When We're Rollin Through the Wild Wild West

[geonomy]

Who: Everyone! EVERYONE!
Broadcast: IF YOU WANNA
Action: Everywhere! EVERYWHERE!
When: Mid-September - Mid-October

[How's your ship doing, pardners? Is it still pretty damaged? Is it glitching out hardcore? Well, there is one place to land to take care of all that, and that's on a dusty old moon in front of a planet that no one wants to go to. On this moon, you'll find a civilization that looks a lot like one's stepped into a wild west movie, hardened cowpolk and mutant horses and all. Will you become a vigilante, hunting bounties and stopping gangs from doing their dirty work? Will you go exploring planetside, with a cowboy hat and a stalk of wheat in your mouth to complete the look? Good luck with that; there is no wheat. This town ain't big enough for all you flooters, but make it so! For the ratings!

In other words, it's a planet mingle! Get 'er done!]

[September Planet info here]

Comments

B!

[got_it_memorized]

[He's been feeling a strange sort of heaviness all afternoon. There's something familiar about it, but... no, it can't be. The only thing that feels like that is Darkness, and he's pretty sure he's the only Nobody in the Fleet. But he just can't shake it: it definitely has that same cloying feel, like tar sticking to the insides of your ribcage, hollow and empty even as it's thick and viscous somehow.

[It's nearby, whatever it is, and his curiosity is really starting to win out over his better judgment. Maybe it won't hurt to just go have a look, right? Just to prove to himself that he's imagining it. It can't possibly be Darkness.

[As he gets closer, the familiar feeling intensifies. It doesn't just feel like Darkness, it feels like familiar Darkness. This is so bizarre. When he spies Riku seated on the dusty earth, though, suddenly things make sense. Well, in a manner of speaking. He knows Riku has a closer connection with the Darkness than any other human, by a long shot, but he's never seen it radiate off him this way. The Darkness licks off of him like flame, and for a moment Axel just stares, transfixed.

[When Riku speaks, though, he looks a little indignant.]

Hey! [Oh, not you. Well, still. He seems to have things under control, but it was still a worrisome display. Axel approaches him cautiously, taking a seat on the ground about a foot and a half away and giving him a slightly unsettled look.] Is... everything all right?

[limitstorm]

Yeah.

[ he rubs the heels of his hands against his eyes, frustrated. ]

I'm fine. The Atroma sure has a bad sense of humor, though.

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel leans back on his hands, looking a little relieved (if a little unconvinced) when Riku assures him it's all right.]

Well, we knew that much, I think. This entire situation has been one bad joke from the beginning, in my opinion. I mean, it even sounds like one. Take my ship, for example: An elf, a sentient plant, a dwarf, two humans, and a Nobody walk onto a spaceship... [He shrugs.] I dunno what the punchline is yet. I'm a little afraid to ask.

[limitstorm]

[ a browraise. ]

I've got a god, a Keyblade Master, a medic, a mute girl, and a crazy inventor. I dunno if my ship's any better than yours.

[got_it_memorized]

[He snorts a laugh.]

All right, you win the joke opener.

[There's a beat of silence, and then he shifts a little where he sits.]

Okay all kidding aside, though, are you okay? [He makes a vague gesture like something unfurling.] Like is it... supposed to do that? I know every Darkness is a little different, but I haven't seen it behave that way but for a couple of times. [Usually when it wasn't entirely under control. Like when Saïx would slip into his berserk mode. Axel doesn't want to think about Riku in berserk mode okok.]

[limitstorm]

[ riku stares at the sandy ground for a good few moments before he just sighs, pulling at his bangs. he straightens his spine and looks at axel head-on, not showing a flicker of fear. ]

I'll get it under control. It's not now, but it won't stay that way--I'll make sure about that.

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel holds his gaze, his expression collected and just as unafraid. He's not scared of Riku, but he knows what Darkness is capable of doing, of destroying. He waves one hand, though, shaking his head.]

Riku, this isn't an inquisition. I'm not the Darkness Police, okay? I've just been dealing with it a bit longer than you have, so... I guess I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a problem.

1/3

[limitstorm]

[ when axel notes that he's been dealing with it longer, there's an obvious flare of anger. wow sorry please tell him how to control both his darkness and his light oh wise one

he breathes in slowly though, closing his eyes and trying to center himself. he can't let his emotions go wild like they have been. he has to focus himself, close off avenues that he'd been treading for a few months. when he looks back up again, he looks a little more apathetic. ]

The only problem I have is trying to remember how I controlled it. Jeez, if I could make my heart stop... being a heart.

