(no subject)

[overashadow]

Who: riku & anyone
When: after v-day, probably today
Where: up on the island
What: stuff. anyone up for some sparring with a frustrated teenager?
Style: any
Status: OPEN



[ Somehow, he'd managed to avoid the last week and a half without much of an incident. No curses, no absurd holiday excursions or exchanged gifts. No candy, no anyone. It'd been exceedingly difficult to avoid Sora considering they were living together, but he'd been polite about it. Right? He'd leave before seeing him in the morning, come back when he'd been sure not to run into him.

His behavior, he admits, is rather peculiar, but he's doing it for a reason. Because he doesn't want it to be awkward anymore. He needs his best friend back; not his best friend with ideas. The last couple of days would have only cemented them, though he's sure it'll come to a point some time soon. He disliked confrontation with Sora, but he knew he couldn't escape it forever.

The island helps though. Home away from home.

Riku's taken advantage of the fairly warm weather--still not warm enough for what he's used to, but it's better than snow. Having found a niche somewhere between a couple trees, it's almost like his old sparring place. Not quite, since the sand is rough and it's not completely void of some vegetation. But it works. Usually. Between leaning back and watching the water or running through some random warm-ups, it's okay.

This time, he's building up a sweat. Having discarded his jacket, the stick he'd found is a strange substitute for the keyblade he could manifest, but he doesn't want to destroy the thing. So, he quietly advances around his invisible opponent, footwork a bit stiff. He could have asked anyone - Sora, maybe, even Roxas - but he's used to doing this alone, likes the company of nothing when he's feeling worked up. He strikes the tree once and stops, glaring at it.

Riku sighs. It didn't seem to be helping today. ]

Comments

[coolerthansora]

[Admittedly Roxas's own mood took a dip during that dream curse, but in contrast to Riku, the recent holiday has lifted it considerably. It's affirmed something for him, that it's not one-sided, that he's not just the best friend with ideas.

He's come up to the island today not because he needs to work out any frustration, but because for once he has more positive energy than he knows what to do with. He hears the sound of someone practicing from the beach, and moves towards it curiously, stepping through the trees. Maybe it's someone he knows--

Oh. Well. He was hoping more for a friend, but he doesn't immediately turn to go.]

[overashadow]

[ His grip on the faux weapon in hand tightens a bit, lost in some particular thought, and it takes more time than it should to notice Roxas. When he does, that loose expression thins into something a little harder. Despite having gotten better with the other boy being around, it's not entirely good.

Riku still has some things to work through, a lot of things, and he turns his head, wiping at the slight sweat tickling his cheek. ]

What are you doing here? [ It's not harsh or demanding. Simply quiet and inquisitive. ]

[coolerthansora]

[Roxas shrugs and answers simply, his tone not particularly friendly but not antagonistic either.]

I felt like being up here.

Is the tree putting up a good fight?

[overashadow]

[ He gives him a look, staring down at the stick before tossing it to the ground at his feet. Honestly, it isn't helping, and Roxas isn't exactly the person he wants to see right now either. ]

No. [ A pause, pushing some of his bangs out of his eyes. ] Are you offering to be its replacement?

[runbysmiles]

[ Sora was in a word frustrated. Actually there were several words that would need to be used to explain how Sora was feeling but above everything he was tired of feeling like his best friend wasn't his own anymore. Riku hadn't had it that hard in avoiding Sora as he was doing his best to do the same.

The talk they'd had hadn't helped things and Sora still wasn't sure what to do with these new ideas rolling around in his head. The past week and Valentines day hadn't helped at all, but he was sure of one thing. He wanted Riku back. He didn't care if they were dating or if their relationship ever moved forward in a way other than friendship. Sora hadn't even thought about it until Roxas had asked the question and it had seemed to cause more harm than good. Sora just wanted to know that Riku was his best friend still and that was it.

The two avoiding each other hadn't helped in that feeling of distance either. Sora was worried Riku didn't want to be around him because of what Sora had said, but he was even more worried that if that was the case and he realized that he did like Riku as something more than a friend that pushing the point would only push Riku farther away from him.

It was stupid.

Nearly two years fighting Heartless and Nobodies, being separated by Riku's desire for power and the darkness, coming back out of it and ending up here and it was something like this that felt as if it were driving them apart? There was nothing okay about it and Sora hated it more than anything, yet he couldn't bring himself to speak to Riku about it again.

