Kingdom Hearts: Descent to Darkness [A KH Roleplay]

[Azrael]

Kingdom Hearts: Descent to Darkness

"Only the Heartless will survive and rule..."

-----

Licking some ice cream, Ansem the Wise took his time reading from a small slip of paper the credentials of someone who he had decided was just right to take the much desired position of secretary. It's been almost twenty years since he had first took the throne and much change has occurred in his kingdom. Age and the advice from his youngest apprentice, Ienzo, convinced him that he needed someone to help handle the non-scientific, mostly governmental affairs of his kingdom while he and the others would be busy testing the experiments in his office as was the usual habit. Unlike the countless thousand other men and women who had applied for this position, he was sure in his heart that this woman would be best for the position.

"I am intrigued with what you have in this job application." Ansem said, placing the paper down followed by his pair of reading glasses before looking up at the woman. "I hope that you realize the responsibilities to bear if you are still adamant on working here. In all but name, you would be the one in charge of this kingdom and before I hear your response on this, don't think of me as selfish when I say that I prefer experimentation than being stuck in this office doing nothing interesting." An awkward silence soon followed and not wanting to make things any weirder than they were, he offered his popsicle. "You seem famished. I don't wish to impose but would you wish for some ice cream? It's quite popular among the youth."

-----

"Sorry. It looks like you just lost right now." Rulod smiled as another game, as did always since he became known in that gambling tournament some years ago, would end in his victory. His opponent, some second-rate hack clown, at first did not seem to be ready to accept the fact that he would be losing but once that the blond card master had shown his hand of superior cards, his head sunk as he threw the amount that he betted on when he first challenged the card master on the table, a total amount of ten thousand munny. For Rulod, the good thing was that all the munny was for him.

-----

A rather elitist society, the Garden's locals always considered their home-world to be a beautiful, clean and prosperous cosmopolitan city and Dilan was no exception to that. In the midst of all this savagery that exists beyond the walls, one can appreciate the true beauty that lies in the distance. thought the apprentice, watching the faint image of their master's palace towers from one of the many clifftops overlooking the region known to everyone as the Great Maw. It was certainly better spending time there than wasting time in this vacant wasteland with the other apprentices. At least all of us male apprentices had to go. Ahisa was given permission to stick back inside that castle and conduct those experiments for us.

Unfortunate that master Ansem has commanded us to stay here for the rest of the day and make friends with Xehanort. Not that he minded getting to know the most recent addition but he rather preferred to such befriending activities inside the castle where they could at least be comfortable and have a nice cup of tea while they make small talk with the recent apprentice. He stuck behind watching the city while Aeleus and Braig was setting up their campsite by a set of abandoned ruins and Ienzo and Even were having a discussion about that secret batch of Unversed that has been hidden in the basement. I suppose that the others share my excitement to test those creatures and see why have they morphed into what they are now.

[madammina]

Ice Cream? Kelsie's mouth watered at the very mention. Unfortunately, he stomach also rumbled. A blush rushed up her cheek, highlighting her yellow eyes.

I don't get why you have to go out for a job. Ansem snarked. If you pass out, I can work some lovely havoc. And working for my old mentor? Are you trying to upset the past?

If I pass out from hunger, you will be weak too. And you want to hurry up this tragedy. I didn't know this guy was your mentor, as you know quite well, and I need to eat. She brushed her grey and brown hair out of her face, then pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

"Yes, sir, I would. Thank you." the Mentor in particular, Ansem the Wise, gave a small smile.


Any particular reason behind being a secretary? Ansem mused. Despite sharing his name with the person leading the two people (supposedly) to the kitchen only Kelsie could see or hear the psychotic heartless who tried to take over the worlds and Kingdom Hearts. It wasn't much consolation to know that she only shared her heart with him to spare Riku's. And here? You should have just left when you arrived in the building.

You're Evil laughing piqued my curiosity. was her flat, mental reply.

Payback for the musicals you've been blasting non stop in our head.

MY head... and not quite. You know how my power works. Ansem did not reply. He had that grin on his face, when he was happy about something. If you wreck the past too much, you could cause the opposite of what you intend. The obliteration of your own existence.

You have more to lose. Ansem hurried to catch up to her. This was a long hallway. Kelsie's sneakers echoed solemnly off of the marble hallway. The Only reason you are the Tia Dolma now, if you ignore the extraordinary amount of double crossing, is because you were summoned there because they needed your power. The only reason you didn't go insane is because you had friends there. Before you get mad, remember I read your mind. If you destroy the past so I never complete my plans, Riku will never find the power of Darkness, meaning a large part, if not everything, of what led him, Sora, and you to me will never have happened. Meaning you would have lost your mind and Calypso would be wandering even more inbetween then usual. Kelsie honestly wanted to punch him.

