When I'm falling down / Will you pick me up again? [Closed]
Characters: boundbynaught and wayward_faith at first, then boundbynaught and Alpha
Location: Ventus's place, then Clinic
Time: April 20th following this thread, then April 22nd
Style: Log
Status: Closed; Completed!
-----... And so Rep did what he always did when he was so frustrated emotionally he couldn't stand it anymore: he lashed out. He glared at the object down on the ground, the thing that was still broadcasting Riku's voice.
He stomped on it, ground it underneath of his boot with a vengeance, and then kicked the shards away with a snarl. He was so worked up he was breathing heavily, and just stared down at the broken Star Fish Communicator ... as if expecting, with his luck, that he'd still hear Riku's words coming out of it.
Ventus was still hovering in the air, paint tray in one hand and a roller in the other. After all, he did say he was going to repaint the apartment to make it a bit more...warmer than the cool tan the walls held, he wasn't kidding. With both their emotional baggage, maybe a brighter color would cheer them up a bit.
Though, that didn't stop him from overhearing a few things. Like for instance... something being smashed to hell.
He blinked, looking down to see the destroyed SFC on the cement floor and one completely befuddled and...angered? It was hard to tell from this height. So with that in mind, Ven slipped out of Sky Climber and began hovering down to the safety known as the ground courtesy of Glide and placing the tray and roller down on the counter. "... Are you alright-?"
Obviously not, but still.
Rep leaned his head against the corner he was facing, where he'd been trying to be as covert as possible about his conversation with Riku. Obviously that cover was blown once the SFC broke apart. "I hate that thing," he muttered darkly without turning around. It wasn't an answer to Ven's question, but Rep wasn't very good at answering directly when it pertained to things about him.
"No, it's the one you were talking to... right?" Ven frowned slightly, keeping some distance in case the other boy still wanted to lash out. "Destroying a communicator won't solve your anger, you know." Not to mention.. he'll be needing to get a new one. Man, was someone not going to be pleased. He didn't hear anything specific, but the way Rep held himself said that something happened. Still... he kind of empathized with that since he'd been like that after every time he spoke with Vanitas. Kind of funny, since he was the original in that case.
"If you want to vent... I'm all ears."
"I hate him, I hate this place, I hate that thing that lets people talk to me I don't want to talk to," Rep insisted, even as his mind raced to deny what had happened. "That's all there is to it."
Finally, he spun around to lean against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. "Besides, I don't need it." He knew where Riku was by scent, and he suspected Riku knew where he was too. If they wanted to fight, nothing would stop them. Likewise, Ventus was such a bright presence that Rep couldn't ignore it if he tried. Most everyone else in Vatheon simply didn't matter to him.
"It's not just those you don't want to talk to," he informed the replica, giving a knowing look. With a faint headtilt, he took a few steps closer. "You know, I could teach you how to use them so that you can keep others you don't want to hear or see them locked out. With... him here the last time I was I learned how to do it rather quickly."
And...not need it? Oh, Rep... Just you wait. There will be a day you would, Ven just knew it. Or not; maybe it was just him wanting to lightly bop the kid upside the head without actually doing it. ...He'd been around the others too much. "...But what about Namine? With the SFC, you can contact her anytime. After all, she has one too. Just like everyone else in the city."
Rep stopped to think about that for a second, his brow furrowing as he looked down. The bribery suggestion had merit; he didn't want to live with Naminé - didn't think he deserved to - but if he could check up on her once every so often like he did in the Castle, that might make the darn thing worthwhile, and less draining than trying to Corridor around the city. Plus, if Ven could show him how to stop other people from talking to him that he didn't like... that might make it genuinely useful.
Unfortunately, he was still coming down from his tirade. Granted, it was a whole lot easier to talk to Ven about this than deal with what Riku had told him. "... I'll think about it."
"That's all I can ask, I guess," he smiled just a bit, holding out a hand to the side. ...Now where was the broom. They'd have to clean up the remains of the old SFC. "...We should get a new one, though. If you decide to use it, that is." Because obviously the one he received upon arrival was not going to be able to be used.
"By the way, I think I might have come up with another possibility for a name."
