driftfleet | walking in a winter wonderland. (MINGLE)

[For half an instant, Riku looks worried, and Axel is torn. On one hand, he's never really liked scaring people. Being a dangerous person didn't necessarily mean you were scary, after all. On the other, good, maybe Riku should think twice about being so familiar with him, especially since he literally has no idea how the kid even knows who he is.

[His eyes flick to the pile of semi-conscious people behind Riku, and he thinks for a moment that if it did come to fisticuffs between them, he's honestly not sure he could beat Riku, not with that Darkness in him that had taken out Lexaeus. In a lot of ways, Riku's as much of a loose cannon as he is, but that's what makes things interesting.

[He looks back to Riku, frowning, but the anger that was there is gone. Instead he's just kind of confused. Since when was Riku such an agreeable guy? (For that matter, wasn't his hair longer? And he'd looked shorter before. Something was weird, here.)]

I'm not interested in sloppy seconds. You lead the way, then; you're the guy with all the answers, apparently.

[He steps aside and makes a sweeping gesture for Riku to go ahead, he'll follow. No tricks--he wants those answers. Besides, he was never really in the game to take Sora and Riku out in the first place; they were much more interesting alive, after all.

[Before they can go too far, however, a figure steps into the mouth of the alley, and Axel just sighs. One, two, three more?]

And this is why you scope things out before you get into fights. [Like he should have done before he confronted Riku in the first place, he guesses. Oh well, there'll be time to kick himself for not noticing there were more of them later. He doesn't really want to fight--that's so much effort--but if Riku gets overwhelmed, he won't get his answers. Decisions, decisions.]

Why don't I just let you guys finish what you started...? I'd hate to interrupt, I mean you've already got this rapport going...

[ riku can't even feel the slightest bit of irritation when axel essentially suggests that he'll leave him to fight on his own.

how could he expect any differently? axel was just as much of a loose canon as he was--and there's no reason that axel would want him to be safe rather than saving his own hide. he can't blame him for that, and he won't. ]

If you don't wanna get caught in this, leave. They might go after you, and who knows what they took from you?

[ so, he turns his back to axel, and takes a step back as the men start to close in.

he still feels a little dizzy himself, but he can fight. especially since he's not really injured. bleeding, sure, but... he can get that fixed up. or it'd stop eventually. ]

[Leave? He's not sure he wants to leave. He was kind of enjoying the show! But he doesn't like Riku's tone--it's like he's not sure he could handle this. In the words of Xigbar, as if.]

Took from me? Nobody took anything from me. [He rolls his eyes.] I guess I can help you out, since you already got clocked in the face. If you pass out, then I don't get my answers, and that just wouldn't do. [He flashes him a reckless grin.] You take the one on the left, I'll take the one on the right. Whoever knocks their guy out first gets the third one, deal?

[He won't be patronized. Without waiting for an acknowledgement, Axel darts forward, aiming for the broad-shouldered man on the left. He snaps his arms out to call up his chakrams--] What the--? [--and falters when they don't come to his hands. With a sharp exhale, he brings both arms up in a cross block in front of his face when the man throws a punch, and it pushes him back.

[He's too startled to even register that that kind of hurt. Why won't his chakrams come when he calls? They've never refused his call before, not even when he was first learning how to use them! Lifting his head and watching in alarm as the man bears down on him, Axel leaps back and sweeps one hand out, laying down a carpet of flame under the man's feet. The man yelps and dances across the fire, staggering backward and hopping from one foot to the other, and Axel takes the opportunity to shoot Riku a flabbergasted look.]

'What they took from you'--did you know that was going to happen?

[None of this made any sense! First he was dragged here when he'd been trying to RTC, then some complete stranger knew his name had been Lea, then Riku knew who he was, and now his chakrams won't cooperate? This vacation is not going like he'd planned.]

[ riku makes a frustrated noise when axel bounds off. ]

Ugh-- [ he swipes his hand horizontally in the air. axel set fire to the ground already, there's no point in laying low anymore. he casts bind, the spell affecting the third man as well, but he launches at his target with a kick. the man goes flying back, and riku looks at him with a frown. ]

I was trying to warn you. They took things from me, too.

[ like his keyblade. riku doesn't make another sound, though--as the man starts to head towards axel, riku looks around quickly. a stone is enough, he throws it at the man's forehead and he wobbles back, enough for riku to cast sleep. ]

Get behind me. I'm gonna cast Confuse, you shouldn't get caught up in the blast.

