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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[(riku voice) NO

To say Riku's face drops is an understatement. It feels like any last little bit of hope in him shrivels up and whines pathetically as it dies. The darkness was inside of Sora?! Sora almost lost?!

This shocks him. Sora? His Sora? NO, DON'T YOU START SMILING. Ooooooo, he hates that.]

...Sora.

[:sob: He doesn't want this victory knowing Sora, of all people, had a loss. But also... what does he really say to that? The look on his face softens.]

Darkness can be places you'd never expect to find it. But I wouldn't ever let anything happen to you. You can... always re-take the exam.

[wow. wonder why he didn't want to tell riku!!! he watches the change in his face immediately and he immediately tries to figure out a way to do the damage control.]

It's okay. I'm okay. We're okay. [...mostly.] You deserved the title, you know? I knew you'd never let me down and I was...just glad you were safe.

[...] That was a little while ago though. I haven't re-taken the exam or anything but I relearned how to use the power of waking. Both of us needed to master it so we could save some of the others.

[something occurs to him then. sora was so young back then that he barely remembers things, but riku...maybe...]

Do the names Terra and Aqua mean anything to you? Or Ventus...?

[The ONE and SINGLE relief in all this is that he is still taking care of Sora in the future.

Forget the exam--he's proud of that at least, of protecting Sora. The things that matter.

He gives Sora's hand a squeeze.]

Terra...?

[He pauses and glances into the distance off to the side. His heart flutters. But why?

SOMEONE TELL HIM THE END OF DDD INFO. Also, why did wayfinder mom and dad have to follow the traveling rules and not say their names.

Anyway, he touches his chest with his free hand directly over his heart.]

...friends, right?

[HE'S GETTING THERE DAMN!!! but first they have to be useless and hold hands while sora cryptically delivers information. he'll get back to the terra thing in a second because he's put together the context clues, but...there's a nod.]

Right. And Keyblade wielders. Aqua's a master just like you. [...okay, no, one thing at a time.] We saved her from the Realm of Darkness. Together. We brought her back to the Realm of Light. Terra was used as a vessel for Xehanort, and we had to free him, too. And Ven...

...I didn't remember for a really, really long time. But his heart's been with mine since we first met them. [sometimes you casually tote around someone's damaged heart for ten years.] We were supposed to learn how to master the power of waking to save people like them.

We needed them to complete the Seven Lights.

[Well, APPARENTLY, there is a lot going on in his future. HELLO? They really do so fucking much in, like, two or three years, help.

Surprise washes up over his face. Sora is just listing good thing after good thing, but he hasn't forgotten how dodging Sora had been before, or forgotten what Sora said when he asked if Sora was okay. It feels like the rug is about to get ripped out from under his feet the further into Sora's story they get.

One of the most important people to him--something not so good has happened.]

The person you felt hurting. [It's okay if Sora doesn't remember. Sora has... been through a lot. But Riku can't completely forget: soft, empathetic crybaby Sora on the beach.] It's just like you to always try helping everyone.

[He thinks about being inside Yamato while they all tried to help him, and his expression softens. He gets it.]

So Terra, Aqua, and Ventus... Those were who the King was talking about, aren't they? The people hurting. [Is he taking notes for the future? Maybe.] The Seven Lights. It's... him again, isn't it? [Why they're doing all this.] Ansem. Xemnas.

Xehanort.

Yeah. [there's a little relief there that riku remembers, at least.] Being with me...healed him, I guess. And Aqua had locked him inside a chamber of a castle to keep him safe. When we went back, I connected with him and he woke up.

[he's maybe stalling, but it's important. the power of waking is important.]

Master Yen Sid said that our exam helped us prepare for a clash of darkness that was gonna happen. We had to bring those three back, and Lea and Kairi were training together to learn how to use their Keyblades. [he does not explain who lea is.]

...it's Xehanort. It's always been Xehanort, even when we didn't know it. He's been preparing for years. There are seven Guardians of Light: you, me, Kairi, Lea, Aqua, Ven, and the King. They were meant to fight Thirteen Darknesses in order to form this weapon called the x-blade...to summon Kingdom Hearts. Xehanort wanted the power to trigger the purge and reset all of the worlds to form one world again. He said the light of Kingdom Hearts would give everyone a new start.

