Larxene's eyes closed. She counted to herself, waiting patiently for him to leave the area. She understood what he was doing. She knew why he's doing what he was doing too. ….but. She sat up, her expression somewhat bitter. She had to obey rules, he should too, right? She nodded to herself. She needed to find someone. Her hand closed around the sheer fabric of her canopy bed, weighing her options. If she went to Demyx, he probably wouldn't believe her. Axel was far too 'uppity' for her taste. Zexion wouldn't bother to speak to anyone else about the matter. Roxas and Xion were too…..talkative. She winced at the thought, their voices rung vividly in her head, causing her to shudder in aggravation. Marluxia….. She narrowed her eyes. He'd take too long to track down. Luxord would probably not want to be bothered with this… She sighed, lacing her fingers around the white fabric gently.

Vexen had become rather elusive too, as of late. And Saix was far too…uptight. He always acted strange the day before opening. That left three. Lexaeus, Xaldin, and Xemnas. She chewed her tongue. She had killed too much time as it was, just thinking about this whole mess. Rising to her feet, she touched the pendant of her choker for a moment before turning on heel and making her way out of the tent. She closed her eyes for a moment, bringing her hand up to shield them. She swore aloud. She didn't remember it being this bright out when she went to sleep. With an exasperated groan, she trudged on, keeping a slightly quickened pace. She understood why Xigbar had left. But rules are rules, right? She stood outside of Xemnas' tent. She cleared her throat. "Ringmaster," She spoke, somewhat loudly. "I need to speak with you."

Without a word, Xemnas emerges from his tent to stand in front of the small woman, looking down on her with a calm manner: his usual state. He is not dressed in his Circus attire, but still quite fancy with his waistcoat and ruffled dress shirt. He eyes her up and down before finally speaking slowly, "What is it that you need..?"

Larxene stepped back cautiously. She wasn't expecting him to come out from his tent. She blinked several times in an attempt to erase the images of what he could be possibly doing inside the tent that'd warrant him to step out of it. "Y-your uh…" She steadied her voice. "Your escape artist has left the grounds." She stared up at him proudly, not wanting to recall the last time they faced each other this way. "He mentioned a thing or two about souls." She raised an eyebrow. "I didn't think this was something I could simply turn my head to. I thought you would want to know." She added, not exactly minding her tone. Larxene raised an eyebrow, awaiting a response from the taller man.

A small smile creeps across Xemnas' face, but quickly fades. He nods before saying, "I did not expect him to leave so soon. Perhaps he is enjoying the sights of home... Regardless, I thank you for informing me. I will have someone retrieve him." Turning back to his tent he finishes, "If that is all... you may leave." Xemnas enters his tent again to make sure everything is where he left it before stepping out into the sun again. He sighs and straightens his coat before taking long regal strides to Xaldin's tent. He had not thought Xigbar would dare enter the streets of Radiant Garden ever again. But now that he has, the next few weeks should prove interesting. Without warning, Xemnas enters Xaldin's tent and announces himself loudly, "Xaldin... I am in need of your aid for a moment."

Larxene nodded quickly, making her escape for the solitude of her bed when he stepped back into his tent. Something about him always put a chill up her spine in the worst way.

Xaldin sat in silence, the only thing to be heard was an oddly steady grinding sound. He sat soundlessly in a metal-backed chair, somewhat small for his size, next to, nearly over a neatly painted table. A small basin of water had slowly been fading to room temperature on the table's surface, Five uniquely shaped knives sat neatly in a row along it's side. He kept steady pace, keeping the blade half a thumbs width off of the whetstone, pushing the blade straight forward along it, and straight back with a precise sense of fluidity. He paused, bringing the blade close to his face to examine it before flipping it to the opposite side to continue. He flinched just barely at the sudden appearance of the ringmaster. He swore under his breath, bringing the blade close to his face, silently hoping it could still be made adequate. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. "Yes, what is it?" He asked, barely raising his head from his work. He wasn't nearly as presentable as he should have been, he sat barefoot, his trousers had been rolled neatly to the knee. The chain of his necklace jingled slightly at his movement.

Xemnas gazes upon Xaldin's handiwork and nods admiring his precision and dedication to his craft. "I do not relish in bothering you, however, I need you to fetch someone. My Escape Artist has... done his job all too well... again." The tone of Xemnas' voice indicates that this has not been the first offense.

