The flowers of naivete,

[gracefuldahlia]

It had been an enlightening meeting, as well as a concerning one. Marluxia had given enough information to be helpful without exposing himself too much, and he planned to keep things that way, although manoeuvering around someone as dangerous as Aizen while doing that would be tricky. Marluxia didn't like the man; he reminded him of Xemnas except for the important and concerning possibility that Aizen might be a thousand times more dangerous, but he was a useful ally of convenience, at least for the time being.

Axel was alive, and on this world, and running around with Saix as though their time as Nobodies had never happened. That was something Marluxia had needed to think over. There were implications, not just to Axel's appearance here, but to his alliance with Saix. Those two made for a dangerous combination; together they'd plotted and executed the neat disposal of half the Organisation, having moved each other and the rest of them into positions that allowed them to follow through on a plan no one had realised they'd had.

Xigbar would be a fool to trust them, and Xigbar was many things, but regardless of how he acted, he was no fool. Zexion had clearly not known Axel was around, so it seemed unlikely that Axel had encountered the remnants of the Organisation prior to Zexion's departure, but they also hadn't heard anything about him before now, which made Marluxia wonder if he'd been hidden up to now. This was Khamja's first encounter with Axel, and given the record of certain former Organisation members when it came to picking fights with Khamja, and with Arrancar in particular, it seemed unlikely that would be possible, but these two were tricky.

Although how long Axel had been here paled into insignificance next to the fact that he was here. Axel had not been present when the rest of them... arrived. He'd got here somehow, after the fact.

And then there had been the way Saix summoned his old weapon....

There was one person whom Marluxia would reluctantly admit was smarter than himself, and it was him Marluxia came looking for in the library. Getting to Zexion early, when he was still on the back foot with the new information, may have given Marluxia an advantage with him, but it would also have put Zexion on the defensive, which Marluxia preferred to avoid. Instead, Marluxia had gone to process the new information for himself, first, and attempt to glean what little more he could from L, who had been very busy trying to track down how long Axel had been with the rest of the Organisation and had thus far found nothing except a distinct lack of his own informants where informants had previously been, before discussing the issues with Zexion.

Zexion, of course, was attracted to libraries like iron to magnets. Marluxia entered the library, expecting that Zexion would have noticed his approach already; Zexion had always been particularly talented at that sort of thing, and spotted the Cloaked Schemer at the large table in the middle.

He approached him without any particular hurry. Zexion didn't appear to be in a hurry to go anywhere, after all.

Comments

[theschemer]

Zexion noticed Marluxia's approach long before the door swung open. Although his spiritual pressure was well-concealed, Chakra, the energy itself, for those sensitive enough to pick up on it, left residual traces on a person, be it themselves or those they had been in contact with. It wasn't a talent common on Spira, not for Hyur, at least. Zexion, fortunately, wasn't from Spira, nor was he a Hyur. He could detect those trace amounts of Chakra by scent, and across fair distances, at that. It was something he was an old hand at. New acquaintances had taken some mental cataloguing, especially when there were a lot of new scents to memorise, but Marluxia's wasn't new. His was familiar.

He detected him early enough that he could have moved to a deeper part of the library and hidden himself away amongst the maze of bookshelves and avoided him if he'd wanted to. It would have been a pointless act, though. A meeting between the two was inevitable, he had no doubt about that. They were the only two Nobody Ryoka in the Desert Palace and Axel was a worry for them both. He required discussion. How he'd come to be there, his renewed association with Saix, the danger he posed -- it all needed talking about.

Zexion looked up when Marluxia entered the room.

When he'd first arrived in the Palace, Zexion had been concerned about Marluxia's presence. Now, he considered him no more of a threat than the rest of the members, not that that was saying much. They had been quiet adversaries back in Castle Oblivion, each with different goals and different plots in place to try and achieve them. Marluxia had sought to take over the Organization by way of a coup and Zexion had opposed him, using Vexen's Replica to sabotage his work. Axel had been responsible for destroying both of their plans. He had acted on Saix's orders, Zexion had learned later. When Axel and Saix were in the picture, the same picture, Marluxia seemed like the lesser of two evils. The Graceful Assassin would make for a dangerous ally -- he wasn't foolish enough to think otherwise -- but he'd rather take that risk than isolate himself further, especially with Axel out there.

As such, he stayed where he was and waited for his old enemy to approach.

[gracefuldahlia]

Zexion, Marluxia knew, had probably awaited this meeting. After all that had been revealed, it was wiser for them both to speak than to continue on in silent near-animosity.

Marluxia was under no illusion that there was love lost between them both, after all. They'd been opposed to each other once, more than once if events in this world were to be taken into account. Theirs had not been a friendly reunion, and Marluxia had no interest in paying lip service to any notions of forgive and forget.

He approached without any great hurry, not wishing to appear to be in a rush and give a false impression. When he was near enough to Zexion to be able to speak without having to raise his voice at all he said, "Availing yourself of the facilities, I see; some of our behaviours remain predictable, even now." They may have only known each other without hearts, but some conclusions were easily reached. Zexion would be easiest to find in the library, Marluxia would be more readily found in the gardens.

Unfortunately, Zexion was not the only one who could reliably be found in the library; it was also frequented by Aizen, L, and certain of Aizen's subordinates. Not, then, an ideal place to hold certain discussions.

[theschemer]

"It would appear so," Zexion replied, smiling a smile that neglected to touch his eyes. "It is one of the few freedoms I am afforded here, after all."

The library was where he preferred to be. It felt less like a prison than his own quarters, spacious though they were, and didn't feel quite so much like false freedom as the grounds did. Furthermore, there were usually less people there, unlike the lounges or the kitchen. Even so, the library wasn't exactly his 'domain' as it might have been in other locations. It was where Aizen made his base. Granted, the man spent much of his time in New Archades dealing with his primary jobs, but when he was in the Palace he tended to spend time in his Library office. Zexion tried not to think about it.

