#drawing samples

[white-bird-in-a-cage]

Father’s Day

Naminé woke up and checked the calendar. Father’s Day. A small smile came to her face and she got out of bed to get dressed. It was still a little early; surely he wouldn’t be awake. It gave her enough time to go downstairs and cook breakfast as a surprise.

She crept downstairs and sighed in relief when the kitchen was indeed empty. Now she could work in peace. Naminé wasn’t planning on cooking him a feast, especially because there were only two of them, but she was making something a little extra special today. Having access to better ingredients improved her cooking, and now she was cooking two omelets, some bacon, and four slices of toast.

Naminé set the table and placed a card addressed to “Dad” to the left of his fork, where he wouldn’t be able to miss it. She hurried, wondering if the smell of the food would awaken him and make him come downstairs. If it did, she wanted it to be perfect and on the plates before he came down.

She was about halfway through her meal before she realized that he must have slept through her cooking, or maybe he was just now waking up. Naminé got to her feet and climbed back up the stairs to his room. By now she had had enough trouble sleeping or coming into his room to wake him up that she usually wasn’t nervous about going into her father’s room, but today... today was a little different. She really wanted him to be in there, but she didn’t want to admit that to herself as she pushed it open.

Empty. The bed was empty, the room was empty. Even the closet was empty. “That’s all right,” she told herself as she shut the door behind her, “he’ll just come later in the day.” With that, she finished her omelet and all four slices of toast, and then put the other omelet and the bacon away.

As soon as she finished washing the dishes, she headed into the living room to curl up on one of their armchairs. Naminé placed a small gift bag and the card from before onto the coffee table. She wanted to be there the second he got home. In the meantime, however, she would draw. Sketches upon sketches of him, of them. He smiled in some, laughed in others, frowned and was angry--it didn’t really matter what he looked like, so long as he was there. Naminé loved her father just as he was, and she wanted him to know it.

It was tiring after a while, though. Naminé had skipped lunch by the time she realized she had been drawing all day. She’d need to cook dinner soon. Of course he’d be home for dinner, surely. Even if he was a little late, he’d be home and she could warm up food for him. So she--with some difficulty--mashed potatoes and cooked steak in the oven. A special occasion, she reasoned. She wasn’t going to make steak every day, but if there was any day, it’d be Father’s Day.

Again she laid the card by his plate and, after waiting a few long minutes, began eating her dinner. “He’s just late,” she reasoned, but her bites were getting smaller and smaller and her heart less in it than before. Finally she finished her portion and slowly stood to put the food away and clean the dishes.

There’s still time, she told herself. Cloud was just late, or he forgot the day. It wasn’t like the worlds all ran on the same calendar or the same time. She knew that. He’d be home soon, he just had to be.

Dishes cleaned and on the drying rack, she went back to the living room and sat on the couch this time. Naminé had her card in her hands, running her finger along the letters and occasionally pressing it to her chin. He’d be home soon. Cloud would be home soon. He had to be. She just needed to stay up late enough. When he came through the door she’d jump on him and squeal, “Daddy!” just like she had wanted to when she would have seen him come down the stairs this morning for breakfast.

Naminé went to bed around ten usually, so when eleven rolled around her eyelids were drooping. She was tired, but there was still an hour left. Still an hour for him to come home for Father’s Day. By now she had stretched out across the couch and had wrinkled the card so that it wasn’t pristine anymore. She barely registered the clock when it chimed that it was fifteen after.

Naminé was asleep, curled up on the couch, the card clutched in her hand, when she felt herself awakened by a strange sensation. Someone was gently taking her into his arms and carrying her up the stairs. She knew who this was, she thought drowsily. Cloud. Cloud had come home, just like she had known.

“Happy Father’s Day, Daddy,” she mumbled, snuggling closer, the card still in her hand. “I love you.”

He laid her down into bed and tucked her in a little awkwardly, which was just like him, and kissed her forehead. “I love you too.”

[white-bird-in-a-cage]

Glass shattered as she walked.

Naminé's feet soon became full of glass shards of all colors, but she couldn't feel them. Trails of blood followed her as her footsteps continued to take her across the field of glass flowers.

There was something here.

Something important.

Sora.

She picked up the pace, dashing through the field, the sound of thousands of glass flowers shattering shadowing her every step, crashing around her in her ears, obliterating any other noise.

Sora.

