We proceed with the fic sorry no note today. - Heh, but as par usual, I don't
own Xenosaga
- - Xenosaga - -
In the Shadows of a Lie
For over two years, a ritual had been created; woven into the fabric of a now ten year old boy's life. While everything else had remained unchanged, this one thing created a new sense of hope. A new sense of dream. Since that day, he would come back the following date, and wait on the little dock. Sometimes she would appear, while other times, she would not. Even if she didn't show up in person, he knew she was somehow there.
He could feel her there. It was her spirit.
And she would always leave him the song.
It was so hard to explain, but he figured it was like you were suddenly told everything and nothing - how it was all and not. How it was the end and the beginning. Then again, it was none of that. No, it was more like being surrounded by a clear body of perfectly warm water. You could float, and feel everything, and it spread all over you. It took away all pain, so there was none. Sometimes he'd get dizzy off of it and start to laugh. The song would fade when that happened, though. He wasn't sure why, but at least it would end on a positive note.
Scampering up to the dock, he stopped short of the edge, falling to his knees and inhaling quickly. He'd ran all the way just to get there on time. He was a little ragged from the foliage he'd brushed past, and he seemed to have a newer bruise forming around his temple. Yet the joyous look that appeared in his eyes as he lifted them towards the lake overshadowed everything else to him. His smile widened and grew bright as her form appeared at the edge of the dock. Moving a bit closer, he sat down and waited for her song to come.
The girl saw the longing in his eyes, and shook her head slowly; her expression one of remorse.
" I can no longer let you hear my song Llean."
Llean's eyes registered a faint shock, and he found his voice.
" Why! I haven't broken my promise! I've come every month of this
day-"
" That is only one reason why. There are others, now, who must hear my song."
Llean furrowed his brow. Why should anyone else here his song? Take his pleasure away?
" If I were to sing to you now, my song would not give you what you seek, anymore. You've heard my song in truth, and for such a time. It would corrupt you now."
" No! You just want the others to hear it! Don't let them! It's -"
" It is not your song anymore."
Llean felt his breath catch in his chest, and a ping stopped him in his stance.
" I am sorry, Llean. I can no longer come back here."
"What!" Llean's chest tightened as he heard her speak.
" I can only survive like this, for a short period of time. I am only needed elsewhere. I will not be coming back."
" You're leaving me, just like that! WHY!"
" I am sorry -"
" If you're sorry then don't leave me!"
Llean cried out angrily, but felt himself break down inside. He was up before he realized; he reached out, and held the girl in a tight embrace.
" Please don't leave me. . . Please don't. . . I don't want to be left again. . ."
The girl waited a moment, before slipping smoothly from the other and stepping back slowly.
" You must never give up hope, Llean. Never give up faith."
Knowing he couldn't have it his way, he resigned to fate, that she had to go.
" Will I ever see you again?"
" It is unlikely, yet, the future is not cast in stone. One small wave in a lake, moves across the surface, changing that surface, even if for a short time."
Llean held the words close; set to worry only later what they meant. As he fought back the urge to follow her slowly retreating form, a thought crossed his mind. He had no idea why it never came to him before.
" What is your name!" He shouted out.
" You will know. . . when the time is right."
With those last words, the girls form began to fade before him. He could feel her spirit fading away from him, and her song being taken from his mind.
" No! Please! Come back to me!"
She watched as the boy reached out to her, crying out, until she was no longer there. Everything about her was gone; her spirit, her song and herself. It was as if she never existed.
And alone once again, Llean Ridgeley cried out in the quiet dark night of his sanctuary.
- -Xenosaga- -
Shion Uzuki awoke with a start from her slumber. Quickly registering the time, which was too early in the morning, she looked quietly around her currently lodgings. It was the quarters of the Elsa, which were quite large in her opinion. However, she did have another room mate sleeping among the other bed; whom happened to be giddily mumbling in her sleep. Shion yawned a moment before getting startled once again by a giddy cheer from the other girl. Apparently, MOMO was having a very good dream.
' Well that explains that shrilly noise' Shion thought to herself, grinning slightly.
