Chapter 11: Returns
Its a relief to see the Land of Departure's keep again.
Namine and Aslan leave the door of light and come out at the steps. She wants to rush up to her room, curl on her bed, and sleep her time in Narnia off like a terrible, terrible nightmare. She doesn't however believe she's going to anytime soon. She isn't... isn't confident how Master Eraqus is going to react. She didn't have a choice in this... not really... but... she did interfere with a world, which is directly against what a Keybearer is supposed to do. But...
She sighs quietly and pushes the thought away tiredly. Whatever happens, happens, and even if they boot her out back to the Radiant Garden... shes not sure how much she cares at the moment...
Aslan hums. "Its been many a generation since I was last here. It hasn't changed in the slightest."
His eyes flash, and a pulse of translucent energy pulses off him that makes the hair on the back of Namine's head stand straight up, but nothing else. She figures its a call to attention, and sure enough, the keep door opens not much later and Eraqus strides out. He focuses first on Aslan, a subtle frown on his face, then he notices Namine. His eyes light up with relief. Then his gaze flickers between her and Aslan in consideration. He strides down the steps until he is at the bottom, gazing at the great lion.
"A lion," he murmurs, "I do not believe you are of the Pride Lands, not one of Mufasa's, they would not know how to cross worlds."
He tilts his head. "Are you... Lord Aslan?"
Aslan tips his head. "Well met, Steward Eraqus, I am."
"Its been quite a long time since you last met with my Order," stated Eraqus, "I take it you found and rescued our wayward apprentice?"
"Rescued is not quite the word I would use," said Aslan, "We will talk in private."
"Stay on the steps, Namine, you are not leaving my sight again outside the keep," ordered Eraqus.
She nods and walks slowly past and sits down. She catches a brief concerned look from him before he strides to the other end of the courtyard, still in vision, and speaks in low tones with Aslan. Namine doesn't feel enough to want to watch. She wonders briefly if Aqua is here, but she doubts it. She'd probably be out looking for Namine, or investigating what was going on with the Princesses. There is a flash of light about fifteen minutes later, Aslan departing through a portal back to Narnia. Eraqus doesn't move, staring off in the distance, jaw clenched. Namine's shoulders hunch, she bows her head, and she waits.
A few minutes later, the patter of armored boots come her way, coming into her view. "Namine."
"Grandmaster," she answers quietly.
"Look at me."
She does, she feels so worn.
His gaze washes over her, lips tight, but he merely shakes his head. "Come. I don't want you to remain outside more than absolutely necessary even with a watcher. I have made sure to secure the keep so no unapproved entities can enter it, but the outside holds no such protection."
She trudges up the steps behind him in silence.
"Ventus is off doing chores," says Eraqus as he walks, "Terra and Aqua are off looking for you and investigating the situation with the Princesses of Heart. They are due to check in within the next few days."
She doesn't respond.
He glances back at her briefly, concern warring with frustration, before his face smooths over. He leads her into the keep, to a room labeled 'ARMORY'. "You are not to enter here without an escort, am I clear?"
"Yes grandmaster."
"Give me your wand."
She hands it over without comment.
He enters the room, and she hears faint shuffling around. To her surprise, rather than store it away, he returns with both the wand and three cloth bands that have mechanisms and springs embedded into and connecting them. "Roll up your sleeve of your dominate arm."
She rolls up her right arm, watching curiously as he sets her wand against the wall, and then proceeds to wrap it near her shoulder, elbow, and wrist. He hooks her wand into the top one near her shoulder. "You wouldn't be the first Keybearer to have used an alternate weapon before they manifested their Keyblade, some even keep using others after. Its not a tragic idea, as it allows you to engage in combat without revealing your Keyblade. This is a wand-holster, the smallest one we have fortunately, used to keep your wand on your person, secure and hidden. Merely desire with intent your wand in your hand and it will spring it down the connection and push it into your hand. Roll up your sleeve and try it."
