When You're Strange

Chapter 11

Harmless Machinations

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Half an hour after departing to their separate rooms the Destiny Island Trio had finally gathered themselves at the base entrance of Silk Tower. Accompanying them were Hong, Aoi, and Vert who insisted that they at least hand around long enough for Odd to show up.

All three of the best friends had made a dramatic change to their attire from previous, all looking much more casual than before. At the suggestion of their respective maids all three had chosen mostly dark clothing as that was what most of the world's residents usually wore and it would also help them blend into the crowds.

Sora wore a black T-shirt with the imprint of lion emblem colored in silver on the front and over that wore a black zippered hoodie that had the emblem of a dragon colored in red running from one sleeve to the other across his back. He kept the hood up to conceal his face and spiky hair from onlookers. He wore black baggy pants that had a dark blue line that ran down either side. The bottoms were intentionally a little long so that they almost completely covered the black and white checkered sneakers he wore his feet. Sora had to admit he did like the outfit, although the thought of constantly keeping the hood up made him somewhat annoyed.

Riku had dressed himself in a plain, dark blue, short-sleeved V-neck and black jeans with a golden tiger outline running down the left side. On his arms he wore black and grey striped arm warmers that ran from his wrists to his elbows and on his feet black running shoes with crimson colored laces. Helping to conceal his identity was a black tuque on his head, and he had also tied the back of his hair into a simple ponytail for good measure. Sora groaned inwardly, once again realizing that his best friend had shown to have more sense than he did.

But who had caught his attention the most was Kairi, once again showing a different side of herself with her choice of clothing. She wore a black sleeveless shirt with a hood and tight black jeans that were covered near the bottom by black steel-toed boots. She had also kept the necklace with the small black jewel from her previous outfit. Finally, to conceal her identity was a black baseball cap with a red brim as well as a red kanji symbol on the front. Sora could hardly believe how natural it seemed on her, especially considering how tough it made her look. In addition, he couldn't help but blush a little while looking at her.

"So, is he going to show up anytime so or what?" Kairi asked, the annoyance obvious in her voice.

"He'll be here. He's just waiting for an opportunity to make as big an entrance as possible," Hong answered, sounded equally annoyed.

Sora was starting to lose his patience too. Odd had said to wait thirty minutes for him to show up, but it had already been forty-five. He couldn't help but feel they were being toyed with.

"Well, I'm bored," Sora stated in a deadpan voice, then began walking. "If he's gonna make us wait then I'm going to find something in the area to kill time. You guys coming?"

'Wait Sora!" Hong shouted. "Don't go any further!"

"Huh?"

Before he could react Sora was ambushed by dozens of dark portals that opened around him. Within seconds he was blinded by flashing lights and deafened by overlapping questions.

"Sora, is it true that you've competed in the Underdrome?" "How are you liking your stay in the Realm of Darkness so far?" "What do you say to the rumors that you're secretly cheating on your girlfriend with your best friend?" "Is it true that 47% of sixteen-year old girls tell you they want to have your babies?"

"Huh? W-Whuh? W-What're-?"

Just then a powerful shrill noise arose and overpowered anything else in the vicinity. All eyes turned to the direction of the sound and at its source was a familiar drifter on a rooftop several blocks away, holding an electric guitar and having just strummed a powerful chord. He proceeded to play an extremely advanced guitar solo that lasted roughly fifty seconds before finishing with another powerful chord. As the final note was played the rooftops of several building surrounding him erupted in sparks, like pyrotechnics at a rock concert but on a massive scale.

"AND THAT IS HOW YOU MAKE AN ENTRANCE!" he shouted before running off away from everyone, cackling as he went.

"There he is!" "After him!" "Forget these clowns!" "If we get interview with Odd we'll hit it big! Move it!"

The mass of reporters all immediately gave chase, some hopping onto building tops, some flying on unseen forces, and others vanishing through dark corridors. They had all left within seconds, leaving the baffled keyblade master in their dust.

"Sora!" Kairi shouted as she and the others sprinted to his side. "Are you ok?"

Sora could only stare at them dumbfounded for a moment before uttering "What… just happened?"

"That would be the paprazzi," Aoi answered. "Odd was telling the truth when he said that the journalists and reporters here were over the top."

"That's putting it mildly," Riku commented. "They were seriously here to ambush us?"

"The journalism industry is particularly competitive here in Nightlife," Vert explained. "There is so much happening in a city of this size that someone needs to be everywhere to get a story firsthand. And it must be made before your competition does. I hear disputes over who was first to get a story or a photo can get very aggressive."

"Then why didn't they come after us the second we came down here? Or hell, the way you talk about them you make it sound like sneaking into Silk Tower is something they'd try."

"Well, it's sort of an unwritten rule in the industry not to trespass the grounds of Silk Tower. Or any room or general vicinity that Master Arachnus happens to be occupying."

"Why?"

"Well-"

"First I think we'd better go," Hong interrupted. "They won't catch him and they'll be back here once they give up to hound you three again. We need to leave."

"Um, ok then. Where to, though?" Kairi asked.

