A/N: Well, howdy. I'm back. So sorry for the long wait. It was really unavoidable, but I did work on this when I could. Unfortunately I don't have much time to write at all and updates will be very unpredictable for sometime.
I wanna thank Alex for posting for me. He's really such a sweet heart and I'm unbelievably lucky to have a best friend like him. Even though I wasn't going to say anything about the flashback idea... I guess no harm no foul.
My condition that has plagued me for years is worsening and I may have to have surgery, but we're unsure. Hopefully not. Thanks for all your kind words. Your presence is very appreciated.
As for the chapter, I threw some of you through a loop, huh? Sorry for the mood whiplash. Can't say it wasn't intentional, but take comfort in knowing that some of your assumptions are wrong. Can't say which. ;D
Read and review :)
Reviewers-
(Chapter 14 reviews)- Guest, milliepede, guest, guest, prims, guest, loyal reader, and rockchick819 – I'm sorry I didn't have time to respond before chapter fifteen was posted. I did not ignore you! Thank you for all of your reviews. :)
Nomechan – Thanks so much and I rest when I can, but life is quite hectic and demanding. Can only do so much. Thanks for the concern.
The Light to all Fears – Yes, sorry to say Castea is still alive. I couldn't just let one of my major villains die so easily. And thanks for the concern, it's greatly appreciated. I'm honored to be reviewed by you and I always read reviews and consider any suggestions and criticism. As for the flashback thing, I had an idea on where I wanted to put it in the story even though I was unsure about it, but it's not coming up anytime soon. Much farther down the road and yeah, I understand your thoughts on the whole Nivien and Hope thing, but there is a method to my madness. It's not going to be too much about them. Just enough to explain some history. About Snow, I wish I could wake him up, but it's not time yet. His part will come soon enough.
Guest – Yup, still alive. She needs to be killed in a much more satisfying way, don't you think?
LightningFanatic – Thanks, sorry it took so long.
ANON3 – Lightning is in major denial, but maybe not as much as you think... And thanks, I haven't gotten much better, but your kind words help! And Alex says no problem :)
Aeon1622 – I'm very sorry to hear that. As I've said, this is a very long story and their relationship is still building as is the main conflict. I will take your criticisms into consideration, though I have most of the fic planned out already. Best of luck to your stories, as well.
Kakashi98 – Well, I couldn't just let her fall into his arms even though her denial is frustrating and a pain in the ass. And, yeah, Castea has reentered our pair's lovely lives. How unfortunate ;) Thanks and Alex says you're incredibly welcome.
Guest – A seesaw, huh? Is that a good or bad thing?
Danny1993ward – NOW! :)
Guest – Very sorry I took so long.
0erbayunFang – You called it :) A very nasty, very annoying cockroach. But all creatures must meet their end sometime... And, yeah, Light's not gonna be too happy. Thanks!
Guest – She can't die because I'm just that evil. ;) Just kidding. Her part isn't over yet. And any villain worth fighting, is not so easy to kill.
Nightsparrow15 – Surprise! We still have a long road until there's a happily ever after. And it's all right, I am very evil. Tis why some of my friends nicknamed me Satan. Honestly, I'm not sure where half of my nicknames come from... but this one's pretty easy to tell :) It was Gadot, but yeah, all will be explained in due time. I read Daybreak a little while ago, and it was a pretty good story. Many unintentional parallels between their story and mine and it is rather interesting how some authors think alike, but great read anyhow. I'm really considering doing the flashback thing now so thanks for your opinion. It's very much appreciated. My condition is very troublesome, but really, I've been having to live with this for many years so I've grown used to most of it. Thank you, though.
Rockchick- Thank you. Sorry for the wait.
Ototoi no Asa – Yeah, Light can be quite predictable at times. And Snow, Dajh and Serah will awaken in time. Thanks for your input too. I had been considering splitting the flashbacks up in different chapters but it'll probably be one big flashback chapter later on. :)
Wish. Promise .99 – Thank you. I am very glad to hear that. I try. I really do. Welcome and I hope to hear more from you in the future.
CritiqueShell – Aww, thank you. I love my fic and couldn't abandon it if I tried. I would especially never leave it at a cliffhanger. I absolutely hate it when people do that.
Revised: August 2015
A loud bang caught Zalera's interest as she stepped out of the bathroom, rejuvenated and dressed. It sounded like the slamming of a door and the quiet that followed was a more than a little alarming. Having a horrible feeling hit her in the pit of her stomach, she called out Hope's name, soon hearing it echo back to her. The young woman's heart began to pound in her chest at the lack of response she received, causing her to yell for him once more. When he didn't answer, she immediately grabbed a chakram and raced through the house, seeking her charge.
After searching through the rooms on the first floor, she began to really panic, Hope's name flying from her lips constantly. As she hit the second floor, she faintly heard someone speaking in Hope's office. Calling for him again and again, she ran to the room and went to enter, but the door was sealed. It wasn't locked since Zalera could feel the knob turn all the way and the door give a little. It was as if an invisible force was keeping it shut, forcing it closed from the other side.
Without many other alternatives, the warrior began to slam her body into the door. "Hope, please, answer me! Are you okay? Say something!" She was kicking and punching the door, shoving her shoulder so hard against it she could feel a bruise surfacing, but it wouldn't give. Seeing no choice, she drew her chakram up and was ready to chop the door open. As she went to deal the first blow, she froze, hearing the sound of a thunder spell rip through the air and strike a target with tremendous force. "Hope?!"
A voice followed after, but not the one she was seeking. Although it was muffled and low, she knew that voice. It was one of the voices that had tormented her for months and scarred her very soul. No. Another spell swept through the room before her that seemed to go in the opposite direction. A yell burst from Zalera's throat as she heard a cry from the person who was hit and recognized who it was. "Hope!" Please be all right.
A cackle followed, but seemed to fade out of existence. Fear threatening to tear through Zalera's sanity, she backed away a few feet and ran towards the door. As she slammed herself back into the now slightly splintered wood, the door flew open, causing Zalera to fall to the ground. A smile broke on her face as she realized that she'd made it in, but the smile soon morphed into a gape as fear gripped her. She lifted herself up to find Hope face down on the ground across from her. Scorch marks surrounded him and the bookcase behind him as a light smoke drifted from his body. Scrambling towards him, the emerald-haired woman carefully turned him over, wincing at the definite second degree burn that ran across half of his face and neck. "Hope? Wake up, Hope." She shook him, but he wouldn't wake.
