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“You’re kidding, right?” Larxene leaned against the back of the gray couch, arms crossed and head tilted just enough to make anything she said seem condescending. “You think I’ll be able to get anything done with him tagging along? I’d be better off paired with a Dusk.”
“Hey!” Demyx shot up from his haze of playing random notes on his sitar. “I can be helpful when I wanna be!” He paused and shrugged, laying back down. “Which, admittedly, is almost never.”
“Exactly my point.”
“Members of the Organization are paired off at random for these missions, you know how it works.” Saix paid their opposition little mind as he looked through the notes on his clipboard. “I expect a full report this evening.”
Larxene groaned, running her hand over her face.
“So…” Demyx leaned his head back to look at Larxene, his brow raised along with a smirk. “Where we going?”
“Oh come ooooon, not here!” Demyx whined, falling to his knees before yelping and jumping back up. “GAH! Even the sand is hot!”
“Get over yourself and come on,” Larxene grumbled, walking past him to enter the marketplace. “Faster I get this done, the faster I can get rid of you. “
Demyx scrambled after her, complaining incessantly about the heat. Larxene rolled her eyes, thankful for the sounds of the market helping to drown him out. The sun burned overhead, its intense light blaring down on Agrabah. Colorful arrays of fabrics were draped all around them, casting long shadows of shade against the sandy roads. Shopkeepers called out, attempting to entice passerbyers for their wares. Music mixed with the sounds of the crowd, lyres and lutes forming an ambience fitting for a blazing desert town. Larxene slipped between people with ease, not bothering to check over her shoulder to see if Demyx was keeping up. As far as she was concerned, he could get lost and she could handle the mission herself. She wasn’t so lucky as his hand wrapped around her arm.
“Wait up, will you?” Demyx pulled her to a stop so he could stand beside her. He struggled to catch a breath, leaning forward and resting a hand against his leg. “Y-You’re kinda fast, you know that?”
“Ugh.” She stepped away, pulling her arm from his grasp. “Stop panting like a dog, it’s disgusting.” Without giving him a second glance, she continued onward.
Demyx sighed, getting up to follow after her. “Why do you have to be so mean all the time?”
“Oh please.” She couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. “If you think that’s mean, I’m just getting started.”
“Yeah, yeah, what are we even doing here?”
“Find hidden pockets of Heartless and take them out, what else?” Larxene replied. “I’m almost surprised you couldn't even manage to remember something as simple as that.”
Demyx sighed heavily. “You should really try lightening up every once and a while. But you know, without the actual lightning.”
“Excuse me if I don’t think I need advice from one of the most useless creatures in the universe.” She flippantly waved her hand.
“Well now that’s just plain rude,” Demyx muled behind her.
The final Shadow burst into smoke, green orbs bouncing against the sand in its wake. Larxene let out a breath, electricity crackling back into her fingertips as her daggers flashed away. She walked up to the orbs, their rejuvenating power absorbing into her and cooling the throbbing exhaustion building inside. The towering stucco alleyway she found herself in provided shade from the sun, but the heat was still unrelenting. A group of Heartless wouldn’t normally exhaust her to such a state, but combined with the slick of sweat sheening over her skin and matting her hair to the back of her neck, it hadn’t taken much.
“One pocket down!” Demyx’s voice grated on Larxene’s already ringing ears.
Her gloved fingers clenched into fists. “That’s funny, I don’t remember you doing anything.”
“Hey, I took out like… five—”
Larxene’s shrill laugh cut him off as she clapped slowly and methodically, turning around to face him. “Oh good job, Demyx! Five whole Heartless. I’m sure the rest of the Heartless in Agrabah are just shaking in fear that the big scary water man will come after them. Why are you even here? Maybe you should— HEY!”
A sudden force pushed against her from behind, lurching her forward and past Demyx. She sputtered, landing on her knees as cool water soaked her back. A growl came up her throat and she whipped around with electricity sparking from her fingertips, stopping short when she saw an Invisible being pummeled into the sand with a pillar of water. It burst into smoke, leaving behind translucent orbs that were sucked up by the water before absorbing into Demyx’s hand.
