Xehanort has a habit of causing a great deal of trouble for others. But, I don't think any of us have to worry about him anymore. [ ... ] Did he ever tell you why he created you?
[ Oh, and that momentarily has him looking kind of irritated? But, he quickly bites that down and very casually tosses out: ]
Last I saw, he's alive and well. [ hint of a smirk, nonchalant wave of a hand ] Age has never slowed him down, as far as I've seen, anyway.
[ Though, there's something... definitely bristly in his form. Until he's answering that question, at least. His expression is steady. ]
Yes. He needs me to fulfill a goal.
[ He's pushing himself away from the closet with ease, and then slowly making his way over to the window, looking out through it for a moment. After several seconds, he rests his arm against the window, just above his head. With his forehead lightly pressed against the glass. Riku won't be able to see much of his face, but he's continuing. ]
Not that he'll tell me much beyond that. I'm guessing he doesn't see much of a point in explaining things to me, and I never saw much of a reason to ask.
[ Between Xemnas and Ansem, even Riku knows that the guy is tenacious. Or at least from his point in time, they've figured that those two are 'Xehanort's Nobody and Heartless', and that's enough for him to conclude as much. ]
He's like a cockroach and in whatever form he is he tends to like stringing people along, without caring about their wellbeing or what they really want in the end.
[ He's watching Vanitas over at the window, expression calm and contemplative, still ignorant of the dark-haired male's malevolent intentions for their meeting—for even his seemingly innocuous actions. Riku is even considering on seeing if he can convince him to divert from the path of Xehanort's, as fruitless as that's going to be. ]
Either way, even if he created you, I don't think you owe him anything. You could go off and be free or something if you wanted—it'd probably be better than trying to follow whatever crazy plan he won't even bother explaining to you.
[ That has Vanitas' hand (the one of the arm that's above his head) curling into a tight fist, just briefly. A wry smile appears as he lowers that arm, turning to lean a shoulder against the window, gaze intently resting on Riku for a moment. ]
Easy for you to say when you don't know the first thing about me, Riku...
[ He takes a slow breath, the smile shifting into a bitter smirk. Time to try shifting the conversation a little. ]
Even if I did, I don't think it would change what I said a moment ago. Look—
[ Riku falters slightly and shakes his head, feeling a bit of his shame well up. He'd been tricked by Xehanort, and that was what he was going to say, but he decides to focus on Vanitas' other question instead. ]
Sora would believe in helping anyone he could, including you. He'd probably suggest something slightly different than what I did. Not sure if you'd like it either, but leaving someone alone when they need help isn't his style.
[ Sora'd say omething about becoming friends, Riku imagines. It's a complicated feeling, shame and at the same time a swell of fondness rising together in his chest at the thought of his close friend. ]
[ For just a moment - just a fraction of one, even - his expression softens a bit. He narrows his eyes a bit, as soon as the moment passes, something thoughtful appearing in them. ]
So, you "want to help me" [ yep, those sure are air quotes ] because it's something that'd make him happy. You miss your dear friend, so you're wanting to live up to his beliefs - to... feel better about having a friend you clearly look up to...
[ He gives Riku a small smile - it's not a particularly nice one. ]
[ That came out firmly and somehow evenly as his expression tightens, feeling somewhat agitated at the suggestion. ]
You're right in that I miss him. But, I'm not just trying to help you because it'd make him happy.
[ There's a long pause, and though Vanitas has Sora's face, he has a hard time saying the full why, and he wonders if Vanitas is saying such a thing purposefully. Though to what end he hasn't guessed yet.
Still, this has been something he's decided on his own upon hearing about the other's link to Xehanort. Not because of Sora, not because of anyone else, but because of himself and his own experiences. ]
...I'd been at the mercy of Xehanort before and fell for his deception, allowing myself to get drawn in when I shouldn't have. And without someone else to help, I wouldn't be here right now.
That's why I wanted to help—why I said any of that in the first place.
[ He's actually blinking softly at that last bit. When did that even happen...?
Not that he's so stupid to think he is aware of every single thing Xehanort does - has done, but...
