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

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

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.]

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[While he can't remember all of the details of their past together through foggy and altered memories Sora has always felt that Naminé was just like one of them. As distant or separated as she might feel she is right to think that Sora would welcome her without blinking an eye. Sora never got to spend much real time with her or learn more about her. But their pasts and their circumstances certainly tie them together. A string binding them to each other just like Sora is with anyone else from home. Like Sora is with Roxas or Ventus and Vanitas. He thinks Riku and Kairi would agree too.

So he's not going to pass up the chance when she comes back. He opens the door wide and waves her in with a bounce in his step. Please let this place be hers just as much as it belongs to the group of rowdy stinky boys.]

Who knew that dream sunlight would be so great! This place has so much sun and flowers I'm surprised we don't have flowers growing on us!

[He chuckles at his silly joke.]

And don't worry, I got up just a little while ago. I'm not that bad at mornings. Don't let anyone tell you something different.

[Because ask anyone else and they'll tell her that Sora sleeps way too much and is crap actually at mornings. Don't listen!!]

[ One of the many admirable things about Sora, Naminé knows, is how easy it is for him to draw people close, to form connections with them. His heart always seems to be open, as welcoming as the door he throws wide for her now. And that hasn't changed, has it? No manner how many worlds he's seen, how many battles he's fought, being friends with Sora is always easy. He does it as simply, as readily as breathing; letting oneself by collected by his outgoing nature seems to require nothing more effortful than existing in his vicinity and not fighting back.

And maybe, if she were truly as greedy as a girl as she always chastised herself for being, Naminé would take advantage of that fact without hesitation. Truly, becoming real and proper friends with him is very much her desire, but she has twice the caution he lacks and a triple helping of guilt besides, and she's more cautious of herself than he is. He leads the way inside and she follows because she can't help herself, eyes warm and face smiling, yet she doesn't step in like someone who belongs there. She walks through the doorway as a guest instead, hands folded and basket dangling from her arm, every limb pulled in like she's half expecting to knock something over and break it on her way past the threshold. ]

That'd really be something to see...! [ Laughing along with him, she tries to picture such a fiasco - Dreamwalkers all covered in flowers. It doesn't require much thought for the notion to take on a dark edge, but it's easy to ignore in the warm light of the treehouse. ] Maybe it's because we all move around so much. If I were a flower, I'd like to have peace and quite sometimes.

[ And growing on a bunch of rambunctious humanoids seems like it wouldn't really provide much of that. To his other comment, Naminé tucks her chin, smile curling wider with an attempt at feigned innocence that might look slightly incredulous. She needn't hear such a claim from anyone else, after all; she knows full well that Sora and mornings don't mix. Sora and naptimes, however-- ]

Ah-- right. [ Her faint sheepishness is all too keen. She's got his number, but rather than saying as much, elects to offer a diplomatic, ] If anyone tells any embarrassing stories about you, I'll try not to listen.

[Sora chuckles warmly in return, feeling a bloom of amusement in his chest. Only because he knows that what he says isn't entirely the truth and Sora really is bad at mornings. He loves his naptimes and could sleep for a whole year if he wanted to-- wait.

Anyway, he's turning back to her with his arms wide to show off the room to her. Bright open windows and the smell of fresh wood and leaves all around them. Living in trees has got to be one of the coolest things he's ever gotten to do.]

I like it here so far, though! This place is full of new stuff and all this dream energy is really something else. If we've gotta settle here for a while it might as well be cozy, right?

[He smiles.]

How have you been doing, Naminé?

[ Sora could sleep a year, has slept a year - and it's for the better that Naminé's not thinking about that particular fact at the moment as she lets her eyes trail broadly over the room at his prompting. Without being conscious of it, she exhales a comfortable sigh; whether she considers herself a visitor or not, the place has a pleasant air about it that she's susceptible to. Nodding in response to his first question, ]

This is... really beautiful, Sora.

