Don't really care if you think I'm strange

[cadenbychoice]

Who: Caden (Riku Replica) and ANYONE
Where: Around the Ordo neighborhood (also near the Library)
What: Dropping off a gift for Riku
When: Midday Thursday March 8th; Your Choice: Before Dropping Gift Off vs. After Dropping Gift Off

---
So he'd got in his head to actually make something for Riku instead of saying 'thank you' straight out. Hardly anything direct was ever said between them; they had an understanding that some people envied and they sometimes rebuked, but it was there nevertheless.

So he'd finished his project early. It wasn't like he had anything else to occupy his time, not really. In some ways, he was living his dream of existing in the same world as the Organization and being able to walk around without recognition. In other ways, it was a downright boring existence and it was only out of respect for Ven that he hadn't thrown his SFC against the nearest wall awhile back, or so he'd like to believe.

So he was getting impulsive again. 11 months, 12 months - close enough. It was a long, long time to him. He didn't know exact numbers, but he was pretty sure this was at least 4-5 times longer than his whole time spent in Castle Oblivion.

So today he was carrying a roughly 2'x4' flat object wrapped in a sheet towards Riku's Ordo residence, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Comments

and no "during" option...? Lame, bro. :\

[limitless_land]

He had just gotten back from his usual patrols, placing his Coat on a chair - he would hang it up where it belonged later, he promised himself - and sinking deep into the couch for a moment. It had been some time since he'd given himself to relax and just... sit in the quiet. For good reason, too.

Yet sensing someone so familiar to him but different approaching? That was something both opposite of the norm and yet acceptable. The door was open after all, since Minnie was outside gardening when he got back. It probably wouldn't be long before he'll end up joining her outside or calling Kairi to see if she was up to training, anyway. He still narrowed his eyes at the door for a moment though. No rest for the formerly wicked, huh.

With a sigh, he got up from the couch and moved toward it. Might as well see what 'little bro' wanted this time.

No during option for anyone but you, mop-for-brains, duh :\

[cadenbychoice]

Leave it to Riku to give him absolutely no time to himself at the front door. He was just shifting the gift in front of him to tug the sheet back into place when the door opened. For a moment, his mouth hung open and empty. Then he pushed the veiled object towards Riku.

"Here."

...

"It's for you."

He both wanted to leave the present just like that and flee instantly, as well as be there to see how Riku reacted to the gift. He wanted approval for the elements he'd personally designed, yet didn't expect it either knowing Riku as well as he did.

There was also the matter of actually telling his 'big bro' that - that it was from Caden personally and that he'd actually spent a great deal of creative energy on this project, a first for him. One step at a time, though.

Whatever will you call me when I get a haircut, emo poster boy. :\

[limitless_land]

Of course not; it's Riku. Anyone was lucky that he so much as gave a brief moment for them to try and knock on the door before he answered, almost like he was almost always waiting there at it. Just like Aqua's dog... Yet he doesn't say anything right away, instead tilting his head slightly at the veiled object that was being pressed towards his person.

Oh, Caden. Why so worried?

Riku quirked and eyebrow at the thinly veiled subtlety, recalling the date. It wasn't very far away from... yeah, was it? Yet he didn't voice the thought, only lifted the veil to see...

...

"Heh." A faint smirk found its way across his lips at the sight, and bro? Don't think you're getting away from a hair ruffle at that. You're still the younger one of the two, after all - and at least it wasn't a noogie.

"You know, I think you might be getting better."

Shaved Mop, naturally :P 1/3

[cadenbychoice]

The ruffle wasn't welcome, but it did hide his initial reaction to Riku's compliment. Not having to explain he made it? Even better.

After drawing away and failing to completely rid the blush from his cheeks, he shoved his hands in his pockets with the sheet looped over one arm. "I finished early."

Or maybe Scissor-shaved Mop 2/3

[cadenbychoice]

Then the smirk came back. "Do you know how hard it is to find a stand-in for that ragged thing?"

Or *maybe* Riku ;) 3/3

[cadenbychoice]

The sass faded a little again as he continued. "You don't need reminded that you wore it, I know that, but I figured you could use reminding that it's off from time to time."

Whatever you say, Mop. Jr. ;) 1/2

[limitless_land]

That is one out of several drawbacks to having Riku call anyone 'bro,' Caden: the hair ruffles would happen whether they are wanted or not. Sometimes it would be noogies instead, yes, but there was a certain gift between them that prevented it from happening in the fist place.

"You did, huh. Early for what?"

