Suzaku Memorium: Memories Etched in Crystal
By Chronic Guardian
[11]The Private Life of Queen
-[Queen, Alternate-Cycle] [Written for Twelve Shots of Summer: Second Raid week 11: Flower Blooming in the Slums]
"Why do we leave flowers?"
Sice posed the question in a grumble. Seven would have probably tried to unwind the various sentiments layering the thought. Queen just gave the facts.
"Flowers are symbolic," the explanation began. Queen's expression was always composed, but in her mind she was running through her mental library compiling a crunch-notes lecture for her classmate. "They represent the cycle of life: growing from the tiniest seed, blooming to share life with others, and eventually dying when the season comes. And yet, new flowers will grow from the pollen that old flower gave to the world, even if only in a season the old flower will never see. This is our homage to those we have forgotten, and our hope that we too can leave something for those who will follow when we die."
"Yeah?" The poetics of the tradition were apparently lost on the scythe bearer for now. Perhaps she would accept it later, but her tone made it clear she was more interested in self-justification at the moment. "And how are we supposed to know who deserves flowers? What about those guys that didn't give anything to the next generation?"
"'Death, the great equalizer, cares not for the judgment of the living. Let know that your prestige will belong just the same to the least of your enemies as it did to your heroes.'"
"Akashic Record?" Sice asked, her visible eyebrow carrying a slightly contemptuous arch.
"Just another excerpt from the crystarium," Queen corrected. Although the prophetic tome of the Akashic Record held some of her favorite verses, it was far from the only book in her knowledge base. "The author is, fittingly enough, unidentified."
"Huh... wonder where he stood in the swing of things."
"The official opinion is divided. Considering he is also quoted as saying 'weakness abates wistfulness', we cannot be sure if it was a collection of self-contrary musings written for amusement or ancient paradoxes recorded for reflection."
Sice scowled. Queen privately acknowledged a touch of sympathy. She could completely understand where Sice was coming from, but she refused to let uncertainty induce apathy. In the dark clouds of war, people were just as likely to lose sight of their reasons for fighting as they were their squadmates. If one could not rely on memories, they had to rely on routine.
"So who's this guy we're bringing flowers for anyway?" Sice muttered, scratching just beneath the silver splay of her high-ponytail as she looked away.
"Kurasame Susaya," Queen recited. The name didn't stir anything inside her, but it was what had been on the report. "Our former commanding officer and teacher. He died back at the second battle of Meroe."
"Big Bridge? Then why are we the ones stuck with bringing flowers? Cater, Nine, and Jack were the ones assigned to that mission."
"I'm bringing flowers to pay my respects to someone who spent part of their life trying to give us an edge in this war. You're bringing them because I asked you to come."
"Right, thanks for reminding me."
Sice still sounded less than thrilled, but the excuse was good enough to let her drop it. Queen didn't care to bring up that Sice had seemed to have a liking for the late commander, or that this was Queen's way of giving them all closure. It was easier if it was all pinned on Queen's sense of duty rather than memories that only existed in her journal.
Even if she seemed selfish for it, Queen was determined to carry on as if her memories had never been lost in the first place.
}-{
For as long as she could remember, Queen had been hearing jokes about her and King behind her back. Neither of them paid it much mind. They were professionals, whatever anyone else felt about well-executed team work and a coincidence in naming scheme didn't matter.
Besides, when all was said and done, neither of them really cared for complicating things with a relationship in the middle of a war.
}-{
When Class-Zero was formally inducted into Akademia (and perhaps even a little before then) Queen had been christened class president by the majority of her classmates. To be fair, Jack was the first one to say it, but it had quickly been picked up by Cinque, Nine, Cater, Sice, Eight, and so forth. In fact, Ace, Trey, and King were probably the only ones that didn't see it that way.
For her part, Queen didn't care who was leader, but someone needed to step up and hold everyone together. Even if it meant dealing with ridiculous unofficial titles, if it meant she could perform to her fullest and help her classmates, she would do it.
