Moonlight Musing [ Alice ]

[Axel]

"Man, I miss the old times. Still got it memorized? The day we met, and you got your new name, you and I sat right here, and watched the sun set." The colors of orange, and gold. The rolling green hills that stretched on into the ever-setting sun: there was a lazy, cozy sort of comfort in the spectacle from the top of the tower. And all too quickly, the warmth of the memory dissolved away, leaving only the cold, dark reality of an everlasting night.

Hard to believe this is really the same place. The thought lingered in the back of Lea's mind as he sat on a slanted slab. Perhaps it wasn't safe up here anymore - the Clocktower had a few sizable cracks running through it. The ledge where they used to sit was gently slanted now, but still comfortable enough. His jade eyes took in the ruins of the Station Plaza below, then turned to the horizon. Up here, at the top of the tower, he had woven several good memories. The warmth of the sun, the gentle breeze in the air: he could still sense those things, but savoring their sweetness, only really made the gravity of the Nightfall that much heavier. It was colder. The moonlight from the shattered sphere in the sky above was still beautiful to look at, but without good company to enjoy it with, it really only seemed more empty.

He had already resolved that he would fill that emptiness by trying to find his friends, but where would he start? Were there any worlds left to explore out there - with what few twinkling stars remained in the sky? Was it even right to go looking for his friends, if he had responsibility now? After all, he was a Keyblade Wielder; surely that responsibility would skew any personal agenda. Though, to be honest, his to-do list had never really been so black and white. Even when he was Axel, he was just as busy fulfilling his own agenda as he was with anything related to the Organization's. It wasn't that he considered himself disloyal, it was simply that Lea's loyalty was a little different shape than most.

He scratched at the back of his head with an irritated sigh, then placed both arms behind himself, that jade gaze getting lost somewhere in what few glimmering stars remained. Plans were always so tiresome.

[Alice Kingsleigh]

Despite its severe levels of deterioration and destruction, Twilight Town’s heart kept beating strong. The buzzle on Market Street kept activity flowing through the town. Citizens, natives and foreigners, had all managed to find their place in an improvised yet strangely functioning society. The world kept losing small parts of itself to the darkness as the days went by, yet it continued to fight and struggle against an impending end. It didn’t take much to see it. She’d only been around for three days and Alice was already convinced of the people’s strong will to survive.

It filled her with determination and hope of her own.

Still, there were areas of the city left devoid of such sentiments. Sunset Terrace for instance, which most of the natives fondly reminisced about, was cut off from the populated sectors. One could attempt to reach it as well as other separate districts through the series of interconnected underground tunnels, but rumor had it the Heartless had adopted the network as their own when the Nightfall started. It remained virtually impenetrable at certain points.

Closer to the city’s core, however, laid the ruins of the once iconic Central Station. Unlike the lively “shopping” squares and improvised living districts located a few blocks away, complete and utter silence filled the immediate area. It was rare for a soul to venture out to such a place, especially alone. Alice believed most of it had to do with most natives’ reluctance to visit and scavenge the plaza. It was a symbol of their golden age, after all. A reminder of what once was and all which had been lost. The newcomers tended to follow suit and instead stuck to Tram Common and the surrounding woods (what was left of them, at least) for general exploration and resource gathering.

Alice wasn’t so quick to dismiss the station as a no-man’s land, though. There was something about the place, especially that clocktower…

And who knew? Perhaps one of her crew had ended up in that side of town.

“Hello?” Her cautious greeting echoed against the tower’s inside walls, traveling all the way to the top before dissipating in the night’s frigid wind. The building itself was dimly lit, sections scarcely illuminated by the broken moon. She could see how cracks decorated the pillars, steps missing chunks here and there. Nonetheless it was far from pitch black. Feasible, but a challenge regardless. It probably wasn’t her soundest idea either, but it wasn’t as if she was completely incapable of defending herself. As a matter of fact, she was quite capable of doing so.

The captain took a step inside, Vorpal Sword raised in case a shadow or two attempted to sneak up on her as she climbed. After a few moments of apparent silence, she’d take another… and another… and another. She trod firmly on her way up, careful not to slip and fall to surely an unpleasant outcome. After all, the structure’s state was far from optimal and conventional safety levels. And yet, Alice’s excitement led her to quicken her pace by the time she reached the middle. The excitement to see what laid on the top was just too much for her to wait any longer!

The view was absolutely…

“Marvelous…” the girl managed to utter. She was clearly taken by the beauty hidden amongst the structural remains surrounding the clocktower. It was almost as if she could see visions of the real Twilight Town flashing before her eyes. Still burning. Still alive.

No wonder she failed to notice any other beings lounging around.

[Axel]

At the slightest sound of scuffling below, Lea turned his attention to the noise. He pulled one knee closer to his chest, resting an arm on it. If he had to, he would be able to spring up at the first sign of trouble. If not, well, there was relaxing to do. He wasn't ready to up and leave without ample reason. Besides, the air was so crisp and fresh tonight!

