I am dead because I took so long to upload this, I know, but all I can say is i'm sorry and I hope this chapter makes up for it. *runs away to build a fortress to hide behind when you get to the end of this chapter*
Chapter 24 - Potty Mouth (Warning! There is a lot of swearing in this chapter)
[Jane Eyre, pg 93] Adèle sang the canzonette tunefully enough, and with the naïvetè of her age. This achieved, she jumped up from my knee and said, "Now, Mademoiselle, I will repeat you some poetry."
Assuming an attitude, she began "La Ligue des Rats: fable de La Fontaine." She then declaimed the little piece with an attention to punctuation and emphasis, a flexibility of voice and an appropriateness of gesture, very unusual indeed at her age, and which proved she had been carefully trained.
"Was it your mama who taught you that piece?" I asked.
"Yes, and she just used to say it in this way: 'Qu'avez-vous donc? Lui dit un de ces rats; parlez!' she made me lift my hand – so – to remind me to raise my voice at the question. Now shall I dance for you?"
"Whatcya reading?"
Zexion jumped as big teal eyes suddenly appeared in his line of vision, surprise sending a jolt of adrenaline rushing through his system. "Demyx! How many times must I tell you not to do that?!"
Demyx leant back in surprise and smiled. "Until it sinks in I guess. Whatchya reading?"
Zexion huffed out and looked down at the library book he was reading. "It's called Jane Eyre. Apparently it's a muggle English Literature classic."
"Any good?"
Zexion shrugged. "It's interesting. Certainly an intriguing concept given the period it was written in, and by a woman no less."
Demyx frowned. "Is that you being sexist?"
"No, I meant that given that it was written by a romantic and the main theme seems to revolve about her abuse and her need to find and be loved to improve her own self worth it's not bad. I can see why it would be a classic."
"Who suggested you read that?"
"Rose Weasley."
"Oh."
Going back to the book, Zexion attempted to ignore Demyx, who still hovered.
"I wouldn't have thought that would be the sort of stuff you normally read."
"I have very eclectic interests."
Demyx frowned. "What does electric mean?"
"Eclectic," Zexion corrected in annoyance and looked up from his book again. "It means I have a very large range of interests."
"Oh."
Going back to Jane Eyre again, Zexion continued to read, managing to get to the end of the page before Demyx interrupted again.
"What are you doing tonight?"
Blinking a couple of times, Zexion looked up again. "I believe I am going to be reading a few books tonight."
Demyx nodded. "Cool. Ax, Sora, Riku, Rox, Albus and Scorpius and I were going to chill up in the Gryffindor Tower if you want to come?"
"Rox?" The name catching his attention, Zexion was quickly interested. "As in Roxas?"
"Yeah. He and Axel have been arguing a lot this week. It's pretty funny once you get over the weirdness of Sora being two people simultaneously."
Zexion frowned and closed the book, using his fingers as a bookmark. "Demyx, tell me again what Sora and Roxas have been doing?"
"Arguing. Well, Roxas has been arguing. Sora has been apologizing to everyone on Roxas's behalf." The blond shrugged and leant forward to rest on his crossed legs.
Getting concerned now, Zexion bookmarked the book and put it away. "How often is Roxas 'active'? Is he projecting?"
"No projections. He just takes over Sora's body, and he's pretty much active all the time now, especially around us. Gryffindor have just gotten used to it. I don't know if he's around during classes because we're in different grades, but… yeah."
"Demyx, where is Sora now?"
"Studying about seven shelves that way." The musician pointed in the direction of where he'd come from. "I saw you and came to talk to you. You looked like you could use some company." He smiled.
Zexion gave the water mage an unimpressed look. "I think we need to work on your version of 'needs company'."
Demyx blinked, suddenly looking hurt. "You mean you didn't want company?"
"No, I didn't. Come with me." Zexion stood and picked up the satchel he'd been carrying around with him.
Demyx watched him stand, blinking in surprise. "I thought you didn't want company?"
