Shadows of the Past

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

*Lilith has Mortal, Taiyo, Safian, & Monu gathered in front of the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.].*

L"I'd hate to admit it, but Monu is the only one of you that I've had an extended conversation with. That's why I sent Roatha & my sister to get Azuma & Hitomi. I think that we should get acquainted as much as possible, before whatever announcement Mother is planning to make. And no, I still can't confirm whether or not she's planning an examination, but it never hurts to be prepared."

*She folds her arms & leans on the wall.*
----------------------------------------------------
*Meanwhile, Roatha & Thiera knock on the bedroom doors of Azuma & Hitomi, respectively.*
=============================
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

*The Organization members are in a lounge area known as The Grey Area. It is currently only occupied by 3 of the rookies, & a Moogle in an Organization cloak near the back. While there are a couple of couches,  Nero is standing with his arms folded, looking out of the panoramic window towards the empty night sky.*

"You know what's funny? In all of my time in this castle, I've only ever seen Senthose once, & that was when he brought me here. It's a big place, but still, that seems unlikely. You know what I think?"

*Monu bows to Lilith, then to the crowd at large*

<It is a pleasure to speak with you again Lady Psyche. As for those I don't know as well, I'm sure we'll get aquated soon.>

*Safian lays on the ground, eyes closed. However, her tail twitches every once in a while*

<I haven't really spoken to any of you ether...But you all seem cool.>
---
*Artexi walks up to stand beside Nero*

<What do you think? I always though he was just busy.>

Noctis lets out a sigh at Artexi's reply, and simply sat down on one of the couches.

--

Mortal nodded, and stepped out into the center of the group then said, "It is a pleasure to meet you all. Since we're introducing ourselves, I'll go next. My name is Mortal. I plan on--" She noticed the lion, "There is a lion just... laying down. Is that normal? If we're going to do anything I propose that I handle it. In my homeland I've tangled with their kind before, near the town of Nemea."

Taiyo sits off to the side, tilting her head at the sight of a lion. A talking one none the less.

Taiyo: "Umm...I'm Taiyo from Halloween Town."

===================================

Azuma opens the door, looking like he just crawled out of bed and threw some clothes on.

Azuma: "Yeah."

===================================

In contrast to Azuma, Hitomi looks like she's been awake for awhile when she answers.

Hitomi: "Yes?"

N"I'm thinking there are rooms in this castle, secret ones, which can only be accessed through Dark Corridors. They have no physical entrances."
===============================
*Lilith waves Mortal off.*

L"No, no...I don't know too much about it either, as it's not my jurisdiction, but when I asked, Mother told me that we may encounter people in the Sea of Stars that we consider strange, but that the Keyblade sees only the heart of its wielder."
===============================
*Roatha & Thiera both mention that Lilith sent them to pick them up.*

"You don't say," Noct said with mock interest, "Why don't you try it out."

--

"Oh... so, it is a keyblade wielder?" Mortal said, looking at Lilith, then back at the lion, "But... how does it hold the keyblade? Can it talk?" She took a step closer, "Can you understand me?"

Taiyo: "Didn't it speak?"

===================================

And so they leave their homes to follow strangers to parts unknown.

*Safian stands up*

<Yes I can speak and understand you. My name's Safian.>

*She summons her keyblade and grabs it in her mouth, then desummons it or whatever*

<See?>
---
Artexi:<I guess it's worth a try, but Senthose might get mad.>

Mortal's first reaction is to clap, pet Safian, and call her a good girl, but she thought that might be a bit insulting. She wiped the cheese grin from her face and tried to be a bit cordial, "Ahem, uh, sorry about that. Speaking lions really aren't something I'm used to."

--

"No, I'm sure he'll understand. In fact, I bet he'll appreciate that you took the initiative to find out on your own," Noct said, keeping her mocking tone, and disinterested posture.

*Safian's expression could be that of a smile, and she holds her paw out to Mortal*

<I'm still not used to humans.>
---
*Artexi goes over to Noctis and tries to pull her up*

<Don't be a downer Noct.>

*Nero turns around.*

N"Well, what else is there to do? I've been meaning to talk to Roatha--old friend of mine--but that witch won't let him out of the Land of Whatever Pretentious Thing They Call It. So, I've got time to kill."
==================================
*And so they arrive at the Hall of Masters, some distance away from Lilith.*

R"What are they doing over there?"

