(no subject)

[kid-cc.livejournal.com]

 Who: Serge, Kid, Denzel (hopefully); OPEN
What: Setting up new home, discussing stuff...
Where: 7th Heaven in Edge
When: Morning after Tifa is abducted
Rating: PG

Sephiroth…never did Kid think she could hate anyone as much as Lynx, but there she was, angrily putting away her belongings in her new room. The room was fairly large for both her and Serge, allowing them to live together while Glenn resided next-door, and it made her feel empty. She wanted a home, but not earning it by running from a fight. A Radical Dreamer always fought for their future, no matter how strong the enemy, and while she was used to fighting others stronger than her…being outclassed like that…

Her hand gripped on her dagger tightly, desiring to be impaled into something, anything. Her other hand held her head as the pressure from the memory of yesterday came back in full fury, anger rising like never before. Screaming in a fit of rage, she lashed out and swung…

But another hand caught hers, and she froze at the stranger’s touch. It was only until her eyes traveled up the man’s arm and spotting the blue-hair and comforting smile that belonged to her boyfriend.

Tears welled up in her eyes once more, dropping the dagger to the floor before embracing her lover. No tears left from her eyes however, refusing to allow even a single one pass, not until everything was set right. It may not have been her fight before, but she couldn’t just leave things as they were.

Serge returned the embrace, the warmth spreading between their bodies, his hand placed on the back of her head and back. “I’m sorry…If I had gotten their sooner—“

She shook her head, feeling the water ready to fall from her face. “No…if I had been stronger…than there’s no bleedin’ way that bugger could have slipped past me.” She hugged Serge closer to her. “I still gotta kick you arse first…” she muffled into his chain vest.

He sadly smiled, stroking her back. “Save it for after we get used to things around here. C’mon.”

She reluctantly let go of her beloved, and followed him downstairs to the empty tavern below. Glenn had already left, claiming to be after the mysterious swordsman and investigating a way to return home. They both believed him, but they didn’t believe he could do it. The Dragoon was powerful, that they didn’t doubt. It was his detective and interrogation skills they were most concerned about.

The Radical Dreamer walked behind the bar, pouring herself a drink a vodka. It was early, but she just needed something to calm her nerves before she went slashing at everything in sight again. When Serge overlooked her, she pouted at the disapproving look. “What?”

“You know you can’t drink that much.”

She snorted. “I’m 18 now! I can handle this much ya know!” She held up the small glass in front of his face to prove her point further. “It ain’t even that big! I doubt I can get wasted on this little shot!”

Serge sighed. “Fine, but drinking yourself into a stupor isn’t going to help. We need to look after Denzel and—“

At the mention of the boy’s name, both of their faces drained of all color. The one thing they had forgotten…

“Shit!” panicked the thief, dropping the glass on the counter before Serge caught it. “Where the bloody hell is he!?” Her eyes roamed the area, the color draining twice as fast now. If he went with Glenn…

No, this was the last thing she needed. She may not have been the big sister Lucca was, but letting the child out of her sight and leaving him to defend himself, even if he did have Cloud or Glenn with him…It would be like the massacre she witnessed seven years ago.

That, and Tifa would no doubt kick her ass if she lost sight of the kid.

“Denzel!” she shouted through the bar.

“Kid, calm down!” countered Serge, grabbing the thief by the shoulders. “I’m sure he’s around here somewhere….”

The drink near Kid’s side appeared tempting all of a sudden…

Comments

ooc: X

[masterheartless.livejournal.com]

The door opened as Xehanort came in, he looked strong and wise, like an old master. He gave a curt nod to the blue-haired youth as he rapped the bar with a gloved hand. "Excuse me, my name is Erauqs. I am a keyblader" he said, summoning his keyblade before disspating it. "I understand you have a problem"

[wantstobeahero.livejournal.com]

Denzel had been hiding out in Cloud's office in the back room of the bar in Edge. It was weird having complete strangers in his home and even more weird without Tifa.

He sat in Cloud's office chair, hugging his knees to his chest, resting his chin on them. He had been crying. He blamed himself for everything. If only he had been strong like Cloud, then Sephiroth wouldn't have been a problem. But he wasn't. He wasn't strong or brave or heroic like Cloud. He was just a stupid kid.

