Haunting Reformation
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy.
Notes: I said I was done? Oh, don't ever believe me when I say that I'm done. I always come back for another round eventually, especially when it's something I love. This'll be set after all the previous stories in FFRK. I'll have to update the timeline on Canti's tumblr page! Anyhow... Can you believe we've been at FFRK for four years now? Holy hell. That deserves a celebration as awesome as the actual in-game celebration! Well, okay, so for about a year and half I didn't engage, but it's become once again a huge part of my routine. I'd been keeping my misadventures to myself, but there's this one place in the game that has literally summoned me back to writing, and that place is the Chamber of Chronicles. Not only is the music hauntingly fantastic, but the idea of the artifact weapons really just... intrigues me. Plus, I've got a bit more developing to do with the relationships between the party members. Especially Mateus and Canti, if they're actually going to be married like I was going to arrange back in The Crystal Melody. (which, after reading through another few times, wasn't terrible, but wasn't very good, either - I like it better than my original Records, but I don't like it as much as Fly Away... then again, I don't think anything else I ever write fanfic wise will be as good as Fly Away, but that's another rant for another time...) Anyhow. I've done a lot of thinking about how I want to proceed with this, and I'm thinking another short series ala The Crystal Melody might be the best fit. I'm trying to avoid binging on my mental escapes, so it'll probably take forever to get decent updates.
FIC START!
The halls of the university were filled with all sorts of celebration. The party had lasted for at least a week, and no one had enjoyed the time off more than Cantirena Highwind. Every day she slept in as late as she wanted, ate as much delicious food as she could get away with, and reveled in the fact that she had seven whole days with no assignments, no pestering from anyone above in the Chain of Command, no constant reminders about that very important test she'd be taking the moment the celebrations were over. In fact, the fact that Cid had laid off on warning her and prodding her to study surprised her. But that didn't mean she wasn't going to enjoy the staycation as much as possible.
With a tray of sweets she'd managed to pick off from the leftovers that no one else wanted, she shuffled off to her recently expanded dormitory room for the night. It would be the last night of complete relaxation before having to get her nose back to the grindstone in regards to her new goal, and by the good graces of Cosmos, she was going to enjoy the hell out of it. She pushed the door open with her hip, a bit surprised to see it unlocked.
"Hey," Canti said. "Who the hell's in here?"
"You only gave a copy of the key to three others," came a reply. "Think on it, you'll figure it out."
She kicked the door back with her right leg and kicked off her boots without even having to put the tray of sweets down. She stuck her head around the corner to find Kain sitting there on her couch and Cid laying sideways in her chair across from it, snoring loudly. "Oh hey," she said, putting the tray down on the table right in front of her. "Well isn't this a nice surprise!" She sat next to him, smiling. Seeing Kain was always a good time. "What are you doing here?"
"The celebrations were a tad loud for my taste. I needed time to just sit and reflect," Kain answered honestly. "Your father was asleep by the time I decided to come in here."
"You have your own rooms," she reminded him softly. "You know this isn't the most peaceful place you could have retreated to."
"Yes, but the party happens to be right in front of that particular wing of the university. I do not mean to bother you with my presence."
"You aren't. I'm glad to see you." She picked up three brownies and took a bite of one, then offered it to him. "Come on and eat with me!"
"You know I can't partake in those... confectioneries," Kain reminded her, ruffling her hair. "And the truth is, you shouldn't either. But far be it from me to stop you. Minwu and Cid may have the honor of parting you from your unhealthy habits. I'd rather not be the target of your ire."
She hastily swallowed the half all ready in her mouth. "That's why I offered you a piece of one. You've never eaten sweets with me, as long as I've known you. It's a celebration. Live a little, huh? You and Papa can get drunk together, but you won't have a bite of cake, cookies, brownies, ice cream, or even Tripple Ripple Fudge Cake!"
"Please do not attempt to pressure me, Canti."
She pouted for a minute, and then finished the brownie she tried to offer him. "All right, fine. More for me."
"Mmm," he agreed with a nod.
The two sat there together, not really doing much of anything save for Canti stuffing her face unceremoniously and Cid giving off snores that would put manticores to shame. Kain only watched her and continued staring off into the distance, lost in thought. Neither of them knew how much time passed, but neither of them seemed to care. Every now and then, he'd look back at her, and she would stare up at him. They'd quickly go back to looking away, trying not to bring much attention to it.
