Torrin took in a deep breath and stepped back to calm down when Aria began to speak on his behalf. "Thanks Aria." Torrin whispered towards the girl. He had not felt that he done much to deserve her standing up and taking his side. He crossed his arms and looked down just listening to what she said about working together and even though this girl had a heart of light the way she spoke about the darkness, the way she made it sound like a necessity rather than something to be afraid of. She seemed to have this romanticized view of it when all he had seen come from it was pain. Even so, he couldn't help but feel good about what she said. "Sometimes you are too innocent for your own good, child." Gero spoke once Aria had finished her speech seemingly calmer now. "The circumstances of your birth were...quite unusual. I never thought much of it at the time...but I still do not know how it could have affected you like this. Your heart is free of darkness, that much is true." "As I said, if you just let me enter her-" "Have you not had time to think? You want to rid her of whatever dark force is plaguing her with what? Your own darkness. Do not be so foolish." "So then you'll do it? Because you haven't offered so far." Torrin was clearly annoyed. "It's not as simple as going in and slaying some Heartless. The amount of damage that could be done to her if anything goes wrong is too great to risk without knowing if her dreams are the source." Gero looked at Aria and shook his head. "I am sorry. Until I know more, anything I do to you could only result in more harm." "Then you expect her to just deal with it while you sit around and think about it for eternity? No wonder why your people haven't stepped in to fight the Light Chaser. That's all you're good for. Well I'd like to see you worry a problem away." His annoyance soon went back into anger. "Then it seems like asking the denizens of the Realm of Darkness for aid is out of the question. Your people have enough on their plate without adding this mess to it." Choma stated simply. "I know next to nothing about this Light Chaser and yet it seems that in the time we've begun our search it seems that he's been active for a long time...how could he have acted for so long without us being aware? Did the Council turn a blind eye?" He sighed and shook his head unsure of what to think about it. "And my castle was damaged, you say? That's fine. So long as everyone made it out safely. It's just a castle." As they neared the kitchen voices could be heard. The voices of Takehiko and Tinarah. Choma smiled slightly on seeing the two talking. "It's good to see you up and about, Tinarah. Are you feeling better?" Still...seeing her like this was strange to him. Before coming here he only remembered her as a child barely taller than his waist. He had no idea how to approach the subject of what happened while she was away but, more importantly, he knew he could not just undo what had happened.
Torrin took in a deep breath and stepped back to calm down when Aria began to speak on his behalf. "Thanks Aria." Torrin whispered towards the girl. He had not felt that he done much to deserve her standing up and taking his side. He crossed his arms and looked down just listening to what she said about working together and even though this girl had a heart of light the way she spoke about the darkness, the way she made it sound like a necessity rather than something to be afraid of. She seemed to have this romanticized view of it when all he had seen come from it was pain. Even so, he couldn't help but feel good about what she said. "Sometimes you are too innocent for your own good, child." Gero spoke once Aria had finished her speech seemingly calmer now. "The circumstances of your birth were...quite unusual. I never thought much of it at the time...but I still do not know how it could have affected you like this. Your heart is free of darkness, that much is true." "As I said, if you just let me enter her-" "Have you not had time to think? You want to rid her of whatever dark force is plaguing her with what? Your own darkness. Do not be so foolish." "So then you'll do it? Because you haven't offered so far." Torrin was clearly annoyed. "It's not as simple as going in and slaying some Heartless. The amount of damage that could be done to her if anything goes wrong is too great to risk without knowing if her dreams are the source." Gero looked at Aria and shook his head. "I am sorry. Until I know more, anything I do to you could only result in more harm." "Then you expect her to just deal with it while you sit around and think about it for eternity? No wonder why your people haven't stepped in to fight the Light Chaser. That's all you're good for. Well I'd like to see you worry a problem away." His annoyance soon went back into anger.
"Then it seems like asking the denizens of the Realm of Darkness for aid is out of the question. Your people have enough on their plate without adding this mess to it." Choma stated simply. "I know next to nothing about this Light Chaser and yet it seems that in the time we've begun our search it seems that he's been active for a long time...how could he have acted for so long without us being aware? Did the Council turn a blind eye?" He sighed and shook his head unsure of what to think about it. "And my castle was damaged, you say? That's fine. So long as everyone made it out safely. It's just a castle." As they neared the kitchen voices could be heard. The voices of Takehiko and Tinarah. Choma smiled slightly on seeing the two talking. "It's good to see you up and about, Tinarah. Are you feeling better?" Still...seeing her like this was strange to him. Before coming here he only remembered her as a child barely taller than his waist. He had no idea how to approach the subject of what happened while she was away but, more importantly, he knew he could not just undo what had happened.
