Stars in the Darkness: Avira

Stars in the Darkness: Avira
Date of Scene:	20 December 2012
Location:	Rabanastre
Synopsis:	With the weight of Manhattan's fall upon and a parasitic darkness left in her heart by LEXUS, Avira takes a quiet moment to look to the stars for strength. Much to her surprise, an emerald star answers, baring none other than King Mickey himself.
Cast of Characters:	Avira, King Mickey

---

Avira has posed:
Night has settled over the great city of Rabanastre. While the merchant activity has finally ceased, the occasional rambunctious party in the taverns or guild halls remain. The Archadian guards stationed here continue to partrol the streets, ever vigillant for any Heartless threat that may breach the walls. Tales of a beast have spread throughout and although it has never approached the city proper, the fear remains.

Fortunately, this beast was not rumored to fly, allowing another beast to 'infiltrate' the city easily enough by air.

The dark form of Avira lands atop one of the tallest buildings of the city silently. Right away, she draws her feathered wings to her, folding them tightly to her back. From here, she had a spectacular view of Rabanastre she's never been afforded. At least this new form had...some advantages.

Yet as she gazes upon Rabanastre, sadness fills her heart. Clan Dagda had been "abandoned" by the mutate shortly after Manhattan's fall due to her new mutated appearance, Avira fearing that they would not accept her as she was. A simple request to have Angantyr retrieve her things had blown up into something much worse.

She had to keep pushing forward. She had to hunt down the cure, which had not been in LEXUS's hands, yet with all that had happened, she was exhausted. So in this moment, she allows herself to settle down on the roof, crouching not unlike one of the legendary gargoyles of Manhattan.

King Mickey has posed:
As the citizens will roam the streets, rumors of all sorts shall spread. The question that remains is, "will anyone seek to validate or disprove these rumors as they appear?"

The fact remains that people will fear that which they do not understand and fear of the unknown will forever give way to unconscious and illrational reactions by others. In the following case, the one known as Avira has suffered tremendously since the last light went out within the City of Manhattan and since then has been on the run, if only to name a few of the trouble she has experienced since the event. Despite heroic deeds, uncertainity remains and weighs heavilly as questions form. "Will life ever be able to return to normal?", one might think.

As the dark form of the warrior rests and watches over the city from a far, an uncommon sight begins to unfold in the sky above. An emerald star continues its journey across the night's sky, shining brightly as it streams across the sea of lights. Could this be a one of the stars that others make wishes upon?

Avira has posed:
Despite her efforts to rest and clear her mind, thoughts race through Avira's head at a million miles per minute. A faint frustrated noise escapes her and she stands, restlessly pacing across the rooftops now, her gaze turning upwards.

The stars were so lovely out here. In Brooklyn, the lights of the city had always drowned them out completely, even from the tallest building. Now the city had no lights. Now that city was no longer a star in the sky.

Movement registers in her field of vision and she sees it-that green shooting star. Unsurprisingly, this had been the first time she'd ever seen a real one and that small wonder alone brings the equivalent of a smile to her face.

"..wish I may, wish I might..." she murmurs, recalling the mantra from a childhood past, "...have the wish I wish tonight..."

Silence falls. "...give me strength. Give me the strength I need to...to..." she pauses. There was just so much that needed to be done. Bring back Manhattan, retrieve her cure, help Angantyr, help Skoll. She couldn't just settle on one! "...do what must be done."

King Mickey has posed:
As Avira calls out, the emerald star seems to shimmer, appearing as if hearing the warrior's wish and then within a flash the star is gone. Could it truly have heard her request?

That is the beauty of the wish, seeing the one's curiosity and hope for their request to come true. However, the power of the wish is only determined by the strength of the wisher's determination and resolve to see things through to the end. The rest remains up to fate to decide.

As the emerald star blinks out of sight, a strange aura can be felt in Avira's presence. It is a soothing and comforting feeling that provides a feeling of safety, almost as if the place where she stands is now considered to be a haven from her fears.

A squeaky voice suddenly breaks the silence surrounding the area, "Pleasent view this evening, don't you think?"

The small animorphic form of Mickey Mouse can be seen sitting comfortably upon one of the balconys, not far from the warriors position. He appears to be enjoying a bar of light blue-green ice cream as he gazes far up into the sky, "I have to say you do not get many sights like this in big cities that's for sure." and then he turns to the form of Avira as a smile forms about his face, surprisingly not being startled by her mutated form and asks, "Don't you agree?"

Avira has posed:
"...hmm?" For a few seconds, she wonders if the star had actually 'heard' that. But...that was silly, right? That was just a silly child's game...right?

Maybe not. Since the first time she was thrown out of her world, circumstance had forced her to adapt to a variety of possibilities. All sorts of things she had just read about in books were real now! It was exciting.

