in this closed off world

[shadowedheart]

Who: Riku and Arden
Where: KH Clubhouse
When: First couple days of the month
Format: [ like this ]
Closed
Summary: Riku comes back around the KH Clubhouse only to find a certain someone isn't how he left them.


[ He said he wouldn't disappear again and, already, he seems to have broken that so-called promise.

To be fair, he hadn't exactly expected to be told what he had been and for emotions to so quickly push their way to the surface that he felt it best to remove himself from the moment. Thus, he's been hanging around Cloud's place for the past little while, simply needing to clear his head, let alone his emotions, and just allow himself some time to adjust since there seems to be so much he still needs to.

Being away from Sora, however, is a difficult thing even for him to do in his current mood and it's why he's finally decided to come around the place that he's to call "home" while being within this world. Well, it's what Sora considers for him, Riku doesn't exactly feel like it is, especially with those he lives with there. But, he's kept to himself while he's been there and so he figures his absence within the house won't really be noticed.

Unless your name is Sora, that is.

It's a little later in the day when Riku finally steps inside the house, wearing something that he's clearly borrowed from Cloud while still donning the blindfold as always. It's Sora that he needs to see, needs to apologize to (again), and so he makes his way throughout the house, wondering if he's even around. He better be since he has this stuffed plush to give to him as a means of saying he's sorry and Sora's always a sucker for things like this. ]

Sora?

[ But when he does find the other, it leaves Riku stunned, standing there with eyes wide not like you'd be able to see as he drops the plush to the floor. Sora is... crystallized... sleeping? and it has him feel a painful sort of deja-vu all over again that he doesn't even notice how the colour visibly bleeds away from around him, leaving everything in a wash of gray. ]

Sora!

[ If the colour draining from around him isn't enough, maybe the sudden trembling of the house might be. ]

Comments

[boundbynaught]

[ Arden was one of those people who didn't notice Riku's absence. Of anyone, he figured it was intentional. He'd promised himself that he'd give Riku a little while to sort things out on his own, with Sora or in his own mind or whoever else ended up getting involved, before he actively sought the guy out. Rushing it wasn't going to help things, he was pretty sure, which is why he'd asked Sora for patience.

So why wouldn't he expect Riku to continue avoiding him? They could both sense each other's presences, making it far easier than normal to avoid one another.

That day, he'd returned from work and was contemplating dinner. He'd waved casually to Sora when he saw his friend come downstairs, his baby wyvern Pollux trailing per usual. Castor chirped from his perch at Pollux's arrival and came down to sit on Arden's shoulder while he worked.

It was around the time that Pollux returned with an anxious string of chirps that Castor reacted to in kind that Arden wondered if something was wrong. Then Riku's voice came loud enough for him to hear it - add the house trembling and Arden was moving in a flash.

If it were any further than around the corner, he'd have walked through a Dark Corridor, but as it was he just jogged around the kitchen counter and chairs and through the hall until he arrived in the living room. There was Riku, stunned, and Sora, crystalized.

Obviously Arden wasn't thrilled to see Sora like that, but he was awash with sympathy for the situation. Now he knew how Sora must have felt when it happened to him. With one small wyvern on each shoulder, he turned his attention to Riku - again, expression sympathetic.]

He's going to be okay.

[shadowedheart]

[ Somewhere in the back of his mind, Riku had known all along that Arden was present here. It was just, well, they both had a sort of mutual understanding of a certain distance between them for the time being, something even Sora seemed to be aware of and hopefully understood, so Riku hadn't really paid much mind to Arden's presence.

That is, until he felt the other right there in the room with him and heard his words of reassurance offered to him.

Riku, however, couldn't seem to find much comfort in them at the moment and it shows in the way he looks back to the other with confusion and an almost pained expression at this deja-vu before his eyes. ]

What happened? What's wrong with him?

