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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Huh, there's a thought! Now I'm tempted to ask the Malnosso about it... or, well, I would be, if I thought I could get straight answers outta them.

[But that's the trouble, isn't it? Those guys are always so vague.]

Some of them might. I guess it's just something to keep in mind for now. ...It doesn't really change things for us in here, especially when we're so "new."

[Thinking about that "newness" brings him back to what Ven had been broadcasting.]

Has it really been three years for you? Or is that how long it's been since you've seen your friends?

True. Not like it'll magically glue people to this world or catapult 'em outta here, but it's still something to think about.

[Heh. The idea of a magical catapult does sound pretty cool, though, if a bit unrealistic. Then again, he's seen all sorts of weird things.]

Anyway, it hasn't been three years yet, but I'm getting close! Once November hits... well, I guess I'll really be an oldtimer by Luceti standards.

[Or at least close to it. He knows some people have stayed longer.]

November? Crazy. I can't believe it's been that long already.

[He shakes his head faintly, but slowly pushes those thoughts about being in Luceti for a long time.]

School's just around the corner. Did you decide what you're gonna do? Keep attending?

Uh... honestly? I still don't know. It's kind of a problem, though, since you're right-- school does start soon.

[He sighs.]

It's tricky. Frederic thinks I oughta keep going, and I do feel like there's still more for me to learn. I just dunno how much.

Well, you don't have to stop going completely. Maybe just go for whatever classes you still feel like you can get something out of. [He shrugs.] I guess it's just a matter of figuring that out. I haven't been getting anything out of most of the classes for a long time, but I've really enjoyed having ... you know, a routine.

See, that's just it. I'm so used to going by now that it's still crazy to think about what I'd be doing without classes. Somehow, I don't think working a job would be as fun, even if it still lets you meet new people.

[With school, you're guaranteed to have company throughout the day, and that's probably his favorite part.]

Yeah... And it'd be a different feel if you were going to school as a tutor or a teacher, right? Not that I'm saying you should teach or something.

The kind of school offered in Luceti isn't the kind of thing you can do forever, though. There's no ... focuses, like you'd get in higher education.

True, and there's no end goal, like with my apprentice training...

[Man, and there aren't any other Keyblade Masters ~~besides Riku~~ to give him a Mark of Mastery exam.]

It'd be cool to see more of that focus, but I guess it'd be kinda hard, huh? Since I don't know how many people here are qualified to teach that sorta thing.

Yeah. The things people seem more qualified to teach are artisan work and weapons training. [Which wasn't exactly helpful in this context.]

Your apprentice training... Have you ever thought of seeing if there's anyone in other enclosures who might have a Keyblade?

You think there would be?

[The idea hadn't really crossed his mind. After all, he'd never heard of other wielders aside from his friends, his Master, Vanitas, Xehanort, and Mickey... well, ignoring everyone from the future.]

I mean, I guess it's possible, but they'd have to be from really far away. That, or from the past. Keybearers just aren't as common these days.

Well, if they're from the past, that's still okay, right? You could learn something outside of what your master would have taught you. It'd probably be better if they were from your future, but if they're not common anymore...

[He shrugs, though that's probably not very visible.]

Just something to keep in mind if you go on another mission.

You know, that's a good point! Who knows what kind of tricks I could learn from old Masters? Even old apprentices. There could be all kinds of cool techniques that got lost over time...

[Isn't that how it usually goes, anyway? Like old legends and dead languages, maybe there's some kind of lost magic.]

[He nods in approval of the way Ven is taking his suggestion.]

Exactly. I think it's worth exploring, now that we know a little more about the enclosures out there. You'll think about it?

I might do more than think about it. I might not trust the Malnosso all that much, but it might be fun getting outta the enclosure for a while. That, and doing it by choice sounds way better than getting drafted for the billionth time...

[There's a little mirthless laugh at that.]

Yeah, it does sound way better. I hope you'll find someone out there who can help.

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