Should've called in sick today

[lockandkeyblade]

Who: Sora ( lockandkeyblade) and You!
When: July 18 through the week, Backdated for some threads
Where: various locations
Summary: Sora's been body-swapped with Vanitas! This may or may not end badly. Open to all, as well as to those who've plotted with me beforehand. Feel free to plot with me too, or contact me if you have questions!
Warnings: misunderstandings galore, possibly violence Sora getting punched in the face, cat stealing, and Xigbar in PJs

If Sora had known that an encounter with Vanitas and the old lady would end like this, he probably would have taken the long way home. Or even better, taken the day off. Now he's stuck in a body that is definitely not his (even if his face hasn't changed that much) and who even knows if Vanitas is going through the same. He needs to find his friends, or at least an NV to warn them. He needs to find Vanitas and the one who did this to them. 

But at the moment, he'll be wandering the streets as Vanitas, looking uncharacteristically frazzled compared to the usual. He's got to deal with the more pressing, immediate matter: the unsavory creatures that spawned around him the moment he woke up. Now they're wandering the street in broad daylight running amok.

Anyone walking in the streets today might find themselves accosted by a rather large Wild Bruiser. If they're much luckier, they might run into a more subdued Prize Pod, bobbing around harmlessly when smashed, it gives you cake! They might have things pilfered from them by the Archraven or the Floods.

Either way, whether you run into 'Vanitas' or any other of his Unversed creatures, good luck. Because he knows just as much about stopping them as you do.

Comments

[lockandkeyblade]

[The loosening of his grip is greatly appreciated. The fact that he's also prodding Sora into saying something else is a good sign too. Maybe he has a chance of convincing Axel. If Axel comes around to believing him, he'll get the Prize Pods to bring the redhead cake or slippers or something.]

That's what I'm saying.

[What he's been saying. To Roxas, to Namine. And if he can get a hold of an NV, he'll keep trying with Riku and Kairi too because he needs to warn them in case Vanitas is somewhere in his. Ridiculous as his current situation it sounds, he doesn't want anything to happen to his friends. He's still driven by the need to protect.]

C'mon, Axel. You gotta believe me. I can prove it. Ask me stuff, stuff only Sora would know.

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel's torn now. This just... doesn't add up. On one hand, from what he knows about Vanitas the kid has every reason to lie to try and dupe people, especially people he knows Sora, Ventus, and Roxas have ties with. On the other... nobody told him Vanitas was a very good actor. In fact, if Vanitas were this good at acting like Sora, Axel's pretty sure he would have heard about it. Even the timbre of his voice sounds just like Sora. He remembers when Vanitas made a post to the network a while back--his voice had a very similar quality to Sora's, he gave him that, but he hadn't sounded the same. But right now, if Axel closed his eyes he would have sworn it was Sora talking to him.

[He releases the boy's face completely then, recoiling almost sharply as Vanitas--er... Sora? Well, whoever the hell he is--let go of his wrist in turn. Axel has received his share of burns, as it were, by giving someone the benefit of doubt when he really shouldn't have. He's learned the hard way that even a face that should be friendly and familiar may hide a completely different person underneath. Saïx should have been Isa, the way Axel was still Lea, to some extent, beneath the layer of lies and treachery, but... lies and treachery were all that had remained in Saïx, and even now Axel isn't sure he's making the right choice trying to get through to him again.

[But... if a face that should have been friendly and familiar hid a monster underneath, could it not then be true that the face of a monster could be hiding a friend? This Vanitas hadn't taken the chances he'd been given to do harm: hadn't broken Winner's neck, hadn't twisted Axel's wrist... His eyes flicked to where Winner was still hunkered down on his shoulder, and he was surprised to see she seemed mostly unperturbed by the proximity to the boy she had only moments ago bitten for all she was worth.

[Huh. How very very interesting.