Minutes passed by in silence between the two young women as they waited atop the tree. Eventually in the distance they could see a canoe rowing up the river in their direction. "I think that's her." Avra spoke. Since they were hidden in the shade of the branches and leaves of the willow the girl would not have seen them as she approached. "Grandmother Willow! I'm back. I need to talk to you." The girl stepped in front of the ancient tree and tilted her head to the side, raising an eyebrow when she received no response. "Grandmother Willow? It's me, Pocahontas! ...Grandmother Willow?" She pressed her palm to the tree and frowned, unsure of what had happened. She could tell that her guardian was still there but was asleep. Avra leaned down farther to get a better view of the Princess of Heart but she ended up brushing up against some leaves and rustling them. "Shi-" Alarmed that someone was watching her Pocahontas looked up and glared into the branches of Grandmother Willow. "Who's there!?" Gero looked back at Aria and Torrin, barely nodding in response when Aria asked if he had been told about her nightmares. "It started again, has it?" "She woke up with scratches on her arms and some bruises. No offense but I didn't really trust your castle's security so I just...kind of stayed by her door in case the Light Chaser came for her again." Gero's eyes narrowed on hearing Torrin say this and once they had traveled far enough into the second floor he stopped walking knowing no one would hear them now. Gero reached for one of Aria's arms and looked it over though he saw nothing. Torrin cleared his throat. "I healed them but they were there. I wouldn't waste your time with this if there wasn't something serious going on here." Torrin explained. Once more the old man nodded but kept quiet for the time being. He scratched his chin and stepped back. Still, he said nothing as he contemplated over the meaning of this. Nearly a full minute passed while Gero thoughtfully rubbed his chin and tapped a finger against his cane with his finger. Eventually, Torrin grew annoyed and folded his arm, tapping his foot against the floor. "Sooo...any ideas?" He impatiently asked. "Patience, boy. An occurrence like this has never happened before. I cannot simply conjure up a reason or solution on a whim. There were no intruders last night as I would have known if there was." "Well if it's not that then maybe it's something in her dreams. Maybe if she went to sleep and I entered her dreams-" "You will do no such thing." Gero interrupted, slamming his cane down. "There are still other causes that you have not even considered. How could you have been named a master when you are so quick to jump to conclusions?" Gero now looked Torrin hard in the eye walking over towards him. "What were your real reasons for being around Aria? Beings from the Realm of Darkness do not simply decide to protect the light. I have seen firsthand what kind of horrors you are capable of delivering and kindness is not in your nature." Despite being clearly taken aback Torrin held his ground. "I understand Tinarah being confused but you're supposed to be some grand master or something. You know that what you saw wasn't me. That was someone else!" "You will have nothing to do with the Seven. Take your soldier with you and return from whence you came. We have no need of you. Ever since your 'war' with the Light Chaser began you have done nothing but participate in a losing battle that caused more collateral damage than anything else." By now Gero was just inches away from Torrin and threatening him with his cane by pressing it up against his chin. "What the hell!? What's wrong with you old man? I've been trying to help from the start." "That is how it started then too." Gero spoke lowly. "I don't even know what you're talking about! Look, either you drop that cane or I drop you." Choma extended his hand to give Boreas a firm handshake. "It's good to have you on the team then, Boreas." After releasing his hand Choma looked up to the stairs where Aria and Torrin had been led then back at the young man. "Well the only business I had just left which means my schedule is free. I suppose I could use something to eat." He added. Though he worried about what had happened with Aria that needed Master Gero's attention but there was no better hands for her to be in. Curious, having never actually met someone from the Realm of Darkness besides Torrin, Choma thought to ask what was going on over in the other realm. "What's the status with the Realm of Darkness, currently?" He asked as he began heading towards the kitchen. "Even with the Council's help, if the Light Chaser makes a move against your people things could get a lot uglier." By the time Qamar had barged into his room after giving him a warning Kide was already drying his hands on a towel after having just washed them. "You could have just knocked and told me to meet you in the kitchen." Kide sighed. "Well no use complaining now. Smells good." He took a seat at the table and, looking at his student making an effort to appease him, he relented. "I was a little harsh on you yesterday, Qamar. I apologize for that. There's a project I've been working on for quite some time now and it's been slow and tedious work. Even though you were wrong to behave so harshly towards our guests, I should not have lost my temper. That kind of behavior does not befit a master of my stature." He looked at the breakfast she had brought him and smiled slightly. "Thank you. And I did not know Master Gero would be making an appearance this morning. I suppose he's in better condition than yesterday." When Qamar started mentioning something about being able to tell that Torrin was from the Realm of Darkness and that caused him to pause. "I haven't met him but I'd assume it would have something to do with him being next in line to the throne. Perhaps members of the royal family over there must be teeming with darkness. More so than you are. Maybe you just sensed it because of your training and your own talent with darkness." He speculated. "Darkness is not inherently evil, Qamar. Just as the light is not inherently good. It all depends on how you use it. If you don't want to hurt anyone, don't. You have it within you to make that choice." Aster had been rubbing her reddened cheek after having been slapped quite hard by Atmos. "If you weren't my sister that would have been a fist. Don't you dare hide anything like this from me again." Atmos huffed. Then a knock came to her door. "What!?" She responded a little too angrily. Realizing that it had been Chrono who had asked for her help she immediately felt guilty. She took one quick glance over at her sister, glaring at her, before going to answer the door. "Sorry about that. I was having a heated debate with my sister over what to have for breakfast. What is it, Chrono?" She spoke in a much softer tone.
Minutes passed by in silence between the two young women as they waited atop the tree. Eventually in the distance they could see a canoe rowing up the river in their direction. "I think that's her." Avra spoke. Since they were hidden in the shade of the branches and leaves of the willow the girl would not have seen them as she approached. "Grandmother Willow! I'm back. I need to talk to you." The girl stepped in front of the ancient tree and tilted her head to the side, raising an eyebrow when she received no response. "Grandmother Willow? It's me, Pocahontas! ...Grandmother Willow?" She pressed her palm to the tree and frowned, unsure of what had happened. She could tell that her guardian was still there but was asleep. Avra leaned down farther to get a better view of the Princess of Heart but she ended up brushing up against some leaves and rustling them. "Shi-" Alarmed that someone was watching her Pocahontas looked up and glared into the branches of Grandmother Willow. "Who's there!?"