[ Whether it's designed with a keen eye for aesthetics or not hardly makes a difference; the loveliness is in the sense of the place itself. Naturally smiling back after he does it first, Naminé only falters when he inquires as to her well-being. It doesn't last long, since she has a better answer to give these days. ]

I've been doing well. [ Her shoulders lift in what could almost be a shrug. ] It's like you said: this place is really something else.

[ Which was her hope from the beginning. Maybe she still considers it a possibility that this 'dream' scenario is an elaborate ruse, but each pleasant day pushes that a bit further back down under the surface of her mind. A subtle hint of gentle teasing sneaks into her voice as she tilts her head a couple of degrees to point out, ]

But I think maybe I should be asking you that. All of you boys must have been working pretty hard lately to dream this whole thing up...!

[ She wouldn't judge him if he did sleep in after all of that. ]

[Boy, did he ever sleep in after all the work was done and the energy was expelled. The treehouse itself gives off such a pleasant woody smell that it's almost as if they're camping. And while Sora sleeps better to the sound of the ocean waves he sure did sleep hard at the sound of rustling treetops.]

Haha, thanks. It wasn't all me but I think we did pretty okay for what we could think up.

[A collection of imagination and effort.]

It was a lot of work but I'm really happy that we finished. Just getting to work on something together and to stay together like this? It means a lot.

[Sora smiles warmly at her.]

You're more than welcome here as much as you want too.

[ Although once she was accustomed only to the cold sterility of white rooms and the musty dankness of a decaying mansion, Naminé's months spent in a cabin amongst the trees made wood a far more familiar smell. While the shelter in question might have been part of a greater, more threatening world, there's still some sense of peace that she gets from the memory of the calmer times there that's attuned to the scent. It's not quite the same here, anyway; she finds she likes this version better, but perhaps that's just because of the company.

Mouth curling at Sora's thanks, she provides her two cents in the form of a softened, ]

You've all got something to be proud of, I think.

[ And though she's elected to keep herself separate from them on the housing front, Naminé still feels an echoing gladness to be here with them. Perhaps more so for all of the boys to be together with each other; if asked, she'd likely describe that as the more important part than anything her own presence might contribute. Which could have something to do with the way her gladness becomes tinged around the edges with surprise at her companion's words.

A strange look crosses her face then, something hard to interpret - but her eyes sting, just a little bit. With her voice tangled in the breath of a single laugh, a single sigh, or maybe both at the same time, ]

You should be careful. If you say things like that, I might really become a nuisance...!

[ Were she to visit so much, that is - but how likely is that, when she's naturally such a solitary creature? ]

[Sora tilts his head with a tinge of curiosity on his face. It's just for a split second where he swears her expression changes and she almost sniffles or something. Did he hear that?]

Maybe I want you to be a nuisance!

[He takes that with a soft laugh only meaning that he would be more than happy to have her around more often. As much as she wants to be. That she wouldn't be a nuisance at all! Sometimes people just need to hear that sort of thing, don't they?]

You know, we've never got the chance to talk or hang out that much. I mean it when I say I want to do that more often.

[ Her eyelids round subtly at the tilt of his head, though she's quick to tamp down any sign that he was right to question her reaction. Sniffle it might well have been, but the lass presses her mouth carefully shut against any further noise until his declaration startles a quiet, ]

Y-you... do?

[ out of her. Naminé's tone echoes Sora's amusement only toward the end, and in fact, she probably did need to hear that. The wonder on her face is easier to catch this time when he talks about hanging out, her stare helpless as she takes a beat or two to process his claim with parted lips. ]

I'd really-- really like to that too, Sora.

[ Hasn't she been looking forward to it for most of her life? Or... no, perhaps that's not quite right. She's wanted it for most of her life - to be his friend, for real this time. But that promise was one she never intended to hold him to, and her unconsciously hopeful expression ebbs gradually as her hesitation catches up with her. With a soft, 'um,' she lets her gaze fall, face turning itself just a few degrees to one side. It's easier to speak sometimes when she doesn't have to look at that welcoming face of his. ]

But only for as long as you want to. I'll understand, if turns out that I'm not-- what you're expecting.