Her face scrunched up in guilt before fury burned into her eyes, a snarl bursting from her throat. "Castea," she yelled. Zalera gently laid Hope back down on the ground before standing back up, her grip on the chakram being so strong that it might as well have melded with her hand. "You coward. Get back here and face me."
Hope could feel a sharp burning pain on his skin as he awoke. A fog had taken over his mind for a few agonizing seconds as he attempted to regain his bearings. He wondered where he was and why he hurt so much. Why it suddenly reeked of smoke and his throat felt parched. What that loud yelling was about and who it was coming from. But mostly, he wondered why he felt so frightened to just open his eyes.
That's when it hit him. Everything that had happened moments ago came back in a flash. He hurt so much because he had been hit with a firaga that knocked him off his feet. The smoke was no doubt wafting off of him causing his nose to crinkle and making his throat unbelievably dry. That person that was yelling was Zalera, screaming out at his attacker. But his fear for his current location and the reason for his eyes being screwed shut was because he was afraid that this would be just like last time. He would wake up in some unknown location, dazed and confused, with a wicked woman and her demonic smirk looming over him.
"Z-Zalera," Hope spoke weakly. He knew she was there. The young man could hear her in the room with him. A small sense of ease came over him as he knew that he at least wasn't alone.
Whipping around, she bolted over toward him. A relieved smile broke on her face at his call. "Hey, what… are you-"
"Where am I?" Hope internally winced at the weakness of his voice. It stemmed partially from his parched throat, yes, but mostly it was from his apprehension towards an incoming answer.
Confusion was written on the Pulsian's face before she figured out the reasoning for his question. It's not just disorientation, is it? "You're home, Hope. You're still in your office in your house. It looks like you're going to be fine. A little burnt, but fine."
He couldn't describe the amount of joy he felt at hearing that. He was home. Still home. A pained sigh fell from him as he slowly opened his eyelids, exposing his green watery orbs to the world. "I'm home."
A chuckle escaped from her. "Yeah." Helping him shakily sit up, Zalera kept a close eye on every part of his body, making sure that his burns were all to know about. "We should take you to-"
"I'm fine, Z." Before she could protest, the young director ghosted his palm over his injuries while calling forth a healing spell to wash away the marks and pain.
Zalera watched the evidence fade away until only a faint pink remained clinging to the burns' previous spots. "Right." His healing abilities were still very new to her. As Hope flashed a smile towards her, he muttered an 'all better' before she snapped at him, a startling rage overtaking her. "It's not all better. That bitch is back, Hope!"
Face contorting in grief, he fought to stay calm. "What happened while I was out?"
She held back all of her frustration as she sighed. Zalera gritted her teeth while she responded. "You weren't out very long. I only made it in here to see you on the ground, out cold. The witch was already gone. What did she want, anyway?" That question had come out as a harsh whisper as her gaze took in the room fully.
"I'm not sure... I couldn't even properly defend myself." Hope looked to his hands with disgust. He still couldn't protect himself. He was someone who could potentially save or destroy the planet with his power, yet he couldn't even shield himself from an attack by an intruder in his own home.
The warrior huffed before helping Hope off of the ground. "If she's still alive and after you... then she came back for one thing." The two looked into each others eyes, hatred and contempt filling Zalera's green irises as Hope turned noticeably pale.
He remembered one last tidbit of the event that occurred minutes ago, whispered words that had slipped into his ears as his consciousness faded.
"Remember your destiny, Hope. You won't escape it. Not if I have anything to say about it."
"To finish what she started."
Castea walked into the room, her steps lighter than they'd been in days. Her aura exuded glee as she felt her chest swell with pride. The woman had had enough of playing her little mind games with the boy. Though they had been quite fun and thoroughly joyful, it was time to get back to business now that they were back to full potential. Hope now had his brand and his strength was increasing tremendously daily. It was time for him to retrieve the crystals and bring them closer to their goal. Her small warning just now should have given him a shove towards his decision to be a good boy and follow the destiny he was born into.
Barsilisk watched as his wife entered and strode towards him, her exuberance not eluding his notice. "How did it go?" She flashed him a pleased smile which told him all he needed to know.
"I hear we've been requested."
The man's expression dulled as they walked deeper into the domain of the being that pulled their strings. Into the chamber that held their master. Into the home of their fal'Cie. "It's never a request," Barsilisk muttered.
The hall was dark, yet it had a green glow that provided enough light to make their surroundings visible. The smell was musty, as to be expected. Intricate carvings lined the walls, many of them recounting ancient Pulsian stories dealing with fire, death and destruction at the hands of the powerful creature that laid inside. It was meant as a warning, written long ago by those who feared the being. But the tales only served to brighten Castea's mood more for she held much of this fal'Cie's great power. Her servitude to the him had quickly made her a giant part of that death and destruction. She loved it. She loved the power. That and many of the other benefits she reaped in the wake of becoming a l'Cie. Castea owed much to their fal'Cie and held him in the highest regard. He was a true deity. But she could understand her husband's lack of enthusiasm when he was called forth. After all, it was because of him that Barsilisk still stood by her side.
The doors before them opened to the grand chamber that was bleak and screamed of death and decay. A few torches simultaneously lit around the room as they entered, showing some sense of presence. Castea's smile grew on her features as her eyes lit on a few of the rotting corpses and skeletons that laid scattered around the room. All were past adversaries that had been quickly vanquished. Their bodies only remained as a reminder of what one was dealing with and whose domain one was entering. Across from the entrance was a colossal stone throne with an enormous statue sitting upon it. The statue was of a man in battle armor, horns peeking out from its helmet. A large scythe stood in one hand while the other rested on the arm of the throne.
Castea's smile widened as she looked to the statue, knowing all too well that though it appeared to be a lifeless stone, appearances could be deceiving. The two walked up before it and bowed. "What is it that you require," the pale l'Cie asked, her eyes filled with adoration.
A deep voice bellowed throughout the room, seeming to respond from nowhere and everywhere at once. "I believe you said you would get the boy on track. Though I can sense you have thoroughly frightened him, I am unsure that he will heed your warning."
"If you would have let me retrieve him, we could have forced-"
"He needs to seek them for himself."
Castea's brow furrowed. "But we could already be-"
"Enough," the fal'Cie growled and her mouth snapped shut. "Watch yourself, child."
The woman bowed her head and apologized. She hadn't meant to argue with him, she just didn't understand why they couldn't grab Hope and force him to comply to their demands.
"We shall see what the results of your little visit yields. If he does not begin to understand the urgency in obtaining the crystal shards, we shall resort to other methods. Perhaps our remaining captives shall do."
