asgardeventide | ⒈ action & video

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⒈ action & video

[ Here is a young woman walking slowly through the streets of Asgard, noticeably new if only by the concerned look on her face as she glances about, her surroundings obviously unfamiliar to her. But perhaps of greater interest is the armor she wears, though her helmet is off and tucked under one arm, her strange key-shaped sword clutched in her other hand.

She's got a lot on her mind. The first thing she'd noticed is that her armor wasn't responding to her, only to lead very quickly to the realization that her Keyblade was ... inert. It felt dead in her hands, like all the light and all the power had gone out of it.

And as she walks, she notices other senses deadened, too. She cannot feel the Light or the Darkness. The only magic she's been able to produce has been a bit of ice - none of her normal spells, and nothing of her own personal magic, either.

When she finally stops, she stands before the Welcome Hall of Odin, staring up at it with more than a little uncertainty. She shifts her Keyblade into the hand also gripping her helmet, and presses her free hand to her mouth. ]

Restoring this world... and the one from whence I came.

Something about this is not right.

[ With a final sigh, Aqua lowers her arm and moves towards the door of Odin house, letting herself in to find "her" lodgings and perhaps come across anyone who might be able to explain things to her.

When she later does make it to her room, she will use her bracelet to make a video post to the network -- by now, she has managed to take off all of her armor and store it and her Keyblade out of sight, leaving her dressed in her normal clothes. ]

I've been told I can use this bracelet to communicate with all the other travelers in this place. My name is Aqua, and I'll be staying in Odin. Please, if anyone could help me, I'm looking for my friends. Their names are Terra and Ven. It's really important that I find them, so if you've heard anything at all, I'd really appreciate hearing it.

[ A beat, before she continues. ] Is ... it true that each person here is from a different world?

[ She remembers her charge: "do not tell anyone there are other worlds." But it was one of the very first things mentioned in the welcome letter she was given. Perhaps she can find out more about this strange place, what could very well be a nexus of all worlds -- the first thing of its kind that she's ever heard of.

How very strange indeed. ]

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[She can take her time. He'll be patient, finding a spot on the wall to lean against. He really should be sitting, resting a bit more since he's trying to catch up on his sleep again (keyword being trying). But Riku's nerves were working over time on this meeting, and he's too stiff and on edge to relax in a chair.]

[ It takes her some time. She's still finding her way around, after all. And though goodness knows she probably doesn't need it, she still carries her Keyblade with her. She would feel a little bare without it, even if it's not really working correctly.

Anyway, she won't keep him waiting too long. She lets herself into the main entryway of Heimdall, glancing around at this other God House - and looking for Riku, of course.

She's not really sure what to expect. Yes, she already saw him and spoke to him, but the Riku in her mind is still an honest little boy. The idea of seeing him in person is a little strange. ]

[He catches sight of her and isn't quite sure if she's seen him yet, so he gets off the wall and walks out a bit, taking a few steps closer to her. Riku keeps his distance though, a good couple of feet away. She can close it if she wants, but that's about as close as he'll go. Who knows how this encounter will go and how much space she'll really need.

He does, though, try to stand a little taller, shoulders and arms pushed back so he doesn't look hunched. But his hands make their way to his pockets out of habit, and his eyes look pretty tired from the sleepness nights spent looking for Kairi and Sora.]

...Hey.

[ Of course, she notices him then. And she freezes, her eyes going a little wider at the sight of him.

He's so tall. Somehow she hadn't quite understood that over the video - but here in person, his bearing strikes her. The Riku she remembers, the little boy, she saw maybe a few hours ago at most.

And he who stands before her is no child. This is a boy on the very cusp of adulthood. Something about the set of his shoulders reminds her, achingly, of Terra.

If only she could still sense the Light, and the Darkness. She would sense both, deep in his heart, and know.

But she does not, and instead presses a hand to her mouth in deep thought for a moment as she studies him. This is just so bizarre, but there is absolutely no doubt in her mind that this is the same boy. Before, she could feel that he bad been passed the power of the Keyblade... what became of Terra's gift? What became of this boy's life, and the life of his best friend?

Where is Sora, anyway?

Finally, Aqua lowers her hand, and she does cross the distance between them to set a friendly hand on his shoulder, and incline her head with a smile. ]

Relax, Riku. It's okay. [ She drops her hand, but she's still smiling. ] It's nice to actually see you in person. You've really grown up from what I remember.

Edited 2012-03-08 01:44 (UTC)

[Relax just wasn't in his vocabulary today. He tries to ease his shoulders to make him less stiff but her touch didn't help. It took a lot not to flinch away, or to try and shrug it off or anything. Instead, he swallows a hard lump that formed in his throat and just watches her and takes in all her movements, all of her reactions.