[No one would ever accuse Axel of doing anything the safe way, or even the easy way, but he had learned that maybe you didn't need a heart to follow it, because something in him was definitely trying to tell him that this wasn't what it looked or sounded like. Whether this boy in front of him was Sora or Vanitas remained to be seen, but he found that he was actually interested in hearing what he had to say.

[Situating himself on the curb half a meter away--close enough that they could still talk easily but far enough to be out of arm's reach if he leaned back--Axel draped his arms over his knees and gave "Vanitas" a diffident frown.]

All right, I'll indulge you. First question you get wrong, though, you're out. You only get one strike in this game; got it memorized?

[And if he found out this was all a big lie? Vanitas' ears would be so boxed.]

[lockandkeyblade]

[He can see the consideration in his expression, though he has no idea the conflicted thoughts the other is going through. There's a fair amount of skepticism there, but all he needs is that one chance. And Axel is giving it to him.

He's fairly confident that he'll be able to answer it properly. After all, who better to answer a question meant to see what Sora knows than Sora. Even if someone else has his face, there's only one him.

Still, he hasn't heard the question yet, and there's no guarantees this won't turn out the way Kahve did. Sora is in no position to do any bargaining, but what he needs next is paramount whether he succeeds or fails in convincing Axel.]

Okay then. But you've gotta promise one thing before I answer.

[got_it_memorized]

Promise? [Axel rubs his chin contemplatively. Seems like a simple enough request.] All right, shoot.

[Axel's good at keeping promises; the trick will be whether or not this one is a reasonable one.]

[lockandkeyblade]

Your NV. You have to let me use it to call somebody after.

[Reasonable. But questionable. And something Sora evidently cares a lot for, because he's leaning forward with his legs under him, hands resting on his knees.]

[got_it_memorized]

My...? [Axel's hand swims absently to the back pocket of his jeans where his NV is tucked. That's an odd sort of request. He thought everyone got one when they arrived.]

Don't you have one? Or did the evil rabbits make off with it? [There's no malice in his tone, just skepticism. Vanitas could do any number of things with an NV--is he trying to frame him? Make him look like a traitor to his own friends? He's pretty sure that even if Roxas and Xion see a video of him chatting with Vanitas they would figure there's more to it than that--they know him that well at least.]

Why? If your battery died or somethin', that's one thing, but... who do you plan to call?

[lockandkeyblade]

There's no way I'm going back to Xigbar's to get Vanitas' NV.

[He shakes his head, remembering the encounter from earlier that morning. If Xigbar was dangerous for being perceptive, their second visitor was even more so. Without being able to use his keyblade? He was essentially defenseless. A few Unversed might rush to his rescue, but he couldn't count on that against someone as powerful.]

I've gotta make sure Riku and Kairi are okay. If I'm in Vanitas' body, there's a big chance he's in mine. Even if he doesn't believe me, I know if I warn Riku, he'll keep Kairi safe no matter what.

[He wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to them.

Another thing occurs to Sora too. It's way past 'promising to do one thing', but every single request he's making is important.]

... If you could, you should check of Roxas and Namine too. There was an accident with Namine, and she could really be hurt somewhere. And Roxas, I tried to tell him to keep away from Sora, but he didn't listen. You've gotta keep him out of trouble, okay?

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel sniggers.] Fair enough; I wouldn't go to Xigbar's for anything short of a friend. [And even then, he would make sure said friend never lived it down. Oh, the teasing is always affectionate, but there would be teasing forever regardless.

[The snickering abates as Vanitas continues, though, and Axel finds the expression of amusement shifting to one of incredulity. His brow knits together and his lips part slightly, pulling into a disbelieving frown. That's... that's real, isn't it? That look on Vanitas' face that just doesn't sit there right, like maybe the mask of his countenance is just a little crooked... that's worry! This kid is practically begging to borrow his NV... to warn Sora's friends that there's danger? Is any of this for real, or not?

