Chapter CII: Into the depths of Atlantis Part II

Walking through an open steel doorway Nozomi wandered into what she was told was the female sleeping quarters, looking inside she saw on either side were a set of metallic bunk beds, there were four beds in total on both sides.

Looking at them Nozomi saw that on them were the most obvious of things which were pillows and green bed sheets, also dotted around were books on some shelves and near to the back of the room was a writing desk and a chair.

After gazing at her rather grey surroundings there wasn't much for her to pick in bed settings, well nothing visually appealing anyway so turning her head up slightly she spoke, "not much to choose huh? Cait Sith?"

Hearing her still relaxing on her warm comfy hair Cait Sith replied sounding unbothered himself, "nope there ain't lass."

Nozomi nodded at this reply and said, "right time to choose!" Clapping her hands together as she quietly tried to make a choice between the bunks straight in front of her or the one beside her just opposite of the door. Looking at them both Nozomi debated quietly at which one to choose, searching between both with her eyes… after a moment she finally made her choice.

"Okay the left top bunk is mine!" She declared as she went to claim it.

Cait sith hearing this became curious as he asked her, "hey why're ya havin that one lass?"

Hearing him Nozomi replied stopping in her tracks to explain to him, "easy! Cause its out of the way of the door and it's high up so I'll have a little more space to myself."

Listening this logic Cait Sith then replied, "Lass ya realise there ain't really any difference to any of these bunks."

Feeling a little smug Nozomi told him, "Ha, you just don't get it Cait sith! It's-"

But suddenly someone had come up and put her hand on the blanket of the bunk that she'd picked, it was the girl from before who had been chewing bubblegum and was wearing the blue dungarees and paperboy hat. The look on the girls face was one of annoyed boredom, to which Nozomi herself became just as irritated as she thought to herself, 'its her again!'

However keeping a lid to her dislike wanting to be civil she asked the girl politely, "uh hey? Um…"

The girl however still had narrow eyes as she asked, "what? You've got something to say?"

Becoming a little more irritated inside Nozomi managed to keep a smile of sorts on her face as she tried again, "yeah… actually, you see I already chose that bunk and stuff so…"

The girl not changing her expression retorted, "yeah so?"

Feeling more annoyed by the minute Nozomi replied feeling her voice becoming more tetchy, "so… could you please pick another bunk?"

However the girl simply replied in a rather rude tone, "not happenin' I arrived on the ship way before you, so finders keepers!"

At this point Nozomi then lost her cool as she told her with a prosecuting finger, "no it doesn't!"

Cait sith hearing her say this sighed as he thought to himself, 'here we go again…'

The girl looking at her became smug herself as she said, "oh it doesn't?"

Biting her lower lip mad Nozomi spoke up again, "no! I came in here first and saw it! So it's mine!"

Cait sith hearing this thought to himself, 'yer bein' just as childish lass.'

The girl though being undeterred asked her mockingly, "and is that all you've got!"

This stopped Nozomi in her tracks "well I! I…" she became blank for a moment, what else could she muster? But then one thing did come as she said with what ferocity she could re-muster, "well I've been way more polite than you have! And this should be decided fairly! So I challenge you to a match!"

Hearing this announcement Cait sith was utterly baffled as he looked down at her and demanded, "lass! What're are ya talkin' about, 'a match!' It's just a bed for the love of Mike! Why're ya-"

However, "fine then!"

Stopping Cait sith in his tracks the girl walked on over with a smirk on her face making Nozomi even surprised herself as she continued on, "I'll accept your little match, whoever wins 'Rock, Paper, Scissors' gets the bed!" With that she pulled out her gloved fist aiming it outwards in front of Nozomi showing that she was ready to duel.

Looking at her quietly Nozomi couldn't believe she'd accepted her blurted out idea so easily! But the girl still smirking then added a little something extra, "but I should warn you, I always win it at the end!"

Seeing the expression on the girl's face and this mocking taunt Nozomi forgot her surprise in moments as she replied straight back, "we'll see about that!" With that She brought out her own right hand to the girls and with that they were both ready.

Cait sith on Nozomi's head simply sighed at all this melodrama over something so trivial, but at the same time he was finding it quite amusing. Who was going to win this little wager?

