⊕ 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

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

You got it.

[And, right away, he's hopping back to get some distance.]

[erodingearth]

[For now, Terra can focus on the battle at hand. It's much preferable over discussing the darkness and those reminders of his own failings.

They finally finish with their practice some time later, and Terra heads off to the training console to cancel the program.]

[perplexme]

If I asked what changed your mind, you wouldn't tell me would you?

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[It was interesting battling Terra. He might not be the quickest fighter, but he's definitely got fighting experience.

And by the time he's finished, Riku dismisses his weapon and approaches him. He's a little exhausted, but there's still something on his mind.]

[erodingearth]

It's not a big secret or anything. For awhile, I was caught up in my own problems, my own doubts. And somewhere along the way, I lost sight of the fact that my friends are my strength. [And he'd needed the help of a little boy to realize that much.] The situation with Vanitas showed me that there are some things you just can't do alone.

[He still had trouble sticking to that mindset, though. A work in progress.]

[erodingearth]

[Terra's Keyblade disappears as he turns to focus on the training console, pushing a few buttons and watching as different parts of it quickly disappear.]

Your jumps are impressive. [He muses aloud.]

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

Heh, thanks.

[Eee, Terra compliments.]

But I've got nothing on your strength. Plus, that flame move you did was pretty neat. [The shotlock, in other words.]

[erodingearth]

[He's able to face Riku once the program has completely shut down.] The Shotlock I used earlier? You haven't seen anything like it?

[perplexme]

...that happens to a lot of us, doesn't it? Getting caught up, I mean. But at the same time it's hard to let people help you when you don't want them to get hurt. That's not a bad thing, is it?

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[he shakes his head.]

Can't say I have. That's one technique I never picked up. Sora hasn't, either.

[erodingearth]

You never learned under a Master, did you? That might be why.

[erodingearth]

It isn't a bad thing, no. But if everyone wants to help, are you going to turn them all away?

[perplexme]

Honestly? Probably. I can't risk it.

[erodingearth]

[He'd probably laugh if the very idea didn't make his body ache.]

Well, at least you're thorough.

[perplexme]

That's...a good thing, right, Terra?

[erodingearth]

It means you know what you want. And wanting to protect people is a good thing. [He cracks a smile, gazing skyward.] Just don't expect everyone to agree with you that they should stay on the sidelines.

[perplexme]

I think I'm one of the only ones who can protect everybody. But I know my friends won't take it lying down.

...Ven's sort of on my list of people to protect, too. In case you were wondering.

[erodingearth]

I thought as much. [Roxas and Ven would be equally curious in each other.] And I appreciate it. I didn't realize just how bad the situation could get between Ven and Vanitas.

[perplexme]

It happens when you're dealing with somebody who's pure darkness. Vanitas is the main reason I even bother patrolling anymore. If he goes after another one of my friends...

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I never did run into you once I left home.

[He doesn't blame Terra, just... he wishes he did see him.]

[erodingearth]

And defeating him once sure didn't change things. [Did that mean they'd just have to keep killing him? What would that even do to Ven?]

[erodingearth]

I wonder why. Something must have happened. [He wouldn't have just chosen a successor and then left him without guidance.]

...Probably not something we can figure out while we're here, though.

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but we'll make do with what we've got.

Besides, you're here now.

[erodingearth]

Yeah, I guess I am. Lucky you, right? [It's an attempt to lighten up the conversation.] I can teach you, if you're up for learning.

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

Hey, anything you can teach me, I'll be glad to learn.

[Lightening up the conversation helps, and the offer is totally catching his attention. He's waited so long for this!]

Besides, it'll give us something to do.