❥ ❛ DANCING STARS ON ME »

     ❛❛ You think it would be that early? ❜❜

     UNFAMILIAR WITH THE trials of a L’Cie, whether a grace period was provided was unsure. Some may have embraced eternity a few days following the granting of their focus. Others may have endured weeks, months, years. And he prays it’s the latter, providing some time for him to potentially reverse its effects, for her to develop mentally, to convince the Fal’Cie to reconsider their decision. She is but a child, a premature pawn — untried, unmarred. Perhaps they regarded that as advantageous. Humans would never thoroughly understand a divine machine’s intent.

He slows his steps, matches his pace to her own. Comparing the pallor of skin would serve little purpose; he’d been bronzed and torn by nature, the difference was stark. It would be difficult to discern the quality of her health by that alone. Whether it was the ill effects of the brand itself or another ailment, he was unsure.

     ❛❛ Are you scared? ❜❜

               ❛     I'm not sure... from what I’ve heard, time changes from people to people. I may have years... to hours. it’s a mystery.     ❜     she speaks, a frown taking cover of her expression. for someone who is usually so CHEERFUL && ENERGETIC—— it’s a wonder that when face to face with their fears, an attitude can change DRAMATICALLY. lids close for a few moments, her hands dropping at the sides of her body & a sigh leaving her. 

     is she really SCARED? yes, she should probably be scared. but what is there to LOSE? her family had been turned to dust & Kairi had been lost for ages before meeting her guardian. he had offered her a HOME in the outside world; a home she could have never ACHIEVE by herself. one she would have never even dreamed of, if it hadn’t been for the fact that it existed by his side.     ❛     A LITTLE...     ❜     she mumbles. slightly moving her head up, so her eyes are able to meet his, she speaks again:      ❛     My brand hasn’t changed in days... but from the way it looks... I may still have some time left. The last few arrows are starting to appear... maybe three, four. I HAVE NO CLUE.    ❜     

     all of this, assuming that Kairi will indeed fulfill her cursed FATE as a l’Cie. there’s always the other way... a way she prefers not to even think about. for if it truly happens, a BEAST would appear in the place of herself. a pure, kind-hearted & free soul would turn to something much darker & hate-filled. the child shaked her head in an attempt to push all of the bad thoughts AWAY, right before she turns to ask:

     while taking a step forward, there’s a hand that comes to rest atop of the girl’s shoulder:

               ❛     PLEASE!! I beg of you!! If you have seen them, tell me where you last saw them. I need to find both Riku & Sora. My master told me that he needed to SEE them as soon as possible & I was offered the task of FINDING them.     ❜     the guardian explains.

It was only darkness that surrounded her: clogging her sight, hearing, and even restricting her breathing, she gasped for air as she became panicked, she hoped that she would make it out of this darkness alive. She couldn’t leave the people she loved behind, especially in a place where they wouldn’t be able to find her lifeless remains. She was scared, but then as quick as the darkness came over her, a bright light appeared, and she lay on a warm surface under her. 

Her eyes were closed tightly; she was afraid to open them, afraid what she would be facing when she awoke. Slowly but surely her eyes opened, and she saw the warm gritty sand that laid under her hand, and as she lifted her head she saw the shining sea that was making its waves upon the shore. She got up on her feet, slowly, and walked towards it; she smelled the fresh beachy air as she watched the water…

     like most of the time, as Kairi left the secret place between the rocks of the PLAY ISLAND in her home, the sun was starting to go down, the rays hitting her eyes once she stepped outside the room. despite que NOSTALGIC memories that place offered, the princess could only truly feel her heart at EASE when she was there. dreams would become reality, wishes would turn to promisses & sadness would be replaced by eternal joy. after rubbing her eyes & opening her mouth ( that was imediately covered by her hands ) to let out a yawn, the auburn teenager stretched her back before walking out of her hiding SPOT.

     much to her SURPRISE, the beach wasn’t empty. not far from where she was, the figure of a girl — maybe just a few inches shorter than her— had been spotted. as soon as indigo hues ANALYZED the girl as a whole, a conclusion had been formed: SHE IS NOT FROM THE ISLANDS. that led to Kairi’s next action:     ❛     HEY!! HEY!! MISS!!     ❜     she calls out, her feet moving faster && faster to the point she was RUNNING.

     there’s a SIGH that escapes her small lips; there’s no hiding her concern. her fear. Kairi is but a LITTLE BABY who had been forced to GROW UP on an impossible pace.

               ❛     Do you think I’m... getting closer...? To completing my FOCUS?     ❜     she asks.

