Sephiroth had entered into this world earlier that evening. He was currently on a search for anyone that may know or have information on the magic arts. That was something he missed. Certainly he knew how to summon some spells on his own, however, without materia learning new ones was a problem. Notre Dame was an olden world that he had stumbled upon in his travels through the corridors of darkness. Maybe he could find some answers here?

He walked into the bar quite driven to quench his thirst with his favorite beverage. He sat down next to the red head. The man looked down in the dumps, but he knew underneath it all, was a fiery demeanor. Sephiroth looked up at the bartender placing a few coins on the table.

"Red wine. I don't care what kind just red," he stated simply tossing his gil pouch back into his coat.

His gaze turned to the lanky man beside him and raised his eyebrow ever so slightly. He certainly looked like he had more than enough to drink, but that was his discretion. He recognized him though if only slightly. He had observed men in Hollow Bastion lurking around in black coats around Dark Depths. He never bothered to look into their names. He just knew they existed.

"I have seen you before..." He commented under his breath as his drink was served to him.

Axel suddenly found himself in a bit of a pickle. With the most esteemed swordsman in the Multiverse on one side and the most aptly nicknamed member of Organization XIII on the other, to bolt in either direction would surely not end in his favor. Soothing the instinctive tensing of his shoulders, he offered XII an easy smirk.

"Larxene," he said, posture and expression suggesting that he was farther into his cups than was perhaps actually the case, thus buying him time to ferociously wrack his brain for some way to get out of here, under the pretense of carefully attempting enunciation. "I wondered if I'd be sheeing you around."

He knew better than to try and outrun her, even if he had a moment's head start. But perhaps a distraction.. Damn, but he should have known that if he had survived, others must have as well! It had occurred to him, of course, but he'd dismissed it, thinking surely his was an exception rather than the rule.. "Where's Fluffy?" He made a quick hair-toss gesture, a startlingly accurate imitation of Marluxia.

For now, he just pretended not to hear Sephiroth. Sure, he had heard of him, enough to recognize him (as if that monstrous sword wasn't a dead giveaway), but they didn't have history, and the last thing he needed was a dangerous new acquaintance. If he could manage to make himself seem not worth further examination, maybe he could at least avoid that situation. He was a decent fighter, but not even close to good enough to take them both at once.

"Shove it, flamer." Larxene narrowed her eyes. She really didn't appreciate his easy going reply though the name he called Marluxia was amusing. She would have to keep that one in mind if she ever saw Mr. Pink Haired Flowerpot again.

She grabbed the cup from the bartender when he brought it over, spilling a bit of it on the counter in her haste. Who knew what was actually in it, did it really matter? As long as it wasn't water or some fancy a** wine that tasted like sh*t, she'd drink it.

"You better hope I don't know where Marluxia is because if I'm right, he owes you a scythe in a very uncomfortable place." Her lips curled up into a sadistic smile. She wasn't sure what exactly had become of her former partner but if Axel had betrayed her, she was certain he'd betrayed Marluxia as well... and obviously survived. How unfortunate. "Then again, you might like that right about now. You sound absolutely wasted, which suits you seeings as how you are a waste."

Larxene brought the cup to her lips and gulped down quite a bit of the dark colored liquid inside. Manners? What were those? At least she was sure it wasn't water now.

"So.. who's your date?" She gestured to Sephiroth, smirk still platered upon her thin lips. Sure she was pretty sure she knew who he was but what was he doing in a dump like this?

Sephiroth looked up at her comment. This girl was fiery after all, very much so. He set his glass down keeping his calm and collected demeanor. There was no reason to allow himself to get irritated even over such a frivolous detail.

His eyes did meet the red head's for a moment. He obviously was not going to give the woman any edge to continue on with her tearing into him verbally. He was sure she would find a way though and that amused him. He turned his attention to Larxene.

"He is far from something I would date." He commented, turning back to his drink and sipping from it.