OOC: X? I don't get it.

[kid-cc.livejournal.com]

"A keyblader?" Kid tilted her head to the side. If neither she or Serge knew any better, they could have sworn an older version of Radius stood before them. The strangest thing however was that this man simply appeared here at the right time...too convenient for her tastes. And were he the detective type, why start here in Edge when it all took place in Midgar? Nothing added up. Even Schala could tell something was off. "Well yeah, we got a shit storm of problems. Which one are ya--"

The sound of sniffling caught her attention, most likely being Denzel. She stared at the steps, and then back at Serge. Dealing with the stranger, or helping the child get over his problems...She couldn't decide. One on hand, vengeance was nice, but leaving the child like that...Lucca would never do such a thing.

Serge decided for her, understanding her thoughts. "I can entertain our guest here with all the details, and possibly a good drink or two. Go."

Kid nodded, pecking Serge on the cheek and smiling. "Thanks mate! I'll be back in a few." She ran to the flight of stairs, yet stopped midway, glaring at the two men. "And if you touch that drink, trust me, I'll kick your arses so hard you'll kiss the moons!"

As Kid left their sight, Serge returned his attention to the keyblade master with a smile; a potential customer was always welcomed, even if his senses went off a little. "Anyway, I'm guessing you're here about Sephiroth; only reason I can think of. So what info do you need? And while you're here..." He handed him a menu. "Perhaps maybe you'd like some grub or a drink while you're here!"

--

"Yeah, well just hurry and do somethin', got it?" Kid muttered into the phone before hanging up and shoving it back into her jacket. "This is gonna be a LONG day..."

The trail of crying had lead her to a room she was never told of: Cloud's office. Shrugging, she opened the door to find Denzel crying. She scratched her head, unsure of how to deal with this situation. Back then, yelling became the usual medicine...with mixed results. No, that wouldn't work. Where was her sister when she needed her the most. "Umm...Listen, Den, I'm sorry about yesterday..."

Words couldn't fix this situation, but she had to try. She was far from being perfect sister Lucca was, yet that wouldn't stop her.

Re: OOC: X? I don't get it.

[masterheartless.livejournal.com]

'Erauqs' smiled, taking a seat as he was offered a drink. "Nothing to drink, though I could use something to eat. Perhaps a ham sandwhich" he said, putting the small amount of money needed to pay for the food. "Now, yes I was here about Sephiroth. I've been looking for him ever since he was reported to be seen, and some people said he was seen leaving the companion to this bar, the other one was closed" Erauqs explained "Though you can't always trust most leads, for example I heard some people say they saw a humanoid cat with a scythe, but the talk of craziness is unneeded. I was simply following a hunch, apparently a good one. What happened exactly?" he asked, pulling out a notepad and pen. He was prepared for this, if he could lead these kids astray, it would help even more for his plans to work, yet he didn't show this, all he showed was intrest, waiting for more

[wantstobeahero.livejournal.com]

Denzel spun the office chair side to side, burying his face against his knees. He didn't like having strange people here. He just wanted Tifa. And Cloud. And Marlene and Shelke. He sniffled a little, hugging his legs tighter.

"Cloud will rescue her. I know he will. He's beat Sephiroth before."

[kid-cc.livejournal.com]

Serge smirked, immediately snatching up the money and placing it in the register. "One sandwich coming up!" Serge took out the necessary ingredients, turning around to prepare the sandwich. Listening to the keyblade master, talking, he nearly froze at the mention of a scythe-wielding cat. Then again, he had heard those so-called rumors...turning out to be the wrong feline he wanted to skin. "Yeah...cats and scythes...not a good mix..." he nervously laughed, mentally reminding himself Lynx is gone; he and Glenn personally made sure of that two years ago.

When he was finished, he placed the well done sandwich on the bar, confident of his work. "There you go! Bon appetite!"