[gracefuldahlia]

One of the few freedoms was right. Zexion had been treated like a prisoner, for all the show that had been made of inducting him into membership. It was a civil gaol, from Marluxia's perspective, but the freedom to roam the confines of a cage did not make the Palace any less of a cage, attractively decorated as it may be.

Aizen's jaunt to Midgar had been the first time Zexion had been permitted to leave, and if Marluxia was any judge, he wouldn't be permitted to leave again for some time, and certainly not unaccompanied. Khamja liked to keep their eyes on potential rogue elements.

"I find the company in here leaves something to be desired, at times," Marluxia said, his voice soft. "Too many people use it as an office." Aizen included, though L was objectionable in all his own ways. "Naturally, my inclination is to the gardens. I've gathered quite the impressive selection of specimens since arriving."

Marluxia fixed Zexion with a smile which didn't reach his eyes. "Perhaps you'd like to see them? Being of a scientific turn of mind, you should find them interesting."

Though they had attempted to eat Szayel, Marluxia only considered that proof of his work's excellent judge of character.

[theschemer]

Far too many, Zexion thought.

While the prospect of meeting in what was clearly Marluxia's territory made Zexion uncomfortable for a whole myriad of reasons, he knew that he didn't have much of a choice if they intended not to be overheard. The library, while he preferred it to anywhere else in the Palace, was not a safe place to discuss anything that they didn't want the other Clan members to know. It was too open, too easy to hide in, the footfall was too high and, all other reasons aside, Aizen's office was within earshot of where they were standing.

"I'm wounded that it has taken this long for you to extend such an invitation," he said, looking at him across the span of the table.

In reality, he didn't care to see the gardens, or the greenhouse, or any of Marluxia's dangerous plants. Even so, he closed the book he had been reading and got to his feet. The contents of the volume were innocent, so he intended to leave it where it was.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia smiled, with a trace of smugness that he couldn't quite keep out of it. Zexion was unlikely to consider the invitation all that tempting, but Marluxia was the only one of the two of them that had somewhere the rest of the clan were unlikely to trespass, as yet.

"I have to be sure of who I'm inviting," Marluxia replied, still with his smug little smirk. "My garden doesn't appreciate every inquisitive visitor; it tried to kill Szayel, and we wouldn't want you to meet the same reception."

It was the closest to genuine Marluxia had got since entering the library. He really would consider it unfortunate if something happened to Zexion in his garden, if only because Zexion was, at least for now, potentially useful to him.

"I'm very particular about what I feed them, after all," he added, as he graciously indicated the doorway with a sweeping hand and a sly smile.

[theschemer]

It was a threat. He knew it was. Marluxia's territory was dangerous and he wanted Zexion to know that, to know that he was willingly walking into an area where his safety would only be assured if he cooperated.

"Sometimes I have to wonder if it would be better defined as a menagerie than a garden," Zexion said airily, keeping his tone casual.

Zexion maintained a pleasant façade, but he didn't like the look on Marluxia's face one bit. There was something unpleasantly crocodilian about that smirk and he trusted him only marginally more than the average Barintine Croc. Nevertheless, he headed for the door.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia gave a small, amused noise in response, not enough to be a laugh, but enough to indicate the idea of laughter. "You would have a point, if the owner was someone else," Marluxia said, following barely a step behind Zexion as they left the library.

Marluxia's garden was dangerous, that was no surprise, but Marluxia preferred more subtle dangers than the obvious threat of the Malboros who ambled around his garden. Zexion would spot the really dangerous plants, no doubt; he wasn't stupid.

Unfortunately.

At least, with Marluxia's gardens being as dangerous as they were, and with its readiness to attack uninvited intruders having already been displayed, they were extremely unlikely to be disturbed while there. Even if someone wanted to speak to them, they wouldn't dare get close enough to overhear, unless they were Lumi.

The garden didn't like Lumi either, of course, but it knew better where that one was concerned.

[theschemer]

That was true enough. Marluxia's affinity for plants was clear. It had been his 'Element' back when they were Nobodies and it was his Alignment now. Few people would willingly go near dangerous plants, and fewer would go near Malboros, but Marluxia was happy to do both and cultivate them.

Zexion left the library. He crossed the hallway and made his way to a lesser-used back door, one a little out of the way. He hadn't explored the grounds, but he knew very well how to get out into them. The easiest and most commonly used exit was through the kitchen and onto the small, stone-paved patio there, but he didn't want to draw attention to the fact that two of the three Ryoka who called the Palace home, however unwillingly, were heading off to talk in private.

He made sure to dampen any traces of his spiritual pressure as he pushed down the handle and headed outside. He did not want to be detected if he could help it.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia, of course, had no concerns about being detected heading out to his own gardens, and so didn't bother making any attempts at masking his departure in that direction.

He kept his garden as the furthest end of the grounds, well out of the way of the main thoroughfares in the gardens. Part of this was to prevent accidental intrusion into what would be considered Marluxia's territory, and the consequences thereof, and a larger part was the additional privacy. It was harder for people to spy on you if they had to come noticeably out of the way to do so, although Marluxia would deny having anything worth spying on in his gardens regardless.

There was a greenhouse, and rows of flowerbeds around it, and two rows of tables near those which bore a number of pots and small trays for the seedlings which were not yet ready for planting in the ground, or which Marluxia had other reasons for keeping separate as yet.

There wasn't a visible boundary, either; no fence or markers delineated where the rest of the garden turned into Marluxia's own patch, but adult Malboros moved back and forth like sentries, extending no further than an invisible line, and then wandering back inwards.