He let out a breath, allowing the pillar of water to splash lifelessly into the ground. Then turning around, he grabbed Larxene’s arm and pulled her up to her feet while scrambling with an explanation. “Sorry bout that. That thing just showed up behind you with that huge sword and I just reacted, you know?” He chuckled. “Maybe it cooled you off a bit!”
Larxene scoffed, pulling her arm out of his grasp. “A simple heads up would have been fine.” She swiped her hands together and fixed her hair, walking past him.
“You’re welcome,” he grumbled under his breath.
“Come on,” she told him. “Let’s keep moving.”
“Fine, fine,” he replied, dragging his feet behind her.
All at once, pools of darkness sprouted from the ground, surrounding and trapping them in the alley. Larxene jumped back, her daggers flashing between her knuckles. Demyx groaned, turning around and leaning his back against Larxene.
“Oh man, now we’re in for it!” he whined.
Invisibles lifted out of the pools, their purple blades at their sides. Larxene blew out an even breath, surveying the situation. The image of the first Invisible bursting under the pressure of the water pillar flashed through her mind.
“Hey,” she looked over her shoulder at him, “cover them with water.”
“Whaaat, all of them?” he asked. “But—”
“Just do it!” she barked.
“Fiiine.” He summoned his sitar, shredding notes that filled the alleyway. Orbs of water appeared in the air, glistening from the sunlight before engulfing each and every Invisible.
Larxene smirked, electricity flickering around her before she sprinted forward. She heard Demyx yell in surprise as she disappeared in a flash of lightning. The pulse of adrenaline rushed through her, pushing her forward as she reappeared and pierced through each Invisible. The bright cackle of electricity erupted through the orbs, disintegrating the Heartless into blackened paste that muddied the water.
Demyx’s cheers greeted her once she flashed back into existence at his side. He grabbed her shoulders, shaking her in his excitement. “DUDE! That was awesome!”
She wanted to be annoyed, she expected she would be, but instead she found herself laughing. It was short, breathy, and cut off by her clearing her throat and pushing Demyx back. “See what happens when you actually help for a change?”
“Man, those things usually take forever!” he continued, hands on his head as he looked around at the multitude of orbs left on the muddied ground. “But then you were like— do this, Dummy! And I was all— yeah ok, it’s Demyx Time! And then—”
“Yes, I was there Numbskull,” she interrupted him, her tone not as sharp as before. She turned her back to him, hiding the smirk still across her face. “At least you’ve shown you aren’t completely useless.”
The sun was beginning to set over the marketplace, but the evening didn’t make it any less busy. Clamoring voices mixed with the clang of pots and the squeaky wheels of wagons as shopkeepers packed up their wares. Demyx trailed behind Larxene while she weaved between the crowd. She could make out the occasional word from him amongst the noise as he continually prattled on about this and that. The only reason she listened was for assurance that he was still following, but perhaps as a mercy, she kept her snarky replies to herself.
All they needed was one more group of Heartless, then their quota for the day would be filled. And she was ready to leave the forsaken sand world behind. She was mentally planning her evening of self pampering once they got back when Demyx cried out in surprise. Her gait stopped mid-step with a loud groan.
“What is it—” She turned around, her exasperation turning into surprise at the sight of Demyx being wrangled by one of the shopkeepers.
“Thief!” the shopkeeper cried.
“It’s just an apple, man!” Demyx yelled, trying to wriggle out of the hold.
Larxene crossed her arms, cocking her head to the side. Demyx could have easily gotten out of the hold by using a Corridor or any of his powers, but the fact that he instead remained captured proved that even he was wary of receiving another lecture from Saix about concealing their identities on other worlds.
“No one steals from my cart!” The shopkeeper forced Demyx’s arm onto the table of his shop, pulling out a blade from a sheath at his waist.
“Now hey, wait, hold on—” Demyx panicked, attempting to tug away as water condensed around his fingertips. “Larxene!”
A dagger whistled past, piercing an apple on the cart. Everyone froze, looking towards the destroyed apple.
“What the—” the shopkeeper began to speak.
“Are you really throwing a tantrum over a moldy apple?” Larxene asked, appearing next to Demyx. The crowd murmured with gasps, asking each other how she moved so quickly. Larxene kept her gaze on an apple in her hand, flinging it up with her wrist and catching it. She examined it before tossing it away with indifference. The shopkeeper released Demyx in a panic, catching the apple before it hit the ground. “That’s the hill you’re dying on? Really?”
