The night of the gala arrived a lot more quickly than the Organization members expected, but their eagerness for attending it was too much for them to want to wait any longer.

That night, Aqua took it upon herself to keep Larxene from incurring her wrath on either Naminé or Xion, and offered to assist the Savage Nymph in preparing for the gala. But Larxene, not wanting the bluenette to touch or help her in any way, shape, or form, ordered her to stand aside and not help unless she asked for it.

"It's such a shame you can't go to the gala, Aqua," said Larxene in and voice of honeyed pity as she sat behind the mirror of her vanity table and fastened a pair of drop earrings made of black diamond onto her earlobes. "The parties they have at Daybreak Town are always festive and glamorous and not to be missed; I'd hate to be in your position."

Though her countenance remained staid, Aqua allowed herself to look at Larxene with narrowed slits for eyes. "Actually, Larxene," Aqua said matter-of-factly, "I've been to many parties before. I'm sure this one shall be no different."

Larxene looked over her shoulder at the bluenette. "Oh, is that so?" she asked. "Well. I shall be the judge of that!" Larxene then fastened a silver chain adorned with black diamonds around her neck. A harsh sigh then left her lips. "I still cannot believe Axel has chosen to skip the gala," she muttered. "He is such a fool sometimes. I should have forced him to come."

"Axel is his own person," Aqua countered. "He is free to make his own decisions."

"Own person?!" Larxene exclaimed. "Puh-lease! We're Nobodies! We were never supposed to exist! Tonight though –" she rose from her chair, pulling on a pair of long black gloves made of silk "– we can enjoy an escape from our nonexistence and pretend to be somebodies." She then positioned herself in front of a floor length mirror that stood nearby and examined herself. "Well, Aqua," Larxene asked, twirling around in her heels, "what do you think?"

As much as Aqua held no love for the Savage Nymph, she could not deny that Larxene looked exquisite tonight in a ball gown that was as black as night from top to bottom with a ruffled off-the-shoulder topline made of black lace and sheer gauze that draped around the bodice like a curtain, and a short tail. The gown all throughout was also embellished with shiny black sequins that evoked stars twinkling in the evening sky. "You look …" Aqua tried to find something polite to say. "… Good."

Larxene scoffed as she picked up a black velvet cape that lay atop her bed. "Good? That's the best you've got?" she asked in disbelief as she put on the cape.

Aqua pursed her lips together in irritation. She was about to say something back, but a knock on Larxene's door stopped her.

"Larxene?" came Naminé's voice as she peeked into the Savage Nymph's bedchamber, "Marluxia is waiting for you in the Gray Area."

Larxene sighed harshly. "I will be down shortly!" she yelled. Then she flashed a wicked smile at Aqua. "I hope you have a splendid evening back here at the castle, Aqua."

The snub caused Aqua to glare, but she made no remark.

Larxene quickly picked up her skirts and scurried out, passing by Naminé as she exited her bedchamber. The younger girl shot an apologetic look at the bluenette once Larxene had left. "I pray she did not give you a hard time?" Naminé asked embarrassedly.

Aqua sighed. "I can't imagine how she treats you and Xion now that I've been with her."

"Oh my," Naminé said innocently, "Then it sounds like that must have been an unpleasant experience."

A humored grin broke on Aqua's face. "Well," she began lightheartedly, "I've been through worse."

The two girls shared a momentary laugh together.

"Come on," said Naminé afterwards, "let's go to the Gray Area. We can see the Organization off before they leave."

"Thank you, Naminé," replied Aqua, "But no thanks. I'll just be down in the basement, in the greenhouse."

"Are you sure?"

Aqua nodded. "Yes, I'm sure."

…

"What time should we expect you back at the castle, sir?" Xion asked Xemnas. The dark-haired girl stood not too far away from a tall standing mirror that Xemnas positioned himself in front of, helping him prepare for the gala.

"We shouldn't be expected back until at least after midnight," Xemnas answered as Xion helped him put on his cufflinks. "Some of us may return earlier than others."

"Very well, my lord." Xion then stood atop a chair behind Xemnas holding a dark black garment in her hands. "Your jacket."

Xemnas stretched his arms back, enabling Xion to slip his jacket onto him. As soon as he had slipped the garment on, Xemnas stepped away from the mirror, looking at himself from head to toe.

"You look impeccable, my lord," Xion said politely.

And indeed he was. The Lord Superior was immaculate in the formal uniform of the Organization: a long black tailcoat with matching trousers and soft white gloves, a creamy silk waistcoat, a white collared linen shirt with pleats on the front, and a frilled white jabot tied around his neck.

Xemnas' piercing gaze met his reflection's as he looked at himself in the mirror. While the Lord Superior was not the kind of man who was particularly fussy about appearances, he had to admit, this was the finest he had looked in a very long time.

"You have my thanks, Xion," Xemnas said quietly.

Xion bowed her head dutifully as she received Xemnas' gratitude. "Is there anything else I can help you with tonight, Lord Xemnas?"

"No," Xemnas answered. He then slipped his hand inside of his jacket and pulled out a silver pocketwatch. "It is almost time to depart. Have you any updates about the status of Number VIII's attendance to the gala?"