And, as Jack was quick to point out, even if an official election had never been held, she'd still gotten the position by popular vote.
Obviously, Jack had no future in administrative policy.
}-{
"Bring it, yo!" Nine bellowed, cradling his spear in one arm and flicking his fingers inward. "I ain't done yet!"
Two seconds later and he was on his back again.
It was a good thing this sparring session was private. It would only add to Nine's fury for others to witness his repeated defeat. Privately, Queen wondered if it made any difference that she was a girl. Nine tended to think in primitive terms, often favoring his male bravado whenever given the chance. Other cadets with a similar disposition had given Queen the impression that her prowess created an inferiority complex in less established egos.
Still, he was the one who had asked her to train with him. On some level, that meant he respected her as a warrior. Nine cared about bragging rights, but he was also smart enough to realize beating an unworthy opponent wasn't anything to brag about.
"Use your head," Queen commanded, pointing her broadsword at the boy. "Don't just act, read your opponent and react accordingly."
Nine, who had been ignoring the approach for the past eight rounds, looked aside and dragged himself to his feet. "Hmph." He had a thick skull, Queen found that his learning style required repetition and firm reinforcement. Both were things she could provide.
For her part, the session was only a chance to make her classmate that much more effective on the battlefield.
}-{
"Any questions?"
Study hall. As class president, it was Queen's duty to preside. Ace was no good with explanations and the rowdier members of the class hardly respected Moglin, so it fell to Queen to enforce order in the absence of a true teacher. Despite her lack of credentialing, the young woman was actually rather suited to the role.
When nobody answered, she began down what she called her comprehension list.
Her eyes flicked to Trey. He was engrossed in his studies, but not enough to prevent a cheeky eyebrow raise as he caught her look. Trey was the one member she could count on to never need help; If he was lost, nobody was safe.
Ace was next, followed by Rem Tokimiya. Seven, despite her scattered interests and progressive work load, fell next in line. They all seemed fine so far.
Technically Sice and Deuce tied for the next slot, but Sice had finished her work already and was indulging in a nap. Deuce, sitting up ever so slightly straighter as Queen's eyes came to rest on her, fumbled into refocusing and tried to give an innocent smile.
Even in body language, Deuce was a terrible liar.
Internally, Queen made note of the instance and promised herself she'd come back to it later. Deuce rarely had trouble with understanding material, it was more in the application that she tripped up. The world, to put it in plain terms, did not always operate in the way that it should, and that bothered Deuce.
Unfortunately, that meant it usually fell to Queen to try to get her past her hang ups.
Queen sometimes wondered if Deuce would have still chosen Class Zero given the chance to do everything over again. Granted, none of them had really chosen this life, they were just kind of raised that way. Queen knew that biologically speaking, they had different "real" families out there somewhere; fathers, mothers, maybe even blood siblings that shared their DNA. Most of Class Zero just didn't think that way though. To them they had been chosen by Mother and that was the end of that. Deuce, being the most tender hearted and more given to reflection and reasoning, was the exception.
Queen rarely went on missions with Deuce, but she kept a close eye on the girl all the same. They shared a classification as support units, tide turners, warriors worth a thousand that could save uncounted memories simply by their presence on the field. And yet, to most outside appearances, the two young women were opposites.
For a specific instance, Deuce didn't lead study hall.
But that was alright. Deuce had her own battles to fight, and Queen could count on her to always pick the right ones. If Deuce made a stand on something, it was often worth standing for.
Queen, in the meantime, picked up the slack and lead where Deuce couldn't.
Moving on, Queen still wondered if Deuce found summoning magic troubling on principle, or if the specific case of Commander Kurasame's death had turned her against the matter.
Whichever one, were Queen given the choice, she would have liked to agree.
}-{
"That's a funny place for a flower," Jack noted.