Rolling his eyes, Zexion dragged Demyx upright. "I didn't. Come on."
"Wha-? Hey! Okay…" Being dragged along, he followed Zexion out of the shelves and in the direction of where he'd pointed. "What are we doing?"
Ignoring the blond, Zexion spotted the person he wanted, surrounded by the other people he wanted to talk to you made a beeline for the table with a huff. "Who let Axel into the library? He'd better not set anything on fire."
"Don't worry, Roxas is keeping him under control."
"Hmm."
At the table Sora and Axel were laughing; Riku smirking in the way he does when he thinks something is amusing but doesn't want to admit it; Albus and Scorpius were looking a bit scared.
"…Larxene? Holy shit! Dude, I never would have taken her for a bows and frills type of girl," Axel laughed. "Never get into her underwear drawer. Not only is it scary, but if she finds out you've been in there she'll murder you."
"Might I ask how you came upon this information?" Zexion asked curiously. "I assume Larxene does not know since you are still, I assume, in the presence of all your parts?"
"Her washing got mixed up with mine one day," Axel replied with a shrug as his laughter died down to chuckles. "I had to return it to her without her knowledge otherwise I would be dead, or at least be missing an eye or a pleasurable body part."
"Ooh, I remember that," Demyx cringed. "Didn't you try to put them back?"
"Yeah, I did, and she almost caught me when she came back from her mission early. I managed to get a good look first before I had to scoot out of there. The woman color-codes her underwear drawer! It's really scary."
"How did you get them back to her then?"
"Without her knowing? I gave them to a dusk and told it to go and find Larxene."
Demyx snickered before wincing. "That poor dusk. You sent it like a lamb to the slaughter."
"Yeah, she killed it. Glad it was the dusk though and not me."
"I don't remember this," Sora suddenly piped up.
"It was before your time Rox," Axel answered.
"Oh. That explains it."
Zexion gave the brunette a sharp look. "Roxas?"
"Oh, hey Zex. Long time no see. Sorry you didn't make it through Castle Oblivion. Glad you're back now though." Roxas/Sora waved with a smile.
Zexion heaved a huge sigh and dropped the book on the desk with a heavy thump. "Demyx, have a seat. We all need to talk."
Everyone straightened up.
"Talk about what?" Riku asked.
"About why Roxas has been unusually active and no one came to me to make sure that there wasn't something wrong with Sora."
Sora/Roxas frowned. "Roxas isn't hurting anyone."
"Bullshit," Axel scoffed.
Roxas (it was definitely Roxas) fixed the red head with a withering glare. "Excuse me?"
"Dude, you broke my nose and winded Riku. I'm pretty sure that classifies as hurting someone."
Roxas growled but let it go. "Okay, fine, but to be fair you were being a jerk, and Riku deserved it."
"How did I deserve to be winded?" Riku asked in disbelief. "I did nothing to you."
"Nothing?" Roxas growled again. "Oh, right, attacking and abducting someone after you beat them up doesn't classify as needing an arse kicking? Oh! And lets not forget that you put me in a simulated town for three months and faked my whole life and memories! I think I have the right to be pissed off at you."
Albus and Scorpius gave Demyx a confused look. "What are they talking about?"
Demyx shook his head. "Don't worry. Ancient history, and a very long story. I'll tell you later."
"Enough," Zexion barked, silence falling over the table. "We have some issues that need to be dealt with, right now. How long has Roxas been active?" Zexion summoned his Lexicon and sent a page out to circle around Sora's head.
Sora watched it in amusement and confusion as it sparkled and glowed.
Riku looked at his best friend before answering the illusionist. "About three days. Since Sora woke up actually."
"Anything before that?"
"No, I didn't notice anything," Riku replied, shaking his head.
"What about you Sora. How long has Roxas been active?"
Sora blinked and watched the page fly back to Zexion and settle into its place again. "Um… about… three days? Since I woke up, yeah."
"Nothing before hand?"
"There was the odd bit here and there, and that projection back when we were in The World that Never Was, but that was it."
