Uhh... this is really going to be a unique Cast Review because i've just realized that this might be the last time we see the whole merry bunch of characters in Final Fantasy XIII. So here's hoping the stories created by everybody here in FanFiction continues on and be written by fans and be read (past tense) forever... So, here's a special FFXIII Cast Review. ;_;
Snow's and Serah's Wedding
I stood at the station entrance staring into the sky above. The sky ever so blue, messed up slightly by the contrails of a passing plane. This journey is over now.
I wonder when the next will begin. I only know that soon, we'll be together.
-Ring ring-
My phone started ringing, playing the tune of "Fly Me To The Moon" in soft jazz. I reached for it in my jacket and took a look at the caller ID. It was from Hope.
Lightning: Hello?
Hope: Umm... Light? Can you come over and pick me up?
Lightning: Where are you?... And also, call me Claire for now.
Hope: Okay. Umm, I'm just one station after you dropped.
Claire: Why are you there?
Hope: You didn't wake me up!
Claire: Oh... yeah. Sorry?
Hope: Did you just put a question mark at the end of that?!
Hope was starting to be slightly irritating ever since we had to stay together. I wanted to stay with Snow and Serah but as a couple, I would be intruding on them. I am such a caring big sister.
Hope: Are you thinking to yourself again?! I bet you were thinking that I was irritating because I keep playing video games, right?!
I gave a facepalm as Hope continued on. As naggy as a housewife some would say.
Claire: Look, why can't you take the opposite line to come back?
Hope: It's a one-way looping line!
Claire: Urgh. Fine, I'll give Sazh a call to see whether he could pick you up, alright?
Hope: Yeah... I guess. Hear from you later.
With that, I dialled Sazh's number.
Sazh: 'Ello?
Claire: Yeah, it's me.
Sazh: I know... it's on the caller ID.
I gave myself another facepalm.
Claire: Where are you now?
Sazh: I'm at the side of the road.
Claire: Something wrong with the car?
Sazh: Nah... Dajh wanted to see the cows.
Claire: Oh. Got a favor to ask if you don't mind.
Sazh: Sure, shoot.
Claire: Hope missed his station and now he needs a lift.
Sazh: Wasn't he with you?
Claire: I...
I chose to dodge the question. Sazh gave a sigh, I guess he was the only person who could sympatise with me living with a young growing boy. I passed him the location of the station and said our goodbyes. I took a look a the time before putting away my phone.
Now, I had to prepare myself for the long walk to the bus-stop. I took a sip from a water cooler from the entrance turned around and found myself blocked by a little girl.
Little Girl: Your hair's pink.
Claire: So?
Little Girl: I like it!
Claire: Where's your parents?
Little Girl: Parent.
Claire: Okay... where's your parent?
Little Girl: He told me to find a person to stand next to while he went to get the car.
The little girl was told to stand next to a person while her father went to get the car? I looked around the general vicinity. It was pretty much empty besides me and her. I cursed under my breath at this irresponsible father.
Little Girl: If it's any help, Daddy said that he'll do you a favor.
A favor? Like a sexual thing? No... probably something like money. Or a coupon for a restuarant. She looked strangely excited to be near me though. I noticed a bench nearby and suggested we took a seat.
Little Girl: My name's Rebecca. How 'bout you?
Claire: Lightning.
Rebecca: But the weather's fine.
Claire: You can call me Claire.
Rebecca: I like that name. Its really pretty sounding.
I sat there as Rebecca went on about how my hair might taste like strawberry and how the weather here never seem to go bad. I interjected regularly at her rant. A few minutes in, a blue car parked itself in front of us. I turned to Rebecca hoping to see a reaction of confirmation on whether it was perhaps her father. She didn't move, other than swinging her legs.
-A man pops out of the car-
Man: Hey, Becky! I know I said that I'll get a pink car but the guys at the rental said this was the only color they had.
This was the father... I wanted to throw him through a window. But I'm in public and Director said that throwing people is a huge social faux pas.
Man: You probably need a lift, right?
Claire: Uh.
Rebecca: C'mon! We can seat in the back!
Man: But I'll be lonely up front. And I thought you wanted to sleep?
Rebecca: ...
Claire: I'll be okay on my own.
Man: No you won't. The bus comes by almost every hour, at least. And judging by the time, you have 40 minutes till the next one.
