Voice Testing; Open to Anything!

[theotherpromise]

I really don't think this is a good idea. But I guess it's your choice.

And I get that you're nervous. Just don't forget about me, okay? I'm not you. I'm in your head, but I'm not you. I'm just not going through the same things you are. Otherwise, this could be fun, you know? Don't take it too seriously. Just throw me out there and see what happens.

Relax. You'll get the hang of it.

Comments

[theotherpromise]

[Roxas can't help but smile and raise his eyebrows. But okay, that's actually really interesting! Now Roxas looks surprised, and maybe in awe.]

A keyblade master? There? Yeah! That'd be great! Which world did she come from?

[Maybe she can give Roxas some pointers?]



[ooc: No problem! (I never felt like you were! It just helps to play him out and consider him this way. Aw, Mama Bear. That definitely makes up for burnt cookies.)]

[doestheickyjobs]

Some world called the... Land of Departure, I think? I'd never heard of it.

[...little does he know. He shrugs, smiling again.] But she's been telling all kinds of fascinating stories about the history of those things. She'd probably have some for you.

I know she's been giving Riku some tips.

[theotherpromise]

Yeah, I've never heard of that either. Did she say there were keyblade masters there?

About the keyblades? [Yeah, Roxas has to meet her now.] So that's what you meant about people I might recognize. What about Sora?

[doestheickyjobs]

Sora? He's been and gone a few times, too. The last time around, he seemed a little nervous.

[Which was bizarre enough all on its own. Sora, nervous? Things must have been bad.

At least he'd made it sound like he'd had backup, Axel - Lea (and isn't that still a weird thought) included.] But he's not there now. It's me, Xion and Demyx from the Organization, Riku, Aqua and another of her friends...

She's mentioned a few other Keyblade wielders from the same place to me.

[theotherpromise]

[No, really.] That's weird. I'm guessing he didn't say why. [Roxas is hoping Sora left of his own accord, and not because whatever he was nervous about got to him.]

I haven't seen Demyx in a while either. You all ended up there by accident?

[Boy, he has a lot of questions.] I've never heard anyone mention other keyblade wielders. And now, there might be a whole world full of them. I should definitely meet her.

[doestheickyjobs]

He was dodging questions pretty well.

... All right, so, the place is a little weird. It drags people in from different worlds and different times, and you don't get a say over when you show up or when you get out. I'm getting used to it! Sort of.

[theotherpromise]

That doesn't sound like Sora. I wonder what was wrong.

Sort of, huh? That explains a lot. I'll just have to wait and see if I meet Aqua somehow, I guess.

[doestheickyjobs]

I don't think he even told Riku! Although I haven't asked.

... I guess I should. You know, when he's over the whole Sora leaving again thing.

[He clears his throat, a little awkwardly.] Anyway! I'll introduce you to her if you ever show up again.

[theotherpromise]

Not even Riku? [Roxas looks a little worried now.] Something really must have been wrong. He's taking it hard, huh?

[Roxas blinks.] What do you mean, 'again'?

[doestheickyjobs]

Well, you know, Kairi left a few months ago... so it's a bit hard on him, sure!

You've been by twice. [Axel makes a face briefly.] We didn't have many chances to talk the first time! You weren't in the happiest mood.

[theotherpromise]

So they just come and go, and the people in the city have no say. They just- vanish?

[He squints a bit, searching the floor.] I don't remember any of it. [He looks back at Axel.] Why was I upset?

[doestheickyjobs]

You've got it. We can't get out when we want to, and we can't stay if we want to, either.

See, that's why I'm only sort of used to it.

...I think you were in the middle of a fight when you arrived, or something like that!

[Or had just walked out on the Organization, and weren't in any mood to see anyone in a black coat....

But who needs to get too far into the details, right?]

Like I said, we -- didn't talk much.

[theotherpromise]

That- That sounds awful. I wouldn't get used to that either.

I don't remember a thing about it... [It sounds like Axel doesn't really know either, so he won't press him about it.]

I can't imagine not talking with you or Xion. [This all sounds really surreal to him, but he trusts Axel.] Well, I'm glad we're talking now, at least.

[doestheickyjobs]

It gets old. Oh, and... it's okay if you don't remember. Everybody who leaves forgets being there.

[Besides, he's getting the feeling Roxas doesn't remember a lot of what happened.

He's not sure that's a bad thing.]

Anyway! [He bumps Roxas's side with a friendly elbow.] I'm glad we're talking now, too.

[theotherpromise]

[Roxas furrows his brows.] Then what's the point of being there at all? There has to be a reason why all of that's happening to you guys.

[It's Axel's call on whether or not he wants to fill him in. There's always a chance that someone else might, however, if other people were involved.

He smiles, pushing Axel's elbow away.] Well, good luck. Sounds like you'll need it.

[doestheickyjobs]

Thanks. I could always use it. [He grins, planting his hands on his hips instead.]

Maybe it's just about what we do while we're there! Sora and his friends love talking about how the heart remembers...

[The laugh he comes up with is more awkward than it is dismissive: not quite how he'd planned it, but he papers over the moment with a grandiose shrug.]

[theotherpromise]

[The awkwardness is palpable, sorry to say. Roxas's smile fades, and he looks puzzled.]

Not that that would really apply to us. [You know, being without hearts and all. Right, Axel?]

[doestheickyjobs]

Yeah, you've got it.

[A tiny frown catches on his face for a moment, but he shakes it off.]

Anyway... it matters while it's happening, right? Which means now.

[theotherpromise]

[Axel looks unhappy for a second there. Roxas is a little worried now.]

Yeah. True.

You okay?

[doestheickyjobs]

Fine! Just fine.

[He reaches out to ruffle Roxas's hair, kicking the grin up a few notches to achieve "obnoxious."] So what are your plans?

[theotherpromise]

Quit it! [Roxas laughs. He pushes down on Axel's shoulder, hopping up and attempting to muss up those red spikes as well. Axel, why do you have to be so tall?

You've got him distracted for now, but Roxas knows you're hiding something. He returns that "obnoxious" grin with a small smile, shaking his head.]

Not sure. My mun says she has something in mind for me, but it's a 'surprise.'

[doestheickyjobs]

A surprise? Well, tell her it'd better be a good surprise!

[He rocks briefly up onto tiptoe to dodge Roxas's attempt to ruffle his hair. It'd take forever to fix it if he managed.] ...By the way? You're years too early for that!

[theotherpromise]

She said it's good. I'm just not sure if I should really believe her.

[No fair! And he thinks it won't take Roxas a while to fix his hair too?] You just wait till I get taller! [Or gets his hands on some stilts.] I'm making up for every time you messed with my hair. [And not just Axel. Hopefully he'll be strong enough by then to get back at Xigbar as well; he has his own history of degrading nicknames and hair-ruffling.]

[doestheickyjobs]

[Hey, all Roxas has to do to fix his hair is sleep on his right side and it's back to normal... Axel laughs, shaking his head.] I'd better get mine while I can, huh?

[He wiggles his fingers threateningly in Roxas's direction, grinning.]

[theotherpromise]

[What a jerk.

Oh no. Roxas's face falls; he raises up his hands in defense, pointing a finger and slowly creeping backwards.] No. Axel. No. [Not again. Don't you dare. He's warning you...]