three | make me your radio, turn me up when you feel low.

[curepotion]

[ it is precisely 12:00AM on a cold morning and there is a parade. a large, lavish parade of black, orange, yellow, red--a parade. Alabaster, Alaska is currently celebrating the start of Halloween. Everyone's cheering outside as the parade marches through the main street of the town. Fireworks, sparklers, flashlights--there are children that're

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[dualstance]

[ Seeing the kids run around so happily, with such carefree expressions on their faces makes Roxas remember the first time he saw Hayner and the others in Twilight Town- the real Twilight Town. And that in turn makes him remember his time within the simulated world, where everything had been nothing but a lie just for the sake of hiding his existence from the Organization and whatever other reason that he'd been placed there. Despite the fake world, he'd existed there and the memories he has of that place are the only ones he can recall with some clarity, those memories becoming important to him

[curepotion]

[ He knew the Chief of Police was busy--he knew Mickey was busy--so he didn't mind waiting. they'd talk about a lot of things tonight, he hoped. not just his birthday, which was a mild topic that Riku didn't want to spend much time on--but also his position as Wyse's assistant. he wanted more information on how he was supposed to help this town that clearly hated him and thought he was just a con artist. he closed his eyes and looked back outside before the bell jingled above the door, and he sharply glanced over

... at Roxas. it was too late to be hiding everything under a mask--and of all people, Riku certainly hadn't expected this one in his dreams. he slowly moved his attention back to the window instead of Roxas, face a tired expression of surprise and uneasiness.

alright. ... he could roll with this. ]

Hey.

[dualstance]

[ Not expecting to see Riku, or at least this Riku again, Roxas isn't sure what to do or say. Then again, when he stepped into this dream, he hadn't been sure what to expect as he hasn't ventured out on his own very much since all of this started. There's always been a sense of security in what he knows.

And considering their last encounter, well. He doesn't have to stay long, right? And it looks like Riku is expecting someone anyway. ]

Uh, hey.

[ Awkward greeting, not even looking at the guy, what else could he say though?

He just shuffles a bit in place, deciding that he'll keep this quick so that there wouldn't be anymore awkwardness, at least on his part. ]

[curepotion]

[ Riku breathes out a little bit of a sigh and pushes his hair back, the flames of torches reflecting through the window, into the cafe. ]

Parades aren't your thing, huh.

[ he's trying. this is a dream. no one can see him try and fail. ]

[dualstance]

Not.. really.

[ If he were honest, he'd never been to a parade before, at least not as far as he can remember. Not even in any of the worlds he visited had anything like what's going on outside, and even if there had been, he doubts he'd get the chance to see what it's like. The mission always comes first.

And as enjoyable as it looks, he doesn't think he would stay out there long, not by himself. It'd just be too lonely. ]

I guess you're hiding out too? [ Or waiting. ]

[curepotion]

Something like that.

[ is all he offers for now, plucking the card he got from Wyse from his little stack. ]

It's better to watch from back here.

[dualstance]

I bet. It's a lot quieter too.

[ Catching the movement from the corner of his eyes makes him look that way, finally seeing Riku and the things that are sitting on the table in front of the other. Now a small part of him can't help but be curious- a present and cards?

Someone's birthday?

He doesn't recall anything from his memories, nor Sora's, so maybe it's for someone Riku's met recently. Then again, this Riku is different from the Riku in his memories, similar and not at the same time. Weird how it works and he's not going to try to understand it. ]

Are you waiting for someone?

[curepotion]

[ a pause; ]

... yeah, I am. He's busy, and I'll wait.

[ he knows this most of all, after all. he's not the first priority to anyone. he starts to unwrap the letter. ]

[dualstance]

Oh. [ More awkwardness as he just watches Riku go through the motions of opening his letter.

If Riku's waiting for someone to show up, then he should probably leave or something, so that things aren't even more awkward later. Either that or just sit on the other side of the cafe, out of sight, so that he can wait out the parade going on. Then again, who knows how long it'll last.

At the very least, he should say one last thing... ]

Hey um, thanks. For before.

[curepotion]

[ a wry smile. ]

You don't have to thank me.

I'm just doing what you wanted.

[ he looks up. ]

You deserved answers.

[dualstance]

Still.

[ As much as he would rather not thank the guy, this isn't the same Riku he knows from the memories nor the one he fought against before being defeated and getting captured. Maybe it's because of how Riku just seems to know things or maybe it's because it's something else. Whatever it is, he'll keep listening to his instinct and attempt to be civil whenever he sees this one. ]

You did more than other people have, that's for sure. And, you didn't have to either. But you did.

[curepotion]

[ he falls quiet for a little while, then, stands. ]

Maybe it's because I'm searching for answers too.

[dualstance]

[ Not being able to help the curiosity, his head tilts a little to the side, a questioning look on his face. ]

You are? I thought- [ pause ]

What are you looking for?

[curepotion]

[ he's not sure if he wants to talk.

but this is a dream. Roxas may be real, but he's universes away. what can he do? ]

... escape? [ he asks it of himself, quiet to himself but loud enough to be heard. he shakes his head. ] Meaning, purpose--that sort of thing. ... [ should he--] Family.

[dualstance]

[ Despite the resentment he feels in regards to Riku (even if this one isn't the same one he fought with), hearing this makes him wonder and realize. Wonder what sort of measures the other is willing to go through in order to find those answers and realize that there aren't that many differences between them. At least in anything like this. ]

I guess.. we're all searching for answers.

[ Even though this Riku gave him answers, he still feels like he's searching and will probably keep searching until he meets Sora himself. ]

Heh, feels like it won't ever end.