Psychic
This isn't your world anymore. [Trash archive] => News/Help/Etc. => It's mine. => Misc. => Topic started by: Blue on October 23, 2011, 03:40:17 pm
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This is actually the full-er bio of Demyx, that I've actually had written up for awhile, I just never... put up publicly. I wrote this to derp around and explain to myself how Dem, the Academy, and the Organization all worked. [shrug] Sort of...
---
His life was about as boring and normal as you could get. He had two parents, two siblings, a dog, and a house. A normal, boring house in a suburb outside of the capital. His father had a normal, boring job and his mother was a normal, boring housewife. Every day was the same, and nothing was ever going to change.
At least until Xigbar came along.
Demyx must have been fifteen when he first met the man. He attended the local public school - which was cheap and cutting all the art and music programs for s h i t like science and math - and rode the bus to and from school. Well, when he actually went. He wouldn't call himself a deliquent, but he had much better ways of spending his time than sitting in a classroom for seven hours listening to old hags and 'hip, young teachers' prattle on about crap no one cared about. So most days he skipped class and met up with friends. Like he cared about academics. He was going to get a normal, boring job like his father and live a boring, normal life. It was just... how it was going to be.
That day, his friends had suggested taking a bus into the city and exploring there. Even though they were maybe half an hour from downtown, they rarely traveled into the city itself. Why bother? Sure, it was fun, but mostly it was just a pain getting there and back in time to pretend like they had attended class. But this day, one of them had insisted, and so here they were, downtown. Well, that wasn't true. Demyx was downtown - he couldn't say for sure where anyone else was. He had gotten lost, and so was instead wandering around aimlessly, taken back by the sheer number of people walking around, even in the middle of the day, not to mention all the skyscrapers and fountains and tiny parks around.
He had been too busy staring at a particularly interesting piece of architecture to notice that he was walking straight into a busy intersection. Right before he had taken that potentially fatal step into the road, however, a hand grabbed him by the shoulder and roughly pulled him back. Demyx practically fell against whoever had grabbed him, and was shoved back into standing. He coughed to cover up his embarrassment - although he was sure his face was bright red by now - and turned to actually see who had 'rescued' him.
Xigbar - not that he knew his name at the time - must have been in his mid-thirties at least, and he was Demyx's definition of 'cool' to a T. His hair, long with streaks of silver, was slicked back into a tasteful ponytail. One eye was covered by an eye patch - definitely cool - while the other one was a brilliant gold. His face showed the wear and tear of years, and a large scar on his right side - unsightly to some, incredibly awesome to Demyx - graced his face, stretching from his jawline all the way up to his eye. Immediately, Demyx knew he was in love. Not romantic love, but the fascination and adoration of someone who had just discovered his new idol.
Pulling out a gun and shooting a guy across the street didn't exactly hurt, either.
The blonde's eyes were wide and his mouth was probably hanging open as he kept switching back to Xigbar, to the guy now lying on the pavement, and back to Xigbar. What? This was insane! Didn't anyone else see? Why was everyone just walking passed the poor guy, their faces glancing at him in disgust?
"Psychic," the older man grunted - seriously, even his voice was practically dripping with cool - as he put his gun back in its holster. Not without a twirl to embellish it, probably because this time he had an audience. "Don't give me that look, kid. I swear they're just tranquillizers. Like I'd kill in broad daylight. Now come on, help me carry him to my car."
Who was he to refuse a request - well, more of an order - from his newfound idol? Carrying a body was a lot harder than it looked, but Xigbar seemed amused by Demyx's attempts to hide how much he was huffing and puffing he was during all of it. It was so mortifying. But, just when he thought it was over - they successfully stuffed the guy in Xigbar's trunk - the man invited him... to get some ice cream with him. Demyx barely resisted bursting out in laughter at the suggestion, but again, he wasn't going to refuse more time with the man. He wanted to know everything.
And he did. Xigbar was a Hunter for the Organization, and Demyx had happened to bump into him while he was on a mission. It was a dream come true for the blonde. Of course he had heard about the Hunters - who hadn't? - but this was the first time he had actually seen one close up. Not that he would have known it unless Xigbar had told him - today he was 'undercover', so he wasn't wearing the iconic black cloak all Hunters were issued. In fact, he looked like anyone else that day. Well, sort of. He looked completely out of place eagerly lapping down an ice cream cone. But still, he could even make eating ice cream look cool.
"Have you ever considered becoming a Hunter yourself, Dem?" he asked lightly, glancing at the boy. Demyx squeaked - oh yeah, real mature there, he thought bitterly - and shook his head quickly. He turned his head, trying to hide yet another flush.
