[He needed to remind himself that Roxas had been as new as he was, not so long ago. Even more so, without the one he was copying to watch, or the false memories of someone else to be.]
I didn't think he'd ever show up. I didn't think you'd want anything to do with any of them, besides maybe Axel. And since...I had the feeling that Zexion and Axel didn't exactly get along...
[He shrugged, the anger diffusing slightly at that...only an uncomfortable pit of curiosity]
[It's a lot to say, to get out, but he feels a little better once he has. His own frustration has built up even longer than he was aware. At least Joe doesn't seem to mind that part.
If Axel came...Roxas doesn't know anymore, if he ever did.]
Yeah. I met Zexion and we went to some apartment where Lexaeus was, but I don't think they live there all the time. Before I saw them face to face, I almost didn't believe they were really here, even though I'd heard him. Stupid, huh?
They're not my friends. They were never going to be. But this city...you know how SERO experiments on abnormal people? Nobodies aren't normal. And that's the one thing I'll always have in common with them.
I'm not so sure. Using a Keyblade...that's something we can do. But being Nobodies--that's what we are. It's in us. Riku thinks SERO might even try to make more of us if it figures us out. If the Nobodies I used to command wouldn't listen to me after I quit, new ones definitely wouldn't.
[He looks back at Joe, not knowing how to show he's being sincere, but instinctively trying to do so anyway.]
I won't. But it's true that fighting them is pointless if people just come back anyway. If we end up having the same enemy--I wouldn't go help them just because we used to be in the same group. But if it was better for all of us, and would protect my friends, too? Maybe then. It would depend on the situation.
I'd rather pay attention and know what's going on with them than ignore them and be surprised. But that doesn't mean we're going to hang out after work.
[He pauses for a moment, trying to work out what to say next, until he realizes that the right thing to say is also the simplest.]
[It's...all back in his hands now. He can hold the grudge, or let the curdling anger go, let the darkness coiled ready in his muscles, the tense and agitated feeling release in a slow exhale instead of exploding out or pulling back.
He likes Roxas, and so the choice is not so hard.]
It's okay.
[His hand claps briefly to Roxas' shoulder, then reaches up to scruffle a little at the back of his hair, and then the replica stands, holding his chin in defiance to the city skyline beyond the parking lot.] ]
[commentspam ahoy]
I didn't think he'd ever show up. I didn't think you'd want anything to do with any of them, besides maybe Axel. And since...I had the feeling that Zexion and Axel didn't exactly get along...
[He shrugged, the anger diffusing slightly at that...only an uncomfortable pit of curiosity]
...He asked you to meet with him? Did you go?
[commentspam ahoy]
If Axel came...Roxas doesn't know anymore, if he ever did.]
Yeah. I met Zexion and we went to some apartment where Lexaeus was, but I don't think they live there all the time. Before I saw them face to face, I almost didn't believe they were really here, even though I'd heard him. Stupid, huh?
They're not my friends. They were never going to be. But this city...you know how SERO experiments on abnormal people? Nobodies aren't normal. And that's the one thing I'll always have in common with them.
[commentspam ahoy]
[His eyes finally lift to meet Roxas warily, as he points out with a slight note of envy in his voice, but also cautioning.]
Even if you have what you are in common...that's doesn't mean you should trust them.
[commentspam ahoy]
[He looks back at Joe, not knowing how to show he's being sincere, but instinctively trying to do so anyway.]
I won't. But it's true that fighting them is pointless if people just come back anyway. If we end up having the same enemy--I wouldn't go help them just because we used to be in the same group. But if it was better for all of us, and would protect my friends, too? Maybe then. It would depend on the situation.
[commentspam ahoy]
[He agrees with a suppressed shudder, not wanting to end up any kind of experiment either.]
That doesn't mean we've gotta go anywhere near them, Lexaeus and Zexion.
[commentspam ahoy]
[He pauses for a moment, trying to work out what to say next, until he realizes that the right thing to say is also the simplest.]
I'm sorry.
[commentspam ahoy]
He likes Roxas, and so the choice is not so hard.]
It's okay.
[His hand claps briefly to Roxas' shoulder, then reaches up to scruffle a little at the back of his hair, and then the replica stands, holding his chin in defiance to the city skyline beyond the parking lot.] ]
...Race you back?
[commentspam ahoy]
But he already knows that it is, and it isn't...and maybe moving forward is a better way to get past this than sitting around poking at the injury.]
You'll never beat me.
[And he's off, grinning and sure that Joe won't let him get far ahead.]