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[ Kyle ; Riku : Atlantis : Outside Throne Room ]

Kyle nodded toward Tseng as he complied with the request, cautiously turning his eye to Daniel. The other man seemed to contemplate the idea--and Kyle did not like the pause whatsoever. There was no reason to hesitate. Hesitation meant you were uncertain. Uncertainty about the Heart meant that he still considered the Heart.

Kyle had made the proper choice.

Daniel spoke to him as he passed, but Kyle didn't give a rat's a**. The opinion of a self-concerned Turk who would rather work toward powering a world, instead of guaranteeing there would be a world to power whatsoever, held little weight to him.

"Riku, I doubt the king would trust my face. Could you get--"

"On it."

Kyle stepped forward, the tension in his body relaxing considerably, noticeably, as he moved closer to the Heart and nearly to Milo before turning around to face the others. Riku, who had stepped aside to let Joe and Noelle have their moment of solace, followed suit, stepping forward without a word, moving to the Heart's side and watching it work.

Meanwhile, a wave of energy began to speed through the land, leaving trails of black dust that disappeared, remnants of what Heartless remained in the world. It was moments away from reaching the center.

"Interesting to note that the Earthling-Turk of seven days is speaking for the long-time Turk Leader," he mused, eyeing the two for a moment before shrugging. "Anyway, I guess it's your turn, if you're still interested."

The wave of blue energy coursed over the group from all sides, though it did so harmlessly; they would have felt no more than a slight breeze as it passed through them, converging on Kida's hovering body, finishing in a single tiny column of light. As a result, the woman's body stopped glowing, and the Heart rose from her body to hover high into the sky, powering the barrier.

Kida slowly lowered to the ground, and as Milo caught her, Riku eased the Trident from her grip, tightly holding it in both hands. Immediately, the King rushed forward, kneeling beside the young couple, looking frightened.

"Kida--Kida, can you hear me?" Milo said, and her father began to utter things in native Atlantean as well--only for her to slowly stir, groaning in exhaustion.

[ Kyle ; Riku : Atlantis : Outside Throne Room ]

"Nothing definite, but we have strong leads," Kyle explained boredly, holding his ground while Riku helped Milo, Kida, and the King. The Keyblade Master could be seen talking to the older man as they made sure everything was well with the Princess, who after a few moments was quickly returning to consciousness--she would be fine. "Leads that grow stronger with every world we help."

Kyle paused in thought--it was his turn--

"Hey!" Sora announced through the charms. "Riku finally got through--we were worried up here! The spire, uh... kind of collapsed in an earthquake."

--and it seemed they weren't going anywhere until they could find a way out.

"I let the others know the charms were working for you guys again," he explained, and his smile could practically be felt. "So probably expect some chatter."

"Last question," Kyle asked, turning his attention back to Daniel and Tseng. He tried to go over what information he had to see what was lacking. He knew enough about Daniel--name, weapon, summon. He knew enough about the Turks just from their history, and their goals sounded practically identical here.

But even in the original canon, there had been one outlier in the ShinRa equation.

"Is Hojo alive?"

[ Riku ; Kyle : Atlantis : Outside Throne Room ]

"Actually, that won't be necessary," Riku said, leaving the trio's side to move to Kyle's, Trident in hand. "We have some people in the ocean above Atlantis, and apparently, the only cavern entrance collapsed when the Darkness attacked. We have someone coming to get us out of here, though."

"And the King?" Kyle asked, turning his head to face Riku with an inquisitive glance.

Riku only nodded in response--and around that time, there was a small puff of blue dust that appeared in the center of the group.

As the dust cleared, an older man could be heard coughing, wheezing through the dust before it finally vanished--revealing none other than Merlin.

"You'd think that would get easier over time, no siree," he grumbled before looking around. "You know, for victors, you all look rather beaten! What's going on?"

"Just exhausted," Kyle said, trying to grin for wizard. "Look, while you handle this--could you bring us back to the Red Rose?"

"Sure, everybody?" he asked, flicking his wand, which began to glimmer as the spell readied.

