002 @ The Morning After The Night Before

[hikari_no_kundou]

Who: Eraqus, Terra, Ventus
When: [Backdated] Early morning onwards on 4th September (After this scene).
Where: House of Departure, Sector 4
Summary: A family starts the process of fitting the pieces back together again.
Warnings: Angst. Feels. Srs faces. Bonding?



Staring at an unfamiliar ceiling in the dark, it took a moment for Eraqus to process where he was. When he was.

Inhale, exhale.

That the aches running through his body were very much self-inflicted (more or less) was not at all in doubt. The fact he had a body at all to feel them in was, and tired eyes stared at the shadows his hands formed in bewilderment, before he pressed the heels of each palm against them. The fact it was still dark meant he could not have slept long -- assuming he hadn't simply passed out from a combination of exhaustion, confusion and overextending his abilities. It could well have been both.

Inhale, exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Though his back protested, the keyblade master pushed himself into an upright position; he didn't have the reserves to call on more restorative magic, though he could sense the lingering remnants of Curaga in the air. The familiarity of the spellcaster's signature gave him pause. A pause that was neatly toppled by a resurgence of memory, of what had happened. Who had happened, so to speak. Of why he felt so exhausted.

Left hand lifted, pressing over his chest, and for a moment, Eraqus felt the uncertainty nestled there, wings unfurled protectively over the frayed tatters of his heart.

So many things, so many bonds that needed mending..

Inhale. Exhale.

Pushing himself to his feet, the old master brushed absently at his robes before taking slow stiff steps towards the door.

Comments

[hikari_no_kundou]

A twinkle of amusement entered the Master's eye as the older keybearer resisted the urge to shake his head at the exchange of looks between boy and beast. Perhaps wonders truly would not cease. "I'll look forward to it," Eraqus said, and meant it, a hint of approval colouring his words. It isn't quite the responsibility any of them planned for in their lives, but to see him take it seriously.

Ah. "No, I would not imagine it is much like back home here." Last night being an exception, he dearly hoped. One that would not be repeated. The fact that Ventus still considered Departure 'home' earned a small pang within his heart, one that Eraqus could not readily identify. Relief perhaps. Or guilt. Quite possibly both. Not quite enough of a distraction to read into the cutlery's new use as a diversion, however.

The offer, when made, surprised him only in how quiet it sounded when spoken aloud compared to the earlier, easier conversation. Grey eyes remained fixed on Ven, trying to gauge his reaction.

"Should you wish, perhaps, we might resume your training here..? ...Though I do not know that I still have the right to be called your Master." The reason why hung between them, unspoken.

[feverpitching]

There was a small smile in return from Ven. Sure, it was just a rabbit, but he was kind of proud of his pet regardless.

For a moment after, there was silence. If the younger knew what was going through his Master's mind at the time, he would have reassured him that Departure would forever be 'home' to him. Even now, little of his memories prior to Vanitas' creation had returned, which meant that world would forever be the place he knew best.

The movement of the fork stops at the offer of training, and Ven's eyes flick up to meet Eraqus' again. Surprise is apparent in his eyes, even though he tries to mask it. Ven expected regret from the man for his actions, but he hadn't even thought about this.

"You still... want to train me?" The question hidden underneath being 'You don't think I"m dangerous?'

[hikari_no_kundou]

Home is where the heart is. A very fitting phrase for Ventus, really, given past and future circumstances.

Who's surprise at the question is greater? It's rather hard to say, though Eraqus was likely the better of the two at hiding it. Hesitation still preceded his reply, however, likely due to partial misinterpretation on his part of the counter-question. He did not break eye contact with Ven.

Here you are, a little older, still yourself and no less bright of heart, and the Master wonders what other things he was wrong about, when all he had wanted was to keep you at the Land of Departure so you'd be safe. "This is not something you need decide now," he said, wan smile flickering, then disappearing. "But if you no longer wish to be trained, by me.."

(And that was assuming he wanted training at all - perhaps Ventus no longer dreamed of becoming a Master?)

"..Then I understand." And he would never hold it against him.

What he had done, had tried to do, and the potential consequences of his actions had Terra not arrived when he did...The remorse Eraqus felt went beyond simple guilt. Gravely serious as the Master took his duties, that he had raised his blade at all against one of his students was a blemish on his honour that a simple apology could not overcome alone.

His actions meant as much, if not more, than words. And Eraqus would not lie to him.

"..The choice is entirely yours to make, Ventus."

[feverpitching]

There was a soft clink at Ven's fork dropped against the table, the blonde lifting his hands and waving them as if in surrender. "No, that's not what I meant-!" He pauses for a moment, his own memories of that incident flashing through his mind.

You must exist no more.

Regardless of the apology that had proceeded that statement, it had hurt more than one could imagine to be told that. But Ven had understood, knowing the threat he posed, and in that instant had had to come to terms with the notion that Eraqus could no longer keep him aline, much less as a student.

So to be asked this... it carried far more meaning than just simple training sessions.

"I don't need any time to decide. I... still want to be trained by you. More than anything. If you still want me as your student." His life may have been vastly different here, but his dream would never change.

The keyblade. His life so far. They deserved more respect than to be left behind.

[hikari_no_kundou]

The Master blinked.

Then his chair creaked as it was pushed back, allowing the Keyblade Master to stand to his full height. Eraqus used the moment to gather his bearings, an odd weight settling across his chest, resting against his heart, before he allowed himself a smile. Stepping around the edge of the kitchen table, his hand then reached over to rest against Ventus' shoulder. A gesture that was accompanied by a reassuring squeeze of fingers.