"Yes sir," replied Xion. "Axel has made it clear even tonight that he wishes to remain at the castle. I'm afraid you shall have to go without him."

"And Number XIII?"

"Roxas too."

Xemnas frowned. "I see. What a pity, I would have preferred a hundred percent attendance from my subordinates for tonight's occasion. But no matter. It is their loss." He then summoned a Corridor of Darkness to take him to the Gray Area where the other Organization members attending the gala had congregated by now. He began to walk into the corridor, but stopped before he could step into it. "Xion."

"Yes, sir?" asked Xion.

Xemnas answered. "When I and the others have left, I would like you to find a box in my drawing room. When you do find it, I request that you take it over and place it on Lady Aqua's bed, where she shall see it. Do you understand?"

Xion nodded obediently. "Yes sir, I will do as you have asked."

"Good," said Xemnas. "And once you have, please inform Lady Aqua about it."

"Of course, my lord."

…

"Alright, Flamesilocks," said Xigbar as he dropped a pile of papers on top of the table of the Organization's dining room, of which Axel was sitting behind. "Since you decided to play hooky tonight, Saïx thought it would be a good opportunity for you to get some homework done."

One of Axel's eyebrows rose on his forehead as he looked at the stack of papers Xigbar had left in front of him. "Homework?" the redhead inquired.

"Yup. Your task tonight is to sort through all of these documents by date and in alphabetical order while we're gone. And, once you're done with that, Saïx says that he wants you to complete all of your mission reports for the missions you did this week tonight too. One page each."

"You have got to be kidding me," Axel deadpanned.

Xigbar cackled. "Oh, I wish, man. But unfortunately for you, I'm not. Haha!"

Axel sighed. "Well, if it's Saïx's orders, then I suppose I have no choice but to obey."

Xigbar grinned, laughing again. "Attaboy! Now, remember while we're gone, we expect you and Kiddo to not get into any mischief or burn down the castle."

It was Axel's turn to snicker. "Now why would Roxas and I possibly do such a thing?"

"You never know!" Xigbar quipped. "Also, make sure you watch over dear little Bluebird well while we're gone. We don't want her to get into another accident now, do we?"

"Did Saïx ever find out who was responsible for that attack?" Axel asked. "Heartless that powerful should not have been able to get inside the castle."

Xigbar shrugged. "Beats me, dude. However –" and then Xigbar leaned over and spoke with a hushed tone into Axel's ear " – between you and me, I've caught some interesting information from the Dusks about that attack."

Axel's face crumpled into gravity. "What are the Dusks saying?" he asked. "Tell me everything."

A smirk grew on Xigbar's lips. "See, I would, but you'll have to wait until we get back."

"What?!"

"Dude, I gotta get going to this party. Xemnas runs a very tight ship, you know?"

"But you didn't even want to attend the party!"

"And I still don't! However, I'd rather not get into Xem's black book by skipping out on it or being late, so I've got to split!"

"Xigbar!" Axel exclaimed in disbelief.

But paying no attention to Axel's protests, Xigbar summoned a corridor of Darkness. "Be a good boy now, Ax! And remember, if you're patient and wait, I'll give you what you want to know by the morning! Ta-ta!" And with a wave of his hand, Xigbar was gone.

Axel groaned. "Dusks…" he cursed under his breath, "Xigbar, you son of a gun." Then he looked at the stack of papers laying in front of him. There was a grandfather clock that stood against the wall of the dining room; Axel peered into the clock's face and read the time: 7:20 pm.

This was going to be a very long night.

…

After spending most of her free time in the Organization's library, Aqua enjoyed the change of scenery within the castle as she sat amongst the flowers in the Organization's garden. They reminded her of the flowers that grew in the mountains where she lived with Master Eraqus and Ven. How she missed them!

"Aqua!"

The bluenette was lost in a book she was reading when she heard Xion calling her name.

"Aqua!" Xion called out once again.

Looking up from her book and over her shoulder, Aqua spied Xion scurrying towards her.

"What is it, Xion?"

"Aqua, it's Lord Xemnas!"

Her heart leapt at the mention of his name. "What of him?"

"He has left you a present. Come to your bedchamber and you shall see!"

Immediately Aqua ascended and with feet of flight she made her way to her bedchamber, not stopping to even catch her breath until she arrived. As she entered her the room, her eyes fell upon a white rectangular shaped box that lay on her bed. Wondering what could be inside of it, Aqua approached it. When she had reached her beside, she saw that the box looked a lot bigger than it had appeared from afar, but she did not mind. It only further heightened her curiosity over what lay inside of it. With shaking fingers, she lifted the lid of the box off.

Then, her heart seemed to stop. The lid, which she had held with her hands, fell away and hit the floor. Her eyes enlarged into ultramarine orbs, and her irises trembled. The rest of her body became numb, paralyzed as she stared at the box's interior. A soft gasp passed through her lips as they fell open unhinged.

