genessia | [BACKDATED to Nov 4th- late morning]

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[BACKDATED to Nov 4th- late morning]

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I know it's been a few days, but... [Arelen's blushing slightly, and not wanting to look at the camera. After a few moments, she closes her eyes, takes a breath, and faces it so she's on screen properly.]

I only remember acting strange, and, well... doing things I normally would have done... or said.

[Frustrated sigh as the blush gets brighter.]

I just wanted to apologize for my actions a few nights ago at the Halloween party. I was stupid, and I drank way too much.

So... [Purses her lips and looks away again, growling at herself for having to do this, and takes another breath, composing herself, and looks to the camera again, sincerity in her eyes.]

I'm sorry if I offended anyone or made anyone feel uncomfortable.

[She looks to the side, frowning, then clicks the feed off.]

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[Action- Apartment]

In the apartment, Arelen had been avoiding her roommate like the plague, and since she had decided to send the public apology, she figured she would have to face him sooner or later.

It would have been better, in her opinion, if she hadn't remembered anything that she said or did, especially regarding him, but the universe hated her. She didn't blame it, either.

Arelen just hadn't been the same since that stupid scare in Attleton, and it was starting to irritate her- more irritating was the fact that she didn't actually blame anyone else besides herself... that was new. And painful... and annoying as all hell.

Having no real motivation to do anything besides go to work and come home to read or sleep, she hadn't really gone all out with her baking this day, having made a quick batch of shortbread cookies with strawberry jam on them. Easy enough, and probably the only way she might entice said roommate to come out of his room and talk to her for longer than a few minutes.

That was probably her fault too.

Either way, she brewed some tea into some mugs and set them, sugar, cream, and the cookies on the coffee table in the living room. She ground her teeth, trying to convince herself that she didn't need to talk about anything. This was stupid.

Then again, maybe she was too.

Emotions did that to people.

"Ugh."

Arelen took one final deep breath before walking to his room and knocking on the door.

"Hey Demyx? Can I... talk to you? About something?" She frowned and quickly followed it up, "I made some tea and strawberry cookies."

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He hadn't been avoiding her, not exactly. The first day he'd been so sick and hungover he hadn't given her much thought.

The second day he'd sworn alcohol was a terrible idea.

After that she'd been busy which was good, because he remembered their discussion at the party, and he still didn't know what to make of it.

"Hang on." He answered her after a moment and there was the thud of him pulling on his boots and the zip of him doing up his coat. He opened the door.

"What's up?"

There was an instant blush of embarrassment that she immediately began to hate herself for, but held her head high.

"Just... wanted to talk. I have the tea and cookies in the living room?"

It was an open offer as she walked to where she mentioned. She then frowned and sat on the sofa, trying her hardest to look indifferent. Probably failing at it as well.

Arelen reached for a couple of cookies, and started to nibble at one of them nervously, obviously thinking too hard on what she wanted to say.

"So... I didn't mean to keep, you know, avoiding you. I've just been... busy."

Hey look, that tea might be getting cold, that's a distraction. After she took a sip, she set the mug down and nibbled on the cookie again.

"I should just come out and say it. I'm sorry about how I acted the other night at the party, and I won't be asking you for money to live here anymore."

Demyx followed her easily and sat down. He waited for her while he sipped his tea.

"Okay." He blinked and shrugged, she could be as busy as she liked, he hadn't really thought she was avoiding him, but if they could avoid the topic he'd take it.

He looked up when she got to the point and he froze a moment.

"Oh...Oh." It had gotten weird and embarrassing and she was kicking him out. He should have known that day would come, it wasn't like he was that easy to get along with. He ran his fingers through his hair. There were so many reasons she'd be fed up with him, he was a lousy roommate. He made a lot of noise with his sitar, he ate her food even though it was unnecessary.

"Okay. I get it. Well...um. Right away?"

"What? I mean... yeah I guess. If that's what you want. I can pick up a bounty or something to pay for this month until they get back to me about that baking job."

She raised an eyebrow at him, "Don't look so nervous, this is already hard enough for me to talk about as it is."

Arelen gestured to the plate of cookies.

"I figured I'd make you cookies, since I know you like strawberry. Kind of like a peace offering? Or something." She rolled her eyes. "Look, I don't know how to properly apologize for being a major idiot, okay?"

"Nah, it's fine. You can have it anyway. I'm not going to use it." Demyx shook his head. He hadn't realized he was distressing her so he schooled his features, something well practiced.

"You didn't need to make me cookies. It's fine."

Demyx shakes his head a little. "So...I guess I shouldn't drag this out." He stood up.

