It's Like An Old Movie

(Josie Sayz: Following on from the previous poem I posted, which I wrote by listening to my head, this is the poem that came from listening to my heart.)

It’s like an old movie,
You play in my mind’s TV,
But I guess that’s just not good enough for me.
You’re always on my mind.
I just wish that I could find
A way to make you see that we were meant to be.

I’ll find time to change your mind.

Do you remember me?
‘Cause I remember you?
Want me to hold you tight?
I think a date is overdue.

I just wanna hold your hand,
Lace your fingers in mine.
Feel the racing of your heart
And know you’ll always be mine.
Tell me that you’re mine.

Need you to understand.
If you’d only hold my hand
And gaze into my eyes – I’d be hypnotised.
Amazed by your beauty.
If only you could see we
Could gaze into the skies in the countryside.

Will you find time to hear my rhyme?

Do you remember me?
‘Cause I remember you?
Need me to hold you tight?
I think a date is overdue.

Want you to hold my hand,
Lace your fingers in mine.
Have you feel my racing heart.
I’ll be yours, if you be mine.
Tell me that you’re mine.

Dah, de-dah, da, dah.

Dah, de-dah, da, dah…

Da.

It’s like an old movie,
You play in my mind’s TV,
But I guess that’s just not good enough for me.
You’re always on my mind.
I just wish that I could find
A way to make you see that we were meant to be.

Do you remember me?

Wishing we could be.

Dah, de-dah, da, dah.
Dah, de-dah, da, dah…

Just like an old movie.
Things just you and me…

Dah, de-dah, da, dah.
Dah, de-dah, da, dah…

You’re always on my mind.
Wish that you were mine.
Tell me that you’re mine.

Tell me that you’re mine.
Wish that you were mine.
Can’t you tell me that you’re mine.

- Josie -

Playing the Game

(Josie Sayz: This is a quick little flash fiction piece that came to mind on my way home from work today. It is a true story… one based on skill, tactics and love.)

Ever since I was sixteen, I have lived by my motto, “Life’s a game, a boardgame. Play it well enough and you just might be one of it’s finest players, but neglect your chances and who knows where you’ll end up.”  Almost twelve years later and I still march to the beat of the same drum.

For almost four years, I have been playing a game of chess. I met my opponent by chance, in the middle of summer 2015. I was a little weary at first. I don’t usually set aside my main games for complete strangers, but for some reason this seemed different. He reminded me of a friend’s old opponent; their game ended badly for the both of them. I was worried if I involved myself with such a player that I too may find myself in over my head too fast. Stepping into the playing field, I kept the upper hand.

My opponent played his pieces well. The cheeky smile and gleam in his eye sparkled like nothing I had ever seen before. He was charming his way through the game, or so he thought. I held back. Every time he stepped too close, I raised my defences. I was in control. I held back, assessing his next move. Trying to figure out how he intended to play.

A little over a week in, I let my guard down. A shaky step and I let him take, what some may call, an insignificant pawn. I did not mind. It was all a part of the plan. I was easing into my opponent’s way of play… and I liked it. In the beginning, we played every day – each making our move. Observing one another. Plotting our next step.

Six weeks in, I fell right for him. He took something from me. A piece that I had never let go of before. It’s a move I’d never done. A piece I’d never lost. It’s his now. He owns it… that little piece of me.

From that moment on, I let my defence down. I was happy to play just for the company, not the competition. We continued with our daily play for a little over eighteen months, our pieces dancing around one another, neither of us taking the lead. For the first time in my life, I felt comfortable. It wasn’t competitive, but a friendly, intimate game. Little did I know, that was all about to change.

Days dragged into weeks. I played my piece and waited… and waited for a response. He’d show up, make a move and then disappear for weeks at a time.  I’d respond immediately, as I always had done, but he seemed to creep further and further away. He was beginning to lose interest – or at least it felt that way to me.