Gero looked back at Aria and Torrin, barely nodding in response when Aria asked if he had been told about her nightmares. "It started again, has it?" "She woke up with scratches on her arms and some bruises. No offense but I didn't really trust your castle's security so I just...kind of stayed by her door in case the Light Chaser came for her again." Gero's eyes narrowed on hearing Torrin say this and once they had traveled far enough into the second floor he stopped walking knowing no one would hear them now. Gero reached for one of Aria's arms and looked it over though he saw nothing. Torrin cleared his throat. "I healed them but they were there. I wouldn't waste your time with this if there wasn't something serious going on here." Torrin explained. Once more the old man nodded but kept quiet for the time being. He scratched his chin and stepped back. Still, he said nothing as he contemplated over the meaning of this. Nearly a full minute passed while Gero thoughtfully rubbed his chin and tapped a finger against his cane with his finger. Eventually, Torrin grew annoyed and folded his arm, tapping his foot against the floor. "Sooo...any ideas?" He impatiently asked. "Patience, boy. An occurrence like this has never happened before. I cannot simply conjure up a reason or solution on a whim. There were no intruders last night as I would have known if there was." "Well if it's not that then maybe it's something in her dreams. Maybe if she went to sleep and I entered her dreams-" "You will do no such thing." Gero interrupted, slamming his cane down. "There are still other causes that you have not even considered. How could you have been named a master when you are so quick to jump to conclusions?" Gero now looked Torrin hard in the eye walking over towards him. "What were your real reasons for being around Aria? Beings from the Realm of Darkness do not simply decide to protect the light. I have seen firsthand what kind of horrors you are capable of delivering and kindness is not in your nature." Despite being clearly taken aback Torrin held his ground. "I understand Tinarah being confused but you're supposed to be some grand master or something. You know that what you saw wasn't me. That was someone else!" "You will have nothing to do with the Seven. Take your soldier with you and return from whence you came. We have no need of you. Ever since your 'war' with the Light Chaser began you have done nothing but participate in a losing battle that caused more collateral damage than anything else." By now Gero was just inches away from Torrin and threatening him with his cane by pressing it up against his chin. "What the hell!? What's wrong with you old man? I've been trying to help from the start." "That is how it started then too." Gero spoke lowly. "I don't even know what you're talking about! Look, either you drop that cane or I drop you."
Choma extended his hand to give Boreas a firm handshake. "It's good to have you on the team then, Boreas." After releasing his hand Choma looked up to the stairs where Aria and Torrin had been led then back at the young man. "Well the only business I had just left which means my schedule is free. I suppose I could use something to eat." He added. Though he worried about what had happened with Aria that needed Master Gero's attention but there was no better hands for her to be in. Curious, having never actually met someone from the Realm of Darkness besides Torrin, Choma thought to ask what was going on over in the other realm. "What's the status with the Realm of Darkness, currently?" He asked as he began heading towards the kitchen. "Even with the Council's help, if the Light Chaser makes a move against your people things could get a lot uglier."
By the time Qamar had barged into his room after giving him a warning Kide was already drying his hands on a towel after having just washed them. "You could have just knocked and told me to meet you in the kitchen." Kide sighed. "Well no use complaining now. Smells good." He took a seat at the table and, looking at his student making an effort to appease him, he relented. "I was a little harsh on you yesterday, Qamar. I apologize for that. There's a project I've been working on for quite some time now and it's been slow and tedious work. Even though you were wrong to behave so harshly towards our guests, I should not have lost my temper. That kind of behavior does not befit a master of my stature." He looked at the breakfast she had brought him and smiled slightly. "Thank you. And I did not know Master Gero would be making an appearance this morning. I suppose he's in better condition than yesterday." When Qamar started mentioning something about being able to tell that Torrin was from the Realm of Darkness and that caused him to pause. "I haven't met him but I'd assume it would have something to do with him being next in line to the throne. Perhaps members of the royal family over there must be teeming with darkness. More so than you are. Maybe you just sensed it because of your training and your own talent with darkness." He speculated. "Darkness is not inherently evil, Qamar. Just as the light is not inherently good. It all depends on how you use it. If you don't want to hurt anyone, don't. You have it within you to make that choice."
Aster had been rubbing her reddened cheek after having been slapped quite hard by Atmos. "If you weren't my sister that would have been a fist. Don't you dare hide anything like this from me again." Atmos huffed. Then a knock came to her door. "What!?" She responded a little too angrily. Realizing that it had been Chrono who had asked for her help she immediately felt guilty. She took one quick glance over at her sister, glaring at her, before going to answer the door. "Sorry about that. I was having a heated debate with my sister over what to have for breakfast. What is it, Chrono?" She spoke in a much softer tone.
DON'T HEAR ME SAY YOU
YOU DON'T HEAR ME SAY
Gero squeezed Aria gently in return and beamed down at the girl. "There is a long story about that but I am here now." He stated. Gero patted the girl on the head lightly and looked her over, nodding in approval. "You've grown strong, child. So," He looked over at the others. "Before we can discuss other matters in private, allow me to introduce myself to the others." "I am Master Gero or, now that my title has been restored, I would be known as Gero the Master of Masters." He looked at Qamar and bowed his head slightly. "And you must be Master Kidemonas's student that I have heard about." He smiled at the young woman. "It is good to see you. I'm glad to see new students still being taken on at this castle. Young talent is always good to see. You should be out having breakfast. Or does Kide have you on a strict diet?" Gero mused. Torrin did not have much of a chance to continue the conversation with Aria as Gero, Boreas, and Choma appeared. He raised an eyebrow and smiled at Aria's reaction to seeing the old man despite being slightly confused. Were they actually related? That would explain the look he was getting from the man. After all, she was a Princess of Heart and he was very much the opposite of that. He felt a little guilty not having told her about Gero's survival as soon as he could. He just didn't think to mention it because how could he have known she already knew him? Torrin tilted his head curiously, squinting slightly at the old man rather than feel intimidated by the glare. Had Gero too been a victim of his other self? "It's good to see her happy after what happened." Torrin spoke when Boreas came to his side. "I wonder if..." He thought back to his own family and allowed his mind to wander to the possibility of coming home. Instead of something warm of fuzzy the only thing he could imagine happening would have been the family shunning him for having left. Torrin shook his head. At least Aria had her moment of happiness and that was what mattered. When Gero began to address Qamar he took a step back and whispered, "We should take our leave n-" "Stay there, boy. I would like to have a word with you too." Gero turned towards Choma. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Master Choma." "Wait what..?" Confused as to why Gero would want him to stick around, Torrin shifted his gaze from Aria then over towards Boreas. What did I do? "Not to be rude but I need to speak with these two alone." As Gero spoke it appeared that even Choma was surprised that he was not being included. "Aria. Torrin. If you would follow me." Gero began to ascend the stairs once more. Torrin lingered for a moment in disbelief. "Don't keep him waiting. I don't know why he wants a word with you either but just go." Choma spoke in a low whisper. Torrin nodded very slightly and followed up after Gero without saying a word. "Let's get this over with." Avra spoke with determination as she began to walk towards the willow, wincing slightly on her first step due to a rather deep cut in her leg. "Ow..." She looked at the tree and motioned for Chrys to come follow her. "We won't be seen if we climb up. Then we just get the jump on her, literally, when she shows up and the rest will be easy." She smirked and bent her knees before jumping up to grab the lowest branch and begin climbing.
