Just A Chance Encounter

[melodiouspacifist]

Demyx wasn't up to anything special. Things had settled down and Zexion was off at the library doing his thing with the bookworms, so he took a walk. The streets were still a little muddy under his boots, but at least the flood waters were gone. It seemed like a nice evening for a casual stroll when he had nothing else to do.

His hands were stuffed in his pockets and apart from a leather collar around his neck, he still looked like a picture perfect Organization member. He was working on that, but everything happened in baby steps. It didn't seem like the kind of evening where anything was going to happen.

Ahead of him, someone seemed to be stumbling in confusion, probably a new arrival. He put on a smile and held up a hand, calling in a friendly tone. "Hey there!"

He paused when he realized who he was talking to. "...Roxas?"

Somehow it felt like once more his loyalties were being tested.

Comments

[inversekeyblade]

That body having a difficult time grasping onto any semblance of composure is undoubtedly Demyx's former comrade, Roxas. Even when he came to, barely at that, he's still having a hard time figuring out just what is going on. The last thing he remembered was yet another night out with his own version of comrades, which meant indulging in various kinds of sins of the body and mind until... what happened?

Except instead of waking up in a bathtub, or on someone's carpet with a mix of his own clothes and another's, he's stepping on dirty, wet ground, the absence of pavement coming on as an odd shock, and there's something about the air pollution that is so lacking than what he's used to.

What did he get himself into this time?

It would've been better if this could have all been explained by the simple fact that he tried yet another substance his system has never seen before. Unfortunately, or maybe for the better?, that isn't the case. This conclusion won't be made anytime soon though, because he's still recovering from... whatever happened.

Once he hears his name, after the sounds of someone calling to him which, honestly, he wouldn't pay much attention to if it was left at that, his attention perks up best he can. Weary eyes rise to meet: "...Demyx? What are.. you.. doing here? Did you come to the party?"

[melodiouspacifist]

"Party? Uh, no I haven't been to any parties. I only ever get invited to play the music." He ran his hand through his hair, yeah he was still a little bitter about that. He wanted to go and have fun for a change.

"You look...different than expected." Roxas didn't have an Organization coat on for one thing, nor did he look like Sora. Did that mean they didn't need to fight?

Wait, he didn't need to do that anyway. The Organization was gone. "Did you just wake up here?"

[inversekeyblade]

That doesn't seem right.. from what he can recall, Demyx was, at the very least, involved in a few parties that were had. The most recent ones. The ones he can kind of recall the best. That has to mean something.

...is he dead? Is this death? If so, damn, they weren't kidding about hell being a place a person doesn't want to end up in.

As unlikely as that is, he won't cross it off his 'possible situations waking up to' list. As for appearing different, well, there's a lot of things that can contribute towards that factor. His clothes, ear piercings, the very slightly different angle he has the major part of his hair facing, the worn and torn look on his face that says he's seen more than he'd like.. et cetera. A simple statement like that doesn't point out enough to warrant too much alarm.

To answer the question, honestly, as far as he knows, "I guess so? ..where am I?"

[melodiouspacifist]

"You're in Between." Demyx answered, crouching down a little bit. Did he need help getting up? He held out a hand.

"Basically, the gist is, everyone's worlds have died or collapsed or whatever and they were brought back from wherever. All of that happened ten years ago. I don't know, the Hedonists did it. If you want more details, ask Monty. You'll be fine as long as you have sex every so often."

That was the most basic run down he could give. He was very rarely on the welcoming committee for anyone.

[inversekeyblade]

Yeah.. with how he's feeling, he'll definitely need help. Without complaint he takes the hand, using it to hoist himself up to standing on his own two feet. Though, don't be surprised, Demyx, if he needs to rely on some sort of support yet again despite that gesture.

"Huh. Okay, okay," he says dismissively, passively paying attention, "Monty and details and sex."

That sounds normal enough, except.. wait. What? "...what did you say?" Did he hear that correctly?

[melodiouspacifist]

He was fine enough with helping him. Demyx didn't really know much about why Roxas would be so unsteady, it didn't occur to him that he could be hungover.

"Which thing?" Demyx asked, tilting his head to the side. He'd said a lot in one go.

[inversekeyblade]

How is this even a question? Of all the things they were oppressed on, like being themselves, expressing any form of emotion, wouldn't sexual expression rank the top of the list? Next to.. up and leaving?

Damn this oncoming headache and it preventing him from thinking further about this in any coherent sense. "The, uh, sex part. Are you.. serious? Is that a joke?"

[melodiouspacifist]

It was and he'd been as clueless as anyone could be when he arrived. He shook his head. "I get asked that a lot but no. It's not a joke."

