Beneath the Stars
Author's Notes: I know it's been nearly a year since I updated this story. I could tell you I've been too busy or some other lame excuse but honestly, I was just lazy. Busy too of course, but it's not like I couldn't have found a little time out of the 11 months since I last updated to work on the story. Anyway, after reading over the story again, I'm really not liking where I was going with it so basically I'm starting over from scratch. I'm sorry to any fans that may have liked the old plot but I really couldn't see it going anywhere.
Anyway, what I've written as the new first chapter is really more of a short blurb to gauge interest more than an honest to goodness start of a new story. If I get enough positive feedback, I'll take things from there but I'll let you, the reader, be the judge of whether it's worth continuing or not. If I do pick things up again, I promise it will not take 11 months for me to update.
Disclaimer: Star Ocean: Till the End of Time is a PS2 game developed by Tri-Ace and published by Square Enix. This story is a fan-made work and is not affiliated with said companies.
Chapter 1 – Ephemeral
The flaws in her plan were becoming all too apparent to her. Or rather, the real flaw was that she hadn't formed a plan and merely acted on impulse. Throwing caution to the wind typically landed Maria into a heap of trouble, but this time the problem was the complete opposite. Six of the most peaceful, uneventful, dull months in her life had passed. Though, it wasn't really the boredom that bothered her.
This life— this simple, ordinary, everyday life was supposed to be what she wanted. It had been her dream to finally grow some roots again, ever since she'd lost everything that fateful day on the Radish. That's what she'd been fighting for, wasn't it? Or was it too late for her? Had she been so occupied skirting death for so long that she no longer knew how to settle down and just live?
It wasn't fair. She had earned this. Tenfold. A hundredfold. She fought, she suffered, she sacrificed everything for this chance. She was a helpless orphan crying for her dead parents no longer. A guinea pig to be experimented on no longer. A weapon to be manipulated and used at the whim of another's will no longer. She could finally just be a girl again, Maria Traydor.
So... why wasn't she happy?
"You look troubled," intoned a soft voice. It was more of an inquiry than a statement, though not an intrusive one.
Maria opened her eyes and saw before her an old man in a young boy's body.
"Niklas," she bowed her head in acknowledgment. "I'm not troubled, just," she struggled for the right word, "...restless, I suppose. I feel like I should be doing something. Anything. When I'm idle, I start thinking and when I think, I start brooding. I just—"
She stopped herself.
"I'm sorry," Maria sighed. "I should be more grateful for the hospitality you've shown me. It's nothing, really. I'm just not used to this kind of life yet."
Niklas said nothing, considering something for a moment, before turning to leave. Maria listened as he rummaged around in the kitchen and it wasn't long before she heard the sharp crackling of a fire and the scent of tea leaves in the air. He returned shortly with a tray, offering Maria an empty cup which she took graciously. Niklas then served her before filling his own.
Maria took a sip and felt the warmth wash over her. She savored the feeling for as long as she could, knowing it would not last. Peace of mind and contentment for her were as ephemeral as stars in the dawning sky.