Barsilisk grimaced at the thought and his wife's all too joyful expression.
Castea gave him a knowing glance before speaking up. "That should be fun."
"Now... are the Pulsians still intent on an attack?"
Castea nodded, a bitter frown crossing her expression. "They are still choosing their assassin."
"We shall not intervene this time."
Shock captured both faces of the fal'Cie's audience, wondering why they were leaving their one hope of a new world to be prey to a deadly attack. But they knew better than to question their master's motives, especially when Castea had already overstepped her boundaries that day. "As you wish."
She would always obey him whether she agreed or not.
She wanted to cry out in frustration when her eyes locked on his form. One day. I'm gone for one day and this happens.
As Lightning had emerged from the G.C. building in her hasty trek to find Hope, she had gotten a call from Zalera telling her to get to the Academy base quickly, that something had happened. Her eyes bulged as she'd bolted for the Academy. When she'd gotten there, she'd immediately been whisked away to one of the meeting rooms on the third floor.
Inside the room was Amodar, Rygdea, Sazh, Harleen, Hildough, Zalera and Hope. Confused, the soldier tried to take in the room full of people to find what was going on. The room had gone silent the minute she'd walked in and they all stared at her, most with knowing and concerned gazes. Hope's, though, was filled with apprehension. That's when she noticed it. His hair was lightly singed and his clothes had burnt holes in them. He'd been attacked.
She stepped towards Zalera, ready to shriek at the woman before being silenced by the words that quietly slipped from Hope's lips.
"Castea's back."
She had received a recount of the attack right after. Now she stood directly beside Hope, for she was never leaving him ever again, and finding herself lost in a mess of thoughts as the room was in an uproar. Everyone was speaking at once. It wasn't until she heard Harleen's voice out of the crowd that she felt the need to speak up.
"I've heard the rumors. This kid's head's been messed up since he got back. How do we know that this Castea wasn't just a part of his imagination? How do we know he didn't-"
"Burn himself," Lightning questioned, snarling. "How could you even-"
Hope held up a hand, a look of indifference capturing his visage. "It's all right, Light. Nothing anyone says or does can ever change your mind anyway, right, Harleen?" Sazh came up beside him and squeezed his shoulders to get him to relax, but Hope shook him off.
The man scowled at the young director, his body standing up straight, attempting to seem superior. "Watch how you talk to me, boy."
A scoff escaped him. "Why, you gonna smack me around like you do your own son?"
Harleen stepped forward threateningly, but before he could make any moves both Zalera and Lightning snapped at him, a simultaneous, "Try it," coming from them as they gripped their weapons.
At this, Rygdea slammed his hand down on the table in the middle of them, regaining control of the room. "Y'all need to shut up. This isn't going to turn into some brawl. That is the last thing we need in the face of this." The Cavalry leader ran a hand through his hair that was a bit of a mess, the result of his fingers having already combed through it a hundred times in his worry. "Let's figure out how she could still be alive."
Hope retreated back into his silence, running through it all in his mind. It just made no sense. She was dead. A lifeless corpse was all that was left of her when we escaped. How she suddenly... But Hope realized something. Castea didn't just suddenly appear out of thin air. She didn't just come back to announce her still very alive state of being. She was never really gone. The whispers and words that had been plaguing him for weeks was not his mind trying and failing to recover. It had been the wicked woman toying with him.
The roseate watched Hope's face as it remained stoically unchanging. What's going on in that head of his? Becoming worried, Lightning subtly brushed the back of her hand against the back of his and let it remain there, the contact bringing him out of his daze and snapping his attention to her. He gave her a small, but forced smile and quickly withdrew his hand from the gentle touch, shoving it into his pocket. Taken aback by the action, Lightning thought better to ponder it later and focus now.
"Well the Ark had collapsed, right," asked Amodar as he took a seat, his fingers rubbing his brow. "I mean we sent a Cavalry team to check it out and everything. There was nothing left. The Eighth Ark had completely caved." Rygdea nodded in confirmation. "But let's say there was a way out. Maybe she didn't die and found a way through somehow." The general turned toward Zalera and Hope. "Were there any other exits besides the main one that you escaped through?"
Zalera looked at him incredulously. "We wouldn't know. We were prisoners! It's not like we were given a tour of the place!"
"No need to get snarky," Harleen replied. "It was just a question."
Snarky?! The warrior growled. All this, this whole day, it was all becoming far too much. "You little-Why are you even here? Why do get to know about-"
"Me?" Harleen's brow furrowed as he pointed an accusatory finger toward her. "Why are you here? You're one of them. You're a Pulsian, you don't belong here."
Zalera's eyes widened and her hold on her weapon only strengthened. She wanted to slice that irritating bastard's head clean off.
"I think you need to calm down, Harleen," Hildough tried, but was only shoved aside.
"This girl is a stranger. For all we know she could be working with them. How can we trust this barbaric Pulsian?"
The Pulsian in question nearly jumped over the table to throttle the man, but was caught by Rygdea as he spoke. "Get out, Burien. If you are gonna spew your crap then-"
"How dare you," Zalera spat. "'One of them', my ass. You have no idea what I've been through." Rygdea was struggling to hold the woman back and Harleen's sharp reply didn't help matters any.
"Oh, yeah? Tell us more of you're sob story, sweetheart." A sound of a blade cutting through the air was heard before Harleen saw a gunblade held at his throat. Lightning stood beside him, her weapon extended out in front of him, inches from his skin.
"Say one more word. I dare you." Her eyes challenged his startled ones and he gulped. Give me one reason. Just one. Before she could make a move he backed away slowly and left the room, disgruntled murmurs leaving him.
"Okay." Rygdea released his hold on Zalera, her glaring at him as she shook herself off and stepped away. "Now, let's just focus, shall we? She's alive, we'll consider how later. Let's focus on why she's back. You two think it's because of the crystals?"
Hope nodded while Zalera muttered "undoubtedly" while crossing her arms.
Amodar sat back in his chair, hoping that all of the 'excitement' was over. "So what do we do then? Obviously getting the crystals together is like constructing a world obliterating bomb for the l'Cie, but what will they do if we don't follow orders? I'm sure it'll only get progressively worse as we ignore them."
"If we get the crystals, can we destroy them," questioned Rygdea as he leaned against the wall.
Zalera snorted and shook her head before growling in the man's direction. "Are you insane? We aren't even sure how to put them together or if Hope can control it. Who knows if these god created shards can be destroyed."