"I would be proud to accept you as my pupil."

He waited them, for several heart beats, before the Master chose to sink down to one knee; there was a very slight grimace as his body protested the kneeling move. The remaining aches and pains of the night before could not be helped, and it was a small price to pay, all told, for what he had decided to do.

Ventus had already learned to summon the keyblade by the time he'd been deposited on Eraqus' doorstep, a memory lost to a part of his life he could not -- perhaps would never -- truly remember. And although he wore the mark of mastery sigil, there had never been anything truly official beyond the agreement with Xehanort to adopt his peer's student to signify the start of his apprenticeship.

Here, and now, granted Eraqus an unlooked-for second chance to change that.

The kitchen wasn't as appropriately ceremonial as the throne room, but it would have to do.

[feverpitching]

Ven looks up as Eraqus stands, not sure whether he should rise as well. His question is answered, however, when the Master walks over and rests a hand on his shoulder, causing him to remain seated. He can't help the grin that spreads across his face at the man's statement, a few tears gathering in the corners of the younger's eyes, "Thank you..."

And then Eraqus was kneeling in front of him, causing Ven to give a small sound of protest and worry at the look of pain on the man's face. But it seems like he's all right, and Ven doesn't try to stop him. He knows his Master wouldn't let something like this keep him down. Instead Ven rearranges his features back into into something more serious.

Though the look of expectation in his blue eyes certainly doesn't go away.

[hikari_no_kundou]

He's old, but he's not that old. (Just mostly.) (For Kingdom Hearts, anyway).

The pain passed as quickly as it arrived, though he might well have needed a hand to rise once he was done. For now, however, his hand released Ventus' shoulder, and blue eyes and grey maintained a steady gaze.

There was a flash of white light, rows of golden rectangles spinning counter to one another, before the Master Keeper solidified, formed in his outstretched right hand. Not held to one side, not in attack; held at the horizontal, as though in defense, or, rather, deference.

Right hand tightly clasping the hilt, Eraqus' left hand rose to support the shaft, resting beneath where the simple E-shaped teeth joined the blade.

"In your hand, take this Key."

Eraqus' expression remained solemn, even though his eyes gleamed slightly, and his words were spoken with all due seriousness. They both already know Ventus has proven worthy of the Keyblade. But that isn't what this is about.

[feverpitching]

In the back of his mind, Ven remembered Terra doing something similar to this for him. Holding out his toy keyblade and letting Ven take it, it had been symbolic of Ven slowly regaining his ability to fight. And to be alive.

Now, sitting in the kitchen at a breakfast table, it might seem like a completely silly way to perform an 'inheritance ceremony'... but to Ven is was still absolutely perfect. He gazed at Master Keeper presented in front of him, silently admiring the weapon for a moment. It was a blade and a power to aspire to, and Ven gave a small nod, both in acceptance and to himself. A small promise to to his very best, to fight for the dream he'd been given.

He reached out, wrapping his hand gently around the key.

[hikari_no_kundou]

In the warmth of the kitchen, late morning sunshine poured through the window, illuminating the exchange. There were few who bothered with such ceremonies. Yet, the Master continued speaking, voice kept even and lips careful not to curve into a smile as he watched his youngest apprentice consider the Master Keeper with all the consideration due such a vow.

"So long as you have the makings,
Then through this simple act of taking,
Its wielder you shall one day be."

When Ventus nodded, then reached for the Key, the blade itself seemed to grow warm in his hands, an almost furry sense of approval purring against palms with an energy that was bright within the mind's eye, before slipping away again leaving only black metal and eccentric shape. Or perhaps that was something only Eraqus sensed. The Keyblade - whatever blade it happened to be - still kept some of its own secrets.

It was a promise accepted, by both Keyblade and Keyblade Master. Whatever it might have been - it was not for Eraqus to ask, but one he would support the best he could. The sword disappeared in another bright spin of golden shapes, and Eraqus let his hands come to rest against his legs.

And allowed himself a slightly rueful smile. "Under other circumstances.. This would be where I welcome you home." He did not make motions to move, not yet (and he suspected he'd still be painfully stiff when he did); he waited instead for Ventus to say, or perhaps do something.

[feverpitching]

At the end of the poem, and when the Master's key had seemed to accept the boy, Ven felt a proud smile grace his face. The keyblade eventually disappeared as the ceremony ended, but the feeling of pride and the warmth in his chest didn't vanish for some time. He realized he had closed his eyes somewhere during the exchange, and when he finally opened them he saw Eraqus' smile.

"I am home." It didn't need to be the Land of Departure... as long as they were all together, Ven was right where he belonged. Part of him thought it best to keep the formality of the situation going, but it didn't happen.

Ven slid from his seat, pushing it back so there was room for him to kneel down on the ground in front of his Master. He may have only known this man for a few short years, nothing in comparison to Terra or Aqua, but in that time Eraqus had been more of a parent to Ventus than anyone in the his life. And now he puts his arms gently around the man's torso, pressing himself into a hug he'd been dying to give for ages.

"Thank you."

[hikari_no_kundou]

The Master inhaled sharply as Ventus then wrapped his arms about him, and for a moment Eraqus remained absolutely still. Simple acceptance, that happy smile and clear gratitude -- that would have been entirely enough for him, given the circumstances.

Slowly, his right arm gently wrapped around his youngest apprentice, encircling his shoulders and holding him close. Left hand came to rest atop his head; no ruffles, not like Terra or Aqua might have given, holding pride and a hint of protectiveness in the gesture.

Home. Where those most important within his heart were.

"No," he murmured, letting his eyes fall closed as he returned the hug. "Thank you, Ventus."