Gero squeezed Aria gently in return and beamed down at the girl. "There is a long story about that but I am here now." He stated. Gero patted the girl on the head lightly and looked her over, nodding in approval. "You've grown strong, child. So," He looked over at the others. "Before we can discuss other matters in private, allow me to introduce myself to the others." "I am Master Gero or, now that my title has been restored, I would be known as Gero the Master of Masters." He looked at Qamar and bowed his head slightly. "And you must be Master Kidemonas's student that I have heard about." He smiled at the young woman. "It is good to see you. I'm glad to see new students still being taken on at this castle. Young talent is always good to see. You should be out having breakfast. Or does Kide have you on a strict diet?" Gero mused.
Torrin did not have much of a chance to continue the conversation with Aria as Gero, Boreas, and Choma appeared. He raised an eyebrow and smiled at Aria's reaction to seeing the old man despite being slightly confused. Were they actually related? That would explain the look he was getting from the man. After all, she was a Princess of Heart and he was very much the opposite of that. He felt a little guilty not having told her about Gero's survival as soon as he could. He just didn't think to mention it because how could he have known she already knew him? Torrin tilted his head curiously, squinting slightly at the old man rather than feel intimidated by the glare. Had Gero too been a victim of his other self? "It's good to see her happy after what happened." Torrin spoke when Boreas came to his side. "I wonder if..." He thought back to his own family and allowed his mind to wander to the possibility of coming home. Instead of something warm of fuzzy the only thing he could imagine happening would have been the family shunning him for having left. Torrin shook his head. At least Aria had her moment of happiness and that was what mattered. When Gero began to address Qamar he took a step back and whispered, "We should take our leave n-" "Stay there, boy. I would like to have a word with you too." Gero turned towards Choma. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Master Choma." "Wait what..?" Confused as to why Gero would want him to stick around, Torrin shifted his gaze from Aria then over towards Boreas. What did I do? "Not to be rude but I need to speak with these two alone." As Gero spoke it appeared that even Choma was surprised that he was not being included. "Aria. Torrin. If you would follow me." Gero began to ascend the stairs once more. Torrin lingered for a moment in disbelief. "Don't keep him waiting. I don't know why he wants a word with you either but just go." Choma spoke in a low whisper. Torrin nodded very slightly and followed up after Gero without saying a word.
"Let's get this over with." Avra spoke with determination as she began to walk towards the willow, wincing slightly on her first step due to a rather deep cut in her leg. "Ow..." She looked at the tree and motioned for Chrys to come follow her. "We won't be seen if we climb up. Then we just get the jump on her, literally, when she shows up and the rest will be easy." She smirked and bent her knees before jumping up to grab the lowest branch and begin climbing.
Torrin shrugged. "I don't do too well around groups of people." He stated simply, placing his hands into his pockets as they walked. "Just, next time if there's a need to cover our tracks let me do the talking. Choma doesn't appear to be the type to talk to about new recipes. Atmos, maybe." He took in a deep breath as they walked and headed to the main hall. "Anyway..." He sighed, unsure of how to continue the conversation. "You asked where I'm from. Never got the chance to ask you the same. And...is your hair always purple? Or did you dye it?" He asked curiously despite being unaware that his own hair color was quite uncommon as well. Just as they were beginning to approach the stairs he heard footsteps coming their way too fast and his keyblade was nearly in his hand. The only thing that kept him from attacking her outright was the fact that he caught a glimpse of who it was just before she ran ahead of them. Torrin sighed. He didn't like being snuck up on. "Bracelet's still there. Still working on it." He spoke curtly. "Don't think I even loosened it. Just made it angry." He mused, glancing over at Aria. Torrin raised an eyebrow when Qamar suggested a sparring match and almost immediately shook his head, surprised she would even ask after how she acted around them last night. "Not going to consider doing anything else until after..." He wasn't sure where to go with this without saying what happened. "We have business to take care of. Can't leave it unfinished. Maybe later." "I see...the art of making armor for a keyblade wielder is a delicate one so I cannot imagine he will have the chance to have a new one made any time soon." Gero scratched his chin. "It's my business to know who's in charge of the Realm of Darkness. Torrin being next in line is no trivial detail." Gero led them towards the stairs and as soon as they rounded the corner after the first flight down, at the base of the stairs on the ground floor stood Aria, Torrin, and Qamar. The last he had only learned of last night when Masters Kaio and Varos informed him of the new students that had been brought in during his absence. The old man's eyes lit up on seeing Aria. "Hello there, child." He greeted as he descended the stairs down to meet trio. Despite the fact that he had known there was a difference between Torrin and the alternate version he had come across in the other realm, he still looked at the young man with a hard stare.
