Event Log: June, What Lies Beneath

[faileas]

Event Log: June, What Lies Beneath

Down, Down, Down The group leaves on the morning of the 16th, a band consisting of Mirrorbound, Theodore and Sowilo from the Coven, and one of the two returned Wilders to lead the way. The latter three will only be present for the first leg of the journey: from the North Gate to the Northern Outpost by teleporter, then a few hours' hike to the site. A tunnel yawns open, fallen rocks built up around it in mounds. Everyone is offered enchanted lanterns to light the way, and their guide takes them perhaps a mile down before he and the pair from the Coven must part ways with the Mirrorbound. The poorly-lit tunnel leads steadily downward. The way is marked by their gracious hosts to be, with arrows drawn in softly-glowing algae painting the walls so there is no mistaking which way to go; a good thing, because the deeper the party goes, the more tunnels branch off of the largest one, twisting and turning into the dark. It takes some hours to reach a familiar cavern lit with algae and glowing crystals, a herd of the velvet wormipedes idly milling about the small lake and stream that led into town in the dream. Much nicer long boats are set up and waiting to take them deeper, along with respectfully quiet Monster guards to steer them. They take a slightly different route from the dream, but before long, they reach the curtain of grayish green moss that dangles down into the water, stretched across the wide tunnel exit like a membrane. It parts on its own as the boats pass, though beware if you are infected by the Cwyld - it will not allow passage, only reach out long, tough tendrils to try and envelop you, the touch of it burning acid-bright where it is harmless for those uninfected. Past the curtain of strange moss, the cavern city opens up before them, vast and spacious, dimly lit with more algae, crystals, and softly glowing orbs of magic. It's like being plunged into an eternal twilight, somehow soft, cast in gentle colors. The boats bypass the markets this time, drifting farther down a branching stream into the city proper, to dock next to stone platforms. The winding streets and flowing canals branch out all around them with no rhyme or reason, the city sprung up around the natural layout of the caverns rather than the other way around. Buildings are carved out of tall stone spires, the windows and doors covered in fluttering silk, many of which are pulled away so that fascinated locals can peer out at the scene unfolding. The Matriarch herself comes to greet the group, ringed at the back by spear-carrying guards, all Monsters. A tall, long-limbed Arachne woman bearing battle scars and stark white hair, she looks perhaps in her 30s, and speaks with a booming, commanding voice, amplified by a charm. As she speaks, ten Wilders are released from silk rope bonds and nudged to join the Mirrorbound; they're a little roughed up, perhaps, and shaken, but none are seriously injured. A few Monsters also make the rounds, placing copper tokens in the hands of ten individuals. "Welcome, travelers! This meeting was foretold and so it has come to pass. During your stay you will be treated as our honored guests. You may come and go as you please, but we ask that you use the same tunnel you entered through; we have not yet re-secured the other entrances from Cwyld nor the tribes. I would hate for danger to befall you while you are under my care." Her smile is wide, her eight eyes bright, and her teeth are very sharp. "We have prepared temporary residences for your use. I hope you will stay for the celebrations. I look forward to meeting with some of you very soon." Notably, she does not mention the surface where from the Mirrorbound came, and those around her do not ask.

