"Your name… Lumaria, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir."

"And you're sure… About this…?"

"Of course, sir."

"There is no turning back after this…"

"I am fully aware of that, sir."

"Well, then… Lumaria… What a nice name. Rather fitting of your… Appearance. That name, from today on, is no longer yours. It is in the past now. You can't look back."

"Yes, sir."

"Your name.. Lumaria. You can tell others about it if and when you wish. Keep it quiet, though. Your old name could destroy you in these times. Even kill you. But, your new name… Well, your current name L-U-M-A-R-I-A. We need to… Jumble it up a bit.. M-A… R.. L-U… And we throw the family symbol in.. An 'X'… And finish it off with the two remaining letters. I-A. You name.. Is now… Marluxia. Say it for me, boy."

"Marluxia."

"Three more times. Adjust yourself to it. Memorize it. /Dedicate/ yourself to it!"

"Marluxia… Marluxia! Marluxia!!"

"Good boy.. Very good… That is your name from this moment forward. Isn't it, Marluxia?"

"That it is, sir."

"You are one of us now. I've seen your work. I've witnessed your abilities. I've seen your finesse… And the deeds you have done for the family. I think you've proved your worth."

"Thank you, sir."

"Welcome to the family, Marluxia."

He brought the cigarette from his lips, letting out an exhalation of smoke. The smoke did not smell of the usual deadly tobacco, but rather of normal smoke. Like that from a bonfire. Flicking the cigarette nimbly between his index and middle finger, light ash scattered from the burning end.

Adjusting the dark gray fedora on his head, grass-green eyes slid from the shoreline to the blonde beside him, who was sitting down on the dock rather idly. Kricking his neck boredly, he spoke. His tone was considerably laid-back, fitting for his features. It had the hints of the casual, slightly-slurred tones used in big cities up north. Slightly spoken through his nose. But articulated perfectly, nonetheless.

"What do you think of the new guy, IX?" His chartreuse eyes blinked slowly, still staring at the blonde. Both were clad in business-type suits, though the first man had stripped his coat, and had it in his right hand, which was resting on his hip, as the left hand was busy holding the cigarette. Both men had at least partially un-tucked shirts, though, again, the first man has the more casual air. He had fully un-tucked his shirt, and a few of the topmost and bottommost buttons had been left open.

The blonde beside him shrugged, "Dunno, Ax. The whole pink hair thing is weird, but he's got style." His voice was more deliberate, with a slightly higher pitch. It was still fitting, nonetheless. Not squeaky or too feminine. It was joking, playful. Very well set for the mischievous air the man gave off. Sea green eyes, dirty blonde hair in a mullet/Mohawk, and the childish smirk on his lips. Perfect.

"/Style/…? Heh. Nice term for it.." The first man laughed, bringing the cigarette to his lips again. Exhaling the smoke through his nostrils this time, he grumbled, "He just seems like some candy-ass to me…" He shrugged, flicking ash off the end of the cigarette again.

The blond snorted, looking ahead that the water before him. The smell of salt filled the air around these docks. He truly loved it here, more than anything… Even if it did smell like rotting fish at noon. Turning those pale blue-green eyes to the man beside him once more, he sneered, "Like you should--"

"That was a one-time incident, damn it! I don't want to have to relive that incident /ever/ again!" He slowly removed the fedora allowing his hair to straighten into its usual spikes. Crimson red at the tips, fading to a blood scarlet at the roots. He yawned, and drew the cigarette from his mouth, dropping it onto the dock's surface, and stepping on it lazily, grinding the glowing embers out with his spit-shined shoe, "And you can't say a God damned thing about it, 'cause I can say the same fucking thing about you."

The blonde smirked, looking up at the redhead standing beside him. He looked back ahead once more, chuckling, "Got to love those Christmas parties…" Slowly pulling his form from the sitting position on the dock's edge to a stand beside his comeradde, he found himself looking down on him ever-so-slightly, "You think it's dead yet?" He asked, indicating the spot of water beside the dock's edge, where a stray bubble would come up every moment or so.

"Dunno… We strapped cinder blocks to him.. That should work, right?" He put his other hand on his hip as well, and leaned forward to get a better view of the water just beyond the dock. The blonde blinked, and did the same, "It's been ten minutes. I would think he'd be dead." He removed the hand clutching the jacket from his hip, and slung it over his shoulder.

The pyromaniac smirked, glancing at his partner, who was busy staring into the water. The partner shrugged, "I dunno.. I can go 20, but that's just me…"

Sneering evilly, the redhead chuckled, "Why don't you find out?" With that, he shoved a hand into his partner's back, pushing him into the water ahead. Laughing, he spun sharply and walked back towards the parking lot at the head of the dock. Spluttering, his partner re-surfaced, splashing madly. Shaking water from his hair, he shouted, "Bastard! I just finished paying off this suit!"

"I thought you /liked/ the water, Demyx." The redhead snorted, reaching his car and fishing for the keys in the pocket. The blonde named 'Demyx' breast-stroked to shore, and clamored up on the shore, shaking his head like a dog.

"I /do/! But I /just/ paid off this suit to Luxord! You know how much it cost! And then you're going to make me pay for water damage to your car!" He whined, trudging to the passenger side, "This is /not/ fair, Axel!"

"Cry me a river, Dem." 'Axel' said, opening his own door and leaning against the side, crossing his arms on the roof. He smirked, eyes twinkling, "Where to now, then?" He asked the sopping blonde.

He shrugged, "Home, I guess. But we probably have to see Dei first. And give her the papers to give Superior…" The redhead nodded, and made to sit in the car. But froze halfway in, staring at the rearview mirror. A white Rolls Royce had pulled up in the lot, about 100 yards back. Two figures in navy suits had exited the car.

"Get in. Now." Axel ordered, throwing himself fully in the car and scrambling to get the key in the ignition.

"Why!?"

"Just get in, Demyx! Now!" Axel hissed, trying to get the key into the ignition. Demyx glanced back, and paled. Jumping in the car, he slammed the door shut, and sunk down so that he was shielded from the window. Demyx looked at him, mildly terrified.

"I don't want to get into a fight!" He hissed as Axel revved the car up and slammed his own door shut.

"You never want to get into a fight, Dem." Axel quipped, pulling the car into reverse as bullets bounced off the bumper. Switching gears to drive, he tore out of the lot, hearing the back window shatter as three bullets hit it.

The car disappeared into the distance, roaring towards the city on the horizon. The man who had been shooting narrowed his eyes, and made to follow, "Son of a bitch.." He growled, heading forward.

"Tseng. Stop." A voice said from within the car.

The man flinched, and came to a halt, "Yes.. Sir.."