[ That about almost makes him give a snort too. Dramatics indeed. ]
I assumed Akira wouldn't have gotten that desperate. [ Guess even he can be a little naive from time to time. ] We spoke a little here or there, and I'd like to say that I knew him less than his friends, but it might be that no one really did.
...I also expected something ridiculous with the witches, so it could be this seemed more surprising.
Seems like it, he snapped pretty cleanly in two. [ Shrugging, he's glad he didn't pay much attention to the end. It all gave him one gigantic headache and he's glad that's over and done with. ]
Maybe that'll be next week because someone's going to fall for her nonsense again. The amount of people who let her get under their skin increases every week.
I'll admit, she gives it her best shot, but half of the time it could be avoided in the first place if they didn't engage her. She gets the most satisfaction when she gets a reaction out of someone.
[ He can't fault people for being emotional but he supposed he could advise people not to fall for her trap...as good that would do. ]
She's just annoying. But I guess it doesn't take much to scare people. [ He sighs. ]
Nirrti aside, the Watanuki situation isn't much better. Despite the fact that he dragged us into this like she did, people just want to wave that away.
...I don't think I could even if I tried. I understand why Syaoran wants to trust him at least - he's probably reminded of his friend, and he's said as much. But, he's no longer the person he used to know, even if I don't doubt Watanuki has a soft spot for him either.
[ Riku could see that Watanuki is capable of caring. But at the same time, it seemed to him that trusting a witch completely is dangerous. He doesn't think he can convince Syaoran otherwise, but he hoped the others would at least consider being cautious at least. ]
People do stupid things all the time, so I can't say I'm surprised.
[ He leans forward onto the chair, the two back legs lifting off the ground. ]
Idiots like that are the most dangerous kind there are. They'll stick to their ideals even if it gets them killed—no everyone else killed. Eventually something will have to be done about that.
[ Riku leans back so his back is resting on the wall even as he's sitting on the bed. ]
...Hard to say what exactly we can do about it. There's letting the witches' actions make it clear which side they're standing on in the first place, since I'm sure it'll only get worse. But being proactive and just using our words wouldn't exactly work out too great, I'm sure.
[ As much as he's more likely to speak positively, he's at least had a better head on his shoulders than some of his friends (sorry Sora) ]
...Good, I'm not interested in playing any of their games either. [ He'll remember your conviction well, Natsuno. ] I doubt we'd be able to defeat them at the same time. But, I'm sure we could figure out something.
[ Riku is bouncing around some scenarios in his head. He can easily imagine one where they gain their powers and defeat them, but he's wary of going farther and necessarily ending their existences. He could honestly care less about Nirrti's in particular, but he didn't want anyone to be cursed or something supernaturally going wrong. ]
[ Which he sounds completely fine with. Nodding to the rest though; it's good to hear that Riku has a sense of the game unlike other people who want to hold hands and just hope shit works out somehow. ]
Shut up. [ Is there a book around on the desk or something? Whatever he can grab that isn't immediately pointy and dangerous, he's chucking it at Riku's head. It's meant to be a casual toss but accidentally putting more force behind it is a thing for reasons. At least his tone is light, because as disgruntled as he is to hear anything like that he's obviously playing. ]
You really are... [ Whatever it is, Natsuno isn't going to finish that sentence, running a hand through his hair with a huff. Acceptance like this always throws him even if he's changed a fair bit these past few weeks, it's all too similar still. ]
It wasn't like that. He volunteered and I decided that I didn't have a reason to say no anymore.
[ Riku's come a long way to even be this accepting in the first place.
But, he's kind of happy to know that there's a change in Natsuno - something even he can see, albeit minute - by just sharing each other's company.
Huh. He's not too into prying about someone's identity, so it's probably no surprise he doesn't bother. But, something about it made him a little curious. ]
No, it had nothing to do with him. Someone else made me realize something. [ The second sentence is slow and heavy, as if saying it outloud makes it something he can't run from.
For now he stops there, he might continue if prompted and he might if not. No one could tame Natsuno's mercurial nature, not even himself. ]
[ Lifting his gaze to the ceiling, he seems entranced by the light there for a seconds. It's too bright naturally, and it makes his pupils contract. Shaking his head, he looks over to Riku with irises that have darkened to a carmine red. ]
I guess you could say...we have a lot in common. [ And then stranger still, Natsuno smiles. It's a faint thing, something that can't possibly last more than a second or two at most before it's lost. ]
[ Oh Natsuno knows, Riku. But it's hard to say something when you haven't actually accepted it yourself yet. Small steps, or something like that. And it's only because it's Riku that's he's gotten this much rather than an outright dismissal.
Inch by inch, he pushes forward. ]
I was holding myself back. But I realized that I didn't need to, if I wanted. I can be me.
[ Brushing past the follow-up to answer the original question is just his way of doing things, apparently. ]
[ Honestly, he has no idea how to respond to that at all. His expression shifts from flustered to sullen and back again, and in the end he just sighs hiding his face in ruffling his bangs. ]
Shut up...it's just-it doesn't matter. If we're going to face the witches eventually, I need to be full strength that's all.
