kingdomdressing | (no subject)

[Something didn't seem right here and he knew it. But after all the trials he'd faced to get to wherever she was, Roxas didn't feel too inclined to back away now. When she leans against him, his arm instinctively curls around her and reassuringly rubs her back.

While he's frankly a little less sure of her self-analysis, he figures that at least for now, he'll have to trust in Xion. And then he'd still need to figure out how to get them both out of here at this point.

When she poses her question, he begins explaining without hesitation.]

After you collapsed -it's weird to explain, but a Naminé found us. I don't know how, but we're somehow inside of you.

[His expression reflects how odd he thinks this must all sound to her. Considering their backgrounds, nothing unbelievable, but odd? Probably.]

She said something about relinking your memories and I needed to help if you were ever going to wake up.

[Finally he offers a somewhat sheepish grin.]

And if you needed help, I wasn't just going to sit by and do nothing.

[Xion seemed to tense just a little when he mentioned being inside of her. And then her body was slowly relaxing again. Admittedly, partly due to the attention he was giving her, feeling his hand on her back. It was a really strange concept without doubt, all of this. But considering what they had been through before and what they had seen, it wasn't as surprising as it might have been to any other person involved in such a situation. She nodded vaguely, her head turning to watch him from under her hood. Only her mouth could be seen, curled into a meek, sad smile.

All this for a puppet. He didn't have to. Why did he put himself up to such things for her when- But she already knew the answer. Or perhaps she simply didn't want to have him fussing all over again about it, so she instead chose to murmur softly:]

I guess... [A careful pause and then.] I've been searching for a way, but... the only one I've found... I was stopped.

[As much as he tried not to pay mind to it, the way she kept her hood up was bothering him. Personally, he liked seeing her face -even if most of the time, her expression just seemed so regretful. But he'd easily admit that all those times sitting up on the clock tower with Axel; the three of them talking and laughing together. He liked seeing that smile.

Still, he listened when she spoke up. As happy as he was to have just found her again, there was still a great deal that needed to be done. First came waking her. Then he needed to figure out what was going on with Sora -assuming that somehow, the Riku/Xion he fought wasn't just some lingering sense of guilt or obligation, he'd have some words of his that he'd need to back up.]

Huh? Well, what'd you find? If you couldn't do it alone.

[Roxas makes sure his smile is about as confident and self-assured as it can make it seem, even if it ends up looking like Sora.]

Maybe we can do it together.

[Maybe they could do it together... Such optimism. But then it wasn't unwelcomed. Perhaps heavily because it was Roxas. And because there was something older and wiser about him. He wasn't so easily lost in the details like he once was. And always was he dependable, always cared. But even so.

Xion went quit for a while. Her expression thinning out as she seemed to lose herself to thoughts, trying to build up an answer perhaps. An unease settling in the air. A minute or so passed before she even moved her mouth, trying to conjure the right words.]

It was me... but not me.

[His expression reflects how generally baffling and vague the statement she just gave him was. Granted, when he considered that he had just fought something that was either some part of Xion or one of her personal demons, the concept made some limited sense. But the idea of seeing Xion have to fight herself was just a strange mental image no matter how he tried to analyze it.

Well, there wasn't any sense in trying to think too deeply on a matter like that -at least not right now. There just wasn't enough context to look at each detail with.

So Roxas pats her back reassuringly while he gives her a little longer to recover. Whatever the ordeal she'd been through, he was determined to see the repeat encounter through with her.]

I guess I'll see what you mean when we see it then. As soon as you're ready, we can move.

[Of course he might be pushing himself a little much. His duel with Riku hadn't left him unscathed and he had bruises to show for it.]

[Roxas really couldn't be blamed for being at such a loss as he was. It was more than strange to think about it. It was one thing for the two of them to have fought. But to really contend with an inner self... That was definitely. Definitely something new. Something different. And not exactly something welcoming.

Another nod signaled her understanding. And then she was quiet again, her head ducked slightly. Appearing to just relax for a while longer. Recuperate. If she had noticed the bruises, she didn't show it. Perhaps she was more out of it than she admitted to. No- she definitely was, but still.

