Outside the Mansion gates, and after soundly refusing to let Kimahri murder Mune, who retreated back to the Fahrenheit, the heroes stood silently trying to find a way past the locked gates.
"Ok…who puts a lock on a gate without any sort of keyhole?!" Sora asked as he looked at the old locking mechanism carefully but finding no Keyhole.
"There's really no way around it but up and over." Luxa said as instantly the lock popped open and the chains holding the gate together fell to the ground. The gates opened by themselves too.
"Okay…that was weird." He said as he summoned his Keyblade and the group slowly approached the old Mansion.
"You think what dad said was true? That there is a curse here?" Kairi asked.
"Nah…I don't believe in ghost stories." Cissnei replied smugly.
"Says she who didn't get taken as hostage by Davy Jones." Kairi grumbled.
"Now wait a minute, Jones was probably the result of Keyblade magic gone bad…he could have been some guy suffering from a Cetra curse for all we know." Cissnei said as Luxa noticed something off to the side of the house.
"Hey guys, come look at this!" Luxa said as she beckoned her comrade's over. As they approached they saw a massive field covered in nothing but tombstones as far as the eye could see.
"Okay rule number two of how to identify haunted houses…when the backyard, is a graveyard." Roxas said nervously.
"Oh relax you big baby…I've survived three trips to Halloween town and you don't hear me complaining." Sora replied.
"Dead men tell no tales." Roxas replied as Cissnei rolled her eyes.
"Shut up Jack." She said as she patted Roxas's cheek with her gloved hand.
"Ok then…where do we go from here?" Luxa asked as a raven squawked and flew over towards a set of stairs leading up towards the front door.
"Rule number 43: When a question is conveniently answered by either/or the Flora and fauna." Roxas added.
"Oh for Pete's sake Roxas, your element was light you of all people shouldn't be afraid of the dark." Sora grumbled.
"I'm not afraid of the dark…just what may be lurking inside of it." Roxas replied as Cissnei put her arm around him.
"Hey don't worry bro…I'm with ya." Cissnei said and Roxas shrugged as the group approached the front door.
"Ok…let's knock and see if anyone's home." Kairi said optimistically but as she reared her hand back the sounds of the door unlocking were heard inside. Then the door opened slowly with a bone chilling creek.
"Rule number 1: Doors that open themselves." Roxas said with a sigh.
"Oh please if that was the case then every department store in the universe is haunted…either that or Luxa's hard at work fiddling with the gravity." Sora groaned.
"Nice one Sora." Luxa said with a snicker.
"I didn't think it was funny." Sora replied with an arched eyebrow.
"Well…I'll consider it a complement…let's leave it at that shall we?" Luxa said as they took a deep breath and entered.
Back on the Fahrenheit, Namine was busy doodling on her drawing pad when a beeping on one of the displays drew her attention.
"Huh…that's weird." She said as Mune appeared through the wall.
"Problem?" He asked.
"Yeah the weather sensors are going crazy…it's showing a bad thunderstorm coming up fast." She said as she turned to the shield controls.
"We can't leave right now…we need to wait for the others to return." Mune said as Namine nodded.
"I know, and we're not leaving…I'm diverting power from the engines, hyperdrive, and repulsors to the shields…that should keep out even the worst lightning." She said as she started fiddling with the controls.
"It's not the four of us that I'm worried about…that storm just came up far too quickly for my tastes…there is something very dark at work here." Mune replied as he watched the storm from the window.
"What do you think is causing it?" Namine asked as Riku and Fuu entered the bridge.
"I pray that I'm wrong, but I fear it's whatever still dwells within that old mansion." Mune said as Namine looked out the window towards where the house was. Only the attic tower could be seen over the trees.
Back at the mansion, the six heroes entered into the foyer. It was well lit for a mansion that was supposedly abandoned. Directly ahead of the main entrance was a long dark hallway between two sets of stairs which led off into opposite directions at the top, while two doors located to the left and right led to other parts of the old mansion.
"Ok so what do we look for?" Kairi asked the Ronso who started sniffing the air.
"Kimahri not know." He replied. Then they heard a door open and close at the end of the hallway, followed shortly by the ever approaching sound of footsteps. A flash of lightning briefly revealed the figure of an old man (Looking the world like Terrance Stamp) walking towards them down the hall.
He then emerged into the light and came to a stop before the group.
"My master bids thee welcome…it has been many years since anyone has come to visit." The man said with a tired and worn, yet eloquent voice.