I. The City The Mirrorbound receive mixed reactions from the Underground. Some are fascinated by these visitors personally invited by the Matriarch and allowed past the markets; others are wary and suspicious, believing them to be wolves in sheep's clothing. In the city proper, most passing Monsters are armed, but this doesn't seem to be anything new. Still, step cautiously - plenty do not take well to even unknowing offense and will pick a fight, or may see these guests as easy, weak targets to pickpocket or mug in the dark corners of the twisting streets. The guards only step in if things take a turn for the worse or if the fight is very obviously imbalanced - they step in more for Witches being attacked than Monsters, because they feel Witches require protection more. Still, not all are so unscrupulous: more citizens are delighted to talk, even if they still seem skeptical about a whole world up above. Mirrorbound, as guests of the Matriarch, are given nearly free run of the city, allowed to explore such locations as the marketplace, the library, the shops, the schools (the Arena for Monsters and the Academy for Witches), and the tunnels and caverns outside the protective moss barriers. The only places they (and most locals) are expressly barred from are the Matriarch's audience hall, the upper level of the library, and the guards' barracks. a. The Marketplace The marketplace is much larger than previously thought - it rings the entire city, and stalls spill onto the streets of the inner city as well in a lazy sprawl. There are some shops with actual buildings, but they're fewer and more expensive: alchemy and apothecary shops, a couple of restaurants, a weapons shop or two, nice clothing shops. Most, though, are independent merchants who set up and take down their stalls every day and night. Any number of Underground-sourced foods, clothing, weapons, trinkets, and more can be found at the stalls; they barter, or exchange chips of precious metals and gems, but they'll take cune coins with fascination. The marketplaces are the liveliest areas of the city with Monsters and Witches alike, from all walks of life, mingling and sharing gossip and idle talk. Those who lost items to the burrowing hyenas at the Northern Outpost some months ago should keep an eye out: the hyenas are fairly common down here, serving the roles of pets or working dogs for Underground citizens, and a few merchants deal in more interesting goods. The missing items can be found scattered across some stalls, and the merchants will gleefully tell perusers that these things come from the surface, aren't they fascinating? Don't you want to buy? Luckily, it shouldn't be too hard to get your things back. They'll take all manner of interesting trinkets in trade. b. Library The library is bound to be a popular stop. Monsters get some strange looks if they enter the spire just off the courtyard from the Academy, but they aren't barred from entry; most just feel that reading is for Witches. The building is only two levels - one closed off at the top, guards keeping everyone out, and the rest is just one very tall floor ringed with a spiral of platforms and stairs to access the honeycomb-shaped shelves built into the walls. All their books are written on scrolls of silk, and the librarians bark at patrons to be delicate with them, some are very old. If one has endless time, the scrolls can offer a look at life Underground: historical accounts of past Matriarchs, brave warriors and battles against nomadic tribes or hideous beasts, their history as they know it, scrolls on offensive and defensive magic for Witches, fighting techniques for Monsters, information on their unique flora and creatures that can be found outside the city, and even plenty of fiction - sword and sorcery novels all set in the tunnels and the city. It's just a bit difficult to find what, specifically, you're looking for, because if there's any kind of organization, it only makes sense to the deep-dwelling denizens. Maybe make it a team effort! You'll also need some simple translation spells, because their system of writing is quite different to the common system in Aefenglom; even then, it may not be accurate on older scrolls. c. The Guest Villa Those who choose to spend several days in the Underground are given modest accommodations in a tall stone building. These guest chambers boast gentle lighting, wide beds, backless sofas, potted decorative fungi, and stone furniture. It's... cozy, with humble individual rooms and larger common rooms for gathering. The algae grows in delicate patterns across the walls, pulsing in soft colors. They've gone out of their way to provide what comfort they can, but there aren't enough rooms for everyone to have their own - everyone will need to share with one or two others, so choose someone you can get along with.

II. The Tunnels Mirrorbound are not restricted only to the city. There are many entrances to the cavern where it resides, the openings all covered with sheets of that same gray-green moss; some wider tunnels obviously see more use than other, narrower ones, and the footpath of many Underground denizens is easy enough to trace, the stone worn smooth. The path to the velvet wormipede cavern is one of them; they're raised as livestock, all at once food, transportation, and producers of silk and hide for clothing. This is much the same as the dream. Another well-worn tunnel leads upward to an agricultural center, though, and still more lead out into the wild. They're warned, but not hindered, before they leave for anywhere other than the farms or the livestock cavern; dangers abound in the Underground. Those who do much wandering may notice something going on as well; the guards stationed at each tunnel mouth can often be found talking to each other in low voices about an unknown red algae that seems to be growing on the protective moss. It can be found primarily around the lesser-used tunnels so far, starkly bright against the dull green, and this seems to be a point of concern... a. A Botanist's Dream It's a short walk down a wide, inviting tunnel to reach the place where the city grows fungi and underground plants for food and medicine. Large rats and hyenas both are present to keep opportunist creatures and insects from demolishing the carefully-cultivated beds of rock and soil, and small blind fish swim about in the large pool of shallow water, in which grows something like seaweed. One of their primary sources of food, besides bug and rat, are mushrooms of many sorts - all the types that grow in the farms are edible, though some may be an... acquired taste. The Fauns and Witches who tend the beds are happy to offer samples of anything that can be eaten raw; they're most enthusiastic about a type of spherical mushroom whose cap opens up to reveal what tastes and feels like savory cotton candy, and a type of flat fungi that tastes sweet and fizzy and offers a heightened good mood for an hour after. b. The Wild Underground The lesser used tunnels are a different story. A mile out from the city, Cwyld runs in thick black veins through the stone walls, infecting the sparse plants and many creatures that live out there. Careful not to touch. Infected and uninfected creatures both are highly dangerous to explorers, including stone-burrowing moles with wicked teeth and claws that can cut through metal like butter, vicious white wasps that carry lethal venom, and berserker vampire bats that survive on the blood of other animals and people alike. Some infected fungi give off blindingly-bright flashes when disturbed, while others will cause rashes and blisters on contact. Explorers are warned not to touch anything if they can help it. As well, the nomad tribes roam the less-civilized tunnels and caverns. These are small bands of usually Monsters of different types in mixed groups, though some can be found dragging humans along with them. Nearly all of them are some degree of feral, and plenty bear Cwyld infections in different stages of seriousness. They don't stop to ask questions before they'll attack anyone, including each other, in hopes of robbing them blind and leaving them for dead. As vicious and quick as they are, perhaps it's no wonder they value strength in the city?

