kingdomdressing | (no subject)

[Curiously, he glanced about his new surroundings, wondering with some amount of confusion how she would have known about this place. With the understanding that all of this was still his friend's inner world, there were a great many questions he still had about what just transpired.

It was difficult for him to say if having both Xions back there fade away like that was a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand, it could have meant that they were at peace now and didn't need to interact with him anymore. The alternative that worried him was just that too much damage had been done and he'd eventually get out to find that she would just never wake.

Pushing that train of thought aside with the shake of his head, he moved closer to the pod, trying to distinguish the figure held within. At this point, Roxas wasn't willing to discount anything being inside, but the smaller frame did at strike him as passingly familiar. But for the moment, all he could do was watch and see -he didn't remember even really doing anything other than approaching the last one of these he'd seen. And with luck, if this was going to be his end again, he figured he would think of something better to say than last time.]

[As Roxas drew closer to the pod, at first nothing but the pitter patter of his own footfalls followed him. The room was so quiet... Ironic, really. Considering right around that time last time, DiZ had shown up to taunt him one last time before he merged with his other. But what didn't change was how the pod seemed to react to him the moment he drew close enough. It slowly peeled away as it had once before. Gingerly...

But it wasn't Sora that came into view. Not Sora... but the small frame of someone in an Organization coat. Their hood was obscuring their face. Their mouth a relaxed line as if they were sleeping. But without a doubt...]

See?

[Off to the side from him, standing clad in his armor again, stood the boy from before. Unlike last time, he was transparent. But he still bore the same quietly determined glint to his eyes... although this time that was paired with a reassuring smile.]

Forgotten, but not lost. Wasn't it?

[At first, Roxas didn't even turn to acknowledge the mysterious stranger again, his eyes remaining fixed on that familiar form in the pod. Some part of him was feeling nostalgic, musing that he hadn't seen her with her hood up in such a manner since their introduction and first few missions together. Simultaneously worse and better times, he figured; better because everything was so simple from their standpoints and yet worse in just about every other way.

When the other boy finished speaking, the Nobody just gave a nod.]

Yeah. I completely misunderstood everything.

[After just staring for a little, he turns to the translucent figure. Somehow, his state isn't surprising. His next few steps echoing through the room, he approaches, calling Lost Memory to his hand before offering it.]

This is yours.

It was strange... you gave me that power, but when I got out and saw that you were right -I realized that all I needed was right in front of me. Just seeing that under all that pain was my friend. She just needed someone to listen.

Thank you.

[The expression on his face shifts to one of mild embarrassment as his free hand goes to scratch the side of his head and his gaze averts to the side.]

If you hadn't told me, I probably wouldn't have been much better off then in the long run.

[He carefully retrieved Lost Memory from Roxas' grasp, the keyblade becoming just as transparent as he, himself, the moment it left Roxas' hold. Keeping to that same smile. One that turned a bit humored by the way the other reacted in such an abashed manner.]

It's not an easy thing to do. To figure things out like that. [It had taken him experience. Experience of seeing through the eyes of others. And learning from his own follies. Always chasing but never getting that chance to... He shook his head mildly.]

And sometimes not even the closest of friends listen. [A faint chuckle and he was rubbing his nose just a little.] But what matters is you found a way- So, go on. Go wake her up already. You don't want to keep her waiting, do you? [Because a certain someone had once told him it was rude to keep a lady waiting.]

[He wanted to ask the stranger questions, to talk and learn about what he was certain was some kind of link between the two of them. Despite appearances, his instincts were telling him now that this was not alternate version of himself, but somehow a different person entirely that looked like him... or perhaps Roxas looked like him. It was difficult to say.

But he knew that he wasn't going to get answers. Not now anyway.

So he nods and offers a resigned smile as he turns to face the pod once more.]

Yeah, I shouldn't.

[He walks over and eyes the setup curiously, examining it from several angles before turning to his translucent friend somehow looking more embarrassed than he looked a few moments ago.]

Uhm... I can't figure out how to open it.

[And he could feel those burning questions. Without a doubt, he could. And... couldn't really blame him. but they were really... questions that even if they had been answered... they wouldn't really change the present. So, to that.. He just watched Roxas, giving an encouraging nod before the other boy was following his feet back to the pod. Studying it... before looking back at him. A little more than obviously perplexed about its arrangement. A goofy smile of his own came about.]

Uh... Don't look at me.

[Of course, it would be in that very moment that the pod seemed to release its hold of her. Her small form slowly descended to the bottom of the pod... before falling forward. He pointed towards her with a shout.]

Hey, look sharp!

[He didn't need to be told twice. And while it sadly meant that he might be prone to falling for certain tricks, as soon as he followed the mystery doppelganger's direction, he found his body reacting well in advance of his thoughts.

