towerofanimus

Entry tags:

011

Characters: Riku and WIDE OPEN!
Setting: after this thread; Floor 14 - Media Floor
Format: Action preferred, but I'll match
Summary: Riku asked about his Halloween costume, Ruana supplied a DVD. Clearly this calls for a MOVIE NIGHT~!
Warnings: flailing, popcorn throwing, but I doubt there will be anything beyond that. Also, feel free to threadjack around as you like? |D

[At first, Riku isn't entirely sure what to do with the disc Ruana left with him... the terminal wouldn't play it though, which leaves him with one other floor that probably suits his needs.

...He is probably a little to curious/bothered by all of this, he thinks as he climbs up the stairs to the Media Floor.

And still it doesn't keep him from tracking down the right slot to stuff that disc into and settling back into one of the couches, glancing down when Highwind materializes from a cluster of clouds and curls against his side, frowning down at him as the ballet starts. Then he just shakes his head and focuses on the film before him, one hand absently settling in the bat's fur.

Time to see what this story Ruana had spoken of was all about.

Care to join him?]

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[Tohko, having just finished cleaning up the research library, was walking down the stairs when she heard The Nutcracker being played from the media room. Normally, she didn't go in there..but she loved the music and story of The Nutcracker so much that she couldn't help it. She wandered into the room and noticed a silver-haired boy sitting with a purple bat on one of the couches.

Not wanting to bother him if he was enjoying the film, Tohko sat on the couches far end, watching the play and remembering the delicious story that was The Nutcracker. To her, the tale had tasted like a box of candy canes with some hot chocolate.]

[Naminé's completely oblivious to what's afoot as she reaches the top of the stairs from the floor below and starts to step toward the next set, then slows to a stop when she catches sight of him of him just as she's about to put her foot on the first stair. She blinks, an eyebrow raising as she takes in what he seems to be doing and his... rather odd company. Quietly, she turns from her path and walks over to stand behind him, studying the screen curiously.]

*Enoch was a bit curious at this technology, himself. Besides, there was an undeniable air of tension in the wake of Ruana's communications, those that thought somewhat differently about her and those who thought the first were fools; the ruminations on the things she'd said and done...

Enoch turned a chair away from a video game console and sat down to watch, himself, not sure what to expect but grateful for the distraction and the others in the room.*

[It's the colorful bat that initially grabs this Riku's attention... as well as the attention of his technicolor dragon. Said dragon charges towards the couch with a trill, forcing Riku to zip right after him.

Fortunately, he manages to grab onto its neck before it can even leap off the ground. Eying his double, Riku smiles sheepishly.]

...Don't mind him. I think he's just after your bat.

[Except now the dragon's staring straight at the older Riku. Hello, person who looks like Riku only slightly different but still distinctly familiar!

...don't worry. They'll catch onto the movie fairly soon.]

[he hadn't been in the Media Room since his return, but being in the mood for something that isn't training or being killed by the Tower, Terra thinks he remembers how the machines work. maybe. if only Xander was still here to show him how again, but. oh well.

seeing it already in use was more of a surprise than it should be. still, he recognizes Riku and approaches the couch from behind.]

What're you going to watch?

[It's not really so much that he is watching it for the enjoyment - though the music really is quite nice, even if it is very different to what he is used to from back home. He petted Highwind behind his ears, as he narrowed his eyes, frowning the further the story progress.

By the time of Act Two, he looks kind of rather bewildered though, because seriously, Ruana? Seriously?]

[Riku is completely oblivious to her watching him at this, pulling his legs up as the dvd starts crossing them while absently keeping petting his batpet. He raises an eyebrow as the first scene shows a decorated living room... a christmas celebration?

Well that's... interesting.]

[Usually Riku keeps away from this floor; he is never entirely sure what to do here, unless any of his friends are around (and even then he feels awkward, really). He does have a definitive objective in mind right now; he is maybe admittedly kind of still bugged by this (but really, a Nutcracker?.

Enjoy the ballet, Enoch?]

[Good thing Riku has managed to press the stop button, because yeah... he is certainly distracted himself by that charging technicolor dragon (he hadn't even known that his double had ended up with one of those ...whatever from back home as well) - and well by keeping his own off-color bat from flying off as well (size differences very likely make it easier on him) .

Ohohohohoh hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii not-owner-Riku! 8DDD

Never mind him fluttering hard with his wings, while Riku makes a face and tightens his hold around Highwind's sides? Head? Goodness, it's almost been a month and he still doesn't really know.]