[It doesn't take Axel long to put two and two together. Riku had fought these guys with his bare hands because he'd had no choice. He couldn't call his Keyblade here. How interesting~ How in the world had they taken their weapons away? That must have been some pretty intense magic.

[He scoffs a little when Riku says to get behind him, though.]

I don't need you to protect me. [He does get out of the way of the spell, though. Status-effect magic has never been something he's enjoyed being on the receiving end of, and if Riku's warning him to get out of the way of it, he'll listen.

[This still doesn't make any sense, though. Why is Riku helping him at all? Shouldn't he be trying to, you know, kill him? He steps back, making sure to stay clear of Riku's casting, and then looks down when something grabs his ankle. One of the men Riku took out earlier has come to, and Axel quickly sends him back into unconsciousness with a pointed kick to the head. They really need to learn to just stay down.

[He turns back to Riku then, frowning.]

Why are you doing this? [Riku doesn't owe him anything, not even answers. He didn't expect him to be so... agreeable. He certainly didn't seem that way according to the Organization's information, anyway.]

[ out of breath, riku hisses; ]

Why did you stay? For answers?

[ he looks at lea over his shoulder. he believes it, and he doesn't. as the spell casts, it hits all three of them--and they turn to each other, starting to beat each other in a three-way fight.

riku feels drained, knees almost buckling before he breathes in, trying to quiet his beating heart. ]

Let's get out of here already. [ he's quick to turn tail, going the other way since the other way is blocked for the moment. ]

[Axel rolls his eyes.]

Duh. [Of course he only stayed for answers. Well, and maybe to watch the show. He can't help but snicker when the three men turn on each other. Ah, Confuse... almost as hilarious as Flipfoot.

[He turns and jogs after Riku, still a little puzzled about this entire mess. He had thought Riku was a little hotheaded brat, based on what he'd seen in Castle Oblivion. This... hardly seemed like him at all. This was a collected and capable person who actually seemed pretty reasonable, and it was really throwing Axel for a loop. Had Castle Oblivion been an act? But why? And why give up the act now, in front of him of all people?

[He still doesn't even know how he knew who the hell he was in the first place!]

Riku, where are we going, anyway?

[He isn't leading him into a trap or anything, he's confident of that. Why would Riku have bothered to fight all those guys if he was just laying a trap, after all? And why would he have let himself get hit, for that matter?]

Edited 2014-12-26 07:05 (UTC)

[ 'riku'. strange. he's used to being called 'impostor', or something... riku hesitates, slowing in step for a moment before clearing his throat. ]

My ship. Or... I guess, your ship--whichever. I don't care, pick one. We just shouldn't be out in the open, especially if guys like that're around.

[ either way, whichever of their ships they're gonna get on, riku knows they're all in the same place. ]

Fine, we'll talk on my ship, it's not far from here. [He's not sure if all the ships park in the same general area or what. He hadn't wandered too far from Tourist into the city before he'd heard the scuffle and stumbled upon Riku. What a small universe!

[It doesn't take long to get back to where Tourist is docked. Once they're inside, Axel kicks the snow from his boots, then gives Riku a scrutinizing look. He doesn't understand any of this. Okay, he doesn't have the patience for niceties.]

All right, we're out of the open. Now how the hell do you know who I am? We never met in Castle Oblivion. [He supposes it's possible one of the other members told Riku about him--his red hair and tattoos are pretty distinctive, after all... but that doesn't explain how he knows the name Lea...]

[ ugh, here it comes. riku sighs and runs his hands through his hair, wondering how to even start. ]

... first of all, you're probably not gonna believe me.

Second, ever heard of time travel? 'cause... that's kind of what's happening. You're from my past, I'm from your future. You told me to call you Lea.

[Axel just stares at him for a good ten seconds. Are you serious right now?]

[Then he throws his head back and just laughs.]

That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! Time travel? My future? [More laughter.] That is rich, but you're right: I don't buy it. [He wipes a tear of laughter from his eye and shakes his head, then levels his gaze at Riku with a frown.] Why would I tell you to call me Lea in the future? That isn't who I am anymore.

That's a good story, though.

[ riku's shoulders hunch; he sets his jaw. he can't even really be mad--his tense shoulders slide back out into defeat. how could he even think this was a good idea? of course lea wouldn't believe him! who would? who honestly would even think of trusting or believing a word he said?

he sighed and shook his head. ]

I gave you your answer. I'll call you Axel again, but don't get angry at me when I forget to call you Lea. You're lucky I remembered one name.

