Tower to the Heart

(This thread takes place after "Falling from the Heavens" in Disney Town.)

The Tower grounds were quiet as usual. A perpetual night sky above, showing the myriad worlds. A quasi-peace, a location kept from much of the harm of other worlds.

This peace was not due to pure neutrality. Neither was it due to any artifact to keep out elements of the light or the dark. Rather, it was due to a single person: Yen Sid, the retired Keyblade Master and archmage. His power and skill as a sorcerer were far beyond anything most could contemplate, particularly in the powers of light magic. And with the start of what the Seekers of Darkness were calling a "war," he was somewhat busy preparing others to stop them.

Azumi Tamashī looked around, having exited her companion's ship. After the crash earlier, she had decided to stay away from any areas that had notably high amounts of light to a dangerous degree, owing to her being a creature of darkness. However, she had to go here, as while it was not especially dangerous to her, its resident was someone she had to speak with. Someone who knew things, and who she knew she could help in return.

She looked to the large double doors, then toward her companion. "Might be dangerous on the way up," she noted, hand on her gun, ready to draw it if necessary. "Anything we should know going up there? I only know the top of the interior from descriptions that may be out of date."

Rikka stretched as she walked forward. The tower certainly was quite the sight to see on this small floating island in the middle of a void. Though this was not a casual visit as Azumi had rather important things to speak with Yen Sid about. Rikka didn't remember much about him other than being a fairly serious individual as well as a former Keyblade Master.

"If I recall there should be Heartless and Nobodies on the way up the tower. Nothing too powerful or anything but we might have to fight occasionally." Rikka responded after taking a second to remember what she knew. "Overall I think we can take it easy as we make our way up. We can use the time to talk as there are some things I wanted to speak with you about." With that Rikka started to make her way into the tower itself. The inside was fairly barren with the only thing of notice was the staircase leading up.

At the mention of enemies, no matter how weak, Azumi drew her gun, though keeping it low. Yes, Shadows were weaker than most dwellers, but she was not about to face them unprepared after years of fighting them.

"Thanks," she said over her shoulder, approaching the door. She was all business, though capable of talking outside of that if need be. Still, her priority was on keeping herself and her friend safe.

On entering the tower, she saw its relatively sparse decorations, and focused in her powers to her eyes as trained by Master Riku. Looking for hints of emotion… nothing, though she was not looking over at Rikka.

Letting her emotional senses go, she started up the stairs, weapon at the ready, and saw a door partway up. Looking up the spiral staircase above, she noticed more of these doors, apparently portals to shorten the distance. There were likely foes above, but she was not close enough to easily see them.

Taking a breath, she opened the door before them and stepped through, hoping to be prepared in case of an attack.

(If there is one we can do the combat or skip past it. Your call.)

Rikka followed after Azumi as the two started to make their way up the tower. Rikka kept an eye on Azumi as they went as the solider seemed tense though Rikka understood why. After all they were on the way to hopefully figure out how to rescue Azumi's friend from the Realm of Darkness. Rikka could only vaguely recall the Realm from what she remembered of it from the game. All she knew about it was the beach that Sora and Riku ended up in the end of the second game but nothing more than that. It likely wasn't a very safe place but Rikka had no idea how dangerous it really was and it would be impolite to ask Azumi especially when she was in this sort of state.

Thankfully before Rikka had to try and force a conversation the two made it into a simple round room that which filled up with Nobodies. Several Dusks, Dragoons and Snipers appeared with the Snipers immediately taking shots at the duo.

Rikka raised her arms and a wall of light appeared to block the enemy fire. She was still inexperienced with her powers but something as simple as a wall was not an issue. Plus she had her gloves to allow her to attack as a blue halberd appeared in her hands. The wall faded as Rikka charged and thrust her weapon right into the chest of a Dusk and watched as it faded away.

