1 [video]

[goshdarnbatku]

[All that's visible for the moment is a belly button and an unbuttoned shirt and the top of a pair of jeans; the video feed starts rather abruptly as he's clearly set it off accidentally because no one in their right mind would want to make a first impression with their navel. He's talking to himself though, thinking out loud more than anything.]

-where do I even start to look? I don't even know what kind of world this place is.

[The stomach moves in time to the sound of a resigned sigh, before the world shifts. Or rather the camera does, as the device moves and the owner of the voice and the midriff comes into focus; it's a boy, around sixteen or seventeen, with bright aquamarine eyes and silver hair framing his face. He's frowning as he concentrates on the device.]

How does this thing wor-

[And then he appears to realise that it is apparently working extremely well, and without his knowledge, as his eyes widen and he looks momentarily surprised before he schools his expression back into something a little more calm, but with perhaps an air of sheepishness.]

I guess it works better than I though. Uh... hi.

[He pauses, as though put on the spot suddenly having to address a strange device with no forethought.]

I don't really know what this thing is, but it looks like it's recording. Maybe it's a video diary or something? I don't get it.

[He looks up and around, looking for someone in the area who could maybe explain better but seems to be dissatisfied as he looks back at the camera a few seconds later.]

If anyone's watching this, I'm by a carousel. My name's Riku, and I could really use a clue about where I am right now. I guess that's all, thanks.

Comments

1/???

[skylight]

[skylight]

[ He knows that voice; of course he knows it...and coming from his device which he basically knocks off the table and has to go scrambling after, noticing in his flailing that the device is actually on video.

--true to form, he fumbles with it and accidentally turns it off. ]

[skylight]

[ And back on -- ]

Ri--

[skylight]

--iku?

[ here exists a garbled mishmash of NOT-WORDS because look buddy it's been a WHILE....

full of stops and starts like 'it's really---' and 'am i awake--' and a couple 'ow' utterances as he checks the second. ]

[skylight]

[ he shakes the device on his end, fortunately not on video yet so no seasickness for you yet Riku, just static... ]

[skylight]

[ still there. huh.

good. very good.

.........








but wait. ]

SORRY FOR ALL THE EDITS 8( bad alignment on my part

[skylight]

You cut your hair!

[ NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, SORA, BUT... ]

Or did Kairi do it?

[ PAUSE. ]

How is Kairi?

How're you?

[ 8( stop himmm no rly though almost done sob... ]

DONE SORRY YOUR INBOX ;3;

[skylight]

Hi.

[ u_u which is generally how he should have started. ]

Hey don't move, okay?! I'm on my way.

lmao, it is a happier, sunnier place now. And now it is time for revenge: 1/?

[goshdarnbatku]

[Oh look, a response.

A very familiar voice in response. And a very familiar face to go with it.]

So-

[goshdarnbatku]

[Suddenly static.]

-ra.

[goshdarnbatku]

[...Oh geez did he break it already? He didn't even do anything to it!]

[Tap tap tap. Is this going to help get the picture back?]

[goshdarnbatku]

[...no but apparently that was the volume button.

So when Sora returns in glorious technicolor gabbing a mile a minute, it is a considerably louder Sora than usual and Riku jumps visibly and fumbles with a way to turn the volume down before he wakes the dead.]

And we're done

[goshdarnbatku]

[Okay. Composure]

Hi yourself. So this is where you went running off to, huh?

1/3 COMBOS FOREVER or at least sort of...

[skylight]

[ SOUND OF FEET POUNDING IN A DEAD ALIVE RUN :3 and then not exactly a screech but a halting drag just the same... ]

--run off to? What? No way. You were...oh.

[skylight]

[ of course; it's been ages. Sora doesn't even think it makes sense himself to have expected him to remember. there's a pause as he catches his breath then starts running again. sometimes he thinks he's stuck at one speed when he walks or runs. honestly. ]

I mean. I didn't come here on purpose. But...

:>

[skylight]

But seriously, what's with the hair?

[ Smooth Sora, really smooth... ]

[goshdarnbatku]

Are you kidding? Pretending you don't remember what happened doesn't mean I'm taking back what I said about not letting you near my hair with a pair of scissors again. Nice try, but no.

1/2

[skylight]

[ Another pause but just as Sora's going to reply he notices Riku as reported: near the carousel and decides instead to... ]

[skylight]

[ ATTACK.

Which is to say Riku may find himself bowled over by his spiky haired best friend, well 1/2 anyway. Not that Kairi's hair is spiky. ]

RIKU!

[ He could be saying 'WAFFLES' for all anyone else cares, but to Sora, it's significant. He hasn't seen him in forever and just the other day when peoples' hearts had manifested, he'd more keenly felt that absence. Vacancies so singular no one else could fill them. If he's enthusiastic, well that's Sora down to the bone, and if he's OVER enthusiastic well...

...so is that actually. ]

1/2

[goshdarnbatku]

Whoa!

[Well clearly Riku's early warning radar could do with some more work because Sora not only manages to get the drop on him, but send him staggering back a couple of steps in surprise. He'd tease him about being unnecessarily huggy- it's only been a few hours man, come on- but the ferocity of the hug takes him aback for a moment.]

[goshdarnbatku]

[So Sora gets a hug back, because it's only been a few hours of course but it's always good to see this dork alive and well, especially considering what's just happened.

He claps a hand on his shoulder and gives him a good natured shove away, sighing in resignation.]

You really are a sap. Come on, it's not been that long, you don't have to crush me like that again so soon.

[skylight]

[ Sora has to back off not only because otherwise they really will end up on the ground but also to stare. He realized before that Riku didn't remember this place; and he does look different, not relegated solely to the new do. His eyes narrow as he scrutinizes the other boy, rubbing his chin. This goes on for only a few seconds though, before he has his hands on his hips and is angling into Riku's personal space. Again. ]

Maybe it hasn't been that long for you. [ Kinda a relief though, that. ] But it's been forever for me! [ Not finite in the least, but years can seem like forever. They both already know that; and sometimes only the faith you'll succeed -- the will and knowledge that you must -- support your heart throughout. ]

Last time I saw you? Your hair was like... [ he holds his hand somewhere below Riku's shoulders, vaguely... ] here...ish...y'know. After we went through the door of light together.

[ 8( FOREVER. AGO. Seriously. ]

[goshdarnbatku]

[Okay this warrants some serious attention because all things considered that is not forever ago and the very notion that it might be for Sora is ringing alarm bells. First a weird new world, and then an apparently amnesiac Sora who can't remember almost doing a terrible job on cutting his hair (thank goodness for Kairi, seriously). Something is very wrong and considering what he's just learned about time warping possibilities...]

Sora what are you talking about? It hasn't even been a month since then and you only left Master Yen Sid's a few hours ago. You're not making any sense.

[Video]

[standing_alone]

It's kind of like a diary. That's a good way to think about it. The only problem is everyone in the city can see you and hear you unless you learn to filter.

Nice to meet you, Riku, I'm Zack. [He gives Riku an encouraging smile.]

video;

[moonlitrequiem]

[Get ready for a monotone welcome. She stares, motionless and blank, at the screen.]

You have entered the City. The device recording you now posts to the network where the other people who have been trapped here will see it and be able to respond.