34 - voice/action;

[stilldontgotit]

[Well, look who's back in town! Indeed, it seems that Riku's lost a good five or six inches, but judging by the fact that he's already got his regular attire, has a black cloak slumped over his shoulder, and his journal in one hand, it seems he's already well aware of what's going on

Comments

[markofthewise]

[It's kind of lonely at the smithy. Sure, Winry is around, but without Edward? Who does he get to bug? Just Winry. And that's no good. Well actually, there is one thing he gets to do. And that's puzzle over this new, freaky looking weapon that showed up this morning. Way back in the work area, away from the weapons display area in the front, Sokka is playing around with the freakish sword, trying to figure out what it's used for.

Eventually he discovers it's just a really weird back scratcher, which is what he's using it for now.]

[markofthewise]

[Distracted by:]

... keyblade?

[stilldontgotit]

[Hm? So he doesn't know about it?]

Yeah. It's Sora's weapon, and a powerful one at that. It can open any lock, and that's not all it can do. He's picked up some magic thanks to the Keyblade, not to mention saved the worlds.

[He frowns.]

But it's also the reason why Xion died.

[markofthewise]

[A weapon. That is the key. That opens locks. And apparently Sora goes through space saving worlds. Sokka just ends up nodding at all this. It's ridiculous. Way too ridiculous. But this is Luceti, so whatever. And the bit about Xion is the most important.]

So Xion had to die... for some piece of metal.

[stilldontgotit]

[He nods. It's kind of a touchy subject, knowing what went down before he left Luceti and even after. Still, there's no sense in hiding it.]

It had something to do with what she is; when she borrowed Sora's Keyblade, everything went downhill.

And to think I used to want it all to myself... No wonder Sora got it in the end.

[markofthewise]

[He nods at that.]

That's rough, buddy. [He doesn't know what else to say to all of that. None of it quite makes sense to him.]

[stilldontgotit]

Heh. I'm used to things being rough by now. All I can do is move forward.

[markofthewise]

Good attitude! Positive thinking, always a good thing. And don't worry about the whole losing a few inches things. I bet you'll get them back in no time! [There's your pep talk.]

[stilldontgotit]

[...PFFF. Oh look, Sokka. You got him to laugh. Seriously, man, what a random segue.]

Being fifteen again's the least of my troubles, but... thanks.

[markofthewise]

Hey, don't mention it. Fifteen can be a rough year. Especially when everyone wants to kill you during it.

[stilldontgotit]

... I'm guessing you speak from experience.

[Either that, or Sokka's giving a pretty extreme example.]

[markofthewise]

Yeah. It's a long story, don't worry about it.