Kingdom Hearts - Blades of Three Realms

[Kuukyo_Fushichou]

Axel of course was about to agree about nothing making sense but that's what it was, when certain words hit his mind he immediately turned his laid-back face into one of smoldering anger, showing why you don't piss off the Assassin of the organization "Xion is -NOT- a puppet, not anymore, and if i hear you calling one of my best friends nothing more than a puppet then i'll just have to remind you just how strong i've gotten in these years both apart the organization and away from it, got it Memorized!?!?!" he said with fervor showing he won't tollerate anyone insulting Xion or Roxas anymore, they were his friends too damn it! but of course Axel calmed down a bit and narrowed his eyes ".... look, sorry i yelled, but having Roxas and Xion back in my life saved me Isa.. it saved me from going down the path of self sacrifice trying to get you back, probably in vain too, if i went against you while i was alone." he let out a blowing breath of sorts, and just glanced to the door hearing the ruckus next door, shaking his head afterwards.


Shiro of course gladly took Xion's help to get up, adjusting his towel away from his eyes so he could actually see. "ah.. thanks Xion, and yeah, for all my expert skills in swordsmanship and athletics, when i'm doing normal things i'm about as coordinated as an unaided blind man." he said with a sweatdrop, while looking towards the completely embarrassed Roxas and Crystal, gomen, everyone, for causing such a thing." he said, bowing in apology, and heading over to his bed so he could resume drying off, even if he was showing his own bare chest, and some of the scars upon it, like one star-looking one right in his chest where the heart would be. Roveth of course had come into the room not long after raising an eyebrow "thought i heard something going on..." he then looked to the embarassed teens on the bed, and raising an eyebrow "you two had protection, right?" he quipped, just to get them more flustered so he could get a proper picture of their embarrassed faces.  

[[XIII] Roxas]

"I see," Isa nodded while sounding apologetic. "And I'm sorry. Although, I am still surprised. It's already gotten a bit hazy, but from what I can recall of Xehanort's plans, this is entirely unexpected." He could kind of piece together who was who in the group based on how Axel had described them, although it was still surprising that Xion had the appearance of a young girl rather than being a faceless doll. Identifying the boys of light and shadow was simple enough. And then there was the other girl. The one who wields both a Keyblade and tremendous magical capabilities. Isa would dare say that Crystal might give Zexion a run for his munny in terms of magic and tactical ability. "I suppose I'll just have to get reacquainted with Roxas and Xion to see for myself what exactly it is you find so appealing about their company. And, of course, you'll have to introduce me to the rest."


Who knew Roxas's face could get so red? He was blushing even more after Roveth's unsolicited commentary. It seemed that Roxas wasn't so oblivious to his predicament after all. "It's not what you think!"

Crystal, meanwhile, reached for the nearest available object, being the dream interpretation dictionary she had set aside, and flung it at Roveth's face spine first. "Shut up!" she growled through her own embarrassed blushing.

This, of course, solicited laughter from Xion as their reactions really were quite priceless.  

[Kuukyo_Fushichou]

of course, being sent flying back out of the room from the book did not stop Roveth from taking a picture of their embarrassment from his comments just cause he could, but either way the damage was done, and Shiro shook his head with an exasperated sigh "Yami no Ahou..." he muttered while Roveth picked his face up off the floor and got back into the room actually looking a bit more serious despite the clear amusement on his face "anyway, i was coming to let you guys know i got us places for the breakfast line if you wanted some food... and shiro, Put a damn shirt on." he said, putting the dictionary on the table before heading out the door, chuckling in general, Shiro blinked meanwhile from his comment, then remembering there was two girls in the room... and he had his scarred chest bared, showing some of his prices for his failures, it made him flinch a bit, and look around for where he put his shirt.

Axel nodded, having calmed down a bit more hearing Isa's apology and all, smiling "not a problem, though i implore you to not give Roveth a reason to embarrass you or prank you.. because he will do it in the most humiliating way possible." he said in warning, though it was also in amusement as he handed over a couple of pictures from when Roveth got Seifer "this is the aftermath of a trio of kids who gave Roveth that reason, i figured to give you fair warning, while Roveth's on our side.. he does -not- play nice." he said, as he nodded "but yeah, i can introduce you to everyone properly as well as tell them my real name at breakfast, if you're up for some?" he asked, just as Roveth knocked on the door "if you two are awake the breakfast line's set up and i got us reservations in it so we don't have to fight too hard to get food." he said before walking on and all.  

