"Please welcome our newest member, Number 13."

Xerille stared at the dozen people on obscenely high thrones. Some of them, including a teenager clutching a bright blue sitar, smiled at her. Others, including a man with pink hair, stared at her. Most of them glanced at her once and then ignored her.

Fine with me, Xerille thought. Just because this is my new home doesn't mean I have to socialize. A bittersweet memory suddenly resurfaced. She could see Estella's ever-present ponytail swinging just inches away from her own face. Her friend had been riding on a tire swing in an old playground.

"Come on, Ri. You gotta talk more. Everyone at school thinks you're anti-social or something." A short laugh. "'Cept me. And that's why we're friends!"

Rielle had rolled her eyes, intent on her book. "No, we're friends because I'm the only one who puts up with you." Estella had laughed again, and a smile had crept onto Rielle's face. The two girls had giggled their way to the smoothie shop and had their usual smoothies and drinks. Everything had been perfect...

Xerille winced at the reminder of her lost life. She then quickly glanced up, hoping no one had noticed her. Luckily, they were all focused on their leader... Xemnas, was it? He gave a brief nod and disappeared. Xerille took this to assume that the meeting was over. Geez, I need to stop zoning out. I missed the entire meeting! With a sigh, she turned to get her introductions over with. She just had to socialize for a few minutes, and then it would be over. She decided to start with the person who looked the easiest to talk to.

"Um, hi. I'm Ri- Er, Xerille." Xerille managed a small, shy smile.

The person in front of her beamed brightly. "Hi Xerille! I'm Demyx! I'm number nine, cause, we have numbers, and sometimes they're really annoying because people say 'Number 9' and you're like I have a name you know, but... I'm so sorry I went off topic again!" Demyx suddenly stopped his near-rant with a grimace. "Oh, I always do that. People get really annoyed. Sorry," he added glumly.

Xerille couldn't help but smile a true smile at the sight of this person's clear happiness. "No, it's fine. I don't talk much, so this is refreshing for me."

Demyx's mood did a 180, instantly becoming cheerful again. "Really? That's great! Um... Hey! I know! I can show you around and help introduce you to the other members, if you'd like."

Xerille saw this as a perfect chance to meet other people without it being obscenely awkward. "That would be wonderful, Demyx."

"Okay! Let's start over here..." Demyx led Xerille all through the castle, introducing her to every member, excluding Saix, who she already knew, and Xemnas, the leader. There was Xigbar, who looked kind of scary but was actually pretty funny; Xaldin, who pretty much said hello and then ignored her; Lexaeus, who truly ignored her; two people, Marluxia and Larxene, who Demyx explained to spend a lot of time together; Vexen, who screamed at them to get out of his lab; Luxord, who was playing cards by himself; And Axel, who told her to get his name memorized.

"Okay, there's only one more person left!" Demyx exclaimed, not at all bothered by the prolonged tour with Xerille.

Xerille gave a genuine smile. "Great! You've been a huge help, Demyx."

Demyx grinned. "Alrighty then, he should be in the library-" Demyx was cut short by someone behind them.

"Number 9."

Demyx slowly turned around. "Yeah, Saix?"

"Don't you have a mission report to finish?" Saix did not look happy. Well, he never does, but he looked especially emotionless at this very moment.

Demyx laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head. "Er, yeah, but- Okay, okay, fine! I'm going!" Demyx sped off, calling over his shoulder, "The library's on this floor! Turn right at the end of the hall! Or, should you turn left..." With that Demyx left, presumably to finish his work. Saix wordlessly walked away, leaving Xerille in an empty hallway.

I can find this, she thought. I've spent more time in libraries than a lot of people. She rounded a few corners and finally discovered what she was looking for. Okay, so Demyx said the last member should be in here. Xerille started her search, but could not find anyone. The numerous shelves of books called to her, and she decided to take a break. She idly ran her fingers along the spines of the books, determining to just look for a short time. To her surprise, she found the very book she was planning to read before the attack on the Traverse Town library. Well, that last member could wait, right? Xerille plopped down on a couch and began reading, becoming immersed in the novel's fictional world.

A person suddenly appeared behind her. There was no shadow, no footsteps. He was just suddenly there, looking over her slouched shoulder. Xerille turned around quickly, slightly startled. She was met with the sight of a teenager wearing a black cloak just like the one she had received an hour ago. The last member, she realized silently. "Um, hi. I'm Xerille."

The boy, who had very long bangs of a very interesting color, nodded and responded, "Zexion." After a pause, he added, "This is my library."

