(no subject)

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

[Millitime to before Rachel's OOM]

It was time to go and the two Nobodies are more than ready. Xaldin stops to leave a note at the Bar If you are receiving this you may be interested to know that Xigbar and I have left to regain hearts. We will either return enheartened, or die. - III

Either or both of them can be caught on their way out.

[tags: Xigbar, Xaldin
Post open until they return. Possibilities of epic slows due to work schedules and deadlines exist.]

Comments

[ostro_goth]

Teja sees the note soon, as he is drinking strong coffee by the bar, after the party outside.

While the seriousness of the coda '... or die' may be stark and worrying to some modern men, it is much more familiar Teja. On many days of his life, he has seen good men go to 'achieve this, or die'; so, he does not have it in him to be shocked by such an announcement.

So he does what he would do with any friends or allies leaving for battle, skirmish, siege, or dangerous journey to take a message, or reconnoitre: - he approaches them to wish them success on their way.

"Greetings," he says, nodding briefly.

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"Greetings, Teja." Xaldin says gravely, "It is time."

[ostro_goth]

"I wish you success with it," Teja says. "It is that woman, Rachel, who will now grant hearts to you both?"

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"It is." Xaldin says, glancing at Xigbar and then back again, "She dies, we may, but if we survive we will be whole."

[ostro_goth]

"So when I see you once more, you shall have a heart, or I shall not see you again," Teja says, quietly. "I hope you will return; but if you do not, I would have you know that it has been an honour and a pleasure to know you. I would not forget you."

He would not treat Xaldin differently than any other friend that he had to say farewell to, for what might have been the last time. There had been many of those; and many, over the years of his lifetime, that Teja indeed did not see again. Neither sentimentality nor false cheer seem right to him, at such a moment.

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"If I return, I will buy you a drink." Xaldin promises, clasping the Somebody's shoulder, "And we can speak of honour and pleasure then."

[ostro_goth]

"Indeed, we shall," Teja says. "If you return, I will be ready to help you with whatever you need, as I promised before, also. You may count on me, Xaldin, my friend."

Pause.

Then, he touches Xaldin's shoulder as well. "Farewell, and may you be given what you seek!"

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"Fare well, Teja." Xaldin says, turning from him toward the door.

[ostro_goth]

Teja bows, and stands, quietly, to watch the Nobodies leave. Looking at them is a way of honouring what they are, and what they mean to Teja -- even if he should never see them again.

Millitimed to after every other thread

[thinkitwithguns.livejournal.com]

"This is it, dude," Xigbar says, his hand resting on the door-frame.

Re: Millitimed to after every other thread

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"This is it." he agrees, looking out the door, then down at his superior.

After a moment he offers his hand.

Re: Millitimed to after every other thread

[thinkitwithguns.livejournal.com]

Xigbar hesitates a moment himself, before he accepts the hand.

This is the last time-- The last time it will hurt. Maybe the last time altogether.

Re: Millitimed to after every other thread

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

Hand in hand they step out into the new world.

Whatever will be, will be now.

[alt-hulk.livejournal.com]

Teddy sees Xaldin leave a note, and he's curious what's going on. He knows there's been a lot going on with Nobodies getting hearts recently (Demyx and Zexion, specifically) but he doesn't know that much about these two getting hearts. So he's immediately concerned that something's happened again, that maybe Zexion's been having trouble, or who knows...

"Is everything alright?" he asks, concerned. "Are Demyx and Zexion okay? Or is this something else?"

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"It is our time, Teddy." Xaldin says - he'd be anticipatory if he could be, "We are leaving to get our hearts back."

[alt-hulk.livejournal.com]

"Oh. I didn't realize, but... I'm glad for you two. And... will there be anyone to help you? With the emotions, and everything?" He's already starting to worry, because he's got Billy on his world, but if things get like they were with Zexion...

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"Time will tell if our attempts to foster allies will bear fruit." Xaldin says with a small shrug, "If nothing else we shall have each other."

Even if - but that doesn't bear thinking on.

[alt-hulk.livejournal.com]

Teddy nods gravely, and then he remembers: "I promised to help you, and now... I don't know if I can live up to that, with everything... damn."

And he knows this will hurt Billy once they get him free--it might even be hurting him now.

"I don't mean to sound uncaring or selfish at all, but... you said Larxene's with Billy, right?"

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"She is needed to keep our lessers from fading at the moment." Xaldin says, "She will return to Billy when we are capable of taking up the burden of Dragoons, Snipers, and Dancers."

[alt-hulk.livejournal.com]

Teddy... bites his lip, hard. He's not going to just get upset in front of Xaldin. Not right now.

"I understand," he says, more seriously and evenly than he feels. "Thank you for taking care of him for so long, and... good luck. I'll be thinking about you two."

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"One against hundreds of thousands." Xaldin says with a nod, "Concentrate on your lover, we will survive or die. If we return we will help as possible, and Larxene will be available for Billy again."

[alt-hulk.livejournal.com]

"I am concentrating," Teddy assures him, distant for a moment before he snaps back. "You... don't have to worry about it. Really. I see how difficult it is for Zexion and Demyx. Helping will be taking care of yourselves if you make it through this."

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

Xaldin nods, "Good bye, Teddy. Anandas will inform you if we survive."

He'll figure out "didn't" if she fades into a Ninja.

[alt-hulk.livejournal.com]

"Bye, Xaldin," he says with a nod.

[piperaceae.livejournal.com]

Pepper is, to say the least, surprised by the note.

She's quick to react, starting towards as soon as she's done reading.

(She's not letting them leave without saying good-bye.)

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

Xaldin smiles when he sees her. It isn't real, yet, but if something like him can be said to be pleased, he is. "Hello, Pepper."

[thinkitwithguns.livejournal.com]

"Hey babe," Xigbar echoes.

[piperaceae.livejournal.com]

They both get quick smiles, which is somewhat dulled by the worry that doesn't bother hiding itself on her face.

"Hey, you two. I just -"

She pauses (swallows the crack in her voice).

"- good luck."

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

It might be the last time, and goodbyes are important to Somebodies - he remembers this. So Xaldin brushes a strand of hair back from her forehead with a very light brush of cool, gloved fingers, "Thank you, Pepper. With luck we shall have that date soon."

[thinkitwithguns.livejournal.com]

"Thanks babe. If we make it, we'll see you again. You can totally count on it," Xigbar says.

[piperaceae.livejournal.com]

She smiles (and, just barely, blushes).

A quick, exasperated sort of smile, the sort Tony's all too familiar with.

"Al-alright. Take care of yourselves."

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"You too, Pepper Potts." Xaldin says with carefully constructed hope, then he leans to brush his lips against her cheek.

(There is the pounding of REAL against his unreality, but this should be the last time someone does that to him.)

[thinkitwithguns.livejournal.com]

Xigbar gives her a shameless grin.

"We will babe. Don't worry."

[piperaceae.livejournal.com]

And she doesn't break (because she's said goodbye before). Instead, she bites her lower lip, smiles at the both of them (a slightly surprised blink at Xaldin, though not one that suggests objection), and nods.

"See you."

[sliceitwithwind.livejournal.com]

"See you." Xaldin echoes, and turns toward the door (http://community.livejournal.com/milliways_bar/20922450.html?thread=906591314#t906591314) with light steps.