After his previous string of wisecracks, Queen took a moment to analyze his tone for lurking bait before following his gaze. She wasn't in the mood for cheap "made you look" antics, but she also had a duty to observe and analyze her surroundings. Given that they were moving through the western wastes of what had once been the Meroe border, life signs of any sort would be a miracle in its own right.
Sure enough though, on the crest of one of the earthen ripples torn into the land, a single vermillion bloom had struggled its way out of the dirt and stubbornly watching the sun pass by.
"Indeed," Trey murmured, walking beside Queen. "Helianthemum nummularium if I am not mistaken. A pity that it arrived out of season."
"Umm, Trey? I was talking about the flower, not the chemical-science-residue the Milt's left behind."
"Common rock rose," Queen translated for Jack. "They're a type of sunflower. Rather short lived though. It's a wonder this one sprouted, they usually grow in flocks."
"They are also usually more of an aureolin than auburn in the wild," Trey supplied without prompting. "Perhaps this is a chemical phenomena as you suggest, Jack."
"...Queen?"
"He's talking about the color," Queen told the less educated member of the group. "Aureolin is a shade of yellow while auburn classifies as a subset of red."
Maybe it's from the bloodshed, she added silently. Even if humans forgot the death that tore through their nations, perhaps the land did not.
"The petal hue isn't particularly relevant though," Trey pressed on, wandering towards his own little world of musings as he waved off Jack's recently expanded vocabulary. "What truly confounds me is the blooming itself. Under what conditions could a germinated seed find itself here?"
"I dunno, maybe a soldier brought it," Jack returned, putting his hands behind his head in a carefree stretch. "War may not be all that kind to delicate things like heliantha-whatevers, but the people fighting them still need something to remind them what they're fighting for, right?"
"Alas that this one would be remembered only to expire alone," Trey murmured, running his fingers through his shaggy blond hair. "Without a carrier to exchange pollen with, it will likely bloom in vain."
"Ah, well, I'm glad we could catch it while it was here," the katana wielder stated, his indomitably bright demeanor seeming to reflect the flower's pertinacity. "I dunno who it was blooming for, but let's pretend it was for us, alright?"
Queen, who would have nothing of pretending, simply adjusted her glasses and kept walking.
}-{
In the early mornings, Queen would seize the unclaimed daylight hours and go off on her own to do whatever she needed to get done. Most of the time, that was studying campaign briefs or reviewing class proceedings to see who needed adjustments to be brought up to parity. Today it was training.
The final assault on the Militesi capital city was just around the corner, it would be a pity to have survived the whole war only to wither now.
The predawn halls of Akademia had a quiet hush about them. Crimson tinted lamps bathed the black marble in a soft glow that seemed to hush her steps. Of course, that was absurd, but Queen acknowledged the fallacies of her senses even if she knew better. After all, if she could instinctively make the assumption, then it followed that others could as well.
Walking to the arena wasn't too far from the dorms. A simple slip through the gardens, passing by the fountain of the Vermillion Bird on the way. Queen took a moment to study the monument. Wings of Fire to lift the Heart, the base inscription read. It was the virtue of Suzaku that many cadets whispered to themselves before entering battle. Queen just saw a stone bird.
Where is your promise of rebirth? She pursed her lips as she trotted on. What have you done for those that fell in your name?
It was heresy and she knew it, but the questions needed to be asked. For a country with a phoenix as its coat of arms, Rubrum had seen precious little promise of new life throughout the fires of war.
}-{
Queen could respect Eight. He had a tendency towards tunnel vision, but his heart was always in the right place. Always earnest and respectful, the young martial artist set high personal standards and never asked anyone to walk a path he wouldn't walk himself. Even if he was more on the average side with academics, he would go far on the battlefield, and make sure to bring many through the fire with him.
On the other hand, Queen could understand how such lofty idealism could be seen as stupid. Eight didn't have as many scars as Nine, but holding to his path would almost certainly guarantee it was only a matter of time. Giving himself wholeheartedly to the world was bound to have consequences.