Rebecca: It's free!
Claire: It... hopefully won't be to much of a problem.
Man: At least to the town then. That's where you're headed, right?
Claire: Yes.
Rebecca: See! We can go together!
I gave in. The father was a terrible person for making his daughter wait for him but a free ride to town, it was a good deal considering the price for the bus ride was ridiculously expensive. Rebecca immediatly jumped into the back seat. She looked at me with hopeful eyes but I gave her a soft pat on her head as I shook mine and took the front seat alongside the man.
Man: Name's Owen by the way and the little one's...
Claire: Rebecca. She introduced herself earlier. I'm Claire.
Owen: Pleasure to meet you... I'm kinda relief you manage to find a person like her, Becky.
I turned around with Owen to find Rebecca already asleep on the backseat. Owen comb her hair off her shoulder and proceeded to start the engine. Carefully maneuvering out of the parking lot, we were finally headed to the town.
With the radio softly rolling out the tunes of Franz Liszt's "Dante Sonata", I had time to reflect on the people I just met. Owen was irresponsible... or perhaps too trusting of his daughter's ability to be independent. But both were definitely good-looking. Rebecca would take a few more years to truly blossom but Owen had a very gruff look about him with his stubble, more suited to the wild more than anything else.
-Ring ring-
For the second time today, a phone I didn't initiate. Thankfully, the soft jazz didn't stir Rebecca from her sleep. This time, the caller ID showed Serah.
Claire: Hey, sis.
Serah: Claire! It's so good to hear from you! Where are Hope and you now?
Claire: Um... I lost him on the train.
Serah: With you? I thought you were more responsible than that. Tell me the truth.
Claire: Could never lie past you, could I. Well, he played with his Vita until he was tired and fell asleep.
Serah: Because of that you left him on the train?
Claire: Nobody told me that the Vita had online. He was yelling f...
Owen: Language, Miss Claire.
Claire: Sorry. He started shouting obseneties on the train.
Serah: Well, that's like the first time, right? And who the hell are with if it's not Hope?
Claire: Don't worry. He's not a shifty type. He has his daughter here with him.
Serah: Better safe than sorry, I'm sending Noel and Yeul to meet you at the inn you're suppose to stay at. If you're not there by evening I'm gonna rip this world a new one.
Claire: That's not necessary but you're not gonna listen to me, are you?
Serah: Damn right I'm not! Wha...
-Rustling noises-
Snow: Hey, sis!
Claire: Don't you have your own phone?
Snow: Takes to long to dial. Better to reach if you're already on the line.
Claire: That is the laziest thing I've heard from you.
Snow: Really? Haven't told you the time I willingly chose to eat porridge because I was to lazy to chew. And you know how much I hate porridge.
Claire: Yes... that's the first thing you say after you introduce yourself to people.
Snow: So how's Hope?
-Loud yelling in the background on Snow's end-
Claire: Yeah.
Snow: Well, good luck.
As the warm rays of the Sun started to seep in through the windows, the call ended on Snow's end. Owen was still focused on the road and Rebecca was still asleep. I expected the drive to be quite long but I could see the town in the time I had ended the call.
Claire: That was fast. I can already see the town.
Owen: It's pretty tight in a wider car but there is a shortcut.
He turned in between a low stone wall and the inn once we found the inn. He seemed to be rather familiar with the area. I stepped out of the car only to be greeted with a soothing wind and the heat of Sun once again. The air at least wasn't too dry.
Owen: You're heading in, right?
Claire: I need to find a friend before I do.
Owen: Alright, see ya later. Hopefully Rebecca will be up by then.
I watched as Owen piggyback carry Rebecca in through the inn's door with suitcase in hand. My opinion of him was slightly better but he still feels my main focus would be meeting Noel and Yeul. They were living together if I remember correctly. What's more, they live right next to Snow and Serah... I had to go to the city because Hope wanted to be someplace with a steady internet connection.
Noel: Light!
I turned around to the sound of Noel's voice... a refreshing tone that isn't Hope's.
Claire: Noel... Wait. I thought Yeul was suppose to be here too?
Noel: Everytime she comes to town, she heads to this cake shop and eats until she's tired.
Claire: That... sounds so stupid.
Noel: Well, it's true. We'll be picking her up and then heading off to see Serah first, if you don't mind.