[ Because this is the first time he's seen something like... this... within this world and while it might be something of little to no concern for most, for Riku, this is all too reminiscent of things he had left behind prior to coming here, as if wrongdoings are being shoved in his face all over again. ]

[boundbynaught]

[ Color him surprised that Riku didn't up and walk away, but he stashes his pessimissm as quickly as it rises up. Not now. Besides, Pollux is getting noisy again - which means Castor flies up into a hover and then tries to settle next to his brother, but of course Arden's shoulder isn't that big. He quickly grabs the two of them off his shoulder and pulls them down in front of his chest, then opens his palms so they have somewhere to rest on while they lean against one another. At least now they're not making as much noise and he can actually talk. ]

Nothing's wrong with Sora in the sense that he could have prevented this. He wasn't attacked. It's more like he got sick.

[ Maybe not the best analogy considering the soup-sized mini-elephant they aren't talking about, but he's going to run with it as a way to impress upon Riku how innocuous this could turn out to be. ]

No matter how healthy someone can try to be, every once in awhile people just catch cold, right? It's kind of like that. Our best bet is to put him somewhere he won't get bumped, like his bedroom.

[shadowedheart]

[ Even with the blindfold on, it's not at all difficult to feel the cold that practically pierces Arden from his stare as he goes about explaining this apparent phenomena to him.

But this has nothing to do with Arden, nothing to do with his involvement in this as it's not as though he's the one who did this to Sora and so... Riku turns back to look to the crystallized Sora and, gently so, reaches out to place the palm of his hand against him.

The sadness that fills Riku is easy to see and it's obvious this is difficult for him to swallow what with the sight of his friend who he's come to learn is awake and well here is now once again asleep, encased in crystal, just as he left him prior to his coming here. Is this... his fault? Did this happen to Sora because of their last conversation together? Because of how he had left him when he had become upset at what Sora had told him? Was Sora so worried or hurt by his leaving that this happened?

Fingers curl into a fist against the snoozing Sora and Riku allows his head to hang for a moment as he stands there, forgetting that Arden is even here for a moment. ]

How long... how long does this last?

[ He finally manages to ask, though he doesn't look back to Arden. ]

[boundbynaught]

[ Later he may get frustrated that it's taking this to get them to talk, but more than anything he's just glad that the feelings from Riku he's sensing aren't directed at him - and that Arden himself has dealt with so much of his complicated feelings towards Sora that he's not defensive over Riku's gesture. Arden's hurt too, he just has enough experience now to have more hope than Riku can summon. And Arden knows why too. So best not to sugarcoat things. ]

When it happened to me? It was a month.

[ And if it was shorter, they'd all be happier for it, but better to brace him for that. Plus, if it was closer to two months, at least then Riku wouldn't be nearly as surprised as if Arden had said 'sometimes as short as a week.' ]

I felt like I blinked and suddenly I was in my room and a month had passed.

[ Sora had reassured him it wasn't unique to his situation and, sadly, now he's got the evidence. But all that said... he tries to think good thoughts about Sora and push some warmth back into the room - if only for Pollux's sake. ]

[shadowedheart]

[ A month.

So this has happened to even his repl- to Arden. Would it eventually even happen to him? Honestly, he'd rather it be him than Sora sleeping like this. Why is it always Sora being the one to fall into these sorts of slumbers?

But still... a month. A month of being away from Sora when he's already spent a good number of days away from him due to his being upset and frustrated with certain things and now... to come back with the intention of saying he was sorry... now Sora's once again asleep and, much like before, he's too late to do anything about it.

He feels anger over this, it shows in the way his hand curls tighter into that fist. But he also feels sadness- guilt and that's more prominent in terms of emotions turning physical what with the way the chill seems to fight against the warmth that Arden attempts to offer into the room. ]

[boundbynaught]

[ The two wyverns huddle closer to Arden and he notices it immediately, how it happens in time with Riku's continued cold front. He's not that good at forcing these effects to happen. So he has to speak up again. ]

Listen... I get it.

[ More than he wants to explain. ]

And it's better to let things out here than letting them build up. But if you're going to do that, then go out back and I'll take Sora upstairs myself.

[ If it were someone like Roxas, he could offer himself as a sparring partner to let off those feelings. Probably not Riku though. ]

At least then the house will be standing when he wakes up.

[shadowedheart]

[ There's a part of Riku that wants to snap at Arden- how can you possibly get it? But... he doesn't. Not just for Sora's sake but because Arden hasn't really done anything to warrant such a response from him, even if they're still not... 'friends' or whatever it is that Sora wants for them.

