004

[justabignobody]

Characters: Riku and open to everyone from the KH cast
Setting: All around the tower; backdated to 9th - 14th April
Format: I'll match to whatever you like!
Summary: Riku needs to talk to/reassure/warn/interrogate certain people. This feeling may or may not be mutual, so TL;DR is unavoidable.
Warnings: Can't think of anything right now, will add as needed!

[With all that has happened, it's impossible not to leave things be as they are; so much is clear. Whether Riku will find you or you'll find him, is not really important at this point - somehow you'll surely find an opportunity to meet.]

[ooc: Alright, just give me a date and a place, and we'll work it out from there! /o/]

Comments

11th, I think?

[attheclocktower]

[Xion's finally back in her room, curled up on her bed, though Axel had mentioned he might crash at her place that night, just to keep an eye on her. It wasn't like their rooms were that far anyway from each other anyway.

She did stop by the library briefly to grab a book - something to distract herself with. It's not entirely working, the book isn't exactly that interesting, unfortunately, and her eyes are just kind of moving over the lines without taking anything in. She's also feeling a little tired and lethargic for some reason - the consequences of not sleeping in her room for several days, not that she knows about that.

More than anything though, she's thinking. It's been hard not to, ever since what had happened had really sunk in. She needs to figure out what happened, why she'd gone to sleep for so long all over again, why Vanitas had done what he did... She still feels a little shaky about what all happened, though...]

/o/

[justabignobody]

[Riku feels almost bad that it has taken him until now to come and check up on Xion - he's been so busy trying to find certain other people, trying to figure out how to prepare himself (and everyone else) so that they can't be surprised like that again - and the only reason he doesn't quite is because he knows she hasn't been alone. He might still not trust Axel further than he can throw him (and maybe not even that far), but he knows the other will make sure to keep an eye on her.

Still, now that there is time, it's better that he talks to her now; to make sure she.... well, not alright - he's too realistic for that - but getting better and learns about 'certain people'.

He knocks before he opens the door, leaning against the doorframe.]

Hey...

[attheclocktower]

[Xion wouldn't ask Riku to trust Axel for anything more than that. She wishes she could, wishes she didn't have to worry about friends fighting, but... what Axel and Riku wanted back on their worlds were so different, directly in conflict. Maybe it can be different, here in the Tower, though. But one thing she knows is she can trust Axel with her life, even if he can only remember bits and pieces yet.

At the sound of the knock, Xion's head jerks up and she tenses a little in surprise, though the tension eases once she sees who it is. In fact, she drops her book - glad to put aside the distraction that wasn't really distracting - and stumbles to her feet.]

Riku!

[Once she's on her feet though, she stops, unsure what to do. She's doing all right - despite the not-sleeping-in-her-own-room fatigue. Though really, she'd missed most of the worst of the whole thing: the worst she'd had to deal with were those few terrifying seconds where she'd been awake enough to realize she couldn't move, before Sora unlocked the trunk and Axel got her out of there. That... and the awareness of some of what had happened.

She knew, for instance, that there'd been others there, helping her escape, and that they'd been fighting Vanitas at some point during the whole thing. Because she'd gotten herself captured.

It's that thought that finally breaks her silence, as she looks down at the ground, uncomfortably]

I'm sorry.

[justabignobody]

[She doesn't quite have to worry about that - Riku doesn't have a reason to fight the other, not here and right now at least. And if they did... well, then they'd both probably do their best to leave Xion unaware of it.

He shoots her a slightly apologetic half-smile; he hadn't meant to startle her. He takes her stumbling up as invitation, closing the door behind him before he steps closer. The half-smile quickly turns into a worried frown instead as he takes another step, not even thinking as he reaches up and settles his hand on her shoulder.]

It wasn't your fault.

[Far from, really. Xion is probably the last one who should be blamed for any of what had happened... Riku himself on the other hand...]

[attheclocktower]

[The hand on her shoulder makes her shoulders slump a little, ducking her head.

She doesn't blame him. She doesn't blame anybody, except herself, to a certain degree. A rational part of her really knows there's nothing she could have done - though that fact was worrying in its own right. She still doesn't know why she fell asleep like that again. It probably had something to do with memories, and yet... that wasn't supposed to happen here, right?

But the other part just... she can't feel nothing about what happened, not with what parts she knew about it. People who'd fought and probably gotten hurt because of her. Her other self, here in the Tower, who'd-]

I-Is everyone okay? I... I only heard some of what happened, and I haven't seen anybody since except Axel.

[Riku probably knew that already, but still.]

[justabignobody]

[He keeps his hand steady, worry blending with sadness as he keeps looking at her.

His gut tightens when she asks about everyone else and he can just barely keep that flash of pain, of guilt from showing on his face. He considers this decision for just a split second, but in the end there is no real question in what to do. He might hate lying, or really omitting things, especially to her, but... she would blame herself only more. It's just another thing that she doesn't really need to know... just like with Roxas.]

