kingdomdressing | (no subject)

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xion

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[There's a new face among the Dressing Room. On the floor in the room that simulates Never Was, mind you, and unconscious. Which is probably a good thing considering fragments, blue in color, are still collecting, creating her form. Most of herself has been retained by then though. All that's left are her legs and they'll probably recollect before anyone draws near. Her hood is up, but the small frame makes it pretty obvious who it could be for anyone who would know her.]

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[While Roxas was laying to waste the heartless behind her, Xion wasted no time in parrying another NeoShadow as it came at her, knocking it hard in the head with the pummel which sent it splintering into a black veil of mist. She had no time to gape though-- as soon enough another one was vaulting at her. Oathkeeper sang through air with a sharp swish and another heartless found itself biting the dust from the blade. Her breathing ever hurried, her eyes straining to focus on every little detail or so help them. One wrong move and that would be it.

The fear that had been crawling in him. It wasn't something he was alone with. She was terrified. Absolutely without doubt. For as much as she thought she could be. Or maybe she really was. Did replicas possess hearts? That was an answer she had never gotten. And not something on her list of priorities at the moment, frankly. Whether she really felt it or not, the thoughts existed. They were real. And that reality caused her to fight that desperate fight. Not necessarily fear for the sake of her existence. But fear for losing his existence. She wouldn't allow that.

That thought was ironic considering the sudden rush of air blowing past as he suddenly came crashing against the pavement behind her to rid of an intrusive heartless intent on backstabbing her. She had been in the middle of swinging another wide arc to knock back a few more NeoShadows, a couple having perished due to also being hit by that spell from before. She winced as some of the rubble from that impact hit her as it went flying. But that only phased her for a second.

Roxas suddenly collapsing to a knelt position made her worries soar. What's wrong!? She wanted to ask. But now wasn't the time to panic anymore than she already was. She backed up closer to him. Her eyes darting every which way while the Neoshadows filed in closer. There weren't half as many as there had been, but with him in the condition he was in and her not far behind, it was almost impossible for her to keep her frantic feelings under lock and key. Her automatic thought was the corridors, but her energy was already vastly depleted. If she tried and failed then they would be done for. And Xion wasn't about to risk that.

The other option, well... They might be slightly less done for. Maybe. It was a hard call. It felt like it took hours for her to come to decision even if it was only mere seconds. But at the sudden jump of a NeoShadow, she was ducking to link arms with roxas' keyblade-free one as she swung Oathkeeper forward in a short, clip that had enough to knock it back. And then she was swinging the keyblade back-- and suddenly let it fly. While Oathkeeper cut down some of the heartless in the way, Xion pulled Roxas to his feet, following in its wake as she supported him as best as she could. He would have to do some of the work though without doubt. But she tried her best to ensure it wouldn't be much more than half limping, half running. Pitting one thunder spell and then another against the heartless that stood in their way. Letting the rain amplify it but being careful not to cast it too close and let them get caught in it themselves. Barely, she called out.]

We're getting out of this-- no matter what!

[In his current state, he was in no position to protest and frankly felt at least a small pang of relief knowing that she was still together enough to make such an effort. The memories were coming back at a pace where he wasn't so much seeing them as scenes any more -things that he just remembered; details and conversations that he was just suddenly able to recall as if they'd always been at his fingertips. Every so often, something would slow down and he'd see it playing out like a scene in a film, but from his own perspective, but most of them had been brief so far.

Roxas had been willing his legs to move, to keep some semblance of pace as his friend guided him. He was feeling tired, just like he wanted to let go and doze off -maybe this was a dream after all and he'd awaken back just as a part of Sora's consciousness. But as painful as all this was, he was grateful. He now was able to remember someone that had been so dear to him, someone that had played such an important part in his life.

Someone that was about to be struck down because he was slowing her down.

The last three NeoShadows lunged toward the duo with frightening speed and ferocity at an angle they had no hope to avoid. And then memory chose to show him something again. A flash-flood of images; from atop the Clock Tower.

Xion was there, but she looked like Sora. The way her eyes met his that time filled him with such fear -of losing her and of being destroyed by whatever it was that she was becoming.

This puppet will play her part.

And then she actually attacked him. He evaded the attack, dodged the follow-ups and pleaded for her to stop. And in the end, after a grueling battle, he struck her down. He couldn't bear to watch, but as his memory, he couldn't look away or close his eyes. The scene paced sporadically -he could only actually 'hear' bits of the dialog, but that entire scene was burned into his memory enough that he remembered what had been said.

You'll be... better off... Roxas.

Am I... the one that did this to you?

I'm glad... I got to meet you.

Xion! Who else will I have ice cream with?

The moment froze there. He knew what happened afterward. Whether in this memory or the reality outside of it, he felt... a tear? He couldn't be sure. Part of him wanted to laugh -he's chosen such a stupid last thing to say back then. He came to again in time to see those dark shapes coming toward them. What he'd just seen was something he refused to let happen again -what he'd let happen, he wouldn't give the chance to repeat. Even if it meant him giving her the same pain he felt.

Roxas slipped his arm loose from Xion's, planting the point of Oblivion into the ground as the lead heartless bore upon him. A look of grim determination in his eyes, he took an uneasy lunge. The edge of the Keyblade went forward as his target tried to evade. In the blink of an eye, the weapon had cleaved deep through the shoulder of the NeoShadow as he flipped neatly over the creature as it convulsed in the jaws of annihilation. His leg came down in a clumsy, but powerful axe-kick, stopping the second in its tracks while haphazardly swinging his weapon down off to the side. Sparks flew as the tip scraped across the ground, only the upper torso of his mark tumbling forward as it began to dissipate. The one he'd struck down mid-flight, rose up and tossed him aside. It turned and dove at him in hopes of clawing his heart free, but rather the creature fell upon Oblivion's tip as its form dispersed like a cloud of black smoke.