Naminé tripped and threw her hands up to break her fall, but instead of any ground catching her, she simply fell through the flowers, her arms cut by stray pieces of glass along the way.

She fell what felt like miles, tumbling deeper and deeper through a glass forest, when finally she slammed onto something.

Or someone.

Sora.

[white-bird-in-a-cage]

“Where did you take her?”

Gentle, sweet, soft–terrifying.

“Where did you take her?”

She could see them trying to keep their distance from her. They skittered backwards as she slowly came forward.

“Do not make me ask again.”

The fear in their eyes should not be so enjoyable.

“Where did you take Kairi?”

One opened his mouth, quailing when she swiveled her gaze over to him. “Sh-she’s…”

His stammer was no help. “She’s where? Now.”

“We don’t know!”

Naminé’s glacial gaze moved over to the new speaker. “Wrong answer.”

“No!” they screamed when they saw her lift her hand.

She smiled and snapped her fingers. “Too bad.”

One by one they fell, the life stolen from them as their bodies forgot how to breathe, how to pump their hearts, how to move, how to live.

She watched passively, stepping over their bodies daintily as she made her way to where their memories had revealed Kairi to be.

[white-bird-in-a-cage]

Today was one of those days.

The days where the memories were simply too overwhelming. The days where she lay on the floor, incapacitated, writhing under the pain of so many memories clamoring for her attention. Her light would spread, unheeded, uncontrolled, enveloping everything, feeling everything.

It started with a headache, one that was distracting her from her drawing, but she paid it no mind. She could take a painkiller later if it didn't pass. Then the headache became more insistent, and the room started to swim, other images appearing before her eyes. Naminé tried to stop it, tried to rein everything in under her control, but since today was one of those days, that would not happen.

With a scream, she toppled sideways, collapsing to the floor. Everything was drifting away from her; all she could feel were memories upon memories flooding her, demanding her to relive each moment. The pain, the joy, the sorrow--every emotion passed through her in a flash, the colors of the memories whirling together at what felt like impossible speeds.

Somewhere, far in the distance, she could hear something. Someone ran towards her--or was that just a memory of Kairi's?--and shook her, calling for her. More voices joined in, but she was pretty sure it was only in that memory of someone else. It was hard to tell past from present when she was like this.

In a moment of coherency she saw a young man with dark hair, shaking her. She couldn't see the expression on his face, but she felt he was worried. Then that moment slipped away and she was swept up by the memories again.

Naminé was growing tired, so tired... Until suddenly she felt darkness brush up against her arm. She jolted, her senses focusing on it, feeling her light interlock with this darkness. It didn't feel like it wanted to eat her--no, instead, it felt like it wanted to help her, protect her.

Her light waned, calmed by this dark presence, and her eyes drifted shut. The memories subsided, once again under her control. Just before she passed out she heard a voice saying, "Thank goodness Mom has you, Dad."

[white-bird-in-a-cage]

Bevelle

She had been listening to Reeve--having decided to go along with him was a good idea--and felt dread curl in her stomach. An actual combat situation. There was absolutely no way she was staying, not when there was a possibility that she could help. Naminé knew she was small, and probably a liability, but she didn't care. Sora had done so much for everyone had he had been young and small. She could do the same, or at least try.

So she ran. Naminé followed after the others, tagging along so that it wasn't pathetically obvious she was not exactly a part of them. After all, they were more used to combat situations than she was, and had a lot more experience as well. Try. Just try your hardest. You may be able to help.

A part of her reminded her to be on the lookout for Kairi, or a way to go back. She knew her other half was still alive; they were linked in a way that twins were, but much, much stronger. Maybe I'll find her. I need to find her, and Sora.

They reached Bevelle and she felt herself shiver in fear. Would Kairi be here? Or Sora? Naminé honestly hoped they were safe, wherever they were, because now, she had to help save the city from being completely destroyed.

[white-bird-in-a-cage]

"Mother."

She looked up. There, a boy. No, he was a man. He was holding a small box and he held it out to her when he came over to her. "Happy Mother's Day," he said quietly, although she could see the emotion in his eyes.

"Thank you," she said, taking the box in her hands. Something rattled inside, a sound she knew well. Pencils. Naminé opened it and smiled. "New colored pencils. That was sweet of you."

The dark-haired man smiled, his eyes lighting up. "You're welcome. I'm sure the others are going to bring presents too."