I guess, whatever's gotten into them, the feeling is mutual.

[Ahaskahjsd gdi, Terra don't sneak up on him like this; I mean-

You totally didn't see him flinch just now. He totally wasn't about to let his guard down. Really.

He turns around a moment later, scratching the back of his head, because well...]

Uh... It's called The Nutcracker Suite.

[Tohko clapped a little bit as the first act ended and the Nutcracker-turned prince led Clara away. It was polite to do so, and she did love the story of this ballet. However..she realized that the silver-haired boy might not have appreciated the interruption, so she apologized as quietly as she could.]

Oh..I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother you.

[Interesting indeed, and for someone like her, who has had so little experience with Christmas, the sight is fascinating. Don't mind her if she ends up coming a little closer, unconsciously placing a hand on top of the back of the couch, not too far from his shoulder.]

[And coming into the room is a familiar blond girl. She spots Older!ku's bat] Oh hey, is that Highwind? [She hasn't noticed the other two Riku's yet]

*At the end of act one, Enoch glanced around at the other people in the room and rolled his shoulders a bit. He was surprised to see things he'd only seen in Meridian until now - the mock evergreen covered in decorations (and Armaros had been right, those were little lights!). The nature of everything else remained foreign to him, but the story itself could be followed.

The word "Nutcracker", he remembered seeing...it was in Ruana's post, right?*

...Did Ruana mention this? *he asked quietly, hoping not to disturb anyone.*

[Awww, that's no fun! The little dragon whines and squirms, flailing its front legs. Yet despite its whining, Riku maintains a firm hold on the critter.]

Wonder if they're related somehow. They're definitely both bursting with--

[Oh, hi, Colette. He'll pause mid-sentence and raise an eyebrow at his double.]

Wait, you named yours after the raft?

Well, they do have the same crest...

[He draws Highwind closer to his chest, hold tightening until the bat stops flapping it's wings and instead snuggles back into Riku's hold. This is acceptable too, after all. Even though he would really rather liked to greet the new Riku properly.

Riku meanwhile straightens when he hears Colette, and then nods at her in greeting - he'd wave, but he doesn't trust Highwind to try flying off again quite yet.]

Yeah... it was a bit of a spurt of the moment thing. [His alternative was Fluffy, of all things, okay?] It fits him though.

[In OU!ku's opinion at least. Given Highwind's large grin, the dream eater in question doesn't seem to have any objections either (Then again, he rarely doesn't grin, so...).]

~~[Oh come on, FLUFFY IS THE BEST NAME EVER! AFTER POOCHIE!~~ It's then Colette finally notices the two boys. She gives a little wave] Oh, hello! I know you both!

[Glancing at them both, she realises that they look really similar. Oh, maybe they're brothers! Or something like that. And what's that weird lizard?]

Edited 2012-12-11 00:39 (UTC)

You do, huh?

[Well, that's interesting... not to mention ironic. The question is, does she know they're both Rikus?

Whatever the case, the dragon whines and flails his front legs. C'mon! He wants to say hi to this new person, let him go!

Riku, unwavering in his grip, glances back to his double.]

And even if they do share an emblem, that doesn't exactly explain what they are. Definitely not Heartless.

[~~Those are the worst names, and no pet of his will ever have them. :|~~ He quickly glances to Colette, then to his double, frowning lightly before deciding just not to comment. He wasn't sure if she knew they were... well not the same person, but rather could-have-beens of the same person, but if she didn't know already that the tower did weird things like bringing the same person from alternate realities from time to time then she was about to find out one way or the other anyways.

Similar to the dragon, Highwind chirp-moans, ears flattening. Seriously, why is greeting the New Person suddenly a no-go??? 8<

Not that Riku is overly impressed by that. He turns back to the other.]

Not Nobodies either. I asked Dax though; he said they are definitely from back home. He promised me to look up what information he has and send it to me though.

[So hopefully they soon would know some more about just what kind of pets Ruana left with them.]

[He flinches just slightly when he hears her steps closer, head jerking around as he tenses and relaxes a second later when he recognizes her. ~~Teaches him why not to let his guard down for once.~~ A moment later, his lips twitch up in a soft smile.]

Hey.

[Just a moment later, Highwind zips upwards with a trill - new person, new person, hiiiii! 8DDD

(Meanwhile Riku just groans lightly - this bat really gets way too excited way too easily).]

[~~Really gotta watch that, Riku.~~ She glances down at him a little late, but smiles easily without further delay at the sight of his own smile.]

Hey.

