Where Two Worlds Come To Meet

[missrecalled_mods]

For those on the Boat

"Alright," Mal said, nodding. She and Ben had listened to what everyone had to say, and had pulled aside for a quick discussion. "This is the plan. Listen up, though it is subject to change based on what Professor Yen Sid has to say. But as it stands here is what we're going to do. Once we open an entry point in the barrier I will craft us a single use bridge. Everyone who is carrying stuff to the Isle will please carry it across carefully and quickly. Anyone who wants to stay on the boat, can. But once everyone is across the King and I will bring up the rear and close the barrier behind us."

She took a breath and continued. "Anything you need to summon to be prepared, do so before I open the barrier. You won't be able to on the Isle. Magic will not work there. Most tech will not work there. We're planning to stay about an hour. In that time if anyone sees anyone they know, please come and let the King, myself, and Professor Yen Sid know. Your words will carry weight as to if they stay or come back with us, but the final decision is ours. I want everyone to stay close to the shore either way. If we have to leave in a hurry we may not have a chance to wait for stragglers, and the phones won't work here."

"What about..."

Mal blinked then nodded. "We can talk to Professor Yen Sid about that," she agreed. "But I don't know if it is feasible for this trip. We also have to see if we have anyone who is as good with computers and tech as Carlos is...."

Ben nodded. "Alright."

Mal looked at everyone again. "We know that there are at least three confirmed villains on the Isle, or there were. Doctor Facilier, Lady Tremaine, and Mother Gothel. They've been without their powers for over twenty years and it hasn't sweetened their temperaments any. Don't underestimate them just because there is no magic. Be careful. And stay close. If you think someone you know is on the Isle but you don't see them, speak to Professor Yen Sid." Another breath. "Alright, that's about it. Sylvando's going to be staying with the boat, so if anyone doesn't feel comfortable going onto the Isle, you won't be alone if you stay back. Here we go..."

She turned to face the barrier and opened her spell book to the page she had been scribbling on during the boat ride. A deep breath and she cast two spells in rapid succession.

"Reprogram for now
and one time post
This remote to allow
For today and today only
this spot to be its target's host."

Her eyes glowed green as she spoke and a green trail followed her finger as she gestured at the remote. It flared green for a moment then the glow faded. "Done, for today the remote will open the barrier here, not at the bridge. And now..."

Ben nodded. As he clicked the remote, she began casting the second spell, eyes green once more. green finger trail in the air again as she gestured towards the barrier as a small entrance opened.

"Bridge of fate
Bridge of trust
Form quick
Be first rate
Formed of stone that does not rust
grow from this ship to the shore
to remain until the barrier closes once again
A bridge to aid all who are helping King Ben!"


The Queen intoned, her green eyes bright and glowing as a white brick bridge grew while she spoke. And when Mal had finished her spell, the bridge was fully formed connecting the boat and the beach. Well, perhaps 'bridge' was too strong a word; though it seemed to be made of the same sort of material as the magical bridge that sometimes connected the Isle to the mainland, it wasn't nearly as wide. Even if they'd had one, no one could drive a car over this. However, it was still wide enough for three people to comfortably walk abreast and the weight of it once the opposite end reached solid ground served to help steady the boat, making it quite serviceable as an extra-long gangplank.

The white seemed to almost shine against the dark of sea and the darker of the storm covered Isle.

Even from the beach the poor quality of life on the Isle could be seen. A rusting partial building that was some sort of bait shop was the only real structure that wasn't obscured by the thorns, but the damage to it seems to be older than the thorns might imply.

There were remains of what were probably a few small bonfires and broken bits of tools and scraps of trash laying around.

"Be careful on the bridge," Mal said as she led the people who were starting across, spell book at the ready. "On this side there are crocs, gators, and sharks." Then raising her voice to be heard by those on the beach. "IF ANYONE TRIES TO RUSH THIS OPENING TO ESCAPE YOU WILL REGRET IT!" Her eyes flashed green with the threat.

But perhaps it was the tall man with the beard, standing on the beach holding a beeping box with a light on it, perhaps it was his small but firm nod that made clear that she could back up that threat.

