towerofanimus

Entry tags:

007

Characters: Riku (

lethechained), then O P E N
Setting: 5th September, Daytime, all around the Tower
Format: Action to start with, but I'll match!
Summary: After spending a month back home (and finding out that it is really all destroyed) Riku returns to the Tower. Clearly, the first thing on order is to check up on everyone!
Warnings: Non as of now.

[A - Dormitory Hallways - Closed to Naminé]

[It's... hard to say just how much time has passed since he woke from the dreams into a living nightmare, since he had realized that this wasn't another trick, another dream, but reality. How much time he's spent wandering, wondering, thinking.

Sometimes along the road, he had decided not to give up, not to give into the despair - no matter how tempting it might seem.

And the moment he reawakens and knows, feels that something has changed, he also knows that that was the right decision to make.

Finally, he steps out of his room, still slightly disoriented, but determined to find somebody.

(He has missed them. He has missed them so much and the ache in his heart is even worse than it had been in those ten months before he had arrived in the tower)]

[B - All around the Tower - Open to all!]

[Things are clearer now ~~not just because his hair and bangs are maybe just a little bit shorter)~~. A whole month has passed since he had been forced to sleep. A lot has happened since, a lot he has missed. But even though Naminé has reassured him that everyone is fine, that non of their friends is gone or hurt (too badly at least), he needs to make sure himself.

So, for once Riku is the one, who systematically wanders the floors in search of familiar faces (and possibly running into some not so familiar ones). And for once, the relief of being back, of being back with people is showing more and more, with every passing hour.]

[ooc: a.) Please indicate the number of the Floor you want to run into Riku, either in the subject line or the tag itself!

b.) I'll probably still be using some blindfold icons, but as of now Riku is not wearing it anymore.

c.) Also, if you haven't please take a moment for his permissions post!]

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[She'd been quite distressed to discover that he was gone.]

[She'd made it a point to try to check on him, after everything that went on, but he'd seemed to have disappeared. Needless to say, that had her terribly, terribly concerned. Anxious and worried, she'd sought out his heart. She'd had no luck with that, either; it seemed all that could be done was wait and watch and hope that there wasn't some nefarious scheme at work, be it the Tower's or someone else's. It was maddening, but there was no other choice.]

[Keeping vigil, however, seems to have finally paid off. When he leaves his room, he'll find her standing still a short distance down the hallway, eyes wide. She doesn't say anything at first, doesn't trust herself to, but then, at last--]

Riku--!

[It's been just over a week since Xion's run-in with Vanitas, and she's still in bed resting more than she'd like. Currently she's... in Reno's and Shion's room, for now. She really shouldn't be away from her own room for too much longer; it was already starting to take its toll on her energy levels. But there was still the fear - the one that with her name on the door she could be found and... she didn't want to think about it.

Not that the restless sleep wasn't doing that already, but oh well.

Regardless, she's curled up with her back against the wall, propped up some by pillows. She's a little jumpy though - quickly looking around at the sign of any noise or whatnot.]

[For some reason he's been drawn to this floor more and more lately as he wanders on his own, always having found solace in music before and after arriving here the first time. Not just in listening to it, but playing as well. Usually it's the trumpet he's playing, but this time... he has a guitar in his hand, strumming along to a tune he knows all too well from band. Sure, it took a while to figure out the chords, but...]

-as our pained hearts, as one, are singing.

[The words are whispered. He doesn't trust his voice to not crack as they are being muttered any louder over the strong chords amplified in this room. Even a few other instruments seem to be playing themselves in time to the electric guitar.

The light is shining bright as ever nowadays, though he does stop once the trombone seems to join in-]

We'll stand side-by-side and weather the storms-

[He looks up, seeing Riku and blinking slightly in surprise. ...He didn't remember his eyes not being gold, but he can't help the faint hint of a smile crossing his lips. For the longest time, he'd been worried that his new friend had-]

No matter what each trial brings.

[[His voice seems stronger, now.]

...It's been a while, Riku.

[He blinks at first - she's one of the first he intended to seek out, but... he hadn't quite expected to run into her so quickly. Then, after a short moment of hesitation, he starts smiling; his relieve showing.

It's funny how much easier it is to smile now, how much lighter he feels now that the darkness is sealed and he is back with friends. It's the first time in forever that it shows in his eyes ~~or that it is for someone to see at least~~.]

Naminé!

[It only takes a moment to cross the distance to her, and another before he breaks through his hesitation and the first question - perhaps the most important one - breaks free.]

...How long?

[How long had he been gone? And... what had happened since?]

[It was pretty much inevitable that Riku comes to find her there. Especially after learning that Vanitas (or at least some version of him) is back in that tower.