... Tch, no matter. That isn't important, right now, he tells himself. In the end, there's no way he'll learn every little thing from this guy in under an hour. Vanitas is giving a quiet hum as he properly turns towards Riku, one hand in the front pocket, the other very casually gesturing to the side as he shifts his stance. ]
So, it's because you think we have something in common, then...?
[ Very casually, very calmly, he's taking a couple steps closer. ]
I think you're only upset because I hit a nerve. And that's even worse, for you...
[ Griiiiiiin~ ]
... because I look like him. [ a pause ] Hey, Riku...
[ By the way, he's moving quickly, now. That knife is out and going right for Riku's gut. ]
[ Something wasn't right, he thinks, as the other comes closer, but he still doesn't (foolishly) think anything of it beyond tensing. ]
...!
[ There were many things Riku didn't anticipate or plan for at all. Which would ultimately be that that Vanitas would literally be trying to kill him. He should've been prepared for things going south—he'd seen the guy get violent earlier on.
He only has himself to blame when he's stabbed, because he took a step back but the reaction was too slow, too late for the knife to miss with Vanitas already in momentum. However, realistically, Riku would try to do something, anything to get away from the other or disarm him.
So don't mind him trying to do the latter, his hand reaching out to try to grab a hold of Vanitas' wrist, anger bubbling up in him at Vanitas' actions and words which seeped like poison into his head. ]
[ He's already moving by the time Riku's grabbing for his wrist; the next place the knife is getting aimed is Riku's chest - the right side, to be exact, in spite of dominant hand. There's a fraction of a second when his expression falters, but...
... Vanitas is giving a wicked grin. ]
Just a friendly word of advice? [ he's really pushing the venom out into his words, here ] That book I read in the library said something about moving around too much being bad for blood loss.
[ Now, he's going to leap back, waving the blade with a smirk. ]
Don't you remember, idiot? She said we're here to play a game.
[ And there were no healing spells either - unfortunately for him, he's jerking back but not quick enough to evade the second stabbing either. His shirt is turning an obvious red now if it wasn't before from the stab to the stomach, and he's just going to be ignoring the pain because he has no other choice. At least adrenaline helps, though it won't do much for long.
This isn't good, he doesn't have any weapons on him...and Vanitas would likely get in the way of his only exit.
Riku considers his options, of which there are a lack thereof. Would he be even able to survive this?
...And if he was at such a disadvantage, that meant he should do everything in his power to injure Vanitas (so if he died it wouldn't be in vain) or escape the room, shouldn't he? Anger grips him tightly like a vice. ]
Falling in line with someone else's twisted goals and desires is all you're ever good for, isn't it?
[ Riku does a mad dash and he is going to try to literally tackle Vanitas to the ground because ... standing around isn't an option. ]
[ Without a need for "playing nice" (as much as it could really, truly have been called that) he's very openly snarling at those words. ]
Shut up!
[ And those words come dangerously close to distracting him; he just barely manages to dodge in time. He's going to follow that up with trying to elbow Riku in the face. Regardless of whether, or not, he manages to connect it, he's quickly moving to try stabbing him again - preferably in the back. ]
[ Now that Riku isn't caught off guard, his recovery is quick, and he's able to step out of the way as well as turn around. He isn't fast enough to outmanuever the stabbing totally, so he just...places one of his hands up so instead of his back or any other part of his body, the knife goes right through his hand. He's decided that maybe...he won't make it out of this, so time to push his body to the limit.
The light-haired male brings his fingers around the knife instantaneously when the knife does go through and pulls his arm back to try to pull the other towards him, even if it hurts. His follow up to that would be his other free hand trying to punch Vanitas in the stomach as he does so if he's successful in this. ]
The truth hurts, doesn't it? But then again, it sounds like you're fine with being used by just anyone, so why're you bothered in the first place?
[ Riku would rather not be saying these kinds of things, but he's angry, and at the same time he's also had practice being the bad guy. Not just when he was younger, either. ]
[ Under any other circumstances, maybe some part of him would actually be impressed by this sheer level of stubbornness. Maybe. Not like he's in the mindset to actually decide that, right now.