[[XIII] Roxas]

Roxas, of course, scrambled up from the bed to avoid any further embarrassment, whether it might come at the hands of Roveth or heaven forbid that Axel should happen to see him in such a position. He was still visibly red in the face though so somehow or other it was probably going to come out soon anyway.

Crystal got up herself, pausing to put away the dream interpretation dictionary as well as Shiro's hammock so they wouldn't be leaving anything behind in the room once they left. The Benbow Inn was usually pretty busy so it wouldn't be a bad idea for them to clear out soon anyway. Crystal was still blushing a good amount too and it was probably going to be several hours before she and Roxas could look each other in the face without blushing severely so Roveth was going to be having a field day with their embarrassment at least until then.

"Breakfast sounds great," Xion might have been roped in a bit by Roveth's helpful reminder about Shiro's blatant lack of shirt, which seemed to have no measurable impact on Crystal who had seen him shirtless before and wasn't so easily distracted by his scars, but for Xion was certainly a new sight to behold. She then left quickly with the Moogle perched comfortably atop her head. They really weren't joking when they said Roveth would try to prank and get a rise out of anyone he could. He'd manage to unravel the whole room with just a few simple comments.

Crystal and Roxas both left not long after to also head down for breakfast.


Isa nodded to the prospect of breakfast. "Yes, I would think that having a good meal might help to put everything back into perspective. It seems like it's been far too long since I've had a normal interaction with society in general." He got up and glanced down at his Organization coat. "And I suppose afterward I'll be needing some new clothes."  

[Kuukyo_Fushichou]

of course Shiro helped packing things up when he found a red tshirt to go with his jacket to at least hide his self-consciousness of his failures on his body as he muttered about Roveth in a not-nice way, so on,so forth. of course Roveth just smiled to himself as he was already downstairs getting the rooms paid for for everyone having managed to nick Shiro's munny bag to do that, and once things were settled, he'd go about getting himself something to eat, with Shiro and co. probably not long behind him.


Axel hummed a bit with a nod "a bit of a wardrobe change would do ya good, i'd agree there, the only reason i still have my coat, kinda, is due to an interesting development on the last world i was on when trying to find Roxas and the otherrs when they outright disappeared outta nowhere when i wasn't looking." he said, pointing out his own silver Organization coat, along with his own wardrobe change "but the shopping trip can be a you and me thing while the others continue their playing with Solar Sailors."  

[[XIII] Roxas]

"You never were much good at babysitting," Isa remarked with some of that good old snarky sarcasm of his. "But at least it sounds like you've attempted to become a bit more responsible."

They would of course meet up with the rest of the group down at their table once everyone was done picking stuff out from the breakfast buffet. The food options were a bit odd in some places, being as this particular inn caters to a wide variety of visitors from across the galaxy, but there were plenty of choices that would appeal to the human taste palette. The fact that there was some fresh tension between certain teens in the group wouldn't be lost on Isa, as it was plain to see that Xion was averting her gaze from Shiro who seemed flustered in a much more general capacity while Roxas and Crystal couldn't seem to look in the general direction of each other without going a bit red in the face.

"I don't pity you one bit for having to contend with all of these teenage hormones," Isa said to Axel before sitting down himself. Oh yeah, this was going to be comically awkward.  

[Kuukyo_Fushichou]

Axel noticed all the tension, well, except for Shiro who was glaring at his dark half with a dirty look, and the smug face Roveth had on, he knew exactly what had to have happened and sighed a bit ".... given whose looking smug over there i have a funny feeling Roveth instigated it with all too innocent observations and comments. Roveth, can you -please- stop picking on my friends?" he said with a chuckle of amusement as Roveth grinned even more "the opportunity was ripe, and my light half forgot he conveniently still had his shirt off after showering, which is the reason why Xion's probably embarrassed... as for the other two... no idea why they were in bed together." he quipped, and Shiro of course groaned, almost slamming his head into his plat of food "dammit Roveth, that was my fault, because i accidentally tripped coming out of the shower and bumped Roxas into landing atop Crystal." Axel of course just shook his head with a snort and looked to Isa "it's actually hilarious if you look at it from an outsider's point of view, not to mention it is fun to tease Roxas at times about it." Shiro of course just grumbled "you would say that when you take as many photos as Roveth does for blackmail material." Axel of course looked over to Shiro "i do it in case i have people trying to blackmail -me-, so i can black-mail them first."  

