Hearts in Chains
Chapter Four: Namine's Heart
The sun had just begun to dip below the horizon, painting the sky beautiful hues of scarlet, coral, and amber that mixed together to create a breath-taking view of the sky while puffy eggshell-white clouds dotted the sky. With every moment that passed the warmth the sun had once given off began to fade away as the cool summer breeze blew gently through the streets and kicked up dust that spun in a circular motion upon the brick walkway.
Along with this, on the opposite horizon line that moon had begun to rise and reclaim its temporary throne in the sky and following it was darkness that would soon wash away the colors in the sky. But until then, the fading remnants of sunlight would elegantly outline the several story tall buildings that seemed to have no be countless. It was the first time I had ever seen it.
In the Coliseum, we were under a large dome; thus cutting us off from all of nature. This was the first time I had seen the sun in quite literally years. And God I couldn't have asked for a better view than the setting sun that caused the sky to turn into such amazing shades of color. It was surreal…Then there were the people.
Though the night was fast approaching, that did not prevent residents from coming out and occupying the street that I walked on. Almost all of them wore smiles that were adorned with florescent white teeth. No matter how hard I searched, I could not find one man or woman who looked to be poor in anyway. Everyone wore the finest clothing they could, female wearing so many jewels it was dangerous to look at them due to the blindness it would cause. Meanwhile men had the slickest hairstyles and sharpest suits, their skin tanned and unblemished.
Hah, then there was me.
I was in a plain white T-shirt and baggy cargo shorts that didn't have anything wrong with it I admit, but compared to men in suits I couldn't try to look any more like a slave if I tried. Oh wait, yes I could.
While their hair was slicked back or to the side, or their bangs were stylishly trimmed to hang and frame their face mine simply spiked straight up into the air and looked to be poorly taken care of. Which it was, the Coliseum wasn't very fond of giving us shampoo or other essentials to grooming ourselves.
Despite all this, I still didn't care all that much. So what if they looked down at me? People did in the Coliseum as well; hell they even did back in Twilight Town when I was actually free. This was not a new experience to me and so I didn't care. All I was focused on was the girl ahead of me.
Despite the other women around, none of them carried themselves as well as she did. She walked with such confidence and poise, and only wearing a white sundress. She didn't need the jewels and she didn't need to complex designs. This betrayed the way she spoke to me earlier, which was very uncertain and tense.
I spared a glance down to my neck and although I couldn't see it I could feel it. My new collar. The only thing that kept me from freedom. Designed to send anywhere from 10 Volts of electricity to 1,000 into me.
The capability of that was held in Namine's hand. A small gray metal box with a crimson button in the center that could be used to, you guessed it, electrify me to a crisp. Beside the button was a dial that could be used to decide just how hard I would be turned into toast.
And finally, the icing on the cake was another dial above it. It went from three feet to 3,000 feet. Whatever number she set it too was the maximum amount of feet I could be away from her, or more specifically the box. If I were to exit that zone then I would be shocked according to whatever the voltage was set on.
After sparing a few glances to closer examine it, I noticed a few key things. One, the voltage was set on the lowest setting of ten. Meanwhile, the distance was set on the maximum of 3,000 feet.
Namine managed to make me more and more curious with each passing minute…
"Have you ever been in District XIII (13)?" She spoke suddenly, shattering the silence between us as her head craned back to meet my eyes and she waited a bit so that I was then walking beside her. There was something about her voice that disarmed me and all my hostility…I wanted to make a sarcastic comment but the pureness in which she spoke and how genuinely curious her tone knocked the idea away.
"No, never. I haven't even seen the sun in God knows how long…" I stated as my eyes looked from hers to the sun that was just now setting entirely behind the horizon. "Oh, my apologies. I would have figured you may have seen it when you were first…brought here." She seemed to be very hesitant to bring up any subject that had to do with me being a slave.
I looked to her and spared a small grin. "You don't have to mince words with me. I am well aware that I am a prisoner of war. It's not something that offends me. But to answer your question, no I was blindfolded on the way here. I honestly have no idea where on the map we are or how this country even works."
My words seemed to momentarily restore the silence between us.
It was silence that she broke again.
"Would you like me to explain a bit about it?" I curtly nodded, it beat the silence after all.
"Well, recently the name of our country has been decided as Cordis. Before that it was merely a nameless nation that absorbed its neighbors, as I am sure you are aware." I nodded my head; it was nice to be able to put a name to the place I hated dearly.
