Yeah I dunno. Gimme a break, I had to get started again XD

The midday sun was beaming down on everything from the clear, blue sky. Only because of the occasional winds from the ocean, did the people working at the harbor find the heat manageable. Sweat was on their brows, though, as they lifted and dragged, pushed and ran about to finish their assignments. Other people were just waiting, or passing by, enjoying the lovely weather. They had homes to return to, families and a normal course of the day.

Sitting in the shade, against a wall, he opened his eyes after having dosed off for a few minutes. He shifted his position, stretching out his legs in front of him, and lazily lifting his head to glance up at the passers-by. Digging around in his pockets for, well, a pocket watch, he finally found it. For a brief moment he had to squint – the reflection of sunlight in the shiny glass of the watch was too much for his eyes. He nodded to himself, and let his head fall back against the cool wall. He felt tired and worn out, even though he wasn't as busy as the workers in the sun, or the people hurrying back and forth.

Luxord sneezed. He had been doing it all day, the sneezes getting more frequent and powerful. Wrapping his comforter tightly around himself, he went to his window to take a look. For once he was happy that daylight never showed it's viciously shiny face around here. He was sure to receive one hell of a headache if it were. He didn't wish to complain, but his cold was getting worse.

He thought back to his mission with Vexen. It was a new world, and snow was everywhere, so the odds were bound to be with the scientist this time. However, nothing dangerous seemed to dwell there, except for knee-high snow. They sure hadn't been dressed properly for this mission. Of course Vexen couldn't have cared less.

Holding back another sneeze, Luxord went to go to bed again, practically throwing himself on top of the mattress and landing in a sprawled tangle of Nobody, comforter and pillow. He groaned, deciding that he was too exhausted to get up again to get himself some aspirins. Luckily, he didn't have any missions today. Wonders never cease, he thought groggily, until the all too familiar sound of a certain gunslinger, teleporting into his room, was heard.

A stray dog fought its way around and between the legs of all the people in its way. Glanced at it tiredly, noticing how thin it seemed. Oh well. He closed his eyes again, before he decided that he couldn't ignore the rumbling of his stomach anymore. Once again shifting his position, he reached over for his backpack, catching the attention of a few people who had sent him peculiar looks earlier, perhaps wondering why he was sitting so still. He had been trying to postpone his hunger for a few hours, especially with his several naps.

Finding what he was looking for in the backpack, he took a nice, long swig of a bottle of water, before putting it aside to start digging through his belongings again.

"Wow... another nightmare?" Xigbar asked.

"... No." Luxord said from somewhere under the many covers.

"You look like you're ready to drop dead."

"Much obliged, darling." Luxord mumbled sarcastically. Xigbar wasn't helping. But at least he wasn't trying to drag him out of bed. "And I don't have nightmares." He said dryly. He knew it was a lie, but still.

"Then what is it? If anymore tissue was in here, one would think that you went back to your teenage-years." Xigbar grinned and dropped down in Luxord's favorite chair, not knowing that the Gambler didn't understand his joke.

Luxord finally stirred after some time. "It's just a cold."

Xigbar nearly guffawed, but managed to hold it back. "Just a cold? That's what's gotten you in such a twist? Really?"

"Yes, Xigbar, it's a cold." Luxord all but whined into his pillow, making Xigbar grin.

"Looks more like pneumonia."

"It's a cold... I think."

"Well, it's a good thing I'm here, then," Xigbar said. "I'll provide you with excellent entertainment!"

Luxord winced and finally pulled himself together to sit up. "I don't want entertainment," he said quietly. "I just want to rest."

"Hey, I don't have anything better to do," Xigbar shrugged and teleported to sit on the edge of the bed. "First of all, you can't really sleep like that can you? For all I know, you'll end up with the sheets around your neck sooner or later."

Luxord mumbled something about too tired to move. Xigbar rolled his eye. Taking a good hold of the most accessible piece of the comforter, the Freeshooter gave it a good yank. As if perfectly planned, Luxord was spun around to his back, with a grunt, and Xigbar placed the comforter over him.

Luxord groaned. "What are you doing in my room?"

"Uh, Demyx was looking for me..." Xigbar mumbled a bit rushed, perhaps hoping for Luxord not to hear.