Azumi did not have much experience with these beings, if any. She had more heard of them than dealt with them herself. As such, her actions were more based on instinct than experience, different from fighting against the dwellers in the dark. The ODST barely dodged out of the way of the first shots from the Snipers, ducking down and fired back. Blasts of darkness hit them once, twice, three times. It seemed to be doing some damage, but not much. Not enough of a decrease to believe they were resistant, but not enough damage to see it as inherently better.

She charged forward to get away from the immediate line of fire, eyes narrowed, and looked around for other threats, seeing the Dusks that were approaching Rikka. Again she fired, this time aiming for their necks. One of the shots missed due to their absurd flexibility, leading her to swear under her breath, but the rest hit, one of the assailants dispersed into nothing much like that destroyed by Rikka herself.

Panning back to the Snipers, Azumi dashed forward, trying to make it harder for them to get a shot in, even moving back and forth rather quickly to avoid an especially large bolt from their crossbows. She drew her knife, the blade forming out of shadow as usual...

... and she felt a sharp pain in her leg, biting her lip. Looking to her side, she saw the spear of that other one had sliced down it, seemingly having landed from high above. How had it... a teleporter?

As the Dragoon swung the spear sideways, attempting to get another strike in, she deflected it with her gun's slide, just barely missing her body, and stabbed hard into its rather thin abdomen. It seemed prepared to move away, but she grabbed it by the elongated neck, and twisted it in the path of the incoming crossbow bolts. Stunned by another strike, it was left open for a brief moment, before Azumi shot it point blank in the armored chest twice, snarling in anger as she dropped it to the side, letting it dissipate as blood ran down her leg, then lunged at the nearest sniper, knife-first.

These were new attackers, but she was, while unfamiliar with them, no coward in the face of death.

Nobodies, Rikka felt, were much more annoying to deal with than Heartless. For one thing the way they moved was so odd compared to how a Shadow would move. The Dragoons and Snipers were even worse being able to attack from a distance and above.

Azumi seemed to be focusing on the Dragoons so while she was focused on them, Rikka decided to eliminate the Snipers. Creating another wall of light in front of her, Rikka made her way to the Snipers, only for them to vanish. Before she could move her shield, Rikka grimanced as she felt pain in her shoulder and she looked to see the Sniper she had just been after was now behind her. She had forgotten they could teleport annoyingly. The sniper fired again and Rikka swung her halberd and actually connected with the bolt of energy. Unlike the game though it did not fly back to hit the Nobody but instead just hit a random wall. The game made it look so easy.

Not letting it teleport again, Rikka shifted her halberd to a javelin and tossed it at the Sniper. While it managed to hit it, it wasn't enough to destroy it but that moment was enough for Rikka to get in close and finish it off with another weapon made from her gauntlets. Another swing eliminated another Dusk as she searched for the other Snipers.

The Sniper that Azumi had lunged toward barely had time to turn in her direction, but it was enough. Her knife met naught but air as it warped, twisting to be behind her. As it appeared, it fired a shot from its crossbow, one that hung in the air for a split second before traveling toward its target.

Luckily, the woman was prepared this time, ducking low and avoiding a wild swing from the apparently more common type that seemed rather good at reacting. The shot barely missed the both of them, and rather than try to come in close, an effort that seemed to trigger a response to move away, she instead sheathed her knife and drew her handgun, taking aim at the monstrous marksman. Focusing on, she tried to find any hint of emotion, anything that could help her figure out where to aim…

Nothing. Nothing at all. Only from herself and Rikka, but not these targets, these puppets. Well, that was odd.

After that very brief pause, she fired, a blast of darkness coming its way, then another, then another. Unlike the crossbow sniper, these shots were not hanging in mid-air, but rather immediately hit the creature, forcing it to undulate somewhat in reactive defense. She kept going, letting loose several more shots…

… and then the explosion came. It was not overly violent, not enough to hurt Rikka, but it did cause that assailant to dissipate, as well as push one of those more common subjects back a bit.