"Y-you've gotta be kidding me, s-sir," he stumbled - he couldn't exactly be comfortable calling him by his name, let alone by a nickname. "Me, a Hunter? Ha, that'll be the day! Really, that's... just stupid. Ridiculous. I mean, don't get me wrong, that'd be like, the best job ever, but... well, I know how things work. You have to be eighteen and take a test. I'm fifteen, and I suck - hard - at tests."
"There's the Academy." Ah, the Academy, of course. The Academy was a private school founded by the Head of the Organization himself, Galenth Dysley. It was easily the best school in the entire nation, and it was where they trained all Hunter hopefuls. Sort of. Basically, it was a pompous rich school that rich brats went to, and it was the easy track to becoming a Hunter. They specifically trained you physically and mentally for the job, and Demyx heard that those who graduated from the Academy with high enough marks didn't even have to take the Hunter's exam. But, the problem was the Academy only took rich kids or super smart geeks who managed to get a scholarship.
"Ha, that's even less likely," Demyx snorted, nibbling on his cone. "There's no way my parents could afford the tuition at that place, and I'm not exactly book smart. I heard you can also get in if you do the headmaster, but I'm not that desperate. Nah, I'll just... you know, get a normal job, maybe run away and be a traveling musician. Ha, but a Hunter... no way, as awesome as that would be."
He couldn't help adding a sad sigh at the end. Being a Hunter was a dream job, really. It was just so... so exotic, he supposed. They made awesome money, and they were somewhere between policemen and assassins. They were like the Head's personal guard, hunting down the psychics that terrorized the world. They helped people, got to fight without getting in trouble, and they got paid great.
Xigbar's chuckling was what pulled Demyx from his thoughts, and he just stared blankly at the Hunter. What... was so funny? But the older man just kept laughing, shaking his head. "Look, I like you, Dem. I think you have great potential. I'll take care of everything, alright?"
---
That's how, not two weeks later, Demyx was staring up at the front gates of the Academy. It had all happened so fast, his head was still spinning. He had left Xigbar when his friends showed up and hurried home. Honestly, he had forgotten all about Xigbar until he showed up a week later at his house(not that Demyx had ever told him the address). After a short meeting with his parents, he explained that he was going to mentor Demyx, allowing him a free ride into the Academy and personally tutoring him when he had free time. His parents were skeptical at first, but Demyx's begging and Xigbar's assurance eventually convinced them, and he was packing his bags. Had he mentioned that the Academy was a g o d d a m n boarding school?
But right off the bat, Demyx was at a disadvantage. He was a year behind most of the other students his age there, and his old school couldn't hold a candle to the material being taught there. He tried, really, but he had never been good at school, and most everything went over his head. If it wasn't for Xigbar coming around every few days and tutoring him extensively, he would have failed out in a couple of weeks. The only classes he could actually do well were the physical education classes the the odd music or art class.
Even if his grades weren't sparkling, Demyx had never been happier in his life. He was actually at the Academy, something he could only dream about, and he had more friends than he had ever had in his life. He had never been disliked, but it wasn't like he was the popular kid in school. Well, until now. He couldn't help it - he was absolutely ecstatic to be here, and he just... was nice to everyone, and everyone noticed. He became close with his roommate, Lexaeus, as well as a couple of others. Soon they were all a group - Larxene, Cissnei, Maqui, and Yuj. They did everything together, and for the first time in his life Demyx felt like he was in control of his life, and that he could have something more than either becoming a boring business man or a starving, penniless traveling musician.
--
[blah blah random Academy crap that I'll fill in later, maybe. :/]
---
While the Academy had an official graduating ceremony, the only people who actually went to it were the ones not becoming Hunters. People like Demyx, however, went and took the test right on their 18th birthday. The whole rumor about not taking the test was just that - a stupid rumor. If they scored high enough to pass, well, then they never went back to class, simple as that. If someone failed, though, then they just studied like mad and went every week until they made it... or gave up and took a different job at the Organization. By the time Demyx's birthday came around, Larxene and Lexaeus had already passed their tests with flying colors. Maqui and Yuj had already decided on other jobs within the Organization, and Cissnei wasn't turning eighteen for another two months.
That morning, he was absolutely restless, fidgeting and scanning the room every few minutes, despite the fact that he was in a peaceful local diner with Xigbar. He needed 'a champion's breakfast' to prepare him for the test, according to him. For his mentor, a champion's breakfast meant a never-ending supply of eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, pancakes, muffins, and all of it covered in thick, authentic maple syrup. As much as he... appreciated the older man's fine tastes, he could barely get a bite down. His stomach was doing back flips and his throat was dry no matter how much orange juice, milk, coffee, or any other liquid Xigbar passed to him.