He would let them squabble for as long as they wanted. He was a patient man after all.

Ignoring the further jabs, Axel shrugged mildly. "I was looking for a drink," he corrected, "probably same as you." He gestured vaguely with his absinthe spoon. "Also for information, but I seem to have come to the wrong place for that." There, perhaps a harmless hint of intrigue would distract her from trying to pick at Axel until he snapped. Isolation had left him out of practice, but he was not eager to spend enough time with Larxene to build back their former level of scathing rapport. He had better things to do with his time. Not many, but one was enough, if it kept him away from Larxene.

Larxene parted her lips to speak another biting retort to them both but the words Axel spoke last gave her pause to reconsider exactly what she wanted to say. Information? What could he possibly be after aside from that brat, Roxas? Stupid little.. hmn.. wait. Where-ever Roxas was, Sora had to be too or at least somewhere close. She owed Sora a few things after the way he had humiliated her back in Castle Oblivion. If Axel was seeking Roxas and she pretended to help him, then he might lead her right to Sora and if she found Sora, then she could get her revenge as well as use the brat for her own purposes.

Oh that was delicious. She just had to find out if those were Axel's plans now and that required.. ugh.. being somewhat nice. Oh well, end result would be totally worth it.

Larxene smiled softly and tapped the near empty cup on the counter, flinging a few coins towards the barkeep to indicate she wanted more. "Information, you say? What sort of information did you expect to find getting drunk off your a**? At least one of you knows this is no place to find romance." She ****ed her head towards Axel, leaning into his personal space. What if they both had the same goal? Wouldn't that be a trip..

At least he was not the only one looking for something. Of course his goals in mind were probably different than the other two. That would not stop him anyway. His favorite and most prized skill was how to manipulate people into getting what he wanted or at least tag along until a lead came his way.

"If you were looking for refugees you want to try the downtown sector," he offered.

He could see the female's mind ticking away. He did not know her intentions but could guess she only had the goal of using Axel. She pulled off as that kind of person. He was not one to judge so he would let her plot away. Besides, it always made life a little bit more interesting.

Axel twitched a bit, but otherwise ignored her advances. "Hey, I had to try this stuff while I was here," he defended, gesturing again to the absinthe. "I've heard it makes you see some crazy ****, not like the diluted stuff you get in other worlds." He shrugged. "So far, the only crazy thing I've seen around here is you, my nymph~" He grinned - oh, don't be mad at Axel, you know he's just playing... right?

He glanced at Sephiroth, then, eyebrow quirking. "I don't suppose you'd know anything about Kingdom Hearts?"

Larxene hid a little smirk. So he still didn't like being touched, did he? Hmn. Too bad. Especially after that little crack. Crazy, hmn? Oh he had no idea.

"You should really learn to just shut up Axel." She moved to brush a finger against his lips. "Words just get you in trouble and I don't think you want that. I do still owe you for that business back at Oblivion, hmn~?"

She would have stayed focused on him but Sephiroth's words drew her attention away. He knew of Kingdom Hearts? Interesting... but what really got her was the mention of that name - 'Sora'. So he had fought with the little brat too. Only difference was he appeared to have survived the encounter. How fortunate.

"So you know the keyblade master then?" Larxene purred in a charming tone of voice, ignoring the cup which the barkeep finally set in front of her. "Did you manage to defeat him?"

If Sephiroth replied with a yes, Larxene swore she might buy them all drinks to celebrate.

"Knowing him and fighting him are two different matters," he said to Larxene, "No I did not win against him nor did I lose since I am still here." He said with slight amusement. "I tend to toy with those I fight. It makes it last longer and more enjoyable." He added.

Whenever he fought Cloud the story remained the same. He was powerful, but if he did not hold back or toy with his victims all the fun would be lost in the fight for him. He wanted to make sure he got his enjoyment out of it. Fighting was something he lived for. Where others considered it a profession, he considered it a hobby. He loved indulging in it.

