Standard practise here- this is a 1x1, so only Hige Unari and I can post, although if you're passing through you're welcome to read if you want. I'm pretty much just gonna start right away. [/shot]

 

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Zexion had carried very little belongings over from his past life, from when he was real- he'd had very little to cherish or value, and had discarded most of the things he'd recieved while in the old fool "Wise" Ansem's care. Well, all but one. Typically, a book- an old favourite.

 

But now it only served to frustrate him; or, at least, the closest he ever got to frustration when he couldn't feel anything at all. It made no logical sense, talking of temptation and rage and emotions, things he could no longer understand from anything other than a scientific, observational perspective. And, oh, Ienzo had adored Paradise Lost, but it continued to elude him no matter how many times he reread it.

 

It became somewhat of an obsession, and, so far, he'd been unable to find an explanation for it from any of the other members of the Organisation, the only remotely intelligent Nobodies he knew (well, he had his doubts about Demyx, sometimes, but his overemotional, cheery persona was merely a well-played act, it turned out) beyond the usual dull "we need hearts to understand".

 

Of course he already understood that. He didn't need to be told such an obvious fact- but he supposed some small part of him had been hoping for more, for a real response. All he seemed to be able to derive from the old book was that emotions made some people fools- and he'd learned that just from observing the residents of the worlds he was required to visit for missions.

 

Still...

 

"XIII," he called across the room- well, less of called and more of merely raised his voice slightly, sounding bored, dull.

 

He'd chosen, for once, not to hide away in the library or his room, but to stay for at least a little while in one of the main rooms- besides the throne room, where planning was usually done, this was the only place in the castle that all of the members spent their time; and they were never all in there at once. Still, he'd managed to reside in there on a day where the newest member of their group had apparently had the same vague idea for company.

 

Zexion glanced around the room for a moment, flicking impatiently at the slate-grey strands that for a moment threatened to cover both his eyes at the movement. He payed no attention to Marluxia, seemingly sharpening his scythe in the corner, and instead fixed his gaze on the blond Nobody, who was closer anyway. And it wasn't like he was going to bother with Marluxia's opinion; he hardly wanted it.

 

"Over here," he waved one gloved hand impatiently, a tiny attempt to beckon the younger Nobody, the other resting the book against his knee. He didn't choose to elaborate; after all, he hadn't bothered to use Roxas' name, although of course he knew it- he preferred using the ranks to refer to the other members of the Organisation- or rather, those below him in the Organisation.

 

It would probably be pointless, utterly so; but still, he hadn't asked number XIII about his great mystery just yet. He hadn't particularly found the chance or the motivation to so far, but Saix had warned him not to be too dismissive of Roxas, considering he planned on Zexion accompanying him for more than just that one training lesson- Vexen had made a mess of the boy's attempts to perform recon, and it was being passed down to him to fix it.

 

So this was just his way of testing the new boy. One little test.

 

(...I swear it didn't look this long when I first started typing... [/shot])

(LOL it's cool the longer the better right? I feel Kinda silly for writing so horribly and little.)

 

"XIII" Roxas heard...Zexion call from across the room. He jumped up and began to walk towards him. He guessed that the most of the Organization wasn't to familiar with yet. Hence him being called XIII. He looked over at Marluxia sharpening his scythe as he walked by. Creepy but ah well. Roxas looked forward again and found that Zexion had an impatient look on his face. Roxas hurried and practically jumped in front of Zexion once he reached him. "Hi! So Saix put us on a mission together?"

When Roxas finally reached him, Zexion had to look up at him, as he'd chosen to stay sitting down. It irked a little how, from this angle, even Roxas seemed physically superior to him. Fine, he knew from past experience and observation that the blond was at least three or four inches shorter than him; and younger, too, that was also true. But it still annoyed him to be made to feel small; since he was often mocked for his size and age by the other members- ranging from idiotic nicknames related to his lack of height from Xigbar, to near-constant taunting from that damned Larxene- no, XII, he corrected himself even as the thought crossed his mind.

 

Still, he supressed his niggling annoyances and didn't move.

