she disappeared, he made a promise to her to cherish the times he would make. The past doesn't define a person, and the future is not known…but both aren't important. What's important is what's happening in the present. He didn't understand it at first – especially with what happened. He wanted to keep that promise, even though he misses her dearly. At that moment, I realized: I couldn't leave him alone. I decided that my purpose was to be with him. For as long as I live. He was my only friend at the time…and I treasure my bond with him."
Isa's shoulders slumped a little. "It feels as though it was just the two of us, even though there are others." He lightly scratched his cheek. "It's…childish, and dumb, isn't it?" He paused. Shook his head. "No. It's just plain selfish. I thought I had to be Lea's only friend. Lea's allowed to have more friends, really. I was just being greedy."
There was…nothing wrong with that. Right? To think you only had to be your friend's only friend. But…at the end of the day, it wasn't exactly…fair to Lea. He shouldn't act so jealous or so smug about being that 'one and only friend' to Lea. Tch. How childish could he be?
His Phantom didn't mention that, only taunting him about his desperation to find Subject X. He just wanted to help her…is it merely foreshadowing on how that desperation could…?
The thoughts he had earlier came back to him. If he and Lea had Nobodies, his body…his will…they would carry on that desire to find her. To the point he would do whatever he can to get whatever information from Xehanort. Whatever it takes. And if Lea's Nobody decided to make new friends…what right did he have to be jealous? If he was the one who pushed him away? Or they pushed each other away, due to the lie they would be given, to become Xehanort's vessels. His body could have very well become the 'perfect' one…
He blinked when he felt a hand on his head. His eyes shifted to Aqua. "It's okay to be selfish," she said gently. "Anyone could be, really. But…" she lowers her hand, "we should be mindful, of how that selfishness could hurt others. It's what makes a human, human. I guess…in some way, I was selfish too."
"You? Selfish?" Isa asked her, raising an eyebrow. He couldn't picture her as that.
Aqua shrugged. "I thought I had nothing to lose. That I could keep Terra and Ven safe; until I realized I can't always keep them safe. Sometimes, our good intentions could go awry, like what Lea said. It made me seem…condescending, even to Ven."
Hm. It made her being lonely make more sense…
"…Well, if we ever find a way to get Ven's heart back, and Terra from Xehanort…you three should have a talk," Isa suggested. Aqua made a questioning noise. "You said you wanted to apologize to them, though technically you did with Ventus, but…you should do more. Actually have the three of you talk to each other. If the fight's due to miscommunication, you should clear the air between you three. It won't be like the 'old days' for you guys, but…well, a much-needed talk can be all it takes, really."
He stared at Aqua as she hummed, thinking about it. She nodded. "I think you're right," she said. She smiled at him. "All the more reason for us to do our best, right?"
Isa noted it…before smiling back. "Yeah."
~o~
Lea had watched them from behind the tree, listening to the two talk. He heard it all. Well, mostly from when Isa described the day they met, really. Even Isa had some insecurities, huh? Well, not that he'd blame him. Still…thinking that his only purpose was to stay by him…?
That has a lot of…implications, he thought, feeling his cheeks warm up.
It sounds a bit silly but…in another sense, Lea didn't want that to be Isa's main purpose. He'll have to talk to Isa about that later.
He hadn't thought about his mom in a while. While he's relieved to know that Ven didn't truly disappear, they still have no idea where Subject X was, or…or where his mom disappeared to. (She wouldn't…leave him on purpose, would she?)
Lea shook his head. He shouldn't think of that now, not when they had made progress in their recovery.
Remembering something, he looked down at the cooler bag that he had brought with him. He smiled. "Okay," he muttered to himself. "Let's go."
"Okay," his Chirithy nodded before they moved from behind the tree.
"Hey!" He called out, waving at them.
It got their attention, the two blue haired people looking at him. "Oh, you're back," Aqua said as he approached the left side of Aqua. "Finished with your errands?"
Errands? Lea mentally parroted before remembering. Oh yeah, that's what he told Aqua before he left with Merlin. "Sort of," he said as he carefully sat down. "Had to get something. They actually sold them in a world called Twilight Town."
"Them?" Isa parroted as Lea zipped the bag open.
Lea grinned at them before pulling out three bars in a white covering. "Ta-dah! I did say we're getting you to try some, Aqua!" He reminded her as his Chirithy dug into the bag itself.
Isa blinked in surprise at him. "You actual found some?" He asked him.
"Yup," Lea nodded, before handing the bars to them. "We did make good progress on our recovery. Gotta celebrate."
Isa blinked again before smirking. "I guess that's true," he said, taking his.