"It is run by an Organization of 13 people who each own a separate district. We are in District XIII, which stands for 13. The leader of this district is a woman named Xion who is the youngest person in the Organization. Each district varies in how they run things all the way to their architecture. There is occasionally infighting and arguments, although it has never lead to bloodshed just trade embargos and passing certain laws to irritate the other district. Usually the leader of the Organization, a man called Xemnas, has to step in and put an end to it. That doesn't always stop some districts though…Some districts send their best fighters to go and compete against rival districts. Lucky for you that district XIII gets along with practically everyone and there is no need for it. It is sort of like we are just separate city-states…But you wouldn't think that way when war is declared. When all thirteen districts unite with one single goal in mind then it is a terrifying thing. Or at least I assume, I have never seen it personally."
Before she could continue, I inadvertently cut her off. I had seen it personally seen it, I had lived it and in my opinion I was still living it. "I have. It's is a terrifying thing." I realized that I was speaking and cut myself off from speaking more, speaking of the cruel atrocities committed. Namine seemed like an alright person, but it was clear where her allegiance was. And that was with the Organization. At least I assumed.
She visibly flinched from what I said, as if she had forgotten that I was from one of those countries they absorbed. I pondered how she could be so comfortable around someone so quickly. "I'm sorry…"
"Don't be," I retorted, shaking my head dismissively. "I told you that you don't have to mince words with me. I meant it. What happened was…terrifying but I have had time to grow and accept things." And to build a desire for revenge so great I felt I could rip this collar right on off.
I wish.
Namine smiled at me as I followed her turning a corner. "I'm glad…We are almost at my estate, there we can discuss matters further and I can help you get settled into your new surroundings."
I blinked a few times, perking my brow in curiosity. "What other matters?"
"Your duties, so to speak." Oh, yeah. Was beginning to forget I was a personal servant there for a second. It was all because of the way she spoke, she talked as if we were equals, as if I were not below her. Hah, maybe I was getting lucky…Sora seemed like he had been taken by a total nut, who despite looking as old as us had more munny than I had ever seen.
Thinking on this, I realized something. "Hey, Namine." I spoke out. "What is it, Roxas?" "Um, sorry if this isn't something a slave shouldn't ask but, how exactly did you have that much munny to pay for me? I don't know much about this society, but you look to be about as old as I am and well…Where I came from to even earn a fraction of that you had to do back-breaking labor." And before I knew it, I was suddenly off on a tangent, explaining several of the ins and outs of Twilight Town.
She didn't stop me.
It took a while but I caught onto my rambling as I stopped abruptly and looked over to see her watching me intently and listening with rapt as we kept walking. I immediately shifted my gaze straight ahead and rubbed the back of my head sheepishly. "Ah, my bad. I started rambling didn't I?"
"You're fine!" She said, giggling a bit afterwards. "I have never left District XIII so it is nice to hear about a different place. But to answer your initial question, the munny isn't mine I suppose. I never went through any trouble to acquire it…" She stated almost as if she were sad that she didn't have too.
"Don't apologize! As long as you didn't steal it and don't use it for wrong doing- which I doubt you are capable of- then I don't think there is anything wrong with where you get your munny from." And there I went again, talking as if I knew this girl for years and like we were equals. Why was this happening…? We were both growing so comfortable around each other and yet we had known each other for a maximum of a few hours. My callous shell was beginning to peel away, the faced I had crafted so hard in the Coliseum to not show any weakness. And with just a few words and a few smiles, she wiped that all away. I don't get it…I continued on about the ludicrous ways my friends used to spend or obtain their munny.
Again, she didn't stop me.
The words I said seemed to have actually affected Namine as she flashed a warm smile and continued to speak once I was done. "You certainly had some interesting friends." Hah, yeah…Yeah I did. She continued. "Thank you, I am glad you think that way. Not everyone here does…The munny is from my parent's inheritance. They are…not with me anymore."
I frowned at the comment and for a moment, I want to reach over and pat her shoulder but I knew better. My words would have to be comfort enough. "I am sorry to hear that…I am also sorry I asked."
Namine waved it off, a smile coming on her face although I could see that it was empty. "No, it's okay." She stopped along where we were walking and stared past me. "We're here." She stated cheerfully as I turned and felt a wave of awe wash over me.
