T R I N I T Y L I M I T

// we get 13 trailers for the 13 darknesses

[[ oh my god... I AM A FOOL, YOU’RE RIGHT ]]

nightmareofhope

// I don't believe that the Winnie the Pooh scenes are fully rendered yet since they're definitely missing light and cast shadows.

“Sora–did you mishear me? I say I don’t want it to be sweet… I just don’t like the oversaturation of sugars you get from most other kinds. There is something called ‘too much of a good thing.’” Joshua’s tolerance for sugar just happened to be much lower than others. He preferred a more subtle undertone as opposed to the punch in the face that was many types of treats.

“Dream Eaters are the final answer?” He asked, a slow fox-like smile spreading across his features. “I have a new interesting connection that I’d like to try out. I needed to know for that. Trust me, it’ll make sense to you eventually.”

“I happen to have a fondness for birds, by the way. Especially ravens. In case you were wondering.”

“I heard you... but I dunno, I’ve had plenty of waaay sweeter stuff than custard. I just don’t see why you’re picky ‘bout it.” Sora can only scratch at his head with that. Really, Shibuya’s sweets were pretty tame compared to stuff he’s eaten at Cid’s house in Radiant Garden. Well, that is, if Aerith didn’t put something weird in it.

“They’re just easy since I can’t decide on what animal I like! There’s so many good ones!” Sora nodded to himself at that before leaning a bit closer to his friend, “Connection? Didja make a new friend or somethin’?” He’s not exactly sure what that has to do with animals... Maybe Joshua got a pet? Really all he can do is speculate.

“Well–yes, but Sanae’s pumpkin custard is divine, Sora. It’s sweet without being too sweet.” Joshua tended not to like overly sugary things–Sanae was the only one who knew how to make it just how he liked. It was a travesty. 

Speaking of Christmas… He should really think of something to get Sora. Good thing he already had an idea forming in his mind. Yes… that might work! “Apologies for the sudden topic change but: Sora, do you have a favorite animal? Or do you just like the Meow Wow Dream Eater the most out of everything fluffy?”

“Uh huh... why bother eatin’ custard if you don’t want it to be sweet? I don’t get the fuss...” Not that Sora is a food connoisseur in any respect. As long as it doesn’t taste bad, it sure sounds okay in his book. He won’t deny it doesn’t sound good though; Mr. H might specialize in coffee but his food was pretty darn good too.

“You got over that custard thing pretty quick,” However, that leaves Sora with a dilemma. He never really thought about it; he just liked animals! Is it wrong to say he’s got some affinity towards dogs and ducks? Maybe mice? It’s complicated.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll spot you some regular taiyaki later...” 

“Hah!” He couldn’t help the bark of a laugh that left his lips. He reached up to adjust his shades lightly. How simple… and yet, that did sound exactly like Him. Actually–Megumi had a few bottles of the stuff tucked into the corner of the bar cabinet specifically for when He had a craving for one.

“He does eat mushrooms when no one is looking, you’re not incorrect.” This information was unlikely to truly damage the Composer’s reputation with the boy. He seemed to know… a part of Him very well. Most of it was things that Megumi was already somewhat aware of himself–after serving the Composer for over thirty years by now. 

Megumi had no idea what the Composer wanted with the boy, but it was probably none of his business. The last thing He needed was the Composer to be displeased about him prying into his personal affairs–no matter how curious he might be about them. It wouldn’t be professional…and he still deeply wished to place his trust in Him. He truly did.

“Considering how surprised you were to see me in here, I surmise that He has never talked about me.” Which…admittedly stung for a reason Megumi couldn’t define. But it shouldn’t have.

The sudden laugh is enough to have a smile creep across Sora’s face. Even if it was just normal Joshua things, at least Megumi could find some humor in his antics. They definitely must be friends then! 

“I knew it...” Sora can’t help, but mumble that to himself. Why even bother hiding it?! Maybe he should pick some up once things were said and done. However, it was really awkward when he pointed out how Sora didn’t know him. Then again, he could almost say the same for this Megumi guy either, but Sora didn’t even know Joshua had many friends besides Neku and the gang. 

Joshua not talking about Sora seemed likely just because technically Sora wasn’t supposed to “exist” in Shibuya... or something complicated like that. Joshua not talking about Megumi... definitely weirder. They couldn’t have had some argument because this guy said they were friends... Unless it was a Riku situation. Hm.

That… was actually something of a possibility. Megumi would never accuse the Composer of being too forward about something… but… would He really be so underhanded as to invite someone over a full 30 minutes before He would be free just so that he could encounter Megumi (for whatever possible reason He might have. Clearly, Megumi was not playing on the same level as Him).

“That’s likely because He will also be here soon. It’s a convenient place to wait.” Though, if Megumi was being entirely truthful, the Dead God’s Pad did belong to the Composer. In the same way that the rest of Shibuya did. He didn’t want to explain this, however. Actually, there was something that he wanted to know from this boy now that he was calming down a little.

“How much do you know about Joshua, Sora?” It’d be nice to know just what he was dealing with here. “There’s no need to hide anything He told you in secret–it’s something I probably already know. As one of His…oldest friends.”

“Guess so... There’s definitely an atmosphere ‘n here that’s kinda calmin’.” Sora mumbled as slipped the glass pane back into its proper spot. It was warm in here too, besides the unsavoriness of the sewer just outside its doors.

