String From Your Tether Unwinds

[edge_of_nothing]

Who: Ventus. Xemnas. Yeah.
When: Some tiiiiime now-ish
Where: Somewhere outside of XEMCorp most likely
Summary: Opposite Face Twins A keyblade wielder and a Nobody have an unexpected talk session. Sort of like catching up, but not.
Warnings: None? Hrn?

= = = = =

Another day.

Besides the business revolving around the corporation's growth and progress, nothing else was planned. The routine walk-through transitioned into several informal meetings along the way, all of it ending as if it never occurred.

That led to inevitable ennui.

But instead of sitting back in his office chair and staring at a computer screen, Xemnas chose to leave work a little early.

It didn't matter where he ended up. He just appeared. When there were no limits, he took advantage of such.

Comments

[feverpitching]

"It's the best one I can think of," Ven replies. He's distracted momentarily by the waitress, and gives his order. Something sweet, some good comfort food for him. Who cares that he's seventeen now?

"I mean, what would you do in my place?"

[edge_of_nothing]

It was an interesting question. Not many people had ever asked him anything of the kind before. It just wasn't normal for anyone to ask him a question, period.

The other surprising thing was...he actually took a moment to think about it.

Strange how similar the situation was, now that he had experienced it twice. But the emotional attachment that usually came with it was nearly absent.

"I would have accepted it all the same. My involvement would be inevitable." A hand rose to gesture, keeping the words flowing. "Being who I am, people only matter if they contribute toward my own set of interests. If these ties are severed, then that is how it will be.

"But no matter where you are placed, you will still affect the world you exist in." A thin smile briefly formed across the lower half of his face. "Other opportunities tend to present themselves accordingly. They just aren't seen right away."

[feverpitching]

Of course, Xemnas' answer was a bit wordy for Ven. He places his hand on his chin, at least attempting to understand what the Organization Superior had really said.

"So you'd just.... live with it?" He frowns slightly. "And doesn't cutting people out like that make you upset in any way?" Somebody still doesn't quite grasp this whole 'Nobodies don't feel' thing.

"It's not like, even if you move on to something new, the odd things just go away."

[edge_of_nothing]

Xemnas gave Ventus a look.

"How much more simplified does it have to be?"

Unfortunately, the boy did have a point. It was that fact alone that made it more of a nuisance. He leaned back. "No. They do not." Mild agreement. It was a start. "But who is to say that they cannot try?"

[feverpitching]

Think about who you are talking to, Xemnas. For this kid, it could always be simpler, just because. Ven just shrugs as an answer, since he figures he's basically figured it out by now.

He picks up a spoon from the table and taps it lightly against his forehead. "I guess it could always happen. But I think I'd feel like things were unresolved... I don't know if I could do things like that."

That was just him. Others might have no problem with it.

[edge_of_nothing]

Since this is Xemnas, it is easy to forget.

A solemn nod is given just as the waitress approaches with the dessert, repeating the order as it's set down upon the table.

"Of course," he says once she leaves. "It will always be harder for you...because you have a heart."

[feverpitching]

There's a small twitch beneath Ven's eye, almost like a flinch. Ugh, Nobodies and their constant insistence that they don't have hearts. What was he going to do with them? He reaches out for his dessert, and digs his spoon around.

"I still think you have one too."

[edge_of_nothing]

Deal with it, Ventus. This is what he says all the time. This is what is known.

Although he doesn't bat an eyelid at what the boy says, Xemnas does take pause.

"...That is quite a bold statement."

[feverpitching]

There's a pause from Ven too, but only because he's stuffing a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. Give him a moment to swallow, before he gives an almost cheeky little grin to the Superior.

"I know."

[edge_of_nothing]

In an exchange like this one, it would have been natural for the man to reach over and ruffle the hair of the youngster for that response.

Instead, he opts to give Ventus another look before stifling what could be close to a chuckle.

[feverpitching]

Score. Ven knows a suppressed laugh when he hears one, even if it's small. "Things like that, laughter... smiles... they have to come from the heart. That's what I believe. They're not recreated or fake."

Years ago, he could barely muster smiles unless he tried with all his might. His heart was still mending back then, and took far more effort to do the simplest things.

[edge_of_nothing]

How can he be so sure if it is real? Is this what hearts do? With the naivete and hopefulness it holds for this one in particular, it fuels the power of its believability.

"...I see."

Xemnas is not sold on the belief. "These attributes can be learned. It takes time to perfect them."

[feverpitching]

"You can 'perfect' them all you want, but it's never the same as the real thing. I think someone who is looking will always be able to tell the difference." He looks serious now, setting his lips in a thin line and giving a firm nod. It is important to him, he has to believe in this.

[edge_of_nothing]

He really isn't giving up on this. His persistence is just like Roxas' with a hint more of optimism. Maybe like...Sora's. All of these similarities do become quite a headache after a while.

Seriousness is met with seriousness, relentless from different perspectives. It is only after a few more seconds that Xemnas sighs. "So you say. And perhaps it is true," he says, folding his arms over one another. "I will concede for the time being."

[feverpitching]

"Good idea." The serious look promptly breaks and is replaced with a smile and an almost smug wink. Ven would keep defending his thoughts for hours if he truly had to, but instead he pops a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth.

Now the ice cream is depleting, and Ven scrapes the sides of his bowl to get every bit that he can. "Just enjoy your food instead."

[edge_of_nothing]

Despite not being high on life, this irritatingly cheerful state of mind still manages to permeate the atmosphere. And he would never admit this small loss over ice cream.

In his silence, he complies, picking up the spoon to finish whatever is left in front of him.