A low chuckle was heard inside her head, and the girl frowned.
Who are the other victims? She mentally thought. She was answered by just pure amusement from the deity she shared her soul with.
You'll just have to wait and see, now won't you? Shokubai responded. Yume gave a little humph, and The blonde looked up from his corner.
Yume turned her attention to him, and tilted her head.
"We're going out. Come on. Maybe we can find a way for you to get back." A way for him to get back. That was merely an excuse the girl was using to go out and play in the rain. Or just.. wander around. Usualy, when she felt this kind of power building up, it meant something big was going to happen. And she always needed to be outside when that happened. Stepping foot outside, followed by her silent companion, yume let a true smile creep onto her face. THe rain falling down and washing away troubles, feelings.. almost made her feel pure. The house always put her in a bad mood. The place was abandoned, ever since the fight against her mother long ago. Her mother was gone now, but the house felt so empty..
She shook her head, and took off at a run. She didn't really have anyplace in particular in mind, nor any true destination. Just.. Freedom.
--
Cloud hadn't really known what to do when he had woken up in this strange, chaotic world. Things spoke that shouldn't have, colors were screwed up, it was like an acid trip version of Wonderland. And the Girl who had found him and dragged him along with no real choice at all, (what,shecouldn'tbemore than15, right?) everything seemed so...off. There was light here, but more darkness than anything. But she had said, and he had heard a voice underlying hers when she had spoken to him, and extended her hand.. "I know how to find what you are searching for.".
Just that mere phrase. And he had followed. He had been stuck here for about a week now, if his time tracking abilities weren't off.. The time here was so screwed up as well. One moment it was night, the next mid-day. And he still couldn't remember how he had gotten there.
The last things he remembered was fighting Sephiroth above HollowBastion. And then.. nothing. Had he lost? Had he won? Would Sephiroth come back once more and cut everything down?
Closing his eyes as he stepped out into the rain, he missed the small, fleeting smile that crossed the girls' face, but his eyes opened once more when she began running around aimlessly. Honestly. He still couldn't figure out her age. Was she 15? 12? 17? He didn't know. her actions were confusing. But She held a light, and a darkness at the same time. Was this world connected? he hadn't seen any heartless at all...
So was that a good thing? A sudden rumbling broke him out of his reverie, and his gaze returned to the girl whom he had let out of his sight. She seemed to just.. be staring into space. But the ground was shaking and splitting around her. And her hair was beginning to lift slightly, was she floating? Cloud moved forwards as suddenly an major earthquake knocked him off his feet for a few moments, and he was up again, and running. Lights were begging to swirl around her, and there was shadows around the corners of his vision. For a moment, it seemed like her hair was blonde, and the ears and tail weren't there. He managed to grab ahold of her arm, an that was when everything went upside down. He grabbed her, and pulled her close to him, just as something to hold on to, as everything went dark, and then light.
---
Yume felt the calling, and felt Shokubai suddenly send a surge of power through her body. The rain stopped falling ,and the world began to fall away like shattered peices of glass, falling away to show a new version of the world. But not her world. The transition was rather painful, and the pull on her soul as shokubai went deep into her subconcious was always rather straining. But the warm arms wrapped around her, made her feel safe, if only for a few moments before she felt the familiar ache in her chest at being held. She hated being held. It always made her want to cry... She felt like they were floating. WEre they traveling though dimensions?
Suddenly, the floating feeling faded, and was replaced with the pull of gravity. Tilting her head, she saw a domed ceiling, and then she looked down. It was a far way down. Everything seemd tinted and dipped in gold though, and ther ewere staircases that were visible.. and some people.. but.. it was the falling that was concerning. She did the only thing she could think of. She let out a high pitched whine. Yume never screamed when she was scared. She whimpered. And whined. She only screamed when she was hurt or in pain. So she whimpered and closed her eyes tight.
--At the noise and sudden pull of gravity, Cloud opened his eyes. Well. He was falling. And she was shaking in his arms. Survival instinct took over, and he managed to flip over in the air and spread his wing. Black, and almost bat-like, he avoided looking at it. Almost tattered looking too. The symbolization of how far the darkness had taken him.
With it out, he managed a more dignified landing, but still landed with a rather loud noise as his boots hitt the floor. Letting Yume get her balance, he let go of her, and only then paid attention to his surroundings.
... Where the hell were they now?!
--
Now that the scary part was over, Yume's ears perked up as she observed the new surroundings. Shokubai's power was a low hum, meaning this world was a little far out of her way. All the more chance to break the game. But then again, Shokubai loved playing that game with her. She would give her hope and then take it away, loving to crush her host's dreams.
Alielle hated paper work.
The blue-eyed replica sat at a large, round table in what she guessed was used as a conference room. A stack of dull-looking papers quietly mocked her, and she sighed. At the lazy rate she was going, Alielle would be stuck doing the dreaded forms for weeks. Throwing her pen across the room, the girl figured she would just do all of it later. How could she focus in a room with a bay window, filtering light into the room and drawing her attention to a beautiful spring day? She wanted to be outside, soaking up the sun, memorizing how it felt compared to other days. Two years. She still had so much to do, so much to learn and so much to experience. The Order really couldn’t blame her for being so unmotivated. Seriously, the choleric could be sending her on diplomatic missions like Mika.
Where was her other self anyway?
Getting up from the hard, sturdy chair Alielle let out a loud yawn as reached for the ceiling in a stretch. Exiting the room, the girl walked through the disgustingly decorated hallways of the Daath Cathedral. Endless and very wide, Alielle heard her footsteps echo down the empty space for what seemed like an eternity. Footsteps. Frowning, the replica missed Luke. They had formed a bond immediately after Fon Master Ion had died, and if Alielle was correct, that was the first time she had ever cried. Luke tried to comfort her as much as he could, since he was the one Ion had died for, and somehow they became connected. They were both replicas, which meant they both understood what it felt like to be so unsure of yourself in a world where you already exist, technically, and shouldn’t belong. As Alielle turned a corner and entered a more common section of the cathedral, she remembered what Luke had said about being a replica.
Footsteps are like trackers, marking your existence. You are alive.
Before the girl knew it, she had managed to stumble her way back into the grand hallway, spotting a familiar set of curls she was looking for. Mika seemed hard and focused as Alielle drew near, as per usual, watching the new Fon Master replica Florian, run around the cathedral as if it were a playground. No one dared to reprimand him, he was the Fon Master after all, but more than that, he didn’t know any better. “Hey Mika-face, what’s up?” the teen greeted, and Mika barely gave her a sideway glance. “Anise was right to name him Florian, this kid’s a fruitcake.” Was her snippy reply and Alielle just rolled her eyes. Alielle was about to lecture on its actual meaning when there was a very sudden, loud shattering sound. Immediately, both girls were in offensive-mode. What the hell was falling through the ceiling?
Mika made a b-line straight for the Fon Master, her speed almost unrecognizable as she faded past screaming choleric and surprised visitors. Florian, as usual, was endangered by the falling, people? Alielle took off almost as fast as Mika, the spell casting rod upon her back out of its carrier and pointing toward the young man and girl that had just crash landed through the cathedral. The cathedral. Skidding to a stop, Alielle chanted a fonic hymn, the spell circle forming below her feet as she casted a spell for paralysis. She could not have these people going anywhere. Why wasn’t informed of their arrival? Wouldn’t the Archbishop have read the score for today and had known this would happened? Was something overlooked? Alielle was incredibly confused as Cloud and Yume were frozen by her spell. Lowering the casting rod, the fountaine, Alielle gave them both a curious look.
“Mika, did you know about this?” She called casually, walking right in front of the pair, mere inches from their faces. They couldn’t move at all. They could talk, but not move, so Alielle was bold and obnoxious as ever. “I mean, I surely didn’t know we were getting some weirdos crash landing into the Daath’s Catherdral.” Mika appeared beside her reflection at the second question, having stashed Florian away somewhere. “Not at all,” She said, her voice laced with annoyance as she gave a one over of Cloud and Yume. “The Archbishop and I are going to have a talk though.” And with that, Mika was out of sight, probably going to inform the higher-ups of the situation. Raising her rod once more, Alielle’s spell was cast, only this time it pulled Yume and Cloud to follow her every move. She had to get out of the grand hallway, there was already a riot forming. People everywhere.
