darkbreak: (pic#5256687)
Riku ([personal profile] darkbreak) wrote in [community profile] afterthought2020-02-06 11:36 am

I'm in love with the shape of you; We push and pull like a magnet do

[So this was the Wilde, huh? Riku's been studying some of the maps and researching the areas surrounding the city as a way to get familiar with this world. It's given him something to do, and since he can't study half of the material in the libraries and areas of the Coven (that is, if they'll even let him in) and has been dealing with the affects this world has been having on his body, it's also been a welcome distraction. Something to get through the pain and the new urges coursing through his being.

And above all, he's just been curious. Plain and simple. A part of it, he attributes to restlessness. After all, when's the last time he's spent more than a month on one single world? The past few years, he's been going from place to place, combating Heartless, the battles against Xehanort and checking in on the balance of the worlds, and of course his friends. Being in one spot suddenly felt confining.

So coming out here into the Wilde and getting to stretch his new legs and senses felt like a welcome reprieve. And coming out with Sora felt even better. Despite all the worlds and adventures they've had, how many have they been able to do together? Not many, so taking on this quest seemed like a grand opportunity. It didn't even seem all that complicated compared to what they've been through. Find a manticore and bring back a sample of it's venom. Simple enough, right?

Except finding the damned creature was the main challenge. Riku tried to get as much information from the apothecary owner as possible, even right down to the scent of the beast. But there wasn't too much to go on. His nose hasn't been able to catch the acrid and decayed smell that was described to him so far.

He huffs, long and thick snow leopard tail swaying with mild annoyance, and ears folding back. It's still relatively early in their search, but after finding all the warnings about the Wilde and the infections, he doesn't want to chance that any harm comes to Sora, especially after just finding him again. Plus, if they lose daylight (and Riku's guessing they probably will soon)...

Well, he doesn't quite want to think about that just yet. He needs to keep Sora safe.

He turns to his partner, ears relaxing.]


You feeling okay?
oathkeeper: <user name=skymiracle> (13643933)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-03-09 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sora's ears twitch. There's a flicker of affection across their bond when Riku says he'll protect him because it makes Sora's nerve ease slightly. He might have been brave before but as a puca his nerves have become a lot jumpier with time. Rabbits are primarily prey-animals and snacks for creatures higher on the food chain after all. And that's why Sora's breezy affection for Riku can be felt across their bond. Nothing like being a rabbit with a cat for a protector.

But that doesn't mean Sora can't fight. He won't back down either and he'll do his part to fight and protect as well.

The rumbling continues and soon the sickening smell of dark magic gets worse. Black sludge starts to seep across what's left of the ground, eating at the tree trunks like acid. Then something growls loudly and Sora can hear the swishing of a massive tail.]


It's there! We better get it first before it gets us! Let's get the jump on it!
oathkeeper: <user name=cupcake_graphics> (12907924)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-03-15 04:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's sometimes a surprise to Sora just how much they've changed. The way Riku's body moves as he hisses out his words and leaps into action. Sora can't help but watch his bondmate for a second, eyes roaming over the contours of his body even as he leaps up that tree to attack. In the middle of a dire situation and Sora can't help but think about how cool Riku looks... This rabbit's head is empty--]

Ahh...! Riku!

[He quickly shakes his head, ears flopping as he does so. Now's not the time to be ogling Riku! They've got work to do!]

Be careful!

[But it's not like Sora's going stand here and let Riku do all the work. Just as Riku leaps from his tree the creature roars and tries to pivot up at Riku. Doing so exposes the monster's neck and Sora bolts forward with surprising speed. He lets out a high pitched rabbit-like yip as he attacks that neck area with his own rabbit claws. They're not as good as a cat's but they're still pretty sharp. Sora makes contact and black blood spurts from that new wound.

The creature howls and that scorpion tail swishes angrily, black spots of cwyld spouting from it like poison.]
oathkeeper: <user name=sheme> (12930297)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-03-24 03:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sora can feel the way Riku's body fills with adrenaline from the connection of their bond. It fuels Sora too, a weird feedback loop of bravery and fighting instincts that floods his nerves. Most people say that monster-monster bonds are dangerous because of this. Instincts that can flood to the other partner can cause some feral tendencies in both of them.