Kyle looked to Riku and Joe for a moment, as if in thought, before nodding. "Everybody except Riku. Send him to Atlantica."

"Well, off you go--!"

{Bobbi .:. Atlantis .:. Outside Throne Room >> Shipwreck Cove .:. Red Rose Entry Ramp}

Bobbi's attention had been focused solely on Kyla as she spoke, but her concentration broke and she jumped a little as Sora's voice echoed over the charms, informing them that whatever had blocked communications with the other groups was gone now. And, apparently, that the spire leading to Atlantis had collapsed, as well. She cursed under her breath, and took her hand away from Kyla's cheek so she could turn and look at the others. Kyle was still talking to the Turks, and just as Bobbi started to register what was being said, Merlin popped in, coughing on his own blue smoke.

"You know, you really need to do something about that stuff," she called to the wizard, trying to sound in good humor but probably coming off irritable since she was so tired. "I almost hacked out a lung yesterday 'cause of it."

In a few moments they were teleported to the Red Rose, and Bobbi had learned enough to hold her breath for a moment until the smoke had cleared. She lifted a hand to wave greeting to Cloud, but had to change mid-gesture to cover her mouth as a huge yawn nearly split her face in half.

"Murr. Kyla, I'm going to go wrap myself around a strong cup of chai and a cupcake, assuming this boat has anything as inane as a cupcake. You're welcome to join me, but I understand if you want to be alone."

Bobbi stifled another yawn as she walked away, deliberately heading for Dawn and shoving her off to the Rose as well.

"You. Tall person. Help me find cupcakes."

[Kyla: Atlantica: Outside Throne Room >> Shipwreck Cove: Red Rose Ramp]


Cue: Closed Minded Girl
Bobbi was right, out of all people to listen to Ajora was the LAST person anyone should ever take seriously. His words were like poison, twisted and formulated in just the right way to hurt the person he aimed them for. Had he simply been simply trash talking she would have paid him no heed-
- But it was more than that.

It wasn't trash talking if people believed him. When he looked around at the others, when no one said anything- just like Joe had said only moment ago-
They really thought of her like that? So everything she had done before, all the times she tried to reach out- it all meant nothing. Nothing at all. She was still not good enough to-

But then Bobbi said something. She touched Kyla face and she felt so warm against her skin it left an imprint even after she left. Her words were kind- but there was still a battle going on inside the artist, and like every artistic person it was over-analyzing everything, picking apart the words and their meanings.
I know you were only doing what you thought was best at the time. Sure, looking back, they may have been stupid decisions, but you know what? We've all made mistakes.

Everything she did was one big mistake?

Kyla was beginning to doubt if anything she’d done up to this point was right- she may have thought it was right at the time, but for someone who lived in isolation how could she have possibly known how to properly make friends. Was there a flaw in her plan? Something she missed? Why weren't her feelings reaching them? Why was she still on the outside looking in.
Was it really just the surface stuff? Her going off alone – even with the intent of teamwork IN MIND- or was it something deeper?
Was she thinking too hard about this?

She didn’t know. She just didn’t know anymore. Maybe the fatigue was finally getting to her.
It was an awful revolting feeling coiling inside her. Everything felt like one big failure. And as other went off without a second glance to her, not that she even had her had up- she felt it was true.

“ I trust you, Kyla.”

"Murr. Kyla, I'm going to go wrap myself around a strong cup of chai and a cupcake, assuming this boat has anything as inane as a cupcake. You're welcome to join me, but I understand if you want to be alone."

Kyla looked up just a little bit, enough so she could see the visage of Bobbi pushing Dawn up the ramp in search of tea and a cupcake. Hunger- now there’s something. When was the last time she ate actually? Slept?
Being lost in her thoughts allowed her to ignore the ache in her body caused from more then just battle. But it was nothing in comparison to the guilt that tormented her- she couldn’t’ bring herself to eat and there was no way she could sleep, her mind was a mess.

