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 Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:28 pm
((This rp is reserved for Xaldin and Dahlia and whomever else NinetailedNightmare and Angmar decide to invite in.))  It had been an offer he couldn't refuse. But not really. Even before there was an Organization, Braig and Dilan could be considered passable well-to-do acquaintances, working under the same man for the same causes. As Xigbar and Xaldin it had been the same, with the occasional drink and death threat mingled along the way. The short and long of it was that the two had known each other for quite some time. Enough time, at least, for Xaldin to know that he could trust a promise of self-restraint from Xigbar just as easily as he could trust a child to watch over a nuclear reactor. Even if they tried to behave, sooner or later they were going to lean their elbow on the control panel and blow up a major city. It had been an amusing offer at the very least, though. A week of no annoyances on Xigbar's part if the Lancer would only entertain his daughter for an evening- Number Two must be getting desperate.
And just when he'd managed to rid himself of the most part from one of those hellions! Now he was being asked to take care of another. Revelin was a demon under the guise of a kit, whether he had mellowed out now or not. Who knew what his sisters were like, especially the one who had to live with the Great Annoyance himself.
Xaldin had accepted the offer. If nothing else, it would be a chance to get another once-over of that child that got even Xigbar pulling out his hair. If he had to, the Nobody just figured that he could keep her from escaping their meeting place and still win the bet. But who knew? The annoyance of mine annoyance is...
Steam hissed free of slightly-parted lips and jaws, disappearing up into the bright light that streamed in and bounced around the opening of the mysterious ice cavern. He had heard of this place from a reliable source at the hole called home, but never actually visited it himself. The chill, he decided, bothered him only as much as the one at the peak of the mountain where he often dwelled. With his coat and tails swaying in his wake, Xaldin entered the predetermined meeting place. His indigo eyes sought nothing in particular at first, admiring the spectrum of colors made against the walls from the contorted rays of light through the various icicles hanging from above. Those could be lethal, certainly. Hopefully this kid wasn't a screamer.
Right. The kid. His nostrils flared slightly as he sought out a scent, or any sort of clue that he was not alone. "Dahlia." Came the short tenor note that reverberated through the cave with the sounds of winds passing through. For a moment though, they seemed to pause, if only for to make the summon clear for him.
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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:09 am
 Having not been present when her father presented his proposition to Xaldin was probably for the best of Dahlia's and no doubt, Xigbar's well being. She couldn't attest to the affect it would have had on Xaldin however, as she'd met him but once and that was long ago. But having been there would have no doubt spurred a heated argument over what inspired her father's latest bout of idiocy, and after hearing some half-assed makeshift reply, she would merely snort and remind him that he was a Nobody. And wasn't doing a very good job of acting like one. He would have, no doubt, thrown some sort of projectile in her general vicinity. A boot of his would have had potentially devastating consequences.
So it is no doubt for the better that she was informed of her jaunt and not it's conditions (though she did inquire) on the fly only a few moments before she was pushed none too gracefully out the door by the Kitsusagi who refused to walk. A muffled call-which was no doubt some sort of vain attempt at a clever dismissal was his only farewell to her before the realm behind closed doors again was silenced and Dahlia was left to contemplate the directions she had been given.
She could easily not seek out her new Keeper. She could easily sit right on this doorstep and she doubted her oblivious father would even notice. (That is assuming that he didn't patrol the grounds at some point. Which she couldn't attest to, and that was a habit she could see him picking up on.) Or she could simply wander off into the woods, granted she had done little in the ways of exploring, but there were other paths left by other creatures that she was confidant if she followed would lead to somewhere, perhaps even the Kitsusagi HQ which she'd yet to see. And if not, she'd just follow it home.
But after careful contemplation and a scornful glance backwards at the closed door, Dahlia supposed she should follow the sketchy instructions to this Ice Cave. She couldn't be disappointed by another Nobody. Her standard was low as is. And if she got lost along the way, the blame could yet again be pinned on the fathers less than exceptional skill at anything other than being an overbearing idiot.
