risingwinds | Twenty-Fifth Shooting Star

[It's been a while now since Fuuko's departure. During that time, Ven's been quieter than usual. Not tearful, but a bit more subdued than his usual, goofy self.

Even when he addresses the journal, his tone's a bit soft.]

You know, I gotta wonder. I know lots of you guys have found love here, but how do you guys deal when that person disappears? D'you keep waiting 'til they come back, or do you just... move forward? It's kinda tough spot for me. I'm not gonna let it bring me down or anything, but it's still sad. And it's just like when anyone else leaves-- unexpected.

But it was nice while it lasted. Fuuko's a great person, and I think she brought something special to the village. Who else would go outta their way to throw a huge starfish festival? To tell you the truth, I don't think I'll ever look at starfish the same way.

[He pauses.]

Wonder what Terra and Aqua'd think, though. It's been almost three years now...

[He doesn't expect anyone to react to that last bit. After all, his friends haven't shown up in a long time.]

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I... I always look at starfish in different ways. But I'm gonna miss her. I had a lot of plans for that next starfish festival, too...

Well, who says we can't throw one ourselves? Like... in Fuuko's honor. I think she'd still want us to keep celebrating the starfish.

She would. I'd really like to do that for her.

Maybe we can try drumming up interest sometime. Summer's almost over, though, and I don't know if there's time to whip something together before winter sets in.

Hm... You're right. It shouldn't be when it's too cold. But maybe we can try making it... next month or something?

Hmm, next month could work, but d'you think there's enough time? It's gonna be a New Feather cycle, so it might be too busy to really set something up.

[Wait, wait... there's a lightbulb sparking to life in his head.]

Unless we make the New Feather party starfish themed. That could work!

Yeah... That's a great idea! We combine them both, and I'm sure Fuuko would love that! All those New Feathers... They'd get to learn about starfish so soon! They'll be so lucky.

Exactly! Maybe we could even dig up books on starfish from the library. There's gotta be at least a couple mixed in with the other animal books...

There are some! I have already looked up a little to help take care of Ikki's starfish. I'll try to find more and make us as prepared as possible, then!

Works for me! I'll try and dig up as much as I can. Two heads are better than one, right? Plus, if we scope out different sections, we're bound to find at least something cool.

[...]

You think there're any stories about starfishes?

If there aren't, I'll write them! You know, Ikki's pretty creative with stuff like that herself sometimes, too. Once she thought her starfish was a prince.

A starfish prince?

[Ven snorts, trying not to laugh. It's not a bad idea, though!]

Did she think she'd have to kiss it? I know there's been stories about frog princes before.

I think she kisses him sometimes anyway. [But he laughs at the joke.] I read about frog princes before. They're neat stories!

Yeah, they sure are, except for the one where the princess threw him against the wall.

[Yeugh.]

I'll take kisses over violence any day.

You don't say... Yeah. I'd say kisses are a lot better.

You're telling me. What kinda lesson are you supposed to learn by smashing a frog? Sure, he turned back into a prince, but still! Is it trying to preach violence? At least with a kiss, it teaches you not to judge a book by its cover.

That's right. I don't like the idea of preaching violence at all. It's must better to learn to kiss a book by its cover.

But the weird thing is, a lot of old fairy tales have... er, well, dark versions. I've found stories about people I knew, like Cinderella, but things were all wrong. Like her step sisters cutting off parts of their feet just to fit into a shoe.

[He shudders at the mere thought. Good thing he hasn't eaten recently.]

[He's shuddering, too.]

Why- why would anyone do that?!

I dunno, and I really don't wanna think about it.

[It's too creepy, not to mention gross... and morbid.]

But uh, on the upside, Cinderella's world wasn't that bad when I visited it! Sure, her stepsisters and stepmom are still awful to her, but the worst they did was push her around. That's way better than... that.

Plus, she still kept her spirits high.

Wait, you actually visited her world and she's a fairy tale?

Apparently! And it's not just Cinderella, either. Princess Aurora, Snow White... even Hercules has stories and myths, even if they don't all match up.

[Some people might find it alarming. Some would end up with existential crises...

Ven just figures those stories are from other worlds.]

I did read some of those myths! Wow, Ventus, you're like some kinda... book-jumper!

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