towerofanimus

Entry tags:

012

Characters: Riku and O-P-E-N
Setting: all over the tower, Riku during the event
Format: Action preferred, but I'll match
Summary: A - Q: When was a flu ever something to worry about?, B - A: When it starts messing with somebody's Darkness., C - Solution: Activate Hermit-mode and hide away from everyone. :|b
Warnings: Nothing so far

[A - 13th-14th December | Floor 1, Floor 3, Floor 4]

[It starts with a cough in the morning and just a little bit of temperature, just that kind of feeling that you are really hotter than you should be, but nothing that shouldn't be curable with taking it a bit slower for a day or two, or so Riku thinks at least.

And so he spends that day and the next not much different than he usually would, first going down to the Cafeteria to pick up a few nutrition bars, then to the library to pick up a book or two, and then only up to the lounge on the next floor, where he just curls up in the seat.

Surely, he'll start feeling better in a day or two. Right?]

[B - 15th-19th December | Floor 1, Floor 3, Floor 4, Floor 29]

[Well, so much for that theory.

Instead of feeling better, Riku can't help that feeling of foreboding, can't help but stop sometimes right in the middle of a step and stare at the shadows, lips pressing together as an all too familiar feeling rises within him (except that it shouldn't be, it can't be, it hasn't been; not since-).

He tries to ignore it at first.

He tries to ignore that feeling of darkness rising within him, growing, slowly consuming him. Again.

He doesn't even last half a day. Instead he drags himself up into the twenty-ninth floor and through the maze to the clearing in the middle (he has long memorized that particular path), doing his best to cut off some twigs from the hedge and make himself at least a little fire to sit in front off as he closes his eyes and concentrates on the within.

There's got to be a way to get this under control again.

...Needless to say that he isn't all too successful with that.

...And that it didn't really help his "flu" all that much either.

...You'd think he'd know better than to try again.

...

~~Spoiler: He doesn't.~~]

[C - 20th-22nd December]

[When he awakens on the twentieth, his head feels heavy, and he really, desperately wants to do nothing rather than to keep lying in his bed, to curl up some more in his sheets and hope that he'll stop feeling like he's freezing and burning to death at exactly the same time sometimes soon.

But then he makes the mistake of opening his eyes.

He gasps as he sees the shadows pool around him, wrapping around him, almost as if-

Snapping awake, he pushes himself off his bed, tangling in his sheets and landing on the floor a moment later - not even noticing Highwind's concerned chirping as he flutters in front of his owner, who just. Stares at his hands. At the dark glow surrounding it.

A moment later Riku is darting away already (stumbling once more in process) - he knows this feeling, he knows what it means, what might happen soon. He can't let anyone see. He can't get anyone involved, not when he can't guarantee that it's him that is in charge, when/if it does.

He can't take that risk. He won't.

And so Riku disappears into the tower without a word or warning, leaving a confused Highwind behind to sit on his pillow with just one command ("Stay here."), sheets still spread all over the floor for their room mates to find.

In the following days, some people just might catch sight of black-silver flicker, while he hides away.

He has retied the blindfold around his eyes, thinking, hoping, that it would help him get some control back. (It didn't.)

But even though, he is feeling terrible, and his Darkness is every growing stronger, worse, but...

There is one thing, he is absolutely certain about. He can't let anyone near while it's that unstable. He won't take that risk.]

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[Christmas was approaching, and while the residents that weren't sick were probably happy about this, chaos was..just a little sad. Christmas made him remember his friends, what he could of them, and of The Messiah, who had been a good friend of his and Mary's. chaos had gone to the twenty-fifth floor to try and calm down-or at least worry away where people wouldn't see him. However, before he could find a log to sit down in private, he sensed someone strong behind him. Their power didn't feel right though, and chaos turned around to see who it was.

However, all he saw was a flicker of black and sliver. chaos sighed and smiled.]

Whoever is there, please come out. Do not be afraid. I shan't hurt you.

