Chapter CLXXIV: The Encounter, Confusion And The Power To See
Return To The Radiant Gardens Part XVI

Running through the streets of the now elaborately decorated town, Alania was in a hurry as she spoke her thoughts, "oh! C'mon hurry up! The town's all done now and finally I can-"

However quickly she was interrupted as she smacked into something! A sound of clattering was heard as something fell onto the floor, "Ow! What the-!" She cried out, rubbing her nose she looked up then to see a young man before her.

He was dressed in black and blue rich coloured robes, his skin was dark coloured but warm somehow and he also had locks of lilac coloured hair that was tied back into a long ponytail behind him.

As she gazed at him, she saw that he too was looking at her with pale blue surprised eyes. Alania herself was almost mesmerised by them... they were almost enchanting to look at...

However the young man himself, was far from pleased with this sudden and unexpected encounter as he said aloud after recovering from the surprise, "geez! Talk about a head on collision! I could have been knocked right off of my feet!"

Hearing this Alania was dumbfounded for a second, but quickly she realised it was her mistake! So getting up she quickly made her apologies feeling a little awkward about the situation, "he he! Sorry about that, it's my bad! I was just in a hurry there and-"

Still annoyed though, it was clear that the young man was not in the mood for these hurried excuses, so he told her quite flatly kneeling down to pick up something off of the floor, "being in a hurry isn't an excuse! I'm in one myself but even I know to keep my eyes on the road ahead of me!"

At these words, Alania not keen on the tone he'd just used would usually at any other point throw some of her own angry words straight back, but for today she decided against it. For he was probably just a little irritable and it was her fault to begin with, "yeah... dually noted, I'll do that from now on."

Hearing these words it seemed the young man was satisfied as he got back up again and told her, "good, see to it that you do."

Alania once again became quiet, for looking at this young man she couldn't deny it. He was very handsome to gaze upon, but then she realised something else about him, "hey? You know I haven't seen you around here before? When did you arrive in town? Are you-"

The young man though hearing these questions simply started to walk on ahead, seemingly ignoring her. Seeing him leave though quickly Alania cried out, "hey wait a minute! Look I'm sorry again for bumping into you before! I'm just trying to be friendly here! So..." the young female summoner was struggling with her words, but then it came to her, what she really wanted to say, "so welcome and I hope you enjoy it here in the Radiant Gardens! Have a good time okay?!"

At these words it was then the young man stopped... there was a pause of silence for a couple of moments, before he turned around with a smile on his face as he told Alania, "don't worry... I'm intending to, " with that he turned away again as he finally told the surprised girl before walking on his way, "thanks for the welcome."

Alania was quiet as she heard these words... this was an encounter and a half! But quickly she remembered, "oh no! I'm late!" With that she hurried on to get to where she needed to be!

The young man himself hearing this cry smirked to himself as he remarked, "that takes me back," with that he moved the item he'd picked up. It was his white mask and looking at it for a moment, he then placed it back in its original position and as he did, he pulled his hood back up concealing his lilac hair as he said aloud, "now it's time to reclaim that!" With that he walked into the shadowed streets of the town...

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RING! RING!

"Miss Oralee! There's another order up!"

Hearing this the blonde haired pink dressed maid quickly replied, "right I'm coming!" With that she went to the counter and picked up the tray that was laid out with cups of tea. Walking forward she was in a hurry, she only had a few more orders to go and then-

"Oi! Oi! Oi! Look who's here to say hello!"

At this cry quickly the young maid turned around instantly as did the other patrons in the cafe. For there arriving through the door of the 'Scrooge And Crumble' it was none other than Cait sith, upon Nozomi's head who quickly entered along with Riku and Mickey then finally Merlin.

Seeing them all come in immediately a smile came across the princess's face as she cried out, "everyone! You're back!"

Seeing the happy expression on her friend's face made Nozomi smile herself as she replied, "hey! Oralee!"

The young maid clad princess was so happy and she was about to say something more, when behind her came a shout from her boss, "Oralee your food order!"

Quickly remembering again that she was still working, quickly the girl cried out, "oh yes sorry!" With that turning back to the others again she told them, "my apologies everyone, I need to finish work at the moment, but I'll be finished in just a little bit so please wait for me alright?"

