( He doesn’t hide that name from her, but from himself. But there’s no way of saying so, his pride being probably too big to admit such thing. Even to her. How could a person admit that, despite everything, he still fears the past? His mistakes. Or even the how he tried to fix it. Or how he can’t move on from it. )

I know, and I am very grateful for that.

( Her words makes him wonder who would have such power. It’s pretty obvious the Gods would have enough power to mark them, but did they really know everything about them to know exactly what to mark? He cups his chin between two fingers, taking a position of thinking unconsciously. It is as if he has momentarily forgotten her presence, that she is there, probably waiting for him to speak again. Yet nothing leaves his lips until his eyes falls again on her mark. Brows furrowed as he places his hand over his waist. )

Maybe, whoever did all this, doesn’t know everything. You have the total right not to answer me but, why that word?

( Deep down he assumes what it means, how she may feel since once he totally made the mistake to say something similar to someone who was born in a very similar way like her. However, his heart refuses to consider her that word, not after all she did. However, Riku knows that probably asking wasn’t the best move. )

You know, I may not have my keyblade with me, but I can still kick whoever dares to hurt you in any way.