[o1 where-ever you are]

[rampantfantasy]

Who: a wayward replica AND YOU
What: Being a lost newbie
Where: Traverse Town [various]
When: AT THIS VERY MOMENT
Warnings: There may be yelling at Even involved.

Fourth District: Tower

It's not the kind of place he expected to wake up - truth be told, he didn't expect to wake up at all, but here he was. It'd been almost too much, when he first woke to a moogle hovering and kupo-ing in his face, but he'd suffered through it until he could get away, get somewhere to clear his head.

And that's how he wound up here, on the top of a tower with a view over a good section of the town. There's a bit of a breeze up on the tower, which seems to bother the chittering Dream Eater the moogles wouldn't let him leave without more than it does the boy himself. He's not particularly sure what to do with it, but as long as it doesn't go causing him problems, it can stay.

The boy drops to sit with his legs dangling over the ledge, one hand bracing himself against the doorway of the platform he's on. It's strange to think that this is the first time he's ever actually been outside of Castle Oblivion; the fake memories he has of the Destiny Islands are just that. Fake.

There's nothing more he can learn from just sitting up here.The replica lifts himself and jumps over the edge of the ledge, the Komory Bat squeaking and following after him.

Second District: In front of hotel

The moogles had given him enough munny to get a room here for a couple of nights, and he knows, vaguely, how hotels work, in the same kind of vague sense that he knows anything about the world. He's not sure yet, however, whether or not he wants to stay there. It's not like he could just hole up in the hotel forever, so why bother?

(But it's not like he has anywhere else to go, either.)

The spirit fluttering nearby doesn't seem to have the same hesitation that the boy does, however - the next time the doors of the hotel ope, it flies forward in an attempt to get through the doorway before it shuts again. The boy starts and tries to reach out and catch it - which is likely to end in him running into whoever is trying to get through the door at the time. What a way to make an introduction.

Anywhere else in town - Your choice!

The boy with the Komory Bat fluttering at his shoulder keeps mostly to the walls as he explores the town, hands in his pockets as he peers into shop windows. It doesn't seem like he's looking for anything in particular, although he stops a bit longer atclothing shops than at most of the others. It doesn't seem like he's particularly worried about finding somewhere safe from the Nightmares; from the look of it, he's confident that he can take care of himself.

Comments

[realmenknitplushies]

"Ah, crap! Whoa!"

Kanji wasn't exactly expecting a bat in the face when he headed through out of the hotel. Nor was he expecting that to be followed up in short order by the bat's owner. The species of Dream Eater in question had him prepared to have to start apologising to Naoto - so his face is already a little red when he actually manages to see who he's run into.

...He's getting used to unusual types, but this person's almost unusual in a normal way. Not a pony, not armoured, but - has he ever seen that hair colour on anyone except his senpai, too? Or - well, damn. That outfit. (No, Kanji, he tells himself. He's worn dresses in the past, after all, he's got no place to comment.)

"Uh... sorry, dude." He looks aside, awkward.

[rampantfantasy]

At least he wasn't carrying anything.

The boy manages to grab a hold of the Dream Eater now flapping over Kanji's head with a bit of a jump and does his best to keep it held under his arms. "Quiet, you," he mutters in response to its squeaking. It's the creature's fault they're in this mess.

It's once that's settled that he looks up at Kanji - up being the operative word, because the guy is quite a bit taller than he is. "Don't worry about it. It won't happen again."

That last comment is almost as much addressed to the Dream Eater he's barely keeping under control as it is to Kanji.

[realmenknitplushies]

"No worries. Ya just... caught me by surprise," Kanji says, scratching his head and glancing between the new arrival and his companion. He's a spot annoyed, true, but - accidents happen, and he's more embarrassed than anything.

Eventually, his gaze settles on the Komory Bat. "Little guy being a bit of a handful?" he asks. He knows all about that, after all... His own Pricklemane bounces along to join them, nudging at its human's side. What's the hold-up, pal?

tardies hard

[rampantfantasy]

The boy in front of him is embarrassed too, but masks it more with grumpiness than Kanji does. "You can say that again," he mutters in response to the question, trying to hold down the renewed fluttering of the Komory Bat at the sight of the other Dream Eater.

Eventually he fails, and the bat slips out under his hands to flutter over to the Pricklemane and say hello.

[dork_of_keys]

Sora was doing some wandering of his own. Things had been relatively quiet, even with the dreams having started up again.

Frankly, he as kind of bored. It didn't help that some of the people he talked to the most had woken up. At the moment, he was thinking of heading over to the tea shop to talk to Namine. Either that or see if anyone wanted to spar or just goof off.

And such ideas were swept away at the sight of familiar silver hair. It couldn't be, could it? Well, actually, it could. It was known already that sometimes when someone woke up, they could return. Ziva and Church being the known examples. But that was beside the point.

