Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts/Final Fantasy or any other SquareSoft/Enix material used in this story. I only own the original characters, plot, and concept.
Opening Notes: I'm gonna keep these short. I had a long-winded explanation as to why it has taken me so long to update this. I apologize for the lengthy amount of time you all have had to wait. I finally found the three perfect words to explain my tardiness in the update: Life's a bitch.
Monty drummed his fingers on the stainless steel tabletop that separated him from the 'deranged' patient. The sound of metal creaking on a pivot and slowly beginning to pick up speed as well as the sound of wind blowing was a signal for the two the air-conditioning unit had just activated. Right on time at that; because for Sora, little beads of sweat began forming where olive skin met chestnut brown hair.
So," Monty ceased the drumming, the ashtray next to him now was piled with ashes and cigarette butts. "We're not going to make any progress just sitting here in silence. These sidhe, as you call them, you mentioned that they were hurt by cold steel? And vampires? They are affected by sunlight as well? Did you happen to stumble across any vampires?"
Sora let out a sigh as he gathered his thoughts, "No, not steel specifically. Cold iron hurts them, severely. Imagine a metal becoming white hot and then it touching you. It's like that, but far worse for them. Steel isn't quite as severe; however, it can get the point across pretty well. Since steel is an alloy comprised mostly of-"
"Iron," Monty cut him off finishing the sentence. "I see." He silently mumbled under his breath and he fetched out another cigarette from the case and lit it up.
"As for vampires, I have not had the pleasure, or displeasure if you will, of crossing one's path. Yet. Unfortunately, vampires have become rather scarce since about a century ago. With the gaining popularity of vampires in earlier pop culture, take Nosferatu and Dracula, they have everything one needs to know about their powers, weaknesses, and ways to kill them. There's a lot more truth to fairy tales than people imagine."
Exhaling a large cloud of smoke as Sora finished, the interviewer quietly stood to his feet, strolled over to the door and pressed a small button on a rectangular panel next to the door. A few minutes later a rough, impatient voice answered. "Yes?"
"I think I would like a cup of coffee, please. The patient is one of the worst cases I'm seen of dementia, possibly more to him than just that from the way he seems." He turned to the brunette young man, gesturing as if to ask if he wanted coffee too. The boy declined the offer, the older man shrugged as if to say 'suit yourself'.
A few moments passed and in walked a guard with three others standing in the doorway, watching Sora warily. "Here," said the gruff voiced guard. None of them were the red-headed one from earlier. He wondered where he had gone off to. "D'you want cream or sugar?"
"Oh, why not thank you. This will be all!" Monty retrieved the cup and shooed the guard away with the flick of his wrist, an amused expression crossed his face.
The guard snarled and gave out a few expletives under his breath grumbling before turning and gesturing the three away. The door was closed a bit harder than necessary. Sora flinched while the other man resumed his seat across from the boy, sipping his coffee and joyously partaking of the cigarette.
"So, before you proceed with your story, may I interject that hallucinations, schizophrenia, dementia, and other mind-altering diseases and conditions often times have the same effect on you as dreaming. Except you're dreaming things will being conscious and aware of your surroundings. If you don't know, dreams typically have inner, allegorical meanings and some symbolic meaning behind them. Chances are, your brain is trying to tell you something. Think of it like the bad guys have planted a mole in your mind; of course, he bad guys being any mind-altering condition and the mole being just one of their many weapons. So, while your brain tries to send you these messages, its failing to do its duties correctly. Follow?"
Sora nodded, "I think I get what you're saying." He couldn't tell behind the other man's poker face if he was bluffing the guards and doctors since he was wire-tapped or if he was serious. Perhaps there was something more going on than Sora imagined, maybe Monty as working for him, maybe against him, but at least he was willing to listen without criticize or judging.
"Well, life went back to normal for the most part. By normal, I meant I would go to work then go home and shut myself in with Riku. He explained many things to me, quite openly. Sidhe can't tell lies, but they can play with words better than any human can dream of. Also, names hold much power over creatures of the fey as well as humans. With a person's full name, you can use magic to push your will into theirs'. Not totally take control, like brainwashing, but just send little nudges that is enough to get what you done. He was trying to prep me for what was to come.
"Over the next few weeks, we would go for walks to the local parks, out into the forest on the island, all over. I began meeting various creatures. The little folk, things people typically think when they hear the term 'fairy'. Sprites, brownies, pixies, beings like that; however, don't think they dance around on lilies and laze about giggling. Some are cruel; a lot of sidhe don't care for mortals too much. Others take quite the interest in our kind. Not sure why."
"So, the sidhe, there are categories of them?" the older man interjected.
"Well, I wouldn't say categories. I mean, some of the sidhe appear as wild animals. Otters, bears, leopards, and many other creatures of varying colors and sizes; on the other hand, many of them are more human-like, some like something from a dream or fairy tale. I think species is a more respectable term."
Damn. He knows a lot more than I expected. So my doubt was misplaced in the One-Eyed One. It still doesn't explain some things. Of course… Drag me into this mess anyway. The naga joined the Unseelie Court, which means if it is a serious issue, the Unseelie King should be dealing with this problem. Especially if this is a plot involving the Seelie Court. The Koueru (1) should be handling all of this honestly. Tis no matter, honestly.
