Meh:Uber-shorty. But really, there's not much more I can put in here. Ah, well.


One, two, three, four, five, six, seven days. Seven days since Hollow Bastion. Seven days since she freed Eriks. Seven days since he disappeared. Seven days since they closed the door. Seven days since they returned to the house in Traverse Town. Seven days she had spent locked in her room, by herself, unwilling to talk with anyone. Seven days she had thought of nothing but the past and the future. Seven days she had stared at the stone, the glittering gem that was all she had to show from their adventure into Hollow Bastion. Seven days she had pondered its mystery, this "Promise of Friend". And seven nights that she had cried herself to sleep, only to dream of him. Eriks.

And then one morning, the door opened, and she came out of her room. Everyone held their breath. And then she smiled, and all was right in the world. Orchid was back.

-

"Hey, good to see you up and about again," greeted Arc as Orchid walked into the living room and flopped down on a couch.

"Yeah, we were worried about you, kupo," squeaked Montblanc.

"Well, you don't have to be worried anymore," smiled the girl. "I just... needed some time alone, that's all."

"About time," said a serious voice. Orchid's head whirled around to see who was talking.

"Ack!"

She jumped back, hitting the opposite couch arm and flipping head over heels to land in an ungainly mess on the floor. She peeked over the edge of the furniture at the cold-eyed speaker.

"What's with her?" asked Leon calmly. Arc just shrugged.

"Well, kupo, you have remember, the last time she saw you moving, you were trying to kill her," cautioned Montblanc. He turned to the confused, and slightly scared young girl. "It's okay now. While you were locked up, Riku and Leon finished recovering. They're their normal old selves again."

"Oh..." said Orchid sheepishly, getting up. "Umm...yeah, sorry. No offense."

"None taken," answered Leon.

"So...what happens now?" asked Orchid, remembering all of the conflict that was going on.

"We wait," the brown haired man prompted.

"Wait? That's it?" she said increduously. "Him, Morpheus is out there wreaking who-knows-what havoc, Eriks has disappeared with his keyblade, the Heartless and Shadowless attacks are stronger than ever, and you say we wait?"
"This is a war," advised Leon. "And neither side is ready quite yet. We're still gathering our pieces, setting up our defenses. The foreplay of pawns have been done out, but neither side has yet to move their knights and queens."

"And so we wait, kupo," said Montblanc.

"Just do nothing?" questioned the girl.

"No, not nothing," said Arc. "We wait, but we can work while we wait. Train. Become stronger."

"And that's why I'm here," said Leon. "Instead of with everyone else."

"Huh?" Orchid looked about the room. She listened for a moment. She noticed for the first time since she came out of her room, that they were the only ones in the house. "Where is everyone else?"

"The Colesium," answered Leon. "Phil says it's time for the Hades Cup again. That means all the big shots will be there. Perfect time to hone your skills."

"Another tournament?" asked Orchid, her eyes lighting up. "Great!" She paused. Then she asked suspiciously, "When is it?"

"Two days from now," said Leon.

"Two days...and it's going to be packed, right?"

"Yes."

"And Phil's still holding that first come, first serve rule, right?"

"Yes."

"And... everyone else has already registered."

"Yes."

"Great."

Orchid sighed, and flopped back onto the couch. It looked like they'd be starting at the bottem again.

"Wait a second," said Arc. "If you're here, aren't you going to be in it?"

"My partner's already registering," said Leon easily.

"Partner, huh?" said Arc flatly. "I have a pretty good idea who..."
"Well, you guys better hurry," said Leon as he made for the door.

"Howcome, kupo?" asked Montblanc.

"Phil's itchin' to get the tourney started, and I'm not sure how long he'll wait for you guys to register."

"You didn't get us registered?" yelled Orchid.

"Why would I? It's your job."