3rd Gear [Video-Filtered to the KH cast/Niveus/Kiryu and from Xehanort/Action]

[vain_sky]

[Some of his coat had caught on fire, and he was panting by the time he'd gotten out of there and far enough away to traverse the corridors of darkness once more. When he stepped out of them, he finds himself in the Wonderland district, just outside the tea shop.

It takes some fumbling, but he manages to pull the seal out of his pocket, before

Comments

[Voice | Private]

[justabignobody]

[Riku frowns at the whole transmission - there is something up, he can feel it. This proposal of an answer for an answer... he isn't quite sure what to think of it, can't help but feel wary, but in the end he is too curious to leave it uncommented.]

If there is any way beside of wearing the Coat, I don't know about it. Why do you want to know?

...

And what are the questions?

[Voice | Private]

[vain_sky]

Because shit hit the fan.

[Blunt. To the point. He's really not in the mood for sarcasm and he's trying not to tremble at the thought of just how close he'd gotten to-- No, not thinking about that right now. Did not need Scrappers appearing out of nowhere right now.]

... What is your tie to Xehanort? In exchange, I'll tell you mine if you don't already know.
Do you know what he's been up to, and if not would you like to know?

[He pauses, thinking it over. ...Damn, he'd sunk to an all-time low, here.]

Guess I'm going to have a rather large issue on my hands after this...

[Voice | Private]

[justabignobody]

[Now isn't that a vague answer. But the lack of sarcasm bothers him as well as the following question. Why ask that? And... why offer to reveal Xehanort's plans? He needs to know the motive behind that before, giving up any of his own secrets.]

I already know. About that and your ties to Ventus. [It's the one to Sora that is troubling him.]

Why would you betray his plans?

[Voice | Private]

[vain_sky]

[It's because he doesn't trust anyone, let alone those he barely knows. Comes with the training, really and... he can't help but be wary, now. After all that just transpired he needed to know if he could share just that bit of information with him.]

More than likely only a half truth... [Welcome to the club, Riku.]

Because I've already passed the point of no return.

[Voice | Private]

[justabignobody]

So you aren't the other half of his heart? [It's more a rhetorical question than anything; Riku believes Eraqus word on this... and it makes sense considering their strange connection to Sora and how much Roxas and Ventus look alike.

He considers that last line, pausing as he thinks. He doesn't trust Vanitas and he shouldn't believe the others word, but there is something about his voice that makes him hesitate to cut this conversation off and he has always been way to curious for his own good anyways. In the end, if things went bad he would still be able to defend himself long enough to slip into a Corridor.]

Fine... Let's meet in Metropolis District. We'll talk then.

[Voice | Private]

[vain_sky]

Again, only half of the truth. [Which is wise, considering. Though it's a wonder Eraqus believed Xehanort in the first place, what with who gave him the scars on his face.

Though that reply... Needless to say he's rather surprised by it, considering all that he's done so far. Was there a catch in this meeting?]

I'll be waiting. [The feed clicks as he uses some of his darkness to teleport to said district; it should be just enough to let Riku know of his exact location if he's paying attention.]

[Action]

[justabignobody]

[There isn't much of a catch, except that Riku is trying to even the grounds and thinks that if whatever Vanitas is trying to sell him turns out to be a lie, he'll have more of a chance to catch on it when they talk in person than over seal.

He arrives a few minutes later, having sensed that flash of darkness. He's drawn up the hood, to hide his face and his presence - it never hurt to be too careful, especially considering what hints Vanitas had dropped. He approaches silently and stops a few meters before the other; waiting for him to speak. He might have called for the meeting; but Vanitas had been the one to ask for information in first place.]

[Action]

[vain_sky]

[And what would the fun in that be? He doesn't make a move as he leans against the nearest building for support, just waiting for the negativity to return. If his own hood wasn't up, Riku would see just how pale he was.

He looks up to meet the unseen gaze, careful not to let any part of his face show underneath. If Xehanort wasn't gone by now, he'd be screwed.] ...Took you long enough.

[He stands as straight as he's able to,not wanting to show just how weak he was at the moment. He hesitates.]

