caughtinanetwork | Lesson Two | Dream/Video | Forward-dated to around midnight.

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Lesson Two | Dream/Video | Forward-dated to around midnight.

[The dream--and it could only be a dream--is dark, and gives off a distinctly cramped feeling. The only light seems to come from above, and then, through what appear to be cracks in floorboards. A flickering quality, orange and red, indicative of fire.

There's shouting, though the words are indistinct, and the sound of metal clanging as weapons of some kind meet in what is likely some form of combat up above, and the distinct impression of fear, of worry.

'Mom said I had to be brave...'

The voice in the dream sounds like a child's; a young boy, probably no older than four or five, and sounds completely terrified.

The shouting grows louder, more distorted, and smoke starts to seep in along with the firelight. There is wicked laughter, and then the voice of a man that sounds suspiciously like an older Terra, but there are enough differences to distinguish that voice from the Keybearer's. The words are indistinct, but there's a definite note of defiance and the will to keep fighting. A female's voice joins the male's, sounding just as assured. The feeling of fear rises.

Then, the death screams happen. Bodies falling to the floor, more shouting and cackling, indistinct noises that almost sound like promises of vengeance.

A woman's angry and grief-stricken shout.

'No! Dad!'

The fight wages on, with barely a whimper from the little boy hidden under the floorboards. Desperation--he has to be quiet, he has to remain hidden, Mom said he had to be brave and not make a sound--

'Someone-- anyone! Help!' A choked cry, an attempt to muffle a cough--.

The earth under the boy rises up in sheets of bedrock, surrounding him, hiding him and cutting off the smoke that was threatening to make him cough, giving himself away to certain death as the building above burns and the sounds dissipate--]

[And the dream ends with a strangled-sounding gasp of fear as the normal video function of the transformed SFC turns on and Terra sits up in bed, breathing heavily, and his forehead covered in a fine layer of sweat. It takes him a minute to get his breathing under control, to reign in the lingering fear from the nightmare, but he does so eventually.

It's still another minute before he shakes his head and brings his hand to his temple, a puzzled look on his face.] Haven't had that one in a while... what brought that on?

[When he notices the blinking light of the SFC/Dreamberry, he scowls, and then reaches over and turns the feed off.]

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[ Screw wasting time with video or voice when his best friend is having a nightmare. He's wide awake, eyes red-rimmed because he's been asleep for too long and had too many of these nightmares. He really doesn't want to see any more of them.

So when he raps a hand at Terra's door, when opened, Ven will definitely not be looking his best. ]

Terra?

[He's rubbing his eyes to get the sleep out of them when he hears the knock that accompanies Ven's voice.] It's open.

[Not like Terra's looking too good, either. Bed-head, still looking like he's trying to calm down, and definitely in need of sleep. But it's really nothing to worry about; it's been a few years, but he's had this nightmare before.]

[ The blond pushes the door open and pads in on bare feet to stand worriedly beside the bed. ]

Is that what happened?

[ It figures he's never heard of it; Terra'd probably stopped having these before Ven had even arrived on Eraqus' doorstep. ]

[He just sighs and runs a hand through his hair, trying to keep it from falling into his face.] I think so. I've never been able to remember it very clearly.

[He can still almost smell the smoke, with the dream still in his mind. It's... rather off-putting.]

Maybe you just did. [ He's going to sit down, and.. he doesn't even know. Reach over to pat his buddy's shoulder in an attempt to comfort. ]

That was awful... I'm sorry.

[He's shaking his head this time.] It's been a few years, but I've had that dream before.

[Hm? Sorry? That elicits a weak laugh, and a faint smile from Terra.] Don't be; it happened a long time ago.

[That smile gets a little more genuine for a second there.] Besides, I think I lucked out in the family department afterwards.

[Incoming hair ruffle, Ven. Yes, he means you, Aqua, and Master Eraqus.]

I guess... do you remember much from before Master found you?

[ He's never even thought to ask this before. And now, he can't help being curious. ]

Heh... something we've got in common. You guys are the b-- ahhhhh!

[ Mock scowl, as he messes his hair back properly. ]

Edited 2012-04-26 05:09 (UTC)

[Well. Honest laughter is better than the faint laugh from before.

It's roughly thirty seconds before Terra's quiet laugh dies off enough for him to answer. He gives it some thought, before shaking his head.] Not really. I was still about four when Master found me.

