CHAPTER 9: Poker Face
Nightshroud: So this took a really, really long time. I mean a really long time. I'm truly sorry about that. I've been incredibly busy with my last year at college, so I haven't had much time to even think about updating, much less what I wanted the next step in the plot to be. But regardless, I intend to finish this story no matter what. It's just a matter of getting the opportunity to type the material up. Anyway, I added a little easter egg or what not in this chapter. Let me know if you can manage to spy it. I'm predicting about 15 chapters or so, so we're getting to the really juicy stuff soon. Anyway, on to the part you've all been waiting for. Here's the next chapter!
The next few days went by in a blur of cake picking and guest lists and wedding locations. It was strange that work was becoming more of a place of escape than her private life. At least she could avoid Axel and wedding talk here.
"You look like you're having a rough week," came a distinctly British voice from the doorway. Larxene looked up, catching sight of Luxord leaning against her doorway, smiling brightly at her. She had to admit, she was glad to see the finance department's wiz. It had been a little awkward for her after the failed dating attempt, but she was glad Luxord had taken it all in stride and did his best to maintain a good relationship with her.
"You look like you're mighty pleased about something," Larxene said, resting her head elbows on her desk. Luxord chuckled and walked over, sitting in the seat across from her desk.
"You like you could use a drink," he countered, stroking his goatee. "We're having a little get-together to celebrate a big deal we just made. You should come."
Larxene hesitated, wondering if it was okay to take a night off from the double-life. Luxord, sensing her hesitation, attempted to fix the situation.
"I already invited Axel," he said, misinterpreting her hesitation as not wanting him to think this was another attempt at a date.
"Oh, that's.." she began, feeling a combination of gratitude for his thoughtfulness and sweetness and guilt for giving him the impression that she thought so little of him.
"I would really like to go, Luxord. Thanks," she said, giving him a grateful smile. He returned it and headed for the door, giving a slight wave.
"See you there," he said, disappearing around the corner. Larxene watched him go, sighing as she reflected on how much things had changed in such a short time. Part of her wondered if she'd been foolish not to try things out with Luxord longer. He seemed like a really great guy, and Axel... Well, she wasn't quite sure what to think of him right now. Everything was so upside-down it was hard to make sense of her feelings.
"Hey, you finishing up?" came a voice from the doorway. Speaking of the devil..
"Yeah, give me a minute," Larxene told Axel, saving her files before shutting her computer down. The two headed to the elevator in relative silence, not for the first time wondering if it was worth going through with this charade.
"So.. are Roxas and Xion coming too?" she prompted Axel, but he shook his head.
"Roxas is, but Xion has some kind of meeting with academic advisor about her credits for work experience here," he said. Larxene feigned interest, nodding slightly in acknowledgement. When they reached the bottom, both separated ways to their cars before heading over to Luxord's. Larxene found herself anticipating the party greatly, relieved for some social interaction outside Axel and his relatives.
"Hey, Larxene, you made it! I didn't think you would come," Demyx said brightly as he opened the door for Larxene. She offered him an obliging smile and moved past him into Luxord's house, Axel close behind.
"He sure does well for himself," Axel mused, taking in the impeccably furnished condo. It was all whites and blacks, with high roofs and hardwood floors. Larxene even spied an indoor hottub, which she could imagine Luxord romancing some lovestruck woman into. The idea made her blush slighty, particularly when said Brit approached them both, offering elegant glasses of champagne.
"Glad you could make it," he said, taking a small sip of the bubbling gold liquid. "Come on, sit down."
He ushered the two over to a set of sleek black sofas, where most of the others were seated.
"Hey, Axel, haven't seen much of you lately," Xigbar said, taking a swig of his champagne like a pirate would a bottle of rum. Luxord rolled his eyes as Xigbar held out the glass to be topped off.
"You're supposed to sip it, Xigbar, not guzzle it," the gambler lamented. "Honestly, it's like you have no appreciation for fine drink."
"If it gives you a buzz, it's done it's job," Xigbar laughed, toasting Luxord before downing another glass. Luxord sighed and turned to Zexion on his other side, who looked relieved for the opportunity to tune out the eyepatched man.
"Xigbar's right though," Xaldin said, picking up where Axel had left off. "It's not like you to miss out on poker night."
"I've just been busy," Axel said evasively, trying to shy away from the topic. "So Demyx, how's that sitar career been picking up on the side?"
The mullet-haired young man gave a weak laugh and scratched his head.
"I tried to audition for Atlantica: The Musical, but the guy directing it told me I had no discernable talent. Uptight little guy.. But hey, some sneaker company saw me and thought I'd make a great posterboy for their new line. They even said they'd called them Demyxs!" he said, lifting up his feet to show the aqua blue sneakers on his feet. Larxene was about to remark that they looked like women's sneaker's but thought better of it. The guy's self-esteem was fragile enough as it was.
"Hey, Larxene, you any good at poker?" Xigbar asked, setting his glass down. Larxene arched a brow, wondering why was so determined to keep on this particular topic.
"I've played a few hands. Why?" she asked skeptically as he pulled out a deck and handed it to Luxord.
"Why don't you deal us all in?" he asked, keeping his yellow eyes locked on Larxene. "I think a friendly game is what we need to liven things up here."