Oh, who was he kidding? He couldn't do this! He was going to screw up royally, get such a terrible score they would not only laugh in his face, but slam the door in his face and refuse to let him get anywhere near the Organization again! Xigbar was going to beat him black and blue for making him the butt of every joke - just imagine the Great Xigbar taking in such a fool for his apprentice! - and then toss him back to his parents. Oh, and his parents would realize just how worthless he was and he would end up some homeless old man, digging through garbage looking for his next meal! He was scum, worthless scum!
"Woah, chill out, Dem," Xigbar said with a chuckle. "You look like you're s h i t t i n g a baby giraffe."
"N-no, it's a goddamn tiger, Xiggy, and it's clawing my---you KNOW I can't do this, who are we kidding? I-I'm going to fail, I'm going to screw up SO bad, I should have more attention in school...!" he wailed, burying his face in his hands. A little too loud, since the old couples - Xigbar really knew how to choose his diners, apparently - nearby started staring at him with either a look of sympathy or annoyance. Well, he was sorry he was having a meltdown and he ruined the breakfast they had every damn day! He was in the middle of a crisis!
"Haha, oh Dem, don't be ridiculous. You're spazzing out over nothing. Everyone panics right before they take the test, it's normal. And you're not going to fail - I'm your mentor, remember? I taught you everything I know," he chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, not everything, but everything you need. And besides, you're fantastic at everyone on the physical side - you're just lazy as hell."
"It's not that I'm worrying about, Xiggy!" Demyx snapped, scowling down at the harmless little sausages just begging to be eaten. He angrily jabbed one with his fork, and attempted to nibble at it - he didn't want to admit it, but Xigbar's reassurance was calming him down. They were close, and Xigbar genuinely cared for him in some odd, teacher/student relationship. So... if he believed in Demyx, there had to be something there, right?
"Oh please, the test? It's not that bad, really. Don't forget you've had the material shoved into your brain for three years now. Also, they know you're from the Academy - they always grade easier on Academy brats," he murmured, shoveling in a few more waffles. Demyx snorted. Of course everything was tilted like that. Galenth Dysley didn't care about equality, why would he? He wanted trained soldiers to fight his war against the psychics. Well, Demyx would willingly be that soldier - after he passed the damn test.
"Well, if I pass, then I expect a freaking parade in my honor!" he exclaimed, folding his arms in a huff. That sent Xigbar into a fit of laughter, spewing bits of egg and bacon over Demyx's plate and his face. It was going to be a long day, he knew that much.
---
[My god, I'm going to kill someone. I had at least 30 minute's work written down, and my computer just shuts off for no reason, and NONE of it saved. Anywhere. Ugh, so write here was just a pretty small blurb about Demyx getting in and s h i t. I'll write it down later.]
---
It was maybe a a month after he joined that he first met Namine. He was cutting through the courtyard to get back to the Hunter's building. They lived in one big building, and it was sort of like a dorm. They all had their own rooms or paired up with someone else - Demyx was rooming with Lexaeus, just like the days back at the Academy - and then there were a few communal kitchens, living rooms, etc. Each room had its own bathroom, though, and that was just heaven.
He hadn't noticed that he wasn't alone in the courtyard - he was too busy admiring the decent landscaping job. He didn't notice until he had tripped over the stone bench she was sitting on, really, and she attempted to cover up her giggles. He jumped to his feet as gracefully - and as dignified - as he could manage, straightening out his Hunter's coat with a swell of pride, even after a month. It was just... he was a Hunter, why shouldn't he be proud? He was a Hunter.
"A-are you alright?" she asked, still trying to hide the last few traces of her laughter. He finally glanced down at her, and blinked. It was... a girl. Really, she couldn't be any older than maybe eleven if he was being generous. She was cute, for a kid, with light, delicate blonde hair and blue eyes. She was dressed in a simple - incredibly simple - white dress.
"Yeah, I'm fine, really, I--what are you doing here, little girl? Kids aren't allowed in here, you know," he said, unable to keep the chiding, 'adult' tone out of his voice. Well, what could he say? She wasn't even a teenager! She was practically a baby! Obviously this didn't sit well with her, and she quickly scowled at him. Well, sort of. It was the kind of scowl kids gave, the kind he just couldn't take seriously.
"I-I'm not a little girl!" she snapped, folding her arms and turning away from him. "Y-you don't know anything! I'm supposed to be here! I am! I-"
"Okay, okay, jeez," he said, rolling his eyes. That only infuriated her more, and she scooted a few inches away from him. He sighed, and plopped down on the bench next to her, flashing her an easy grin. "I'm sorry, okay? Of course you belong here, what do I know? Come on, don't be like that. Look, let's start over. Hi, I'm Demyx, what's your name?"
