Sorry for the long wait on this one, as I've been currently revising
another of my fics. Yes, I know it's no excuse, but here is one: I have had
so much homework and studying for finals that it's been interrupting my
writing time. sigh and unfortunately, if I don't get good grades, I don't
get my license, etc. So, unfortunately, this fic might have to take some
time. Hopefully this one will be long enough to make up for all the time
that I've missed. Thanks go out to all of those who've been reviewing.
Nemeria hugged the pillow tight to her, digging the side of her face into its softness. It wouldn't come to her for another few minutes that her pillows weren't as soft as the one she was currently snuggling with.
She nearly bolted up right when the thought came. Her eyes shot open, however, and she put together the memories of the night before. She remembered closing the shop, taking the long sword which was Sephiroth's. 'Then...then there was...that PRICK...that gosh damned egotistical...' her thoughts continued this way as she sat up in bed, the sheets in her hands clenched in anger.
She hardly noticed Sephiroth had woken and was looking at her oddly. Her features softened as she then remembered how Sephiroth had saved her from what could have been a very...uncomfortable evening.
Sephiroth had silently come over to stand beside her. There was no doubt at all in his mind what she was thinking about now. Resting his hand on her shoulder, he brought her attention back to him. She gasped lightly at the touch and looked up, relieved to see that it was only Sephiroth beside her. She smiled at him, showing her gratitude to him.
He did not smile back, but merely nodded. There was silence as Nemeria locked her gaze on Sephiroth, unable to take her eyes off of him. He too looked at her, his eyes fixed upon hers. He seemed drawn into the depths, unable to withdraw himself. Her green eyes reminded him of the deep oceans back on Planet, a place he knew he would never see again.
Nemeria took in everything about Sephiroth that was in eyesight. It was obvious that he was handsome, that he could easily get any girl he preferred, but he seemed to not notice it. Had she been any other love crazy girl, she'd have fallen for him the first time she'd seen him. But she was not any other girl, though she knew she was falling for him already, and not just for his looks. He'd saved her from Garedon, and she was grateful, but there was something else drawing her to him.
Little did she know that Sephiroth was feeling the same, though he was hardly acknowledging it at the time.
Garedon was hardly nervous. He'd blamed what had happened the night before on being unprepared. He hadn't expected anyone to be coming when he'd gone for Nemeria. 'Oh well, I guess that I'll just have to beat him in the arena.'
Had his ego not gotten in his way, he'd have realized that he was no match for Sephiroth.
Sephiroth personally escorted Nemeria home. She'd thanked him and said it wasn't necessary, but Sephiroth insisted. True, Nemeria would never have minded, but she wanted to prove to Sephiroth that she could hold her own were she to be confronted by Garedon again.
"I wasn't expecting to see him again. And I definitely wasn't planning on anyone here, well, trying to..." she trailed off, but Sephiroth knew what she was trying to say. She hadn't thought that anyone would try to rape her. But Sephiroth wondered how she could rule out that possibility with all the fighters coming in and out of the Coliseum.
She reminded him of another green eyed woman, one who somehow managed to see all the good in people.
The thought was pushed aside as they reached Nemeria's home, which was actually an apartment in another wing of the coliseum. It was furnished modestly, a couch and chair, small table for a dining area, a kitchen, and a hallway that Sephiroth supposed led to bedrooms.
"Thanks for bringing me home, Sephiroth," Nemeria said as she went into the kitchen. She called back to him, "Would you like some breakfast, it's the least I can do."
"No thank you. I need to be going anyway." With those words, he turned and left. Nemeria heard the door close and knew he'd left.
Business was slow that day, which was somewhat surprising. The Phil Cup was beginning soon and there were many fighters preparing for the battles to come. The 'in' bin was becoming smaller as Nemeria sharpened many dull blades. She pulled Hercules' sword from the bin and prepared to fix it.
The sword was a quick fix. Nearly half an hour later, Nemeria was putting it into the 'out' bin. And not a moment too soon, it seemed. Hercules opened the door and came over to the front counter. "Afternoon, Ria." Nemeria grabbed his weapon and handed it to him over the counter. "There you go Herc. Good as new, though I do recommend that you not challenge Sephiroth again." Hercules laughed, "I think I'll take that advice. By the way, do you remember a few years ago the jerk that came here and-""You mean Garedon?" Nemeria interrupted. "Let me guess. He challenged Sephiroth. Am I right?"
