where nothing gathers

[madannoshashu]

Characters: Xigbar and Master Xehanort to start, then YOU!
Setting: All over the tower.
Format: Action log!
Summary: Xigbar has arrived and decides to explore his new home. Tag yourselves in and label the subject line with whichever floor you want to meet Xigbar on!
Warnings: Xigbar being...himself? Also, copious amounts of DARKNESS WORDS.

[Reunion times with Master Xehanort]

[ He doesn't believe it.

Head down in thought, he walks slowly through the corridors of the tower, considering what he's been told. He's received the explanations, considered their merit, and still found them lacking. The idea that the World That Never Was may no longer exist isn't something that bothers him -- not at all. Rather, it's the implication that everything has ceased to exist.

Lightly touching the collar on his neck, he pauses and lifts his head, the shadow of the hood he wears obscuring his features. The back of his neck prickles, a presence that is both familiar and not lingering on the fringes of his senses. It calls to him, and though it's been ten years and then some, he'd know that darkness anywhere.

He stands there for a moment longer, still and thoughtful. Shadows wrap around him then, carrying him to a different floor.

He lacks the precision of Zexion's nose, but he's sharp enough to seek until he finds. ]

---

[Troll times for the Tower!]

[ Good morning, tower! Today, there will be a dude in a black coat wandering around, exploring every inch of this new place. You may see him walking on walls or the ceiling depending on where he is. He also might invade your personal space, but hey! It's how he rolls. ]

Comments

[capax_infiniti]

[The cathedral is one of the areas on his regular strolls, as occasionally he'll find people there who are interesting to talk to. These sort of places had that allure, drawing the pious no matter their affiliation. Even if what they believed was not enshrined in this place, it was still of comfort.

One would expect a heretic such as him to be struck down by whatever powers sanctified such a place, but it had yet to happen. He'd even defiled the place, in a fashion - with help from Aqua, of course. There had been retribution, but not the sort that one would expect for such a high heresy.

He feels the plume of darkness forming behind him, but doesn't turn around. It's familiar enough but in an odd way, one that almost makes him stand up straight and take notice. Instead he simply clasps his hands tighter and waits for the portal to open.]

[madannoshashu]

[ It's only moments before he steps out, a dark figure, his face cast in shadow. He stares, the swirl of darkness lingering overlong, as though he's forgotten to dismiss it.

It's true.

The shadows dissipate, and he regards the old man with what might almost pass as surprise. This isn't what he expected, this place, this time -- but it's happening, isn't it?

The hood makes it impossible to see, but at long last, he smiles. ]

Now, there's a familiar face.

[capax_infiniti]

[The voice is familiar, and a tight smile crosses his face, although it's creased with a frown a moment later. He's wearing a Black Coat with the hood up, hiding himself away for whatever reason. No matter, it'll come off eventually...

Something does seem off, though. Maybe it's something in his voice, or a quality to the darkness lingering around him. Something's different.

He turns around to regard his most highly-regarded minion at last.]

For the moment, the advantage seems to be yours. Your report, Braig?

[madannoshashu]

[ Braig.

Something so simple shouldn't mean so much, but it does. It's been a long time since he's been called that name, nor does he even consider it his. He's Xigbar now, as befits his rank and title.

He's quiet a moment, considering that comment. "His advantage", indeed.

He scoffs lightly. ]

Does it?

[ He has his doubts, but what is, is. Almost carelessly, he pushes back the hood, his features more chiseled, aged beyond the younger man he once was. There's a sharpness to his look too, implying experience that comes with time. Taking that gray hair into account, one might almost think he was in his forties. Luckily for him, he's not so shriveled yet.

He mouth twists -- a crooked sort of irony. ]

A lot can change in ten years.

[capax_infiniti]

[His eyes follow the movement, roving across the Nobody's face, taking in the changes, the corners of his mouth turning up in what could almost be considered pleasure... an expression that perhaps only a scant few people have ever seen. Sheer delight.]

