CHAPTER 10: The Unveiling
Nightshroud: Well, the winter break is over and another term has started. I'm ashamed to say I was too keen to crash and do nothing after last term's brutal torture, so I only worked little by little on this chapter. The good news is that I know exactly what each of the remaining chapters is going to contain, so it's just a matter of getting the time to write them up. Anyway, without further ado, on to the much-awaited chapter!
It was perhaps fortunate that Luxord's party had fallen on a Friday so that Larxene had a weekend in which to avoid everyone while the news undoubtedly spread around. Of course, this hardly made her feel at ease. She could only guess as to the repercussions of this revealed secret.
"You think Xemnas knows?" Marluxia asked on Sunday night, setting a steaming cup of tea on the kitchen table. Larxene gave a weak smile and gratefully accepted it, take a tentative sip before leaning back in her chair.
"It's not Xemnas I'm worried about," she replied quietly, staring at her reflection on the surface of the liquid. "He knows Axel and me, and the good work we do. He wouldn't risk losing us. That Xehanort though..."
"He's been targeting you since he first appeared," Marluxia finished, shaking his head. They lapsed into a dark, uncomfortable silence as they drank their tea, and after a few minutes their cups had been emptied.
"Well, I'd better get to sleep. Tomorrow I have to face the music," she sighed, trudging up the stairs. Marluxia watched her go with a sigh, taking the used cups to the sink.
The next morning, Larxene arrived as discreetly as possible, slipping into her office without being noticed. That day she opted to keep her office door closed, and thankfully Axel decided to avoid her like the plague. It wasn't too long, however, until she received the dreaded knock at the door.
"Come in," Larxene said, swallowing hard and trying to look as busy as possible. To her surprise, it was not Xehanort or Xemnas, but Luxord who came in, closing the door softly. They stared at each other for a moment before Luxord cleared his throat.
"I know it's not my business," he murmured, his deep blue eyes staring intently at her. "But I just wanted to hear the truth from you."
There was no need to explain any further what he meant. Larxene rubbed her forehead, not wanting to meet his gaze.
"It was a stupid accident. On the business trip, we got drunk after we pulled off a big presentation and... God, I don't even know how it happened. We would have gotten an annulment right away, but he somehow managed to convince me to play along long enough to figure out a way to break things nicely so his family wouldn't be disappointed. I don't know why I give a damn about his feelings or anyone else's. Why should I do this to myself - turning my life into a nightmare and risking my job I've worked so hard for?"
In her rant, she hadn't realized tears were pricking at her eyes until she felt Luxord's thumb gently brush them away.
"Larxene.. I'm so sorry to see you like this," he said gently. "I wish there was something I could do."
Larxene gave a weak smile and shook her head as she got to her feet.
"No.. but thank you. You've really been more than kind to me," she said softly. She felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward the Brit, and a part of her couldn't help but wonder how different things might have been if she'd gotten to know him before Axel. Larxene shook the thought away, knowing it wouldn't do any good, but still allowed herself to press her lips to his in a brief kiss.
"I like the way you show gratitude," Luxord said, allowing a smile to tug at his lips. Larxene couldn't help but smile too as she backed away, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
"Well, I hope-" he began, when suddenly the door knocked again. Larxene only had a moment to seat herself at her desk before the door swung open to reveal Saix, his face even more sallow and grim than usual.
"I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he asked, eyeing them both. Luxord was once again his charming self, and he smiled disarmingly at the scarred man.
"Not at all. I was just speaking to Larxene about a project," he said, nodding to Larxene. "I'll check back with you later then, Larxene."
Saix had waited until he left before turning to Larxene, who tried to appear as calm and unconcerned as possible.
"Larxene, Mr. Xemnas was hoping you wouldn't mind staying a little late today. He has some conference calls to make that will keep him busy during the day, but he'd like to meet with you afterward," Saix said, relating the information.
"Yes, of course," Larxene said, smiling pleasantly. Saix gave a curt nod and left, just before Larxene gave a shaky sigh and buried her face in her hands.
"God, I'm so screwed."
It was shortly after the usual closing time that Larxene sat in her office, too nervous to do anything but sit and wait. She'd wanted to ask Axel if he'd received an invitation to this meeting as well, but she'd found herself unable to face him. She didn't know how she was going to manage a fake wedding if she couldn't even look at the man.
