Tenth Chain Link ☆ Action

[rewritethesky]

[For anyone out on a walk amidst the chaos and confusion of the week, and who are nearby the entrance to the catacombs, might find a troubling sight of one pale young girl crumpled up in the snow. She's still wearing a jacket, but in some areas of it and her white dress it's been reduced to shreds, like she was attacked by something vicious and

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[Action]

[seasaltblues]

[The last thing that Xion had wanted to do during all this was to go out. The less people knew about her, the better, in the current situation she had found herself in. In fact, she had been pretty quiet over the network because of things as they were. But when she had found out that Naminé had vanished and no one knew where she had gone?

Well, that was why she was out and about. Despite still not quite being used to the more wiry body, despite the way she still winced when she heard his voice coming from herself- or, rather, himself. Navigating the city had proven to be a little difficult, too. She had walked it before, of course. Searching for people. Searching for Kairi the once. And Roxas. And then Naoki and Firion. But corridors had always made things easier. And they would have been especially more convenient in the current troubling times.

Eventually though, she had found her feet to the catacombs. Because that was where a lot of people seemed to show up when they vanished, right? And just her luck- or... more of misfortune, she saw someone laying in the snow. Small and frail... with black plumes whispering from her as Xion drew closer to see. First at a brisk walk- a walk that soon became a run though as she realized.]

N-Naminé!

[His voice came out raw with an edge to it as she darted full pedal to the girl's side, reaching out instinctively to call the keyblade. It came with a flicker of light as always and she wasted no time pointing it at her- only pausing for a second's breath at the sight of the state she was in before with a clear shout.] Heal!

[Action]

[rewritethesky]

[The plumes instantly disappeared, melting into the air while the wounds closed up quickly, but still left red marks on the skin underneath her clothes.

There was a twitch in her fingers and a slight moan, but couldn't manage anything else. She was starting to wake up, very slowly, but her body was still too cold and sore for her to fully awake, and her head was still pounding hard. Not to mention that was... Sora? What was he doing here?]

[Action]

[seasaltblues]

[Seeing the spell had done its work, Xion wasted little time disbanding Sora's keyblade from her grip and swiftly found herself kneeling by the girl's side. It was only really when she grip her shoulder lightly to try and shake her, rouse her more, that Xion realized then just how pale she was. Something... She remembered someone saying something about how the cold made people sick and... looking at herself, she remembered the coat she had taken out from Sora's closet to use.

Well, now she was yanking it off and dropping it atop of Naminé. The cold bit into her almost immediately, but she didn't care much at that point. Naminé... Naminé was... One shiver later and then she was replacing that hand and shaking- just gingerly. Enough to hopefully help her come fully around.]

Naminé... Come on... Wake up.

[Action]

[rewritethesky]

[The jostling was strange and very jarring, only making the pain worse. She winces, very prominently, and it's helping her become more awake, although there's a strong want not to be awake with the pain and cold snow she's laying on right now.

But, something over her, and, she wasn't really hearing things was she? That was Sora, but why was he here, wherever here was.

Her eyes crack open just a tiny bit, but they're unfocused and everything is a giant blur in this state.] So... ra?

[Action]

[seasaltblues]

[She froze the moment she heard Naminé speak. Her body- his body stiff with tension. A reawakened tension... and probably one that wouldn't be going away any time soon so long as she was in his body. Hearing his name like that... She knew she should have expected it, but... It didn't change how much it... But... But that wasn't important right then. No, she... The state she was in... Her voice was just so weak and she could tell despite her eyes being open, Naminé certainly wasn't focused. Xion bit her lip hard, trying to extinguish the foreign feeling of a ten fold panic. Emotions... They were so... so much more potent in his body. Her first day alone as him had been so exhausting.

So... after taking a moment to just get a grip on herself, her focus shifting to the ground... then to her hands. His hands. She... might not have been able to use a dark corridor. But she was stronger now. Could probably... Xion looked back at Naminé, eyes full of worry- worry that sought determination as she carefully shuffled a bit closer.]

Don't... Don't worry. I'm going to get you back home.

[She felt so sick even as she tried to mask it. As she tentatively found herself snaking one arm under Naminé's backside, the other slipping under her knees after she rotated the girl just enough- trying so hard not to shuffle her around too much all the same as she slowly began to lift her.]

[Action]

[rewritethesky]

[Weak indeed she had been. Her blinks were slow and still unfocused, but she was no longer wincing, just trying to process what was around her as best she could. Which wasn't much like this.

