[open!] you're only everything I ever dreamed

[oathkeeper]

Who: The Kingdom Hearts cast + You!
Which: Open Log!
Where: The collection of treehouses that the cast has made! And other areas!
What: An open log for residents and adjacent CR to come and go. Top levels inside!
Warnings: tba!


[Now that the residents of Songerein are settling in it seems that a group of uncanny key kids (and a few others) have come together to make a nice little collection of connecting treehouses. The houses are dreamed up and put together with a patchwork of wooden bridges and boards and spruced up with fairy lights that glow and hang from the rafters. The treehouses are high in the canopies of thick trees and the balcony sections are open and breezy for any visitors to come to walk up the steps and see.

Down below the treehouses on the ground seems to be a rather flourishing garden of sunflowers. Where they come from or how they sprouted is still unclear. But it is joined with a rather chubby-looking chicken that pecks at the ground occasionally. Along with the grazing chicken, there seems to be a whoosh of dragonfly wings as a large dragonfly has taken to the treehouse as a home too. And what is this? It seems they might have a small collection of blue birds that won't leave the house alone. What other creatures are out and about?

Dreammotion energy seems to be strong around the treehouses. As the trees house a collection of boys with vivid and wild imaginations. Sometimes lights will flicker brighter or plants will bloom with various strange flowers. And the smell of baking chocolate and cookies is always in the air.]

Comments

B

[abyssbound]

[It's a glint of gold and ivory in the little tree rat's paws--an ornament of some sort, and if the large man in hot pursuit is any indication, an item that belongs to him.

As Namine chases after the animal, Asura takes a sudden detour to head it off and trap the squirrel between the two of them in a pincer attack of sorts.]

Don't let it run back your way.

[lethechained]

[ The shine of metal was proof enough that the object didn't belong in the hands of a tiny rodent, and Naminé is distantly aware that it might be something valuable. Significant enough to have brought this stranger here, in fact, and Naminé nearly skips a step when she realizes she's not alone in her pursuit. Momentarily confused by Asura's adjusted route, she comes close to slowing down - but his reappearance and command are reason enough not to give up, since he's clearly expecting assistance. ]

Right!

[ The girl is content to oblige him, features setting into a determined frown as she endeavors to make good on her agreement. More instinctively than with active thought, she snaps out a hand to one side, a quick burst of ice shooting out from it to block part of the walkway in an attempt to discourage the squirrel from heading toward her. Small girl that she is, she's got to be a bit creative about controlling space. ]

[abyssbound]

[Normally, he wouldn't have this much trouble catching a squirrel, but someone was adamant about not just killing the things, so here he is... trying to catch a squirrel.

The rodent stops approximately halfway between the two of them, weighing its options and possible escape routes. Once Asura starts advancing on it, however, it instinctively runs back in the other direction, toward Naminé, the white and gold ornament still gripped firmly in its teeth.]

[lethechained]

[ Focus intent in the squirrel, Naminé lingers where she is, watchful to see which way it'll go. Perhaps understandably, it seems to consider her the less threatening option, and as it heads her direction, the girl tenses.

She's already made part of the path harder to traverse, but she doesn't take up much space herself, so in an effort to keep the creature from slipping past her, she spreads out her arms, the basket in one of them swinging from side to side. As it so happens, the carrier in question still contains a few food items, one or two of which tumble out and onto the walkway.

Maybe she ought to have tried negotiating a trade instead, but at the very least she's ready to attempt to block the little creature physically if it insists on going her way. ]

[abyssbound]

[Chittering in protest, the squirrel runs at her.... up until she spreads her arms and a piece of fruit flies out of her basket and lands a short distance away. The little animal pauses in its escape attempt for just a moment before dropping the piece of jewelry and instead snatching up the dropped fruit before zipping between Namine's feet and scampering away.

Asura sneers at the retreating rodent, but does not continue his pursuit since it dropped the object he'd been chasing it for.

The item in question now lies at Namine's feet, shining brightly as a beam of sunlight hits it. It's a delicately-crafted brooch of gold and ivory with a lotus design.]

Thank you. [Asura tells her as he steps forward to retrieve the brooch.] I'll replace the food it took.

[lethechained]

[ Seeing the change in the squirrel's demeanor, Naminé pauses, straightening up a small measure herself. Her eyes dart to the fruit, but she makes no move to discourage the beast from taking it; with the item the creature stole left behind in its stead, there doesn't seem to be any further reason to stop the escape. (Not that she necessarily could have, anyway, since the little rodent's pretty quick.)

There's a slight hesitance in her gaze as Naminé lifts her eyes back to Asura, but he doesn't seem displeased, so the girl assumes she made the correct choice. Backing up a step, she affords him the opportunity to pick up the dropped item without her getting in his way (or his space) and nods at his thanks with a quiet, ]

Sure. [ Although she's less accommodating of his offer, and shakes her head with a faint smile. ] No, it's alright. That's kind of you, but... I brought the food to share, anyway. I would have let it have some either way.

