CH 13: Psychoanalysis
"Superior, this is highly disturbing to say the least..." Saïx flipped through a packet of papers, his demeanor more than concerned. For the past few hours, he and Xemnas were in the latter's room, sorting through and reading reports that were sent to them from Castle Oblivion. There were 6 reports total: 5 of which were individual members and one of the overall progress of the Castle. Xemnas was pleased with the initiatives Luxord had taken as the Superior, grinning every time he read something positive. Saïx, on the other hand, frowned more than he normally did, his attention still on one of the reports.
"What's the matter, Number VII?"
"I think you should take a look at Number XI's report..." Raising an eyebrow, Xemnas took the packet of papers from Saïx, his eyes scanning the front page. He looked back at Number VII, puzzled.
"Just read it..." Saïx said, grimacing ever so slightly. Frowning, Xemnas cleared his throat and began to read the report out loud:
Report 01: Part 4
Marluxia
Revenge is so very, very sweet. Not only have I found a use for his body, but I am able to have cleanliness wherever I go. As you know, Number XI and I haven't been on very good terms with each other, but I have found a solution to that, which i had previously stated. I have appointed him as the castle's maid. His orders are to maintain daily cleansing of the rooms, all 24 of them and he is also to make our meals. Should he not meet my standards, or simply choose not to do them, then I shall subject him to psychological and physical torture. Not only will that get my point across, but it will also mentally humiliate him to the point in which he will become my own personal slave, doomed in forever filling my needs as his Superior. Oh, how that will bring a smile upon my face.
Xemnas looked up at Saïx, a smile dancing on his lips.
"I do not see anything wrong with this, Number VII...all I see is a responsible Nobody who is able to gain a sense of maturity." Saïx sighed.
"Need I remind you that Number X is becoming an increasingly unstable Nobody?" he leaned in close, his voice dropping to a whisper. "His sadistic intentions could be well hidden under his written word." Xemnas rolled his eyes, blowing him off.
"I did not find anything sadistic in his reports. They all seem to be in a well managed order."
"Sir, his reports of the other members are fragmented sentences. His overall report is just childish drawings that go on for three pages. His report of Number XI is the only one that can carry out a single topic for more than two complete sentences."
"I do not see anything wrong in expressing one's artistic side..."
"They are pictures of Number XI getting mauled by various heartless and animals. You don't find anything wrong with that?"
"No I do not." Saïx sighed heavily, rubbing his temple. Keeping his cool was becoming harder and harder around the Superior and if he didn't find a way from him to agree soon, the Diviner was sure he'd snap.
"Xemnas, why are you avoiding the potential situation?"
"I'm not avoiding anything."
"What would you call it then?"
"Selective reading." Saïx slapped his forehead, gritting his teeth.
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His room, abandoned prior to this moment, stood silent. The bed was neatly made, the floor was clean, his clothes folded and put away in a small closet. The room was very serene, save for the wheezing and coughing that came from the child that struggled to sleep in its crib. Little beads of sweat traveled down it's forehead and temples, it's face puffy and red. It's mouth hung open, short ragged breaths emitting through. It lay there uncovered, the blankets proving to be too hot to be comfortable, its eyes looking directly upward. One could not tell if it's eyes could still register what made its surroundings, but nonetheless it reached up, hoping the figure that looked down at it would hold it into their arms and make all the pain go away.
Vexen however, chose not to do so and instead pulled out a notepad and began writing.
"Red cheeks, possible malnutrition, throat infection..." he mumbled to himself. Pausing, he reached down and placed a palm on the baby's forehead. It sighed contently from the cool feeling, only to whimper when Vexen pulled away shortly after. "...high temperature...stuffy nose..." Finishing his notes, he closed the book, looking rather distastefully down at the baby. "Well it seems to me that you have not improved since your last check up. Your fever has increased, your breathing is still a chore for you and you appear to be going blind." He put a hand on his cheek, shaking his head in mock sadness. "Your foster father will be most disappointed when I tell him of your condition."
