AN: Bit of a shorter one here, but I did all I needed to set up the story to come. xD My chess pieces are in place lol... :D :D
"Hey, Ven."
"Woah - hey, Kairi!" Ven startled where he lay in the ship's cargo hold, sitting upright.
Kairi giggled, hand to her mouth. "You really are way too much like Sora, you know. Too much time in his Heart - you picked up his worst habits?"
Ven laughed. "Nah, I've sorta always been like this..."
"Then maybe Sora got it from you," Kairi mused.
"Heh, maybe," Ven grinned. "Anyways, what's up?"
"Nothing," Kairi said, dropping down beside him. "Well, maybe something..."
"What is it?"
Kairi glanced over at him. She held his gaze. "Even after I've started remembering more and more about my home world, I'm still missing so much. It's still all so hazy, and distant. But...even still. I was four or five at the time. When I lost it, when I...when Xehanort cast me out from it. But you, Ven...for you it couldn't have been more than a month or two ago, isn't that right? You were asleep these ten years, for you it's like you went to sleep and then woke up again in the here and now. So you have to...it's like yesterday, isn't it, in your memories? And you were sixteen back then, when I was only four. You- you are still sixteen, so you have to have a better memory of the place than I do as a matter of course!"
"Yeah. That's right!" Ven nodded. He smiled softly at her. "So you want to hear about it from me?"
"Yes please."
"Okay. I pretty much went all over that place, so I can tell you a lot about what it was like..." Ven pulled a look of deep thought - and memory.
They sat together, and he told her.
He apologized for not being great about describing things in detail.
But even so...
"Sorry, again, for, ya know - being bad at this-" Ven said quietly.
"No - thank you for trying. For telling me so much," Kairi smiled. "This is all so much more than I ever could have remembered on my own. It's wonderful. It sounds...like an amazing place. A beautiful place."
"It is- was- I..." Ven fell silent, flushing. "Sorry."
Kairi shook her head. "It will be again, someday, I'm sure."
"Yeah," Ven agreed firmly. "We'll make sure of it."
At the sound of heavy footsteps, both of them turned to see Terra enter the cargo hold.
Kairi felt her Heart skip several beats. She felt her own muscles tensing. Panic, fear, rising again in her chest...
No! That's wrong, he's not him, he's not him! You know that! It isn't fair!
Terra cleared his throat, moving to sit atop an upright barrel. He kicked his feet a little, giving a smile. "Hey, you two. Kairi, sorry if I'm interrupting, but...you wanted to start on that Keyblade transformation training today?"
Kairi breathed through her nose. She nodded, and she forced herself to meet his gaze from across the distance. "Yes. That's right."
"Alright." Terra looked to Ven. "Ven, since you're not doing anything, why don't you come with us?"
"C'mon, I already know how to transform my Keyblade!" Ven exclaimed, getting to his feet.
"Into your glider, sure - but you've never tried using it for anything else," Terra responded.
"I don't need anything else..." Ven said, and Kairi swore he was pouting! She couldn't help but giggle; he shot a little glare at her and shook his head.
"Still, you might get some inspiration," Terra told him, getting to his feet as well. "Come on."
Ven grumbled to himself as he followed after Terra.
Kairi hesitated, controlling her breathing before she went after Ven.
She was sure she knew why Terra had invited Ven along. It was obvious to anyone. Well, to most people, probably. And she appreciated it...as much as she just felt a mix of humiliation, embarrassment, and anger.
Anger at herself, for making the man think she needed this kind of- coddling, this extra treatment, this-
Kairi breathed again, shaking her head and brushing back her hair.
Well, the only way to show the man this wasn't necessary was to show she didn't need it.
That she could handle this.
Handle...being around him.
She and Ven followed Terra through the ship, until they emerged above deck. Out onto the main deck itself.
The endlessness of the Ocean Between surrounded them, debris passing them by.
It was always a chaotic sight - but also a pretty one, in a way.
"Alright," Terra's voice came, causing Kairi to startle horribly and blush! "I suppose we should just get right into it. Though, I should note that Keyblade transformations are a more advanced technique. Ven only attempted to start his about two and a half years into his training," he continued, with a nod in Ven's direction.
"Right - and it took me a while to figure it out," Ven informed Kairi, looking embarrassed but pleased.
"How long?" Kairi asked.