That did the trick. She slowly turned back to face him, the scowl gone and curiosity taking its place. "Namine. That's my name."
"Naaaamine, huh? That's kind of cute. So you must be what, thirty-seven? Oh, maybe forty-five?" he asked lightly, tilting his head. She tried scowling at him, but it just turned into a smile and a laugh.
"No, of course not! Don't be silly! I'm ten! You must be what, fifty-nine?" she said, raising her eyebrows dramatically at him. He placed a hand over his heart in mock indignation, and sighed dramatically.
"You wound me, Namine! And here I thought we could possibly be friends! I am but a young boy of eighteen," he said with a huff, shaking his head sadly. This sent her into a whole new fit of giggles, and he smiled, leaning over to ruffle her hair. She squeaked and tried to duck out of his reach, but she just couldn't match his speed. After a few moments, he pulled back, giving her a triumphant smirk as he assessed the damage he had done. She was trying her best to scowl at him while she tried to fix the mess he had made.
"Anyway, what are you doing here? I mean, does your dad work here or something?"
"Not exactly, I--"
"Well, have you made a new friend already, Namine?" a voice said gently, and Demyx froze. He knew that voice, everyone knew that voice! He cautiously turned around, to where it came from, and he immediately jumped to his feet, paling. It was, it was-! Walking towards them was the Galenth Dysley, head of the Organization. Everyone around here simply called him 'The Head', but still, this was pretty much the most powerful man ever, running the most powerful organization ever, even if it didn't have the most original of names.
"Mr. Dysley, you're back!" Namine exclaimed, hopping to her feet. Demyx was just trying to figure out if he bowed or got in his knees and groveled or what the proper procedure was if one accidentally ran into the Head in the courtyard. Oh, why couldn't they have taught him something useful in the Academy? Namine wasn't doing anything, what was wrong with her? And what was this 'Mr. Dysley' crap? Didn't she know who he was?!
"Of course. And I see you've met... ah..." the Head said, absently looking at Demyx with slight boredom. Obviously he wouldn't know his name, he had much more important things to deal with.
"D-Demyx, sir!" he squeaked, and immediately wanted to kick himself. What was he supposed to be doing? A Hunter was dignified, calm under all pressures! And he couldn't even handle being in the same room - well, courtyard - as his boss? Namine laughed, and he couldn't stop himself from glaring. Who did she think she was?
"Yes, Demyx. You're a new Hunter, aren't you? Excellent," he said, but it didn't seem like he was exactly talking to either of the blondes. They glanced at each other, and Namine offered an indifferent shrug. "Yes, yes... this will work out perfectly. You're a young, strong, potent Hunter, this is wonderful."
"Er... potent, sir?" Demyx asked, coughing. Oh god, this was awkward. Did he really just say that? Namine looked innocently between them, and he wanted to smack himself. Why was the Head of the Organization discussing his er, potency in front of a ten-year-old?
"Hm? Oh yes, never mind me. Demyx, was it? I have a mission for you. A very, very important one at that," he said, nodding to himself once more, as if to confirm what he was saying. Despite what the Head mentioned just the moment before, he found himself leaning in eagerly. An important mission straight from the Head himself? His luck just kept getting better and better! He had never heard of a mission straight from the Head for a complete newbie like he was!
"Y-yes sir?"
"Namine. I need you to look after her for me. Indefinitely. She is yours to take care of," he said, lacing his fingers together. He turned and started to walk away, Namine eagerly bouncing off after him. Demyx, absolutely stunned, mechanically followed after them. What?"I will be giving her a room in the Hunters' building - not your room, of course, she is too young for now - and she will be your responsibility. Of course you'll have other missions as well, but know that she is your top priority. She is not to leave the premises unless she is accompanied by a Hunter along with my written permission. Saix and Marluxia are both aware of her arrival, but I would prefer for her to be with... well, someone she is comfortable around. You understand why I am less than comfort with leaving her in their care, yes?"
Demyx nodded, resisting a snort. Of course he knew. Saix was an angry tight-ass who couldn't handle being around just about anyone for more than five minutes, and Marluxia was... Marluxia. Leaving anyone younger than fourteen around him was just a bad idea in general. Besides, he was gone half the time 'on personal business'.