For there, lying inside of the box, was one of the most beautiful gowns Aqua had ever laid her eyes on. The gown was a gorgeous, ethereal confection of soft, shimmering shot silk the color of the deep blue ocean that, in some areas, transformed into hues of emerald, teal, aqua, turquoise, and indigo, overlaid with a misty blue-silver silk net that gave the gown a diaphanous character. The gown's skirt was full and bell-like, its sleeves puffy, as if they had been filled with air, and its neckline was framed and draped with crinkled silk.

Immediately, Aqua began to run her fingers over the fine, soft silk, and the sensation of the smooth fabric touching her fingertips was exquisite. Her eyes roamed over the dress multiple times, unable to look away from it.

There was a note that lay beneath the folded dress scrawled in black ink. Plucking it out with her fingers, Aqua began to read.

Lady Aqua,

I am certain that by now, you may find this gift I have given you a surprise, for, as you might imagine, it is unconventional for a captive to receive such fine things from her captor. Nevertheless, this gift was one that I felt compelled to present to you.

I need not explain to you why, and I know I am making this request of you on a last minute's notice, but I have come to trust you more than I ever expected. I see you as less of my prisoner and more of an esteemed resident of my home. If I could ask that you join me for the gala at Daybreak Town, you would do me a great honor. If it should compel you to accept my invitation, I shall be waiting for you at Daybreak Town, at the House of Malachi, and I hope to see you there in your gift.

-X.

…

"Axel."

The redhead looked up from the mission report he was writing (after having gone through the trouble of organizing all of those dratted documents Xigbar had given him), to see Aqua hastening towards him. There was a sense of urgency and desperation in her eyes that struck Axel with curiosity.

"Well, well." He said amiably. "What's up, Aqua?"

"Axel," Aqua began imploringly, "I need your help."

Axel leaned back in his chair in the dining room, stretching his arms. "How can I be of assistance?"

"I need you to take me to Daybreak Town, to the gala."

Axel's face crumpled in bafflement. "…Were you … invited?"

"Xemnas … he left me a note. He … he has given me his permission to attend the gala."

Axel began to laugh. "Xemnas? Given you permission to attend?" He laughed some more. "It almost sounds like he's not concerned you'll try to run away."

"I know it doesn't sound like him, but you must believe me," she entreated. "Please. This could be my one chance to …" then she paused. Was it wise of her to tell Axel of her attraction to the Organization's Superior? Probably not. "… it may be my one opportunity to get away from this place for some time."

Axel ascended to his feet and walked over towards her, grinning. "Very well, if you say so."

Aqua's face lit up and she threw her arms around Axel, startling him. "Thank you so much Axel! I'll be ready in half and hour's time. When I am, I'll meet you outside my private chambers and then you can create a portal for me to go to Daybreak Town."

Axel's body stiffened beneath Aqua's arms, and he shrugged out of them. "Whoa, whoa, whoa," he began to say in a stern voice, "hold it right there. Are you telling me that you intend to head over to the gala by yourself?"

Aqua eyed Axel in confusion. "Is there something wrong?" she asked innocently.

"Aqua, it's not safe for a girl like yourself to be out and about around this time of the evening alone. People might take advantage of you."

Aqua laughed. "Axel, I'm perfectly capable of defending myself. I'm proficient at using magic and I was taught how to perform self-defense by my master."

"Even so, I'm not going to let you go out there alone. Nope! Not on my watch!" Axel's eyes flickered over to the face of the dining room's grandfather clock. "Do what you have to do to get ready and meet me outside of your private chambers in half an hour, then we'll go to the gala together."

Aqua let out a surprised laugh. "Axel!" she said, "I thought you didn't want to go!"

Axel shot Aqua a wolfish grin, "Well, it appears my plans have changed." He then laughed to himself, crossing his arms and shaking his head as he did. "Oh boy. It's been a while since I've done something like this. But no matter! Go get yourself ready and I'll see you in a bit. Ok?"

"Will do!" said Aqua with a nod, and proceeded to scurry. However, she paused, and looked over her shoulder where Axel was. "Axel?"

"Yeah?"

"So, tell me: why did you not want to attend the gala in the first place?"

Chuckling to himself, Axel responded. "Because," he said, "I don't dance."

A/N: Happy reading guys! I'm sure you'll be dying for the next couple of chapters after you read this one! I am so excited to write them! I think you will enjoy reading them very, very much! (:

Also, fun stuff time! If you are curious and want to see what Aqua's gala dress looks like, go to this link! (and it is a gorgeous dress, if I must say, I want it!)(remove the -'s in the "h-t-t-p-s" and the extra spaces): "h-t-t-p-s-:/ / abrilveja . files . wordpress . c o m 2016 / 11 / victoria 2 . jpg ? quality=70&strip=info&w=1024"

If you want to see what Larxene's gala dress looks like, go to this link over here! (remove the -'s in the "h-t-t-p-s" and the "o-r-g" and the extra spaces): "h-t-t-p-s :/ / images . metmuseum . o-r-g / CRDImages / ci / web-large / 113008 . jpg"

As always, I love to hear back from my readers, so please, I encourage you to review/comment/critique/ask questions as they are helpful for me, and if you like the story, please favorite and follow if you want to stay updated!

-gt²