She watches him stumble around in the rain. He reeks of rum and sweat. She draws her hood up, hiding her silvery lavender hair. She steps toward him, into the downpour. He sees her, turns.
"Why, hello. Aren't you a pretty one?" he slurrs.
She shakes her head.
"Always the flirt, Reno. Don't you remember me?" Her grey eyes search his. He only looks confused.
"My name is Axel. A-X-E-L." He spells it out, swaying slightly. "Who's Reno?"
She sighs.
"Nevermind." She whispers. "Here, let's get you home." She holds him firmly by the shoulders. He twists out of her grip and glares at her. His brilliant red hair is plastered to his head in the rain. She wonders why he cut his ponytail off.
"Who are you?" He asks.
"Nobody." She says. Shame, regret, and pain flow through her voice as she takes his shoulders again. "I'm a Nobody, just like you."
She gestures; a portal of darkness appears.
"You're one of us?" He asks, surprised and confused.
She shakes her head.
"Just go."
……….
"I'm not sure how I got home, Roxas. Did Demyx find me again? Except, I was sure it was a girl…"
Roxas shakes his head.
"Weird… maybe I imagined it? Sheesh, Port Royal must be making some pretty strong stuff now…" Axel runs his gloved hands through his hair. He sits down wearily and closes his emerald eyes. "Man, have I got the worst hangover…"
The door to the room flies open with a bang. Demyx rushes in.
"Why can't you teleport in like a norman person?" Axel demands. "It's so much quieter."
Demyx grins broadly.
"Not my fault you went and got wasted last night," he says cheerfully. "Get up, we have to go!" He turns to look at Roxas sheepishly, almost apologetic. "Sorry, Roxas. This is just me and Axel. The Superior has something else for you to do, I think." Roxas nods bruesquely and vanishes in a swirl of darkness. "We're off to Radiant Garden!" Demyx says brightly.
"Why?"
"No real reason. We're supposed to check on that Restoration crew or whatever. We have to make sure they aren't causing any trouble."
"Like what?" Axel says grumpily.
"No idea!" Demyx pulls Axel upright. "But we have to do it anyway. Orders are orders, and I love Radiant Garden! Let's go!"
"I hate my life," Axel mutters. They step into the darkness.
……
They stand on the rooftop, watching the Restoration crew work on the streets below.
Abruptly, Axel turns to look at Demyx.
"Ever heard of a guy named Reno?" He asks, expecting a negative response.
"Sure," Demyx says easily. "They talk about him sometimes." He gestures at Aerith and Yuffie. "Did you know him? His grave's over by the cathedral."
Axel flinches.
"No, I never knew him. I just wondered."
Demyx shrugs.
"Whatever."
…..
"Hello."
Demyx jumps; Axel flinches. They spin to face the speaker. Chakrams form in Axel's hands as Demyx's sitaur begins to materialize.
"Are you really going to hurt me, Reno?" The girl spreads her arms wide. "Are you going to kill me?" Her lavender hair waves in the light wind. She smiles. "Go ahead."
"What are you doing here?" Axel demands. "Who are you?"
"Why did you call him Reno?" Demyx asks.
"I'm Altair." She says. "Do you remember me, Reno?"
"My name isn't Reno!" Axel says. Flames flicker in his hands. Altair watches them with interest.
"You always did like fireworks and things," she says. "I guess that isn't too surprising." She lowers her arms and puts her hands in her jean's pockets. "So, why are you here? Do you miss Midgar?"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Axel demands angrily. "Are you crazy?"
"Maybe," she says. "I wouldn't know." She smiles and looks around at the town. "It's smaller now," she says. She turns to face him again. "It's so strange to think of…" She smiles wearily. "I'll see you later, I guess. Bye, Reno. Bye, Reno's friend." She dives of the rooftop into a swirl of darkness.
Axel and Demyx stare after her, speechless.
"What the hell was that?" Demyx asks finally. "Did you know her?"
Axel frowns.
"I don't think so…"
This is a really short chapter,I know. I think it may work better this way... we'll see, shall we? Please review! Thank you!