"Larxene," came a voice from the doorway. She'd been so engrossed in her thoughts she hadn't noticed Saix arrive. He indicated with a finger for her to follow and disappeared down the hall. With tentative steps, Larxene followed after him to the large boardroom in the corner of the floor and stopped short.
Xehanort, Ansem (whom she recognized from the business trip), Xemnas, Saix, Xigbar (well, that would explain how his behavior at Luxord's party), and a few others she didn't recognize but assumed were from Xehanort's DtD Enterprises circled the meeting table, staring intently at her. It took a moment for her to notice that Axel was also there, standing off to her side and looking rather pale.
"Xemnas, is this the meeting that you and I were supposed to have?" Larxene asked, fixing her eyes on the Organization head. She surprised even herself by her calm and unwavering tone. Xemnas gave a quick glance at Xehanort before turning his attention to Larxene.
"Uh, yes. Why don't you both take a seat," he said, gesturing to two empty chairs. Axel made a move toward them, but Larxene shot him a look.
"Not while we're outnumbered," she said, feeling embolded by a new feeling of anger. This was beginning to feel more and more like some kind of conspiracy.
"Larxene, I can assure you that this will be a civil meeting. We're reasonable men - and women - here," Xemnas attempted to placate her, but Larxene wasn't having any of it. Enough was enough.
"Then let's be honest. You've been trying to force Axel and I out for a while now, haven't you?" Larxene said, turning to Xehanort, who had been watching her with an oddly delighted expression, like a cat that had finally gotten a mouse in a trap. She knew he was the real mastermind behind all this, so there was little point in wasting time with the others.
"You sent us to that business conference to have Ansem trip us up and look like fools," she said, narrowing her blue eyes at the old man. "And you spied on Axel and I to try to get some dirt on us to use. I suppose our drunken wedding catastrophe played right into your plans."
Xehanort laughed and stroked his goatee as he said, "Very good, Larxene. You must admit, however, that your wedding scandel was hardly our doing. I must thank you for providing such a wonderful opportunity."
"But why?" Axel demanded, finally finding his voice. "What possible reason could you have for forcing us out?"
Xehanort chuckled softly, gazing around at his associates, who were all watching him with great admiration. He supposed it couldn't hurt to share the truth with them.
"You see, we at DtD have decided to move in a different direction for the future. The Organization, as one of our daughter companies, is a perfect front for intended activities. However, some of the current employees could provide to be a hindrance, so we were forced to find ways to.. outsource them. You and Axel were the easiest targets, but eventually your other coworkers like Roxas, Demyx, Zexion, Lexaeus, Xaldin, and Luxord will go the same route," the old man explained.
Larxene couldn't believe her ears. How could these bastards be so underhanded and cruel?
"And what makes you think we won't just go to the police about this?" Axel said, eyes flashing with anger. The DtD president waved a hand dismissively.
"Do you think anyone would take the word of two disgruntled ex-exployees, fired for questionable ethical behavior, seriously? No, my dear, I think you'll find your hands are quite tied," Xehanort said gloatingly. "It's just best the you walk away quietly."
Axel bared his teeth, anger so fierce it felt like he was on fire. Larxene, however, had settled into a calm, cold fury that made her stand rigid and still as her eyes bored into each member at the table.
"We'll see," she said quietly, turning and preparing to leave. However, the malevolent old man's words made her and Axel stop dead.
"Oh, but before you go, don't you want to know who managed to rat you out to us?" he asked, golden eyes glimmering with wicked mischief. He waved a hand to Xigbar, who stood and yanked up a small figure who had gone overlooked at the end of the table in their hooded jacket. The ponytailed man smirked and yanked the hood down, enjoying the stunned looks on the two's faces.
Axel stared uncomprehendingly at the figure standing there. It didn't make sense. It couldn't be!
"Xion?" he breathed.
Nightshroud: Yes, Xehanort's informant was Xion! Surprise surprise. It's always the quiet ones. In case you guys hadn't put it together yet, the corporate conspiracy here was inspired by Dream Drop Distance's story. I think it's worked surprisingly well. On another note, I feel like a traitor, but I can't help liking Luxord more than Axel in this story. Not to worry, I won't give into the temptation to hook them up. It would ruin the perfect ending I have planned. Anyway, please give a nice review and motivating me to keep writing! =)