Torrin shrugged. "I don't do too well around groups of people." He stated simply, placing his hands into his pockets as they walked. "Just, next time if there's a need to cover our tracks let me do the talking. Choma doesn't appear to be the type to talk to about new recipes. Atmos, maybe." He took in a deep breath as they walked and headed to the main hall. "Anyway..." He sighed, unsure of how to continue the conversation. "You asked where I'm from. Never got the chance to ask you the same. And...is your hair always purple? Or did you dye it?" He asked curiously despite being unaware that his own hair color was quite uncommon as well. Just as they were beginning to approach the stairs he heard footsteps coming their way too fast and his keyblade was nearly in his hand. The only thing that kept him from attacking her outright was the fact that he caught a glimpse of who it was just before she ran ahead of them. Torrin sighed. He didn't like being snuck up on. "Bracelet's still there. Still working on it." He spoke curtly. "Don't think I even loosened it. Just made it angry." He mused, glancing over at Aria. Torrin raised an eyebrow when Qamar suggested a sparring match and almost immediately shook his head, surprised she would even ask after how she acted around them last night. "Not going to consider doing anything else until after..." He wasn't sure where to go with this without saying what happened. "We have business to take care of. Can't leave it unfinished. Maybe later."
"I see...the art of making armor for a keyblade wielder is a delicate one so I cannot imagine he will have the chance to have a new one made any time soon." Gero scratched his chin. "It's my business to know who's in charge of the Realm of Darkness. Torrin being next in line is no trivial detail." Gero led them towards the stairs and as soon as they rounded the corner after the first flight down, at the base of the stairs on the ground floor stood Aria, Torrin, and Qamar. The last he had only learned of last night when Masters Kaio and Varos informed him of the new students that had been brought in during his absence. The old man's eyes lit up on seeing Aria. "Hello there, child." He greeted as he descended the stairs down to meet trio. Despite the fact that he had known there was a difference between Torrin and the alternate version he had come across in the other realm, he still looked at the young man with a hard stare.
ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Cats are not awesome and people who prefer them to dogs are wrong.
You mean RCA cables? HDMI adapters for those exist. The thing that people should actually be worried about is the degradation of physical media. Though...there's a lot of factors to CD/DVD degradation. Still, it's something to keep in mind for preservation of media.
I still have fun playing board games and chess (and win nearly every time). Played a few old arcade games way back on some of those "plug into to the TV" things that had arcade games installed but my first console was the SNES and I still own every single game I've had for every console since then. Going back and playing those are a different story since it's easier to emulate than bust out the old SNES and pray that my Secret of Mana cartridge is still working.
Torrin snickered at Aria's air comment when she had her little hair trouble. "Great job beating your own hair in a fight." He mused. And then she forced him into having food. Torrin shook his head quickly. "Wait no I don't need anythingreallyI'mgoodjustskipme." He spoke rapidly almost becoming incoherent. Illiana came in, blaming him for the door situation, and already asked why everyone crowded around Aria's room. Torrin glanced over at the princess, seeing have trouble keep up with the conversation of now three other people...with more possibly on their way, Torrin moved over towards Aria and helped her up to her feet by tugging at her arm. "I had an accident and broke her door and the others came to check that everything was okay." Torrin tried to subtly nudge Aria forward. "We'll meet up with you guys in the kitchen in a minute. There's something we wanted to ask Choma about real fast." He stepped towards the door. "Come on Aria. Remember that thing you wanted to tell him?"
Torrin snickered at Aria's air comment when she had her little hair trouble. "Great job beating your own hair in a fight." He mused. And then she forced him into having food. Torrin shook his head quickly. "Wait no I don't need anythingreallyI'mgoodjustskipme." He spoke rapidly almost becoming incoherent. Illiana came in, blaming him for the door situation, and already asked why everyone crowded around Aria's room. Torrin glanced over at the princess, seeing have trouble keep up with the conversation of now three other people...with more possibly on their way, Torrin moved over towards Aria and helped her up to her feet by tugging at her arm. "I had an accident and broke her door and the others came to check that everything was okay." Torrin tried to subtly nudge Aria forward. "We'll meet up with you guys in the kitchen in a minute. There's something we wanted to ask Choma about real fast." He stepped towards the door. "Come on Aria. Remember that thing you wanted to tell him?"
Torrin had barely turned his back to give Aria some privacy in case she decided to get out of the shower before she was completely...ready. Before his mind could wander to other thoughts the sound of the bathroom door opening caught his attention. He kept his back to her but when she happily exclaimed being ready he turned slowly to look over at Aria and, seeing that she had an outfit change, turned around to face her completely. He tilted his head to the side, not having seen something quite like what she wore before. Realizing that he was now staring at her rather than examining what she wore he turned to the side and folded his arms again. "You look..." What was it that he once heard his father call his mother? It was so long ago that he barely remembered such things. Thinking that the pause in his sentence was already growing too long he just blurted out the first sensible thing that came to mind. "Lovely." Yes. That was the word he was looking for. Though now that he thought about it, just saying 'nice' would have been a better fit. Torrin sighed. "Anyway. Uh. I'm from...just don't freak out okay?" Almost those exact same words had been said before when he introduced himself to Mika. "From the Realm of Darkness. So is Boreas. The uh...guy in armor from earlier. He's an old friend I haven't been around in about six years. I've been here in your realm during that time. So..." He opened his mouth to say more but already both Glyde and Adalric were there with the latter seeming to be upset that the door was broken. Thankfully, Glyde came in with a save so Torrin did not have to explain the situation. "I'm fine not having anything to eat, thanks. Sorry about the door. I can fix it. It's my fault it broke anyway." Too many people. Unless he wanted to look like some sad brooding loner he wouldn't feel comfortable eating in front of other people. His table manners had declined to be less than perfect over the past year. Even if he was sure Boreas would call him out on being too neat. "What about you, Aria?" Choma nodded at Boreas's question. "I came here asking for their help some time ago. They denied it and stated that they could not leave without a solid plan of action. Considering that they still haven't left, I can only assume that one never came." As they went down the hall towards the set of stairs on the opposite end of the floor there was another man descending down to their level. "Master Choma, it is good to see you again." Gero used a cane to assist him on his way towards them, the man's eyes were hardened by a man who had seen more than his fair share of battle. "Something is troubling you, it seems." "Master Gero," Choma bowed his head respectfully. "It's Aria. I realize that this might be a misuse of your time but--" "Nothing that concerns that girl is a waste of my time, Choma. Now what is the matter?" "It would appear that Aria has had an unusual nightmare. It was enough for Torrin to consider bringing you in on it I would agree that you are more knowledgeable in this area than I." Gero stroked his beard and nodded. "I see. Lead me to her then." The old man gave Boreas a curious look and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Ah, I have not seen one bearing that style of armor in quite some time. Frankly, I'm a little surprised that the young prince is not wearing an activator as well. Those from the Realm of Darkness I knew in my days were quite attached to them." Gero said as the trio now began to head back down the stairs into the main hall.