She still couldn’t move even as other started to enter the ship.
Kyle disappeared in first, the others would soon follow- for all their talk about not separating, Kyla couldn’t bring herself to be with them, she felt like didn’t deserve them.

She was no good company, but she would only be more useless alone, she wanted to be alone to sort herself out, but being alone would bring trouble right? Alone, follow, alone, follow --- UUUUUUUGH!!! There was NO good answer! She was doomed if she did, and doomed if she didn’t. Stuck between a rock and hard place. She couldn't face anyone because Ajora was right.
She wasn't useful- just a dangerous hindrance.

AT last she was moving- quickly actually. Faster than a walk, but not a full blown run- she passed the group and disappeared inside the ship.
Kyla wouldn't’ wander off, but to avoid rubbing salt into the wounds she resigned herself to her room.
Once inside she closed and locked her door.

It wouldn't matter, sooner or later Noelle, Joe or someone would come in here and give her a talking to, they'd yell and scream or whatever- she had to be ready, so crossing her room Kyla looked into the cabinet closet on the opposite wall. In the top shelf was a restock of ethers. She could only carry so much at a time, but Kyla needed to use one more.
She needed her powers back for something sooner then sleep would provide.

Sensing something strange about her vessels thinking Carbuncle began to press her inquiry louder.

"Kyla? Kyla what are you thinking? What are you thinking of doing?"

{Bobbi .:. Shipwreck Cove .:. Outside Red Rose}

Bobbi was surprised and caught completely off-guard when Dawn twirled away from her shoving. She was kind of expecting Dawn to play along, when she really should have known better. They had drawn up near to the Turks, only a couple of paces away from the one in the hat, and off course Bobbi had to go into full klutz mode. Exhaustion and the unexpected tended to do that to her, after all.

She stumbled forward a pace, but one foot caught on something (probably thin air) and she tripped. Immediately she reached out for support, something to hold onto to stop her fall, and found herself reaching for Daniel's shoulders. She had a flash of near-panic, which accompanied the vague hope that she wouldn't drag him down with her. That would be just her luck!

Of course, him dodging out of the way would also be just her luck, as well.

[Kyla: Red Rose: Kyla’s room]

When Kyla had taken an ether she down it quickly, ignoring the pestering questions pressed harder and harder by her summon, till she finally blocked Carbuncle out in case-
She lost her nerve.

Cracking open her book as she felt the rush of mana surging through her veins once more she felt a little better. She had some semblance of control of this once moment again.
Guilt and anguish gnawed at her, it was building like a pressure she wasn’t sure if she could handle harboring much longer less she go mad. Up until this point, Kyla had been running form a lot of different feelings- even the ones about the loss.

Everyone had some kind of moment to grieve the loss of earth, but Kyla didn’t let herself do it. She couldn't face it. Instead she had buried all her thoughts and effort into one thing. Being the best companion she could be. She had a mission to accomplish, but one that relied heavily on how strong the bonds were between herself and those around her. It was the most difficult anyone could ask her to do- like asking a prisoner of war to join a youth group and enter a competition- only the universe was at stake if that person couldn't mesh well.

She had no frame of reference to work with. All she could devise was how to be competent. How to be useful.

Perhaps if she worked as HARD as she possibly could, then maybe-

I won’t have to face the fact I failed.
I broke our promise.
I did terrible things.
I’m useless.

“Elliott.”
Her pen was poised on the page- a thought had come to her about how someone else she knew dealt with the pain of guilt. Kyla worked herself to death back home, always to the point her body would finally fail and she’d be forced to rest- but the relief she felt was worth it. It meant she didn't have to feel bad anymore because she had worked as hard as anyone could possibly ask of her-
But now that option wasn’t available anymore. She had to find another way to relieve the pressure.
Just one picture would be enough.

She began to sketch the spell, weave what she wanted out of it. Simple pictographs to specify how it would come into being, how much it would use- how much it would use, and how much she’d ‘feel’ when ti happened. Everything was how she liked it, controlled. She was good at this. It was the only thing she seemed to be good at.

By that time Kyle had just about reached her door, pausing on the other side.
The trace was simple, one smooth outline and done!