He smiled a bit and shrugged. "Eventually you start to fade and the only way to stop that is what they call distraction around here. You don't have to do it that much if you don't want to, but if you do it right, it's pretty fun so, I'd say go for it."

[inversekeyblade]

So.. instead of being in hell, he's in heaven?

Wait.. even that doesn't sound right. Why are his feet muddy, then? Nothing about this makes sense. Maybe it would more if he was sober. Unfortunately, that will take quite a few hours. After passing out for some, at that.

"You have got to be kidding me.. ugh." Why. "Is there.. anything else that's a good distraction from a hangover?" He's not even going to try to pretend it's anything else.

[melodiouspacifist]

It was neither, it was just whatever came after the world ended.

"Not that I know of." Demyx admitted. "I've only been drunk once and that was before you joined us. I threw up a lot, during a meeting. The Superior wasn't impressed with Xiggy, and that's the only time he took me drinking."

He smiled and shrugged at him before sighing a little bit. "Well, you could try believing it away."

[inversekeyblade]

That sounds far too noble than what he'd be willing to admit. Though the revelation is definitely appreciated, and puts Demyx in a light he hadn't been in before (good or bad), the facts of what happened doesn't help his situation. Even that suggestion.

Believing it away. What he wants to say, and ends up doing so, is "What does that mean, exactly?"

[melodiouspacifist]

He was a mostly sheltered guy, but even he'd had his moments. Whether that seemed strange to Roxas or not, Demyx had no idea.

"Some people can believe things into existing. Monty's really good at it. All I can believe into existing is my hair gel." He laughs because it's a useless skill.

"I think Zex can't believe anything at all."

[inversekeyblade]

That sounds absolutely ridiculous. The only time he had a similar experience was in Neverland, but even then he knew that was a one-time thing. Flying with supposed fairy-wing dust, pirates on floating ships, hair gel even, even, these things sound impossible.

Or do they? He is still fairly inebriated, even in his state of the worst of having too much. The best of the worst, if you will. Maybe he shouldn't be too judgmental.

That is, until he hears that name that's an inkling of something familiar from their past. "Zex... no. You don't mean who I think you do, right? Zexion?" There's no way..

[melodiouspacifist]

He wasn't particularly skilled in it or anything, but Monty was and did all kinds of things. He managed to be quiet while Roxas processed, which was sometimes difficult for him. He could be quite the chatterbox on evenings like that one.

"Yeah, of course I do." He laughed lightly. Demyx grinned at him. "He's my partner here, we're living together so we both survive."

It wasn't a lie exactly, but it wasn't the whole truth. The whole truth was far too complicated. "We've been here for almost a year."

[inversekeyblade]

Partner? This is putting all sorts of things into perspective. Okay, so wherever they are, they need.. someone to get by. Or something. ..maybe?

This is too much to handle on such little of a grasp of his own health. Mind threatening to pound unforgivably at any moment, he needs something, anything, to rely on. "Okay.. sure. Almost a year now? That's.. a long time." And it does seem like a long time, doesn't it?

"Are you staying anywhere? I kind of need somewhere to just.. lay down." Anywhere, actually, but preferably somewhere that either he or someone he knows is nearby. So he can process all of what's going on now.. or eventually, just not now.

[melodiouspacifist]

"Yeah, it's a long time. Come on." Demyx said and put his arm around Roxas in a friendly way to help keep him steady. "We've got a place. You can crash in my bed. I don't use it all that much."

He wasn't used to biting his tongue really, everyone was sleeping with someone at least, it wouldn't be that surprising to anyone. Moreso if they knew who he was usually sleeping with.

"It's pretty nice, Monty thought it up for me."

[inversekeyblade]

It doesn't matter what that bed was used for, at this point any place to lay down that was semi-comfortable would be welcoming. "Okay. That sounds nice."

And it did. Despite who this Monty was, whatever was put up for Demyx must be just fine. After what they're used to, after what they've been through... does Demyx even know what they've been through?

Not just at the Organization, but from what he's most recently used to? Shouldn't he have been there? This is all too confusing. This isn't the world's worst hangover, far from it, but pretty bad considering he woke up in a completely different environment with someone he was pretty sure was with him but apparently wasn't.

..for almost a year, even. How long has he been out? Maybe, even now, his mind is fabricating this. While holding onto Demyx, because having that support is practically necessary at this point, "Who's Monty? Do I have to worry about him?" Is this Monty someone who is going to get angry at him being there? Why Demyx would associate himself with someone like that should be beyond him, but right now it isn't.

