Mira stepped into the circular office and clasped her hands in front of her, grey eyes zeroing in on the lord of the castle, waiting for him to speak. Ansem rarely summoned her and now that he had, her stomach twisted in anxious knots. Did he know about Xehanort? Mira took deep, calming breaths. She couldn't allow herself to get worked up; doing so would only cause suspicion. Everything was fine.

Ansem looked up from his research notes, steepling his fingers. "You must be wondering why I've called for you, Mira." She nodded mutely. "Firstly, I'm glad you're feeling better. I would have sent for a doctor, but Braig insisted you only needed rest."

"Thank you, Lord Ansem. Yeah, I just needed to sleep it off." Braig had well and truly covered for her yet hadn't asked for anything in return. Was he luring her into a false sense of security? Or did he mean it?

He inclined his head. "Good. Now, I confess I find myself unsure how to broach this subject with you. Perhaps it is best to speak plainly: your master has not inquired about your welfare in quite some time, and that worries me."

"He asked about me?" Obviously, he was referring to Eraqus and not Xehanort, given that the former had written the request for her to stay here at the latter's behest. It was touching that Eraqus had asked after her but... she swallowed thickly. If she was to presume the abandoned keyblade signified his fall in battle, then Ansem wouldn't be hearing from Eraqus ever again.

Ansem chuckled. "Of course. He didn't contact me often, but a great deal of time has passed since he last asked after you. Do you know of anything that might have delayed him?"

Would Ansem allow her to stay there if he knew the keyblade master had fallen? Or would he send her home? She didn't have anywhere else to go... The cottage flashed briefly in her mind, but Mira banished the thought immediately. She needed to be in Radiant Garden to investigate the imposter. She had to lie. "Well, since I'm not up for the Mark of Mastery yet, he doesn't focus as heavily on my tutelage. One of my fellow apprentices recently achieved her mastery, and I think Master Eraqus is grooming her to take over when he steps down." That was close enough to the truth to be believable – especially now that Aqua took up his keyblade.

He hesitated for a moment. "I suppose that's understandable... I know it is not my place to question his teaching methods, but are you sure you're being challenged here? While the library is extensive, there is no replacement for real tutelage..."

What a perfect opportunity. "I am grateful for access to your knowledge," she began, a plan already forming in her mind. "That said, maintaining the physical aspect of my training is difficult in an exercise yard..."

"How do you mean?"

"To be frank, the darkness is growing stronger, and running through forms isn't enough to prepare me to defend the light." If she was truly Eraqus's apprentice, as Ansem assumed, then it would be a reasonable request. But her master was a seeker of darkness, and she was... ambivalent. Even so, the deceit didn't sit well with her.

"This news troubles me," Ansem murmured gravely. "I refused your help when you first arrived but..." he cleared his throat. "What do you propose? I must ensure Radiant Garden's safety at all costs."

She gave a shallow bow. "Of course. With your permission, I would like to come and go freely." With her master gone, she didn't have to stay in Radiant Garden all the time, but she didn't want to lose her position either. Time travelled differently on some worlds, and she couldn't ask Braig to cover for her every time she might leave. When Ansem frowned, and she added, "I'm of age and will check in with my master in person."

He straightened, a knowing gleam in his eyes. "Very well... But you were entrusted into my care. I would be remiss as a host to send you without a guard. Perhaps Braig should accompany you."

Her cheeks suffused with heat. If Ansem's growing smirk was any indication, his thoughts were travelling down a path she didn't want to follow. Mira shuffled awkwardly. "If you think that's best."

"He seems to have taken quite a liking to you." Mira avoided eye contact, eliciting a chuckle. "Forgive me, but-" A knock interrupted him, and he bid the visitor entrance. "Ah, Xehanort, what can I do for you?" Mira tensed as the imposter marched into the office, stopping next to her.

"Master Ansem, I wished to discuss your findings on the most recent test. Unless, of course, you're busy." He glanced at Mira pointedly.

Mira raised a brow. "As a matter of fact," she met his gaze squarely with narrowed eyes, "we were talking about something important."