He needed to get the frustration out and that's why he headed up to the island. With the weather turning warmer it could give Sora a chance to work out his frustration as if he were back home. It wasn't quite the same thing, but it would do.

Sora walked around for a bit before he found a stick of his own. He didn't really want to bring out the keyblade for this. No sense in hurting the trees anymore than he was going to.

Maybe it was just that their hearts were so closely connected, but Sora found himself in the same clearing that Riku was in. He stopped just inside the ring of trees and stared at his best friend, who by the look of sweat on his back, had had the same idea as he had.

Why did it hurt to look at him like this? Sora felt his heart ache and he looked away, but he didn't say anything nor did he run. ]

[overashadow]

[ It's funny how, no matter how long they go without seeing or speaking to each other, they always seem to come right back together. Drawn in, one sky and one destiny. Riku is mid-strike against some made-up opponent when that flash of color and hair out of the corner of his eye catches him off guard. He stumbles, dropping the stick and catching himself against the trunk of the tree with an open palm.

He feels the skin tear but says nothing. Riku does nothing; he doesn't even wince. Instead, as he catches his breath, he glances at him once before looking away--as though something a bit more interesting has caught his attention. ]

Hey. Sora.

[runbysmiles]

[ Sora looks back over when Riku stumbles. Instantly concern is on his face, but then Riku's looking at him and looking away again.

Why did he feel as if he'd done something wrong? ]

Hey, Riku.

[ Sora looked pointedly down at his shoes as if they were suddenly very interesting.

This really was stupid. Here they were best friends and they couldn't even talk all because of a stupid idea. What would Donald and Goofy say if they saw the two like this? Heh...actually Sora had a pretty good idea. "Ahyuk, come on Sora don't let this get ya down. Aw gorsh, I bet you and Riku just need to have a good talk." "Hyahaha, Goofy's right Sowa! Just talk ta him."

Sora laughed a little. Yeah that's exactly what they'd say. ]

Riku? We need to talk.

[overashadow]

[ It's a first. Granted, Sora has always been capable of surprising him, and it's still true. Riku just isn't sure that's what he wants to do right now. Talk. Talk with Sora about why their friendship is suffering, why they can't be in the same room together without it becoming awkward.

He offers him a slight shrug, looking down at the cuts in his hand before rubbing it along his pants. It stings, but it's a good reminder that he can still feel, that he isn't so invincible like he'd once thought. ]

We are talking. [ He points to the stick Sora holds. ] But it doesn't look like that's what you came here for.

[ Walking closer, he tries for a slight smile. Something to put him at ease despite the fact he feels vaguely nauseous. ] How about it?

[ugly_soldier_dude]

[To say Zack was in a bad mood would be an exaggeration. It's very hard for him to be in such a state. But the weird dream had left him a bit quieter and more contemplative than normal. That very mood is what's gotten him up on the island, letting his feet take him wherever they so chose.

The sound of wood on wood draws his attention. Curious, he meanders over towards where Riku is, and finds the younger man sparring. He watches his moves, the concentration (and maybe frustration?) on his face. It's eerie how much the scene reminds him of himself, back years ago, when he was doing his damnedest to become SOLDIER 1st class.

It's nostalgic... and a little heartbreaking.]

Your stance is a little stiff.

[overashadow]

[ Incidentally, the start of Zack's voice is enough to have the stick slip and smack harder into the tree than he intends. There's a sharp crack as it breaks, and Riku's expression drops as the pieces fall into the sand. So much for that, he thinks, turning to look at the man. The aggravation he feels is minor compared to how annoyed he is about being coached on his footwork. ]

I know. [ It might have been better had he not been trying to keep himself from actually laying into the innocent tree. He bends to retrieve his (now broken) makeshift weapon. ] But I wasn't really thinking about that.

[ugly_soldier_dude]

What's on your mind, then?

[He leans against a tree and crosses his arms, staring at the kid intently.]

[overashadow]

Something you might not understand. [ He gives a shrug, gripping the pieces of the stick. ] Do you know someone named Sora?

[ Honestly, he'd be surprised if he didn't. Everyone knew Sora, but... It's habit to ask anyway. To make sure. ]

[cursedempath]

[Hisoka just needed some air after being confined in the bubble for so long. That and he needed to get away from Tatsumi and Tsuzuki's appartment. When he is there he feels as though he's treading on thin ice, able to see and touch but not have.

As he walked along on the island, he heard the sounds of movement and headed that way. He wondered what it could be and soon he saw a young man with silver hair moving with what appears to be years of practice.

