What the hell, man, that is just creepy. Okay, change of plans, I don't care who this guy is but I want him gone like yesterday. Nobody molests my best friend in his sleep. [Pause. And the angry expression doesn't fade as he concludes,] No pun intended.
I thought it was a little weird too, but I just let it go. I didn't think anything of it--I didn't exactly get any bad 'feelings' from him, either. Stupid, huh?
[It'll earn a harsh chuckle, a hand ruffling his own hair.] What's the plan, Ax?
Ah, don't even talk to me about misreading bad signals from people who look like your friends. I think I take the cake on that one. [Fuck you, Saix.]
When I've got a plan, I'll let you know. [He's confident he can still trust Demyx; they were friends once upon a time, back before everything all went to hell, if Nobodies were even really capable of such a thing. Demyx never betrayed anybody, in any case, and so Axel's inclined to believe he'll keep it that way.
He narrows his eyes a bit.]
Who else is here? [He figures he doesn't have to explain just 'who' he's asking about.]
[He has to think about that for a few seconds as he delves into the archives of his memory.]
Seven members; Xigbar, Zexion, you, me, Marluxia, Larxene, and Roxas. Then there's Sora, Riku, Kairi... A kid who looks identical to Roxas--Ventus. I'm pretty sure his friends are here too. That makes Seven Nobodies, six Keyblade Wielders... [He doesn't know about Kairi's keyblade just yet.] Your Other and Saix's are just down the hall from me; Lea and Isa.
[He counts on his fingers as Demyx rattles off roll-call, and then whistles.]
Well unless something's changed, I think we can count out six, eleven, and twelve. I know I did my share of screwing up before I made my grand exeunt, but I'm hoping Xigbar ain't carrying any hard feelings, because something tells me if this Vanitas kid gets it in his head to pal around with a few choice individuals we know, we may end up in a world of hurt.
[A pause, a sigh, and a shake of his head. Dammit, so much for a peaceful 'next life'.]
I know Ventus. Sort of. We met once, a long time ago, back before I... [He closes one hand in the front of his coat and grimaces by way of explanation.] He ah... well, he seemed like a good kid.
[Another pause. Axel's not a Good Guy, and maybe he never will be, but he's even less a Bad Guy, and this Vanitas kid just reeks of trouble. Belatedly, something registers.]
Xigbar's one of the few people I trust in the Organization, relax. If something does happen and the proverbial something hits the fan we'll be alright. We're no pushovers--We never were.
He's pretty nice--I've spoken to him a couple times already. Kinda spooked me with that Keyblade at first, but when you know how painful those things are... Yeesh. [Xigbar's proof of it.]
[There's a faint nod.]
I'm pretty sure she is. I've only seen two other people besides her with red hair and that's you. ['Both yous.'
[A genuine laugh goes here.] I never said you were, Demyx. You're a bit slow on the uptake, but when you set your mind to something... [Well... he's sparred with Demyx a few times, and for all fire and water don't mix, and for all Demyx always says he's not cut out to be a fighter, a pushover he never was.
He grimaces then, a hand over his abdomen.]
Yeah, Keyblades smart. Don't think you were ever on the receiving end when Roxas really meant it; not sure what's worse, the blunt trauma or the 'blade' part.
[A pause to collect his thoughts, and then Axel gives Demyx a nod.] Anyway. I haven't seen Larxene or Marluxia since I got here, and I haven't seen Zexion at all, so lord only knows what those schemers are up to--if you or Xigbar hear anything, keep me informed. I'm pretty sure Zexion's gonna be even more sore with me than the other two are, heh... [Not like he led him to a horribly gruesome death or anything, nope.] Guess the Organization's not so organized anymore, but I think we're better off divided at this point. I
( ... )
[At that, his expression turns serious for a split second--then he's grinning. Oh, Axel.] I hate to say it but I ended up biting the dust 'cause Sora turned that thing loose on me. Xigbar's right; don't mess with Keyblade wielders.
Lucky you. Larxene's ticked me off a few times already and Mar' hasn't exactly done much. Zexion... He's been okay, I guess. [Something tells him they're going to have to share stories in the future.] You already know my feelings towards Larxene, dude. Poker nights kinda got boring without some of the guys, but a closer-knit group never hurt anyone.
[He winces a bit--he was pretty sure he'd heard that Demyx had been killed, but hearing it from the horse's mouth is never fun. A sigh and he shakes his head.]
