Axel's got a new pet! (backdated)

[flared]

Characters: Axel (flared) and everyone ever
Setting: Dormitory floor 1 and some of the lower floors (1, 3, and 4) during the 25th or any day of the week following
Format: I'll follow whichever you respond with~
Summary: Axel's got himself his first regain... and ends up lighting up like a kid at Christmas.
Warnings: Nothing at the moment!


So it's still cold and this hasn't made things any better for his powers, which is why Axel has resorted to staying bundled up and stationary in his room for as long as he can. Well, unless he has to eat or something. And he can't expect himself to not pay Xion some attention, either, especially after such a nasty sickness spell.

Thankfully during his alone time he isn't really alone at all. Instead, courtesy of the tower, Axel's regained a little buddy from home to keep him company. It's a little smaller than the Assassins back home, at least coming up to the bottom of his knees when it stands now, and despite its rather alarming appearance the way it floats and swirls alongside Axel with its wing-like arms fluttering at its sides may be... charming for some.

If you'd like to say hello, you can find the two of them in any of the mentioned locations. The Assassin will probably be reaching the higher bookshelves for Axel to pick out books in the library he can't reach. On the fourth floor it will be staring curiously out at the fog and trying to even go outside only to bump into the glass. And finally on the first floor, well, that's where you might catch Axel tossing bits of cereal or something at the Assassin for it to swoop up and nom with interesting aerial displays.

Ok, so it's not a puppy, but it's damn well awesome.

Comments

[flared]

Hated 'em? What, did you make a bookshelf drop on you or what?

[Axel liked them because, well, they were quiet. And they helped pass the time, too, at least if there were any good things to read.

He's still glancing up at his Assassin when he speaks and from down here he can't quite make out what it is that's captured its attention. It floats, wing-like arms flapping occasionally to keep itself up, before it decides to hover over and investigate the other Nobody.]

Hm?

[earthshards]

Ah... yeah, actually. [His own gaze is still in the direction he last spotted the Sorcerer. Might as well keep talking.]

I was ten, I think; I climbed a little too high, slipped, and made at least two shelves of books follow me to the floor. Master was nearby, so the only thing hurt was my pride. My friend, Aqua, didn't let me live it down for a few days afterwards. [The memory is foggy around the edges, but the incident is clear enough that the memory of it came without a fight.

He spots the fluttering of white again near the top of another shelf, and sees the Assassin gliding over to investigate. Definitely trying not to panic now.]

[flared]

[Axel's distracted by his Assassin being attracted to whatever its seen over the bookshelves, but he tries to listen to what Terra is saying as well, not wanting to seem too out of it.]

Seems reasonable.

[He'd say more, but his Assassin begins to hiss in a low tone. What's it exactly seeing up there?]

[earthshards]

I suppose. [Nope. Almost too distracted to hold this conversation. What is that minion Nobody thinking?

The Sorcerer is all too likely within plain view of the Assassin, two books held in it's arms with a third -- The Iliad, if the title on the spine is anything to go by-- being reached for, almost completely oblivious to the fact that A: it's master didn't approve of it wandering from it's side, and B: that it might expect hostile behavior.

It turns it's head to look at the Assassin, and then just tilts it slightly to one side, as if asking what it's problem is.]

[flared]

[It's cool, bro. Axel's pretty distracted too. He moves around the corner of the shelf to see if he can catch sight of his Assassin before it wanders too far off, but as it turns out all he can really see from this angle is the tip of one of its arms.

Meanwhile the Assassin flies on over then towards that head tilt from the other Nobody... it waves a foot at it.

Hello, Sorcerer, it says. Nobody speak and all.]

[earthshards]

[You'd think a couple of minion-class Nobodies would be easier to keep track of. As it stands, Terra can't make out much more than Axel. And he's too busy trying to calm down and figure out how to explain why a Sorcerer followed him here.

The Sorcerer, meanwhile, 'stares' for a second before nodding. Greetings, Assassin. How might I be of assistance?]

[flared]

[The Assassin notices the books the Sorcerer holds and nods back.

I am aiding my master with some books, but I believe I have picked out enough for him for now. Might there be anything I could aid you with in turn?

Ok. Axel's going to try approaching that shelf to see if he can get a better look.]

Seriously, what is that thing up to?

[earthshards]

[Oh, then they're on the same wavelength. Much more convenient. The Sorcerer appears to think for a moment before it replies.