She stares at him, very much confused. "...you're not taking it away?"
He gives her a patient look. "Namine, you suffered an attempted abduction that saw you cast out into the worlds. I am not leaving you defenseless when someone activly seeks to kidnap you."
"Oh."
She rolls down her sleeve, focuses and flicks her wrist, and feels the wand sprung down her arm and into her hand. She sets it back before commenting, "That's useful I guess... a little uncomfortable to wear though."
"It will take getting used to," he agrees, "You don't need it while you sleep, and can choose if you wish to keep it after you attain your Keyblade. Come, lets get you fed."
She walks behind him into the dining hall and sits down while he goes to prepare food. He returns a short time later, muttering a spell that heats up the apparent leftovers before he places it before her and then sits across from her. She stares at the plate, not feeling hungry in the slightest. "What is my punishment going to be?"
Eraqus sighed. "You wish to have this conversation now? Before a chance to eat and rest?"
She shrugs, and wonders aloud at the worst. "If I'm not going to be here much longer, might as well."
"Namine," he says sharply, "That is absurd, I am not going to throw you out for your first transgression, especially one you had little choice in. I am displeased, to be sure, but I am more upset that you did not inform us of your power over memory than I am about your forced interference. What that Witch forced you to do was detestable and vile, and that you were forced to break our creed of noninterference an undesired and unfortunate outcome, the lack of trust you show in us matters more to me in the long run."
"I... I didn't want to ever use it again," she answered, "People have only ever wanted me to use it to hurt people."
Eraqus exhaled. "You did mention such to Aqua, and we did never inquire how they used you nor what powers you may have displayed. Perhaps some of this is on us, but I do wish you had given us your trust. We would not seek to have you use this power carelessly. Such a gift is to be treasured for certain circumstances..."
She gives him an incredulous look. "Treasured?!"
"The power over memory is not a power to be used in a trifle manner," said Eraqus in an agreeing tone, "But if the secrecy of the worlds is broken, then your power is one that can be used to recover it. Perhaps even more importantly for our role, the gift of memory magic does also hint at other powers you may have potential in."
She frowns. "Like what?"
"It has been some time since my more studious years," said Eraqus, "But memory magic affects the chains of memoriesm I believe it is called, within a person's mind and within their heart. Does that sound right from your experiences?"
She nods slowly. "Yes. But... even if you unlink or replace certain memories, they're not truly forgotten. The heart will always remember."
He hums in consideration. "Indeed, and the heart is what I speak of. It is very likely you will have affinity for abilities and spellcraft specifically related to the heart."
He seems rather pleased with that. "I can imagine, based on your disposition, the ability to mend hearts might be something you'd prefer to learn about?"
"I...," she thinks of that year working on fixing what she had done to Sora in Castle Oblivion, weaving memories back together through mind and heart, and through him, those linked to him. She had thought that was just something with her memory ability? Or was that in truth what Eraqus was talking about? Because that link to the others had been through Sora's heart. Maybe it had been both techniques? "It... doesn't sound bad."
"We have a few books on the subject," he informed her, "As that would likely be your primary source of information. Neither myself or my apprentices exactly have an affinity for such abilities outside of basic things that come with being a wielder of the Keyblade."
"What would be those basic things?" she asks.
"We can lock hearts, or remove them in dire circumstances," said Eraqus, "Sometimes, a injured heart needs to be removed from its body, and both heart and body put in a sort of... stasis sleep, in order to heal over time. We have a special chamber for such things, we call it the Chamber of Waking."
Namine goes so very still, her mind blanking. What?
What?
She remembers that name being mentioned once. That... that had been something the Organization had sought in Castle Oblivion. What in the world... maybe the Organization got the world location wrong for the room? But how would they even know a room that existed in the land of the Keybearer's even existed? It was something the Xemnas had been looking for... who was an amnesiac Terra. Maybe he had remembered something? But why would he care for it? Oh... maybe someone had been in it. Something happened to the Keybearer's, but maybe someone had been injured and survived, being put in there? Could Aqua maybe have been alive in her original time? Or any of the others?