No, if anything, he's too angry and determined to see this through to the end. Riku's end - not his own. No, he's going to make it through this, and get that wish. No more of that pain. No endless suffering like every single day has proven to be. It's one life in exchange for putting a stop to all of it. And it's the life of someone he- couldn't care less about! Not the opinions of, the words of... Nothing.
He doesn't care - he can't care.
Just like he can't afford to get caught beyond that punch to his gut, which does have his breath caught. He grits his teeth, smirking widely. He quickly pulls back, grip fiercely tightened on that knife as though it's his lifeline (and, it kind of is, all things considered), and then he moves to kick Riku as hard as he can, aiming to knock him to the floor. ]
Oh, please... [ he's panting softly now ] That's nothing on what every day's felt like.
[ But, does he sound like he expects Riku to give a crap? Not even a little. Because he doesn't expect him to.
Because Riku shouldn't.
And, as soon as he has an opening, he's making his own mad dash... for the door. ]
[ Riku grits his teeth as he falls hard to the floor, and he hears Vanitas' words, which make him wonder exactly what 'every day felt like'. But the thought is dashed because the situation, quite frankly, has already gone so sour so entertaining what-ifs isn't something that he has the luxury of doing.
He'll force himself to head towards the door after getting up, locking it tight.
His breaths are coming out quickly, and he still doesn't know if he's going to make it. But he's sure he won't have Vanitas in his room anymore.
The light-haired male wonders, against his own will if Sora would've been able to convince Vanitas to stop trying to kill him, and for a minute he smiles bitterly. Yeah, he's always been better at him with this kind of thing.
He misses Sora...he misses him so much. Before he realizes what he's doing, he's raising his bloodied hand to the door to write an "S", followed by a "O", and then lastly, his hand just doesn't quite make the "R" good enough, a line going down because his hand is too unsteady. But, he murmurs Sora's name once outloud.
Then, Riku shifts to have his back to what he wrote and begins to clumsily take off his jacket, despite feeling like he's about to slip away into unconsciousness. ]
[ Oh, he figured that door would be getting locked - especially since it's closed and he doesn't hear it open or even see a bloody trail headed out of it? Namely whenever he peeks out of his room after grabbing the gun?
So, that leaves just one option.
He's quickly moving out the window of his room, right on over to Riku's. Quickly as he can manage, he's working to open the other Keyblade wielder's window so he can slip inside. And the first thing out of his mouth is a mocking: ]
Fingerpainting, now? [ okay, time to try remembering what the heck he learned in such a short period of time ] Heh... You thought I'd just leave it at that...
[ It's all said regardless of whether or not Riku's conscious enough to listen. He's walking over, pointing the gun right at Riku's head. ]
Pathetic...
[ But, his expression and tone don't make it clear who he's really talking to, at this point. There's no smirk, no grin... Just something edging towards emptiness now, really. ]
Guess you can die knowing you made this a huge headache for me.
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Does the name Xehanort ring any bells?
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[ Though, at this point in time, Riku doesn't know of Old Man Xehanort. He knows of 'Xehanort' as Ansem the Wise's Apprentice. ]
Did he have something to do with it?
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Vanitas gives a slightly lopsided smirk. ]
Bingo.
[ There's a brief pause. ]
How did you hear the name?
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[ And probably Mickey Mouse too (???) ]
Xehanort has a habit of causing a great deal of trouble for others. But, I don't think any of us have to worry about him anymore. [ ... ] Did he ever tell you why he created you?
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Last I saw, he's alive and well. [ hint of a smirk, nonchalant wave of a hand ] Age has never slowed him down, as far as I've seen, anyway.
[ Though, there's something... definitely bristly in his form. Until he's answering that question, at least. His expression is steady. ]
Yes. He needs me to fulfill a goal.
[ He's pushing himself away from the closet with ease, and then slowly making his way over to the window, looking out through it for a moment. After several seconds, he rests his arm against the window, just above his head. With his forehead lightly pressed against the glass. Riku won't be able to see much of his face, but he's continuing. ]
Not that he'll tell me much beyond that. I'm guessing he doesn't see much of a point in explaining things to me, and I never saw much of a reason to ask.
