fourteen | oo30 [ voice // action ]

( Sokka | Locked 100% )

... I need your help. And you can't tell anyone, okay?

( Aqua | Locked 100% )

Aqua... I know we haven't spoken that much, but I need to ask you a really, really big favor.

( Sanji | Locked 100% )

[ a long silence goes here. ] ... could I stay at your house tonight?

( Luke | Locked 100% )

I'd -- [ ... ] Can I see you?

[ Xion is out of the house today. Mostly because it's become almost impossible to stay there. She hasn't slept for more than a handful of hours since Vanitas attacked -- three days ago. She's so exhausted she can barely stay on her feet, but better awake and moving than a sitting target.

Who could sleep, knowing that at any minute someone stronger than you and your friends could break into your home and kill you whenever he wanted?

It's this question that drives her to address Luceti at large, once she's got herself settled on the railing of That One Bridge. Hey, it's like right next to her house and she wanted to sit on a bridge, so sue her. ]

( filtered AWAY from Vanitas and Saix | Locked 100% )

What would you do if you didn't feel safe in your own home anymore?

[ and this is to say nothing -- not a damn thing -- of how she feels about Roxas right now. He had no excuse -- what defense could you give? -- and Axel almost died -- for what? Why? Why had any of this happened? Does she blame Roxas, for extending the invitation, or Vanitas, for taking it? Even if she had something to say to him, she couldn't -- he hasn't been home in days.

It's a very numb Poppet that's sitting on that there railing, swinging her legs and staring at the water below. Please interrupt her thoughts -- for they are very grim ones. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This is more serious than he thought. He has no idea who this guy is or what he's capable of, but if it has Xion this rattled...]

Well... you can't stay there. You need to be with people who can protect you. [Even with the increased strength he has, Sokka isn't even sure if he's that guy who can handle it.]

... I asked Sanji if I could stay with her tonight. But Vanitas... no matter where we go, he'd come after us anyway, and I don't want anyone else getting hurt for my sake... for our sakes. I'm trying to figure out another way... and -- and I think I might have something. I'm really hoping I do...

["Her". Luceti is so weird.]

... okay, so what's the plan?

... there's this magic... a friend of mine knows. She says it's called the Fidelius charm... and it could hide something, like a house. The only way you could find that thing then is -- you'd have to be told by the Secret Keeper. It's only one person... and if the Secret Keeper didn't tell you, you could never find it. It's perfect... if it works.

... well, that's one way to do it. But what do you need from me?

[Unless he's going to be that Secret Keeper, but he doubts that.]

... something different.

[ she hesitates. is this a bad idea? what would her friends think? ... would they judge her, for this?

she's already judging herself. ]

I was ... wondering if you could make me a weapon. ... a -- a replica of the Keyblade.

[ a replica weapon for a Replica girl. fitting. but just asking makes her nervous. ]

[Oh. Oh. Well, this is a lot different than what he expected. Um... how does he put this delicately? Because this is... well, it's just not a good idea.]

I... I'm not sure so sure that's a good idea, Xion...

[ dammit. she winces. ]

... why? How bad could it be?

Look... I know you're really set on this, but... a keyblade just isn't a very good weapon. Sure, maybe if it's some kind of magical thing. But you would be a lot better off with a sword... a spear... or just about anything else.

[.... yeah, see, he has no actual objections about you fighting. Just your weapon of choice.]

I tried a sword! It didn't feel the same... nothing does. And I still need to get a new bow! After my old one got destroyed in the draft...

[ she lets out a sigh, some of the tension draining away. ] Nothing's been the same since I lost the Keyblade.

[A frown at that, before letting out a defeated huff.]

Fine, fine! I still think you'd be better off with a sword... but I can make a keyblade anyway. [But he won't enjoy it, young lady. Not one bit.] And... I'll see what I can do about the bow.

[ ... wait, he agreed? score! ... sorta. now she feels bad. why you gotta harsh her squee, sokka. ] ... thank you. [ a surprised beat ] You don't have to... I was going to see if I could just find another in the weapons shop.

[Because your universe is lame. That's why!]

Well, it's not like I won't be at the weapon shop anyway, right? Besides, it's just picking one out. I'm still not so good at the actually making them.

... okay. Should I come by, and we'll pick one out together?

... yeah, sure. You can tell me what the keyblade should look like too.

[ she smiles. ] Sounds good to me. When?

How does now-ish hit you?

[ a beat, before she shakes her head. ]

No, I need to stay here... at least for now. I want to keep an eye on Axel and wait until we know for sure the house is safe...

Maybe tomorrow? [ quietly, a little apologetically ]

... yeah, yeah. That's fine. Whenever's good. Just take care of yourself, okay?

... I will. Thank you, Sokka. I'll owe you one.

Yeah, you will. But don't worry, I won't hold it against you.

... [ that gets a faint, disbelieving laugh out her. but she laughed! this is an accomplishment. ] Gee, thanks.

[Such is his lot in life.]

Hey, it's what I do. I'll see you tomorrow. Try and stay low for awhile, okay?

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