Aimi P.O.V.
The room that Daichi showed me to was nothing special. It had a smooth concrete floor and stone walls. In the far left corner of the room was a small wooden bed with a nightstand beside it which had a lamp placed on top of it. The room itself was big but empty and due to the lack of windows and the excess of stone which apparently was Maleficent's favorite building material, the room seemed to maintain a temperature of around sixty degrees.
"It's... Er...Lovely..." I had to choke the words out.
Daichi chuckled. "Yeah I know, it's not much."
As I walked into the room, I noticed a door to my right. "What's in there?" I asked.
"Bathroom." He answered. He leaned casually against my door frame, watching me wander around my room.
"Sooo... Maleficent seems... Uh... Interesting..." I said as I examined the bed.
"She's an evil witch." Daichi stared at the ground, his now hate filled eyes narrowed.
I was slightly taken aback. "But she's your master or something, isn't she?"
"She killed my sister right in front of my eyes. It was supposed to be a lesson... to teach us to obey her..."
My eyes widened. "That's awful!"
"Yeah... I'm glad I don't have to take orders from her much anymore. Vanitas is in charge of all us apprentices now."
"Yeah, you better not forget that." Vanitas stood behind Daichi who's eyes were wide as golf balls.
"Vanitas! Do you need something?" He turned to face his superior.
"Daichi. Im going to need you to get the other apprentices together. I might need to summon you. Every apprentice that isn't spreading darkness in the other worlds needs to be prepared." With that he continued down the hall.
Daichi nodded and turned to go. "Get all settled in. I'll come back to get you for dinner." He said to me over his shoulder. "And don't leave your room." He left my room, closing the large wooden door behind him.
I sighed and sat down on the bed. "Great... Stuck in a super small room with nothing to do... I think I liked it better with those Organization people... At least they had better taste..."
I laid back on my bed and stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours. A knock on my door made me jump and I sat up, staring curiously at the door. "Come in..." I said hesitantly.
The door opened and a girl poked her head in. She had long blond hair and bright blue eyes that looked at me curiously. She stepped into my room and I saw she was wearing a jumpsuit like Vanitas' and Dai's only hers was black and white instead of black and purple or red.
"Hi..." The girl said. She had something in her hands and she held it out to me. I got up and took it from her. Upon unfolding it, I found that it was a jumpsuit. "It's for you. Maleficent told me to bring it to you. She made it especially for you." The girl said in her soft voice. "It may not look all too fashionable, but it keeps you warm and it keeps you safe from the darkness when you're training..."
"Huh? Training?" I was a bit confused. "What do you mean training?"
The girl looked surprised. "You're going to become one of Maleficent's apprentices aren't you?"
"She never said anything about that..." I said. "She told me she'd provide me with food and shelter... Nothing about training me though..."
"Oh... Well, I mean, while you're here... Why not? She can make you very powerful and teach you how to use the darkness and stuff. That way you can defend yourself."
"Alright... I guess...." I looked down at the jumpsuit in my hands. It felt like leather and it was very thick. Mine was black with the same color red as the streaks in my hair and just by looking at it, I could tell it would fit perfectly. "Hang on a sec." I told the girl as I went into the bathroom to change.
I had to pull myself into the jumpsuit and as I put it on, I realized it actually wasn't normal leather. It felt sort of leathery, but also it felt sort of waxy and a bit gelatin-y. It was weird, but once I had it on I found it was very comfortable. It formed to mach all of the curves and contours of my body. It reminded me a bit of memory foam.
I stepped out of the bathroom and the girl was still there. She smiled at me. "It looks nice on you. Here." She handed me a pair of boots and a belt. I pulled on the boots and clipped the belt around my waist. "Perfect," she said.
I smiled then looked up at her. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. My name's Hanae by the way. What's yours?"
"I'm Aimi."
"That's a nice name." Hanae smiled then sighed. "I have to go now. It was nice to meet you."
"Yeah... Bye." I watched as Hanae walked out. Then I sighed and, suddenly feeling tired, I went to lay on my bed. I kicked off the boots which I had just put on and within moments I was sucked into the comforting darkness of sleep.
I must not have had a dream because I woke up what felt like not much later to a knocking on my door. I let out a groan and got to my feet before slowly trudging over to the door. I pulled it open and Daichi was standing in the doorway.
"Hey. Breakfast time." He said.
"Breakfast? Really? I slept past dinner until breakfast!?" I asked, surprised.
