April Catchall

[spirialink]

Who: Kor Meteor and YOU!
When: Throughout April
Where: Throughout Aefenglom and a dash of Dorchacht.
What: Questing and dreams and bonds, oh my!
Warnings: probably N/A.



[Pile's Plantagorium]

[After blowing most of his wallet to help with Little Lady's Day, Kor needed extra money. He was willing to do anything he could to make some extra cash. So hey, why not put those new plant magic skills to use?

As he works, he mutters to himself the key lessons he's learned from last month.]

Small bursts of magic... focus on the leaves before the stems...

[...They're still a little lopsided.]

[Liver or Let Die]

[Taking on some shifts as a bouncer for a tavern was another good source of extra income. Kor might seem scrawny, but if he had to get in the middle of a fight to break it up, he knew how to end it quickly. Thankfully, it didn't take much to break up a drunken brawl. When you're drunk, your sense of spatial awareness is... not the best.

During the aftermath of a bar fight, as staff works to clean up the place and the offenders are removed, Kor turns to someone in the bar, perhaps a fellow bouncer, a worker, or even just someone trying to enjoy a drink.]

Hey... There was something one of those guys said. They called the other guy a "dog's bollocks muff munching wanker." Do you know what that's supposed to mean?

[He says that completely innocently, with no idea what such a foul phrase could mean, other than that it's obviously some kind of insult.]

[Dream A Little Dream]

[Kor was surprised to find himself back in the mirror place. He didn't remember falling asleep here, so... did he sleep-walk here? He decides to poke around, investigating the mirrors, surprised to find that when he poked them, they gave a reaction! Was this it, were they returning to their worlds again?

As he investigated, he left his own mirror unattended. To anyone who approached it, they would notice that it was adorned with various gems and stones: ambers, jades, beryls, and quartzes, among others, arranged in such a patterned to resemble a set of stars, as well as bits of curious-looking weapons, and if they were friends with Kor, they may notice similar such markings on their own mirrors.]

[a]
[The scent of the sea was strong as a mild ocean breeze wafted up over the tall cliffs from the waters below. Three people stood on this cliff in front of what appeared to be a memorial grave. One was easily recognizable as Kor.]

So, uh, hey. If you don't mind, why are you two chasing Somas? Someone come down with despir?

[One of them, a young girl with long black hair, chimes in.] The truth is--

[She's suddenly interrupted as a new teleports in, wearing a purple cloak.]

Found you. This time there will be no escape. [Her words were cold and taciturn, lacking in any sort of emotion. She holds our her hand as three large plant-like bug creatures appear in front of her, before she gathers them into energy and fires it at the girl. The girl lets out a scream and collapses to the ground.

The other person, a man in green, runs to her side.] Kohaku!

Belay your fears, child. Your friend will not perish. Not until the awakening.

[It's at this time that the Kor within the dream rushes forward, trying to engage the attacker in battle.]

You... What did you do to Kohaku?!

[b]

[Visibility was poor in the desert, the harsh sandstorms obscuring almost everything. The only thing that was visible was Kor, lying facedown in the sand.]

C'mon, you stupid body. Move. Kohaku's waiting for me...

[He struggles to move, but his body feels heavy, as if every muscle within it has given out from exhaustion.]

N-No. I can't die here... I... made a promise to Kohaku... I can't die this way... I want to see Kohaku again...

[Suddenly, a voice seemingly calls out, echoing through his mind. No, echoing through his heart.]

Kor, where are you?

Wh-What's going on...? [He finds strength returning to his body, reinvigorated, as he he pushes himself to his feet.]

I'm here, Kor! Find me!

[A band of light suddenly appears, extending from Kor's chest and cutting through the desert winds.]

Is this a Spiria-core-shard beam? No, wait... My Soma is connecting our Spirias! I feel her! She's just ahead! I'm not giving up now!

[c]
[Compared to the other two, this dream is hazy, less vivid. As if it's being viewed through a filter. The scent of the ocean is strong again, this time on a boat far out in a stormy sea. This time, Kor is nowhere to be seen, instead a group of unfamiliar people, three men and two women, are standing on the boat. One of them, an older man wearing the same red bracer that Kor wears, speaks first.]