After a half and hour she was thoroughly convinced he had anticipated her chagrin and had written out the most tedious and a**l directions she could imagine. And she would be floored if there wasn't a shorter way to this Cave. By this point she had tied her hair back to keep it from dragging upon the ground, but even that didn't prevent brambles from snaring in the charcoal and mercury locks. Using her teeth, she pulled the now sad looking piece of paper from her jacket once again to stare at it. Next to a friendly smiley face bullet point was the instruction: "Run straight ahead." the next line down adding in equally helpful and friendly lettering: "Look out-you'll look like an idiot."
Needless to say, Dahlia assumed that she didn't need to run, but she did indeed walk-straight ahead. And came upon a large rock slab, the ground of which was remarkably-uncomfortably-cooler than that which she'd been treading upon previously. But there was no one there. Except a rather foreboding looking grotto, the blue-black effect of the ice making her no more inclined to enter. Again she peered around the clearing, brows furrowing in a disappointed frown, "Xaldin?" She dearly hoped she hadn't come all this way for nothing. She was panting, she was dirty, her hair was a mess, and she'd be damned if another Nobody didn't show up.
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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:14 am
Xaldin could have continued on his journey up the mountain and felt no remorse for leaving a child to wait for him by herself in the middle of the mountain. Unless Xigbar had brought her, which was also understandable, him being her father. The notion of doing so, however, was to Xaldin something similar to saying he couldn't handle the job. He had said he would watch over the girl for the evening and that was just what he was planning to do. There was little for the Whirlwind Lancer to do as of late. He had no mate as Xigbar did, nor did he socialize particularly often. Taking care of Revelin, if you could truly call it that, had been a reprieve from it even though Xaldin didn't care to admit it. It would likely be the same case with this new brat... if he could find her.
No one was in the opening of the cave so far as he could see. He somehow doubted that Dahlia had ventured off into the darker parts of the cavern; not so far that she wouldn't hear him, in any case. So she had either bailed out on this or hadn't got there yet. With a soft snort, he turned and began to pad out of the cave, not pausing when his long ears twitched at a soft sound not too far off.
The broad, foreboding kitsu could be seen taking long, methodical strides out of the grotto of sorts, some of him seeming to melt from the shadow he left behind. His eyes scanned the terrain before him, not exactly knowing what he was looking for until they spotted Dahlia near the slab of rock located near the cavern. Alone, he noted- Xigbar hadn't even attempted to escort her up. Not very smart of him, considering the surroundings, but she was in one piece still, if not a little scuffed from the trek.
"I hear you're quite the hateful child," An idle remark as he neared her, his pace beginning to slow. He studied her discretely, though his eyes remained somewhat always trained on hers despite her being quite a bit smaller. It was a hard gaze that warned, but not one of an already-formed opinion. "And that your caustic remarks are driving your father up a wall in all the wrong ways. Today will not be such a case. I expect for you to respect me. In return... I will not make use of the fact that you are alone with me on this mountainside, and that it would take days to find the body of a teenager in a ravine. Fair enough?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 11:53 am
After her call she waited, her father's lectures not fallen on deaf ears, eyes the same color as his scanning her surroundings intently as he suggested she always do. She felt more like she was about to be attacked at home than she did here. Noting what she could before turning her attention to the cave, Dahlia considered her situation. It wasn't like she could actually do anything if danger showed its head anyway. Xaldin, whom she hoped was the oh so intimidating figure forming from the shadows of the Mountain's maw, would have to do that for her if the case called for it.
Because she was indeed her father's daughter it took more than a sudden appearance from a more than blatant hiding place to surprise her. She had spent the majority of her young life dealing with petty threats and jabs that were supposedly lessons in survival. Though when accompanied by incessant snickering she was doubtful of their weight. However her new company was larger than her father, both in height and built, which was something to be taken into account. Physical overpowering was something she, unfortunately, had no cure for.