Finally finding half a bread, he took it from the bag and leaned back against the wall again. Only then did he hear the sound of rapid panting, betraying the dogs presence right in front of him. He snapped his head around to look at it. It cocked its head at him, sitting at a polite distance. He frowned at it. The dog obviously wanted something, and seeing as he had just found himself some food, it was sure to be begging for just that.

"Just ignore that creature," a passing sailor told him. "It's been around here for many years, you see. It'll manage. Give 'em a finger and they take the whole arm, see?"

The dog looked between the two, before sneaking a bit close to him. He stretched his arm out to let it sniff his hand. The sailor scoffed and left.

After some time, Luxord sat up. "You do realize that he might look for you in h-"

Someone opened the door, and Demyx stepped in. "Lux, have you seen Xigbar? He took my headphones – oh, there you are!" He said and looked accusingly at Xigbar.

Luxord mustered a glare. "Have you ever heard of knocking?"

"Hey, what are you doing in bed?" Demyx asked. "Are you sick? You don't look too good."

"He's got a cold," Xigbar said, glad to change the subject. "At least that's what he said."

"A cold? Oh that's not good. You should just stay in bed, then, and get lots of rest. I'm sure you could get Xaldin or Lexy to make you some nice chicken-soup."

"Chicken-soup?" Luxord and Xigbar chorused.

"Yeah, isn't that great against a cold?" Demyx scratched his head. "Isn't that what they all say?"

Luxord was just about to tell them both to just leave him alone. He had just hidden his head under the pillow when he heard someone else march right into his room without permission.

"Demyx! There you are," Axel said and folded his arms. Luxord groaned inwardly at the continuous invasion. "What are you doing in here, anyway?"

"Lux has a cold!" Demyx said in defense. Luxord could feel Axel look over at him on the bed, and thanked Lady Luck that he was well-hidden.

"Well, duh." Axel said after some time. "The castle's just freezing sometimes! He just needs to get warmer, perhaps turn up the radiators. Or sit in front of a fire. Why doesn't this castle have any fireplaces. Could be nice."

"Nah-uh," Demyx said. "You're supposed to rest when you have a cold. And eat something. Xiggy, where did you put my headphones?"

"I still think it could be pneumonia," Xigbar mumbled, ignoring the Nocturne. "He should go see Vexen."

He tried to ignore the dog, like the sailor said, but it had sat down closer to him, making it impossible. It was begging silently, he could see that. It knew that whining and acting friendly wouldn't get it anywhere, since people here had learned to see through that. However, he wasn't really from around here. And he sure wasn't cruel, he could never be that. However, the food didn't come for free, and he had to make it last.

Still...

"Here," he finally mumbled and held out what was left of the bread, after he'd taken enough bites himself to keep himself standing. The dog eagerly napped it from his fingers, gently, making sure not to accidentally bite him. It chewed wholeheartedly, throwing its head back. He watched it for some time, considering napping again, before he found the bottle again. Pouring some into his cupped hand, he let the dog get some water too. He dried his hand by patting the dog, then smiled tiredly.

"Alright," he said. "You got what you wanted, you mangy creature..." There was no harm meant, though. Now the dog let out a small whine and lay down next to him. Hesitating at first, he put a hand on top of its head to nuzzle it a bit. "I bet you like attention. Too bad you don't like cards, I could use someone to play against." He found a deck from his pocket.

"Just give me my headphones, Xigbar..!"

"No, not until you learn to actually turn off your stupid music when people are talking to you! Dude, it's like you're in a whole other universe!"

"I can! I just don't want to! And my music's not stupid."

"Couldn't you just buy some new headphones?" Axel added.

"Could you guys shut up?" Larxene practically yelled into the room.

After some time of shuffling, it seemed that the sailors and other passengers were ready to board the ship. He started packing his things, ready to get up, and put the deck back in his pocket. However, one card fell out of his grasp, and he head to bow down in order to pick it up. He didn't take his time to look at which card it was. The dog stood with him, and nuzzled his leg, noticing the one black, pointy "spot" on the card, though it didn't know what it meant.

"I have to go now," he said and clapped the dog's head. He walked towards the ship, his backpack slung over one shoulder.

"Why is Luxord sleeping in the Grey Area?" Xaldin said and frowned.

"... I have no idea." Zexion said, also frowning. "He doesn't look so fine, though."

"... Well," Lexaeus said, stepping up next to his fellow members. "What would you do if half of the Organization were discussing in your room."

Hah! Poor Luxord. XD XD This sucks.