A/N: I haven't done this in a long time but coming back to typing just feels so right…well here goes an idea.
I don't own Final Fantasy XIII in any way, shape, or form.
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Thump. Thump. Thump…
That's all Lightning could hear. The beating of her pounding heart was all she could hear as she waited on a street corner. Raindrops fell lightly from the sky getting her clothing wet, but she didn't care. All she could think about was her younger sister Serah's wedding to that buffoon Snow Villiers, there was a slight problem though. The first is Lightning's great dislike for snow and the lack of funds for the wedding of Serah's dreams. The lack of funds was a direct cause of Lightning and Snow's dependence on Serah's teacher salary.
Snow ran a small private investigator's office with a group of childhood friends. Snow and friends had named their business "NORA" in honor of their childhood gang. Snow was known for being a jovial man standing at an impressive 6'7" with blond hair covered by a black bandana. He usually wore loose fitting clothing and a beige trench coat that intimidated most people who came across him, but if someone took the time to befriend the friendly giant then they would have a great friend. The reason Snow depended on Serah's income was because his business started to hit a dry spell.
Lightning's dependence on Serah made her feel terrible, and with Serah's wedding drawing nearer Lightning felt it was her responsibility to pay for it. Ever since her their parents' untimely death she was and still is responsible for young Serah. Lightning had enlisted for the military as soon as she could to make sure that food was available for young Serah. She made sure to join the Guardian Corps make sure she was always stationed near her sister. It tough working at such a young age but she did what she had to do, Lightning always did. She dropped out of school, trained to exhaustion, and always made sure that Serah was comfortable. Lightning liked to jokingly think of Serah as her first child rather than her sister, but she would never admit that to anyone.
Anyways, Lightning was in the Guardian Corps but was discharged with an Other Than Honorable reasoning. She had a problem with the civilian court and was thusly discharged and could never be reenlist into the military. This happened months ago and Serah had welcomed Lightning into her shared apartment with Snow with open arms. Snow was ecstatic to be living with his "Sis" but Lightning was less than enthused, she didn't want to have to depend on her younger sister. Lightning wanted to, needed to, be the responsible one in the family.
Lightning would do anything for her baby sister and that's why she was in her present predicament standing on a street corner waiting for some man to pick her up. She needed the money and she would always do what was necessary. Lightning decided that selling her body to the highest bidder to pay for the Serah's wedding was the only option she had left. Lightning didn't finish high school and she knew her limitations, so she decided that the oldest job in the book was her most logical option.
Lightning was currently wearing a shirt that left her bellybutton exposed and booty shorts that showed her mile-long legs. Lightning made sure to not leave anything to the imagination because this was her first time and she was still learning. What caught her first potential buyer's attention was not her clothing, but Lightning's pink hair falling gracefully over her left shoulder and her striking blue eyes that pierced the soul. As a car pulled up all Lightning could here was her heartbeat.
Thump. Thump. Thump…
She couldn't believe that someone had stopped for her. She felt a knot form in her stomach that she had never experienced before. This feeling was dreadfully heavy feeling was new and it worried Lightning a little, but she steeled her resolve because she would do whatever it took to ensure her younger sister's happiness. The car window slid down and the first thing that Lightning saw was silvery blonde hair, olive green eyes, and glasses. Lightning's heart jumped in surprise when she saw one of her military commanders find her in such a degrading position in life.
Jihl Nabaat eyed Lightning's form like a chef inspecting the quality of their ingredients. She needed to make sure that whatever she brought back would suit her employer's needs.
"Hmm, Sergeant Farron fancy meeting you here. Why don't you join me in the car so we could have a more private conversation?" Jihl suggested with a knowing smile.
It took a moment for Lightning to comprehend the words but as soon as she did she sat in the passenger seat of Jihl's car. Jihl drove off into an unknown direction but Lightning didn't comment because she was anxious on what was going to happen. She was oddly relieved that a woman picked her up, but it scared her at the same time because it was a female that picked her up. Lightning didn't know what to expect from Jihl Nabaat, she didn't know if Jihl was bringing her to a group of men or if it was only her.
"Where are we going?" Lightning managed to ask as her body started to warm up in the car after the light drizzle outside. She didn't notice the lack of heat until she had sat down in the car.
"We are going to a place more well suited for you to work," Jihl put emphasis on the word "work" that was obviously noticeable. Lightning gulped silently and mentally prepared herself as Jihl drove to their unknown destination.