Leading them into a secure room toward a rather shady-looking area at the back of the cathedral, Alielle release Cloud and Yume from her spell. What was she going to do with them? “You people have some explaining to do,” was all she could think of. Alielle would let the two talk as she waited for Mika and whoever to arrive.
Well. That had been an interesting experience. And being frozen in place reminded cloud of the time he had been hit with a Stopra spell once. He didn't fight it, but frowned slightly when The girl approached and made a comment about weirdos. One, he didn't like people that close. Two, he wasn't too appreciative of being called names. However, he had no choice in the matter of anything, and blinked when it seemed like the girl's twin came around.
His frown deepened as they were led out of sight. He was appreciative of being out of the way, because groups of people really weren't his thing. But when she seemed to demand and explaination out of confusion and akwardity of not knowing what next to do, the blonde began to wonder just where they had dropped in. The commotion that had been cuased.. well. Cloud now understood why subtlety was best when traveling worlds. Blending in and not causing a scene.. well. His gaze traveled to Yume, who seemed quite happy, and if she had been able to move, would have been wiggling from he could tell. As it was, her ears and tail were trembling. When they were released completely, CLoud's stance immediately went to defensive. Relaxed to an outsider, but to one who knew him, he could pull his sword at anytime and weild it if threatened.
Yume didn't like having the spell put on her. But the girl who did it was interesting. The people were interesting, and that girl who froze her had a twin! Or so she thought. She frowned, a small pout taking place on her features as she was called a weirdo, but then had a quiet fascination as she was made to follow out of the sight of normal people. A giggle escaped as she couldn't help but be excited that she was in a new place, new people, new chance, new game!
When the spell was released, She actually couldn't help but laugh for a moment, and then stretch, rising up on her toes and her tail swishing behind her as her ears stood straight up and at attention to the girl in front of her.
"Hello! My name is Yume!! What's yours? The Blonde is Cloud!" She started. Outgoing? Yes. Comfortable wherever she was? Yes. Maybe because she knew that it was all like a dream. There was no consequences for her actions. Everything was all just a game. New players. New friends. no, not once did it cross her mind that perhaps it was her own mindstate that was causing all the hell for everyone. Durin wasn't here to harass her or shoot her down. Cloud was the traveling companion, and the 'boy' of the group apparently. This was all going to be such fun, such fun!!
She tilted her head slightly as Alielle asked the question about explainations.
"Oh? Explainations of what? I'm a traveler! I go from world to world abducting little children for a much greater goal in saving the universe. These children will be raised to harness the very essesence of the galaxy, and transform into pretty soldiers all lead by sailor moon. And they will save everyone from a great evil!" She said, with a completely straight face. "Actually, we just escaped abduction from evil aliens with probes and test tubes. They wanted to study our breeding habits." She remarked.
Cloud shook his head, but didn't say anything. Where did she come up with those?!
--------------------------------------------------
DArkness and light. Or was there really nothing? Purple eyes opened to a world of colors and nonsense. Still, no name. No purpose. A smile, hiding everything he truly was. He didn't want the inhabitants to know what he really was. A nobody, a shell, an echo. Someone who didn't really exist. Nothing left over from Someone. Getting up, he looked in the mirror. Pale skin, purple eyes, pure white hair. Looked like someone that he didn't know. But that was him. No picture beyond, just his reflection. A slight frown, and he left the small cottage that he had managed to find. 'SMiling Swordsman who was not really there.' That was what he was known as here. No name. Just a title that wasn't even a title. Not really there. Not really existent. A nobody.
HIs silent musings were cut short as a portal of darkness appeared in front of him, and a taller man stepped out. The white haired teen put on his harmless smile, and looked up. "Can I help you with something?" He asked.
The man was silent for a moment. "Hn. Usually I don't take ones so old. But you still have a young mind. Tell me, what is your name?" The man asked. The hood was still up, covering his face. The white-haired teen just frowned slightly, and tilted his head.
"I am called the Smiling Swordsman who is not really there." He responded. Something about this man made him want to obey, to respond. It made him.. almost feel.
"REally now. That's quite a title. I know your real name. And I can give you a purpose. A real purpose instead of hanging around here where you are obviously not wanted." The words tha man spoke made the male wince, and look away slightly. The man raised his hand, and letters began to form in the air. S-K-Y-E... Skye..? The letters began to swirl around, and he closed his eyes. A light suddenly burst, and he opened them again. In front of him, the letters now spelled something new. K-Y-S-E-X. "Kysex?" He said, curiously. The man nodded. "Kysex. Smiling Swordsman. Seer of the Truth. Come. The Organization awaits someone of your talents." The man said, and held out his hand. Orange gold eyes were visible under the hood, with strands of silver hair, and tanned skin. Kysex hesitantly reached out, and took his hand. A purpose. Something to exist for...
They obviously weren’t happy.
Well, that wasn’t Alielle’s problem. The crashed into a church, a cathedral, what did they expect? The blonde looked really awkward, severely out of place. Alielle’s bright eyes traveled to his black wing for a moment before quickly glancing away, unnoticed. She couldn’t help it. She had never seen people with wings before. Did Mika say people had wings in some parts of Auldrant? She couldn’t remember. When her magic slipped away from their bodies, Alielle’s gaze immediately went to the blonde, reading his stance. He looked like a fighter, and so was she. Therefore, he had to be analyzed in case he tried anything funny. Alielle had learned that people weren’t always so cooperative, even if you were a pretty girl. Being pretty just helped. At least he didn’t look too threatening, more defensive. She could deal with that, although he was in her territory.
The laugh was the next thing that caught the brunette’s attention, and Alielle couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Then she spoke so fast that Alielle wonder if she had anything at all. Blinking, the girl registered their names to their faces and nodded. A smile creeping upon her face, Alielle felt a slight build up of excitement. She loved outgoing people, she was one herself. Had she just found a buddy? Very possible, if she weren’t a current suspect. “My name’s Alielle. I would say it’s nice to meet you, but I don’t think that’s quite right,” the girl mused, trying to find the rights words but gave up.
And then Yume gave her explanation.
Alielle honestly understood none of what the petite girl had said. Was she supposed to know? Scrunching her face in irritation, Alielle tried to comprehend what had just happened. The face looked rather ridiculous, but then again, Alielle was a ridiculous girl. “Sailor Moon? What’s that?” She found herself asking, seemingly unfazed by Yume’s bizarre speech. “Aliens? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The girl finished with a sigh, crossing her arms over her chest. Striding right up to Yume, Alielle placed her hands on her hips and slightly bent over, to be more eye-level with the girl. She felt really tall sometimes, especially next to Yume. “Let’s forget explanations, how old are you?” Alielle asked curiously, finding Yume actually quite interesting. Alielle didn’t know that many people and so whenever she met someone, it was exciting. “I’d say you’re abouuttttttt, ten!” Alielle declared, pinching Yume’s cheeks. “That’s sooooo cute! Little kids are the best.”
Alielle had no manners. Oh well.
Mika opened the door to find Alielle conversing with the possible enemies like they were some relatives she’s never met before. The gray-eyed teen let out an exasperated sigh as she entered the holding cell with Colonel Jade Curtiss, head of special infantry division of the Malkuth Empire. Jade had a very precise way of holding himself, his red eyes constantly amused but rather sardonic. He looked like a nice enough guy, but Alielle had talked with him long enough to know he was a total b*****d. A funny b*****d, but a b*****d nonetheless. He pushed up his glasses as he drifted past Mika towards Cloud and Yume, a slight smirk on his face.