That caught Rep's attention again, and he wasn't enthused. "Why? Do I have to give them a name in order to get a new one?" He stood up from the wall, hands on his hips now. "If that's the case I may as well just say Raravis," he accentuated how flippant he made that sound with a wave of his hand in the air. "Give them a name I won't answer to."
"No clue," Ven replied with a shrug. Though, that look; it was kind of humorous with the skirt. The idea would have worked, if he wasn't almost as stubborn. "I dunno... you don't really strike me as a 'Raravis;' they might just might see right through that one." He grinned a bit, obviously teasing while trying to remain serious. "...What about Arden?"
That earned Ventus a smirk. It's really that obvious I don't like the name? While he still didn't like the idea of someone else naming him, the fact that Ventus wasn't being as forceful about it as Lea helped his cause. It sounded more like he was giving Rep an option, and could provide more if he really wanted - which was a bit more like Rep himself picking the name. He much preferred that idea, and it finally took his focus away from what had prompted the outburst.
On a superficial level, 'Raravis' had two r sounds, and Arden only one. After being referred to as 'Riku' and 'Replica' for so long, avoiding that consonant went a long way to making a name palatable for Rep. He couldn't vocalize those thoughts, but they were there subconsciously.
"It's not bad," he finally replied, "maybe something close to it. At least that one sounds like a name instead of a word."
It really was that obvious. Not like Ven was going to voice it, but now he was trying to think of another name. Hm... Something that would fit someone like Rep and give him some of his own identity; that he could claim as his own. Of course, it would only be a suggestion. Rep didn't have to accept it if he didn't like it at all.
"Something similar..." he muttered under his breath, resting a hand under his chin. Oh, come on lightbulb moment; don't fail him now! Oh, this one might be interesting. "--What about Caden?"
"Caden?" He echoed, the sound of it clearly sparking interest in his eyes. Turning his head away, he said it one more time aloud, albeit a little quieter: "Caden..."
Ven smiled, just a little bit. Finally, a sign of life! Kidding; more like a sign of vague interest. "Yeah. I think it means 'little battle' in Gaelic or something."
He paused for a moment, "...It also means 'rhythm' in Latin."
He winced a little at first, but with the addendum he looked interested again. "Maybe that one." The meaning was less important to him than how it sounded; he had no idea what 'Riku' meant, or 'Replica' beyond the obvious, so the sound was his main priority.
He looked up again. "Though it won't matter if I don't know where to get a new one of ..." He pointed at the ground. "Those. If I get one," he crossed his arms again, "where can I find who I need to see?"
He noticed the wince; which is why he ammended it. Though, he was kind of glad he might have helped his new friend think of a name for himself. And from there-- Oh boy, that question.
"Well..." Hm. He was normally at the clinic, right? To be honest he never sought out the guy in the first place since he was such a grouch, but a this point it might be necessary. "The clinic near the church, more than likely. There's this doc named Alpha who might be able to help." Ven paused a moment before adding, "I will warn you, though. He's not exactly the friendliest guy. ...Except maybe during the Christmas season."
"Alpha at the Clinic," he repeated with a nod. "All right." That settled one matter, as far as he was concerned. No matter what name he picked, he expected it would have to grow on him in time, so that was tabled for the time being. That only left what Riku had said, and he was perfectly content to not even think about that the rest of the day.
The feeling of having nothing to do was familiar to him, now - from the few weeks before arriving in Vatheon to his few days here. It put a kind of glazed-over look in his eyes, because he genuinely wasn't thinking of anything at all.
Ven nodded and was ready to let the topic drop when there was movement to his left. He blinked, going to turn and see what was going on with a ball of golden fur launched itself from the couch, past his ear, and right over to Rep's chest with a yip. Ven laughed as the puppy tried licking at his new friend's face. "Looks like Kouki likes you, after all!"
Dogs were naturally sensitive creatures to the emotional state of their humans, so it was no surprise Kouki had been mostly avoiding Rep for the past two days. It was the first time Kouki even came near Rep, let alone tried to tackle him. Rep had quite good reaction time, though, and so he only threw his arms back as the dog pawed at his chest. "It looks that way, doesn't it?" He didn't know what to make of the dog's reaction at all.
