towerofanimus | (no subject)

Characters: [OU] Master Xehanort and potential victims
Setting: Anywhere you are
Format: I'll match whatever. Action is fine, the old coot just wanted to WORDS for his first post.
Summary: Old man goes out to explore the tower and runs into everyone who never wanted to run into him ever. And maybe some people who did.
Warnings: It's Xehanort. Everything is fair game. KH cast I apologize in advance...

Pacing, pacing. Back and forth. Something had gone wrong, something that he - how laughable, that - hadn't planned for. A random, stray element, that .00001 chance of something coming up. Whatever it was, it had catastrophic effects. His fingers curled and uncurled as he ran through options, through possibilities.

No matter. He was still there. He would find another way. The X-Blade was simply one path to Kingdom Hearts, after all...

He turned on his heel, coat swishing and hands clasping behind his back in that practiced and comfortable way, heading out down the hall. Footsteps even, measured. Making a mental map. Memorizing every step, so that even if he couldn't see or hear he would still be able to find his way.

If this was where he was going to stay, he would make it service him. It was simply a matter of learning its secrets.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He watches Riku's moves for a while, taking in how he holds his keyblade and his stance and of course a watchful eye on his heart.

It's all very fascinating and a bit familiar in some ways.

When Riku is finished, he applauds.] Very well done. May I ask who trained you so well?

[His stance is bound to be at least somewhat familiar due to its similarities to Vanitas'. Keybearer or not, he definitely keeps up that one-handed style he's known for.

As for training, Riku lets out a dry laugh. Oh, this guy doesn't know the half of it.]

No one. I had to learn all on my own.

[Granted, Merlin did teach him a few spells along the way, but he was the one who had to master those same spells in combat.]

Self-trained? That's very rare and highly unusual. That you've become so adept is quite remarkable.

Your name, young man?

Believe me, if I'd have found another wielder, I'd have gone for some training. I even looked around.

[Because there was that guy... Riku never did find out what became of him.]

Anyway, the name's Riku.

So there are no masters where you're from? A shame...

It is a pleasure to meet one as talented as you, Riku.

Not that I know of. I mean, the last time I met another Keybearer was when I was five.

[...not counting the Replica. But his Keyblade's probably just as fake as he is.

Still, this guy at least seems to know what he's talking about. That's handy.]

Thanks, though.

Five years old? That's the appropriate time to train. You were chosen at an early age, then, even if you never had a formal master?

[He nods, bringing a hand to his chest.]

Yeah, this guy showed up on the islands a long time ago. I never did catch his name, but he was... tall, had brown hair and wore some kind of armor. Before he left, he let me hold his Keyblade and said some kind of sappy poem.

Back then, I didn't really get the meaning behind it.

[AND WITH THAT ONE SENTENCE EVERY RIKU IN THE ENTIRE GAME WAS DOOMED. I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY.]

I believe I've met him, before. Strong young man, with conviction. A good deal of untapped potential... a shame what happened to him.

[It only just hit him that... man. Maybe he shouldn't have been so open about that, but-- wait a sec. This guy knew him?

Okay, so maybe he's in good shape. Hrmm... but that's a little bit unsettling. Something happened?]

So what happened?

[Bows his head a bit. This shouldn't be so easy, but it is...]

His ambitions got the better of him, his heart filled with darkness.

[...Darkness? Really?

But that guy looked so strong. Why would--

Pardon Riku if he tenses up a bit. He's not sure he wants to buy this, simply because it just seems so twisted to think about.

Also, maybe because it just reminds him of his own flaws.]

Huh. So what drove him to it?

[Let's try and get some specific details out of this guy. He does seem knowledgeable still. Hrm.]

[Xehanort keeps his head bowed, closing his eyes for a moment and taking a measured breath. It's all true, of course, just with the key elements omitted. Let the boy decide what to believe and what not, and then he would adapt to that and carry on.]

His desire for power, his need to prove himself and claim the title of master that he had been denied. I was there for his Mark of Mastery exam, I could sense that darkness within him.

Such a loss of potential. It is truly a shame. Especially with this knowledge of him having chosen an apprentice...

[He looks up, a small smile playing across his face.]

He chose well though. Even through such adversity, you have blossomed into a strong keyblade bearer.

...I see.

[A Mark of Mastery exam? Riku's not entirely sure what this means, but he'll make a mental note of this. Whoever this guy is, at least he seems to have valuable information. At first, Riku remains largely silent, shutting his eyes and just trying to wrap his head around this.

And that flattery... hrm. Strong? Maybe, but he still has his own self doubt at times. He still forsook the worlds for the sake of a promise to his best friend.

All information he's not going to openly expose just yet. Instead, he'll take a deep breath and try to relax.]

So, what's this Mark of Mastery supposed to be?

[Riku's curiosity is envigorating, although he feels he should start watching just how much information he reveals. It's a delicate balance of trying to gain a foothold of trust and leaving him wanting more.

He's trying to build to something. It's a matter of if he can before he needs to withdraw to let Riku think on things.]

The judgment of a master on whether the petitioner has mastered themselves and their heart enough to show the signs that they are prepared to take on that title. Very few and far between, very special occasions. I was fortunate to be permitted to observe that one.

[And then, as an after thought...]

Of course, if there are more of us, then perhaps there will one day be more exams.

I had no idea there was a test for it. Guess it just goes to show I've got a lot to learn.

[Still, that's interesting. Very interesting. Things must've really changed if all the wielders just... disappeared.]

Still, I wonder why I haven't bumped into any other Keybearers. Did something wipe them all out?

You had no master, it only follows that you would know little of our order.

[His voice changes, in order to give the hint of withheld information, a grand secret.]

... perhaps you could say such a thing. We are few and far between indeed.

Well, I kinda guessed that much. Especially with everybody acting like I'm the only one who can defeat the darkness and save the worlds.

[He says it awfully casually, given the circumstances. Yeah, it's all pretty routine for him.]

[He just shakes his head a bit at that. Oh, lightbearers. You all say the same thing and you're all so very wrong.]

Perhaps you shouldn't worry as much. Now you know that you're not alone.

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wow never have more than three tags open at once when you're distracted oooops

These things happen XD

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