Welcome to Gaia! ::

[Traverse Town:: Second District]

Jonah said his goodbyes and Window made sure to express his greatest thanks as he and the Viera walked back out into the district. Now Window was extra wary; every shadow seemed as if it held some sinister purpose or hid Heartless that might jump out and attack in the next moment. He could already tell that this new life would be extremely exhausting if he had to always stay on edge. Pushing down the jumpiness, Window turned to Nalo. "So, you say that you know someone who might be able to help? Where can we find him?" Window asked politely. He wondered who this 'smart' person was, and to what extent he would be able to help. Window didn't know how one would even be able to find his planet in the first place. Besides, going home wasn't the top priority on his list. Internally, he was slightly miffed at Nalo's persistence on this course of action, although it was still a kind gesture. But, the Viera had been out there to other worlds and back! Couldn't he try to understand what it was like to grow up knowing nothing of such a life? The one drawback was that Window would need to actually go out into the vast expanse of black above--the void, the place of emptiness. He knew it would be a long time before he accustomed himself to accepting the sky. Maybe there had been a reason why his people avoided gazing into its depths...

[Traverse Town::--Third District]

Okay, now Window was a little more than slightly miffed, partly at himself for not being able to hide his uneasiness quickly enough, and partly at Nalo's manner. He suppressed his slight ire, knowing that it was out of ignorance that Nalo conducted himself so. It was hard for Window to remember that he wasn't at home anymore where such a 'babying' gesture would be taken as insulting. And again with the hand-holding! Window resolved that, after they found Merlin, he was going to say something.

Another thought struck Window as they entered the next district. "Wait...you don't know where Solaris is?"

[∫ ʋ ʓ ʋ ʁ ᾲ ɳ]
{You look like you fell down a tree and hit every possible branch on the way down.}

[Traverse Town :: Maze]

Suzu's eyes widened as she watched a figure leap up, and a second later a big splash of water from a collision. The water nearly soaked her head to foot, but she was too busy smiling. "Maru!" She shouted enthusiastically, despite her fatigue. She nodded once, twice to her brother's proposal. She couldn't afford to break down now and luckily there was already water on the floor that she could manipulate.

This geysers shot up from the floor and wove through her teammates on the battlefield with precision, shooting towards the second Wyvern like a high powered stream and hitting it dead center in the chest. "Where were you guys? Having a party without me?"

+Saito+

[How can one possess the Heart of the Sword. When one does not have a heart...?]

{Castle Oblivion : Commons Area}

Saito made his way into the Commons Area and looked around. It seemed that he hadn't missed the meeting for the new missions yet. He walked into the room and instead of sitting anywhere he made his way over to one of the walls and leaned his back against and closed his eyes. He didn't even open them even as Vereor began to speak.

It didn't take long for the Nobody to finish, having only two missions to give out for now, and it seemed that none of them were for the ronin. So when Vereor said they basically had free reign he raised his back from against the wall and left the room again. Unsure of what he was going to do. Perhaps he would just wander the halls for awhile. He hadn't decided yet.

[Traverse Town::Third District]

Well, at least he's honest and frank. Thank goodness I met him and not someone with a more sinister nature when I arrived, or I might have not made it this far. How DID I arrive anyway? Window's thoughts began to go fuzzy when he tried to pursue that line of thought, so he decided to save it for another time when they weren't on the hunt for someone whose whereabouts were unknown. Well, at least Nalo seemed happy as he held Window's hand and swung it back and forth.

Window sincerely hoped that they were not going about on a wild goose chase. He preferred to have a plan rather than go on without direction. He internally sighed. Still, all he had to do was set a goal, and his inner drive would push him forward with dog-like tenacity until it was done. Trying to ignore his constant desire to see the bigger picture, he set his sights on the problem at hand: finding this Solaris. Window's logical mind was set in motion--to reach the final solution, they needed to find Merlin. And to reach Merlin, they needed to find his place of residence. However, there seemed to be little to work with; unlike the first two districts Window had seen, this one seemed empty and stale. There was nothing to really look at, although Window tried to take in as much detail as he could all the same. "Are you sure Merlin lives here?" he asked, glancing around. "Do you know if his home is distinctive? And who is this Merlin?" Hopefully Nalo's patience would not run out after hearing the constant stream of questions flowing from Window's mouth.

[Traverse Town::Third District]

Window nodded. Seemed a fair enough assessment on Nalo's part and he agreed that the alley seemed to be the most promising feature of this district. "I think the alley is worth investigation," he conceded, and led the way towards it, taking confident strides. Window was someone who needed direction, a purpose; when he found it, he would dive right in with vigor and zeal, even if he did not express it in outward emotion.

However, in this moment of courage, Window temporarily forgot about the danger that lurked in Traverse Town and the rest of the universe--Heartless. The shadows around the square wriggled as Window reached the center of the Third District...

[ Ϩ Ѳ Ʀ ¥ Ʉ ϑ Ʉ ]

{Ignorance is bliss... until reality throws a Heartless siege at you.}

[Traverse Town : Kuropo's Maze]

From behind the group, a fierce roar could be heard, invigorating the entire group, while at the same time stunning all of the Heartless nearby.

"Sorry for the wait, Suzu!" Soryuju announced as he ran forward, grinning at the woman as he did. "If I had to guess, though, it seems we're nearing the end- that opening beyond them looks rather large."

Indeed, just beyond the remaining Heartless was a large, circular area, likely the center of the maze. Turning his attention back to the Heartless, Soryuju quickly stabbed the stunned Darkball that the Chocobo had just kicked; seemed even the bird knew how to fight. That would definitely come in handy.

He noticed, off to the side, that the Fat Body Heartless was getting to its feet, giving Shade his/her chance to strike.

[[Heartless left: 1 Wyvern, 1 Dark Ball, 1 Fat Body]]