Choosing where... *Invite*

[Patchwork]

Roxas watched the night sky as she sat in a tree, a hand on her stomach that was showing a little now. She hadn't decided if she would have the baby at home, at a hospital (Highly doubtful) or at her favorite place: out in the wood. She dared not ask Ash yet, and was trying to come up with something to ease the worries she had. They had already chosen a name: Hector. But Roxas was still a little unsure of what to believe in.

Maybe they expect me to stop once the baby is born... They should know better than that. thought Roxas.

[kristopher]

"Something on your mind? Roxanne?" A familiar voice said as I stepped out from behind the trees behind her. My white scarf floating behind me I knelt to her side, my face holding a small smile below the face paint I called a signature. I said not another word, looking into her eyes with mine I could see the query and question in her eyes. I trusted her, and since I knew barely anyone else, we both knew she could trust me.

Knowing there was nobody else round I sat next to her, also leaning on the tree and looking up to the sky for a few lengthly moments before my amethyst eyes were drawn to Roxas again, with her hand over her stomach I sat forward quite quickly "Are you okay?" I asked, sounding quite concerned. Unknowing of the pregnancy as I had only met her a while ago.

[Patchwork]

Roxas jumped at Kris's presence, sighing in relief as she noticed the familiar marks. "Hey. Spooked me, you did." She smiled and looked at the sky as she kneeled near her. "Just thinking a little on where I'll have the baby, I guess. I'm about four months in, and I'm not very sure of where he'll be born." She looked at Kris, expecting a shock on his face.

"It's my husband's child, and I'm a bit nervous to talk about this to him." She admitted. She watched him as he seemed to be a bit worried as her hand stroked her stomach. "I'm just carrying a few more pounds than I'm used to." She smiled at Kris. She didn't know why, but he seemed almost like her old friend and brother... He had died in a war when she was young. Lykos Foxx had been his name, and he was her eldest brother, the second older being Kosi Haggard, who recently married and changed his name to his wife's.

[kristopher]

I sat close to Roxas' side and smiled at her, shocked and quite relived at the same time. In my typical fashion he gave a single line of advice, with meaningful words that did not tell her what to do, but helped her decide for herself. "You need to talk to someone you can fully trust, and then make up your own mind." I said to her, looking at her stomach then to the sky as I sat close by her side.

I didn't know how or why, but I felt the need to protect Roxas, and make sure she was okay... Like a brother would, I had never had siblings, nor any real family. Roxas was the closest I had to it. Maybe thats why i felt so attached to her. Even if I tried I could not leave her alone here, or anywhere else.

As I sat by Roxas' side I bought my knees up and put a hand on the ground close to Roxas and placed the other on my face closing my eyes with a sigh. I clearly was thinking about something, that happened to be a worry of having nowhere to go and constantly draining funds. I did not want anyone to know, especially if like Roxas they had their own problems to worry about, but I would need to face it sooner or later. As she would.

[Patchwork]

Roxas looked at Kris and smiled. "I know that much. I just can't help the fact I'm worried, and I'm naturally too shy to talk outwardly to someone. Can't even talk to my brother over the phone about it." She sighed and then looked at the sky herself. As a few moments passed, she looked at him.

"If you need to talk at all, I'm here for you. I've been through a lot in my life: I'm pretty much the psychologist for Kadic, I guess. Most who come to me I can easily talk to about their problems and help them out with them. I can help yours too, be it just words or any action you might need within my morals..." She grew quiet and then gripped a small silver pentagram on her neck.

In her ways, she didn't know who to trust. She didn't like being a solitary witch practicing Paganism, Wicca, and Witchcraft.

"Do you know about Yule coming up? Winter's in near full swing by now." She watched the sky. Nothing close to snowflakes were even falling. "The longest night of the year, Yule, is a time to celebrate the rebirth of the sun. Witches gather on the night of December 21st to call the sun back from its southward journey. It is a time for feasting, singing, merry-making, and the exchange of gifts." Roxas explained. Her eyes had a deep wisdom showing as she spoke. She was no elder of any kind: just a solitary witch who only taught her ways when she felt it necessary.