Unfortunately, as a composer, she didn't really have much physical power behind that. Then there was the fact he was a spirit tied to her heart. Though... if sh DID get the job... Ansem had a point. What WOULD she do?

And bowing to your will isn't an option she told Ansem, before he even said anything.

[Azrael]

Ice Cream? Kelsie's mouth watered at the very mention. Unfortunately, he stomach also rumbled. A blush rushed up her cheek, highlighting her yellow eyes.

Ansem grinned at seeing the girl's mouth water at the mention of the sea salt ice cream. Reminds me of my apprentice Xehanort when I first introduced him to ice cream while at the desert. He almost gave to his temptation to laugh when her stomach rumbled and the girl blushed but of course, he was a king and needed to not act like a child around this woman. "So I'm going to safely assume from what I saw that you want your ice cream?" asked the ruler.

"Yes, sir, I would. Thank you." the Mentor in particular, Ansem the Wise, gave a small smile.

"Come with me to then. I'm sure that my servants would had stocked up the cooler there with as much ice cream that anyone can dream of." Ansem said, directing his faint smile at Kelsie's direction. He did not wish to admit it to anyone nor this Kelsie person but he offered her it because he himself had a desire to consume a bit more ice cream than he usually would. It was advised by his cardiologist to stop eating the sweets but surely such an "unhealthy" habit could have an exception when it came to guests coming to his castle. Oh. I'm sure that my heart can withstand the supposed dangers of something so sweet yet salty. For no reason at all, the king chuckled as he pushed back his chair and stood up. "You may not have heard of it but once you try it, you will immediately fall in love with it."

She did the same with her seat and stood up. "Follow me and do not get lost. This castle is rather huge and I need not have to summon Royal Security to come look for you, miss Nielson." Ansem warned, remembering full well what had happen just a week ago. I should had followed little Kairi and that bodyguard of hers whose name has escaped me. Took me and the entire staff almost an entire day that could had been spent on experimentation finding those two. No need for a repeat of that incident. Once that I dwell on it, it's rather humorous how a paladin couldn't be able to keep trace of one little girl.

Ansem and Kelsie left the office and walked down the now empty hallways to where the castle kitchen and mess hall were located. To make sure nothing resembling the "Kairi" incident would occur, he went on ahead and assumed that the girl was (hopefully) following him and not getting herself lost. On occasion, the blond haired man looked back every two minutes to make sure that his guest was right behind him although he had a strange feeling that something was bothering Kelsie. I wonder what might be the problem. No problem if I asked her. He awaited until they were now outside the kitchen doors to ask. "Is something troubling your heart, miss Nielson?"

[Chi-Chan]

A young woman stared at the two humans which were placed behind the glass. They could not see her...her expressions as they fulfilled her wishes. The experiment was certainly simple on their half. After the death of her last experiment she had noticed that the heart of the victim had lifted from its body to be contained within the sheild of glass of that the human had been held. The death of their last experiment had been quite a disaster, but it had led to many questions... Their whole experiments had been on the focus of the heart and now to have a heart within their poccession, For that purpose, she had been praised but yet the death had left her in quite a emotional breakdown. Unlike other women, she had not cried or become a true emotional wreck. She had merely refused to work for a month. This was her first experiment since the event...

Ahisa had connected the mind waves within their bodies to the heart within the sheild. Multiple wires placed upon the heart and the bodies of her latest work. Placing the headset microphone over her ears and adjusting the microphone towards her mouth, Ahisa began her experiment. her voice being heard within the room behind the mirror. "Now, please look towards the screen and imagine something of that you hate. Feel the very emotion of your hatred, let it take over..." Watching the two closely, she scanned the signs of their hatred. The way their eyes narrowed, their lips bitten as if trying to keep control. The very thing they hated being placed upon the screen but yet that was not the only thing that intrigued her. The heart that was connected to their emotions instantly turned a pure black. Growing somehow in size. As it grew, Ahisa knew if she did not stop, the experiment would go to far in such a way she did not truly know. Her results being written upon the clipboard she held within her hands.

Her voice beckoned through the room once again now at that thought, "Now please, imagine something you truly love." At those very words, their faces calmed. The heart turning to a beautiful pink which was almost white. Shrinking back to its moderate, normal size. It was beautiful...almost like glass. Seeing the change, once again she wrote upon her clipboard. Releasing the two so that she could show her results to her Professor, Ansem The WIse. The door onto the lab being closed silently as the sound of her heels were heard down the hall...

[madammina]

"Is something bothering you heart?" What an odd question. Normally people just ask if something was bothering YOU... and what would she say?

I would, surprisingly, recommend not saying I'm here. If they find out about me they could experiment on you and I don't know how that will play out. Kelsie didn't know either.

