Thirteen [Open to Org. EXCEPT XEMNAS]

[Fate]

I Knew There Was Another Reason I Recruited Her...

Zexion bowed his head lightly to Luxord after he went back to his chair. "Thank you." Quite honestly, he couldn't say that he minded the riddle so much as Vexen's "critique". Saïx and Aixfeur joined as well, the former most likely informing the latter that another new member was here. The only ones missing, aside from the obvious Superior, were Lexaeus, Demyx and Xigbar; though, Zexion preferred to let the two senior members do as they pleased rather than come to every initiation. Xigbar wasn't the type to sit around for every meeting either. It was a hassle to get Demyx to these things anyhow.

Naturally, Vexen had to add his two cents about the riddle. Did they really need to over-analyze something so trite as this? Zexion pinched the bridge of his nose as Vexen went on about how her answer contained flawed logic and a whole bunch of other nonsense. There was no point in attempting to interrupt him either; Vexen and Xemnas shared the quality of liking the sound of their own voices and interrupting them would make them drone on longer.

What really surprised him was that Liana did not simply just take that; she responded. He looked up when she started to speak, a little stunned. She was quite bold to say something like that straight to Vexen, the thought that had been on the minds of probably half of the Organization. Axel most likely had this exact thinking down, especially that last bit involving the roasting and skewering. The irony of that was that she was to be the new number thirteen.

When she ended her speech, not once raising her voice, he clapped. He did so a few times before returning his gaze to the rest of the Organization. "That is the sort of mentality that this Organization needs, what it should have; to stand firmly on one's foundation. However, I will not encourage this criticism here when there are other tasks at hand; you can wait until after the initiation is complete before continuing. Saïx, Aixfeur, thank you for joining." If Liana and Vexen wanted to continue this discussion after the initiation, then that was fine with him; it was probably a bad thing that he enjoyed getting on Vexen's nerves, but at least he wasn't encouraging it from others right now.

He summoned his Lexicon again, concentrating briefly. Silver letters taking on the form of Liana's name floated in the air. They soon spun, an 'x' added to the name to form 'Alanix'. The name continued to float in the air as he spoke again. "Organization XIII, I introduce our new number thirteen: Alanix, the Druid Priestess." That little debate gave him time to think of her title, thankfully. If Vexen wanted to critique this name as well, then so be it. The letters faded as he finished speaking.

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[Matt]

Excuse Me?

Having been expecting something of the sort from him, Vexen was not surprised by the Luxord's pointless reply. Whether the Gambler was making some sort of metaphor, or-- more likely-- just spewing nonsense, he did not care to figure out. Much more unexpected was the girl's decision to reply. And not with an apology, or acceptance of his superior logic, but in argument with him? She had even more nerve than he had thought. Just what they needed... Despite the mild surprise at this, he required no time to pause and formulate what to say in return once the girl's mouth had shut.

"A far more logical assumption than those you made in formulating your own response. In your first answer, you assumed that neither of the brothers would make any effort to pursue the results of the toss. Considering how heated this argument evidently was, and how serious they are about getting an answer, one can say almost-- no, completely positively that this is not the case. While your other answer assumes the opposite, in that they would be so obsessed in discovering the results that they would search so madly to find it that you would have time to escape. Of course, the chances of them simply allowing you to walk away are slim as well, for obvious reasons. "

Vexen, though certainly not pleased with having the newly joined female questioning him, was not particularly angered by her doing so. A bit annoyed, yes, but not to an extent to where he could not manage to hide it in tone and expression. What she said next, however, was stepping much too far. It went beyond any simple display of disrespect that any of the insolent neophytes had ever to committed. How dare she speak to him that way?

Eyes narrowing, he starred straight at her for a moment, wordlessly. Placing his hands on the armrests, he leaned forward to look down at the platform. He began to open his mouth, and a snide comment would have likely been close behind, were he not interrupted at that moment by Zexion, who was clapping of all things. Glaring at the Schemer, he leaned back, crossing his arms. They would be continuing this later. "Continue." he snapped, as if Number Six were waiting for his command.

So that was her name. Liana. Or Alanix, as she was was now know. The Druid Priestess. Were he in a better mood, the Academic probably would have criticized the conception of this nickname. Well, one thing was certain: the Priestess was not starting herself out on the right foot...

