Bury Your Head [Open]

[emil]

[OOC: I thought an actual thread with an Emil on how she should be at this point after all of the events. Not all happy and merry in some of my recent ones. ^^; ]

[Over two years ago]
"Emil! Emil! Where are you?" Emilia called out for her brother, walking about the castle court yard with books in her arms, hoping to find her dear brother in hopes to help her with her homework. Her eyes wondering around, having no luck in spotting him until she saw a hint of blue leaning on a tree. With a smile sigh, she shook her head and tip-toed on over, finding her brother snoozing right under the tree. Even though her brother is far smarter then she is, she always found him sleeping about. She wondered why he kept on coming to this spot though. With a shrug, she sat beside her brother, looking over before his sleeping form. She leaned in close and... "Wake up, sleepy head!!" She yelled in his ear. This caused Emil to suddenly jolt up, straightening his sitting pastor before holding his fast beating heart. Emilia let out a small giggle from the reaction her brother had given her.

"E-Emilia?! W-what did you do that for?" He spoke, allowing a sigh of relieve to escape him before attempting to calm himself. A bit happy to know it was just his sister giving him the fright. Emilia on the other hand just smiled innocently before showing her opened book to her brother. "I need help! You weren't in your room, so I came looking for you. Why are you out here? Father is going to get mad if he finds you snoozing around, be lucky I'm the one that found you first." Emilia nodded her head, agreeing with her own statement before jabbing her dear brother on his shoulder. Emil reacted by waving his hands in front of his face, pleading for his sister to stop before letting out a nervous laugh. Indeed, the two weren't allowed to fool around any more due to their studies and their trainings. Along with their father wasn't a pleasant man when it came to being 'dedicated' to training. Sure, they were dedicated... but they haven't taken a good rest in ages now.

"Don't you get lonely?" Emil spoke after stopping the senseless jabbing he was getting from his sister by holding her finger. Emilia pulled her finger away from him before tilting her head, not sure why her brother even said that for. "Lonely? Why should I? I have you!" Emilia let out another giggle, but her brother only responded with a small smile. He patted his lap for Emilia to rest on, Emilia nodded and rested her head upon her brother's lap, enjoying the small comfort she was receiving as her brother patted her head lightly. "In the room... I get lonely, not able to see the green trees from my window makes me feel lonely." Emil spoke, leaning his head back as he gazed up upon the rustling leaves above their heads. Thinking about the old times he and his sister use to have at this very spot, playing around... laughing... this very court yard held many memories. Though Emilia wasn't thinking of those memories at all, no, those memories never struck her when she came here... they were rather... blurry to her now.

"Like I said, father will get mad once he finds us here. Plus, we have to go train within the hour.... as I can see you weren't planning on returning to your room to change for training." Emilia glared up at her brother, who seem to avoid her glare and went to look elsewhere. Both were wearing the same cloths, looking exactly alike... no one could tell them apart. Emil let out a small laugh before patting her sisters head lightly, causing Emilia to pull up her book to her face to avoid the blush that appeared on her face. She didn't like it when her brother was laughing and she wasn't in the joke. But her brother's laughter died down rather quickly and another question seem to escape his lips. "Why did you start training?" Emil asked, a smile on his face as he went on stroking his sister's hair. Emilia looked up to her brother, giving him a rather funny look as if her brother was crazy to ask such a thing. "You already know the answer, to be with you. Why did you agreed to train, brother?" Emil blinked, rather surprised from his sister's comeback. He paused, leaning back once more as he gazed up to the rustling leaves above them again.

"Why? Hmm.... Maybe because I wanted to fight alone." This caused Emilia to look away from her book and glanced up toward her brother. Her mind went blank there, not really sure why her brother said that. That is one part she can never understand, her brother's mind. It was so different from hers, even though they both looked the same. Emilia said nothing and went on listening. "I mean... war is scary, having your friends fight with you... or against you... you could watch them die or use them as a shield. Then, when you think about your opponent, they could have reasons for fighting too. So, I wonder after a victory.... do we still feel like winners? Or maybe we're just so selfish we don't notice the harms we've done?" Emil paused, allowing some things to run his mind before staring down at his sister, who seem to be getting tired rather quickly. It's probably from all the studying.

"War sounds scary... why do we fight? I mean... can't we just talk the problems out?" Emilia spoke, letting out a yawn before attempting to listen and read her book at the same time. Which didn't do very well, since with each word she read... her eyes got heavy... "I don't know, maybe it's just because humans are selfish." Emil spoke, letting out a light smile as he watched his sister fall asleep on his lap. "If...that's why.....then..." A loud yawn passed her lips before she finally closed her eyes, allowing the book to slip through her fingers. "I want to...fight.... for you...because... I'm selfish.....right?" And with that, she was off to dreamland. Emil just let out a sigh before lightly petting his sister's head, a thought crossing his mind before the smile on his face turned into a frown.

"Right... it's because we're selfish, we fight foolishly."

[OOC: IMAGE. ;'D ]


Persent

The waves crashing against the shore caused a rather worn-out girl to wake up from her sleep. Her cheeks brushing against the sand lightly before pushing herself up in a sitting position, her eyes wandering about the place as she attempt to see where she was. Light yellow sand... the ocean waves being so blue behind her.... Was this the island she worked so hard to 'protect'? It looked different, it wasn't so dark... not gloomy or even a hint of heartless in sight. Was this the beauty she attempt to keep in the dark? Emil pushed herself up to stand, wobbling a bit as her legs didn't seem to respond quickly enough. Her clothes were dirty, hints of burnt marks were on them and bruises on her arms were clearly visible along with scratches on her shoulders that not even her scarf to cover up.