The Nobody's feet carried him swiftly, bounding toward the pod as he saw that familiar form descend. His somewhat paranoid sense of logic was telling him to be weary, but his feelings opted to disregard that. An Air Slide carried him just to where he needed to be when she came tumbling forward.

Arms outstretched, Roxas skid to a halt as he saw her fall out. But with his luck, while he's practically assured that he'll catch her, because she's falling forward, the two just might end up in a somewhat compromising position. But then, with any due fortune, he'll be able to right things before she comes to.]

[With any luck, mm? Well, he did catch her. That was for certain. But compromising or not... That consideration was left unanswered. At least- not answered right away. For the moment he came into contact with her, there was another bright flicker of light. And then another jolt of memories rushing through him. So fast, it was unlikely that he would discern anything from them. Just quick snapshots of fragments. And all the while, his mind's eye's vision was slowly going white...]

It's done.

[The voice came through, clearer than ever... Familiar yet not. All the same, Naminé sat there- nearby once more. Already distant from the two. But then it wasn't without reason. As Roxas' vision would clear, he would find Xion lulled up against him, fallen with her body halfway off the bench... and very uncomfortably off the bench. Their hands still linked and her head resting almost on his stomach rather than his chest. Breathing softly... Her form yet to shift as it had before.

Naminé studied him with a neutral expression all the same.]

[When the world around him came back into focus, he couldn't help but to just sit there and blink a few times. He hadn't forgotten what he'd been doing or where he'd been, but admittedly the whole ordeal felt like it must've taken at least a couple hours... regardless of how much time had actually passed.

Frankly, he was feeling both physically and emotionally exhausted.

Yet as soon as all the little details of reality sank in, the first thing he did was to push Xion back onto the bench and into a more comfortable position -completely neglecting to let go of her hand. Roxas takes in a deep breath and lets his mind try to settle before turning his attention to Naminé.]

Did it work?

[At his inquiry, Naminé nodded tentatively. She was already making to stand. Her task finished, she felt little obligation to stay any longer unless Roxas wanted her to. But not quite leaving yet. Still a few choice words had to be shared.]

She should be waking up soon. [A ghost of a smile traced her lips.] I can't tell you how long it'll fool her programming. Some lasted longer than others. And you'll both probably dream of new memories from the others. [She couldn't exactly remove them. Only divide the burden.] But she'll... be alright now.

[He nods in reply, thinking all of that over. It bothered him that it was just a fix for now, but if nothing, that provided them with a new goal -one that they'd be seeking an answer to together. And in all honesty, he didn't mind that in the least.

However, before she leaves, he does speak up to get a few thoughts off his chest before they part ways. Whatever this new world is, it seems to be pretty big and there's no telling when they'll meet again. So that just adds a little to the urgency of getting things out now.]

Thank you. For all you've done. I really appreciate it... I'm sure she does too.

[There's a moment of hesitance on his part, but he's doing what he can as far as thinking ahead goes. It's admittedly nothing he's too good with, but he's at least trying.]

And before you go, do you have any kind of lead for us? If she might break down again, that means I -we, need a way to stabilize her. For good.

Do you know where we could find some kind of clue on how to do that?

[Despite whatever powers were invested in her, it really couldn't be a surprise that it was only temporary. Memories were fickle. And anything to deal with replicas... It was something not a stray Naminé was really aware of. Truthfully, they were very fortunate that she even knew how to do what she had. She nodded at his gratitude. Just a simple bow of her head before she was starting on her way- only to pause at his question.

She looked back at him, her expression stoic although her eyes bled an apology.] If you meet a Vexen who would be willing, he might be able to help you. But so far, I haven't seen one that would. ...But if I do meet anyone, I'll let you know.

[While giving Naminé a majority of his attention, he's at least sparing enough to make sure he's keeping Xion in a comfortable position. Sleeping or not, taking care of his friend like this was of the utmost importance. And that included the long-term of things too.

So he nodded again, adding to his mental checklist the task of finding a Vexen to provide him with information. He didn't get a chance to know the Nobody so well during his time in the Organization -just that the guy was as cold as the magic he specialized in... and from personal interaction, that he was a condescending jerk.

If he'd have to make that one talk by force, he honestly didn't think he'd feel any reservations about starting a chat like that off with a little frustration venting.]

Thank you -again, for everything. I learned a lot too while I was in there.

[While the matter of the boy that looked like him still bothered him a great deal, he had a hunch that she'd know about as much about that as he did. So he figured he'd spare that barrage of questions for now. He was getting the impression that she wanted to leave anyway.]

Keep in touch then.

[She... really couldn't be blamed for wanting to. It was... still really odd to meet him. She just... didn't know how to hold herself. Knowing who he was... His connection to Sora... Yet never having really met him until the dressing room. It was all so bizarre.... But she... It was hard. Really hard. Especially when he was kind to her like so.

