[The pained note in Riku's smile disappears as he, too, remembers being in almost the very same position in Castle Oblivion, just as glad not to be alone anymore, to have a companion, another light to guide him through all that darkness around him. A light that is by his side when it counts.
(And now that he remembers Aqua's words from that day so very clearly, he knows that should have been Sora... and yet he's very glad that it isn't, that it's Mickey, who's with him. Because there are some things that Sora won't ever be able to understand, no matter how hard he tries, and even more things that Riku simply doesn't want him to understand.
It makes him think of his double, who never had Naminé and Mickey, like he's had, who had Donald and Goofy and Kairi instead. And even though Riku regrets oh so many things, in the end he is glad about the way things had turned out for himself, that he's never been forced to choose like the other Riku had been. They all have their own burdens to carry, their own battles to fight, their own destiny to follow and somewhere out there in another parallel world, where things had gone just a little differently, there is another Riku who remembers their stay in the Tower of Animus and Riku can only hope that he too has someone that he can trust the way he trust Mickey.)
He exhales slowly before replying to the soft call of his name - "I'm fine." (and he really is all things considered) - and a moment later he is pushing up to his feet again.]
I do. I need to. There are some things that you have to-
[He cuts himself off there with a jerk of his head, he is rushing, he will just start to ramble if he lets his mouth run away with him at this point, they have time and this certainly isn't the best place for the conversation he has in mind.
For all that they are hiding Sora here, Twilight Town isn't a safe world - too close to The World That Never Was, too often visited by the Nobodies and with Roxas on the run and off the Organization's radar while he remained in Hollow Bastion, and the Organization very likely aware of - or at least suspecting - his involvement it was better to be especially careful.
Just where to go... Hollow Bastion is off the list with Roxas there - he's had enough trouble talking to him as is, he doesn't need that to complicate any further - as is the mansion beyond the woods (he will not risk DiZ listening either) and as much as he would like to sit down in the sands of Destiny Islands for a few hours and bask in the comfort of knowing that it isn't just an illusion, that he's home, that has never been an option either.
...But maybe he can have the next best thing, the memory of it. Castle Oblivion is after all another one of those places where people are unlikely to look for him. He doesn't even think as he lifts his left hand to summon a corridor, there is ease and practice to his use his very own darkness, and a sense of composure that Riku is probably not even aware off. The times when he had feared the shadow behind his heart, when he had feared what it could do to his own Darkness are long past to him.]
This probably isn't the best place to talk about it. Fancy a trip?
[Riku looks down at that hand for a moment, hesitating for just that second - there is so much meaning in that gesture, the comfort of friendship... but also the admission of weakness on his part, and that is something Riku has always shied away from, even before he had left the islands.
A lot has changed since, most of all Riku's outlook on his own strength, and his confidence in it, there is a lot that he has learned since, taught by the worlds, taught by the tower, and though it's still hard to admit those moments to others, he knows now that there's no shame in it.
He is smiling again as he takes again, and though he isn't voicing it, Mickey probably can see how thankful he is for this anyways. The worst is yet to come, but he will never not be grateful for the King's support.]
Alright.
[And lead the way he will until they end up standing right before the doors of Castle Oblivion.]
[He had a feeling, though really he was also trying to further gauge how his friend was doing. The fact that he only hesitated said a lot before they walked through the darkness together, and that in itself had him a little more concerned then before. Something had happened to humble his friend even further, and he wasn't sure what to think of that.
The choice in meeting location has him looking up to meet Riku's gaze again, nodding. Something was going to happen soon; he could feel it in his bones. Though gosh, it sure had been a while since he saw this place. He lets go of Riku's hand only to open the door.]
[The one and only thing that Riku hopes will happen soon is Sora's awakening, but well... as confident as he is that there won't be a repeat of the sudden destruction of everything, there is no way to be sure. He steps inside the castle after Mickey opens the door, uncaring of any Heartless that might still be lingering - they are really the least of his worries right now - and walks up to the entrance to the closest memory room; recreating it as Destiny Islands.
That ought to make a good place for this talk, as serious as it is going to be. At least he'll have the sound and sight of home to sooth him, for all that it is fake.]
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sunset_horizons2013-08-03 11:08 pm
<333
(And now that he remembers Aqua's words from that day so very clearly, he knows that should have been Sora... and yet he's very glad that it isn't, that it's Mickey, who's with him. Because there are some things that Sora won't ever be able to understand, no matter how hard he tries, and even more things that Riku simply doesn't want him to understand.
It makes him think of his double, who never had Naminé and Mickey, like he's had, who had Donald and Goofy and Kairi instead. And even though Riku regrets oh so many things, in the end he is glad about the way things had turned out for himself, that he's never been forced to choose like the other Riku had been. They all have their own burdens to carry, their own battles to fight, their own destiny to follow and somewhere out there in another parallel world, where things had gone just a little differently, there is another Riku who remembers their stay in the Tower of Animus and Riku can only hope that he too has someone that he can trust the way he trust Mickey.)
He exhales slowly before replying to the soft call of his name - "I'm fine." (and he really is all things considered) - and a moment later he is pushing up to his feet again.]
I do. I need to. There are some things that you have to-
[He cuts himself off there with a jerk of his head, he is rushing, he will just start to ramble if he lets his mouth run away with him at this point, they have time and this certainly isn't the best place for the conversation he has in mind.
For all that they are hiding Sora here, Twilight Town isn't a safe world - too close to The World That Never Was, too often visited by the Nobodies and with Roxas on the run and off the Organization's radar while he remained in Hollow Bastion, and the Organization very likely aware of - or at least suspecting - his involvement it was better to be especially careful.
Just where to go... Hollow Bastion is off the list with Roxas there - he's had enough trouble talking to him as is, he doesn't need that to complicate any further - as is the mansion beyond the woods (he will not risk DiZ listening either) and as much as he would like to sit down in the sands of Destiny Islands for a few hours and bask in the comfort of knowing that it isn't just an illusion, that he's home, that has never been an option either.
...But maybe he can have the next best thing, the memory of it. Castle Oblivion is after all another one of those places where people are unlikely to look for him. He doesn't even think as he lifts his left hand to summon a corridor, there is ease and practice to his use his very own darkness, and a sense of composure that Riku is probably not even aware off. The times when he had feared the shadow behind his heart, when he had feared what it could do to his own Darkness are long past to him.]
This probably isn't the best place to talk about it. Fancy a trip?
gomen for fast tag leaving for vacay--
But Riku was right. There could be ears listening in here, and they both knew this. This world was far too close to the Organization's stronghold.]
Lead the way, Riku.
[He'll go through with Riku, holding out his hand to hold because pal, ya just fell over a second ago.]
It's okay!
A lot has changed since, most of all Riku's outlook on his own strength, and his confidence in it, there is a lot that he has learned since, taught by the worlds, taught by the tower, and though it's still hard to admit those moments to others, he knows now that there's no shame in it.
He is smiling again as he takes again, and though he isn't voicing it, Mickey probably can see how thankful he is for this anyways. The worst is yet to come, but he will never not be grateful for the King's support.]
Alright.
[And lead the way he will until they end up standing right before the doors of Castle Oblivion.]
Three...months...later...
The choice in meeting location has him looking up to meet Riku's gaze again, nodding. Something was going to happen soon; he could feel it in his bones. Though gosh, it sure had been a while since he saw this place. He lets go of Riku's hand only to open the door.]
(cozy)
That ought to make a good place for this talk, as serious as it is going to be. At least he'll have the sound and sight of home to sooth him, for all that it is fake.]