[What a curious thing to say and just as easily as smiling Sora folds his arms behind his head and asks,]

What do you mean not what I'm expecting? Are you saying you've got some hidden monster parts or something? Do you have a secret tail?

[He's joking!! But don't be silly, Naminé. Whatever Sora could or couldn't be expecting he's more than happy to learn about. And he knows that she's a friend and one that is so special he's sure that he never would have gotten as far as he did without her. He's not sure if she feels the presence of her own heart now but...]

No matter what you think about yourself I know that you're a great person, Naminé. You've done a lot for me and everyone too. You're a friend and you're just as important as everyone else. I want you to know that.

Edited 2021-12-14 19:32 (UTC)

[ Though she'd felt obligated to say the words, she hadn't really expected him to accept them, knowing the kind of person that he is. So she's ready with an answer when he questions it, lips already parting, but they falter at the sudden inclusion of some humor. She tries to swallow the laugh that escapes back down, but only earns herself a short cough for her trouble, one hand curling to her mouth to hide it. ]

I could, [ she retorts, a little breathily, amused despite herself. Since he wants to make it into a joke-- ] You never know.

[ '... with strangers,' she doesn't add, because she doesn't dare call herself that in his presence, even if it feels like it's closer to the truth than any other title, no matter how important he might be in her life. But no sooner has she held her tongue than he proves exactly why she was right to, and from then on her startled silence is punctuated only by a single raspy inhale that makes more sound than she would have expected. There's a flutter in her eyes as they close, head angling away from him like she's turning from a bright light, when really she just can't face his words; she needs a second to fight the tightening in her throat back down, eyelids threatening to sting. ]

I-- I'm...

[ Before she can even commit to the sentence, she knows already that it'll be futile. There's no arguing with someone so stubbornly good and heroic, so she doesn't, no matter her own feelings. Better, she thinks, to save his. ]

I'm grateful, [ she says instead, looking sad until she remembers to smile (and a little bit after that, too.) ] ... That you think of me that way.

[ Very much so, in fact, and it feels almost like a crime to get away with hearing it and not telling him the truth as she sees it. Still mustering a smile, she manages to put more feeling behind it when she admits after a beat, ]

You know? In the beginning, I was afraid that maybe you'd changed after so much time. But you're-- just as kind as ever.

[There was always something in Kairi's eyes that Sora could notice when she was holding something inside of herself. Something unsaid or quietly kept to herself so that she wouldn't hurt others. He's not sure if he sees that in Naminé as well but for a moment he feels that tug that there is something else to Naminé's words that makes her seem like she's tucking something away safe. Sora wants to ask, the questions on the tip of his tongue.]

Would you believe me if I said I was afraid I'd been changed a lot by now too?

[A lot has happened to him and he feels like maybe he has changed. That his heart has shaped into something else. But just like she's relieved to hear certain things Sora feels the same sort of relief that maybe he's still Sora.]

There was so much that happened to me before coming here. So much that's changed for me too.

[But ... It's not like that for just Sora. Is it?]

[ As often as she wears such an expression, it might as well be a natural part of her face. Naminé's mind is always teeming with secrets, with things that go unsaid; ironic, perhaps, given her honest nature. No matter how bluntly she might state the truth, there's always more of it left behind.

So although she pauses at his initial question, looking at him with a subtle lift of her brows, after a beat or two, Naminé gives a single, shallow nod. ]

Of course. [ As fearless as Sora might seem, she knows as well as (or better than) anyone that it's not quite that simple. ] You wouldn't say it if it weren't true.

[ Both because he's never been much of liar and because it'd make a lot of sense, truthfully, after what he's been through. The girl breathes out a faint sigh, eyes a bit distant as she adds, ]

Besides, I don't think anyone can experience the things that you have without being changed by them.