Sora took note of the other man's deep train of thought and hesitated to inquire. After what felt like an eternity of awkward silence, he just continued on with his story. "I began talking to my co-workers, I wanted to find sympathizers for my cause and the sudden dumping of waste into the rivers. Big mistake. I suppose I was a fool to even bother. All of my closest of friends turned their backs on me. Many even ceased speaking with me. The more I tried to rally supporters; Axel began calling me to his office. He offered me money, vacation time, gifts, many things if I shut my mouth and just went on with work as normal." His voice distant, his mind even farther.
Flashback
~Sora's P.O.V.~
"You are persistent aren't you?" Axel propped against the front of his desk, looking down at Sora. "I find persistence, no, that's a bad way of putting it, diligence, in a man to be quite an admirable trait. I really do; however, you have left me no choice but to take the action that I must now take."
His breath smelled of cigars and expensive cognac. I looked into the black abyss of the sun glasses. The tint was so dark I was unable to see my own reflection within them. A shiver ran down my spine. Action? Must take? That was never good.
"I'm sorry, but what do you mean, sir?" My voice broke I he unsuccessfully attempted to hide my uneasiness.
"I mean I must escort you out the door. You were a great asset to the company and showed much potential. Unfortunately, you chose to throw that away by causing discord in the workplace and trying to turn my employees on me and what I feel is better for the company. I'm sorry, Sora." Axel motioned towards the door.
Silently, I stood and followed the man out the door. Friends and co-workers alike all stood there working, many refused to look at me. It was that moment that I learned who really would have my back when I needed it. No one.
I was lucky to have been setting aside money in a back-up savings account in case of emergencies. If I hadn't, well, life would have been a lot more stressful than it was. After leaving work, I went straight home, stressed out. Fumbling for my keys, on the other side of the door I could hear voices. I recognized Riku's instantly, but another one I didn't. After finding the key, I threw the door open and dashed inside.
As I entered, I realized I was looking at… Myself? Riku was talking to a exactly replica with me, minus a few differences. The replica had a long, flowing grey beard, tiny horns protruding from his temples, and I'm sure I saw a small tail swishing back and forth.
"Hospodar," Riku said with a bow, "Meet Sora. He is the master of this home."
Obviously confused, I mimicked Riku's gesture of respect, "Hospodar."
"Sora, he is a domovoi. All homes have one, he functions as a sort of guardian. He belongs to the Wild. They do not choose to align with the Seelie or Unseelie Court. He was telling me you keep your home clean and are a respectful host, domovois can be your best friend or worst enemy depending on several factors, those two are key. They often take the likeness of the master of the home."
"Goot evenin'," as the domovoi spoke to me his whole body began to change until he took on the semblance of an elderly man. "I leeve oonder stove. My name, Dimitri."
"An honor," I inclined my one last time, my gaze lingered a moment on the sidhe before turning to Riku. "I was fired. I think there's something more going on than at face value."
Riku grimaced at this news. "Vunderful!" The thick accent of the domovoi was difficult to understand, "More bad news?!" His expression was filled with exasperation.
Riku patted the other on the back, "Sora, it's time you get a bit more of the details, lately a lot of the sidhe have gone missing. Others have become feral, vicious, and lost all sentiency. Unrest amongst the Seelie and Unseelie Court as well as the Wild have become more and more tense, on edge. If things continue as they are, a war will break out. Even the Kouero fails to act on this."
"Kouero?" I inquired.
"Oh, it is a council comprised of the monarchs of the Courts as well as some of the higher powers of each court. That does include the Wild. They are some of the oldest and most powerful fae. King of the Unseelie Court is known as Sephiroth, Queen of the Seelie Court is Yuffie, and the reigning head of the Wild is known as Yen Sid. Sora, I am leaving you in Dimitri's care right now, with how things are going, I don't want anything to happen to you. I will return unscathed, just worry about your wellbeing right now." At the last word, he offered a polite bow to Dimitri and slithered towards me, lowering himself down to take me in an embrace. "Things are a lot more serious than you may think. Please don't try following me."
Then, he was gone. I was left standing in my living room; Dimitri sat in my rocker recliner, smiling sleepily. What was happening? I had to know. There was only way I could get the answers I wanted to.
"Dimitri, is there anything you can do to help?" I inquired, desperate for some kind of clue or hint that may help me discover where he was running off to. I may have only known him for a few weeks now, but this whole other world was… Intriguing.
"Sorry, I cannot help heem. He choose to go on hees own." Standing up, the domovoi gave a stretch for good measure, sauntered into the kitchen, and then before my eyes somehow returned to his home under my stove. Left with a lot to contemplate, I left a few slices of bread and a glass of milk on the table for Dimitri and went upstairs. The sun was beginning to set. I grabbed a backpack and began grabbing a few necessities. Stopping in the guest bedroom, I picked up my old bat from my high school years when I played baseball. I couldn't recall if it was steel or aluminum, but if things got bad enough, I had it anyway.
With that, I silently slid out the front door.
A/N: So, what do you think? Give me opinions! Also, if you have any ideas, pitch them to me! I have the general idea of the story laid out, but I enjoy bouncing ideas with people back and forth.
Also, Koueru was a Celtic 'justice' system which roughly translates to 'honor'.
And as for Dimitri, I am unfamiliar with typing in Russian accents to tried my best. XD Hope it was alright. Reviews always appreciated, thanks!
