songerein | [open] I don't know, I just like you

Entry tags:

[open] I don't know, I just like you

Who: Sora & YOU!
Which: Open Log
Where: Various locations around Reverein
What: Sora is affected by a Bleeding Heart creature that latches onto his heart. It begins to feed on his loving nature and makes him crave more in order to keep feeding it. Sora becomes love-obsessed! And some extra prompts are inside.
Warnings: Themes of violence, jealousy, obsession and possessiveness.

[a. building a soup cart]

[Who can refuse free soup and helping someone out with building something new? Sora can be found helping with building the newest soup cart for Reverein's greatest upcoming soup seller. He's looking forward to trying out the soup when it's all done. Jiang Yanli has been so kind to him over the network so he's more than happy to help!

Since he's had a few chances at building things with his own two hands now Sora is confident he can do an okay job. He lifts the hammer in his hand and smacks it down on one nail with a satisfying clack. But once he goes for the next nail he misses the nail by just a fraction and knicks his finger!]

Yweoch!

[He yelps and pulls his hand away as quick as he can. As he winces in pain and puts his finger in his mouth to lull the pain away small sparks of annoyed energy seem to crackle around him like tiny firecrackers.]

That smarts... I've gotta get better at this! Who knew using a hammer would be harder than a keyblade sometimes?

[b. communal gardening area & communal fire pit]

[Alternatively, Sora can be found at the communal garden helping to keep everything cleaned up during these down months. It's not exactly warm outside right now but a few things are still growing strong. Sora will hunker down and tend to some plants and notice that small red and heart-shaped flowers might bloom at his fingertips. Must be the time of year?

Or Sora can also be found at the communal fire pit sitting next to the warmth of the roaring fire at the end of an evening. He's got a pack of fresh marshmallows and he's ready to share if someone wants a sweet and toasted treat.]

[c. bleeding hearts: wishing well]

[It's when a particular snap of negative emotion filters through the air that it happens to Sora. One moment he's minding his own business and checking out the wishing well to add a few hopeful dreams to the bottom of it when a sharp feeling pierces his heart. It feels like heat crawling down his throat and it takes a hold of his heart with a squeeze. He gasps and feels his energy suddenly sapped out of him. Weak and breathy Sora tries to inhale as he drops to a knee and grabs onto the edge of the wishing well.]

What's... going on?

[He can feel something sucking away at something deep inside of him. A dark red glow starts to appear around Sora as he tries to breathe. He suddenly feels so empty and like he needs to fill up with ... something.]

Someone... Is anyone there?

[He looks up with a red glow in his eyes. The rush of adrenaline he feels to find someone- anyone- to help make this empty feeling in his chest go away. Fill up his heart... Anyone who might be nearby, if Sora knows them or not, will be looked at like the new light of his life. He'll look at them like they can make him feel full again. And that makes them so, so special.]

[d. bleeding hearts: dream swings]

[Eventually the bleeding heart has taken hold of Sora's heart so fully that he wanders towards the sweet emotions that linger around the dream swings. He wanders through them looking for a way to feed the empty feeling in his chest. To hug someone, to hold someone close, to hear things that make him feel- he'll take anything.]

Hey! There you are! I was looking for you all over the place!

[Is Sora speaking to you? Knowing you or not Sora seems to look at you like he recognizes you. He looks cheerful and friendly as always and yet there is something a little wider to Sora's gaze. Something a little off or strange as he moves towards you.]

I wanted to tell you something.

[e. wildcard]

[got something else? feel free to put it down here! or find me at my plotting comment to work something out! here!]

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[She isn't sure about calling it a new hit snack, but it would definitely be an interesting one.]

Why not? If you can cover bacon in chocolate, then we can make hot dog smores.

[It's got the same sort of vibe, right?

Tifa gets to work preparing a bun for each of them, fresh from the marketplace so they are extra fluffy. And with the hot dogs almost cooked all the way through, she's the first to stuff hers between the pieces of bread.]

Okay, what's the best way to do this? Break up the graham crackers?

[Squishy sticky marshmallow on meaty hotdogs. Uh. Yum... No, maybe it won't be a hit new snack.]

Yeah, that's right! Thanks, Tifa!

[Sora seems more than ready to give it a try, though. Honestly, Sora has the steel stomach of any rightful protagonist. And he gets to work at roasting those dogs up.]

I think if we get the hot dogs roasted we could put them in the buns and then top it with the crushes cream crackers and marshmallows. That sounds great!

[She tears open the chocolate and breaks off a piece, and then snaps that piece in half so that she can fit it between the hot dog and the bun. This is going to end either really well or really terribly. There is no in between.]

Alright, here goes nothing... The hot dog should be enough to melt the chocolate, yeah?

[Lo and behold, it does, and Tifa laughs out in success.]

Hand me a marshmallow next?

[He's careful with handing her the items! The hot dog and then the toasted marshmallow next. Then he's grabbing the bag of crackers to crush those up.]

Yeah, here! I think that should work.

[Sora snickers.]

You know, if this ends up being any good we've gotta make more of them to make sure we can share them with other people. Know anyone who might like them?