With a clatter, his Keyblade fell to his side as his arms refused to keep the weapon bared. He coughed, trying to say something but the words didn't come. And as he laid there in the rain, one last memory began to correct itself as the light seemed to fade from his eyes.]

[When that trio of heartless had rained down upon them, Xion's initial reaction had been to try to cast a spell their way. But when it didn't come, her eyes widened in a split second of horror-- but it lasted only a glimpse of time.

Because suddenly, Roxas was uncoiled from her arm and taking to the heartless with Oblivion bared and flashing. Her hand that had been extended for a spell was now reaching, her mind falling to a frenzy, as she tried to call Oathkeeper back as she watched him. But, try as she would, it wasn't coming to her, she tried to cast again. And again. Why couldn't she-- He was-- Her vision suddenly went hazy and she almost collapsed there and then-- No, had to focus. Had to concentrate. If she fell then, what would happen to them? She couldn't be dead weight. Couldn't--]

Roxas!

[She called-- and then finally, with a flash of light, Oathkeeper had returned to her grip. But by then, the last NeoShadow had been thwarted. And then, with the sound of his keyblade dropping resonating suddenly through the suddenly docile pitter patter of rain, roxas seemed to crumble away. Falling still after giving a soft sputter, a mere shadow of his lost voice. Her eyes sharpened in fear.]

R-Roxas!

[Xion, albeit limping the way, was at immediately at his side. She practically slumped into a seated position, having to use Oathkeeper for only a moment as support so that she wouldn't fall on top of him. Her head was spinning and she had to shake it. Focus. And then, finally, she regained enough courage to balance herself out and Oathkeeper diminished in a wisp of light. While her eyes sought-- Her breath came short.

His eyes. His eyes.

There was nothing to them. It was like the very spark that made roxas had been torn out by the wretched heartless that had just tried to claim him. The very sight of them sent a chill down her spine. That warmth she always saw-- It was gone. And it was making her feel lethargic. But she couldn't look away. She wouldn't look away. But--

No... Just...]

N-No... No-no! No, no, no...!

[She was touching his face before she even realized what she was doing. Her hand shaking... and not just from her failing strength. She feathered her fingers across his cheek as if were she to apply anymore pressure, he would just shatter into shards of crystal fragments like she had. Her other hand coming up to brush his bangs out of his face.]

Please, no...

[And then she shook his arm. Weakly. So weakly because she could hardly move herself. But she was trying so damned hard. Please, no. Please, no. Please, no--]

Roxas, open your eyes!

[For what little it meant to her, his chest still continued to steadily rise and fall, the occasional puff of warm air condensing amidst the cold evening air near his mouth. He wasn't quite lifeless, just not awake or really responsive to anything -almost a Nobody of a Nobody: a physical form that just persisted in existing for no other sake then that.

Above them, lightning flashed a mere split second before a roar of thunder echoed across the sky as the screen atop the skyscraper flickered to life. On the screen, the unmistakable image of Roxas with his hood up acted like it just noticed a blind-folded Riku standing less than a foot away. The sound is garbled as they seem to converse, the dialog coming out as incomprehensible gibberish, save for a few salvageable lines.

"Her? You mean Xion? It's a struggle just to remember her name now, isn't it?"

"I want Xion back! I want my life back!"

"The Organization will destroy you."

The images abruptly ceased as he coughed, his eye snapping open as he clamored to his feet with a groan. Oblivion had vanished and in its place, he had Oathkeeper gripped tightly in his hand. His eyes were still lifeless, but their shape easily expressed his mix of fear and anger as they scanned about. In an instant, he recognized Sora's friend ...and from where he felt right now, his enemy.

He lunged at the shape, his wild swings betraying both a mix of his body's fatigue and the sheer animosity that this memory conjured back into him. Whatever stopper he might have had in his feelings back then was apparently absent as he relived this encounter now.]

You! YOU! YOU! It's all because of you! Xion didn't start having problems until you showed up! And it only got worse when she ran off with you!

Her, me and Axel could've figured out our mistakes without you! And we'd all still be together!

YOU TOOK BOTH OF THEM FROM ME!

[Shouting at whatever phantasm was haunting him, he stopped momentarily when his Keyblade vanished on him. Seeming confused for all but a fraction of a moment. In the end, he seemed to regard being disarmed as a matter of little consequence before he charged once more, intent to seize the specter of Riku and shove him against the wall of a nearby building.]

{OOC Notes: I'll let you decide if he's hallucinating and mistaking Xion for Riku or if he's just chasing shadows. This is always why my pup would need someone to mediate if he was ever to make peace with Riku.}

[Considering his reactions during the fight and the fear, Xion had yet process that. Her head only snapped to attention from what she was doing when she heard the voices above her. Only then did she look skyward-- and feel the instant rush of guilt as she caught some of the exchange.

'I want Xion back!

'I want my life back!'

And then, if breathing wasn't enough of a sign, that sudden convulsing was enough to make her jump and stumble back. And then she was watching him rise to his feet. Xion herself slowly followed in his wake, albeit struggling more than a few times in the process to actually get there. And even when she did find her footing, her eyes were cast to the ground a moment. Guilty and pained. As if she could have forgotten that. Even while her consciousness had weakened back then to almost nothing, the words were unforgettable. How could she cat them away? And if they had pierced her then, they were making her own body ache now.