Her body turned around to face off the wide open blue ocean before, almost causing tears to her eyes in which she quickly attempt to clean away with her wrist. Why was she crying? Was it because her effort wasn't good enough? Or was it because what she was fighting for didn't seem right then it should be? She didn't know... She wasn't a dark user... even with the hint of darkness Kadaj have given her, she didn't know how to use it. She wasn't sure if she was fighting for the right thing... or something else. She wasn't sure if these fights were even meant for her and she could be just random person dragged into war. She wasn't sure if she was hurting others who were protecting things like she does... She wasn't sure how she would react if she killed someone again, like that one timing at port royal...

Could she even show her face to her brother now? Not because she looked dirty now... but because the things she did up to now... held no meanings to her, none at all! "Should I even continue fighting?" she spoke out, her voice cracking from the tears building up in her eyes. She felt pity for herself... because even though she wanted to get stronger, all the things she was doing... never leaned to the so called 'justice'. "Is what I'm fighting for even right anymore?!" Emil took a step forward, shouting toward the ocean as she hoped for an answer of some sort.

"If fighting hurts this much... If I hurt people this bad... Then.." The tears in her eyes started to escape, coming down like waterfalls as her throat began to crack... making it difficult to even speak now.

"Then...t-then... I-I don't want to fight anymore! I don't want to hurt anyone anymore! All I want is just to see your face again! S-so...." She started to sniffle a bit, dropping to her knees as her hands went to grip her head, feeling the throbbing headache appearing so painfully from all the crying. "Just show yourself! Stop running away from me!!" Suddenly, Emil let out a rather loud scream... not caring who heard it or who would even came. Continuing to grip her head as she went on crying as her eyes shut themselves tightly. All she wanted was her brother... and yet, she had to go through so much... just to be with him, but each time she got closer to him... he would leave nothing behind and disappear altogether...

[OOC: Ahaha... Yeah, this post is pretty much 'Emil's Breakdown'. >>; Sorry if this scares people away on posting in here. D': ]

[Sora]

"Hey, don't be sad."

From behind Emil spoke the voice of one of the islands inhabitants, who was currently staying on the world to defend it from the darkness, and in this case he had been partially right. Upon returning back to the offshore island of his childhood memories, and walking up the almost-white sands of the beach under the soft heat of the midday sun, he had heard a voice up ahead talking to herself. He had pretty much heard the entire external monologue before the girl - yes, he liked his girls and it had to be one to make that kind of noise - screamed out in frustration. He walked up next to Emil, to stand on the beach looking out towards where the ocean kissed the sky melting into a raident blue, and before Emil could completely turn around to see his face, he passed over to her something just as equally blue and soothing. It was a blue sea-salt ice cream, Sora wasn't sure why he felt the compulsion to have bought two - perhaps it was because he felt twice as much to indulge his sweet tooth or was hoping to find one of his friends here to share it with.

Well, this turned out that it was a good thing he did after all, the girl looked like she was in need of some comfort food.

Sora was biting on his own sea salt ice cream, having taken it from the main shore the ice cream was half-eaten, half-way down the stick. He remained looking out towards the ocean, equally and oddly content somehow, not showing any signs of aggression or caution towards Emil because of her breakdown. "I'm not sure why you're here on my island, but I know you're not trying to help the bad guys take it over again, or else you wouldn't feel remorse about it." he contemplated wisely, feeling a bit more philosophical as he stared out at the tranquility of the sky embracing the ocean in a purified blend of brilliant blue. Perhaps he felt this way because he had finally found Kairi, and had put his fears and doubts to rest about how she felt about him after he had been away for so long, but he wasn't here now for himself. "This island is where me and my friends grew up together, and had all sorts of adventures. This place will always have a special place in my heart, no matter what happens to it, because of the people I shared laughter and memories here with." he offhandedly explained to the girl, without her even having to ask him to explain himself or even for him to ask her name.

This was her moment now, and perhaps, a moment of clarity to understand what she was really doing here crying her heart out on his island.

He took another bite of his sea-salt ice cream, letting the sound of the waves lap up on the shallow shore in front of them, and the cries of seagulls overhead. When the sounds had ebbed and flowed away, he contemplated for a moment longer, feeling the gentle ocean breeze and slowly breathing it in. "We all have to fight, sometimes we don't have a choice, when we want to protect something that's close to our heart." he said finally, after some soul-searching, trying to figure out the exact reason he had been fighting so could explain to someone who had been on the side of his enemies. He stole a glance towards Emil, ice-cream stick with half an ice-cream left on it sticking out between his pressed lips, and smiled. "So, who is it that you were looking for? Me?" he half-wondered, also half-expecting a fight from her if she was emotional because she was seeking revenge, and wanted him to come out of hiding so she could enact it.

But, Sora didn't feel like she would in the face of his kindness and forgiveness - he never liked to see girls cry, only when they were happy could he be.

(OOC: Not the longest post, but I don't have that much muse from lack of sleep. I thought it was about time she met Sora, and this thread is as good a time as any. xD)

[emil]

"Hey, don't be sad."

Emil's eyes widen as her whole body froze in it's place. Quickly, her body moved as she stood up, her head jerked in the direction of the voice; which was behind her. The first thing that greeted her was an ice cream bar. She blinked in confusion, hesitant at first before taking the ice cream bar and held the stick with both of her hands. Staring at it as the uncomfortable feeling rise within her body, biting her bottom lip slightly as she prevent herself from crying anymore. This person, he was her enemy, wasn't he? Why didn't he attack? This was the perfect chance for him to get rid of her, 'to protect his island'. That's what he said last time she saw him during the battle. Maybe, he didn't attack because his island was back to the way it was? Maybe... or maybe he just doesn't think of Emil as a threat. With each of those thoughts running through her head, the more she felt like sinking within the sand itself or attempting just to run away.

Emil's eyes widen slightly, listening to the words of this male beside her. Turning her head to stare at him as she listened, allowing the words to sink withing her skull before lowering her head once more, returning her gaze to the ice cream. So the male knew she wasn't going to attack because she was alone? Then again... she never wanted to keep this world in the darkness, she wasn't like that. She didn't say a word, simply because she didn't have a single clue on what to say. Her mind was still giving pity to herself, to be so off guard and defenseless before an enemy. Though, what the brunette said next caught her ears and she return her eyes on him. Blinking a bit as she felt dumbfounded by his words. "Memories, huh?" She spoke lightly.

