Scene 8
Hayner arrived in front of the court yard of the Great Hall of Naught, he looked at the clock in the distance of Twilight Town and squinted his eyes. 6:00, on the dot, so he wasn't late…unless she was one of those sorts who were fashionably late…or early…oh gosh maybe he missed her oh no!
He saw several people enter the Hall, among them: Sir Snow and Lady Lighting, they weren't boy friend or girlfriend, but there was much a rumor about it for the sake of conversation that the two Knights often took overly long on purpose when they were on missions.
After them was an agent of the Prince, Lord Auron, an impartial knight. Many were from mid-street, neither Heartulette nor Nobody, anyone who was Nobody was either already there from living so close, or not there yet for living too far.
"Um…hi?" came a familiar voice, he turned around to see Ollette in an Orange and white dress. The side of the hem of her dress was higher then left side, showing her shin a little, there was shawl on her shoulders that looked handmade, and she had earrings that set off her eyes unimaginably. He just stood in stared, her hair was let down more than it usually was…almost touching her shoulders. He gulped.
"Hi…" she said again smiling. Wow…had really cleaned up, she hadn't realized till now what a cutie he was. He wore a tux, or at least the coat jacket of one over a button down white tux shirt, no tie, he had a white scarf around his neck, and his belt buckle had the crest of the Nobody family on it. His smile was….nervous and…what she was guessing was total awe…at her….which made her blush incredibly.
"Hello…" he said back. "I uh…." He said hurriedly, "Got you these…" he presented a bunch of flowers in his hand.
She took them, "They look wonderful…" she said grinning broadly, "Yeah you do…I mean they do…" Hayner said fumbling.
Olette bit her lip hearing that smiling to herself from behind the flowers. "Um…." He said scratching his neck for a little bit.
"Shall we?" he asked extending his arm to her, she grinned at him holding his arm. "Please…" she said smiling back.
Inside all was a buzz, there were crystal and glass fixtures of different creatures and historical figures, fountains, and grand chandeliers hanging from the broad high ceiling.
Demyx(That's me again ^_^ ) was by the water fountain making the water dance on the surface of the water as if the water sprites were ice skaters. The children cheered.
Axel was coming downstairs, he looked at the throngs of guests, rolled his eyes and marched back up the steps. Luxord put a hand on his shoulder.
"Oh come now…" he chided merrily.
"I've only convinced you venture down but 5 step's, make another 11 and you shall be amongst them, do not turn back now…"
Axel gruffed his shoulder out of his hand with a jerk, "I SEEK no merriment brother…" he said coldly. "Only to be about our true business of finding the villains responsible for the uproar the day before…"
Luxord chuckled to himself,
"Your mind is on the boy faced Knight who bested you is it not?" he smirked, he was shoved against the wall by Axels long arm no sooner had he finished.
"He did NOT best me…" Axel growled. "Of course not brother…" Luxord said with a laugh,
"He will have his day…." Axel said with a hiss looking to the side, "And when he does, I will have his a-cursed keyblades above my wall hanging by a carpenters nail…got it memorized?"
Luxord nodded putting his hands up and was let go of, "What of the ladies…." He said smirking.
Axel looked indifferent folding his arms, "I've no time for them…" he said.
Luxord laughed, "Don't be daft man…." Axel couldn't help but smirk a bit at his fellow guard.
"What creature has no time for company…especially so rich a company as this?..." he motioned to the crowd among which were very…eye catching beauties.
"To many a maid would throw themselves at your feet, or rather upon you for the galliant battles you have emerged the Victor from. The word of the battle in Mid-town of Twilight town puts a pin in it at best…You won't be able to sneer in any direction without seeing a maid who would sooner give up their shawl then miss an evening with the mighty Axel…"
Axel grinned, "The search doth grow tiresome…" he said thoughtfully. Luxord smirked, "Tis a pity, find a woman that will take your mind off of such unwanten affairs…leave fighting for the light of day where better it will show in the eyes of onlookers and chroniclers."
Axel said, "Bah…." Then folded his arms once more, "Night be a grander time then this to fell a Heartulette, for if night be a time to breath and morning too, and if my soul does wish malice on their house as it were breath in my lungs, so is too…a time to fight likened to a time to breath."
