#r: multif0rmed

[heartlightheartbright]

[[Pre-BBS: I'll Try]]

@multif0rmed

He has to trot to keep up with his Master’s pace. As quietly and unobtrusively as possible, Ventus sticks to his shadow; because that’s what a good apprentice should do, isn’t it? Whatever he has to, in order to be considered capable. Useful.

Even if the idea of training has his stomach in knots. Even if the idea of making mistakes (always, there’s mistakes) has him hiding the anxiety that shakes his fingers with loosely curled fists. Master Xehanort never looks phased by anything- Ventus tries to emulate that. He’s not very good at it yet.

But for the man who pulled him out of nothing, the child is absolutely ready to be whatever he needs to be. A piece of him violently rejects the idea of being alone (again?), so… he’ll be good. The best.

Whatever they do today; training, or studying, or examining a new world, Ventus is going to be the best. And if he’s lucky, Master Xehanort will be happy with that.

[vacationisalie]

[[Turn it Off]]

@multif0rmed

His first impressions of Xehanort aren’t great. Xemnas was always a figure of authority in his mind– someone who could inspire others to follow, if by nothing else but fear. This…old man, with slumped shoulders and age creasing his face?

Less impressive. Doesn’t mean Roxas is willing to underestimate him, but even so. 

The blond doesn’t blurt out the questions others might’ve asked. There’s no but why are you still here!? No how?! Just a teen that slowly walks across the length of the edge of the room, eyes fixed on his opponent.

Neither have drawn their weapon, so maybe the better term is… antagonist. Evil back from the dead. Again.

No one ever stays dead when they should. Roxas included.

[dominuslucis]

● @multif0rmed || continued from here.

● — || Eraqus could feel that something had changed within his friend , something not [ [ r i g h t ] ] . He didn't want to push it , nor did he want to pry , but he [ [ d i d ] ] want to help to the best of his ability . He was reading his book when he looked up to see the state of Xehanort change . His brows furrowed together as his lavender eyes focused on the other .

" Xehanort . . .? "

His voice came soft as he slowly lowered his book . Without [ [ a n y ] ] hesitation , Eraqus stood from his seat and made his way over to Xehanort . He rose on his toes a little and wrapped his arms around his neck , thus burying his nose into the crevice . He held him [ [ t i g h t ] ] as he stood there . He fully expected to be pushed away , to be told to go away or leave but he wouldn't go anywhere . Not when Xehanort needed him .

" You'll be okay . "

He tightened his grip slightly as his fingers curled into the other's clothes .

" I promise . "

I’m here. Always .

[heartlightheartbright]

Ventus nods, for lack of anything better to say. He's not sure what's so interesting about them, but when the sails are caught up and filled by the breeze, it just looks so- freeing.

When his master's instruction comes, the boy flinches, realizing with a start that he'd wandered more than a few steps towards the docks themselves. He hurries back, hastily reaching up to grip the back of Xehanort's jacket.

"Sorry, master." He needs to remember not to get too lost in his own head. That's the quickest way to earn a lecture; or a harsh lesson on what might happen, should he be caught out on his own.

That distance never gets larger. If anything, Ventus is quick to close the gap, hand raising to the back of Xehanort's coat, but never quite touching. If he keeps his eye on him, he doesn't have to look around him- there's no temptation to step off the right path, to wind up lost and adrift, until this chaotic space consumes his heart.

The light at the end of it is abrupt and welcome, even if he has to blink for his eyes to focus. As soon as they do... he's got plenty to catch his attention.

Ventus' head swivels one way, then the next. He watches a lady pass by with a basket propped on one hip, giggling children following in her wake. He stares up at white sails with no small amount of awe. The air tastes like salt, though something smoky wafts from further in the town. Cooked meats, slowly roasting over open fires...

He takes half a step in one direction, then immediately steps in another. The curious inspection doesn't take him too far- but it's really a matter of time.

He has to see everything!

[heartlightheartbright]

The question strikes him with a fount of excitement, and not the smallest dose of hesitation. Again, this is a treat; to be offered the chance on where they go, what they do first. But it's also kind of a test... what if he chooses something boring?

Slowly turning in a circle, the boy's eyes rove everything one more time before he slowly raises his hand to point to the docks- or more specifically, those large, white sails.

"The boats?" He knows... he knows next to nothing about them, actually. Just that they're so big in comparison to the row boats he's seen on other worlds.

That distance never gets larger. If anything, Ventus is quick to close the gap, hand raising to the back of Xehanort's coat, but never quite touching. If he keeps his eye on him, he doesn't have to look around him- there's no temptation to step off the right path, to wind up lost and adrift, until this chaotic space consumes his heart.

The light at the end of it is abrupt and welcome, even if he has to blink for his eyes to focus. As soon as they do... he's got plenty to catch his attention.

Ventus' head swivels one way, then the next. He watches a lady pass by with a basket propped on one hip, giggling children following in her wake. He stares up at white sails with no small amount of awe. The air tastes like salt, though something smoky wafts from further in the town. Cooked meats, slowly roasting over open fires...

