Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Oh, no, really, you don't have to..." Sayrike protested as the girl--Dawn, that was her name--took some of the debris out of her hands, but it was to no avail; in a few seconds she had to reposition her arms, their load a few pounds lighter. She listened as Dawn spoke, but noticed that her questions weren't really answered. However, this thought was pushed aside as the other girl took her by her arm and led her to the group as they boarded the train. These people seem to enjoy physical contact, she thought. Sayrike wouldn't normally mind it around friends, and in fact she was very touchy-feely herself, but she had only known these people for a few minutes total! She would never say anything, of course, and she'd play along like it was normal, but there was always that internal barrier Sayrike mounted for the few months it took to get to know someone. I mean, it's not irritating, it's just...different. In any case, it's not like the old norms applied anymore.

Sayrike took one last look around at the clearing. She closed her eyes and inhaled, imbibing the familiar moisture of the sea-drenched air mingled with the warm, reassuring scent of the trees. The sun warmed her flesh in a comforting blanket, while the breeze cooled off the rough edged of heat and kept things at a temperate level. Sayrike relaxed into the feeling, her whole body and spirit uplifted into a moment of absolute bliss. Ah, she would miss this. Who knew when she would be around the comforts of the sea again? She internally smiled at the clearing--its faint green glow as the sun lit up the plant life, the motes of pollen floating carefree from one eddy of air to another--enjoying these last few moments of calm before it was shattered by the invasion of soldiers. Thank you for sheltering me, she called with her mind. Nature would never answer back, or at least not in a way that Sayrike would recognize, but she still felt it should be appreciated by any means. Capturing the image in her mind, she turned and headed inside the train, barely ten seconds passing since she first closed her eyes but her mood considerably lighter, not that this showed externally in any way. Her thoughts of I hope you know what you're getting into now shifted to Well, let this be another new chapter in this exciting adventure.

The darker, cooler interior was a lot easier on the eyes. Once they adjusted, the first thing Sayrike noticed was her very, very cliche internal dialogue. Well, it would be cliche for anyone who watched Doctor Who. She always thought it was weird that everyone said nearly the same thing--what were those writers thinking, continuing such a silly, overused gag?--but she couldn't stop herself from saying the same hallowed words: It's...bigger on the inside! Not quite the TARDIS, and there was no one here who even came close to resembling any Gallifreyan, but she still couldn't help but emit a fangirl squee in her head. She probably would have done it out loud and said something, but since everyone else seemed to be playing it cool, she decided she would as well. With a pang of sadness, Sayrike remembered her best friend and how, if the two of them were together, they would have grabbed each other and jumped up and down with squeals of delight and peals of laughter once one of them had noted the difference between the appearance of the inside compared to the outside. Aww, if only she were here to see this... she lamented. We promised that, if one of us ever found the Doctor, we would do whatever it took to get the other one on board. I'm sad that she's not here with me right now, even though it's not the Doctor. It would have been nice to at least have someone to share inside jokes with. That was probably one of the few things Sayrike missed about being with friends. But, sensing herself fall into more depressing musings, she batted away the edge of gloom and recalled that this was a chance for new inside jokes and new partnerships.

The group began taking seats inside a lounging area. Sayrike dared not sit in fear of unbalancing the stuff in her arms, and if she sat down she'd have to set the parts down somewhere, and in this space someone would probably trip over it. No, she was content to stand against a wall and out of anyone's way, plus it afforded a better view of everyone. One of the men was introducing himself to a former prisoner, and a girl came into the room carrying glasses of water. Sayrike knew she wasn't going to be able to remember anyone's name for a day at the very least, and face recognition would take even longer, but she still began reciting names in her head. Okay, Jacob. I can remember that, that's the name of my cousin. Louis. Hmm, I don't have any real connections there, maybe my dad's friend Lou? Jenny, that's my aunt's name. I definitely don't have anything to remember Dawn by. But something suddenly struck her as odd. Should she ask? Should she keep quiet? Sayrike rocked mentally back and forth before finally summoning the courage to speak up. Politely waiting for a lull in the conversation, she cleared her throat and asked, "I'm sorry, I know this seems silly for asking, but...why exactly are you guys here? I mean, I thought you were rescuing these two--" she said, gesturing to Jacob and the other female prisoner, "--but it seems you don't know them. Did you two send out a distress sign or something? I mean, you didn't just land here in the port for a quick trip through the woods, did you? I hope this doesn't seem rude or anything for me to ask..."

[Beatrix ; Yuffie ; Demyx ; Cloud ; Leon : Angel Grove : Red Rose / Outside the Red Rose]

The ship had shaken, lurched from side to side, and crashed landed; yet Beatrix walked out uninjured, and for all appearances unshaken. The only sign that the crash had inconvenienced her at all was her late appearance on the scene. Cloud considered her, noting that Yuffie followed closely behind, similarly undisturbed.

"Maggie's fine," Yuffie immediately said, "She got stuck in her room, the dresser's pushed up against the door, and what do you know the door only opens into the room, not out. I guess the thing's heavy, or something; she's having trouble moving it." She paused, taking in the scenery. "Where are we?"

