towerofanimus

Characters: Zexion, open
Setting: Dorm 1-08 → Floor Three → Dining hall
Format: Action brackets to start, following with either
Summary: Zexion arrives, sniffs around, hits the library, sniffs some more, then eats oatmeal.
Warnings: None

[Zexion awakes, waits for the sleep paralysis to pass, reads the letters, then promptly prepares himself with the trunks' possessions and departs for the third floor. A multitude of scents assault his nose on the way. There are many in the Tower; some are familiar, including a few whose names are on the tip of his tongue, but most are new. He proceeds with care and caution so as to avoid being seen.

Seating himself before a network terminal deep on the third floor, he burrows into the backlogs. Never mind the books. It's imperative that he learn as much as possible while unable to utilize the Corridors of Darkness to a worldly extent, and the library provides a more private atmosphere than the halls of the dormitory. A great deal of time passes. He reads and listens in silence, pausing for the heavier information to sink in as he balances the new-found knowledge. Certainly, with all this rich (yet unreliable) information floating around in public, he can inwardly justify the impossible presence of certain scents and why some seem different. Even his.

He spares an hour or two for the bookshelves and finds nothing of significant worth.

Then he's back on the first floor, seated so casually in a corner of the dining hall, bowl of oatmeal in tow, that he appears inconspicuous upon initial glance, except he's anything but with his dark style of dress and flat expression.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Riku almost flinches when he sense that familiar scent settle into place, Darkness and yet Nothingness twined into one, and he just hopes he is wrong about this (he doesn't count on it though).

There is only one way to find out though, and while he is not entirely sure what to expect of this encounter, he knows it'd happen sooner or later and he'd rather get it over than be caught by unaware.

Considering his weapon of choice, it isn't that surprising to find Zexion in the library, he thinks as he enters the floor, hand curling into a fist, the Soul Eater a dark-fierce tingle beneath his palm, but he doesn't call on it; not yet.

Even so he's tense. He knows better than to understate this particular Nobody.]

[Zexion pauses. There's something familiar about the scent that just entered the floor, but the way the darkness shrouds it -- is worn? -- makes it staggeringly difficult to identify. Now how could any creature have managed that?

Ceasing his current activities, Zexion stands and turns in the direction of the floor's entrance. He hovers a hand just above his nose in an effort to home in on the scent. Whether the owner stays put or moves closer, either will work advantageously for him in this. Though he would prefer to avoid confrontation if that's what awaits their potential meeting. ]

[If given the choice, Riku would have opted to stay invisible, to hide his identity and his presence and just watch from afar, just like he has done in the last ten months. But here it isn't quite as simple as just slipping into a Corridor of Darkness and disappearing towards the next world if driven into a corner, so he will have to come up with a different strategy.

He does not intent to do anything but talk - for now - and maybe... discuss 'boundaries'.

For now he lingers in the shadows though, watching just a moment longer, now that he is almost certain that Zexion can sense him.]

[The scent is both familiar and similar to something else, just like before when he'd picked up on one like it in the basement, although this has its slight differences in presentation. Then it all falls into place, and Zexion waves languidly, containing his mild surprise at the unexpected (but expected, in retrospect) presence.]

Greetings, Riku.

[Well, looks like he's been found - not that he was really trying to hide. A moment later he melts out of the shadows, no trace of surprise or unease on his face, just the neutral expression he has somewhat perfected in the last ten months.]

Zexion.

[An expression far too emotionless than what Zexion's used to. The boy was so expressive back then, and so full of fear. It's time to exchange vague notes, if he's willing.]

You wear the darkness quite well. Unusually, too.

[Is it the reason for the blindfold?]

[That was then and ten months are a lot of time for someone to change, to lose fear, to craft masks. To learn some about the arts of vague notes too.]

It's just a matter of knowing how.

[Which, ironically enough, he had learned while fighting Zexion. Though the fact that this seems to be new to the other, seems to indicate he was from before that point, perhaps? Only time would tell, he supposes.]

It's also the matter of acting upon that knowledge.

[Having the guts, in other words. The differences he's already observed show a remarkable leap. Unless he's from much, much later than Zexion's time, something else must account for them.]

[Riku just crooks his head ever so slightly and shrugs in a careless manner that is probably rather reminding of how he used to be before leaving Castle Oblivion.

Because you know, maybe he's acting on it, maybe he's not. If Zexion can't tell himself then that's his loss.]

[A loss, is it? He brings a hand up to his chin.]

Tell me, how long has it been?

[He takes his time to consider his reply; and if he should answer in first place. In the end, he sees no harm in it.]

A year. Give or take a few weeks.

[What a coincidence. The dates seem to almost match up. A beat, then he also throws out,]

Why the coat?

[A question that was to be anticipated.]

Convenience.

[It's nice not to have to worry about his use of Corridors after all. The rest of the Organization guessing at his identity for a while, didn't hurt either.]

[A likable answer.]

Well, then, shall we get to the heart of the matter? [There's the faintest trace of a smirk.] You came here for to set the boundaries, I'd assume.

Speak your piece, Riku.

[Thank you(?).

He feels a twist in his stomach as Zexion calls him out on his intentions; even though he isn't quite certain about them himself yet... but he can't show any of that. Not in front of this guy, because Zexion won't hesitate to exploit that weakness.

Still he can allow himself this pause as he considers what to say. In the end, there is no doubt about what needs to be said anyways.]

Don't touch any of them. Don't even go near them. If you want someone to play mind games with... I suppose I'm game.

[Because, as much as he loathes mind games, he dislikes the thought Sora - either of them - or Naminé (or anyone else for that matter) being exposed to them even more.

Besides... he figures he can handle whatever Zexion might throw at him. However-]

Try with them and I won't hesitate to come after you.

[It's as simple as that.]

You know that's not how it works.

[The effectiveness of "mind games" would be hideously low if he only worked it on one person that was aware. Oh, he could still run with it. But it would hardly be advantageous, and thus does not appeal to Zexion in the slightest, even if Riku would make a fascinating subject.

Still, with that ambiguous answer, he continues,]

. . . And if they come of their own accord?

[Riku just raises an eyebrow, because really. Zexion can't possibly think that he cares one bit about the effectiveness of his mindgames. He is simply 'speaking his piece' as the other had put it, so that if Zexion finds himself facing the business end of the Soul Eater, he'll know exactly why that is.

There is still the that knot in his gut twisting, because he knows it can't possibly that easy, he knows better than to think that he threats will be enough to keep Zexion in check. Zexion fights with words not violence, and while continued exposure to the likes of DiZ has made him probably a little more prepared for that than he had been in Castle Oblivion, he knows better than to assume himself able to out-think this particular schemer.

That question is a trap; because for all that he can warn them, he can't control anyone's actions, much less Sora's, and both of them are so very vulnerable and very easily baited. He can't show any of the fear the thought of either of them walking into one of Zexion's traps causes, can't let that weakness show.

He snorts instead.]

Brushing you in the hallway is hardly 'coming of their own accord'.

01

Floor Three

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