While he doesn't quite know where to find her at first... there really are only so many locations and people he knows she'd feel safe at... which pretty much lead him here.

And so he is careful to knock - it isn't like he has really close ties to any of the official residents of that room, and he doesn't want to startle her too badly - before he opens the door and slips inside.]

...Hey.

[Riku halts a little before entering the floor, just listening to the up-beat of the song and whispered lyrics; seems like Yu hasn't had too bad a month. Good. He of all people really needs it - given all the things that had happened in the three or so months before that.

Even after entering, he stays in the back of the room, a faint smile on his face when Yu notices him (and though he is only partly aware of it; it's lighter than before, and Riku himself is a little more relaxed as a whole).]

Hmm... so I've heard. Don't let me disturb you though.

[She does startle a little, though the knock helps. She's expecting to see Shion, probably, or that other roommate of theirs (the fourth had recently left the Tower), or maybe if she's lucky, Reno. When she sees who it is though, there's a flood of relief so profound she seems to just sag from it.]

Riku!

[The book is dropped, abandoned. She pushes herself up to her feet, grimacing as her sore ribs twinge. As soon as she's on her feet though, she's across the room and hugging him. There might even be a tear or two leaking out of the corner of her eye, because for one moment, she can forget about what happened, forget about worrying and looking over her shoulder and listening for sounds in the shadows of someone trying to hurt her.

For one moment, she feels safe.]

[Well, it would seem that Riku's double has found himself in the media room today. However, he's not really sticking in one place so much as wandering aimlessly, just skimming its various contents.

Games or movies would be a welcome distraction right about now, but... Should he even try? Vanitas is back. That alone is cause for alarm.]

[He was preparing himself for this month and what he had a feeling could go downhill again. It's almost funny, really - the last time he 'saw' Riku, it was a reminder of that same lesson he had been given so long ago. Though that look on Riku's face? It gives him a little more incentive.]

You know, I never really thought of running into a friend somehow an interruption. [He chuckles faintly, looking at his small watch. He'd have to ask for batteries at some point...] I was almost done here, anyway. Kind of need to leave before they get here.

[Let him tell you all about the band issues, bro Most of which involve Eikichi's singing oh god.]

[He blinks, just a little startled when he's suddenly hugged - even though it shouldn't be (and really isn't) all that surprising even given what little he has heard.

But even though he's frozen for a moment, he settles one arm around her shoulders and the other hand on her head.]

Hi Xion. [He hesitates another moment before adding the few words that she really deserves the most.] I'm sorry.

[For disappearing. For not keeping his promise. ~~For a thousand other things that neither of them really has any control over.~~]

[Smiling may not prove that he's alright... but it certainly helps Naminé. Relieved herself at both the sight of that and just because he's back, she smiles back.]

[She's a touch late helping to make up some of that distance, but help she does. Maybe if she were Sora or Kairi, she'd greet him with a hug. She is not them, so she does not. She doesn't quite know what to do with herself, truthfully, but in the end she just smiles up at him, eyes warm. Soon enough, though, it's back to business. Her smile ebbs away, though the joy at seeing him doesn't.]

... About a month. [And it's not hard to figure out what he'll want to know next, and so she makes no delay.] Everyone's-- okay, but... some things have happened. The Tower was attacked by a giant whale - although it looks like the damage has been repaired. And... [She falters, expression darkening.] ... it seems... Vanitas is back.

[It wasn't hard to guess what he was talking about.

She ducks her head against him, shaking it, her fingers tightening a little. It's okay. She doesn't blame him, any more than she blames any of the others for not being there. She's trying not to, but the one she still blames is herself, for not just running as soon as she'd heard that voice, for pulling her weapon and trying to get him to back off.

Him returning the hug is not something she expected, but appreciates nonetheless. After a few more seconds she gently leans back, wiping at her eyes with the heel of one hand and looking up at him-

And is startled to see his usual blindfold is missing, for what she thinks is the first time that she's ever seen. ~~Not!big bro you have pretty eyes~~ She glances away quickly, a little awkwardly, as if she's seen something she's not supposed to. A part of her feels like she has, even though she knows it's a silly feeling.]

It's okay. E-everyone knows he's here now, and I'm being careful.

[Extra careful]

Edited 2012-09-05 18:57 (UTC)

[ Gandalf who returned publicly to the tower very recently as well is, like usual, up at the library. Like always the White Wizard is still looking at and reading some of the biggest and most complicated books out there- Thankfully most of them had been recovered following the reconstruction of the tower.

He's not just reading a book today though, he's also quickly writing notes in another book. As if looking for specific information. ]

[All the more reason to enjoy the break for as long as they have it.

He shrugs at first, then raises an eyebrow when Yu mentions needing to leave, and for a moment it looks like he might ask about it. However, after a moment he just shakes his head.]