"Hey, Kain," Canti said, once she'd eaten the entire tray of sweets.
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to say..." she started her sentence, but trailed off.
"I cannot read your mind. Not that I would opt for that ability, should it be offered to me," Kain said softly.
She let out a tiny chuckle. "I don't blame you for that," she said, shaking her head. "It's just... the celebration reminded me of something very important, in regards to you."
"What would that be?"
"You've been my friend now for four years," she said, smiling. "It was right after this exact party four years ago that I was given the assignment in the Fourth Realm, which was my very first keeper's assignment, and that's how I met you."
He cracked a smile himself. "Aye," he agreed. "I have been putting up with your antics for four years now... that is no easy feat."
"I just wanted you to know," she said, leaning into him. "How thankful I am that you're still here."
"I did take a few breaks in between."
"You did." Canti agreed.
"But I cannot stray from you," Kain confessed gently. "I'll never leave you, regardless of how frustrating you are."
"You're gonna have to go home when everything is done like everyone else." She hated that fact that lingered over her head every time she sat with her friends from the Realms of History, but there was no use in fighting it. That was life. It sucked, but what could she really do about it?
"As long as possible, then. I'll be with you as long as I have the choice to be," he corrected himself.
"You're a sweetheart," Canti said, letting out a yawn. Ohhh yeah. After all that eating, singing, and dancing, she was feeling the crash hitting her head at light speed. Wouldn't be long before it knocked her completely out. Kain was right, she totally needed to stop going after the sugar coma, despite how tasty all the sweets were.
"Where is that betrothed of yours, anyhow?" Kain asked.
"He didn't even attend the celebration with me... I didn't see him all night."
"Did you actively look for him, though?"
"...no. He didn't want to be there, so I figured there was no reason to bother him."
"I see." Kain nodded. "You had best get some sleep, my lady. From what I understand, once the celebration is over, you have quite a few things to finish." He ran his fingers through his hair, and she barely acknowledged him. Her yawns grew increasingly louder, signalling how quickly her mind was fading. "Do not fight it. Let sleep claim you... You may not be related by blood, but had I not known your story, I could easily have mistaken you for his progeny," Kain whispered, carefully leaning back on the couch just enough for his back to be comfortable. He wondered if he could sleep in his position for a good few moments before his thoughts were interrupted by the door opening again.
"If you'd be so kind," he called back to the door, "please refrain from causing too much noise."
"It seems our pilots imitate that which they fly." Mateus stepped in, closing the door and locking it behind him. He knew them well enough to fully expect nights like this. "If she is so indisposed, I will make myself scarce."
"Actually," Kain said, "I would request a moment of your time."
"Would you, now?" The Emperor asked, almost amused. "I thought your seething hatred for me would keep you from suggesting anything like that. I'd be more than happy to save room for you, though I can not fathom how she would handle that."
"My distaste for you is well known, though I am of sound enough mind to accept you for the time being," the dragoon corrected him, almost grunting at his insinuation that he would want something inappropriate. Kain knew he was being teased, and it caused him nothing short of annoyance. "A question, nothing more."
"Speak, so that we may stand on ceremony no longer."
"Is there a reason why you did not accompany your betrothed to the celebration tonight?" Kain asked.
"Did she yearn for me?"
"Not entirely. I believe she was too distracted by how much food was available to her, considering usually they restrict the amount she's allowed to take for free..."
"Then no harm was done."
"Mateus, it's not that simple... honestly, I understand you may not grasp the concept of romance. Even I lack the understanding to have a functional romance. That makes sense to me," Kain explained. "But what does not make sense is your recent coldness to her."
"I have not been cold."
"Perhaps not when you two are in the bedroom. Otherwise, your paths hardly ever cross."
Mateus grinned for a moment. "Are you suggesting that you would do better at romancing a woman that has zero interest in such activities?"
"Zero interest? I've known her for four years, I can tell you that she has actively sought after companionship and warmth since I've met her."