[And then suddenly there is a bat-thing somewhere there wasn't before and she's left blinking at it, eyes wide. H-hello there, funny-looking bat...! Her eyes flicker between Highwind and Riku, but she could already tell there was some sort of relationship going on there, so... she figures it's probably not reason for too much concern. That smile leaks back as she looks over Highwind.]

And-- hello to you, too!

[To Riku,]

Who's your friend?

[~~YOU DARE CRITICIZE COLETTE'S CHOICE OF ANIMAL NAMES?~~]

Yeah, I do! [And she glances at the two of them, blinking. They do look really alike. She still doesn't know about the alternate realities thing, so...]

Um.....I'm sorry for asking, but....are you two related?

Edited 2012-12-26 23:36 (UTC)

Well, actually...

[Riku pauses, folding his arms over his chest. With the new found freedom, his dragon scurries closer to Highwind and Colette and cocks his head to the side.

Ignoring his Dream Eater, Riku focuses in on Colette.]

We're kind of the same person, just from different universes.

[~~...Don't say that like it's happening to him all the time. He isn't Sora. >.>~~

He quickly pushes the pause button of the remote before turning in his seat towards her. Highwind meanwhile chirps again and then goes off to flutter in a circle a little above her head.

Riku just shakes his head at him.]

That's Highwind. I got him from Ruana after Halloween.

[A 'consolation prize'. ...Over all, Riku isn't to unhappy with it, he supposes.]

[Riku sighs and lets Highwind go as well, who squeals happily before diving down to attempt land on the dragon's head. Whether it succeeds or ends up tumbling down to the ground, it will then wave at Colette with one of his wings. He remembers you, nice!lady! 8D

Meanwhile his owner finally rises from his seat and reaches up to rub his temples.]

As weird as it seems, it's not that unusual around here.

[Well, at least you guys have prevented her from having the theory that you're either brothers or one of you is a convincing body-double]

What?! The....same person from different universes?! [Shit.....Colette knows about the concept of different worlds - after all, her world, Sylvarant, had a parallel world called Tethe'alla and Tethe'alla even had its own Chosen One. Still, she had never heard of anything like this before!

Maybe there was another Colette out there. That would be weird...]

[~~Sora's the Sora your Riku could be like-- no, wait, Old Spice get out of here. ANYWAY she knows that, but still. Can't have him getting hurt, whether by inattention or anything else.~~]

[Which has her trying to follow the bat's path at first. It's not exactly an easy or comfortable endeavor, so she gives it up before long and just looks up at him when he's in her field of vision.]

Oh...! Nice to meet you, Highwind. He's very-- excitable. [Which she doesn't seem to mind, though at that second part, her brow knits slightly, her thoughts already obvious before she speaks them.] That's odd...! [By which she means 'suspicious'.] Had you ever seen him before that?

Exactly.

[He brings a hand to his chin.]

Think of it like this. We both started out on roughly the same track, but our lives took a different turn at one key point. We're both Riku, but we have completely different experiences under our belts.

[Riku crosses his hands, frowning as he looks for a way to build up on his double's explanation.]

It's like standing on a crossroad. You could say, he decided to go left and I decided to go right; that effected every decision from thereon. That's why we aren't really exactly the same, despite looks.

Too many different experiences.

.....So there might be another Colette out there. [And she looks deep and thoughtful for a second. Maybe sad?]

Maybe one who's....[And Colette suddenly stops there. She was going to say "Maybe one who has saved the world". Maybe there is a Colette out there did not fail her role as a Chosen.....or was, rather.

Not that Colette is going to say anything about that for the moment. She feels that it would be selfish of her to talk to the two Rikus about her problems - especially since they are in a terrible place like the Tower, anyway, and probably have suffered enough from it, already. They will have enough on their plates.

So instead, she just puts on a smile.]

Well, I admit it's kind of strange. I never would have believed something like that would have happened until I came here. So there might be fifteen Professor Sages out there. That would mean more homework!

Edited 2012-12-30 11:10 (UTC)

[He snaps his head around at hearing her clap, starring for a moment - he is still kind of put off by what he had found out just now - then just shakes his head sharply.]

...It's okay. You didn't.

[~~Fffhhhh. Don't worry, he usually does pay attention to his surroundings. When he isn't watching any dvds.~~

Riku glances up to the bat, then whistles lightly and a moment later the bat swoops down again, returning to his place on Riku's side ~~He may or may not be pouting slightly though. 8(~~ His owner just rolls his eyes and then pats the top of his head.]

That's an understatement.

