fourteen | oo30 [ voice // action ]

( Sokka | Locked 100% )

... I need your help. And you can't tell anyone, okay?

( Aqua | Locked 100% )

Aqua... I know we haven't spoken that much, but I need to ask you a really, really big favor.

( Sanji | Locked 100% )

[ a long silence goes here. ] ... could I stay at your house tonight?

( Luke | Locked 100% )

I'd -- [ ... ] Can I see you?

[ Xion is out of the house today. Mostly because it's become almost impossible to stay there. She hasn't slept for more than a handful of hours since Vanitas attacked -- three days ago. She's so exhausted she can barely stay on her feet, but better awake and moving than a sitting target.

Who could sleep, knowing that at any minute someone stronger than you and your friends could break into your home and kill you whenever he wanted?

It's this question that drives her to address Luceti at large, once she's got herself settled on the railing of That One Bridge. Hey, it's like right next to her house and she wanted to sit on a bridge, so sue her. ]

( filtered AWAY from Vanitas and Saix | Locked 100% )

What would you do if you didn't feel safe in your own home anymore?

[ and this is to say nothing -- not a damn thing -- of how she feels about Roxas right now. He had no excuse -- what defense could you give? -- and Axel almost died -- for what? Why? Why had any of this happened? Does she blame Roxas, for extending the invitation, or Vanitas, for taking it? Even if she had something to say to him, she couldn't -- he hasn't been home in days.

It's a very numb Poppet that's sitting on that there railing, swinging her legs and staring at the water below. Please interrupt her thoughts -- for they are very grim ones. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't want to put anyone else at risk. We...

[ nnnnf. she's reluctant to talk about it, and you can hear it in her voice. ]

My best friend was attacked... he got hurt really badly. The person who attacked him... he'll find us, if we move. We have to find something else.

[Listening intently, Miyabi ducks her head and bites her lip. She understood where Xion was coming from, but what she really felt should be done... Well, it's not going to be pretty, and definitely not going to put a definite stop the the attacks.]

I-I'm sorry your friend was attacked, but if you're really going to be targeted again...then I think you have to fight back. [Her eyes close and she sighs deeply.] I know that's not the best answer, but...if you need any help, I'd be happy to offer it.

... believe me, I'd love to fight back. [ almost a little ... wistful? ] But I know I'm not strong enough. He'd kill me if I tried. A boy I know did fight him, and he won... but I'm not sure we can rely on that forever. I don't think Vanitas will stop just because he lost once.

Well, like I said before, if you need help, I'd definitely want to lend a hand if you ever need it in the future. And I'm sure others would, too, to make sure you and your friends stay safe. I really don't like to fight, but...I don't want anyone else to get hurt.

[She felt a little strange saying she'd so easily fight for someone she barely knew, but Xion sounded upset, and if someone was going around attacking people, what would stop him from attacking others? It's still a problem everyone must deal with.]

And if he doesn't stop, then you can't either. You have to be strong...and a little hard-headed, I guess.

But--! I don't want to make anyone else fight just to keep us safe!

[ ... she falls silent for a moment. that came off a little strong. but the idea that other people might get hurt, to keep them safe? it's almost like defeating the point... either way, someone gets hurt. ]

... if we were strong enough... but we're not. Well... there's Aqua, and Ven. They know him, and they've fought him before... still, it ... it just doesn't feel right.

[She sighs, and smiles tiredly.] I know...! I-I wouldn't want anyone putting themselves in danger for me too, but...I think it's harder on people, y-your friends especially, if they're left to worry. I-I know I'd like it better if I were helping, so...

[Her smile becomes a bit stronger, warmer, and sincere.] Just know if you ever do need anything...anything at all, you can ask any time, okay?

[ that shuts her up, at least for a moment. it's true -- she knows if positions were reversed she'd be aching to help her friends out. ]

... I can tell you what he looks like, and what his name is. You could keep an eye out for him... [ it's something of a peace offering. and it would be good to have another set of eyes and ears out there keeping track of Vanitas... ]

Um... thank you, though. I really do appreciate it.

Don't feel obligated to! [Now she feels a little sheepish for seemingly pushing.] I'm sorry for making it seem like I was forcing you to, but...if you really think it'd be better that way, I'll definitely tell you whatever I find out, if I do.

[She smiles, and it's a bit less forced from before this time.] Of course, don't worry about it.

No... [ a little more firmly ] No, it's okay. I want everyone to know who he is. He shouldn't get to feel safe... not after what he's done.

His name is Vanitas. He always wears this black mask over his head, so he's kind of hard to miss. Just ... be careful if you do see him, because he's -- he's strong.

[That resolve makes her lips curl a little. It's always a little frightening to fight back, but things have to be done in these kinds of situations. Plus, Xion was right - no one should get the privilege of feeling safe after hurting someone else.]

All right, I promise to be extra careful if I see him. Hehe, but I guess my size helps me out there...I'm pretty easy to miss sometimes, when I want to be. But you take care, too, okay? I'll pray for you and your friend.

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