"Based on my observations, these days my Cantirena prefers to focus on her studies," he explained. "She has been engrossed with the process of obtaining her license to fly, and spending far more time with her father than anyone else. He is passing on his knowledge to her, as that would benefit her effort. I would not interfere with this progress, considering it is her highest aspiration to be able to fly. When she needs me, she will seek for me, and I will be more than pleased to handle whatever it is she needs. Until then, I believe stepping back is the right thing to do. Don't you?"
Kain sat silent, thinking on that response. He did notice that Canti's mannerisms had changed ever since she was given the chance to chase her dream of becoming a pilot like that of Cid. It didn't stop her from shoving food in her face at nearly constant pace along the way, and she didn't seem to whine about feeling lonely all the time. He looked at her, then he glanced back at Mateus. He didn't want to agree.
"I know you hold affection for her," Mateus added. "And that everything I do is under your watchful eye. Please, keep your threats to a minimum. I understand what you play at, though I would highly suggest you not make known your jealousy. I hear that in your world, it can have devastating effects on that precious holy armor you clad yourself in. Think on what you'd be doing to the heart of my darling future empress, should she see you brought to turmoil. She has a chance at peace of mind. Do not take that away from her out of your selfishness."
"You are the one clad in darkness," Kain grumbled.
"And yet, I am not jealous at the time she spends with you."
"That is simply because you do not love her. You wish to use her power for your own ends."
The Emperor cocked his head to the side. "Such slander," he laughed, turning away. "I'll leave this door unlocked in case one of the two of you, or even both of you, decide you would like to share in my warmth. Good night, holy dragoon."
Kain looked down at Canti, who still slept soundly with her head on his thigh. He put his hand in her curls again, running the balls of his fingers along her scalp. "I wish I could convince you..." he whispered. "Though I do not believe you will listen to reason. That is not your strong suit." He wished he could get comfortable enough to sleep, but he didn't see that happening any time soon. There was not a place here he could, with her taking up the couch. It was typical for Cid to take up the reclining chair at night, and for Canti to be in her own bed, leaving the couch free. He knew Mateus would enjoy it far too much to see him carry her to bed. Kain let out a yawn,
"There is space in here for you," Mateus called.
"I politely decline the offer," Kain answered. "Or perhaps rudely, but the result is the same."
Canti's eyes opened suddenly, forcing herself up so hard that she rolled off the couch and onto the floor below. She gasped a few times, trying to catch her breath. Where was she? What... what was that?! She looked around, quickly realizing she was in her dorm. She'd been living in this new one for almost a year now. Then she put her hand on her stomach, noting that it was dry. She lifted her shirt enough to look at her midriff, finding it as normal as it had ever been. She stood up. Papa Cid was still snoring as loudly as ever, and Kain was collapsed in the weirdest position she'd ever seen him try to contort into. Okay, she nodded. Canti walked closer to the door that led to her bed, hearing Mateus' usual sleeping sounds. She didn't want to think on it too hard, so she figured her best course of action would be to get more sleep. She fetched a blanket to drape over Kain and whispered in his ear a 'thank you' for looking after her, and headed into her own bedroom to slip off her pants and shoes, and creep into her bed where she belonged.
"...how are you feeling?" Mateus asked quietly, shifting his weight towards her.
"Oh, yeah," she lied, pressing into her favorite fuzzy pillow. She wasn't interested in him getting anywhere near her skin, and she made that clear when she didn't reciprocate his touch. "I'm all right."
"Would you have woken up if everything was truly peaceful?"
Canti looked back up at him, only able to make out the shape of his face in the darkness. "I... just... had a vision, and..."
"Tell me of it."
"I'd rather not," she answered, turning away.
"How will you fall back asleep if the vision will not leave you?"
"...Sheer exhaustion?"
"No, my Empress, that is not acceptable." The long nails at the end of his fingertips delicately traced along the outline of her face. She knew where this was going. It was all too familiar a warning that if he didn't get what he was looking for, he was going to come after it one way or another. Part of her was turned on by this, and part of her was too tired to deal with it. "You need to let this out, or I will take what I want by force. Tell me of your vision."
"Are you going to play that card right now?" Exactly why did she come to lay down in here, again?
"You know I do it for your own good," he whispered in her ear, kissing it. "Submission is the key to your happiness. You and I both know it."
