Having resigned herself to being excluded, Mira didn't bat an eye when Ansem the Wise called his apprentices together for an evening meal to discuss a matter of 'great importance,' leaving her to lounge alone on the couch in the common room. She often took her meals alone in her room, unless Braig thought it necessary to infringe on her solitude. A situation that was occurring with increasing frequency. What did he want with her? He wasn't bad company, quite the opposite, but she couldn't pinpoint what he would gain from being around her. The others, whose names she finally learned thanks to Braig, didn't bother speaking with her at all. No, that wasn't true. The little boy, Ienzo, had approached her to introduce himself, but was quickly herded away by Even. Mira sighed, throwing an arm over her eyes. Maybe she ought to open a lane and ditch this world-
"Have you been here all this time?"
"That was the fastest dinner in the history of meals. What do you want, Braig?"
"Cute. No, dinner hasn't started yet thanks to you, Princess."
"What do I have to do with your family dinner? I don't recall being invited."
Gloved hands lifted her arm from her face and Braig peered down at her. "He did say 'all of you,' didn't he?"
"Yes? He says the same thing when you all go off to have your secret meetings too, and I'm clearly not welcome to those. How was I supposed to know?"
"Well, he sent me to get you so hurry up. We're hungry and can't eat until everyone's there. It's only polite, you know."
"Your supposed manners mean little when you're all rude the rest of the time," she snapped.
Even so, she pulled herself up and followed him to the door. Better to get this over with. But with every step closer to the dining hall, her stomach churned with nerves. When she stepped through the large doors, Ansem and his apprentices stood, and Braig led her to the two open seats near the end of the long table.
"Be seated," Ansem commanded. "Thank you for joining us, Mira." Clearing his throat, he made eye-contact with each of his apprentices. "I have a few matters of housekeeping to discuss with you all regarding our guest. It has come to my attention that you have been less than hospitable to her. Your disgraceful behavior brings shame on this castle and your standing within it. I do not condone hazing. Do I make myself clear?"
There were mumbles of, "Yes Master Ansem," from the men around the table. So Ansem hadn't been in on shunning her? If not, how did he learn what was going on? Was he playing another angle? She glanced at the apprentices, taking in their reactions. None of them would look at her save for Ienzo, who offered her a smile, and Braig, wearing and inscrutable expression.
Ansem took his seat and cleared his throat. "As for the other matter, we will discuss it once we've eaten."
Mira barely tasted the food, ignoring Braig's pointed attempts to catch her eye. What news did Ansem have for them? Why leave them in suspense? An elbow nudged her side.
"What?"
"Don't look so worried, Princess. You'll make yourself sick."
"Thank you for your concern," she deadpanned.
"You need to lighten up - watch." He nodded toward Even. A moment passed and nothing happened. Mira peeked at Braig in confusion, then suddenly, Even's food erupted, spewing mashed potatoes over his face. Her mouth dropped and she looked down at her own food, ready to retaliate if the same thing happened to her. How brazen – not even ten minutes after his master had chided them about hazing and he was making mischief.
"What is the meaning of this?! Who is responsible?!" Even yelled, whipping his head toward them. The blond roughly wiped the food from his face, untying his cravat to clear the excess. Some of the potatoes flew off and landed on Dilan's sleeve. "Braig you fool!" Evidently, they agreed on one thing, even if he didn't know it.
"It wasn't me. Tell him, Princess."
She raised a brow, but Ansem spoke as she opened her mouth to retort. "Silence, Braig. Show some decorum; I expect better from you." His responding eyeroll told her exactly what he thought of that.
The remainder of the meal passed without incident. When they had all finished, Ansem steepled his fingers, staring out at them. "I'm certain you're all wondering why I have gathered you here. We have been blessed by peace and prosperity in Radiant Garden, as you well know. I would do much to preserve this peace for as long as we are able. However," he paused, holding each of their gazes, "as we speak, darkness has wormed its way into this world."