[Slash]

That was disrespectful.

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Aixfeur listened carefully to the new one's response.

She didn't have an opinion on Number Four, just as she didn't have an opinion on anyone. But they were her superiors and her peers, and this girl, this other neophyte, dared to-

Hrmph. The Soldier placed a lot of emphasis on respect and knowing one's place, so disrespecting her elders was possibly the gravest insult one could give her. And she had never liked being insulted.

How was it that Zexion stood there and allowed it? Perhaps she had overestimated him greatly. She didn't know how he thought to run things, but she knew that someone like that needed to be knocked down before they thought highly enough of themselves to pursue only their own goals. That was how traitors were made. And if no one else was going to take the initiative to reprimand her, than she would do it herself.

"You disrespectful cur," she said flatly, then dropped down to Alanix's level, summoned Iceheart, and pointed it straight at her neck.

"Know your place in the order of things and hold your tongue, or I will silence you myself. How dare you be so insolent at the very moment of your initiation?"

One more word- just one more- and Aixfeur would tear her apart. She looked coldly at Zexion. If she didn't owe him, she'd have accused him as well. He was an idiot, encouraging such behavior. As it was, her respect of him dropped drastically.

[Aerith]

You are a strange one.
--------

Her outburst, mildly delivered as it had been, had been mostly for her own benefit. When it was met with applause of all things from Zexion, she arched an eyebrow. Vexen's attempts to continue the argument fell on deaf ears. She was more interested in the floating letters that appeared, spelling out her new name.

Alanix. It will take some getting used to.

Her title was somewhat amusing, if she could have felt amusement. It ensured she would never forget who she once had been. And that meant she would never lose her distaste for men like Vexen. Should be quite interesting to see what came of this.

She didn't have to wait for long. The other woman, Aixfeur, was out of her chair. And had her weapon in hand, no less. Perhaps Alanix had misjudged her. There was a backbone there. It was simply misplaced.

Before she said anything, however, she put distance between her neck and that scythe. Aixfeur struck her as the type who did not throw around idle threats. No need to start senseless violence.

Just in case, though, she summoned Hallowed Ruin to her hand.

"And how long have you been in this... order? Do you have the right to issue reprimands if you have not been a Nobody for more than perhaps two weeks and mostly likely a member of this order for even less than that?"

She shook her head once, allowing herself to feign disappointment. "Where is your pride?" Her eyes went to Vexen for a brief moment, then returned to Aixfeur. "You would lick his boots out of some vague desire to 'know your place' and maintain it? Clearly, you lost more than your heart that day."

[Slash]

Can we fight yet?

[/center]

Aixfeur was entirely unmoved. "Why not? It is not out of a sense of superiority that I reprimand you, just one of duty. If I do it, no one else has to be bothered."

Alanix's insults had absolutely no effect. Aixfeur kept her head down most of the time, but she did still possess that arrogance that had characterized her human self. It was simply that she didn't wish to get involved in the mechanisms of the Organization too much. If things ran smoothly, then she wouldn't run into trouble and would be able to go on more missions. She could become stronger that way.

"Perhaps it is you who has too much pride. I do not grovel as much as you seem to think." She was not going to waste her time explaining. She had spoken enough already, and only had one last thing to add.

"You speak too much. If you are strong enough to warrant your arrogance, prove it."

Aixfeur was tired of talking. Words did nothing and showed nothing. Actions, on the other hand, revealed everything.

[Prythian]

That moment was when Lexaeus walked out from where he'd been leaning against one of the chairs. "Enough." He said sternly. "Alanix, Vexen has proven himself to be an asset of this Organization. He deserves, if not your respect, than at least the opportunity to earn that respect through his own works. However..."

He turned to Aixfeur. "There is no duty to be silent on an opinion within this Organization. Vexen brought down her disrespect upon his own head and she had every right to speak her mind. Dismiss your weapon and be seated. The Organization stands united or not at all." This, to Lexaeus, was true; Sora had managed to defeat the Organization AND its traitors due to the fact that the squabbling amongst themselves had weakened them.

[Aerith]

I apologize... to some of you.
--------

Alanix did not want to fight, and she did not have to, for another Organization member came forward. This one was huge, at least in comparison to herself. She made a mental note not to get on this one's bad side.