"Z, please take it down a notch." Hope gave her a pointed look until she turned her fiery gaze to the floor. "They're only trying to find the best solution to this."
"No, Hope. How can you expect me to be quiet and calm? How the hell are you?"
The room's occupants all fell into an uncomfortable silence. Lightning glanced at Hope's hands that seemed to be balled agonizingly tight and at how Zalera's body trembled with rage. She knew this affected them deeply and understood their opposition toward the crystal mission, but she wasn't going to let those monsters continue to torment Hope. "Tch, maybe we should try." The sergeant received a few stunned glances, but her focus was on Hope. "You can do this. I know you c-"
"We can't," Hope said sternly. He finally raised his gaze to her, hoping she would see that he didn't wish to discuss this further.
Her arms fell to her sides as confusion descended upon her brow. "Hope, they'll just keep coming after you."
"It's me... or the rest of the world, Light. I have no choice."
The meeting finished out relatively quickly after that. A unanimous, well… reluctantly unanimous, for a couple didn't like the thought of tempting the viscous beast that was Castea, decision was made to hold off on the mission until when or if there was another attack. Most were sure that it was just a matter of time.
All exited the room except Lightning, Zalera and Hope. The young director's eyes were glazed over as he stared out of the meeting room's window, very withdrawn. Lightning stared at his back, a fear overtaking her as she thought about how he was taking Castea's reappearance. She felt an odd need to comfort him in ways she had never allowed herself to think of before, but soon chastised herself for the thoughts. Decidedly, she was becoming very distraught.
Zalera watched the two, feeling uncomfortable and out of place as she observed the roseate's obvious need to be with Hope. Probably preferably alone. She still felt guilt and self-hatred for failing Hope, Lightning, and herself. The warrior also still felt incredibly infuriated by the Academy adviser's words. Mostly because she thought them to be true, even if only in the slightest sense. How could anyone trust her? She was an outsider, after all. All this, paired with her still very bruised shoulder, just led her to feel not only defeated, but exhausted.
"Look," Zalera began, "I'm going to-"
"What," Lightning snapped ferociously. "What are you going to do, Zalera?" The soldier turned toward her as she winced at Lightning's tone. "You said you would protect him. You should be wearing those burn holes, not him!"
As much as Zalera wanted to hold her tongue since she did feel some responsibility, she was getting extremely pissed off at the blame and mistrust being thrown at her. Before she could bark back her retort at the mistreatment, however, Hope defended the green-haired woman.
"Back off, Light." Hope turned away from the window to look at them. "She did what she could."
"If she'd done what she could, you wouldn't have been hurt. I-"
"It would have happened if you had been watching me too, Lightning."
Her jaw clenched hearing Hope abandon his nickname for her, knowing he only called her Lightning when in distress or when angry with her. Of course it was the latter, but why?
Hope's expression hardened as he stared at Lightning. "Castea was waiting for an opportunity. A time when all of our guards were down." Holding a tense stance, he glanced at his feet, still holding a stern expression. He should have known that it had been too good to be true. The woman was an incredibly powerful and gifted l'Cie. That 'death' was simply too easy and rather anticlimactic.
Shaking her head, Lightning didn't quite understand. "How do you know that she was waiting?"
"Since I've gotten back… I've been hearing her voice in my head." Hope studied the floor. The carpet fibers held no painful expression of the betrayed, unlike his mentor. Not telling her something so important was irresponsible and had only caused a rift between them, but to Hope, it had been necessary. He continued with shaky words as Zalera came to stand against the wall, also intently listening to him with an expression of tightly controlled hurt. "I thought it was just a part of the trauma like the nightmares and flashbacks, but it makes sense now. She's been messing with me almost since the day we escaped."
Very unsure of how to handle all of the news being thrown at her today, Lightning gripped the handle of her blade, hoping to find some emotional stability in its smooth and cold hardness.
"I'm not sure why she would wait to attack until now... or why she wouldn't have just taken me, but..." Anger filled his tone, but he cleared his throat, reminding himself to remain level headed. Peeking at Lightning, Hope saw that she held a perfectly blank look, but her grip on her gunblade was tight enough to cause her hand to shake. The silveret sighed, knowing he'd probably just ruined his friendship with Lightning with all of the secrets he'd been harboring. "Z, can you give me and Light a minute?"
The Pulsian nodded, understanding in her gaze. "It's been a long day, anyway." Holding her bruised arm against her stomach, Zalera walked towards the door. "You want me to wait outside, or-"
"Have some rest. I'll see you at the house. Lightning, too." He knew that no matter what happened between them in this oncoming conversation, Lightning was going to remain by his side, whether he wanted her to or not.
The woman nodded once more, casting a wary glance toward the rigid soldier. "All right. Be careful. Both of you."
"And, Z?" She turned to him as he smiled in her direction. "If there is anyone here who doesn't belong, it's him." She hummed appreciatively, surprise present on her face.
After Zalera retreated from the room, Hope's gaze settled back out the window. Lightning stared at his back, wondering how she could have been so blind as to not have noticed that he'd never escaped Castea's clutches, but had only continued being tortured even while under her own protection. Instead of falling victim to her usual feelings of guilt, self-pity, and pain she focused on Hope, willing herself to make sure that this incident didn't shut him away from her anymore. "I'm sorry, Hope-"
"Light, I already said that none of this is your fault-"
"Then stop shutting me out." Taking a deep breath, she released her hold on her weapon. "Don't hide from me. You keep crawling under this shell and hiding under a fake smile, like it's all okay." She was feeling incredibly overwhelmed by everything lately and she wanted it all to stop. She wanted Hope to be okay and she desperately wanted to stop questioning her feelings concerning the young man. "And now you're so quiet and-"
Hope huffed, getting a little miffed at her hypocritical accusation. "Like you're one to talk. You put up a wall around yourself and each and every time that I chip away a piece, you quickly replace it. I thought, I was finally going to get through. But I'm not... am I?"
Lightning's eyes widened. This is about that?
"Of course I hide everything away under a facade of the usually happy me. What else am I supposed to do? I'm completely freaked. I thought I was safe. I thought that C-Castea was dead, gone. That she couldn't hurt me or anyone else ever again." He stopped as he felt his throat tighten. "But no, and I should be truly terrified, right? Yet all this does is remind me of what I want in my life and how... I can't have it."
Lightning's eyes snapped to his and every word, every response she'd thought of earlier was zapped from her brain. She shook her head, hoping that she could keep this discussion from veering off into her decision and back to Castea. Suddenly she felt his hands on her shoulders and just that gentle touch brought shivers down her spine.
