mogmelodies | To: All Heroes

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To: All Heroes

[Unlike his usual writing style, this letter is short, simple, and to the point.]

For anyone who looked through their files in the lab, how accurate were they? Did any of the details seem wrong to you? Maybe even made up? Even slightly?

I'm not asking for details on what was in yours. I just want to know if your information seemed right.

Ventus

[He's already talked about it some, all while remaining equally vague, but... he wants to be sure. Lacking as many memories as he does, he has no way of confirming or denouncing most of what he read -- and that's what scares him.]

[Action - for AU!Yuna]

[Not long after, Ven decides he needs some more time to himself -- real time to himself, not just retreated to his room in a house full of people, even if they are his good friends. It's sunset by the time he makes it to his secret viewing spot high up on the side of Aqures Castle, and he settles there on the overhang to watch the last light of the sun fade over the city.

Once again, he's dressed in his Time Mage clothes -- that black coat, the one Ira attributed to some "Organization;" Ven asked Rae to give them to him again, but was quick to ditch her shortly after. He's not in the mood to be patient with her well-intended lectures, and she'd freak out if she knew about this spot of his, even if he is fully recovered.

As for why he's wearing the coat... he's not even sure. Some small, desperate way of trying to feel closer to Terra, maybe -- it's the only lead he has left. That and snippets of a thorough report on his life, much of which he refuses to go back and read. -- even as his thoughts are wracked with uncertainty, guilt, and apology towards Aqua.

How accurate was his file? He wants to write it all off as a lie, but he can't. He could confirm that parts of it were accurate, far too accurate, and so trying to pick and choose what he accepts as truth isn't as easy as he wants it to be.]

Heh... [It's a flat sound, lacking both humor and cheer.] I keep telling myself I want answers... but every time I get them, I just...

[He looks down between his knees at the drop in front of him -- stories high -- and sighs.]

The Master was right. I really didn't belong outside yet.

[And we're right back to square one.]

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[He nods lightly at the first question. He didn't look too far back -- not at his life before Xehanort took him in. It'd be a lie to say he wasn't tempted, even after deciding to put all that behind him previously, but in the end he refrained. He has bigger things to mull over than a life he left behind long ago.]

I did what I thought was right... and my heart might've been right, but...

[But his head wasn't always so clear. He might have done things for the right reasons, but he went about some of them the wrong way.

Not even taking Eraqus' death into account, though, there's something else chewing at him; and as much as he's been dwelling on it, it's still hard to say out loud. When Ven manages, his mouth is dry.]

I hurt Aqua.

[He winces, but his eyes stay fixed on the sunset.]

I didn't even know. I was fighting Vanitas -- I didn't want to, but he was going to kill her. I killed him, and then our hearts reunited. While I was fighting him on the inside, he...

[His gloved fingers grip the ledge tighter at his sides. It's all out of context, it probably makes next to no sense to Yuna, but that file's words are burned into his head and he feels like they'll strangle him from the inside if he doesn't keep going and let them out.]

He used my body -- to fight Aqua, and another friend of mine -- and he almost...

[He almost killed them both.

With Ven's body, wearing his face. Wielding the X-blade made from his heart.]

[Yuna pulls her knees to her chest, looking over at Ven curiously. She doesn't know much about him but she's willing to listen, each word imprints in her mind and somehow it sounds familiar.]

Then it wasn't you...

[Her eyes are back on the sky thinking about memories of her own. She's seen what it's like for people to be controlled like that, how it tears friendships apart, but real friends don't just split up like that.]

Aqua wouldn't blame you.

You were doing what's right and while sometimes things can be clouded. It's hard to follow your own path. Everyone makes mistakes and it's those close to us who we hurt. [Yuna pauses, her heart twisting into knots as she remembers the look on Wakka and Lulu's face when she told them she first wanted to become a summoner.]

It's hard to follow your heart but I think it's better if you do and I know you have a good heart, you know.

Aqua... she... [Yuna smiles.] She'd never think anything bad about her friends. She'd just be worried about you.

[Ven shakes his head lightly.]

I know she wouldn't... Just like the Master -- he didn't blame me, either. [That's said more quietly, an afterthought.