[kristopher]

Looking up with a small smirk I spoke quietly, "You just told me." My purple eyes meeting Roxas' I paused for an eternal moment, looking straight at her with thoughts running through my mind, and questions of if I should tell her about my current situation. And if I did so, if her reaction would be positive or negative toward it.

Slowly moving a hand to the inside of my jacket and feeling something there was almost a mirror of Roxas feeling her pentagram just before me. I knew little of the Wicca and it's ways. The 'Three-fold' law was something I already, in my own way, knew. Having no intention of harming anyone unless in defense, already followed another law. Maybe in due time, I'd have the confidence to ask about it, and I listened carefully about Yule and sighed as she finished. "Roxanne, can you keep a secret?" I asked, already knowing the answer in my mind.

"Sadly, I don't know anyone here, and the trees are the only shelter I have from the winter." My voice was quiet, as if ashamed and hesitant to share. Nobody was around to hear but I did not trust it would remain unheard by all but Roxas as there is always a way someone finds these things out. Stupidest move I had ever made was spending the money to fly here on my own, not even setting up a school a place to stay, and the money was disappearing fast from my pockets. I sat back against the tree and closed my eyes, closing out the fact that I was starting to get deeply emotional about everything that had been going on.

[Patchwork]

Roxas smiled as he responded her situation. She listened as he spoke when he did, eyes looking back into his own. sHe tore her eyes from his and watched the trees, almost wanting to go out to find someone. Then, he asked her is she could keep a secret. Oh, how she chuckled lightly to herself. "Of course I can. What's up?" she said back, a bit of laughter in her eyes. She listened quietly and then nodded. She knew the feeling. "You know what's ironic? I used to live out here by myself for almost a year. It's not bad, really. Winters are kind of harsh, but not too bad when you compare it to Germany's winter." She looked at Kris. "If you need a place, I'll see what I can do. I can pull some strings with a few people... actually..." she grew quiet and smiled in thought.

"My old place. I bet if we clean it up, it'll do fine for you. If that's alright. It used to be my brother's before it was mine, and he really loved deer. You will see a few of them nearby, though." She then smiled at Kris. "The place is already paid off, and it's fairly close to my house. As long as you can pay for about half of the bills, you can have it." Roxas smiled at Kris with a knowing look. It seemed like he was one wishing for family. Much like Roxas wanted her own pack. Maybe, just maybe, she could teach him her ways, if he wanted.

[kristopher]

A small smile crossed my face as my hand went back into my jacket, feeling the notes in my inside pocket, it was plenty for Roxas' proposal but probably would not last long. I turned my head toward Roxas, but kept my eyes hidden under my fringe. "Thanks, but I don't think this would cover it. But I'll be alright." I was thankful for the offer but a whole house seamed too much. I did not know what I was going to do, I knew Roxas could help me, though I was unsure what the future held.

Slowly standing up I looked at Roxas. Turning around and taking a few steps as if I was leaving. Then I stopped and sighed leaning against another tree by my side and looking at her, my eyes fell to half closed. I tried to comprehend what it was about her that made me not want to leave but it was an alien concept to me. I sighed and held my gloved hands out in front of me looking at them I turned them into fists and put them by my side, I could feel what others could not and the same feeling was following certain individuals I had encountered. Heroes of a place called Lyoko that I knew nothing of, I was so close to just turning around and asking Roxas to tell me what she and the others were doing there. But not knowing exactly what it was about stopped me.

An awkward silence fell upon the forest, only broken by the wind rustling the trees and pushing my scarf to my left side. "I'm sorry Roxanne." What I was apologizing for exactly was unknown as it could be a mix of many things, or everything involving me thrown together. All I convinced myself to know is I was useless to her. I stood upright again and fell placing my back against the tree behind me, and my hands slipping into my trouser pockets, my face hidden by the curtain of silver hair that shielded my emotions from the outside world.