He chuckled. "Yep. I came to get you for dinner, but you never answered your door. Come on. Lets get some breakfast before they run out." He turned and started walking through the halls. I turned and quickly grabbed my boots before running after him. I ran barefoot down the hall until I caught up with him. Apparently he hadn't stopped walking so I could catch up. Once I got up beside him, I hopped on one foot, trying to slide my boot on. Once I got one on, I moved to the next foot. This boot was being stubborn and it kept catching on my skin. After a while I finally managed to slide it on and I was able to walk beside Dai normally. For a long while we walked silently through the halls. To my surprise, Daichi was the one to break the silence.
"You look nice in that jump suit..." He said to me, still staring straight ahead.
"Thanks..." It didn't really seem like a good, sincere compliment since he didn't even look in my direction... Sort of like he was complimenting the wall.
Finally we reached a large door at the end of the hall. Daichi pushed it open a bit and stepped inside. I followed right behind him, feeling slightly nervous as I didn't know what to expect beyond the door. The moment I stepped inside I felt overwhelmed. In this room were at least two hundred other people, all dressed in the same jumpsuits as me and Dai. They appeared to be ranging in age from ten to twenty. They all sat around at tables that sat around the room. On one side of the room was a counter that was covered in plates. Daichi led me over to the counter and I saw that the plates had food on them. I immediately recognized the yellow lumpy substance on the plates as eggs and beside the eggs were two pieces of toast. Daichi took a plate and I followed in his lead, also taking one. He then turned and began leading me towards a table with a few other apprentices at it. They watched us approach, smiling at Dai, but giving me confused looks. Both of us sat down and I sat there awkwardly, shifting as I felt the other apprentices' curious gazes on me. Suddenly someone sat down beside me.... Really really close to me. I flinched as I felt him put his arm around my shoulder and I looked up to find his face right in front of mine.
"And who might you be?" He asked me in a flirtatious tone. Before I could answer, he turned to Dai. "She yours dude?" He asked, pointing to me with the hand that wasn't around my shoulder.
Daichi rolled his eyes but didn't say anything.
The boy smirked then looked back down at little old me, trapped under his arm. "Hey. Name's Ruari. Mind telling me yours?"
I looked this strange boy over. He looked what I could only describe as scruffy. He had brown hair that was down to his shoulders, most of which was brushed over his right eye. His eyes were grey and he had a small patch of hair on his chin. His bodysuit was black and and green. "I'm Aimi..." I said awkwardly.
He smiled down at me. "That's a pretty cute name. So you're new here huh? I can tell because I'm sure I'd remember someone as pretty as you."
I nodded, desperately wishing he would give me a bit of space. Apparently someone had heard my wish because a moment later someone came up behind Ruari, grabbed the back of his suit, and yanked him off the bench we were sitting on. He fell back with a yelp and I turned around to see a girl standing over him, glaring at him.
"Jeez Ruari! Give the girl some space!" She snapped. She kicked him aside then took his place on the bench. "Hey." She said to me, giving me a friendly smile.
I couldn't help but laugh. "Hi." I said.
"I'm Satomi. I overheard your name is Aimi, right?"
I nodded. "Mhm." I took a moment to look her over. Her suit was a dark blue color with a bright purple around the edges. She had long black hair with some rainbow streaks in it that went all the way down to the middle of her back. Her bangs hung down, covering one of her lilac-purple eyes then tucking neatly behind her ear. Both of her eyes were surrounded by thick black eyeliner, reminding me a bit of a raccoon.
A voice behind us made me jump. "Hey! Get out of my seat Satomi!" Ruari stood behind her, glaring at her.
Satomi just laughed. "Go find a different seat. I'm not gonna let you sit back here again and continue to hit on poor Aimi."
Ruari rolled his eyes then went over to where Satomi had previously been sitting, grumbling to himself.
Satomi watched him go then when he sat down she turned back to me. "Don't mind him, he's just-" Suddenly there was a cold hand on my shoulder. My eyes widened and I couldn't suppress a shiver. Satomi turned around before I did and she let out a small eep. "V-Vanitas! Master! I-is there something we need to do?" she asked, nearly falling over the bench in an attempt to quickly get to her feet. Everyone else also got to their feet as fast as they possibly could so I decided it would be best to do the same. We all faced Vanitas. His gaze swept over each and every one of us, stopping on me. I all but flinched at his gaze, so cold and full of contempt; not for me but for someone else. Someone not among us.
"Aimi. You're new here, correct?" He asked me.
"U-um.... uh... y-yes..." I stammered, barely being able to choke out the words.
Vanitas nodded. "Starting tomorrow Daichi will train you."
