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]

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.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

I'm pretty sure the complicating part is on the rest of us. Don't worry about it.

[He gives her a reassuring smile. Any weirdness isn't her fault.]

[colorbymemory]

I'll try not to.

[She offers a smile in return. Much as she understands that their issues are between them, she still worries.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Good girl. We'll have to have a dinner with all our friends soon. All our friends who are on speaking terms.

[colorbymemory]

That'd be Sora, Roxas, maybe Xion...It's too bad Riku isn't here, or Kairi.

[He'd meet some of their new friends soon, but for now, just that group was nice.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Yeah. I'm not much for cooking - sandwiches, you know, and stuff - but I'm sure we could come up with something. I'm sure Roxas doesn't cook. Maybe Sora does?

[Oh, yeah, dinner involves food. Cooking was never high on his list of things to learn, but he can feed himself, anyway.]

[colorbymemory]

I don't know, we can ask. I could bring some cookies.

[She's getting pretty good at those. Even simple things are nice, but she hasn't forgotten the time Axel tried to get her to eat something spicy from The Land of Dragons...]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Picking up baking as a hobby?

[He was pretty sure that Ienzo and company knew how to cook, but he wasn't going to ask them for food.]

[colorbymemory]

It's part of how I help at the tea shop--making the snacks. Sora taught me a little.

[Ienzo is often the one in charge of meals. Maybe someday the situation will smooth over so Lea can taste test for himself.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

[Maybe they would be able to work out food on their own, then.]

It sounds like it's a good job.