"No, sir, I'm just hungry. This is my first time living on my own, and I underestimated the cost of running a household." We're a household now? it's just you in that abandoned house. It was true, about a month ago, after being sucked through ANOTHER Black hole, she had arrived in Radiant Gardens then years in the past. She had crawled into the nearest house she could, and took up living there once she realized it was abandoned. The previous owner had left it moderately stocked, but Kelsie still starting working on getting a job as soon as possible. This was the first place to accept her. Her physical appearance kept on frightening people off. What I REALLY want is a turkey sandwich she thought as she slid into the seat Ansem the Wise offered her. I've been living on raisins and chocolate for 3 days.

"You're right." Kelsie managed to say as she finished her first bite of the ice cream. "This IS good."
---
Aeleus hid behind the tent he was pitching to pull a locket out of his pocket. He flipped open the gold charm to reveal two pictures. On the right, his picture, with a woman on his back. They were both laughing, with her hazel hair and blue eyes gracing an angelic face placed next to his. Her hands wrapped around just below his throat, and the orange leaves of their campus in the fall made the whole scene look quite bright and cheery. The picture on the left was just the woman, but this time dressed like a bride and looking happy yet serious at the same time.

"Naomi..." Aeleus whispered. His wife... his dead wife... the wife who had told him the night before she died about how she was expecting. In fact.... she was two months along. She was just waiting until she was sure before she told him. That night... he had grabbed his lovely physicist of a wife and started to swing her around before realizing it might not be that good for the baby. She had just smiled, and kissed him on the nose as he set her down. As tears sprang to his eyes, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He pulled the person over his own shoulder, before realizing who it was.

"I told you before, DON'T sneak up on me!"
----

[Azrael]

"You're right." Kelsie managed to say as she finished her first bite of the ice cream. "This IS good."

"If it's difficult living on your own, I am willing to provide living quarters." Ansem offered, feeling the sense of sympathy to Kelsie's plight in running a household on her own. She mentioned in her application that she has not been successful seeking employment in the other venues in the city. The scoundrels! He could safely assume that because of her rather odd-looking hair and slightly darker skin tone, that she was a victim of a horrendous crime he would like to call discrimination. I will not stand here and hear any of this! Now, he was sure of himself to make the decision to offer her a room in the castle. "Before you consider refusing my kind offer, I am sure that it would be no problem to locate a vacant room for you to reside in. This castle is rather large, too large for just me and a few apprentices alone to live in."

Knock.

He turned his head towards the door's direction and wondered who was knocking on the door. Unlikely that it's Xehanort nor Braig, Dilan, Even, Aeleus and Ienzo. Ansem remembered that he had sent orders via his security forces to his apprentices to get to know Xehanort and befriend the man. Of course, the best way for men of science to bond with a recent addition to their group was to go on a weekend-long trip to the Great Maw and collect some hearts from the local creatures that roamed outside the walls. Ahisa. The name that his only female apprentice addressed herself as to him when she first came to the Garden wishing to join his research team on the bold endeavor to discover the heart's secrets. I haven't heard from her all day. She must have either finished the experiment or has information to report.

"I have affairs that must be attended to, it seems so just stay here and eat." Ansem then excused himself and allowed the girl Kelsie full reign over his kitchen and opened the door. I was right. thought the Radiant Garden as he saw his apprentice. To make sure that Kelsie wasn't listening to any important information that his apprentice have discovered, he closed the door and locked it before looking back at his apprentice, then downward at the clipboard she held in her hands. "Good afternoon, Ahisa. I am glad to see that you are well, or at least I hope you are well. Anyways down to business, did the experiments achieve the results that we had hypothesized."

[Chi-Chan]

Hearing her Superior converse within the other room from where she stood. Ahisa listened quite carefully. It would seem from analysing the words within her mind, Ansem had found their new Receptionist. Fortunately, she did not sound to utterly mindless. If it was one thing Ahisa truly despised, it was a female or male without brains. She found such a thing repulsive to say the least. As a child her world had been filled with people who did not understand nor care for the art of mathematics nor literature. For that, perhaps that was the very purpose she despised people who did not know the difference between your or you're. Finally she heard her Professor finished with the woman, entering the room of which she waited.

"I have affairs that must be attended to, it seems so just stay here and eat." Ansem then excused himself and allowed the girl Kelsie full reign over his kitchen and opened the door. I was right. thought the Radiant Garden as he saw his apprentice. To make sure that Kelsie wasn't listening to any important information that his apprentice have discovered, he closed the door and locked it before looking back at his apprentice, then downward at the clipboard she held in her hands. "Good afternoon, Ahisa. I am glad to see that you are well, or at least I hope you are well. Anyways down to business, did the experiments achieve the results that we had hypothesized."