But still, that didn't mean he was suddenly happy or agreeing to this agreement. It was absolutely ridiculous! What was the Head doing, giving him a mission to babysit some girl? He was a Hunter for crying out loud! Why did he have to do it? Still, he couldn't... exactly refuse. The wrath of the Head was something he did not need on his head, so he just nodded along, trying to figure out a way to get out of this. He was allergic to children, maybe? No, that wouldn't work.
"Well good, I'll have her things moved to her new room immediately. You hear that, Namine? You'll have your own room, isn't that delightful? Here, Demyx will give you a tour, won't you, Demyx?" he said lightly, patting the girl on the head.
"Yes sir, absolutely!" he said, nodding enthusiastically. The Head smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and... left. Just like that. He was left gaping at his back like a fish struggling for air, while Namine bounced on the balls of her feet next to him.
"So... friends, then?"
---
"D-Demyx, I really don't think this is a good idea," Namine whispered, biting her lip as he dragged her down the hall. She had voiced her opinion plenty, but she hadn't tried stopping him in any way, just murmuring that they were going to get in so much trouble.
"Jeez, Nami, lighten up! Everything's going to be fine! Aren't you curious as hell, too?" he said, grinning. She just sighed, but didn't say anything more about it. She had turned eleven recently, and he had been her 'guardian' for about six or seven months. What he learned quickly was that as much fun as they had in the courtyard, Namine was unbelievably serious and quiet for an eleven-year-old. For every silly prank Demyx wanted to pull, she was the voice of reason, the one folding her arms and insisting that it was a terrible idea and he needed to grow up. That day was no different.
The Hunters had been buzzing for weeks about that day. Apparently about eight years before some ten-year-old boy had passed the Hunters' exam with flying colors, and now he could finally join now he was legal. Marluxia had been particularly excited to tell the story, but Demyx just assumed it was because he was the one arranging everything. The excitement didn't stop there, though. No, not only was this prodigy joining, but so was his brother. Twin, he had to assume, but he couldn't be sure until he saw there. Oh, and the Head himself was going to show up for the ceremony. That never happened.
Unfortunately, the Head refused to let Namine come, so while all the other Hunters got to watch, he had to stay behind and babysit. He wasn't that upset - it wasn't like he hated spending time with Nami - but he would've given anything to just see what was going on. Lexaeus promised to give him every detail, but that wasn't enough. Which was why he told Namine about five minutes after everyone else left that they were going to sneak into that ceremony.
Honestly, it was all too easy. The halls were absolutely deserted since everyone was inside the audience chamber watching the event. They never used that room for a simple Hunter. Now he was more interested than ever. Namine sniffed to show just how disapproving and unhappy she was slinking around to see something completely boring in her opinion, but he just shushed her and kept going. No way was he giving up now.
And, as a testament to just how lucky Demyx was, the doors to the audience chamber were already **** open, just waiting for a good-natured soul such as himself to take a peak! Despite Namine's pouts and complaints, she too eagerly crept forward to see.
Immediately, Demyx was disappointed. He wasn't sure what he was hoping or expecting, but it definitely wasn't what he saw. There were so... boring, really. They both had grey (or silver, he couldn't tell) hair. One of them had a blindfold, and seemed... well, seemed to not really be paying attention, and he couldn't help but be a bit angry. This was an honor, and he couldn't be damned to look like he was interested? The nerve! The other brother wasn't much better. He was prattling off what he needed to say like it was a grocery list! This was serious, didn't he know? This was a job, a calling! How could he treat it so lightly? How could either of them? Already he was regretting dragging Namine down there. This was just stupid. He'd rather go back and watch some cheesy romance with her.
"And here I was hoping for something interesting," he whispered, sighing, "but instead the shorter one just looks like he ate a bad burrito." Namine barely managed to cover her laugh with her hand, not wanting to be caught. Now that would be a nightmare.
"Now, Demyx, that's not very--" she started, but she froze. Right as she began talking, the soon-to-be Hunter had stopped, and a short silence had filled the room. Well, it would have been silence if Namine hadn't been speaking. So instead, the entire room heard the young girl chastise Demyx. The young girl and her babysitter that weren't supposed to be anywhere near the audience chamber and the ceremony. It was only a moment until people - he could make out Vexen and Saix specifically - shouting his name angrily. Not that he stuck around, though. He grabbed Namine's wrists, pulling her along as he ran back to the Hunters' living room, his laugh echoing throughout the hall.
-----
[lots of stuff happened in here, but this is where I haven't written anything.]