He thought over the question, trying his best to recall what Kid had told before his arrival. He leaned back against the sink, pinching the bridge of his nose in deep thought. "Well, apparently Kid entered the bar to discuss owning this place with Tifa, and he was already there, wearing a different face; magical perhaps. And then when Denzel grew frightened of him, he revealed himself to everyone. Kid tried to fight him, but she was apparently outclassed, especially when her fire could have simply blew up the bar in the process." He shivered at the thought of Kid actually doing that, yet sighed in relief when she didn't. "And then...she just ran out with Denzel to protect him, while Tifa was apparently taken away when the swordsman flew into the sky. Now that I actually remember, but couldn't do a thing. Sorry, but that's pretty much all I know."


The only thing he did leave out was the psychological torture they were all going through now, especially Denzel. Hopefully Kid was doing everything in her power to reverse the damage...

--

Unfortunately, Kid was not a parent, not even close to that of a big sister. Hell, comforting was probably better suited to Serge. She almost regretted this decision.

She walked over to the child, kneeling next to him and patting his head, stopping the chair from moving. "Easy now, little 'un. You say this Cloud bloke can do, I believe ya, but cryin' ain't gonna bring her back, ya know?"

'Kid...' warned Schala from within. 'Be careful with your words.'

'I know...' mentally countered the daughter clone. But Schala was right. What could she possibly do? When Lucca was taken and killed, the only thing she thought of was slaughtering Lynx; definitely not the mindset she wanted to input into Denzel. Another her running around here might cause heart attacks for both Serge and Glenn anyway, perhaps even Cloud.

"Well, while he and Glenn are searchin' for her and that rotten bloke, how about we do somethin'? I don't like sittin' around here as much as you do anyway, and I can always stick Serge with all the work; he's ten times better at this stuff than I am."

[masterheartless.livejournal.com]

'Erauqs' nodded in thanks as he finshed his notes, placing the notepad back in his jacket pocket. He took a bite of his sandwhich, giving a nod to Serge as he swallowed. "Interesting....would you guys mind any help looking for them. I could probaly catch up with your two friends"

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

Xion finished sending her text message to Aeris as she came up to the bar's doorstep. She shoved the phone back into her pocket, then looked up at said bar. It was homey looking, that's for sure, and didn't seem like a bad place for a meal. She pushed her hood back off her head, so as not to be intimidating.

Once she stepped in the door, though, she realized just wearing her coat might get her recognized. She saw Serge right off and knew he was one of the ones she'd seen fighting Loz during the battle with the Arch Behemoth. As for the others...well, the old man certainly gave her the willies. There was just something about him.

"Um...h-hello..."

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

Red had come in shortly behind Xion, and he stretched, already relaxed in the atmosphere of a bar, taking a seat on a stool and looking around. His eyes dropped to his friend for a moment, and he raised a brow at her hesitance, wondering if she handled most of her situations like that.. it bothered him slightly that she seemed so.. reluctant. Oh well, he wasn't about to try to change that.

The man didn't know a thing about anyone in the bar, though, so he was content to sit and listen. Hell, he didn't even know why Xion had decded on coming here, maybe she was hungry or something.

[sergerp.livejournal.com]

Serge shook his head, frowning at the thought. "Well, there lies problem number 2...that Cloud guy basically left without a word to any of us and we don't know his number. And as for Glenn, for all I know he's lost in a forest...and he forgot his phone..." He sighed heavily; what he said was probably the truth, especially when the Dragoon's phone was still upstairs. "But any information you have to help us track him down would be useful..."

The sound of the bell interrupted his conversation, along with the new voice. The black robe he vaguely remember, but couldn't quite recall to the best of his ability; being used as a ping-pong ball by Loz and Heartless can do that to anyone.

He briefly glanced up the stairs in concern. Well, Kid had not yelled or blown anything up, so he shrugged, figured everything was alright.

He smiled at the set of newcomers. "Hey! Welcome to the 7th Heaven! What can I get you two?"

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

"Oh! I'm sorry I...was thinking," Xion said, moving over to the bar. She could breathe a little bit easier since he didn't seem to recognize her at all. 'Duh...he was fighting that tall guy. Like he'd notice anything other than the fight.'

"I'm not sure about my friend, but...well, actually, what do you have? I've never been here." she looked around for a menu. Mentally she made a note to visit this bar again if she liked what they served. Maybe Miss Aeris would come with her!

