Out of Context Snippets

The Heartscape

Fandom: Kingdom Hearts
Story: Iliana reconnects with her inner safe space and gains insight about herself
Context: Army of the Roses, a compilation of bits and pieces between events (Post New Media City, The Archives, during The Hills of Progress, and post Far Away Galaxy)

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"...We really need to stop meeting each other this way." A voice chimed in while the noise of the world faded into view. One that was familiar yet foreign, one she thought she had long forgotten yet was still as vivid as the last time she had heard it, "This is twice now that you've been knocked out! I sincerely hope we don't have more of these, otherwise someone may have to intervene! Like a... god or something!"

There was a heavy weight to Iliana's eyes the moment she tried to open them, but despite their resistance she just had to see who it was. She had to be sure...! It was taking everything she had to pry them open, but...

The presence seemed to shift in place, and a shadow passed over her with a curious hum.

Though blurry at first, she was met with a pair of green eyes, a round face framed by dark red-brown hair. It was like they hadn't aged a day, as picturesque as the last day they had seen each other face to face. Or at least the last day one of them had been present to see the other, a fact that grew apparent the more her eyes seemed to swivel to take it all in.

This had to be a dream, surely. There's no way...!

"Ah, good!" They continued, leaning back a bit to give her room, "I'm glad this time we can truly talk to each other! Last time was a right shame, I think that limo did a number on you! Never got a word in or anything, but finally you're here!"

She was at a loss for words, stuck on something that plagued her more than, well, whatever they were spouting off about, "Tobias...? How are you...?"

"Oh, well that's very easy to answer! I-"

"AM I DEAD?!"

They leaned further back in horror, "N-No! Goodness no! Just unconscious! This is... merely a dream."

"Oh." Momentary panic subsided by that confirmation, Iliana propped herself up enough to give her surroundings a glance.

A rolling path of wildflowers layered by barriers of trees and brambles, seemingly trapped in perpetual spring. The sky was bright blue and casted light in beams with no sign of a real sun, though it appeared cracked in places, revealing some dark outer void beyond. A warm breeze blew through for a moment, stirring up the smell of the flowers. It feels familiar and too real to be an illusion, but...

"A dream. Right." Her voice had lowered, disappointment evident. She had fully sat up by now, hunched over her knees staring deeply into the grass.

There was a soft hum of worry from this cognition of Tobias, who scooted over to sit in front of her, "Well, no need to sound so glum about it! This means we can do whatever you want until you wake! We can explore, race, spar...!"

"... Can we talk?"

"Of course!" Their excitement seemed to wane, but they shifted to make themself comfortable, "We can talk about whatever you'd like!"

She curled up a bit tighter, leaning on her knees, "We all miss you- I miss you."

"I know." They gave a nod in understanding.

She paused, "I just- I didn't think I'd ever see you again, y'know? Even if this is just a dream, it just feels- You're here, and- and it's weird, but I almost don't want to leave. Like, what if I don't see you again? This is gonna haunt me forever, and-"