[Suddenly this is like the worst kind of flashback. There's a pit in his stomach now because he wants to believe the words that are coming out of this boy's mouth

'We're... best friends, right?'

[but what if it's lies? What if it's all lies just to get him to drop his guard?

Sure... but I'm not getting turned into a Dusk for... Wait a sec! You remember now!?
Y...eah.
Great! But, you know, gotta make sure and all. So, umm... What's our boss's name?

[His hand moves subconsciously to curl around his midsection--he can still remember the way Roxas had rushed at him, the way he'd blinked and the boy was gone, the way the next time he'd seen him they had both held weapons in both hands, the way his ribs had cracked beneath the heft of those Keyblades... Though they had both walked away wounded Axel wasn't sure his scars had ever healed. At least Roxas didn't seem to remember what had happened--little blessings. Maybe it had been fair turnabout for everything he'd done, but he didn't want Roxas to remember it. Roxas hadn't done anything wrong.

[Maybe Sora hasn't done anything wrong either. Hell, Axel has a hard time believing Sora's really capable of really doing anything wrong, at least deliberately wrong. Damn kid's got a heart big enough for five people.

[He sort of snaps out of his trance of utter dumbfoundedness as Vani--Sora? Fine, Sornitas... Whoever he is. As he mentions Naminé and Roxas, and Axel just stares at him a moment. Axel could ask him any number of things that logically only Sora would know (who did I say took Kairi away? What sort of monsters did we fight off together that time? What super-cheesy Last Words did I say?) but... if Vanitas did something to Sora, Vanitas could have learned those things.

[Axel doesn't want to think about Vanitas torturing Sora for information, and shakes his head quickly. No, there's only one series of events that only Sora would know about... Or rather, only Sora would have forgotten that he knows about. That's one thing Vanitas couldn't have wrung from him, no matter what he tried. If Sornitas has an answer for this question, he'll know it was all fake.]

Sora watched someone die. [Axel doesn't address the kid's concerns about the others, but there's something tenuous in his eyes, something wound too-tight in his shoulders as he searches the boy's eerie gold gaze.] In Twilight Town, by the old mansion. Who was it?

[He's pretty sure he's never wanted anyone to not know the right answer to a question before.]

hrrrrrrrrng kari, what are you doing to my heeeeeeart

[lockandkeyblade]

I-- what? [A cold dread settles into his chest. Wait no. No. He was supposed to ask him about Roxas or Xion, or even about their conversation at the beach. He's supposed to ask them about what happened in Betwixt and Between. He doesn't remember anything about watching someone die by the mansion.]

But that's not right. I never...

[It's something he has to know, because it's Axel who's asking him. And he needs to know this because this is one of the only reliable avenues of reaching the others that he's found. He'd be far more convincing to the others if Axel vouched for him. Kairi and Riku need to know about who's really in their house.

Only he can't.

He's left searching his memory for some glimpse of an answer, even a hint that isn't there.

There's really no reason Axel will let him borrow his NV now, and even less of a reason to heed his words about what a danger 'Sora' could be now that he's failed the apparent test.

There's only one person he's watched die that really mattered to him (for deeper reasons than he even knew at the time), and that was in an empty space between the worlds. That's the person standing in front of him now. Only, that's not what Axel is looking for.

His fingers eventually curl into closed fists at his knees, shoulders hunched and arms straight, gaze on the ground. He's quiet. Sora's face says it all.]

FILLING IT WITH THE POWER OF DARKNESS, OBVIOUSLY /cough i mean what

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel lets out a silent sigh of something like relief as Sora--yes, Sora--fumbles and flounders for an answer he shouldn't know in the first place. As insane as the situation might seem, that's proof enough for Axel (though the slump in the kid's shoulders might have been the real clincher). He doesn't have to have known Sora long, or know him closely, to know that they have at least one very important thing in common: friends are the most precious thing, and are really the only thing worth dying for. That isn't something that can be faked by the likes of Vanitas.