"You hear from whom? Xigbar?" Her questioning was light, but even the first reply held an air of scorn. Dahlia refused to call her father by anything but his name, not his Organization title, nor his paternal one, he was always simply Xigbar to her. "His word is hardly one to be taken without a grain of salt, if taken at all." She sat, frowning intently and attempting to pick a few of the stickers out of her tangled mess of hair. "I was under the impression you were to be taking care of me, Xaldin." She went out on a limb and guessed that was who she was speaking to, "I'd imagine you'd have a hard time explaining to my mother, much less Xigbar how I managed to land myself in a precipice when I was supposedly under your protection."
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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 12:50 pm
"Who else?" There was a soft snort as she continued on to advise him against taking Xigbar seriously. "There is no need to lecture me about Xigbar. I have known him for years now; I would not suffer him otherwise. There is a bit of truth in every exaggeration, I have learned- the grain of salt, if you will. What it is remains to be discovered today, perhaps. I reserve my judgement until then."
His jagged brows had lifted minutely upon hearing her 'impression', his maw thinning out into an indistinguishable line. Then, a chuckle, sounding deep within his chest and expanding as he parted his jaws to let it through. There was not a hint of mirth within the sound, but the sort of sardonic amusement that could only come from one who couldn't put the real emotion behind it. Xaldin gave her a toothy smile, and it was anything but pleasant. "If you think for a moment that I would not displease your parents, you are mistaken. I was charged with keeping you away from your home today- I was never told in which manner I was to do it in, and if I was, I quite frankly did not listen. I am not afraid of your mother, nor your father, and you will be wise to make note of it, Dahlia. Though, if you really are curious, I'm not a bad liar at all. Perhaps you ran off on me and took an unfortunate tumble before I could do a thing- I could come up with something. Or maybe I'll settle for the truth, like I did when I tossed your brother down the slope of the mountain into a thorn bush. I didn't feel anything then, and I won't feel anything if you meet a similar fate. Your father is ruled by your mother's wishes, not I."
The smile faded, and once again he gave her a flat stare. With ease, he settled himself back onto his haunches, where he was not as imposing but still effectively cast his looming shadow over her. "I am here by my own will, and will stay until the day is over. If you are smart, you will make it my will to also keep you from harm instead of causing it. Now. What would you like to do?"
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Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 1:10 pm
Dahlia knew her father spoke poorly of her. Though what precisely he said to those he was close to she didn't know. And she imagined it was not the same he said to her. (That isn't to say he was imploring when in her company by any means.) And Xaldin's mention of such was perhaps more sullening than his previous threats of abandonment in dark holes. Her creased brow and slightly unfurled wings reflected such.
"I would not do something so foolish as to run freely in a forest I know nothing about, you would have to come up with something more convincing than that" Dahlia pointed out coolly, for the moment abandoning her endeavor to untangle her tresses. After a moment she continued. "I realize you do not fear them. You are incapable of fearing them, and even if you could--" she regarded his stature before returning her scrutinizing gaze to his violet eyes. "I'd imagine you could break Xigbar like a twig if the fancy happened upon you. I don't really care either way." She sneered slightly, the expression more natural than Xaldin's had been, which was only natural. She could feel, he could not. Why shouldn't she express herself better? "I'll assume then, that Xigbar has told us each a different version of events that were to be taking place, as it was my impression I was to stay out of the house so he could watch television without disturbance, and you were to assure that I returned in one piece."
She wasn't surprised, first impressions and lasting impressions side by side, she was reasonably confidant that Xigbar was yet again the one at fault. But by now, she supposed, that was to be expected, resigning herself, her attentions returned to a nasty looking prickle in her hair. "What're your conditions to what I'd like to do?" she asked longsufferingly, "If this is to be a pleasant afternoon I suppose I should be agreeable." She would listen to him, indulge at least that. But if there was anything absurd like go watch birds or count ants, he would be sadly disappointed.
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Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 11:26 pm
Xaldin was a perceptive one- when you toyed with others long enough, it eventually became a trait. Xigbar seemed to trigger as a sensitive subject with her, at least when it came to his thoughts on her. Were he looking to rile her up, he would have found it a good point to jab in with. Luckily, Xaldin found little challenge putting down a child, and besides that it seemed somewhat of a taboo to do such to... Well, suffice to say while Xaldin may have smacked him around a few times, he had never reduced Revelin to tears with words alone. For now, this tidbit was ticked away and stored in the Nobody's mind for later.
