milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

demyx,
xaldin

(no subject)

He was not intending to be here for long. It felt … like nothing, truly, but if he could feel Demyx suspects it would feel saddening that he must skulk around in this place that was supposedly safe, on the lookout for trouble in his current state. Lissar had come and he had followed, only briefly. He wanted to let his friends and superiors know that he was alright, if they cared.

He’s keeping an eye out for certain People of Interest, though. He’s healed enough to walk acceptably now, though still with a bit of a shuffling limp. And if he catches sight of a young boy or large mouse wielding a keyblade, or a sullen white-haired boy, he is bolting for the door and possibly calling security on the way.

[The Brave Little Tag: Demyx]

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"IX." Xaldin states "You are looking better."

Demyx doesn't stand upright at Xaldin's voice because that isn't his way. He hunches over a bit, makes himself smaller. It's how he always does in the presence of a superior.

"A friend has been giving me chance to rest in her world, so I won't have to fear the 'hero' and his companions when I'm not at my best." Demyx explains. He wants to ask about Axel, but is pretty sure that wouldn't be a good idea.

Xaldin nods "Good. It is good that you are meeting other people." People who are not VIII. "Xigbar and I have found another possible lead on getting hearts."

"Oh?" Demyx asks, more curious than hopeful. Everything he has is on Kingdom Hearts right now, he's not sure he can muster enough faith in his current state to gift any to anything else.

"...And Ax- ...VIII?" Against his better judgment, he asks anyway.

"Yes. I'll let you know as we learn more." Xaldin says with what passes for gentleness amongst them. "VIII has explained himself to me. Xigbar is considering what will happen next. You should continue to avoid VIII."

His face is covered, but the disappointment is evident at that last statement. "...Thank you, sir. For keeping me updated."

"We need you, Demyx." Xaldin states "VIII abandoned us all. He betrayed us, and then he abandoned us. You should not try to be near him."

"I know, I know." Demyx says, voice strained with his own internal conflict. Wasn't this supposed to be easy without a heart? "...But I like him."

"He will use you and abandon you." Xaldin states "That's what he does, if you are lucky. Vexen, Lexaeus, Zexion, Marluxia, Larxene. Remember them."

Because even if what Axel said is true, and Xaldin is willing to say it might be, the lesson is still very clear and something Demyx needs to internalize. Axel can't be trusted. He didn't even report clearly until his life hung in the balance.

He didn't come back to show them how to get hearts. He abandoned them.

"I know, sir, but..." When he hurts me he doesn'tharm me and he only does it when I ask. doesn't really seem like such a good excuse, come to think of it. "...Nevermind."

Xaldin looks at Demyx and says, "But what IX?"

"Nothing, sir!" The downside about his character that he's created is he's a very bad liar. "J-just more excuses."

"Tell me, IX. Or should I assume that there is more I should know about VIII which might change our minds?"

"He humors me, okay? He tends to be pretty kind as far as answering my requests go. Beyond that... I'd really rather not say, it's personal."

"Tell me anyway." Xaldin's voice is unrelenting "And I may tell you what Xigbar and I are considering."

Demyx considers this. He still wants to keep precisely what he does with Axel private - it's between just the two of them, and he's pretty sure Xaldin would disapprove.

"...We practice elemental magic with each other sometimes, that's all. Nothing different than what we did back at the castle."

"Nothing different at all?" Xaldin's voice positively drips with his disbelief.

"Well, a little different. Rules here, he's not really one of us anymore, but... basically."

Close enough, right?

"We may be letting him live." Xaldin says in turn. "Unless we hear of anything else that will put him farther into debt. I still want you to stay away from him."

"He hasn't harmed me." Demyx insists again, quietly. "And he's been comparatively kind to me."

"Do you mean compared to what he did to Vexen?"

"I mean compared to how everyone else treats me."

That shuts Xaldin up for a moment. Then he says, "I still want you to avoid him. VIII is a bad man. The rest of us are not exactly bad. Axel is."

Demyx suppresses a sigh at that. He knows the others aren't evil - they have no place between the darkness and the light. To be 'evil' implies a choice which they distinctly lack.
.....Are people 'born' wicked?
But he nods just the same, replying with a non-committal "I'll keep it in mind, sir."
.....Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?

It would be so much easier to just kill VIII and be done with it. Everyone would be safer that way, he's certain. He wishes he hadn't given his word.

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