[Given the time he spends reading and practicing magic on this floor, it's one that Riku is the most familiar and comfortable with - especially at a time like this when his thought process feels overly sluggishly, when he can hardly think beyond staying away from basically every living person.

The utter disadvantage of this particular floor was and will remain the fact that its lack of threats outside the one or other monster that found its way here draws just as much to other people besides him.

Point in case, really just this situation.

While he is certainly hearing and registering what chaos is saying, it hardly stops him from making his way further away and towards the stairs - he is hardly afraid of the other after all (given the light he is faintly sensing, that's really just laughable and he can't quite help the snort that shakes through him - and turns into a coughing fit a moment later).

What he fears right now is the furthest thing from an outside-threat.]

[chaos heard that coughing fit and, in his head, sighed. Was this other person worried about injuring him? It was almost impossible to do so, but he could see why someone who didn't know the truth about him could have worried. chaos followed the person, using his senses to guide him.]

You will not hurt me either. Please, allow me to see you. You do not sound well, and it is hard to take an invisible man to the clinic.

[Impossible to do so or not, there is really no reasoning when his mind is too hazy to consider anything but the things he knows - and if there's one thing that's certain then it's the danger that the Darkness inside him poses to himself... to anyone close the moment it breaks free.

And so he just grits his teeth as he walks on, one hand against the wall as he climbs up the stairs.]

[chaos, not one to leave a person in need, follow the invisible man, but taking care to keep a bit of distance between them, as it seemed that this man did not want to be approached. Since it seemed that his words weren't reaching, chaos sighed and tried something he did not usually use. His telepathy.]

'Please..I will not hurt you, and I do not think you pose any danger to me. At least allow me to look at you.'

Edited 2012-12-27 20:24 (UTC)

[Riku flinches and stumbles when chaos' voice suddenly echoes through his head, one hand reaching up to press against his forehead.

It's the wrong voice and the wrong words, but that doesn't matter - his voice is a mere hiss, as cold furry overcomes him.]

Get. Out of my head! And stay out.

[He has no means to lock him out, but... at this moment he just hatehatehates the voice in his head, and the one that he fears might replace it soon.]

[chaos sighed and quickly did as he was told.]

I am sorry. However, I was not sure that you could hear my voice normally as you are now. I did not mean to anger or upset you. I do apologize.

[He keeps his hands pressed against his forehead, breath shaking a little. He's a bit torn between anger and panic, another coughing fit overcoming him before he manages to hiss.]

I can hear you fine. Now, go away.

[In his head, chaos sighed.]

..Normally I would..but you sound terrible and seem to be in pretty bad shape. At least allow me to take you to the infirmary.

[Riku doesn't care to reply to that; he's told the kid to leave him alone already and if he's not listening now, then telling him again is just a waste of time.

Especially when it's time he can spent pushing himself up to the next floor.]

[This time, chaos actually sighed.]

..Where are you trying to go? At least permit me to take you to your destination.

[He can sigh all he want, Riku has already reached Floor 26 and is stumbling to the next stairway, with absolutely no intention whatsoever to answer to chaos - he doesn't need and want any help.]

[..chaos will quietly cast a Healing Dew on Riku before leaving the boy as well. If he didn't want his help, he wasn't going to interfere too much. If that was how he wanted to exercise his free will, then that was how he was going to do it. chaos only hoped he saw the consequences of doing so.]

[...Okay, so it's been a day or two by now. This is getting ridiculous and he's just staring at a certain bat sitting there on real thing's pillow. Really, Highwind? Really?

After a few moments of just staring (and nearly blatantly refusing to get out from under the covers, and who can blame him since it's warm), he seems a little agitated and at a point of frustration.]

Alright, that's enough.

[He mutters under his breath, grudgingly getting out from under the sheets and nearly snaps at the poor thing. ...Okay, more like tsuns.]

So you're just going to sit there when he could be in trouble, huh. Tch. [He rolls his eyes.] Or do you want to come with me and find him?

