day 3

[otherness]

[Roxas is pretty spacy when he appears on the Plane again. He's thinking really hard about recent events, and he's also pretty damn frustrated. So, he's headed to the coliseum. It's a pretty good place to release some anger. He's tired on top of it all; there are bags under his eyes from the hours of constant searching and lack of sleep.

The pictures happen more often now, sometimes when he's conscious. Sometimes he wakes up in a cold sweat, shaking. None of it is good, and since he collapsed inside of Castle Oblivion...]

It just doesn't make any sense, [he murmurs as he stares up at the coliseum seats.] Why would she run away like that?

[ooc: Canonbump to Day 297. Trying not to be a flake about tags this time. >>;;]

Comments

[darkercalling]

[Riku intended to come to the coliseum to blow off some steam for himself. He just didn't think he'd end up spotting a familiar blonde Soulless. Well then...

He is definitely more informed now. And he knows he really, really should stay away from Roxas, for the sake of... okay, everything, but... Well, let's just call this an "experiment" - an ongoing one - on just how much effect this place has on home. (Ignoring that Riku already knows the answer to this to an extent...)

He approaches, coat on, as well as those aviator shades instead of the blindfold (hey, it's the Plane, after all, he can get away with it). He stops just short of actually entering the arena though, leaning against one of the columns instead, arms crossed.]

I didn't expect to see anyone here.

[otherness]

[It annoys Roxas that someone can sneak up on him-- and it's even weirder to hear that voice. He turns to face the spectator sharply, his clockwork keyblade present.

Now he's sure that that's the imposter-- and also the guy he just chased through Twilight Town.]

You-- what did you do with Xion?!

[darkercalling]

[He eyes that keyblade. ... Another similarity. Another reminder. Another little something else that just dredges up all kinds of memories, feelings... responsibilities...

He shakes his head, playing it cool as he stands away from the wall. The shades - just like the blindfold - are definitely useful for helping him hide his eyes, and keep his true feelings a secret.]

Nothing. I'm not even keeping her against her will.

[otherness]

[They make him look so fucking cool. GOD ROXAS HATES THIS GUY. His stupid cool attitude, his stupid cool voice. And it's all itchingly familiar, just like-- like they've met before-- Roxas clutches his temple, feeling another headache coming on. But he's just getting started! Like hell he's going to let some weird dreams overwhelm him right now.]

That doesn't make any sense! [He doesn't want to hear this. Doesn't want to hear she's afraid of them.] Why would she run away from us?!

[darkercalling]

[Riku is not afraid of Roxas - not really. Not entirely. Afraid of what he could possibly represent? Sure. Afraid of what he means for his friend, still sleeping and trying to recover? That too. But if this kid comes at him with that keyblade, Riku's ready. Easily.]

I don't know. Maybe you should look at the kind of company you're keeping.

[otherness]

[Spending twenty minutes chasing Riku across Twilight Town while he guarded and blocked everything and warped out of reach clearly wasn't enough.

Tch— Okay, despite the impending headache, he's mad enough to summon his keyblade.] We're her friends! I don't know who you are or what you've been telling her, but that's one thing that will never change!

[darkercalling]

[Friends, huh? Maybe that's what hurts the most, and what makes this all far more complicated than he wishes it was. Damn it...]

I already told you I didn't do anything. I didn't even tell her anything that she didn't figure out on her own, so it's not going to do you any good to accuse me.

[otherness]

[Roxas glares for a few seconds longer, but he realizes, too, that Riku is telling the truth. Really, what will lying get him? Probably a keyblade to the face. Fighting here won't solve anything either. And if Riku doesn't want to give up information, then there's no way Roxas can make him.

Even he knows he's outmatched.]

Just tell me one thing.

[He looks down at his feet and lets his keyblade disappear.]

Is she safe?

[darkercalling]

[Way to break his heart just a little bit more, Roxas... No, she isn't, not really. None of them are. Not Xion, not Roxas, not himself... none of them are. Hell, Xion's at risk of breaking down completely just because of what she is. But in the most immediate interpretation of the question...]

Yeah. [His voice is much softer now - no more defensive or challenging edge.] She is.

[otherness]

... Okay.

[But it's not okay.

Roxas doesn't know what to make of this... what to make of anything anymore. It's all falling down around his ears and he just wants it all to stop. No one's telling him anything. The dreams-- dreams like memories-- are getting worse and worse, and his best friend needs help and won't let him close enough to do anything.

His fists clench at his sides, the downward twist of his lips barely hiding a grimace. Who is this imposter of the Order? How can he earn Xion's trust when Roxas and Axel have been her friends from the very beginning?

It ticks him off and he can't do a damn thing to even let his anger out. Without warning, or even a goodbye, Roxas drops from the Plane. At least he can stare at the wall of his room in peace for a while.]