[Patchwork]

Roxas watched Kris and stood herself as he said he was sorry. She was one to observe and understand, able to make a few jokes to always lighten a mood. Roxas walked near Kris and placed a hand on his shoulder gently. "Hey, don't apologize. You've done thing wrong." She smiled in motherly way, one she used a bit when dealing with anyone's feelings. She smiled at Kris and hugged him like a parent. "Kris, if you want, I can try to get you an apartment in the city," she told him, the wind bursting against her back. She yipped and let out a hiss after, looking at the sky. Only snow clouds were there. "Little... alright, Ryuuk, stop it." She snorted once at no response and let go of Kris. "I think... I may need to leave, Kris. WAnt to come?" she asked, looking back at him. "And maybe this'll solve a few problems with your own mind, too." She smirked in a knowing way at him.

[kristopher]

Feeling Roxas' hand on my shoulder I looked toward her, seeing her smile made me do the same and as she hugged me. It surprised me and I relaxed and putt my arms around her softly. "Thanks..." I slowly replied with her in my arms, looking at her and feeling her so close to me washed all my troubles away for a moment before hearing her 'yip' made me jump and out of a brotherly defense my hug tightened before she pulled away. Watching her slightly confused I nodded at her, if nothing more I wanted to follow just to be with her, and make sure she was alright. "Sure I'll come with you." I answered with a smile looking straight at Roxas, then pushing some of my hair out of the way of my eyes. Ready to go where ever she wanted to go.

[Patchwork]

Roxas nodded and led the way, her steps silent as she walked on the front of her feet. She usually never did, but she didn't want to risk anyone finding them. She led KRis to the area she knew pleasantly as her second home: the factory. "Can you jump?" she asked, looking at him. There was a break in the bridge, and it was pretty large. She chuckled to herself and jumped it, landing on the other side with a slight grunt. she wasn't used to doing that with her muscles hard from the cold. She looked back at him, waiting.

[kristopher]

My steps made little sound as I followed, I had taught myself to sneak around myself and after never really lost the habit. Seeing the factory I froze in my steps for a moment before slowly following up pace again. I was unsure of where we were or what was going on. But I followed Roxas none the less.

Seeing her jump the gap I smiled at her question while taking a few steps back. Clearing the gap as she did before me and landing in a couched position with one hand on the cold bridge that held us both upon it. I stood and walked to Roxas' side "You alright?" I asked as I pushed my shoulder back starting to take my jacket off to give to her "It's a little cold, if you want my jacket..?" I looked at her and smiled, only half way through saying what I was going to but being concerned for her distracted me. But she knew what I meant.

[Patchwork]

Roxas watched Kris jump and smirked in a friendly way. "No, I'm fine, thank you, though." she responded to him after he asked if she wanted his jacket. She smiled and walked into the opening of the factory. "Come on. Let's get down there and get warm." She slid down a rope, wincing a bit as it made her hands turn red from both the cold and friction. "Come on. No worries, now. Hakuna Matata!" she grinned.

[kristopher]

Pulling my jacket back onto my shoulders I smiled watching her. Following her closely I slid to a stop watching her slide down and I grabbed a rope and looked down to her before sliding down myself. "It means no worries, for the rest of your days." My scarf following behind me my feet echoed in the large open space as my eyes widened as I looked up around the factory. I fell worryingly quiet just looking around. I walked over staying close to Roxas out of a protective instinct.

As we both made our way to the elevator I kept turning around, checking behind me to make sure we were not being tailed. "So... Where does this lift lead?" I asked, purposely not hiding my accent knowing it was just me and her. Reaching into my pocket for a second to check something I looked at her and smiled softly to her.

[Patchwork]

Roxas grinned as Kris seemed worried. "Relax. It's only the old Factory. Only a few friends of mine know this place, and they're all off somewhere." She placed her hand on the button for the elevator.

