Chapter 31 The Camping Trip Part 1
AUTHOR NOTE:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS GUYS, AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEARS! THANK YOU FOR READING RECLAIMING LIGHT, KUPO!
Afternoon came way too soon from Fang and Lightning's early morning escapade in the city. However, the two had slept until around noon, only to be woken up by Serah and Vanille giggling.
Lightning was exhausted as she snuggled under the covers.
Fang noticed her sister and friend standing at the door, "What are you two doing?"
"Could ask you the same thing, Fang. You guys were up super late," Vanille said.
Lightning grumbled at the others talking, poking her head out slowly, "Get out of my room Serah."
"It was 3 a.m. when we got home. Think Lightning needs a bit more sleep," Serah said, looking at her sleepy sister.
"Well, tomorrow, I think we should go on a camping trip," Vanille said.
"Camping?" Lightning asked.
"Yeah, that could be fun," Serah said as Vanille grinned, "Yeah, we can stay at a cabin, and we can enjoy a nice time together."
Lightning poked her head out from under the covers, "No, thank you."
"Sis, but it's a cabin, not a tent. You'd have fun."
"What's wrong with camping?" Fang asked.
"I don't want to talk about it," Lightning grumbled.
"Sis, come on, it'll be fun. It's not like you want to stay here all weekend by yourself."
"I won't be by myself. I'll have Fang with me."
"About that Sunshine, I promised Vanille to go on the camping trip if it actually happened."
"Are you kidding me?"
"Nope. So, if you don't want to go camping, guess you'll be home with the NORA gang or whatever else you find yourself busy yourself."
"I don't like camping, but I suppose I'll go."
"Yay!" Vanille yelled.
"Can you please leave my room and let me go back to sleep at least?" Lightning grumbled.
Fang chuckled, "Yeah, you two call and make reservations; we're gonna hit the hay again."
The weekend of the camping trip_
Serah and Vanille had gone shopping before the weekend, and in that time, they also got supplies and everything ready.
Bags were packed, supplies were double-checked, and a drive to the campgrounds was smooth as Lightning focused on the road.
Once the group got to the campgrounds, they rented four chocobos and equipment to ride to their cabin. The cool thing about camping in Bodhum was renting chocobos because they stayed with you the entire camping trip in a pen that was supplied at the rentable cabin.
Lightning sat alone, taking a drink from her flask, just paying attention to what was going on. While sitting alone, Serah went to her sister but decided against it, as Vanille was brave enough to stay beside the grieving soldier.
Serah eventually made her way towards Fang and was curious as to what the Oerban was doing. Fang did the hard work keeping each of the birds tethered to their hitching posts as she worked on saddling each.
As Fang took a second, saddling both her Chocobo and Lightning's. she noticed Serah standing there.
"What's up, Mini Farron? Just fixing the reins and then double-checking that each of the saddles were cinched."
"Not much. Sorry about my sister's bad attitude this weekend. There's a history of why she hates camping, but I don't know if I should say."
Lightning was just sitting by herself, looking slightly miserable.
Serah moved closer towards Fang. "Did I do something wrong this morning? Sunshine seemed extremely upset with me. What's her gripe about not enjoying camping anyway?" Fang asked, rubbing the soft feathers of her Chocobo as she hitched Lightning's bird to its post.
"Lightning hates camping. She loved it as a child, but it wasn't until she was in her survival training for the Guardian Corps that she hated it. The GC and PSICOM both do this intensive survival exercise. They're given a pack of basic supplies, no rations, and are expected to hunt and find a source of water. It's quite intensive and proves that soldiers can survive different terrains and make do with what they don't have. Then the soldier also needs to make a camp and survive 2 nights and 3 days." Serah looked at her sister, "Story is, Lightning barely survived the night. She lost several items and had to make a makeshift splint for her arm after she sprained her wrist. All I know is Lightning hated camping ever since then. They found her in a cave, trapped in a rainstorm and malnourished. I had to help her out with a fever of 99.5 degrees and nurse her back to health, but Lightning survived."
Fang whistled, "Damn... Poor Sunshine. No wonder she hates camping so much."
"If she asks, please don't tell her I told you. I would hate if you guys fought over it." Serah sighed. "Can't have us both have our relationships in shambles."