“You’re really hittin me hard with these...” Sora found himself sighing. How much did he know? Well, a lot and a little at the same time. Joshua told him that in the past, but he knew the things he liked and the things he disliked. His backstory, however, was a little bit more shrouded in mystery. He wasn’t exactly the type to go around leaving reports for people to find in some bookshelf.

That also left something else for Sora to ponder. One of his oldest friends? Did he mean like... because he’s old? Sora pursed his lips tighter at that. If he was an old friend, how come the name Megumi never came up? Then again, it wasn’t really like Joshua to talk much about the destruction of Shibuya before Sora and Riku restored it... or much of what it as like in the past.

Wait-- was she taller than he remembered? Maybe. For some reason he did feel a lot shorter than he remembered. It’s only a thought for a split section before he’s getting his just desserts. Good thing he’s used to a Heartless or two pummeling, but it’s all in light fun anyway. Her grip definitely is strong, and the fist grinding into his head is definitely friendly. Despite being assaulted this way, he can’t help but grin too.

You know for someone who fights Heartless constantly that pop out of nowhere, you’d think he would be a little bit more on guard? Not that he’s gonna step out of the way in the first place of something simple like that. It’s definitely a nice gesture from Nicole.

“Yes,” he stated bluntly, balling up the rag in his hand and tossing it into the sink. He’d already put the shot glasses in the sink by the time Sora had arrived, he still just needed to clean them. Which he would get to right now. Keeping busy would keep his mind off some of the worse things he could be pondering.

“If you know Joshua as well as you seem to, then you should know that He keeps things secret for a reason.” Even if the reason was unfathomable to him, he must accept this. “Megumi Kitaniji.”

Sora can only continue to frown at that kind of response. Really it just made him wonder more what kind of things the two of them got up to... especially if Joshua was friends with this guy. He wasn’t anything close to Mr. H in comparison or even Neku, Beat, Shiki and Rhyme. Somehow though something told him he might get along with Riku.

“Yeah... Doesn’t really stop me from askin’. I can’t really complain that much if I’ve got secrets of my own.” Sora brushed his hands free of whatever feed residue was cling to them before he twisted the fish food cap back into place. Even if Sora wanted to try to be as honest and forward as he could, Joshua definitely was a more prickly sort. At least this guy was kind enough to look out for his feelings... Now Sora felt a bit bad prying in the first place.

“…” Megumi didn’t reply at first, getting out a rag to start wiping down the counter. It wasn’t as if he was drunk enough to not clean up after himself in some way. No. He was going to clean this fucking counter and then he’d be done with it. And then he could start thinking of when he could go home. 

Which would be after the Composer came out and retrieved this Sora person. It would likely take him a bit longer to finish up the half of the paperwork he would then shove onto Megumi to finish. Which he would. And then he’d be home an entire hour later than he wanted to be.

“Unfortunately for you, I doubt He would want me to share His secrets,” he answered him, continuing to clean the counter of any residue. “If you want answers, you’ll have to get them from Him.”

So much for that. What was with this place and their secrets? Or maybe just everyone who knew Joshua was involved in that? It definitely would make sense now that Sora really thought about it. Either way, it wasn’t like Sora was one to talk about holding secrets. Instead, he’l just purse his lips with a pout staring down at the fish gathering towards the clump of food he dumped into the tank.

Megumi was going to completely and utterly ignore the sewer comment. He wouldn’t rise to it. He wouldn’t even acknowledge it.

“I’ll get it.” He walked behind the bar again and leaned down to open one of the drawers, pulling out a container of food tablets for his beloved fish. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he should be willing to put up with someone the Composer trusted–his own feelings be damned. 

Of course, that didn’t mean he’d have to actually like him or anything. He could silently wish to be left alone all he wanted.

He reached across the counter and placed the container in front of the boy. “The pane beside the dartboard slides to the left. You can sprinkle in a few pinches there. Don’t overfeed them.”

Sora leaned forward, inspecting the container just for a second before eagerly grabbing it. He didn’t particularly bother to inspect it, considering he would just be dumping them inside the tank in a few minutes anyway.

“Alright, you got it!” With that note, he bounced off the stool heading exactly where the other man instructed. He crouched down low to the floor, balancing himself on his toes while carefully sliding the pane as instructed. Once it was gone, he made sure to quickly unscrew the cap.

“They are,” Megumi gave him something of a nod and got to his feet. The bottles needed to be taken care of otherwise he’d just keep getting tempted by them. He gathered up a few and walked them over to the garbage can behind the bar. “I designed this entire pad, actually.”

He’d take the garbage out later, for now, he set about collecting the last bottle he hadn’t had room in his arms to carry. His grip was firm and the fact that he was being watched by a complete stranger made him more reluctant to steal another drink. He didn’t want him to say anything to the Composer. The fact that he’d seen the first mad swig wasn’t occurring to Megumi right now.

“If you’re bored, you may feed them.” He’d… maybe forgotten to do that while he’d been distracted with that existential angst earlier. He should really get better control of that. It was a little ridiculous. 

“Really? Huh, I wouldn’t have guessed.” Sora blinked staring around the room itself, “Dunno why you’d wanna stick it ‘n a sewer then.” It was dark besides the lights illuminating from the aquariums and with a few of the lights surrounding the place. Just from that alone he could kind of tell why the guy designed it that way. He idly watched the man collecting the few bottles scattered around and part of Sora should’ve maybe offered to help. It must be a lonely job after all. However, once he brought up feeding the fish the thought of help swept away with the tide.

FOOD GIVES YOU ENERGY TO GO ON SAID ADVENTURES YOU’RE A GROWING BOY YOU NEED TO EAT