Everything was still. Motionless save the vaguest rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. Until she slowly removed herself from resting against him. Slowly rising to her feet and taking a few steps foward. Head turning this way and that... And then she was letting out a gasp.]

Edited 2011-01-08 06:46 (UTC)

[Because in that moment of tranquility, a familiar face had appeared. One that had haunted the last of their days together. The very face she had worn then? Was suddenly standing before them. At least for the barest of seconds before the doll suddenly lunged toward them, silent but very much a threat. One that apparently Xion hadn't seen coming as she was suddenly slammed to the ground-]

[-and with that motion, her hood tucked back. Enough to reveal familiar brown, spiky hair along with those hauntingly familiar eyes. She looked like a younger him. But it was still definitely him.

Sora.]

[It was a great deal for him to take in so suddenly. Not more than a few moments after the two had gotten to their feet to find their way out than did Xion's vague comment make sense.

The sight of that doll stirred up so many mixed feelings. It was still her, but a part of her that wasn't her -to him, it was the amalgamation of all that the Organization had tried to force onto both of them. He could feel anger at knowing that by having him fight her like that, they'd played right into the hands of Xemnas' machinations. Especially after getting to know what he had about their Superior, he'd grown to absolutely detest it when things went his way.

Roxas mentally cursed as it moved before he could react. While it struck Xion to the floor, he was fast on the follow-up. Aubade and Two Become One appeared in his hands in a flash as he immediately closed the distance with an Air Slide. His feelings began leading his actions on a leash as he immediately set loose upon it, hoping to drive it back. He needed to force it away -just for a moment.

There hadn't even been time for him to check on his friend yet.]

[As Roxas came at the doll with his keyblades bared, it ducked back and away. Not fast enough though. But that speed really wasn't needed as wings suddenly sprouted from its back to curve around and take the blow. The doll itself remained silent, but damage still made it stumble back and away as he was hoping.

In the meantime, Xion was slowly trying to get to her feet. Fear more than dominating her features as she watched the doll being held back by Roxas. Hand clutching the air only for nothing to come. But then with her in the state she was in, perhaps it wasn't all that surprising. Stumbling. Falling to a knee. If she was panicked by her appearance though, she didn't show it. Or perhaps she didn't even know.]

[Roxas jumped back once he'd driven the doll a satisfactory distance away. He knew it's forms, he remembered it. It may be what she was without the memories she'd absorbed and made, but to him, those things made all the difference in the world to him; the Xion he knew was the only Xion that existed. This was just a remnant of Xemnas' ambition to acquire Kingdom Hearts... and with his friend, he'd send it to wherever Nobodies went when they were terminated.

Spinning Two Become One neatly in his hand, he re-settled his grasp on it's business end as he reached back and offered the grip to Xion. As much as he wanted to turn to her and look, he knew this thing would come after them as soon as his guard lapsed.]

Can you stand?

[His voice is clearly laced with concern, despite his attention being so focused on their common enemy.]

Y-Yeah... I think so. [Behind him, Xion tentatively took the keyblade by the grip and carefully grounded it, using the weapon as leverage now to stand. Soon enough, she was standing by his side, eyes slightly brighter than before at least. A determined yet more worrisome expression that what would usually would be on the face of Sora. An expression that distinctly indicated Xion, perhaps.

The doll seemed to wince momentarily, but that was about the only moment it spared before it was onto them again. Hopping into the air, it paused before suddenly shooting down in Xion's direction with that same variation of the Sonic Blade. Xion herself started out of the way, but it would be a close one.]

Edited 2011-01-09 08:26 (UTC)

[He'd known what to expect and while that struck the still-rationally-thinking voice in his head as a cause for alarm, the part of him currently doing the fighting wasn't listening. Roxas waited for it to re-orient to attack again, his newly-freed hand grasping closed around nothing as his hand began to crackle with electricity.

When it came in again, he'd loose the Thunder spell he'd prepared and hopefully get its attention properly diverted to him. And then from there? He wasn't quite sure, but he knew he could count on Xion to come up with something.]

