Twelfth Breeze

[salvagedlight]

[Cambot turns at the sound of running footsteps, barely catching a glimpse of Ven as he races past as the camera turns to follow him and starts floating in his wake. He either doesn't notice or doesn't care about the fuzzy ears and tail of a golden retriever dog that have sprouted from his body, because he's obviously looking for someone.]

Aqua! Aqua, where are you?

[Normally, the best place to find Aqua would be the library. Today, this doesn't seen to be the case, as she turns a corner only to almost be run down by Ven. If she's noticed her own set of fuzzy ears and a tail (those of a Russian Blue cat), she's paying them no real attention in favor of somewhat more important facts.

I'm here, Ven.

[He pulls to a stop in front of her, breathing a little harder, but definitely looking distressed now that he's in one place for the camera to focus on his face.] I can't find him anywhere - have you?

[Aqua shakes her head at the question, and with the camera focusing on them, it's easy to see that her tail is swishing gently in irritation.] He's not anywhere he'd usually be. Is there anywhere we didn't look?

I don't think so - I went all the way down to the engine deck, I even got the Servos to help me look. [Ven's newfound puppy ears are drooping; clearly, something very unhappy has happened for both of them.] He's not on the weapons deck or the sports deck or anywhere.

I was afraid that might be the case. He's not in his room either. [She sighs, and while her own ears don't droop, she doesn't look at all happy either.]

Then... is he... really gone?

...Yeah. He's... gone.

[Ven's ears and tail drop all the way, every inch of him looking defeated and sad as he just stands in front of Aqua.] ...What are we going to do?

[There's a moment of crestfallen silence from Aqua as she gathers her thoughts.] I guess... we just have to hope he's alright?

We... We'll find him when we get home, right? [And then he catches himself, rephasing:] You'll find him.

...Yeah. I'll find him.

Comments

[optimistickey]

[Sora appears, now sporting a pair of chocolate lab ears...and bright purple tiger stripes all over his jacket and pants. However, he's not worrying about that right now.]

Wait...do you mean Terra? [He doesn't want to think that, but...]

[wavesinherheart]

[There's another of those slow nods from Aqua.]

I'm afraid so.

[optimistickey]

Oh no...

[Sora looks downcast.]

[thewallman]

[ Wally's looking a little uncomfortable, even with his rainbow hair barrettes (don't ask why he's got those; he's not sure, but they won't come off), and rainbow beaded friendship bracelets from camp week. How do you talk about this stuff? He scratches the back of his neck anxiously. ]

Terra, too, huh? I guess Kaldur's not the only one. But... Hey! Look on the bright side!

[ Wally, the bright side is everywhere on this rainbow-ridden satellite. Be more specific. ]

Uh, I mean... When I left before, I just went home. [ He shrugs. ] Nothing really changed at all, except Kaldur didn't know a thing about this place. I bet you he's doing great right now! A little confused, maybe, but otherwise great! You guys will even be back home with him, from his perspective, so he won't be alone or anything.

[ Wally sends you guys his best sly smirk, fingering a hair barrette. ] It's too bad, though. Terra and Kaldur both would have loved these things, am I right?

[salvagedlight]

Kaldur's gone, too? [That's... not good. They were both here for so long, but if Wally's right, at least Kaldur's probably going to be fine...]

[Slightly different matter with Terra, though. Ven doesn't perk up at the reassurance.] When we're from, the three of us... We were in this big fight. And we weren't winning. I didn't come out of it, and we don't know what happened to Terra there...

[thirteenth_brat]

[Roxas appears... with the ears and tail of some kind of dog. A collie possibly. Think Lassie. The only other switch is that the checkered strips on his jacket and checkered wristband have changed to match the violent rainbow theme of the week, with what was formerly black have become a rainbow gradient.

Somehow, none of that diminishes his sad face as it becomes obvious that they're looking for Terra and he's nowhere to be found. If anything, the drooping of the already partially floppy collie ears perfectly highlights the sentiment.]