Claire: As long as I'll be back here before nightfall.
Noel: We eat dinner at 5.
Claire: Great! 3 hours to spare!
Noel: It'll take at least 15 minutes to get there. On foot.
Claire: I knew I shouldn't have worn high-heels.
We chatted along as we walked towards the cake shop which currently hold a former seeress. I kept imagining Yeul, hunch over the table with her face now full of cake. A weird scene I would have loved to see. Soon however, we reached the famed shop. It was an unassuming shop brick-layered like the houses to its left and right. Yeah, it really was just a house that got converted into a pastry restuarant.
Inside was furnished rather nicely giving the image of a generic bistro with a fresh scent of baked goods. And in the corner was Yeul... face down, arms forward and both hands clenching a fork.
Noel: Yeul? Are you done here?
-Yeul nods-
Claire: Is she going to be okay?
Noel: Massive sugar rush later.
Claire: Putain mec.
Noel: What?
Claire: Nevermind that. Can she walk?
Noel: Oh yeah. Yeah... sure. She'll be fine.
Claire: You sound so unsure.
Noel: Let me just pay first then we'll head off.
I watched over Yeul as Noel went off to pay for the meal. The smell of baked bread was starting to make me hungry too.
Yeul: The future will hold hope for those...
Claire: Don't talk to me me about Hope right now.
Yeul: Okay... The future will present itself anew when the final bell rings at matrimony.
Claire: What?
Yeul finally turned her head to face me.
Yeul: I'm a fortune-teller... I think.
Noel: Okay, I'm back... -spots Yeul- Good. If Yeul's up and talking that means we can go.
Yeul: No! I need cake!
The road to Serah's seems to be frequently used despite it being a dirt path... I don't really know how this happened but Noel and a very stubborn Yeul on a toy wagon was right beside me as we walked along.
Noel: I keep the wagon close at hand whenever this happens.
How often does this have to happened for you to be prepared for this? And couldn't you get a regular wagon instead of this bright red Kingfisher one?
Noel: Don't be put off with how Yeul's acting. She's actually really happy you're here.
Claire: Don't worry aabout it. I think I know what to do in situations like this.
Thanks to bringing up Serah, I do really know how to deal with this kind of people. In my bag now, I wield a fearsome weapon, a weapon so great that it might even bring her down to her knees.
Yeul: Cake!
Claire: No! No cake until you behave yourself!
Yeul: ...
Noel: ...
Claire: Good girl. Once we reach Serah's house, you can have it, okay?
-Yeul nodded-
Noel: Did that just happened? Did you just bribe Yeul with cake?
Claire: Works on Serah too.
Noel: Yeul... are you okay with getting bribed by cake?
Yeul: As long as there's cake.
Claire: See. Girls are always distracted by cake... actually, put me in that equation too.
Noel: But you are a girl!
Claire: Ah... That explains why people call me pretty.
Noel: How did you not know you were a girl?
Claire: Never had PMS.
Yeul: But you are alway irritable. How would you know?
Claire: Did have weird hunger pangs though. There was one time I went on a date just for steak.
Noel: And how was the guy?
Claire: Didn't know the 'fella. All I know was that he was there to watch some fireworks. I was there for steak...it was well done. And juicy.
Yeul: You are a terrible date.
Noel: What's wrong with liking steak.
Yeul: It's not lady-like on dates.
Claire: Could've fooled me. He brought me to a restuarant, what else could I do but order steak?
Yeul: A salad, perhaps?
Noel: This from a girl who eats cakes like no tomorrow.
Yeul: I used to be immortal you know. Tomorrow was nothing to me.
Claire: Did you foresee yourself eating cake?
Yeul: Umm... yes?
Noel: There's the house right there.
It was a stunningly simple brick house similar to those in the town, seems slightly larger because of the wineyard out front. Actually, it was larger once we got closer, the main building was hiding another behind it.
I didn't realize it but I kinda understood why someone would live out here. Especially after what we've all been through.
Serah: Claire! You're okay!
Serah came bounding out the front door as we got closer with Snow standing by the doorway, making a face that showed terrible acting skills. I mean, I could tell he wanted to "leap and bound" towards me as well. I'm glad he restrained himself.
Serah: Hope?
Claire: Cross my finger that he's in a ditch.
Serah: It really can't be that bad.