Some of the ladies bellow saw Axel glaring out over the crowd and fawned, blushing deep red, fanning themselve with their fans or batting their eyes at him.
Luxord through his hands in the air, "Oh that I had thy fame brother…" he said going down the stairs.
Axel laughed, "I'll be down presently brother…and to answer you, if you had my fame and noteworthy hood you'd tarnish it before the day was run…"
Bellow everyone was hustling about, socializing and congregating, unaware of the surprise guests who had slipped in by another entrance.
"This was a stupid Idea…." Riku said.
He fixed his hood and zipper on his robe.
Goofy protested, "Well come on Riku…."
Donald agreed, "Yaaaaaah You've come this Fah."
"No turning back now…" Goofy finished for him.
Riku groaned, "Wont they ask about…." He pointed to his blindfolded eyes.
Sora patted his back "Don't make such a big deal…if anyone asks say you need it cause….."
Riku looked at Sora, "Cause of what?"
Goofy spoke up now, "Uhhhhhhh…..because you had an accident and you need it for your eyes until they can get used to being normal…"
Donald grinned from under his Nobody hood, "Yeaaahhhhhhh!" he quaked, "Like in Battol or some'tin."
Riku sighed, "I can't believe you reeled m into this…again…." Riku pushed him even further in the room, "Come on!" he said eagerly, "Don't ruin this…your here now…now we see how many people we can talk to and socialize with before they realize anything…then we'll leave."
Goofy raised a finger, "Besides, since this is an event for all peoples, we aren't TECHNICALY bared from it…"
"SHHHHHHHH" Donald said putting his feathery finger to his lips, "Everyone else doesn't need to hear it too…"
"Yeah!" Sora put in, "We haven't even started yet..it'd be really lame if you gave us away before we did."
Riku grumbled.
"We have every right to be here too…" Sora said, "We just aren't welcome…" he added smirking.
"This makes the situation better?" Riku said cocking his head in Sora's direction.
"The Prince is here…" Sora said gesturing to the flag of the Princes large eared head in the middle of a crown.
"And as such no act of Violence will pass his visage." Sora said as a matter of factly. "No one of our lineage would wish to set foot at this event…"
"Except us…" Riku said un-amused.
"Yes…" Sora said, "BUT, where would the glory be for the Nobody's then…if in we Heartulate naives, interloped their event for the whole eve unnoticed, dancing with their maidens…drinking their wine, toasting their toasts, and after taking of their hospitality revealed ourselves? Why we would be wined and dined by our foe…consider it compensation for the Struggle tournament."
Riku grinned a bit.
Sora laughed and beat Riku on the back with his gloved palm, "Come on Riku!" he said triumphantly… "Mingle and dance…be merry, for better then will be our slap in the face to them…"
On the other side of the room, Namine was being ushered out by her nurse maid Yuffie. "Oh nurse…" she complained. "You look lovely…." Her nurse chided. It was true…all things being equal she was stunning.
She had on a white shimmering gown, one that went passed her knees, going down in a spiral so one of the knees nearly showed, the designs on it were that of a white rose, mixed with the designs of the Nobody symbol that made it look like it were the leaves of rose, or the veins on the leaves. On her shoulders was a see through glass toned shawl that that wrapped around her bare shoulders and arms, sparkling like crystal. On her finger she wore one of her mother's rings, and she had actually decided to let her hair grow a little so it actually could curl down enough to go past her shoulder on one side. The shawl sparkled whenever she turned or moved, as did her ring. She was radiant, and currently out of view of the crowd underneath the stairs.
"Don't you fret…" Yuffie chided, "You look stunning enough to catch the eye of any lad were he a brain worth his life."
Namine wrung her hands, she didn't want to go.
Namine had promised she would be hospitable but…even though she liked conversation…she didn't like having it with….mama and papa's particular friends.
But as she ventured out further to get that of a better view of the ball room she saw that…there was not simply the Nobody "nobility" in the area, but also commoners, even mid-town citizens.
A smile danced across her lips gaily.
"Oh nurse!" she said happily. "I won't have to be confined to dancing with whoever is selected for me?"
Yuffie nodded pushing her forwards more.
"Your father doth not know of it yet, I suggest you inter-sociate with who you will while you may do so unnoticed."
She smiled at her nurse and hurried out, Yuffie immediately stood at attention as she saw the lady of the house, Larxene enter the room.