"How'd you hear?" Hercules asked, wondering how she knew when he'd seen Garedon sign up for the challenge only fifteen minutes before. "I saw it. He challenged him right outside. Sephiroth stopped him from doing something...incredibly stupid. Then the jerk challenged him. Do you know when the fight begins?"
"Soon. And what do you mean, 'something incredibly stupid'?"
Putting the 'Be back soon' sign in the front door, Nemeria left with Hercules. After she'd told him what Garedon had tried to do, he refused to leave her alone, despite the crowds of people everywhere. "I'll be just fine Herc. Besides, isn't he supposed to be getting ready?"
It was an overcast afternoon, though there was no snow falling. The snow would have been cleared from the arena, so Nemeria was sure that Sephiroth would indeed take on Garedon. There would be no disadvantage in that area. Stopping by one of the food stands, though she didn't like the food, she bought a large soft pretzel-like bread, but somewhat larger.
Making their way to the arena, Nemeria slowly picked at her soft bread. "I know he's getting ready Ria, but just in case," Hercules answered her. "Just in case of what? If he's off getting ready, then he's not here," she said matter-of-factly.
They entered the arena, and Nemeria nearly dropped her bread. The stands were already packed. "I thought that the jerk signed up only, like, half an hour ago? Don't tell me this many people have heard about it already." Hercules, too, was stunned. "Geez, I haven't seen the stands filled like this in a long time." They spotted Phil in one of the front spots and went over. While they walked over, they found out some of why there were so many people here, the greater majority, they now realized, young women. Young women that, Hercules noted, never came at all.
"I can't believe he came back, like, after all this time. I wonder if he remembers me?" and "He will so beat this new guy up. I mean, look at what else he's done." Garedon's fan girls, Nemeria realized. 'What ditzes. I wonder if they realize that his ego is probably much bigger than what he's packing?'
She quickly discarded this thought, not wanting to think more about the subject. They sat down on the ground next to Phil and awaited the beginning of the match. "Can't believe he showed up again. After what he did to you, kid," Phil said to Hercules. "Yeah, talk about embarrassment. Remember how long it took to finally everyone what really happened?" Nemeria and Phil remembered.
All became silent as Garedon entered the arena. Then the wild fan girls erupted in applause. Garedon waved to the crowds and winked at the ladies. Upon seeing Nemeria, he blew her a kiss, to which he rewarded by many an 'aww' from the crowds and a look of gagging from Nemeria. He entered the ring and withdrew his sword 'Excalibur.'
Sephiroth was nowhere to be seen. Nemeria and Hercules both hoped that Garedon wouldn't try and pull what he'd done with Hercules on Sephiroth. So much for hoping. "Well, well. Where is this great swordsman I've been hearing about, this Sephiroth. Has he too been frightened off my great-"
A great circle of light came from overhead. It spun and from its center came a beam of light that crashed down upon the arena. When the light faded, Sephiroth was kneeled facing away from Garedon. Everyone watching was in a state of shock as Sephiroth stood and turned to face his opponent. He extended his wing and withdrew the Masamune at his side. He was indeed frightening to look at right then. Though his intimidating gaze was directed at Garedon, many others felt it upon them as well.
The battle began, but Garedon stood frozen in place, too frightened to move. Sephiroth grew impatient and began circling his opponent. It seemed that Garedon's initial shock lasted for hours instead of minutes. After that, he began stuttering, "H-h-how d-did you d-do tha-at?" Sephiroth gave an evil smile, "Little secret of mine, among many."
Garedon swallowed loudly. Sephiroth stopped circling and faced his would-be opponent. "Are you ready to fight yet? Or would you like to see another of my secrets? I have a nice one you might like."
Sephiroth leapt back and cast pillars of fire around himself, but made sure he was far enough away so Garedon wouldn't be hurt. His ego would be the only thing injured this day. Once the pillars were gone, Garedon had gone back into shock. 'How in the seven hells did he do THAT?!?'