Luxord furrowed his brow, moving his gaze from Xigbar to Larxene before taking the deck and beginning to shuffle. He was beggining to feel a strange tension building in the air and worried what it might lead to. He wasn't the only one to do so, as Larxene was feeling as though Xigbar were violating some sense of security with that gaze of his. Zexion silently took his cards, looking as though he too was aware of the mood and chosing to ignore it, while Demyx grabbed his with a gleeful anticipation that showed he had no clue what was transpiring.
For his part, Axel looked uncomfortable with the way Xigbar was pressing Larxene, but for appearances he couldn't say much about it. As a result, he had to prod Roxas into lightening up the mood with some of his jokes.
"All right, let's see that poker face," Xigbar said with a grin as they began.
It was quite a few hands and a few hours later that most of the guests found themselves on the outside of the game, watching as the final two players sized up their cards.
"Feeling confident?" Xigbar asked, baring his teeth in an alarming grin. Larxene smirked back in that superior way she knew got under men's skin.
"About as confident as you," she replied, "though I probably have better reason to be."
Xigbar didn't rise to the bait, but merely smirked and made a signal to Luxord to deal him a card. Luxord slid the playing card over before giving a worried look at Larxene. Xigbar's mannerisms were distinctly off tonight, and he couldn't put a finger on why.
"So how about we make things interesting then?" Xigbar asked, eyes flashing. "Say.. answering any question the other asks?"
Larxene rolled her eyes, expecting some kind of stupid question about her three sizes or something.
"All right, if you're feeling that sure of yourself," she agreed, ignoring the looks Luxord and Axel were giving her to the contrary. Xigbar laughed, then tossed his hand down, revealing four of a kind. Larxene gave a grunt of disgust and threw down her flush before leaning back against the sofa and crossing her arms.
"Fine then, ask," she snapped, feeling quite irritated at her loss. Xigbar leaned back as well, snatching back up his glass and draining another mouthful. Where exactly was he storing all that alcohol? By now she'd be on her knees, having someone hold her hair back.
"So a little birdy told me that two certain someone's at our company managed to tie the knot in secret," he said, his smile cutting through Larxene like a knife. "On a business trip no less! What do you think, Larxene?"
Larxene's face drained of all color, and she found herself unable to respond of even move. Axel looked like he'd been sucker-punched.
"What? What are you saying?" Luxord demanded, looking from Xigbar to Larxene, who shaking turned her eyes away. Xigbar chucked and set his glass aside.
"You don't have to answer, Larxene. Your face says it all anyway. You really should work on that poker face," he barked out. Larxene wasn't even aware when she'd gotten up and ran for the door, heading out into the cold night air. This was all wrong. This was impossible? How had Xigbar found out? And now everyone knew.
"Larxene," Axel said, grabbing her arm. She whipped around, twisting her arm out of his grip as she stared at him wildly.
"How did he find out Axel? How?" she demanded. Axel shook his head, gritting his teeth.
"I don't know. Someone must have told him," he said, casting a glance back at Luxord's place. Not wanting to be seen, they hurried and got into their cars, heading back to Axel's place. Once there, Axel sat miserably on the sofa, throwing a baseball up into the air and mindlessly catching it while Larxene paced like a caged animal.
"There's only four people who knew, besides us," she said, holding up her fingers. "I know Marluxia didn't tell."
"It definitely wasn't Roxas," Axel said, shaking his head. "You should have seen the look on his face."
No, Larxene didn't think so. It was possible he could have stupidly let it slip, but he wasn't one to go around gossiping.
"I don't think Namine would have done it," Larxene said, continuing. "She's the type that minds her own business. She doesn't really talk to the other Organization members anyway."
Axel's brows furrowed as Larxene's third finger dropped, leaving only one.
"Hey, I know you're not implying Xion did it," he said hotly. "She's one of my best friends. She wouldn't betray me like that!"
"Well, what other explanation is there?" Larxene shouted, hitting the wall. Axel stood up, teeth bared.
"There's lots of other possibilities! Someone at the conference could have noticed, like than Ansem guy, and told it Xehanort. Xigbar is close with the higher ups. Or maybe someone has been following us and noticed us. Come on, Larxene. You've just never liked Xion," he accused her. "What, are you jealous because we were close after you and I broke up?"
Axel's words cut off in a gasp as Larxene gave him a punch to the gut, doubling him over.
"I don't know where the hell you get off talking like that to me," she snarled. "But you can bet your sorry ass I'm not sticking around any longer to hear it."
She stormed out the door, stomping all the way down to her car. Door slammed, ignition grinded, she sped back to her apartment.
Marluxia was busy heating up some scones and tea when Larxene burst through the door, hurling her bag and jacket haphazardly to the floor.
"Larxene, what's wrong?" he asked, hurrying over. Larxene looked at him, missing so much the normalcy of their place and the quiet times they spent talking about their days.
"Oh, Marluxia.." she said, tears finally pricking her eyes as fell into his arms.
Nightshroud: Dun dun dun! Larxene and Axel's secret has been outed. How do you think their secret got out, and how do you think it's going to affect the duo's jobs? There's only one way to find out - review and motivating me to keep writing! =)
