006 [Video]

[hiptobe_eraqus]

[Eraqus comes on the screen, but pauses for a long time before speaking. He's got his reasons for asking...namely, that one of Ven's Spirits showed up at his door, but without Ven. And he's only seen that happen for people that have vanished from the dream realm.]

If anyone has seen Ventus...please, please let me know.

[The look on his face and the halting tone of his voice, however, say that he already has an idea of the answer he'll receive.]

Comments

[wavesinherheart]

I... haven't seen him lately. I'm sorry.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

I was afraid of... [He trails off.]

I'm not sure what to do now.

[wavesinherheart]

I know. But he'll be... safe, where he is.

[There's a moment of silence, and then she speaks up again.]

Where are you, right now?

[hiptobe_eraqus]

[He may be safe, but would he also ever be himself again?] I hope so...

I'm in Twilight Town.

[wavesinherheart]

[That is the question, isn't it?]

I'll be there.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

All right.

[He is outside of the house he picked out in this world, with Ven's Spirits...all of them keep pestering him, obviously panicked that they can't find their dad, either.]

[wavesinherheart]

[True to her word, it doesn't take long at all before Aqua arrives, bringing her glider down to land not too far from where Eraqus is standing. However, she hadn't quite expected to find Ven's Dream Eaters out of their minds with worry too.]

I suppose... he really is gone then, isn't he?

[hiptobe_eraqus]

[Eraqus looks up once Aqua lands her glider close to him. Linka keeps hopping between his head and shoulder, squeaking and flapping frantically at him, while Ma-Ti keeps rolling into the side of his leg. He's learned to deal with them by now.]

[And that was really the biggest indication that Ven might be gone from the realm. The very nature of Dream Eaters means they won't leave a person's side...so if Ven was elsewhere in the world, his Spirits would still be with him.]

...I can't help but come to that conclusion.

[wavesinherheart]

I'm sorry.

[She doesn't really know what - if anything - she's actually apologizing for, but it seems like about the right thing to do, even if she's technically not at fault.]

[hiptobe_eraqus]

I just... [He looks towards the horizon, almost afraid to face his student. What if she vanishes, too? What would he do?]

Feel like I could have done something more...

[wavesinherheart]

[She doesn't intend to leave. That doesn't mean that she won't - she doesn't think Ven meant to leave - but she certainly doesn't mean to and perhaps that is a good enough start.]

Mmm. Me too.

[dork_of_keys]

No, not lately. Sorry.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

I see...

If you do see him...please, let me know.

[dork_of_keys]

Okay.

[They may have butted heads a little bit before, but that doesn't mean Sora likes seeing anyone upset. And he can understand how someone suddenly going missing is upsetting.]

I'm sure he's okay.

[It might be sticking his foot in his mouth to say that, but it feels wrong not to try to offer some comfort. And anyway, he believes it to be the case. Even if Ven's left the dream world, Sora knows where his heart will be at least and he fully intends to try to fix things.]

[hiptobe_eraqus]

I know that he's fully capable of taking care of himself... [But he stops before leading into his next thought, because he's still uncertain of where Ven ends up in the future. What if he's not in a position where he can do that?]

[dork_of_keys]

[It's pretty natural to be worried about someone even if it's well known that they can take care of themselves. Sora knows that. He's been there. He also knows that someone who is perfectly capable can end up needing help too. But the help is there.]

He has friends willing to help him too.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

For which I'm grateful.

I just...wanted to help as well. [He doesn't think he's ever going to get the opportunity again.]

[raisethemoon]

We hath not been able to find him anywhere!

[Hello, visibly frantic ponymom]

[hiptobe_eraqus]

[He's trying not to be quite as frantic, but he's not coming across as calm as he'd like.]

Neither have I...which is why I wanted to ask and see if maybe anyone else had.

[raisethemoon]

We hath looked in Twilight Town, and Traverse Town, and the ship and Ponyville -

[Luna doesn't do calm. That's Celestia's job.]

[hiptobe_eraqus]

[That may not be helping, in some ways, since he's just as worried.]

That sounds like all the worlds we're aware of, then. I've checked all but Ponyville...I don't know where else he would be.

[lonenoble]

Do people here disappear often?

[Seeing as Noble Two had been here but disappeared, Six was wondering...]

[hiptobe_eraqus]

It's...not uncommon. [That still doesn't negate how upset he is.]

[colorbymemory]

I'm sorry, Master Eraqus, but I haven't.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

I see. [There's a pause.] Thank you.

[colorbymemory]

You're welcome. I'm sorry I can't be more help.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

It's all right. I know that you consistently do everything you are capable of, and that is more than enough.

[colorbymemory]

[Namine looks surprised but pleased at the compliment, her cheeks slightly red.]

Thank you. I'll let you know if I see him.

[lessabrasive]

When did you last see him?

[ Her tone is brisk, but not unfriendly, given it isn't too difficult to guess why he's asking. ]

[hiptobe_eraqus]

A few days ago. We were doing some training.

[lessabrasive]

Not that long, then. Does he have a usual routine? Places he might typically be found?

[ Her gaze flicks to one side a moment; she may have listened in on Luna's discussion with Eraqus. ]

..Did you ask the Moogles if they'd recovered his communicator?

[hiptobe_eraqus]

I'm only aware of some of it. He is...good at hiding when desired. [After their first encounter here and then their following discussions with Ven wanting his own independence, he tried to be good about giving him his space.]

I haven't yet. I'll do so...just to make sure.

[lessabrasive]

I understand.

[ She's never been quite as good at leaving well enough alone, which may well be why she was such a successful detective. One who ended up with those parallel scars. ]

[ She nods again, Lin's brows drawn into a slight frown. ]

If any would know if he were still here, it would be them. ..They confirmed they had recovered both Bolin's and Asami's, when I asked.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

I see. That would follow. Then I suppose...that would be the best way to confirm this.

[There's no hiding that sadness in his voice, though.]

[lessabrasive]

[ No mistaking at all. There's quiet from Lin. ]

He may yet return.

[hiptobe_eraqus]

[Eraqus pauses for a bit. He's not sure how to feel about that prospect. If he did, would he be better off her, or where he was left last? If he did come back, would he remember everything that had happened between them, or would he have to start all over in mending their relationship? All of it sounds difficult...]

Yes...it's possible. But I'm not sure which state would be the better place for him now...