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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[Ven shakes his head with a smile. It's not the super bright ray of sunshine that it usually is, but it's not sad, either. It's not forced.]

Nah... I just got back a little bit ago.

[And while the night sky view from here is kind of lame compared to what he's used to -- thanks, city lights -- he never minds killing time with stargazing. No harm, no foul.]

Get your head cleared?

Much as someone can with all that's happened lately.

[He shrugs, soon joining Ven on the porch. If anything, with what he'd left in that note he'd been considering just how to (and how much) he'd tell Ven about what his new roommate had seen. Much of it wasn't for the faint of heart, after all.]

You saw my note, right?

[Why else would Ven be waiting for him outside Hopefully he doesn't have to explain the whole "not a real boy" thing.]

Fair enough. [That, too, is said with the same smile. Doesn't he know it.

But then the look sobers slightly. Still not sad, but serious.]

Yeah, I did.

[As open-minded as Ven is, the Million Dollar Question isn't about Ira's origins -- at least, not with regards to what it means at present, because whatever word he or "Vexen" or anyone else wants to use, he's very clearly a person, someone with feelings and thoughts and everything else. Ven never even started to doubt that much.

Rather, the facts and the hints and Ven's thoughts all end up back at the same place: Sora. He seems to be the string connecting so much together, and Ven's been through enough to guess that it's not a coincidence.

But, first things first.]

Thanks for that. The note. A few people helped talk some sense into me today, but... I don't think any of 'em really knew what I was talking about.

[He sets his elbows on his knees, arms outstretched as he stares down at the steps in thought.]

Ever since I read what was in that file... I've been wishing I didn't see it. But -- you're right. People can use the truth as a weapon, if they know how. [Xehanort.] I've had it happen to me before. [Xehanort.] So... looking at it that way -- I'm kind of glad I read it, now. It'll keep it from being used against me later.

[Even if it still stings.]

[At this point it was almost certain that they both knew just how accurate the statement was. Having settled down (for now) on the porch, he listens. Something that was still hard for him to do, sure, but hadn't he already learned the consequences of not doing so? That floor certainly hadn't tanked itself.]

No problem.

[After all, he'd... seen enough of people just giving up because the truth stung more than the comfortable lies they'd been fed, and having those lies ripped away akin to a rug under their feet.]

I felt the same when someone... brought up my real past the first time, too.

[Granted he had literally blue-screened prior to that and was in the process of rebooting when said past was brought up, but.]

It wasn't hard to guess why you of all people were moping in our room when I got back the day Cid sent those letters. [The letter just confirmed it.] Seeing your letter got me wondering if these messed up memories could actually be useful for a change.

[Being told he was moping is no insult to his pride -- Ven has little of it to begin with -- and just serves to bring his smile back. Yeah, it must be pretty obvious when he's out of sorts, huh...

He glances sidelong at Ira after that last remark, not speaking up right away. It's not obligation prompting this honest impulse; as he realized during his talk with Rukia, he doesn't have to keep everything a secret. Some things, yes, for the sake of worldly balance -- but other things, the more complicated things... Well. Since we're talking about messed up memories...]

They did.

[And this might be the one person who can understand, or at least come close to understanding. That possibility, and the thought of how honest Ira was in reaching out to him -- whether or not it's considered a big deal -- convince Ven to start at that vague middle ground as he looks out over the yard again.]

I don't... actually know Sora. Or Riku. [He frowns slightly, thoughtfully.] Well... I know Sora -- it's probably better to say he doesn't know me, I don't think. It's been a long time, so he might've forgotten.

[Understandable, if that's the case. He was pretty small back then.]

I was... in a battle -- a long time ago. The file said twelve years. [Just shy of thirteen, specifically. It said a lot of things, gave a lot of details that tied up several loose ends.] My heart was shattered. That should've been the end of it, but... even though we were in different worlds, Sora heard me. He pulled me out of the darkness -- he let me stay with him, in his heart. I went to sleep after that.

And then I woke up here, a few months ago.

[Ven shakes his head lightly, looking down again.]

I guess he's the reason I know about Riku. And why you looked so familiar the first time I saw you. It... doesn't have anything to do with what was bothering me before, but... I dunno. You're his friend, so I didn't wanna give you the wrong idea.

[He didn't want to accidentally put himself in a false position, rather. He considers Sora a friend, and more besides, but that familiarity doesn't go both ways. It didn't seem right to elevate his status, least of all around one of Sora's real friends.]

