Absent Conscience (Marluxia)

[atlas]

(OOC: Eh, setting didn’t seem logical. Hope it works for you)

A chilly wind swarmed through the ruined bedroom once inhabitant by a cursed prince but Saïx paid it no attention. For the moment, the castle was abandoned, left behind by its former inhabitants for greener pastures. It was a quiet place for thinking and that is what he planned to do. He continued to stand against the large window that dominated one end of the room, staring out at the wild forest that surrounded the castle. A moon hung from the sky, bathing the landscape in an ethereal glow. This world’s moon was a pathetic urination of what a true moon was. Compared to the majestic beauty of Kingdom Hearts, this piece of rock was nothing more than floating garbage.

But he could not bring himself to go back to The World That Never Was. The sight of that shattered heart still resiliently floating in the abyss was too sickening, too disheartening for now. It reminded him of weakness, of his weakness against the Keyblade Hero and his goody-goody anthropomorphic friends, of the entire Organization’s weaknesses from the very beginning. He had let the group grow weak, consumed by inner turmoil and internal rebellion. Things that shouldn’t have happened but did.

He would make sure they would never happen again. The broken Kingdom Hearts served as a reminder to keep vigilant, to keep watch, to be more careful.

Starting now.

The recent meeting had given Saïx plenty of ideas and matters to think about. He was surprised to see so many of his comrades alive and well. Only the Silent Hero was missing from the proceedings and the Dusks have seen neither hide nor hair of him. Saïx was confident that he would turn up. After all, if cowards like Numbers IV and IX could reemerge from the darkness, then surely a Nobody like Lexaeus could as well.

But that wasn’t the most pressing matter. What really concerned Saïx was the volume of members alive before him and having done bugger all! Their stature has weakened over time and the Organization had soon slipped back to obsolescence, no longer a viable threat but a mere joke. Is this what he had worked for? To see the group he had help marshal even after the culling in Oblivion and betrayals by those three shrink down into nothing? This will not do at all.

They were finally back on track as of the conclusion of the meeting. With Xemnas once again providing firm leadership, Saïx was confident that soon the Organization can return to its former glory. But that wasn’t enough. There were certain things that have slipped past Xemnas before, things that he disregarded and let them obliterate the Organization. These matters Saïx would have to see for himself.

He considered each of his fellow members. Xigbar and Xaldin were loyal to the Superior to the end, having been former colleagues. The same goes for Zexion and his constant companion, Lexaeus. Vexen was too craven to do anything against the Organization and Lordship over Castle Oblivion should keep him busy. Axel was a wildcard but if they could curb Roxas and Xion, the two Keyblade Wielders, then the Flurry will follow. Luxord would stay if only to see how this charade will play itself. This game is too interesting for a gambler like him to pass up. Demyx would cower, as always.

Which left the traitorous two.

Saïx’s eyes narrowed at the thought of the two. The Graceful Assassin and the Savage Nymph, none more appropriate titles for a pair as capricious as those two neophytes. He doubted Larxene is much a force on her own. Alone, she would be aimless, without purpose. The Organization would provide her focus. Saïx expected little trouble from her.

That leaves Number XI. Marluxia.

He had seen how Xemnas treated the Assassin at the meeting. It was disappointing, to say the least. He had expected the Superior to strike down the pink-haired Nobody on the spot and send him back to the abyss where he belongs. Instead, he was received cordially, pardoned and allowed back to the fold. He had expected a more useful Nobody like Axel to receive that treatment, not the would-be rebel and new leader of the Organization. There are beings who are too much trouble than they are worth. The Organization could do without Marluxia.

Xemnas had made this mistake before, letting go of matters too trivial for him only to blow up in their faces. A mistake Saïx would not let happen again. He needed to see Marluxia at some point and trot out the same spiel he had given Axel and Vexen. The Graceful Assassin must be kept at a short leash or Castle Oblivion will happen again.

[marly]

There were several things that were on the Graceful Assassin's to-do list. Marluxia had stepped on many toes before he made his unfortunate exit, before he had been forced to bow and make his way off stage. Sometimes he still wondered how he had been defeated by Sora, several times in a row! He had used whatever means he had to gain more power for the next battle, but still Sora defeated him. The power of the Keyblade... Marluxia almost wish he had been chosen, almost envied others like Roxas.

