002 // Video - Action // in which Sora lets his ice cream melt

[lockandkeyblade]

[Filtered // from Organization XIII]

[So Sora's sitting on the steps in front of the Vita Apartments eating ice cream, but he doesn't seem all that interested in it. It's just sitting there, starting to melt all over his hand. He's lost in thought, looking frustrated, bordering on confused or annoyed.]

... I got a question...

Is anybody out there some kinda hero where they came from?

[He hesitates.]

Or anybody, really.

... How'd you end up figuring the good guys from the bad?

Comments

[srsfaceassassin.livejournal.com]

[Altaïr listens to the other's approach and when he is close enough, turns his head to make sure that it is indeed the boy. A boy much younger and softer looking than he would have imagined given the situation. It is often difficult to get a genuine or accurate feel for someone over the tiny SFC screen.

The assassin watches Sora for a moment before standing and walking to him, stopping a foot away and giving him a thorough inspection head to foot. If this is some schoolyard bullying Altaïr will not be pleased.]

Come, walk with me, and tell me what you know. [He turns and starts toward the path that will lead them to the apple tree copse, expecting Sora to do as told.]

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[Sora stands unflinching under the man's gaze. Altair is is subtle in his scrutiny, but Sora already knows what's probably going through his mind- it's what goes through most adult minds when they meet him.]

[Sora nods and catches up the man, walking alongside him.]

I guess I should really start with how to spot em'.

Most of the time it's pretty easy. Most of them wear this long black coat, one with a hood that covers their face pretty good. Without the coats? They look just like you or me. They look like regular people, even if they're not.

[There's a pause. To explain the nature of the nobodies, he has to make sure the man understands what kind of place Sora's coming from.]

How much do you know about ... something called a 'Heartless' or a 'Nobody?'

[srsfaceassassin.livejournal.com]

[As they walked Altaïr kept his eyes and ears alert for any signs of them being listened to or followed. Having seen the strange sights that he had here it was easy to assume that not all detection could be easily surface with such mundane means, but he would still be wary.]

I know the terms, what they mean to you I can but guess.

[Altaïr slowed their pace as they moved amongst the trees, deeper until they were lost inside. It was quiet and still in here, and the assassin stops and turns to face Sora fully. He had seen the black cloaked and hooded strangers through the SFCs but had not spoken to one he was aware of.]

Tell me more.

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[Normally Sora would be compelled to keep the very existence of multiple worlds a secret, but Vatheon's very nature reveals that fact. So there's little reason to hold back on that stance, at least.]

Where I come from, there are things called Heartless. They're the darkness in peoples' hearts made real. They go from place to place looking for hearts to take, from people, from entire worlds, and they don't stop. A lot of places have been completely destroyed because of them.

[And when Altair comes to a stop, so does Sora.]

But sometimes, when the Heartless take from somebody with a strong heart, the shell that gets left behind kind of gets a mind of its own. It looks like a person, acts like a person and has memories just like a person. But without a heart, it can't feel. Not regret, not sadness, not anger- not anything. They just act the way they remember they're supposed to.

That's what a Nobody is. That's what those guys in black coats really are.

[But really, that's just the beginning. There's still more to the story. There always is.]

I don't know if you've seen it, but another one's shown up at Vatheon kinda recently. Guy with the red hair. He's one of them too.

[srsfaceassassin.livejournal.com]

[Altaïr gave a short nod.] I've seen the- video of him.

[This new technology still did not settle well with him even if he did have a basic grasp of it by now, out of necessity. Altaïr may not like change but he could at least see the benefit of learning it. There were some things you had to while here, others not so much. The SFC was essential and he made a point of watching most everything broadcast on it, even if he rarely ever responded.]

It seems as if they would be apathetic, the way you describe them. By your own video and question trouble would be the more prone action to them rather than simply being neutral or good behavior. Is that so?

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[Sora nods.] They've been trying to get their hearts back and they're gonna to do whatever they can to get it. Even if it means killing, kidnapping, holding people hostage, wiping memories. All kinds of messed up stuff.

Where we come from, they're called Organization XIII. Not all of them are bad... but together with their leader telling them what to do, they're real dangerous.

He's the reason why heartless are running around in the first place. He's real bad news. We're lucky he's not in Vatheon, but more and more of them are showing up. Means he's probably not far behind.

[Sora glances up at the man.]

You're not planning on fighting them, are you..?

[srsfaceassassin.livejournal.com]

[A curt nod]

If they begin trouble then putting a stop to it will become a priority. I've no fear of their ability. It is they who should fear us.

[While Altaïr was thinking not so much of himself but of Sebastian the Demon and Alucard the Vampire, the whole of them could form a team that he doubted the Heartless could stand against. His natural ego and arrogance allowed him to truly believe they would be unstoppable however he did know that he didn't know all that he could about the Heartless. To him they did not seem the most dangerous and he was completely confident as he faced Sora and said such things.]

We will not allow them reign here.

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

[Again with that steel resolve.]

Just be careful. They're a lot stronger than they look. They've got powers as nobodies, and not all of them are the same.

They can also get into places nobody else can. So if they start acting up, make sure they don't find out where you or your friends live.

[There's a pause. Again with that strange feeling that he's got to earn the name. So as much as he wants to know, he asks something else instead.]

Should... I keep you updated? On what's happening?

Sorry for horribly late OTL

[srsfaceassassin.livejournal.com]

You will keep me informed and in turn I will do you the same courtesy; if I've information you could use it is yours.

[He bowed his head before continuing to speak, his eyes on the ground between them before he looked back up]

And I will keep my allies informed. Should you have need of me contact me with the communicator, or through my servant Sebastian. He can be trusted completely.

My name is Altaïr.

[lockandkeyblade.livejournal.com]

Okay. [He nods.] I understand. If I find anything, you and Sebastian'll be the first to know.

And thanks. For hearing me out.

[srsfaceassassin.livejournal.com]

Safety and peace, Sora.

[Altaïr bowed his head again before turning to take his leave.]