He turned his attention out of his mind for the moment and back to the two clothed in black. If they were here did that mean they wanted the keyblade from the kid as well? His curiosity and urge to know more got the best of him.

"You both seem interested on more information on the child. What intentions do you have for him?" he questioned.

"I can't say for sure, but I think their silence is answer enough," Axel commented vaguely, waving down the bartender and proceeding through an abbreviated pantomime to communicate that he'd take something a little softer, this time around. With current company, he wanted to keep his head relatively clear. "If I run into anyone, I'll be sure to let you know." Possibly a lie, but a harmless one.

His eyebrows quirked at Larxene's 'lack of intentions,' but he only shrugged, leaning back on his stool to reply to Sephiroth. "Honestly, I haven't decided past finding out if the kid is still alive or not, and if he's still out playing Hero of the Worlds or Capture the Flag or whatever they're calling it these days." He drained the glass placed in front of him without looking at it, and nearly choked. "Is this water?" He demanded of the bartender incredulously. "I'm thirsty, not dirty." He slammed the glass down, giving the man a telling glare. "Try again."

"Well, well. Something good came out of this after all." The nymph kept the soft smile upon her lips as she eyed both men then took another drink from her cup. Of course Sora had something Axel wanted. Sora was part of Roxas and Larxene was well aware the redhead had a fixation on XIII that bordered on obsessive. Not that she was going to comment on that. Not at this moment anyhow. She had to admit, she was curious what became of the brat.

"If you're going to find that kid, I wouldn't go doing it alone flamer. You remember how many tricks he had up his sleeve. I doubt he'll be happy to see your lame a**." Larxene tapped the cup against the counter. "Hey you! Barkeep of the stupid flower language, I know you have stronger than this."

-- Edited by Larxene on Friday 19th of June 2009 03:27:34 AM

-- Edited by Larxene on Friday 19th of June 2009 03:31:08 AM

Sephiroth had to quirk his eyebrow at the mention of the name Twelve. It was such an odd nickname. He remembered his clones being numbered. Maybe it was the same with them? But of course they weren't clones. It may be related to the time each joined the Organization or the rank they held within. His mind thought too much on the matter as it always had a habit of doing. He loved to calculate and deduced a conclusion from such rather quickly. It always helped him in the past.

"She appears to be more adapt at fighting than you, Axel, I believe your name is. Against this Sora you may not stand if a chance." Sephiroth commented almost off handed in the manner, "Either way sitting around at this bar getting intoxicated is not going to help your situation. When trying to find someone you usually are out extracting information and getting leads; not wasting your time getting drunk and wasting coins."

Leave it to himself to point out the obvious and logical form of reasoning for the situation. He did not get it. If Axel were looking for Sora why was he here? It seemed to consume his goals at the moment, but yet here he was getting drunk. He reminded him of some of Shinra's old executives. Unless there was something more emotionally involved with Sora than Axel had lead him to believe. If that were the case then things could get more complicated.

Axel had made a serious mistake in coming here. He was more than aware of that, now; the knowledge skulked down his spine, creeping claws that burned like ice. The last drink felt like acid in his throat, and he kept his eyes closed to keep from lashing out, expression deceptively calm.

"I have some idea of where he is," he murmured, quiet and dark and sharp. Never tell, never tell, never f*cking tell. I'll die again before I hand him over to you.

F*ck, what the f*ck was wrong with him. His chest hurt - not heartache, but emptiness, feeling-without-feeling, and something sinking in his stomach like despair.

"Hmn.. he's right you know.." Larxene gave Axel's hair a little tug. She wasn't trying to hurt him this time, just being playful. The sharp tone in his voice had given rise to her curiousity but at the same time, she could sense tension growing in him. Tension she was certain Sephiroth's remark might set off. After all, she had wondered if Axel had ever indulged his little Roxas obsession in some not so innocent ways. Teasing him about it could be fun.. but even Larxene knew when it was wise to hold her tongue.

