Luxu arrived alone into Scala Ad Caelum - walking out of the portal onto the docks.
He strode forth into the city's outer edge, the collection of various shops, houses, and other buildings built up on various levels, on ramps and stairs, winding paths and streets that reached higher and higher still. This reverse pyramid structure of a magnificent city, surrounded by deepest ocean waters. An empty city...for the most part.
After a few minutes of searching, he finally just leapt straight up into the air and took a look around.
He found her within seconds, now. He sailed down to land atop the spacious roof of a wide building, where tables and chairs were set up under a decorative canvas awning.
Sprawled back on a beach chair there, was Elrena.
Who was also, Luxu now realized up close, completely naked.
"HEY, WHAT THE HELL?! THEY'RE AIRDROPPING PERVERTS NOW?!" Elrena yelled, jumping up and covering herself with one hand, while the other stretched out and crackled with lightning.
Luxu groaned, turning away and holding up his hands. "My bad - didn't know you were, eh, sunbathing. Alright? I'm sorry! But I needed to find you-"
"Oh, you did, did you?!" she seethed, her voice dripping with condescension and outrage.
"Simmer down and listen to me - this is about Namine!" Luxu burst out, throwing up his hands.
Silence.
"Turn around and I'll blast you clear into the ocean," Elrena hissed.
"Wouldn't dream of it - like I said before - you're not that much of a catch."
"FUCK YOU! TURN AROUND AND SAY THAT TO MY FACE!"
"Oooh, so which is it?"
"..."
"...Still waiting..."
"...Fuck you!"
"Glad to see returning to humanity hasn't dulled your personality."
Elrena grumbled and cursed under her breath for a minute, then gave a loud sigh. "Okay - turn. And then talk. You have one minute."
Luxu obeyed, finding her clothed in a turquoise skirt and top. "I have a bit of a problem where Namine's concerned, and I wanted to ask you for your help in solving it."
"Yeah - I got that. Details," Elrena said, rolling her eyes and clicking her fingers at him.
"She wants to go to Radiant Garden, and there's someone there now who I don't trust around her."
"Who?"
"Braig."
"Huh?"
Luxu sighed. "The guy's scum, all right? Blackmail, extortion, violence...he was a career criminal back before I got ahold of him. That was why I chose him. Think about it: everything I ever did as him, nobody batted an eye! What does that say about his character, that I could do all that I did and nobody once thought, 'Hey, wait a minute, that's not like the Braig I know'? But now he's back in the world again, and I can't trust that he's pulled an us and turned over a new leaf. I know his type, I know him."
"Okay, so what do you want from me? Want me to go threaten him? Shank him in the back of the neck with one of my knives? Has he threatened Namine?" Elrena said quickly. "If he has, I'm all for it!"
"No, nothing yet. She hasn't been there yet. I keep putting her off it, the past few days - she keeps asking, because Kairi and the other kids keep asking her to come along with them lately. That's why I'm here," Luxu replied. "I wanted to ask you...to accompany her, whenever she goes there."
"So you want me back on babysitting duty?"
"Because I trust you - I trust you with her," Luxu said firmly, holding her gaze. "I know you care about her-"
"Like that's a secret now? Please, that's so two months ago," Elrena said, with a fake snort. But her cheeks were pink.
"Elrena..."
"What?" she snapped. "Damn, how bad is this guy? What do you possibly think he could do to her that some genocidal sadist like Xehanort couldn't?"
"The sadism worries me - but there's another part that worries me more," Luxu admitted. "Yeah, the guy enjoyed what he did - inflicting suffering, pain, fear. Lording it over people. Yeah, that worries me. But... Look, you're a woman - and I've been a woman before-"
"Oh, did you just figure that out thirty seconds ago, when you got a full eye of my body? Look at you, so clever!" Elrena mocked. Then, she froze. She stared at him. Intently. Her eyes narrowed, and her lips sealed tight. Then, she gave a tiny gasp. "'Kay, hold on a second, did you seriously just say what I think you-"
"Yes. Focus. Please," Luxu gritted out. "You can mock me all you want later, get your laughs in, whatever! But right now, I need you focused!"
Elrena bit her lip, then nodded. "Okay. Shit, so...you're saying that this guy is some kind of-"
"I'm not sure whether or not even he'd go that far. I'm just saying I need you by Namine's side at all times, when she goes to that world. Especially if he's around. I need you to stick by her, and never let her out of your sight," Luxu said evenly. "Because if I know one thing, it's that he wouldn't hesitate to use her to get back at me."
Elrena paled. She blew a long breath, reaching up to run a hand over her hair. "Okay...Okay, look, if you really think the guy is so dangerous-"
"Why don't I tell people, or do something about it myself? Because the world wouldn't be on my side. It's already not on my side. I'm the guy who stole ten years of someone's life. I'm the guy who infiltrated their group. I'm the guy who aided Xehanort in his plans for them. Of course they don't trust me. Not that far. Not enough to take my word over one of theirs. Mine over his. But that presents a problem for us now. So I need to have someone on my side - someone I can trust. For Namine. And that's you. Can you do this for her or not?"
"Yes!" Elrena hesitated. "Just - okay - how often will she be wanting to go there?"
"You have more pressing things to do around here?" Luxu said. "Right, riiight...wouldn't want to cut into your nude sunbathing time."
"S-shut up!" Elrena stammered, flushing. She crossed her arms, glowering. "In any era, in any form, you're still an asshole, you know that!"
"I know," Luxu agreed. "And you're a bitch. But you're the bitch Namine needs to keep her safe right now, because I know that bitch won't hesitate to do whatever has to be done."
Elrena gazed at him, unamused. "Okay, you didn't have to work in three separate bitches there."
"Sorry..." Luxu offered.
"Ugh...whatever. This is weird. Go away now. Fuck. I agree. Namine's my girl, I've got her. Don't worry. Okay?" Elrena uttered. "Just - stay below the rooftops next time you want to pop in and give me a secret mission?"
"Yeah. I'll do that. If you're always on the same rooftop."
"Yeah, I am. This is my rooftop. So go. Shoo!"
"I thought this was a restaurant."
"A restaurant with an apartment above it - which is mine now. So get off my property!"
"All right. Thank you."
"Whatever...leeaaaave," Elrena drew the word out.
Luxu turned away, strode to the edge, and stepped off the roof, falling to the streets below.
He stalked off down the narrow street, then left the world through a portal.