The young shinigami wished to everything that he had a sword to practice with. Maybe this way they'd both get their frustrations out. He had once heard vaguely that one way of warriors expressing their emotions was through their choice of fighting. It was better then having to pry into his thoughts and emotions without permission.]

Hey. Do you have a spare sword?

[overashadow]

[ Riku lands a hard hit to the same exact spot he'd been focused on for the last several minutes and draws back at the rather unexpected question. He had assumed he'd be alone up here, but the weather, admittedly, is better than it has been. It's to be expected, right? Stepping back, he focuses on catching his breath before looking up at the other boy to acknowledge him.

He doesn't recognize him, but given how big Vatheon is, it's probably not unusual. Riku tilts his head, mouth thinning as he holds up the thing in his hand. ]

It's just a stick. You might be able to find another one over there. [ A gesture behind him toward a patch of tall grass, and he pauses. ] Do you fight?

[cursedempath]

[Going over to where was motioned, Hisoka did find a couple. He picked them each up, trying to find a balance he was good with before finally settling on one. He got the feel of its weight as he swung and spun it around a little.

Taking the makeshift weapon in one hand, he lowered his arm.] I've been trained in some sword techniques yes. [Of course he wasn't going to tell how much...]

[overashadow]

[ He watches him without saying anything, grip tightening at the base of the stick. Honestly, he wishes he could summon his keyblade and fell the tree with one good hard strike to the base. It's not as if it'd actually make him feel better, but a stick can only do so much against the thoughts building in his head. ]

You want to give it a try then? By the way-- [ He shakes his arm, forcing his muscles loose. ] I'm Riku.

[chainedpromises]

[Namine had been very unproductive ever since that odd Valentines dinner. She was itching to draw something new, but nothing came to mind, just cluttered thoughts that needed to be cleaned out.

So that's why she came up to the island! Nothing could possibly go wrong up here, plus fresh air is what she needed. As she looked around, she saw a familiar gleam of silver. Walking up, Namine glanced at the tree that had just gone through abuse.]

I didn't think you had a vendetta against trees, Riku.

[overashadow]

[ His breathing is a little rough when he finally stops, turning to look at her through the fall of his bangs. Riku isn't sure what it is about Namine, but he's suddenly a lot calmer despite having attacked the tree for quite some time. He wipes at his face with the back of his hand. ]

It's for practice. I'm not hurting it. [ Which is why it's just the stick and not his keyblade. There's a bit of silence, and then: ] ...are you doing okay?

[chainedpromises]

[She gave him a small smile before looking down at the ground with a shrug.]

I've been better, but I'm fine. What about you? I know you don't usually go off practicing with that much anger.

[halfhearted]

[Riku, that's a stick :|

Pay no attention to that feeling of someone watching, it's probably just the imagination playing tricks.

If he needed a target than Vanitas really had no issues with helping.

Have a couple of Floods spawning close by. They want to play a game of tag!]

[overashadow]

[ Their presence is something he notices right away. As if he could ignore it anyway, and he immediately drops the stick, keyblade in hand where it'd been. Riku watches them carefully, not up for this sort of game.

He has an idea who might be behind this, but it's not entirely concrete. Teeth grit. ]

Show yourself!

[halfhearted]

What's the matter, Riku? Don't feel like playing?

[He did his best to sound just like Sora for the first question. Laughing as he spawned a couple of Bruisers.]

They make for a better target than your imaginary friend.

[He doesn't feel like showing himself yet. Isn't it typical to fight the underlings before getting their boss?]

[demonicbookworm]

<sub>[He didn't exactly need to go to the island, but today it felt like a good idea.

Ruca was just wandering around, not particularly caring where he was going. Then suddenly he noticed a person from afar. Quietly, he came a bit closer to see who it was and what was they doing.]</sub>

[overashadow]

[ By the time Ruca is close enough to actually see anything, Riku has pulled himself away for a slight break. Attacking the tree really isn't helping, and he frowns at it, stick lowered at his side and his other hand resting against the trunk of it.

The slightest sound alerts him though, and Riku turns, only acknowledging the other boy with a slight tilt of his head. He doesn't say anything just yet. ]

[demonicbookworm]

<sub>[Ah. He's been noticed.

For a second, Ruca feels a little like hiding, then he smiles awkwardly. He wasn't trying to sneak up or anything, so why did he think of something like that?

He walks up a bit closer.]</sub>

H-hey...