He seemed agreeable enough, however. She recognized that she should not have been so harsh in her criticism. After dismissing her weapon, she gave a respectful nod to the new Nobody and to Zexion, who she still considered the one running this initiation. "My apologies for my outburst. I shall refrain from sharing my opinion so freely from now on."

She even offered an apologetic nod to Aixfeur. But did she even look in Vexen's direction? Not at all.

[Slash]

I don't think I've seen him before...

[/center]

Before Aixfeur made up her mind to strike, an unfamiliar voice spoke up. She turned to look at the source, a large Nobody with wiry red-brown hair.

He was perhaps the most interesting one she'd seen so far. His very presence seemed to exude a sort of power, and he certainly looked to be the strongest just by appearance.

Fascinating.

"I apologize," she said, and returned Alanix's nod with one of her own. There was no point in holding grudges. If she was rude again, then Aixfeur would react again, but she wasn't going to concern herself with conflicts that didn't involve fighting.

Speaking of which, when was she going to get to fight something?

Saïx watched all of the proceedings with a disinterested eye. How pointless. Vexen was, as always, too arrogant, and the neophyte threw his arrogance back in his face. Bold. He wasn't sure why Aixfeur took offense to that. Had she been speaking with Vexen? He very much doubted it- if she had, she wouldn't have bothered defending him.

Considering that both were potentially traitors, Saïx really didn't care if they killed each other or not. Nevertheless, if they wanted to fight they could do it on their own time. And sure enough, Number Five appeared and put an end to it quickly.

This needed to end soon. He had other things on his mind.

[Fate]

Changes Need to be Made

Surprisingly enough, Aixfeur had something to say to all of this. Zexion couldn't say he expected it at all, though this time it needed to be stopped before it got too out of hand. They didn't need to fight over words, even if they were brash. He should have stopped this before weapons were drawn; Aixfeur's glare at him emphasized this. This wasn't how to lead a meeting, even if Zexion thought Alanix made a point at answering Vexen's arrogance. It was a learning experience, something to note for after tomorrow.

Before he could say a word, Lexaeus stepped in and stopped the fight. As always, Zexion could expect him to this effectively. He made his points clear and the tension in the room dropped. The two apologized to each other, Zexion giving a nod to Lexaeus, silently thanking him. Many underestimated the important role that the Hero played in meetings, always working to keep order. This wasn't the first time that he had to silene a quarrel that involved Vexen and his arrogance. The Nobody needed to learn that simply because he was Number Four, he could not demand respect; it had to be earned.

"That will be changing soon enough," he though to himself. Looking around for a second, he decided the meeting should close. He had nothing to add to what Lexaeus had to say, not needing to be redundant. "I believe that this initiation is complete. I thank you all for joining in welcoming our new Number Thirteen." Would numbers even be important tomorrow? Maybe, maybe not. "Alanix, I will take you to your sleeping quarters." That was his way of saying to the rest of the Organization that they could leave now. Some of them had importan stuff to do. Saïx in particular had to prepare himself for tomorrow.

Everything was about to change.

[People can post after me if they want. We don't have to drag this out forever XD]

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[Nothingness]

Back to my Game

Luxord crossed an arm over his chest, propping the other arm on it and resting his chin on his hand. "If that is all, then I shall take my leave. Until the next round." He vanished, returning back to studying the cards in his room. Hopefully he'd find the truth behind Axel's demise.

[Aerith]

I am tired now that I think about it.
--------

Zexion finally decided that this meeting had gone on long enough. It was time for her to see other parts of this castle, particularly her new room.

If the decor was anything like this room, she already knew she would be spending as much time away from here as possible. Everything was so lifeless, and even if it was an accurate reflection of what they all were, that didn't mean she would subject herself to the daily reminders if she had any choice in the matter.

With a nod at Zexion, she prepared to follow him.

The first stage was passed. Things would be getting more difficult from here.

[Prythian]

Lexaeus shook his head. He could only hope these new members would be more worthy additions to the Organization than previous traitors had been. There was a reason he did not ordinarily attend initiation ceremonies. Besides, he had far more important things to do. He would continue doing them by himself until he had regained his former strength.

A Corridor appeared around him and he vanished into it.