Moonrise 006 - Voice

[no_resignations]

[...This is probably the last thing he'd though he'd ever ask, but he'd double-checked his finances to make sure there was budget for it and that he had the room for it. It would have to be older, of course, so it didn't require constant attention. What is it he's looking for? Well...]

...What breed of dog would you suggest to guard an apartment?

[He's taking no chances after the incident with the Orgniazation.]

Comments

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel knows that look well; he's worn it himself on more than one occasion. But he doesn't meet Saïx's fatigued expression with sympathy, no, he meets it with indignation.]

So Xigbar's riding your ass, and it didn't occur to you to, gosh, I dunno, talk to me about it? [He audibly plants a hand over his face.] Light, for a strategic genius you're really freaking stupid sometimes.

[no_resignations]

[Saix does not like being pushed into any sort of corner. and that's precisely what Axel is doing, even if he doesn't realize it.]

At the moment, Axel, the less you know, the safer you are.

[Axel needs to know as little about the events after Xemnas' death until now as possible. There were too many vulnerable spots exposed, and the less involved Axel is at the moment, the better. They have to both lie low for a little while.]

[got_it_memorized]

Oh for crying out loud, Saïx, since when have you ever given a damn about my safety? [Hi, remember sending me off to C.O. with the expectation of being annihilated like the rest of them? He does.] Stop trying to play the martyr, it really doesn't suit you.

[no_resignations]

[Saix's reaction is quick. He'd already been in a bad mood--lacking sleep, lacking stability, lacking control and Axel's continued pushing has gone just a tad too far. Hands grip material as Saix goes to lift his childhood friend off the ground to demonstrate just how serious this is.]

Do you want to know what happened, Axel? After I left you and returned home, I got ready for work. And as soon as I arrived, I was greeted by Xigbar. I was then held for ten days at least from what I can estimate, chained to a chair. And he reminded me of where I began--as the little boy cut open and then marked as subhuman, unable to even struggle for my own life. That is why you cannot be involved at the moment.

[got_it_memorized]

[That's more like the Saïx he knows. Axel figured it would take getting under his skin to get him to spill--Saïx has always preferred to suffer alone and in silence, the fool. He doesn't flinch as he is lifted from the floor, and merely waits quietly for Saïx to finish. When he's through snarling, Axel doesn't bother trying to break the hold--he knows just how firm his grip can be. So he just lifts his chin a bit and gives him a harsh look. His voice is low and level, smooth, without any hint of the agitation in his eyes.]

I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to know, you jackass. If you think you're gonna hide everything from me again this time around, you've got another thing coming, old friend. If you really believe I'm just going to sit around with my thumbs up my ass then you really don't know me as well as you'd like to think you do.

Now put me down and let's talk about this like adults, idiot.

[When Axel has to tell you to act like a grownup, you know it's pretty bad.]

[no_resignations]

The fact you won't sit back is precisely why I didn't want you to know about it yet.

[He knows Axel. And he knows how reckless Axel can be when things get too personal. But he'll lower Axel and release him, quietly going to sit down on his couch and remain there.]

[got_it_memorized]

Oh, so you were actually worried about me? I'm so flattered. [Just an eyeroll, though; no smoke or fire or chakrams this time.

[He pointedly dusts off the front of his coat and then folds his arms over his chest as Saïx moves to the couch. Watching him for a minute, Axel just shakes his head, his expression caught somewhere between insult and injury.]

I really don't know what goes on in that head of yours sometimes. [It's a completely genuine admission.] Half the time I think I know you better than you do, and then the rest of the time I wonder who the hell you are and what the hell you did with the kid I used to be friends with. [His eyes narrow, but in scrutiny more than anger or suspicion.] I know Isa's still in there somewhere--even you can't throw everything away. My being here is proof enough of that.

[He lists backward a bit and sidles up to the wall, adopting that usual posture again and giving Saïx a neutral look.] Lemme ask you this, then: did you escape, or did Xigbar let you go?

[no_resignations]

[He closes his eyes. Axel is not aware of just how right he is--Isa is still here and painfully so. And that's precisely what Xigbar "reminded" him of. He remains silent a good, long moment.]

...He released me. But that in itself only makes me all the more wary.

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel watches him a moment, then shakes his head and moves toward the couch, sitting on the opposite arm.] Mm... I think if he still had it out for you he wouldn't have let you go. [A brief pause as he tucks one leg up and plants his hands on his ankle, and then he gives Saïx a sidelong look.] Really, he's not the catch-and-release type, in my experience; he'd be as lazy as I am if he could get away with it. Why go through the trouble of catching you again? Especially when he knows you're not stupid, no matter how much I might tell him otherwise.

[no_resignations]

I'm fairly sure he wouldn't have released me, given the choice. Xemnas probably ordered my release. It was his mistake that cost him his life, after all.

[A single mistake in the game they play is deadly, after all, and Xemnas made the wrong move. It's like losing the Queen in a game of chess. It can happen if one judges their opponent's next move wrong.]

[got_it_memorized]

[It's funny to think how things have changed... not just from their heyday back in Radiant Garden, but from how things were not even a year ago, from where Axel's standing. Once, Saïx had been Xemnas' golden boy, and here he is tucked away in hiding, legitimately concerned for his life. Once, Axel had been the traitor, the fugitive, and here he is the poster boy for Xino Mao Employee of the Month (really, he's been on his best behavior! His worst infraction of late was finishing the French Vanilla coffee creamer in the break room without replacing it, and no one can even pin that one on him, he's quite sure).

[But then... the more things change, the more they stay the same, right?]

Still making me do the icky jobs... [A gusty sigh and Axel shakes his head.] I'll talk to Xigbar. Ah--! [He holds up one finger to preemptively hold off any protests.] They still think I hate your guts, remember? Yeah, you tried to kill me, you bastard--I haven't forgotten that, either. [His arm drops to his side again and he gives Saïx a frown.] They don't know I connected the dots when those nightmares were broadcast publicly. And even if they did, it doesn't change what happened between us. So far as they know, I only put up with you at Xino Mao because I had no choice.

But hey, I'm a nosy bastard, right? It shouldn't be too hard for me to just bring up the subject with no context or lead-in whatsoever. I don't trust Xigbar so far as I can throw him, but if he thinks he can use me to get to you, then maybe I can run remote damage control. [A derisive snort.] Just like old times.