⊕ 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

[erodingearth]

It happens once in awhile. [Not to this extent, though.]

Lately? [Because of the draft? Or Vanitas?]

[perplexme]

Lately. Can't say I trust a lot of things around here anymore. [Mostly the latter.]

[erodingearth]

[He shakes his head a little.] You've been here awhile, so I can't say I'm surprised.

[perplexme]

I just wish things were different. They were actually sort of safe in comparison when I first got here. I know I'm not the only one who patrols around here.

[erodingearth]

I don't like to admit it, but things happen even with patrols. You need to be ready to react fast and with everything you've got. [But even saying that, he hates that he couldn't be more effective, more of a protector for his friends.]

Are you usually patrolling alone like this?

[perplexme]

Nothing's happened yet...besides, I'm always ready. I worked a lot when I was home.

[Another shrug.] I don't want anybody else getting involved just in case. That makes sense, doesn't it?

[erodingearth]

[Worked a lot at home, huh? No wonder he came across as so responsible.]

It makes sense, yes. But that doesn't mean you have to do this alone.

[perplexme]

Are you telling me you would have taken Ven and Aqua out on patrols if you had to do that at home?

[erodingearth]

We all pulled our own weight back home. So yes, I would have.

[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]

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.]

[perplexme]

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

[erodingearth]

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

[perplexme]

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

[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.]

[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?

[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...

[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?]