kingdomdressing | (no subject)

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even

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[Now that he's figured out the basics of locomotion, Even is once again out and about. Mostly, he's looking for a particular incarnation of Xehanort, but given that he's absolutely the farthest thing from inconspicuous right now, he wouldn't be at all surprised to find himself stopped along the way. And if he happens to find his own body along the way, well, he certainly isn't going to complain.

He's simply hoping he can manage both before he has to deal with too many stairs. He's figured out down, but up is still a little tricky.]

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[He might find himself stumbling - so to speak - on a rather unusual little sight, somewhere near the entrance to the Hollow Bastion room.

Heartless. Little ones. ... and one big one, sitting in their centre, coat splayed out around him. They seem, somewhat, to be listening.]

... it's been great meeting you all and I'm glad you're here, but I really need to get out and get some- oh! Hello, there!

[He recognizes the smaller Heartless sooner than he does the larger one. He can tell that there are certainly similarities to the Xehanort he knows, yes, but he isn't particularly familiar with Ansem. Still, he can manage polite well enough, and he offers a nod.]

Good afternoon.

Wow, it's that late already? I really need something to eat...

[The other Heartless turn and look, as if wondering what naga tastes like.]

... no, I don't think he's food. Come on.

I should hope not!

[The voice is still the one that belongs with the body in question, but the strident tones behind it are very clearly Even's.]

[Yeah. Very familiar. He gives a little bit of a laugh, one far too friendly for an Ansem.]

Huh. You sound just like my - my guardian, I guess? [... and he rubs his head, as an odd sensation courses through it. Getting to his feet-]

And they won't hurt you. I won't let them hurt you. I think they listen to me.

Is that so?

[That is in fact a naga making some of the same expressions that Even habitually makes, yes. He's still not really familiar with the idea of Heartless actually listening to people, after all.]

[He nods. Seeming more and more familiar... he doesn't know what to make of things, though. On one hand, that's definitely not Even's looks. On the other, he doesn't look like himself, either. On another (borrowed from somewhere), he wouldn't be surprised at looking like this when he's older, so why would Even be so drastically different...]

It is! All of it. I was told they're not so good to be around, but they seem fine to me...

[Aw, look. He's even giving a Shadow a bit of a pet.]

You were told so no doubt because they are so. Their current set of reactions is quite contrary to what I have usually seen of them.

They listen. That's ... all I can tell.

[All looking so innocent, so sweet.]

I don't know anything else! I just - kind of woke up and I was in there [gesturing at the door], with them, like this, and they like me... I know you're saying that. Even said it too. It's just so ... strange.

[Even isn't buying the innocence. Not when he tends to the cynical at the best of times. Not when the Heartless are standing right there.]

Of course I said it! Why should I-- [His brain catches up to his mouth at that point, realizing that there aren't very many people he has talked to about the Heartless.]

Xehanort?

Yes, it's me! - oh. [He looks down at himself again, looks back up.] That's you? Even? But ... you don't look anything like yourself! I know I changed, but I'm not ...

[You know. A great big snake guy.]

It's a bodyswap. Of course you aren't necessarily going to look as different as I do.

... oh. That explains that. [Perfectly calm about it all.] Well, I hope mine's alright. Yours too.

I suppose it could certainly be worse.

Mmm. [He nods. It could be a lot worse indeed.]

I don't know what being a snake feels like? But for me? This feels great!

Is that so?

[Nope, not talking about what it's like to be a snake.]

[Enthusiastic nodding.] I mean, it's kind of nice being bigger. But there's something else here, too... I don't know what it is.

[The word you're looking for, kid, is 'darkness'.]

I wish I did. But it feels ... [eleven-year-old's vocabulary failing him, he settles on] good.

I see. Regardless, we should likely leave your "friends" behind if we are to go anywhere. I doubt people will take to them.

[His face falls. He looks down at them all-]

Sorry. Wait here for me, okay?

[There's precious little sign most of them have heard.]

Are you certain they're listening to you?

I'm pretty sure? They've been doing what I say so far...

I hope you're correct for both our sakes.

[He nods, fidgets a bit in an un-Ansem way.]
Should we ... be going?

Yes. We should.

[And without much further ado, Even sets about slithering off again. He trusts Xehanort will follow him, and that is enough.]

Be good! Really!

[And he's off after Even. Hee. Okay, it's definitely easier to keep up like this.]

[Even rather doubts they'll stay as good as Xehanort wants them to, but he doesn't comment on it. Instead, he works on making his way towards his place.]

[And following. Curious as ever-]

So what's it like?

What do you think it would be like?

[A moment's thoughtful pause, and he goes with-]

... Strange. Was it hard to learn to - uh, not walk, but...

To travel. And yes, it was.

[He nods.]

Any new experience has to have something good to it. I guess.

Edited 2012-07-30 10:44 (UTC)

It certainly has its merits. Perhaps not the expected ones, but there's something to be gained from it all the same.

And you can't really expect this...? So what are the good bits?

[That gets an honest grin out of Even, revealing a mouthful of rather sharp teeth. It's not all back being part snake.]

[And that gets an appreciative grin and laugh back.]

Cool!

I thought you might say as much.

Well, it is!

Mmm.

[Even falls silent then, as he heads onwards. It's not an uncommon occurrence, really. He's not built to keep up with incessant chatter, and he's long since stopped trying.]

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