Seventeenth Key

[optimistickey]

[Cambot is doing his usual patrols of the halls when he spots a figure lying on the ground of the third deck. Hey, Cambot would know that spiky hair anywhere...it's Sora! Cambot seems pretty excited that his usual subject has come back, and flies up to gently give him a prod. Sora groans and slowly gets to his knees, shaking out his head.]

Wh... [He notices the little camera lens staring at him. That's got to be an unflattering view.] ...Cambot?

[And then he shoots back up quickly, surprised.]

Wha...seriously? I'm back here again?!

[Sora looks around the Satellite, scratching at the back of his head. It looks like he's thinking over a lot of things.]

This...isn't a dream again, is it? I thought I was going back to Traverse Town... Riku? Are you here? What about everyone else?

Comments

[optimistickey]

Namine! [He pauses for a moment, as if thinking over something. Then he just gives her a smile.]

...Thanks.

[colorbymemory]

[She gives him a slight headtilt at that pause.}

Is everything okay?

[optimistickey]

Yeah, I think so.

I'm just really glad to see that everyone's okay.

[colorbymemory]

I'm sure, but why would you think...

[Then a series of images comes unbidden to her mind's eye. Sora and Riku, both looking a little older, talking to Yen Sid. Sora visiting worlds she knows he's never visited, speaking with people she's never seen in his memories.

Finally, The World Never Was. Him hurrying to catch up to...her? And when he catches up to her, suddenly it's not her but Xion? Then there's Roxas, but he's wearing the Organization's coat...

A shake of her head, closing her eyes as she does so, and they're gone. She takes a deep breath.

Not again.]

I-I see.

[optimistickey]

[Sora is still thinking over all this when he notices that something seems to be troubling Namine, too.]

Are you all right?

[colorbymemory]

[She hadn't expected this sort of thing to happen here.]

I'll be fine.

[optimistickey]

[Sora's not entirely convinced.]

Are you sure?

[colorbymemory]

[She offers her best reassuring smile. It doesn't quite reach her eyes.]

I'm sure.

[She just needs a little while to get readjusted.]

[optimistickey]

[Sora still doesn't quite believe her, but he'll let it go for now. He gives his best smile back.]

I am still glad to see you again!

[colorbymemory]

[She'd just rather not talk about it over Cambot, and she will be fine. Her smile turns more genuine.]

Me too.