☼ 001 - [video]
[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 ( Read more... )
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 ( Read more... )
Look who's back.
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What can I say? I just like you guys so darn much I thought I'd grace you with my presence. [He lifts his chin a bit, and inquiring look in his eye.] But ah... whaddya mean 'back'? I like to think my memory's pretty good, but...
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How nice of you.
[Riku shrugs.]
Don't worry about it. We'll fill you in, but it's this place that messes with people's memories. You were here some months back for a long while.
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[And then he gives a start.] Eh-- huh? [His hand moves unconsciously to his head, pressing against his temple.] I was... I was here?
[He quickly sets a filter--he's gotten the motion down now--and makes this a private conversation. He doesn't want people knowing just how rattled he suddenly is. Riku was there after the battle with Saïx, though... Riku's already kind of seen him at his worst. He trusts Riku, in a manner of speaking, at least with something like this.
[His hand has migrated to covering one eye and the headache is worse again, though not quite the same as when he was talking with Xion. This time he's pretty sure it's just tension. How is it he keeps forgetting things? He gives Riku a slightly worried look, then. There's only one person he knows with that kind of power, and while he doesn't think she would use it on him deliberately, he can't help the flicker of indignation at the idea that she's being taken advantage of again.]Does Namin7#233; have ( ... )
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[He folds his arms across his chest and watches the confusion settle into him. There's the headache, like before, and he knows exactly where his thought process is going. The Keybearer frowns briefly but keeps quiet while Axel tries to reason it out.]
It's not her. She's been safe with us. It's something about this world and the way we come here and leave, probably because of the Core. It's nothing she's done; she wouldn't do something like that.
[He lifts his head briefly.]
We should talk.
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[And then he looks curious.]
Should we now~? Do tell.
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[Yeah, Axel, that was a needling at what "time" you're from. Oh, and he switches the feed to private now.]
Things are a little hectic here. The Organization has its own business now and Ansem the Heartless has been camped out here for several months now with his own body.
[He'll let that one sink in before he continues.]
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Demyx mentioned the ah... Xino Mao? thing. I'd definitely like a little more information on that barrel of monkeys, 'cuz I'm pretty sure that however innocuous it might seem, Xemnas has got to be up to something.
[But when the next part registers, Axel just headtilts. Like serious headtilt.] Wait, Ansems the Heartless... [He counts on his fingers.] Not... you mean... wait. [SPOILERS EVERYONE IS ANSEM.] Okay, that one's gonna need a little expansion.
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[Word travels fast when you're the goddamn Batman Riku. But that's not really the point.]
Of course he is. He's using it as an escort front to protect people from the Darkness. They start to trust the Nobodies, they start funding them... It'll be a lot of trouble before long, trust me on that one. For now, we have a tentative truce, but that's another thing entirely.
[Riku's gaze hardens a little, but not really at the Nobody.]
The Core, the thing that brought us here? It can bring people back from the dead, bring them from different "timelines", take away memories, give people powers when they didn't have any...and can, apparently, give people their own bodies, sort of. He's been brought here. He's still a Heartless, but it's still trouble.
[And Riku still has his darkness in his heart but that's best saved for another conversation.]
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[He listens quietly, frowning a bit, eyes narrow. Not good.] I would like to state for the record that not all Nobodies are manipulative self-indulgent mavericks on a personal crusade to destroy the world. [A beat of silence for effect.] Some of us are manipulative self-indulgent mavericks who would prefer to just hang out and eat ice cream with friends. Unfortunately Xemnas is not one of those Nobodies, thus I do see the dilemma here.
What can you tell me about the company? I'm still working on testing the waters to see how ah... wanted I may be, but if I can wheedle my way back into the chief's good graces perhaps I can get back up to my old tricks again. You know, for a good cause this time. Never hurts to try new things, am I right?
[And then he kind of makes a face. Back from the dead... yeah, he got that much. But the rest of that sounds kinda screwy.
[He turns one palm skyward.] So he's a Heartless... [And the other palm.] but he's got a body. ( ... )
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[While morbid, it certainly let them know which Nobodies were dead. And Axel's was apparent.]
Honestly, I'm not sure if I lump you in with the "Organization" any longer. But hey, I'll keep that in mind. I know you're not going to do something crazy just to get what you want... [Haha, yeah, that was another jab.] Oh, right.
It's called Xino E. Mao. Xigbar's in charge of recruitment and PR. He'll be on top of you and sure to figure out what you're up to if you try to sneak in.
[Riku sighs, nodding.]
It's his Heartless body, but...he still discarded it before, you remember. So yeah, I have no idea why he gets more than you guys do. It'd make our jobs easier, you know, if you guys just got hearts and were done with it.
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Well, to be honest, I dunno if I lump me in the the Organization any longer either, but somebody's gotta keep an eye on those bastards. Or in this case, maybe 'Nobody' does. Figure I've got a better shot at pulling it off than most.
On that note, I find that often hiding in plain sight suits me just fine--no sense in presenting myself any differently this time around. I don't doubt they'll let me back in the door--the trick is lulling them into a false sense of security. [It's worked twice already, after all.] Can you tell me anything about AGI in general? There's some information in this little gadget, but you're always a guy in the know, if memory serves.
[And he gives an exaggerated sigh, splaying a hand over his 'heart'.] No reprieve for the wicked, I suppose. [And he gives Riku a knowing grin.] I imagine you hero types might get bored, though, if there were no villains to try and thwart.
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Heh. Well, good luck with that. They've got a hand in every pocket and there are always places where even you can't go.
[Like SERO. If Zexion or Vexen ever return, they're going to go right back to SERO. And with Ansem there too, Riku's got that side of the trouble covered.]
Also true. [He shrugs.] AGI's part of the entertainment industry. They control it. The family that owns it is very...mafioso, if you know what that means. Suits, guns, powers, loyalty. They also deal in slavery and sex trafficking. The Organization isn't involved in that. They offer protective services for people out in the Darkness. You've read about that, though, right?
[He faintly smiles.]
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[And then he looks a bit surprised.]
So wait, I heard they were offering something of the sort, but they're actually following through? Providing protection? How mafioso indeed... something tells me there's some fine print here that hasn't been scrutinized, though. Or did they just make people an offer they couldn't refuse? [A hand on his chin, he drums the fingers of his other hand along the back of his NV.] Seems I'm gonna have to see what I can wheedle out of old Xigbar. He's a tough nut to crack, but I'm sure I can work something out with him.
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[He laughs softly.]
Yeah, exactly. Here's the thing... Xino E. Mao came out of nowhere. They're helpful. And the rest of us? We're just kids, Axel. If they help enough people, then people will start to trust whatever they say. Why listen to a bunch of kids when the Organization is so helpful? I'm sure that's part of the plan at work here.
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[Pause.]
Alas all I can offer is myself, but depending on what exactly you're selling I'm willing to stand in until you can find a responsible adult.
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