escordvi | You're walking tough, baby, but you're walking blind

Entry tags:

You're walking tough, baby, but you're walking blind

Who: Roxas and you
Status: Open
Where: Places in general
What: Having acquired the glasses from the The Ties That Bind Us manta quest, Roxas is following strings and seeing where they lead
Warnings: Shouldn't be any, but will updated if necessary. Roxas cannot be held responsible for any relationship advice or lack thereof.

[It is a weird way to view the world, that's for sure. It's like one of those conspiracy cork boards lying on its side, with all the strings moving around.

It's a lot to take in. And a lot of red.

And Roxas probably looks pretty silly in the glasses. Or at least, he thinks he does. He's not quite sure what he's doing.

Maybe you run into him because he's followed a string on him to you. Or maybe he's just been following a random one and seeing where he ends up. Regardless, there's a lot of bonds to be formed. Or figured out. Especially if someone's got a snarl.

Because he might be trying to ignore his own.]

[ooc: If you have CR with Roxas, he might just run into you as he tries to follow these strings. And if you don't, maybe he's just following one because it seems interesting. Or he's gotten lost.]

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[Hiro blinks when he sees the other with the glasses. Okay, yeah. they definitely did probably look as silly as he thought when people wear them. He chuckles, raising a hand to his mouth briefly before giving a wave. He's not really thought about the threads in regard to his own; he'd been more curious about just poking around to see other people's, curious about the idea. Baymax reaches for Roxas's shirt hood to stop him accidentally bumping into someone with the glasses being so distracting.]

Hey, Roxas. It's kinda weirdly interesting, huh? Seeing which people you're connected to?

[Roxas stumbles back. He's fine, he was paying attention.]

Yeah. Though. Kinda more weird than interesting.

There's a lot of strings.

[And he has to sort through them to find the one that connects him to Hiro. A simple red string.]

A lot, I know. Seems like they're almost everywhere. Something about the glasses lets you see them. I guess it's something to do with the bonds between people. I'm not sure if there's anything like that back home.

[Hiro says, shrugging. He's trying not to think about the potential of his. How the ones that previously represented Tadashi and his parents were probably ripped, frayed due to losing them. That he likely has some leading to the friends he had made here. Including Sora and Roxas.]

Yeah, that's pretty much it. The Strings connect to people.

I mean, everyone's got bonds. This just makes you see them.

[There's a lot of ways that Hearts are connected, as Roxas is learning.]

I guess it's something like a black light? Since we can't usually see the strings?

[Hiro ponders how it might work exactly, curious as ever as he glances around, aware that the strings were all over the place, but that he just can't see them without wearing the glasses right now. That even if he were to reach out, touch at least one, he wouldn't be able to feel it.]

[Roxas pulls off the glasses.]

You want to try it?

It's a lot, just as a warning.

Ah, I'm good. I tried some just before. So I know how it is. I'm just curious how the glasses work. You can keep looking with them, it's fine. You're following yours, right? The strings.

[Hiro tries to reassure Roxas as Baymax gives a nod of confirmation that Hiro had tried the glasses on earlier. And had promptly been stopped from walking into everyone while focusing on the strings. Or....you know. Off the dock, because of course some strings would have led to some other friends still out at sea.]

Sorta yeah. Just seeing where they go.

I mean, I kinda already know that to. So if you want to look at the glasses more, you can.

[There's just something about concentrating on a bond that helps. Connections in your Heart one might say.]

Ah, I didn't want to get in trouble for like. Taking them apart to see how they worked. So I probably shouldn't figure that with the ones you are borrowing either. Don't want to get you in trouble.

[He doesn't want to have Roxas told off when he returns the glasses if Hiro's somehow messed them up while trying to examine them and figure out how they work exactly. So he appreciates the offer, but declines, holding up a hand.]

You sure? I mean, you could probably put them back together to, right?

[He probably should be nicer with things that are not his.]

Maybe. But I wouldn't want to promise or guarantee that.

