Taking a Break (OPEN)

[dawilliams]

A silver-blue Gummi ship docked almost noiselessly in Traverse Town. The medium sized ship sat stationary for a moment, then a door slid open from nowhere, and a tall, thin figure emerged from within the vessel. The door closed behind him and seemed to vanish. One could get a glimpse of his angular face and stoic expression as his beauty was quickly covered by a black veil, and hood which his his tightly bound pale blue hair. His only visible feature, narrow, electric-blue eyes, scanned the area quickly. The man soon left at a brisk pace, cloak trailing behind him. Seconds later, a number of beads of golden light appeared near the retreating figure and soared over to the ship, revolving slowly around it.

As he began to near the town he slowed his pace, thin brows furrowing. It was later than he expected; darkness had covered the land. He could almost smell the Heartless, their mindless chatter and lust for hearts was a familiar sensation. He stopped completely, left hand emerging from beneath his cloak, a white marble scabbard clutched in it.

"Come on, then." he said, drawing a gold colored sword from the scabbard with his right hand and hooking the sheath on his hip.

Almost immediately, the shadows congealed and lanky, yellow-eyed creatures rose from them.

Neoshadow. He thought. A stronger variety, but only level three. Vulnerable to all forms of elemental magic, vulnerable to Camthalion and especially vulnerable to...

He waved his left arm in a wide arch, disrupting the air sround it. The Neoshadows leapt upon him, but were stopped short; literally. The man surveyed the shadows as white flames began to lick up the golden blade.

...Especially vulnerable to... time stop.

There was a flash of gold steel and flame and the shadows were gone. Darkness was once again cast over the area as the sword was extinguished and sheathed. The shadows followed, but he reached the gate without further incident. He knocked on the gate to the First District, hoping a sentry was nearby to let him in. He had come for a spot of merlot adn perhaps a little rest and relaxation. He would prefer not to spend the night fighting Heartless. Luckily, a slit opened in the door and a pair of gray eyes glared out at him.

"'Oo goes there?" the sentry barked.
"A traveler, looking for a safe place."
There was a snort of laughter.
"Well yeh've found one, eh? In." he said.

There was a creak as a man-sized door opened and the tall, barrel-chested man pulled him inside and closed the door behind them. He got a quick glance at the grand and colorful first district before the man stepped in his path, penetrating eyes focused on him.

"Yes?"
"Wos yer name, lad?" the man asked.
"Sam... Pennell. I am looking for my brother, Bradley. We were attacked by the Heartless and separated." he answered.

He had peddled this surname and story on many worlds, but was careful to change his first name, and occasionally his appearance. He was, actually, Fadriendel Augcastil; emissary of King Mickey Mouse of Disney and Archmage the Second. he hoped, though not expected, that he would come across Bradley on one of these worlds.

"I'm afraid I haven't, son." the man said, expression softening.

"No matter..." Fadriendel said idly.

The man frowned again.

"Yeh don' sound too worried. Where did yeh say yeh came from?" he asked slowly.

Fadriendel had moved past him before he could obstruct his path.

"I didn't. Excuse me, I am very tired."

He left the bewildered man standing in his wake and entered a nearby inn. He was greeted warmly at the door, and bowed politely as he took a seat in a quiet corner. The downstairs was a small restaurant, with a bar on one side. Refugees of all ages were crammed into the rather small room; many of them were terrified, all of them looked lost. The last time he had visited Traverse Town, every building in the district was filled to capacity. He felt compassion for these lost, scared people, but could not help feeling glad at the significant downturn of destroyed worlds, thanks to Sora, Donald and Goofy. He wondered whether he and Bradley would have been able to perform as well with Sora, had they been chosen for those positions all those years ago. As he began to imagine the scenario, a young woman approached his tabel; a barmaid.

"May I get you something, sir?"
Fadriendel blinked and looked up at her.

"What? Oh, yes, chilled merlot, please, make sure it is cold. If you do not have that, bring me something cold, red and squeezed from a grape. Also, if you have them, some food, only be certain it was never cut, sucked or picked from an animal. Also, if it is not too much trouble, have a room for one readied for me, thank you." he said briskly.

He swept his cloak from his shoulders and placed it into her arms, along with a rather heavy bog of munny. He took the sword from his side and laid it carefully across the table. The maid stared at him blankly for a moment, then stuttered incoherently. Fadriendel eyed her and sighed.

"That's all, thank you."

She started, inclined her head and scurried away. Fadriendel sighed and looked around at the person approaching his table. His thin, blue eyebrows contracted as he watched them come forward.

