001 | ❝And I'm not proud...❞

[acceptedoblivion]

Characters: Riku Replica and you
Setting: Dorm Room 2-14 and that floor, Floor Thirty, Forty-Six, and Twenty-Five
Format: Either
Summary: Just arrived in the tower and is already kind of tempting fate/death.
Warnings: Possible violence if provoked, lack-of-anger-management, existential crises....

Dorm 2-14
[It wasn't the first time he woke up in an almost completely white place... though, being the one in white certainly was. What was-- Why was he even feeling anything? After all, he was fake; done; staring at the fake sky and someone else's memories of Twilight Town. He shouldn't even be breathing right now, and yet he could feel his chest rise up and down. This... This wasn't supposed to be. He shouldn't even exist, not even with a fake life. So why-?

"Your World has been destroyed."

Tch... Good riddance. But, what about--

"I saved you."

I don't need saving; you should have saved them--

"Let's all be happy here."

The only way they could have ticked him off more was if there was a smiley face next to it. Seriously, why would anyone save a fake like him? He wasn't worth it; not even worth remembering. After all, why would they? The only people who knew he even existed mostly died in that place anyway, and judging by this note they're likely...

Nope; he could at least sense one of them close by, if not in the same vicinity. He did not plan to stay around long enough to find out, either. Letter burnt, he grabbed something from the chest and--]

...Tch. If that's true, then they could have kept the heat on.

[Seriously, "rescuers"... Could have at least thought of that. Did not need to make it a little cooler than Vexen's lab. ...Wait, how did he remember that? Ugh, it's giving him a headache. Any of his dorm mates are welcome to bug him in his agitated state, or to realize all he has is one change of clothes and what looks like a card that has a picture of a small world on it...]

Floor Forty-Six
[Well, his luck stats suck royally if how he ended up falling through the disappearing staircase is any indication. Luckily he pointedly ignored the sudden glowing thing. Not so luckily, almost turning back for it when he got close to the stairs was likely not the best idea... Oops. At least he stopped himself? Maybe? Either way, he may or may not be panting for breath at the landing. Thank...Light...

No he totally wasn't freaked out ten seconds ago that is totally a lie (what's being freaked out?). Nothing even touched him, so... What even, self?]

Floor Thirty
[So in pursuit of something to burn for a fire, he may have ended up on this floor. Not that he really minds; in fact, the dark fires he's throwing around seem to be keeping him a little warmer than just the...dark...suit??? thing he's wearing (seriously why does this kid have a buttskirtcape he didn't arrive in that). At the very least, it's serving as some kind of 'anger management.' Though will you just leave him be, or try to convince him to get back to the stairs before he ends up dead? Not like he cares either way...]

Floor Twenty-Five
[Well, he found some wood at last. Don't mind him, just huddled around a purple fire. It's totally normal, nothing out of the ordinary to see here.]

Comments

floor 25!

[keybearer]

[So, here he was, just minding his own business. Going for a walk around the tower because, hey. Distractions are awesome.

Buuuut that all changes when he spots his lookalike in that tacky, familiar suit. His heart wrenches, and his Keyblade flashes into his grip. The only time he's ever seen a lookalike dressed like that was back when he faced Ansem.

And that purple fire doesn't help matters much, either.]

What, you mean that suit's not warm enough?

[acceptedoblivion]

[Distractions are very awesome. He just doesn't have many, so using fire to do so? Eh, not the best, but he'll deal with it. Better than jumping off at that one floor, at least. At least, before he hears that voice that is just like his borrowed one, and then all the agitation is back again.

...At least, before his sense of smell catches up to him. What-?]

If I were a Heartless, maybe. [He rolls his eyes, waving it off. If he wanted to cut him down, then he's just use a flare of darkness to push him away long enough for him to jump to his feet and fight back.

'Might as well be, though. I'd at least be something.']

[keybearer]

[...Sarcasm? Check. Eyeroll? Check.

That fancy Keyblade of Riku's flashes out of sight, and he places his hand on his hip. He makes no other moves, his eyes locked on the replica.]

Could've fooled me, with that suit you're wearing. The only two people I know who wear get ups like that are a Heartless and someone just as ruthless as one.