However, Azumi did not have time to admire her handiwork, as a sweep of white legs moved under her, hitting her ankles and tripping her up to stumble backwards. Her quick reflexes kept her from falling on her back altogether, instead causing her to roll with the fall to somersault backwards and end up on her feet, turning toward the reflexive creature. Not wasting a moment, she fired twice at its right side, causing it to dodge to the left, and quickly followed, shooting it at near point-blank range several times in its torso and finishing with a shot to the center of the symbol-like "face" that caused it to disappear as well, likely as close to dead as it could be.

She just hoped Rikka was having little trouble.

Rikka glanced back at how Azumi was doing and she had eliminated the Sniper which just left a Dragoon and the Dusks. While she tried to ignore it, she can't help but feel the Darkness from Azumi's attacks. The feeling is impossible to describe for the angel but it just catches her attention every time it is used. She did briefly wonder if Azumi gets a similar feeling from whenever Rikka uses her own light based powers but she shook her head as now was not the time.

The Dragoon struck with its own spear, clashing against Rikka's halberd, slowing pushing Rikka back largely due to Rikka's lack of experience both with the weapon and combat in general. The angel grit her teeth as she formed an actual shield in her left hand to block a thrust from the Nobody. Thanks to her weapons being constructs and thus not having any weight, Rikka easily thrust her halberd forward now pushing the Nobody back, safely behind the shield.

With it unable to get past Rikka's defenses, the Dragoon leapt into the air to attempt it's signature move. But Rikka had been waiting for that as chains of light surged from the walls and tangled themselves all around the Dragoon. Keeping it tightly locked down, Rikka smirked as he cut down the defenseless Nobody. That trick had been something she had been working on for some time and it felt good to actually use it.

With the last of the larger Nobodies taken care of, that just left the Dusks, one of which was blasted away in a beam of light.

Azumi actually could feel some of the light being used by Rikka, but was reasonably good at ignoring it. After all, in her training under Master Aqua, she had seen a great number of light-based spells and techniques, including the likes of her "Prisim Rain" and "Magic Hour." However, unlike the effects of the Cornerstone of Light, these were not inherently damaging to her as a person connected to negativity and, to a degree, a form of darkness, albeit impure.

She was a bit wary at times of light, but only so far as it could be used like any other tool. Darkness was corruptive if improperly used, but it did not seem that light had the same effect. Or perhaps she just was lucky with who she had seen so far.

That aside, she had not been thinking on any of these concepts in the moment. Instead, she was focused on the remaining two of these white creatures.

One of them rammed its insignia-emblazoned forehead at her, forcing her to duck. Rather than bother to aim up, she instead aimed down, a dark magic-infused blast from her gun taking a second one of these monsters in the quasi-ankle as it tried to sweep her legs once more from behind. While it was stunned, she reached back with one hand, and grabbed the other one by its neck, before turning and slamming it down headfirst into the floor.

The impact caused the head to hit the sweeping one's legs, causing both to twist and turn in the air, seemingly stunned for a brief moment. Before they could respond, she yanked out her broken combat knife, and caused it to flare up with black and red energy before slashing sideways, across both of their necks in a further stunning move that created a jagged line across their contorting bodies, as well as destroying one. Before the other could respond, she reached up, and, using her legs and arms at once, wrapped herself around it in a way to pin its arms down, before finally falling to her knees and stabbing straight into its "face."

As the last of these entities dissipated into black-and-white wisps, she stood up, putting away her weapons as she looked around carefully, then took a deep breath, allowing herself to go back into passive observation rather than actively looking for a threat. "You alright there?" she asked her companion, still a bit confused by these creatures, but also caring enough about the angel's condition as they would ascend the tower.

With the last of the Nobodies defeated, Rikka allowed herself to relax. Letting go of her weapon causing it to disappear Rikka turned back to Azumi and nodded. "Yes I am alright. In the end these kinds of Nobodies aren't too different from Heartless. In terms of fighting them at least. Let's keep going."