We fight to protect you, remember? I know waiting is a kind of struggle unto itself, but you must endure. We'll be back before you know it. And any promise Sydan Meteor makes to a well-endowed beauty like Iola, he keeps!

[A second member of the group, a younger man with a weapon resembling a cane, speaks up.] No matter the distance that separates us, our Spiria will always be connected.

[And now, a woman in orange speaks.] That's right! We got Somas on our side! As long as they're joining our Spiria, there's no way we're gonna lose! These kids need a world where they can laugh, cry, love, and all that crap. So let's make sure we protect it!

[The revelry is cut short, as a wicked voice rings out above them, an imposing man floating in the sky above them.]

Bwa ha ha ha! You pathetic Organicans! No world of yours is worth protecting!
---
[ooc: The above memories are open to all, and more details will be provided in tagbacks as they continue to play out. If you'd like something else hit me up at mamoritai so we can work out something!]

Comments

SORA

[spirialink]

[A promise was made, and so a promise will be fulfilled. Sora agreed to making a bond with Kor, in order to help the latter out. Since that agreement was made, Kor did establish a bond of his own, but...

...Another can't hurt, right?

And now here they are standing at the entrance to the Coven, prepared to make the commitment of their lives. Or something like that.]

Thanks again for doing this, Sora.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora doesn't really see or understand the issues with having multiple bonds are. He has three already, all witches that he cares about deeply. Every single bond is unique in itself in what it gives to Sora and what he gets in return. By now those three bonds are strong in varying ways and he can sense the difference in all three of those magics. One is cinder-y, one is like the ocean and another is like the earth. And oddly enough, his first bondmate is the strongest one.

But that doesn't mean that Sora is going to take back what he said to Kor. A promise is a promise and Sora smiles at his friend with a determined nod.]

Yeah, no problem! If it helps you out, I'm there.

[The coven halls are busy as usual and Sora can smell a coming rain in the wind. His rabbit ears swivel and he makes for the ceremony halls.]

[spirialink]

[Kor watches Sora for a moment, observing the changes he's had since the two of them first met. Did Sora really qualify as a monster? His changes didn't really make him seem very "monstrous", at least in the way Kor would typically think of a monster. Not that many of the monsters he's met so far really fit the conventional description of a monster, but Sora especially stood out. His changes just made him seem...

...Cute? Adorable? How would you describe a bunny-boy? Definitely not monstrous. And Kor would know, he's fought actual monster rabbits that were more monstrous-looking than Sora.

...Of course, while Kor's mulling that over, Sora's already taken off for the halls.]

Hey, wait up!

[oathkeeper]

[Sora looks over his shoulder at Kor and his bright yellow eyes blink. He certainly still looks more like a young boy than he does a monster of any kind. All he has to show for his changes are rabbit ears that point straight up and are as brunette as his hair is and the golden eyes that he still feels rather unsure about. Luckily his changes have been easy on him so far. So far.]

Come on, keep up!

[He shoots the other boy a grin. In the meantime, he quickly asks,]

Have you been learning a lot of magic lately, Kor?

YUMA

[spirialink]

[Last month, Kor had formed a bond with Yuma Ilvern. The beneficial effects had been immediate and noticeable, and Kor was thankful for them. But Kor was familiar with bonds of a different fashion that functioned similarly to the bonds of Aefenglom, despite the differences in how they were formed. And one of the benefits of those was in how they assisted you in fighting together.

In short, Kor wanted to see what Yuma could do in a fight, and he wanted to be right there by his side doing it.

So it was just a matter of waiting for their quarry to arrive.]

We've been waiting a while for this to appear. How long do you think it's gonna take?

[reluctantradiance]

[ Honestly, Yuma hadn't truly known how badly he'd needed a Bond until he finally had one. It was like he hadn't realized he was starving until someone put a feast in front of him. He almost disliked how relieved he'd felt afterward, and he worried that there may be adverse effects on Kor. But, well...they'd gone this long without any problems, so maybe everything was okay. He just hoped it stayed that way.