The thought disgusted him. No, he did not envy. He did not feel anything. His emptiness was a gift, but equally a curse at the same time. If he could hate, he would hate being the unfeeling shell that he is. But Marluxia knew the pointlessness of such thoughts. It would gain him nothing to wish to be whole again, it would not give him a heart. He almost smirked when he thought of what Larxene would say to him if she knew what he was thinking, she would rub the weakness in his face.

Marluxia almost smirked again, he knew that the same thoughts ran through the Savage Nymph's head as well. Marluxia changed his line of thought, he didn't care for going off track when he had matters on hand. He stepped out of a dark portal, looking at the environment that surrounded him. Beast's Castle. A place that Marluxia had not visited often, it was marked as Xaldin's territory. Marluxia's feelings towards Xaldin were apathetic, though he was sure that the Whirlwind Lancer's feelings were a bit more hostile towards the Graceful Assassin.

The castle was typical, stereotypical even. With everything designed as if it had been printed from a fairy tale, which Marluxia almost suspected that it had been, it looked just as one expected a castle to. With suits of armor lining the corridors and other similar objects spread out across it. Marluxia much preferred the layout of Castle Oblivion, though he was certain that most would object and disagree. Who would like the pure white color, the repetitive themes that only changed if one used their memories to do so? Because it reminded Marluxia of what he truly was.

What was the point of pretending?

Some of the Nobody's pretended because it made them feel as if they were still whole, as if they still had a heart. Marluxia knew the folly of this. The temptation to put up a facade had long passed XI, as was shown from his mostly monotone voice, not unlike some of the other Nobody's. Marluxia was not the only one who had reached this same conclusion, Xemnas for instance. Of course it made sense, who could follow one who lied to themselves and pretended to be what he was not?

Saix also had shared this revelation, but Marluxia would not be surprised if he embraced his emptiness simply to be like Xemnas. Marluxia knew the thought to be a sarcastic one, Saix was smarter then Marluxia generally gave him credit for, a dangerous opponent indeed. He was also the reason that Marluxia graced this castle with his appearance. The Lunar Diviner would surely have sought to speak with Marluxia, and the Graceful Assassin decided to make it easy for Saix, just this once.

He walked out of the room that he had appeared in and entered the West Wing of the castle, knowing that Saix could not be far away. Though Marluxia lacked the incredible ability to smell a Nobody's scent that Zexion possessed, he could still feel other Nobody's. The process of finding another member of Organization XIII was simple, merely summon Dusk's to search for them and then return with their results. Marluxia's footsteps could be heard echoing around the castle, so the Graceful Assassin was certain that Saix would hear him coming.

When the Lunar Diviner finally came into view, Marluxia nodded in greeting. He walked a few more steps until he was only a couple of strides away from Saix and then stopped, not expecting Saix to reveal any surprise or any other facial expression for that matter. "VII, how interesting it is to see you here..." Of course Marluxia's statement implied a lie. He would not be in this place if it were not for Saix's presence, though Marluxia was certain that the Lunar Diviner could, for lack of a better word, divine that himself.

[atlas]

For the past few minutes, Saïx paid little attention on the loud and clanking footsteps that echoed across the empty castle. They were not the timid steps of any castle servant. They were the steps of a resolute individual with a purpose set in mind. Saïx ignored the noise the approaching individual, preferring to stare back at the pale moon. Only when the person entered the room did Saïx acknowledged his presence by turning towards him.

Marluxia, the Graceful Assassin, entered the room and centered his gaze at Saïx. "VII," He drawled in a flat, monotone voice. “How interesting it is to see you here..." His tone belied no actual interest, no inflection of tone, only pure honesty. He would never say it out loud but Marluxia’s self-control, or lack of it, greatly impressed Saïx. Here was a true Nobody, cold and emotionless, uncaring of whether people knew of their incompleteness. Even Xemnas, the oldest of them all, was prone to slipping back to old masks and buried memories. Saïx was loathe to admit even to himself but he had sometimes cracked and put on a pathetic façade for his own guilty pleasure from time to time. Not Marluxia, of course. For that, Saïx admired Number XI.

Admiration, however, would only go so far.

