Last Night

"Hey, Garr," Stahn inquired, "What do you thinks gonna happen after we defeat Kronos."

"Well, we still have a long way to go. If the Aethersphere can't be destroyed from the Aeropolis, then we will have to either find another way or wait to collect enough Lens for the Multiplex Lens Cannon to fire over and over again. Either way…it won't be an easy task. But, I know that young people like you can handle it. I'll be busy ruling my country and keeping order; however you've got the freedom to do as you please. I think that rulers like me can entrust the world to you," he replied.

Blushing, Stahn said, "I don't think I'm that great. I'm just a kid who had a dream."

Garr smiled. "Well, you're following it and doing a great work. Anyway, we should probably get to sleep so we're at full strength when we go to Dycroft."

"I want to take a walk," Stahn informed him, "Talk to everyone and all." With that, he left the room to find someone else to speak with.

S...S

"I'm so bored I could scream!" Rutee yelled.

She had gone to visit Philia and Lilith because she had trouble sleeping. Both girls were having the same issue and had decided to have a small cup of milk brought up to them by a maid. Lilith told her friend, "Well, then try to go to sleep. I'm sure it will be better in the morning." She looked to Gourmet, who was curled up in a corner and resting.

Rutee suddenly felt the urge to ask a question of Philia that had always made her curious. "Hey, Philia…what do you think of Stahn, anyway?"

"He's so pure and honest," Philia stated, "Such a nice boy. Always doing what's right."

"Heh, he's just a Country Boy…naïve and simple. And he tries taking responsibility for everything that everyone else does," Rutee replied in a fake tone. Lilith took note of that; she was obviously trying to hide something she felt towards Stahn.

Philia inquired, "How come you say it in such a negative light?"

Rutee blushed and looked away. "Same with you; how can you say everything about him in such a positive light? Maybe it's working with others so closely for so long, but I can see people's faults."

"I wish you could be more honest," Philia told her, "If everyone were more honest, then the world would be a much better place. Can you try, Rutee?"

"Whatever! Well, I've got to clear my head so I'm going to go downstairs for a bit," Rutee said.

She left the room and Clemente snickered. He informed Philia, -You shouldn't be so hypocritical. You're no better off than she when it comes to being honest about this!-

Philia turned away. "I don't know what you mean, Clemente."

'It's times like this,' thought Lilith, 'I'm happy I don't hear what those Swordians are saying.'

Suddenly, they heard a knock at the door and Stahn asking for admittance. Once the two had informed him they were decent, the young man entered. He looked wide awake; something Lilith noted was an extreme rarity.

"I guess you couldn't sleep as well. We're all real nervous," Philia commented.

Lilith added, "Rutee came in and talked with us before because she can't sleep as well. And she's got her own room and her own nice comfy bed to sleep in. She's gone downstairs to think, I believe. Dunno what's wrong but I hope she's ok."

Stahn could tell where his sister was going with that statement and began to blush. "I…I guess I'll go look for her. If she needs a pick me up then I should be there."

"Yes," Philia agreed, "You probably should go do that. We can't afford to be a person short."

"Well, I'll see you girls tomorrow. Goodnight," Stahn stated as he left the room.

Clemente told Philia, -You're not being honest with yourself.-

Philia looked towards the closed door; she'd known that she'd lost since the very first moment she'd laid eyes on Stahn. "This is the way it should be."

"Yes," commented Lilith, "While I don't know what Clemente told you, I know why you said what you said. I find you to be a strong woman, despite what you say about yourself. For you can give up the one that you love because you know where his heart truly lies…."

S...S

Stahn walked through the hallways of the Gilchrist Mansion, looking for his wayward friend. Along the way, he saw Karyl practicing his music and Mary looking out the window. Neither had seen where she went, but they both knew she wouldn't have left the house.

Finally, he came across her at the mini-bar Hugo kept on hand for when he had guests. Though not a big wine drinker, Rutee had prepared herself a glass of warm milk and was swirling her straw around inside. She sighed; it was finally time to go and fight.

'This is it…if we lose then all is lost. Father, those children in Cresta and the whole world will perish if Kronos is not stopped. I've got to fight for all of their sakes,' she thought.

Stahn sat down next to her, much to Rutee's surprise. He said, "I'm glad to see that you're ok. Philia and Lilith told me you were restless and I wanted to make sure that nothing was wrong. I guess it's the same as me…pre-battle jitters."

She smiled at him a little. "Yeah, I guess so. I mean, if you can't sleep at a time like this, then it must be bad. I've never seen you unable to sleep before."

"We can't lose," Stahn told her, "If we do, all is lost."

"You know…I was just thinking the same thing. It's kind of creepy, actually, how you know what's exactly on my mind. Then again, I guess friends can do that," Rutee replied.

Stahn whispered, "Yeah…friends. You've been a great friend to me, Rutee. Ever since we met, I knew I could count on you when times were tough. Your courage and bravery helped me find the light in even the darkest of times. With you around, I've never been afraid."

Rutee felt a blush coming on. "Well, you've done the same for me. I know if we just stick together, then we're going to win. We'll defeat Kronos and bring back the sunlight."

At that moment, their eyes met. Stahn felt himself moving as if on autopilot, hypnotized by those amethyst orbs. His mouth moved closer to hers...but suddenly stopped. This wasn't the time for romance; he would have to wait until the world was saved.

Rutee saw his fear, his reservation, as he attempted to kiss her. It wasn't that he didn't want to do it; it was that he was scared. She understood him all too well; just the thought of her weakness being shown to him made her feel more afraid than facing Kronos in combat.

"Well, I'm going to get back to my room," Rutee told him, "See you in the morning." She got down off the stool, happy to have saved them both further embarrassment.

"Yeah…see you in the morning, Rutee," Stahn whispered.

He too got up and began to walk back to his room. But no sooner did he leave the room, then the boy ran into Hugo. The man was drinking a small glass of wine and standing against the doorframe. Hugo told Stahn, "This was Chris's favorite drink and whenever I'm nervous about something, I slowly drink a glass down…thinking of her all the while."

Stahn felt himself blush a bit as he put his hand behind his head. "You two must really have been in love by the way everyone talks about it."

"Yes, we were," he replied, "Listen…Stahn. You shouldn't be so nervous; Rutee is not going to kill you for being forward. Also, as a father, I'd like to say that I approve of this relationship whenever you decide to get up the courage to pursue it." He drank the last bit of wine and put the glass down. Then, Hugo put his hands on the young man's shoulders. "I know that you're going to make my daughter very glad. That's the only think I ever wanted…my two children to find their happiness."

'Thank you, Hugo. I promise that once I get up the courage to show my affection, I'll never make Rutee cry. Once this is all over, making her happy will be my new life's goal,' thought Stahn as he watched the older man walk back to his room.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words...

Ah and I'm working on this at one in the morning. Just to make the "can't sleep" vibes of this chapter a little more authentic.

Anyway, well a few changes to the chapter from what originally happened…seeing as Rutee doesn't have a dead family to think about. Plus, Daddy is stepping in to try and push his little girl's romance forward. It's fun trying to figure out how certain characters would react in certain situations if they're given the chance to be in them.