"Remember it's all for Serah. Your baby sister needs to have her dream wedding. I know that giving my first time will be worth it because Serah's happiness is much more important than my self-respect," Lightning thought to herself. She needed to milk this opportunity for all that it was worth because she needed the money. As Lightning silently thought to herself, Jihl expertly pulled up to an extravagant mansion that intimidated Lighting ever so slightly.
"Welcome to the Estheim Mansion Sergeant Farron. Now I know you may have some questions but please wait until you meet my employer before you start to question me," Jihl stated politely.
Lightning complied with Jihl's request because of her military training ingrained in her mind during youth. Lightning clearly still saw Jihl as her superior because of her dominating presence and because Jihl kept referring to her as Sergeant Farron. As they quickly made their way inside of the mansion Lightning had very little time to look at the exterior, Lightning did get a good eyeful of the interior thought. Large stairs going up to the second floor, large marble columns standing in the foyer, and multiple entrances to other rooms that connected with the foyer. The odd thing about it was that all the lights were off except for a room off to the right, as Lightning looked through the open entrance she could see that it was a living room lighted by a couple lamps and a television.
"Young master I have arrived and I brought home a new worker," Jihl exclaimed loudly for her employer. "Relax Sergeant Farron, your body is not going to be touch tonight, and before you think of leaving, you are getting paid for listening to my proposition," Jihl silently reassured Lightning.
Lightning released a breath she was unknowingly held, "As long as I am paid I'm willing to do whatever work you put me through. I've already mentally prepared myself." Lightning and Jihl both walked toward the couch situated in the middle of the living room. The first thing Lightning noticed was a mop of silver hair and then pair of green emerald eyes staring curiously at her.
"Who is this Jihl?" a childish voice called out to them. As Lightning and Jihl approach the boy Lightning was able to see more of him. He had strikingly pale skin, a rather thin feminine frame, and very delicate features, but the most noticeable thing about the boy was his air of innocence.
"This is my associate Sergeant Lightning Farron, and I have picked her to be your new help around the house while I am gone," spoke Jihl as she dropped the proverbial bomb on the other two in the room. "And this young man is Hope Estheim, current head of the Estheim estate and your new employer," added Jihl to help Lightning understand who she was talking to.
"Hello Ms. Farron it's nice to meet you. I am in your care," Hope politely said with a timid voice hoping he made a good impression with his new employee.
Lightning opened and closed her mouth several times before promptly turning around to head to the exit. "I told myself anything for Serah but statutory rape is where I draw the line," thought Lightning, "I mean he looks about 14, he's younger than Serah! It's just sick and wrong."
"Wait Sergeant Farron before you go just listen to my offer. You will even get paid for just listening," Jihl's smooth commanding voice rang out.
"Hmmm, free money is always nice, as long as it isn't from Serah or that giant idiot," thought Lightning, "I just stay for a few minutes, get the money, leave, and try to get more my original way." Lightning turned around and noticed she was in the entrance between the foyer and the living room. "Well go on, what's the offer? I need to be making money."
"Well Sergeant young master Hope needs a care taker while I work at my day job as Commander of Psicom. I know you need money, I have read your files and have seen you work. I'm extending this offer to you because I know the information I have on you is trustworthy. All you have to do is attend to the young master's needs, in short you are like a temporary maid while I am gone. If you agree then young master has agreed to pay you handsomely," Jihl calmly explained.
Lightning sighed and knew that this was a great opportunity to earn money while keeping her body clean, but something just seemed off about this situation. "Where are his parents and if she needs help why doesn't she hire professional maids?" thought Lightning. "I guess I can try working here…" she answered.
"That is great! Here take this as your first payment for a job well done," Jihl smirked as she handed Lightning a packed envelope, which Lightning promptly checked and was amazed at the amount.
"I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth," thought Lightning as she tightly grasped the envelope securely in her hands. "Thank you, Ms. Nabaat for this opportunity. What are the parameters for the duration of my job?" she questioned methodically.
"Don't worry. I have taken the liberty of making sure your phone has both the contact information of myself and the young master. Ah the perks of being a commander, well I will contact you next Sunday so you can start work," Jihl exclaimed with a voice of relaxation. "And please don't worry about money, young master will provide for you as long as you take care of him.
"I will be in your care Ms. Farron. Please have a nice night, until next time," Hope light voice said in an almost whisper as he moved toward the stairs.
"Good night…young master…" replied Lightning as she tried to live up to her role, and with that Jihl drove Lightning home so that the young woman could gather her thoughts.
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A/N: Writing this felt kind of therapeutic and I'm glad I did this. I may or may not continue this, it honestly depends on how I feel about the story and if anyone wants me to keep going on.
Thanks for reading!