III. Graduation Day (21st - 23rd) The Underground does not have 'Litha' as Aefenglomites know it, but come the 21st, they do have a major celebration. They simply call it the New Year, or Graduation Day, depending on what festivities are asked about, because the three days serve as both. At this time of year, with more magic in the air, the algae and crystals glow much brighter, cycling naturally through different colors that cast beautiful rainbows across the imposing stone structures. This display is how they mark the start of a new year, and it coincides with the graduation of young Monsters from the Arena and Witches from the Academy. The New Year is a time to celebrate Bonding, partying, and showing off one's skills in the hopes of attracting a new Bondmate or romantic partner. Tensions can also rise high as rivalries are settled, and small brawls in the streets are common; the guards don't interfere, again, unless things get too dangerous. They're content to let citizens work out their own issues, but unfortunately, this means Mirrorbound may get dragged in on occasion! Small fights are also a tried and true tradition to show off one's abilities around this time of year. It serves multiple purposes: attracting a Bondmate, establishing a place in the unspoken hierarchy of the city, and working out problems with others. Monsters are more likely to start brawls than Witches, though it isn't wholly uncommon to bear witness to two rival Witches throwing spells at each other in an alleyway over their grievances. They're more likely to be stopped, as magic can be quite destructive. a. A Matching Pair The un-Bonded should take precautions during the New Year celebrations. These fascinating newcomers are bound to draw the eye of curious locals, and they may put on a violent or flashy show trying to draw your attention in return! The most common way to show that you're already taken during the celebrations is with face-painting: several stands set up around the marketplace with cosmetics and brushes, and two (or three, or more) people painting matching designs on their faces and bodies signify them as a set - either Bonded or intending to Bond. That doesn't mean there won't still be competition for your heart, but it will lessen significantly, especially if you're a Monster-Witch pair already. b. Exhibitions Primarily intended for the graduating classes of Monsters and Witches, the exhibitions are an official stage set for their coming-of-age; this year, however, the Matriarch has decreed that Mirrorbound may participate as well, in the interests of getting to know one another! They're interested to see what these strange travelers can do, especially against some of their own. Mirrorbound are encouraged by excitable locals if they seem reticent, but of course, no one is forced. (Just don't be surprised if you're called a coward for refusing!) At the Arena, a massive sunken ring with stone benches for spectators ringing the whole of it, young Monsters learn combat skills, with and without weapons, and how to harness their unique physiologies in the dangerous world of the Underground. Their yearly exhibition fights take place all through the three days of the New Year, and young Monsters battle each other til first blood to the cheers and jeers of citizens (and more importantly, Witches) come to watch. The longer the battle, the more impressive it is - and Monster Mirrorbound will have no shortage of eager opponents wanting to test their skills against the unknown. Generally, the fights result in bruises, small cuts, and little else, but rivals for the same Witch might take it farther on purpose before they're wrenched away from each other by the teachers. Meanwhile, at the Academy, the tallest stone spire building in the city, young Witches learn magic from a young age. It isn't exactly the same as magic taught at the Coven, but many concepts are similar - barriers, evocation, enchantments meant for weapons or shields, healing, most of the magic they're taught at this younger age is for combat, protection or practical purposes. They only learn more frivolous magics after graduation. Much like their Monster counterparts, they give solo or duet shows of their flashier and more impressive magical skills in the courtyard, with many citizens coming to watch and take stock of the new generation. Mirrorbound Witches may find themselves being cajoled into putting on a show of their own by curious locals wanting to know what kinds of magic are taught elsewhere.

