Nightshift 20, Outside Room F1

[lustful_thing]

Lust ignored the intercom for the most part. She was tired, her body drained and in need of rest. When the damned radio began spewing nonsense, she finally roused herself from bed. She retrieved her blades and slipped them on, realizing she had no plan whatsoever. She rarely did, but at least she generally had someone to meet up with. Not

Comments

[numberii]

((Coming from here. ))

Well, didn't that just beat all? Namine wanted to stick with a normal little girl instead of the Organization. And X was fawning over her like it was going out of style.

Maybe this place really did do funky things with the mind. Nobody was acting like themselves, except for those who were crazy to begin with. It made Xigbar wonder if that meant he was crazy, as he was just like his old, charming self.

...ugh. He needed to limp to the meeting, but he was so tired...

[clockmongler]

"Planning to do this all on your own, hmm?" As rude as the Gambler could be and was, it was just not in him to watch his… was II a friend? Luxord could not remember what, exactly, a friend was. But the Freeshooter was close to what that idea was, he supposed. And it wasn't in him to watch his supposed friends be murdered violently. maimed beyond recognition was fine, but dying just made him rather cross. So X trailed after the other with his hands behind his back, journal resting under one arm. "Did not tell you at least five times beforehand that there are some pretty hungry monstrosities around?"

As if noticing for the first time, the blond tilted his head. "What happened to your shirt?"

[numberii]

"Like I need anyone to help me?" Xigbar scoffed as he dragged himself along the walls, slow and pained but dedicated to going anyway. "I've got a weapon and I've got enough to move along, that's all I need."

Somehow, however, Xigbar was a bit relieved that Luxord had followed along. Not because he had an illusions about the other Nobody helping him out in anything, especially as he insisted that he was fine, but having someone to banter with made the journey easier. As arguing with oneself, in an asylum, would rather be a bad thing.

"And I still say that I can handle any creepy crawlies. I'm the Freeshooter, dude; if I can't handle a critter or three then everyone else is just sunk. 'sides, wouldn't be the first time something's taken a chomp out of me."

He stopped when that last question hit his pointed ear, and then he turned to Luxord and grinned. "Admiring the view? Hah, but that's my little secret for now. You're a sharp little tack, you'll figure it out."

[clockmongler]

Damn straight Luxord wasn't going to help, but he may as well keep company. No use in leaving the other alone.

"Oh yes, Xig. You are just full of inner strength and wonder. I can tell that in a few seconds, it will be just as if you ate your spinach and you'll tear out of here at super speed." The Gambler rolled his eyes, grinning slightly. Oh, sarcastic banter. He'd been missing that for the past couple of days. "I told you, we've not much of our powers here. I can barely slide cards around too long without becoming exhausted. It matters not to them who you were."

Luxord did not even give II the satisfaction of a response to that last comment… Well, puckering his lips in a mock kiss to the air, aside. Two could play it that way.

[numberii]

"Just gimme a pipe and that stupid hat, and I'll be flexing and blowing like no tomorrow." He grinned as well, as he started limping his way further on. He'd get out of here somehow. Oh yes. Nothing could keep the Freeshooter down. Nothing.

Except for certain kinds of beverages, but that was only because Xigbar let them keep him down.

"You may only be able to play a mean game of canasta, but I've still got teleporting and a dead aim too. They can't ever take that away; which means that this dude's still ready to rock and roll. Take no prisoners~!"

The sarcasm was definitely helping his pace along, helping him to forget how every step was agony and that he'd definitely not be winning any races any time soon. But Xigbar was nothing if not cocky.

That, and winking to Luxord over his shoulder at the mock kiss. "Jealous, much? And I thought you were just a ladies man."

[clockmongler]

He frowned at that, arms crossing on his chest as he glared at the elder member. "I may not have been a scientist, but cards are not my only specialty." Did everyone thing the only thing X could do correctly was games?! Truly, a complete disgrace! He knew quite a bit about literature, time, statistics, mathematics, history, psychology…

Xigbar's determination should have disturbed him at this point, but truly, he was used to such statements by now. He would normally change his mind once he learned his lesson anyhow, so Luxord merely gave a short "You keep telling yourself that at night, my friend."

And at the last statement? "You're close enough."

[numberii]

"Oh, right. Forgot that you could make me lose my shirt in a game of dice, 'cept that I've already lost it." A short laugh at that; he knew all about Luxord's 'strengths,' but a fat lot of good it would do them when a critter was hot on their heels. Though hearing X ramble on about some author or another would be enough to put anyone to bed.

The senior member rather ignored Luxord's constant doubt- as though that would ever slow him down!- and kept trucking along, certain that he'd be getting to where he was going... er... sooner or later. Sometime. Yes.

The more important statement was the one after that, which Xiggy took entirely the wrong way. "I can woo with the best of 'em, but I think I prefer the ravishing sort of deal. Makes it easier when I break up with 'em later if there's no pretending up front."

[clockmongler]

"And you doubt the powers of addiction," he questioned, smirk returning in humor. "I'll have you know one's mind can become quite warped under such simplistic games. I've had a man lose his wife to me in a bet, once." Ah, such fond, wonderful memories of visiting that strange port town. Was her name Mia…? Perhaps it was Maya. He could not recall, but it was not as if he made an attempt to memorize it in the first place. "That was a fun night

[numberii]

"Nah, I don't doubt the power of addiction. Easy way of making a Heartless; taunt somebody with something they need until they'll do anything to get it, and then~!" The Nobody grinned, adding, "Besides, look at yourself. You've been twitchy ever since I first saw you here; can't imagine how going cold turkey's gotta feel."

