(no subject)

[capax_infiniti]

Characters: Master Xehanort and open to anyone
Setting: Floor 29, either inside the maze or out (specify where in your reply please!)
Format: Starting prose, but will match whatever (HE JUST LIKES TO HEAR HIMSELF TALK)
Summary: Xehanort likes things that exercise his mind HEY THERE'S A NEW MAZE TIME TO SHOW IT WHO'S BOSS.
Warnings: LMAO IT'S XEHANORT. I'm so sorry forever. Also, your standard disclaimer applies.

The emergence of new floors was fascinating in its own way, and Xehanort had decided to waste no time in exploring what he could. The twenty-seventh floor had been exciting in its own right, something else to occupy his time outside of his research and explorations. However, stepping onto the twenty-ninth floor he was quite surprised to see another picturesque floor. He had never been one for horticulture - cultivating living things in such a fashion was more Eraqus' style. Still, he was able to appreciate the variety and arrangement of the flowers, but even more so was the specific borders of the hedges...

Now this was right up his alley. He was no stranger to hedge mazes, as some worlds used them quite extensively. He did enjoy the ever-changing labyrinths on the eighth floor, but the change of scenery would pleasant... and if there was a maze, there was an end, and what laid in wait at that end he needed to know. A grin cut across his face as he cleared his mind for the moment, preparing to count his steps, to become the master of this maze just as he was the master of everything else he set himself to.

Comments

[tempustemporum]

Considering what happened in the last maze, Ienzo wasn't as enamored as Xehanort was with exercising his mind. However, for whatever reason he did find himself poking around the entrance to Floor 29 today. It's the first time he's moved up to this floor (Ienzo has been hesitant with where he traveled, as he does whenever a new 'block' opens up), but the very odd presence of a similarly odd man makes him stop. Specifically, it is the expression on the dark-skinned face, a grin bordering on the wicked. So obviously the best thing to do was to engage him in conversation.

"Are you planning to enter this place?"

[capax_infiniti]

It's not hard to recognize the young boy, Ansem the Wise's adopted apprentice and constant companion. They were a constant pair in Radiant Garden, especially at the ice cream stand. Seeing Ienzo here, alone, is a bit of a surprise, but not an unpleasant one.

Xehanort turns the corners of his grin up a bit in a less-threatening way, a more pleasant sort of grin as he looks down to address the boy. "Indeed I am, young man. These labyrinths are an excellent way to keep the mind sharp, and what lies at the end remains to be seen..."

[tempustemporum]

And hilariously, Ienzo doesn't recognize him at all -- and he can't recognize the obvious stains of Darkness either, for that matter. Three cheers for canon points! The expression turns kinder as he realizes that there was someone else in the area, but... "Be careful, I suppose." He narrows his eyes at the nearest entrance into the hedge maze, clearly distrustful of anything the Tower can vomit up. This man may think that it will be a fine exercise to stretch his brain, but he begs to differ.

[capax_infiniti]

He chuckles politely, nodding in acknowlegement at Ienzo's words, fingers flexing a little bit from where he has them clasped behind his back. "I have yet to see it throw something at me that I cannot handle, but your warning is appreciated."

[tempustemporum]

Oh really. His brows furrow ever so slightly at the man's haughtiness (though of course he can only see one of them), not entirely sure how trustworthy that comment was. Maybe he is a newcomer, or is simply lying -- or maybe he even can handle what the Tower has thrown him so far. But it will get worse with time. It is all time.

"It is a new floor, and the tower has never been shy with their obstacles. Are you not wary?"

[reversedestiny]

[Mazes are a distraction. And that's what he needs: a distraction. So he's currently wandering it, not trying all that hard to get out. He's just... Wandering, as of right now. Not really paying attention to anything.]

[capax_infiniti]

[Look out Darkra, here comes a man on a mission. He's taking his time to examine the maze and learn as much about it as possible, but he is slowly working his way through. He takes a corner before stopping, feeling a familiar presence... and then a slow smile works its way across his face.

And now he's heading towards the source of that feeling. Sorry, Darkra.]

[reversedestiny]

[Darkra's not paying attention, so. No need to apologize. He's pretty much asking for it right now, head tilted back to stare up at the ceiling a moment while he stands in the intersection of a few paths.]

[capax_infiniti]

[After a little bit of manoevering he manages to round a corner, finally coming across the distracted young man.]