A couple of them stopped and held position, turning their attention and wiggling tendrils towards Marluxia and Zexion. Marluxia made sure he was in the lead as they approached, to avoid confusion. "This world has some truly fascinating plant life," he said, as he spotted the Malboros eyeing up Zexion but, obediently, making no move towards him. "Are these the first Malboros you've encountered?"

[theschemer]

Zexion did not miss the invisible boundary that seemed to mark the outer extreme of Marluxia's land. The malboros stopped as they reached a certain point and then withdrew, clearly knowing where they were and weren't allowed to tread. Had they gone farther, Zexion suspected that certain people would have hunted them for sport.

Regardless of their limits, Zexion was well aware that he was entering their territory and he didn't like it any more than he liked them. They were grotesque and foul-smelling things, with far too many tentacles and, somehow, even more teeth. Their open maws dripped with some sort of noxious saliva-like excretion and their beady, stalk-mounted eyes turned to him as he followed Marluxia.

"They're not the first I've seen," he said, sounding rather tenser than he would like.

Zexion had seen them, yes, but he'd never been this close to one, save for that curious, stunted specimen that the Arrancar, Luppi, called 'Daisy' and treated like a pet. Before being pressed into joining Clan Khamja, he had caught glimpses of the things while travelling. Kakuzu, always the authority on excursions, had instructed him to give them a wide berth whenever they came into view, citing a Malboro's tendency to inflict a large number of unpleasant status effects with minimal provocation.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia smirked at Zexion's reply. That was a carefully worded answer suggesting that, while Zexion had seen them before, he'd never truly encountered one. "Don't let them intimidate you," Marluxia said, "they won't make a move while I'm around." Although they'd certainly pretend that they might to try and make Zexion squirm. "Just don't touch any of them," he said, aware that it was probably unnecessary warning.

He led Zexion in, nearer the greenhouse, past the tables. He paused for a moment, turning towards one of the pots and fastidiously picking a dried leaf off with a frown. It was nothing to worry about, but still, it made things look untidy.

"They may not react well if you surprise them," he said, after a very slight pause, and then turned to look directly at Zexion, finishing, "you used to be better at concealing shock, too." He turned to invite Zexion into the greenhouse, opening the door for him.

[theschemer]

Zexion had absolutely no intention of touching them. Nothing could be further from his mind. The very look of them disgusted him, let alone the odour. If it was considered unpleasant by people with average senses, it was downright offensive so someone like him.

"So it would seem," he said with a thin smile, returning Marluxia's look for only a second. Zexion didn't want to take his eyes off his predatory pets for too long.

The malboros him uneasy, but he wouldn't be above transmuting them into compost should they decide to turn on him. He was relatively sure that Marluxia wouldn't be as rash as to set them on him, but he didn't presume to know him as well as others might think he did. They had been one-time associates, but they were never allies, let alone friends.

He gave the malboros a last look before he entered the greenhouse.

[gracefuldahlia]

The inside of the greenhouse was, unsurprisingly, warmer, and more humid then outside. The plants therein were brightly coloured and most of them smelled sweet, filling the inside of the greenhouse with their mingled scents. Marluxia seemed perfectly relaxed, closing the door behind them both as he followed Zexion inside.

"I must admit, seeing that old face was discomfiting. Your obvious shock can be forgiven." Marluxia frowned, and folded his arms. There was no love lost between either of them and Axel, but Zexion in particular must have found his presence on this world an unpleasant prospect. Marluxia doubted Vexen was taking it much better. "I'd be interested to know how he got here."

[theschemer]

Zexion found the smell of the greenhouse cloying and unpleasant, and the humidity didn't help matters. His nose crinkled while he got used to the scents and he folded his arms, looking unhappy. Axel did, of course, take top billing on the list of things they really rather needed to talk about, but he was fairly sure that the Flurry of Dancing Flames wasn't the only thing that Marluxia wanted to discuss.

"He shouldn't be here," he said, shaking his head. "He wasn't there when the rest of us got dragged through that portal, he shouldn't be here now." He scowled, wishing that denying it as possible would somehow erase Axel from the world. "It either means that everyone within Castle Oblivion was taken when we were, regardless of whether they were in that room at the time ... Or that the rift stayed open for some time after the fact."

They had no way of knowing which it was without talking to Axel. Zexion, in fact, had no idea whether Axel was even in Castle Oblivion when the incident took place. He had been considered 'missing', but that didn't mean that he wasn't there.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia listened to Zexion chatter to himself. He'd thought the same things, but Zexion's perspective as someone who was more studied in these matters was useful. Zexion did not appear to have known about Axel in advance; his surprise in the meeting had made that clear, or at least, Marluxia had to remember he was dealing with one titled the cloaked schemer here, it had appeared that way.

"A pity we have no way of knowing how long Axel has been on this world," Marluxia said. That might answer the question. "Or how long he has been with the Order," Marluxia paused before he added, "presuming he is, of course, and is not simply with Saix."

That was a distinct possibility; they were both tricky enough. "Unfortunately, if Axel came through after the fact, then it is possible he is not the only one who may have done so," Marluxia frowned, "or who may do so."

Would Xemnas, if he could? And what of the keyblade bearers?

Axel was such an unfortunate complication.

[theschemer]

Since witnessing the indisputable evidence of Axel's arrival, Zexion had considered the possibility of others coming through. Xemnas, Keyblade Bearers, Maleficent and more besides. It was highly likely that at least some of the non-Nobodies amongst their collective number had associates as well. Even so, there was no way of knowing for sure which of the two possible scenarios had taken place to bring Axel to Spira, so he hadn't driven himself in endless circles thinking about which was more likely or the risks associated with them.