[[XIII] Roxas]

"Ever the opportunist," Isa shook his head disdainfully at Axel's choice of explanation. "That's what'll get you into trouble in the first place."

"The only reason Roxas was nearby when Shiro came back from the shower is because he wanted to see what I was reading," Crystal sighed in exasperation directed toward Roveth. "Wrong place, wrong time. That's it. So just drop it already!"

"But you're right, they are rather amusing to watch," Isa finally conceded to Axel. "So amazingly defensive."

"But it's the truth," Roxas protested. "There really wasn't anything else going on!" Although now he really did have to wonder why exactly he was getting so worked up over this. Aside from Roveth's comments and teasing, there was absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. It was just an accident as a result of Shiro's rather predictably unpredictable clumsiness and nothing more. Roxas hadn't done anything wrong. He didn't even feel that way about Crystal so nothing would have happened, right? And now Roxas wasn't so sure and his face went completely red again. It was his own fault for letting Roveth get inside his head. The question had been planted and now Roxas couldn't seem to stop thinking about it.

Xion watched with worry as Roxas looked like he was about to explode from embarrassment while attempting to concentrate on eating her breakfast so as to avoid embarrassing him further by pressing the issue.

Crystal closed her eyes, attempting to clear her mind of the conversation so she could focus on eating and then get herself ready for another day riding on the Solar Sailors hoping the adrenaline rush and wind in her face would help to take her mind off of other things.  

[Kuukyo_Fushichou]

Roveth just smiled in his smirk-ish way, and kept silent for now and continued eating, while axel snorted a bit lightly "it is that opprotunistic way of mine to take my chance in saving you when you showed up yanno." he said while looking to everyone "anyway, for most who know of him ,this is Sai'x, but his true name is Isa, just as Axel isn't my true name, my real name is Lea. i just prefer Axel more cause it is a cool name." of course Shiro shrugged towards Axel's comments while looking to Isa "it's a pleasure to meet you outside of being an enemy." he said with a genuine smile. Roveth of course just gave off a wave of his fork in his way of saying 'yo.' while Shiroi Senko snuck downstairs, and begun eating too, by sneaking Gysahl Greens from Shiro's pockets, who didn't mind, given he reached back to pet the silver chocobo and getting a wark in response.  

[[XIII] Roxas]

"Yes, I know, I owe my newfound freedom to your impulsive recklessness," Isa remained neutral. He then nodded in general to the group of teenagers as he was being introduced to them. "Pleased to make your acquaintance. And my apologies for how I treated the both of you while working for the Organization," this part was of course directed at Roxas and Xion in particular, although there was also a small nod to Lea given there had been some tense times for them as well. "I trust you can forgive the fact that I wasn't entirely myself."

"Don't worry, we know more than we'd like to about Xehanort's influence," Roxas responded finally snapping out of his own embarrassed thoughts for the time being.

"Yes, I suppose you do seem more enlightened than when we knew each other in the Organization," Isa nodded. There was definitely something quite different about the boy. "Possibly even more-so than Sora, I'd wager. He still isn't too perceptive about his own situation. Although, I do wonder how it is that you've come to know so much."

"That would be my doing," Crystal responded suddenly sounding serious. "You see, I've done a lot of research about what's been happening. Plus, Xehanort's experiments are also what caused the split between Shiro and Roveth, so it's become a rather personal problem as well. Xehanort has hurt many people in his mad quest for the power of Kingdom Hearts and being as I've grown somewhat attached to a lot of those people so I can't exactly forgive what he's done. Although I do also have a small grudge against Ansem the Wise for spreading certain false information as well."