In the end, none of them blamed him for anything. Terra didn't care what Ven was -- he stood up to Eraqus all the same. Eraqus, in turn, felt only regret for attempting to hurt them after the fact. And Aqua... Aqua didn't fight to destroy the X-blade. She fought to free him.

No matter what his mistakes, Ven knows he can always count on them to stand by him.

Still, his frown stays.]

But... if I hadn't run away from home in the first place, none of that would have happened. And Terra and Aqua wouldn't be wherever they are now.

[He's gotten confirmation that they were both last seen in good states, but... they're still divided, lost to time and circumstance, their master dead and their home destroyed.

After a moment, he gives a short sigh.]

...I know I can't change it. Beating myself up over it won't do anything, either. It's what I do from now on that matters. [He had to learn that the slow, hard way a couple months back. Nonetheless he shakes his head again, more fervently.] But now I think -- Vanitas might still be alive. And if he is--

[Ven can't afford to be so blind. Next time, fortune might not be in their favor as much as it was.]

I can't... mess up again.

[Yuna reaches over towards Ven, pulling him into her arms. She doesn't have the words to properly comfort him or explain how she feels. She knows what it's like to run away from home in search of something important.

Her hand gently rests on the back of his head while her arm wraps around his shoulder. She pulls his head against her shoulder so she can whisper softly in his ear.]

You won't mess up.

[Her voice is strong and sincere.]

Believe in yourself and know that you aren't alone.

[Yuna pulls back with a smile, looking at her friend with every bit of confidence and believe she has. She trusts him and there isn't a shred of doubt in her expression.]

We're all here for you okay?

[Ven's one of those people who's utterly comfortable with friendly contact in any form. He's not stingy about personal space in the slightest, and things like hugs and even hand-holding are totally a-okay in his book, not really worth a second thought beyond the casual closeness that they indicate.

If it were anyone else, in this world or another, Ven wouldn't have thought twice about the gesture beyond mild surprise at how sudden it was -- but for a reason he can't explain, in this situation he can't help actually coloring slightly when Yuna pulls him close. It's weird; Alice did the same thing once, back when he was distraught over Eraqus' death, and he had no such impulse then.

But it's a fleeting moment of confusion, disregarded almost as quickly as it appeared as Ven focuses on the words being spoken to him. Slowly, his arms rise to return the hug, and the gentle strength in it suggests it's sincere, even needed.

He's not the type to automatically assume a friend would lie to him just to make him feel better, either. He takes Yuna's words as her honest opinion, her faith in him, and that means a lot. More than he can express.

So he just nods silently when she pulls back, although his eyes stay downcast for a couple heartbeats.

'You aren't alone.'

'You have no shortage of friends waiting to lift you up and support you.'

She and Rukia have both told him the same thing in the last few hours -- and that simple truth touches him like few things can. He once swore that the presence of his friends was all he needed to get by, even if they weren't actually, physically with him; so how much more fortunate is he at present to have everyone that he does? Even without Terra and Aqua and Eraqus, even without all the answers that he wishes he had...

...Ven's okay. He's hit a few bumps in this road, but that's life, as he's come to learn. He'll make it -- and if he doesn't, he'll have someone to drag him back to his feet.]

[He nods again, more firmly than before -- and smiles as he raises his head. It's still a little more muted than usual, still a little anxious over the possible truth he's learned -- the future he might find himself facing -- but he's glad. He's all right.]

Yeah... I know. All the friends I've made here -- you're all a part of my heart now. I can't lose.

[Even if, like last time, he has to make a sacrifice--

--but no, that's not a thought for right now. There's no need for it -- not yet. One problem at a time. First this world, then the rest. Then Xehanort.]

...Thanks, Yunie. [And we're back to the nickname, which definitely says he's feeling better.] I'll be okay.

[Yuna's palms linger on his shoulders before dropping to her side. A warm smile is stretched across her lips as she looks over at her friend. She hasn't promised anything but she will do everything in her power to make sure that Ven will be alright. She'll be there when he needs someone even if that means fighting to stay by his side. Her friends were very important to her and it's been harder to make them since arriving in Crystallis. There have been so many times that Yuna has felt lost and unsure and detached from those around her.

She isn't going to do that anymore.