[melodiouspacifist]

"Monty is my best friend." Demyx grinned at him, helping him along. "It's been really complicated here and I don't know if you'd get everything if I told you."

He kept the pace steady but brisk. "First of all, people aren't scared of Nobodies. I mean, they don't really know what we've done, but the Superior always said they'd never accept us, but that's not true!" He flashed a bright smile at that because that was comforting to him.

"I've made quite a few friends, actually."

[inversekeyblade]

That's fair enough. It's difficult enough digesting the fact that a freaking year has gone by. He wasn't blacked out or in a coma during that time, was he? If that was the case, Demyx probably would've told him by now. "That's okay.. I can figure it out later." Let future Roxas worry about that.

It's not a secret that Demyx had a lot more time clocked into the Organization than he did. Though there were some things their superior, that horrible man, tried drilling into them from the start, Roxas didn't hang around long enough for any of it to stick. He was well aware of the effects it did have on the others who did, though.

So hearing that doesn't surprise him too much, but seeing Demyx smile at it and even brag about making a few friends, that certainly does. "Oh yeah? That's good.. hopefully better than any of the others we were stuck with back then." And he's not just talking about his - what may as well be a dream sequence now - time what feels like right before now.

[melodiouspacifist]

"Yeah, get some rest." Demyx agreed, cheerfully enough. He was normally in a pretty good mood, that hadn't changed.

"I think so, although I never really knew Zex before we came here. We didn't interact much, and when we were kids he wouldn't pay much attention to me so..so yeah, but we really get along now!" They must, if they shared a bed frequently.

"We both kinda wished we could have been friends sooner."

[inversekeyblade]

If memory serves him correctly, is he talking about Zexion there? That's a face he hasn't had the chance to see in a while. They didn't exactly interact much during his time at the Organization. But they have that similar background, so at least there's that to relate to. "Him too, huh?"

This shouldn't be something he's so willing to ask outright, but here it goes: "..anyone else you know of around here show up?"

[melodiouspacifist]

"Yeah, he was here before I got here, but he took me in and stuff." Demyx scratched his cheek lightly. Zexion had thought, probably correctly, that Demyx couldn't take care of himself back then.

"Oh, sure. Well Marly was here for awhile, that ass." Demyx said with a huff of irritation. "There's a girl here, um, Kairi, she's kinda nice I guess. Ax came not that long ago and some other girl or deer thing named Xion?" He phrased it like a question.

"She claims she's Organization, I don't remember her but Zex does. She's a menace."

[inversekeyblade]

Now the cycle repeats itself, with Demyx taking in Roxas this time. The names take a few before they register as familiar, a pounding headache not making it easier. It doesn't take long to associate Marly with Marluxia, especially with that added comment. The deemed graceful assassin wasn't very kind to anyone, only showing a hint of faux emotion when it was used to taunt or belittle someone else.

Kairi.. yeah, familiar. Never met in person, but he knows of her through Sora. Those are memories that aren't exactly easy to forget, no lack of effort for trying there. Ax.. Ax-el? Axel? He's here? It's not going to be easy to hide the look on his face hearing that. He never thought he'd see Axel again. And another girl, or deer thing, named Xion?

That hits too close to home, the reason for a stir of emotions at those names unknown. It's enough to take his mind off the throbbing ache that's going to definitely ruin his day. "Axel is here too? ..oh man. That's a blast from the past."

Why is it that the name Xion sounds so familiar but when he tries to recall anything about her, there's nothing? "I.. don't know. I think I know, but I don't. The name rings a bell though." With a sigh, "This better be a dream.."

[melodiouspacifist]

At the moment, Demyx wasn't intending on making it permanent. He definitely couldn't decide that without consulting Zexion, especially since it would mean stealing away into his room officially. The cottage was very plain on the outside, and he opened the door for Roxas. The entrance had a place for their boots. The living room beyond had a couch, a small desk with a chair that was half piled with books, half with sheet music. There was a small room through there meant to be their kitchen. One room on the left and one on the right.

"Yeah sure, he showed up not that long ago!" Demyx said with a smile. "We get along pretty good despite some things. He doesn't come around here though, it bothers Zex and also he doesn't want to see Zex either."

He shook his head. "I dunno, she's pretty wild and nothing like the Superior would have put up with but if Zexion says...but he also says she's different."

[inversekeyblade]

This is a big adjustment from a penthouse suite specifically designed to cater to the needs of bratty musicians for the most part, but it's a place with (hopefully) a soft area to lay down on and a pillow. Please let there be a pillow.. he needs to have his head propped slightly while laying or it's going to be a long day getting over this.

