logsinthenight | East Exploration Mingle (CLOSED)

[ A war? Oh. Aziraphale's eyes widen and then he looks on sympathetically. ]

I'm very sorry. That must've been awful.

[ Especially considering that that might be why Riku is here and having died: in this awful war, being torn away from his youth.

Generally, he tries to keep his opinion on these sorts of things: after all, people die. They have to, it's part of God's Plan. But it does always hurt when children are forced to deal with the wars of their fathers. ]

You're very brave, for having lead this expedition. I'm not sure if I told you that.

It's fine. Only a few of us had to fight, but the alternative would've been worse for everyone.

[ Countless lives, countless hearts would have been snuffed out as every world would be plunged into Darkness, all to remake some new, ideal universe.

Riku prods at his can of beans with his mess kit spork with seeming indifference.

The truth is, Xehanort's war hadn't left its mark half as much as how he hurt him through his friends. Through Sora, through Kairi, through the King. But for all his outward calm, Riku nearly drops both the can and his utensil when Aziraphale causes him to look up in surprise. ]

What? I'm not-

It was an idea. I'm not leading anything.

Well, it was your idea. And it's brave that you're here.

[ He likes to think so anyway. Riku, what a brave young man. Even though he feels-- well, dark, but Aziraphale has taken six thousand years to learn that even demons can be soft. ]

In either case, I wouldn't be here if you hadn't suggested it.

[ He takes another munch of his sandwich. And then: ]

I've got another piece of bread, if you'd like some with your beans. We could try toasting over the lanterns.

[ If he had Sora and Vanitas here, Aziraphale would have found that Riku stands right in the middle of those two, one shines bright like a small sun, the other a pit of pure darkness.

Riku sighs, embarrassed, but if he's anything like the King, he won't stop until Riku makes an attempt to "graciously" accept the compliment. ]

Braver that you guys even showed up, after...

[ A lot of the newer people only arrived in the wake of their devastating loss of numbers, and only heard a little about it. ]

Robin seems to think we'll find something useful out this way. I hope she's right. We could use a win.

[ A win that doesn't cost them any more of their own. Riku considers the offer of bread, nodding only once he realizes that Aziraphale has plenty of that to go around. ]

Mind if I ask you something?

Yes, I do hope so as well. We really could stand to boost morale and discover something.

[ It's okay, some people just can't take compliments and he's no King Mickey. For one, he's taller, and for two, he's not a mouse. So he's glad to change the topic, even as it quickly shifts again. ]

Hm?

[ He hands Riku the bread and swallows another bite of his sandwich. ]

Ask away, Riku.

[ He speaks about boosting morale, about discovering something and Riku is sure he means discovering something good.

He thinks about how he exudes light like he's a star shining in the velvet dark of night, a sea of stars that connects every world. How he's like Coraline but different, he's something that burns eternally against the black while Coraline is that endless, cosmic darkness, ancient and essential.

And-

And he wonders why they're here. ]

What's a bookstore owner doing here? Why are you so-

[ He stops. He looks, and keeps his voice low. ]

Bright?

Ah. Yes, that.

[ He pretends like he didn't just nearly choke on the last bite of his sandwich. ]

It's a very long story. One I've kept secret for a long time - it's the reason I'm.

It's the reason I was killed, you see, and I would really rather keep it secret. Though, I suppose, it's unfair, asking you to trust me on this expedition, when I won't - .

-- I could tell you, sometime, if you wish. But I want... I don't want anyone else to know.

[ He being obtuse on purpose - mainly, in case he was overheard. Bright could've meant smart, not... the dizzy sort of luminousness, deep. Sora was dazzling in a different way, there was a warmth to him.

Was. Is. He's out there, Riku's staying put to be the guidepost that leads him back, rooting on the hero from the sidelines again. ]

Understood. Everyone's got a reason to keep some things to themselves. I just-

[ Pressing his mouth into a line as he cuts himself off, Riku toggles the utensil in his fingers as he thinks, until he shakes his head. ]

Nothing.

No, no, tell me.

[ He's used to being among the humans but not really having any reason to assist them, per se. Singular ones, of course, ones that he liked he was always allowed to bestow a little blessing on. Or ones he was assigned to.

This was different. He had to be a part of this, and he wasn't entirely sure he knew how to do it. For one, he had the same goals as them: survive, get out, maybe save this world while he was at it. And for two, he... well. he might have to divulge his powers, and that was just a lot of discomfort.

So he's glad for the slight change. ]

It's gonna make me sound crazy.

[ When Riku was much younger, there were words for it. Precocious. Imaginative. An old soul. He got a little older and he stopped being those things and was instead weird, so he learned to hold back.

So much is weird in this world that maybe he doesn't need to worry about that anymore. ]

Everywhere there's light and darkness. There might be more of one than the other, but there's at least some of it in everybody.

[ There are special exceptions. ]

In all this darkness, you're kinda like a breath of fresh air.

