02 [Written/Action]

[encryptedpages]

Christmas... It seems to be a rather special holiday for many of you, much like it is for those in worlds connected to my own.

Merry Christmas, everyone. [...That's what you're supposed to say, right?]



[A while later, ff you're out wandering the village Christmas Eve, you may just notice a familiar figure, however younger they might seem to those who know either of the other two 'Rikus'. Just walking around, covered in layers and still holding onto the journal he arrived with. Though, it is getting rather late... Why is he still outside on tonight of all nights?]

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[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

[Whoa, what's this guy doing walking around so late? At first Ven thinks it's Kohan, but... no dark streaks in his hair, and he's too young. And he can't be Riku because... again, too young.

Well, either way, Ven's not about to ignore the guy. Time to see what's up!]

Hey, what're you doing all by yourself?

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[encryptedpages]

[Process of elimination is probably the best, and yet he can't help but blink a few times before he sees someone who looks... almost exactly like Roxas. It perplexes him at first, taking in the subtle differences - being data helps somewhat, at least. Eyebrows are lighter, the tone is slightly higher and more cheerful. ...Strange. Perhaps it's someone else entirely? The worlds were numerous, after all.

Oh right; he was asked a question. Turning to fully face the other, Roxas look-a-like...]

This is a time for friends and family, isn't it? [A pause. If he closes his eyes, it's almost like he can hear them in the memories and data within him...] Mine are still within my world's sealed paths.

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[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Really?

[Aw. Ven frowns for a moment, placing a hand to his chin as he thinks this over.]

But that doesn't mean you've gotta spend Christmas alone! Don't you have any friends here?

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[encryptedpages]

I only recently arrived. I guess even like the one I took the appearance of, I have difficulty staying far from the shadows at times.

[At least... that is what he can recall from impressions... of a nicer kind.]

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[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

[Aw. But that sounds so sad...]

That still doesn't mean you've gotta spend it on your own. Especially not out here.

[Hmmm.]

It's pretty cold. Don't you have a place to stay?

[action]

[personafalsify.livejournal.com]

[ Because clearly this had to happen, right? Right.

Repliku is out last-minute holiday "shopping" like a boss and happens to notice the too-young-to-be-the-Real-Thing.

And stops. And stares.

Please please please can you be Riku be dealing with the effects of an experiment or something? Please? ]

[action]

[encryptedpages]

[Yes, this clearly did have to happen at some point. However, he still keeps himself from doing anything just yet except flip through the pages of entries that didn't belong to him as they showed up. ..it's weird to him still, alright?

Yet he has to look up at some point. Not because he can sense you like the real Riku probably can, but because he has the sensation of being watched. ... Another Riku. One that was also younger than him, but different. Was this what Riku meant by 'another lookalike'? ...Had to be.

So don't mind him, raising an eyebrow even in the cold and wondering where this one fit in time. It's like he's just waiting for a question to be asked.]

[action]

[personafalsify.livejournal.com]

[ Sob, everybody wants to be a Riku. Still, he's not getting a response to his staring, so that's not exactly an answer. Finally he asks, not even sure if it's the right question but he needs to ask something. ]

Who are you?

[action]

[encryptedpages]

[Hey. He didn't ask for this form. It was chosen for him in all the sad irony he didn't begin to realize until he arrived in the 'real world.' ...Still hasn't grasped the full scale of it, either.]

Memories used to fill Jiminy's Journal. [He closes the book in his lap, standing.] Though I guess you could say 'data' as well.

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[dragoneer]

We don't celebrate Christmas where I come from, either. [Like all true vikings they celebrate SNOGGLETOG in the winter months instead.]

Iiiii'm not quite sure what it's about, really, but...it seems nice?

voice;

[encryptedpages]

[...He might ask about that holiday in the future; it sounds interesting, actually.]

Different places interpret holidays differently, I guess. My data says that where most of my friends are from, it's a holiday to share gifts with one another. [Jiminy, why didn't you put actual info down on holidays other than Halloween. :|]

voice;

[dragoneer]

Your...data? [He recognizes is it as a technological term, but it still seems like an odd choice.]

voice;

[encryptedpages]

[Heh.] Sorry. I keep forgetting not everyone is familiar with computers.

[action]

[perplexme]

[He's probably outside for the same reason Roxas is outside. He's keeping his patrol route short because it's Christmas Eve, but he's not all surprised when he sees one of the Rikus out.]

Merry Christmas...which one are you?

[action]

[encryptedpages]

[For someone who observes, he's shorter and has no black streaks in his hair. Isn't it process of elimination at this point?]

The one who awakened inside a snowman, much to his chagrin. [Not to mention... confused the heck out of everyone just by existing. Sweatdrop.]

[action]

[perplexme]

[It is, Roxas is also just lazy at the moment. Excuse him.]

In that case, I mean it. Merry Christmas. What are you doing out here anyway? Still not sure where you're going?

[action]

[encryptedpages]

[He's excused, but where is he going?]

Merry Christmas. [A faint hint of a smile.] It seemed nice out, despite the cold. Thought I might as well look around a little more.

[written]

[meteorical]

You don't think it's special to you?

[written]

[encryptedpages]

It's not that it isn't. Only that I've never experienced it for myself.

[And that he's rather perplexed why the only information he has on holidays is... dancing Heartless. Double-au-tee-eff, Jiminy.]

[written]

[meteorical]

[...sob. Best information or best information. Kairi pauses though, tapping her pen against the page.]

The best thing to do is experience as much as you can then, isn't it? There's so much to Christmas it's hard to take it all in at the same time, but you can definitely try.

[written]

[encryptedpages]

[Don't look at him; he's just the... record... of it. Hm... Oh dear, now he's thinking.]

You may have a point.

[action] latest tag ever ;;

[flaring]

[Axel is in fact wandering the village on Christmas Eve. Or mostly out on a walk. His hood is down on his coat and he's just leisurely strolling with his hands in his pockets.

When he happens upon Dataku, Axel thinks it's the normal Riku at first, since Kohan is looking different nowadays. Except... huh.]

Did you shrink?

[action] it isn't late until the fat lady can actually sing.

[encryptedpages]

[The only thing familiar about this one is the fact that he's wearing a similar coat. Hence the faintest flicker of confusion as it clicks. Ah.

Dataku shakes his head.]

You know the real Riku. [He deducts that it's possible this man knows the replication as well...]

[action] sweet

[flaring]

Aaand you're not him, then. Another replica?

[action]

[encryptedpages]

[Heh.] Not quite.