post-trial week 1: for Terra

[alchemicalwater]

[It's a little harder for Undine to find time to talk with Terra, but she'll manage it eventually.]

I'm sorry.

[Might as well start out with that, yeah.]

Comments

[darkearth]

Don't be. You're still here. And the others. Keep trying. Don't make the mistakes I did.

[Ven and Aqua would be so disappointed in him...]

I believe in you.

[alchemicalwater]

I probably won't have much of a choice there, you know.

[She is already preparing for that reality.]

...actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about.

[darkearth]

About what?

[alchemicalwater]

Vanitas.

[This is a serious look now.]

He's your...whatever you two are, so I figured I should at least ask.

[Do you want him dead, she's asking.]

[darkearth]

[GOD]

He's-- [How is he going to explain this?] He has my friend's body. Ven. His name is Vanitas. He's the Darkness from Ven's heart.

Someone we trusted had the power to pull the Darkness out, and he turned it into a person. That person is Vanitas.

He... must have tried to join with Ven again.

I asked Assassin... to save Ven, but I don't know if he will now. After... [Yeah, anyway.]

[alchemicalwater]

That's....a better explanation than Vanitas gave me, actually.

[What the fuck is wrong with your world, Terra.]

So...what do I need to do to save Ven?

[Because that sounds like what Terra wants, and Undine will at least try to do that.]

[darkearth]

[???????????????????? um]

What did he say? [His face falls just a bit at the next part.] I... don't know.

The man we trusted took my body, too. I was... still alive? My heart... [He touches his chest, brows furrowed.] My Light. I was still there, and I could fight him, so I did.

It must be how it is for Ven, too. He and Vanitas are in the same body. His heart must be there.

If I couldn't get rid of Vanitas, I would have to help get Ven's heart.

[alchemicalwater]

Something about 'other halves' and I thought they were twins. Or married.

But you know...maybe Ven is alright? Maybe Vanitas is the only one who died and ended up here? Because I think they would split them up into separate people if they both died.

[darkearth]

[marriED OH GOD]

No. He's there. I... can tell. When we talked, how he looked at me. [real talk, are they actually married though maybe] At the trial--he tried to stand up for me.

Only Ven would do that.

[alchemicalwater]

Terra, I...

[Should she tell him?

She probably shouldn't.]

If you're sure. But what can I do to draw Ven out?

[darkearth]

[Crush him.]

I don't know. I'm sorry. I thought... about asking for a way when I erased Lion, but...

I had promised Assassin I would help him get his name back.

[alchemicalwater]

I'll find a way, then. I won't let Vanitas stay in control.

[The thought of a nicer partner does sound better, too. And more importantly, it's for Terra. She can do that for him, at the very least.]

...If it gets to be too much, when tomorrow happens, just look for me. I'll keep my eyes open.

[So he's not alone in the end.]

[darkearth]

[His smile is painful and soft. She's kind, despite the terribleness.] Alright. Thank you.

If you need to, [he worries] you can close your eyes. I won't be alone.

I have my friends. [He taps his chest.] Here. They were here all along.

[alchemicalwater]

[That's actually really sad, and it makes Undine's heart ache for Terra. Mostly because she knows the pain of dead friends and them 'always being with you.' Which just makes her realize she can't let him down.]

Well, you have a friend here too.

[darkearth]

[If he could reach out and ruffle her head like he did Ven's what feels like so long ago, he would. Instead, he just tries to smile as best as he can manage.] I know.

I'm glad I got the chance to meet all of you. Watch out for each other, okay? Listen to each other.

[alchemicalwater]

I...I will. I'll keep them safe.

The other reapers, and the players. As much as I can.

[Some will have to die, probably, but she wants to save as many as she can.]

If...Maya came back, so if there's a way to bring you back too, then I'll do it.

[darkearth]

[There's something familiar in her duty. He knows what it's like putting the burden to your friends' safety on your shoulders.

And he knows what it's like forgetting to let them grow when you do.] The others...

Don't forget... they're strong, too. Let them help you if you need it. I wish I had let my friends help me.

[The smile is a little better for it.]

Thanks.

[alchemicalwater]

[She hesitates, but then she nods.]

Alright, I will.

[What friends does she have in this game? Can she even trust anyone here? Most of the people want her dead, even if they don't know it's her specifically they're after. And among the few that don't, they're all...strange. She's not sure she can trust anyone here, not when it comes down to it.

But she doesn't say that to Terra, and instead chooses to let him die thinking that she still has faith in the others here.]