"Well, of all the others I can remember, I guess those aren't the least favorite I could think of wanting to see around here." Surprisingly, first place on that list is a tough choice between Larxene and the superior. Xemnas did drag them into that mess, but Larxene was awful.

Whoever this Xion is that Demyx speaks of, maybe if he gets the chance to see her it'll bring back a memory stored away. If it's anything like the past though, it'll be unpleasant. Hopefully that can be put off.

Once his shoes are off he's fairly certain he can hold his own now, thanking Demyx for the support and looking around for somewhere, anywhere, to lay. "This place looks.. comfortable?"

[melodiouspacifist]

"Yeah, it's not bad! Monty did my room and Kanra did Zex's, ages ago." Demyx said cheerfully, and opened the door on the right. Inside his room was a big bed, plenty big for two people that was made of intricately carved wood, had several pillows and soft comforters in shades of blue. He had an armoire that was open, two spare uniforms hanging within.

There was no desk in there, but instead a large, overstuffed chair, with a few more sheets of music tucked here and there. He wasn't the neatest person, but fortunately he didn't have very much to make a mess with.

Against the far wall was Arpeggio, a second familiar sitar, Sanctuary, a third sitar that was much smaller with a handmade woven strap attached to it and a violin in its case, propped up on display.

[inversekeyblade]

If there were ever a time Roxas imagined what the room Demyx lives in would look like, this is very close to what he would picture. Maybe more posters on the walls though. "Nice that someone would put together a whole room for you." Who does that anyway?

Look at those pillows and that comforter stretched out across the bed, the only thing missing in that scenario a person laying on it. Like a hungry dog eyeing a meal from a distance, Roxas stares at it with longing. "Is there a place I can lay down? I'm not feeling so great." Having what he wants so close to him is hurting all the more.

[melodiouspacifist]

"Monty said he did it because I filled the bathhouse for him!" Demyx grinned. Positive reinforcement, and he'd been on top of that task ever since.

"Sure, knock yourself out." He gestured to the bed that had been hastily made. He hadn't been in it the night before, he just wasn't anally neat like Zexion was.

"Sorry, do you need me to go?"

[inversekeyblade]

The bathhouse? Haven't heard that one in a while, but the last time he did it referenced towards something a lot less innocent than a place to go and take a bath. Whatever, he'll learn about it later.

Oh thank you thank you his expression says, as he wastes no time crawling on top of the bed and laying on his side, head propped on the pillow so he can still face and talk to Demyx. "No, you're fine. You can stick around." There's so much more to learn about, after all.

"So.. what's going on here? Why does everything seem so different? Outside, it's like a wasteland compared to where I was."

[melodiouspacifist]

The world was sustained with sex, so there was definitely a lot of lost innocence around locations but that didn't matter much. Demyx draped himself over the cushy chair instead, his legs resting over one of the arms like he'd done countless times before.

"Ten years ago or something, all the worlds ended because of something the Hedonists did or something...I dunno, I don't pay that much attention. What I do know is that once you get pulled here, there's nowhere to go back to."

[inversekeyblade]

That sounds awful. How is that any different than being sucked into the grasp of the Organization? They never thought there'd be a chance to escape from that, but Roxas did just that. After a hell of a fight, but still.

"Hedonists.. that sounds like it's out of a fairytale. Hey, you know if any of the worlds are like the places we used to go to?" It would be a shame to hear about some of them ending.

[melodiouspacifist]

The world reminded Demyx a lot of The World That Never Was. However, the freedom made for a significant change. There were things his missed, but he had so many other things to live with, so many things were better and he couldn't hate the world for what it had become.

"Yeah, all of them are gone." Demyx said with a soft sigh. "Haven't been real in ten years, which sounds insane." He dangled his leg lazily kicking it.

"I don't know. I don't know what to think about all of that but this place? It's so much better than the Organization!" He said and then he covered his mouth.

"I...shouldn't have said that."

[inversekeyblade]

That's not much of a challenge to beat, honestly. "What are you talking about? That place sucked." All the rules, the restrictions, being used by Xemnas like expendable puppets.. even if the world they live in now, from what he's guessing this is the case, is practically dead, it's still infinitely better than that situation.

"Anything is better than that." With a frown, "That's sad to hear about the other worlds, though. I kind of liked some of the people I met there." He should be used to people coming and going, but every time it still isn't easy.

"How have you survived this long?" ..has Zexion put up with him all this time? Is that even possible?

[melodiouspacifist]

"Well...well yeah, it did suck." Demyx smiled like he was doing something naughty. Roxas' scars were relatively shallow compared to those left on Demyx's mind, heart and soul. "I didn't know if you'd agree so I thought I should make sure and that's why I shouldn't have said anything, but it's okay now." He said, all too quickly and with a bit of guilt in his voice.

