CH. 1 Inspiration song Alive by: Leona Lewis
*It's been awhile since I've touch this story, but now I'm back. I'm revising my story because I didn't understand where this story was going at all! LOL I'm sorry if you've been keeping up with the chapters I hate to make you re-read, but I promise it will sound better the second time around :D
~Dedicated to Asuka (PrincessgarnetXVI).
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or crossover that has been written into this story. They belong to their rightful owner Tetsuya Nomura/SQ Enix and PrincessgarnetXVI.
G.
It's just another ordinary day at work stocking inventories, taking orders, and cleaning. The bar is nearly cleared out as customers slowly make their way home. The lights have dim and you can hear the sound of chairs being scrap across the floor as they are pushed into tables. Tifa, the bar manager and my boss, quickly answer a phone call. Maybe taking up an order, I wasn't really paying attention. Looking down at the glass I'm currently cleaning I'm reminded of when I became employed at Seventh Heaven, the most luxurious bar in Sector 7, or so Tifa believes. Whatever the case I'm just glad she hired me for I really needed the money.
"Another pick up order. I really just want to start closing up," Tifa gripe. She lean up against the bar table and continue griping.
"Today has been a long day," I reply back to cheer her up, but I'm mostly focus on attempting to clean this glass.
"So what are your plans after work," Tifa ask.
"The usual, go home and check on my mother," I reply.
"How is she?"
"She's great, well, decent I should say."
"Well, I don't want to parade in anything, but the bar has been receiving the hospital's calls. Is there anything you want me to help out with?"
"Uhhh… No, it's fine! They probably can't reach me at home because I'm always here working," I laugh.
"Sweetie, you're like a younger sister to me please don't hesitate to ask for help."
"Tifa I'm fine, you've seen me go through crap like this before and I've always manage to get out of them."
"It could be worse next time. Remember Mr. Hudgins when he kept bugging you about repaying him?"
"That was nothing," I assure her.
"He called a shark on you! I swear if I ever see you on a bounty's list I will personally get you myself."
"Harsh," I laugh.
"You're gonna have to tell your mom you know, about the bills and debt."
"I can't put more stress on her, maybe I'll get a second job," I said.
"Don't strain yourself too much you know you have friends here who want to help, so except it, okay?"
"Thank you, but I'm sure I'll find a way," I just kept washing the dishes.
"Your mom is getting sicker by the hours-"
"-I know," I interrupted a little more harsh than I should have, dear god don't let Tifa fire me.
"Then what are you gonna do when she gone? You can always move in."
"No that's an awful idea, Cloud and you still have issues you guys are working out. I don't want to be burden," I turn around to say to her. I quickly dry my hands off with a dish towel and lay it on the counter.
"He's working most of the time, besides I could use the company."
"I work here most days so we pretty much see each othere," I said.
"Well the offer still stands. I'm just worry about you being all alone."
"Don't worry about me," I assure her.
"You know that's not gonna happen."
"Which is why I refuse to talk about my problems at work. Isn't that even illegal?"
"Well I'm-"
The front door open as a customer walk in. He made his way towards Tifa, probably the guy who ordered something from the phone call. Tifa acknowledge him and turn back towards me.
"This conversation isn't over yet, we'll pick this up tomorrow," She said as she turns back to greet the customer.
I laugh to myself as I clock out and grab my stuff to leave.
The walk home isn't long it was enough for me to think about life. Finally I reach the little shack on a hill, and I could already hear my mother coughing. It sounds like it's getting worse I need to fix up her medicine.
"I'm home," I called out as I open the door.
"Welcome home, would you mind bringing me some tea," she stutter then cough.
I made my way through the living room/kitchen to the stove where the tea pot sat, made her a cup and enter her room, a very depressing room, she look worse than usual.
"I got your tea, and you'll be glad to hear that I finally got the money to pay for your medication, so you don't have to worry about that."
"I'm so sorry dear it's not my intention to leave you with this burden," Mom stuttered.
"It's not a burden, it's a discipline, teaching me to work hard."
"I can tell you're tired it's written on your face," she said softly.
"It's not that bad," I reply.
"I really want to see you carefree again, like those times when you would sing, dance, and play the violin. You were call the music prodigy, always so talented," Mom said.