It had started out as a normal day - well, if you could considering being a ghost and stalking your old friends and flames normal - and he was sitting on the end of Namine's bed, just waiting. She was getting ready in the bathroom, and while he could have gone inside and she would never know he had gotten a look, it felt a bit wrong, invading her privacy like that. Lex or anyone could deal with it - they'd never know what he was doing or saying about what they were doing - but Namine...? Well, they had been together once, right? Sort of. Looking back on it, he wasn't so sure Namine ever had feelings about him like that. She had always been so polite and reserved, just smiling quietly and accepting whatever bold, passionate speech Demyx decided to grace her with. He had just assumed that was what she was like, though, and moved on.
But since he had been dead, he could see that... well, that she wasn't like that. She got emotional about people she cared about. She got emotional about... him. Even the mention of that boy was enough to give Demyx a foul taste in his mouth, and he hated how much Nami thought and spoke about him. Soon after she had come back Ven had become her friend, her only confidant. He knew Ven, as well as his brother Roxas - they had all attended the Academy together, although Roxas and Ven were both in the 1st year class while Demyx was graduating. They were good kids, he thought, and Ven had enough charm to kill a moose. He seemed... darker now, but Demyx didn't pay much attention to him. It was Namine that bothered him.
She cried. She cried a lot. Demyx had never seen her cry, not when Larxene practically beat her, not when he was trying to force her back, not when Demyx accused her of being psychic! Oh, sure, she had shed a few tears when he had been murdered, but nothing like this. This was despair, wails and hiccups that didn't stop until she had fallen asleep or until Ven had charmed her into a weak smile. The first time he was so startled that he ran - not that he needed to run, he was dead - away as fast as he could, afraid that Namine was capable of that. After that, he was curious. And, once he found out the reason why, he was furious.
Riku. It all came back to that damn brat. The one who had ruined his life and practically killed Demyx himself. He couldn't help but throw all of his anger and hate on the boy, and it increased tenfold when he saw that not only was Nami upset and guilty that Riku was an idiot and got himself captured and tortured willingly, but that she might actually like the bastard. That made his blood boil - if he had any blood left, that is. Which he didn't. He was dead. But still, Nami would go on about how Riku was being tortured because of her and how she should have done something about it. It made him sick when he listened to her sob to Ven about it, who would pat her and coo sympathetically at the right intervals, but didn't seem to care much beyond that.
But that had been the days, the weeks before. Today she seemed to be in a good mood, if the light humming from the bathroom was any indication. He, however, was restless, and he didn't have anyone to tell it to. Well, okay, that was a lie. There were plenty of other ghosts to talk to, including an old acquaintance, Marluxia, but they... well, he wasn't that fond of any of them. Dead people just weren't interesting. All of the people he liked were still alive. Nami and Lex were still alive, after all. He longed to strum on his sitar, but he had no idea where it was now, or if he could even manipulate it as a ghost. Was there such a thing as a ghost sitar? He would have to look into that, because playing his sitar was the only thing that helped him calm down, and right then he was twitching like a cat. Why was she happy? He had heard everything - not only was that damn Riku being tortured in the basement, but she was engaged. Oh, he knew she hated Zexion, if the way they hissed insults the first time they spoke gave him any clue. She even gave him a pretty nice gash on his cheek when he called her some not-so-nice names and accused her of being a manipulative witch - although he didn't exactly say witch - and planning everything, including Riku's capture, from the beginning.
But she seemed happy, and he supposed he couldn't really argue with it. Maybe Ven or Axel had promised to go shopping or something stupid like that. She still wasn't a Hunter - ha! Nami, a Hunter? That would be the day - but she wasn't exactly a prisoner now, not like she was before. Maybe it was because she came back willingly, but her metaphorical chains weren't held so tightly in the Head's clutches. Well, except for the whole forced engagement and the not-so-subtle hints about him. Either way, her happy mood just bothered him, because she was happy without him around. Sure, he had been dead for awhile, a long while, but she could still be choked up about it, right? But she wasn't. He was replaced, completely replaced by Riku. Even the charm, his charm, had that filthy boy's claws all over it. From what he had gathered, the boy had taken the charm - Nami must have thrown it away in her never-ending pool of absolute despair because of Demyx's death - and given it to her, along with a promise to protect. Oh how charming. It made him sick.
So what did he do? He left, without bothering to see if Nami came out and what she was planning. What did he care? She probably was just going to mope about him some more. Well...! See if he cared! He didn't! Screw Riku! Screw Nami, he didn't care what she thought about! He was happy for her, a hundred percent! He had only been wandering for a few minutes until he fell into step with Lexaeus, not even wondering where he was going or the emergency alarm flashing on the phone Lex was worriedly fiddling with. Someone probably just tripped and broke their arm or something stupid like that. Dem didn't care. He just shoved his hands in his pockets and walked alongside his old friend, even down to the basements where the head had rogue psychics experimented on, including Riku.