Hearing this Nozomi smiled as she replied, "that's fine Oralee don't worry! We'll wait for you!"

Glad to hear this, the princess nodded to her friend and with that she went back to finish her shift.

Watching her as she went back to work, it was then the king spoke up as he said with a smile, "looks like she's workin' hard huh?"

Hearing him say this, Cait sith then nodded his head as he turned around and pointed out to the mouse king, "aye she is lad! She's always has been and always will be a diligent worker! Ever since she was young she has been! Cause I remember when-"

As he started to go on and on like this Nozomi shook her head making him stop in moments as she said aloud, "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! We get it, we get it Cait sith! You sing Oralee's praises way too much!"

Annoyed as he heard this, the small cat looked down at his ride and he was ready to do some hair pulling as he demanded out of her, "oi! Are you sayin' me highness doesn't deserve words of praise! Ya daft banshee!"

However acting quickly to stop him in his tracks, Nozomi told him, "I never said that! Oralee always works hard and she's always cheering us all on despite all the bad things that have happened to her... she does deserve praise, but it's not something you should go on about all time!" Then looking up to him, she told her feline companion, "even she'd tell you that!"

Hearing these words Cait sith became quiet again, then finally (though reluctantly) her acknowledged her words, "... all right! Yep yer right... I guess I'll have to agree with ya on that lass."

Smiling Nozomi then replied satisfied, "good!"

However, "but that don't mean I'm gonna agree with ya happily!" With that the small black and white cat pulled hard on the female keybladers hair!

"Oww!" Cait sith!" Nozomi cried out loudly as she desperately tried to make him stop!

Seeing the two of them go at it again, Riku sighed as he said aloud, "some thing's just never change do they?" In reply all Mickey could do was laugh awkwardly at the situation, for this indeed was just like usual.

Merlin seeing himself this little interaction going on, had a single eyebrow raised but then remembering something he turned to Riku and Mickey as he told them, "well lads now that I brought you here, I'll need to leave you all here for a little bit. The rest of the 'Arcs' should all be arriving here soon, so do you think you could-?"

Hearing this being put to them all, Mickey then told the master wizard, "don't worry there Merlin! We'll make ourselves comfortable here while we wait for ya!"

Nodding himself Riku added and smiled as he heard the king's words, "yeah we definitely will, so just take your time Merlin, okay?"

Glad to hear this the magician was happy and with that he walked to the door and he did, he told the keybladers, "very well lads! I'll see you all in just a little while okay?" To which in reply both Mickey and Riku nodded, then as they did the wizard took his leave and went.

Seeing him go, Riku and Mickey were silent as the quarrel between Nozomi and Cait sith continued. Sighing for a moment the white haired keyblader turned to his fellow keyblader and said to him, "well, now that we've got some peace for a bit, what do you think we should do your majesty? Do you-"

"Guys!"

Turning immediately it was then both keybladers saw a familiar maid quickly approach them, it was Serah! Seeing them both the long pink haired girl smiled happily as she said, "Oralee was right! You've come back from that door of time haven't you?"

Seeing the fiancee of the leader of 'The Arcs' Mickey smiled as he said to the girl, "hey Serah! It's good to see you again!"

Nodding the pink haired maid replied happily, "and it's great to see you guys!" Then looking though, she noticed something, "hey wait a minute? Where's Nozomi? Isn't she-"

"Oww!"

Immediately hearing this sound, Serah turned around to see Nozomi and Cait sith still scuffling against each other. The female keyblader was doing her best to peel him off of her as she tugged hard on his tail, "let go! Let go! You daft midget! You-"

Angered as she continued doing this to him, the small black and white cat replied mad, "oh I'm not losin' to ya! Ya daft of a lass! I'm gonna win this even if frost and snow start fallin'!"

With that the battle continued on leaving an awkward atmosphere everywhere... looking on for a moment, Serah said, "okay..." then turning to Riku and Mickey she decided to ask them both, "so anyway when did you guys get back here?"

To this question, Riku told her simply, "just a little while ago."