Marluxia’s plainness and emotionless demeanor had hidden a rebellious streak that anyone should have expected if he wasn’t a Nobody. His attempted coup was the true beginning of the Organization’s downfall. Not only did his fiasco turn the Keyblade Wielder and his friend in the darkness become aware of the Organization, it had also lost them five members and greatly weakened their power base. Marluxia had cost them dearly.

Normally, traitors to the Organization would be eliminated quickly. In a fit of madness, however, Xemnas had chosen to keep the two traitorous neophytes in the Organization and even went as far as to completely forget their transgressions. Xemnas does slip up every now and then, Saïx could vouch for that. This was one mistake that could strike back at them in the future. Mistakes had ridden the Organization before and Saïx was not prudent enough with rooting them out. Time to start early with this one.

“The same could be said of you, Marluxia,” Saïx responded, meeting with the Assassin’s blank eyes. “This world would hardly interest you. Unless you came searching for me?”He knew without doubt that Marluxia wouldn’t have come to this tawdry world to indulge himself in the riveting scenery, if there were any. He would only be here because Saïx was here.

Now how to deal with Number XI? Outright elimination will not do. The former Lord of Oblivion was a formidable opponent in battle, something that had caught Xemnas’ eye, leading to the Graceful Assassin’s appointment to that castle over more deserving heads. More importantly, Xemnas might find the action against his plans for the moment. Threats will not work cow Marluxia to playing with their rules. Unlike Vexen, who will cave upon spying the threat of death again directed at him, Marluxia will only react as he always did: with indifference.

Hopefully, a solution will present itself as Saïx dealt with this particular thorny rose.

[marly]

Marluxia did not have the same problem with Saix, he knew how he would handle the Lunar Diviner. He would allow Saix to have his little lecture, perhaps give a retort or two, and once VII was satisfied with what he had told Marluxia, the Graceful Assassin would take his leave. He doubted that the situation would go as smoothly as that, perhaps Saix would attempt to battle Marluxia? He doubted it, he was too loyal to Xemnas to go against the Superior's wishes.

Marluxia gave a small nod as Saix spoke, as he had guessed earlier the Lunar Diviner had known the Graceful Assassin's motives for appearing. "You speak the truth, Saix. This place holds no interest for me, nor does it appeal to me in any manor." Marluxia studied Saix's features, which were as blank as ever. He had never seen the Lunar Diviner succumbing to a display of emotion, though he would not be surprised to hear that it had happened at some point. Even Marluxia had first pretended when he had become a Nobody, but he soon discovered just how pointless it was, and how much more he preferred being true to what he really was; empty.

"It was not difficult for me to summarize that you would wish to speak with me Saix. For my own convenience I have decided to get this meeting finished with." Marluxia also knew that the longer Saix had to think about what would be said, he would have more to say. Marluxia was a patient Nobody, but he did not wish to hear Saix ramble on longer then was necessary. Like Xemnas, Saix had a penchant for long-winded speeches, and Marluxia could only handle so much scolding before he was thoroughly annoyed.

Was Marluxia playing a dangerous game? What if, in this meeting, Marluxia made Saix's grudge against him personal? The Graceful Assassin knew that Saix had always disliked him for several reasons. At first it was because Marluxia was given lordship over Castle Oblivion, a mere neophyte with all of that power. It was also an obvious conclusion that Saix's dislike of Marluxia increased several-fold after his attempted betrayal, regardless of its failure.

So how exactly did Saix feel about Marluxia? Did he want the Graceful Assassin dead? Or did he just wish to see a fitting punishment exacted upon him? Marluxia was certain that if anyone was eager to be tasked with Marluxia's elimination, that Saix would be one of the first, if not the first, volunteers for the job. He was also one of the few Organization members that Marluxia would be concerned about in this hypothetical situation. Saix was a powerhouse, that was no secret. And while Marluxia was more then formidable in combat, he would not wish to face Saix unless he had no other recourse.

"So then, Saix, what do you have to say? Do you wish to tell me the price of treason? Have you any threats in your repertoire that could put me in my place? Or perhaps you are prepared to subdue me like you did Vexen? Unfortunately I am not so easily cowed." Marluxia enjoyed antagonizing Saix, even if it was a somewhat dangerous thing to do. Of course Marluxia had not thought that Saix would attempt to placate him, treason would earn him nothing.

[atlas]

"You speak the truth, Saix. This place holds no interest for me, nor does it appeal to me in any manor."

