Day 21: Lunch

[totallytheseme.livejournal.com]

Hikaru and Kaoru had been so caught up in their little game that they initially hadn't heard the intercom go off. The new "ding" system was far less jarring than the old SCREECH, and as such, wasn't as easily heard, even in a place as quiet as the library. All too soon, the nurses came to separate the twins and take them to the next activity--lunch.

It only felt like a few minutes since breakfast, somehow, and yet Hikaru was starved. The lunch selection was ridiculously Americanized food of the "Pan Asian" genre, as bad as when his family had wanted Japanese food in California and had gone to the "nicest" restaurant in the English language guidebook. He cringed visibly when the surly cafeteria worker poured sauce on his rice--which was supposed to be plain--but...food was food, and he wasn't feeling terribly picky right now. At least it smelled all right.

One of the good things about being the first one into the cafeteria was having his pick of the tables. Hikaru chose one of the larger ones, saving seats for Kaoru, Tamaki, and (in a fit of hopefulness) Haruhi.

He hoped they'd come soon. He hated being alone.

Comments

[numberii.livejournal.com]

Xigbar was flying high in the oh-so-very-unfriendly-skies. The amusingly lyrical anger of that one person was still ringing in II's ears, and now he felt good enough to deal with one of the so-called traitors that he'd heard so much about.

So, with no further ceremony, he plopped down across from Axel and grinned at the ravenous Nobody. "Hey, where's the fire, Number VIII? Look like you've been on bread-and-water for a couple of months."

Not that anyone would notice if the red head got any skinnier, of course, but still.

[bond-off-lame.livejournal.com]

At first Axel looked up at Xigbar with a kind of stupefied look on his face, a few noodles dangling from the corners of his mouth before he finally composed himself in front of his senior. The other man must've been feeling quite daring today to come up to him like that, considering his undeserving reputation amongst the Organization. But the redhead welcomed it anyway, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before chuckling.

"Believe me, this is far better than what was cooked up in the Castle." He answered coolly, absent-mindedly twisting his fork into his plate.

"So that's your story? Do you have a burning hatred for me like Number X or am I lucky and you don't remember anything that happened?"

[numberii.livejournal.com]

"See, that's why I took up cooking myself; can't trust the Nobodies to get it right." That he implied that one couldn't trust himself for cooking rather went without saying. Xigbar liked dishes that the rest of the Organization would consider quite... odd.

Hence why he felt no qualms about enjoying whatever the hospital felt like putting in front of him.

As for that latter question? Xigbar tapped his chin thoughtfully- the look of concentration quite alien to his face- before shrugging. "Way I decided? I can't call 'em until I see 'em. X's all in a huff about you and everyone else, and maybe he's got a point. But where I come from, you're the one Xemnas decided to sniff out the traitors with. ...and I won't hold that against you, either."

"Unless you'll do me the favor of saying you're a traitor? Make things a whole lot less complicated, dude." A bit of a teasing grin at that; Xigbar took his role of Organization Enforcer seriously, and the argument between I and II over who got to do what to which traitors had been 'heated'. But that was all water under the bridge now; mostly because Axel was pretty darn good at his job. Though the rumor that Axel had caused the death of the other Senior Members wasn't something Xigbar was ever going to let go.

[bond-off-lame.livejournal.com]

Even though it perfectly fit Xigbar's laidback attitude it still felt strange hearing those words in person, especially since he'd gotten used to Luxord's glares and backhanding comments. Axel found himself a bit more at ease knowing that he wasn't going to get stabbed with a fork anytime soon.

"As much as I'd like to make things easier for you," He started up midchew. "I don't it's right for me to take credit for something I haven't done yet."

As all the members came into the Institute one by one he was finally starting to get used to the fact that not everyone was up to par in terms of current events. Which made it easier for him as a whole besides for the few exceptions that still lingered about.

"So how long have you been here anyway? I lost count of everyone after 3 days." It had only been a week since he'd been here, right? Axel sighed at this.

[numberii.livejournal.com]

"Long enough to realize that we're in for a doozy," Xigbar answered, kicking up his feet and taking a contemplative bite of his noodles. Not too bad, with the beef added in, and good food definitely made better company. "X and me, we've been doing some experiments; man oh man, if you could feel what they've screwed around with."

