Magic and Ninjas (Yuffie/Merlin, PM to join)

Merlin, in fact, wasn't home. He had been out and about, saying hello, and making his rounds; you know, old man stuff. He went to the store, and bought some magical components, zapped a few heartless, talked to Tron a bit, and then decided to go back to his house. Something was nagging at him, like he had left the refrigerator door open, or the toaster on, or the oven on... but he didn't have any of those appliances, so it didn't make any sense.

Hmm... maybe I have a visitor then?

He pondered who could be visiting as he slowly made his way home. He was an old man, you know, and he did like to take his time when he didn't have any plans.

It took him about twenty minutes to get home, and as he neared the area his house was in, he heard an awful racket. Cringing, he spoke to himself; "I'd know that voice from just about anywhere... Yuffie is back from her trip."

Steeling himself, he continued on his way home.She's going to have an endless amount of questions for me... and she won't leave until they are all answered.

Sighing, Merlin quietly walked to his home. He was pleasantly surprised to see Cloud standing there as well, the blond was always a bit of a loner- only coming to Merlin when there was a message, or something important. That'll make this ordeal a bit more bearable, anyway.

As he neared the house, and Yuffie gave his door a break, Merlin accessed his magic, using it to cast Float on the unsuspecting Ninja. There would be no real side effects, just disorientation as the White Rose of Wutai began to float three feet off the ground.

After the spell was cast, Merlin chuckled from behind his silver beard, eyes twinkling. "Well, well, well; it looks like I visitors! How are the both of you? it's been quite a while!

So Yuffie had been away too that would explain why he hadn't seen her around lately, he was curious as to where she went and judging by the look on Merlin's face when he arrived, told him that he knew of her dissapearence. What were they up to?, Cloud pondered on about in his mind he felt rather guilty for not helping out instead of wasting time patrolling Garden. It didn't get him anywhere apart from the occassional heartless battles not that they were a problem, he could easliy deal with them he was put it simply. Bored.

The blonde gave Merlin a small nod as he approached it seemed that they had something important to talk about, but he assumed that they wouldn't need him unless it was for fighting. Cloud shook his head "I just remembered..I had something to do, i'll catch you later." He muttered though this was only half true he really didn't have anything better to do, he turned to leave but knowing Yuffie she wouldn't let him off the hook this easily.

By the time Merlin had finished talking to Cloud, Yuffie was practically jumping out of her seat. "Okay then, I had an idea for the RGURC." she blurted out, her hyperactive mood showing. "Instead of just watching over this world, we should extend our reach to other worlds like Traverse Town. And we really need to regroup, 'cuz I've noticed some absences. I haven't seen Leon or Aerith in a while." As she gave Merlin a look, she asked, "Have you seen them?"

Merlin nodded. He had expected as much. However, as his two fellow members of the RGURC did not know, there was already a group in traverse town; simply put, they could help in the less known planets. "Yuffie, you make an interesting point. I have not seen either Aerith or Leon in a very long time. Nor Tifa, Cid, or even Cloud here; I have been very busy. However, I have noticed that everyone else seems to have simply disappeared. Maybe they are in Twilight town, maybe they are off at other worlds? who knows. but until we have either confirmation of their whereabouts, or until they return, we will not know."

Merlin tapped the table, and a mug of tea appeared. "if you want a beverage, or something to eat, just tell the table, by the way." He took a sip of his tea before continuing. "As for your idea, Cloud; having a network on several worlds wouldn't hurt- in fact, we can strive to set up satellite bases on different worlds, creating several spots where we can instantly travel between them, much like my house here and the one in the second district."

He paused, sipping at his tea again. "However, I don't know if we'll need to pay full attention on Traverse Town;" Merlin smiled, thinking of the two young men whom he had trained with not too long ago.

"I have some interesting information for you both."

Pulling out a small wooden framed mirror, Merlin waved his hand over it, saying "Mikhail" and "Maxwell." After a few seconds, two images seemed to grow off the Mirror, one of Mikhail Darrow; co-leader of the group known as the Guardians, alongside the other leader, Maxwell Tendas. The images grew to about twelve inches in height, and slowly revolved.

"These two gentleman I have had the pleasure of meeting, have a very interesting goal; if you go to Traverse town, I would ask you to seek them out, and see if they need your help. Then, when you are aware of their group, you might get some other ideas as well."

Merlin sipped at his tea again, smiling. If they could find a way to work together, the worlds would be that much closer to their balance.

((You have permission, Zepho.))

(( Unfortunately, none of them have actually met Riku before. XD I'll assume Sora told Riku about them, and I bet they heard of Riku while Sora was looking for him. ))

Quiet, rapid knocks rained upon the door.

Without waiting for a response, Riku turned the heavy iron knob and stepped inside, pausing at the frame to evaluate the house before entering further. It took only a moment of glancing around the room to satisfy him. "So the old duck wasn't entirely batty," Riku murmured to himself, shutting the door behind him. He had no doubt that this was a wizard's residence.

It had taken a bit of asking around to discern the whereabouts of the Committee. Riku had only the echo of Sora's past words to go by, stories of their journeys that they exchanged during the quiet year on Destiny Islands. It was the memory of Sora's detailed depictions of the HBRC and the wizard Merlin that drove Riku to visit Radiant Garden first. For some reason, it felt imperative that he found them.

Thus far he had been staying inconspicuous. It was vital that word of the keybladers on the move wasn't yet let out. However, the exact purpose of this encounter was practically the opposite: in order to figure out what was going on, he would have to reveal his identity to the people before him.

Riku paused to consider said people. There was no doubt in his mind as to which one was Merlin, and recognized the other two from Sora's descriptions - though he couldn't remember their names. He would take no precautions.

"Before I say who I am or what I am doing here," Riku finally addressed the silence, "I need to know I'm speaking to the right people."

They're bound to be thinking along the same lines, Riku grimly understood. He wracked his brains for a tying factor, something to confirm his position while simultaneously verifying theirs. It didn't take long to think of one.

"Am I correct in assuming that you are all allies of Sora?"