In any case, Xanth is walking the halls. He turns a corner and there someone is - someone tall, someone imposing. He does not recognize the cloak or the figure beneath it, but he recognizes the stride as purposeful.
(And perhaps slightly familiar.)
He steps aside to let the man pass, but Xanth doesn't take his eyes off him. He's just a little wary.]
[At first, Riku doesn't even slow. He passes the other boy without hesitation.
But then he feels Xanth's gaze.
Riku slows, stops, only halfway turns to glance back at him. His face is still hidden in the shadow of his hood, but when he speaks, Xanth may hear a certain resemblance to somebody else he used to know...]
[As Riku passes him, Xanth relaxes, but he does not take his eyes off him. And then he speaks. The familiarity is shocking and Xanth's jaw literally drops.
Xanth knows that voice.
Xanth very nearly hates that voice.]
R-- Riku!?
[Immediately, Xanth feels bristling anger rear its head. It's a gut reaction; in a moment, he'll realize that this cannot be the Riku he knew.
[A different him? The first thing that springs to mind is that it's impossible. After all, there's only one of him--he doesn't have Naminé like Kairi does; he didn't have Roxas or Xion like Sora. Nobodies are only for people who've lost their heart to the darkness. Not people who willingly gave theirs up.
For a moment, Riku feels a pang of bitterness. But then it's wiped away, as he goes back to puzzling the boy's words out.]
A different me? Come on, you're going to have to do better than that.
Anybody could tell you that much. Everybody knows Sora and Kairi.
[The Keyblade master and the princess of heart? But Riku doesn't sound quite as convinced--privately, he's wondering how this boy could know him. After all, Xanth recognized him just from a word.
Then another thought strikes him]
You weren't at Castle Oblivion, were you?
[Because that's the only other possibility Riku can come up with. He knows the replica is dead (after all, Riku had killed him himself), but if Xanth had been there before that had happened...]
[He's been through Castle Oblivion. Heard what had happened to Sora's memories. Riku doesn't know what's happened to make this guy so certain he's met him before, but as far as he's concerned, it's not outside the realm of possibility.]
[Riku is much more reasonable than Xanth was expecting, and it's thrown Xanth a little off guard.
At first, Xanth looks down. It's not like he wants Riku to believe him. It's not like he's almost disappointed that this isn't the Riku he knew and that Riku isn't responding with aggression. It's not like Xanth wants to feel justified in his grudge against this person who is now a perfect stranger.
[Finally he sweeps the hood back from his face--for the most part, it'll be like Xanth remembers it, but his hair is longer than it used to be--and his eyes are hidden by a blindfold.]
[Xanth half-smiles, satisfied. This person certainly looks older than the one Xanth knew, but it's definitely Riku.
That blindfold is surprising, though, and Xanth can't help a flash of confusion across his features. He's curious, but like hell he's going to ask.]
O-Okay.
[There's a pause; Xanth doesn't know what to do next. Biting his lip and shoving his hands in his pockets, Xanth looks the least aggressive he has since he and Riku began speaking.]
I-I, uh. I'm-- X-- Xanth. J-Just, uh, so we're on e-equal-- ground.
Or is it the either way around?
In any case, Xanth is walking the halls. He turns a corner and there someone is - someone tall, someone imposing. He does not recognize the cloak or the figure beneath it, but he recognizes the stride as purposeful.
(And perhaps slightly familiar.)
He steps aside to let the man pass, but Xanth doesn't take his eyes off him. He's just a little wary.]
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But then he feels Xanth's gaze.
Riku slows, stops, only halfway turns to glance back at him. His face is still hidden in the shadow of his hood, but when he speaks, Xanth may hear a certain resemblance to somebody else he used to know...]
What is it?
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Xanth knows that voice.
Xanth very nearly hates that voice.]
R-- Riku!?
[Immediately, Xanth feels bristling anger rear its head. It's a gut reaction; in a moment, he'll realize that this cannot be the Riku he knew.
But that moment is not now.]
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That in itself is alarming. Riku is immediately on-guard, though the change in demeanor likely isn't a visible one. Still, he's wary now.]
What's it to you?
[He's sure he's never met this person before. But there -is- the matter of his waking up with no idea what had happened to put him there...]
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But Xanth realizes that, to Riku, it's nothing at all.
Xanth looks away, hiding his scowl but not his bitter tone.]
N-Nothing. FF-- for-- forget it.
W-Welcome t-- to-- H-Holloway's K-Keep.
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How did you know who I was?
[Don't think he hasn't noticed that bitter tone, Xanth. He'll get to that later.]
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Xanth despises the height difference.
He sighs, glances away again, and runs a hand through his hair.]
I-I... knew you. A--A... d-different you.
[He knows it sounds crazy. He's getting used to that.]
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For a moment, Riku feels a pang of bitterness. But then it's wiped away, as he goes back to puzzling the boy's words out.]
A different me? Come on, you're going to have to do better than that.
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[Xanth resists the urge to cross his own arms; instead, he digs his blunt nails into his palm.]
Y-You're-- R-Riku. G-Grew up o-on an i--island, w-with-- with a girl n-named Kairi a-and-- and a b-boy named S-Sora.
Sh-should I g-go on?
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[The Keyblade master and the princess of heart? But Riku doesn't sound quite as convinced--privately, he's wondering how this boy could know him. After all, Xanth recognized him just from a word.
Then another thought strikes him]
You weren't at Castle Oblivion, were you?
[Because that's the only other possibility Riku can come up with. He knows the replica is dead (after all, Riku had killed him himself), but if Xanth had been there before that had happened...]
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I-I met you on-- o-on a ship, not-- a-a castle. But-- you prob--probably don't r-remember.
[Because it wasn't you.]
L-Look, you don't-- have to be--believe me. Th-this isn't the-- the first time s-someone didn't r--remember me.
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No, I don't remember.
But that doesn't mean I won't believe you.
[He's been through Castle Oblivion. Heard what had happened to Sora's memories. Riku doesn't know what's happened to make this guy so certain he's met him before, but as far as he's concerned, it's not outside the realm of possibility.]
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At first, Xanth looks down. It's not like he wants Riku to believe him. It's not like he's almost disappointed that this isn't the Riku he knew and that Riku isn't responding with aggression. It's not like Xanth wants to feel justified in his grudge against this person who is now a perfect stranger.
Right. It's not like that at all.
Xanth looks up to where Riku's eyes should be.]
S-So... do you?
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Yeah.
[Finally he sweeps the hood back from his face--for the most part, it'll be like Xanth remembers it, but his hair is longer than it used to be--and his eyes are hidden by a blindfold.]
I do.
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That blindfold is surprising, though, and Xanth can't help a flash of confusion across his features. He's curious, but like hell he's going to ask.]
O-Okay.
[There's a pause; Xanth doesn't know what to do next. Biting his lip and shoving his hands in his pockets, Xanth looks the least aggressive he has since he and Riku began speaking.]
I-I, uh. I'm-- X-- Xanth. J-Just, uh, so we're on e-equal-- ground.
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[For a moment, Riku is quiet as he tries to match the name to something in his past. He can't do it.]
All right, Xanth. So why is it you remember me, but I don't remember you?
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