Then by all means, enlighten me. Tell me of how you have tended that which I have given you.

Halls.

[drknss_bnd_lght]

[Ventus instinctively moves to the side when he hears someone approach, slowing down just a fraction, mostly so that he wouldn't crash into anyone. Though, after a few seconds, he frowns. No one's passing him? That's... not right.] Huh..

[Cue one very, very confused keyblade derp, who looks something like an older Roxas, just dressed in a polo neck, jeans, joggers.... and a blindfold. A familiar paldron's also worn, though this one looks battered.

Along with that, Ventus is practically a beacon of darkness, what little light there is almost drowning.] I know someone's here...

o9

[madannoshashu]

[ He peers down at the other from his perch on the ceiling, tapping is chin lightly with a gloved finger. A familiar face, with an unfamiliar presence and appearance. What were the odds?

Drawing closer, his footfalls surprisingly silent, he hovers upside down. ]

You know, you could probably see better without that?

((ooc: No worries <3))

Re: o9

[drknss_bnd_lght]

I know, but it's better this way. [Despite not hearing footfalls, Ventus will look in the direction of the voice, face blank of most emotion, but there is a small frown. This isn't anyone he knows, which means someone new. Ventus blinks a bit under the blindfold then tilts his head slightly.] And... I don't mind.

[madannoshashu]

[ Seeing through blindfolds. Well, now he's seen everything. ]

You sure about that, kiddo?

Floor 15!

[attheclocktower]

[She'd been lucky as hell that nobody from the Organization (save Axel and Roxas, the latter of whom didn't even remember the Organization) had turned up in the Tower yet. With her loyalties already under such doubts, with her trust in them already virtually nonexistent, she didn't want to have to deal with facing any of them again.

Except when she catches a glimpse of black in the edge of her vision, turns and looks up and sees... a black coat walking on the ceiling of the room she's in....

Well, looks like her luck just ran out.

She promptly drops her project - sewing two pieces of fabric together (and actually doing a fairly decent job, compared to her first few attempts) - and pulls her hood up. She isn't sure if he'll remember, and even if he doesn't her black coat will still be of interest to him, she's fairly sure, but... having the hood up helps her feel less exposed. It's damage control, if nothing else.]

[madannoshashu]

[ He notices.

The black coat has always been fairly distinct, but the fact that this one's height and stature is smaller than even Roxas or the imposter who troubled them not so long ago piques his interest.

As if oblivious to her presence, he drops neatly on the ground and wanders out of her field of vision. It's only when it seems as though he's gone that he'll suddenly appear behind her, leaning over her shoulder. ]

Whatcha up to there, half-pint?

[attheclocktower]

[Xion's shoulders had slowly ridden up the longer he'd stayed there. She wasn't sure he'd seen her or not, though there wasn't any logical reason for him not to have. Yet he was acting like he wasn't. And then he leaves.

She waits, still tense, trying to peer around cautiously while not making it obvious - something hard to do with her hood up. She tries to keep working on her project too, though a slight tremor in her hands betrays the fact that her thoughts aren't entirely on her work. For a long time though, nothing happens, and the tension in her shoulders eases a little, as she considers what to do now. Probably find Axel at least, maybe Riku and Naminé as well. She might want to warn Roxas too - even if he doesn't remember them, they'll remember him, if Axel was any indication.

And then that voice sounds behind her. And between having been in the Tower for four months and with a death threat currently hanging over her head, she isn't taking too well to surprises at the moment. She starts violently and drops her project with a gasp, whipping around. As it is, she's just barely able to resist the urge to summon her Keyblade.

After a second of staring, realizing who it is, she finally manages to stammer a reply]

Nothing. N-nothing important.

[madannoshashu]

[ He peers down at Xion, an odd sort of discordant note to that young voice that niggles at that back of his brain. Nostalgia, maybe. ]

No?

[ He points at what she's been working on. ]

What's that, then?

