One More for Forgotten Memories (open)

[blueskysummer]

The sun was low in the sky. Low enough to keep the streets in darkness while the sky still had a sort of glow to it, not quite letting go of the passing day.

Practice time.

Alex tossed a knife, the tip sticking into the well-used target board.

One for mom. Thunk.

One for dad. Thunk.

One for... Clang. The knife hit the brick wall instead of the wood. One for who? A sister? A brother? She couldn't remember. Maybe that was the one for her lost friends. ha, some friends if they left Alex so easily. Not one. Not even one stayed behind to look for her. Not one greeted her, asked, "Alex, is that you?".

She lobbed annother knife. Thunk. Best not to think about it. Thinking about things like that could make a girl bitter. Being bitter was a lonely life. More lonely, somehow, than her life now.

She reached to her belt for annother knife, but found none. With a sigh, she stood, going to reclaim her blades. She counted each one, turning it over, making sure the tips were sharp and the handles un-scathed. The girl took extra care with the one that had hit the wall. the tip was slightly blunted, but nothing she couldn't fix. she slipped it into a pocket tenderly, as if it were a prized jewel rather than a dagger.

She moved to set up the target in a new spot, (atop a crate, with an object in front, exc...) when she paused. It was getting dark, and fast. She wanted to curl up into the pile of blankets she called her own, but her stomach reminded her of something previously un-noticed.

She'd skipped dinner. And lunch.

she grimiced. There was no way she'd be able to sleep on an empty stomach without attracting half the Heartless in the town from the noise of her complaining belly. The Munny from the day's work lay heavy in her pocket. She could slip out, grab a bite to eat, and be back before it got too late.

Hoping the path wouldn't be filled with Heartless, she hurried out of the alley, one hand resting instinctivly on the heavier side of her belt.

[Monica]

”Lucus what are you doing?”

The teen just looked back to his younger adopted sister and gave her a blank stare. He was trying to sneak out of his small house to go ‘patrol’ the districts until the kid caught him walking down the street. She always tried hanging around him, which was something he knew trouble would just follow along with her. So he brought an index finger to his lips and hushed loudly and sarcastically at her, making her turn up her nose and shutting the door loudly. With a click he knew the kid locked him out, though the moment he heard his mom asking why she slammed the door Lucus turned and ran off. Last time he got caught sneaking out was when he went missing and now he was ’grounded’, and trying to explain how he was going to become a keyblade master just made his parents laugh- they never took him seriously…

Walking down the store light second district the dark dressed young man just looked into the closed stores, half imagining himself becoming a hero… that idea snapped when he realized he left his dad’s sword at home. ”Shit…”

[/color] cursing under his breath, he didn’t want to go back try and sneak in to have Becca catch him again. At least he learned some magic spells… and maybe now would be a good time to practice on his combat skills? Just the next problem was his pants were to tight for kicking… oh well. ”Night seems pretty quiet… wonder where all those stupid shadows are at?”[/color] speaking to himself as he turned around and faced the stair and hotel across from the lower level. This district was usually always crawling with the little dark solders, but it seemed they didn’t pop out just yet.

While glancing over to the giant blue tower his imagination was souring again, but once again that was snapped away the moment he heard a door bust open. Quickly looking over to the sound he saw a girl hurrying out. ”Woah what’s the rush there girlie?”[/color] he put one hand on his hip while looking down at her with his dark ringed eyes, his voice was filled with some annoyance. One thing he didn’t like was seeing people running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off- it held no order if there was heartless chasing after them, ”Are the big bad heartless after you or somethin?”[/color] he meant that to be a joke, and had a small smirk appear on his voice the moment after speaking.[/blockquote][/size]

[blueskysummer]

Alex jumped at the boy's voice. With her nerves already on edge, she immediately took any noise as a threat. She was turning to face him before even processing that he was a human, not some shadow about to pounce.

Unfourtonately, running and turning didn't mix too well. Her legs caught on each other and she tripped, one of her knives falling out of the sheath to hit the cobblestones with a clatter.

Her face flushed scarlet in the semi-darkness. She fumbled for the dagger, trying to stick it back into the belt and push herself back up. "Well, crap. Sorry, you startled me."