"We could find a nice place to spend the night... have a little talk.. you wouldn't want me to be out here by myself with these idiots would you?" To be perfectly honest, Larxene didn't want him to leave her behind. 'Fluffy', her pretty consort, wasn't any where to be found and at this point in her 'life' (Ha, wasn't that an ironic word to use?), she had no direction to follow. The flamer might have betrayed her and she still had full intent to get him back for that but for now, she needed him.

Sephiroth watched them idly from the corner of his vision. He smirked. At least the redhead still had some of his wits about him. He was not as stupid as he appeared on the outside. It seemed once he was pushed into a corner he would show the backbone he seemed to lack in earlier conversation. He would have to make a note for future reference on that account. Knowing someone made them much easier to manipulate when the time arose.

Not caring to watch them bicker back and forth anymore, Sephiroth headed out of the tavern and to the nearest inn. True, he could not speak the language of the people here, but he knew enough gestures and how to throw coins to get what he wanted. The inn was as untidy as the rest of this place. He knew it was an older time here, but he still detested anything remotely grungy and this was the cleanest place in town from what he could see. As he walked into the establishment heads turned. He always did attract quite a crowd even on Gaia.

He walked over to the receptionist's counter. She bantered on in her native tongue. Sephiroth easily read the numbers behind her head posted on a sign to deduce the amount he would have to pay. Setting the coins on the table without any sound, the receptionist returned the gesture with a smile and a room key. She said something else which he could only deduce meaning something akin to: Have a nice stay here! There was no wonder that he and the redhead were having no luck in this town. Everyone here spoke a different language. Of course there were those few people in downtown that knew his language and were struggling as much as he was.

He stood for a moment off to the side of the counter, thinking. He played with the small key in his hand, pondering what his next move would be. It was clear those two had semblances of power. They would either know how to get to said materia or at least know where one could learn such things closely resembling that.

Out of boredom, Sephiroth gently plucked one of the small round orbs from his bracelets. It was his favorite. The green orb shone brilliantly even in the light of the inn. Inside of it contained the vortexes of fire. Even with Gaia gone, Hades somehow managed to restore his body with his materia. Even without Gaia the materia would latch on to the life force of whatever world he was on to use its power. Rolling it around between his fingers, he smirked to himself. It was one of those things he missed about his world.

Again, Axel ignored Larxene's advances - to balk, he was sure, would only amuse her. With a grimace, he stood and pulled some munny from his coat and dropped it onto the counter. Customarily, he simply opened a portal and left without paying - no one seemed eager to chase him into the Dark Corridors, for some reason - but circumstances did not seem to invite that sort of behavior this evening.

"History has shown, Larxene," he drawled purposefully over her name, "that I operate quite well independently." Axel grinned, his gaze sharpening. "Or did you forget Castle Oblivion?" He leaned on the bar, lifting one eyebrow. "Even if I needed help, why would I want it from you?"

And yet, he wasn't running. Whether that was from certainty he couldn't outrun her, or genuine interest in her proposal, one could hardly be sure.

Axel laughed then - a brittle, humorless sound. "Everyone is dead, in case you hadn't noticed," he said with a broad gesture at the lack of Organization members around them. "So no, I'm not really worried."

"Your nature, however, has always been more than clear. Saying that you wish to help me only make me more certain that you intend the opposite." He shrugged one shoulder, leaning over so that their eyes were level. "Can you prove me wrong?"

Axel's expression remained flat for several long moments before his lips twitched and he chuckled softly, a marked few degrees warmer than before. "Perhaps, perhaps." There were far too many counters to why she had wanted to help Marluxia - that was a discussion that he wasn't really interested in starting, now.

