towerofanimus | two for one

[Right outside, in the hallway, is another tall redhead, leaning against the wall next to a door on the other side of the hallway. In fact, this redhead could be mistaken for Axel at a distance, if his hair were different.

Reno notices the guy coming out of the room next to his, and does a double take. That incredibly spiky hedgehog-do seems very familiar...

Oh shit. Reno pushes himself off the wall, standing up straight. This... could be either really good, or really bad. Knowing the Tower, he's leaning toward really bad. Still, he's got to check this out, before Xion comes out and sees him.]

Axel?

[He sounds sort of incredulous, maybe a touch hopeful.]

[Looking across the hall and seeing a guy who looks entirely too familiar isn't the strangest thing that's happened to Axel all day. But then again, it's been a pretty eventful day.

[Short eyebrows raise slightly as his name is called. One more for the 'unexpected things' pile.]

That's right.

[His tone is friendly, but there's no recognition in his eyes — which, by the way, are oh-so-casually sizing the other man up. At least it's out of curiosity, rather than an intent to attack.

[Not that he wouldn't attack, but hey. That's not the intent.]

And you are?

[Welp. That was all his questions answered. Ho boy, he's going to have to break this to Xion gently. Still, Reno's glad to see him, having been buddies at least twice before.]

Reno.

[Unfolding his arms, he gestures to their surroundings.]

Welcome to the Tower, which is riiight about where the asshole of the multiverse is. Where you can die a thousand times and meet yourself and yeah, the letter y'might have read wasn't exaggerating.

[Down the hall is another very confused arrival. Roxas read the letters, but he didn't understand. Which world was gone? Or was it both of them? Which one was real again? His mind was a bit muddled, but he'd barely just received his memories again and then this happens.

Speaking of which, where was he exactly? He's grateful that he hasn't disappeared, but at the same time, this isn't what Namine meant, right? He looks around, his eyes wandering along the hall, completely lost. If he's in the tower and the worlds are all destroyed, where was Sora? They can't be joined, he doesn't feel whole yet.

He steps a bit in a circle as he looks around, upwards as well and it's not until he catches sight of Axel that he blinks a few times in recognition. Axel is there too, even though he just saw him. Is it the next time already? Would he be mad that Roxas beat him?

Hesitantly he takes a step forward towards the two of them, Axel and a stranger, speaking up.]

Axel?

Uh huh.

[That's to Reno; not an eloquent response, by any means, but it's pretty clear Axel's not buying into all this. Not that the idea of worlds being destroyed is altogether unfamiliar to the Nobody ... but the rest? Come on.

[He's distracted from saying more by the voice of one of his best friends. So, Roxas got sucked into whatever this is, too? If he didn't know better, he might mistake the odd twist in his gut for actual concern.]

Hey, Roxas. Quite a place, huh?

[Still casual, even as he wonders what they've stumbled into.]

Reno here was just giving me the rundown.

[Which he ... should probably give a little more consideration, now that his friend is in the mix.]

[Reno snorted and shook his head, a half smile on his face.]

Now, why am I not surprised to see both of ya.

[Sighing, he shifts his weight to one foot and rubs a hand over his face, trying to think how to handle this.]

I'm guessin' ya don't believe me. Not that I blame ya or anything, this place is a big stink bomb to swallow. Look, Xion's here, and I'm really hopin' ya catch on for her sake, because she don't need her heart run through again.

[Maybe Axel isn't mad at him, or maybe this is that other life they promised to meet in, either way, Roxas gives him a big grin, glad to see him when they're not at odds. He doesn't like fighting with his friends, it's just not right.

He turns to Reno, who's talking to him, it seems like, even if he doesn't know him and he scratches his head.]

Xion? [He shakes his head helplessly.]

Axel, I don't understand where this place is. What do they mean the world is destroyed?

[Axel's eyes narrow slightly as curiosity turns to suspicion. This Reno guy appearing to know him is odd, sure, but he could work with it. Reno appearing to know Roxas by sight and mentioning Xion, however? Not something Axel's too comfortable with.]

Not sure. [That's to Roxas, who ... looks really happy to see him, for some reason. Huh. He'll figure that out later.]

Y'know, you haven't mentioned how you know us. Or Xion.

[Who Axel, at least, knows full well.]

[Xion wasn't running all that late, but she could hear voices outside her door, familiar ones. Reno, definitely. And she can hear her own name. As soon as she's ready, she opens the door, poking her head out of it.