“My my, what do we have here? I thought Luke was the only person that crashed-landed in strange place. I’m sure he’ll be glad to know that’s he’s not the only unlucky fool out there.” He started, establishing his sense of voice from the moment he spoke.”Jade! I didn’t know you were here.” Alielle said, and Jade off-handedly shrugged. “His Majesty is always sending me every which way; I’ve grown accustomed to being at foreign places at the weirdest times.” Mika rolled her eyes at Jade as he continued. “Well, the Archbishop is very distressed, as you might imagine. He can’t seem to find where these to fit into the score, even with Florian’s help.” Jade continued as he circled the unwelcomed guests, merely observing what had made its way through a high-vaulted ceiling. “Curious indeed.” Jade determined as he came to a stop besides Alielle, his smirk still present. “Even you were preordained in the score Alielle, but these people? Not at all. Hmm.” Crossing his hands behind his back, Jade’s face took on a calculating look. “Could it be? I wonder. That will surely cause our society some distress if it is.” “What are you thinking Jade?” Mika asked, her eyes just as calculating as Jade’s, seemingly tuning into his thoughts. Alielle was the only one who seemed off-guard, almost unconcerned. “I don’t want to say anything yet if it isn’t true. I heard Asch was coming to Daath; perhaps I’ll speak of these matters with him. He generally knows a good deal of information when it comes to the overriding of the score.”
Mika merely nodded, as if she already knew what Jade meant. She most likely did. That’s why she was the smart one and Alielle was just the healthy one. “These people are under of jurisdiction until we can figure out what to do with them. Alielle, I’m leaving them with you for today. I have business to attend to,” and with that, Mika left the room, leaving a weird vibe. “Alielle, as much as I adore seeing your sunny face I must take my leave. I just wanted to observe what had damaged the cathedral, and more. I do hope you are capable of taking care of them?” So that was it. “Wait! You’re all leaving me? Cute, little Alielle all by herself? What if they jump me?!” The latter was highly doubtful, but Alielle was one for dramatics. Jade nearly smiled as he made his exit, short and sweet like his entrance. Well now. “I guess you guys are with me for today. You should be excited! Now we can just talk about nonsense until they figure out what to do with you.”
Oh Alielle had no idea what she was saying..
Yume smiled up at Alielle as she told the two her name. "That'sa pretty name." She commented, tail swishing happily.
The girl could't help but laugh at the face that Alielle made when Yume came up with her crack explainations. IT was AMAZING.
She actually burst into giggles when the other didn't understand her references. "It's ok. Your world is backwater and unexposed to the amazingness that is anime. Who knows. This might even be..." she trailed off as the girl got closer, and remarked about how old she was, and called her cute, and said little kids were adorable.
Cloud actually muffled a slight snort of amusement at that. He had been with long enough to not learn Yume's real age, but figure out that she was older than she let on.
"I am NOT Ten!! I'm older than you I bet!!" Yume said, her tail puffing up as she batted the taller teens' hands away from her cheeks. Rubbing them slightly as she looked up, annoyed, one of her ears flicked in the direction as they heard others approach.
Cloud also watched the others approach. When the new man spoke however, and the sheen of his glasses.. IT set off old alarms in cloud's head. And his stance changed once more, as his body tensed, and the wing folded in, dissapearing from veiw. His eyes narrowed, and he said not a word, but there was always another voice now, overlaying the man's who had jut walked in. Hojo..'My, what do we have here.. I suppose they willl do for the time being.. bring them immediately to the labs. There's... testing to be done. Oh, my poor son.. And the low chuckle resonated through his head, combined with Sephiroth's voice. 'What a pitiful experiment. A shadow of what you once were. Foolish boy. DOn't you know? There is no winning against the darkness...Especially since your light.. Is dead.'
Cloud's gaze never left the man, Jade, not until he left them alone with the first girl, who was bubbly and hyper.
Yume was far more interested in what was being said though. It all sounded fascinating. Had they been dropped in the middle of something?
She frowned a little however when everyone ditched them. Tilting her head slightly, she looked over at Alielle as she spoke again, and grinned.
"Oh yes. You should worry, little girl. You see, we're the big-bad guys who are gonna jump you, tickle you to death, and turn you into a cute little pink kitten." She remarked.
Cloud just shook his head, and relaxed only slightly once Jade was gone.
Memories..old darkness.. why was it still haunting him?
Yume tilted her head up to look at the man behind her, the one she had officially deemed as 'gaurdian' and 'bachelor'. Hm. He seemed to have some major issues. But then again, of course he would. He was Cloud Strife. The Angst-pot of the universe. Yume held back another giggle at that thought. She turned her attention to Alielle once more. "So, where exactly are we, and what's next?" She asked.
"...What do you mean, decide what to do with us?" Cloud said, finally speaking. Yume Squealed, and looked at him.
"IT SPEAKS!" She laughed. Cloud just frowned at her.
------------------------
One month. One full month since he had followed that man and taken his hand. The Superior. I in Organization XIII.... Why was it called that? There were tecnically Fourteen members now. Xemnas, the Superior, had introduced him that first day. Saying that he was just as much a 'key' as their keyblade weilder was.
The others... didn't seem to like him much. So he hardly spoke to any of them. He also kept the hood up on his cloak most of the time. Currently, he was staring out the window at the gaint heart shaped moon in the sky. Kingdom hearts.. The superior said that once it was complete, they would all get what it was they were missing.
"Hey, why do you hang out in your room all the time?" A melodic voice said, interrupting the white-haired Nobody's thoughts of his dreams of keyblades, darkness, light, and power.
Kysex looked over towards the doorway, his gaze being met by seafoam green eyes and a bright smile.
"Demyx.. number nine.. Hello.." He said, and light smiled back at the nocturne. Demyx merely grinned back at him, and entered the room freely, grabbing the other Nobody's hand. "Come on, let's go out and do something!!" He said, dragging the other out. "You need to get out and live a little! You're acting like a zombie! Let's go! You lived in wonderland, right? Then let's go and do something crazy!" He said, and laughed. Kysex couldn't say yes or no, he just.. let himself be dragged then by the overactive sandy-blonde. Well, it couldn't hurt, right?
Alielle’s face took on a sudden pout.
The girl didn’t like getting laughed at. So maybe she was a little ignorant, but that was totally not her fault. She was trying to keep up with so many new words and ideas on a daily basis that she often felt exhausted by the day’s end. “Backwater? I’ll have you know that Auldrant is making huge technological advances like the ones going back to the Dawn Age.” Alielle said, obviously reciting the comment from someone, Mika maybe? She couldn’t remember. Her eyes drifting to Cloud at the snort, Alielle wondered what was so funny. Then, Yume seemed offended at Alielle’s miscalculation, oops. “Everyone’s older than me,” Alielle said, slipping up on classified information, “Oh! So are you eleven then?” Alielle covered up quickly, a smile on her face as some sort of an apology for guessing wrong.
Strike two.
Alielle, and surely Mika, gave Cloud a lazy glance at his reaction to Jade’s presence. Well, at least he was smart. Most people were fearful of Jade, the Necromancer. His power was almost fully restored since his journey to save the world with Luke, which was Alielle couldn’t even begin to describe. Monstrous. That’s what his power was. Anyway, Cloud seemed to be just fine when he left, leaving Alielle with seemingly harmless people.
The key word there was seemingly.
Alielle’s head cocked to the side, curious eyes wondering if she was trying to scare her, or if she really was just a cracker jack. Choosing not to answer to the pink kitten comment, Alielle stood up straight from her slight slouch, revealing her full height in some attempt to establish a sense of authority. She couldn’t quite pull it off like Mika could, but it was a decent try. “You don’t know?” Alielle said with a frown. Where had these people come from? What were they? Human? “You’re in the religious center of the world, Daath.” How could they not know where Daath was?
This was going to be a long day.
Hearing a richer tone enter the echo through the room, Alielle’s gaze drifted back to Cloud for what must have been the fifth time. He didn’t say much, but somehow she felt the need to constantly keep tabs on him. The quiet ones generally were more threatening, after all. “Honestly, I have no idea. I mean, the Order won’t let you go, but they obviously can’t keep you here forever. I guess they’re going to have some big debate about it right now with the Fon Master.” Alielle said with a shrug, giving Yume a weird look for her comment. That girl was on crack or something, but it wasn’t scary crack, more amusing than anything.
