Xemnas's Point of View
Alexus seemed to have calmed down when she came home. "Did you have a good time?" I asked.
"Yes, sir," Alexus replied.
"What did you do today?" I inquired. I knew that I had made a grave mistake that morning in her eyes, so I was trying to salvage some of the progress I had made with her by conversing.
"Joe and I painted with Aunt Bess, we baked with Aunt Dulcie, and Aunt Myka took us into the forest. I hope that's okay. I know I wasn't supposed to go back there, but I was with an adult," Alexus mentioned.
I was stunned by her transparency. I wondered if I didn't lose as much of my progress with her as I thought. I thought about what I should say to her. I didn't want to discourage her from telling me these things, but I also didn't want her to go into the forest with just anyone. I knew Myka would never let anything bad happen to Alexus, so I decided that Alexus going into the woods with her was fine. "I am glad that you told me. For your safety, I don't want you to go to the forest with just anyone," I started. Alexus's face fell. "However, Myka has keen senses, and I know that she would keep you away from any danger. It was fine that you went with her. I hope you won't make a habit of going against my wishes."
"Yes, sir," Alexus said.
"Any rules I have in place are there because I want to keep you safe. The worlds are more dangerous than you realize," I mentioned.
"I understand," Alexus sighed. Her face lit up. "Aunt Myka wanted me to give this to you!" She handed me an envelope.
"What's this?" I wondered.
"A note. Aunt Myka wrote it while I was there. She wouldn't tell me what she wrote," Alexus answered.
I opened the envelope and read the short note that was inside.
I smoothed things over for you. You're welcome.
I let out a sigh of relief. I wasn't sure what Myka had told Alexus, but Alexus seemed better. I was thankful for that.
"What does it say?" Alexus asked.
"I fail to see how that is any concern of yours," I replied
"But I wanna know what it says," Alexus groaned.
"Did you have dinner?" I inquired.
"Yes, sir. Aunt Dulcie made a casserole. That reminds me! They told me to invite you for supper tomorrow," Alexus mentioned.
I was a bit surprised. I hadn't expected to be welcome in their home after all the damage I had caused. I supposed they were just looking out for Alexus, and I was grateful for that. They knew her far better than I did. "I suppose we'll go over there tomorrow then," I decided. I took a better look at Alexus. For the first time, she seemed confident and relaxed around me. I knew that soon, I would have to tell her about what I really was, and from that moment on, she would never be that way with me again. I said to myself that it would be better to deal with it immediately, but a part of me wanted to put it off for as long as I possibly could. "It's a bit early for bed. Is there a way you like to pass the time?"
"I can work on my sewing project. I'm making a dress," Alexus brought up.
"Are you? May I see it?" I asked, feigning interest. The truth was, I didn't care about it, but I cared about her.
"Yeah. It's up in my room. Come on," Alexus agreed.
I wasn't sure what Myka had said to her, but it must have had quite an impact on Alexus. I followed Alexus to her room, and she showed me her dress in progress. I changed my mind about not caring about her project. The stitching was slightly uneven, but it was perfect in its own way because Alexus had made it. My Alexus. I was proud of her. I realized that if I was going to be the father I wanted to be, she had to know the truth. Even if she never looked at me that way again. "Alexus, I need to show you something," I said.
"What is it?" Alexus wondered.
I opened a dark corridor to The World That Never Was. I was going to explain to her the concept of Heartless and Nobodies.