V. [Video] Lighting, What Is That.
[Hello. Siren's Port is receiving a feed that hasn't been used of late. And once it turns on, a silver-haired Nobody is shown sitting behind a desk. The room's subtle lighting creates a contrast of shadows among the First's features, enough to dramatize the setting and its subject without fully obscuring the shot
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A discussion, at this late hour? [ He does not mean the time of day. ] I assume it is of some importance.
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The notion of the question is ignored as he tilts his head slightly upward out of habit.]
I assure you it is.
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Interruptions, on the other hand, are troublesome. I would suggest one of the more remote beaches.
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It is doable, and there are several.
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I will be there within the hour. [ And so the connection cuts. ]
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[This is said seconds after their video discussion ends, the NV blinking curiously prior to shutting its own feed off for the time being.
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So this is it. They had both agreed to meet - just this once - to speak. There was time to prepare, but it wouldn't do to be late for a meeting he generally set up. And with the ability to travel through the dark corridors, going to the beach in the northern vicinity is no problem at all.
Swirls of black form out of nothing, overtaking a spot of sand, growing shadows engulfing enough space to create an opening. Once more a hooded figure emerges, black trails of mist wafting around and away from his body, the hem of the coat swaying with each measured movement. Silence follows, gradually being filled with the ambiance of the setting as the portal dissipates.
The Nobody stands there as he is for another minute or so, calm and unmoving. He then turns slightly, boots scuffing against the sand as he looks out at the ocean, its waters blending into the darkened night sky.]
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Such a curious feeling, even now. What must it be like, to have no place at all.
He begins to walk, his stroll leisurely, his head half-turned toward the ocean. Bittersweet nostalgia plays in the dusty corners of his mind, reminding him of other evenings, other seas. Memories tug an odd smile onto his face, one that lingers all the way up to the figure in black - for once, Xehanort himself is without the coat he customarily wears while abroad.
His paces stop a good ten feet away from the Nobody, though his greeting is cordial enough. ]
It is a pleasure to at least meet you in person.
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A reflection of the past, one side of the outcome of his future. The coat certainly hasn't gone out of style since then.
As Xehanort keeps the distance between them, Xemnas turns to face him, the hood shadowing half of his already-darkened features. Silver bangs fall over his eyes, a sharp sting of gold meeting a face he half-expected to see. A vague feeling rises in his chest, dulling just as quickly as it came. Instead, he ignores it and nods.]
Indeed.
[That doesn't stop his tone from being slightly taut in comparison.]
Quite rare, arranging meetings such as this.
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My hours of leisure have been spent thus. [ He spreads his arms slightly, as if to indicate his helplessness when it comes to such matters. His civility does not falter, not in his words and not in his expression, but his calculating gaze matches Xemnas' look for for look - a near mirror image, now.
It's amusing, in its own small way. Amusing and dangerous. ]
And I am afraid that this may be the only chance that you and I will have to converse.
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...So I have seen.
[He should have been shaken to see a duplicate of his own expression, something that would have required his eyes widening in shock once everything came piecing itself together multiple times over.
But none of this occurs.]
With any assumptions as to what your current activities are, I suppose this is true. However, expecting this engagement to occur just once is highly unlikely.
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[ As he speaks, Xehanort straightens, lifting up to the considerable height that Terra so rarely used - always the follower, always the student. Never the master. Never a person of power, so caught in pride and loyalty that his considerable energies were wasted in servitude.
Ah...not entirely wasted, no. ] The hour of pleasantries is over, with enemies as well as with...friends.
[ The blandest of smiles. ] My work will soon be done. This city will end. And very few of its inhabitants will remain to see what comes after.
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Another beat passes before he speaks again, the Nobody's own solemnness tainted with an essence of disapproval.]
And this is how it all finishes? What is the point of existence if all is to be destroyed?
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