That's why Sora doesn't say anything except for another shout as he hops effortlessly up to the creatures face. His muscles tense and he crunches right into the scorpion's face with his teeth and gouges out one eye. ... not tasty.

In return the creature howls and shakes its head violently. Poisonous acid spits from its tail spewing dark cwyld all over the place. And it splatters up on Sora as well, stinging him like a shower of burns.]


Arrgghh!!
oathkeeper: <user name=vhazzrhossze site=tumblr.com> (☀ 39)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-03-29 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's a messy job out in the wildes. Killing creatures like this before they get too close to the city is important. But boy, is it messy. Sora can feel each little prick of acid that touches Riku through their adrenaline-fuelled bond and his own little splashes of burns sting like heck too.

But the creature itself seems to waver and weaken with Riku's attack, clamouring over onto one side as it kicks up and tries to sting Riku with its tail. But it's so damaged now that all is can do is collapse onto the ground with a howling snarl.

It's not going to last much longer. Sora takes the opportunity to leap up shove his claws into the creature's neck. He pulls and scratches until all that's left is a mass of dead cwyld.]


Riku...?

[Sora wobbles backwards and falls onto his butt in exhaustion. His nerves are on fire. His shoulders are shaking with adrenaline and more. His ears swivelling to hear of anything else the creature might do. But it seems to be done. It's dead.]
oathkeeper: <user name=vhazzrhossze site=tumblr.com> (☀ 24)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-03-31 01:52 am (UTC)(link)
[Sora is glad when everything is over because despite being who he usually is as a rabbit he's much more averse to fighting these days. He'll do it and fight hard when he has to but when it comes down to it all he really dislikes having to get blood and gunk on himself. Rabbit nerves make it hard for him to want to fight anything.

So when it's finally done Sora lets out a tired noise. His rabbit ears twitch and swivel when Riku comes into view again. He can smell the blood in the air and is glad that he can't seem to detect any of Riku's blood. So that means he's not hurt badly.]


Riku. Riku. You're okay.

[The bond flourishes with affection as soon as Riku comes close to nudge and nuzzle his hair. He shuts his eyes and grabs onto Riku like a greedy little thing, holding to him and sticking his nose to Riku's chest. He inhales unabashedly, enjoying the smell of Riku's fur and skin.]

You did good too, Riku.

[Only Riku can get away with calling him bunny like that.]

I'm glad it's done...! What a pain...
oathkeeper: <user name=lardcookies site=livejournal.com> (☾11)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-03-31 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Heh. We'll, I might pick gardening as our next job together so you better be prepared to get your hands dirty with actual dirt.

[And at least it's not dirty with cwyld gunk. Like they are right now... Sora fusses, one ear twitching annoyingly at the black sticky stuff stuck in his fur. He tugs at his shirt and then winces when he moves the wrong way and makes a stinging burn hurt.]

It's getting late so it might be good if we find somewhere to sleep for the night too. We can head back in the morning, right?

[Sora then starts to strip off his shirt. Healing charms, yes please...]
oathkeeper: <user name=lardcookies site=livejournal.com> (☾11)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-04-11 08:02 pm (UTC)(link)
[That is something that Sora doesn't envy about turnskins. That ability to change so fully into the animal they represent is kind of funny. Riku looks like he's making himself into a loaf of bread. Sora much likes staying mostly human-shaped aside from the added rabbit appendages.

He gives a quick nod as he moves over to Riku's pack. He tugs through it for a moment before he retrieves the healing charms they brought with them courtesy of Kairi. He sits down and cracks one open to let the magic pour over one of his worse burns with a wince.

Then he reaches out and runs a hand over Riku's head, scratching gently at those fuzzy kitty ears.]


Says you, have you looked in the mirror lately? I'm surprised you're not coughing up furballs all the time.