"See you around, Larx."

She almost choked on her tea.

"Wait what?!"

Arelen grabbed his arm in an attempt to stop him, but let go almost immediately, afraid of touching more than she needed to.

"I didn't- I'm not kicking you out!"

She opened her mouth to say more, but hesitated on her words before finding them.

"I meant... I'm not going to be a bother to you! I'm just not going to charge you rent anymore. I want you to stay!" She caught what she was saying and looked at her hands, "I mean... if you want... you can leave if you wanted to."

"You're not?" Demyx frowned a little, looking confused. "I don't understand. Why would you do that?"

He didn't like being so confused, and matters of the heart confused him exhaustively.

"You said when I moved in here, I had to give you my money for rent. I don't understand why you want to change that."

What would he do with the money anyway? He was giving it to Larxene.

"Look, I just... I don't want you to feel obligated to me for anything."

She took her tea and sipped it, frowning again, but not looking at him.

"I don't want to be the reason for your stupid complaining anymore. I'm trying to be a different person, a NICER person, and I just-" she ran a hand through her hair with a frustrated noise, "look, I said I want you to stay living here, and you don't need to pay anything, and forget what I said before because it's NOW that matters, okay?!"

"Uh, well you're letting me stay here." So he did feel somewhat obligated to be there and do what she said, it's her apartment, at least he's always thought so.

"Sorry, I won't complain." He thought she knew him, and he complained about everything, it was just how he was.

"But what am I supposed to do with my money?"

He honestly didn't understand.

"You... keep your money. Spend it on stuff you like. I don't know, maybe something to help your music or something. I don't know."

Arelen sighed, and sipped her tea again.

"Listen, Demyx, there's... something else." She looked into her tea, frowning for a few moments. "I'm sorry I..." her cheeks were flushed and she almost mumbled her next words, "I'm sorry I was touching you at the party. I shouldn't have and... yeah so... sorry."

"I was spending it on rent." That was what adults did, right? He didn't really need anything, he certainly hadn't bought anything so far. He seemed bewildered.

"Oh..that..." Did they have to talk about that.

"It's okay. I mean. You're forgiven?" How was he supposed to respond?

"...I didn't really...it was weird."

"And now you don't have to spend it on rent, I've got us covered. As long as you want to live here."

She frowned, "I know it was weird. And I should have stopped when I saw the look on your face, and it was uncalled for." She nibbled at the cookie in her hand, blushing and not wanting to look at him, "I won't do it again, I promise..." her next words were quiet, but she hoped he knew how serious she was about the awkward situation, "with all my heart."

"Why do you have to change it?" He asked with a bit of a frown. He was very unnerved by sudden changes, it was a far departure from doing the same thing every day in the Organization.

"I don't know...what to say about all that." He was out of his depth.

"I'm not too sure why you did that anyway. It was just weird. And the um, kiss and stuff. I'm not, I mean, I can't like you." He finally spat it out.

"Not like that, I just, can't."

"Stop complaining about changing things, when it's obviously benefiting you, and-" she paused, gulped, and looked scared and embarrassed at the same time.

"Wait kiss?! I don't remember- what did I-" She looked away, and didn't know how to feel getting that piece of information, as well as the confirmation that she almost already knew about his feelings- or lack thereof.

"Look, it doesn't matter anymore. I'm not going to bother you. We'll be roommates, and you can eat my food if you want, and..." Arelen took a breath, "And I'm still going to do everything I can to help you get your heart back. That's not changing."

"But I don't..." He let out a bit of a whine, but clamped down on the complaining, but it was frustrating. He was used to knowing where the limits were and she was moving them all over the place.

"Just my cheek, but still weird." Demyx muttered. "It was a surprise."

"So...you don't want to talk to me anymore?" It sounded like she was going to ignore him, or the fact he was in the apartment at all, and that was weird. Why did she want to change everything?

"No, Demyx, that's not what I'm sayi-" she sighed.

"Of course I want to talk to you. But I don't..." Arelen thought about her words.

"I want to be your friend. And I want to talk to you." She smiled softly, "And make you my guinea pig for all of the things I bake. You can tell me if I've got the recipe correct from home."

She gave him a sort of sad smile, "But I don't think you know me. But I'll be here when you're ready to get to know me."

Demyx tilted his head, his brow furrowed. He was so beyond confused by her words, he didn't even know where to start and he was feeling like he'd been thrown in the deep end with no idea how to swim - which really was a stupid worry, because water mage - and he didn't know what to do.

