damned_institute | Day 26: Cafeteria, Lunch

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Day 26: Cafeteria, Lunch

Scar felt cold and sick, though more the latter than the former. As he rose from his bed, he didn't quite know which way was up, and the artificial light coming from overhead seemed as hot and as blinding as the Ishbal sun.

His head hurt, but that was nothing new. After all, the last thing he remembered from the night before was fighting a homunculus off of Lust and then having a conversation about events best left forgotten. The man hadn't been his brother. He just hadn't. And if what Lust had said they'd done to her was true...

Scar stood with shakiness that he wanted to attribute more to a bizarrely weakened physical state than a mental one. Had he been knocked out by some kind of lurking monster before the morning had come? He felt as if he had been out for days, being a veteran of such circumstances, though as he took the practiced role of being an obedient follower behind the nurse and orderlies that came for him, it didn't seem as if much had changed.

This place was probably just playing tricks on him again, and he was tired of being the man left out of the loop. He grabbed some food he didn't really care for and sat down, not seeing anyone he knew already seated. On one hand, he wished he had someone to talk to, and on the other, it scared him that he was no longer used to being alone.

He dug his fork into his food and tried to block out any related thought.

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Sora paused, as a fork full of pasta had been halfway to his mouth when Luxord asked that question. It was almost as if he knew, but there was no way that could be. Kairi had only told him and Riku about what had happened, so Luxord must have been asking for no particular reason.

"They're fine, too," he said before finishing that bite of his food. As he was chewing, though, something occurred to him. Unfortunately, Sora didn't have the best manners, so he ended up speaking with his mouth full. "You're with Naminé a lot, right? How's she been?" That last time he had seen her was to tell her that the replica was back - he had to wonder if she had found him.

Ugh. Luxord visibly cringed at the boy's obvious lack of manners, opting to look off in another direction than witness such a revolting display. "I am unsure, currently," he answered as calmly as he could despite his disgust. "The replica had made statements evident of distress, but I've not spoken with the girl of late."

It was almost as if the brat was hiding something. Luxord narrowed his eyes slightly, casting him a look of annoyance. "Do you think there is reason for concern?"

When Luxord averted his gaze, Sora realized what he had done wrong and quickly swallowed his food. His mother had always scolded him for that sort of thing, but he had fallen into the bad habit after being away from home for so long.

It sounded like Naminé had found the replica. That was good to hear. Sora wasn't even certain why he felt that way. He didn't know much about the replica other than what he had heard and the little interaction he'd had with him in the institute (not he would remember that now, since he'd been "recycled"), but it had seemed like those two were close to each other.

"Oh, no, nothing like that," he quickly clarified. "I just haven't gotten the chance to talk to her in a while. It's good to hear that she met her friend, though." They were friends, right? He hoped he wasn't assuming too much.

"Yes. Her friend," Luxord scoffed out, much like a mother who did not approve of their daughter's choice in dates, arms crossed over his chest to complete the image. Insolent replica, all over his… Ugh.

In any case, the Gambler finally took to a seat, though not directly across. It was almost as if the Nobody trusted Sora as much as Sora did him, Luxord not very willing to stay in close proximity. The boy did mutilate him and his kind horribly after all, just or no. The reminder only made him glare despite the smile on his face.

"You seem as though you've become acquainted with quite a few lingering faces in this abysmal den, dear boy. I wonder; will they truly be reliable in your wish for freedom?"

What was that all about? Did Luxord not like the idea of the replica and Naminé hanging out? Sora wasn't certain what to make of that. On one hand, maybe it meant that the replica was dangerous and he shouldn't have encouraged the girl to find him, but on the other... How much could he really trust the Nobody's opinion of what was right or wrong?

The boy had no problem with Luxord sitting at a distance, though it almost seemed like the man was scared of--

But that thought was interrupted when the man asked a question, and all Sora could do was give him a blank look in response. "Um... What are you talking about?" Why did the card-user always have to make things so complicated sounding?

Luxord gave an exasperated sigh, his right hand going to massage his temple while the left kept to tapping on his glass. However was the Gambler defeated by such an uneducated lout?

How he's shamed himself…

"The friends you've come to know in this place. Would you truly place your faith in them?" Perhaps if he repeated it slower and less wordy the boy could comprehend. He wasn't expecting a miracle, however. If it came down to it, he may have to play charades with the fool.