He kept her gaze with the natural nonchalance that came to him, only the occasional arch of his brow and manual twitch of his lips indicating that he was listening. Well well, she knew about his lack of emotion. Not surprising, considering. As to her statement of telling the both of them different stories, Xaldin rolled his thick shoulders idly. "I would not put it past him- the trick is simple enough. It is not yet my intention to break you into pieces, and for the moment I'm all that is here. I don't suppose you were planning on picking any fights today? Or finding holes to fall in? I can't fathom a situation that would put you in danger if you were to behave yourself."
There was a scoff at her question, but as soon as she was done speaking, he indulged. "You are not to touch my hair. If you bite me, expect to be bitten back. Other than that, I couldn't care less what you do. I don't know what you like to do; I'm not trained in the ways of children, so any of your games are at a loss on me. It doesn't matter to me if I'm included at all." But he still might indulge her. If she was going to suggest playing house or anything like that, though, she was playing by herself.
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Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 7:59 am
For the first time since she'd arrived impish mirth managed to fix it's self across her otherwise perturbed features, a small, sharp laugh, one that found his statement utterly absurd and wasn't afraid to let him know, escaped her before she could think to contain it. And her expression took after her father's, though she didn't realize it, nor would she accept it should she ever do. "Bite you?" She made a strained face as though attempting to envision such an act, "Why would I want to bite you? I am not teething. I am not rabid. You'd probably taste god awful." After a moment's consideration she added, "No offense." Not because she actually worried that he would take offense (knowing that he couldn't) but because she took his threats of civility to heart. And supposed she shouldn't press herself too far.
After her dismissal of his offense, she broke her attention to survey her surroundings once again. "My means of occupying myself is attempting to understand your kind." She said after a moment, "And attempting to dodge cups of lemonaid spilled from the ceiling meant, supposedly, to simulate an aggressor." She sat, throwing her weight to the ground in an irritable manner and instead of attempting to throw method into the madness of her hair, merely redid the haphazard bun it had been tossed into previously. "I don't play games." To further her point she swept a paw across the landscape with an unimpressed expression. What could possibly be amusing up here? All there was were thorns and frostbite and bugs. "What does Revelin do to amuse himself?" she questioned halfheartedly. But she figured it was safe to bet he was the one biting and clawing at hair, since the consequence of rolling down hills came so swiftly whereas the occupation of time was at a loss to both of them.
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Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 10:45 pm
The Lancer did not so much as bat an eye as she took up laughing as a response. He eyed her grin however, and recognized it quite quickly. For a split second, he debated between the urge to smack her for it or grin back. Quite a stirr, something as simple as a little sneer like that could cause. It didn't last for long, of course, and in the end he decided doing neither of what he had thought about and allowed her to finish up with only a snort and a doubtful expression. "You are a child. You all have your own nasty little quirks that are bothersome. I am merely informing you that those are the ones I don't tolerate. Nontaken, of course."
Didn't play games? "I see." But he didn't really believe her yet. He had heard previously of her interest in Nobodies, and mentally confirmed it now. "Well, I'm afraid my kind are not so eager to tell those who cannot possibly understand about themselves. I do not know if your father told you, but there is a clause of secrecy to uphold at this rank of power." His tone was easily neutral and for a while his gaze went straight through and beyond her, beyond the mountain itself. "Not only that, but I hear you don't like us at all. I've no need to disclose information that could possibly be used against us." He gave pause, in which he snapped free of his musings and answered what was to him a formal, nonsensical question.
"Revelin... his days were spent mostly practicing being irritating. Apparently it is some sort of technique to him. Often enough, I was the only one around to annoy along with the occassional beetle or stray child. He goes off on his own mostly these days- I care not where. At sunset he meets me at the foot of the mountain and that is all I've seen of him since he grew. He's quite tired when he returns, so I can only imagine..." If he was disappointed, or angry, or relieved, Number Three did not display it. He stated simple fact, tonelessly.