Kouki yipped again, licking Rep's cheek once more before bounding off somewhere else.
"...That's a bit odd," Ven noted, watching the puppy try to climb up the stairs and fall on his butt a couple times. It was kind of amusing until it got all the way up and hopped onto the desk just at the stairs. "You know, next time he does that it might mean he wants to be petted." It was just a suggestion as he turned to wave the other again. Kouki was his first pet too, but still. Hm... Oh dear; now he was getting an idea.
He didn't plan to completely neglet the animal - but it wasn't his. It was Ven's, and that meant - in his mind - he had no responsibility to keep it happy. Not like there was an abundance of wildlife in his memories - it was all stripped bare to the essentials. Plus, there weren't 'pets' in Castle Oblivion unless you counted him to people like Larxene and Vexen.
"Got it," Rep mumbled before looking at where Kouki was struggling. "So what's it doing now?"
No responsibility right off the bat, but that didn't mean that animals didn't have minds of their own at times. Ven merely shrugged at the question with a, "Beats me," because in all honesty... he had no idea what he was trying to accomplish other than 'get up on the desk-- OH.
Kouki grabbed something with his mouth before jumping down and trotting back down the stairs--right to Rep's feet. He put it down right there in front of him before sitting and letting another yip out. What was the object? A leash Ven picked up the day before. Someone wanted out to play.
"...Looks like someone wants to play with you." Ven grinned; see? You're puppy-approved, Rep!
He stared down at the dog with the leash in its mouth. "Why not you?" He asked of Ven. "I don't know how dogs like to play." He had an idea, certainly; he wasn't completely inept at coming up with ways to entertain a small furry creature. It just involved ways Riku had entertained Sora, mainly.
Not to be deterred, Kouki started running around Rep's feet, getting to the point of tightening the leash around Rep's boot. It was hardly enough to knock Rep over, but he certainly noticed.
"Hey! Hey that's--" He leaned down to detangle the leash, but no sooner had he accomplished the feat than Kouki was bounding for the door. Rep jerked back on the leash, but Kouki tugged as well. He grunted as he continued muttering to himself, "Get back here! Go with Ven!"
Ven stood back, laughing at the entire scene. Oh, man... how he had see nthat happen once or twice with Terra. Either way, it was still hilarious. "Then just wing it!" he called back, trying to control the laughter and failing miserably as he headed back to the kitchen and thus the paint. Kouki was already pawing at the door.
With Ven leaving Rep to his fate with the rambunctious puppy, Rep scowled back at him in protest, but he wasn't even looking anymore. So, he turned his glare on the puppy. "You're going out to do whatever and then you're coming right back inside to leave me alone."
Unlike Ven though, Rep wasn't picking up random everyday tasks to fill his time. He'd spent hours each day in the Castle either practicing, resting, or doing absolutely nothing. Probably in part due to how he was created, he was perfectly capable of sitting down and just zoning out for an hour or more.
So even though he'd protested before going outside, once out there he felt a little different. He was able to hold onto the leash while the puppy occupied itself - not unlike Ven - and managed to find a spot to sit down while it ran around. That lasted awhile, and almost amicably. Eventually the puppy even fell asleep, and so too did Rep. They remained like that until Ven found them an hour or so later.-----
[[OOC: The above portion of the opening log was co-written by Twi/Ventus-mun and Fru/Rep-mun]]
-----
It took a day, but Rep eventually calmed down enough to bother with tracking down the person would could provide him with a replacement communicator. For whatever reason, that meant he had to visit the Clinic. Riku had said to 'stay away from the doctors.' However, between Rep's curiosity and his utter disdain for Riku at present, that was as good a reason as any for Rep to seek this guy out.
It was Rep's fourth day in Vatheon, and along with replacing the SFC, Ventus had also insisted he get some different clothes. One that didn't resemble a tattered hula skirt, or too-big-pants held up by generous quantities of belts. That meant today he was wearing a casual outfit in browns and teal not at all reminiscent of either of his usual two clothing options. He hadn't picked out the pieces, but he'd assembled the outfit. Baby steps after all.
