Leave it to me to fuck up my leg on the third day of my vacation...
So, there is a flashback in this chapter, but it's really long so I decided to not italicize it since it, at least for me, is a bit harder to read. If you think it would be better suited for the flashback to be italicized, please inform me, otherwise I'll just leave it as is, ok? This chapter also sort of bounces around a bit, so pay close attention.
-Pyramid-
Rising
A spray of hot water hit Luxord's back, causing him to jump just a little. He didn't give himself time to adjust to the heat and hurried back into the water spraying down. His skin tightened a bit from the shock of water hitting his bare body, but continued to stay where he was. He needed the shower. He wasn't sure how long it had been since he had one, but knew it had been too long since then. Time was already slowing down again, and he was waking up and wondering how many days and hours it had been since he had been trapped here.
Luxord relaxed himself as best as he could. Another night had passed and he still wasn't sure how he had found the time to rest through the night. Especially this time. He could barely think straight after being told what his task was.
There was no way he could comply to such demands.
Sure, he was alive for now. But Aqua would eventually see he was not worth her time. He was set for failure. Even if he did take his task seriously he had no doubt in his mind that he would not succeed.
Perhaps it was an emotional setback, but he found it repulsive that he would be asked to do such a thing. How on earth could he pull off such a task with a straight enough face was one thing, doing it without getting caught, as well as committing to the act, made it seem rather unachievable.
The water was not calming him down one bit. Luxord's thoughts seemed to reel over in circles, the same thing being said over and over again in his head.
And Aqua was really serious about this? Surely she couldn't be one hundred percent positive? And what would he do, should she be wrong? He'd be killed if Aqua was wrong, and he would be killed if he said otherwise to her plans…
He was trapped.
But alive. Surely life itself counted for something, even momentary. He had no doubt he may be killed as he got out of this shower and asked Aqua for reconsideration, but for now he was alive and well. It wasn't the greatest bright side in the world, but it was the only one he could come up with at the moment.
Luxord leaned against the moist wall, trying to relax himself, trying desperately to break from his thoughts and just settle down. But he couldn't. Not after everything he had been told, ordered to do. His body wouldn't let him, nor his mind. It just kept going around in circles; every little thing Aqua had told him to do, everything she had planned for him. It was just too much to bear…
He would surely end up dead…
Luxord groaned as he turned off the water, his hand holding on tight to the knob. He watched the water circle around the drain, leaving him alone with only steam covering him.
His eyes leered at the curtains, somehow looking though the base colored curtains and at the door.
One way out. And it wasn't like he could fight his way though either. Chances were Aqua had something on her to make sure he would be kept in place. And what would be the pointing trying to fight her now? She was probably expecting him to act out now, after everything he had experienced from yesterday, and would be more than willing to go and punish him, should he try to fight back in any way.
Luxord pulled himself up and pushed the curtains to the side. He really didn't want to leave this room, to have to look that woman in the face, but he had no choice. She was waiting for him…and the fact that he was alive right now, though limited, meant he still had a chance. Still had a chance. He could still get out of here. He would have to be more careful, much more than he had before, and he would have to be patient, take his time and somehow try to avoid getting in contact…
But he didn't have time. Aqua wanted him to get to work now. Luxord grimaced as he grabbed a towel, his eyes still glued to the door. He could see moving shadows from the bottom.
This woman would make sure his life would be nothing less of an living hell. She had left a boy to die in a cold, empty room, and she would surely do the same to him if he didn't comply with all her demands, if not, worse.
…so, what was he to do now?
What kind of question was that?
What kind of question indeed?
Luxord stared blankly at Aqua, a bit unsure of how to even respond to such a personal…private question. Not that he couldn't find the answer, no; he just really didn't want her to know. He barely knew Aqua, but from what he had learned; the last thing he wanted to tell her was his sexuality. He knew better.
So what approach was he to take? Obviously lying would result in death. And he could only imagine what would happen to him if he went on and told her his life story… no explanation would be good enough.
Considering his options, it really shouldn't matter what he tell her. Truth would most likely get him killed. He knew his morals, physical appearance, as well as several other attributes he had were considered bad enough, being attracted to the same sex would only add more reason for her to kill him. He was pretty sure she wouldn't be too happy to find out he was gay. There wasn't anything wrong with it-or at least that's what he told himself- but she would think otherwise. And telling a lie would not work either.