She surveyed the scene coldly as was her way, her dress was shimmering black, and a gown cupping the shape of her hips, with a slit down the side of it showing a bit of her thigh, and heeled shoes. Her hair was done up in a way that made it look like a crown upon her head of gold, wrapping around with gems in it like stones incrusted in said crown.
The earrings hanging from her ears were in the shape of lightning bolts, and sparkled like such in the light that caught them. She was obviously only poking her nose out to see who had come and who had not.
She would address the crowds later on, with her husband at her side, making a grand appearance to fit her vanity…and her husband's both.
"Nurse…" she beckoned flatly,
Yuffie hurried to her master.
"Where is my daughter…" she said more of a statement then a question. "I did not see her in her dressing quarters…she refused to leave, yet I do not see her amongst the crowd."
Yuffie spoke up, "Permission to speak madam…" she said sweetly, "But she did enter onto the dance floor but a minute ago…"
"YOU convinced the girl?..." Larxene said with almost insulting shock in it.
Yuffie nodded.
"Humph…." She said in her usual way, "Well see to it your made useful throughout the rest of the night…" she said.
Yuffie nodded.
She was going to turn and go were it not for Larxene not being finished.
"Does our daughter know of the arrangements of tonight?..." she said.
Yuffie stopped, "Um…." She said. Before Larxene could retort with "what daft answer is UM.." she spoke up.
"She is delvely aware, and I'm sure that Lord Siax will keep her abreast of things and he is about, and I'm sure has sensed her by now amongst the crowd.
"Hmmmm" Larxen said folding her arms, her long black gloves, made of the same material as her dress left only her shoulders bare.
"Well let the cross faced man know that I expect not but the best for tonight….and I expect more from our daughter, she IS to dance…and she is to be of mind of finding a suitable husband."
Yuffie nodded graciously, "Of course your highness." She said with a grin.
"I wouldn't worry about her resolve to dance though…" she said with wishful thinking behind it, "She seemed of good spirit whenst I talked to her…"
Larxen turned her head, "Good…."
"Otherwise it will be that Droll Vanitas for her husband if she keep up this stalemate of match making…"
Riku had put his hood on as did the rest of his friends and made their way into the middle of crowd, it was now or never.
Sora spoke up, "Uh is it me or has that guy stared at us the moment we walked over to this part of the hall?" Riku turned his head to see a large Nobody with his hood off among the many like him who had theirs on.
His chin was square as was his jaw, and looked as if he could crack a safe with it. His stare was intense, and was augmented by his flash of orange brown hair that went up like spires of mountains from his head, short but spiky.
Riku could sense all of this without having to remove his blind fold, seeing with the mind and heart was a knowledge vastly mastered by Riku in class.
The only purpose of it here was to hide his eyes for those who could see his heart by viewing his eyes, to those specially trained they could determine by your eyes who you were. It also kept his less then…desirable side in check….although there was little temptation of it here….still it was best to be prepared.
The man stood from the bench he was leaning on, and walked over to them, they could see he was towering now, a giant of a man, both in width and height, muscular, and rough as flint. He was looking at them with a look they could not discern, and Donald did what best he could to keep from quivering from the giddiness of being found out.
The Nobody kept walking towards them, and Sora and Riku stood their ground, Sora had his hood well over his face, acting as much as he could under pressure like a nobody would. Riku on the other hand was surprisingly quite normal in his delivery as if he weren't even trying, looking back at the man…
"No fair…" Sora thought, "he gets a blind fold so he doesn't have to hold it together while making eye contact…"
The man continued an mid step had a change in expression that was somehow less….intimidating. He walked right passed them as a nobody put their arm around the large mans back embracing him saying, "Lexeaus!"
Sora breathed much easier and hurried along the floor with his group, looking up at Riku he asked, "What was that?"
Riku looked down at his friend.
"He was a warrior…." Riku said. "The fact he was called Silent hero just now, which is what Lexeaus means, is proof of it…"
Goofy scratched his head keeping his hood on, "Gawsh Riku…what's at mean?"
"Yeahhh" Donald said putting his hands on his sides.
"It's an unspoken code between warriors…" Riku said, "Recognizing another warrior from ones era has an element of respect to it, to where if one does not wish to speak, they have the dignity not to engage them. Not many use it…but people of his generation do…during the Conjuring Wars…"
"But Riku…." Goofy said, "You weren't in those…." He said.