[wantstobeahero.livejournal.com]

Denzel remained seated in Cloud's chair. "I don't feel like doing anything. Besides, I gotta take care of the bar for when Tifa comes back. I gotta keep things running for her. And I gotta be here if Marlene comes home or Cloud."

He wiped at his eyes and finally made an attempt to get up from the chair, flopping his feet onto the floor with a thud.

[kid-cc.livejournal.com]

Kid rolled her eyes. It may have been a step-up from crying, but even so...

She sighed heavily, accepting the situation; Cloud would have skinned her alive if she even attempted to get him outside and risk his life by traveling. "Better than crying all day I suppose. Just try not gettin' in Serge's way; me mate can be clumsy as hell when people surround him while he's workin' his butt off.

"And relax, once we find some more information, Tifa will be back here, and ya'll can live as one big happy family again!" she added with a reassuring wink and a smile before turning around to open the door to go downstairs. "Now c'mon, Den. You said so yourself, so we gotta keep the place runnin'; Cloud'll probably kick me out if we don't get anythin' done, along with Tifa."

--

Serge reached under the bar, pulling out a set of menus for both of the new customers with an apologetic smile. "Sorry. We didn't get enough time to set everything up; it's technically our first day working here. You guys can take your time."

[masterheartless.livejournal.com]

'Erauqs' nodded as he rose from his seat, finishing his sandwhich. "Thank you, well I'm going to be off to look for Sephiroth. Take care" he said as he got up, finishing his sandwhich and walked out, passing the two newcomers. The boy was a waste of time, he could tell but the girl.......to think that she has survived all this time.

'Erauqs' walked out the door and turned into an alley as the illusion shifted, turning him back into his normal form. He grinned as he put his hand out, the dark portal forming as he stepped through.

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

Xion gave a little smile to Serge and took the menu. She looked through it carefully, immediately spotting something in her price range.

"I'll have this and...just a soda I guess." she said, pointing to the listing for a BLT with cheese. After placing her order, she just sat down at the bar and waited for Red to say what he wanted. She watched 'Eraqus' from the corner of her eye, and let out a tiny sigh of relief when he finally left. He just made her far too uncomfortable.

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

"I'll have... hmm, let's see. Ah, gimme a bacon cheeseburger and 'slaw, please." Red folded his menu and plopped it atop Xion's, smirking playfully. He watched her eyes as Eraqus left the bar, and raised a brow, giving the man a once over. Trouble with a capital tee, that one, but he understood that when it came to his cognitive abilities, sensing trouble in that manner was more an ability of Alkaiser's than his own. Whatever. It worked for him, and that's all that mattered.

"Y'look like you've seen a ghost, or at best someone who looks like a drunken uncle that spent his time molesting you. What's the deal, Zee?" he'd come up with the nickname rather suddenly, but then again, Red was impulsive that way, "I mean, he gave off a weird vibe, sure, but you're positively sheet-white."

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

Xion felt her face grow hot under the scrutiny, which certainly meant her color was returning. She didn't even mind the sudden use of a nickname since she felt so down.

"He just...reminds me of somebody I knew. Someone bad." she said, her manner indicating she didn't want to say more than that.

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

"Hm, well, you got nothin' t'worry about, alright? Just stick with me, Zee, I've gotchur back." he put his thumb to his chest with a little smile, reassuring and confident. Indeed, when had Red expressed a belief in his -inability- to do something?

Hell, if he'd had Blue, or Emilia, or any of the others he'd met on the way, even Fuse, Red would have been that much -more- confident. But, seeing as he couldn't involve them all in his grudge about Black X, he couldn't take them with him all the time, and so, he'd fought most of his most important battles alone.

[sergerp.livejournal.com]

Serge raised an eyebrow at the male newcomer's metaphor, his eyebrow twitching. "Maybe you should avoid using those types of comparisons around women..."

The Chrono Trigger spun around back towards the grill, spatula in hand and all the necessary ingredients; thank god they ordered something he was able to make. As he got to work, he listened closely to their conversation. They appeared to be able to read people. No doubt then that they were powerful in their own right. Still...he had a feeling he had seen the girl, or at least heard about her.