Naminé nodded again... drawing out maybe the faintest of smiles.] I will.

[She spoke those words carefully. And then she was making her way again. Disappearing around a corner shortly.]

[It wasn't long after she had left, either. That Roxas would feel a twitch of her fingers, lightly gripping the hand that he had holding hers. Her brow just furrowing slightly. And then a soft hitch of breath as she seemed to be coming around...]

[He sighs as the other blond walks off. While it wouldn't have made any difference in him going and doing what he just had, some part of him wishes he'd known it would've turned into such an ordeal. With all that happened, he felt exhausted and he knew that there was so much to be done.

Even before he could go through the task of explaining to her all that he'd learned and his personal concern for how long she'd hold up with things as they were, he'd at least have to find them a place to stay for now. And of course, he was sure she'd make some fuss about how all of what happened effected him, but he honestly wasn't too concerned with that.

At least for this moment, after all that happened, he decided that he wanted her to see him smile when she woke up. So he waits and watches with the grin of a guy that had just been to hell and back for the sake of someone dear to him. And when she'd wake up, he figured what he'd say would be simple.]

Morning Xion.

Edited 2011-01-24 08:41 (UTC)

[The first thing she felt was something warm. Encased around her one hand. She wasn't sure what to think of it at first- it was hard to with her gloves on -as she slowly relapsed from her unconscious state. Her mind just about as fuzzy and muddled as it had been several hours before when she had first landed in the dressing room. Only... far less detached at least. So, for a moment... just a moment, she focused on that feeling... tried to make reason of it... Her hand gripping a little tighter before her fingers were stretching over him, curling over his knuckles. What...?

And then that voice. That familiar voice. As soon as she heard it, it was like the fog had suddenly been lifted from her mind- because she knew that voice. Knew it so well. Knew that soft, careful touch. That touch- from that familiar hand... belonging to that familiar voice... She found herself squeezing his hand. Just trying to measure out the reality of things. Even as her eyes slowly winced open- S-So bright was the light. When had she... When had she fallen asleep...? She didn't... No, there was... She continued to ponder it as her vision became clear... only for those thoughts to momentarily be forgotten at the sight of Roxas. Of that smile like the sun. Warm and inviting. But yet... worn, for some reason. And that concerned her.]

...Roxas?

[The sensation of her hand's grip on his shifting is the first bit of feedback to him that she's really coming around. It's enough that he's content to just watch that for a moment before he returns with a ginger squeeze -if not just for the sake of re-affirming to her that he was there and that he hadn't left her. Well, at least he hadn't moved physically from there.

As he watched Xion come around, he knew that there would be much to talk about. He certainly had no intent to back out on his promise to be honest with her, it's just that he figured that after all of the ordeal he consciously remembered going through and just whatever of that she remembered, the idea of just relaxing somewhere was really appealing.

Well, at least for the moment, everything seemed like it was alright and personally, he was fine with that -at least until they had a chance to recover. While he'd been mulling all of that over, he'd been careful to make sure his expression didn't change, hopefully he didn't end up looking any more beaten-up than he already looked.

So Roxas nods before speaking up.]

You really gave me a scare there. How're you feeling?

[Gave him... Gave him a scare? She held his hand just a little firmer at that. Having felt his react with her own just seconds before. There was an underlying feeling... definitely set in the way he looked to him. It was partially hidden... but Roxas, you never had the best poker face. In fact, it was no better now than it was then- and the words made things a dead give away that something- she didn't know what -but something had occurred. Had stolen her consciousness for some reason.

But he was trying so hard...

She took a moment to just... focus on his face. Flickers of ghosts of- of what she wasn't sure. They weren't of any memories she had known before. And it was strange... like they were fresh. But they fizzled out just as quickly as they surfaced and Xion just... breathed. Closing her eyes once more before shaking her head softly...] I'm feeling alright... [Thanks to you... isn't it. Drawing her eyes open once more and looking to him softly.] ...Sorry. That I worried you. ...What happened?

Edited 2011-01-25 02:19 (UTC)

[Honestly, he didn't really have anything to hide. He had every intention to discuss everything with her once they found some place where they could relax. It was just he didn't want him looking as worried as he felt when she woke up.

He watches Xion carefully as she pulls herself together, his expression dropping a notch when she apologies before he waves his hand dismissively.]

Don't worry about it, the important thing is that you're okay right now.

[Roxas pauses a moment, clearing his throat before continuing.]

Anyway, honestly? A lot happened. Some of it, I'm still trying to sort through. If you'd like, I can just tell you here. But I thought we should find a place to stay first.

[Along those honest notes? He really wanted to know if she remembered anything the transpired. While there were some things he'd done within her inner world that he personally considered shameful, foremost to him was the promise he made.]