Yuma was no stranger to hunting down a large quarry. He'd taken down his fair share of aggressive griffins and lesser dragons, after all (though usually with a bit of help from the Shining Dragon). Whatever this thing is that he's going to be fighting with Kor, he hopes that it isn't going to be too tough. Using any level of force is always a concern for him with the Dragon, but at least with that he knew what he was getting into. Whatever he has now...

Well, he hopes he doesn't have to find out the hard way. ]

No idea. I still haven't seen anything...

[ At least his heightened vision is pretty safe to use.

Yuma has, of course, come armed with Vandelhorn. It's a pretty big sword - big enough for him to need both hands to wield - but he's surprisingly fast with it, and it's the one bit of the Dragon that he's still able to use. ]

Maybe it's nearby and we just can't see it. Want me to get a higher view?

[spirialink]

[As it stood right now, they'd taken cover, so if something did appear, their chances of being seen were fairly low.

...But they can't exactly risk being seen if nothing shows up to potentially see them in the first place. And considering they came out here to kick the devil's ass... Well, this wasn't working out in their favor.]

Oh, yeah... That'd be great!

[Having a flying comrade around definitely had its advantages. Chalcedony was always great for getting that aerial vantage. So if Yuma can do the same...]

Take to the skies, Yuma!

[reluctantradiance]

I-I'll try.

[ He's only barely gotten the hang of his wings so far. As things were now, walking was still preferable as far as Yuma was concerned. Flying up to get a good view, though? Definitely manageable, as long as there was somewhere for him to rest.

Leaving Vandelhorn behind so it doesn't weigh him down, Yuma emerges from their cover and takes to the air with a leap. It's...not the cleanest takeoff, but he does manage to get airborne long enough to find something to climb onto before he gets tired and starts losing altitude. He doesn't waste another moment searching about, putting his vision to good use.

At first, he doesn't see anything. Maybe they've chosen the wrong spot? Then... There it is. Something moving, not far from them, and it's headed in roughly their direction. At the speed it's moving, it won't be long before it reaches them...or before it sees Yuma. It's approaching at an angle; no wonder they hadn't seen anything.

Yuma leaps down from his perch, diving down and landing nearby (at least Yuma's landings are graceful) before heading back to where they'd been hiding to grab Vandelhorn. When he speaks, he's frantic, but he keeps his voice low. ]

Get ready! It's close!

a;

[shadowsthedawn]

[The strong sea scent is almost soothing in its familiarity, even if the rest of the environment around him is not the least bit familiar. His gaze surveys the waves crashing below the cliff side below, before moving up to the figures standing before him.

He recognizes Kor immediately, but not the other two. But before he can approach they all begin to speak, and then the rest of the scene unfolds quickly from there.

Despite being weaponless, Riku tries to jump in front of the purple cloaked woman's attack, but it phases right through him, like he's made of air.]

What...? [He's always had a physical presence in the other dreams he's had since coming to Aefenglom. What makes this one different? The fact that the dream is Kor's?

He watches helplessly as the girl screams and collapses; as Kor rushes forward to attack.]

Kor...be careful. [He knows he can't be heard, but if offering silent support is all he can do, then he'll do it.]

[spirialink]

[As the dream Kor effortlessly passes through Riku, he throws a well-aimed punched at the purple-cloaked attacker. But she effortlessly dodges the attack, leaping to the side. Her expression nor her tone does not change.]

Oh? The bracer on your left hand is a Soma; one that I have come across before. You must be Sydan's descendant.

[Kor was already running on an emotional high, so having someone so cruel talk about his grandfather so casually only set him off further, as he barked back.]

What's it to you?!

It merely means I have one more little moth to crush. Perhaps two, if Sydan lives still.

[She points a hand at him, as a magical glyph appears in front of it. An arc of lightning shoots from it in Kor's direction. But before it can reach him, another person intercepts it, an older gentleman. Kor looks stunned to see him standing in front of him.]

Ah!? No!!

[The lightning wraps around and electrocutes its target as the old man cries out in pain, struggling to sputter out his words.]

Yrrrngh! R-Run, Kor...! Run for your life!

