New Blood (Org Only)

[Angelus]

"Now where am I?"

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Asa charged out of the other end of the portal of darkness, and nearly ran into the wall. He caught himself in time, and thankfully for him, he was the only one there at the time. He looked around, and saw that he was in a place he'd never been before.

"Now where am I? And where's... Did I even get his name?" Nope, apparently not. But further investigation revealed that this place was some sort of throne room. Counting the number of seats, he found the one he wanted to sit in, and sat down in it. Unfortunately for him, it was Xemnas' seat. And chances were, he'd be beaten for it. Had he had any inclination that such was the case, he wouldn't have. But he didn't, so he did.

[Fate]

How Peculiar
Rosary Vendetta by Immediate Music

A peculiar scent was in the castle at the moment, one that had been lingering for a few days. Zexion had only truly started to pay attention to it now since he was staying in the castle for a longer period of time than a few minutes, not traveling today. After his return from Deep Jungle, he spent his hours in his room resting or writing reports concerning the "Champion". The darkness that came from that man alone was incredibly strong and had the Schemer's senses on high alert at all times. The World That Never Was, a world wrapped in darkness itself, was driving him slightly mad because of this; almost every time he paused in his activities, he felt as if the "Champion" was lingering in this world as well.

However, a new scent caught his attention in the meeting room. It was the scent of a Nobody, though not one he recognized. Deciding to inspect further, he put his finished report away and created a Corridor of Darkness, disappearing through it quickly and finding himself in his chair. He stood in it, glancing at the new arrival with a critical stare. It was a tall Nobody and was only slightly unusual looking, though it was sitting in the Superior's Chair. That just wouldn't do.

"You do not belong in that chair," he said with a politely stern voice, keeping his harsh stare, "Who might you be to have the audacity to sit in the Superior's chair?" He crossed his arms. If the Nobody did indeed have a name, then he had missed something important while he was traveling and looking for the "Champion". If he did not, then Xemnas would be arriving shortly to name him. It would be unwise to be in his chair for the short naming ceremony, that was certain.

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[Lagunamov]

Just slap a letter on it and call it a day.

Stepping out of the Corridor right into the old boring meeting room, it was obvious that Xigbar had taken a bit longer to travel back home than the man he sent there. Not only was Asa already there, desecrating Xemnas’ seat – which Xigbar sat at when alone at times just to see what was so great about being that high up anyway – but Zexion was already reprimanding him. Yeah, the Freeshooter had made the right call bringing this kid back to the Castle. It would be interesting to see The Superior trying to appear in his seat, only to find it occupied. That would prove entertaining at least.

“Dude, get the hell down from there before someone maims you,” Xigbar looked at Asa from his seat, leaning back on while standing on it. He removed his hood, and as he crossed his arms over his chest, he gave the new recruit his first look without having the hood covering his face. He already knew what was going to happen either way. Whoever noticed his presence there would come, eventually Xemnas would appear, he would make those weird ass holographic letters he loves so much spelling out the nobody’s name. It’d be soon followed by him spinning them round like a carrousel and then slapping an X somewhere, giving him a different name than his somebody’s old one.

“Just get down to the ground and wait, will ya? I’d hate it if someone dismembered you before they got to check out your unique skill,” he sighed, letting his body slip through the back of his seat, his read eventually reaching the bottom and leaving him properly sitting. Of course, there was the matter that some information on the man they had been looking for had arisen, so that would need to be addressed as well as the naming ceremony.

[Angelus]

"Please don't hurt me!"

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Seeing Zexion for the first time nearly gave Asa a heart attack. It wasn't because the guy suddenly appeared out of nowhere, although if the thing that had nearly given a heart attack hadn't affected him, that might have. No, the thing that nearly gave him a heart attack was Zexion's hair.

"You must use a lot of hairspray to keep that look." He laughed, and then hopped down when he was told to get down off of the seat, not only by Zexion, but by Xigbar, the one that had brought him here.