Soon the weeks turned to months. I no longer understood his method. I could no longer predict his every move. I watched. I waited. The longing for his next move increased my anxiety. I wanted it. I needed it. I hungered for it. I clung to his every word that he would get back to me when he had the time. This was obviously not his number one priority; I guess he did not see that it was mine.

I clung onto hope. I hoped to see him again. I hoped he would make his next move. I hoped that he would continue – that we could continue with our game. My positivity, excitement and longing for more kept me going. Everyday I told myself, “Today’s the day he’ll get back to me.” He rarely did.

A whole year went by without him making a single adjustment to the board. My anxiety continually spiralled around, in a circumbendibus, in my stomach. Still I waited, hoping and praying that he had not forgotten our game. That he would come back to continue with what we had started.

His time away from the playing field showed. Out of the blue, he made a bold move. A risky move. Having put my life on hold for this single moment, I leapt at the chance to swipe the upper hand.

Silence.

I heard nothing. Nothing for weeks. Then without notice, boom! We were back to playing daily. This time I did not let my guard down. I did not want to lull my opponent into a thinking that everything was okay. That things were as they were – where he would make an advance and I would happily dance around it. My tactics had sharpened. I wanted more than just a bit of fun.

I advanced. He disappeared. Abandoned the game. That was three months ago. Even during our silences before, he still sent message that he was, indeed, still in the game. This time however… nothing.

Nothing that is, until last weekend. Out of the blue, he shuffled one remaining pawn forwards. Hovering in the shadows, he awaited my next move. Stepping away from the table, I have been deep in thought since. There are two paths to take, but which is the right one?

Over the years, his moves have become so weak that checkmate is in sight. I could end things right now… with one simple move. I could end the game that we have been playing for almost four years. I could be free from it. Free from the agonising waiting. Free from the anxieties that have arisen from it. Free from the mental abuse that delves deep within, possibly unknown to my opponent that he has caused. But do I want to end it? Am I ready to end it? This is an opponent like no other. I long for this game to last. I thrive upon his movements, his advances, his counter moves.

I have the upper hand. There are still places for me to move… ways that he cannot get to me… advances to make. I am no longer hiding in defence. I am ready to pounce. To make my move. To navigate the board. But what if I do and he disappears again? I am tired of waiting. I am tired of letting someone else control my life. If I end things now, I can start again. Find another opponent… but do I want to?

In my ideal world, my opponent and I will keep circling each other. Dancing over each other’s pieces until only our king’s remain in stalemate… harmonised by the game. Warmed by each other’s friendship. Satisfied with the final result. I can’t go on waiting and waiting again. Waiting weeks and months for him to make his move. Not again. I would rather make one final blow. Checkmate! One cannot leave a game unfinished. Every game needs an ending. But what if he’s serious this time? He says he is, but he said that last time… and the time before that… and the time before that.

The ball’s in my court. It’s my call. It’s my move. Do I end things? Do I call checkmate? I have the advantage. I can call it in one move. One finally meeting and it’s over. Or do I keep playing… avoiding the destruction, so that I can continue to live on playing my opponent, slowly, but surely until we reach a peaceful stalemate?

It’s my move.

- Josie -

KH3 Theory Week: Who are the 13 'Seekers of Darkness'?

(Josie Sayz: This is part of a mini-series that I’m working on, pondering over various theories surrounding the characters and events that may be revealed in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ when it is released at the end of January next year. These theories are meant to be just light, fun and speculation – none of this if fact nor is it meant to be taken seriously. Today I am going to look into who may be the 13 ‘Seekers of Darkness’ in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’.)

Today, I wanted to look into something that I know will play a huge part in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ and that is the thirteen ‘Seekers of Darkness’. We know that this is going to be the basis for the final battle at the end of the game, as ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ is said to be the end of the Xehanort saga.