Die with dignity?
Luxord gave a sigh as he tried to calm himself down a bit. It was always so hard to come to terms with death; no matter how many times he had to prepare himself it always was so difficult.
Aqua pulled herself away from Luxord, standing up and muttering a few words to herself. Luxord stared up; his body a bit tense as he tried to figure out what on earth was now going on. He hadn't said a thing to her, yet, so he was even more unnerved to see her move about.
"I-"
"You know, not everyone born into this family gets to make it to adulthood," Aqua muttered. "We're very strict when bringing forth offspring. We only want strong members, and we take this to account before they're even born.
"Imagine, never having children of your own, because you're not good enough to have them," Aqua said. She stared cruelly at Luxord. "It happens…all the time here…only a small percent of our members actually get to have children, because they're strong enough and aggressive enough to be considered for parenthood. It needs to be that way…strong, strict parents…producing children that will hopefully be the same."
"So…it's illegal then," Luxord huffed.
Aqua smiled.
"And where does that put me," Luxord asked weakly. "I'm not even a member yet…and now you're asking me this? You know better, you already know the answer…"
"I still want you to answer me, Luxord," Aqua said. "Remember what I said before…you want to live right? Then answer the question."
"What's the point if you're going to kill me," Luxord questioned. "You've said it yourselves. You and your cult believe in selected breeding…and any children born weak might not have a chance to make it to adulthood."
"…that's not always true though," Aqua corrected. "Some of them make it through the cracks…they live long enough to gain equality as a member…and they may end up having children of their own, and nobody suspect a thing either." A look of disgust appeared on her face. "They hide and make an attempt to fit in, and for the most part they'll succeed."
"Sorry to upset," Luxord commented, "but what does this have to do with anything? What your people do in order to blend in is no different than what everybody else does in the real world."
Aqua smiled.
"Story of your life," she whispered.
Luxord sneered at Aqua.
"So, you would know better," Aqua said. "Then I think you would also know that there is only a matter of time before you get too comfortable…and someone realizes that you're different from the rest."
He had to make a guess as to where this could be leading. Obviously Aqua had some sort of grudge toward her organization, mainly because she was a woman. But was there something else as well? She hasn't killed you yet…and she just proved right now that she knew about your sexuality. What would be the point of her going on with a speech of she's going to kill you, right?
She wants you alive.
"Why do you care so much about this," Luxord asked. "Why do you want me to tell you this?" He groaned, looking down. This was becoming extremely frustrating. Luxord wasn't sure why, but knowing he might live, based upon sexuality, really bothered him. It didn't take too long for him to figure out why she wanted him alive right now.
He was going to be used?
Yes, of course he was going to be used. That's all he was good for. In this situation, the only thing he was meant to do was to follow orders, more specifically Aqua's. She wanted him alive to be used, even though he had proved to be a disappointment. This meant he had some value, something she wanted, something that he had that she could still use.
And that's what made it so unnerving. She wanted him…because of that?
"You seem to grasping what I may be asking of you," Aqua muttered.
"Just kill me now," Luxord spat.
"Don't act out," Aqua yelled, pointing the gun at the man.
"You think I'm afraid of that gun," Luxord taunted. No, he was most definitely afraid of death. But as he thought more and more about it; a quick death seemed more merciful than what Aqua had planned for him. He didn't want to be exploited. Not like that.
"You think I'm going to give you a clear shot to the head, right after you've learned so much," Aqua said with a cruel smirk. "I've yet to tell you what I want from you."
"I can take a guess," Luxord hissed.
"Guess."
"Sex," Luxord muttered.
Aqua nodded her head.
"After all, what else could it be," Luxord continued. "Homosexuality goes against your beliefs. In what way could it beneficial to you, other than to get someone else in trouble? I doubt you would want me for any other reason. I sure as hell wouldn't make a decent shopping buddy; I don't follow any stereotypes…"
"You hide."
"No," Luxord corrected, "I decide to be professional, rather than be annoying."
"Aren't your kind supposed to be sexual deviants," Aqua asked in a sarcastic tone. "Honestly, when you're given the choice between killing-"
"You're not giving me a choice," Luxord yelled.
"It's a choice between living and dying," Aqua said, ignoring the blonde. "And before you even think about second option, you'll listen to what I have to say. Because, Luxord, I will make sure you will suffer a long, agonizing death…should you keep shaking your head."