[Even if he is known as one of the tech guys around here. Hiro is aware that he is a prodigy; some things here, he was still figuring out. Still learning. Even if he was trying his best to look into and tinker with magitech and such.]

If you say so.

[He's certainly not someone to ask about it. He's never been the best with technology.]

Still, I'd kinda like to know how it works.

Me too. Maybe we can ask if we can keep one pair? Or ask them how they're made and I could try to replicate it.....?

[Glasses themselves are simple enough in design. It's probably something to do with the lenses. At least, that's Hiro's guess. Still, it isn't his, so he's more reluctant to mess with it. As much as he might want to find out. But he is aware that Sora and his friends don't seem to be quite as used to technology as he is. Most people around here are in that same sort of situation.]

I mean, it might be worth trying?

Worst they could do is say no, right?

[It's definitely more curiosity driving this. And maybe he's a little interested in more bonds.]

Worth asking. The worst you might get is they say no. You wouldn't be any worse off. But if they let you keep a pair, let me know and I can have a look. See if I can't figure it out. Once I get the glasses, I will be able to investigate the lens. I'm pretty sure that's what it is.

[He says, smiling and considering the potential, wondering whether it might work out. How the glasses work. He assumes it might be something about the lenses, but he could be wrong. It's just interesting that they can't otherwise see the red threads.]

You think so? It's not like some kind of magic or something?

[Of course, that is where Roxas would go. But also what does he know?]

I can't necessarily be sure without checking them out properly. Maybe there might be some magitech there.

[Hiro is curious, initially assuming that it was something to do with the lenses, but the other had a point. He couldn't just always think of it in the same way he might have back home. Things aren't necessarily the same. Hiro is trying to remind himself of that.]

I would just think it was a spell or something. But maybe it's something more to.

[Granted, this is a little beyond him. He'd leave it to Merlin or Ienzo.]

I mean it has to be something special, to let you see the bonds.

Maybe. I'm not sure what it is. Maybe a spell or something on the lenses?

[He guesses. It might well be something more along the lines of magitech, so it might be that he isn't as certain about this. Still, he is curious. The bonds were kind of interesting. Even if one couldn't usually see them without the glasses.]

Something like that, yeah.

I don't really know that much about magic either. And I don't think this is the type you can fight with.

Yeah, this isn't fighting. This is more....something to do with light? Maybe? Might be my guess?

[Though it isn't like he is an expert with that. He's just more specialized with robots. Technology. But this was interesting. Has him curious. So he does want to try and have a look at this. If he can. He just has to figure out if he can use one, take it apart.]

Maybe? I guess it's kind of related, but I've never really seen Light do this.

[But there is something about bonds in there. Again, he's no expert and is still new to a lot of this.]

I'm just guessing. I could be wrong. But it might be something like that. Why we can't usually see them otherwise, without these glasses.

[He is more in the habit of speaking aloud, thinking aloud more to himself than anything else. A habit from working on tinkering with new inventions and ideas by himself or with Tadashi over the years.]

I guess it just kinda makes them more real. Like, bonds are always there, otherwise.

It's not like they go away.

No, exactly. The bonds are still there even if they can't be seen. This just makes us more aware of it? I guess? I'm just curious how it works. But ah, I shouldn't keep you. I might head and ask them about the glasses.

[He doesn't want to distract Roxas from exploring and checking things out with the glasses. Hiro just figures that he can at least try to ask the people giving out the glasses to see if he can take one to look at.]

Maybe. Kinda hard to ignore the strings when you're wearing them.

Let me know if you find anything out?

True. But yeah, I'll let you know! You just look after those ones.

[Hiro says, letting Roxas continue his explorations, nodding that he'd let Roxas know. If he was allowed to take one of the glasses to figure out how they worked.]

Sure. I'll see if I figure anything else out.

[Did somebody say lots of red? Because that's a given for Axel even without the glasses. Of course that's only if you're looking up at him, at eye level. Which Roxas probably is not, if he's just following strings.]