"No…" Riku said… "Not those specific ones…." Sora took his arm and guided him down the hall.
"Let's split up you guys…we're gonna be suspicious all bunched together…" He said hurridly, Donald and Goofy nodded and continued their own ways in opposite directions.
Riku looked at Sora, "Thanks…" he said.
Sora chuckled, "A thank you…" he scoffed, "How does that feel to say?"
Riku smiled at him then went his way through the crowd. Sora chuckled again and saw some Nobody lads his age and decided to see if he could fool them into thinking he had graduated from Nobody school.
Riku walked through the crowd of people, so far no one had picked up on him being Heartulatte, which was comforting to an extent.
He had to confess, this whole event did have an element of a rush to it. Sora may have actually known what he was talking about…as crazy as that seemed to say. He'd also have to remember to thank him in another favor averting Goofy and Donald way when they'd asked about his….well that was over now…
"EXCUSE ME!" someone said, bumping into him. Riku turned to see and catch a Nobody in a white Tux hunched over a little on his cane for support. He had fallen when he'd bumped into him by mistake.
The man had an annoyed face of one who was to proud to admit he wasn't looking where he was going anymore then Riku had, and the goal of this affair was to remain unbeknownst so he'd apologize and move on.
The man had long blonde hair and bug-eyed blue eyes, with a scowl on his face that matched his annoying voice.
"Of all the insolence…." He said huffily. "It's not enough I'm a higher rank in the Org then you….trust me I know my betters and you sir fall far from them…" he said dusting himself off to support himself by cane quickly afterwards.
This attention caught Sora's eye and he recognized him as the Nobody with the ice shield he had nearly felled in the street the day before. Apparently the beating he'd given him had resorted the Nobody to having to use a cane to walk, he felt very satisfied with himself.
"I caution you to watch where you go next time…" he said looking at Riku, who kept his nobody hood at a reasonable length over his blind fold to resemble shadow.
Riku nodded, "My mistake…." He said backing away. The man glared at him with a look of , "Yes you better be sorry, then fell again on some water that was on the floor.
"What the devil?" he said exclaiming in surprise. Suddenly a water sprite walked over him dancing in the puddle he had fallen in and the man clawed and covered his face growling.
"Get those revolting things away from me before I freeze the fountain solid!" He spat.
The sorry voice of Demyx called over from where the puddle was flowing from as it now retracted, "Sorry Vexen…."
Sora couldn't help but laugh, so did the other Nobody boys, which made him feel more free in doing so.
Had he been more alert however, he'd of seen Siax, number 2 to Marluxia eyeing him suspiciously then continue on.
Riku saw this and made a paint to keep his eyes out for him the rest of the night, it wouldn't be hard for his head of slate hair and X across his face.
Axel was now among the crowd, he was in his dark Orginization cloak and hood, but the bottom portion wasn't zipped all the way down to reveal his dark black pants with a royal red line going down the sides signifying his military status. Beneath his cloak which was also partially unzipped at the top, he was wearing a deep red vest with dark lines going diagonally down. He had had a top hat but he had misplaced it, and honestly didn't care who called him on his breach of fashion.
To Luxord's prediction, he was immediately flooded by women folk of Twilight Town. He smiled at his attention but found no one to his particular fancy.
Finally his eyes fell upon Nobody maid, who he could tell was a knight by how she carried herself. Her hair was bright blue, as was her dress which was darker blue and nearly back as it went down to the floor, the dress showed some of her leg as it went up. She was talking with Siax, he was in his normal orginization uniform of dark robe and hood, but his robe was zipped down enough like Axel's to reveal his light blue and indigo soldiers vest, with a yellow cresent moon embroidered in it. So...this was the famed Axauq that he had heard Siax was courting, she was as lovely as he'd heard. He smiled to himself and sauntered over.
"So you got reeled into this event to huh?" he leaned on the counter of the bar she was leaning on herself with her date.
Siax closed his eyes stiffling a groan, but Axaug smiled to herself, "Unfortunately…" she said.
He grinned again, "Siax, we're at a party I'm told, introduce me to your esscort..." he said ordering a drink by waving his hand to the barman.
Siax sighed and stood, "Axel...meet, Lady Aqua, or Axauq...as she is presently dignfied." He said.
