A/N: Thanks to Bittah, Knots, Bottle Cap and Air for commenting! Hope you all enjoy chapter two; I should have chapter three up before the weeks' end.

Tragic…Bridget

Marsh…Catheryne

Bottle Cap…Channing

Pebble…Adora

Fantasy…Piper

Kit…Asnysi

Spider…Yuki

Bittah…Melody

Moonlight…Analia

:Chapter Two:

THE CEREMONY OF TASKS

A large crowd had gathered in the main hall, where all of the Underworld's inhabitants had come together to witness the Ceremony of Tasks. The eldest boy and girl of the 18 travelers would step forward and receive the assigned tasks for their respective gender groups. This year, the girl's eldest would be Yuki Geneva Black. In most everyone's eyes, she was the wickedest girl in the Underworld. However, few would dare to show those feelings to her face. As the leaders of the clan called Yuki and the eldest boy up to the platform, Yuki brushed her long, silky black hair out of her face to assure that her bright green eyes would be able to glare smugly at the crowd.

An excited murmur sounded throughout the Underdwellers, soon to be silenced as the White Clan Leader spoke.

"Fellow Underdwellers, we gather here at this ceremony tonight to assign the 18 travelers their tasks. May the eldest travelers now pick from the pile of stones."

The crowd applauded, then once more stood in eager silence as Yuki and the eldest boy stepped up to the great pile of stones.

The boy picked first, grabbing a relatively large rock and lifting it up to read what had been inscripted on the bottom of it. He then presented it to the White Clan Leader who announced proudly, "The task for our male travelers is that of the Stableboys. They shall make their way into the Upperworld tonight to find work, home, and happiness for their three month stay."

The crowd applauded. Yuki smiled a flirtful grin at the boy, and then knelt to retrieve her stone. She lifted it up gently, and ash she read the inscription her smug smile turned into a pouty frown. She tossed the rock to the White Clan Leader. He then announced, "The task for our Female travelers is that of the Newspaper Sellers. Tonight they too shall make their way into the Upperworld to find work, home, and happiness for their three month stay."

"Newspaper? What's that?" a small girl questioned her friend. She had long, auburn hair that was, as usual, worn in a braid. Her emerald eyes sparkled up shyly. She was Analia Elisabet Black.

The girl next to her shrugged, her shoulder length blonde hair falling over her pretty face. Her name was Melody Pandora Black. She turned to face her friend, then spoke. "I think newspapers are books of some sort. At least, that's what someone told me."

Once more the White Clan Leader spoke. "In three hours time, on the rise of the 24th hour, these 18 brave travelers will come forth to the Upperworld. And now, we begin the Farewell Feast. Let it begin!"

The crowd cheered as everyone flooded across the Main Hall to the long, wooden tables that were now piled with food. One of the many mysteries of the Underworld was how their everyday meals came to be. Most Underdwellers ignored this, but of course there were rumors of others traveling above.

Because of the occasion, there had been a special table set out in front of the main platform for the 18 travelers to sit at. As always, Catheryne had seated herself next to Bridget, who was current looking quite sullen. Next to her sat Piper and then Adora. Beside Adora sat two other girls: one with straight auburn hair and deep blue eyes, Channing Nirvana Red, the second eldest of the group. The other girl had long, dark brown hair and big, light brown eyes. She was Asnysi Arielle White. Next to her sat Melody, and at the end of the table sat Yuki, flirting with the boy to her right. At the other end of the table Analia sat, quietly sipping her drink and averting her eyes from everything else in the room.

"I wonder if they've got good food in the Upperworld," Asnysi questioned. Channing laughed. "They sure better!"

Adora piped in, "Who cares about the food? I'm so excited! I can't wait till midnight and—"

"Goodness Adora, calm yourself down. We're all excited, but we need to save our energy. We don't know what to expect. Who knows how hard it will be selling…selling…oh, what are they called again?" said Catheryne, twisting her hair around her fingers.

"Newspapers," said Bridget softly. She was currently staring in a daze down at her full plate of food.

"Bridget, you haven't even touched a bit of your dinner…can I have some?" said Piper, pulling Bridget's plate closer to her own. Bridget attempted a laugh, and then looked back down at the table.

Yuki sneered and tapped Melody on the shoulder. "I can not believe that out of all the other Underdwellers we got stuck going to the Upperworld with them!"

Melody nodded, humoring her as always. Yuki continued. "I mean really…the only person going that I actually like is you. And I suppose I can tolerate Analia, but that's only because she never talks."

"Not to you, she doesn't…" Melody muttered under her breath.

"What was that?"

Melody smirked. "Oh, nothing, Yuki…nothing at all."