Larxene grabbed Demyx’s shoulder, shoving him behind her as the shopkeeper brandished his blade with a scowl. “Who do you think you are?” the shopkeeper asked.
“Funny, I should be asking you the same thing,” Larxene replied, looking at her nails and unphased. “Not that it matters. I got what I wanted.” She turned around without sparing the shopkeeper or the crowd a glance and walked away.
Demyx looked between her and the fuming shopkeeper, smiling awkwardly before following after her.
“I’ll ask again,” the shopkeeper spoke and Larxene could hear his footsteps approaching them from behind. “Who do you think—”
A crackle of electricity cut him off as the dagger inside the apple let out a pulse of lightning. Dozens of apples went flying into the air. Some in a pulpy mess as juice and seeds covered the shopkeeper and the forming crowd. Shrieks of surprise filled the market, barely covering Demyx’s guffawing while Larxene pulled him away from the scene. They disappeared around the corner and rushed through a few alleyways until they were sure they wouldn’t easily be found.
Demyx could barely contain his snickers. His shoulders shook, his face creased with a huge grin as he and Larxene wiped away the apple-y pulp clinging to their coats.
“You’re going to get us caught again,” Larxene warned him, flicking her hand in disgust as she began to realize how much juice had gotten on her.
“That was the greatest—” Demyx caught himself as his voice began to rise with excitement. He covered his mouth before trying again with a whisper. “That was the greatest thing I have ever seen. Did you see that guy’s face?” He doubled over, his snickers growing into actual giggles.
“You’re so immature.” Larxene rolled her eyes, looking away despite the smirk tugging at her mouth.
“Hey, I’m not the one that sent apples flying through the air,” he pointed out, voice riddled with amusement. “You’re going to get in sooo much trouble with Saix.” He paused, his laughter suddenly ceasing. “Wait… you know you’re getting in trouble, right?”
“Of course I do.” She crossed her arms, back to him.
“Then… why do it?” he asked.
“I saw the water you were summoning.” She shrugged. “Knowing you, it would have been sloppy and made a huge mess of things.”
“Ah, shoulda known.” He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry, then, I guess.”
“I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you were dumb enough to try stealing in broad daylight,” she told him, turning to face him. “Moldy apples, really?”
“Heh, well, I don’t know about moldy.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an apple, tossing it to her.
Larxene caught it with ease, watching as Demyx pulled out a second one and took a generous bite of it.
Demyx hummed with appreciation. “So refreshing.”
Larxene scoffed, about to cast the apple over her shoulder, but for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to go through with it. She looked at the fruit, seeing her reflection in its polished red skin. “You got me one, too?” she asked.
“Seemed like we deserved it after all Heartless slaying,” he said with a full mouth. “And I figured I could sneak it…” He swallowed his food and moved to sit down against the wall. “Guess I proved myself wrong. That was a dumb move.”
“Yeah, it was,” she huffed with a short breath of amusement. Leaning against the wall, she continued looking at the apple but didn’t take a bite.
“You know, you really aren’t that bad,” Demyx told her, not noticing her tense. “I think I can see why Marluxia likes being around you now.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” she asked, a bite in her tone.
“Nothing,” he put his hands up in surrender, “I’m just sayin’. I always see you two together; you sulking in the corner and glaring at everyone, while Marlu gets lost in his own eyes in the nearest reflection.”
“Oh you’re hilarious,” she told him sarcastically, rolling her eyes. “I didn’t think you noticed anything over the constant droning of your voice while you play your little songs.”
“Yeesh, right back to being mean,” he replied. “Sorry I said anything.”
Larxene winced, though she wasn’t sure why. She looked at the apple again, lifting it to her lips and taking a small bite. The sweet taste of it felt nostalgic, but for what she couldn’t begin to place. She couldn't remember the last time she had bothered to eat an apple. Fleeting moments swirled through her mind. Smiles, warmth, friends, shared meals… A forgotten life. She swallowed and the memories disappeared with it. She could see Demyx peeking up at her out of the corner of her eye. With a short exhale of breath, she tossed the apple away and began walking out of the alley.
“Come on,” she spoke up. “Let’s get this over with.”