Xerille frowned inwardly. "Yours as in no one else can use it or...?"

Zexion sat down in a chair opposite her couch. "Mine as in I was the only one who used it. Until now." He glanced at the book the new member was reading. It used to be one of his favorite books, before he denounced fiction as a waste of time, of course. This girl was the first member to show an interest in his library as a place for reading, not a place for sitar practice, poker games, and target practice.

In the long moment of silence, Xerille returned to her book. Sure, it might be considered rude, but she was at the best part! She tried to ignore the feeling of Zexion staring at her, clearly wondering why she had abandoned the conversation. Once the chapter was over, Xerille glanced up to apologize, only to find Zexion bent over her own book. I like this guy already, she thought. He doesn't mind my excessive reading. She ended up spending the rest of the evening in that position, enjoying her novel in glorious quiet.

Until, of course, it was interrupted.

"Hey Xerille? It's getting kinda late and I finally finished that report so... want me to show you the kitchen?" Demyx skidded into the library, speaking at an obscenely high volume. "Xerille? You in here?" Xerille reluctantly tore her eyes from her book and looked at the overly-excited Nobody.

With the smile that Demyx always seemed to coax out of her, Xerille nodded and said, "Certainly." As she stood up, book tucked beneath her arm, she realized that she couldn't just take the book. "Um, Zexion? May I... borrow this?"

Zexion, who before this point had been ignoring everything around him, glanced up in slight surprise. Seeing Xerille holding a novel somewhat nervously, he returned his attention to his own book and said, "Fine with me."

Demyx snickered and, none too quietly, told Xerille, "That's the most I've heard him say in a while!"

Without even bothering to look up, Zexion started, "Number 9-"

"My name is Demyx! Demyx I tell you!"

"-Please remain quiet in my library," Zexion finished, ignoring the interruption.

"You started it," Demyx muttered childishly, turning to leave the room.

Xerille giggled inwardly despite herself. Demyx and Zexion looked to be about the same age, but they were at completely different maturity levels. With the faintest hint of a smile, she followed Demyx to her first meal in the Organization.

O*O*O*O*O*O*O*O*O*O*O*O*O*O

"I hope you don't mind that it's kinda empty here. I just got really hungry, and I didn't really want to eat alone, so I went and got you." Demyx turned to see Xerille already rummaging through the enormous refrigerator in search of a meal. With a smile and the assurance that Xerille, in fact, did not mind, he started preparing his own meal.

Xerille happily pulled out an assortment of berries and washed and chopped them. When a great number of them were in a bowl, she turned again to the fridge in search of whipped cream. Please tell me they have whipped cream, please tell me they have whipped cream. She finally found the beloved condiment and sprayed a large amount of the fluffy white deliciousness on her treat. I love berries, she thought, sighing when she remembered her halfway drinken smoothie, most likely still abandoned on a library table. Shaking away her melancholy, Xerille focused on the task at hand. With one hand, she began preparing the instant noodles she found in the pantry. With the other, she began scooping a spoon into her sugary bowl of berries, relishing the familiar taste.

Demyx, as he took his bowl of ice cream to a counter, noticed Xerille's choice of food. "So, you like berries?"

Xerille nodded, stirring her noodles. "Yes," she said shortly, focusing on her food.

Demyx raised his eyebrows. "You really don't talk much, do you?"

The girl settled down on a barstool next to Demyx, munching on her berries as she idly picked at her noodles. "You really don't get social skills, do you?" she retorted.

Demyx stared for a moment, blinked, then smiled. "Fine, fine. Just wondering."

Xerille gave a faint smile and ate in silence, patiently listening to Demyx talk about his favorite types of ice cream. When she was finished, she scooted her stool back and put her bowls away. "Goodbye, Demyx. I think I'm going to go read now."

Demyx waved her off. "Okay, have fun and all. See ya around!"

Xerille silently slipped up to her designated room. She neatly plopped into a sitting position on the bed and opened her book, soon losing herself in the vivid imagery. She had always loved reading because it gave her an escape from her real life... And she knew that she really needed an escape right now. She read long into the night, stopping only when the book was finished. She had heard voices and noises pass by her room, and noted that most of the noise had faded. It's late, she thought. Everyone else is most likely asleep.

With a yawn, she crept under the covers. The sheets crinkled under her weight, indicating to her that they were brand new. They were not quite comfortable, but not quite uncomfortable. Or is that just because I can't feel...

Her melancholy thoughts eventually led her to peaceful, dreamless slumber.