IV. Aefenglom - Litha (21st - 23rd) Meanwhile, for those who have chosen to stay above-ground or those who have left early, Litha comes once more to Aefenglom, bringing with it beautiful pink and purple skies, a far departure from last year's red tint. It has the city in a much cheerier mood for the celebrations. While they know that several Mirrorbound left for a while, they don't seem too aware of the actual mission, and have very little to say on the matter - they'd rather have a nice Litha, after last year's bad omens! Many of the activities from last year return, better than before, including the brothels opening up their doors (showing off all the wonderful new styles in lingerie!), collecting flowers to put under one's pillow in order to dream of future partners, and wandering the hedge mazes that have been magically constructed in certain parts of the city. Seeing off ships happens regularly as well, citizens setting floating candles into the harbor and river to wish them luck. a. Love Boats A new attraction for Litha is being rolled out this year right on the River Temese! Near the gate, an enterprising Faun has set up a few small boats, each just big enough for two and shielded with fine gauzy curtains for privacy. Couples are invited to buy a ride down the river together, assured it will certainly set the mood. Those who have no partners are offered (or cajoled) to be randomly paired with someone, because perhaps it's fate! The boats drift lazily down the river and stop on their own next to a small dock right before they reach the Harbor. Unless you're willing to swim, hopefully you like your boat partner, because you're stuck with them the whole ride. b. Predictive Pools One bathhouse in the Entertainment District has laid an enchantment on one of their semi-public baths for Litha. When two people stand in the water together, bare, it will begin to glow and take on one of a handful of colors that they say will predict the pair's compatibility level! Sexually, romantically? Well, why not both? The only thing is, they've lost the instructions, and cannot seem to remember what color means "most compatible" and what color means "not compatible at all"... As a reminder, all sexual content should be clearly marked in comment headers, or else moved to a comm-locked log or personal inbox! Be good to each other.

Welcome to June's Event Log, What Lies Beneath! The Underground will be open until mid-July at minimum, and possibly longer. Characters can come and go if they're willing to make the trip multiple times. As always, please direct your questions here! The NPC threads will take place here. Aaand, the Action Tracker is right here! Make sure to let us know what your characters have been up to, good and bad, by July 7th, as this will help determine how Mirrorbound-Underground relations might proceed in the future!

Comments

[oathkeeper]

[Sora's rabbit ears seem to twitch as he tilts his head. His illusion magic flickers out as he loses his focus so many of the little butterflies on the air vanish.]

Um, sort of! It's not the same as witch's magic, though. Not by a long shot.

[piromare]

( oh... goodbye butterflies. they were beautiful. still, he can't keep his focus on them when he has sora here. )

No, but it still seems useful. ( he pauses, before rubbing the back of his head. ) Sorry if I interrupted you.

( lio frowns, huffing. )

I wonder if I can do something similar.

[oathkeeper]

[He can try to make some more butterflies soon! He just isn't very good at holding a conversation at the same time as trying to keep the illusions up. His brain works on a one-thing-at-a-time basis, only. Right now, anyway!]

It's okay! I need all the practice I can get, so!

[He smiles warmly and then regards the other monster curiously.]

Have you learned a lot about the kind of monster you are? I know there's a lot to it. Maybe you can do something like this!

[piromare]

( he seems so cheery. so positive! it makes him feel comforted. )

Practice does make perfect.

( lio would know. these wings didn't come with the kind of strength he needed to carry himself long distances. )

A little. I know that I enjoy seeing things from higher ground, that my feathers are sensitive and that my hands and feet aren't exactly...

( well. they're not exactly human anymore. )

... anyway. ( he shakes his head. ) You're a Puca, right?

[oathkeeper]

[It's okay, he gets it. Sora is nodding along with that same cheery energy although his face is showing sympathy.]

Yup, I know how that goes... Sometimes I still get these claws stuck in my clothes when I'm trying to get dressed.

[Sora holds up one hand displaying his altered rabbit-like claws. Then his ears twitch comically.]

And yeah, I'm a puca! My name's Sora. You're a harpy?

[piromare]

I've had to change what I wear just so things will fit easier. It's rough.