"I'm still that little girl, just more mature now," I claimed.
"Well I hope you don't grow up to fast. Here take this, it's the last thing your father left behind." She handed me a beautiful chained necklace that held a large cut gem. It's so beautiful I couldn't believe I'm holding something that's probably more expensive than the wine serve at Seven Eleven.
"How did he get this?"
"Do you remember how I told you that your father abandon us," she ask.
"Yeah, I do," I reply. She always talk about him, sometimes I can barely stand it, the complaining and yapping. Was he really that bad?
"He was awful!" She yell, it was like she was answering my question.
"He left us after the village came after him, but somehow he manage to survive out there and return to give me this. What in the world made him think I wanted this! I didn't want it, I wanted him gone, I wanted him to take the necklace back" she took a deep breath, "I wanted so much for him to return to the husband I marry."
"Mother, it wasn't your fault," I try to cheer her up.
"I try telling myself that, but now I'm convince it's karma."
"Why would anyone want to get you, you're the greatest person I know."
"Thank you sweetie… Can you promise me one thing?"
"Anything," I reply.
"When you find people that cares for you, hold onto them. I don't want you to ever be alone like me."
"Mother, I was never alone and I'll never be alone. I promise to hold onto those who cares," I smile at her.
She carefully wrap my hands around the necklace, but I don't understand why she still kept it if she hated my father so much? I thanked her then tuck her in. Quietly I limp to the couch after such an exhausting day and rest.
She must still miss him, and even though I've never met the man I pitied him.
A few weeks later
"Garnet!"
I turn to see Tifa running towards me. She had asked me earlier to work a double shift today, even though today is my day off. Tifa couldn't stop panting so I could barely hear what she had to say.
"She's-gone, your mom- she's-gone," Tifa coughed out.
Somehow I feel like I'm suppose to cry, run, breakdown, but I didn't. Maybe because I knew this day would come and I've prepared myself every night for it.
"Garnet" Tifa shook me back to reality, "the doctor is already at the house, stop what your doing and go there."
I just nodded and follow Tifa's instruction. My feet felt heavy, you know those dreams where you desperately try to outrun something but you're feet won't obey, I couldn't run nor could I breathe before I knew it I'm already at the front door. I didn't even realize how shaky my hands were until I try to turn the door knob. It won't budge and I can't seem to draw in more strength. Suddenly to door opens and Dr. Jak came face to face with me.
"Garnet, I wasn't expecting you home."
I couldn't speak too, that's just great!
"I'm so sorry we were too late there's nothing else we can do."
There's this huge lump in my throat and I just feel like puking everywhere. I knew I couldn't breakdown here, especially in front of the doctor. I clamp my hands behind me to tame the shaking and lower my head.
"Thank you," I said hiding my red eyes.
"If there's… anything we can do please let us know."
I just nodded. Dr. Jak padded my head and I step aside to allow the paramedics out. As I saw them take my mother away on the stretcher I mourn in silence.
It's been a long week for me, the skies are more darker than usual and the days are a drag. The house feels empty and spacious. I can barely walk by Mother's bedroom let alone try to sleep in it. After her burial I had quit my job at Seventh Heaven. Cloud and Tifa finally adopted, an orphan named Denzel. I still visit them every now and then, but eventually I need to get a new job.
"Garnet since Cloud is back for a few weeks, how about we go on a vacation," Tifa asked.
"That sounds like fun, but since I haven't been working for some time now I really don't have the money to go."
"Don't worry about it, I want you to relax on this trip," Tifa hugged me.
"I'm not burdening you am I," I confess.
"What, since when," she let go of me and asked.
"Since forever, I don't want to be the reason why this family is going through so much for me," I reply back.
"Don't say that, Cloud and I are happy to help."
"Thank you, but I've been thinking a lot lately and I want to move away," I said.
"Where too," Tifa ask.
"To a different city, I just want to get away from everything I know here and start fresh," I exclaim.
"Garnet, that sounds challenging, maybe you should start small."
"I have to try," I said. Tifa didn't say anything else because she knew once I've made up my mind, nothing was going to stop me.
"I know I can't make you stay," Tifa sadly said.