[[ WARNING: PG-16 for adult/sensitive CONTENT: Highlight to read]]

A searing pain went through her, quickly, but left behind a dull ache that bloomed on the front of her neck. Something was bruising there like fingers clamping tight. She fell back on the bed where she sat as the pressure met a breaking point but not enough to cause damage. Just a mark.

The pressure released as the spell finished, and something bright red, fluttered off her neck and took to the air. With it a portion of her pent of emotions going with it, the figment pulsated with a deep crimson light.
Cue: Crimson Butterfly
Butterfly : Warning included
Kyla stared up at it. It was pretty... calming...she felt better?
It was true- it did lessen it somewhat.
Maybe...

[[ WARNING off PASSED SENSITIVE CONTENT]]

“Kyla?”
!!!!
What?! Why would he be-
Kyla sat up, eyes going to her door as the crimson butterfly danced around the room like a loosed fairy.
Kyla opened her mouth to answer- she had to right? He’d get worried if not. Hell he dashed in like a hero before and got himself killed, of course he’d be here despite all logic dictating he should stay as FAR AWAY from her as possible.
Realizing she took too long to answer Kyla stood up. Guilt not allowing her the luxury of ignoring him. A spoiled brat could shut themselves in their room and ignore everyone as they liked, but Kyla couldn't.
She reached the door and let her forehead fall on the surface. Kyle should have heard it thump against the side followed by a long – slightly haggered- sigh.
“…….

…..K-
Kyle?”

[Kyla: Red Rose: Kyla’s Room]

-s**t.
But she knew it was coming.

This was going to hurt, a lot.

Might as well get it over with, then she could decide to what to do with herself after he buried the hatchet. Stepping away from the door she replied, “Alright- just a moment,” and turned to her bed. She felt cold, really cold still and wanting to cover up evidence she pulled the sheet off her bed and wrapped it around her shoulders, sure she looked silly but it was better than nothing.
Checking herself in the mirror just in case, she noticed something odd about her face. Kyla took off her glasses and blinked a few times. Again. Nope, it wasn’t a trick of the light. Every so often it seemed like one eye got brighter, like a pulsating light going off and on every few moments. It didn’t take long for her to guess why.

Have to calm down.

Calm down.

She drew another picture. And another butterfly was fluttering calmly around the room.

It was just a phase.

She reasoned.

Just a sign of how much stress you're under.

She had an entity ripped out of her heart by sheer force.

You used Darkness, and let it control you to fight- there had to be some kind of residual effect. you can master this if you give it time, just have to calm down for now.

Once you sleep and recover it will be much easier.

She checked the mirror again after she straightened up. That time she was able to not get staggered from it. Throat felt a little sore but she xcleared her throat- adjusted everything. The light in her eye was gone for now. It felt better.

~…oh Kyla… no... not that…~


Not now Tyue, talk later.

~Yes, We. will.~


There was a finality to Tyue’s voice that told Kyla she meant business.
Figuring she was presentable enough she opened the door. "Sorry for the wait." she mumbled shrugging the blankets closer over herself. Tempted to just hide completely in it like a turtle curling into it's shell.
There Kyle stood, the new Kyle. Strange. Alien. SO unlike the Kyle from nearly a week ago. The Kyle she knew was gone now and Kyla would just have to accept that fact- she was probably a BIG part of how he got to this point, always running around getting into trouble, making things hard for him. Like they weren't hard enough.

It wasn't like she was so self absorbed like most artistic types were to think for a Second that she was ONLY one suffering. She didn't know a thing about who anyone was deep down, or where they came from. For all she knew they could have come from hellish lives too-

Noelle looked just distraught, Joe while putting on a brave face, wasn't much better. And what about the others? They were all dealing with the effects of this journey too? She had no right to feel sorry for herself.

“ You should be resting if you can.” She said bluntly, eyes falling to the floor unable to meet his gaze for more then 2 seconds.
She stepped aside for him if he wanted to enter, if not she would sit down listen to him outside the door.