He stood quiet for a few minutes, watching as the baby desperately tried to persuade him to hold it, but to no avail. A smile appeared on his lips.
"Well, he would be disappointed if I went and told him." The baby made a harsh noise, making Vexen frown. "It's not my fault I have to lie. If your father wasn't so paranoid, I wouldn't have to worry about him visiting you. Besides, the less he's around you, the better. Less conflict and less chances of him interfering." With that, Vexen reached inside the crib, pulling out one of the small blankets. Folding it carefully, he placed it over his forearm like a waiter and grinned down at the baby.
"I hope you don't mind me taking this" he said casually, opening a portal behind him. "I need it to continue my research." He stepped through the portal, the baby's cries ignored. He reappeared in the fifth basement, the room already occupied by Zexion who was busy in the small kitchen. Setting down the blanket on a side table, Vexen took a seat on the couch and looked over his previously written notes. A few minutes later, Zexion had emerged from the kitchen, a small white apron around his waist and a pot of something delicious in his gloved hands.
"Hello Number IV." he said quietly, placing the pot down on the heated table momentarily to adjust his oven gloves.
"Hello..." Vexen answered, not looking up from his notes. After a couple of seconds, his nose was filled with a smell that caused him to do the previously stated.. "What are you making?"
"Oh this?" Zexion asked, pointing to the pot. "It's vegetable soup." He gave a faint smile, his cheeks going red ever so slightly. "Lexaeus is upstairs taking care of the witch, so when he returns we can eat it...unless you would like some now." Vexen waved his hand, declining the offer.
"No thank you. I'd prefer to eat when the time comes. Not whenever you put on that rather feminine apron." Zexion frowned.
"I'll have you know this apron is far from feminine." he retorted, tugging the kitchenware. "Besides, I thought you liked the food I so generously make for you."
"Of course I like your meals. The thing is though, you're not the cook of this castle. Making food is such a waste of time for you." Zexion huffed.
"At least I don't waste my time with children." Vexen stopped, looking up at the Schemer.
"Whatever do you mean by that?" he asked harshly. Zexion pointed at the side table next to the couch.
"That's a child's blanket, isn't it?" Vexen quickly grabbed the blanket, shoving it in a sleeve.
"It is not."
"What is it then?"
"It's...a wash towel." he lied, not making eye contact with the Nobody. Zexion raised an eyebrow, not truly believing his elder. Sure, he was supposed to believe everything the higher ups ever told him, but this was just ridiculous.
"It looks more like a baby's blanket than a wash towel."
"Things aren't always what they seem Number VI." Vexen dropped the conversation, silence falling between the two Nobodies. Zexion sighed, picking up the pot once again and placed it back inside the kitchen. After a few moments, Vexen stood up, opening a portal. "I'm going to my laboratory." he said shortly, walking through and disappearing in the darkness. Zexion chose not to answer him, but sighed heavily, his eyes surveying the cooking vegetables inside the pot. Before long, another portal appeared and out stepped a very pleased Lexaeus. He entered the kitchen area, sitting down at the dining table.
"Welcome back, Lexaeus." Zexion said, removing his oven mitts. Lexaeus nodded, a small smile on his face. "How was your shift?"
"Pleasant." he answered, pulling out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. "She drew me a picture." He unfolded the paper in question, revealing an amateur drawing of what appeared to be Lexaeus and Namine. Zexion seemed to like it, offering to hang it somewhere. Lexaeus agreed, giving the smaller Nobody the picture. In the end, the drawing hung humbly from a banana shaped magnet on the refrigerator. Lexaeus admired it for a few seconds before changing the subject.
"Where is Vexen?" Zexion pointed towards the floor.
"He's in his Laboratory."
"Oh. Is he conducting an experiment for the Superior?"
"I don't think so...but Lexaeus..." he approached the seated Nobody ever so slightly "...I think Vexen is hiding something." Lexaeus tilted his head to the side, not quite understanding Zexion's words.
