(Untitled)

[tall_dark_and]

Riku is outside the bar, in his civvies. He's holding a wooden practice sword, and using it to batter up what seems to be intended to be a person. The contraption is made of sticks and bounds together with what seems to be mummy-like red stripes of cloth.

It's holding together pretty well, but from the looks of it, he'll split it apart soon.

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[naminemory]

"Riku?"

A soft voice from somewhere behind him floats through the tense air. It belongs to a blonde-haired girl. There is no sketchpad with her today.

Not sure how she knew, she found her way into the bar because she felt something stirring. She's come to see him because she feels he needs her right now.

[tall_dark_and]

Riku's sitting on the ground by now, staring out at the woods. It's been awhile since his fight with Sora, and he's been feeling guiltier about it by the minute.

He hears the voice, but he's not sure he deserves her presence - but he's had enough of hurting people today. "Hello, Namine," he says, quietly.

[naminemory]

"Riku," she says again, and comes to join him, getting to her knees. She tilts her head and peers up at his face, the faintest hint of a smile on her lips.

"Are you okay?"

[tall_dark_and]

"Not really," Riku says.

It is, for once, an honest answer to that question.

[naminemory]

And she knows that, but she wanted Riku to tell her. She didn't want to assume.

Leaning back slightly, she studies him for a moment, hesitant to reach out and touch him, just in case he does not wish to be touched.

"Will you tell me about it?" she asks, patiently. It is an invite, not a demand. If he'd rather sit in silence, she'll be willing to do that too.

[tall_dark_and]

"I don't want to," Riku grumbles. "I'd say the wrong thing."

[naminemory]

She shakes her head. "It doesn't matter. How do you know you would say the wrong thing?"

Gently, and reassuringly, she places her hand on his. She'll give him strength this time, as he's always given it to her. It startles her (but she doesn't let it show) that his skin is cooler than she's used to.

[tall_dark_and]

"Because I always do," Riku mumbles, closing his eyes.

He sits like that for a minute, maybe two, before taking her hand in his.

[naminemory]

"You don't, Riku," she says, voice comforting. "Just try. Say what you feel. Your feelings won't betray you."

Her fingers tighten slowly round his. Reassuring.

[tall_dark_and]

"They do," Riku says, "Whe nthy're not my own."

He doesn't always have the luxury. He gave that up over a year ago.

[naminemory]

"Then what about your feelings, Riku? Surely you have your own within you, still."

She knows what he means, but she's reaching for Riku and not the other part of him that he tries so hard to separate himself from.

Her hand squeezes his. "I can help you, Riku."

[tall_dark_and]

"How?"

Riku's voice trembles a little - something that he'd only allow around her. It gets harder every day to conceal his weaknesses.

[naminemory]

She takes his other hand, puts them both in hers and looks down at them, studying them.

"Focus on me," she tells him, her voice almost melodic. "Focus on Sora. On Kairi. On all of the good in your life." And don't tell me there is no good. "Then tell me how you feel."

[tall_dark_and]

Riku takes the advice, as best as he can. He holds onto her hands as an anchor, and thinks about the three that have made his life better.

"And what do I do with the guilt?" Because that's always a barrier, because it's never going to go away.

[naminemory]

"We'll work through it," she tells him softly, "together."