ᵖʳᶦᶰᶜᵉ ᵒᶠ ᵃᶫᵐᵃ ᵗᵒʳʳᵃᶰ

He’s not accustom to getting mail in this world, so when a package arrives, it catches the magi off guard. Eagerly, he opens it to find a strange, piece of equipment and a note attached to it, congratulating him on becoming a citizen. The confusion clear on his face is never masked, as fingers tap against the keys in order to figure out just what this is. 

“A...shellphone?” No, not a shellphone, but something akin to it for sure. And what was this texting? Best try it out.

 [text: all contacts ] h wo does this work it’s me all dinner

Wait....that didn’t look right. Time to panic.

[text: all contacts ] I MEANSDJI

And there it goes, flying out of his hands. Goodbye, cellphone.

Last time… well, last time, his heart was the one that made the wish upon a shooting star. That was a roller coaster full of questions and emotions, but something his heart will never forget. “Same with me. Though, I guess it would apply to this wish too.” For whomever Xion was, an important person to Roxas, to be happy.

“Heh, aren’t we not suppose to tell? If we do, then our wish won’t come true.” Of course, Sora was just teasing the other just a bit before giving a wide smile. “I honestly just wish for everyone to find their own happiness. Thinking back with everyone I’ve met, I feel like something was missing. Even if I don’t know the specifics, you can’t really go wrong with your own happiness. Guess it does sound kind of silly.” He couldn’t help but laugh lightly at himself.

“What about you Aladdin? I told you my wish, now it’s your turn.”

“Huh??” Could it be? Could they have really made the same wish? It sounded like it, and judging by what he knew of Sora’s character so far, it was very likely. There’s similarities that he had picked up on with their first encounter; ones that reminded him of a dear friend. It had brought him comfort then, and it would now. So to hear they’d wished for the same thing...well, it made the magician smile. Though, something tells him Alibaba’s wish would involve treasure of some sort along with it.

“No, it’s…” She covers her face with her hand, nausea rising within her stomach. “…the plants hanging everywhere, they have some sort of mind-altering effect…” If she went outside again she ran the risk of passing beneath another. She would have to teleport, but with her head swimming like this she wouldn’t be able to focus. Her other hand joins the first, pressing on her eyes as she breathes in and out, trying to quell her disgust.

     ⇀ ʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ ʜᴀᴅ ɴᴏ ɪᴅᴇᴀ, ᴛʜɪs ᴘᴏᴏʀ ᴋɪᴅ. Lin watches as he drops the smile, expression growing increasingly blank while hers remains rigid like the rock she couldn’t move. Was it still stealing if he didn’t know what he was doing? Yes. But also, no…? There had been essays written about this, and Lin knew them well. Intent, guilt, liabilities - it was a long list with a host of discourse to match. In any case, this boy wasn’t culpable. Not unless he was acting, though Lin dismisses the thought.

“Last I checked, fruit needs to be bought, ” she says gruffly, waving away his little peace offering. Reaching down to retrieve a small coin pouch, Lin takes a few of the gold pieces and weighs them in the palm of her hand. Handing them to the placid shop keeper, she selects an apple and takes a bite, proving she wasn’t entirely opposed to the kid’s suggestions.

“So they’re sweet and free at home. Why is that?” Although the subject matter grows lighter, Lin has an easy time at keeping her stern - though not unkind - demeanor. It would have been different if the boy were rude. But he wasn’t; in fact, he seemed to be trying his best to be polite and Lin couldn’t fault him for that. Respect was hard-earned and too often neglected by those his age.

Another bite of the apple. “Were you royalty?” Lin suspected the experiment negated any sort of title like that when it threw all the participants together in such a strange city, yet maybe it helped the cittazens cope, holding onto some piece of their past lives.

He watches her carefully, making note of his advice succeeding. It brings a smile to his face to see her grab the fruit, and makes for excellent conversation...had it not been for her questions. 

Royalty, was something Aladdin had always found strange. Though he was considered the prince of Alma Torran, one couldn’t be royalty to a lost world, now could they? Being a Magi wasn’t considered royalty, at least what he thought, but it was more akin to it than just normal ranking in society. In any given case, Aladdin never cared for titles. As long as he could protect the world he loved and the people he cared about, then he could be given any title that society deemed fit. 

“Not exactly,” He takes another bite of the watermelon, taking the time to enjoy the sweetness as it passed his taste buds. “I’m a Magi. We’re not royalty, but in my world, we’re important I suppose.. Important enough to get free food at least!” 

He takes a look at the shopkeeper, noting the irritated features that ran across his face. It’s clear they’re not welcome to mingle for too much longer, but just where would they go? Aladdin didn’t know, but if this woman was new, perhaps he could show her what he knew of the city. 

  《۞》⁓ Widened oculars peer with intent at the smaller being, who’s presence was felt immediately upon arrival. Despite their well-documented rivalry, Judar didn’t anticipate ever reuniting with the other magi–at least, not under the same conditions. Whilst his hope had gradually subsided towards ever escaping the city–nor did he desire to actively look for outings–he felt a subtle restraint. His subconscious mind curbing his impulsive tendencies, unraveling balled fists and quelling his nigh unparalleled bloodlust. An impending rematch could wait. There were dire questions that he felt compelled to ask the prodigal sorcerer of creation.

