Home Sweet Home - Hollow Bastion to Fabled Countryside [COMPLETE]

[twisted_face]

At the prospect of finally returning to his own castle, Adam was practically galloping down the hallways of Hollow Bastion to get to the gummi docks. Having already caused plenty of scenes, he resigned himself to a brisk walk. For the first time in months, his heart felt lighter. Even if he and Belle only took a couple weeks for themselves, it

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[livre_du_coeur]

Belle had to convince herself not to bring half the library home with her. This was a trip to relax, after all. She contented herself with leaving very detailed notes for Timofei, one of her chief assistants. She hoped he'd be able to get everything done by the time she was back

[twisted_face]

Adam couldn't contain his excitement and a fanged grin bubbled out of his mouth when he saw his wife approach. Relaxation was too hard to come by during wartime, especially with Belle being heavily involved, so this break was going to be fully relished.

Adam gave her a most definite nod and a happy "yes" when she asked if he was ready. He had been plenty ready ever since they stepped foot on Hallow Bastion. It was time to head away from this foreign territory and back to his own.

He stepped aside to allow her access to the ship first. If he had been any less of a gentleman, he might have run past her to get a head start. Of course, this was his wife. He didn't need to end up in the doghouse as soon as they returned. With absolutely no pun intended.

[livre_du_coeur]

Belle curtsied to her husband before climbing aboard their vessel.

"Always the gentleman," she smiled, then climbed aboard. She took a moment to stow her bag before taking a seat. She snuck a look over her shoulder to see just how quickly Adam followed her through the hatch. His excitement as she'd passed by him had been enough to cause an electric charge in the air.

[twisted_face]

Though his hulking form was less than graceful, Adam managed to keep from tripping on Belle's heels as he followed her on board. Within the next few moments he was seated and the ship was brought to life. Coordinates were set and they were well on their way towards home.

Adam placed his hand on Belle's and spoke his feelings aloud, "I'm so happy that we're going home." His eyes remained ahead though, anxious as he was, waiting to see their world come into view.

[livre_du_coeur]

Belle clasped her husband's hand and squeezed it.

"I know, so am I. I can hardly wait to see everyone." Belle took a look at the clock on the ships control panel. "What time will it be when we arrive? I hope we don't have to go and wake everyone up."

[twisted_face]

"It should still be daytime, if I'm not mistaken." Early morning, actually, but Adam didn't care if it was the dead of night. He would probably still tackle everyone in the castle before taking a bath and sleeping in his own bed

[livre_du_coeur]

Belle looked at their home and checked the clock again. Her husband was right, it should have been morning. Something was very wrong. She'd never seen this kind of storm, either. She felt Adam's tension rising and the way his grip tightened on her hand.

And then something else. The shadows outside began to feel like a living thing. They crept into the ship, permeating every surface. They pulsed with their own dark rhythm. Something flashed into Belle's mind, the memory of a dream.

My heart, a light in the darkness...

And she knew. The Darkness had returned to their world. As a Princess of Heart, she couldn't mistake it for anything else. All the same, she had to put voice to her fear.

"Adam, what's going on?" she asked, though she kept her eyes locked on the scene outside the window.

[twisted_face]

For a few aching moments, Adam couldn't even reply. Even with little else to go on but a dark sky and a sick heart, he immediately knew what was going on. They had been away far too long. He had been selfishly thinking only of his own comfort sa reasons to return. He had almost forgotten that his own world had been slowly descending, and he was one of the only ones to have attempted to lower their number... The Heartless had exploded in their absence, and while not a single yellow-eyed creature were apearing, he had a thick awareness of their presence

[livre_du_coeur]

It was one thing to have her own fears, but to hear them confirmed out loud made her tremble. To her side she felt Adam's anger grow, ready to tear through whatever got too close. It wasn't a comforting sensation.

Belle's thoughts jumped to Maurice. Where was her father, the castle or his own house? But she knew that in her absence he always preferred his little old cottage by the stream. On the other side of the forest and far away from her now. She ached to go to him, but she knew it was impossible. Please be all right, Papa, she prayed silently.

The only sounds were the storm and Adam's low breathing. The eerie twilight was dull and dead through the windows. The next question had to be asked.

"What are we going to do now?"