eden's end ; in the castle that never was

[tall_dark_and]

Riku's been a very daring boy.

This isn't a surprise really - trying to test his limits is a common practice for him. He's been even more reckless lately, ever since he was locked into the Shadow Realms. It's anybody's best guess as to whether he's doing this as a way to punish himself, or a way to find Sora more quickly.

Probably a mix of both.

He's been in the Castle only a few times, but he hasn't met any danger yet. He's easily sneaked in and out, and taken more than a few books from the library as a trophy. It's enough to give someone who's a little less smart a sense of false safety.

Riku knows better. But he's still acting as if he doesn't, anyway.

Maybe he just wants to see what happens.

So. The scene is set, and the player is placed. Now all that is left is to see the unfolding of events...

In the halls of the Castle That Never Was.

Comments

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

Surprise registers in Riku's eyes, before he shakes his head quickly. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he says, carefully.

He would have no right to think of Namine like that. She was beautiful, and far too untouchable.

"And you better stop 'watching me' all the time, bastard. I'm not here to give you your kicks."

[x-marks-the.livejournal.com]

There's a victorious smile at Riku's surprise, but it quickly vanishes. Then Xemnas moves faster than should really be possible, so close to Riku that any attempt by the other to use his keyblade would be more likely to cause self-inflicted injury than hurt his opponent.

"Aren't you?" he questions, before placing a hand on Riku's right shoulder, thumb almost but not quite caressing the side of the boy's neck. Xemnas leans in close, lips brushing against Riku's left ear and voice a deliberately husky whisper when he speaks.

"Be careful about kicking me, little one. You never know, it may turn out that I like things rough."

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

Riku does not back away - that would be a show of fear, or weakness. Instead, he places his hand on Xemnas' chest, pushing with all of his strength in an attempt to get -him- away.

"Don't pull that crap on me," he says with a growl.

[x-marks-the.livejournal.com]

"Believe me, Riku, if I were 'pulling crap' on you, you would be very, very aware of the fact. Of that, I can assure you."

Xemnas stands there and lets Riku tire himself a bit with the pushing, then steps back under his own power - out of keyblade range, but possibly still too close for comfort.

"Regardless of your pathetic attempt at retaliation, I believe I've made my point. Don't test me, Riku. I've been lenient thus far. The next time? You may cease to amuse me, and I may change my mind about that leniency."

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

"I don't care," Riku informs him. "If I have to die to achieve my goals, that doesn't matter."

Even if all he does is leave information behind for Mickey to use. At least he's achieved something, in that case.

And nobody would ever miss him.

[x-marks-the.livejournal.com]

"Is that what people would consider a noble self-sacrifice? To throw away your life and what you can do because of your metaphorical tunnel vision? Don't be stupid, Riku, I think we both know that you're at least marginally smarter than that."

It's probably not encouragement, at least not in the conventional sense. No doubt Xemnas has his own motives and reasons for saying the words, but what they are, he isn't letting on.

"At the very least think of these people you call friends. I expect that would be angry at you, rather than poised to applaud your martyrdom. And... what of the witch? Would you abandon her so easily? I do not think that you would."

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

"I'll do whatever's necessary," Riku says, choosing his words carefully, "To ensure that the safety of my friends is assured."

If that requires giving up his life, he does not consider that a stupid choice. It is the least he can do, after what he has pulled in the past.

But it seems that he'll have to make some alternate arrangements for Namine.

(frozen comment)

[x-marks-the.livejournal.com]

"Then you're a fool." It's said simply, easily. "A statement such as yours is a commitment to a promise that you cannot possibly keep. Circumstances would not allow you to sacrifice yourself all the time.

"For instance, what if you had to choose between your friend Sora and the witch? One or the other, no chance to save both. Who would you murder with your decision? Which one's death would be 'necessary' to save the other?"

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

Anger flashes in Riku's eyes. "I refuse to answer that question," he says, his voice dark and low. "And I refuse to play by your games."

He turns on his heel, ready to leave.

[x-marks-the.livejournal.com]

The anger is met with amusement. "Your refusal to answer is precisely why you will fail, little one. You cannot bring yourself to consider and contemplate choices that you may well face, and thus you will not be prepared to make them.

"What would you do, if you were to lose them both because you hesitated? Two dead when one could have been spared? Two dead, while you still lived? What would that do to you, Riku? How would that make you feel?

"What happens, I wonder, when a heartless loses his drive, especially in this World? Perhaps before long we'll be treated to the answer."

Then there's a swirl of black mist and the only thing that Riku has his back to is air and the room behind him.

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

Riku stands there in silence for a long moment, before making a loud and frustrated noise. He kicks the wall with far too much strength, and then marches off.

Yeah. He's angry.