"Uh well we thought this place was abandoned." Sora said as the man looked at him stoically.
"You were obviously mistaken…but it is understandable…we never informed the local authorities of our arrival." The man replied.
"Who are you?" Roxas asked.
"Ramsley." The man replied as he slowly turned on his heel towards the hallway.
"This way please." He requested as the group shrugged and fell in step with the butler.
"So Ramsley…what's your position here?" Kairi asked as they walked down the hallway lined with suits of armor from various eras.
"I am the head butler…my purpose is to tend to the master's every request and to ensure that he is happy, though lately he has been troubled." Ramsley replied as they reached a pair of red leather doors.
"About what?" Luxa asked as Ramsley turned towards the group.
"Ghosts." He replied stoically.
"Goodbye." Roxas said as he turned on his heel but Sora grabbed his robe collar before the ex-nobody could get away.
"Well uh…is your master in?" Cissnei asked.
"He requested that I bring you all before him so that he may speak to you." Ramsley replied as he pushed open the doors revealing a large and beautifully laid out ballroom complete with organ at the far left end of the room and a fireplace along one wall.
"Wow…my dad would be dead from dehydration in this place because he'd be drooling so much." Sora said as they entered.
"You know I've had some man-I-wish-I-had-a-camera moments already this month." Kairi said in awe.
"We all do at some point in our lives." A distinguished and young voice said from nearby. They all turned and saw a young man with raven black hair down to his shoulders in an eloquent house suit standing in front of a nearby window.
"Who are you?" Sora asked.
"My name is Edward Gracy the thirteenth…I'm the current owner of this, my ancestor's masterpiece and legacy…this mansion." The man said as he approached casually.
"Gracy? Isn't that the name of the guy who offed himself?" Sora asked as Roxas elbowed him.
"That was my ancestor yes…despite the efforts of Bevelle's assassins…his lineage continued thanks to a (Ahem) one night stand he'd had the night before his death…in his defense he was drugged by the woman who turned him in." Gracy replied.
"So his lineage has eventually returned to the mansion?" Cissnei asked as Gracy smiled at her and nodded.
"Yes but recently it has become something of…a burden…on myself and my household." Gracy replied.
"If you don't mind my asking but what sort of burden?" Luxa asked as the man remained silent in thought as he slowly turned back to the window.
"Do you believe in ghosts?" he asked finally.
"I believe in millennia old sea monsters that are as evil as the devil himself." Kairi wryly joked.
"Ah the legend of Davy Jones yes…I'm aware of the stories surrounding him." Gracy replied with a smile.
"I was considered a ghost once." Luxa added.
"You were an Absent Silhouette, you were technically in nobody limbo." Roxas replied as Sora scratched his head.
"She was doing the limbo?" he asked confused as Roxas smacked the back of his head.
"No moron, Limbo as in a state in between life and death." Roxas replied as Sora nodded understandingly as Ramsley interrupted.
"The storm has swollen the river." He reported.
"Meaning?" Kairi asked.
"The road's been flooded, and unless someone has a boat or has enough strength to allow us all to defy gravity then it sounds as if we're stuck here." Cissnei said as Roxas rolled his eyes.
"How bloody typical…rule number-""number one more stupid haunted house rule and you will be a ghost." Sora threatened.
"No reason to bite my head off." Roxas mumbled.
"Boys, Boys there's no reason to fight…let's try to make the best of the situation." Kairi said as the two nodded.
"I don't suppose that you happen to know where your ancestor would keep his old sheet music would you?" Luxa asked as Gracy cocked his head to one side in thought.
"Well…not exactly…there's some old music in the organ bench there if you wish to check there…or you can check the attic in one of the old trunks…but I'm not sure exactly where anything is in this place." Gracy replied as Kairi walked over towards the organ bench and opened the seat to reveal only a few blank sheets of staff paper. (Staff paper is essentially sheet music without the notes...for those who don't know)
"There's nothing here but blank staff paper Mr. Gracy." Kairi replied as she shut the lid.
"Well…then I guess the place to check would be the attic." Gracy said.
"I don't suppose you'd mind if we looked around for a while…if anything to kill time." Sora asked as Gracy smiled and nodded.
"Not at all…although it may be fair to warn you that not even I know of all the ins and outs of this place…it's pretty easy to get lost." Gracy said as Ramsley gave him a disapproving look that went unnoticed.
