[Cal] Meeting The Keyblade Master

The wandering soldier meets another resident of Traverse Town. Thought I'd include current descs in the log.
Characters: Sora, Caliah
Traverse Town - Residential District

There is a warm, welcoming feeling about this part of town as it is full of life and hope. A rich amber glow wafts through the cobbled streets, clearly lighting up the pathway for the numerous townsfolk and other wary travellers who make their way here. On either side of the street are tall old-fashionned town houses along with various hotels and inns. Obviously an attractive tourist spot for many travellers as the hotels are almost always full of people. High above the town, the smoke from numerous chimneys coils lazily about the rooftops, forming a soft, filmy mist above the city. There are also a few large and spacious mansions at the more richer end of town, one which seems full of numerous spotted dogs. There's also a set of steps leading down towards the central square of town.
Contents:
Sora
Obvious exits:
<Orphanage> [leads to 'Terra's Orphanage']
<South> [leads to 'Traverse Town - Upper Level']
<Tavern> [leads to 'Tavern - Traverse Town']
<Inn> [leads to 'Inn - Traverse Town']
<West> [leads to 'Traverse Town - Dark Alley']
<North> [leads to 'Traverse Town - Central Square']

[Caliah:] In sharp contrast to the rest of this town under its perpetual shroud of darkness, the winding streets of this district would greet any traveller with light and warmth, a respite from the shadows that slink, unseen for the most part, on the fringes of the lanes and byways. Occasionally a stranger will venture here, such as one now ascending the stair leading up from the square below, a black-clad figure stark and somehow uncompromising in comparison to this part of town.

Booted footfalls resound quietly on the flight of stairs, the tread soft, but heavy, as if the individual approaching were bearing a tremendous weight. Thus it might be mildly surprising to glimpse the figure himself - slender and unencumbered with anything beyond a coat and a heavy gun-belt - and to note the fact that indeed, the stranger is female.

[Sora(#88)]
Ker-splat!

With a single swipe of the mystical Keyblade, the young boy named Sora finishes a lethal combo that makes a Soldier Heartless fly against a wall and explode, sending a small shower of HP Balls bouncing back at the young boy. Touching them quickly, his lithe form Dodge Rolling in order to cover as much ground as possible, Sora's wounds, light as they may be, are healed. As he comes to his feet, the youth spins the giant Keyblade around and braces it on his shoulder, flashing a very pleased grin on his boyish face.

"Getting better...I'm getting better...just gotta keep trying..."

[Caliah:] If there's any startlement or censure in the lean blond woman's expression as she regards the Heartless and their subsequent demise, it's as veiled as though she'd worn the shades that rest in her platinum hair. An element of quiet reserve in her stance and bearing render her more inconspicuous than what her clothing alone would accomplish; but even that does little to hide the faint glow to her eyes, something unnamed that gives them an electric hue. "They're plentiful as rats around here, aren't they." Those cold, pale lips part ever so slightly, in what might pass for a ghost of a smile. "I don't suppose that's the last one for today?"

[Sora(#88)] Sora slowly turns as his ears are assailed by the female voice, the youth's pleasant expression showing no signs of going away. His small body ached, the stiffness of being in a bed for three weeks still strung into his adolescent musculature and skeleton. The youth was, though, first and foremost, happy to be alive after nearly being beaten to death. So, as he turns his entire body to face teh woman, his smile stays, that confident, semi-smug, highly cheesy youth's grin plastered on that small face. "Let's hope so, ma'am," replies the boy in his youthful voice, "'cause, quite frankly, I'm getting kinda pooped...!"

[Caliah:] That elusive smile's vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, lapsed into the usual even composure of her expression; the pale, whip-thin SOLDIER takes her time to study the boy before her, one slim, gloved hand flexing as if she subconsciously regretted the lack of an opponent to face. "You're young to be facing Heartless," she comments brusquely, her clear accents city-bred and smooth. "Not unlike many I've seen, actually, but it continues to surprise me."

The wind gradually rises, tugging at one of her coat-flaps; she pulls it back into place without thought, smoothing her fingers over the worn leather. "From another world...or this one?"

[Sora(#88)]
Never one to be rude to a stranger, young Sora still sighed as he was again referred to as 'young', his childish features again working against him. Lulu, back on Spira, put it best, that his clothing and face made him look like a child and not a teenager. Resigned to the assumption of his age, though, Sora felt relieved at the almost immediate self-dismissal of this claim as the woman qualified his age group, "Yeah...lotsa people my age have be forced to fight..." Sora doesn't tell the woman that he's the Keyblade Master, no now anyway, his name is mud throughout most of Traverse Town as it is...

The Keyblade vanishes in a spiral of white light as the youth places his hands in front of him, arms folded, and says, "Another world. One that the Heartless destroyed." There was no more sadness to his voice about that. Sora had made Traverse Town his new home.

