(no subject)

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

[What sort of expectations are you referring to?

That you will live up to your role as being the son of my Master.

Today Ienzo appears fairly distraught, as he slowly makes his way into one of the labs. In many ways, this is just a victory for Xehanort. After all his protests, he'd complied.

Which is why he's trying to make his way through the hall quickly and quietly. He's already set things up with a few specimens-- non-human, thankfully.]

I know I'm going to regret this...

Comments

[lower-case-x.livejournal.com]

[And from behind a pile of books, as he heads through a corridor around the labs, it seems he's been spotted.

Just going to put these down and take a peek around the door Ienzo's headed into...]

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

[The lab is pretty dark. He left it this way on purpose; that way it's harder to take note of the, erm. Specimens he captured.

However, a pair of red eyes gleams from a distance, and another pair of yellow eyes can be seen not too far from the first pair. As Ienzo steps further into the lab, he muses to himself.]

I wonder, though, if I should focus on a more theoretical study first. After all, the mystery surrounding Xehanort's memory is intriguing.

[He steps over toward one of the walls, turning on a dim light. The specimens are still rather hard to see, but one is distinctly black, the other slightly blue.]

Inherited abilities from a master... a life full of conflict, and a friend whom he 'erased'. Then there's the woman he evidently loved...

[He turns towards the cages and frowns.]

Xehanort, who are you?

[lower-case-x.livejournal.com]

[...okay, never mind that this is his friend's - back home, his brother's - lab? He's pulling his keyblade out as he heads further in, listening to the words. He doesn't like the look of what he's seeing.

He gives a bit of an audible gasp at the last few bits. Whoops.]

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

It's curious. So many things have changed within a year... These creatures, the "Unversed".

[He steps over to the first cage, looking over it with a frown.]

They've all but disappeared, yet I distinctly recall their presence in the Garden, just as I recall being saved by that boy-- Ventus. Hmm...

[And then he sighs.]

Kairi, I'm...truly sorry. I suppose it's a step backwards for me to heed Xehanort's demands.

[lower-case-x.livejournal.com]

[His? No - wait. That's not right. The other, he guesses.

He pushes further forward in. Never mind being sneaky, now.]

What's he asking for?

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

[!!

Ienzo tenses up at the sound of Xehanort's voice. Of course someone would have followed...]

That I meet his expectations, to put it bluntly. He finds my refusal to partake in these studies to be disappointing, as the "dear prodigy", in his mind, ought to put his intelligence to good use.

And perhaps he's right...

[lower-case-x.livejournal.com]

His expectations? Are that you should be - getting involved in all of this? Like the others, elsewhere?

[Key's lowered, but that's all.]

You can put your intelligence to good use without risking your life with it.

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

I know. ...I know. That's the exact reason I've refused in the past. But you have to understand, the Xehanort from my world, he's frankly...

[Cunning, manipulative, and above all else---]

Intimidating. His intellect, for one, surpasses myself and our colleagues. It's almost... inhuman.

[lower-case-x.livejournal.com]

[He winces a little at the last word. His voice is quiet.]

Really? It's like - that?

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

... [smooth move, Ienzo.

There's a long pause before he sighs.]

My apologies. I... it's difficult, I suppose. I have nothing against either of you-- especially not you. Perhaps I'm being foolish right now, but every time I encounter him he essentially says the same thing. It's been that way since his arrival in this world.

I thought that perhaps if I met his expectations at least this once that perhaps he'd let things be.

[lower-case-x.livejournal.com]

[He gives a slight nod - apology accepted, though it still feels strange.]

This once. How long will 'this once' take? If he's simply that obsessed with the concept... I can't see him giving up. I would have a hard time of it myself.

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

... True enough.

[Another sigh.]

Just this once, I suppose I hadn't thought things through. I was initially curious about this Unversed, simply because they don't appear capable of stealing hearts, but then Xehanort encouraged me to do studies on a Heartless.

Honestly, I shouldn't worry about his expectations. I've been content over the past year- almost two years now without fretting over Heartless.

[lower-case-x.livejournal.com]

I must say, I'm curious about them myself.

[Not just because the thing is giving him a sense of déja vu as he looks it over.]

But to focus so narrowly on the Heartless, when they're so well known for their actions? That's not science. That's mania.
...And besides, wouldn't it be better to study something new?

[falltoshadow.livejournal.com]

[well, he's certainly sparked someone's curiosity. he's never seen this guy before, but he's curious what he's up to all the same.

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

[Ienzo hasn't noticed him just yet. Instead he's continuing into the lab and flicking on some dim lights.

At the far end appears to be a caged Unversed and a caged Heartless. However, he looks hesitant to approach.]

[falltoshadow.livejournal.com]

[he's never seen an Unversed before, but Heartless? hell, he lives with those.]

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

Two creatures born from the darkness, yet entirely different in nature. Perhaps if they were to interact it might shed some light on what these "Unversed" truly are.

[falltoshadow.livejournal.com]

[...go ahead and try it, Ienzo. but when you do, watch out for the small band of Heartless he's calling up behind you to see what you do.]

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

[He hasn't noticed yet. In fact, he looks really hesitant...]

But to fall so easily into his hands. Master Ansem would be so disappointed...

[falltoshadow.livejournal.com]

[there's a name he certainly doesn't like. any sympathy he might have had for this guy just got tossed out the window.]

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

[He doesn't even mean the same Ansem, silly 'ku.]

Hmm...

[falltoshadow.livejournal.com]

[there's only one Ansem he knows, and it's the one that won't shut up. instead of just three Heartless, he's calling five now.]

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

... I'm a fool.

[A sigh. Perhaps he should leave for now...]

[falltoshadow.livejournal.com]

[does Ienzo know what that clanking sound is? have fun, Riku here will be portaling out once he sees them go after you. they can add your Heart to their collection.]

[radiantprodigy.livejournal.com]

--Heartless? Here?

[Did the Shadow attract others? Oh, this isn't good!]