"Riku!" None of the possibilities for happen nor for what his friend's situation could be occurred to him. For that matter, the possibility that this wasn't even Riku didn't come to mind either, even given that he had been filled in about Castle Oblivion and the existence of a certain replica...

[rampantfantasy]

Even if it is a strange world, there's no mistaking that voice. The head of silver hair snaps in Sora's direction almost as if by reflex. It's not as though knowing intellectually that that name isn't his stops him from reacting to it, after all.

And even when the truth came out, Sora hadn't actually stopped calling him Riku. There wasn't really anything else to call him. The replica gives Sora one good look over before pointedly looking away.

"Sorry. He's not around." It's as devoid of emotion as he can make the comment, but still with some resentment in it.

[dork_of_keys]

"Hey, what do you mean by... that... Oh." At least he wasn't totally lost on this. It might have been much worse if he hadn't be filled in. Still, it stung a little bit to know Riku wasn't actually here, but it passed quickly. Sora knew the replica wasn't really a bad guy, even if he could be a bit abrasive.

That resentment wasn't missed. Sora couldn't blame him. Not after what he'd heard from Namine. This still left him in the awkward position of having mistaken the guy for someone he's not.

"Sorry. He was here for a little while and I thought maybe... Uh, anyway, I guess you haven't been here very long. If you need anything, don't be afraid to ask."

Third District

[defrostedpride]

The Dream Eater that runs up to him may be unfamiliar, but it isn't colored like a Nightmare. Also, unless licking can do damage (it can't), it's not hostile.

It's followed by a voice and, eventually, a person. "I've told you not to do that to - oh. It's you. Weren't you gone? ...And older?" Even doesn't quite recognize him, though. Not just yet. In his defense, it's been a busy few months.

hidad

[rampantfantasy]

The Dream Eater is reacted to first - the replica throwing his hands over his face, because while not hostile the critter is certainly enthusiastic - but at the sound of Even's voice, he goes completely still.

(He's not surprised, but a little put out, that even his own creator can't tell the difference between him and Riku anymore. Then again, the outfit is definitely different - he's never seen an Organization member in anything but the black coat.)

What comes out of his mouth isn't really a greeting, but a snarl. "So, it's you."

hison

[defrostedpride]

"Of course it's me, what do you mean by -" It finally comes to Even's attention that even here, he hasn't seen people age backwards. And if not Riku, then...

"You?!!"

Fourth District

[juniorganymedian]

When Jeeves finally arrived at the base of the tower, Descartes trailing after him, there wasn't any body that he could see. Nor was there blood. In fact, signs that a person had fallen from a height were completely absent. He hadn't imagined it. He was certain of that. Princess Luna and Ms. Aqua's assertion that this was magic at work were beginning to seem more likely, which left Jeeves feeling out of breath and not a little embarrassed for his rash conclusions.

He began to look around, searching for some sign of whomever had jumped. Surely they couldn't have vanished into thin air, as well. Although it would seem that people could appear out of thin air.

Jeeves turned immediately to face the source of the bright light that illuminated the area in a sudden flash. When the light resolved into Princess Luna, the valet could only blink rapidly for several seconds. Were he given over to open displays of emotion, he might have gaped.

"Your Highness, I had not anticipated such an immediate appearance," he said at length.

[raisethemoon]

Luna shrugged, a motion mostly involving her wings. "It did not seem necessary to go by hoof." If the situation truly were as urgent as Jeeves believed, 'twould be better that she were there immediately. She was far from the best magical healer she knew, but she could do it well enough.

It seemed, though, that she had been rather more right in her assumptions. The pavement was notably bloodless, at least. "You have found nothing here?" The mare tilted her head back to peer up at the tower and the sky beyond. Perhaps they'd flown off elsewhere...

[rampantfantasy]

Looking around will spot the uninjured teenager nearby enough - he'd climbed to the next nearest rooftop by the time the two arrived, and the noise of a nearby Komory Bat might give him away before he jumps down into the background of the two's conversation.

"Looking for something?" There's something a little arrogant in his tone, but from the sound of it, he's mostly confused as to why they've shown up suddenly. The Dream Eater flutters down to hover behind him.

Scenario 2

[seasaltkeys]

Roxas isn't actually in front of the Hotel, but across the way, coming out of the Dalmatian's house, where he'd taken up residence with Lea and Sora. Although he supposed it was just Sora now since Lea was gone and Roxas hadn't seen much of him.

He'd been heading for the portals, trying to decide if he should continue work on his skatepark in Twilight Town or head to Ponyville to try to continue tracking down the Elements of Harmony.

