「The Outside World With You」

Chapter 9

Identities:

   The food was absolutely delectable! Sure, he's had samples of some of these but having them in full meals didn't compare at all! His silver eyes sparkled as he took another bite of the steak and exclaimed, "It's so good!"

   "Ah, how in the hell are you still eating? I'm so full that I might explode."

   Eraqus laughs aloud. "Now that wouldn't be a pleasant sight would it?"

   "I'd definitely embrace you just so you'll have to experience my suffering," he said with a smirk.

   Mid-chew, Xehanort chokes and almost dies laughing, violently abusing the table and silently demanding the cup of water. They all laugh again but no one seemed to look their way, due to it already being so noisy. Many people usually drank day and night during these times.

   "Haha! Man, I've never seen someone so red in my whole life!" snorts Vanitas, who immediately grabs ahold of his stomach and groans.

   "Serves you right, little knight!" counters Eraqus.

   Xehanort snatched a cup and chugs it, not minding the few drops that slipped down his jaw. "I can't believe you two! I feel so betrayed!"

   The raven's smile doesn't cease but instead, widens as he took a bite out of the loaf of bread. Not bothering to finish chewing he says, "You're fwine mow, rwight?" To wash it down, he grabbed a cup and slowly drank.

   "My, my, you youngsters make me want my old life back," said a voice. Eraqus looks up and almost spurted the liquid through his nostrils. That pink hair, formal attire, and baby blue eyes. Laurly! Xehanort was first to greet him with a smile.

   "Oh, good morning, Lauriam. I didn't expect to find you here on this fine day."

   "I wouldn't miss this festival for the world. I actually didn't come here on my own."

   Eraqus cringes out of concern and dismissed himself to the bar. He lifted a finger for a drink and turned back to look at them. Even Vanitas seemed uncomfortable around Laurly.

   "Here you go, Eraqus," she said, sliding the cup over.

   He catches it and says, "Yeah, thanks a bunch." Lifting the handle, he pours it into his mouth. Wait, did he tell her his name? This time the beer flew out from the wrong pipe, resulting in painful coughs. As tears pricked the corners of his silver eyes, he glanced at her and did a double take. "Elly?"

   "'Elrena'. Get it right."

   "But what the hell are you doing here?"

   She scoffs, shakes up two bottles together, then passes it to a couple of random men before responding. "Best time to get money is when there's a ton of people eager to get drunk. Everyone is here actually. By everyone, I mean all thirteen of us."

   At that point, he knew he probably had a reason for everything single one of their person's arrivals. "Gods, I wouldn't want them making bad decisions around this time."

   "I'm going to pretend like I didn't hear that. Anyway, you should get going. Looks like Mister Mini Knight isn't feeling so good."

   "Well, I'm glad to hear that you're well, Xehanort." Lauriam sighs and pats the silver's shoulder before he headed out for the knight. "I won't take anymore time from you. Just know we got your back."

   Only after they left did he realize what that meant. He dismissed the thought quickly when the onyx quickly ran into a nearby trash bucket and threw up bile there. "Aw, man, all that food went to waste."