Luxord sank. He wanted nothing more to do with this place. This was becoming tiring; emotionally, physically, mentally.
He didn't want anything Aqua had planned for him. He wasn't stupid. He knew she was up to something sick and twisted. He really didn't want to be used that way. He really didn't want to…
Luxord let his eyes wander over to the exit. He knew he could never leave the room.
What would have happened if he had been left to deal with Xigbar? He had been so afraid of death not too long ago. He had feared it so much for the longest time, but now he wanted. He really did. Xigbar would have shot him point blank. He wouldn't have felt a thing. It would have been quick; all he would have worried about was fear.
Just fear.
Luxord then glanced down and stared at the limp body below him. His eyes focused on the chest, slowly heaving up and down.
"Are you going to ease his suffering," Aqua asked.
"…I can't kill him," Luxord muttered, not looking up at the woman. "Just…stop asking."
"What if I left him in this room…left to die alone," Aqua asked. "Surely, you understand that, if you don't get the job done, time itself will?"
"…"
"Infection…brain damage," Aqua said. "You'll let it fester and grow, let maggots crawl about and eat through his brain, causing him to have strokes-"
"Just shut up," Luxord hissed. He looked up and glared cruelly at Aqua. "I don't want to hear it!"
Aqua took no time in taking action against Luxord's defiance. He felt a hard smack across the head; with the gun no less. He winced in pain, hissing a bit as he stumbled a bit, his hand on the floor as he leered down. His head ached, his vision a bit blurry, but this time he had had enough. He looked up and stared at the bitter faced woman, his eyes loving on to hers. Without much thought, he scrambled up, his body wobbling a bit as he stood up. He faced her.
"What will you do," Aqua asked.
She wasn't afraid of him, Why should she?
"I don't kill," he answered.
"Oh, but you do," Aqua said. "You're doing it right now." Aqua walked over and lifted her leg up, her heels hovering above Saix's body. "Rather than ease his suffering, you'll leave him here and let him fester. There are a lot of people down here…it would be a real shame, should the wrong person decide to walk in this room.
"You've seen Xigbar kill," she continued, letting her heel lower and rest on the boy's side. Luxord only stared, his eyes locked on to her foot. "Imagine if someone else found him though? Someone much worse…"
"…weren't you just making a big deal about me not making a choice," Luxord asked weakly, his eyes wandering to the side as Aqua let some pressure on to the body.
"Now you want to change the subject," she asked.
"I'm not the one who changed it," Luxord replied.
Aqua sighed.
"You're very stubborn," she said, removing her foot from the Saix. "That's you're problem. Not that you try to solve problems, that you're too smart for your own good; just that you're stubborn."
"Xigbar said otherwise," Luxord replied, his eyes still lingering on Saix. Was he ok? Did he even feel Aqua, or was she already too far gone? He wouldn't have time to figure it out.
"He doesn't know you as much as I do," Aqua said. "He's impatient. He's not used to training an adult outsider, nor is he used to having someone question him or fight back, whether it be verbal or physical."
Aqua stared at her gun, a finger trailing down the weapon.
"And most importantly," she said, "he's too high in ranking. Why deal with someone like you, when he could just kill you, right? He always gets his way…"
Luxord stared as he saw Aqua's dark expression. Her eyes holding nothing but anger and frustration as she stared hard at the weapon in her hands.
…she didn't like Xigbar.
Luxord's frown eased a bit as he tried to rethink about his situation, as well as those around him. In order for things to, hopefully, make sense to him. Xigbar and that other man seemed to hold some sort of strain toward Aqua, and Aqua was obviously showing signs that she didn't like him. So there was little trust between to two groups then. But then, why on earth had she assigned Xigbar to train him? Other than a high ranking, he couldn't see why she would do such a thing. Aqua had shown him that she had pride in her self, and that she disliked her arrangement in his system.
That was it. Xigbar was high in rank, and she wasn't.
"You wanted me to get you higher in ranking," Luxord said.
Aqua expression changed, her eyes staring deep into space, and her fingers frozen in place, no longer trailing the gun. Her mouth was open a bit, and her head lowered a bit. Luxord watched as she remained still and frigid, her breathing the only sign that she was even alive.
"…no," she said, finally, "I want you to get me a higher ranking."
She pulled herself up and smiled at Luxord.