[acceptedoblivion]

[it's totally you if you were younger and high off darkness no i kid

As for the comment, he merely shrugs it off, getting to his feet. No way is he giving any sort of advantage to anyone else that shares their face, just in case.]

*Tch*... Guess you can add one more to that list. [Dare he ask about the second? Because he's pretty sure thanks to these fake memories that any form of Ansem has a hula skirt asscape fetish.]

Forty-Six

[withak]

[Katsuya had come down the stairs carefully and slowly, but hearing some breathing gave him pause. It didn't usually start getting bad until you entered the floor itself...]

...hello?

[acceptedoblivion]

[He kind of found that out the hard way, because he didn't come down slowly or carefully because he's used to running over walking. That, or trying to use corridors he doesn't have full mastery of just yet. Either works. At first he looks like he's about to lash out, but... nothing seems too off about this guy. Though, something about it...

He shook his head, a little snappish when he replies:] What do you want?

[Seriously, the heck was up with this place and the people in it?]

[withak]

Just trying to make sure that you were a person and not something worse. It's hard to tell in this tower.

[He relaxes.]

Floor 25 - Also hood up because it's cold dammit

[attheclocktower]

[Yeah she'd definitely noticed the drop in temperature already. Though she had a sweater this time, it was still cold, and the rest of her could still use something to warm it up. So... she was actually headed up here to make a fire herself, with some wood she'd picked up from floor six.

The dark fire is a bit unnerving though. As is that outfit. It's familiar, just as the person wearing it was familiar yet not, in an unsettling way...

T̎ͨhę̪̯̠̖̔͐̀̈̆̆̎re̛̪̩ͪͯ̃͒͒'s̪͈̜̗ͯ͛͋̊͒̒ͩ ṉͧo ̵̲̙͕͌͐ͦ̔ͤ̓̔ẅ͉̩͔͑̅ͣa͆̌ͮ̽ͮ̂̚͏̗͇̪̫̠̬̙y̝̭̜̯͓ ̘͂ͣ͐̔ͬͫ̀y͔͎̋ͧ̒͌́ou̜̘̽͂ͦͬ͠'r̴̥̟͕͍̳̫̰̈́̅ͭ̈e̡̳̩̺ͦ̃̇͛ ̱ͪͭ͌̎͞t҉̤͎̤̮͚͍a͓͉͙͈͉ͩ̿̍ͭͅki͙͌͑̍ͯͅn̝͉͙͈̗͑ͪ͐̇ḡ̶̗̿̏ K̞̖̯͔̭̲͂̅a̞͚ìͫͥͮ͐͏͙͎͔rī̙̻̞̞̼ͅ'͊͛͒̊ͮ͡s̷͖̞̼̲ͪ͋̄ͨͅ ̼̬̘̩̣̖̆̃̊̎̿ḫͅe̸͓̦̦̫ͧ͌̀́̃̇͋â̑̄̊́̓̊͏͎ͅrț̼̭!̞̜̫́ͧ̃

She shook her head, as if to wave away the memories that weren't hers. Still. Something was off here.]

What happened?

Ohhh dear.

[acceptedoblivion]

[If you can't stand the dark fire, stay away from his little corner of the meadow. It's kind of the only fire skill he can do without it either being a spark or a huge explosion and no one wants to deal with a meadow fire. Which is why he's just sitting there, in front of that little fire when he hears that voice...