How much do you know about the old man?

[Action]

[justabignobody]

[He shifts his weight a little and locks his arms in front of his chest. Beneath the hood he is frowning, uncertain what way this is going to go. He ignores the first comment, then crooks his head slightly as he answers the second.]

I know some. Not nearly enough though.

[He pauses a moment, then sighs and decides to elaborate a little.]

I know that he is a Keyblade Master. I know that he is from at least eleven years before me in the time line. I know... that he is at least fifty years older than any version of him I know of.

[Action]

[vain_sky]

[That makes two of them, though... he just doesn't feel like stirring up more trouble than he already has. He looks away, obviously nervous about something--a couple Scrappers are enough to show this as they flee in opposite directions. Keeping an eye out just in case? He thinks so.

Vanitas listens, giving a faint nod. So then... one of them was at least partially successful. Normally that would have gotten a smirk out of him.]

Fifty years, hm... Well now, that just means a part of his plan succeeded.

[Action]

[justabignobody]

[He turns his head slightly to where he hears the Scrappers scatter, tensing a little more, his right hand clenching into a fist when Vanitas comments the agegap.]

He possessed someone, didn't he? Or at least planned to in your time.

[Action]

[vain_sky]

[He notes this, shaking his head. One day... he would have to write down a list of what each Unversed represented for his emotions. ...Angry now, Riku? Outraged? He doesn't smirk, but rather, just a little more of his usual snark filters back. Ah... some of the weaker Unversed were returning to him. Part of the Factory must be collapsing.

Nailed it, Riku.] Does it matter if he did or not? [The head tilt he allows briefly shows a flash of his eyes to show, but all he does is shrug helplessly. It had been successful... to a point. Stupid backups.]

That isn't the issue now.

[Action]

[justabignobody]

[Inside Riku is bristling, because until now it has always been speculation, but Vanitas word pretty much confirms it, and now he allows himself to think

[Action]

[vain_sky]

[And he just lets him think as he silently pulls back his negativity from the destroyed factory. Hm... The Iron Prisoner is still going at it, more than likely finishing off a few things, but that power would need to come back soon. He needed the boost again.

And it wasn't like he knew of that side of possession, being the possessee... but it wasn't the only way it were possible. It could be that way, or the other could be close to death's door and reach out just once to another Heart. That was all it would take, and remembering that power he'd gained...

He wanted it back. Wanted it, but already knew that outcome.

Make as many promises as you like, but Terra is gone forever. A faint smirk crosses his lips as Riku speaks again, but faded into a serious line again soon after.]

Xehanort was planning two things for Splendor. One of which you might find interesting...and the reason I look like a complete mess. He created a factory just outside the city, at the base of the mountains. I know the way in, if you won't take my word for it.

[Action]

[justabignobody]

[The word 'factory' makes him freeze and a whole new kind of terror overcomes him. Is it the kind of factory he thinks of, here? If that was true then... he didn't even want to think about it. He needed to see, regardless of whether Vanitas' word - heck Vanitas himself actually - could be trusted; he needed to make sure for himself.

Mickey wouldn't approve of what he is about to do, neither would Eraqus or Aqua probably, but there is no time and he hasn't sensed anything, which makes him almost certain that if there is a factory, it would take him longer if he looked for it himself.]

Show me.

[Action]

[vain_sky]

[It more than likely is, but Vanitas won't clarify it. After all, he had gotten quite close to losing the only thing that belongs to him and even then... it was still part of someone else. Losing it would have meant...

Then those two words his his ears and he simply freezes in place. Sure, he had said he would have if Riku didn't believe him, but... to go back there so soon after leaving his Unversed to destroy as much of the place as they could- it sent a shiver of fear down his spine.

It took him a moment to respond, before nodding.] Just... give me a moment.

[First he had to calm down, second he had to heal. The negativity began to return faster now... apparently the job had been complete. No trace of Xehanort in any of their memories... had the Heartless killed them? One way to find out.]

...Follow me, but just in case... you might want to keep out your sword.

[He stands to his full height, limping slightly at first as he begins leading them towards the mountain base. Damn idiots...]