WARNING!: This story is a self-insertion. If you don't like it, then you don't have to read it. Smile, and be happy.
Ah, this is my first story! Yay me! Anyway, I'm still tossing random ideas in my mind as to where it's headed, along with the romance aspect. Only time shall see. I'll try and update as often as I can, but life is just there sometimes and it tends to be a spoiled brat and demand I give it some sort of attention. Also, this first chapter is a bit dull, but you need to know what happens to make other things happen. Sorry for the shortness.
Disclaimer: I own nothing save for myself.
Chapter 1: Hit and Tackle
My phone/alarm clock sounded at 5:45 a.m. I marked the page I was reading in my book and sighed. Sleepless nights were most definitely not fun. After picking up my phone and turning it off, I resumed reading the last few pages I had left and cursed. I didn't have the next book and was sorely disappointed in remembering so.
Sighing yet again I dressed in the horrible clothing called my Work Uniform. I hated it and wanted to burn it, then grabbed the keys to my car and purse and headed out the door, but not before spying my PlayStation 2. It wasn't even 6:15 yet and already I wanted to call in. Today, I could tell, was not going to be my day.
I arrived at work promptly at 6:30 a.m. The place was packed, odd for a Friday morning, and I immediately hopped on the floor the second I could. The two waitresses from the night shift, one unfortunately being my mother, walked past me quickly saying their thanks while they worked.
Sleep deprivation was starting to kick in, overwhelming my adrenaline for the busy pace. I walked slower than usual and I was pretty sure that colorful blue and yellow spots were definately not supposed to be a part of the restaurant's decor.
"Kati," my mother started as she came up behind me grabbing a few cups and the coffee pot, "are you okay? You look a little.. pale." She poured her coffee. "Pass me some creamer."
Sighing, as it was becoming a bad habit of mine this morning, I opened the cooler and gave her what she needed. "Yeah. Couldn't sleep last night." Despite the fact that I wasn't overly fond of my mother, I could still tolerate her... just in small doses. She nodded her head and was off to deliver the steaming cups of brown-black liquid. No one had time to do too much talking.
I decided my talents would be better used by washing the dishes. They were piling up fast from the two women dropping them and running to assist the next customer and eventually if someone didn't do them, we'd have to serve food on the to-go plates. That wasn't the most pleasant idea. I glanced at the clock, squinting a bit since it was so damned tiny, and read that it was already seven. I dropped the plate I was working on and went to the back.
"Where the hell is everyone?" I asked as a glared at Tony, my boss.
He pointed out his small one-way office window. "They're already out there. You've been washing that plate for almost 20 minutes. Everyone's been trying to get you to do something else, or at the very least respond in some way, but you wouldn't answer." He frowned a bit. "Are you okay? Your mom-"
"Anna." I corrected him.
"Yes, Anna, said you didn't sleep last night." He looked out his window then opened his phone. "Go home Kati. You're no good when you haven't slept, and bitchy, too." He dialed some numbers.
"Sure," I told him nonchalantly, but inside I was jumping up and down. I grabbed my purse and keys off the table and was out the back door and in my car within minutes.
I turned on my wonderful yellow Chevrolet Cobalt, then flipped through the channels on the radio. Nothing but talk shows, but the drive was short so I wouldn't have to listen for too long. Putting the car into gear, I listened to the radio's hosts babble on about the news and arrived at one of the worst intersections the quickly growing city had to offer. I started to doze a bit, simply closing my eyes, and telling myself it was just a really long blink.
However, when I opened them, everything was in slow motion. I noticed I was the only car in the middle of the intersection, and when I turned to my left, there was a truck. I could see the driver's panicked look on his face as he beat slowly on his horn. And then he hit me.
Either that or I've been tackled and everything was a dream. I opened my eyes only to see another pair staring back at me. I looked around a bit wondering where I was. To my left I saw test tubes and colors of all sorts, and to my right a small fire burned on one of the tables where more tubes would have been. People scrambled about throwing sand on the fire trying to put it out.
"Miss Katherine?" The person who had tackled me moved back a bit, a startled look on his face. He was dressed in a purple coat, the cream colored shirt visible beneath, and wore black trousers that were tucked neatly into simple beige boots. He extended a white gloved arm and hand. "Are you unharmed?"
I grabbed his hand noticing that mine, too, was covered in white, and attempted to stand. "Yes. I do believe I am." I fell back, losing the few inches I had managed on my way up. My slightly southern accent had been replaced with a "Queen's English" one. How strange.
"Be careful with her now, Derek," a new voice chided. It was light and cheery, yet it was laced with something else.. something familiar. He came up behind the man, who now had a name, with a smile plastered on his face.
Derek moved. "I'm sorry, Doctor."
"No, no, no! You saved the dear girl's life! Come now, Katherine! Stand, stand!" I did as he told. I could sense something definately not right. His attention went to Derek again. "There's nothing you should apologize for, my boy! In fact, she shou-" The doctor was cut short as clanking metal sounded the entrance of soldiers.
"Doctor Cidolfus Demen Bunansa!"
My eyes widened and I could feel the blood draining from my face as everything just clicked. I was a scientist in the Draklor Laboratory and the infamous Doctor Cid now stood before me. I wondered just how bad my car accident must have been to produce such an odd dream. It had to be a dream since there was no way in hell I was in my favorite Final Fantasy game of all time.
"Yes? Is there something I can assist you wonderful men with?" He adjusted his glasses a bit.
"A pers'nal request from His Honour, Judge Mag'ster Ghis." He extended a piece of parchment and the good Doctor accpted it, reading it quickly.
"Oh! How splendid is this, Venat? Perfect timing!" he said to himself again and handed the paper back. "Yes, yes. I shall send some researchers to his Leviathan." Turning to me with his smile he told me, "Miss Katherine! You will be on the top of the list!"
I wondered if he knew he was sending me to my death.
