015

[justabignobody]

Characters: OU!Riku and open
Setting: Dormitory floors, Cafeteria (001), both libraries (003 & 019), Block 1 Outdoor Floors (011 & 020), Meadow Floor (025), Hedge Maze (029), Beach Floor (062); just all the places where Riku is prone to hanging out; taking place over the course of the week following the event
Format: Action, but I'll match
Summary: With Zelda and most of Dax's Armee compromised, Riku struggles with his paranoia as he tries to figure out just what the hell the rest of them is supposed to do now.
Warnings: Nothing note worthy, probably?

[After the first shock of Guy's network announcement passed, Riku has spent most his time feeling on edge, quiet and more withdrawn into books and magic practice and just waiting what consequences Jason's success would bring (It's thankfully not really that differently to how he acts usually).

He observes the changes with a light frown, quietly taking note of the increased number of retrieval units in the tower and around certain people, and while he is utterly stumped on what they are doing on the power draining floors when about half the tower is on disadvantage there anyways (though he supposes, that works in his favor at least), it's hardly hard to guess just why they are around latter. He hasn't been overly involved in the Princesses' efforts - not in any visible way at least - and there are only few people that know of his visit on the administrative levels back in Febrary. All things considered, he should probably keep it that way.

It's kind of maddening he thinks as he moves through his day; he's long been aware that privacy isn't all that big around here, but overall he still can't help the paranoid feeling of being watched - it's utterly irrational and really... being too much on edge is almost just as bad as being too careless. It won't help anyone, least of all himself, he knows that.

What might help is to act as normal as possible... and to figure out how to go from there.

To say that that's easier said than done, is a bit of an understatement though.]

Comments

Floor 11

[attheclocktower]

[It's not her usual haunt. And that's why she's here. She isn't sure she's ready to face a lot of other people yet. Not after what happened. Not after who disappeared. So not only is she withdrawing, she's withdrawing in a place people aren't as likely to look.

The big burning question in her heart is why. No qualifiers. Nothing else she can really put into words. Just... why? What was the point of that? Of anything?

She's upset and she's angry and she's afraid and all she can really do about it is sit and stew in a curled-up ball, near the edge of the lake with a waterfall nearby, mist spraying in her face. The sensation is calming, almost. It gives her something else to focus on.

She's not too obvious, but the little mark of jet-black against the ground isn't too hard to spot either[

[justabignobody]

[It isn't quite, no, but that doesn't stop Riku from stumbling over her there anyways - it has newly become one of his more favored 'haunts' after all - especially not when he knows the scent of her heart almost as well as that of his own, as that of Sora's.

He is careful in his approach though, he doesn't need the ability to sense hearts to know that she's upset, and after a moment he just sits down closely beside her. He may or may not be almost be kind of hovering actually, worry very much written over his face.]

...Xion?

[attheclocktower]

[Lifting her head, Xion stares at Riku, a mixture of guilt, shame, and apology crossing over her face in a second. And yet there's relief too, relief that Riku is still here, and though his presence far from fixes everything that's gone wrong, it's still a great comfort.

At long last, she looks away, back towards the waterfall]

Roxas and Elena are gone.

[Both of them, while she busy being Jason's puppet.]

[justabignobody]

[Riku closes his eyes for a moment - he's known about Elena, but Roxas' disappearance is news to him and he doesn't even think about reaching over to squeeze Xion's shoulder.]

I'm so sorry.

[She has lost so much so often; it really isn't fair.]

[keybearer]

[Riku will find his double standing on the shoreline of the beach floor, flinging stones and shells at the water's surface. His Dream Eater sits by his side, occasionally prodding at him with its snout, though he only occasionally responds.

He's not sure what to make of this whole debacle. While he himself was unaffected, knowing that the admins would go this far... that they'd use the tower's own residents against each other, it's---

Well, it's not surprising. Not really. Distressing, though? Absolutely.

It doesn't help that his own Replica became a mindless drone, unable to even speak. And he couldn't do a thing to help.]

...Am I really that helpless?

[It's said to himself, more than anybody. After all, his double's presence hasn't quite registered yet. Granted, the trilling of a certain Ryu Dragon is sure to change that at any second.]

[justabignobody]

[OU!ku watches his double for a moment, Highwind fluttering above his shoulder unsure what to do for a moment before he just surges forward, whistling a greeting while barreling downwards to Ryu Dragon, intent on tackling the dragon Dream Eater.

The bat's owner follows with a shake of his head, smiling amused at the display as he walks up to his double. When he speaks up, he keeps his voice low, quiet - he is pretty sure it's safe to talk her - they are far enough from the walls - but it's best to be careful.]

Munny for your thoughts.

[keybearer]

[Friend, hi! Hi, friend! Riku's Dream Eater takes the tackle with stride, warbling and headbutting his fellow Spirit.

The chatter is enough to pull Riku out of his daze, and he turns to his double with a sheepish half-smile.]

Didn't think I'd have company here. Kinda glad, though.

[After all, spend too much time alone, and it's easy to get lost in the dumps.]

