Author: Trilies
Genre: Friendship, Romance
Word length: 583
Sypnosis Like always, it was Xigbar and Xaldin's fault that the inn kicked them out.
Rating: PG13, just because Xigbar's there. |D
Yaoi/Yuri/Pairings: AU Apprentice friendship for everyone! Oh, and Lexaeus/a particular Final Fantasy Tactics job class
Notes: You know what you should be reading? Tuna's kickass pirate AU of awesomeness. And I'm not just saying this because you won't understand this fic otherwise, but because it's just THAT DAMN BRILLIANT. This could be read on its own, I suppose, but the ending would work better if you read her fic.
Also, the Falling Moon Seafaring Circus is based off of most of the regulars at the Gaia Online OOC board After the Moon Fell, where everyone hangs out a bunch. 8D Yes, self-inserts are normally bad, but this was originally written to celebrate one of our 100-pages-marks, so yeah. .///.
Non Omnia Moriar
Morning sunlight casts brick red shadows against the pink behind his eyelids. Awareness comes to him slowly, each sense awakening with no feeling of hurry. First comes the warmth of a summer sun, enhanced by the blanket which stretches not only across his frame, but at least two others' as well. Parchment and ink smells overcome the open air sent, and Lexaeus finds himself unconsciously smiling as Vexen murmurs in his sleep. AS birds softly flutter from branch to branch above their heads, he remembers how exactly they had comes into this situation: sleeping in a park, underneath nothing but stars and leaves.
The details are best left forgotten, but springs were involved. Like always, it was Xaldin and Xigbar's fault that the inn kicked them out.
Keeping his eyes closed, Lexaeus rolls his head about, trying his best not to disturb his friends' slumber. At last, rubbing his sore neck, he opens his eyes. For a moment, he sees nothing but a painter's dream, the trees and bushes of the park nothing but green paint splattered on a canvas while above, it seems as if some one spilled bright blue ink, leaving only patches of white. There is one thing that does not fit, however: the brilliant orange and yellows of a dying sun mixed with stone gray and glittering silver. When he blinks the sleep away from his eyes, the form becomes clearer.
There is a woman with a fox's head perched precariously on top of Vexen's telescopes.
Last night, they hadn't been worried about theft of the devices. For all their usefulness, carrying them, or even just touching them, seemed to result in the loudest, most spectacular of noises. Try to steal those, Xigbar had said, and the whole damn ocean would hear you coming. (Not a second later, and Vexen's response had been a simple, sharp, "Shut up and carry them, you lazy b*****d." ) That's what makes it so surprising to see this woman, almost serene as she balances on the mess of metal without a sound.
In his shock, Lexaeus somehow manages to take in her bizarre appearance. The 'head' is really nothing more than a gray sack, fitting into mimicking the basic shape of a fox, such as the ears and muzzle. Only two long pieces of blonde hair are visible, slipping out from the sack and resting against her breasts. A red scar is tight around her neck, hiding it from view, while a beautiful, shimmering dressing rests on her slim frame. Orange and gold patterns weave among the cloth, which rests not too far from her hips and above her knees, while the sleeves are the opposite: long and billowing, resting at her knuckles. She doesn't seem to notice he's awake now, for her attention is focused solely on the piece of paper in her hand. Somehow, she's also managed to get paints and a cup of water balanced on the telescope pile as well.
Ah, an artist his sleepy mind notes before he finally pulls the blanket away. Instantly, her head snaps up at the sound of slight rustling, and Lexaeus freezes. They stare at each other for a moment, him already half-way in a crouch and her, with her shoulders hunched up to her ears. A tense moment of silence ensues before he nods his head slightly. "Good morning," he whispers.
She tilts her head to the side and begins to move very, very slowly. It's almost spiderlike, the way she moves; every movement is careful and precise, find the perfect balance and foothold until she can flip off of the pile of equipment. In an instant, she's off, her art supplies with her.
Raising an eyebrow, Lexaeus can only ponder what that was about.
------
"Man, this town talks too freakin' much. How did every inn in town learn about-"
"Please, Xigbar." Xemnas holds a side of his head as if to fight back a headache. "Don't talk about that."
"It was amazing, however," Xaldin grins as he tucks his hands into his pockets, violet eyes sparking as they pass beneath a lamp. Vexen just groans and smacks him in the arm.
"I despise both of you, to the point that it cannot be humanly possible."
At Lexaeus' side, Zexion just laughs softly, eyes hidden underneath hair and Xaldin's large tricorn which he had stolen earlier that afternoon. He and Lexaeus trade smiles when Xigbar suddenly jumps past them, gold eyes wide as the grin on his face as he uses Lexaeus as some sort of boost. "Hey! What's that?"