Yeah... everyone'll be fine. Just give it some time.

[attheclocktower]

... even the other me?

[In other words, she's not as oblivious as Riku might have hoped. Unfortunately, Axel told her that much. To be fair, Axel didn't know that death wasn't permanent. He hadn't realized that if he hadn't told her, Xion may never have found out about Fey's death at all.

Despite all this, her voice isn't accusatory, just quiet, and sad.]

Not sure on the time orz

[lethechained]

[Everything's just been a mess, lately. It isn't so strange, then, that Naminé has been spending a bit more time in her room, especially now that some of her roommates have gone; there's less chance of any surprises there. That's where she is now, quietly looking over one of her sketchbooks with a slight frown that's probably been there for quite some time.]

How about the day after the showdown?

[justabignobody]

[She's not the only one who has been wearing a permanent frown. There are so many new questions now and ever since he had talked to Aqua - and so many things that just make him shake his head and question the turns his life has been taking.

There is really only one person he can talk about all of this comfortably, who knows maybe just as much as him (if not more), who he can also not-talk with and whom he feels comfortable enough to relax around, to let himself break just a little.

He doesn't a word as he enters the room, silently closing the door behind him, and sits down on the ground beside her bed, leaning back against it.

After a moment he speaks up after all though.]

...I hope you don't mind me being here...?

Sounds good :|b

[lethechained]

[She looks up as he enters the room, eyes instinctively widening and fingers tightening around the sketchbook at the unexpected opening of the door. Upon seeing who it is, however, she instantly relaxes again, although her gaze follows him as he makes his way to the side of her bed. She doesn't shift, or protest, or even say anything at all; she just watches him for a little while, sadness leaking into her expression, then turns back to her sketchbook. If he wants to be here... then that's okay. He doesn't even have to say anything. If he's come to her like this, he has a good reason, that much she's sure of. Ironic, then, that she was just looking at a drawing that he's got a place in.]

[When he does speak, she looks his way again, blinking in something between surprise and concern. Slowly, a faint smile spreads across her face. It's for his sake, but she's glad to offer it to him.]

Of course not, Riku. You're always welcome. [She says it softly, almost comfortingly, careful to make certain the 'always welcome' is clear. Looking down at him, for a moment she's struck by the thought that perhaps she could put a hand on his shoulder, like he's done for her, like she's known was meant as a comfort, but she hesitates, and instead places the hand closest to him on the bed, near him but not actually touching him.] ... I'm glad to see you.

[justabignobody]

[On most days, he'd apologize for startling her - for imposing on her, especially when she is drawing, when surely she wants to be left alone. Right now he is still just numb with exhaustion, from too little sleep (true sleep and not just tossing and turning and the unease of far too familiar nightmares) and still lingering phantom pains of injuries already healed and faded thanks to potions and cure spells.

He glances up at her at those words, something of a soft, slightly guilty expression flickering over his face before his shifts closer to where she's placed her hand, some stray strands of his hair likely brushing against it. There are some things that need to be talked about, but right now? Right now he just wants to be just a little selfish and find comfort in this moment. For just a minute. He's allowed to, as long as it's not for much more. Right?]

...Thanks.

[lethechained]

[The situation has not left her unscarred, either, but the concerns of and for another come first. And truthfully, although a part of her feels dirty, feels vile and wretched knowing what she can do, could do just as easily to him as to certain other people - how quickly she could crush everything that he is, was, and could be... she doesn't want to be alone. Well, she does, in a way, but at the same time she's just as desperate for comfort as he is, and it's not something that she can offer herself. Inside, she is torn, but one thing is certain; for now, the only thing that matters is easing what she can of his suffering.]

[That's why she snatches at what warmth she can find to offer it to him in a faint smile, carefully kept devoid of doubt or exhaustion. Nothing less than the best. And it's genuine, really, a 'you're welcome' without words.]

[She can feel his hair brush her hand slightly - goodness, it's getting so long again. She thinks of offering to cut it, but chooses to hold her tongue for a moment; it might be a nice distraction, but perhaps for now it would be best to let him have a moment.]

[... Except she saw that guilt. It would have been hard not to, for her. She almost sighs, but stops herself just in time, instead only inhaling a bit more deeply than usual. She knows of his doubts, of the limits he's prone to placing on himself. They're limits that he needn't create at all, sometimes - at times like this, for instance. Maybe some part of her suspects, too, that spending so long without the presence of his loved ones has also left him without the kind of affection that people need - real people, of course, ones with hearts. Like him, not so much like her. That's why, after a moment's pause, the hand near him subtly slides over to gently rest on his shoulder, ready to leave if the gesture is deemed unacceptable but decidedly there nonetheless.]

['You can stay as long as you need to.']

[justabignobody]

[The true extend of her powers, the idea of how little it really took for her to break a heart and leave it in shambles, is maybe just a little bit scary - to those that don't know her at all at least. Riku does happen to though, which is why he'll never worry about being on the receiving end, because he knows he'll never be unless the tower interferes like it had in the month before or she won't have any other choice. In which case he'll probably prefer her using her powers on him (or whoever is in control of him) anyways.