"Don't hurt me, I didn't know. It's not like I've been here before or anything." And then he noticed Xigbar's unique features. The eyepatch, the golden eye, pointed ears, and the crossbow weapons. Yup that could only mean one thing. Xigbar was a freaking pirate elf. Asa snickered at the thought, and then quickly forgot what he was snickering about. But that was only because he just remembered Zexion's question as to who he was.

"Now I don't know your names, so mine may seem outta place. Name's Asa, pleased to meet ya, I think." He looked around and picked another seat, this time one that was unoccupied. It was the chair that the former member Axel used to sit in, although Asa didn't know that. To him all the chairs that weren't currently in use were unoccupied, though he supposed that just meant that more of them may or may not be showing up. He hoped not, he didn't want to make another member mad by sitting in their seat. Still he'd better ask before the owner of this chair showed up.

"Is this chair taken, or can I sit here and not get disemboweled? I'd rather avoid pain if at all possible."

[Administrator]

Let us hope the chair does not rub off on him.

"That chair is unoccupied," a voice called out in a monotone, a Nobody entering the room, hood down. His tanned skin and silver hair made it obvious who he was; Xemnas, the Superior. "It once belonged to Axel, who is now a renegade and a traitor, and is to be destroyed on site. He is signified by his hair, which is red." Xemnas floated to take his seat, motioning for Zexion to take a seat as well.

"Is this a new prospect, then?" The question was not directed at either Zexion or Xigbar, but rather into the air, for either to answer as they so pleased. "It pleases me to see our ranks fill again." He did not need to say that it was metaphorical, as that was understood among Nobodies, none of whom could truly feel any emotion. "I am the Superior, Xemnas, the leader of Organization XIII."

He left it to the other two to introduce the subject so he could be more properly acquainted with the candidate. There was a high likelihood of his being accepted into the ranks, but Xemnas could still easily say no, or turn him into a dusk, or some other such.

[Angelus]

They don't call me what's his name for no reason.

Asa smiled hearing the words that this chair was unoccupied. His grin left the moment that Xemnas introduced himself as the person who owned the chair that he'd sat in to begin with. He sure hoped that Zexion and Xigbar wouldn't say anything about the screw up there. Wait a tic? Did he seriously just remember that for this long? Wow, new record. Way to go man, maybe your short-term memory loss is gone. Crud, he forgot what he was thinking about before that. So maybe not. The blank face he had hearing Xemnas introduce himself then turned into a frown when he said Axel was to be destroyed on site. Or did that come before the introduction? Either way he frowned at hearing that traitors were to be destroyed. Note to self: do not betray this group unless they're all dead. Or unless you have enough power to hold them off. Death isn't exactly something you want to experience. Caphiche? Good.

"The Superior huh? Cool name." He jumped out of his seat, and bowed, facing the Superior.

"My name's Asa, and as far as I know, I'm a new recruit. No x in my name, and no fancy title yet, but if I was to have an x in my name I have an idea of what it could be. I'd prefer going by Axas, if you don't mind. If you do, then that's fine too, just uh... Don't hurt me." He chuckled nervously, and rubbed the back of his head. He got the feeling he should not under any circumstance ever make this guy mad. Something about this guy just screamed mad for power, and well, those guys were usually the most dangerous.

"As for the title, I'm not sure. I suppose it depends on what sort of criteria you have for giving those. Do you go by personality, quirks, or powers?" He pointed at Xigbar, and smiled.

"I don't know if this will help, but he said some guy would have a field day studying me and my ability to learn other people's powers. What was the name again? Even, Veen, Neve? No those don't have an x in them. Vexen? That sounds about right. Maybe." He chuckled again, and sort of slouched down, half expecting to be hit or something.

[Fate]

I Wonder If This Will Go Up In Flames...