[ he highly doubts there's any more reason for him to stick around, so--with a silent touch to his bleeding lip and a swipe of his tongue, he turns to leave. ]

[Wait, that's it? Really? He figured the actual story was coming after the hilarious intro. ... That was the actual story?]

Hey, wait, hold on a second. [He snaps his hand out and grabs Riku's arm, arresting his forward motion.] You were serious? You can't really be serious--that... that's impossible. [He shakes his head, releasing Riku's arm and taking a step back, giving him a puzzled look.] Even... even if you were from my future--which, by the way, I still don't believe--why would I tell you to call me Lea? [The incredulity is replaced this time with honest confusion. The only reason he'd have gone by Lea again would be if he'd somehow gotten his heart back.] Did we complete Kingdom Hearts after all? [And here he'd figured it was never going to actually happen. For that matter--] And whaddaya mean I asked you to call me Lea, anyway--I thought I was on the other team!

[Now he's really lost.]

Edited 2014-12-26 08:04 (UTC)

[ when lea grabs a hold of his arm, riku gives a short gasp as he flinches, full-bodied and frightened, pulling away quick. his heart, going a million miles an hour, feels like its in his throat, and he just looks at axel warily.

why are there so many questions? is this what being a master is all about? he'd like to turn in his resignation, please.

... okay, he's not going to, but he has to admit, the prospect of explaining things is a lot worse now. ]

You got your heart back, but you didn't complete Kingdom Hearts. You're our ally. Our-- [ he shifts, looking away. ] ... friend. At least, you will be.

[The way he quails away from him catches Axel off-guard, and he lets him go quickly, holding his palms up as if to show that he's unarmed.]

Sheesh, I'm not gonna hit ya. [What happened to the guy who just knocked two thugs' heads together?

[What he says next, though, nothing could have prepared him for it. You got your heart back. There's a buzz in his ears and his vision swims for a moment, and then he sort of fumbles, groping for the wall to lean on it because he's just not sure he can stand up on his own right then. He got his heart back? He really got his heart back?

[How far away is this nebulous future Riku is from? How much longer does he have to wait?

[He just stares again, his jaw slack and his eyes wide and something that definitely isn't a heart fluttering behind his ribs. It's just a memory of relief, of reprieve, it's not the real thing. He can't feel that anymore, but boy can he remember it in that moment. This isn't forever? This really isn't forever?

[Axel shakes his head then, knitting up his brow as something doesn't quite compute.]

Wait, I'm... what? [He shakes his head. He switched sides? ... Actually it doesn't sound that unbelievable. The Organization isn't exactly a welcoming place, and he doesn't even get paid, for all the abuse he takes there. If the good guys made a better offer, he can see himself taking it.

[He turns and kind of slides down the wall, ending up with his knees drawn up, seated on the floor. It's a little unguarded, but the way he sees it, if Riku wanted to attack him he wouldn't have helped him get away from those guys in the alley. This is just so much to take in all at once. He had never even met Riku before now, and suddenly he's giving him this kind of news? They're allies? Friends? Axel isn't even sure he remembers how to have friends!

[Glancing up at him, he holds his gaze a moment, gobsmacked.]

You're not pulling my leg, are you. [It isn't a question. He still isn't sure he can believe it, but Riku couldn't have guessed his name had actually been Lea once upon a time, could he? The only way he could know that would be if he's telling the truth! ... Right?]

[ to be fair, he knew he was in danger then. not so much now--he doesn't know how lea will take to this news.

riku cautiously watches as axel goes through the motions of discovery and shock, reaching out at first to help before his fingers curl back, as if he's afraid that touching lea would make him shatter.

when he actually asks ("asks"), riku shakes his head. ]

This isn't a joke. [ he would never joke about something like this. ] It's not a lie, either.

[He just sits there a moment, trying to remember how to breathe. It's like something's short-circuited in his brain. How is he supposed to process this? Can he really accept this? (Does he have a choice?) Getting his heart back is all he's ever wanted, it's the most important thing to him--he wants it more than anything. Hearing that he succeeded should make him happy, right? (Or, well, remember being happy, at least.) So why does he only feel like he can't breathe?

[He's quiet for a long moment, then he staggers back to his feet, still leaning on the wall. He gives Riku a stern look, his gaze suspicious, but not angry.]