Marluxia spoke cordially, not a syllable wasted. No change of tone, no flicker of emotion, just a poker face with wild, unnatural hair staring back at him. There was no hint o f what the Assassin was thinking, no traces whatsoever. Saïx had plenty of dealings with Number XI before he was sent off to Castle Oblivion and his inevitable doom. Back then, he had thought of the neophyte’s lack of emotional display the only commendable aspect he could find. Now, it was utterly vexing him not being able to get a glance at what he was thinking at the moment.

Marluxia will not be much for idle chatter or care for trivial matters. The two Nobodies have no love lost between them. They have nothing in common beyond nonexistence and their allegiance to the Organization; they had nothing to do with each other. No doubt, he would’ve suspected of some ulterior motive for meeting with him in such a clandestine spot. An assassination attempt, a wearying lecture, the death threats that are part of a life of an Organization member, something that Marluxia would expect from a loyal member like Saïx.

"It was not difficult for me to summarize that you would wish to speak with me Saix. For my own convenience I have decided to get this meeting finished with."

The way Marluxia phrased it, he made Saïx sound predictable, as if his moves and thoughts were easy to ascertain. The thought made the Graceful Assassin all the more reprehensible to Saïx. Coupled with his illegitimate rise to power, his ambitions to displace their Superior and his undermining, sneaky attitude, all of these features have served to mark out Marluxia as a most impertinent Nobody and a threat to the goodwill of the Organization.

If Xemnas could not see that then Saïx will make him see.

"So then, Saix, what do you have to say? Do you wish to tell me the price of treason? Have you any threats in your repertoire that could put me in my place? Or perhaps you are prepared to subdue me like you did Vexen? Unfortunately I am not so easily cowed."

“I have no such intent,” Saïx responded. His feet took on a life of their own and he started to pace around Number XI. His arms came up, his chin resting on his hand. He had been intending that from the beginning, banging out the usual threats and threats that he handed out almost regularly to the more unruly members of the Organization. Those will not work for a Nobody of Marluxia’s caliber, Saïx gave him that much. Something subtler has to be used.

“Threats and lectures would not work on you, that much I credit you with,” Saïx continued, pacing a circle around the still Nobody. "It would just be a waste of our time," His eyes narrowed as a thought entered his mind. Quickly, Saïx went through the possibilities. It would mean placing an awful amount of trust on him, something Saïx was not sure he could do right now. However, if done right, this venture would be an immense help to the Organization and provide enough work to keep Marluxia on his toes.

Saïx made up his mind.

“Today, all I have to offer is a small warning and a simple task,” He stopped in front of the Graceful Assassin and stared at the traitorous Nobody's eyes, flashing a challenge. "Would that suffice for you?"

[marly]

"I have no such intent."

The words echoed through Marluxia's mind for a moment, surprising the Graceful Assassin somewhat. Saix had no intent of lecturing him? Of delivering the usual threats? What had brought about this change? Had Saix noticed that Marluxia believed him predictable? Because he did indeed imply that throughout the small conversation that they had held so far. Had Saix decided that it would do no good to threaten Marluxia? Or to lecture him for that matter. Part of him hoped that was true, that would be an annoyance he could be rid of. But Marluxia would much rather prefer dealing with an annoyance then to deal with Saix thinking on his toes, coming up with something knew.

That could end badly.

Saix was already a dangerous enough foe as it was, but Marluxia did not want to see him trying to come up with new tricks. He had been able to effectively deal with and avoid Saix in the past because he had predicted something of a pattern, a loose one, but a pattern none the less. What methods could the Lunar Diviner possibly come up with next? The thought was somewhat troublesome, but Marluxia felt that he could handle it. He had dealt with a basement full of meddling Organization members who all wanted to get in the way of Marluxia's plans, though they had all been eliminated one way or another, with Vexen being the only one that Marluxia had ordered killed.

Marluxia kept his eyes on Saix as he began pacing, since when did the Lunar Diviner pace? Marluxia was slightly unsettled by this, though he did not show it. He remained completely calm, it would be completely unlike himself to act in any other manor. Marluxia took Saix's compliment with a grain of salt. It was nice to know that Saix understood that he was not to be underestimated, but being underestimated could be a valuable tool. It would have made dealing with Saix much easier if he did not recognize Marluxia's potential, though the Graceful Assassin knew it was too late in the game for anyone to be underestimating him at this point, at least anyone in the Organization.

