Closure [Second City]

[iamaman_punch]

All that could have been explained had been explained. Not all questions had been answered, but that was the way of magic sometimes - it didn't have to be explained, or it couldn't be explained. Words only went so far. All that was left now was the choice - whether they would stay in this city or return to their own.

But before that...well, there was something to be said for goodbyes.

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[hiptobe_eraqus]

Unlike some of the others in the city, Eraqus had a very good reason to stay in the real Chicago. He knew that if he went back home, it would be straight into facing off against Terra, and then ultimately his own demise and the destruction of his home world. All of it weighed heavily on his thoughts and his heart.

But still, he knew he had to go back. This was a decision that he had made a long time ago, and even now, he decided to stick with it.

At least now he had the opportunity to say farewell to those he cared about, and for that, he was grateful.

[wavesinherheart]

Aqua had known that this was going to be a time of endings. A time of farewells, as people went back to their own worlds. And yet, she wasn't sure she was still willing for that to be the case. She wouldn't say that she hadn't been glad to see Master Eraqus again, but at the same time... it was a bittersweet thing, now. This was the last time she was going to see him and even the time he'd been in Chicago seemed all too short, now.

But she wasn't surprised he was going back too. She wasn't sure any of them really wanted to risk changing the past that badly no matter how much it might have helped Terra. (And that was another conversation she wasn't looking to have, even if she had a bit more experience fighting all sorts of monsters now than she'd had before.)

Still, now wasn't the time to be thinking about Terra and she very carefully and very firmly put those thoughts aside for the moment.

"You're still going?"

[hiptobe_eraqus]

Eraqus knew that this was going to be hard. And yet, knowing it and being grateful for the chance, he still didn't know if he was prepared to say goodbye to his students like this. Especially Aqua...all of the burden of being a Master would now be shouldered onto her, especially with what would happen to Terra and Ventus.

But he still trusted her to see it through...and hoped that the things he'd told Sora and Riku would stick with them, too.

"Yes," he responded, doing his best to keep his voice even. "I believe you understand why."

[wavesinherheart]

Without going back, there was no real way to know if anything they'd learned here was going to stay with them. Aqua was certainly hoping it was - if only for the fact that she had been able to see Master Eraqus one last time - but there simply wasn't any way to know for sure. She'd simply have to make do with what she got, and that sort of uncertainty had become all too familiar a companion of late.

If she was going to be the only one who could carry the future forward, she would. Even it was going to be a hard and lonely job.

"I do," she answered with a nod. "But can you blame me for wishing it could be any other way?"

[hiptobe_eraqus]

"No, I cannot." He sighed.

He could see that she was struggling with this burden, and he didn't blame her. "I believe that you will succeed, Aqua...I know you will succeed. You have the skill, and you have the heart."

Eraqus didn't know how good he was at pep talks, especially in a situation like this, but he hoped it helped her some.

[wavesinherheart]

It helped some, yes, and really Aqua hadn't heard many pep talks. That Master Eraqus was thus willing to at least make the attempt was worth almost more than wht he'd actually said. She might not have any faith in her ability to cope in the long run, not when so very much was still uncertain, but someone did and that was enough. And anyway, she couldn't leave Terra to his fate.

Not after all that she'd finally admitted to Terra.

"I... Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say that."

[hiptobe_eraqus]

This was part of why Eraqus didn't give out 'pep talks' often...he didn't much know how to respond here. It was just a lot simpler to keep up the stoic front at all times. A part of him wanted to give her a hug, but another large part of him was afraid if he did, he wouldn't be able to let go.

He finally managed a small, reassuring smile. "So...stay strong. One day, I believe, we will meet again." That was the funny thing about hearts...even when defeated, or steeped in darkness, they never truly vanished from existence.

[wavesinherheart]

Aqua wouldn't have said no to a hug if it had been offered. She wasn't going to expect one and she wasn't going to initiate one, but she wouldn't entirely have minded if one had happened. Besides, she would have to get used to being strong enough for what was going to be asked of her somehow and this was a decent enough place to start.

"I'll look forward to that day, then."