Letting things out, however, is by no means the sort of thing that Riku has much experience with, bottling things up and allowing them to be ignored and/or suppressed for however long it takes is more his style. Though, with this world and the penchant it has for allowing those hidden emotions to make themselves known in a physical sense, well, it's a lot more difficult for him to conceal and as such, a soft tch falls from his lips at the suggestion.

It's more that he's annoyed with himself letting Arden see how badly this is affecting him. ]

No. [ The word comes with a brief glance over his shoulder back to Arden. ] I'll help take Sora.

[boundbynaught]

[ He sighs. He was still too harsh. He really was hoping that Riku would go outside and let some things out. ]

Fine - come on guys... You'll be warmer here.

[ Arden sets the two wyverns down on a couch cushion where they'll be warm together, nestled into the corner of a couch. ]

After he's safe, we should still go out back anyway.

[ Maybe if he keeps needling at that idea, Riku will reconsider. Arden walks up to Sora and places his hands under one of Sora's arms and bracing at his back to tilt him, ready to move whenever Riku's ready. ]

[shadowedheart]

[ Riku more or less mimics Arden's movements with regards to holding Sora and although he keeps his composure and doesn't allow more of that chill to permeate the air, the frown that tugs at his lips as he looks down to Sora's face is difficult for him to hide, though he tries to with allowing some silver strands of hair to fall in front of his face as he does so. ]

Ready when you are.

[ He mutters, keeping his hold on Sora careful but firm as he doesn't want to drop him. ]

[boundbynaught]

[ He didn't say no. Good enough. ]

Alright then. Lift on 3? 1, 2, 3-

[ And of course the crystalized Sora isn't that heavy, but Arden wasn't worried he would be. They'll be able to maneuver Sora easily towards the steps, but getting up the stairs would be a different matter. So Arden just opens a Dark Corridor instead. Without any hesitation, Arden steps backwards into the Corridor - now to see if Riku will follow him. On the other side is Sora's room, easy as that, perhaps... ]

[shadowedheart]

[ On three it is and Riku lifts Sora along with Arden, only to stop when he catches sight of that Dark Corridor opening itself up. It's not that he's surprised by this, it's expected and something that he's well aware of himself. It's just a reminder of things, of his previous time, if you will, with his replica and even his darkness back when everything first started and so it has him stare for a moment before he follows through so that they can set Sora down within his room.

Of course, before stepping through, he did make sure to pick that plush up off the ground that he had brought for Sora. ]

[boundbynaught]

[ He has enough sense about him to see Riku's facial expression, even without being able to see his eyes. For the first time in awhile it makes him question his free use of those powers, and he starts to look ashamed about it. There's a sigh and he looks away slightly as they stand Sora's crystal statue up, so he doesn't get a good look at the plush toy.

He knows he should just be grateful. Riku believed what he said and didn't question him beyond seeking details. It's just hard, like he told Sora it would be. He keeps his eyes toward the ground, as if he were look at Sora's crystal shoes, when he finally speaks again as the Corridor closes into a tiny ring of mist. ]

... So are you going to take care of Pollux or should I?

[ Just keep him talking. Maybe that will help. Give an excuse to talk about going out back too. ]

[shadowedheart]

[ It's Sora. It's always Sora when it comes to these types of situations.

The second Sora had told him that Arden was here, Riku had stopped and stared in disbelief and slight concern. Sora, as always, was quick to jump to Arden's defense, to try and convince Riku that he wasn't as he might remember him as, that he's different, his own person, that he should give him a chance because I know you can be friends or something along those lines.

If it was anyone else? Riku wouldn't even give them five seconds of his time with trying to defend Arden. But because it was Sora, because Sora had asked him to at least try, well, this is why they're where they are, why Riku hadn't come after him with Soul Eater and whatever else the second he saw him in the kitchen that one day.

But, for now, perhaps he gives Arden the benefit of the doubt with his explaining what happened to Sora and not sensing any sort of deception coming from him with it.

