melodiesoflife | Discreet Birthday, go!

Entry tags:

[au] riku replica (ira)

Discreet Birthday, go!

Characters: Riku Replica (Ira) and YOU!
Where: Aqures Ixen, Hospital, Training Hall, and B-06
When: Sept 9th
Summary: It's his third birthday, and he isn't sure if it's right if he should celebrate or not with what's happened and still happening. Thus, ignoring the significance of the date and job hunting ~~of both varieties~~.
Warning: None (yet)

Prologue
At first as he tried to ignore what day it was, but the image of the computer terminal with not just his own data, but every single person who’d been brought to the Tower kept popping back in his mind as the morning went by.

Name: Numberless Vessel
Date of Creation: Sep. 9, year unknown
Greatest Fears: Loss of individuality, loss of control, discovery, itself.
Ira grimaced at the memory, shaking his head as he headed out for the day. A part of him still didn’t want to believe it, but what better a thing to taunt him with then the truth? It certainly would have been up Jason’s alley. The jerk.

Hospital, Crystallized Heroes Wing
He made absolutely sure that Lin was with him before going to the hospital. After hearing how insane the security had become, it was like a ritual they both did together every Friday. Ira would leave a single seashell by each of those from his worlds and the Tower--a habit he had picked up from his sister--for every week they remained in stasis, then leave and hope to all that was dark and bitter that the security didn’t get trigger happy this time. Leaving any other visitors to their own business, he started to leave his weekly collection of seashells by every single friend he’d made that had crystallized ~~and didn’t vanish~~.Today, however, he lingered for a few moments in front of Emmet Brown, then Sora, and finally Ventus, before stopping at Meteor’s crystallized form.

“With how the Calamity’s spreading, I don’t know how many more of these I’ll be able to leave from now on...” he muttered, fully aware they couldn’t hear him. So really, the next part as he placed the shell next to the other’s form was for him alone. “Sorry I couldn’t gather any from the Islands, or what was left of it.”

Why did it have to be there instead?

Training Hall
Like with any day that he needed to stop thinking of something that was bugging him, he went to the training hall to practice his less-familiar skills. Especially with October around the corner. Him and October never truly got along well. Then again, neither did he and December, February, April, or June. October was one of the worst offenders, however--especially after last year.

He had no idea what the world had in store for them, but he planned to be ready for it. Thus he can be found practicing a few spells that were both familiar yet not, as Red Mage somehow used a few spells he’d learned from his Terra differently. Muscle memory and Job instruction were not quite agreeing with him, especially with this dainty excuse of a sword.

B-06 (Locked to Saori)
Man, what a morning. After sending in his application at a few item shops around town, the brief trip to the hospital, and then the training hall, he was exhausted (and a bit smelly). So, he decided to head home for a moment. Both his housemates were likely out doing their own thing, so he’d maybe find a moment to himself.

So, after a quick shower, he let himself flop on his bed back-first. Shirtless. It’s not like he was expecting anyone, after all!

...He’s going to be glad he at least changed into a decent pair of (clean) pants that somehow still fit him after the growth spurt, isn’t he.

Around the Town (Aqures Ixen)
Eventually, he decided it was likely a good idea to ~~get Lin to stop pestering him to do something today to celebrate~~ at least make something to celebrate someone’s return from Crystal Stasis. So, he’s first off to the library with a notepad and pen, looking up both fish recipes and a few vegetarian options for the resident monk of the house. After which, he’ll leave to buy the ingredients he needs. Hopefully without either one catching wind of him doing something nice for a change. That’s the last thing he needs them to know, clearly.

B-06 ~~again~~ (Locked to Minato Arisato, Aang)
After hours of preparations, looking up recipes, and finding a few he (hoped) that the others would like… his attempt to make an edible dinner out of something that wasn’t oatmeal and biowaste seemed to finally take shape into something at least decent. The fact that nothing burned and that he’d remembered to debone the fish was something he was proud of. With the vegetable dumplings, grilled fish, and some coconut milk. Now, hopefully, both of the others liked it.

If anything there was that Japanese-style cheesecake… No way was he going to finish that on his own.

Epilogue, Sep. 10th
And then, with the mail being delivered for the day, there is the sound of David Gallagher (or Mamoru Miyano) cursing loudly.

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Just when Ira was about to relax he would've a knock at the window. No, not pebbles being tossed at the glass but an actual knock.

That was when Saori's head popped into view from above. Yes, freerunning was the fastest way to get from her house to his, but it made for lousy normal entrances. Oh sure she could've just jumped down to the front door but where was the fun in that? Instead she perched herself on the roof and popped in.

"Ira~ I'm glad you're here. Can I come in?"

He initially peeked with one eye squinting at the window, but when he saw whose head was peeking through it, he (quite literally) jumped off his bed. eyes widened a moment, and in the light coming from the window, she had full view of all of his old battle scars (a few of which he now understood at last where they'd come from), especially as he half-sheepishly, half-annoyed, walked toward the window to open it.