“Anyway, let’s go to the courtyard! I haven’t been outside all week and it’s sunny.” Alielle said a bit childishly, almost dashing for the door in excitement until she remembered something important. “Oh, if you children are nice I won’t cast a spell to keep tabs on you. Just follow me and don’t do anything stupid, ‘kay? Or I will hurt you, whether on accident or on purpose.” Alielle finished, bounding over to the door and opening it, not bothering to look back to see Yume and Cloud.
She knew they would follow. She exuded a pull on people.
--------------------------------------
Daath. The echo of yelling merchants and bustling pilgrims filled the red-head’s ears with familiarity. Even from his position at the entrance of the town, he could see the damage done to the cathedral. Irritation spread across his face he stared aimlessly at the new skylight. He wasn’t in the mood for anymore drama. After the damned replica saved the world, he was done. Done with being the fallen hero, done with being the original without a purpose, just done. He was Asch the Bloody, revered by the Order as the new leader of the Oracle Knights. Not that there were many of them left however, but even so, Asch accepted that as his current duty until he found something more important to do with his time.
Time to find the Necromancer.
Yume's frown only deepened and her ears both flicked back at the continual low guess of her age. Did she really act that young? She didn't think she did!! It was unfair. However, another thing that Alielle said caught her attention. Everyone was older than her? She tilted her head slightly thinking about that. What did that mean, precisely?
Something else was at play hear. Secrets, darkness, pain. How lovely. An almost cruel smile played upon her faetures for a split second before being replaced by a look that really represented that of a puppy hearing about a Car ride.
OH! Outside is nice. I promise I'll be good and keep my hands to myself!" She recited, bouncing around behind Alielle.
Once they were outside though, Yume took a deep breath of the air. Fresh. Clean. No traces of polluted power.
Spinning ina circle for a moment, she turned her attention back to the taller girl.
"Ok, Questions. First off. I'm not 10. Or 11. I'm 19. ...I think. And Second off. I'm not a kid. To me, you are. And you're adorable.
Now. Questions. What's the 'Order'? And What's a fon Master?" She paused for a moment, and grinned. "And what did you say this place was? Death?" She stated. Sunlight only enhanced the crack. Yume was high on life. And life away from home was life that she really really liked.
Cloud had merely listened, quietly as the girl spoke, and taken into consideration everything she had said. From what he couldgather, they had fallen into a world ruled very strictly. Anything out of the ordinary was chaos bringing. Auldrant.. Daath. He didn't know those locations, or the world he was on. But he didn't feel the presence of heartless around so this world wasn't connected to darkness. That was a good thing, but it also meant he was farther away from home. But then again.. where was his home? He didn't let himself get to familiar with anywhere, in fear of Sephiroth's retribution.
When yume spoke up again, asking questions, His gaze moved back to Alielle. Those answers would be useful. He would not ask himself, but the way she asked would get things done. She may be brash-
Wait. 19? She had said nineteen? His eyes flicked back to the fox-girl, studying her keenly. Yes.. Yes. He could see it in her eyes. Her posture, her actions, were childish, immature, energetic. But it was her eyes, that beneath the shine of fake innocence lay a tiredness almost. A taint. Naive and ignorant, but yet far more experienced. Hn. Why hadn't he seen that sooner?
He took the time to look around himself now that they were outside, and felt the sun on his face. Light. There was no lingering remnants of Sephiroth here. There were no traces of his past. But he also didn't belong here. Neither of them did. They needed to find a way to leave before they destroyed anymore of the peace and stability this world had.
--------------------------
How many years had it been? And the blue-haired boy still awoke to the same nightmare. Over and over again. The day of darkness. The day that the heartless took his world.. and his brother. Opening amethyst eyes, Shin stared up at the ceiling. Only recently had he been having disturbing thoughts. His brother.. He had sworn he was dead. For a long time. But then.. one day, a couple months ago.. the keyblade had come to him. And with it, a shining light that his brother was still out there somewhere. Getting up, and dressing in his usual attire, he stopped once in the doorway. Knowing his brother was out there was one thing. Actually going to find him was another. He didn't have a gummi ship. Nor the experience to actually go out fighting heartless to find his twin.
Holding out his arm, the Keyblade appeared in his hand, the cool, light weight becoming familiar to the boy. Leaving his house, he went out to go train, and banish the thoughts, and memories of what had happened a long time ago...
'SHin! Don't go that way!!' His brother's voice, concerned, paniced, scared. Shin didn't listen. He had to get away from the shadows that seemed to be following him. It was.. No, just no!
Skye managed to catch up to his brother just as one of the larger ones attacked. Without a weapon, the boys were helpless, and everything was growing dark. Shin, frightened, desperate, looked up at the starless sky, and the black clouds consuming everything.
'Skye... are we gonna die?' his voice, almost identical to his brothers, just a little shakier and with a slight difference in speech pattern, sounded frail against the almost tangible growing silence. Skye's eyes seemed to harden, as he looked into his twin's mirroring face.
'No.You're not.' He said, and gave Shin one last hug before standing up to face the growing darkness.
Black..red... Shin remembered screaming, and then nothing but light suddenly, and not being in there anymore, instead he woke up somewhere else.
Sunlight.
A sigh of contentment escaped Alielle’s lips as the warmth of the sun drowned her senses in comfort. She really had been kept inside for much too long. Reaching up toward the sky, Alielle spun around with a slight laugh and stretched, her bones cracking with a sickening pop. What? She had been sitting in a conference room all day until Cloud and Yume decided to show up. Thinking of them, Alielle turned back to the two, glad they had been so compliant with her requests because really, Alielle hadn’t been paying attention. Though had they tried to attack her or escape, she would have taken them out, no doubt it.
They wouldn’t have known what hit them.
Questions. Alielle had little to no attention span, so to process everything Yume spat out in one breath was proving to be hard. Her eyebrows furrowed as she listened to the girl, and tried to answer what she said in order. “Nineteen?! No way! With that baby doll face?” Alielle exclaimed, genuinely not buying what Yume had said. Sure, Alielle was only two, but at least she looked like she was seventeen. Yume didn’t look nineteen at all, maybe she aged gracefully? Alielle wasn’t convinced. “I just act like one, it’s fun!” Technically, she was a baby, but she was going to lie through her teeth like she had to do with everyone else. Only the Order knew who and what she truly was, but the general populous, she was Mika’s twin sister, separated when they’re parents divorced and recently reunited two years ago.
What BS.
“Haha, thanks! I do try my best.” Alielle said with a wink, in response to the adorable comment, her flirty behaviors starting to show. No one in the Order really knew where Alielle had picked up her multi-personality, not even Mika. The fomicrists said it was unusual for isofons to act differently from each other, but that was a story for a different time. “The Order? You’ve got to be kidding.” Alielle said, but continued on anyway. “The Order of Lorelei carries out the score, left by Yulia Jue who made a pact with the spirit of Auldrant, Lorelei. The score, which I’m guessing you have no idea about, tells both the past and future. I know everything that has happened on this planet and everything that will happen through that score. Well, I only what will happen on the fonstones we have, there are still some missing.” The girl, taking a breath and then continuing. “The Fon Master is the one who reads the score, more precisely than anyone else can. Have fun trying to process of what I’ve said; it took me forever to understand.” Alielle finished, offering a smile since she nothing else to say. “Oh, and you’re at Daath, not death.” Alielle added, rolling her eyes at the thought.
“Do you have any questions?” Alielle asked Cloud, though she doubted he would say anything. He looked like the type that just absorbed and watched his surrounding, kind of like Mika. Alielle let out a sigh. Why did she know so many calculating people? They were all too uptight if you asked her. Suddenly, Alielle heard a voice call out Mika’s name, and she turned to face a young Oracle Knight in training running up to the group in the courtyard. ”Lady Mika, I was told to give you the message that Asch the Bloody has just arrived in Daath.” He said, a little out of breath, while Alielle ran a hand through her tangled curls. “Thanks for the info; I didn’t think he’d be here already. Oh, by the way, I’m Alielle.” She said nonchalantly, used to this kind of thing happening. This Oracle Knight seemed flustered at the mix up, stuttering apologies and flushed a slight red. Alielle laughed. “Just remember I’m the blue-eyed one and you’ll be fine.” Perhaps inside, it wasn’t as noticeable, but in the light, Alielle’s eyes took on a vibrant shade of blue compared to Mika’s dusty gray. That was another mystery to be discussed at another time, but it worked out for people well enough. Alielle sent the messenger away, and turned back to Cloud and Yume.