"Namine?"
She blinks, refocusing and noting Eraqus giving her a studious look. "I..."
She licks her lips. "There's so much to learn, so much I don't know."
There are so many potential links between now and then, so many things she doesn't understand.
He nods in agreement. "You are young, a starting apprentice, you will learn."
She nibbled on her lip. "C... could I see it? That Chamber of Waking?"
"Unfortunately," said Eraqus, "Making the Chamber of Waking is not something done lightly. It requires enacting this world's special protections."
He tilted his head back. "There were some theories about trying to be able to make the chamber available without doing so from some of the past Stewards during the last great conflict of our area, but they never had a chance to figure it out, leaving only notes and theories behind. I've not given it much thought otherwise, there has simply been no need."
"Special protections?" she asked.
He gives a secretive smile. "A secret for Keyblade Masters. Lets just say any who tried the defenses would find themselves lost to Oblivion."
Oblivion.
Pure ice shoots up her spine.
Oblivion.
Her hands are shaking in her lap.
Oblivion.
"A-alright," she says, trying, trying not to think. Trying not to think about the implications.
Oblivion.
His eyes crinkle in concern. "You're rather pale, perhaps its time for a rest, Namine. According to Aslan, you've had an incredibly trying experience."
Oblivion.
"I'd... appreciate it," she answered shakily.
Oblivion.
"Come," said Eraqus, making for the door, "I worked to enact enchantments around your room while you were gone, consider it a... doubling of the normal enchantments around our home. It takes a great deal of power to protect this entire building, but a single room is much simpler to secure. You are capable of enacting a lockdown of the room that will prevent anyone, aside from the Steward and those you give special permission to, from entering. I will show you how when we get there It is my hope you never need to use it, but... just incase the forces of Darkness ever breach our home."
Oblivion.
The word echoes in her head again and again. Its a struggle to keep herself together. To not think. To keep putting one leg in front of the other. He leads her back to her room, and shows her a button shapes like a Keyhole, covered by a glass case as to not accidentally hit it. "Merely flip the case open, and press the button. It takes three seconds to take effect, powering up to full effect over that time. In the event you have for some reason hit it accidentally even with the glass case, if you stop holding down early, it will fade back to normal over a short time. When the room is activated, a hatch will appear in the center of the room to a enchanted storeroom, full of food and water kept in stasis. Enough for a year. To deactivate it, hold the button for thirty seconds and the power will disengage. I've also took the liberty of shifting a few rooms around in the castle, you have your own personal bathroom now as well."
Oblivion.
She blinks, glancing up and seeing a closed door that wasn't there next to her bed. "Oh... thank you... you can just do that? Move rooms?"
Oblivion.
"If I enact special powers granted to all stewards, yes," confirmed Eraqus, "It requires time, concentration, and a great deal of energy to do, but I've had time since your disappearance, and I wanted to make sure you would be safe, secure, and in comfort here."
Oblivion.
He puts a hand on her shoulder. "I am not happy you disobeyed and left the keep, it left you open to the very thing that happened, but expecting a teenager to listen to and understand every word and command was an endeavour in foolishness. It also our fault we did not keep a better eye on you when danger was afoot. Never doubt though, Namine, that we care for you and wish to keep you safe. Please, from now on, if we give an order, it is to be obeyed, its rare we give them out without reason."
Oblivion.
She nods her head and goes to sit on her bed, hands clasped together.
Oblivion.
"I will check back later for dinner and see if you wish to come down, otherwise, rest well, my grand apprentice.
Oblivion.
"Thank you, grandmaster," she says quietly.
Oblivion.