Scanning the readings, Zexion frowned. "Roxas, what's changed do you feel?"
Roxas gave the other male an unimpressed look. "Oh, I'm here now am I?"
"Roxas, answer my questions because this concerns you as much as it concerns Sora. What do you feel has changed?"
Rolling his eyes, Roxas settled back into the chair and crossed his arms. "I suddenly feel like I have more energy and control."
"Since Sora was hit with that dark blast?"
"Yeah, I guess. After I drained it more accurately. I haven't been able to communicate with him much before this. It's a nice change from just existing in a corner of his mind in a white haze."
"I notice it's now not just Sora's personality that you can take over?"
Roxas held up a hand and fisted it in front of his face. "Yeah, that's definitely changed."
Zexion nodded.
"You're not going to try and repress me again, are you?" Roxas asked in concern.
"I'm not going to jump to any resolutions just yet. There may be other options we can try first."
Letting out a breath, Roxas nodded.
"I don't want Roxas to disappear again," Sora protested suddenly, sitting up. "That's not fair on Roxas. We're fine existing like this."
"Face it Sora. It's less than ideal," Roxas replied. "Besides, we look like a crazy person."
"You act like one too," Albus muttered quietly.
Roxas fixed the middle Potter with an unimpressed look. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that and not give you black balls."
Albus cringed. "Message received."
Huffing and turning back to Zexion, Roxas crossed his arms again. "So what plans did you have in mind Oh Great Schemer?"
"I may need to run a few tests, and confer with the other foundation members, but I'm sure we can come up with a solution that does not repress you. That, it seems, shall be a last resort."
Roxas nodded.
"On another note, why did none of you report this when it started? Axel? Riku?"
Riku shrugged, looking shamefaced. "Sora hasn't acted any differently – except for Roxas. When he's himself though he's still the same energetic kid I've always known. I didn't think there were any side effects."
"Let's hope not," Zexion murmured as he closed his Lexicon. "If you will excuse me, I must find Vexen and Lexaeus." Turning, he left.
"So we'll see you tonight, yeah?" Demyx yelled just as Zexion was about to turn a corner.
Pausing, Zexion looked back at the blond in disbelief. Seriously? Did Demyx really not get the point of not wanting to be around people? Pursing his lips, he turned around again. "We shall see."
Demyx watched him go with a smile and a wave. "Bye!"
"Dude, you invited emo-kid to tonight?" Axel asked in disbelief.
"Oi! Don't call him emo-kid," Roxas growled defensively. "He has a name."
Axel rolled his eyes. "Dude, you invited Zexion to tonight?" he rephrased sarcastically, sending Roxas a look that screamed 'happy now?'
Roxas shook his head with a huff. "What's wrong with inviting Zexion? He's fun, and smart, and unlike you I can actually have an intelligent conversation with him."
"Ooh, ouch," Riku murmured with a wince.
"I'm smart!" Axel protested in outrage. "I can have an intelligent conversation with someone."
"You're a pain in the arse," Roxas corrected sweetly. "Can we please move on?"
"Yeah, what is the plan for tonight?" Sora asked, looking at Albus.
Albus blinked as all eyes turned to him. "Oh, right, this is your first dig. Well, Gryffindor has a party once a term where we sneak in alcohol and party late on a Friday night. Usually it's the older grades that are given the task of sneaking the alcohol in. People from the other houses are invited by invitation only. It gets too out of control otherwise."
"Is that okay? Having parties on a Friday night?" Sora asked. "Especially with alcohol in a boarding school?"
"It's not like they can stop us."
"Hang on, I haven't heard anything about a party this week at all," Axel suddenly pointed out in confusion. "I'm normally pretty onto this stuff, but there's been no mention of anything party related."
Scorpius sighed. "You noticed all the talk about sherbet yes?"
"Yeah," Demyx replied. "What's up with that?"
"It's code for grog," Albus explained. "While McGonagall might not stop us, we certainly don't want the other teachers catching on. Especially Professor Vane. She'd put everything to a halt on the spot. Besides, it's more fun to talk about it that way."