Good day to you.

[mythgravenblade]

[ so many new floors was jarring after he'd just started to get used to the other ones. he preferred floor thirty-two and it's calming lushness--it reminded him all too much of the forest near his home, and he could lose himself inside that forest if it wasn't for the fact that his light dimmed to nothing and he felt as if he was just a commoner. in that respect, floor twenty-nine is a relief--the dim glow of his skin is back and along his Paladin armor. although... Cecil has never been one for mazes. his sense of direction was normally sound when in an airship, but on the ground... well, there was a reason, he supposed, that Sight was among the first spells he learned as a Paladin.

the spell allowed him to see a mental map of the region--it didn't quite work with the maze as hoped, but it was good enough that his mind was focused, and he nearly completely passed Xehanort in his determination to get out.

nearly. his focus broke as he realized he'd just passed by a resident, and stepped back. ]

Have you sought to explore, as well?

[capax_infiniti]

[Xehanort managed a smile at the familiar face. Appearances, appearances.]

I have indeed, my good man. Nothing like a labyrinth to keep the mind sharp.

[mythgravenblade]

I truthfully am not used to this sort of exercise.

[ his friendly smile turns slightly sheepish, and he lifts a hand to his head. ]

There are many mazes in your world, then?

[capax_infiniti]

[Lets his smile continue, good-naturedly.] There's a few worlds that have them. Some use them as security features. Others, they're simply entertainment. Myself, I enjoy a challenge.

[justabignobody]

[Riku isn't exactly a fan of mazes, but while bypassing it wouldn't be much of a problem for him - reasons why the access to the Corridors of Darkness is probably the most useful of the abilities he has gained from the Darkness - it would be foolish to keep from exploring at least once.

Who knows when (not if, but when, because honestly... it's probably just a question of time) Vanitas or Xehanort or the tower hatch their next scheme and he'd never live it down if that happened to somehow involve the maze and he got himself totally lost out of dislike and laziness.

Besides, it makes for a good excise, something to do to keep his thoughts from returning again and again to the events of the last month, to the answers he had gotten since, to the questions that are still open.

It distracts him enough to keep him from noticing that far too familiar Darkness that has entered the maze as well.]

[capax_infiniti]

[It's rare that Xehanort lets himself be so preoccupied. When he feels that familiar twining of darkness and light, he takes note. If it isn't his dear friend "Ansem"... perhaps they have similar hobbies to go along with the similar names in their mutual histories.

Is it time for round two, perhaps? If nothing else, they could exchange some strained pleasantries and perhaps discuss the weather on the various floors they've been to that day.

While Xehanort doesn't change his course directly, he does make a point of choosing the paths he feels will bring him down the same route as Riku. It's only a matter of time.]

[justabignobody]

[Thankfully, Riku isn't quite that careless to let his guard totally down. it takes until he is almost at the intersection of their paths until he feels that scent of powerful darkness roll over him - making him freeze on the spot for just a second - leaving a bad taste on the bad of his tongue and his stomach twisting coldly, because this time he knows just who it belongs to.

And at least some of what this man has done.

It would be easy to avoid this confrontation, to call upon a Corridor and slip away. But while that option does cross Riku's mind, it's dismissed almost instantly - as things are now it's likely that avoidance will give away far more than letting things play out.

Besides he's never been one to run away.

So he continues on towards that intersection. Time for round two, indeed.]

[capax_infiniti]

[A tight grin as he can feel himself slowly drawing closer with each counted step. There's no change in Riku's course, no attempts to distance or draw away that he can see. Has the young man noticed him? Or does the young man actually wish to cross his path? It could simply be coincidence or it could be desire. He'll find out soon enough.

When he finally does round the corner, it's at his least aggressive. Hands simply clasped behind his back as he walks slowly with his trademark hunch. It's the most disarmed he can appear, and it serves him well enough.

His eyes drift to Riku for a moment, as though in realization, and he inclines his head slightly.]

Good day, "Ansem".

[While he's not apt to mime air quotes, his voice does indicate a small amount of disbelief.]

I meant to tag this ages ago I am so sorry... orz

[attheclocktower]

Xion was slowly getting back into the swing of things after all that had happened. The new floors were a great distraction, in that regard. Especially when she stumbled on floor 29 and simply... stared.