Shrugging, he left the thought to idle and focused on making the food. Getting distracted by everything would probably cost him two valuable customers.

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

"Umm, I'm gonna go wait outside, okay? I wanna do some thinking for a few minutes. Come get me when the food's ready." she said to Red. She gave a little smile before sliding off the stool and making her way to the door. Xion stopped outside the front steps and sat down, her chin resting on her hand.

She'd nearly missed the inappropriate jargon all together. It didn't hold any particular meaning really as far as she was concerned. Family was a foreign concept entirely. Mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters...what did it feel like to have a family? She suddenly felt a little envious of Loz for his obvious dedication to finding his 'Mother.' At least he knew what family was and was trying to reunite with it. The closest thing to family she'd ever had was Roxas, whose reasons for befriending her she had come to doubt. He had been practically a brother.

'Hmm, I wonder how he's doing.' she thought, summoning the keyblade to her hand. Still following Superior's orders, probably.'

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind." Red mock-saluted at Serge when the kid spoke up, then raised a brow to Xion, nodding, "Sure thing Zee, I'll poke my head out and give ya a shout when the time comes." he smiled winningly to the young lady, and leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. When Xion was gone, he turned his head towards Serge at the bar and yawned,

"So, what's the deal with this Midgar place, kid? Last I heard, this was the central hub of commerce, let alone electricity and materia. What happened that tore it all down like a bad dream? Ain't ShinRa Co. in charge anymore?"

OOC: It's ghost napp--I mean Loz pwnage time!...God i wish I could be ghost nappa now! XD

[loz-pwnage.livejournal.com]

Serge rolled his eyes at the mock-salute from the corner of his eye, feeling insulted. So long as they paid and kept quiet, and by quiet he meant not destroying anything, everything was good; he doubted Kid would be so lenient. As he messed with the grill, he raised an eyebrow at the man's question about Midgar. He did know this was Edge, right? "I just came here through a wormhole a few weeks ago, so I barely know anything about Midgar. And you do know you're in Edge, right?" Even Serge knew that, seeing Midgar's living conditions when compared with Edge. And the only thing he knew of was the 7th Heaven in that area, and the events that transpired.

Flipping the sandwich over, he spoke again, "Just watch out for a man named Sephiroth. He managed to take the real owner of this establishment with little trouble. My friend and her possible husband are already in pursuit." He frowned, hoping they were alright. He wished he could have joined them as well, being the leader of his trio.

At least things here were peaceful at the moment...
--

Loz was bored. It was that simple. Yet everyone who saw him practically fled, probably remembering that he was part of the chaos that occurred years ago. He smirked, enjoying all of the attention drawn towards him. He cared little if he was now a walking bullseye, it would simply draw attention away from the others while he followed orders for Lynx and his older brother.

He recalled his brother easily dealing with the fiery woman, and by kidnapping Tifa, he felt the urge to one-up him. Considering how much damage he dealt to the trio back in Dollet, facing two out of three would probably be both fun and easy. If only he could have managed to transform Bahamut SIN into that motorcycle he wanted...

He stopped in front of a familiar place, eyebrow raised in curiosity at the 7th Heaven, and smirking at the sight of Xion. He waved at the young girl, grinning. "What's up? It's been awhile since you helped ruin my fun back in Dollet."

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

Xion was knee-deep in her own mind by the time he showed up. The young woman hadn't even noticed him at all as she studied the keyblade in her lap. Her head snapped up, and her blue eyes went wide as a familiar voice pierced through her thoughts.

'He saw me? What...how did he know it was me? Why is everyone recognizing me?' she thought. For several moments, she had no earthly idea what to even say.

"I was just..." she looked down again. "They didn't even...want my help anyway. That woman yelled at me, called me a...why would you think I was doing anything to you?"

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

"Edge, huh? Nope, can't say I knew that. Then again, what I was reading was probably old enough it wasn't all that accurate.. whatever." he sighed softly, and idly picked a loose thread from his vest, frowning in thought, "Sephiroth.. wasn't he some kind of bigwig ShinRa SOLDIER? Like.. first class or something like that? Hero of a war in Wutai, but went nutso crazy AWOL and burned some mountain town to the ground?" from what he'd taken in, Sephiroth had been good and dead long before he'd arrived.