Staring on the offence Nozomi was the first to shake her right hand up and down as the girl did while she chimed loudly, "Rock!" Thinking in her mind Nozomi thought quick of what to use, "Paper!" Racing quickly she reached a conclusion and then, "Scissors!" She chose her weapon of choice.

Paper Rock

The first match was hers! Smiling madly she grinned to the girl herself who looked annoyed at the result.

But again it started as this time as the loser she got to call out, "all right then round two!" Prepared Nozomi was on guard as the calling started up once more, "Rock!" Gritting her teeth she was ready! "Paper!" She was gonna do it! "Scissors!" This would win it!

Rock Paper

The girl has used her own weapon against her! Appalled at this Nozomi couldn't believe it! The girl however only smirked more having expected her opponent to do this.

Seeing her smirk only annoyed Nozomi all the more, so she spoke out, "okay final round! You ready!" She asked her voice full of determination.

Replying in moments the girl taunted, "better then you are!"

Cait sith watching still from his comfy headstall looked on with serious anticipation even himself, things were certainly getting underway here!

With that feeling the pressure herself Nozomi spoke out, "all right here we go!" Doing so she chanted out, "Rock!" Her opponent clenched her right hand ready, "Paper!" Nozomi then did so too, "Scissors!" With that the final strike was done.

Scissors Paper

There was silence in the room as things finally came to a conclusion, but then after this brief intermission of silence Nozomi spoke up excited, "I did it I won!"

Cait sith happy for her himself couldn't help but smile as well, but then looking to the girl he noticed she seemed unnaturally calm and… pleased? But before he could delve any further Nozomi spoke up again, "all right the bunk is mine!" With that she quickly walked passed the girl to claim what was hers, climbing up the ladder that was there in front of the bunk she lifted up the sheets loudly broadcasting, "now I can get some-" but she was distracted for stopping her in her tracks there was something lying under the covers.

A wrench.

Seeing this Nozomi asked, "huh?"

But before she could say another word the girl quickly moved, jumping and pouncing into the mattress before Nozomi could say another word. Looking at her shocked the girl leaned forward and taking the wrench into her right hand she pointed it at Nozomi's face as she told her once again mockingly grinning, " I told you, I always win at the end!"

Seeing that the rug had been pulled out from under her feet Nozomi was in total disbelief as words tried to etch out from her mouth, "huh! But! How! Did? I was-"

However she was interrupted as the girl spoke up again as she pulled the sheets over making herself comfortable, "you've got a long way to go before you can even think of taking down The Audrey Ramirez!"

Hearing and learning the girls name finally, Nozomi now further knew she really didn't like this Audrey, then confirming her dislike even more she told her, "now get movin' I wanna settle down and catch some Z's!" With that she turned herself over giving Nozomi the cold shoulder completely settling into the bed sheets.

Cait sith from the top of Nozomi's head wasn't completely impressed himself either at this cocky attitude of Audrey's but then suddenly without warning Nozomi climbed down the ladder and with that she began to walk out the door. However before leaving she looked at Audrey annoyed as she told her, "I hope the bed bugs bite!"

With that she left the room, Cait sith hearing her say this thought this was a little harsh for some reason but then again Nozomi had always been of a slight sore loser, so wanting to enquire he asked, "so what now lass?"

Hearing him she told him, "We'll just find Riku and Mickey and see what they're doing, besides it'll be better than doing nothing won't it?"

Listening to her words as she said this Cait sith then mused with a small smile on his whiskery face, "that you're right lass, that you're utterly right."

Meanwhile the black cat and girl's comrades had now themselves entered the men's quarters being followed by Milo who had taken it on himself to be hospitable. It was pretty much the same set up as what the girls had and seeing their basic set ups Riku was not completely surprised or impressed that much so internally sighed.

Milo though not noticing Riku's pessimistic mood simply smiled as he told him and Mickey, "right well here's your set up guys, I hope you like it! I need to go now and sort out more about our co-ordinates and stuff so take it easy for now, okay?"

Hearing him say this Mickey smiled at Milo's courtesy and responded to him in his usual optimistic manner, "yeah we will, thanks a lot there Milo, good luck with yer work."

Nodding at this encouragement Milo smiled as he replied, "thanks! See you guys later!" With that he departed out the open door.