[ He isn't used to anyone being able to read him like this, even if it's only his spirit and none of his thought. He must admit, it is quite nice to be complimented like this. He looks down bashfully, and smiles. ]

You don't.

Sound crazy, I mean.

[ Though usually Aziraphale has to turn up his radiance for humans to see it - he's very good at hiding enough of his light to pass, but typically humans couldn't see, could they? ]

...And thank you. You know I am happy to assist you in any way that I can, while we are here.

And there is so much work to be done.

[ He accepts it. He doesn't even ask why or how, scarcely bats an eyelash at the idea and Riku - Riku's curious if he comes from a universe like his own, that he isn't surprised at all to hear something like this.

But later. ]

And limited time to do it.

[ Another thoughtful pause and this one Riku passes by shoving a hand into his own hair, pushing it off his brow. ]

That big guy with you? The one with the...

[ A gesture over his arm. He means "Soldat". ]

[ Ugh, not this. ]

Technically, yes.

He thinks I'm his... technician, or something, I'm a little fuzzy on the details. He thinks Crowley's his handler. Just brought him home one day, promised he could stay with us. I couldn't exactly say no, I think he's impressed upon us.

[ Like a baby kitten. It's. It's about as awkward as it sounds, Riku. ]

You won't-- you won't tell anyone, will you? About my light?

[ And he doesn't say, but means: And Crowley's darkness. ]

I kinda wondered what was up.

[ That's-

Yep, that's weird, coming from a guy prone to saying weird things about the light and dark. It's in Aziraphale's delivery, too, awkward and apologetic and considerately secretive. He mentions Crowley and Riku's eyes start to search those gathered, starting to smile.

Some say that Darkness existed first and the Light came after. Darkness chases the Light, the brighter that light is, the darker, the deeper the shadows that light casts. He thinks they're not opponents so much as partners with the longest of histories. Like old lovers time can't keep apart.

He thinks... it makes sense, that these polar opposites are hanging out. Picking up strays. This is all conjecture on Riku's part, armed with scant information, he's probably got it all wrong. ]

No one else's business. Cross my heart.

Edited 2019-09-28 22:06 (UTC)

Well, trust me, he's been very useful on this trip but it wasn't really my idea. He thinks it's his duty to protect us.

[ This obviously makes Aziraphale uncomfortable, not the least bit because he doesn't really know Bucky and every effort he's made to know him as a person are rebuffed. ]

--Anyway, thank you.

[ he rifles through his bag and withdraws another piece of bread. ]

Would you like half?

[ He'd never had to eat before, but he quite liked it, so mealtime is a wonderful reprieve for him. ]

I'm good. Thanks.

[ Besides, he's never seen a guy seemingly enjoy a sandwich that's just bread. It's kinda... huh. He guesses that's kind of cute, though he's pretty sure if he'd said something like that out loud, Kairi would've laughed at him.

He asks: ]

Maybe he's just trying to protect what's important to him? In his own way.

Yes, and I'm trying to figure out what that is. Certainly, I don't think it's what he's told us.

[ But it's uncouth to be talking about anything further without his knowledge. That's definitely getting into gossip territory. ]

So what gave you the idea to come explore this way?

[ That's the kind of answer that begs a question or two, but Riku doesn't want to pry any more than Aziraphale wants to gossip. ]

We hadn't gone this way yet.

[ Pretty much as simple as that. ]

And when I asked Robin about it, she seemed pretty confident we'd find something useful out this way.

Oh, alright, that sounds quite solid. Though I wonder why she doesn't just... tell us things clearly.

[ Like, pretty much everything she knows. ]

Has she been... stuck up there for a whole twenty years?

Because it wouldn't be any fun, if you asked her.

[ As for Aziraphale's question, Riku nods thoughtfully. ]

I'm amazed she's held on so long. Every time I look up at that lighthouse, I can't help but wonder how much of that time she spent being completely alone.

How miserable it must get sometimes.

Well. She has us now! At least, through the network.

[ He doesn't say that twenty years is a drop in the bucket. It isn't for a human, particularly not one as young as Riku, so naturally it would feel like forever to him. ]

Perhaps we should... write her letters. Or a poem.

[ Most humans would go crazy in solitary for twenty years, Aziraphale.

At the suggestion, Riku twitches a small smile. ]

You sap. [ Riku shrugs, a little pleased in spite of himself at the idea. ]

But you're right. She'd probably appreciate a letter.

Yes, I think that might be well-received.

[ And yes, he is a sap. He's a being crafted from love, how could he not be? ]

Perhaps we should ask everyone to chip in some words of encouragement for her.

I don't think that's a good idea. A lot of people don't like her at worst, or are suspicious of her at best.

...Part of that has to do with how many of us were lost when she was first reconnected to the network. That night was a disaster.

Oh, yes. I've heard of that, but not many details.

Would you... like to talk about it?

I understand it was very recently.

East Exploration Mingle (CLOSED)

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