Chapter 9: Lazy Day
Xion walked into the Gray Area the next day, finding almost the entire Core Organization, save for the Superior and Vexen again, gathered and lounging around.
She walked up to Saix, who was leaning against the wall, an almost bored look on his normally stoic face. "Any missions today?"
He shook his head. "None. Sometimes I question if opening other branches was a wise idea if it leaves us short of work."
"Okay, so... what do we do then?" she asked.
"Whatever you wish," said Saix, "Just don't cause trouble."
"Ah, Xion, come join me for a game, it's been a few days," called over Luxord.
A wide grin spread across Xion's face. "Sure!"
She sat down opposite of Axel and asked, "What are we playing?"
"We haven't decided yet," said Luxord.
Larxene smirked. "How about strip poker?"
"Strip poker?" asked Xion, curious about how it would be different than 'regular poker'.
Axel coughed viscousely and glared at her. "No."
She pouted a bit. "Don't like what you see?"
"There's a kid at the table in-case you didn't notice," said Axel.
Larxene rolled her eyes. "Pff...she's like fifteen years old, maybe fourteen. Hardly a kid."
Axel gave her a dry look. "Larxene, has anyone ever told you that you'd make a terrible parent?"
Larxene feigned hurt. "You wound me."
She glared playfully in Xion's direction. "If most kids are like this dope here, not sure I'd want one, always spoiling all the fun."
Xion was confused. "Why does it matter if I'm here or not? What's the big deal?"
Axel coughed into his hand. "We'll tell when you're older."
"But I thought Nobodies didn't age," said Xion.
The other members present were starting to chuckle and laugh.
"Then when you get your heart back and grow up a bit," said Axel.
"So then flamesilocks," said Xigbar, "What's your idea for a game?"
Axel's eyes flickered briefly to Xion. "Uh... Uno or Go Fish?"
Larxene threw back her head and laughed. "Oh man, he's gone full mother hen hasn't he? If I had a heart, I might find it adorable."
She tilted her head. "Or sickening, not sure which."
Xion was starting to get confused. What was the big deal?
Ugh... being forced to wake up to the morning to your stupidity is getting annoying.
"Well good morning to you too miss grumpy voice," said Xion.
There's nothing fucking good about it.
Xion went still, a hint of a frown on her face. The Voice sounded... really bitter and angry this morning, and extremely tired. She had wanted to ask the Voice what they were going on about, but...
Strip poker, something I had the very unfortunate luck of walking in on once, is where people lose pieces of their clothes when they lose hands until they are completely naked.
Xion's face turned beat red.
Larxene saw it and started laughing again. "HA! I think she figured it out."
Xaldin, and a few others however, saw her red face, and frowned, an empty curious look crossing theirs.
"I uh... think I'ma go for a walk into the city," said Xion, getting up and scurrying away from the table.
"Ah, Larxene, you scarred away my favorite player," scolded Luxord.
Larxene only laughed more.
Under normal circumstances, Xion might have been happy to see Larxene happy, but not at the cost of the pure embarrassment rushing through her body. She was out the door and moving down the castle at a rapid pace. She entered into the City That Never Was, a slight drip of water descending from the sky now and then, and started wandering around, wondering what to do with her day.
I vote sleep...
"I just woke up though," replied Xion.
Well, lucky you, I shouldn't BE up...
"Well, go back to sleep then," answered Xion.
I CAN'T!
Xion flinched a bit at the Voice's anger and grew silent, not wanting to agitate her anymore. She paused when she noticed a somewhat familiar face, Xurrath if she recalled correctly, sitting on a bench, sharpening his sword with a stone.
Arthur, not Xurrath, or... whatever... he's not him anyway... just a shell...
Xion ignored the voice and approached the boy. "Hello!"
The boy briefly looked up before refocusing on his sword. "Xion."
Xion was slightly offputt by the cold greeting, but banished it. "So, how are you today?"
He shrugged. "Empty, same as always."
Sheesh, he was a party pooper. "Well... won't be forever, you'll get your heart back someday."
Xurrath frowned. "I'm not honestly sure I want it back."
Definitely not the real Arthur.