"I don't want to talk about her or them anymore. I want to talk about us."
One glance at him and she knew there was no denying him this conversation. But she had to try. This was definitely not the time for this anyway and she'd tell him just that. "Hope, this isn't the time to discuss this." She attempted to turn away from him, but he held firm.
"Look at our lives, Light. Who we are, what we constantly have to go through, there never is a right time. We have to make time and make the most of any time we're given."
A startling smirk grew on her as she looked into his eyes. "Where did you get this confidence? Where's that shy, timid boy I met on that crystallized lake?"
Hope smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Honestly? I'm terrified."
"Of me," she questioned, truly stunned to have that effect on him.
"Of your rejection." Pale hands slid from her arms, not wanting her to feel trapped and forced to respond, yet his gaze never wavered from her orbs that were clouded and glazed over with an unidentifiable emotion. "I know what you're going to say... and I guess it's fine. You at least took some time to consider us. I'm sorry I put you in this position. I really thought that when you kissed me that it was a sign of things to come, but I guess not. Just-" Heaving a heavy sigh, the young director raked a hand carelessly through his hair, finding himself wishing that he could snatch his little confession back. "I can dismiss my feelings since that's what you want." His hands latched onto hers almost in desperation, but her expression didn't change. "But I need you to say it. Just tell me already," he pleaded. "Yes or no. Because even though I know, there's still this faint glimmer of hope deep inside of me that I can't rid myself of. Frankly, I'm sick of it. This desire to be with you and the small expectancy that it may happen has rooted itself inside of me and no matter what I-j-just please... I'm-but..." He huffed a little, frustrated with his own stuttering. "We can't be together and I know that, but if..."
His words faded out until she was just watching his lips move as he uncomfortably squirmed before her, his hold on her hands loosening as he lost his conviction. He was rambling and stammering away, his eyes dropping from her carefully empty stare. It was amusing really, in an endearing sort of way. Not to mention kind of cute. The state Hope was currently in reminded Lightning so much of the boy she had met months ago that was actually years. The boy that had irritated her so much that she'd almost left him for dead. The boy that learned to fight and survive, eventually proving himself to the soldier that he was a worthy teammate. The boy she had come to care deeply for. The boy who had turned into a stunning young man that she now adored and had devoted herself to.
And he thinks he knows what I'm going to say. It was true that she still had many doubts and reservations about them being together, but she had made her decision and she would not waver from it now. She was going to at least try, because every time she even feebly thought no, her mind would immediately scold her in favor of screaming yes. As she thought about it now, really truly telling him, she could feel the anxiety rise from within. It felt like a joyful, energetic puppy was bounding around inside of her.
Coming back to reality, she noticed Hope was still blabbing away, completely unaware that his audience had tuned him out a while ago. Lightning attempted to interject, but apparently he too had fallen into his own torrent of thoughts, only his were flooding out of his mouth. Gearing up for an interesting end to this conversation, she blew her bangs out of her eyes, and poked him in the forehead with a smirk tugging at her lips. His mouth finally ceased moving as he waited for her response which Lightning gave quickly and honestly. "Yes."
Hope just stared at her, his jaw seemingly unhinged. "Wh-What?" His poor mind just couldn't register what she'd said even though it was what he had desperately wanted to hear. Maybe that was why.
Chuckling in response, Lightning shook her head at his small dumbfounded expression. "Yes," she replied, watching as her response effectively wiped away all traces of resignation and dejection from his face, leaving her feeling as light and fluffy as the fur on the said cheerful puppy wreaking havoc on her insides.
Her reply was as blunt and surprising as a baseball to the face, but what really hit him hard was her sincerity. A smile slowly spread across his lips as she continued.
"I want to be with you, Hope." She was then swept up into his warm embrace accompanied quickly by his lips that sought out hers. She succumbed to his affection, finding it unbearable not to. She wanted his passion to consume her as their lips desperately connected. Her hands slid into his hair, tugging at it while he hugged her waist tightly against him.
They broke apart after an unknown, but seemingly lengthy amount of time and just stared into each others eyes that shined with building joyful tears. In an attempt to calm down and talk like the adults they were supposed to be, not the hormonal lovestruck teenagers they were acting like, Lightning sighed. She reached out and ruffled his hair in an uncontrollable reflex she'd gained with him.
He chuckled before clearing his throat, realizing that he needed to address this news and make absolutely sure this was what Lightning wanted. Even though he'd really rather stay in this state of complete bliss, things needed said and understood. "Are you sure, Light?"
Having expected the question, she nodded. "But..."
Of course, the dreaded 'but'. She was going to back out.
"...this is really new territory for me... and..." She watched as he bit his lip in probably gut-twisting anticipation until she cupped his face in her hands, hoping to assuage unnecessary worry about what she had to say. "I want this. I do. I know that now. But... I'd like this to stay..."
Hope knew what she wanted to say. Interestingly, she couldn't get it out, which would have been amusing in a different situation. Right now, though, he couldn't bear to laugh. A minute passed of her gaze piercing into his eyes as he willed himself to beat away his true reaction to Lightning's maddening want for secrecy and finished for her. "Between us?"
"... if that's all right?"
Disappointment flickered in his gaze and he couldn't help it as his enthusiasm began to ebb away. But he accepted this with a smile and a curt nod before kissing those soft pink lips that he'd dreamed about for years.
It was a reasonable request, even if it was immensely disheartening.
She laid in the silky green grass of Hope's back yard, letting the quiet darkness envelope her. Zalera inhaled the irresistible scent of plant life all around her, the cool Pulse air drifting over her body, tickling her skin. Taking refuge in the peace offered, the woman let a few tears slide down her cheeks. It was times like these, in the comfort of nature while lost in the stillness of time, that she still felt Pulsian.
She had worried before. That her insertion in Academia would change her, would make her like 'one of them'. It was a constant term used apparently by both the people of Pulse and Cocoon and it sickened her. Especially since she had even used it, though only in her mind. It was like the other side was some form of disease. But there was nothing wrong with either side. Her very Pulsian presence in the Cocoon population would just have to prove it.
Although, she wasn't quite sure if that was true. Which side was she supposed to latch onto now?
The sound of the sliding door opening and closing drew her out of her musings. She sighed as she evaluated the footsteps approaching her. "Hey, Hope."
Hope hummed a hello in return. "How'd you know," he inquired, since Zalera hadn't looked toward him or even opened her eyes.