"Why do you say that?" Zexion grabbed a towel on the counter, showing it to Lexaeus as a visual.
"He brought a baby's blanket with him." Lexaeus frowned. "When I asked him about it, he denied that it was a blanket and took off to his laboratory shortly before you arrived." Lexaeus nodded, stroking his chin in thought.
"How odd..." Zexion took a seat across the table from the other, his eyes more than serious.
"Lexaeus, this whole scenario is troublesome to me...I can't help but think the Superior and Vexen are up to something."
"What made you come to that conclusion?" Zexion poked his nose softly.
"When Vexen came into the room, I noticed a different, yet vaguely familiar smell. Vexen had no alteration to his own scent, but the blanket..."
"What did you sense?"
"Remember the odd scent the Superior was giving off before? That blanket literally reeked that same scent. I think they're up to something, Lexaeus and I don't like it one bit..."
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"Don't forget to clean behind all the counters, Number XI..."
"Yes, Superior..." Marluxia growled through gritted teeth, a mop in hand. Previously he had endured washing dishes, cleaning the bathrooms, dusting the library, maintaining the darkness that loomed outside and made every single bed in the entire castle. At the moment, Luxord had busied him with mopping up the kitchen floor, he himself watching idle by. Abandoning the mop, Marluxia reluctantly sank to his hands and knees. Swallowing what pride he had left, he gripped a dirty towel and reached behind the counter top, wiping down whatever there was that made the area so dusty. Luxord in the meantime sat comfortably in one of the dining table chairs, his legs crossed. With his head resting lightly against a partial fist and elbow on the table, he continued reading the book that stood snuggly on his lap, his hand gripping the top of it lightly. It had no front artwork or text, so no one could identify what exactly it was that he was reading. However, given the fact that the Gambler giggled once in a while, it was probably very hilarious. Letting out a very satisfied sigh, he turned the page.
"Number X."
Luxord looked up from his book, coming face to face with an opening portal in front of him. He suppressed a cringe, relaxing a bit more when Vexen stepped through. Giving the scientist a small nod, he closed the book and placed it on the white, recently cleaned table.
"What is it, Vexen?" he asked, much more stoic than normal.
"I have some news for you, regarding my mission." This caused the scrubbing in the background to falter ever so slightly. Keeping his blank face, Luxord laced his fingers together and placed them lightly on his lap. He nodded once more, letting Vexen continue. "Everything seems to be in order, however..." The scrubbing became softer and slower. "We may have some questions heading our way..."
"What kind of questioning?" Marluxia asked, his chore completely abandoned. Luxord turned to him, growling.
"None of this concerns you, Number XI. Now get back to work and stop eavesdropping." Marluxia frowned at the glare he was given and quietly turned back to what he was doing before, forcibly suppressing the urge to drown Luxord in the bucket of soapy water. Conjuring a blank face once more, Luxord turned back to the scientist. "I'm sure it is no question you or I cannot answer. Now, if you're done worrying and say things that should not pass from your mouth, you are dismissed."
"Yes Sir." Vexen replied sarcastically, opening a portal .
"Oh and Vexen..." Luxord said, stopping the taller, slightly irritated Nobody from walking through. "Make sure you bring me a thorough report before the next meeting. I want to keep an eye on your progress."
"Sure thing." Vexen left, leaving Luxord and Marluxia alone once more. Letting out a heavy sigh, Luxord stood up.
"I'm going." he said, not turning to look at the Assassin.
"All the better for me..." Marluxia mumbled, his back more than broken at that point from the laborious work. Ignoring the comment, Luxord took his book, placing it neatly under his arm. He approached the door that lead to the next floor up, stopping when his hand grasped the brass handle.
"Remember Marluxia..." he said calmly, opening the door. "When you're finished with this room, you have to put the library's books in alphabetical order. All 5,000 of them. You know how our Dear Zexion loathes disorganization..." Marluxia growled fiercely, slamming the towel in the bucket causing water to splash everywhere. However, neither of them seemed to care.