"Why not?" asked Xion.
Xurrath set down the stone. "Because it made me a coward."
What? How?!
Xion could admit she was a little curious to. "How so?"
He hefted up his blade, swinging it out before him. "When I had a heart, I never had any real courage. I always needed someone out there with me, always needed someone to clean up my mess or save my life. When it truly mattered, on that final day, I was worthless, I couldn't save anyone, and Kairi had to save my life."
Arthur... that's... not fair. You were just a boy... you shouldn't have been so hard on yourself...
Arthur lowered his sword and stared at Xion for a moment, before speaking quietly, "I never even had the courage to tell her I liked her."
I... he... what?!
Xion was a bit confused. "Liked her? You weren't already her friend?"
Arthur gave her a slightly confused look. "I was, but I meant, ya know, like ask yo... ask her to be my girlfriend."
Oh gosh... he's serious, that's kind of adorable...
"Umm... I don't get it," said Xion, "Whats the difference between a friend and a girlfriend?"
Xurrath stared at her with empty disbelief. "Xion..."
He sighed and resumed sharpening his sword. "Didn't have the courage before, doesn't matter if I tell it now. It appears I'm always the loser."
Arthur...
Xion felt a bit sad at his words, walked up to him, and gave him a hug. "Don't worry about it. Next time you see Kairi when you get your heart back, why don't you ask her to be your... um... girlfriend thingy?"
Xurrath looked slightly startled and confused by the hug. "I... well... maybe I will. Probably won't though, I'll just chicken out again."
Xion separated from him and gave him a scolding look. "None of that mister!"
Oh gosh... stop...
Xurrath slowly shook his head and focused on his sword, going silent.
Xion took that as her cue to leave and did so.
Jeez... I'm sorry to burst his bubble... but... I mean... he was always kind of like a little brother... there's no way that could work. Gosh that's going to be awkward if I ever get out of this mess and it happens. Or... maybe I could tease him about it? Tee hee...
Xion's eyebrows furrowed with confusion before she shook it off, just happy the Voice didn't seem angry anymore. She decided to head to Xifta's bar and see how she was doing. She walked in and looked around, noting it was rather busy today. Xifta looked booked, scrambling a bit to handle all her customers. It was probably a bad time...
But, maybe not for someone else.
The two Nobodies that played music at the front of the bar weren't there today, instead, Xokie was by herself at a table fiddling with her flute, and Demyx was no where to be seen. Xion took the initiative and walked over, planting herself down opposite of the little girl.
"Hello," said Xion.
Xokie eyed her briefly before returning to her flute, not offering a greeting.
Pff... did everyone everywhere wake up grumpy?
"So, how goes it today?" Xion asked.
Xokie shrugged. "Bored. Demyx is off on a mission, don't feel like playing solo."
Hmm... that gave her an idea.
"Well, if your not busy today, how about you go check on your Garnet friend?" asked Xion.
Xokie gave her a look. "Are you still on about that? I told you, I don't wanna see her."
"Well, have you thought she might really want to see you?" asked Xion.
That, made Xokie go very quiet, bowing her head and staring at her flute.
"I got you there, and you soooo know it," teased Xion.
Xokie scowled at her. "You're a pest, you know that?"
Parasite is more like it.
Xion rolled her eyes, at the both of them. "Oh just go already."
"No," said Xokie.
"Come on," begged Xion.
"Nope," said Xokie, shaking her head.
"Pretty please?" said Xion.
"I said no!" answered Xokie, glaring at her.
"I'm not gonna leave you alone until you do," said Xion.
Xokie sighed. "You're worse than I was when I had a heart."
Xion only grinned in response.
"Fine! I'll go check on her, but I'm not going to speak to her, just take a peak and leave," said Xokie stubbornly.
Oh, she was going to meet Garnet, if Xion had anything to say about that. She hid her smirk and rose to her feet.
"Well, let's go then!" said Xion.
"Why are you coming?" asked Xokie.
"Well, I wanna take a peak at your Garnet friend too, all I have is this fuzzy memory of her," half lied Xion.
Xokie shrugged. "Whatever..."