"A couple weeks - 'bout a month or more."
"Well, I'm totally going to beat that record," Kairi said with a grin. "So watch out!"
Ven laughed. "I wouldn't be too sure about that - but hey, I'll be rooting for you."
"She actually might," Terra spoke lightly. "The size and complexity of your chosen weapon's Form Change has some bearing on how long it takes to get it down. Magic flowing through it - the burning energy that becomes our glider's engines. And, as I showed you all before with my Ultima Cannon, moving parts can complicate things as well."
"I guess the Master did say something about the gliders being the most difficult ones to pull off..." Ven said thoughtfully.
"He did," Terra confirmed. "Which is why...I don't think you're going to have too much of an issue, Kairi. If you want a small weapon, if you want to keep things simple, it shouldn't take more than a few weeks. Two or three. Maybe one, considering the way you children tend to train - how you experiment and learn on your own, in your off time. Having a personal drive and dedication to figuring something out is as key as formal instruction. If the student's not invested..."
Kairi nodded, forcing herself to meet his gaze again, smiling. "Right. We just kind of see what works and what doesn't. We also just kind of have fun with it..."
"And that's good," Terra said easily. "Learning should be fun. It shouldn't stress you out - not too badly, anyways."
Kairi gave a small laugh.
"Got that right," Ven remarked, laughing too. "Hey, Terra, want to tell her about that time you got so frustrated with mastering Geo Impact that you actually ended up-"
"Quiet, apprentice Ven," Terra quipped, cutting across him swiftly with a look of panic on his face. "I'm lecturing."
"Yeah right! Since when do you lecture?" Ven grinned.
"Since I became a Master."
"Yeah? Guess you really have become a Master, all right...you're no fun anymore," Ven grumbled.
"No, I'm still fun - I just thought we'd all agreed never to bring the Geo incident up again," Terra retorted.
"Come on, Master Eraqus is-" Ven stopped. "Well...he's not around to care anymore..." he finished quietly.
Terra gazed at Ven. A small grin came to his face. He closed his eyes, letting out a breath. "Heh...still, Ven. Let's- let's not talk about that one, please? I can't have you making me look bad in front of the new recruits."
"Gotcha," Ven said, with a grin of his own again. He strode over to lean against the ship's railing, putting his hands behind his head.
"Thanks, Ven. I really appreciate it," Terra said playfully. He looked to Kairi again, refocusing and getting a bit more serious. "So, what do you want to do for your Keyblade transformation? Which weapon?"
Kairi didn't have to think about it. "A whip."
"Simple and easy enough," Terra nodded. He considered her. "What about fans, too? You mentioned those before as well."
"I'd like to do both, yes," Kairi stated firmly.
"All right. Which one do you want to start on first?"
"Fans," Kairi decided.
"Okay. Well, how about we start with the easiest part: summon your Keyblade, and we can start with visualizing exactly what you want it to become..."
"What is the status of our latest Replica? Is she ready?"
Vexen glanced at Xemnas as he entered Vexen's lab (oh, this was far too soon!). He turned away, gesturing. "You may judge that for yourself, of course," he said simply.
"Of course." Xemnas's gaze slid past Vexen - to the- woman standing in the middle of his laboratory. She wore the coat of the Organization, of course. Her arms were crossed, and her sharp eyes found Xemnas's immediately. Unflinching. Entirely without fear (though, Vexen would say it was ignorance more than anything else). Xemnas slowly, leisurely approached her, not once blinking. He stopped before her. "Do you recognize me?" he said suddenly, quietly.
"What?" Vexen uttered. "Is there some reason she should, Lord Xemnas...?"
The woman's expression changed, Vexen noted. It went through several rapid emotions - and in those blue eyes of hers, yes, he did see recognition of some kind. Her arms tightened around her chest as she turned away from Xemnas. The only emotion on her face now was anger. It was in the way her lips were pressed together, it was the rigidness of her spine, it was that short breath she took in...and let go again in a huff.
Xemnas was watching her closely - as closely as Vexen himself. His eyes narrowed at the woman. His hand curled at his side. Then, he relaxed, and a smirk came over his face. And then he began to laugh. "What remains unclear to me in my memories seems to be very clear in hers. She is-"
"Close your mouth, I'm already tired of hearing your voice."
Xemnas did, indeed, suddenly cease speaking.