I guess it's a good thing we kinda figured out to get the hell off the losing team, then. [He never really wanted to be Sora's enemy--how can you be the nemesis of the other half of your best friend, right? It just doesn't make any sense.
He gives Demyx a tired smile then.] Well the good news is we don't have to listen to Xemnas pontificate at grand length about our internal organ deficiency anymore. Maybe a heart's what you make of it, and maybe it doesn't even really matter. [A chuckle.] Think I'd rather play poker with you anyhow--Larxene always cheats. [So does Axel, but that's beside the point.]
Er-- [Uh. Well, you see, Demyx... Axel's actually a big sentimental softie who maybe sort of kind of implied he intended to apologize to a certain princess during his last moments, but brushed it off with a snide remark because he's too cool to be a woob. Yeah.] Oh,
( ... )
We'll just start our own team! You, me, Xiggy, Roxas... Maybe even Luxord and Xaldin if they show up!
That's what I tried saying during one of the first meetings I was involved in, but we both know how that ended. I never felt so embarrassed in my short existence as a Nobody. But you can't deny it just doesn't feel the same when you can't really pull up those emotions. I'm kinda hoping that'll change here though. Somehow. [He just sticks his tongue out.] 'Cause I have a crappy poker face, right?
C'mon~ You can't just say that and leave me hanging! [There's nothing wrong with big sentimental softies! Until you end up with third degree burns over 70% of your body from poking Flamsilocks and the Two Chakrams with a stick, obviously.]
Sounds like an A-team to me. But no Poker Nights with Luxord--he'll just win every game, it's no fun when he's dealer. [He's a little dubious of Xaldin, but that's another situation for another day. Like the day he shows up here, if it happens. For now, there are more pressing things to attend to.
He grins a bit as he listens to Demyx sort of posit on this old subject, and then he chuckles, though there's surprisingly nothing deriding in it.]
Demyx, I think a heart just makes your poker face worse. [And that's all he'll say on that.
The next question, though, prompts icon face.] Nosy, aren't you? I just need to talk to Somebody about something. [He knows you can't hear that capital S, but he's using it anyway.]
C'mon, it gave us motivation to get better, didn't it? Remember when we all ganged up on him and nearly won?
[He grins, folding his hands behind his head as he relaxes back against the couch. Nosy, huh? Sounds to him like he was spending too much time around Xigbar if he was picking up his mannerisms.]
Guilty as charged, dude. I've never really known you to suddenly start talking about promises like that, y'know what I mean? It's... Well, it's like dangling a nice juicy slab of seal in a shark's face. You know it'll bite.
[Whoa, is that a bit of venom in that voice?]
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[Damn, Demyx, we didn't know you could actually sound venomous. Axel's voice is noticeably harsher here, though.] What'd he say to Roxas?
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[You should've seen him with Sora, man.] Believe it or not, he was in his room. Petting his hair like some kind of dog while he was asleep.
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What the hell, man, that is just creepy. Okay, change of plans, I don't care who this guy is but I want him gone like yesterday. Nobody molests my best friend in his sleep. [Pause. And the angry expression doesn't fade as he concludes,] No pun intended.
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[It'll earn a harsh chuckle, a hand ruffling his own hair.] What's the plan, Ax?
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When I've got a plan, I'll let you know. [He's confident he can still trust Demyx; they were friends once upon a time, back before everything all went to hell, if Nobodies were even really capable of such a thing. Demyx never betrayed anybody, in any case, and so Axel's inclined to believe he'll keep it that way.
He narrows his eyes a bit.]
Who else is here? [He figures he doesn't have to explain just 'who' he's asking about.]
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Got it.
[He has to think about that for a few seconds as he delves into the archives of his memory.]
Seven members; Xigbar, Zexion, you, me, Marluxia, Larxene, and Roxas. Then there's Sora, Riku, Kairi... A kid who looks identical to Roxas--Ventus. I'm pretty sure his friends are here too. That makes Seven Nobodies, six Keyblade Wielders... [He doesn't know about Kairi's keyblade just yet.] Your Other and Saix's are just down the hall from me; Lea and Isa.
Then there's Vanitas.
