paixaorpg | Reunion Whispers [completed]

Larxene sauntered down a path stealthily, her heels clicking the concrete softly as she made her way towards the location her and Marluxia decided to meet in. A sly, almost expectant smirk was on her face, hidden by her hood. She hadn't forgotten what he had done, but karma would come in due time. And it would be too obvious if she did anything now, anyway. So far, her goal was to...bond their broken links again. That, and she decided she didn't want a Heart. The idea of believing she had the opportunity to get one sort of propelled her into wanting it. Yet, it was when she pondered about her precious toys that she came to a realization: it was better not having emotions. She could throw somebody into a running car, watch them die, and not feel a thing. Maybe laugh at the hilarious sight, but even then those were "memories" doing so. With a Heart, it will do nothing but weight heavily on the body. She remembered very well what it was like to have one. It was painful. It held her back. And she could do without the weakness. Watching people suffer will satisfy her just fine...it was how she, for once, felt lively as a Nobody. Which is why she also questioned if she really would live without a Heart, in that case.

The conclusion she came to was: she got one, she didn't get one, it meant nothing. She was mildly interested, if at all, in the whole thing now, and she really didn't care. As long as she was entertained, that's all that mattered. In fact, she was already planning her next torment. Not that this got Marluxia off the hook yet. Breaking off her thoughts, she spotted a familiar figure as she turned the corner, attempting to look unassuming, though her smirk was slightly more curled. It had been quite a long while since she had seen him, after all.

Approaching the man and stopping after a few short steps, she weighted herself on one leg, a hand on her hip as her glinting eyes gave him a once over. There was silence, until she let out a small, sardonic giggle. "Long time no see, Marluxia."

Marluxia's head turned a fraction at the familiar clicks signifying Larxene's approach. The rhythm was different, in a way, than Paixao's natural citizens, and the blonde--that particular blonde--had an aura all her own that was unmistakable. For an instant, Marluxia tensed, memories of their last encounter being drawn to the surface all over again, but soon the tension faded, and by the time he turned to face Larxene, he had managed to school his expression into one of amiability.

"Far too long," he agreed. "You know, you never did tell me exactly what you were up to while you were away. It's not like you to be up to absolutely nothing."

"Don't you think that's my line?~ After all, you were kicked out of the Organization for a reason," Larxene tittered, her smile charming as she rested her arm on his shoulder. She wondered if Marluxia honestly expected her to answer that sort of question so quickly after the lack of trust issue between them. He had shown very clearly that he was in it for himself. Of course, not that she wasn't either, but she hadn't revealed the truth behind her facade as of yet. Sort of. The duties she was asked to complete were hardly of interest in this situation when she was dealing with a possible advantage in Marluxia's little plans. Whatever they were. She would be surprised if he didn't have one cooked up: not that she could be surprised.

Staring up at him innocently, she waved the inquiry away with a flippant jerk of her hand. "I was just hunting little toys, is all."

The corners of Marluxia's mouth twitched downward at Larxene's observation. It seemed she remembered more than she let on... unfortunately. He would have to be careful in how he dealt with her, or at least make sure he was careful to skirt around anything that would lead to discussion on what had happened in the past.

"Found them again, did you? I'm sure you must have missed them so. Have you found your favorites or were you looking for new ones to play with?"

"I've found plenty. You have to wonder if they really believe they can actually hide, though, it's amusing to watch them fail. Buuuut...that's not what interests me right now~," Larxene clued in rather cutely, with an added dramatized shake of her head, not exactly falling for the change in subject. A devious smile was on her face as she eyed her former pink haired companion with an elusive glint of her eye. She wasn't exactly fond of staying in this path to discuss certain matters, considering that while it was the right time to meet up in secret, it was an open space that could be intruded upon. First thing was first, however. "Again, what have you been up to? After all, it wasn't me who messed up our confidence in each other, right? I have something for us both in mind, unlike you...after we go to a more private place, I mean."