Ah, so Xigbar was the one to find this member. Zexion gave a nod of acknowledgement to the senior member as he entered, though he turned his gaze back to the other afterward. So far, it seemed his personality was much like Number Nine's; a bit too bubbly for the Schemer's taste, though he would naturally put up with him. He gave his name without the "x", which indeed meant that he needed to go through the naming ceremony from the Superior. He could stick around long enough for that to take place and perhaps talk with Xemnas afterward.

After Asa picked Axel's chair to sit in, which the Schemer gave a narrow gaze to, the Superior appeared through Corridor of Darkness. He asked a question of both Xigbar and himself, though he decided to provide the answer for the other. "It seems that Xigbar has managed to recruit another member a few days ago Superior," he said in a polite tone, "And is waiting to be properly named." Though, it seemed that Asa had his own name in mind. Zexion gave him a critical stare again, then raised an eyebrow; it was not his job to do so, only the Superior's.

His powers were also a subject of interest that Vexen might like to study, obviously mentioned previously to him by Xigbar. The Schemer looked at the Freeshooter and gave him a curious look. "Oh? What sorts of powers does he possess?" He partially hoped that they did not resemble the same element of the Nobody that had sat in that chair last. While he was on somewhat decent terms with Axel now, he still did not want to see such a skittish mind hold the ability of controlling fire.

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[Lagunamov]

Nurse, hand me the ten blade.

“Oh God, this kid is gonna get himself turned into a dusk within the day,” ran through Xigbar’s mind at the scene. He hadn’t even formally joined their ranks yet and he already started talking up to Xemnas as if he were an old buddy of his. Worse, he was making a request from him, asking what he wanted to be named from now on. He was even starting to talk about titles, taking a look at him and smiling like an idiot.

“Yeah, I brought him here. I found the kid at Destiny Islands. There were some other interesting subjects, but he was the only nobody, so I put him to the test,” he started explaining how he recruited Asa, somewhat hoping that if he got to how interesting his ability was, things may not go south. For now. “His fighting abilities are not bad – they are not extraordinarily good either, mind you – but he does have a unique power,” he leaned back on his seat, stroking the scar on his face for a second. “The kid can replicate someone else’s abilities. I dunno if he learns them permanently, or it’s only temporal, but he learnt my teleportation skill right after I used it.”

Leaning forward, his shoulders bending in the same direction and his fingers intertwining as he put his hands close, he continued. “That ability could prove an asset, and like I said, Vexen could study it and hope it can be transferred to the rest of us nobodies,” he chuckled as he said this, adding one last remark on that subject. “Then again, I don’t think the kid has picked up how to use Corridors yet, so if he wants to vivisect the new guy, it shouldn’t be too hard to strap him down to one of his lab tables.”

[Administrator]

A name is a name, but titles hold importance.

If Nobodies had emotions, Xemnas would have glared at Asa. Instead, he merely listened to each speak. Xigbar, like usual, was informal but mostly respectful, whereas Zexion was more formal and polite. It was much more pleasing to the ears, metaphorically speaking, to listen to Zexion give reports than it was to listen to number Two.

It was then he heard of Xigbar's recruitment. Surprising. Xigbar was not known for recruiting many Nobodies very often. Asa had the nerve to suggest a name for himself, and to inquire as to titles, to which Xemnas said, "Name yourself as you will. Names are unimportant." It was unheard of for members to name themselves, but even so, a name was merely what you called another. It was completely unimportant.

The title, on the other hand, would be bestowed at a later date. "The title you shall earn, Axas." Xemnas' voice was monotonous as always. Looking over at Xigbar, Xemnas said, "Vexen can dissect Axas later. He will need to be assigned a number, and to be shown around." Xemnas looked back over at Axas. "Xigbar will show you around, and will tell you the details you shall need to know. Xigbar," his voice carried a note of imperative in it. He was Xigbar's responsibility for now.