Claire: He's the reason I don't stay near here.
Noel: Internet's getting better here.
Claire: If you get it good here, the city would get it better. And Hope loves it better.
Yeul: That sounds terrible for you.
-Serah spots Yeul-
Serah: Again with the wagon?
Noel: The store was apparently open. Yeul kinda just drifted there.
Yeul: Why not... I felt the airflow changed as I entered town and destiny dictates...
Noel: In short, you smelled them baking something.
Yeul: Yes.
Serah: Let's continue inside. I'm halfway cooking and truth be told, I don't trust Snow with a ladle.
We all headed in with Serah holding on tightly to my arm. A feeling I miss when we still lived together. The only thing missing was the sea air.
Right at the doorway, black smoke started seeping out the door towards the sky. We only had seconds to react befor...
-BOOM-
Serah: Snow! What did you do!?
Snow: I tapped the pot 'cause it was bubbling.
Serah: How did it explode?!
Snow: I don't know?
Noel: Snow's amazing.
Yeul: Does that mean there's no lamb stew?
Claire: You didn't prepare a second one like you always do?
Serah: I did but I just have to reheat that.
Claire: See. It's fine.
Serah: But this one was for today and it was special.
Snow: I put the other one in the microwave.
Serah: What did you put down on the timer?
Snow: 20 minutes.
Noel: That actually sounds like common sense.
Snow: I covered the bowl with tin foil!
Serah: Wha...!
-BOOM-
...
...
Yeul: This one is strawberry flavored with vanilla cream, really simple. This one is totally chocolate with added chocolate chips! And this one is neapolitan ice cream cake...
Claire: I'll have that!
Serah: Really sorry for intruding, Noel.
Noel: No problem... I'm sorry for having just cake in the house.
Yeul: Don't complain... And this one is special. It's called Mochi. I think its a cake...
Snow: I'll take that! My tummy feels peckish after all that excitement.
Yeul: And lastly, pecan pie!
-Yeul takes the pie-
Serah: You guys have a lot of cake.
Noel: Don't remind me. It's cake for breakfast, cake for lunch and cake for dinner everyday for me.
Serah: Urgh. I'll bring over some dishes next time.
Noel: That would be greatly appreciated.
Snow: Can we have cake?
Serah: Yeah... sure. Is it that good?
Claire: Fifth plate here.
Snow: Mochi taste funky but good.
Yeul: I guess I could bake more.
Noel: No! This amount is fine!
Serah: Trade agreement successful!
The weirdest dinner I've ever had but it felt wonderful eating with loved ones around the table. Could still get something before getting back to the inn if the cake doesn't hold up. Wonder if Sazh and Dajh are at the inn already.
As the sunset cast silhouette on us as we walked back to town, Serah and Snow walked beside me. With their hands held in each other. To believe there were going to get married.
We waved goodbye to each other outside the inn. Serah giving a wide arm version compared to Snow's casual wave. I checked in and made my way to my room.
Hope: Light!
Oh... I forgot that Hope was occupying the opposite room. Strangely, the door didn't open and there was no sign of Hope anywhere in the corridor.
Hope: Light!
A date with Rosie Palms. It felt really awkward standing there, listening to him shout my name. So a gave a knock and a few minutes a rather flushed Hope appeared at the door.
Hope: Oh! Hi... didn't know know when you'll actually arrive. So I checked in and found out that you weren't here yet. If I look tired out is because I was exercising the muscles, you know. And I just had a bath, so...
Claire: The walls here are very thin. I could hear you when I was standing outside my room.
Hope: Oh.
I went back to my room leaving Hope to ponder at his doorway. The day was at an end and I was tired. Tomorrow will be a new day...
-END OF DAY 1-
I rose as the whole Sun appeared over the horizon. A quick bath and I headed downstairs for the inn's breakfast. Perhaps I'll meet the girl from yesterday. And Hope would be sleeping in as always since he loves playing with that Vita of his late into the night.
I could smell breakfast halfway down the stairs.
Sazh: Woah. Funny that I'd run into you here.
Claire: Ah. Well, breakfast smells amazing and I realized I didn't have a proper dinner last night.
Sazh: I see, I see. Then I'll be heading up to wake Hope...
Claire: No, don't. It's... Hope isn't really a morning person.
Sazh just shrugged and walked back to the dining hall where I found the family from yesterday enjoying their breakfast.