Immediately, Marluxia became more cautious, tensing for a fraction of an instant and his expression immediately shifting into a frown. His suspicions, now, were completely confirmed. She did remember. Everything. And every moment he spent here was a moment spent in danger. He could leave now. A quick retreat was better than death, and there was no way to tell that just because Larxene hadn't attacked him now that she wouldn't later. And yet somehow Marluxia could tell that before him was an opportunity. One that he hadn't come across in a long, long time. And with the loss of so many promising pawns, the Graceful Assassin couldn't say he had much choice.

Even so, he was no fool. "Blame can be shifted around all you please. I've kept the real threat in mind and have been pulling strings to extinguish it. You wouldn't mind dropping a hint before we leave? I hope you can understand why I might be a little... hesitant."

"Oh, I'm not trying to shift blame, Marloo~. Just showing you who should actually be the more suspicious of the two of us," Larxene countered perkily, a nicely placed smile on her lips as she examined his reactions with a satisfied expression. To think, she was just there to perhaps use him in one of her little plans as a team after all he had done, and he's all cautious to see if she will do something bad. It was sort of laughable, considering the tension here originated from what he did. If she would've lured him into a trap, then her hands were clean. She wasn't going to be his second-fiddle again; she'll make sure of that. In fact, Marluxia did her a favor in the end. Made her realize that she had been too careless. She might not want a Heart anymore, yet the actions committed were over with, and it opened her eyes.

Which just made her work all the more effective ♥.

"As for the place, even you can choose. I say we go more deeper into the...empty side of Paixao. Less people to be around. We could find any spot then."

Marluxia was still hesitant, that much he couldn't deny. But he had made his decision, and he wouldn't reverse it now. "The empty side it is," he replied with a short nod, deciding not to reply to her first statement. Her thoughts on the subject had, ironically, been at least part of his motivation. In a way. She was so much more useful to him as she was now than as she had been with her heart.

As she had been the one to so kindly offer, Marluxia decided that he'd be the one to figure out exactly where they would talk. As long as they remained out of sight of any prying eyes... He opened a portal to an area outside the city. "After you."

"Always a gentleman~," she returned sweetly, giving him a rather coy stare of her eye as she stepped forward. While it appeared trivial, she had to ponder for a few seconds about getting into a portal he conjured up. At the same time, she didn't want to present any "weaknesses" that might get taken as such. With Marluxia, any partnership from now on was merely a tool to the next plan. She doubted that today was a set-up for backhanded ploys, yet one can never be too careful. Regardless, she still went through the Dark Corridor, having her body immersed itself in black for a moment before appearing on the other side without much trouble.

She had to think on how to go about this now. Nothing could get through without him revealing what he was planning. Perhaps she could pretend...

A smirk marked her face once more, eyes half-lidded as she placed a finger on her bottom lip lecherously, looking over her shoulder. "You have to be willing, though."

If it was a set-up for any sort of ploy at all, it was one Marluxia was not aware of. Larxene's suggestion for a visit had taken him completely by surprise. Most of his current plans had to do with other parties, and those had to be reworked constantly as Paixao's number waxed and waned. He simply hadn't had enough time to fit Larxene in.

It was very likely, however, that that would be changing soon. Very soon.

He stepped through the corridor, closing the portal behind him with a casual wave. He was unperturbed by her gestures, too used to them from their time as partners in crime. "Willing?" he echoed, his curiosity growing further. "I think you will find me more than that. Tell me what you have in mind."

"There is a reason why I'm here, and it's not because I happen to miss you," Larxene murmured, her tone exuding sarcasm and playfulness in a sultry manner only she could pull off. She wanted to delay her answer, just simply because she felt like it and she enjoyed watching him listening to her. But it was high time they got to the point now that they were in a more enclosed section of the city. Staring at him with a bemused face, she continued, hand on hip, "I have no ties~. I'm not sure what your 'plans' with me are, yet I want to know what your plans are elsewhere. If we can't tell them to each other, then there's no reason for this meeting. Sooo...you have to be willing to share things with me. I can easily be your eyes and ears inside the Organization if we work it out."

She could still feel he was hesitating, and she couldn't have that, could she?