The little girl walked out of the bar with Xion on her heels, and made a Dark Corridor, walking through. They came out in what looked like a courtyard, behind a bush.
Xokie closed her eyes for a moment, a brief glow of gray nothingness surrounding her. "Garnet is... in the gardens."
"Can pick her out just like that huh?" asked Xion.
Xokie opened her eyes and started walked. "We did travel with one another for awhile."
Xokie moved carefully, making sure not to be seen by the female soldiers on patrol. Xion looked around as they went, identifying them as being outside a large and magnificent castle. Though, it did look a bit damaged and run down in certain places. She caught sight of a city across a pond, it looked really roughed up. Though, from what she could see, people were trying to repair and rebuild it.
They continued on, until they entered a reviving gardens. The plant-life was half-dead, tinted with darkness, but looking like it was slowly recovering. In the center of the garden, in a sectioned off area with a plague reading: "Champion's Rest", before a set of gravestones, were two kneeling woman. Xion focused on the far more stronger and intimidating presence first.
She was a tall woman, looking a little old. She was physically strong. She had brown hair, extending to around her collar bone. Her eyes, were a mixture of red and purple. She had a silvery cloth over her right eye, wrapping into her hair. She wore a white, sleeveless top that was tied together with cord between the two halves, The top connected into a cape that hung down to her feet. On her hands were large finger-less gauntlets that extended a little past her wrists. On her right arm only she had a steel brace like armor extending to a bit above her elbow. Connecting her top and bottom half's was a buckle that held a sword sheath angling a bit behind her. Her leggings were a tight red-brown. Her boots, steel, with a white red cloth mix at the top.
General Beatrix...
The second was a young woman with long black hair, dressed in a white blouse with a tight orange full body jumpsuit going down to her feet. She had a staff set on the ground beside her. She had her hands clasped together tightly, her eyes shut, a grieving look on her face.
Queen Garnet...
Xion leaned forward and squinted, reading the names off the gravestones: Zidane, Stiener, Freya, Eiko, and Amarant. Oh... they really thought Eiko was dead. Well... was being a Nobody technically being dead? They lost their hearts and faded away to be 'reborn' as a Nobody, but... well... she didn't really know the answer to that.
She noticed Xokie was gripping the bush she was hiding behind tightly, an empty, pained look on her face as she whispered, "Dagger..."
Xion grinned mischievously, snuck behind Xokie, and lifted her up.
The little girl gave a start. "Whaaa?"
The two woman kneeling at the graves jumped to their feet and spun around as Xion came out of hiding and tossed Xokie forward. "Special delivery!"
Xokie landed on her face a few feet into the garden, and shook her head, rising to her feet and turning her head to glare at Xion. "You're horrible!"
Xion merely giggled in response.
"E...Eiko?!" came a shocked voice from Garnet.
"EIKO!" screamed the young woman, rushing to Xokie and wrapping her in a heavy hug, falling to her knees and starting to sob.
Xokie stood there silently, glancing down at the crying woman, an empty and slightly sad look on her face.
Xion had a soft and victorious smile on her face.
Beatrix showed and said nothing, save a slight narrowing of her eyes as she studied Xokie and Xion.
"I... I thought... you were dead," whispered Garnet.
Xokie said nothing.
Garnet sniffled and pulled back slightly to look her friend over. "Eiko?"
"That's not Eiko," said Beatrix warily, her hand slowly going to her sword, "Those black coats, that empty feeling, they're Nobodies."
Garnet rose to her feet, taking a confused and hesitant step back. "I..."
Xokie bowed her head and started to back away, before turning and starting to take off. "Stupid Xion! I told you she wouldn't..."
Garnet didn't let her get far, charging after her and grabbing her arm. "Eiko wait!"
The woman turned to glare at Beatrix. "Keep your sword sheathed! I don't care if she's a Nobody, she's my friend!"
Beatrix hesitated briefly before moving her hand away from her sword.
Xokie still hadn't turned around, her head bowed.
Garnet slowly knelt down and put her hands on Xokie's shoulders, forcefully turning her around. "Eiko..."
