Cold Comforts

(Sorin only please. This thread takes place between the upcoming scrapbook "Never Fear" and the later thread "Unforgotten" for Azumi, who will be dealing with the revelations of the former here. Therefore, it is also likely after "Silver Hands" in Yuki's chronology, though Sorin can decide that. For my own, this takes place some time after "Dark Chest of Wonders".)

Much had happened in over a decade. Since the departure of the three Keyblade wielders so long ago, life had gone on as normal for the Grand Councilwoman and Gaantu. That is to say that Heartless had replaced the Unversed.

The types were very similar, surprisingly enough. Just the goals and origins of them differed. Neither of them had fallen, and they hadn't needed to change their methodology much. It was just one different pest to periodically deal with, though the swarms did not end.

Interferences, however, were comparatively rarer. Only very few had passed through, and none had been spotted thus far. That wasn't to say that at least one was not busy.

A soldier faced down a Large Body, having been doing so for about two minutes so far. Due to distraction, things had been... difficult.

The black-armored person staggered back from a slam with both hands, one to each side of the head, hitting a nearby console. The woman gasped as the wind was knocked from her, but did see the lever-based controls, keeping the M7S submachine gun trained on her target.

The Large Body Heartless turned, waddling until it was facing the orbital drop shock trooper. Bullet holes and knife wounds already had peppered its back, dealt heavy damage. Finally, it could see the dark armored person with her sub machine gun aiming at him, one hand on a lever near them, the gravity controls.

This was a Heartless, and not a particularly smart one besides. It charged, ready to go...and fell on its stomach, sliding and spinning in the process. Bullets hit the back, this time actually bouncing off due to the speed, and she was forced to flatten against the controls, barely dodging as it headed for the ledge to the lower floor...

She pulled the switch.

Gravity did not quite turn off, no. It did significantly lower, allowing for higher jumps, extended launches. The Large Body slid off of the platform before it could stop itself... and began to gently drift down, trying futilely to get out of its defenseless position, having stopped spinning enough. Another burst of suppressed gunfire caused it to disappear in a swirl of smoke, the heart drifting away.

Sergeant Azumi Ian sighed, taking off her helmet. She spat blood out of her mouth, watching as it slowly drifted down before settling on the floor, enough time for her to wipe her mouth before it even made contact. She put her hands on the side of the ledge, looking at the floating boxes around the lower level, back toward the hallway behind her, and held the helmet to her chest, bowing her head.

[i]My fault. All my fault...[/i]

Crane's opposing toxin to his fear gas, this one capable of erasing fear entirely. That was not better. It was not a control group. It wasn't what she said. But he was using her, crediting her with the idea when she was trying to make him see the insanity of his ways. Of course she knew it was likely to never work. But she didn't know it would [i]reverse[/i] any way to work. It had shattered her mind, and she couldn't even comprehend what had happened to her as a result, perhaps her own subconscious protecting itself. She didn't know if she could even bear to look the other Masami in the face again after what had happened.


Unfortunately, things were surely about to get worse for the sergeant. Wandering through the corridors of this alien ship was one of the last people she wanted to deal with, one held against the contract to have nothing to do with her.

However, unlike the last time, Ignis Fatuus had not tracked her down here. In fact, he had no idea that Rikka's maid was here at all. He simply decided to explore this ship, as it was one of the many new places that had appeared in this universe, upon the expansion of the new game in the Kingdom Hearts series. Not that long ago, he had met with the Grand Councilwoman and Captain Gaantu, thought to form an alliance with them.

It didn't turn out well. Though he was thankful that the captain was halted in any rough dealings, the Grand Councilwoman had seen right through him, demanded that he leave as soon as possible. A disappointment, but one that he could deal with. He could just have someone else try to speak with them, after all. So, before he did leave, the Nightmare Illusionist went about scouting the ship, taking out the Heartless in his way as he did so. There didn't seem to be any other danger besides the dark creatures.