The tower echoed with the faint noise of someone calling below. It piqued his interest. Few citizens had been wandering out from the safe confines of the refuge at the center of the town. At least, few that he had been aware of. But, nonetheless, another soul had come to the tower. By the sound of it, she was coming up the steps. A smirk slid softly across his lips. What a coincidence! Hadn't he just been thinking about how empty it felt up here without any company? Funny, that just after considering that thought, someone should grace his presence. 

The stranger had emerged shortly after, only a few yards away. Her attention was obviously fixed on the scenery. She was dressed in a way that suggested she should be respected: from what sort of world had she come? Her attire obviously told him that she was someone of importance. The coat was a nice blue that reminded him of someone of naval significance, though he would let fate unwind her origins if it so chose and simply roll with the punches for now. Well, she was obviously lost in the beauty of the ever-night. Perhaps he should announce himself?

One hand still rested on the cool, flat ledge behind him, the other resting on a knee that had been propped up. His demeanor remained easy-going and relaxed, a gentle grin turning the corners of his lips upward, and there was just the slightest spark of interest in those vibrant jade eyes. Lea mused, responding to the statement that hadn't even been directed at him. "Isn't it just?"

[Alice Kingsleigh]

“Ah,” she hastily turned, startled by the unknown voice that seemed to have emerged from the darkness. Alice immediately raised the Vorpal Sword before her, her body shifting into a rather clumsy defensive position. As far as she knew, Heartless weren’t supposed to be able to speak but she still didn’t want to take her chances. They were also supposed to be gone, after all. Who knew what other tricks they had under their sleeves this time around?

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before she found the source of the sound. A young man, not much older than herself, sat on the edge of the clocktower, his back resting against one of the upper walls. Even out in the dark, his bright red hair seemed to be his most distinguishable physical feature. It was long and spiky, wild yet clearly cared after in its own particular manner. For the briefest of instances, she was somewhat reminded of a chestnut mane that belonged to another…

“Yes. I… I do find it strangely beautiful. Is that an insensitive thing to say? I cannot figure it out. Still, one must always aim to find the silver linings in life, especially when under dire circumstances such as these,” Alice slowly lowered her blade, allowing her posture to relax a bit. Her immediate instinct didn’t urge her to run. That itself was a good sign, and a welcome one at that. “In any case, I must apologize for acting so anxiously, though I’m afraid it’s become an unwritten rule when venturing outside the more… popular areas. The people here have lost so much… I suppose it isn’t completely without reason, am I right?”

She took a step forward, completely exiting the tower’s innards. The captain boldly leaned over and took a look beyond the edge of the structure.

It was taller than she’d thought, or at least it appeared so all the way from the top.

“I didn’t think I’d find anyone else out here. The innkeeper tried to talk me out of it earlier this evening,” she continued, glancing over at the man. Brown eyes subtly studied him a second time. It was hard to see much under such dim lighting, but Alice managed to take note of the long black coat he wore. Hardly what she’d call Twilight Town fashion. She still approved of the design (it looked oddly comfortable), though she’d prefer to add some colors to the garment. “I may be mistaken, but I suppose you’re a stranger to this world as well then. Perhaps not as foreign as myself, though. You did get here before me, all things considered.”

[Axel]

((OOC: I wanted to add a note: we know that Xion and her memories both should have been lost, but since Xion is an active character on the site, we thought it would make sense that if she returned, memories of her would as well. I am writing this post with that consensus.))

Lea didn't seem particularly stirred by her first course of action; he could hardly blame her, and he didn't think she was the type who was cold-hearted enough to off strangers right off the bat. "Sure, sure." It was an easy-going statement. Alice's apprehension was understandable. And it seemed she had more to say, so he would listen. He didn't really have anywhere else to be right now, so there really was no rush.

A stranger to this world? He supposed he could understand that conclusion. There was a humble grin on his lips, the bittersweet feeling in his heart was a reminder of how much had changed. "I'm a stranger to this version of it, anyway." Leaning back on both arms, he cast his gaze up at the enormous, empty purple sky. "The sky used to be orange, believe it or not. And the sun never set." It was brighter and warmer then. "Me and a couple close pals used to hang out on this very ledge." Wait, pals? That's right... there was more than just Roxas. Xion was there too. "At the end of a long day, there was nothing more relaxing than sitting up here, watching the sun set." They were such good memories.

"But, that's in the past now." After a moment in reminiscent thought, he turned his attention toward the young woman. "You know, I heard rumor that the Moogles think the other worlds aren't lost, they're just in limbo somewhere." Well, that was the really short of it. There was a spark in his eyes, though it was difficult to pinpoint exactly why. "And they seem to think there's a way to get them back." Mostly he was testing the waters. Maybe he wanted to see what she thought, or what she'd heard. After all, as long as there were even a few individuals who held out hope for their home worlds, the future remained promising.