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He's like a cockroach and in whatever form he is he tends to like stringing people along, without caring about their wellbeing or what they really want in the end.
[ He's watching Vanitas over at the window, expression calm and contemplative, still ignorant of the dark-haired male's malevolent intentions for their meeting—for even his seemingly innocuous actions. Riku is even considering on seeing if he can convince him to divert from the path of Xehanort's, as fruitless as that's going to be. ]
Either way, even if he created you, I don't think you owe him anything. You could go off and be free or something if you wanted—it'd probably be better than trying to follow whatever crazy plan he won't even bother explaining to you.
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Easy for you to say when you don't know the first thing about me, Riku...
[ He takes a slow breath, the smile shifting into a bitter smirk. Time to try shifting the conversation a little. ]
... Is that something Sora would believe in?
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[ Riku falters slightly and shakes his head, feeling a bit of his shame well up. He'd been tricked by Xehanort, and that was what he was going to say, but he decides to focus on Vanitas' other question instead. ]
Sora would believe in helping anyone he could, including you. He'd probably suggest something slightly different than what I did. Not sure if you'd like it either, but leaving someone alone when they need help isn't his style.
[ Sora'd say omething about becoming friends, Riku imagines. It's a complicated feeling, shame and at the same time a swell of fondness rising together in his chest at the thought of his close friend. ]
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So, you "want to help me" [ yep, those sure are air quotes ] because it's something that'd make him happy. You miss your dear friend, so you're wanting to live up to his beliefs - to... feel better about having a friend you clearly look up to...
[ He gives Riku a small smile - it's not a particularly nice one. ]
... Is that it?
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[ That came out firmly and somehow evenly as his expression tightens, feeling somewhat agitated at the suggestion. ]
You're right in that I miss him. But, I'm not just trying to help you because it'd make him happy.
[ There's a long pause, and though Vanitas has Sora's face, he has a hard time saying the full why, and he wonders if Vanitas is saying such a thing purposefully. Though to what end he hasn't guessed yet.
Still, this has been something he's decided on his own upon hearing about the other's link to Xehanort. Not because of Sora, not because of anyone else, but because of himself and his own experiences. ]
...I'd been at the mercy of Xehanort before and fell for his deception, allowing myself to get drawn in when I shouldn't have. And without someone else to help, I wouldn't be here right now.
That's why I wanted to help—why I said any of that in the first place.
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Not that he's so stupid to think he is aware of every single thing Xehanort does - has done, but...
... Tch, no matter. That isn't important, right now, he tells himself. In the end, there's no way he'll learn every little thing from this guy in under an hour. Vanitas is giving a quiet hum as he properly turns towards Riku, one hand in the front pocket, the other very casually gesturing to the side as he shifts his stance. ]
So, it's because you think we have something in common, then...?
[ Very casually, very calmly, he's taking a couple steps closer. ]
I think you're only upset because I hit a nerve. And that's even worse, for you...
[ Griiiiiiin~ ]
... because I look like him. [ a pause ] Hey, Riku...
[ By the way, he's moving quickly, now. That knife is out and going right for Riku's gut. ]
Do I sound like him, too?
no subject
...!
[ There were many things Riku didn't anticipate or plan for at all. Which would ultimately be that that Vanitas would literally be trying to kill him. He should've been prepared for things going south—he'd seen the guy get violent earlier on.
He only has himself to blame when he's stabbed, because he took a step back but the reaction was too slow, too late for the knife to miss with Vanitas already in momentum. However, realistically, Riku would try to do something, anything to get away from the other or disarm him.
So don't mind him trying to do the latter, his hand reaching out to try to grab a hold of Vanitas' wrist, anger bubbling up in him at Vanitas' actions and words which seeped like poison into his head. ]
Stop! Why're you doing this?!
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... Vanitas is giving a wicked grin. ]
Just a friendly word of advice? [ he's really pushing the venom out into his words, here ] That book I read in the library said something about moving around too much being bad for blood loss.