A grin asserted itself on her as she continued to lie there, sliding the grass through her fingers. "Your walk. You're a bit timid, Hope." She thought for a second. "Cautious," Zalera amended. "Lightning walks with more purpose... confidence. And if it were anyone else... well, we'd be in trouble, huh?" She lifted her head back to look behind her, seeing the silveret glare halfheartedly at her before muffling a laugh.
"Thanks," Hope expressed sarcastically. "What are you doing?"
A sigh fell through the air while she considered his question. "Just feeling." She received quite the inquisitive look and expanded upon her explanation. "The vibrations of the earth, the feel of the air and cool grass. Becoming one with nature or... something like that." Her face scrunched up a bit in thought. "This place... Academia... It's great that you could give your people back a piece of their old lives, the city life and all, but even though it's still on Pulse I feel like I'm worlds away. The lights, the sounds, the... people, it's not for me." She stood up and smirked at her friend while shaking her head and walking to his side. "Oh, don't look so concerned, Hope. I'm just feeling nostalgic. That's all."
A tense minute passed until Hope looked on, a serene feeling washing over him as he gazed upon the garden. Zalera stared at his state, noting that he looked as exhausted as she felt, if not more. "You should get some rest. You look..." He smiled before shaking his head as if to convey that he was fine and no worries should be had on his account. Concern flashed through his eyes as he caught sight of her shoulder, which he healed before she could protest.
Not straying from her topic, she continued. "Nightmares?" Of course his overwhelmed and tired appearance could very much be due to today's events, she had noticed that Hope had been this way for quite some time. Now she knew the secret he'd been harboring, though, and that had to have impacted him greatly while she'd been none the wiser. "I heard you last night. Sounded terrifying."
The young man swallowed thickly. Nightmares had been plaguing him and he knew they would only get worse now. If he'd be able to sleep, that is. "Do you..."
Zalera released another sigh and shrugged. "I've lived through so much that I've grown used to them. Whether that's a good or bad thing... It is what it is." It was a sad truth and she was past fretting about nightmares now.
"Mine were in the past," Hope spoke softly, a frown etching itself on his features. "The nightmares from the purge and my mom's death and... all of the l'Cie turmoil... Even the ones of my father's death were slowly fading, but... now-"
"The past haunts us," interrupted Zalera. "In our thoughts, memories, dreams... we just have to push through." She placed a firm hand on his shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "Now, where is firefly?"
A smile begged and pleaded to announce itself on his face until he couldn't resist. The woman beside him quirked a questioning brow at this, but he sidestepped the silent inquiry. "Are you going to call her that all the time now? 'Cause if Light hears that, I'm pretty sure you two are going to go at it."
"Oh, don't act like you wouldn't enjoy the show." Hope snorted in response before she returned to her earlier inferred question. "What did I miss between you two, anyhow? Don't tell me I missed the fireworks." You would have had to have been blind not to see the silveret's grin and the red smeared across his cheeks, even in the darkness of his backyard. "I did, didn't I?"
Hope nodded before quickly shaking his head and turning toward her, slight fear in his eyes. "But we're keeping it to ourselves for now, all right? You can't say anything."
Zalera's happiness diminished while she frowned. "Finally, it was painful watching the two of you, but... a secret? That was Lightning's idea wasn't it?" No doubt it was. The soldier wasn't hiding her feelings from Hope anymore, thank the Maker, but she was still hiding them from everyone else. It most definitely wouldn't be a good relationship from the start. Hope didn't deserve that just because Lightning couldn't fully deal.
"Yes, but I agreed-"
The green-haired woman growled. "That's not right. Lightning's just being-"
Hope clicked his tongue before rolling his eyes at her. "I know. I'm hoping she gets... we get passed this, but I'm taking what I can for now. It's better than nothing, right?" Hope had wanted to be with her for so long that he was just excited that his feelings were accepted, even if they were only somewhat returned. He waited for a nod before proceeding with what he originally intended to say when he'd come out here. "Now, I need to ask you for a favor."
Lightning was in a very sour mood. She was ready to rip apart the next person to touch or even speak to her. Zalera, no doubt noticing this, smirked at her, but stayed a good few feet away. "I'm going to mutilate that boy," muttered the soldier darkly as she stared at the store before her.
"Now, now, save that for the honeymoon." This comment earned her a serious scowl as Lightning threateningly reached for her gunblade. That did nothing to deter the fit of laughter that Zalera had ended up in, however. "Oh, lighten up. And you're not as scary as you think you are, firefly. So you can let go of your weapon now."
Looking at her with a confused and agitated glare, she sighed and relaxed her tense posture, still very not okay with the turn of events that day. An hour before, especially. She'd been dragged out of bed at the crack of dawn by a perky, bubbly Lebreau. After almost cutting the woman's head off in her grouchy state, Lightning was informed by a highly amused Zalera that the three women were going off to find dresses for Harleen's soiree occurring that night. After much squabbling and struggling, the girls had managed to heave the roseate out into the hideous world of shopping.
Lightning crossed her arms and stood stiff in the foyer of a very elegant and quaint boutique, her usual defiance toward any sort of femininity striking again. Sneering at a particularly bright, fluffy and vomit inducing dress, she felt her leg twitch toward the door in an urge to immediately bolt. Or I could slice that monstrosity into a bunch of not-so-pretty bits. Yeah, no one would miss it.
"Calm down, soldier girl," said Lebreau as she passed the still fuming pinkette. "It's not going to jump out and attack you. Although," a pensive look overcame the woman's usually cheery face before she continued, "I wouldn't put it past that dress. The way that chiffon is laid makes it look like it has teeth."
"Ugh, I don't have time for this. I should be protecting H-" She was cut off by Zalera as she was spun around and pushed until she was shoved into the nearest dressing room.
"The kid is fine. He took the day off at his house and is having some man time with Rygdea, Sazh, Maqui and Yuj."
"Where's the men," grumbled Lightning as she slumped against the wall of the overly bright room.
Although very worried herself about Hope's current protection detail, Zalera willed her concern away since she was fulfilling his favor. Boy, does he owe me big time. She shook her head and chuckled. "He'll be fine. Besides, this'll be quick and painless if you stop resisting." She turned to Lebreau and whispered for her to find some gowns while she dealt with the whiner. "You'll only be wearing it for a few hours, anyway."
"I don't do dresses. Why can't I just wear my damn uniform? That's the reason I'm going. To guard him."
The Pulsian rolled her eyes in response, getting tired of the girl's bitter attitude. In light of this, she shoved Lightning fully in the room and stepped in, shutting and locking the door behind her. "Actually, you should be going as Hope's date. But since you're such a fucking cop out, yes you're going as his guard. To make it up to him, you can at least look pretty." Zalera held a self-satisfied smirk as she stared at Lightning's disgruntled expression.