That pervasive feeling of comfort that falls over her is the thing that prevents Avira from leaping into a combat stance when the King speaks up. Though she does halt her pacing, her reaction is far calmer as she turns to face the much smaller keyblade wielder. "Yes. Yes it is."

Avira is quick to approach the mouse, the squeaky voice familiar, but his appearance sealing it. He was there at her rescue in Baron. He fought for Manhattan's light at the heart of the world. Though she had mutated during that last event, a small twinge of apprehension tickles the back of her mind. What if he hadn't known?

But he turns to face her, nibbling that bar of ice cream, and looks unbothered. "...yes. It is a lovely view. I've never been able to see it like this before."

The gears turn in her mind, "Mickey, right?" she ventures, "I'm glad you made it out." Barely conscious, she wasn't able to see the mouse's fate in Manhattan.

King Mickey has posed:
King Mickey nods in response to the warrior's inquiry, "The same to you..", then the mouse is cut off from his train of thought as a small dribble ofhis's sea-salt ice cream makes its way onto his white glove. He quickly moves to lick up the dribble before licking off any other melting parts, "My these things can certainly get messy."

The King has never been one whose been able to remember others easily. The pair have crossed on more than one occasion, usually in the heat of battle though the two have never been properly introduced, much less having met face to face. However, while it may take him sometime, the mouse does not often forget an event.

Mickey returns his gaze to Avira before continuing, "Avira, was it not?" and then he pats the cold stone ledge for her to come sit next to him. It appears the pair have much to discuss. He reaches within a pocket and pulls out another bar of sea-salt ice cream, offering it too her, "I hope you do not mind though I thought you might enjoy this."

Avira has posed:
When it came to Mickey's name, Avira's only learned it through Mercade. That was, of course, after the Baron rescue when Mercade explained that he and Mickey had infiltrated the castle prior via the sewer systems beneath it. She never really had the opportunity to thank the mouse for helping there, especially since the next time she crossed paths was at Manhattan.

There was certainly no time then either.

Evenly, she nods, not really questioning why he knows her name. Plenty of people have spread it at this point so she had no reason to become paranoid about it. The human-turned-mutate accepts the offer to join him on the ledge, settling down and allowing her legs to dangle over the side.

Her eyes light up at the ice cream. "You thought right." she grins, happily accepting it. As she starts to consume it, she does so awkwardly-it actually takes a moment figure out the best way to eat it. Avira settles for licking, revealing that her tongue is forked for about two inches at the tip.

"Thank you." she offers, perhaps out of the blue. "For your help. On both accounts."

King Mickey has posed:
King Mickey beams a smile back at Avira, as she happily accepts his gift and thanks him for his assistance. A light chuckle escapes him as he replies, "Well, you are most welcome! After all, it is what good people and friends do for one another!"

It is strange that the mouse would consider the two of them 'friends' though to the king, anyone who struggles against the darkness on the side of the light is a both an ally and a friend. Besides, his roles were minor compared to those that truly participated during their encounters.

Maira, Will, Mercade, Jasmine, Angantyr, Tom, Skoll, and the many others who put their lives on the line for their sakes.

The two take a few moments to enjoy the view and their ice cream. After all, its all about taking the time to enjoy the little things and not worry so much about the small stuff.

Taking the last couple licks of his ice cream, Mickey glances up to study Avira's mutated form for a short while. He takes a deep breath, silently sighing within himself with an empathetic look about his face. The mouse understands the young woman before him is in a great deal of pain, both mentally and physically considering the trauma she has gone through since the fall of Manhattan. Finally breaking the silence, Mickey smiles as he says, "A short time ago, I had a feeling you were afraid of me for some reason. Maybe perhaps that I might be afraid of you in your current state. I want you to know that I do not consider you a threat. Nor do I think of you as the creature that currenly stands before me."

"I recall the moment when you fell inside the vault of Manhattan's heart. The moment you transformed into what you are now. You appeared to be in a great deal of pain and truth be told, I felt helpless, as I could not leave where I was to help each of you. I feel the need to apologise for that. Yet, I do not regret what I or any of us did that day. Each of us did what we must to try and ensure success, even if it was not to be."

Mickey turns his gaze down towards the city below them and continues, "I ran into a friend of yours the other day. One who appeared to be in a similar state of being: tormented, hurt, in pain and very concerned for your well being."

Avira has posed:
"Friends..." Avira repeats, though she seems rather surprised by this particular word being invoked. While fighting alongside Avira did make her consider comraderie towards her fellow warriors, a friend, to her, took a little more time than that. Time and information for she realizes how little she knows about the keyblade-carrying mouse. However, he's clearly fighting against the forces of darkness and sharing ice cream.