"You know, there is a door..." he retorted snarkily, but knowing her and even his own sense of style... well, he couldn't be mad all the time. After opening the window, Ira moved to the side to permit entry.

"Now where's the fun in that?" She asked as she jumped in. Brigid had also tagged along, carrying a box with her. She gave it to Saori who smiled.

"Thanks. I'll be here for a bit so go on without me." The moogle left with a nod, leaving the two of them alone. She walked up to him and presented it to him. He was much taller than her now. Of course she had to ask about the scars but not now of course.

"I brought something for you. It's not much but I couldn't pass up the chance to do this." With a closer examination, it seems to be the kind of box you'd get from a bakery. Knowing her of course, there was no way this was something she bought. Inside was a souffle cheesecake with a light layer of powdered sugar on top.

"Happy Birthday, Ira."

"Well, it's not like anyone else is home yet." Ira shrugged, waving once to Brigid. Were Lin not back out collecting mail, she'd probably have said hello. As it were, a few of Ven's kittens mewled in greeting at the familiar faces. One of them rubbing itself against Saori's leg once she was inside.

Raising an eyebrow, Ira held out his hands for the package. Couldn't pass up? What was this?

...

Oh. Oh... Right, she'd seen it over his shoulder, hadn't she. That file at the Tower. A bit of surprise still on his face, along with a bit of pink in his tanned face denoting his embarrassment, he opened the box.

"Thanks." Honestly he didn't know what to say, placing the box down on the table. False memories at least told him to be polite in this case. Hushed, he added, "--Just missed Lin giving me an earful about not celebrating, too."

He figured she'd be amused by that, at least.

She bent down to pet one of the kittens. They seemed to be good health and she had wished she brought Aoi along with her. Oh well there was always next time. At the mention of Moogles shaming their Heroes for not celebrating, she had to laugh.

"I know that feeling. Brigid embarrassed me at the Space Saloon by announcing to everyone there when my birthday came around. I just thought after everything that had happened last month, we all could use some cheering up." After seeing the Tower herself, she definitely gained a better understand of where Ira came from.

Aoi could always come to visit another time. The kittens would probably be glad to see her, too. Ira made his way to the chest of drawers in the corner of the room, pulling out a clean shirt from the top drawer to put on quickly. Even after almost a year of being conscious in this world, his room was still sparse aside from clothing and the crystalline heart he'd received for Christmas.

"Believe me, Lin almost did the same thing while I was at the training hall." He admitted, a hint of amusement at her antics. Though he knew what she was hinting at. For a moment, he simply stared at the cloth. Even a year later, he couldn't will himself to wear anything white or violet...

"Not sure whether we were lucky or not, to see it during a time where I-" He stopped himself, shaking his head as an almost-sad smile crossed his lips. "At least it was a more evenly matched confrontation than what I knew."

Lydia still practiced in the training hall herself, even if she was sure she was doing things wrong without proper instruction. But--she believed strongly in self-defense, and even if her teachers were in Crystal... She didn't want to disappoint Miss Armstrong OR Mr. Kenshin; she hoped they'd come back, sometime. (It was a painful feeling, hope.)

Headed there by bicycle, it's the one built by MarKus, rather than Manami's racing bike. Easier to handle tougher terrain, and she has her gear in a basket attached to the front and pannier bags on the back. Betel-Po is napping on top of the back too, as Lydia'd come straight from school.

A quick change, Betel-Po floating behind her, and Lydia was in her usual adventuring gear, rapier and dagger strapped on and ready to try and practice. Pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face, and Lydia was in much better spirits than when he'd seen her last. "Ira!" was the friendly call, a wave being given too as Lydia picked up her pace.

Ira looked up at the sound of his chosen name, almost a bit surprised as he'd been so focused on getting the casting just so when his concentration broke. Though when he looked to see who it was, he waved back with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Hey, Lydia," he replied, uncharacteristically not-sullen or angry for a change. Frustrated, maybe, but not mad.

Don't think she hasn't noticed that faint-smile; her own is not hidden at all as she makes her way closer. "What're you practicing?" She was expecting the question back herself, but she'd asked him first so he had to answer first. "Want some help?"

"Attempting to get used to a rapier," in short. He almost chuckles, but instead rubs the back of his neck. "The magic is familiar, but I'm more familiar with heavier weapons.

"What about you?"

Lydia laughed, not meanly but in amusement. "I started with a rapier. Miss Armstrong took me under her wing, along with Mr. Kenshin and Yuffie at times too..." Determinedly pushing away the sadness--they wouldn't want her to be sad. She did visit, and talk to them about her progress, and make sketches still. Even as she hated the crystal stasis.

"Making sure I stay in practice, even if I don't have a teacher anymore. I don't want to be a burden."

"You're anything but," he muttered, shaking his head. Then again, he may be slightly biased in that opinion. "Still, I know the feeling. Shall we?"

Something told him that it would be best to dive into training rather than focus on those that were obviously Not Here.

Lydia's eyes widened slightly at the comment about her being 'anything but', and then a hint of pink at the offer to train with him. "Are you sure?" Shaking her head, a bit flustered--something people rarely saw in her. "I mean, I'm...I'm used to adventures, but I mostly fight in self-defense. I only started almost..." A hint of sadness, before she shoves it aside. "Almost a year and a half-ago."

