tunein | 02 ❥

[Riku's sitting in his usual spot, on the tree on their play island. Nothing has changed here -- and yet at the same time, everything has changed. It's seems so much brighter here than he remembers, after spending so long in the realm of darkness. He's happy to sit here for hours on end, taking in the familiar old sights and sounds he'd once taken for granted.

What do, Kairi?]

[It doesn't take long to spot him- the island's not that big, really, no matter what she was doing before. For a second, she doesn't move, but not for long.

She slowly makes her way over, walking over to the paopu tree quietly and leaning against it, arms on top of the other, watching the sea. It's unlikely her appearence would surprise him, so she says nothing to announce herself; happy to join him with watching the world go by. Companionship. Where silence says more than a greeting.

After a moment, though, she does speak up.] You always used to be here.

[Riku doesn't mind the silence. He prefers it to pointless talk for the sake of talking. Just being here together is enough.]

Yeah. [He tilts his head slightly, not quite looking at her.] I would stare at the horizon for hours, always thinking about other worlds. Now though, I don't need to daydream. I've seen them for myself.

Always so determined... but we were happy to go with you. [She smiles, finally adverting her gaze from the sea to look at him.] And the view here is still the same as ever, right?

It hasn't changed a bit. [He looks at Kairi.] Must've seemed quiet here, without Sora around to mouth off and cause trouble, huh?

[Kairi nods.] Very. Too quiet, even... [She looks contemplative, again looking out to the horizon.] For a little while, I didn't come here at all... though I think that was Naminé's influence.

Naminé?

[Riku's gaze becomes sharp. How much did Kairi know about her Nobody? Not a lot, he'd always assumed.]

[Kairi nods.] Everyone's memories. Everyone forgot about Sora.

[Or XIII, if you prefer.]

[It's mid-morning, and Leanne's busy cooking. Vashyron's out on some job, so she's just cooking for herself and Zephyr. Not that she's seen him, not yet; she's just hoping that he's not having one of his bad days. Even if he is, she'll still leave some food out for you.]

[Zephyr's just being lazy, which partly makes a change and partly equals no change at all. Probably beause Vash got a job and he can't go, which never puts him in the best of miinds. He wants to go, dammit.

Still, the smell of food encourages him out of his room, if only for the fact Leanne would come and get him as soon as it's done, anyway. He jumps down from the hatch in the roof from the patio, landing silently and walking over.]

What's for lunch?

[Leanne jumps; fortunately it doesn't send the food with her.] Zephyr! What I have told you about sneaking up on me like that!

[She sighs, and indicates the frying pan.] Breakfast, actually. I got up a little late myself.

[Yeah, yeah, that's partly why he does it. He just shrugs. No harm, right?

At the latter, he just smirks, though almost a smile.] The princess have a lie in, huh? Went to bed early and rose late?

[Ha ha, very funny. Have a swat for that one.] I was doing some reading. It was really late before I went to sleep.

[His attitude changes a bit at that. He frowns.] You shouldn't do that. What if we had a job and you weren't your best? Dead weight only leads to one thing; your own.

[A small, slight sigh. She knows he's only worried about her, n his way, so she doesn't shout back. Instead, she says qietly, but firmly,] That's why I don't do it every night. [She returns to the frying pan.] And we already both knew Vashyron had a solo job. Didn't we?

[BAM.

Bitty, being a bitty, was not looking where she was going and just ran into you and fell over. You might just recognise the bitty, too, Riku...]

[Riku feels someone very small bump into him, and glances down to see the little girl. His eyes widen in concern.]

Oh, careful there -- are you hurt?

[Immediately he crouches down to help her back to her feet. He hasn't had a good look at her face yet, but she does seem familiar.]

[At first, the falling over comes as a shock. It's only a moment later than she realises what's happened, coupled with the stinging, and she sniffs; it's kind of a knee-jerk reaction for her to start crying, but she knows she shouldn't. She has to be a big girl. Especially as this is a stranger...]

Uh uh... [Sniffing doesn't stop, though. She rubs her eyes, which are still mostly dry, before being helped back to her feet.] ... N-No...

[Riku's eyes widen when she gets to her feet and he gets a better look at her face. It couldn't be... Could it? He doesn't ask yet, though, focusing instead on being reassuring.]

Hey, don't be upset. It's okay.

[She nods, though sniffs again.] I'm sorry... I shouldn't have run into you...

[Riku smiles and ruffles her hair.]

Accidents happen. I wasn't exactly paying attention myself. [He looks around.] Are your parents around here?

[She closes her eyes as he ruffles her hair, inwardly flinching, not entirely sure what to expect. It isn't that bad, though, so she giggles a little.] Thank you.

[At the latter, she shakes her head.] I haven't seen grandma for a while...

[Kairi had a grandma? News to him. But it has to be Kairi, she looks too much like how Riku remembers her as a child, right down to the same necklace she's always worn.]

Hmm, then you'd better stick with me until we find her. [He stands, and straightens to his full height.] I'm Riku.

[She nods, though seems relieved.] Really? Thank you, Riku! [She smiles, reminiscent of her smile when she was older.] My name's... my name's Kairi.

[Just like he'd guessed. It is Kairi. How she's younger he has no idea, and asking questions would only confuse her, so he's holding off.]

Nice to meet you, Kairi. Actually... we've already met, but you wouldn't remember it.

Nice to meet you too!

We did? [She tilts her head, thinking.] You're right, I don't remember...

[Riku Riku Riku Riku Riku Riku Riku Riku Riku Riku Riku Riku

No, really. Where are you, bro? Sora's currently walking around their island, seraching for him. Whilst Kairi can find him in a heartbeat, apparantly Sora's not that tuned in and can't spot him, even with shouting loud enough so they can probably still hear him on the mainland.

He's just ducking out of the Secret Place now. Better hurry before he deafens the surrounding area again.]

Hey, Sora! You have eyes, don't you?

[The very smug voice comes from somewhere above. Riku's been sitting outside the treehouse the whole time, watching Sora wander back and forth on the ground trying to find him. Leaving Sora hanging was too entertaining to pass up.]

Huh? [Apparantly not. DISEMBODIED RIKU VOICE, WHERE ART THOU?

Fortunately, he catches a glimpse of Riku whilst spinning around on the spot, and promptly frowns, followed by clambering adeptly up to where Riku is.] You could have said something!

I just did.

[Trollface. Teasing Sora will never not be fun. He moves over to make room for Sora to sit down.]

Hope you didn't yell like that on every world you visited. You would've driven people nuts.

You know that's not what I mean. [Hmph grump grump grump. As for the latter, he splutters.]

No! I talked to people normally! [He has an indoor voice, okay!]

"Normally"? [A disbelieving snort.] Your idea of normal and their idea of normal are probably very different things.

They were the same! I mean, are the same! [He sits down next to Riku and folds his arms defiantly.] Really, Donald was usually louder than me!

[~~Busty babes~~ Anybody may inquire within]

02 ❥

Kairi | Kingdom Hearts

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Serah Farron | Final Fantasy XIII-2

Zephyr | Resonance of Fate

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Riku | Kingdom Hearts

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bitty!Kairi | Kingdom Hearts

Paddra Nsu-Yeul | Final Fantasy XIII-2

Issun | Okami