[The first strike glanced Xion as she tried to move out of the way, but before the doll could go along repeating the strike, thunder reigned from above and it was temporarily stopped in its tracks. In that moment of recovery, Xion herself was carefully conjuring a cure spell to rid of the mist that was coming from her arm and then looking to the doll again with sharpened eyes. If Roxas was looking for it to go after him though, he would be in for a surprise.

As the doll simply seemed to ignore him, darting after Xion once more only this time with a series of slashes. But Xion was at least prepared this round, blocking and parrying when she could. Mostly it was blocking, the doll's hits coming hard and fast. But for what it was worth and for the state she at least had seemed to be in, she was faring better than Roxas might have first imagined. Although it didn't take much to realize who was really the one with the upperhand at the moment. No matter what, Xion just couldn't seem to get past those strikes.]

[Roxas' eyes narrowed. The doll was making a grave mistake in ignoring him. His recent duel with whatever it was that either was or just looked like Riku had opened some old aggravations and left him with a mean streak wider than the savannah on Simba's world.

At least from what he'd seen from Sora, that place was pretty wide anyway.

He moved as quickly as his legs could carry him, taking a position behind Xion as she struggled to defend herself. For the moment, he was putting his faith in her struggling to get through this as much as he was struggling to help her.

The Nobody took to the air, his High Jump carrying him neatly over his friend's head as he took the offense. Aubade was shifted to his left hand as he reeled his right back, his fist igniting with the Firaga he was preparing within it. In a moment, gravity would take over and with any due fortune, he'd be coming down right on top of the doll, looking to strike it from above with that exploding-fist trick he'd learned against the NeoShadows.]

[With the doll focused on Xion, Roxas- while not entirely catching it off guard -managed to come down upon it as it tried its best to dart away from the sudden incoming impact. He managed to drive right into a wing. Bending it partly and causing it to lose function as a general whole. The doll finally managed a gasp of sorts as it backed off and away from hi and Xion once more. Testing the wing but finding it useless now.

Xion herself wasted no time though trying for a counter attack. She raced past Roxas suddenly with what seemed like adrenaline guiding her and helping her despite her weary looking state. Coming at the doll with a combo of her own. Trying to just end this as quickly as possible from the look of things.]

[Finally with Xion on the offensive, he's able to relent for just a moment, finally getting a chance to watch her. And in that moment, he's partly shocked when he sees that familiar mess of brown hair. Yet the voice he heard was hers.

It struck him at that moment that something was wrong with her -something hadn't worked and she was still reflecting their Other.

With the shake of his head, Roxas dismisses the thought as he rushes back into the fray. Right now, it was the doll was the immediate problem and they needed it out of the way for -at least for the time being. His Keyblade shifts back to his better hand as he leaps high and glides toward the battle, getting a glance at the damage he'd inflicted.

Hedging his bets on the wings being dead-weight now, he tries to angle his landing to put his feet squarely on the useless appendage. If Xion seemed inclined to end this quickly, he could just hope that her actions could at least distract it long enough for him to simply run across it's wing and take a shot at its head.

Maybe without that, the doll might just give them the break they needed to assess things.]

[As Roxas came down at the doll, Xion continued her assault, intent to distract it. But the doll was attentive, catching sight of Roxas coming down to try and then things as they were. It seemed to pause in surprise if only a split second. And then it was trying to duck out of the way. Again, it was moments too slow. But it had managed to keep its head in tact at least. That hadn't stopped him from completely disconnecting the wing he had already damaged though and at that, it was stumbling rather than backpedaling. Coming to a slight kneel as stayed there, static and just trying to recover.

But again, Xion wouldn't seem to have it. She conjured up an aeroga, throwing it at the doll as it sat there. The doll again hadn't enough time to react and was sent flying further, skidding across the floor. Xion watched it with a grimace befitting her.]

[He hesitated after the wing dropped off at his partly-successful assault with his friend. That voice in the back of Roxas' head finally seemed to get through to him that something was amiss. It was natural that he assumed the doll was both his and Xion's enemy -especially after how it attacked them.

But on the same note, the Riku he fought turned into Xion... maybe a Xion, perhaps if they were somehow inside her, there were more? The notion admittedly made his head hurt as he pulled back. He wasn't sure if he should allow this to keep going, but he had no proof. And then if he was wrong, there'd be no end to the trouble that could come of it.