Aqua takes hers tentatively. She removes the covering, showing the sky-blue color of the popsicle. She looked over at it. "Huh."
Lea had already opened his, grinning as he held it up. "Well, here's to the road ahead." Isa snorted, shaking his head before the two touched their ice creams. Like they're clinking glasses in a toast. The two didn't pull away but held them up expectantly.
Aqua blinked…before she perked. "Oh! Yeah," she nodded, before she did the same.
Grinning, Lea pulled his arm back and took a bite.
Oh MAN. It has been so long. The slightly salty taste on the outside, and the sweet flavor underneath. Whoever invented this flavor is a genius. He had to suppress a moan of delight.
"Huh." He glanced at Aqua, who stared down hers. Eyes wide a bit. "Slightly salty…but, sweet underneath."
Lea grinned. "Pretty good, huh?" He asked as Aqua took a small bite.
"Mm-hm," she nodded.
"At least the flavor's still the same," Isa mused.
"Yeah. I got some more for our Dream Eaters to share," Lea looked back, seeing the Chirithys and Meow Wow eating theirs.
"That's sweet of you," Aqua remarked.
"Well…can't leave them out, could I?" Lea shrugged. He looked out, seeing the setting sun. Absently, he brought it to his lips, nibbling a little.
"Something on your mind?" Isa's voice had him blink, glancing at his friend. He was looking at him with a peculiar look.
Lea shook his head. "Nah. Not really," he responded. "Just enjoying the moment."
The moment…
Lea looked down at his ice cream before looking out. His mind wondered back to what he had seen.
…
"Wow…" Lea breathed out, staring up at the sky. Twilight Town sure is…something. A small town with a twilight hued sky over it. 'I need to get Isa and Aqua to see this place one day,' he thought. The sun set is beautiful. He smiled. There is someone he could share this moment with at least. "Hey, get out here, Chirithy."
Lea's Chirithy appeared in response. "Are you sure you want me to pop in like this?" He asked him.
"Well, if anyone asks, I can say that you're a gift for someone," Lea responded, gently taking the Dream Eater in his arms. He looked around. "Okay…where's that ice cream parlor…?"
"Merlin said it should be around the center, right?" Chirithy asked him. "We can head there."
Lea nodded. "Gotcha," he said. The wizard was at least kind enough to take him to this place, in order to get the ice cream bars to celebrate. He should hurry up and also find a cooling case to store them, so that they could last longer. They got the munny at least.
Lea soon wondered around town a bit. The place is nice enough at least, with a few people out and about. No one batted an eye to a red-haired boy carrying a 'doll' around.
A bell rang with Lea noticing. He looked around before spotting a large clock tower at the top of the town. Lea's eyes lingered on it for a moment before he walked forward again. He hummed as he heard other sounds. 'I guess this can be considered lively,' he thought.
After a bit of wondering around, he found a store that sells cooling cases, buying one of them. The cashier remarked on how adorable the doll is; Lea answered that it's a gift for someone, before asking for directions to the ice cream parlor. She was kind enough to give him directions. He thanked her and soon left.
He neared the area where the parlor is located at. "Well, let's go get some and get back," Lea said with a smile. He looked around for the store in question.
He felt the Chirithy shift in his arms. "Hey, Lea?"
"Yeah?" He asked, not looking at him.
"Um…do you have an older brother?" Lea blinked at the question.
"No, why?" He answered. He felt Chirithy tug at his shirt, prompting him to look down.
Chirithy pointed. "Then…who is that?"
Lea blinked and looked up.
And saw him.
Lea's eyes were wide in shock. He nearly dropped his Chirithy, his arms becoming weak.
Before the ice cream parlor is a man with spikey red hair. Red hair that's the same shade as his. He wore a black coat as he seems to be buying something at the parlor. Next to him is a young boy with…dirty blonde hair. Styled like the wind had swept his hair. A very familiar style, also wearing a black coat. The male perked, and his head began to turn-
Lea did a take, quickly grabbing Chirithy and hiding behind something. He peered out, watching as the boy stared out with blue eyes, blinking in confusion. The man noted it, looking at the boy inquisitively. The two chatted a bit about something, with the boy pointing in the direction Lea was at. The man tilted his head before shrugging, making a gesture to the boy before they head off somewhere. The man had purple, upside down tear marks under his eyes. The eyes are green. A poisonous green color.
Lea watched the two go in silence, before he emerged.
"Lea?" He blinked, before looking down at his Chirithy, who looked at him in concern. "Are you okay?"
"Uh…" Lea muttered. That was…he didn't expect to see him, on this world of all places. But…to know of them is one thing…but it's another to actually SEE him. And with someone who resembled Ven… Sora's Nobody?
