undeterrable | IC Contact for eachdraidh

Hey, Terra. Did you get anything from the monarchs recently?

[He turns the video screen, angling it so Terra can see the pauldron that's laying on his bed. It's very clearly modeled after the same armor that Terra and Aqua had, but the colors are different, and there's a matching demi-gauntlet beside it.]

I found this in my room when I woke up today.

[AS IF YOU COULDN'T MAKE HIM GO INTO PROUD DAD MODE ANYMORE THAN USUAL. Terra looks mildly surprised at the appearance of the armour before he smiles, though it's just slight.]

I need to test it out before I'm sure but I think one of my magic lines got returned to me.

[Not the return of his keyblade's powers like he'd been hoping for but it was still better than only being able to make earthquakes.]

I suppose I need to teach you how to use that now, huh?

Really? That would be useful. My magic seems to be getting stronger again, but I still can't use the more powerful spells.

[There's a faint flash of bemusement that crosses Riku's face when Terra mentions teaching him how to use his armor. It's... a pauldron, Terra. He knows how to wear a pauldron.

But then he remembers Terra saying it'd be better if he'd had "the full thing" when they'd talked about his armor before. Does he mean that? ]

I take it there's more to it than just putting it on.

At this point, anything is more helpful than just having my earth magic.

[The bemusement doesn't go unnoticed and he smirks slightly. He had that reaction too, when he first received his armour, but he knows that Riku hasn't had all the formal training just yet, so he simply shakes his head.]

A lot more. Put it on.

[Riku's lips quirk at Terra's comment about his earth magic. It's something he only knows a little about himself. Still, he knows exactly how frustrated he'd be if he only had access to his ice magic.]

I'll bet.

[At Terra's smirk, Riku shakes his head, setting the locket down while he picks up and puts on both the pauldron and the demi-gauntlet. He curls his fingers in the half-glove, testing the flexibility of the wrist. It's remarkably nice armor. But if that isn't all it does...

Riku picks the locket back up.]

All right. Now what?

Hit the pauldron.

[Terra switches the hand holding his locket, demonstrating with his fist curled and hitting his own. His does nothing, of course, but if the High Queen has made it like theirs, it'll do the trick.]

Your armour should be summonable like your keyblade. Entirely different of course but we won't go into that just yet. The concept's the same though.

[Riku copies Terra's motions, swapping his locket into his left hand and hitting the pauldron with his curled fist. Though it doesn't move, he can feel the movement striking something in the armor, some sort of a button or a switch or a--

Whoa.

Inadvertently he drops the locket to the bed (WHERE IT CONVENIENTLY FALLS INTO A FOLD TILTED HIS WAY...), caught off-guard by the light and the feeling of the new armor that envelops him. He can't help but react aloud, a sharp exhalation/inhalation that belies his wonder.

Excuse him, Terra, it'll be a minute or two before he's got words.]

[For a long moment Riku's marveling at the armor. It's impossibly light, covering him from top to toe. This is just...

Whoa.

Finally, Riku seems to remember the locket. He picks it back up, not sure if there's a visor he can raise on the helm or if he'd have to take the entire thing off to be able to meet Terra's eyes.]

Terra--this is...

[Nope, he still doesn't really have the words for it.]

This is incredible.

Edited 2015-09-04 00:00 (UTC)

[He knows that look that's likely on Riku's face. It was the same kind as the one Ven had on his the day he received his pauldron, he was sure, and likely himself as well. Terra's lips quirk, both amused and proud all at the same time.]

Isn't it? Usually we wear our armor when we're crossing into other worlds, to keep us from the cold of the Lanes Between, but it works just as well as regular armor.

[The armor disappears with a flash of light in the same way it came, leaving Riku standing in his normal clothes once more. It's hard to hide how pleased he is with this new development, but Terra's words make him consider.]

That sounds a lot like the coats the Organization wore. They protected you from the darkness while moving between worlds.