"...oh, and how much firepower do you have?" They could get the timeline thing straightened out; for now, he wanted to know just how much weight he was going to have to carry. Considering what he'd seen thus far? It was all II, which was not how he liked things to be.

[bond-off-lame.livejournal.com]

"Believe me, if I could I would've opened the Corridor of Darkness and be long from here the first day I came." He was starting to regret what he'd told Roxas when they just arrived. Even though Axel knew death was inevitable he would rather face that than the rest of his days here in this Institute.

"But I don't have much, maybe a spark here and there if I really concentrate." He probably had a bit more juice in him than that but even if he did give his all it would hardly be enough to do any significant damage.

[numberii.livejournal.com]

"Well there goes that idea. If I need someone to light the candles on the cake, I'll let you know." A shrug at that; so Axel was about as useless as everyone else in the Organization. Shocking, but Xigbar had guessed that would be the case. Number II to the rescue, and all that.

"How long have you been in here, anyway? And what was going on before you got snatched? Sounds like you're just as out of the loop as I am; heck, who would've thought it? Us, not knowing what's going on. Must be because the world's all screwy here or something."

[bond-off-lame.livejournal.com]

Axel didn't enjoy the idea of being useless, but it was something everyone had to get used to once they got stuck inside these walls. At Xigbar's next question the redhead took the time to set his fork down and tap his chin in thought. Hearing everyone else's stories jumbled his own timeline a bit, but he could manage.

"From what I can remember Number XIII recently left the Organization, only to be captured by DiZ so the Superior sent me on a mission: either retrieve him or... destroy him." Axel was almost grateful that he didn't have to go through all of that, especially since he failed to do either and the thought of trying to kill his best friend was something even a Nobody would frown upon.

"This was a year after the events in Castle Oblivion. You probably heard it from everyone else, but the traitors were rid of." Along with half of the Organization but that was just a minor detail.

[numberii.livejournal.com]

"Yep, and I heard that you were all wrapped up in that hullabaloo." Well well well, that made things a bit easier. That he was after what happened in Oblivion made things so much easier. Not that Xigbar was going to show this, of course.

"Further along than me, then; last I remember I was clearing out your stash of goodies to celebrate having the Castle That Never Was almost all to myself." A laugh at that; he knew where everything was in the Castle, as part of his nosiness job description would entail.

And speaking of being further along... "So what've you and the tyke been doing since you got here? Any juicy bits of gossip to go with my noodles?"

[bond-off-lame.livejournal.com]

"You can say that." Axel sighed as he idly chewed on some rice, finally pushing his plate away for fear of wasting what he'd already eaten. Hearing Xigbar's part of the story was both interesting and strange. One would think that the man would be as far up along as Luxord and Saïx, but this really did work in his favor after all.

"Nothing really worth sharing about other than a little bird telling me that Luxord had a thing for pendulums, if you know what I mean." The redhead snorted.

[numberii.livejournal.com]

"Now, as an upstanding member of the Organization and a Senior Member, I'm supposed to tell you off for slacking and not doing your part to get us out of here. But you know what? I'm not gonna." He laughed, still balanced with leaning his chair back, and absently waved his hand.

"There are loads of people here with hearts, and we may not have the Superior's super-secret plan underway, but man if it isn't a thrill a minute. All those people, getting all huffy just from me being me..."

It was better that way, really; now that Xigbar had gotten his jollies from baiting normal people, he wouldn't be going to his usual lengths to bait his fellow Nobodies. Better for everyone that way.

[bond-off-lame.livejournal.com]

"You don't think I've tried?" Axel would've been put off at the man's assumption if he actually cared. "They've got us locked down like criminals, and everyone I've talked to hasn't had much luck themselves."

The redhead laughed out when Xigbar mentioned about Xemnas's 'secret plan', but quickly recovered himself and rested his arms on the table. "I guess it's my fault for letting the secret out. I kinda wish I was there to see myself do it and everything else I'm supposedly infamous for."