[Reaching into his pocket to pull out his NV, Axel extends a hand hesitantly, then figures he might as well go for it--Sora really looks like he could use it--and ruffles the familiar spiky hair that's just unfamiliarly too dark.]

Well don't cry about it; it was a trick question anyway, Sora. Really got yourself in a big dumb mess this time, didn't you?

[And he holds out the NV in offering. Go on, make your phone call, we can figure out where to go now afterward.]

[lockandkeyblade]

[The hair ruffle has Sora ducking his head some, but he doesn't pull away. Probably because he hadn't seen it coming in the first place. Axel would never dare something so amiable and personal to Vanitas of all people.]

A trick question. [There's a certain amount of genius behind the idea, and Sora doesn't realize it until after it's all finished.

The real sign of success is the fact that he's actually using Sora's name. The NV is right there in front of him within arm's reach, and now it's in his hands. He looks down at the thing, sleek and red and his for whatever call he needs to make. He looks up at Axel, wide eyes and mouth slightly parted.]

Then... you do believe me!

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel gives him a helpless half-smile and a shrug.] I'm pretty sure stranger things have happened. [Boy isn't that the truth.] But if this is all a lie and you're not actually Sora, then you're about the best actor I've ever met--takes a pathological liar to know one, right? If you can fool me you could fool anybody, I think.

[He shakes his head then.]

But yeah, I believe you. Don't have the foggiest idea how you wound up that way or what can be done about it, but I'm pretty sure Vanitas wouldn't be able to fake being that much more worried about Sora's friends than himself in a situation like this. That's pretty authentic Sora-stuff right there.

[He points to the NV, then makes a back and forth gesture to the air between them.]

Might want to have a quick pow-wow about that phone call, though. Something tells me you might need someone to vouch for your identity crisis. [And his brow knits together then.] And... what happened to Naminé? You said she might be hurt... we can call Riku first, but if she's in a bad way I wanna go find her.

[She saved his life once, after all; he still owes her for that.]

[lockandkeyblade]

[In return, Axel gets a big sigh of relief from Sora. Boy is he glad to hear Axel say that.]

I'm the real deal. This old lady, it was because of her. She saw us fight. She said something about teaching us a lesson, and next thing I knew, I'm walking around trying to stop the Unversed from taking everything that isn't nailed down. Or hurting people.

[He nods at the latter part. Friendship, and keeping his friends safe are always a priority. His hand rests over his chest where his necklace usually is, fingers curled from habit.]

And Namine... One of the Unversed got spooked and started attacking. She got knocked over and fell. She got away before she could get really hurt.

[He glances up at Axel.] But if it's okay? After we both call Riku and Kairi, I wanna come and help find her too. It's my fault all this happened.

[got_it_memorized]

You picked a fight with this nutbar? [Axel clicks his tongue chidingly.] Well I hope you've learned your lesson, Sora: no more fighting with homicidal maniacs in front of old ladies, got it memorized? I can't come to your rescue all the time. People might start thinking I'm a nice guy or something.

[He hopes Sora catches the tongue-in-cheek part of that. Axel's still getting used to the idea of being friends with the Lightsiders, honestly--he spent so long with his head in the darkness, working for the Organization, jumping when Saïx said jump... It isn't that being a decent sort of guy is outside of his capabilities, but playing nice doesn't quite come second nature just yet.

[He doesn't really mind so much if it gets to be that way, he just doesn't want to lose his street cred, you understand.

[Axel nods then.] If she got away I'm sure she's fine; Naminé's a lot cagier than anyone gives her credit for. But yeah I'd still like to track her down and make sure. [And then he sighs softly.] Kid, if there's one thing I've learned it's that sometimes bad stuff happens around you that's out of your control. Just because you're there when it happens doesn't make it your fault, okay?