It's not that he doesn't believe Sora when it comes to Arden. It's just that Sora has the ability to make friends with everyone while Riku would rather not.

Looking to the plush in his hands, Riku glances up at the question regarding Pollux and it takes him a moment to really understand just what it is that Arden is asking of him. ]

Probably better that you do it.

[ What does he know about taking care of wyverns anyway? That's... what Pollux is, right? ]

[boundbynaught]

[ Arden nods. He'd have preferred it that way anyway, but he didn't want there to be any thoughts in Riku's head that he was stealing some sort of responsibility out from under him. ]

Pollux and Castor are twin brothers. They were born out of the same egg in a big clutch. That night, they wouldn't stop crying if they were separated for very long.

[ Maybe it's a little selfish to tell Riku that. To show him that he's been around for significant events of Sora's. That's why he continues. ]

They're nephews of Soya's. So they're very important to him. If you think Pollux is spending too much time in here and not eating or something, please tell me.

[ He is serious though. If something happened to Pollux while Sora was asleep, Arden would probably do things he'd regret for exactly 30 seconds and then justify it internally for the rest of his days. ]

[shadowedheart]

[ Riku's silent as he listens to Arden explain. Given his lack of experience with caring for wyverns and the fact that there seems to be an emotional bond of sorts between Arden and these wyverns, well, Riku's not so heartless to try and come between this. So, with looking to the plush in his hand, he simply offers- ]

Then you might as well be the one to care for them.

[ He goes to set the plush down near Sora's feet but stops at the last second and, instead, decides to set the plush down on the dresser so that whenever Sora wakes, he can be greeted with the plush. Or something.

Silence falls over Riku again as he stares to the crystallized Sora and another frown touches at his lips. He's trying to not let any sort of guilt wrap itself around him too tightly with Arden here but to see Sora like this, to have come back after his being away with the intention of saying sorry and finding out that he can't... he's always making mistakes, isn't he? He'll never stop making them from the looks of it. ]

I'll let you know. [ He says softly then. ] If something happens with Pollux.

[boundbynaught]

[ He wasn't really trying to disagree with Riku that he should watch over Pollux, but he also knew that Pollux may just spend a lot of time in Sora's room. Which he suspected Riku would also be visiting more often, perhaps especially during times when Arden wouldn't be around.

That's when he sees the plush. Speaking of things Sora wouldn't want anything happening to while he was asleep... ]

And all that goes for you too, Riku. [ That name... but he's trying, Sora. ] If I catch you not taking care of yourself while he's asleep, I don't care if you get mad at me, I'll do what I have to make sure you're standing when he wakes up.

[ He's very serious about that too. ]

So come on, let's go out back.

[shadowedheart]

[ The look that Riku gives Arden can be considered as one of slight annoyance when he brings up his own well-being. How can one tell when he's wearing a blindfold? Well, the furrowed brows certainly give it away. ]

I can handle myself.

[ He chooses his words carefully there, opting for handle rather than take care. He's seconds away from asking what do you care when he stops, knowing that it's for Sora's sake and not his own which, truth be told, is something he would more than likely do as well for Arden on behalf of Sora.

Because that's one of the few things they share in common. Or so he thinks.

The request to go out back (again), however, has him turning away from Arden and looking back to the crystallized Sora. ]

Why do you keep trying to get me to go out there with you?

[boundbynaught]

Because you're tense, obviously.

[ And they both know why. He just said he was going to do whatever he had to to make sure Riku was around when Sora woke up, and that included making sure Riku didn't blow a cold front into his bedroom and freeze to death or something else stupid thanks to pent-up emotions. ]

And you're new here, so controlling things with dunamis isn't an option.

[ Plus Arden not being good enough at that to counter him. ]

So you should do something about releasing that tension. I'm offering a target - there's practice dummies in the backyard, unless you'd rather have a real opponent.

[ Maybe a challenge would work? Forgive him, Sora. ]

[shadowedheart]

[ Riku's brows furrow a little more as he stares to the sleeping Sora while listening to Arden's words. So, that's how it is, huh? That's the sort of concern that he has for him? Is he supposed to feel touched that Arden is willing to grant himself as an opponent?