The tension inside him drains away just a little, bit by bit, when he sees her smile, when he feels that hand settling on his shoulder. He sighs just slightly as he leans into that touch, head falling to the side, his cheek brushing against her fingers. And maybe, maybe she is right about that. As unapproachable as might try to make himself appear, sometimes he is just starving for physical comfort.

There are no words that could ever describe just how thankful he is just in that moment.]

14th, meadow?

[keybearer]

[Well, if Riku goes looking hard enough, he'll probably find his double doing some training routines on the meadow floor. It's a peaceful place in such a twisted tower, so he tends to spend a fair bit of time here. Besides, he needs to get his mind off of recent events.]

[justabignobody]

[And look he does - after the most recent events and all the things he's found out, it's maybe sort of at the time for them to talk business again. Still, when he arrives he settles to watch at first. It doesn't hurt to have an idea of how his double fight; he might have seen glimpses when they went after Vanitas, but... it's not like he had much time to focus on that at the time.]

[keybearer]

[His fighting style is pretty much what you'd expect for a Riku. Though he pulls off moves like Strike Raid, Sonic Blade, and Ars Arcanum, the way he handles his weapon is nothing like Sora. He's got that one handed fighting style down even with the giant Key in place of the Soul Eater. Currently, he's wielding Oathkeeper, performing the occasional Thundaga and Blizzaga spells and stopping a few times to catch his breath.

He's so preoccupied that he hasn't quite noticed his double just yet. Might wanna get his attention somehow.]

[justabignobody]

[To Riku it looks like a curious blend between Sora's and his own fighting styles... which really isn't that much of a surprise, not given the difference between their universes. Though indeed... he should probably make himself notable. Hm... it's been a while since he's sparred with anyone aside of Stein.

He crooks his head as he lifts his right hand, air crackling slightly as he summons Soul Eater.]

Care for company?

[keybearer]

[Oho. Well, the moment he hears that crackling in the air, he whips around. Within seconds, he's smirking at his double, propping the Keyblade against his shoulder.]

Hey, it sure beats sparring with thin air.

[justabignobody]

[He smirks himself, for just a second, as he slides into stance, blade high in the air and left arm extended, fingers curling up in a small wave; an invitation to attack.]

10th and does the cathedral floor work? /backdates forever and ever sob

[drknss_bnd_lght]

[The cathedral isn't a place where you'd expect to find this blindfolded derp, but he's there listening to the music. He'd be easy to miss if it wasn't for the fact that he's... pretty high strung and the darkness around the light seems to be almost trying to strangle it instead of just drown it.

And the fact that he's also tense, super alert and jumpy at any and all sound that's not the music...] Uh--!

[justabignobody]

[Indeed, it's rather hard to miss that strong a darkness, especially for someone like Riku. Especially when that darkness is that strangely unbalanced. It's not something he can just ignore either.

He is careful, slow in his approach, his hands stuffed in his coat pockets.]

It's just me. Riku.

[Not a threat. Not an enemy.]

/LATE TAG FOREVER. orz

[drknss_bnd_lght]

[Yet Ventus still jumps a good foot in the air, whirling around, keyblade in left hand before he recognises the voice and steps. That darkness spikes a bit before settling back to the strangle hold on light.

The battered blade's dismissed, Ventus only slightly relaxed. He can't help it. He keeps expecting Someone Else to appear out of the shadows - he is the one he knows or not.] ..S-Sorry. I didn't mean..

[Breathe Ventus, breathe. Not a threat, not an enemy, Riku's helped him before.] I - Sorry.

[justabignobody]

[He takes a step back - just to be safe - an eyebrow rising at the state of Ventus' Keyblade... just what had happened to it that it looked this worn out?]

It's okay. I didn't mean to startle you.

[It's mostly on instinct that he reaches out, just to lay his hand on the other's shoulder - like he'd do for Xion or Sora or Naminé or the other Ven, if the situation called for it - to be a calming, physical presence.]

[drknss_bnd_lght]

[Years of constant use against high-leveled enimies have left it in this state.

Ventus offers a small smile, though it falters at the touch, Ventus jerking away a fraction - eyes widening under the blindfold - before he stills, stiff as a board and breathing shallower than normal.] Uhh.... I-It's alright. No harm, no foul.

[If the fear in his voice wasn't enough, the darkness only seems to spike again - this time with fear and the start of a heavily muted fight or flight response.]]

Uhg, gdi html fail. orz

[justabignobody]

[Even years of use should leave those marks... normally at least... or that's what Riku thinks at least. He's been using Soul Eater constantly for two years now, and yet the blade looks just like it had when he had first called it to his side.

That's... not really the usual reaction he gets to this... and it's not what he's been going for either. So yeah... he's slowly, carefully withdrawing that hand again.]

...If you say so.