She wrapped the little girl in a hug. "I'm so glad you're... I don't care if you're a Nobody, I'm just happy you still exist."
"If you call this existing," murmured Xokie.
Garnet pulled back enough to playfully poke her nose. "None of that."
Xion brought an arm up to block a giggle.
Xokie just stared at Garnet, a slightly helpless look on her face.
Garnet studied her, growing sad. "You... really don't have a heart though, do you? You can't... feel?"
"No," whispered Xokie.
Garnet tightly hugged her again. "I'm so sorry Eiko... I'm sorry we didn't get there faster... I'm sorry we couldn't save you."
Xokie hesitated briefly and slowly brought her arms up to return the hug. Xion felt something... strange from the little girl then. It was like the sensation of nothingness had faded for the moment, making her almost seem whole, before the feeling of nothingness returned.
That sensation again... is this... what Sora said?
"Eiko... what about the others?" asked Garnet, slowly pulling away and sitting down in front of her.
"They're Nobodies too," offered Xokie quietly, "But... they're not the same, none of us are."
"What do you mean?" asked Garnet.
"Xanediz really... well...," began Xokie.
"Who?" asked Garnet.
"Oh um, right, we kind of adopt new names when we become Nobodies, until we find a way to get our hearts back, we put X's in our name and scramble them," said Xokie, "I go by Xokie now."
Garnet seemed a bit confused by the notion. "Oh, um... odd. So... Xanediz is... Zidane?"
Xokie nodded. "Yes. He's... kind of like his old self, but ten times worse."
That seemed to amuse Garnet. "Worse?"
"He... tries so hard to seem like a normal person, like nothing's wrong, he overcompensates, a lot," said Xokie, "If I had a heart, I'd cringe every time, it's kind of painful to watch."
There was a soft, sad smile on Garnet's face.
Xokie hesitated and glanced at Beatrix. "Xetisren... Steiner... I don't go near him anymore. He's gone... cold, really cold."
Beatrix had a heavy frown on her face, but said nothing.
"Fexray, Freya... doesn't do anything but drink and go on missions," said Xokie, "She doesn't talk. Outside of her name, I haven't heard her speak a single word since I came across her."
"Amarant... well... he's kind of the same, really quiet, haven't even gotten what his new name is out of him," said Xokie with a scowl, "Just calls me annoying and tells me to go away."
Garnet seemed to ponder her words for a few moments before asking, "Why didn't they come here with you to see us?"
Xokie turned her head to scowl at Xion. "I had only come to take a peak because she kept nagging me. Didn't know she was going to pick me up and throw me out here."
Xion gave her a cheeky grin.
Garnet's eyes flickered up to look at Xion, a warm smile on her face, suddenly, the woman's smile faded and a surprised look crossed her face. "You... look just like..."
Xion resisted the urge to groan. "My name's Xion."
She took a hesitant and fearful step when Beatrix drew her sword from her sheath and took a step forward. "She is the one the Keybearer's asked us to be on the lookout for."
Xion grew confused. "Someone's looking for me...?"
Garnet glared at Beatrix. "I said keep your sword sheathed General. She brought Eiko back to me, I don't care if they're looking for her at the moment."
Beatrix frowned briefly. "My Queen..."
"I'm making it an order," warned Garnet.
Beatrix sighed and sheathed her sword. "Very well."
Garnet bit her lip slightly and glanced back at Xion. "You may wish to leave though. The Keybearers still frequent our world to check in on us. I don't want today ruined by needless conflict."
So... they still haven't given up...
"Umm... okay, but, why am I being looked for?" asked Xion.
Garnet shook her head. "I'm not sure, all I know is it has something to do with Kairi."
Kairi.
That name again.
Every question, every mystery, every answer, seemed to revolve around that name...
Xion frowned briefly, thinking it over, before slowly shaking her head and glancing at Xokie, masking her uncertainty and giving the little girl a cheeky grin. "Have fun!"
Xokie scowled at her. "Get lost."
"Eiko!" admonished Garnet, "That's rude!"
Xokie crossed her arms and turned her head away. "Hmph."
Garnet just laughed. "Even without a heart, you're still the same little girl."