[As the scene unfolds, Riku may hear another sound, rustling of grass and some footsteps. Next to him is standing another Kor, the real Kor, having gone in after Riku when he noticed the latter disappear into his mirror. Kor looks downcast upon seeing the sight that was playing out here. It was one that he remembered all too well, an incident that haunted his nightmares long after it occurred.]

Th-this is...

[shadowsthedawn]

[Riku doesn't need to understand the finer details playing out before him to know that the woman Kor is facing is a dangerous enemy. The fact that she could evade his attack so quickly did nothing to diminish Riku's unease.

He's frozen to his spot as their battle continues, their words washing over him, easy enough to understand after his discussion with Kor about his world. His body stiffens as the woman prepares her next attack, his hands curling into fists even as he holds himself back from jumping in again. It wouldn't do any good. He has to believe in Kor.

The older man comes out of nowhere, the lightning wrapping around him before anyone can move. Riku's cry of shock is drown out by Kor's own.

A rustling of grass and footsteps behind him have him whipping around, expecting an attack from another side. He freezes at the sight of another Kor. The real Kor. His gaze flits back and forth between the boy before him and the scene behind him.]

...Kor.

[He doesn't know what to say. This hadn't been something he was meant to see.]

[spirialink]

[The magic assaulting Kor's grandfather explodes, knocking dream Kor back. The old man collapses to the ground, as the woman approaches him, planting a heel firmly on the back of his head.]

My, you have aged, Sydan. But rejoice, for soon you shall age no more.

[the sight of it was enough to anger Kor, practically barking at her as he watches her stomp on his guardian.]

Why, you rotten...! What have you done to Gramps?! You...!

[He stands up, drawing a golden blade from the red bracer on his arm. His Soma, a weapon powered by his heart and feelings. Fearsome red energy begins to well up around him.]

You won't get away with this!!

[He charges forward, taking a deadly swing at her, knocking to the ground away from Sydan and leaving her stunned.]

I... have felt this power before...

[Kor was ready to go for the kill, that malevolent red energy surging more and more heavily by the second, when suddenly his grandfather's voice calls out to him, pained gasps for air in between.]

Kor, no...! You mustn't...!

[His grandfather's voice was enough to snap him out of his rage. The energy subsides, and Kor drops to one knee beside his grandfather, his voice full of panic and grief.]

Gramps! Don't leave me, Gramps!

[The scene ends there, as the other boy, with the girl on his back, tells Kor they need to get out of there, with Kor complying as he takes his grandfather's barely living body away from there.

The real Kor, meanwhile, calmly steps forward, heading over to the memorial. He didn't seem particularly bothered by Riku seeing a memory of his, he didn't have anything he wanted to hide. ...He just wishes it didn't have to be such a heavy memory for him to witness.]

This was... when Gramps was murdered. I blamed and hated Incarose for killing. Even now... I want nothing more than to take her down to avenge him. But...

[He kneels down at the memorial, running a hand along it.]

His death was my fault too.

B

[twilightskey]

[Roxas is familiar with blinding desert sand; enough trips to Agrabah on missions for the Organization has made him hate any sand that wasn't from a beach. But he manages to squint through the sand, and find the body laying in the sand. The familiar body, Roxas notes.]

Kor..?

[He knows he can't interact with the memory, but he still finds himself approaching out of concern. But then the voice and the beam of light appear, and Roxas finds awe mingling with his earlier concern. He has no idea what a Spiria or Soma is, but... was it like how hearts were connected?]

[He can't help but watch, fascinated.]

[spirialink]

[The memory continues on, blissfully unaffected by Roxas' presence. As if he had a front row seat to a play, its actors immersed in their world.

Kor runs up to a cute-looking girl with long black hair, who was huddled up on the ground. Kor kneels down before her.]

Kohaku! I'm so glad you're safe! My Soma started glowing, and then I could hear your voice! It led me right to you!

I heard you as well, even through your tears.

[Kor is taken aback by Kohaku's words, clearly embarrassed he was caught like that.]

T-Tears? Er, you must have heard wrong. But I know I heard you crying!

[Kohaku just shakes her head at Kor.]