[Well... It probably was a good thing he hadn't. Because, knowing Xion, she would have been that ten fold just seeing the concern in his features. But for the time being, all that she appeared was lost. Cornered in the unknown. The last thing she remembered was opening that door... and then blank. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. No matter how hard to tried to recall. And it honestly did bother her. Even as he seemed to be taking things pretty well.

She might have pursued with questions. Especially considering he mentioned how a lot had happened. A lot of... what? Did they get into another mess of Heartless or... or what? Perhaps the only thing that really stopped her from asking was just... because of that underlying concern. Which was easily realized by the open space they were occupying as she finally pulled herself slowly up into a sitting position and had a look around. Something about the place... It made her feel vulnerable. Uneasy. Open spaces just didn't sit well with her at all. So... After a slow nod.]

...Yeah. Maybe... Maybe we should. -But after we do... I really would like to know what happened.

[He nods understandingly, wasting little time in getting to his feet. His body feels stiff and a little heavy -but he mused that at least his feet hadn't fallen asleep. He remembered one of those days he'd been waiting for Axel and Xion up on the clock tower and it happened then. Their taller friend sure had a laugh at his expense when he'd been acting like someone had dumped a box of thumbtacks into his boot.

Yeah, that was fairly uncomfortable and he was not looking forward to feeling that again.

So he gives himself a quick stretch, reminding his joints that he is not some kind of statue that just sisters there before offering his hand to Xion.

Roxas smiles, it's weary and he's certainly going to be needing to explain to her why he feels and at least looks a little like that Siege Machine from the Beast's Castle ran him over. But at least it is a genuine smile from him.]

I promised you I wouldn't keep any secrets.

So as soon as we get somewhere safe, I'll tell you everything.

[Her own body definitely.. definitely was feeling similarly. How long had she been out of it? Mm... Yet another thing to consider asking later. But for the moment... she started towards her own foothold on the world. A bit on the slow side though. Feeling sluggish... Whatever had happened had definitely ate up some of her usual energy. So when he offered that hand out to her, she gratefully took it. Looking to him with that same quiet smile. One that murmured a gratitude that didn't need to be spoken.]

Alright... Sounds. Sounds good...

[Reaffirming her grip on his hand... or was she squeezing it in assurance? Either way, she was carefully collecting herself to her feet then. At least attempting to. Roxas wasn't the only one dealing with the sleeping foot issue- only it was more of a leg. And how it gave out under her just as she put her weight onto it and she found herself nearly collapsing- catching herself the last moment but not before she had her other hand reached out, gripping his other arm for support. One awkward sort of half laugh later.] Guess... Guess I should take it a little easier....

[He'd nodded once they decided on a course of action, his hand squeezing back subconsciously as he shifted his weight a little to provide some better stability. Thankfully, he figured that if he was feeling not-entirely-balanced, she wouldn't be faring much better.

The instant Xion's balance gave out, he quickly moved, bringing his other arm into play so he could catch her -though it seemed that she was already thinking the same thing when her other hand reached out and grabbed onto it. Her half-laugh met with a playful grin.]

Yeah, it'll make more sense once we find an inn or something, but you've been through a lot.

[Roxas adjusts his footing and position, bringing Xion's arm over his shoulder and supporting her by reaching across her back and curling his hand to find purchase on her side. Admittedly, the closeness had the side-effect of making him feel that strange, somewhat pleasant awkwardness, but compared to all he'd just been feeling over the past however long had passed? That was a welcome sensation.]

Come on, I thought I saw a moogle not too far from here. It should be able to point us toward a place to stay.

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seasaltblues - 2011-01-26 06:01 (UTC) - Expand

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notquiteanobody.livejournal.com - 2011-02-01 08:42 (UTC) - Expand

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So then there just doesn't seem like much of a problem.

Heh... So perhaps there isn't, really.

Ya never know.

Ffff... Someone's talking in circles now. |D

It seemed slightly more amusing to say in my head. Anyway, last tag before work.

Fail~ Ffff.... It's all good though. And lame tag, but. Fff. HE'S A DURP LIKE YOU, ROXAS. WONDER WHY

Durps of a feather; durp together?

1/2 Mm... Pretty much. And oh ghey. I have the closing shift again tonight. 8|

2/2 And fff....

Works out fairly well then. Means you should be about done when I finally get back in.

I guess? It's 'til midnight. @@;;

And my laziness practically makes it bedtime for you when I finish.

Still up. Too stubborn to go to bed, of course. /o/

That makes it all the better then

1/2 XDD I guess?

2/2

Well it means that we get to see how this rolls along then, doesn't it?

True that /o/ At least a little longer.

Just enough to wrap up some non-plot-relevant loose ends.

After how many months? August, September, October... Six almost. @@;

Re: After how many months? August, September, October... Six almost. @@;

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