[ Don't you dare imply anything even in the friendship category! ]
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I assumed Akira wouldn't have gotten that desperate. [ Guess even he can be a little naive from time to time. ] We spoke a little here or there, and I'd like to say that I knew him less than his friends, but it might be that no one really did.
...I also expected something ridiculous with the witches, so it could be this seemed more surprising.
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Maybe that'll be next week because someone's going to fall for her nonsense again. The amount of people who let her get under their skin increases every week.
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I'll admit, she gives it her best shot, but half of the time it could be avoided in the first place if they didn't engage her. She gets the most satisfaction when she gets a reaction out of someone.
[ He can't fault people for being emotional but he supposed he could advise people not to fall for her trap...as good that would do. ]
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Nirrti aside, the Watanuki situation isn't much better. Despite the fact that he dragged us into this like she did, people just want to wave that away.
It's dangerous and stupid.
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[ Riku could see that Watanuki is capable of caring. But at the same time, it seemed to him that trusting a witch completely is dangerous. He doesn't think he can convince Syaoran otherwise, but he hoped the others would at least consider being cautious at least. ]
People do stupid things all the time, so I can't say I'm surprised.
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Idiots like that are the most dangerous kind there are. They'll stick to their ideals even if it gets them killed—no everyone else killed. Eventually something will have to be done about that.
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[ Riku leans back so his back is resting on the wall even as he's sitting on the bed. ]
...Hard to say what exactly we can do about it. There's letting the witches' actions make it clear which side they're standing on in the first place, since I'm sure it'll only get worse. But being proactive and just using our words wouldn't exactly work out too great, I'm sure.
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I refuse to play either of their games. And eventually they'll be an opportunity to take both of them out. Or we'll have to make one.
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[ As much as he's more likely to speak positively, he's at least had a better head on his shoulders than some of his friends (sorry Sora) ]
...Good, I'm not interested in playing any of their games either. [ He'll remember your conviction well, Natsuno. ] I doubt we'd be able to defeat them at the same time. But, I'm sure we could figure out something.
[ Riku is bouncing around some scenarios in his head. He can easily imagine one where they gain their powers and defeat them, but he's wary of going farther and necessarily ending their existences. He could honestly care less about Nirrti's in particular, but he didn't want anyone to be cursed or something supernaturally going wrong. ]
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[ Which he sounds completely fine with. Nodding to the rest though; it's good to hear that Riku has a sense of the game unlike other people who want to hold hands and just hope shit works out somehow. ]
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[ Someone needs to be thinking of this stuff, after all. ]
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He's laughing a little to himself as he makes a duck for cover. ]
I'm not sorry for saying that.
[ His expression is at least evidently much less tense now, but with the way the books had flown made him think about something... ]
...You know this horsing around reminds me of something. Last week when you punched me in the arm, you seemed much stronger than usual. Were you...?
[ He trails off, leaving the answer up to Natsuno for that. ]
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I told you that it wouldn't happen again with you, right?
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[ He looks thoughtful, considering the other's response. He doesn't sound angry, or bothered.
Rather... ]
...It's good that you've been branching out. If you found to someone else to ask, I still can't imagine it was something easy for you to do.
[ Something like this would require a level of trust, right? That's how he saw it, anyway. ]
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It wasn't like that. He volunteered and I decided that I didn't have a reason to say no anymore.
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But, he's kind of happy to know that there's a change in Natsuno - something even he can see, albeit minute - by just sharing each other's company.
Huh. He's not too into prying about someone's identity, so it's probably no surprise he doesn't bother. But, something about it made him a little curious. ]
What made you decide that? Just him volunteering?
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For now he stops there, he might continue if prompted and he might if not. No one could tame Natsuno's mercurial nature, not even himself. ]
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...How did they?
[ ...Like, he's going to at least try asking, see where that gets him. ]
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I guess you could say...we have a lot in common. [ And then stranger still, Natsuno smiles. It's a faint thing, something that can't possibly last more than a second or two at most before it's lost. ]
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[ Like.
Riku believes that it's nice, but that wasn't really an answer, he thinks.
Well, he guesses it was, technically, but still?? ]
...I see. [ No, he does not see. ] I don't think I realized how well you must've connected with this person until now.
[ Even with what he said before. This is different than simply basic trust between two people, it seemed much more...deeper to him. ]
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Inch by inch, he pushes forward. ]
I was holding myself back. But I realized that I didn't need to, if I wanted. I can be me.
[ Brushing past the follow-up to answer the original question is just his way of doing things, apparently. ]
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And that's enough to make him just smile, raising a hand to press against his own chest, before letting it fall right by his side. ]
I'd ask who would I have to thank for making you realize that, but I think not knowing would keep it a pleasant surprise.
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Shut up...it's just-it doesn't matter. If we're going to face the witches eventually, I need to be full strength that's all.
[ Don't you dare imply anything even in the friendship category! ]