[He's already thinking of a few friends to torture...]

[She lays the marshmallow on top, and after a moment's consideration, she smears it with her fingers over the hot dog. It looks... unappetizing now, but maybe it'll taste better than it looks? Never judge a food by its look, most times, she's always thought!]

Hmm. Funny, you'd be the first person to come to mind.

[And that's probably why they're doing this together. A giggle echoes around the firepit from her, and she takes a graham cracker next and holds it in her fist, preparing to crush it.]

I could think of a few. Oriphi, Zidane might be willing to try it... Vanitas, maybe? He seemed to like sweets.

[They are not the same thing.]

[Sora laughs at her response, looking really amused at her picks.]

Zidane for sure! And you're right about that one, Vanitas will eat anything even remotely sweet. Sometimes I think he has a bigger sweet tooth than me.

[And that's saying a lot since Sora's sweet tooth can be pretty intense. He takes his own marshmallow and smears it on top of his hotdog. All of this seems a little silly but looking at her and seeing her smile at the ridiculousness makes Sora smile too. It's nice to just be silly.]

Ready to give it a taste test?

[He holds up his dog to bite!]

[Tifa holds up hers and already, the marshmallow is threatening to drip off the sides as it melts over the hot dog.]

Ready. Bottom's up?

[And she bumps hers against his as if they were toasting with glasses instead, and she wastes no time in going in for the first courageous bite. It's a big one and she makes sure to get every single flavour in there, and when she bites into it...

...

....

Tifa's nose scrunches, and a low hum escapes her through the food.]

Well. Not as great as I was hoping it would be, but it's not the worst...

[what were you guys expecting.....]

[And Sora does the same thing! He takes a much much bigger bite than she does and gets sticky marshmallow all stuck to the roof of his mouth. But the mix of meat and sugar? ... It's a choice?!]

Augh-!

[It's edible and Sora will probably eat more of his but it's not the greatest? So he's taking another bite just like any other dumb teenager boy would.]

I guess it's not that bad?? I dunno!

[He's not sure how he feels about it but whatever! Food is food! And when he swallows the bites he laughs.]

It's kind of fun doing something like this, huh.

Edited 2022-03-24 05:21 (UTC)

[Don't waste the food! Tifa's going to take a second bite when she finishes her first as well, and... admittedly, it isn't as bad the second time around? It could be that she got less chocolate in this one, though.

Through it, she manages a small giggle, her hand shooting up to cover her mouth and the smile that comes along with it, but it creeps up and peeks out through her eyes instead.]

It is. Even if it doesn't turn out the way you think.

[Lowering her hand, Tifa's expression warms.]

I had a friend who used to do this a lot. He loved all kinds of food, so why not combine all your favourites into one, right?

[Maybe not as extreme as hot dog s'mores, but it was the same idea.]

You had a friend who used to do stuff like this? What were they like?

[They sound like a pretty cool person if they can be as cool as him and Tifa doing stuff like this. He laughs warmly in return as takes another rather generous and brave bite of his hot dog.]

I like trying new stuff like this. Even if it's not great at least we tried it.

His name's Wedge.

[The fire seems to burn a little brighter, and it roars a little higher when she says his name.]

He's got a big love for food, and an even bigger heart. He'd eat just about anything I put in front of him, and I'm pretty sure he was my number one fan when it came to my cooking.

[Always willing to do just about anything for a good, hearty meal from her. It was always so sweet.]

I think you'd really like him, if you ever met him. He might've liked the hot dog s'mores, to be honest.

He sounds really fun! Friends who can eat a lot are always the best to hang out with!

[Sora laughs which makes a few sparkles of firefly-like spots appear. He's always had a healthy shounen appetite so eating a lot is something he does too. Maybe he could square up with her friend Wedge? Who knows.]

I'd love to try out more of your cooking too, Tifa! Not just stuff like this!

[They would certainly give each other a run for their money when it came to appetites, surely.

But Tifa lights up at his words, and she sets her hot dog down on her lap. She supposes this isn't really cooking as much as it is slapping something over the fire and waiting for it to roast, so she tips her head at him with a wide, bright grin.]

Why not come over more often? I've been experimenting a bit with some of the new stuff I have here. Fish and fresh vegetables mostly, but I could whip up whatever you want.

[Please, she loves cooking for and taking care of people!!!!]

Are you kidding? I love seafood the most! And veggies too! Sign me up!

[Sora grew up on a tropical island so anything seafood is a happy thing in his belly. And since he lived his life as a rabbit-monster for nearly two years he's in love with anything with vegetables too.]

I'll come by more often! If you ever need a hand with stuff I'm your guy too! Okay?

[He is just really excited to be able to help her out too. Cooking or anything.]

You know where to find me.

[And with that wrapped up nicely, there is one more thing that Tifa's been wanting to say, and she's finally mustered up the courage to say it.]

... Thank you, by the way.

[First things first.]

For not making a big deal out of the stuff. In the dream, I mean. I wanted to get you something as a thank you, but haven't had the chance to find anything I thought you might like.

[Which it now occurs to her that she knows very little about Sora.]

