asgardchrysalis | Bound by chains of memory

Entry tags:

kingdom hearts - sora

Bound by chains of memory

Who: Sora & open
What: Memory plot/event.
When: late in the month of February
Where: around Asgard
Warnings: cute bitties Sora and Riku, sparring and hurting each other I guess. Sora stabbing himself at Hollow Bastion and becoming a Heartless are I guess the biggest ones here at the moment.

a: Destiny Islands; BBS Era

[Sora is about four, Riku a year older at five and as always, thus taller, bigger, stronger and faster. Not that this stops Sora from trying, as they play together on their play Island back at Destiny Islands. They're on the beach, going at each other with wooden swords. Sora does his best in attacking, though Riku blocks, and then it's Sora's turn on the defense. He's not as strong, but he definitely seems to be coming into his own the more they practice over the years. As he gets more experience, gets to know how Riku fights. And his own style starts to form.

He gets knocked back though, this time, whimpering and clumsily wiping at his bleeding nose. Of course playing like this it is inevitable one of them get hurt. The memory fades then, being short as it is.]

b: Destiny Islands; Older.

[Riku and Sora are older this time, a year or so younger than currently at Asgard. They're now joined by a girl with red hair at the Paopu Island, usually Riku's spot, as they all sit or stand against the tree, talking about their desire to leave, see what else is out there and what they might find when they finish their raft.]

c: Destruction of Destiny Islands

[Sora finds Riku, in the midst of the Heartless taking over their home. Riku talks about how this is their chance to leave, how they might never see their parents again but this was a chance they had to take. He says how Kairi is coming with them, something about a door being opened. Sora seems less sure, but does try to reach for Riku when Darkness starts to consume them.]

Riku....?!

d: Hollow Bastion; Freeing Kairi's Heart

[Sora defeats the possessed Riku, still unable to unlock the Keyhole there in Hollow Bastion. He needs to free Kairi's heart from his own, hers having taken refuge there in the middle of the destruction of their home, Destiny Islands. He uses the Keyblade Riku had that he'd claimed unlocked hearts, stabbing himself in the chest in order to free her heart and return her to herself again. The last thing he hears is Donald and Goofy calling his name, before he seems to disappear. He feels himself falling into Darkness.

At the cost of Sora himself becoming a Shadow Heartless, wandering the castle until he finds her again and she returns him to normal.]

e: Traverse Town; Reuniting with Riku for the first time since leaving home

[Sora's kind of ecstatic to have Riku back, all but pouncing and putting his fingers in Riku's mouth as if to reassure himself the other is really there. They talk about how they need to find Kairi still and how Sora has a new weapon - the Keyblade. Sora invites Riku to come with him, Donald and Goofy with the Gummi Ship but Riku wanders off on him.]

f: Sora meets Donald and Goofy

[Sora is running around minding his own business when the duck and dog just. Literally fall on top of him. And then they have to fight a huge armored Heartless. Because nothing forges a friendship like that, right? Even if Donald and Goofy are initially more in it for the Keyblade, since King Mickey told them to find the one wielding it.]

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You think I might remember more? If I do, should I just come see you again about it?

[If he already remembered one thing he wasn't supposed to somehow? He doesn't mean to cause her to be so worried and all about him, and isn't sure what might happen if he keeps remembering more of these false memories. But he purses his lips, giving a nod of agreement anyway that he would try not to dwell on it too much. At the least, if not because it was confusing then for her sake.]

[ Naminé begins to shake her head, but it's not to negate the idea of him having further memories; rather, she's left a bit at a loss by this whole situation. ]

It's hard for me to say. Until I know why it's happening, and whether this has to do with Asgard, or whether it has to do with you, I can't be sure what to expect.

[ It looks as though saying as much troubles her, yet she musters a serious expression through her worry. ]

Still, there... is a chance that you might. And if you do, then-- yes, tell me as soon as you can. Whatever's going on, I want to do my best to help, even if it might be hard here.

Hm....I'm not sure either. What to make of this. If it's a problem, maybe if you're not sure, the gods might be able to help?

[They were pretty powerful after all? He's not sure if they might be powerful enough to mess with memories like this though. If it is something that they did to him or something wrong with him in him somehow now accessing these false memories somehow for some reason even if he shouldn't be able to. He doesn't want to worry her like this.....]

But....even if it wasn't real, if it was false....that wasn't a bad memory.

Maybe... [ she agrees slowly, and yet she doesn't look as though she's eager to take up that plan. Her mouth tightens into a line, a subtle shake of her head supporting the insinuation of her expression. ]

But this is something I'd rather keep between us. [ Although saying as much makes her feel as though she's admitting to having done something wrong. Trying not to shift in place too guiltily, ] I'm not sure what their reaction would be, or what they might do.

[ It could do more harm than good, is what she's saying, since there's no telling what the gods can and can't actually manage. As preoccupied as she is by all of that, however, she's not so much so that his comment doesn't make her stop. Blinking, she glances back up at him with an almost startled expression. ]

It wasn't?