"You are going to help me," she said, "by becoming a member, by earning the trust of those high above me, and then crushing them." She stared down at the gun. "In order for me to rise…I need to make sure those above me fall, and you were going to be my weapon. You have everything, the talent to expose certain weaknesses."
"…and now you want me for sex," Luxord questioned.
Aqua rolled her eyes.
"It would actually make your job a lot easier," she replied.
"I really don't see how," Luxord said. "You just finished…"
"You need to listen and let me finish," Aqua said, fiddling with the gun in her hands. "And then maybe you'll appreciate what's been offered to you."
Luxord leered at Aqua, his blue eyes locked on her.
"…there are three other members that I need to remove," Aqua said suddenly. "Two of them, you've yet to meet."
"And Xigbar's one of them," Luxord asked.
"Yes," Aqua said.
"I'm assuming h reason I was placed with him was so that I learn as much about him as possible," Luxord then asked, not giving Aqua time to continue on. It wasn't a smart move, but she didn't seem to hold any amnesty toward it.
"Yes," she replied. "Though, the fact that he was available and is talented are also other factors. But yes; I wanted to make sure you learned from him so that you could find any weaknesses from him." She paused for a moment, looking away from Luxord. "And can you tell me why I chose him out of the other three?"
Luxord pondered for a moment, thinking about the possibilities. There could be a multitude of reasons, some more obvious than the others. But then, what did Aqua want here? Power. And how does one get power the fastest?
"He's the hardest nut to crack," Luxord answered. His voice held a bit confidence, but the answer still came out in question form. "So you want me to spend more time with him so that I have a better chance of finding it."
Aqua turned and shook her head, causing Luxord to falter just a bit.
"Close, but not the right answer," she said. She shook her head again and frowned at Luxord, showing great disappointment. "And I though it was rather obvious…"
Luxord's expression went blank.
He was wrong?
But then, what was the real reason? If he wasn't too far off, then there was a point in him being placed closer to Xigbar, but if it wasn't because he was more secretive than the other two, then what was the real reason?
"If anything," Aqua said, "Xaldin would be considered the toughest out of the three. He's very cryptic, and he keeps mostly to himself. Worst of all; he's very old fashioned." Aqua nodded her head. "I'd consider him to be your hardest tasks…Xigbar and Cloud are about the same though…then again, perhaps Cloud is a bit more secretive out of the two."
Luxord could not believe what he was hearing. It was a complete contradiction to what he had said and what Aqua had suggested. If Xigbar was to be considered the easiest, then why have him placed with him in the first place. It made no sense. Aqua seemed like she wanted productivity, so wouldn't it be smarter to have him work with Xaldin first?
"But then, why place me with Xigbar," Luxord questioned. "If you consider Xaldin to be the hardest? Was he unavailable, unwilling to train me? If so, why not Cloud then?"
"Because I already knew what Xigbar's flaw was," Aqua answered. "I just couldn't prove it though. I needed to find another one, so I had him take you. I figured you would find something, so I wouldn't have to worry…after all; accusation can lead to a serious punishment if you have little evidence to back it up. You would know this…"
"You already know his weakness," Luxord asked. "…flaw?"
Aqua nodded her head slowly.
She smiled, "but now…I'm not so worried." Aqua reopened the cell phone and began to fiddle with it. Luxord waited anxiously till Aqua showed him the small screen. "You sleep with men."
It sounded like an actual statement. Luxord leered at the phone, and then raised his eyes back up to Aqua, her eyes staring coldly at him.
"In any normal situation," Aqua said, "You'd be killed, as you mentioned before. We don't like…filthy acts being committed within our family. Whether they're born into the group or not, we try our best to keep things…clean."
"Wonderful wording," Luxord said, looking down.
"Hmm, but as said before, some people do managed to sneak by us," Aqua said, closing the phone. "They grow up, acting as normal as they can, knowing that if they slip up, they'll be killed. But, as I also mentioned; it's only a matter of time before they become to comfortable and slip up."
Aqua stared at Luxord, watching his strained expression. He looked more nervous than ever, and not because he was still wondering what was to become of him.
He knew.
"He got too comfortable," Aqua said with a smile.
"No," Luxord said.
"He got too comfortable," Aqua repeated, "and I was able to spot it. I could see that he was different and that he wasn't normal…I just couldn't prove it….till now."