Darkness, huh? The only darkness she could see clearly was the lack of empathy in Even's heart. Still, wherever there was light, so too would there be darkness. Attempting to eliminate one or the other was a fool's errand.
"Master Ansem, what do you mean?" came Ienzo's small voice from beside her.
"There have been sightings of creatures… so far that is all, but they sneak about, hiding just out of sight in dark corners. Anywhere your eyes would glance over them. But you needn't be afraid, Ienzo." He gave the child a comforting smile. "Braig, Dilan, and Aeleus will lead patrols to ensure everyone's safety."
"Yes, Master Ansem," they replied in unison.
From the way he described them, it sounded like the dark creatures her master had once summoned were in Radiant Garden. Did that mean he was back? If so, having a patrol would make sneaking out unnoticed more difficult. Unless... "Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe I can patrol as well?"
"I thank you for your offer, but your master entrusted me with your care. As such, I cannot put you in harm's way."
"But I can help-"
"Please," he held up a hand, "that's my final word on the matter."
Mira scowled at her empty plate as he assigned patrol routes. Patrolling would've been the perfect alibi for meeting with her master. Not to mention, it'd have been something to do. Maybe she'd do it anyway; it wasn't like Ansem would know.
Mira fanned herself and slumped against a tree, breathing in the soupy air. Even as hot as the Destiny Islands were, the heat was dry and there was always a cool breeze. Not to mention the respite offered by the sea. The closest thing Radiant Garden offered was the fountain courts, but something told Mira that jumping into the fountains wouldn't be well-received. To guard herself against the temptation, she took refuge in the gardens instead. Her eyelids dropped as the sweet fragrance of the wisteria tree wafted over her.
Her repose was short-lived, however, as a scream nearby jolted her awake. Mira's eyes flashed open, and she scrambled to her feet.
"Help! Please!"
"Hold on – I'm coming for you!" Mira ran toward the voice, summoning her keyblade. Had they gotten hurt? Or did something happen? Stumbling into a small clearing, Mira had only a second to take in the scene – flowers strewn about the grass and a young girl cowering before dark creatures, the likes of which she was unfamiliar. One of the larger creatures swung its arm at the girl, only to be blocked by Mira's keyblade. Her arms shook with the force of the impact, and her breath came out in shallow puffs. The heat bore down on her and sweat dripped from her temple.
"Look out!" the little girl yelled as smaller creatures swiped and jabbed at Mira.
She disengaged from the large one and cast reflega, rebuffing the nuisances. "I'll hold them off – go!" Hopefully she would listen and get to safety. Mira thrust her keyblade forward only for it to dematerialize – why did this always happen when she needed it?! She stumbled back, thrown off-balance without her weapon, bumping into something solid behind her. There was a soft "Oof!" and she whipped around, staring wide-eyed at the child. "I thought I told you to run!"
"My ankle, it's- ah!"
Mira gasped, shielding the girl as the monster brought its arms down on them, bracing herself for injury. But the blow never came. She opened her eyes, as the creature dissipated into nothing. How-?
"Well-well-well, and here I thought my patrol would be uneventful," came a familiar drawl from her right. Braig stepped into view, arrow guns drawn.
Her shoulders relaxed. "Ah, good to see you doing your job for once-"
"Is that anyway to talk to your savior?"
"Idiot," she grumbled. Mira turned her back on him to assess the little girl's welfare. "What's your name?" she asked softly, taking the girl's ankle in hand and healing it.
"Aerith..."
Mira smiled encouragingly, moving onto the scrapes and cuts on Aerith's legs. "I'm Mira, it's nice to meet you, Aerith. Where are your parents? We'll take you home."
"She's Gast's kid-"
"My daddy's the innkeeper-"
Now that she looked closer, Mira could see a resemblance between them. "Alright then. Does it hurt anywhere else?" When Aerith shook her head, Mira stood, brushing some grass off her knees. She cast a cool glance at Braig. "Will you help me escort her home? Just in case they come back?" She clenched her fist; ears flaming at the shame of asking for his assistance.