[For once, he's almost glad that they were instead of a hindrance or a couple strings used to tug him around like some stupid puppet. The relief is probably visible in how he almost loosens up for a moment, until he suddenly looks at Ven with the most perplexed look he can muster. If he didn't know them, then how-

...Oh. Oh.]

Sounds like Sora, alright. [He's silent for a moment, before he simply shrugs.] If that's the case, then I guess we're in the same boat.

[Ira sighs, shaking his head. Honestly he probably doesn't fully understand Ven's situation, but the obvious parallels are a bit jarring. So, maybe an explanation was in order.]

When I knew Sora, we were both being strung along like puppets by the Organization, hoping they could gain him as a pawn to do their dirty work. Even when we learned that our memories had been replaced by fake ones, he still wanted to help the person they forced to mess with the real ones. Probably would have let her smash his heart so she wouldn't be hurt... had I not awakened when I did.

[Yet despite how heavy the conversation is, he finds himself smiling.]

Now that I think about it, maybe it was just him they were trying to string along. I was made to be their tool who embraced the darkness his real friend feared, after all. And when he wakes? Well, I doubt he chose to keep a bunch of fake memories when he was offered the chance to regain what he'd lost in Castle Oblivion.

Edited 2015-10-09 07:06 (UTC)

[It's a strange story, but no stranger than his own, probably. So Ven listens without a sign of doubt or uncertainty in his expression -- he looks a bit puzzled by the end, but that's soon replaced with a smile, as well. He doesn't get all of it, but one thing's clear: Sora turned out all right. More than all right, clearly.

But past that glad feeling -- pride, maybe? -- there's a shadow of unease that quickly returns. The Organization again. If Sora's a common thread between people, then that group is, too -- but not in a good way. The Organization knew Sora and Ira directly, and it has some tie to Terra and the man Ven saw before. That said...]

Do you... Have you heard of someone called Xehanort?

[It might be a stretch, but Ven doesn't think so. He's done underestimating the ability of his first Master; he made that mistake already. They all did.]

[Xehanort? The name sounded familiar, but he couldn't exactly think of where.]

I only existed back home for a few weeks at best. Never heard of him in that time.

[But then it hits him.]

I do remember the name from that other place, though. Think it was listed among the names of those Zo lost a hold of.

[He's aware that Xehanort still lives, so that in itself is no real surprise, but...]

Lost a hold of? You mean he would've been brought there, too?

Meaning he had been, then disappeared because they couldn't contain his soul to their world anymore. [He pauses] That place always was too complicated for my taste.

[Yeah that makes. Little sense from Ven's experience, but he'll believe it all the same.]

So... he was there. [Another frown, this one equal parts thoughtfulness and displeasure. Honestly, if Xehanort ever showed up here, Ven's not sure what he would do. What he could do. Kill him? Unlikely on his own, even with the Job differences. But those are dark and (for now) unnecessary thoughts.]

I just... wonder if he's tied to that Organization somehow. I can't say for sure, but... that name seems to come up as much as his does.

[And, again, those two roads converge at one common point--]

My file mentioned that Sora ran into him -- recently. It couldn't have been anything good, either. And you said the Organization tried to use you both... [He looks over again.] What kind of "dirty work" did they want?

[One day he'll thank Ven for taking everything he says at face value. Today is not that day ~~too busy piecing together what they both know yaaay~~.]

For a time. Maybe even while I was there and was just lucky for a change.

[At least he wouldn't be alone in that if he tried. Just the sound of that name made him tense and he had no idea why. Mockery of his luck aside--]

I wouldn't be surprised. There seems to be a lot of parallels we ... I didn't know before.

[As he corrects himself, he pauses to think.]

My file mentioned that what they were after was a "Key" to obtain hearts for Kingdom Hearts, and Sora was one of the two they knew of who had one. Vexen thought of the real thing as the "hero of darkness" - and thought that he could complete me with a bit more data so I could act as a foil to Sora's light. Just in case whatever Marluxia planned went beyond "Heart collecting" and to "taking over the Organization."

From what I remember, it was "using us as pawns to destroy the Superior".

[The mention of a "Key" makes Ven's expression shift into one of complete focus in record time; Kingdom Hearts makes him visibly tense.

