1st Road

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

[The first thing one might notice when entering this dream, is the rain - heavy drops falling to the ground, pooling on the ground to puddles.

The Darkness weights heavy in this world and dream, shadows sliding over rain-slick streets, waiting waiting waiting to fight an opponent, to devour a heart, to create yet another of their kin.

But aside of the Heartless there is only one other being present in this dream, a boy, dressed in a dark coat, a hood hiding hair and face. He is wandering the city, ignored by the Heartless - as tempting as they might feel by the muted smell of his heart, there is something about him that warns them off; a strange, possessive smell that stems from one of their own.

It has been a long time since Riku's dreams have been anything, but this.

Anything, but dark.

He isn't bothered by that, not anymore. Not since realizing that someone has to bear the weight of the darkness.

That in this, he can protect all things he holds dear; even if once he has taken the last step, has accepted all of Ansem's powers as his own, he will no longer be able to return home or to his friends' side.

He has accepted that.

The darkness - be it real or dream - has long lost its terror to him.

So he continues wandering the streets, maybe aimless, maybe to find that one person he has been preparing to encounter.]

Comments

[reverse-destiny.livejournal.com]

[The darkness will always be comforting. Even this, surrounded by Heartless. They make him wary, but perhaps the scent of Ansem on him--of a boy who's had close and long-term contact with their King--is what keeps them from attacking him. Whatever the reason, he stops dead in his tracks when he sees who else is here.]

Riku--

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

[Riku halts when he starts to sense a new smell coming closer - utterly familiar and yet foreign... it's too dark, it can't be...

But then he hears his name being called and one turn of his head and look at the person before him just confirm his fear.

It can't be, shouldn't be... but it is, isn't it?]

...Sora?

[reverse-destiny.livejournal.com]

...You... Remember me this time?

[There's a caution to his voice, like this is something that's happened. And not too long ago, too.]

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

[Riku is almost taken aback, by both the question and the obvious caution Sora displays - the other has every right to be cautious of him of course, but it still kind of hurts.]

I... Of course I remember you.

[And why wouldn't he? Even in Castle Oblivion, even with all that had happened after, he had never forgotten.

Though... Namine had said that he would probably forget temporarily once they had Roxas and would be able to restore the rest of Sora's memories. Still, they didn't have Roxas yet, so it couldn't be that...

He shakes his head.]

Sora, what's going on? Why are you...?

['...smelling like someone from the dark? ...like me'

That's what he wants to ask, but just can't bring himself to. As long as he doesn't say it out loud, it's not quite real. He had meant to carry the darkness himself after all, in order to protect Sora from that burden at least.

Seeing him like this... it's like he has failed somewhere along the way.

Of course there is the possibility that this isn't Sora at all - by all means, it shouldn't be; Sora is sleeping in the abandoned mansion of Twilight Town, isn't he?

But the smell doesn't lie either; the boy before him is not an illusion, not a replica, he is Sora.

...

Riku isn't quite sure what to think anymore.]

[reverse-destiny.livejournal.com]

...You didn't remember me last time we spoke. Back on the Islands. Back before...

[--Before I destroyed everything.]

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

[Riku frowns as he considers his reply - something is wrong with this whole situation, with Sora himself even. He can feel it.

When he finally speaks up, he tries to sound carefully reassuring - he can't figure out what exactly was going on here, if this suddenly turned into an argument whether he had ever forgotten or not.]

I remember now.

[reverse-destiny.livejournal.com]

Th-That's good.

[But he's nervous. He shuffles a bit, doesn't come any closer. In fact, it's obvious he kind of wants to run, but...]

...I'm sorry... A-about the Islands and... And everything...

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

['Why? You have nothing to be sorry about!'

That's what Riku wants to say at least - but something about the way Sora looks - like he's ready to bolt away the moment Riku makes the wrong move - stops him.

Part of him wants to apologize as well - there are so many things he regrets so many things that he knows can't be forgiven - but he can't allow himself to break down when Sora is like this.

Right now, he needs to be the strong one.

Quickly he strides forward, closing the distance between them, and reaches up to settle one hand on Sora's shoulder.]

Sora... what are you talking about?

[reverse-destiny.livejournal.com]

[Sora visibly flinches when that hand settles on his shoulder. Touching isn't something he's used to, especially this kind. But what Riku's asking...]

...When I came back to the Islands... When you forgot me... I was angry, so... I made the Heartless destroy it. I'm sorry!

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She gave herself to the Darkness years ago now, and no one felt the poorer for the loss. So Mercury, transformed with blue hair and the uniform to match, seems well enough at-home in this place. The Heartless don't bother her; she'll fight them as needed, but she avoids them if given a choice.

The hood makes her wary, and she challenges Riku as soon as she sees him as a stranger.]

Who's there?