"Your budding romance with Braig?" he remarked coolly. "I hardly consider that a worthy matter, girl."

She balled her fists, ignoring the burning in her ears. "Don't you know that eavesdropping is rude?"

Xehanort looked down his nose at her. "Who can say? My memory isn't what it used to be, which is why discussing the test results on my heart takes further precedence than your interest in that fool."

"Now Xehanort, there's no need to be rude. Braig is reliable, albeit a little reckless, but he certainly is no fool." The imposter crossed his arms, refusing to acknowledge the correction.

"Please excuse me, Lord Ansem, but I can see he has matters of the highest importance to discuss with you. So sorry to interrupt, Master Xehanort," she spat. If her master was in there, he was buried deep. There was no way he would be so petulant and openly condescending to her.

Mira turned on her heel, allowing the door to close behind her, and ran down the hall toward the nearest air duct. Aided by magic, she jumped in and crawled toward Ansem's study as quietly as she could manage. Maybe it was hypocritical to eavesdrop right after snapping at him about doing the same, but she needed to know if these tests yielded any conclusive results. Clearly, they hadn't unlocked her master's memories, but it was worth checking. Quiet voices reached her ears and Mira slowed her breathing, crawling closer.

"...is yet unclear."

"Why can't we get a clear reading?"

"If I hazarded a guess, there seems to be interference of some sort. As if we are picking up multiple signals from your heart."

"Do you think those are my repressed memories?"

"That very well may be the case. We can look deeper, if you wish, though I must warn you that doing so involves some measure of risk."

"What does it entail?"

There was a pause. "My hypothesis is that we may unlock your memories by first exploring the darkness in your heart. Strong emotions may trigger memories and I'd like to try-"

"The girl," Xehanort asserted. Mira's heart hammered in her chest; what did he want with her?

"I beg your pardon?"

"I - something about the girl seems... somehow, she feels familiar to me." Was it her master after all? Or Terra, perhaps?

There was a sigh. "When did you notice this familiar feeling? When you met?"

"No. It occurred a few moments ago..."

"What about this interaction felt familiar?" Ansem pressed. "Can you describe the feelings?"

"It was like I could almost recognize her," he began haltingly, "like she was important to me... the feeling was close to the surface, but then it was gone."

"Hmm. When was this feeling strongest?"

There was shuffling and fabric rustled. "...When she called me 'master.' Her tone annoyed me and yet, it felt right..."

Ansem let out an un-kingly snort. "You are a little young to be master of anyone."

"I'm only answering your question," Xehanort retorted defensively.

The older man hummed. "Perhaps I should request her assistance in further testing."

"I will ask her myself-"

"After your little display, I doubt that is wise. I will speak with her instead. But for now, let us continue with my previous suggestion..."

The conversation turned to a more technical aspect and, after determining that they were unlikely to say anything of further importance, Mira retreated. There was plenty to think about. Her master was still in there, buried within the imposter's heart. Of that much, she could be sure. He recognized her, if only vaguely. If only there was a way for her to reach him... Participating in the tests was one method, but there had to be other, less risky, avenues to explore too, right?

Jumping out of the duct, Mira hastened down the hall to find Braig, only for a gloved hand to cover her mouth and pull her against a firm chest. She struggled to twist from her assailant's grasp, but his hold was too strong.

"Ah-ah-ah, none of that now," he teased lowly, voice husky. "What have I told you about sneaking around in the ventilation, Princess?" The tension left her body; just the man she was looking for. His breath fanned across the shell of her ear, over her neck, and Mira shuddered, heart racing for an entirely different reason.

"I was about to go looking for you," she breathed, praying her voice would remain steady. "Seems you saved me the trouble of searching."

His chest rumbled as he hummed. "And what did you need little old me for?"

"Let me go and you'll find out." She glanced down the halls; empty. Mira exhaled in relief. There was no need to lend credence to the unfounded rumors of their supposed 'relationship.' She'd never hear the end of it. Braig sighed and stepped away from her. "I've learned some interesting things just now, but we should take this conversation somewhere more private."

"As you wish," he agreed, eyes alight with intrigue and mischief.

