text @riku; URGENT; (cw: mention of blood) [open]

[equinoctials]

(Backdated to when this happened during Lights Out.)

If anyone is able to help, we have somebody at cabin grand portal 5 who has lost a lot of blood.
His injuries are closed. I can't do anything about what he's lost.
Is that artificial blood stuff ready to use for something like this?


He was injured because someone experienced hallucinations that started when his lantern started to glow green.
The lighthouse is showing the same light. It's possible Robin might also be experiencing the same thing.


[ Those who know what the Lighthouse Keeper can do if the situation appears to be dire enough might realize the implications. The last thing they need is a powerful hallucination of, say, the arrival of the World Eaters, or the impression there's total chaos going on down here. Just a thought. ]


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(added later...)

Thanks. We've got a doctor coming to look at him and someone is checking up on Robin. I'll update this if anything new comes up.

Comments

[sublimebeast]

[Link is pretty sure Riku is referring to the sword but he can't help a teasing response...]

My face reminds you of legends from your home?

[equinoctials]

[ The threshold between mildly flustered and full on intolerable mortification is pretty remarkably thin, considering how much Riku is willing to put himself through, otherwise.

It's not hard to realize he's being teased, and the next moment sees him trying to lead with his shoulder, attempting to push past Link to get to the door. ]

The doc's probably done...

[sublimebeast]

[What a fun reaction!

Link smirks as the boy walks past him but at the last moment reaches out and grabs Riku's human arm. His grip is just strong enough to show that, despite his playful features, he's got something serious to say.]

Do me a favor, okay?

[equinoctials]

[ The way Riku abruptly stops and swings his gaze around to Link sharply suggests that his piqued attention is not exactly of the warm and positive sort, but... he's had a dangerous half year here. ]

...

[ He doesn't ask 'what?' when he thinks the pause itself should be enough of a prompt. ]

[sublimebeast]

[Link lets go and shifts slightly to look Riku in the eyes. His own gaze is feral and wolfish but not unkind.]

Take care of him, okay?

Not just...in terms of looking out for his physical wellbeing. Be a friend.

I know he's not quite the person you remember but he didn't ask for any of this and... what he's going through isn't easy. I mean it can't be.

Inheriting power from someone else means wondering if everyone you meet wants you to be that other person; a person who isn't you but on some level isn't not you either.

[He scratches his nose. Does any of this make sense? Likely not, he barely understands it himself.]

He's probably always wondering if he can live up to people's expectations, or if people will be disappointed when they find out he's not who they want him to be. Living like that can make a guy feel constantly guilty.

So...just be there for him. He's puttin' up a brave front but I think he needs all the friends he can get.

[Really, in a place like this, they all do.]

Uh... You probably didn't need me to say all that but I needed to say it.

klhsdlf sorry link

[equinoctials]

[ First Riku's expression goes blank as he hears Link out and, slowly, his expression pinches. Mostly around the eyes. It's a pained expression and one that shifts too easily into a low simmering anger.

This is an example of how someone's well meaning words can have the opposite intended effect. Complicated grief is a much nastier business than a pep talk can mend. Where normal grief takes time and support, complicated grief is complicated because it doesn't get better as time goes on, it's a wound that keeps bleeding.

Link, a stranger, doesn't have the sort of rapport with Riku to justify making such a request of him.

That he doesn't lose his temper and resort to throwing punches is a sign of Character Growth or something. ]

You're outta line.

[ Link doesn't know him, he doesn't have the slightest idea of what he's been through, the personal hell this place has become. He lost everything that was important to him, even his central driving goal ended in utter failure, his heart was so broken by events that have transpired here that even the Keyblade wouldn't answer his call. He has struggled to get back on his feet, to pour fresh determination into the cracks of his heart. Link can't know that, which is why Riku swallows down his hurt and anger.

But he does stand his ground on his boundaries. ]

You're right. I didn't. I believe your intentions are good and that you don't know better, so I won't hold this against you.

[ There's the problem with offering no explanation: Riku could easily be misunderstood, his motives and reasons could be transformed into whatever anyone needs or wants them to be, he leaves himself and his circumstances open to speculation. Neither is anyone owed an explanation, either. He isn't leaving yet, but his hand is on the door handle, telegraphing his intentions. ]

Don't push me.