Hm... as am I. Might you have any recommendations?

Terra's just going to follow behind. He pauses at Axel's question briefly, before deciding he might as well come clean.] It... probably saw the tower's most recent 'gift' to me.

[There is too much hesitation in his tone for it to be a gift he approves of in any way.]

[flared]

[What does your master take interest in? ... Though I must say he seems different from our usual masters.

Axel glances over at Terra, brow raised in question.]

And that would be?

[earthshards]

[Before, he was always interested in stories based in fact. But now, it is tales of adventure and far-off lands that he is interested in. The Sorcerer motions to the books it's holding--all telling a story about heroes, adventure, and gods. The Iliad. The Odyssey.

The Sorcerer pauses, and nods. He is ... very different. I can detect that much. He acts as if he is wary of my presence; ashamed, almost. There is something there that wasn't present before, but I do not know what that something is.

Terra just... looks away.] ... one of my old 'helpers'. A Sorcerer.

[Again; the tower has a sick sense of humor.]

[flared]

[Interesting. The scent is similar to that of the Superior... The Assassin flutters its wings a little then moves over to hover above the Sorcerer.]

... Helpers?

[But only Xemnas could control them.]

[earthshards]

[That is why I still owe him my allegiance. Altered or not, he is still my Master and Superior. However much he initially protested when he discovered me The Sorcerer's gaze follows the Assassin, and it's head tilts again. You showing off, Nobody-bro?

Terra really looks like he doesn't want to answer that silent question.] I'm sure I could think of more colorful terms to refer to them by.

[He knows, Axel. And he knows you're intelligent enough to put two and two together.]

[flared]

[The Assassin isn't showing off! It just wants to float around you for a little bit. Axel squints at the Sorcerer to make sure that he's not just seeing things before he slowly turns his head back to stare at Terra.]

A Sorcerer.

[He knew there was something off about you. Axel waits before summoning his Assassin back to his side with a simple thought. It immediately leaves the Sorcerer to join its master, wings flapping and legs dangling in the air.]

Is that what you'd call 'em?

[earthshards]

[Well. Stare all you want, Axel. Terra's going to avert his gaze.

With a thought of his own, he calls the Sorcerer back to his side. The Nobody does so without hesitation, bringing with it the books it had discovered.

Hm. Interesting question.] ... No. Magus works well enough, and still gets the skill set across without being imposing. But 'painful reminder' works just as well. Or 'unnecessary heart attack'. Even 'floating guilt trip' works.

[Since the jig is up, he'll likely answer any questions you might have. He won't enjoy it, but he'll answer them.]

[flared]

['Painful reminder', he says. But what does that even mean? Apparently in whatever universe Terra had come from he had been a part of the Organization, so controlling the Nobodies was to be expected, but... a Sorcerer. His scent and appearance-- It all can't be a coincidence.

Axel's eyes narrow and his Assassin meanwhile hovers about, its gaze switching between Terra and the other lesser Nobody.]

Only the Superior controls those.

[earthshards]

... I know. [It's as close to an admission as Terra will get.

The Sorcerer just tilts it's head slightly to one side, confused as to why this is apparently an issue. It shrugs faintly when the Assassin's gaze lands on it, as if to say 'I don't understand the tension, either.']

[flared]

[That's just like the lesser Nobodies, to not know much of a difference between the "real" thing and a fake.]

So is that what you did in the Organization?

[earthshards]

[... Axel, if you call him a Replica, he'll be very amused.

He just... smiles slightly, though it doesn't reach his eyes at all.] You have enough of the puzzle in front of you; what do you think?

[flared]

[He just might, bro. What of it?

Axel scoffs then as his Assassin passes behind him he reaches around to absently pat it on the head.]

I thought there was something familiar about you.

[A cautious stare]

But were you the same as Xemnas was, I wonder.

[earthshards]

[He'll think that's hilarious; great tension breaker.]

Depends on your point of view. [Terra shrugs, and his expression turns thoughtful as he tries to figure out a way to explain even a little bit of the complicated mess that is 'his time' in the Organization.

... well, no one said it would be easy.] I have his memories, and know what he knew to an extent. Out of necessity, the line between myself and him blurred as the years went on. Near the end, I wouldn't have been able to tell you where 'Xemnas' ended and 'I' began.

[And blurring the lines while trying to remove lingering traces of Xehanort had been even more challenging. Learning patience had been a necessity.]