A/N: Readers of my previous work, in particular the fanfic called Changing Faces, will find some familiar elements in this story. In order to prevent confusion, outrage or critisism, I'll explain why. Changing Faces was my first fanfiction, where Squall was being possesed by an entity that could have been Ultimecia. As I was writing chapter three, an another idea started to grow in my mind, that of a plot totally disconnected to the main one. As it always is with the novice and the inept, I tried putting what I thought a brilliant idea into another story, which could have been sufficient without it. The result was some mess of literary garbage where two different plotlines are tangled into a story that I, as the author, could no longer understand. As time progressed and my writing improved, I realized that the plot-line in which Rinoa starts her own journey to the past (for those who are familiar with CF, this comes in the form of Jules Artica/Heartilly), could be very interesting. So I singled out that plotline and did some massive and exhaustive editing and Price of a Dream was the result. What you have read in Changing Faces is no longer important, Price of a dream is something entirely different. I will delete that story once I have the time and the ability to get over the egoistic fear of deleting all the lovely reviews I got. If my writing appealed to you in the previous story, then you won't have trouble enjoying this story. For I realized that Price of a dream was the story I intented to write, before Changing Faces came flowing out of the electronic depths of my key-board.
The Price For A Dream
Prologue
President Jules Artica smiled at the thousands of people cheering under the balcony of his new presidential home. Beside him stood dozens of nameless faces in suits, shaking his hand as they pretended to share his moment of glory, while all the time they were wary of him. Jules knew they didn't approve of him as their president, maybe because he was too young, too rich, too handsome and too damn convincing.
To his fellow politicians, he pretended like he was as money-absorbed and conceited as they were. To his people, Jules pretended to be a flamboyant but caring leader, just like they expected of him.
But beneath that charming exterior, he was a man with his own agenda. It didn't suprise him anymore how easy it was to gain access to human will by a promise or two. It had been lesson he'd never forget. Promise any human anything in this world, and you will posses his soul. Find out their fondest wish and give them a dream and they're yours.
Everyone has a price. The key was to find the right one and they were bought.
The elections had been a laugh. In Galbadia there was no such thing as an election. Money, power and manipulation were the keys to success.
As he overlooked his empire, Jules felt nothing for the people cheering his name. He had nothing to offer them, not even a false promise of changing their lives. Yes, I'm your president, but I'm not here for you, he thought as they exclaimed their admiration for him over and over again.
He was here for one woman only.
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