[Voice]

[madeinoblivion]

Munny, Munny, Munny....

[Ooh. Someone sounds like he's in a foul temper, grumbling into the NV. A jangling of silver bells grows distant, and wind whips over the NV speaker. Joe's breathing heavily into it too, huffing as he heads home at a brisk walk.]

They say it makes this whole world go around. [And then he growls flatly, in self-pitying irritation] Well guess who's going absolutely nowhere.

They cut my worktime in half at the stadium, because some Hockey star's spoiled rotten kid on the Sector Six Saints wants to have his own job. So I'm training somebody to be my own replacement, and making half as much now! They said I could go back to hawking sodas in the stands, but they couldn't pay me tech wages for concessions. Well! What a thank-you!

[An acrid laugh turns into another bitter mumble.]

...I shouldn't have gotten fresh with my manager, but... I guess I'll ...just call him in the morning and say sorry. Sorry, I really can't afford to quit. Does anybody have any advice for that? Like should I have Xion bake a cake, or just come crawling back like a kicked dog?

(...at least I won't have so many presents to buy this year.)

Does anyone know any place that are hiring newcomers for decent pay? Someplace that's not on AGI or SERO's lists. Or...I don't know, some... holiday party coming up, they need a DJ for? I'm really running kinda low on my luck here.

[Another low, disgusted snort]  Pretty soon we'll be taking food boxes from those creepy people at the Jenova church basement again.

Comments

[reassures]

What do you mean?

[madeinoblivion]

Its hard to explain. The difference between a clone and a replica... and whatever Naruto can do, which I think is different somehow. That's all still him, when he does that.

You can be a part of someone, but still have a heart of your own. Still be your own person, like Roxas. Like Namine. Or you can be made and copied, like Xion or like me, but still keep all your own memories and feelings.

Riku couldn't make me work jobs for him - I mean I guess we could fool people if we wanted, but it wouldn't work the same way.

[reassures]

I didn't know that.

[madeinoblivion]

What, that I was a replica? Now you do.

It's no big deal anymore.

[reassures]

You don't care anymore?

[madeinoblivion]

Should I? He's Riku, and I'm me. Most people don't even notice it.

[reassures]

No. I think it's probably good that you don't care.

[She kind of admires him for it.]

[madeinoblivion]

I used to really hate it.

Back... home? I guess? Back in the place where I was made, I fought him and I lost. It wasn't worth it.

[reassures]

Did you always know you were a replica?

[madeinoblivion]

No. For a little while, my memories weren't my own. I thought I was Riku. Then I found out they weren't real, only copied.

[reassures]

That sounds awful.

[madeinoblivion]

It made me really.... reckless.

I'm more careful now. I have people to protect who matter to me, and I matter to them.

[reassures]

You're a good friend, and a kind person. I'm glad you were able to accept things.

My offer still stands, though.

[madeinoblivion]

Well, if it is really Naruto's munny, then I guess he still kinda owes me, for helping him out with some ahhh... stuff.

...Gee, I really miss him. Soul too. Me and Naruto volunteered at this soup kitchen once, but we got thrown out for fooling around.

[reassures]

He'd probably make a fuss-- but he wouldn't actually mind. He'd be glad to help.

...I miss him too.

I'm not that surprised you both got thrown out, though.

[madeinoblivion]

Hah, well we got a little carried away...

[reassures]

What did you do?

[madeinoblivion]

Oh, you know. A little friendly competition.

[reassures]

That sounds like both of you. I'm not surprised.