Y̧̞̱̗͔̋ͨ̊̅͒́o͓̪̝͉͎̗̪̘ͧ̎̈́̀͞ǘ̲̫͔̣̝͓̣͉̈͛̏́ͦ̾̈́̚͜'̛̛̰̥̭͉̳̫͖͙̅̒̏ͫ̀̽̂́̎v̻̙̲̮͔͇̠̲̑̈ͦͨě̉ͤ̇ͩͭ̑҉̥͉̹ ̢̾͂̈̈́ͩ̈̈҉͉͕̖̩b̧̗̮̩͕͖͇̌̏ͤͣ̔͜ę̩͂ͮ͛̈́ͧ͝ͅe̴̹̜͓̯̭͐ͤ͐̆̈̏̕n̉ͯ̔̀ͦ͏͙̝͔̤̖̕ ͇̙͎̭̥̗̩̋ͬ͋̒ͮͥͫ̆͊t̜͇̤̬͓̐̿̀͘h̴̥̞͑̿ͯ̅̔̐ͨ͛̽͢i̴̦͉̯̎̌ͪ͂̉̑̇͋́͝n̮̪͙͔̥̝̯̯͗̈́̑ͥͤͬ̾̈͡ķ͕̈̽̑i̟̘̬͔̋͋ͫ͒̄̓͆ͭ̚͢n̙͇̘͎͑̔̏̍̓̀̓ͦ̒̀͞g̵̗̲̯̺̳̟͆̐ͪ̾͝ͅ ̵̶̜̫͙͚̓ͬͭ̍ͪ̽͗̎a̬̙͙̪ͤͦ̽͒̎ͭ̏̕ ̧̹͈̥̦̰̮̠̞̭ͯ͂̿̔̿̌̅̎̀͟l̺͖͒̂̎ͯọ͙̫̞͊ͮ̽̀͜t̹̲̯̋̏̑̋̄ ̟͍̤̙̪̳̫̣̀̆̍͂̕l̸̥̥̼̱͙̙͊̓ͨ͒ạ̭̠͋ͨ̾ͨͪ̈̈́͜t̛͆ͬ̓̋͂͑̋̚҉͏͉͓͚͖e̟͎̯̮̘̘͋͊͐̃̈́̓̿̈̅l̢͍̼̻͈͈̳ͪ̒̽̂͜ỳ̧̱̖̗͎͊͐̏̃͐͛̕,̋̉̃͛̊̔҉̹̭̺̬͇̘̙̮ ̹̲̥̮̙̬̹̓̒̄̉͑̏͠h̹̫̘̝̮͍̜̼͉͗͆̂͂ͦ͋̕͝ä̻̹̘̺͍̣̪̙̌̾ͭ̅͊̀ṿ̛̣̠̩̗͔̮̤̎̆̆̓͜ͅë̔҉̮̝̱̺͝ṇ͎̻̳̹͉͓͖͐́͟͝'̴̶̢̱̰̙̠̱͇̦͉ͭ͌ͪ͐̄̈́͗̌̓t̛̳͉͖̦͖̣͚̒̇ͣ̋͋ͯͮ̍̀̚ ̬̙͍̙̘̭͎̼̰̆͌ͬy̵̢̤͔̮̞͎̗͇̐͐̅̽ͭ̎̚o͙̗̳͓̭͓̹̬̒̌̂ͮ͒̌ͥ͆͟͟ṵ̵̳͈̪͚̹͋̓͌̈͛̏ͥͣ́͘?̶̪͇͍̳̯̬̯͊̀̚

...who was that that said it-? And why did they sound like Naminé? Was it... that other girl; the one the real thing knew and cared about so much? It was hard to concentrate on with all this anger and confusion, so he just shook it off, not quite meeting her gaze or even looking in that direction. If it was her, then she probably confused him for him, and that just made him more-

Mad...

... Why did this person have a Coat on and why do they sound like her?]

Why do you care? [Okay, that probably came off a little more bitter than angry, but he was already standing up, wary.] You're with them aren't you?

[This is not one of the Riku-faced people you know...]

Sob worst first impression ever

[attheclocktower]

With... what?

[It's been so long since she's considered herself a true member of the Organization that it doesn't really register what he means at first. Then after a moment, she gets it, and frowns.]

Riku, it's just me...

[There's a note of hesitation, of doubt, though. He looks younger than even the other Riku by now. Had... had a new one appeared? Or... She remembered that memory that had flitted across her mind and just... Except that still didn't fit... did it? She feels like she's missing a piece of the puzzle.]

...You aren't Riku, are you?

Floor Thirty

[lethechained]

[Even considering the risks involved, the art gallery was a place Naminé liked to visit. Never having had much opportunity to look at the art of others before coming to the Tower, she'd appreciated the chance when it was first offered and continues to be grateful for it. That's what she was doing before the idea popped into her head that perhaps it would be nice to pay a visit to the forest on the thirty-second floor. That is another of the handful of floors she could take an interest in, it's true, but there's also something tugging at the back of her mind - a feeling, maybe, should 'feeling' be an applicable word for her in any sense - that it would be a trip worth making. She learned a long time ago to pay attention to those 'feelings.']

