[Log] First Impressions

[animam_efflare]

characters: Axel, Xion
location: The Clock Tower
time: Mid-afternoon, shortly after Xion's introduction.
rating: PG-13
open/closed: Closed
summary: Suspicious of the girl inquiring about Sora, who recognized Axel by voice alone, Axel decides a little 'screening' is in order.

Comments

[ordalias]

Xion unsteadily made her way toward the Clock Tower of the city, as she was unfamiliar of her surroundings for now, and the only guide was the Tower itself; the edifice stood out amongst the rest of the buildings.

But deep inside, Xion was still unsure as to trust this Axel... And she would say this "this Axel" because, of course, this was like the Axel she knew before they were friends. And they weren't that. At least to him, now. Possibly ever from the tone he was using on her during the conversation between journals.

Her heels clacked on the cobblestone in a steady gait. What should she do? On the other hand, what could she do? If the information given to her was right, she had little defense against Axel if he was suspicious enough of her to do something to her... Then again, shouldn't the same rules of this place apply to him as well? Either way, Axel was a skilled fighter in his own right, but... It was all so... so very strange to her. She shouldn't even be for that matter, walking like this, towards her (once) friend

[animam_efflare]

A tall, wooden structure, the Clock Tower was exceeded in height only by the spires of the church. From up there, one was afforded some of the best bird's eye views of Solace. How fitting, how appropriate that it became a kind of common hangout for the likes of certain Nobodies, as if a guy like Axel could ever truly indulge in something like nostalgia.

But then, he's been trying to make sea-salt ice cream lately. There's that, too.

The streets are occupied, largely by the native population, who regard those wearing tattoos around their throats with varying degrees of suspicion -- sometimes outright derision. They're foreigners, unwanted guests, a source of fear and animosity.

Nobodies should be used to it, in a universe already hostile to their very pseudo-existence. Still, despite the populated street, the venomous green of Axel's gaze falls upon the girl almost immediately. That twitch of abbreviated eyebrows might be vague recognition, except it could very well be the outfit she's wearing

[ordalias]

It was too late to register something else that would have struck Axel as odd: her Organization uniform. Before she could even think about doing something to the outfit, he had lashed out at her, a small gasp of surprise emerging from her lips before he released her just as quickly.

Steadying herself from the abrupt pull and push, she glanced up at Axel's expression. Normally, his expression would be rather intimidating to a lesser man - to a lesser woman - but she had seen enough of this same expression on his face when he was chasing her around by orders from the top brass of the Organization. So she stood her ground, frowning at the way he handled her before, but also to show her courage, blue eyes clashing with green.

"..." Xion just stared like that. She didn't know what he felt when he checked her status of being, but she knew she wasn't exactly a Nobody per se... Just an imperfect Replica of Sora - a sham like Riku once regarded her as.

"And you are," She replied quietly, still keeping in contact with his gaze.

[animam_efflare]

Seeing as the Organization coat is more or less the only wardrobe Xion has ever known, it's no wonder it didn't occur to her. After all, what else would she be wearing? The Eighth considers her too young by far to possess much guile... but it doesn't mean she isn't operating under someone else's orders.

But he has to hand it to the diminutive girl. She's more brave than he'd originally assumed. Axel lifts his chin a little, a furrow between his brows, just the slightest downturn to a mouth more prone to sharp smiles.

He wonders, just for a second, what it is about her eyes that makes something inside him, (maybe his stomach) twist. Hey, for that matter, when was the last time he ate? Lunch later. First: Business.

"...What's your number?" asks Axel with a slow wariness.