((This post was tripe))
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:56 pm
Revelin was apparently a pointless subject to bring up, as he neither provided any more reason to discuss him, nor any outlet of other topics. Dahlia had not grown so attached to him when she had met him that she felt the need to discuss him further on that grounds either.
"I don't dislike Nobodies." She stated simply, followed by a sound of haughty indignation. "My experience with them, with Xigbar more specifically has led me to the assumption that their falsities are more predominant than their identities." She turned, eying the way she had come with a sour expression. "If you feel nothing you should act as though you feel nothing, not traipse about tying strings in doorways and laughing in peoples faces as they fall to the ground." She was of course, though directing the comment in his direction, not speaking of Xaldin at this point. She sat, "Xigbar has told me little of you, or the others, merely that there are some. He's only explained Nobody physiology in general to me." She eyed her elder curiously with that comment, "I don't see what the point is in the facade of emotion, it doesn't fool anyone."
Xigbar was regrettably not as stupid as he appeared and refused to tell her any more than the fact that he was amazing. He had powers, and he had no heart. He couldn't feel, but he could remember, and they'd get them back eventually, (sometimes adding with a roll of his eye, "That is, if we ever get out of these fur-coats.") And the concept of that annoyed her to no end. Which in turn, annoyed her father.
Dahlia looked up at Xaldin yet again after a moment, absently wiping a smudge from her jacket, and asked in all innocence, "Would you really fear for the safety of your group should I get my child-paws on some information of yours?"
(P: We've been struggling with that throughout.)
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Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:58 pm
Xaldin gave an acknowledging sort of grunt as she explained her opinions, what she knew, and what she thought she knew. It was almost exactly like Xigbar had said; she had already built her expectation of what a Nobody should be, even though little had been explained to her. Eventually, the sound rumbling in his chest could be likened to a very cruel, yet hallow chuckle. It was really almost amusing as he mulled it over. Too bad he couldn't truly feel the effects.
"Xigbar is a trickster; he has always been that way. There is a difference between your emotion and second nature. You put him on a pedestal and expect him to behave in ways that he is just not and of course you will receive grief. It may be a little cliche, but expecting him not to lie or control himself is like telling a leopard to change the pattern of its spots by will alone. The Freeshooter is annoying- it has nothing to do with his emotion or lack there of."
He gave a steady stare before he shifted, giving a light flick to a small insect with his toe to send it flying off into oblivion. "I do not intend to mislead you, but such a statement is absurd. Asking me not to express anything is like me telling you that must express yourself constantly. As for giving you any information, I am not afraid of what you may do with it," With a graceful motion that might seem uncharacteristic of his size, Xaldin laid himself upon the smooth ground, though his head remained high for speaking. It seemed like they would likely be here for a while, and now he was somewhat level with her. "Perhaps... I simply do not feel like explaining it to you." His eyebrows lifted casually, challengingly as he stared back at her.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 12:14 pm
His explanation of Xigbar's apparent nature was a disappointment, but not one which was all together unexpected. She refused to accept that he was on any sort of pedestal in her eyes, but she supposed that she was constantly disappointed by him, perhaps she realized that she asked what she shouldn't. That didn't mean she should cease to ask however, as even if his nature was substandard that didn't mean his behavior couldn't improve.
Fluffing herself like a bird might against the wind, Dahlia curled a tail around her legs so that she could continue to occupy herself by picking at the loose hair there while she spoke. Who's to say also that she was not shielding against the chill of the Mountain as she was not so weather-hardened as some, "And if someone more formidable inquired as to your identities?" she implored, leaning forward ever so slightly at his final statement. "Would you still claim apathy, or would your denial shift to reflect your opinion of them?"
Her expression shifted into one of ever so slight uncertainty as he settled to the ground, the action almost making her want to straighten her own posture slightly in response. But for one reason or another she dismissed the inclination and settled herself again at eye level. Slowly she tilted her head to the side, hair falling to the side as she did, "Do you shy from trust or power?"
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