Her thoughts remain mostly upon friendship as she enjoys her sea-salt ice cream, not really noticing the curious looks from the King. It wouldn't surprise her if she did. Most people couldn't help staring.

The last of her ice cream consumed, Avira is left with the wooden popsicle stick, which she toys with in her claws. His words, though understanding, do bring a look of sadness to her features, her ears folding down. "That's good." she says quietly, "I have been afraid. Every time I encounter a new person, there's that fear that they'll see a monster and react to...that." Some may be afraid. Some may attack. Neither reaction was good to her.

The fight in the vault was not a good memory for Avira-so many heartbreaking things had happened in that moment. "What could have been done?" she asks, her sadness magnified now, "What /can/ be done? Can a world even be brought back when its heart was consumed like..that?"

She settles down, only slightly, but the look of pain in her eyes remains. That world had been lost twice to her and the second time had been far worse than the first because she /fought/ for it and /failed/.

Mickey speaks of a familiar-sounding individual and, just with those few words, Avira knows. "Angantyr? How is he? What did he look like? He managed to call me by phone the other day...that was surprising." Now the questions come in a flurry.

King Mickey has posed:
Avira's reactions were not unexpected, nor unrealistic to Mickey. While she was one of the many survivors, it is apparent to him that the mercenary was also one of the ones who were most affected by the tragedy and the events that surrounded it.

The King decides to take this one issue at a time. He piggybacks off Avira's final comments, deciding to work from there, "He is in pain, struggling to come to terms with himself and his inner demons." and then he turns to Avira, "He did seem in better spirits, however. As if he had regained some hope in the coming struggles. You mentioned he was in contact with you? Did he have anything to say?"

Avira has posed:
Avira winces. The conversation thus far had opened up a huge can of worms that and been closed occasionally in the past week or so when other matters have come up. Unfortunately, it kept getting opened, and at the smallest things too-just seeing the refugees in Traverse Town. Hearing the voices of her fellow TDA members. Looking in a mirror.

Tied to all of this was Angantyr. He had become thoroughly woven into this ongoing saga now. "...it sounded that way." Avira reflects, thinking back to those unexpected words of his over the Ma Belle. "He even managed to flirt just a little bit. But he told me that when I retrieve my promised cure, I should bring it to Merlin. He also wanted to meet...it's..." she 'smiles' again.

"It was comforting to hear. Last when I tracked him down in person, he had been ready to abandon me completely to live out and die as a Heartless." Avira actually begins to tremble a little at the thought. "...maybe I had been too harsh on him. Maybe he wouldn't have run off to make that deal with LEXUS if I hadn't gotten upset at him."

King Mickey has posed:
King Mickey simply listens to Avira's story as she speaks, curious to see what actions Angantyr had decided to take in regards to their previous discussion. He smiles at Avira's initial responses, pleased to hear that the dark knight had decided to pursue his offer with Merlin and that he wanted to make contact. In addition, the mouse is pleased as he sees the smile emerging across Avira's lips but still does not continue to speak just yet.

He notices Avira beginning to tremble at the mention of Angantyr's actions and decides to break in, "Maybe it did and maybe it didn't. The fact is that what has happened, happened and what came from the decision he decided to make was his alone to bare. I understand it is painful to see and may even feel.. alright to blame yourself for it though." and from here, looks to match his eyes with Avira's, "Avira. You are not responsible for what happened to him. Angantyr made this choice and it was obvious, he wanted to make it. Understand?"

Avira has posed:
At this point, Avira's head has lowered as she considers the Dark Knight's 'self-inflicted' plight. Really, if it weren't for her, he wouldn't be like this at all. If it weren't for her...he'd definitely be in a much different place, but...

She notices that movement from the corner of her eye and looks up. Suddenly, she is meeting King Mickey's eyes. "But..." she starts, about to protest. She considers, attempting to decide which action of hers to blame for his. Why hold on to that guilt, though? Her mouth closes and she nods mutely.

King Mickey has posed:
The pair's conversation seems to drift into silence for a brief period of time. While firm, the mouse's intent appears to have been well-received, even if he were a bit strong with his words.

While the two continue to maintain face to face, Mickey says, "The fact alone you care and worry so much about this man shows me there's a strong bond connecting the two of you. That bond also extends to others, linking you to not only the people you have encountered over the course of your travels but also his and the ones that he has met."

The King turns his gaze up towards the sky, motioning Avira to do the same as he begins to point at the stars, "Just like the sea of stars that we are gazing upon right now, we are all connected. Each light in the sky represents a certain person, be that you, Angantyr, myself, or others that we have met. Somewhere, somehow, and someway, we are all connected through the power of our bonds."

Mickey turns back to Avira and smiles, "You are a warrior of great strength and I believe I can see why that is. You are passionate in your beliefs and hold strong relationships with those you care deeply for. You draw strength from your bonds."