He never deserved that.

But soon enough they were upon Roxas. And when they were, she felt a sinking feeling catch in her as she noted how hollow his eyes still appeared-- empty yet-- No, there was more to them that time. She didn't even register him recalling Oathkeeper-- until it was suddenly singing right past her head. She had just managed to dodge it. She honestly didn't know how she had, but the next thing she knew, Xion was fighting just to get out of harm's way as he swung Oathkeeper haphazardly at her in blinding anger and loss. At first, she thought she had been the cause of it-- that he was mad at her for what she had done, but his yelling proved things otherwise. He was--]

...Roxas... Rox--

[She found herself getting clipped across the shoulder and her attempts to grab at any wisp of consciousness he still had residing within him were temporarily thwarted as she stumbled back, clutching her arm. Leaving her open to another hit that grazed the side of her head. She heaved a painful breath as her body spazzed from the pain. Her coat was torn from the earlier hit, plumes of black mist swirling from the injury. With half-lidded eyes and shaky, fizzling vision, she frantically returned her attention back to him to see that Oathkeeper was gone now-- and searched his for the split second it took him to decide that it didn't matter that it was.

A sharp cry echoing in the city signaled he had caught his unintended target. She hit the wall so hard, for a moment, she couldn't breathe. Her hands clutched weakly to his own hands that were gripping her roughly by the coat, her lungs finally choking on air, causing her to wheeze. For a moment, Xion couldn't look at him. Didn't want to see that pain that she had seen only in flickers on that day. Didn't want to face it. Such a selfish thought--]

I'm sorry...

[She didn't realize she said it until it left her lips. And when it did, a string of them seemed to follow. One that might not stop if he didn't come to. Sorry for what had been done to him, sorry for what he was going through at the moment, sorry she made that choice knowing full well what it would do to him, sorry she betrayed their friendship and Axel's, too, sorry for hiding things, sorry for...

Everything.

She felt something warm trail down her face then, but she didn't make any move to rid of it. When did that hot water in her eyes start to overflow she hadn't a clue. Not that it mattered to her. Nothing else mattered. All that mattered was him right now. And he... Roxas, he...]

[Anger and pain could only sustain a soul so long -even if that soul didn't really exist. For a moment he stood there, frozen with an expression that betrayed his feelings. It was hard to say if it just might have been the rain or perhaps tears. His breathing was shaky as his gaze seemed to bore straight through his friend. Slowly, he blinked, that particular glint to his eyes returning as he collapsed again, burying his face in her shoulder and wrapping his arms around her waist.

He was clinging to consciousness now, his recent actions after dealing with the NeoShadows not registering to him -from his perspective, he'd relived a nightmare.

Like a film starting to play back up to speed, he heard her apologies in his head. He felt at a loss. He wanted to know why things had to come to this; why she made those choices and more importantly, why she was sorry for everything. It'd been painful, but there was that part of him that was overjoyed: she was back -he was back and this wasn't any mere dream. At least he certainly hoped it wasn't.]

Don't be.

[His voice was hoarse from his outbursts and exhaustion in general, but it had the same tone he'd always used when they talked. There was a pause as he drew a few more breaths, seemingly content to rest the way he was, hoping he wasn't causing her too much discomfort -he just didn't have strength to move for the time being.]

Just don't... don't ever do that again.

[There was an audible trembling in his voice, as if he was afraid all of this was going to suddenly vanish on him. As if to reassure himself of reality, his arms squeezed a little, giving a somewhat awkward hug as he felt something different from the rain on the side of his face.

Curious, he turned his head to see Xion's face, almost scoffing as he smiled weakly while looking at her.]

A puppet...

[Roxas muttered the term as he finally mustered the strength to pry himself off his friend and slumped against the wall. The way he said it, it was more that he spat on the term, the implication being that he rejected the label altogether.]

That's something else I don't want to hear out of you again... you're the same as me. Puppets don't cry and yet, you're crying now.

[She froze when she suddenly felt his arms come around her, his head tucked into her shoulder. At first she was stiff. Her arms stuck between them for the moment, eyes like open windows to her own mixed feelings. So many things fluttered through them in a mere second. How everything had come back to him hadn't even hit her yet-- Maybe because with how it had, everything seemed to have almost a natural flow. Maybe it was because the time they had shared in which she hadn't been even a wisp of his memory was so short lived. Her focus instead spiraled to their days together, to everything she had cherished and every moment when the back of her mind had screamed that it was wrong.

And then she tentatively embraced him in turn, her hands gripping at the back of his shirt feebly. Even as her shoulder screamed in protest and her head throbbed like mad. Because right now-- and always --Roxas, how he was feeling... or "feeling". Whichever didn't matter, but-- she had always found him more important. Always wanted what was best for him, honestly. And now, with him suddenly reliving this all again-- She knew that he needed this. And, maybe... deep down.

'Don't be.'

'Just don't... don't ever do that again.'

She held on tighter, her eyes nearly closed. She didn't want to. She never wanted to. The words were there, but when she opened her mouth, they didn't come, but the way she curled closer to him probably gave him the answer he was looking for. His voice-- He was so scared. She hated hearing that in his tone. Wanted to never hear that tone because of her ever again if it were possible. And just moments before, she had been intent on distancing herself. Now, it felt nearly impossible. She just--

And then his eyes were on her... and that smiled that she missed was there, too. 'Puppet'. It was a term she was just about as akin to as he was and she wasn't really surprised by how laced with venom the word seemed to be when he spoke it. What really shocked her as she found herself following suit, leaning against the wall now with bated breath, was...