It wasn't like Sora was completely brain dead, but he didn't understand the gambler's need to use complicated words when simple ones worked just as well. So, when he rephrased, the Keyblade Master had no probably understanding or responding to the question.

"Of course I would! Well, the ones I've come to know pretty well, anyway." He couldn't stop himself from smiling as he thought over the people he had met while at Landel's. That was about the only good thing he had gotten out of being brought here - the people he had met, and the connections he had formed.

Just another reason why Luxord could not stand the boy; could he naught pick up a bloody book once in a while that was not of stuffed animals? If he could learn some damn vocabulary coupled with a few manners, perhaps this conversation would not be so aggravating! Aside from the… usual reason.

"And why, exactly, is that, Sora?" The Gambler lowered his hands into his lap, legs crossing. "What do they owe you? The heart is unpredictable, this you and I both understand. Friendships, partnerships," a single hand rose to gesture at his side, cards slipping from his sleeve and into his palm. "Even the bonds of family can break rather quickly; splinter into that of an unfeasible conundrum in conditions as these."

The Nobody fanned out four cards, their backs facing the Keybearer - and one by one, they revealed themselves with a quiet flip between Luxord's fingers. "You are to them as they are to you." The Joker. "You are a stranger they've acquainted themselves with in a strange world, easily misled and pulled astray with little threads of lies." The Ace of Clubs. "To them, you are a ladder to be used for your strength, to push them up to their goal." The Jack of Diamonds. "And in the end, despite everything you've done, they will succeed, they will leave," the last card flipped itself over, the ominous face of a grim king staring into Sora's eyes. The King of Spades. "And you will be forgotten."

"Take it from one who already has."

Oh no, he was starting in on a speech. It seemed like a lot of Sora's enemies liked to do this, and he had gotten rather used to it by now. So, instead of interrupting with protests and arguments, he sat quietly and waited for Luxord to go through the whole dramatic monologue.

The cards didn't mean much to Sora. Sure, he had played games with Kairi, Riku, and the others back on the islands, but he had never heard much about the meaning behind them. He got the feeling they represented a lot to Luxord, but...

"You're wrong. If there's one thing I'll always believe in, it's the power of friendship." He set his hand against his chest. Couldn't Luxord understand? Even if he was a Nobody now, he'd had a heart once, right? Couldn't he remember...? "Sure, we're all helping each other, and once we get out of here, we... probably won't be able to see each other again, but we'll all remember each other, and cherish the time we spent together." He paused for a moment, and his head drooped slightly as he stared down at his half-eaten food. "Even if it's in this place."

No. Luxord didn't understand, didn't remember. He remembered hate and he remembered pain; the last emotions your heart can bear tend to be what resonate strongest when it goes. ~~Which could explain the lasting effects of insanity, but…~~

"I believe you are the one mistaken with your idealistic hopes and dreams," his eyes narrowed, tone less charming particularly venomous. "No one could cherish the Time spent in this pit of voles. The 'friends' you've made are not children, Sora. You're not in a fairy tale. Love does not conquer and it won't buy you your freedom. Believing as such will get you not but death."

After a while though, he smiled once more, letting out a terse 'hmph'. "Far be it for me to rant on such trifling emotions however. It is not as though I am the best candidate for… those topics, hm?" Luxord shrugged, "I haven't the heart in me."

If this wasn't really a subject Luxord could speak on (and he had just admitted as much), why had he brought it up in the first place? Just to discourage him? Sora was starting to get annoyed. If the Nobody had no real reason to speak to him, why had he bothered coming over to being with?

But if Luxord thought that he was going to be able to convince him to give up on the things he believed in, then he had another thing coming. Sora wasn't broken down quite that easily! "My friends give me my power. Without them..." He paused and gave a small shake of his head, which he felt illustrated his point well enough.

"You can't deny that having other people to work with and rely on makes getting out of here a lot more likely." Or did Luxord think he was going to figure it all out on his own? That was sort of arrogant, wasn't it? "Even you have the rest of the Organization that you work with, right?" Hah! He couldn't argue with that. He probably didn't consider the other members friends, but they were still people he was working with toward a common goal.

It was the same thing with Sora - he just happened to care about the people he had decided to work with!

"I did," Luxord nodded. He'd not deny that. "But if you would kindly recall," the cards he held before effortlessly slid back into his sleeves as he placed his hands together, "together or no, we failed."