Isle Side

Eventually the raised voices on the other side of the barrier died down, and all was quiet. Those standing on the beach waited with varying levels of tension, wariness, and excitement to see what would happen next. It probably wasn't too long of a time, though it likely seemed much longer to many of them. The distorted shapes of people could be seen moving about on the boat's deck, though whether on purpose or simply due to the rough sea it was difficult to tell.

Then, just as some were likely beginning to question whether anything was going to happen... something did. The box that professor Yen Sid held began beeping loudly, the light on it glowing brightly as the barrier parted. Soon there was an opening large enough to drive a car through forming, allowing both those on the Isle and on the boat to see each other clearly for the first time. Then a familiar voice - to both those from Auradon and to some on the Isle - rang out.

"Bridge of fate
Bridge of trust
Form quick
Be first rate
Formed of stone that does not rust
grow from this ship to the shore
to remain until the barrier closes once again
A bridge to aid all who are helping King Ben!"

The Queen intoned, her green eyes bright and glowing as a white brick bridge grew while she spoke. And when Mal had finished her spell, the bridge was fully formed connecting the boat and the beach. Well, perhaps 'bridge' was too strong a word; though it seemed to be made of the same sort of material as the magical bridge that sometimes connected the Isle to the mainland, it wasn't nearly as wide. Even if they'd had one, no one could drive a car over this. However, it was still wide enough for three people to comfortably walk abreast and the weight of it once the opposite end reached solid ground served to help steady the boat, making it quite serviceable as an extra-long gangplank.

The people preparing to leave the boat were well dressed well fed, but tired looking people. They probably looked a little worse for the storms out at sea tossing their hair and soaking their clothes. But even with that... their clothes were clothes. Not scraps. Not stitched together leathers. Okay, so the Queen was in stitched together leathers, but clearly that was aesthetic choice rather than desperation. They were carrying cloth bags, boxes, and in two cases, flower pots in leather slings.


Everything about what little of the boat could seen from the Isle spoke to quality, to luxury. It was clearly well made, well kept, and expensive. It was also very... pastel.

"Be careful on the bridge," Mal said to the people behind her, as she led them across, spell book at the ready. "On this side there are crocs, gators, and sharks." Then raising her voice to be heard by those on the beach. "IF ANYONE TRIES TO RUSH THIS OPENING TO ESCAPE YOU WILL REGRET IT!" Her eyes flashed green with the threat.

But perhaps it was Professor Yen Sid, perhaps it was his small but firm nod that made clear that she could back up that threat.

Where Two Worlds Come To Meet - Both Missrecalled and Misery-called

With boat and beach thus connected, those on the boat began to disembark, most of them carrying some bit of cargo. Stitched leather bags, sturdy cardboard boxes - both of which seemed full of supplies, and two people carried flower pots in leather stitched slings.

Sylvando - the man in the jester costume - who stayed on the boat guarded the top of the gangplank until the last of the people and supplies were moved across. Once the last of everything was on the shore, the king slid his hand into his pocket and the barrier closed, the bridge vanishing as it did.

For those with magic, it felt weaker here, and as the barrier closed rapidly, the sensation increased until it closed and all the magic was gone. The beeping box stopped making sound, its light fading.

For those with fire associated magic the lack would hit extra hard, though with everyone reeling, that might not be obvious.

Mal tucked her spellbook down the front of her jacket. Her eyes scanned everything and everyone, and she didn't seem to miss anything. She looked almost natural here despite being clean and clearly not starving. The king beside her tried to give everyone a warm smile, which almost immediately made him seem out of place.

"Alright," Mal said. "Here is what is going to happen. We are here to drop off supplies. Some of you may be coming back to Auradon with us. We will be talking to the professors, and to some of you. If you agree to come to Auradon, and if you are accepted, you have to be willing and able to follow the rules of Auradon. We want to help those of you who were never meant to be here, but we can't put the people we promised to protect in Auradon in danger either. Don't like that? I'm the one to step to," she said, pushing some wet hair back off her shoulder. "For those that are staying... this isn't the only time we will be coming and not now doesn't mean never. Until then however..."