( no longer can he wear all the belts and tight fitting clothes, opting into looser things that'll let his feathers breathe. )

Sora... ( he's the excitable puca that van brought up. his bonded. ) I'm Lio, and yeah. I'm a harpy. ( if the wings didn't make him stand out, his bird-like feet or his pointed ears probably did. )

Could you do me a favor? Create those butterflies again.

[oathkeeper]

Lio! It's nice to meet you.

[He might have heard this name before. One of Vanitas' friends or acquaintances? That makes him smile and he is more than happy to put his hands together again.]

Yeah, just give me one second here... I'm still trying to get faster at this.

[Sora focuses his energy and tries to remember what Vanitas had told him about staying focused through things like this. He opens his hands with his palms up and the light starts to sparkle there. Then in a tiny blink of an eye a small red butterfly appears again]

[piromare]

( it's like... even though lio knows that it wasn't sora that vanitas was drawn out of, there's already such a stark difference in how they act. if they aren't complete opposites, it's pretty darn close. it would make them perfect for each other, in terms of a bond.

both eyes widen as the butterfly shows up in sora's palms, and lio is careful to reach out with one finger extended. )

Back home, I could've made one with my fire. There was actually nothing I couldn't do with it.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora and Vanitas are indeed two sides of one coin. Mirror images of each other in both appearances and in their personalities. Except for these days Sora does rock yellow eyes just like Vanitas does thanks to his changes into a puca. Other than that Sora's cheeks and facial expressions are much softer than Vanitas' sharp ones.]

With fire, huh? Was it hard?

[The little mirage in Sora's hand will flicker and almost fizz out when Lio pokes at it. But Sora manages to keep it still. Since it's made out of light his finger will pass right through it.]

I kind of miss having a lot of my old powers from home. This kind of thing would have been super easy for me too. But having to learn everything over again is really something else.

[piromare]

No. Not at all. ( he's not sure how much he can talk about his previous powers. what if someone hears about him who's also from his world, and they try to... hurt him? or others that know him? I've been able to do it all my life. ) Until now, anyway.

( at the fizzle, lio pulls his hand back. he's relieved once it stays lit! )

You can say that again. ( lio's smiles lopsidedly. ) I could fly, too. There wasn't much I couldn't do.

( but then he swallows heavily, taking a long and deep breath before nodding to himself. )

So. You're Van's bonded, right?

[oathkeeper]

Whoa... That's really cool. At least you might be able to learn how to fly again?

[Sora motions to his arms because he's a harpy, right? Those things fly around all the time?

But then he blinks a little quizzically. He does nod with his rabbit ears giving a few listening twitches.]

Uh- Yeah! He's my bondmate. You've met him then? [Sora looks carefully amused...] Was he nice to you?

[piromare]

Maybe even better than before.

( though he doubts it, because this requires actual time and effort to grow stronger. but lio smiles when sora confirms it (they really do look like twins, don't they?) and nods once he's asked that first question. )

I have. And... I don't know if nice is the right word for it, but maybe it's just his version of nice that he's given me.

( a beat, then he turns it around. )

Is he nice to you?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora seems to look slightly relieved and a little amused a the same time, a breath escaping his lips and his ears twitching quickly. With a smile, he gently waves a hand in a friendly manner.]

Yeah, of course, he's nice to me!

[It's just a slightly known fact that Vanitas can be quite the handful sometimes. And he doesn't tend to tell Sora anything about the friends he's made so-- He's actually kind of happy right now?? He's on the verge of beaming about it??]

That sounds... about right! It's really nice to meet someone that he knows! How did you guys meet?

[This is like learning that his fussy stray cat actually made another acquaintance so he's psyched.]

[piromare]

Good.

( he doesn't think vanitas would be mean. for some reason, he hasn't struck lio that way yet. it's not that van's been deceptive about hiding his directness either. no, he's... pure, in his own sense. something refreshing to lio, who had been stung a few too many times recently about placing his trust in others too soon. )

Gardening. He was gardening, using his magic to help flowers and plants.

( but lio will forgo mentioning that he saw van being 'born', split from ventus. )

But we've ran into each other several times, including at that villa in the Underground. We must have just missed each other.

[oathkeeper]

[Lio might be surprised about how much Sora actually knows about Vanitas including the circumstances of his weird birth. But boy golly would he be tickled pink to hear that Lio thinks he's pure. But Vanitas does have a certain kind of naivety, Sora would admit that.]