Being back on the Else- even if it was just for this 'sleepover' type gathering; made Shion feel a bit of a stronger bond with all these people she'd come to know and care for. Not all of the team could make it, however- one being Jr. who had a lot of work to attend to; KOS-MOS was of course still at the Vector Second R&D headquarters. But everyone else had been able to make it. There was a small party- mostly a gratuitous occasion of thanks. There had been a little fun as well; and at that, Shion chuckled to herself, and closed her eyes- shaking her head. Allen had best stay away from too much alcohol.
Stretching for a moment, the young woman looked about her room. While she hadn't had any real trouble sleeping, she hadn't had an exactly pleasant one either. As if making the decision for her, her stomach rumbled quietly, pleading for nourishment. Reaching to her nightstand, Shion adorned her glasses, and moved herself out from her bunk. Slipping on an over robe and a pair of slippers, she padded quietly through the ship until reaching the kitchen.
Shion had no problem of nibbling on something this early, or late, in the morning. However, she had a problem if all she could find was curry. Fried Curry, Curry Lo-mien, Curry Mu-Shuan...
' Mental note. . . learn how to make something that is not, indeed, Curry.'
She mentally be raided herself, and about gave up the endeavor when something caught the corner of her eye. Upon further inspection, she made a tiny cheer, for it was something that was defiantly not curry. Taking the plate, as there wasn't much left, she heated up the morsel - which started looking really good - and finally padded over to the restaurant. Sliding in the first booth, she relaxed and stabbed at a considerable portion.
' Things lately. . . have been crazy; though I have a funny feeling something else is waiting for us out there. There are still just too many questions and unresolved issues for me to be too relaxed. For now I guess I can be. . .
Shion paused as her eyes met the booth seat in front of her, noting an obscured article of clothing folded over the back. No matter how you folded it, or crumpled it, anyone could recognize a Vector uniform any day. Sometimes she felt they were kind of gaudy, but then again, she'd see much worse.
' Ah, Allen must have forgotten it again, what with all the hassle around this ship these past few weeks. Not surprised really, since he's been zoning in and out over this week. I mean things have been looking up fo- Oh my god, this is so good!'
Shion's train of thought was broken by the intake of the non-curry meal, and it's apparently wonderful taste.
' This is such a good change for once. What is this. . . . fish? '
Taking another bite and reaching for her glass, Shion rolled her eyes at her lack of conduct. Pushing the plate forward a bit, she slid out of her seat and trotted back to retrieve her drink.
" . . . then she said, 'Stay by me', and I told her, we could be-"
Stepping into the restaurant Allen became quiet as he in took the aroma of food. Looking to the booth he'd previously occupied, he rose an eyebrow at the heated plate of food sitting just in the middle.
" How did. . . no, never-mind. I've seen too many stranger things far worse than this."
Moving over he grabbed up his uniform top, and then took up the fork, spearing a nice size piece, while swiping it in the sauce. Taking a bit and returning the fork, he moved off to put away his uniform, and to return finishing the food.
' Eh. . .forego the paprika and stick with basil. Oh wait; better yet - garlic.'
His thoughts carried with him and new recipes as he went out the door again; and once again, Shion emerged from the kitchen, glass in hand, sipping lightly at the drink. She reached down, placing it on the table and paused for a moment.
' I didn't think I'd eaten that much of it already; gosh I'm being such a pig. Oh well, no one will miss -'
She had moved her line of vision up slightly.
' Wasn't Allen's uniform just there a moment ago? I could have sworn -'
Shion pinched the bridge of her nose, stopping all thought in her mind. She exhaled a moment and turned back to the kitchen.
' I need some AIF.'
Fate seemed to be having an amusing time with her, or maybe it was the paranormal; or who knows what, for as she returned to her -now smaller meal- a very bright white towel was draped across from her and she distinctly remembered she hadn't drank that much of her tea.
" AGH! Can't I have a normal meal without having to worry about unseen phenomenon taking it away from me?"
She growled and plunged the fork into a large piece of said meal, and took it in one bite - for all she knew it could disappear off her plate right then and there, so she horded it greedily.
" And here I thought someone was pampering me." Allen spoke softly from behind the zealous woman; whom in reply jumped slightly with a muffled 'Mm!' She felt a tinge of embarrassment wondering if she'd been seen eating with such un-coordination.
Allen slide in the booth across from her, a small but noticeable smirk plastered his features; to which Shion feigned an annoyed look.