Riku seeing him leave was silent for a moment as he looked at the bunks and then back to Mickey as he asked him, "so which one would you like your majesty?"

The question being put to him the king repeated curiously, " Which one would I like?" With that he looked around himself and then making a quick observation he made his choice, " "um… I think I'll go for that one over there."

Looking to the choice the king pointed to Riku made a simple nod as he replied, "right, okay I'll go for that one then." With that he walked over to his own choice as he slid under and sat on the bottom bunk and laid himself down, his arms behind his head with his eyes closed.

Mickey himself then walked over to his own bunk also picking a bottom one he simply sat himself down, looking at Riku for a brief silent moment he decided to ask him, "hey? Riku?"

Hearing a question being put to him he simply replied with his eyes still closed, "yes your majesty?"

Glad he was still in the mood for conversation Mickey continued, "when are you actually going to tell her?"

Riku hearing this question being put to him opened his eyes as he looked to him, his expression troubled as Mickey continued, "cause ya did tell Nozomi that ya were gonna let her in on things, so why have you…?"

As Mickey trailed off Riku looked down and then away feeling his troubles plaguing him inside again, he then answered the king as best he could, "I just feel that it hasn't been right to tell her yet… I just think she's not ready to know.

However Mickey had to object so in his own gentle manner he replied, "but she has said that she is though… and I think ya should tell her tell her sooner rather than later Riku, I-"

Riku then replied annoyed with irritation, "I know!" Making Mickey hush up in moments, this was really rare for him to respond to him in this manner and even Riku from where he was, he was surprised himself at his reaction but then becoming slightly more apologetic in his words he told him, "I know… you just, I just… I need time… just give me that and I promise… I'll tell her."

Mickey listening to this was silent, as his suspicions were being proved right as he simply replied, "okay Riku." For he knew that this would only lead to terrible repercussions later in the future… but the emotions behind this reasoning he understood them all too well.

Riku in the meantime still dwelling on his own insecurities had his back turned to the king, reaching his hand to his chest he could feel his heart pulsing quite quickly as those three simple but meaningful words replayed in his mind that Nozomi had cried out with no reservations whatsoever, 'I love you!' Tightening his grip he wondered why? Why of all things were those the words she had used… it was just so ridiculously idiotic of her.

Mickey in the meantime still stationed in his own bunk was caught up in his own thoughts too as he continued to look at Riku's turned back when suddenly a big shape shuffled from under the covers of the top bunk. Watching he saw that odd goggle eyed man from before as he looked underneath himself and turned his attentions to Riku.

Not noticing this unusual gaze Riku sighed when suddenly something shined with light making him blink his eyes open sensing the heat, turning over surprised he bumped his head slightly from reacting so quickly, "ow!" His head ached as he spoke out painfully.

But then a heavily French accented voice spoke out rather annoyed with suspicion, "you have disturbed the dirt!"

Still recovering from the painful impact Riku asked baffled, "what?"

With that the French goggle eyed man jumped out from the bunk as he ushered Riku out from the bottom as he spoke out annoyed with slight panic in his voice, "you have disturbed the dirt!"

Really confused Riku asked not getting it, "dirt?"

The French man then withdrew the sheets as he showed what he was talking about, "dirt from around the globe spanning the centuries!"

Then there underneath the green sheet he'd been lying on were little mounds of soil, each with a little flag indicating where each one originated. Looking at them Riku was far from being impressed by this unusual hobby and was more appalled to think that that stuff had been underneath him!

The French man though caught up in his panic and distress cried out appalled, "what have you done! England must never merge with France!" With that he set about tidying each little mound into its orderly place with a mechanical dustpan and brush that emerged from his goggles as he rushed over each one hurriedly.

Not getting it Riku looked on with an absolutely awkward face, but then Mickey walked on over quick as he asked him, "Riku are ya all right?"

Hearing him he told him looking on with that same slight awkward look though it was quickly being replaced by an expression of irritation," yeah I'm okay… just… confused." He spoke with his annoyance echoing out.

Glad that he was alright at least Mickey sighed as he told him, "Oh well that's good."

Their unusual acquaintance was still obsessing over his molehills as he continued to tidy each one into place making sure each grain was where it should be. Mickey felt that he should try and patch things up so he spoke up, "hey uh? Sorry about that there we didn't know ya were keepin' a collection under there fella." Ending with a slight laugh.