Haha! Yeah, he does like that stuff. I think he's really starting to like things like gardening. He didn't have a lot of hobbies like that back home.

[Sora tends to eat a lot of flowers and plants so he benefits from it quite a lot!]

It's really great to hear that you guys are friends! I hope you keep running into each other!

[He's pretty sure that if Sora said the F word to Vanitas he'd get fussy about it but he's not here to hear it!]

[piromare]

( pure can extend to good, evil, or anything in between. no, it's more of the feeling that vanitas has yet to feel 100% conflicted in anything he's done in front of lio. then again, being distilled from a heart probably would make him pretty pure in that regard, too. )

He didn't? ( makes sense, sadly. ) I'm glad he's been able to enjoy it. What else does he like doing?

( and now lio gets to laugh, shaking his head. the smile on his face is a little sad, but it's fine. )

I don't know if he'd use that word, but I feel it. I think.

[oathkeeper]

[He knows what it's like to want to feel what it's like to be real friends with Vanitas. Boy, has he ever felt that sad little smile Lio has right now. Sora's heart is much more content these days, a certain special affectionate fondness for Vanitas sitting there now but he definitely knows what it's like to want to use the F word in regards to the other boy.]

Even if he doesn't say it? I bet it's still true. Vanitas only hangs around people he really likes.

[As for things that Vanitas likes to do...]

And aside from gardening? He's tried cooking and baking things. And he really likes to spar and fight, even if he can get a little carried away sometimes. [Sora snickers.] He likes reading everything in sight too.

[piromare]

( if it comes from sora, it must be true. )

You'd know better than me. ( but still: ) I think if he didn't want to be a friend, he had every opportunity not to.

( sparring and fighting. yeah, that makes sense. van is certainly built for it. )

So... if I left him something, like a snack, he'd be happy? ( lio pauses, then laughs. ) Or whatever happy is to him?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora immediately claps his palms together at the prospects!]

Uh huh! I bet that'd make him super happy! [Or indeed, whatever happy is to him.] I'll let you in on a secret, he has a big sweet tooth.

[And honestly, the best way into Vanitas' good grace (as he calls it) is through his stomach. Just like Sora, actually.]

[piromare]

( he already knows a little about van's sweet tooth, but it's still good to confirm it--- especially because sora's the one who's telling him. the idea of van being super happy does bring a smile to his face. )

Then I should probably sneak something... leave something for him. And for you too.

( they're both kind. just in different ways. that itself deserves to be rewarded. )

[oathkeeper]

[Sora seems to smile fondly at that. His cheeks get a little pink and he nods.]

You're really nice, Lio. I hope you don't mind if I get you something in return too??

[If Lio is going to give gifts it's only nice to return the gestures. And honestly, if Lio is becoming a good friend to Vanitas Sora has a lot to be grateful for.]

It's really nice to meet someone like you. I really do hope Vanitas and you keep bumping into each other.

[piromare]

Of course not. I'd actually appreciate that... I live in the Haven, in a cottage with a larger balcony than most.

( because his nest is there, and he enjoys the space and fresh air while being able to rest without too much fear of bad weather. helps that he's used to living out of cities and the like, too. )

I do too, but I'm happy I ran into you. It makes me feel better knowing he has people from his world that know him well.

[oathkeeper]

Right, I'll keep you in mind then.

[Sora smiles warmly, his long rabbit ears giving a few happy little twitches. He's going to think about what a harpy might want or need and maybe ask Vanitas what he thinks of that too. After all, Sora has to tease Vanitas about making such a nice friend. Why didn't he know sooner!]

Yeah, definitely. He, uh... Didn't always get along with a lot of us from back home? But it's getting better. And he seems to like it here too.

[piromare]

( those ears are... for a second, he feels like he should reach out and snatch one. they look so soft. that same softness fits sora to a tee. )

I figured as much.

( darkness and light. concepts that really didn't make a whole lot of sense to him. )

But I'm glad. For him and for you.

[oathkeeper]

[Lio definitely wouldn't be the first person to want to touch his soft plush ears!

Sora's cheeks do get a little pink at that last statement.]

I just want him to be happy. He deserves it the most.

[Sora never got a chance to help Vanitas much back home. But here? He can do as much as he can.]