She wanted to be his friend, and talk to him, but he was doing something wrong. That wasn't so surprising because his interpersonal relationships were challenging at best because that had not been a focus for roughly half his life.

He pressed his lips together in a slight thoughtful frown.

"I don't...understand. Can you explain it to me?"

Arelen thought about it... really thought for a few moments that seemed longer to her than she would have liked, but she really wanted him to understand.

"I don't think I can," she smiled softly, "I really can't. At least... I don't think I'm the right person to explain." She reached out to touch his arm, almost on instinct, but mid-way there, she brought it back awkwardly.

"But... you need to know that I'll always be here for you to talk to. And I think-" she tilted her head, "I think you wanting to understand? I think there might be something where your heart used to be. I feel it. There's something there."

She shook her head.

"Sorry, I guess this isn't the time or place, right?" a light laugh, "I can be an idiot sometimes too. Just don't tell anyone, or you're dead." There wasn't anything behind the threat- if anything, it seemed like a half-hearted joke.

"I didn't make those cookies for nothing. Have some more."

He was watching her hand and she pulled away. He wasn't sure what to think about that, or any of it. He was far more confused than he wanted to be right then.

Demyx sighed heavily. "I don't think confusion counts as a feeling thing. I think it's just a sign I'm an idiot."

He didn't react to her joking threat, and if he thought it was serious he would've. He shrugged helplessly. "I'm not hungry or anything."

It was another thing that stood between them, because she was different and he wasn't. He didn't understand anything right about then so he got up.

"Uh, thanks anyway, for the cookies I ate. I think I'm going to play Arpeggio."

He could get out his thoughts through music and try and make sense of them.

Ah, you must be Demyx roommate. I've heard a lot about you.

[Take that as you will, Larxene.]

Alcohol makes idiots of most of us. And I say 'most' because it doesn't really affect me in the sligthest.

I am.

I don't... remember you at the party? And it must be nice to not have a reaction to alcohol.

I was in a different body at the time. That one also can't get affected by alcohol.

[Yes, great explanation.]

My name is K-2SO, I'm a friend of Demyx.

Oh.

[Looks away with an almost sad expression, then smiles softly.]

I'm glad he's been making more friends. I'm Arelen. He... probably calls me Larxene.

Wait... Kay-too what? Are you- What are you?

[After the things he's heard about her, he's surprised by how emotional he seems in her post. This is why Kay wants to talk to people before judging.]

Nice to meet you Arelen. Why does he do that? Was that your nickname before?

I'm a KX series enforcer droid. Now I work as a Deputy in the Attleton's guardian office and as a bouncer in a gay club. [Multitasking at its finesst.]

~~Bouncer in a-?~~ Right...

Well, it WAS my name for a long time. It was my name when I met him.

But it was given to me when I didn't have a heart, so when I woke up with one, I went back to the name my parents gave me.

It's called the Velvet Lust.

You should tell him to call you by the new one, if that's the one you like more. How did you get your heart back? I know that he would like his fixed too.

Of course it's called Velvet Lust.

[Shakes her head, then makes a thoughtful face before answering almost casually.]

I don't mind that he calls me Larxene. It's easier for him... more comfortable for him. Also, I don't think my way of getting my heart back is the best way for him. I was killed, and woke up with one.

'Of course'? Is it a common name among this kind of establishments? I thought it was one of a kind but I haven't gone to a lot of those.

Maybe it's easier for him but it's your identity. I'm sure he can learn to call you by your real name, it's only fair. That's...unusual. Can you give me some more information about the situation of your death? Maybe that will have something to do with how you get your heart back.

I forgot you're a Droid. [Sighs.] I was being sarcastic.

[She handwaved.]

It's fine really, I don't care that he calls me by my old name. Like I said, it's comfortable for him.

[She frowned, trying to think of a way to explain her death.]

Well, I was struck down by some kid, with a weapon called a "keyblade"- it's this sword-like weapon on my world that only a few people can wield, something about their hearts being pure or some stupid crap like that. Anyway, he struck me down with it until I was weak, I took the final blow, and I disappeared- died. That's pretty much it.

But apparently, it doesn't NEED to be the keyblade that does it, because Lea sacrificed himself, and he came back with a heart.

[She facepalmed with a frustrated sigh.]

But don't go thinking killing Demyx is going to fix him, because then you'll have to go through me.

There's gotta be another way.

I understand sarcasm. [And use it very often. if only you new, Larxene.] But I fail to see why it should be directed at my job. There's nothing bad about the Velvet Lust. You should come and give it a look, have a few drinks...maybe meet someone.

