06. video

[shatterings]

[ The stream opens up with Naminé holding a Ducklett and a Torchic in her lap. It takes her a while to speak, and when she does, it's slow, pained. ]

When people leave... do a lot of them leave at the same time?

Comments

[Video]

[shatterings]

[ She pans the video around to show her. ]

I'll wait for you here.

[Video/Action]

[dressofheaven]

I'll be there in a moment. It won't take long.

[And indeed, it's less than five minutes before a very worried Ilya jogs up to her, face flushed with exertion from rushing over.]

Namine! [She gasps a little as she takes the last few steps, having pushed herself a little harder than usual.] It's... Roxas, isn't it?

[shatterings]

I-Ilya!

[ She's worried, now, about Ilya, too. Naminé hugs her, not too tight, but just enough. ]

... I think he left early this morning, or last night.

[dressofheaven]

[Ilya returns the hug, pulling Namine's face against her shoulder automatically, and strokes her hair a bit.]

I see. Do you need to sit down?

[One issue at a time, Ilya figures. Once Namine's feeling a bit more comfortable and supported, then they can worry about trying to deal with the loss.]

[shatterings]

[ She eases into it, hugging Ilya a little tighter. ]

I... think that would be a good idea.

[dressofheaven]

Come on then.

[Not releasing her, but pulling back just far enough that they can walk, Ilya guides her over to a bench where she can rest her legs. No doubt they're quivering by now.]

[shatterings]

[ Naminé follows her, glad for the prolonged contact; it's at least anchoring her, just a little bit. ]

Will you be okay, Ilya...?

[dressofheaven]

Me? I'm perfectly fine, it's you we should be concerned about.

[Once they're both seated she pulls Namine against her shoulder and wraps her arm around her waist.]

I never did learn what exactly he was to you.

[shatterings]

Oh... if you're sure.

[ She lays her head on Ilya's shoulder, content with the contact. ]

Roxas, he... He was the only one other than Riku and Sora who treated me as if I were a... person. [ Meaning more than just a Nobody. ] I... know I had said some unkind things to Roxas before, but he's my best friend.

[dressofheaven]

What about Kai- Oh, that's right. You didn't meet her until you came here, did you?

[What a strange thought, not meeting someone who's like your sister for most of your life. Then again, Ilya has the same deal going on with Shirou.]

[shatterings]

No... The only way I knew who she was... it was because of Sora's memories.

[dressofheaven]

Wait. I thought Xion was the one who was made out of Sora's memories and you were made out of Kairi's heart...

[shatterings]

[ She takes a deep breath, eyes flicking away. ]

Well... yes, but I have the power to manipulate Sora's memories. It's... why I was in the castle.

[dressofheaven]

You... what? But then the ones who locked you in there-

[The pieces fall into place, and Ilya's face twists in rage.]

I'll eviscerate them.

[shatterings]

[ It's very rare that she sees Ilya like this, and her eyes widen. Not in fear of Ilya, but rather... for her. ]

Ilya, I... I don't want you to get hurt.

[dressofheaven]

And I don't want you to be hurt! Why do you think I'm so mad?

[This was not the original intention of this talk by a long shot, but Ilya's far too angry to be calmed down at the implications of just what was done to her dear friend.]

That man in your dream, the one I ran over... he was the one, wasn't he?

[shatterings]

[ She's at least willing to talk about it; months ago, she wouldn't have even considered it. But now, Naminé isn't nearly so hesitant--even if she is worried, she doesn't want to hide this from her friends... ]

... He was... one of them, yes.

[dressofheaven]

I have never been so satisfied about crushing someone underfoot. Or wheels, as the case may be. Pity it was only a dream.

[That's the angriest smile imaginable on her face.]

[shatterings]

[ Naminé's so worried that she wraps her arms around her friend. There's a lump in her throat that doesn't seem to want to go away. ]

I... I know how strong you are, Ilya, but if he ever shows up, please... be careful.

[dressofheaven]

[Though she'd love to seethe in her newfound hatred for Marluxia for a little while longer, Namine's concern finally cracks through Ilya's anger, and with a sigh she envelops her again.]

Namine, listen to me. No one, by they my enemies or yours, will harm any of us here as long as my Pokemon and I are watching over us. I will protect you. And I will not allow them to harm me either. Believe in that, and remember that none of us are alone.

[shatterings]

[ None of us are alone. Before, it had been all too easy to forget. Being here, though, surrounded by so much... love (because that's what it is, isn't it?), it's easy to remember that. Naminé's hold on her tightens a little bit more, and she nods. ]

... I know. I won't forget. Thank you, Ilya. [ She peeks up at her friend. ] But... I won't stop worrying about you, either.

[dressofheaven]

Well, I suppose as I'll be doing the same for you, I can't argue too much about that.

Though I do wonder how you'll feel once you finally do see me in battle...

[shatterings]

Are you worried I'll be scared?

[dressofheaven]

Mmmm... well, let's just say I wouldn't blame you if you were.

[shatterings]

[ She thinks on that for a while before shaking her head. ]

You're my friend, and I don't think anything you could do would frighten me.