⊕ 03 [action]

[erodingearth]

[This takes place on Friday, the last day of the experiment.

Terra's been feeling a strong desire to train today. Pullups and pushups in the clearing, combat training in the battle dome... He's got stamina to spare, but there's no doubt he's pushing himself; usually he has the sense to stop once in awhile.

He can be seen in the forest near house 39 exercising in the morning or over in the battle dome past noon. ...Or maybe even passed out on the grass on his way back to the house, towards midnight.]

Comments

[perplexme]

...my friends and I all pulled our own weight, but that's why I wouldn't make them come with me on my own missions. Guess it's different.

[erodingearth]

"Dark Mode." [Well, it's a simple and straightforward way to describe it.] It's a lot of power. I'm not surprised it's tiring. [Maybe he hadn't been in touch with the darkness long enough to necessarily feel how tiring it was.]

[erodingearth]

Sometimes you want to be together for these types of things. Especially if you know it's something you can't handle alone.

[Like he's one to talk. He'd been so focused on finding Vanitas and holding on to that grudge against Aqua that he shut her--and Ven, to an extent--out.]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

I try to only use it when I have to, just so it doesn't wear me out. At least when I don't have my cloak with me.

[Which he doesn't right now.]

When I do, I can use it without any strain.

[erodingearth]

...Cloak? [That sounds odd.]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

Yeah. The black coat I wear sometimes; it protects me from the darkness.

[erodingearth]

Like my armor? But if it's your own darkness... [He trails off, trying to figure it out himself.] It suppresses your darkness?

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

It keeps me from being swallowed by it, so I guess you could say that.

[erodingearth]

[Huh.] Must be a really special coat.

[action]

[erodingearth]

I've heard about these kidnappings... And apparently people going home and somehow coming back. [He shakes his head.] It would be nice if there was a way to tell something was coming.

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

That's one way of putting it. If nothing else, it's pretty useful.

[He swishes his sword.]

Anyway, you want to keep going?

[erodingearth]

[He starts to lift his Keyblade, but hesitates.]

Is it okay? Isn't that Dark Mode of yours going to appear again?

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[He shakes his head.]

Don't worry, I can handle it. Wouldn't be fair if I slipped into it, anyway.

[erodingearth]

[Oh, that sounds all right, th-- Wait.]

"Wouldn't be fair"?

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[He smirks.]

Because it gives me an extra edge while it lasts. Increased speed and jumping height... I think that'd be overdoing it. Especially when I could focus on physical attacks and magic.

[erodingearth]

The darkness may be strong, but it can't give you that much of an edge. [...Well. Hopefully.]

[perplexme]

[He pauses for a moment, giving Terra a curious look.] ...do you really believe that though?

[action]

[presumablyalone]

I wish there was a way to tell that too. [He sits up and looks at Terra, frowning. He's honestly a bit scared of these people] You won't let them take you away...right?

[erodingearth]

[He hesitates before responding. This was something he had learned the hard way.] I believe it more now than I used to.

[action]

[erodingearth]

[Terra tilts his head when Seto sits up, finally getting the strength together to sit up a little as well.]

Let them? I'd be fighting every step of the way.

[action]

[presumablyalone]

Good...[He moves his knees up to his chest and hugs them, trying his best not to imagine that happening]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

You'd be surprised.

[The darkness made him incredibly strong, but he still doesn't want to risk overdoing it here.]

[erodingearth]

After everything with Vanitas, I think it'd be a surprise I can handle.

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[Man, he's got a point there. Riku sighs.]

Yeah, but I'll still try not to use it.

[erodingearth]

All right. It's not like I'd force you to use it.

[He lifts up his Keyblade again, giving it an experimental swing. His arm feels a little heavy now that he's had some time to rest and let his body catch up with all of the exertion.]

Let's keep going.