Rebecca: Claire!
Dajh: Lightning lady!
Claire: Nice to see my nickname still being used in circulation.
Owen: Lightning lady is your nickname?
Claire: I guess. Just don't be surprised if people just call me that.
Sazh: I take it you both know each other?
Claire: He gave me a lift yesterday.
Sazh: Ah... So Claire here was the "extra passenger" you were telling me about...
Owen: You don't have to continue anything from that conversation.
Rebecca: But you kept saying that she was p...
-Owen stuffs Rebecca's mouth with a piece of waffle-
Dajh: Woah! That's a big piece.
Owen: It's just enough.
Sazh: Gotta toast more waffles.
Owen: Let keep today's discussion to ourselves, okay?
-Dajh and Rebecca nods-
Owen: Adieu le passé, bonjour le présent, et vive l'avenir.
Dajh: Oui!
Rebecca: Jhew bont eben gnow vat gat beans!
Owen: Chew first then talk, otherwise you'll choke.
-Rebecca nods-
I sniggered a bit as I decided on what to eat. It was a mash of eggs, bacon and a hotcake.
Dajh: Wow! They sound good. What language is that?
Rebecca: It's K-pop! This one is by "Miss A".
Dajh: It's really nice to listen too!
Claire: What's K-pop?
Rebecca: Korean pop!
Sazh: I only know that one... what's it called? "Something" style.
Owen: Gangnam style... How could you not know that? You're showing your age here, old man.
Sazh: Not really a music guy. Give me a nice movie any day.
Claire: Anyway, Sazh. I'm heading off to Serah's straight after this. Wanna come along?
Sazh: Nah. Too busy here organizing the arrangement at the field we're having the wedding at.
Owen: Wedding?
Claire: Yeah. My sister's... Do you and Rebecca wanna go?
Rebecca: Yeah!
Owen: Actually wouldn't mind... when is it?
Claire: Two days from today.
Owen: We can make that. How 'bout that. We're going to need wedding gifts, Becky.
Rebecca: Presents! I know a good one.
Dajh: Don't get a scooter. I'm getting them that.
Claire: A scooter?
Sazh: It's more like "we" but you know how kids are.
Rebecca: A scooter sounds cool.
Owen: And practical... How about we get a flying car for them?
Rebecca: Yeah!
Claire: You know, maybe you could ask what they want by asking them?
Rebecca: Does that mean I can see them?!
Owen: Sure you can. But I think if Becky visits your sis' place, I could help out Sazh here. Since he's not a music guy, I could be helpful in that area.
Sazh: Sounds like a plan.
Owen: You gonna be okay with Claire for today?
Rebecca: Yeah! Adventure!
With that, straight after breakfast, Rebecca and I waved goodbye to Sazh, Dajh and Owen as we headed down the dirt path to Serah's house.
Claire: Forgot to mention that it'll be quite a walk.
Rebecca: It's okay. Dad takes me hiking once a month so I've got confidence in my legs.
Claire: Good to see that walking hasn't taken a back seat in kids this days. With their television and games not many kids enjoy walking anymore.
Rebecca: It's more strolling. People can walk but they rush around even when their walking.
Claire: I try to jog everyday but I'm on vacation for this week.
Rebecca: You jog for your job?
Claire: Considering that I'm a police officer, yeah.
Rebecca: You're a cop? Cool! Dad's just a teacher.
Claire: Why so glum about your dad being a teacher?
Rebecca: That's what he says but teachers don't go overseas for a whole month, do they?
Claire: Overseas? He must be really smart then. Wonder if he's smarter than my sister.
Rebecca: Why'd you say that?
Claire: My sis is the teacher in this town.
Rebecca: No way.
Claire: It's true.
Rebecca: Who's she marrying anyway?
Claire: Guy named Snow. He's a vintner.
Rebecca: Snow? That's kinda funny for a name. What's your sister's name?
Claire: Serah.
Rebecca: See, that's normal.
Claire: I know. So... What did your dad keep you from saying this morning?
Rebecca: That you were pretty.
Claire: That's all?
Rebecca: Yeah. Oh, oh! Is that the house there?
Time really does fly when you're having fun... something I'd never thought would happened with this girl. Call me pessimistic but hanging around people really can go one of two ways.
-Knock knock-
Claire: Hello?