                     ❛     WANNA. GO?     ❜ 

                      ❛     You did all this... all by yourse—— that!! That’s AMAZING!!     ❜     like a child, Kairi finds herself unable to speak properly. as funny as that sounds.

     there’s a SMILE tugging at the corners of her lips as she turns her head slightly to the right so she can face the blonde;     ❛     From where I come from... I could NEVER imagine such a beauty would be found in a castle. I was surrounded by SAND && OCEAN all my life. It’s the first time I see ice! SNOW!! All things cold... I’m... truly amazed & pleasantly surprised.     ❜    

     the light hearted princess inquires, her tone as GENTLE & SWEET as always. after all, she knew very well how it felt when friends are AWAY; more like when you lose them. that’s when she remembers there was something she didn’t do that she should’ve done——— { GASP!!!

                       ❛     This is so RUDE of me!! I’ve asked for your friend’s name but not yours!                        Nor have I INTRODUCED myself! The name’s Kairi!! Nice to meet you!!     ❜

     && you can hear that in her voice; through the way she speaks. in her AURA, through the glow of her petite existance as she stands there; full of GRACE.

               ❛     My name’s Kairi!!     ❜     she cheers.     ❛     NICE TO MEET YOU!!     ❜    

     Kairi knew very well that watching from a game from sidelines was just as TEDIOUS & AWFUL, but to step in so quickly on to the FIELD... shaking her head one last time, the princess takes a step back before asking again:     ❛     Just how sure are you that I am already capable of handling myself on the OUTSIDE of this tower? Do you really trust me that much?! What will MASTER Yen Sid think of this?!     ❜

     as the little girl hurried towards the guardian of light, (— & despite of her heavy breathing), there was a large smile in her slim lips and she is steady on her feet. once she’s just a few feet away, the auburn child comes to a stop & speaks once again:     ❛     You’ve come by again!! I didn’t think I would see you soon!!                                Gran'ma sure told me you would return...                   BUT... ❜

        ❝ I’m not being silly, Kairi. This is a life or death situation,            and you’re feeding me to the… to the… ❞

A frown. Well—? They’re not dogs! For the love of Yen Sid’s beard, Sora likes dogs! No, no, but she’s totally right. Going to school, attending class, staying awake in class, it’s all so much worse than a nightmare. See, he’s seen nightmares and—her laughter collides with his train of thought, derailing it entirely. The beginnings of a smile are just coming together, but it’s stifled in favor of resuming his act, heaving a long sigh and making as if he’s hauling himself after her by his tie. Y’know, complete with the gagging and eye rolls, tongue and all.

               ❛     Sounds like someone’s a little SCARED of their return to High School.     ❜ she mumbles, hands being placed by each side of her hips, a gentle smile appearing upon her lips.

     her LAUGH———— , graceful && melodic as always.

     BEFORE continuing her walk, the light-hearted princess turns around on her heels & there’s a slim hand that comes to rest atop of the boy’s shoulder.     ❛     COME ON, it’s not going to be that hard. You’ve faced things that are A LOT WORST than having to spend a day sitting at a desk listening to teachers speaking.     ❜     she speaks, doing her very best to motivate him and cheer him on through a new day. a much calmer one, ACTUALLY.

               ❛      NOEL—— !! Finally I’ve FOUND you!! Where did you go?! I was so worried that… THAT… that— you wouldn’t get me my BRACELET!!     ❜      she lies with every little TEETH in her mouth; even if she’s quite aware that someone like the hunter WOULDN’T BUY her cheap excuse.

     when she notices his STOMPING towards her, indigo hues open WIDE just as her lips do the same & there’s a GASP that escapes the child ( well, she knew that Noel had told her countless times not to wander alone without him — this time… she did get lost, there was no denying that—  even if that damaged her ego. just a little ) ANOTHER SOMETHING was for sure at that moment: the petite beast wasn’t prepared for what would come next.

     upon finding herself in between Noel’s arms, she stars asking for help !! before even realizing it, Kairi’s squeaking & COMPLAINING, her legs danglingfrom where she’s standing. how she disliked being so little when compared to him. it wasn’t fair at all that her guardian got to be much taller & even physically stronger than her.

     NONETHELESS, in the matter of a few seconds, her voice lowered & Kairi actually leaned against his CHEST & SHOULDER, her own arms wrapping around the area of his neck as a content smile reached her lips.

      // there is a smile playing in the sides of the light hearted princess’ lips. her voice, eternally KIND && MELODIC, is heard with a slight hint of mischief. and oh!! how she missed the juvenile shenanigans of her spiky haired best friend.