He leaves, and she manages for a minute after he closed the door before she breaks out in choking, gasping sobs. "Oblivion."
Lost to Oblvion. There are many things that could mean. But combined with her own experiences in her original life, it really doesn't take much of an imagination to connect the dots. The Chamber of Waking being one of the bigger clues as well as what Eraqus said. This place... the keep...
She curls into a ball on her bed, choking out, "I-i-t-s... its C-castle O-oblivion."
The Keep of the Land of Departure is Castle Oblivion. Tears stream her face, and she can hardly stand it. That this place of safety was the same place of torment she had been born into. Part of her wants to deny it and bury the thought. Another part can't, and wants to run out of here screaming her lungs off. A further, morbid part, wonders if her room is the same room she was kept in before, because horrific coincidences like that would be fitting for her, wouldn't they? How many rooms here had Larxene bled her in? How many rooms had Marluxia...
Her mind skitters away, the most she can do is shake and cry herself into exhaustion and sleep, if Eraqus returned later, he decided to let her sleep, because she was out for the rest of the day...
"Namine, you awake?"
Namine stirs, blinking blearily at Ventus's voice, the knocking on her door. "What?"
Why was Ven in the White Witch's castle...?
Then she looked around. Oh. Not there. But why...? She hadn't had that problem sleeping in the tent Aslan put her in... Oh. Hadn't bothered to draw up the blanket, the cold...
She shook her head and cleared her throat. "Yes?"
"Breakfast in a minute," he called in.
"I'll... I'll be down after I shower and change," she answered.
"K'ay," he said back, "And Namine? I'm really glad you're okay and back."
She wasn't okay, and she really wasn't happy to in truth be in Castle Oblivion. But it wouldn't be right to take that out on Ven. "Thank you."
She tears the clothes she'd been 'gifted' by Jadis off and dumps them in a corner to be burnt when she has the chance to ask Aqua to do so. She stood in a shower she set to uncomfortably warm near hot and just soaks in being on the other end of the temperature spectrum. Probably longer than strictly necessary, but unless she's told she shouldn't take long showers then this is going to become a part of every single morning for the foreseeable future. She drys and, checking her drawers, decided today was a all-purple kind of day.
She leaves her room and just stares down the empty hallways, trying to steel herself. How many times has she unknowingly walked these same halls? There were plenty of other colors, but some of the hallways were almost pure white, with gold bottoms. It... it grated now, set her breath hitching. She wished she could un-know...
She paused.
Why couldn't she?
She could tear the memories out. Unlike and bury them down deep and never have to consciously deal with them...
Except...
She'd know something was wrong. To many things in her life were linked to Castle Oblivion. She'd get confused about the blanks or thoughts that led to blanks, she'd get curious, wondering what was going on. She could imagine how horrific it would be to unlock those memories after purposefully forgetting them. Maybe she could leave herself some kind of message in her mind to warn herself off? But again... so many things were linked to the time there. If she'd suppressed her memories, would she have realized the importance of the Chamber of Waking? She might miss connections and implications that could help her prevent whatever happened to the Keybearers. Its... its depressive, but... she'd rather suffer through her memories than risk losing anyone...
She enters into the dinning hall, both Eraqus and Ventus are still there, eating slowly, a plate ready and waiting for her. She offers quiet good mornings, and sits, picking at her food without appetite. She gets a raised eyebrow from her grandmaster and a not so subtle look at her plate. She sighs quietly and forces herself to eat.
"Did you see that boy in the mask again after he pushed you through that portal?" asked Ven.
Namine shook her head.
"Its best to wait for further questions until the others return," placated Eraqus, "I know enough from Lord Aslan to be satisfied for now without an in-depth debrief."
Namine wants the world to swallow her whole. It would be kinder to put her out of her misery that re-live what Jadis put her through...
"Namine!"
