Disclaimer: Again? Yeah, yeah, we all know I don't own Kingdom Hearts or it's characters.
"Mm! This has got to be the best day ever!" Axel exclaimed before shoving another forkful of spaghetti into his mouth. "Getting to see Sora hold a full on conversation with a ghost, though it was annoyingly one sided but we can't help that, having the scariest ass narration for a possible intro, getting some strange photos and finding out there were a shit ton of ghosts watching us?"
"I didn't say they were ghosts, there are different spiritual beings." Sora pointed out.
"Ah, details." Axel waved it off. "But damn, this was cool."
"I swear this film project is getting to him… but it's kind of a nice change of pace." Riku said. "Oh, um, thank you again for having us over."
"Well, I had to meet you lot to make sure my son's in good hands." Saïx pointed out. He smiled and thanked his son who was picking up dishes for those who were finished. "Just leave them in the sink, Sora; I'll get them later."
"Okay, Papa." Sora nodded and carried the dishes to the kitchen.
"I'm so glad you guys are getting along. Sora's had too many instances with people picking on him because of his gift." Saïx stated. He didn't miss the looks of guilt on Riku, Roxas, and Axel's faces. "I know you three have also had your share… but you're getting past that and working with him. I think that's good. And Sora's not too bitter since he's working with you; even Zexion joined in."
"So… I'm curious about one of the photos you sent with Sora." Roxas said. "Van and Ven… the twins… it's eerie that they look like… well, Sora and me, actually."
"Yes, I've noticed that, too." Saïx admitted. "Honestly, it could be a lot of reasons. Coincidence being one of them."
"Hmm… perhaps." Roxas thought it over. "Then again, my family's pretty extended. Perhaps I am related to them… but… that doesn't explain why Sora looks like Van."
"Well, I am adopted." Sora said, walking in with small plates and a cheesecake. "And in four years before meeting Papa and Daddy, I've been in various orphanages; they didn't even have information on me and didn't know much on my parents or have them listed since they died." And that silenced the others who didn't know much about Sora. "Don't get so solemn. I was a newborn when it happened; can't really find myself getting sad about it."
"So… adopted… Mr. Lune-"
"Just call me Saïx."
"-how did you come to terms with Sora's ability to see ghosts?" Demyx inquired.
"It's a smidgen why we adopted him." Saïx responded. "Xemnas and I wanted a child and Sora wanted a family, but I found Sora could see ghosts, too."
"Too?" Axel asked, finishing up his fourth plate of spaghetti and letting Sora take it away. "You can also see them?"
"Mm-hmm." Saïx nodded. "I have to admit, I'm glad schools crack down on bullying a bit more… that and my husband did promise to sue the school district if they didn't crack down more, especially when Sora had to get stitches in his foot because some brat in the third grade put a razor in his P.E. shoes..." He shook his head. "Anyway, it was hell for me being the Ghost Boy when I was little, Sora's still got problems, but he's coping well." He pulled his son over to hug him. "You are doing well, right?"
"Ah, mainly kids calling me Ghost Boy still, giggling, people talking about me and referring to me as crazy or a freak… but I haven't been shoved in a locker." Sora said. "I'd fit better than you, though, if it did happen." It was horrible, but Axel couldn't help but snort in laughter.
"Which is why I loved my friends because they would help me when I found myself in a predicament." Saïx said. He then started cutting and dishing up the cheesecake. "But Sora and I both see spirits and I used my experience to help him. I've had my mistakes and I used them to make sure Sora did well in developing."
"That's so cool that you two have the same skill." Riku said. "So, you see everything like Sora sees them?"
"It depends. Two people who see spirits can see ones the other doesn't." Saïx explained, serving the dessert. "It's like the camera. Yours was pointed at a few windows, right? But something was caught on camera in only one, thought Sora could see far more."
"Oh, I see." Riku nodded, understanding.
"Though I have to admit, Sora's already nearly as strong as I am with this and far earlier in comparison. Where he is now, that's where I was a year prior to meeting him; I was already in my twenties." Saïx explained. "He's very skilled. But I still worry about my baby..."
"And I always assure you that I'm careful and if anything goes wrong, I contact you, Daddy, Zexion, or either of Zexy's parents." Sora said, sitting back down. "Can't stop you from worrying, but I can at least make it a little easier."