Unknown to him, he had been nearing the area where Azumi had been undergoing her guilt trip.

(Either way she comes from, Azumi will assume she's Rikka, Sorin, until she looks straight at her, and treat her accordingly. This one won't be that long I don't think.)

====

Yuki had no idea where she was.  She found this giant ship in Gummi Space and felt curious about it.  Yuki was rather nervous as she walked the halls.  So far she had yet to find anyone other than the usual Heartless that tried to attack her.  Why was such a ship around with no one on it.

Thankfully for Yuki she would find someone.  "Azumi?"  Yuki asked as she walked over to her.  The last time she had seen Azumi was when Yuki first had seen Rikka in this universe.  She had been working for Rikka but it seemed like she was forced into it, so Yuki didn't know what to think about her.

"Azumi are you alright?"  Yuki asked as she cautiously approached.

====

Azumi tensed as she heard the voice of her lady. She didn't even look up, just keeping her eyes averted so she didn't have to show her expression outright. "I'm fine, m'lady," she falsely muttered, likely audible for the person who had, by contract, claimed ownership of her as her servant. She had decided to use that abbreviation, because it was easy for her to use either "malady", the insult, or "milady", the proper terminology, interchangeably without having to change her pronunciation at all. She didn't keep from one other thing, though.

"But thank you for the concern." While she did have her complex feelings for Rikka Masami, she was not without the ability to be grateful for her, for taking her in (though admittedly in servitude) and increasing her standard of living beyond the perpetual poverty she forced herself into for pragmatic reasons. She looked forward on that, curious about something as she flashed her VISR network over her eyes. "Why have you co--"

Scratch that. This was not Rikka at all. This was her twin. Azumi's sleepless, bloodshot eyes might have alarmed her, but she couldn't really do anything about that. She only really had one thought.

[i]Well, this is insanely awkward.[/i]

It was a few seconds before she could speak, coughing into her hand to avoid having to say anything during that time due to her embarrassment over the admittedly plausible mistake, looking back forward again and into her lap as she deactivated the military program. "Sorry, I... thought you were someone else." That much was obvious, but she didn't bother to explain what was readily apparent, instead admitting the truth. "Not really... I've had a really rough time. I won't blame you if you don't trust me, considering my... who I work for, but if you want to talk, just... come on and sit down." She was silent for a few moment before she spoke again, quieter, more cautious.

"Did you have any questions for me. I can't answer everything for... personal reasons. But I'll try what I can."

====

Hearing Azumi's voice had brought Ignis to a stop. Well, this was an unfortunate coincidence. After the last time he earned her betrayal, he was not about to do it again. The Nightmare Illusionist was many things, but foolish was not one of them. He had been about to turn, leave this ship behind. He had no further business here, after all.

And he would have...had it not been for Yuki being here as well. Now [i]this[/i] had piqued his interest. The last he had seen of the girl, he had promised to find the murderer of her friend. Of course, this was all a lie, as he knew it was Rikka who had killed her. He hadn't heard  if the two had confronted each other yet, but perhaps he could still use it to his advantage. He knew Azumi would probably call him out on this, but if he kept up his act, maybe Yuki would continue to believe in him.

For now, Ignis stayed hidden in a corner by the opening where the two women were. He would listen in to what the two had been up to before he would confront them.

====

Yuki stood still as Azumi mistook her for Rikka.  If she was working for Rikka it does make a little sense that she might have gotten the two of them mixed up.  But thankfully Azumi a able to tell the difference, even in the horrible shape she looked like she was in.

Still Azumi sounded like she was willing to talk and Yuki didn't think she was all that bad even if she worked for Rikka.  It would be a good chance to learn more about the both of them.  Yuki sat down and looked at Azumi.  She really did look awful right now and Yuki was a little worried.

"How did you...why are you working for her?"  Yuki asked the most important question.