In the Town of Eternal Night (Open)

It had been a few days since she had reunited with Ven, and the Land of Departure's resident Master decided it was time to visit a few other worlds to see what was going on out in the vastness of space. From the crystal mirror in the Throne Room, she could get an overall sense that something was still amiss in the cosmos. There always seemed to be something amiss, but this was something different. Something dark on the wind that felt strange to her. When she stood on the balcony, looking up at the sky, she could feel it. She'd had her rest. Now it was time to investigate.

The Keyblade Glider soared through the endless space, and Aqua was immediately thrilled to have it back. It felt like an important part of her had been missing until just then. She'd never realized she'd missed it that much. As she flew through the sky she felt a surge of light somewhere in the distance, it was powerful, and irregular, and it was as though fate was giving her vindication for finally getting out and investigating. She approached the world, with it's homey-looking lights and cobbled-brick facade, and she saw the barrier around it. That must be what she had sensed from this world. She couldn't pin point it exactly, but she could feel a strong presence coming from a certain area on the world. That was as good as any place to start looking.

Aqua slowed her glider down, just in case the barrier gave her resistance, but it did not, allowing her to pass through easily. And so, with ease, she swooped down into a plaza centered by a huge fountain, and dismounted, allowing her glider to fly up into the sky and transform back into her Keyblade, which fell back into her hand from the sky. Having landed on a safe world, she dismissed her armor, and looked around. She still couldn't seem to place the strong presence. it was just sort of...everywhere. Like it was more of an atmosphere that had taken residence here. She approached the fountain, looking into the water, clear and blue. "This place seems safe, and inviting..." It was hard to break the habit of talking to herself since returning from the Realm of Darkness, it would seem. "I wonder why I've never seen it before. I'm sure there's lots of places that are different from how they were twelve years ago..." She continued, unaware that another was nearby, just out of view along that same fountain.

A voice came to greet her as she stood there, looking at her reflection in the water. She really didn't look any different than she did all those years ago. But somehow she felt different. She was different. It was a young man's voice, but there was a knowing hint in it that suggested to her that he was more than he seemed. She turned to see the boy. His attire didn't seem to fit the feel of this world. Nor any world she'd been to, in fact, and his face was framed with dirty blond waves that seemed to get away from him here and there. His expression was passive an serene, and she took his hand, a light flush crossing her cheeks and his question. That's what you get for talking to yourself in public, Aqua, you silly girl.

And yet... "Is that a general observation, or one coming from experience?" she responded with a tone somewhere between embarrassed and amused, shaking the hand firmly before releasing it. "I've spent the last several years in...solitude." she offered by way of explanation. It wasn't the whole truth, but it wasn't a lie. No reason to divulge her life story to a stranger like this. "I was flying by when I noticed the barrier that seems to have surrounded this world. I was curious about it. oh!" She scratched the back of her head in embarrassment. When did she get to be so awkward around strangers? It was hard dealing with living people again after all this time.

"Where are my manners. I'm Keyblade Master Aqua. It's nice to meet you." She said firmly, with a sweet, slightly sheepish smile on her face. Maybe she was better off talking to herself...

Aqua liked to count herself among the more well-mannered and reserved people she knew. She always tried to be polite and kind, and avoid judgement when she was able to do so, but when this boy looked her over and made a quip about her lack of fashion sense, Aqua felt a rush of adrenaline warm her veins, and a faint flush crossed her cheeks. She looked oddly at the boy in front of her, her brows twisting up in self-consciousness. She had been in a dark place for several years. It was possible that her outfit may be a little... outdated but...

The blond walked around her, continuing to look her over. She hadn't realized that she'd brought her hands up to rest defensively in front of her chest, or that her legs were shifting nervously under his scrutiny. When he had finished, he introduced himself as Joshua. "Nice to meet you...Joshua." She replied warily, a note of indecision in her voice. She had every intention of rebuffing the snarky young man until he started walking way, and offhandedly added. "oh, and the Barrier, that was my doing."

Her feet were instantly following after him then, still a little bit flushed, but eager to snatch the opportunity to change the subject to something more worthy of discussion. As she came up behind him, she responded to the statement, "You created the Barrier? That's rather impressive magic for one so young. You're not just an ordinary boy are you?" She asked shrewdly, putting the conversation back on him, rather than her out-dated Attire.

The boy danced around her question, turning it into a question in turn, but it wasn't the absence of an answer, she acknowledged. She had to admit that the fact that he'd created that barrier pretty much assumed that he was not "ordinary" by any means. Her question was mostly rhetorical, anyway. The fact that he didn't directly address it meant he had this kind of conversation often. She folded her arms as she followed, replying in kind. "It's alright if you don't want to tell me. But...what sort of power is it that creates that barrier? is it magic? some manifestation of the Heart?" She asked, looking up again. It was hard to notice the barrier now that it was up. The stars still peeked through, but every once in a while, you caught a glimpse in the way the starlight refracted off the thin shell. It was pretty. 

Still looking up, Aqua heard his next question, taking a moment to turn to him. Had everyone met Sora and Riku now? had they been Everywhere? As if her shame couldn't be deeper. She should have been here, fighting the darkness. Instead, these children had to fight the battle in her stead. She'd been careless...too careless. Aqua quickly stashed the pained look that had crossed her face away and gave an embarrassed smile back to Joshua. "Sora? yes, I met him once when he was very young. I've been away for some time. It seems he's become quite the wielder in my absence." She'd hoped he hadn't caught that worry in her eyes, but she could already tell that not much got past this young-looking boy's observance. What had she gotten herself into here?