[sublimebeast]

[Link watches Riku's expression change. Oh, gods, he's upset him...

He's never been too good at rallying people. Rallying people to fight works, sure, but emotional rallying? Kids listen, adults seem to think he's being condescending.

He opens his mouth to say he knows what carrying someone else's essence feels like, the constant nagging uncertainty... But that will just fall on deaf ears won't it?

Maybe there is nothing to say.

He searches Riku's reflective eyes and sees a bit of himself in there. Anger, pain, frustration...

If Riku feels at all the way Link had when he'd accidentally destroyed his home there are no words that will make him feel better. Link had to ride out his grief in a small village where he'd lied to everyone about his identity, terrified that anyone knowing him too well would disrupt the comfortable blanket of peace he'd drawn around himself.

In the end they saw through it. The peace hadn't lasted.]

I just don't want you to be angry with him.

You can be angry at me all you want. You can hate me even, I can take it.

[His wolfish gaze wanders back towards the trees and any last trace of a smile that may have been there slowly vanishes from his face.]

But I hope you realize that grief and anger are poor foundations for a life, without other motivations beside 'em.

[A lesson he is still himself learning. The skeletal creature had told him he'll never honor the Hero's Green until he can temper his desperation and rage with true courage.]

sorry for the rude boy...

[equinoctials]

[ It presumes much about a guy Link has met not even half an hour ago.

Neither of them are unreasonable people; Riku can be persuaded and reasoned with, but not like this. Not by preaching about solutions or priorities that are irrelevant to his situation, not with strong solicitations that he endure his grief for the sake of easing the troubled hearts of strangers.

Riku's grief deserves some amount of accommodation, doesn't it? Unlike a cut across one's stomach, healing a wounded heart can't be rushed along with some magic words.

Link says I don't want you to be angry with him and Riku exhales through his nose, hard, like a scoff. He gives him permission to be angry at Link when Riku doesn't think it works quite like that. Riku turns, putting the door at his back.

By the time Link gets to "I hope you realize", Riku has had enough, he cuts in with a firm but unheated: ]

Shut up.

[ And a brief pause, because what he has to say or do next depends entirely upon whether Link keeps going or heeds his warning. ]

no this is great

[sublimebeast]

[Link does shut up when told and his eyes turn wild as they fix upon a spot in the middle distance.

The shadow that had been waiting for him now crosses the snow, leaving no foot prints, and stands before him.

This could be going better.

Link says nothing.

What exactly do you want these people to do? Bow before your infinite wisdom as the Hero of Hyrule? Nobody here cares.

He pushes himself away from the wall and at his hip the green in his lantern starts to brighten.

What authority do you have on matters of grief? What do you know about these people? Who ARE you? Any of those topics might have broken the ice.]

Shut up.

[He unintentionally seems to parrot Riku's words back at him but they're aimed at the crimson eyed shadow that only exists in his mind.

Oh, well, too late now. Some you can save, some don't want to be saved, eh? Next time be less stupid.

It reaches out for him, inky black hand seeming to invite him in closer.

But Link remains firm where he stands.

Do you want to dig yourself in deeper? Come with me and you can at least go crazy with some dignity. If you stay here these people really will come to hate you.]

No! I will NEVER follow you!

[The green in the lantern flickers and Link gasps as he realizes he was just talking aloud to himself.]

I should go.

I've caused enough trouble.

[He starts walking off towards the woods, but moves in the opposite direction from the shadow, not that it helps.

The creature is immediately floating beside him.

That Riku character could be nicer, though. And are you noticing how he smells? He smells like those shadow beasts. He might be a servant of Zant. Next time he gives you lip you should kill him.]

[equinoctials]

[ He expected a few possible reactions.

This reaction is not one of them; Riku observes it not with indifference, though his hard stare might be mistaken for that since he's absorbing information without trying to intervene.

It's shut up and I will never follow you and Riku remembers arguing with another voice in his heart in the same way. It's I should go and I've caused enough trouble and, in the end, Riku never gets the chance to speak. ]

...

[ That, at least, is about what he expected. Riku waits until his green lantern is out of sight, and then enters the cabin. ]