[It's a little different--he was traveling through Corridors of Darkness rather than the Lanes Between--but it's the same idea.]

At any rate, it's even better than I originally thought. [He smiles.] Thanks for letting me know.

[In a way, he's pleased for Riku but at the same time sorely missing his own armour. It's a good thing he drew up a reference for the castle blacksmith when he received that money from Faolan for a commission as thanks for doing that investigation for him. It meant that he could have replacement armour almost exactly the same before he requested the full lot back from Solais.

Riku mentions the Organization and his lips purse together, thinking of Xion. He couldn't help but wonder how you could move easily through Darkness like that, even when he was learning shadow travel from Nico. He inclines his head at the thanks, though, smiling a little.]

I want you to be as protected as possible in this upcoming war. If I can't convince you to stay back I might as well make sure you're prepared.

[There's a flash of surprise that crosses Riku's face when Terra mentions keeping him out of the upcoming battles--as if he'd ever stay back and not fight! But it settles quickly into a look of resignation; he understands where Terra's coming from, but there's no way.]

Don't worry about me. The whole reason I left the islands was to find the strength to protect people. If I can't do that...

[If he can't do that, then why does he have the Keyblade at all?]

Lancelot told me that each shardbearer is equal to thirty natives. I can't stay back when they're all fighting too.

I know. That doesn't mean I can't wish to spare you from this.

[Riku has faced things he doesn't know about. He realizes that. The boy has been to other worlds just like he has, and while he trusts that he can look after himself and Sora, he just wants to make sure that they know what they're getting themselves into.

He'll save the news that Aqua's gone for another time, he thinks. Riku deserves to be able to practice with his armor without the thought hanging over his head. He smiles softly.]

That's what older brothers do. What mentors are supposed to do.

[Though his expression doesn't change, internally Riku stops short, Terra's words striking home.

That's what older brothers do?

Is that what they are? Brothers?

There's an answering surge of warmth in his heart, a feeling so strong that it feels like his heart is actually expanding in response to Terra's words. Brothers.

He'd be okay with having an older brother like Terra.]

Heh...

[A smile pulls at the corner of his lips.]

I guess so. But it'll turn out all right. You'll see.

[Truthfully he didn't realize the slip until he takes notice of the way Riku stops, and for a moment he waits for rejection. He spent ten years somewhere, leaving Riku to Xehanort, surely there'd be some kind of rejection of sorts.

But there's not, and he lets his own smile curve. Having another little brother isn't such a bad thing.]

Maybe.

[He's expecting this battle to be worse than what he's heard the one the month before their arrival was like. Things are heating up in any case, which reminds him that he should tell Riku.]

Hey...I'll be in Leathann for the first part of the next month. [He purses his lips together.] The Void's getting closer, and I promised I'd help out when the time came.

Leathann?

[He knows that the Void's been encroaching... but what can they do against it? It isn't like fighting the darkness, where there's something tangible for them to fight against. Nor are they really supposed to be fighting against it, if they're working toward the Seelie goals.

It's still the source of a lot of conflict in Riku's heart, that's for sure.]

"When the time came?" Terra, what do you...?

[What are they planning?]

[He places a finger to his lips, indicating it shouldn't be discussed over the network, but he's willing to tell Riku if the younger boy decides to meet him before he leaves. He doesn't fully know the extent of Gilgamesh's plans, but he doesn't want to preemptively destroy those plans if Solais is watching.]

I said I'd help evacuate. [Not entirely a lie, but something to tell him there's more to it, and his lips purse together.] I don't want to see anyone else orphaned.

[A nod. The lockets are watched, he knows.]

That's a good idea. Too many people have already been hurt by all this.

Can we meet in person sometime before you leave? I've got something for you.

[If he couldn't back the Seelie ideals, he could make it so that people were safe. He didn't like either court's methods of embracing the world's end, but it was something he could do to help.]

Sure. I'll be here a few more days.

IC Contact for eachdraidh

VIDEO KILLED THE RADIO STAR

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