Day 16 ~ I Wonder What Has Changed For Us

[notquiteanobody]

Who: Roxas and You
What: Shopping, trying not to mope
When: Late afternoon, early evening.
Where: The City Streets, varied locales
Warnings: Just the usual durp alert... plus possible angst.
Status: In Progress.

Comments

[limitless_land]

And if he expected Riku to heal him after an accident while doing that, he was in for a rotten piece of luck; after all, the silver-haired teen was horrible with magic to begin with. It was almost funny, though, watching Roxas from the corner of his eye... just in case he'd have to put up a shield to block a potentially fatal blow.

That's all he'd do for a moment, silently observe as usual. The look that bit of information, though... it made him raise an eyebrow. ... Huh. Samurai comics; how ironic. Then again, he almost expected it with the blond boy. After meeting him the first time and not being on the receiving end of a Keyblade and chak- ram... Whoa, sudden headache.

He squeezed his eyes shut a moment, placing the shoulder guard back down where it belonged and took a steadying breath. Ignoring the pain for now, he focused on Roxas' words. "...Sounds interesting." Entertain the thought all you want, Roxas; it would take quite a bit to catch his interest. Though, so long as there were no aliens involved - damn it, Tidus, for ruining that for everyone on the islands - it could be a good read.

"Guess you'll just have to look and see if they have it here, then." Or ask that stoic ninja; but who knew?

[notquiteanobody]

He paused a moment. There was a familiar strain in the silver-haired boy's words. It was one he'd mostly recently used himself when a few words with and a chance touch with Xion brought back that fragment of memory. And while Roxas doubted that this meant anything on that magnitude for his nemesis, it at least was an adequate hint that there was likely a headache involved.

As much as he wanted to spend the time marveling over the craftsmanship of the blade; how it felt so light, how the tsuba was the perfect shape and how he wanted to know if the blade ran full tang or any of the other little details his side-studies into the time period the comic book taught him. However, taking the high road more or less implied that he put the other boy's interests first.

Still, he wasn't about to try faking concern that wasn't really there. Maybe other Nobodies could do that, but having actual feelings made that sort of thing really hard. So for now, he merely sheathed the weapon, content to finally have something like it. And really, looking around, there was no shortage of other neat-looking armaments that he was curious about.

"Yeah, I'll have to look around." The Nobody finally comments idly in reply, turning his attention to the contents of another shelf, "By the way, I think I saw a pharmacy not too far from here if your head's giving you that much trouble."

Well, he's at least offering that.

[limitless_land]

Ironically enough, it was, but that memory of cat-and-mouse could wait; there was something else that needed to be done. He doubted Roxas would like to hear it, but he was growing tired of ignoring the metaphorical elephant in the room and the sparks of irritation resonating from them both.

He righted himself, turning his back to the Nobody of his best friend as he eyed two rather similar swords displayed two cases away. True, they had the Keyblade, but with Kairi's skills still so sorely lacking, it wouldn't have hurt to prepare in case anything like what had happened before within the city repeated itself.

"I'm fine," he replied just as dryly, shrugging it off. True, it was inconvenient to be reminded in certain ways, but with every hole filled... Riku smirked faintly. "Thanks though."

His hand rested momentarily on a pole-arm, and his eyes seemed to dance with memories that didn't belong to him. Ansem... He glanced back to Roxas. "If you're still sore about our previous encounter... we should have a rematch. After all, I can't 'cheat' anymore."

The power was gone, and thank Hearts it wasn't coming back.

[notquiteanobody]

There that was. That familiar flare of aggravation that had been simmering with a lid on it since he'd found out he was even in the same city. Granted, the combination of Kairi and Sora being their usual selves at dinner turned off the heat temporarily -it was just hard to be resentful around those two. Admittedly that was something of a mixed blessing. Because now, it was like a great deal of ignored hostility catching was up with him.

All he could do though was shake his head, "It's not just that. I can't remember things clearly and one of those things tells me that you did a lot worse than just beat me there."

Roxas is quiet for a moment as he eyes an elaborately designed broadsword, quietly admiring the meticulous detail in the demonic motif that decorated the hilt and hand guard. Nothing that was really suited his personal tastes, but he'd easily admit that it looked cool. Pushing the distraction aside though, he composed his thoughts enough to respond.

"I'll take you up on that though... after I remember everything. And then I want you to know and feel all I went through."

[limitless_land]

Acting in front of those two would always be a simple task for him; after all, he knew better than most just how much Kairi could do when she was angry. It was better to pretend and behave than to cause trouble in the same room as his best friends; how they always managed to negate negativity helped that along as well.

But there it was, that aggravation he recalled so well. He knew he was going to be in for it before any words left his mouth, but he couldn't help but feel as though this was almost familiar. ...Missing memories?

"There are plenty of things I have done that I'm not proud of," he admitted, picking up a short sword, unable to truly admire its simple beauty with the topic at hand. "Some I don't quite recall."

Riku sighed, before turning slightly to face Roxas better. He had a feeling... "Mm. You have that right, but don't think I'll be holding back."

[notquiteanobody]

Almost at the same moment, Roxas shifted to meet the gaze of his nemesis, finding himself oddly rather accepting of that reply. If anything, his comics had taught him that holding back in a serious duel was an insult to the opponent; win or lose. "I wouldn't want you to. If I still feel this way when I can't remember things, then it must be serious. So when that happens, it'll be more than just a grudge for that one fight. It'll be my feelings pushing against yours to at least give you a hint of what you put me through."

And sorry... until Diz shows up, I'm holding you responsible for what he did too.

He knew some of his anger was misdirected, but he couldn't help it. It's not like he couldn't rationally think that Riku was afraid that Sora would sleep forever. But when he mulled things over, it just seemed to him like there were so many other options out there than how things ended up going. Yet he had the impression that he didn't even think before picking the most cruel options. And then not even the faintest inkling of remorse for any of it. It might've been a different story if the Nobody was given the impression than some regret had been expressed -but none had as far as he was aware.

And frankly, that really got under his skin.

"Anyway, until then. I guess we're about as squared as we'll get."

[limitless_land]

Then they were strangely in agreement, which more than likely was a first for the both of them. Still, he took those words with grace and with a solemn nod. He could understand the anger, the hurt- he had felt it once upon a time, in the foolish fear he'd been replaced, leading to a similar predicament that he led the one he'd once kidnapped in. Though, at least then it was only Sora; not some shadow...

"Let me know then, and we'll set a location and time." It was almost like it was just a regular appointment, but right now he didn't particularly care. Whatever he'd get, he'd deserve in full since he never thought things through until it was far too late. Though, Xion... She wouldn't be pleased at all about this turn of events. Guess who isn't telling?

He gave a small sigh as he picked up another sword, nodding. Regret was something he'd pushed aside a long time ago that was only beginning to come back now that DiZ- Ansem the Wise had accepted his own fate for his transgressions.

"Guess so." With that, he went to purchase the two swords and... get his Chaos Anklet repaired.