Serah: I'm in the kitchen! Doors already unlocked!
We let ourselves in and Rebecca gingerly closed the door behind us. I was surprised that the damage from yesterday had completely disappeared. Walking deeper in, we found Serah tending Yeul in cooking.
Yeul: Hello there. Oh. Who's the little one?
Serah: Oh! She's so small and cute! Where did you kidnap her from?
Claire: You know the guy who gave me a lift yesterday.
Serah: Ah. This is the daughter?
Claire: Yup. She's Rebecca.
Rebecca: You're getting married.
Serah: Yes. Do you want to go? We have a ceremony and stuff.
Rebecca: Yeah!
Claire: I kinda invited them.
Serah: Great! The more the merrier!
Yeul: Does that mean more cake?
Serah: No. There's no need for more.
Claire: By the way, how did this place get renovated so fast?
Yeul: Magic...
Claire: ...
Serah: We foresaw Snow being destructive and wallpapered the house with a crazy amount of layers.
Claire: ...
Serah: Okay, not a crazy amount but the wallpaper here is fire-proof.
Rebecca: What do you want as a wedding gift?
Serah: Woah! That was rather straight forward.
Yeul: I'd like something like a vacuum cleaner.
Claire: Really?
Yeul: Yes.
Serah: Well, personally... I'd like a blender. The thing I'd do to fruits.
Rebecca: Uhh...
Claire: Don't worry about it. That's her "teaching" face.
Yeul: I hear the kids call you "Meanie Miss Farron".
Serah: My sis is right here and I'm the mean one.
Claire: What do you do to kids?
Serah: Enforce strict lectures on even numbered dates.
Rebecca: What?
Yeul: Eh?
Serah: This is what I don't understand! What's so hard about statistical mechanics?
Claire: Considering they're at the age where the most they know is their six times table.
Serah: Don't think you weren''t hard on me. I'm just passing on your teaching methods.
Claire: Hard on you? I had to ask you to wear your pants every lesson we had.
Rebecca: Hee hee.
Claire: Anyway, where's the two guys?
Yeul: Noel and Snow are doing what vintners normally do.
Serah: In any case, you gonna stand there or you gonna help out?
All the way through till the evening, we spent helping with cleaning the kitchen since I really wasn't good with a stove and Rebecca was to young to work the grill. The men didn't come back even after dinner so we packed the leftovers and headed back.
By the time we reached the inn, Rebecca was walking with one eye open. She was seriously struggling with trying to keep her eyes open. I had Rebecca sit at the inn's waiting room and took the leftovers to the dining hall before carrying her up to her room.
Owen was thankfully in the room to take care of sleepy Rebecca. I said my goodnights and turned in for the night...
-END OF DAY 2-
Fang: Morning sweetie.
Claire: Wha...
Fang: Hmm... Surprised?
Vanille: Fang! Get out of Claire's bed!
Claire: Bed?
My view of the world turned from groggy to clear once I realized that I was still in bed and feeling a strange weight on my bed. A faint whiff of a familiar scent, a heavy scent but it feels like testosterone.
Owen: Wow. She's really okay with you hanging around her, huh.
Claire: What the!
-Claire throws the table lamp hitting Owen in the head-
Vanille: Woah!
Fang: Barely enough time to register the target but once you got up, you got him straight in the head.
I learned later that Fang and Vanille came in yesterday and helped around with Sazh. Obviously, they met Owen and cooked up a plan to surprise me. I don't think Vanille was that into it. In any case, Owen wasn't hurt too badly... somehow.
Owen: I know you all call her Fang but yesterday, you introduce yourself to me as "Zanna".
Vanille: Ah. Well, Fang is a nickname.
Owen: Like Lightning for Claire?
Vanille: Yeah.
Rebecca: Your hair is so nice. Fang's one is messy.
Fang: Hey!
Claire: Don't disagree with her. Vanille makes an effort everyday. How often do you care for your hair?
Fang: More than I expected, less than I hope.
Vanille: Just say once a day, Fang.
Fang: No! I will not be pushed into a corner where everybody picks on my hair!
Rebecca: It makes you look like a surfer.
Owen: Yeah... it does.
Vanille: See! Compliments!
Claire: So what's the plan for today?
Vanille: I wanna see the birthday girl!
Fang: That's true... haven't seen Serah since forever!