They…looked like they're friends.
Lea lowered his head. "…Yeah. Just…startled," he answered. "Chirithy? Can you…keep this from Isa and Aqua? What we just saw?"
"Huh? Why?" Chirithy asked him, confused.
"I didn't want them to worry," Lea answered, shaking his head. But…now this is awkward. He can't let them know of his identity…
Humming, he pulled out his keffiyeh. He looked over at it before using it to cover his hair. This could work. Hopefully. Guess it's good for something after all. "C'mon, let's go get that ice cream," Lea nodded to his Chirithy.
"Yeah!" the Dream Eater nodded, before jumping into Lea's arms.
…
"It's melting."
"Huh?" Lea blinked at Isa's voice before looking at his ice cream. Indeed, it is. "Aw crap!" He yelped out, transferring it to the other hand and shaking it to get the melted bits off.
"What got you zoned out?" Isa asked him.
"Uh…just thinking 'bout stuff," Lea answered before taking a bite of his ice cream. It's a little soft now, but he should hurry to get it all.
"Must have been a deep thought to have you not notice it melting," Isa said drily.
Lea gave a bored look at his friend. "Ha-ha, you're hilarious," he responded, just as dry. He should change the subject. He hummed. "…Actually, how about we try to get to know each other a bit more?" He suggested. "I mean, since we got the time."
Isa and Aqua glanced at each other. "Well…" Aqua smiled softly and slightly shook her head. "Why not?"
"Okay, I'll go first…" Lea took a bite, thinking. "…What's your favorite animal?"
Aqua hummed. "…Lizards."
Lea wasn't the only one who stared at her in surprise. "…Really?" Lea asked her.
"What? Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I should just like girly stuff," Aqua said.
"Hm. Good point," Lea nodded.
"My turn," Aqua took a bite of her ice cream. "Favorite color?"
Lea had to think about it. "Uh…purple? No, wait, uh, green. Nah, uh…gold."
"So it isn't just one color?" Aqua asked him.
"Nah. It changes from time to time," Lea responded. "We're allowed to have more than one favorite color, right? Anyway, your turn Isa."
Isa looked down at the stick. Finding nothing, he tosses it aside. "Favorite food?"
Aqua thought about it. "…Pork katsudon udon," she answered.
"That's interesting," Lea remarked.
"My turn," Aqua said. She looked to Isa. "Ah…favorite hobby?"
"Stargazing," Isa answered.
"Interesting," Aqua mused.
"Yeah," Isa nodded. He pointed at a cluster of stars. "See that? That's the 'Omega' Constellation. It's based around a mythical mechanical being that's searching forever for its target. Traveling through time and space. As the story goes anyway."
"Oh yeah," Lea mused, looking up. "I wonder if we could find that 'Bomb' constellation out there."
"Maybe," Isa responded. "Lea, you're up."
Lea hummed, taking another bite. He looked at Aqua. "Got a crush on someone?"
He watched as Aqua's face took an interesting red color on her cheeks. "Uh…"
Lea sat up straight. "Wait. You actually got a crush on someone?"
"What? No! No. I-I don't," Aqua stuttered, her face flushed as her eyes shifted a bit.
Isa shared the same shit eating grin as him.
Aqua noticed it. "H-Hey! Don't grin like that!" She huffed.
"So~?" Lea pressed. "Who was it?"
"Y-You can't ask two questions," Aqua retorted, waving her nearly finished ice cream at him. "It's my turn!" She took a slightly larger bite- and winced. "Agh! Brain freeze!" She gently rubbed her temple a little.
Lea winced a little guiltily. "Uh…sorry," he muttered.
"Apology accepted," Aqua sighed. "Don't ask that again, please."
"Duly noted," Lea muttered, eating his ice cream.
"Right. Back to this…" Aqua cleared her throat. "What's your favorite food, Lea?"
Lea hummed, thinking about it. "…beef stroganoff."
"Really?" Aqua asked him.
"Yeah. I'm a little bit of a carnivore," Lea admitted. "So long as the food's good and the meat cooked properly. Can't stand dry meat. It's like eating into a leather boot."
"That I can agree with," Isa spoke up. "Not unless it's beef jerky."
They spent a while, slowly getting to know each other through things like that. It's nice. It lasted well into the night, the three of them knowing each other a little better now. The ice cream long since finished, they spent the rest of the evening stargazing. With Isa pointing out certain constellations, telling stories behind them. Though, it had gotten chilly, so they had to call it a night, returning to the tower. A couple of hours later, they turned in for the night.
…But Lea found himself unable to sleep. He lied on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He ran through what he saw earlier through his head.
