driftfleet | walking in a winter wonderland. (MINGLE)

[ '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.

[He stares at him for a long moment, his brow furrowed like this just doesn't compute.]

Me. With a Keyblade. [Then he kind of wheezes a laugh, shaking his head.] Okay, now I know you've gotta be full'a beans. Like anybody'd give me a Keyblade. I'm not hero material, okay? What the hell am I gonna do with a Keyblade?

I don't know! You just... summoned one in front of everyone, and we were all pretty surprised. Even Yen Sid, and he said he'd been trying to help you.

[He rubs the crown of his head like he hit it on something, a weird sort of pain throbbing behind his eyes. This is all just too much to try and take in. His heart, switching sides, getting a Keyblade, it all just seems so far-fetched. But why would Riku lie to him? They'd never even met before now, at least as far as he knows--really, the idea that Riku is from a future he's not aware of yet makes about as much sense as anything else.

[Axel hefts a sigh and shakes his head.]

Boy, they'll give a Keyblade to anybody, huh. [He thought you had to be some kind of hero for that. Even when Riku had turned against Sora, was working with Maleficent, he was still trying to champion Kairi. He'd still been cut from that hero cloth. Axel isn't anything like that.] Yen Sid. The old wizard? [He whistles.] Man, I really make a play for the big leagues in the future. When did I get so ambitious?

[That's mostly rhetoric, Riku.]

Edited 2014-12-29 01:25 (UTC)

I dunno. I've got the feeling you always had a lot of good in you, you just ran with the wrong crowd.

[ huffs, shoves his hands into his pockets. ]

That's enough for one day. If I told you the rest now, your head would explode.

[Axel makes something of an indignant noise at that. He's not sure what exactly is offensive (he knows there's more good in him than he gives himself credit for, and he knows the Organization is bad news), but suddenly he's really ruffled. Maybe it's just because Riku's the one saying it. What the hell does Riku even know about him? Nothing, that's what, so maybe he should mind his own beeswax.

[He hefts a sigh.]

There's more? [He waves one hand, the other still on the crown of his head.] Save it, then; I've already got a headache. [And then he looks up at him, a little frown on his face.] Look, I appre... appreciate you bein' straight with me. [He'd almost forgotten how to even say the word appreciate. He hasn't really had much call to.] Ugh, I think I need a nap, after all that.

[ wait, what? appreciate?

riku's eyebrows shoot up, before he clears his throat and takes a quick little step back. ]

Well... sleep. Just tell me when you wanna hear the rest--it's a long story. From Castle Oblivion... it's been almost two years.

T--two years? [He looks a little dizzy at that, putting a hand on his head and closing his eyes a moment. Yeah, okay, he definitely needs a nap.] I've got a lot of catching up to do, apparently. [He makes a face.] Can't you like mess up the space-time continuum by telling me my future, though? [Isn't that what always happens in movies?]

walking in a winter wonderland. (MINGLE)

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