Fang laughed nervously, "Well, Snow is going to make changes. If you guys survive this break, you'll repair your relationship. Not just for Snow, but also for the baby you'll have. Don't think of this pregnancy as a bad thing, but just know I feel that Snow will make changes, and you guys can survive."
Vanille eventually went to Lightning, who looked up from her knees. "Yeah? Why are you just standing there staring at me, Vanille?"
"Sorry, Lightning. Fang got your trail Chocobo ready. Sorry, you aren't having any fun yet," Vanille sighed.
"Well, you're from Oerba. Camping must be exciting for you." "Well yeah. To live in the plains to see creatures roam the same place you inhabit. That was Oerba, I think. I was far too young still."
"Well, you might remember more than you think."
"True. Why do you hate camping so much? And you're only coming because you wanted to humor my sister. Not that I have a problem, but I don't want you miserable all weekend."
"Well, you see this flask in my bag? Got some drink to make up for it," Lightning sighed.
"You may drink in moderation, but please be careful."
"Always am. Not going to repeat the same mistake twice." Lightning replied automatically, her lips pressing in a thin line.
Vanille sighed. "But please answer my question?"
"What question? Why I hate camping? Well, don't be nosey, and I might tell you guys. But until you go blabbing to the others about it..."
"Harsh Light. That was really, really harsh."
"Sorry."
Lightning got up and walked towards the others as Vanille kept up her hurt facade. "Fang! Light's being mean!"
"I don't care. Your bird is ready. I've been saddling all the birds." Fang responded dryly, looking at Lightning, who looked down. Fang let out a small sigh.
"We need to ride a few miles from here to the cabin campground. We'll follow these trails and will be there in a reasonable time." Fang said.
Serah got up onto her bird. The Chocobo stayed still while the others got on theirs.
Lightning looked at Fang once she got on her bird, surprised she was riding side-saddled. "How I learned to ride a Chocobo was side-saddled unless I'm wearing pants."
"I'm actually impressed. A woman like yourself riding side-saddled," Lightning said, earning a small roll of green eyes.
Fang laughed, "Well, you try someday then. If you think your woman enough."
"I could do it; I just don't want to." Lightning said with a slight roll of her eyes.
"You're extremely pleasant to be around today." Fang sighed.
Eventually, the four took off towards their furnished cabin with fireplace running water and electricity. Lightning could actually relax if she wanted. Fang was first inside as Lightning followed.
Vanille and Serah entered as well. With their camp supplies and after placing their rented chocobos into their holding pen.
Lightning settled on the couch after helping unsaddling each bird with Fang. The equipment was stored in a closet. Lightning placed a pair of reading glasses on and cracked open her book as Vanille and Fang made sure to follow directions on the sheet.
Serah sat close to her sister, "Light, at least try to have fun this weekend, Fang wants you to have fun, and you were kind of rude to Vanille."
Lightning sighed, looking at her sister, "I can try, but I'm just gonna relax with my book and just hope this weekend flies. I was surprised you called Amodar to get me off work this weekend."
"Well, this had been planned for quite some time. Don't think I forgot you're griping, but we're just gonna have fun."
"Fine, Serah."
Lightning moved her bag into hers and Fang's room. Her gunblade case was propped against the far wall as Fang entered.
Fang was surprised as Lightning hugged her tightly as placed a kiss on her lips. "Nice to see you, Sunshine."
"Just stay with me."
"And now you want attention?"
Lightning pressed her forehead against Fang's, "Yes?"
"Well, there's a thing I want to do tonight when the others go to bed. I want to test your eidolon out. Like, see the extent of your power. Could be fun," Fang looked at Lightning as she sat on the bed. "Well, ever since the transgate failure, I haven't tried summoning Odin. I kind of pressed that to the back of my mind. I don't want to paint a target on anyone or myself."
"Yes, but you're just as dangerous knowing you have one. Sometimes summons appear when you get angry; sometimes, you might just summon them from anxiety. There are so many triggers. However, if you keep that pressed to the back of your thoughts, it's more dangerous because you never know the full extent, and sometimes it can be catastrophic or worse. I know I talked to Rowan about Odin. So, we need to try and see the extent of your power."
"You told Rowan about Odin?"