[And so she climbs several floors without incident, that inkling growing, becoming more and more clear as she ascends. It's strange - it feels as though there's a familiar presence nearby, it's just--]

[She finds, distractingly, that she senses dark power, her brow knitting as she recognizes it. Her pace starts to slow, but-- it's not far, no more so than the next floor. A jolt runs through her; she knows exactly what said 'next floor' holds. Perhaps she is too kind, too merciful, but the next thing she knows, she's hurrying up the stairs, eyes already wide. When she reaches the top, glances around, and sees first the fires, then the person creating them, it feels as though her body has turned to ice. Is that--?]

['It is', her not!heart responds, without hesitation. But before she can even finish processing that, she realizes, quite suddenly, that he is off of the stairs oh Kingdom Hearts he's going to get murdered.]

[She steps automatically to the edge of the stairs, only stopping at the last moment when she remembers herself, but how long that will stay her remains to be seen. In lieu of making some attempt to haul his newbie behind back to the safety of the stairs,]

Riku--!

[It's sudden and distressed, and maybe it's not quite the right name, but it will have to do for now.]

[acceptedoblivion]

[Hey, you can cry and feel guilty for past actions. That was enough to tell a few that she did have 'feelings' that were at least more real than his. But that was for another time, wasn't it.

To be honest, he doesn't care if he dies or not. Did it matter? Did it really matter if he does die or not, for some fake like him? He'd chosen to remember the lies because it was all he had left, he had nothing left if that was right and like hell would he trust or take Riku's word for it without sensing them for himself. Then again, he didn't quite buy the note either. In short, he doesn't know what to believe. Only that he's here and there's little he can do about it.

Also that the stairs seem to like depositing him on dangerous floors. He was beginning to miss the familiarity of white halls and pale blue tiles... Even if it meant being with them, at least she was--

He freezes for a brief moment when he picks up that familiar scent. And lucky timing it was, just missing one claw because the monster it belonged to was aiming for where he was going, not directly at him.

'But I will... protect Naminé.'

She really was... here? It wasn't a lie? His senses weren't lying, either? Though, that name really does still get on his nerves.]

Naminé--?!

[What are you doing best friend don't you dare step off those because of his stupidity and not being careful (why do you have to be careful on STAIRS anyway aren't those things you run up and down?).

He doesn't spare the glance back, instead deciding to use the darkness to his advantage and cover more ground while only attacking to keep them off of him.

Self-preservation, what was that? He was just trying to keep it clear with a Dark Maelstrom so he could at least get closer.]

[lethechained]

[Try telling that to her, but yes, that's definitely something for another time.]

[He'd best be careful about mentioning that, too, because it would earn him more than a little distress from her side of things, and much more sadness in addition to that that would almost surely be internalized. At least in being confused about the sudden change, he is not alone; that's an experience she, like so many in the Tower, has also had.]

[She leans forward slightly, though her feet shift only to accommodate the change in posture rather than to actually step off of the stairs, almost as if she's physically kept there, even though that is not the case. Sucking in a gasp as the monsters go after him as she was afraid they would, for a moment she freezes, a familiar helpless feeling filling her. But then, quite suddenly, she is reminded of some of the new things she's learned in the Tower, things that aren't quite reflex, things that fell by the wayside when she saw him again and was reminded so vividly and forcefully of another time, when she didn't know those things.]

[Now... now she can actually do something to help. And so he may find himself being aided by Stop spells, as frequently and prudently as she can manage, and, should something manage to actually come close to reaching him, Reflect.]

Over here--!

[Not that he can't figure out where to go on his own, but encouragement couldn't hurt, right--]

Floor 25

[worldrestored]

[Oh hello. You are in the meadow when Naoki is busy lounging in the flowers and he sits up when he smells something burning. Okay he knows it's cold for everyone else but IS SOMEONE BURNING THE FLOWERS that doesn't make much fuel...oh there is a guy.

He walks over. Hello. Don't mind the weird tattoos, the finlike appendage sticking out of his neck, and the fact he isn't even wearing a shirt.]