...I think I'd rather not know.

[If Yu wants to leave it's probably a prudent idea though.]

[He lets her have space when she leans back, though he keeps one hand on her shoulder at least (it's loose, it wouldn't take more than a step back to shake it).

He blinks at her reaction, not entirely sure what brought it on at first... until he remembers; she's never seen him without that blindfold, hasn't she?

He nods in both relieve and approval at her words, before he eyes her critically. He hadn't missed that wince when she had gotten off the bed.]

How are you feeling?

[And indeed that's where Riku finds him, frowning for just a second as he leans against the door frame of the entrance - his double's restlessness is hanging in the room as if it was tangible. Time to see what's on his mind then.]

Well, don't you look decisive today.

Huh?

[He jerks forward and then slowly turns around.

And promptly stares.

That's definitely his double, but where the heck is his blindfold? Did something happen? Is he actually being sarcastic?

...Is this real life?]

Didn't expect to see you here.

[It may not really prove anything (except that doesn't exactly hide just how relieved he is right now, especially when she smiles back).

He doesn't really expect to be hugged by anyone (though he probably should expect it in certain cases), so there is really nothing to worry - her smile is enough. More than. He turns serious as he listens to her, his lips pressing together at first - a month?! - but then he relaxes slightly upon hearing that they were okay.

He raises an eyebrow... well giant whale does kind of bring up some memories.]

A giant whale, huh? You don't think...?

[Though, that's pretty impossible, right?

His eyes narrow when she mentions Vanitas, his jaw clenching as worry flickers over his eyes - he had promised Xion to protect her the last time he had reappeared and he hadn't been there; is she safe, does she know?]

...How's Xion?

[There's a smirk flickering over his face, because honestly? That face his double is making is really just priceless.

He tilts his head, glancing around the room.]

Hmm... I guess this isn't exactly one of my usual hangouts.

[And even though he can be a little more relaxed overall, he doubts it will become that anytime soon.]

[Worth it, then.]

[It's a shame to see that smile fade, but there's really no getting past it; they have serious things to talk about, after all, and they can't wait forever. At his first question, she pauses, then shakes her head.]

... It did seem to have brought monsters with it, but... no. It didn't look like him, but then-- I didn't get a very good look at it. [She falters, then,] I... sort of hope it wasn't him.

[No surprise there; Naminé looks worried, herself, lips pressed together. That question she knows the answer to immediately, although she seems to not like that answer even before she speaks it.]

... She seems to have been one of the first people to see him when he got back. But-- she was alright.

Did something happen? You seem kind of...

[Hmmm.]

Different.

[That puzzled look remains plastered on his face, but now that the initial shock's worn off, he'll go ahead and approach his double.]

[ Life in the tower was...pretty hectic, but it wasn't anything Kairi couldn't handle. Still, she knew it was better to try to relax before the next big thing would come up, so thus, she chose the meadow.

It wasn't Destiny Islands - not by a long shot, but it was a calming place. She would be found sitting by a tree, looking up with a smile on her face and plenty of thoughts in her head. ]

I wonder how you guys are...

[Well, that's a step back Xion won't be taking anytime soon. That's one thing that she's discovered in the Tower. Physical contact - whether it be someone (usually Shion) grabbing her hand when she's nervous, a comforting hand on her shoulder, or even a hug - was a comfort, made her feel safe, less alone.

Really, the more she thinks about it, the more silly her reaction seems. She's seen the other Riku without a blindfold and everything but... the other Riku isn't the one who knows her, who's helped her through so much, who gave her a choice... ~~In short, the other Riku is not her not!big brother~~ So... it's still different. Sort of.

She shifts a little awkwardly under his gaze]

I'm okay. ... a little bit tired. [Recovering. She pauses a bit before admitting, quietly.] I'm glad you're here.

[He, too, wishes that they didn't have to talk serious things quite so soon - he's just gotten back, he wouldn't mind enjoying the moment of reunion just a little longer - but ultimately she is right. There is no getting past it. And making sure that everyone else is alright, is his first priority.]

It probably wasn't.

[Though admittedly? Monstro is maybe the only being that Riku would suspect capable of surviving the destruction of the worlds without 'help' from the administrators.

A slight gasp escapes him when she tells him about Xion's encounter and he really can just barely keep himself from cursing. He has failed her again.]

Thanks the light.

[Even so, he makes a note to check up on her sometimes later today.]

[Riku certainly won't take it either; Xion isn't the only one taking comfort from it.

No shifting on her part makes him lighten his gaze though, he is worried for her after all.]

...I'm glad to be back.

[He really, really is.]

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Room 2-12

Floor 28 - I am sparing you the horrible for now :>

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Floor 14

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Library

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[ floor twenty-five ]

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