Riku staring at him as he did this rolled his eyes seeing Mickey's usual peaceful method kicking through, but then as he looked to the French man he saw that he had turned and was now looking at the two of them with deeply annoyed and suspicious eyes himself nearly taking Riku off guard.

Mickey though his eyes closed didn't notice as he continued on with the apology, "so uh? I hope that ya can excuse us from-"

But then the French man interrupted him as he asked aggressively with suspicion, "you speak too much! Who are you both? Who sent you? Speak up!" His goggles coming out more and more making both Riku and Mickey really startled.

Mickey tried to answer his question as he began to speak, "well uh? Ya see we're-"

But then he was cut off as the French man spoke up, "pah! I will know soon enough!" With that he suddenly somehow grabbed Riku's left arm as he pulled him forwards painfully.

Feeling this sudden pull and the pressure that was being put on him Riku shouted out, "hey! What do you think you're doing! Get off!"

The French man feeling him struggle paid it no mind as he took a pair of clips and told Riku, "Stop being such a cry baby!" With that he moved them towards one of Riku's fingers, seeing this he became alarmed and struggled more and more. The French man annoyed told him still trying to restrain him, "Just hold still!" Then it was only a matter of mili-seconds as he took the small little piece of evidence he needed.

Smiling at his achievement he released Riku in seconds making the white haired keyblader fall back almost as though he'd been elastic, he cried out as he landed painfully on the floor, "oww that hurt!"

Mickey rushed to his side in seconds alarmed, while the man in the meantime had his attentions firmly gripped on the single grain of dirt he'd recovered from Riku's nail, looking at it he spoke, "now then!" With that he turned a handle on the left side of his goggles as went straight down to business, " why don't you tell me your story, my little friend?"

Riku still aching slightly echoed," little friend?" As Mickey helped him back up.

But the goggle eyed French man went straight to his observations, "hmmm… a sand particle fibre from the nova delta, small traces of leaf particles plant species Papou, tree bark from palm trees, have been in encounters with mammals of several origins etc. etc."

Finishing his observations Riku and Mickey looked on with really puzzled eyes, what was all this supposed to mean exactly? They were speechless as the French man continued, "these are all the microscopic fingerprints of word travellers!" He then looked to them suddenly making both of them go on edge and then he looked back to the dirt as he licked it with his tongue trying to get a flavour of sorts. After a brief moment he'd come to a conclusion, "total enigmatics!"

Hearing this cluster full of info and not understanding it in the slightest Riku asked, "How did you-"

However he was cut off as the French man spoke up absolutely enraged, "this is an outrage! Both of you must leave at once! Out, out, out, out, out!" He then began to shove both of the keybladers out to make them leave through the door.

But suddenly this hurried queue of three was stopped in their tracks as a tall block came into place, looking up baffled beyond belief Riku and Mickey looked up to see a tall dark skinned man as he looked down at them all with a smile on his face undeterred by this odd scene. A white towel surrounded his neck with his shirt off with a pair of green trousers and braces on making up for his bareness.

He then spoke up, "uh-oh! One of you guys sat in the dirt, didn't you?"

Hearing this question being asked Riku responded still bewildered by all this suddenness, "yeah something like that."

The towelled man then turned to the French man as he told him with his arms folded in a serious manner, "Moliere, now what have I told you about playin' nice with the other kids?"

This Moliere was then about to answer back as had a hand out ready to point out his accusations when suddenly the towelled man brought out a single object from him right pocket as he held it out and told him, "get back! I've got soap and I'm not afraid to use it!"

Looking at the small white hygienic instrument in front of him Moliere hissed like some kind of wild beast and then suddenly he rushed away but not without being given a towel lashing as he was ordered, "back, foul creature! Back to the pit from which you came!" With that he quickly entered the sheets on the top bunk as he looked from underneath with a single light turned on making him look like some kind of odd cave creature.

Still weirded out by all this bizarreness Riku could at least breathe a sigh of relief from that odd spell, Mickey though on the other hand still apologetic spoke to this new person as he said, "whoa… sorry there we didn't mean ta cause any fuss in here or anythin' we just-"

However he was interrupted as the man spoke up, "nah don't worry about it, we've all had our own little spats with Mole at some point so don't dwell on it."