As she received this info Serah nodded and as she did she then asked, "I see and what're you all up to now?"

It was then Mickey's turn to answer as he told the pink haired maid, "well nothing for the moment, we're planning to meet with the rest of 'The Arcs' here and see this new attraction that Merlin's going to be revealing."

Hearing this quickly Serah smiled as she said, "oh yeah the new attraction! I've been looking forward to seeing it too! It's gonna be amazing!"

At these words Riku asked her, "so you know what it is already?"

To which the pink haired maid replied, "yeah I do!"

Listening to her reply it was then that Mickey became curious as he asked, "that's great! Could you tell us about it?"

Hearing this Serah then smiled more as she put a finger to her lips and said, "no sorry! It'll ruin the surprise if I tell you!" With that she finished with a wink.

Riku seeing her do this wasn't so surprised by this response as he rolled his eyes and said, "it figures."

Serah though only continued to smile, however she decided to make a suggestion, "well anyway, I'd love to hear what you guys got up to in the last door! I finish in a minute, so why don't I take you all to a table? You can all have some hot drinks and stuff while you wait for the others!"

At this suggestion Mickey immediately became pleased as he said, "yeah I like the sound of that! That's a great idea there Serah!"

Riku hearing this was glad for this too as he replied, "I agree, I could do with something hot to drink, " with that he looked up and he saw that finally the fight between cat and girl had finally ended. Sighing he then said, "well I better go and get those two." With that he was on his way, leaving both Serah and Mickey to watch on smiling together.

In the meantime Nozomi herself was busy as she had now grasped Cait sith fully by his tail and as she did she told the hair pulling feline, "for goodness sake! I don't know what got you started like that to start pulling my hair again! What did I do to deserve that!"

With that the small cat then retorted right back pointing at her with his gloved hand, "I did that lass cause you gotta remember who's at the top in this partnership! I might agree with ya hear and there but you ain't ever gonna be head's up on me! I had to give ya a swift reminder of that!"

Irritated more the female keyblader was about to say something more to him when suddenly she felt a gentle tightness on her right hand, confused she turned and saw startled that Riku had grabbed her by her wrist as he told her, "Nozomi c'mon! We're going to go and have a drink now."

Silent as she heard this, all that the female keyblader could do was stare at him with widened eyes. Then suddenly a blush came across her face as her heart started to beat and race crazily inside of her again, she couldn't think of a word to say as Riku continued to hold onto her like that! She tried to though, she had to say something! Anything! "uh... um, I uh..."

It was then though in her moment of distraction that Cait sith took his chance and wriggled his tail out of the female keyblader's grip as he quickly swung in the air and kicked her straight in the side of the head!

This quickly sent her to the floor removing her hand from Riku's as she cried out, "Owww!"

With that quickly the small cat landed next to the struck keyblader as he laughed out loud with his gloved hands on his hips, "Ha! Victory is mine!"

Riku staring on at this had no idea what to do or say, nor did anyone else who stared on. However looking at Nozomi he saw a few pained tears come to her eyes as she rubbed her head, he decided then to help her out. But before he could make a move-

"What's going on here!? What-" It was then that Oralee had arrived back, she had now changed out of her maid's uniform and she was back to her normal trendy princess attire. Looking though she quickly saw the female keyblader on the floor and as she did she went to her friend's side in moments as she cried out, "Nozomi! Are you okay!?"

Then looking at her friend she saw the distinctive foot mark made by a particular red boot upon her cheek, seeing this she turned and said mad, "Cait sith!"

Seeing quickly that he'd gotten his princess mad, the small cat instantly tried to soothe down thing's, "uh yer highenss! Ah! Um... well ya see there uh? Me and the lass here were just playin' a game together ya see and-"

Instantly though Oralee replied with bitter disappointment and irritation as she turned her face away from him, "I do not wish to hear a word of your tall tales!"

With that said Cait sith felt his heart sink to the bottom of his stomach as he stared up his royal highness pitifully like a wounded puppy. However Oralee paid no heed to these tactics, instead looking to her friend again she asked her, "Nozomi... does it hurt? Can you stand up? Are you-"

However looking on she saw that the expression on her friend's face was a pained one, however she also saw a blush on her cheeks... a look of shame. Seeing this she became concerned as she turned to look back at Riku... it was then she realised, maybe they had both?

