Rixka's eyes opened slowly. She rubbed them as she sat up and looked around momentarily forgetting where she was. "Oh yea… I'm home…" She mumbled as she yawned and put her feet on the floor. Home… Was this truly her home…? She supposed so… She did live there after all. It's where she slept. Where she returned to after that mission. Yes….this was home for her. She smiled a little at the thought as she stood up and stretched. "Home…" She whispered softly looking up at the ceiling.

At that moment her door opened and a large man stepped in. Rixka paled slightly as she looked up at him. He was scary…very intimidating. He looked down at her with cold eyes as he pushed some of his long hair back. She looked him over noticing just how tall he was compared to her. He had very long black hair that was tied back with strange sideburns. Rixka didn't like him….she wanted him to leave her room….

"You must be Rixka." He said continuing to just stare down at her. It took her a minute to respond but finally she nodded. "I'm Xaldin. We'll be working together today. Let's go." Without waiting he turned and left. Rixka blinked, staying in room a moment before running after him, realizing that if she got left behind she'd definitely get lost.

She quietly walked behind him, keeping her head down as they went.

"If you keep your head down you'll never learn the layout of this place." He said without even looking back her. She blinked and quickly raised her head. This wasn't much help…. Everything looked the same no matter where they went except when they entered the main room. Xaldin said nothing as he opened a portal and looked at her stepping aside. "Ladies first." He said.

Rixka blinked. Was he being polite…? Or was it a trick…? She could be instantly attacked as soon as she stepped through there… Didn't look like he was gonna go first though… Oh well. She'd have to chance it. She looked at the portal and stepped through being followed by Xaldin. She blinked and looked around. It looked like they were in a huge building…

"We are in Beast's castle." When he glanced down at her he noticed her confused expression and sighed. "Don't worry about where we are… Just know we are in a castle to gather information. Do not be caught." He said as he headed for the stairs.

Rixka blinked and looked around. So big…. She slowly followed Xaldin looking all around to take in every detail. She clearly was not paying attention. She gasped as an arm suddenly wrapped around her waist and a hand clamped down on her mouth and pulled her back into the shadows.

Voices….there were voices coming from the way she had been heading. She clutched the person's arm tightly and held her breath afraid of being caught. The people were drawing closer… She could hear their conversation…

"The master sure has been angry lately…" One person said…a man… yes it was definitely a man.

"I know… But what can we do?" Another man asked.

She could see them now…. Those…..those were not men…..they were….a candelabra and a clock? What… How was that even possible?

"Perhaps we-"The clock was interrupted by the candelabra who jumped into the air.

"I know what we can do! It is genius! The master will be thrilled!" The candelabra said with enthusiasm before running…err…..hopping away…..

After a couple minutes the person holding her let go. She turned around and saw it was Xaldin….and he was mad.

"I told you not to get caught and look what almost happened." He said glaring down at her. "Why Saix put me in charge of a mindless child I'll have no idea…" He grabbed her wrist then and started dragging her along with him. "You will stay by my side from now on so I don't have to worry about you."

She blinked but let him pull her along. They searched many room but came up with nothing. Whenever she'd hold up something interesting he would just give her an evil look and shake his head so she'd put it back. She gave up on trying to find something interesting and walked aimlessly around the room. She blinked stopped by the window. There was….something down there…. What was that…? She looked closer and saw….

"That is the beast that resides here." Xaldin said right behind her. She gasped and jumped, startled by his silent approach. She looked out at the beast…. He was truly frightening… She shivered and stepped away from the window. "There is nothing here for us." Xaldin said opening a portal. "Let's go." He said stepping through first.

Rixka nodded and took one last glance at the window before following Xaldin. She sighed as they emerged back in the main room with a few people sitting around on couches. When she turned to look at Xaldin he was already basically out of the room. She blinked watching him.

"Don't let him bug ya. He can be a real jerk." Axel's voice came from behind her. She turned around and looked up at the red head's smiling face. "Welcome back, Rixka. How was your mission?" She stared at him without saying a word. After a minute his smile turned into a frown and he closed his eyes sighing. Putting a hand to his head, he said, "Come on, kid. Ya gotta start talking to people."

"Axel…" She said. He blinked and looked at her, smiling. "….You're weird." She said casually. This caused him to lose his smile and drop his head.

"Eheh….Well….It's a start I suppose… Not the kind I would have enjoyed but a start." He stood up straight and rubbing the back of his head. "How bout we get you back to your room?" He asked. She nodded and let him put his arm around her and lead her back to her room.

As they got to her room she paused in opening the door. She glanced at Axel then away. Finally making up her mind she turned to him. "Thank you…" She said before quickly disappearing into her room.

Axel blinked then smirked. "Heh..." He turned, lacing his fingers together behind his head and walked away from her room, leaving her for the night.