The delays were beginning to try Marluxia's patience, if only because he wanted (he wouldn't dare say "needed") to know what she was getting at. But when she finally told him, the Graceful Asassin's expression shifted to a faintly amused smirk.

Did he trust her? Of course not. Just as she didn't trust him. But sacrifices needed to be made and he could always come up with another plan. "Surely you remember out friends in the so-called 'Resistance?'" he began. "There is a saying: 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.' Though I assume the term 'friend' is used very loosely. While it seems whispers of this Resistance have quieted significantly for now, I have no doubt that the resources to continue one are easy to find. All I need to do is spread information of their various... misdeeds and thus sew the seeds of hate and rebellion."

He had already guided them toward the ultimate target, all they needed was the drive to reach it.

"That's it? Tsk. And here I thought you've gotten more creative~," Larxene taunted...almost chortled, truthfully, at the reply she had been waiting for. She didn't attempt to hide the fact of how unimpressed she was either. Her response was more or less an eloquently raised eyebrow and an entertained, demeaning smile on her face. She really was expecting something else; something new. She wasn't sure how depending on the Resistance would turn out in the long run, as people could be uncontrollable and unpredictable. Not that it was her problem, yet she had enough reason to believe there was a sort of back-up plan somewhere. Or, he might have other ideas in mind, but he wasn't giving them out for obvious reasons. That could be a strong possibility. It was apparent that despite what she had said, trust was out of the equation, so it made sense that he would keep certain things to himself. She would have done the same.

Still, a little more information couldn't hurt. How was someone suppose to work with that in any way? She shook her head slightly, chuckling in her devious, charming way as she moved eerily closer to him, "That can't be just it, Marluxia. Not asking for much, but that was stupid. Unless you want me to question your intelligence and all."

The smile quickly fell away from Marluxia's face, replaced with a half-lidded glare in Larxene's direction. "There is no need to question anything. I have aces up my sleeve, and people here willing for information. You underestimate the information I have," he told her. "Or didn't you know who told them how to ascend the castle floors to begin with?"

He wasn't going to show everything so easily. Not until they had some time and he was certain where her loyalties lay. The documents he had taken from the Superior's--Xemnas's (he was no longer "Superior" to Marluxia in any way)--desk were his trump card. Saix had already taken off with some. He couldn't afford the loss of any more.

"Right~. Did I get a little bit under your skin there, Marluxia? I do, do hope I didn't," Larxene returned with her saccharine baby tone, obviously having done the act with a purpose. A shot at his pride was just the right target to hit when with the effeminate man - she at least knew this. And she couldn't ignore an easy opening like that when he provided it by hiding things from her. That, and his annoyance satisfied her to a degree as it did with anyone normally, especially if it was caused by her own hands. Nevertheless, she had pretty much figured what he had said to her wasn't everything, but she still wanted to hear the confirmation. So, they were trying to form a sort of pact...again whatever this would be called, and he couldn't even hand her much for her own agenda or for anything else. Not that it was required. She had some spying skills, after all, and putting it to good use would be simple. Keeping an eye on what he did and who it was directed at. Still, what a disappointment from the great Lord of the Castle.

She giggled. "Would it kill you to hint at those said 'aces'? What's the point of doing you the favor of sneaking around the halls then? Saïx had shown some interest in what you're doing...or rather, try to keep you from doing."

Honestly, she wasn't sure if he did, but she was saying it. It may not be far off from the truth.

"I am aware of that." Painfully aware of it, really. It had thankfully been a long time since the Luna Diviner had last visited. Hopefully that sort of luck would continue to be granted to him. The longer he went without seeing Xemnas's lapdog, the better.

"A few items Xemnas should have kept under lock and key. At least moreso than he actually did," Marluxia replied. "If you want to know more than that, I'm afraid you'll have to wait."

"You're so boring," Larxene concluded unceremoniously, staring at him with dull-lidded eyes and a frown that came out more as a pout. Not that she anticipated this meeting to be an opened can of revelations by any means, but this was barely satisfiable. It was obvious that to get to Marluxia, she would have to do more than this and keep playing the facade longer - that was something she engraved in her mind when deciding to talk to him again.

On the other hand, she never did say she was patient.