As did Vexen. Had he still a Heart, he was certain it would have stopped beating in that moment!
What was this woman thinking?!
"No, it's you who'll keep yours closed!" Vexen said swiftly, stalking forward and jabbing a finger at the woman. "This kind of insolence will not be tolerated - especially not toward Lord Xemnas - am I understood! You will show him every respect-"
Xemnas raised a hand to him. "Vexen."
Vexen looked to Xemnas, cutting himself off immediately. "Ahem...yes?"
"I don't require respect from a mere Replica," Xemnas stated mildly. "Her responses are meaningless - so long as she obeys orders. I care only for the results she can produce for us. Assuming, of course, that she can..."
"Of course she can!" Vexen said instantly, indignant. "I can personally assure you, Lord Xemnas, that she will be capable of eliminating more Heartless in a single day than what Roxas and Xikira combined have done for us in a month! She'll slaughter two- no, three times the number of Heartless as those two amateur children have in their entire lifespans so far!"
"A grand claim," Xemnas replied. "Yet, you've made such claims before, haven't you? Emotions you may no longer have, but clearly you've retained a sense of ego, Vexen. A certain...prideful streak. I want you to be certain that she can deliver on what you say she can."
Vexen sputtered at the man as a hundred different responses ran through his mind - but he settled for gritting his teeth and forcing a smile, bowing his head to Xemnas. "I'm rather certain of this one, My Lord. Xion was unfinished, the Replica at Castle Oblivion was hijacked - but this one will perform beyond expectations...if given the chance. She will prove it to you."
"Hmmm...against Heartless, perhaps. But how will she fare against the Keyblade heroes - against her originator?"
"You plan to...send her against them? Against her-"
"Is there a problem, Vexen?"
"Yes, Lord Xemnas, there is!"
"And what would that be?" Xemnas said curiously.
"She is- she will be- magnificent," Vexen struggled. "And such magnificence cannot be marred by throwing her into encounters with her originator - nor the other 'heroes.' Any damages she takes will hinder her ability to continue collecting Hearts, and if she were to be destroyed..."
"Is this concern? For her?"
Vexen stared at the man. "Yes, it is!" he said loudly. "You're quite correct it's concern! She is my greatest creation to date, she is the epitome of this entire Program, she is the most powerful, the most worthy - and you'd risk erasing it all by throwing her at the Keyblade Heroine and her roaming band of fools when we have an entire Organization who could do the job better?! I contest that decision, Lord Xemnas - in fact, I refute it!"
Xemnas gazed at him in silence, his expression completely blank.
Vexen breathed ragged, composing himself after his outburst (a calculated one). He bowed his head to the man, awaiting the results of his...attempt.
Xemnas turned on the spot, raising an arm - and sweeping it across the lab. "And yet, do we not have many more being developed here? The loss of one can be replaced - even one as...remarkable as this one. For in science, once a breakthrough is achieved, does it not become easier for us to...replicate the feat, again and again?"
"Y-yes, true, Lord Xemnas - however, she is still our first greatest..." Vexen said respectfully. "She should be treated with more - deliberation than that. When and where she should be put to use should be given...all care and thought."
"And you believe I cannot do so?" Xemnas said, an almost amused tone to his voice. "Again, you think far too highly of yourself..."
"I never said that I-"
"Ah, but I believe we both know you meant it," Xemnas cut him off. "Often what goes unsaid can be more powerful than what is."
"Are the two of you finished?" The Replica spoke up again, giving a snort. "This place is boring me - you're boring me."
"Boring-?!" Vexen exclaimed, rounding on that woman! "This is the home of the greatest research and breakthroughs in all the worlds, this is where unparalleled-!"
The woman uncrossed her arms and strode away from him! She laughed at him! "I take back what I said before: your voice is worse than his," she spoke over her shoulder, her thin lips curving into a smirk.
"WHY YOU-!"
"My, how lively this one is, compared to prior models," Xemnas chuckled. "If nothing else, this should prove rather interesting..."
"Lord- Xemnas- with every respect: she is not here to serve as a source of...of entertainment. She is a vital tool. A scalpel."
"Indeed. And we should not wait too long to use her, should we?" Xemnas replied. "I'll ask again: is she ready?"
"Yes," Vexen stated. "I only ask that I be allowed to run a few more tests on her today - as well as that I accompany her for her first field test. To ensure she's capable of...staying on task," he finished, with a harsh glare at the woman.