But it was true that those with hearts would get huffy over the strangest things, and Axel smirked at that fact. Still, it was better than having none at all in his opinion.

[numberii.livejournal.com]

"Like crazies, you should say; trust me, most prisons aren't as posh as this." He'd spent more than a little time doing hands-on experience with the worst humanity could offer, after all; the darkest parts of the heart could be exposed when one human was given both the encouragement and the command to brutalize another who was helpless under their power. That Xigbar found a sort of satisfaction from that brutality rather went without saying. "Means that we're really up a creek, though; if someone like you hasn't even gotten close, then we're up against someone real smooth."

It was a challenge, really... and more than ever, Xigbar wanted to see those notes. Oh, what he could do with an institute like this...

But when Axel laughed, Xigbar grinned and waved it off. "Nah, not your fault. Ole' Number-One-With-An-Arrow's guilty of blabbing it to anyone and anything that'll listen; gotta be the least-kept secret in the universe. That and But right on! I wanna see what's going down; apparently I pull off some gnarly tricks before I kick the bucket. ...huh, that reminds me."

Here the one yellow eye shifted over to Axel, a musing expression on the Senior Member's face. "Got any idea how good the squirt is here? Supposedly he's the one who does us all in, but I think they're yanking my chain."

[bond-off-lame.livejournal.com]

"I'll pocket that as a compliment but even they only go so far." This place was strange indeed, more so than what he had encountered in the past. Even though he himself hadn't fleshed out every single hall of the Institute, the rumors of others were enough to convince the redhead that they were really going up against something great.

Still, it could be worse. It could always be worse.

Axel couldn't help but grin back at Xigbar's impression on their Superior's lack of tact. It seemed accurate enough, and only now did he wonder how Sora didn't find out about their plans earlier. The man's question was met with a raised eyebrow, green eyes scanning over to the brunet in question with what seemed like a blond girl and Saïx with him.

"I don't think any member would believe we got beaten by a kid unless they saw it for themselves. But here he's as harmless as a normal kid, but so are we for that matter." Axel pointed out just incase Xigbar was getting ideas.

[numberii.livejournal.com]

Compliment, insult... the two really did go together, when it came to Xigbar. Sometimes he said one thing and meant another, sometimes he didn't; all depended on his mood. But in this case it was intended more as a compliment; Axel did have quite a bit of skill, after all, and the Superior's trust. To say nothing of his own power. Which meant that, considering what he'd done...

He shrugged, writing off the conversation about Xemnas. The guy was himself, that was about all that could be said; as a Senior Member, Xigbar had the dubious honor of knowing just how... chatty... Xemnas could be.

Oh, how he'd gotten more than a few earfuls.

When Axel said that last part, though, the grin turned into a scowl. "Harmless as a munchkin? As if! Dude, I don't need my guns or a stupid key to do what I do. Right now, it's just a question of who's got what, and I bet you a million munny that he's going down. Just like-"

In the middle of the rant, Xigbar's eye caught a newcomer, and his raving died just like that. With nothing more than a "Ooh, someone who'll give me a buzz; catch you later and be a good boy~!" he dashed off to bother Chase again. Posturing was one thing, but Chase hated so pretty that Xigbar couldn't possibly resist.

And once more, the poor remains of Xigbar's meal remained mostly uneaten.

((Heading to here. (http://community.livejournal.com/landels_damned/45145.html?thread=2291545#t2291545) ))

[bond-off-lame.livejournal.com]

"That's not what I meant." Axel sighed, rubbing at the back of his forehead while he listened to Xigbar go on with his rant. They were all greatly weakened, and to start something when they were so vulnerable wasn't a very cunning idea.

The redhead just watched as Xigbar made his parting goodbyes to harrass someone else, leaving him alone for a moment to listen to all the chatter going on in the cafeteria. But a certain scene caught his attention only moments afterwards; it seemed as if Sora had been caught by Saïx and by his expression he didn't seem thrilled about it either.

So with a sigh Axel stood up and meandered his way over to the table, their words becoming clearer as he got closer.

((Heads Here. (http://community.livejournal.com/landels_damned/45145.html?thread=2252377#t2252377)))