"Guess maybe power does corrupt, huh?" he deadpanned the statement, then laughed at his own ill-humour, "Aw well, he was taken down before, it can happen again. Too many good guys in the world for the bad guys to win, but they never seem to realize it. It's funny, really."

ooc: sorry for douche-bag Loz

[loz-pwnage.livejournal.com]

"You attacked the Heartless, my toys," stated Loz, staring at Xion like a child whose toy was broken...and was clearly angry. "If you weren't there, then that Terra guy could be dead, and maybe I could have had more fun."

Now he remembered the presence he felt. It was the same as the creatures in white, Nobodies Master Xehanort called them. He smirked. Word play was never his forte, but it was worth a shot. Pacing back and forth in front of her as he taunted the poor girl.

"Of course they didn't want your help, a creature rejected by both light and darkness, wandering aimlessly like a lost puppy with absolutely no purpose. We're a lot like, more than you even know. We may be puppets, but at least I have a purpose in my life. But here's the thing, I am a Remnant, while you are literally nothing, something that shouldn't exist in this world."

He smirked to himself; he was a lot better at this than he thought.

ooc: that's fine~ though now she's officially hit brain shutdown mode

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

As far as battles of words went, Xion was an amateur even worse than him. His words cut deep into her chest, twisting and rending. Her stomach sank down to her knees and she fought the urge to cry. Oh, how she wanted to. Nothing would feel better than to just break down in tears.

"N-No...that's not true..." she whimpered, holding her hands on her head. Her fingers curled into her hair, tugging on it as if the pain would bring her back to reality. "I'm not just a doll...you, Saïx, Xemnas...it's all lies."

Subconsciously her hand again moved to her breast, where a normal person might feel a heartbeat. As was common all the other times she'd made the gesture, there was only stillness in her chest. Warmth, but no sign of life.

She nearly lost it as hot tears strolled down her cheeks. Xion laughed shakily.

"S-See...I'm more than a puppet. How can I cry if...if I'm not..."

Re: ooc: that's fine~ though now she's officially hit brain shutdown mode

[kid-cc.livejournal.com]

"You only act like it..." answered Loz, now readjusting the Dual Hound gauntlet. The way she was now, a perfect scarred present for Serge and Kid. "Don't worry though..." He grinned, spreading his legs and ready to strike the ground below him, unleashing the shockwave he was dying to let out. "I'm going to--"

A knee collided with his jaw, knocking him to the ground. He tried to open his eyes, but a fist shot out, striking him in the bridge of the nose. A crack echoed, and the Remnant covered his face, blood dripping from his face.

Kid seethed, pissed off after hearing the conversation from above before jumping out the window. Her fist shaking, she struck Loz in the face again, harder than last time, knocking him out for the moment.

Half satisfied, she turned around, kneeling before the girl wiping away her tears. "Sorry 'bout that. I should've stopped him the moment I saw the bugger. You alright?"

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

The dark-haired girl watched the pummeling with wide eyes. She remembered seeing the blonde before from the Heartless battle. She was strong, she noted. Especially to lay the big silver-haired lummox flat on the pavement.

Xion jumped a bit as she removed her tears for her. They were soon replaced as she bowed her head. She could only stammer out a small "thank you" before hiding her face behind gloved hands.

There were good people in the world, it seemed. So many of them. First Miss Aeris, then Red, and now this nice young lady and the blue-haired man inside. The world wasn't like The Organization.

"I'm sorry."

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

Red blinked at a peculiar sound, like fists striking flesh.. meaty thwacks, though with more of the crackling of cartilage. Perhaps a facial blow? He stood and stretched, frowning, "I'm still countin' on the burger, but I wanna pop outside and see what the hell's goin' on out there. Doesn't seem to be Mid-.. er, Edge's best neighbourhood, after all. Anyway, yeah." he grinned, and stepped outside, surveying the scene with equal parts surprise and reluctance. Of course there was trouble.. there was always trouble..

