[ And he'll arrive, maybe in only two layers of sweatshirts instead of his usual four. His eyes and nose are a little red, but he seems to be okay. Where are you, Naminé? He'll come right up to her wherever she is. He has a small object wrapped in another sweatshirt under his arm. ]
[Naminé rises to her feet when she gets Sora's message and begins to search the darkness for the familiar form of the boy she'd come to care for. She see's his outline first and then lifts her hand to wave to him.]
Sora!
[She steps towards him, her fingers tugging at her jacket as it to pull the warm material closer to her slender frame.]
You're okay. [She'd never thought she'd be so relieved to see him in one piece but her eyes soon drop to the large wrapping in his arms.] What's that?
[ The tug is pretty cute. Familiar, even? He lifts a hand to ruffle her hair a little. He isn't sure if he's supposed to be this much taller than her? Probably not. ]
Hey, Naminé, I'm fine. [ He looks down when she points out the package... ah. ]
We need to make a stop at the church on the way back. [ He bites the inside of his cheek, but nods. ] This is something I need to drop off, there. Ready to go?
[Looking up at Sora is strange but it's comfortable. She'd known that one day she'd be looking up at him like this.]
Sor- [His hand ruffles her hair a little and she pauses at the tingling warmth that thrills down her spine. Naminé isn't used to those light affectionate touches but it feels nice.] Ah. Yes. Alright. I'm ready.
That's on the way to the Inn. [If she remembers correctly.] Are you dropping this off? [She points to the cloth wrapped in his hand but doesn't ask him what it is again. If he wants to tell her, he will.]
[ Sora chuckles. ] It's kind of a walk, but this needs to make it there pretty soon. Hope you're not too cold for a walk.
[ And his face sort of... softens. He's a little tired, but she needs to know this. All right. He braces himself as they start walking along. ] Hey, um. Do you know what happens if your lantern breaks here?
I'm not and even if I was, the walk would warm me up.
[She's a master at looking on the bright side... as long as it doesn't involve her own existence.]
The lanterns? [Her lips tilt into a frown.] No. Someone said to keep mine with me and keep it safe but I don't know what happens if something happens to it.
[ Good, good. Sora will look down and resist the urge for another hair ruffle. ] Cool. We'll be back soon, promise.
[ Okay, a little less abrupt this time. He's learned his lesson from the cabin. ] If you ever find someone's lantern, and it's broken and it's lost its light? You have to take it to the church and put it somewhere where Dr. Solis can find it. [ He smiles down at her. ] She's a doctor that can try to fix it and put the light back inside.
[Naminé listens intently and commits the information to memory. She doesn't really understand the lanterns but she knows that their important and they each have one. It's almost like it's their light in a physical form.
She wonders about it sometimes but there is a lot to wonder about in this world.]
Does that help? The lanterns... we're not supposed to leave them behind, right.
[She pauses for a moment and then gently takes Sora's hand while they walk. She wants to make sure he's really there.]
[ She's got the right idea. Sora... nods, and laces his fingers between hers, swinging them gently between them. It's nice. He likes holding hands quite a bit. ]
Right. These lanterns are connected to our lives. If they go out... then we do too. The doctor can help, but sometimes what she does doesn't... work right. We still have to do our best, though. A small chance is better than nothing, right?
[She smiles, just a little as, their fingers lace together. Naminé wants to smile more but she can't help but look at the lantern wrapped up in his arms and worry.]
What about healing? Can you do that here? That is, does it work?
Yeah! Not as good as back home, though. [ Sora smiles a little. ] I kinda got hurt last month, and I think I could have fixed it myself back where I'm from, but my magic's just not as strong here. I was fine after, but it kind of took a while to get there.
Well... um, if you get hurt again. I'll try and help take care of you. Not that I want you to get hurt but if it happens. If that's okay.... [She's only a little awkward.]
Yeah! Um, I was trying to help a friend calm down from something scary and he mighta whacked me a little. [ He got stabbed in the stomach! He needed a blood transfusion! She doesn't need to know that. ] Worth it, though. He was fine after.
Of course it's okay. [ He smiles down at her. ] Why wouldn't it be? You're always helping me, Naminé. It's me who should be helping you out more.
[That sounds serious Sora... it might be best if he doesn't tell Naminé that part.]
I'm glad. [Her smile widens.] You're amazing Sora! You're always there for your friends, no matter what. [She wants to be like that too.] I want to be able to help more. I owe you... everyone.