"I see, so you're quite the little scholar it would seem," Isa nodded with approval. "With might and magic to match." He directed his penetrating gaze onto Roxas again. "Here's some free advice--don't ever let this one go. She might be difficult to handle being so clever, but you probably won't ever be led astray again either."

"I'll keep that in mind," Roxas decided not to argue although being told what he should do, even if it was no longer Sai'x, but Isa telling him, still made him feel strangely defiant. Besides, he still needed to eat his share of breakfast and he wanted to be able to enjoy it without being teased again.

Isa then turned his attention more fully to Xion. "I know we weren't on the best terms in the Organization and I never saw you the way that Lea and Roxas did, but clearly circumstances have changed rather substantially and while I don't fully understand how, you've clearly become more real now than anyone could have expected."

"I can't really explain it either," Xion admitted. "I was pulled out of a memory buried inside a dream world."

"Some kind of genuine miracle then?" Isa glanced to Lea for some sort of confirmation to see if that seemed like the right word for it. "I suppose that kind of magic must exist somewhere as well."  

[Kuukyo_Fushichou]

Axel nodded a bit while finishing up a bite of his own food "yeah, i only knew about it second hand from another acquaintance of ours named Nicholas D. Wolfwood what Crystal and Roxas were trying to do, so i'd definitely say miracle in that case." he said, while Shiro nodded, adopting a hollow, cold killer like stare as he looked at his plate ".... i know i might have to wait in line, with how many people Xehanort has screwed with, but god damnit, if i get my hands on him, i'm going to discombobulate him molecule by molecule." he said coldly, clearly showing he held -no- small amount of hatred, it was a -large- amount, while roveth looked to shiro, the two staring for a moment before Shiro went back to eating and letting his slight killing intent relax for a moment as Roveth nodded "too true, even if it's actually helped shiro to be seperate from me, Xehanort has -much- to answer for."  

[[XIII] Roxas]

"Well, while Xehanort certainly had his eye on your before for his experiments, I'd say after what you've all accomplished here he will no longer permit you to slip under his radar so easily," Isa pointed in total seriousness. "Make no mistake, I am profoundly grateful to be free of him, but the danger you will face for releasing me will be far greater. Although if his own Heartless and Nobody couldn't put a stop to a mere boy such as Sora, I do have to wonder what he could hope to accomplish against so many of you at once."

"Well, compared to Sora we're nothing special. He's the chosen hero, after all, so it stands to reason that even as woefully clueless as he is, he's basically an unstoppable force of nature," Crystal responded. "At least, that's what I'd like to say, but to be quite honest, I don't actually believe it. Leaving it in the hands of one person, even someone like Sora, to save the worlds and defeat Xehanort, I just don't see it. There is safety and greater strength in numbers. Besides, I don't think it's fair to pin it all on him either."

"Quite right," Isa nodded. "Lea, where ever did you pick up this delightful little troublemaker? She has such wonderful insight. I find it hard to believe that Roxas managed to find her all by himself."

Roxas was glaring at him again. Oh so very much.

"You're right, he is fun to tease," Isa chuckled mildly. "But she's not wrong, it is entirely foolish to bet the whole future on one boy simply because he's the so-called chosen one, even with all the success Sora has had up until now. He stands out too much and Xehanort is biding his time building up defenses specifically meant to target Sora and his good intentions to bring about his eventual downfall. Losing him as a potential vessel for his heart was only a minor setback at best."

"But if Xehanort has to stretch his focus to us as well, then that means that Sora will have more leeway for action," Xion realized. "So if we keep doing what we've been doing and managed to destroy more pieces of Xehanort's heart, then that will make Sora's job even easier!"

"Indeed, if you continue meddling in other worlds and thwarting Xehanort's plans, he will have to view you all as a threat equal to Sora and with his attention divided he will be that much more vulnerable," Isa nodded. "This will be no minor loss to him."


Once they were finished with breakfast Crystal, Roxas, and Xion would of course leave the inn to return to the canyon area where Crystal and Roxas would return to doing a bit more Solar Sailing before they all decided to head off to the next world on their route back toward Twilight Town. Xion would watch while carrying the Moogle. Riding the Solar Sailors did seem to relax the two in the air as the gradually went from merely practicing the basics of how to fly to actually racing each other through the canyon at increasing rates of speed while Xion continued to watch in amazement.