All of those thoughts went out of his mind when he saw the Replica. Or rather, he saw Riku. And that just wasn't fair. He loses his best friend just so that Sora can get his back? It was always like this, wasn't it?

He clenches his fist, a new set of decisions before him. He could just head to the portals, go to Twilight Town and hammer out his frustrations once again. It would be just as easy to run into the house again and barricade himself inside his room.

Bouncer, his Meow Wow, looks up at him in concern.

[rampantfantasy]

The replica, for his part, doesn't even notice Roxas at first - it's the Komory Bat that flutters over towards the blond and the Meow Wow, apparently hopeful about the chance to play with another spirit. The boy notices that it's gone missing before long, though.

"Hey - get back here!" He runs over to the railing, but the errant Dream Eater seems to pout and stays where it is, most of the way towards Roxas. It doesn't seem like the blond is going to get out of this without being noticed... On the other hand, it doesn't seem like "Riku" has recognized him, either.

[seasaltkeys]

Bouncer tries his best to be a good spirit. He knows his person has difficult times and he tries to support him but when there are new people there are new people and he should really say hi because that is also part of being a good spirit. Hi new spirit and new person! HI!!!!!

"Bouncer," Roxas sighed, rolling his eyes at his spirit. Although he supposed it was better than having to chase down an errant Me Me Bunny. So much for avoiding the conversation.

[colorbymemory]

Namine was on her way back from buying paint and other supplies from the Moogles when she saw someone jump from the tower. Since she wasn't far away, it didn't take her long to set down her packages and hurry over--her healing magic might be needed.

Or maybe it wouldn't. Because the boy standing there, who could only be the person who had jumped, seemed fine. She halted a short distance away, though, suddenly at a loss as to what to do. Because not only did he have no need of her help, she recognized him.

Only now he looked like he had when they'd first met in Castle Oblivion. Did that mean that this time he'd come from a time before they'd met. There was one way to find out...

"Riku?"

[rampantfantasy]

He knows the voice - he'd recognize it anywhere, really, even if the memories are fake. His head jerks in her direction before the name is fully out of her mouth -

His expression twists. He looks away. "...Think again," he finally says, quietly, as much at the ground as at her.

[colorbymemory]

There was a brief moment of relief when he obviously recognized her. Then, the import of his words sunk in and Namine paled.

"Replica?" Her voice comes out quieter than intended, but he should still be able to hear.

[skysmirror]

Xion was on her way to a round of Nightmare hunting when she noticed the newcomer looking around the shops. Well, maybe not a newcomer since Riku had been here before, though not when he was the age he apparently was now.

He probably wouldn't recognize her, then. But saying hello the way she would to a stranger would be awkward, too...

Barkley took matters into his own hands by going over to bark a hello of his own. Hi new Person!

[rampantfantasy]

Another Dream Eater coming to greet him. Evidently everyone ran around with an entourage of them. "Hey, come on, quit barking," he says, an order without a lot of force to it. His Komory Bat chitters at the new arrivals, which is how the replica ends up looking up to see the girl watching him.

...She looks familiar, but he can't quite figure out how. So he's going to give her the same kind of awkward look she's giving him.

[skysmirror]

Most Spirits were friendly and liked to say hello. Considering the amount of Nightmares running around, most everyone had at least two of them with them at all times if they were wandering. In this case, it seemed to be helping to break the ice by giving them something to talk about.

"I'm sorry, he does that a lot." Xion stepped forward until she could lay a hand on Barkley. Some scritches seemed to calm him. Instead of barking, he looked at her and gave a happy whine. See, see, there's a new Person here!

[hiptobe_eraqus]

It was time for another basic shopping trip to Traverse Town. Life had to go on for him, including the small and mundane things, even in a dream world. At the moment, he just had Chuza and Yaza with him in case of any trouble...they were on the quieter side otherwise (especially since Yaza couldn't even be seen).

But as he exited one of the shops, he recognized that figure looking into nearby shop windows, and raised an eyebrow in surprise. When had Riku returned to the dream realm?

"Riku! I didn't realize you were back here again."

[rampantfantasy]

By this point, the replica is starting to consider announcing to the network on the moogle device that he isn't Riku, has no idea where Riku might be, and would like to never hear about Riku again.

So, the attempted greeting doesn't go over very well. The boy's response is sharp, no doubt the opposite of what Eraqus is expecting. "I'm not Riku."

[hiptobe_eraqus]

Eraqus paused, and his expression slowly dropped into a disturbed frown. That was not at all the answer he'd been expecting. But if what he insisted was true...then that left a couple other options, and the first that came to mind was the situation he had discovered with his own student, and Roxas.

"...A Nobody, then." It was half a question, and half just a resigned statement.

That left him a little confused, though. Neither Riku nor any of his closer friends had mentioned anything about him having a Nobody.