A Caged Nobody [Larxene]

[marluxia]

Marluxia stood by the window of his room, deep blue eyes looking through the glass to the dark empty void that stood outside and though Nobodies couldn't feel anything, having no heart to do so, the once lord of Castle Oblivion could not help but remember what it was like to feel that he didn't have anything to do. It had been long since he had been brought back to that realm of Nothingness, his privileges as a member were pretty much revoked due to his actions and though he suspected as much, he could almost feel aggravated for not being able to do anything but roam around that wretched castle aimlessly to keep himself entertained, the trust in him to fulfill his duties as a member gone, much like the "honor" of attending the meetings where the Superior would spit out his orders and thoughts. Frankly, he was almost glad that he wouldn't have to look up from the ground at those he saw should be below him, but to not have anything to do and feel the gaze of the Superior at all times was something he would gladly dismiss. It was the punishment of a betrayer, a traitor, a backstabber... To make matters worse, the Nobody was not allowed to leave without an escort of sorts and it had to be a member among the inner circle of the all mighty ruler of Nothing. He sighed slightly, only to close his eyes and try to think of a way to make that day a little less boring, pondering if he should perhaps go to the library and pass his eyes through a book, or maybe try to sneak into Saix's study to try and gather information on what they were all up to, heck he could even go to some open area of the castle to swing his Dahlia a bit so as not to rust. After all, what good was an Assassin that wasn't able to fulfill his job? And with the turmoil that has been going around, he would probably need it. He pushed himself from the wall he had previously leaned on, smirking to himself he said as if he was talking to someone, "I should find something to occupy myself with, before I lose my mind.", proceeding to walk out of his door and into the vast and empty white hall.

Steps echoed through the castle, the Nobody with pink hair walked calmly and though he had no place in mind to go, he figured it would be best then just staying locked in his room. To break that dull and plain sight of white an grey, each step he took, each sway of his ruffled hair, pin petals seemed to appear out of nowhere, falling ever so gracefully and slowly onto the floor, disappearing shortly after. He was known for that and some mocked him for it, but he couldn't care less what the others thought, because they were just fools that did not realize the symbolism of his attribute, because if they did... Oh if only they did... Though beautiful, that specific Nobody was among the most dangerous and powerful ones, being a graceful reaper that could end a life within a split-second. Yet Sora was able to best him... Yes he had put that event in the past where it belonged, but his mind couldn't help but torment him with it every now and then. He didn't stand alone though in that, the others joining the true nonexistence too, even Xemnas himself. When he came back he had learned much had happen after the mission at Castle Oblivion and he was greatly amused by it, their defeat sustaining him, though the first few moments were spent in an aggravating obsession about the power of the Key. The boy itself was nothing, being just a fly without that wretched weapon, but that Key... Its power was unlimited and if only Marluxia could wield it. Such was a desire of his, much more then gaining something he saw was worthless that others wished to have. A heart? Why would he need emotions clouding his judgment? No... He would forsaken that pitiful quest, replacing it with the Key that was much more worthy of his time.

Marluxia's thoughts had wandered, going back to that weapon that was wielded by a simple boy. How could it have enough power to defeat one of the strongest members in the Organization? How was it forged? Why would it choose a boy? It seemed that those it chose had a heart and it did not matter whether or not it was filled with darkness or light, Sora's friend Riku the proof of that. So many questions surrounding that one weapon and none seemed to have an answer... If only Marluxia could investigate further into it, perhaps he would be able to find a weakness, or better yet, find a way to wield it using a method to bypass the need for a heart? If that were possible, Marluxia would use its power to finally be rid of those that stood in his way, leaving only one that he saw to be worthy of being by his side, even if she now seemed to be very distant from him and under the Superior's thumb.

