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

[colorbymemory]

[Namine's smile turns sympathetic.]

I'm sorry. Roxas is here, but I don't know how much looking you can do.

[eternalfrolicbond]

Well, it's good enough to play catchup and figure out a way home. Nothing's ever easy, with this crowd.

[colorbymemory]

Not, but at least there's enough of us here for everyone to help each other.

[eternalfrolicbond]

Where are you staying?

[He knows she can handle herself, but she's not really used to being alone. And she's like Roxas, he guesses; she hasn't done a lot of the normal kid stuff.]

[colorbymemory]

In the apartment above the tea shop, with Ienzo and Aeleus.

[Being alone was never an option, and Ienzo had offered.

No, Namine hasn't done a lot of "normal kid stuff." She's trying to make time for it now, in between helping out at the shop and magic lessons.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Really? With those guys?

[He's not sure he's okay with that. They weren't as bad as Marluxia and Larxene, but they were still part of the crew in Castle Oblivion and they might not be safe for her.]

[colorbymemory]

[She's perfectly safe, thank him very much. Why does nobody trust her choices of housemates?]

Yes. Ienzo offered not long after we got here, and then Aeleus arrived so we offered to let him stay with us.

[eternalfrolicbond]

[It might be the various murder attempts and successes there. Probably that.]

Well...you're a big girl; I guess you can handle yourself. I don't think they'll want me hanging around too much.

[colorbymemory]

{Namine was no part of that.]

I'll let you know if anything happens.

They might not, but I don't have to be there all the time.

[eternalfrolicbond]

We should hang out. Compare notes.

[He realizes suddenly that he doesn't know when she's from, which could make things awkward.]

[colorbymemory]

We probably should. I know the last thing I remember before waking up here is falling asleep at the mansion waiting for you and Riku.

[Well, there's his explanation. They should still hang out, though. She'll bring cookies. With icing.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Right...not everything went great from there, but it's working out.

[No reason to get all heavy about everything yet.]

[colorbymemory]

Riku explained some of it when he was here for a little while.

[Not all the details, but enough for her to know a few things.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

I kind of died. It was worth it, though, don't worry.

[colorbymemory]

He said you were helping Sora when it happened.

[And she hadn't been there, apparently.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Yeah. You and Riku were going to get Kairi; I went to make sure that Sora could make it through.

I guess he did.

[colorbymemory]

[Oh. Well, she had wanted to meet her other, and they'd known Kairi needed help.]

I think so, too.

[At least he probably hadn't been alone when he died. Sora would never leave someone to that fate.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

I don't mean to get all doom and gloom at you. Uh...do you know when Ienzo and company are from?

[colorbymemory]

[Some things need to be discussed, it's okay.]

I think they came here not long after they woke up whole in Radiant Garden.

[eternalfrolicbond]

That's gonna get weird. I figured my apology might be put off for a while, but I guess not.

[colorbymemory]

[Namine offers a sympathetic smile. At least he has the chance to, now?]

Some things are best done sooner rather than later.

[eternalfrolicbond]

Yeah, definitely. Well, I'm glad you're getting along with 'em.

[colorbymemory]

I don't think we've ever had that much difficulty. Zexion taught me to read, and Ienzo's teaching me magic now.

[eternalfrolicbond]

[Lea makes a face.]

I'll see what I can do to make things work out there. Don't want you to get caught in the middle.

[colorbymemory]

Thank you. I know not everyone can get along--I'm sorry if I'm complicating things.

[Knowing what she does, she doesn't expect everything to go smoothly.]