[He shakes his head; he certainly understands her suspicions - he's had them himself after all.]

No. Dax said he's from back home though.

[~~Good Riku, best partner in crime. <3~~]

[Naminé smiles at the bat as he goes. (Listens to instruction, duly noted. ... Also has a very cute pout, noted as well.) Once Highwind is settled and Riku has spoken, she nods, still looking thoughtful.]

I see. Well, I suppose if something was going on with the timeline, it wouldn't be the first time. [She does not, however, look convinced.] ... What do you think? [About the claim, about Highwind himself and any lingering suspicions - she means it all and the look in her eye says as much. She's already doing her own evaluation, yes, but Riku's opinion is both more educated on the matter than hers and valuable in its own right.]

[Tohko smiled and nodded at that.]

Ah, alright then! How are you enjoying the ballet so far?

Only if they ganged up on you. If it's any consolation, though, I've never seen more than two versions at a time.

[Which is probably for the best. Otherwise, it'd get way too confusing. If doubles started pouring in from every nook and cranny, they'd need a whole slew of name tags.]

[He frowns, because well... it's not exactly what he would have expected; they don't have anything like ballets where he is from. He shrugs after a moment, he supposes he enjoys it well enough.]

It's alright.

[~~Of course~! <3~~

(Most of the times at least. Every now and then he is a rebel though! (yea))

Riku meanwhile nods, frowning down at his pet, curling his hand into Highwind's fur. For all that he had been utterly suspicious off him at the begin of the month... by now he's grown used to his presence, likes it even.]

I think... it's true. Highwind is from back home. [He sighs.] Hopefully we'll have some more proof for that soon; I asked Dax to look up some information on him.

Well, it's good that you're enjoying it. If you need help with the plot, let me know.

[Sometimes, people got confused with ballets, and while Tohko knew the story well enough to follow along, she could remember times where she had to explain the story to friends.]

[(Perhaps a good thing, considering who his master is--)]

[Her eyes follow his frown, his gesture not missed either. She's quiet a moment once he's answered, regarding them both. Then,]

Then I hope he'll help you. [Without asking too much in return, preferably.] But you know-- I think you're right. Something about him makes it seem like he really is from our worlds. [~~He's the right style for it--~~]

Something to be glad for.

[Between the two of them and the Replica there are really already more than enough people sharing a face.

No need to add to that.]

I've kept up so far.

[...Somewhat.]

Thanks for the offer though.

Ah, don't mention it! Let me know if you change your mind. I'm always happy to help.

[And Tohko then went back to watching the ballet.]

[(A very good thing! 83)]

If I find anything out, I'll tell you.

[He chuckles.]

He looks silly enough for it, doesn't he?

[Highwind just headtilts at both of them and grins widely. (Whether he understood what was being talked about him or not, will forever be a mystery.)]

[(Gotta be a rebel to hang out with that guy--)]

[A nod.]

Thank you.

[His chuckle gets a smaller, quieter giggle out of her.]

He does. [Pause. -- Oops, just thought of something funny. Don't mind that mischief in her smile.] You suit each other.

[And maybe it's silly, but she reflexively tilts her head in response, albeit more shallowly. HYPNOTISM-- no, just silliness.]

[He blinks at her for a moment, before shaking his head.]

...Sure.

[And with that he returns to the ballet as well.]

[Exactly! ~<3

He shoots her a thoughtful look before joining her in head-tilting at Highwind. ~~No, no, it's really hypnotism. Hypnotism per cuteness!~~]

You think so?

[She's not sure she counts, but if that's a prerequisite for being around him, she kind of hopes she does.]

[Her eyes flicker briefly to that look and then back to Highwind. ... They've got to look silly like this, but she finds she doesn't care.]

Mm! [And it's partially a joke, but in truth,] Something about you being together just seems right.

[There are no prerequisite to be around him, but she certainly does. There are only very few people who can ~~guilt trip~~ ~~bully~~ talk Riku into taking care of himself properly and she is pretty much right at the top of that list.

Maybe they do look silly... but as long as it's just them it should be fine, he thinks. He keeps his eyes on Highwind just a bit longer, then turns back to her with a faint grin.]

Hmm. I guess, I'll take that as a compliment.

[Phew! Well, if someone has to strong-arm (read: guilt) him into looking after himself, she's content to be that someone. It's a worthy goal, as far as she's concerned.]

[And she looks over at him upon seeing him turn, a smile on her own lips.]

Hee...! If you say so~. [(Except it sort of was, but details.)]

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