[MAID AU] Round 1 - Team 7

[the Butler]

You find yourselves in the grand dining room. Soon, there will be a feast of epic proportions here--one that is currently being tended to by one of the other sets of faithful maids. The sprawling table is absolutely bare, but you have the needed silverware and fine china to make this place truly grand. Though, you must be careful; some of that stuff is rather fragile!




Team Sora + Xemnas +Aqua


Regulations in the palace may be viewed here, if you have any questions about your assignment.

[Sora]

"What am I even doing."

For the meanwhile, words escaped him. He hardly knew what else to say beyond that, let alone even think. He couldn't even remember how he had come to this large, palisade-like place, with its dauntingly high ceilings and far from narrow corridors. When he attempted to think of what he had been doing before he had wound up here, he only managed a blank slate, his memory frustratingly vague and left in the dark, its corners frayed and fuzzy in the most annoying manner possible. He didn't quite like that. Not at all.

But that wasn't the worst part, being unable to figure out where he was or how he got there for the life of him. No, the worst part was what he was wearing.

Sora had to stifle a groan, though he barely felt the need to hold back the hand that ran through his spiky locks of brown hair in nothing short of exasperation. Now, he had experienced odd things, seen many and event and person or place he had never dared to dream or explore with his imagination. He had spoke with santa himself; had met a boy that never grew up and had experienced the thrills of flight; he had felt what it was like to be a lion, and how different the feeling was to be a merman; all in all, he had seen and done things no one had done, some extraordinary and unbelievable.

But this took the cake in more ways than one. He was wearing a maid uniform for crying out loud!

The boy plucked at the vibrant red apron, felt for the crown necklace that was - thankfully - still there. He supposed it could be worse. It could be more revealing, more frilly and pompous and overall disgustingly girly. Yet, whomever was in charge of this ridiculous event had apparently decided to simply base the maid uniform for him off of his usual attire. Hoods on these kinds of things were rather unheard of, right? Not to mention the countless yellow straps that buckled across his front.

Maybe it was that fact that made it bearable to some degree. All he had to say, to be grateful for, was that Kairi or Riku weren't there. Thinking of how they would react to see him in something so ludicrous would surely have them laughing about it for weeks. They would never let him down for it! He would be plagued by their subtle jokes until they grew bored of it he was sure and he would finally lose the need to scream into a pillow. Actually, he could use one of those now.

Sighing wistfully, the chosen one was unwilling to move a step. Flourishing a Keyblade around with a skill transcending his age, of taking down an insurmountable wave of Heartless in tides against him, was easier than taking candy from a baby; it was almost laughable. Taking down Heartless who were twenty times his size, or even fighting his way out of a mess with an organization of powerful members were simply challenging but no match for him. He could take anything that came his way and send it with a good, resounding crack any day of the week without a single bout of perspiration.

But he might have met his match in the heels he was forced to wear.

If girls could do it, and if he could overcome life and death situations, why couldn't he do this properly or with any sort of finesse? 

He had almost tripped and introduced his face to the pristine floor already, and after that almost hurtful encounter, he most certainly didn't want to try that again. However, he knew he had to, or else the team he was supposedly meant to work with to set up this huge, broad table would be left irritated with him. He couldn't be a disappointment, or the deffective wheel. He had faced adversities more life-threatening than this, certainly more exerting. Yet why was it so damn difficult?

Looking around him, and still too hesitant to move forward and begin setting the table as was their task, Sora moaned. This was horrible! "I really hope the others show up soon."

Experience: 710 / 2 (355)

[Aqua]

This was so embarrassing.

This dress was almost too short to walk in, let alone do anything else. There had been times when she wondered if her usual outfit was impractical- particularly her sashes snagging on things- but this was just ridiculous. The apron was even longer than the dress! As much as she loved them, she really hoped she wasn't working with her friends, because she'd never hear the end of this. Unless they were in dresses too. Now that would be hilarious- and mildly horrifying at the same time.

Aqua figured that she at least still had her armor if she needed to get out of here. Although that would probably be cheating, or at least not bode well for her at all. She was summoned here to do... whatever chore she was supposed to do... for a reason, she supposed. Might as well do the job right and appease whoever brought her here! Well, do it as well as she could in a skimpy outfit because really this was humiliating and bending over was going to be such a problem.

The blue haired keybearer shook her head. She really needed to get over how embarrassing this was. She could fight her way through anything and yet doing chores in a dress was where the line was crossed? No! She would do this, no matter how mortifying or how much pride she'd have to swallow for this. Stepping into the room with her head held high, Aqua quickly realized that she was not the only one who could possibly be embarrassed... and this poor boy was probably even more so, considering he was in a dress. An odder looking one, at that, with multiple bright colors and even a hood. Huh.