Torrin had barely turned his back to give Aria some privacy in case she decided to get out of the shower before she was completely...ready. Before his mind could wander to other thoughts the sound of the bathroom door opening caught his attention. He kept his back to her but when she happily exclaimed being ready he turned slowly to look over at Aria and, seeing that she had an outfit change, turned around to face her completely. He tilted his head to the side, not having seen something quite like what she wore before. Realizing that he was now staring at her rather than examining what she wore he turned to the side and folded his arms again. "You look..." What was it that he once heard his father call his mother? It was so long ago that he barely remembered such things. Thinking that the pause in his sentence was already growing too long he just blurted out the first sensible thing that came to mind. "Lovely." Yes. That was the word he was looking for. Though now that he thought about it, just saying 'nice' would have been a better fit. Torrin sighed. "Anyway. Uh. I'm from...just don't freak out okay?" Almost those exact same words had been said before when he introduced himself to Mika. "From the Realm of Darkness. So is Boreas. The uh...guy in armor from earlier. He's an old friend I haven't been around in about six years. I've been here in your realm during that time. So..." He opened his mouth to say more but already both Glyde and Adalric were there with the latter seeming to be upset that the door was broken. Thankfully, Glyde came in with a save so Torrin did not have to explain the situation. "I'm fine not having anything to eat, thanks. Sorry about the door. I can fix it. It's my fault it broke anyway." Too many people. Unless he wanted to look like some sad brooding loner he wouldn't feel comfortable eating in front of other people. His table manners had declined to be less than perfect over the past year. Even if he was sure Boreas would call him out on being too neat. "What about you, Aria?"
Choma nodded at Boreas's question. "I came here asking for their help some time ago. They denied it and stated that they could not leave without a solid plan of action. Considering that they still haven't left, I can only assume that one never came." As they went down the hall towards the set of stairs on the opposite end of the floor there was another man descending down to their level.
"Master Choma, it is good to see you again." Gero used a cane to assist him on his way towards them, the man's eyes were hardened by a man who had seen more than his fair share of battle. "Something is troubling you, it seems." "Master Gero," Choma bowed his head respectfully. "It's Aria. I realize that this might be a misuse of your time but--" "Nothing that concerns that girl is a waste of my time, Choma. Now what is the matter?" "It would appear that Aria has had an unusual nightmare. It was enough for Torrin to consider bringing you in on it I would agree that you are more knowledgeable in this area than I." Gero stroked his beard and nodded. "I see. Lead me to her then." The old man gave Boreas a curious look and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Ah, I have not seen one bearing that style of armor in quite some time. Frankly, I'm a little surprised that the young prince is not wearing an activator as well. Those from the Realm of Darkness I knew in my days were quite attached to them." Gero said as the trio now began to head back down the stairs into the main hall.
"Go on. They won't leave just because they need to wait for you to get out of the shower. If you're worried about being rude then I'll give them a rundown of what happened." Torrin stood up and relaxed somewhat now that Aria appeared to be doing better. "I'll be just outside so if you need anything, just shout. Or scream...again. Er...I hope that wasn't too soon. You know what? Forget it. I'm out of practice with humor. Go wash up." He headed towards her door, motioning for Glyde to back up some. "Hey...Wasn't there another girl in your group? I don't think she's woken up yet. Or if she has, she must have wandered about during the night. Bring her along for breakfast if you're in the mood for company on the way." Choma looked back over to Tinarah's room his concern already going. At the very least it seemed like Takehiko and Chrono could handle the situation. ...Whatever was going on. The mention of Aria's nightmares troubled him. He had heard her before but he had dismissed it as a case of childhood trauma as was typically common. This time however sounded different and Torrin was worried enough to ask for Stamatis as well...though he supposed that now that Gero was back, the old man had returned to being the master once more. "Alright you can come but wait just one moment." Low on patience and still worried for Tinarah, Choma summoned his keyblade and stepped over towards the two students and tapped on the door with it. There was a faint click when the door was unlocked but not opened. "I need to take care of something. Please handle the situation delicately." He warned the two before turning to leave with Boreas. The two entered the main hall and Choma hurried up the stairs, their footsteps echoing in the castle. "I never expected to be coming back here so soon. Or with anyone accompanying me. The council never receive guests. Ever." Choma spoke as they ascended the stairs and rounded a corner head up another flight of stairs before they were on the next floor. "They better explain soon what's going on here." He muttered mostly to himself in frustration but could not help but say it loud enough for Boreas to overhear.
