50
By: Aviantei
Act I: 50 Minutes/Abandonment
Scene VII: "Of course it's blank. Now stop making such a ruckus."
Rhea found the described hallway just past the dining hall within a matter of minutes. Much like the guest room doors, the same blue met her eyes, yellow doorplates naming each location. Rhea poked her head into the library, the room just as quiet as the hall outside it. It didn't improve much over her situation in her room, but the chance of running into someone was stronger in a public space.
She had expected a replica of the school's library, but the shelves were made of an immaculate wood that shined in the pseudo (she assumed. There hadn't been any windows so far to prove her otherwise) sunlight. Lush green carpet supported her feet, curved staircases ran up the sides of the room to shelves and floors above, and the walls looked nothing less like Rhea had stepped inside of a very large and hollowed out tree.
"Wow," she whispered, frozen in the doorway for a moment. She shook her head, clearing out her awe for the moment, and turned the knob so as not to make a sound when she shut the door.
Even the air smelled like spring and bark and life. So far, the Fifty Minute Room had seemed like a very long and trans-dimensional hallway. The view proved the place had a vertical element to it, too.
Or is that just because it fits inside my perception of a comfortable library? Rhea didn't know where the thought could have come from. They didn't have anything like this in the town with no name. It sounded like a story Roxas would tell. No, don't do that. You came here to stop being such an isolated pansy. At least read a damn book.
The girl climbed the first step of stairs, craning her neck to see the second floor above, its wooden railing preventing falls. The handrail under Rhea's palm felt like a fallen tree branch, somehow splinter free. She wondered if it was even possible to get hurt in the Fifty Minute Room, and decided she would rather not find out.
The bookshelves along the first floor had all been small two and three shelf affairs. Those on the second floor were a gulf away in comparison, and it would take a ladder to reach the top. Not having picked up a book in a while, Rhea decided to take a climb instead of puzzling it out.
The ladder looked thin, but it proved sturdy against Rhea's weight, not even bending. She dropped all thought while scaling the ladder, focusing on the churn of her muscles and keeping her breaths even. That much activity was easy in comparison to scaling the castle floors.
The spines around her flashed in brilliant color, a literate person's chest of jewels. Rhea stopped, plucking a book from the shelf without looking at the title. Hooking one arm around the closest rung of ladder, Rhea let the book open across her palm.
"It's blank?"
"Of course it's blank. Now stop making such a ruckus."
Rhea slapped the book shut so she wouldn't drop it, then gazed down at the source of the voice. She had climbed quite a far way up, and the person below her looked nothing more than an outline with gray hair. Not Axel, then. Rhea couldn't tell whether to feel grateful or disappointed.
Rhea tucked the book into her jacket pocket, then turned the face the bookshelf. She had remembered to grab her hoodie from the laundry, but not her gloves. She would have to ask Madam about them later. In their stead, she wrapped the ends of her sleeves around her hands before sliding down the ladder.
The rush of wind and gravity sent up Rhea's hair and hood. One of the jacket's silver drawstrings smacked her in the face. The impact with the floor sent a thud up from her body through the tips of her fingers, but Rhea brushed it off and turned to face her fellow guest.
He didn't look impressed.
Upon closer inspection, his hair seemed as much a mess as Axel's, just in the downward direction of a fringe covering half his face. Even so, he seemed a bit older than her. A white button-up stood out against the rest of his dark attire. A rather large book rested tucked under his arm, but Rhea couldn't tell what it was.
She waited for the guy to say something. He didn't.
"So, um…" Roxas led their conversations when Rhea got stuck. The guy didn't seem to follow the same approach. "I'm Rhea. Nice to meet you?"
The words weren't meant to be question, but they sounded like one anyways. "Zexion," he sighed, the harsh x making his name carry more bite than Rhea hoped he had intended. "I can't say it's nice, but well met anyways. I'd heard we had a new guest among us, but I didn't expect to meet you here." From the tone of his voice, Rhea got the impression he hadn't wanted to.
