~004~ [Video-->Voice]
[The puppies have only left to eat and have otherwise not left their mistresses' side since she was brought to Tsuzuki's house pretty much in a sleep-coma of sorts. However, the auburn-haired girl finally finds that the sleep is leaving and in return for the refreshed but somewhat numb feeling finds that there is a ball of warmth on her stomach.
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[He's inwardly laughing at himself and his own foolishness, but those names mentioned bring out his old confusion. ...Demyx had treated him like a friend, and that in itself was weird.] Out of the Organization... there's also Zexion and Xemnas, and someone named Larxene has been here a while, I think. [-but that wasn't all. It takes him a while, especially with what Kairi just said. Those two names didn't ring any bells at all. Her pain, though... well, it earned a slight squeeze before he turned his head away from her.]
... You won't be alone, now. [Because he had no intention of abandoning her now that he knew for certain she was here with the Heartless nearby- Wait, WHAT. KAIRI HAS A KEYBLADE? Okay, the whole timefuck thing was starting to get just a tad old; just saying. Though, at least he has the ability to cover up the what the hell moment with a chuckle.] Well, then.. we'll just have to see about that.
[But then his voice too lowers, more out of worry for her than himself. With who he knows is here, well... is it any wonder why he is when he still wondered how it was possible?] ...The Heartless is here, too.
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Xemnas. She remembered seeing him. And not too long after that she arrived here. The other two names she wasn't familiar with...but she nods into his coat again.] ...I know. You'll be here. We'll...protect each other. And anyone who needs it. Them first though. [She wants others to be safe too--what kind of person would she be if she cared for herself first?
Yes, Riku. She has a Keyblade. She can summon it if you want...she thinks. Unless you...wait. No. She smiles and shakes her wrist gently, the--technically three since she hooked the Destiny's Embraces' keyblade charm to her own wayfinder--two charms jingling gently.] Some...time.
[...The heartless. No. She gives him another instinctive squeeze before letting go and pulling away from him, not breaking from the hug but enough to straighten up and look him in the blind-folded eyes with worry, concern...and anger? Well, yes anger; if it was who she thought it was, it was the guy who took Riku away and made Sora turn into the Heartless. That evil man who first called her "Princess"...] ...Ansem, right?
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Right. [Others first, themselves last. It was funny how it always seemed to work out that way, but the sad truth was that one had to take care of themselves or they'd fall apart and be unable to help others.
He catches that instinctive squeeze--it's hard not to notice it when she pulls away slightly shortly after. ...He could feel that anger in her gaze even with the blindfold keeping him from seeing it, and yet it was mutual. Sadly, he has to nod once more.] Yeah. Him.
[Riku still hasn't forgiven himself for falling to that Heartless' plans, for letting himself slip so badly, but to know that he at least had a handful of others to turn to and to keep him from drifting away again... It melted away some of the outrage and helped him keep an even calmer head. He wasn't alone. Even if he wanted to be sometimes, in this case. He pulls out his SFC, playing back the conversation. "Impossible! You have been eclipsed."] Someone didn't have a very good welcoming party.
[Smirk. It all had amused him to no end as to how the others reacted.]
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But now he was back. And you know, Riku, it's true. Both of you would have been beaten by the Darkness had Kairi not been there, right? And back then, when she had her heart taken and was unfortunately carted, unconsciously, across worlds...she needed both of you to be there for her and bring her back, right? So it had to work. And nobody would ever be alone. Ever. Or feel like that. When she told him, again, that she loved him, she meant it with the added message and hope that this time they would actually stay together and never feel like anyone was excluded or alone anymore.
That was her hope at least. Now back to the situation at hand.
Riku's nod of confirmation to her question had her release a shaky breath she didn't know she was holding in until after the conversation finished. But he was smirking...so maybe...] I...I can't believe that...he... [shakes her head, finally letting go of his arm. Uhm...what she says next...]
I think now would be a good time for me to learn how to really defend my friends. And...not get caught and become unable to help. And we can fight against him together...it shouldn't be one person on their own...
[biting her lip, she quickly takes his hands and looks up once more at his blindfolded eyes; This...she...she had to get this done first. Sure Ansem was a threat now, and she would need to know how to fight...and she knew this was rather bold of her to say such a thing so, instinctively a teasing tone fell into her voice although he could feel her hands trembling just the slightest] But...I really don't think you can fight him without sight. I'm sure you're a natural at fighting blind but...I'm just worried. I guess I can blame everything that's gone on that I'm more worried for you and Sora...when ever he returns here...than I used to be. I feel like the blindfold is keeping something in you away...a part of you that I used to see...it's not there anymore. And if the darkness has changed you...changed your eyes...it does not matter to me. I know you are still Riku...and I'll help you no matter what.
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But he was confident that he could win over the Heartless again if the time arose that he needed to face it again--he'd done it before, right?
That didn't seem to cancel out Kairi's fears though, it seemed. Riku listens patiently, nodding again.] I'll do what I can to teach you- [But that hesitation though, and what is said afterward... This was what he'd been afraid of: her suggesting for him to take off the cloth covering his eyes. Even though it was a teasing tone, there was really nothing he could say without admitting the truth to her. Though he'd really rather not say or show her.]