[ Whether the squirrel was the intended recipient or not, it doesn't seem like a waste. ]

fyi, his "energy" will feel very similar to the dark shard inside Taishakuten if she can detect it

[abyssbound]

[Asura plucks the item from the ground and examines it to ensure it's undamaged, then tucks it inside his robe to keep it safe.]

If you're sure about that, then that's fine, but I still owe you for the help. [If she hadn't been there, that squirrel would be dead by now, because there's no way in hell he would put up with losing that piece of jewelry.]

I'm Asura.

Gotcha! Thanks for the heads up. c: b

[lethechained]

[ Despite how it's no trouble of her own, Naminé naturally peers at the object when it's in his hand, herself, albeit from her considerate distance. Of course finding it undamaged is the desired outcome, even if she's only a bystander. ]

I'm certain, [ she insists, though gently. Her lips part again to respond to the latter portion of his statement, but press together again for a moment as she considers her answer; there's no point in telling him not to worry about it, is there? People do have their own codes of ethics. So, ] If that's the way you feel... I'll remember.

[ Even if she won't actually hold him to it. Her brows lift faintly at the introduction, then her features soften. The picture of demure politeness, ]

It's nice to meet you, Asura. I'm Naminé.

[ ... Although, the longer she considers him, the more she gets the feeling that she's seen him somewhere before. Or, if not seen, then something else - and since she can't put her finger on it right away, it gradually tugs her expression into a more contemplative one, threatening to turn the corners of her mouth downward.

She doesn't mean to stare, really, but it just sort of happens sometimes. ]

[abyssbound]

[He knows people like her, who give so selflessly without expecting anything in return. It seems honorable from an objective standpoint, but in Asura's experience, those are the people who need paying back the most.

He also knows her. Or at least, knows what Taishakuten knows of her from his brief interaction with her in the dream world. None of that recognition is reflected in his face, however, and he quirks his head at the odd look on hers.]

Something wrong? [He asks, halfway to a chuckle.] It's okay, I know my face is scary.

[lethechained]

[ As accustomed as she is to knowing people without them knowing her, Naminé hasn't the slightest suspicion that he might recognize her name. She's too busy trying to place his, after all, and straightens slightly in genuine surprise when Asura insinuates that he might be making her nervous. ]

Scary? [ Certainly, he's much larger and more intimidating than Naminé herself, and gives off a powerful sort of air, but-- the young lass shakes her head, brow knitting as if she's worried she's given some offense. ] It's not that at all...! You don't frighten me.

[ Whether he should or not is perhaps a different question, and faltering, she amends, ]

No more than anyone else does, that is. [ No more than any stranger, rather. Mouth working itself into a bemused line, she admits, ]

It's just-- it feels like... like I should know you from somewhere. [ Almost apologetic, ] We haven't met before, have we?

[abyssbound]

[Nah, he's just extremely used to being seen as frightening back in his world. Some of it unintentionally, but most of it these days is intentionally cultivated. Not so much in Songerein, though.

Asura's eyebrows knit at Namine's observation and question, and he brings a hand to his chin in contemplation.]

No, I don't think so. [Not directly, anyway, but his shard is aware of everything that Taishakuten gets up to. Even so, he's not about to advertise that connection since Taishakuten isn't supposed to know about it. Asura doesn't like to lie about anything, but he's got to misdirect Namine here.]

[lethechained]

[ Despite his claim, the girl does focus on him a few moments longer with those big blue eyes of her, still considering him. But since she doesn't actually make the effort to reach out with her powers (more cautious as she is these days after incident in one of her dreams that Asura might already be aware of), it remains just an inkling of familiarity once she finally blinks, shoulders lowering slightly as she appears to accept his claim. ]

I see. [ A solemn beat. Then, ] That's a relief.

[ -- Although of course she doesn't mean that in a rude fashion, either, and doesn't delay before explaining, ]

I'm afraid... that I've forgotten a lot of people in the past. Or at least, it's happened a few times, now. [ With a growing frown and no small amount of shame, ] It's hard to know for sure how many.

[ Not that it was ever deliberate. Bashful, she admits, ]

So-- I'm glad that you're not one of them...!

[abyssbound]

[It's probably for the best that she doesn't try to pry any deeper with her power, because inside his chest beats Taishakuten's missing heart.]

No, I'm not someone you've met and forgotten, no need to worry about that. [Asura smiles reassuringly, and starts heading back toward the city.] Thanks again for the help, Naminé.

[lethechained]

[ At the sight of his smile, the girl offers a sincere one in return. It seems to have the intended effect, as she looks somewhat soothed by that and his words. Asura's gratitude prompts a, ]

Sure...! [ from Naminé and his departure a quick raising of her hand with a quieter, ] Anytime.

[ But as he walks away, Naminé just can't shake the feeling that something's amiss. She holds fast to her decision not to pry, yet in spite of herself, she'll watch his retreating back with a bemused frown when it seems he's looked away. ]

....