But to get there...he did some pretty terrible things. [ah.] The Organization was meant to be thirteen vessels to be thirteen pieces of Xehanort. But they lost members, so they had to find others. The Xehanort possessing Terra's body tried to stop us before we could even fight Xehanort. [...] We lost everybody. Kairi, Donald, Goofy...the King, Aqua and Ven, too. All of them were swept away and consumed by the darkness.

And I lost you, too. And then myself.

[he should probably just...give riku a moment. but he's close enough that he doesn't want to drag out the rest of the story, instead tightening his hold on riku's hand in a way he's hoping is casual but isn't casual at all.]

When I woke up, I was in a place called the Final World. Chirithy told me that sometimes the edges of sleep and death brush together, so I'd been there before. But this time it was because I'd perished. We all did, but I was the only one who made it to that world. Or I guess Naminé was there, too, as a star. Anyway...once I collected myself, Chirithy helped me find my way back so I could use the Power of Waking to save everybody else. We were all able to come back and keep moving to fight Xehanort.

[there is still. more. to this story. but this is a lot so he does actually decide to wait just to let riku process all of this.]

[Yeah. It's... a lot. It's a lot. And not just in a "this could possibly happen" way, but in a "this is definitely how the future goes" way. It weighs on him.

Guardians of Light. Thirteen Darknesses. Not nearly as bad as hearing they all got taken by the darkness. Why is saving everyone always resting on Sora's shoulders?]

Sora.

[He offers it gently, comfortingly. There's still more, but he pulls Sora by the hand, closing the gap between them, and then he lets go. He wraps both arms around Sora's shoulders to hug him. It's a reassurance, an apology, but also a thank you, too.]

It must have been hard for you to do all of that by yourself.

[Alone.]

[it sure is a lot! also what a great question that sora has given absolutely no thought to. saving people is just what you do as a hero. and it's like sora said to lup once.

"...I know the worlds needed our help, and that I had a responsibility as a Keyblade wielder. And I know that if we didn't stop Xehanort and if we didn't help all of those people, everything would have gone wrong. But all I ever wanted to do was get all of us home again. They mean everything to me."

he could make fun of riku for being sappy, say something silly to brighten the mood but...it doesn't feel right. it's sort of like the words weigh on his tongue and make it harder to get them out there, so riku probably shouldn't be surprised by the way there's only a blip of hesitation before sora's returning the gesture.

it's been...a very, very long time, actually.]

It never really felt like I was alone. [which isn't entirely true, but the sentiment is there.] I had you guys with me, even if you weren't there. You're the one who told me to pull myself together, and I did. Without you...I probably would've given up.

[just saying.]

When everyone came back...we split up. We had to fight our way through the Keyblade Graveyard. You fought your replica. We saved Terra and Xion. Saix, too. Or Isa, I guess. And Roxas...got his own body. He came to help us, too. All of us together...we finished it off and went to confront Xehanort, but even then it wasn't over.

[the grip tightens again.] He kidnapped Kairi. He wanted to make you, me and the King fight a younger version of himself, Ansem and Xemnas. Even after we won...he destroyed her. After all that...just to make me fight him. He shattered her heart, but I used my power to go back and save her. She's okay now. Everybody's okay.

[he's quick to reassure him of that, at least. can you believe kh3 has so much going on in the last like three hours of gameplay i fucking hate this canon.]

Edited 2021-10-20 20:23 (UTC)

[Shut up, Riku knows Sora is stupid. He doesn't even have to be the Riku who told Sora to get it together to know Sora probably feels being alone more than anyone else. It hits the hardest for the person who is typically never alone.]

I won't ever let you give up, Sora. [He has not let go of the hug, by the way. He wants the promise to be near Sora's ear.] I won't give up either. We'll keep going together.

[Finally, he loosens his hold and leans just far enough back he can give Sora his undivided attention. But close enough for Sora to hold onto still. Imagine having a girlfriend and two boyfriends and continuing to be this gay with each other.]

Everyone's okay... [He frowns. Of course he frowns!] ...but that doesn't include you... does it?