Looking up towards Ansem the Wise, Ahisa nodded lightly, looking at him with a face that merely only said business. Her hand lifting towards her face to pull up her glasses before she began. "I am quite well Sir, and fortunately the experiments perhaps showed more then we wanted." Moving the clipboard she passed it towards Ansem, showing the printed images of the heart and the other elements of the experiment including her written report of what had happened to the heart when the human mind focused upon certain emotions.

"When both of the two thought about hatred, the heart grew almost beastly in size, the heart even turning into a dark colour of black as if growing into a creature itself. With that result, personally I did not want to take it any further in such a result, seeing that the humans were almost losing themselves or in fact, their humanity. With this, when finally they though about something they loved, the heart turned back to its origional size...yet with that the heart turned a pure white, almost looking like glass."

A smile hit the scientists lips.

"I believe our experiment was a sucess Sir..."

[Organization_42]

In the darkness of a closet, the junior paladin Emyd remained in a crouched, fetal position and tried to keep his breathing as slow and silent as possible. If he made any sudden noise, she was bound to hear it and come running. He listened carefully to the sound of light footsteps and someone searching the room outside in vain, along with a few frustrated grunts. What he heard almost made Emyd chuckle, but he remembered to keep his mouth shut. He was actually surprised by how long he'd lasted; surely the closet would've been an obvious place for him to hide?

At that moment, Emyd heard a gasp of delight and the sound of feet running toward the closet. Uh-oh, he thought, Busted! A few seconds later, the door flew open. "I FOUND YOU!" shrieked a voice triumphantly.

Emyd groaned and looked back into the face of the excited little four-year-old girl who he was supposed to be watching. "Yes, you found me. Bravo, princess!" he grumbled.

She giggled and grabbed his arm to pull him out of the closet. "Now you gotta find me! Count to ten! No wait, count to a hundred!"

"Nooooo way, Miss Kairi," replied Emyd quickly, "I'm not about to have a repeat of what happened last week, remember?" That had been a disaster, no question about it. It had only been the day after he'd received his new assignment to guard and watch over Kairi, and she'd wanted to play hide-and-seek. At the time, he hadn't seen any harm in the idea and let her hide first. And of course she'd decided to leave the room and hide someplace where he would "never ever ever ever" find her! In the end, he'd needed to call the higher-ups in the Security Force, the bosses who had assured Ansem he could handle this assignment in the first place. The whole experience had been throughly humiliating, and he was surprised that he hadn't been fired right on the spot. But luckily, Ansem had been more amused than anything else and Emyd's new job was safe.

Of course, Kairi only laughed whenever he reminded her of the incident, like now. "You got in BIG trouble!" she told him gleefully.

"Yeah, BIG trouble. And I don't want it to happen again, or they won't let me watch you anymore."

Kairi's face fell. "But why??" she whined, "I like you!"

Sure wish I could say the same for you! thought Emyd. Kairi was a cute little girl, with bright red hair and innocent-looking blue eyes. But behind that sweet facade, she had a lot of spirit, and by the end of each day, even the energetic Emyd was worn out. He was starting to wonder just how long this job was going to last, and his hopes weren't high. Despite last week's blunder, he knew that his superiors had given him this mission for a reason: it was the only field work they could think to give him that he wouldn't screw up somehow.

Kairi seemed to sense that something was wrong, because the next thing Emyd knew, she had crawled into his lap and gave him a hug. "I'm sorry I got you in trouble, Mr. Emyd," she said, "We don't have to play hide-and-seek anyomore if it means you'll go away. Do you wanna play with my toys instead?"

Emyd couldn't help but smile at her. Okay, maybe she was kind of sweet when she wasn't giving him the kind of grief that only a toddler could cause. In a way, he felt bad that they never did anything besides playing with her toys. Surely there was something else that the two of them could do to pass the time? Then he remembered a large, colorful sign that he had noticed in town the other day while Kairi was visiting her grandmother. Hey...that might be a good distraction, but I guess I'd have to ask for permission first...I wonder if Ansem's in his office? "I have a better idea," he told Kairi, "C'mon, we're going to see Master Ansem."

"Ice cream?" she squealed in excitement.

"Better than ice cream," he replied.

"Ooooo!" Kairi jumped up and ran around in circles. "Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"

"Easy there!" said Emyd, "I'm getting up!"

"Wait!" she cried, and her bodyguard froze in mid-position. She ran over to a pile of toys to grab her favorite stuffed Chocobo and then wrapped her arms around Emyd's shoulder. "Boco and I wanna ride on your shoulders!" she demanded.