Well, sucks for him. If he really wants me gone he can say so. Rhea bounced on her toes and put on her best social smile. "Yeah, I got here last—" Last night didn't quite apply in a place that existed in its own stream of time. "New arrival," she corrected. "But, hey, what were you saying about the books being blank?"
Zexion stared at Rhea for what felt like a good long while before relenting. "This library looks well stocked, but that's for appearance. The Fifty Minute Room runs off cognitive impulses. That includes the literature." He pointed to the volume sticking out of Rhea's hoodie. "That book can contain the exact same content as any of the other books here, depending on what you aim to read."
"Huh." Rhea thought of a picture book she had read as a child and plucked the book from her pocket. The cover didn't change from plain red, but its spine shrank in her hand, and opening it showed the colorful images, just as she'd remembered. Shutting the volume, she concentrated on the image of her English textbook, stretching the book's spine and tripling its weight. "Neat!"
"Yes, I suppose," Zexion said, though the slight quirk of his lips showed he was more in agreement than he lent on. "Overall, it's supposed to be a matter of convenience. This place has more of an…atmospheric quality to it otherwise."
Rhea nodded, thinking of a more reasonable volume to shrink her book down to. When it was pocket sized again, Rhea tucked it away and tried not to look too nervous at the conversation. "I get that. I thought this place would be peaceful…" Remembering the guy's earlier words, she frowned. "Sorry. Did I make that much noise?"
"Not as much as you're making now." Ouch. This one had a sharp tongue. "But even the smallest of sounds carries in such a quiet place. Do try to remember that."
"Memorize it, huh?" Rhea quipped before catching herself. Eh, fuck it, Axel wasn't around to poke fun at her anyway. Or whatever he would do. Even though they'd only talked enough times to count on one hand, she hated that she couldn't figure him out. "Well, if it's for convenience's sake, that big book isn't doing you any favors. What is it anyways?" At this point, Rhea couldn't tell if she was still talking to annoy the guy or because she was lonely.
Both, if we're being honest here.
Zexion gripped onto the volume in question. Had she hit a weak spot? He looked defensive. "This is from the outside, so it doesn't follow the same rules." Well, Rhea still had her phone, so bringing along personal items seemed to be okay. She wondered if there was a limit. "It's not something you could understand, though."
Rhea scowled at the implication. "Okay, just because I don't use a tome twice the size of my head as a security blanket doesn't mean I'm stupid," she snapped before she could think better of it. The girl trapped her tongue between her incisors to prevent further incident. Ever since Roxas had kicked her out of the car, the words of strangers all felt like personal attacks. Sir and Madam seemed to be the exceptions.
"And I never said you were," Zexion said, "though I may be considering it now." Well, Rhea deserved that one. "There are powers between the worlds that some people can access and others cannot. You are not someone who can access this." He waved the book across his chest before securing it back in place. "You cannot change natural aptitude without consequences. That is what I meant."
"Oh." It probably had to do with magic, then. Despite Roxas's best efforts, she had never been able to pick it up, though that might have been since he wasn't the best teacher. Rhea tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "While I'm being rude and all, I might as well tell you that you could've worded that much better the first time."
"I could say the same of you."
Touché. "Well, if we're all done taking pot shots at each other's self-esteem, maybe we can make some progress." Rhea tried to grin. Yikes, still awkward. This was what she got for talking to one single person for a whole year. "You probably…just want me to shut up so you can get your peace and quiet back."
"Well, you could've worded that better the first time," Zexion said, with just enough levity that Rhea dared to think he had made a joke, "but in essence you're right. Time may be more relative here than other places, but I do use it as a refuge for my research. I'd rather spend my energy wisely."
"I got ya. I'll get out of your hair then." Which she probably should have done in the first place. At least the effort had netted her a new—friend? No, definitely not. Acquaintance, then. "I hope your research goes well." With a book that big and ominous looking, it couldn't be easy.
