“Everything is not fine, Demyx,” Axel nearly growled.

“But…but…you can’t be all out of orange juice,” the sitar-player whined, his eye wide and shining with fake tears. “My mother is dying, and orange juice is the one thing that would save her…”

“I’m sorry,” said the girl at the counter, nearly in tears herself, “I’m so sorry! We just ran out this morning. I really don’t have any more right now, not until later. You could always come back then.”

Demyx shook his head sorrowfully. “By then,” he said dramatically, “it will be too late. Farewell, my dear girl, and thank you for your concern.”

As the pair walked away, they could hear the girl break into passionate sobs. Demyx rolled his eyes. “Stupid store,” he said, “see if I ever shop there again.”

“Demyx, I don’t think you understand,” said Axel after a few moments of silence, “we just went to that store, and we still don’t have any orange juice.”

“I know, I know,” murmured Demyx. “Hollow Bastion usually has everything. I’m not sure where to go now…hey!”

Demyx turned and held up a finger. “I know who we can ask. Luxord is about 12 steps away from being an alcoholic. I’m sure he knows where to get some orange juice. We can ask him.”

Axel blew out a breath. “Okay. But you better hope this works,” he said.

Demyx scoffed. “Hey, I’m not the one who drank the birthday O.J.,” he reminded Axel as they portalled back to the castle.
_________________________________________________________________________________

“Hey. Triskix,” said RaXi abruptly as Triskix opened the door to his room. “Uh…hey. How’re you doing?”

Triskix narrowed his eyes. “I’m…fine, RaXi,” he answered. “Do you mind…?” He tried to step out of his room, but RaXi quickly side-stepped to block his path. He moved to the right, but she moved to block him there, too. Tilting his head, he stepped back, and then forward two steps, but RaXi simply moved with him, preventing his escape.

“RaXi,” he said, losing patience, “would you please move? I’m supposed to meet Axel in the kitchen. Now.” Not that he would ever admit it, but Triskix was curious as to what Axel was going to surprise him with on his supposed birthday.

RaXi laughed nervously. “Oh. Well, I’m sure he can wait a few minutes or so,” she said, “I really wanted to show you something I did for your birthday.”

Triskix frowned. “Not you, too? RaXi, you know as well as I—”

“Yeah, yeah,” said RaXi, grabbing Triskix by the hand, quickly calculating the longest way around the castle to her own room, “we can talk in a minute.”

Triskix had no choice but to follow her as she dragged him off down the hallway.