Riku seeing Oralee look at him with startled eyes was confused but then he watched as the princess pull the female keyblader quickly up and as she did, she told her friend, "it's okay Nozomi, let's sit over here, c'mon." With that she led her away to a table in the distance that was vacant.

Seeing his princess quickly go with Nozomi, Cait sith quickly ran off after them both as he cried out, "yer highness! Wait up! Wait fer me! Please!"

Looking at the two girls go, Riku then couldn't help but feel bad inside. Though he knew logically that he hadn't done anything wrong, he felt somehow that he caused some bad to happen in some way... saddened he then turned away as he headed back to where Serah and Mickey were to let them know that Nozomi and Cait sith along with Oralee would be absent from their table.

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After sitting her friend down and ordering a couple of drinks, Oralee listened to Nozomi as she told her about the events that had occurred within the door of time they had all been within. She listened on with patient and concerned eyes and now and again, she was shocked at the events that had transpired. However she was just glad her and her friends had all made it out alive, for this she smiled with relief.

But then looking to her Nozomi again, she heard her as she said finally squeezing the cup of hot chocolate she had in her hand, "and... that's everything."

At her words, the princess of Alexandra told her friend, "wow... you've really been through a lot haven't you? Nozomi?"

To which simply the female keyblader nodded... for she just didn't know what to do with herself at that point, so she simply looked down at the table.

Cait sith in the meantime who'd finally been forgiven by his princess after a series of pleadings and apologies while kneeling. Was sitting upon her lap as he sipped a glass of milk that had been brought out for him, as his highness made her comment, he added his own, "sayin' she's been through a lot is an understatement yer highness!"

Hearing him say this, Oralee then told him, "I can imagine... though I'm not pleased you used that particular method to perform your magic."

Cait sith though had to inform his highness though sounding apologetic, "I had no choice yer highness! It was the only way to make the magic work..." then moving himself up he whispered into her ear, "besides those two were together for so long, they needed a little push don't ya think?"

At this comment immediately Oralee pushed Cait sith gently away, making him sit upon her lap again. Looking to her friend again, she decided to ask her, "is the incident that happened between the you still affecting you Nozomi?"

To which hearing this question, the female keyblader looked up from her cup for a moment and then took a brief chance to look across and see the table where Riku was drinking with Mickey and Serah.

Looking at him her heart pulsed powerfully again and as it did, she turned away and simply she nodded to Oralee's question as she told her, "yeah... it is, but also something weird's been happening to me."

Worried as she heard this, Oralee gently asked her friend, "something weird?" Nozomi nodded again and as she did, the princess asked her, "can you describe what it is?"

Nozomi went quiet again as she searched for the words to describe what it was, then after a few moments she decided to try, "it's... a bubbling sensation inside of me, I mean I've felt it a few times before but it's never been as strong as it is now... I mean when I'm with Riku now, I get so self-conscious and embarrassed with this feeling, I feel like everyone can see it and..."

Oralee hearing her say all this was concerned for a friend, but she knew she wouldn't be able to give her a proper solution to her problem until she heard all her words. So gently she encouraged her to continue, "and what else?"

Nozomi then squeezed her cup again as she told her friend, "... that if he, if Riku knows he'll just find it annoying and weak and I don't wanna trouble him or anyone else... I mean I don't know why I'm worried about what he'd think about it, I mean it's not like I don't care what he thinks! It's just I...!" With that it was clear she couldn't go on about it anymore as the blush increased upon her face.

Seeing her worry so much like this made Oralee smile gently, for she could tell now. What she predicted at the start was coming true... then realising the solution she started to offer her words of wisdom, "You care about him don't you? So much to that point..."

Hearing this Nozomi lifted her head as she said, "care?" Then seeing Oralee's smiling face she quickly told her, "well of course I care! I mean I care about all my friend's!But this can't be something as simple as that! I mean... I."

Looking at her and seeing her protests, Oralee then told her, "I know, what you're feeling is the strongest form of caring, the purest one can have in their heart," to which the princess put her hand to her chest to show where it would radiate from inside.