Yes, Larxene, Marluxia's partner in crime. The two had been through much, his plots and schemes capturing her interest since she shared his dislike to be ordered around like a dog. He had promised her a seat by his side once he took over, yet failed to deliver given their premature demise. Would she follow him once more? He was uncertain about that... It would appear that by distancing herself from the Assassin and playing nice, she returned to the others' good graces, not being branded a traitor anymore, unlike Marluxia. It was a shame really, she proved to be not only trustworthy, but also a powerful ally to have, but he couldn't do anything. Any single thought of treason would end in him being dusked this time, without doubt. But he had lost himself in thought and, before he knew it, he was already standing before the entrance of the Grey Area, a figure standing by the couches in that room that was used as the lounge by the members being noticed by him. Was that big mission they had been so secretive about over? It took less then Marluxia expected... Maybe they weren't successful? A sly curl of his pale pink lips appeared on the corner of his mouth, the thought of them not being able to fulfill an important mission just making him rejoice. Childish? Perhaps, but it was their own fault really, number XI actually believing that if that was the case, if he was there, they would've won. Well he was just slightly right perhaps, because he was much more useful in the field then caged back at the castle. So why not indulge himself by knowing what he suspected? So, nonchalant as always, he walked into that room, approaching his peer who's identity was discovered the minute heir hair was noticed by the Assassin. Marluxia could only smirk when he was finally close enough, thinking that no one would amuse him more then Larxene if the mission was really a failure. "Hello Larxene.", he greeted her with his usual smug grin, suspecting that all it took was that to set that ball lightning in motion.

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[Larxene]

The assault on the Destiny Islands was a bust.

What should have been an easy victory - seizing the heart of the world and framing the Dark XII for its second fall to Darkness - had ended in defeat.

They found the cave. They found the door to the world’s heart. It should have been simple, but then that boy, Rook, showed up. And quite literally the whole plan came crashing down on top of them. At least, she had hoped, that damned boy that ruined everything got crushed by those crumbling plans. Larxene hadn’t stayed to find out.

When the cave began coming down, she up and left. Xigbar had done the same. She didn’t know where he’d gotten off to, though. Probably returned to the battle on the beach where Xaldin was leading the charge. She saw going back there pointless, their mission already botched, so instead she returned to the Castle. Better she withdrew from the fight anyway, injured as she was. That Rook kid got her good. And needless to say was not in the most cheerful of moods either.

She was in pain and livid.

Visibly she winced as she stepped out of the Corridor of Darkness – her magical visage of the Heartless Arlene melting away - and into the Grey Area, putting her weight onto her bad leg. The boy had punched her, hard, and she did not know the extent of the damage he had done. Her knee buckled under her slightly as her foot found solid ground. Between grit teeth she hissed, balancing herself once more on her good leg before closing the Corridor. With a snarl she started moving, with a limp, keen on getting out of their before any of her fellows too returned to battle and started needling her about her wound. Looking up she realized that already it was too late for that – someone was already there, watching her. What he was doing outside his chambers, she didn’t know, nor did she care. But needless to say she wasn’t too happy to see Marluxia at that very moment.

So, when she limped up to him, teeth clenched, scowling, and brow furrowed, she did the only thing she felt was appropriate in reply to his smug greeting to her.

Larxene punched him with as much strength as she could muster.

[marluxia]

Marluxia was waiting for Larxene to be somewhat bruised and angered, the mission being a failure and all would certainly cause her to sustain some damage not only to her body but her ego as well, though never did the Assassin expect the Nymph, who's speed surpassed even his own and was flat-out astonishing, would sustain such injury that she would be limping like a beaten puppy. What happened there? What the heck was that mission he was not briefed of? Were there casualties? If so, then who? So many questions filled with mind, occupying him so much his facial expression did not change from his calm yet smug nature. And, given the volatile nature of not only her attribute but herself, a punch was delivered straight to his face, the blow actually quite strong despite her condition, even strong enough to take him by surprise. He even leaned frontwards, reaching for his face with a gloved hand, the pain starting to pulse as if aftershock from the blow. It hurt, it really did, but he did nothing for a few seconds, not even look at her.

Now, Larxene had always been violent, actually threatening to do things most would find quite unpleasant to hear, hell she had spouted quite a few during their stay with the Org, Marluxia always calling out to her to try and do so, but the result being them shrugging it off, it was like a routine. But never did she actually even laid a finger on Marluxia, not until that moment at least. So whatever happened, it was quite unpleasant to her. The desire to know just grew even more with that little strike to his face, it was big enough for the man to disregard that she had bruised his flawless face, on a normal occasion, that would spell her doom, the man drawing his scythe and at least repay the same kindness until he was satisfied. But no, the only thing he did was look at her through between his fingers, a deep blue eye looking upon her in its usual emotionless yet calm expression. He then proceeded to stand straight, his gloved hand descending upon his pale pink lips so as to see if she had created a gash on his lip. Fortunately, she hadn't and the bruise to his cheek would soon be nothing, time healing it. After that, he just looked at her, examining the details of her injuries. He had hoped that by striking him like she did, some frustration for her loss would be released, otherwise, another would probably follow and that he wouldn't allow. After all, he wasn't a punching bag now was he? The smugness had left him, his facial expression as blank as it could be.