You say we're allies. Friends. When did that happen? [How did that happen?] Betraying the Organization means death--that isn't a risk I'd take lightly, you know? You'll have to forgive my skepticism.

It's... complicated. [ he exhales, running a nervous hand through his hair. ]

It wasn't long ago at all. We've only been allies for... maybe a week? Besides, [ looking away. ] from what I know... betraying the Organization when you did, to come to our side... that's not the first time you've really turned on them.

You have to know about Roxas, right? At least you know about him--even if you guys aren't friends.

[Heh, complicated, he says. What about Axel's existence isn't complicated? A wry grin crawls over his face then, and he gives a soft laugh.]

So I betrayed them once already, and then betrayed them again? [Another laugh and he shakes his head.] Yeah, that sounds like something I'd do. For that matter, what makes you think I'm not gonna betray you? [If he's such a low-down dirty traitor, who's to say he's even being sincere, helping the good guys? Axel's not really sure he's got the capacity for sincerity anymore. (Did you need a heart for that?)

[He frowns a little when Riku mentions Roxas, though, and squares his shoulders.]

Roxas? Yeah, I know him. Little spacey, kinda green, but sure, we're friends. [He narrows his eyes.] What's he got to do with anything?

"Roxas made me feel like I had a heart". That's what Sora said some of your last words as Axel were.

[ crossing his arms, he looks at axel straight on, undeterred and earnest. ]

That's why I think you're not gonna betray us. You've got just as much to win if we stick together--you have people you care about saving. And that's a lot easier with friends watching your back.

[That catches him off-guard. Some of his last words? What did that mean? What had he had to do to get his heart back? Suddenly he's not sure he wants to know. A little uneasy, Axel swallows, then rakes a hand back into his hair.]

People I care about, huh? [He hesitates, then presses one hand over his heart. Well. The physical one. He can of course still feel it beating in his veins. He wouldn't be alive without that, right? Is it empty, though, without the metaphysical half to go with it? What does it even beat for, without any feelings to drive it? Sometimes Axel wonders if he's not just like that heart: missing the more important half, only existing to keep existing, and for what? The hope for something better one day? Is that even being alive? Is that really existing? Nobodies aren't supposed to exist, so what's he pushing for, anyway?

[If Riku's telling the truth, though, something better is out there, if he plays his cards right. Maybe that's worth existing for.

[He holds Riku's gaze for a long moment, then looks down, weighing his options. Xemnas isn't here to tell him what to do. Saïx isn't here to push him around. He doesn't have to play the dutiful soldier here, he can just... be himself, right? He's been that soldier for so long, though, does he even remember how to be himself? He guesses he'll find out. Might as well start off on the right foot.

[Sticking one hand out, he levels a mild look at Riku.]

I've got no beef with you. For what it's worth, I was rooting for you guys. I'll believe you, for now--I'd rather not be your opponent, if we're being honest.

[ riku looks cautious. he reaches his hand out, but recoils it slightly at first. he's still not sure how to trust people that aren't sora or kairi, but it's worked so far with kaneis. kaneis knew him, though. axel... doesn't. what he knows of riku must be limited at best. he's not sure about sharing himself with someone so volatile, but... he also wants to protect him. he has potential--there's hope there, even if axel doesn't realize it himself.

so he does grasp his hand. ]

Don't be. That's the only advice I can give you--I don't care if you fight me, but if you fight Sora...

[His eyebrows inch up when Riku recoils, and he has to wonder what's going through his head. Axel is a far more agreeable person than Riku is probably giving him credit for, really; he prefers the path of lease resistance, and being on the bad side of two Keyblade wielders is definitely not his style. He's not sure what had to come together to wind up allying with them, but he never really wanted to be their enemy. He's read enough books to know that when you fight the Good Guys, you almost always lose, and he really hates losing.

[When Riku finally takes his hand, he shakes it firmly, then snorts a laugh.]

Oh, please. I'd rather nap than fight anybody. Don't worry, I'm not interested in being on the wrong end of any Keyblades, okay? I've seen what they can do, and I don't need you guys handing me my butt. [Hey, Riku took down Lexaeus. Sora took down Marluxia. Those guys definitely had Axel beat in the brawns department, and while brains can definitely win fights, he'd much rather use his talents otherwise. Fighting is too much effort.] I'm not gonna pick any fights with you or your buddy, got it memorized?

[ riku hesitates for a moment, before sighing. ]

For the record, you get one of your own. --a Keyblade.

walking in a winter wonderland. (MINGLE)

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