"Indeed." Saïx nodded.
Sitting through supper and then dessert, Sora found himself liking this atmosphere. All his life, he had been so used to people making fun of him, taunting him, or simply avoiding him because they assumed he was crazy. Things didn't change much until he met Saïx and Xemnas and then Zexion, his parents, Xigbar and Xaldin, so much changed in meeting different people, but some of it still remained the same. But here he was, having a fun time with these people.
He was honestly hoping this would change the outlook people have on him and he could make more friends.
Perhaps even befriend this group.
After everyone departed around eight in the evening, Sora was in his room and going over the video clips, mainly editing the intro to give an idea. He worked on the editing, making each one of them disappear from the footage by the time it hit the end. He smirked, thankful that Axel actually did move and look back at the camera toward the end; that made for the eeriest vanishing.
"Hey, kiddo." Xemnas said, walking into Sora's room and sitting on the recliner next to the desk. "Editing for your little film group?"
"Well, not my group, but I am helping." Sora said. "Care to see it? It's a potential for the intro; I'm hoping to actually send chills up everyone's spines. Though Zexy's voice does that job well."
"Okay, let's see it." Xemnas said. Sora nodded and played it, glad he finished the fine tuning before bed. Xemnas watched closely, worry in his gaze as well as an amused smile on his face. "Now that's some serious editing. That was perfect." he said. "A little scary; no parent wants to see their kid disappear. But that last one? The tall lanky one looking back right before it?"
"That wasn't planned, actually." Sora admitted.
"Sometimes the best things aren't." Xemnas confirmed, nodding. "And you're right, Zexion's voice did a perfect job in being eerie; your editing skills add the perfect touch. Even that there." He motioned to a very transparent silhouette; whatever or whoever it was was impossible to tell with the lack of details, but they were a figure a little taller than Sora, standing just on the other side of the gate.
"What?" Sora looked and brought up the clip in a different file. "That… wasn't me." He nodded. "Looks like someone else decided to be in the shot."
"Really?" Xemnas asked. "Well then."
"Good eye, but to be expected of an amazing surgeon like yourself." Sora smiled brightly. "Now, I won't do much for editing after the intros really. Mainly like when Zexion's with the green screen for some parts or subtitles where needed, or any blurring I need to do if anyone we end up interviewing doesn't want to be identified."
"That's a good idea." Xemnas agreed, nodding. "Now, I hear they want to go in the manor next weekend. And I can make arrangements. Do… do you want to, too?"
"I don't know, to be honest." Sora said. "Part of me is curious… plus, we know I can do so much more than see ghosts… But I'm terrified to go in, too. There's so much there and it holds such a bad history..."
"I know." Xemnas nodded. "Well, you don't have to decide now. If you do decide to go in, I won't stop you… but you can bet your ass I'll make sure you're cautious and can reach us, okay?"
"Thanks, Daddy." Sora smiled and got up, sitting on his dad's lap and letting the man hug him.
"Sixteen and still so tiny; I can live with this, though." Xemnas said, snuggling his son. "But though small, you're still growing up. And you're so skilled." He smiled. "I'm glad you found a project you're interested in. You're making sure to research facts, too?"
"Of course." Sora nodded. "Other than that one time, have you ever gone to Heart Manor?"
"One other time… to see Grandpa Norty a week before he passed away; he refused to live in an assisted living location. I didn't like visiting him to be honest… he always scared me." Xemnas admitted. "And I never left my mother's side; the house scared me, too." He sighed. "Zexion was right… it was a house… but not a home."
"This is a home, though." Sora pointed out.
"This is more than a home. It's a home where my family is." Xemnas said, giving another hug. "Now, go shower off and get into bed before it gets any later."
"Yes, Daddy." nodded.
Heyo, lovelies!
Ah, yet another chapter. It's a little more relaxed, happily being at home. But Sora's starting to show interest in going inside. Logically, his parents are concerned, maybe even worrywarts over their son, but that's how some parents are; good thing Sora understands and it doesn't make him into a rebellious teen.
Look forward to next time, dearies! And I hope you liked this chapter, too!
Until next time!
~chibi