[Hm... positive things. Think positive... what can he remember from back then that held any sort of positive connotations?] I remember the smell of pine trees... and incense, I think. Something wooden. And...

[The more he tries to bring up hazy memories from a time in his life that he blocked out, the harder it is. But faded images come to mind.] ...A man with a deep voice, and a woman with blue eyes; I think that's who I got mine from. No one else had them.

[His birth parents? And how did he know that, about his eyes? Something he knew? He feels very certain about this, though.]

[ He pretends to frown for a whole of fifteen seconds before he's bursting into laughter to join his friend. When he calms himself, he sits back, and listens. As he can't remember anything about his childhood before Xehanort found him...

This is fascinating. ]

Sounds like a nice place. Ever thought of visiting it again?

[ He pauses. ]

Nobody? Maybe she was from another part of that world.

Hmm... [That? Catches him off-guard a little. Had he ever thought of going to visit? To be honest, it hadn't even crossed his mind until now.] Not really; I might've been born there, but Land of Departure is my home. Going back might just bring bad memories.

[A quiet chuckle, and he adds to that--] Besides, I wouldn't even know where to look for it.

[A nod, in confirmation, before he gets a thoughtful frown.] It's possible. Most worlds are larger than they look from the outside. I certainly don't remember enough of it to know how large it is, or how many people live there.

Ah... right. [ He's quiet for a long time. ]

To be honest, I've never thought about that until you brought it up. One day I'll need to go back and visit all those worlds I saw while I was on my journey.

[ Seems that behind all the smiles of the people here lies a boatload of heartbreak. Her heart hurts, seeing it all. And she might not know this one too well, but she's concerned.

Losing his parents... she can relate. Though she has the (mis)fortune of not remembering any of it. ]

Everyone's been having bad dreams lately. And everyone else can see them.

For what it's worth... I think they'd be proud. You seem pretty brave to me, from what I've seen.

[So it wasn't just him? Then it's one of those 'curses' he was warned about.

... the compliment catches him off-guard, and he's not sure how to respond to it.] ... Thanks.

[What else can he really say to that?]

You're welcome. [ She hesitates, but asks anyway. ]

Do you get that one often? It's...

[ Awful. To say the least. ]

[There's a pause, before he replies.] No. It's been a few years since I last had it.

[Around five or six, actually, and he hates it every time.]

[Wow, your life is just full of pain, isn't it? How can he even begin to comfort you, knowing what will happen in the future? Still, he can't exactly lave it alone, either. So eventually he clears his throat, and gives it a try.]

... Everythin' okay?

[Nah--most of his life was pretty peaceful. Just the early and later parts are filled with pain, though he's not aware of how much pain just yet.

It takes him a little while to respond, but he does.] Yeah. Just an old dream cropping up.

[Light only knows why.]

Seems ta be happenin' ta everyone. People have bad dreams, and then everyone can see 'em. Not sure what's goin' on, but I don't like it. Kinda like all of our secrets are out in the open.

[Happening to everyone, huh? Then...] This could be one of those curses that Riku told me about.

[If so, then it wasn't a very nice one. He shudders a little. Secrets getting out...] I don't like this; dreams are too personal to be shared like this.

[Far too personal; he wouldn't have wanted people he didn't even know about this part of his past.]

[He nods in agreement] Seems ta be a curse. Ya never really can predict 'em, but it does mean this will end eventually... probably within the week or so.

[He frowns, looking Terra over. poor guy.] Nothin' can really be done about it now... so... just be prepared to see a lot of worried friends.

... That's a long time to try not to sleep. [He'd originally been contemplating that if this was going to be over in a day or two, but... a whole week? He'll just have to risk sleeping and hope he doesn't have any more revealing dreams.

... well. Sighing.] Yeah, I figured I would; Ven hadn't come to live with us yet last time I had this one. He doesn't know about it at all.

[And Aqua... she'd never really known the exact details of the dream. Only Master Eraqus really suspected, but even then...

'Memories need to stay where they belong; in my heart.']

We all need sleep, this is just gunna have ta be an unfortunate side effect for a bit. Ya can't take any risks on yer health, no matter what might be shown on here.

[don't make him daddy you kids :| ]

And Ven might know no. So... prepare yerself for it. He'll only want ta help, though. So do all of us. We all care.

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Lesson Two | Dream/Video | Forward-dated to around midnight.

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