The Dog, The Girl and The Walk-in Closet
Author's Notes:
Ok, first thing's first. Yes, this is an OC fanfiction. No, she doesn't get 'sucked in through a PlayStation/TV'. No, she doesn't have a clue about the world of Ivalice or the plot of FFXII (not because she hasn't played the game. I wanted it to be like an alternate world.) And yes there will be a bit of romance between her and Basch. (I promise that I will try my hardest not to make her into a Mary Sue!)
I wanted to write an OC story because I really enjoy reading/ writing a well-known plot from a different view point. I also like the idea of stumbling across another world, (Disclaimer: I don't take any credit for the whole 'walk-in closet is a door to another world' idea because I clearly robbed that from The Lion, The Witch and The wardrobe!) so I decided to experiment with the plot and characters of FFXII from my first story here on Fanfiction.
Disclaimer:
I don't own FFXII. I do own Edie, my OC.
Chapter I: I've a feeling we're not in Andalucía any more.
"I don't mean to sound thick but what does 'lethargic' mean?" Ah, Jane, one of English blood but raised here in Spain so her Spanish vocabulary exceeds her mother-tongue. I wanted to answer her question. Lethargic means: lazy, slow, sloth-like, in need of Red Bull or the A-grade narcotic that Dave was undoubtedly taking. Yet considering Dave's current mood you would likely be awarded with a backhander, sacking or a pleasant mixture of the two for your efforts. I kept my mouth shut.
"It means lazy. You two are very lazy in the morning; you seem to take for-fucking-ever to do something!"
"We just don't understand what's gone wrong. In the summer everyone was pulling their weight." Bleated Bev. She was adjusting the complex display of jewellery that the entire first floor of the shop boasted. Jackie must have done the jewellery last night. Jackie was the only one of us immune to the bosses' bitching sessions due to having her lips fused to Bev's arse.
Jane and I remained silent, the bollocking wasn't over and interrupting it would only give them more fire power.
"Put it this way, you're contracts are coming up for renewal and I'm not sure if I should fucking bother with yours."
The repetitive sound of a low bark echoed through the stairwell and nipped at my attention, disturbing me from replaying this morning. What could it be now? I've only just sat down. I inwardly grumbled, pulling myself up from the small sofa. My legs throbbed from standing up all day in the shop in high-heeled boots. Ignoring the dull ache, I clomped down the stairwell. The sound of my boots on the tiles mingled with the relentless barking of my dog, Kaiser.
The apartment block was three stories high, and with me living at the top, all I could think of was that I would have to climb the two flights of stairs to return to the haven of my sofa. As I reached the small foyer, I noted the bottom apartment's door was wide open. Jorge probably had left it ajar this morning. He was always scatterbrained in the morning. From within the bowels of the unoccupied apartment came Kaiser's offensively loud barks. Irritated, I marched in. It sounded as if he was in the bedroom, which was all the way at the back.
The air was thick and fusty, probably due to it being closed up for some time. It was a pity we hadn't found a tenant yet. Jorge had constructed it himself in the large garage space that spans the entire length of the building. It was decked out in a rustic style with intricate stone work on the kitchen worktops, bathroom counter and even a mosaic in the centre of the living room floor. The bathroom sink was fashioned from a huge terracotta plant pot. The doors were a dense, dark stained wood with brass doorknobs. In short, it always helped having a boyfriend who was a builder by trade.
I entered the bedroom to find Kaiser stood, ridged with his legs wide and his head held down low. Each bark was emitted from him with such force that his head would lunge forward slightly. The bark itself was coming from deep within his throat, like a bad cough. The cause of this was the walk-in closet, which had also been left wide open.
"What the hell's the matter with you?" I scolded him yet he wasn't interested.
His eyes were set on the darkness that dwelled, silently within the closet. "Hey! Quit it!" I yank at his leather collar and attempted to steer him away and out of the bedroom. However, Kaiser was a large and incredibly strong dog. Being a mix between a Husky and German Shepherd worked in his favour. "Fine!" I sighed in defeat whilst unhooking my fingers from his collar. I turned towards the source of his anxious barking.