Braig shut the door to his room, gesturing for her to take a seat. "What was so important that you needed us to be alone to say it, hmm?"

Mira pulled up the chair from his desk. "Don't be weird. I just don't trust the walls not to have ears and all – there are too many hallways in this castle."

"And air vents," he pointed out helpfully, moving to recline on his bed. "Who were you spying on this time?"

Mira recapped what she overheard in Ansem's study. "Even though I was mocking him, he felt that my calling him master was familiar. He recognized that much."

"Do you think he's faking it? Does he have it in him for a long-term con?"

"Doubtful. Besides, what would he gain from that?"

"I'd say... he's getting access to Ansem's research on the darkness in hearts. And the laboratories." He pulled off a glove, running calloused fingers over the stitching. "Does that seem plausible to you?"

"I guess..."

He rolled over to face her, expression contemplative as a few strands of his normally immaculate hair fell into his face. He absently brushed his thumb over his lower lip, drawing her eyes down. "I only ask because you know him best. Obviously."

"R-right. Um, well... We didn't have any of the fancy laboratories where we lived," she murmured, looking away from him. "At least, none that I knew of." Given her master's secrecy, there might have been secret facilities of which she was ignorant. "But there's something else too."

"Oh?"

Her lips quirked. "Ansem granted me permission to come and go as I please. For training, of course."

Braig sat up. "Clever, very clever. I'm impressed, Princess."

"Don't give me too much credit. He insisted I take a guard. Naturally, your name came up."

He grinned. "Naturally. When do we leave?"

"Eager much? Christmas is in a couple weeks – didn't you say you all usually have plans?"

"True. Gotta keep up appearances... But if we go soon, we could make it back before-"

Mira crossed her arms. "We don't even have a destination-!"

"That's the fun of it," he interrupted with a smirk. "Let the road lead us where it may."

It was a foolish idea – they needed a plan. But his enthusiasm was infectious, and Mira found herself shaking her head, failing to hide her smile. "Alright fine, let's go then. You're more excited for this than I am."

Braig hopped to his feet and waltzed up to his closet, pulling open the door to rummage through the contents. "I know it's around here somewhere…" He muttered as he tore through the closet, yanking sets of identical uniforms to one side. "Aha!" He bent down, retrieving something dark from the floor. "Fell off the hanger."

She peered around him to get a better look. "What is it?"

He held up a long black coat. "This will protect me when we travel between worlds." He removed his outer coat, revealing the black t-shirt beneath. Her eyes roved over his form. It clung to his tapered torso snugly.

"Oh, I've seen one of those," she murmured absently, "a long time ago."

"It's pretty useful to have around."

"Is it what protected you when your world fell to darkness?"

"Yep, and it's kept me safe ever since." Braig zipped up the coat and pulled on black gloves. "Don't you need to get some things? Maybe a black coat of your own?"

"I don't have one."

Braig scowled. "How are you going to protect yourself in the darkness?"

She shrugged. "Don't worry so much – I've never had a problem before." Mira opened a portal to the Lanes Between, but a dark corridor opened beside it. "Do you have something against using a lane?"

"This way is faster, but more dangerous. You'll need to be careful-"

"Alright, let's go."

Braig sputtered as Mira grabbed his hand and stepped into the corridor. They walked hand in hand through the oppressive darkness until Radiant Garden was far behind them. The air was charged with power, but it didn't set her on edge the way it might have had she been alone. She should've let go of his hand, but he hadn't complained, and it made staying together easier.

And if she was honest with herself, the warmth was a comfort.

He led her to a world where darkness was amassing at an alarming rate. It would be the perfect place to assess her skills and see what she was made of. She hadn't shown any signs of distress, even with darkness pressing around them from all sides. Mira hadn't uttered a peep the entire way – if he hadn't been holding her hand, he'd have wondered if she was still beside him. How did she remain so unaffected? Even those with armor or the black coat suffered after too long in deep darkness. But she was fine... too fine. And not only that, but not a single creature of the dark bothered them. Her lack of protection should have drawn creatures to them like flies on honey, but their journey was uneventful, dare he say, boring. Was there a way for someone to be darkness-resistant?