The gates that stood in front of me where as white as ivory and the estate that lay behind it was simply breath-taking. It stood two stories tall, and was nearly as wide as Blitzball field. The one thing it lacked was diversification in color since it was completely white. It looked rather bland…
However the area around was anything but bland. The multi-colored brick pathway that led to the large abode of Namine was full of a wide array of plant life on its sides. Flowers of all sizes and many colors blew from the gentle evening breeze, and a vineyard with lush green vines weaving through the slots arched over the pathway and cast a pattered shadow of darkness over us with small blotches of sunlight shining through.
As we drew closer to the estate, the straightforward pathway split left and right to go around a fountain made of what I could only assume was marble. Then around the pathways that had split were large trees that contained varying types of fruit from oranges to apples to paopu fruit, whose appendages spread shadows along the pathway. It was like an oasis…
"What exactly did your parents do?" I joked as he finally drew close to the estate.
"That is a secret." Namine said in a singsong type of way as she waltzed on ahead. I suppose that was her gentle way of telling me to not pry, and I was not about to. "Is how you are also able to sustain this place also a secret?"
"You recall the woman I said running this district, right?"
"Xion?"
"M'hm. She was a close friend of my parents, and when they passed she immediately paid of the mortgage on this place and exempted me of all bills for here until I turn 21."
I gave a simple nod, my mind now rapt on the architecture of the abode. What it lacked in diversity of color it made up for in its enchanting architecture. In the porch area had a Corinthian-esque style, multiple swirling pillars supported the roof overhead of it. The rest of the house looked rather Romanesque with a multitude of rounded arches, thick walls and large pillars, and if the roof was any indicator then it had a curved ceiling.
It was certainly not a traditional estate like the ones of her neighbors.
We stepped into what I could only assume was the foyer. The inside was colored exactly like the outside, a stark white. The carpet looked like freshly fallen snow, and each piece of furniture that could be sat on was a matching white, while the table in front of said pieces of furniture was made of glass except for its legs, which were made of silver. The only two real variations in the room was a few lush green plants scattered throughout upon windowsills and other glass tables and several framed drawing and painting upon the walls.
The art quality varied from piece to piece, some looked as if it were drawn by a normal teenager and some looked as if it were drawn by an experienced art veteran. There was no signature on any of them so I had no idea where they came from, although I assumed she had drawn some of the regular art.
I didn't exactly have a lot of time to examine everything or the rest of the floor since I was led to the up a flight of stairs. As soon as we topped the stairs, we were in one long corridor that yet again was painted white but had a few paintings hung upon the walls.
I yet again didn't have time to check anything out since she led me into the first room on the left. She twisted the silver handle and the door practically glided open to reveal a room that looked barren except for two chairs and a table set up in the center. I don't need to say the color again do I?
I took my seat across from Namine and leaned forward, resting my elbows upon the table and my hands being used to prop up my chin as I locked stares with her.
"Soooo…." I started lamely. "I want to describe you what exactly you'll be…doing for me." "And what would that be?" There was a prolonged silence between us as Namine avoided my eyes.
"You will be my friend."
…
Was I being messed with? Was this a joke or…?
Nobody spends 45,000 munny just to have a friend. That just…it was dumb. Who would buy someone from the Coliseum to be their companion? Not many people. But of course, not many people I know would paint their house as white as an egg.
On the other hand, I don't exactly have some huge social circle so my point is moot. Anyways, I said the only thing that came to mind.
"What?"
Clever right?
Namine couldn't help but let out a giggle apparently. "I want you to be my friend."
Great elaboration. That clears everything up.
"Um…alright. What does that consist of exactly…?" Were we going to watch chick-flics and gossip about boys? I wasn't following her here. Hell, my question even stumped Namine a bit, as she stuck out her lower lip and furrowed her brows, thinking to herself.
"Well…Somebody I can talk to I suppose…Someone I can- You know what a friend is! Why am I explaining?" She huffed out and folded her arms over her chest and looked away from me. That was apparently her pathetic/adorable attempt at being upset with me.
I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair and shut my eyes. "Okay, well I am a bit confused here. I am your slave, so how exactly am I supposed to be your friend…? Like-" "I want someone who will keep me company. Someone who will paint with me and draw with me, someone who I can go on walks with, someone I can discuss my problems with and who will do with me vice versa, someone who can make me laugh, someone I-"
I put a hand up to stop her there, my other hand around my gut as chuckles escaped my lips. "What?" She asked, the pout returning as she now glared at me. Despite the fact she was capable of electrifying me I just laughed more and more as I wiped a tear away.
"I'm sorry- I really am!" She didn't look convinced. "But, why? Why me? Why would you spend so much munny on a person you don't even know to make them your friend. A prisoner at that. I could be totally crazy." I mean, I wasn't but I could have been. No offense to her parents but didn't they ever teach her not to purchase strangers from a Coliseum?