She startles at Aqua's voice, surprised to see her Master rushing through the doorway so soon, she briefly catches two figures behind the blue-haired Keybearer before she's picked up out of her seat and hugged tightly. "Light, I'm so glad you're okay."
Namine swallowed and merely buried her face in Aqua's shoulder.
"Where... where did you end up? What happened?"
"That will have to wait," said Eraqus in an odd tone, "As I see you have returned our wayward Keyblade Master to us."
Namine blinked. What?
Aqua set Namine down. "Right, we encountered Master Xehanort not long ago in our search, gave him your orders to return, and came back with him when he offered to accompany us."
Namine turned to look back at the entrance to the dining hall. Terra stood in the doorway, smiling in relief at Namine. Next to him stood an elderly man. Bald. Oddly pointed ears. An expressionless face. Cold yellow eyes. A short white beard. Hunched over a little bit, hands clasped behind his back. He bore an open white and black coat with a red inner lining, worn over a buttoned white shirt and black pants. Black boots up to his knees. He gave a curt bow, a single white-gloved hand sweep in front of him before returning.
His voice is crisp and dry. "I returned per your standing order. Though Eraqus my friend, I'm hardly a youngling in need of a scolding for wandering off. I am a seeker, it is my duty to wander the worlds in search of what upsets the balance."
"Be that as it may," said Eraqus a slow, paced tone, rising to his feet and motioning to the table, "There is... a perilous threat at large, and oddities I need to... confirm with you about."
Xehanort tilted his head. "About Vanitas I assume?"
Eraqus frowned. "Who?"
"The boy in the Mask," said Aqua, "Xehanort filled us in a little bit, it... makes sense. But... Ven... really shouldn't be here for this conversation."
"Hey!" exclaimed Ventus, "That's not fair!"
"Ventus, you have chores to go and do, do not linger and eavesdrop," said Eraqus in a warning tone.
Ventus scowled and stalked off. The Steward still regards Xehanort with suspicion, but there is a flicker of hope in his eyes. Namine recalled that he thought Xehanort was the primary suspect, but hoped he wouldn't be. If Aqua thought he might not be... then maybe it would be okay?
"Explain about this 'Vanitas'," ordered Eraqus.
"You recall when I left Ventus in your care, after I failed in my duties as his master?" posed Xehanort with a tint of regret and grief, moving to sit at the table.
"I do."
"It... ended up being more dire than I thought," admitted Xehanort, "I had extracted the darkness overwhelming the boy and cast it out, assuming it would dissipate. I then brought him to your care, but when I had returned to clean up the area... I discovered an oddity, a Boy in a Mask was wandering around the area that Ventus had his... episode. I was wary, and confused, as I sensed darkness from him. I attempted to speak with the boy, hoping to lead him off that path. He was at first monotone, didn't reply to most things save for yes and no in an emotionless voice. But that soon changed. He started to react in a hostile manner, he did not attack me, but his words were cruel and without care. Then, he started claiming he was Ventus, and summoned his keyblade as supposed proof, though he was confused why it wasn't the same as before."
Eraqus blinks. "He what?"
"I was, to be frank, baffled myself," agreed Xehanort, "And argued with him about this... mistaken identity, I called him Vanitas as to have something to refer to him as. I figured that perhaps he was Yen Sid's, as I had heard our old friend had taken an apprentice. I considered that perhaps Ventus's darkness lingering in the area had affected him. At least... until I figured it just how badly I had failed young Ventus. Because the boy knew things about my training with Ventus, screamed and ranted at me about it perhaps rightly being my fault he existed in the way he did."
"Xehanort, stop beating around the bush," snapped Eraqus.
"The boy was made out of Ventus's darkness," said Xehanort, sighing, "I believe I bungled the darkness extraction, badly."
Made out of Ventus? What Vanitas had said... he was half of Ventus's heart? The dark half? How could a Keyblade Master mess up so badly he ripped out half of someone's heart?