A gloved hand now was reaching for her, as calml as his expression was, eventually finding it's way to the side of her head, his thumb close to the gash over her left eye. His eyes examined it, being the most visible wound. "What happened?...", his gaze was directed back to her eyes for a few seconds as he said that, his tone did not have a shred of worry though, no way, it was straight to the point with little emotion. Was he worried about her? No because not only he wasn't able to feel any sort of emotion or empathy for another, he believed that as long as she was breathing, able to walk and conscious, it didn't really matter, those war wounds nothing to the healing nature of their bodies. Perhaps that was his way of caring for the one that stood by his side in the past? Maybe.... He didn't ask or say anything after that though, just waiting for her to reply, eyes on hers as if he was trying to see for himself what she had seen, the questions still waiting to be answer in his mind. She was the key to unlock them, but would she answer?

[Larxene]

Larxene’s arm was numb for a few moments after she struck him, her limbs finally exhausted from the day’s excursion. But damn, did it feel satisfying. She let her fists fall limp at her sides.

She barely gave Marluxia a second look as her thoughts turned inward, paying no heed to how he recoiled from the blow, held his face, stared at her through his parted fingers, instead thinking back to that secret place on the Islands, the door, the victory that was close at hand, and the boy that ruined it all. Had she a heart she would be seething with fury right then and there. Her blood would boil with heated ire, course through her veins and set fire to her entire being. But that wasn’t so. All she could feel was the hollow memory of rage, and the sense-numbing pain that bloomed from her battered knee.

At least, she consoled herself, that damned child was dead. She assumed he was dead. He damn well better be dead. With all the crap he caused…

Larxene unknowingly let out a low, feral snarl.

And she had forgotten Marluxia was still there until he reached out and touched her, inspecting a wound on her head. She almost pulled away from his touch.

After a long silence, Marluxia finally spoke again. He wanted to know what happened. A fair enough question. Larxene, for that matter, wanted to know what happened too. The plan, after all, had seemed so perfect.

“What happened,” Larxene finally said, glowering up at him as she viciously – she thought it vicious, but it was a rather weak motion – swat his hand away, “Is that the plan failed. We found the door. We found the heart of the world. But we failed. So close. And. We. Failed.” Her nostrils flare s she spoke, her tone a bitter grumble. “The meeting afterwards is going to be a disaster.”

Stumbling slightly, remembering her ailing leg, she started to hobble out of the Grey Area, desperate to get out of the gather place before anyone else shows up, battered and grim from the botched assault.

She didn’t look back at him, but she called over her shoulder, a hidden invitation to follow along if he so desired to. “And who said you could leave your quarters, Marluxia?”

The Assassin had crawled out from his corner to eves drop on those returning from the mission, to gather intel that he may use later. She knew he did. He knew how he played his role. And if he wanted to know what she had to offer, he would follow along, away from unwanted ears…

[marluxia]

That gaze, the one that could make almost anyone shiver and probably Larxene's signature glare, Marluxia had never seen it so intense, so whatever happened didn't please her the slightest. But that was pretty much obvious and nothing that insightful, since the sorry state she was in would make anyone feel quite aggravated and on top of that, the plan had failed. He didn't react to his hand being weakly swatted away, just letting it fall slowly and to the side of his body, blue eyes looking upon her green ones as he listened carefully to every word she spoke. So the mission was to destroy a world?... Was that what Xemnas had reduced the Organization? To a mere demolition group? no, there had to be another reason, he wasn't that near-sighted as to start wreaking havoc and drawing attention to the Organization, not while the Dark was around. Last thing they wanted was to have both the heroes and those wretched Heartless breaking into the HQ and destroying what little remained and was of the Nobodies. Perhaps the turmoil and this little mission were connected to that fact? The Superior would surely be trying to turn the heroes in their favor so as to destroy the Heartless. How sly of you "Superior"... Well, it's not really a surprise coming from you..., he thought to himself as those thoughts went through his head, not conveying any emotion to Larxene, not even letting out the smug smirk at the thought that he was able to read the Superior just like that. Sure it was only an assumption, real evidence still not presenting itself to the Assassin, but his ego knew no bounds, making him quite confident that that was the answer. "I believe it will be really distasteful...", he commented to her about the gathering that would surely follow the failed mission.