A small smile appeared upon her lips as her eyes return to gaze upon her uneaten ice cream, closing her eyes as she felt at ease for some reason. Remembering some old times she had with her brother, running around the castle's garden, laughing as they chased each other. Then there were memories of them resting in the castle's court yard under the trees and leaves. "Don't you get lonely?" Emil eyes snapped back open, allowing a small gasp to escape her lips as the voice of her brother seem to speak within her head. Remembering that time when her brother said that to her. "In the room... I get lonely, not able to see the green trees from my window makes me feel lonely." Emil smiled a little more, feeling her own tears escaping her eyes again. How stupid she was, she didn't realize it back then on what her brother meant. She didn't realize that her brother just wanted to spend time with each other like when they were kids.

Emil's crying slowed down just a bit when the male spoke once more, blinking a few times as she rubbed her eyes with the back of her gloved hand. "Protecting something close to our heart?" She questioned, but now when she thought about it. Didn't her brother said he wanted to fight alone? Saying it was selfish and the likes. But could he meant... he wanted to fight alone because he was being selfish because he was protecting something too? Now that Emil thought about it, it could be. "I-I see... It's because of that... we're selfish... protecting what we love most is so selfish, but I guess it can't be helped." Emil let out a light laugh, almost crying again but she held in as she continued to clean her tears away with her hand.

Her head turned back to Sora, allowing a smile to appear on her lips. "Thanks, your words helped me." Allowing a light giggle to escape before attending to her ice cream, she started at it like it was the oddest thing she ever saw before taking a small bite, allowing the ice cream to melt within her mouth. "Salty... but sweet, how strange." She blinked at it, feeling her mood lifting up even more even though she was standing next to a possible enemy. When the boy spoke again, she didn't reply yet until she took another bite out of her ice cream, her expression almost returning to her sadden state.

"No, not you. I was looking for my twin brother, but it appears he isn't here..." She took another bite of her ice cream, eating it rather slowly before looking back at the boy, feeling like she should say this. "Why are you not attacking? Even though we're enemies? I mean... My master took over your world, but you reclaimed it. Aren't you afraid I'm here to take it back?" Though, her questions were just out of curiosity, since she really had no intention in fighting. After all, she had killed others now... with her own hand from Port Royal, fighting anymore might be too much for her. Plus, she wasn't sure anymore... when the darkness within her heart was going to be unstable again. Which somewhat surprised her when it haven't taken over during her breakdown, why was that?

"I have the darkness within my heart... you shouldn't be near me." Emil let out a small sigh, looking back down as she stared at the sand below her.

[OOC: Don't worry, my first post isn't long if you take out the flash back. xD; Also... OMG, I posted long. >>; -was not expecting that- ]

[Sora]

How feeble it all seemed.

About the light and the darkness, good and evil, about who was on who's side - all of those things paled in contrast to the peaceful view of the ocean from his home island. Sora took another bite of his sea-salt ice cream, and for once had a moment of clarity, after so long moving from world to world and helping his friends fight back the darkness that threatened to destroy their peaceful word. Friends... it had such a significant meaning to the situation now, in a way he hadn't considered it before. Friends were his strength, and he couldn't believe how he had forgotten what it meant to have friends when in the face of the shadows. Not just for the sake of being around people who he liked as much as they liked him, but how their ideals, values and conscience were the same as well.

I made him think that that was the reason he had gone against Riku when he had turned to darkness, and to a lesser extent, his Nobody who he did not know was his at the time. Both had antagonized him in a way at some point in his life that even though they felt familiar to him, they were being less than friendly about their actions towards him and others. His heart didn't see the lie where his mind would, and it remained true to fight for what he felt was right and justified at the time. His friends had kept secrets from him as well, but he knew that in the end it had been for the best because of their own selfless reasons, and they had told him in the end anyway. Because he knew deep down in the end they would come through for him and include him, no matter how deeply steeped in darkness they were, because they were his friends.

This situation now was no different.

His attention turned to the girl, who it was obvious was a girl by the way she had been crying by herself, and smiled gently. He listened to her repeat his words as she thought about him, and felt his answer couldn't be any more easier to answer, listening to what his heart was telling him. "We're not completely selfish. We don't just protect what we love because we love it, but other people share the same memories of it too, and we're just defending their memories of it as well. So that we all can share it, together." he explained, and laughed suddenly, a thought occurring to his mind as his trademark grin spread across his expression. "Right now, you and I are sharing a memory of this moment, and nobody can take that away from us, even if something happened to this place. But, having it here as it is now reminds us of that memory, so we fight for it so they are not forgotten." he spoke wisely, and looked from the girl out towards the ocean again, proud of how clear he could see it all now. Happy as well, because he was enjoying his island the way it was, and that he was with a girl he was attempting to cheer up. Which brought him back to the conversation, replying "You're welcome." cheerfully to her as she sampled and talked about their ice-cream flavor.

He remained silent though as Emil explained it was not looking for him, but for her missing brother. Immediately Sora's features turned from joyful into one of sympathy and concern, only having a moment to think he could only relate to it with looking for Riku and how he couldn't understand otherwise, when Emil asked him why he wasn't attacking her. He smiled again, his face back to it's bright expression, and shook his head. "I've looked all over these islands more than once for my friends, and I can tell you that no-one is here, but I hope you find your brother. And we're enemies? I thought we could be friends, I don't even know your name. My name's Sora." he grinned again, pausing to let the name sink in for her as he took another salty-sweet bite of the sea-salt ice cream, returning back to the topic at hand soon after. "I'm not attacking you because you're crying. Not just because any bad guy doesn't cry and feel bad about themselves after attacking a world, but because I don't like to see people sad. I just wanted to see you happy, that's all, and I know because you feel sad that you're a good person. So please, smile and laugh, because that will make me happy too." he laughed, and paused one more time, because of the mention that Emil had given him, glancing back out to the clear ocean and sky one more time to think about the right words to say. "So I know you won't try to take my island back to darkness, because you're a good person for feeling remorse. And who is your master?" he eventually asked her, sticking his ice-cream back in his mouth and looking at her with a goofy expression on his face, as if he wasn't serious.