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

[He turns his head, frowning when he senses and later sees another person that doesn't belong into his place aside of himself, that is neither Heartless nor Nobody.

But while he feels darkness in her, he has no urge or intent to battle her.

She is not the one he has come to fight.]

No one of importance.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

I'll decide that for myself. [She's bold, this one. Though something about his voice is familiar, if it were just a little higher and clearer.]

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

[Riku raises an eyebrow beneath his hood and snorts.]

Suit yourself then.

[He does not intent to introduce himself after all.]

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

[She notes the omission. She settles for introducing herself first. There's no reason not to, and while she's a stranger in what seems to be his territory, she needs a source of information.]

I'm Mercury.

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

[He crocks his head at her for a moment, but ultimately turns away. He sees no reason to reply or to keep up conversation - not in a place like this. However, he can't quite leave her here either.]

You should leave this world.

[waterfell.livejournal.com]

I'm not afraid of the Darkness. [She assumes, at least, that this is the danger this person foresees.]

And if you're planning to go against me yourself, you'll be hurt.

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

'Not being afraid' might not be enough in a world like this.

[Not when hungry, dark shadows linger in whatever corner they can claim for themselves, eagerly searching for a heart to consume - be it bright or dark. Not when in the not too far castle, their counterparts are gathering and scheming.

He snorts again and shakes his head just once at her second suggestion.]

There is only one person I plan on fighting tonight, and that is not you.

[auncyenhalig.livejournal.com]

[ She's obviously not of this place; the combination of pink and red stand out too much against the black. But she's in it, and Aerith's always had a light of her own in the darkness of Midgar. It's dismaying and more than a little scary to find herself alone in the danger, but she's, oh--used to it. At least it means her friends are safe, right...? Away from these creepy shadows.

She bats another Heartless away with her staff before fleeing down an alleyway toward the street, her boots splashing through the puddles loudly. ]

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

[It's easy to pick up on her colors, but it's even easier to notice her light - especially since it is so very, very out of place in this world.

Riku frowns when he senses it - The World That Never Was isn't exactly a place that is easy to enter, especially for those with a lot of Light in their heart. Nevertheless he decides to investigate and offer assistance if needed.

He might not have come here with the intention to fight Heartless, but he is not about to about to let them harm anyone on his watch either.]

[auncyenhalig.livejournal.com]

[ She has some darkness in her heart, tucked away in memories, but it's true--she really doesn't belong here. When she sees another black silhouette, she hefts the staff more closely in front of her until realizing it's human-shaped. ]

Look out! [ She runs closer to him before looking back, where the Heartless are still approaching. ] They just don't stop... do you know a place to hide?

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

[He walks past her, glancing down on at the Heartless. Summoning Soul Eater, he easily cuts through the few that dare to ignore their wariness and give into their hunger. He does nothing to attack them further though and soon enough it appears as if they had decided to back off, for now at least.

Only then he turns back to her.]

Of course they don't. Your light calls to them.

[He sighs as he starts thinking - ultimately there is nothing like a hiding place in this world, not from the dark and its kin. But... there are a few places that they have a little more trouble reaching.

He turns on his heels.]

Follow me.

[auncyenhalig.livejournal.com]

If I had a light, it wouldn't be so hard to get around. [ Aerith's not thinking of any metaphorical kind of light, obviously. ] --Oh! Coming. Don't go too fast--

[ It's not hard to catch up to him though, and she leans forward to try getting a glimpse under the hood. ] So... they don't bother you? Unless you have a cute girl with you, I guess. What a pain.

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

[The corners of his lips twitch upwards as he snorts lightly, amused.] Not that sort of light.

[He continues walking along, turning his head ever so slightly, just to make sure that she is following and that no other Heartless are trying to attack. Maybe she'll just catch a glimpse of silver strands of hair peaking out of his hood.]

They don't, most of times. But I paid the price for that.

[Thanks to Ansem's powers, he is already too much like them - his heart appears claimed by the darkness. It comes in handy at times like this of course, but ultimately that hadn't been what the road to dawn was supposed to lead him to.]

gotta love how many times they talk about black capes...

[auncyenhalig.livejournal.com]

She falters for a step when she sees the silver hair. They've been looking for a man in a black cloak this whole time... but... well he sounds kind of young to be Sephiroth. And is Sephiroth really the kind of person to help a girl out?

But, just how many people wear black cloaks? And have silver hair at that age? ]

I hope it wasn't a high price... [ Though the way he said it was a bit ominous. ] Hey... do you know Sephiroth?

XD

[justabignobody.livejournal.com]

It's one I decided to bear.

[For Sora, for Kairi, for the sake of his home and his friends...

He had been the one to invite the darkness after all, how could he anyone else let protect them from it.

He frowns at the question; he can't help but wonder what brought that on all of sudden. After a moment however, he decides to answer.]

No. I've heard some rumors about him, but that's all.