Floor Seventeen - PERFECT PLACE FOR MUTUAL TROLLING, CLEARLY

[nodeviations]

[Well, if any floor caught the ninja's attention, it was the stupidly pointless one with the screaming and the bloody handprints. Seriously, it just begged to be a distraction- and while he usually didn't like to do what something expected of him...there had to be more than this. If there wasn't, then it would just be stupidly boring.

So, there is a boy kicking the wall with his hands in his pockets, seemingly looking for a switch of some kind. Sure, it's a weird room, but is it art?]

ABSOLUTELY

[madannoshashu]

[ An curious floor? Yes. One that he plans on visiting again? Not so much.

Bemused more than anything else, he prods one of the wall, just to see if the screaming grew louder. When there's no change, he considers doing something a bit more drastic...but pauses when he sees the other figure -- a child.

He watches for a moment longer before walking over, peering over the boy's shoulder. ]

You know, it might just kick you back.

Outer Ramps my fine cloaked frie--person

[endinsentiment]

[Most of the time, you could guarantee Vanitas was up to something. He made plans, and side-plans, and kept himself running about with those so often even Xehanort had to do with days of not seeing him which was never really a problem, considering the styles of plans Vanitas made.]

[But on the off chance, some days Vanitas just acted like a kid. Insanely stupid and completely confident in his immortality, he's out in the current weather just for the chance to slump down against a wall, get completely soaked, and watch the lightning from half lidded eyes.]

[Even evil teenagers like to take naps. Evil, half drowned, possibly freezing teenagers.]

That's Uncle Xigbar to you, Slappy.

[madannoshashu]

[ And such delightful weather it is.

The sound of his footsteps all but drowned out by the abundance of torrential rain, he walks out to where the teenager has plunked himself, an umbrella poised over his head. Where he got that is anybody's guess, and with the hood up, it may make a slightly curious sight.

Even so, he has no fear as he accosts the youngster with a greeting. ]

Trying out the drenched puppy look, eh, Helmet Head?

Sure thing, Patchy. Got it memorized, blah blah

[endinsentiment]

[The water's not doing much to him, honestly; worst is his skirt, which is probably five kilos heavier, and his hair, which is...drooping. Slightly. He looks up with a scowl towards his unwanted company-- familiar, just darker.]

[A hell of a lot darker. Someone's been tampering with things they shouldn't have.]

There some kind of grandpa convention going on, or what?

[Hey there, patchy, nice day for a stroll.]

Good boy

[madannoshashu]

[ Nice to see you too, head gear boy. He chuckles lightly. ]

Don't sound so surprised there, Helmet Head.

It's only been about a decade.

[moontothetide]

[Good morning, Xigbar. As you're wandering around the ceiling over the pool area, you might notice that someone else seems to be ignoring the laws of gravity. Tara is currently floating high up on the acquarium level, trying to get a better look at those fish that don't have the decency to swim down near floor level.

But her position is starting to waver, as she runs out of energy. Flying may be like riding a bicycle, but it's exhausting as hell.]

[madannoshashu]

[ Oh hey there, person he doesn't know yet. That's some mighty fine hovering you're doing there, whyever did you stop?

Peering down at her from his perch on the ceiling, he waits to see how she does. ]

[moontothetide]

[As Tara lowers herself to the floor, it's clear that she stopped because she's tired. She runs the back of her hand over her forehead, wiping away the beginnings of sweat, and frowns petulantly as the fish she'd been observing far overhead darts further back into the acquarium, out of sight.]

Not again...

[madannoshashu]

[ A newbie, huh?

He waits until she settles before calling out from above -- ]

No such luck with fishing, eh?

[giveschase]

[Personal space? What's that? Because Majora is going to suddenly be up in his face on the ceiling, floating upside-down with him.]

I didn't know anyone else could do this.

Floor 28

[madannoshashu]

[ Oh hey there, little troll girl. Not so much startled as bemused by someone else taking up residence on the ceiling, he regards her even as he peers down at the instruments all over the room. ]

Sure they do!

A lack of gravity is a terrible thing to waste!