"Heeey~ The hell's all this about?" he raised a brow at Kid, and if one looked, they'd notice he'd unslung his pistol, and was casually tapping it against his hip, the muzzle pointed in Loz's general direction. He shrugged, and looked to Xion, "This lug buggin' ya, Zee?" the answer was probably yes, but it never hurt to ask, and with Kid not really paying attention to the silver-haired galoot, Red figured it was prudent to keep a bead on the man.

[kid-cc.livejournal.com]

Kid stood back up, offering her hand to Xion. She took a brief glance at the man that suddenly showed his face, raising an eyebrow, but rid herself of the smartass comment that brewed in her head. Her attention back to Xion, she said, "C'mon, before the bugger wakes up and--"

Faster than the words spilling from her mouth, Loz shot up in an instant, the Dual Hound already aimed to penetrate her skull.

And just as quickly, a trail of white light escaped the bar, attached to the blue-haired youth, who had grabbed Loz's arm and glared at the man. Using his free hand, he struck Loz in the stomach, and watched as he fell backwards. Serge wagged his finger, continuing to glare. Anyone who hurt his friends just never seemed to learn their lesson. "Rule number one in the 7th Heaven: Violence will not be tolerated, especially from battle-loving meatheads like you!"

Loz snorted, preparing to go on the offensive again. What he did next however Serge did not expect...

He vanished in a blur of light, yet Serge saw the trail heading outside the city.

Kid growled, nearly chasing after the madman, but Serge stopped her, using his arm to bar her path. She growled once more before heading back inside.

Serge turned to the duo, smiling as if nothing happened. "Sorry about that! Your meals are already laying on the counter! Enjoy!"

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

Her head had snapped up when Loz came up again, and she had summoned Oathkeeper on reflex. Thankfully, Serge had put a stop to the potential attack before she had to use it. She dismissed the blade as Loz left and smiled just a little since the others seemed to calm...except Kid. Xion watched the young woman with a bit of worry.

Shaking her head, she gave Serge a grateful nod and smile before heading inside as well. Inwardly she was dreading the questions that were sure to be asked. If she could avoid it, she would, but it was unlikely.

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

Red laughed heartily, and spun his pistol before holstering it again, with the safety on of course, "I like your style, bud." he nodded to Serge, clapping the young man on the shoulder and grinning, "For a second there I thought I might be helpful with him, butcha had it all under control. Nice job."

"So, Zee, who was that chump? Some kinda ex boyfriend?" he nudged her with an elbow, as if they'd been friends forever and a day, "Aw, well, whatever, we can talk about it over lunch."

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

Xion made a weird 'are you kidding?' face at Red, then shrugged and sat down at the bar. She held her head on one hand, that arm resting on the bartop, and sighed silently. She didn't want to approach this subject at all. If only nobody would ask questions. Unlikely, but one could always hope. Though she could always just stuff her mouth with food to avoid talking.

'No, that won't work. That girl overheard everything...I can't just stay quiet.' she bit her lip. 'She found out yet still came to help me...'

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

Red smiled pleasantly, and sat beside Xion, stretching his hands out in front of him for a moment, "I'm kidding, Zee. A big dumb-lookin' bruiser like that doesn't seem like yer type anyway." he shrugged slightly, not elaborating on what Red thought Xion's type might be.

"I'm glad ya didn't get hurt out there though. I'm s'posta watch yer back, right?" he put a thumb to his chest and grinned.

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

"Heh, you think?" she laughed slightly. "Thanks for coming to help though."

She bit into her BLT sandwich, chewing slowly as she turned her thoughts over and over in her head. The distraction was a welcome one, and it allowed her time to think about her current situation. Naturally, she was thinking hard about what to answer when the questions she knew were coming finally arrived.

[kid-cc.livejournal.com]

Kid sat herself down as well, briefly wondering where Denzel went, though figured he was probably in the back or something. If the child didn't want to be bothered, she wouldn't be the one to make him unhappy. Resting her chin on her palm, she leaned on the counter, staring at Xion closely.

