Chapter 22 The First Boy
The too thin walls of the crummy apartment mean that the sounds of the couple arguing next door is loud enough to wake Braig from his deep sleep. Rolling out of bed, he stands stretching his arms high above his head. It had been one crazy night. Letting his arms fall back to his sides, he begins to search around the bed for his boxers. Finding them, he slips them on while glancing back at the bed he had just vacated. Meleka is still fast asleep twisted up in a blanket.
Walking across the room, Braig reaches the window and pulls up the curtain just enough to peek out. Meleka's apartment is on the fifth story of her building and provides a mostly unobstructed view over the city of Whin. From his vantage point, Braig can see the old, dark castle in the middle of the city which looms forebodingly over all the other buildings. That is where he is going next.
Braig moves quickly but silently as he gathers the rest of his clothes strewn across the room. As he dresses, he thinks back to the night before, making sure he remembered every detail perfectly.
Just as dusk fell, Braig slipped into the dark alley and waited in the shadows for the girl to come out. He didn't wait long as, like every other night he had sat in this alley and surveyed the service entrance of the castle, the girl left at precisely 7 o'clock. She passed by him in her light blue maid outfit without even noticing him there.
She continued down the street and he left his hiding place to follow her. The streets were mostly deserted at this hour, roamed only by muggers and their unfortunate victims. Following her without her noticing him proved to be difficult, but he did it. From a block away, he watched her enter a bar with a shaggy dog painted above the entrance.
When he also went inside, he was greeted by the smell of warm bodies and beer. The place was packed with a boisterous mob of people all drunk off their asses. Fighting his way across the room, Braig once again laid eyes on his prize. She was sitting at a corner table with a beer bottle in her hand. Sitting across from her was a drunk practically drooling over her. Annoyed by the disruption in his plan, Braig moved within earshot trying to figure out a way to get her alone.
"Baby you look so pretty in the moonlight," the man said slurring his words.
"We're inside Finch," the girl said cooly.
"C'mon baby let's head back to my place," Finch said grabbing her hand in his two sweaty ones.
"Not tonight," the girl said disgusted as she pulls back her hand.
"But baby," Finch said reaching under the table and touching her thigh. She jumped and tried to slap his hand away, but he didn't stop.
"No Finch. Get your hands off me," she said with a trace of fear in her voice.
"Shh babe, let's not talk tonight," Finch said. "Let's head back to my place and- Hey!"
Braig had decided to step in and had grabbed Finch by the scruff of his neck pulling him out of his seat. "The lady said no," he said coldly. "If I were you I'd run home with the tail between your legs before someone beats you up."
Braig released Finch who ran off right away with a frightened expression. "Hmph," Braig said turning back to the girl at the table who was looking at him in shock. "I don't think we were properly introduced. I'm Braig."
"Meleka," she said slowly. "I guess I should say thank you for getting rid of Finch. He only gets like that when he's drunk."
"No thanks needed," Braig said. "That guy had no right treating such a lovely lady as yourself in such an offensive way."
Now dressed, Braig slips out the door of the apartment without waking Meleka. He smiles to himself as he walks down the five flights of stairs to ground level. It had been so easy to seduce her. It had only taken him an hour to convince her to take him home with her.
"So tell me a bit about yourself," Braig said to her as they walked arm and arm away from the bar. "From that uniform I take it you work for the royal family."
"Yeah, I've beena maid there for five years now," she replied. "Five years of cleaning up after that ungrateful little freak."
"The prince?" Braig asked trying to sound only slightly curious, but his eyes gleamed with triumph. "Is he really that bad?"
"The stories I could tell you would make your hand stand on end," she said. "This town's got a lot of freaks and perverts in it, but Prince Keric takes the cake."
"I find that hard to believe," Braig said egging her on.
"You don't believe me? Ha. Let me just tell you a story then." Braig had gotten her riled up, and he just sia back and listened as she went off on exactly how horrible a person Keric is. She had many stories about him and his treatment of the younger servants, but it was her last story that he listened attentively too.