Huffing, Lightning pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm still going to slaughter him for telling you."
"Whatever, Lightning. You can't wear your uniform because miss priss has everyone dressing formal at her parties, apparently. Even her own guards wear tuxedos. But why don't you just wear a tux," suggested Zalera, snickering. "I'm sure you'll attract loads of attention then, just like you like."
Lightning stared murderously at the wall before her, knowing Zalera was right. She decided to relent. Until Zalera had decided to continue speaking.
"Besides, don't you want to see the look on Hope's face when you descend his staircase, all delectably gorgeous. He'll want to jump you right-"
"Shut it, Zalera," Lightning shouted before lowering her tone drastically as the store had quieted in the wake of her outburst. "You know about us, great, now can you just zip it." A light blush burned on her face as she looked away.
Already fed up with the way Lightning treated hers and Hope's new relationship, Zalera couldn't help but tell her off. "You know what? No. I won't zip it. I can't believe that you're acting like such a scaredy-cat about this. You, thee Lightning Farron that everyone talks about as this great and courageous being. Because you look pretty fucking small from where I'm standing."
"The hell is that supposed to mean," Lightning growled, fist clenching at her side.
With a deadpan stare and a tilt of the head as if to ask 'you really don't know,' Zalera resumed her reprimanding. "This kid is so sweet and loving and seriously deserves a real damn relationship with the person he loves. What does he get? A relationship that he has to lie about and hide as if it were so fucking surreptitious that no one would understand. Shit, how could you be so cold? He loves you, truly head-over-heels loves you and you can't man up to let others know you at least share some feelings. Are you ashamed or something? I mean, jeez." Zalera stormed out of the dressing room before the stunned soldier could defend herself. The emerald haired woman stopped right inside the entrance, however, to say one last thing. "And I can't believe, after everything you've been through, with all that's against you two, and with what's after him, that you would waste the precious time you have together." With a deep sigh, she went off to cool down and find her own gown just as Lebreau came back to hand Lightning some to try on.
Over the next few hours, while numbly being draped in dozens of horrifically overpriced gowns and being in a competitive silence with Zalera, Lightning thought over the argument the two had been in earlier. Although she'd rather bite her own hand off than admit such a thing, she was realizing that Zalera may have been right. Maybe keeping them a secret was a bad idea. Although, she still wasn't entirely sure that a relationship with Hope wasn't a bad idea. Was it really so wrong for her to want to keep her private affairs private? Hers and Hope's love lives were nobody else's business. They didn't need to parade it in front of everyone's prying eyes. Of course, she knew she'd be getting quite a few disbelieving looks once people found out the ice-hearted bitch had a boyfriend.
Tch, our relationship. Maker, when did that word become so easy to use? This is too new to really decide much. If this... thing with Hope becomes serious enough, then we'll tell people. But for right now... it's just us. I mean Hope said he was okay with it. Just because the heathen has a problem with it, doesn't mean he does, right? What the hell does she know?
Besides, that wasn't what needed her attention. As soon as she was done being pushed into gowns ranging from ones that practically belonged in the Elizabethan Era to ones so skimpy they would make her sister blush, Lightning was going back to her main focus in life - protecting Hope.
But was protecting him physically enough? Besides his over-all moodiness because of his longing for their... togetherness, she could tell he was still deeply traumatized and becoming increasingly withdrawn. With this last appearance of Castea and her new threats, there was no doubt in her mind that Hope had to be close to spiraling. She hoped that the new development in their relationship could soothe some of his pain, but there was only so much she could do, only so much she could give, especially so soon in their... thing. Yes, okay maybe 'thing' isn't the right word... She had to find some way to help Hope relax. Find some way for him to find some peace that didn't ask too much from her. Also maybe something that could help her get to know him a bit better.
Lightning considered this for quite some time. While she had known Hope for quite a while now, and she liked to think that she knew him on a pretty deep level, she had no idea what he liked to do in his spare time. The kid hardly took any time off from work and when he did it was to eat, which was done minimally and unhealthily, and to sleep, also done minimally. If he ever found any time at all to do unproductive things, he spent it with his friends. Hope didn't really give himself time to relax at all. This realization caused Lightning to notice a rather alarming flaw in her companion. His selflessness and workaholic ways were going to cause him to collapse. And she needed to help him recognize this. Even if it meant tying him to a chair and forcing him to take a break every once in a while.
The three women exited the store after having spent an exhausting amount of time doing such a trivial thing as dress shopping, and were going to be driven back to Hope's by Dornum. Lightning was still consumed in her thoughts about how to get Hope to relax. She thought about asking Hope what he liked and asking to do whatever that may be. But then she figured it would be nice to know ahead of time, so she could just suggest it herself instead of coaxing it out of him. She could ask one of the women with her now, but she didn't really know Lebreau and she was still in a silent fight with the elder woman. Besides, if she didn't know, she doubted those two did. It was then that she remembered that she was only a couple blocks from Cass' apartment. He had been best friends with Hope for years and would surely know what he enjoyed in his spare time. Asking Cass things may end up costing her dignity because the little punk was, well, a little punk, but it was for Hope.
In light of her decision, she shoved her gown into Zalera's unsuspecting arms and began walking away from the car and down the street, uncaring of the two bewildered women behind her.
Zalera growled at the girl's petulant carelessness before handing her clothing items to Lebreau and telling her to head back. She was going to head after the sergeant and they'd make their way back later.
A couple minutes after storming off, Lightning heard someone trotting up behind her, a dark aura surrounding her. "Go home, Z," Lightning barked.
The Pulsian only continued to follow, her frown deepening. "What are you doing? I thought you couldn't wait to get back to Hope. You're like a dog with a bone, I swear." Zalera grinned. "What should I expect, though, with how deeply in love-"
"Just shut it." Lightning went to slam her fist into Zalera's cheek but the emerald-haired woman swiftly dodged the move and grabbed the soldier's arm, twisting it back behind her painfully. "Let go."
"Let's get this straight," Zalera spat, her hold tightening.
The woman forced Lightning down onto one knee, the younger getting more infuriated by the second. She struggled, but it seemed she'd grossly underestimated Zalera's strength.