He grinned. "How could I deny a couple ladies in need?"
Mira glared at his boots. Aerith giggled.
The walk back to the inn was uneventful – Radiant Garden was as peaceful as she'd come to expect. If not for what had occurred, Mira would've been hard-pressed to believe darkness was scrabbling for a foothold in the world. Braig held the door open, and she let out a sigh of relief as the cool air washed over her. The first thing she'd do back at the castle was take a long shower.
Aerith bounded over to the counter, hugging Gast tightly. "Sorry I'm late, Daddy,"
"Aerith! Where've you been?" He glanced at Mira and Braig, brows furrowed in confusion. "What happened?"
"She was attacked by the monsters people have been seeing," Braig explained when Mira said nothing. "Luckily, Princess here was able to hold them off."
Gast gripped her hands, shaking them firmly. He blinked a couple times, eyes watery. "Thank you for saving my daughter; I'm sorry I ever doubted-"
"It's - don't worry about it," she mumbled. "Anyone would've done the same."
Braig clapped Mira on the shoulder. "Don't be so modest, you cut quite the heroic figure – putting yourself between that monster and her-"
"That's not-"
"It's true Daddy! She saved me – then he saved her!" Aerith chimed in, tugging on Gast's apron.
The innkeeper moved to Braig, shaking his hand vigorously, thanking him profusely. His uncomfortable smile made her embarrassment worth it. Mira shot him a smug smirk.
Braig gave an uncomfortable chuckle. "Well, uh, we should get back to the castle. I'm sure Lord Ansem will want a full report. Duty calls, y'know?" Yeah right.
"Right, of course. Next time you stop by – drinks, a meal, whatever you want, it's on the house." They thanked him and left the sweet refreshing oasis, returning to the muggy hell outside.
After a few minutes of silence, Mira glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, only to raise a brow when their eyes met. "What?"
"Come with me."
"What happened to doing your duty?" she deadpanned. "Don't you need to report to Ansem?"
"As if. If I reported every little incident, I'd never have any free time."
They turned off the path leading to the castle, heading instead toward the fountain court. "Aren't we going back...?"
"Oh come on, a little detour won't kill you."
"It might in this heat," she grumbled. He chuckled.
The fountain court was crowded, unsurprising considering the heat. Children splashed one another and played in the water. Parents sat a safe distance away from the splash zone, relaxing in the shade. For their part, Braig led Mira to a smaller fountain in a more deserted part of the court, granting them some measure of privacy. Mira slipped off her shoes and long plum socks, dipping her feet in the cool water. She also peeled off her arm sleeves, granting a little more relief. Not quite the ocean, but good enough.
"Why did you bring me here?"
"So direct. I like that in a woman."
She snorted. "And you're evasive, an annoying quality in any person." He had that in common with her master; always talking around an issue rather than getting to the point. Braig's shoulders shook in silent laughter. Her lips quirked.
"Fair enough. I wanted to talk to you, actually. I could've sworn Ansem told you not to patrol."
Mira raised a brow. "I wasn't patrolling; I happened to be enjoying a leisurely stroll, if you must know."
"Really," he said flatly. "I think our definitions of leisure differ, Princess. You see, this," he gestured toward the families enjoying the sunshine, "is leisure. Fighting monsters is not. Do you often moonlight as a hero helping the weak?"
"Do you often ask stupid questions?" she grumbled. "What was I supposed to do? Would you have left the child to fend for herself?"
"Perhaps. If it's a battle I know I can't win, I'm not gonna put myself in harm's way."
"I see." That was cold but... as far as self-preservation went, the principle was sound. Her master would've told her that not everyone could be saved. But still... She frowned. "But I thought I could win."
"So what happened? Why'd you stop fighting?"
Her cheeks colored and she averted her eyes. "I didn't..." Mira busied herself by running her fingers through the water. "Sometimes, my keyblade..." She bit her lip.
"Keyblade? Does it always do that?" he asked, intrigued. "Y'know, disappear when you need it?"