The bruised Nymph proceeded to walk, if her limping stride could even be considered as such, Marluxia following her after that subtle invitation and easily staying by her side as they moved out of the place the others would surely appear when they RTC. Her question made him smirk and though it was not smug, out of not wanting to get punched yet again by a weakened Larxene, it was still a smirk as he proceeded to reply to her, "I am not a grounded child. If I see fit to leave my leave my room I will do so. As long as I am not near rooms that hold great importance, I believe they will indulge my need to at least walk or train so as to not wither out of boredom. If that is an issue, then I'm sure they will bring it to my attention.", he didn't look at her as he said that, gazing out at front. He then continued, his tone still as emotion-deprived as ever, as if he was simply stating facts and this time giving her a sideglance, "Yet again another's obsession has led you to nothing but injury and aggravation... It pains me that you are submitted to such treatment you do not deserve, my dear Larxene.", this time not even a smile creeping up on him, quite serious. Yes it was just small talk until she finally found the place she'd deem secure enough, the simple thought that he'd fake having emotions like most of the other delusional members of the Organization actually considered an hilarious but stupid idea. But even if he didn't feel anything, the Nobody knew that Larxene was indeed important, considering the fact that he was branded a traitor and no one would even be in the same room as him without spouting several times the word "Traitor". Had she been sent to the empty void from whence they came, he would be all alone against the others and that he did not want. And even if she had her flaws, perhaps she could still be trusted like Marluxia had deemed worthy of that in the past? Only time would tell that, the Assassin still disliking the fact that she had been too close to the others and thus could've already settled in, erasing the idea of betraying the wretched Superior. He hoped not, he really did, because then he'd have to put up with that torment for as long as he drew breath and he didn't fancy that idea one bit.

[Larxene]

[[Apologies for the delay. I've had things at home to take care of. @.@]]

Larxene glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and saw his smirk. She let out a light snort as she cast her gaze away from him once more, rolling her eyes slightly.

“I just thought you’d exert a bit more… caution. With your history, well, one would think with all your skulking about that you’re, ah… up to something.” And that was all true enough. She knew for a fact that one certain higher up downright knew that the Eleventh of their number was scheming one of his little schemes. And several others no doubt suspected. If he wasn’t careful, Marluxia’s pride would be the end of him.

His second comment made her almost literally bite down on her own tongue, lest she voice her initial response.

Yet again another’s obsession has led you to nothing but injury and aggravation.

She wanted to point out Marluxia’s desire for the Keyblade was borderline obsession in itself. And she wanted to remind him that his little scheme in Castle Oblivion did not end so well for her either. But she withheld her bitter retort. It was all in the past now, and she was keen on learning from it.

“Not so much obsession,” she finally said after a long silence, “as poor reconnaissance. The defensive front was more than we had expected. The Keyblade wielders? Expected. Island residents? Expected. But help from off world, and so quickly? That is where our foreknowledge fell flat on its face.” She stopped walking, and let out a snarling sigh. “We can only hope, since we didn’t claim the world’s heart, that one part of our plan worked. That they blame the Heartless for the assault, and not us.”

[marluxia]

Her comment made him let a slight chuckle escape his pale pink lips, quite amused. She was right, they would think he was up to something if they saw him outside of his chambers, so he replied quite flatly as if it didn't really matter, "Well whether I stay in my room or roam has the same outcome. In their simple, feeble minds they will always think I'm up to something.", deep blue eyes then glanced to her with a slight sly grin on the corner of his lips, "But maybe I am... Who know?", his tone this time slightly whimsical. He had something in mind he really did, Saix's little corner his goal and with the others' attention drawn from him and onto other matters such as that little quest they were sent to, he thought he could just sneak past it all and get the information he wanted. The few other places he wished to visit for whatever he was scheming were far from his reach considering they were beyond the empty castle that should've never come to existence. What was he looking for though? Information... It was powerful and could bring Titans to their knees. If only he could acquire it though.