"Do you remember that massacre at the festival for Keric's birthday last year? Maybe you don't. Well, this young boy was arrested for it. But he was never executed. That was Keric's doing. He convinced his father that the boy, I forget his name, should be spared so Keric could have a friend close to his age. A play thing was more like it. That poor boy took the brunt of Keric's mood swings. One day I'd listen to Keric beat him to a pulp and the next I'd find them making out on the couch. Keric kept him around for months. And things just got worse and worse for the boy as Keric found new ways to humiliate him. I remember in the last weeks he was at the castle, the boy wasn't allowed to wear a shirt and he had to put up with Keric groping him all the time. Keric was getting crueler and I kept waiting for the day that I'd have to clean sheets covered in blood and semen from the night before. I'm sure it would have happened eventually. If you ever met Keric you would know he was completely capable. But somehow that boy got out and he ran away before Keric could go that far. Keric has tried the same thing with other boys, but it isn't long before he tosses them aside. He is obsessed with that first boy. I think he would stop at nothing to get him back if he only knew where to look."
Meleka stopped in front of an old apartment building and turned to smile at Braig who was still trying to wrap his head around what she had told him. He started slightly when she put her arms around him and pulled him into a rough kiss.
"Now let's forget all about that," Meleka said pulling him inside and up the stairs. "We have our own mess to make."
Braig let her lead him up to her apartment with a grin. He had done his job and gotten the information he needed, now it was time for his bonus.
Braig stops short in front of the gate to the castle. The information he had gotten from Meleka had been even better than he had expected. He is almost done with his mission in Carinol, but there is one last thing to do. He has to see the Keric boy with his own eyes. If everything he had heard is true, Keric would be a perfect pawn with which Xehanort could awaken the darkness in Ventus.
…
Sora and Riku walk bleary eyed into the kitchen around eight still rubbing the sleep out of their eyes. Master Eraqus is the only one up and catches sight of them over his cup of tea. "Good morning boys," he says with a smile. "Did you sleep well?"
Both of them nod and Riku looks around. "I'm hungry. What's for breakfast?"
"Whatever you want," Master Eraqus says with a smile.
"Really?" Riku says a little surprised.
Sora however doesn't question Master Eraqus and says with a big smile, "I want waffles!"
"Alright waffles it is," Master Eraqus says getting up beginning to gather the necessary ingredients. As he gets the waffle maker down, Aqua walks into the kitchen her short hair stuck up at odd angles from sleeping.
"Waffles?" She says hopefully seeing Master Eraqus plugging in the waffle maker. He nods and with a smile she joins Sora and Riku at the table. "Did you two enjoy sleeping in the fort last night?" She asks them and they both nod earnestly.
"But Ven kicks when he sleeps," Sora tells her.
"Did you kick him back?" Terra asks as he enters the kitchen and joins them at the table.
"Yeah, but he didn't wake up," Riku replies.
"He's still asleep?" Aqua asks and Sora nods. "Well, why don't I go get him."
"Sorry Aqua you can't do that," Terra says standing. She looks at him confused and he continues. "That fort has a strict no girls policy. I'll go get him."
Terra runs out before she can yell at him and chuckles to himself as he makes his way to the fort entrance. "Hey Ven, up and at 'em," Terra calls loudly. A groan is the only response he gets. Sighing, Terra lifts open the sheets only to be met with a pillow thrown in his face.
"Go away," Ven moans into the pillows he is currently burying his face in. "Trying to sleep."
"Get up."
"No."
"Alright you asked for it," Terra says with a shrug. He bends down, grabs Ven's ankles, and tugs hard.
"No!" Ven moans as he finds himself dragged out of the fort. He kicks his feet forcing Terra to let go.
"Ow! Sora was right, you are a kicker," Terra mutters rubbing his arm.
"Damn right I'm going to kick you," Ven says now more awake. Still lying on the ground, Ven kicks up at Terra aiming for his crotch.
Terra jumps back. "Why you little-"
"No fighting before breakfast!" Master Eraqus' voice calls from the door of the kitchen. They look over to see him waving a batter covered spatula at them. "Now get in here or neither of you are getting waffles." Terra and Ven exchange a glance before Ven scrambles to his feet and they hurry into the kitchen to join the others for breakfast.
…
"Where are we going?" Sora asks curiously as he hops down the front steps of the castle behind the others.
"Traverse Town," Terra answers. "It's a different world."
"It better not be lame," Riku says crossing his arms.
