Legacy of a Star Child

Chapter 9: Hello Darkness My Old Friend

Did you get them? Why are you so out of breath?

-Came the confused voice of Vexen, as Zexion seemed to stumble panting into the lab. His little chest was almost exploding as his physical (not emotional) heart raced. He dropped down at his own desk trying to calm his nerves, as he gently without responding placed down the stack of files Vexen requested and huddled the small bag of collected items to his lap. Vexen stared, now concerned as he wandered over and gently gripped the boyish 21 year old's shoulder.-

Zexion? What happened?

-The other kept breathing, finally, he seemed to calm down a bit, before speaking up.-

I um... I wasn't expecting anyone to be there. But the turks were prowling the halls... and Cait... and Vincent and...

-Vexen frowned, he sighed and gently pulled the other partially into a side hug.-

Its alright now, you are safe, you did a good job, thank you for your help. Hm...

-The man gently pulled away from Zexion and grabbed the files heading to sit down at his own desk only 2-3 feet away, beginning to look over what Zexion had gathered.-

I wonder why they were in the research facility... its been abandoned for almost 3 years...

-Zexion nodded as he gently opened his little nap sack and began removing the cute little bundles of memories out onto his desk.-

They looked as though they were looking for someone, or something... For some reason, they zoned in on me, and wanted to talk to me. They were somewhat desperate in all honesty.

-Vexen raised a brow at that, large icy greens swiveling to look back at the boy.-

Well your appearance must have truly startled them, your lucky you were not shot. Next time I will probably go myself, I am not risking you getting hurt over something as frivolous as outdated research.

-Stated the snowman in a way that made it clear he would not take no for an answer. He blinked however when he realized that Zexion was not even paying attention to him, he was cradling a pair of materia in his hands, running his fingers over them, entranced by the glow. The chilly academic spoke up again.-

Where did you get those? Were they laying around in the wreckage?

-Zexion jumped a little almost dropping the orbs quickly snatching them out of the air before sighing in relief to have not damaged them.-

Not quite... I and Rufus when we were little, we had a secret stash of personal items we kept in a desk where we knew no one would look... I um... I decided to see if they were still salvageable, and they were.

-Vexen paused, looking at the materia's before smirking shaking his head some.-

Ahh I remember now. That water materia is the one you got with Rufus when going to Chimney Cave on the outskirts of Nebelheim. I remember because Rufus came strutting into the lab going on and on about how you weren't allowed to miss the trip and demanded you sleep over that night.

-Zexion gave a wry smile at Vexen's recollection, nodding.-

Yes, that's exactly how it went, I am surprised you remember.

-Vexen smirked and moved his hand lightly tapping the side of his right temple.-

That's one thing I can say I remember vividly, your childhood with us in the lab. Clearly it meant a lot to me to hang onto it so tightly. I have been trying to propose possible theories about what nobodies remember from there lives as somebodies, Xemnas as always enjoys theory talk.