Sephiroth was enjoying this play time, but all good things must come to an end. He strode back up to Garedon, "Speechless already? But I've hardly begun." Garedon's jaw dropped and he stared at Sephiroth before fainting.
Nemeria hugged the pillow tight to her, digging the side of her face into its softness. It wouldn't come to her for another few minutes that her pillows weren't as soft as the one she was currently snuggling with.
She nearly bolted up right when the thought came. Her eyes shot open, however, and she put together the memories of the night before. She remembered closing the shop, taking the long sword which was Sephiroth's. 'Then...then there was...that PRICK...that gosh damned egotistical...' her thoughts continued this way as she sat up in bed, the sheets in her hands clenched in anger.
She hardly noticed Sephiroth had woken and was looking at her oddly. Her features softened as she then remembered how Sephiroth had saved her from what could have been a very...uncomfortable evening.
Sephiroth had silently come over to stand beside her. There was no doubt at all in his mind what she was thinking about now. Resting his hand on her shoulder, he brought her attention back to him. She gasped lightly at the touch and looked up, relieved to see that it was only Sephiroth beside her. She smiled at him, showing her gratitude to him.
He did not smile back, but merely nodded. There was silence as Nemeria locked her gaze on Sephiroth, unable to take her eyes off of him. He too looked at her, his eyes fixed upon hers. He seemed drawn into the depths, unable to withdraw himself. Her green eyes reminded him of the deep oceans back on Planet, a place he knew he would never see again.
Nemeria took in everything about Sephiroth that was in eyesight. It was obvious that he was handsome, that he could easily get any girl he preferred, but he seemed to not notice it. Had she been any other love crazy girl, she'd have fallen for him the first time she'd seen him. But she was not any other girl, though she knew she was falling for him already, and not just for his looks. He'd saved her from Garedon, and she was grateful, but there was something else drawing her to him.
Little did she know that Sephiroth was feeling the same, though he was hardly acknowledging it at the time.
Garedon was hardly nervous. He'd blamed what had happened the night before on being unprepared. He hadn't expected anyone to be coming when he'd gone for Nemeria. 'Oh well, I guess that I'll just have to beat him in the arena.'
Had his ego not gotten in his way, he'd have realized that he was no match for Sephiroth.
Sephiroth personally escorted Nemeria home. She'd thanked him and said it wasn't necessary, but Sephiroth insisted. True, Nemeria would never have minded, but she wanted to prove to Sephiroth that she could hold her own were she to be confronted by Garedon again.
"I wasn't expecting to see him again. And I definitely wasn't planning on anyone here, well, trying to..." she trailed off, but Sephiroth knew what she was trying to say. She hadn't thought that anyone would try to rape her. But Sephiroth wondered how she could rule out that possibility with all the fighters coming in and out of the Coliseum.
She reminded him of another green eyed woman, one who somehow managed to see all the good in people.
The thought was pushed aside as they reached Nemeria's home, which was actually an apartment in another wing of the coliseum. It was furnished modestly, a couch and chair, small table for a dining area, a kitchen, and a hallway that Sephiroth supposed led to bedrooms.
"Thanks for bringing me home, Sephiroth," Nemeria said as she went into the kitchen. She called back to him, "Would you like some breakfast, it's the least I can do."
"No thank you. I need to be going anyway." With those words, he turned and left. Nemeria heard the door close and knew he'd left.
Business was slow that day, which was somewhat surprising. The Phil Cup was beginning soon and there were many fighters preparing for the battles to come. The 'in' bin was becoming smaller as Nemeria sharpened many dull blades. She pulled Hercules' sword from the bin and prepared to fix it.
The sword was a quick fix. Nearly half an hour later, Nemeria was putting it into the 'out' bin. And not a moment too soon, it seemed. Hercules opened the door and came over to the front counter. "Afternoon, Ria." Nemeria grabbed his weapon and handed it to him over the counter. "There you go Herc. Good as new, though I do recommend that you not challenge Sephiroth again." Hercules laughed, "I think I'll take that advice. By the way, do you remember a few years ago the jerk that came here and-""You mean Garedon?" Nemeria interrupted. "Let me guess. He challenged Sephiroth. Am I right?"
