Jessica's Point of View
I wanted to go to the Clock Tower, but I didn't want Xemnas to know about it, so I kept my desires to myself. Instead, Xemnas bought us ice cream, and we ate it on a bench at the top of Sunset Hill. "You were right. I really needed a change in scenery. One that wasn't mission-focused," I mentioned.
"I thought as much," Xemnas commented.
I heard the train approaching, went to the railing, and leaned in to watch it pass by. "How many people do you think are on that train?" I asked.
"Oh, I don't know. Why the interest?" Xemnas wondered.
"On that train alone, there must be so many people with normal lives. Wonderful normal lives," I sighed.
"You have your own version of normal. It's just a different normal," Xemnas said.
My smile fell. "No, this isn't normal. Normal was Atlantica. I pretended to be just like everyone else there. This is- I don't even know what this is, but it isn't normal."
"I'm sorry it didn't work out," Xemnas brought up.
"I could go back," I pointed out.
"Do you want to?" Xemnas inquired.
I knew I couldn't. Not after finding out that those who I loved the most were dead. I feared King Triton and the princesses of Atlantica sharing that fate. "No. I can't do that." I turned around and saw a brown dog with a white belly and paws approach me. He barked at me. "Hey, little guy. Where's your owner?"
"Jessica, don't get so close to it. You don't know where it has been. It might have rabies," Xemnas warned.
"Aw, you worry too much," I scoffed. I went to pet the dog.
"Jessica, don't," Xemnas insisted, but it was too late. I was petting the dog and, before long, giving it belly rubs.
"See? He's friendly," I smiled. I looked at the dog's neck. "No collar. It must be a stray. Can we keep him?"
"No," Xemnas grumbled.
"But he's so cute, and no one is around to love him anyway! Please? Pretty pretty, please? I'll feed him, walk him, and be his best friend," I promised.
Xemnas got off the bench to observe the dog and me. "First off, he is a she. Secondly, you are not getting a dog for so many reasons."
"But she likes me. Name one good reason," I tried.
"She would tear Luna to pieces," Xemnas replied.
"Look at those eyes. She would never," I denied.
"Taking this dog home may affect the world order," Xemnas added.
"But she's a stray. It wouldn't affect the world order that much. You won't even know she's there," I attempted.
"Jessica, my answer is no. Who will take care of her when you're on your missions? It won't be Saix, and it certainly won't be me," Xemnas refused.
"Chibi-Jess will come with me when I'm on missions. Also, I named her, and I'm super attached," I decided.
"You are not getting a dog, and that's final," Xemnas stated.
"But Xemnas," I whimpered.
"No more," Xemnas growled.
I looked at the dog, whom I so desperately wanted to take home and name Chibi-Jess. "Sorry, Chibi-Jess. Xemnas is being a big meanie, so I can't take you home with me. I would if I could. Maybe someday I'll find somewhere else to live, and then you can come and stay with me."
"You would leave me for a dog?" Xemnas scoffed.
I crossed my arms over my chest. "Would you leave me in exchange for a heart?"
"That is beside the point," Xemnas huffed.
"But she completes me. She's everything I never knew I wanted," I argued.
Xemnas sighed. "No dogs, alright? We have enough going on right now. We don't need a dog on top of it all."
My shoulders sagged as I continued to pet Chibi-Jess. "Yes, sir." I looked up at Xemnas with sad eyes.
"Don't look at me like that," Xemnas groaned. As a last-ditch effort, I kept looking at him with all the sadness I could muster. "Fine. How about this. You show me that you can be mature and responsible, and maybe you can have one next year."
"How am I supposed to show you that I can be mature and responsible?" I questioned.
"No more outbursts. I don't want to hear a single accusation of something awful that you think I've done to Ventus or questioning of my motives. Is that clear?" Xemnas explained.
"Yes. I understand. I'll be good," I agreed.