[ Now, he's going to leap back, waving the blade with a smirk. ]
Don't you remember, idiot? She said we're here to play a game.
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This isn't good, he doesn't have any weapons on him...and Vanitas would likely get in the way of his only exit.
Riku considers his options, of which there are a lack thereof. Would he be even able to survive this?
...And if he was at such a disadvantage, that meant he should do everything in his power to injure Vanitas (so if he died it wouldn't be in vain) or escape the room, shouldn't he? Anger grips him tightly like a vice. ]
Falling in line with someone else's twisted goals and desires is all you're ever good for, isn't it?
[ Riku does a mad dash and he is going to try to literally tackle Vanitas to the ground because ... standing around isn't an option. ]
no subject
Shut up!
[ And those words come dangerously close to distracting him; he just barely manages to dodge in time. He's going to follow that up with trying to elbow Riku in the face. Regardless of whether, or not, he manages to connect it, he's quickly moving to try stabbing him again - preferably in the back. ]
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The light-haired male brings his fingers around the knife instantaneously when the knife does go through and pulls his arm back to try to pull the other towards him, even if it hurts. His follow up to that would be his other free hand trying to punch Vanitas in the stomach as he does so if he's successful in this. ]
The truth hurts, doesn't it? But then again, it sounds like you're fine with being used by just anyone, so why're you bothered in the first place?
[ Riku would rather not be saying these kinds of things, but he's angry, and at the same time he's also had practice being the bad guy. Not just when he was younger, either. ]
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No, if anything, he's too angry and determined to see this through to the end. Riku's end - not his own. No, he's going to make it through this, and get that wish. No more of that pain. No endless suffering like every single day has proven to be. It's one life in exchange for putting a stop to all of it. And it's the life of someone he- couldn't care less about! Not the opinions of, the words of... Nothing.
He doesn't care - he can't care.
Just like he can't afford to get caught beyond that punch to his gut, which does have his breath caught. He grits his teeth, smirking widely. He quickly pulls back, grip fiercely tightened on that knife as though it's his lifeline (and, it kind of is, all things considered), and then he moves to kick Riku as hard as he can, aiming to knock him to the floor. ]
Oh, please... [ he's panting softly now ] That's nothing on what every day's felt like.
[ But, does he sound like he expects Riku to give a crap? Not even a little. Because he doesn't expect him to.
Because Riku shouldn't.
And, as soon as he has an opening, he's making his own mad dash... for the door. ]
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He'll force himself to head towards the door after getting up, locking it tight.
His breaths are coming out quickly, and he still doesn't know if he's going to make it. But he's sure he won't have Vanitas in his room anymore.
The light-haired male wonders, against his own will if Sora would've been able to convince Vanitas to stop trying to kill him, and for a minute he smiles bitterly. Yeah, he's always been better at him with this kind of thing.
He misses Sora...he misses him so much. Before he realizes what he's doing, he's raising his bloodied hand to the door to write an "S", followed by a "O", and then lastly, his hand just doesn't quite make the "R" good enough, a line going down because his hand is too unsteady. But, he murmurs Sora's name once outloud.
Then, Riku shifts to have his back to what he wrote and begins to clumsily take off his jacket, despite feeling like he's about to slip away into unconsciousness. ]
no subject
So, that leaves just one option.
He's quickly moving out the window of his room, right on over to Riku's. Quickly as he can manage, he's working to open the other Keyblade wielder's window so he can slip inside. And the first thing out of his mouth is a mocking: ]
Fingerpainting, now? [ okay, time to try remembering what the heck he learned in such a short period of time ] Heh... You thought I'd just leave it at that...
[ It's all said regardless of whether or not Riku's conscious enough to listen. He's walking over, pointing the gun right at Riku's head. ]
Pathetic...
[ But, his expression and tone don't make it clear who he's really talking to, at this point. There's no smirk, no grin... Just something edging towards emptiness now, really. ]
Guess you can die knowing you made this a huge headache for me.
[ That's the last thing he'll be saying to Riku.
Bang. ]