Mine didn't either but you get my point.
"Surely there are other people of your social status that would be a better friend than me. Why are you scrapping the bottom of the barrel here? Come on, you went to the Coliseum to buy a friend?"
Soon enough my laughing ebbed and I locked eyes with Namine, who was still pouting while glaring daggers at me. "Are you done?"
"Maybe."
My response drew a giggle that broke the pout as she leaned forward. "It isn't as easy as you make it sound." "Oh? And why is that?" I quipped. How hard was it to make a friend? Unless you were a total ass.
"Most men here are pigs…They only have two things on their mind. Sex and money. Trying to find a person who is down to Earth and my age isn't easy. Most women around here are more focused on trivial things like gossip and money. I guess I am just the odd one out…"
Her logic there made sense, she clearly wasn't traditional. "I see your point, however how do you know that I am not some bloodthirsty gladiator who will try to kill you with a rusty butter knife for escape?" Namine blinked a few times, probably trying to register the image. Then she broke out into a fit of giggles.
Was I not intimidating? Come on, I could probably shank somebody with my hair.
Finally, she calmed herself down and spoke. "Heh, I am sorry but you just don't seem the type. I could tell just from the way you talk and how you act. You don't seem to be the type for senseless murder."
I felt my heart skip a beat as I fell silent while images of Seifer flashed through my head and I could literally feel my heart ache. That was senseless murder…I didn't have to kill him! I could have…I could have…
I had been trying vainly to suppress the images as I bit my lower lip and looked away, not speaking a word. I wasn't very discreet. "I could tell from in the arena…You have humanity. That is why I chose you…You actually have a soul. You treasured the life of your friend and did what was best…That is why I want you to be my friend. Because you are pure in a city of sin…I know that may sound like a lie from your time in the Coliseum but…But I know that I want you to be my friend. Is it radical to spend 45,000 munny for a friend? Maybe, but not if they can be a great one. I can't explain it entirely but something inside my heart is telling me…telling me you are a good person. That you aren't like everyone else. That you wouldn't betray me…So Roxas, am I right?"
I could fell the wetness coming from my eyes as tears streamed down. I couldn't respond. I couldn't in my right mind tell her yes. I planned for escape. I planned to betray her and run the second the chance presented itself.
Gah, how did the mood change so quickly…
I was NOT a good person dammit! I killed my friend! I don't know what I could have done differently but that wasn't my only option! Now because of it, Seifer was dead…And I left Fuu and Olette alone. I couldn't even respect my friends dying wish…Tch, how could I be considered as a good person by any means? How could I be considered pure?
I was tainted.
Warmth, I felt it upon my cheek and a finger wiped away my tears and then I felt another arm around my body. "I won't tell you not to blame yourself over the death of your friend…But Roxas; I know you're a good person. You gave him the chance and left it up for destiny to decide. Your only other option was to not fight and then your other two friends would die…Please listen to me, Roxas."
She was right…Letting Olette and Fuu die wasn't possible, and it was only Seifer and I…Still, that didn't mean making the choice and living with it was any less easy.
She lifted my face from my palms and I came face to face with her sapphire eyes the bore into mine as her forehead rested against mine. "I trust you. I trust in everything I said and I trust you to meet my expectations. And if I am not then I willing to pay the price."
"I planned to escape." I blurted out suddenly. I couldn't keep it in. No, she thought of me as far too pure for her own good. I was not some beacon of morality. No matter how much time had passed or what words were said, my fire for revenge would never extinguish. Maybe it was true that the only reasonable option was the death of Seifer or I but her trust in me was misplaced…She had been honest with me so far. I owed her that much to return the favor.
Her calm expression didn't waver, hell she barely seemed phased. "I know, that is the thought of every slave. There is no slave who doesn't desire freedom, so expecting you not to would be kind of foolish…However, the fact you so openly admitted that only means my gut feeling was right on the munny. However, I trust that you won't…Because I have something to give you if you promise to stay…" There was nothing she could say that would make me promise that. I wasn't going to agree to some crazy conditions. The drive for me to escape would never be- "I will buy each of your friends from captivity if you stay."
…
I locked my eyes with hers once more and searched for even the faintest trace of dishonesty as I felt the tears subside…
"Why?"
"Because, I want you to stay here with me. I want you to be my friend. Trying to find a good person in this World isn't easy. I don't want to lose you…" Her hands clutched the fabric of my shirt, as it was now her turn to cry.