Luxord shook his head frantically.
"You will do it Luxord," Aqua said, stating hard at the blonde. "You said you wanted to live. This is how you live."
"I'm not doing it," Luxord said.
"You will do as you're told or else," Aqua threatened.
"Then do it," Luxord replied, glaring hard at Aqua.
In the short time he had known Xigbar he had come to the decision that simple conversation, persuasion, anything…it didn't work with Xigbar. Xigbar was violent, short tempered, and reacted poorly to questions. Luxord had suffered quite a bit of pain from Xigbar, had endured a grizzly death and so many death threats. The man was twisted, and Luxord was quite sure he couldn't work with the man…
…let alone do that.
"You're wrong," Luxord continued. "You don't know anything about him."
"You think just because he's cruel means he's strait," Aqua questioned. "How very foolish of you."
"I'm not going to risk my life just so you can attempt to prove something," Luxord snapped. "It's sick and dangerous…and I'm not doing it. Go fuck yourself!"
"I'll kill you," Aqua yelled, her calm exposure broken.
"Go ahead," Luxord said.
"Everyone," she threatened. "All the people you love; dead. I'll make sure they suffer too. I'll make sure you suffer…"
Luxord stifled a bit.
"You see, Luxord," Aqua said. "I make sure to plan ahead." she lowered herself and smirked. "If you fail, everybody suffers…"
Luxord pushed the woman away, crossing his arms and looking away.
"I'll admit," Aqua said, "it will be very dangerous, but I do have proof."
"Which is?"
Aqua sighed.
"I wasn't planning on telling you anything, not tell you've earned my trust," Aqua said. "Everything I said about Xaldin and Cloud, about all of this…was never supposed to happen till you've shown me your worth." she frowned, "you've done nothing. The very fact that I've said what I said…you should be grateful. I think it's about time you just take my word to heart and obey."
Luxord turned around.
"You cannot say a thing, "Aqua said cautiously. "I've got enough to deal with on my hands…"
"And what could I say," Luxord said, smiling weakly. "If I say something, I can be sure you'll expose me as well."
"You're smart when you want to be, 'Aqua muttered.
Luxord tightened his hands into tight fists. His breathing was harder, and his body was still.
"Don't be pathetic," she said dully.
"I have no say in this," Luxord hissed.
"You get to live another day," Aqua said. "You should be thanking me for this wonderful opportunity."
"Prostituting myself is something I actually look down to," Luxord said in a snappy tone. "You expect me to go out and kill people, you want me to expose a bunch of criminals in what I assume will be an allotted time, and you want to sell myself in hopes that I get a man, who's done terrible things to me already, to show off a side that I've yet to seen?
"If I'm wrong, I get killed," Luxord continued on, his eyes watering just a bit, "If I don't do what you say, everyone I know gets killed…how do you think I feel right now? I get taken away from the only life I've know, and placed in this insane asylum…and you except me to follow orders without questioning you just a bit? You and everyone else have the gall to be surprised when I try to escape…"
"Are you quite finished," Aqua asked in a rather impatient tone.
Luxord went silent, staring blankly at Aqua.
Aqua huffed a bit and walked over to the doorway. Luxord remained where he was, ever watching. He felt his heartbeat slow down just a bit as he realized how beneficial to Aqua his tantrum had been. He tried to calm himself down as he thought about how well he was breaking down, how they were winning and how he was losing. He was becoming a mess…and he had done nothing to stop it.
He wasn't thinking the same anymore. In the short time he had been here he had changed. He was crumbling faster and faster, and it would only be a matter of tie before they reform him in the shape they wanted.
"I don't want to do this," Luxord said, breathing slowly as he watched Aqua lean against the entrance.
Aqua nodded her head.
"But you will," she said. "You will."
"What the hell is this fucker doing here," Axel hissed as Luxord walked into the oddly bright room. "Ain't he supposed to be dead?"
Luxord didn't even bother giving Axel the pleasure in the form of attention. He kept his attention elsewhere, focusing at the surrounding area and Aqua.
"Your feet," Aqua hissed at the young redhead, "off the table, Axel."
Luxord gave a quick glance at the two conversing with one another.
"God," Axel said with a roll of his eyes. The young man moved himself, lifting his legs up and placing them back down on the floor. He stared harshly at Aqua, sneering at her with hate. "You wanna explain what he's doing here?"
