[closed] There is chaos in my head and in my heart

[darkimitation]

WHO: Riku Replica/Kagami, Riku, and Nike.
WHERE: Heropa 33
WHEN: Today, mid-afternoon into early evening.
WHAT: Kagami's back from being ported out and sent home. Things go downhill from there.
WARNINGS: Graphic imagery/blood, death, and a lot of angst.



[Scene I - Locked to Riku | Mid-Afternoon]

["I HATE HIM. I DESPISE HIM." Those are all the words his mind kept repeating along with "THIS IS ALL HIS FAULT. I WILL MAKE HIM SUFFER." as Kagami made his way back to the house. Even if he felt disorientated, the burning hatred in his heart was clear as crystal. He had been lied to all this time. Never once was he told the truth of what happened to him and when he finally learned the truth, he was ready for revenge. His memories were a jumbled mess playing over and over in his mind too while he felt an overwhelming sensation from the emotions he was feeling that caused a great pain in his head as well. Yet he did wonder if he was truly feeling these or is his mind acting as if he feeling these things. He really didn't know. His head hurt too much to think. He just wanted it all to stop. The pain. The doubt. The questioning. All he wanted to feel, if he could at all, was hate and anger. Even if those weren't real feelings, those were the fuel keeping him going along with the thoughts of revenge against Riku.

When he reached the front door at long last however, something unfortunate happened. He dropped to his knees and started holding his head as the pain seemed to be coming on faster and faster. No. He had to be strong. He had to be fueled by his revenge. And yet, he couldn't take it anymore. The pain was too much for him and let out a scream of agony right then and there.]


[Scene II - Locked to Nike | Early Evening]

[The deed was done. Kagami had finally gotten rid of the very person that he felt was the true cause of all his pains after dumping his body in the ocean using the Corridors of Darkness. At first he felt great, even feeling as if he'd done something wonderful for himself and he couldn't be happier. As the hours went by however, those good feelings began to fade away and his heart filled with emptiness. He sat on the couch by himself and thought long and hard on it. Why? Why was he feeling this way? In frustration, he punched the couch pillows really hard that they broke. Oops.

It then dawned on him that Nike wasn't home yet and in a hurry, he cleaned up what he could of the blood that was spilled onto the kitchen floor. He also knew Nike couldn't find out what he had done. So in desperation, he cleaned the knife he had used to kill Riku and hid it away where she'd never be able to find it. He also hid Riku's communicator which he had taken off his body, turning it off in the process in the same place as the knife. He even decided to make it look like the house had been wrecked a bit as if two people had a huge fight inside, before also making himself look as if he'd gotten beaten up badly as he laid in the middle of the living room floor appearing unconscious. He couldn't let Nike know. She'd hate him forever. This was the better option.]

Comments

[drizzle]

[She had returned home earlier than usual to wait and see if there are any signs of Kagami having returned. Ever since she heard that he may have been ported out after her conversation with Riku and discussion over other important matters, she decided to give it a few days before making any kind of final decision over the way her own life will be like in this world or even city for now on.

What she found after returning home was unexpected and almost shocking to witness! The entire house was turned upside down and inside out. Everything was a mess. Her gaze will instantly begin to search for any of the animals.]

Shiro! Atoli! Thyme! Come here!

[As she enters further into the house, her peripheral vision will find something unusual on the ground in the middle of the mess. Silver hair? Riku? No, not Riku. His hair wasn't as long....]

Kagami!!

[She will head towards him in an alarming rate as she places a hand on his back and shake him a bit.]

Kagami! Hey, Kagami! Are you okay!? Please get up!

[darkimitation]

[He acted as if he was slowly waking up from his laying position in the middle of the living room floor and looked at Nike with a small frown.]

... Nike? [He continued to frown at her as he held his head.] Nike, is that you? Ow... My head really hurts.

[drizzle]

[When he began to move and speak, Nike will offer a slight sigh of relieve. He looked okay. Then again...]

A-Are you okay? What happened here? When did you get home?

[She would ask him more questions, but decided to give him a moment to breath and gather his thoughts first.]

[darkimitation]

[He had to be convincing, so he did his best to be.]

... I got back this afternoon. Real Thing was here and I... [He holds his head more.] Nike, I learned about something Real Thing was hiding from me. I got angry and we had a huge argument because of it. We even spilled some blood in the process. He left soon after then I tried cleaning the blood off the kitchen floor before passing out from exhaustion.

[drizzle]

Riku was...?

[She didn't know Riku's work or house schedule in the least bit. Then again, she was rarely at home and had a tendency to return late unless she had plans of some kind or another. It was a little startling to hear that he was at home today. But the more startling news came as Kagami explained the situation further: he found out about his future. Her expression will change to a guilty one before returning to concern all over again.]

....you two ended up fighting? Is that the reason behind the house being in the state that it is now? [The mention of blood will have her almost wanting to search for it, but there was something that caught her off guard.] Why did you clean the blood? Especially in the state you're in? Who's blood was it? [Could it have been Riku's? Is that why he left?]

