okay kids take out your #2 pencils and magic wands

[prayerless]

Characters: [OU] Aqua and you!
Setting: Floor 20, throughout the week
Format: Starting action, but I'll match!
Summary: After a handwaved voice-only announcement on the network, Aqua finally takes on her apprentices. Keyblade training and magic lessons within! Feel free to just stumble upon her if you are not involved in either class.
Warnings: None, will edit if necessary.

[Getting over the shame of her defeat had been a process. She hadn't even wanted to face her friends, much less the people that trusted her to teach them. She'd been working with some of the magic students on and off as the miseries in the Tower allowed, but after the conflict with Xehanort, all training had been postponed until she could reassemble the pieces of her shattered dignity.

But, it's time for her to own up to her responsibilities again and face all of her pupils, even if she doesn't want them to see the scars that now adorn her face. She's trying to wear them as a sign of her survival. Not as a mark of shame.

Keyword being "trying".

Aqua waits on the open-air twentieth floor, her beginner's aides for magic set up around her and her Keyblade at her side. Hopefully there was still interest in what she had to offer. The least she could do was pass on her knowledge, if she herself wasn't going to use it wisely.]

Comments

And then boom no more floor 20

[endinsentiment]

[He'd seen the announcements on the network, and it was mostly through curiosity, alongside a rather recent boost of ego (everything goes his way, in the end. Everything's dead) that has him seeking out Floor 20 hours before Aqua even enters, situating himself to the side and waiting for her to enter.]

[When she does, the most refreshing sense of loathing fills him. This isn't Ventus, too dimwitted to really understand his fate. It's not Xion either, with her cowardess, her lack of any real anything that gave her even a spot of usefulness.]

[This was Aqua. And as far as he was concerned, right here was an enemy worth hating.]

[A contest.]

Aren't you a sight for sore eyes. [With his helmet on, it's hard to tell where he's looking. But the mask reflects her face, and the fresh scar laid out upon it.]

that'd be a feat considering 20 doesn't even have walls

[prayerless]

[She knows as soon as she steps off the staircase that something is wrong. Someone is here. Someone with overwhelming darkness in their heart.

Stormfall is already in her hand, awaiting use, when she sees him.

It feels like her blood freezes in her veins. Everything is cold with sudden dread and anger, even the fingers that are wrapped around the handle of her trustworthy weapon.

Aqua gives her iciest glare in response, keeping a safe distance from the boy with the mask.] What's that supposed to mean?

[There's a note of suspicion in her voice that says she already has an idea of what he's talking about.]

we still have a ceiling and a floor to fuck over-- and by fuck I mean blow up

[endinsentiment]

[Nice reaction Aqua, truly. Though his own approach is interlaced with Void Gear appearing in his hand, he makes no motion to get within striking range. Either he has something to say, or his ego isn't inflated enough to act stupid.]

[Probably a mix of both.]

Is it really that hard to guess? Come on, Aqua; I thought you could do better than that. [Famous last words to her, or at least they should have been. Now look where they were. Look what she'd acheived.]

[Absolutely nothing. You can't fault him for feeling a tad superior, right now.]

Looks like I was wrong. It's written all over your face.

they're going to get in trouble if they mess shit up

[prayerless]

[Fury flares up within her at his answer. Her mouth pulls into a frown as her free hand rises to set her fingers along the mar on her cheek.

Of all people to see her like this, it just had to be him.]

At least I don't hide behind anything. I'm not a coward.

[Impracticality aside, she could have worn her helmet all the time if she'd really wanted to. But that would have been even more shameful than having her mistake on display.]

[miseris_socios]

[Ken hadn't responded to the post, but he was still curious. He did need to get stronger, especially if he was going to protect the other members of Strega. So it's a cautious Ken who makes his way out to the twentieth floor, looking around to see if there's anyone else there. His spear is gripped tightly in his hand.]

[But he doesn't see anything that looks that out of place, so he relaxes a fraction and walks towards the woman who's standing there.]

[prayerless]

[Aqua turns at Ken's approach. She's not expecting a child -- at least, not this one. She's already met most of the children that take her magic classes.

Still, she offers the boy a smile. He's armed, so he seems to have some kind of fighting experience.]

Hello. Are you here for lessons?

