What kind of excuses could he possibly think of today? 'Oh hey Xemnas, I didn't bring Aqua or my wife back. Jus' wasn't feelin' it.' Yea...this was not gonna go well. But he needed to say something to Xemnas, or else he would manage to make the situation even worse.
Xigbar made his way across the Circus grounds, head down, not bothering to look around. It was all the same. He'd place money on it. Heading straight into the Ringmasters tent he tried hard to keep the thought of him bein' a demon out of his mind. It was too far fetched. Right? Just superstition... He hoped. "Ahh... I see you have returned..." Speak of the devil. Heh. Everything was the same, the two jars still placed on his desk; one empty, and one glowing pink.
Xigbar looked straight at Xemnas, purposely avoiding the jars. "Yeah I have... But I have some bad news."
The Ringmaster waved his hand and chuckled, "Yes... You have returned empty handed. A pity. However. I have decided to let you go... punishment free."
W-What? Getting off scot-free?! And Asha's sure that this guy is a demon? Maybe he had a change of heart... As if. Somethin' was wrong. Very wrong. All Xigbar could do was frown, he could think of nothing to say to that.
Thankfully Xemnas spoke again. "Do you believe in just punishment?" What the hell was that supposed to mean?! "I-I'm not sure what yer getting' at..." "Oh.. you know... What do you call it... Karma? Yes. That's it. Karma. Do you believe in Karma?"
Xigbar couldn't help but laugh. Karma? Seriously? "I'm not sure what I believe anymore. Why'd ya ask?"
Xemnas looked away, laughing to himself. "You are dismissed. Just know... that something may be coming for you soon if you keep this up..." And with that, the Ringmaster disappeared into the back of his tent.
Turning angrily out of the tent, Xigbar hurried back to his own tent, which was not far away. Something about not having any punishment made his skin crawl. Xemnas wouldn't just let him go like that. Theres no way. "...Whatever..." Pushing back the curtains of his tent, he continued past the benches until he reached the curtains in the very back. Something was different... He looked around, seeing nothing off but the floor. The floor. There were footprints littering the floor, which made no sense. He hadn't had a show in days. Dropping to one knee, he studied them. Webbed feet? Fish boy was here. Why? Who knows.
There were also smaller bare footprints not far from his own. Looks like he was with someone... The ones that stood out the most though were the big ass indents from gigantic boots. That could only be one of two people, Xaldin or Lexaeus. Did someone have a goddamn party in here?! Shaking his head in annoyance, he stepped into the back room. The footprints continued this way too. What the hell?! Looking around through his belongings, it didn't look like anything was moved or missing... so... what had happened?
Xaldin pulled on his other boot, despite it's protest. Staying up so late the night before had made him slightly disoriented. He didn't bother lacing them, he wasn't going far. The performer adjusted the thin suspenders over his shoulder, he really shouldn't have fallen asleep the way he did, but there was nothing to do about it now. The tank top he wore seemed a little worse for wear, but it was comfortable. He had spent most of the night mapping out what he'd say to the ringmaster, and how he'd present this strange child. If he only succeeded in his task he was originally given, this wouldn't be his issue. He scratched the side of his face before stepping out of his tent. Either way, things must go on, right? If he continued his show like normal, surely that'd put him more on the Ringmaster's good side, wouldn't it? He was more or less prepared, he just…needed to kill time. Making his way to Xigbar's tent, he began to plan out what he'd do once inside. His coworker seemed to have quite the mess of papers on his desk, perhaps he should start there? He knew that woman somehow. And Xaldin was going to find out. Xigbar seemed to be hiding something, and he planned to find out what it was. He made his way quietly through the stage area to the back room. There's no way he'd be back so soon, so where's the harm? He moved the curtain to the side and stepped through, locking eyes with the escape artist himself. "Oh…"
And there he was, the big lug himself. Xigbar folded his arms and eyed Xaldin up and down. "Goodmornin'... So what brings you here... AGAIN? Ever heard of somethin' called privacy?" What in the world could he want? Xigbar truly didn't want to deal with anyone at the moment. He hoped Xaldin would make this quick.
Xaldin blinked a few times to register the situation before him. He was heavily regretting waking up in the first place, he really should have just stayed asleep. There wasn't much he could say to save himself, but he straightened his posture and spoke anyway. "Back so soon, are you? So? Where is it?" He asked, hoping that he didn't fail as well. 'again' oh please! It's not like he wanted to run into the other two last night. Xigbar wasn't exactly known for keeping his word on things but this was something that needed to be fixed. "Both of us are on the line here, you know." He wasn't going to answer his coworkers accusations. Not a chance. He held his head a little higher and looked down, feigning authority. Xaldin blinked slowly, waiting for a response.
Of course. That's what he wanted. Well as far as Xigbar was concerned, he didn't give a shit if Xaldin got in any more trouble. After all, he was stupid enough to let him go after Asha instead of finishing the job himself. Thank god he was stupid.
"It is back where it belongs. The Ringmaster has plenty of souls. Plus, he wants something else now, right? That new 'supersoul' or whatever it was…" Xigbar kept his stance steady, arms still folded, looking up at Xaldin's scowling face. He hated talkin' to this guy. It was really hard to seem threatening when he was almost two feet shorter, and certainly not as wide. "But anyway. Keep yer' panties on, cause everythin' is ok now. I talked to the Ringmaster already, and he said that soul doesn't matter to him anymore. Yer not in trouble. Aight?"
Super…what? What on earth? Xaldin sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, I haven't heard anything about a superso—" The nerve! He took a step back and cleared his throat. Xigbar had always been quick with sarcasm. The performer shook his head and spoke. "Panties are for females." God. Did he really have to say this out loud? Was it REALLY something that needed to be explained? "L-Look, do you have a show tonight? Because I do. We need to continue business as usual to keep the ringmaster content. You still have your quota to fill, as do I." Quotas. At least there was still some shred of normalcy to this madhouse of a 'circus'. He gave a curt nod to make his leave. "And," He added, attempting to choose his words carefully. "I think you'll find that nothing is out of place." There's no way he'd apologize for the previous night, but this is about as close as Xigbar would get to hearing one. Should he tell him about the girl? He chewed his tongue for a moment, somewhat torn between options.
Xigbar looked at Xaldin and tried his very hardest not to laugh. Did he seriously… jus' explain what panties were? PFFF. He held back a smile and shook his head. "I know I know… quota's gotta be filled. Whatever. Jus', ask to come visit next time?" He wondered why the large man wasn't leaving. What was he thinking? "Is that it? Cause if it is… we both got a show to get ready for…"
Xaldin shook his head. "No. Yes that's all." He cleared his throat and bowed his head a little. "Pardon my…..intrusion. enjoy your night." With that, he turned on heel to leave. Making his way out of his coworker's tent, he trudged back to his own. To hell with seeing the fish-boy and his strange new 'friend' now. Xaldin rubbed his eyes for a moment, stepping through the doorway to his room. Waiting would add to their 'scare' factor, he guessed. Demyx had enough….issues as it is. Did he even know the severity of the situation? He sat down slowly in the chair next to his makeshift desk. Not much to do now but sharpen. The performer sighed. He needed to either get Xigbar alone to speak with him, or somehow manage to get into his sleeping quarters undetected again. He had questions that needed answers.