“I’ve been here for several years now, shorty,” nonchalantly stated, keeping orbs fixated on the boy’s movements. However, this Aladdin wasn’t necessarily as ‘short’ as the ones he’d met in Hive City. Not one for formalities, Judar spoke rather candidly. “…yet you’ve been able to remember our previous encounter. Doesn’t that tell you something, Aladdin? That this reality we exist in is far greater than meets the eye?” a moment of silence as he gathered his thoughts.

“Say, I never got the chance to ask.   I’ve been told that you are responsible for Hakuryuu’s ‘redemption’.   Is this true?”

Greater isn’t the term he would use. Though he’s met and made new friends, the lack of power he’d been given was concerning. Especially now that he knew Judar had been dragged in. Something tells him that he should have picked up on this long before now; that the abnormality of masses of black rukh should have caught his attention. There’s no room to discipline himself about that now, as the next few words that fell from Judar’s lips took him back.

Redemption. Could he mean...Hakuryuu’s depravity? Or perhaps the ex-emperor in general? They’d spent time together yes, and in that he’d seen Hakuryuu change, but redemption? It wasn’t possible - or at least it wasn’t when he had left. Black rukh didn’t seem to disappear entirely from a person. It’s then that he remembers the promise he’d made to Mogamett all those years ago.

To find a way to change black rukh back into white. 

He clutched the staff in his hands, eyes narrowing in on the other magician. “He’s changed, but not in the way you’re talking about.”

In all honesty, he hadn’t thought this through at all. Part of his wanted to be selfish; to ask for certain things that had become lost to reappear, but that wouldn’t do at all. No, he’d wish for something everyone would like, and that would be that. Happiness, seemed to be just that. If he could wish for everyone in the world to find their own happiness, then that would be enough, even if it was impossible.

Nodding, he turned to Sora with a bright smile. “I did. It’s a little different than the last time I wished for something, though.” 

“Try looking at it from my perspective. A stranger approaches you quietly. They don’t even try to make conversation; just stare. They even try leaning on you. When one connects the dots it feels suspicious. I hope you can learn from it and not do it again.”

Some people in this city weren’t quite so understanding. Daylen hoped this would save Aladdin from future trouble.

“Oh, that’s my stave resting on my back. I’m glad you didn’t lean into it instead. It lets out cold air and is rather solid. Winter’s Breath here helps me to cast spells.”

The Warden takes the stave from his back, now holding it out with his right hand. If they had been curious then they could’ve just asked instead.

All of that advice falls on deaf ears the moment a staff is mentioned. The excitement rushed to his expression, even before the other had explained what powers it possessed. So it was a magic tool as well then? Which meant one thing - this man had to be a magician. Ah, how Aladdin wished he’d had his own staff to show as well. Though it couldn’t spew cold air, the vines on the very tip of it could expand and grow with just the slightest bit of life magic. 

Cole is quite glad to be acknowledged, even more so to hear a reply to his advice. He walks companionably beside the teen, not feeling vulnerable in the least. The stranger has a kind voice, he trusts that.

❝Oh.❞  Disappointment is heavy in his tone as he murmurs the word. Far away places wouldn’t usually deter the spirit, but seeing as they were trapped to an odd city, he isn’t sure how to sound optimistic. At the very least, he can answer the other’s questions.

❝Yes, my mind is taking a walk as well.❞  he nods in solidarity. Even if his own thoughts are easy to chase after, the fact of the matter is that his thoughts revolve around other people. To name the most important of people would be to name anyone in need of compassion.

He mulls over his answer for a moment and allows the silence to creep upon them, if only for a short while. It takes little time for him to turn his gaze toward the stranger once more, his expression strained as he searches for the right words.

❝I think I’ve caught up with it now.❞  he waits a beat, looking at the other expectantly while still allowing him to analyze those words. Only when he suspects the boy is close to understanding does Cole lower his head, voicing his suspicions.  ❝That far, far away place is bothering you, isn’t it? I can help… but we have to stay here and fix it.❞

There’s silence in the wake of his words. A numbing silence that Aladdin feels goes on for far too long. Hesitation is the first emotion to come to the magi. Is his own world, any talk of Alma Torran would have raised suspicion or confusion - but what about here? He doubted people knew of it, let alone cared.Yet here this boy stood, proving the latter wrong. 

Though, he wouldn’t say he cared about that world just yet, but there’s certainly something in his voice. It leaves Aladdin curious, enough so that he’ll accept this help. 

Besides, he’d rather spend an evening with a friend than alone with his dreams again. 

A smile tugged at the magician’s lips, showing approval. “It’s been bothering me for years, but I haven’t told anyone about it.” The most he’s shed on his former home was the fate he had suffered all those years ago, and that, was to stop it from occurring in his world. Even then, it had been announced late and had earned him a severe scolding from his best friend. 

Where should he start, though? It’s hardly something that can just be jumped right into. Maybe the dreams - if that’s what he could call them - those would be perfect. The expression he wore turned solemn, as feet traveled to the nearest railing. Though it was overlooking nothing more than a dimly lit park, Aladdin felt comfortable enough to speak.