"Sometimes." Why did this keep happening to her? Will the humiliation and failure never end?
"So... if I hadn't come along..." he teased, gripping her chin and tipping her head back.
"Then I'd have grabbed the girl and run," she deadpanned, glaring into his brown eyes.
"And if you were caught?"
"Then I'd have held them off while she escaped."
"So sentimental," he murmured. The sun illuminated coppery flecks in his eyes, lending them some warmth. "But what about you? Without your keyblade..." His lips stretched into a smirk, and she was quick to pull out of his hold.
She resisted the urge to splash him. Why did he have to come back to that? "What about me? I'm not afraid of the dark."
"Good." Mira furrowed her brow, glancing at him once more. "Fear begets darkness. But don't go getting yourself killed now. I still haven't figured you out, friend."
"I have no plans to go out in a blaze of glory anytime soon, if that's what you're worried about." She rolled her eyes. "My master didn't invest so much in me for his efforts to end in failure." Though, her shortcomings may bring failure anyway. What would she do, then, if he discarded her?
Braig perked up. "Speaking of your master, I've been wondering why he sent you here, rather than train you himself. For someone you claim to have invested 'so much' in you, it seems a little counter intuitive. Are you sure you're as important to him as you think?"
Her hands curled into fists. "Look, I don't know why I'm here, okay? It's not like I chose to be stuck here, wasting my time with an annoying prick like you!" she yelled, vision blurring with unshed tears. Heads turned in their direction, but she barely registered them.
"Ouch, hit a sore spot, did I?" Braig wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. "Despite your insults, I, for one, like spending time with you."
She visibly deflated, letting out a sigh. Of course, he'd say something like that, as if she didn't feel bad enough. Why not add a little guilt to it? "Sorry. I've-I've been wondering the same thing sometimes... It feels like my master left me here to keep me out of the way... or something. But I just want to go home."
"Understandable. What's your home like?"
"It's beautiful." Both the cottage and the Destiny Islands were picturesque, but she wasn't supposed to talk about her master. "Before I became an apprentice, I spent a lot of time outdoors, in the ocean – you know, typical islander life. Sometimes I miss it." Nothing rejuvenated her like the salty air and refreshing waters – the ocean was in her heart, no matter how far she went.
"An islander, hm? Sounds like a vacation. Why leave at all?"
"Looking back, the decision was a bit impulsive, but I wanted to get away. I didn't want to be confined to a life with no purpose. Sometimes, I fancied that I was meant to do something important far away from where I was born."
"Delusions of grandeur, I see. It's all starting to come together – you're just another feckless youth with a hero complex. How disappointing."
She elbowed his side, forcing him to withdraw his arm. "Wow, that's some serious grandpa energy. I don't think you're that much older than me."
"Looks can be deceiving." By her estimation, he didn't appear older than his mid-twenties. What an idiot. He rubbed his side. "Y'know, next time you wanna lay hands on me, you could try being a little more sensual-"
"How disgusting of you, right after you emphasized your great age," she chirped.
"Hey now-"
"You can't have it both ways, old man. Anyway, surely one as wizened as yourself has travelled around, so where are you from?"
Braig regarded her with a raised brow before nodding sagely. "That I have. But the place I grew up fell to darkness long ago."
Her mouth dropped open. Was he being serious? Or metaphorical? "What happened?"
"Jeez, I tell you something depressing and you keep asking. Not cute." He laughed.
"I thought we were friends, Braig. Aren't you always going on about that? Well, friends confide in one another. Unless," her smile was cold, "you're full of shit and are ready to admit it?"
He held her chin between his thumb and forefinger, bringing his face close to hers. "We are, Mira, but this is a story that'll have to wait for another time."
"Uh-huh," she breathed, ignoring how her heartrate increased. "And you needed to invade my personal space to tell me that?"
"You are so un-cute."
"And you're not as charming as you think you are."
He released her, letting out a long-suffering sigh. "Rude."