(Now we can have our Xemnas/Zexion thread without having to change threads! xD)

[Angelus]

I'm running out of titles...

The newly named Axas listened as Xigbar and Zexion each said what they had to, and then he just about tuned Xemnas out. Despite being tall, dark, and scary, Axas thought the guy's speaking to be dull and boring. It was as if he was watching a documentary being narrated by the old what's his name guy with glasses from the original Caspar the Friendly Ghost movie. Whatever that was.

"Xigbar is it?" Axas got a note-card and quickly wrote the name down and a short description. No more calling him mister pirate elf, at least not to his face.

"My replication power is more than just copying. I can take any power I see and permanently learn it. And well, your residential mad scientist is gonna have a hard time cutting into me. I'm not exactly keen to people cutting into me, and I can use a corridor of darkness." He then nodded his head and smiled at Xigbar.

"Hear that? You get stuck with the new guy? Whoever that is." He looked around, and then a look of sudden rememberance appeared on his face.

"Oh yeah, I am the new guy. Hehe, talk about embarrassing." He folded his arms and waited for Xigbar to make his move. He spoke one last sentence before Xigbar managed to begin the tour though.

"The guy who used to sit on that throne, Axel right? I want his room. Mind showing me to it?"

[Fate]

Where the Shadows Lie

Zexion was mildly intrigued as Xigbar described this new Nobody's abilities to replicate another's abilities. To be honest, he was not fully interested until Axas explained it in further detail; it seemed the abilities he learned were permanent, unlike his own mimic ability. If that could be given to the rest of the Organization, it would certainly prove to be interesting. Vexen could possibly study him, though the scientist seemed rather busy as of late. There was also the fact that this particular Nobody's antics would quickly get to him; that could be amusing, Zexion supposed.

However, he did not need to focus on such trivialities at the moment. There were much more important things to be discussed at this point. "Yes, see to it Xigbar," he said at first, "I have very important things to discuss with the Superior." He gave the Freeshooter a complex look, his eyes telling the other that this was not information to be discussed in front of others. The two had discussed things of that nature before; perhaps they would again at some point. For now, this information need only be discussed with the Superior. No one else needed to know.

Well, perhaps only of one thing in particular. The rest could know the information about the "Champion" and the fact that Zexion managed to meet the man in person; he would even go into detail about his overpowering scent of darkness. However, no one else needed to know about the information concerning Saïx for now. The Nobody had not returned upon the Superior's call for loyal members, which anyone paying attention during the meeting would have known. And, according to Axel, he had more against him than anyone knew.

He was not about to let the Nobody that ordered his death not pay the price.

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[Lagunamov]

Do I look like a tour guide or something?

He was never going to recruit somebody again. Ever. Now Xigbar was stuck babysitting the newly named Axas for the day and show him around The Castle That Never Was. Right. As if. He would rather dump the kid somewhere as soon as possible and have him fend off for himself. The castle was made of enough unconnected rooms, as long as he dumped him somewhere with some foot access to the main areas, like the staircases and the lounge, he’d be fine.

“Fine, fine. I’ll show the kid to flamesocks’ old room and maybe some other place. He’s better off exploring anyway,” he sighed, keeping on the act of his goofy persona. He, however, had seen the look Zexion had given him when he spoke of having something to talk over with Xemnas. Yeah, he knew the look. He would be soon coming back to listen on the convo, as per usual habit of his. Either way, for now, to keep appearances.

Xigbar raised his arm and pointed forward, a Corridor of Darkness appearing in the middle of the room. He jumped down from his seat onto the ground below, catching a glimpse of the gigantic Organization emblem on the ground. It had been a while since he last paid any attention to it. Kneeling down as he landed, he rose to his feet slowly, almost as if to add some sort of dramatic effect. “C´mere kiddo. Corridor leads to number 8’s old room. We’ll start there, then work our way somewhere else,” he scratched the back of his head, adding one last comment. “Fair warning, watch yer step around the stairwairs. People tend to, uh, trip and die around there. Weird thing really,” he joked, rolling his eyes around as if to imply he had nothing to do with that little fact.