[ She sounds suspiciously well-informed, if her tone has any meaning. There's way too much grim sadness lingering around her mouth and the corners of her eyes for her not to have an idea of at least some of what he's referring to. ]

A lot has happened. Both to you, and-- to your heart.

[Oddly enough there is something a little comforting about just saying it out loud. He's come to terms with a few of these things before thanks to Vanitas and Roxas but admitting them to Naminé? It feels different.

And all the things that Sora's heart has gone through have made Sora different, he thinks. As much as he tries to keep that proud face, that warm smile and that honest heart and yet deep down he is still that stumbling kid that's just trying to figure things out as fast as he can. Now? It's harder to keep that face on as much as he tries.

But...! As long as he's able to do it and able to help people that are important to him then he'll keep trying.]

I'm okay, though. As much as everything that has happened I'm just glad that I was able to make a real difference. That you and the others are able to get a chance.

[He nods, smiling again.]

I still just wanna be me.

[ Naminé, for her part, is as attentive a listener as ever, regarding Sora with a sympathetic sort of understanding that doesn't go so far as to look like pity. His insecurities and the herculean extent of his effort to maintain a cheerful exterior are not obscured from her; though she doesn't dare tell him as much outright, maybe some hint of it is in her expression as she watches him with quiet but genuine caring.

Is he okay? Maybe only time will tell. Naminé pauses before she nods back, the corners of her mouth curling in an almost sad smile that responds to his. ]

You still are. [ She can affirm that he's still him, at least. ] The more I get to know you again the more I feel sure that you always will be.

[ He's immutable, somehow, both as a part of her life and as a person. Her eyes lower a moment as she mulls something over, looking for the right words, and her gaze comes back up with the, ]

But-- Sora. [ As much as she might know already the futility of asking him to look after himself, too, instead of only others, she doesn't have it in her not to try. Leaning in just a little, ] Please, just don't forget that all of us who owe you our lives want you to be safe, too. You've helped so many people already, but if you don't take care of yourself, then...

[ It can only go on this way for so long. ]

[It's always so hard for Sora to accept the fact that he doesn't care about himself in ways that he should. He balances a lot of his self-worth on the happiness, strength and safety of others and more often than not it is enough. But sometimes it isn't. He knows he's fallen into those little spots of darkness before. Trying to always push it away with a smile and a positive laugh.]

Yeah. I know you're right about that one, Naminé.

[He rubs the back of his hair sheepishly. That same sort of boyish demeanour to try and shrug of things that are serious.]

I guess I still gotta work on that. But you know, hearing from you that I'm still me, after all, makes me feel a lot better.

[That that isn't a dodge or a lie. It's the truth.]

[ Sora's made stronger by his friendships - that's always been a fact. But no matter how hard he might try, he can't become invincible that way, and the blonde regards him carefully as he musters a sheepishness that can't convince her. Her mouth flattens into a knowing line, her eyes never wavering from his, but she holds her tongue. (Perhaps her look says enough, anyway.)

At least he'll admit in as many words that he has something to work on. It might not be a substitute for actually working on it, but it's something. So the girl gives a soft hum of agreement, expression growing gentler at that last comment. ]

If that's the case, then I'm glad I could help, even in such a small way.

[ Although the fact of the matter is she's more qualified than most to make such an assessment in the first place. But does he know that? She wants to ask, wants to know what he's learned in this strange and wonderful future that she hasn't experienced yet, but she doesn't quite have the guts. Her mouth opens, pauses, closes; she offers a faint, slightly sheepish smile instead, shakes her head slightly. ]

The least I can do is look after you, [ she says finally. ] So-- whatever happens, I'll try to tell you the truth.

[ Whether he wants to hear it or not. ]

[He feels this sharp ache in his chest but somehow it's like a knot that gets released from inside of him. He didn't know how much he wanted to admit these things, in bits, to someone like her. It's different than it is with the others, maybe because she's her or maybe because he's been wanting to talk to her for a long time now. It's a relief and he smiles genuinely for it.]