Queen was well assured that would not deter the young man.
"Hey, Queen?"
She gave the ginger-haired pugilist a calm look and continued to sharpen her sword. It was good post-training practice and she wasn't about to slip up now.
"Can I ask you a question?"
Queen nodded her assent and turned her attention back to her blade.
"Do you ever think of yourself? It seems like all you ever do is try to look out for us."
"Hmph..." The dark-haired girl quirked a half smile. "You're certain you're not just projecting?"
Eight tilted his head, a puzzled expression coming to his face. "You don't think so?"
"Eight," she addressed him firmly. "Have you ever felt alone in your ideal? As if not even Class Zero could pierce the depths of your solitude?"
"...I see."
It was perhaps the cruelest thing she'd ever done, but she knew Eight could take it. Besides, the boy preferred open, pure honesty to masks.
"Queen?"
She looked at him again.
"Thanks anyway."
}-{
She could have gone by airship. In fact, it had been the original plan of action to do so, but last minute adjustments had pushed for more operatives and Queen, ever the martyr, thus opted to take the ground route. The squad she left with was provided with chocobos and coordinates for the assault as well as a day's lead on the airborne squadrons.
Of course, going by land meant going through Meroe.
The region was still a far cry from recovery. Queen wondered if a memorial would be erected someday or if the world would simply hope to forget the horrors of war in the years to come. The earth was soft, and tiny blades of grass could be seen poking up through the ruin here and there. Spring was returning to breathe life into the world. Whatever had happened in its absence, the season was determined to run its course in the wake.
On the far side of the region, fields of red rock roses could be seen swaying in chorus.
}-{
On the grave of Kurasame Susaya, withered first blooms were taken away and replaced by more, inspired by the presence of their predecessors. Even if their radiant glory had passed for the season, their purpose was not forgotten. Even as petals lost their hue and passed to the wind, new buds bloomed to bring brightness to a world of hardship.
From but a few seeds, Orience seemed to look up from the ruin. And though the sky turned red, the flowers still swayed with their heads held high.
Someone had dared to hope.
-}End[11]{-
Author's Notes:
Okay, mayhaps it was a tad abstract, but it was still somewhere in the ballpark I was shooting for. Coincidentally, I'm currently listening to the Flower soundtrack as I write this. I feel like Queen is a fine balance between refined and cultured and just plain straightforward honesty. While Seven is quietly warm and nurturing, Queen is more on the tough-love side of the continuum. She's not trying to be condescending, even if she comes across that way, she's just trying to be the realist of the group and fill whatever role they need. Considering her combat style is a highly adaptable, support oriented mix, I feel like Queen putting others needs before her own and sacrificing even her own self expression fits as a possible outcome. Part of the idea behind this story was balancing all that Queen does for others with another side of her that she can't validate as relevant enough to share.
The ideas of flowers and new life may be seen as an allusion to the coming next cycle of Orience, but I would rather look at them as a harbinger of the age to come. The helianthemum nummularium was chosen on the fly, but actually seems to fit the bill well enough. I wanted a red flower to fit with the colors of Rubrum, but having it be a sunflower, and a particularly short lived bloom to boot, definitely were perks. Also, rock roses apparently are one of those rely-on-wildfires-to-crack-open-seed-pod type flora, so there's an additional layer right there. The only inconsistency you may note is that helianthemum nummulariums tend to only bloom in the summer. In my defense though, Rubrum is listed as being regionally associated with summer on the Final Fantasy wiki AND the battle at big bridge probably lent some artificial hastening to mix.
Anyway, thanks for reading one more. Twelve Shots of Summer has only one week more to go, so you should catch it while it's still in season! If you're looking for more quality fan fiction to cram into your last days of summer, head over to the TSoS C2 or Forum and see if you can find something to suit your fancy.
Just one more week to go. Thanks for sticking with me.
-CG