Author's Notes & Disclaimer: Genso Suikoden belongs to Konami. This story is based on the song "Winter, Again" by Glay (though not exactly a song fic). When I heard this song, the only thing I could imagine was Viktor standing all alone on a snowy hill… So this fic is about Viktor, and I wanted to explore his private thoughts and his relationship with Daisy in the past. I've only played the Suikoden PS games, so I dunno if the Viktor-Daisy past has already been tackled in the Suikoden novels or Suikogaiden… Anyway, this is what I think happened. Hope you like it. ^_^ I'll put the English translation of the song (a friend of mine gave them to me) at the end of the story. Oh yeah, the castle is Genkaku Castle.
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Winter, Again==========================================================
Chapter 1: White Void==========================================================
Leona's Tavern
New Year's Eve
In Solis 461
The tavern was bustling with laughter and high spirits on the cold winter night, with the clatter of plates and glasses echoing throughout the place. It seemed like everyone in the whole castle was gathered here at Leona's, eating, drinking and being merry for the victory of the Genkaku Army, and in anticipation of the coming new year. Leona had brought out her stocks of Kanakan wine for the celebration, for free, to the delight of many.
"Aah, nothing like a nice glass of wine to end a busy day," Ridley sighed, taking a sip from his glass.
"I agree, General Ridley," Shu replied, his cheeks already quite rosy from only half a glass. "Strategists have to take breathers once in a while, too."
Tai Ho approached the bar. "Er, Leona? Can I have a bottle to go?" He looked a little anxious as his gaze shifted all around the room. Leona nodded and entered the stockroom.
Amada came up to Tai Ho and gave him a jovial slap on the back, with a mug of mead in the other hand. "Tai Ho, man, THIS is there it's at! You and Yam Koo should stay here and kick back a little!" he urged in a voice much louder than usual.
Tai Ho sighed. "Yes, that would be nice, but… I – I can't. My wif—friend, I mean, my friend from Kaku just surprised me with a visit…" Leona came out and handed him a bottle. "…and I'm afraid there's no escaping it. Hehe…" he smiled meekly.
"Okay, okay," Amada laughed as Tai Ho waved goodbye and started walking away. "But you don't know what you're missing!" he called after him.
"Boy, do I ever…" Tai Ho muttered as he exited the tavern.
"Wine? For you? I don't know… the taste may be a little strong for someone like you," Leona said to the blonde girl as she wiped the counter.
"I can take it! C'mon, this stuff only happens once a year!" Nina pleaded. "And I want Sir Flik to notice how grown-up I am!" She grinned, glancing at the blue-clad man sitting at a table across the room.
"Hmm, I don't think you have a right idea…but what the heck. It's New Year's Eve." Leona smiled and poured Nina a glass. "So what's your plan?"
"Well," Nina picked up the glass, "I walk past Sir Flik's table really gracefully, and sip my wine like so…" She put the glass to her lips and drank the red liquid. Suddenly her face scrunched up and she stuck her tongue out with an "Eyucch!"
Leona chuckled, looking at Flik's table. "Well, that's certainly one way to get Flik's attention…"
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"Aaagh…" Viktor exhaled loudly and slammed his empty mug onto the table. He sat still for a moment, staring at a drop of beer trickling down the side of the mug.
~It's winter again… cold, and lonely…~
"Something on your mind, Viktor?" Flik asked from across the table, sipping his tea. He sat back in his chair, folding his arms over his chest. "You don't look like your usual self."
"Hahaha, look who's talking! What's with the tea, Flik? You don't drink tea," Viktor responded, hoping to replace himself as the subject of conversation.
~You don't have to bother with my troubles, Flik…~
Flik smiled. "Yeah, I know. After the mistake earlier this afternoon of telling Apple I had a headache, she insisted that I pay a visit to Dr. Huan. He recommended some lychee tea after every meal." He took another sip of the light, hot liquid. "It's supposed to cleanse my body and soul."
"And there's another bonus to drinking lychee tea," Leona suddenly appeared, placing a dish of gyoza on their table. "Your skin becomes as soft and smooth as a young school girl's!" She reached up and patted his cheek, already bright red from embarrassment, and smiled. She walked away, laughing.
Flik scratched his head and laughed meekly. "Just when you think you can't get any prettier…" he joked.
Viktor chuckled at his 'modesty.' "You are so full of it." They both laughed.
"But seriously, Viktor," Flik turned to look at his friend intently. "What's up?"
~I hate it when people look at me like that~
"I'm okay, Flik," Viktor insisted and quickly looked away. Realizing that his actions only increased his friend's suspicion, he added, "It's just a bit stuffy in here." For once, all the noise and smoke in the tavern was making him suffocate. "I think I'll take a walk for a while." He pushed away from the table and stood up.
Flik nodded and continued to stare as the burly warrior grabbed his cloak and walked out of the tavern without looking back.
"It's her, isn't it," Flik said quietly, "I know how you feel, Viktor."
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Viktor stepped out of the warmth of Leona's tavern and onto the chilly street. He pulled his cloak around his shoulders and exhaled, his breath forming a white mist. The weather was a lot colder than the year before, he noticed.
He started walking slowly, with no particular destination in mind. Putting his hands in his pockets, he gazed around him at the rows of houses radiating warmth and laughter from the inside. Once in a while, a couple of people shuffled down the road, being heartily greeted by their family and friends upon entering their houses. Viktor smiled at this—a painful smile, feeling a twinge of nostalgia.
~It's such a coincidence… that my journey started here years ago, and this is where I've ended up… North Window~
He shook his head.
~No, Genkaku Castle is its name now. We've defeated Luca Blight, we've won the war, and a stop has finally been put to Neclord…~
Snow fell lightly from the pitch-black sky, gently caressing his tanned face. He stopped and looked behind him, the snow, like diamonds, slowly covering his path in a glittering whiteness. A faint image of a young girl with black hair appeared in the midst of the whirling snowflakes, giving him a soft smile.
~But this peace, all this celebration…only makes me feel incomplete…~