Thanks, Naminé. Somehow I feel like I owe you a lot. So whatever happens, I'll be there for you too.

[A friendship that's always been sort of far away (or sora not realizing she's there at all) that he now has a chance to have. However short or long that time will be!]

I'm really glad that we can meet up here like this.

[His smile brightens.]

[ No matter how well she might know Sora, Naminé's never known herself well enough to realize that she might have such an impact on him. But she's so grateful for the opportunity to make it just the same, and grows bashful under his words. She's already reeling from his thanks, staring openly, and what he says thereafter lengthens her near-startled pause, her lips trembling slightly with her quietly indrawn breath. Though she tries to swallow the feeling in her throat, there's no hiding it when she half-curls a finger to swipe carefully along the underside of her eye, attempting to fight back the stinging there. She can't find it in herself to speak again until he smiles so brightly at her and she's unable to stop the way her mouth curls helplessly in response. ]

Me too, Sora.

[ Her voice rasps just a little; more in the, ]

I've been waiting such a long time-- just for the chance to talk to you like this.

[ And yet she knows she's got to get a handle on the tremulousness of her voice, because if she doesn't she'll cry in front of Sora, and that just won't do. She forces out what isn't quite a laugh, brow pinching faintly as she admits with subtly rising shoulders, ]

But you don't owe me anything. Not really. [ Softer, ] Not even this. [ Not even the chance to be near him, though he promised her his friendship before he forgot it. ]

After all, I'm just one of many people who owes you their life. Anything I've done for you, and anything I will do... that's just my way of paying you back.

[ Yet it's never truly been about debts, has it? He's always been more than that to her, even if her sense of morality might have forced her hand regardless. ]

[It's just so warming to see her react like that. Sora feels little bad for the threatening tears but he has a feeling they're long overdue.]

Okay. You know what's better than talking? And better than saying thanks for everything?

[He opens his arms wide and his smile is bright and warm.]

Hugging it out.

[Come in here and give him a hug, Naminé. Because nothing Sora can say can really make it clear how much he wants to thank her. How much he thinks that it's thanks to his friends that he is who he is. How much he would do everything all over again to save them again if he really had to. No one needs to pay him back for anything either.

Nah. Maybe just one hug would be fine.]

[ A lot about this is overdue, the tears very much included. Naminé still tries to hold them back as her subtly damp eyes blink wider open at his questions. The shake of her head is faint and uncertain as she looks at Sora, openly baffled by the inquiries right up until he holds his arms out and for a few moments after that, too.

Then her features jump in surprise, lips rounding as she realizes his intent. It takes longer than it should have, for reasons that might become obvious once she's finished her hesitation and breathes out an almost dazed, ]

Yeah-- okay...!

[ that sounds as pleasantly confused as she looks. Yet when she edges toward him, it's so very cautious. Her hands come up as she steps nearer, hovering uncertainly with an awkwardness that suggests the truth; that she genuinely has almost no idea how to go about this. It's not that she fears his reaction, exactly, so much as her near-total inexperience with physical affection makes the prospect of initiating it a challenge in and of itself.

But she figures he'll meet her partway. That's his nature, isn't it? To bound ahead and capture what he's reaching for, to be bolder than the others. So presently she takes one more cautious half-step forward, herself - so it won't be all him, so he won't have to shoulder the burden for her sake - with hands tentatively drifting toward his sides now that she's in range. ]

[He almost has to let out a puff of fond laughter at her reaction. Only a small chuckle out of his lips before he lets his smile warm again. It must be so strange to deal with something as random as a hug but Sora can't find anything more appropriate than an honest-to-goodness hug. Everyone needs one of those once in a while. And for someone like her, like it was for Roxas, that's incredibly rare. Feeling genuine friendly affection- no one should be without that.

And she calls it just as she thinks it. Sora scoops his arms around her in a flourish. Pulling her up to him with another chuckle escaping his lips. Wrapping his arms around her readily and easily that he almost picks her up right off the tips of her toes.]

