The Search for the Newcomers, January 2012 Edition.

[stringmods]

New Arrivals

☯

Who: Open to Everyone, but only Newly Accepted Characters can start threads.
Where: All around the city! They appear where you want them to appear.
Summary: Newcomers arrive and by now the Government is more ready and sends everyone out to go people hunting.
Warnings: ARRIVALS. Also assume the first thread is the ones who tell you about the city, and the other tags for the character can be talking with others in the city and learning more about it.
Music: This

[FOR THOSE IN THE CITY:]
It was Grand Prix frenzy by this time. The streets were filled with people watching every available television screen, crowds in the bigger areas of Scorpio district with the larger screen.

Now the HORUS detection system was working again. The device allowed everyone to spot abnormalities; and while it was being re-tuned to work with the appearing buildings, they could hone in on newcomers at a much faster pace. The leftover energy from the travel (commonly called Magatama Residue) gave them a few minutes to find them before it would flicker out.

Combined with the fact they could appear in most parts of the city, it made finding the newcomers was both easy yet frustratingly difficult.

As the blips appear on your own radar function, it was also nice enough to calculate for you the best transport and destination routes to take to get there. Speed was of the essence, after all.

[FOR THOSE WHO JUST ARRIVED:]
You're not in your homeworld anymore. That much is evident. So how do you feel? Happy? Sad? Troubled? A little of all three? No matter what, the memories of a butterfly man named Philemon are fading like a dream; you'll remember the details, but perhaps not everything he has said.

There is one word that stays with you, however.

Persona.

So...here to save the city, huh? First you'll need to find out more information. And who knows, maybe a familiar face or two...

But why are everyone huddle around large televisions screens for some reason?

[OOC: As stated above, only new characters can start a thread, but feel free to jump in any of them. characters arrive with their clothing and whatever items they had on them the moment they were taken; the remaining items will be later found in their apartments.]

View the FIRST THREAD POST COMMENTS ONLY

Comments

[islandshore]

[It's a great big city.

A real city, not like that Traverse Town place. And while Riku's still trying to grasp that crazy dream of his and how he got pulled away from Traverse Town in the first place, the towering buildings and crowds of people catch his eye and tug him straight out of his daze.

Sure, it's kind of inconvenient to get yanked away. What if he missed Sora? But at the same time, nobody said they wouldn't catch up anyway. And Kairi, too...

His dream was to visit the outside world and see new and exciting places so, with a smirk on his face, he begins exploring his new surroundings and maybe, just maybe, stopping to get some details from any passersby. Like you.]

[princessofheart]

[Kairi was minding her own business, doing some grocery shopping, when suddenly something catches her eye and she has to completely back pedal.

Ri....ku....?

She could've sworn Riku was already here, and significantly older! Pursing her lips, she pushes back her sleeve to peer at her COMP, pulling up the HORUS system to see if this Riku was a newbie or not. Low and behold, there was a small blip on the radar, indicating that little Riku had indeed just arrived, putting their count up to two somehow.

It was almost kind of nostalgic, seeing this young Riku exploring around the city. Kairi was reminded of simpler days, when they thought they could take a raft over the ocean to find new worlds... before keyblades, or heartless, or Facility in her case. It was hard to say whether or not they were necessarily better times, but as the saying goes, innocence is most certainly bliss.

Looking down to check to make sure her metal collar was sufficiently covered by her scarf, she pushes her bangs behind her ear and struts across the street, waving a little to get Riku's attention.]

Hey!

[God, was she just really short or was Riku really tall even at a young age? They were pretty much the same height...]

[islandshore]

[It's not the waving that catches his attention so much as the familiar voice, which stops him mid-step. A smirk makes its way across his face, and his eyes widen. Kairi? Already? Talk about a convenient coincidence!

So, he turns to face her, expecting that same old fourteen year old gal he's familiar with...

What he instead sees makes his jaw drop, and he rubs his eyes to ensure he's not seeing things.

Please pardon his staring as he finally musters up the few words that come to mind.]

Just what's going on?!

[Because uh. Strange is putting things lightly.]

[princessofheart]

[Oops, scared the bitty. At least she figured this would be what happened-- after all, she had grown a lot over the last few years. Kairi smiles at him sympathetically, crossing the final distance to stand in front of him.]

Yeah, sorry for the shock. Time doesn't run quite the same around here...