I want to be better and- well, I think someone should watch out for you too. So I'll be there to keep you safe. [Or at least watch when horrible things happen.]
[ Yeah, he's learned his lesson. No rough bumps here!
He rubs his nose with a finger, smiling. Shucks. ]
You keep saying that. [ It's like she doesn't know that just by being here, she's basically changed his entire outlook on who he is and what he's worth. He's gotta start making that more obvious. ]
Well, I'll keep trying too, but for you? You don't owe me anything. I feel like you've already done so much just by being here. Whatever you did to owe me, I feel like you've already paid it back.
So... if you want to do anything, even if it's for me, you should do it for yourself. Not because you owe me. Because it makes you feel good to do it. Know what I mean?
[Naminé has never put a lot of value in her own existence. She isn't supposed to exist... never was supposed to exist and yet here she is. It's awkward and the body she'd been given had failed her. Maybe this is how it's supposed to be. Nobodies don't have hearts and so she'll keep repeating herself. Hoping that she can find a meaning to her non-existence, even in death.
It makes it all very awkward.]
AH. Yes. I think so.
[She is trying to rework how she thinks but it's hard.]
It does make me happy. When I see you smile I'm happy. [So maybe she does understand.] It's strange. Sora. Do you think it's weird that we're dead but I feel like this is the first time I've been alive?
[ Sora would have found it sad, but hard to relate in one life. In this one? It's. Definitely a lot closer than he expected. ]
You know, that's kind of what makes me wonder if we're all the way dead in the first place. [ He grins. ] I think it's good that you feel alive here. I think we're alive too! Or, like, if we're dead, we can't be dead in a way that matters. We're dead in the way Jack Skellington was, remember him? We can still feel.
So. I guess I gotta keep smiling, huh? [ He looks at the snow thoughtfully, then bobs his head. ] I want you to be happy. So if that's what makes you happy, I guess I'll have to keep smiling!
I thought that too but everyone I've spoken to is very sure.
[She looks thoughtfully ahead of them and sees the church slowly coming into view.]
Yeah. I remember him. I think that's it because... maybe it's just me. It isn't normal to be a Nobody and then a spirit and then have a body. So maybe this is just another not-normal thing happening.
[It's very hard for Naminé to think she's dead but it could always be denial.
She turns back to Sora and her expression softens.]
Smile when you're happy and if you aren't happy, I'll cheer you up! I don't want you to force yourself Sora. I want you to be yourself. [She likes it when he's himself.]
[ Sora nods. ] I dunno. I guess... I sort of want to believe that we're still all right, even if everyone else doesn't think we are. I mean, we're still alive enough to make friends, right? So what's the difference? [ He looks up to check on that church - they're a lot closer than he thought they were - then looks down at her again, thinking. ] That goes for you too. I don't know what the difference between feeling alive and feeling dead is, so... maybe that's the difference? Being able to make connections.
[ They're coming up to the door. He turns to face her, serious. He doesn't know who he is, but if she tells him to be himself... then the closest thing is Sora. So. He can try that for a bit. ] Then after we deliver this, I have a mission for you. It'll make me smile at the end, promise! Let's go in first, though. [ And he'll push open that door to let her in. ]
[Her smile grows as her head bounces in a subtle nod.] Yes. You're right Sora. I think that's it. [She doesn't mention that she has lacked that particular ability when she'd been reunited with Kairi. Naminé doesn't want to imagine herself as dead but her existence has always been a little awkward and difficult to define.
Maybe life is all about giving yourself a meaning to live and while she's been here, she's found that meaning. She doesn't want to just give it up. No matter how hard it might be.]
A mission? Okay. [She looks up at the church as they grow closer.] What is the mission?
[ He's, um. Going to look into the church as they head inside. ] Well...
[ He'll keep holding the door open until she catches up, and he'll shut it behind her once she's in. ]
The soldier... told me to tell you that you should give me a hug.
[ Which is super awkward to say! Not that Naminé would know that, so here's Sora... explaining. ] I mean, um, I don't think I'd ask, especially if you don't want to! And if you don't want to, you shouldn't. [ It's just that it's been a really rough night and Soldat is not the hug giving type. Incapable of it right now, actually. ] It's just that they can't and I think they wanted to.
[Her memory flashes back to their short awkward hug on the floor of the cabin around the time that she'd just arrived. It's only been a week or so since then but it feels so much longer.]
It's alright Sora.
[She smiles though she feels the soft touch of heat warm her cheeks.]
I'd be happy to hug you. I want too.