The group had returned to the foyer, and split off into groups of two. Sora and Kairi went one direction while Luxa and Kimahri went another. Roxas and Cissnei found themselves in a library next to the foyer.
"Wow…I've never seen so many books in one house before." Roxas said as he noticed the fireplace next to the doorway, and a glamorous painting of Mr. Gracy above the mantelpiece.
"Now wouldn't you love to have a painting like that of yourself in your home?" Cissnei asked as Roxas nodded.
"It's pretty cool." Roxas said as he turned and came face to face with Ramsley.
"YEAHHH!" Roxas shouted in surprise.
"Oh Ramsley it's you…I thought you were a ghost or something." Roxas said as he put a hand on the butler's shoulder.
"My apologies for startling you…but the master wishes to speak with the young lady here in the ballroom." Ramsley said as Cissnei shrugged.
"Ok then…better not keep Mr. Gracy waiting, come on Roxas." Cissnei said but Ramsley interrupted.
"He wishes to speak to you…alone." Ramsley requested as Cissnei sighed.
"It'll be fine Roxas…I'll be back soon." Cissnei said as she left the library. Ramsley then turned to the former nobody.
"So uh…Ramsley…what's it like being a butler?" Roxas asked nervously trying to make conversation.
"It is usually very satisfying…but there are times when it can be very trying." Ramsley replied.
"So…what if I were looking for a butler…what would you say would be some good characteristics to look for?" Roxas asked.
"Patience…obedience…a good arm with plenty of elbow grease…and above all…knowing one's place." Ramsley said as he picked up an empty tray and put it under his arm as Roxas turned away towards a large greenhouse window.
"Ok so what-" Roxas said as he turned back to find Ramsley was gone, "…oh yes that's really encouraging."
After a moment boredom set in, and Roxas found himself sitting in a chair behind a desk with his back to the fireplace. He then caught himself in a staring contest with a small bust and slapped himself.
"Come on Roxas…you can find something to do." He said to himself as he put a hand on top of the bust, causing the head to fall forward slightly. As it happened, he noticed a set of shelves slide away, revealing a secret hallway.
"Hmm…secret passage way…or wait here…ok new problem…if Namine found out how chicken I was." Roxas said to himself as he came to a decision.
"Passage way." He said as he held out his hand and a sphere of light appeared as he entered the passage. As he cleared the doorway, the shelves closed back, trapping him inside.
"Oh crap… (Sigh) how do I get myself into these situations?" Roxas asked himself.
Meanwhile…
Sora and Kairi found themselves in a hallway lined with doors.
"This place just doesn't quit does it?" Sora asked.
"Could be worse…we could be on the Flying Dutchman." Kairi replied as she walked on down the hall.
"That really was a bad experience for you? Especially for you to keep dwelling on it." Sora said as he caught up with her.
"Well…yeah I guess." Kairi said as Sora stopped at a door.
"Hey…I wonder what's in here?" he said as he opened the door to reveal a simple yet eloquent bedroom with a king sized bed, dressing table, and a door leading into an adjoining bathroom.
"Wow…these guys really know how to live." Kairi said as Sora glanced at some of the items on the dressing table. He found a bottle filled with some form of liquid. He removed the lid on the bottle, sniffed it, and instantly recoiled.
"Ugh…Jack would like this stuff." Sora said as he put the lid back on the bottle amidst Kairi's giggles.
He then noticed a small box and opened it, revealing it to be a music box. The figures of a dancing couple in fancy clothing spun around as the box played a sweet yet sad melody.
Kairi then inched close to Sora with a soft smile.
"You know Sora…there's something about this place that…ironically makes me feel alive." Kairi said as she slipped her arms around his waste from behind.
"K-Kairi?" Sora asked nervously.
"Come on Sora…haven't you wanted to do this?" she asked softly as she reached for his belt buckle.
"Well yeah but…why here?" he asked nervously.
"Because if the dead truly does haunt this place…wouldn't it be worth it to feel alive just for once?" she asked as she undid his belt and moved around to face him.
"W-well…I uh…" Sora stuttered as he looked into her eyes, "…Mune."
"Huh?" she asked confused.
"Your dad threatened to make me an involuntary eunuch if I did anything like this with you." Sora replied softly as she smiled.
"But how's he going to find out? I'm not going to tell him, are you?" she asked as she started undoing her own belt.