"That I get," Axel replied with a nod.
Albus nodded. "So party tonight. It starts after curfew; so about 11:30 or midnight, and we go until dawn. That way we know all the teachers will be in bed. Less chance of getting caught."
"Makes sense," Riku agreed. "Do we all bring our own stuff or is it provided?"
"James or I usually manage to snaffle a few platters of snacks from the house elves. They're fond of us, being Potter's and all."
"Yes, you did seem rather friendly," Roxas agreed.
"Any particular dress code?" Axel asked.
"Nope. Just come in casual party clothes and have an awesome time."
"Sounds awesome."
"It will be. Speaking of, I'd better get going. I'm meeting James in the kitchens in about ten minutes." Albus quickly cast a tempus and began packing up his books. "See you guys at dinner."
"Later."
As soon as Albus left, Axel looked at Scorpius. "Okay, tell us the truth. How wild do these parties really get?"
"They're actually not bad," the blond replied as he sat back and crossed his arms. "You get the odd bad one, but there are usually people on standby – normally people who don't drink the grog – to hit anyone who's getting a bit too rowdy with a sobriety spell, or a stunner. The sobriety spell isn't anywhere near as good as the potion, but it does take the edge off."
"Coolio."
"I wish I'd learnt that for you, Xaldin, Xigbar and Luxord," Roxas muttered. "It would've been damn handy some days."
"Naw, still upset that I avoid feeling you up while I'm sober Roxy-babe?" Axel teased.
"The only reason you survived was because I knew you were drunk," Roxas bit back.
"See Demy, Roxas does love me!"
Roxas growled and there was a loud thump and a yelp from Axel as his knee hit the top of the table.
"Ouch! Fuck that hurt! Did you have to kick me Rox?"
Smirking, Roxas sat back smugly and crossed his arms. "Payback."
LINEBREAK
Zexion made his way into the Gryffindor Common Room that night and blinked in surprise as he found dressed up students spread all around the room, bowls of snacks and a floating drinks bar set up in one corner. Ducking a flying paper crane, Zexion quickly located the people he wanted and made a beeline for them.
Axel was laughing and had his arm slung around Sora's shoulders, the brunette not seeming to mind the close attention. Riku meanwhile was seething with irritation judging by the glares he kept shooting the ignorant pyromaniac.
Demyx turned to look at him as he approached, the already wide grin on the musicians face growing to near splitting proportions. "Zexion! There you are. I was wondering if you were coming."
"Coming?"
"The party? Honestly. I was expecting you to come a little later, but this is cool too."
Zexion must have looked puzzled because he was given a look of exasperation.
"There's a party on tonight. You're going to hang around, right?"
"We shall see," Zexion muttered. "Sora, Roxas, I need to speak with you."
Sora blinked and turned his full attention to the Illusionist, as did the rest of the group.
Zexion sat down on the arm beside Demyx. "Sora, Roxas; Xigbar, Xaldin, Vexen, Lexaeus and I have talked and we agree that as long as there appears to be no ill effects on either of you we will just sit and monitor your situation."
"Yes!" Sora cheered with a grin.
"As long as both of you seem to be functioning normally we will allow you to continue as you have been. If you wish to follow a plan of action to try and achieve a more peaceful union we can come up with one, I am sure. You need only ask."
"Thank you," Roxas murmured with a small smile. "It's an ease on my mind to know you'll be backing us if we need it."
Zexion nodded. "You're welcome."
"Now that you're here Zex and you've addressed the issues at hand, have a drink."
Zexion blinked in surprise as Axel forced a drink into his hand where he sat. Looking at it curiously, the young man sniffed it cautiously. It smelled sweet. "What is it?"
"Fruit punch."
"It's not spiked, is it?"
Axel laughed. "If it is it wasn't by me."
Pursing his lips, Zexion placed the drink back on a floating tray. "I'll pass."
"Aw, come on Zexy," Demyx urged. "It's just one drink." He grabbed the drink back before it could float out of reach and handed it back.
