Had it really been a year? A year of company-building. Taking sides. Assisting when he shouldn't have. And then leaving things as they were. The truce – a trivial thing to have, but useful when it came to being in a different setting – had been in place for that long as well.

But time still had its flow. They were not to waste anymore of it.

Despite Master Xehanort being the same person he was, the similarities of the interactions, characterized through his gestures and mannerisms, there was a great difference in how things were playing out when compared to what happened a year ago. Still, the old man's words were a low blow. "How tactful," he replied drily, languidly waving a gloved hand in return. "Thirteen were gathered. Our resources have been depleted, but in a city as diverse as this one, I doubt there will be any trouble gathering what is most needed."

'Julian' bobbed in place while making a light gurgling noise to back his master up, followed by a few scattered chirps toward the other NV.