"What's that supposed to mean?" demanded Xokie.
Xion took one last look at the pair, a smile on her face, before opening a Dark Corridor and leaving, coming back out in The World That Never Was.
X...Xion...
Xion paused, surprise on her face. Had the Voice actually called her by her name for once?
S-shut up... just... why did you do that? Why did... why did you bring them back together?
Xion tilted her head, slightly confused. "Why wouldn't I? I wanted them Xokie to be happy, for Garnet to be happy too. The memory I had, she seemed really sad that her friend was gone."
I don't... understand you. Why are you like this? Constantly doing these things? You... you're supposed to be a monster... a parasite... I don't... don't get it...
Xion frowned. "And I don't get you. Why do you keep calling me that? I've done nothing wrong!"
You... no... you've... but... Xehanort stole... put my heart in... I...
Xion felt her chest constrict and then relax. "Uh... miss Voice?"
Nothing.
She sighed and mumbled to herself, "She has a bad habit of passing out when she gets worked up. She should really get that checked out, wherever she is."
Yet...
She crossed her arms, pondering her words. What she had said... Xehanort, the superior stole something from her? And 'put her heart'...? What was that supposed to mean? What had she been about to say? She grumbled to herself and started walking. What to do, what to do.
Hrm... why not go see what Aqua was doing?
She nodded to herself and formed a Dark Corridor, coming out in front of the Twilight Town Mansion. She walked up the door and knocked, waiting.
The door opened, but instead of Aqua, Olette was there. "Oh, hello Xion."
"Hi Olette, is Aqua in?" asked Xion.
Olette thumbed upstairs. "She's meditating."
"Oh, I can come back later," said Xion.
Olette grinned. "Nah, you can go bug her. It's about time she get her butt down here for some tea anyway."
Xion giggled and matched the grin, walking past her and up the stairs. She followed the powerful presence of the Nobody she was looking for and knocked on a door.
There was silence for a moment before Aqua called out, "Enter."
Xion walked into a completely white and barren room. Nothing on the walls, nothing on the floors, not a piece of furniture in sight. Aqua sat in the middle of it, her eyes closed, facing the door.
Xion glanced around, curious. "Whats with this room?"
Aqua slowly opened her eyes. "You again."
Xion pouted a little. "What? Am I not allowed to come around?
Aqua made a none-committal hum, closing her eyes.
"So... you meditate in here? It's kind of bland," said Xion.
"That's the point," said Aqua, "It's not supposed to be distracting. It..."
The woman opened her eyes and frowned. "It stirs a broken memory. I think... I meditated in a room like this, when I was a whole person, alongside my friends. It brings a... sensation of familiarity and... comfort."
Xion studied the woman, noticing how hard she seemed to be trying to think. "Well... Olette told me to tell you to get your butt downstairs for some tea."
Aqua blinked and stared at her.
Xion gave her a cheeky grin. "Her words not mine."
Aqua rose to her feet and walked passed her. "I assumed as much."
Xion followed her downstairs. "So, what's tea taste like?"
"Depends on the flavor, the one Olette brings is a bit sweet, slightly tangy," answered Aqua.
Aqua pasued at a door to the side room and turned. "Why exactly are you here?"
Xion pouted a little. "No missions today, wanted to see what you were up to."
"I see," said Aqua before walking into the room.
Xion walked in to see Olette pouring three cups. "So... you guys wanna get ice-cream later?"
Olette's eyes went wide. "Ice cream? Absolutely!"
"I suppose," said Aqua, indifferent.
"Oh! I can bring my other friends too! So they can meet you," said Xion, happy with the thought.
"Whose your other friends?" asked Olette.
"Axel and Larxene, well... kind of with Larxene, I'm working on it," said Xion.
Olette shrank behind Aqua. "L-larxene? You're freinds with that crazy Nobody?"
Aqua frowned, but didn't comment, studying Xion critically.
"She's not crazy! Well... maybe a little," admitted Xion, "I'm trying to help her out. She was so mean and angry all the time, I thought she could use a friend."
Olette gave her a hesitant questioning look.