But it did make him think. Her master attacked his island before?

It didn't matter, as long as he protected his island from invaders, it didn't matter who it was if they decided to eventually show themselves because his apprentice had failed. The blond girl told him she had powers of darkness, which Sora wasn't surprised about, and the mere mention of it didn't phase him in the slightest. "I don't mind. We all have darkness in our heart, and one of my closest friends opened up his heart to darkness, but he turned against it taking him over to use it for himself. So I'm not going anywhere." he casually said, and spread that contagious grin on his face again at Emil before turning to look back out at the horizon once more. He felt utterly content where he was, even though he would have to move out again, and closed his eyes as he felt the fresh ocean breeze on his face. He was glad that he had cheered up the girl to stop her from crying, and he hoped she felt glad she had as well, even if she was hesitant at being around him.

It didn't matter to him, even if she was a threat, she was grateful for his help and he was grateful for being of help to her, too.

[emil]

The darkness, ever since she accepted it from Kadaj, a strange weight was just placed on her. She wasn't sure if it was because she had issues accepting the darkness or if it was because the issue isn't the darkness itself, but her in her confused state. She didn't know, at times like these, she wished her brother was right here by her side. He was so much better at explaining things and helped Emil picked what was right from wrong. But now, it was only her and it's difficult for Emil just to pick one thing. Maybe, she could be selfish and pick both? After all, not like she liked siding with the darkness. All of this was for her brother, the only person that she was willing to be 'evil' for.

Emil head lifted up once more, blinking a few times before turning to look at Sora. She was amazed, with each word that he spoke, it made sense to her. For some reason, it made her smile, just a tad a bit. But what he said next made her rather surprised, causing her to stare at him with slightly wide eyes as she listened. Even now? She thought, not even noticing that she was sharing a memory with someone already. Complete strangers, yet memories are still being made. Just the thought of that, Emil found it just a tad bit funny. She allowed a small laugh to pass her lips, covering her mouth with her free hand in attempt to hide it a bit, but that did nothing.

"I see. I should have known, that even now... I'm making an important memory without realizing it." She giggled lightly, but paused suddenly when she finally realized something. She hasn't been hiding her giggles, laughs, or even hide the fact that she was crying like... a girl. This caused her to let out a small sigh, as she knew it was already too late to hide such a fact if she made it so bloody obvious. With a small shrug, she turned to Sora again and listened once more, taking small bites of her ice cream while doing so. So my brother have ignored my cry... Emil thought, allowing another sigh pass her lips as she lowered her head a bit from that fact. She sensed her journey would be long, but if it continues any longer... sooner or later she has to return home to check up on her mother and kingdom; empty handed.

"We're not?" Emil's attention return to Sora, blinking a few times. How could this boy accept her as a friend? Even though they were just fighting for this island not long ago, what a strange person. "I guess, we could be friends." Maybe, it'll be easier for her to have a friend around. Not like she had many since she started this journey.

"So-ra?" She sounded out with her own lips, getting use to saying it before letting out a smile. "Nice to meet you, Sora. My name is Emil--wait...no.." Emil paused, closing her eyes as she thought about something before reopening them, a smile returning to her face. "I feel like I shouldn't lie to you, I am Emilia. A girl, as you can already tell. I'm suppose to pass as my brother, Emil, but it seems you caught me rather off guard and causing me to completely forget in acting 'boyish'." Well, not like she could even pull off a 'guy cry' anyways if she was in a breakdown. She didn't even know how guys cry anyways, well that was her slip.

A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she rubbed the back of head with her free hand, thinking this event right here is a little strange. But not in a bad way. After all, they were suppose to be enemies, but here they were... chatting about, acting as friends. Maybe, the friendship bonding as already begun? Who knew.

Emil allowed herself to laugh a little from Sora's statement, but not because it was funny, but it was because he was being so honest. "I will. Thank you so much, Sora. I can't remember the last time I have actually smile and laughed. You're a good person, Sora. I'm kinda jealous of you for that." She teased as she giggled once more before just smiling. Darkness... her smile weaken at the sound of it, it sounded so painful just to hear about it now... Why? Was it because she felt like she was betraying Kadaj? Was that it? She was somewhat glad he wasn't here to see her like this. Yet, Sora's friend had fallen to the darkness before.. Maybe she should met this person, he sounded like he could teach her a thing or two about controlling the darkness within her. Or maybe... her thoughts were just like that... because Kadaj was becoming her new fear for some reason.

I'm making a friend...I should be happy, right? So why do I feel like something is going to happen? Something bad... Can you tell me, brother? Emil's head lowered, allowing her hair to shadow her eyes as she silently ate her ice cream, stopping when it was just half way down to being down. "Master Kadaj, Kadaj is my master." Emil spoke, looking up to the sky as she allowed the light breeze ruffle up her hair. She should enjoy this small moment, but once she leaves... the moment is gone, right? It'll just be a piece of a memory within her head, a memory that she'll wish to return to again and again. Maybe she will come back here, when she finds her brother... Then maybe, she can stare off into the ocean just like this and eat ice cream with her brother, maybe he'll like that. Just maybe...

[Sora]

How funny it had seemed, how everything seemed so much clearer to him now his light had been restored.

The young Keyblade Master took a deep breath of the fresh ocean breeze, looking away from the girl next to him for the moment to once again stare out into the endless blue of the beautiful partnership of sea and sky, feeling completely content and at ease with himself. Ever since he had felt that connection to his heart that was lessening, he was plagued with doubts and fears that the connection would be completely severed, and lost forever. He had always been confident that the light would shine through no matter how deep the darkness, but it was disheartening to learn if there was nothing but the darkness to shine the light upon, if it would only be his own lonesome light at the center of his connections. But just when he thought he had lost all hope, she had appeared when he had least expected it, and he was finally able to see through the promise that he made to himself. Without her as his light, the one whom he shared an utmost deep and profound understanding and destiny with, his own light would have been snuffed out in the darkness long ago.