"Those two are really on the same wavelength, kupo!" the Moogle observed.

"Well, they are both light elements," Xion pointed out. "They have some similarities with their personalities too. But there's also a very real sense of trust, something that Roxas used to sorely lack and deeply longed for and something it seems like Crystal has also struggled with in the past, but without really even thinking about it they've begun to form this powerful bond with each other. And that connection is something that unconsciously makes them both happy. I'm really glad Roxas met someone who can keep up with him and keep him smiling."

"Actually, it looks like she's taking the lead again, kupo!" the Moogle also watched as the race overhead continued to escalate in spectacular fashion.

"That too," Xion agreed with a giggle.  

[Kuukyo_Fushichou]

of course, Axel had taken Isa shopping, so he was not there to watch, however Shiro in the background and Roveth seemed to be talking while shiro was still working on the basics, and a few heated words could be heard exchanged between the two ,before one sarcastic comment too many from Roveth finally set off the volcano "fine then, if you don't think i can win then screw you, i'll prove you wrong, Yami no Ahou!" and with that, off he went, using the basics, and instincts to start charging up to join in the race between Roxas and Crystal as well, a good bit behind, but quickly working to catch up, if his acrobatics and flying sideways were any indication of his reckless abandon now. roveth on the ground just chuckled as he walked over to Xion and the moogle "there we go.. all he needed was the proper motivations." he said with a chuckle and crossed his arms watching the race and all.  

[[XIII] Roxas]

Ultimately, Isa would end up dressing more or less how he did before becoming Sai'x, although tailored to his older and more mature physique. Shopping around this strange planet with Axel did serve as a positive reminder of when they had been mere boys on the world of Radiant Garden living out their lives in a mainly carefree fashion. There was, of course, one memory that stood out among all the rest.

"It's fascinating, isn't it? How much Roxas resembles your old friend, Ven, but given how long ago we met him, he'd have to be closer to our age now," Isa decided to mention offhand. "And we know for certain that regardless of how the situation has changed now, Roxas was originally born as Sora's Nobody, but it was always peculiar how he looked so different from his Other. There might have been a special reason for it. Even so, the Roxas you know now is a very different conundrum from when he was with the Organization. He doesn't seem like a Nobody at all anymore."


Crystal and Roxas, meanwhile, had to adjust for the addition of Shiro as a new racer which meant slowing down a bit to accommodate for the added risk of collision between racers. Then there was the matter of adapting to the way in which Shiro flew which wasn't as easy to predict because they hadn't flown with him previously. Of course, once they thought they had a good read on Shiro's racing style they would pick up speed again, not intending to just let Shiro beat them.

"What exactly did you say to get him so agitated?" Xion asked as Roveth seemed way too amused by Shiro's sudden entry into the Solar Sailing Race.  

[Kuukyo_Fushichou]

Axel had nodded, chuckling a bit lightly "i would say Sora might have some connection to Ven we don't know about, that might've influenced Roxas a bit... but you're right, he's not a Nobody anymore, sure, the samurai's will still come under his call, but he himself has a heart, brand new from what i'm guessing, but one nonetheless, he is himself." he said while thinking on things "the same would be for Xion, due to the method of how she came back and all. and it's all because of that girl Crystal, who we probably wouldn't know if it wasn't for her befriending Shiro of all people... that sword-for-brains made a perfect friend in her."

Shiro of course had kept up, and while he was using acrobatics and such as flying sideways, he knew they wouldn't take it easy on him once they knew he was playing for keeps, that didn't stop him from trying though in speeding up a bit to try and edge ahead after a couple of flips and glances off a canyon side.

Roveth had chuckled hearing Xion's question "i basically said he was weak, if he wasn't capable of doing more than just standing there merely floating on the Solar Sailor, and that he couldn't hold a candle to Crystal and Roxas, he hates being looked down on, so he'll do whatever it takes to prove me wrong.. even forget his own fears about things." he smirked "plus the more danger and pressure on Shiro's mind, the better he does at things, but it's also inversely proportionate to everyday life, as you've probably seen when he tripped coming out of the shower."