[let him pretend not to be stupid for like five minutes. then again, the best thing about riku and kairi has always been that they're the people who understand him the most. it's kind of nice not having to say anything and knowing riku's going to read between the lines.

he does not think to tell riku that that's the mean thing that lup reacted to. it's still not really mean to him. it's facts, and riku's always been the one to push him forward. he was grateful for it then, and he's grateful for the words now. together...just like always, right?

riku loosens the hold and sora's dumbass self immediately tries to grab him again before realizing riku's not even going that far. stay there. thanks! cannot believe they've learned about poly separately and still just continue to be this way.

but right. haha! that.]

...after restoring everybody's hearts, and after Xehanort scattered Kairi's again, I went back to the Final World. Chirithy told me that I'd changed everything. "The power of waking is meant to be used to wake and restore sleeping hearts, not to restore them after they've completely faded away from existence." That's what they said. If I were to use the power again to restore Kairi's heart, I would lose my powers and I would vanish from the Final World with no way of getting back home.

[...it's pretty obvious what he chose.]

You guys are safe on the island. You, Kairi, Aqua, Terra, Ven, Lea, Roxas, Isa, Xion...even Naminé. Xehanort's defeated for good. Things are okay.

[and that's all that matters to him.]

That was about a year ago.

Sora.

[He doesn't say it like he's chastising, but like it hurts him to hear. When his fingers curl into Sora's clothes, it isn't because Sora has yet again taken the self-sacrificial road, but because he feels like he can't--won't be able to?--help.]

I'm not... [Well, it hasn't even happened for him yet.] I know I won't give up so easily. I just said I wouldn't.

You're not... [The rest of the words catch, and he looks down, a bit angry. Not at Sora, of course.] You're not dead, so--there's a chance. I'm not accepting there isn't a chance we can find a way to get you back home.

It's not... it's not right! You've done all of that for all of us, and you should be there with us. I know I wouldn't give up on you, Sora. I'm looking for you.

[it's not chastising but he sure does feel a little guilty anyway! mostly because he knows he didn't tell anyone about this plan before doing it. he lets riku hold onto him and he hasn't exactly let go himself and they're still standing in the middle of a walkway at a festival which is a wild thing to consider.

but...of course he won't give up so easily. riku's never been like that, even when he's made mistakes.]

I don't know. There's...something else that happened. But I don't know what it means. I don't think I'm dead if I'm still in one piece, and that guy in the coat that showed up in the Realm said my heart is in the same place as his. Wherever that is. And I know you and Kairi are looking.

[because that's how it's always been. losing each other to find each other to lose each other all over again with the hope of staying together for good. ...and normally he wouldn't continue, but after being alone for a year, living through a murdergame, and now seeing a familiar face...his shoulders droop just a little.]

But I want to go home.

[THANKS, THIS HURTS HIS HEART!!!]

Sora...

[Even though he still needs to process EVERYTHING Sora told him (so he can remember for later), none of that is important in this moment. The expression on his face softens.

Sora gets a good thunk when he gently drops his forehead against Sora's own, letting them rest together.]

Kairi and I will find you. We'll bring you home, and we won't give up until we do. Just hold on a little longer, okay, Sora? I'm sorry... you had to do all of this by yourself.

[Not Riku already thinking about whether he should tell any of this to Taichi and Yamato.]

[this is why he doesn't tell riku things!! but he's busy bonking their heads together and he's leaning in a little. sometimes...you are barely sixteen and truly appreciate the support from your best friend. it's fine. he will take what he can get.]

I know you will. I've never really been worried about that. [...] I don't regret it. Any of it. I needed to bring you guys back no matter what.

[good luck to riku and literally every complication this has brought up.]

But you've kinda gotta live through it first. You're still pretty far back.

I know you don't.

[He'd think Sora was a pod person if Sora had ever told him anything different. Of all people, of anyone he knows, Sora absolutely is the person who would never regret giving his life to save other people.

Stupid. Foolish. But courageous and kind.]

That's okay. I... can do it. I'll be ready.

[The hardest part he knows will be having to go along with it to get the best outcome. He understands changing things will give them unexpected results, or worse, terrible results. He has to let things go the way they have to go,

and then he can work on trying to get Sora back. That's the hard part. But at least he'll know how to be a bit kinder to Sora in the present. To... not take their time together for granted.]

