towerofanimus | (no subject)

Characters: Master Xehanort and whoever wishes to join him
Setting: Various locations around the tower
Format: Action to start, but I'll follow you.
Summary: Xehanort doing what he does best... whatever he's up to, that is. Also taking your candy because he can.
Warnings: Xehanort.

Floor 32:
[Every now and then, Xehanort scopes out a tree and begins to climb. He doesn't climb all the way, and tends to stop about halfway up. He seems to be looking for something, but whether or not he finds it is difficult to tell. Eventually he climbs back down, brushing leaves and bits of bark off of himself, before heading back to the stairs.]

Floor 22:
[He's not really looking for something specific, and seems to be content with wandering aimlessly, looking up at the portraits every now and then as though trying to judge where he is. It doesn't really seem to matter what manner of art falls before him, he doesn't react adversely or positively and simply takes it in regardless of whether it's someone or something he knows or not.]

Floor 17:
[Why in the world... Xehanort stands, looking around the room carefully as though his eyes can pierce the walls. It's clear from his expression that he expects something more from this place, and that perhaps he's disappointed that it's not manifesting itself. The screaming doesn't seem to bother him much at all, although he carefully avoids the handprints when he begins to tap at the walls.]

Floor 15:
[In the materials storage, he's contemplating what looks like slabs of marble. He raps his knuckles against them as though testing the sound rather than anything else. In one hand is a block of wood... dark red looking wood, perhaps rosewood for those who know their wood types.]

Floor 9:
[On his hands and knees, Xehanort listens to the sounds, deciding if he wishes to go further or not. It's tempting, but the tower is excellent at using the lure of curiosity... ]

Floor 8:
[A last lingering lick of darkness flickers about him as he exits the maze. His expression is thoughtful, although neutral... though he seems guarded, casting his eyes about as though checking to see if anyone has noticed his egress. He heads for the stairs quickly, as though desiring to leave the area with little incident.]

Anywhere:
[There's monsters about aplenty, and he takes down one that's particularly aggressive with ease, freezing it solid with his favourite Glacial Arts before filling the air with a blistering Megaflare, exploding the ice from extreme temperatures and rendering the creature to bits. He stops to stoop down and look over what exactly the creature was protecting...

candy? It doesn't seem out of the ordinary at all. Still, something has to be up with this... he goes to pocket the candy and move on, certain that answers will be easily obtainable soon enough.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Well, this man has more manners than Shadow could see in most humans. For that reason, he grows more and more curious, and his usual grumpy demeanor is surprisingly lighter than normal. He tucks his hand back into his body, still remaining furled into a small little hedgie ball. ]

Then what is it that you do seek from a harmless creature? What is it that they possess...?

A dwelling. A nest. Some sign of their existence. Not what is within, of course, but the object itself.

[The hands resting against the branch he's perched on drum slightly, restlessly. His eyes are roving the tree, examining what he can see carefully.]

It's been a rather difficult endeavour. I'm not certain that the wildlife in the tower favours avians.

As of now, apart from some... garish creatures -- [ Those monsters, eugh. ] -- I have not seen any wildlife to be found.

[ No signs of any either. No nests, no burrows, nothing. The place is remarkably barren and it frankly feels a bit disconcerting. ]

The monsters are a common fixture. The lower forest's wildlife are rather... curious in their own way, though perhaps I would be better served examining there.

Perhaps so.

[ He fully uncurls himself, stretching a little before swinging his legs over the branch, sitting up. His legs cross loosely, his hands resting upon the bark. ] I may just follow you. I've not yet been to that section of the tower.

[ At least, not with enough time to examine everything. ]

[He wasn't expecting company, but it's not entirely unwelcome. The floor is safer with another, he's learned this.]

It can be dangerous. The creatures on that floor can nullify one's abilities completely.

[ He replies with a curt nod and gives him a look that could only be described as dead serious. ]

Yes. I am well-aware of that already.

If you are aware of the risk, then let us depart.

[He drops himself neatly from the tree, landing on his feet with a soft grunt.]

[ Shadow mirrors this action, dropping down from the tree and allowing his shoes to flare out, causing him to float down easily and gently. ]

Hn. [ He dusts himself off a little, stray specks of dirt and crumpled leaves falling off of his fur. ] I never caught your name.

[This catches Xehanort's eye, and he watches quietly. What other abilities did this hedgehog have?]

Xehanort. And you, my good fellow?

[ Well, he can't say he takes to being called a 'good fellow', but other than that... ]

Shadow. Shadow the Hedgehog.

[He gestures towards the stairs, giving Shadow the lead.]

A pleasure to meet you.

Likewise.

[ It's rare that he's able to say that much. Xehanort may or may not have actually made a friend in him. He's tolerable enough for him to be around.

Shadow looks back at him, giving him one more warning before he skates off at terribly fast speed: ]

Don't worry about catching up. You needn't match my speed.

[ And then he got his zoom on. ]

[He's not concerned at all. He watches the hedgehog speed off, walking at his own sedate pace, before suddenly the air before him seems to shimmer and twist as darkness pours forth, swirling into a round portal that Xehanort steps through without breaking stride.

He might even be there before you, Shadow.]

[ He might just be. In fact, he likely will be. That portal is probably quicker than running (or, in his case, skating) could ever be, even if he is going at super speed. Shadow arrives on the outskirts of the forest floor, cautiously stepping inside and swiveling his ears to catch any unknown presences.

Now to wait for Xehanort to catch up... or not. ]

[He gestures, stretching his hands out a bit ruefully.] My apologies. As you have a rapid means of movement, I took something of a shortcut down so that you would not have to wait too long.

[ Conserving time with mysterious abilities... yes, he did like this one so far. He is proving to be a little more bright than most of the tower's residents. Good. ]

And just what was this shortcut? [ If Xehanort looks closely, he may or may not see a hint of a smirk rising. He's legitimately impressed with this one by human standards. ]

[Your smirk is noted, and raised one grin. On his face it probably looks a bit creepy. He spreads his hands in a passive gesture.]

It's known as a Corridor of Darkness. It simply cuts a straight path to a destination, and can be used to reach even places with no other route.

Your power is unlike any other human...

[ Take that as a compliment, Xehanort, as Shadow usually doesn't care about many of the ordinary, feeble humans that cross his path.

As for creepy grins, Shadow is a master at those himself, so that doesn't bother him. However, his own fades away, replaced with simple curiosity as he points to him. ]

Just what are you?

A simple man who has seen and learned much in his years... one who is not afraid to face his weaknesses or to master his strengths.

[He shrugs, his arms coming up to the sides in a wide gesture as his shoulders roll.]

Perhaps that permits me to travel roads others can or will not, and from that draw power.