“Well, things are going to get interesting, if Asch is here.” She said, a hint of disapproval in her voice, perhaps something more.
Game on.
Yume grinned slightly at the exclaimation of the other at her age, and tilted her head. "Babydoll face? That one is new." She remarked. She tilted her head, and grinned up at Allielle. Well. Looks like she had found her first offworld friend. They would get along well. Maybe travel and have an adventure!!
Cloud wanted to run a hand through his own hair as Yume and Alielle seemed to eat the sunlight, then bounce it off of one another, almost like they were reflecting an unkillable bouyancey of positivity. Reminded him a bit of Sora. And.. His Light. Zack. Zack had always been very friendly to everyone. This was almost giving him a headache.
His blue eyes kept focused on Alielle as she spoke. Her body language.. was rather confusing, and there was a pure innocence in her eyes. Something was off. Something very different was going on here. For a moment, he was reminded of the Remnants, but he shook that off. He blinked after she finished, things pretty much clicking for him. That was more understandable. Once, on his journey, he had come across a place similiar.
The sooner they left this area, the better. They stayed any longer, and they had the possibility of destroying stability, and attracting heartless.
And Yume.. He still wasn't quite sure what the girl was, but she held incredible power. To drag across dimension, to shift worlds such as she had just done.. what was that? His gaze lingered on the fox eared girl who was watching the other with an almost puzzled expression.
When the attention and question was sent to him though, he shook his head slightly, his eyes now focused on Alielle. He watched the whole scene with the messenger, and tilted his head slightly. " ....interesting..?"He said, not really expecting an answer.
Cloud wasn't the only one who had watched the scene with interest. Yume was trying to banish thoughts of lost friends. This girl made her remember one vividly. The Threat about turning her into a pink kitten was actually a reference to who she reminded her of. An old friend...With almost the same colors, except she had pink cat ears and a tail. But that girl had.. dissappeared long ago. and for the life of her, she could no longer remember the name. There were others too though.. A little girl with giant pigtails that defied logic, and frilly dresses.. A girl who resembled a pikachu sometimes and a puppy the next.. Another who was an odd mix of things.. All the names.. all the faces.. slipped away. Just as the memories and knowledge of her own parents had slipped away. A frown passed her features, and her tail stopped it's almost happy wagging, just hanging limply now, both ears slightly drooped.
At Alielle's last comment though, Yume forced herself to smile, and remember that all of that was in the past. No reason to be sad. She had new friends. New place...'New friends. New place. New game. More fun.. Isn't that what It's all about?' The familiar soothing voice said. Yume mentally nodded, allowing the deity to almost embrace her with power. Her hair seemed to flutter, in an invisible breeze that only affected her, and her eyes seemed far away. 'Yes. Thank you, shokubai.. Yume responded mentally, almost forgetting all the times the game had been played before. The destruction that happened each time.
A smile lit her face as she returned backto the present, and grinned at Alielle. "I like interesting. Hey. You remind me of one of my old friends. Wanna be buds then? I can make things lots of fun." Yume said, holding out her hand to Alielle. Handshake, then a hug. That was what Yume did when the girl accepted it. More of, she didn't give her time to, and latched on anyways.
"YOu're an individual, and I can tell the difference!" She added.
Cloud merely just wondered what kind of chaos they were going to wreak on the place. Yume.. Had seemed so far away for a moment, and the power had been similar to what had brought them there. Just what was she..?
Why were people so stubborn?
Looking at Cloud, Alielle let out a sigh. Just staring at him tugged at an uncomfortable emotion she wasn’t too familiar with. Was it sadness? Maybe it was something like that. Alielle really needed to leave Daath, to go and see Auldrant, to meet new people. If she didn’t, she was sure her growth would be stunted, much like Luke’s was. He once was a self-centered spoiled brat, knowing nothing of the word ‘kindness’ or ‘humility’. He was locked away in his manor for a good seven years of Asch’s kidnapping, and never allowed to leave Bacticul. He was flat, predictable, and most of all pompous. Alielle wanted to see the world, learn more about what it meant to be human, and form a more definite personality than the one she had now. She didn’t want to change it, she liked being sunny and obnoxious, but she wanted to be more well-rounded than a few character traits.
She wanted to be her own person.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Alielle looked to Yume before looking back to Cloud. “Is he always like this? He needs a dose of happy pills or something.” She said, before turning her attention directly to Cloud. “I thought coming outside would lift everyone’s mood, but I guess not. Maybe it’s just me but I always free a lot better outside than trapped in the cathedral. It’s so serous in there.” She rambled, not sure of how she was going to go through the whole like this. Well, at least Yume was there to constantly break the ice. Alielle decided she rather liked the girl. After all, the only people she knew were in Daath.
The feeling of freedom was started to rise inside of Alielle, was that good or bad?
“Ah, sure okay!” Alielle responded to Yume, though she almost lost her balance at the unexpected tackle. Did she just say she would be friends with the strange girl? Why yes, yes she did.
After the messenger had left, Alielle felt an uncomfortable presence coming toward the small group. Mika and Jade were definitely coming along with the presence, but that didn’t help the shift in Alielle’s mood. She hoped it wasn’t too noticeable, but she and the red-head didn’t get along. More of, the red-made the isofon uncomfortable. The door on the far side of the courtyard opened, and out of the threshold of the cathedral came Mika, Jade and Asch the Bloody. Alielle’s gaze slowly drifted that way, watching the trio walk with such authority and assurance in each of their steps. There were really too many powerful people on Auldrant. “Ah, I see you’re still intact Alielle. I knew you could handle our captives. You have my praise.” Jade said, speaking first in that overly-done tone of his. Mika’s face was stoic as usual; she was most likely bored and tired of being dragged around, while Asch’s held his infamous scowl. “You left them with the replica? Tch.” Asch snorted, folding his arms over his chest. He was in his typical Oracle knight attire, making him stand out in an odd sort of way. Alielle’s face took on a guarded look as she stuck her tongue out at the knight, who glared at her in response. Mika shot him a warning glance, effectively changing the atmosphere of the courtyard from peaceful to tense.
Relationships here were complex.
“Now now children, behave or I’ll send you all to your rooms.” Jade chastised, pushing up his glasses to reflect the sun off of them, hiding his eyes. “Asch, I didn’t bring you here to harass Alielle. If Luke were here, I would gladly allow you to waste time teasing him, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. Now, what do you think of these people?” Asch and Alielle exchanged an awkward glance before he completely ignored her, looking at Cloud and Yume for the first time. Hard and cold, he scanned them for all but two seconds before redirecting his focus at Jade. “So these people are not written in the score, huh? Are you sure we just don’t have that fonstone yet?” He asked irritably, but Jade merely shrugged. “I don’t think so. This year’s score we have and thus they should be in it. As you can see, the Order is quite baffled.” Asch said nothing, so Jade continued on. “I was hoping you might know of something the Order does not? Oh, let’s say from Van, before his disappearance?” Asch shot everyone a look of annoyance before speaking. “I’d be willing to talk with you, and perhaps Mika in a conference room Jade, just keep that damned replica out of my sight.” For the first time, Mika spoke, her voice contrasting from Alielle’s musical tone. “Asch, stop being a child.” Silence. Asch glared at Mika before striding back to the cathedral, slamming the door behind him. Jade laughed before he followed suit. Mika lingered for a moment, looking at Alielle with an indifferent expression. “I’ll be back for you and the other two later,” and with that, she was gone as well.
Alielle stood, looking at the door without saying anything for a second. Then, she turned toward Cloud and Yume. “Well, that was boring. Hey! I know! Let’s go to the fountain, we can stick our feet in the water.” She said with a smile, taking off in the intended direction.
