Contemplation Under the Moon (Closed)

[Aether]

Such an odd sense of serenity had fallen onto the shores. The wind moved ever so softly, enough to bring about a refreshing and comfortable breeze. Moonlight brought about a majestic tone to the calm waves that smoothly washed upon the sands, silver in color in the night and sparkling like the heavenly bodies in the sky. Such a pristine site to behold. The only imperfection conceivable by the eye was the set of footprints that laid in the length of the beach, leading to a washed-up log. There, alone in the night, pondered the boy. His silver hair glimmered like the silver sands and waved softly with the breeze. His robe melded with the darkness of the night, and the streak a blue kindred to the cerulean glow of his eyes.

The events from earlier had left him in many states of mind, some familiar while other foreign. Where could he start? The list was absurdly long. From confusion, to anger, to sorrow, and perhaps even jealousy...

Confusion was the main source of this choice to come alone to the beach. With the exception of, perhaps a few who were out as well, no one knew of Aiden's trip: Not Vince, Rooro, Xyre, not even Fenrir knew. The SOLDIER needed to settle some issues before they became matters that were beyond his control, though he had to admit; it was a little lonely on the beach. The setting seemed too perfect to not share.

"Could he be right?" He thought to himself aloud.

While slightly slouched over, Aiden raised his right hand, as if to look at something in his palm, yet nothing was there. Instead, he brought about a covering of black adamant over the arm that resembled his transformation. He moved the adamant claws, watching each digit as it waved.

/****\
"Darkness was never meant to exist, let alone to be handled by mortals."

"It is the source of your imperfections. It is a result of the light shining onto your hearts. The source of all Darkness comes from the shadows emitted from the heart."

No matter what you say, no matter your strength and determination...the darkness will swallow you. It is the nature of Darkness, and there is nothing you can do to change that...
/****\

Strong words from such a man as the demon who wraps himself in light. Perhaps...those words might have validity to them. There's no doubt the boy's foolish actions this day were caused out of a unexplainable rise in temper. Could the dark aura have any effect on his nature?

Possible. Though what was he to do? Could one change his own aura? The idea was far-fetched and sounded along the lines of the impossible. At the same time, was the risks of carrying such a power worth the possible trouble that may arise? He was trying to protect what he cared for, but could he accomplish such a task if the power he wielded could possibly bring him down, along with those he cared for. He told himself and another he would carry this burden...but the burden was proving to be more than he could hold by himself, and his actions today did not help.

"*sighs*..."

[wildkuma]

"...Maybe it really was him; how odd, this vision is. So strange...it seals you off from pain, yet it keeps that which exists from escaping...

...Why...can't I make up my mind about what a problem is when I've considered it enough to lose sleep?"

From behind the forest line, the sky and moonshine were just as vivid as their reflections in the waves. The ereathral beams highlighted the form of the leaves and the earth as if momentarily bathing them in the purest pearl. Even though hues were muted, the definition and lay off the land was very real. And the presence of the figure in the distance was as distinct as the tension in her steps and the coarse earth beneath her feet. It would not take long for the coarseness to give way to the fine shining grains of the shoreline, nor the brittle bark upon which the shadowed figure sat. The only concern was the matter of whether to approach when he stewed in such spirits as she had.

Naomi could only find herself locked into place until an appropriate strategy came about, feeling rather odd to be bundled up at the beach, but not at all upset considering the windchill. The enviornment was clearly the least of her worries as she noted the use of dark adamant, normally brought into play only during times of warfare and hardship. So why would he draw it forth when all there was around to consider were his own thoughts? Perhaps a storm raging around within? It would likely be a stark contrast to the serenity of the beach enviornment now, if it existed at all. Maybe she was overthinking things and projecting her own negative thought patterns onto what she found familiar and soothing, seeing as they'd never seemed to fail her in times like these. But looking at him now, the last thing she'd want to do is consider adding on to any burden he may or may not possess, or even worse, initiating a plight that she would not be able to resolve. It would be equally bad to leave and fail to take heed of the situation, leaving him to cope with any upsets alone...as he always had. Just what to do? The last time she'd approached a friend like this, he'd nearly ended up dead...

(...I...I will just have to make sure....I don't do what I usually do...if things seem unusal at all. Yes...that's the only reason why it would have messed up in the first place...)

With the method laid out before her, she wondered why it was taking so long. Perhaps she was nervous over whether her thought patterns were already known? Surely with Aiden being a SOLDIER, he would be perceptive enough to know that she was standing there in the first place? Or at least to note the golden tone scoping him out from the shadows; perhaps the rest of her would blend in to the greys and blues, but it would always give way to her identity. To him, those around her, and everyone she'd ever known. No point being nervous now. The only way anything was going to be resolved if she'd quit delaying the inevitable.

The walk from the brush was ardous, but it felt much better than standing there. At least an objective had been brought into play; a slight smile came to her face for as long as she was at a dstance. But with a respectable dstance covered, she paused in the sands, managing to gather her nerve some and voice the vital inquiry.

"Aiden?

...

Is that you? ...What are you doing out here so late?"

