First Flare

[eternalfrolicbond]

[A lanky redheaded man in a long black coat waves at the screen, apparently already comfortable with how it works. A komory bat is fluttering around above his head.]

Didn’t think I’d see this place again. Hey, everyone, my name is Lea. [He grins.] Don’t forget it, now.

I don’t know how I ended up here again, but does anyone know what’s going on? The moogle said you guys had been trying to work out what was up but that it didn’t seem like anyone had figured out how to get home. Since this isn’t the exam, I don’t think anyone’s going to try to wake me up any time soon.

Comments

[eternalfrolicbond]

[Lea nods and stretches.]

I could use the exercise. See ya soon.

[He clicks the communicator off and heads for the meeting place.]

[skysmirror]

See you.

[Xion doesn't lose any time in heading over there, the better to be ready when he arrives.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

[Lea hadn't thought that there would be quite so many nightmares on the way; luckily they weren't strong, so he could get some keyblade practice in on the way. Stars proved pretty useful too, for all that she was haughty and reminded him a bit of some of the Org members. Still, she had his back.

He waved to Xion as he approached; he still felt an ache in his chest looking at her, and he wished he knew why.]

Hey there.

[skysmirror]

[Nightmares sometimes crowded where you might not otherwise expect to find them. At least they were just the normal kind.

Xion looked up when he approached and gave a small smile.]

Hey.

[Barkley and Axel, not hampered by any shyness, hurried over to inspect the newcomers.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

[Stars flies over to meet the newcomer and apparently decides that Barkley isn't bad, or at least that's how Lea figures her flapping around Barkley means.]

So.

[...right, now what did he do? 'So I don't remember you and this is crazy, but I swear I kind of do remember you, so tell me if I'm maybe right?' was the worst way to start a conversation.]

[skysmirror]

[Barkley is not bad at all, and would be happy to play if Stars wanted.

Really, was there any way to start this conversation that wasn't awkward? Axel seemed more than happy to take the situation in hand, though, running up to investigate Lea.]

Axel! Be nice!

[Xion hurries over to collect her wayward Spirit.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Aww, you missed me, huh?

[He's not sure how to take people naming things after him. It's nice but weird?]

[skysmirror]

[He should meet Ienzo's Meow Wow.

Xion looks slightly embarrassed.]

Hebby Reps can use fire, so...I guess he reminded me a little bit.

[She picks Axel up to get better control of him. Not that he seems to mind; he just squeaks happily and does his best impression of a scarf, watching Lea from where his head now rests on her shoulder.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

I guess you're probably used to the why don't I remember you discussion by now, huh?

[Oh, good job, that doesn't sound like you're putting her on the spot at all, Lea.]</small.

[skysmirror]

A little. Like I said, it's a long story.

[He's one of very few people that had a chance of getting it all out of her at the moment, though.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Oh, yeah! I got something for you. And one for Roxas too; maybe I should wait until we're all together.

[He frowns doubtfully. They could make it something for all three of them, but he's not good at waiting to give out presents.]

[skysmirror]

[Well, that gets her interest.]

For both of us? Yeah, maybe we should wait, then.

[Having never given a present, Xion's not too sure about how one goes about it.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

[He thinks about it for a moment longer, then shrugs and takes out a popsicle stick with "winner" emblazoned on it and offers it over anyway.]

I'm pretty bad at waiting to give out gifts. Sorry it's not wrapped or anything.

[skysmirror]

[Xion accepts it with a smile.]

That's okay. Thanks. I'll save it for when we all go to get ice cream sometime.

[eternalfrolicbond]

We've gotta make that sooner rather than later.

[skysmirror]

Yeah. We have a lot to catch up on.

[Like all the missing memories. But that's best saved for later.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

So...I'm guessing that I owe you an apology?

[He's not sure, but what he remembers with Roxas kind of indicates that he probably does. Or maybe not? How different are his memories, since she's not in them?]

[skysmirror]

[Not very, but he doesn't know that, yet. Xion shakes her head in response to his question. Why would he need to apologize?]

No, not that I can think of.

[eternalfrolicbond]

[Lea looks a bit surprised at that. He'd thought he'd messed everything up, hurt them both. Maybe it hadn't been so bad with her around?]

Oh. Uh.

[skysmirror]

[Well, Xion had her own part in messing things up, so she's not about to blame him too much. She sighs.]

There weren't really any good choices, by the end.

[eternalfrolicbond]

[He shakes his head but he's grinning.]

You can say that again.

[skysmirror]

[Xion offers a small smile in return.]

At least we're all here now?

[It's not the best situation, but having her friends here helps a lot.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Yeah. Where are you staying these days?

[Living together would be weird but nice.]

[skysmirror]

With Even--he has a place above his shop.

[It's not perfect, but they make it work. Though the possibility of living with her friends was appealing, it would be odd, and she didn't like the idea of leaving Even alone. Given Even's reaction to Lea, though, the situation could become awkward no matter what.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

[Oh, well, that's going to go over well. It's like his life is turning into a parade of awkward and painful moments. ...so not much change there.]

Oh. Uh, he's not always easy to get along with; how is that going for you?