my heart's a battleground . . .

"Is this really going to work?" Riku asks, staring at the door. He's in civilian clothing, cargo pants and a shirt and some good sneakers. He has his hair tied back for the day.

"It might rebuff us, or put us in different places." But Riku is never really one to dawdle on possibilities. He likes to just move and act. Figuring they have a better chance when they go this way, Riku grabs onto Sora's arm and opens the door, pulling Sora out and then -

They're out of a store, in a really crowded area. It looks nothing like he's every seen before. There's some sort of giant tv on the top of a building, and strange metallic things that move on wheels, and -

Well. They certainly reached somewhere different.

There's music in his ears, even there's no possible way. He doesn't understan this at all.

Every day streets are crowded with people
Every night streets are jammed with these noise
"Things are so strange, are they real or a dream"
Where am I now, trapped in this city of illusion

Riku is never that antagonistic with the Organization - not anymore. He's been far too busy with DiZ lately to act like a jerk, and definately too inclined to avoid the Castle altogether. But that doesn't mean he doesn't revisit sometimes, either to check the library or keep tabs on their actions.

He just doesn't... take a valid part.

Today is different. Maybe it's because of running into Namine in the bar, or maybe it's his frustration at an argument with DiZ last night. Maybe it's his lack of sleep, maybe it's missing his friends, maybe it's something altogether. In any case, he's pretty annoyed, and in need of an outlet.

Right now, he's sitting in the middle of one of the castle corridors, using Way to the Dawn to carve drawings into the castle wall. It doesn't really work that well - all it really achieves is marks and loud scraping noises - but it's entertaining him. That's clearly enough.

This corridor isn't his only victim. Another hallway's got million of papers scattered all over it. They looked important, so now... they can be less important. Something that served for a kitchen ( do they even need to eat? ) has been trashed up, all the good food taken and the rest of it scattered in interesting ways.

This outlet doesn't involve trying to bait anyone. Not at all.

One satisfactory sounding scrape, and a smirk curls at the edge of his lips.

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.

Even the best of fighters get taken off-guard sometimes. No matter how much pride you have in your abilities, and no matter how enemies you have defeated - there will always be the one, two, three or more that can knock you down where you stand.

Riku has spent weeks upon weeks on his feet, hardly stopping for a rest to gather his energy. It should be of no surprise that he was finally overcome. No surprise to anyone else, at least - he is doing a rather good job maligning himself because of this.

Not that he is able to do much else. He's really not in the shape to head somewhere, at the moment - so all he can really do is think about this situation.

He's in an alleyway of The World That Never Was, slumped to the ground and leaning heavily against a wall. This is where he managed to retreat to, after several Nobodies overwhelmed him. He's alone - for now. If he doesn't manage to get out of here, he'll be found soon enough.

But he's bleeding from numerous places, and he's in more pain than he would like. Right now, the most appealing thing seems to be to rest... and he really can't get over this urge.

Riku probably needs some help, here. Too bad he's all alone...