Final Fantasy XIII: The Palompulum Hotel
"Looks like we can stay here for a while,"
A figure jumped up enthusiastically.
"Calm down Vanille, it's not that great," said a voice.
"Oh stop being such a party pooper Hope," replied Vanille.
"You guys are something else," said another voice.
Laughter followed that comment as a small chocobo flew around the two teenagers.
"What are the sleeping arrangements going to be like?" asked another.
"You and Snow have a room to yourselves, Sazh and wanted a room to himself, Lightning also wanted one to herself, so I guess me, Vanille and Hope can share," replied Fang.
Hope turned to Lightning.
"Can I stay with you Light? Please?" he asked.
"Sure," she replied giving Hope a soft fist to the forehead.
Vanille and Fang turned to each other.
"Guess it'll be like old times," said Fang.
Vanille hugged her friend and giggled. Fang couldn't blame her for being so excited; it was finally time for the party to take a vacation. Snow and Serah got married, Lightning finally began to be open to others, Sazh was reunited with his son, Vanille finally wiped her conscience clean of guilt and Hope was reunited with his father. After everything that transpired, they could finally relax for a while. Fang awaited the bellboy to carry their bags up. Unbeknowst to her, someone was already coming behind, not dressed in the usual hotel uniform.
"Excuse me miss, do you need some help with those?" he asked.
Fang turned to look at him and even she couldn't help but to gasp a little. He was just slightly taller than she was. He was dressed in a white shirt covered by a black leather jacket and a pair of baggy black jeans covering his legs. She assumed he became so toned from his job but it wasn't toned enough to look unattractive. He had jet black hair that looked similar to Snow's hair but slightly shorter. He also had sky blue eyes.
"Yes, I need these taken up to rooms 207 through 210," she replied.
"Alright, no problem," he replied.
He walked away and returned with a cart. He almost effortlessly lifted each bag into the cart, greatly surprising her due to the fact that one of the bags caused Snow to exert effort. He then looked towards her and gestured for her to follow him. She called everyone else and followed him to the elevator. Due to the number of people, there was no space for the cart.
"Take the elevator, I'll carry your bags up the stairs and meet you up there," he said.
"Won't you have trouble?" asked Snow.
"Not at all, I can handle it," he replied.
The door closed and Vanille immediately grabbed Fang's hand.
"He's cute isn't he Fang?" asked Vanille.
Fang looked away with a slight blush. Vanille, dissatisfied with her response, turned to Lightning.
"Isn't he cute Light?" she asked.
Lightning's eyes widened and she turned away from Vanille but unlike Fang, Lightning gave a very light nod. Vanille giggled. Sazh chuckled.
"I'd like to see that kid get up here with all of those bags," he said.
"That's not nice Sazh, he's only doing his job, have some faith!" said Serah.
"Well, looks very difficult to do," said Snow.
They disembarked the elevator only to find the boy beside room 207, tying his shoes with the cart and all the bags in place. Eyes widened and Fang smirked.
"Alright, which bags go in this one?" he asked.
"The large green one is for me, put that one in for 207 and that's it," said Sazh.
He nodded and lifted the bag in one hand before entering the room and returning. He continued putting each of the bags down until 210, Fang and Vanille's room.
"Ok, I'll put these in for ya," he said.
He lifted both of the bags with one hand each and Fang once again was shocked at his uncanny strength. He put them down and looked at Fang.
"Is there anything else you need?" he asked.
"Sure, care to tell me why you don't have a uniform?" she asked.
"Oh, an accident happened earlier today, a guest spilled a glass of champagne on me, seeing as it was a white uniform, it was pretty much soiled, so I asked my boss if I could wear this and he approved," he replied.
Fang nodded in comprehension.
"Ok, what's your name?" she asked.
"Takeda Strife ma'am," he replied.
"Hmm...nice name Takeda," she said.
He smiled and scratched the back of his head nervously.
"Thank you, may I ask your name?" he replied.
Fang held out a hand to him.
"Oerba Yun Fang, just call me Fang," she replied.
"Thats a mouthful, you're from Gran Pulse?" he asked as he shook her hand.
"Yes, I was raised in a small village there," she said.
"Ahh, I grew up in Gran Pulse too, I used to live in another village on the east side," he said.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yep," he replied.
Fang turned to Vanille.
"Oh, this is my best friend," she began.
"My name's Vanille!" she said with joy.
Takeda shook her hand and smiled at her.
"Pleasure to meet you two," he said.
His phone went off and he quickly answered it.
"Hey. No, I'm with a guest right now, need some help? Alright, I'll be right over. See you in a bit." he said as he shut the phone.
"What's up?" asked Vanille.
"My cousin Cloud also works here and he needs some help," he replied.
He handed Fang two cards.
"You can also ask him for help with anything if I'm not around," he replied.
"Ok Takeda, I'll be sure to give you or him a call," said Fang.
He nodded.
"I'm usually available anytime but just case," he said as he waved and ran off.
Fang smiled as she watched him dash down the hallway.
"He's a cute one alright,"
He stopped running as he turned the corner and let out a deep breath.
"Holy crap...she's sooo hot..."