Axel smiled at the two, "A mid-Town girl...well well...I wasn't awaire your gaze was so broad brother..."
This was rude Axel knew, but he was painfully candid as a rule, everyone knew this. Aqua, or Axauq seemed to be taking it in a surprisingly good mood, very calm and...over ally unintrested, which was probobly the traits Siax saw most attractive in her.
"And yours seem to be limited to...duels?" she mused looking at the painting behind the bar.
Axel put his glass down, "Nay to that me lady...Mine are limited WINNING duels..."
Siax spoke up, "And ruining other peoples evenings...when you've nothing else to do or fight..."
Axel smiled, getting a reaction out of the old stiff, which was strictly what he was hoping to get, "I merely wished to be better aquainted with your mystery rose..." he said bowing and kissed her hand, "Evening..." he said turning to leave. Aqua's hand felt dead and limp in his as he kissed it and flopped back on the bar table just as promptly and nodded in an overly polite as he left.
She cavalierly raised her own glass of blue liquid and toasted Axel's.
Axel was now in better spirits and returned to the throngs of the crowd, mostly girls who immediatly conversed upon him, he was smiling this time and did not shut them down.
Luxord saw this interaction and laughed out loudly, the girls who he had been entertaining with magic tricks also laughed with him.
Zexion walked by, still in Nobody apparel of a robe and hood, though the hood was down. Luxord called out to him as he passed.
"Aye you!" he said, Zexion kept walking, "You owe me brother…" he said. Zexion simply spoke as he walked, "I owe you Nothing Luxord…"
Luxord stood from the sofa he had been sitting on with the maidens and beckoned his comrade
"Now here…" he said scoldingly in jest, "If ye be sorry you lost our bet then say so brother…"
Zexion stopped to turn around, "Firstly…" he said flatly, "No such bet was made…saying "I bet you Axel will catch a maid before the dance has begun does NOT mean that we had a bargain, I did not agree to said bet, only endured your rambling as I've come accustomed to till you make conversation of substance."
The ladies "Oooooooh'd at Zexions retort and Luxord brushed it off, "Pah…" he said, "Yet I see you standing without someone to court…"
Zexion rolled his eyes in the same motion of turning his head. One of the ladies patted Luxords' shoulder,
"Now Luxy…" she said, "Don't be cruel to the lad….he'll have a woman about his arm before the nights through…his hair and quite manner forbid any of the otherwise from happening…"
Suddenly a girl, who looked to be nurse by her dress and manner came up to Zexion, "Do you mind if you would court me in the dance…?"
She pleaded, "You see…I do not want the lady of the house fussing at me about nothing the whole evening, and I would not be much bother…" she said taking his arm prematurely.
Zexion sighed but did not refuse the nurse, "Stay to your promise and do not trouble me…" he said and walked with her.
Luxord just looked dumb founded as the girl that had spoken to him patted his chest again, "There you see?" she said. "I believe YOU owe ME now good sir…"
Siax strode down the hall of the ball room, overlooking the guests. Aqua had decided to leave early and did not require to be led to the door, besides his duties were needed now. He had smelled a Heartulette, at least two…there was no specific law forbading them from attending, but since it was a Victory Ball for the Nobody's over the Struggle tournament, it was bad taste for any Heartulette to his or her face.
Normally this would not have dissuaded Siax from ordering the imposters out, however being pulled aside by an agent of the Prince, especially when that agent was Sepiroth himself, stating that the Prince wished the night to be hospitable? That was a whole new matter entirely. Despite the objections of his direct master Marluxia, it was over ruled by a request from the Prince of the realm. And…as he studied these..4 Heartulettes…he was able to ascertain from the ones he had sensed, that they were not for foul intent. They had not stirred up trouble….nor had they sabotaged anything, in fact he'd seen the taller one help Vexen up, as well as politely address himself to some Nobody and mid-town maidens that had fancied him.
He had not acted roguishly, but in fact had disregarded their advances with the height of etiquette, if this continued to be the status quo, he would not disrupt it so soon before the dancing started, such a uproar would most likely give the Heartulettes that did desire disgrace on the party what they wanted.