Xaldin let out an exasperated sigh, delicately setting his sixth blade down on the surface of the table, and returning the stone in the basin of water. He rose to stand, rummaging silently on the other side of the table for a rag to dry his hands. He moved his hands silently to unroll his pants, sure to keep them as straight as possible. He gave a curt nod, slipping into an adequate shirt, buttoning it with unenthusiastic haste. After slipping into his shoes, he spoke. "I will make my leave, then." He assured, though he rose his eyebrows, unimpressed at his last statement. He knew this has happened in the past, though he himself hadn't gone many times to retrieve him, he had already grown tired of it. "Would you like a word with him when we return, then?"

"That won't be necessary... You just make sure that he understands the... error... of his ways. He's clever enough not to try my patience again... I hope." Xemnas nods to Xaldin before quickly taking his leave, hurrying back to his tent to resume his business before he was so rudely interrupted.

During the time it took for Xemnas to ask Xaldin to retrieve his property Xigbar had already gotten up and stolen another soul along the way to another alley. Feeling woozy now, he decides to take another break sitting against the alley wall. Looking at the littered ground he picks at the trash in front of him with his foot. He can't help but feel a sense of familiarity about this place... but why would an alley in a big city feel so much like it was once home? Granted he had come from Radiant Garden... but something about this alley- He shook his head at the thought. Memories are useless. Raising his head to look at the sky, he tries to clear his mind when something catches his eye. A faded poster at the back of the alley. Looks like its been there for at least a decade, torn by the weather and god knows what else. Again, that wretched feeling of familiarity strikes him. Pulling himself to his feet he lets curiosity take hold as he goes to inspect the poster.

Xaldin took his leave immediately, keeping mind to quell his anger. Not so much at Xigbar, but the interruption of his work. He took great pride in what he did, and he preferred to be left alone when tending to his knives. He busied himself with buttoning the cuffs of his shirt, walking with haste. His slightly unruly heap of hair trailed lazily behind him. A forgiving breeze rolled overhead, a small smile played on his features for those minuscule seconds, a momentary solace in the summer heat. He made his way swiftly through the somewhat crowded streets, sure to scan things carefully, going through every alleyway he could. He brought a hand to his face to rub his eyes, sighing again. He was sure Xigbar had a colorful reason as to why he left, but of course, Xemnas had to be minded. He didn't want to see someone like Xigbar get on Xemnas' 'bad' side. He continued on, finally spotting a skinny figure at the end of another alleyway. Bingo. He quietly paced down the rickety trail to the escape artist. What was he doing? He seemed so transfixed on something on the back wall. Xaldin narrowed his eyes, hoping that it'd make them focus more. Did Xigbar even hear him? He was a few feet in front of him now. A sly grin crept across his face . He wasn't nearly as mad as he thought, in fact…

He put his hands in his pockets neatly and took a breath. "You look a bit dizzy there, friend. Do you need assistance?" he asked, his eyes narrowed with that question. "What are you looking at so intently over here?" He asked, taking a step closer, raising his eyebrows a little, trying to make sense of the poster plastered to the wall for a moment before turning his attention back to the smaller man. "How many have you taken today, Xigbar?" He asked, his tone much more stern than when he started. He had no intention of fighting, but if he didn't say Something to his co-worker, the both of them would be in deep with Xemnas.

Caught completely off guard by Xaldin's sudden appearance, which is rare in itself, he turns on his heel, nearly falling over in the process. "X-Xaldin?! The hell're you doing here...?! I- er... I wasn't doin' anything really, just uh... sight-seein' ... " Ignoring the question about the souls, Xigbar tries his best to cover the poster with his back, though it is placed slightly higher than his frame, which made this no easy task. Holding onto the wall for balance, he wobbles back and forth while trying to hide the flier and still appear to have his wits about him. "N-nice day out aint it?"

Xaldin sighed and ran his tongue over his teeth. Sightseeing in a dingy, narrow alley? Xaldin shook his head at the thought. He stared blankly at the shorter man's attempts to hide whatever it was on the paper. "If you like that flyer so much to hide it, why don't you just take it?" He asked, moving Xigbar aside with great ease. He looked down at him, as if to dare him to protest. He peeled the faded parchment off of the wall carefully before holding it out to him. "Here." He said, motioning with his head to take it. "Now," He began, taking a few steps back and folding his hands neatly behind his back. "How many today, Xigbar?"He asked, hoping he didn't have it in him to run. He didn't want to end this in a fight. He honestly just wanted to be back in silence, tending to his knives. He gave an unimpressed look at his last sentence. "Today is a day, Xigbar, that I'd much rather spend indoors, alone." He murmured, keeping his gaze locked on his co-workers face. "My question still stands."