"Oh fine," he grumbled, and made sure that her arms were firmly wrapped around his neck before standing up and letting her ride instead of walk. Anything for the spoiled princess...not that I'm doing anything to improve that...

[Hikari]

Braig stared at the instructions for a short while before crumpling them up and throwing them off to the side. "Heh! What do I need instructions for? I'm pretty sure I can handle this..." He said as he lifted up the pieces and rods of the tent he was supposed to build. He sat down for a moment and merely looked at the jumble of tent pieces wondering how in the world this was supposed to end up looking like the tent that was pictured on the box it came in. Braig shrugged his shoulders and began to work away at the pieces, connecting things here and there. At first it didn't look right, and Ienzo clearly took notice.

~*~

Now Ienzo was speaking to Even about the Unbirths they had locked away in the basement levels of the laboratory. Ienzo had a clipboard craddled in his arms as he looked down at it and observed every character and letter scrawled and printed across it. "Its amazing to see how these 'Unbirths' have morphed and how there are many other versions of themselves out there in the world. As much as a bothersome they are to contain, observe, and tame they may just hold the clue to whatever Ansem the Wise wants us to do. Right?" Right then and there, a crumpled up piece of paper lightly knocked him on the side of his head. Ienzo took a deep breath before slowly turning around to find out who the culprit was... Braig. Now seeing Braig work was something else... In Ienzo's mind, it was too comical not to watch. He wondered why Braig had disregarded the instructions, but then again he somewhat knew the answer himself. The blue haired man picked up the crumpled instructions and flattened them out on his board. The instructions were so easy and Ienzo couldn't help but laugh. He quickly took notice of how horrible the tent looked before walking over and shoving the directions in the raven-haired man's face. "It would behoove you to read the instuctions." And with that, Ienzo made his way back to Even asked: "Now where were we?"

~*~

"Stupid kid," Braig mumbled to himself. "I can do this no problem." As he was about to continue, he wondered how Aeleus was doing on his task... Ha maybe he needs some help, He chuckled to himself before looking about for the tall, fellow apprentice. Finally, Aeleus came into his view and Braig had a wide grin plastered across his face. "Yo man!" He said cheerfully as he lightly took hold of his comrade's shoulder. Apparently Aeleus didn't take Braig's greeting the right way as he apparently FREAKED out on him and grabbed onto his arm and propelled him forward, at the moment Braig was like a rag doll getting tossed forward like that. "I told you before, DON'T sneak up on me!" Braig arched an eyebrow as he raised his arms midway in truce. "Sorry Aeleus, no need to overreact man..."

[madammina]

Full reign... over the kitchen? Kelsie's stomach gave a rather unladylike growl again. The first thing she did was make a quick turkey sandwich. Then she pulled out noodles, meat, eggs, salt, and butter.

Why are you cooking? Ansem asked, as he 'sat' in Kelsie's recently abandoned seat. And I don't think you should take the room.

I want to thank Ansem the Wise for doing this for me. So I'm making Makaronnik z Myasom. And the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. The recipe is Russian.

I figured. I couldn't pronounce it if I tried.

And I'm with you on the room thing. Between me running into your past self, my dreams... it would just be a whole new can of worms. Besides, the house of Aeleus, whoever he is, is nice. It was a little awkward being in a married persons house, Ansem was quick to point out the bed was a king size, and the only reason they knew the name was because of a grocery list that missed the trash can. What WOULD happen if you ran into your past self?

I wouldn't know... but keep in mind I was a somebody then. Kelsie finished mixing the salt into the meat and began to strain the cooked noodles. As she listened, she began to add eggs and salt to the noodles. I'm more curious about what would happen when I abandon my body pursuing darkness... Kelsie shuddered.

Don't make me think on it more then I want too. By the way, how much time do we have? Ansem frowned as the beeper went off. The oven was ready.

I... don't know. I know right now I am at the Great Maw, bonding with my fellow apprentices. But you weren't in my past before. Who knows what will happen with you around.

And talking to you puts me right in the line for experiments. Particularly if they find out I'm sharing my body with you... Kelsie finished the three layers (noodles, meat, noodles) then stuck the baking pan in the over and turned the timer. She proceeded to clean up the kitchen She rested her head in her hands with a wet towel resting against her cheek. How did I ever get in this mess?
------

Cyan Garromonde was not the only widower in Radiant Gardens. Nor was he the only one to lose his love ones to the Unbirths. However, he had been taking it the hardest. He arrived back to his empty house, pictures gracing the walls of happier times. His wife beaming next to him on their wedding day, his sons three year old birthday party... and began to take off the various bits of armor from his day on the job.

