Sora's the only one who can save everyone. Riku might be a master, but he knows that too, I think. But after the exam... [He glances away.] He has to build up his strength again. Can you help him? He needs someone strong.
[ Roxas asks her to help, and tells her she's strong, and Aqua's throat suddenly feels tight. She's spent so long in the darkness, faced with her own failures and her weaknesses, so long dwelling on the fact that she couldn't save the people she loves more than anything. Aqua takes a breath. ]
Of course I'll help him, Roxas. [ She squeezes his shoulders gently. She may have fallen into the darkness, away from the realm of light and unable to lend her help, but here... Here, she can do something that matters. ] I'll talk to him.
[Nodding, Roxas manages a smile.] Thanks. I don't know if he'd want me to help, so you're the only one I can ask. There's not a lot of us Keybearers here, and I don't have the powers he does.
[The power to awaken hearts seems to be Sora's alone.]
But if you need something to have him practice with, I can summon my Nobodies.
[He tries to smile, looking away instead when it doesn't work so well.]
I dunno. Sometimes I feel like it. I know he wants his friends here. I'm just his other half, and I used to hate him. [He shakes his head.] I don't anymore! I like him a lot! It's hard not to.
[A natural people person... so unlike Roxas, who would rather observe than interact sometimes.]
He's good with people. He knows how to bring out their good sides. He can even make stubborn or sad people smile. [Which is a gift. Are we sure Sora isn't a princess?] A girl?
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Sora is safe here. And back home... he has so many people to make sure he stays safe. You, more than anyone.
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No. I can't do anything... I'm just in his heart. The only way we can talk is if he's dreaming. I can't help keep him safe like that!
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You can protect his heart, just by being there.
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If he gets taken as a vessel, I can't save him. I'd rather be by his side and fight than just waiting...
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[ She puts her hands on his shoulders. ]
No one will allow Xehanort to take Sora. I promise you that.
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... But he almost got him once. Through Sora's dreams. What if he tries that again?
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[ Just slightly, her hands tighten on Roxas's shoulders. ]
Even if... I can't be there, Sora is important to so many people, isn't he? To Riku, and all his other friends.
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Of course I'll help him, Roxas. [ She squeezes his shoulders gently. She may have fallen into the darkness, away from the realm of light and unable to lend her help, but here... Here, she can do something that matters. ] I'll talk to him.
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[The power to awaken hearts seems to be Sora's alone.]
But if you need something to have him practice with, I can summon my Nobodies.
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[ Ah. ]
If it's not a strain, I would like that.
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[Sora might have a big heart, but Roxas knows Sora. Sora would want to spend all his time with his friends. It's fine.]
It doesn't strain me. I'll be fine.
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[ Her voice is soft, and she looks at Roxas, concerned. ]
I don't think you're a replacement, Roxas.
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I dunno. Sometimes I feel like it. I know he wants his friends here. I'm just his other half, and I used to hate him. [He shakes his head.] I don't anymore! I like him a lot! It's hard not to.
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Aqua nods. ]
It is, isn't it? Sora's a natural people person. Even when he was young, he was always so bright. It almost reminded me of a girl I met.
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He's good with people. He knows how to bring out their good sides. He can even make stubborn or sad people smile. [Which is a gift. Are we sure Sora isn't a princess?] A girl?
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