"This is stupid," Riku grunted, his voice dropping to a low venomous note of disapproval as he glared at his section leader. He understood that he was an entry level trainee, and that he was only allowed to take the low level missions until he proved he was competent enough for more rigorous tasks. He also understood the need to work with a partner, which is why Sora was standing next to him with an easy going smile, arms thrown back behind his head. What he didn't understand was why they were giving another pointless assignment, that involved working with another person. He didn't mind putting in the extra effort himself, but the thought of working with a stranger made his stomach churn uncomfortably. "Haven't you ever heard the saying three is a crowd?" He asked quietly, crystal blue eyes boring into his Section leader's placid gaze. They studied each other, silently measuring each other for a weakness, before Cloud Strife looked away boredly. Deeming Riku unworthy of the staring contest he sometimes engaged in with Leon.
"You're complaints are duly noted...We think your teamwork is...lacking." Cloud concluded with a short jerk of his head. Splaying his palms out on the table, so he could be seen as the epitome of calm, he captured both boys attention with a glare. "Your assignment is to deliver this package to the assigned address...With your partner. I suggest you go pick her up now." He suggested in a tone that was anything but kind.
Next to him, Sora's cheery facade never cracked, the brunette simply chuckled. "Whatever you say Boss." The spry young man acquiesced easily enough for the both of them before lightly tapping Riku on the shoulder and ushering him out of the office before a fight could ensue. Despite having mellowed over the years, Riku still maintained his stubborn pride, and was known to butt heads with their section leader whenever the opportunity arose. It was some weird masculine ritual they kept alive to entertain themselves.
Sora didn't want to encourage it by lingering too long in Cloud's office.
"You know you can't get upset every time they suggest we work in a three man team." Sora's ocean blue eyes studied Riku intently, knowing intuitively without words why he was so opposed to the idea. "Kairi wouldn't like to see you getting all...prickly again." Sora made a sour face as the words left him and he lightly shook his head. Kairi was a sore topic because she was supposed to be the third person in their squad, but...unforseeable complications were preventing her from training with them. For some reason she couldn't garnish control of her magic, and so far she had not been able to summon a keyblade. No keyblade. No magic. No squad. It was too dangerous for normal people to be doing field work. So she was stuck in the office most days filing paper work. And Sora and Riku would never risk her life by sneaking her out with them in the World that never Was."We gonna meet up for training after the mission?"
Riku blinked at the question, his brow wrinkling in confusion.
Didn't they always meet up for training after their missions? "Why wouldn't we?"
Sora shrugged. "You never know." He responded enigmatically as they rounded the corner. They were entering the mess hall where all manner of questionable food was served to the starving trainees. Today the smell of chicken broth greeted them as they entered the room, and they were given a few smiles that Sora returned in earnest while Riku glanced to the side to hide his discomfort. He didn't like being the center of attention. Sometimes it felt like they were analyzing him too closely, and while Sora flourished in the spot light, Riku didn't want anyone privy to his secrets or his fears. Fingers clenching into fists, he walked passed Sora, barely dodging the crowd of hungry trainees milling about, and made his way to the recreation room where he was sure their third partner was.
Glancing sporadically left and right, he didn't see her till Sora pointed her out. "Hey, hey, over here!" the brunette waved enthusiastically, nearly bouncing on his toes as he heralded her towards them.
Riku resisted the urge to roll his eyes
His best friend sometimes reminded him of a puppy. Loud. Overly excited, and bursting with optimism for no apparent reason. No one should be that happy to see a complete stranger. Sighing heavily, he combed callous fingers through his silver mane and the corner of his mouth twitched upwards as he locked gazes with the girl they were supposed to partner up with. She wasn't Kairi but she didn't look incompetent either.
Not that it mattered what she looked like.
After all, this was the /only/ mission they would be working together.