III

World: The World That Never Was

For the first time in weeks, I finally closed my tired eyes. My whole body feels like one giant bruise and I knew for sure my magic was severly low. It probably didn't help that I used the Dark Corridor so much.

I let loose all the plans for the future, allowing my mind to darken as my body drifted off into the weightlessness of unconsciousness.

~~~~~AiT~~~~~

III

World: The World That Never Was

Warm hands against my skin brought me out of the sea of sleep into the land of conciousness. My eyes drifted open to latch onto the face hovering inches from my own.

Leyixa. My dear sister. Her eyes were bright and a ghost of a smile lingered on her features. Everyone who met her believed her to be so happy. Those who actually know her tend to tread lightly for fear of her fiery rage. It wasn't by mischance she had the power over fire.

"What 'cher want?" my voice sounded rough to my own ears.

Leyixa tilted her head and frowned, "You go and leave me for weeks to go and ask me that?" she huffed and crossed her arms.

I rolled my eyes, "Okay. What do you want?"

She threw her hands up in the air and growled, "I'm starving! Can't ya' tell?"

The Restless Cynic pointed at her stomach, which growled on cue, and then pointed up to where Vexteret's room was situated, "And I'm tired of his cooking."

I grumbled and pushed myself up onto my elbows. Not an easy task with Leyixa sitting on my chest. With a shout of surprise, she tumbled down headfirst onto the floor. I ignored her indignant cry and walked out of my room, throwing on my black cloak as I went. Instead of turning left, which would have taken me to the kitchens, I went right, towards the Doctor's room. There was a nudge at my cheek and I tilted my head to look. A small gray fish, tucked into my blue-green hair, looked at me expectantly. I smiled and petted the little Nobody on its fishy head. My personal little Nobodies, only about the size of a normal goldfish, could be quite lethal in a large group. My little Anglerfish.

I raised a hand to knock on the door but before I could, the door swung open.

"Good morning, Doctor. Care for some breakfast?" I smiled at the Time Lord, who looked like he got less sleep than I did. He still looked upset about last night. And he was staring at the Anglerfish now swimming around my head. One of the braver Nobody fish swam closer to the Doctor and darted back when the Doctor raised a hand to poke it. A few others began to drift closer to the Time Lord and before long he too had Anglerfish swimming around him.

"So, about breakfast?" his eyes had that shine in them again and I took that as a good sign as I led him towards the kitchen. A rush of warm air tickled my back and I quickly pushed the Doctor against the wall. I took the brunt of the attack, having placed myself where he once stood.

"Oofff...Gre off.." my voice was muffled under Leyixa's cloak and I shoved my arms upwards in an attempt to wrestle her off. The weight lifted off and I took a deep breath. My breath frosted as I stood. Jayxend turned a piercing glare at Leyixa, "Is this anyway to act around a guest?"

Leyixa, unpreturbed, merely flitted away towards the kitchen. I hoisted the Doctor back upon his feet, "I'm sorry. She has always been very friendly, even before..."

"Get on to the kitchens, Mariner. I will escort our guest to the dining room," the Arbiter directed the Doctor onwards, the fish still swimming merrily around his head.

I shook my head, the sight was that absurd, and directed myself towards one of my favorite places in the castle...my kitchen.

~~~~~Ait~~~~~

III

World: The World That Never Was

"That was delicious. Where did you learn to cook?" the Doctor leaned back in his chair and folded his hands over his stomach.

"Glad you enjoyed it," I leaned foward in my own chair and nodded at the two Nobodies, Madax and Leyixa, sitting beside him. They stood, after a glare and a threat of a more unpleasant chore, and began to clear the table, "I am mostly self taught. Many years of making sure these gluttons don't starve."

"Gluttons?" Noraax tilted his chair back and folded his hands behind his head, "You haven't cooked anything this extravagant in years."

I narrowed my eyes and shook my head. They all will be the death of me one of these days, I just know it.

"When we will begin planning for this 'grand scheme' of yours, Mariner?"

I rolled my eyes, "All in good time, Jester. We must gather everyone first. We will need as many hands as we can get."

Axandam raised an eyebrow, "Everyone? You can't honestly mean..."

"Yes. Everyone, my friend," I stood and offered a hand to the Timelord, "I think it is about time I showed you around the place, Doctor. Jayxend, would you please send word that everyone is to meet in the Stadium in a few hours?"

I turned from the ice Nobody for, as the Doctor stood, he was once more swarmed by the Anglerfish. I had to hide the smile that was threatening to form on my face. I quickly composed myself and turned once more to the Doctor, "If you would please follow me, Doctor."

~~~~~AiT~~~~~

I apologize for the long wait...and for this...*sigh* I do love my little Anglerfish Nobodies... They're only about the size of a koi and swim in swarms of about 5-7. Mission planning will hopefully start next chapter. Caio