Shrugging, Mira removed her feet from the water and pulled her socks and shoes back on. "As fun as this has been, I'm going back. I've had enough of bumming around with you while you shirk your responsibilities."
"Gonna go brood in your room until dinner time?"
The ocean was calling her; maybe she ought to go after all... "No, I've got a better idea." She could always return in time to meet her master. Out among the worlds, she might actually learn something. He needn't ever know...
"And that is?" When she didn't answer, he huffed. "Well, if you ever get bored of sulking, you can join me on my patrols – as long as you promise not to tell Ansem. It'll be our little secret."
"Yeah sure," she muttered absently, already walking away. If she closed her eyes, she could already hear the waves beckoning her.
Mira packed her things that night, ready to depart after breakfast. But as she laid in bed, her resolve wavered. What would happen if her master discovered her disobedience? He taught her to open the lanes for emergencies, not to frolic about. If he caught her, would he be angry? She could try arguing that she was practicing... but he always saw through her.
After a night of fitful restlessness, she awoke early the next morning, no more decided on her course of action than hours earlier. Mira went through the motions of washing up and dressing before heading down to the library. Perhaps a little reading would clear her head. As she pushed the door open, her gaze settled on a silhouette standing in front of the large bay window. Closing the door silently, she attempted to walk past unnoticed.
"You're up early." Braig turned around. "Princess?"
She paused. "Morning. Expecting someone else?"
"Not at all. What brings you down here?"
She shrugged. "Didn't sleep well."
"Oh? Dreaming of me?" His grin was lecherous.
"It's too early for you to be disgusting." Rubbing her temples, Mira slumped onto the cushioned window seat. "Can I ask you something?"
"Uh, sure?" He sat across from her. "What's up?"
Mira hesitated. "Have you ever thought of leaving this world?"
"All the time."
"What makes you stay?" she asked softly. The early morning sun revealed the dust floating in the air; Mira focused on those rather than looking at the man in front of her.
"I have a purpose here. Once that purpose is finished – or a better opportunity comes up, I'll move on. Simple as that."
"Oh." Despite being someone's apprentice, he was unfettered by the duty and filial love that chained her. How lucky for him. Or maybe not, given that he'd lost his home and possibly people precious to him. "What's your purpose here?"
He waggled his finger at her. "Now-now, that would spoil my fun, wouldn't it? Why do you ask, Princess? Thinking of leaving?"
"Yes." She punctuated her reply with a sharp nod.
He raised his brows, surprise coloring his normally smug face. "Oh."
Oh indeed. They lapsed into a silence, each lost in their respective thoughts. Her master never told her what he wanted her to learn, so she had no way of knowing whether there would be better opportunities in other worlds. Was there something about this world – or the inhabitants therein – that he wanted her to see? Mira rubbed her chin. Surely a short field trip wouldn't hurt anything...
"So..." Mira glanced up, cheeks coloring at finding his gaze resting on her. "Why are you up early?"
He got a faraway look in his eyes, as if he wasn't truly seeing her anymore. "Same as you. Couldn't sleep." They sat together quietly until the castle stirred into wakefulness.
His conversation with the old man had kept him up all night plotting his next move. The old coot promised him the keyblade; at long last it would be his again. Plans were in motion, and he needed to watch carefully… he couldn't allow himself to be distracted, but…
He frowned at the girl before him; she had a keyblade too. He wasn't too shocked to see it; newcomers in Radiant Garden were few and far between, and she was a little too put-together to have escaped a fallen world. It occurred to him that she might be connected to the old coot in some way, but when he nicked the letter from Ansem's office, it was signed by one Master Eraqus. She was a little guardian of light, no doubt. He was amused to read what her master wrote about her, though. Quiet and withdrawn, but a diligent student, nonetheless. It sounded like he didn't know her at all. More importantly, however, was the way her keyblade manifested. The hilt was dark and light in equal measure and the shank was transparent, like glass. It was balanced; and yet, for someone in such apparent equilibrium, it had abandoned her when she needed it.
Why didn't she have control?