[acceptedoblivion]

[Yep. Yep, he is in the meadow and he is just going to stay near his fire now that his dark mode has effectively worn out for the moment. Stupid real thing stupid not-nearly-warm-enough-clothes stupid still being alive thing ugh. Also no, he has a nice pile of wood beside him from floor six and besides, it's a ~*~magical~*~ fire.

Wait why does this guy smell funny-- OH HI FIN AND TATTOOS DUDE. Don't mind him, raising an eyebrow. What-?

...Eh. No lightning witch or flower fairy. We might be cool. Maybe. Depends.]

...Aren't you cold?

[worldrestored]

[Okay, just making sure you aren't burning flowers, especially so early in the month...

At the question, however, he shakes his head, and points to his entire body, before opening his mouth and...letting a small burst of flame spill out. See? No not really cold!

...also there's a weird fairy creature emerging from the nearby flowers. Pixie had been following him a bit more slowly.]

Hey you're up earlier than nor---oh hey! Who's this new guy?!

[She seems pretty excited about him too.]

[culbutiri]

[Nesir might have only been back in the tower a day but the coldness was getting to her already. It didn't help that her training clothes really weren't suitable for winter weather and those that ruled this place had decided she apparently didn't need shoes.

So fire, even creepy purple fire drew Nesir, usually she would stay well away from fire but the cold was enough to push the fear from her mind. She approached and watched the man standing close to it carefully.] Do there be room at your fire for anyone else? [She smiled, she could be incredibly polite when she wanting something.]

[acceptedoblivion]

[Seems to be a Thing no matter where you go or how long you're around, huh. He blinks, looking up at the sound of a new (to him) voice. Apparently have fire, will attract strangers was A Thing, too.]

I guess. [He shrugged; hope you don't mind mostly-silence, though. What is being socialite this is not him at all.]

[culbutiri]

Thanks. [That was a rarity as well; Nesir thanking anyone. But warmth was worth it. She drew closer though she was still a good foot or two away from the fire, she could feel its warmth but feared to go closer.]

Why do it be purple?

Floor 25

[lightofhumanity]

[The cold didn't bother chaos, but seeing freezing residents did. While he knew he wouldn't be able to warm up everyone, he had to at least try and help the people he did see. So, while he was walking about, he sensed..an artificial human. It wasn't as sophisticated as a Realian, but it was..similar.

A little curious, chaos wandered into the floor and saw that the human was huddled around a purple fire. While it was a little odd, it wasn't so strange that chaos was going to comment on it right away. Not wanting the boy to freeze, chaos walked up to him and put a hand on his shoulder, using some of his power. It wasn't enough to make him catch on fire, but it should have warmed him up.]

Are you alright? If you want some more wood, I would be glad to find it for you.

[acceptedoblivion]

[Someone was touching him.

Someone...was...

Without being able to even think about it, he snapped and lashed out, likely just missing with another dark fire attack as he pulled away from the unfamiliar light/dark ratio he doesn't know. What even-]

Don't touch me-!

[well, could have been worse.]

[lightofhumanity]

[Normally, chaos would have been hit, but he could be quick when he wanted to be, so he managed to jump aside and dodge the dark fire the boy summoned. In the back of his head, chaos sighed.]

I am sorry. I did not mean to startle or upset you.

2-14

[justabignobody]

[Hey, hey, see that trunk in front of one of the other beds? It appears to be shaking... Seems like something has been locked inside it!

> Open that trunk? (Requires your Courage to be at least "Reliable")
> Leave it alone?]

[acceptedoblivion]

[Well, it's kind of hard to miss after the whole note burning and changing. In fact, he tried to "> Leave it be" but the noise was starting to get on his nerves was it a boggart?. Not to mention it kind of smells like the real--

...

> Open the trunk.]

[justabignobody]

[Unfortunately this trunk is a trap has apparently been locked rather permanently; see the gleam of a Keyhole appearing on the top?

...Not that said lock stops certain Dream Eaters from getting out anyways; especially when they are sensing someone on the outside. Hope you aren't bothered too much by the sudden appearance of fluffy(!?), colorful clouds that quickly form into an equally bright bat!

Hiiiiiii new roommate! 8DDD

Highwind just chirps cheerfully as he stretches his wings; he might be used to Riku locking him away every now and then by now, but it's always now come out. Especially when new people are around to meet! 8D]