Chapter 2: Pure Astonishment
The sun was finally high in the sky, and the day had truly started. The streets of the harbor district were busy with fishermen readying their boats, and children on their way to school. Not everyone attending one of the schools lived in a dorm, you know.
Lanette and the rest of the Student Council walked on into town in their school cloaks, Lanette kind of skipping down the street today, Feliz playing follow the Leader, imitating her every move. Cassidy was taking notes on a book with one of her Access Item programs, Don telling her when she was about to run into something or someone, and Dean was saying hello to people passing by. He lived in the area, as his father is a fisherman and head of the Western Docks.
Lanette jumped onto the low railing of a bridge and twirled around. "I haven't been home in a while Feliz! My room is a mess! You know they make me clean it myself!" she said to her friend, who was safely on the ground.
Feliz laughed, watching her friend acting like a ballerina. Then Lanette's bracelet started flashing a blue light, startling her and causing her to nearly fall over into the stream. Feliz grabbed her arm and pulled Lanette back toward the bridge, sending them flying onto the cobblestone.
Don laughed at them as he picked them up, Dean still waving to people, and Cassidy nearly walking into him. They all looked as Lanette brushed off her skirt and cloak, and then held her bracelet out finally. "Answer.", she said. A picture of a phone started floating above her wrist, a voice calling out on the other end.
"Princess Lanette, I was expecting you an hour ago! Where are you?!"
Lanette groaned. "Kennston, its only 7 o'clock! I'm almost there! We just had to stop at Dean's house quick, that's all! You can rest easy!" she called to the worried stuart.
"Very well, Princess. But please, do hurry!" he said, his voice a little shaky.
Lanette got a little more serious. "Is something wrong, Kennston?" She feared the worst.
"Well, a guard reported that he did see a small Heartless creeping around the castle garden last night. Just one, but it still worries me that it was here!"
Lanette and the others tensed up. "Ok, we'll be there soon enough. Bye Kennston!" she called out and ended the call. She nodded to them and they tore off toward the castle, as they were not that close.
Running past shops and carts, dodging people in the morning rush, Lanette was charging full speed at the head of the group, clearing a path for them as the startled people moved to avoid being run over. She ran out of the large crowd and suddenly, there was a cart in front of her. She grit her teeth, bent down and vaulted over the tall cart, twisting in the air. The vendor watched as she landed with force and kept running, the others doing the same. A child kept pointing at them, tugging his surprised mothers dress as the watched, mouth wide open as they continued up the castle rode.
The sleepy morning guards stretched at the gate, watching the ships move out, when they heard a voice. Lanette was still charging.
"Open the gates! OPEN THE GATES!!" she yelled at them, the guards rushing to the lift room. But it was no good. Lanette was too fast, and the guards had no chance of beating her today. Lanette bent her knees low, and forced her energy out from beneath her feet, sending her flying over the tall gate as her friends looked on in awe. They never got tiered of that.
Except Dean, who imitated her perfectly, landing next to her on the other side and watching the gate open for his friends. They caught up and they started again, heading for the main hall.
Lanette burst in, the doors smashing into the wall with a resounding boom, terrifying her poor Stuart and the maids in the hall.
Dean cringed at the noise. "You don't have to bust the door Lanette…" he said, walking in after her.
Kennston stood up straight again, already dressed in his usual midnight black suit, his brown hair neatly combed back into a tiny ponytail. "Princess, I agree with Master Dean. There is no need for such displays." He said, shooting her a look.
Lanette glared back, and he stepped away a tiny bit. "Just show us where you've seen Heartless, ok Kennston? We need to be quick today." She said in her, 'official voice', and he led them outside to the garden.
It was in full bloom, the many exotic flowers and rosebushes full of butterflies and other insects. He led them along to the center fountain, where a boy sat intently feeding the koi. He looked up to see the procession, and jumped to his feet.
"Sis, you're home! Look, look! We got another fish and it's huge!" he cried, grabbing Lanette's arm and dragging her to the fountain. She peered into the water at a gigantic calico koi, probably the length of her little brother's arm.
"Whoa, that IS huge Markus!" she said smiling at her little brother. "I'm sorry, but today we're here on official business. And it's kinda dangerous, so I need you to…you know. Go back inside for a bit?" She said, discouraged that she had finally gotten to see her brother but had to send him off. He understood though.
"Sure, but come back in when you're done ok?" he said, flashing a smile and running back to the castle. Feliz sighed. "Lanette, your little brother is just too adorable, you know?" she said, and Cassidy nodded in agreement.
Lanette shrugged her shoulders, as if saying 'I know, I know…', and turned back to Kennston. So, I take it this is where you saw the Heartless, Kennston?" she said, looking around at a few thrashed flower beds, the sign of a struggle. He nodded slowly.
"Yes, and I'm afraid these tiger lilies were destroyed in the confrontation. But the creature was disposed of quickly enough by the guards, and the fountain sustained no damage. The Captain has ordered more surveillance throughout the whole castle." Lanette nodded, and then looked at him with grave seriousness.
"I trust that the St. Hearths crystal is safe as well, Kennston? And the chamber door?"
Kennston gave a reassuring smile and bowed slightly. "Of course, Princess. The crystal and the chamber door are our number one priorities around here, don't forget. They are heavily guarded by the Captain's best men, and I assure you they are very secure." That was all they needed to hear.
"Good. You're doing a fine job here, Kennston. I trust you to keep at it, and take care of Markus as well. That is all." Lanette said, and they strode back to the castle. Kennston turned to the flowers.
"Now all we need to do is fix you up, you poor things." He said sympathetically, and went to find the gardener.
Well, Chapter 2, people! Thank you to those who haveread so far, even though no one has reviewed it yet. Oh well! I wrote this whole chapter, edited it, changed it twice even, all in like...4 hours. And started chapter 3 as well! Until my mom came in at 3 o'clock in the morning and told me to go to bed. Well, I hope she doesn't catch me too early in the morning today cuz I'm ready to write! See ya!