[Accidental Video]

[mercury_gaze]

[The little drone sent to this new arrival has ended up turned on.  She seems to be trying to shoo it away.]  N-no.  No, go away.  Please.  [She's whispering, but the tone is desperate and edged with tears.]
 
[She turns and limps away from the drone, something must be wrong with her right leg.  The drone just...follows.  When the girl glances back and sees it still coming after her she lets out a sound that's something between a frustrated growl and a whimper.]

L-leave me alone.

[Anyone paying special attention to the surroundings the drone shows may note that this child seems to be somewhere close to The Hub, as they'll be able to spot the Warehouse behind her at least once.]

Comments

[mercury_gaze]

[She frowns, shifting back a little more, but not trying to run at the moment.]

Jendayi...

[She's so confused right now.]

[She's definitely favoring her left arm and right leg, though.]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Not running is good. Gotta start somewhere. Lea smiles gently.]

'Jendayi', huh? That's a pretty name. And much more creative than Lea. There's probably a million 'Lee's out there, even if my parents did decide to spell it weird.

[The smile gains a bit of genuine, self-deprecating humor. C'mon you're not gonna be scared of this dork, are you, Jendayi?]

Did you just get here? And has anybody told you where you are yet?

[mercury_gaze]

[You're human...or look it anyway. She has every reason to be scared of you, sir.]

[She kind of glances around at his questions.] I...y-yes, I just got here, a-and no, I...I don't know where I am...

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea nods.]

I thought so, given how lost you looked. This city is called Haven. You were brought here the same way my friends and I were, by a force called the Miasma. It can be a dangerous thing on its own, but sometimes it brings things or people here from far away, even as far away as whole other worlds.

Which is what happened to me and some of my friends. And I'm guessing is what happened to you too, since you really don't look like one of the locals.

[Hopefully that was simple enough not to go over the kid's head. And Maybe even spark a bit of curiosity.

His expression softens understandingly, though for the next bit.]

I know it must be pretty scary to wake up in a strange city all by yourself. But nobody here's going to hurt you. And if anybody tries to, I'll kick their butts; I don't like people who pick on little kids.

[mercury_gaze]

[She gets it...tears fill her eyes, and it's a clear fight for her to not break down crying.]

I-I want to go home. [It comes out a bit choked, and a tear finally escapes down her cheek.]

[A huff and a few panted breaths later and she's gotten control of herself again, at least for a moment.] ...Why? Why are you being nice to me?

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea's eye's soften even more at the tears. Aw kid, don't cry. At least not before you trust him enough to let him comfort you.

He can't really say anything encouraging about the 'going home' part, so he avoids that for the moment, instead focusing on the question. He looks a bit surprised at it, once it processes.]

Why wouldn't I be nice to you? Can't imagine wanting to be mean to a cute little girl like you. Especially when it's obvious you're already hurt and scared.

[He's noticed the ears and has figured out that Jendayi isn't exactly human, but hasn't mentioned it. Given the various kinds of weirdness he's seen, pointy ears don't even rate a second glance.

Though now he begins to wonder if it may be more than just general fear of a strange man in a strange place that has her so scared...]

[mercury_gaze]

[He would be very correct following that line of reasoning.]

I... [She kind of hugs herself, one hand going to her left shoulder in a rather telling way. He may note that the right hip of her pants is starting to show a spot of blood.]

...I don't know. [Her tone says she knows exactly why he shouldn't be nice, but doesn't want to tell him, just in case he'd actually change his mind.]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea does catch that tone, though he doesn't comment. He has a few guesses, but that particular mystery is put on the back burner for the present as he notices the blood beginning to show on the right hip of her pants. Not good.]

Well, it doesn't really matter right now. Point is, I am being nice to you, and I'm gonna keep being nice to you. Anybody who has a problem with me helping out a lost little girl, I'll tell them where they can stick that attitude.

Right now, getting you taken care of is more important. It's obvious you're hurt pretty bad. Will you let me take you to my friend Paian? He's a healer, and he'll get you all fixed up in no time. Then, once you're feeling better, we can talk a little more if you want. Alright?

[mercury_gaze]

[She's shaking her head and backing another step.] I want my Papa. My Papa is a healer. He can do it. [SHE JUST WANTS TO GO HOME!]