...I can and I will. [It's blunt. He wants to believe in her, wants to be able to confide in her with this tiny part of him and of what he's been holding back... but how can he, when he can't even look at himself? It hurts him more than anything to not be able to show her just how much he's changed, to let her see straight into his eyes, but Riku just can't let her see just how much the darkness has affected him--changed him from being the cool and collected boy she and Sora knew to the envious and spiteful prick that had lost it all and then finally to what he is now: the young man who has lost everything and then some only to regain his body and scarred heart--a small part of his old self forever marred by his choice to discard his family, friends, and home for freedom.
And what did he gain from it? What did he have to show for his actions? Not much, seeing as how he couldn't even keep Sora from sleeping this long when he should have been protecting Kairi.
He lowers his gaze, shaking his head. No... Thinking like that would get him nowhere--he had to stay strong for all of them, and find a way to finally be free of this cursed shadow. And yet as Riku speaks, he fears his voice would crack if he spoke at a normal volume.] ... I can't. [Can't take it off, can't show you what the darkness has done to me... There was so much pain that he'd kept bottled up inside that he just couldn't bear to let her see it but didn't she see it anyway, in how he was reacting to such a simple request? ...He couldn't answer her as he looked down toward the trembling hands that held his own that had begun to shake as well.
He kept his eyes from betraying him, but his voice and hands were another story. There wasn't much he could do with this, and he was growing all the more uncertain that this cage could hold him much longer by the minute.
Riku changed so much in the time he was gone, that much was certain... and he didn't have the strength he needed to stand on his own without the darkness. It still sickened him, to be honest. So much for that smirk.
His heart ached, wanting to be able to see her and Sora smiling with his own eyes but knowing he couldn't. It hurt.] I'll teach you how to defend yourself with the Keyblade, but I can't take this off. Not until the fight is over.
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Even if he's from a different time in her life he's still her Riku...and she squeezes his hands tighter before tearing her hands away and then, again, tightly embracing him, face buried into his chest and close to his off-beat heart. His tremblings snapped the Princess into attention; her poor Knight, her best friend, one of two loves that had her heart, he was...scared. That's how she saw it; it was a fear of falling again, further than before. A fear of losing everything, and the way his confident but blunt voice soon turned to a whisper with the realization of what she had asked...
The hug was supposed to be a comfort, a reassurance, and Kairi found herself in a situation where she didn't want to let him go. Ever. If she did she feared she would cause the darkness to take away every other part of him that remained. So she would fight it in her own way. She wouldn't ever let him go out of her heart. If he was still there, then he would be safe...right?] ...That's okay. I'll still be here to fight alongside you. The Darkness may try to separate us but our bond is much stronger than it. It will never break that, even if it tries to consume us all. [that much said was muffled into his coat, because to be honest she couldn't bring her voice any louder than that at the moment. She loved him so much that to see him in this sort of situation wounded her inside. If he won't remove it because Ansem's hold on him, the hold of the Darkness on his Heart, is that strong, it's okay. She can fight with him outside, being his support and guiding him. Like she always had.
And maybe to lighten the mood she lifts her head and gives him a small smile while she speaks] And...Riku...when we do train, please go easy on me at first, okay? I'm not as strong as you are...at least, not yet.
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He blinks behind the veil of black, a little surprised at the sudden hug. Riku feels himself stiffen momentarily as her arms wrap around him, and his words simply failed him. Just like the King... He should have known better than to think she's shun him for what his path has caused him. It's all a... huge relief, really. Riku isn't afraid to fall--he's resolved that he would fall back into darkness and maintain control if that meant making sure his friends were safe. Funny thing about defeating the wannabe puppet master: you end up becoming the puppet master. ...Light, that is one of the most ironic statements ever mentioned.
What he is afraid of, though... is that it not being enough and that if he ends up falling again for them and finds that to be true- what would happen to his heart, then? Would it simply fall prey to that dark power again? He didn't know if he could handle such a blow again. Then there was the possibility of him getting stuck in that form and--he can't think about it; it would only succeed in making him even more paranoid and thus weaken his already weak heart. -- And that connection between himself and Kairi? He's leaning even more heavily on it. Just so much relief that even in his current state... He really is an idiot for being so worried about something like this.] ...Thank you. [What else could he ever say to one of the three voices that had called out to him in the darkness? Everything she said meant so much that he really couldn't say much beyond that--the words just wouldn't be enough.
Thank you, sweet, sweet subject changes. He even chuckles a bit.] What's 'easy'? [Obviously he's teasing, if the faint tug at the corner of his lips were anything to go by.] I'll behave... Somewhat. You may even get stronger than me one day.
[...That was a scary thought.]
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She finally lets him go because her arms now ache slightly from how securely she had been hugging him. She knows he can't see her when she nods, but she makes a small sound like an affirmation, giving him a warm smile despite the fleeing glossiness from earlier emotions in her eyes.