Owen: I promise Sazh that I'll help him today too.
Rebecca: I wanna see Serah again!
Claire: Sounds resonable. Do you mind if your daughter hang around these two?
Owen: I don't mind if you're going with them.
Claire: I'll actually need to check up on Sazh personally. Making sure he doesn't mess the reception.
Owen: I could do that for you.
Claire: No. It's okay. I really want to check on it.
Vanille: Then it settles! Birthday!
Fang: It's a wedding.
Vanille: Oh?
Rebecca: Hee hee.
Owen: Seems like Vanille is gonna be a handful.
We stayed in until lunch with Hope not appearing at all. Wondered whether he actually ate at all since he came.
On the way, Owen explained that it was an outdoor wedding
Owen: That means short dress!
-Claire punches Owen in the face-
But I could understand what he meant. There could be a risk of the hem dragging along the dirt. I hope the dress wouldn't be too short a dress... a summer dress would suffice.
Owen: I didn't know you were this violent!
Claire: Sorry... habit.
Owen: What!? A habit? How would you pick up punching people as a habit?
Claire: I used to work with an idiot.
Owen: Huh...
Claire: Rebecca told me yesterday that you were a teacher but you go overseas quite regularly.
Owen: A teacher... I guess I could put it down to that. When I'm around it's mostly literature but when I go overseas, I'm a safety training operator or at least help around taking stock of their... cache.
Claire: Does Rebecca know about that?
Owen: Trying to keep her away from that. Better for her to know I just teach.
Claire: I see... How much further?
Owen: See the white tent?
Claire: It's being held there? Actually possible to walk to it. I wonder how Serah and Snow will arrive?
Owen: Open-air coach.
Claire: A bus?
Owen: Nope. The old-fashioned one with horses. I suggested using the scooter Sazh bought but the horses have apparently been waiting weeks for their moment.
I just went with it. He probably thought I didn't get the joke.
At the tent, we found Sazh supervising some people who were setting up the tables. Hired hand laying the tablecloth and finishing up with a bouquet on each table. He was a lot more competant than I gave him credit for.
Owen: Sazh! Here again. Brought Claire with me.
Sazh: Worried that Sazh here would muck up your dear sister's wedding, huh?
Claire: I actually was, until now. Great job with everything here. It's all in place and clean. Who's catering?
Sazh: Noel and Yeul got that covered.
Claire: I can trust Noel. But doesn't Yeul seem a bit... off.
Sazh: She's handling the cake.
Claire: Oh. Okay then.
Sazh: Since you and Owen are here, mind doing the decoration for the corners? They kinda look bare.
I wasn't really any good at decor... actually I can't really care. But Owen assured me that he'll be doing most of the decor. I just put tape on things and pass it to him.
Owen: Can I ask a question?
Claire: Umm... yeah, sure.
Owen: Is Zanna and Vanille like... "together"?
Claire: Zanna? Oh! You mean Fang? No, at least I don't think so.
Owen: And why is she called Fang? A fan of vampires?
Claire: Vanille would know more about that than anyone. They kinda came in a package when we first met.
Owen: So they're sisterly?
Claire: Yeah.
Owen: I guess I could see that. Vanille seems very child-like to be hanging around Zanna.
Claire: Opposites attract.
Owen: Are the bride and groom opposites?
Claire: Not as extreme. But they make it work. I actually wonder whether I could ask you something?
Owen: Shoot.
Claire: Where's your wife?
Owen: Long gone.
Claire: I'm sorry.
Owen: Don't be. I've got Rebecca to remember her by. Like how Sazh has Dajh.
Claire: Where is Dajh anyway?
Owen: Sleeping in for today. Having lunch with that kid you complained about on the phone.
I tried thinking back on when I made a phone call to discuss about Hope. Then I remembered. The first day I was here and Serah called.
Owen: Are you and your sister alike?
Claire: Nope. As different as physically possible.
Owen: What? One of you can cook better than the other?
Claire: Yeah. Never understood why just having steak is bad for you.
Owen: I see...
Claire: You're judging me, aren't you?
Owen: No! No, I just never met a lady who'd go for steak so eagerly.
Claire: Well, Fang's the same.
Owen: She does seem a bit... rough. I don't think she'll look comfortable in a dress.
Claire: Never thought about that. Now I really can't wait for tomorrow.