"Besides," he shrugged once more, even leaned back into his chair. "Whoever claimed I wished to leave? I've nothing to return to. You made sure of that." Even a false life would be better than the Nothingness…

It didn't seem like Luxord was ever going to let him forget it, in fact. Though maybe that was fair - he couldn't deny that he had killed, and it might be better that he was reminded of it. It was what he had thought was right at the time, and... he wasn't sure if he should start doubting himself now.

"So you're just going to stay here?" he asked with a frown. That was probably better than ceasing to exist again; he had just never thought about it until now. It was a little depressing, actually.

"I've no reason to leave; you killed me and I've no way of regaining my heart. Therefore, nothing to return to." Insolent child. Had he not interfered, X would not be in this situation in the first place! There came the intense need to slit the Keybearer's throat with a stray card then and there and rip the boy's infuriating heart out with his bare hands… but that would mean solitary refinement for who knows how long, and Luxord truly did not like being locked away. In its stead, he only crossed his arms over his chest and remained calm despite the discussion.

"Do tell," the Nobody spoke once more, back to examining the half-empty glass, "what became of you and your friends when I passed? I'm quite fond of happy endings."

"So are you just trying to make the best of this place, then?" Sora took another bite of his food and then pulled his legs up into his chair, crossing them Indian style. It wasn't like the Nobody had any other option - but at least he had some second chance as opposed to nothing at all. Though he was sure Luxord would have preferred that Xemnas' plan had been a success and he had gotten his heart back...

Sora blinked over at the man at the question. Was he serious, or was he just being sarcastic? Still, there was no reason not to tell him, so... "We defeated Xemnas, and then Riku and I found a way from the World of Darkness back to our home, where we met up with Kairi and the others. Oh, and Roxas and Naminé were reunited." Hopefully, Luxord would at least be happy to hear that last bit.

The Gambler had to raise an eyebrow at the boy's question. "You enjoy asking redundant questions, don't you?" Logic would dictate if he was staying he would have to make the best of it. ~~Redundant Sora is redundant.~~

Sigh. He'd be better off conversing with one of II's Snipers. Or a Dancer. Although the latter tended to drag him into impromptu dances for no reason.

So, Naminé and Roxas had their happily ever afters at the expense of everyone else. While Naminé at least deserved one, Roxas… Had he not been Sora's Nobody, Luxord was sure the brat would have perished too. But that was how it always worked out, wasn't it? In the end, Luxord only seemed to become dour, head turned away from Sora.

Hmph.

Honestly, Sora didn't see any reason to respond to that, seeing how he wasn't the one who had approached Luxord wanting to chat. He made a face at the Nobody before turning his attention back to his food. He was a little better about not completely slurping the noodles this time.

Couldn't the Nobody find someone else to talk to? There were a few other Organization members around, and this conversation of theirs wasn't going anywhere. But maybe he had more to say - for some reason, Sora couldn't flat-out tell him to leave. It was his fault Luxord was dead, so the least he could do was give him the light of day when he wanted to talk, even if it was annoying.

If Sora would not speak, Luxord would not fault him. The Gambler only stared off, eyes unfocused and posture becoming gradually lax.

"Why do you wish to escape?" It came eventually, quiet and calm. "You choose to run when you could just as easily fight."

That was actually a good question, and Sora's attention turned back to Luxord as he pushed his plate of food away. He'd had enough.

"I'm not really sure what I should do. Part of me just wants to go home, but I also think that what's going on here has to stop. I just don't know if there's actually any way to stop it." Usually he didn't engage in that kind of hopelessness, but had they really been able to make any progress thus far? He was doing what he could, but he wasn't sure if that was good enough.

The awareness returned to the Nobody's mien, and he shot Sora a small grin. "You've protected the worlds, overcome countless enemies, slain a thousand Heartless with naught the help of another… and yet you find the outcome of these odds bleak." Luxord tsked, shaking his head in mock shame. "I truly believed you'd more resolve than such, child."

"However can you trust those friends of yours to help your plight and desire of exodus, yet cannot find that burdening strength and 'love' for them adequate to defeat a man behind a microphone?"

He smiled grimly, eyes making a point to sear into the Keybearer's own. "You're pathetic."

Oh, so now he had taken to insulting him for seemingly no reason? Sora tensed, balling his fists as he glared across the table at Luxord.