The closet had bed sheets, towels and even a pair of curtains stored, hanging in it yet their forms where shrouded by the thick gloom. The more I peered into the closet's depths, the more threatening that darkness became. As if it would loom out and snatch us up. It was the kind of closet that wouldn't have seemed out of place in a film like 'The Grudge'.
As I neared the closet's doorframe, Kaiser stopped barking. Looking over my shoulder, I saw he was sat on his haunches with his big, thick ears, pointing forward in attention.
"See? Nothing's there, silly." I said warmly, whilst holding my hand out, trying to coax him nearer.
He stubbornly remained in his statue-like stillness. Not one to be beaten, I rummaged around in my little, brown leather shoulder bag. It wasn't surprising I still had it on, after all, the first thing I had done when I was home was flop onto my sofa. My fingers seized a rock and plucked it from the bag's innards. "Wanna play fetch?" I tempted, holding my hand out so he could see the rock nestled in my palm.
His tail began to wag. It thudded dully on the tiles. Fetch was Kaiser's favourite game. He could play it for hours without tiring. This was why my handbags were always weighed down with rocks. "Ready?" He was up on all four again. An excited yelp was his response. "Fetch!" I threw the rock into the closet, where it clattered along the floor. Without hesitation, he bounded after it, into the closet. Dogs are so dumb.
I waited with my arms folded for him to return. Moments passed and he was still in there. It wasn't that big a closet, he must have found it by now. I listened to see if I could hear him panting or his nails click against the floor. Nothing, there was only silence.
"Kaiser! Come on slowpoke!"
Nothing. I approached the closet and fumbled around on its inner wall for the light-switch. My fingers pressed down on the smooth, plastic button. No light greeted me. Great. I entered the dimness, slowly and tried pushing thoughts of what could mutely lurk within its depths from my mind. Stretching my arms out in front of me, I shuffled forward. My fingertips brushed against something. A yelp of shock escaped my lips and I jerked my hand back. After calming myself, I groped the mystery object to find it was a bed sheet. What was wrong with me? Only 5-year-olds are afraid of closets.
"Kaiser?" My voice came out in a shaky whisper. In the immense stillness it sounded deafening. "Kaiser, where'd you go?" Nothing.
I pushed past the bed sheets and towels, little by little. My breath was becoming shallow and I could feel a bead of sweat snake from my hairline, down to my temple. Get a grip, you're gonna pass out in here if you don't stop being stupid! I mentally scolded whilst taking a few measured breaths. I continued on for what seemed like an age. How big is this thing anyway? The bed sheets and towels clung to my form as if they wished to smother me. I turned and yanked at them, attempting to peel them from my waist and legs.
"Oh come on for fuck's sake!" I hissed whilst harshly yanking at the offending material. It loosened effortlessly, too effortlessly, as I tumbled to the ground. I braced myself to feel the crash of my head hit the back wall of the closet, but it never came.
I blinked a few times. Once my eyes had adjusted to the shift in light, I found I was no longer in the claustrophobic environment of the closet. Instead I sat in a dusty street in front of a doorway, as if I had just fallen out of it. My forehead crinkled in a frown of confusion. Where the hell am I? I pondered as I quickly pulled myself up from the dirt. A towel that had been clung to me in the closet was draped over my shoulder. I briskly walked forward and entered the doorway. It had no door only a length of plum material. I drew it back, expecting to see the gloom of the closet yet only boxes and crates stacked against the wall greeted my vision. Dumbfound, I tried the manoeuvre three more times, only to be rewarded with the same result.
Turning my back to the door I ran my eyes over my new surroundings. Tall, sandstone buildings brushed the sky. Their structure was old, almost medieval in design. The streets were cobbled in elaborate patterns, they reminded me of the cobbles in the small Spanish village where I lived. Was I in the past? I mused still gazing. Don't be stupid! How can a closet take you to the past?