...She was what?

And then her hand reached up to her face... and she felt those tears. For a long moment, she stared at the ground... and then looked up at him, perplexed and lost and-- and then suddenly cracking a quiet little smile at him as fresh ones welled up. Same as him, huh...]

...I guess. I can't... really argue that... when you are, too.

[Why did it seem amusing? Or maybe it was just a sense of relief? Maybe... it was just a realization that she could still be who she was... his friend... even after what she had done to him. Even. After she had let what she was made for become almost reality...

As that relief washed over her though, she found her heels sliding until she was lowered into a seated position against the wall. Her head ducking forward with dim eyes. So exhausted. So much so that she couldn't hide it even if she chose to. The black mist was still hailing from her injury, but she didn't seem to notice. All this all of a sudden... was a lot to take in. So many different thoughts. She closed her eyes a moment... and just breathed.]

[He managed a weak chuckle in response. It wasn't ideal; both of them were injured -aside from her shoulder wound, almost identically from different causes. The sight of that little bit of black mist swirling from her injury was easily reason enough for concern on his part. He could barely keep his eyes open, but he didn't want to leave that. Not so far below the surface, he was afraid that if he left it that way, she might disappear on him again.

His body was protesting, but he leaned over and twisted a little, reaching for her shoulder with his right hand. Stopping just a little short of the injury, he coughed a little as he willed the spell to work for him.]

Cure!

[His hand glowed faintly as he gave the spell as much power as he could muster without blacking out. While he doubted he had the power to completely restore the injury, he at least wanted to staunch the flow of mist. The other times he'd seen a Nobody 'bleeding' the substance it was a significantly worse picture and always resulted in a termination. However, he didn't feel like leaving anything to chance. After the past hour or so's ordeal, he wanted them to stay together this time.

When the spell finally completed, he let himself flop into Xion's lap. Though too tired to sit himself upright again, he was still at least conscious. He wanted to speak, to say so much now that he remembered, but the simple act of breathing was a difficult ordeal. What Roxas could do at this point was to at least offer a relaxed, grateful smile... even if his current position was just a little compromising.

He didn't care at this point. For the moment, everything was fine -they were together. And when they were rested enough, he even had a few ideas on how they'd get out of there. From there, he even reasoned that if the two of them were walking around again, then somewhere, Axel must be alive somewhere too. Then he could just enjoy life with his friends again. Those two would need a change of clothes too, he mused to himself. The Organization was a bad memory to him -albiet with the sole silver lining that it was through being part of it that he made his best friends.

It hopefully wouldn't take too long to rest up... he hated this world.]

[She didn't seem to catch onto what he was doing, really, until he called out the spell's name. Which was to his advantage. There was a good chance she would have protested otherwise. Instead, her eyes shot open and she watched him with a partially surprised yet mostly concerned expression. She had almost completely forgot about her injury. But now, slowly but surely, the mist thinned out to nothing.

And then shortly after he collapsed on top of her. Worry shook her briefly and she might have panicked again there and then. But his eyes were still open and that smile of his, ever present. Even despite the living hell that they had just been through. She didn't realize how cold she was feeling from the soaking wet rain until he was resting on her lap. So, it wasn't exactly unwelcoming to be borrowing her friend as a comforter. Just... really different. And a little awkward. The only time they had been this close before was when she had... well.

She brushed that thought away and smiled feebly. It hadn't been very long since she had seen him in her conscious mind's eye... but she had a feeling that it was quite the opposite story for him. She wanted to hear that story... and hoped it wouldn't be a sad one. If he didn't go back to Sora... what happened? And what about Axel? What happened to him? And she wondered if maybe... just maybe. She might be able to... have a little of time like old times again. Of no worries and sunsets and ice cream. It was a selfish thought-- What if-- But... she couldn't do that to him again... Not after she witnessed that outburst.

She reached out weakly and touched his shoulder. Her smile was fading though. Her eyes closing. Her hand barely made to rest there. And stilled as it did, her body relaxing. Her breathing was shallow but steady as she was whisked into unconsciousness.]

(ooc: Time skip~?)

[He wasn't quite sure how to really describe it -that feeling you get when your brain starts working again after sleeping and dreaming. His eyes hadn't opened, but he could tell that he was laying in a somewhat different position than normal. He wasn't floating or laying on the sand of what he figured was Sora's inner world. Thinking about a moment, of course that idea made little sense, because if his memory served him right -

That was right. Thinking about it, he actually had new memories and there were so many of them. Looking at them all and the metaphorical picture they made was kind of sad, but there were fleeting moments in all of it where he'd been genuinely content with the world for once. Skimming to the newer ones, he felt relieved to see that his new treasured memory was where it was supposed to be. Then again, he mused that if the case was any different, he wouldn't be in position to care. Ignorance would be indifference in that case, he supposed.

His eyes flickering open, he sat up as the world hazed back into focus. The sunlight was warm on his skin, nice like a summer day back in Twilight Town -but there air here smelled different. Roxas' train of thought came screeching to a halt, complete with a derailing train sound-effect... at least he knew that was just a side embellishment of his imagination.