"Yeah. I just felt that it needed to be said."
Lightning looked down, "If word gets to the Guardian Corps, I could lose my job. I didn't ask for this eidolon. I didn't ask my family to have this huge secret tied to both military branches and even Zelda and Rowan. Fang, do you know how big this is?! If word gets around that I'm a—a… fr… Forget it."
"Don't you dare call yourself a freak Lightning Farron!"
"Then what am I? Zelda said my dad commanded with Odin at his side. So, my family has several secrets, and no one dared tell me? My father lied to me about a bunch of things."
"Lightning…"
"No, Fang."
"Sunshine. It's new, it's scary, but don't ever consider yourself a freak. You are a new experience! Own it! Your family guardian watches over you; it's almost like your dad is with you. I sense my father and mother when I summon Bahamut. But, please don't think of this as a bad thing. It's awesome! If the Guardian Corps fires you for having magic, that's stupid. However, you and I will have each other through everything. I promise, and I sure as hell won't let someone try to attack you for being who you were destined to be."
Lightning internally groaned, "I don't know, Fang."
"Sunshine…"
"I'm not arguing with you. I'm just saying. If the others are in danger because I found out I have these powers, then I'm just as bad as the people who were falsely imprisoned for their magic."
"You aren't bad or evil for having magic. PSICOM is just stupid for thinking that. Don't think I don't remember what that vile woman at the dance said to you."
"If you are talking about Jihl, you don't know half the stuff she says at work," Lightning groaned dryly.
"I believe you, but this trip was to have fun."
"Fun?" Lightning repeated.
"Yeah, fun. I'm going to go start on some cooking, and if you're going to stop being a buzzkill, I'd at least like you to sit with me and or help out with some of the cooking, maybe? But for the love of Etro, at least please stop being rude to Serah and 'Nille. With how things are, I know everyone needs a break."
Lightning looked thoughtful for a second. "Sorry, Fang, I realize my bad mood is ruining things."
"Well, try to improve it."
Lightning eventually went out to the kitchen with Fang and started helping her around with the prep work for lunch. Vanille and Serah were outside soaking up the sun.
"Luckily, there's a farmer market close to the camp with a quick ride on Chocobo. I would like to go for a swim later, and if we need to, we can either get pizza or go to the market. I'm sure the others would enjoy it too."
After lunch, the group went swimming. Lightning sat on the pier, soaking up the sun with her legs in the water, watching as Serah, Vanille, and Fang all swam. That was until Fang pulled her into the water to which Vanille and Serah would laugh at. Lightning could only act mildly annoyed at Fang but actually tried to have a bit more fun, even if it was hard. She wanted to think of the case and actually do some research and work. This was a small break and was supposed to be her mini-vacation away from mindless and countless hours at a desk working on solving a case.
LATER THAT EVENING
Serah and Vanille were winding down from their exhaustion as Fang went out and fed the Chocobos.
Lightning sat on the couch buried in her book, trying to keep herself calm, but when the door opened slightly, Fang beckoned her out.
"Come here, Sunshine."
"What? I'm reading. Can't you see my book?"
"Just come outside. And we'll go from there."
"Fine," Lightning grumbled, placing her reading glasses on the coffee table and then put her book down. Going outside, the chocobos all looked at the soldier as she left the cabin.
As Lightning looked for Fang, the Oerban came up right behind her. "BOO!"
Lightning nearly punched her, "Don't do that!"
"Alright, fine. Clearly, you're in a bad mood. Save that mood because we're going to try and get Odin summoned. It'll also be a better way to see if you can use other magic."
"I already told you no. What part of no don't you get Fang?"
"The "I'm stubborn" and the no part."
Lightning pinched the bridge of her nose, "Alright then. Fine."
"Okay, I'm going to summon Bahamut; I want you to try and repeat the same process."
Fang lead Lightning to an endless field, a clearing that was close by to the cabin.
"Okay, your eidolon last time was summoned when you nearly died because of a behemoth. This time is calmer. When I summon Bahamut, when I'm not in danger, I think pleasant thoughts. Lately, my thought process is thinking of you and our relationship. Then, I gather my thoughts until crystals form in my vision; however, it's real. Take it and toss it up, and your eidolon will come to your side; however, magic, I just think of what I want to use, and it comes naturally. However, it mostly comes in the form of crystals. It should be pretty easy if you can control your summon."