So who are the thirteen ’Seekers of Darkness’? Some of these, we already have confirmed. I think that it is largely believed that anyone whom has been norted/become one of Master Xehanort’s vessels will be one of the thirteen ’Seekers of Darkness’ – Master Xehanort is trying to implant parts of his heart into twelve people (I say twelve as one is actually him) to form clones of himself, thus creating the thirteen dark hearts that are needed to create the true X-blade and pass through the doors to the true Kingdom Hearts, as it is said that the one who passes through the doors to Kingdom Hearts is able to remake the world as they see fit. We know what Master Xehanort’s goal is, but who are his chosen vessels?

1) Master Xehanort. It is obvious that one of the ’Seekers of Darkness’ must be Master Xehanort himself. He is the mastermind behind the operation. He is the one splitting his heart into thirteen pieces. As of ‘Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance’ he has returned.

2) Young Xehanort. He was a key player in 'Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance' and, through the use of time travel, gathered all forms of Master Xehanort to travel to meet in the one location at one time, in hopes of using Sora as their thirteenth vessel. He is also confirmed to not only appear in 'Kingdom Hearts III’ but is also a member of the thirteen ’Seekers of Darkness’.

3) Xemnas. Xemnas is Master Xehanort’s nobody (via Terra-Xehanort's body). He is the original leader of the original Organisation XIII. Although he was defeated in ‘Kingdom Hearts II’, Young Xehanort travelled back in time to before his defeat and brought him forward into the present. Therefore, he too will be a ’Seeker of Darkness’.

4) Ansem the ’Seeker of Darkness’. As his title suggests, Ansem the ’Seeker of Darkness’ is one of the thirteen ‘Seekers of Darkness’. He is Terra-Xehanort’s Heartless. As with Xemnas, despite being defeated, Young Xehanort travelled back in time and brought him forward, into the present, making him a vessel for Master Xehanort.

5) Xigbar/Braig. Braig was the first character that we saw give heart up as a vessel to Master Xehanort. We were introduced to him in 'Birth by Sleep' (the beginning of the Xehanort series). Throughout the 'Kingdom Hearts' series he appears as Master Xehanort's henchman or sidekick, following his orders. Although he claims that he has plans of his own, Braig/Xigbar became a vessel for Xehanort very early on - his eyes changed from brown to yellow and his ears became pointed. Does Xigbar/Braig plan to enter the doors of Kingdom Hearts for himself and saw becoming a part of Xehanort and following along with the master’s plans to be the only way to accomplish this?

6) Saïx/Isa. He was one of the original members of the original ‘Organisation XIII’. From the first time that we see Saïx, he is already norted/a vessel for Master Xehanort. He has the yellow eyes and elven ears. Although Saïx/Isa appears to be working very close with Xemnas (as his second in command), Saïx’s original goal was to get his and Axel’s hearts back. However, since Axel became close friends with Roxas and Xion, his friendship with Axel faded and he turned his full attention to helping Xemnas. Does Saïx want to help Master Xehanort or does he (like Xigbar/Braig) have plans of his own?

Those are the six ’Seekers of Darkness’ that have been confirmed. These next are just my theories and fun speculation. Please do not take what I say to be fact or completely write me off. This is just my opinion and just a bit of fun. I have not played the games in a while, so my memory of some of the characters is a little fuzzy in places, so do forgive me if I have not got everything spot on. This is just for fun. If you have your own opinions, I completely respect them, and encourage you to share.

7) Terra-Xehanort. In ‘Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance’, when Sora is about to become a vessel for Master Xehanort, Master Xehanort states that he now has two of the ‘Guardians of Light’ as his own. If one is Sora (which he does not get as Lea saves him), I believe that the other Master Xehanort is referring to is Terra, or more specifically Terra-Xehanort (or Terranort as I think some refer to him as). Will Terra manage to break away from Xehanort’s hold of his heart? Is it already too late for him? We know that Terra’s heart has ties to the darkness, so will he allow himself to be submerged by Master Xehanort’s heart?