"Without asking Axel himself, I'm sure we'll never know," said Zexion, his voice made dull with unhappiness. "There was no love lost between him and the rest of us when he left The Organisation, we all know that. Even without hearts, we found his actions deplorable. Furthermore, the last I had heard, he and Saix were not on the best of terms."

Axel had betrayed them all, but Saix had every reason to take it personally. While his lack of heart meant that didn't, in fact, take it as badly as he could have at the time, Zexion didn't doubt that it had niggled at him since his return to a complete state. Isa's childhood bond with Lea would have been all too easily remembered once he became whole again and there was a very real chance that the betrayal he'd suffered at the hands of his Nobody would have felt all the worse for it. That said...

"Saix was more than happy for Axel to shoulder all of the blame for orchestrating Castle Oblivion's failure," he pointed out, making sure to keep his expression entirely neutral. "Saix was behind it all. Axel had been acting on Saix's instruction. None of us knew that until Saix accidentally revealed that he knew more than he should about what happened there. That they should team up again seems strange in light of that. Nevertheless, they have..."

At the same time as trying to rationalise that, he struggled to imagine Xigbar taking him into The Order with a clean slate and no questions asked.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia raised an eyebrow very slightly. He knew what Saix had revealed; Zexion had taken some degree of joy in revealing to Marluxia just how he'd been manipulated and beaten, not just by Axel. Still, it seemed odd for someone capable of that degree of deception to make a mistake.

"Can you be sure the revelation was accidental?" Marluxia pointed out. "True, Saix may have simply grown complacent, but when you consider what that revelation achieved," Marluxia gestured idly with one hand, shaping his thoughts in the air, indicating Zexion as he said, "driving a wedge between you, and the others, and I doubt Vexen took such news in good grace, it has been an effective method of fracturing the group." Deliberate or otherwise, that was what had happened. "And it comes conveniently timed for Axel's presence being discovered, at least by us."

Xigbar was no fool, of course, much as he acted one, and would be watching Saix closely. If he knew about Axel, he wouldn't be letting him far out of his sight, either.

"A pity you cut all ties with them," Marluxia said, just a fraction too airily. "I'm sure Lexaeus would have answered these questions, if you were in a position to ask them."

Marluxia was still surprised Lexaeus had stayed, but possibly, just possibly, the quiet thoughtfulness of Zexion's lapdog had decided he was better placed to watch the others than continue to guard Zexion alone. He'd failed last time, and they'd died, they'd all died; perhaps Lexaeus had chosen another track this time, hoping for a different outcome.

[theschemer]

Marluxia made a point that Zexion hadn't much considered until now. He'd filled him in on his reasons for leaving The Order back when he'd been made to join Khamja, but it seemed useful to reiterate it in light of the new information. Saix had slipped up. Axel had been known as the bad element until that point. Saix was still thought of as largely loyal to Xemnas during his time in Organization XIII, at least up until his failure to claim Kingdom Hearts. Axel, cocksure and cunning, was the loose cannon in Castle Oblivion and Saix's involvement hadn't been known of at all until long after the fact. During his time on Spira, it seemed like he'd had no intention of stepping up and admitting his past guilt; it had come out in the form of a mistake, a little bit too much knowledge and Zexion, ever sharp, picking up on it.

That it could all have been a deliberate and carefully executed attempt to get rid of him and drive off Vexen, arguably the two smartest members of The Order, was a disturbing prospect. Vexen had been conspicuous by his absence during the battle with the Arrancar.

"I would have not have needed to sever all contact with The Order if I had not been forced into joining Clan Khamja," Zexion pointed out, not sounding as testy as others might in his position. "Your involvement with this Clan, and the rivalry of the Arrancar, has forged enough enmity that nobody can safely be associated with both."

He scowled and folded his arms. Lexaeus would be a useful contact, if he could talk to him. That he had chosen to stay behind after Saix's actions came to light still stung, but there was no reason why they could not converse on friendly terms. He had left because he refused to stay in a group where a known traitor was allowed to remain and keep their freedom with no repercussions for their actions. There was always the chance that Lexaeus now thought of him as an enemy due to the Clan he had ended up in, however unwillingly, but that was far from being a foregone conclusion.

"Unfortunately, had I not been here, that altercation would likely not have taken place," it was a realisation that made his stomach knot, "nor would I have witnessed the replay even if it had."

[gracefuldahlia]

That latter was an inarguable point. Zexion had clearly been vital to Aizen's mission which had drawn his Arrancar out to where they had encountered Saix and Axel. Still, difficult as communication would be for Zexion to initiate, if he had the opportunity to initiate it, Lexaeus would be unlikely to reject it.

"Nobody indeed," Marluxia replied. "Have things turned so sour between yourself and Lexaeus that you expect he would turn you away, or worse?" Lexaeus had always been so loyal, not to the Organisation, although he'd certainly been loyal to that, but to Zexion in particular. "Though the point is moot right now," he added, "since you lack the means to communicate with him."

At least as far as anyone was concerned, of course, and Marluxia wasn't about to push that issue because even if Zexion could contact Lexaeus, he wasn't about to admit that, especially not to Marluxia.

"Still," he changed the subject, slightly, "Axel's presence wasn't the only interesting thing about the replay; Saix was wielding Lunatic." Only Saix, of course, which was interesting in itself.

[theschemer]

Lexaeus probably wouldn't turn him away. Even so, Marluxia was right. He had no way of getting to him anyway. He was a prisoner, civil prison though the Desert Palace was, and he would not be let out, especially so soon after Midgar. He expected Clan Khamja to wait until he suffered some sort of captor-bonding experience so that he could finally be trusted to leave and not disappear, or report anything to enemy groups or governments.

As if he could. He was a ryoka. He was probably considered more dangerous than they were.

