(no subject)

[eternalsession]

[A video feed begins, showing a young man with silver hair who is in dire need of a haircut. Judging the from what’s visible of the background, he seems to be up in the tower in the fourth district.]

So, just how many people are stuck dreaming here? I haven’t had much of a look around, but this place seems bigger than I remember.

I haven’t seen any Heartless either, just Nightmares. Does anyone have more information about Dream Eaters in general?

[The barrage of questions seems to be over for a moment, before he remembers one last part.]

Oh, and has anyone seen someone named Sora around? If I fell asleep, he’s probably not far behind.

Comments

but I already have lazyrus - //bricked

[rampantfantasy]

[Of course they both have bats. Of course that's a thing.

"Of course" is approximately constant in his internal monologue at the moment.

At the question, the replica affixes Riku with a familiar glare.]

I said talk, didn't I?

[Also there's the fact that you beat him last time and you're older and presumably stronger now. He's inexperienced, not stupid.]

I've corrected everyone I've run into, but that doesn't mean it's going to stop happening.

[That "Not Riku" display name has proven pretty helpful, too.]

[eternalsession]

Usually our talks end in fighting.

[Despite that, he doesn't look particularly guarded. (Riku absently wonders if he really used to be that short)]

Maybe you should announce it publicly. The "Not Riku" might be too subtle.

[That's definitely sarcasm, but light-hearted.]

[rampantfantasy]

[Oh god, Riku is trying to joke with him. He has no idea what to do with that, so... pretend it didn't happen. That's definitely something he can do.

The only thing, really.]

Yeah, well. The whole "name" thing is a work in progress.

[As Riku would be able to tell if he locked back in the archives very far.]

[eternalsession]

Got any ideas so far?

[He is genuinely curious, though it could be mistaken for patronizing. The fact that the replica isn't actively trying to pick a fight is a nice change from the past.]

[rampantfantasy]

...I'm working on it.

[That means no. Mostly, he knows what he /doesn't/ want, so...]

Why do you care?

[eternalsession]

Just curious.

[Shrug. Baby steps, he supposes.]

Was there something else you needed to tell me, or did you just want to make sure this went down better than last time?

[rampantfantasy]

[Baby steps are definitely the strategy here. The day the replica accepts Riku just caring is only slightly before the day Even willingly lights himself on fire.]

Just didn't want you thinking I was up to something or anything like that.

[He's not. He's up to the least amount of things, actually.]