She was the reason he was still in the light, and had saved him more times than he realized.

Sora was snapped out of his happy daydreaming thoughts at the sound of a feminine laugh, a different yet sincere one, and shook away his thoughts as he looked at her and pulled the sea-salt ice-cream stick out of his mouth to take another thoughtful bite. "What's so funny?" he asked rather naively, and after he spoke gave a short laugh of his own. "Oh, yeah, not even I knew that we were creating a memory until I thought of it just now." he confirmed, and stared back out onto the union of blue sea and sky once more. What would this memory mean to the young man from these islands? He considered it the beginning of his and Emil's friendship, as well as her understanding that both the light and darkness were not to fear, but the people behind them who wish to use them for ill-will, but Sora was not entirely selfish that he understood only that it meant more to Emil.

"If it would make you happy." he added onto the end of Emil's confirmation that they could be friends, and he turned away from the rolling ocean waves and gave her a genuine smile. He laughed as well as Emil tried to pronouced his name, and he nodded in confirmation as she basically got it right, not afraid of sharing it with his new friend who may have heard it from other people who renouned him as the Keyblade Master. "That's right, starts with a 'S' then 'O' 'R' 'A'. And don't you forget it!" he laughed, kidding around a little bit, but the laughter died down as Emil introduced her name. And then... her real name? He listened further as she explained she was trying to pretend to be her brother... huh, what was that supposed to mean?

The last time Sora remembered a girl was trying to pass off as a boy was his friend Mulan, who acted as a boy called 'Ping' that he met in the Land of Dragons. At the time she was doing it to get into the army, and he was meant to go along with it to convince the other males, as a favor to Mushu her guardian dragon who had helped him out greatly in his first journey. But this memory didn't help Sora understand the situation much at all... why was she pretending to be her brother, of all people, wouldn't he look a bit more... masculine than her? Speaking of looks, if she was meant to look like him, then that meant she must have been a identical twin of her brother. "Nice to meet you, Emilia, thanks for being honest. So, pretending to be your brother can get you into something else that you couldn't do on your own? Don't you think your twin brother might get angry at you for doing that?" he asked, his blue eyes rolling upwards as he pondered the situation, glad he had been able to figure out the gender situation without the sharp clarity Goofy would usually provide, before rolling his azure orbs back down to Emilia upon finishing his question.

Sora could only observe her sheepish laugh this time, rubbing the back of her head, as if she was embarassed of cross-dressing. But it wasn't until she spoke moments later that Sora understood what was on her mind. "You should smile and laugh more, then you wouldn't need to be jealous." he told her, casually brushing aside her comments. He looked away modestly down to his own ice-cream, which he had been slowly eating but was almost down to a third of it's original size. His questions lingered in the air as he thought about everything, making friends with this girl who had a strange habit of trying to look like her twin brother, whom he guessed they were at their early teenage years from childhood that their adult shapes hadn't fully started to form yet and distinguish themselves from one another. Doing so must have come to a hard cost of trying to keep her own identity established around other people, so Sora felt glad that she could at least be herself around him, and have who she honestly was as his first impression of her.

Emilia brought him back to reality as she mentioned the name of her master, and he turned and gave her that same, sideways glance full of curiousity while his ice-cream was still in his mouth. Laughing to himself at how silly he must have looked, he finished taking a bite of the blue salty treat, and chewed thoughtfully before swallowing and speaking once more. "Never heard of that name before. What do they look like?" he wondered, imagining some person like Emilia in similar clothing with a larger figure, but was Kadaj supposed to be a girl's name or a boy's name? He couldn't take anything at face value anymore, not after the revelation that Emilia had given to him about her true identity. He exhaled slightly, breathing in again as the breeze picked up and blew through his spiky brown locks, closing his eyes and enjoying the fresh air. He had worked so had to bring the Light back to Destiny Islands from this dark 'master' of Emilia's... they might as well enjoy it, he noticed, since she was looking up into the sky rather at peace with herself as well.

[emil]

Friends... Ever since she started this journey, she couldn't actually get a single true friend. Well, she guessed Kadaj could be labeled as her friend... in a way. Well, the issue wasn't about getting a friend and just being all happy together, but it was the fact that she had trust issue. Since that time... where a man build so much trust in her... before blowing it up. Though, could she have blamed him? He was possessed, wasn't he? But he shot her and Rinoa, caught them both off guard. Emil even said she couldn't forgive him even after he explained what just happened to him. I didn't even listen to him... Emil thought as her head lowered slightly, eating her ice cream as her mind became occupied once more.

Back then, once Gippal attempt to explain what happen, Emil ran away. She left Gippal and Riona, so fast... she couldn't remember actually boarding her gummi ship and taking off. She was hurt... not physically, but her heart ached so much during that time. Since her trust was shattered... by a bullet. Bang, drop, gone. Just like that, that's how she thought of it... anyways. But maybe she only got attacked because she wasn't being honest in the first place? Then again, maybe it was just karma catching up to her and just giving her awful luck. Or maybe she was just born unfortunate, that was clearly possible as well. Now that she thought about it, her parents did pay attention more to her brother then to her... Her father looked up to Emil and not Emilia. Even if they had the same face, he choose him over her. Maybe she should just go back home...

Wait, no! Don't think about it that way! If I do... the darkness is going to grow again! Forcing the thoughts aside as she shut her eyes, feeling her heart quicken in pace as the sense of panic washed over her. Though that state quickly lessen as Sora words caught her attention. Her dull green eyes only gave him a small glance before returning to stare back down at the sand below her feet. She paused, collecting memories within her head as she tired to relax a little more. Then she started speaking about something a little off topic. "Me and my brother was always together. Played together, laughed together, and even studied together. I even convinced my father to make us train together. Side by side, always. Though, some people thought we bounded so well just because we were twins." A light laugh pass her lips, her eyes moving up once more to stare at the sky again. Enjoying the bright blue skies as she collected even more memories within her head.

