falling in the black, slipping through the cracks

[dawnward]

Who: Riku, Xigbar, and then two others.
When: Night. (Actual date will be when the log ends.)
Where: Sector 3.
Summary: Riku goes out to train and encounters something (and someone) he should not have.
Warnings: SPOILERS FOR KH3D. Violence. Fridge horror. Will update as needed.


[It's not so often any longer that Riku has the time to go out into the Darkness to fight. His job and providing for his friends always takes priority. Still, it's nice to get out, to stretch his legs, and to put his power to good use. He can make sure he's still on top of his game and training hard, even if he doesn't have the time to go to Terra's dojo.

He makes his way out through Sector 4 and then into Sector 3, fighting monsters as he goes. They aren't too much trouble, just enough to work up a sweat and to flex the muscles. He hasn't even tried to use his magic yet.

Riku continues on, unheeded by the dark. He's almost comfortable, having grown used to wandering on his own in the deepest of darknesses. He's still wary, however, and even more so when he thinks he sees someone in a dark coat head down a side street.

He frowns. Who's that? It's too tall to be Roxas or Xion. He hurries after them.]

Comments

[madannoshashu]

[ Only half-listening to what the others are discussing, he struggles with the impulses to pursue, and rend, and tear. He's never felt anything like this, or at least not that he remembers, the anger and hate a raging fire burning in his heart.

The old man's touch is stabilizing, though, and after a long moment, he finally regains enough of himself to listen to what's being said properly. He catches the tail end of the commentary on Riku's heart but doesn't truly react until the mention of actual "training".

His head lifts, and he looks at both of them, his eye going wide. It shocks the fight out of him (at least somewhat), and by the time Xemnas finishes giving the order, the tension has bled out of him completely.

A few days off?

He almost looks like he wants to protest, but of course, he doesn't. Instead, he takes a breath, eye closed, and nods his assent. He's calmer now, finally, the darkness no longer threatening to boil over, and as much as he dislikes leaving Xemnas alone to handle things here, some things are far more important. ]

[capax_infiniti]

[Xehanort nods in assent as well. Already he's going over what he knows of the island, just where will be a good place to handle this. Somewhere isolated so that whatever lightbearers decide to investigate won't find them so easily. Somewhere where the darkness they'll be throwing around won't be immediately detectable.]

The beach will be the best location. We shall be easy enough to contact, if you require either of us to return promptly. This way, we will both be absent for the aftermath, in the case that the lightbearers come calling. They shouldn't present you with that much trouble... [he gestures in a vague shrugging motion] one would hope.

[Straightening out, he withdraws his hand from Xigbar's shoulder as he rises to his feet once more. He holds it out, in a gesture familiar to not that long ago when Xigbar had been laid low for other reasons... an offer and an invitation.]

Come with me.

[edge_of_nothing]

[Yes. Xemnas means every word. Gold eyes almost narrow when the reaction starts as such, but his expression barely wavers as the other Nobody accepts his order. And although he doesn't make eye contact with Master Xehanort, he nods at the choice that has been made.]

As long as our communication lines are kept open, we shall have no problems if the circumstances were to change upon whim.

[A thin smirk forms as an afterthought.]

And I assure you...they won't.

[The old master stands. He, too, leans back to stand once more. Here, he steps away from Xigbar.

But he does not leave him alone. He stands behind him.]

[madannoshashu]

[ The beach.

He listens and doesn't comment -- the other two have matters well enough in-hand that his contribution is unnecessary. He feels awkward enough as it is that these extra measures have to be taken on his behalf in the first place, never mind his failure to obliterate Riku as a problem. It's shameful, and though the worst of his emotional instability has leveled out, the rage and hatred lingers in his heart.

It's for that reason that he only looks up after the old man makes that invitation. He stares at the offered hand for a moment before taking it, allowing Xehanort to help pull him up. There's much to do yet, he knows that, and despite what's happened, the only direction they can go is forward.

He's come this far, and there's no turning back. ]

[capax_infiniti]

[Good... muscles flex, pulling Xigbar to his feet, a twinge of pain and growing wet spot reminds him that he does need to attend to where Riku did get him. There will be time for that, though. A bit further...

He nods once more to Xemnas, taking his leave. It is the Nobody's building, after all... proper respect should be paid. At this point it's a bit moot... but the gesture is there all the same. He fixes his location in mind, opening the Corridor a step away.]

Once again, the Plan is in your capable hands. I will contact you if there are... complications. [He'll try not to break your Second too much, but this sort of training normally does take a lot of time...]

[There's nothing more to say. He turns, heading for the portal and a rather unique impromptu training session.]

[edge_of_nothing]

[Xemnas says nothing in return.

As Master Xehanort does this, he takes the time to place his right hand over his chest, bowing his head in respect.

His gaze, cast downward, casually glances back upward to where the old master once was. To where Xigbar is to follow.

It's better not to keep the man who means to train you waiting.]

[madannoshashu]

[ "Complications".

He doesn't give the word much thought, other than a twinge of uncertainty. Everything, it seems, has happened too fast tonight, and the impact is only starting to catch up with him.

He looks at Xemnas, hesitating just briefly before following the old man.

Whatever happens, he'll do his best not to disappoint either of them. ]