glocksuke | Summer Festival in the MGU

Summer Festival in the MGU

Wherever you are, whoever you are, one minute you’re at home minding your own business and the next you’ll see a shower of sparkles before you blink and find yourself teleported elsewhere.

The elsewhere, it seems, is an open grounds lined with stalls, pathways and gardens. Lanterns light up the pathways in soft glowing oranges and pinks, and even though it’s evening the weather is warm and enjoyable for a fun summer festival.

As you set off to explore, you’ll find that there are countless stalls with every type of treat you can imagine from a variety of cultures (including some from your own home worlds, strangely), all of which smell delicious and enticing. There are other stalls available with different carnival games as well. Go ahead and give it your all! Win a prize for that special someone, or just keep trying out of sheer stubbornness. Other stalls seem to be selling wares such as clothing, household items, flowers, and other things that can be given away as gifts. It seems that every time you look around, a new stall opens, almost as if this festival is responding to your every wish.

Speaking of wishes, there’s a small cluster of bamboo trees nearby as well, tables set up with baskets of arts and crafts supplies to write your wishes on the colorful paper and tie them to a branch. It’s a sweet thought, no?

And of course, what’s a festival without fireworks? Every now and then fireworks will light up the night sky, bursts of color in fun shapes such as stars, hearts, faces of people you know, whatever! Sparklers and bubble wands can also be found to play with throughout the evening near the viewing gardens. Flowers bloom and cover the area, though the paths lead to several small alcove-like areas and gazebos for those of you who wish to have a little romantic privacy. No matter where you are though, you’ll always be able to see the starry night sky.

Do try to play along and enjoy yourself for the evening. It’s only when the last firework bursts several hours later that you can actually leave anyway. Have fun!

[ooc: you know the drill, past mg characters from any of our past games, please don't make me list them again but go nuts.]

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[STOP.]

You... did it over and over again?

[Well, now he's really frowning. What does Sora mean he doesn't remember how many cycles?! That's HORRIBLE. He's electing to ignore the sappy mention they would have been his friends in every single one.

Sora always can make friends.]

...to get the best ending. The one that'd send everyone back home.

[That he understands.]

So we were told. And I believe it, because the Leaders had memories of past cycles and some of the stuff we learned made it pretty obvious, too. I think that guy said the last round was the twentieth. [sora's fine. he picks off a piece of cotton candy to hold out to meow wow and see if he'll eat it.]

At the end, we were given one last vote. "If this wasn't the last chance and you failed, would you be willing to go through this again?" Some of us picked no, but other people picked yes. And it didn't matter what we voted because we were successful that time and everything was over. He said he was doing all of this as a test and research about how to save the worlds. Or maybe destroy them.

[. . .]

I don't know who he is. But he had a black coat. [he does not think to specify because even a KH2 Riku should know what a black coat means.]

[Sora is really out here throwing all these frown-inducing things at him, huh?! HELLO. As an idiot who absolutely waltzed around in a black coat, he knows what it means, and his expression visibly hardens.]

...The Organization.

[Well, shit. Now he's wondering if they missed something, if the Organization was behind what happened with him, too. Was the plot hole... something they were messing with?

Hilariously, even though Sora can't see what he's thinking about, he can absolutely tell Riku's brain is going inward a mile a minute, spiraling uncontrollably. Komory may have stolen some cotton candy, but the bat chirrups uncertainly.]

He was researching how to cycle a world's fate...?

[surprise! meow wow eats his cotton candy but he seems to be wiggling less, picking up on the uneasiness of the conversation. sora on the other hand shakes his head a bit. he can tell riku's starting to spiral, so time to put an end to that.]

Not the Organization. But he knew Xehanort. He mentioned him on his own. [so that was fun!] He was really weird and vague about it, but that seemed to be close. Like...maybe something to do with saving the worlds that have been destroyed but destroying others. The heart of the worlds. The place we were in was actually virtual. Data. The whole thing wasn't really real, but it felt real. What felt like months was really only a few minutes.

[...] He knew enough about us to run these tests, too. And enough to take away certain memories to see how we'd change things. I wish I had more time to talk to him, but he was just a hologram. He wouldn't give me answers.

Edited 2021-09-27 19:38 (UTC)

[He looks very :\ about that. Behind the irritation and frustration in his eyes is definitely a little worry. Not the Organization, but in a black coat and knows Xehanort...

Ugh.

His eyes lower to Meow Wow, even if he's looking through the puppycat really. Data. He doesn't know whether to be relieved, or upset. It wasn't real then. But it felt real.

And being data just means someone has access to all of that data. He wonders if... Yamato and Taichi would have any idea how to help. (laughs in Riku's data future)]

That doesn't surprise me. [...] Data and memories. It sounds a lot like the Organization even if he isn't. [The black coat doesn't help.] Well... don't worry. We'll find him, and we'll get more answers. And if he's up to something bad, we'll stop him.

Don't tell me you're trying to go back there, Sora.