Subject change.
Yume had a small batch of giggles as Alielle suggested that Cloud be put on happy pills. The blonde in question merely frowned and looked at the two before shaking his head, not deeming the topic worthy of speaking about. Or entertaining.
Yume however nodded at Alielle's next statements. "Being outside is always really nice. I like being outside rather than inside. It feels more confining inside. Outside there's adventures to be held, and places to go, and people to see." She quipped. Her attention was drawn to the people as they returned with one more. A red head. With a scowl. And a bad-a** attitude posture. A slight twinge, and Yume Stepped away from Alielle slightly, becoming quiet for once as the others spoke. Lost in her own thoughts.
Cloud's posture changed once Jade returned, his stance once more defensive and wary, but he was also aware of the new warrior. In fact, the whole conversations made him uneasy and left a bad taste in his mouth. But he didn't relax until after they had left once more. Well. That was rather informative. Alielle seemed to be somethign that wasn't exactly well liked, not that she was a problem, but what she was? It was something Cloud had picked up on. Question was, what exactly was she? Asch had said something about a Replica....
Scores.. Fonstones.. Destiny. It sounded like they really had fallen in on something they shouldn't have.
Yume seemed to be pulled out of her own depressive thoughts at that slight mention, and her ears perked up once they had all left. And Alielle's suggestion.
Actually, I have a better suggestion. Let's go off. Just explore. Have an adventure. Who needs them. You have me. I'm the adventure mistress. Follow me, and fun is sure to follow."
Yume suggested. Cloud shook his head.
"We've already messed up enough of their lives as it is, we should probably lay low, and do what is told." He said.
Yume Frowned at him. Now, that was no fun at all.
'If you wait just a little longer, I can make something else interesting happen you know... Came the all too familiar voice in Yume's head. The Fox-girl grinned, and flicked her tail. Alright. She mentally responded. A low chuckle was her answer to that, and then nothing. Well. Let the new game beging then, hmm? She was collecting a party, now all she needed to do was wait for the invitations to go out. and be recieved, and the guests to arrive and stay. Alielle was the 'friend'. She was the one that it would revolve around. The one who would make a wish eventually, the one who, even if she didn't know it yet, was the savior, or destroyer. It was already established. The touch, the reaching hand. Friendship. A trap. But was it all nothing but a trap anyways? Shokubai's lovely game? Come, follow into paradise, only to realize that you had no soul to enjoy it with...
Alielle had a newfound mission.
“I’ve decided!” The girl started suddenly, looking at Cloud while tapping her finger upon his pink lips. He really was too uptight. At least Yume was fun and exciting, saying and doing things Alielle didn’t quite understand or even more importantly, expect. Cloud didn’t necessarily need to follow her lead; he just didn’t have to look so down. “I’m going to make you laugh Cloud. Well, maybe not laugh, I’ll bump it down to smile.” She rambled, not really talking to him at the moment, more of calculating her plans to herself, “I’ll find some way to do it. I’m just warning you now.” Alielle finished, not asking Cloud’s opinion on the matter or for him to even respond to what she had said.
That was Alielle, she wanted to make people happy, whether they had a say in it or not.
Replica. Every time that word rang through Alielle’s ears a sense of discouragement followed. Giving a sideways glance to her newest friends, Alielle didn’t think they really picked up on any of what had just been said. Well, Cloud maybe, but Alielle figured he wouldn’t say anything about it. And Yume, for some reason, she looked out of it for a bit. Weird. Anyway, Alielle felt a lot better once that awkward scene was over and done with, and found herself back in her usual good mood. She couldn’t help who she was, so she tried not to worry about it, but every time she had to face Asch, or anyone else who knew, the reminder of what she was lingered.
Was being a replica really so horrible?
Alielle looked down at Yume once she spoke, clearing her own mind of any thoughts. “Follow you? To where? I’m not allowed outside of Daath.” The girl said with a slight frown, obviously not happy about that little fun fact. As those words fell off her tongue though, Alielle felt a pull towards the smaller girl. Something was there. A desire. Usually, Alielle was pretty good with dealing with her need for freedom, but when Yume had spoken, the need suddenly flared up before settling back down to its rightful place in her thoughts. Why was that? “Messed up? Hm, I don’t think so. You may have rattled the Order but otherwise, everything is a-okay!” Alielle declared, though the girl really had no idea if that was true or not.
Oh well, Cloud and Yume couldn’t be that bad, right?
Hearing the creaking of the cathedral door, Alielle shifted her gaze to Mika, by herself this time, an annoyed look upon her features. Nothing out of the ordinary so far. Striding right up to Alielle, ignoring Cloud and Yume, Mika spoke, her voice laced with disbelief. “You need to get ready by sunset. You, Jade, Asch and I will be taking these people to Mt.Zaleho, to see if there’s anything written about them on the fonstones there…” Mika continued to speak but Alielle’s mind shut down after ‘we’re going to Mt.Zahelo’. “Really?! Oh if you’re lying to me I swear I won’t talk to you for a week.” Alielle cut in excitedly, leaving whatever information Mika had left to offer unfinished. Mika just sighed as Alielle seemed to be consumed with excitement. She had a bad feeling about this…Alielle on the other hand had turned back to Yume and Cloud, a smile forever etched onto her sunny face. “Looks like we’re going to get our adventure all!” She said happily, grabbing Yume’s arm and already heading off toward the cathedral to get ready, knowing Cloud would follow. “Off to get ready! Yume, you have to tell me what we’re supposed to do on adventures because honestly, I have nooooo idea! You guys should have crashed landed here a long time ago; this is going to be so much fun.”
Alielle didn’t know what she was in for, but she was ready for it. Mika followed her other self helplessly, already predicting what kind of damage letting Alielle out into the world would cause. Not just for the world, but for Alielle herself.
What a bad idea.
Yume giggled at the look on CLoud's face as Alliele declared that she was going to make a goal to make the blonde smile or laugh. That should be entertaining to watch.
"I've been trying for awhile, it's ok if it takes a bit! I bet you can suceed though!" The girl stated, watching cloud lightly touch his lips where Allielle's finger had lightly brushed past.
Light. She was full of so much light. It made cloud want to leave. He didn't want to taint anything here. It was bad enough from what they did.
However, Cloud also noticed Yume's strange silence throughout the whole incedent. Red head? She seemed to go queit and seemed to look... upset? Hnn...
however, it seemed to go away afterwards. how strange.
Yume Grinned at Alliele's response, and was about to inform her of how exactly she could be free when suddenly they were interupted by the girls' lookalike. Yume's ears perked up as well with the news.
"Adventure!!!" She squealed happily. Cloud had to stiffle a sigh. He didn't mind going along with anything they said, but the fact remained, that he would have to continue playing babysitter now to this fox girl.. whose mysteries he was still trying to unravel.
"Just stick by me, and I'll teach you everything you need to know about adventuring, kay?" Yume said, latching onto ALlielle with a hug. She glanced over at mika, a little thoughtful. More peoples.. a giant group.. Who would play what roles..?
Cloud glanced at the sky, looking at the position of the sun. Sunset.. and they would begin a journey? Hn.. He frowned, not liking the feeling he was getting. DArkness... It was aware of this world now. They had.. They were going to.. bring disaster here..
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“Really? You can help me then!” Alielle replied to Yume, and then the matter was over and done with. Cloud, whether he liked it or not, was going to be harassed by Alielle, and Yume, until his serious features lifted into a smile. Alielle honestly couldn’t see how he could keep his face so straight all the time. Alielle was constantly happy, even if she didn’t know why. She couldn’t help it.
One day, that’d probably change.
“Okay! We have to go get supplies and …”Alielle started to ramble off what she thought they would need for the journey, though she had no idea. She had led Yume and Cloud to her room, where various choleric helped the trio make packs and kill time before Mika came to fetch them from her own room.
Sunset came right on time, just as Alielle would have liked.
The large group, as to not receive much attention, shadily took the back-streets to get out of Daath unnoticed. Alielle was practically beaming with excitement while Mika looked particularly annoyed. Jade alluded nothing to his mood, though Asch’s face was set in his permanent scowl.