There was just one thing left that she was curious of before they talked about what her actions would be in this whole...unknown plot. "Speaking of dear Saïx, I've been wondering ~ you're not messing with his redheaded dragon, are you?"

Marluxia's scowl deepened at the eighth member of the Organization's mention. Axel had done him little harm--yet--but he was well aware of the potential the Flurry of Dancing Flames held. The Replica's memories had told him everything he needed to know. Axel was a wild card, more than he ever could have guessed. There were holes, yes. Axel's actions in the future the Riku Replica had seen were up in the air, save for the use of the Replica to kill Zexion. But that was enough to begin to make him suspicious. There was nothing, after all, in the replica's memories to indicate that Marluxia had made the order. Indeed, it was an event that had occurred after Marluxia's "death."

Unless Zexion had been planning a coup as well (and Marluxia highly doubted that), Axel had performed a traitorous act against the very organization he was working for. Marluxia knew well how hard traitors were to trust.

"I have done no 'messing' of any sort," Marluxia said. His head cocked to the side a fraction. "Though I have spoken to him once or twice. You wouldn't happen to have heard anything from him, would you?"

"Just through the journals," Larxene waved off disinterestedly, not really wanting to steer the conversation completely unto Axel. She was just curious to see if Marluxia was associating with him. Even with her possible plans for revenge, him trusting the redhead over her would have been the most stupidest thing she had ever heard. Especially after past...misgivings. That tugged the corner of her lips up. Being wary of Axel's movements wasn't a concern anymore unless she knew it involved her in the mix. Not that the guy seemed to have it in for her. But that didn't matter. People's true colors weren't shown in the open.

Yawning falsely with intent, she gave a less than pleased gaze to his direction. She didn't want to stay longer if he didn't want to divulge anything. "Since I have better things to do, and you're not trusting me with any more tidbits, I just wanted to let you know what was in my mind. We can work together again...somewhat. Agree or disagree?"

Better things to do? Did she have anything specific in mind, he wondered, or was she simply bored with him? Marluxia wouldn't be surprised if it was the latter, if only because it didn't seem as though she was getting everything that she wanted out of him, and that was fine for now.

He nodded. "Agreed. I look forward to our next meeting." The corner of his mouth quirked upward in a small smirk. "I'll be sure to keep in touch should anything of interest happen."

"And make sure it is of interest," Larxene quipped bitterly, not appreciating that she was going to leave this reunion unfulfilled. She wondered if he really looked forward to their next little gathering or if he was simply saying so out of pleasantries. If the secrecy continued by that point, however, she might have to do her bit of snooping to get somewhere. It was only fair.

With her hood having been over her head throughout the conversation, she let it remain that way, preparing to portal out into the Darkness as ebony tendrils circled around her legs. There was nothing else to say on the matter. "You know where to reach me, then. Don't be a stranger~."

She spoiled the last word as if it was suppose to be a sort of irony.

What a bitter tone, that was... He couldn't blame her for being disappointed. But, Marluxia could at least leave her with some assurance. He didn't want her to run off to anyone else on him, did he? "With time builds trust. As long as neither of us does anything to hurt that, I'm certain a few walls of secrecy will fall. I hope you are able to keep your patience, Larxene. It is said to be a virtue. A worthwhile one."

Dark petals danced near Marluxia's own feet as he readied to depart. Better to have neither of them around in case any curious souls wandered by. He would rather not have to deal with them right now.

"Too bad I'm not a very virtuous person," Larxene countered sardonically, eyes lowered and foreboding, treacherous smile in place. She didn't need a sermon on patience. He will simply have to deliver along the way, and she will figure out how to use it. Trust was not on her list; it would never be on her list. She'll give what he asked for, depending on what it was, and that will be as far as it went. Honestly, it was his best option. It wasn't good to get on her bad side these days. Her approaches were different ever since she had been betrayed a bit too many times for her liking.

She gave him a little taunting wave, though, the ebony void covering her body as her lips now formed a guileful grin. "Just something to keep in mind. Ta-ta~".

And she vanished.

Reunion Whispers [completed]

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