The second he finished speaking, the door to her white room burst open and a young boy ran in. "Momma!" he sang, rushing to her side. "Happy Mother's Day!" And before she could really react, he shoved a glowing bouquet of lilies into her hands. It was an extraordinary piece of magic, as each and every one of them was made out of light.

"Thank you, sweetie," she said, taking a moment to brush them against her face. Warm and happy. "You didn't have to."

"Sure I did Momma. I wanted to give you a present too!" His wide eyes widened even further, as if astonished by the idea of not giving his mother something.

Two more people came in, but this time Naminé had enough time to put the flowers and the box of pencils onto the table. "Happy Mother's Day!" the pair said together, coming over with their own presents. The young woman handed her a card and another box, while the man offered her a differently shaped box.

Inside the woman's box were markers, but the man had given her a porcelain bird. At the look on her face, he laughed. "Well, one of us had to give you something that wasn't art supplies, right? We decided it'd be me."

"Thank you," she repeated, getting up to hug them all. "You've made me happy."

"You're welcome Mom," they said in a chorus, hugging her back.

[white-bird-in-a-cage]

“They say before you fight a war, you’d better know what you’re fighting for.” These words were her mantra, reminding her of her purpose. For Sora. For Kairi. “I don’t care if heaven won’t take me back.” And it was true. She didn’t. They were all who mattered.

That’s a lie, a part of her whispered. You love him too.

No. I can’t. Sora and Kairi are the ones who matter. I would do everything for them.

They didn’t like taking her out on the battlefield. “You’re too delicate,” they’d say. “We don’t want you to get hurt,” they’d add. “We just want to keep you safe.” Then they’d leave her on the edge somewhere, running off with their keyblades and their swords and their magic wands.

She watched, passively, as they fought against hordes of Heartless, Nobodies, and whatever other creatures Xehanort could conjure up against them. And then, she’d snap her fingers. Their enemies fell, dropped like dolls, clattering to the ground pathetically. They had tried to hurt Sora. That could not be allowed to happen again.

Nobody ever seemed to figure out why their enemies kept dropping, because they would discuss it later and not come to any conclusions. And Naminé was okay with this. She didn’t need recognition. So long as Sora and Kairi were safe.

And then, at long last, they confronted Xehanort. Kairi had wrestled Naminé into promising she wouldn’t try escaping her body. “I need you to be safe,” she insisted, and Naminé agreed, already knowing she’d break her promise.

Typical, she thought, watching Xehanort and Sora have a shouting match–well, Sora was shouting, Xehanort was answering calmly. Naminé didn’t care. Sometimes you have to lie and cheat to win, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’m sorry Kairi, Sora. A twinge in her heart as she apologized to someone else, someone she had promised to talk to about everything.

Naminé stepped out, much to Kairi’s confusion. She held up a hand, stopping Kairi from speaking, gracefully gliding forwards. “I’ll do this Sora,” she said.

“Naminé, what are you doing?” Sora exclaimed, confused just like the rest of them.

“Something I should have done a long time ago.” She turned and smiled at Xehanort. It was knowing. It was dangerous. It was powerful.

Naminé lifted up a hand, and suddenly found herself stabbed through with multiple weapons of the Thirteen Darknesses. “So he knows,” she murmured, coughing. “Too bad.” A flick of her finger and they all fell to the ground, choking. She had made them forget how to live, had completely erased their memories, and shattered their hearts. They would die in a matter of minutes.

She fell to her knees, weapons still embedded in her. “I’m… glad.” Sora and Kairi and—and he were all safe. She had done what she was supposed to do. For now, she wanted to sleep. Kairi had rushed to her side and Naminé took her hand. “Don’t worry about me,” she asked, disappearing back to her other half.

[white-bird-in-a-cage]

The Lady and the Witch

Naminé had been right about it not taking too long to reach where the Lady Galadriel was staying. She had wondered the entire time as to why Maglor would not go with her, but he must've decided that it would simply be easier this way, so he could focus on whatever other tasks he had to do to prepare everyone.

Her elf escort helped her off the horse and said, "The Lady will most likely be waiting in the gazebo down this path. Would you like me to take you there?"

She thought about this offer. "Is it directly down the path? No turns or anything?"

"That's right." He didn't really seem to know what to call her, so he left off a name or a title.

"Then I can do it myself." She nodded decisively, although now she'd said it, she was feeling nervous. What if, despite Maglor's assurances, Galadriel would not train her? "Thank you."

He nodded too and got back onto the horse, turning back the way he came. Now she had to walk down to where her new mentor would be waiting.

