I'VE HAD THIS IDEA STOCKED IN THE BACK OF MY NOTES FOR A WHILE NOW, AND SINCE I'LL BE FINISHING UP MY FF12 STORY IN A FEW DAYS, I FIGURED I MIGHT AS WELL GET STARTED ON THIS ONE.

THE LAST TIME I TRIED A FF13 STORY IT DIDN'T GO SO GREAT (LOL GO CHECK OUT WHEN YOU AND I COLLIDE IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE ME- IT WAS A ROUGH TIME), SO HOPEFULLY 4 YEARS HAS GIVEN ME ENOUGH TIME TO NOT FAIL. ALSO, THIS IS THE YOUNGEST CHARACTER I'VE EVER WRITTEN, SO WE'RE ALL IN FOR A REAL TREAT :D

WITH THAT SAID, I'LL SHUT UP AND YOU CAN JUDGE THIS PUPPY FOR YOURSELF ;)

Twisted tendrils of glittering blue light stretch toward the endless mass of stars that separate land from sky. Towering creatures turn their tired eyes to the dancing ribbons as they extend from all directions across Gran Pulse and twist together quickly, forming a pillar of light that casts a brilliant glow across the wild grasslands. Slowly, the tendrils bunch together, rippling and turning as they build up a form of life that's been missing from the world below for far too many years.

The excess energy of the many fal'Cie pours into the creation of this new being, a collaboration of powers that morphs into the figure of a human infant, a rather delicate creature. With a final shower of brilliant sparks, the beam of light shoots up into the sky before vanishing altogether and taking the child with it.

On the doorstep of an unsuspecting, perfectly content family lies a baby bundled in gray cloth. She looks no younger than a few months old, but she stares at her hands in startled awe as if she's never seen them before. In fact, everything from the lamp above the front door to the pebbles beside her face brings marveling wonder to her pale eyes. For the first time, she sees. Fortunately, it's not a cold night. Unfortunately, the infant has yet to eat for the first time.

It's the angry wails that bring Amita Raines to the door. It's the startled scream that brings her husband, Patrus. It's the immediate adoration in their children's eyes that lead them to keep the girl and raise her as their own for the fourteen years that they have left.

~New Bodhum, Day 11~

"Would you look at that!" my father cries, pointing toward the translucent bubble that shields us from the spray of the fireworks that burst over the sea. My mother squeals in delight, clapping her hands together excitedly with the rest of the gathering crowd.

"Beautiful!" She rests a hand on my shoulder, smiling down at me with happiness written clear across her face. Her eyes are bright for the first time in years. "Isn't it, dear?"

"It's something," I nod, turning back toward the firework show. Glittering sprays of blue and orange litter the night sky, dancing with the twinkling stars. Tonight's a seasonal celebration that takes place out here in Bodhum every year. Once, my parents took my brother, once they went by themselves, they took my sister twice, and now they're taking me in their biggest efforts to lift my long-fallen spirits. I've never been one for parties.

I look around at the bright, smiling faces, each flashing with the dazzling colors of the fireworks. Couples, children, bartenders... Each has their own way of enjoying the show. A father and his son fight playfully. A woman stares out at the ocean with silent prayers passing her lips as whispers. A group of young friends laughs, shoving each other playfully.

The sand underneath my shoes shifts and I look up at my parents once more. A pair of devoted lovers pressed together by the promise of a picture-perfect family. From what they tell me, my unexpected arrival was less than unwelcome in the midst of their longing for a third child. Even now, after everything that's happened... After how they've hurt me... Sighing, I glance once more at the night sky before turning away. I know I'm still grateful. I'm just... lonely.

"Amarhi, where are you going?" Amita asks, her voice overflowing with motherly concern; I shrug, continuing on my way back to the room we rented at the nearby bar. We can't afford much now that my brother's moved out, so this beachside trip really is a treat. I just can't take the forced smiles anymore. Not while he's gone, maybe even for good this time.

Just like Cassie.

I push past the people drinking in the tiki bar and open the slatted wooden door to our room. Kicking off my black boots, I fall into my bed and roll up in the rough, scratchy covers. Through the open window, I can hear cheers from the crowd and the explosions of the fireworks. Colored light flickers on the wall across from me. Huffing, I pull the covers over my head. Outside, guards mutter amongst themselves. I catch mentions of Pulse and the Sanctum before drifting off into restless sleep. My dreams are filled with goodbyes and sad blue eyes. Why did you go?

I jolt as a sudden crash snaps me out of my restless sleep. In the darkness of the room, beams of light flash about, blinding me. I raise an arm to shield my face, squinting, and sit upright. Muffled shouting and heavy footsteps echo through my foggy head. Suddenly, I get it. This is the Sanctum. My mother screams and clings to my father, who stares wide-eyed at the soldiers that have filled our room and pointed their weapons at our heads.

"Get up!" one of them commands. "Slowly. Keep your hands where we can see them."

"What's going on?" my father demands, quickly obeying.

"No questions, sir."

"You can't take us without telling us why!" I protest, the wood floor beneath my feet creaking as I stand, hands held up by my head.

"Shut it!" another soldier snaps, shuffling closer and waving his weapon about in my face. "To the door, now."

"Why?!"

"I'd keep my mouth shut, young lady," the first man, the apparent leader, shouts, gesturing to my mother with his gun. His helmeted head turns up to face his comrades. "You two, keep her here. The rest of us will take care of these ones."

"What are you doing?!" I demand, trying to force my way past the soldier block my path as my parents are led out of the room. He presses his palm to my chest, shoving me back.

"Hey! Captain, what do we do about this one? She'll cause problems on the train." Their captain chuckles, shaking his head and leveling his gun with my mother's temple and cocking his head to the side as she whimpers, clutching her trembling hands together.

"No, I don't think she will."

"Hey, get your hands off my wife!"

One, two, three pops.

"I said-!"