Eraqus ran a hand down his face. "...badly. Badly you say. Xehanort, that is an understatement of the wildest degree. Darkness is meant to be kept counterbalanced by the light within a heart. I can understand panicking, but darkness extraction was beyond a poor decision, you should have simply knocked him out and brought him here for more careful guidance. Ventus's amnesia makes far more sense now."
He gives Xehanort a hard look. "Frankly Xehaort, I ought to revoke your privileges to be a seeker, let alone your credentials to teach, after such a catastrophic blunder."
Xehanort gave a small, sad smile. "I'm aware, my friend. I have not taken another apprentice of my own accord for similar thoughts."
Eraqus exhaled. "Did you not think to mention Vanitas last time you were here, or at all from when you left Ventus with us to now?"
"I thought the creature was dead," admitted Xehanort, "Perhaps it was foolish of me, but I tried to give it a chance, to see if it could be more than it was. But it used my lessons against me, attacked people we were to protect. I struck it down, and it vanished into a pool of darkness. I had thought it was dealt with until after the Mark of Mastery Exam. After I left, the very next world I went to, I found those odd creatures, the Unversed. I followed them, and discovered to my horror, that not only was Vanitas alive, but he was the one creating these monsters."
Eraqus sat back down and drummed his fingers on the table. "What specifically does Vanitas know?"
"I suspect everything that I ever taught young Ventus," said Xehanort, "Our role as Keybearers in safeguarding the Princesses of Heart. Various precepts and regulations regarding use or misuse of the Keyblade, how other Keyblade Lines are to be interacted or not interacted with and protocol on how to contact them in dire times. The location of our home here in the Land of Departure. The duties of a Seeker VS a steward based Keybearer, miscellaneous things about our home that I would have mentioned on and off over the years. Various spells and abilities I taught Ventus, especially ones more oriented towards our role as seekers and keeping our presence minimal. You get the idea."
Namine mentally ticked off everything she remembered from the initial investigation into Radiant Garden, and his words did pretty much hit or hint at everything... but...
Vanitas's words from the first time they met, are still lethal and still very clear in her mind: "The Master says killing the fresh meat should cause a lot of chaos and trouble that he can take advantage of, but personally, I don't care about that. What I care about is how a weakling like you gets chosen out of blue for failing to protect a little girl and getting clobbered, while I..."
That implies he was ordered to do so... but... he could have been lying. Or could mean someone else. She thought he was maybe in a situation a lot like Riku was in back at the start of everything, she wondered who his Maleficent was, or if she's even right about it. Either way, she has no actual proof aside from an encounter she hadn't even mentioned to the other Keybearers, and its still only her word VS a Keyblade Master. She'd watch him carefully though...
Eraqus sighed heavily, but the suspicion in his eyes was gone, only leaving tiredness behind. "Then it is a dire situation indeed. A creature of darkness made manifest, that has access to and far too much knowledge about the Keyblade. I need you to stay for a time, as you need to be brought up-to-date on just what the creature has wrought. But first..."
He gave a warning look to all present. "Ventus is not to be made aware of the particulars. This is not his fault, and I fear he would take it that way, along with feeling that he should personally resolve the issue. I want Ventus nowhere near this Vanitas. Is this clear?"
That gets an agreement from those present. Eraqus settled in and gave Xehanort a run down of everything they had discovered thus far. The man's face slowly turned into a narrow-eyed scowl by the time Eraqus finishes. "I had not dared dread how badly things could have spiraled out of control from that single lapse."
He sighed and rubbed his forehead. "You would not be unwarranted in demanding the worst punishment for such a transgression."
Eraqus looked revolted. "I'm not going to brand you with the sigil for an accident, Xehanort, even with what came of it."
"I don't particularly want it either," said Xehanort, contrite, "But a princess was killed, potentially more, using my teachings."