Hearing the man's name being mentioned at last Riku repeated, "Mole?" Then looking to the top bunk he saw the foul creature hiss at him again quietly under the sheets. Riku then turned again and spoke to himself, "well that name definitely suits him."

The man hearing this then spoke again, "and while we're on the subjects of names, mine is Sweet, Joshua Sweet." With that he reached his right hand forwards to be shook.

Seeing this and hearing the introduction the king smiled as he replied, "nice to meet ya! I'm Mickey." With that he shook Sweet's hand, as his was shook briskly.

Smiling glad for this Sweet then released his grip from his majesty as he turned his attentions, he went to meet his other new acquaintance, seeing him approaching Riku did the same as Mickey, "Riku." With that he shook Sweet's hand.

Releasing his hand Sweet spoke again his smile still there as he walked over to a small desk that had a black bag on top of it, rummaging through it he spoke, "glad to know you both, just to let you know I'm the medical officer and since you guys are my three o 'clocks, we might as well get started."

"Get started?" Mickey echoed wondering what it was he was going to do. With that Sweet pulled on a surgeons headband and white lab coat as he then suddenly pulled out a huge surgeon's saw. Seeing this tool made both Riku and Mickey go pale as this guy was now becoming creepy, an even more unnerving way than even Mole was! Seeing their reactions and thinking nothing of it his smile still dwelt as he spoke on with the huge object on his shoulder, "nice, isn't it? The catalogue says that this little beauty can saw through a femur in twenty-eight seconds!"

He then put the object to one side making Riku and Mickey just a little bit more relaxed as Sweet continued on, "though I'm bettin' I can cut that time in half," with that the next item he drew out was a small stick of some kind as he spoke, "now, I want you Mickey to stick out your tongue and say, 'Ahh.'"

Hearing that he had to be checked the king was not exactly thrilled by this idea as he tried to decline politely, "oh ya don't have to there Sweet I-"

However he was cut off as his tongue had been caught down by the stick while Sweet did his observations looking into his mouth at all angles searching for any signs of trouble, "so, where are you guys from?"

Riku looked on baffled and wondered how on earth Mickey was supposed to respond in that state? The king in the meantime tried to burble something out though it wouldn't make any sense to a normal person at all.

Though Sweet seemed somehow to interpret it rather well, "oh really? Never been up that way." With that he took out the small stick and then instead stuck a thermometer into Mickey's mouth to check his temperature, "so do you do any fishin'?" With that he listened to the king's chest with a heart-measuring device.

Watching still thinking this was really strange Riku heard the king burble something else out with the small temperature measuring device in his mouth, Sweet once again seemed to understand completely replied, "me? I hate fishin', I hate fish, hate the taste, hate the smell and hate all them little bones." With that he removed the listening device from his ears and after a small time measurement he turned to Riku as he brought out two huge beakers as he told him, "oh Riku, I'm gonna need you to fill these two up."

Seeing the size of the massive jugs Riku spoke out appalled with shock, "with what?"

At the moment it was then Nozomi entered the door and seeing the odd scene that was going on with Mickey with a thermometer in his mouth and the tall doctor guy with the beakers she asked with a puzzled look on her face as Cait sith had the same, "uh…? What're you guys doing?"

Turning to look at her Riku looked back mortified but then suddenly an announcement came through the intercoms in a dreary bored feminine tone, "will all available personnel please report to the bridge?"

Hearing this feeling like as if the school bell had been rung Riku sighed with huge relief, "oh thank you!"

At once hearing him say this not wanting their medical officer to be insulted Mickey spoke up, "well um, uh, it was meetin' ya there Mr Sweet! Uh we gotta go!" With that they both pulled a confused Nozomi and Cait sith out through the door with them.

Sweet seeing them all leave replied calling out, "yep it was nice meeting you guys too!" A smile still on his face as the beakers hadn't left either of his hands.

Meanwhile walking to the bridge Nozomi looked back puzzled as she asked, "so what was the guy with the beakers wanting exactly?"

Hearing ask this not believing her clueless nature Riku told her agitated, "don't even ask about it!" With that he marched forwards with Mickey quickly following.

Nozomi on the other hand blinked confused as she then became annoyed and asked, "What the heck was that all about?" With that she chased after the two of them to see what the summons on the bridge was all about.