He was a member of the security forces, and hopefully he had been doing a good job since the invasion of the Unversed. He retied his pony tail, and just sat in his chair. He lacked the energy to do anything at the moment. He didn't need Celes to tell him he was depressed. He was 45... losing his family was not something on his life plan. His brooding was interrupted by a giggle from outside. He walked over to the window to see a slightly annoyed Emyd giving a piggy back ride to Kairi. Emyd was a good kid...

"Kairi!" Cyan called out, opening his door. The girl looked over and made it quite known to the Paladin that she wanted down. Before she bugged the heck out of the boy, Cyan walked over to her.

"Hold on, Thou hast reminded me of something. Pause for a moment, will ye?" Kairi nodded, Boco tucked in her arms. Cyan walked into his house, and opened the door to Owen's room. He hadn't been in here for so long, but he kept it how it had been on the day the Unversed attacked. With a sad smile, he pulled a stuffed animal off of Owen's shelf. With the plush heavy in his hands, he walked back to Kairi, who was singing something.

"Here, I want thou to have this. Twas my sons. it's named Mog the Moogle." The plush moogle in question was slightly dusty, and faded. Plus one of it's button eyes needed to be slightly resown... but it was in very good condition over all. "Take care of it, will ye?"

"Yes, Mr. Thou!" Kairi giggled. She held it next to Boco and proceeded to introduce Boco to Mog. Cyan walked back before Emyd could say anything.

Was that... the right thing to do?
----

"Sorry Aeleus, no need to overreact man..." Aeleus sighed at seeing Braig's enfuriating casual face look up at him. He reached out so Braig could grab his hand ot get up.

'You... just surprised me... and is THAT your tent?" That man could NEVER follow directions. Aeleus didn't know why he became a scientist. You needed discipline in life and in doing experiments. Something Braig lacked immensely. "I'll help you fix it...." sometimes, it was like talking to a three year old.

Naomi... I need you...

[Hikari]

'You... just surprised me... and is THAT your tent?"

Braig took a slight step backwards, as if he were offended. "Hey! There's nothing wrong with my tent!" After that he crossed his arms across his chest as he took a few paces forward. "Besides, in my defense, its not even finished yet." Still, apparently Aeleus wasn't listening to a thing Braig said (or did he) when he said he would fix it. Braig shook his head 'no' as he put up his left hand before Aeleus indicating him not to move. "Listen, there's nothing to fix. I'm not dumb you know..." And with that he stomped towards his mishappened tent. More determined than ever, Braig lost his carefree demeanor as he assembled the tent quickly and swiftly. He honestly didn't need the instructions at all, he could figure it out himself. Also, to be a scientist you may also have to think out side of boundaries and directions to achieve a goal. After all, if that weren't true, Braig wouldn't be a hell of a scientist as he is now.

Braig took a step backwards and examined his work. "Not too shabby." He said to himself with a triumphant grin spread across his face. Braig, at first, was just going to simply make his way over to Ienzo and Even but a better idea crossed his mind as he picked up the instructions Ienzo had shoved into his face earlier. He casually walked over to the two men, as if his idea never came until:

Ienzo noted in the corner of his eye how Braig had completed the tent without the use of instructions. "If he assembled it so quickly all of a sudden, then why couldn't he do it before instead of just looking like an idiot?" Ienzo mumbled aloud. To prove a point, he thought as he answered his own question. It wasn't too long until Braig came over, something didn't seem right... his stride seemed a bit too peculiar. It was then that Ienzo was blinded by a wall of text, he grabbed the piece of paper that obsurred his vision and read the words: Tent Instructions.

"Thanks for the advice rookie, but I didn't really need it. So it would behoove you to watch who you're shoving papers at." Braig said, with a toothy grin on his face.

[Azrael]

Looking up towards Ansem the Wise, Ahisa nodded lightly, looking at him with a face that merely only said business. Her hand lifting towards her face to pull up her glasses before she began. "I am quite well Sir, and fortunately the experiments perhaps showed more then we wanted." Moving the clipboard she passed it towards Ansem, showing the printed images of the heart and the other elements of the experiment including her written report of what had happened to the heart when the human mind focused upon certain emotions.

Flabbergasted, that's what he expressed. My god. Did she write all this on her own? Ahisa was certainly an intelligent woman and he had enough sense to recognize her talents and offered her the position of apprentice that was left vacant after the previous person in that seat had died. But this was simply too much to express through mere words? In all the years in his long life, Ansem had never seen such detailed reporting from none of his other apprentices, not even Ienzo nor Even committed so much effort to this. Although time will prove to me what Xehanort is capable of. "Hm." Ansem read from the clipboard, specifically on the reaction to a heart to certain emotions thought upon by the mind. "I do not wish to force you but please continue on. I rather hear you tell me about your findings, Ahisa."

