48 - voice/action;

[stilldontgotit]

Heh. The end of the year. Time sure flies, huh? This marks the third winter I've spent holed up in this place. Now, I could get all nostalgic about how things changed, but frankly? I'm sure you guys are tired of that by now.

There's... something else on my mind, though. Something I've thought about for a while, about the way this place works.

[He pauses for a few seconds, mulling over how to properly phrase this...]

Anyway, I'm sure most of you guys are familiar with the way people vanish out of the blue just like I'm sure you're used to people showing up without a single memory of their time before. Assuming they'd been here, anyway. But sometimes people come back with memories fully intact or those memories return after a quick reminder. I've even seen a few cases of somebody coming back as a blank slate and showing up again later with memories from a visit before the last.

Maybe I'm over thinking it, but have you guys ever thought that maybe the people who show up without memories might be different versions of someone rather than the same person with those memories wiped out? Now, I'm not saying people actually remember this place back home; I've gone back twice and I sure didn't. And, sure, timelines probably factor into it, but who's to say there can't be, say... twin versions of the same world?

Just some food for thought, I guess.

[Okay, and with that silliness out of the way, Riku can be seen in a few different places. First, there's the Community Housing 1 building, where he can be found feeding a big ol' chocolate cake and some colorful ice cream to his Dream Eater. Upon eating the goods, his bat sparkles and glows. Feel free to boggle at this.

Outside, he can be found strolling along in the snow for a bit. Aftr a while, however, he gives into some silly urges. What kind of silly urges, you ask? Snowballs, of course. He won't be outright malicious, but if he sees any familiar faces he miiight just toss a little snow their way. After all, it's been far too long since he's done something silly like that.

Otherwise, he can be seen practicing some magic out by the forest. And by magic I of course mean summoning gigantic, colorful balloons that explode. What's all that about?]

Comments

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

[...Darn it. There goes his plan to one-up her. For a moment he freezes, his thought processes screeching to a halt. Before long, though, he leans right back into the kiss, while he tightens his hold on her.

And yes, he wouldn't object to seeing that bikini again... or another experience like their last beach trip, really.]

[action]

[floralogy]

[Hoho, one summer day, Riku. One summer day.

Ino pulls away after the kiss, looking up at him with a small smile.]

Anyway, what's with the question earlier?

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

[He shrugs, leaning back a bit.]

Just a random thought that crossed my mind. That, and I didn't have much else to do.

[Leave a Riku to boredom and crazy thoughts come to him. Or something.]

[action]

[floralogy]

[She snorts.]

You shouldn't be left bored, then. Weird thoughts enter your mind, thoughts that you shouldn't entertain on a daily basis.

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

Hey, that's why I've got you to keep me in line.

[Because otherwise he'll ask silly questions over the journal to pass the time. Eeeyup.]

[action]

[floralogy]

What would you do without me, huh?

[It's a joke because she can't imagine Riku without her either.]

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

Probably waste away in a corner.

[Naaaw. Riku's not the type to just sit still and mope, but hey. If she can joke, so can he.]

[action]

[floralogy]

[Sorry, Riku. That sorta got her. She looks down, her smile fading.]

I wouldn't want that to happen.

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

[...Welp.]

I wouldn't let it, Ino.

[He wraps his arms around her, giving her a squeeze. C'mon, no need to be sad.]

[action]

[floralogy]

[With the squeeze, she feels safer that she momentarily forgets they live in a world where anyone can leave at any given moment.]

You better make sure of that. [A slightly snarky comment to make up for her expression earlier.]

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

I will. Promise.

[A slightly less snarky comment, but hey. Sometimes honesty's more important than teasing.

And here, he'll go ahead and rest his head on top of hers for a moment.]

[action] i thought i already replied to this aklslkd

[floralogy]

[With his head on top of hers like that, every little fear she felt earlier washes away. His words also helped a ton that she can't help her next words.]

I love you.

[Probably the first time she ever said it out loud.]

[action] I have had that happen before. :'| It's cool

[stilldontgotit]

[He knew she did before, but hearing her say it out loud like that fills his heart with warmth. And while he's perfectly happy to hold her close, he pulls his head back for a moment, cupping her cheek with his hand.]

I know. And I love you too.

[And since the moment is ripe, his mouth quirks into a smirk, and he leans in for a surprise (or maybe not so surprising) kiss.

You know, just to even things out. Maybe then they can worry about those hot drinks.]

[action] /snugs!!!

[floralogy]

[Sometimes, you don't need hot drinks when you're sharing body heat with someone. The kiss they're also sharing is perfectly heating her up already.

That when she breaks it, Ino feels fleetingly cold. Good thing she's still in his arms.]

Do you want those hot drinks now?

[Well, they can't keep on kissing each other or cuddling to keep warm. Sometimes, you need hot drinks too.]

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

Hey, if you don't mind slipping out into the cold, I'm game.

[Besides, hot drinks are one winter tradition he never got to enjoy back home.]

[action]

[floralogy]

I don't mind. You'll be with me to keep me warm, anyway.

[A soft kiss on his chin before she slowly pulls away from him to prepare going out.]

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

[And he'll go ahead and slide off of the bed, straightening his back.]

Still wouldn't hurt to pack a coat, though.

[Luckily, he's already prepared for that. Silly Riku.]

[action]

[floralogy]

Of course!

[She giggles, opening her closet to reveal one purple coat hanging from her wardrobe. Excited, she grabs it and puts it on.]

I think I should go get a scarf too.

[Trust Ino to accessorize in any situation. Seizing her white scarf that's also hanging in her closet, she wraps the cloth around her neck. As she closes the door to her wardrobe, Ino beams at Riku.]

Do I look good?

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

Good? Are you kidding?

[A sly grin works its way across his face, and he places his hands on his hips.]

You look beautiful.

[As always. It's about time he vocalized it, really.]

[action]

[floralogy]

[A blush taints her cheeks upon his compliment as a warm smile radiates from her lips.]

Thank you.

[The moment she closes the gap between them, she grabs his hand and holds it tightly in hers.]

Is this your way of gaining points?

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

Even if it was, it's not like that was my main intent.

[But here, have a hand squeeze.]

I'm being honest here, really.

[action]

[floralogy]

I know. [Have that hand squeezed in return.] I was just kidding.

[Still with that warm smile, she beckons Riku to start walking out of their apartment.] With all the honest compliments, I feel like the luckiest girl in all the worlds present here.

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

Then I'm doing my job.

[He'll follow along, naturally, giving her a grin.]

And, hey. I think I'm just as lucky as you are. Maybe even luckier.

[action]

[floralogy]

[She elbows him playfully.]

I don't think so. I'm luckier. You can't argue with me on that one.

[action]

[stilldontgotit]

Wanna bet?

[...And elbowing her right back. Man, this is silly.]