["I know how to act on a mission." Is that how this should be viewed? Riku's not so sure. He's done that himself: when it came to saving Sora when his memories were lost, he did everything in his power to approach things without too much care. He told Xion that she had stolen her memories. He convinced her to go back to Roxas, and even took the latter down. All of it felt justified: or rather, was justified, in part by thoughts and in part by actions. DiZ had convinced him that that was the way to go about it. But as it went on, Riku felt like his heart disagreed. He could see that what he did to bring Sora back was cruel.
Not that this is a matter of cruelty or not here. It's seeking out friends. But the brisk way that Fitz responds to Riku leaves him concerned. His only time out adventuring had been in Sleeping Worlds, and while he moved through them and aced his tests, Sora was gradually led deeper and deeper into the dreams, no longer transversing them but slipping further away from the Waking Worlds. Sora always had a way with people no matter what, so Riku doubts he's ever been handled this rigidly. But Riku? Maybe he just draws that out of people. He can't tell.
No matter what, he knows that he wants to help more than anything. Even if Fitz looks upon him and Sora with distrust (he gets it with himself, but Sora?—he thinks of that pause on Sora's features, the incremental surprise over someone who's been hurt, but doesn't know how to process it, only he does it seconds later because he knows what it's like to hurt).
In the end, what matters is going through that door, passing through the ash and ending up where they're going to end up. Another world in ruins. Another place that needs help. He knows that this isn't what it was like for Sora before, but he had people in his heart there to protect him (even darker, twisted versions, nightmares seeking to shield him and claim him at the same time). It doesn't seem like these people have the same thing going for them. Then again, it makes sense: their hearts can't connect the same way that they can here. If these dreams have taught him anything, it's that they allow people to manifest those connections. That the connections can be so tattered worries him, but he can't bring that up now.
No, he draws his hand back and his keyblade disappears from his hand. No matter what his head tells him here, he knows he has to follow his heart. Help. Make sure these people get back out in one piece, without it proving more difficult. Trust that no matter what, Sora will do the same. (Even if Fitz doesn't trust him to do it, he will. It's not a demand of trust, and he stands by that. They're here because they want to be, because this is what they intend to do forever, no matter what. If Riku is called upon, he'll be there to help as a keyblade master. It's in his power to do so, to help others help protect their friends.)
Even if Fitz's is laser focused on his friend to the exception of everyone else, even the boy who's there to help, Riku nods toward him. He offers a slight and subtle smile. Encouragement. They can save him. They're here, and his heart is here. They can save him.]
I'll be here as backup if needed. Go save your friend.
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Not that this is a matter of cruelty or not here. It's seeking out friends. But the brisk way that Fitz responds to Riku leaves him concerned. His only time out adventuring had been in Sleeping Worlds, and while he moved through them and aced his tests, Sora was gradually led deeper and deeper into the dreams, no longer transversing them but slipping further away from the Waking Worlds. Sora always had a way with people no matter what, so Riku doubts he's ever been handled this rigidly. But Riku? Maybe he just draws that out of people. He can't tell.
No matter what, he knows that he wants to help more than anything. Even if Fitz looks upon him and Sora with distrust (he gets it with himself, but Sora?—he thinks of that pause on Sora's features, the incremental surprise over someone who's been hurt, but doesn't know how to process it, only he does it seconds later because he knows what it's like to hurt).
In the end, what matters is going through that door, passing through the ash and ending up where they're going to end up. Another world in ruins. Another place that needs help. He knows that this isn't what it was like for Sora before, but he had people in his heart there to protect him (even darker, twisted versions, nightmares seeking to shield him and claim him at the same time). It doesn't seem like these people have the same thing going for them. Then again, it makes sense: their hearts can't connect the same way that they can here. If these dreams have taught him anything, it's that they allow people to manifest those connections. That the connections can be so tattered worries him, but he can't bring that up now.
No, he draws his hand back and his keyblade disappears from his hand. No matter what his head tells him here, he knows he has to follow his heart. Help. Make sure these people get back out in one piece, without it proving more difficult. Trust that no matter what, Sora will do the same. (Even if Fitz doesn't trust him to do it, he will. It's not a demand of trust, and he stands by that. They're here because they want to be, because this is what they intend to do forever, no matter what. If Riku is called upon, he'll be there to help as a keyblade master. It's in his power to do so, to help others help protect their friends.)
Even if Fitz's is laser focused on his friend to the exception of everyone else, even the boy who's there to help, Riku nods toward him. He offers a slight and subtle smile. Encouragement. They can save him. They're here, and his heart is here. They can save him.]
I'll be here as backup if needed. Go save your friend.