☼ 001 - [video]

[got_it_memorizd]

[The feed clicks on and we can see an image of a man's face. His bright eyes are wide with something like curiosity, and he's kind of grinning as he turns the device in his hands with a low whistle.]

Man, this is way fancier than any equipment I ever got at work. It's the swankiest walkie-talkie I've ever seen! [He gives an amused laugh, then

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[Video --> permaprivate]

[got_it_memorizd]

Seems to me I already did, somehow. [That missing time is really bugging him, too.

[He gives Sora a crooked grin then.] Mm, something tells me Xemnas hasn't gotten any better at making friends, despite the new PR angle he's apparently trying out. [And the smile shifts a little, colored with a twinge of surprise.] Who, me? Nahh~ they couldn't catch me if they tried. [And boy did they, back home...] I'm touched that you asked~ I'm wondering, though, if it might not be worth it to go after them. I have a bit of experience as a mole, you know.

[Weird as it is speaking freely to Sora of all people, Axel knows where his allegiances lie these days. While he's not about to wear a Good Guy Hat any time soon, he's definitely more inclined to be honest with the people standing on this side of the line in the sand. He doesn't want Xemnas and the others to wind up with their talons in anyone else he cares about, and he's willing to go to the frontlines if necessary to prevent it.]

So how long have you been here, Spike? Got any useful gossip?

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora sympathizes. But... Axel probably already knows that.]

Actually, our best bet's to lay low and keep an eye on the Organization. Siren's Port is a whole new ball game. And if we step in to get rid of these guys for the wrong reason, the police is gonna be all over us.

And make sure not to mention nobodies or keyblades or any of that stuff from our world. If there's anything both Xemnas and we can agree on, it's that we don't want SERO's scientists tossing us into a lab or something.

[Sora's tone is a touch more serious at the latter question, if that's possible.]

'Bout 3 months, actually. A lot's happened since I got here. Some of it got pretty bad. For everybody.

[got_it_memorizd]

You're thinking with that hero lobe again--I didn't mean go after them head-on. Given what happened I don't expect you to remember much about Castle Oblivion, but trust me when I say I have a little experience smoking things out.

And you don't have to tell me twice. Granted there's plenty of things here that seem strange enough on their own--I actually had a conversation with a time machine about whether or not magic exists. Now I've really seen everything.

[And his eyes narrow a bit.] Bad how? ... How bad?

[lockandkeyblade]

Smoking... things out? You're not thinking about joining them again, are you? That's way too dangerous, even for you!

[Sora hesitates, another tell tale sign in itself.]

Let's just say some of us are still not up to a hundred percent, and it's already been weeks. Months, even.

[Ready for story time, Axel?]

[got_it_memorizd]

Why, Sora, I didn't know you cared~!

[But that worried tone in the kid's voice, the hesitation and that look in his eye, and Axel has a feeling there's an interesting tale to be told here.]

I think maybe you'd better start at the beginning, kiddo.

[lockandkeyblade]

I will but... I'm serious! The Organization already knows you left for Roxas and stuff. If you try and join again, they're gonna know you're a spy for sure!

[got_it_memorizd]

Down, Sora; I'm well aware of the risks. And they're well aware that I'm well aware, and that's the whole game~ The fact of the matter is that regardless of my past infractions, I'm valuable to them. Nobody gets a job done like this Nobody; got it memorized?

[And then he waves a hand.]

Your concern would be touching were I capable of feeling moved, but I think we both know where I stand on that field.

What did you mean about not being a hundred percent, though? What happened?

[lockandkeyblade]

Axel... [There's a lot of points in there that Sora wants to argue, and you better believe it shows up in his handy dandy look of DISAPPROVAL. It's a bunch of mind-games. Not Sora's forte.]

[But stubbornness? He's got a big helping of that one. Looks like he's bent on putting off that explanation in favor of this one.]

What about Roxas? And Xion too?

[Sora can't imagine they'd like this decision much either.]

[got_it_memorizd]

[Siiiiiigh.]

Sora. [He points two fingers at Sora's eyes, then around to his own.] Look at me, kiddo, 'cuz I'm gonna be a hundred percent honest with you right now, and I want you to memorize what it looks like. [He saw it once before already, after all. He meant what he said when he was dying, cheesiness and all.] Who do you think I'm doing this for? If it were just about me, I'd keep as far away as possible, trust me, but Roxas has already gotten involved, and I'm not gonna let him be the only one to shoulder the responsibility of making sure the Organization keeps its talons to itself. [A grin, but there's something strangely sincere in it.] What kind of friend would I be if I didn't do everything in my power to help him out, you know?

[lockandkeyblade]

[Oh Sora knows about Roxas' involvement. They had a particularly tense 'conversation' about it too. It was bad enough with just Roxas. Now Axel. What if Xion gets thrown into the mix?]

[But he does know that look, and it softens his expression. Besides- he knows a little something about wanting to do everything he can to help or save a friend.]

But there's gotta be another way. There's really no changing your mind?

[got_it_memorizd]

[Never give up, do you?] Well, Sora, I am, as they say, all ears. To be honest, I'm inclined to think that going to them is safer than running from them. [Yeah, that... didn't work out so well for him last time. They have ways of tracking people down.] I'd rather hide in plain sight than have them wondering what I'm up to, you know? Somehow that feels less troublesome from all sides. Besides, if I act like I've got nothing to hide, they just might buy it.

I'm not necessarily counting on that last part, but they already know I'm here. Might as well make the most of it. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em 'til you can; got it memorized?

[lockandkeyblade]

I guess... [He's still not happy about it, but Axel's got his mind made up already. And he is good at this stuff... right?] But if things go south, get out quick.

I know two people who'd hate it if something happened to you.

[got_it_memorizd]

Only two? [He feigns appall.] You mean all this time you've been feeding me secondhand compassion? You're breakin' my heart, kiddo.

[And then he waves a hand.]

All joking aside, don't worry too much; I'd hate to see you get an ulcer over this. I'm not scared of them. They didn't catch me last time, remember? [Though not for lack of trying. And he had a little help from Naminé. But still.]

[lockandkeyblade]

[He's about to protest because he totally wasn't trying to say that. But Axel chimes in that he's joking and Sora relaxes. He does something of a sigh.]

Yeah. But no underestimating either.

Anyway, I guess now it's my turn to answer your questions now.

[got_it_memorizd]

[He rolls his eyes and drags one finger in a criss-cross motion across the left side of his chest. Cross his heart, okay? Lack of heart notwithstanding.] You want me to pinkie-swear it?

[And then his expression sobers and he folds one hand against his chin, eyebrows lifted, awaiting answers.] Unless there's another prerequisite I have to meet first...

[lockandkeyblade]

[He shakes his head. Nah, Sora's just got to sort out his thoughts is all. It's a really big mess, Axel.]

Xemnas and 'Ansem' the Seeker of Darkness- how much do you know about them, exactly?