[She looks around like she's thinking of running, but her next step back has her shifting her weight just...wrong and her leg gives out under her. She topples with a cry.]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea is about to try and convince her again, when Jendayi steps back wrong an her leg gives out, sending her toppling to one side. Caution is thrown to the wind when the child cries out and Lea is at her side almost before she finishes falling, crouched there looking concerned. He rests a gentle hand on her shoulder, both to make sure she doesn't get any ideas about trying to get up and run in this state, and in an attempt to comfort.]

I don't think we have time to try and find your Papa, Jendayi, if he was brought here too. You need help now, and I'm betting that your Papa would want you fixed up as soon as possible. Once you're better, we'll see if anybody's seen your Papa around. But for now, I've got to take you where I know can get help.

Now, will you please let me take you to Paian? Neither he or I is going to hurt you, even if you do have pointy ears.

[The girl's answer was really immaterial; Lea had already decided that she was going, willing or not, for her own good. But he would much rather have her come willingly, rather than frighten and upset her more, if he could avoid it.]

[mercury_gaze]

[She gasps and flinches back from him, a hand on his chest as though to hold him back from her. The look she gives him is scared and pleading, but she doesn't put up any further protest. He's going to take her nonmatter what, she can tell that.]

He's not carrying her like this, but this is the only 'carrying someone' icon I've got. XD

[hotheadwarmheart]

[That look. Lea remembers a look like that on another little girl's face not quite so long ago. This wouldn't end like that, though; he'd make sure of it.

Lea just looks down at her sadly and sighs softly.]

I wish I knew what I could say or do to convince you that I don't mean you any harm. Guess all I can do for right now is try to prove it. So, up we go...

[Carefully he shifts to get his arms under her- he's dubious about her ability to walk after that fall- and lifts her into a cradle carry. Settling her as comfortably as he can in his arms, he heads for the nearest portal. Her comm drone has caught up with them and floats along after them, right next to Lea's.]

lol She appreciates not being carried like that.

[mercury_gaze]

[All she can really do it tuck against him. Fresh traumas play through her mind behind closed eyes as she fights to stay calm. He wasn't acting like those men, he was helping. He is trying to help...h-he is....he is...right? She wished her Papa was here. She'd know she was safe then.]

[She ends up kind of clinging to Lea, trembling softly in his arms. She's a tiny thing, no older than eight or nine in appearance, but small even for her age. She'll be a petite one when she grows up.]

[And Lea will note one other thing. There's blood on her left shoulder too...and it's probably starting to seep from her clothes to his. Good thing he's still in black, she'd have ruined his new, more colorful wardrobe.]

Shifting this over because text squish. X3

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea notes her fascination with the can and looks mildly amused. Still though, a minor word of warning was in order.]

Watch the inside edge there; it's sharp.

[When she agrees his smile broadens.]

Alright... You're gonna like this.

[Instead of moving the pot to the cooktop, he holds it about 6 inches over the upturned palm of his other hand. Then, as Jendayi watches, a samll fireball forms in his hand, which then flattens out into a disk-shape, so as to heat the soup evenly.

Lea grins.]

Pretty cool, huh?

XD

[mercury_gaze]

[She gasps...and smiles. A real, bright smile.] You're a fire wielder!

[She almost sounds relieve by that even.]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea's grin only broadens at that smile. The kid is obviously familiar with some type of elemental magic.]

Yep! I take it you've met others?

[mercury_gaze]

[She shakes her head] No.

[But she does lift up the can, which then lifts from her hand in a mini tornado in her palm.]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Now it's Lea's turn to look a bit surprised.]

Hey, not bad! You might give Dillan a run for his money when you grow up.

[mercury_gaze]

You...know another air wielder?

And...and how can you wield fire? You're...human, aren't you?

[hotheadwarmheart]

Yeah. Dillan's this guy I kinda used to work with; wind magic is his thing too. You're a lot nicer than he is though. No matter what's going on, he almost always looks like he's annoyed at something.

And yeah, I'm human. Though if humans can't use magic where you're from, I things work a little differently there. Where I'm from, all kinds of people can use magic; it's not confined to a certain group. Natural magic, like yours and mine, is still pretty rare, though. Most people who want to do magic have to learn spells and things.

[He paused slightly there, unsure if he should mention how he'd gotten his magic. It'd be easier, but... No. Hadn't he decided on no more keeping secrets? Trying to hide his time as Axel from the kid was much more for his own comfort than her protection, if he was being honest with himself, and this way would spare the awkward conversation that would ensue if she found out later.]