" So you're the one who's been eating my food, and stealing my drink."
" Technically, my food, and sorry about the drink." He gave a sheepish chuckle.
Shion rose an eyebrow at the remark before it clicked. She had been wanting something that wasn't Curry so badly, and upon finding said non Curry dish, hasn't thought it could have been someone else's.
" Oh. I'm sorry, Allen. I wasn't thinking. . . once again."
" It's alright. That was just left over from what I cooked a little while ago. No need to apologize."
" You made this?" She sucked on the fork for a moment, intrigued.
" Yeah. I usually cook when I'm bored and hungry. I can make a lot of things; you name it."
" That's so wonderful." She smiled lightly.
" Yeah, well. . . as much as I can make well, there's one thing that no matter how hard I try it never comes out right."
" What is it?"
Allen grinned widely to himself.
" If I tell you you'll laugh, and taunt me."
" I would not!"
" Sure you would. You'd laugh, and mock me and never let me live it down."
" I would do no such thing, Allen Ridgeley. I'm hurt you say that."
Allen smirked a bit more as she mentioned his name. God, that felt so good. His smile grew slightly more and he shook his head.
" Ok, Ok, I'll tell you - but you promise not to laugh, right?"
" I promise." She nodded and gave a smile.
" No matter how hard I try, one thing eludes me from cooking."
"Which is . . ?"
" Curry."
The was a very pregnant pause.
Allen, who's features remained a steady pleased look, watched as Shion sat quietly, putting the fork down. Inside he was laughing himself, for he could see her eyes dancing and misting over, and her tight lipped smile was twitching at the corners. Oh this was going to be fun. Playful torment was always fun.
Shion, the poor thing, who'd tried so hard to keep her promise was on the verge of bursting over. She did not want to hurt his feelings, nor wound her own pride as aforementioned. Yet it seemed things were not going her way, and Allen spoke up again, it was becoming too much.
" Yup. Curry. You'd never think it, being it's Curry, but no matter what, I can't seem to cook Curry."
Shion could not move. She mentally yelled at him to stop. Calm blue ocean... Calm - At this point Allen had his hand resting on his chin, looking all the more dignified.
" Curry."
" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Shion burst over laughing, leaning back against the seat holding her sides.
" See! I knew it, you're laughing at me!" He gave a mock pout.
" No-I'm sor-it's just-Curry-so simple-" She worked in between fits of giggles, breathing and laughter.
" And now there you go mocking me!" Again the mock pout.
" I'm sor-sorry-I-don't mean-so-"
" Yeah sure." Allen pushed the drink to her, which she readily accepted.
Taking a long drink, she calmed down considerable, and was able to retain coherent speech.
" Oh my." she breath out, and took another sip.
Allen was too tempted to let that one go so easily. This was too much of a good thing to have - when had it been since it'd been anything like this? No, he'd hold out for as much as he could. Times like this were much too precious.
" Curry."
" Mm!" Shion's shoulders shook and she slammed the cup down on the table, wiping away the tea that hand managed to make its way down, or up, the wrong tubes.
" Stop that!" Shion swatted at her company, who easily evaded the wrath.
She took a napkin to wiped her face, exhaling forcefully a few times.
" Sorry. . I didn't know that would happen. Though I couldn't resist."
" Very cute. Let's see how you like it the next time I make you my target in the test field."
" Fair enough."
" Despite that, I haven't laughed like that in a long time. It felt good."
" ' I am happy to be of service.' " Allen quoted in his best deadpan voice.
Shion threw her napkin at him in reply.
" Thank you for letting me have the rest of this. I was a bit hungry; and thanks for. . .well, the other."
" You're welcome."
It was then that Shion noticed something that had slipped her notice until then.
" Are you wearing one of Tony's shirts?"
Allen, being oblivious to a war, let alone his cloths when Shion was present, felt a faint blush cross his cheeks.
" Yeah, well. . .I'm not going to sleep in my uniform, and it's not like we really have anything else to choose from. There's been too much going on that we haven't had time to really 'shop', so to say."
" True. Well, it looks nice. A little big though."
Allen rubbed the back of his neck.
" Yeah, he's got the muscles to fill it out. The most common reason why they call them muscle-shirts. Go figure. T-Thank you."