He wasn't noticing anything about the situation - oh, it looked like Nami's fiance was just being attacked by... by Riku?! He stopped and stared for a long time, even when Lex jumped into action and tried to help Lucrecia - Zex was a hunter, Lucrecia was not. And Lucrecia was a girl and was nice to everyone - Zexion was neither. But all Demyx could focus on was Riku. Riku, who looked nothing like the stupid, blindfolded boy he remembered, or even the stupid, not-blindfolded boy from the day of his murder that was buried in his memory. He was... a monster. That was the word that came to him. He looked insane, crazed, like the psychics he used to take care of back when he was alive and in the Organization. There was nothing he could recognize, not the way he stood, not the awkward air of stupid innocence surrounding him... nothing. Oh sure, he looked like Riku, sort of, but that was it. And he was trying to kill his brother. Serves both of them right, he thought with a snort. Riku's psychic, it's no wonder he became a monster.
Lucrecia - or Lu, as most everyone affectionately called her - soon did some fancy finger work and subdued the Riku monster, or at least got him to calm down enough to get off Zexion. Lexaeus, after firmly checking on Lucrecia, finally asked Zexion if he was alright, but... well, Zexion wasn't looking him at all. Zexion was staring, wide-eyed, past him, right at... right at Demyx.
Demyx blinked a few times, turning around to see if anyone was behind him. Nothing, just a boring wall. But that was ridiculous. Zexion couldn't possibly see him. Demyx was dead, no one could see him, and none of the ghosts he had spoken to had ever heard of a psychic that could talk to the dead. Oh, sure, there were those fake fortune tellers or whatever, but they couldn't really see or talk to them. No one could. It was a known fact... right?
"Woah, hold up," he said, his voice a bit scratchy from not using it for at least a few days when he saw Marly. "You're not checking me out, are you?" He practically froze when he heard Zexion's startled gasp, his eyes never leaving the blond. He should've been ecstatic that finally someone now could see him and he had someone to talk to, but instead...
"You're a goddamn psychic? You've been here for years! You're a filthy sneak! Just like your stupid little brother, aren't you? You're just laughing at us from your rat hole, aren't you? 'Oh, how smart am I, a silly little psychic hiding in the Organization's own numbers!' Well, don't get comfy, monster, because you just outstayed your welcome. I have to tell Marluxia about this - he'll know what to do."
-----
How was he supposed to know? It wasn’t his fault! He had done what any other person would have done in his situation. There was no way in hell this was his fault! No way! Besides, the little monster deserved it all. He was psychic, hiding out like a scrawny little kitten in a den of lions, just trying to bide his time. He didn’t care about any of the man’s excuses – and he had immediately began to stutter and babble and pale curiously when Demyx mentioned Marluxia. But it didn’t matter! Zexion was getting what he deserved for being such a manipulative little whelp.
So then why was he feeling so guilty about it?
It hadn’t been pretty, that much was for sure. Demyx had stayed true to his word and rushed off to tell his fellow ghost everything. Marluxia… well, he wasn’t the easiest person to like, to put it nicely. He was arrogant, rude, and… sort of a pervert. Okay, not sort of. A lot. He couldn’t count the times, dead or alive, when Marluxia would drop some suggestive hint to him or to someone else nearby. Thankfully his tastes were only for younger boys – he would’ve killed the pink-haired freak if he so much as touched Nami in any way. But Marly was at least company – all of the others thought he was naïve and useless. Marly thought he was… naïve and amusing. It was a start, at least.
Either way, when Demyx went straight to Marluxia and boldly announced that Zexion was psychic and could see them, there was something… ominous in the way Marly responded. Throughout Demyx’s whole speech Marly had regarded him boredly, never moving from his perch on the coffee table in the living room, but once he said the name “Zexion” Marly’s eyebrows shot up and he sat up, leaning to drink in every word. And the moment he finished his long rant about the inequities of the world, Marluxia got up and left without a word. Demyx couldn’t believe his ‘friend’ was so rude, so obviously he followed him!
That was how he ended up here, curled up right outside the door to Zexion’s room, listening to him beg and cry and plead Marluxia not to touch there, to be merciful, to forgive him, to—Demyx clamped his hand to his ears to try and block it out. He deserves it, he deserves it, he deserves it! No matter how many times he repeated it, it didn’t feel any closer to the truth. But it was the truth! Zexion was psychic, Zexion was a monster, Zexion was evil. That was the truth, the basic truth that everyone knew! Nami might have been an exception, but he certainly wasn’t going to go change his entire belief, especially not for someone like Zexion. He was manipulative, dangerous. He had snuck not only himself in, but his stupid, stupid brother as well.