[He had to tell himself that for years after Garden fell. If only he'd been faster, if only he'd been stronger, if only he'd been smarter, maybe his home wouldn't have been destroyed all those years ago, and maybe he wouldn't have lost Isa. It flayed his insides raw for a long time, and there are still days he wonders if there's anything--anything--he could have done to change what happened... but he finally wrapped his head around the fact that it wasn't his fault. And this isn't Sora's. He waves a hand dismissively.]

Psh, getting body-swapped with a complete and total jerkface by a spooky old voodoo witch-doctor lady or something? Could have happened to anybody. You've obviously beaten yourself up for this plenty, though I suspect you had a little help in that department... [He sort of points at the smear of blood on Sora's cheek.] Are, ah... I mean, nothin's actually broken or anything, right? I'm a lousy white mage, but I could take a bash at it.

[And then, just because Sora still sort of looks about ready to have a panic attack about the whole thing, Axel decides to inject a little levity, puts a hand to his mouth and concludes in a stage whisper,] Just don't tell anyone I patch up beat-up kids and rescue cats. I've got a reputation to think of.

[lockandkeyblade]

[He bristles at the insinuation, straightening a little with an indignant frown.] Hey, he started it!

[Though Axel's next words are enough to silence any other protest. He still feels responsibile for finding Namine and apologizing. But he also feels lighter, like a weight's been inexplicably lifted from his shoulders. Vanitas may have done some cruel things, but even Sora has to admit that all the negativity and the constant hostility that's thrown in his direction is incredibly tiring.

Sora scratches his cheek. His jaw still feels a little tender where he's been seized so firmly, and Roxas' hit was as hard as he set out to make it. Yet all things considered, he's not in as terrible shape as he could be.]

Oh. I'm okay. I've been through way worse than this.

... But I guess one healing spell couldn't hurt.

[If Axel's trying to bring a little lightheartedness to the scene, he doesn't do half bad. The look on Sora's face is not quite a smile. He still looks worn out from the day's events. But his eyes are a little brighter, and there's a slight curl at the corner of his lips.]

My lips are sealed.

[There's a moment where Sora feels like this is it. That he's finally broken the long, malignant streak of unfortunate events (or rather Axel has). He feels relief. Gratitude. A whole host of things that he can't put into words. There are times where Sora can't figure the other man out. Times like these, Sora thinks Axel can be more decent than a lot of people with hearts beating in their chest. He can see why he's so important to Xion and Roxas. Axel gave him a chance, something he'd been desperately in need of. He'll make it up to Axel, somehow. Pay him back, whether he does it here in the Port... or when he goes home to their own world.]

Hey Axel? [There's the smile, small but appreciative.] Thanks...

[Darkness blooms all around them. Bursts of darkness solidify into Unversed Prize Pods. Two or three of them even have the initiative to dump their loads of cake, only one of which ends up in Sora's free hand. He exhales exasperatedly, placing a hand on the Prize Pod and shoving it away so it's at least not hovering in his personal space. He makes a face.]

Gimme a break already.

[got_it_memorized]

[That's good enough for Axel; he waves a hand with an emphatically murmured 'Heal!' and there's a glimmer of green around Sora's frame. Axel watches a moment until the light fades, like maybe he's worried it won't work, then sighs. He's never been very good with restorative magic. Every other type came rather naturally to him, though Fire and all its adaptations are obviously his forté, but white magic always sort of evaded him. He was usually quick enough on a strategic advance to the rear to avoid significant injury, but it troubled him sometimes to think that he was so good at inflicting damage but rather inept at reversing it.

[Well, anybody Axel really inflicts damage on probably deserves it, so there.

[He looks a little puzzled when Sora thanks him then, and shakes his head. There's really nothing to thank him for. Sora made the effort to explain himself, after all--all Axel had done was listen and trip him up with a trick question. Maybe that was the point, though; maybe it was always about listening. He had deigned to bend an ear when he really had no obligation to do so--maybe he should have tried listening more a long time ago. Maybe if he'd listened to Roxas he could have avoided a lot of, well, heartache.