Zexion nodded, his expression ghosting over for a moment. Rhea hadn't been paying enough attention to read it. "Yes, I hope so, too. Do keep the noise down, will you?" he said, like she hadn't heard it the first time. Then he retreated along the bookshelf Rhea had climbed before disappearing behind its corner. Whether or not he planned to see her later was anyone's guess.
Rhea kept her mouth shut, not wanting to earn another scolding. But that didn't mean her thoughts needed similar filters. Is it just me, or is everyone here a pain in the ass?
Maybe it making that conclusion after talking with just two people didn't hold up very well, but finding a quiet corner to read in was more important than silly things like that.
For a moment, Roxas looked caught off guard by the words. Then, a smile blossomed over his face, fresh as spring flowers.
"I'm glad I could help!" he said, like the praise meant the world to him. "I need to get to the top of the castle but…you don't have a weapon with you, huh? It'd be dangerous to bring you further in…"
He's…trying to get to the top of the castle? No, focus. You need to get out. "Sorry. I don't want to interrupt you, but…"
Roxas shook his head. "It's okay. I wouldn't be alright with just leaving you here. Let's get downstairs and get you home."
Home. The word stung worse than the wound on Rhea's wound had pre-healing. She knew her home lied between the hills, in the town with no name, but going back seemed like a defeat of some sort. She couldn't stay in the castle, though. She would die there. That wasn't what she wanted anymore.
I'll deal with home when I get there. But I need to get out first for any of that to even matter.
Roxas stood and checked over his jacket to get ready. Rhea tugged her boots back on, did the laces up tight, and stood as well. She hadn't noticed the way she had favored her good leg until she was able to balance her weight between both. The blood had dried along her calf, and flaked through the pressure from her pants and boot, but she dealt with it.
"All good to go?" Roxas asked. Rhea nodded. "Okay. I'm gonna try to go fast so we don't trigger any respawn areas, but yell at me if you can't keep up, alright?"
"Got it." With that, Roxas sat off at a run, and Rhea jogged behind him. All the walls still looked the same, but Roxas made turns with certainty, and soon they were back at the downward staircase.
Roxas paused for Rhea to catch her breath. "You doing good?"
"I'll be fine," Rhea said, once again trying to get a closer look down the stairs. The voice hadn't said anything else, but the last words Rhea had heard were spoken here. If the girl had any thoughts on Rhea's successful find of Roxas, she didn't voice them. "I did leave a group of those monsters at the stairs, though. Just so you're ready."
"Heartless, huh?" Roxas lifted his hand like he still held his weapon. "Well, they're pretty weak this far down. I'll be able to handle them. No worries, Rhea." He grinned before his expression hardened and he stepped down the stairs. Rhea followed after him, taking each stair at half the boy's pace.
She expected the Heartless to still be scrambling at the stairs. Instead, the hall was clear, stretching out before them. Roxas took a deep breath and held out a hand, signaling Rhea to stay put. She clasped her hands together, trying to release the pressure building in her throat.
Roxas charged forward. Feet in front of him, the Heartless bubbled up from the ground, all five that Rhea had left behind. The key-shaped sword formed in Roxas's hand mid swing. Without a larger monster to back them up, Roxas made short work of the Heartless, his weapon vanishing the instant the danger had cleared.
He said he wasn't amazing, but excuse me if I don't believe it.
"Okay, the coast's clear," Roxas called. Rhea approached his side. "I don't think there'll be too many more on the way down, but just stay back if a fight breaks out. I promise I'll get you out of here without any trouble."
Rhea could only agree and carry on. Like on the floor above them, Roxas seemed to know the path, and they were down the stairs after a short fight with a few more Heartless. It made Rhea's own wandering trek look like a marathon. No monsters reappeared on the first floor, either, and soon the two pushed open the doors, cool night air pressing into Rhea's lungs. She hadn't noticed how stagnant the air inside had been.
She hadn't noticed how adrenaline had been fueling her every step.
Rhea collapsed into a heap on the stairs.
"You okay?" Roxas asked, kneeling down to her side. Rhea tried to catch her breath before bursting into a fit of giggles. "Uh, Rhea…?"