Rikka turned and walked out of the chamber and the two once again started to make their way up the tower. As they walked Rikka crossed her arms as she thought about what she wanted to say to Azumi. Azumi seemed to be a little awkward in social situations and considering what Rikka was planning to ask, it would make things even more so. Though it was already going to be a little awkward considering what they came here to do. Although that would be a good lead in.

"Hey Azumi." Rikka finally asked. "After you manage to rescue your master what do you intend to do?" After all with how Azumi was so focused on rescuing her master that would likely have to be done before anything else Rikka wanted to do.

The hooded woman's mouth went completely level for a moment, her head down. Azumi stood there for a few seconds, thinking.

Ever since falling to the dark, she had been driven by one goal at a time. She had needed to escape the Realm of Darkness, and took up her training to that end. Now she was free of that place, and needed to save her sister-in-arms. Then she would need to take vengeance on the kid who was why she had become what she was now… No.

No, even before all of that. She had a singular drive at least as far back as ONI's orders, the assassinations and thefts. Perhaps it was why she was so close to this dark power, the one that focused her negativity into magic: her obsessive drive.

After some time, slowly stepping up the spiral staircase, she finally spoke up, looking toward the angel beside her.

"I… I don’t know. I never had to think ahead beyond the current mission in a very long time. Dealing with the current conflict seems like a good idea, but I know that isn’t what you mean." She took a breath, trying to keep her collected affect. "Do you have any ideas?"

"Hmm" Rikka wasn't too surprised to hear that Azumi had no idea of what she would do after this. Rikka had figured Azumi as someone who focused on her current task above all else. But this could work out well for the angel as long as she managed to word things properly.

"I could give you some suggestions but that is all they are." Rikka finally answered. "But after you save your master I was wondering if we could travel together some more. My travels have gotten me thinking about worlds like Radiant Garden. I wish to do something to help improve the defense of these worlds not just from things like Heartless and Nobodies but something new that will come. I feel that your experience could help me out with that."

It had been an idea that Rikka had been working on for some time. While Radiant Garden had some powerful guardians they were still a few individuals and other worlds don't even have that. A group that could defend multiple worlds would help with any threats that would pop up in the future due to the Convergence. Part of that is the reason Rikka was pursuing Azumi as her military experience would be a great help in setting it up. That was only one reason though.

"I do also want to spend more time with you. As friends and possibly more." Rikka said deciding to be more forward with her feelings.

Azumi listened to the idea. She was not opposed to having some form of order, but she also was wary about it, given her experience with the Office of Naval Intelligence. Perhaps she could keep it from going that way, if kept from its overwhelming paranoia? … Okay, so that itself sounded paranoid, but that was likely part of the point. If she could-

What.

The woman paused, eyes widening at the last statement, though hidden by her hood. Her face became a bit red, though she was a bit pale, so it may have gone unnoticed by the angel.

She… she liked her? Yes, Azumi was into Rikka Masami, but… but why would someone like her care for a freak of nature, one inherently corrupted? Could she even contemplate that, with all she had done, all she had been? How could…

"Th-that sounds like a good idea," she stammered out, her cheeks flush. "I… I might need some time to… to think about us-I mean it-on my own after I talk to the Master, though."

She really hoped it did not sound like rejection. She wasn’t even sure what it was. She hadn't dated in who knew how long. Liked girls, but mostly had been around guys. Did she have a preference? After all-

She coughed into one hand at the awkwardness. "L-Let's go, then. Hope it isn’t too far off…"

Honestly Azumi's response felt better than what Rikka had initially expected. She did drop this out of nowhere after all. There was no outright rejection and seemed to be thinking about it which meant that Azumi was attracted to women which was a good start.

"I understand. I did bring this up rather suddenly. I just wanted to make my feelings known. Now once everything with your master is taken care of we can talk about this more seriously." Rikka responded, showing that she understood Azumi's answer. Though Rikka had to admit, Azumi's reaction was rather cute. Rikka had not seen her so flustered before. Even an experienced soldier could be caught off guard when they got suddenly confessed to.