"Hey Roxas."

[Axel swivels to see who almost bumped into him.]

"Something I can help you with, Mr. Fashion?"

[Yeah, no, this tracks. Roxas had a feeling that when he picked up this string, it would lead him to Axel. A thick, red cord of a rope, the colour of sunset and slightly warm to the touch.

He takes off the glasses and holds them out to Axel]

Yeah, you can try them on and tell me what you see.

"Not sure they're really my shade."

[He snarks, but accepts the glasses anyway. Just what is Roxas up to..?]

"Oh, whoa. This is..."

[His eyes first land on someone in the distance and Axel staggers back, turning his head this way and that, as he turns to look from person to person further down the street. Strings. Strings everywhere?]

"What am I looking at here?"

Bonds. I think.

Or like, connections. The things that link people to each other.

[It's kind of nice not to see them right now, even though he knows they're there.]

I've been following them.

"Connections, huh. But wouldn't that mean.."

[Axel stiffens. You need a heart for things like that, right? It's not something he wants to think about, as accepting as he is of what he's become, having the proof flagrantly flaunted in front of him is still a disquieting experience. He doesn't want to look.
And yet... he sees the sunset cord out of the corner of his eye. Realizes what led Roxas to him just now. He taps a tentative finger to it.
It's warm.]

"Can't say I ever expected this stuff to be literal. You been following everyone's or just yours?"

Mostly mine. Following someone else's seems rude. And kinda awkward.

[Axel gets a bit of a funny look.]

You really think we wouldn't have one? Why wouldn't I have a bond with my best friend?

"Nah, you're right. If there's one thing I know it's that we share a connection." [His smile warms, curling the string between his fingers delicately.]

"You know it's funny. Even when you were off in the Tundra, I just kinda knew which way to go. Seems like I can always find you when I need to. Wonder if this has something to do with that."

Probably. The whole connected in our Hearts thing.

[He gives Axel a slightly harder stare.]

I think you have more of one than you think.

"Roxas.." [This is usually the part where he laughs it off. 'Where's this coming from?' Might be the typical response. Maybe a 'What, this again?' along a 'Come on Roxas, I told you before.' With a noogie for good measure. Distract, deflect. He's got a million of em.

He can already tell those aren't going to work today. Not when the blond is pulling that face.
And maybe... because a part of him is starting to suspect that Roxas may be right.

Axel pulls the spectacles off with a calculated frown. Something like this, discussions on the heart and what it means to have one, should be done without any visual obstructions-- or at least while looking slightly less silly-- Give a guy some dignity!]

"It's not that I don't want it to be true." [He hesitantly begins, trying to find the right tone.
And this IS a discussion. Not an argument, not a defense.]

"I dunno if it's this place, or being around you and Sora, or just away from the job... But you said it yourself. If there was something in there, then we'd know it, wouldn't we?"

[It comes out as so much more of a genuine question than he expects; tentative curiosity creeping in. What does Roxas see that he doesn't?]

"..Am I really that different?"

[If he's being honest, Roxas still isn't entirely sure what the status on his own Heart is. Certainly he's never seen it. But you have to believe in something, right. And he does being it's there. It has to be.]

I told you. Xemnas was lying about us not having Hearts. Hearts come back, one way or another.

And yeah, I think you are.

You...you cared. About me. And Xion to. No one else was going to the clocktower or anything like that. Or being worried about us.

Especially when...you know. We'd try to do stuff on our own.

[Fight a big Heartless, try to leave the Organization. You know. Stuff.]

"..I meant, compared to before."

[If he has truly changed that much, here, a near year into a new life, compared to the Nobody he had been. But of course Roxas would be counting his good graces from day 1 as evidence instead. Axel should have figured. It's touching, really, even if there was probably some naivety there. It only further proves Roxas' point. If Axel truly had nothing inside of him, than what else could this rush of warmth be other than humbled affection?
He taps his temples, dryly.]