"We found supplies," Ben said. "And what we have that we can share, we are sharing. We brought food, potato plants, bottled water and juices, and some other supplies. Everything we brought can be eaten as is or cooked over a simple fire."

Mal nodded. "And for those of you who are dark hearts, who are true evil as... Well let's just say that the deal offered to the adults before this all started stands, and extends to all of you who it applies to. Even if you have been evil in your past, even if you are evil now, but are willing to change to live in Auradon, we will consider you. You will have to earn your place in Auradon. Earn your chance to come over. It won't be easy, but one thing I've learned? Good isn't. Easy. But if you can prove yourself good, even here, we will consider that and you may be welcomed in the future under probation."

Ben took over, then. "However, just because you are here does not mean you are evil," he said. He put a hand on Mal's damp but now hair free shoulder. "If you think you should be in Auradon, not here, come and talk to us. Tell us your story."

"We're planning to stick around about an hour," Mal added, her hand over Ben's her fingerless gloves a dark purple leather with a livid green dragon on the back of each. "That should give enough time to talk to everyone. And for you to ask any questions about the supplies that you may have. And one more thing, yes I see you lurking there in the shadows, Shadow man. And you as well," she said, her eyes flicking to the other side of the rusted bait shop from where the Headmaster was watching them all. "Alright. One hour, people. Let's get this going."

"And... we are truly sorry, for those of you not of this world who are trapped here. We promise, we are trying to work on how to get everyone home."

"Yes, yes, happily ever after's all around. That one hour? Starts now," Mal said. Then she rolled her shoulders back and turned to talk to Professor Yen Sid.

(OOC: Please see this post ASAP to let the mods know your plans so we can write the finale! Thank you all so much!))

Comments

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea fought the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose to ward off a headache. "Xion, you're not some stray puppy I found on the street and took in," he said. "You're one of my best friends. You don't have to do anything to justify your existence to me, ever. It's enough that you're you. That's literally all I need."

"So no, you're not useless and have never been useless. The people who told you you were were horrible and liars and you know for a fact that they were both of those things. I just wish that I could teach you how to let go of all the terrible, wrong things they said about you instead of holding onto them and believing them."

[nobodys_puppet]

"But if you have to work... then it isn't up to you, right?" she asked, quietly. "It won't matter to them that we're friends or that you want me to exist. If I am useless to them...." she looked away, tears rolling down her face. "It... will just... happen again, won't it?"

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea sighed. "OK, Xion, listen to me very carefully. I'm gonna ask you a couple things, and I want you to answer them 'yes' or 'no'. The people you're worried about... you just basically admitted that they're total strangers. They won't have a clue who you are or know anything about you, right?"

[nobodys_puppet]

She nodded, agreeing with that. Not that it would matter much, but he was right that she didn't know who was in charge at the moment. Not in that way.

[hotheadwarmheart]

"OK. And you also think these same people are basically out to get you? That they're literally looking for any opportunity or excuse to wipe you, specifically, out of existence. Is that right?"

[nobodys_puppet]

She hunched in. "They will once they know I'm useless to them..." she whispered, trembling.

[hotheadwarmheart]

"OK, so basically your thinking is that these same people who don't know you from a hole in the ground, who've never met you and know nothing about you and couldn't care less, are also basically Xion-seeking missiles, trained on you specifically just waiting to blast you into oblivion the moment they detect a hint of weakness or uselessness. Does that about sum it up?"

[nobodys_puppet]

She tried to figure out where he was going with that, then looked up alarmed. "You think Roxas will be in danger when he shows up too?!" How... how hadn't she seen that sooner? She grabbed his arm, looking up desperately from under her hood. "We... we're going to protect him, right?" she all but begged, shaking terribly.

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Of course we'd protect Roxas if he was in danger," Lea said. "But that's not what I'm getting at. Xion listen very carefully. You do understand that both of those things can not be true at the same time, right? Someone could not have a clue who you are and not care, or they could be watching you like a hawk and be out to get you. But they could not be both at the same time. Those are two completely opposite ways of being, and they do not mix. Do you understand?"