"Angel Grove," Cloud answered.

"Where's Leon?" Beatrix demanded, getting only a nod in the right direction from Cloud. She walked past him and noted the group on the ground below them. It was impossible to tell what she was thinking. "The ship is in need of repairs," she said, turning back to Cloud. "Demyx and Yuffie have already volunteered to stay here and help, but we'll need more than that.

Cloud's first thought was, 'Who's Demyx?' An image flashed across his mind, supplying the answer. Hmm. "We've been offered help." He would have elaborated, but Beatrix simply nodded and walked away as if that was enough. Yuffie shrugged and followed along.

Cloud jumped down from the ship, landing easily. He approached the bulk of the group, noting Kyla was still injured but quickly healing, with Jon by her side. Alan and Kyle still hadn't come back through the portal... he wasn't surprised at all to hear Leon saying:

"We should get going." The gunblader caught sight of Cloud, and added, "Cloud. Stay here. Make sure Alan and Kyle get back safely. If possible, follow us with Axel."

Cloud didn't enjoy being ordered to do anything, but he didn't argue, choosing to nod in the affirmative instead. The dark portal was still open, Axel in control... two of the Earthlings on the other side. Perhaps Axel could take them to the 'command center' when they returned. Whatever the case, Cloud intended to be here when they came back through, not wanting to leave them alone with a Nobody. In Axel's defense, Cloud wouldn't have left them with Demyx, either.

[ Kyle ; Sora ; Zexion : Port Royal : Train Clearing ]

Sora was torn between the questions floating around. Meeting new people that should belong in the group was always a strange concept to Sora. Most people he met on his journeys didn't have such vast information requirements; their world was in danger, and they needed saving. That was that.

But these kids (well, he called them kids because of the experience difference, even if most of them were older than himself) weren't like the regulars he ran into. They were more like him: people who'd just lost their world and their friends before having destiny thrust upon them.

And what frustrated Sora most was that he couldn't give them the answers because he didn't have them, either. Brows knit together and mouth twisted into something reminiscent of a frown, the teen decided to simply listen in to the others, hoping maybe one of the Earthlings could better handle the questions.

Kyle watched with Dawn before, after a split second, the Nobody simply... vanished. Kyle rolled his eyes, pulling Dawn in with a light tug. "Probably never left the train to begin with... come on."

Moments after Dawn's feet were in the train, it lifted off into the sky, above the guards (who were now firing at the train with their rifles, to no effect; the sounds couldn't be heard, and the bullets did no damage) and into the clouds, heading toward Tortuga.

Kyle had come in just in time to hear the end of Sayrike's question, and nervously chuckled somewhat as he scratched the back of his head. "Well, to tell you the truth... that's exactly why we stopped here. It's... really quite a tale- Sora, go get James for the Dress Spheres, will you?"

"Aye-aye," Sora said with a grin, glad to feel useful again, before heading off into the Dining Car and possibly beyond to get the two new Earthlings some clothing.

"Before I go any further, what exactly do you two know about the current situation?" he said, looking between Sayrike and Jacob, still looking a bit nervous. He managed to hold back a slight stutter, as always. "Do you know where you are, for instance? Do you know the name of that island?"

It would be a lot easier if they'd already come to terms with Earth...

[Kyla: Angel Grove/Hawaii: Outside Red Rose]

Kichi's words brought comfort, he knew Alan and Kyle better anyways.. so if he said they could take care of themselves, then they would. Kichi didn't feel like the kind of guy to lie or exaggerate about something just to make one feel better right?
She didn't look up until they appeared on the other side of the Darkness Corridor, back in the familair setting she was taken from. The crahs site of the Red Rose just outside Angelgrove which must've merged with Hawaii. Having seen this numerious times now, it wasn't too big of a surprise.
Kyla wasn't heavy, setting her down was very easy, for anyone in fact. Perhaps float was still in effect again, but the pictomancer was always a strangely light weight to carry. Which was good, it made thing easier, faster, and thus safer.

Observing the wound as well Kyla agreed, her face much more relaxed which must be because the pain was fading as well. The gap was closed now and the scab forming into a scar line across her front. Also with this, her dressphere was also reparing itself, reweaving the severed fabric. And not just repairs, it appeared to be adjusting as well, once again the over robes shifted and shorted this time. They receaded till they became a short shrug-like top version, with the sleaves a bt smaller then before. this left her under slip dress to be mostly seen now. It also adjusted a little in length, density and facrib texture making it a suitable sundress to accomodate her stay in the sunny envoirment of Hawaii.

When they eyes met and Kichi made such an earnest gesture, Kyla smiled and shook her head slightly. " I hope you don't hold this against you, there's nothing you could have done different Kichi. What matters if you came, you all came for me. That alone..." she bit her bottom lip, she looked a bit shy but continued,"- that alone means more then you think. I trust you. You're my friend, and I trust you, I wont doubt again. The only thing I can ask of you is to forgive me for ever doing that."


Then that smile turned into a humured smirk, a very new expression for her to wear. It just showed how much they were changing her.

' You could also smile for me. I took that smile from you- let me put it back.'