"...Of course. Your second time attempting recon, is it not?" he replied slowly, half-heartedly; not that he had a heart to give half of in the first place.

 

He barely permitted time for an answer before he tugged the volume off his lap, turning it and holding it out with one hand, practically pushing it into Roxas' stomach.

"Regardless, I expect you've never read this. And you're even less likely to understand it. But, XIII..." He allowed himself to look vaguely, boredly interested. "Would emotions ever really affect someone so much they might continue to strive for something, knowing they might be destroyed? Hatred so intense, I wouldn't... couldn't even imagine. No one else seems able to remember, and although I've heard you apparently have very little memory..."

 

Zexion sighed, hugging the book against his chest.

 

"Forgive me, I'm probably confusing you, XIII. Matters of heart and emotion are things Nobodies can't understand- memories are next to useless, since they can't make you actually feel..."

He trailed off, tucking a stray strand of blue-grey hair behind his ear- well, the ear that was actually visible.

(if you've played days around what time would it be? Is Xion un-zombified like Roxas was? Is Roxas a social butterfly?)

Roxas wasn't sure what to say. He felt things he had his friendship with Axel and Xion. That seemed real enough but was it just them thinking of how things should be? He looked at Zexion and his book puzzled by what to say.

"I uh....I honestly believe that that could happen. But you wouldn't want it to happen would you? Couldn't it lead you to destruction and more pain for yourself?" He paused unsure how Zexion would react. He continued looking at him as his face changed from boredom to curiosity. "So how many missions have you done? This is actually my fourth recon mission you were wrong." He shrugged and looked around the room nervous. He bet that if he kept he would find himself more nothing than a nobody! "So shall we go?" Roxas held a hand out to help Zexion up with a grin on his face.

(Ha, we're probably going to have to mess with the timeline anyway- since otherwise Roxas would still just be starting to develop as the Castle Oblivion lot left...)

 

Zexion didn't attempt to grace Roxas with any sort of reply for a moment- he'd been taught as a child (no, wait, that was Ienzo, of course it had been Ienzo) not to interrupt others- and, although he chose to do just that to Vexen, it was to deliberately rile him; he supposed, had he a heart, Vexen's ranting and overreactions to his every lack of manners would have been amusing. But still, some small part of him aprreciated the politeness of the younger Nobody's offer to help him up- but he didnt take up the offer. After all, he was hardly an old man- he was perfectly able to get out of a chair by himself.

 

Which was why he pushed himself to his feet of his own volition, glancing blankly at Roxas' hand for a momemt before actually deigning to answer.

"I've been here since the Organisation formed," he said, quite curtly, "I've lost count over the years. And, from what I was told, XIII, it hardly seems to matter just how many recon missions you've been assigned, since your results were... lacking. Then again, that hardly surprises me if it was Vexen of all people who taught you- I imagine all he did was screech about how you were doing it all wrong, hm?"

(LOL it doesn't matter though )

Roxas withdrew his hand and suppressed a withered look at Zexion's refusal towards his help. He pulled his hand back and stared at Zexion with a blank face as he replied " Vexen...uh hem, IV was a good teacher and taught me alot. More than i'm sure you could teach me" Roxas turned and began to walk away. "He can follow if he wants to" he muttered under his breath. He glared around the room as other members were staring at him.

He thought that maybe he shouldn't be rude ot Zexion on their first mission but.... he was treating him like something scraped off his boot. That's not cool.

"Excuse me?"

Zexion's voice, embarrasingly, nearly cracked in surprise; however, he managed to compose himself and, after a brief moment, strode after the younger Nobody. He didn't particularly want to rant, for worry of sounding like- he shuddered at the thought- Vexen, but the words almost tore out of him all of their own accord- harshly spoken, although there was a frosty edge to them that made sure he was nowhere near shouting; it was a forced calm, hissed through gritted teeth, but it was subdued nonetheless.

 

"I am number VI, far superior to you, XIII and you will show me some respect! All you are is a foolish little- little... neophyte!"