"Go on. They won't leave just because they need to wait for you to get out of the shower. If you're worried about being rude then I'll give them a rundown of what happened." Torrin stood up and relaxed somewhat now that Aria appeared to be doing better. "I'll be just outside so if you need anything, just shout. Or scream...again. Er...I hope that wasn't too soon. You know what? Forget it. I'm out of practice with humor. Go wash up." He headed towards her door, motioning for Glyde to back up some. "Hey...Wasn't there another girl in your group? I don't think she's woken up yet. Or if she has, she must have wandered about during the night. Bring her along for breakfast if you're in the mood for company on the way."
Choma looked back over to Tinarah's room his concern already going. At the very least it seemed like Takehiko and Chrono could handle the situation. ...Whatever was going on. The mention of Aria's nightmares troubled him. He had heard her before but he had dismissed it as a case of childhood trauma as was typically common. This time however sounded different and Torrin was worried enough to ask for Stamatis as well...though he supposed that now that Gero was back, the old man had returned to being the master once more. "Alright you can come but wait just one moment." Low on patience and still worried for Tinarah, Choma summoned his keyblade and stepped over towards the two students and tapped on the door with it. There was a faint click when the door was unlocked but not opened. "I need to take care of something. Please handle the situation delicately." He warned the two before turning to leave with Boreas. The two entered the main hall and Choma hurried up the stairs, their footsteps echoing in the castle. "I never expected to be coming back here so soon. Or with anyone accompanying me. The council never receive guests. Ever." Choma spoke as they ascended the stairs and rounded a corner head up another flight of stairs before they were on the next floor. "They better explain soon what's going on here." He muttered mostly to himself in frustration but could not help but say it loud enough for Boreas to overhear.
Torrin scooted away from Aria after someone else stepped in on them making him self conscious about the whole thing. For just a moment he had felt the urge to open up but it passed as quickly as it came. Despite feeling uncomfortable about being seen some part of him was happy he had made Aria feel better. He folded his arms and glanced at the boy standing at the door then back at Aria. "You should probably take a shower or bath too. ...Not that you smell bad. A shower would do you some good." Torrin scooted a little further away, a soft floral scent still lingering in his nose. Zeno, Dentro, Pagos, and Koa now stood before their master. Zeno pushed a redheaded girl forward having grown tired of her attitude. Her curled locks of hair bouncing as she stumbled. "Excellent work, my students." The Light Chaser mused. "And who do you think you are!?" The woman threw back her hair to get a look at her captor and when she balled her hands into fists ready too attack the hooded man simply snapped his fingers. She collapsed to the ground under the influence of his spell and was rendered unconscious. "Dentro, put Merida with Kida." "Yes, master." "As for you the rest of you, take some time to rest before your next assignment. It seems that the time to find how our opposition stacks up against us is near."
Torrin scooted away from Aria after someone else stepped in on them making him self conscious about the whole thing. For just a moment he had felt the urge to open up but it passed as quickly as it came. Despite feeling uncomfortable about being seen some part of him was happy he had made Aria feel better. He folded his arms and glanced at the boy standing at the door then back at Aria. "You should probably take a shower or bath too. ...Not that you smell bad. A shower would do you some good." Torrin scooted a little further away, a soft floral scent still lingering in his nose.
Zeno, Dentro, Pagos, and Koa now stood before their master. Zeno pushed a redheaded girl forward having grown tired of her attitude. Her curled locks of hair bouncing as she stumbled. "Excellent work, my students." The Light Chaser mused. "And who do you think you are!?" The woman threw back her hair to get a look at her captor and when she balled her hands into fists ready too attack the hooded man simply snapped his fingers. She collapsed to the ground under the influence of his spell and was rendered unconscious. "Dentro, put Merida with Kida." "Yes, master." "As for you the rest of you, take some time to rest before your next assignment. It seems that the time to find how our opposition stacks up against us is near."
Seems like there'd be a more effective way of voicing your complaints considering that, if I recall correctly, call out threads are already against the rules. Ignoring that, however, while I actually agree that some members of staff have been less than active the way you've posed your complaint is rude regardless of whether the fact you're right or wrong. Are you going rogue on us? Should staffies be looking over their shoulders expecting to be called out by you tomorrow? Wasn't sure if I should bother posting this or not but, you know. You wanted the attention.
At first I thought maybe that keyblade Riku had was basically Fenrir but obtained from some other world or boss. Now that the toy for it was revealed and the keychain has a Mickey head. So that'd definitely confirm it to be his default keyblade now.