"Then finish aiding us in resolving this crisis and destroying Vanitas, and it will be considered a painful lesson for our line," said Eraqus, "You may be a seeker, Xehanort, but you are not alone. You have us, Xehanort, if you are in over your head then seek us out, do not try to handle things alone. You are my friend, my brother, do not ever doubt that I would help you if asked."
Xehanort faltered for a moment, something almost like guilt in his eyes, but it was gone just as quick as it appeared. "Of course Eraqus... its... been a long time since we last stood side by side in arms against the darkness, I am used to striving alone."
"Not anymore," said Eraqus, "I want you working close with us on this."
"Of course," agreed Xehanort, before frowning and glancing over at Namine, "One thing I am curious about. You said Vanitas tried to abduct the young apprentice here? That is a strange and risky act for so elusive and violent a creature. I would assume, and thankfully he didn't, but that he would have tried to simply kill her."
Aqua grips Namine's shoulder. "We're not really sure ourselves."
She glanced down at her. "Namine? Did this 'Vanitas' say anything to you?"
"He...," she faltered for a moment, licking her lips and bowing her head, "He was jealous, and... hurt, I think. He insulted me, called me a 'a weak, pathetic, little brat', he was angry that I was 'whole, chosen and cherished' while he said that he was 'incomplete, fighting to be whole'. Maybe he needs help?"
Aqua exhaled in anger and frustration. "If the boy wanted to be whole, wanted help, then he has long since passed the point where it would be given considering the crimes he's committed."
"If the boy wishes to be 'whole', and believes himself Ventus rather than a dark abomination spawned of him," said Eraqus slowly, warily, "Then perhaps he was going to use Namine as a hostage, an attempt to trade her for Ventus?"
"What could he have even done with Ven?" spoke up Terra.
Eraqus's lips purse tightly. "There are... possibilities. Its sad to say possession might be a better outcome than some of the worse ones."
Terra grimaced, personally revolted. "What could be worse than someone controlling his body?"
Eraqus shakes his head. "I will not speak of it, such things are barred by the precepts. This Vanitas needs to be tracked down, and dealt with as soon as possible."
He looks at Namine. "You are kind to think of help, but for such a monstrous creature, born of darkness, there is no help to be given save for release. Even IF Vanitas had committed no crime and come for help, I do not honestly believe there is a solution that would have worked in the long run. Pity the creature if you must, but his fate was sealed the moment he was born."
Namine looks down, saying nothing, but she clenches her fists tightly. That was a lot like saying Nobodies should be pitied and destroyed for being born. She likes Eraqus, but sometimes, his words and actions truly upset her. The back of her neck prickles, and she looks up briefly, seeing Xehanort watching her with consideration, cold; it reminds her of how Jadis would look at her.
"Well, it is fortunate, regardless of his desires, that Vanitas did not get his hands on young Namine," said Xehanort, "I believe Eraqus mentioned you fighting him, Master Aqua?"
"It was brief," said Aqua crisply, "I landed a good initial hit when he tried to take Namine and run, throwing him away from the portal. We clashed for less than a minute, he was more interested in escaping than fighting. He was injured, and losing, before he dove off the the cliff and formed a portal of darkness below him, disappearing."
"Clever creature," murmured Xehanort, frowning, "Predicting him will not be easy, and its likely he will strike again before we have a chance to track him down and stop him."
There is a silence for a few minutes as everyone mulls over what has been said. Aqua is the one to break it, "Namine, where did you end up? How did you get back?"
Namine's shoulders hunch. "I... I don't want to talk about it."
Aqua moves to kneel in front of her seat, looking at her in concern. "Namine...?"
"I can speak of what I know," said Eraqus, "She was returned to us by another, and he gave me a run down of what happened."
Aqua frowns, eyes not leaving Namine's face. "Alright."
"May... may I be excused while you talk?" asked Namine quietly.
Eraqus sighed. "You may for now, and while I know it hurts young one, you will have to talk about it eventually."