"It'll be fun," Aqua says ruffling Riku's hair. He pouts and moves away from her putting his hair back in it's proper place. "There is lots of nice people there to meet."
"Sora, do you want to ride on my glider again?" Ven asks and Sora immediately jumps up and down.
"Yeah! It was fun!"
"No," Master Eraqus says firmly ruining the fun. "There is a safer way to go."
"Aww," Ven and Sora say together making identical pouts.
"If we aren't going to use our gliders how are we going to get there?" Aqua asks confused.
"Using a light corridor," Master Eraqus explains. "It is a new piece of magic that I will teach you later, but I will demonstrate it today." Master Eraqus steps away from them, and holds his hand out straight in front of him. It starts as a pinprick of light, but soon the small light in front of him swirls out until it becomes a huge white portal. Master Eraqus lets his hand fall and takes a step back. "Riku, Sora," he says and they move to his side each taking his hands which he held out to them. "Let's go." Master Eraqus leads his apprentices into the light and all turns white for a moment.
When the light fades, the group stands blinking for a moment as they take in their new surroundings. Terra and Aqua recognize the place immediately. "This is the second district," Aqua says to Master Eraqus who nods as he looks around.
"Where is Merlin's house?" He asks her.
"Er, actually I don't know," Aqua admits looking around. "Oh, but look. There's Aerith. She will know."
Aqua had spotted the woman in pink sitting on the edge of the wishing fountain like the last time they had been here. She looks up and smiles as she sees Terra and Aqua lead the others over to her. "Hello again," Aerith says softly. "It is good to see you Aqua, Terra. You brought more visitors with you."
"Yes this is our teacher, Master Eraqus, and Sora, Riku, and Ven," Terra says pointing out who is who.
"It is a pleasure to meet all of you," Aerith says smiling at the group. "What are you searching for today?"
"We are hoping to speak with Merlin," Master Eraqus says. "Do you know which house is his?"
"Of course," Aerith says. "He lives in the Third District, but you won't find him there. He is at the 7th Heaven with the others working on a new defense system for the town."
"Alright, we'll head over there and find him and say hey to the others," Terra says. "Thanks Aerith."
"I'll join you," Aerith says. "Tifa was watching over Marlene this morning so I could get some work done at the hotel. I should take her off her hands." Aerith stands from her seat on the edge of the fountain. "Oh! I forgot to ask. Did the fountain grant you your wishes?"
"Not yet." "Yes."
Terra and Aqua both speak at the same time, and Terra looks at Aqua who immediately blushes. "Really? But I thought we both wished for-"
"Let's go see the others," Aqua says quickly hurrying up the stairs and the group follows her. Terra is the last to go looking back at the fountain with a frown wondering what Aqua had actually wished for. Walking through the doors to the first district Terra is lost in thought until he feels a tugging on his hand. Looking down he sees Riku who stops tugging on his hand asks, "Can I have a piggy back ride?"
"'Course you can," Terra says crouching down. Riku happily jumps on his back and wraps his arms and legs around Terra securely. Terra straightens up and starts to sprint to the bar with Riku laughing in his ear. He runs right past Master Eraqus and the others and beats them to the 7th Heaven. Terra waits tapping his foot for the others to catch up. When they do, he and Aqua walk inside first catching the attention of everyone inside.
Tifa and Cloud are behind the bar and are the first to notice the new arrivals. "Terra and Aqua," Tifa calls out across the room. "You're back."
As they make their way over, Yuffie jumps up from her seat at a table with Leon and Merlin, and runs over pulling a surprised Aqua into a quick hug. "Oh my god! I've missed you guys! Oh look you brought your other friends. Hello sweetie. Aren't you the cutest thing?" Yuffie bends down to look at Sora who had been standing next to Aqua. He backs up quickly and hides behind Ven's leg peeking one blue eye around Ven's leg to watch her.
"Ya scared him," Cid says getting up from his seat on the floor where he had been playing with Aerith's daughter Marlene. "Not that I'm surprised. You're always lousy with children." Cid moves in front of her crouching at Sora's level. "Hey kid, I'm Cid," he says in a surprising gentle voice. "What's your name?"
Sora looks up at Ven who nods and smiles at him. Sora turns back and says shyly, "I'm Sora."
