(no subject)

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

After this Xaldin comes into the bar. He's moving stiffly - like his body aches - but there is no discernible pain on his face. He leaves a note for Axel with the Bar.

VIII,
Do you want your old room? We went back to The World That Never Was and brought it back with us. Just let us know where to put it.
II & III

Then he heads outside where the air is less uncomfortable.

Comments

[soulkeepersong.livejournal.com]

I have been watching for Xaldin. The thought that he might be able to take me home is one that has filled my head day and night since we first spoke.

"Zaldeen!" I called, flying from my mountain perch.

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"Kedra." Xaldin raises an arm in salutation, "Are you ready to try?" It's just a try. These things take time, effort, and a lot of fighting.

[soulkeepersong.livejournal.com]

"I am," I said, banking tightly to circle him. "Even if it does not succeed, at least I am trying."

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"Alright, then." Xaldin says as he rips open a portal in the sky (http://sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com/1561.html) big enough for Kedra to get into.

[bringer_of_fun]

Bobby snuck outside and took on his ice form, intending to explore the jungle that several people have told him he'd be better off staying away from.

He hadn't been expecting to see anyone else out here.

"Oh! Hey."

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"Hi." Xaldin calls down. He's been sticking to the higher reaches of the air lately but being 6'2" and looking like he should weigh close to 300lbs he's hard to miss.

Even without the black 'leather' coat and the hair.

[bringer_of_fun]

"So, this jungle...nothing's attacked you, yet? I heard there was some dough or something, too."

Eh, Bobby's used to big guys, even if he's not that big, himself.

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

It's more the size of the shape in the air is hard to miss.

"Not much notices my kind." Xaldin says with a shrug, "I stay away from the dough and the jungle doesn't notice me."

[bringer_of_fun]

Bobby makes an ice sled and gets up a little higher, the better to talk.

"Your kind?"

Then he sort of pauses and looks around at the plants.

"The jungle can notice people?"

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"Nobodies." Xaldin says with a nod, "We're hard for a lot of things to notice. I'd assume it notices people. It certainly seems to attack when threatened.

"Xaldin. III of XIII, The Whirlwind Lancer."

[bringer_of_fun]

"Bobby Drake, uh, one of five? The Iceman."

He's not sure he gets it...in fact, he's pretty sure he doesn't.

"You look like a person to me."

[gorgonfondness]

Mia was ready to try going out again. She needed air, in a lot of ways.

So she goes to try again only to see the jungle. Wait, what did that sign say before?

She shrugs and decides to give it a try, even if she feels a little silly yelling into the wind.

"Could I take the aerial path over the jungle, please?!"

Hey, if she's going to yell, she's going to yell politely.

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"Not a problem." Xaldin calls back down. The wind picks her up gently and a counter-breeze even keeps her skirt and hair from flying upward. "Where do you want to be set down?"

[gorgonfondness]

Eh, it's not as fun as broomstick flying. But she's biased because of her husband.

"The area with the scorch marks and slag," she replies.

She recognizes some of the marks there as thunderbolt strikes. So that's where Nash took the toasters.

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

It's how Xaldin moves and how he can build goodwill. He prefers falling, himself.

"Alright." The point of doing this is to get people thinking about them as people, not as whatever VIII has been painting them as. So Xaldin keeps the wind gentle and the speed moderate. "If you'd like a ride back just call out. I am Xaldin."

[gorgonfondness]

Well, falling would cause some thrill. And it would give Mia a chance to try out Accio broomstick to see if she's really got the hang of her husband's magic.

But the goodwill is smart, as otherwise Draco would try to kill Xaldin, and that wouldn't be good for anyone.

"Xaldin," she repeats. "I'm Mia."

And she probably will need the ride back, but she's not one to take something for nothing unless it's explicitly a gift. As far as she knows, this isn't necessarily a free ride.

"If there's anything I can do for repayment, I'd be happy to give or do what I can."

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"The jungle is difficult for Somebodies, and I am attempting to build goodwill amongst your kind." Xaldin says honestly, "I need no repayment. I just want people to be willing to give my juniors a chance before judging them on rumor."

[gorgonfondness]

Somebodies.

She's heard that term before.

"So are you saying that you are a Nobody?"

Not suspicious. Only curious.

[killitwithfire]

When Axel gets the note, surprise is quite possibly the mildest word you could use to describe the look on his face.

Of all the things he's expected from his former superiors, this... Wasn't on the list. Not by a long shot. He doesn't know what to think, and if asked, would have just as much trouble describing his emotional reaction, beyond that initial profound surprise.

A glance around the room shows him that Xaldin isn't there, and so after a couple minutes of consideration, he heads outside. Looking up.

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

Xaldin is out there, pacing around. He doesn't seem agitated, just - moving. He's stiff and his movements aren't up to his usual grace. He's thinking, arms clasped behind his back.

[killitwithfire]

Axel pauses for a moment, and then hops up to the top of a tree, to get some height himself.

"Xaldin!"

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"Yes, VIII?" Xaldin asks, moving over to where he can speak with Axel more comfortably.

[killitwithfire]

Axel holds up the note.

"I'm not going to ask how," he says. He can guess. "But why?"

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"Gesture of good faith." Xaldin says, "And we really wanted to see your face."

He'll describe it to Xigbar.

[killitwithfire]

'Mild perplexity' is the best description of his face right now.

"Then you should've stuck around inside for when I first got it."