[Bah, now he's getting wistful and sentimental and that just won't do. He shakes his head and waves a hand dismissively.]

No, dude, seriously, I suck at white magic; don't thank me.

[And before Sora can protest that that wasn't what he was talking about (and Axel at least knows Sora well enough to know that wasn't what he was talking about) there's a bloom of dark energy and suddenly they're surrounded by a herd of... uhm...

[Axel looks down at the cake that has been deposited unceremoniously in his lap and then turns a befuddled eye to Sora.]

Friends of yours? [He plucks one of the slices of cake from his lap and examines it. Ooh, strawberry frosting? Even Winner seems interested, stretching her neck forward to sniff experimentally at the pastry. Axel sort of nudges her back a bit and frowns.] Is it safe to eat this or will I turn green and grow a tail or something...? [Hey, around here that's always a possibility.]

[lockandkeyblade]

It's better than what I can do with this body. I don't know if he even has one. Or even how I'm supposed to use it.

[After all, Sora's a keybearer of light, not darkness. Riku might be able to tell him how, but he hasn't had the opportunity to ask. If he's lucky, maybe Axel could even help him with that. He'd be in a much better position to know more than Sora, anyway.

There's also something faintly familiar about Axel from the way he's taking care of Sora, to the way he's dismissing it like it wasn't the most decent thing someone's done for him all day. Though, it isn't until now that he realizes how: it reminds him of what he's read about the other in Roxas' diary.

Sora shakes his head, face scrunching a little at the idea.] You and Winner can eat all the cake you want. They've been trying to get me to eat that stuff all day, whenever they thought I was hungry.

[Axel can probably tell from his tone that he's had more than his share, even if he's got a sweet tooth. Or rather had. This body doesn't share his love of sweet things with his real body.

Sora peers up at the sky, which is slowly darkening as it gets later in the afternoon. There's still quite a bit of time before Siren, but Sora is going to be in trouble if he doesn't have a place to stay soon.]

Am I all out of favors? Or do you think you've got one more to spare?

[got_it_memorized]

Awesome. [And he proceeds to cram the entire slice of cake in his mouth. Some cultures believe that liking sweet foods is emasculating. Axel doesn't even care; cake is awesome. Almost as good as ice cream. In fact, cake is one of the few things that can improve ice cream. He gives Sora a questioning look then, his cheeks puffed out and rather hamster-like, and he wipes a smear of frosting from the corner of his lips with one thumb.]

You hungry? [His words are, remarkably, mostly intelligible through the cake, and he takes a moment to empty his mouth before continuing. He gestures at one of the strange cake-bearing Heartless-esque creatures.] These things can tell when you're hungry? [Weirdest. Superpower. Ever. He jerks a thumb over his shoulder, then sort of shoves one of the creatures away as it creeps closer, perhaps to investigate Winner. Axel will have no more kidnapping of his cat, thanks.] I'd say I could go get you a sandwich or somethin', but... [He holds up his cut foot with a helpless shrug.] No shoes no service. [Oh. Might as well Cure that while he's at it.

[Draping one arm over his knees again and scratching Winner under the chin with his other hand, Axel gives Sora a sidelong glance. It's still jarring, to look at him and see Vanitas' face, even if it's Sora underneath it. In a way, he can see Sora's expressions there, on Vanitas' face, and the whole thing is just kind of surreal. He wonders if it was this weird the first time Sora made the connection that he and Roxas were essentially two halves of the same person. What must it have been like to look at someone else and basically see your own face? He pauses in petting the cat a moment, pressing two fingers against one of the tattoos beneath his eyes. Maybe he knows better than he thought. The day he'd gotten those tattoos, it was someone else staring back it him in the mirror, someone wearing his face, his body. Axel wasn't the same as Lea, was he? Saïx had said he'd changed, but did the heart make that big an impact?