T"Looks like they're getting acquainted. It's probably best not to interrupt."

*Thiera turns, & bows.*

T"Perhaps we should follow suit. My name's Thiera. Master Psyche is my mom, though I don't mean to boast."

*Roatha points to himself.*

R"Roatha."
-------------------------------------------------------------
L"Yes, I've read about lions in books at my home world, but none of them have ever mentioned the possession of human speech."

Mortal grasps Safian's forearm, and puts her other hand on her shoulder, "I'm sure we'll all get along." Mortal then looks at Taiyo, "And you said your name was Taiyo right? It is nice to meet you as well."

--

Noct puts her hand out to stop Artexi, and gives her the full brunt of her glare, "Don't touch me." She then looked at Nero, "If you want to go searching for secret doors, be my guest."

*Artexi crosses her arms*

<I'll go with you Nero. Noct can come if she stops being a grumpy-grump.>
---
<I sure hope we do.>

*Safian looks over at Lilith*

<In my world we're the top of the food chain.>

Monu:<I suppose I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Monu Aakin.>

"Sure, I'll be right there," Noct said, back in her mocking tone, "I bet you could hold your breath longer than it'll take for me to follow along. Wanna try?"

--

"Great, we're all introduced," Mortal said with a small nod.

Azuma: "Azuma."

Hitomi: "Hitomi Alla."

*As if on cue, Binah strides out hands clasped at her waist. Lilith steps in line with her group, & whispers for the others to do the same. Thiera & Roatha get in line with their group as well.*

Binah<...You probably wonder why it is I called this meeting. Or perhaps you already know. There have been...many disturbing cases that require immediate investigation. I believe that this investigation requires the talents of Keyblade Masters. Can anyone tell me how the Mark of Mastery is tested for?>
===========================
N"Suit yourself. Have fun sitting here alone, with nothing to do but listen to creepy music & the castle settling...on air."

*He holds out a hand & darkness flares up from the floor in front of him, opening an oval in the sky leading towards absolute darkness.*

The trio get in line, but don't answer. Taiyo looks like she's never heard the term before.

Noct grumbled a bit, "You have a point..." With a sigh she stood up and followed.

--

"Uh, you prove yourself worthy, and if your heart is strong, and pure enough you become a master," Mortal said, though she wasn't sure if that was entirely right.

*Binah holds out a hand, which the Master Keeper materializes in, pointed at Mortal.*

Binah<An accurate definition, if not very precise.>

*She spins her Keyblade around so that they can see the whole thing held before her, pointed to the sky.*

Binah<The method of examination is up to the Keyblade Master to determine. I have determined that there is no better test for the Mark of Mastery than a task that you would have to be Masters to perform properly.>

*She waves her hand, dismissing her Keyblade.*

Binah<Best of luck, & do try to enjoy yourselves along the way.>

*She turns & heads back up the steps.*
=================================
N"That's the spirit!"

*They pass through a black void that might be a dark room, except that they can't feel the surface that they're walking on. Nero is pointing around.*

N"Eenie, meenie, miney, mo."

*Where he's pointing, an oval opens in the darkness. In the billowing shadows, they see a gray floor. They step out onto a balcony. Nero spreads his arms as he walks towards the edge.*

N"Now, you see: I didn't even know this castle had balconies."

"I got up just to see a view?" Noct said, walking over to the railing so she could actually take in the view, "Well, if nothing else, the scenery really goes great with the music."

--

"What exactly is that task?" Mortal asked.

Azuma: "Is that a lion?"

Taiyo: "Yep."

N"Well, you didn't expect to get it in 1, did ya?"

*He grabs the railing, looking around.*

N"...You & Senthose have a weird sense of style."
===============================
*Binah turns just enough to look back at Mortal.*

Binah<I should think it's obvious: Investigate the worlds.>

She says like it's the most common phrase ever.

Azuma: "Which worlds?"

"The ones plagued with the Unversed I would imagine," Mortal said.

--

"Not saying it is great," Noct said, "But I've gotten used to it."

*Artexi had presumably followed, and runs up beside Noctis*

<I think it's kind of depressing. It needs…more colors.>
---
*Safian grins at Azuma*

Monu:<Well, those are the worlds that we need to protect.>