As the world came into focus, he realized that there were a number of things very wrong with all of this. The first of which was that it was always night in The World That Never Was. Next was just how radically different this place was... it was a small garden area, roughly square from the high walls surrounding them with hedges. Rather than one of the cold and faceless buildings surrounding Memory's Skyscraper, he was surprised to find Xion propped up against a fountain -the soft pour of water down its layers adding ambiance along with the chirping birds off in the distance. It didn't strike him as any kind of overtly-nice prison either; there were steps leading to a walkway lined with pillars not too far behind them.

"This is strange... I've been here before."

He kept quiet for the time being. There didn't seem to be any immediate threats and frankly, after all they'd been through, he figured that she'd need as much sleep as she could get for now.

"No, not me. Him. Sora's been here before. This is -I think this is King Mickey's Castle."

It was almost an encouraging thought. He didn't want to get his hopes up -depending on the situation, King Mickey might pull the same kind of sick stunt that DiZ pulled. But then, what he saw from his time as part of Sora gave him the impression that the king might be more amicable toward helping them instead of forcing them onto a path. Of course, if push came to shove, he now remembered that he had a pretty extensive track record with Xion... between the two of them, managing an escape wouldn't be too difficult.

After what seemed like an eternity debating all of this, he finally made up his mind. Leaning over and putting his hand on her shoulder, Roxas gently shook his friend, offering his usual derpy smile.]

Hey Xion, wake up.

[A soft moan escaped her as she was shaken from a dream. One of the sunset and smiles over ice cream. She almost wanted to roll over and return to it-- at least until the last thing that delved in her memory surfaced sluggishly. And when it did, her eyes shot open, almost looking panicked. Like she had to make sure that what happened had been real.

The first thing she saw was Roxas leaning over her with a big smile on his face, bright as the sunset itself. And to that, her hitched breath was slowly released in relief and she aimed a meek, embarrassed smile of her own his way. He looked better-- which lifted a big weight off her shoulders. But mostly, she was noting to herself, he was... He was there.

Around then, the sound of the trickling behind her caught her attention and her focus fell to their surroundings. Just... where were they exactly? It looked... almost like a courtyard one would have seen back at Beast's Castle. But it was far more ornate and welcoming. The sun splashed their surroundings in warm hues of heavily of greens and yellows. And probably more colors, but she was paying attention to other details now like the hedges, the walkway, and... well, seemed there was a way out. Question was though.]

How did we end up here...?

[She carefully started to her feet as she asked. Because as nice as the place seemed to be... Who knew if they heartless would suddenly decide to show up again. Her body buckled halfway up though as she touched her head, feeling dizzy. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea.]

[Reflexes spurred Roxas to action before he could really give much thought to his friend's query. As soon as he saw her falter, he rose to catch her, his right arm curling around her side to support her. Which at least for a moment left his face VERY close to hers. It was a kind of new feeling really. He was only vaguely familiar with it because Sora felt it a couple of times in similar situations with Kairi.

If he remembered how it worked, his face was probably turning a shade or two of red because being this close to her was making him feel simultaneously nice and awkward. He couldn't really remember much more about how to react to this sort of feeling, so he went with instinct -which was to move just a little so that he'd shifted her arm over his shoulders. Probably didn't do anything for the coloring on his face though.]

Whoa, easy there. I don't know which one of us was in worse shape, but you shouldn't push yourself.

[He laughed a little, not really sure if he was trying to comfort her or himself more.]

Anyway, I don't know how we ended up here... but I think this is King Mickey's castle.

[That closeness. While it had caused that flush in his face, Xion herself was concentrated on holding tightly to him a moment so she wouldn't collapse as her head spun. When the world finally came back into focus, she found her arm had been wrapped around him by Roxas himself... She smiled one of those quiet sort of sheepish smiles of hers, one that brightened a little bit at his laugh. Because no matter what, hearing him laugh like that. It never failed to help her relax just a little.

Things were fine... right? ...Except. His face was awfully red, even as he spoke. So, he was just about as clueless as she was in regards to things... At least except for the location itself, it seemed. King Mickey? Who was he? She wanted to know. She definitely did. But her concern for his well being? That backburnered that thought for just a moment.]

...I see. But, Roxas. Are... Are you okay...? Your... [She trailed off and her free hand came up. Xion waved it over her face yet indicating to his. Obvious worry set in her eyes.]

[He blinked when her hand waved over his face. At the moment, he really wasn't quite sure how to explain a feeling that he didn't completely understand himself. At least as far as he knew it was harmless. But the more he considered the thought, the more it just made more sense it just made to be open with her this time around -well, granted it was more him forgetting to ask her about the things he saw.

Roxas, his laugh subsiding, shook his head as he realized his train of thought was turning into an almost comical mess.]

Oh uh... I'm kind of not sure. It was just a feeling I got for that second when I was really close to your face.

[Ending it like that struck him as almost off-putting and something about it, he didn't quite like, so he figured he'd explain a little further.]

I don't know how to describe it... it was kind of nice, but then a little odd. I think it's normal though. When I got to see some of Sora's memories, he got that way a couple of times around Kairi.

[That left him feeling a little better about things. Not to mention it felt like it helped get the color of his face closer to normal, if it hadn't already returned on its own anyway. While the change in scenery was welcome, he figured that they'd want to get an idea on what was going on as soon as they could. Though it didn't worry him enough to upset him just yet, it dawned on him that so far they'd only run across each other. They should've run into someone out here by now.]

[It was probably a good thing that he continued with his explanation. More than likely, she would have spazzed out otherwise. As if she had done something wrong to make him feel bad... or something. A weak smile of relief befit her awkwardly as he went on to cover the rest of it.