"Another reason I have to go is I still have to pay some of the villagers back" I said, "I'm hoping to find a good paying job else where to take care of that."
"Well I believe you don't have much debt left," Tifa said.
"Why are we talking about this again?"
Cloud entered the bar.
"I'm sorry, it just slipped" I said. Cloud walk up to me and pad my head like I was his pet. I use to hate it, but now it's my only comfort. I actually met Cloud first before being introduce to Tifa. He help save me from countless sharks that have harassed me. I couldn't tell you why he chose to save a poor nobody like me, but I'm glad he did.
"There's no point staying here, I agree to you moving into the big city. I'm sure they pay more than Midgar ever will. How about the kingdom Luics, I've deliver there once and it's beautiful there," Cloud suggest.
"The kingdom Lucis, but isn't that really far away," I said.
"Yeah, what if something were to happen how will we contact her." Tifa defend.
"It'll be fine, I have trustworthy friends there, and I'm sure they'll love to have you around," he said.
As surprise as I was that Cloud is even agreeing to this, I'm ecstatic.
"Okay," I jump up. At the corner of my eyes Tifa didn't look so ecstatic. That's when I realize this situation was just like my mother and father. But I have to go, was that what my father thought too? Tifa didn't say anything, she just left the room disappointed. I stay and talk some more with Cloud, then he decided it's time to cheer Tifa up. I let him go and pack up to leave myself, but I took a bit longer than usual to leave and just like many nights that I have worked here I can hear both of their argument.
"This is happening way to fast," Tifa turned to Cloud.
"She'll be safe with my friends, I don't understand why you can't see the benefit in this," Cloud argue back.
"Lucis is days away, it's not a good idea to drop her in a place where she doesn't know anyone in her state of mind."
"She's a strong and independent person, you should stop worrying about her and see that she's trying to move on."
"Move on?! Then why not Tenebrae, or Niflheim?"
"They're not as safe as Lucis, and you know it," Cloud whisper. I couldn't draw out what he had said so I did something I refuse to do in a million years, I got a closer spot to eavesdrop.
"I don't think it's about the safety, you're plotting something aren't you?"
"It is about her safety," Cloud defend.
"And?"
"Tifa stop this nonsense right now."
"I knew it… Cloud I think it's you who need to move on. He's gone, he's not coming back. Sending Garnet to Lucis will be your greatest regret and he will never forgive you for that."
"Tifa you've got it all wrong, I want Garnet to see the truth with her own eyes." And for the first time Cloud got the last word. I wanted to cry but again I couldn't. I thought I was going to start fresh. Who is this guy they keep talking about and what truth, about what or whom?
It looks like Lucis is expecting me.
After packing up the house for day I'm finally leaving today. Tifa and I exchange our goodbyes that morning, I still didn't say anything about overhearing them the other night. Although Lucis is days away Cloud still chose to ride his bike, I didn't question anything and just mounted at the back. It's been hours since we've left Midgar and I'm already feeling butterflies in my stomach. I've never been this nervous and excited at the same time. Whatever happens in Lucis, I'll just let it be a surprise.
The endless road came to an end when we finally spot a giant wall that continually wrap around the landscape. Somehow I knew this was Lucis. I've heard stories of this place; large walls, exquisite buildings, beautiful lights, and lastly a very handsome single prince. What an exaggeration, that's exactly what they said about Midgar.
"Walls? I guess we have to pay to get in," I assume.
"Not if you live in the city, you can show your ID when you return."
"Than what does that leave us?"
"We need someone from the inside to be our escort."
"Wow, this place is strict," I said.
"Well we wouldn't want enemies getting inside now do we?"
"But we're not enemies," I complain.
"And no one cares the only person who has leeway is the royal family."
"Psh monarchy," I said.
"Surprising this is one of the best and secure city in the world, the royal family is well respected."
"Does that mean I have to respect them too," I ask.
"If you don't want to be kick out, then yes you have to. At least stay out of trouble," Cloud answer.
"I can't imagine you delivering here," I said.
"Only once, when my friend moved in I had to deliver a package to him."
We finally reached the gate where we park and met up with Cloud's friend.
"Garnet I want you to meet my friend, Tidus. He's going to be our escort."
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