She regained her composure, looking at the boy. He looked clean. Well, cleaner than her, which probably meant he had a home. Something like jealousy threatened at her chest, but she pushed it down. Being homeless was fine with her. She pulled the neckline of her over-large brown sweatshirt back up to her shoulder, flashing the boy a smile. "I'm just trying to hurry and get some food before all the heartless get out." She looked him up and down. "What's your excuse?" she asked jokingly. It was unusual for her to meet townsfolk out this close to dark, especially ones who appeared un-armed. "The name's Alex, by the way." she said, tilting her head to one side with a grin.

((meh, hope it's not too short!))

[Monica]

Lucus found himself laughing rudely at her brief comment of an excuse, ”I don’t have any, I always walk the streets at night. Someone had to take up the late protectors job, and that someone just so happens to be me. Name’s Lucus, and don’t forget it- may come in handy when those heartless are after ya.” He stood up with more pride after his small speech, making it seem he was really some type of hero or someone to take serious of. He glanced at her and noticed the scuff, seeing her fall earlier didn’t rise a laugh from him- he knew when was a proper time to laugh or not. He could already tell she was another homeless resident, she didn’t need any more crap especially from a guy like him. ”The first district is the only place that has a 24/7 café, they got good deals to… they give brownies out if you got no munny- but their not so hot, actually pretty hard and sometimes burnt. Their baker sucks in my opinion.”

[/color] and this guy could be quite a critic.

He looked around the empty second district before back to the girl names Alex, ”I got a bro named Alex… he’s a dweeb. You know where’s the café at right? If not I’ll show ya, really close actually…”[/color]. Being a tour guide was also something he had grown accustom to, at a young age he’d mislead people to a herd of heartless- but that he’s older Lucus knew it was much easier on everyone to just help someone out.[/blockquote][/size]

[blueskysummer]

Alex cocked an eyebrow at the kid's "hero" attitude, trying really hard not to laugh. Not out of rudeness, but because he reminded her of someone... Most likely herself, a few years back. Before her nack for adventure dulled. Well, not really dulled. More like... Matured. Or something. Know what? Scratch that. She'd never dulled it at all.

"Well, pleased to meet you, Lucus." she said. "Really? I never knew that. I have a bit of Munny with me, so burnt brownies aren't my only option." she chatted, grinning.

The thought a moment at the boy's offer. She didn't really know him, but the path'd be safer with him. Not to mention she could use the company. The job of the day had been a lonely one, she didn't get to talk with many people. "Sure, I'm not too sure where it is. A dweeb, huh? I'd guess most younger siblings seem so. At least, that's what i've heard."

[Monica]

”Yeah it’s always nice for people to meet me”

[/color] He gloated, already imagining himself being a bigger hero then the Sora kid he’s only heard stories of, ”Alex is actually my twin bro, so trust me he’s a dweeb compared to me.”[/color] He snapped out of his thoughts and pointed over to the doors that would lead to the first district, ”All we have to do is walk though those doors, also you may already know… that district is the safest also.”[/color] He looked back over to Alex and lowered his arm, thinking over if there is anything else he needs to mention. No thought came to mind so he turned and started walking to their destination, still wondering why no heartless had jumped out. ”Hmm…”[/color] making a sudden stop to turn back and look around more carefully.

He spent his days outside of this world training to become a keyblade wielder, so one trick he learned was to always pay attention to the shadows if you were trying to stray from unleashing a heartless ambush. Moving his bright blue eyes to the ground and walls, he tried noticing if anything was different about them. Yet everything looked and appeared normal, making him wonder why the lack of heartless, ”I suggest keeping an eye out even in the first district, tonight seems too quiet… they may be trying to ambush on everyone like they did some years back. Hope you got enough items on you incase that happens, I gotta buy some potions- I’m low anyways.”[/color] he continued with his walk but kept the pace slow so Alex would be able to keep up with him.[/size][/blockquote]

[blueskysummer]

The girl cocked an eyebrow. The kid was a bit full of himself, wasn't he? But this amused her. "Twins?" Her heart twinged, but she ignored it. "Really? That's really cool. Identical, or not? I've heard identical twins sometimes have a sort of connection up here." she tapped her temple twice.

