With You In Spirit [Post-Dream & April Backlog]

[pactfulfilled]

Characters: Asbel Lhant and OPEN
When: Backdated to April 15-until (training), post-Dream (everything else)
Where: Aqures Ixen, County of Flence
Summary: Asbel tries to cope with strange dreams, mysterious letters, and an unexpected repeat case of "amnesia".
Warnings: Friendship.


[TRAINING MONTAGE/AQURES IXEN - OPEN]
"Ever used a sword before, Tern?" Asbel casts a smile behind him at his furry companion, floating a safe distance away from any rogue swings. He'd sent out letters asking for a sparring partner, and it seems he's patiently waiting for one now - running through a few warm-up exercises he learned during his days at the Knight Academy as he exchanges small talk with the moogle.

"N-no, n-n-never! Weapons are-are r-r-really dangerous k-k-kupo!" Tern shivers at the thought. "And p-people get hurt!"

"I guess you're right... But you know, that's not all they're for? Swords can cut and they can kill, it's true. But they can also be used to protect the people we care about." Which was exactly what Asbel intended to do. If he couldn't face the problem head-on, he'd use this time to prepare and become stronger so he could be of use to the others once they learned more. He couldn't just sit around doing nothing, after all.

"How about martial arts, then? Even you ought to know how to defend yourself."

"Nooo!" Tern cries. "The best way to defend yourself is to run away, kupo!"

[WAKING - OPEN TO B-08, neighborhood]
Asbel awakens with an alarmed shout and would have all but jumped out of bed in a frenzy of movement if not for the tangled sheets jerking him back onto his stomach with a flop. Cold sweat slicks his forehead and he finds himself shaking and gasping for breath. He hasn't felt anything like this in a long time, not since--

And then it floats back up into his mind anew. The fighters, the bodies, and the woman - their comrade - who decided to take matters into her own hands.

'What was that? What--?!'

It doesn't seem like a random dream. It's too vivid, too real. As if he'd been nestled in someone else's mindspace, watching through their eyes. Through Richard's eyes.

Asbel yanks the blankets away from his legs, pulling himself out of bed, only to stumble sideways against the wall with a loud thump, jarring his left arm.

"I have to go..."

[VISITING/COUNTY OF FLENCE - OPEN]
He'd promised not to do anything reckless, right? Funny how Asbel had lied yet again... But it wasn't as if he could simply ignore the letter. Not after that dream. Not after..watching Richard's final moments. Guilt and sorrow sting at his gut, causing his brow to furrow as he makes his way through a seemingly peaceful community. He hasn't done a lot of traveling before now, but this seems as good a time as any.

"This address... I wonder if the streets are set up like they are in Aqures Ixen? I mean, what if the house doesn't even have a number on it?"

[MOPING/AQURES IXEN - OPEN]
Asbel makes his way through Aqures Ixen, head bowed, and shoulders drooping. He's pretty sure he looks like a walking catastrophe (and he does, with his more-of-a-mess-than-usual hair and puffy eyes) but he can't bring himself to care. Even that horrible dream couldn't have prepared him for seeing Richard again, face-to-face. Only...Richard doesn't know him at all now. It's like Sophie all over again, but worse. Asbel doesn't think he's been battered around by so many emotions one after another since...since their journey to the Lastalia. He'd seen how the battle ended. He and Sophie had died. And so had Richard. So then, what was he doing here? Was this somehow a different Richard?

Asbel's steps slow, and he stands there, right in the middle of the pathway, wondering how any of it could've happened and when. How his brain could've come up with something so horrible on its own if it didn't.

"But other people had the same dream, right?" He reminds himself aloud. "So, doesn't that make it true? Maybe it was some kind of vision from a long time ago..."

Besides, he'd seen Richard with his own eyes. He'd seemed so confused by Asbel's outburst, had just apologized politely and (finally) had bid him good day like an embarrassed stranger. Is that what they are? Strangers? The thought kind of hurts. He wants to be there for him, to make things right somehow, to be friends again. He'd have stayed behind if he could have, helped Richard regain his memories just as he had for Sophie, but... But.

"Richard seemed happy at least?"

Comments

[pactfulfilled]

Asbel's head jerked up in surprise, his cheeks coloring slightly at the unexpected gesture. Still, he remained silent and barely blinking while she told her tale.

What I can to protect them now... A small frown played on his face. Asbel could still remember what it was like watching a friend turn his back on the peace he believed in because of how much the world had hurt him. What could have happened to Terra to make her change so much? What kind of pain or fear could drive someone to kill their own friends? He doesn't know any of that, but he knows that the Terra who's telling him all this wouldn't do that. It doesn't add up.

"I don't know...what sort of life that person had, or what would make her do all those things. But I don't think you're the same. Someone who'd show concern for someone she just met wouldn't turn on her friends."

He looked over at her, blue eyes steady. "And you're right. We can't give up. Maybe it'll take some time, but I trust we can both find a way to stop the past in that dream from happening again. Because neither of us want that."

[greenmagick]

Terra smiled at his kind words. It was a lot more complicated that she was letting on but she didn't think she needed to explain in detail just how close to a possible reality that is.

"Together then." Her voice was soft as her smile grew a little wider. She didn't want him to have to face these things alone. She found that it didn't always end well when one did. "I mean.." She dropped her hands suddenly feeling self conscious. "If I can help at all. I'd like too."

[pactfulfilled]

Most things were just that - complicated.

"Yeah." Having his hands abruptly freed, Asbel awkwardly tucked one behind his neck. "Thanks, Terra - I really do appreciate it. And same for you, if there's any way I can help."