Aqua sat herself down across the table where Axel sat, not paying much attention to him as she motioned her hand to Luxord, beckoning him over to sit next to her. Without a word, Luxord followed with haste and sat himself next to Aqua, his eyes still looking around as he surveyed the area, looking for anything that seemed out of the ordinary.
"Axel," she said in an overly calm matter, "could you please get me a yogurt?"
"You didn't answer my question," Axel asked in a snide, yet whiny tone. A mere look from Aqua, however, silenced Axel, and he soon got up from his seat and hurried over to the fridge that was nearby.
Aqua turned to Luxord, the same calm expression on her face.
"Anything for you," she asked.
Luxord blinked, his attention being forced back to Aqua. He looked to her, his heart racing just a bit from shock, and a bit of fear.
"w-what," he asked.
"Breakfast," Aqua said, her face a bit more strained. "What do you want?"
For some reason, he was having a hard time grasping the conversation. Something about having a normal conversation with Aqua, right after what had happened yesterday; it made the current situation a bit weird. He couldn't even look at her with a straight face. Being asked what he wanted to eat, as ordinary as it seemed, just made him feel off.
"There's no yogurt," Luxord heard Axel say from behind. "I think Yuffie ate it all…"
Aqua rose her head up, looking over Luxord and at Axel.
"None," she asked.
"Well, she's on that weird diet," Axel muttered. Luxord could hear shuffling behind him; he guessed Axel was still looking around, just in case. "So…I guess it's all gone…"
"Are there any fruit cups," Aqua asked.
"Yep," Axel answered almost immediately. "You want one?"
"Get me two," she answered. She looked back to Luxord, "you don't mind, right?"
Luxord couldn't even answer. He just couldn't grasp how normal these…murderers were when they weren't killing people or committing horrendous acts.
"So," Axel said, slamming a fruit cup in front of Luxord, "You want to enlighten me here?"
"What's that supposed to mean," Aqua asked, taking the fruit cup from Axel. Her eyes gleamed at the young man, watching him carefully.
Luxord looked down at the meal that had been "handed" to him. He tried his best to make it as though he wasn't affected by what Axel was saying, keeping his eyes lowered as he listen carefully to the two. Obviously Axel was told that he had been killed last night…most likely by Xigbar. The fact that he was still alive was going to be problematic, and not just from the few members who disliked him.
"The bastard's supposed to be dead," Axel said in a snide tone. Luxord was sure Axel was giving him a dirty look. "I just can't help but wonder why the useless Outsider is alive…unless you found some use…"
"Careful what you say Axel," Aqua said, already picking through her breakfast. "You can get yourself into big trouble…"
"So can you," Axel replied. He sat himself down and stared curiously at Aqua. "Xigbar and Squall told me how you two had a chat together…"
"That's all it was," Aqua said, her expression at ease. "Now, unless you want to continue pestering me, and get yourself in trouble, you'll do us a favor and silence yourself…"
"Whatever," Axel said, grabbing his bowl and getting up from the table. "Your boy-toy will be dead either way…I doubt Xigbar's gonna deal with him anyhow, not after all the bullshit he had to go through."
Luxord looked up and stared at Axel. He could see the proud, cocky smirk on the young man's face. Axel had no doubt in his mind Xigbar was going to do away with him…
And this made Luxord nervous.
How on earth was he supposed to get Xigbar's attention? It was bad enough that Luxord didn't believe in Aqua's word, and now he had Axel pretty much reassuring the poor situation he was in. If he wasn't for not obeying Aqua's word, Xigbar would surely do him in.
"I'm not going to have Xigbar continue training him," Aqua then said.
Both Axel and Luxord turned their attention to Aqua. Luxord's eyes widened in surprise. Had Aqua just said…
"…Xigbar obviously can't handle training an adult," Aqua muttered, not looking at either one of them. "I called Cloud, late last night; he said he'd take Luxord in."
Axel's smile quickly faded. He stared harshly at Aqua, "he's taking care of Namine though."
"I'm taking custody of Namine," Aqua answered, a small smile growing on her face. "By the end of the week the switch will be made…"
Axel kept his eyes on Aqua, upset after haring what she had told him. After what felt like several minutes, he stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Luxord could make out a few words, but couldn't figure out what axle was saying. It didn't matter much though, within a few moments the words disappeared as Axel, from what Luxord could assume, hurried off.