"Then again... not many kids wanted to play with us because of our status, in fact... we were barely allowed to play with others, and when we did, it was only for a day." A small sigh passed her lips, allowing the light breeze to calm her down just a bit more before speaking once again. "A year has passed since the day my brother's kidnapping. He was taken from my world and... I never saw him again. My side never felt so cold and empty before..." Emil closed her eyes, lowering her head as her hair bangs shadowed her eyes for a bit. A small pause went by before Emil lift up her head once more and turn her body completely to face Sora, Her free hand being placed where her heart is as the look of determination was upon her.

"This way, if the kidnapper knew there was another Emil wandering around, that man would come after me. So, even if I'm sided with the darkness... even if I lose myself... As long as that kidnapper appears... I... I'll do anything, just to see my brother again!" Emil stated the last part a little louder, feeling that rush of energy surging within her. Why? Why was that? Was it because she was being so honest for the first time and so open? Or was it because she was finally understanding and remembering why she started this journey in the first place? Whatever the cause for this strange feeling of sudden strength, she felt good about it and declaring it out loud just made it even better for her.

"Sure... I'll lose myself once in awhile, I'll cry.. fall, but I'll stand up again, because I don't mind getting hurt." A smile appeared on her face as she said that, knowing that she wasn't going to fall that easily. She knew... she would do anything just to see her brother again, even if it meant using herself as bait or even destroying herself. She didn't mind at all. " But I sometimes wonder if he'll get angry for a few things that I have taken from him since his disappearance, but at the same time I wonder if he'll just smile and say, 'it's okay.'... Oh um... I must be rambling on too much." A nervous laugh passed her lips as she felt her face turning red from embarrassment from that little 'show' she just put on there. Not once so far in her journey did she felt so... light. It was like talking to Sora made all these weight on her shoulders disappear. It felt...nice.

Emil paused as she looked up, thinking of Sora's question on the description of her master. Though, how strange was it...? Her master was sided with the darkness and she was his apprentice and yet she's about to freely throw information to the enemy... or a friend if you look at it differently. "Hmm... Short sliver hair, sharp cold eyes, dressed in all leather... Um.... His sword... Souba, I believe is what he called it? Uh, yeah.. it's a two bladed sword. Did that help?" Emil return her gaze to Sora as she wondered if this even right anymore. Like... she just gave information... rather freely... Oh well, like it mattered now.

[OOC: Sorry for the lateness and sorry for the rambling and how long this is... xD; ]

[Sora]

It was a difficult predicament to be in.

While Sora felt he could relate with a similar experience, there was no way he could relate to how Emil felt. Sora was an only child, and the only close family he had were his mother and father, and even then the bonds he had formed with others not directly related felt so close that they felt they were family. With Riku, Roxas and Axel feeling like a brotherhood to him, and all the members that had joined his party including Donald and Goofy like siblings to him. And Kairi... being something more than a friend, but more like... a soulmate, someone who completed him in a different, loving way. But none of those connections to his heart would ever make Sora understand what it was like to be a direct twin to someone in a way that made him feel contently different, like it did with Emil.

Two hearts born at the same time, making up for the lack in each other's hearts.

It was a strange feeling... but.. he felt like that somehow, somewhere, he had experienced something like that before, perhaps in a dream or in a faded memory, but he wasn't sure how or why. Perhaps he was just thinking of Roxas, who in some ways looked a lot like him and even had some of his personality, yet at the same time was a completely different looking and feeling person in his own right. He guessed that was it, as it was difficult for him to understand the feeling that had come to him in those words moments ago. The image of Roxas had flashed into his memory when he thought of it, and his heart... which was his own, just not inside Roxas's body but shared by their connection... felt just as familiar as his own, if he could allow himself... if it was possible... to find the division in where their hearts lay. It was odd to think that Nobodies, being without a heart, could have one... then again, Roxas and Namine were born under special circumstances, and maybe it was possible that having merged with him allowed his Nobody to freely feel by being able to connect to Sora's heart.

But the connection between Somebody and Nobody, and the connection between twins, was something Sora could never compare between if he could not intimidate what Emil had.

Hearing how Emilia... he caught himself by calling her by her brother's name, maybe as if it were by habit or just because it was a shorter nickname... talked about her brother Emil, and just by hearing more about it told him how much the relationship and connection to her brother had met. The memories described to him made Sora feel as if he were actually there, and he felt for the torment that Emil had been suffering to try and reclaim that feeling. And also for just as how dedicated she was, just like he had been to find Riku and Kairi, to go to such lengths as getting himself hurt or even sacrificing himself just to know that they were okay. He remembered how many times he had begged to the Organization about where his friends were, even to get down on his knees and plead, and put himself in danger just so he could fulfill his promises. He waited for Emil to finish explaining what he was doing, before he himself spoke.

He might not understand at all, but maybe by simply speaking of his own experiences, maybe it would give Emilia an idea or more encouragement how to find her brother.

He took in a deep breath, and began.