[datteel]

Datteel had just recently arrived in this strange place. A place that varied so much from his past home. He was about to set off and explore the area alone, and attempt to reveal a few of the mysteries of this obtuse place. The doors to the outside creaked as they swung open. He looked over his shoulder in time to see the doorman to pull someone inside. Datteel crouched down behind a box and watched.

"Blast." he muttered to himself as he rubbed his chin. The two were having a conversation and he was just out of ear shot. He never was any good at reading lips, either. He just let out a sigh as his fingers treaded through his ebony colored hair to remove it from his face. The individual clothed in a cloak walked off and Datteel decided to pursue. The moment he shifted even the slightly, his hair fell back down into his face.

It didn't take an extensive amount of time to arrive at a destination. Datteel remained still outside of the door for a few moments, listening to the chatter leaking out through the door. He took in a deep breath and entered the room. The aroma of food greeted his nostrils. He was greeted at the door and was taken back for a few moments. This person wasn't use to such hospitality. He greeted them in return and continued inward. The first action he took was mapping out the area, taking note of anything that would be useful in a variety of situations.

He took a seat where he could watch the man he fellowed without looking too suspicious. A barmaid approached him and asked what he would like. Datteel just shook his head lightly and replied, "Nothing, thanks." She gave him a dissatisfied look and walked off. Datteel didn't have the fundings for this anyway. He watched as the man drew a sword and placed it on the table he was sitting at.

As this action occurred, Datteel eyes widen at the blade. It was a nice piece of work, at least it looked as such from this distance. The light flickered in his eyes as the narrowed, his body tensing up. His first thought it this person was going to attack, but his assumption was incorrect, at least thus far. He let out a sigh of relief as his muscles relaxed once more. He didn't know why he got worked up over something like that. Datteel probably lacked the ability to even hold his own in a fight with that individual.

"What to do...what to do.." He had finally arrived at a conclusion. Whether it was the wisest was still unseen. He let out another sigh and placed his hands firmly on the table, standing up. He slowly made his way across the room, navigating through the crowd of people to the quite corner the man had picked out.

As he arrived at the table, he did not sit. He stood there for a moment before cocking his head to the side. "So..."

[dawilliams]

Fadriendel watched placidly as the young man made his way over and stood at the side of the table. He stood silently for a moment, then cocked his head to one side and spoke.

"So..."

Fadriendel waited to hear what he had to say. While he waited he examined the other man, his eyes scanned him from head to foot. He had a lean frame, swathed in tattered clothes. His hair was black and medium length, and he was around his own height. He glance at the weapon jutting from behind his back before gazing into his light blue eyes.

"So...what?" he asked, smiling slightly.

He paused for a moment, before gesturing to the seat opposite him. He slid the sword into his lap, and looked expectantly at the young man.

[datteel]

Datteel bowed lightly before the stranger seated before him, yet never broke his gaze with the man. Regardless of manners, he could still be dangerous. He stood upright once more and nodded ever so slightly. He then slide quietly into the seat that was designated by Fadriendel. Once seated, he shifted around slightly, getting comfortable.

"So...", he said as he interlocked his arms and let them rest upon the table between the two. He rummaged through his mind, trying to select the right words, and how to go about asking a few questions about this place he had found himself in. His mind instantly flooded his mind, but he sifted through them quickly. He wanted to do his best not to pester this traveler. He rubbed his chin lightly and flicked his head to the side, resulting in his hair being lifted from his eyes.

"You came from outside." Datteel motioned lightly with his head toward the general direction of the main gate. "I was told it's dangerous beyond those gates. I just arrived shortly before you made your appearance here. Not sure how I got here, but I'm here." He shifted once more in his chair before placing his right palm on his leg and leaning forward, shifting his weight to his left elbow. "What is this place and what's beyond those gates?" He felt his questions were to the point and could, hopefully, yield desirable answers from Fadriendel.

[dawilliams]

Fadriendel watched, eyes twinkling, as the young man bowed, straightened his posture and bowed again before taking his seat. He seemed eager to speak to Fadriendel, but still uneasy. He waited in silence for the other to get comfortable.

"So..."

Fadriendel almost laughed. So they were to go through this again. He allowed the man time to think this time and only watched in silence as he considered his words carefully.

"You came from outside. I was told it's dangerous beyond those gates. I just arrived shortly before you made your appearance here. Not sure how I got here, but I'm here."

"For some, it is dangerous, yes." Fadriendel said quietly. The man continued on.

"What is this place and what's beyond those gates?"

He understood now. A refugee, poor thing. Usually, Fadriendel spoke in riddles or half truths, but, he could not leave this one in the dark. He had lost his world.