Very well, if you are sure.

Was that kid arrested for murdering you? And no, I wasn't thinking about killing Demyx. I happen to like him too.

...I don't know what happened, but...there are drinks that make you do bad things?

Technically alcohol is considered a drug- aka a bad thing in most worlds. That alone can make you think and do stupid things.

[Facepalms hard, more at herself.]

Like pet the bare chest of your roommate...

I...think I'll pass on the alcohol. I don't know if I would be able to digest it anyway...

[So maybe it wouldn't make her drunk?]

Yeah, no idea what I was thinking at the party. Did I do anything stupid to you?

Ah...no...I don't think so. Maybe you shouldn't drink that stuff anymore?

Yeah well, that's the plan. That I'm probably not going to follow. At least I won't drink as MUCH.

I just did a lot of stupid stuff that I shouldn't have to people I care about.

But...why wouldn't you follow it? Wouldn't you be afraid of doing those things again if you continue to drink it?

[Hmm. This one seems interesting enough for her to engage with and even more so the energy she can practically feel in those words. Good, good, this is worth her time and effort.

She's clicking on the video feed with a neatly manicured nail and trying to put on the most sincere smile. She's gotten good at faking sincerity after all of these years, after all.]

I doubt anyone's upset with you, darling, alcohol tends to make even the most stoic of dwarves do things that are wildly out of their normal nature. No need to beat yourself up about it and if those around you refuse to let it go, then... you don't deserve them.

[A small wave of her hand is all she's getting for a moment before there's what appears to be a mannequin peering over her shoulder.]

Or you can always make some new friends who truly appreciate who you are even during an off time. Humans are such fickle creatures, after all.

I might need new friends after the crap I pulled.

[Raises an eyebrow.]

I don't think I've met you. And you sound like you have a disdain for humans. I can't blame you, but I SHOULD warn you that I AM one.

I do believe this place has more than enough people for that to be completely possible.

[She's shrugging a little at the secondary comments, that smile never faltering despite that mannequin crawling a little more up her shoulder to just have a completely featureless face peer at the device as if it's alive.]

I'm fairly new and have kept mostly to my own devices. And I don't hold disdain for humans, necessarily, just that they tend to be the ones to do this sort of thing. Besides, humans and elves aren't that different, in theory.

Ain't nothin to apologize for, least, not to me. You drank a bit much. It happens.

[ He shrugs, and then looks at the camera, frowning. ]

... You doin all right?

[Frowns.]

Yeah... I'm okay I guess. I apologized to Demyx, but things are still... weird. Uggggh... [The camera moves a bit as it shows her getting comfortable in her bed, and pulls the blanket over her shoulders.]

Why am I such an idiot, you know?

[ Shinjiro doesn't want to ask.

He doesn't.

He doesn't.

... But Arelen looked so miserable, that he felt like he had to. So. Well. This was his life now. ]

... What happened?

Well apparently I kissed him. [Facepalms slowly.] I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER THAT.

And well, it led to- UGH...

Look, I'm going to tell you, and ONLY you, and you better not tell anyone else or I swear to all that is holy that you will not live to tell another person!

[She was blushing profusely now, almost angrily pouting. Double checking that the video is private.]

Look, so, I have... ugh... feelings for him. Not that it matters now since he pretty much rejected me. Not like... I was... I don't know.

[Puts the phone down, screams into a pillow, then comes back.]

Yeah so. I'm an idiot.

[ Shinjiro was patiently listening, frowning, and only interjected once, to mutter - ]

Who the hell would I tell, anyway?

[ And otherwise listened patiently the whole way through.

This ... this was really outside of Shinjiro's depth. Beyond his pay grade. Not part of his skill set. Just. Why. Why why why.

Because she didn't have anybody else to talk to, that's why. He wondered if Arelen had any other friends, here, and. Damn it. That meant he had to somehow help, or be comforting, while not messing it up.

Damn it. ]

... You're not an idiot.

But this is kinda a shitshow.

It sucks.

[ ... How was Demyx doing about this whole thing?

One problem at a time. ]

How much does he seem t'remember, anyway?

[Lea gives a reassuringly dorky smile.]

Apology accepted. Having a few too many can make anybody do stuff they regret in the morning.

Glad you're feeling better, by the way.

[A simple sentiment, though an honest one.]

[He wants to make fun of her so bad. The temptation is strong. But she looks to be feeling genuinely low and contrite and it'd be pretty low to kick her while she's down.

So he'll make fun...kinda. In a well-meaning way.]

Goodness, now I'm sorry I missed it.

[Compromise!]

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