Unfortunately he saw Zexion sniffing the air, if he had sensed them so soon, it would be no time at all before Zexion identified them, he had to keep the affair in due order, especially if hot heads likened to Xibar, Axel, or Siefer. He saw Zexion look at him with a look of "what should I do?..." Siax just shook his head. Zexion frowned then looked back at the blind folded Heartulette and continued on with the nurse that was about his arm.
Siax suddenly got that sinking feeling in his gut and looked over at Axel at the bar, he had seen Zexions tell face, and had looked in the direction of the two hooded Heartulettes, one looking like a duck, the other tall and lumbering.
Siax appeared next to Axel quickly, the black and purple fog died off of him from teleporting and put his hand on his shoulder.
Axel had already phased from his party attire to that of his Nobody robe and was about to make flames erupt on his finger tips.
"Axel…stay yourself.." Siax warned, Axel turned glaring with green burning eyes, "He is a Heartulette!..." he glared, "Him and his posse are a stench in the air of this house!" he all but roared, but thankfully kept his voice normal to the point that those who were not directly near them could not hear.
Siax clamped his hand the harder on his arm him saying, "Thus far he hath made no disruption to the party…nor does my foresight tell of any malice in his intent."
Axel attempted shaking him off with his shoulder but could not against the iron grip of Siax, the moon above was feeding him to much strength through the windows on top of the already incredible strength he had already.
"I have no stomach for this party…" Axel spat, "If no recompense can be made for the affront the Heartulettes made against or kin…I've no place here…"
Siax shrugged, "If by leaving you spare the dignity of this event…then serve your lord well knight…" he said.
Axel finally did shake Siax's grip away, although Siax was ready to release him anyway. "If I return to see his face…" Axel threatened.
"The head on which it covers will not be joined with his body any longer…" He stormed outside into the night and the crowds parted for him to do so...a few ladie sof the court followed him out, then silence.
And not a moment too soon, for Xaldin had no stepped onto the balcony above the attendants, he tapped his spear upon the marble of the balcony, and his call echoed in the ball room.
"Hear yee…" he said, in a calm but loud voice that reverberated till everyone in the room turned to glance up at him.
"The hosts and gracious masters of the nights' events…and owner of the victorious Nobody struggle team…" he started. "Lord and Lady Nobody….Marluxia and his bride Larxene…."
The two large doors opened and walking up to the balcony, and then down the stairs leading from them, were Lord and Lady Nobody. Larxene was in the black silky dress she had been in before, only now she had a black flowing cape, with a water mark of the Nobody crest on it.
Lord Nobody was in what looked like his usual Nobody hood, only it was augmented with bits of magenta, and red throughout its design in the patterns of the Nobody crest, his hood was off and his long pinkish hair was let down over his shoulders and behind his back. Flower pedals fell and disappeared from his back as he walked arm and arm with his wife.
Everyone clapped, Xaldin continued as they reached the floor.
"And…your gracious and magnanimous Majasty…." He backed away from the balcony.
"Prince….Mickey…"
First came Sephiroth, champion of the struggle tournament, then Captain Eraqus, then a legion of card soldiers, hearts and spades and clubs and diamonds. They marched down the two winding stair cases on either side of the balcony, and trumpets sounded.
The cards at the end of the row held up banners on poles of royal symbol of the realm, again it was the shape of Mickey's head.
Then the Prince himself came onto the scene, looking out over the crowd….after standing on a foot stool one of the cards' had provided of course.
"My loyal subjects…." He said in his merry and strong voice, "Thank you all for putting aside the strife that has beset our realm for a night of celebration of a most impressive victory…" he said.
"Her majesty Minnie could not join me this evening so I am leaving it to you to enjoy the dance this night…"
He gestured to the powers that be, and the lights dimmed, all but the dance floor itself, and on cue, the living instruments from the Kingdom of "Beast's Castle" began to play themselves, and the Candle, and Tea pot that had accompanied them as orchestra leaders lead them in the soft song for the dance.
Everyone bustled about, and Riku saw Sora and the others making their way to the back of the room in the shadows, where the rest of they who did not wish to dance, or had no spine enough sat.
Riku was about to make his way calmly that way himself when…as if on cue the crowds parted, apparently finding each other's partners and moving into the positions of the dance. And as the waves of people parted, Riku saw at the end of the row of empty space….nearly directly in the lime light…..was…..the most extraordinarily beautiful sight he had ever seen in his life…..