Nice...? Odd...? Around Kairi...? Kairi... The really important person to Sora... and the one she was heavily based off of... Maybe that was why he reacted the way he did...? But... Close to her face... Something seemed to be... Was he seeing a slight bit of a flush to her own? Maybe just a pinch of it. That sense of embarrassment. But about what? She hadn't the slightest idea. She laughed it off weakly herself.]

S-So weird...

[Ahem... He wasn't the only one who knew they should be focusing their attention to other things though. And knowing that he was alright then, well...]

...You said something about King Mickey? Who... Who is he?

[Her hand had long since retracted and she was tilting her head at him curiously now.]

[He made a mental note when things had calmed down to try and get some idea of how to manage all these feelings. It's not like they hadn't always been there for him. It was just that he hadn't really had the freedom to experience them and well, "feel" for them as he'd been doing since he found himself in Xion's company again. It was strange considering how often he previously had to shove them aside to work, but somehow they just helped him feel more connected to the world around him. Maybe these feelings were why the other Nobodies were so desperate to get their hearts back, perhaps they missed that feeling.]

Yeah.

[He took another moment to study their surroundings before her next question caught his attention.]

Oh, he's a friend of Sora's. I'm not sure how much involved he is or was with everything, but he helped fight against the Organization... I guess that kind of puts us on the same side. Sort of.

[Not that he expected her to think that they were in any way, shape or form still affiliated with their previous association -aside from Xion still wearing that robe anyway, but he wasn't exactly sure where traitors and deserters were classified in that lump. He was pretty confident though that the same concept at least zipped through her thoughts as well.]

But this looks like his world when Sora came through. Maybe he can help us figure out what's going on.

[Well, he was better off than her. Or... at least that's what she thought. Feelings... Could she even express them? She wasn't a nobody. No, she was something even more of an abomination-- a mere repli-- No. She couldn't think like that anymore because that would... That would upset him. And... She still couldn't believe before when she had... She couldn't even describe what it was, but she had... The wet streams coming from her...

Those thoughts would have to be put on hold though. Or would be forgotten for the moment anyway. As shock overtook her momentarily. Her eyes shot up to fix on his, pupils shrunk tight from the sunlight catching in them as they widened.]

S-Sora?

[She really shouldn't have been so surprised... right? Because, after all... They both shared some of his memories... but then. Something sounded a little more familiar to his tone than she liked. Like Roxas himself had been there. But... If that... What did...?]

[Derpy as he inherently was, it took him a few moments to realize just what he could have said that she clearly might have found so strange. And then it dawned on him that there really wouldn't have been any way for her to realize just what had happened after he lost her.

While figuring out what was going on was important, it didn't seem like there really was anything to worry about where they were. So it really seemed like as good a time as any to at least fill her in on what happened to him since her passing.

There was something inherently relaxing about the sound that fountain made, so he pushed himself up and had a seat on its edge before patting the spot beside him, a wordless invitation for his friend to do the same.]

That's right, huh? I guess it sounds kind of weird hearing that out of me.

[Whether she took a seat or just made herself comfortable some other way, he chose to wait until she did so. He scratched his head a little as he did his best to try and remember -doing his best to keep the details straight and hopefully not confuse the daylights out of the both of them.]

Well, you saw it, didn't you? Back at the Skyscraper -the whole thing that happened between Riku and I. No surprise I guess, but he had a trick up his sleeve I wasn't expecting and well... he beat me.

[He gave a little pause before continuing to explain what he'd been able to figure out; about the digital Twilight Town he'd been put in, the false memories, how that whole world seemed to come crashing down on him when Axel came with intent to recollect him or exterminate him. Trying to be as open with her as he could this time around, Roxas didn't hold any details back about how upsetting those orders were to him -or rather, how upsetting it was that their friend chose to follow those orders over their friendship. Of course there was also the part about the two of them fighting and outcome of that fight. And then came the part about DiZ.

The Nobody made no attempt in the least to even try concealing the venom in his voice when he talked of the man in red. But he described the conversation he had with DiZ before being left to return to their other.]

I couldn't stand him. All I was to him was just a part of Sora that had to return. I know we're not supposed to exist, but we do.... and to me anyway, that gives us the same right to live as our others.

[He takes that moment to break and let Xion ask any questions she might have had, offering a frustrated sigh at that recollection.]

[She pulled herself up, half sitting, half plopping onto the fountain next to him at his invitation, this time far less hesitant about the idea. But it also helped that this time, she didn't feel like there was a big glass wall between them. This time... the one that had fought those fights with her, who had been through trial after trial, mission after exasperating mission, who had seen the end of her. The one that was one of her best friends, regardless of that. That Roxas was here.

And after giving him a coy nod. Because it honestly did sound... really strange. Neither of them had known much about Sora, after all. Just flickers of his memories. Even then though, Roxas himself hadn't much of an idea about him. Xion had known only a tiny bit more, honestly. But still not enough as he seemed like he did. It made sense though, she kept having to remind herself. Roxas had been through some things since, hadn't he? So, with that in mind, she just relaxed... and listened.

The first comment didn't surprise her. Xion had witnessed only bits and pieces of it, her conscious having faded in and out at the time. But she knew that riku had stopped him in the end. That... had been the end of her memories then though. So, from there, everything was fresh and new to her. But... the more she heard... the tighter her hands seemed to grip on the leather of her coat. Fooling him like that... into thinking he lived in Twilight Town like that. And rewriting his memories. Tampering with his memories. That alone ate away at her. Memories. Memories were something that were so precious to them. It was something that she knew both Roxas and Axel... They had always valued. It made them who they were. For Roxas... It made him not just "Sora's nobody".