"Well…uh…oh the heck with it." Sora said as the two collided into a passionate kiss. They then started moving towards the bed, toppling sideways on to it as they continued to kiss. Kairi then rolled on top of him as she kicked off her pink jeans, leaving her purple skirt and unmentionables, and started making her way down to Sora's pants.
She was just about to pull down the zipper when suddenly Sora grabbed her shoulders, causing her to stop.
"What?" she asked as she noticed Sora's expression. He was staring straight up, eyes widened, and he was stammering.
"What is it Sora? Do you not want me to do that?" she asked as she followed his gaze and paled as she saw a glowing orb of bluish light hovering above them.
"Sora?" she asked nervously as the orb moved around towards the foot of the bed. Kairi quickly climbed off of Sora and pulled her jeans back on as Sora zipped up his fly and re-fastened his belt.
"What is that?" Sora asked as Kairi finished fastening her belt.
"It looks sort of like an Absent Silhouette…Luxa perhaps?" Kairi asked as Sora shook his head.
"No…I think it's a ghost ball." Sora said as he reached out to touch the orb but it started moving towards the door and passed through it.
"I think it wants us to follow it." Kairi said as they opened the door and followed the sphere out into the hallway. It then led them to a cage like doorway and an elevator descended from above and the door opened itself.
"I shudder to think when the last time this thing was inspected." Sora said as Kairi shrugged and entered it.
"Talk about your major turn offs though." Kairi said as the door closed and the elevator started moving upwards.
Meanwhile…
Cissnei returned to the Library after finding no one in the ballroom.
"Roxas? Roxas?!" Cissnei called out.
"I've been here the whole time and haven't seen anyone." Master Gracy's voice called down from a atop a spiral staircase.
"Oh Mr. Gracy there you are…I appear to have lost my brother." Cissnei replied.
"I warned him…this place is like a maze…he may have found some form of, trap door or secret passageway…I'm sure he'll find his way out eventually." Gracy said as he descended from the staircase.
"Well knowing Roxas, it's not unheard of for him to disappear without warning and reappear a while later." Cissnei said as Gracy approached her.
"If you'd like I can put the staff on alert to keep an eye out for him…in fact one of the maid stewards claimed spotting the younger two of your comrades preparing to make love in one of the guest rooms." Gracy said as Cissnei ran a hand though her hair in frustration.
"Oh please tell me they stopped before it went too far." She begged as Gracy smirked.
"I don't know really…but even if they do what's the harm? It's not going to be my home for much longer anyway…well, with any luck that is." Gracy replied.
"You don't know their parents like I do…trust me the girl's father would be liable to kill the boy if he finds out." Cissnei said with a sigh, "But if they want to ruin their lives, who am I to stop them."
"They are in love aren't they?" Gracy asked.
"That in itself is the worst kept secret amongst us…they've known each other all their lives…tearing them apart would be just brutal." Cissnei replied.
"They remind me of the story that lies within the very materials that were used to build this house." Gracy said as Cissnei sat down on a red loveseat.
"What happened here Mr. Gracy?" Cissnei asked, "I mean I've heard rumors but what exactly did happen here?"
"She happened…" Gracy replied, "…her name was Celia…a summoner from the ancient Zanarkand nation…my ancestor took her in during a storm much like this one…he fell in love with her and invited her to stay longer…she accepted knowing full well that he was working for Bevelle while he only later learned that she was Zanarkand…but he didn't care, he was in love…he even agreed to hand over something he had been helping Bevelle create when it was finished… and then one night he proposed to her within this very library…then later during a masquerade ball, she wrote him her reply."
"What was it?" Cissnei asked, longing to verify the information given to her by Mune.
"She…rejected him…she told him that because of her shame in falling for a Bevelle scientist that she deserved to die…he found her dead on that very loveseat you're sitting on now, she had poisoned her wine." Gracy explained as Cissnei looked closely at the loveseat and saw the faint stains of red wine in the material.
"How terrible…what happened to your ancestor?" She asked.
"Perhaps I should show you." Mr. Gracy offered as he extended his arm to her and they proceeded out of the library.
End Chapter 36.
I personally liked the Haunted Mansion movie…even though it was a flop…my favorite thing about the whole movie was if anything the soundtrack, with those haunting organ parts in it.
I'm really proud of myself too…I found a bootleg of the entire film's soundtrack for free…so I'm just thrilled.
Oh and that near-lemon scene with Sora and Kairi…I have one thing to say…
My mind fell in the gutter. (And you thought I had lost another bet HA!)