"The first time this island fell to darkness... my friends went missing, too, and I got swept off the world with them." he started, thinking back to that fateful night when all of this began. Riku disappearing into the living darkness surrounding him and speaking cryptically, as if he were not himself, and Kairi disappearing like a dream within his arms. He had been so riddled with confusion and fear, and on top of that thrown into a battle with a massive Darkside Heartless. If the creature hadn't been so slow enough for Sora to dodge it, he wasn't sure if he could have ever had beaten that giant Heartless, or what would have happened to his heart if he failed. But that was a moot point, and he went on. "I had no idea where I was, or where to begin looking for them, but I made some new friends who also shared the same problems I did. Me, Donald and Goofy, he looked everywhere for my friends." he smiled, and reminesced about his adventures with them. There was also the part how he thought he saw Kairi even now and then, but that was a complicated part of the story he felt didn't have to do with his point, so he decided to leave that part out.
"I ran into Riku after a while, and even though he disappeared when we weren't paying attention to him, it was just good to know he was okay. I knew we would see him again on another world sooner or later." he paused, editing out the part how Riku began to act differently again because he was falling into darkness, because it seemed like the path Emilia herself had fallen into. Maybe like Sora was, Emil's brother was using a gummi ship to look for her with his light, if he got away from his kidnappers? Although it was doubtful, he wouldn't put the thought aside if it was a possibility. What did these kidnappers want exactly, anyway? Maybe if they had the real Emil and saw there was a imposter Emil out there, they knew it was a fake and possibly his twin sister, unless they had doubts they had kidnapped the wrong sibling? "I hope you run into your brother someday, so you know he's okay too. But if the kidnappers are watching or hearing, that the same Emil they have is also out there and must be a imposter, maybe you should try a different disguise to lure them out?" he suggested kindly, thinking that might help Emilia progress to find her brother.

He took a deep breath, and sighed in exasperation. He hoped it was of some help, at least.

He took the last bite of his sea-salt ice-cream, and hopefully looked at the stick. Nope, no 'Winner' today, but maybe he had turned Emil's luck around instead with their conversation. "I hope you do find your brother someday. I'll let you know next time we meet, if I've seen him." Speaking of which, it reminded him that he needed to get going, but not before he had finished what he had remembered to set out to do. He reached into his pocket, and produced from it came a blue letter written in dark blue ink from a quill, that he had written out the night before at his home. He had spoken to Kairi earlier, and while he had also asked her to promise him to come back to him when she was finished with her journey, he felt that he should return the favor she had sent to him in the Realm of Darkness all those years ago, somehow.

The letter was addressed to her, and it had come from his heart.

Before Emil could read what was written on it, he started to gently fold it up, in a stylized pattern that was more than a simple way of reducing it's size. Before long and careful not to rip the document, the blue paper had transformed into an origami seagull, which he cradled gently upwards as he felt the ocean breeze begin to blow. The gentle air tugged at the paper bird, before it suddenly lifted off from the keyblade master's hands as he had intended, as if it were a living bird taking off into the yonder stretch of sky above. The blue bird spiraled upwards as if was lifted in the hot updraft of cool ocean breeze hitting warm yellow sand, until it was but a speck above them. Eyes of the same color watching the path of the fragile messenger, just like the birds that had flown off to reveal his Awakening, Sora smiled contently as he knew the destination the bird was going.
Just like how Kairi had sent him a message in a bottle by sea, from which her name derived in meaning from, his message would come to her when she needed it the most from the way his own name in meaning came from the sky.

Looking down from his namesake, Sora then turned to Emilia, a smile on his face. "I'm searching for someone, too. That letter was for them, to tell them that we'll meet each other again someday, and not to give up hope. We made a promise to each other, and even though we can't see each other right now, it always begins with a letter." he smiled secretly, remembering of the letters he had recieved from his friends. He had a very strong feeling that his letter would find her in her hour of need... just as hers had found his way to him when his suffering needed soothing the most, and he felt content at the thought the bird would someday lead Kairi back to him.

Emil's words once again rang in his ears, and for a moment he almost forgot that he had been asking about Emil's master, and that he didn't even consider he was asking an enemy for information when Emilia had been such a good friend to him. But when she described him... the leather clothing, the sword, the silvery hair... his memory reacted in an instant, remembering the person that matched the description exactly. A cold and ruthless man he had met the first time when he had called out to Sephiroth as his 'brother', being the only reference Sora had of him, as the next time they met was in a church when he was after Kairi and Namine. He felt he had encountered the cruel man with silvery hair more times than that, and often wondered if how his callous intentions were different from his brothers, but at least now he had a name to describe him better with. "Sephiroth's brother!?" he reacted a short moment later in sudden surprise, and almost dropped his sea-salt ice cream stick, reminding him to dispose of it properly later as he looked at Emil with wide, shocked eyes.

What was a man like that doing taking advantage of a girl like Emilia?

Perhaps it wasn't his business, as he remembered that Emilia's intentions were her own, but she was still a friend no matter how her conscious acted towards good and evil. Even if Sora had to fight against her in the future, he would do so as a friend, and try to find a way to help her rather than hinder her. But for now, there was no-one pushing them to be anything over than friends, and even if there was Sora would always remember that she was one. "I don't care who your master is, Emilia, as long as you're my friend. I know next time we meet, we can sort something out, instead of having to fight again." he reasoned, and flashed her a confident smile. "But I have to go. Best of luck finding your brother, and see you soon, okay? I believe in you." he added, and with that, he turned and hurried down the beach towards the dock, towards his next destination.

They would always have this moment, which would connect not only them, but that of the people they cared for... and he knew at least if it didn't ease her suffering, at least for a small while... she had remembered what it was, to smile.

Sora has left the thread.

(OOC: Thanks for the thread Emil, I've got lots more I need to finish, so let's roleplay again sometime! *chuckles* You were amazing, as always!)

[emil]

Emil's eyes blinked a few times as she listen to Sora's words, getting a chance to get a bit of his own story.

As soon as he mentioned this wasn't the first time this world had fallen into darkness, her eyes wandered around once more, remembering what this placed looked like when she first came here. Darkness, everywhere... it looked awful. No wonder Sora wanted to protect his home, he probably just have gotten sick of the darkness taking over this place and choose to fight. Then again, if that happened to Emil's home, she would have fought too. Her eyes return to land on Sora, continuing to listen as she felt something tighten within her chest. Like a small sense of connection being made as she pictured what Sora have gone through. A person standing on his own island, watching heartless roam around as the world fall to darkness. Probably a lot of emotions running all at once too.