 

Oh god, he'd said it. Let the wrinkles and haughty mannerisms come. He cleared his throat, and in order to busy himself, opened his book and pretended to suddenly become engrossed at the first page he came to. Zexion allowed the facade to pass for a few moments, and even when he did speak didn't look up.

 

"...Er. However... I... the mission is a must, obviously. Perhaps you can actually learn some manners there..."

Roxas spun around and glared at Zexion while continuing to walk. "Really? Well then if I you are going to teach me wouldn't it be common courtesy to treat me as a student?" Roxas could feel the anger dissolving away and was beginning to settle down.

Zexion scowled, slamming the book in his hands shut. But, despite the initial snap of movement and the defensive hint to his posture, his voice was utterly calm again, no ice or anger to it at all. He only sounded bored, as irritated as he looked.

 

"I'm perfectly entitled to speak to you and treat you as I please- Keyblade weilder or not, if you're considered a student, I'm able to discipline you all I want. Just come along, I expect Saix has a corridor set up already. Oh, and XIII, watch where you're going; you don't want to fall in Mar-" He cleared his throat- "-ah, XI's lap, now, do you?"

Roxas didn't answer Zexion but continued walking out of the Grey Room backwards into the hallway. He smirked at Zexion but then stopped waited a second for the silver haired Nobody to catch up with him. He then walked forwards matching pace with Zexion. Roxas was completely composed and was now calm and ready to proceed with the mission. "Zexion? Where is our mission?" Roxas asked as they walked side by side down the hall.

Zexion paused for a moment, slowing pace a little as he shifted the book in his arms uncomfortably. He seemed to be about to reply, but hesisted and said, instead;

 

"Hollow Bastion. It used to be a fully fledged world, and now is more of a shell." He bit his lip for a brief moment, guilt seeming to flicker over his face for a moment- but it was quickly gone. He added, almost as an afterthought; "A lot of Heartless loiter there, but they won't bother us inside the castle, which is where we're going today. The Superior wants details about the interior- you know, just basics, the state of it, etcetera- even you shouldn't find it too taxing, since we haven't been instructed to look for anything in particular."

 

Falling back into step with Roxas during his explanation, Zexion seemed to be losing some of that tension and snotty superiority- he supposed the angrier he was (ahem, not, of course, that he could feel anger) the older he behaved- when he had nothing particularly to irritate him, he defrosted a little. Not much, of course, he hardly skipped down the hallway or started gushing like a fool, but there was at least a slight improvement.

 

He didn't even acknowledge Saix when he passed him, close to the dark corridor- after all, the man was a lower rank than he was, and STILL looked down on him. Zexion could obviously make dark portals by himself, but it was convenient when someone else saved him the trouble.

(( -shameless bump of doom- ))

(AHHH OH MI GOD I'M SORRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

"Hmm Hollow Bastian...." He let the last syllable draw out as he looked up at Saix. He had a smug look on his face and Roxas shook his head. Why was Saix such a stuck-up? "Zexion?? He paused and looked up at his tall silver haired partner ands shyfully said, "I'm sorry for being so disrespectful earlier, it wasn't right of me." And with that he ran into the portal.

(( It's okay. xDDD ))

 

Zexion didn't particularly react, but as soon as the blond Nobody had disappeared into the portal, a small smirk slipped onto his face as he followed- though thankfully Saix either didn't see, since he did suppose his hair provided an effective curtain, shielding most of his face from the older man's view- that, ot he simply chose not to comment. Either way, Zexion was glad to enter the portal uninterrupted-

 

Until he actually came out on the other side, and wrinkled his nose in sheer revulsion. Not his usual reaction to a library, but still- Saix had to have known, that bastard, the Superior indulged him with more than enough information on the other members to be able to pull a stunt like this. How dare he? Zexion didn't have to prove himself with this, he didn't have to prove himself at all, he was number VI...!

 

Outwardly, he didn't show his initial surge of fury, only gripping the book harder in his hands, and allowing a slight frown to pass over his face.

 

"Wonderful. This could take a while- at least you can expect me to know the content of some of these books, although not all of them are of interest..."