He turned to Aqua, his eyes still open in surprise.
"Cloud," he asked.
"Yes," Aqua said, eating her food in a nice, calm matter. She wasn't even looking at Luxord.
Luxord shook his head. What on earth was this woman up to? Had she not asked him to busy himself with Xigbar? How was he to do that when he was going to be with someone completely different?
"Don't worry, "Aqua said. "You'll be with him, for…at most, a week."
"…you have a plan," Luxord asked.
"Of course," Aqua replied. She stared at Luxord with an almost repulsed look. "I'm not an idiot. Xigbar wouldn't take you back unless he felt like he had to." A smile spread on her face. "Axel will some crying to him, telling him everything I've said. It'll only be a matter of time before he decides to take you back under his wing. But during that time I would suggest you do try to work your way into Cloud's mind."
Of course she had a plan. A backup plan, from the sounds of it, but a plan nonetheless. She knew there may have been a chance that he would falter at some point, and had come up with this plan. And knowing the members well enough had helped, assuming she knew Axel well enough to predict his actions. He wasn't sure how she got Cloud to comply within a short amount of time, but she had, and it was a bit impressive. But still, how solid was this plan. How well could he ride on this?
"And you're completely sure of this," Luxord asked, not willing to fully believe everything that had been said to him.
"Eager?"
"No," Luxord snapped. "I'm just having a hard time trying to figure out what the hell is going on. You keep telling me things in an almost cryptic sort of way…it makes everything difficult."
"You really do hate being wrong," Aqua muttered, her eyes glancing over at Luxord's direction.
"I hate not knowing what's going on," Luxord hissed in a frustrated tone. "And you're making things very difficult…" He sighed and sank into his seat. "You already know what kind of job I have, whom I work with and such. People like you are the hardest to work with…but even then I have resources. I don't have anything now…"
"Work with what you're given," Aqua replied.
"I have nothing," Luxord said, looking down at his meal. He let a hand cover his face as he tried to not break down.
"You have yourself," Aqua commented, leaning close to Luxord, "and that will be more than enough."
Luxord removed his hand and glared at Aqua.
"I'll be gone during the time you're being trained by Cloud," Aqua said in a rather stoic tone. "I'll be at Cairo, watching over Namine, so you'll be alone. No one to listen to your complaints…" She stood up and walked over to the trash can. "During this time you will need to make sure to listen to Cloud, and not piss him off. He can be very harsh and cruel when he wants to…and will show no mercy towards your words."
"Cairo," Luxord muttered.
"Go ahead and make your assumptions," Aqua said from behind Luxord. "Just make sure you get your job done. You'll have Cloud and Xigbar for you to work with. Make sure you have them alone when you get to work, and be subtle about it, very subtle."
Luxord got up from his seat and stared worryingly at Aqua.
Her expression remained the same, not showing any remorse for Luxord.
"You'll get started," she said, "and you'll do it right…"
Luxord nodded his head; his face lowered a bit as he hid his expression from her.
"Good," she muttered. "Now eat your food…"
Luxord kept looking down, his head spinning around as he tried to think of what he was supposed to do. Flirting with the enemy? Really, how terrible did that sound, if not cliché? And he was going to risk life and limb while doing it.
It was just too difficult. Even if Aqua was right, even Xigbar…he still couldn't bring himself to do what. He still had shame and dignity, but most importantly, he had morals. He couldn't bring himself to commit such acts, and with the intention of getting information as well.
How was he supposed to do this? He had to someone how work his way into the minds of psychotic criminals, criminals that had shown no signs of being affected so far, as well as attempt to get one of them to admit his repressed sexuality…should it be any different than what Luxord assumed at the moment. Luxord could only hope that Xigbar had another weakness, another secret worth exposing and telling Aqua to use.
Luxord sighed, lowering his hand about halfway before catching a bright red color, stopping, and carefully began examining it. He could see the red around his stitches…it was getting infected. He was sure it had to do with stress, and his immune system was beginning to become affected by it.
"Fuck," he muttered.
"Exactly," Aqua said.
So, know you all know how the relationship will build from here. I know it's not really all that romantic, but such is life within this story. That, and what the hell were you expecting anyways? Don't worry though, things will eventually build between the two...so I can at least say there will be (no matter how small) some chemistry between the two characters. So, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thanks for being so patient.