[limitstorm]

[ er. wait. ]

[limitstorm]

[ UH-- ]

Sorry! That's--not what I meant, I just...

[got_it_memorized]

[Wow don't be so defensive Riku he's trying to help, sheesh. He had to go through this, too, in his own way, ten years ago; he knows it's not easy, okay? Axel can be a real smooth talker when he wants to be, but when it comes to Getting Shit Done he doesn't mince words.

[When Riku makes the heart comment, though, Axel's eyes narrow a little. Less in anger and more in something like disconcertion. He shakes his head.]

Don't be sorry, just... be careful what you wish for. [He gives a small sigh, then sits up straight again.] Look, if you want me to buzz off I will. I wasn't trying to be a dick, I just thought maybe it'd help if you talked to somebody who'd kinda gone through the same process.

[limitstorm]

[ 'don't be defensive' do you know who you're talking to

riku's shoulders slump and he stares at the ground for a minute. he doesn't know how to say 'stay', he's not sure he even wants it. wouldn't axel just laugh at him? besides, doesn't axel have other things to do? ]

Does it help you?

[got_it_memorized]

What, talking about it? [He looks a little unsure, his eyes winging toward the sky.] I dunno. To be honest, I've never actually had anybody to talk to about it. We didn't exactly have Therapy Hour in the Organization, you know? We all just kind of dealt with it on our own, because nobody really trusted anybody else. The older members helped train the newer members on how missions worked, and we sparred pretty often, but there wasn't a lot of talking going on.

[He fidgets a little.]

It kinda sucked. So... you know. If you wanna talk about it, that'd be okay I guess. Th-that's all I wanted to say.

[limitstorm]

[ he snorts. ]

That's the longest 'I guess' I've ever heard.

[got_it_memorized]

Well excuse me for being thorough when I answer a question.

[limitstorm]

You're excused.

1/2

[got_it_memorized]

[This face. Just this face.]

2/2

[got_it_memorized]

Fine, forget it. Here I am, actually making an effort, tryin' to be nice and all, and you're just makin' fun of me. Good thing I don't have any feelings for you to hurt, sheesh.

[limitstorm]

[ erk.

riku at least has the decency to look guilty, and then he just sighs again, hunching his shoulders. ]

I can't remember how it felt to be in control.

[got_it_memorized]

[He's halfway through getting to his feet to leave when Riku speaks again, and he stills for a second before lowering himself back to his seated position. He folds his hands in his lap and stares at them a moment, then looks at Riku sidelong.]

Control is kind of a funny thing, I think. You get used to it, you get complacent, and you don't really realize how tenuous your grasp on it is until something rips it away. It's really a rude awakening, but if you had it once, I think you can find it again. What is it they say, about riding a bike? You never really forget how, it's just a matter of remembering the motions.

[limitstorm]

[ he makes a frustrated noise, bowing his head. ]

I just... don't want anyone to be hurt. Maybe everyone would be better off if I stay here when the ships pack up.

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel looks a little startled.]

Wait, what? You're kidding, right? [He shakes his head.] Riku, nobody's getting left behind, come on. Who's gonna keep Robin out of trouble without you around? And think of how upset Kairi'll be if you just ditch us to live in Dusty McSandsville.

[He makes a face halfway between a pout and a scowl.]

I'd be pretty upset too, okay? Nobody's as fun to harass as you are.

[limitstorm]

[ browraise, and then a sigh. ]

I'm not kidding... I dunno about any of those, but isn't not being hurt because of me and being a little sad better?

[got_it_memorized]

Riku, even if you don't have control now, you will. You're way too stubborn not to figure it out. So there's maybe a risk of some Darkness leakage, fine, but it's just temporary. If we left you behind, that'd probably be forever, and that just stinks.

[He shakes his head, leaning back on his hands again.]

If it were Kairi who was having trouble controlling her powers, you'd fall on your Keyblade before you left her behind. Don't you think she feels the same way?

[limitstorm]

[ he gives a quiet groan, simply because he knows axel's right. kairi would pilot a ship back herself and smack him for staying behind, but... he just isn't sure if he feels safe enough for people. ]

... yeah, but... [ any risk is a risk. ugh. he huffs and steels himself, crossing his arms. ]

Why couldn't they just give me back my powers without my Darkness?