We'll do everything the same. And then Kairi and I will come to get you. Just like we're doing already for you.

[that's absolutely the hardest part, knowing all of this and knowing they can't fix anything. it's a decision sora himself had to make after his time in the realm, and it isn't something he ever wanted to wish on his friends. but if anyone can handle it, it'll be riku.]

Okay. [he sounds a little relieved, at least, even if he had zero doubts.] I'll be waiting.

[...but even then...]

But let's stay here a little longer, okay? [he's also not going to take their time together for granted.]

[Soft. And disgustingly sappy. How could he ever say no? Carefully, he lifts his head, and a weak smile touches his mouth for a moment. A sort of exasperated one.]

Okay. [Even if he's going to spend the rest of forever thinking about everything Sora has told him. And worrying about it.] I'm here.

What do you want to do first?

[even if Riku feels a little exasperated Sora continues to give him a pleased little grin, tension disappearing slightly. he doesn't quite let go of Riku's hand but he turns to look behind them. ]

We should probably figure out which way Meow Wow went, but he always comes back later. [and then there's a tiny devious grin.] There's a couple of games down that way. Bet I could win a bigger prize than you could.

[nothing is ever going to be the same, but he can pretend.]

[........SORA. >:|

His gaze lifts to follow Sora's over and down along the way. And then he looks back... at the... devious grin... very flat-faced.]

Not a chance. Maybe we'll see Meow Wow on the way. Worse case, we'll have to win him back from one of the games because they think he's a toy.

[c:?]

You'll see! I've been practicing. [have you, sora. except. wait.]

--you don't think they'd really try to give him away, do you!?

[HIS LITTLE MEOW WOW!!!!]

[Older Sora is going to kick his ass.]

Calm down. I was just kidding. [Hm.] Well... he does look a little like a toy.

[Now he's just being mean. So he's going to start already leading Sora toward the games by the hand before the boy has a hernia about the puppycat. Komory flaps after them.]

He's probably fine. We'll find him.

[he's going to climb up onto a counter and beat riku up? that's so rude!! he puffs up his cheeks like a little chipmunk, indignant at the idea of meow wow being given away before riku begins leading him away. komory swoops and flaps behind them and sora's busy looking this way and that to make sure they don't miss the puppycat.]

Probably. The Dream Eaters are pretty good at taking care of themselves. Meow Wow wasn't even really around in the Realm most of the time. It was just for a week.

[STOP. Also stop puffing the cheeks, it only makes him want to pinch them between two of his fingers. He's VERY tempted to do that, but somehow manages to resist.

No one would give Meow Wow away because a) the fat thing would start moving around, and b) the two of them would bust in to stop it.]

Only a week? [The question sounds mostly rhetorical.] I didn't have Komory at all, but it was because I hadn't met the Dream Eaters yet.

[He glances over his shoulder at Sora.]

What was the Realm like?

If you had, he probably would've stuck around more. But the Realm was weird...I couldn't access my Keyblade or my powers or anything.

[as for what the realm itself was like...]

Most of the time, there were places on one side of the bridge that never changed like the inn we were staying at and the planetarium and the book store. The castle was on our side of the bridge, too. It's where the Leaders stayed, and we only got to go there if they invited us or if we had a job to do with them.

But every week, the bridge would extend to another portal that was different. We went to a space base, the jungle, a pirate port, a haunted mansion, the wild west, a medieval castle, the beach...the portal would change each Monday and we couldn't go back to previous locations. It was nice though during the week. A lot of it felt familiar.

[Riku absolutely squints a bit when Komory makes a twittering sputter of affirmation with Sora. Don't agree. Taichi and Yamato really would have been Spider-man pointing at him if he had Komory.]

You had a castle...?

[Sheesh. He heaves an "wow," but not angry sigh. Sora really went to Disneyland, and he got stuck going to fucking school. WHY? What God continues to shit in his dinner?]

Well, I guess it would. It sounds more familiar to the two of us than to other people, I imagine. [Especially if black coats are involved. Tch.] The school just opened up new areas as the weeks went by.

There were a few weird places, I guess...? But nothing like a castle.

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