Exploration and Contemplation

[heavenslament]

Who: Terra Branford and OPEN
When: Now-ish? I'm flexible.
Where: Lunar Subterrane (Cosmos territory)
What: Scouting the area
Type: Log/Action (Both are welcome; I'll reply in whatever format you tag me with.)
Notes/Warnings: New threads okay, no limit to number of responses, separate threads for different characters

Comments

[bound_skyward]

Kain was finally doing some exploring of the place, having spent most of his time strictly in Chaos territory, particularly the area he'd arrived in. So now, looking around cautiously, he arrived on the Lunar Subterrane. The area was eerily reminiscent of the moon that he'd been to... in fact, it was so similar he could almost fool himself into believing he'd returned.

But he knew that thought was too good to be true. Not only that, he also had to be wary, mindful that the enemy might be nearby. Of course, he still had doubts about this entire war, but he was ready to defend himself if needed.

He continued walking slowly along, keeping an eye out for a threat.

[heavenslament]

At length, Terra tore her gaze away from the stars and realized she ought to continue her trek and remain alert. The area may seem peaceful, but like any other, it was a potential battleground. It would not do for her to be caught off-guard, especially as she was alone.

The green-haired woman peered around, perking up when the sound of armored footsteps reached her ears. It could be an ally...or someone on the other side, with the same intent as she. Curious but cautious, Terra leaped toward the noise, landing on the next cliff.

[bound_skyward]

Once he heard the sounds of someone leaping, Kain turned and looked around. He caught sight of motion nearby, a glimpse of green hair-

"Rydia?!"

But as soon as he said that, he realized that it couldn't be her. She wasn't dressed in her customary green, for one thing, and even from a distance there were enough other differences in her overall appearance. Still, it was surprising to see anyone with such hair, and he wondered whether she was a summoner from Mist as well. It was possible, here...

[heavenslament]

The dragon-esque armor caught Terra's attention and she would have stared for a moment, had he not interrupted her train of though by calling out the unfamiliar name. To be mistaken for someone else was a surprise, given her hair color...and a little nice. It meant there was someone else out there with a similar hue. As long as this Rydia wasn't a creepy version/copy of herself, like Tidus and that other person, she could live with that.

She shook her head slowly. "...I'm not sure who you mean, but I'm not Rydia. My name is Terra and I haven't seen anyone else here...until now." He was totally unfamiliar, which made her wonder uneasily if he was a new arrival to Cosmos' side or a pawn of Chaos.

[bound_skyward]

Kain eyed her cautiously. Definitely not Rydia, and that had confirmed it. Still, this area interested him enough not to let a stranger's presence deter him from continuing to explore.

"I've only just arrived in this location." He paused, not sure whether he wanted to share too much about the connection he felt to it. Terra didn't seem like a threat, anyway... not so far. Looks could always be deceiving. "....It remind me of somewhere I've been before."

[heavenslament]

"Really?" Terra paused, curious despite all her caution. "You've...been to a moon?" No wait, he couldn't possibly have meant that. It made no sense. She shook her head, a little sheepish for being so silly as to think that.

"I like this place. It's not familiar, but it's peaceful...as peaceful as anything can be, around here." She straightens and stares off in a certain direction. "I wonder what that big structure is, over there...."

[bound_skyward]

"Well, I have been to the moon..." Kain paused in the middle of the argument he was about to give, glancing toward where she'd gestured. It couldn't be... "The Crystal Palace?" It at least confirmed to him that this was truly the moon. But it was the sight of yet another familiar object in the distance which made even Kain, for a moment, experience a surge of hope. "...and the Lunar Whale! That's a means to travel through space... to travel home."

Without a further glance at Terra, Kain began to leap in the direction of the structures. Jumping should cut down on the distance and get him there in no time. ...right?

[heavenslament]

"...home?" Terra followed, content not to rush. She also remembered that she could never quite reach it, last time. A spatial anomaly of some sort prevented her from indulging her curiosity in full. However...there had been changes. Perhaps it was possible to reach it this time? Well, she had to try. So, she picked up the pace, too.

[bound_skyward]

"Where I'm from!" Kain called back, as he made a couple more mighty jumps toward the distant ship and palace. When that began to exhaust him, he took to running, pushing himself to keep going. Yet no matter how fast he ran, it always seemed just as out of reach as before. That wasn't stopping him, though, as he continued his futile effort.

[heavenslament]

Terra kept going for a little, then she fell back as it became apparent that the structures were just as unreachable as before. A little winded, she watched Kain continue to run towards it. Yet, he never got any closer. It made her sorry for him, even though she didn't know anything about him. The urge to go home was one she could well understand without further elaboration.

[bound_skyward]

It was useless. Kain should have realized it, yet his drive to go home was so strong that he couldn't help it. Like with other unachievable things in his life, he just couldn't let it rest. No, he had to let that desire build within him, let it take him over until it was all he could think of.

But just like Rosa, this wasn't meant to be.

Kain kept running, pushing forward even as his legs burned from exertion. After a long while longer of this attempt, he eventually collapsed forward, too physically drained to keep going. He pounded on the ground in anger and struggled to catch his breath.

[heavenslament]

Once Terra regained her breath, she watched Kain struggle. A pitying, resigned expression crossed her features. If only she had the power to send home those who did not want to be here. Why was that happening, anyway? Why were Cosmos and Chaos taking people against their will?

When he collapsed, she headed over to him and paused a short distance away. "I'm sorry. I thought it might be different, this time...but it's as unreachable as before. It must be hard to have your way home in sight, but out of reach."

[bound_skyward]

Kain continued to breathe heavily, unable to speak at first. No words would resolve this. There was nothing she could do, either, to make this all right. His way home was right there in front of him and yet impossibly out of reach. He wished he'd never come to this area.

After a few more moments, he stopped gasping for air. But he couldn't look at her yet, as he nodded agreement. "...It's hopeless."

[heavenslament]

Terra stared past him, at the planet that shone in the night sky. She wondered what it was like, if it was a world more peaceful than the one which haunted her hazy memories. Then again, this man was a warrior of some sort, so maybe not.

"For this route, yes. That doesn't mean you won't be able to return, though. There might be another. I know I won't give up until I find it." She didn't want to mention how close she had come to returning, only to be drawn back. It would only depress him.

[bound_skyward]

It took all the self-control Kain possessed to hold in his emotions. All he wanted right now was to find somewhere remote and isolated, and never leave. He frowned more, not wanting to let his hopes get so high again.

"And if there is no escape? If we're to be pawns in this war until it ends...?"

[heavenslament]

Terra crossed her arms, staring off. "That might be the case. I'm not sure. I don't know anyone who's been called and just...left, of their own accord. That doesn't mean I'm right, though. There might be a way, but it will have to be found."

She fell silent and looked him over. It was hard to pinpoint him as warrior of Cosmos or Chaos. From what little she knew and had observed, he seemed as thought he might be either. That didn't often happen; usually, the divide was clear-cut. Despite her confusion -and wariness- she couldn't help but have some sympathy for him. Whatever side he was technically on, all he wanted to do was get home. "...all I know is that giving up won't get you anywhere, not in this place. If you want something, you have to work for it."