So Am I Dead or What

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[That motive really got Demyx anxious in ways he hadn't been in quite a long time. What's that he saw? He remembers that before being brought to this mansion, he had been about to find that Sora kid in Hollow Bastion and try once again to get Roxas back -- or something like that. He didn't really care about the details.

Since he had been here for a month, it was likely Sora had just continued his way and done who knows what, who knows where. Demyx didn't care about that either. It wasn't until the motive happened that he started wondering what was going on. That couldn't be his future, right? He wasn't going to be defeated and die, right?]

Naminé.

[It took him a while to think of something confusing and complicated: Lea was here in the mansion. If this Lea was going to turn into Axel, then the timeline was more or less intact despite what happened here. What if Naminé was further in the future than Demyx? If she was, then she may know something]

We need to talk. It's...it's important.

[Demyx found Naminé in the Study during the afternoon. After making sure nobody was going to approach, Demyx entered, looking more serious than usual. He looks like he's trying to stay composed, not because he's about to fly into a rage or anything, but because he doesn't want to start freaking out again]

Are you from the future? Or something? What's the last thing you remember?

[He isn't sure how to approach the topic, but he'll try]

Comments

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[ To be honest, she'd been expecting this since the motive. Naminé hadn't been sure how to approach Demyx, so she hadn't tried to seek him out like she had with Lea. As it turns out, she doesn't have to find him.

He finds her.

She's in the study drawing idly on a piece of paper. The people on the paper are definitely familiar to Demyx: It's the Organization. Saix with his usually stoic expression. Larxene, looking savage and deadly. Xigbar, grinning like always. Roxas, the only one not in a black coat, sharing an ice cream with Axel. Honestly, she isn't sure why she's drawn the others.

When he says her name, she looks up, and she changes her expression into one that's sort of... detached? She knows what he's here to talk about. ]

Demyx.

[ She hesitates, and then nods. ]

I'm much further along than you and Lea. [ Naminé pauses. There's no point in lying, he'd know it in a second. ] The time I'm from... only Saix and Xemnas exist.

The rest of the Organization has fallen at Sora's hands.

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[It's just what he feared. Well, worse, actually. Everyone had died except for those two. Xigbar, Axel, Luxord...and that guy Xaldin, it's not like Demyx cares much about him. But still, hearing they're all dead is definitely not what he had wanted to hear]

No way! You have to be wrong, it can't be that Sora--

[It's not impossible. He did defeat Demyx, despite how hard he fought, and despite not liking to fight, Demyx is aware he's not a bad fighter when he gets into it. Demyx passes his hands over his face, again trying not to freak out]

I'm going to die? That's what's going to happen to me? The, the whole thing I saw on the screen?

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Well... Axel didn't meet his end by Sora's Keyblade. He...

[ She swallows hard. Luckily, Demyx keeps her talking, and she nods. She feels so awful that she has to tell Demyx this. But... she's not in the business of leaving questions go unanswered, or being dishonest. ]

... I'm sorry, Demyx. [ And she is, to her own surprise. ] I'm sorry... that you had to find out here. Because of Oogie Boogie.

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[Well that's a bit of a consolation, that Sora didn't kill Axel. Not enough to calm him down, but it helps. A little]

So even if I get out of here I'm screwed. I'm going to die anyway. This can't be happening...

[Well if there's a way to make someone feel demotivated it's this]

What am I supposed to do? I don't want to die! Come on, tell me what I should do!

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[ Oh no, Demyx, don't ask her for advice. She's so unprepared for this?! Understandably, Naminé looks downright bewildered. ]

I'm not sure. [ She frowns at the admission. ] I... I don't think you should do anything here, though. [ Hint, hint. ]

I wish... there was something you could do. I wish it were easy to change the past. I don't want you to die, Demyx. The only thing I can think of is... maybe, when we leave this place, you won't have to go back. Maybe you could go with someone else.

Those videos--there isn't any guarantee that they have happened. You're here, and you exist. It shows your future... but it doesn't have to be the only future. Does... does that make sense?

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[It does make a bit of sense. Demyx doesn't really understand that well how timelines are supposed to work, but it can't be as easy as simply not returning. It just can't be that easy.

It takes him a really short time to go from being borderline panicking to calmness. He's still worried about his impending death, but at least he's not about to scream or something]

Right. It's not like they'd have time to send someone to search for me. There's not enough people for that.

[So either he saves himself, or he stays loyal to the Organization and die. The decision should be simple, right? Common sense. Self-preservation.

But despite that, for some bizarre reason, he isn't hurrying to go for the obvious option]

Okay, it'll all be okay. I just need to think. I just need to not return. It's not like I'll lose anything by doing that.

[Oh, wait, there is something. Without the Organization, the odds of being somebody again would be zero. They were astronomically low already despite being with them, but at least they were all working towards that. That's what the Organization was for in the first place No wonder he couldn't go to the easy option no matter how much he wanted, if that's what is at stake: never being somebody again]

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[ Well, that was fast. Naminé can't say she ever expected to comfort Demyx, of all people. Demyx, who takes things easy, slow, calm. Demyx, who'd be content just with his sitar and a nice nap.

If she's honest, she really doesn't get time travel either. But what she says kind of makes sense, she thinks. And seeing Demyx less panicked is good. Naminé nods, and she offers him a tiny smile. ]

I'm a little surprised, but... I'm glad I was able to help you, even just a little bit.

[ She pauses. ]

It really will be okay, I think.

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[Demyx doesn't know what to say. He has a few things clear now, that's for sure, so talking to Naminé did help]

Yeah, thanks. I guess.

[Since she's so willing to help, may as well abuse of her kindness for a little bit longer, he supposes. Try to know what to think about what'll happen from the decision he'll have to take at some point]

Tell me, would you abandon the only chance you have of ever getting a heart? I'm not talking about this whole murder thing, just...in general. That's what I mean.

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[ Wow, that's... sure a question. ]

No, I wouldn't.

[ And her answer is immediate. It's something she's thought of, sure. But while she's done some selfish things in the past, forsaking Kairi for her own gain isn't something she would do. She realizes her situation is different from Demyx's. Whoever he used to be is gone, long gone.

Kairi is still alive, though. ]

If I were to do that, Kairi could never be whole.

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[Demyx nods. Naminé may be thinking like that for someone else's sake, but the end result is more or less the same. He thinks he gets it]

Ah, right, she's alive. So you're returning to her once this is over. I see...

I don't know yet what I'll do once I'm out of here, but I'll think of something. Man I'm not going to sleep well tonight...

See you.

[There's a lot to think about, yeah]

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I am. But I have something else to do, first.

[ ... Even as she says it, though, she looks downright surprised. She had promised Ford. But that she just came out and said it... it makes it a little more real.

She realizes that she's determined to not let him down. ]

Oh-- okay. I'll see you later, Demyx.

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Oh, right, before I forget--

[Demyx turns and opens his mouth, but he seems to think it twice. He shakes his head]

Nevermind. Just take care and don't go wandering around at night.

[What he wanted to say is pushed away: 'You'll get out of here somehow. Don't worry too much no matter what happens']

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Oh--

[ Well. Huh. It's funny... each time they talk, Naminé feels a little bit more grateful that she's gotten to know him. ]

... Thank you. As long as you promise to do the same.

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No promises!

[Yeah, he isn't getting out at night to walk around for no reason. That's asking for trouble, and he'd like to avoid trouble unless strictly necessary, hah. Now he does turn and leave the Study. Thanks for indulging him, Naminé]