Seeing that she'd captured where this strange feeling was coming from so easily, the troubled keyblader was quiet with surprise as she continued, "you shouldn't be ashamed of that feeling Nozomi, it's a wonderful thing to have and I know that Riku wouldn't think badly of you for it, I know he holds you dearly inside as with all his friends, so don't be troubled by that sensation."

However Nozomi though had to ask, "but how can I not be troubled! I mean! It's causing problems right now! I can't talk to him! Plus what if it just continues to be like this and cause problems for him, everyone and me in the future! How can I-"

"You can just come to me and talk again, then together we'll think of a way to deal with it, for that's what friends do for each other, it's the bonds of trust that keeps us together and makes our bonds stronger."

Nozomi hearing this was astounded by Oralee's knowledge and how easily it could be dealt with... how could she know so much? However she felt encouraged by her friend's words and as she did, she thought to herself, 'just trust. It was then she felt comforted inside and she knew finally that was all she had to do, just trust Riku and the others... this feeling inside of her was nothing to be frightened of.

It was then the emotions that were once surging inside her chaotically had finally calmed down, feeling this happen she looked to her kind advisor and as she did, she told her, "thank you Oralee... your words really helped me."

Hearing this the princess of Alexandra smiled gently as she told her simply, "I'm glad to hear that."

Nodding it was then Nozomi could finally smile properly again, as she did she had to ask her friend, "Oralee do you know what this feeling I have is? What do you call it?"

At this simple question the princess of Alexandra looked at her friend curiously for a moment, Cait sith though put a hand to his face as he told her mad, "lass how can ya possibly be that daft! Even a kiddy would be probably get it!"

Annoyed Nozomi then demanded out of him, "oh yeah! Well if you know so easily you may as well just say it Cait sith!"

To which instantly the small cat went to do just that, "all right lass! I'll just spell it out for ya! Yer in Lo-"

However quickly his princess put her hand across his mouth stopping him in his tracks as she told her friend smiling, "I think it would be better if you came to understood it in your own time, Nozomi, that way it'll be more pleasant for you."

Confused by this Nozomi would have questioned more, however looking at her friend's smile she felt inside it would be better to follow her advice, so nodding she told her with a smile of her own, "okay, I'll do that Oralee! I'll let you know when I've figured it out!"

Smiling and glad that they'd come to this conclusion, Oralee then told her, "I'll be looking forward to hearing it when you do!"

With that the two of them giggled and laughed, Cait sith though couldn't help but roll his eyes as he uttered,"girlys can't do much with 'em at times!" With that he went back to drinking his milk.

In the distance Riku still in the midst of conversation with Serah and Mickey heard the girls and turning around for a moment he saw the two of them laughing together. He was quiet looking at this, but then seeing that Nozomi was happy again and laughing normally once more set his mind at ease, he didn't have a reason to worry after all!

Seeing him turn for a moment, Mickey asked him, "you okay there Riku?"

At this question the male keyblader turned his gaze back as he told both his friends, "yeah I'm fine your majesty don't worry," with that he went back into the conversation again.

As Nozomi finished her little bout of laughter she decided to ask, "hey Oralee?"

Hearing another question, the princess replied, "yes Nozomi?'

With that the female keyblader decided to ask her, "you know how you understood so easily about my feelings... have you been through a similar situation to me or something?"

Surprised at this question the princess asked, "why do you believe that?"

Nozomi then said, "well it's just you seem to know so much, and I figured it must be from experience because I can't imagine someone would know what I was going through just at a glance."

Oralee hearing this was surprised by Nozomi's observations, she became quiet herself as she looked down and tried to find her own words to answer with. But after a little consideration she found them, "it seems you've been able to see it yourself Nozomi..." with that looking at her friend she told her, "you're correct, I have been though something similar to you."

Surprised Nozomi asked her, "you have?"

The princess of Alexandra nodded as she told her, "yes, you remembered I mentioned a knight I live to meet again?"

Nozomi hearing this repeated, "a knight?" Then after a moment it flashed back to her as she remembered a conversation the two of them had had within the realm of Notre Dame.

