Mental Uneasiness

[Vexen]

Atop the vast structure known as Memory's Skyscraper, stands a lone Nobody, peering off into the distance. The view-nothing too grandiose, unless you count abandoned buildings and streets devoid of human life scenery. Of course, there were the Shadows and Dusks lurking about, but nothing that had a heart. If there was such a being, their life would be in dire need of saving. All seeming extremely depressing, if you could feel. "Tis the life of a Nobody, I suppose..."

The Chilly Academic, IV of Organization XIII, spoke aloud to no one in particular. Perched on the balcony-like rooftop of the skyscraper, he gazed about the dark streets. Normally, this Nobody would be in his laboratory working on some other sort of experiment (on some poor unfortunate soul, no doubt), but complications in his lab prevent that. Bad mishaps dealing with an intoxicatedly fumed substance bade him to evacuate for the time being while his lab 'aired out'. "A small matter, it should be completely safe in an hour or so.." Assuming a quizzical expression, the blond scientist noticed some movement down below. A lesser Heartless obviously...Nothing to be worked up about, Vexen-They are abundant in this area...And harmless to you... he reassured himself, but his eyes stayed fixated to that spot. There was no movement now, but he could have sworn that something other than the usual was there.

Becoming tense, he straightened his back as he leaned over the balcony's edge. "It could very well be another member, Vexen. That thought never occurred to you?" Questioning himself again, his brows furrowed. "If that is the case, then we have nothing to fear, correct?" Letting the silence ensure once again, his nerves calmed. All was at ease-until that unseen thing moved again. Now Vexen was irked. Something was definitely over there, and the thought of not knowing what exactly it is was driving him more) insane. Standing up fully erect to obtain a better view, the Academic summoned his voice to call out, "Who's there?!", but not having enough will to even his voice out. It came forth in a shrill, wavering tone, more so scared.

Beautiful Vexen, now whatever that is will know there is a frightened being suitable enough for a meal up here...

[Roxas]

It had been a while, since he’d actually been sent on a mission. Roxas had been wondering if he was going to be stuck on cleaning duty for the rest of his non-existence. But Xemnas actually had given him a mission – not just clearing out Heartless either – he was suppose to be finding more Nobodies to join the Organization. Granted, he had no idea where to start looking for more Nobodies, but… it was better than mopping floors.

The blonde pulled up his hood as he exited the castle; it wasn’t raining for once, but he didn’t really want to be recognized right off the bat if someone from the Order should show up. The element of surprise was always useful. Roxas walked through the dark streets at a hurried pace, just ignoring the scattered Heartless that popped up here and there as he passed. They couldn’t do a whole lot to him, after all, since he didn’t have a heart. The glowing yellow orbs of the Heartless’ eyes glanced at him, studying him for a moment, before realizing that he was just a Nobody, nothing worth attacking. He paused for just a moment in front of the massive skyscraper, and blinked. It felt like he was being watched. Not just by the Heartless hiding in the alleys between buildings either. Roxas’ eyes flicked from side to side, looking for whomever, or whatever, was watching him. Nothing…

Roxas didn’t see anything, but he could hear something. He paced the area, searching… and nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden shrill voice coming from above him. Looking up, he blinked a few times, trying to see what was on top of that skyscraper. Was that… Vexen? He exhaled, extending his hand in front of him to open a portal; he’d gotten all worked up for nothing. Still… it was odd to see the scientist outside of his lab. Roxas walked into the darkness, appearing shortly behind Vexen.

“It’s just me…” He spoke with a shrug.

[Vexen]

His entire body tense, there was only a matter of time before whatever that was below shows itself. Or ether...launck a surprise attack. That would be absolutely abysmal-especially giving the fact that he has already given away his position. "Should I take cover...Or...blast!" His green eyes scanned the lower area frantically; nerves completely on edge. Calm down Vexen...There is absolutely nothing to fear...There is nothing her-What was that?!

His thoughts were cut short as he spotted another disturbance in the darkness. Now he knew for sure that someone or something was indeed down there. Vexen's hands clenched and unclenched, taking a step back from the edge of the balcony. "Put up your defenses, Vexen...at least that way when whoever comes forth you can protect yourself..." Summoning forth his shield, he muttered to himself when out of nowhere-

"It's just me."