Lightning got into a stance, her gunblade case at the ready. Fang adjusted her lance before striking the ground like it offended her.
"Okay, now you try. Hit me with your best shot."
"So not exactly like the AMP technology that we use in the Guardian Corps?"
"No, not like AMP. Get in a stance and really envision it. Think of different types of moods. Sometimes the strongest moods can trigger magic."
After several failed attempts, Lightning was surprised that her attempts were fruitless.
Breathing heavy, Lightning grumbled, exhausted as Fang barely broke a sweat, "Come on, Light, you can do it!"
As Lightning got in a stance, she thought of different emotions. Her mind went to happy memories, and then she was plagued with sad ones. Only conjuring slight sparks from her fingertips but no thunder spells. She also couldn't summon Odin exactly yet.
Lightning tried again, only feeling even more exhausted. Getting rather frustrated with Fang just smiling at her cockily.
"Sunshine, do what I do." Fang showed her embers at her fingertips, blizzard flusters and sparks of thunder.
"What the hell am I doing wrong?"
"I don't know, Sunshine. I told you everything that helps me. If I may ask, what are you thinking about when you are trying to conjure spells and summon?"
"I was thinking about my parents. Dad smiling at me, telling me he was proud of me, and then I realized I thought of a lie."
"Okay, then don't think of your dad. Think of one of the best memories in your life. Really dig down deep."
Lightning crossed her arms over her chest and thinks, "Deep?"
"Yes, Love. Deep."
"I think I got something."
Lightning took a deep breath and thought of her memories.
Fang stood there and looked at her girlfriend, arms crossed over her chest.
Lightning took her stance, 'Odin, please come to my side.'
At first, there was nothing. Lightning felt anger as a crack of thunder was heard overhead.
"Okay, this was ridiculously stupid, Fang! You keep telling me what to do! You keep telling me to use these emotions! Well, maybe I just can't use magic, and it was a one-time deal! This was stupid. I want to go to bed before it storms."
"Sunshine, try it one more time. I saw sparks. You can do it; you just aren't trying hard enough."
"Trying hard enough?" Lightning laughed, "I've been trying hard! Nothing! I can't use magic!"
"Stop saying you can't! You can! I saw it! I saw the picture too!"
"So, if I put my hands together like this!" Lightning yelled, holding her hands closer towards her chest, "Then some celestial magic being will appear at my side! Ha! AS IF! You're stupid for believing that I can do a stupid thing like magic!"
Before Lightning could say another word, a pink glowing orb of crystal appeared in her hand; as she tossed it up, jumping up towards the sphere, she reached for her gunblade and hit the crystal. As the gunblade made contact with the orb, a hue of color formed, and the same bright white light enveloped the field! Something grabbed her by the foot, catching her midfall, and as the white light started to die down, the green horned knight was standing there, his blade at the ready.
Her blue eyes looked up in bewilderment at the knight once more!
Fang finally gained her vision back from the blinding white light and noticing the knight as well!
"SUNSHINE, YOU DID IT!"
The knight looked her way as Lightning looked up at him in disbelief.
However, her concentration disappeared when the two heard thunder overhead.
Lightning actually felt a slight tinge of panic rack her nerves as her mind wandered to her intensive camping survival!
As the horned knight could feel her emotions spark, it took a second and leaped into the air, as it transformed into a horse before her eyes, the smell of roses appeared in Lightning's nose as she grabbed the blade from the air, she climbed onto its back. However, as Odin took off, it raced past Fang as Fang took a second and grabbed Lightning's hand for her as she was eventually on the back of the horse as well. Speeding off with the sound of thunder overhead, the two rode towards the unknown.
However, the unknown eventually brought the two to a cave as the horse disappeared in wisps of gold and roses. The rain started to come down hard, soaking both Lightning and Fang as the two took shelter in the cave.
"We'll be fine, Sunshine."
"Thanks, Fang. I had such a great time," Lightning grumbled as her nerves started to turn irritated.
"We'll get back to the others. We always do. Rain or sun. We just gotta stay positive!"
TO BE CONTINUED, KUPO!