What an odd group of people.
Dusk hit hard as the group reached the Mt.Zaleho, shadowing everything black and making it hard to see exactly where the entrance was. Mika knew where she was going however, as she made her way over to a rather large rock covered by dewy moss, very understated in the grand scheme of the Mountain’s entryway. Chanting the words of the church, the rock seemed to fade and reveal a pathway, a stairway leading into the Mountain’s core.
Once the group was inside, the heat was extremely evident. Mt.Zaleho was like a volcano more than anything, and the surrounding scenery was painted brightly with reds and oranges attributed to the fire and lava.
Alielle, not seeming to notice the temperature change was eager to explore and find the fonstone supposedly in the mountain. “Where do we go from here?” She asked, which seemed to annoy Asch as he rolled his eyes, but Jade was kind enough to answer her question. “Mt.Zaleho is like a temple, guarding hidden secrets not meant for nosey people like us. We’ll have to travel further into the Mountain.” He said, as Mika began walking toward a bridge suspended over a particularly large lava pit. “We have to cross here to get over to the next room. Everyone, watch your steps.”
This was the beginning of a lot more than anyone knew.
]
Yume grinned, and nodded, striking a little pose. "Yeah! Just trust me! I'm a master adventurer, I've adventured since I was a tiny little girl! My Life revolves around adventure! I won't lead you wrong, and I'll show you what you need to know, I'll keep you safe, and show you lots and lots and lots of fun!!" The Fox girl bragged, her tail puffing up and trying to make her appear bigger than her already diminuative size. After failing with that, the tail sleeked back down, and swished happily behind her.
The preperations for the journey was just as fun. Yume chattered on about this and that, telling Allielle all about bits and peices of other adventures she had been on, and how she was hoping this one would go, and the things they might see, and imaginary creatures and places that they could possibly come across. Anything and everythig nthat came to mind, the girl just had to say. Clinging to the replica like a lifeline. Forming the attachment, forming the bond, choosing her friend.
Throughout the entire thing though, Cloud remained silent. He was actually listening to Yume's chatter as much as Allielle was, except for a completely different reason. He was listening, picking it apart, trying to figure out more of the puzzle that this fox girl was. It was hard, and very slow. Everything was wrapped in a delusional sugar coating, and Cloud was beginning to wonder if the girl ever saw reality. She had a fake kind of light, one that was made by the girl herself, and used as a sheild, protecting her vision from the darkness of the world. Yet all the while, holding it deep inside, to hide away and pretend it didn't exist.
What a strange girl, and yet Cloud felt that she was very important in some way. What had he gotten himself into...?
Sunset came a bit too quickly for the blonde, but not soon enough for the fox girl. In fact, she was veritably hyper by the time the sun finaly set. She managed to stay quiet while they traveled out of the city, sneaky sneaky, but she couldn't help but giggle occasionally, reminded of other times, adventures long past, friends long gone. Times that made her feel old, and she only frowned for a milisecond before she was back to her hyper obnoxiously annoying self.
The only strange thing? She avoided ASch like the plague. She never want close to him, looked in his direction, in fact, she stuck closer to Allielle all the more. This puzzled CLoud more. Was she afraid of red-heads? Or was there something about him that she knew and no one else did? Or was it just something that dealt with her past and she didnt' want anyone to know?
As darkness fell, Yume seemed to get all the more energetic, going on about fireflies and glowing balls of light and tilting her head upwards continually to watch the stars, or look for the moon. One of those times though she tripped over a rough patch of ground, and stumbled, crashing into Jade's back. Upon regaining her balance, she mumbled somethign incoherent, and scittered behind cloud, and didn't make a peep until they had reached the summit, and Mika did her whole dissappearing rock thing. By that time, the fox girl's shy and skittish mood seemed to have vanished, and instead she burst out into giggles, and wandered back over to Allielle. "And here I say, 'let the rock be gone!' And Lo and behold, the rock was gone, and the group was admitted passage into the most intimate depths of the sacred mountain." She narrated, making it sound so very silly and innappropriate at the same time. Tail swishing happily once more, she followed again, without hesistation.
As they began to go deeper in, Cloud became aware of the heat, and the designs and colors. A volcano.. They would have to be careful.
Yume however remained oblivious, just as Allielle.
She tilted her head as Jade spoke, and grinned at the other girl. "Temples equal even more awesome exploration adventures. Along with treasures, and mythical beasts to defeat, and small children to rescue!! Or like, a new companion that is hurt, or trapped, and we rescue them and they join us then!" She explained to her new friend.
Cloud was beginning to think that Yume just liked to hear herself talk.
However, the fox girl froze as she saw her first glimpse of the orangered lava that bubbled beneath the bridge. She didn't even hear Mika talk. Instead, she laughed, nervously, backing up away from the lava. Images flashed through her mind of volcanoes and erruptions, death and destruction, the unstoppable force of nature that won against everything. "There's anotehr way around, right? I'm not crossing that. Hahaha.. You can't make me cross that." Trembling now, she took several more steps back, her orchid eyes stuck firmly on the lava pit. The bubbling immensely hot lava. She was not going near that!!! No ******** way in HELL.
Cloud raised an eyebrow, slightly amused at the sudden change from the confident, almost invisible girl, to frightened fox. Her ears were flat to her head, and her tail was trembling, and trying it's best to curl around one of her legs.
She shook her head vigurously, refusing to go closer, and she took a few more steps back.
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Zexion sighed as he was called into the superior's office. "VI. I want you to go on an investigation mission with XIV to a new world that has been discovered. IX might be accompanying you." Xemnas told him.
Zexion raised an eyebrow slightly. "Understood. You want me to babysit him. And what will be the mission parameters?" The schemer asked. Xemnas merely chuckled. "You're to investigate that world. Bring Kysex with for backup, and Demyx as bait. Something is on that world. Something that would be immensely useful to us. I am depending on you Zexion to be finding out the details of what exactly it is. "
Zexion nodded his head, and turned to leave. "I take it that is all?"
The slight rustle of cloth was all that met the illusionist's question, so he allowed a slight smirk to grace his features as he portaled out of the room. The superior was counting on him for this mission. The other two were to be used as tools, to be used as he saw fit in this mission. That was the highest flattery that Zexion had ever received. It was about time his hard work was acknowledged.
Entering one of the common rooms, the illusionist was pleased to see that the two he was lookign for were actually together just lounging.
Demyx had been trying his best to get kysex to try and play his Sitar, and they had been failing miserably. Kysex liked Demyx. He made him forget about the empty ache he felt in his chest. And he showed him just a little bit of crazyness, just like the place he had woken up in. Wonderland. He missed it slightly. Just a little. He missed the constant chaos, the shifting colors and moods. Everything here was so grey and bland. The man had given him purpose. But it was also missing somethign immense here. It was missing a heart, a feeling, passion and emotion. The white haired nobody also looked up as Zexion entered the room and strode over to them both. "VI.." Kysex said, respectfully with a slight smile.
"Zexxy!!" Demyx squeal, and tried unsucessfully to hug the cloaked Schemer.
Zexion merely rolled his eyes at their actions. "We have a mission. You two are to follow me, and obey all my orders." He said. Demyx's grin grew wider. "Oh, wow! All three of us? That is uber cool!" He said, excitement showing in his eyes. Kysex merely kept the smile in place, and nodded once, showing that he understood.
"Good. We leave immediately. It's a new world, so I want both of you on alert. And no goofing off!" This last comment was directed at Demyx, who seemed to deflate a little bit. "Thanks for the vote of confidence Zexxy." He said, a little put out. Zexion merely ignored him, and opened a portal, stepping through himself.
Demyx pouted for a second. "He's such a slavedriver. He didn't even ask if we needed time to prepare!" He said. Kysex chuckled lightly. "Probably because he knows you would have taken an hour or so extra just to polish your sitar." He said, and stepped through after Zexion, leaving a sulking, speechless Demyx behind.
With a little 'hmpf', the Nocturne followed the other two, and stepped through into the new world.