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Well unless something's changed, I think we can count out six, eleven, and twelve. I know I did my share of screwing up before I made my grand exeunt, but I'm hoping Xigbar ain't carrying any hard feelings, because something tells me if this Vanitas kid gets it in his head to pal around with a few choice individuals we know, we may end up in a world of hurt.
[A pause, a sigh, and a shake of his head. Dammit, so much for a peaceful 'next life'.]
I know Ventus. Sort of. We met once, a long time ago, back before I... [He closes one hand in the front of his coat and grimaces by way of explanation.] He ah... well, he seemed like a good kid.
[Another pause. Axel's not a Good Guy, and maybe he never will be, but he's even less a Bad Guy, and this Vanitas kid just reeks of trouble. Belatedly, something registers.]
... Kairi's here?
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He's pretty nice--I've spoken to him a couple times already. Kinda spooked me with that Keyblade at first, but when you know how painful those things are... Yeesh. [Xigbar's proof of it.]
[There's a faint nod.]
I'm pretty sure she is. I've only seen two other people besides her with red hair and that's you. ['Both yous.'
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He grimaces then, a hand over his abdomen.]
Yeah, Keyblades smart. Don't think you were ever on the receiving end when Roxas really meant it; not sure what's worse, the blunt trauma or the 'blade' part.
[A pause to collect his thoughts, and then Axel gives Demyx a nod.] Anyway. I haven't seen Larxene or Marluxia since I got here, and I haven't seen Zexion at all, so lord only knows what those schemers are up to--if you or Xigbar hear anything, keep me informed. I'm pretty sure Zexion's gonna be even more sore with me than the other two are, heh... [Not like he led him to a horribly gruesome death or anything, nope.] Guess the Organization's not so organized anymore, but I think we're better off divided at this point. I ( ... )
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[At that, his expression turns serious for a split second--then he's grinning. Oh, Axel.] I hate to say it but I ended up biting the dust 'cause Sora turned that thing loose on me. Xigbar's right; don't mess with Keyblade wielders.
Lucky you. Larxene's ticked me off a few times already and Mar' hasn't exactly done much. Zexion... He's been okay, I guess. [Something tells him they're going to have to share stories in the future.] You already know my feelings towards Larxene, dude. Poker nights kinda got boring without some of the guys, but a closer-knit group never hurt anyone.
Hm? What kind of promise?
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I guess it's a good thing we kinda figured out to get the hell off the losing team, then. [He never really wanted to be Sora's enemy--how can you be the nemesis of the other half of your best friend, right? It just doesn't make any sense.
He gives Demyx a tired smile then.] Well the good news is we don't have to listen to Xemnas pontificate at grand length about our internal organ deficiency anymore. Maybe a heart's what you make of it, and maybe it doesn't even really matter. [A chuckle.] Think I'd rather play poker with you anyhow--Larxene always cheats. [So does Axel, but that's beside the point.]
Er-- [Uh. Well, you see, Demyx... Axel's actually a big sentimental softie who maybe sort of kind of implied he intended to apologize to a certain princess during his last moments, but brushed it off with a snide remark because he's too cool to be a woob. Yeah.] Oh, ( ... )
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That's what I tried saying during one of the first meetings I was involved in, but we both know how that ended. I never felt so embarrassed in my short existence as a Nobody. But you can't deny it just doesn't feel the same when you can't really pull up those emotions. I'm kinda hoping that'll change here though. Somehow. [He just sticks his tongue out.] 'Cause I have a crappy poker face, right?
C'mon~ You can't just say that and leave me hanging! [There's nothing wrong with big sentimental softies! Until you end up with third degree burns over 70% of your body from poking Flamsilocks and the Two Chakrams with a stick, obviously.]
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He grins a bit as he listens to Demyx sort of posit on this old subject, and then he chuckles, though there's surprisingly nothing deriding in it.]
Demyx, I think a heart just makes your poker face worse. [And that's all he'll say on that.
The next question, though, prompts icon face.] Nosy, aren't you? I just need to talk to Somebody about something. [He knows you can't hear that capital S, but he's using it anyway.]
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[He grins, folding his hands behind his head as he relaxes back against the couch. Nosy, huh? Sounds to him like he was spending too much time around Xigbar if he was picking up his mannerisms.]
Guilty as charged, dude. I've never really known you to suddenly start talking about promises like that, y'know what I mean? It's... Well, it's like dangling a nice juicy slab of seal in a shark's face. You know it'll bite.
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