Zexion looked up at the mention of Saix's Nobody weapon. He had expected this subject to come up, as much as he had hoped to avoid it. He understood why Aizen had opted for Marluxia's presence in the meeting; he had needed to know whether Axel and the girl were Ryoka. What better way to do that than gauging the reactions of two of those he had access to? Nevertheless, it was unfortunate for Zexion. He had hoped to keep the whole subject from Marluxia for as long as possible. Alas, it wasn't to be.

"Indeed," he said, resigned to the impending discussion.

[gracefuldahlia]

That wasn't a note of surprise, Marluxia noticed, and he nodded ever so slightly to have that suspicion confirmed. "Adept at treachery and deceit as Saix is, discovering a way to summon his weapon in this world is not something I'd consider him intelligent enough to achieve unaided. That narrows the field to either you, or Vexen."

Axel either couldn't, or chose not to. Possibly, Saix was unable to adequately teach him, possibly Axel had not been with the others for long enough to have learned the technique yet, in any case, Marluxia had noticed that Saix was the only one to have done it in the fight with the Arrancar.

"Regardless of who discovered it, you will know how it's done."

Marluxia loathed admitting to such a gap in his own knowledge, but if he wished to learn, than he had to bite that bullet. It was the last one he intended to bite.

[theschemer]

"I do," he said, not about to argue the fact. "I pioneered the ability, though most of us in The Order have managed to master it to some degree."

It wasn't easy. It took a lot of effort to master the initial generation and then considerable training to maintain the weapon's form for any length of time. Those who needed a weapon that could be forged and dismissed at their whim had progressed the farthest first, especially if their traditional alternative was large or heavy. Others, such as Lexaeus and Xaldin, had taken longer. Luxord, the most distant of their number, had opted to eschew it entirely.

[gracefuldahlia]

'Us'. Marluxia heard that little slip in Zexion's speech and a smirk touched the corner of his lips. While Zexion still thought that way, he wasn't going to get out of the Palace any time soon. He'd have to be more careful.

Marluxia didn't point it out, yet. Instead, he nodded, just the once. "I don't intend to be left behind," he said, shifting his weight and moving that fraction closer to Zexion, his voice dropping slightly, "and you need an ally, if not a friend. We both find ourselves embroiled in the affairs of a clan which claims among its ordinary members people who make Xemnas' megalomania look like a quaint peccadillo."

There was no love lost between them, but Marluxia was not opposed to an alliance of convenience. Especially when there were the likes of Aizen, L, and Gin prowling the halls. He needed something from Zexion, and Zexion, right now, if he ever wished to get out of this Palace, needed someone on his side.

[theschemer]

Zexion fixed Marluxia with a look that hovered between defiant and nervous. Marluxia was giving him a choice; teach him and forge a tentative alliance with him, one that could very well include Kuja and Lumi by extension, or deny him access to a recreation of his old ability and make himself another enemy.

The decision came easy.

"It is a technique that requires practice to improve the duration of the manifestation," he said after a moment. "That is, if you find yourself able to master it at all."

It shouldn't be impossible, especially with their experience related to manipulating their Nobody weapons, but the effectiveness of the technique varied by person to person. Their weapons had been a part of them back then, there was no reason why they shouldn't be a part of them still, providing they had good enough Chakra manipulation.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia was satisfied with Zexion's response. Zexion was not an idiot, but he could be tricky to deal with. If he'd refused to tell Marluxia how it was done, Marluxia would struggle to get the information out of him, but a trade of a technique for alliance within the clan was in both their interests.

"You said most of the Order have mastered it to some degree," Marluxia pointed out. "Presumably, that includes Demyx and Larxene, who both lack discipline." And intelligence, in Demyx's case. If they could learn, Marluxia most certainly could. "Afford me the opportunity, and I will learn, Zexion."

[theschemer]

Demyx, contrary to how lackadaisical he seemed, had been all about raw power in a fight. Granted, he tended to dally about with music, but he also executed exceptionally powerful Water Elemental techniques that consisted of towering columns of water blasting his opponents and blocking their escape routes. Larxene's modus operandi had consisted of hit-and-run strikes and lethal magical outbursts. Neither of them had changed. The only difference was that they were now referred to as 'Mages'.

Marluxia's battle style had been brutal-but-measured and both heavily physical and just magical enough. If none of the others had made any drastic alterations to their fighting preferences, Zexion did not expect that Marluxia had, either. He did not doubt that Marluxia had the ability to both learn and master the ability. He knew that his Chakra reserves were vast but deliberately understated and his control, even from what he had seen thus far, was precise.

"I don't doubt your ability," he said quietly, "but it isn't easy. Demyx and Larxene both opt not to summon their Nobody weapons due to the concentration required to sustain it in battle and the potential drain on their Chakra reserves. They are both magically inclined, unlike Saix. Not all of The Order use the ability, even if they learned it. Luxord didn't trouble himself even to learn the basics."

As with all things, some were better than others. Additionally, it was effective when used in combination with certain fighting styles, but not others. Vexen could summon his Shield and fend off attacks indefinitely while taking remarkably little damage to the weapon. Xaldin tended to use his only against difficult prey during any Mark Hunts he undertook. The ability to remote-control numerous weapons became extremely useful against one large enemy, but was largely pointless when executed against a weak opponent and downright dangerous to his own health when used against a group. Though useful in particular situations, the Whirlwind Lancer consistently found himself unable to recall it once lost. Saix, conversely, had the ability to generate his weapon over and over with only eventual detriment to his power.

"I will teach you the technique," he confirmed, in case Marluxia had reason to doubt him, "but I implore you to use it sparingly. As far as I am aware, Saix alone has been seen producing a weapon in such a way. I don't think anyone related to Clan Khamja has witnessed any of the rest of us doing such a thing. I would prefer to preserve their ignorance for a little longer."