"This leads to one place I trust with my life; where I also risk it daily." she smiled. "No worries. If you wish, you can see this as well. I can trust your not with the enemy. Ever see the old shows about viruses being evil and trying to take over stuff. That's what is actually happening daily in our world. I know you can keep the secret, so I'm not going to ask. Our secret is one none of us have ever told unless we feel that someone may be able to help. We've lost one friend that way already, though.. His name was William Dunbar. He goes to Kadic, the boarding academy I'm part of."

She stepped into the elevator and looked at Kris.

"Are you willing to come, or will you walk away to never deal with what I've said?"

[kristopher]

Listening intently and nodding at Roxas I looked at her, since I was quite tall I was slightly taller than her- only slightly but enough to think of her as a sister I needed to protect. Hearing of William worried me sightly but I still made no assumptions toward the place Roxas trusted. As we stood waiting for the elevator I put my hands in my pockets and looked at her as the old rusted sounds came from it raising to ground level.

As she walked in and looked at me, asking if I was going in or walking out I froze for a moment, I did not know what I was getting into, the story sounded dangerous and I had not seen anything. Stepping back with my left leg I looked at her then to the floor closing my eyes. Taking a deep breath.

After having a moment to think I looked back up at her and nodded. "I'm not letting you get into trouble on your own Roxanne... And you've perked my Interest." I said with a small smile, I slowly stepped into the elevator and as it made a quiet grown as I pressed the button to close the shutters that acted as the door. I kept a small smile as I looked at Roxas. No clue what she was up to, but it was sure to be a little more than interesting.

[Patchwork]

Roxas couldn't help the grin as she saw Kris walk in the elevator. She felt it go down and watched the elevator open. Before them was a room that Roxas herself knew greatly of. She was the one who mostly sent them into the world she was going to show Kris. "Come, brother. I'll show you the world in which you've chosen to defend." She walked out of the elevator and stepped towards the computer, turning it on and acivating the hologram. "See that?" she asked.

"That's the sectors or the world."

[kristopher]

I gained a very slight blush as she called my brother, I felt more like a guardian, but then again brothers do that too. My purple eyes turned to the hologram in front of me. sounding impressed by it I asked "The world huh? I smiles looking at it carefully, it was very different to the world I knew. But it was something I would get used to as a second home, as Roxas did.

Knowing it was not the world we were stood in. I turned to Roxas, pausing for a moment as I considered the computers, the advanced Holo-map and where we were. "So how do you... uh, we get there?" I knew the computer had something to do with it. But I would soon find it was more than I imagined. Looking at the elevator I smirked slightly. "I'm guessing everything is spread out over a number of floors. Everything seams pretty complex."

Taking a few steps toward Roxas I winked at her "I'm guessing you weren't just planning on telling me stories about the place." I watched her putting my hands in my pockets, waiting for her reaction.

[Patchwork]

Roxas smiled back at him. "of course I wouldn't have planned on just leaving you here to get a lecture. I can't do that thing, anyways." she smiled and typed something onto the computer. "Come on. Thirty seconds to transfer, Kris." she smiled at him and walked towards a small ladder, climbing down. sHe usually would have just jumped, but she didn't want to with the actor she was with a pup.

"And yes, it is complex, but not too much. I learned what I know from observations. Come on, snag a scanner." she made a gesture to the yellow items that were almost the size of the ceiling in height.

[kristopher]

Watching Roxas carefully I followed closely, following her down the ladder and jumping the last five steps or so, landing in the ground I looked At Roxas walk to the scanners in front of us. Their size and structure worried me slightly, but I did not let it show. Glancing to Roxas I Stepped into the scanner as Roxas did I looked over to her, nodding to tell her I was happy with my decision to go with her. "I guess... I'll see you in a minute Roxanne." I said to her, lacking confidence.

As the scanners doors closed in front of me I panicked a little, putting one gloved hand on the door I took a deep breath closing my eyes. I trusted Roxas... Whatever was going to happen.