Hello once again everyone! Sorry it's been awhile… I feel like I write that on every chapter. In the last chapter, I did make a rather vague, obscure reference to a character that really isn't focused on in the game, but once her name is announced you'll figure it out. Sorry about that! And now… introductions! Enjoy!

Chapter 8: First Night

As Sora and I finally reached our limits, the food disappeared from the platters on the table and the king stood up again.

"I hope you all enjoyed the feast. Now, on to business. First, I'd like to introduce the staff for this coming year." He turned and started on the far end of the table. "This is Axel, our groundskeeper," he said, pausing for applause between each name. "Next to him is our Herbology professor, Marluxia. Then we have Miss Jane Porter, our librarian. Our newest teacher, Demyx, will be taking the Defense Against the Dark Arts post."

I looked up closer at the mention of Demyx's name. Yup, still quivering like a Chihuahua in need of a bathroom break. He was almost on top of Miss Porter, like he was avoiding the person on his left or something. I squinted, trying to see who it was. His silver hair fell over half of his face in a messy yet styled look. I couldn't quite see his eyes… wait… he's turning… HOLY CRAP OW OW OW OW OW!

Sora turned and looked at me with a quizzical expression on his face: "Umm… Riku? Are you okay? You just got really pale and started swearing in whispers…"

I grimaced. At least it was whispered.

"Yeah…My scar just started throbbing for some reason. No big deal," I said, shrugging it off.

Luckily, Sora accepted it with a shrug and turned back to the king. I needed to hear the name of the man who's piercing eyes had ignited the scar on my neck.

"Zexion, our potions master."

Zexion. Why did that name bring so much pain? It felt like someone was holding a branding iron to my neck while simultaneously crushing my windpipe. Rather unpleasant, if I do say so myself. I zoned out for a moment, studying Zexion. Suddenly, Sora let out the biggest belch I had ever heard, causing the girls across from us to fervently wish they had sat somewhere else for the umpteenth time that evening. Jolted back into reality, I realized I had missed almost the rest of the teachers. Great. I won't have any idea who they are if I have them. Oh well, nothing to do about it now…

"Selphie, our Charms teacher, and our lovely nurse, Miss Wendy Darling, and finally, Hades, the school's… caretaker. I believe he has a list of forbidden items that he wants me to read to you." At a nod from the creepy looking man, the king started listing: "No magic in the halls, no one can enter the Deep Jungle area next to the castle…"

I zoned out again. I tried to pay attention, but seriously, all I could think about was this guy's voice. I mean, I get that he's supposed to be all great and powerful and wonderful, but can't magic get rid of that squeakiness?

"And finally, the third floor hallway on the east side of the castle is strictly forbidden to anyone who does not wish to die a very painful death. First years, follow your prefects to your common rooms where you will receive your room assignments and schedule for classes. Have a good night, students!"

Did no one else think that "painful death" comment was odd? Was he joking? He looked pretty serious… Before I could ponder this any more, there was a short brunette demanding my attention. And unfortunately, it wasn't the girl from before…

"Hey Riku," Sora said, "Do you want to room together? They'll let us switch if we want to."

"Yeah, sure," I said. At least I have one friend here.

His eyes got all big and round and shiny. It was when he started jumping up and down while squealing that I started to wonder if maybe I shouldn't have said yes…

"Simba first years, this way!" a familiar voice said.

"Hey Sora, isn't that your brother?"

"Yeah," Sora said, calming down a bit, "He's a prefect," he proclaimed, disgusted. "Dweeb."

"Dweeb? Who even says that anymore?"

"I do! Cause WR is one!"

"Whatever," I chuckled, "Let's go."

We followed WR and the other first years up a hell of a lot of stairs. And moving platforms. And water. Seriously, how big is this place? Finally, we stopped. I looked around- where was the common room? This was just a dead end with a whole bunch of portraits on the walls. Instead of acting like he made a mistake, WR walked right up to the portrait at the end of the hall. There were three fairies, but they didn't look like fairies in the storybooks I used to page through when I was little. One was blond and dressed in bright yellow with a red scarf. The second had dark hair and a white outfit. The third had even darker hair with a black skull themed outfit.

"Password," the blond one asked with a giggle, much to my surprise. I wasn't expecting it to talk, but then again, I wasn't expecting them to move either.

"Yuna, Rikku, and Paine," WR said.

"Pleased to meet you," they said in unison and collapsed into giggles.

WR turned to us and said, "That is the password for tonight only. It is also the names of these three. I'll tell you all the new password once we're inside the common room."

The portrait of the fairies swung open to reveal a doorway. We had to step up in single file to enter. But once we did… wow. The room was decorated in the silver and red of Simba. Like, completely. And if I was amazed, you can only imagine what Sora was… I didn't know his eyes could get any bigger.

"So… sh-sh-SHINY!"

I now knew that I had made a mistake in my roommate. Something was telling me that he wasn't one for sleeping. Ever. And I needed some sleep! I let Sora figure out the details as I nursed my newly sprung headache. I think it was related to my scar or something. I definitely had to watch out for that teacher…

"RIKU! Come on come on COME ON!"

"What the-" I barely had time to react as Sora grabbed my arm and dragged me up a staircase.

"Come on! We have to meet our roommates!"

He came to a halt in front of door number 218. In fact, he stopped so well, that I continued down the hall, flung by his insane amount of force.

"What are you doing, Riku?" Sora asked, looking down at my crumpled up form.

"Hurting. Badly. Why are you so hyper?"

"Probably the delicious dessert! I'M ON A SUGAR HIGH!"

"Note to self, never give Sora sugar."

"Aw, you sound just like my mom. Let's go, the others are already inside."

We opened the door and saw two blond boys in the midst of a heated argument.

"But I need to sleep by the window- I just can't get to sleep without a window!" the boy in blue shorts… or were they pants… said.

"Well tough. I was here first." This speaker was dressed in black and camo with white shoes and gelled hair. Aka the tough guy look.

"But, but… I'll fight you for it! Come on!"

"Yeah right," tough guy said. "I already have it, why fight?"

At this point he turned and noticed Sora and me. Blue short-pants guy turned and followed his look. His pout of outrage turned to a sheepish grin.

"Hey guys…"

Sora, completely ignoring the awkwardness (or just not noticing…), jumped right in, saying: "Hi! I'm Sora. And this is Riku. We're your new roomies!"

"Uhhh… hi. The name is Hayner," the tough guy said.

"And I'm Tidus!" said confusing bottoms guy. I finally got a frontal view, and his pants/shorts had one leg long and one leg short. Don't ask me why, that's just what he was wearing.

Speaking up for the first time, I said, "You guys know that there are two windows in here, right?"

They both looked dumbfounded, having obviously not noticed. Great. This room was going to be… interesting. Tidus ashamedly walked over to the other bed, leaving Sora and I the two beds on the inside wall. I started unpacking my suitcase as Sora investigated his new bed.

"I'm not tired at all!" Sora said, jumping up and down on his bed. "In fact, I could stay up all-"

The sudden silence worried me. I turned and saw a rather welcome sight. Sora had fallen asleep mid-jump. He was outstretched on the bed, a bit of drool already hanging from his mouth. And then the snore. I knew he could never be quiet- even in his sleep! I sighed and closed my suitcase. This was going to be a long night.

As I sat with my head in my hands, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Tidus. He handed me a pair of earplugs with a wink.

"My mom prepared me for anything!" he whispered.

I smiled gratefully and took the earplugs. Ahh, sweet silence. Time to get some rest before class tomorrow. I hadn't even looked at my schedule yet, but there would be plenty of time tomorrow morning…