I noticed the narrow alleyway lead to the hustle and bustle of a market place. Leaving the shade of the lane, I immediately felt the heat of the sun. It was mercilessly hot. Its heat was on par with a Spanish summer. It was winter back in Spain so my boots and long-sleeved dress only added to the intense warmth. I rolled my sleeves up in hope to cool down a little. Luckily, my dress was quite short, stopping mid-thigh. I then cast the towel aside, after all there was no point in keeping it, plus I felt like a character from 'Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy' with it slung over my shoulder.
The market place was an assault on the senses. Coloured material was draped over the diminutive stalls, protecting merchants from the sun. Fruits, nuts and herbs were plentiful, though I failed to identify any of them. Sweet, fragrant smoke cast about the air from oil-burners on one stall. Another had strips of tough, dried meat hanging from the stall's wooden frame.
A flash of silver caused me to pause at a stall. It sold well-crafted daggers and even though they were beautiful, there were clearly not for decoration. Lifting my eyes from the daggers I noticed the vender. A spasm of shock jolted down my back, sending my legs weak. Despite this, I still managed to jump back a few paces, nearly knocking a young boy over.
"Watch it!" He spat.
I took no notice- I couldn't- my eyes were fixed on the market stall vender. I could feel them widen in a mixture of fear and wonder. The vender was a big creature, with hard scales for skin. His face was similar to that of a lizard with beady eyes and a long snout yet he had strange, stretched ears that hung past his jaw. His mouth had small, sharp teeth jutting from his thick scaled lips.
"What you lookin' at Hume?" He question in a low, gruff voice. His mouth had barely moved.
"Um.."
"Ain't you ever seen a Bangaa before?" It was probably meant sarcastically but his voice didn't seem to shift in pitch like most people's did.
Nope. My mind quipped.
"Erm… sorry.. I didn't mean to offend." I mumbled before quickly shuffling off.
There was an array of weird and wonderful creatures at the market place. One kind resembled a pig. They had thick, leathery skin and a short snout that was nestled too close to their eyes. Bulky, yellow tusks jutted awkwardly from their mouths. They were twice the girth of a human and just as tall. Another kind had a more approachable appearance. They looked a mix between a rabbit and cat with strange little bat wings and a pastel coloured pom-pom that dangled from their heads. I fought the increasing urge to pet one as my ignorance had already angered someone since being here.
A distant, familiar sound seized my attention. It was Kaiser barking. I quickly darted from the market to see him stood not far off. His tongue was hanging from his mouth and his tail wagging to and fro. The rock was at his feet. Upon seeing this image a thought stuck me. I can only 'go back' if Kaiser's with me!
"Kaiser!" I jogged over to him. He, however, was still in a playful mood and decided to quickly scoop up the rock and gallop off. "Kaiser!" I hurriedly ran after him, dodging the surprised mix of races. They acted as if they had never seen a dog before. "Kaiser, ven! Ven aqui!(Kaiser, come! Come here!)" I bellowed, hoping he'd respond better to Spanish. After all, he was a Spanish dog. My boots hit the cobbles hard with each quickened step. Why did I have to wear boots today? My eyes darted through the throngs of people, catching glimpses of his black coat. "Kaiser! Ven aqui ahora mismo!(Kaiser! Come here right now!)"
The mischievous dog swerved down yet another narrow street. Dodging an old man, I slammed into the back of a girl with pigtails. The two of us crashed to the ground in a pile of limbs. The impact knocked the air from my lungs in a jerk. Despite being momentarily winded, I recovered quicker than she did and was back on my feet. It seemed she had been carrying a basket of small, red fruit. The fruit was now scattered all over the street, some had even been badly squished on their impact on the cobbles.
"Sorry. I'm really sorry!" I called over my shoulder as I set off running again. She pulled herself up and began to brush a smear of fruit pulp off her strange outfit.
I continued down the street but when I came to the end of it, it branched out in two different directions. Whirling around, I couldn't spot him anywhere. Dammit!