Whenever you need it. [She looks up at the church and then down at the end of the isles as they step inside. Her steps slow to a stop as Sora continues forward to place the shattered lantern down. Naminé doesn't leave him but she hangs back a few feet in case he wants space for this... It had been Sora's friend that went missing.]
[ They've been doing a lot of catching up. And to be fair, Sora probably wouldn't have been like this if he felt like he was real, or complete. Not that feeling insufficient is new to him, but to feel like an inferior duplicate? It's... probably the closest he's ever been to being on the same wavelength as her. Not that he knows that.
Sora will go on his own, removing the shattered lantern from the sweatshirt and placing it on the altar. It's not like Masaomi was someone he knew, but maybe he would someday. That's enough of a reason, he thinks. For any of this.
He squares his shoulders after a moment of thought, takes in a deep breath, and heads back down to meet Naminé. ]
You can hug me whenever you want. I don't mind. [ He shakes his head. ] I... don't think this is a replacement for the soldier, by the way. It's.
[ He bites the inside of his cheek. It's been really hard lately, he wants to say. It's been so much easier with her around, but it's still been so hard. He's been alone for such a long, long time. Tonight was a drop in a bucket, but that bucket's getting pretty darn full. Please. I don't want to be alone.
But he doesn't want to burden her. Make sure the girl keeps smiling. That's the rule. ]
I dunno. I like hugs. So, that's the mission, should you choose to accept it. [ And he does his best to smile, because that's the easiest way to get a smile spreading in a room. Be the change you want to see, right? ] You don't have to, though. You'll always have a choice.
[Naminé waits for him to place the lantern and turn back to her before taking a step forward. She understands how he feels and what he's feeling though she is incapable of putting it into words. Instead, she steps forward and pulls him into a hug. It's a little awkward at first, given their height differences, but her arms find their way around his torso with her palms resting gently on his shoulderblades.]
Then I want to hug you every day.
For me.
[Not only because he'd asked or because Soldat say too but because she wants too.
She feels the warmth of his torso and the steady thrum of his heart as her head rests on his chest. She isn't used to touching like this but it's nice.] I like hugs too.
[An awkward amount of time passes before she gently pulls away. Naminé has no idea how long a hug is actually supposed to last.]
[ An awkward amount of hug time is only awkward when one party wants to pull away and the other doesn't, and Sora does not want this hug to end ever. Sure, he does go slightly still, but it's not like he freezes up! He's just a bit surprised. And tired. And oh god has it been a rough night, he's just going to drop his head right on top of her blond hair and wrap his arms around her, holding his wrist with his other hand in a loose loop. Just standing there, warm. Vibing, as the young folk say.
This is nice. Feeling close to someone else. It's good.
He'll pull away when she does, grinning, his ears a little red. Good thing he's all cried out for tonight, that definitely would have set him off again. ]
Mission accomplished. You're good at that. [ And he lets her go, holding his hand out. ] Ready to go? [ Let's get you home, missie. ]
[She doesn't want their hug to end but she's going to hug him again tomorrow and the next day and the next day. She's going to hug him for every day that she could, even if it's brief.]
Yeah.
[Her smile widens as she places her hand in his and follows him from the church.]
[ Next time she enters the Landmark, there's a package waiting for her at the front desk. Inside is a letter and a heavy metal clip that resembles a carabiner and a sturdy, standard leather belt. ]
I hope you're doing OK.
Carrying around a lantern all day is a hassle. Here's a belt and a clip to keep your lantern close with your hands free.
Remember that your lantern's light is your life. The light will extinguish if it's too far from you.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@langit; text
Date: 2020-02-08 02:51 am (UTC)Hey, Namine. Everything's fine. I'm gonna come get you. Are you still near the bonfire?
@lingering-will; text
Date: 2020-02-08 02:54 am (UTC)[She's a little tired but she'd waited, just as she had said she would.]
text >>> action
Date: 2020-02-08 03:33 am (UTC)[ And he'll arrive, maybe in only two layers of sweatshirts instead of his usual four. His eyes and nose are a little red, but he seems to be okay. Where are you, Naminé? He'll come right up to her wherever she is. He has a small object wrapped in another sweatshirt under his arm. ]
action
Date: 2020-02-10 06:48 pm (UTC)Sora!
[She steps towards him, her fingers tugging at her jacket as it to pull the warm material closer to her slender frame.]