Well, it was definately new.
Demyx had never been to this world at all. It was like the opposite of the underworld in the colliseum. " Ahaha.. A bit hot here huh?" The water user stated, and began to explore his new surroudnings. Well, it was recon, right? There was a big stone. Zexion seemed more interested in it anyways, and then there was lava.. and rocks.. amd more lava, and more rocks. Huh. What a boring place. "Hey Zexxxyyy.. What are we supposed to be doing here?" He whined.
Zexion meanwhile, was oblivious to the surroundings, and the annoyances. His attention had been caught by the giant stone in the middle of the room. A stone, more of, a tablet, with writing on it. Intrigued, Zexion stepped closer, and summoned his lexicon. Flipping the pages open, it immediately began to translate, and fascinated, Zexion began to read it. This was basically a record of the past, present, and future of this place. What a fascinating find. Was this what Xemnas had wanted him to find? Completely immersed in his new find, Zexion didn't even pay attention to Demyx, or to kysex.
This place was untouched, and there was a giant slab of knowledge sitting right there, just waiting for him to decode it all.
Kysex meanwhile, was observing his surroundings in a completely different way. This place was pristine. There was no heartless, no nobodies besides themselves, no hints or even traces of the darkness touching this world. Had they now brought the threat with them? Was this world too going to be soon populated by the sad heartless? Those people and creatures with the longing eyes that seemed to stare at the white haired nobody, just asking for help? He didn't like that thought. To distract himself from the slow spiral his thoughts were taking, he watched Demyx prance around the room as they waited for Zexion. He was the leader of the mission after all...
Not everyone was an Alielle.
Asch’s irritation was already on blast due to a certain replica, whose voice was just a bit too sunny for his liking, and that irritability only increased thanks to the stupid fox girl. He could feel her shying away from him, pretending as if he couldn’t tell. Sure, he wasn’t the most likeable guy, but he still hated people who couldn’t face up to him and were cowards, like Alielle. If this new fox girl was just like she was, there were going to be issues. Honestly, why did he even bother going on this trip with them? Daath held no power over him, and Lorelei be damned if he thought he ruled Asch’s consciousness. But, there was a sort of pull, something drawing him to Mt. Zaleho. It was as if Asch knew what was waiting there for them, an ambiguous kind of danger looming over the designated location.
He wanted to ditch them right then and there.
Jade, in contrast to a rather angsty Asch, was quite intrigued by his fellow party members. He looked forward the whole while they were walking, his hands crossed behind his back with a stoic look upon his features. To an outsider that knew nothing of the necromancer, he might have looked as if he were gazing off into space. However, he didn’t need to see his companions to analyze them; he just needed to hear them. The blonde, what was his name again? Ah right, defensive little Cloud. If Jade didn’t know any better, he might have considered him a mute. He was the most silent of the little group, and highly analytical, from Jade’s observations. For some odd reason, Jade could tell he didn’t like him very much, but then again not many people liked Jade in the first place. And then there was the fox girl, perhaps more complex and interesting than her wary companion. There was something about her that reminded him of Alielle, just more tainted. When the fox girl happened to stumble into him on the way to the mountain he didn’t even look back, but voiced a concern for her walking abilities and how she should keep them in check. Hm. Her reaction was a little more than interesting. At any rate, the otherworldly travelers would not be understood in just one day, Jade would need more time with them to decipher who they truly were.
What a splendid little challenge.
Mika was not at all happy. Alielle was never meant to leave Daath, and there she was laughing with potential threats to their society. It wasn’t that Mika wanted Alielle to be locked up forever in order to make her miserable, it was actually quite the opposite. Mika, contrary to popular belief wasn’t some unrelenting ice princess everyone made her out to be. She was just calculating. She knew what a horrible place Auldrant was, and how the odds were stacked against the inhabitants’ survival and happiness, so she acted accordingly. Alielle knew nothing of how the world worked or even what had happened to change it in the last few years, so it was up to Mika to keep her safe, and give her a life better than the one she was dealt. For some reason, Mika felt obligated to her mirror image, though she couldn’t say why. She was a very conflicted sort of character. Sighing, she completely ignored everyone and everything until they were inside the mountain, ready to find the fonstone.
She just had to keep rolling with the punches.
Alielle had such a difficult time keeping up with all that Yume said that her head began to hurt. The fox girl was throwing so many new words and ideas at her that she had to process and she barely could keep up with it all. The look on her face probably showed her discomfort and lack of understanding, but even so she was cheery enough to keep the conversation going. Yume was so exciting, and so was cloud even though he didn’t say anything, that Alielle was thoroughly enjoying their company and all the chaos they had brought. Alielle particularly enjoyed the rock comment made by Yume, and laughed in spite of the weird looks she got from her familiars. What? She was so funny! Her comments about dungeons made her laugh too, because those were the kinds of things Alielle only got to read in story books but never really experience. Did they even truly exist?
Just as the group was about to cross the lava pit, their attention was drawn to Yume’s noticeable spazz attack. Well, that was unexpected. She seemed so fearless up to that point. “Oh come now, you’ll be alright, all of us will make it to the other side together.” Jade said with a mocking edge in his voice. Asch let out a disgruntled sigh at the situation, all he wanted to do was keep moving and end this journey already. Mika’s gaze slowly fixed on the small fox girl, wondering whether she would really inhibit their ability to cross the bridge. Well, if she posed too much of a problem, they would just leave her to wait there by herself while they went on ahead. Alielle seemed to be the only one who showed obvious concern for the smaller girl and went up to her with a slight frown on her face. “Yume, are you scared? Do you want me to hold your hand when we cross?” She asked gently, trying to think of other solutions to the current problem. Alielle knew all too well what if felt like to be scared. Waking up on a cold, hard lab table, learning to walk, learning to talk, and learning why there was another you. Shaking her head, Alielle tried to clear her mind of those bad memories. They weren’t truly bad, just unpleasant, and besides, without them, she wouldn’t be Alielle. Anyway, Alielle snapped her fingers as a smile spread across her face with an idea. Before entering the mountain, she had tied her long, curly lock up with a rather large ribbon so that they wouldn’t get in the way. Tugging the said ribbon from her ponytail, releasing cascading curls, she walked behind Yume and used the ribbon to cover her eyes. “There! Now pretend you’re somewhere sunny and warm. Like, I dunno a beach right?” She said happily, grabbing the girl’s hand and pulling her toward the bridge. “Don’t worry everything going to be a-okay as long as I’m with you!”
Alielle should have been born a super hero.
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It didn’t take long for the strange group to reach the heart of Mt. Zaleho where the giant fonstone awaited their arrival. However, it seemed as if the stone was already entertaining some guests. Mika automatically went into offensive mode once she saw their black coats, unrecognizable to her in any sort of way. Were these people somehow associated with the Oracle Knights? With Van? Alielle followed Mika’s behavior once she caught wind of it, and Asch and Jade didn’t seem to be so calm anymore either. “My my, who do we have here?” Jade said, first to break the silence. Asch’s hand was instantly on his sword as he surveyed the intruders. “State your names and your purpose; otherwise I can’t say what will happen to you.” Asch said his voice hard and stern. Alielle was confused on what exactly was happening, but if her familiars didn’t like these people then she couldn’t be too careful. Moving swiftly to Mika’s side, she quietly questioned who the new faces were. “Who are these people?” “Would I be acting this way if I knew that?” “Well, I never know with you.” “Shut it.” “What if they’re friends of Yume and Cloud?” That caught Mika’s attention. Alielle had made a very good point, in her ignorant sort of way. The teen focused her gray eyes in the direction of the blonde and the fox. “Do you know who these people are? You had better speak up if you do.” She stated, more of commanding than asking. Jade let himself chuckle at their current situation, though he was completely on his guard. “Now now children, let’s not get too riled up. Perhaps we should let our new acquaintances explain themselves. I mean, if they would be so kind?” He finished, directing the last part of his speech toward Zexion, Demyx and Kysex.
It was in the organization’s court now. How they responded would ultimately determine whether or not they would face a very powerful group of people.