"I think we are reaching the top. Thankfully we didn't get any more uninvited guests along the way." Rikka said. It had been a bit of a trip but besides the first group of Nobodies they had not been bothered the rest of the way up.

"Yeah, that is good." Thankfully, the time between had allowed her to collect herself. The woman had to be ready for what was through that door, the one sure to lead to the inner chamber itself.

Within, a wizened, tall man sat, his robes and hat blue, his focus on the door, as well as on a book before him. He closed it, his eyes wide, though not out of surprise.

Yen Sid frowned as he saw the person in the obscuring hood come near. He had seen the changes in the stars, had an inkling to someone escaping the Realm of Darkness, to the coming war itself breaching the boundaries beyond what Xehanort had intended. But to see that person, apparently a woman, here, with a creature of light beside her… "Ah, wanderer of the dark. State your name."

The woman stood at attention, stock still, and her arm went up in a salute at the side of her head. "Azumi Tamashī, Master Yen Sid of the Tower."

"I doffed the mantle of Master long ago. It is for the protectors of their individual worlds, for the explorers."

"I… I am sorry, Master. I did not mean to offend."

"It is unimportant. You may lower your hand. What is, is that you remove your hood. You are hiding something."

A sigh, and she did so, pulling it back and standing at ease. The red eyes, the pale skin, the mark across her face. It all was familiar to the retired Keyblade Master.

"I have not seen that mark in more than a decade. It is of creatures long since dispersed or sent into hiding. There is much to learn." As the dark haired woman opened her mouth to speak, he raised a hand. "But I assume you have questions as well."

"I do, sir. Of these dwellers in the dark, of these other, white creatures…"

"But these are questions you could ask any number of your compatriots. I assume you have seen them, out in the worlds."

"This… is true," Azumi answered, looking to the ground. "I have waited for some time to see you, to talk. I heard of you, and wish to learn more. To ask if I can help to rescue my best friend, my sister-in-arms." She weighed her words carefully, precisely, but they spilled out nonetheless. "I know I am a mutated monster. That I am a danger to so many. That I scare others, all but the young children who do not know my mark. But I have been in the darkness, have navigated as best as I could. I could help in that way, with my experience. I know I am not one of the chosen, those with blades of their own. I am corrupted, unworthy, and weak, but… please." Her explanation turned to pleading. "I promised her, and you have sent Masters Riku and Mickey-"

"Your friend…" It all made a kind of sense. The worlds would try to protect themselves, their hearts as well. "I believe that I understand your request, but would like you to ask for yourself."

She took a deep breath, trying to collect herself once more while darkness brimmed around her fingertips, her bottled anguish threatening to break loose. "Master Yen Sid, please let me join in the search. I need to save my sensei, Master Aqua."

It was one thing to see Yen Sid on a screen and it was entirely different to see him as an actual man, Rikka privately admitted in her head. She knew that it would be but there was something about Yen Sid's stare being on you that one could never really understand until you felt it for yourself. He really did give the presence of a wise old wizard who could still throw around powerful magic if the time ever came to it. Rikka knew she should never get on this man's bad side.

As Azumi spoke with Yen Sid, she stood back. After all Azumi was the one who really wished to speak with Yen Sid, all Rikka did was help her get here. But when she heard who Azumi was actually looking to save, it startled the angel. Ever since the beginning Rikka had slowly started remembering more and more about the Kingdom Hearts universe once she fully learned where she was. While that knowledge was imcomplete some of the big things she did remember where the names and Aqua was one that Rikka had definitely remembered.

"You were looking to save Aqua?" Rikka couldn't help but ask, finally inserting herself into the conversation. If Rikka remembered correctly, the Keyblade Master was alone in the Realm of Darkness. It was part of the reason why Rikka never connected but Rikka was mentally berated herself. She had just assumed what happened to Azumi was something separate from the story of Kingdom Hearts.