Ahead of them, lights of all sorts of amazing colors burn while crowds of colorful people hustle and bustle in the tight street near the docks. Everything seems to cast a glow which rivals the sunset. As they get closer and leave the shadows of houses and shops, the group finally sees what's getting all of the attention: it's a large, colorfully painted ship, the name "Falling Moon" painted in giant curling font on its side. Xemnas' eyes light up slightly as he sees it. "I've heard of this ship," he mentions, raising curled fingers to his chin. "It's a seafaring circus which stops at various towns. Apparently, it's quite a sight."
"Ya don't say!" Laughing, Xigbar leaps down and in the same movement, sweeps Zexion up onto his shoulder. "Well, I say we go check the place out! I mean, we have plenty of munny for supplies, so what's the harm in a little extra?"
"I find no fault with this course of action," Zexion pipes up, and, unable to resist the smile on the boy's face, Lexaeus just shakes his head in defeat.
"Oh, you have got to be- Xaldin!" The dreadlocked young man just grins as Vexen snaps his name, even as he goes to stand next to Xigbar. "Ugh, must you always side with him?" the scholar complains. Besides him, Xemnas just snorts.
"It appears we're outnumbered. Alright, then. Shall we?"
Getting close to the Falling Moon isn't easy, however. Right as they near the crowd, an odd figure steps forward, frowning. It's a satyr with long green hair pulled back in a braid, a white shawl which matches the fur on his horse legs. Glaring with bright red eyes which peer out from tanned skin, he reaches up with green gauntlets to adjust his large, red and gold hat. "'Scuse me, gents, but I don't suppose you lot 'ave any tickets?"
"Tickets?" Xaldin echoes with a raised eyebrow while Xigbar turns accusingly to Vexen.
"Told you we should have investigated the creepy little crown children running around" is accompanied by a jab to the blond's vest.
Suddenly, an even darker skinned woman appears at the satyr's side, a pair of translucent wings fluttering through the air, even though she remains firmly on the ground. With a pair of gauntlets of her own to match the satyr's, only blue, she places them on her hips, glaring at them with one eye from beneath black bangs. "Sorry, but no tickets, and me 'n' Jamesy here can't let ya through. Rules, see?"
"Oh, come on!" Xigbar protests. "You can't make an exception just this once?"
"No," another woman says, skin to match the girl in blue and teal, only this one is in orange and yellow, with crazy black and blonde hair pulled into two ponytails beneath her large hat. Vexen just blinks at her sudden appearance before his eyes narrow.
"Oh, wonderful, now they're reproducing whenever we blink our eyes."
Xigbar just grins cheekily back at him and winks. "What can I say, women just do that around me."
"And men as well, apparently," Xaldin snickers, only to be socked in the shoulder. Before the duo can get into another one of their infamous brawls, yet another new voice intervenes.
"Hey, guys, is everything okay? Corazon saw Amber heading over here." A brunette wearing one of those sleek blue Nippon dresses appears through the crowd, and following her are bright gold butterflies and...
Lexaeus raises his eyebrows in pleasant surprise as the masked artist from this morning appears. Judging from her light skip backwards, she's just as surprised. He ignores the light murmur of conversation as the three women cluster around 'James' and only nods his head towards the blond woman in greeting. "Hello there again," he says, his words going unnoticed by most of his companions save Zexion. The masked artist just tilts her head to the side in mimicry of her action this morning before she suddenly skips over to her own group. Lexaeus watches in fascination as her hands dance through the air, drawing patterns and forming intricate shapes.
James, Amber, and the two girls in blue don't seem confused at all, and even nod their heads a bit while the satyr quirks an eyebrow. "Really!" he exclaims. "I didn't label you as the instant friend-making type, Corazon." 'Corazon' just flairs out her hands to the side, almost in a fluster. A few more hand gestures later, and the rest of her group made deep humming noises in the back of their throats while the Orapro Nobis crew looks on in bewilderment, although in Vexen and Zexion's case, it was more along the lines of extreme curiosity.
"I dun care one way or th'other," the girl with the one eye says at last, looking at the more fair-skinned woman in blue. "You, Tuna?"
Even as Xigbar mouths her name in silent delight, amused beyond belief, 'Tuna' just shrugs, clasping her hands behind her back while the butterflies land serenely on her shoulders. "No problems here, Seven."
"And you, James?" Amber asks.