"Dah!" The Academic whirled around to spot just who has snuck up on him. Whoever it was, they were going to get a brutal slash unless they could maneuver out of the blond's wild slice. It as surprising in itself that Vexen didn't exert enough momentum to fall off he balcony, but be indeed took a step back to see that he was simply startled by a fellow Organization member. "R-Roxas..?!" He exclaimed, gaining his bearings again and banishing his shield. Well I'll be...Nice work Vexen, embarrass yourself in front of the neophytes again...

[Roxas]

When Vexen suddenly yelled Roxas flinched, jumping back just in time to avoid his wild slash. He had to glance down, just to make sure that Vexen hadn’t actually hit him. Sheesh… He must have really startled the other Nobody. It was surprising that Vexen didn’t fall off the edge of the building – but he was glad the other blonde didn’t. Xemnas would probably find some way to pin it on him and make him clean more. Roxas remained tense until Vexen recognized him and dismissed his shield. The blonde tugged off his hood, running his fingers through his hair. “Sorry,” He sighed, “I didn’t mean to scare you…” It was just a good thing Vexen had a short range weapon.

Roxas walked over to the edge of the building, not standing right next to the scientist – oh he didn’t trust Vexen enough to stand right next to him – but standing closer than he had been. Below was the paved plain where he had been standing before, clearly visible in the moon and neon light. He was always shocked at just how dark their world was; it was in shark contrast with the crisp white of the castle. But… the castle had the same empty, haunted feel about it. Roxas watched a few Heartless scamper across the area before glancing Vexen.

“You’re normally never out of the lab…” He commented, rubbing the back of his neck, “What are you doing out and about?” It was true, after all. He hardly ever saw Vexen, unless he went down to the labs. And he didn’t go down to the labs unless he was ordered to. Roxas hated the lab… It was just creepy down there. Throwing Vexen into the already creepy atmosphere just made it worse.

[Vexen]

Cursing himself mentally, he stared at the other as the two of them began to realize that the danger was over. It was no one but another member... But, just to make sure that it truly was Roxas down there, he turned and peered over the balcony again. Nothing but the random scurries of the Shadows. Sighing in relief, he caught the last bit of Roxas' question.

"What am I doing out and about?" he asked, not to anyone in particular. Peering over to the other blond, he noticed that he was standing a bit closer than where he was before. "Yes, you would usually picture me in my laboratory, wouldn't you? Didn't think I was capable of parting with my experiments?" Vexen replied with a bit of a sneer. Sure he spent nearly all his time in his labs, but what was to be offered above ground? Nothing for him, save the Superior's summons, which was rare. "If you want to know, there has been a certain mishap in my laboratory, and the fumes that surfaced from it was...well harmful to one's health." At least it was the truth; although the Academic did not like making his failures known. Looking back over the emptiness of the streets, he couldn't help wondering just what else the darkness could hold. And as if it reacted to answer his question, there was yet another disturbance.

Gloved hands gripping the edge of the building rather tightly, he leaned foward to gain a better look. Vexen didn't wanted to make another hasty assumption when Roxas was actually here to witness it. "Just...stay calm, Vexen, I'm sure that it was nothing. Yes, you may be sure, but my eyes don't lie-There really is something else out there." The Academic was clearly having another conversation with himself, despite the fact that there was another being there to converse with. Now, however, he was contemplating his own mindset. "Honestly, what you saw before was XIII, correct? ...Yes...Well, what could possibly be down there besides the drone heartless? ... ...I know I saw a movement-Then if you are so sure of yourself, point Roxas to where you saw this unknown thing and let him view the disturbance!" Coming to a compromise with himself, Vexen turned to the other and said in a low voice. "Come, stand here and tell me what you see in that distant gap between the two buildings there." Stepping aside so that the younger member could stand in the proper place, IV placed his hand to his chin, thinking and anticipating the other's response.