[gracefuldahlia]

There was a trace of amusement in Marluxia's smile as Zexion spoke. He was well aware that no one else had been seen to perform this little trick, or he'd have known about it earlier. The fact that the mages in the Order were disinclined to use it, however, was an interesting note, and one Marluxia intended to remember. It might be useful.

"I have no intention of letting anyone else know the full limits of our power," he answered. Especially not Aizen, which was exactly why he'd offered to share what information he had. He'd have a better grasp of what the man knew about them, then, and 'them' in this instance included himself.

Having Graceful Dahlia returned would be an asset. It would be a bigger asset if the return of his scythe was unknown to the general population of Khamja.

"How long will this lesson require?" He asked, quietly. He'd need space to practice, preferably away from prying eyes. That would not be too difficult; difficulty would arise if he required Zexion's presence for too long, or too many times.

[theschemer]

"As long as it takes for you to master generation," Zexion replied, shrugging with one shoulder.

Generation was, naturally, the first hurdle. Only one other subset of people on Spira had the ability to generate a 'weapon' in the same way as the Nobodies did and, with them, it unlocked a whole slew of abilities that they otherwise had no access to. When Zexion had first learned to produce his Book of Retribution, he found that he had the ability to use some of the battle techniques that he had relied upon as a Nobody, ones had been locked to him upon his arrival in Spira. Granted, the world had bestowed upon him a similar set of abilities --Genjutsu-- but being able to use Illusions like he once had was more comfortable. Marluxia, quite likely, would be granted the same.

"Once you have learned how to control your Chakra enough to crystallise it into Reishi," he continued, "I will have taught you all I can ... barring theory. That said, someone with your style of combat will require a sparring partner in order to extend the length of time that the weapon's form can be held for."

That would not be him.

[gracefuldahlia]

A sparring partner. Now that may present issue. Lumi was the closest thing to an ally that Marluxia would trust to know about him regaining his scythe, but Lumi had, up to now, demonstrated power beyond grasp and a certain difficulty with restraint.

"Allow me to concern myself with a sparring partner," he answered, well aware that Zexion would be highly unsuitable for the role. Zexion's style of combat was distinctly different to Marluxia's; he'd be no use for physically training with. "For now, the first step is required."

He didn't doubt that Zexion was, in some way, enjoying this. It was an excuse for him to impart knowledge, and potentially talk at great length about said knowledge. Zexion, much like Vexen, had always seemed to take well to tasks that required talking at people about how much he knew.

"You say crystallising chakra?" Marluxia very faintly raised one eyebrow. Chakra control was something he was reasonably adept at, but he'd never attempted that before. "I am all ears."

[theschemer]

Zexion knew full well that he was entirely unsuited to being anyone's sparring partner. He didn't deal in physical combat -- he was a back-row fighter. Magic, Alchemy and Illusion were his weapons, not swords or spears. His first thought for Marluxia was Lumi. He didn't know much about the man, but he got the impression that Marluxia and that particular non-Nobody Ryoka were relatively close. He had heard he was extremely dangerous, however. No matter, he thought. Marluxia can be rather lethal himself.

"It is not an easy process," he began. "Only the masked people that associate with Clan Skite have the ability to do the same. I did some research and apparently Quincies, a near extinct fighting Class, can do similar, except for the fact that they draw ambient Reishi from their environment -- Mist -- instead of using their own Chakra, much like Geomancers. There are a number of books on Quincies in the library," he said, glancing back towards the Palace. "I suggest looking through those. I'll find which ones have the most useful information. The technique is similar enough, it is merely the source that differs."

Zexion paused, considering how much he could reasonably explain without materials on the subject. He could demonstrate, he knew, but he was hesitant to do so where his Reiatsu might be felt. He had muted it entirely upon leaving the Palace, he could do without it being picked up now. The sight he could conceal using Genjutsu, it was nothing to black out the glass, but his Reiatsu was rather more difficult and it was an unfortunate necessity when it came to weapon generation.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia allowed himself an amused smirk at Zexion's suggestion. Marluxia expected no different, of course, from their former number six. Zexion's whole life revolved around books, so naturally, if he wanted to find something out, the first thing he did was look for it in a book, and when asked to impart that knowledge, his first advice was to read the book.

Not that Marluxia had any objections to gaining information from the source. Having alternate sources was always useful, and the book would, at least, be something Marluxia could put down for a few minutes if it became too longwinded. Unlike Zexion, who had not been supplied with a pause button on his transformation into a Nobody, which seemed to be an unforgivable oversight at times.

"I'd appreciate the reading materials," he said, graciously. Though going to the library for them right now would be unwise; he'd have to leave that for a couple of days. Too many visits to a place he ventured infrequently would arouse suspicion. "Though theory alone may be insufficient," he wanted a proper demonstration, not just the long range view of Saix calling Lunatic out of the air that Ulquiorra had shared, "perhaps right here and now is not the best of times or places."

They were talking. That was fine; they had a right, and a viable excuse, to talk here. But there were too many here who were too sensitive to fluctuations in people, and too observant in general, that it was a risk to ask Zexion to pull a weapon on him now, or begin to do anything out of the ordinary with his own chakra. If anyone had noticed that they were together, they would be observing.

"Tell me how to start," he said, "the first steps, and next time," when certain people had gone to maintain their public faces, "may be a better opportunity for you to explain the whole thing." By then, Marluxia will have read the books, too, which would likely help.

[theschemer]

That suited Zexion just fine. Give Marluxia enough time to read the volumes he intended to put on his list of suggested titles and let him work alone with the most basic of instructions and he might make a little independent headway. He was unlikely to master actual Weapon Generation without a demonstration, but he would certainly have more of an idea what kind of Chakra control and manipulation would be required. By the time they met again, hopefully when individuals such as Gin and Aizen had departed to keep up their appearances in the public eye, he would be in a better position to teach him what he needed to know.

