fourteen | oo50 [voice]

[ When Xion arrived back home from a grueling month-long mission, the first thing she did was not check her journal. She headed home. Home, where Luke is. He'd been there, which was wonderful.

He'd also filled her in on all that she'd missed, which wasn't so wonderful. ]

It's scary, sometimes... how much things change. I missed so much while I was gone. I'm so sorry, everyone. I'm home now.

Sometimes, I feel like I've been here such a long time... maybe because it has been a long time. It'll be three years in November... won't it? I don't remember anymore when I got here... I'm pretty sure it was November. It feels like so long ago. Like lifetimes have passed since then. I've grown up so much in this place... and so many people have come and gone. [ Kairi.

A beat. ]

I'm sorry. I shouldn't be rambling like this.

We're starting to get some New Feathers in, right? My name is Xion. I work at the clinic, I'm part of the S.O.S Brigade, and I'm head of the Kyoshi warriors. If you ever need help, you can come talk to me. I'll do anything I can.

Um... I guess I have one last thing I want to talk about. I've got a lot of points now from going on missions... what do you guys do with your points? Or what would you do, if you had them? I sort of know what I want, but I guess I'm looking for other ideas, too.

Thanks, everyone.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

That's why we moved on to washable paint. [This is all said matter-of-factly, too.

He pauses briefly, because he realizes that that actually sounded kind of bad. Whoops.] Pizza's good. I'll meet you at Azzip in ...ten minutes? I want to check out this book first.

Roxas, you know most cats don't like being wet either, right?

Okay! I'll see you there soon.

That's why swim lessons are on the list for next summer. [He may or may not be kidding...but knowing Roxas...]

See you. [And he cuts off the feed to go ahead and get ready to meet up with Xion.]

[ ... SIGH, ROXAS. She is going to kidnap Nea just to keep the poor cat safe from you, bro.

Anyway, she'll be waiting in Azzip when he arrives, flipping idly through her journal while she waits. ]

[Yes plz come save Nea, Mommy-Xion. Anyway, whatever, Roxas arrives a few minutes after she does, rolling up to the door of Azzip on his skateboard with a book under his arm. He waves with his free hand, jumping off of the board and kicking it up. Grabbing it, he makes his way over.]

Sorry, I started looking at another book I wanted to check out but I decided to leave it for next week. You haven't been here long, right?

No, only a couple minutes. [ She's smiling as he comes over, though seeing him only sort of reminds her that Kairi's gone. Her heart constricts, and her smile dims, but it doesn't fade completely. ]

It's good seeing you again. I can't believe I was gone for so long.

[He reminds you that Kairi's gone? Girl, have you looked in a mirror? Still, he takes a seat, putting the book on top of the skateboard by his feet. His own smile's a bit hesitant because yikes. All the similarities...but on the other hand, he's really glad to see his best friend again.]

I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to come back. Thanks...for coming back, I mean.

... you know as long as I have a choice, I always will. [ So different from how things were, a few years ago. But Luceti is home. ] You don't have to thank me for that.

I think that's something we can both agree on. [A shrug, followed by some mumbling and rolling his skateboard back and forth with his feet.] Whatever...

So...how are things? [He's not sure how to launch into everything he really wants to ask, so he's offering Xion the chance to take the initiative.]

[ ... the way he's acting pulls a small, sad smile out of her. ]

... I ... I heard about Kairi.

[...a frown.]

It's really weird, isn't it? She was here forever and then she just...went away like the rest of them.

... yeah.

[ Her voice is faint. It hurts so much. At least Luke was there to deal with the first wave of her heartbreak. ]

... hey, Roxas?

Hm? [Pushing that skateboard back and forth...]

[ ..... ]

It's nothing. Sorry.

Hey, why don't you tell me how the month was for you? I hear a lot happened...

What have you already heard? I don't want to bore you with the same story twice.

... I heard about the Kin'corans. And the food shortage... [ That just makes her think of her dad. ]

And Kairi. Luke told me most of it...

Of course he did. Sounds like Luke covered everything that's considered important...you don't need to know much else.

[ ... ]

What about you?

[He just shrugs. Is someone pouting? Possibly.] Not much, I guess. I've just been...you know. Researching, teaching Nea...nothing really changes with me. [Which isn't entirely true, but he doesn't seem to think it's relevant to tell Xion about Naoto and the ice cream machine plans with Ven. Why? Because they're things that might not work out and he's afraid to say them aloud in case they fall through.]

[ ...

She's silent, for a moment. Looking down at her hands, and not at him. Finally, she just sort of spits the words out abruptly. ]

Roxas, are you mad at me?

Huh? [And he finally seems to snap out of whatever funk he was in, blinking at her in surprise.] No, why?

... lately, when we talk ... you always seem a little distant. Like you're upset with me...

[ Her mouth works. ]

... is it because I moved out?

I'm not upset with you. [But yes, that's exactly why. Don't mind him feeling the slightest bit abandoned. It's not really Xion's fault, it's just Roxas not understanding.] Don't worry about it, things are fine...are things fine with you and Luke?

[ Her eyebrows draw together in visible frustration. ]

I don't want to talk about Luke! I want to talk about you, Roxas. ... you're still my best friend.

[And he just blinks in response. Oh. Oh, really?] ...I guess there are some things I need to talk to you about, even if they're kind of dumb.

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