It takes him back. The memories are fuzzy and vague now, but he remembers meeting the two of them, Terra and Aqua, and they both gave him endearing pats on the head.

But he's not a fan of this. While he was opening himself up to being observed to her, the attention she gives him does nothing for his anxiety. Maybe once before he would have liked the attention, but now it just feels oddly placed. There are others that are better suited for something like this, like Sora.

Still, Riku smiles back, a small one though.]

Sorry. But it's good to see you too. I guess maybe it hasn't been too long for you, but it has been a long while.

About ... how long would you say it's been?

[ She can't help her curiosity. He must have been what, maybe 6? ]

[He had to stop and think about that. She hadn't asked that last she was here, and he knows it's been a while. But how long exactly... he lost track of the years as he grew.]

I guess somewhere around ten.

Ten...

[ She presses her free hand to her mouth again, then looks down at the Keyblade still in her grip. After a moment's quiet reflection, she looks back up at him. ]

Riku, if you're ready, I think you and I should talk about what happened during those ten years. But please, only if you're ready. It doesn't have to be right now.

[He bows his head, hiding his eyes again, darting to look briefly at her Keyblade too (how did she still have hers?), and subtly shifts his weight from foot to foot. Terra had offered his the same thing, and really, the past ten years weren't too bad.

It's just been the last two and a half that have been the most difficult. How in the world is he supposed to tell anyone how he nearly destroyed everything?

His tone's pretty neutral when he looks back up at her. There's no hint of nervousness or fear in it.]

Sure, but... I'd like it to be later.

[Maybe one day he'll get the courage. Maybe one day he'll be strong enough to tell the tale.]

[ She's a little disappointed, but keeps it hidden. After all, his comfort is much more important than her curiosity. ]

Alright. I understand.

[ Aqua takes half a step back, then indicates the door out of the house with a nod of her head. ]

You mind showing me around?

[He bows his head a little, sort of in an apology. Maybe one day. Just wait, Aqua.]

Sure, I don't mind at all. Anything in particular you think you'd want to see first?

I guess that depends on what's here. What do you think is most important to start with, Riku?

[His recommendations? He needs to stop and think about that.]

Well... in a new place like this, hitting the library would be a good idea, but it doesn't provide much information about the city.

other than that, just anywhere. probably would help to get to know what's in your district too.

A library ... which district is it in? I can check it out on my own later. As for my own district, do you know anything of note in Odin?

It is in Odin, actually. I haven't spent too much time around the district other than that. Each place sort of has their own landmark; Sigyn's got a hospital and Thor has an arena.

Other than that, you kind of just need to explore yourself. There's plenty of stores and some restaurants and stuff around.

Oh! [ She pauses, surprised, and then laughs. ] If what I've heard about Odin is true, then that makes a lot of sense. But a hospital is important; would you mind taking me there, so I know the way?

Yeah. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a ton of bookstores in Odin.

Sure. It's a couple of districts, so it'll be a bit of a walk. [He nods to the door and starts making his way out, hoping she'll come too.]

[ She does, shouldering her Keyblade as they head back out the door and onto the streets of the city. ]

Thank you, Riku. I appreciate having a guide. I get the sense this world is much larger than what I've been used to, especially if more lies outside the city itself.

[He keeps his eyes forward as they walk, but he narrows them, voicing too dropping any sort of light tone.]

Yeah, well... Don't expect much of an opportunity to look outside the walls. They're impossible to pass.

Edited 2012-03-30 00:40 (UTC)

... that's too bad. [ She looks at him sidelong, noting the change in his tone. ] Has it been explained why?

[He just shakes his head, gaze still forward.]

You're going to find a lot of things aren't explained here, in simple terms or at all.

... it's troubling. [ Raises her free hand to her mouth. ] The more I hear, the more concerned I get about the state of this world. Something just ... doesn't seem right. There's too many secrets. I feel certain that if I could sense it, I would sense a lot of darkness in this place.

[That gets the hair on the back of his neck to stand on end. If his sense of smell wasn't dulled by the magic here, he probably could smell it too. But the knowledge that she has a similar ability makes him more nervous. What if she could see what was in his heart?

He nods stiffly in agreement.]

It was a lot worse when I arrived. The colours, the sounds everything. It was a black and white world, so it's gotten a little better... but something caused this.

[ If she knew, Riku.

If only she knew. ]

Something... or someone. [ Shakes her head, lowering her hand. ] We all have to be on our guard. This place might not be safe for anyone in it. Not even the real residents.

[Indeed. He ain't so pure and light now, unfortunately.]

They don't seem fazed by events here. At least not when a dragon and a bunch of ice fairies attacked.

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