[It's a question he's never managed to find an answer for.

[He shakes his head again and focuses on Sora, willing the boy's words to register.] Hah? Oh. [He purses his lips.] I might have one left. I mean, you did kinda save the universe like twice, right? That's good for at least three or four favors, I think. Depending on how big a favor we're talking about here...

[lockandkeyblade]

[Axel has no reservations with eating a cake that's just been plunked into his hand by an Unversed, and fully enjoying it to boot (he can tell by the puffy cheeks). It's pretty funny actually, so he laughs at the other. It feels good.]

Sometimes it's like they know what I'm feeling even before I do. They always pop up when they know I'm feeling bad or angry.

[It's times like those, they aren't so bad. But until he figures out how to control these things, Sora's not likely to change his opinion of these things as a nuisance and a danger.

For now, he's got to get inside. Anyone out after dark tends to be able to handle themselves much better than the people who wander out in the day. The Teen Titans typically patrol on nights too, so he's hoping if something happens, they'll stop it. He hates to impose on Axel even further, but it really can't be helped. Axel should be expecting a big pile of Christmas Cards and a recommendation for Santa to pop him right onto the Good list this year.]

Not that big. No world saving today.

A sandwich doesn't sound half bad. And a place to crash before dark sounds even better.

[got_it_memorized]

[Hey, if Sora says it won't turn him green, that's good enough for Axel. Besides, it's good to hear the poor kid laugh, even if it's a little weird to see the smile on Vanitas' face.

[He leans back on his hands then and gives Sora a mock reproachful look.]

Ohhh, I see how it is: inviting yourself over, now? Sheesh, Sora, and here I thought you had some manners. [He holds the mildly indignant look for a moment, then snorts when Sora actually looks a little uncertain.] I'm kidding. Yeah, sure, seems my couch is just kind of crashspace for whoever's been kicked out of their house this week anyway. First Vriska, then Rachel, now you--Demyx and I should start charging admission.

[He points at Sora's nose then.] I guess we can give you a freebie, though. You know, since you did save the world. Twice.

[If Sora's surprised by the generosity, he really shouldn't be; Axel's a fairly generous sort of guy with the right people. He just hasn't had the chance to show the kid yet that he's the right people. Axel owes Sora more than Sora might think he's due--after all, he never really did anything overtly for Axel, but sidelong favors still count in Axel's book.

[Carefully getting to his feet, he offers a hand to pull Sora to his.]

Sandwich'll have to wait 'til I get back to the apartment and get some shoes, though. Actually, I'm feeling Chinese--how about you? I could order delivery; there's a guy who runs a place a few blocks away who doesn't scalp me like the other newcomers.

[Mostly because he had demonstrated his aptitude with fire and the guy hadn't wanted his restaurant burned to the ground. Not that Axel would have done that anyway, but he'd take what he could get, regardless of the means to the end.]

We can get you cleaned up in the meantime. Er... and maybe get you something else to wear--who told this guy hula skirts were in style? Eugh.

[lockandkeyblade]

[He does hesitate when Axel insinuates he's being rude. Technically, he is, asking on such short notice. When Sora realizes he's joking, Axel will earn himself a relieved smile, one that's also just this side of excited. Sora won't turn down the a meal, no way.

He'll take the offer of a hand to help him up. It's one of many things Axel is giving to him today, and Sora's planning on remembering every one.

He may be in Vanitas' body, but his mannerisms as he leans forward at the prospect of food are unmistakably Sora's.]

Really? Thanks, Axel... And you don't have to worry about me. I'll eat anything, as long as it's not cake.

[He falters a few moments later, peering down at himself down one side, then the other. He'll also be running his hand over his hair as he becomes more aware at his haggard appearance.]

I really could use a change of clothes now that you mention it...

[got_it_memorized]

[Axel laughs.]