[dragonspooker]

[Aqua, you have a potential student. A curious one. Also slightly annoyed because Shit Keeps Happening in this tower.]

...so what are these keyblade things?

[miseris_socios]

I thought I'd see what these lessons were about.

[Besides, if he could learn magic aside from what Nemesis had... it would be useful, right?]

I'm Ken Amada.

[prayerless]

Well, it's nice to meet you, Ken. I'm Aqua. [Her last post on the network had just been voice -- even though she'd said her name in the recording, it was best to confirm her identity.]

Do you know anything about magic? It'll be easier to teach you if you already have some understanding.

[prayerless]

[She has lots of potential students. Come into her arms.

Aqua looks curiously at the redheaded girl. There are a lot of Keybearers in the Tower. She's probably encountered them before, if she's asking.] The Keyblade is a legendary weapon that's drawn to the strong of heart. Only certain people can wield it.

[miseris_socios]

[He nods, and pulls out his Evoker.]

Don't panic, okay?

[He's had enough of people freaking out. But he presses the Evoker to his forehead and fires, Nemesis appearing in front of him. She directs a Zionga off to the side before disappearing.]

[prayerless]

[She might have panicked if she hadn't had past experience with Persona-users. As it is, she watches, a note of impression on her face. When Nemesis disappears, Aqua redirects her gaze to Ken.]

So you're a Persona-user too? I've met a few of you before. I should be able to teach you, if you want.

[pitiedthefool]

[He'd heard the announcement over the network. Since he was rather curious about it and possibly learning magic that did not require a Persona to use, he decided to at least watch the class.

And watch he did for the first couple days of the week, though Aqua more than likely could sense him no matter how much he hid in the back. After all, his heart was probably a beacon compared to some, shining with a strong light thanks to the bonds he'd already created. Yet while it shined so strongly, it too was home for a void--one of 'limitless potential,' as someone once put it.

Eventually though, Yu approached with katana at his side. There certainly was interest.]

[notagiraffe]

[Taiki's powers still weren't really working fully but he went to meet Aqua nonetheless. He hadn't seen her in a long time. He entered the open area nervously and made his way towards her. His eyes widened in shock as he saw her scars... someone had hurt her...]

[miseris_socios]

You have? Which ones?

[He's curious... and, well. He might have to keep quiet about more things if she met some of the ones that didn't really like Strega that much.]

Good. I need to be at my strongest here.

[With all this shit going on... ugh.]

[sageprincess]

[Despite the time that had passed, and everything that had happened in between, Zelda still clearly remembered the kind blue-haired woman's offer to teach both herself and Link healing magic. Needless to say, Zelda's resolve to learn has not lessened in the slightest.

And yet, she can't help but feel somewhat self-conscious as she stands off to the side of the twentieth floor. It's been so long since she's been a student of anything, really, and more often than not, she's the one dispensing advice and wisdom. Being in the opposite position is... different, to say the least, and she can only hope her station won't complicate matters.

Still, she's here, and she is most definitely interested.]

Sob how did I miss this

[attheclocktower]

[It's been a little while since Vanitas arrived back in the Tower and made his threats. Xion's a fraction of a bit calmer now, though still on edge. And still fully aware that she needs to prepare for whatever he might do. Reno's been helping some, but there's still a part of her that feels more Keyblade training really will help. She needed to know what he would be coming at her with, even if she wouldn't use the same methods to fight back.

Thus, she arrives on Floor 20, glancing a little edgily left and right. She had enough reasons to be nervous of this floor, even if by little more than association.]

Aqua?

Well this was inevitable anyway because dammit Link is thorough

[ocariness]

[ On the one hand, they'd died. On the other hand, Link now had that other eye back which was kind of awesome!

So now they're totally going to enjoy this and just be the most bouncy attentive magic student you have ever had, Aqua. All the eyes, they are on you. ]

Aqua! Hello.

[ It is a good thing Link already has some magic experience. Surely learning to heal others couldn't be too hard? ]

derp

[capax_infiniti]

[Heading up the twisting stairs carefully, someone's got a few books in hand. Or rather, a few books in hand and a few more trailing along telekinetically. He seems to be mumbling in what would probably be some arcane language, but thanks to the power of the keyblade it's easily made out...]