8) Aqua. Unless you purposely avoided the three ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ trailer releases at ‘E3’, you will know that Aqua, the feisty hero that we all grew to love in ‘Birth by Sleep’, who kept fighting her way through the darkness to save her friends, has been norted. When King Mickey gets a glimpse of her, she replies, “Mickey you’re too late,” revealing to him (and the audience) her yellow eyes. Aqua’s change in appearance is very obvious to any viewer, as her eyes were once a very light, bright blue, however now they are the same glowing yellow as Master Xehanort’s. What has possessed Aqua to become a vessel for Master Xehanort? Did the darkness get to her? Or did Master Xehanort convince Aqua that he would lead her to Ventus? – even so, why would she chose to allow herself to be norted? Did the darkness consume her? Did her love for her friends fade after her time traversing the suffocating darkness?

9) Larxene. When we are re-introduced to Larxene in the ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ trailers, she appears to be the one running ‘Arendelle’, as we see her asking Sora whether Elsa will choose the side of light or darkness. An interesting thing that I noticed straight away when seeing Larxene is that (like Aqua), her bright blue eyes have been changed to yellow. Why would Larxene suddenly decide to side with Master Xehanort and Xemnas, after rebelling against ‘Organisation XIII’ and teaming up with Marluxia to overthrow Xemnas back in ‘Kingdom Heats: Chain of Memories’? It seems very out of character. After Larxene’s Nobody dies, did something happen to her Somebody that made her feel the need to become norted? Was she tricked into become a vessel for master Xehanort? Or does she have her own plan? Is she only pretending to follow Master Xehanort’s plan, but really intends to overthrow him and claim Kingdom Hearts as her own?

10) Marluxia. In the Japanese version of the ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ trailer, there is an extra scene that is not present in the English trailer. It is only three seconds long but shows Marluxia in the ‘Tangled’ world, with yellow eyes (2:24-2:27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFKlDX4vzz8). Similarly to me explanation with Aqua and Larxene, Marluxia used to have bright blue eyes and now they resemble Master Xehanort’s. But what could have possessed Marluxia to become a vessel for Master Xehanort? When we first met him in ‘Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories’, Marluxia was trying to overthrow the Organisation, so what would make him want to side with the ones he was once rebelling against?  Perhaps something happened to his Somebody (Lauriam) after his Nobody was destroyed, which that made him change his mind and want to re-join with Xemnas and the other original members of ‘Organisation XIII’? Or does Marluxia/Lauriam have ties to Master Xehanort, from when the master visited his world to take Ventus as his apprentice? Was Marluxia/Lauriam jealous that Master Xehanort chose Ven over him? Did Master Xehanort promise Marluxia/Lauriam that he could become his apprentice if he became one of his vessels?

11) Luxord. To me, Luxord is a very mysterious character. I don't feel as though we know as much about him when compared to various other members of the original Organisation XIII. From his more kind-hearted nature towards Roxas, it would seem that Luxord was far from falling into deep darkness, as he can show kindness (in some way) – he even cries, “How could you Roxas?” when Sora defeats him. Then again, he did appear very loyal to Xemnas, as the purpose Luxord’s final battle with Sora in ‘Kingdom Hearts II’ is to prevent Sora from reaching Xemnas. Returning to the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ world in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’, Luxord’s pale blue eyes have been replaced with yellow. My guess is Luxord’s loyalty to Xemnas and the ideologies of the Organisation is what convinced Luxord to allow his heart to become a vessel for Master Xehanort.

12) Vanitas. Throughout ‘Birth by Sleep’ Vanitas appears to be easily led by Master Xehanort. Vanitas does everything the Master says, without question. He already has a dark heart, being as he is the dark half of Ventus’ heart. Combining his loyalty to Master Xehanort and his ability to control the Unversed, would this not make for a great vessel for the Master? I know that Vanitas’ existence ceased when Ventus fragmented his heart, however if/when Ventus’ heart is restored, might this revive Vanitas too? If so, I doubt Master Xehanort would pass up an opportunity to create a vessel out of this character, created from pure darkness.