He got what he wanted with that little remark, very much aware what her response would be though, knowing her and all, thus the "another" tossed in there. Playful jest as if a slight comment on how she was used and only to suffer at the ends of the opposition, but he couldn't help himself. her next words would make the Assassin oh so pleased and his ego expanding even more. He hanged to those words and analyzed them one by one, though he couldn't help but pay more attention to the fact that his reasoning and suspicion were spot on, the little mission the Superior had kept from him the one he had come to reach using pure insight. Larxene just needed to finally give him the nudge towards the certainty, so whatever doubts, if there were any truth be told considering his smug personality, were shunned away. "Help from an outsider?... An unsuspected counter-attack so quickly executed? Humph, the Superior should've seen it and prepared for a possible extra element considering how easy it is to traverse worlds... His foresight is lacking to say the least.", he mused out loud, giving yet again another back hand to the one fiend he hated the most, though he did forget to ask who the outsider was, concentrating more on insulting Xemnas.

When she stopped, Marluxia stopped a few steps after, turning to face her and stand in front of her, he crossed his arms a simple said with a slight amused smile on the corner of his lips, "Well if one of the others didn't blow the cover, I'm certain they will at least fall for that, after all, if the objective was the heart of the world and considering the nature of our "rivals", I'm sure they will be deceived. They aren't the brightest either so at least you may take solace in that Larxene.". He didn't count that she would blow her cover, after all, he believed she was competent despite her obnoxious attitude and savage personality. The others on the other hand, members who were too laid back, arrogant or just plain incapable of "selling it", could very well turn that plot into ashes.

His eyes went from top to bottom at her once more, disliking the state she was in and wondering if she could keep on walking for much longer, so dropping that smile of his into a more calm and emotionless expression he said, "Perhaps now, instead of dwelling in these events much longer, we should tend to your wounds?". After all, the Nobody needed to keep his only, possible considering the circumstances, ally as fit as possible, should he require her she wouldn't be of much use to him in that pitiful state.

[/blockquote]

[Larxene]

A click of the tongue. A roll of the eyes. Larxene already knew how unfit a leader the Superior was. Marluxia was only regurgitating old information, old sentiments. And the halls were no place for such treasonous words.

When he walked ahead of her, cut off her path to face her, she looked up at him with feigned malice in her blue-green eyes. “You’d be careful not to speak so brashly about our peerless leader,” she said to him. The uncommitted words felt awkward on her lips and tongue, but she was determined to keep up loyal appearances. “And yes, tending to my wounds would be a novel idea, wouldn’t it? Mind getting out of my way then, No. XI, so that I may finally get myself to my quarters?”

Insurgency and intrigue, after all, was best kept for more private venues…

[marluxia]

And he had done it yet again, insult the superior without any restrain. Now, he wasn't an idiot, around others he most certainly wouldn't do that considering how thin the ice he walked on was, but this was all to test something... If Larxene was indeed devoted to him, wouldn't she have already threatened to turn him in? He was a dangerous variable in the equation that the the Organization, because the last thing they needed was trouble going from the inside out, so they were probably all ordered to report any suspicious behavior of the eleventh member. So she was still the same Larxene as before? Was she really still the one he had trusted to be by his side during their stay in Castle Oblivion? It was too soon to tell, she could very well be treading lightly considering her state. She was a possible ally, but there was no way he would be turned into a dusk and he would take the necessary measures to ensure that he wouldn't join those low-ranked shells of nothingness, even if it meant her end. So the possibility that she would later inform others was still on the table. He would have to keep an eye on her until he could be certain where she stood.

"Ah.. It seems isolation has taken its toll on me, please disregard my clearly delusional and baseless comments.", he said with a smirk and a slight amused grin on his lips. He had to gamble on this one, because either he would forever stand alone against the others, or he would have another by his side and frankly, he obviously favored the later. When she "requested" Marluxia to move, he simply took a step backwards, gesturing with his hand after extending his arm, "My apologies No. XII, please, after you.", a slight smile on the corner of his lips.

[Larxene]

“My, my, aren’t you a right little gentleman?” Larxene said when he made way for her. “That being the case, and seeing as you obviously have nothing to preoccupy yourself with, you better as well come along. Perhaps I’ll find you a suitable punishment for your slander, hm?”