[ Oh, she'd made it not to be, made it to be a meaningful recollection from childhood with good connotations, and yet to hear him say that unsolicited makes her feel... strange, in a pleasant kind of way. ]

But if it's not just me, shouldn't they know so they can figure out what's going on so they can fix things?

[Sora isn't sure if this was just something with him, given she talks about his false memories or something. Or if this was something impacting others as well, not just being specifically an issue he was dealing with. He gives a small nod, even a slight smile in answer.]

No. It was....nice. That feeling like I could protect you.

[Given everything that happened back home, that he still had to do yet. In saving everyone.]

If it isn't just you, then surely they'll find out from the others.

[ Frown still firmly in place, she lets out a little of her shame in a quiet sigh. ]

You're a... special case, after all.

[ And after so long fretting over getting his memories into just the right arrangement to be functional, she'd very much prefer that no one touch them at all, even herself. The furrow in her brow finally starts to ebb away once he speaks again, her features softening. It had been a nice feeling for her, too - knowing there was someone who wanted to look after her, even if it might all have been a lie. ]

You've always been good at protecting me, [ she tells him, voice quiet. ] From the very start.

I guess....

[He tilts his head when she calls him a special case. But he figures she just means because of those false memories he had from before? Probably because of the Organization or something. Sora doesn't recall them messing with him like that but still. He gives a nod then, as she says about him protecting her.]

I try. I mean, even here we kinda need to be ready.

[ Though she can see his uncertainty, she's as concerned about elaborating as she has been this whole time. It's a bit of a relief when he doesn't ask more, so she tries to let her previous explanation speak for itself. ]

And I'm glad that you do.

[ She has a different reason to feel guilty this time; it's never seemed right to ask any more of him than he's already given her, but she knows it's important to him to look after her, just like he looks after all of his friends. ]

I don't want to know what Asgard would be like without you. Even though the Organization isn't here, I-- don't think it would feel the same.

[ And he's right; there's plenty of danger here even without considering the risk of bad guys showing up from one of the other worlds. ]

No? You'd still have Riku! And all your other friends here too.

[She isn't wrong that he looks out for his friends. Usually at risk or sacrifice to himself. That given how many friends he's made here of course he would end up rather well known and missed. Sora isn't really considering that. He doesn't usually, acting in the moment in what he thinks he has to do for his friends.]

But...I guess it'd be weird without you. And I'd want to be here, if any of them showed up or something.

Well, yes, but... you've been here with me since the beginning.

[ Which isn't to say that she doesn't care for Riku, or the others - of course she does. They're all important to her in their own ways, but Sora's been a part of her life the longest. ]

I wouldn't want to lose any of the others either, even if-- even if we don't actually belong here. [ Which is a fact that she seems to grow soberer after remembering. It's tough to imagine leaving when Asgard's been so kind to her. Her expression saddens slightly at his last comment. ]

That's the one time I would be more worried to have you here, I think. I know they couldn't cause as much trouble in the city without any powers, but I'm not sure that would stop them.

Well. Yeah, we have. Even if Roxas and Ven and Xion are gone.

[Sora still misses them. He's not sure if or when they or others might come here, or come back. But at the least, he's never been entirely alone. Even aside from the others he has met here, at the least, she had always been with him. She was a constant in his life here thus far.]

Ah, if I had to I'd stop them somehow.

[Even if they had new powers here. Sora himself has more to work with. Though it is admittedly mostly with defensive abilities than anything offensive to fight if he had to himself.]

[ Those names bring a flicker of sadness across her face, regrettable as it is that they're cause for that instead of joy these days. ]

Sometimes... I think about what it would be like if they came back. [ She doesn't realize she's reflecting some of his own thoughts; she looks very slightly hesitant about admitting to it, herself. ] What they might think if they saw how much Asgard has changed. But-- it isn't right for me to hope that they will, is it?

[ For them to be stuck here, too. As for the Organization, she pales very slightly, giving her head a small shake. ]

I know you would, [ she says even so, despite her trepidation about the matter. ] Or that you'd do your best. I just don't want you to keep having to fight them, over and over again. Nobody benefits from that, not even them.

Hm. It's....been a while. Quite a bit has changed since. But it isn't like we have a say yet. In who comes and who goes and when. I'll let you know though. If anyone from home does show up.

[He reassures her. They just had to wait and see, for now on who might come or come back. Sora does miss them but he knows they all have people waiting back home. The same way she does. And Riku. He purses his lips then, glancing down as she talks about his situation with the Organization.]

They don't usually give me a choice.

Please, [ she agrees softly, because it's always been important to her to know who's in the city. ] And I'll do the same for you. Maybe someday it won't be quite so hard to know before it happens.

[ Faltering, she wilts at his other words. Her head tips slightly lower, and she winds up looking in much the same place he does. ]

It isn't your fault. [ Her voice is tinged with regret for even having said anything that could have been construed that way. ] None of this is. But it feels like I've spent my whole life watching all of you struggle, and I--

[ She frowns against the words, angles her face away slightly, but there's no getting around it; ]

… I hate it.

You think there might be some sort of pattern? Some way to tell when we might get new arrivals?

[Maybe. If Sora were paying more attention. He might figure it. The timing at least. Generally. Still, he blinks then, biting his lip when she says about watching him struggle all this time.]

