⊕ 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 takes a long moment for that to sink in. It might be a very stifling silence.

Then, a sardonic sound as Terra's gaze drops from the burnt spot where the dummy had once been.]

That sounds familiar.

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

Because that's one thing that hasn't changed.

[Even when he was with Maleficent, he still wanted to protect Kairi.]

[erodingearth]

[His thoughts are all caught up in a whirlwind right now. He believes Riku, and yet it also conflicts with what he's learned from both Master Eraqus and Master Xehanort. They couldn't all be right, could they? It was hard to deny what he had seen just now with Riku...]

You strayed in a big way, Riku.

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know.

[And yet again, he doesn't sound proud of it.]

[erodingearth]

[I've strayed too. He's just as guilty as Riku is. Maybe even more, if his giving Riku the Keyblade influenced his decisions.

The anger is gone. He feels drained as he turns around to face the other.]

...I'm sorry. I'm in no place to judge.

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

[He shrugs.]

It's fine. Most people think of the darkness that way; I shouldn't have expected anything different.

[erodingearth]

[He still feels somewhat restless, which is keeping him from dismissing his Keyblade. But the fact that Riku's strange armor has disappeared helps.]

I don't understand what happened. Why did your clothes change like that?

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

It's what happens when I tap into the darkness. But that's not all. I'm a lot faster in Dark Mode. Stronger, too.

[A beat.]

But it takes a lot out of me when I use it.

[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.]

[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.

[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.]

[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.