As to how I got my magic... that's kind of a long story. But it looks like the soup's nice and hot now, so how about we sit down and eat while I tell you, OK?

[mercury_gaze]

[Wow, humans could do magic...she wished that was the case back home, maybe they'd not be so...afraid of her.]

[She gives him a little smile, and...if he's got a free hand he may find it full of a little girl's hand.] Okay.

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Given that he just turned off the fire heating the soup, he does indeed have a free hand. And shortly two free hands as he sets the soup down on the cooktop. He helps Jendayi up onto one of the tall stools on the opposite side of the counter before retrieving two bowls, two spoons, and two glasses. In short order, soup and juice are served up and Lea takes the other stool next to the little girl so they can eat and talk.]

Alright, so... to start off, I wasn't born with my magic, like I'm guessing you were. I didn't get it til I was 14.

Back then, I lived in a city called Radiant Garden. It was just as nice a place as it sounds. Our King, Ansem the Wise, was a great sage, and encouraged the development of both magic and science. Most everybody was prosperous and happy.

And I was no exception. My best friend Isa and I would spend our days dreaming of becoming palace guards, hanging out, eating ice cream, trying to avoid school work, getting into trouble... just normal kids' stuff. Didn't really have a care in the world.

But though I didn't know it at the time, all that started to change when a man named Xehanort showed up. He was found unconscious after an explosion in one of the outer gardens, and he was taken to the palace for treatment. Nobody else thought much of it after that, except to be pleased at him becoming one of Ansem's personal apprentices.

Then Ansem decided that he should study the darkness in people's hearts, in order to better protect them from it. And that's when all the trouble really started...

[He trailed off there, with a bit of a sigh, pausing to eat a bit or two and get a sip of juice, as well as to let Jendayi process that bit. Even in a simplified version, the story was a complicated one, and he wanted to be sure to leave space to ask questions.]

[mercury_gaze]

[It was a lot to take in. She ate slowly, the soup making her wish her Papa were here. No offense, Axel, but canned soup is kind of gross when all she's ever known was food made from fresh ingredients. She was not about to indicate as much or say anything, though.]

[And then there were things she had no concept of. Ice cream. Science. Explosion. These words meant nothing to her. She thought she got the gist of it, though. He was happy, looking forward to the future. Something happened, but then everything was okay. And then trouble started.]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea could do significantly better than canned soup, given proper ingredients (though he'd probably have to cut back on the spiciness). But food was required, so he went with what was on hand.

When it seemed Jendayi had no questions, he continued.]

At first, the ways Ansem tried to study darkness of the heart were pretty harmless. Just simple tests to see how people thought, felt, or reacted to things. But when one of those tested was Xehanort, Ansem was alarmed by the results, and ordered that there be no future tests.

But Xehanort didn't stop. He got five of Ansem's other apprentices on his side and faked Ansem's name on the papers so, and they continued the tests secretly in the castle basement. Only they went much further than Ansem. They kidnapped people, locked them up, and did horrible things to them to turn their hearts dark. And when the people's hearts were completely swallowed up by Darkness, the first Heartless in Radiant Garden appeared in their places.

Heartless are monsters born from the Darkness in people's hearts. They're drawn to it. And since almost everybody has at least a little Darkness in their heart, no one is safe from them. They're like wild animals, acting purely on instinct, and their instinct is to steal more hearts, so they'll be consumed by Darkness, and make more Heartless. In short, they're very icky, very dangerous things.

Xehanort and the other traitor apprentices kept up their tests. The Heartless kept multiplying, starting to attack people at random. Everyone was afraid. Then one day, the real Ansem found out what Xehanort and the other traitor apprentices were up to, and tried to stop them. He failed, though, and Xehanort used his magic to banish Ansem to another realm.

Then Xehanort did something the other apprentices hadn't expected. He turned on them, and used his power to steal their hearts too, before doing the same to himself. But because their hearts were so strong, they didn't just disappear, like most people did. Instead, they became Nobodies. Empty shells; alive, and able to think like a real person, but with no hearts. No ability to feel, or care, or connect to others.

And right about there is where Isa and I came in.

[Again he paused, both to eat, and to let Jendayi process the information and to ask any questions she might have.]

[mercury_gaze]

[Lea...this is a really sad story. She's got a rather pathetic pout on her face.]

Were you...able to stop him?