???? Grail [Action EVERYWHERE]

[dressofheaven]

[It starts with an unfamiliar woman walking up to the Breeding Centre in Goldenrod. She looks around for a bit, as if checking the place out, then puts her hands on her hips.]

Well, I think I just figured out what's going on.

[A few moments later, she's gone. Where? Well, it's fourth wall weekend. She could be anywhere.

Including right behind you, leaning over your shoulder and grinning.]

Hi!

[OOC: Route Future!Ilya is a go! Responses will come from feelmyheaven. Everyone is welcome! Meet her at the Centre, wherever your character is, trapped in a cave somewhere, doesn't matter.]

Comments

[feelmyheaven]

[She doesn't even try to hide the hurt in her expression when Xion moves away from her. She stands there with her hand outstretched, eyes a bit widened in surprise, biting her lower lip.

It takes a moment for her to lower it back down, and she brings it to her chest, curling it up as she tries to think of something to say. Ten years of casual physical affection has made her a lot more sensitive to losing it.]

I don't know what I did, but I'm sorry.

[memoryborn]

[ At that, Illya gets a vigorous shake of her head. She gestures with her free hand at her hood while her other clutches even tighter at her Keyblade, as if trying to gain some comfort. ]

It's not you, it's just... I don't want you to see what I look like.

[ Given Illya's words, ten years had passed for them both in Johto. The issue of Xion looking like anything else - anyone else - wouldn't have really mattered... until now. ]

[feelmyheaven]

... What, forgot to put your makeup on today?

[She manages a teasing smile with that question, though it's a bit wan. Even back in this time she would have known that it was something much more serious, but being deathly serious all the time is bad enough for Xion already, she doesn't need to be encouraged.]

[memoryborn]

[ Her response is just an even more awkward silence as the attempt at a joke flies over Xion's head. Or that Xion couldn't really see why the attempt was just needed. Or rather she's too focused on how to try and word this properly. ]

I guess. [ Xion tries to go for it, but the dull tone to her voice doesn't completely sell it. ] I'm not really stable like this. It's even worse when I'm here.

[feelmyheaven]

[Yeah, she more or less expected that would fall flat, but better that than let on how worried she's becoming.]

Would it help if we left?

[She pauses after that and looks around, frowning a bit.]

How do we leave, anyway? Do we have to wait for the world to shove us somewhere else?

[memoryborn]

[ Xion thinks on this for a moment. It would be easier if she could both pull them through a Corridor of Darkness, but she didn't want to expose Illya's heart to that danger. She glances back to her. There's power coming off of the older woman, but even then...

It's then an idea comes to her. ]

I have an idea, but could you... um, could you keep your eyes closed until I say can open them? Please?

[feelmyheaven]

[Ilya gives her a confused look briefly, but shrugs and closes her eyes as requested.]

Alright. Now what?

[memoryborn]

[ When she's sure Illya's eyes are really closed, Xion discards the coat and puts it over Illya's body. As she pulls the zipper up, she can already see the cloth conform to Illya's body. Xion feels the darkness swirl around her as her form changes, turns metallic. She lets out a sigh as she settles into the cold metal frame of her armored self and looks down at her hand. The golden talons that adorn her fingertips look sharp, but she makes sure that when she grabs Illya's hand, they don't do anything. ]

Just keep them closed. This will be quick.

[ Her voice probably sounds like it's coming through a metal filter now, and then there's a sudden sound of wind and space being pushed aside as Xion summons a Corridor of Darkness. The smells bitter and there's a touch of cold now that she doesn't have her coat, but she walks inside, gently applying pressure to Illya's hand as she navigates to... somewhere. Anywhere but The World That Never Was. ]

[feelmyheaven]

[When she feels Xion putting her coat on her, Ilya slides her hands through the sleeves automatically and kind of hugs herself, a little smile showing on her face.

Right up until Xion speaks. It would be pretty much impossible for Ilya not to be able to tell that something is very wrong with her when she sounds like that. And it's pretty clear that Xion giving her her coat is just exacerbating the problem.]

Let's hurry. I think you need this thing more than I do.