Apparently the leader of the circus group, James just crosses his arms, thinking. Suddenly, a little shape slips down Xigbar's shoulder and steps forth from among the Orapro Nobis crew, hands clasped before him demurely. "Please, sir," Zexion says softly, staring with wide eyes from underneath his bangs, rubbing the toe of his boot against the ground. "We haven't seen anything like your circus, and we've become oh-so tired from walking throughout the town all day, without stop..."
The result is instant. With a squeal from all (including James), the groups swoops down and gathers the boy in a giant hug."Adorable!" the girls gush. Within record time, the crew from Orapro Nobis finds themselves inside the giant circus ship. High-fiving Xigbar, Xaldin smirks. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Xigbar smirks right back. "Guilt trip every inn owner we ever meet. Gotcha."
The circus acts pass by in a blur of color, noise, and the irreplaceable sound of laughter. Dust from butterfly wings clings to Vexen's hair by the end of it all, and lipstick from the lion tamer with the red spectacles still sticks on Xaldin's face. They're all laughing together, glad for a minor enjoyable reprieve where they, for once, are not the ones neck-deep in danger. As they linger on the deck of the Falling Moon, Xemnas reminds them, "We still have to find an inn for the night, you know." Despite the sternness of his voice, none of his friends miss the slight quirk in his lips.
"Aw man," Xigbar groans despite his gigantic grin as he stretches his arms over his head. "And it's already late."
"You're the one who wanted to go," Lexaeus reminds him. Suddenly, a small hand tugs at his sleeve, and he turns, blinking as he looks down at Corazon, the acrobat and mime. It's impossible to tell the emotions behind that mask of hers, but her movements, the way her fingers flutter about the air and she dances back a few steps to give herself room shows a kind of shy delight.
"She wants to know if you would like to stay onboard the Falling Moon for tonight," a low, feminine voice says, and from the shadows steps out a woman with dark hair and orange tattoos; this is Ana, the one they know to be in charge of the giant bats which had terrified the circus' audience. She grins at them from behind lipstick and heavy eyelashes. "None of us would mind."
That's how they find themselves going below deck. Staying besides Corazon, Lexaeus asks, "Are you sure you'll be alright with this?" even as he hears Xigbar slyly ask Ana if the Falling Moon is an all-woman crew.
The mime just shakes her head, staring down at the floor. For some reason, Lexaeus gets the feeling she's smiling.
------
While originally, their stay on the Falling Moon had been meant to only be a one night stay, the crew of Orapro Nobis finds themselves staying the whole month as they gather supplies and the circus continues to milk the seaside town for all its worth. While occasionally smelly, the five men (and one boy) all begin to adore the circus ship, and grow closer to its crew. Every dinner is a loud, exciting affair, filled with jokes from Amber, and contests between Xaldin, Xigbar, James, and Seven to see who has the most exciting tale to tell. Xemnas and Vexen continue their discussions on whatever scientific inquiry catches their interest, and Ana manages to teach a few tricks to Zexion regarding illusions.
And Lexaeus? Lexaeus carries quiet, one-sided conversations with Corazon, who always remains a patient listener. The silences which frequently occur are never bad things, and more than once they have retreated to the crow's nest to look at the night sky and enjoy each other's company. Such does not escape the eyes of his comrades, who only grin at each other when they spot how gently she holds his sleeves on these retreats.
But such things must come to an end.
Circuses are not permanent affairs, never will be. As the month ends, the audience thins, and the Orapro Nobis' supply stock is more than full. It is with heavy hearts but light memories that the two crews bid each other adieu before preparing for their separate voyages. It's right as Lexaeus is checking the sails that some one taps him on the shoulder, and when he turns, it's Xaldin's face which is grinning at him. "It appears you have a visitor," he rumbles, gesturing to the docks. When Lexaeus goes to see what he's talking about, he spots a familiar blur of orange with gray boots and a mask to match.
Smiling slightly, in both happiness and sadness, he leaves the Orapro Nobis to go down to Corazon, two people who stand against the busy tide of the docks. "Are you sure you have no wish to join us?" he asks softly, repeating an offer he made not too many nights ago. "I've seen you work on the Falling Moon; you would not be a hindrance."
Shaking her head, Corazon's shoulders just slump in sadness, but Lexaeus understands. Her bond to the crew of the Falling Moon is just as strong as his to the Orapro Nobis. Neither of them will leave their moving homes or their loving 'families' for anything else... Not even each other. "Will I see you again?" he asks, reaching down to gently take a hold of one of her two long blond 'hair fangs', as James had apparently dubbed them.