"Yeah, I know. Losing everything is kind of still amazing. I try not to think about it."

Zexion had more than just put up with him, and although they still bickered over some things, they'd definitely fallen into a domestic pattern.

"I've been staying with Zex since I got here."

[inversekeyblade]

Any place is better than that decrepit looking wasteland outside. Laying low with Zexion in itself has to be a challenge, but it looks like they have their personalities blended into the space divided up equally enough to not cause too much trouble.

This question and answer session is doing well to keep him from thinking about that awful headache. Since he's on that track, "Um.. I gotta ask. Why are you still wearing that coat?" It sure as hell isn't because it's the most comfortable piece of attire in existence.

[melodiouspacifist]

Surprisingly, it hasn't been as difficult as either man had feared. As long as one didn't mind sitar music at all hours of the day, at any rate, and Demyx didn't mind tripping over books or dealing with Zexion's sour moods and attempts at chore lists.

"Um, well." Demyx faltered a little. "It's complicated."

He shuffled a bit nervously. "It's my uniform, but if I take it off than it's really quitting and if the Superior comes I can't even just say I got lost like I was going to." He had contingency plans.

Demyx twirled a cord around his finger from his hood. "It's...I'm used to it. And Zexion is still wearing his coat and we won't..." He trailed off. He had no real good excuse left.

[inversekeyblade]

That response earns a frown from Roxas. For as long as Demyx has been without the Organization, it seems that part of it is still with Demyx. That has to suck. Even Zexion, too. Though Zexion might be doing it out of being too stubborn otherwise.

"I mean, if you like it keep it, but I always thought that thing was uncomfortable. It's so much better to dress in a variety of things too.. but it was easier when stains didn't show up as much on your clothes." That black leather did hide eating mistakes well. White fabric doesn't afford the same luxury.

Earlier in their conversation, when the world was spinning a bit more than it is now, Demyx did mention something about having sex every so often. "..isn't it hard to get off and on easily when, you know, you need to do things?"

[melodiouspacifist]

It did suck. The scars left behind from years of manipulation by Xemnas and the other senior members were incredibly deep and couldn't be just brushed aside.

"It's not that bad, I'm used to it. I've been wearing it since I was this big." He put his hand to the middle of his chest. "So I don't find it that uncomfortable."

He smiled. "Monty is going to make me clothes. I'm working on it, I really am." He blushed lightly. "I don't eat that much. I should, but only when Zex brings stuff home." It was complicated.

"Yeah, I guess it is. A lot of layers to get through. Zex doesn't wear a shirt. I could do that, but I find that uncomfortable."

[inversekeyblade]

Maybe experience can turn a blind eye to discomfort here. Growth spurt or not, this big still had to be quite some time ago. Remembering what it was like during leisure time with that thing dragging behind him has him shift his place in the bed, the past memories of it uncomfortable in itself. "I guess you can get used to it." It's not something he'd be able to understand, but in all fairness he hasn't been in a single situation all that long considering.

"That's the exact opposite of me.. I can't get enough to eat." Especially ice cream, but maybe that's only because it brings him back to a pleasant time. "Probably less expensive that way." What's the currency out here? Cash, Munny, ? Whatever it is, food probably holds some value in it.

...were they supposed to wear shirts under those things? Roxas feels a little embarrassed with that thought, because he never did. Why would he? "I didn't.. know you were supposed to?"

[melodiouspacifist]

A long, long time ago. Demyx's experience was varied and it had been a long journey down a terrible path. Getting used to the uniform was the least of his problems.

Demyx smiled a little and tilted his head. "I haven't eaten this much in years, and besides I can't make my own food so it's kind of awkward, how other people have to provide for us." It was something he didn't look that thrilled about.

"Well I mean, you don't have to, but if you do it's supposed to be black." Of course, considering, but Demyx pulled his zipper down and the tank top he had under his coat was blue. The quietest, subtlest point of rebellion one could manage.

[inversekeyblade]

Is this food thing something he's going to have to worry about? Like Demyx, and most teenagers at that, he hasn't the slightest clue how to make food for himself. He can order food just fine, but if he had to take a guess there might not be many places around here to do that.  "I can relate to you there."

Shirt underneath or not, "I'd still rather ditch the coat." Too much of a reminder of what was. Maybe it's that thought, maybe not, but something triggers a return of the headache, part two. There's a visible grimace on his face that he tries very little to hide. "Shot in the dark, but you have any pain killers on you?"