You're okay. [She'd never thought she'd be so relieved to see him in one piece but her eyes soon drop to the large wrapping in his arms.] What's that?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-11 04:22 am (UTC)Hey, Naminé, I'm fine. [ He looks down when she points out the package... ah. ]
We need to make a stop at the church on the way back. [ He bites the inside of his cheek, but nods. ] This is something I need to drop off, there. Ready to go?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-11 05:38 pm (UTC)Sor- [His hand ruffles her hair a little and she pauses at the tingling warmth that thrills down her spine. Naminé isn't used to those light affectionate touches but it feels nice.] Ah. Yes. Alright. I'm ready.
That's on the way to the Inn. [If she remembers correctly.] Are you dropping this off? [She points to the cloth wrapped in his hand but doesn't ask him what it is again. If he wants to tell her, he will.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-11 09:32 pm (UTC)[ And his face sort of... softens. He's a little tired, but she needs to know this. All right. He braces himself as they start walking along. ] Hey, um. Do you know what happens if your lantern breaks here?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-11 11:08 pm (UTC)[She's a master at looking on the bright side... as long as it doesn't involve her own existence.]
The lanterns? [Her lips tilt into a frown.] No. Someone said to keep mine with me and keep it safe but I don't know what happens if something happens to it.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-12 03:22 am (UTC)[ Okay, a little less abrupt this time. He's learned his lesson from the cabin. ] If you ever find someone's lantern, and it's broken and it's lost its light? You have to take it to the church and put it somewhere where Dr. Solis can find it. [ He smiles down at her. ] She's a doctor that can try to fix it and put the light back inside.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-13 07:23 pm (UTC)She wonders about it sometimes but there is a lot to wonder about in this world.]
Does that help? The lanterns... we're not supposed to leave them behind, right.
[She pauses for a moment and then gently takes Sora's hand while they walk. She wants to make sure he's really there.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-14 09:27 pm (UTC)Right. These lanterns are connected to our lives. If they go out... then we do too. The doctor can help, but sometimes what she does doesn't... work right. We still have to do our best, though. A small chance is better than nothing, right?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-15 12:00 am (UTC)[She smiles, just a little as, their fingers lace together. Naminé wants to smile more but she can't help but look at the lantern wrapped up in his arms and worry.]
What about healing? Can you do that here? That is, does it work?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-15 07:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-02-17 09:03 pm (UTC)[She looks over at him, a little worried.]
Well... um, if you get hurt again. I'll try and help take care of you. Not that I want you to get hurt but if it happens. If that's okay.... [She's only a little awkward.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-18 05:59 am (UTC)Of course it's okay. [ He smiles down at her. ] Why wouldn't it be? You're always helping me, Naminé. It's me who should be helping you out more.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-21 03:39 am (UTC)I'm glad. [Her smile widens.] You're amazing Sora! You're always there for your friends, no matter what. [She wants to be like that too.] I want to be able to help more. I owe you... everyone.
I want to be better and- well, I think someone should watch out for you too. So I'll be there to keep you safe. [Or at least watch when horrible things happen.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-22 01:43 am (UTC)He rubs his nose with a finger, smiling. Shucks. ]
You keep saying that. [ It's like she doesn't know that just by being here, she's basically changed his entire outlook on who he is and what he's worth. He's gotta start making that more obvious. ]
Well, I'll keep trying too, but for you? You don't owe me anything. I feel like you've already done so much just by being here. Whatever you did to owe me, I feel like you've already paid it back.
So... if you want to do anything, even if it's for me, you should do it for yourself. Not because you owe me. Because it makes you feel good to do it. Know what I mean?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-24 02:01 am (UTC)It makes it all very awkward.]
AH. Yes. I think so.
[She is trying to rework how she thinks but it's hard.]
It does make me happy. When I see you smile I'm happy. [So maybe she does understand.] It's strange. Sora. Do you think it's weird that we're dead but I feel like this is the first time I've been alive?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-25 12:48 am (UTC)You know, that's kind of what makes me wonder if we're all the way dead in the first place. [ He grins. ] I think it's good that you feel alive here. I think we're alive too! Or, like, if we're dead, we can't be dead in a way that matters. We're dead in the way Jack Skellington was, remember him? We can still feel.
So. I guess I gotta keep smiling, huh? [ He looks at the snow thoughtfully, then bobs his head. ] I want you to be happy. So if that's what makes you happy, I guess I'll have to keep smiling!
no subject
Date: 2020-02-27 06:02 pm (UTC)[She looks thoughtfully ahead of them and sees the church slowly coming into view.]
