I. [Video]

[not_obsess3d]

[At first, there is nothing

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[walkthedawn]

[And he stares at the feed for several moments, stretching out his senses to smell who that is. Xigbar just arrived, so it would be fitting if it was Xaldin or Luxord.

But this strikes him as too ominous a video to just be one of them. He makes his way towards the diamond.]

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[walkthedawn]

[Riku takes the Superior to the Tower Apartments, as neutral a ground as it is. Better, too, to know exactly where he's rooming.]

Ask the man for a key and we'll go up. Or, if you'd prefer, we can talk here.

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[not_obsess3d]

I'd rather we stay here for the moment. There is nothing secret about this conversation. It is merely an establishment of time lines and other miscellaneous trifles.

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[walkthedawn]

[He shrugs, finding a place to lean against the wall.]

What's the last thing you remember, then, of where we come from?

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[not_obsess3d]

...There were two points.

[A hand gestures lightly.]

I formerly arrived after the flood of Heartless at Hallow Bastion. Another trip back from Waking in the other city reeled forward in time, leading to the inevitable end of my fabricated existence.

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[walkthedawn]

[A pause and he watches him. He doesn't know what he's expecting; Xemnas can't show emotion. He can't read his reaction.]

So you know how it ends.

[And you haven't killed me yet.]

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[not_obsess3d]

Yes.

[And if it were a year ago, it would have been attempted.]

So tell me, Riku. Do you think this present situation is...surreal?

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[walkthedawn]

[Well, that makes two of them.]

No, I don't think it is. It's plenty real, trust me.

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[not_obsess3d]

Trust...

[Amber - copper? - eyes stare directly at the teenager, strikingly vague. Nothing is shown in them, and yet it is almost...knowing.]

...That is a very strong term for someone who assisted in the finality of the In-Between.

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[walkthedawn]

[He tries not to roll his eyes.]

An expression. People have died here. Things have happened. I can't deny that this is real.

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[not_obsess3d]

Of course. There is always an expression.

[Although his gaze remains a while longer, his tone loses its deep, characteristic edge.]

How much more real can it be...?

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[walkthedawn]

[He glances at the door and then at the booth, sighing.]

As real as Darkness and Light. Go outside and feel it. Don't tell me that it doesn't affect you.

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[not_obsess3d]

...Then I shall.

[With this, Xemnas turns away from Riku, heading outside. Again. Employing the use of the Dark Corridors. His head is clear enough to do this sort of thing now.

Was he really going to go back out there? Ooooh you betcha.]

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[walkthedawn]

[...Wait, did he just-

Riku follows, not using the Corridors. He just steps outside and lets his senses roam to find the Superior, waiting to see what happens.]

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[not_obsess3d]

[He is moving. The break between the corridor and the outer darkness is noticeable, but the First does not stop. Instead, he strides forth, unnerved and indifferent as before.

Unfortunately, it doesn't stay that way when the Other Half appears...]

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[walkthedawn]

[...Oh, that's not good. Riku recognizes Ansem's darkness anywhere and he takes off like a shot, running to catch up with the Superior. Stupid; he shouldn't have told him to go.]