vatheon | (no subject)

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.

[ 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?

[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.

I have a lot on my mind. It helps to figure it out this way sometimes. [ He doesn't bother hiding it from her considering. It'd be difficult not to. ] But I don't think it's working.

I know talking helped me think about it less, do you want to talk about it?

That might not help either. [ A pause, biting at his lip. ] It's just... I'm confused. Sora hasn't been himself lately.

Sora? He seemed fine when I talked to him last, what's wrong? Did you guys get into a fight?

[Now she's worrying a little bit.]

Not really. [ Since it's more of a misunderstanding than a fight. Riku looks at her through his bangs. ] Well, I guess we did. I've been avoiding him, Namine. And I think he's been doing the same with me.

Riku...

[She wasn't quite sure what to say, it's not like she's ever had to deal with friends fighting.]

Why? You two never argue, and when you do you always make up. I don't think avoiding him is going to fix anything.

I know. I'll work it out. [ Maybe. But he's stubborn, doesn't really want to think about that right now. Even if it's the only reason he came here.

Riku stares at the ground, then back up at Namine. She looks pretty in the sunlight, and it really is nice seeing her around more. He shifts his stance a bit, tapping the stick lightly against the side of his leg before he gets an idea. ] Do you want to give this a try?

Huh?

[She looks at the stick with a confused look, putting her hands behind her back. Finally understanding what he meant, she gave him an unsure smile.]

I'm not sure how good I'll be at it, but I've always been curious. Even if it's a stick.