[Administrator]

Now that the trash is taken out...

After the two left--Xemnas made sure of that--the Superior turned to Zexion. He had not much to say, but he did have much to listen to. "I take it you have discovered the whereabouts of the Tool and have discovered other information you deem pertinent?" He did not feel--as the saying went--like bantering back and forth. The Superior wanted answers, and he wanted them as soon as he could have them.

This Tool may very well ruin my plans, but he could play into my hand. Considering that he wasn't entirely certain what he planned, beyond somehow achieving ultimate power without having the interruption of the keybearers. Perhaps I can again use Kingdom Hearts to gain what I desire, if I have a keyblade master loyal to me. He remembered something Zexion had mentioned at their first reuniting meeting briefly, but he couldn't remember precisely.

It wasn't as though he had full concentration on it, after all. The majority of his focus was on Zexion, as he needed to hear what the other Nobody had to say.

[Angelus]

Was that sarcasm I detected?

Axas stepped into the corridor of darkness that Xigbar had opened up for him. His comment to the new member barely even registered as he ended up in Axel's old room. To Axas the room was fairly simple, and lacked the sort of personal touch that he preferred, but Axas could change that. You know, if he remembered to. It's not like it was that important if he did.

"Not bad, but it lacks the sort of pazazz that I like." He turned back to Xigbar, and shrugged.

"So I guess I'll just need one of those snazzy uniforms, and some sort of number or rank, and then I'm good." He plopped down on the bed, arms behind him holding him up.

"So is it just me, or does pale, silver haired guy think he's really the one in charge?" Axas finished speaking there, as he really had nothing else to say. And while this may have been unfair to Zexion, considering Axas and Zexion had only just met, Axas didn't care. Zexion really rubbed him the wrong way for some reason.

[Lagunamov]

I ain't playing nanny. I ain't no Fran Drescher.

Having no real choice other tan leave the gathering place minutes before, Xigbar was now inside Axel’s room alongside the stray puppy he picked up at Destiny Islands. All the time inside there, while Axas checked the room out and commented aloud, all the nobody was thinking was of the meeting that was taking place back at where he had just come from. He figured he should return immediately, even if he did have a plan to not get caught. Anything else happening in this particular room was being blocked out, if only cause Xigbar was starting to find Axas’ babbling hard to tolerate. He’d probably get used to it though, like it happened with Demyx.

After about a minute of leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, Xigbar stood up properly and leaned his head to the sides, the sound of cracking bones ensuing each time. “ You'll get used to Zexion. He is acting as second in command nowadays, so him sounding more stuck up than usual is to be expected. Xemnas, on the other hand, is in charge, and if you get on his bad side, you’d be lucky to get turned into a dusk,” he answered the only noteworthy comment, looking around for a second. “Ok, I got stuff to do kid, so here’s the rundown of things. Door leads to hallway. Hallway leads to stairs. Stairs up, you reach some rooms, mainly the lounge. Stairs down, you eventually leave the castle and enter town. I’m off,” he said, leaving the room through the door he had just pointed out and slamming it behind him. He quickly opened up a Corridor of Darkness right where he stood, lasting for less than a second at that location.

His return to the room full of thrones went unnoticed, or so he thought. At least, nobody was about to check where he was floating at. His body was suspended in the air below the platform’s ground level, making it such that only someone actively looking for anyone down there would even notice him. Luckily, the voices could be easily heard even from down there, which surprised Xigbar. He was almost expecting to have to get even closer, but no. Ten meters below the platform were more than enough to hide and listen nicely onto their conversation. Now, he just had to play the waiting game.


[Spatial Manipulation used for suspenssion in the air. Lasts until called off, but no other skill under SM can be used.]