She opened her mouth to say something, but Serge pulled her away, shaking his head. "Maybe now isn't the best time." he told her quietly. "She'll talk to us when she's ready. We can't force these things."

"Hope you're right, mate..." she looked away from her beloved. She didn't want to mention it, but the event outside reminded her of when she found out when she was a clone, yet Serge accepted her so easily, not caring.

Given the man next to her, maybe Aqua was wrong about these Nobodies, or just this one. Were she a threat, Kid would have sensed something was off in those tears. She had seen them before, because she had shed them before.

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

Red ate more of his meal, pausing now and again for brevity's sake, and good manners', to talk to Xion, "Yeah, ya seem like yer a gal that needs someone more understandin', less rammy. Someone who's gonna pay attention to ya, y'know? Well, that and make you smile, you don't do that enough." Red smiled and patted her shoulder, then nodded to Serge.

"Thanks, eh? You make a mean burger." he gestured with the remains of his sandwich and laughed softly, "Someone who can make a good burger, but not him. He's pretty well taken, I bet." the conversation had returned to Xion, and he grinned again.

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

"C-Can...we stop talking about that, please?" she asked, her cheeks turning a spot of pink. While the conversation had stayed far away from where she had wanted it to be, it was still awkward for her. Unlike Roxas, she never had gotten that conversation about what love was. She had passed out for several days after a big Heartless battle at the time.

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

"Sure thing, heh. I didn't mean t'make ya feel weird or anything." he flashed a toothy grin at Xion, thankfully cheeseburger-free, and turned on his stool to regard the rest of the bar. "What're we gonna do after this, then? I mean, I gotcha this far, and it seems safe enough t'letcha alone with people ya know and trust. I can see us partin' ways, if you want." Red shrugged slightly, not sounding too pleased by the prospect, but really, there was plenty to do in the world.

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

"I know, it's okay," she said with a small nod. She almost didn't want to part ways with him like he suggested. Being around Red had been fun. Weird at times since he was a bit...off, but fun nonetheless. It reminded her of better times spent with the other two people she had once considered her 'brothers.' "I was going to visit with a friend of mine here, then go on by myself for a while. I still have to collect flowers for her."

She reached into one of her coat pockets and took out a bright blue sea shell. Lightly she ran her thumb over the ridges. "Hmmm...maybe I'll visit the beach. My collection could always use more.

"But, I'd like to go places with you again some time. We had fun so far, right?" The dark-haired girl flashed him a smile.

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

"Sure!" he smiled brightly to Xion, "I'll keep an eye out for flowers, too, Zee. Heck, with my globetrottin' and your travellin' around, I'm sure we'll both find a whole bunch. The gal yer visiting, Aer..something, I forget her name." he frowned to himself, then snapped his fingers, "Ah! She hangs out at that church in Sector Seven, right? Here's what I'll do. Whenever I'm near Midgar, I'll stop by the church, to drop off the flowers and maybe some shells for you, and, since she's your friend, maybe you'll be around, too."

"But yeah, it's been fun. S'a shame that you gotta go, but hey, let yourself get bogged down when ya ain't ready to be. I understand." Red put a thumb to his chest, and nodded again, "If I hear about someplace wonderful like Macalania, I'll come find you and we can go together. Maybe you'll be smilin' more, too."

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

"Really? I'm sure Miss Aeris would love that." her smile grew wider. "It would definitely make her garden grow faster if two people are helping her!"

Xion finished her meal and stood up. She left the appropriate amount of gil for her share of the food on the counter, then turned to Kid and Serge.

"Thank you for helping me. I know you must...have a lot of things to ask." she looked away. "I promise that...the next time I come here, I'll answer them."

She gave them a little smile before turning back to Red. She folded her arms a bit and cocked her head to the side. "And you better behave yourself while I'm gone. Think you can handle that?"

She gave the three one last wave before slipping out the door.

[chimera-buns.livejournal.com]

"Heh, me? Never." he grinned mischeviously, and added once Xion had slipped out, "Trouble's way too much fun, and havin' clean hands is just boring." the man glanced between Kid and Serge, and counted out some gil to pay for his food, with a good tip.

"Well, if there's nothin' needs doin', I'm gonna clock out soon."