After more pacing and silence, Saix finally spoke once more, telling Marluxia that all he had this day was a small warning and a simple task. Marluxia went through the possibilities, what could Saix want him to do? Was the Lunar Diviner merely trying to come up with a way to keep Marluxia busy, so that he did not have time for treason? Marluxia doubted that Saix would try something so... Desperate. Saix was not one to act out of desperation, Marluxia knew that for certain. Then what was it? Was Saix possibly attempting to put Marluxia into a situation that would kill him? He doubted that outcome as well, Saix would not so blatantly go against the Superior's orders, not unless that he had proof that Marluxia would once again attempt treason.

Though the Graceful Assassin could think up a few of the possibilities, he could not say which one was anymore likely then any of the others. Finally Saix stopped pacing and looked Marluxia in the eyes, and for the first time, XI noticed something other then emptiness in Saix's eyes. He noticed a.... Challenge. Marluxia could do nothing but admit that Saix had his full interest now. "You have peaked my curiosity, Saix." Whatever the outcome, Marluxia knew that Saix would make this interesting.

[atlas]

Marluxia was a clever actor.

There was no hint of surprise on his face, only a small glimmer of the eyes. His face was as impassive as ever, intoning only one sentence to Saïx. He did not hint whether he found the proposal alarming, disturbing, insightful or surprising. That perfect poker face seemed to mock him, carefully arranged to deliver the maximum of nothingness. Saïx re-arranged his face accordingly and resumed pacing around the Graceful Assassin, eyes lost in thought once more as his mind carefully arranged and deliberated what he would say next.

“First, let us get the mandatory warning out of the way. This is only a cursory reminder, Marluxia,” Saïx said, breaking the gloomy silence. “The Superior may have forgiven you for your earlier transgressions but the rest of the Organization has not,” Saïx stood behind the pink-haired Nobody, elucidating every word carefully. “Hopefully, you are smart enough to know that your past actions have painted you as a potential threat. I suggest you watch yourself from here on in,” His thoughts immediately went to a screeching, narrow-minded scientist but quickly dismissed the idea as ludicrous. The Graceful Assassin had an air around him of a coiled spring, ready to strike at a potential enemy. The thought of Vexen exacting revenge was as idiotic as the thought of Axel showing respect to anyone.

Which begs the question- why doesn’t he, Saïx, take care of Number XI once and for all? It was quite obvious to anyone with half a brain that Marluxia would’ve had at least a thought or two about subverting the Organization yet again. For now, it could be just one rebellious thought, one tiny seed of selfishness and greed. Of course, seeds grow when cared for properly and Marluxia, with his affinity for making impressive plants grow from such tiny beginnings, would not let that particular seed grow hungry.

Therefore, he has to be taken care of. But not today.

Saïx was loathe to throw away a potential tool at such early and pressing time. Marluxia was one of the Organization’s more powerful and cunning fighters. He had a keen mind and no emotions to hold him back. He would prove useful to the Organization in the long run. As long as he could be kept under control and pacified long enough to work willingly for them, Marluxia would ultimately benefit Organization XIII and prove his worth.

He could see now that antagonizing Number XI at this stage would only drive him away and lead to chaos. For all he knew, he could either take on the Organization, which would be foolish and unnecessary, or strike out on his own. The other members of the Organization might see to it that he was permanently taken care of but for now he has a role to play in the Superior’s little plan. As long as the Superior considered him important, Marluxia will be safe.
Leaving Saïx a chance to get rid of a few problems.

Still behind Marluxia, Saïx quickly walked back in front of the Nobody. “All I have right now is a simple task, to be completed at your leisure, though I will be expecting results from time to time,” His gaze never left that damnable mask that served as his face. “It will not impede on your current task nor will it cause much disruption in the Organization,”

“I’m sure you are aware of other worlds that have appeared recently,” Saïx began. He had slipped into his old role of the briefing agent in the Organization, the one who hands out the missions and watches the other members either succeed or fail. It was a role he was accustomed to and somewhat enjoyed. “New worlds, new people, new threats. Now is a chance to not only cement your standing as a loyal member of Organization XII but also to rid us of any potential dangers,”

And yourself, if you have the chance

“Your task is simply to find such individuals and eliminate them,”

Saïx felt Marluxia’s unblinking stare on him and suppressed a shiver.