[the worst part of everything is knowing that riku hasn't experienced so much, so sora doesn't even know how much he can say. actually, no, the worst is not getting that guy's name.

tell your best friend about your boyfriends, coward.]

That's what I thought, too. But...I dunno. I don't know how good or bad it'll be, but I have an idea of where to find him. I just don't know what to do after that.

[but there's a slightly off-kilter grin.]

No way! I have other places to get to first. I don't even know if the Realm exists anymore. It was...kind of glitching and falling apart. But I know that guy was doing these tests to use on our worlds. We have to go after him as soon as we figure out how to get to him. [...] But right now? Maybe we should just enjoy the festival.

[sap. but also, like...sora is Well Aware of where he's going again when he leaves, and sometimes a dumbass is selfish and wants to spend as much time with his friends having fun as possible. he does not realize it's probably a very obvious tell that something's wrong though. oh well.]

[Wow. How like Sora. Yet again pretending things isn't a bucket of shit hitting a 50 mph ceiling fan. That grin doesn't wipe the concerned, serious look off his face, you know, pal!

But the change of topic does make him feel weird trying to frustratedly steer it back on the previous course. (At least Sora doesn't seem interested in finding a way back for answers.) So he awkwardly shifts, and then notices the chunk taken out of the cotton candy.]

Hey. [As if to say haha!, Komory chitters and flaps both wings. Riku sighs. He glances at Sora, and then he looks at the other stalls. It feels wrong to enjoy this after hearing all of that.] Lead the way then.

Maybe we'll run into your friends.

[THERE IS NO GOOD LEAD IN FOR "hey by the way i died saving everybody but it's fine i'm vibing in a void somewhere", so riku's just going to have to deal? as it is, he laughs at komory and watches the bat, listening to meow wow squeak at his heels as they bumble along.]

Maybe we will. And maybe we'll run into yours, too. If they're around.

[this is a very pointed way of saying riku owes him. tell him about your friends!!!]

[Freaking Sora. He doesn't know how to tell his best friend about HIMSELF much less about the fact he managed to grab TWO boyfriends by the collar.

Especially when Sora.... Nevermind. Not the time to unpack all that right now.

Purposefully, he keeps his gaze away from Sora as they bobble along with the puppycat and bat. For the second time, he's looking around as if he expects someone to bust out of nowhere and flag him down.]

Yeah... [It's all he says for a long moment.] ...Taichi and... Yamato.

They're... important, too.

[Like Clem and Lup.]

[now is absolutely the time to unpack everything. but as it is, sora doesn't seem to mind that riku's not looking at him, busying himself with his cotton candy and watching their dream eaters to make sure they stay out of trouble.

riku's riku. he's seemingly content either way.]

Yeah? What're they like? [he explained lup and clem (briefly) so it's only fair.] Were you guys on the same team or something?

[The whiplash of doing this thread along with the other one.

Also OH BOY and this is NOT fair (Lup and Clem were so BRIEF). Remember how he's not great with his feelings, too? Yeah.]

It was a school, so there were... dorms. Me, and Iris, and Annie, and Hugo were dorm heads of our own dorms. Yamato was in Fall with me... I guess because... we've got a lot in common. Taichi was in Spring, but moved to Fall later to be with Yamato.

[HE HASN'T SAID WHAT THEY WERE LIKE.]

Taichi reminds me a lot of you. Yamato reminds me a lot of myself. I guess that's why they've always been friends. They're... "Digi Destined"?

[what does this mean]

[it's fine probably. also it's very obvious what his thoughts about school are given the way he pulls a face almost immediately.]

Dorm heads, huh. [riku in a position of leadership....yeah, he can see that, actually, considering what he knows. but he looks a little curious when riku goes on to describe the gays.]

...what were they destined for? Have they been friends as long as you and me? [that doesn't sound so bad. friends are good. he's assuming they're close to their age, too, so he doesn't ask.]

[Yeah, that's why he talked so much shit about Sora to the digis when it came to school. Ding-dong.]

...?

[Stop, don't think it's fine for him to be a leader. He's still coming out of being emo, so he absolutely doesn't think he's fit to be a leader of any kind. Especially not when he thinks he can't control any of the darkness in him... without proving it first.]

Something like that. [Friends to lovers.................we both really fucked up our chance here on this meme, didn't we? Damn.] They... had devices given to them so they could help protect their world and another world. A digital one. Kind of like our keyblades. [HE REALIZES JUST NOW ALL THE TIMES YAMATO AND TAICHI BAITED HIM INTO TALKING ABOUT HIMSELF WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM!!! Wow, he doesn't know shit hardly!! HELP HIM.]

They have partners, too. I didn't know about the Dream Eaters yet, but... their partners are like the Dream Eaters in a way. I think they said... they had to reset things to keep everyone safe, but it was hard because... they had to say goodbye to them since they would have had to be reset, too.

[HE DOESN'T KNOW? also stop they might still be holding hands anna you tell me. anyway, unfortunately lup was right and sora does think the sun shines out of riku's ass, especially given how far ahead sora actually is and riku being a keyblade master and all. but he's made the decision not to say so unless riku asks. something something world order.

instead, he's watching him as they walk through stalls of food and seem to be heading for the game fairway, processing all of that.]