[justabignobody]

[Yay, head-buts! 83

OU!ku chuckles quietly and then walks up to stand right next to the other.]

Most of the upper floors tend to be pretty abandoned, huh?

[Most likely because they are the least familiar ones - OU!ku, too, tends to stay more on the floors below the fifties. This one is an exception though.]

[keybearer]

Well, they do get pretty hectic. I know I wouldn't want to get lost in that desert, for one...

[But Riku doesn't mind the quiet, really. It's more relaxing when there's less traffic.]

[justabignobody]

Point.

[Getting lost in the desert (or you know, places like the Cave of Wonders) isn't particular fun - he'd know. And well, OU!ku thinks the same - that's why he's starting to prefer this floor to the meadow one, despite (or maybe even because) the similarities to their home world.

But down to business...]

That wasn't an answer though. What has you moping over around here?

[And don't tell him you weren't; he knows his own moping face when he sees it. >.>]

[keybearer]

I'd like to think of it as deep thinking, not moping.

[But he's not really denying it either way. Instead, he shrugs and places a hand against his neck.]

But as for why... It's that whole brainwashing mess. Nobody saw it coming and we couldn't do a thing to stop it.

Heck, my Replica wouldn't even listen to me when I saw him. He was like a zombie.

Third Floor

[tohko_amano]

[While Tohko was still recovering a bit from the recent experiment and from the information that the Administrators knew about the rebellion, she didn't let up on her librarian duties. Even though it was hard to steal away a few minutes of privacy whenever she wanted to eat something. It was hard to dodge the retrieval units all the time.

In fact, she was just turning the corner around a shelf, hoping that she had finally lost one, when she saw a boy with white hair looking at the shelves. Even now, she wasn't going to ignore a patron.]

Good morning! Need help finding anything?

[justabignobody]

[Riku is absorbed by the titles when she speaks up, his hand tracing over by now quite familiar books, though he doesn't seem that surprised by her appearance. He glances over her after a moment, a fain smile on his lips as he shakes his head.]

Thank you, but I'm good.

[He's been more than long enough in the tower to know where to find most things by himself.]

[tohko_amano]

[..Hang on here..this boy was a bit familiar. While she returned the smile and nodded, she spoke.]

Ah, alright then..pardon me..but you're not the boy that was watching The Nutcracker a few months ago, are you?

[justabignobody]

[He frowns in surprise for a second, but then nods when he recognizes her.]

Yeah, that was me.

[tohko_amano]

[At that, Tohko smiled a little bit. The retrieval until had finally caught up with her and turned the corner, but while she heard it, she didn't pay it any mind.]

Ah, alright then! Did you enjoy the rest of that play? And are you doing alright now?

[justabignobody]

[Riku does turn his head slightly until he can see the retrieval unit, eyes narrowing slightly as he tenses, but then forces himself to relax again.]

...I suppose, I did.

[Even though the whole thing confused the hell out of him. And he is side-eying Ruana for stuffing him in that costume.]

And yeah, I'm fine.

meadow

[notagiraffe]

[Taiki had felt like he was being followed a couple of times, and spotted more drones. The normal ones not prisoners turned into them; they were all back to normal now.

But it made him scared and he was more jumpy than usual. When he saw Riku he waved shyly, not sure if he should go over, not wanting to intrude on anyone's time.]

[justabignobody]

[He’ll find Riku there in cross-legged seat, one of the library books spread across his legs; though he lifts his head the moment he sense the familiar light of the Kirin, a smile tugging on his lips, even though his eyes narrow slightly - he is catching onto that scent of fear.

Even so he closes the book he's been reading as he lifts his hand for a wave - if Taiki wants to come over he is very much welcome to!]

[notagiraffe]

[Taiki's eyes lit up and he skipped towards him, still worried.] Hello Riku...

[justabignobody]

[There is absolutely nothing to be worried about though; at least not with Riku.]

Hello, Taiki.

How have you been?

[It has been a bit since the last time they have talked after all.]

[notagiraffe]

Alright... [Taiki will forever be worried about everything, it's just the way he is] How are you?

[justabignobody]

[Ah well, Riku more than gets that. He has a certain sense of paranoia himself.]

Fine. And glad that the worst of the rain seems to be over. I hope this means we'll get warmer days soon.

[Riku. Talking about the weather? Seriously?]

floor 3

[carrythesin]

[Kirika ignored the increase of drones and headed for the books. With Guy's warning from the network, Kirika remained calmed as if the tower returned to it's original self. Of course she knew the slightest changes but she wasn't going to make it obvious.

Kirika flipped to the next page looking at the pictures of fairy tales children would of known. Surprisingly, this was all new to her. The story of Alice for example.]

[justabignobody]

[Alice, eh?

Riku connects some bitter (and/or bitter sweet) thoughts to fairy tales and to the stories he connects to his childhood; he usually stays away from that section in favor for philosophy and any manual that can help him further his strength.

Still, he can't help but linger and stare when he catches sight of one of the pictures of Alice thanks to a stray glance over Kirika's shoulder - what a strangely familiar sight.

...How weird.]