Hong opened up a dark corridor in response and walked in without waiting for any feedback. While the Destiny Island trio hesitated Aoi and Vert took the hint.

"Coming?" Vert asked, stepping aside and motioning to the portal. The three hesitated for a moment before entering, the two remaining maids following soon after.

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"You want to owe me a favor?" she asked in disbelief. "You'd never put yourself in debt to anyone. Not even me."

"Well, sort of, " he answered smugly. "Thing is, if it works out the way I want, you should be getting a nice benefit out of it, too. One I think should adequately pay back what I might owe you."

"Ah, so that's it. I thought it was a little strange. So just what is this little favor?"

"Did you get a good look at the special guests while you were onstage?"

"I'm assuming you mean the Princess and her two friends, right?" He nodded. "Yeah I did, interesting looking bunch. What about them in particular?"

"See anyone you like?"

"Hm… Well, they all looked pretty attractive in their own ways."

"All of them?" he asked, a devilish smirk grew on his face.

"Oh come on. You know I'm willing to try the fairer sex every once in a while, you homophobe."

"I'm not homophobic."

"Then how come you've never tried men?"

He shrugged. "The idea never appealed to me. Anyway, back on topic. What did you think of Riku?"

"Which one was that?"

"The silver haired one."

"Ooh, he looked good. Had a nice dark feel to him, too… Wait, he's supposed to be my compensation?"

"What's wrong?"

"Well I'm not saying he didn't catch my eye, and I'll probably have fun with him even if I don't get him under the covers, but I don't think he'd be enough to pay me back for one of your favors."

"You don't even know what it is yet."

"Enlighten me."

/

After a brief trek through Betwixt and Between the group of six arrived at the other end of Hong's portal, which instantly closed behind them. After scanning their surroundings the Destiny Island trio realized that Hong had led them not only a ways away from Silk Tower but also to the opposite end of it.

"Is this really far enough?" Sora asked.

Hong nodded. "Don't worry, they won't be able to find us here before Odd shows up."

"What makes you so sure he'll come here?"

"Like I said, I know him," she sighed. "He'd do this back when we were still see- I mean hanging out together. He'd run off in one direction away from the reporters and journalists only to warp himself to the other end of the city once he was out of their sight. They still haven't figured out his trick yet, though I can't really blame them."

"Why?" Kairi asked. "What makes him so uncatchable?"

"Actually, you've failed to mention this to us as well," Aoi stated. "I am rather curious."

"As am I," Vert added.

"Well, he's got his own unique portal that only he can create, something different from the Corridors of Darkness," Hong explained. "It functions similarly but can't be tracked, at least not by anything I know of. It's given him a status as the 'unicorn of the journalism world' because it's been impossible for anyone to get an interview with him."

"What's so unique about this portal of his?" Riku asked.

"Um, how should I explain this?" She furrowed her brow and thought for a moment before answering. "It's dark, even by the standards of the Realm of Darkness. I really don't know how else to describe it."

"Sounds kinda creepy…" Kairi stated, a slight chill going down her back.

"I guess." She sighed before continuing. "Well, we've probably still got some time before he shows up and takes you three on his little tour, so I guess if want to ask us some questions now would be the time."

"Actually, before we came here, weren't you saying something about how all the reporters stay away from Arachnus?"

"Ah, yes. Well, you see, Master Arachnus can be seen as very intimidating, unnerving even, to those who are unfamiliar with him," Vert explained. "I'm sure you had the same feeling when you first encountered our master." The three nodded in response. "You also saw how… 'expressive' his outbursts of anger can become. Though it has almost never happened you can likely guess that word of the spectacles of his temper would spread like wildfire. As such, our master is as feared as he is respected."

"Which reminds me, what kind of ruler is he? Like a king or something?" Riku asked.

"I suppose it would be most accurate to describe his rule as one of despotism."

"What now?" Sora asked.

"I the closest word would be 'dictator'," Aoi explained. "Arachnus rules absolutely with no competition or limits to his power. His decree is law, and he may change it at any time he wishes."

"Um, that kinda sounds like sort of rule of an oppressive leader," Kairi stated, a look of slight disturbance on her face.

"As Master is well aware of. Over the course of his considerably long lifetime our master has paid close attention to the history of worlds and the people therein and understands how people tend to react when certain events and conditions are presented to them. As such he knows well that citizens tend to be uncomfortable with rulers who have the power to whatever they want. To compensate for this Master Arachnus has limited himself in his execution of power." The three friends gave her a questioning look so she decided to elaborate. "What I mean is that although he has no restrictions on his power Master Arachnus has instead decided to limit his own power. Aside from normal laws against theft and such the only major law that has been decreed by our Master is not to reveal this world's location to anyone who does not have an adequate amount of control of the Darkness. Even then, when one is discovered and is being considered for admittance we are sent personally to evaluate their moral standings."

"And Odd passed?" Sora asked in disbelief.

"I think you're a little too harsh on him, Sora," Hong replied. "Emphasis on 'little', but actually you've raised an interesting point."

"I don't get it."

"I mean that we didn't evaluate him. Or Roonika, who was with him. No, they found this world."