13) I am leaving position thirteen open, as I do believe that this spot could be for a number of people. Could it be Ventus? Now that Master Xehanort has made a vessel out of Aqua, could he be using Aqua to find Ventus in order to make a vessel out of him too? Could it be Roxas? Xemnas and Young Xehanort seem keen on bringing Roxas back. Are they planning to make a vessel out of him? Could it be Replica Riku? Having made an appearance in one of the ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ trailers, might Replica Riku play a big part in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’. After all, he is his own character and has his heart deep in darkness. Could he be the ultimate vessel for Master Xehanort? Will Replica Riku face Riku in one of the final battles? Could it be Lea? Will Axel/Lea’s heart be dragged back to the darkness, because of his old friend Isa/Saïx or due to Roxas’ return? Now that Lea can wield a keyblade, will the Organisation recruit him back? Could the thirteenth spot be left for Sora? Although I would hate to think that our hero (whom we have been following for the last sixteen years) will give his heart to Master Xehanort – he almost did in ‘Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance’, so what is stopping it from happening again? Tetsuya Nomura has already revealed that long fans of the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ series will find the ending hard to accept. So, will Sora join the darkness? Will he be destroyed at the very end of ‘Kingdom Hearts III’?

I would love to know your thoughts on this. Do you agree with my list? Is there anyone I missed? Who do you think will be the thirteen ‘Seekers of Darkness’? Do you believe that Sora might become a vessel to Master Xehanort? Do you believe we may lose or faithful hero? Let me know what you think.

- Josie -

KH3 Theory Week: What Happened to Pluto?

(Josie Sayz: This is part of a mini-series that I’m working on, pondering over various theories surrounding the characters and events that may be revealed in ‘Kingdom Hearts III’ when it is released at the end of January next year. These theories are meant to be just light, fun and speculation – none of this if fact nor is it meant to be taken seriously. Today I am going to look into the whereabouts of Pluto throughout the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ series.)

Following the games through order of release, we first see Pluto in ‘Disney Castle’ (in ‘Kingdom Hearts I’) when Donald Duck is going to see King Micky in the morning, but he isn’t there. He then accompanies Donald and Goofy on their mission to Traverse Town (well Pluto jumps into the Gummi Ship just before they are about to take off, without being told to follow them) however, it is from here that things become interesting. As soon as Donald and Goofy arrive in Traverse Town, Pluto wonders off, having found an unconscious Sora. Once conscious, Sora gets up to follow Pluto, only to lose him. This is it. Pluto is not seen again during the game. Although Pluto snuck onto the Gummi Ship, once Donald and Goofy arrive in Traverse Town they are aware that Pluto is with them. However, the pair get distracted looking for Leon and completely forget about the King’s dog for the remainder of their journey.

The next time that we see Pluto is at the very begging of? ‘Kingdom Hearts Chain of Memories’. Pluto appears running towards Sora, Donald and Goofy (whilst they are walking the road between light and darkness), with a letter in his mouth, bearing King Mickey’s seal. We do not know how Pluto has this letter from King Mickey or what he is doing on the path between light and darkness, or how he came to be there, or how he knew that Sora, Donald and Goofy would be travelling that way or what was on the letter. After chasing Pluto to retrieve the letter, the trio arrive at Castle Oblivion, however Pluto is no longer with the group and his not seen again throughout this game.

