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

[dork_of_keys]

Join the club, Lea. No one's sure how we got here. We haven't really been making any progress on finding a way out either...

[Going by the background, it ought to be obvious Sora's somewhere in Second District.]

[whoseesbynight]

Exam? No one mentioned an exam.

1/3

[seasaltkeys]

[Roxas can only stare at the screen in shock. He didn't think he'd ever see Axel again. It had been a possibility, but Roxas hadn't ever thought it would happen. He wasn't that lucky.]

2/3

[seasaltkeys]

Ax--

3/3

[seasaltkeys]

[Oh. Wait. He'd Lea hadn't he? The name catches in his throat as he tries to figure what to call him and comes out something like a strangled sigh. He's not ready for this. Doesn't know what to think or say and it's turning into an emotional pile up in his head.

In his panic, he turns the screen off.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Hey, Sora.

[Well, this brings back recent and painful memories.]

I'm preeetty sure it involved going to sleep. So you're stuck...again?

[eternalfrolicbond]

[Lea waves a hand.]

This isn't it so it doesn't really matter.

1/3

[dork_of_keys]

Hey, I'm...

[whoseesbynight]

You're certain?

2/3

[dork_of_keys]

[He's grumbling now.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

Roxas? Roxas?! Hey, where'd you go?

3/4 I lied

[dork_of_keys]

Yes, I'm stuck.

[eternalfrolicbond]

Yeah, that was over before it started. Long story.

4/4 done

[dork_of_keys]

So... what's the last thing you remember before getting here?

[eternalfrolicbond]

I went back home after the stuff at the tower and went to take a nap. I need to talk with Ienzo and the rest of those guys sometime but it's gonna be awkward; I figured I deserved a nap first.

[dork_of_keys]

... I don't suppose you mean Ienzo, Aeleus and Even, do you?

[video]

[alwaysfaithful]

You were here before?

[eternalfrolicbond]

Those are the guys. Why?

[dork_of_keys]

They're here.

[eternalfrolicbond]

Yeah...not exactly here, but I was in the realm of sleep before.

[Lea rubs the back of his head.]

Didn't have problems getting back that time, unlike some people I know, but I guess this is different.

[letteropener]

Hello, Lea. It is a pleasure to meet you.

[Hey, this answerer isn't human.]

[eternalfrolicbond]

...oh, great. So clearly that plan backfired on me.

[Lea doesn't look too put out, however. He'd meant to talk with them anyway. Just...not yet.]

[whoseesbynight]

Oh. Was it one you were going to take?

[seasaltkeys]

[It takes him a long time to turn the screen back on. He's still not sure about what's going on, and he's scared that this is all just a big joke where he's the punchline again.

But it finally turns on. Roxas is still looking for the right things to say.]

I'm here.

[eternalfrolicbond]

[Lea pauses; the grey-skinned girl looked kind of human, but this lady definitely doesn't. Still, his worldview has to allow for ponies who talk.]

Uh, hi.