His replica, older and a man…and Sora's Nobody, who does indeed resemble Ventus…
'Are…are they friends?' Lea asked himself.
They seem…happy. Sora's Nobody was only, what, a few days old at best? He's…literally a 'baby' in a sense. Completely oblivious and ignorant to Xehanort's plan. Including his replica. His replica is nine years old. If his Replica- no, Axel, believed the lie…what would he become?
And would he be…lonely? To believe he couldn't feel a thing…?
What about Sora's Nobody? Axel could be the only friend he has.
He thought back to what Yen Sid had said when they first arrived at the tower. Axel is to be among those sent to Castle Oblivion. It may be inevitable that they would run into each other.
…Though…he didn't…want to hurt him. Defend himself, yes, but…he didn't want to take a life.
But that would be a paradox, wouldn't it? The Heartless were once people themselves – they ended up like that when their hearts fall into darkness. What happens to them when they're destroyed? What about a Nobody?
…What about a replica?
Lea huffed through his nose, rolling over on his stomach. No matter how you put it, the Heartless, though once people themselves, would go after more people blindly. To satisfy their never-ending hunger and lust for hearts. On one hand, keeping them from multiplying would be a good idea…on the other, it could also release the people from the darkness that consumed them.
In a sense, they could be saved. But for how long? Lea doesn't know.
The blanket crumpled a bit. Lea shifted his eyes to see his Chirithy climbing up. "Oh hey," Lea greeted.
"Are you feeling all right?" The Chirithy asked him.
"Yeah. Just…" Lea flipped himself to look back up at the ceiling. "…Thinking about stuff."
"Like the man who looks like an older you?" Lea blinked at him. The Chirithy scratched his head a bit. "I mean…he feels like you and looks like you. But he isn't technically 'you', is he?"
Lea hummed at that.
"…No," he agreed. "No he isn't."
He's Lea. The other man is Axel. They are who they are.
Still…
He sighed. 'Guess I gotta figure out what to do before we head there.'
With everything that happened, and his experiences so far, he may need to come up with something. Lea does know one thing:
This will be a pain in the ass.
Yup. There was also cameos of Axel and Roxas as well, the two completely oblivious to Lea's existence. It's one thing to know of it, but it's another to actually see it. It's a rather surreal experience for Lea. And rather not have his friends worry, he figured he should do something. At the moment, though, Lea had seen only one side of Axel. Everyone is multifaceted, and have many masks. For Roxas, the 'Axel' who is friends with him? A mask. The Axel who is deadly, dark and sinister in Chain of Memories? Hm. That's up in the air, but I think it, too, is also a mask. After all, he had to play both sides to do what he has to do during it - eliminating traitors.
As for Isa's parents...his mom's name is off of 'mirror'. While his father's name is from 'argentum' a Latin word that came from that Proto-Indo-European word that means 'shiny' or 'white'. It's also a part of the word that represents the chemical silver. I'm going with the theme of 'moon' here for Isa and his family. 'Silver' moon, and a 'mirror' to reflect the light of the moon.
Mila's name was mentioned two chapters ago, and it's a female given name that has a Slavic origin. It contains the element 'mil', meaning 'dear' or 'grace'. The dad's name isn't mentioned (yet) but...you'll see what happened to the poor guy soon. I had gotten a unique lore in the story. There's a lot of worlds and they have their own society. Final Fantasy VII gave me some nifty ideas to apply to this story, and to put in my own spin of applying these ideas. We can throw in our own spin to it and it could be a part of the universe. Amazing, isn't it? In any case...
I figured Isa and Aqua should have a heart-to-heart about what happened in Lost in Darkness - for him to address how he had jumped the gun and basically accused her of not caring enough for her friends. And considering the background I had given the boys, after reading the profiles from the wikis and the Character Story of Saix/Isa, I figured I could give...well, certain reasons of why they would act the way they did. Isa felt close to his dad and was scared of being abandoned again; while Lea is the type of person who would let people get close and fear them disappearing on him - like with Ventus and Subject X, the two who disappeared on him. Yeah. That can have psychological issues onto them.
Finally, I listened to some music to make the trio getting to know each other better fit - Bee and Puppycat for example, with the song 'What's your Favorite Color?' goes good with it (in my opinion). Also, Aqua blushing like that? Well...it could imply she has her eye on someone. :3
The next chapter, the last one, would focus on a duo. Who they are? Well...you'll have to wait next week to find out. Stay tuned...
(Omake)
…
Wait.
Lea's lips went flat as he realized something.
His Replica's body shape…
He sat up. "Aw c'mon! I just stretch out?!" He complained. He crossed his arms. "That's just bullshit."