Gently, she lays her bare hands over his, staring up into his eyes. At last, she moves away slightly, and places her hands together. As Lexaeus watches, she uses her thumbs and forefingers to form a heart over her left breast and carefully places that same shape to his before letting her hands flow apart, as if releasing something. So many days with her, and Lexaeus has come to understand her silent speech. Smiling softly, he murmurs, "Your heart will be with me..." With a loving sort of precision, he mimics her exactly, returning the gesture. "And mine as well."
They stay there for a moment longer, and to Lexaeus surprise, Corazon reaches for her mask, gently reaching under as she pulls it up over her face. Some might expect a beauty, but that is not the case. Scars of all sorts cover her face, from gouges underneath one of her eyes to those which just faintly discolor her skin on one cheek. Besides her two long pieces of hair which fall over her ears, the rest of the blonde strands are not even an inch longer; it's all a soft fuzz over her head, shaved in some places so that an intricate pattern is upon her scalp. Her large brown eyes are filled with anxiety as she stares up at him, brows furrowed. When he reaches forward, she flinches, expecting the worse...
But surely not expecting the soft way he cups her chin and leans down. "You're beautiful," he murmurs, one large hand wrapping around her waist. Hesitantly but wonderfully, she smiles, the scars crinkling upon her face as she lets herself be pulled closer. Finding a holding against his chest, she closes her eyes, and as does he, before their lips meet in a sweet, chaste kiss.
From onboard the Orapro Nobis, the rest of the crew watches in a bit too much fascination to be healthy. Xaldin and Xigbar grin and high-five each other. "About time he got some," they say, echoes of one another while Vexen just rolls his eyes in exasperation. Xemnas chuckles and shakes his head before heading back to more important matters.
Zexion is the last one to leave, clinging to the railing as he watches Lexaeus and Corazon pull back. There's an odd glow to his best friend's being, and Zexion tilts his head to the side as he taps his fingers against the bars. After a moment of thinking, he finally smiles, and closes his eyes.
Whatever makes him happy.
------
"Lecks-ee-us." Amongst the reassuring sounds of the sea, his only constant, the child-like voice sings into being, right behind him. The axman just squeezes his eyes tight for a moment, and remains a few seconds longer against the railing, hands clasped together and raised to his chin. He doesn't want to turn around, doesn't want to see the sharp madness in the eyes of his young charge, such a terrible contrast to the laughter he remembers seeing in those same blue irises during a warm night amidst a circus' crew. Still, he has almost no choice; no matter what, he will protect Zexion, and never hurt him.
When he turns around, hands still clasped together, Zexion stands there, smiling in that disconcerting and calm way of his. In his hands, he plays with a small little medallion which bears a lightening bolt symbol on it. It's undoubtedly from the land they've just destroyed; for whatever reasons, perhaps even just minor kleptomania or simple boredom, the illusionist always takes a little something to remember each destroyed country.
"What are you doing?" he asks, that faint sing-song tint still in his voice. Blinking his wide eyes, he tilts his head to the side. "Seirēn? The goddess of silence and protection..." His voice trails off, losing the song to it as he stares dreamily out onto the night-covered ocean. They're alone on the deck, for the most part, something Lexaeus has made sure of. He never comes out here for this little ritual if there are others of the Boreas wandering about. Zexion's voice breaks him out of his thoughts. "Why, why would you need to send a message to her?" Letting his eyes flutter shut, the teenage boy sways slightly from side to side. "Demons don't need a goddess," he sings, and Lexaeus feels a slight pain in his chest that only worsens with each passing second.
Not saying a word, unable to, he turns back to the sea, resting his elbows upon the railing. Behind him, he hears Zexion stop his swaying. "I remember," the boy whispers in reply to an unsaid question. "She... flipped through the air, falling like a shooting star..." Even though he's not looking, Lexaeus knows that his younger companion is gesturing through the air again, a trait that reminds him too much of a girl covered in scars. "And she fell... into you..."
Silence falls over them again, and the sea returns with its music in full. Unsure of his friend's reaction, Lexaeus is about to turn around when Zexion suddenly slams into the railing, hands gripping the wood tightly while his coin clangs against the surface. Alarmed, Lexaeus reaches towards him, only to have his arm suddenly enveloped in a tight grip by both of Zexion's own. "Praying," the boy mutters. "I... I can't remember how it went... Can..."
The sentence doesn't need to be finished. Lexaeus understands perfectly, and can only close his eyes as Zexion clasps his hands together in a mirror of Lexaeus' own. Something is leaking in his chest, filling it with salt water and dragging it down into an abyss. At last, laying a thankful hand on his charge's shoulder with his free hand, Lexaeus returns.
Together, two lost souls pray for the safety of another.
