The Case of the Unexpected Guest. (Namely, himself.)

[not_ale]

Kid gone for lessons, Dusks vanished to where ever they usually go when not summoned, and apartment all to himself.

Axel leans back into his oh-so-comfy couch and gives a relieved sigh. No Roxas in sight to raise an eyebrow and call him pointlessly sentimental, or cute little girl to implore him into doing non-assassinate-y things. Like...

Comments

[unquenched]

There's a pause before he answers - and then a slow smirk spreads across his face.

"How are things in Castle Oblivion these days?"

[not_ale]

Axel knows that smirk. Axel makes that smirk.

"Not bad. Going to be moving in soon. Why?"

[unquenched]

"We could always show him what'll happen if he leaves. Might make more of a difference that way."

[not_ale]

And maybe there's more than a touch of curiosity in Axel's head tilt. After all, he never got the full story of what went on in Castle Oblivion.

"What really went on there? And how would it change his mind?"

[unquenched]

Axel just smiles. "It wasn't Castle Oblivion I was thinking of. Nah, he didn't leave 'til after that was all said n' done. But what happened to him once DiZ got a hold of him might just tip the scales in our favor."

[not_ale]

"Heh. At least I know I've got some time," Axel mutters. Nothing like hearing that your time with someone's got a deadline but he could live with changing it.

"Thinking of parading your Roxas in front of him?"

[unquenched]

"Or the sad and tragic fate thereof, yeah. I ... don't think he'd take kindly to learning he'd be getting a personality rewrite, much less being forced back into his other's body."

And yes, it did take Axel a lot of work and puzzle-solving to fit together all the pieces of just what happened when in the aftermath of it all.

[not_ale]

"No. He wouldn't." That was a certainty if there ever was one. Heads would roll. Better break it to him gently. "Are you proposing just telling him?"

[unquenched]

"Course not. That's where Castle Oblivion fits in, see? A place of ... memories."

[not_ale]

A considering look appears on Axel's face before melts into a smirk. "And convincing Roxas to come there will be such a walk in the park," Axel states with some sarcasm.

[unquenched]

"Tell him it's ... an experiment. To see if memories of Heartless react to Kingdom Hearts the way real Heartless do."

[not_ale]

"That might work. He'll be suspicious for sure. Xemnas made it clear that Roxas was to stay away from Castle Oblivion. He might go if I appeal to his rebellious side."

[unquenched]

"Damn Xemnas. Let me guess? Trying to keep Roxas from learning the truth, is he? Shoulda known he'd try that trick."

"You could also try just not telling him where you're going. Or has he gotten to suspiscious of that one already?"

[not_ale]

"Of course he would. Couldn't lose Roxas too early to Sora, yanno? Before the Nexus, I would have just done what he ordered, alleviate the boredom. Now..."

And yes, that is Axel rubbing sheepishly at the back of his neck. "Not~ exactly. I mean, he just doesn't like to be blindfolded anymore. So if I just lead him through the corridor of darkness, he'll probably be fine."

[unquenched]

"Now...?" Not that he really expected his alt to anser, but hey, couldn't hurt to try, right?

"That could work. Tell him ... you're showing him somewhere new. That might pique his interest, specially if you imply Xemnas doesn't want him to go."

[not_ale]

A not so straightforward grin appears. "I'm loyal, of course."

"Wouldn't be a lie." Because Axels never lie. "He hasn't seen the castle yet." Now if only Axel can actually locate Roxas. Step one, man, step one.