"What relation does any of my labor have to do with the Keybearer?!" he yelled, his voice echoing throughout the large room. After a few long seconds, Luxord shrugged.
"None, I just like to see you work."
"You son of a-"
"Tootles!" Before Marluxia could protest any further, Luxord left through the door, giggling manically to himself.
"I love my job."
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"I was only having some fun..."
"Yes, but you seem to have forgotten our problems..."
"...problems?" Vexen sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He looked down at Luxord who was currently occupying his operating table. The Gambler sat upright, his legs dangling over the edge, kicking once in a while. A small smile rested on his face, his eyes warm and understanding. However, Vexen believed the Nobody was anything but understanding.
"I'm afraid Zexion might be catching on to us." Luxord stopped kicking, raising an eyebrow.
"What makes you say that?" Vexen hesitated.
"He told me he found my long absences suspicious."
"Why? Does he not know I require you to leave the Castle for your missions?"
"He knows I have to leave but he believes I leave too often for his taste." Luxord frowned, folding his arms across his chest.
"His taste doesn't matter. What matters is that you keep an eye on my sick child." He paused, becoming slightly grim. "How...is the baby, by the way?" Vexen didn't answer right away, but smiled before the silence got to him.
"It...the baby is fine. It's condition is improving from when I last visited. I believe he will be back to himself in no time." Luxord sighed, relieved.
"That's good to hear. For a while I was-" Suddenly, Luxord stopped. His chest felt as if it was being compressed and his breathing slowed down dangerously.
"Luxord?" Vexen asked, stepping back a bit. Luxord looked at him blindly, his vision blurring. All the while, a pain from his chest began to grow, spreading across his upper torso and down his legs. He brought a hand up to his chest, grabbing desperately at the fabric for a few seconds before his hand dropped down to his side.
"Luxord, what's wrong?!" Vexen asked quickly, his voice sounding distant and fuzzy to Luxord. He tried to respond, but his mouth was wrenched closed, his jaw hurting. His body drooped low and before he could stop himself, he fell forward, darkness taking over.
His feet touched base with the ground once more, the fall from the cliff less than exhilarating. Dusting off his hands, he looked around and found himself at the edge of a town. Curious, he approached the nearest building, hoping to find something that would tell him where he stood. The building was a small house, no larger than what the average person could afford. There was one window in the front, two in the back, and flowers all around. The front door was wooden, the handle a golden yellow. The house stood at one story, colored a rather strange shade of mauve. The roof was white, and a small red chimney puffed out smoke from above. He approached the front door, turning the handle. He knew inside he should have never invited himself in someone's home, but this particular house seemed so familiar, it was almost like walking into his own abode.
Slowly, the door swung open, any creaking absent. Smiling, he walked inside, careful not to scratch the wooden flooring. Taking a left, he entered the kitchen, ignoring the thought of how he could know the layout of such a place. He took a seat at the small 4 person dining table, his eyes meeting the girl seating across from him. She seemed no older than 10 and her demeanor was calm and immature. From what Luxord could see, she wore a white T-Shirt, an odd logo on the front. Her hair was golden and short, meeting down to her shoulders. She had light skin, but one could tell she liked to go outside often. She sat still, her smile never leaving her. But as Luxord continued to gaze at the child, he could not help but feel sorrow. His heart ached from the sight of the little girl, but no matter what his eyes would not leave her light blue ones. Then, she began to speak.
"Are you scared, Daddy?"
OMG, Today, I got the 2nd manga of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. I'm so happy!!! But dude, like, Marluxia is so creepy in it!!! Especially when Namine tells him she won't erase Sora's memories! Have you seen that face he makes?!? Gosh, it's so creepy, I couldn't stand to look at it for more than 10 seconds!
Ok, I'm done rambling. Anyway, I'll try to get the 14th chapter up and running before school starts, which is on Tuesday...blah. I'll try my bestest!!! But in the meantime, please review!!! By the way, I might end up doing stuff to edit this chapter. It feels...disjointed to me.