In addition to seeing this boy that looked vaguely familiar (she couldn't quite put her finger on where she had seen him, and it was probably due to the dress), she noted that there was a large table they needed to set. Not too difficult, they would just have to be careful not to break anything. Didn't want to upset whoever sent them here, since this already seemed like enough punishment.

"Looks like we've got a big job ahead of us." Aqua said to him, glancing out at the bare table that seemed to stretch across the entirety of the room. She noted he looked a little afraid to move and it was probably due to the high heels. Laughing a little, but not too much since they were both stuck in this ridiculous situation, Aqua smiled comfortingly. "Don't worry, you'll get used to moving around in heels soon, I'm sure." She said, looking around some more. Seems like their third member hadn't shown up yet. Aqua wasn't too sure why she knew there would be three of them, but she just did. Maybe whoever was running this snuck that thought into her head. She didn't like that idea.

"Maybe you could practice walking around a bit before we start?" She suggested, trying to make the job and situation as light-hearted as possible. "Oh, by the way, my name's Aqua, it's nice to meet you."

Even though she had the strangest feeling they had met before...

WC: 539
Exp: 269

[Xemnas]

By some ludicrous twist of fate and series of events, something unforeseeable had appeared to have occurred. Xemnas had become a servant- a maid. Meant to do tedious tasks, ones he couldn't fathom he had the experience with, all to please someone of higher power. This figure kept themselves thoroughly a mystery, but they had to have a degree of authority if the leader of Organizatin XIII actually felt a type of compulsion or will to actually do as he was meant to. Expression as impassive as ever as his steps slightly echoed in the hallway of these manor, the silver haired Nobody's eyes moved side to side, searching for the doors that would lead to his first task.

 Power. That seemed to be all this boiled down to. Those who were superior were the ones who reigned and commanded. Right now, this person was not him. For now, he was lesser, as bothersome as it was to admit. For now. 

And in light of this, another factor that Xemnas simply could not comprehend as reasonable stood out. The fact that he was made to wear this...ridiculous outfit was both unbefitting and unsettling in a way. The familiar design of the cloak he'd worn when he had been in the glorious presence of Kingdom Hearts, when it was beautiful and complete, did not go unnoticed. Whoever had put him into this irrational situation somehow had knowledge of the particular pattern, and had thrown it crudely onto this unfortunate piece of clothing. 

To say that this dress was merely different than his usual Organization uniform was a harsh understatement. The sleeves that used to cover his arms were partially gone, as we're the gloves concealing his hands. Loose fabric that he'd grown accustomed to had disappeared, light, lacy material in its stead. Not that it was truly a horrible loss, but the air freely brushing against him was certainly foreign to a degree. Crossing his arms as the Nobody strode down the hall, his face remained as stoic as ever, albeit the higher level of focus is took to walk in shoes other than his traditional black boots. Shoes with abnormally heightened heels, more specifically. "I'm presuming this outfit has no practical meaning in any way possible, nothing short of mere amusement for those of higher power at the moment. How irritating." 

The biggest difference, by far, would most certainly be his legs. Customarily, Xemnas donned black leather pants under a long sweeping cloak, successfully concealing all or the majority of his skin. In this unnecessarily short piece of clothing, his legs were bare nix provided stockings, whom were equally as alien regardless. Practically sporting no skirt at all, the excuse of one reached the middle of his thigh at best. A motion-generated breeze brushed past his legs, and after constantly covering them up, the feeling of exposure was becoming increasingly more prominent with each step. 

Did this outfit mean to stand opposite of his usual attire? Showcase his legs that were previously hidden, in addition to fractions of his arms? What utterly petty tactics to deter Xemnas from whatever may lie ahead, if that was so the intention. Obviously neither of these adjustments were significant or hinderances, however they would in turn require a period of time to grow used to. The walk to where he'd become acquainted with who he assumed were fellow workers would hopefully suffice. 

A dining room. That was his apparent destination, and he appeared to have arrived the last in the small trio of workers he was deemed to cooperate with. But since when did such matters hold value when the actual people themselves served to be much more critical? Holding his arms out in mock pleasure at the sight of the young brunette, Xemnas approached the two unwaveringly, despite his current appearance. It seemed they were off no better, albeit longer skirts. It was foreign looks for the keyblade master, but the Nobody wasn't in a position to judge obviously. It seemed this outfit was standard to all whom worked. How interesting...