Location: Ventus's place, then Clinic
Time: April 20th following this thread, then April 22nd
Style: Log
Status: Closed; Completed!
-----... And so Rep did what he always did when he was so frustrated emotionally he couldn't stand it anymore: he lashed out. He glared at the object down on the ground, the thing that was still broadcasting Riku's voice.
He stomped on it, ground it underneath of his boot with a vengeance, and then kicked the shards away with a snarl. He was so worked up he was breathing heavily, and just stared down at the broken Star Fish Communicator ... as if expecting, with his luck, that he'd still hear Riku's words coming out of it.
Ventus was still hovering in the air, paint tray in one hand and a roller in the other. After all, he did say he was going to repaint the apartment to make it a bit more...warmer than the cool tan the walls held, he wasn't kidding. With both their emotional baggage, maybe a brighter color would cheer them up a bit.
Though, that didn't stop him from overhearing a few things. Like for instance... something being smashed to hell.
He blinked, looking down to see the destroyed SFC on the cement floor and one completely befuddled and...angered? It was hard to tell from this height. So with that in mind, Ven slipped out of Sky Climber and began hovering down to the safety known as the ground courtesy of Glide and placing the tray and roller down on the counter. "... Are you alright-?"
Obviously not, but still.
Rep leaned his head against the corner he was facing, where he'd been trying to be as covert as possible about his conversation with Riku. Obviously that cover was blown once the SFC broke apart. "I hate that thing," he muttered darkly without turning around. It wasn't an answer to Ven's question, but Rep wasn't very good at answering directly when it pertained to things about him.
"No, it's the one you were talking to... right?" Ven frowned slightly, keeping some distance in case the other boy still wanted to lash out. "Destroying a communicator won't solve your anger, you know." Not to mention.. he'll be needing to get a new one. Man, was someone not going to be pleased. He didn't hear anything specific, but the way Rep held himself said that something happened. Still... he kind of empathized with that since he'd been like that after every time he spoke with Vanitas. Kind of funny, since he was the original in that case.
"If you want to vent... I'm all ears."
"I hate him, I hate this place, I hate that thing that lets people talk to me I don't want to talk to," Rep insisted, even as his mind raced to deny what had happened. "That's all there is to it."
Finally, he spun around to lean against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. "Besides, I don't need it." He knew where Riku was by scent, and he suspected Riku knew where he was too. If they wanted to fight, nothing would stop them. Likewise, Ventus was such a bright presence that Rep couldn't ignore it if he tried. Most everyone else in Vatheon simply didn't matter to him.
"It's not just those you don't want to talk to," he informed the replica, giving a knowing look. With a faint headtilt, he took a few steps closer. "You know, I could teach you how to use them so that you can keep others you don't want to hear or see them locked out. With... him here the last time I was I learned how to do it rather quickly."
And...not need it? Oh, Rep... Just you wait. There will be a day you would, Ven just knew it. Or not; maybe it was just him wanting to lightly bop the kid upside the head without actually doing it. ...He'd been around the others too much. "...But what about Namine? With the SFC, you can contact her anytime. After all, she has one too. Just like everyone else in the city."
Rep stopped to think about that for a second, his brow furrowing as he looked down. The bribery suggestion had merit; he didn't want to live with Naminé - didn't think he deserved to - but if he could check up on her once every so often like he did in the Castle, that might make the darn thing worthwhile, and less draining than trying to Corridor around the city. Plus, if Ven could show him how to stop other people from talking to him that he didn't like... that might make it genuinely useful.
Unfortunately, he was still coming down from his tirade. Granted, it was a whole lot easier to talk to Ven about this than deal with what Riku had told him. "... I'll think about it."
"That's all I can ask, I guess," he smiled just a bit, holding out a hand to the side. ...Now where was the broom. They'd have to clean up the remains of the old SFC. "...We should get a new one, though. If you decide to use it, that is." Because obviously the one he received upon arrival was not going to be able to be used.
"By the way, I think I might have come up with another possibility for a name."