While he doesn't shift away from Sora, he cocks his head to the side, not exactly looking back to Arden but also showing that he's quite aware of what he's getting at and how yeah, he sees you, Arden. ]

Sure you're not the one needing to release some tension?

[ Because he wouldn't blame him, doesn't even blame Roxas if he feels the need to. He knows his presence isn't wanted by many here, save for maybe Sora. Plus, the fact that he's wearing this blindfold, well, he's aware of how he's not from some bright and happy future as others might be. ]

[boundbynaught]

[ Arden has to blink and tries to make sure the look on his face conveys how he's feeling - which is that Riku said something that doesn't make any sense to him, not anymore. It's the bland sort of "????" expression. ]

Of course I do. And I plan to - with meditation. Maybe I'll go visit Zenyatta tomorrow. But you've already told me that's not something you're interested in. And you don't like comfort food either. Here I am trying not to assume I know anything about you, but still no clues from you. So I have to go with what I remembered.

And I figured I could wear someone else's face long enough to let you have a go - someone from the organization.

[ He genuinely wants to be proven wrong. ]

[shadowedheart]

[ Riku still glances to Arden from his spot, still not entirely looking at him but also not not looking at him. ]

So you're not at all tense with my being here?

[ With Sora having him back? Because he somehow feels like that's doubtful, especially with having claimed that he has just as much a right to be here, that he's been here longer. So, what? No hard feelings on his end? No wanting to see to it that he's not around or lives somewhere else? Is that really how Arden feels? Wouldn't like to take a crack at him himself?

Looking back to Sora, Riku falls silent, allowing his gaze to linger on his friend. Sora the slacker... nothing new there. ]

That's a surprise if so.

[boundbynaught]

[ He looks a little surprised by the shift in topic, but in a second he sighs. ]

Of course I am. Anyone would be tense with someone new moving into their home they don't get along with. But-

[ He raises his head again. ]

The difference is I've gone through this a couple of times now with a bunch of different people. Some of them I managed to get along with better than others. Eventually.

[ He tries to appear determined despite his nerves. ]

I have no idea what that might look like in our case. I just know that I should give it a shot. Just like all of the other new housemates.

[ So maybe it's harsh, but in this respect... Riku's just like anyone else. ]

[shadowedheart]

[ Riku recalls the day in the kitchen when he had turned away from Arden and Arden had called him by his name... just as he had done earlier with Sora here. It's strange to hear him say his name and it tends to cause something within Riku to stir, though he isn't all too sure what that is, just that it's something and it tends to cause him to pause in the moment.

Arden is willing to give him a chance, to try, as it were, and the fact that he plans to keep Sora out of whatever it is between them is something that he can... respect. With everything that Sora's been through... and what he's currently going through with snoozing in this crystallized state... he doesn't really need to put up with them trying to force a wedge between him and how he feels concerning the both of them, it wouldn't be fair to Sora.

However, there are still certain... reservations that Riku has concerning Arden despite his having been willing to give him a chance even with his own hang ups or concerns about the two of them here in this house and what that could very well mean for the both of them.

And it's why he still stands there, staring to Sora, teeth dragging over his lower lip. ]

I'm not whatever version of me you might have been used to. [ He finally decides to say then. ] I don't really deserve much. That includes you trying to give me a chance.

[boundbynaught]

... You think this is about whether or not I think you deserve it? I thought I explained before - I barely gave that a chance before. I didn't, err, get used to you before.

[ He'd never even gotten comfortable saying 'Riku' aloud before these last few days. He puts his hand over his chest. ]

Call it selfish if you want, but this is about me. I'd been afraid of things changing. I could barely cope with being alive again after our fight. I didn't want to even think about what my life could be like if I couldn't be... Riku.

[ Again, the name is like a ton of bricks on his lips, but he keeps pushing forward. ]

I had maybe, what, a couple of hours of memories unique to me last you saw me, right? Maybe a day tops? The only way I could become someone else was to make new memories beyond those. I had to try new things - things I thought I'd be terrible at based on everything I thought I knew about myself, based on having no skills besides fighting. It's obvious that had to involve new people too, or did you think it was Sora who taught me how to cook and bake?