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Post by hoodwink on Mar 2, 2019 3:07:15 GMT -5
He listened intently to the spirit dragon's words, gathering what he could without much context being given. Apparently these wounds or cracks were caused by an excess in power taking a physical toll on Tori's body. According to the dragon, it was possible for the teenager to apparently crack or fall apart, as though a porcelain doll. It seemed without the proper moderation and healing, the wounds would worsen until finally she was no longer able to sustain her form. Is this because she's a spirit herself...? The thought was a peculiar one, the Vagabond unsure if it even one that could be answer.
At the mention of a 'shore' on which Tori could actually heal her wounds, the mans eyebrows perked up a bit. Though most of his features were shrouded in a hood, his body language seemed earnest as he suddenly leaned forward. "Wait, the Shore?" He had so many questions. What was it? Where was it? Why was it the only place that could heal the girl? "Is the Shore back on Tori's island?" With all that was going on, it would be easy to lose track and forget the main purpose the two had began with: finding Tori a way home.
Refusing to let all of the new information distract him, the Vagabond asked the question directly at the spirit dragon, stubborn and diligent in making sure that their top priority was met. She had helped him conduct his research on this world, which had led to exceedingly curious results, the least he could do was make sure he held up his end up the bargain.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Mar 2, 2019 9:17:08 GMT -5
The dragon perked up, and smiled a bit sheepishly. It then coiled slightly around Tori, chuckling slightly, but only made her a bit more uneasy about him. Having someone act so close to her when she herself didn't know them was a weird experience, to say the least.
"Yep, yep!" the dragon replied, "You could say I came to pick her up, but not really." "H-Hey, hold it!" Tori freaked out a bit, "I'm not about to leave just yet! I still gotta find Mei and Neku! I'm not going back without them!" "And how exactly do you plan on doing that? You don't know where they are, and you're most certainly not going to continue on the state you're in... Right?" "I'm not going back without them. It's everyone together, or no one" Tori turned towards the man, "And that includes you. The same way I'm looking for my friends... I also wanna help you find that which you've lost. And I'm not asking for anything back this time."
The dragon looked at Tori, who had a serious expression written on her face. She was not leaving the man alone, not after what she'd seen. But she was also not going back home without her friends. After a while, the dragon seemed to give up, as it let a sigh of unease out.
"Alright... But, under one condition" the dragon said, "Instead of the Corridor, you're travelling my way."
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 2, 2019 11:31:03 GMT -5
So, the shore was back on Sakura Island, it seemed. The Vagabond sighed with relief as the dragon began to answer his questions. Excellent... she can go back home. There was a weight lifted off of his shoulders that he hadn't realized was there. For a moment the hooded man smiled, happy to have finally found a solution to their problem. That is, until Tori demanded that it be all or nothing, having still not found her friends Neku or Mei. The man's face twisted into a grimace. Oh... shoot... I forgot about that. That's right! The teenager had originally been separated from her friends, how could he have forgotten!? When the teenager turned to him however, mentioning how it's everyone together or no one, including him, the Vagabond jumped a bit, pointing a finger at his own shrouded face.
"W-wait! Tori! That's not even my island!" He laughed lightly, his mood bright and his humor kind. He couldn't help it. The two had certainly grown closer during their travels together during the Deep Jungle, but he hadn't expected her to include him with the people she needed to watch over. There was a twinge in his heart, a mixture of joy and guilt. Really... I'm not worth the time. The Vagabond sighed, knowing full well if he told such a thing to Tori the teen would most likely argue with him. She was very headstrong, it was a trait he appreciated about her.
Unfortunately, she did seem to need attention on the wounds, whether her stubbornness allowed her to leave without her friends or not. Crossing his arms a bit, the Vagabond eyed the two spirits before him, trying to find a solution that would make everyone happy. "Tori, what if you left with them to get healed while I searched for Mei and Neku?" He was looking at the teenager now, though his hood covered most of his face his expression was one of honesty and a want to help. "I don't know how long it will take for those wounds to heal... or how much longer until you break. I don't think we should chance that." He looked at her with a serious expression. "Neku and Mei probably wouldn't forgive you if that happened, right?"
He gave a reassuring thumbs up gesture, attempting to ease any worries the teenager might have about this idea. "Besides, my corridors through Darkness are quick. By the time you both do whatever it is spirits need to do at the Shore, I could comb out a few other worlds in the meantime." He shook his hands a bit, realizing that this just sounded like splitting up. "We could rendezvous after, once you're healed you and this dragon could always meet me on another world." It wasn't a bad plan. It seemed the dragon had its own means of traversing between worlds. The two spirits leaving for the Shore while the researcher continued on to the next world, searching, seemed like a good idea. Not only would he hunt for Heartless and the Heart, but also attempt to find Neku and Mei.
He would need detailed descriptions first, obviously, but he felt this the best plan for being able to meet their entire groups needs without too many detours.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Mar 2, 2019 11:47:32 GMT -5
Both the dragon and Tori looked at the man as he suggested to search for Tori's friends in her stead. She looked shocked, as if she hadn't expected such a suggestion from him. And, as he mentioned how they wouldn't forgive her if she happened to break, Tori lowered her view, conflicted. It was true. How could she find them if she happened to break before that?
The dragon looked at Tori with a caring smile, and snuggled against her cheek a bit playfully, catching her attention. After a while, Tori nodded, but still decided to express her worries to the man she'd met in Deep Jungle.