[Sora snickers playfully.]
oathkeeper: <user name=duskfallicons site=livejournal.com> (❀35)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-04-15 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Ew.

[Sora chuckles lightly. He notes the way Riku's ears flick and he smiles. He makes sure to take a second healing charm out of the bag and starts to snap it to apply the healing properties to Riku's wounds too. He starts with the back with careful and affectionate fingers.]

Even after I patch you up you'd do that to me?

[Then he starts on Riku's shoulder and then his particularly badly burned arm.]

Come here, lemme see that arm of yours. Geeze.
oathkeeper: <user name=vhazzrhossze site=tumblr.com> (☄30)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-04-19 06:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, you say that now.

[Sora can feel that slight little flicker of regret. It makes Sora give the turnskin a bit of a look before he gently takes that paw and starts to pour the healing magic over the burn wounds there. The magic crackles and sparkles over the paw like oil falling over a watery surface.]

You take care of me all the time so let me do it for once.

[Of course they both take care of each other but Sora can't help but sound soft but reprimanding.]

Once we've got most of these patched up we'll go find somewhere nice to camp out. [He grins.] There, how's that feel?
oathkeeper: <user name=duskfallicons site=livejournal.com> (❀35)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-04-21 10:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[The bond really does let certain emotions and feelings flicker between them in this weird loop. He can only smile when he feels Riku's sure awkwardness. The way he still beats himself up sometimes when he thinks about the past. If Sora has anything to do with it he won't let Riku keep those thoughts for long.

He leans forward and boops his forehead gently against Riku's temple and gives him a gentle nuzzle.]


I like to think I'm just professionally Lucky.

[All that trouble he attracts and yet he still makes it out okay every single time. If that isn't luck than what is it?]

I wanna find a place with sweetgrass and flowers. We'll find it. Like I said, I'm feeling lucky.

[Sora then tugs on Riku. It's time to go.]
oathkeeper: <user name=vhazzrhossze site=tumblr.com> (☀ 35)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-04-23 12:08 am (UTC)(link)
Hey! Don't call me Cottontail! Riku!

[Now that Sora isn't being attacked by scorpion shaped cwyld monsters he can properly retort to that little nickname. He helps Riku with a huff and then starts off through the trees.]

I'm okay with walking, you can ride on my back if you really need to, though!

[He laughs and waves Riku to follow.

Eventually, they do find an appropriate camping spot and it's right when the sun starts setting into the ground. It's getting darker and the sky is orange and red. The spot they find is a nice and safe-looking alcove of trees with some fresh running water nearby. Sora sniffs the air before dropping his pack.]


Hmmm...! This should be okay? Do you know how to start a fire, Riku?
oathkeeper: <user name=lardcookies site=livejournal.com> (☾9)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-04-26 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[Sora watches Riku as he idly starts to go through their things. He gets the tinder and magic starter and then starts to prepare to get their cozy fire started. He looks a little more concerned when Riku mutters that he'll be back in a moment. He knows it's Riku changing back and that it might hurt him when he does. Sora wishes that sort of hurt didn't come with changing. He wishes he could help...

His eyes linger on Riku's back as he leaves. Wondering what it would look like to see it change back to Riku's smooth human skin and muscles.]


Uh, okay! I'll be right here, Riku!

[He frowns and looks away. He moves to get the fire started so at least it'll start to feel warmer here by the time Riku returns.]
oathkeeper: ??? (66)

[personal profile] oathkeeper 2020-04-28 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[Riku might think he has total privacy when he hides away to change but the bond also trickles some of the pain and discomfort that Riku goes through over to him. Sora sits there with a shiver in his shoulders as his rabbit ears twitch and he feels almost as awful as Riku might right now. He bares it wordlessly and when Riku returns he smiles all the same.]

Geeze, Riku. You look like crap.

[He teases playfully about the clothing all tattered and ripped. But he's already moving to go through their things to at least retrieve some clean clothing for Riku to wear. He glances over his shoulder at the other boy.]

Luckily I found the fire starter that Kairi packed us, too. Are you impressed?

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