Considering how she feels about those trapped in Crystal Limbo, it makes sense to focus on the training. Ira had seen some of that when she'd broken down in Order's Sanctuary. He hadn't seen her flustered before by compliments, or someone believing in her. Not in a way related to combat, anyways.

"I started three years ago with programmed muscle memories of how to fight. Yes, I'm sure." He smirked faintly, before adding, "It isn't always brawn that wins the day."

Ira courteously stepped to the side, gesturing her to feel free to use the striking dummy he was previously, or the one next to it. If there was anything he was certain of, it was that her unique strengths would come in handy on the road to come. All of theirs would, if they could stop petty bickering once and a while.

"Programmed?" Lydia repeated curiously, moving closer and getting ready to unsheathe her weapon. "Can I ask...what happened?" She didn't want to make him tell her, as she could guess it wasn't good. If he'd been programmed 3 years ago...

"...A lot happened." It was such a simple response, yet his curtness likely hinted at what lingered beneath the surface of his otherwise calm facade. "One of which being the day I was created."

And the day I was destroyed, he almost added, but instead settled for a swift jab at the dummy.

The curtness didn't escape Lydia, who wouldn't pry more...then he added that bit about created. Huh? Internally shaking her head to clear the sudden confusion, before she's lunging at him to give him a hug.

A tight hug, arms wrapped around him and comforting as she can make it.

"I'll listen. If you ever want to tell me." Quietly, sincerely, honest and genuine. Then, a bit hesitantly. "...created?"

He stopped the moment he felt arms curling around him, a bit awkwardly as well. He doesn't really have much to say about his life before the Tower. At least, nothing good. Even at the Tower was more bad than good, and nothing he would burden someone else with. Especially someone he cared about.

Though, did he really have to spell it out?

"I'm a Replica," he began, allowing her to digest what that entailed. "A perfect copy of another person, at least until..." He shook his head. "Maybe some other time. We both wanted to train, right?"

Hopefully that would be enough. At least he doesn't seem too broken up about it? If anything, there's a bit of annoyance that he has to explain that he wasn't a real person. At least, not until he gained a sense of self of his own.

They did, but she's not releasing him yet. Lydia is shaking her head, still holding him tight in a hug. "You're not. Not to me. You're Ira, no one else." Firm and determined and emphatic on it. Then she moved, letting him go but keeping her gaze on his.

"You're my friend, Ira. I don't know who you were supposed to be a copy of, but you're not them now." A hint of smile. "You're you--and that's enough for me." Arms crossed, and she is clearly stubborn and ready to argue if he decides to.

At first, he was ready to defend what he knew for truth--one of the few things from his past before the Tower that he knew was right--yet something stopped him. It was sudden, like a tiny spark had been lit in his chest. Yet the heat that came from it wasn't harsh or overwhelming, but soft--gentle, even. He let out an almost inaudible gasp, straightening a bit as she let go of him, before resting his free hand over where his heart should be. What... what was that feeling, just then?

"You really are something," he muttered, not quite realizing the smile on his face. "Maybe I'm not, but I can't help but worry about them. I know what'll happen for them next won't be easy."

He may or may not have been thinking about this since they'd returned. Even though he may be trying to name what just happened in his head.

When it became clear he wasn't going to argue, Lydia relaxed a bit from her defensive posture. The smile had her grinning back herself. "I don't blame you for worrying about them--I mean, they're...not quite a friend, but they are someone you feel a connection to obviously. So you care, and that means you worry."

It was obvious to her.

"In any case, you are still Ira. My friend. Who clearly needs to learn how to use a Rapier instead of a larger sword." Drawing her own blade, stance shifting as she saluted him and then faced the target. "En Garde, Moisieur Haybale!"

"If that's what you think," he muttered, having not as great a relationship with his own Riku, even though the "real thing" in the Tower and he were rather close. Though he doesn't sound sad about it, only amused, as he took a step back to watch her work.

He hoped she didn't mind him watching her movements, studying them as she went.

"It's what I know." Lydia turned back to him after a feint, then lunge at the training-dummy's shoulder. Winking playfully, before she stepped back again. Her head tilted, regarding her friend. "You're used to the other kind of blade right? A slashing weapon?"

She hadn't really seen Ira in battle much, and it had all be confusing the one time she had--against Palitutu. (She herself had been busy throwing bees, and rocks, and anything else she could to make it harder for the Tarutaru and moogle to concentrate.) But Miss Armstrong had taught Lydia the basics of why she was learning rapier, and not something else. In some ways it had been because of how she'd been learning under Mr. Kenshin.

Lydia was small, and light on her feet. She was used to running, and being clever and tricky and quick. A rapier was designed to be light and quick as well--she couldn't rely on powerful strikes in a slash or to overpower her opponents the way others would. She had to rely on precision, and trickery, and a rapier suited her just fine that way.

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Discreet Birthday, go!

B-06

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Training Hall

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