After wondering around for hours, occasionally calling out his name, I admitted defeat. My feet pulsed in pain. I was pretty sure the stinging sensation was that of a scattering of angry blisters. I sat down on the stone edge of a large fountain. It was nestled in the middle of a large courtyard that was brimming with people (and the other creatures). A soft breeze caused the fountain's spray to descend upon me. I tilted my head back, welcoming the cooling mist. Then I remembered I still had my make-up on from my shift at the shop. I quickly rubbed under my eyes to check if it had run. Using the water a mirror, I double checked.
My reflection stared back at me. A length of hair fell over my shoulder in a cascade of raw, dark silk. My skin was still pale from lack of sun it had received in winter and my eyes were tired causing their normal slate-blue shade to become dull.
"Wait until I find her!" Vaan muttered in annoyance as he strode on ahead. Casting his eyes about the busy streets, he searched for a girl that fitted Penelo's description.
"Vaan, just leave it will you." She said catching up with him.
It was a rare occasion to see her friend so annoyed but losing out on gil did tend to irritate him, especially as it was so hard to come by these days. She wished she had never mentioned the matter. As they crossed the city's large plaza a lone figure caught her eye. Sitting on the stone trimmed edge of the plaza's fountain was the same girl she had seen this morning. She wasn't hard to miss with those strange boots.
"That's her!" Penelo had vocalized this merely out of surprise, rather than informing Vaan.
As I allowed myself to rest by the fountain I mused on the odd situation I had stumbled into. I couldn't really comprehend how I had been transported here. I was hoping maybe this was some panic induced vision caused by the claustrophobic atmosphere in the closet. Or maybe I actually had hit my head on its back wall and was unconscious and this was some outlandish dream. Either way, I really didn't want to think that a normal closet had transported me and Kaiser here. It just seemed too ridiculous, too much like a fairytale- Oh god! What about work? I'll be fired for sure if I don't show up tomorrow. The thought had jumped into my head and now had made a little niche where it could pester me. What would happen if I couldn't get home? Would anyone notice? What about Mum and Dad, Jorge-
"Hey, you!" Said a voice.
It freed me from my fretting. I peered up from the water to see a young guy and girl making their way towards me. The girl seemed hesitant, walking a few steps behind the boy with an embarrassed look about her. He, on the other hand, seemed extremely pissed off. "You're the girl, who knocked Penelo over this morning, aren't you?"
I quickly recalled the scene of how I had floored a poor girl with the basket of fruit and speedily ran off. My eye's shifted from the boy to the girl. It was the same one.
"Um.. I'm sorry about that.."
"Well that ain't good enough. Penelo had to pay for the food that was wasted and now we have no Gil to pay rent." The boy said, folding his arms over his practically bare chest as if in waiting for a better apology.
"Oh… Well, I have money on me." I began to fumble around in my shoulder bag for my purse, all the while feeling nervous under the penetrative gaze of his dark eyes. I opened it to find my paper bills had changed currency. They were no longer Euros they were 'Gil'. Ignoring the matter (I undoubtedly would have plenty of time to worry about it later) I began to count off the strange paper money. "Here, will this cover it?" I said warmly and offered a bundle of notes to him. His metal clad hand swiftly snatched the Gil from my fingers.
"It's a start. That fruit you ruined was a rare desert fruit-"
"Vaan! That's enough." Chirped the girl, placing her hands on her hips. "She said she was sorry, let's leave it at that. Besides, I have a ton of work to do."
"I'll help."
The words spilled from my lips before my mind had chance to engage. I guess I still felt terrible about her loosening her rent money because of my clumsiness. Apparently the two youths were as equally surprised by my gesture. "...After all, it's the least I can do, right?"
"I guess." Was all the boy sullenly offered before he turned to his friend, "You better take her with you to Migelo's." With that he walked off, leaving behind myself and the girl with pigtails in an awkward silence.
Ok, Thanks for reading and I really would like to know what you think so far!