star_kingdom | 012 ♠ video

( Locked from Hades, Icy, Ciel & Sebastian; Leon doesn't trust any of 'em. 8| )

We can't wait anymore.

[The look on Leon's face is grave and it looks like he's got a slip of paper in his other hand. The seal of the King is on it and there's an equally grave message within; each of the keyblade bearers -- Kairi, Ventus, Aqua, and Terra -- should have gotten one, as well.]

Each time something happens, it's gotten worse. We were still reeling from the attack on Disney Castle, and now this mist has chipped away at our stability. Our enemy is ruthless. We can't wait to regain our footing. The time to act is now.

[He holds up the letter, showing it to the network.]

I received a letter from the King. There's something out there, an entity unlike anything we've ever fought before. A terrible and great darkness... The King says he's not sure if even the keyblades can stand up against it. But he does know that it's fueling Maleficent with her power. That's why she's been able to cast spells that affect every world in our kingdom here.

If this... thing is just continuing to give Maleficent her power, we don't have any time to lose. We need to organize an attack while we have a chance. I'm going to need the keyblade bearers to help lead this. The World That Never Was is massive and filled with Heartless and who knows what other creatures. We can't just charge in as one big group. We need a plan.

I need to know who wants to help and what you can do so I can prepare. In three days, we'll hold a meeting in Radiant Garden at the town square. We'll make a plan then.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Leon lets out a sigh, pocketing the letter and the communicator.]

Tell me about it... [He turns to face her.] So. What about you? [Naturally, Leon wants her to stay away from Maleficent's castle, where it's at least safer, but he knows better. He's seen her handle knives and he doesn't want one of them flung at him to prove she can take care of herself.]

I'll fight. [You're damned right you don't want her throwing knives at you.]

You're too rash to be left fighting alone.

Too rash? [He crosses his arms, frowning.] I can manage just fine. I've learned my lesson about being rash. [And he has the scar to prove it smack dab in the middle of his face.]

Either way, I feel more sorry for whatever gets in the way of your aim.

This is coming from the guy who jumped on a gummi ship to try and save a very pretty girl without checking if she was still there. [She had to add the pretty part. She's drawling in her town in tease.]

What would you call that, Leon?

Hey, you fell unconscious. What was I supposed to do, wait and yell at you until you woke up? You could have been hurt by then. That's not a risk I was willing to take.

It's still considered a rash move. You could have gotten hurt too. Glad you didn't.

Fine, that one instance was rash. [How come you never let him win, Mai? 8|] It takes more than some mist and facing my fears to take me down. At least you didn't have to deal with it for very long.

[He can go without seeing Mai's fears or having her suffer from them; he almost wonders if she even has any.]

[Believe it or not, she does. But she's still not going to let you think she has a weakness.]

Regardless, count me in. I want to be on your team.

Then you're in. [He pauses, holds up a finger to say 'one sec', then heads back over into his room to retrieve a card with Mai's name signed on the back. Even if she never came back, he wanted to keep the card with him to remember her by. He holds it out to her, a cool smile replacing his usual Leon smirk.]

Welcome back to the Restoration Committee, Mai.

[She follows him with her eyes before catching sight of the card. The smirk on his face was sweet so she behaved, nodding her head and taking the car.]

Glad to be back.

[And Leon's glad you're back too-- though he's had a question on his mind. Where do people go when they vanish? Why do some remember what happened before they vanished and some don't?]

By the way. ...Do you remember anything between when you disappeared and came back here?

You mean back in my world? [She stopped to think.]

I remember returning and no one even believing me I was gone. No one even knew what heartless were.

So you went back.

[He crosses his arms, thoughtful.]

Most times, when people leave and come back, they don't remember anything about their time here. It... happened to me once, apparently. No one really knows what happens when you leave. It seems different for everyone and I don't understand why. [Leon shakes his head.] ...But I'm just glad you didn't lose your memory.

And why is that?

[Leon, you're being cute. Look at you being grateful she remembers you.]

What would you have done if I didn't remember you?

[And so comes Leon's inability to properly express his feelings. Again.]

I'd... try to befriend you again. Too many people around here with sugary sweet dispositions. We gotta stick together. [It has nothing to do with the fact that he thinks you're pretty and he likes you too much to just forget about it. Nope.]

[Regardless of the stuff between the lines, his comment makes her smile and laugh.]

You're right. Even if I forgot you, I would still be your friend. Everyone else here is so... annoying.

[His smile twists into a smirk.]

And believe it or not, these guys are nothing compared to my friend, Sora. Just be glad you haven't met him yet.

I don't want to hear it. There's enough problematic people here to begin with.

[And that just gets a laugh.]

Don't worry, if he ever comes around again, I won't introduce you. [...come to think of it, she'd probably hate half the original Restoration Committee.] Just... thanks for not forgetting about me.

Now don't go crying. If you want to give me a hug you can just ask, Leon.

[a.k.a. just come and hug her.]

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