The most beautiful woman she had ever seen turned to look at her, a lovely smile on her face. Yet this smile reminded her of a rose; beautiful, but hiding thorns. Naminé suppressed a shiver. Little Naminé. I have been waiting. Galadriel gestured to a seat near her. You may sit, if you would like.

The girl answered with a nod, and then realized the elf hadn't spoken a word. It was directly mental communication and somehow this shocked her. She had never encountered anyone who could do this, although there were plenty of storybooks and people who could communicate with looks. But this? This was very strange. She is powerful. Naminé could only think that as she walked to the seat, sitting down and looking up at the golden-haired elf. She is also beautiful.

Galadriel smiled, and Naminé realized she must have been listening to her thoughts. "You have come to me for training, have you not?" the lady asked, receiving a nod of confirmation. "Why don't you tell me what you can do?"

"But... you probably already know," Naminé protested.

"I do, but you should tell yourself." Galadriel gestured again. "Tell me."

Naminé breathed a deep sigh and then began. "My main ability is that I have the power over the memories and hearts over those Sora is connected to. This turns into a lot of people. I can manipulate light pretty well too, and I can cast magic spells." Although she wasn't given much opportunity to use them.

Galadriel smiled and Naminé wondered if there was something hiding behind that smile. "Let us begin, then. Your weapons will need to be the light and that memory of yours. You know the information we need to fight against these creatures you believe are going to attack us."

"Don't you know who we're going to fight?" Naminé asked, wanting to get to her feet. She didn't like anyone standing above her.

The lady looked away. "I do not. That is not something I have seen."

Naminé didn't know if she should believe her or not, but she had no choice. Galadriel would not share everything, somehow she could tell this. "Well... then I guess we better get started."

--------------------

The Lady didn't train her physically, not beyond making her summon the light rods faster and changing their shape. She had to chain spells together too, faster and more powerful than she'd ever pushed herself before. One day, Galadriel spoke after watching Naminé change a light rod to a shield. "Naminé, perhaps it is time to test these memory powers of yours. I do not think you've used them to their full potential yet."

Naminé didn't really understand what she meant. There was no reason not to, but she didn't see how she could use them when their enemies probably weren't connected to Sora, and neither were the elves. "You'll have to explain that one."

"Look at me, Naminé," Galadriel commanded. Reluctantly her charge obeyed. "Very good."

Suddenly Naminé could feel her presence in her head, and then a silent voice, just like the first time they met. You can do so much more with your powers, little one. Don't be afraid of them.

I can't help but be afraid of them... Look what they did to Sora. To Roxas! She stared at her hands, knowing they held too much power for one person.

You cannot be afraid of your own abilities. The battle that is to come will require you to manipulate all of your powers with ease.

Naminé didn't like this pressure, but she knew Ven was doing his best, so she had to try. For him. She couldn't disappoint him. So a mental hand reached forward and for Galadriel's memories. She couldn't deny how much she'd been curious and wanting to see what an elf's memories were like.

It was a mistake. It'd been almost too easy to touch them. Suddenly it was like being submerged in deep water. No way out. Thousands and thousands of years' worth of memories flooded her. It made her panic, releasing the seal she kept over her light, causing it to spread everywhere wildly. Naminé let out a scream, falling to the ground and rolling into a ball, doing her best to scramble back to the real world.

Too many. There are too many! She couldn't breathe...

------------------

Ven... Ven I want to go home... I don't want to see that ever again... Naminé opened her eyes to find herself in bed, the memories gone. She held up a hand to her face; she was still glowing. Her hand clenched a few times and the light dimmed again as she trapped it under her control. Then she sat up and saw Ven asleep in a chair next to her.

"He heard you collapsed and spends a lot of time here," a voice said quietly. Naminé looked up to see it was Galadriel and immediately she frowned. "I see you are angry at me."

"You knew that would happen to me and you forced me anyway!" she snapped.

"You needed to break through your fear. I suspected you'd get hurt, but not quite like this."

Naminé wanted to growl, still angry, because she hadn't liked what she had seen. But she held back, turning instead to Ven and pulled the covers back so that she could get up. There was no time to be lounging around in bed when there was a battle coming. "I'll do what I have to."

Galadriel smiled. "That is what I had hoped for. Come."

Naminé ran a hand through Ven's hair, kissing his forehead. "I'll see you soon Ven. Thank you." Then she withdrew, following after Galadriel.