And listening to him describe how he fought with Axel on top of that. It... Was this really what she left him to? Was this what Namine had intended on when she said that she would watch over him? It... It was really killing her inside to know that all of this had happened in her absence. All this... He didn't deserve. And what made it worse was that this spiral of indifference didn't stop. Even with Namine's weak means of trying to make his transfer from the living lie to accepting himself as part of Sora. Everything was wrong. It was... so unacceptably wrong.

...But the conversation with DiZ. That was the last nail in the metaphorical coffin. She stood up suddenly, wobbling as she did. Fists clutched and eyes narrowed into a heavy set glare for just a moment's notice as she tried so hard not to just... snap out right there. So many words and thoughts and... All of it was coming at her and she couldn't decide on what to do for a moment. Until, finally, her appalled thoughts took the most root and she turned back to face him. Her features anxious. Her words cutting through with apprehension and pain.]

That's not right! How could that-- She promised that she-- They had no right to do that to you!

[She sounded almost hysterical towards the end. Her voice cracked and shriveled and then she was leaning over and embracing him where he sat because she was all sorts of apologetic and angry and... and... How could this have happened? How could she have let it happen? Roxas, he... He hadn't deserved this!]

[When he'd paused, he wasn't quite sure what he expected from her. They always worried about what the difference was between having actual feelings and just reacting to things by what they somehow knew was a memory of a feeling. At least he had to imagine that was the case for him and Xion. Especially in the past few hours, he'd been "feeling" all kinds of things he couldn't remember having any experience in feeling. But while he'd seen all kinds of expressions and feelings come from her, he just couldn't really recall the seething animosity he could feel from her at the moment in any time they'd shared prior.

Wait, feeling from someone else? That would have to be another one for him to get some answers about later.

But the way she was reacting, he'd almost swear that she'd expected some kind of different outcome. Well, that one could also go into the pile of things to talk about. Now that he thought about it, he knew dismally little about just what she'd been uncovering during their times apart -he doubted it all really was just missions and practice. But now he was getting side-tracked and had a whole different matter to contend to.

He knew this feeling though; anger and sadness at the same time. To him it was a sick irony at the moment that she'd feel something at least very close to what he felt on that fateful afternoon in Twilight Town. So as she embraced him, he took her in his arms and did his best to comfort her.

And then part of that registered to him.

"She promised that she-"

Wait, who?

Maybe it was time for some answers after all.]

It's alright, calm down... but who are you talking about?

She? There weren't any girls working with DiZ, just-

[His eyes went wide for a moment as realization settled in.]

How did I miss it?

Was I -?

[The possibilities that this opened up in his big book of "What if" questions easily made a few chapters on their own.]

Did Namine talk to you too?

[At his string of questions, she remained quiet. At least until his final one settled between them. Talked to her, too... Just one conversation, yes. And a vital one at that. Xion removed her head from resting on his shoulder and strayed her gaze to the ground. Slowly considering how to explain... and then realizing soon after that there wasn't any way to go about it lightly.

No more secrets. No more hiding things... right? It... It wasn't fair to him. His existence had been mocked enough, hadn't it? She might not have known exactly what it was sometimes, but something told her... And she wouldn't have it. She wouldn't be like that to him. She closed her eyes a moment and breathed a shuddered breath.]

She was the one... I met her... before I intended to return to Sora... She... She agreed to... watch over you... but I never thought it would have turned out like that... If I'd known that...

[He listened to her explanation intently, at least as best he could considered how fragmented it ended up coming out. Clearly something that happened to him struck some kind of chord within her -a very unpleasant one at that too. It was somehow strange and then somehow painted a clearer picture of his friend at the same time. She'd accepted the fate she believed she had no choice in with the understanding that someone would care for him. It made him feel a little bad, really -Xion had thought of him to the end in that respect.

Granted, to him at least, it still didn't justify anything. It just made her angle a little more understandable.

However Namine's definition of "watching over him" ended up being little more than throwing him a few cryptic clues.

"You won't disappear! You'll be whole!"

Part of him inwardly scoffed at that. If anything, he felt alienated existing within Sora; a character out of place in a storybook of wondrous memories. He had to wonder for a little, just who was to blame for that. Had it been Namine just paying lip-service to get Sora back? Did she plan to do more, but Riku or DiZ stopped her? It seemed for every question he had answered, at least two new ones appeared in its place.

In either case, that was all done. Nothing could change what happened and right now, one of his best friends needed him to do something before she came apart again.

You're always worrying about me... thanks Xion.

He could practically hear those words being spoken, but for some reason, something inside him said that this wasn't the time to say a thing like that. So for now, he shuffled it into memory, giving her a firm squeeze before offering a smile in return. It seemed more a 'kicked puppy' smile, but he was at least trying to cheer her up.]

It's okay. We can't do anything about what happened back then.

At least we're both here now, right?

[She almost didn't catch that smile. Looking away like she did seemed like a habit she wasn't about ready to break. And saying that it was okay when it obviously wasn't... although he had a point about not being able to do anything. And she knew it. She shook her head slowly as if to will those straying sad thoughts away because she honestly didn't want to trouble him anymore on top of what he had faced. The squeeze had also helped distract her. Something about it--

Xion finally looked up at him. And, well, it might not have felt too awkward to her because she was still wrapping concepts like this around her head, he might be feeling a might bit of it. Because she was pretty darn close to him again. But she was smiling that small, quiet smile of hers. Even if it was a little guilty in appearance. A little sad. A little forced. Kind of complimented his, really. But those jaded smiles seemed to be more than prevalent for a good reason with all that they had been through. Her gaze buckled again as she spoke, but her smile remained.]