[He smiles and nods when she brings it up. Because he had been wondering how she's been doing but didn't want to dredge up anything that might put a damper on things. Sometimes it's nice to be able to just laugh and hang out without worrying about something heavy that happened. But the two of them both dealt with some past trauma that day so he gets it.]

Yeah. It's okay, getting to eat some good food is good enough for me. As long as you're doing okay, Tifa?

[Sora looks up at the sky.]

I think this world is pretty good at making us come together for all sorts of things. I'm glad I was able to learn a little about you.

[Because honestly, he wishes he knew more too.]

[She doesn't want to bring up anything that would, like him, but thanking him at the very least was something she needed to get off her chest. So, when he asks if she's okay, her brows arch and her eyes widen with a touch of surprise, and the fire roars a little higher.]

I'll be okay. I had the same dream a few times, so I was just a little shaken up by it.

[Some time has passed, and the wounds have healed back up so that's a plus, and she offers him a crooked but genuine smile as she pokes at the marshmallows on the hot dog.]

I thought about that... after a while. I feel like I could've helped you a little better if I knew more about you.

[He looks at her again this time with a warm smile.]

I think we can work on that. What do you wanna know more about?

[Sora thinks that by now he can try and tell her anything she wants to know. Even if it's about the Tifa he knows about back home or Cloud or anyone else.]

How about... [He laughs a little.] I was born in a small town in a world called Destiny Islands. A tiny little world made up of water and islands, that's it. For a long time that's all I thought there was until me and friends found out there were all sorts of worlds out there. It's been pretty crazy since then.

[Tifa tries to think up a question, but he gives her something to work with already, and she listens intently with a smile. That's something she didn't know about him, although she does still have to ask about those other worlds he's mentioned, but that's for another time. For now, it's time to learn a little bit about the person. About Sora.

And she lights up at how she imagines what his home must look like.]

I was born in a small town too... called Nibelheim. Way up near the mountains.

[Which he did see parts of in that dream, but it was much less scary than it was then.]

Were the Destiny Islands warm? I've never been on an island before, or near a beach.

Nibelheim, huh? Were you and Cloud both from there?

[He knows that they're connected or at least close enough friends that they've known each other for that long. It's a lot like how Sora and Kairi grew up if he remembers what Cloud told him.

He smiles gently and nods.]

And yeah, it's a really warm bunch of islands. Tropical with coconuts and palm trees and great seafood. If there's something I miss it's definitely the fresh seafood.

[He could talk about home for hours so he feels a little embarrassed.]

[It's nothing to feel embarrassed about. She could listen to him talk about home for hours, and that's likely what she'll end up doing as they roast every hot dog in the pack and eat them together.

Tifa only nods to confirm his question, although the mention of Cloud does bring a bit of heaviness to the air. He's still a bit of a sore subject for her, but Tifa is getting better about it. She's moved on, but that door is still open behind her.

So rather than focus on that, she focuses instead on Sora's home and learning about his.]

Well, we could always make that happen here once the weather warms up. It's not tropical, but there are some fish in there that we could whip up into a nice meal. Not sure about the coconuts, though.

[And then a thought occurs to her.]

You know... maybe you could show me around sometime.

[It seems like a great way for them to spend the evening. Relaxing by the fire and eating snacks while sharing stories of home. It makes Sora feel a little nostalgic and his heart always aches for home. But it's nice to talk about it. The feeling makes little firefly-like embers float around them whimsically.

And he would feel bad about bringing up a note about Cloud again. Honestly, he would probably feel the same way about him as she does. A little sore. But ... missing him all the same.]

Do you like fishing too, Tifa? It almost seems like you're good at everything!

[He chuckles as he pops another marshmallow plain into his mouth.]

And show you around Destiny Islands? Like in a dream? [Honestly, he never thought of that part until now.] I could try! ... But I wonder if I'll still be able to get all the details right after all this time. That makes me a little worried.

[He's been gone so long that what if he dreams it... wrong?]

I wish I was.

[Fishing is a good skill to have, but the last time she tried any sort of fishing, she fell through the ice and into the freezing water, and she hasn't gone back to the lake since... for good reason. Maybe when the weather warms up, she'll reconsider, but she'll tuck that idea away for later, along with bringing Sora with her.

She leans forward, propping herself up with her elbows on her knees, and looks into the fire.]

I think you'd surprise yourself with how much you actually remember, without realizing it. Home is always going to be home, no matter how long you spend away from it.

Heh. You're right about that. Home is always going to be home.

[It makes Sora feel a lot better when she says that. Home is always there and someday it's going to be there when Sora can finally go back there, right? Everything will be the same.

... Right?

Sora looks at the fire and he wonders sometimes. Just how much things have changed since he's been gone? Just how much he's changed too. And he wonders if ... his memories are the same after all this time.

The two of them will talk for awhile longer. Exchanging stories and enjoying the night air until Sora more than likely gets sleepy. Stories for next time and maybe Sora could share with Tifa the memories that he has of Destiny Islands.

If he can remember them all...]

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[open] I don't know, I just like you

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