Aqua merely deadpanned. "She could use a cord wrapped around her neck. She is the reason I created the rules for you Organization members, she threatened Olette's life once."
Xion winced at that before an idea hit her, an awesome and slightly devious idea. "If... I get her to apologize, will you give her a chance?"
Aqua crossed her arms. "You cannot be serious."
Xion merely smiled. "I am."
Aqua slowly shook her head and moved to sit at the table. "You are a strange child."
Xion decided to take it as a compliment. "I'll be at the clock tower in a bit, gotta go work over Larxene, bye!"
She scooted out of the room in a hurry and took a Dark Corridor back to her room in the Castle That Never Was. She walked out and back into the Gray Area. Some of the group had dispersed, but a few were still there, Larxene thankfully among them.
"Hi Larxene," said Xion cheerfully.
Larxene gave her a bland look. "You are way to energetic."
"Says the one who uses lightning," called over Xigbar.
Larxene rolled her eyes.
"So... wanna go get ice cream? My treat," offered Xion.
Larxene contemplated it for a moment before shrugging. "Eh, why not."
"You can come to Axel," called over Xion.
Axel raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "You brought HER out for ice cream?"
Larxene glared at him. "That a problem?"
Axel rolled his eyes and waved them off. "Whatever, I'll be over in a bit."
"Well well well, I dare say you've taken to young Xion," commented Marluxia, a glint of interest in his eyes.
Larxene frowned at him before 'hmph'ing. "Whatever."
Xion and Larxene moved through a Dark Corridor, coming out in Twilight Town.
Alright, phase one of her master plan was complete! Larxene was here with her.
Xion grinned mischievously. Time for phase two!
She led Larxene to the ice cream shop and purchased five ice creams.
"You trying to get fat?" asked Larxene, eyeing the ice creams.
She handed Larxene three of them. "Nope, I got a few more friends coming, you can hand it to them for me, as a nice way to greet them."
Larxene scoffed, but took them. "Right...whatever, probably some loser kids."
Phase two, complete! Larxene had the ice creams to hand off, now hopefully, the meeting wouldn't go toooooooo bad.
Hopefully.
She led Larxene up to the clocktower and sat down, Larxene sitting a little bit from her. "So, where are your loser friends?"
"That's not nice," scolded Xion.
Larxene rolled her eyes. "Don't really care."
"Didn't anyone teach you that's not a good way to make friends? I don't have memories from before and even I know that," jabbed Xion playfully.
"Pff," said Larxene, setting two of the three ice creams down and starting to open hers.
"Hey! No eating without everyone present," scolded Xion.
Larxene scowled. "Oh come on, you're lucky I even decide to waste my precious time coming up here with you."
"Says the lady whose always bored," teased Xion.
If she didn't know any better, she was sure Larxene was trying to hide a smirk. "Whatever kid."
Xion felt Aqua's presence off in the distance drawing closer, and decided it was time to enact phase three, along with distracting her comrade. "Say Larxene, did you know that offering someone ice cream is a good way to apologize? Axel told me."
"That right?" said Larxene with disinterest.
"C'mon, you don't have anyone you'd want to apologize too?" asked Xion.
"Nope," said Larxene, "Got a list a mile long of people who ought to buy me ice cream from back home though if that's your motto."
"Oh really?" asked Xion.
"Pff, I knew a ton of asshats at work," said Larxene dryly.
"What's an a...," began Xion.
"Eh... don't repeat what I said, Axel will probably yell at me," said Larxene.
Xion shrugged. "Okay."
"So... you have no one you'd want to apologize to? Not even here in Twilight town?" asked Xion.
Larxene frowned. "Uh, no? Who the hell would I apologize to here?"
"Perhaps the child whose life you threatened?" came an empty voice.
Larxene turned her head and froze, sighting Aqua and Olette coming around the clock-tower. "Uhhhhh Xion..."
"Hi guys!" said Xion cheerfully.
Aqua didn't respond, merely staring down at the sitting Larxene, an almost challenging look in her slightly narrowed eyes, making Larxene pale, a hint of fear crossing her face. Olette peaked out from behind Aqua, but didn't say anything.