That caught Rep's attention again, and he wasn't enthused. "Why? Do I have to give them a name in order to get a new one?" He stood up from the wall, hands on his hips now. "If that's the case I may as well just say Raravis," he accentuated how flippant he made that sound with a wave of his hand in the air. "Give them a name I won't answer to."
"No clue," Ven replied with a shrug. Though, that look; it was kind of humorous with the skirt. The idea would have worked, if he wasn't almost as stubborn. "I dunno... you don't really strike me as a 'Raravis;' they might just might see right through that one." He grinned a bit, obviously teasing while trying to remain serious. "...What about Arden?"
That earned Ventus a smirk. It's really that obvious I don't like the name? While he still didn't like the idea of someone else naming him, the fact that Ventus wasn't being as forceful about it as Lea helped his cause. It sounded more like he was giving Rep an option, and could provide more if he really wanted - which was a bit more like Rep himself picking the name. He much preferred that idea, and it finally took his focus away from what had prompted the outburst.
On a superficial level, 'Raravis' had two r sounds, and Arden only one. After being referred to as 'Riku' and 'Replica' for so long, avoiding that consonant went a long way to making a name palatable for Rep. He couldn't vocalize those thoughts, but they were there subconsciously.
"It's not bad," he finally replied, "maybe something close to it. At least that one sounds like a name instead of a word."
It really was that obvious. Not like Ven was going to voice it, but now he was trying to think of another name. Hm... Something that would fit someone like Rep and give him some of his own identity; that he could claim as his own. Of course, it would only be a suggestion. Rep didn't have to accept it if he didn't like it at all.
"Something similar..." he muttered under his breath, resting a hand under his chin. Oh, come on lightbulb moment; don't fail him now! Oh, this one might be interesting. "--What about Caden?"
"Caden?" He echoed, the sound of it clearly sparking interest in his eyes. Turning his head away, he said it one more time aloud, albeit a little quieter: "Caden..."
Ven smiled, just a little bit. Finally, a sign of life! Kidding; more like a sign of vague interest. "Yeah. I think it means 'little battle' in Gaelic or something."
He paused for a moment, "...It also means 'rhythm' in Latin."
He winced a little at first, but with the addendum he looked interested again. "Maybe that one." The meaning was less important to him than how it sounded; he had no idea what 'Riku' meant, or 'Replica' beyond the obvious, so the sound was his main priority.
He looked up again. "Though it won't matter if I don't know where to get a new one of ..." He pointed at the ground. "Those. If I get one," he crossed his arms again, "where can I find who I need to see?"
He noticed the wince; which is why he ammended it. Though, he was kind of glad he might have helped his new friend think of a name for himself. And from there-- Oh boy, that question.
"Well..." Hm. He was normally at the clinic, right? To be honest he never sought out the guy in the first place since he was such a grouch, but a this point it might be necessary. "The clinic near the church, more than likely. There's this doc named Alpha who might be able to help." Ven paused a moment before adding, "I will warn you, though. He's not exactly the friendliest guy. ...Except maybe during the Christmas season."
"Alpha at the Clinic," he repeated with a nod. "All right." That settled one matter, as far as he was concerned. No matter what name he picked, he expected it would have to grow on him in time, so that was tabled for the time being. That only left what Riku had said, and he was perfectly content to not even think about that the rest of the day.
The feeling of having nothing to do was familiar to him, now - from the few weeks before arriving in Vatheon to his few days here. It put a kind of glazed-over look in his eyes, because he genuinely wasn't thinking of anything at all.
Ven nodded and was ready to let the topic drop when there was movement to his left. He blinked, going to turn and see what was going on with a ball of golden fur launched itself from the couch, past his ear, and right over to Rep's chest with a yip. Ven laughed as the puppy tried licking at his new friend's face. "Looks like Kouki likes you, after all!"
Dogs were naturally sensitive creatures to the emotional state of their humans, so it was no surprise Kouki had been mostly avoiding Rep for the past two days. It was the first time Kouki even came near Rep, let alone tried to tackle him. Rep had quite good reaction time, though, and so he only threw his arms back as the dog pawed at his chest. "It looks that way, doesn't it?" He didn't know what to make of the dog's reaction at all.