"How'd you hear?" Hercules asked, wondering how she knew when he'd seen Garedon sign up for the challenge only fifteen minutes before. "I saw it. He challenged him right outside. Sephiroth stopped him from doing something...incredibly stupid. Then the jerk challenged him. Do you know when the fight begins?"
"Soon. And what do you mean, 'something incredibly stupid'?"
Putting the 'Be back soon' sign in the front door, Nemeria left with Hercules. After she'd told him what Garedon had tried to do, he refused to leave her alone, despite the crowds of people everywhere. "I'll be just fine Herc. Besides, isn't he supposed to be getting ready?"
It was an overcast afternoon, though there was no snow falling. The snow would have been cleared from the arena, so Nemeria was sure that Sephiroth would indeed take on Garedon. There would be no disadvantage in that area. Stopping by one of the food stands, though she didn't like the food, she bought a large soft pretzel-like bread, but somewhat larger.
Making their way to the arena, Nemeria slowly picked at her soft bread. "I know he's getting ready Ria, but just in case," Hercules answered her. "Just in case of what? If he's off getting ready, then he's not here," she said matter-of-factly.
They entered the arena, and Nemeria nearly dropped her bread. The stands were already packed. "I thought that the jerk signed up only, like, half an hour ago? Don't tell me this many people have heard about it already." Hercules, too, was stunned. "Geez, I haven't seen the stands filled like this in a long time." They spotted Phil in one of the front spots and went over. While they walked over, they found out some of why there were so many people here, the greater majority, they now realized, young women. Young women that, Hercules noted, never came at all.
"I can't believe he came back, like, after all this time. I wonder if he remembers me?" and "He will so beat this new guy up. I mean, look at what else he's done." Garedon's fan girls, Nemeria realized. 'What ditzes. I wonder if they realize that his ego is probably much bigger than what he's packing?'
She quickly discarded this thought, not wanting to think more about the subject. They sat down on the ground next to Phil and awaited the beginning of the match. "Can't believe he showed up again. After what he did to you, kid," Phil said to Hercules. "Yeah, talk about embarrassment. Remember how long it took to finally everyone what really happened?" Nemeria and Phil remembered.
All became silent as Garedon entered the arena. Then the wild fan girls erupted in applause. Garedon waved to the crowds and winked at the ladies. Upon seeing Nemeria, he blew her a kiss, to which he rewarded by many an 'aww' from the crowds and a look of gagging from Nemeria. He entered the ring and withdrew his sword 'Excalibur.'
Sephiroth was nowhere to be seen. Nemeria and Hercules both hoped that Garedon wouldn't try and pull what he'd done with Hercules on Sephiroth. So much for hoping. "Well, well. Where is this great swordsman I've been hearing about, this Sephiroth. Has he too been frightened off my great-"
A great circle of light came from overhead. It spun and from its center came a beam of light that crashed down upon the arena. When the light faded, Sephiroth was kneeled facing away from Garedon. Everyone watching was in a state of shock as Sephiroth stood and turned to face his opponent. He extended his wing and withdrew the Masamune at his side. He was indeed frightening to look at right then. Though his intimidating gaze was directed at Garedon, many others felt it upon them as well.
The battle began, but Garedon stood frozen in place, too frightened to move. Sephiroth grew impatient and began circling his opponent. It seemed that Garedon's initial shock lasted for hours instead of minutes. After that, he began stuttering, "H-h-how d-did you d-do tha-at?" Sephiroth gave an evil smile, "Little secret of mine, among many."
Garedon swallowed loudly. Sephiroth stopped circling and faced his would-be opponent. "Are you ready to fight yet? Or would you like to see another of my secrets? I have a nice one you might like."
Sephiroth leapt back and cast pillars of fire around himself, but made sure he was far enough away so Garedon wouldn't be hurt. His ego would be the only thing injured this day. Once the pillars were gone, Garedon had gone back into shock. 'How in the seven hells did he do THAT?!?'
Sephiroth was enjoying this play time, but all good things must come to an end. He strode back up to Garedon, "Speechless already? But I've hardly begun." Garedon's jaw dropped and he stared at Sephiroth before fainting.