It was almost as if someone had plucked out a bit of Wonderland and placed it here in the Tower. The nostalgia alone made her step off the stairs and into the hedge maze to explore. She half expected to see rose bushes or card soldiers when she turned around corners, and out of habit she slipped into something a little more stealthy, her movements light, peeking around the corners in front of her before turning.

It was a maze though, with many paths an intersections where one might not notice someone else appearing until it's too late. Not that Xion has seen anyone yet, a stark difference from the place the maze reminded her of...

it's all right :3

[capax_infiniti]

There's a familiar feeling as he follows a path that doubles back a bit - light, someone he's spoken with before... the young man who looked like Ventus but was called Xion. He'd been rather skittish, so Xehanort isn't quite sure another encounter so soon would be appropriate, but...

Well, if their paths cross in the maze, then there's little avoiding it. Truth be told, he would like to speak with the boy again...

((Also, for amusement's sake, if it's okay he'll probably see her in her proper form if for some reason her hood's down? I think you said he'd be able to. if not, that's fine and I don't mind him still thinking that XD))

[attheclocktower]

The odd mix of familiarity and silence was enough that - when she found herself stepping out into a four-way crossroads, she came to a halt and pushed her hood back.

She should have been mentally mapping the maze. She'd been trying but without a mini-map general picture of where the maze started and ended and how it was shaped, it was difficult. Still... at least it was quiet. She couldn't see or hear anybody nearby. After a moment's hesitation, she brushed back her hood, letting it drape across her back.

Mazes made things hard to find, but it also made it hard for someone to be found. And that was something she wanted, on some level. A safe place to hide from others if she needed to, though really no place in the Tower was safe, and there was always the risk of getting permanently lost in a maze. She should probably keep going, or else getting stuck here...

She took a few steps forward, before a glimpse of movement out of the corner of her eye made her freeze and turn.

"Wh-who's there?"

Maybe it was overreacting, to immediately go on the defensive, but given what had happened in the past few weeks, she wasn't about to take any chances that this was Vanitas or something to that effect.

((Sounds good to me! Though even with her hood up he'd still probably hear/see a hooded girl, I think... idk it's not an issue now |D))

[capax_infiniti]

Upon hearing Xion's voice he frowned for a moment. Something didn't sound right. It felt like Xion, but the voice was... different. Female? It was not something he would have overlooked on their initial meeting. Was it a trick of the tower, or perhaps the sound harmonics of the maze? He was certain he was not mistaken, one couldn't simply forge the tides of the heart after all. He stepped forward, holding himself in a non-threatening position. He was rather hoping to prevent the boy from fleeing by assumimg a rather defenseless posture, perhaps one typical of an elderly man his age.

Of course it was mostly just for show. The darkness he wore beneath his skin kept him far more spry than he would have been naturally.

"Simply Xehanort. I did not mean to startle you," he said simply, then is words trailed away. The person before him was not Xion, but a young lady... and for a brief moment, he was caught off guard.

Action.

[drknss_bnd_lght]

[A new maze was something that Ventus embraced readily, allowing himself to get lost within it. Anything was better than thinking right now - dwelling on the past on things that he couldn't change - on the fact that a certain someone was here, and while it wasn't the one he knew...

He was still scared to death that the one he knew would turn up.

And that was something that Ventus did not want to dwell on. Hence why he was exploring this new maze, not even bothering to try and find his way out.

Just hope that you don't mind a blindfolded young man literally bumping into you, Xehanort. And looking pretty startled by this as he thought he was along here.] Uh - Sorry I didn't mean to -

[Ok that might be a large dose of fear given what happened last time he was in a maze.]

Re: Action.

[capax_infiniti]

[WELL HELLO THERE TOY OF MINE

A delighted grin that's probably better that you can't see.]

Ah, Ventus. Quite a surprise to encounter you here...

[He's not going to touch you yet, since he wants to see if you're going to bolt and run first.]

sob. that icon. B|

[drknss_bnd_lght]

[HE'S NOT A TOY.

Yeaa. He'd be running a mile if he could see it. Or something like that sob.] Uh, Master Xehanort..

[Nope, not going to bolt. But that fear does calm down a bit, as it's Not Vanitas, so things are cool. Maybe.

Pity that the alertness isn't so quick to fade.] Uh. Sorry. I wasn't paying attention.

Re: sob. that icon. B|

[capax_infiniti]

[You are the best toy now shhhhh.]

No harm was done, Ventus. Relax.

How have you been?