[Alice Kingsleigh]

Alice listened to the man’s retelling of the Twilight Town of ages past. She couldn’t help smiling at the mental pictures. The innkeeper had told her a bit about how this world had changed since the Nightfall, but he didn’t go into many details nor the woman think it prudent to prod any further. But now… she could see it more clearly: the warm colored skies, the bustle on the streets. She pictured spending her evenings with McTwisp, Mally and the Hatter, just enjoying each other’s company and that tease of a sunset. All of it up high, sitting on the edge of the clocktower. A simple life, in a simple town.

Despite her penchant for adventure, Alice had to admit it…

It sounds wonderful," she offered, taking a seat beside the male. Despite deeming Twilight Town’s current state 'marvelous' and even 'beautiful' in its own way, the captain also understood how such radical changes could affect those familiar with its brighter version. The night sky hadn’t come without its own share of destruction. Now, she wondered if the red maned man had been directly affected by such events.

Alice made a mental note to add his friends’ wellbeing to that day’s list of optimistic thoughts before bedtime.

Still, the way he’d addressed her assumption… was he in fact not native to Twilight Town, but familiar with it nonetheless? Wouldn’t that mean that he too had found a way to travel between worlds before the ongoing series of diasporas?

Before she could bring up the subject, the man interjected with his own theory… or the Moogles’, apparently. Alice’s heartbeat quickened. It made sense. In the past, after the darkness had taken over so many worlds, Sora still managed to find a way to restore them. The specific details eluded her, of course, but it offered the possibility of someone doing the same thing this time around.

The question was… who, and how?

"I wouldn’t say it sounds too… far-fetched. Then again, I believe I’ve heard my own share of improbable things." Alice replied, turning her head to look at the man. There was something about his look… inquisitive, roguish even, but she didn’t sense any bad intent behind it. It was a tricky situation, though one hardly foreign to her. Trusting others had become difficult since her time as a captive. She was older now and she knew how to protect herself and others, sure, but she knew it all too well: darkness could be hide even behind a friendly smile. "And even if it did, some people say “impossibility is but a choice away from reality”. What a lovely thought… wouldn’t you agree?"

Caution would be a sensible course of action.

"I’m curious, though. What do you make of this ‘theory’?"

[Axel]

Well, she seemed rather open to the idea. He understood how preposterous it sounded, so it was a refreshing change of pace to find someone so open-minded. And perhaps there was something a little intriguing about the notion of having someone as open to the possibilities as he was. The bare bones of the idea seemed easy enough. But plausibility? Psh. He never really thought that hard about the details of any plans. It was harder to roll with the punches if you get too detailed. What did he think of the hearsay?

One hand reached up to scratch the back of his head. It was a bit awkward to suddenly have doubt about the finer details of an idea. Just how could they linger in limbo, anyway? “I dunno.”

But then again, stranger things had been done. And he’d seen some pretty strange things with his own eyes! So even if he didn’t understand how, maybe he could still appreciate the idea. More than that, he wanted to cling to the spark of hope that came with it. It was with a bit more confidence that he continued to speak. “It’s the best shot we’ve got.”

"Besides, if there’s a chance to get my friends back, I’m gonna take it.” his fingers opened up in front of him, just to close confidently in a gesture all too fitting for the eccentric redhead. “So I suppose a talk with the moogles is in order.” The lithe ginger got to his feet, taking a few strides to head back down the tower and toward the sanctuary’s center. There was a flashy sort of smirk across his face: one that said that there was still hope in the world, and he was either going to find it.

Those black-lined jade eyes flicked over his shoulder to Alice as he passed. Something about what she said really lit a fire of hope in him. What was it: impossibility is just a choice away from reality? “About that quote,” his smirk slid a little wider. It was confident, collected but a fiery mess, and mildly attractive in its own right. “I like it.”

[Alice Kingsleigh]

Alice chuckled to herself, amused by the male’s sudden boost of confidence. Seeing people hold on to that feeling of hope, debatable as it could be, always made her feel nice and warm inside. It kept the light within them alive, and that itself was enough to sustain a heart when times got rough. It was probably what had saved Twilight Town from being consumed by darkness during the initial assault. The world truly had a fighting chance… its people only had to remember and believe.

And who knew? Maybe these Moogles were right. Maybe fragments of their lost worlds lay scattered in other realms, sleeping while awaiting their eventual discovery. Maybe…

No. She had to believe it. She really had to believe it. Then, and only then, it would all be true to her. She’d be able to see Mother and Margaret, and even her old cat Dinah again.

"I suppose it is… wait, do you mean right now?" Alice raised an eyebrow at the red-maned man, who now stood before the archway leading back inside the tower. It all seemed so… sudden. Would the Moogles be open to speaking so openly about these theories of theirs? Alice herself had been avoiding them for the most part. While she knew they were kind and humble creatures, actively looking for ways to help those in need, the woman still didn’t know if disclosing her true role in all of this was a wise move.

Any sort of special treatment because of it would only make her uncomfortable.

"Hold on…. sir!" Alice blushed at the compliment, slightly taken aback by the man’s smug smile. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before she came to her senses and rose to her feet. "If you don’t mind the company…"

Maybe it was time to stop being afraid.