out of element

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

[when was his last mission to Atlantica again? But finding yourself suddenly half-fish means there isn't any time for thinking in details. It's either sink. Or swim.

Axel, however, is doing neither. He's merely leaning back against the pool wall while he studies his new tail - one that happens to resemble that of a lionfish with its striped crimson scales and sharp webbed spines, some of which also extend from his forearms. After a moment, he sighs in frustration and glances up at the ceiling.

He hates this form and all the memories it brings with it. Why? Let's just say being the only one who couldn't use his powers while on said missions wasn't a very fun experience.]

Comments

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

[gotten used to =/= likes drowning. Axel gets caught by the first splash, though he manages to avoid most of the second and third by ducking underwater.

Even half-fish, the way he swims isn't all that graceful - but it does get the job down. He surfaces a few feet from his original spot just in time to hear Vanessa's oh-so-subtle entrance. He smirks as he gestures at the Assassins, which stand down but stay at a reasonable distance near the sea witch.]

Glad you could make it.

[kindafishy.livejournal.com]

[glares at the assassins as they back down - tightens the fists holding her skirt, lifting them just enough to show the welts along her feet and legs]

[trying to regain composure, stares down her nose at Demyx and then to Axel, takes a jagged step towards the pool, hisses through her teeth as she places a stinging foot down] ...If you even begin to think I'll do anything about your situation, you've lost your mind.

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

Not out of the kindness of your heart, anyways. But there's always the obligatory deal.

1/2

[sitarwithmytoes.livejournal.com]

[has set the dancers on the defense, surrounding Vanessa and swaying, as they do best]

[swims over next to Axel, giving Vanessa a wary stare, fingers twitching for his sitar]

[kindafishy.livejournal.com]

[blows a piece of singed hair from her face] Keep talkin', red.

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

You're letting me name my own terms? Really now.

[kindafishy.livejournal.com]

Didn't say I'd necessarily accept them. [watching the nobodies around her] But go on already, before I change my mind.

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

Aren't you missing something?

[kindafishy.livejournal.com]

[touches at her neck] Beyond some hair and some skin - Yeah. [narrows eyes] And you think I'll make a deal for that so easily? [scoffs] Keep going, pyro, I'm not yet sold.

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

So you'd be perfectly fine without it then.

1/2

[kindafishy.livejournal.com]

Not exactly. I've been looking for it... Anyone could've taken it.

Since it is important to me... I'll give you a week to find it. And good luck, in this place...

If you're unable to locate it, I'll do nothing more to help you and you can rot in that pool for all I care.

So what do you say? [looks to Demyx] Myde?

2/2

[sitarwithmytoes.livejournal.com]

[glances at Axel, then back to Vanessa] Can't say I'm all too comfortable with it, but I think a week should suffice... Uh... Axel?

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

[time limits, how he loves you so.]

Not a problem.

[kindafishy.livejournal.com]

[golden scroll appears with that fishbone pen, they both float over to the pool]

[eyes narrowed, stares down at them] Sign. Two X's at the bottom.

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

[rolls his eyes but takes the pen and signs]

1/2

[sitarwithmytoes.livejournal.com]

[takes the pen from Axel after he's finished and signs - sigh, memories of this same situation...]

[decides to be defiant and write 'Demy' before the X at the line]

Done.

2/2

[kindafishy.livejournal.com]

[and the scroll and pen vanish in a poof] Great. [sounds less than thrilled]

[worn out at present, but uses what's probably the last of her strength to reverse the spell - o hay, yer naked.]

[turns and limps out of the room] One week, boys.

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

[the tail-to-leg part isn't so bad, but the spines on his forearms seem to sear themselves back into the flesh, despite them just disappearing. Axel isn't able to prevent a hiss of pain from escaping as he .]

Fuck -

[Fortunately, it only lasts for a few moments - during which he probably doesn't even notice he's naked. Axel exhales and glances at Demyx.]

Well, they weren't as annoying as her.

[sitarwithmytoes.livejournal.com]

[kicks his feet, once again feels the water between his toes - there's almost a feeling of disappointment hanging over his head, but it's mixed with relief]

[looks at Axel, concerned] You alright? [takes his arm and glances at it] Geez.

Honestly, I'm surprised she was that easy on us. I think she's feeling pretty, uh, ...defeated.

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

[there were red pinprick-like spots on his skin, but they've all vanished by this point. Axel slips his arm out of Demyx's grasp, letting it submerge again.]

I'll be fine. It's been a while since I was in that form.

[looks over at the doorway, shrugs with a slight grin]

Guess we just get on her nerves too much.

[sitarwithmytoes.livejournal.com]

[frowns and glances to the side, stops kicking and allows himself to sink underwater up to his eyes]

[lifts his head a bit] With good reason, it seems...

[looks up at Axel] So have you thought this far ahead? How are we going to find the necklace? Anyone could have it. For all we know, she could be hiding it herself or... or... I dunno. [looks frazzled - another time limit, fantastic - just what he needs, more stress]

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

Doubt it. She wasn't exactly giggling to herself when she left.

[stretches his arms above his head now that the burning has stopped; making sure he didn't hit anyone with those spines wasn't particularly relaxing] And whoever stole it probably knows what it is and is willing to steal from someone like her, which gets rid of most of the people here.

[lets his arms drop back to his side, gaze falling casually downward and - oh.]

Huh. Haven't done this in a while either.

[sitarwithmytoes.livejournal.com]

She... could be lying. Or something.

I-I dunno, I just don't trust her...

And that's not necessarily true! Someone could've taken it just because... because. Like, a Kairi. Or a stupid heartless.

Not that Kairi's comparable to a stupid heartless, but, uh...

[-pauses his ramble.] What, swimming naked was a common pastime for you?

[a-ccidentalism.livejournal.com]

Well, unless you want to go question every single person in here.

And it was a pastime until Xemnas heard about it.

[serious or not? you decide.]

[sitarwithmytoes.livejournal.com]

Well... no. [glum expression]

I guess we should try and narrow it down... [thinking this over, lowers head and blows some bubbles in the water]

[-stops blowing bubbles as that last part registers] ...Wait, what?

[makes a face] A-anyway... A week's going to go by faster than we think. We should start looking right away - or start looking for another way to keep our legs. [responsible nod -then goes back to blowing more bubbles as a nervous habit]