☼ 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

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[video;]

[mirroredmemory]

[Xion is in much the same state of mind as Roxas; she's been longing to hear his voice over the network for months, even since she realised he'd gone. She has to stare really hard to assure herself that it's really him and when her mind is suitably at ease:]

Axel?

[video;]

[got_it_memorizd]

That's my name, don't wear it out. [How does she know his name, anyway? Did she hear Roxas and Demyx use it? He's pretty sure he doesn't know this girl. Though... something about her does seem really familiar. Curious; he's usually really good with faces.]

Ah... You know, you remind me of someone... I can't quite put my finger on it, though; have we met?

[video;] 1/2

[mirroredmemory]

[For a moment her face falls, because he doesn't recognise her, doesn't remember her at all. He's forgotten being here and he's forgotten her and it stings, no matter how many times she's told herself that it would likely be this way if he ever came back.]

[video;] 2/2

[mirroredmemory]

[But- if there's just the tiniest glimmer or recognition, she should latch onto it and hope it brings the memories of her back. That's what Roxas said happened to him.]

It's me. Xion.

...You don't remember?

[video;]

[got_it_memorizd]

[A frown creases his face when her expression falls. Wow, is she really someone he knows? She just seems so crestfallen he doesn't know who she is!]

Xion... [Something about the way the name rolls off his tongue feels right, like he's said the name before, like he should have known that. 'Right. I knew that.' Right?]

I'm... should I? [He's genuinely curious and a little confused now. It's not like him to forget people. He stares at her a moment, narrowing his eyes, willing the lines of her face to focus into a memory, but he can't quite conjure anything. He shakes his head, something sort of squirming in the base of his spine.]

[video;]

[mirroredmemory]

[She shakes her head sadly; it's not his fault. It's not. She knew this would happen, she knows how lucky she was that Roxas and Axel remembered her when she arrived, but still... it hurts more than she thought it would that he doesn't remember.]

No... You shouldn't.

[Gosh that hurts to say.]

But that's okay, it's not your fault. I shouldn't have- I just-

[She looks away then back.]

I'm just so happy to see you, I'm sorry.

[video;]

[got_it_memorizd]

[Wait. Now he's confused.]

Okay, hold the walkie, first you ask me if I remember, and then you tell me I shouldn't? Did I just fail a pop quiz or something?

[She... looks so sad! Axel isn't exactly known for his chivalry or general common courtesy, but even he hates to see a sad girl. Something about that look on her face reminds him so much of Naminé it's uncanny: the way she turns her gaze to the floor, the way her heavy lashes obscure the bright blue of her eyes, the way her lips press together in that thin frown... He shakes his head, confused.]

So... you know me, but I shouldn't remember you? Something about that seems a little off if you ask me.

[video; private]

[mirroredmemory]

You don't remember me because I- hang on.

[The feed has now become Private. She knows how time means nothing to the Core and the way the Pull works.]

Before you came here, was Roxas still with the Organization?

[There is a possibility, no matter how small, that maybe this is before they've met. Somehow that prospect leaves her more hopeful than the idea that he's forgotten her.]

[video; private]

[got_it_memorizd]

[U N S U R E. Even if he's technically dead, even if he defected from the Organization and was branded a traitor before that anyway, even if he really doesn't give a damn what happens to the Organization or anyone in it anymore, somehow he's not sure he's allowed to talk about this. He furrows his brow and narrows one eye.]

How do you know about the Organization? [If they knew each other a long time ago and he forgot her that's one thing (though she looks too young for them to have any history that old), but he would definitely remember someone who was a part of his life recently enough that the Organization was a factor.]

[video; private]

[mirroredmemory]

[There's a funny lump in her throat; she hates Axel looking at her that way, like he's not sure what to make of her and she wishes she could find a way to get that look off his face but whatever she says is going to sound crazy.]

Because I was in the Organization. Number fourteen. Xion.

[She's allowing a tiny, tiny part of her to hope that it triggers something.]

[video; private] 1/2

[got_it_memorizd]

[Okay, something is really fishy about this.]

Uh huh... So, lemme get this straight: Organization Thirteen has... fourteen members. [Right. Tell me more.] I think you're gonna have to come up with a better story than th--

[video; private] 2/2

[got_it_memorizd]

[A sudden sharp pain stabs through his head then, and he grunts, dropping the NV to the table and pressing the heel of one hand into his eye socket. What the hell?

'Hey, what's wrong? You worried about the new kid?'

Was that his voice, echoing in his head? What was going on?

Seems like we're getting new members every day.

Had he written that somewhere?

No. XIII was a boy, Roxas. Now we've got a No. XIV, Xion.

This had to be some kind of trick. Squeezing his eyes closed a moment, he grits his teeth and waits for the buzzing in his head to abate, then picks up the NV and glowers at it.]

What's... [A quick shake of his head--the headache is worse than it was before, but that sharp, stabbing pain is gone, the crackly hissing sound like static in his ears has quieted. He swallows and exhales, then gives Xion a suspicious look, trying to brush off the fact that he just sort of had a spaz attack.] If you were in the Organization, then tell me who's in charge. What-- [Pause.] What's our boss's name?

[video; private]

[mirroredmemory]

[She had been prepared for the skepticism and disbelief, but seeing him suddenly drop the NV like that is awful; Xion feels a flutter of fear and can't help but call out.]

Axel!

[And then she visibly flinches because that glare... Axel's never glared at her like that.

It makes him look like Saïx.]

It's Xemnas.

[Her voice is tiny.]

The leader of the Organization is Xemnas.

[video; private]

[got_it_memorizd]

[That fear in her voice stirs something within him, a strange and uncomfortable sort of twinge behind his sternum. What is that? It's familiar. The way she flinches at his look doesn't help the sensation, either. He doesn't know this girl (does he?). He shouldn't be bothered by that sad, dejected look on her face (should he?) So... why does it bother him? Why does looking into those big sad eyes of hers just make him feel like the biggest ass alive? Or... well, undead? Or something.

[Anyway.

[When she answers the question correctly, his kneejerk reaction is to ask her something else. She could have heard that from someone--she could have heard it from Sora, he's the one who told Sora that, so who's to say she didn't hear it from him? But something in the back of his mind stops him. The suspicion bleeds out of his expression and for a moment he just stares at her, his face twisted into something between confusion and contrition.]

Who... [He shakes his head.] Who are you? Xion, you said, but... Why don't I remember you

[video; private]

[mirroredmemory]

Please tell me... Did you already go to Castle Oblivion and come back? I'm sorry, I'll tell you about me, I promise, I just... need to know what I should tell you because you-

You might not remember me because you have no reason to or because you can't. Because I-

['Might not exist.' She swallows hard.]

I know you. I know you very well. You're my best friend, you and Roxas, you're both my best friends. We used to eat ice cream together almost every day; and if you don't remember that then it's okay, it's not your fault.

[video; private]

[got_it_memorizd]

[He peers at her a moment, but the suspicion has turned to confusion more than anything else. How does she know about his mission to C.O.? That's not something that was passed around.]

I... Yes? That was... a long time ago, actually. [A long time ago.] But I can remember plenty of stuff that happened before that. Why would that impact my memory of you?