It was like a dream.
Cinderella had decorated the ballroom with deep blue tapestries draped along the gigantic columns. The chandelier offered only a dim light so the flickering flames of the generous array of candles would twinkle like starlight, and the freshly polished ballroom floor reflected the flames ever so softly, creating a warm glow throughout the room.
It truly was a "Midnight Ball."
Naminé scoped the room with a nervous eye. There were nearly a hundred nameless faces. For a moment, her heart raced uncertainly. But there was Roxas near the refreshments--or was it Ventus? It was hard to tell in the light, and with everyone dressed up so formally. But if Ventus was here already, did that mean...? Naminé squeezed her hands together as she took another glance around the room.
He did say he wasn't going to come...
"Hey Naminé! You made it!" Naminé jumped. Xion laughed lightly as she patted Naminé on the shoulder. She had decided on a simple but elegant tea-length black dress with a white sash collar, paired with plain black heels and a white floral bracelet.
"You shouldn't sneak up on people like that," said Naminé.
Xion grinned. "Sorry," she said with a half-hearted shrug, "I've been spending too much time with Axel. He's a terrible influence."
"I heard that!" Axel called from behind. Xion waved him off, and she and Naminé shared a giggle.
"You look beautiful," Naminé said.
"Thanks!" Xion gave a light twirl of her dress. "I see you really mixed it up tonight," she teased.
Naminé squeezed her hands together again. "Really? You think so?"
She wore a simple light blue gown, fitted at the bodice, with delicate pearl details, and simple white heels with silver clasps.
Xion nodded. "Like a princess!"
Naminé smiled and looked down at her dress. Kairi had suggested it. Something safe and familiar, but not white this time.
Xion reached out and took Naminé's hands. "You look anxious," Xion stated plainly.
"No, I..." Naminé started to protest, but at Xion's knowing look, she sighed, "maybe a little."
"Let me guess," Xion smirked. "Riku?"
Naminé blushed. "Wha--no..."
"You know, you don't have to wait around for him to ask you out. Why not take fate in your own hands for a change?"
"But I--"
"No 'buts,'" Xion said, releasing Naminé's hands so she should waggle one finger to scold her. "If you want something to happen, then you have to want to make it happen."
Naminé sighed. "You're right."
Xion grinned. "I know, which is why I'm going to take my own advice for once."
"Are you going to ask someone to dance?"
"Yeah," Xion turned to stand next to Naminé and looked around the ballroom. "Tonight, I'm going to ask the boy I like to dance." She glanced at Naminé, then looked back at the crowd. "Assuming you don't first."
Naminé furrowed her brows. "Xion, it's not like that."
"Oh? Then how about this," Xion held up her hand, pinkie finger out, "no matter what happens tonight, we're still friends."
A soft smiled stretched across Naminé's face as she wrapped her pinkie with Xion's. "Promise."
"Well then, go get him! I'll give you a fifteen minute headstart!"
"But I," Naminé stumbled over her words, "I don't know where he is."
Xion went behind Naminé and gave her a slight push at the shoulders, "I can take a guess for you," she said, turning her in the direction of the gardens. "Go."
Naminé took a step forward, then looked back at Xion. Xion waved her away playfully. Naminé nodded, and made her way to the castle gardens.
The sun had long since set, and the cool night air had a pleasant crispness. Clear, distinct sparkling stars illuminated the dark black sky. With patience, one could probably count them all, as there were no clouds blocking them out.
A perfect midnight.
But Naminé wasn't looking for a star. There were a few couples strolling around the patio and walking down the grand stairs to the rosehedge labyrinths. A knot formed in her stomach. What if he was with someone else?
She hesitated.
Who else, though? Xion? No, she was still inside. Olette? Was she even here? What if... Aqua? No.
Naminé clutched at her head, willing the thoughts away. She was sure she was the only one.
...Right?
Suddenly, Naminé realized she had been wandering around while lost in her anxiety. She looked around to regain her bearings; she was still on the patio, but now by one of the expansive balconies.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Ahead, seated alone on a bench overlooking the main fountain, was him.
A part of Naminé breathed a sigh of relief. See? All alone.
She took one step forward, then froze. Why is he here? He said he wouldn't come. Does he want to be alone? Maybe I shouldn't bother him...
Naminé turned to look back at the party. A group dance had started. Coupled figures twirled in blurs to the muffled orchestra.
She clenched her fists. I...I want to make it happen.
Naminé took a deep breath. Then she took a couple steps forward, brought her hands up to her mouth.
"Hey--!"
Naminé's eyes were clenched shut, trying to forget what she saw. After a moment, she took one deep breath and opened them again.
Unfortunately, it was real.
The faceless replica body was laid on the lab bed--or at least, the remains of it were. The chest was ripped open, the ribs pulled apart by the hinges. The wound was singed from dark fire, and the replica body had started to morph from the residual heat.
She forced herself to look away, willing herself not to imagine what could possibly happen to her, in her replica body, and she turned to the other lab bed where Ventus was sleeping with furrowed brows. The split was imperfect. Most likely painful.
Why didn't they come to me first?
"Explain it to me again, please," Naminé said softly. She looked at Ienzo, and clarified, "In simpler terms...please."
Ienzo looked over his notes. "Ventus returned from the Realm of Darkness about a month ago, and complained that since then, he had been suffering from illusions of Vanitas. He believed Vanitas's heart had woken up and was afraid he was trying to take over his body, so he asked us to remove Vanitas's heart from inside him." He looked over at the replica body. "Even wanted to test the effects of pure darkness on the replica bodies, so we prepared a vessel for Vanitas's heart."
"And that impish parasite destroyed it!" Even interjected angrily. "Look at the fruits of my research! Wasted!"
Ienzo rolled his eyes. "Yes, because the replica body is our highest priority right now, Even."
Naminé clenched her hands together. "So his heart escaped?"
"Vanitas's?" Ienzo placed his notes on a table. "Yes, darkness exploded out of the replica body shortly after placing his heart within it, then retreated deeper within the castle."
"He hasn't been found?" Naminé asked.
Ienzo and Even exchanged a glance. "The castle guard is drawing straws to decide who will go down to investigate."
Naminé stared at them.
They started back at her.
After a moment, Even faked a cough. "Well, the lower levels of the castle have been closed off for years. It's not safe to venture down there."
Naminé frowned. "I...understand." She turned back to Ventus and gently touched his forehead. It was easy for her to see his chain of memories, as easy as breathing. Immediately, she knew the split was messy and imperfect, and his chain was broken in multiple places. No wonder he slept with a pained expression; the scientists had butchered his heart.
Naminé paused. But... She glanced at the deceased replica body. He, too, must be in pain. Maybe even awake enough to feel it.
Naminé left Ventus's side and walked over to Ienzo and Even. "I will do what I can, but I need both of their hearts here to fix them," she said.
Ienzo nodded. "We figured as much. We'll try to get someone downstairs as soon as possible."
"Please do," Naminé looked down at her hands. She considered how to word this. "They...they may not survive long in this state." She glanced up to meet Ienzo's wide-eyed response.
Oh. Too much.
Even scoffed. "We'll do what we can, but we can't guarantee anything. If there's nothing you can do right this moment, then kindly remove yourself from my lab so I can start cleaning up this mess."
Naminé nodded and hastily made for the door.
"Oh, and one more thing." Even's voice called.
Naminé turned her head.
"This doesn't leave this room."
Hesitantly, she agreed.
A/N: Quarantine's got me so bored.