He had no idea how long he had been sitting there – time didn’t mean as much now that he was dead – but by the time he slowly lowered his hands, it was quiet. Well, quieter. There was still a quiet, muffled sound from inside, and this time, instead of being disgusted, he was slightly curious. It had been obvious that Marluxia had loved hearing him scream – why would he attempt to hinder any sounds now? He hesitated, slowly getting to his feet and pressing his ear against the door. Oh sure, he could have just gone through the door, but well, then Marly would have seen him and he really didn’t want to be caught looking in on that. But all he heard was the muffled sound, and nothing close to Marluxia in there. His curiosity overwhelmed him, and, with a deep breath, he slipped inside, going through the door into Zexion’s room.
He probably shouldn’t have just barged in without any sort of announcement or permission, but well… why should he ask for permission from a monster, huh? But Marluxia wasn’t anywhere in the room, and Demyx breathed a sigh of relief. The less he had to explain to Marly, the better. Besides, it wasn’t like he was coming in to… to continue Marly’s… he…
He just wanted to find out what the sound was. That was it. The only reason.
It was dark, and disappointedly, being a ghost didn’t give you super amazing night vision. He could tell the sound was coming from the bed, but he couldn’t tell what the sound was or what was on the bed. So he got closer, close enough for the shapeless darkness to become clearer and for the mass on the bed to become… Zexion.
He stopped, staring at the miserable boy – he never looked younger in Dem’s eyes – curled up and shivering in the sheets, the sheets faintly glistening with… with…
Blood.
Demyx felt his stomach lurch uncomfortably, and he quickly looked away, although that certainly didn’t help his nausea. After a moment of ragged breathing, he turned back, taking in the whole picture. His stomach shifted uncomfortably again, but this time he kept looking. It was painfully obvious what had happened between Zexion and Marluxia, and the sound…
The sound was Zexion quietly sobbing into his pillow. He couldn’t help it – his heart squeezed painfully when it all registered to him. He didn’t… he didn’t know… He-
“D-Demyx-Dem-I’m so sorry…! I’m so sorry! I-I didn’t-please don’t die! I’ll-I promise I’ll-“ Blood on her face, blood on her hands, blood mixing with her tears. Blood, blood, blood. Red, flowing, his…
He didn’t breathe – he didn’t need to, but did it out of habit – and he grabbed the fragile boy, pulling him into a tight embrace. He heard the surprised – and terrified – gasp, but he just held tighter to him, burying his face in the soft hair. He was so small and fragile, Demyx was half afraid he would just fall apart in his arms. But…
“Shh, don’t cry,” he murmured, stroking the soft hair. He was sorry, he never wanted to see her cry. He wasn’t even sure that she could cry but now she was and it was all his fault and… “Please don’t cry. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have… I… I care, I do…”
The small person had stopped crying, and he just breathed in his – or was it her? – scent. It was wet and gross and he could smell the blood, but he couldn’t let go, not again. Slowly, ever so slowly the tiny person he held relaxed in his arms, and he pressed the face against his chest. A few more cooing words – meaningless but it was the tone that counted – and the body slowly returned the hug.
“I was lying when I called you a monster,” he whispered, nearly digging his hands into her – or was it him? “I didn’t mean it, I was mad… You know I… please… Don’t hate me… Nami…”
He was suddenly shoved away by Zexion , the illusion breaking in an instant, hurling him back into reality. He gasped as he jerked away, staring at the Hunter like he had never seen him before. Even with little light, he couldn’t mistake the venomous glare he was being given. “W-what the hell are you doing here?” he hissed, his voice dry and hoarse, just making him seem all that more pathetic. This time, however, Demyx couldn’t summon any sympathy even if he wanted to. All he felt was disgust, even if most of it was directed at himself. What had he done? He was such an idiot…!
But he wasn’t going to let Zexion get the upper hand, not when he was so pathetic and weak and a monster. That’s right. Zexion was a monster. An evil, manipulative, sadistic monster who he couldn’t forgive. So what else would he do? He backhanded the psychic, narrowing his eyes as Zexion widened his, a hand pressed against his cheek like he couldn’t believe what just happened.
“Oh shut up,” Demyx snarled, slapping him once more for good measure. “You stupid little b i t c h, what makes you think you deserve any happiness, any gentleness? You’re a sick, twisted monster. Don’t deny it. I hope you bleed to death in here.”
Again, he didn’t wait to see Zexion’s reaction – he just turned around and walked out, shuffling down the hall to watch Namine sleep or maybe one of the poker tournaments the others usually held.