" Right. But at least you have the common sense of knowing not to be a macho dimwit with women."
" You have no idea." He slipped.
" Oh?" She rose an eyebrow.
" A-Ah, nothing! I mean-you know-ah, well hey, you go ahead and finish up here and I'll see you in the morning."
" I'm pretty much finished, and don't think you can dance around that one."
" Well watch me! Good night!"
Allen slid up from the both and grabbed the towel long forgotten. He got half way to the door before being pulled back in his steps. The hanging towel was being grasped by an increasingly intense young woman.
' Towel, you traitor!'
" Allen, you tell me what you meant. It's something too interesting to pass up to know."
" Alright, Alright. I'll tell you."
" Good." Shion let the towel go.
Allen stepped closer, registering that he was, in fact, about two inches in height from her. He'd been mulling that around in his head lately. No particular reason-
" Allen?" She spoke, grinning a little.
" What I meant was. . ."
Shion waited...
" Curry."
Shion blinked for a moment, and realized she'd just been had.
" Allen you-!" Allen had already turned and booked it out the door.
She chuckled slightly to herself, and turned to clean up the rest of what was left.
- - Xenosaga - -
MOMO woke from her slumber abruptly; huffing and shaking a little. She looked around quickly to get her bearings and noticed she was in a bed aboard the Elsa. Gathers up her blankets she wrapped them around her in a buddle. If it wasn't for the fact she was a bit shaken by her nightmare, she could be seen as 'cute' at the moment. The images washed over her mind like flashes before some of them began to fade away; images of things that frightened her and made her long for the companionship of another individual. Upon looking to the bed across from her, she noted the occupant was no longer sleeping there. She briefly wondered where Shion would have gone to, and if she was alright, but calmed a bit at the silence of the ship. No blaring alarms were sounding, so more than likely the older woman had gotten up for personal reasons.
In an effort of comfort, MOMO began to run her hand along the bracelet she received from Jr. The semi warm chain was soothing to her, and helped her find more peace from her dark dreams. After a few moments, MOMO lay back down in bed, still rubbing the jewelry smoothly, and gazing at the bed above her. Things would get better, she knew that. But when would they? She began to pull the covers over her, when she heard the door open and shut. Shion must have made it back by now. Watching the woman for a moment, MOMO began to form a question in her mind.
" Oh MOMO, I'm sorry if I woke you." Shion said quietly, as she sat on her own bed.
" It's ok; I was already awake."
" Oh. Do you need something?"
" I'm fine. I just needed a moment to think."
Shion smiled lightly.
" I know the filling."
MOMO turned to Shion.
" Shion, is it bad to rely on things like objects?"
Shion blinked a moment, then began to speak.
" Not entirely. I feel that sometimes, personal items or possessions tend to hold hidden energies, or strengths that we may at times need."
"Hmm."
" However, at the sad time, while it's ok to feel this, you should never rely on something so completely. Use it with you own strengths. You know?"
" Yeah. I see what you mean." MOMO smiled slightly.
Shion couldn't help but smile back at the young one.
" Though look who's talking. I should take my own advice once in a while."
MOMO looked at Shion with puzzlement. Shion then, at first hesitantly, but then more sure, brought her hands to the back of her neck. MOMO wasn't sure what she was doing until she noticed Shion's necklace sag slightly. Her yellow eyes widened.
" I've relied on this too much. It's time I start relying more on me."
Shion placed the necklace onto her nightstand.
" You're not throwing it away are you?" MOMO spoke awed. She's never known the woman to remove that necklace; it was like a sacred object.
" No, never. However I will always wear it when I need my boost of strength. And besides, I could kink the chain if I keep sleeping with it on." Shion gave a half grin to the realien.
MOMO smiled in return, and found herself yawn in sleepiness.
"Get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning."
" Ok. Night night Shion."
"Good night, MOMO." Shion nodded, and moved under her own covers.
She took a moment to look at the jewelry on the stand. To her, it was a rather big step; to many, it was nothing. Either way, she felt both naked and free without it on. Where this thought process had come from, she didn't know. However she was certain of one thing.
" Tomorrows a new day."
With that, Shion turned over, and fell into a warm peaceful sleep.
At least…. At first.