Xion elbowed Larxene. "C'mon, give them the ice cream."
Larxene glanced back and forth between Xion, Aqua, and the ice creams before her fear faded and a deep scowl spread across her face and she glared at Xion. "YOU! You totally set this up!"
Xion grinned. "Guilty as charged!"
Larxene ground her teeth, grabbed the ice creams and roughly shoved them at Aqua. "Fine whatever, sorry, have your stupid ice cream."
Success! Kind of.
Aqua gave a none-committal hum and sat down, Olette hesitatingly doing the same.
"See, was that so hard?" asked Xion.
Larxene scowled, a dark look on her face. "Don't see her apologizing for her Heartless ripping my heart out and eating it right in front of me as I died and turned into a Nobody, now do you?"
Xion opened and closed her mouth a few times. "U...uh..."
Olette winced at that. "Oh..."
Aqua didn't respond to the comment, merely splitting open her ice cream and starting to eat it. The rest of them awkwardly started doing the same.
"For what it's worth," said Aqua all the sudden, "While I don't think I should apologize for something out of my control, that I personally did not do, you have it all the same."
Larxene hesitated, giving her a brief uncertain look, before mumbling, "Whatever..."
There was silence for a few minutes before a voice chuckled and said, "Xion, how did this go from just the two of us, to all of these guys?"
Xion glanced over and saw Axel leaning against the clock tower behind them, eyebrow raised at her.
Xion giggled and chucked the last ice cream at him. "Oh shut up and eat your ice cream."
Axel caught it, slowly shook his head, seeming amused, and moved to sit down next to Xion. He gave a polite head tip to Aqua, but said nothing. Aqua did likewise.
"So, we gonna have the entire Core Organization up here by the end of the week?" asked Axel teasingly.
Xion stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry. "Oh shaddup.
She tilted her head back. "Well, maybe Luxord, he pretty fun."
"Oh I liked him!" said Olette, "We play cards whenever he's supposed to be spying on Aqua."
Larxene snorted. "That is so him."
"You don't seem phased by the whole spying thing," said Axel.
"Well, not many of you are good at it," teased Olette, "I kind of make it a game to see if I can spot whose spying on Aqua for the day before she can. I don't usually win though."
Aqua made a none-committal hum, focusing on her ice cream.
"I really should have spotted Xion first when we first met her, she was totally leaning obviously out from behind a tree," said Olette, giggling.
Xion's face turned red and squeaked out, "W-was not!"
"I believe you were in fact doing as Olette said," countered Aqua, "And talking loudly to yourself about something."
"Note to self, don't bring Xion on any recon missions," said Axel, poking Xion's shoulder.
Xion glared at and elbowed him. "Hey!"
Axel grinned and elbowed her back. The two started laughing. Olette giggled, joining in a little.
Xion faced forward and smiled warmly at the sunset. She found it odd how it was always setting here no matter the time, but it made for a perfect view no matter the time. Moments like these... she loved and lived for them...
She paused, cocking her head and hearing a soft whimper at the back of her mind.
It's not fair... it's not fair... why couldn't... why couldn't I have this...?
Xion frowned, contemplative. She thought quietly to herself, trying to hide her thoughts from the Voice, and wondered how long the Voice had been watching and listening. She wished the Voice would just talk to her. Tell her what's wrong, why she was always grouchy and sounding tired and passing out. It... just didn't seem normal, and was kind of concerning. She made a decision and decided, no matter what, tomorrow she was getting to the bottom of what was up with the Voice.
She'd have done it today, but she had plans for Larxene and Axel. They weren't getting away from her until she introduced them to everyone in Nothing's Watch and took them to the bar to listen to music and hang out. She had a long list of fun things stacking up in her mind to do with her two friends. She contemplated asking Aqua and Olette to join them, but figured they wouldn't want to leave Twilight Town. Ah well...
The only thing, aside from those two joining them, that would have made this day any more perfect, would have been if the Voice could join them as well...
She really wanted to meet her...
Whoever she was.
Author's Notes:
The pace will start picking up from here on in. Starting with Xion's 'confrontation' with the 'Voice' next chapter.