Boulevard of Broken Dreams ((Closed)))

[Deleted]

As usual, Traverse Town was in its perpetual dark state, most of the light coming from lamps that lit the streets. People bustled around in the First District, looking in shops, chatting with friends and doing other things of the sort. In the Second District, the occasional brave person would exit from the hotel and go to the Gizmo Shop or the First District. However, in the Third District, there was only one person.

Yes, Maya sat alone. She had often done this over the past few weeks on the rooftop where she sat now. She would cry, then blankly stare over the Third District and, after she got too cold to be outside, go into the abandoned house she called home. And all because she lost her. The one person who actually understood and protected her. Gone.

This was another night that she was crying, the memories stinging her eyes and calling tears forth. She had tucked her legs snug to her body, and hid her face in her arms, which also held her legs up in that uncomfortable person. Inside, she kept asking Why her? but knew now answer would come forth.

Little did she know, she wasn't alone.

[Larxene]

It was only a few days ago when he met that strange, talking mouse. Sick and tired and confused and so utterly and completely lost in body, spirit, and mind. It was only a few days ago when he felt so trapped and at a loss for what to do with himself, with the new world around him. Powerless and naive and feeling like a lost child without a hand to hold on to. It was only a few days ago when he learned that there were many other worlds out there embroiled in the same strife, some succumbed to a darker fate. Waiting and needing people brave and willing to rush to them and help in any way that they could, to stave off the encroaching darkness until those who could banish it completely appeared. And it was only a few days ago when he was given a curious gift. A way out, a way to escape, a way to explore, a way to help.

That was all a few days ago. And now Malakai was ready.

His health had returned to him, his strength as well, and with them came a resolve to do something other than just idle about in that dark and somber town, populated by castaways and the lost.

In all honesty he did not know what he was going to do. True enough, he was still naïve, and unknowing of what lied beyond the World’s walls. He knew even less about the strife between Dark and Light that currently ravaged the multiverse beyond. So the best he could do, he decided, was get out there, in the worlds, and learn. Because he was a part of something bigger now. Just on the outskirts of a storm.

And he had to prepare himself.

He had spent half the day procuring supplies: potions and various cures for ailments, food and water. He didn’t know what he may need, so he got a bit of everything. The other half he spent people watching. Studying the various denizens as they went about their daily routine, fight off annoying Heartless when they appeared. Analyzing their strengths, their character, their nature. Because he did not wish to travel alone.

Malakai would have liked a companion, someone to share his excursion with. Someone to help him, and perhaps help in return. Perhaps most importantly help him fight off any Heartless they met, because still he could not muster up the courage to face the full force of the Darkness on his own. But his search was coming up dim.

Most people he saw were just townsfolk happy with where they dwelled, others he knew he would spend too much time protecting, and a few who reminded him of the maniacs he encountered during his first few weeks in town: rogues enthralled with chaos and cruelty. He would not tolerate their company. No, not at all.

In the end he found himself wandering the Town alleys and plazas, late into the evening hours when most of the sane citizens slept. Next he knew, he was in the Third District, on his way back to the first. The Heartless seemed to have calmed down a bit when he was last there. Only one or two seemed to bother snatching at him, and he dealt with them – quite hurriedly – with well-placed punches. Otherwise hi walk was quiet. Until his ears picked up the faintest of sounds.

He stopped, tilting his head to one side, then to the other, listening.

He heard crying.

He wondered who would come out here to cry, to one of the districts infested with Heartless. It was not safe here, to lament, lest the shadows hear you and descend upon you and rip out your heart. No… not at all. Whoever it was, he could not very well leave them here, for the Heartless to find. His honor would not allow it.

“Hello?” Malakai found himself calling up to the rooftops, craning his neck to try and see who it was. “Who’s there? Are you hurt?” He took a few steps back, chin lifting higher, his one good eye squinting.

He just managed to see a pair of slender ears…

[Deleted]

Suddenly, the crying stopped as her breath caught in mid-exhale. She heard the voice, and stood quickly, trying to figure out where it came from. Normally, she would realize it was another person, but her diminished state made her caution burst through the roof. As she stood, her staff swung in a neat circle in her hands, and she twirled to look at the source of the voice.

After the initial realization that it was indeed not a Heartless, she looked upon the face of the curious man, and recognition flashed. She turned away, facing her back to Malakai, and lowered her head, her ears lying flat.

"I certainly didn't expect to see you again. But, please, now isn't the best time."

As she sat again, her legs dangling over the edge of the building, she traced her finger among the lines of her staff with a sigh. Well, a lot of good that was doing her.

[Larxene]

It took him a moment, but Malakai was able to place her face before she turned her back to him.

“…Maya, was it? What are you doing out here? It’s not safe, with the Heartless… and why are you crying?” He frowned slightly.

He could tell from her tone that she didn’t want him there, that she wanted to be left alone. But now that he saw that it was someone he knew, someone who helped him before, he could not very well leave now. He would get to the bottom of this is it took him all night.

[Deleted]

"I'm sorry, Malakai... I lost someone dear to me... and I can't handle it anymore."

She sighed and rubbed her forehead, holding back what just a little while she had been releasing. She desperately wanted her back, but it was impossible to do so, and she knew it. Normally, in the Wood, viera would mourn briefly, then move on. Then why hadn't she?

Then again, she wasn't of the Wood anymore, she had been driven from it as an outcast. She was different than most viera, a freak in any world. She looked down at her hands once again, the metal claws clacking together as she moved them. Maybe it was her destiny to lose everybody that she loved, to be truly alone. Well, if that were to be, she would do her best to prevent it.

