Sixth Link

[colorbymemory]

[ Cambot zeroes in on the sound of voices coming from the theatrical deck. A closer look reveals Namine sitting at a table and trying to draw, while her shadow hangs over her shoulder, speaking in a low voice.]

I know I’m not her--that I never could be her.

I never wanted that.

[She stands and begins to pack up her things, carefully looking around as she does so. When she sees Cambot she looks right into the camera for a moment before going back to her work. The shadow hisses again, grinning. Namine turns back toward it.]

I did what I could to fix that--to help both of them.

[Her voice is a little less sure now, and she starts to move towards the door to the stairwell.

Her shadow hisses again. Namine turns again so Cambot can’t see her face, but her voice is clearly upset.]

What happened with the Replica was an accident! I just wanted them to stop fighting!

[She turns again to leave and her shadow hisses angrily. Then it sees Cambot, opens its mouth to show green goo...

The next time the feed opens, the theatrical deck is trashed, with what looks like the shadow buried under some of the wood that had been neatly piled up on one side of the room. Namine looks a little worse for wear, leaning against the wall as she tries to catch her breath. She looks pale, and there’s already an obvious bruise on her cheek, as well as her arms and legs.]

Comments

Help is on the way--prepare for incoming Kaldur and Riku.

[colorbymemory]

[Namine looks relieved.]

Thank you. Riku might be coming, too...

I don't think I need a first aid kit; I just needed to catch my breath.

[She's looking a little better.]

[acceptedburden]

[Kaldur enters the room not much later, glancing cautiously at the downed Shade before looking to Namine and Rarity]

Then the Shade is still unconscious. You two are all right?

[colorbymemory]

We're fine.

[The wood clatters as the shadow starts moving and manages to stand.]

Two men, a girl, and a pony. Sounds like a sitcom.

[halfdarkened]

[...At which point Riku comes in, quickly spotting the rising shade and slowly unsheathes the sword at his belt. He was glad he'd taken Roxas's advice. Now he'd get a chance to try it out. Riku carefully took up his typical battle stance, one hand stretched towards his opponent with his other held over his head, pointing the sword towards the shade. His breathing seemed slightly off.]

Oh good. I'm not late to the party.