Azumi looked first to the retired Master, waiting for his say-so on if speaking up would be rude. She did not want to give the wrong impression and thus cause herself to lose her chance. When she received a nod in return, she looked over, her expression softer than usual due to emotional vulnerability.

"… Yeah, that's the mission." She waited a moment to collect herself, then continued. "I promised her we would escape together, but… I was thrown out of that place before we could. We were there for… I don't know how long, and she taught me what she could about magic, about swordplay… but I didn't get her out." Another moment, trying to stay calm as she recounted her perceived failures. "If you don't want to keep going with me, if this is too far out, that is fine. I won't force you. I know I can be hard to handle."

The woman of darkness looked back to the retired sorcerer. "Will you allow me?"

He seemed to consider her plea for a moment, stroking his beard. Only after a few seconds did he respond.

"No."

Emotions rolled in the ODST's heart, flaring up in extreme negativity. That negative emotion, from black to red, became visible on her gloves as she clenched her fists, eyes glowing a bright red as she gritted her teeth to keep from screaming. "Why. Not."

"You have traveled the darkness, yes. Let it into your being, or been changed by it." As she began to hang her head, he shook his own. "That is nothing to be ashamed of. Some fall, but you seem to have not done so as of yet. That may be admirable, and indeed you may have increased resistance to the dark. It is that resilience that bade me to grant young Riku his Mark of Mastery."

"So why not me? Why not let me join?" Her words, carefully chosen, were almost devoid of emotion, as if consciously holding back her rage, making them all the more potent, the shadows around her darkening as her hold on her bottled anguish began to loosen. "I have suffered, gone to great length-"

"I do not fault you your fervor, your desire to aid. You clearly do what you feel necessary to help those you care for." He waved a hand, and the image of a young man, about the age of the two women, appeared, transparent as an illusion. He was rather tall, and had dark hair and a muscular build. "Terra also cared for his friends, and worked to aid them. But the darkness burgeoned in his heart, his path manipulated by Master Xehanort until it was too late."

The illusion disappeared. "As you are, you are not in control of your darkness. You are not resistant to its influence, more simply directing your focus rather than truly being in command of yourself. Do you disagree?"

The shadows around the military woman had been decreasing during his explanation, her anger giving way to despair, building but not in any way that would be aimed offensively. By the time of his question, she was shaking due to trying to hold back an outburst of a sort she was uncertain, only standing still due to her training. "No…" She shook, thinking back. "I… I become overwhelmed when I feel at my worst, and lash out at everyone, everything. I barely remember when it is done…" She could only hang her head, barely able to look at the others in the room. "I try to keep collected, to keep my feelings in check until I need to use them, but it does not always work."

It took some time for her to find her voice again. "R-Rikka," she said, her voice shaking. "Did you have anything to ask him?"

(There IS an upside, but I will save it for Azumi's next post.)

Rikka frowned as Azumi was denied being able to help rescue Master Aqua. As much as she hated to see Azumi not only being denied something she so desperately wanted but being made aware of her weakness. And even worse was that Rikka could not fault Master Yen Sid for it. It was a reasonable concern and something that Azumi could not deny. That did not change that Rikka hated to see it but it is what it is.

As it was now her turn to ask the old master a question, Rikka gave Azumi a comforting smile as she stepped forward. It took her a few seconds as her mind went a mile a minute as she tried to formulate her question. In the end though there was only one thing she could ever ask.

"Master Yen Sid...I am a Converger from the Realm of Reality. Before I was brought here I was living with my twin sister. Do...do you know if it is possible that Yuki could be brought here too?" Rikka finally asked. It was the only question that Rikka could ask, one that had always been in the back of her mind. Would she ever see her sister again? Would Yuki think that something terrible had happened to her and would spend her nights worrying and praying for Rikka's safety.

Again Yen Sid took a few seconds before giving his answer. "I do not know. No one fully understands the Convergence and what allows individuals such as yourself to be brought here."