"Very well," he said. "First things first; what are your Classes, both current and previously mastered?"

Not all of the Ryoka had put time into mastering more Classes than they had arrived with, but some had. Zexion, unsurprisingly, was one of them. Vexen, which would come as no great surprise to anyone, was another. There was a chance that Marluxia was among their number, so Zexion gave no room for error or omission when he put the question to him.

[gracefuldahlia]

Zexion was so precise, Marluxia noticed. Personally, he hadn't put more time in mastering classes other than those he'd been granted upon arrival, but that wasn't out of unwillingness. In Marluxia's case, the classes he had arrived with were both very well suited to him, and had required study.

"Geomancer, Commando, Ravager," he answered, simply. Geomancer had been the biggest challenge, although Ravager and the magical elements of Commando had presented their challenges to someone who was unaccustomed to chakra, and the control thereof. It had been a learning curve, and a worthwhile one.

If he was to have his weapon of choice back, Commando would certainly be worth keeping. Ravager, however, once he'd finished with it, opened up new possibilities for Marluxia to pursue.

The fact that Zexion was being precise, of course, meant he'd considered the possibility that Marluxia had already progressed past those the world had granted him at arrival. That meant that others had. Zexion would certainly be one of them, although it was unlikely he'd dropped Alchemist at any point to do so. Marluxia couldn't help but wonder how much of a tiresome little overachiever Zexion had been up to now, but the question could wait.

[theschemer]

Geomancer, Commando, Ravager.

A good selection of Classes, Zexion thought. Nevertheless, he was slightly surprised to hear the inclusion of Geomancer in that list. Mist manipulation was known for being difficult to perform and harder to master. As such, Geomancer, one of the few Classes that necessitated proficiency in that art, was one of the more rarely used entry-level Classes available to Spira's denizens that didn't require a specific tool or weapon. The world had been generous to the Ryoka with its allocation of uncommon Classes, it seemed.

"So you must have a fair to good grasp of Chakra control," Zexion said reasonably, speaking mostly to himself. "Given that you are a Ravager instead of a Black Mage, you're capable of directing Chakra for use into a weapon? That's fortunate," he said softly, bringing his hand to his mouth in thought. "How proficient are you at Ninjutsu techniques? The basics in particular."

The ability to mould Chakra with hand seals was known to provide another good basis for Nobody weapon forging. Not all of the Nobody Ryoka in The Order were particularly experienced in their use, but those that were found Weapon Generation slightly easier than otherwise. It wasn't necessary so much as an asset.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia rather thought he was very good at chakra control, certainly now. It had been difficult starting from scratch on a whole new way to utilise his power, but his early encounter with Kuja had afforded him a proficient teacher, and chakra control and mist manipulation were things he'd grasped well once he'd begun.

Ninjutsu techniques, however, he was less proficient at. He knew some, but the best at them in Khamja were disinclined to share their expertise for understandable reasons. The Order, he remembered, had forged some sort of alliance with at least some of Akatsuki; Larxene in particular appeared to be dating one.

"I'm capable of the basics," Marluxia answered, "and aware of a few other techniques, but have not had call to use them." He looked at Zexion steadily. It was becoming apparent just how much easier it had been for the Order to learn a variety of techniques through their allies and shared experience; a pity, really, that Khamja were more of a collective than a group.

Not that a collection of personalities such as those found in Khamja could ever be anything else.

[theschemer]

"You are able to use a selection of hand signs, or walk across the surface of a body of water for at least a limited amount of time, yes?" He found it hard to believe that Marluxia would not be capable of those, at the very least.

He, like Marluxia, was becoming increasingly aware that the Graceful Assassin's separation from the main body of the Ryoka group had led him, and Lumi, his associate, to develop their powers and abilities using entirely different methods and strategies. It was somewhat jarring, but it was an understandable effect of Khamja's hostile social environment. The Order had formed alliances with those they had met and, within reason, shared information and techniques. Zexion found it hard to believe that Khamja would have done the same.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia nodded, trying not to remember the graceless affair that learning to walk across a body of water had been. "Across water, up vertical surfaces, and hanging from the underside of horizontal ones, yes." Once learned, such chakra control and manipulation had proven highly useful. "I can use some hand signs, but it isn't something I have had much cause to practice." So his usage of them was limited, though the ones he knew he could perform without trouble.

"The ninja here consisted of Orochimaru and his underlings," Marluxia said. "What I currently know, I have learned elsewhere." Unlike the Order, who had gleaned their information from ninja who were better disposed towards alliances with Ryoka, not that Marluxia would have been willing to share any information with Orochimaru and his ilk.

[theschemer]

"That should be sufficient," Zexion said, shrugging one shoulder and shaking his head.

Individuals from Ninja Villages tended to have an above-average grasp of Ninjutsu techniques, as well as other jutsu types, but that type of upbringing wasn't necessary for much of it. Some Ninjutsu and, at least basic Chakra control and direction tended to be taught in almost every Spiran school from the age of eleven onwards and, in some cases, before. Everybody who attended should, at least, be able to do at least some of the things that Marluxia mentioned, even if it required concentration. Those with a mastery of it were able to perform such feats as if it was second nature.

"In that case, I suggest you practice it," he said simply. "Go back to the basics. Direct your Chakra towards your hand and pool it there. Learn to manipulate the shape and form of your Chakra field, once you're confident in that. Don't get ahead of yourself -- simply attempt to master extending its reach, or pulling it back in quickly. If you find that you need to release enough to make it visible to grasp that to begin with, so be it."