That latter comment made him go quiet for a little bit, mostly as Xigbar was a bit uncertain at that. They were talking about his future, after all; he couldn't tell if Luxord was telling the truth or was just yanking his chain. "And you listened to reason and got cut in half too; got a point in there somewhere, dude?"

And II could too woo the ladies! And the guys too, while he was at it! Inanimate objects quivered in ecstasy at his touch! He was a sexy sexy beast, no matter what Luxord may think! "That's because you haven't dumped the right girl yet, dude. You're still young and think you're ten feet tall and bullet-proof; some sheila's gonna smash that all to bits, just you wait."

[clockmongler]

The Gambler gave a low growl at that, glaring down at his own hands. They had been shaking quite a bit for the last couple of days, and he could not pin II as lacking observation skills. Still, to have such a weakness on display? "You'll get to understand yourself, never you fret."

His frown only deepened at the mention of his own actions, and he only gave a quick reply before moving on. "The point is that I offered to fight him first. You refused to listen and got yourself killed because of it." Stubborn bastard…

Ecstasy? Surely, he meant revulsion, as nothing was ever wonderful about Xigbar touching things. "I enjoy it that way, to tell the truth, and it's happened more than not." His grin slowly returned back to him, taking pleasure in the memories at hand. "You know I like them feisty. The morning after is always a gamble."

[numberii]

Oh yeah, Xigbar had totally gotten the entire thing pinned; he only had one eye, but he still saw twice as much as virtually anyone else. Comes with being a sharpshooter. And it wasn't like Luxord could really hide everything. "Naw, I think I'm going to find their stash and have a little celebration. Just a matter of time, dude."

X wanted to give just a quick reply, but that was something Xigbar wanted to harp on. Just a bit. "And you didn't think of a second that someone like me, who's the best fighter we've got, biting it might tell you that you're a bit out of your league? You've got your tricks and all, but when it gets down to brass tacks? Me and VII are top dogs. That means that if something chomps me down, you'd better run and get the heck out of there, and not become dessert. Got it

[clockmongler]

As quick as the little sparkle in his eyes came at the mention of alcohol, they left the second II continued talking. Did the man seriously consider himself so high and mighty? It was pointless, arguing with him, Luxord knew. Yet he'd continue to do it anyhow, for one reason or the other.

"And where, exactly, would you propose I go? I wished to buy time, not win." He glared. "It's too late now though, isn't it? If we get out, we should go directly back from when we were stolen in Time. I'm dead."

[numberii]

"And I'm not. But I'm probably gonna die anyway, because none of you scoobies could kill a Chosen if he was blind and helpless. You think you could have won if you'd tried, dude? Lemme tell you about the Chosen." He turned around to jab his finger at Luxord and give his war stories enlighten the Neophyte as to his position, his eye narrowed in disgust.

"Back in the day, we didn't have good guys like me to swoop in and save the day like III and me keep doing now. We had our talents and we used 'em, and all of this backbiting about traitors and Time and gosh-knows-what-else wasn't even heard of. We got things done and we worked together, which is something you haven't really learned, have you? I remember what happened the last time we bothered the Huns for their Heartless, and everything else too

[clockmongler]

Anger or no, the Gambler almost snarled when that finger pointed at him, and he batted the hand away with more aggression than probably necessary. "I did my bloody work and you damn well know that." II seriously thought he could speak with him that way? He did not even know what happened to them! Oh yes, seniority, blah blah bullshit! Being older did not mean he knew more. If this was the way he was going to speak, Luxord was positive he knew nothing.

"You listen to me, Mr. Sanctimonious, I worked my ass off to get our fucking hearts back, and you think I'm just going to sit around and take your lecture about how I should have gotten things done? Well, guess what, I did and I'm not listening to your little egocentric shit. And I tried like hell to prevent at least one casualty, which is more than I can say for you."

He smiled and laughed, such an expression was almost disgusting itself. The smile was false, through and through; anyone with eyes could see the mind's attempt at producing some sort of hate in the absence of a heart

[numberii]

"Dude." Xigbar turned to Luxord, his hands on his hips, and growling low in his throat. No, neophytes did not back-sass their superiors. Friendship was one thing (though it really was an odd sort of friendship, broken easily and mended just as quickly,) but this was waaay out there. Like... way out there.

"I was working to save the whole stupid Organization, back while you were in another loony bin and rambling on about whatever! If it wasn't for me, then we wouldn't even be having this little chat, 'cause Xemnas would have given up on ever making a whole group of us in the first place. So why don't you sit down and shut up like a good little boy, and let a grown dude get back to his work. I'll have that spiky head on a platter once I get my weapons handy, so lay off on something I haven't even done yet!"

[clockmongler]

No… Oh no, Xigbar did not just bring that up… At the mention of the words 'loony bin,' the Gambler was seeing the proverbial red, completely hissing through his teeth and fingernails digging into his palm. He'd never trusted anyone enough to outright tell them what became of his Other, and now, mere minutes after he told the one person he thought wouldn't dig up the past or try to degrade him because of it…

He made no verbal reply aside from an enraged wail before lunging forwards at the elder Nobody, shifting all his strength into his fist as he propelled it to Xigbar's face.