Rikka couldn't hide her grimace at the answer. It was one that she expected but also feared the most to hear.

"However there is the possibility that she too may become a Converger. The bond you have with her, as twin siblings, may be strong enough to create a connection that will allow her to become a Converger herself." Yen Sid added.

It was all speculation from the old Wizard, Rikka could tell, but it was something that comforted her all the same. Bowing her head in thanks, Rikka turned away so he couldn't see the tears starting to build up in her eyes.

Azumi took a deep breath, then another. Then another. She needed to calm down. Needed to find a way, to make it all worth it, to…

She needed time. Needed a way to get there before they left, to…

The woman barely heard what Yen Sid said about Rikka's sister, but subconsciously got the basic information. She looked over at the angel, knowing the posture well, but unsure how to handle it.

"Sir," she said, forcing her turmoil down, even as it flared within. "I can't just sit by and do nothing. I need to help, I can’t just… just be worthless."

And that was it. That was how she felt: worthless. Her entire goal, leading to nothing. Her promises, turning up empty. Her ability, nothing in the face of such overwhelming forces.

The sorcerer stroked his chin. "There are ways to learn," he said, his expression relatively neutral. "You understand that even with your beliefs, there is only so much that can be trusted to a relative stranger. Especially given your lack of a Keyblade. You would need the involvement of others to gain access to the Realm of Darkness once more, especially if Masters Riku and Mickey are traversing the boundaries soon."

"I know that. I--"

He held up a hand to stop her, and she lowered her head in shame at her outburst toward such a powerful figure, gritting her teeth in self-loathing. "Such a path is difficult, but not impossible. Given your circumstances and our own, I suggest traveling to the world known as the Mirage Arena. There, you can face a wide variety of illusory foes, as arranged by its keeper, a shop owner. There is temporal magic over the arena, though not to the point of freezing time itself. Rather, the speed is slowed significantly, potentially giving you enough time to control your power."

The woman took a breath. Yes, that may help her, if the situations were challenging enough, but if it was just training... "Would there be a chance of permanent injury, or even death?"

A stroke of the beard. "Possible, but unlikely. You would need to discuss that there. Others are preparing for the coming conflict. However, you will likely meet them in your travels."

She wiped away coming tears, eyes still bloodshot, more red than usual even. "Fine. I would join them if I can, but I assume… I need to control my rage. If I can find out how…"

A nod from the retired Master. If they had anything more to say, nor would likely be the time.

Azumi once again spoke with Yen Sid about her plans and Rikka took the moment to calm herself. She wasn't one to get so emotional in front of someone like the old wizard but knowing there was a chance that she could see Yuki again, broke down all of her defenses. Rikka wiped away the tears that had been building in her eyes as she turned her attention back to Azumi. So there was still a chance for her to help in the rescue of Aqua and Yen Sid was telling her where she could train in order to do that.

That seemed to be everything that Azumi had wanted to know, and Rikka's only question had been answered so that left nothing else for the two of them. "Master Yen Sid. Thank you for your time, it has been...helpful." Rikka said as she bowed again at the old Keyblade Master. The whole conversation had been more emotional than the angel had been expecting. It would be best that they stepped away and process everything that they had learned.

Rikka took Azumi's hand and gently pulled the soldier with her, leaving the room.

Azumi bowed as they were about to leave. She had an aim in mind now, one she could hope to achieve. She just had to focus on improvement, to go there and train her best, find ways to use it without losing herself.

She was surprised as Rikka took her hand. Hand holding was of course not unheard of, and she was not so childish as to believe it was improper, but she did look away a bit, feeling her face become a bit flush in the process, but gripped it in turn. If they were going to go out, as they had decided, it was best to get used to the touch.

The woman raised her hood again as they left, mostly out of habit, staying close both to keep her "civilian" friend safe and for her own emotional security.