“With extreme prejudice,”

[marly]

Marluxia continued to stand there as Saix resumed his pacing, remaining still where he stood. He made no movements except for his eyes, which followed them whenever Saix came into view. What was this mission Saix had planned for Marluxia? The warning was easy enough to predict, Marluxia wasn't concerned about that. His curiosity grew every moment that Saix paced around him, saying nothing.

Of course the first thing that Saix said was the warning. Marluxia remained silent as Saix spoke, calculating his words. The fact that Marluxia had in essence painted a large target on his head was well known to the Graceful Assassin, and he had spent more time then he would like on thinking of where these possible threats may come up from. Of course the first member to pop into Marluxia's head was Vexen, but he knew the Chilly Academic, knew that Vexen wasn't completely lacking in intelligence.

Marluxia thought Vexen to be something of a joke. He demanded respect because he was one of the original six Organization members, but Marluxia had never given him such a thing. That would prove to be a problem, Vexen was now Lord of Castle Oblivion, and would undoubtedly be using his station to demand more respect. It didn't help that Xemnas had put Marluxia under Vexen's charge, which practically made it impossible for Marluxia to disrespect the Chilly Academic as he used to. But that was trivial, it made no real difference. In fact, Marluxia preferred that Vexen was Lord of Castle Oblivion this time around. If failure were to occur, then the Chilly Academic would be first in line to take the blame...

As Saix finished speaking his little warning, Marluxia gave a slight nod of his head. He was not opposed to showing the Lunar Diviner some measure of respect, even less now that he could see that without a good reason that Saix would not strike out at Marluxia. He was safe from Saix as long as the Superior required him, but Marluxia wouldn't use that sanctuary as a reason to openly mock Saix. "I am well aware of that target that now follows me, but you have my gratitude for the warning regardless." Up until now Marluxia had only ever been disrespectful to the Lunar Diviner, because he had never had a reason to do otherwise. Now, however, Saix was one of the closets things Marluxia had to an ally in the Organization, one of the few who had a reason not to kill the Graceful Assassin.

After a few more moments past Saix finally moved in front of Marluxia, who was still quite interested in hearing what mission Saix had in store for him. For a moment there was again only silence as Saix's gaze rested upon Marluxia, who returned it with his own empty stare. After those moments ended Saix began speaking once more, slipping into a role that Marluxia had seen him in many a times, a role that had helped him achieve his unspoken position as second in command. Saix had always been the one to give out missions to the Nobody's of Organization XIII, had always been charged with that task, at least as long as Marluxia had been in the Organization.

The first thing Saix spoke of was that this mission would not interfere with his responsibilities at Castle Oblivion, and that he could perform this duty at his own leisure. Marluxia didn't bother to make any form of reply as Saix stated that he was certain that Marluxia knew of the new worlds appearing, he knew the question to be rhetorical. Marluxia's curiosity was fulfilled as Saix then gave the objective of the mission, to find possible threats to the Organization, and then eliminate them. Marluxia found the urge to smirk a little more powerful then usual, but quickly smothered the fake urge.

The thing that Marluxia was most interested in about this mission was what Saix had said, that it would serve as a chance to cement his position as a loyal member of the Organization. Marluxia knew that his chances to do this would be somewhat limited, and the fact that Saix was giving him an opportunity to help his standing was a little surprising, to say the least. He had not expected such a boon from the Lunar Diviner, but he knew that there were other implications in the mission. What if Marluxia were to attempt to eliminate a threat, only to be eliminated himself? The Graceful Assassin was certain that Saix would not find that situation completely unsatisfactory. None the less, Marluxia found the opportunity promising.

Marluxia gave a final nod as Saix finished, telling him to go about the task with extreme prejudice. "It seems you would have me earn the title, Graceful Assassin." Marluxia thought the goal fitting to his disposition, to say the least. Though matters of keeping to ones title proved to be trivial to Marluxia, the thought provided some amusement to XI. Marluxia could sense that this meeting would be soon coming to an ending, unless there was something else that Saix would wish to address. Otherwise the Graceful Assassin had no inquires for Saix at this point, at least none that didn't relate to the mission he had just received.