I didn't know what to think. This was honestly too much…But the one thing that did come to mind was the promise Seifer wanted me to uphold.
"Pick up my slack…Protect Fuu, Rai, and Vivi. Pick off where I left off…Roxas…"
I didn't know this girl at all really. I was ignorant to this outside world in general. But, if staying here meant that I could fulfill my promise…
"I promise. I won't leave. I will be your friend." I whispered as I returned the embrace.
Could I really keep this promise…?
Once we had both managed to regain our composure, we straightened up and it wasn't long before we were laughing at our tears and cheering one another up. Namine looked much happier than I had seen her. Granted I hadn't known her for long, but still it was nice to see such a radiant smile.
We exited the room and she showed me where mine was, incidentally it was right next to hers. Then, I was being led downstairs to meet the other occupants of the house. And by occupants I mean slaves. She just disliked referring to them as that, despite the fact it was true.
We went back down to the first floor and cut through the kitchen to the far left side of the house where she peeled open a door. Inside was a spacious room that contained three beds and an abundance of space around them to be used for whatever reason. Only one of the beds was currently occupied.
The male who laid upon the bed turned his bright turquoise optics to face us as a warm smile spread upon his lips. He appeared to be completely bald though I couldn't make out the shape of his head as he sat up-
Oh.
Of course, she had a slave with fucking white hair that coincidentally blended in with the pillow and sheets. Why am I not surprised.
"I am starting to think you have an unhealthy affinity with the color white." I stated as I now noticed the flowing white tresses of the male that dipped past his shoulder. Namine rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I do not. It is just a coincidence." "And I'm from under the sea." "That explains why your hair is naturally styled upwards." "That joke is lamer than your diversity of colors."
"Ahem."
We both looked back to the male who I was supposed to originally be introduced too. "You two done flirting so we can exchange introductions?"
Oh aren't you funny.
Namine rolled her eyes and ignored the comment. "Riku this is Roxas, Roxas this is Riku."
"Hey."
"…Hi."
"Neither of you are very social are you?" Namine chimed in after about a minute of awkward silence and direct eye contact.
"Nope." Came our response in unison, though I broke away with an additional comment. "But I was locked in the Coliseum for years, so forgive me for not being a social butterfly." "You're forgiven." I narrowed my eyes at the shorter blond who giggled as she look away.
I could then hear Riku join in. "Sorry, she is a sarcastic brat at times."
"Hey!" I watched her cheeks puff out, much like a small child who was being embarrassed in front of their friends.
"It's true." Riku jeered as I smirk dominated his face. I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle as I examined him further and changed the topic of conversation. "Sorry man, but I can barely see your hair. It blends in with everything in this house." "Right? Days I have gone to the bathroom and thought I was completely bald. Nearly had a heart attack."
"God forbid you lose your precious hair." Namine interjected, leaning against the door frame.
"You're just jealous my hair looks better than yours."
"You wish."
"I don't have too." Riku replied and on cue, flourished his hair, though it was a bit hard to see distinguish from the white wall in the background.
"Yeah, well I can impale you both with my hair so I am the really winner." Riku rolled his eyes and shook his head at me.
Is whitey-locks trying to get uppity with me?
"Trust me man, one of the other occupants here has you beat by a long shot. He could make a shish kabob on his damn hair." "Why do I doubt that?" I replied sarcastically. Psh, who was he kidding? My hair was the spikiest thing known to mankind. The only one who could even possible beat me was Sora.
"Then turn around."
What was he talking abou- HOLY SHISH KABOB ON A CROSS. Is it even legal to have hair that pointy!? I could hear both Namine and Riku giggling from my expression at the tall figure that loomed over me. It wasn't just his hair that made him tall either, he was just one tall dude. The hair just added onto it.
On top of the height, he was more than muscular. This was showed off by his attire, a high collar sleeveless black shirt, black pants and boots, and black cloth covering his left leg and arm. On top of his pointy flaxen locks, he sure knew how to stand out. But in a house mainly all-white that wasn't much of a feat.
"Roxas, meet Cloud. He is one of my bodyguards, intimidating isn't he?"
No kidding man.
He stared down at me, perking a brow curiously. I just now managed to notice his eyes were a blue unlike the rest, containing an ominous glow… "Can I get into the room?" He asked as I noticed I was occupying the doorway. I was lucky he didn't just walk over me, because he most certainly I could. I took a few quick steps back.