Why would I have cried, Kor? I always knew you would come back for me.

[Kor nods and stands up.]

Of course I would! I mean, I did, right? Any time you're in trouble, I'll be there to pull you out of it.

[twilightskey]

[This reunion is rather heartwarming to watch, and even though Roxas is just a bystander, he can't help the warm smile that creeps onto his face. He chuckles softly to himself.]

I guess that really is like the connection between hearts.

[spirialink]

[The pair seemed to settle in where they were, starting a fire and setting up camp. Despite seeming perfectly visible to Roxas, there was clearly a sandstorm at play here, and it wasn't letting up anytime soon.]

So what was it like by yourself earlier? Were you scared? Or lonely?

It was a little scary, I guess. But not lonely. I can't be lonely now that everyone looks after me.

[Meanwhile, another voice speaks up from behind Roxas, one that should be all too familiar to him. It's Kor, after all, looking identical to the one present in the memory, save not being ravaged by the desert.]

Mmm... I don't really get what the difference between a Spiria and what you call a heart is, but... I think so too.

[The memory seemed to continue on, the pair carrying on a conversation for quite a while. And yet, the words seemed to become more muddled and muffled, the conversations themselves less distinct and clear. Was that because the memory was less solidified past this point? Or was it because Roxas now had a visitor here?]

piles

[lightblooming]

[ It's the words that catch her attention - the sound of his voice. It's familiar, but who could forget someone who was so similar to Sora? That was one of the reasons why Kor had made an impression on Aqua.

She watches the plant magic for a moment, smiling slightly. The magic here really was something else. It seems like there's always something new to see. ]

Even so, it was still impressive. You've got potential.

[spirialink]

[The voice snaps Kor out of his plant-based concentration, having some recognition to it.]

You think so?

[He recognized this lady. This was... Aqua, right? She was a friend of Sora's...]

This stuff's all so new to me. [He blushes, scratching his cheek.] I was never allowed to learn magic back home. But I'm not making plants explode anymore, so I'll take it!

[lightblooming]

[ Hearing about the plants exploding is a little alarming... ]

What? Was someone hurt?

[ Though, she's a little curious about what else he had said. Why wasn't he allowed to practice magic at home? ]

memshare shenanigans

[reluctantradiance]

[ Yuma is no stranger to odd dreams, but this is still a little odd for him. It's almost too tangible for that. He's not sure what draws him to the hall of mirrors - curiosity, perhaps? - but before he knows it his feet are dragging him inside.

His own mirror is still there, the same as before...mostly. Something seems different about it, but Yuma isn't entirely sure what. He's since given up on the notion of it allowing him back home, at least just yet, thus his attention is quickly drawn to something else nearby: a mirror not belonging to him. The others had always seemed so plain, yet this one was adorned with precious gems and symbols. There were also...weapons? Definitely not armonics. He recognizes at least one of them to be Kor's, but what's with all these others...?

Where the thought comes from, Yuma isn't sure, but he reaches out with one hand and gently, cautiously prods the surface of Kor's mirror. The deep-seated anxiety within him urges him not to go any further than that, perhaps this is a mistake, what if he causes harm? But the glass ripples like the surface of a metallic pond - an almost entrancing sight, even given the things he's already seen and felt in this world - and Yuma's curiosity gets the better of him.

Before his thoughts can get any more at war with one another, Yuma reaches out one more time towards the rippling glass...and pushes himself through. ]

[spirialink]

[The mirror offers little resistance to Yuma when he pushes through, practically gobbling him up. A bright light consumes him, and when it fades, he'll find himself standing into a beautiful, almost ethereal looking area, surrounding by tall, multicolored crystals of various shapes and sizes. And in the center of this area was a group of six people, with the person at the head of this group being none other than Kor. He's fallen to the ground on his hands and knees.]

So... That's how Creed got inside me...

[A girl with black hair speaks up first.] And how Lithia got in me...

Um, yeah. Is it just me, or were those people wearing the same Somas as Kor, Kohaku, and Chalcedony? [Those were the words of a small girl with a large hat.]