"Sora was one of the two"

"hero of darkness"

"foil to Sora's light"--

Ven hears all of it, but those are the parts that stick out -- they're what make his blood run cold, prompting him to quickly look out over the yard again, as if the answer might be found in the darkness waiting past the white-washed fence.

Normally, this is where Ven would shut his mouth and play dumb; he's intent on keeping all his forbidden knowledge to himself as much as he's able. But if Ira knows this much, then drawing the line between the uneasy similarities can't hurt, or it at least can't hurt much more. And they've gotten this far being honest, so...]

Kingdom Hearts...

[His file mentioned it several times, but it was always vague. He has no idea what Kingdom Hearts is -- just that Xehanort wants it.]

Xehanort -- he did the same thing. He tried to create a "Key" -- some kind of ultimate Keyblade -- to try and get to Kingdom Hearts. A lot of people died trying to get it, a long time ago. He tried to make it himself, using me as half of it, but... he failed, both times. I was the light -- someone else was the darkness.

[He's wearing a full frown now.]

If that Organization's doing something that familiar, and if Xehanort's still alive and trying to use Sora for something...

[He doesn't finish the thought, but he probably doesn't have to. He's not sure what the worst scenario would be: if Xehanort really is Behind Everything, or if there's more than one force vying for Kingdom Hearts.]

["Tried to create" "ultimate Keyblade" " use Sora for something" -- If there was anything that grabbed his attention so thoroughly, it was those few pieces of information a fake like him had no business knowing.

In contrast, his blood boils. The Organization already messed up their memories, tried to make Sora a willing puppet.]

I don't think they knew about the "ultimate key" - at least Larxene didn't mention it when she felt the urge to spill their entire plan. They didn't succeed, but if you're right...

[Then Sora was in deep trouble if anyone else uncovered the truth of what happened in Castle Oblivion, and he couldn't do a thing about it. At least not in his timeline.]

...Thinking like this won't get us anywhere. Look where we are: on a world unlike our own, unable to go back and stop this Xehanort until we stop the world from ending here.

[And even then, who's to say he'd have a shot to try?]

[That's a small relief -- if not the X-blade, maybe they were seeking a (hopefully) lesser means of acquiring Kingdom Hearts. If there's more than one method of doing so, however, that's another worry in itself.

But one thing at a time.]

Maybe not. But the more we figure out in the meantime, the more prepared we'll be once we're done here.

[It hasn't crossed Ven's mind that there might not be a way out; he's set his sights on saving this world, as much out of duty as personal desire, and if no one sends them back directly after that, well... They'll figure something out. He got his powers back once; if push comes to shove, he can do it again and get off this world that way.

For now, though, if thinking's the only option, then that's what he'll do. So after a moment he voices a thought that's occurred to him a couple times in the last few days.]

Sora's here... So his file must be on the computer, too.

[He hesitates, but then shakes his head. Even for this, he can't go snooping into the other boy's life.]

When he wakes up, we'll ask him about all this -- and if he's okay with it, maybe he can check his file. Just in case it has something he doesn't know about. [His face softens, doubtful.] ...Maybe.

[If there's something in Sora's file that's better left forgotten or unknown... who's Ven to make him face the same kind of pain that he just did?]

You have a point.

[He's going to trust that optimism. Even if he won't be able to do anything to stop whatever they're planning when his world's restored, he has to trust in at least something. Though he has to admit curiosity over Sora's file, he likely won't indulge it for a while.

But at the same time, it almost feels like he's been punched in the gut with a fist full of throwing knives.]

... It will. [He says it without a doubt, looking away.] He'll have forgotten all about Castle Oblivion and what took place there.

[Ven looks over, troubled and sympathetic, but when the eye contact's avoided he also looks away again, crossing his arms on his knees and leaning forward after a silent moment.]

Well... if Sora's anything like he was when I met him -- and it sounds like he is, from what you've told me -- I don't think he'd let something like memory get in his way.

[He smiles -- a fond look, if a little somber.]

Even if he doesn't remember us, we remember him -- that's enough to become friends again, isn't it? And... I guess it means we're kind of responsible for looking after him, too. For as long as he needs us to.

[Whether during crystal stasis or after. Both, if Ven has any say in it, although he's wary of being overbearing. He knows what that's like.]

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To: All Heroes

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self no don't tag this with sae kurosawa journal--

i know it's halloween time but gosh!!

Re: i know it's halloween time but gosh!!

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