But something... felt off. Something with Sora. He sounded different and far more hesitant than before. But it wasn't like Sora to be bothered like that. Something was wrong and it was worrying, and painful too. Could it be- Maybe...?

Her whole body went limp as she was lifted, just not having the energy or concentration right now to handle herself. Still, she tried to focus, to put a smile on. Naminé was no Kairi, but maybe it would reassure him, or she can find out what was that was bugging him later, when she could ask him.]

...Sora... thank you.

[Action]

[seasaltblues]

[There was a wave of guilt that clutched her again at Naminé's words. Because they were words for him, not her. And a smile as well. A faint one. One that Xion was far more than familiar at showcasing herself. One that tried too hard. But despite her fears, despite the feelings that just threatened to overwhelm her right then and there- No... No, she wouldn't let that happen. Worry about herself later. So, she just nodded at that. Firmly as she could muster.

Her knees knocked together as she clumsily found her footing, heaving her up. Almost falling back, but she pushed herself to find balance quickly. Not going to further injure Naminé. Not if she could help herself. Xion felt so off balance and awkward. But Sora certainly was stronger than most would give him credit. And damned if she wouldn't try to get her home as quickly as possible. Xion only took a moment to readjust the jacket, wrapping it a bit better around her limp form. And then she was starting off with a thin expression on her face- or rather his.]

[Action]

[rewritethesky]

[The smile very quickly faded, her face twitching and brows knitting. He just... nodded? And no smile. It seemed so strange; maybe he wasn't feeling well either. She knew that he had forgotten most of their history, but, was she bugging him or something. Bothering him now that he was doing this?

She'd ask later. When her head wasn't swimming and she didn't feel so drained by the cold. For now though, she closes her eyes and tilts her head into the crook of his shoulder, the body heat coming off of him was welcoming.]

[Action]

[seasaltblues]

[Not feeling well... That was one way of putting it. Freaking out on the inside was another. Not that Naminé was aware- and not that Xion wanted her to be. Although Xion stiffened just a bit as she felt her rest her head up against herself. But- right. Naminé thought... and she knew Sora. From Castle Oblivion. Xion had figured out that much. They must have been friends there- in some weird fashion. Or something. Or maybe their relationship was just as awkward as the one between Xion and Sora. She didn't know.

The time it took for her to get to the new apartment seemed to last forever. With only the company of the soft crunch of snow under those big shoes and the faintest hint of breath from Naminé coupled with her own, slightly labored. Eventually though, finally. She found herself at the threshold. And after taking a moment to set Naminé down, she had the door open and was carrying her in. Making a beeline for her room where there, Xion set her down just as carefully as she had picked her up the first time. Watching her almost dumbly a moment. Trying to figure out what to do next. Was Axel home? And was... was Sora there? She would need a change of clothes, Xion knew that much. Considering the state of her dress and... W-Where were the others? W-What now? That panic she had resisted that whole time, it was really starting to eat at her and she found her head spinning, stomach churning madly.]

[Action]

[rewritethesky]

[During the time of Xion's walk, Naminé was just on the edge of sleep or something similar to it. The crunching of the snow and the gentle swaying of Sora's movements was rather relaxing at this point in time. And with the jacket draped over her and body heat from his arms, she is comfy, or at least numb enough to be comfortable.

So coming into the apartment and being settled onto the bed was a big change. Coupling that with the motion of bringing her lower to the bed made her head swim even more, despite her eyes being closed. But it isn't long before she settles in easily, trying to relax and sink into the mattress more. Regulation with the heat took a little more time to get used to.

It is a few more minutes before she finds herself in a good, comfortable spot to open here eyes just a little bit again. Things were still blurred, but she could make out the fuzzy and spiky brown mop of hair and identify it well enough.]

...So-ra? [What is he still doing here?]

[Action] Imagine this smile being smaller. |D

[seasaltblues]

[Just when she thought she was going to be carried away in that rip tide of sheer anxiety, just as her thoughts rolled and tumbled with uncertainty, that... That was when she heard Naminé speak up. She couldn't hide the wince that came from the name itself, but... she knew she couldn't ignore the girl. Not that she wanted to. Just- ...But with Naminé as she was... It was enough with what she had been through. More than enough. Adding something this unsettling to the mix... She wouldn't.