Roxas shouldn't recognize her at all, for the most part, but to Axel Xion should look different. A good nearly two years older, her hair longer, not quite the pipsqueak he saw at Castle Oblivion earlier that day. She frowns in puzzlement.]

Reno, who are you talk to-

[And then her eyes fall on Axel, widening as they did so. From there, they slide over to Roxas, widening even further and a stunned, even terrified look flitting across her face.

Her head withdraws from the doorway and the door does the closest equivalent to "slamming shut" that they could do. From there, there's a slight creak, almost as if Xion is leaning or sitting against the door. Which... is exactly what she's doing. Sitting back against the door and sliding to the floor.

She isn't ready for this. She doesn't know what to do or how to deal with this. Her two best friends were right outside her door and she didn't even know how to look them in the eye.]

[Hold that thought. Yep. That sure is Reno's palm slamming into his forehead.]

Okay, look, you two. I get it's mind blowing, but I gotta say it. The universe you came from is destroyed. Seriously, it's gone. No life. Trust me. I've been to my own. This world is shit for balls, but don't worry 'bout that now.

I know you two because you've been here before. Or other yous. It's complicated. [He drops his hand, sighs, and turns to Axel.] You say "Got it memorized" a lot. You were in Organization XII with Roxas and Xion. You called your hair a hedgehog-do once when I was down and y'were cheering me up. You and Xion were at my wedding, and we pranked Elena by switchin' places.

[Turning to Roxas.]

Last time y'were here, you didn't remember Xion because of some lame thing about Sora's memories. You kept distant, which hurt and confused her. She's your friend, one that ate sea salt ice cream with ya, but I don't know you too well to tell you much else.

[Another sigh. He really wants to go in and comfort Xion, tell her it was just an illusion.]

Then both of ya left.

[Looking over to Axel again, he nods towards Xion's door.]

I promised ya once, I'd look out for Xion. I'm still doin' it. If you two care 'bout her, you'll give her a hug when she comes out again... because I don't know if she can take it if y'don't. She's had enough heartbreak here. [Hands are on his hips now, arching one eyebrow.] And I don't really want to have to hear my daughter cry after losin' another friend.

Any questions?

Been here..before? [Roxas frowns as he sorts through what Reno is telling him. He knows Axel says "Got it memorized" of course, it's their little trick. He remembered that he started that when Roxas was having trouble remembering things.]

Sea salt ice cream...yeah, I...[Well he remembers the ice cream.] I had that, but I don't think I know Xion. You might be wrong. About me I mean, who I am.

[There are things that are more than confusing. He puts his hands on his head. The happiness he'd felt upon seeing Axel again was completely gone, he was back to that painful confusion. He can't get his thoughts together, it's hard, really hard. Roxas is pretty sure his head hurts. Maybe he needed to lie down.]

... Daughter?

[Yup. That's the extent of Axel's response to Reno's explanation. Call it brain breakage.

[He's able to shake it off — at least somewhat — when Roxas speaks. Turning to his friend, he asks:]

What do you mean, you don't know Xion? Come on, Roxas. [He points towards the door, where Xion disappeared.] She's right there. Don't tell me you hit your head or something.

[At least, he thinks she's right there. She looked ... well. Different.]

...This's how it was last time. [That's more directed toward Axel, but he's not eager to really explain the daughter part- that had been a slip.]

There's somethin' about Xion that can make people forget.

[Last time? Hit his head? Roxas doesn't think he did that, and he didn't think he was there before. If he was, he certainly didn't remember it, but isn't that his life story?]

I don't...I don't understand.

[A headache was definitely taking shape and he takes a few steps back, leaning against the wall. Doesn't Axel remember their fights? If it was anyone else in the Organization, he probably would have hidden, but Axel is supposed to be his best friend.]

What happened to Sora? Is he gone too?

Gone...like Hayner, Pence and Olette. [Were they even real? Maybe not. Then they might have been gone before he came here. What about Seifer's gang? Trying to piece together which memory goes where is a lot like a jigsaw puzzle.

He doesn't feel whole, or better, like Namine said he would. He feels just as empty and confused as he always did. Roxas is sure he's still a Nobody.

He takes another step back from the situation, being told about Xion who he doesn't remember, while trying to process everything is a lot and his back sticks to the wall. He slides down into a seated position. Just how much of his life is real? Axel is always the one he's turned to to sort things out, but right now it doesn't seem like Axel knows either.]

[Xion can still hear what's going on through the door, as she sits and tries to compose herself. She can hear the questions they're asking. Then there's one question in particular that she hears and her mind seizes upon, like clinging to a rock in the middle of a storm

There's a bit of shuffling from behind her door as she gets to her feet again and the door reopens. Xion's there, hand braced against the doorframe for support.]