[Why in the Dark Realm is he talking to a rainbow-colored bat again. Ugh, forget it. Real Thing Being An Idiot Sense has been going off the hook... and it's his job, darn it. Far be it that he lets the guy forget it.]

[Well what was he supposed to do... order is order and the last time he disobeyed, Riku had deliberately ignored him for three days. ._.

This is very, very unusual though - from what he can tell from the last almost-two-months at least - which is why his ears have dropped down, worry and sadness quite apparent on his expression, and drop even more when the Replica snaps at him.

Only to perk up immediately afterwards, chirping highly, because yesyesyesyesyes dodododo want help find Riku! 8>

It goes against what Riku had told him to do, but... he'd really, really rather make sure that Riku is alright. A moment later, Highwind is fluttering up and over to the Replica, to try setting down on his shoulder.

Lead the way!]

[See Highwind, that's when you come to get spoiled by not!Riku ~~even if he tsuns forever~~.

The fact that he knows it's unusual should be more than enough to confirm it. Seriously, he hasn't even been here a month and he knows better than this. So what does he do? ...Well, other than hide the guilt for making the bat-thing feel worse behind more annoyance, he lets the strange creature rest on his shoulder.

Nohetotallydoesn'thaveasoftsideforitnopenoideawhatyouaretalkingabout.

He smirked faintly. Yes good, little guy. He approves of this.]

Right. Let's go.

[Leading the way... Hm. The scent is faint, but... down the stairs (and carefully this time), they go! ~~Heigh ho, hiegh ho, it's offtofindingtherealthing we go~~~]

[Hehe, but you know. It's Highwind's duty to coax out the soft side of eeeeverybody. Okay not quite. Everybody, but a few choice people (Xehanort, Vanitas, Ganondorf... the usual).

He squeaks and twitches his nose(?) and ears; he agrees, this seems like a good direction to start with.

Tiiiime to track down the owner!!!]

[Huuuush don't say that or they will never speak again. ...Though he approves of the few on the list of people you don't like, even if he doesn't know two of them. The names themselves sound like bad news.]

...Heh. I take it you agree, huh.

[Have an ear scratch. Two noses verses emo mophead. He won't stand a chance.]

[He would sadface a lot if the Replica decided never to speak with him again! 8<

Soooooooo many sadfaces! 8<<<

(Overall it's probably good that he doesn't speak human though, isn't it? Also, yes, those people are all veeeeeeeeeery bad news; Riku said so! 8<)

Highwind twitches with his ears, because yesyesyes he so totally agrees. Also yaayyy ear scratch. Priorities are to be had though and so he takes off from the Replica's shoulder again and flies off into the direction of the stairs, squeaking again when he reaches them. Hurry up, slowpoke!]

[Well, then it's a good thing that they are still talking... in a sense. So no sad faces right now and hush you no guilting in the brackets!

(...Maybe. And ffffff. Too bad Highwind can't tell him that. He totally wouldn't listen, anyway.)

...?!]

...Oh, so that's how it's going to be, huh. [Well then!] No way you're outpacing me!

[Fiiiine. Back to his favorite hobby: Running up (or in this case, down) stairs!]

[Nope, he'll do all the guilting in the brackets, if that's what's needed. 8|

(Well, Riku will surely tell him sooner or later. And make sure that he listens, because this stuff is important. :|)

Heh, Highwind just chirps and zips off - guess who may have inherited some of dat competitive streak of Riku's - maybe waiting just a little at the end of each stair case.]

[Nope no guilting needed, okay. IT IS NOT FAIR AT ALL.

(and no it isn't it has nothing to do with him and if he gets him involved on "accident" simply because he's basically Riku's past self's shadow then THERE WILL BE WORDS. ...Sigh.)

Oh dear, they both did. Now it's a race to see who beats who to each landing as they search for that familiar scent.]

[Riku's been coming to this floor a lot lately, for better or worse. It was one of the calmer, quieter floors. One of the few places he could sit and at last try to relax, in spite of the cold and the snow.