The next appearance of our furry friend is in ‘Kingdom Hearts II’. Pluto is wandering around ‘The World That Never Was’ where he appears to be following Axel and misses the chance to follow him into his black portal. However, Pluto seems to know his way around/what he is doing, as he spots another black hole opening and runs into it. Pluto then appears in ‘Destiny Island’ just in time to save Kairi from travelling with Axel. He takes Kairi into another black portal, leads her through the ‘Corridor of Darkness’ and then they find themselves in ‘Twilight Town’ (with Hayner, Penca and Olette). Whilst in ‘Twilight Town’ when Axel appears and kidnaps Kairi, Pluto follow after them, only to end out trapped in a cell with her in the ‘Castle That Never Was’. There, the two of them meet Naminé, whom helps them escape. When a hooded Riku saves them (after Saïx intervenes) Pluto blocks Riku from leaving, so that Kairi can find see that it is Riku who had been helping him. After Xemnas has been defeated, Pluto runs through the new black portal in the ‘Corridor of Darkness’ that Naminé created for their escape. During ‘Kingdom Hearts II’’s credits, Pluto is seen having returned to ‘Disney Castle’ along with any other of the main ‘Disney’ characters.

In ‘Birth by Sleep’ (which (I know) is first chronologically (so please don’t attack me)), we briefly see Pluto during Terra’s visit to ‘Disney Town’ – he is sat beside Queen Minnie at the race track and during Aqua’s visit he is standing behind Horace and Queen Minnie during their introductory conversation/cutscene. Apart from sitting on the side-lines, Pluto does not appear to have any other purpose other than to accompany Queen Minnie.

In ‘Kingdom Hearts: Coded’ Pluto can be seen in ‘Traverse Town’ sniffing around the ‘Third District’ after Sora, Donald and Goofy first meet. He then wanders into the opening of a black hole and travels into the ‘Corridor of Darkness’. Again, that is all we see of Pluto here.

I know that some people do not count ‘Kingdom Hearts: Coded’ as cannon… but if it is, does that mean that all this time, Pluto has been wondering the ‘Corridors of Darkness’? How? He has no protective armour. No gummi ship. No black cloak. Does the ‘Corridor of Darkness’ not affect pets/normal none-anthropomorphized animals? Okay, so I know that Riku was helping Pluto navigate the ‘Corridor of Darkness’ in ‘Kingdom Hearts II’, but during ‘Kingdom Hearts I’ Pluto would have been on his own. Riku was yet to meet him. From the very beginning of Sora’s journey, has Pluto been travelling the ‘Corridor of Darkness’ alone, all this time? Has he been jumping from world to world? How come we haven’t seen him since? Where was he in ‘Dream Drop Distance’ or just after that? Are we supposed to assume that this secret agent, travelling canine has just been sat in ‘Disney Town’, in the ‘Disney Castle,’ napping in his dog bed? – if he really has been travelling to other worlds then maybe he is exhausted and needs a nap. But in all seriousness, where has he been? Since arriving in ‘Traverse Town’ with Donald and Goofy for the first time, what happened to Pluto? Did he come across any of the ‘Disney’ villains? Did he face any fights? Were the Heartless, Nobodies and/or Unversed problems for him? Did they come after him or attack defenceless Pluto in any way? What about ‘Organisation XIII’? – did anyone other than Axel encounter Pluto? Has Pluto followed other characters around? Perhaps way back on Pluto’s first encounter with the black-hole-portal to the ‘Corridor of Darkness’, he could sense that King Mickey was traversing the ‘Realm of Darkness’ and was led towards him through intuition or the scent of his owner – is that possible? Could it be that simple all along… that Pluto was simply trying to find Mickey?

What do you think? Is Pluto a secret agent, sneaky, spying, super dog, with the power to traverse the ‘Corridor or Darkness’ unharmed and hop from world to world, possibly on his very own, top secret mission? Or was he simply wondering the ‘Corridor of Darkness’ following the scent of his owner, King Mickey? Is Pluto up to something else? Is there something that I didn’t pick up on? Is Pluto a part of something bigger than just the occasional comic relief or a convenient plot point? I would love you to share your thoughts.

- Josie -