Sora's here. He's in room 1-06. Or... at least that's where he sleeps. He's probably out right now.

[She looks down and away. She can't... look them in the eye right now]

People in the Tower can come from different times. Some might experience more than the other, because we're really all from different universes that got destroyed. [She pauses, takes a deep breath] There's a point... where everyone who knows me forgets about me.

[She looks up at Roxas]

You're from after then. [She turns to look at Axel, meeting his gaze slowly] And you're from before, I think.

[A lot before by her guess]

[It's not often that Axel finds himself lost in a conversation. Confused from time to time, sure, but never lost. He's too good at getting information for that. To be caught staring in complete bewilderment is.... Well. It's a rare occurrence, to say the least.

[Cutting through his confusion is a feeling — something so strong, he'd almost call it real. It's a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach, as the reality of the situation begins to settle in his mind.

[It's not the reality that Reno — and even Xion, now — insist upon: that the universe has been destroyed. It's something far more personal.

[It's the fact that there's something extremely wrong with both of his friends.]

Before forgetting you, huh? [He scratches the back of his head, taking in Xion's appearance more thoroughly. Yeah, she definitely looks older. But how...?] I don't know about that, Xion. Seems like I forgot your growth spurt.

[His smile is quick and teasing, if a bit forced. It's a joke: an attempt to shake off the confusion and ... whatever else has started nagging at his insides. An attempt to lighten the mood.

[A mood that definitely won't be improving while Roxas is sitting on the ground.

[Axel crouches down until he's as close to eye-level with Roxas as he can get.]

Roxas.... You really don't remember her?

[As casually as he could, Reno slips an arm around Xion, taking a short side step in front of her.]

Xion, I think we'd better leave 'em be. They'll figure it out eventually.

[His reasons were twofold; his protectiveness of the younger ones was kicking in, and he knew it took a lot of first hand experience to really start to understand the situation at the Tower.]

We're just complicating it for 'em.

[Roxas looks up at Axel with wide, pleading eyes.]

I don't remember Xion.

[With Axel confirming their story, of course it must be true. He leans forward a bit, looking at her.]

I'm sorry Xion. Maybe I'll remember again. I'll try really hard.

[It's only right to apologize, if he's hurt her feelings. If people forgot about him...it would hurt.]

[There's a sharp, sharp pang, somewhere beneath her breastbone.

"I'm sorry I don't remember. I really am. I'm going to try. Please be patient with me, okay?"

It hurts to see him like this. Saying the same sort of things he had last time. She glances over at Reno briefly before gently drawing herself out of his grip. It's not a snub, and she hopes he won't take it that way. There's just something she needs to do first.

She steps forward and kneels down in front of Roxas, her face gentle even as her eyes sparkle with unshed tears. She reaches out to grab one of his hands and squeeze it, gently.]

Don't. Don't worry about it, okay? It's [her voice nearly breaks] It's all right that you can't.

I'm still your best friend, and I always will be. Don't forget, that's the truth.

[After that, she lets go, standing up and turning to Axel, taking a step backwards towards Reno.]

I can go, if you want.

[Reno's probably right to some extent, her presence here is confusing them, not helping them.]

Edited 2013-11-14 03:20 (UTC)

[Roxas really doesn't remember. Axel doesn't know how it happened — Naminé? — but there's the truth, staring him in the face.

["I couldn't bear to lose my memories of you or Xion."

[He turns to Xion, then his eyes flick to the other redhead hovering protectively over her. Someone he doesn't know. Someone that Xion should have no way of knowing. Casual as the protectiveness may attempt to be, the connection there is ... genuine.

[What did Reno say before, aside from that ... "daughter" comment? Other Axels. Leaving. Xion getting hurt.

[Xion mentioned different times. And Roxas.... Roxas asked about Sora.

[His eyes lock on Xion's.]

I don't want you to go anywhere. [Then, quieter:] I told you to go home.

[It was one of the last things he said to her, before she gave up on asking for his help and ran off into Castle Oblivion.

[If he really is from "before" — if they really are from different times — maybe that'll tell her when.]

[Reno had been reaching to take Xion's hand when Axel spoke again, making him freeze in the process. Maybe it won't be so bad this time, and Xion will come out of this all right, if he was any judge of Axels. Roxas is the one he isn't sure about.

Glancing at the two in turn, he gives them an raised eyebrow as if asking if it really is all right, then leans down close to Xion's ear.]