Daichi looked taken aback. "What!? Why isn't Maleficent going to train her!? Why do I have to!?"
"I'm afraid that soon Maleficent will no longer have the time for training apprentices." His tone was mysterious and a bit unnerving. "I would train her myself, but unfortunately I have my hands full at the moment. Therefore the responsibility falls on you, the second in command after me." He nodded to Dai then looked at all of us. "There is something I need to discuss with all of my apprentices. Get everyone's attention."
Ruari smiled and jumped up onto a table. All of the apprentices who were either busy chatting or eating didn't notice... at least not until he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted at the top of his lungs, "YO! EVERYONE LISTEN UP! MASTER VANITAS NEEDS YOUR ATTENTION NOW!"
Immediately all heads turned to face us. Ruari, still smiling, jumped down from the table. He turned to Vanitas, hoping for praise or something. Vanitas simply nodded to him, but that must have been enough for Ruari because he stood taller, looking proud.
Vanitas cleared his throat before speaking. "As you all know, we have been sending apprentices to the worlds in an attempt to take them over and spread the darkness to everyones' hearts. Our plan is actually being carried out very well, but there is one thing, or shall I say, one person, who stands in our way. A boy named "Sora", also regarded as "The Hero of Light" is attempting to thwart our plans. That is why, tomorrow, I am going to assemble a group to come with me and attempt to kidnap this "Sora"." He paused for a moment, thinking. "Daichi, I trust you to assemble a formidable group of apprentices to accompany me tomorrow." He nodded to his apprentice then disappeared in a portal of swirling blackness.
Right the moment he left, Dai groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Uuugh. Why do I always get stuck doing everything!? Have to train Aimi and pick out an escort for Vanitas...."
Ruari came up behind him and slapped a hand on his shoulder. "Hey bro, don't stress over it! If it helps, I'll be part of the escort."
Satomi rolled her eyes and walked over beside Ruari. "Vanitas said he needed formidable apprentices, you idiot. Formidable means skilled." She said the last part as if she was talking to a small child.
Ruari glared at her then turned back to Dai. "So yeah. Like I was saying before I was SO RUDELY INTERRUPTED, I'll definitely be on the escort team!"
Dai nodded. "Alright. Both of you actually are going to come. Now if you'll excuse me I need to find some more people to join the team." He walked off, leaving me with Satomi and Ruari.
They stared at each other in disgust, looking as if Dai had just ordered them to kiss or something. Satomi was the first to look away as she growled and stomped her foot. "I dont see why he needs to bring HIM. I'm more skilled than two of him put together!" She then turned to me. "Come on Aimi, lets go."
"Go where?" I asked her curiously.
She shrugged. "Away from this dude." She glared at Ruiari then grabbed my arm and practically dragged me out of the cafeteria.
Ruari smiled at me as we left. "Stay beautiful, Aimi." He said with a wink.
The next morning I woke up, still exhausted, as if I hadn't slept at all. The rest of the previous day had been Satomi dragging me around the castle, showing me every room in the place and introducing me to almost every single person we passed by. One of the people we happened to pass by was, believe it or not, Hades from Hercules. I couldn't help but stare at him as he passed. He didn't even look in my direction though. I found myself thankful for that.
I sat up and stretched, my mouth gaping in a yawn. I then sighed and slid off my bed. "Man I really wish I had some way to tell what time it is..." I muttered. I wasn't sure if it was morning or still night and I hadn't even slept yet. It was infuriating, not being able to know.
A knock on my door made me jump to my feet. At first I thought it must be Dai, but I was proven wrong when a familiar voice called out, "Hey beautiful! Guess who it is? Turns out Dai didn't need me for the escort. He told me to take ya to breakfast."
I sighed. Ruari. All last night he had been stalking Satomi and me. He was sort of cute but just a bit pushy and too cocky for my taste. I'd still be his friend I guess but nothing more.
I quickly pulled on my boots and snapped on my belt before going to the door. I opened it and saw Ruari leaning in the doorframe. He smiled at me and stood up. "Lets go!"
Unlike Daichi, Ruari walked beside me as we ventured towards the dining hall. We both remained silent as we went. About halfway there though, we were halted when a portal appearing to be made of green fire opened in front of us. Maleficent stepped out and, I'll admit it, she totally scared the crap out of me. Anyways she looked down at me and gave me a creepy smile. "Hello child. I must have a word with you."
At those words the first thought that popped into my head was, 'Aw man... I don't want to be alone with her! Shes creepy and evil!' But what she said next quickly changed my mind.
"I have news regarding your friend, Kora."