Are you two going to be okay?

[wavesinherheart]

Don't worry about us. We'll be fine.

[She doesn't sound so certain about that latter though.]

[thirteenth_brat]

Are you sure?

[Yeah, no. He's not falling for that. It could be that cat tail partly giving her away, though it is a little more what he can hear in her voice that's giving away the uncertainty.]

[eyeofwildtiger]

[Naturally, Kotetsu has sprouted tiger ears and a tail with stripes up and down his arms, and likely over the rest of his body. Unnaturally, the tail and ears are neon orange and the stripes are purple. His clothes have changed to brighter hues to match. ...it makes looking sympathetic difficult, but he's trying.]

Hey, never know. He might be back someday.

[salvagedlight]

[Yeah, everyone looks really weird right now, don't they? But Ven doesn't notice or care about any of that right now.] I hope so. This place... is safer than home right now.

[eyeofwildtiger]

Well, he's a tough guy. I'm sure he'll be fine.

[sailorgenerous]

[Rarity's mane and tail have changed color in accordance with this week's theme, but she's not worried about that - it's amazing what sort of patterns you can get from braiding rainbow hair. She's not worried about that right now; what worries her is seeing her friends hurting like this. She was wondering why Aqua had never replied to her second note asking how the date went - she never dreamed that it might have been because Terra was an involuntary no-show. But now...what do you even say in this sort of situation?]

Oh...oh, dear, I'm so sorry...

It...is possible he might come back. Phineas did, after all.

[wavesinherheart]

[There's a long moment of silence before Aqua answers. Logically, she knows that Terra can come back. But between the situation at home and the fact that he never did show up to the date has her thinking somewhat less than rationally just at the moment.]

I don't even know if he's going to be alright.

[sailorgenerous]

[That takes a moment to even process. This is Terra they're talking about, right? Big and not too sharp and utterly devoted to his friends? Certainly Aqua isn't losing faith in him. It's just the sadness talking. It must be.]

Of course he'll be alright. He'll be back here, or you'll see him again when you go home.

[beforethemoon]

Ven, I-- [And Isa completely locks up. He doesn't know what to say to this, how to say it. He's not the comforting type, and he knows it. But he can't just... ignore how his friend is acting.]

[salvagedlight]

...I know.

[What else can he say?]

[punsofiron]

[Yup. This all sounds familiar. Liz, sporting bright purple cat ears, watches the feed sadly.]

Hey...if you guys need to talk...

[wavesinherheart]

I... he's probably alright, but I wouldn't mind?

[punsofiron]

[Yeah, she knows that feel right down to Aqua's answer. One bff coming at you, Aqua.]

[colorbymemory]

[Namine's cat ears are drooping, and the pink hearts that have suddenly appeared on her dress could easily be ignored in light of how worried she looks. ]

Terra...?

I'm so sorry.

[salvagedlight]

...Yeah. Terra. [Of course Cambot was watching, Cambot always watches. But at least now neither of them has to stand up in front of it and keep themselves together while making an announcement neither of them likes.] He's... he's not here, now.

[skysmirror]

[Xion sad expression doesn't match the bright rainbows now printed on her coat, and her cat ears aren't as perked up as they might be.]

Terra's gone?

[What do you say to someone who's best friend has left without warning?]

Would...would you like some company?

[wavesinherheart]

Maybe... in a little while.

[dadandgone]

[Maes, too, is sporting some dog ears. Apparently the "dog of the military" thing is still coming around. He looks saddened, he knows how much Terra means to these two. Finally he shakes his head and puts on a smile.]

He'll be okay. We know that happens around here and you never know when someone will pop back for a visit or another long stay. Phineas and Wally both did it. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Pause, then he adds.]

If either of you need anything, let me know.

[salvagedlight]

[There's a deep breath and a long, exhaling sigh after Maes' words as Ven tries to sort it all out, more or less.]

I know, he could come back. It's just... home wasn't too safe when we left it.