"No, my Emperor," she disagreed, "Sleep is the key to my happiness. You just wanna exert your will wherever possible."
His grip around her neck went from delicate to tight in a matter of seconds. He placed his thumbnail against a spot on her throat that gave her a choking sensation, but left the airways open enough for her to breathe. "Oh, that will not do," he growled. "I will know of your vision."
"What, are you going to make me go down on you to attempt to force me to talk about it? I know you too all too well."
"I detest your attitude this night," he said, shaking his head in disappointment. "My love is not usually so defiant. You wound me." He pushed her down, letting her go. If she wanted to be left alone, he would grant it to her. There was nothing charming about her defiance, and he felt no drive to push any further than that. Even if he couldn't see her face, he wondered just how distraught she must have been to act that way. And, despite her attitude, he knew that it troubled her. "If you wish to sleep, I will humbly take myself elsewhere and allow you that." She felt the weight on the bed shift so he could collect his clothes to dress himself.
"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," she said softly. "I just don't want to talk about what I saw."
"You will see how many hours of sleep you lose. I did not want to take it further. I thought that applying a bit of what you love about me would encourage you to open up about it... I have lost interest in hearing about your terrible vision. May it keep you company and warm you through this night, for I will not," Mateus snapped, picking himself up. "Good night."
"...good night," Canti replied. "I... I love you."
"And I do love you. Despite your attempts to keep me at arm's length. Perhaps if I were a Highwind, you would have opened up about what terrified you so, but alas, I am not. I look forward to hearing of your fears through either your cousin or your father..." He left the small apartment with no more commentary.
Canti sat on her bed, alone for the first night in what felt like ages, hugging her knees to her chest. She was indeed terrified of what she had seen. Mateus was right about that.
Kain and Papa Cid are the last people I want to tell about it, she thought. The fact that a statue of a dragoon deemed me unworthy of their inheritance and rammed me through with a spear would terrify them. I couldn't make out which dragoon in history it was, despite knowing them all now... Forgive me, my love. I didn't want to offend you. But I did not want to put you on edge, either. You don't have the best relationship with the Highwinds. Or any dragoons that I can think of.
A quiet knock on the door called her from her thoughts. "Hey, baby, you all right?"
"Papa?" Canti asked. "Go back to sleep. I'm fine."
"I can't agree with that," Cid said, stepping in. "Never seen Matty stomp out of here like that before."
"Listen, Papa Cid, I-"
"Just doin' my fatherly duty, darlin'," he shrugged, sitting down on the bed next to her. "Trying to do damage control."
"No, really. I just... didn't do what he wanted in bed, is all," she said. "It's... not that big a deal. I promise it's not."
"...if it was, you'd tell me, wouldn't you?" Cid asked.
"Damn straight I would," she said, nodding. "I couldn't keep secrets from my father. That's just... the worst thing I could think of!"
"That's my girl," he chuckled, leaning in to ruffle her hair. "You only have a few hours before sun up, and I wanna knock out your test as soon as possible, so do get some good rest. all right?"
She reached around him to hug him to her tightly. "Yes, Papa."
"You... don't seem like you're clear for take off, kiddo," he said, returning her hug. "But... I'm not gonna push it. Just know that I'm here for when you wanna talk."
"Love you."
"Love you, too." He kissed her forehead and turned to leave. "I'm serious about that sleep. You don't go to sleep right now, I'm going to keep you up for an extra study session before your test."
"Yes, sir!" she nodded, picking up her comforter and getting snug deep down in it. She closed her eyes, wondering how long she could fake sleeping, if it was even possible with the remnants of that vision in her head. All she could see was the spear coming out through her stomach, everything around her drenched in blood. Tears formed in her eyes. Perhaps this was a sign she needed to give up the spear and go full time machinist instead? It was a career path she enjoyed, even if the pistol was nowhere near as much fun to fight with over a spear. After dedicating so much time in her life to studying the spear, too. It's true she wasn't born to be a dragoon, but a bard. And before she understood her blood family's path, she studied white magic. Would it be safer to just give up on every dream and simply go with the role she was assigned upon coming to the Academy? There had to have been a reason why she was assigned that role. She didn't want to give up everything she had fought to build!