He's got a little fire set up and some winter clothes on, complete with a cloak made by Enoch. However, when he catches that glimpse of silver and black, he whips away from his fire and follows along.]

And just where do you think you're going?

[Quiet indeed, but never abandoned it seems and so Riku just curses himself for checking again if it was free for him to just curl up on a patch of grass or so and rest for just a moment.

Instead he walks away with long, quick strides (as long and quick as he can manage in his current state anyways), determined to keep his double off his back and from suspecting anything to be wrong. ~~As if he couldn't, considering the blindfold. But nobody is accusing OU!ku of thinking straight right now, right?~~]

'S non of your business.

[Double, you don't give him enough credit. Rather than just sit there, he picks up the pace and follows along.]

Too bad. I'm making it my business.

[This isn't related to giving anyone credit; he isn't exactly surprised that the other had followed him. That doesn't mean he has to like it though - especially when he can see the Darkness wrapping around his hand, a blue-purple-blackish glow that he can't shake, that he can't suppress, no matter how hard he tries.

So he doesn't even bother to reply as he speeds up climbing the stairs (with minimal swaying), mind set on reaching Floor 29.]

[Too bad a certain other pair finally caught wind of someone and began running down the stairs, being careful not to fall through them (unlike his first day here...sigh). And they were in the way.]

And I thought I'd gone crazy, real thing...

[Seriously disappearing for this long when it's THIS cold? You know it's bad when it's him that's disapproving of the shenanigans he normally pulls all the time.]

*He'd left the cloaks hanging on the doors of names he recognized he thought might like them, and then slept the remainder of the day.

It didn't help. Enoch met the 13th with just as much stamina as he had the 12th, and after spending what should have been breakfast time sluggishly warding off a zombie, dragged himself upstairs.

He couldn't tell the Rikus from one another, and assumed this was the same young man he'd met yesterday, that was curled up on the couch across from him.*

So you've caught it as well...

[Well... this Riku is still a bit taller (not that you could tell sitting, probably), has longer hair and is lacking Enoch's coat? So there is one or the other difference, though by now it might take a bit to catch on them admittedly.

Given how Enoch's statement is phrased and that they have met before, Riku so far doesn't suspect that he is being confused with his double and just shrugs.]

It's been going around for a while already.

[Overall it's not exactly surprising that he caught it. That doesn't make it any less annoying though.]

*If Enoch was in good health, he might have thought of it. As it was, he just wanted a place where people were frequent, for safety against monsters, and the furniture was comfortable. Enoch was more interested in curling up under his cloak like a blanket.*

I hope we don't lose anyone to it.

*Even though they'd all be brought back anyway. He had to wonder if Jason had thought of the extra work he'd made for himself when he decided not to heat the tower.*

[Understandable. Riku really prefers curling up against the cushions and pretending that he doesn't need two times to really grasp a sentence of the book he's picked up as well.]

That might be unavoidable though.

[Jason isn't exactly known for setting up his games in a way that might allow them to win after all.]

True...not all of us can be resilient to illness.

*Still...it was strange, how little this was like winter at home, how little they could do. It was somehow worse than the winters on Earth in his time. They weren't so free, and metal didn't insulate the way clay and wood and stone did.*

The lack of tolerable temperatures isn't exactly helping either.

[Not that it could be expected much different. Things would be too 'easy' otherwise, right? It's not exactly a battle that can be truly one, unlike the last time that Jason had been in charge... only something that can be waited out, probably.

Riku just sighs... January just can't come soon enough.]

Indeed...I've never been so cold for so long...

*Enoch reaches up to turn a cushion down to act as a pillow. Why it was all right to sleep out here in the middle of the day but not his own room was mystifying. It was sleep, either way.

At least this time he had the justification of not wanting to climb more stairs.*

And I haven't been ill in a very long time, either.

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012

22 of December, 25th floor.

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December 22nd... goddamnit real thing

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alternate journal, ho~

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22nd, meadow floor

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/belatedly and quietly threadjacks

13th, floor 4

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