Fang: Did I hear my name being uttered?
Fang came out from behind me with her arm across my shoulder. Couldn't say that I like the touchy. Owen stumbled backwards off his step-ladder so that was at least worth it.
Claire: I thought you'd be with Vanille?
Fang: Well, Yeul started baking muffins and Vanille and Rebecca went nuts for it. But its all good, Serah asked me to bring you guys your lunch.
Sazh: Sweet. Starting to get some rumbling down south.
Fang: Eww.
Sazh: You know I didn't mean that.
Fang: I know.
Claire: What's the food?
Owen: Is it steak? Cause I think that's the only thing Claire eats.
I gave Owen a jab on the shoulder for that tasteless joke.
Fang: Actually...
Claire: It's steak?!
Fang: Steak for lunch? Even I think that's a bit heavy.
Claire: Please don't say that it's salad.
Owen: Calm down. Let her finish telling us what it is.
Fang: It actually is steak.
Claire: Yes!
Sazh: Serah knows how to treat her sister well.
Claire: If you're just going to stand there, I'm going to eat your share.
Sazh: No ma'am.
Fang: There's enough here even for you, Owen.
Owen: I thinks that's more from Rebecca than your sister.
Claire: Dees goob.
Fang: Please don't eat with your mouth full.
Owen: I'll finish decorating this pillar then I'll join you guys.
Sazh: We can leave that for later. Cause I think Claire here is halfway through.
We all took a table to ourselves and had an enjoyable lunch eating Serah's home-grilled steaks, peppered so finely, cooked so evenly.
Fang: I guess now would be a good time to say that I'll be playing during the wedding.
Claire: What?
Sazh: When she came yesterday Owen thought she was a musician so he asked to hear a tune.
Owen: She told me she could play guitar. So one of the guys working here ran back to get his guitar and she played it amazingly.
Fang: It was a slow tune. Too suit the wedding theme of course.
Claire: Didn't know you could play. But if you're really playing, that means Sazh and Owen found it okay.
Owen: It was... touching. Didn't know the name of the tune though.
Sazh: Maybe you could play it for us?
Fang gave a little smirk as she got up and picked up a guitar from behind a table. After tuning the guitar and strumming a few times, she played. A song more familiar to Serah. Her favourite song.
Fang ended the song solemnly. Without any flair, she took the applause of the people working including Sazh and Owen. For a short moment I really wanted to cry. Like it just hit me, the future was uncertain but friends of old and those who are new, they are there for you. Making you remember how human you are... Don't even know what I was saying. The feeling was confusing, like I wanted to hold onto someone.
Fang: Something wrong with my performance?
Claire: Bringing up your sass again.
Sazh: Looks like someones been touched. You recognize it, right?
Claire: Yeah. Serah's favourite.
Owen: Still blur here.
Fang: Don't worry about it. Just hang back and enjoy the sultry tunes from yours truly.
Everybody started talking amongst themselves as we sat there. I didn't join in with whatever they were talking about. I stared, just stared at nothing. I don't remember for how long but I only shook out of it after Owen shook me awake.
He didn't say a word. He just helped me up and walked with me to where Sazh and Fang were waiting for us. I really was thankful for these people.
-END OF DAY 3-
-THE WEDDING-
Claire: It's like wearing Midnight Muave all over again.
Hope: I think it looks great on you still, though.
Claire: Are you saying that I got fat?
Hope: No! Don't kill me.
Claire: Joking. It's a happy occasion.
Hope: Whew. Well, when you're done, we'll be downstairs waiting for you.
Claire: You'll be waiting for Fang longer than me.
Hope: She'll put on a towel and she'll call it a dress. You on the otherhand, actually can make a dress work.
I gave a smirk back and watched Hope go out the door. I turned to look at myself in the mirror.
Claire: Hmm...
Today... my sister gets married.
NOTE: this story right here folks. Truthfully, don't know how wedding even works. But I'm sure you guys know how weddings go... ceremony to reception. Maybe I'll make a reception part. Finally time to get some characters drunk! YEAH! I'm sure some people who finished the 3rd game could recognize the beginning part... Apologize for making this too long. And thanks to everyone who stuck out this long with me and FFXIII cast review. Rest assured that I'll still be doing this (once I get a topic) but till then. Some things in life you just do!