Story copyright – Lisa Freer
All names, places, and objects (except for Cid's Ship) copyright – Square Enix
All rights reserved.
Regular disclaimers apply.
Dedicated to illbewaiting for all the beautiful arts
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Chapter one – The Dog days
Every second ticked by like an hour. The weather was hot, humid, and nearly unbearable. Roxas found himself melting away on the sofa, lethargically waving a piece of paper infront of his face. Even though the sun had gone down, the heat did not diminish. Indeed, the temperature seemed to have risen dramatically.
He was surrounded by electric fans and a couple trunks with the majority of his belongings in them. The room was dark and silent, save for the clicking and buzzing of the fans as they turned their metal heads from left to right, shooting cool air feebly around the room.
Roxas sighed. The novelty of the Summer had worn off long ago, and Twilight Town seemed once again as dismal as ever. Of course, just his luck, there was no cooling off at the beach, as the extreme temperatures had over-heated the train, and they had shut it down for repairs. For now it would be cold baths and an access of fans until it was up and running.
But, by then, Roxas wouldn't be here.
His face darkened. He was in a state of defeat now, too tired to argue, but only as much as an hour earlier, he'd been in the middle of a heated row with his mother. He was being ripped away from next morning, to spend the Summer with his Uncle Cid in Radiant Garden. He'd never even met his uncle, never even left Twilight Town before. But there was nothing he could say—or do—to change his imminent future. He had bid farewell to Hayner and the gang, who seemed too hot to really care, taking their refuge in the shady haven that was the Usual Spot. And now he lay, dying, it seemed, on the sofa in the dark. It was far too hot to sleep. There was no way spending a Summer holiday with Uncle Cid would bring any happiness.
"Look on the bright side, Roxas," he mumbled to himself, barely opening his mouth and wiping sweat from the crevices of his eyes, "maybe Cid'll have an air conditioner."
The public Transit between Twilight Town and Radiant Garden was a tightly cramped, foul-smelling Gummi. This same vehicle also went to Traverse Town (Now a heavily populated tourist attraction), and the Olympus Collusium (Also a Tourist attraction, though no one really lived there). Roxas had never visited any of these places.
"Please Buckle all safety belts and prepare for departure," Said an automated female voice over the PA system.
Roxas did as he was told, pressing his forhead to the window. Pence was the only one who had braved the heat to see Roxas off. But now, as Roxas gazed unfocussed out the glass, no one was on the platform watching him leave. Maybe it was better off he was going. Maybe he should never return.
As the Gummi took off into the skies, Roxas placed a hand on the window beside his head and watched Twilight Town dissolve into the distance, until nothing but stars could be seen, whizzing like celestial street lights passed his window.
"Now arriving at Radiant Garden. Please prepare for landing," The automated voice said presently.
Roxas looked out the window again, eagerly this time.
Where Twilight Town was always bathed in a golden light of sunset, Radiant Garden seemed to be lit with a bright, cheerful sun. The word bore silver and grey everything, city streets, and bustling inhabitants.
So far, he was liking this world.
He stepped out onto the platform, pulling his trunk along behined him as another man who andled the luggage carried his other trunk. At last he spotted the stout, blond, fierce-looking Cid. His uncle pulled the toothpick from his mouth, opened his arms wide and embraced Roxas.
So far, he was not liking this world.
"Well, if it ain't Roxas!" Said Cid, taking the trunk from the luggage man into his own arms. "Haven't seen you since you were knee-high to a grasshopper!"
Roxas didn't ask.
"Well, let's get going, ah?" He said, changing his demeanor suddenly and turning on his heel. "Time is money."
Roxas followed his uncle off the platform and into the city streets, his shoulders hunched. This would be one heck of a Summer.
