Duplicity IC Contact

[noblankpages]

You've reached Zexion. Leave a message.

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[keythatconnects]

[Sora reaches out to Zexion some time in the evening, late enough that he'll be home, but not so late it's rude.]

Hey, uh, Zexion? Can we talk?

[noblankpages]

[ It's a little surprising to receive a message from Sora out of the blue like this, and that confusion is apparent in his voice when he answers. ]

Yes, what is it? [ It certainly doesn't sound like anything good. ]

[keythatconnects]

Great! [He says cheerfully, but then he trails off.]

Well... okay.

So, you know what this place wants us to do right? We need to find someone to contract with. And I was thinking...

You're kind of in a unique situation. And I wouldn't want you to be contracted with someone who doesn't understand what a Nobody is or anything else about the Organization and who you are. So.... uh... If you want...

I could do that... with you?

[noblankpages]

[ There's a long silence on Zexion's end as he considers. He still has some time left before his own deadline arrives, and it had been his intention to put it off as long as possible, but... This is an interesting offer. All conflicts from their own reality aside, Sora is an easygoing and agreeable person who seems rather intent on trying to strike up some sort of friendship with him. Negotiating a contract with him would likely be a much more tolerable experience than trying to do so with a complete stranger, especially since - as he said - there would be no surprises in terms of his condition. That, and having Sora be in a way 'responsible' for him would afford him a degree of protection, from any other members of Organization XIII to arrive here or the other Keyblade wielders and their allies. ]

I'll want to discuss the terms of the contract in greater detail, but I think that would be in both of our best interests, yes. I accept.

[ Much as it pains him to play into this idiotic system, the promised convenience of not having to sneak around it any longer is a strong temptation, too. ]

If it's all the same to you, I would prefer to live on my own, but I can provide rent for myself as well as funds for anything else I might need. I won't be requiring anything of you but your permission. Does that sound agreeable?

[keythatconnects]

Oh yeah, totally. And I'll be around to keep people off your back.

Did you want to meet somewhere to talk about this?

[noblankpages]

I think that would be wise. Meet me in Jackson Park in the Down in an hour. I'll bring a standard contract that we can review and alter to suit our needs.

[ Perhaps it's petty, but he makes a point of being forceful about it. He has absolutely no intention of being submissive in anything but name, and wants to make that absolutely clear from the outset. ]

gift;

[unabatedly]

[ Sometime on the 19th, a package will be outside of Zexion's apartment when he comes home (or deigns to open his door). Inside is a tea set, loose tea (and three different kinds!) as well as a bag of fresh coffee grounds. All of this is wrapped up in a deep, royal blue scarf, soft to the touch and warm.

A note is there, written in Neria's fine penmanship: ]

We need to stop meeting at the worst moments. I'd like to take you to lunch sometime. Stay warm and safe, and thank you.

~ Neria

idk, early march

[unabatedly]

Zexion? When you've a moment, please reach out. I wanted to ask for your help with something.

[noblankpages]

Yes, what is it? Is something wrong?

[unabatedly]

No, not at all! I wanted your help with something of a magical nature. I've an idea I'd like to pursue.

[noblankpages]

Oh? What kind of something? I'm just passing through the park near Haven now, if you'd like to meet me and discuss it there.

[unabatedly]

A project. I want to make a magic sword. Come up to my office and I'll explain further. I'll need to demonstrate.

>action

[noblankpages]

I'll be right there.

[ Well, he's certainly intrigued, if uncertain of how much help he'll be. Zexion arrives in Neria's office shortly after his message, knocking sharply on the door before entering. ]

You wanted to see me?

text, post canon update

[keythatconnects]

[It's extremely early in the morning when Sora texts Zexion out of the blue.]

Zexion? Are you awake?

text

[noblankpages]

I am, yes. [ Fortunately for Sora, Zexion is something of a night owl and an insomniac both. ] Do you need something?

> now it's a call!

[keythatconnects]

[When Sora gets that confirmation he calls Zexion instead of keeping up the texting. He hadn't called first because he knew the hour might be awkward.

[noblankpages]

[ It must be something important, then, if he's calling at this hour. Zexion picks up immediately, sounding concerned. ]

Hello? Is everything alright, Sora?

[keythatconnects]

I... I don't know. [Sora's voice is low. He is with Kairi and he doesn't want to wake her up.]

It was so weird. Kairi and I went back home. We had the final battle with Xehanort. But then we woke up here and only a couple days had passed.

Do you think... Could it have been a hallucination?

[noblankpages]

There are people here capable of advanced mental manipulation, as we've seen, so even if you both had the same dream it's still possible it was all faked, but...

[ There's a brief silence as Zexion considers the situation. ]

Traveling across worlds in dreams certainly isn't unheard of. Can you tell me what happened in more detail? [ And not just because he's curious about the future. ]

un: thearchivist; text

[compellingstatement]

[On balance... what Zexion had done wasn't nearly as horrible as Dorian. And Jon had rather brought the ice on himself. So.]

I may have slightly overreacted to your theft of my lighter.
I'm sorry.
I won't bother you in person in future.
I can't do anything about the dreams, but I hope you've had a few good ones with recent events.

un: zexion

[noblankpages]

So the dreams are your doing? Interesting. Will they stop on their own?

[ He already dreamed about the fall of Radiant Garden nearly every night, but the addition of an audience had been more than a little a little annoying. As had being witnessed fumbling through the snow in the Great Forest on four legs. ]

Your apology is noted.

[compellingstatement]

Not all of them.
This business of people walking into each other's dreams?
I have nothing to do with that.
But your nightmares about Radiant Garden and the Great Forest?
Yes.
They'll never stop.
Until I'm permanently dead or you are.
Haven may have something that could help with forgetting them when you wake up, at least.

[noblankpages]

Those are the ones I meant, yes. [ The ones where the Archivist is just standing around, watching. ]

You know, it's fortunate that I'm not inclined to try to kill you, because otherwise you wouldn't be doing a terrific job of talking me out of it.
I can't say I'm pleased about this, but being made to relive old memories is nothing new to me. I'll cope.
This only happens with events about which you've taken a statement, correct? Or does it spread over time.

[compellingstatement]

I wouldn't have much right to talk you out of it.
I don't want to die, but I'm rather expecting someone to kill the Archivist eventually.

[That's just what you do with a monster.]

It won't happen with anything else, no.
Only verbal Statements I take from people.
Nothing happens with written ones.

[noblankpages]

Perhaps it's lucky for you that death seems to be rather less permanent here than it is in most other places. Unlucky for those who'd like you out of their dreams, though.

Really, though? I suppose that makes sense. Does it apply to written statements taken in person via your powers of compulsion, though? Can you command someone to write something down, or are the answers you receive from people always verbal?