...That's true, I guess. And... This time... I'll be sure that you don't... have to face something like that again.

...So then. Can you remember anything after that? [He didn't just vanish like her, right? After all, he was a nobody. Not a replica.]

[There it was again, that odd feeling -like they should be doing something else instead of just looking each other and being this close. Whether his feelings were genuine or based off some memory that just wasn't coming to mind, he really was starting to wish they can with some kind of guide. In either case, at least he didn't react as awkwardly as last time; sure he turned a shade more crimson than his normal coloring was, but right now, he really was worried about how Xion was feeling.

A thought occurred to him as he looked at that smile of hers. Especially if this was some new chance at a life specifically of their own, he'd want to make it a point to bring back that particular smile he'd seen on her. The smile shared when they had ice cream with Axel and just talked about anything -no matter how dumb or trivial. But that would be something to work toward as things went on.

Roxas seemed to be getting better at juggling his thoughts while keeping track of reality as the conversation didn't seem to just snap him out of a daydream like it normally seemed to. He nodded in reply to that first statement, at least for now with holding that he'd do the same for her. For some reason, it just seemed like it'd be a disregard of her feelings if he said that immediately.]

Yeah... well, sort of. That thing I saw in that room opened up and Sora was in it.

[It wasn't venom in his voice -it was far too subdued, longing or envy perhaps as he recalled the memory. He laughed at himself a little.]

And then the lame last thing I said before I just "faded" into him was "I guess my summer vacation is over.".

[It was strange recalling that. At that point, he knew what had to be done, what he needed to do and at least for the most part, why. At the time, he felt such sadness and despair -maybe that's why he didn't just 'become whole' like Namine had told him. He didn't care about power or any thing like that, he wanted a life of his own.

After that brief reminiscence, he shook his head a little, feeling a note more down than he did before.]

After that, it was kind of like watching through his eyes. I got to see what he was doing, how his friends always recognized him and were happy to see him.

[That last sentence came out with his almost trademarked mix of envy and sadness, whether he meant it to or not. Honestly, if Xion really had just faded away after that duel, it was an almost enviable fate. Because continuing to partially exist in a world where few, if any even acknowledge one's existence was a pretty sad state too.]

[She didn't miss that flustering shade of red even while her eyes flickered away. It was impossible to disguise something like that. But she still wasn't sure what to think of it. Although something was fluttering in her for a second when she actually noticed it. She didn't understand it, but ever since he had mentioned it being similar to how Sora had reacted to Kairi on occasion, something about it just hit her. Made her wonder just a little... just what that panic that touched her when she saw that a second time was all about. But she dismissed it just as easily.

Focusing on what he said. That took priority over anything else. Unfortunately, it seemed... all the rest he had to tell was with a lingering sadness. So, he had returned to Sora in the end... Xion almost... She curled her hand into a slight grip on the back of his shirt, frustrated. She knew they had to go back... That was where they had belonged, after all. But it didn't stop his melancholy from eating away at her. The comment about his last words. It... It wasn't so amusing to her, but then she realized he honestly didn't find it so either. Just a breath of tension relief. Otherwise, well... Well, how else could one handle talking about fading like that? Disconnected and miserable like her, she supposed. In that regard... Roxas seemed to be the stronger of the two. Even the bitterness she expected... It wasn't really there like she anticipated. Even if the sadness was more than prevalent. At his pause, she gave him an awkward squeeze. Mimicking the one he had given her not long ago.

She felt almost a little astounded when he noted how he could see through his other's eyes... But then she shouldn't, should she? Again, roxas had always been a nobody while she was a replica. So, their connection to Sora was different. It would only make sense then that he would retain some sort of consciousness. A cruel one though at that. Watching through someone else's eyes... without being able to do anything. It wasn't exactly a fate she would want herself. She could only imagine how he must have felt. She rest her head on his shoulder a moment and sighed... trying to concentrate on what to say.

Apologizes wouldn't change what happened. And they couldn't do anything about it now. He had just said that moments before. So then... What could she do in the now? She was already there for him, but... it just didn't feel sufficient. She wanted to do more than that. But... she found she really wasn't sure if she could. But then did a thought linger and slowly surface. What had Sora...

But she kept it to herself at the moment. Shuttering away any curiosity of that nature. Because right then, she wanted to concentrate on Roxas. And right then, she would. She did have one question to ask though.]

...So... ...When did you end up here? ...How long has it been since you left the Organization? [Since she disappeared, to be more precise, but she knew that was still a raw wound and she was going to do her best to avoid it at the moment. For both their sakes.]

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Of course this isn't the end, but poor Xion's gonna get some extra mental trauma here

Oh gods. Just what she needs. XD;;; Edit: ofusdhfsdf Better~!

I think this looks okay now.

Looks fine to me. XD;; I always worry about my own though, so~!

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Seriously? I don't have an embarassed icon for this guy?

|D; Need one? Fff....

Why yes, actually.

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See what you've got me doing now?

Ffff.... It's Roxas. He does these things

Stupid subject field...

Buh? XD;

Just the way it holds the old subject over if you don't actually put something there.

Ah~~ I see