That's -- I mean. I didn't exactly ask for it, but. I've managed. So it's okay.

[Or. Well. As okay as anyone could be, considering? More or less. He's okay with it. Used to it by now after a couple of years of it or so at this point.]

Well... they seem to come here pretty regularly now, don't they? It's usually close to the same number of days apart each time. [ Naminé's been keeping better track of the timing, perhaps, than he has. ] And in the beginning, a lot more of us were from the same worlds. But... now, that doesn't seem to be the case. At least, not from what I've seen.

[ Which makes it feel a bit less likely for there to be others from their home arriving with any predictability. Looking at him as he bites his lip, her own frown. ]

Is it? [ Okay, that is. ] Even though you've been able to withstand it--…

[ That doesn't make it fair. But that's a futile thing to fret over, and so after a moment she exhales a sigh, shaking her head. ]

I'm... sorry. I shouldn't complain.

I guess. I hadn't really thought about how often it happens that we get new arrivals. But we can keep an eye out together!

[Then she asks if it really is okay. Instinctively, of course he wants to agree. To nod. To reassure her. Because....it is? He's still alive and fighting, still able to fight if necessary back home and all. He's become used to it, in the last couple of years. Having grown up practicing sparring against the kids on the play Islands and all, mostly Riku.]

It is. I'm okay. And you're allowed to complain. To be upset.

Yes, [ she agrees, giving half a nod. ] Between the two of us, we should find out pretty quickly if someone from our worlds arrives here.

[ Then there are also other folks who would know to keep an eye out, too. As Sora reassures her, however, Naminé only frowns, albeit by a small degree. ]

But... if I show that I'm upset - that only makes things harder for you. [ She learned that one a long time ago, didn't she? ] And I can't fix what's wrong, even though I don't like it. I know you want me to be open with you, it's just...

[ Well, she feels guilty about-- feeling, more often than not. ]

And Riku! If he sees someone too.

[Sora says with a grin, before that fades at what she says next. He shakes his head in protest at it. He can't deny that it's worrying when his friends are upset but he doesn't want her making things worse for herself bottling things up either.]

Is it easier if I say it like this. If it were me and I was upset, you'd want to know, right? It doesn't matter if we can do something to help or not, but at least...talking about it. So we know. Listening at least. Even that can sometimes help.

Of course. I'm sure he'll let us know.

[ Riku will, that is. That thought is left behind easily enough, however, in favor of the other subject. Wilting, she admits, ]

I'd... want to listen. No matter what it was about. But that's because--

[ Well, because they're friends, for one thing, but, ]

Because it's you. Your feelings are important to me.

[ Her own, however, are not. (Not that she'd stop at listening to other people, too, though that's beside the point.) ]

Of course he would!

[Assuming Riku finds them first. And not Sora, who is definitely the more outgoing of the two. The more likely to be out and about to run into another familiar face in comparison.

He tilts his head then, glancing to her at that.]

And your feelings are just as important, Namine. So....don't hold it in. At least, you don't have to with me.

[There's. A lot she has to hide from him. Not that he necessarily realizes just how much, only vague ideas of it from what she has said sometimes here and there.]

[ It's quite true that Sora's the most likely candidate for meeting someone that's come into the city from their worlds - but more eyes and ears are always helpful. All of that's been pretty solidly banished from her mind, however, by the new topic of conversation. Before she knows it she's beginning to shake her head. ]

But they're...

[ Not. Just as important? Surely that's not the case, even if Sora feels differently. Naminé's still working on fully convincing herself that they're so much as real to begin with - but looking at him now, she knows she can't say that. She falters, lips parted, and gets nowhere. Her mouth purses as she shuts it, then tries again. ]

… I know... that that's the way you feel. And I trust you, Sora, I really do. But I also know how important your friends are to you, and I-- I never want to cause you any more trouble than I have to - than I already have. Even if you say that it's okay.

You're a friend too. Helping friends isn't causing me trouble.

[At least, that Sora sees it anyway. Not that that is necessarily true given Sora gets into all kinds of situations jumping in to help even complete strangers, but that's clearly not the point here. Not to him, anyway. If she were needing help, or just for him to listen, to help her somehow, he would. He wouldn't see it as a burden in the least.

Which is probably a huge part at least in what gets him in these situations. In over his head and into fights. That compassion and desire to help others however he can. Even at the risk to himself.]

See?

[ The girl gives a helpless little laugh, more sad than anything else. ]

I thought you'd say that.

[ But it's so hard to explain to him how she feels in a way that she's not already sure he'll disagree with. And maybe he should disagree with it; goodness knows she's heard enough already about how she ought to value herself more. ]

That's why I'm afraid for you. You won't ever stop trying to help, even when-- even when it hurts you.

They're counting on me.

[Aqua and the others. So....he has to. Has to do what he can to get them back. She's not wrong though given his track record. Stabbing himself and becoming a Heartless to free Kairi's heart and all for one example. Even if he might not remember everything with Castle Oblivion and all....he does know and remember that much. So he doesn't really have much choice in the matter. He has to help.]

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