Yet, even through that shocking event, he was able to find new friends. Emil felt a little jealous and if it showed, she hid it pretty well. Emil's first encounter with someone wasn't that great, now that she thought about it. Then again, people were led to places for different reason by different people, Kadaj was just someone different. Sora had his guide and help, Emil has hers. With those thoughts aside, Emil blinked at Sora as his comment did strike a cord in her. He had a point, what if they were just watching and laughing as she ran world to world looking for nothing as Emil was just being locked in their cell? She didn't want to think that, not one bit.

"Maybe or maybe not. Who knows. But it is a lot easier to find my brother this way. " Emil shrugged as she made a light weak smile, in her mind she wondered if the only reason why she dressed as her brother was because she clearly missed him. Staring at a mirror as if her brother was just right there in front of her. Though, maybe it was because her status of being King as Emil was still attached onto her back. It wasn't like she could allow her hair to suddenly grow long or break the habit of acting so unmanly. You could say... this was good practice for Emil to continue to act like a boy, just in case her search fail and she as to continue as the King of her kingdom; lying to her people as someone she's not. But she couldn't tell Sora that she was some royal person that run a kingdom, not yet anyways.

"That'll be great, please do tell me if you see him." She smiled as a hint of hope shined in her eyes, just hoping that Sora does run into her brother and would come running back to her one day with that so important information. Then again, she had asked so many people to do the same thing and she hasn't seen any of them more then once so far. Who knows, maybe from here on out, she'll see those people again and maybe they have seen her brother.

Emil blinked as she watched Sora pull something out from his pocket before realizing it was just a letter. Though her curiosity got the best of her as she took a step closer and attempt to read what was on it by leaning a bit close. Only to see Sora start folding it up and leaned back to her standing position, thinking that she shouldn't be noisy. She went on watching as Sora fold the paper in many ways, before seeing how he had made it into a paper seagull. It was cute and she wondered how he folded the paper that way and at the same time, wondered why he folded in the first place. As she thought letters were meant to be placed in an envelope and given to a messenger to be sent.

"What was that?" Emil asked, watching as Sora allowed the paper to be blown away and into the sky. Watching it in awe as the paper bird flew higher and higher and off to an unknown destination. She turned to look at Sora once more, explaining what he just did and who that was for. A letter to someone...? Emil smiled lightly, thinking it was a small silly thing but also thought it was great. A letter sound rather soothing and to Sora, that letter was very important by the way he smiled. So, she didn't bother to push any deeper into that as she knew that was private information. Maybe in the future, she'll tease about it to him when they're just hanging out as friends.

Though her smile slightly faded when she noticed the expression on Sora's face once he heard about Kadaj. It appeared he had encountered him before but didn't know his name, and who was this Sephiroth person Sora spoke of? Kadaj only mentioned two other brothers to her in the past. Maybe he said less for a reason... Emil felt a little shot down from Sora's sudden reaction, thinking his impression on her might change since he now knows who her master was. Though once Sora commented on it, she blinked and started at him rather dumbfounded. She was left speechless as she watched the male said his farewell and run off to the dock, only managing a small wave to him before no longer able to see him.

"Thank you for believing in me, Sora." She spoke to no one, knowing she was already too late as Sora was already out of range and out of sight to hear her. With a shrug, a small laugh escaped her lips. Her body turned back to the ocean as she watched the lovely view, eating her ice cream once more and quickly finishing it. Noticed a 'winner' word on it. She didn't know what she won or why it was even written on the stick. It was all rather new. Maybe she'll save it and ask Sora what's it for in the future. With that thought, she stuffed the stick into her pocket before moving her hand up to her neck and under her scarf, gripping the small locket her mother have given to her before her departure. Remembering her mother's words as she stared off into the ocean and wondered how her mom was doing.

---------------------------------------------------------

As Emilia continued on watching the ocean, she became unaware of the presences watching her from the tree house.

A dark figure cloaked and hooded, his face hidden and shadowed. He watched the young princess, watching her as he knew problems were going to stir in the future. A sigh could be heard as he shook his head slowly. "Who knew the princess would actually leave her home... This could even postpone the plan if she continues running around dressed like that." The figure folded his arms as thoughts ran within his head, wondering if the others have found out about Emilia yet. Then something came in his mind and a smirk could be seen under the hood.

"No matter, with her heart tainted by darkness... She'll be perfect for the plan." Letting out a small chuckle before allowing wonderful schemes to form in it's head.

"Though she made contact with someone who could help slow the development of the darkness within her heart, we need to prevent that." Another voice spoke, one that Emilia would know if she was listening in. A figure exited the tree house, dressed in a lab coat with folders and a book in his arms. His dull green eyes appeared drained and distant, as if he wasn't alive. The cloaked man turn to look at the newcomer and let out another low laugh.

"It sounds so weird. A brother agreeing to the plot of his soon-to-be fallen sister. It has that sense of irony." The cloak teased, as if knowing the male would react in some way from the comment, but the boy didn't. The boy merely shook his head as his eyes moved to stare at the princess below, watching as she started to finally move away from her spot and watching her head to the dock.

"Ah, that's right... I forgot you're just a puppet now. What a shame, I should have left that heart of yours completed. What do you think, Emil?" Again, nothing was said in return from the boy, who was now known as Emil.

Emil shook his head, allowing a faint smile to appear on his face.

"Master, you know my feelings for her has changed. I could careless. " A sigh was heard again as the cloaked figure merely nodded, waving his hand away as if to slap away the other male's word.

"Whatever puppet, Let's get going." With that said, Emil summoned a dark portal beside them, turning to stare at the young princess who went on walking, feeling something steering within him, but didn't pay mind to it before turning to his master. A small nod gestured that he was ready to leave before watching the cloaked figure step within the portal and being quickly consumed by it. He took one last look toward his sister, wondering what that feeling he had just awhile ago was. Was it regret? He couldn't remember. With that thought aside, he took a step within the portal and both were quickly gone.

Emilia just went on walking to the dock, unaware what had just happened before leaving herself from this world.

Emil[ia] has left the thread.