A digital device made of light. [that's how he's interpreting it.] Sounds pretty hard to say goodbye to your friends like that. But a reset doesn't mean they were gone forever. Hopefully their partners are okay.

[thinking, thinking...] You want to see them again too, don't you?

[HE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT LIGHT, DONGUS. Even though that's not exactly wrong. It's fine. Light is in there.]

They're okay. Meeting someone you care a lot about again when they don't remember you... is just hard.

[It's fine...

He very quickly glances away, and then sort of pulls up short. They are absolutely still holding hands because I say so even if Sora needed two to feed Meow Wow earlier.]

Sora, I...

[Okay, he doesn't know how to navigate most things like this, so he definitely finds it awkward trying to navigate this. He looks everywhere except Sora in vain hopes he'll figure out how to talk.]

...I want to see them again, but... not... the way you think.

[Sora is MEAN making him say this FIRST.]

[HE DIDN'T HAVE TO? riku said device and protect and he immediately assumed, what do you want from him? but anyway, yeah! wow! meeting people when they don't remember...what a weird thing that happens sometimes.

they're holding hands because i also assumed sora just held out the stick of cotton candy for meow wow to bite off of it because he's disgusting that way, but when riku stops he pauses and gives him a Look. cool. what's going on, why are we stopping...]

...what's that supposed to mean? [sora is mean making him say it first, but riku deserves it for all of the grief he's given sora over the years.] You don't want to go back to your school, do you?

[riku had asked if sora was going to go back to the realm and he said no, but what if this is different?]

[SORA...........!!

Admittedly, it's a great accidental buffer for his anxiety. Both of Riku's shoulders drop in exasperation.]

I--no. Sora. Not that. [Don't just turn him into a hivemind who wants to go back to the weird school!!] I don't want to go back there.

I meant... [This is literally way harder than anyone would think.] I want to see them, but it's... not as... friends.

[Kill him.]

[okay first of all he's relieved that riku doesn't want to go back. but then he tunes in, frowning for a moment as he thinks about what he's saying and he stares at him for a moment.]

Like...more than friends...?

[(Axel voice) two?! ]

[Honestly, he's shocked Sora has two braincells to rub together (no). Riku doesn't say anything for a long moment, but he also doesn't let go of Sora's hand. In fact, he may be holding it a little tighter!

Because he's nervous as hell being so honest about something so... Wow, he really has no clue Sora went off and got a girlfriend, and he's struggling for no damn reason.]

...Yeah. More than friends. [(axel voice)] ...Both of them.

[its okay. they can hold hands and riku tightens his grip which means sora adjusts his hand for a better hold. there's a moment he considers that. two boyfriends...?

boyfriends is also a surprise but not as much as riku having two of them. ]

Oh. [...hm.] You like them that much? [are they nice to riku? do these two boys treat his best friend right? does he have to fight?]

[SORA NO.

His lashes lower a little over his eyes in an effort to not meet Sora's gaze. How do you tell your best friend of HOW many years that you tripped into a romantic threesome with two other dudes?

He feels as shy and awkward as he did even bringing it up to Yamato.

Slowly, his eyes hesitantly lift again.]

They're important to me. When I needed them most... to get back to you... they were there for me.

[HE'LL FIGHT!! except it doesn't seem like he has to, really, and he notices that riku's really making it a point not to look at him. it's a little concerning and he frowns to himself, trying to think of how to make this conversation easier since, you know, it's pretty dang important.]

What do you mean--[maybe that doesn't matter. he goes quiet again for a moment.] I'm glad they were there. It sounds like things got pretty tough back there.

[...] So...you're dating...both of them?

[...

Please don't just say it out loud like that. While he doesn't release Sora's hand, he does shift awkwardly.]

There was a woman... uh, Beauregard. She... said something about... [THIS IS SO HARD WHY.] ...three being okay if... everyone was fine with it.

Uh, anyway... I--yeah. Both.

[He says this uncertainly in the way he thinks Sora is going to judge the hell out of him.]

[well...sora's just holding his hand and he's not letting go while he watches riku squirm.]

...Lup said the same thing when she was dating Blanca and also kissed Cloud. And Alex, Hansa, Chiron and Emet-Selch were all dating each other, too. [so it's not the poly that's a surprise. it's the riku being in a poly that he's mostly curious about.]

And you're all okay with it. [to...clarify. he's slowly trying to process all of this.]

[He looks up like CLOUD? but doesn't interrupt Sora. Wait, back up a second first.]

...Sora, that's four people.

[QUADSOME? Swingers. Hello?!]

...Yeah, I guess we are. [This still feels incredibly weird telling Sora.] I brought it up with Yamato right before the end... but Taichi was cursed.

And then... everything at the end happened, so we had to wait to talk about it. It didn't change the fact they had to go home, and... I had to go get you out of the darkness. We had to go home, too.

...

Sorry. I know it sounds weird.

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