Chakra manipulation outside of the body was the hardest part. Most people with above-average Chakra reserves made a point and habit of suppressing the field of pressure it caused, so as to not damage or adversely affect those around them who were comparatively weaker. With most, Reiatsu could simply be felt. With particularly powerful individuals it was dangerous to be in the vicinity of it. Zexion had heard that some people had the ability to kill with their Spiritual Pressure alone by learning how to direct it precisely. The Nobodies had no need to go to those lengths, but it was the lower-level form of that ability that was required to form their weapons.

[gracefuldahlia]

It sounded simple enough, but Marluxia knew that anything involving fine chakra control would take time and effort to learn. He nodded at Zexion's advice, and replied, "That should not prove too difficult." He had space to practice that without having to concern himself with being observed.

Practicing with his scythe once it was formed... perhaps it would be wise to arrange a detour with Lumi. It made Marluxia uncomfortable to consider willingly stepping into a position of weakness against him, but he was the best option Marluxia had.

"As for the books," he said, "I shall retrieve them later if you put together a list." It would probably not be wise for Marluxia to go back into the library today, but in a day or two it would seem less unusual.

[theschemer]

Zexion nodded. Marluxia had ample space to practice out in the grounds if he wished. He also had the freedom to take advantage of the training facility a level below the Palace. That had the advantage of being purpose built and somehow mostly blocking Reiatsu from being felt outside it. Those that were extremely sensitive had the ability to bypass the paling's dampening effects to a small degree, but those were few and far between. In any case, it would not be unusual for one of the more physically slanted members of Clan Khamja to be making use of it and, as such, would look less suspicious.

"I will see which volumes are present in the library," he said, having not had the time or inclination to look that up ahead of this meeting despite knowing offhand that there were at least some on the shelves. "Rabanastre's Central Library had many, and I know that there is at least some crossover of titles here. Even so, this library tends to contain much older works owing to the age of the building itself, so I am not especially hopeful about finding anything published much after 600AW unless other members have brought in titles since the Palace was rediscovered, but I will check. Unfortunately, there were relatively few books published on the Quincy Class during the height of its popularity -- most were published after the fact as retrospective accounts -- but there are still a few decades of leeway even without late additions and, while this library doesn't have quite the time span that Rabanastre's posseses, there are, as I said, some useful volumes..."

If the Palace's library lacked the relevant materials, Zexion would not be averse to compiling a list for Marluxia to take to a public library. He, unlike Zexion himself, did not have any restrictions on his movement.

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia's expression fixed itself into one of patient disinterest, and stayed that way. Zexion in full flow was a marvel of unnecessary verbiage, and Marluxia indulged him in his prattle for a few moments.

"Name the titles, and I will locate them, Zexion," he said, after Zexion seemed to have said enough for this instance, "but later."

Staying on this topic would be open invitation for Zexion to continue talking at length about books, so Marluxia changed it slightly; "How long does the technique take to master?"

[theschemer]

Zexion failed to notice that Marluxia's eyes, like those of all the others he had inflicted his tendency to runaway with himself on, had glazed over somewhat.

He opened his mouth to reel a few titles off he top of his head, but closed it when Marluxia spoke again. His expression shifted to a thoughtful one and he tapped his lips with one of the fingers at his mouth. "It depends on the individual," he answered simply. "Producing the weapon itself can take between one session and a number of days. I grasped it quickly, but I was the one who discovered it, so there was much trial and error involved. Vexen managed it more swiftly than I, but he had all of the instructions at his fingertips, unlike myself. Vexen's manifestation is the strongest and most consistent. That said, Saix is particularly adept at recalling his weapon once it has been lost and can do so at his whim, even when in a Berserk state. It is down to limits, talent and ability, factors all rather difficult to predict."

[gracefuldahlia]

Marluxia thought on that information for a moment. Vexen having the strongest made sense; Frozen Pride was as sharp and stubborn an obstacle as its owner. Saix had relied on relentlessness in battle, more than strength, and more than speed, Saix's real danger in a fight was how he kept on coming, and so his being able to keep recalling Lunatic also fit his style. He debated asking how Zexion fared in comparison to the others, but refrained. If the capacity to draw on the weapon was influenced by individual strengths and weaknesses, then Marluxia didn't foresee much difficulty for himself.

Good. That would be embarrassing.

"Very well," he replied. "Is there anything else of great importance for me to know before we meet again?" It sounded like it would be a drain to use, but Marluxia only considered that a reason to choose his enemies carefully, which he preferred to do anyway.

It would be a relief to have a familiar weapon back. Having to learn so much from the beginning left him feeling handicapped; something he already knew would be appreciated as back up.

[theschemer]

Zexion took a moment to think about it, but shook his head in the end.

"No," he said, having given Marluxia all of the information he was likely to need. "I'm fairly certain that's everything."

He was going to have a lot to think about, even beyond Marluxia trying for his weapon. Axel was not a problem that was likely to go away, nor was his newly renewed truce with Saix. He could do nothing about that, though. It was best to concentrate on the weapon Generation. Through that, he would at least gain something of an ally, even if he knew Marluxia to be untrustworthy.

[gracefuldahlia]

"Then we shall speak again at a more opportune time for us both," Marluxia said, graciously. A more opportune time, naturally, would be when there were less people present who might find their conversing to be interesting. "I will take a reading list from you in the interim," he added, and shot Zexion a knowing little smirk as he said, "and if it will involve a visit to libraries other than the one here, naturally I will bring back any personal requests."

Zexion, being Zexion, probably would at some point want books from an outside library, and with being confined to the Palace for the time being, was unable to obtain them for himself, though the offer didn't extend solely to books. Not that Marluxia was about to publicise that he was making such an offer to Zexion.

"The Malboros should not bother you," he said, as a change of subject, and gesturing towards the exit of the greenhouse, "but I'll escort you nonetheless."