[She still didn't know how in the world there could be more than one Riku at a time, different age or not, but she'd worry about that later. Kairi needed to make sure he was caught up on what was going on, and help make sure he'd be okay. Bitty or not, he was still one of her best friends.]

Before I explain to you what's happening around here, could you tell me what the last thing you remember back home is?

[Kairi couldn't really sense any darkness within him, not more than any average person anyways, which was certainly interesting.]

[islandshore]

Time doesn't run the same?

[...Okay, Kairi. That earns an eyebrow raise. Pardon his skepticism, but seriously, that just raises too many questions. For one, did he somehow slow down while years passed for his friends? That's one thought he'd rather not entertain.

But since it sounds like she's going to fill him in soon enough, he might as well cooperate. Besides, if she really is Kairi, he can trust her.]

Well, I was trying to catch up with Sora. Got a heads-up from an old hag that he was hanging around Traverse Town.

[She said something about Sora replacing him, too, but really, what were the odds of that? If anything, Sora needed him, just like he always did. Either way, it's not like he's in Traverse Town any more.]

[princessofheart]

Traverse Town...

[That was only shortly after they all left the islands, which meant Riku hadn't really fallen to darkness yet. Well, she'd keep that little tidbit to herself-- don't want to alarm him or anything. But as long as she was around, darkness wouldn't be an issue for him anyways; Kairi would never let it happen to him again if she could help it.]

Before we talk, how about we grab something to eat? There's an ice cream place nearby that just opened, and I've been meaning to try it.

[islandshore]

[See, this he can handle. Kairi's friendly demeanor eases any remaining tension, and his lips quirk into a smile. Weird as this situation is, at least she's trying to ease him into it rather than acting all cryptic like Maleficent.]

Guess a quick detour wouldn't hurt. To tell you the truth, I was getting hungry, anyway.

[Probably doesn't help that he hadn't exactly stopped to snack, either.]

[princessofheart]

Cool! I'll pay, don't worry~

[She motions for him to follow her, fingers laced behind her back as she walks. Kairi would explain where they were, what the town was, what the power they received was, maybe even a little about her if he asked, but she'd avoid anything about his future for now. Best let Riku himself handle that.]

[quakega]

[This particular passerby is going in the opposite direction, though he is on the same side of the street as Riku. He doesn't seem to be paying much attention--

--until he stops in his tracks, getting an alert on his COMP and the glasses materialize, pointing out a newcomer to the city. Since he's close, eh might as well investigate, right?

Huh. The signal is coming from right in front of him. Well, going to be looking now.

... this is a look of shock. Did Riku shrink?]

[islandshore]

[Okay, why does it feel like somebody's following him? Narrowing his eyes, Riku whips around, ready to give this person a piece of his mind.]

Okay, just who do you think you--

Welp. That... wasn't who he expected. Once again, he's rendered speechless, spending a few seconds staring right back at him. There's something familiar about this guy. A little too familiar...

Could it be?

Straightening his stance, Riku places a hand against the side of his neck and frowns.]

...Forget what I just said.

[quakega]

[... Well. That reaction certainly takes him back a bit. There's a small murmur of amusement from where his Master's heart is, as well.

Well, he'll forgive you this time, mini-ku. For now, he's just going to smirk and cross his arms. Waaaay too amused.] Now I know I have to teach you about manners on top of everything else.

[If it weren't for the teasing tone he had taken or the look on his face, there's no telling how serious he was about that particular statement.] Welcome to Hinoto-Ri, Riku.

[islandshore]

Hey, it's not like I expected to see you this soon.

[Well, okay. A part of him was hoping he was because he's such a huge motivator in why he wanted to leave. But, all the same, he's gotta make a good impression.]

...But thanks.

[See? he can manners.]

[charmedbymemories]

[The one thing Naminé needs to get used to is seeing more than one of any person. It's the vague thought that comes to mind as she stares at Riku as he passes by, astonished by both his entire existence when there's one Riku in the city already, and the fact that he's so young. She hasn't seen him that young since Castle Oblivion, and that feels like ages ago now.

Is this what it feels like to get older? She momentarily delights in that fact before focusing again. What to do? If he hasn't noticed her by now, he probably comes from a time before they met...and she doesn't want to alarm or overload him with future knowledge.

Well...there was nothing else she could do but call out to him, in the end.]

Riku.