So, with that in mind, Xion just.. got a grip on herself. Because Naminé... Naminé needed her help and she wasn't about to turn tail and run and b-be selfish. No... No, she would hold her ground and just... Just... Biting her lip hard. These feelings... These emotions were... And then she was trying to flip that frown upside down. What would Sora say? What would he do? It took her a moment to think of that- To picture his smiles and that bright, cheery attitude. The smile she doubted she could muster though... and the optimism... He was just so bright like the sun and she was so uncertain. What would...

And then her eyes- his eyes, rather -widened as something seemed to just finally hit her. And a weak smile befit her. Faint but there.]

Hey... You had me worried there.

[Action]

[rewritethesky]

[She stared, blankly, as the exhaustion was just taking its toll. It was nice to know that he was here, as it seemed and felt like Axel or Xion weren't around, but she was positive without a doubt that he had better things to do with his time than be around her. Then again, this must have been the longest time that they've been around each other since they came to the city.

The loss of most of his optimism was lost on her, as she couldn't concentrate on the details of his face. But she knew and guessed that he was probably smiling, which was only more cemented when she heard him. A short sigh came out, along with a weak smile and knitted eyebrows. Yeah, he definitely had better things to do.]

I'm sorry. I... [The smile morphed into a frown and her brows furrowed even more, closing her eyes. It hurt to think about where she had been or was for the past few days. All she could seem to remember was darkness and pain. But where it was, for what reason she didn't know.]

...You don't... have to stay.

[Action] MY BABIES

[viiinote]

[Axel's been busy talking and sorting things out with Elena today. Ever since the start of this new event he's been a little more than annoyed and after overhearing that Xion's been put through it, well, that's just all the more reason to stay away from the apartment for a little while. He's angry, that's for sure, that someone has the gumption to twist them around like puppets on a string, and on top of that Namine's gone missing, but despite those problems Axel's on his way back from Elena's office and to the apartment.

He can't stay away from Xion for too long, after all. She's still his responsibility.

Axel reaches the front door within moments and simply warps through--he's never had a need for a key--and he's about to turn right for Xion's room to check on her, or him, rather, before he catches the sight of ripped clothing and the faint scent of Darkness lingering in the air.]

Namine. [He says this calmly, but there's the lightest hint of urgency behind his voice as he approaches the two. After looking the girl over he turns to Xion. Sure, it's...strange seeing her as Sora, but he can handle it.]

What happened.

[Action] I laughed. Way too hard at that.

[seasaltblues]

[Whatever semblance of a smile was becoming ever weaker the more she prolonged her stay around Naminé, but she wouldn't leave her side. She.. She couldn't not as she was. So, when the girl spoke up... Even when she apologized, Xion found herself shaking her head. Finding more words despite the pain of things to play out this role as she was.]

But I want to, so I-

[She didn't finish that sentence though. Because right as she was in the middle of it, she caught Axel's appearance out of the corner of her eye and... almost instantly, she was shrinking away back inside that shell of hers. Even while they had gotten over that initial shock, it was still hard for her to deal with it. To face him like that. And it showed. But despite that, she wouldn't just bury herself in her room when Naminé was like this. So, looking to him through those brown spiky bangs.]

I don't know... I found her right outside the catacombs.

[In terrible shape, too. But that, she didn't say. The clothing kind of gave it away. Looking to the girl... Finally getting back to what she was saying before though maybe not directly.]

I'll stick with her if you want to find some clothes for her? [Because Sora was someone important to her, right? So, that's what she would want... Xion guessed anyway.]

[Action]

[viiinote]

[The catacombs. Instantly the red flag goes up and Axel turns back to Namine to bend down so that he can get a better look at her. It looks like Xion's already healed her from the looks of the red markings, but the girl still looks like she's in terrible condition. Tch. As if Namine didn't get enough of a hard time before.

Axel's visibly displeased when he straightens back up and then turns to head for the closet without a word. There should be something in here. Even a t-shirt would work.]

[Action]

[seasaltblues]

[Xion watched as Axel made off to get something better for her to wear. Admittedly, that was probably something she herself should have been on already. But she hadn't wanted to just leave Naminé when she was just waking. Waking up alone without being certain of where you were after what she had been through... It was something Xion knew that if she had been in the same situation, she would have been so lost and... Well, either or.

Attention turning back to Naminé, Xion studied her carefully. Considering another cure spell... but she really wasn't sure if it would be of anymore use at that point. Sighing quietly to herself, Xion instead found herself standing close by and just keeping an eye on her. She was quiet... and Xion didn't really want to bother her. But if she wanted to talk more, well. She would be all ears.]