Yeah. I remember him. I think that's it because... maybe it's just me. It isn't normal to be a Nobody and then a spirit and then have a body. So maybe this is just another not-normal thing happening.
[It's very hard for Naminé to think she's dead but it could always be denial.
She turns back to Sora and her expression softens.]
Smile when you're happy and if you aren't happy, I'll cheer you up! I don't want you to force yourself Sora. I want you to be yourself. [She likes it when he's himself.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-28 06:19 am (UTC)[ They're coming up to the door. He turns to face her, serious. He doesn't know who he is, but if she tells him to be himself... then the closest thing is Sora. So. He can try that for a bit. ] Then after we deliver this, I have a mission for you. It'll make me smile at the end, promise! Let's go in first, though. [ And he'll push open that door to let her in. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-28 12:52 pm (UTC)Maybe life is all about giving yourself a meaning to live and while she's been here, she's found that meaning. She doesn't want to just give it up. No matter how hard it might be.]
A mission? Okay. [She looks up at the church as they grow closer.] What is the mission?
no subject
Date: 2020-02-28 05:51 pm (UTC)[ He'll keep holding the door open until she catches up, and he'll shut it behind her once she's in. ]
The soldier... told me to tell you that you should give me a hug.
[ Which is super awkward to say! Not that Naminé would know that, so here's Sora... explaining. ] I mean, um, I don't think I'd ask, especially if you don't want to! And if you don't want to, you shouldn't. [ It's just that it's been a really rough night and Soldat is not the hug giving type. Incapable of it right now, actually. ] It's just that they can't and I think they wanted to.
no subject
Date: 2020-02-28 07:09 pm (UTC)It's alright Sora.
[She smiles though she feels the soft touch of heat warm her cheeks.]
I'd be happy to hug you. I want too.
Whenever you need it. [She looks up at the church and then down at the end of the isles as they step inside. Her steps slow to a stop as Sora continues forward to place the shattered lantern down. Naminé doesn't leave him but she hangs back a few feet in case he wants space for this... It had been Sora's friend that went missing.]
no subject
Date: 2020-02-28 09:00 pm (UTC)Sora will go on his own, removing the shattered lantern from the sweatshirt and placing it on the altar. It's not like Masaomi was someone he knew, but maybe he would someday. That's enough of a reason, he thinks. For any of this.
He squares his shoulders after a moment of thought, takes in a deep breath, and heads back down to meet Naminé. ]
You can hug me whenever you want. I don't mind. [ He shakes his head. ] I... don't think this is a replacement for the soldier, by the way. It's.
[ He bites the inside of his cheek. It's been really hard lately, he wants to say. It's been so much easier with her around, but it's still been so hard. He's been alone for such a long, long time. Tonight was a drop in a bucket, but that bucket's getting pretty darn full. Please. I don't want to be alone.
But he doesn't want to burden her. Make sure the girl keeps smiling. That's the rule. ]
I dunno. I like hugs. So, that's the mission, should you choose to accept it. [ And he does his best to smile, because that's the easiest way to get a smile spreading in a room. Be the change you want to see, right? ] You don't have to, though. You'll always have a choice.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-05 01:19 am (UTC)Then I want to hug you every day.
For me.
[Not only because he'd asked or because Soldat say too but because she wants too.
She feels the warmth of his torso and the steady thrum of his heart as her head rests on his chest. She isn't used to touching like this but it's nice.] I like hugs too.
[An awkward amount of time passes before she gently pulls away. Naminé has no idea how long a hug is actually supposed to last.]
no subject
Date: 2020-03-06 07:52 am (UTC)This is nice. Feeling close to someone else. It's good.
He'll pull away when she does, grinning, his ears a little red. Good thing he's all cried out for tonight, that definitely would have set him off again. ]
Mission accomplished. You're good at that. [ And he lets her go, holding his hand out. ] Ready to go? [ Let's get you home, missie. ]
/end
Date: 2020-03-06 01:08 pm (UTC)Yeah.
[Her smile widens as she places her hand in his and follows him from the church.]
delivery!
Date: 2020-02-26 10:31 am (UTC)I hope you're doing OK.
Carrying around a lantern all day is a hassle. Here's a belt and a clip to keep your lantern close with your hands free.
Remember that your lantern's light is your life. The light will extinguish if it's too far from you.
Be careful.
- Riku
text; @lingering-will
Date: 2020-02-27 06:15 pm (UTC)I'll use it every day.
-Naminé