Zexion sighed and sniffed at it again, tasting it curiously. It was pretty good. "Fine. One drink. Then I'm leaving."
Demyx and Axel grinned.
~Two hours later~
"You set me up!" Axel yelled, laughing loudly as he leaned forward and pointed at Zexion.
"Hey, you fell for it," Zexion defended as he too laughed. He was slurring his words and the colour was settled high on his cheeks as he grabbed another punch floating past.
"But you set me up!"
"And you fucking fell for it!"
"Okay, ladies, a time out please," Demyx laughed as he tugged Zexion back with the arm he had settled comfortably around the younger teens waist. "Yes, Axel, Zexion pranked you, but it was a bloody good prank you have to admit."
"Yeah you can say that Dem but it wasn't you that walked around with candy pink hair for three days," the pyromaniac protested. "I had to go on missions like that!"
"I thought you looked good with bows," Demyx replied with a grin. "They really brought our your feminine side."
Axel laughed again and reached out to swat the blond. "Up yours Dem."
A soft snore from Sora broke through the noise for a minute. The brunette was passed out on Riku's arm. Riku was looking quite smug and happy with himself for the moment as he supported his friend's sleeping form.
"Think we should get Sora to bed?" Demyx asked curiously.
"Nah, he's fine," Riku replied with a grin. "Trust me. Trying to move him now will be like trying to move a slab of concrete. It'll be near painful, let me tell you."
"Well, we do have the help of levitating spells," Zexion pointed out with a smile.
"This is true," Riku mused. He took another sip of his drink. "Nah, just leave him. We're probably all too wasted to safely perform a levitating spell anyway."
Zexion paused right before he took another drink. "What do you mean by wasted?"
"Drunk," Axel answered matter-of-factly. "Intoxicated, inebriated, smashed, bombed, sloshed, hammered. Any of these sinking in?"
"I am not drunk," Zexion bristled, looking downright offended. "I have never been drunk in my life."
"Hate to tell you dude, you are so sloshed right now," Riku agreed with a laugh.
"I am not drunk!"
"You are."
"Are not!"
"Are too."
"Are not!"
"Are too!"
"Zexy, would you kiss me right now if I asked?" Demyx asked curiously.
Zexion turned to look at him with a thoughtful look on his face. "Sure. Why not?"
Demyx chuckled and squeezed the arm that he had settled around the younger teens waist. "You are so pissed."
"Am not!"
Laughing loudly, Demyx quickly defended himself as Zexion attacked him. The swings were clumsy and wild.
"Oi! No fighting in the room of commons!" a Gryffindor prefect yelled as she staggered past, her balance tilting so she spilt her drink onto the carpet.
"I think you mean the Common Room?" Axel corrected in amusement.
"Yeah. That," she agreed as she leant against the couch, swaying dangerously. "No fighting."
"They weren't fighting," Riku explained as he leaned towards her. "They were flirting."
Demyx laughed as he finally managed to pin Zexion's arms back to his body. "Got you!"
"See?"
The girl nodded. "You're right. Hey, you're pretty hot. Wanna have hot smexy times?" She leaned forward towards him.
Riku shifted towards Sora and watched as the girl slid past him and dropped to the floor with a loud thud and didn't move again. Peering over the back of the couch, he quickly checked to make sure she was still breathing and turned back to Axel with a shrug. "Wasn't me."
"Course not," the red head replied with a shrug and a grin. "Come on, let's get some more punch into Zexion. He's hilarious like this."
"Fuck you!" Zexion yelled loudly at Axel, even as his hands were being kept pinned to his sides.
"You are such a trash mouth."
"I'm not a fucking trash mouth!"
"See? First one to vomit?"
Riku grinned and waved over a few more drinks. "You're on."
~tbc
*Peers out from over the top of my wall* So, I hope you all enjoyed that. I have to take my computer in to get it fixed tomorrow. The battery has died, so an update could be a while. Just hang on! *ducks down again*
