Last at Dawn

I could clearly tell that Xehanort was angry.

He seemed calm enough when he shut the doors of Ansem's office. But once he was at least three feet away, his brows creased, and he megan murmuring a series of disgruntled noises.

He walked straight past me, not even aknowledging me. I had an inkling of what he was so frustrated over, but I wanted to know more about it.

So I gently knocked on Ansem's door.

I entered once Ansem gave vocal permission, and once I begn entering, I saw that he wasn't alone like I first thought. He had a visitor, a rather large black mouse who gave a sort of regal, yet friendly aura.

"O-oh, my apologies, I did not know you had a guest.." I made to double-back on myself, however Ansem beckoned me in with a hand gesture. I continued letting myself in, and shut the door behind me. I stood as tall as I could and tried to appear as curteous as possible.

"Come over here, Ienzo," Ansem asked, glittering his request with the kind smile that always makes me feel warm and welcome. Smiling slightly myself, I walked over to him, not daring to make eye contact with his guest.

"My friend," He began, turning me around so that I faced his guest, "This is my youngest apprentice, Ienzo". So he had meant to show me off? Hardly surprising.

"Ienzo," He began again, facing me. I craned my head slightly to bring his face into my line of vision. Sometimes having my hair cover one half of my face is not so pleasing. "This is King Mickey,".

King? This mouse is a king? I barely managed to contain my surprise. King Mickey smiled graciously at me.

"Nice t'meetchya, Ienzo!" He heartily stated. I knew he was bieng completely sincere about his happiness, and this warmed me a little.

"Likewise, your majesty," I replied curteously, giving a slight bow to finish.

"Now," Ansem began, catching my attention once again. I looked up at him. "There must be a reason why you're here, Ienzo. What is it?"

I did not need to think about it.

"I saw Xehanort storming through the corridors, I simply wish to know what has him so rattled,"

For a moment, I thought I saw a flash of rage burn through Ansem's eyes, but it quickly dissapated.

"I just told him to stop his research, nothing for you to get curious about,"

But I already am.

"Oh, those experiments? Xehanort refuses to tell me about those,"

"And with good reason!"

Ansem's bellow was so unexpected that it caused me jump slightly. I knew then that I was treading on thin ice.

"Ienzo, please do me a favour," I nod, "Do not follow in whatever Xehanort does. Do not become involved in his research. Understand?"

Not completely. But I do know that whatever it was that Xehanort and the others were up to, Ansem was not pleased in the slightest about it. I felt that I had to abide by Ansem's request, and inquire no more into the matter.

"I understand, Sir,"

He gave me that warm smile I love so much. It put me at ease.

"Good. Now, run along now, Mickey and I have much to talk about,"

I did as he asked, but stopped as I reached the door, and turned to face the two once again. I meant to say something at that moment, but I never did. I continued on my way, leaving the room and entering the corridor.

Ansem had told me not to bother with Xehanort's work, but with a curiosity as strong as mine, that is one task that would prove to be difficult to maintain.

Oh look, another flashback.

And lol, Mickey has only one line.

~KLFoxglove