She swallowed and bowed her head, getting up and brushing past Aqua without further word. She retreated to her room. What does he expect her to do? Detail every way she was forced to violate someone's mind? Go over every time Jadis called her 'little abomination' with mock fondness? How the witch tried to 'reward' her every time she did something awful? How she lived freezing in a cell up until she violated Mr Beaver's mind and got a room out of it? How...
She cuts the thoughts off and goes to stand by her window, gazing out aimlessly, wondering what happens next. She... she wants something to do to take her mind of things. She wishes her training could resume and throw herself into it without worry or concern. But with everything going on right now... she's afraid she's going to be back to where she was before, sitting around under Eraqus's watch with nothing to do, stuck in her thoughts. She doubts a book would pull her away from her own mind...
Her door opens sometime later, a soft patter of feet entering the room and stopping. Namine turns her head, and sights Aqua standing there, grief and regret on her face. "Oh Namine."
Namine swallowed back a sob herself. She liked, loved, that care directed towards her, but at the same time she just didn't...
Aqua's arms are wrapped around her, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry my apprentice. I'm your Master, I'm supposed to watch out for you, protect you. You were taken right under my nose, cast out into the worlds, and put into the same horrific kind of situation you've already suffered before. I'm so sorry..."
She rests her head on Aqua's chest and says nothing, letting the woman run a hand through her hair.
"I talked to the Master," said Aqua quietly, "He's not going to force you to talk about it out-loud to everyone. But, when your ready, I'll be willing to listen, just the two of us. Alright?"
"...okay."
Aqua moved them to the bed, looking over Namine with pursed lips. "A little thinner than I remember."
Namine shrugged and looked away. "...if I disappointed the witch I'd lose a 'boon' or a 'privilege', meals were one of them. Losing them was better than losing warm clothing or blankets."
Aqua takes in a sharp, angry breath, but doesn't comment further than, "You will not be missing meals here, that's for certain."
The tension and anger in every vibration from Aqua is discomforting as it is pleasing, that someone is furious on her behalf, but honestly... Namine is more worried about how long she'll have Aqua before she's gone. "...how... how soon are you leaving to head back out?"
Aqua frowns, reaching a hand out to brush Namine's cheek. "With hunting Vanitas?"
Hunting. She squirms in discomfort. "...yes."
Aqua stares at her for an uncomfortably long minute. "Do you want me to?"
"No," said Namine quietly.
"Then I wont," said Aqua, "We have Master Xehanort here to assist in a coordinated effort, and my apprentice needs me. I will talk with Master Eraqus, but I will plan on not heading out again for awhile."
Namine closes her eyes. Relief is a poor choice of words, it doesn't mean enough to say what she feels. "Thank you."
"Of course, Namine," said Aqua, "Is there anything specific you want during the next few weeks? Foods you like? I never had a chance to go and get crafts for you, I could do that. We could go visit Lady Ame and Kairi and your friends in the guard so long as you stick close to me..."
"I want you to teach me how to wield magic," Namine said, voice returning to a normal level, growing firm and angry, "I'm... I'm so sick of being weak, of these people taking advantage of me and not being able to do anything about it. I never want it to happen again."
"You're not weak Namine," said Aqua, "It takes great strength to suffer through such challenge and come out the other side intact. But..."
She nods, a fire in her eyes. "Yes, we can focus on magic for the time being. We'll still do endurance training in the morning, but until I'm satisfied with your magical advance, we'll cut the other lessons. We're in a time of active conflict, making sure you are able to defend yourself and others is more important than schooling for the time being."
Finally.
Finally she'd be strong enough to protect herself. To protect those she'd care about. To keep the Keybearers from fading away. "Thank you."
"Oh, don't thank me quite yet," said Aqua teasingly, "You're going to be rather exhausted with that kind of schedule."
Good.
The more exhausted the better. "I look forward to it."
A/N: Xehanort is such a slippery weasel.