6th Dawn ✯ Realized phantoms and a lone heart [Video]

[limitless_land]

//UNLOCKED//
[The feed clicks on to show Riku, curled up in his bed and staring out at something, or perhaps someone off camera. He seems composed in the mask and fancy clothes, but underneath that he's as pale as the sheets on the bed he shares with Sora and Kairi.]

I tolerated the crap you gave us all on Halloween, but... this?

[He tenses, as though whatever's off camera just hit a sore spot in his heart.]

...Screw you, Vatheon. Screw. You.

Where's my blindfold when I need it...?

[The feed seems to click off...]

//LOCKED TO TERRA//
...I'm ready to begin. Not sure about you, but I could use the distraction right now.

//LOCKED TO ROXAS AND XION//
I heard about your friend... How are you two holding up?

//LOCKED TO VANITAS//
... Probably would be good to take a break from practicing wielding the darkness until this stupid illusion fades, too. Did Xehanort always pontificate at length back then?

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[Action]

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[And he determinedly plants both his hands on Riku's back and pushes them both towards the door of the apartment, hastening their departure.]

[Action]

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

[And Xehanort's Heartless is just as smug of a bastard he was when alive, and smirks confidently at the two boys. He's now on his "feet," following the two out of the apartment. Since Sora's hand are firmly planted on Riku's back, he can more than likely hear Xehanort's snark.] "Do you truly believe that any sort of notion will allow him to escape my shadow, boy?"

[Riku's fists clench, but other than that he does not show any sign of anger, only resolutely keeps moving forward.]

[Action]

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

Shut up - you're not real.

[Sora doesn't look back, just keeps his hands firm on Riku. he won't let go. If Riku's going through this, he wont go through it alone.]

[Action]

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

"But I am real, within your so-called friend's mind. [A pause] Do you think you can trust him so much as to let him go on his own?"

[...Sora may not know what Xehanort meant by that, but Riku did and it's silently making his blood boil. The fact that Sora isn't making him go through it alone, however, is somewhat comforting. A smirk.]

And yet you're not even able to lay a finger on me. Face it, apparition. You may try and play games with our minds, but you're anything but real.

[Action]

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

Riku. He can go wherever he wants. Sometimes I can't figure out what he's thinking in his mind. But I know his heart.

[Sora's voice is mostly neutral, save for the deep resentment for the phantom that lurks beneath his composure. Sora keeps pushing, keeps moving them down the steps and further down the street. Maybe... maybe if they go to a place where there's a lot of people, they can drown this guy out. Maybe Sora can distract Riku, get his mind off all this.]

[Action]

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

"You say that though you've never stepped foot inside it? Do not be such a naive fool."

[A small Fire suddenly erupts nearby- oh crap, calm down.]

Who's the fool? The one who is the total sap? or an illusion of the one who was destroyed by said sap?

[..."Ansem" doesn't seem to have a retort to this.]

[Action]

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

I don't need to. [Sora knows everything he needs to know. His voice is quiet, but very very steady]

What a hack. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about, huh Riku?

[Action]

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

[Riku merely smiles at Sora, glad his bff is here to help him face the illusions.]

The real him never really did in the first place. Why should a remnant be any different?

[Though would he be as confident, should the phantasm speak of what he's been doing within the forest at night?]

[Action]

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[That prompts a grin as Sora relaxes. Instead he moves up and puts an arm around Riku's shoulder. They're still touching, still sharing the burden, but now they're walking side by side.]

You hungry?

[He'll be there, buddy. Don't sweat it.]

[Action]

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

[Kind of funny with the height differences, but nonetheless... he grins back.]

A bit.

[...Still doesn't stop him from wondering how Sora would react to- No, Xehanort, don't go there- Oh hey, guess who just joined in haunting Riku? That's riiight, it's his mother. And she just punted Xehanort with a Firaga spell. ...At least illusions can effect each other?]

[Just don't mind a few tears falling, man.]