[Caliah:] If the leather-garbed stranger were surprised, it's not evident; it would be logical to assume, from the thoughtful manner in which she regards Sora, violet eyes calm and unfathomable, that she'd heard of such before. As it is what her tone seems to lack in feeling she sees fit to convey with words: "I'm sorry. There seem to be quite a number of refugees from other places as well; It's strange the town isn't filled to overflowing as it is."

She spares the Keyblade a last glance before it vanishes, barely pausing in doing so. "It doesn't appear to deter them from settling down here however - which I find surprising. But I suppose people aren't willing to give way that easily." That cat-eyed scrutiny focuses on the boy again. "Would it be impolite if I asked you whom it is you serve?"

[Sora(#88)]
Her manner of speech was elegant and eloquent, a delightfully sweet combination, and her polite nature, even when address one who is obviously her junior, was refreshing to the young boy. His canvas cotton jumpsuit rustled as he stepped toward her, making soft rubber squeaking sounds. Small smooth fingers rubbed over each other as the young listened to the older woman talk.

Sora's little head tilted to the side as she asked her question, his small lips forming the shape of a small 'o'. He looked her up and down and waited until he had gotten over the edge to be sarcastic. That would be rude. So, rubbing the back of his neck, the kid says, "I don't really serve anyone, ma'am. I fight the Heartless with my friends for...um...everyone, I guess."

[Caliah:] This idealism, that if admitted to by another even a few years older, might earn disbelief or scorn from the jaded; it does neither with the platinum-haired SOLDIER, only occasioning for a brief, weighing silence on her part as Sora draws nearer. "I understand." Imparting nothing of her personal opinion on that matter, she proffers him a hand, the black leather of her gloves slightly scuffed from wear, her profile grave. "If I'd neglected to mention it before, my name is Caliah."

[Sora(#88)] Looking the sullen woman over, Sora's lips moved from their tight boyish 'o' to a very relaxed smile, something quite genuine and even more sincere. The young boy liked adults who weren't big jerks, and this woman seemed nothing like a jerk to him. The kid took her hand graciously, his own small extremity clad in a white fingerless glove. All four feet and five inches of the young boy beamed a cute aura of happiness as he was introduced to a new person who fought against the Heartless, "I'm Sora. It's a pleasure to meet you, Caliah."

[Caliah:] No two more markedly different individuals might meet here, at this moment, but if Caliah were aware of the jarring contrast between them, she refrains from remarking upon it, even if passersby should give them the occasional lingering, curious look. There's no denying the strength contained in her grip, however slight or slender she might be at first glance. "Likewise, Sora. I'm a frequent visitor to this town, but almost every single time I have to deal with Heartless just to enter the town."

Her tone turns matter-of-fact, dry. "It's become almost a way of life for people here, as I've noticed. I wish there were a...more permanent, better solution than to fight them off every day."

[Sora(#88)] Sora refrains, for moment from saying anything conclusive about who he really is or what he personally represents. No, not yet, he needs to get to know Caliah a bit better. Damn you, Riku, for making him distrust others for even a little bit. His small shoulders sagged a bit as he finally tried to let go. So impressed was Sora with her strength that the young boy whistles softly and grinned up at her, "You're powerful, Caliah. With people like you around, the Heartless will sure leave the Citizen's of Traverse Town alone!"

[Caliah:] A soft laugh slips from the SOLDIER's lips, one without rancor. "Even the strong can be overwhelmed by sheer numbers," is all she gives in answer, obliquely, keen gaze darkening slightly as she notes Sora's hesitation, marking it. "From what I've seen, this town serves as a waypoint for other worlds. Which is why we can't let the Heartless have it; I think the various groups have realised that by now." Her eyes flicker fleetingly with the weight of words unsaid, lips thinning as her thoughts take another turn.

[Sora(#88)] Sora tries to pull his hand back, turning a quarter from the woman and looking up at one of the gas-burning lights. His small boyish face shows a weight, a very heft weight, and almost a regret, if it's possible for Sora to feel that, that is otherwise unreadable. With a soft, nearly inaudible, sigh, the young boy says, "You and me both. This place is the only place people can go to in order to try and rebuild their lives. It's not fair, the position we're all in, but we gotta make the best with what we got if we're gonna survive this..."

[Caliah:] Having released her grip, pale features momentarily cast in faint amusement at Sora's discomfort, Caliah steps back a pace, lifting her gaze to the shadowy skies. "It's easier," she comments beneath her breath, almost to herself, her eyes glowing eerily as if reflecting lightning, "If one has a cause to serve. It gives one a sense of purpose, that their efforts aren't in vain, even if they face insurmountable odds.

"People are predictable that way." There's a touch of irony to that last, lost, perhaps, on someone as impressionable as this boy.

(to be continued at a later date :P)