"… Thanks for being there. You alright?" she asked, forcing the words out. Not out of a lack of care, but out if realizing she needed to be more open if she wanted this woman to like her. Someone beautiful who cared about her, even if she could be a bit prideful. She knew that she needed some time to think, but also that there were people beyond her as well.

Rikka was a little startled when Azumi spoke up. She had been too caught up in her own thoughts that she hadn't been expecting Azumi to speak. The angelic girl shook her head to gather her thoughts before replying.

"Ah it's not a problem Azumi and I am...alright. I was expecting the worst honestly and if Yen Sid says there is reason to hope then I will believe him." Rikka said as she took a deep breath. On one hand knowing that Yuki would be brought to these dangerous worlds did worry Rikka a little, it was far out weighted by the desire to be by her sister's side. As much as the two of them could be different, could bicker and argue about how they live their lives, Rikka and Yuki had never been truly apart. Now that they are, it was weighing heavy on the slightly older twin now that she was finally on her own.

"Do you intend to go to that arena he suggested?" Rikka asked. She figured the answer with how Azumi responded to Yen Sid but the question was more to keep the conversation going rather than a genuine one. The next question though was more genuine. "Do you mind if I continue to travel with you? I would prefer to have some company." Rikka had not intended to show even a little vulnerability but this day had exhausted her with what little has happened.

Azumi listened, in large part to separate herself from what she had previously heard about not being good enough. Rikka's melodious voice definitely helped, her every word drawing her in, almost like a song…

Going to that arena was a good idea, yes. The woman did need to clear her head on the one hand, and she needed to train what she could do, become stronger and faster, get better control over herself so as not to be a hindrance to combative efforts. It hurt, knowing she couldn’t just go with the others. But maybe she could find another way, another person she could have get her in there if she couldn’t go with the Masters…

No. She couldn’t rely on outside help for this. If she couldn’t make it with them, she had to find another way.

But she was getting ahead of herself. The real question was innocent enough, showing emotional vulnerability… but she was not sure. Traveling together, knowing what could happen, how her emotions were unstable… she needed time.

"I… not right now. I just… sorry, I…" She sighed. "I'm no good at this, even if I try my best. I just… I need a little time to catch my breath, to figure things out. Haven’t… whatever this is in a while now, especially with someone so…" A pause, unable to find the right words, glad her hood was up to hide her flushed face. "I'll contact you soon as I can. If you run into any emergencies… just let me know. Just need to clear my head, figure things out."

A pause.

"Is that alright?"

Another, and she hung her head, palming her face.

"Ugh, I suck at this."

"It's fine." Rikka responded. There was no need to be pushy with Azumi especially after everything that had just been dropped on her. Then again Rikka could also use some time to work through her own thoughts after all. Some time to just think would the two of them some good. "It might be for the best if we both took some time to ourselves. When you are ready to talk again just contact me and we can then meet up."

Rikka started to make her way down the stairs but stopped before turning back to Azumi. "Don't worry and take your time. Today was...well when you are ready just let me know. Take care Azumi" With that the angel made her way to the Save Point and transported herself back to her ship. The angel sighed as she lowered herself into a chair. Today had been far more tiring than she had expected. With a shake of the head Rikka left the world, with no real destination in mind.

Azumi nodded, watching her go. She was still thinking, her embarrassment plain. How was it she could deal with intense combat situations fine, but this peaceful scenario was difficult? She could handle being hit on by random guys in the service, but one civilian had her having so much trouble finding her words?

She had just been asked out, for crying out loud. How was this so hard? Was it that melodious voice? Those beautiful eyes? That gorgeous hair and body?

Or was it just some weird magic thing, opposites attract with their respective specialties? Master Aqua was a great friend and mentor, but did not tell her about how different elemental affiliations might interact. She had no idea.

… or maybe it was as simple as being attracted to someone else. That seemed more likely.

"Screw it," she muttered to herself, heading off to her own ship. "I need to train if I’m going to catch up."

With that, she, too, left the world, hoping to get enough control to be effective down the line and fulfill her promise.

(And done. Will make another soon.)