stilldontgotit | 51 - voice/action;

[After two years, Riku thought that maybe things would turn out all right. Most people who disappear leave in a flash. A month, maybe three. When he woke up in the morning, he expected everything to fall back into its usual routine.

There's just one problem: his apartment's half-empty. At first he thought the absence of Ino was because she'd woken up earlier, maybe decided to do some training. She had a test coming up, after all, but as Riku zips through the apartment, he finds all her belongings have gone amiss.

Stunned silence overtakes him. It's about a half hour later that he addresses the journals.]

Ino's gone. I know she had a lot of friends from back home, so... just thought I'd let you know.

[His voice is strangely subdued, soft and weak. For a moment, he thinks about ending it there, but another thought creeps into his mind.]

How do you guys even handle it? I know some of you have gotten married here or plan to, but don't you realize it could end in a heartbeat? Luceti's just so unpredictable. When you're with someone it's bad enough, but to take the next big step in a place this unstable... I swear I'm not trying to bring anyone down. I just don't understand.

[...]

I'll be out by the lake if anyone needs me.

[With that, he snaps his journal shut, venturing out into the woods with his Komory Bat fluttering close behind. His destination is simple: the larger of Luceti's two lakes. Why there? Well, it has everything to do with a raft he's been keeping for the past five years. One of his first accomplishments.

He's had to replace pieces of it more times than he can count, and the sail's a bit tattered now, but anyone in the area may spot him leaning back against the mast and flicking stones into the water.

His bat perches on his shoulder, and he lets out an airy chuckle.]

Hey, relax. I'll sort this out. Just need a little time...

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I... Ino-san! Is she... Could she truly be gone?! [He remembers her being here since he first arrived. To have her gone now, it's jarring.

And knowing what awaits her at home... it's worrying. Ino had yet to experience the war. And her father's fate on top of that.]

Riku-kun! Are you absolutely certain?!

Lee, we were living together. Checked her room this morning, and everything was gone.

[He blows out a hefty sigh, speaking with a soft, tired tone.]

Believe me, I wish it wasn't this way, but... well, that's Luceti for you. When is anything ever easy?

[He remembers Rapunzel. They weren't in a relationship like Riku and Ino, but he loved her dearly and could still vividly remember - no, feel - the pain of losing his dear friend. He knows what Riku feels... It must be proportionate to that, likely even moreso.]

I am sorry to hear this, Riku-kun.

Things are rarely easy, in Luceti, or in youth. That... that is what helps us to be strong.

True.

[It's a mixed bag. On one hand, Luceti's spontaneity brings with it a certain degree of pain. Departures, experiments, drafts, and dealing with circumstances well beyond their control or influence. Still...]

Guess if everything went smoothly, we'd never have reason to grow or adapt. We'd grow too complacent. I just wish there were more signs. At least a chance to get closure, you know?

[Closure. Yes, that's something Lee would want too, as well. He closes his eyes for a minute as he considers this.]

I understand what you feel. Riku-kun, on this matter... our hearts are one!

I do wish there was an easy way, but there does not seem to be an easy answer. This world seems intent on filling our youth with very bittersweet moments. Never knowing when one's time in this world will end... that is one of them.

I believe that... the only thing that we can do, is to value the time we have with the people who are left. Treat every day like the last day we could know each other, and try to always part with smiles on our face. And making sure that they know - that they remember in their hearts - how important they truly are to us.

Remember in their hearts, huh?

[So he's echoing Mickey's sentiments, then. That even if their memories fade, some faint echo will remain, at least inside. That they may not remember the details, but their connections can never break or fade. Given the circumstances, it's a nice, relieving thought.

And to treat every day like the last... There's a thought. A comforting, yet harrowing thought all at once.]

I... hmm. You know, I guess thinking of it that way keeps expectations from soaring too high. It's just tough. Dwell too much on how temporary things are, and you could just as easily get caught up in worries. Like if any of this matters-- not that I think that way, but I can definitely see how others might.

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