"However, you appear weakened and lost, disconnected from that source of strength, particularly in this, your time of need. Are you worried about how those close to you would react?"

Mickey holds out his hand, appearing within it it a glowing ball of light, "If so, then I encourage you to believe in them, as I am certain they believe in you." and then he takes Avira's hand, placing the ball of light within her palm to finish, "and reclaim the strength of your bonds. After all, if one has friends and loved ones in their lives, they can never truly be alone can they?"

As The King begins to wrap up his speech, a much smaller mouse appears along the balcony the pair currently reside upon. It quickly rushes between the two and sits up, as if holding something. Mickey looks curious the note and nods to little mouse, saying, "Why thank you, little fella. What do you have here exactly?"

The King takes the note and reads it to himself for a moment before looking to Avira, "Earlier you had asked me a question: Can a world even be brought back when its heart was consumed? Well, I believe we have our answer here.", then hands the note to Avira, listing the following.

"What is lost can yet be found. If yours is a heart that seeks hope, turn your search underground. Stones may hold swords, but lakes hold secrets. In one week's time, it all begins in Traverse Town." - Merlin

Avira has posed:
Another odd look settles upon the mutated face of Avira. Were she human right now, there would be an extremely visible blush upon it. "It broke my heart when he told me to forget about him." Avira says quietly, "To hear from him again the other day, talking to me, with hope...I was overjoyed. He also let me know..." she looks to Mickey, "...that /you/ had a hand in that."

She doesn't say 'thank you' yet again, but the gratitude in her eyes is pretty obvious. Once again, she falls silent, letting the wise mouse speak.

She will not speak again, either, until he asks that question. "I'm very worried. I'm worried I'm going to hurt them too. I don't want to hurt them though."

The King takes her clawed hand and a bit of fear flashes in her eyes. That light...how would it react to her darkness? But she forces herself to not recoil from it, hoping that the light in her own heart was still enough. Her fingers close around the ball of light slowly. "I should go to them, then." she says slowly, following the mouse's words, understanding what he means. "Without fear."

The skittering of tiny feet is not beneath Avira's notice. With the genes of predators woven into her very being, it's hard for her not to pay attention to smaller potential prey items. The idea of scooping up a live mouse and popping it into her mouth disgusts her though...maybe if she really had to as a matter of survival, but that was hardly the case, especially having recently feasted upon ice cream. Most curiously, it seems that the mouse has come to deliver a tiny message to Mickey.

"There is?" Avira takes the note eagerly, fumbling with it for a moment, her big fat clawed fingers making it difficult to manipulate something so small. Leaning in, she squints at the message. "...ah, seems I have even more reason to visit Merlin then."

Avira offers the message back to Mickey. "I want to bring Earth back." Avira says in a determined tone, "Not just for me, not just for the TDA, but for everyone who was displaced so tragically. ...everyone. It needs to be seen that worlds CAN be brought back. Then..." she seems lost in thought for a moment, "...then maybe Xanatos's message really will happen. Maybe we can get more people working together."

King Mickey has posed:
King Mickey politely refuses Avira's offer to give the message back, "I think you should keep this. After all, I believe this was a message that was intended for both of us and I feel it would better serve you than it would I."

Avira's open disclosure about her desires to bring her home back for more than just herself heightens touches him deeply. The wounded warrior appears to have done a complete 360 in terms of her grief, having reignited the light and fire within her. He nods to Avira slowly and smiles at her, saying, "That is most certainly a possibility."

Then, as the king begins to stand, a swirling form of emerald magic begins to circle around Mickey's body. The King sighs deeply, shrugging his shoulders defeatedly, as if he knows what is to come, "A mouse's job is never done it seems."

"I am afraid it is time for us to say our good-byes for now. However, it was a pleasure to finally get a chance to meet you face to face, my friend. May the bonds of your friendship continue to strength you as you and your companions continue to seek to free the world from darkne---" ...

Then, Mickey shoots off towards the sky above, heading for the sea of stars as he leaves a trail of emerald magic in his wake with only the following words echoing as he heads into the night!

"And remember to always keep hoooooope--!"

*twinkle!*

Avira has posed:
Something important has happened tonight, after all. Mickey's arrival and the message he brought resulted in more than just the strength Avira had wished. More importantly, there was hope. Hope for the lost worlds.

Hope that needed to be shared as soon as possible.

Very carefully, she puts the little message away into one of the leather pouches upon her belts. As she does, there is a flash of green light which circles the mouse's body. "What the.."

That light. He was that star in the sky?! "I hope we have more chances to talk in the future." Avira interrupts quickly before he is completely engulfed by his magic.

She'll remain staring at the sky for a long while afterwards, a serene smile upon her furry face.