She has people she wants to protect, a world that she wants to see thrive and like Sin she'll face whatever comes at them. She'd face it with her friends. If nothing else in this world, that's what she is sure of.]

Our hearts are all connected, right?

[She's heard the saying once before.]

[It's an uplifting reminder. Considering Ven's past -- and present, and most likely future -- that kind of truth could either make or break him; clearly, it's the former.]

Right. No matter what happens.

[Turning aside, he looks out over the view of the city again -- relaxed, content, even if there's an air about him that he doesn't often show, a hint of hard-earned maturity and awareness of life that he once lacked. Too much has happened for even him to remain blissfully ignorant, even before he ended up in this exceptional world.]

Besides -- if I don't have confidence in myself, then I don't have confidence in the ones who believe in me, either. [He shakes his head lightly.] But I do. So I won't fail.

[Yuna looks out over the city just as Ven does. She can't stop smiling and as she looks over the city she feels the same sense of contentment.

She's glad that she had found him.

With a sigh, Yuna moves so her legs are dangling over the edge of their little perch. She leans forward, her palms holding on to the edge so that she won't go tumbling off. The city really was beautiful.]

That's right.

[She laughs softly.]

You real are amazing, you know?

[~~nooo not that compliment agaaaiiin~~ Ven gives a soft laugh, but it's less amusement and more the kind of sound one makes when he's not sure what to say. Shoulders hunched, he ducks his head slightly as if to hide his face.]

My friends are the amazing ones. The ones I grew up with, yeah, but those I've made here, too. I am... who I am -- because of them, you know?

[Shifting his weight, he cocks his head just enough to smile up at her.]

You, too, Yunie. I owe you. I'm glad we met.

[Yuna glances over at him, just in time to catch that smile.]

I'm glad too.

Honestly I didn't think I would make such great friends here.

[She had arrived after the other Yuna which instantly made her put space between herself and others. It's only recently that she's started to open up more and she's grateful for that fact. She's met so many amazing friends here.]

Yeah... I really wanna save this world -- not just because it's my duty, or even because it's the right thing. I want to prove to everyone that we were brought here for a reason -- that we really can come together to make a difference.

I think... that's the least I can do for everybody.

[Yuna smiles, her gaze looking over the horizon.]

I want to save this world to but.. [She feels a little silly for saying this.]

It's because it needs me. I know this isn't my world but those I've met here... I want to protect them too.

I'd give anything to protect this place.

[He gives a hum of agreement.]

Right... We'll figure it out. Heroes or not, we'll fix everything and protect everyone. And then... then we'll figure out the rest.

[They'll all go home, back to their individual struggles.

But that's not a thought for the present. Ven stands, and after another moment of looking out, he offers Yuna a hand up.]

Well, it's getting late. My housemates are probably worried. [Which he feels a little bad about. He did kind of brush them all off.]

[Yuna places her hand in his with a smile.]

Do you want me to walk you home?

[She will follow him from the roof anyway, with night falling she should get home too though her housemates probably weren’t looking for her. Everyone in her house more or less kept to themselves.]

Sure, if it's not any trouble. [He's not sure if his housemates are back yet, but he doesn't mind stretching out Yuna's company either way. Once they've climbed back down to solid ground, it's a straight and simple walk back to the housing district -- if a bit humbling, since there are still some homes being rebuilt and repaired. Ven's already lent a hand a few times since fully recovering, but it's still a sad sight.

But he helps keep the conversation light, and soon they draw close to the familiar yard of B-10. Someone -- Rae, maybe, since the inside lights aren't on -- has left the porch lit up.]

Thanks for coming along, Yunie. And... for talking. It really helped.

[Yuna's smile widens as she turns towards Ven. The walk is nice and she's glad to see that they left a light on for him. It's getting darker earlier with the onset of winter.]

It's no trouble Ven.

[She pauses for a moment, her gaze shifting up towards the sky.]

If you need me I'll come running. [Her eyes move back down towards Ven.] Always.

[His smile brightens, easily the happiest one he's worn in days.]

Same here. I'll see you soon, okay?

[Yuna nods with a wide smile before turning to head home herself. This evening went well and she feels giddy as she walks back to her house.]

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To: All Heroes

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Aww Ven. You are too cute!

ehehe then I'm doing it right \o/

XD

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