[darkimitation]

[He nods a little, but winces in pain.]

It's Real Thing's blood. I... got him pretty good. He might have run off somewhere to heal himself before I got up and attacked him again. I wanted to, in fact I did try, but I fell over before I could. I also cleaned it up because I didn't want you to come home and freak out seeing blood on the floor. [He lets out a soft sigh.] I'm sorry Nike, all of this is my fault. Because I lost control.

[drizzle]

[Her expression will change to dread as she continues to hear this. She couldn't believe it. As much as she knows about Kagami's hatred for him, no matter if the reason she even moved in was to help Riku in taking care of Kagami, and no matter how much she knew about Kagami's overall personality -- she couldn't help remain speechless and hurt. Weren't they doing so well in living a peaceful and happy life together? Even if she avoided Riku for the most part and fought with Kagami, she thought they were getting along especially after the odd week she and Riku went through.]

...you shouldn't have....done that. Cleaning the blood away. I'm not afraid of that. I've seen blood before. From hunting, fishing, and other stuff like that.

[A forced smile will come out of her lips.]

Don't apologize. That apology is directed at the wrong person, you know. Riku is the one who got hurt, not me. And not only that, his house is a mess now too. [She'll look around one more and rise to her feet as she calls for the animals once more, even whistling for them to appear. They aren't appearing yet.] Do you want me to clean you up? There's a first aid kit in the bathroom, I think.

[darkimitation]

[He begins getting up and moving to the couch to lay down.]

No I'll be fine. [His expression does look pained and sad though. As if he's filled with guilt.] I feel... horrible for what happened. Then again, I know I'm not real. I never was. Not even my heart is real. I bet everything I feel right now is all my mind playing a trick on me.

[drizzle]

[His words will leave her silent for a moment. How long has he last said that? Nike will offer a sigh before getting up from the ground.]

You're worse than a music player. Repeating the same damn thoughts again. Even if it's been a while...

[A hand will go on the side of her hip though.]

Look. I'm going to patch you up. I won't leave you looking like this regardless if you feel you don't deserve it or whatever. What happened today. I'm sure Riku understands. He....he isn't the type to hold a grudge or resentful especially if you apologize and tell him about the way you feel right now. I don't know the specifics about your future, but Riku told me a little about your world and life. He told me about the organization too. The reason behind creating you. I'm sorry for the way they treated you. It isn't fair nor right of them to use you. And I'm sorry for whatever you experienced too.

[With all that said, she'll turn around and begin to head to the bathroom.]

I'll be right back, okay?

[resipiscent]

[Riku's standing in the kitchen, rubbing a dish dry, and he blinks up as Kagami's voice reaches him. He's back. They'd looked for a while... and messaging him hadn't worked, not that Riku had expected him to pick up such a thing anyway. He's not even sure Kagami carries his phone on him normally.

He sets the dish down, though the towel still dangles from his hand as he heads to open the door, staring down at the huddled boy on the porch.]

... Are you okay?

[He lifts a hand, casts a low-level Cure spell, just on the off-hand he's not.]

[darkimitation]

[He looked to be in a lot of pain as he instinctively glares up at Riku before his expression turns sorrowful. Even his voice sounds as if he's having a hard time trying to speak.]

... Why? Why didn't you tell me?

[resipiscent]

[Kagami gives him a look for a moment, and then he sighs gently when he speaks. That...]

... because I'm a coward, [he replies after a pause.] I knew... how you'd react. And after a while I wondered why I hadn't said anything, but... by then it was kind of too late.

[darkimitation]

[He slowly starts getting up and then clings to Riku, any part he can grab. Gripping onto his clothing still looking to be in pain.]

You knew... You knew this whole time and yet... [He's trying to laugh and be how he usually is, but he can't. Even his laughter sounds pained.] I was right, you are a coward. And not only that... You're a liar too.

[resipiscent]

[He doesn't move from where he's standing -- instead he leans down far enough that he can pull him up by his upper arms, then lets go once Kagami is on his feet.]

Yeah.

[It's now that he backs up, shoving the dishtowel in his back pocket.]

I'm sorry I didn't say anything.

[He means it, too. It's not one of those apologies that are only given so that the one to blame can say they apologized at all.]

[darkimitation]

[He's shaking as he stands there. He's conflicted now. He wanted him to suffer, the burning hatred in his heart said so, but hearing his words... Some part of him didn't want to. No. He had to be lying again. Just like before. His eyes fill with anger again and he looks ready to hurt Riku.]

Do you really think a sorry is going to make things better? [His head just kept throbbing in pain. Why can't it stop already.] You lied to me. You kept this from me. And worse of all, you're the one who did it.

[resipiscent]

No, I don't. I can't change the past.

[Riku's frown deepens, and he sighs. He's uncertain what to do with his hands, but they feel strange just hanging at his sides, so he crosses one arm across his body, hooking his fingers around the opposite elbow.]

I can't make anything better. All I can say is that it's not the outcome I wanted.