Kouki yipped again, licking Rep's cheek once more before bounding off somewhere else.
"...That's a bit odd," Ven noted, watching the puppy try to climb up the stairs and fall on his butt a couple times. It was kind of amusing until it got all the way up and hopped onto the desk just at the stairs. "You know, next time he does that it might mean he wants to be petted." It was just a suggestion as he turned to wave the other again. Kouki was his first pet too, but still. Hm... Oh dear; now he was getting an idea.
He didn't plan to completely neglet the animal - but it wasn't his. It was Ven's, and that meant - in his mind - he had no responsibility to keep it happy. Not like there was an abundance of wildlife in his memories - it was all stripped bare to the essentials. Plus, there weren't 'pets' in Castle Oblivion unless you counted him to people like Larxene and Vexen.
"Got it," Rep mumbled before looking at where Kouki was struggling. "So what's it doing now?"
No responsibility right off the bat, but that didn't mean that animals didn't have minds of their own at times. Ven merely shrugged at the question with a, "Beats me," because in all honesty... he had no idea what he was trying to accomplish other than 'get up on the desk-- OH.
Kouki grabbed something with his mouth before jumping down and trotting back down the stairs--right to Rep's feet. He put it down right there in front of him before sitting and letting another yip out. What was the object? A leash Ven picked up the day before. Someone wanted out to play.
"...Looks like someone wants to play with you." Ven grinned; see? You're puppy-approved, Rep!
He stared down at the dog with the leash in its mouth. "Why not you?" He asked of Ven. "I don't know how dogs like to play." He had an idea, certainly; he wasn't completely inept at coming up with ways to entertain a small furry creature. It just involved ways Riku had entertained Sora, mainly.
Not to be deterred, Kouki started running around Rep's feet, getting to the point of tightening the leash around Rep's boot. It was hardly enough to knock Rep over, but he certainly noticed.
"Hey! Hey that's--" He leaned down to detangle the leash, but no sooner had he accomplished the feat than Kouki was bounding for the door. Rep jerked back on the leash, but Kouki tugged as well. He grunted as he continued muttering to himself, "Get back here! Go with Ven!"
Ven stood back, laughing at the entire scene. Oh, man... how he had see nthat happen once or twice with Terra. Either way, it was still hilarious. "Then just wing it!" he called back, trying to control the laughter and failing miserably as he headed back to the kitchen and thus the paint. Kouki was already pawing at the door.
With Ven leaving Rep to his fate with the rambunctious puppy, Rep scowled back at him in protest, but he wasn't even looking anymore. So, he turned his glare on the puppy. "You're going out to do whatever and then you're coming right back inside to leave me alone."
Unlike Ven though, Rep wasn't picking up random everyday tasks to fill his time. He'd spent hours each day in the Castle either practicing, resting, or doing absolutely nothing. Probably in part due to how he was created, he was perfectly capable of sitting down and just zoning out for an hour or more.
So even though he'd protested before going outside, once out there he felt a little different. He was able to hold onto the leash while the puppy occupied itself - not unlike Ven - and managed to find a spot to sit down while it ran around. That lasted awhile, and almost amicably. Eventually the puppy even fell asleep, and so too did Rep. They remained like that until Ven found them an hour or so later.-----
[[OOC: The above portion of the opening log was co-written by Twi/Ventus-mun and Fru/Rep-mun]]
-----
It took a day, but Rep eventually calmed down enough to bother with tracking down the person would could provide him with a replacement communicator. For whatever reason, that meant he had to visit the Clinic. Riku had said to 'stay away from the doctors.' However, between Rep's curiosity and his utter disdain for Riku at present, that was as good a reason as any for Rep to seek this guy out.
It was Rep's fourth day in Vatheon, and along with replacing the SFC, Ventus had also insisted he get some different clothes. One that didn't resemble a tattered hula skirt, or too-big-pants held up by generous quantities of belts. That meant today he was wearing a casual outfit in browns and teal not at all reminiscent of either of his usual two clothing options. He hadn't picked out the pieces, but he'd assembled the outfit. Baby steps after all.