Not up for dessert, eh? I'll take ice cream over cake any day, but that's neither here nor there.

[Axel rolls one shoulder back, plucking Winner from the other and holding her in one hand a moment before giving Sora a sidelong look. Then he leans down and holds Winner toward him.]

Before that, though, I think you two owe each other an apology. I don't want you guys arguing if you're gonna be sharing space for a few days; got it memorized?

[He's half-joking; Winner seemed more upset at Sora's little rabbit friends than Sora himself. Winner reaches out to bat at one of the wayward spikes of dark hair, and Axel just sort of hands the cat off to Sora after that, shoving his hands in his pockets.]

Now make up.

[And that, as they say, is that. He starts walking back toward the apartment then. He could have used a corridor, but without his coat it's not really the wisest of options--the darkness in the spaces between spaces corrodes at a Nobody's form, after all, and while the occasional quick unprotected trip doesn't leave any real lasting damage, making a habit of it wouldn't be recommended. Besides, he's not even sure what the corridors might do to Vanitas' body, and so long as Sora's in it, it's probably best to try and keep it in good shape. He only hopes Vanitas has the common sense to think the same for Sora's.

[He 'hmm's then, giving Sora a look.]

I'm pretty sure everything Demyx and I own is gonna be too big for you, squirt, but I guess so long as you don't mind looking ridiculous you can borrow something for now. I can't imagine your pals'll leave you hanging too long, though; I'd bet munny Riku or Kairi'll bring you a care package of some sort sooner or later.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora holds Winner out awkwardly as Axel hands the at off to him, and she stares back, looking thoroughly unimpressed. But at least she isn't clawing at him or fighting to get a good nip. Eventually, as Axel moves off, Sora shuffles until the cat is sitting more comfortable in his arms. He knows Axel is only joking about apologizing, but he does feel sorry for it. He's never disrespected or hurt any animals on purpose. Plus, ever since his journey, he's gained a new respect for them whether they talk or not. In a way, he thinks they can all understand him, even if not completely.]

Sorry, Winner. Hope I didn't scare you too much...

[He hurries after Axel, taking quicker steps to catch up with Axel's longer stride. It's only when all the other issues are taken care of that Sora realizes:]

You really live with Demyx?

[got_it_memorized]

Is it that surprising?

[He doesn't sound indignant, just curious. Sure, fire and water are fairly opposite, but Demyx was always one of the more amicable and tolerable members of the Organization. He was one of the few among them who had seemed to actually have a personality that went beyond Complete Kingdom Hearts Achieve Victory, after all. Oh sure, he's a bit obnoxious, and Axel could do without how touchyfeely he tends to get sometimes, but really he's become a good friend. There's a part of Axel that's sorry he didn't get to know him better sooner.]

When I first got here Demyx and I got back in touch--we weren't exactly 'close' when we worked for the Organization, but he was usually the least intolerable person around. I actually trained him when he was brand new to the Org, you know? Heh, I guess that sort of clinched me as Greenhorn Trainer. It wasn't too bad 'til Larxene showed up, but... that's another story for another time.

[He reaches over to offer to take Winner back, seeing that Sora seems a bit awkward with her. Really, Winner can't hold a grudge to save her life, so he's really got nothing to worry about.]

Anyway, I knew I could only stay in the temp apartments for a month. Demyx had a two-bedroom place and obviously couldn't sleep in both at the same time. He offered me one, and the rest is kinda history.

[lockandkeyblade]

Not... really surprising, I guess.

[He supposes out of the entire Organization, Demyx is probably one of the lesser, lazier evils. In any case, Axel is the one offering the hospitality. Who is he to turn it down on account of a few rocky encounters with Demyx. Even if he doesn't trust Demyx all that much, it's safe to say that he does trust Axel. So...]

If you say he's okay, then I can deal. At least until it all blows over.

Are we gonna tell him who I really am?