The last statements came out in a hushed manner, probably stated to herself rather than the cloaked figure. It wssn't as if she needed to start with much detail; she had to determine whether she was invited to listen in the first place. If all it turned out to be was just a random day at the beach, she really couldn't magne the relief at this point...

Working herself up over a single use of Aura...was there this much to anticipate when an individual was merely adrift in thought?

[Aether]

A storm had yet to form, yet the signs of a coming dark hour seemed to be present. Every soul in life would have such a hour, where they must choose the path they follow, what kind of person they would choose to be. How circumstances played their role so heavily on that decision, no matter the being. The upbringing, the friends, the treatments; any little aspect could turn one to either path. Aiden pondered though, how easily it could be to cross over from one path to the other. There was no doubt the boy wished to follow a light path, but could such be obtainable through such dark means? He tried to tell himself that there was no other way. The darkness gave him the promise of being able to match his foes in battle, though could to possible costs outweigh the end result? What good would it be to fight Erebus if he were to just fall into the same abyss?

Out of the corner of his eye the SOLDIER caught movement. Aiden thought he felt a presence nearby, but his previous train of thought did not permit him to take any further examinations. Out of all the students and people on this island, he found it peculiar that it was her.
Peculiar?
Normally, he was happy to see her, and he still felt that same feeling this time, yet he still grew nervous as well. Perhaps her presence reminded him of the actions that took place earlier in the day. Perhaps her presence reminded him of the other day. Baffling: How could one wish the presence of one person, yet fear the presence at the same time?

"Naomi?"

Realizing that the girl was walking toward him, the adamant quickly dissipated with a faint cloud of darkness that lingered around the arm for a couple seconds. Aiden did not pay attention to this fact.

"Oh...Nothing much...Just...watching the ocean. Wanted to go somewhere a bit more relaxing...What are you doing out here so late?"

He spoke in a manner which imitated the timidity he had shown long ago, before their trip. No doubt he too wondered why and how Naomi found herself on the beach. Coincidence? Or maybe fate was giving him a chance to explain what happened and perhaps obtain some answers. Was the wish of just having one, simple, normal, non-conflicting night like this too much to ask for? It seemed no matter how much the boy worked for it, he could never find the time or position to simply enjoy the beach, and with Naomi no less. Aiden smiled lightly, attempting to show that everything was alright.

He was never good at this.

[wildkuma]

The girl seemed to stare for a few moments after finally hearing Aiden's voice, the confirmation of his presence almost unexpected, but more so her due to her impetuous approach. Her feet had carried her forward before she knew she was moving, and it would probably be an awkward gesture to back off now. At least she could have relief in the fact he seemed ok for the most part. At least beyond that brief shadowy cast his arm had taken...

Was it a typical reaction after dismissing one's aura? She couldn't strongly recall seeing it before but...

"Oh hey! I thought it was you...to have the beach all to yourself today...

..it must be nice."

She could clearly remember the last time she'd had the beach to herself...in fact, the area wasn't too far off from here. She certainly didn't feel the same standing there as she did now either. At least now, it was a factor she no longer needed to hide. More warmth seemed to enter her features and movements as she recognized the simplicity of it all, or at least, downplayed the complexity for his sake.

"I guess you could say I'm out for the same reason...though to be honest, I thought doing a bit of investigation would help me on my project. Seemed like there was a little more activity than usual this way...though I think it was from out deeper in the ocean...

...I guess I should consider myself lucky; it turned out worthwhile to stay, even though I didn't find a Pokemon."

A bright smile crossed her features as she said this, now maybe a good twelve feet from where he sat, simply clasping her hands together behind her and looking out to the ocean in turn. Somewhat childish in her mannerisms to the casual onlooker. She seemed almost amused by Aiden's coyness which seemed to hail from days long past, though at the same time, it brought a level of discomfort. She wasn't sure what he might have been considering to bring him back to such a time, but she hoped that it was nothing she'd inadvertently caused...

All the while, she retained her characteristic calmness which had served well through the trip to Midgar and back. So many people they'd met and seen...the pain and relief both to come of it. They could rest at ease for the time being, even if only a little while. So even if Aiden had a bit of concern lingering in his mind, at least things would be ok. She'd already witnessed such could be accomplished. Now just to enjoy the peace for the time being...if only they could just enjoy it...

"It is pretty late, but a moonlit night has it's own charm, just as a sun-splashed morning does. I guess it is a shame to miss out on either, though it really can be difficult to choose which is better. Still, you can get the best of both at sunset...

It really is pretty out here tonight though..."

Reason seemed to make her argue with taking a seat and maintaining a some amount of distance...perhaps because she was slightly undecided if she was welcome there or not yet. She kind of had a hint he was smiling to be polite but...she didn't want to downplay the offering of it if he really didn't mind. Ah, such depth to the politics of language, audible and visible, such depth to the bounds of the ocean...

If he needed anything else brought on his mind, she'd let him raise the subject himself. No need to crowd the evening with superfluous material...

...Maybe she didn't need to, but was it something that should be done?

...Why question it?