Chapter Two : Assumptions
The Lancer was some what surprised to see another nam in a black cloak at Beast's Castle. Wirey, yet sturdy arms propping up the olive-tanned tones of a youthfully pointed chin over his knees, his hood was drawn down over his green eyes and most of his nose; but Xaldin knew well before the other looked up --or rather, down-- from his seated perch on the wall to one side of the bridge gate. The Lancer grunted in simple response to the motion, eliciting a sigh from the leaner, almost gangly looking other before the red head spoke. " You're... not still really angry with me, are you? " Hung somewhat in the air between them for a few moments, before Three stopped in front of the gates. He didn't really need to contemplate it; but he knew his pause gave that indication.
Bringing his hands out half balled and heels up he was as usual exuberant in defending himself at first. " I tried! I -- " a dejected sound exitted the Flurry's mouth cutting his own words off right there though, his head dropping by a fraction again, bright eyes likely looking further away than the slight turn of his head that went with the returning slump to his shoulders. Axel's hands fell down to his sides as the Whirlwind Lancer simply blew the gates open, Eight's tone quieter and sounding pitiable when he ended up reprimanding himself in Xaldin's stead. " ...I probably could've done more. "
" I know you could have. " Very nearly snapped out and back at the younger before Xaldin could even stop himself. His eyes caught the extra wince for the near boom in the second word, and held his breath for a short count before he sai anything else. " But no, not angry. " That at least seemed to ease the Flurry of Dancing Flames' mind by a little, and until he followed it up truthfully. " Disappointed. " The younger man's shoulders rising and falling with a deep sigh. " You called him your best friend-- "
Axel's voice found a firmness to cut his words there, one of his hands slicing through the air in front of him. " Call him, present tense: he's not-- "
Seeing where that was going, it was then Xaldin's turn. He didn't face him yet, simply shaking his head. " He is gone Axel. Stop fooling yourself."
No answer, but he could still sense the stubborn hopeful thread hanging on in the air between them. " He left you behind Axel. " Still nothing, as Xaldin turned to continue making his way to the inner gates. " He left all of us behind, when we needed him most. " Nearly across the bridge, half mumbled to his element; that was the only reason why he did hear the words: before the Flurry of Dancing Flames was gone in a swirl of shadow and and nothingness. Xaldin's feet slowed to a stop, hand on the turn to the gate after; and replied to no one.
" You're wrong about that, Lea. It's the other way around.. that, is why I'm disappointed. Someday you will understand that. " Opening the gate shaking his head, he stepped in to look up at the castle from under his hood, and sighed at the work ahead. " Right. And one day, pigs will fly. Without my help. "