Giving him a cruel smile, she hobbled past him, continuing her trek to her own abode. There she could drop this silly loyalist pretense and get down to any business Marluxia had, or vent her frustrations out loud without worry of recompense. Whichever came first.

All that mattered to her that it was a place of privacy. Only a complete fool with a death wish would violate it, especially if that privacy was that of a woman. More so if the woman was Larxene.

[marluxia]

Her comment made the nobody chuckle. Gentleman? Marluxia? He was graceful and charming, but nothing more, after all, he was an assassin and his kind didn't care much for pleasantries, rather erasing his foe the fastest way possible and without a care as how. Her remark made him smirk and give a slight bow with his head, as if he accepted whatever punishment she was referring to. The thought that perhaps she would use him as a punching bag came to mind much to his amusement, but considering the state she was in and all, he didn't see that happening, perhaps vent out a bit, yell about whoever it was that had crashed their little mission, but that would only come when they tended to her wounds.

Blue eyes watched her as she walked, if you could consider that wobbling stride walking that is, only then to follow close behind her, assuming they would be heading towards her quarters. There no one would hear them talk, nor would they enter considering the nature of the one that had made her room. Poor be ye that had the unfortunate idea to enter there without her consent...

[Larxene]

The walk was not a long one, though Larxene felt like she had traversed much farther when she got to her quarter’s door, the adrenaline from the earlier fight fading away allowing the full pain of her injury to be felt. She grit her teeth as she forcefully flung open the door.

Her room, much like most of the others’, was nothing all that grand: pale walls with a pale floor, a pale bed with pale sheets, and a pale window looking out to the deep darkness of The World That Never Was’ sky and the Dark City beneath. A stark abode, with but a few extra accessories to call her own.

A wardrobe took up one corner of the room with a large looking glass beside it, and long bookshelves, laden with books ranging from novels by the Marquis de Sade, to medical texts on the human body and painful pressure points, to history books detailing torture devices throughout the worlds and ages, took up two adjacent walls. Creature comforts.

Several paces into her room, Larxene rounded on Marluxia, not waiting for him to step across the threshold and close the door behind him before setting into him, “I highly doubt your ‘isolation’ has made you delusional, Marluxia. If anything, I think you’ve completely lost your marbles and your desire to continue your meager existence. Honestly! Saying such comments out loud, in a gathering place, where anyone can hear you! Are you insane?”

[marluxia]

Marluxia followed Larxene closely, eventually arriving at her room. The nobody wondered if he had been one of the few or even the one to have entered her accommodations, because he was certain that not just anyone would be allowed by her to traverse that door and simply saunter in. As he closed the door behind him, there went Larxene to lash out to him for his little comments regarding the ruler of the in-between. So she was still the Larxene he remembered... He was certain that if she was with them, the Nymph wouldn't have mentioned it, rather parted ways and report what she had heard to the others the minute she could. a soft smile appeared on his pale lips as he even locked the door to make sure no one would easily barge into her room, turning around to face her with his arms crossed and maintaining that smile as he finally replied, "You should know by now, my dear Larxene, that my actions aren't undeliberate... Though in this case, I must admit that it was indeed, as our fellow peer Luxord would say, a gamble even if I had previously made preparations to perform it. You see, when I was once more captured and confined to my quarters, I took solace in the fact that perhaps the only being worthy of my trust would remain by my side. I did not expect her to come visit me, I am no fool and am very much aware of the risks, but one never knows if allies turn to foes due to how comfortable they become... So I merely wanted to know.".

He proceeded to walk towards her and when he finally was close enough, a gloved hand went to caress her cheek, so as to move back a few locks of hair that were out of place, only then to continue with the same smile upon his lips, "But we can discuss my impulsive actions later.", he took a step to the side and gestured to her bed before continuing, "We should tend to your wounds first. Where do you keep the medical aid and potions?", his smile toning down to his usual emotion deprived expression. What he did had been quite a foolish move, much like she said, though he had taken care of noting his surroundings when he spoke like that and besides... They were too busy following the orders of their leader out of the castle, or away from them, so he had nothing to fear, at least at that time.

[Larxene]

Larxene wanted to punch him again just to knock that smile off his face.

