[10 - Voice/Action]

[justabignobody]

[It's the slight, sudden shift between light and darkness that alerts Riku, the tipping of the grand scale within Splendor back to the light... someone has disappeared, a powerful darkness. A familiar one at that

Comments

[action]

[burnerv2]

[Just in time to meet a housemate who's been searching all over for his love, who he thinks may have disappeared from this place. Just your average coincidence that they'd meet. He hears Riku's voice through the seal and responds as he sees Riku walking in his direction.]

Vanitas? That a friend of yours?

[action]

[justabignobody]

[Riku looks up from the seal... anger flickering over his face at the ignorance of the question; especially after half Splendor spent a week looking for Sora. He snorts, eyes narrowing under his blindfold.]

Hardly.

[action]

[burnerv2]

[It's ignorance indeed. Consider Decus separated from current events since his entire being was focused on finding Alice. Though he doesn't mean to step on any toes.]

Seems a lot of people have went and gone. Haven't been around Tenna Villa lately, but I haven't seen Kefka or Alice anywhere ...

[He tries to sound upbeat but that last name on the list reminds him he's failing at his only duty.]

How's everyone at the estate anyway...?

[action]

[justabignobody]

[He might not mean to, but he certainly is. Riku ignores the comment on Alice and Kefka; as far as he is concerned it's a good thing them having disappeared from Splendor is a good thing.]

They are fine.

[His reply is curt as he starts walking again; sorry, Decus, but you kind of really ticked him off.]

[patternprophet]

[Leoben has a bit of an irregular sleep schedule, so he's wandering around. Not expecting to have met someone at this time, he stops to watch Riku's training for a bit, just out of curiosity,]

[justabignobody]

[Riku doesn't mind anyone watching him in the passing, but after a while he can't help but lower his blade and turn his head towards his watcher.]

Is there anything I can do for you?

[patternprophet]

Oh, no. I was just curious.

[justabignobody]

About what?

[holyburstking]

[Mickey's been worried about his friend since just before the confrontation. Not sensing him nearby at night? Well, that just means he's going to head out and explore for a bit. He no longer worries about stumbling across Unversed with Vanitas gone, but he can't help but notice the lasting impact a heart can have on others - bad or good. Vanitas was definitely the former.

So don't mind a worried mouse, watching quietly while you practice, Riku.]

[justabignobody]

[Riku has been focusing on spell work, trying to create differently sized shields, though ultimately he is not making much progress by himself. It frustrates him to no end; it's worse than in Hollow Bastion, when Maleficent just unbound his powers and left him to figure out how to control them by himself. Back then there had at least been there had been an infinite amount of Heartless around to take his frustrations out on. He isn't quite as lucky here, though he'd never wish even single Heartless into Splendor, no matter how dissatisfied he is with himself and his progress (or rather, there lack of).

Usually he'd try to hide this, especially around the King, but there is only so much he can do by himself without moving targets around. Finally, he lowers his hand, lips pressed to a tight line as he finally acknowledges his watcher.]

How can I protect anyone... How can I even think of wanting to protect anyone... when I'm just like this?

[Not even strong enough to defend himself without relying on Ansem's power.]

[holyburstking]

[This was the hardest part of any ordeal: the aftermath. But watching Riku flounder and stumble so much while in an emotional wreck cut right though to his heart - something that he couldn't help but sympathize with. Doubt in ones strength, fear of being unable to help much, if at all... He's been there and just wants to reach out and help Riku get on the right path again like Master Yen Sid (and somewhere out there, he just knows his teacher is rolling his eyes and giving a knowing smile at his star). But that's just it. He isn't the wizard...

Mickey steps out into the open when Riku finally speaks, mouth pressed in a fine line as well. It's hard to feel helpless when given such a strong power, he knows. Oh, does he know.]

Not everyone is perfect, Riku. We all have our shortcomings - even me.

[He pulls something out of his pocket - a star-shaped object he hasn't used in a long while. ...Maybe it was time to tell Riku what else had happened all those years ago.]

[justabignobody]

It's not about-

[He cuts himself off, shaking his head, jaw clenching. It's not about being perfect, or shortcomings... it's about his failures, his failure to be someone that could be depended on. He is not sure how to put that into words, because there are some things that are just so hard to talk with Mickey about, for all that he says he understands, he doesn't... not truly. He has never given into the dark like Riku has. Finally he turns back to him, glad when he sees that something in Mickey's hand; it's an opportunity to change the subject that Riku more than welcomes.]

What is that?

[Action]

[sugaryoptimist]

[Vanille often finds it hard to sleep at night. Instead of bothering Fang - or her sheep Cotton - she is wandering around instead. Because of her propensity to turn up in odd places at odd times, it probably shouldn't be surprising that she is now watching Riku, her chin resting on her hand.]

What are you doin'?

[Action]

[justabignobody]

[Riku is moving through a combo when Vanille addresses him and ignores her for the time's being; Soul Eater swiftly cutting through the air as he finishes up. Finally he lowers his blade, turning his head towards her.]

Training. [Or attempting to do something like that anyway.]

voice;

[creepinginmy]

[He may just sound a little bit skeptical.]

Disappeared.

voice;

[justabignobody]

That's what I said.

[No need to be skeptical, his senses are pretty accurate.]

[creepinginmy]

And what sort of a threat did this person pose, exactly?

[justabignobody]

[Oh great. Another idiot, that didn't get the memo about Sora. That or just a newcomer. Not that Riku cares to consider the second all that much, he is still feeling way too ticked off on that subject by his encounter with Decus.]

He only kidnapped and traumatized a five-years-old kid and he wasn't very remorseful about it.