The man with my Soma was Gramps. [Kor's voice sounded tired, defeated. As if whatever had transpired here had shaken him to his very core and it was taking everything he had to hold it all together.] As for the woman with Kohaku's, her name is Kardia Meteor, my mother. I don't really remember what she looked like, but... I'm positive that was her...

[reluctantradiance]

[ At first, Yuma isn't sure what to make of what he's seeing, or more importantly where he is. It's like the entire place is made of crystal, or perhaps one of the precious stones on the mirror? Yet it seems they're more than just that. It's beautiful, that's for sure, and otherworldly. Something about it - he's unsure what - reminds him of the times when he retreats into his own mind, though rather than crystals all he has is an empty void and the Dragon's soft light.

It's when he sees the group of strangers nearby that he becomes confused. Had Kor returned to his world, and Yuma somehow accidentally followed him here? He didn't stumble into Kor's world by mistake somehow, did he? But despite being nearby and being hard to miss, no one appears to be reacting to him at all. Not even when he calls Kor's name.

But Kor...this isn't like him at all. The Kor he knows is always upbeat, full of energy, and encouraging. The boy before him now isn't any of those things. Had he not always been like that? Was all of that cheerfulness just a mask? No...that couldn't be it, he would've been able to tell by now, right? The more he thinks about it, the more it raises concerns in Yuma's mind.

So... That's how Creed got inside me...

Wait. What?

Yuma, having unconsciously been reaching for Kor (or at least the image of him), freezes in his tracks. How he got... It couldn't be. Was Kor playing host to someone, just like him? It certainly sounded like it. And it seemed he wasn't the only one. Who was Creed, then? A world dragon? Something else?

The more Kor talks, the more concerned Yuma gets. Didn't remember what she looked like...? Did Kor lose his mother at a young age, as well? For someone so friendly and cheerful, hearing all of this coming from Kor is...

His mind is swarming with questions, alongside a fast-growing concern over his friend. Just what is he seeing, here? And why? Who were these people? Who was Creed? What happened to Kor that was so horrible that it sapped the light right out of him? But as desperately as Yuma wants to either ask or offer comfort, he can't. He can only stand by helplessly, and watch. ]

c - late but here!

[darkcharge]

[ He doesn't really know what he's looking at here. There's no context for Vanitas to go off of. Stumbling into the mirror like he has just means that this memory belongs to someone he's encountered. While not entirely certain as to who - Vanitas certainly doesn't recognize anyone here - he isn't about to go anywhere until everything plays out.

Thought he words that the people spout sound awfully familiar. Sounds way to familiar to speeches that his own guardians of Light have made. So these people are hero-types. People who defend others and are all about saving people. In this case... Their world.

Vanitas rolls his eyes, scoffing. ]

I wonder if there is some sort of rule book on how heroes conduct themselves. Are they all required to give similar speeches?

oh man of all the people to see this one.

[spirialink]

[Yes, Vanitas. Yes they are.

Another member of the group, this one a woman wearing a heavy-looking chestplate with a strange green aura emanating from her, addresses the newcomer, her voice full of contempt towards them.]

Emperor Zirconia! Or should I say, Creed Graphite?!

[The man floating in the air, bearing regalia fitting of an emperor and with an imposing presence to match, looks down on them with an unamused expression.]

You let us pin your forces here to lure me to the front lines. A shallow ploy, typical of Organicans. But this plan will be your downfall, for now I know where Lithia is!

[The older man, the one wearing Kor's distinctive red bracer, takes a step forward, and a protective ring forms around the group.]

This is the end for you, Creed! I swear it on this Soma!

[The emperor merely scoffs at them.]

Hmph, "Soma." Let's see what those toys can do, then!

A magic glyph appears in front of him, from which a concentrated burst of magical energy surges forth clashing with the party's barrier.]

/shrug! i am blind, dude

[darkcharge]

[ Oh this is nostalgic in so many ways. Yes, heroes and villains all have to be the same. Vanitas can at least admit to that. One always wants to upstage the other.

He still doesn't really understand the context of all of this. Not what "Soma" or "Organican" might mean. Van might have to ask whomever this memory belongs to later to explain. ]