"When both of the two thought about hatred, the heart grew almost beastly in size, the heart even turning into a dark colour of black as if growing into a creature itself. With that result, personally I did not want to take it any further in such a result, seeing that the humans were almost losing themselves or in fact, their humanity. With this, when finally they though about something they loved, the heart turned back to its origional size...yet with that the heart turned a pure white, almost looking like glass."

Heart almost transforming into creatures? Through the experience gained during his early years working in the Royal Institute of Mental Analysis, he knew that certain emotions would symbolically transform people into a mindless beast with no conscience. But this is different... At first, it sounded unbelievable and ridiculous to him. Impossible! She is suggesting that hearts can alone exist when it is the soul that's the source of all life. The heart was an dependent variable. Hearts were complex, but not so that it could live with a soul or even take form without a body. Could she be right and hearts turn into creatures? We can't know for sure unless we proceed.

A smile hit the scientists lips.

"I believe our experiment was a sucess Sir..."

"I commend you for the experiment's success." Ansem smiled, giving the clipboard back to Ahisa and placed a hand on the girl's shoulder. Those two actions were signs of the man's approval. "Yet with success comes progress, and I believe it is now time to head into the next stage of the experimentation." This would be when he and his apprentices would involve the Unversed samples in the secretive research. It was simply too dangerous to use human beings, even if they were prisoners drafted from the overcrowded prisons and mental institutions spread through the Garden. "These survivors from the Key-Bearer War will be the key to know the heart's secrets, especially what composes its essence for we can achieve our ultimate goal. To complete what I had envisioned when I first took the throne those many years ago, to purge all corruptied influences on the people and transform the Garden into an utopian society." He paused and eyed his hand on the girl's shoulder, removing it and continuing. "Once that is completed, I hope to export our discoveries to the other worlds and only then, can our dreams come true."

Sniff. He sniffed his nose and turned his head at the locked door. It smelled like a food... "Makaronnik z Myasom?" blurted out the scientist loudly, instantly recognizing the delicacy. He didn't have good memory from the days when he was just a youngling, running around his father, then the Garden's previous ruler, and pestering him to take him to the cosmopolitian city's various ethnic enclaves but he knew Russian food when he smelled it. Ah, the days of visiting madam Anatasia and having her serve it every day when I was just a child. The memory of it makes it more difficult to stave off the urge to consume it! He had unlocked the door with the house key on his pocket and turned the knob, opening the door and saw everything.

The kitchen was in somewhat of a mess and usually this is when he would be angry. The last thing I need is to have the cooks and maids complain to me about more messes! I remember the last time when Braig ordered those hundred boxes of pepperoni pizza from that dreaded restaurant. But he must take the risk of hearing the servants complain to him in the morrow's morning and just enjoy the feast that miss Nielson seemed to have been preparing. "Miss Nielson, if this is a stunt to worm your way through my heart then you have succeeded. Now if I may ask, when will you be finished with this meal?"

[madammina]

"Miss Nielson, if this is a stunt to worm your way through my heart then you have succeeded. Now if I may ask, when will you be finished with this meal?"

Kelsie blinked and looked up. Ansem the Wise was standing in the doorway, with a girl behind him.

I forgot Ahisa was here when we went to The Great Maw... If she's here that means that there are Hearts in the castle! Ansem rubbed his arm across his mouth... was he salivating? Kelsie ignored the gross mental image.

"About 5 to ten more minutes Sir. I was hoping to finish up cleaning up by the time you got back. It's mostly cleaning the plates and the pan when it comes out." She looked down for a second. "This was one of the recipes my mom taught me when I first learned how to cook. It's a traditional dish of her homeland. I can make some desert later if you want too... I'm sorry if I went to far with the Kitchen."

He just said you managed to worm your way into his HEART. I think you're okay.

Can you just shut up for now. I need to concentrate... if I lose this job I will end up falling into a coma because of severe malnutrition. that's not good for EITHER Of us. She hoped Ansem the Wise couldn't sense the evil heartless that turned in the seat to get a better look of the two scientists behind him.
----
Aeleus took a spot on the edge of the cliff to the Great Maw. This may be a way to get to know Xehanort, but a better way may have been just to take them out to a bar or something. The maw was desolate. As far as he knew, Trees didn't have Hearts. And other then the odd Chocobo, there wasn't anything here.

His child would be about a year old now. If the child was alive... they would go to see the gardens that made Radiant Gardens famous. His child would run around, and get dirty, and Naomi would laugh and pick them up with a smile... maybe rub some dirt off of their face.

But no... A gene strand was one of the most beautiful and fascinating things in the world. A strand was so delicate, but held the entire code for the body so many times over... only four proteins, and all of their combinations, made each gene and each strand...

Unfortunately, this bit of beauty killed the light of his life.