"Well Sora it's really nice to meet ya," Cid says. "Do ya wanna play? We have cars and planes." He gestures over to the pile of toys next to Marlene who is watching the scene with wide eyes.
Sora nods and lets go of Ven's leg. "C'mon Riku," he calls. Riku wiggles around so Terra crouches down and lets Riku get off his back. He runs after Sora and Cid joining them, Marlene, and the toys.
As the kids and Cid go off to play, Aqua introduces everyone else. "Master Eraqus, Ven, these are our friends, Tifa, Cloud, Leon, Yuffie, and of course Merlin." She indicates who is who and Master Eraqus steps forward to shake each of their hands.
"You have some pretty impressive pupils sir," Leon says as he shakes Master Eraqus' hand.
"Thank you," Master Eraqus says slightly surprised.
"It is nice to meet you, and Ven," Tifa says warmly as she shakes his hand. "If you are hungry I can get something ready for you."
"Thank you, but that won't be necessary we already ate," Master Eraqus says ignoring Terra's disappointed expression.
"Nice to meet you," Cloud says quietly as they shake hands.
"Eraqus my old friend," Merlin says shaking Master Eraqus' hand with both of his. "It is very nice to see you again. And Ventus, Yen Sid has told me many things about you, my boy."
"He has?" Ven says surprised. "Like what? Master Eraqus didn't let me ask any questions when I met him."
"Oh," Merlin says not sure what to say now. "He just mentioned that you would be either-"
"That is enough Merlin," Master Eraqus says firmly.
Ven rounds on his master. "Why won't you tell me anything?" He asks angrily.
"Ventus," Master Eraqus says in a hard voice. "This is not the time nor the place." Ven continues to glare at him, but let's the subject drop for the moment.
"So," Aqua says trying to pass over the awkward moment. "Uh...Aerith was telling us that you were working on a new town defense system."
"Yes we are," Leon says. "We are hoping to come up with a way of setting up an automatic response to any threat in the town. It's a long way off, but it will make our jobs easier. With only four of us on the Defense Militia, it is hard to be everywhere at once in times of danger."
"Four of you?" Terra asks. "I thought it was just you, Yuffie, and Cloud on the Defense Militia."
"Tifa's cousin returned," Cloud explains. "Do you remember I told you he was training with us before he ran off? Well he's back and he has become a soldier as well."
"I'll get him," Tifa says walking down the hallway that leads to the house beyond the bar. "He'll be happy to meet you."
While they wait for her to return, Terra, Aqua, Ven, and Master Eraqus sit down around one of the tables and Ven takes the moment to continue arguing with Master Eraqus. "What are you hiding from me? What aren't you telling me?"
"Ventus, I told you not to talk about this right now," Master Eraqus says obviously annoyed.
"So you are keeping something from me."
"Not right now Ventus," Master Eraqus says in a dangerous voice. So Ven lets it drop for the moment and turns away from his master to stare pointedly at the wall instead. He sits with his angry expression and his arms crossed until Terra and Aqua say something that makes him jump in surprise.
"Zack?"
"Terra? Aqua?"
The familiar voice makes Ven turn his head in shock to see none other than Zack Fair standing next to Tifa. Zack's eyes widen in shock as he sees Ven as well.
His mouth drops open, and it takes him a moment to stammer out, "Ve-Ven?"
Mexi: Yep that was Ven's heart in the last chapter. Vanitas is in there and wants out, but Ven was like nope. I'm really glad you liked the last chapter so much 'cause it was such a struggle for me to write. I don't really know why, but it was. I guess it came out good enough though!
Dream for Tonight: That won't be Vanitas' only appearance. He will be back to mess with Ven eventually.
SnowKawasagi: Glad someone thinks I'm funny. :)
MLSoT: Ouch, writers block is the worst. Drink coffee. Caffeine always like jump starts my brain when I'm stuck.
I just realized how much I spoiled all of you with this chapter. You got to find out more about Keric AND Zack came back.
I just want to be absolutely perfectly clear on one thing. Keric never ever got in Ven's pants. Never ever. I hope you didn't get the wrong impression from Meleka's story.
And on a happier note; Zack is back so I must warn you now...
THE FLUFF IS COMING!