un; k3yblad3

[keythatconnects]

Last time I took a really long nap, when I woke up my clothes didn't fit anymore and all of my friends told me they had completely forgotten about me. That was weird. But not the weirdest thing that ever happened to me.

This time, I woke up and was crystal the whole time. Whatever. It's still not the weirdest thing. I've seen some way weirder stuff. And Riku did this crystal thing first.

Anyway, I'm Sora. Don't any of you forget about me!

[After a moment he adds, which a mischevious smile,] Especially you guys who want to.

Comments

[keythatconnects]

If I had my ship maybe I could! There are barriers between different worlds, walls that separate them. You need special tools to find a way through those walls. I have my Keyblade but no gummi ship.

[satanslash]

Yeah, but... you actually get some choice in that, right?

[keythatconnects]

Yeah. At least until I got here. Kinda stranded here.

[satanslash]

We all are.

[He says it so defeatedly, almost exhausted.]

But you still had that freedom once. If I was gonna visit other worlds I'd like to do it under my own power, y'know?

[keythatconnects]

It was pretty cool, not gonna lie about that. And being stuck sucks...

But the thing that made traveling to those worlds all the better was doing it with good friends, and making good friends while I was there. Every single world I visited had people on it who cared about each other and went out of their way to protect themselves, their friends, and everyone else on that world.

That's what I see here too. A bunch of people stranded on this world trying to help each other and the folks who live here.

I never want to lose sight of that.

[satanslash]

[That gives Rin pause, thoughts rattling around in a head that doesn't often think that hard.]

Even if it means you're gonna leave them and probably never see them again?

[keythatconnects]

A lot of the worlds I went to I never went back, but they're still my friends. Still connected to my heart.

[satanslash]

I haven't forgotten my friends from either place, but... I-I'unno if I feel the same way? Like... it feels like I got ripped away from them and all I have are memories and if I'm lucky some pictures.

[Like the one of Nyx and some others from Chroma Village, and his friends back home at the Kyoto Tower.]

I know it's dumb to avoid everyone and try to not make friends, especially here, but sometimes I wonder if I'm just hurtin' myself more with all the people I wind up carin' about.

[keythatconnects]

I understand that. Not being with the ones you care about the most... It feels like a part of you is missing.

I promise that making new friends is never a bad thing, though. It's worth it to find people to connect with.

[satanslash]

Yeah.

Honestly... I'm still gettin' used to that. Makin' friends, connectin' with people. I'm better at it now but I went most of my life without any friends.

[keythatconnects]

No friends? Well, you have a lot of time to make up for!

I'll add to your list of new friends!

[satanslash]

Yeah, well. Some people judge others without gettin' to know them.

[He didn't exactly help his case with his reactions to it, though.]

Yeah? Y'sure? I'm uh. I ain't exactly human. Some people aren't really okay with that.

[keythatconnects]

So? Lots of my friends aren't human!

[satanslash]

Are any of them demons?

[keythatconnects]

Hmm. Can't say that I've met a lot of demons. But I did meet a someone who looked like a demon here who taught me to play poker!

And I've been friends with monsters and talking skeletons before.

Is that what you are?

[satanslash]

[Talking skeletons... that's a new one.]

Half, yeah.

[He holds his tail, giving it a waggle.]

Guess I get to be the first then.

[keythatconnects]

Whoa is that a tail! That's so cool!

[satanslash]

Yeah.

[He pushes some hair away from his ear, letting Sora see the slight point to it, then pulls at his upper lip to show the fangs.]

It ain't super obvious unless I use my powers, but I've got a few weird traits.

[keythatconnects]

I bet! So what kind of powers do you have??

[satanslash]

I heal super fast, I'm really strong, I can hear and smell things a lotta things other people can't, and if another demon is smart enough but can't talk like a human I can still understand 'em most of the time.

Oh, and this.

[He lifts his hand again, pale blue flames dancing along his fingertips.]

[keythatconnects]

Oh! Pretty!

I can cast fire too, but not like that. Mines more... a fireball.

Hey! If you can talk to demons does that mean most of them just need someone to listen to them?

[satanslash]

[... did Shiemi call his flames pretty once?

He thinks that happened.

Either way it's making him flush a bit.]

Yeah. My familiar, Kuro, got really upset when the temple he used to be the guardian for got all rundown then demolished. He was hurtin' people because he was angry but Dad went to him and told him he understood why and offered to be his friend.

I had to do the same thing after Dad died, 'cause he didn't understand that Shiro was gone. I think it was probably easier for me 'cause I could actually, y'know. Hear him.

[keythatconnects]

You and your dad sound like good people. I'm glad that Kuro had you there after your dad was gone.

And, that you had him too.

[satanslash]

... he was.

[At least as much as Rin remembers him for.

Yukio seems to have a differing opinion, for some reason.]

I miss him, but I don't think a nekomata is gonna do very well here, heh.

[keythatconnects]

Neko-mata?

What's that?