accidental video; open

[flared]

[The sound of clattering begins at the start of the feed and after a bit of static and frantic chirping in the background there's a grunt and a thump when Axel suddenly hits the ground.

He's gotten a bit dizzy and disoriented thanks to how cold his body has gotten, so it's so surprise he's found himself more or less sitting and slumped up against a tree somewhere in the dome. Having dropped his SFC somewhere on the pavement, he can't get up and reach it right away, so it's up to three frantic chocobo chicks to alert anyone nearby.

All together now they flock to the communicator and peck and bat their little wings.

Halp.]

Comments

[flared]

Too bad they love me too much to do that.

[Laugh... shiver. Guh.]

[croceamors]

Tch.

[Ugh, fine. Reluctantly, Saix reaches over to grab Axel by the arm and firmly ignores the own course of warmth that goes through him.]

Let's just drag you to where you need to be already.

[flared]

[Axel looks down and even though that grip kind of hurts, the warmth which accompanies it makes up for it.]

Think of it this way. You'll be benefiting from it too.

[And with that he starts walking off, tugging Saix along.]

[croceamors]

Dealing with you negates any benefits.

[But he keeps up with Axel's pace, fingers staying firmly in place.]

[flared]

[The chocobos fly behind them and one even lands on top of Saix's head. He's got his eye on you.]

You're awfully rude today, aren't you?

[Huff]

[croceamors]

You don't deserve any courtesy.

[The fact that he hasn't just crushed those little chicks and killed Axel should be enough for him right now.]

Besides, I don't believe what you told me before.

[flared]

[Oh, Axel knows. Which is why he isn't too worried. Just gonna keep walking towards the town now... feeling slightly like a dog on a leash thanks to Saix holding on to him like this.]

You still don't, huh.

[He scoffs.]

I dunno what else to tell you that'll convince you otherwise.

[croceamors]

You can't tell me anything. Your words don't have any particular worth.

[They were the words of a liar, after all.]

[flared]

[Oh, is that so? Grinning, he turns to look at Saix.]

Seemed to me like I had you wrapped around my finger pretty well back home.

[What, with allowing Roxas and Xion to get away with their missions together, all because Axel said so. Yeah, he's heard the stories from when Xion was still here.]

[croceamors]

This isn't Never Was, and this isn't then. Don't get arrogant just because I was humoring you.

[If asked, Saix would give a blank look at the idea of Xion, but he knows well enough that he used to let Axel get away with more than he'd tolerate from the other members.]

[flared]

[Scoff as he turns a corner rather quickly]

I bet not much as changed still, in that respect~

[croceamors]

I would bet it has.

[Don't move too quickly, Axel, he's not exactly against the idea of twisting your arm 'accidentally'.]

[flared]

[With that he yanks his arm away, trying to break the hold Saix has on him.]

How much you wanna bet?

[croceamors]

[Good, he didn't want to hold onto you anyway. Saix eyes Axel with a healthy douse of suspicion- more than normal, anyway. He's never much cared for gambling... And in the Organization, that was Luxord's forte anyway, which just made him all the more wary.]

What do you have to offer?

[flared]

That depends. What would you want?

[He walks on, his hands now folding behind his head.]

[croceamors]

[In general? More than Axel could even think to accomplish. But in the here and now, well..]

What if I made you cut off contact with those children you seem so obssessed with?

[Not forever- he doubted Axel would agree to those terms. Just for a short while, to see what would happen. To see if Axel could keep to an agreement this time.]

[flared]

[He stops walking at that... then turns around halfway to glance over his shoulder. The chocobos fly up and already start cheering in protest.]

Be more specific about what you mean.

[croceamors]

No communication, no touching, nothing at all, for a month. I'm curious if you could manage to do it.

[flared]

... Roxas, you mean?

[He looks off for a beat.]

I live with the kid, you know.

[croceamors]

Along with the other keyblade wielders.

[Saix doesn't understand what Axel sees in any of them, but it must be something even if it's just the connection to Roxas.]

Then get a hotel.

[flared]

Heh.

[With a laugh he lowers his head then shakes it.]

You're askin' me to leave my own apartment for a month and not keep in contact with my friends if you can prove you're not really wrapped around my finger as much as I say you are.

[He nods slowly.]

Or are you just saying' this 'cause you want me to do it regardless?

[croceamors]

I'm saying it because I'm curious. You do seem to rely on him so much, after all, and you haven't given me any reason to think you would uphold any deal to begin with.

Think of it as a test.

[flared]

And when I pass, what're you gonna do?

What's in it for me?

[croceamors]

If you pass. Don't get cocky.

What do you want?

[flared]

[Axel chuckles again. Geez...]

Ok. Fine.

[Then, after looking back up he crosses his arms.]

When I win this... You and I spend more time together. Once a week, no one else.

[Innocent grin]

Fair?