She smiled, shaking her head. "I know all that, I've lived here as long as I can remember. But thanks for the info, anyway." she stopped, suddenly cautious as the boy looked around. "What is it?"

She walked up to him, and he began walking again as she reached him. "Yeah, I noticed that. I'd been hoping to get this far without meeting heartless, but not even glimpsing any, at this time? Wierd. Kinda creepy, actually. I only have one potion, left the rest in the a... at home. I think i have enough Munny to get some more, as well as a bite to eat." More like enough for a potion and a free brownie... she thought glumly, but didn't let it show. Maybe she didn't need another potion. Maybe the heartless were just taking the night off. It was a gamble, but she decided that she'd be good with the potion she had, and would just buy herself something to tide her over untill the morning.

((OOC: how old is Lucus? Just curious. And we could have heartless ambush them later, it's up to you.))
00FFFF

[Monica]

Lucus had heard her reaction to the whole having a twin thing but decided not to answer just yet. He opened the first district door and quickly looked around and also noticed there was nothing abnormal, just a nice quiet night. The store lights shinned much brighter, and he looked back to Alex with a smirk on his face, ”Not identical, I’m the better looking one. An we have nothing alike. Like I said… he’s a dweeb.”

[/color] Looking away from her he continued his small paced walked and continued to belittle his brother (something they actually had in common about). ”All he ever wants to do is stick his head in a book and learn useless information. Studying to be something lame, and doesn’t even want to travel to some other world- just wants to be stuck in this over crowed place. To him this is where all the exciting things happen… …. he’ll never know what excitement really is- besides he runs away from heartless and leaves me to do all the dirty work.”[/color] now what he was saying was very untrue or not, both brothers would over imagine on each others reactions and actions on things.

He glanced back to Alex with a dry look on his face, it may seem he hated his twin but it was the total opposite- they did always have each others back…. unless heartless popped up- then it was every man for himself. Lucus hurried down the small flight of stairs and pointed to the small café that laid at ground level. ”There it is.”[/color] He had noticed about three other residents walking around, making the young man think that maybe tonight would just be a nice simple night for everyone…[/blockquote][/size]

[blueskysummer]

Alex walked alongside Lucus, nodding along at his description.

"How could he not want to go to other worlds?" she said, near shock. "Why, that's just..." she let her voice die out, her face puckered in thought.

Her features relaxed, and she looked around district 1, almost sadly. She knew every cobblestone, every brick in this town. She could name all the faces and tell you when the weapon's shop owner stepped out back for a smoke before returning to work. She could show you the nick in the brickwork of the cafe when one of Yuffie's shirikins went ary, and the easiest way to get onto the roof of the deli. she knew all the little secrets, every little nook and cranny. And to be frank, she was slightly sick of it.

"Someday, I'm getting out of here. I don't know how; hitch a ride with a traveler or something. But I'm gonna go, and explore other worlds!" she said, her eyes gleaming.

she pushed through the door into the cafe. The smell of baked goods wafted to her, and she inhaled deeply, savoring them. She floated to the counter, looking at the goods. she tried to peel her eyes from the frosted goodies and focus on something that would fill her, for the pocket change she had.

"Uh... a bowl of dumpling soup, please." she told the woman behind the counter, counting out her munny. she had just enough. "And a cup of tap water." she turned to Lucus. "Are you getting anything?"

[Monica]

He let Alex lead the way and didn‘t respond to her reaction about wanting to leave other worlds. If he never met the King he would of quickly agreed and try to draw plans for their quick escape. Though now he knew it was best to always have a plan, even if he was still against such a strange idea. Closing the café door behind him the sweet smell of baked goods filled his lungs and he exhaled slowly, trying to preserve the sweet smell. He watched as Alex ordered and stood there debating on anything, he didn‘t realize how hungry he was until entering the café. ”Damn every time I come in here I always eat something now that I think of it.