[islandshore]

[Okay, there's an unfamiliar voice. Raising an eyebrow, he turns to face Naminé. And, sure, she resembles Kairi a little bit, but given that he's used to a much younger Kairi, he tosses it up to coincidence for now.]

And who are you supposed to be?

[Because he doesn't remember giving his name out to any old stranger.]

[charmedbymemories]

[She's not surprised by how curt he is with her-- she did look at all of Sora's memories, after all-- but she has to take a moment to figure out how to respond.

Well, she could go about this the way she did with Roxas. With a few changes, of course.]

My name is Naminé. I'm a friend of Sora and Kairi's. I've heard a lot about you.

[islandshore]

A friend, huh?

[Pardon him if he's just a little bit skeptical, but hmm... She doesn't seem so bad. His posture relaxes, at any rate, and he lowers his arms to his sides.]

...I'd believe it. Sora's way too social for his own good, and I think Kairi'd get along with just about anybody.

[Because she's just that upbeat. It's one of hers-- and Sora's-- best traits, even if Sora's still a huge sap.]

[charmedbymemories]

[She laughs faintly.]

Oh yes, true on both counts. They are both very kind people. I don't know what I'd do if I hadn't met them.

Speaking of which, have you met them here yet? They're in the city with us.

[islandshore]

Well, I did catch Kairi earlier, but no sign of Sora yet.

[...Not that he's surprised.]

Knowing him, he's probably lost somewhere.

[charmedbymemories]

Probably! You'll find him eventually though, he has a habit of popping up when you least expect it.

[She tilts her head at ahim.]

Have you gotten settled into the city yet?

[dreamprotector]

[It's a great big city indeed, but apparently not quite big enough for two Rikus not to stumble over another. Talk about small world.

Master!ku is on his way home from school, book bag draped over his shoulder as he wanders from food stand to food stand, trying to decide on the Take-Out Of The Day when he catches sight of a flicker of yellow and silver and a sense of familiarity. ...He shakes his head and blinks and now actually looks.

And stares.

Because. What the-]

...You got to be kidding me.

[He quickly follows after the lookalike of his fifteen-years-old self. ...It's not the replica; there isn't enough Darkness for this to be the Replica...

What is going on here?

Well... for now stalking following from a moderate distance seems like a good idea for now. Dinner can certainly wait.]

[islandshore]

[As he travels down the street, all the little stands catch his eye. He stops, placing a hand over his chest the moment his stomach growls.

His eyes narrow, and he lets out a groan. Sure, he probably should stop and eat, but he doesn't exactly have a wallet on hand.

Sigh. Well, not much he can do about it for now. He'll just have to tough it out. Thus, with his mind made up, he turns around, heading in the direction of his double.

What do?]

[dreamprotector]

[Hn. Not been saving up munny just in case, has he?

He stops and dodges to the side of the foot way when he sees that doppelganger stop near the stands, frowning as he watches the kid. What should he do about this... should he keep following quietly? Should he confront him?

Well... the decision isn't exactly made for him the moment the other turns, but it certainly makes it easier. He sighs to himself before he steps forward, deliberately blocking the other's path, one eyebrow raised.]

So... Who are you supposed to be?

[islandshore]

[...Okay, have an eyebrow raise in return. This guy looks eerily similar to him. His voice, too. It's uncanny.

But it has to be a coincidence. There's only one of him. For now, he'll play it cool and respond.]

Riku. And what about you?

[He's just going to... try and walk around his double.]

[dreamprotector]

[...Coincidence. Right. There is a thing about that, mini!ku; you'll learn it soon enough probably.

He keeps silent as he eyes the kid before him, lips pressing together... the scent is familiar, similar, but not quite the same as his own - it lacks any kind of balance, has never known Xehanort's taint.

When the younger tries to sidestep him, he blocks his way - he'll have to try harder than that if he wants to walk away.]

...We may have a problem there; you see- [He stretches out his hand, concentrating not on the blade that he by now relies on without even thinking, but on the one that had come before that, letting Darkness swirl until the Soul Eater lies in his hand.] -I am Riku too.

[islandshore]

What?

[He freezes, staring at that Soul Eater before his own sword materializes in his grip. His eyes narrow, and he squeezes the hilt of his Soul Eater, his eyes darting from his double to the ground. What's he supposed to even think about this?

...There has to be a catch.]

This better be a joke.