[darkimitation]

[His expression changes again from anger to sorrowful anger. His eyes might even be watering with small tears and anger in between them. He wasn't one to cry, yet his eyes couldn't lie.]

I have nothing now. I don't care about being you or whatever I said during our last fight. If I ever end up leaving again... I'm gone for good. [He starts walking inside slowly, though it's very slow.] I'll never... be real. All that's waiting for me is death and fading away out of existence.

for kagami; 6/23, after midnight

[drizzle]

[After having asked Heropa's sky to help her find Riku with Aerith's help, she began to persistently follow the feeling of a tug guiding her to somewhere. She wasn't entirely conscious throughout the ordeal other than a few moments of clarity of running past people or using her levitating ability to hover skate her way through the streets. There may have been moments of feeling as though she was floating in mid-air; which she desperately hope wasn't the case.

The moment she had reached the destination Heropa was guiding her to, the city will forcefully release its hold over her body that she ended up falling face first towards the ground. Ow. Her body felt exhausted and heavy from her long journey. It'll take a moment for her to regain her bearings and senses as she attempts to sit up. Her mind felt like it was just getting up from a deep sleep.

Once she had a better idea of her current situation, she'll look around, wondering where she was taken to. She didn't see Riku nor felt the earlier pull neither. What happened? Did Heropa get her on a wild goose chase? Well, it didn't matter to her as she rose to her feet and began to move ahead for a couple of blocks until her gaze was on a familiar sight.]

Is this...close to the military base?

[Was there a hospital there? Why would Riku be there? As she attempts to move ahead further, she'll stop as she felt a cold chill inside of her. What was that? She'll take a step away and feel warm once more. Hah. Maybe she should just follow the feeling inside her instead? She'll continue to follow her instincts until a familiar sound will greet her: waves? Was she close to the beach? Then again, her surroundings felt nostalgic to her. She'll follow the sound until she arrived to the sight of the ocean by road she crossed from. A nostalgic expression will appear on her face as she realizes:]

...it was a wild goose chase, after all. Riku wouldn't be here. Why would he? [A sigh.] I'll have to apologize to her. I should have known better that my powers can only search for someone if they're surrounded by water or it is connected to it. How stupid. I'm so stupid. [Oh, well, she could enjoy the scene for what it is, at least.]

[darkimitation]

[Some time has past now and he stirs from slumber upon hearing noises from outside his room. Thus, he darts outside to see what Nike is up to and instead of saying anything, he decides to follow her all the way to where she's going. Once she arrives at her destination, he comes out of hiding to check on her.]

Nike, what are you doing out here? I thought I heard noises in the backyard, but then you were gone. I've been looking for you everywhere.

[drizzle]

[She was enjoying the scene for what it was until Kagami's voice catches her attention.]

H-How!?

[Needless to say, she was so caught off guard right now.]

...I-I think I should be asking you the same question though! How did you follow me? Weren't you sleeping a moment ago? [Nike, he said he was looking all over for you. Clearly she didn't listen because wow her surprise was this intense.]

[darkimitation]

[He crosses his arms and looks at her the most flat expression. Because seriously Nike, you need to learn to pay attention. Nevertheless, he sighs as well.]

I got woken up by the noises and followed your scent as best as I could, since Real Thing and I share the same ability of detecting people's scents. You're really hard to track too, by the way. I just felt the need to say that.

[drizzle]

[In other words, her powers woke him up. Be it the song or gust or both. It was a pretty powerful force of wind. Just as she was going to apologize and explain herself to him, there was an important detail that caught her attention.]

My scent...?

[Riku did explain to her once about that. He told her Kagami smelled similar to a hot pepper would.]

...how...I mean, why was I hard to track down? Are you having trouble distinguishing scents?

[darkimitation]

[He gets closer to her, but keeps his face along with everything else the same.]

Yeah. Your scent is like the ocean to me, but your scent keeps disappearing and reappearing. It's as if the wind is blowing the scent away in order for you to not be found or something.

[drizzle]

[For a moment, she almost stepped back when he got closer, but kept herself in place to watch him carefully instead. He seemed to be better, but up close it didn't seem to be the case at all. What would happen if she told him the reason she was here?]

The ocean? [That was an interesting way to describe her scent. She never did ask Riku about it. Hopefully she didn't stink to neither of them.]

...you aren't wrong though. About the wind blowing my scent away. It does happen to all rain summoners when we're under its' influence. [At least, she does know to hide her presence with it especially whenever she goes out hunting.]

As for your earlier question, I was....searching for Riku's whereabouts. For Aerith's sake, his friend. I wanted to track him down for her, but.... [Her gaze will turn back towards the ocean.] ...I don't think he's here. I mean, why would he be injured to a beach than a hospital or clinic?

[darkimitation]

[He's quiet for a long while after listening to her words, but then he decides to answer her in a way that almost sounds he's trying way too hard to cover up something.]

I know Real Thing liked the ocean, but maybe it's a lingering scent from when he was here before. Come on, we should be heading home. It's late. [He then starts walking off and still appearing to be avoiding something and Nike will be able to pick up on that.]