"Don't worry. Got that part memorized."[He bites back the urge to tease. That was very heartfelt, Roxas doesn't deserve mockery for it. Well, maybe just a little. But later. He clears his throat.]

"But okay. So maybe there was more to me than most."

[He'll allow himself just a fraction of smugly preening.]

"I guess it's more like... I haven't been Lea in so long. I don't know. I don't feel like him? I thought I would."

[Wasn't that what should define the return of his heart? He wasn't lying when he said memories were just baggage. It has been so many years and every day in the Organization only brought him further from the bright eyed adventurer from his memories, reminded him he related to that boy less and less.]

"Sora and Riku, you meet me when I'm Lea again. What.. am I like?"

[How far off the mark is he from the Guardian of Light he supposedly becomes?]

If I'm being honest, I don't really know.

Sora or Riku would probably be better to ask about that.

[He hasn't really got to know Lea for very long. They'd reunited, all of them, and it had been good. But then there had been finishing the fight with Xehanort, and resettling in to everything. Learning Life basically, and then Roxas had come here.]

But I mean. You're still you. It was you, me and Xion against Saix, and it was like we were never out of sync. Like we'd been fighting together the whole time.

If there's a major difference, I haven't seen it.

You're still my best friend.

[Axel arches a brow. Sora and Riku knowing a part of him more than Roxas? That he finds hard to believe. Nevertheless the answer is a good one.]

"Course I am. Nothing was ever gonna change that."

[He says it with conviction. Hearing Roxas say it just makes something click and he knows it's right. They were fighting together the whole time. Without bodies, without hearts, maybe; not physically beside eachother. But together all the same.]

"Going by Lea's my choice, I know that much. No one but me and Saix would know that name. And I wouldn't go by it, unless..."

[Unless he really was Lea, without a shadow of doubt. That isn't how things are here. Where does that leave him?]

"Maybe it's like.. the hearts just the container, Right? You can fill it and fill it but everything's still gonna spill out if there's cracks inside."

[He slips a hand onto his chest, thoughtful, in spite of the ever-present hollowness.]

"Maybe I can't hold everything just yet. But I can hold onto more than I used to."

I don't really know how it works. We were still all getting settled after the fight with Xehanort and then I ended up here.

So I think I'm missing a bit.

[It does bother him. How little he knows Lea.]

Yeah, maybe. I mean, it makes about as much sense as everything.

And I think you can hold more than you think.

"Heh, how could I not? With all of you filling it every day."

[Not when there was a deluge of neverending support constantly raining down on him.]

"When you put it like that, nothing really remains empty forever."

[It's a silly metaphor but it works for the moment. He hands back the glasses, fixing Roxas an equally knowing stare. It's a battle of wills now and he was facing a level of certainty Roxas only seemed to reserve for the arguments he believed in.]

"Say I were to believe it. What happens now?"

[Roxas is quiet for a moment, thinking about it.]

I think whatever you want.

You can decide if you want to go back to being Lea, or keep being Axel, or whatever.

Just, remember that you're more than a Nobody, and that we don't have to listen to Xemnas or Xehanort or anyone any more.

"My choice, eh?" [He regards Roxas fondly. No way he is asking Roxas to call him Lea, not like this, maybe not ever. But it means a lot to know he would.
Yeah... His choice. Not something defined by a rulebook, or Xemnas' orders, just what is inside.]

"Guess I won't be getting a heart any quicker if I keep acting like I don't have one."

[Roxas is right on that. Maybe it's time he try believing this thing wholesale.]

"Fake it till you make it, right? Think I like the sound of that." [He flashes a toothy grin.]

"Feels pretty nice." [Axel is going to have to ask himself how he 'feels' about a lot of things, from now on.]

[There's always a small difficulty for Roxas to use Lea, but one can assume that's just because he has Axel memorized.]

I don't know about faking it. But that's just me.

I think you'll figure it out.

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You're walking tough, baby, but you're walking blind

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