If you want to stay, we can do that thing later, kiddo.

You're my best friend. [Roxas parroted back at Xion and he nodded.] I'll memorize it, okay?

[He does feel bad that he can't remember Xion, but Axel does and that's kind of weird isn't it? Then again, Axel has always been way smarter than him. Axel always knows everything. He turns to look at him, worried.]

You're not hurt right? I mean, I didn't hurt you too much?

Go home...

[Xion hears those words, thinks... they sound familiar, but where- And then she blanches]

Castle Oblivion?

[That's when he was from? Oh boy, this was... this wasn't as bad as the Axel who had come from right before she went back, but still, this wouldn't be without its share of awkwardness. She knew what he meant though, and got the message loud and clear.

Thankfully, Roxas comes in with the a convenient distraction. She frowns a little at his words. Then, opting to go a more teasing route, or trying to, she reaches forward to give him a gentle shove on the shoulder]

Hey, remember what I said. We're all from different times. What you remember, Axel hasn't experienced yet.

[Who knew, he may never experience it at all, but she wasn't going to dump all the confusing bits of Animus all at once.

She hadn't forgotten Reno's words, been thinking about them a great deal, actually. At last she turns up to look at him, face caught in a helpless, sad smile.]

I think I should stay. [No, that wasn't right] I want to stay.

[They were her best friends. She couldn't just leave them here, not knowing what the Tower could do.

If they wanted her to stay, she wanted to stay with them.]

[Taking Xion's lead, Axel adopts a lighter, teasing tone once again. It's not quite genuine, but it's familiar enough.]

Besides, how would you've hurt me? Your elbows may be pointy, but it's nothing I can't handle.

[He's referring to Roxas elbowing him for too much teasing — or, more specifically, for being too much of a "know-it-all" just a few hours before.

[But he knows that's not what Roxas is talking about. There's too much worry on his friend's face for that.

[Something happened. Something major. Maybe that's why Roxas looked so happy to see him....

[Man. He figured things were gonna get complicated, with Xion taking off and all, but this? This is a little more than he wants to deal with right now. Better to get Roxas situated and go from there.]

[Slowly, Reno nods at her, understanding the desire to be with them, even if things were a bit painful right now.]

You guys take care of her.

[Half of him wants to stay and make sure things came out all right, but the other half sort of felt they needed some time and space for just the friends.]

I'll leave ya alone for now, and y'know where to find me. Don't overwhelm 'em too much, kiddo.

[Roxas is momentarily distracted by Reno and he nods a bit.]

She said she's my best friend, of course I'll look after her.

[A distraction is really good at this point, because inside his mind is full of upheaval. Xion mentioned different times, but he isn't sure what that means exactly. He scratches his head.]

What do you mean about different times, Xion?

[It probably won't hurt to ask.]

[Xion stands up and tries to hug Reno, if he'll let her.]

See you soon, okay? I'll do my best.

[Once that's done, she turns back to her friends, looking from one to the other, then offering Roxas a hand to help him up.]

It's... a little complicated, but... all of us are from different universes. Even the three of us. You see, this place pulls only one person. So there's... differences for each of us. Sometimes they're small, like maybe I went on a mission to Agrabah one day instead of Beast's Castle. Sometimes they're... bigger.

But because we're from different universes, one of us might get further along before that world gets destroyed. Which is why some of us remember more than others.

[She hopes that wasn't too confusing. Xion knows it can be a lot to take in at once. Hopefully they won't ask about the bigger differences yet.]

[The only thing he does is make a slightly awkward face, but lets her hug, wrapping his own arms around her briefly.]

Don't forget to get them oatmeal, sweets.

[Then he's off with a wave at the other two, heading for the stairs on whatever errand he has in mind now that Xion is busy.]

[The hug, however brief, is enough to crack Axel's casual demeanor. He stares at Reno with a look torn between intense confusion and suspicion, like Reno just up and turned into one of those weird mushroom-looking heartless whose color Axel can't quite make out. Is he gonna bob around harmlessly making weird gestures, or is he gonna start spewing poisonous gas?

[Reno retreats, and Axel watches closely, his expression still fluctuating between suspicion and complete bewilderment. It's ... probably pretty funny looking, actually. At the moment, Axel's less concerned with his expression and more concerned with why this guy is hugging one of his best friends. Or ... why Xion's hugging him. For all that Axel tends to ignore personal space in favor of invading it, he doesn't hug. At all. And, last he checked, neither did Xion.

[And why the hell did that guy call Xion his daughter?

