Beautiful
A "Tales of Symphonia" Fanfic
Summary: Colette reflects on one she cannot have.
Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia or any of its related characters and ideas.
Warning: This story contains shoujo-ai, meaning a female/female relationship. If this sort of story disturbs you, please hit "Back" on your browser right now.
Chapter 1: Reflection
Colette Brunel stood on the balcony of the inn in Flanoir. It had been several years since the end of their adventure, and the group had gone their separate ways. They had kept in touch, however, so that their friendship would remain strong. They were all having a reunion in Flanoir, where the quiet, snowy, peaceful atmosphere would give them all a chance to talk, and just have a good time. Colette went to the balcony for time to think, as the various conversations below made it hard for her to concentrate.
Regal Bryant and Presea Combatir returned to working in the Lezareno Company. Regal was given a pardon, and his shackles were removed. He resumed his position as President of the Lezareno Company, where Presea worked as a secretary. Regal gave his scientists the task of researching the effects of the Cruxis Crystal, so Presea could return to her normal form after the aging effects had been reversed.
Zelos Wilder was forgiven for his activity with Cruxis, and returned to Meltokio, where he tried his best to settle down and live an uneventful life. Of course, his few, pathetic attempts were fouled at the sight of many a pretty lady, and Zelos went back to his usual ways. Once again, he was surrounded by his various fangirls, who never left him. As to be expected, tales of his adventure with Lloyd and the others spread throughout Meltokio, even more fangirls hurried to his side, and the others were sure he led a happy life.
Raine and Genis Sage started an expedition to stop the racial discrimination between humans and half-elves. Through the years, the tension between the two races gradually began to decrease. When their journey ended, they returned to Iselia, where Raine continued to teach the youths of the small, forested town.
Kratos Aurion, one of the four Seraphim, decided not to leave for Dherris Kharlan and lived in Iselia instead, with Dirk and his son. Lloyd Irving continued to hone his skills as a swordsman. He was praised throughout both Sylvarant and Tethe'alla, where he and his comrades were honored as the saviors of the world. Lloyd didn't like the life of fame, and so returned to Iselia where he could have peace and solitude.
Colette sighed deeply. Lloyd... Colette, Lloyd, and Genis had been friends ever since they met in Professor Raine's classroom. The townspeople couldn't have been more surprised. Who would have thought that Genis, the know-it-all, child prodigy would become friends with a cheeky, clumsy girl and a lazy, not-so-bright boy? And yet, they seemed to be the perfect trio. After that, they never left each other's sides. Even throughout their entire adventure through Sylvarant and Tethe'alla, through blinding pain and heartbroken sorrow, they had all been there to comfort each other and lend a helping hand.
Through their childhood, Colette had been teased by the other children. She was just so....different. After all, she was the Chosen of Mana. She wasn't like the other children. She was destined to go on the journey of regeneration. Therefore, she wasn't raised like the other kids. She was raised in solitude, being taught all she needed to know about who she was and what her journey was about.
Her parents told her that she was special. The other kids didn't see it like that. They saw her not as the Chosen of Mana, but as a freak, a clumsy, ditsy, stupid little girl who couldn't do anything on her own without getting into trouble. Those insults stung, stung much worse than any blow from a monster she could get while on their journey. They hurt not her flesh, but her heart. None of them understood her.
That is, except Genis and Lloyd. They had seen past her smiling, cheery facade and into her heart, troubled by lack of self-esteem and fear of her mission. Genis tried to help her, but he couldn't understand her feelings anywhere as well as Lloyd could. Through the years, her self-esteem grew, and her friendship was strengthened with the two boys. But with Lloyd, it was different. She felt something there, something a little bit more than friendship. The townsfolk could just see love blossoming between the two.
But, that all changed one day, when Sheena Fujibayashi was sent to assassinate Colette. During the ensuing battle, Colette saw something in Sheena's eyes, a glint of something in the sunlight of the Ossa Trail. She couldn't focus on that at the time, seeing that she was in the middle of a battle and she could get killed for not paying attention. But now that Colette had the opportunity, she decided to speculate what it was. The beginnings of a tear, perhaps?
Later, when Sheena was defeated yet again, she was begging for Lloyd to finish her, and yet Lloyd stopped. Maybe Lloyd could see what Colette had seen during the events in the Ossa Trail, a glint in her eyes that showed the slightest traces of fear, hesitation, and anguish. When the journey was over, Sheena had disappeared, leaving neither notice nor reason. Genis and Raine had finally been able to locate her, and she was able to attend the reunion.
Colette sighed at the thought of being able to see her again. If only she knew how I felt about her...
"Colette?" A voice from behind her pushed Colette from her thoughts. She turned, and saw the one person she had been hoping to see for all these years...
Author's Note: I hope you liked my first attempt at fan fiction for Tales of Symphonia. Please read and review. Constructive criticism is accepted, but please don't flame me too hard!