"Ah, Sora. What a pleasant surprise this is, after all the time that's passed since the glorious Kingdom Hearts blessed us with its presence in the sky. I concur my feelings are of utmost sincerity, albeit your own shock at seeing myself. Does it surprise you that I was correct? That nothingness truly is forever?" Shifting his gaze to the other in the room, the Nobody's eyes narrowed. 

Her. That armor. A wave of familiarity washed over him, however all Xemnas did was stand and stare with a piercing gaze. His friend. 

Whether he remembered her name or not, the armor proved that she was indeed, his "friend". 

Lingering on her for a moment longer, Xemnas then surveyed the area thoroughly. It seemed their task would be to set the abnormally large table, which was utterly bare at present. What a tedious job. 

"I suppose work is in order. Do so quickly and perhaps we can finish in a reasonable amount of time. Don't slack off."

[OOC: I had more deeper stuff written with Xemnas seeing Aqua, but I took it out to save for a more serious thread like Noose or something. Ending is kind of blah crappy, sorry D8]

Exp- 867/2=433
Thread- 433

[Sora]

He still refused to move an inch. There was no way, no how. Not in these embarrassing heels, this degrading outfit! Oh man, oh man, what if Kairi and Riku somehow found out about this? They were going to laugh themselves hoarse! He’d never hear the end of the charade until the last of his days. They’d make it an instrument of torture if they ever felt the need. At least, he could see Riku taking full advantage of the blackmail without a second’s hesitation.

In other words, he was doomed in more than one way.

Shifting his weight gingerly, he felt as though a breeze could knock him over in this uncanny footwear. Well, it certainly felt breezy around him more so than usual in general. What he would not give to be back in his own casual clothing. They were absolutely perfect. This was absolutely oh my god what is happening worthy.

He heard approach from the side and he turned his head to greet whoever it was with relief. It was one of his partners for this task, wasn’t it? He sure hoped so! If he had been any other kind of guy, his jaw might have dropped and he would have been stricken by her, basically, scanty attire. Instead, he simply looked to the blue-haired girl curiously, wondering why he had this weird sensation in the back of his mind and heart, as if he knew this girl. She seemed really familiar, though. As though he knew her from long ago. Who was she, anyway? He felt pretty comfortable around her. At least she wasn’t completely laughing at his predicament.

“Sure looks like it.” Flushing lightly, he averted his gaze and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. Man, was it that obvious he was having issues? “Oh geez, I hope so. And maybe if I wasn’t so afraid I’d take a step and fall flat on my face, maybe.” Didn’t hurt to be honest with the girl. He was positive she already knew that was exactly how he felt anyway. He wasn’t exactly making it a secret.

There was no will to walk around, though. But he knew she was right as right could get. He’d be no use just standing around, watching her and whoever else was supposed to be helping them out. He couldn’t allow himself to be a bump on a log. She introduced herself, and he brightened up cheerfully. “The name’s Sora, Aqua! It’s nice to meet you, too. Despite our situation, hah.”

It seemed that, not even a minute after the last word had left his mouth that he heard the sound of heels and he turned, almost instantly regretting it. “Oh my god.” He didn’t know what was more shocking. Seeing Xemnas again, or what he was wearing. And he thought he had had it bad! But look at that sorry state!

Sora was stuck horribly between the need to laugh at the sight of his sworn enemy or to seek out something, anything, to bleach out the image of the Nobody in his unbelievable attire. Dear lord. “Unfortunately, it looks like it.” Not that he really, honestly believed it, even if Xemnas was right there, in the flesh. Clothed in a maid outfit he’d rather never see for the rest of his life. Nothingness couldn’t really be eternal, nonetheless the Superior…right? Shaking his head in exasperation, he pursed his lips and crossed his arms.

“There’s no way I’m listening to a word of what you have to say! I’d rather eat dirt than obey your orders,” the boy boldly stated, lifting his chin and glowering at the silver-haired Nobody heatedly. Nope, no way. No, no, no.

He had a feeling he would have to shove aside his malformed thoughts to the matter, swallowing his pride in the process, to just do it. Not that he wanted to. But he was almost afraid what the overseer of this event would do in response to failure to serve and act accordingly to the task set for them. A part of him said that was ridiculous and impossible. But how else had he come here, and Xemnas at that? There had to be someone else behind this. And they had to have some kind of power.

Malicious intention notwithstanding, he looked over to Aqua and rolled his eyes. What did she think of Xemnas, he wondered?

Experience: 368 (736 / 2)
Total Experience: 723