And then his teasing come back and the smile changes to a pout. Yes, a pout. She crosses her arms over her chest and playfully glares at his blindfold] Oh, I forgot that the teacher had his easy training in the play-fights with Sora. And wooden swords, not Keyblades.
[All in all she can't help but giggle after his comment, giving him a mischievous, light push on the arm] You always have to behave around a woman else they might slap you for being rude or something. And if that situation comes around, Riku, I really don't think it would be in fighting. Maybe magic or something. [And then she couldn't help but add it with a little laugh] Or we could see the day that a certain Princess of Heart manages to defend herself against two friendly neighborhood Keyblade wielders."
[The chance that she'd be able to beat both of them? Not very likely...but the fact that she would be able to harness her abilities (or whatever she possesses) to defeat Riku...I would feel bad for Ansem the day that happens. *shot*]
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No, no that was not a hint of pink on his cheeks. Not at all. He's dumbfounded for a moment, unable to really answer the response to the teasing for a good five seconds before he snapped out of it. What in-? And was she pouting? He just couldn't tell~] Exactly. So you're going to have it a bit more difficult just by default unless we find wooden swords to practice with, first.
[Which shouldn't be too hard--hey, hey! Easy with the light shoving there!] And yet I never did back home. Why change now? [He's obviously kidding, and--yes. Yes it would be in magic, because he fails horribly at that subject. Attacks and darkness he could manage, but magic? The thought sent a shudder down his spine. Well, maybe not. Who knows.] It would be the end of the worlds as we knew them.
[...He'd be selling tickets for the show; just saying.]
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In any case, the score was now...nowait. Oh Riku you evened the score you goose. She's still pouting at you. Kairi-1 | Riku-1] We can see if there's a store here that sells them or something...!
[Have another push instead of a slap. Because Kairi would never dare hit you, Riku, unless it was because you fresh-mouthed in front of her or you were going under the influence. Which hasn't happened in front of her quite as much as it probably would sooner or later.
But in any case, yes--magic was a good thing. Because the boys would be able to fight and she'd be able to not only learn how to stun enemies but heal and aid her friends with certain spells too. And...just because your Dark Fira attacks were because of the shadow living in your heart doesn't mean they will be permanently bad. And...oh. What sound is that. Is that the gentle whisper of a Keyblade being summoned? Destiny's Embrace lands softly in her hands, and she holds it with both hands quietly in memory of the time that he himself gave it to her, in Ansem's form while he was still fighting the Darkness within him; it's been such a long time...] Or the beginning of the end for the Darkness taking over the worlds...I guess.
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Maybe. We'll never know by just standing around here.
[Oh, no you better not. He tends to hit back! He laughs a bit, lightly poking her on the arm. He's stopped drinking, at least--not to mention he tries not to swear out loud. But who knew with two halves of Xehanort present in the city?
Hm... Those were definitely valid points, and hey. He could do that before he picked up a passenger. What are you talking about-? Whoa! What was that and why did he suddenly sense flowers on an ocean breeze? That time you're remembering, Kairi? It hasn't happened for him, yet. Riku blinks for a moment, looking at where the scent is coming from. A Keyblade... So that part really was true. It was only a few seconds before a flash of darkness formed in his own hand, turning into Soul Eater. Looks like he's behind, again.] ...Still the end of the worlds as we know it. And I think they're trying to tell us something.
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[Nothing? It's teasing! Okay maybe its a little nothing...and well it may happen this time around! And you've been in first place before. Lots of times. You were the oldest, Riku. She just learned a lot of shortcuts while you and Sora were play-fighting.
She looks down at the puppies when he talks about leaving now. They were fed and watered and everything (she usually did it and went back to sleep, but while she was out cold she assumed Tsuzuki was feeding them for her) and from what she could see they were indeed good on that supply. So she probably could...]
True. I'll have to leave a note though so Tsuzuki won't worry about me.... [Now resting in one hand she lowers the Keyblade to her right side. And there is that familiar Keyblade that he would wield. she recalled that he used it once. She saw it after he had given her the one she was using. And oh, that pessimist! She is probably going to have to whack him into positivity.] They? You mean...the Keyblades, right? Unless I'm thinking about something different..
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[Damn it, Kairi! Don't tempt him to pull up his hood again. D: ...DO YOU WANT HIM TO BE AS RED AS YOUR HAIR? Sure, whatever. And now who was behind because they refused to join in the play-fights? Not him and Sora, that's for sure.
Not that he remembered, but he had asked Tsuzuki to take care of her--perhaps it went with taking care of the puppies, too. He nodded at the note comment, though.] He'd probably be glad to know you woke up, too. [He smirked, just faintly. And... though Soul Eater may not be a full-fledged Keyblade, he was comfortable with it--almost as though it were still an extension of him, even though he hadn't heart its "voice" in a long while.]
What else could I mean? [He lightly flicks her on the forehead, that teasing smirk not leaving his lips. Hey, someone had to keep her down to earth. And it was a joke! Geez, did she forget the dry sense of humor when she was asleep all this time? Guess he'd have to remind her...]
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