[nobodys_puppet]

"Once they know about me, they'll want to get rid of me, for being useless..." she said. "Because you said you're supposed to have a job but I can't." Which was why.... "So if I hide and they don't know about me, they won't realize I'm useless to them," she said. "And Roxas. When we find him, we'll hide him too..."

She sounded less sure about that. Could... they really get Roxas to hide?

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea bit his tongue before he could yell, took a deep breath, and exhaled. "That is not at all what I'm saying," he said. "What I'm saying is that all this time, you've been thinking that two completely opposite and contradictory things are true at the same time when they can't be. Do you understand why that doesn't make any logical sense?"

[nobodys_puppet]

"But I don't think they'll magically know about me to want to destroy me," she protested. "They'll want to destroy me once they know about me. That's why...." Why it was better to hide from new Somebodies and Nobodies with power.

[hotheadwarmheart]

"But if they didn't know or care about you, like, five minutes before, why would they suddenly be out to get you upon finding out you couldn't do something for them?", he said. "Why would they- if they were looking for someone to use in the first place, which most of them aren't- not just shrug and walk away to go find someone else? Why do you think they would immediately home in on you and decide that you needed to be destroyed?"

[nobodys_puppet]

She shrugged, looking down. "I don't know," she whispered. And that terrified her.

[hotheadwarmheart]

"So you don't know any reason why they would," Lea said. "Yet you're still afraid that they will. You understand that that doesn't make any sense, right?"

[nobodys_puppet]

"I don't understand why Xemnas or Saïx wanted to get rid of me either, but they did," she pointed out. "I... could have still been useful.... somehow..." she mumbled, looking down.

Not that she wanted to be useful to them, now, knowing what she now knew. But... still....

She said, more to her boot than to him "I don't understand why anyone does anything, mostly. But they don't stop doing things because I don't understand them."

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Xemnas wanted to because Xemnas was a horrible person," he said. "Or a horrible Nobody, I guess. Just horrible in general. And honestly Siax was pretty horrible at the time too, being a big jealous jerk who didn't recognize he was being jealous because he bought into the whole no hearts thing really hard."

"And not knowing why people do things is true for basically everyone at first. The difference is that half the time you act like you don't want to know why because it would involve potentially having to grow and change. Even though you're really doing that all the time anyway, just so slowly that it's hard to notice."

"Anyway, the point is, most people are not horrible like the Organization and a lot of its members were. You just need to give them a chance and get to know them. Like you did with me and Roxas, and with Emporio."

[nobodys_puppet]

"You and Roxas are different," she mumbled, hunched in a bit. "And I have the two of you, so why do I need anyone else?"

[hotheadwarmheart]

"How are we different?", he asked. "And I'm not saying you have to be best friends with everyone, but you do at least need to be able to function and talk to people if Roxas or I aren't around. As opposed to your usual 'panic and flee' the moment a stranger tries to talk to you."

[nobodys_puppet]

"Because...." lots and lots of reasons. But if she had to pick one other than being best friends. "You know what I am..." she mumbled. "But don't want me destroyed for being broken."

[hotheadwarmheart]

"So...", Lea said. "What I'm hearing is that if I tell people that you're a Replica and they're OK with it, you won't be so scared of them any more. Good to know."

[nobodys_puppet]

"that's not what I meant!" she protested with a gasp.

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Well it sure sounded like it to me," he said. "You said that one of the main things that makes it so that Roxas and I are different is that, and I quote, 'You know what I am, but don't want me destroyed for being broken'. So it stands to reason that if other people also knew what you were and didn't want you destroyed, you'd have a lot less reason to be afraid of them. Unless you plan on coming up with new reasons once that one's out of the way."

[nobodys_puppet]

"I have other reasons already," she mumbled. "But why do I have to...?"

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Well one less reason would still be helpful, at least," he said. "And you have to because once Xehanort is beaten back home we're all going to learn to adjust to relatively normal lives. And I know you don't like to think about that, but it's gonna happen and continually trying to avoid dealing with it isn't going to change that. You're not going to be able to just hide behind me or Roxas your whole life. You have to be able to speak, act, and make decisions for yourself, at least on a basic level. I'm just trying to help you get to that point."