"I understand and accept the condition of this mission." Marluxia always found it helpful to make it clear that one understood what was being said to them, no one enjoyed the consequences of miss-communications. "Is there any particular threats that you wish to be evaluated first, Saix?" Of course it would be an easy task for Marluxia to simply search for any threats on his own, but it would make it more convenient for the Graceful Assassin to have a starting place, at the very least. He found doing work for the Organization much easier when some of it had already been done for him.

[atlas]

"I am well aware of that target that now follows me, but you have my gratitude for the warning regardless."

Saïx’s eyes flashed towards the Graceful Assassin. What did that statement mean? Was Marluxia considering him, Saïx, a welcome ally? Were they now bosom friends? The thought of having the traitorous Number XI as a confidant was frankly unsettling. His mind rationalized it as nothing more than a mocking taunt, bringing to fore Saïx’s current inability to execute Marluxia here and now. Both of them knew quite well that this small meeting did not indicate the start of a long and fruitful relationship. More like a long and aggravating game of chess, with two players cautiously throwing pawns at each other, hoping for the other to topple. Saïx decided to disregard the statement and continued delivering the briefing.

No doubt Marluxia would use this unique situation to curry along whatever plans he had brewing in that keen mind of his. Saïx was giving him an unprecedented amount of freedom to be out there in the field once again. This won’t last long, given that the Superior has ordered him to be cooped up in Oblivion soon. However, this ample chance would provide him with enough opportunities to subvert the Organization once more. And Saïx would need to watch out for each and every one of those.

It seems that, once again, Saïx has caught himself inside another tripwire scheme to be played with a capricious and sneaky member of the Organization. There seemed to be no end of those. But he can’t fail no matter what. He has to be smarter than them, has to outsmart and outthink their moves. For the good of the Organization.

"I understand and accept the condition of this mission."

That’s that. For now, Marluxia will play the part of Assassin, in keeping with his title. A part he will wear well.

Marluxia was a being of many hidden depths. Few had predicted he would stage a rebellion once shipped off to Castle Oblivion, though Saïx and the rest of the upper echelons of Organization XIII had always detected a streak of insubordination amongst the two newer members, the so-called neophytes. Being the upstart youngsters that they were, they obviously had the same arrogant disposition possessed by adolescents when confronted by someone of authority. While streaks of disobedience were expected, outright mutiny was something else. If Axel hadn’t wormed his way towards Marluxia and Larxene’s little circle, there would’ve been a slim chance that he would be bowing to Marluxia right now.

For all Saïx knew, Marluxia could be forming a way to take the advantage right here in front of him. His cunning was on a level only matched by few members of the Organization, those that actually chose to use their brains. Lack of emotional impulses to impede them was the only boon they have, something that almost makes up for the hollowness that is the only thing felt by Nobodies. Without troublesome emotions, they were capable of anything they could set their minds to. Marluxia had taken this principle to; well not to heart but he definitely embodied it.

A formidable ally to have but an even deadlier enemy should things go awry. Inevitably, Saïx will see Marluxia at some point in the future in the other side, against him and the Organization. For now, they were temporary allies of convenience.

"Is there any particular threats that you wish to be evaluated first, Saix?"

Saïx raised an eyebrow at this query. Was the Graceful Assassin asking for help? Number XI was a perfectly capable tracker and hitman. His title alone would mean he was overqualified for the role. Did he think that it would be easy? Still, he might as well have a pointer or two. Saïx did not intend for Marluxia to die at the beginning. He was far too good for that.

“Very well, if it would please you,” Saïx replied. He had the perfect target in mind for Marluxia. “The other members have reported a strange man accosting them on separate occasion, in the case of Vexen, outright assault. The assailant was described as a young man with long silver hair, wearing a black leather coat not unlike ours. He wields a double-bladed katana and has been spotted around several worlds, mostly whenever one of our comrades are around,”

“We do not know for certain whether this man is an enemy or simply confused,” Saïx continued. His tone leavened to a neutral form, belying no hidden intent. “Vexen is convinced that this man is a possible threat to the Organization. I would like you to find out for yourself. Find this man and determine whether or not he is a viable threat to our operations. If so, then remove him before he acts against us,”

[Larxene]

[Thread has been ended]