Shoving the paper in his pocket without breaking eye contact, he winces and prays he didn't pay much attention to the flier. Taking small steps to the side he tries to gauge Xaldin's obvious annoyance. How annoyed.. was he? On the scale of annoyance... hmm... "Well... about the souls... Y-you wouldn't happen to believe me if I uh... If I said I stole only two right?" Trying to distract Xaldin from stepping backwards towards the entrance of the alley, by dragging out his answer as best he can. Xigbar didn't really feel like running either, but... this time he really messed up. Lately, its been getting harder and harder to keep track of just how many souls he has taken off-hours.

Xaldin tensed a little, awaiting a justifiable answer. His eyed didn't leave Xigbar's face for a few minutes and, that really seemed too long to him. "Today, Xigbar? Only two?" He asked, his hands remained sternly behind his back, unsure of if he believed that statement or not. You, and anyone else that may try to pull this particular stunt could put this entire operation at risk, you….know that, don't you?" He exhaled slowly. "I must say, I do admire your footwork, but if you'd be so kind," He continued, taking a step back and reaching an arm out with haste. His fist closed around the back of the shorter man's collar. He guided his thin frame in front of him slowly but sternly. "Xemnas does not want to see you. He does not terribly care about what you may be doing out here, but now that I am personally in the middle of it, I do. I had been remarkably busy before this mess, so I'd appreciate it if you tagged along quietly, hm?" He spoke somewhat quickly, taking caution to keep his voice low enough to not draw attention.

Taking a deep breath in and exhaling slowly Xigbar gives in, running would not be worth wasting the energy he just regained. Looking up at his monster of a co-worker he shrugs and smirks. "Yeh it would be risky if I were anyone else... But i'm not. I'm me. And honestly, these guys are too stupid to realize that half the towns around here are mindless zombies anyway.. Whats five more before a show, eh? You would know how bad it gets, right bud?" Xigbar tries to make light of the situation, trying to avoid the incoming lecture.

Xaldin arched an eyebrow. "Now it's five?" He asked, keeping his hold on Xigbar's shirt. "Either way," He began, making his way out of the alley and into the main street. "It's this business you should be concerning yourself with, not the worries of a few townsfolk. If you mess up, we all mess up. There's a system to all of this, old friend, you should know that more than anyone." He continued, scanning the immediate area to be sure they weren't attracting unwanted attention, though he knew that someone of his height escorting someone else by the collar would turn some heads. He sighed, loosening his grip on the smaller man's shirt.

With a sigh, Xigbar starts to make his way back to the Circus with Xaldin. Trying to keep an even pace with the taller man was not an easy task. After a few moments he finally speaks, shoving his hands in his pockets, "Look... I appreciate yer concern, big guy, but I won't mess up. Never have, never will." He looks away at this last sentence, regretting it the moment it left his mouth. No one would buy that, not even Demyx, and that is saying something.

Xaldin remained tense, ever ready incase his coworkers 'fight or flight' instinct kicks in. Still, he folded his hands neatly behind his back and continued on. He silently hoped for another shred of a breeze, with no luck. He walked with his head high, weaving in and out of the small crowds of townspeople, sure to keep a close eye on Xigbar. His hair trailed lazily behind him and his necklace jingled just barely with every step. His eyes fell closed for a moment when Xigbar began to speak. He was certain that he was not the one that had been concerned at all. "Wouldn't you think that," He began, giving him a sideways glance. "Whomever brought this to Xemnas' attention would be more 'concerned' about you than I am?" He asked, sure to put extra emphasis on 'concerned'. His eyes widened a little at Xigbar's last sentence. A smile tugged at his lips as they crossed over the entrance to the Circus. "You messed up somewhere old friend, otherwise you wouldn't be here. " He gestured with a nod.

Xigbar's mind raced to think of who could possibly have told Xemnas what he was doing. He didn't have to think long to know the answer. His mood was turning sour quickly, and as his mind went back to the piece of paper in his pocket, it hit rock bottom. Continuing through the entrance and stepping ahead of his co-worker he snaps over his shoulder, "Well at least I'm not the only one who messed up then... You can go back to knitting now, mom." He waved his hand and kept walking, not daring to make eye contact with Xaldin after that sentence.

Xaldin froze at his final comment. You can go back to knitting now, mom. knitting. Was he serious? Anger began to build in his chest. He was sure that Xigbar would hear quite an earful but for now he held his tongue. He precisely made his way to their ringmaster's tent, choosing to step in without warning. "Your escape artist has been returned." He announced sternly, keeping his head held high. Xaldin gave no time for response before turning on heel to leave. Knitting. That word rang in his ears. a glare had plastered it's way across his face up until he crossed the doorway to his tent. He let out a long, slow sigh and began to undo the buttons on his shirt so he could resume his sharpening.