Yet the smirk on his face said it better than words could: he knew. It was almost creepy how he knew that all the time, but he'd been keeping track of the date as well as he could since the Replica first arrived here. Just a couple weeks off the twelve months mark, and because of that... well.

2/2

[limitless_land]

"...I might," he partially admitted, not going into the details. There had been a lot of crap he'd gone through, both here in the bubble and in their worlds, but it didn't matter so much anymore. At least, that's what he kept trying to tell himself. The truth, however, was more complicated than that - filled with half-lies and remorse and loss and resolve and why why why did things have to go THAT way?

Yet he still continued on, and to see just an image of what he tossed aside - the last of his self-deceptions - was enough of a reminder of how far they'd all come. It was a shame that what he'd been working on in his spare time wasn't finished just yet.

"Caden...?" he paused, contemplating on how to even say it. One word didn't seem enough, yet it was all he could think of that would be appropriate. "-Thanks."

[cadenbychoice]

In a gesture familiar to Riku himself, Caden tilted his head forward so the bangs kinda shaded and concealed his expression. It wasn't enough to completely hide behind, but it made him feel better.

"That was my line, though. If you hadn't..." What? Basically everything since the Replica arrived, really, and becoming Caden at Riku's encouragement.

"That's nothing," he gave a weak gesture to the art, "compared to what I owe you in return."

People he'd confess that to: population 1, Riku.

/queen of late tags ;n;

[limitless_land]

It was familiar. Far, far too familiar. Yet he said nothing as he stood back and listened, restraining himself from reaching out and ruffling his hair again. Though, being thanked for something that- what he could read between the lines... All of it was something he should have done in their own worlds, not in a place where nothing was guaranteed.

His gaze fell back on the artwork as it was motioned toward, a not-too-small amount of guilt showing in his mostly-hidden eyes. Caden didn't owe him anything; he'd found the strength on his own with just a few pushes here and there.

"Kind of funny, really. How we end up owing people we never expect to," a faint smirk crossed his lips at the last part, a sign that he felt the same way. "Want to come in?"

it's okay >:

[cadenbychoice]

"Sure."

It wasn't until he was stepping over the threshold that he started to wonder exactly what Riku wanted to do. 'Hanging out' was still a foreign concept to Caden, even once he'd started to willingly try it out, rather than shove everyone away.

Lost in his own thoughts, he took that minute to look around for any changes Riku had made to the place since he'd last been there. Sometimes objects could provide more insight to Caden than the people themselves; those skills were still being refined.

BEFORE

[faithqueen]

Gardening was something that Minnie had taken to with enthusiasm - and while it was, for now, small, it was enough. She would of course, eventually add to it of course. For now, it was just a rosebush and a few other flowers,. Nothing to elaborate.

She was just about done with the rosebush when she heard someone approaching. Looking up, she smiled. It seemed they would have a vistor. "Oh, hello."

Re: BEFORE

[cadenbychoice]

Caden looked at the small person with a raised eyebrow. He had this distinct feeling he should recognize that silhouette and just couldn't place it - the cheeriness in her voice too.

"Hi. ... Do I know you?"

Re: BEFORE

[faithqueen]

"Why, I don't think so. My name is Minnie. It's nice to meet you." A small curtsey as she stood, tools neatly beside the rosebush. "Are you looking for someone?"

Re: BEFORE

[cadenbychoice]

"Not so much looking... I know where he lives." Caden gestured up towards the building. When he looked back at her, he looked a little abashed. "Oh... My name is Cadence."

Re: BEFORE

[faithqueen]

"It's a lovely name." She means it. A look at the building then back to the human and a blink. "My, are you looking for Riku, Cadance?"

I swear I tagged this o_O

[cadenbychoice]

"How did you know that?" He took a step back. "Do you... know what I am?" He was starting to get freaked out by this homely-looking friendly person; maybe it was all just a ruse to get him off his guard.

IT'S OK MAN.

[faithqueen]

"Why, he lives in this house and was kind enough to offer me a place to stay. I simply assumed. Oh do forgive me. I did not mean to startle you." And let her have his garden to make her own. Though, there is a small frown at the who I am question and Minnie looks taken back a little before shaking her head. "Why I don't think so. Should I?"

Re: IT'S OK MAN.

[cadenbychoice]

"I guess not, it's just how you act - it's a lot like this guy Sora. Maybe that's why Riku likes you." He couldn't help it - so many people had let him believe they were his friends when that had been the farthest thing from the truth.

Re: IT'S OK MAN.

[faithqueen]

Minnie likes everyone Caden and would never dream of pretending otherwise. "Oh? I can't say that I have ever met him, though I have heard some wonderful things about him."