Cloud didn't move for a moment before looking me up and down. "Nice hair." He commented before sauntering past me and moving towards his bed.
"Did I just hear the legendary Cloud give a compliment?" Riku quipped. "Nice to have a new person around with a sense of style, unlike you. If it weren't for the fact you aren't totally pale I'd think you were a part of the furniture." Cloud fired back. "I thought he was bald when I first saw him." I tacked on. "I don't even notice he is in the room sometimes." Namine finished the combo, much to the dismay of Riku.
"Whoa now, three-on-one? I know I am awesome and all but let us try and even it out a bit. Where is Sephiroth?"
Cloud scoffed and lay down upon his bed, and clasped both of his hands behind his head. "What do I look like, his keeper?"
"Yes."
"He is probably off blending into the environment, like you."
"Is that all you got on me? Taunting my hair color? I thought you were better than this Cloud."
"I could make fun of that muffin top you're starting to get-"
"I am not! You are delusional! You've been drinking too much elixir."
"And you've been drinking too much denial juice."
Namine and I watched as the two bantered back and forth between one another, laughing at the haughty remarks Riku made followed by the nonchalant responses given by Cloud. I didn't even notice the last piece of the puzzle come into the room.
"There you are Sephiroth! Tell Cloud I am not packing on any weight! He is going senile, we'll have to send him to a home soon." I followed Riku's line of sight and turned to see Sephiroth who had apparently crept in silently and was staring at me intently…It was a bit unnerving.
The male was taller than Cloud surprisingly and equally as well built. His entire attire was black while his hair was similar to Riku's but more grown out. The bangs were parted to either side of his face and his tresses extended all the way down past his shoulders.
"Namine, who is this?" Sephiroth asked, eyeing me up and down with his cat-like emerald eyes, as if he were scrutinizing me.
"His name is Roxas, Roxas this is Sephiroth."
The silence that followed was uncomfortable. Very, uncomfortable. He was examining me from top to bottom, carefully analyzing every feature of me, soon coming back up to my eyes. His eyes had an air of authority and eeriness to them that sent chills down my spine.
"You look like Cloud…"
I blinked a few times before looking down at myself. How did I…? What? Cloud easily had a few inches on me, not including the hair. While ours was styled a bit similar, his was spikier and a brighter shade of blond than mine. While I was muscular in my own right, Cloud still surpassed me in that area, which was to be expected since he seemed several years older than I did.
Sephiroth sensed my confusion and pointed right between my eyes, the tip of his index finger resting on the bridge of my nose.
Get your damn finger off my nose, didn't your mother teach you it was rude to point.
"Your eyes, they are like his…" I let out a small huff and took a step back from the scrutinizing finger. "Then by that logic I also look like Namine and Riku."
Sephiroth walked on past me as a smirk dawned on his expression. "Not Riku, his eyes are turquoise. And while you and Namine share the same color…It's hard to explain. Forget I said anything." He suddenly cut himself off abruptly and moved to sat upon his bed as silence came over the room. I could see Cloud's eyes following him, his expression blank. Namine and Riku exchanged glances before Riku merely shrugged. He seemed about as in the loop as the rest of us.
Everyone seemed so calm…This wasn't what I expected slavery to be like at all and I am sure it wasn't how it actually was. But here, everyone spoke so freely and without fear. It was very laid back and I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. I felt comfortable, unlike in the Coliseum where it was just Sora and I discussing the events of the day.
"So Namine," Cloud began, cutting off my train of thought "Did you buy Roxas to try and bring diversification. Getting annoying being able to see only one of your slaves?" It was obviously a joke but his face remained placid and his eyes fixated on the ceiling.
"You act as if you are so much better; your hair is only a few shades away from being white. Maybe you should get some dye and conform already." Sephiroth quipped back in Namine's place, who only giggled at the banter that was beginning but interjected.
"No, I bought him for other reasons." "Oh?" Cloud's eyes drifted from the ceiling to Namine and he perked his brow. "Do tell."
Riku scoffed as he fell back upon his bed. "She probably wanted a boyfriend." A few seconds later I witnessed the wonderful sight of Namine's fist going straight into Riku's crotch. "I do not!" "Ow! God damn Namine! I'd like to have kids some day! It was only a joke!"
"It was a tasteless joke." Sephiroth interjected as he shook his head. "Agreed." Added in Cloud. Riku let out a groan of pain and defeat. The question Cloud asked drifted away as we all soon began to talk back and forth.
For once in a very long time, I felt happy. I felt free.