First Choice // Theme - "Don't Wake Me Up"

[lockandkeyblade]

[You find yourself on a beach on the brink of sunset, shoes off, feet sinking into sand and the ocean surf washing over your ankles.

But you're not alone.

Further down the shore, two figures face each other, at odds. First is Sora, caught between chasing the cloaked figure waiting for him even farther down shore... or the two figures waiting

Comments

[lockandkeyblade]

Aerith's instincts are sharp, and even in a dream that doesn't belong to her, she manages to pick up on the faintest whisperings that something is very wrong. The hooded figure standing at the edge of the water only shakes its head in reply to her request, giving a slow shrug, as if it's out of his hands. Even when Aerith rushes into the water, the hooded figure shifts its head slightly, eyes underneath the hood following her form as she attempts her rescue.

When Aerith submerges, the sights and sounds of the world above disappear. In the real world, the saltwater would burn her eyes, would blur her vision and limit the depth she could perceive. But here, in the place where Sora dreams of the things he wants most, it's all perfectly clear. Breathtakingly so.

A little further ahead, she'll see Sora standing on the ocean floor next to two others who grasp his wrist. Sora's expression isn't one of panic, or distress, but ... peace? He just might even be holding onto them as much as they are to him.

But despite all that, Sora can't stay down there forever. Even if he wants to. Even if he and the image of his two best friends fully intend to try.

[auncyenhalig]

The water's clarity isn't just beautiful but lucky. Aerith, after all, has never been to the ocean, and the salinity would have taken her by surprise. Perhaps even thrown her concentration for some precious moments. As it is she keeps her eyes open, spots the trio, and kicks off her boots as she swims forward, arms reaching forward in an awkward but hurried breaststroke. They sink heavy into the ocean floor as she reaches Sora and shakes his shoulder. But she doesn't stop at him, because even if she thinks something is wrong she doesn't know exactly what it is: she shakes Riku and Kairi too, quickly, before reaching to grab under Sora's shoulders and lift him up.

[lockandkeyblade]

Riku and Kairi turn, eyes snapping to her in unison as Aerith approaches, expressions flat and guarded. They fail to respond to her shaking, and if anything, they tighten their hold on Sora's hands when they realize what she intends to do. Sora on the other hand, responds more favorably. The shaking brings him back to himself if only in part.

That face. He knows her.

Aerith? What is she doing here?

He feels himself being lifted, but Riku and Kairi stubbornly maintain their hold.

fff I kind of gave up for a while with LJ, sorry

[auncyenhalig]

The way they look at her is a definite cause for concern, and Aerith shakes her head strongly, trying to indicate to all three the surface, how they need to get back.

But they won't let go, and that's when she reaches down for Sora's wrists--first the one Kairi holds. Once that wrist is free, she pulls that arm away from the girl and turns to Riku's grip.

No, I did too lol. Hopefully the DDoS craziness stop.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora watches this almost passively, though his expression is disturbed, almost as if Aerith is interfering something that shouldn't be.]

[Riku's grip breaks easily, and the two of them scowl venomously in reaction. Kairi is slow to move, but when she finally does, it's to reach out slowly, fully intending to grab Aerith and keep her down here if she has to.]

Yeeah. Also LOL poor Kairi...

[auncyenhalig]

[ Ohhh, no. For a second Aerith panics -- how to get away with the boy weighing her down? -- and she feels the lack of air in her own lungs.

She really, really doesn't like to do this. And if she actually knew Kairi, she'd be even more reluctant.

But she still wouldn't let herself drown.

She snags Kairi's slow-moving arm herself, uses the hold to anchor her body as she brings her feet up off the ground. Sora is still gripped with the other arm.

Both feet make solid contact with Kairi's chest and then push off, knocking the girl down while Aerith and Sora are propelled back toward the shore and surface. ]

That's why ya don't fuss with Aerith! o9

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora makes no effort to swim upward, just reaches for Riku and Kairi as Aerith pulls him away. Once they break the surface, though, Sora gasps for breath all the same. He flounders a little in the water, lightheaded from being under so long.]

Mess with Aerith and get BOOT TO THE HEAD.

[auncyenhalig]

[ ... Yeah, they're both going to look pathetic for a moment here as Aerith's not used to being underwater long in the first place, and getting both herself and Sora to the surface ...

Still, her one hand stays on Sora as she treads water, worried that if she lets him go he'll go back down. She can't see so well with her bangs plastered to her face. ]

Don't go back ... okay? Not so much air down there.

Ohohoho

[lockandkeyblade]

I... [A long pause, almost as if he's sorting out his thoughts. It's a scrambled mess in there. But looking Aerith in the eyes makes it just a little bit easier.] I won't.

[He treads tiredly in the water]

Aerith...?

[auncyenhalig]

Huh? [ She really wasn't expecting that, dipping for a second as her own treading falters. ] Have we met?

[ But as puzzled as she is, her eyes leave Sora's for a few seconds for the shore; she'd really like to get less waterlogged now. She looks back at him and tilts her head in its direction. ] Come on. We could both use a rest.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora's taken aback at the question. Still, he puts his answer on hold until he gets the shore becausehe's tired enough as it is and lingering out will probably undo the work Aerith did in rescuing him.]

[So Sora paddles back toward land until his feet touch the bottom, and then finally trudges out of the water and onto shore. He's down on his knees shortly after, resting his hands on his thighs when he looks up at Aerith again. He's still a little out of breath when he speaks.]

You really don't remember?

[auncyenhalig]

[ By now Aerith's mostly recovered from the underwater excursion but gazes out at the ocean and its broken reflections of clouds overhead. If it weren't for the red light and waves, would it mirror the sky? It sounds like a pretty sight, but considering her old fear of the sky engulfing her and the just-now attempt of those two to keep her under the water, she's glad it doesn't. ]

Ah ... so we have. [ She turns her head to him. ] I think I met someone who looks like you, but he had blond hair. Didn't he? But ... oh! That's right, you were in the pictures.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora seems confused... he knows somebody to that description. Goofy and Donald were always talking about he and Roxas looking alike. And he fits the bill with blond hair. The only thing he doesn't get is all this talk of 'pictures.' What pictures?]

Um... I don't know about any pictures, but we met at Traverse Town. You were with Yuffie and Leon...

[auncyenhalig]

[ She shakes her head, a small but certain gesture. ]

Pictures of memories. He had them in his dream. But, I've never been outside Midgar. We couldn't have met in another town, unless you're talking about another dream ... and I don't know who those people are. Are you sure you're not confused?

[lockandkeyblade]

No. I'm sure of it. We've definitely bet before. We're friends, even!

[But for a moment he places a hand at the side of his head. It sounds right, but it ... also sounds like a bunch of crazy talk. A part of him that shies away from the mention of dreams. Like he's not supposed to know.]

...Dreams?

What are you talking about?

[auncyenhalig]

[ She remembers Tomoe reacting very badly to the revelation that they were dreaming, so when Sora reacts like that, Aerith purses her lips, frowning for a short moment. ]

No, it's all right. Don't worry about it. Are you feeling better now?