Disclaimer: I don't own the song "(There's Gotta Be) More to Life". It is rightfully owned by Stacie Orrico.

Thanks, Matt, for sending a review my way. Whoever you are...

Trust

By: Lucas McDrake

Chapter 2

Year: 728 World: Ivalice

~*~PETORA~*~

"Do I seriously have to do this?"

Mother rolled her eyes at me, as I saw through her reflection in the full-length mirror that we both stood in front of. Gazing warmly at me, she calmly replied, "Yes, you seriously have to do this."

I would have argued on the matter, but I knew from experience that her word was law; resistance was futile. Instead, I scrutinized my utterly white dress again, which fell beyond my feet. If not for the stool I stood upon, it would have touched the floor, with at least a foot of fabric to spare. Though I abhorred wearing dresses, it was not so much the fact that I was wearing a dress that irked me, but the hideous color it was-white. I shuddered slightly, and, trying to make some argument that would get me out of this, complained, "Couldn't I at least wear black?"

Penelo gazed at me via the mirror, and firmly stated, "Petora, Ashe ordered this dress to be specifically fitted for you." Shrugging, she continued, "Besides, it's only for tonight."

I sighed, then asked, "Will dad be here?" It was mainly just a ploy to change the subject, and take my mind off of tonight.

Penelo's face drooped as she muttered, "No, he won't. We received a letter this morning from him saying that he was very sorry, but couldn't come due to errands that he's been sent on."

My arms drooped slightly from their position of being held up as to let her measure. It could have been excused as exhaustion from holding those limbs in the same position for such a long time, but the connection to her statement was obvious. I inwardly cursed myself for showing such a vulnerability to one of my parents.

"Don't worry," Penelo immediately reprimanded. "I...I think he'll come around-"

"Sometime," I muttered, trying to redeem myself. "Yeah. I know, mom."

She sighed. Before either of us could delve into the subject further, she ordered, "Straighten your arms," continuing the tedious measurements.

~*~

I waited backstage for Ashe, the hostess of this party, to announce my song, so that I could humiliate myself in front of a royal crowd. Seriously! How had I let mom talk me into this again? Oh, that's right-she didn't. I was forced into it. As usual.

"Hey, white lady!"

That's just what I needed-another annoyance to throw on the pile.

"Shut up, Kylo!" I muttered. "Seriously! It's only for tonight, so you better get rid of that nickname soon."

He laughed at me, along with the rest of the band. Go figure; they were all male.

Guys... Can't live with them, can't live without them.

"And now," Ashe announced, "we'll have another dance. Please, ladies and gentlemen, welcome Petora to the stage."

There was polite applauding as we took our places on the platform. Throwing aside any thoughts of murdering Kylo, or anyone else in the band, I stood behind the microphone.

I glanced at Kylo, who was on a stool to my left, holding a guitar in his arms, and he gave me a reassuring nod and grin. I returned the favor, all thoughts of homicide gone, and turned back towards the awaiting dancers on the dance floor. Taking a deep, calming breath, I turned my gaze back towards Kylo, and nodded at him, our signal saying that he could start anytime he was ready.

As I awaited my cue, I couldn't help but wonder how the lyrics fit my dire situation; what was I going to do after this party? Take some more sewing lessons that I would never use? Maybe even cook a meal (if our chef took vacation, that is)? I had performed this quieter version of our song "There's Gotta Be More to Life" countless times preceding this moment, but never had I started thinking of it this way.

I watched the couples dancing on the floor, wondering why this...emptiness had suddenly overcome me. Maybe I was just wishing for some romance, like most teens my age. Hormones are usually the dominant feature, after all. But...I couldn't help thinking that it was something more than that.

Finally, the song came to a lingering close, and there came more polite applauding from the spectators and participants.

As I exited backstage, Kylo patted me on the back, and stated, "Good job..."

"Thanks-"

"White lady," he murmured before quickly getting out of fist range, chuckling.

Glaring at him, I slammed the stage door behind me.

As I stormed off in the direction of the front entrance, I felt moisture start its way down my face. Quickly wiping it away, I wondered why I would be getting all emotional at a time like this. I knew perfectly well that Kylo was just kidding...

Maybe my eyes were just watering.

Assuming this was the case, I continued my way down the hall, today's events replaying in my mind.

As I exited the royal theatre, I pulled my hindering skirt up as I rushed down the steps down towards my mom's hovercraft. I knocked on the door to the driver's seat, and waited for a few seconds before our servant opened it.

"I need my clothes," I stated.

With a smile, he quickly handed me my clothes-a black belly shirt, my black pants and my sandals. Which were, of course, black. Throwing a little bag my way that contained two ponytails before moving to close the door, he muttered, "Have fun."

I laughed once dryly. "I will."

Jumping into the back, I slipped in and out of the respective outfits, and gave the dress to the driver before running down the street. Lifting my hair-naturally black, like the rest of my clothes-into my standard stand-up frizzy ponytails, I turned three corners before I came up to the east gate.

It was about time I escaped here again.

Quickly, the guards opened a slit for me to squeeze through. Booming to a close behind me, I jogged to the Dalmascan Estersands.

It was the place I usually went when I needed to think. Right now, that necessity was evident. It was better than stepping onto the dance floor to awkwardly waltz with some random Lord I'm-Royal for a few dances before returning home to go to bed, then repeat my daily routine.

Sitting down on a ledge, I looked out towards the rising wall of stone that faced me. A few minutes passed by in which I contemplated, and brooded over, my hand in life. If only if there was a way to have an adventure such as the one my mother and father had taken together previous conceiving me...

Suddenly, the darkness that surrounded me seemed to darken considerably as the sound of rock breaking into two resounded across the distance.

I immediately stood erect, and asked, "Who's there?"

The breeze whistled through the shallow canyon, then ceased completely. Clouds covered the moon, leaving only starlight to make my surroundings somewhat defined.

Something was up.

I took a step backwards, glancing around. The darkness hadn't taken on any other drastic changes, so I was starting to wonder if it was just my imaginings. Then, the clouds revealed the moon once more, and I saw what surrounded me.

It was more a question of who.

All around me were humes draped in capes-at least, they had humanoid shapes. Hoods attached to their cloaks were drawn over their heads, keeping them shrouded in complete darkness. I couldn't observe any of their features except for their size and shoulder width, being completely hidden in the shade of their cloaks, but a supernatural aura seemed to emanate from each one. Goosebumps started forming on my arms. Not only did I have the impression that they were extraterrestrial, but also made the assumption, by their complete stillness, that they were not even mortal. They were too impossibly steadfast. Too ominous.

"What do you want with me?" My voice seemed to echo throughout all of the suddenly tranquil Estersands. It was too quiet for my liking.

They all turned their heads in unison towards the being standing in front of me. It almost seemed that they awaited a signal.

I backed another step, and into a rock. I started to jump around to see how a rock could possibly be there.

Just before the ringleader was out of my eyesight, I saw him nearly imperceptibly nod his head. The signal.

By the time I could see what-who-I had backed into, I saw that he had brought a sword from the confines of his cape. He held it with his obviously muscled yet smooth and pure white arm, of which he revealed from behind the shadows of his cloak. I was distracted by how alluring I found his arm to be. Was this why they hid themselves? Were they too beautiful to stand?

My logical reasoning came a second too late as he impaled me through the heart.

~**~

I still feel that this isn't up to its full potential, but I hope that you were appeased. If so, tell me via review. If not, tell me via review.

Either way, review, please!

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