[Roxas]

The blonde’s gaze shifted between Vexen and the ground below, pondering what the scientist had been doing on the roof in the first place. The question was mostly answered when the older male started to speak though. Roxas raised a brow at the sneer that accompanied the answer, shrugging, “I didn’t say that… I normally just don’t see you outside the laboratory, is all.” So the labs were flooded with some kind of toxic gas? It figured. He couldn’t think of a time when Vexen didn’t seem to be doing something hazardous in those labs – he did have to wonder what the scientist was trying to do this time. The fact that the experiment was a failure wasn’t a surprise to Roxas. Vexen’s experiments failing were nothing new, but he didn’t really have an opinion either way on the man’s failures. That was science for you. A set of failures until something finally went right. Roxas certainly didn’t have the patients for something like that. “At least you noticed the fumes, before something bad happened.” He added, an afterthought, trying to sound somewhat encouraging. He probably sounded more like he didn’t care. Like always.

Vexen’s sudden and erratic behavior made the nobody blink, watching the man carefully for a moment. He was gripping the roof and peering down at the ground as if he had seen something down there… Roxas’ eyes flicked down to the ground as well, scanning. He could see the normal heartless crawling along in the shadows, looking for someone to attack, but otherwise, he didn’t see anything strange… One of the blonde’s brows rose again when Vexen started talking to himself. He sometimes had to wonder why Vexen was even in the Organization; the man had to be crazy. That was the only explanation that fit him. Roxas looked from IV to the ground below, trying to follow the other male’s gaze. He still didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Maybe Vexen was seeing things. But then again… the other had been able to see him moving around on the ground.

Roxas looked back up at Vexen when he suddenly addressed him. Or rather started talking to himself about him. When Vexen finally properly addressed him, Roxas gave him an incredulous stare, not sure if he trusted the low tone of voice. He’d give IV the benefit of the doubt – this time. He moved to where Vexen had been standing, gazing where instructed. There… was something moving in the space between the buildings, but it was too dark to tell what it was, probably just more heartless. “I see something there…” Roxas glanced back over at Vexen, shaking his head, “I can tell what though.”

((OOC: Ugh, I'm sorry this took me so long Vexen...))

[Vexen]

What if there was truly a disturbance amongst the random shadow heartless? Maybe a spy from the Order? A whole other entity in itself? Vexen's mind was scanning all logical thoughts as to what was troubling his paranoia. But every reason or solution that came to mind wasn't fitting correctly in this puzzle. Certainly the other blond, despite his lack of experience, should notice an aura about them that signaled something out of the ordinary, right? And being a fellow Organization member, the younger one wouldn't dare lie to an elder member, correct? Of course not; there would be too many repercussions. Cold eyes narrowed on that mysterious spot once more, before shifting to the other; a tactful, calculating look that seemed to penetrate past the other's defenses, as if in attempt to see any foul play. Roxas wouldn't lie to me...Not in such an open way, and certainly not without witnesses, should anything happen to either of us...

Vexen's mouth curled into a slight sneer. There was good news and bad news to the other's findings. Good news: At least this proves that the elder blond isn't crazy. The bad news: Most likely whatever is down there has surely seen and/or heard them. In his mind, hoping, near praying, that it was only more Heartless, the Academic turned to Roxas and replied with a nod. "I see. You did indeed see something, but cannot confirm exactly what it is." Placing a gloved hand to his chin, he muttered something to himself, before speaking again. "Knowing this, would you care to accompany me to...explore that region then?" As for Vexen's near inexhaustible curiosity, even his drive to find out things seemed to override his fears. Of course this was some unknown entity, and that his only backup was the youngest member (and not to mention most unagreeable member) but he simply needed to know. Although he was confident in his own abilities (to a certain point), he did feel a slight reluctance from the other, even before he asked him to accompany. "Of course, Roxas, I'll understand if you do not wish to follow. Certainly team members are to defend and assist their other members, but...I doubt you have the time." Vexen then began to summon a portal down towards that very region where he saw the sketchy activity, then without looking back at the other, he added, "Don't mind my anguished cries for help neither; you'll need the time to think of a good explanation to tell the Superior exactly why you chose to abandon a fellow member in such a situation..." Yes, dirty methods the Academic just used, playing on the other's moral thoughts and consciousness; if he even has one, that is. If not, there was an added threat to give off that persuasive power. Vexen hesitated for a moment, wanting to wait for the other's answer, but instead he began to walk into the portal, thinking that he would need to play in a serious mindset if the other was to believe him.