Seeing the recognition come across her face Oralee then continued, "yes, when I was very young that person saved my life... because of him I had the light back again... including..." With that the princess moved one of her hands and covered the right hand side of her face, the side that her long blonde hair covered.

Seeing her do this Nozomi wondered if there was something wrong with her eye, as she wondered this she asked her, "including what? What did that knight give to you?"

Hearing her ask this question Oralee looked up and gazing at Nozomi seriously, she spoke, "he gave me the power to see... he gave me a-"

"Hey in there!"

With that suddenly disturbing the peace again, it was quickly that there in the doorway it was none other than Snow!

Seeing him quickly it was then that everyone turned and as they all did, quickly Mickey was the first to respond as he cried out, "oh hi there Snow!"

Hearing his first response the leader of 'The Arcs' replied straight back, "yo there Mickey! Am I glad to see you guys again!"

Riku seeing the brave leader of the group replied, "well you're still as sunny as ever!"

The brave leader hearing this comment then simply grinned as he walked over and caught the white haired keyblader in a head lock as he told him, "oh c'mon! You like it really don't you?"

To which struggling against his strength Riku spoke though finding it hard to breathe, "Snow you're choking me!"

At once everyone laughed, then popping his head around the corner it was then that Juan showed himself as Poncho followed after him with a still as ever a blank look on his face, the gun totting 'Arc' waved a hand and cried out, "hiyo amigo's!"

Then quickly coming in too was Hana and as she did she waved too as she said, "hi everyone!"

With her quickly flying and landing upon her shoulder came Ruby as he cried out too, "hey!"

Seeing him, it was then Nozomi spoke up as she said with a bright smile, "heya Juan, hi Hana, Ruby!"

Nodding at this the black mariachi wearing man waved to the keyblader and quickly as he asked, "aren't you guys coming out of there! We've got an impresionante attraction to set up!"

Hearing this announcement immediately Mickey replied to him, "sure! We'll be out fast! Right fella's?"

Riku still struggling replied a little annoyed, "I'll be able to come out as soon as I can breathe again!" With that he elbowed Snow to make him let go!

It was then that finally that the leader of 'The Arcs' let go of his grumpy friend and as he did he spoke with a laugh, "sorry! Sorry there snowball! No offence huh?" With that he stretched out a hand to the white haired keyblader.

Seeing him do this Riku though a little breathless couldn't help but sigh again, however he humoured the leader as he took his hand and replied, "none... so far."

With that laughter came forth again, then as they did Hana spoke up and said, "you guys are getting along as great as ever huh?"

"If that's what you call it, "Riku finished as he moved to get up, as he did Mickey followed after him.

As he did this Snow then quickly picked Serah up by her hand as he asked, "hey you ready to go beautiful?"

Hearing him say this Serah replied with a smile of her own, "sure, as long as you don't get anymore corny!" Snow though just laughed at this and with that the two lovebirds followed Riku and Mickey out through the door. Then as they both quickly went Hana along with Ruby and Juan exited too, with Poncho following after them.

Shaking her head at all this, Nozomi couldn't help but be amused as she got up to leave too however as she did, she quickly remembered the discussion she was having that was interrupted. Looking to her friend the female keyblader became worried as she asked her, "do you want to finish what you were going to say to me Oralee."

Hearing her ask this question, the blonde haired girl looked down for a moment as she made a consideration... then she decided, "it's okay Nozomi, I'll tell you another time."

Still uncertain as she heard this, Nozomi wondered if this was really alright to leave... however considering the wisdom of her friend and how she told her to deal with her problem, she decided to trust her decision. So nodding to her she said, "okay... if you're sure Oralee." With that said the female keyblader moved and walked out the door to join the others.

As she did this, Cait sith who was still held within her arms decided to ask her, "do ya still feel she's not ready to know your highness?"

Oralee hearing this question told him, hugging him a little more tightly, "... I believe it's best not to do so for now," with that said for a moment she reached up her hand to her face and then parting the hair that was on her right side, she spoke once more, "for I've seen the depths within her heart."

Then looking on and knowing what she spoke of, Cait sith saw the gift that was contained within her revealed right pink eye that glowed magically...