"What about you? Your heart... Will it last?" she asked, concerned, ""I'm worried that... One day... That darkness you're embracing... Will consume you. I have the right to be worried for your wellbeing too, right?" "...I don't think it'll come to it" the dragon said after a while, "There's a reason why you trust him, right? Because he's strong. Aren't you?" the Spirit then looked at the man with confidence, and even chuckled a bit.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 2, 2019 12:11:56 GMT -5
For a moment, the Vagabond felt he would be moved to tears. How long had it been, since he exchanged feelings of worry and care with another person? Years, it seemed. For a moment, the man's heart, conflicted with the struggle of light and dark, seemed radiant and warm in his chest. No... there's still a lot of light in there. A large smile broke across his lips as the older man puffed out his chest a bit, feeling a pride in himself he hadn't felt in ages. At the dragons reassuring question of strength, the old man felt a youthful zealous he hadn't felt in years.
"Of course I am!" He pounded his chest once with his fist, his broad smile remaining as his dull eyes gazed upon the one who had eased his burden. "My hearts' one of the strongest out there!" He held out his left hand to his friend, a word he hadn't thought of towards another person since his time in the dark. "Besides, if your friends are anything like you, I'm sure their light will guide me."
The Vagabond felt confident. I'm not stopping anytime soon. There was a new passion burning in his chest. He found out on this world he could absorb the darkness from anothers heart, smother it in his own light. There was a new tactic brimming in his mind he was growing restless to try. I'll take on all their darkness. My light shines bright enough for all of them. He was determined, hope burning him from the inside, causing him to grow antsy. "Just tell me what they look like, I'll make sure that once you're healed, you can see all of your friends again."
How long, since he had made a vow to another? How long, since he had believed in himself capable enough to help anyone, or anything? There was a flashing image in his mind, a strong one, that youthful face that looked so much like this. He'd help them... For a moment, a strong emotion the Vagabond didn't know how to describe gripped him. Not this time. He wouldn't fail again. Not now, not ever.
Determined, the older man had decided. He would seek out Neku and Mei on other worlds while he conducted his research. Gathering powerful allies who's own lights would radiate and shine seemed nothing but beneficial. Tori had helped him a lot, in many ways and though she didn't ask for anything in return, he wanted to do this for her, for himself and for those he had failed before.
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Post by therunawaygirl on Mar 2, 2019 12:25:12 GMT -5
Tori laughed a bit at his determined speech, but she couldn't doubt him. It was as if she could feel that determination and strength from his heart... And if that was the case, then she didn't have to worry about him falling to darkness. He had his way to return back to the light.
Darkness... And light... Two words that, although common, were like a knife for Tori. She closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down, and took a deep breath, before holding her hand towards him, with a faint smile.
"Alright. It's a deal" she said, "I'm counting on you, Stalker."
Tori then reached out for her Hunter's Kit, and grabbed a piece of folded paper. She'd forgotten about it up until then, when the man asked about how Neku and Mei looked like. It was a picture of all of her Guild members, and she was there, as well. It seemed ages ago, but... She couldn't help but smile with nostalgia.
"The red-hair girl here is Mei" Tori explained, showing him the picture, "And the spiky-haired guy here is Neku. He's pretty vocal about stuff, but he's a nice guy once you get to know him. He doesn't bite!" she chuckled, "I'm telling you that in case he gets suspicious of you... Actually... Hold on..." Tori reached for her pockets, this time grabbing a cherry-blossom charm of her own, "Keep this with you. And... You can give it back once we see each other again. It'll help you get their trust." "Now you're done?" the dragon asked calmly, "Then... We're leaving. I'll probably ask someone to keep an eye on you in case you wanna meet us" it told the Vagabond, "You'll know once you meet 'em. For now... I guess this is goodbye." "Good luck, and... Take care, alright? Of both you and that other fella" Tori winked playfully.
And with that, with the dragon's help, Tori waved the man goodbye, before she was engulfed in a bright light alongside the dragon, towards destination unknown.
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Post by hoodwink on Mar 2, 2019 13:29:07 GMT -5
The charm held a significant weight, not physical but sentimental. It would remain the symbol of his promise, an anchor to bring him back to the light if he should ever lose his way. As the girl waved goodbye, following the spirit guiding her, the Vagabond lifted the hand that grasped the charm, a smile on his face. "See you soon!" There was a blinding flash of light, one so brilliant the man had to shield his eyes with his arms. After a moment it was gone, the teenager and the dragon having disappeared.
Pocketing the charm in one of his jacket pockets, the Vagabond looked up at the Jungle sky, thankful for all that had transpired on this world. The image of Tori's friend was burned into his mind. He would find them, though he wasn't sure which world to start on. "Well, might as well go try and gather some intel." The hooded figure raised his left hand, a dark energy seeping into existence as a large dark portal emerged from nothingness.
With a final glance over his shoulder at this world, littered with bamboo thickets, lush trees and hidden Lagoons, the Vagabond heard the faint sound of gorillas off in the distance. His heart felt light at the moment. I'll hold onto this feeling. He took a moment, basking in the warm Jungle sunlight just a second longer. With that, the man walked through the dark portal without a second look at the world he had given so much for and taken so much from.
He had never been one that liked goodbyes.
[[THREAD FINISHED. Thanks Runa for the fun RP!]]
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Post by therunawaygirl on Mar 2, 2019 13:30:26 GMT -5
[You're welcome. It was a pleasure ]
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