She always knew the Graceful Assassin to be proud, arrogant, but these days he almost seemed to be more dangerously so. He was branded a traitor, and yet he still strut about the castle with the air of a lord. Admittedly she respected him for that swagger, that audacity to play prince when he was regarded by the higher ups as nothing more than an insolent child in need of punishment. But at the same time she hated him for it. After all, she needed his help to overthrow the Superior. His strutting and swagger would get him into deathly deep trouble if he didn’t rein it all into check, but she knew Marluxia would sooner lose his head… than bow it to the likes of Xemnas.

Truthfully, playing Xemnas’ willing pawn – turncoat turned trustworthy – was not an easy, comfortable task. She hated it, but she needed to do it if she wanted to survive. Marluxia, she felt, would have been wise to do the same. But that damned pride of his…

“I’m insulted, Marluxia,” Larxene said, knocking his hand away as she turned from him and limped towards her bed; she was in no mood for his touch, his feigned affection for her, “that you would think me – ME! – grown complacent under the Superior’s thumb. You of all people should know all about the illusion of innocence, you and your flowers. Sure, the Nightshade is pretty enough to look at, and harmless as well, just sitting there, looking her part of nature’s order… until you put her to your lips.” She sat down on the edge of her bed and flicked her eyes up to him, annoyed more than anything with him. “I’ll never be ‘comfortable’ under him, Marluxia. Never forget that… And you can get me a potion from inside the wardrobe, bottom drawer. Just don’t touch my dresses.”

She pulled her injured knee up and massaged it gingerly, cursing the red-head fool that dared strike her.

[marluxia]

Marluxia was well aware of how prideful he was, he was also intelligent enough to see that that fact alone could very well cost him his existence, but that little act he put up for Larxene was all to see her reaction, he would fall in line even if he wasn't used to considering his time in somewhat of an isolation, even if it would be extremely aggravating. He refused to grovel though as some of the other members did, or so he saw it as such. A simple "Yes Superior, of course" here and there would suffice as long as he did not raise any suspicion to himself and for that he needed to tread carefully, no matter how painful it was. Larxene had done nicely, but she did what he just couldn't bring himself to do considering how prideful and how egomaniacle he was... But maybe he would have to do as such? The thought almost made the Assassin vomit.

Her words made his smile drop completely, making the Nobody realize that she really was still the Nymph he remembered, the one that shared his vision of an Organization without the wretched Xemnas and under their feet. Eyes went to the hand that had been swatted away, just before looking at her, he had clearly struck a nerve with his questioning of her loyalty. he payed attention to her, replying simply to her metaphor, "Indeed...", though not even one of his usual smirks or smug grins made its way to his pale pink lips. he should probably apologize to her, tell her he had been mistaken so as not to possibly lose a valuable ally or at least make her give him less of those looks that were a bit aggravating, even if he deserved them, but to lower himself like that? She knew as much as him he would never do such a thing. When she finally told him where the potions were, he didn't reply, simply walk towards the wardrobe and open it the dresses greeting the man.

He really couldn't help but blink and tilt his head slightly as he gazed upon those garments, not really picturing this to be Larxene's type of clothing, expecting something more... Or rather, less feminine, but considering he was too used to seeing her in the standard cloak, he just couldn't say anything about that, but did attempt to picture her wearing one of those, just for a slight brief amused at the Savage Nymph wearing a dress. He leaned down and opened the bottom drawer, taking out a vial with the green liquid that would help her with the healing of her wounds. After shoving the drawer in and closing the wardrobe, he proceeded to calmly walk back to her, extending to the other the vial, expression still absent from his face as he simply said, "Here.", only to stand there and pretty much wait, also pondering if he should say something about what he had done to her. Logically speaking, she really did deserve his trust considering all they went through, but what if she was resentful about that? He couldn't very well trust her if she wanted revenge for throwing her to the wolves. After a bit of silence had fallen upon that room, he finally said, having thought carefully about it, "I see how I was... Mistaken... To have thought that of you. To be submitted to his orders and having to follow them without question, to have to even listen to him and look him in the eyes as he looks down upon you... I shouldn't have even considered that you, Larxene, would want that. I assure you I will not forget and that you have my trust as you did in the past.". He then gave her a slight nod with his head, as if a disguised bow, that the best he could conjure as a means of appology and to admit he was wrong was something left a really bad taste in his mouth.