And, before she knew it, she had stood, turned and pulled Malakai into an embrace, crying her heart out on his shoulder.

[Larxene]

Malakai wasn’t at all prepared for this.

He wasn’t expecting Maya to say why soon. Nor was he expecting that to be the reason for her sorrow. Hearing her words made him feel a twinge of pain deep inside. And her sudden embrace, her crying into his shoulder, practically tore his heart in two.

I lost someone dear to me… and I can’t handle it anymore.

I know how that feels, he thought to himself, after the initial shock had passed. He deeply, truly did know what that was like. How to lose someone you really loved, how to feel helpless and uncertain how to deal with it all. And he knew what it had done to him, how it turned him careless, selfish, inviting the Darkness into his heart and into his world, only making him lose so much more in his grief’s wake.

He knew what the sorrow felt like, but he didn’t know what he could do for the sobbing Viera.

For a good long while he stood there, stiff as a board and feeling so horribly awkward as Maya cried into his shoulder, looking down at her with sympathy, understanding, while his hands hung at his sides. He never was good with crying girls. He never knew how to deal with them, what to say to them, anything. His last few experiences ended in such disaster that he usually just let them be. But now was different…

Though he barely knew Maya, he could not just shove her off. But he didn’t know what he could say to her either. He supposed there was one thing her could do… Though he did not know how much help it would be.

Uncertainly, he brought up his hands and wrapped his arms around the crying Viera, returning the embrace, pulling her closer and letting her sag into him, running and gentle hand through her hair. He remained silent.

[Deleted]

It took Maya a little while to calm, but the feel of Malakai's hand running through her hair helped her. Eventually, she was reduced to sniffling, and she let go of him, backing up a few steps and hanging her head. She suddenly felt embarrassed, and was glad a blush wouldn't appear on her face. She traced a line on the ground with her foot, and shyly flicked her ears as she tried to get over the...awkwardness she felt.

"I-I'm sorry, Malakai...I've tried to control myself these past few days...but saying it seemed to cause it to come out. I-I really should go, I'd hate to be a bother..."[/color

However, she just stood there, waiting for a response. Part of her wanted him to chase her off and leave her alone, but another part wanted him to comfort her again, and tel her everything was alright. She had missed the feeling of a comforting hug and someone who understood how she felt. Still, she looked down, still not confident enough to look into his face.

[Larxene]

He could not help but continue to stand there and just stare at the viera, feeling slightly dumb, his mind numb and trying to find the words to say to her, grasping for them like how a fish out of water gasped for a precious few drops of water.

This was not at all how Malakai expected his evening to go. He was surprised, a little stunned, but mostly confused by it all. What could he do, say, to ease her?

“It is alright.”

Was it? He greatly doubted so. Someone died, someone close. And letting it all out seemed to help her… just a tiny bit. Perhaps he should get her to tell him more about it, help get it all out of her system. But not out here…
“I am not entirely sure what has happened… I am sorry.” He said finally in the silence. “If you so desire, I will here you out, if it will make you feel any better to talk about it. Though it is too risky to talk here, wouldn’t you say? Come, we can go to my place and I will make you some tea, and something to eat.”

He offered her a small smile, comforting and warm.

[Deleted]

With a small nod, Maya let out another sniffle and wiped at her eye and looked at the hume that had given her this kindness. Truly, she had almost forgotten what it felt like for someone to care about her, and this was a refreshing reminder. Her demeanor seem ed to...improve, with Malakai's kind words, and she gave him a soft smile.

"In other circumstances, your hospitality would be..well, to put it bluntly, rejected. But I appreciate the offer, Malakai. It is very selfless of you."

And with that, she prepared to follow him, her mood obviously rising again.

(( Blah. D: Shorty short poast. ))

[Larxene]

His offer accepted, Malakai slipped his arm around her own and started off towards the First District, leading her by his side. He would not leave her to just follow. Not with how she was right now. He wouldn’t dare risk it. When Sarah was found dead – no, murdered – so long ago, he more or less found himself in the same state as Maya… and while he was in that state he did something very, very stupid…

He did not want Maya to do the same, lest she harm herself, or others. He wouldn’t allow that.

As he guided her, he decided it was best to keep her talking. Keep her from thinking on those dreary thoughts. So he looked to the sky, to the soft flakes of snow falling from it. A new norm for the Town.

“Peculiar weather, no?” he asked her softly, looking at her from the corner of his good eye. “What do you suspect would be behind… such a drastic change?”

[Deleted]

A brief glance to the sky was all Maya allowed herself, and she did notice that it was, once again, snowing in Traverse Town.

"Truly an oddity for here. I haven't seen snow in quite some time, actually...would you believe that I've only ever seen it thrice?"

Her memory flashed back to Ivalice, as she remembered a particular moment in her previous life that was a shock to her.

"Both times were on a mountain in Ivalice called Mt. Bor-Omisace. The first time was uneventful, and it was a short visit. The second time...well, it was during a hunt for some gold, and I got lost looking for my mark. I spent a good two days wandering up there...it's a miracle that I didn't freeze to death...but, to make a long story short, I found the mark, took it out, and a kindly moogle escorted me to the temple atop the mountain."

She giggled lightly, and then continued.

"Do you know how snow is made? Some say it's the tears of the goddess that the demon Mateus captured...but you wouldn't know of my world's lore. I'll have to explain it to you someday."