voice testing

[darkercalling]

[Riku's far too used to musespace doing strange things, and with all this talk of tropics, palm trees, beaches... he should have expected this. He didn't, though.

He was seriously just trying to teleport back to his house, having just finished a long day at work for the guild, but no. He's somehow managed to end up in the lobby of a huge, five-star hotel that... well, from the looks of it, seems to be set on a tropical island. In fact, the ocean is in plain view right out the back window.

He sighs heavily, one hand on his hip.]

No point complaining. I wonder how long I'm stuck here...

Comments

[addictum.livejournal.com]

[In the meantime, there is someone trying to figure out why everything is so fucking BRIGHT. He's not saying much, but the way that he's accidentally knocking things over in the lobby does not help. A few vases with flowers... and then he's bouncing off the empty reception desk, holding his forehead.]

What... where...?

[He's dressed in an alternate form of the traditional Organization outfit, leather and zippers and straps, and beneath it is a white and red shirt with a red popped collar and gray vest. So either he just walked out of Timeless River, or...

Well, whatever freaky world he's from, he recognizes that silver hair. Squinting through the bright tropical light, he stares.]

... You again?

[darkercalling]

[The crash of a vase puts Riku on his guard instantly, and he quickly turns to face the noise...

... and tenses. Roxas? Here? And he looks... different. Off. He decides not to take any chances, because this could definitely be trouble. Lots of it.]

Maybe. ... Uniform change?

[addictum.livejournal.com]

[Roxas tries to assume some kind of... ready position. It sort of fails, considering he looks like a mess. But that's what happens when you're kept in a box for a couple of months.]

Very funny.

[He frowns.]

Thought you brought me here. What's going on?

[darkercalling]

I didn't. I don't have that kind of power.

[He takes a few steps closer, trying not to appear threatening, just guarded.]

I think we're stuck here. [Pause] Where were you? Before this.

[addictum.livejournal.com]

[Roxas stands his ground, but his fists clench.]

How else did I get into that— that place? We fought. You won... the second time around. And now look at me.

[He looks pissed, but that's mainly because he's defensive like a scared animal backed into a corner. He'll soften up. Maybe.]

I was right where you left me. After Sora woke up, that man in red was supposed to kill me, but someone stopped him. So he tossed me somewhere underneath the lab like that would be any better. [He nurses his elbow while he talks, having apparently bumped it or scratched it or something.]

[darkercalling]

[Riku frowns in thought. Some of what Roxas is saying makes sense, but the rest of it... he tries to choose his words very carefully.]

Kill you? Why? And how would he? When Sora woke up, you became part of him.

[addictum.livejournal.com]

[He actually sounds somewhat concerned, which catches him off guard. Just a bit.]

Don't be stupid... You can't take two people and make them into one person. That's why he wanted to get rid of me. He said I was a liability!

[darkercalling]

[Riku glares a bit at being called stupid, but otherwise lets it go. This time. He just sighs, rubbing his eyes with one hand.]

You're not the Roxas I know. [It's more like he's muttering to himself, but it's perfectly audible.]

[addictum.livejournal.com]

[He heard it.]

You don't even know me!

[darkercalling]

[TWITCH.]

I think that's what I just said.

[addictum.livejournal.com]

[LOL.]

No, I mean— you know Sora. You're his friend!

[darkercalling]

[Oh gdit.]

I know. I'm trying to explain that we're not from the same... world. Universe. Whatever. The Roxas I know is a Nobody. Not his own person. A part of Sora. [A pause and a Look to let that (hopefully) sink in.] You're not the Roxas I know.

[addictum.livejournal.com]

[As the explanation goes on, his expression goes from frustration to something resembling hurt. It's the sort of hurt you try to hide because you're busy looking tough.

He cycles through a few different arguments before he settles on the one thing he doesn't understand.]

... I thought there was only one world.

[ghostlyair.livejournal.com]

[Her arrival is announced by the noise of sandals flip-flopping out of an elevator. A puzzled Naminé blinks around at the lobby, then herself-- touches her collarbone, looks at her hands-- then spots Riku.]

Riku!

[She sounds relieved, at least.]

Something strange happened, didn't it? I-- [she hesitates at this, unsure of how to communicate it] -- Kairi's gone.

[darkercalling]

[His eyes go wide when he sees her.]

Naminé? You're here too?

[He looks her up and down, as though trying to be sure it's really her, and then shakes his head.]

Tell me what happened.

[ghostlyair.livejournal.com]

I'm... not sure. [She's a little panicky, yeah.] I was-- I mean, we were shopping with Selphie, and then we stepped off the elevator and ended up here.

[She touches her lips, a sign of nervousness.]

I can't feel her anymore.

[darkercalling]

[He narrows his eyes in concern, but fights that off and tries to offer a small, reassuring smile anyway. (Protip: It's not that effective)]

Don't worry. We'll figure out what happened. Are you alright otherwise?

[ghostlyair.livejournal.com]

[Oh, Riku. At least he tried.

She nods, and steps forward to look him over -- he looks like he just washed up on the beach, or something.] I'm fine... but you look different. [She offers a light smile in return.] Have you been in the sun more?

[darkercalling]

[He blinks... looks down at himself, and then smiles a bit.]

Heh. Not really. I guess it's just been a while. [Not like he's seen Kairi lately either, truth be told.]

[ghostlyair.livejournal.com]

Maybe... [She glances at the back window and its view, then to Riku.] How long has it been?

[darkercalling]

Well... [He rubs the back of his head, looking just a smiiidge guilty.] almost three years, I think.

[ghostlyair.livejournal.com]

[Her eyes widen.] Three years? That's... a little awkward. [She smiles, somehow taking said awkward out of the conversation.] I must be dreaming again. That explains this place, and the age difference, and why I can't feel Kairi.

It's a nice dream, though— nothing like what I dreamed before.

[Her smile brightens.]

You look happy.

[darkercalling]

Yeah, I've... been traveling. And working. And then I met Seamus, and...

[He sort of trails off, more interested in what she has to say than what he has to offer.]

A dream, huh? So we're dreaming?

[And at her final comment, he relaxes completely, any trace of guilt or awkwardness gone.]

Yeah. I am. So do you, though. Everything's alright, isn't it?

[ghostlyair.livejournal.com]

Oh? You met someone? [Now she looks curious. Perhaps there's even a streak of redheaded curiosity in there.] Mm, but you don't have to tell me if you don't want to.

[A nod.] Yes, I think so. It feels so... maybe it has some truth to it. Dreams are funny things, aren't they?

Everything is fine. I admit it's a little strange living like this, but it feels right.

[darkercalling]

Just surprised you'd want to hear. [He leans against one of the decorative columns, smiling just thinking about Seamus.] He's blond, about my height. He doesn't talk much, he'd rather just watch people. Strong, smart... [He shrugs.] And to me, he's perfect.

They are. Seems so real until you wake up, doesn't it?