Avra jumped in, landing the finishing blow on Grandmother Willow. The thicket surrounding them began to separate allowing sunlight to filter through once more. The old woman's face began to disappear from the tree, her power exhausted for now. Avra sighed out in relief and allowed her keyblade to disappear. "That was too close. Next time we should start out strong with a Water spell or something before it gets cut off." She huffed. "Let's just..." She hunched over and rested her hands on her knees to catch her breath. "Let's get the Princess and get out of here." She stood upright once more and rubbed her aching shoulder, wincing at the pain that came with it. "Apparently the princess visits here often. If we just wait around a little bit longer she should come by and we can bring her into the fold." "Oh?" The white haired young woman turned around, swallowing in a loud gulp whatever she had just finished eating, to look at the boy who spoke to her and picked up the cat that tried to make a go for the fridge. "Hi there little buddy. You want some food? Yes you do!" When Nini meowed once more she returned the furry creature back to the ground and opened the fridge to look for something for Nini. She retrieved a slice of ham and rolled it up for the cat before offering it to her, smiling as Nini immediately took the meat and fled back over to Take's side to devour it. "Hey." She finally spoke towards Take. "I'm Selene. I'm one of the masters of this castle. I heard we'd be having guests but I didn't think they'd be so young. Not that I'm old. Nope. And don't call me old or that hand will be the least of your worries." Selene smiled at Take. "I'm kidding. Some of the others around here can be a bit...stuffy but none of us bite. Really! Well maybe Varos...I wonder if he's a vampire sometimes..." She trailed off and shrugged. Selene headed towards the exit and turned her head to glance at the boy. "Get whatever you need. We have plenty for you and your friends. Eat up! The Council will be calling for all of you later today." And with that she disappeared around the corner without another word. Unfortunately, Aria could see right though his words and remained afraid even after he healed her. Torrin tapped his fingers nervously against his lap and bit his lip, searching for the right words to say but nothing would come to mind. Instead, he remained quiet, listening to Aria's fears and concerns. She even wondered if anyone would believe her story about waking up bruised and scratched despite the fact that no one would have any reason to doubt her and that he was there as a witness. Her description of her dream wasn't what bothered him, after all he had dreamt up of similar nightmares when he was a child, but it was the fact that she had lived with these nightmares for such a long time. A recurring dream in fact. Something like that must have had some explanation that was beyond his current understanding. "I'm sorry." He spoke after a moment of silence, averting his gaze as he was unable to look into Aria's teary eyes any longer. Torrin clenched his hands into fists then relaxed them knowing that there just was not anything for him to fight for this to just go away. He looked over his shoulder to check if he could see or hear anyone coming down the hall but nothing came. He looked back at Aria and shifted on the spot on her bed he had taken a seat on. "Look, you don't need to worry about anyone believing you. They will. And if anyone doubts what you say is true then I'll back you up on it." He clasped his hands together and listened to the sobs of Aria, hoping he could make her feel better somehow. "Whatever happens, we'll figure this out." Having little else in the way of comforting her Torrin moved closer and embraced Aria tightly to get her to stop shaking. "You'll be okay. Just trust me on that, Aria." Choma turned to face Boreas upon being spoken to. He had just been about to knock on Tinarah's door and ask why that other girl went in before being interrupted. "Good morning." He did not recognize the young man before him but judging by the look about him and the design of his armor activator... Choma raised an eyebrow and it took him a moment to piece together that this was likely the same person Atmos, Torrin, and Tinarah had arrived with who had been wearing armor. "What is it?" Concern once again resurfaced within him on hearing Boreas's tone. "Did something happen?"
Avra jumped in, landing the finishing blow on Grandmother Willow. The thicket surrounding them began to separate allowing sunlight to filter through once more. The old woman's face began to disappear from the tree, her power exhausted for now. Avra sighed out in relief and allowed her keyblade to disappear. "That was too close. Next time we should start out strong with a Water spell or something before it gets cut off." She huffed. "Let's just..." She hunched over and rested her hands on her knees to catch her breath. "Let's get the Princess and get out of here." She stood upright once more and rubbed her aching shoulder, wincing at the pain that came with it. "Apparently the princess visits here often. If we just wait around a little bit longer she should come by and we can bring her into the fold."
"Oh?" The white haired young woman turned around, swallowing in a loud gulp whatever she had just finished eating, to look at the boy who spoke to her and picked up the cat that tried to make a go for the fridge. "Hi there little buddy. You want some food? Yes you do!" When Nini meowed once more she returned the furry creature back to the ground and opened the fridge to look for something for Nini. She retrieved a slice of ham and rolled it up for the cat before offering it to her, smiling as Nini immediately took the meat and fled back over to Take's side to devour it. "Hey." She finally spoke towards Take. "I'm Selene. I'm one of the masters of this castle. I heard we'd be having guests but I didn't think they'd be so young. Not that I'm old. Nope. And don't call me old or that hand will be the least of your worries." Selene smiled at Take. "I'm kidding. Some of the others around here can be a bit...stuffy but none of us bite. Really! Well maybe Varos...I wonder if he's a vampire sometimes..." She trailed off and shrugged. Selene headed towards the exit and turned her head to glance at the boy. "Get whatever you need. We have plenty for you and your friends. Eat up! The Council will be calling for all of you later today." And with that she disappeared around the corner without another word.
Unfortunately, Aria could see right though his words and remained afraid even after he healed her. Torrin tapped his fingers nervously against his lap and bit his lip, searching for the right words to say but nothing would come to mind. Instead, he remained quiet, listening to Aria's fears and concerns. She even wondered if anyone would believe her story about waking up bruised and scratched despite the fact that no one would have any reason to doubt her and that he was there as a witness. Her description of her dream wasn't what bothered him, after all he had dreamt up of similar nightmares when he was a child, but it was the fact that she had lived with these nightmares for such a long time. A recurring dream in fact. Something like that must have had some explanation that was beyond his current understanding. "I'm sorry." He spoke after a moment of silence, averting his gaze as he was unable to look into Aria's teary eyes any longer. Torrin clenched his hands into fists then relaxed them knowing that there just was not anything for him to fight for this to just go away. He looked over his shoulder to check if he could see or hear anyone coming down the hall but nothing came. He looked back at Aria and shifted on the spot on her bed he had taken a seat on. "Look, you don't need to worry about anyone believing you. They will. And if anyone doubts what you say is true then I'll back you up on it." He clasped his hands together and listened to the sobs of Aria, hoping he could make her feel better somehow. "Whatever happens, we'll figure this out." Having little else in the way of comforting her Torrin moved closer and embraced Aria tightly to get her to stop shaking. "You'll be okay. Just trust me on that, Aria."
Choma turned to face Boreas upon being spoken to. He had just been about to knock on Tinarah's door and ask why that other girl went in before being interrupted. "Good morning." He did not recognize the young man before him but judging by the look about him and the design of his armor activator... Choma raised an eyebrow and it took him a moment to piece together that this was likely the same person Atmos, Torrin, and Tinarah had arrived with who had been wearing armor. "What is it?" Concern once again resurfaced within him on hearing Boreas's tone. "Did something happen?"