"Your world has been destroyed, I am afraid. There is still hope, however. This is Traverse Town, a place where those whom have lost their way may find it again. If any others escaped your world, they are most likely here or...in the darkness.

"Beyond these gates is darkness, and within the darkness are the Heartless, those who destroyed your world. They are the danger you were told of. We are in the First of Traverse Town's three districts. The Heartless breached the city some time ago, but they have been unable to take this district. Is there anything else you would like to know. Feel free to ask."

He grew silent immediately and gazed expectantly at the young man, seated across from him.

[datteel]

Datteel listened intensively to Fadriendel as he spoke and answered his question. The listener was very well satisfied with all the answers. Once he finished speaking, a crooked smile crawled upon his face as a laugh echoed from deep within his being. He nodded lightly before leaning forward slightly, both elbows pressed firmly on the table.

"I suppose it's a good thing I lacked any favorable connections with those from my past, isn't it?" He laughed again as he leaned back in his chair, obviously much more comfortable than previous. Then, of course, the term Heartless worked it's way into his mind. They honestly failed to sound all that threatening, but there was no need to underestimate a foe Datteel knew little to nothing about.

"Can't say I've come face to face with any of these heartless creatures you speak of. The remainder of my time in my old home was spent unconscious, sort of. No clue how I arrived here, and I suppose it doesn't much matter the means of transportation. However, it was my world. Even though it doesn't bother me too much that I'll not set eyes on it or its inhabitants any time soon, it was still mine in a sense."

He rested his left palm on the table and slowly tapped each finger, starting with the smallest finger, ending with the index finger. This action was repeated a few times as he pondered. Well, in all truth, he wanted to combat these heartless creatures. Sounded like it could result in a challenge and maybe a little bit of entertainment. Sitting around in Traverse town chatting away failed to interest him. What were his choices at this point?

"All things considered, I believe I'll issues a challenge to myself. I shall consider these heartless-creatures a personally enemy of mine." He glanced to the bokken on his back. Probably not the best of weapons to annihilate heartless, but it was all he had at the moment. "What more can you tell me about these heartless?"

[dawilliams]

Fadriendel's expression did not change as the young man began to laugh. Did he not believe him about the Heartless? It would mean his death if he did not take them seriously. He waited until his laughter was finished, then sighed softly, causing his veil to ripple.

"I suppose it's a good thing I lacked any favorable connections with those from my past, isn't it?"

Fadriendel only looked at him as he laughed again. He had never seen anyone so pleased about the annihilation of an entire world before. He waited in silence for the very young man to finish rejoicing the loss of millions before listening to him speak again.

"Can't say I've come face to face with any of these heartless creatures you speak of. The remainder of my time in my old home was spent unconscious, sort of. No clue how I arrived here, and I suppose it doesn't much matter the means of transportation. However, it was my world. Even though it doesn't bother me too much that I'll not set eyes on it or its inhabitants any time soon, it was still mine in a sense."

Much better. Although he seemed to have little concern for the people of his world, he still cared about it. Some love or compassion would be the boy's greatest weapon against the Heartless, whether he knew it or not. He had never met a Heartless before, he said. He would soon; if Fadriendel had to accompany him personally, he must see them, fight them once, so he would know what to expect if he left Traverse Town.

He watched him think as he tapped his fingers on the table. He seemed to be pondering something rather large, at least for him. Perhaps this was his heart, pestering him with the same line his own heart whispered to him.

"Do the right thing." It would say.

The boy may not have known his heart was saying this, but, once he faced those without Hearts, he would begin to appreciate and understand the voice of his own heart more.

"All things considered, I believe I'll issues a challenge to myself. I shall consider these heartless-creatures a personal enemy of mine."

He followed the boy's eyes as he looked at his weapon. Fadriendel's eyes lingered, examining it. It looked like that girl, Yuffie's, weapon. She was skilled with it, but in the short battle they fought together, she struggled to deflect the Heartless. Without magic, the man before him would face the same difficulties.

"What more can you tell me about these heartless?"

Fadriendel opened his mouth to speak when the barmaid returned with a glass full of red liquid (Fadriendel smiled at the thin sheet of icy water around it) and a large basket full of fresh fruit and vegetables, with a loaf of bread. She bowed as she set a key and his half full bag of munny before him. Fadriendel nodded and handed the key back to her with the munny.

"Please upgrade my room, if you please. And a cool water for my friend."

The young woman nodded and sped away. He gestured to the food before him.

"Help yourself, this is much too much for me. However, should you touch my merlot, the Heartless will be the least of your concerns." he said merrily. He snatched up the wine, swirled and smelled it before taking the tiniest of sips and setting it down.