"I'm okay." She was okay. And not trapped. And alive. It relieved her more than she would have thought. Rhea stared up at the sky, with its ever present night and moon and stars. "I just didn't think I'd see this view again, you know?"
Roxas scratched the back of his head, not sure of how to respond. Rhea cursed her own stupidity in mentioning it, but what was done was done. If Roxas figured out the real reason she had entered the castle, then so be it. The boy looked around, his gaze dodging all over the place, and Rhea turned her head to the other side.
The boy coughed, and Rhea's heart jumped as he caught her attention. "So, you're from that town down there, right? It's always lit up, so I notice it when I come here, but it's too far away to go and visit."
Rhea looked out across the face of her world. Even when up against the castle door, you could still see the town with no name lit up in the distance. Rhea couldn't believe she had walked that far in one go. Even with Roxas's healing magic, she felt like she could sleep for days. There was no way she could make it that far without having to rest first.
Am I really thinking about going back?
"I guess I'm curious about it. And here. I mean, I've only tried getting to the top of the castle, so I haven't explored anywhere else." Roxas adjusted so he sat next to Rhea proper on the steps. "What's it like?"
"It's nothing special," Rhea whispered. A sky that never left night, never granted the sun. A quiet town overflowing with empty people. A place where people would pick you up and toss you out when they got bored. A very, very cruel place.
Hot tears spilled from Rhea's eyes. When she tried to breathe, the air caught on a sob. She tucked her knees into her chest and hugged them, reaching for a sense of security as she cried.
Roxas stammered between condolences before falling silent. And then his hand reached out to pat Rhea's shoulder. His leather glove creaked, but the gesture felt warm.
"No, don't…" he tried. "I mean, I don't know what you're going through, but you don't want to go back there, do you?" Rhea bawled in reply, shaking her head. "It doesn't look like there's anywhere else to go in this world." There wasn't. That's why she had tried the castle. "But I can take you somewhere else if you want."
Rhea lifted her head and looked to Roxas. Even in mere moonlight, his eyes held a bright blue unlike any she had seen before.
"If you really don't want to stay here, Rhea, you can come with me."
"How is she doing?" Madame asked.
"She's making progress," Sir answered. "But there's still time before her heart can properly heal. You know how it is."
"Yes, but I'm still glad we can help someone out. There isn't much we can do here, but…"
"We're doing as we can, my dear. For some people, that's enough. Most wounds can be healed with time."
"But the rest require care and love."
"Is that what you noticed then?"
"We can't do this entirely with our support. Her hurt runs far deeper than family affection. She needs that, but she'll need more."
"Friendship, of course. Everyone needs someone."
"She holds the Mark of Relationship."
"I see…"
"That point is still far off for her. But it's what's required for her to heal. It will come in time, I know, but I worry she can't find that here, or she'll give up on herself beforehand. I don't think even my words will be able to reach her then."
Sir let out an affectionate chuckle. "So determined to take care of everyone. But your words aren't the only ones out there, my darling."
"You're right, I know, but I do still worry."
"Things will be fine. We just need to put her on the right path. The rest will work itself out in time, so long as she continues to step forward. Now, let us tend to our guests. It's a never ending job, I'm afraid."
"But it's the one we chose together. I'm glad to do this beside you."
Without exchanging pleasantries, the couple split apart. Axel held his position against the wall, not moving until their footsteps had faded. The perpetual twilight around him refused to dim.
Is that how it is, then?
[Avi's Notes]
This chapter was fun but tricky, considering I feel like I don't have that strong of a grip on Zexion's character as I do for others'. Practice makes perfect, after all, so the rest of the story should just add to that skill, right?
Beyond that, we have the finishing moments of Rhea's first flashback, plus a little intrigue for things to come. What is the Mark of Relationship? We won't find out next week, but we'll have some more mysteries unraveled next Saturday!
Next Scene: "Go ahead, tell me about it." Please look forward to it!
-Avi
[09.26.2017]