"It's not like I'm giving up! I never give up. But this is a little different from what I'm used to. There aren't any Heartless, or Keyholes, or even new paths to open. Everyone's been captured here, and we're weaker than usual. I can't always call my Keyblade when I need it, and it won't even unlock doors like it used to. I can't even cast a basic Cure spell!"

Maybe he had been strung a little tight over the passing days. Maybe things had been harder than he'd expected. Maybe he wasn't as much of a help as he was used to being. He wasn't the one true hero that fixed everyone's problems this time, and that frustrated him more than he'd realized.

But one thing he didn't need was for someone to point it out and mock him for it!

He slumped in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest as his mouth pulled into a pout. "Will you leave me alone already?" His reservations about shooing the man away seemed to have disappeared.

How simple to twist the heart and procure the desired emotions. Luxord eyed the Keybearer like a child would a kaleidoscope; fascinated at the endless combinations and colors. How simple it was to break…

Once more, the Gambler flicked his wrist, three cards appearing in his hand. The Queen of Hearts, the Jack of Diamonds, and the King of Clubs all stared back at the boy, seemingly hand in hand. One by one, they fell; slipping from the blond's hand and without his stopping them, they tumbled to the table's surface.

"So it would seem your proclamation," and here he mimicked the child, "'my friends are my power' is simply that of a fool wishing to cast a veil on their reality." Luxord waved his hand dismissively, his cards vanishing as effortlessly as they came. "Or do you not believe in them now that you've all grown older and farther away?"

This time, Sora couldn't help paying attention to the cards. King, Queen, Jack... He almost had a feeling for what those were supposed to represent, but he wasn't going to make any guesses aloud. If he got it wrong, the gambler would just mock him for it.

"That's not it at all," he said with a firm shake of his head. He had managed to calm down fairly quickly, mainly because he had realized that Luxord was probably trying to get him to react like that. It wasn't like he could feel anything, so maybe he thrived off of observing emotions in others? Whatever.

"We're finally together again. If anything, I feel closer to them than ever! Knowing they're here, and that we have to look out for each other, makes me determined to beat this place. And really, it doesn't matter where we are so long as we're with each other." His optimism would probably just make the Nobody groan, but Sora was fine with that - he was asking for it, after all.

"Which begs the question," Luxord replied, fingers tapping against his chin and head canted in an oddly innocent gesture, "why are you not watching them now?" At the last word, his eyes went to glancing over the cafeteria, one minute to gaze at a certain silver-haired boy conversing with II, the next to take note of the Princess of Heart happily playing with VIII. "For ones so close… you are dreadfully distant."

Curiouser and curiouser. One would think that with all their time apart, nothing could separate them now. But the proof only lay right in front of him; hearts were not as linked as he imagined, it seemed.

How depressing.

The Nobody fixated Sora with a smirk of that of a Cards Dealer, of a Ringmaster, and held his hands to the boy. As before, the cards slid from his sleeves, and he placed them in a pile between them, despite their distance. "Let's play a game," he said, voice inviting, yet oddly sinister, as he placed his hands onto the face-down tower. In a blink, his hands moved, separated, and in their wake lie three groups of six cards, faces hidden and aligned in vertical rows.

"I truly question what cards Fortuna has concealed for you and your friends, if you are as connected together as you claim."

It wasn't like Sora didn't have an idea of where his friends were. As for Kairi, Sora knew that Axel wasn't going to do anything to her. Sure, he had been the one to take her before, but it was the rest of the Organization who had locked her up. And Riku? Well, Sora knew that he could handle himself. If he went over and tried to act all protective, his friend would probably just get irritated.

"Distant? Nope! We were all together last shift, so..." Looks like this time around, the Organization wanted to bother all of them. It almost felt planned, except that he knew Axel didn't work with the rest of them any longer. "It's not like we have to be together all the time, you know! So long as I know they're close." Everyone needed their space from time to time, after all.

As for the game, Sora wasn't so sold on that. He eyed the cards that had been set down and then glanced up at the gambler. He was in enough of a mood that he was able to reply with a decidedly bratty, "Why should I?" This was just going to be used to make him feel bad about something else, so he saw no reason why he should go along with it.

~~Besides, he didn't want to get turned into a card or die again.~~

Day 26: Cafeteria, Lunch

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