"Perfect. Now, what was that? Oh yes, the Heartless. You have asked the right person, for knowing everything about the Heartless is part of my job, and key to my survival. What you need to know at this very moment, however, is that the Heartless are very powerful, and all but completely immune to most kinds of weaponry. Your weapon, unfortunately, will do very little damage to the shadow variety, and nothing to more powerful species, such as the Large Body or Defender. You would either need to infuse your weapon, or else learn magic. I would suggest both. Have you any spells memorized? No matter, I have a program on the Heartless that you may study, and magic is not incredibly difficult to learn. We should rest after dinner, and I will show you the Heartless tomorrow. It would be unwise to face them in the dark. Eat."

With that, Fadriendel grew silent and began to eat, himself. He took a piece of fruit and slid it beneath his veil into his mouth, before taking anoth tiny sip of wine.

[datteel]

Datteel extended a free arm to the barmaid, who placed the water within his grasp. He slowly curled his fingers around the glass, the condensation soaking his fingers slightly. The man across from him began to speak. He pulled his glass in and pressed the edge to his lips, and allowed the liquid to slowly slide down his throat. He set the glass down and whipped his mouth as he continued to listen. The water was good, really good. He was quite thirsty, though he had forgotten due to the circumstances. It quenched his thirst and rid him of the dry throat he previously possessed.

He used the hand opposite the one holding the water to makes it way to an apple that was sitting on the table. This particular person always had a spot for apples, ever since he could recall. He looked over the apple and polished it quickly on his shirt. He released his water and grabbed the stem between his forefinger and thumb. Datteel began to twist the apple, soon causing the stem to snap. He flicked it to the side and brought the fruit to his lips. He opened his mouth and took a nice sized bite from the apple. He chewed slowly, savoring the juices before swallowing.

He finished off the apple fairly quickly, and downed the remainder of his water. Afterwards, he refused to consume anything else but knowledge. Datteel was never one to eat much anyway. "Magic? Like hocus pocus magic?" Magic seemed like a fairy tale, at least in his old world. Yes, there were illusionists and people who claimed to be magic, but not real magic like this man was speaking about. Normally, he would discard this as false, but after all that had happened? His world gone, awakening in an unfamiliar place, heartless? Anything was possible at this point. "I've always been keen to the fire and ice elements. I suppose there are 'spells' for things of that nature, yes?"

The shadow variety? Monsters of the shadows. Darkness. Things that didn't seem too appealing to most.

"As for my weapon, I refuse to imbue it with anything. Sorry and all, but it was a gift from an old friend of mine. I can't soil its handwork. I'll just have to pick up another weapon along the lines." He smirked once more. This person was going to introduce him to the heartless. This sounded like fun, to say the least. However, waiting till daylight was probably the best choice at this point. "I would be very much interested in this program of yours."

[dawilliams]

Fadriendel's new companion enjoyed his refreshment, and he took another piece of fruit and stuffed it unceremoniously into his mouth, followed by another sip of wine.

"Magic? Like hocus pocus magic?"

Fadriendel would not exactly call it 'hocus-pocus', but he knew what he meant. Some of the worlds he has visited were void of magic, yet had incredible technology. He wondered if his home was the same. Fadriendel nodded as he sipped the wine, swallowed it all and reached for more.

"I've always been keen to the fire and ice elements. I suppose there are 'spells' for things of that nature, yes?"

Fadriendel quickly chewed and swallowed.

"Sometimes, yes. More advanced Mages, such as myself, have no need for them. I would teach you techniques that make chanting and spellweaving irrelevant."

"As for my weapon, I refuse to imbue it with anything. Sorry and all, but it was a gift from an old friend of mine. I can't soil its handwork. I'll just have to pick up another weapon along the lines. I would be very much interested in this program of yours."

"Understandable," Fadriendel said with a smile, "However, there are few weapons that can harm a Heartless. Only magical weapons or magic can defeat them. This sword, for example, is a magical weapon whch can hurt the Heartless. I won it from a Hero years back. I've seen other magical weapons, but they are very rare. The Keyblade, on the other hand, is absolutely lethal to the Heartless. One strike destroys most Heartless instantly in the hands of a master. I've been struck by one myself. It wasn't fun, they are very powerful. Anyway, when you find a weapon you would like, I would be happy to bless it for you."

The barmaid returned with a key. Fadriendel took it, thanked her and slipped her a tip. He stood quickly, taking up the bowl of fruit and finishing the wine.

"In case you were wondering, I am Fadriendel Augcastil. If you are ready, shall we retire? We can talk more openly in private."

He took up his sword and began to move towards the stairs.