☼ 001 - [video]

[got_it_memorizd]

[The feed clicks on and we can see an image of a man's face. His bright eyes are wide with something like curiosity, and he's kind of grinning as he turns the device in his hands with a low whistle.]

Man, this is way fancier than any equipment I ever got at work. It's the swankiest walkie-talkie I've ever seen! [He gives an amused laugh, then

Comments

[ninthserenade]

...Axel?

[Okay, that's gotta be his eyes messing with him. Maybe he's hanging out at the club for too long...]

[got_it_memorizd]

[Now there's a face he never thought he'd see again. Not that he thought he'd be seeing any faces, really, what with being dead and all. Go figure.]

D-Demyx? Is that you?

[ninthserenade]

[Talk about blasts from the past, huh? He actually has to rub both eyes and blink a few times before he picks up his NV to get a closer look.]

Y-Yeah? But... Is that really you, Axel?

[got_it_memorizd]

Well, if you're really you, I think I'm really me, but I guess I could be wrong. [He's suddenly not really sure of anything.] I ah... thought I heard you'd, you know... kicked the bucket.

[But then... he kinda kicked the bucket, and here he is.]

[ninthserenade]

Whadd'ya mean? There's only one you, right? [And then he grimaces, taking his NV off somewhere backstage. No need for the usual girls to see this upset look, right?] ...But I kinda did kick it.

[got_it_memorizd]

[Is this a trick question?] Last I checked, anyway. [And then his expression warps into something bordering on weirded out.] You don't say~ So how ah... I mean, you're here, yah? [Is Canada The Afterlife? But Roxas isn't dead. This is somehow making even less sense as time passes.]

[ninthserenade]

Yeah... It's weird, but ah... It beats the alternative, right? [Sitting around in the darkness? It kinda sucks.]

[got_it_memorizd]

Yeah, something tells me there's not much to do there. [A pause, and then he quirks his mouth to one side.] So how long have you been here, then? Is... are any of the others here? Besides Roxas, I mean; I already talked to him.

[ninthserenade]

Man, you should get your little radar fixed. There's actually a ton of stuff to do! [And then he has to think about this.] Uhh, since May, I think. Xiggy's here, Xemnas, Xaldin used to be here, Luxord's here, Saix... Oh yeah, and Sora's here too.

[got_it_memorizd]

My radar works just fine, Demyx--I meant there's not much to do when you're... [He waves one hand. Never mind.

[He listens to the roster then, frowning a bit. Xigbar he's not too concerned about, since Xigbar doesn't really give much of a crap about anything but himself. He doesn't figure Luxord will care too much about his being here, either, but Xemnas and Saïx, those are names he doesn't want to hear. He doesn't necessarily think Xemnas will be so petty as to continue to hunt him down here, but Saïx is another story. Saïx is relentless, and he wouldn't put it past him to be tracking him down already.

[Ah, hell, and he told Roxas his apartment number in a completely unfiltered conversation. Dammit. He might not be staying in apartment 808 very long, in that case.

[Clearing his throat, he gives Demyx a concerned look.]

So how... organized... are they? [He doesn't want to come right out and ask if he should be worried for his safety, but that's essentially what he's asking.]

[ninthserenade]

Right, right... Guess it's been a long day.

[Reclining back on one of the couches in the performer's room, Demyx runs a hand through his hair. Man, oh man.]

Well... You might wanna sit down for this, but we've got a company now. It's called the Xino E. Mao Corporation. I'm sorta working there as one of Xigbar's assistants 'n stuff. We've got our own building, different employees and everything--Including suits.

[And then he nearly whines, sending his NV a pleading look;]

They itch, man! It's way easier workin' here at the Purg cuz I can just wear whatever I want!

[got_it_memorizd]

You've had a long day--my head's killing me and I'm pretty convinced I pulled something in my shoulder. I'm too old for getting hurled into strange new worlds with no warning or protective padding. [He plants a hand on his opposite shoulder and rolls it back with a grimace.] They could'a at least put a port-a-pit in the damn field or something, jeez...

[And then he glances sidelong at the couch he's sitting on. Right, already sitting down, okay-- wait what?]

Wait, what? We're suits now? Ah, hell no, I'm not... Are you kidding me? Me, in a suit? [He shakes his head firmly.] In the words of a certain old man, 'as if'. [He waves a hand dismissively.] No, thanks, I'll pass; I'm certainly not interested in doing Xemnas' bidding in a damn suit.

[ninthserenade]

You're not too much older than me, dude!

[He nods and he can't help the small grin at Axel's reaction.]

It's actually not too bad anymore. I just sit around with my shirt untucked and the blazer tossed over the back of the chair most of the time anyways 'n then I come straight here to play a couple gigs a few nights a week. Heck, we had a big party not too long ago! It's tiring after awhile but I guess it pays for rent and food 'n stuff.

--> private

[got_it_memorizd]

Demyx, there's this thing called hyperbole; you should read about it sometime...

[A moment of fiddling and he makes sure the rest of this is a very private conversation.]

[He gives Demyx a disconcerted look then.] But I fear you're forgetting one important thing: I'm kind of a fugitive, remember? Something tells me I'm not gonna be very welcome at the company Christmas parties.

--> private

[ninthserenade]

Hyper-wha?

[And then he folds his arms across his chest, face screwed up in thought for a few moments. Then he slaps his knee with the faintest hints of a smirk.]

Yeah? Well... Y'know how Roxas kinda ditched us? He got invited to that big party and he's not even workin' with Xino Mao! It's like a whole new start, dude!

private 1/2

[got_it_memorizd]

Hyperbo-- creative use of exaggeration. And Axel arches an eyebrow as Demyx thinks. He can practically hear the gears turning, and then he just gives him a look.] Gee, do I remember how Roxas ditched the Organization, let me think~ Of course I do, you lunkhead, I was kind of there.