"...oh! I know." she said sudjestively, " You can chat with me over my own brew of tea...aaaand-" the artist side glanced the members of the team who were game canons and whispered to him quickly, " - if you ever see any sea salt icecream. Let's get some!"
She giggled, hoping it would enduce a smile from him.

Now with that resolved, Kyla finally had a chance to really look at the new girl who had joined their group. From the looks of it- another Earthling survivor. She was a dantily built girl with a fluid motion to her, making her really fit what weapons she bore. Twin chakram that seemed like a mirror opposite to the ones she was more familiar with.
Shaking her head, Kyla insisted it was alright now. " He seems to make a similar first impression with almost everyone he meets. I'm glad you came out alright. I'm Kyla, nice to meet you, and thankyou for accompanying Kichi to come and...*sigh* Rescue me."
Yes, admit it Kyla, you had been rescued!
Never imaged that would ever happen in her life time, well, at least not in that fashon, but go figure.
It's not nearly as romantic or easy as the storys make it look. It's down right freakin stressful!!
Someone should smack shakespear and all those other fairy tale writers for such mis-representation(sp?)!

By the time everyone was up to speed, and Leon sounded the order to move on, Kyla looked down at her injury and saw it was completly healed! Thank you Alan!
Not even a scaring on her skin! Thank goodness. Not to be vain but... it would have been kinda ackward to have this eyesore across her front for the rest of her life.
Though, it may have been amusing to come up with funny stories about how she got it.

Kyla fingered the transformed material of her dressphere and commented about how much cooler it felt now beneath the hawaiian sun, then got her feet. A bit shakey at first, but she stood solid before them ready to press on.

... ' Please let Kyle and Alan be ok.'

{Kyle : Angel Grove -> Halloween Town: Hook's Ship -> Graveyard}

Stepping into the portal after Alan, he glanced one more time at the ship, at Seymour and Axel, nodding to each of them in turn. Then he stepped into the darkness and hurried through, not really feeling like staying in the dark portal for too long. Wondering where they would be going, he stepped out of the portal and watched as it closed behind him, before noticing the change to his clothes. His clothes had changed into the long dark brown robe with the hood that covered his head. Glancing at his hands, he noticed that they showed the snakelike scales. Pretty obvious where he was.

"What's your story? I've heard and seen some basics of what happened in these past few days, but that's only from one perspective. I want to know what you've been doing, why everyone seems to have a problem with you, and...well, I'll think of something else in a bit. But if Alan has questions with shorter answers, feel free to answer those first." He said, leaning against a tombstone. He was ready to summon his katars if trouble arose, but he didn't think there would be any.

[Dawn : Port Royal : Lounge Car]

Dawn probably would of stood on the step on the train, blinking, for several more minutes, if it wasn't for Kyle pulling her up the last few steps. She hoped slightly to keep from tripping onto her face after she made it inside. Dawn soon turned around and closed the door that was behind her. Safer to have the thing closed, she thought.

The wind user glanced back at the others that had been gathered as Kyle began answering the questions of the newcomers, starting with the all important question. Dawn looked away from the group, and stared at the door, with a look she hoped looked more neutral than sad. After standing like that for several silent moments, she backed away and started to walk towards the exit towards the Dining Car.

"I am heading to do some training before we land," she said in a soft voice, "Can someone get me if I am needed or when we land? Whichever comes first."

Without waiting for anyone's reply, Dawn left the group and started towards the Training Car.

~'Now where do you think you're going? I thought you wanted answers as to what was going on.'~

'And I got them. Last night, from James. Don't really need to hear them again.

~'Maybe Flasher will be able to shed some more light on the situation than James didn't. Ever think about that?'~

'I don't see what more can be answered then already was. Earth is gone. Meaning not only Shaylynn, Eli, and Krystal are gone, but Mom, Albert, James, Robert, their wives, and Beca too. Add then not to mention the rest of the kids, all six of them. We are fighting to find people who can give us answers and hopefully return things to normal.'

Dawn heard Garuda sigh in her mind. A sound that made her join in with the heavy breath. She was glad that Garuda dropped the conversation.

[Joe: Lounge Car]

The male took the water Jenny gave him with a smile and a "Thanks." The girl was an utter sweetheart with an adorable voice. And a Time Mage. That alone kicked a** in his eyes. He always had someone with time magic in Final Fantasy V.

Glass in hand, he stood and passed by Kyle, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder, and said to the new girl with all the parts "Helpin' is just what we try to do 'round here, sweetie. Sorry for the southern drawl, comes in sometimes." He then nodded at the girl and raised his glass to her, as well as waved at Jacob, who was spouting out his theories and what happened wto him, as he went after Dawn, hoping to catch up with her before the training car and asking "Hey, mind if I join ya?"

[Quistis: Lounge Car]

The woman took a seat on the train, legs crossed at the ankle, hands folded in her lap as her whip had gotten attatched to her belt, coiled so it didn't drag on the floor.

She sat there quietly, listening to what was being said. It would be lovely to figure out what was going on, besides the obvious amount of chaos that seemed prevalent in this world.