The warmth left his eyes abruptly, and he pinned her with a serious gaze. "If you are with me, and we find him, you will not hurt him. And, as he is allegedly whole, now, "hurt" will extend to harming any of his.. friends," he spat the word as if it left a foul taste in his mouth. "You know where my loyalties lie, Larxene. A fight between us might not have a certain victor, but were it myself and the Keybearer against you.. but I'm sure you're smart enough to avoid that, hm?" His thin smirk was not threatening so much as matter-of-fact.

Of course, Axel noticed the "oversight," but at this point he saw no purpose in pointing it out. Whether or not Larxene was a danger to Roxas would become evident long before he could actually reach the former-Nobody, he was sure. There would be plenty of time to get rid of her, if he needed to.

"Fine," he said shortly, eyes shuttered as his mind worked behind them. "For now. If you give me reason to change my mind, I'm sure you'll figure it out when you turn around and find yourself alone again."

With that, Axel straightened, made a vague and unnecessarily dramatic gesture of farewell to the sullen bartender, and headed for the door, assuming Larxene would follow.

Once outside the small building, Axel glanced back at Larxene, eyes creasing with a grin that finally reached them. "I learned a few tricks, since I've been here. Or, at least one."

Reaching smoothly into his pocket, the tall Nobody withdrew a couple of shiny coins and held them above his head, pausing for a moment and then calling, "Speak English?"

For a moment, he may have looked foolish, but by the next, at least half a dozen grimy children were tugging at the hem of his coat, parroting back at him in thin, eager voices. "Speak English - English, Monsieur!"

Coins still held high enough that they couldn't be snatched, Axel carefully enunciated. "Two coins now, and three more to the one who can take myself and the lady to the finest inn in the district, hm?" He was met by predominantly blank stares, but for one boy who babbled something in French and proceeded to tug more insistently at his coat.

Looking to Larxene with a quirked eyebrow, he muttered, "Shall we?" Before turning back to the child. "Lead the way, kid."

Axel looked sideways at her, raising his one shoulder in a lazy shrug. "I didn't know I had a choice." He countered. "Or do you trust I won't run?"

It was only long practice and lack of real feeling that allowed Axel to hide his relief when the child led the to what seemed to be a modest but fairly wholesome inn, a multi-storeyed, plaster-walled structure that appeared to be halfway through the process of having shiny new shingles laid over a formerly-thatched roof.

He flipped the coins smartly over his shoulder for the boy to scramble for, sing-songing a poorly-accented "Merci" as he rapped sharply on the door with one bony fist. This place didn't seem quite commercially advanced enough to have conceived the innovation of a "front desk," yet.

No, no sexual innuendo tonight, dear nymph. Axel snorted and gave her a look, flat-eyed and unimpressed. "Separate beds," he confirmed.

The Nobody's expression brightened drastically as the door opened, bathing his pasted-on smile in warm lamplight. "Good evening!" He said, smile sliding into something more charming as he saw the aging woman peering at him. "My lady cousin and I are looking for a place to stay the night. We have munny.." He lifted a small bag, fat and jingling with coins, and his smile sharpened when her eyes gleamed. "Might you have any rooms unfilled? One with two beds, perhaps?"

The woman blinked at him, gears almost visibly turning behind her eyes as she puzzled through translating his words. "Room, tonight, yes," she finally answered in a thickly-accented contralto, bobbing her head and opening the door wider, but paused before letting them in, eyes narrowing. "You pay now. Meals extra."

"Of course, of course," Axel agreed magnanimously, before glancing over his shoulder at Larxene. "Hungry?"

"Larxene, please," Axel drawled, rolling his eyes, "We're in France." Who ever heard of bad French food?

Relaying their intentions to the innkeeper, or his wife, or whoever she was, Axel waited until she was out of earshot and stepped inside, murmuring to the other Nobody, "and don't make that face. It was cousin or wife, unless you wanted her to assume you were my.. "hired entertainment" for the evening?" He smirked. "I couldn't deny my hypothetical good taste."