[/color] his mind raced on plates to buy. ”I‘ll get the beef stew. An some coffee…”[/color]

He then quickly turned away to find potions to buy, he always knew where the potions rest- all the way in the back of the store next to life revivers. He picked up a small bottle while looking at the life reviver- ”I guess I could get one of these…”[/color] He spoke quietly to himself, before digging into his pocket to check how much he had, sadly not enough for the food and potion. He decided to go with the life over the healing- seemed better to have. Returning to the front the placed the potion on the table and paid for everything. Looking back over to Alex, ”I‘m bored already….”[/color] his interest level dropped to quickly even for him to stand.[/blockquote][/size]

[blueskysummer]

The girl looked up, watching Lucus walk to the back of the store. with a glance at the woman behind the counter (who was occupied with their orders), she hurried after him. she was interested to see if there was any new merchandice.

her hand floated absently over the shelves, passing over nick-nacks and do-dads, but then suddenly paused.

Wow...

She picked up the blade. It was as long as her hand, with a shining leather handle, inscribed with wonderful patterns of leafy vines, sort of nature-ey, but not girly. she didn't like girly.

She fingered it, examining the tag. non-dulling edges. slight healing capabilities via magic. polished leather handle. reinforced steel blade. lifetime warrenty. It was beautiful, and she wanted it, more than she'd ever wanted one thing before. Her eyes wandered to the bottom of the tag...

her heart dropped. It cost more than she'd made in years of odd jobs. she'd never be able to afford it, not if she planned on eating for the next couple of years.

She fingered her belt. there were still empty places, for more knives. this one was the right size... all it would take was to rip off the tags, and she could walk off with this magnificent beauty in her pocket. the idea rolled around her head, the knife glinting in the lamplight, almost begging her to take it...

she jumped as Lucus walked back to the counter, holding a potion. ashamed at her thought, she put the knife back, hurrying back up to the front of the store. she took the soup from the woman with a friendly nod, walking to a table. she looked at Lucus as she sat. Bored? maybe talking would intrest him more.

"So, tell me about your family. What're they like? other than you're brother, he's obviously a dweeb." she gave him a sly smile, trying not to inhale her soup.

[Monica]

Lucus picked up his order, leaving the change for the woman to count over. He followed Alex to a table, the moment he sat down he took a sip of his coffee. His eyes seemed confused at her question of his family, ”Um… Their okay I guess, I don‘t really get along with em. Everyone pretty much thinks I‘m crazy to leave this world or even stay out late defending people. You‘d think they‘d be supportive but neh not my folks. Wanted me to go be some doctor- but what’s the difference in what I do and what a doctors does huh?”

[/color] He picked up a his spoon and started eating away at the hot stew, his tongue was already burnt from the coffee so the stew didn‘t bother him much. He didn‘t see any difference in the choice of professions he had made, he was saving peoples lives. Still the topic about his family wasn‘t a subject he wanted to continue with, ”I still don‘t know why it‘s so quiet out tonight, usually their trying to attack someone but I hear no screams or shouts for help.”

His mind began to wonder as to strange possibilities that would accrue. Maybe a giant heartless was being formed and it was going to smash down the third districts door- attacking everyone that walked in the first. He sighed heavly putting his spoon down, half wishing he had his keyblade. He never tried to call for it without the King being by his side, he didn’t even know if he had the power to do such a task. ”I can’t help but wonder what’s going on… their planning something…”[/color] He picked up his spoon and took another bite of his stew, ”So what’s your story? How long you been stuck here?”[/color] Lucus looked at Alex, pushing the conversation to her seemed much better then having it be focused on him- which was a first…[/blockquote][/size]

[blueskysummer]

Alex leaned forward, trying hard not to seem too interested. but she was. she'd never known her family, so hearing about annother's always interested her.

"Yeah? Personally, I think a doctor and a protector are pretty darn similar. I say it's better to prevent being hurt than fix someone when they get hurt." she said, taking annother large bite of soup. It was so good... and she was ravenous.

