meteorical | Forty-Fifth Shower

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I know a lot of people are already planning on how to make the best of this and make sure we have a good strategy, but why do I feel like that might not be enough this time? I was hoping they'd skip us this time, and right around Christmas? Thanks a lot.

I guess...I just have to make the best of this, too.
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Well, guess that means I have to bump my Christmas plans back a little further. [She's trying to make light of the situation, even though she's really not that happy. She's pretty worried, actually.] Underground this time, huh? I'm not sure if that's better or worse. But why...you'd think they'd learn from last time, I'm not really a combatant.

I want to be better this time, and I'm not going to get knocked out early this time. I'm...I'm really good with healing magic now, and some of the other magic, too. And I'm a little better at combat for back-up support. [But definitely not for the front lines, she thinks.] I want to help. Just tell me what to do.

And for something a little less depressing...who's planning Christmas parties this year? I've got some ideas, but we'll see how those go.

Wish us luck.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Heh... That's probably something we could all use.

[She's not used to fighting, he knows that much. Still, that was pretty impressive, and he turns to watch ahead of him again as he talks again.]

H-Hey, how long have you... fought with the Keyblade?

Hmm? Oh...not very long, I guess. I only got to use it once back home, and I didn't get it until after Sora left when he was training me. I used it the last time I was drafted though, and sometimes I train on my own. Why?

Nothing, it's just... [You kind of remind me of myself, back then.] You just look kind of new at it, that's all. You... still pulled off some pretty awesome moves, heh.

[Though he wanted to inject enthusiasm into that last part, he couldn't. Not with these surroundings. He tries to get his mind on what they're doing instead; once they get to a corner, Luke gets beside it, then peeks around it with two quick glances, from side to side. He'll nod to Kairi once he's sure it's clear.]

[She's kind of glad he doesn't express those thoughts, at least.] I guess because I am. Definitely a lot newer than the boys are. [She beams anyway.] You think? I'm still getting used to its grip.

[She'll peek around the corner, too, before moving forward with that nod.] How far should we go?

Yeah... Yeah, definitely. [He shoots her a grin before it fades almost immediately as he walks ahead again.] We should... I don't know, a while, I guess. This is training, right?

[More noises, this time from behind. Luke turns, sword out and squinting in the dark. But there's more from the other side, and Luke looks over his shoulder - from both sides, eh...?]

[Don't mind her circling so she's almost back to back with Luke, ready to take on whatever's making those sounds. She really is finding this to be a bit creepy, but she's not ready to call it quits yet.] Training, sure, but if this is getting to be too much...

... We'll be fine.

[He moves around so that his back touches Kairi's as well, briefly holding his sword in both hands as he stares into the darkness. His eyes are adjusting now, and it's at the point where he can see their shapes moving about.

His back moves as he brings his sword up, gathers second fonons around him, and then slams it down into the ground:]

Slag Assault!

[And makes the earth move beneath his sword, sending sharp rocks and debris at the monsters ahead of him. The pieces cut into them and blind them for a moment, and as they cry out and try to get their bearings, Luke moves forward to finish them off with a few quick strikes of the sword.]

[And while he's on that side attacking the shapes of the bats, she's going to lunge forward as soon as he takes off.]

Freeze! [Ice shoots from the end of her Keyblade, freezing a few of their enemies in their place as she jumps and swings, bringing the Keyblade down and cutting them apart. She finishes off her herd of bats with a few more swings, growing more steady as she continues on.]

[... Huh! Thanks to Kairi's move, Luke can feel other fonons mingling in the air. As he fights, he backs up a few steps, moving further into the fonons briefly floating in the air. And once he's close enough, he unleashes an arte that absorbs the fonons and turns it into a different attack.]

Guardian Frost! [Spikes of ice shoot up from the ground on all sides around him, spearing monsters that managed to gather close to him. With one last dash and slash, the last of his own group seems to be gone, and he lets out a little sigh.]

You okay?

[She lowers the Keyblade ever-so-slightly, looking over her shoulder back at Luke.] Think so. Are you? You're doing a lot of the fighting here.

I'm okay. I've been fighting like this for a while.

[Never mind that this place is still making him want to get out as soon as possible. He shifts his grip on the sword, shuts his eyes and takes in a breath. It's just a mine. It's not Akzeriuth. It's just a regular mine.]

That doesn't make it any better, Luke, and you know it.

... Yeah, I know.

[But let's push that off of him:] Do you think you've got a good idea on what fighting in a mine is like?

A lot better of an idea than I had when we first started. I've got the basics and I've got the rules down.

[And a slow nod as he shuts his eyes.] Okay. We can probably...

[When he opens his eyes, he sees a violet mist around them, and a flash of a mine worker at the end of the tunnel, waving him down to lead him to where the rest of the workers are, and even though he calls out for him - "This way! Hurry!", it sounds far away and echoing more than it should -

Luke shuts his eyes again and lets out a harsh breath as he shakes his head.]

Probably - stop here. If you - gah - if you think you're okay.

[This definitely isn't easy for him. She knows that, and because of it she's going to grab Luke's arm and gently pull him toward the "exit" of the cave.] Okay enough. I promise.

I-It's fine, really, I just...

[But he follows her anyway, keeping his head down and trying not to think about how this place is familiar, trying not to dwell on how far away even Kairi's voice sounds. He'll put his sword away, though, now that the training is over.]

Just don't worry. [She keeps a tight grip on him until they exit the simulation-cave.]

...you helped me a lot today, you know.

[Once they exit, Luke takes in a deep breath and brings his free hand up to press against his temples. Okay... Okay, it's a little easier to breathe now. He didn't even realize it was kind of hard to do so until he got out of there. And he only pulls his hand away and opens his eyes once Kairi speaks to him.]

... You really think so? [Luke isn't so sure himself. He had a mini meltdown in the mine simulation, after all. That didn't help either of them.]

In more ways than you think.

[He just looks at her for a second. Maybe it's because of his brush with a flashback earlier, but - he can't seem to focus fully on her.

And if she says Luke helped her, then... he doesn't particularly feel like arguing or anything. So, he just gives a slow nod and rubs his forehead.]

Then - I'm glad I could help you. Keep that capacity core with you, okay? It'll help you out, I know it will.

I will...promise. Come on, let's head back.

Forty-Fifth Shower - [Voice]

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