I've got you! Haha!

[And a good squeeze, one of those really wholehearted hugs that make your lungs kind of go breathless. Smiling the entire time while blinking away the tears! Thanks, Naminé!]

[ It's true that she wasn't prepared for this - not only the practical application of a hug, but the concept of receiving one at a time like this, too. Yet Naminé supposes Sora is a lot better at this whole 'having friends' business than she is, and he's got enough of her faith that she hasn't any inclination to question him on the matter.

Instead, she'll stiffen up just a little when he gathers her in, weight unsteady a moment until her feet extend enough to press her toes into the floor and stabilize them both. The air does go straight out of her lungs for more reasons than one, but her mouth curls into a helpless smile as she uses what small amount of her breath is left for a huff of a laugh. Her hands are still uncertain, yet there's direction, now, in mimicking him; she wraps her arms around his midsection in response, far more gently but with no less sincerity as her hands tuck past each other to close the loop. (Perhaps she ought to have gone higher instead, she realizes too late. It's of little matter now, anyway, when the embrace is managed just the same.)

She doesn't quite know where to put her head, so it falls naturally to rest on Sora's shoulder, readily presented as it is. Eyes fully damp, now, and swimming with warm water that she has no real cause to regret when he's not looking at her to catch it, Naminé confirms quietly, ]

... Mm. I guess you have.

[ She's always believed in him - that he could find his way back to her, some day. It was only ever herself she didn't put any stock in, but in hindsight it seems silly; he did promise, after all. ]

Yeah.

[Sora hugs her securely for a moment longer before he lets go and gives her a warm smile. Hands grabbing hers and squeezing them with some boyish eagerness.]

I think that's all I really needed. And from now on, we'll both do our best to be there for each other.

[It's a gentle promise. Maybe a little childish but it's true. Sora has wanted to help her so many times in the past. While he can't remember all the details the memories and details are all wrapped up neatly in the core of his heart. And for all the times he knows that she's helped him. He has to thank her for that. Even if she feels like she doesn't need it.

This world is giving them a chance to reconnect, after all. And he doesn't want to let go of that.]

[ There's at least one tear that manages to escape, that sinks into the material of his clothing and that she can only hope Sora didn't notice. But that's no criticism of the embrace; rather, Naminé feels quite certain that even if she were more experienced with being hugged, she would still rate this one near the top of the list in quality among said occasions.

The girl sags just a little when she's released, one palm flying to brush at her cheek before her arm falls again for him to take her hands. She doesn't quite manage to look dry-eyed when she smiles up at him, but at least the dampness on her face is gone and the joy is real. ]

Mm. [ It might not be in so many words, but a promise really is a promise. This one feels no less sweet for how much more attainable it seems than the last; Naminé's never been one to enjoy longing for that which she can't have. ] We'll look after each other, then. Starting now.

[ Something at last less one-sided, a more mutual assistance than the trade-off they made of it before. But if she thinks too hard about it she's likely to shed more tears, so Naminé huffs out a laugh instead, fingers tightening slightly around his as she glances toward the basket she set aside when she walked into the treehouse, still waiting nearby and filled to the brim with the freshly picked foodstuffs she brought here to share with her worldmates. ]

Maybe-- by helping each other eat some of this food. There's no way I'll ever be able to get through it all on my own...!

[ Clearly, she needs the assistance of a hero - and preferably one with a big stomach. ]

[He's content with that, wet shirt from the tears or not, as long as they both know that they an be there for the other one. That's all Sora really wants to do. Be there for her and have someone to open up to if he can. And a chance to get to know her better, help her if he can, will be well worth it.

Sora smiles as he nods. Finally releasing her hands so he can scoot over to the basket of snacks and things and take a peek in.]

Yeah, that sounds good to me. My stomach is growling like crazy right now.

[They can start with a good lunch together and Sora can eat up whatever she doesn't finish with ease. Don't worry, he's got that.]

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

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wrapping! 🎀