There was more to this, he was sure of it. He just didn't know how everything came together.

And then he developed a plan -at least something that should get things to work for the time being. He hastily took up a defensive position beside Xion, his eyes focused on the doll.]

We should try to restrain it.

You said it was blocking the way out for you. If there's more ahead, it'd help if we knew what was waiting, right?

[Her focus found him with sharp blue eyes. So uncertain and uneasy at first. Yet another expression that defected her from being anywhere Sora-like even as she shared the same face with the same brunette hair. Admittedly, it was arguable how much she had changed otherwise with her body type as small as it was. Not that it was an important detail at the time. Finally, her eyes- his eyes -became perplexed with thought as she watched the doll carry itself to its feet. And she bowed her head low. Eyes obscured by brown bangs while the doll seemed to stare on at them, whatever thoughts it was collecting unreadable.]

Restraining... Yeah, that might work. [Xion nodded just a little and then looked up at him. The volume of her voice turning low.] Do you think you could distract it? I think I have an idea.

Edited 2011-01-09 16:39 (UTC)

[He gave a simple nod as his grip on Aubade shifted a little. Admittedly, the doll had proven it had an exceptionally strong drive to focus on Xion and seemed only to pay attention to him when he was in position to deal a significant amount of damage. So he wasn't quite sure how he was planning to distract it when it tended to completely ignore him otherwise.

There were other things coming up as off about the situation too. Not only his friend's appearance, but something about her wasn't quite adding up. There was something more aggressive about her -maybe it was just being exposed to so many new memories in addition to the flood of his own that just returned, but he couldn't ever remember Xion being that way.

For a moment, he turned his attention to her, offering a grin.]

Whatever you're planning to do, don't keep me waiting.

[Blame him being reckless again, but having said that, he charged. His initial vector seemed off-kilter for a direct assault; rather his line of travel would put him off to the side of the doll. But at a little more than a few Keyblade-lengths out, he changed direction abruptly.

Using a short hop, he immediately went into a series of Air Slides, leaving a row of Blizzaga hovering neatly in a line in his wake. Not finished yet, he took to the air with a High Jump, immediately shifting to a Glide and circling around to hopefully swoop in behind the doll and restrain it.]

[It was without a doubt that memories were fickle. They were knowledge, after all. A considerable amount, too, considering how many Soras and Roxae ~~and Vens~~ were in the dressing room. Just how many memories she had absorbed... While Roxas had gotten a taste of them, it was just that. A sample. And as many things went for the two of them, nothing ever seemed simple...

Xion nodded towards Roxas, taking up a stance. Waiting on her cue. She knew without a doubt. She could trust him on this one. She had to. What other way would she...? And as he started towards the doll, she was right behind him. Footsteps quick and light with Two Become One at the ready.

The doll had finally managed to find its footing in the meantime but for the moment seemed to had only watched on wearily as the two conversed. Whether it heard them or not was debatable. But it definitely didn't miss Roxas suddenly coming down upon with with a shower of blizzaga spells. It ducked and wove as best as it could. The first spell missed. As did the second when it lost its balance from only having the one wing and nearly fell back to the ground. As the doll released the wing from its shoulder, the third one hit the ground before it, freezing one of its legs in place momentarily. And as it struggled to pull itself from that, the last one impacted its other leg. The doll took a moment to try and break away before it was looking up, just catching a glimpse of Roxas before he was behind her. And then its arms were being immobilized by him. The doll suddenly started to struggled almost feverishly. Trying to pull away.

And then it fell stark still. As Two Becomes One found itself plunged into the doll's belly. And suddenly, there came a high pitched wail from the doll. Xion twisted the keyblade before tearing it out and another cry emitted from it, its legs giving out as darkness encased its form. Xion herself hopped back, watching with malicious intent... ]

[...as none other than Xion appeared from the swirling darkness. Black mist pluming in heaps from the inflicted wound. Her eyes were glassy as she fell forward. Catch her or not, she wouldn't be moving. Although she whispered softly.]

Rox... as...