She looked outside. back to the topic of heartless. Where the hell were they? The shadows didn't seem to swirl with them, not even a flicker of dark movement caught her eye. "We should be carefull on our ways home. They're up to something tonight... I can feel it."
Alex scraped the last of her soup into her spoon, trying to get every last drop without licking the bowl (which she might've done if not in the company of Lucus). she paused at his question. "Me? I have no story. I showed up here, forgot where i came from, and, poof! no family, no friends, no-one knows who i am. Wierd, how i can remember my name, but not one farmiliar face from before i got here. But I guess it can't have been that great if i was in such a rush to forget it, right?" she said with a lighthearted smile. she stood, bringing her empty bowl to the counter before returning to the table. "I'm ready whenever you are."

[Monica]

Lucus nodded slowly listening to Alex as she spoke about her loss of memory, it was something he found unsure to praise or feel bad about, ”Maybe there were some things you wanted to forget. To start over, and your subconscious helped you with this fresh start. I‘d say not to worry about it- I mean if you worry you‘ll probably just feel bad. It‘s best to live through today to reach tomorrow, and to be happy and smile while doing it- especially when it seems impossible to smile, being able to do that makes everything seem more bare able… well for me at least. Then again I‘m not the best guy to take advice from- mostly cause no one listens to em.”

[/color] He chucked lightly knowing he probably sounded off but he didn‘t care- he always tried to find a reason to laugh about something, even if it was at himself.

When Alex finished her food Lucus was a bit shocked, he still had half a bowl to go, so he pushed his dish over to her- ”You can eat that if you want, the broth doesn‘t suit my taste right now… I burnt my tongue from my drink so I can‘t enjoy it. Do worry I only have coodies- so you might die in five minutes after the first bite… but it‘ll be fine.”[/color] He joked about himself once again before taking another drink of his coffee. He was hoping it would give him enough energy to pull a all nighter- ”I‘ll walk you back to your home, I was plannin on being up all night to watch this place. Your more then welcomed to join- I just gotta wait a couple hours before I break into my house to get my weapon. I forgot it…”[/color] He admitted painfully, yet he still was able to manage to pull off another comment about himself- ”You should consider my offer as an honor, I never let people follow me around. I hate showing myself off… I‘m a really great fighter.”[/color] he never let a moment pass to let his cocky side shine. He had a smirk on his face as he ran a hand though his messy hair- tossing it as he let out a small yawn.[/blockquote][/size]

[blueskysummer]

The girl tilted her head in thought. "Hm. never realy thought about that. maybe you're right. I mean, if it were realy great, my old life I mean, I wouldn't have forgotten it so easily. I've learned not to worry. worrying just makes no sense. worry brings sadness, and sadness makes you not want to do anything. but if i don't do anything, i don't work, and therefore don't eat. I can stand pretty much everything but hunger." she smiled at the small joke. "I'm sure people take your advice. they just pretend not to listen so they don't have to admit they're doing something wrong. Trust me, years of observation have taught me more about some people here than they might know about themselves."

Alex considered refusing the soup. she really did.she didn't want to seem greedy or anything. but the boy made a good point, and she was comfortable enough around him to be able to accept it. "Well, as long as i have five minutes. cooties aren't the worst way to go." She laughed. "Thanks."

She tried to eat his soup slower, giving him time to finish his coffee. She pretended to ponder the prospect of joining him in his night patroll so she wouldn't appear as eagar as she really was. She loved being out at night, though she couldn't always do it, due to the heartless. "Sure, why not? I'm game for a little night-time heartless-beating. if they show their faces, that is." she laughed. "If you want, i have a couple of daggers back in the... at my place. You're free to borrow them if you'd like, just untill you can get yours. I'm sure your weapon is much more suited for you, but you can never be too careful, right?"

she cocked an eyebrow at the boy. he was quite a character, but she kind of liked that. it made her smile. "I'm sure your fighting skills are truely amazing then. maybe that's why the heartless're so quiet; they're hiding from your mad skills. that's what i would do if i were one of them." she saw the boy yawn, and tried to hold one in herself. "Dang it." She said through the yawn. "Yawns are contageous, you know. see? the guy at the next table over just caught mine, and there goes that girl over at the counter." she chuckled, watching the yawn carry across the room.