And lo! This dance macabre doth reveal the way! That Light and Dark shall interplay such, and thus the lock release! Our heart, Great One, beating time and life! Unbalanced score, Shadows and Flames, a mighty maelstrom to light the way of truth!

[derping]

[Sora had responded this time, of course, since he knew how to work the terminals now. He was really excited about all of this. Sure, he had been practicing, and he had figured out a few things about fighting and using the Keyblade on his own. He had to, to defend himself against the monsters in this place. But he wanted to know a lot more, and the best way for that to happen was to have someone who knew what they were doing teach him.

Besides, he needed to be ready. He wanted to be able to do more to help his friends when they were in trouble, but right now he was way behind all of them - in more ways than one, but at least this way was one that he could fix.

So he shows up right when he said he would - earlier, in fact - ready and eager to get started.]

Hey, Aqua!

they'll just have to mess each other up, then.

[endinsentiment]

Who's hiding?

[A scoff-- then a thought. Struck with realization; and a growing, malicious sense of retribution. He never really needed to dig deep when it came to Aqua, no.]

[All he ever needed to scare her, hurt her-- anger her. He's always had it right on his person. His words, Ventus' practice blade. He still has one, even now the ace up his sleeve.]

[There's no words, no warning. His free hand reaches up and pulls the mask away, flinging it to the side. He just grins at her. Who needs words?]

[All he has to do, is smile.]

[dragonspooker]

Strong of heart, eh? [S'cuse Lina while she basks in her own ego for a moment.] Well, I certainly qualify for that - where do I get one of these, huh?

[forceless]

I can't believe you still have these...!

[Ven chimed, kneeling down and looking at all of the beginner's aides with a nostalgic grin on his face. Damn it had been a long time!]

[justabignobody]

[Riku might be maybe in a bit of a habit... well not quite to avoid Aqua, but maybe to intentionally keep from crossing her path. Which is totally not the same thing. It's not like there is much to talk about - or anything other than smalltalk to be exchanged and really neither of them needs the resulting awkwardness, especially considering how many people Aqua is teaching.

Except... that there are things to talk now, with Vanitas back, with the connection between him and Ventus, between Ventus and Sora... and with that extending also towards Roxas and Xion. He's promised himself to protect them, has even told Xion as much, but with what little he knows about the time that Vanitas, Ventus and Aqua are from, from what he's heard and seen when Xion had been taken... he might not be able to keep that promise. Not by himself. Maybe not even with Xehanort's powers. Or Naminé's help.

Someone else needs to know about it all of it... or at least some of it. Someone who knows what Vanitas and Xehanort are capable of. Who can help fight them.

With Terra gone, there is only one person he can think to fit that bill.

Reasons why he's approaching the twentieth floor in the evening of the day of her latest announcement, hoping to catch her alone. He wouldn't want to disturb any of her lessons after all.]

i am a month late :|b

[lamentless]

This was going to be embarrassing- he'd already assured himself of that fact. He was going to screw up, he would ask stupid questions, and he would get confused. It was all part of the learning process, and Olette had always told him not to worry about that part, and to focus on the truth.

It was a comforting thought, really, but that didn't make him any less uneasy than he'd been the last time he'd tried this. Oh, well. Maybe if he just focused on one thing he wouldn't completely overwhelm himself...?

[lethechained]

[Naminé... has always had her reasons to hesitate to strengthen her abilities. She's already abused them once. Unwillingly though it was, she still feared and that some day, such a thing would happen again, that some day she'd be too weak to stop.]

[That day came. That day came, and she had been able to do nothing. It wasn't even a matter of caving in to demands on her part, this time - it was something forced upon her despite her utmost effort. There was only one other thing she could have done, but in failing that, she supposes, she could be called weak.]

[But it isn't just that. It's the other things that had happened, too, all of the messes and reminders of the suffering her power could cause. She hesitated for a long time about doing this, about learning even more magic. This, after all, is a different sort... but more than that, she knows much too well that if she can't protect herself, others might suffer to do so themselves. And if, perhaps, Aqua can teach her better control, that might apply to Naminé's own unique abilities, and maybe next time--]

[Well... she hopes there won't be a next time.]

[Naminé steps down the stairs to the twentieth floor, expression grim.]