"Very well," Xemnas nodded. "See it done." He turned to leave - but paused at the exit. "Ah, Vexen, one last thing that slipped my mind..."
"What is it, Lord Xemnas?"
"I require another of your empty Replicas."
"Another?" Vexen stared at the man. Then he quickly looked away. "Well - as you said - we have plenty to spare, don't we? By all means...one more is no great loss to my research."
Xemnas nodded, and began to leave.
"Lord Xemnas - might I ask, again, what it is you're using them for?" Vexen called out, unable to help himself. "Perhaps, if I knew, I could even assist you with..." He gave up on his attempt as Xemnas didn't answer him. The man simply left the lab in utter silence.
Hmph. And he says I'm the one with an ego! Xehanort, you were an amnesiac fool of a young man who only had a year under his belt in the art of science by the end of it all! I was doing active research for years before you even came along! Before you stole Ansem's attentions, before you swept up all the other apprentices, so in awe of you and your...reportedly superhuman abilities...
Which, at the time, Vexen had dismissed as merely another reason to seethe at the young man (magic had never been Vexen's strong suit, nor combat in general), however...
With the emergence of this Keyblade Master Aqua, with Xemnas's own admittance of an alleged history with her that had resulted in his appearing in Radiant Garden's square with no memory...
Vexen had seen this Aqua woman in combat with his own eyes - how could a young man like Xehanort have survived such a battle? With the loss of his memories, yes, but still...the woman he had witnessed fight in Castle Oblivion wouldn't have hesitated to kill. To take the life of her opponent, swiftly and certainly. No, that Keyblade Master had no qualms about ending a battle decisively; she'd been making to outright end Xaldin's existence after soundly defeating the man, in fact; only Vexen's own intervention at the time had saved that overgrown buffoon's life! So how could Xehanort have just been left alone with no memories if he had had some kind of encounter with Master Aqua...?
Vexen's eyes found the Replica again. He moved closer to her. She turned and met his gaze as he did.
"I'm going to regret this - but: what?" she said, raising a sharp eyebrow at him.
"You recognized Lord Xemnas..." Vexen spoke softly, leaning forward.
"And?"
"I saw a great deal of anger on your face when you did. Why do you think that is, hmm?"
The woman looked confused now. She frowned. Her eyes glazed over. After a moment, she returned to reality. She gave a shrug. "Couldn't tell you."
"Are you certain?"
She scoffed, turning away. "He...confuses me."
"In what way?" Vexen said eagerly.
The woman sighed, tossing her head and putting a hand on her hip. Yet she still refused to show him her face. "It's more than...anger and hate. There's something else there, too - inside of me."
"What else? Another emotion? Is it fear? Anxiety? Perhaps sorrow, grief, longing? Happiness? Could it be- love?" Vexen strangled his way past that last one, but he got it out.
"I couldn't say," the woman repeated, irritation now in her voice. "Ask me again some other time."
Vexen considered her. He nodded. "Yes...I do believe I will...get back to you on this topic at a later date."
It was probably best not to push the subject, considering the dangerous emotions involved - anger and hate, in her own words. So clearly defined. So powerful in her...
There was a risk of such dangerous emotions being misdirected at Vexen himself.
A risk he wanted to stay well clear of!
"At any rate," Vexen spoke again. "Come and take a seat here - we have more tests to get through."
The woman's arm fell from her body as she turned to face him at last. Her expression was...unexpected. "If it involves more pain-"
"I told you before that it was necessary to ensure your body could correctly deduce cause and origin of injuries," Vexen said quickly - feeling a fleeting sensation in his chest. "Any living being has to put up with the same thing! It's merely the sensibilities of evolution and nature: we couldn't all be walking around on broken legs, or with horrific infections and not realize it!" He hesitated. "But, I can assure you that that stage of testing is done and over with," he added, that uncomfortable feeling weighing a bit more heavily now.
She regarded him with cool eyes. She was judging every measure of him (and Vexen couldn't help but privately feel a tiny bit intimidated). Then, she gave a nod, and silently strode forward to comply with the order.
Vexen felt...felt...
Relieved.
True, the woman sat with legs and arms both crossed, with a straight back and a harsh look on her face - but she did it.
And that was all that mattered. That was what was...important.
For her continued existence depended on it.
