010 ♞ Video

[darkbreak]

[The feed starts not with a face, but instead with a view from up above. It seems like someone's activated their bracelet by accident, and judging from the view it looks like the view from the very top of Heimdall's bank. A nice, beautiful aerial view of the city, showcasing some remaining snow on the roofs of some buildings.

At least it was beautiful until there was a jerk and a very loud sneeze.]

...Forgot how cold this place can get.

[Yup, that's Riku's voice, and when the video feed sweeps over to him, he looks a bit different. For starters, he's being a dumb island boy, dressed only in his vest. Checking in on the city and the damage that was still there was apparently more important than finding jacket.

And now, his hair's cut, bangs trimmed so that his eyes are now visible.]

You know, I thought this place was a dream or some vision before. Something that only happened to me. [He never mentioned it to Sora back home. Not if he wanted to be branded 'nuts' or have his friends fret over him.] I guess coming back here makes that theory useless. It's strange. [And not quite how the worlds work back home.]

Would anyone mind telling me what's been happening here. It's... been a while since I've been here.

...And anyone from our world-- ACHOO!

[He rubs a hand over the edge of his nose, sniffing and looking just a bit sheepish for all the sneezes. The islands don't get as cold as this place, and he's certainly not used to it.]

check in with me. [He needs to make sure all his ducks are in order here.]

Comments

[occulthymns]

[She hesitates, then glances up at him.]

... Do you really think that, or are you trying to cheer me up?

[darkbreak]

...A bit of both.

I don't know him as well as you did, but I know some of his origins and what he was. He was also from my world... [But not his time, and Riku shakes his head at that thought.] ...and something that I learned from home was that not all Darkness is bad. And not everyone who comes from the dark is bad either.

[Another shake of the head.] I think the fact that he didn't atack some of the people I know of right off the bat when we all first arrived may be a testament to that.

[occulthymns]

[Hearing Riku's opinion on the darkness - that it isn't necessarily all bad - is making her tear up again. He wouldn't lie about something so important. It's almost like her own hopes are being validated, though she sorely wishes Vanitas could have heard this, too.

She sniffs and rubs at her eyes.]

Th... thanks. It means a lot to me to hear that.

[darkbreak]

[He smiles gently.] You don't need to thank me. Really. Just don't cry, okay?

[occulthymns]

[She's nodding and rubbing at her eyes some more.]

I can't make any promises.

[darkbreak]

[He slips his hand off of her's and sips his tea.]

Just try. Witches don't cry, right?

[occulthymns]

[That... makes her pause. Because Witches certainly don't, but she's just a halfbreed.

Of course, Riku doesn't know that. Only two people in Asgard knew that, and now she's back down to just one.]

Um... [She fidgets with her fingers a little, looking down at her tea.] Right.

[Remembering that makes a knot form in her stomach, especially when she recalls Vanitas' reaction. He didn't judge her at all, he was nice about it, in his own way.

Euri is quiet for a couple of moments, before glancing suddenly up at Riku.] About that....

[darkbreak]

Hmm? [Huh. What, no boasting this time? What could she possibly say?]

[occulthymns]

I'm not - [No, that doesn't sound right.]

I'm.... [Damnit. Her voice is turning into a tiny squeak as she forces herself to try again.]

... My father is human.

[darkbreak]

[THIS IS NOT THE BOMBSHELL YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

It's a big deal, clearly a big deal to her. But for Riku, it doesn't change anything at all. His smile is kind but almost like he's amused. Oh Euri, you're such a kid.]

And...? Is that all?

[occulthymns]

[Goddamnit Riku stop being amazing stop it right now.]

I - it's a huge deal, okay?! That makes me half human and a halfbreed, which isn't the same thing as a full-blooded Witch at all!

[darkbreak]

[It's just what he does! ♥

He calmly takes another sip. This probably would explain why she's hard on humans in general, but come on, Euri.]

No, it doesn't. But it doesn't change anything about you, or my opinion of you.

[occulthymns]

[With him remaining so calm she's deflating a little. Even if she wants to start yelling there isn't really much she can yell about.

She knows this because Vanitas reacted the same way.]

... You're acting like him.

[darkbreak]

[Congratulations, Euri. You destroyed the calm demeanor.

Because he nearly snorts and chokes on his tea, coughing.]

I what?!

HAHA oh poor Riku

[occulthymns]

[Whoa, she was not expecting that.]

... What?

[darkbreak]

I'm acting like him?

[occulthymns]

[She nods slightly.]

He told me that it didn't matter, too. That I shouldn't let it define me.

[He actually touched in a way that could be construed as comforting it was a big deal.]

[darkbreak]

...

He's right. [Maybe he had changed while he was here. Its a shame they never talked more.]

[occulthymns]

Y... yeah. I know.

[It's still hard to just change her whole viewpoint, though.]

[darkbreak]

Don't focus on what you are. Concentrate on who you are, and what you do.

Human or witch shouldn't matter.

[occulthymns]

[He gets a tiny nod in response.]

Can you keep this between us? I don't want other people knowing.

[darkbreak]

...Sure. But you know, no one's going to think otherwise of you if they know.

[occulthymns]

It'd... just make me feel better.

[darkbreak]

[A slow nod. There are some things from home that even he wouldn't be too happy to be known publicly.]

I understand.

[occulthymns]

[That gets a smile out of her. Not an incredibly happy one, but one nonetheless.]

Thank you.