Why? Why did your Genes make you freeze like that? Why did you have to drive that day? If... if I had known... You would be here. Naomi, I would take care of you forever, and now... Tears started to fall on the closed locket he hadn't even realized he was holding. Now I only have memories and ideas of what could have been. He slammed his empty hand on the ground. DARN YOU ANSEM! If you hadn't taken me in... allowed me to look at her code... if you hadn't even made me go on this stupid trip! I would be happier.

[Ordeith]

(OOC: Optional Accompaniment Track: YouTube - Kingdom Hearts Music - End of the World)

A mournful, wailing canticle resonated throughout the craggy azure ravine, as the wind made its winding path across its vast stony ridges and thousands of crystalline nooks. Due to the inner formation of the Great Maw itself, even the slightest and gentlest of breezes could generate such wordless hymns, and the fiesty airstreams that currently whipped about within the cobalt canyon created such a vehement wail that Xehanort could not help but pause and give way to the music. Atop the farthest ledge of the outcropping that overshadowed the entire bowl-shaped gorge could the despondent wail of the wind be heard most clearly, and strike into the heart the deepest. Though he could rarely ever find the amount of time required to make the tedious journey into the Great Maw, the young researcher was always able to find inner solace within. There was a certain quality to the ceaseless lamenting of the wind that struck true within him, something that allowed the tuneless song to resonate within him, and through him. No matter what tribulations that life projected at him, Xehanort could always depend upon the ravine's song to lull his heart to inner placidity. His mind and heart had always had difficulty wrapping themselves around the foreign ideas of love and happiness, yet he had never had any difficulty appreciating the endless dirge of the Great Maw. Sorrow...Anguish....Mourning....Each one, flawless in the song!

Below, in the vast and empty basin, the faint indistinguishable chatter of his collegues managed to worm its way into the mournful dirge, interrupting the endless flow of the song and rousing Xehanort from his contemplative trance. Sighing disappointedly, he stiffly stepped down from the narrow precipice and began upon his slow and lengthy descent down into the basin. Tiredly, he regarded them from atop his lofty perch; he couldn't tell a great deal from the extensive distance, but from what tiny snippets of conversation that reached his curious ears, he could already tell that even if they were fellow scientists, they still wouldn't be able to understand him. In truth, Xehanort had never been able to find true harmony and agreeance with another human being. Pensively, he considered this thought for a moment or two. Am I truly...different? Or am I just stupid, or ignorant? He couldn't say for sure. Heart confused and heavy in spite of the exciting task ahead, Xehanort rolled the sleeves of his collared shirt upwards, and began his lengthy descent. Perhaps with the results of these experiments, I will become one step closer to finally understanding.

I want to make you proud, Master Ansem.

[Azrael]

"About 5 to ten more minutes Sir. I was hoping to finish up cleaning up by the time you got back. It's mostly cleaning the plates and the pan when it comes out." She looked down for a second. "This was one of the recipes my mom taught me when I first learned how to cook. It's a traditional dish of her homeland. I can make some desert later if you want too... I'm sorry if I went to far with the Kitchen."

"Oh miss Nielson, do not worry over trivial matters such as this. I'll beckon the servants to complete this awfully time-consuming task for you when it's nightfall." Ansem the Wise said, resting his bottom on a chair located near a table, medium in size and circular in shape and resting his tired hands on top. Looking at Kelsie, he could not help but wonder what seemed to be the matter with her as the preparation of the delicious meal she made for him came to a deliciously satisfying conclusion. She looks worried as if something, or even perhaps someone was doing something to her. Yet I don't see anyone else for the exception of myself and Ahisa. Then out of a sudden, he felt a sharp pang. What...is this sensation?

The pain soon grew in intensity and he was now sure that something was amuck. For what else could be the cause of my ailment? I haven't felt this since I was paid a visit by those youthful soldiers who bore the power of those keys... He re-called the event being recent. It felt like it happened just yesterday. Three warriors, the names and physical appearances of which were forgotten, had bestowed him the honor of meeting them and came in the purpose of finding someone who was causing chaos and discord throughout the worlds. This person's name and appearance was also gone from his memory but the older one, or at least he was sure that it was the eldest who gave him the same painful sensation. Wait a minute, I know what i am feeling. It can not be light but darkness. A strong presence of darkness! Yes, it has to be that!

He wanted to stop this painful feeling. Ugh. In an attempt to stop the pain, he tried to place his hands where the pain was coming from but before he could see any result come out of it, his eyes closed. Ansem lost all control over his body as his mind seemed to lose connection with all normal functions, and slowly stumbled from his seat. Everything went black and all he remembered before he lost consciousness was his apprentice Ahisa and miss Nielson gasp and rush towards him as he crashed on the ground.