Well, no use avoiding the issue now. Asbel's shoulders drooped a little, and yet he didn't seem as dazed or depressed as he had before. Still, it seemed unfair to burden her when she had troubles of her own to deal with. But, maybe they could do something about that.

"Um. By the way... Did you receive a note with directions? It seems like a lot of people did. When I went to the address a couple days ago, the man who answered looked like the friend I was with in the dream. But he didn't recognize me at all. I guess it shook me up a bit for him not to know who I was, since we've known each other for so long. And after everything else, too."

[greenmagick]

"I did." Terra's hands dropped to her sides, lightly playing with the hem of her dress as she spoke. "It lead me to a house a little ways from Aqures. There was a young girl, I think a few years younger than me and she looked just like me but with blond hair. We were both shocked and I left without saying a word."

It had been a strange experience, almost surreal.

One hand rose to grip her arm as if to hug herself. "I don't really understand it myself. I am here aren't I?" She felt like a copy, like the real Terra was here all along and her memories and thoughts were just dreams.

It felt as if she was the one who didn't exist. "Sorry. It's just confusing."

[pactfulfilled]

Strange wasn't even the half of it, and Asbel's expression did nothing to hide his surprise. So she'd met someone who looked like her? He couldn't be sure what he'd do (let alone say) if he found himself in the same situation. Meeting Richard had hurt, but meeting a younger Asbel? His brain was having an even harder time with that one.

"That had to have been pretty...uncomfortable," he managed, somewhat lamely. "Sorry, Terra. I turned this into an awfully heavy conversation, and we only just met each other."

She still seemed uncertain, and the question had him frowning again in concern (and confusion).

"What? Yeah, of course you're here, Terra. Otherwise I'd be standing around having conversations with myself." Which he did sometimes, but whatever. He spread his hands slowly. "Point is, regardless of who that girl was, you've been living your life all this time. No matter how weird things get moving forward, nothing can change that."

"I admit I'm just as confused as you are, but maybe if the others are willing to share what they experienced, we can start piecing things together. It might tell us what the dream meant."

[greenmagick]

Terra listened to Asbel silently trying to piece things together everything in her head. She had never been very good at organizing her thoughts but she assumed it was because of her laps in memory. She hadn't thought that the other heroes were in a similar state of confusion.

Her expression shifted to a calm sort of peace as she shook her head. "No, it's alright. I'm sorry if I brought it up." She didn't mind serious conversations but they were standing in the middle of the wall way with very serious expressions on their faces. She glanced around realizing that those walking path had begun to give the pair a wide berth.

"Thank you." She paused. "For talking with me."

[pactfulfilled]

Asbel was about to point out that he'd pretty much been the one to bring it up in the first place when he noticed that Terra's attention had drifted. Blinking, Asbel was brought back out of his thoughts, also coming to the conclusion that people were diverting around them.

"It's no problem at all," he turned back to her, offering a smile as he gestured with open hands. "But maybe we should look for another place to talk? I feel kind of bad about blocking the path like this." He rubbed the back of his head then, glancing about quickly and then pointing out a spot not far from where they already were, a small green space nestled beside one of the walls marking the boundaries between properties.

"How about over there?"

[greenmagick]

Terra gave him a nod and then followed towards the small patch of green that remained nestled out of the way. She pressed her back against the wall, her eyes looking out at the crowded street. Where they were standing had been quickly filled in by those passing by as if they had never stood there at all.

Her gaze shifted over to Asbel.

She didn't know a lot about him even though she had reached out to him. It was hard for relate to others or talk to them but she felt a little lighter knowing that she could. Her stare was curious though not overly pressing as she watched Asbel.

"I wonder... if everyone had a bad time with the dreams."

[pactfulfilled]

"I don't know," Asbel admitted, propping a hand against the wall. "But I hope not. The Heroes in our dreams must've gone through a lot, but I want to believe it wasn't all difficult. I don't think they could have stuck together for as long as they did if they hadn't spent happy moments together, too."

But he had apologized for the heavy atmosphere, and continuing to dwell on their dreams and what they saw definitely wasn't going to lighten it at all. Asbel let out a breath, trying to let go of the memory even though he knew it'd just come back later to follow him around.

"So, what have you been up to lately? It's been a while since the letters. Anything interesting?"

[greenmagick]

"I've been thinking about starting a flower shop. I have a few friends wanting to help but other than that I mostly stay in the city and read." Her roommate collects book so it's nice to be able to read them.

Terra also wasn't the most social person and so book suited her. She glanced down at her hands which were nervously playing with the hem of her dress.

"What about you?"

[pactfulfilled]

"A flower shop, huh? That'll be nice." He glanced over at her, smiling softly. "I've never met anyone who didn't like flowers. Actually, I know a lot of people who are pretty big fans."

Asbel seemed fairly at ease as he pressed his back against the wall, considering her question.

"As for me, I've been trying to fit training in every day. And I'm thinking about taking a job somewhere, too. It seems like there aren't too many people willing to clean up around here, so I thought I might do that. I know it doesn't sound too exciting, but I figure that way I'll be able to meet lots of people, learn my way around town better, and be available in case something happens."

[greenmagick]

"You should bring them by then." When she has it set up of course which Tempest was in the middle of assisting with. She had a lot to learn before the shop could open but she was excited nonetheless.

Terra nodded and then followed Asbel's example and leaned against the hard wall. Her bright blue gaze remained on him as she spoke as if his voice held the secrets to the universe.

"That's very logical." She states as a comment wondering if her shop would be alright if she wasn't around to tend to it. It was certainly an issue she'd bring up with Tempest at a later date.