[He pulls his focus back to the present once Xion starts talking, having missed only the first few words. Somehow, what she's saying makes a lot more sense than the "daughter" comment, or the unexplainable (but undeniable) connection there. Worlds being destroyed, he can more than wrap his head around. Emotions that shouldn't be there, he ... still can't even figure out in himself, let alone work out what's going on with Xion.]

So.... [He pauses and shakes his head slightly, the thought of this whole "different universes" thing absurd even as he considers it.] So, that Reno guy is from your ... universe?

[It's said like he doesn't quite believe it. Which, surprise surprise, he doesn't. But hey, he's working on it.]

[Roxas isn't much less confused, although he watches the hug with interest. Why is Xion doing that? It's different, or maybe it isn't. Did Xion hug him? He doesn't remember. When she explains the differences to him he just blinks a few times and points.]

So...so he's not Axel?

[He does take her hand though and slowly get to his feet. Roxas doesn't like feeling unbalanced and overwhelmed. His head hurts, he almost wishes he didn't have any thoughts at all for a little while, just for a moment.]

[Roxas then realizes that this would be much worse, he will just have to find a way to untangle the mess that is his memories.]

[Xion shakes her head, in answer to both questions really]

We met here in the Tower. I don't... know why you two look and sound so much alike, Axel. His universe is really different from ours.

[She watches both of them, suddenly a lot more nervous now that Reno is gone. Where did she begin?]

I've... been here for about two years now. So I... I know probably a lot more than a lot of people.

[Somewhere between that and a year and a half. It's hard to believe she's been here so long sometimes. But hopefully that might answer some questions as to the visual differences, at least on Axel's part]

[If Axel's eyebrows could rise any higher, they'd meet his hairline.]

Oh.

[Forever with the eloquent responses. But really, what else can he say to that? Two years....]

Last I checked, Roxas here had been around for 255 days.

[A number he knows only because Roxas just told him. Or ... from what Xion's just said ... his Roxas had just told him?

[No. Roxas is Roxas, and Xion is Xion. If Xion being a Replica didn't change that, no weird universe or time differences would.

[That thought is enough to anchor him, in all his confusion. Enough that, when he reaches over to give Roxas a playful slap on the shoulder, it's not with forced cheer.]

And what're you talking about? Of course I'm Axel. Come on, you've gotta have that memorized.

Yeah! I've got it memorized! [He gives Axel a little grin.]

Is two years that long a time?

[Roxas can't imagine that amount of time passing, because he's never experienced it. He blinks at Axel though.]

Oh that was awhile ago! It was...um...three hundred and fifty...something.

[It's going to take a minute to process.]

Or maybe it isn't. I don't know how long I was with my friends. A week of summer I think but I'm not sure.

[Xion frowns, trying to remember back to a conversation from a long time ago. Nearly two years.]

Hayner and Pence and Olette, right?

[Wait, she's getting sidetracked. She shakes her head.]

Let's worry about that in a bit. We need to do some things first. First we should go down to the cafeteria and get you both some oatmeal. I can explain things on the way.

[The elevator would be slower than the corridors, but it would give them time to collect their thoughts and for Xion to explain things on the way down]

[Hayner, Pence, and Olette again. Is he the only one who doesn't know who those names belong to? Seems that way. But he follows Xion's lead again, putting the question of who they are on the back burner.

[If he keeps this up, he's gonna have a whole pile to deal with later.]

Lead the way.

[That said, he's curious:]

But I gotta ask: why oatmeal?

Yeah, that's them.

[Roxas nods and follows after her since she starts moving.]

What if I want something else?

You can get something else after, but if you don't eat the oatmeal first, you'll get sick. Don't as me why, it's probably something we'll find out eventually.

[She leads them over to the elevator, calling and entering the elevator once it opens. Once they're all inside and the doors are shut, she goes to lean against a wall, sliding down into a sitting position.]

We're going to be here a while. It's a long way down to the first floor.

[She sighs. Time to get started.]

Besides all the different people from different times and things, the first thing that you should know about this place is that it's dangerous. Really, really dangerous.

[For now, Axel chooses to lean against a wall rather than sit. He watches Xion closely, noting how very serious her expression becomes when she begins to speak.

[This definitely isn't a joking matter, for her. And if she's saying it's dangerous after all the heartless she's faced....]

In what way?

[So far, all he's seen are weird bedrooms and a doppelgänger.]

I don't want to be sick.

[Roxas frowns a little as he looks at Xion, thinking. Dangerous, huh?]

two for one

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Guh sorry for the delay

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