"What! How!" the three shouted in unison.

"I thought you couldn't get anywhere using the Corridors of Darkness unless you been there before or at least know where the world your looking for is!" Riku stated in exasperation.

"It's because of that bizarre portal I told you about before. If he doesn't have a destination it will instead warp him to any random world, whether he's been there or not."

"So that's how it works?" Aoi stated in surprise.

"Hey, it used to be worse. It use to be anywhere in the universe."

"Whuh?"

"Hi there."

"GAH!" Kairi jumped away in surprise, stunned to find Odd was now standing right behind her. "Goddamnit, don't do that!"

"I'll tell ya, there were a few times where I ended up stepping out right into the space between the worlds. Whoo boy, never want to do that again!" he continued, seemingly oblivious to her reaction.

"NOONE CARES!" the trio shouted.

Hong groaned. "So how long had you been there?"

"Oh about as soon as you came out of that portal. I would've waited longer, but I didn't want you tell them all of my secrets."

"Oh really?" she aksed, a grin forming up on her face.

"Yeah. I want to tell them! At my own pace, of course."

Hong's grin disappeared as she sighed. She had hopped that she finally had some sort of blackmail on him. She looked at him again and noticed he was wearing what could be most closely called his "signature outfit." Each piece of clothing was customized and designed by him for him, as he was arrogant enough to believe that he deserved an outfit that no one else had. First was a pair of black slacks that had the word "DEVIANT" written in white lettering and in a font that looked as thought it had been carved with a knife stitched to the outside of the left leg. The ends of the pants covered the top plain of dull black military style boots. Covering his chest was a dark grey T-shirt extending downward far enough to cover the belt line of his pants. On the front were two black curving lines that coiled together to form a downward facing fleur de lis. The lines led back around over his shoulders, but were hidden by the jacket her wore on top. The jacket was black and cut at the front so that it couldn't be buttoned or zipped together, making sure the shirt underneath was constantly exposed. Starting from the shoulders and leading to the back was a continuation of the design on the front, two curving dark grey lines that joined together at the center. Instead of becoming a fleur de lis the design was that of a cartoonish looking skull with angelic wings on either side of it and a halo above. Extending from the mouth downward was a forked tongue that ran all the way to the end of the jacket, which extended all the way to his ankles. She knew that the design was exactly the same on the back of his shirt. The jacket sleeves extended past his wrists all the way to the base of his thumbs, covering the top of plain black gloves. She had no idea much munny he had spent to create this outfit but knew that it was by no means cheap. She laughed inwardly thinking about how much he had spent to make himself look like some sort of wannabee thug.

"Well alrighty then! It's time to trek! The night is young, and so am I! Well, I guess you are too, but that's not the point here."

"Oh lord, just shut up already," Sora muttered.

"Ok then, let's go!" Odd shouted just before turning on his heel and walking away from the group.

"Why isn't he hiding his identity?" Kairi asked to whomever would answer. "If he attracts that amount of attention normally won't that be bad for us trying to remain hidden?"

"No doubt where he's taking you he's a regular, so the crowd won't go as crazy over there," Hong answered. "Don't worry, he may be incredibly irritating, but he's not an idiot."

"Hey, short stacks! Come on, let's go!" Odd shouted, several yards away already. Riku and Kairi sighed and walked towards him, but Sora stayed behind for a moment.

"Hong?" he asked.

"Yeah?"

"What's he really like? I mean, our first impression of him was pretty damn bad and everything up to this point has pretty much proven he's a pain, but it seems like everyone who knows him better than us seems to think he's not, you know, evil or anything. So, I mean, what kind of person is he really?"

"Go with him. You'll find out soon enough." And with that answer all three of the maids vanished through the Corridors of Darkness.

"Yo Spiky! You comin' or what?"

Sora sighed and headed towards Odd and his friends.

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"I'm doing a little match making again tonight," he explained.

"Ah, another one for your collection," she said knowingly.

"'Private mental collection,'" he corrected.

"Of course. And, who this time?"

"A spiky-haired warrior and his crush," he answered, grinning ear to ear.

"Ah, then the two of them really are together, like all the buzz said."

"Well, if the buzz says every possibility then they're bound to be right."

"So what's the problem? You've never needed me or anyone else for that before."

"I need you to get Riku away from them so I can get to work. I've managed to get the three of them to follow me around town, but I've made a bad impression with them so he won't leave them alone so easily. That's where you come in."

"You want me to seduce him away from the other two?"

"You can do whatever you want, so long as you don't hurt him in any way. All I need is for you to get him away from the other two, at least for a few hours, so I can really start working my magic."

She furrowed her brow as she considered whether or not it was worth the trouble to help her old friend with his little scheme. After some thought she answered, "Where do we meet?"

He grinned back and said, "I'm feeling like karaoke tonight."

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Damn, wassup! Been a while, huh? Well, a four-month wait for the next chapter isn't as bad as a one year one, huh? Anyway, it's really late right now, so I'm afraid I don't have much to say. All I can say is that for the moment I'm not having any problems with writer's block, so assuming my schedule stays open enough I'll be getting to the next chapter soon. Lates!