[Too much happened in that instant for him to really process. At first things were going flawlessly, the Blizzaga spells impeded the doll's movement -at first by forcing it to dodge and then by actually freezing it. It even managed not to overpower him when he seized its arms behind its back. He felt great, as soon as Xion either secured it or knocked it out, he'd be able to explain things and then he might have a chance to make sense out of some of this.

He really had to learn not to let himself get too excited over these things.

The shrill cry was his first sign that something had gone wrong. To his utter shock and appellation, Xion had completely disregarded his suggestion to just restrain the doll and like a fool, he'd set her up perfectly to deal a fatal blow.

Roxas could feel the blood draining from his face as he watched as his friend display a brutality he'd had reserved for only a select few in the world. He cringed as he watched her twist and pull the blade, eliciting another shriek from the doll before it crumbled before him.

And then to his horror -like with Riku, like he had feared once that little voice in the back of his head got through to him, it became Xion.

All at once, puzzle pieces began to frantically try and assemble themselves in his head and the only thing he'd been able to come up with was that he was going about things all wrong. He was taking too much at face value and in the process, he was either directly or indirectly terminating his friend.

Watching what used to be the doll fall forward, he lunged and neatly caught her, curling an arm around her as he knelt with the form of his friend he was most used to in his arms. His mind was racing -her wound was vicious and he needed to act quickly.]

Curaga!

[He called out his spell; a brilliant, shimmering halo forming around the two of them as he hoped that somehow, the damage could be undone.

Roxas hadn't paid any mind to the Xion he'd been fighting along side while tending to the wounds of the one in his arms.]

I- I don't know what got into you, but I was afraid of something like this when I told you that we should take it alive.

[There was a mix of emotion in his voice; restraint, disappointment, fear and even mild aggravation. Yet still he didn't actually turn to look at the Sora!Xion. Blame him being naive, trying not to remember that cruel expression on her face when she dealt the finishing blow. He wanted to believe that Xion -no matter what version, fragment, or whatever, was still his friend.]

Part of it's my fault for not explaining. But I didn't expect you to do this!

Edited 2011-01-10 05:17 (UTC)

[Considering the extent of the damage, one curaga spell while not ineffective still wasn't enough to alleviate a wound with such depth although feeling that spell cast upon her, Xion's mouth twitched, trying for an apologetic smile of relief. But it felt like her whole body was on fire. She couldn't even manage another word try as she might. So, instead, she was set to trying to watch him through half-lidded eyes. Slipping in and out of consciousness.

And all the while, the Xion who had been the cause of the wound? Stood there simply staring. Motionless. With an emotionless expression rooted to her face. One that slowly curved into a sly smile. She looked nothing like either herself or even Sora now. Her expression was dark. And disgustingly sadistic as she suddenly turned her keyblade on Roxas himself, holding it to his throat all of a sudden.]

That was the point. What better way than to use a means to an end. Or beginning, I guess I should say. And you just followed without even giving it a second thought. But then you always trusted me so easily.

[She spat the last part out cynically.] Seems like you always put your trust in the wrong people though. Such a shame~

Seems I'm being called into work today, hopefully see you later tonight.

/o/ And seems you're off now.

Yup. Paycheck today was nice though.

I suppose it would be.

And tomorrow, I see how much of it I get to play with.

1/2 F-Ffff. True?

2/3 And I lied.

3/3 And another account. F-Fffff.

If this wasn't so entertaining, I'd start haggling you for borderline playercest.

Hey. HEY. It's the DR. It's legal. |D BE NICE.

I said if it wasn't so entertaining. So take that compliment and run with it.

Yeah, yeah. Whatever. ;D

What? I can back-handedly compliment you.

Like a jerkface. 8| F-Ffff..

Cause it wouldn't be fun if I were completely nice.

Yeah, but it'd save me a lot of trouble. ;D

Cause I'm such a nice guy, I'll just be straight-up nice next time things call for it.

Someone's certainly full of crap today. ;D

Tell you what. I'll be nice the day you decide to do the same.

Tch. I was nice or don't you remember?

I remember. I'm just saying that I'll be nice again when you are.

1/2 Sure, sure~

2/2

Ah, how I love the edit button

Of course. It's the edit button. So glorious~