He takes half a step in one direction, then immediately steps in another. The curious inspection doesn't take him too far- but it's really a matter of time.

He has to see everything!

[heartlightheartbright]

That distance never gets larger. If anything, Ventus is quick to close the gap, hand raising to the back of Xehanort's coat, but never quite touching. If he keeps his eye on him, he doesn't have to look around him- there's no temptation to step off the right path, to wind up lost and adrift, until this chaotic space consumes his heart.

The light at the end of it is abrupt and welcome, even if he has to blink for his eyes to focus. As soon as they do... he's got plenty to catch his attention.

Ventus' head swivels one way, then the next. He watches a lady pass by with a basket propped on one hip, giggling children following in her wake. He stares up at white sails with no small amount of awe. The air tastes like salt, though something smoky wafts from further in the town. Cooked meats, slowly roasting over open fires...

He takes half a step in one direction, then immediately steps in another. The curious inspection doesn't take him too far- but it's really a matter of time.

He has to see everything!

"Yes Master." That much, at least, does cause him to drop his smile. His efforts to concentrate are visible, determined not to allow the darkness to stain him.

As the corridor appears, it's not a comfortable feeling. But it's no longer a frightening one; exposure to their prime avenue of travel doing away with any preconceived worries about what could be waiting within. Master Xehanort knew, and had taught him appropriately.

Ventus moves closer, eyes on the man beside him. Those eyes say the same thing they always do; Xehanort has his full faith.

[heartlightheartbright]

"Yes Master." That much, at least, does cause him to drop his smile. His efforts to concentrate are visible, determined not to allow the darkness to stain him.

As the corridor appears, it's not a comfortable feeling. But it's no longer a frightening one; exposure to their prime avenue of travel doing away with any preconceived worries about what could be waiting within. Master Xehanort knew, and had taught him appropriately.

Ventus moves closer, eyes on the man beside him. Those eyes say the same thing they always do; Xehanort has his full faith.

Neutral it may be, but Ventus all but lights up at even that simple praise. The very clear message here is that he's being rewarded; he's done enough to earn that.

Not even trying his best to copy Xehanort stops that bright smile from appearing.

"Yes! I mean- yes please, Master." Hasty additions as he visibly straightens, trying to pull off a serious expression. Despite his best efforts, his lips keep curving upwards. "I'd like that."

Master Xehanort seemed to know about everything. If visiting a new world meant he could see and hear about everything around him, then today was bound to be good. Great, even!

[heartlightheartbright]

Neutral it may be, but Ventus all but lights up at even that simple praise. The very clear message here is that he's being rewarded; he's done enough to earn that.

Not even trying his best to copy Xehanort stops that bright smile from appearing.

"Yes! I mean- yes please, Master." Hasty additions as he visibly straightens, trying to pull off a serious expression. Despite his best efforts, his lips keep curving upwards. "I'd like that."

Master Xehanort seemed to know about everything. If visiting a new world meant he could see and hear about everything around him, then today was bound to be good. Great, even!

[[Pre-BBS: I'll Try]]

@multif0rmed

He has to trot to keep up with his Master’s pace. As quietly and unobtrusively as possible, Ventus sticks to his shadow; because that’s what a good apprentice should do, isn’t it? Whatever he has to, in order to be considered capable. Useful.

Even if the idea of training has his stomach in knots. Even if the idea of making mistakes (always, there’s mistakes) has him hiding the anxiety that shakes his fingers with loosely curled fists. Master Xehanort never looks phased by anything- Ventus tries to emulate that. He’s not very good at it yet.

But for the man who pulled him out of nothing, the child is absolutely ready to be whatever he needs to be. A piece of him violently rejects the idea of being alone (again?), so… he’ll be good. The best.

Whatever they do today; training, or studying, or examining a new world, Ventus is going to be the best. And if he’s lucky, Master Xehanort will be happy with that.

[vacationisalie]

Look at that. He got it memorized.

"That's what you called me." To hide the Recusant Sigil in plain sight. To keep an eye on him, no matter what. That resentment is bottled away; tucked behind fixed concentration as he waits for one wrong move.

So long as the air between them remains watchful, and nothing more, Roxas' will slowly relaxed from his prowling movements, head tilting in quiet assessment.

"Is this just you, or a replica?" They'd assumed all of them had been used... or destroyed.

[[Turn it Off]]

@multif0rmed

His first impressions of Xehanort aren’t great. Xemnas was always a figure of authority in his mind– someone who could inspire others to follow, if by nothing else but fear. This…old man, with slumped shoulders and age creasing his face?

Less impressive. Doesn’t mean Roxas is willing to underestimate him, but even so. 

The blond doesn’t blurt out the questions others might’ve asked. There’s no but why are you still here!? No how?! Just a teen that slowly walks across the length of the edge of the room, eyes fixed on his opponent.

Neither have drawn their weapon, so maybe the better term is… antagonist. Evil back from the dead. Again.

No one ever stays dead when they should. Roxas included.