"I'm not one to be messed with and don't bother challenging me. You will lose. I don't want to fight you, Lightning. It may seem like I'm begging for a fight, but I'm only looking out for Hope. I want to protect him not only physically but emotionally, as well. Like friends do. I do like you, Firefly, but I'm not going to watch you stomp on the kid's feelings. You are a tremendously skilled fighter and have a good, loyal heart. I know that with time and effort, you two will make one hell of a couple. Your hardheadedness, fear of attachment, and fear of intimacy is what bothers me, though. If you really care for him, you're going to have to work on those flaws of yours." With this she let go of Lightning, stepping back while the girl jumped up from her spot and turned in her direction.
She seethed with rage, but knew Zalera's words rang true. All of them. This only made her want to sock Zalera more. Her fist clenched and loosened a few times before she sighed and continued on to her original destination, hearing tense footsteps trailing behind her and huffed mutterings coming from her tail.
Once they were outside of the shabby apartment complex, Lightning whipped around to face Zalera, the woman almost stumbling into her due to Lightning's quick, unpredicted movement. "I'm looking out for him emotionally, too. Believe me, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."
Zalera's brow furrowed as she glanced at the building before her. "And here would be...?"
"This is Cassidy Leonald's place. He's-"
Zalera held her hand up. "I've met him. An interesting fellow, that one. But what are we doing here and what does this have to do with your concern over Hope?" She knew a bit about the boy and his connections to Hope, but she failed to see the end game in all of this.
Crossing her arms and jutting out her hip, the roseate clicked her tongue. "He knows Hope. He knows him well." Lightning paused and kicked at a rock. "Hope hasn't been-"
"I know."
"I wanted to find a way to get him to relax. You know, enjoy himself. But I don't know how. I figured Cass might have an idea as to what he would... like... to..." Lightning slowly came to a stop, noticing amusement blooming on Zalera's face.
It was hilarious, really. Had the girl not had a boyfriend before? Zalera knew a few things Lightning, and probably only Lightning, could do to take Hope's mind off of his worries. It seemed that these things hadn't occurred to the younger, though. It was interesting, for Zalera knew Lightning wasn't naïve. But maybe they weren't at that point in their relationship. Knowing Cass, he'd surely bring it up anyway, so there was no need for her to suggest using those kinds of distractions. Besides, it was sweet that the girl wanted to know more about Hope's interests and bond. Shoving down her bubbling chuckles, Zalera motioned for Lightning to continue on to his place. "I get it."
The door to his apartment was ajar, immediately alarming the two visitors. Both took out their weapons while glancing at each other, both assured they were prepared and would have the other's back. Holding her weapon in gunmode, ready to shoot any threat she detected, Lightning slowly pushed the door open. The living room, the first room of the apartment they stepped into, was dark as was the rest of the place as it seemed that all lights were off. A steady stream of light drifted in through the windows, though, enough to show just how completely wrecked the place was. It was trashed, to say the least. The TV was knocked onto the floor, its screen shattered and its stand broken in half. The coffee table was in shambles in front of the flipped over couch. Papers and books were strewn across the floor as if a tornado had graced the room with its remarkable winds. And even the walls had deep gashes in them, made by what appeared to be a very sharp blade, obviously only done to make a point.
Shooing away any worry her mind had suddenly gained for Cass, Lightning quietly stepped into the apartment, Zalera quick to follow. Upon seeing that the mess carried throughout the entire home, as expected, but still unnerving, the Pulsian's grip on her chakram strengthened. They both stood in the entrance, eyes taking in everything to be seen, ears set to hear any unwelcome company that may be had. Lightning was just about to step away to check the bedroom and send Zalera to check the kitchen, when the elder woman swiftly held a hand to her chest. Her gaze found Zalera's which was trained on the couch.
The warrior knew what Lightning was going to do. Split up and find if anyone was in the apartment and if not, figure out what happened and find Cass. It was what Zalera thought to do as well. But she had already detected another presence in the room. She could smell someone. Even over the stench of rotting food and beer that reeked from the kitchen, no doubt a result from whatever fiasco took place before their arrival, Zalera could still smell strong body odor wafting over to her nose from the direction of the flipped furniture. There was also light erratic breathing that was emanating from that direction. She gave the girl a glance and noticed a nod given.
Lightning took a step towards the couch while aiming her gun blade just above it, ready to strike down whomever the coward was. Just as her finger wavered over the trigger, a man sat up swiftly, his triple barrel revolver trained on the roseate.
Before either made a move or the recognition of the man could set in, a chakram flew towards his head, landing just a few milometers from his ear, sticking itself in the wall with its shiny, sharp spike.
The man's now wide eyes glanced at the weapon that could have very well been embedded into his head, before he slumped back against the wall, his arm falling to his side, gun thumping on the floor. "Honestly, as if there weren't enough people trying to kill me."
Lightning sighed. "Cass." She gave him a look, seeming to ask if anyone else were gracing them with their presence, but he shook his head, leading her to sheathing her weapon.
The two women took in the kid's appearance. He was still slouching against the wall, his eyes now closed in a relieved and calm manner. He looked horrible. Dark circles wore under his eyes, his lips painfully chapped, clothes thoroughly ruffled and hair in more of a disarray than usual. He had quite a bit of stubble, which was puzzling considering, although not usually a characteristic of someone of his laziness, he was always clean shaven. There was a lot of bruising around his left eye and nose, as well, but it looked a day old, at least. "Well, don't you look like death," commented Zalera.
Cass only smiled weakly before heaving a sigh. "Oh, you mean this," he asked with a gesture to his person, "I was just trying a new look. What do you think, ladies? Matches my apartment, huh?"
Crinkling her nose as she walked over to him and grabbed her chakram, Zalera lifted up his gun and gave it a once over. "You smell like an Alchemic Ooze. When the hell was the last time you bathed?"
"Whatever, I'm still the finest thing your eyes have ever seen. Cutting it a little close, huh, babe," asked Cass, eyeing her weapon.
Zalera smirked at the little twerp at her feet and dropped his revolver unceremoniously into his lap, an oomph leaving him as she slung her chakram back into its home in her back straps. "Please. The second I saw it was you, my aim was immediately cast away from its original target, much to my dismay."
Before Cass could utter a retort, Lightning cut across him. "What happened?" Her face was set in a dull mask, feigning disinterest. She wasn't quite sure why she cared, but she did. There was no lying to herself. Whether it was the fact that she'd actually grown to like the kid, or because he meant so much to Hope, or because this could be a part of the deranged l'Cie after her charge, she wasn't sure. She was inclined to think the latter, because this seemed to be too much of a coincidence with Castea's most recent attack. Maybe the woman wasn't just going to go after Hope, but those close to him as well. This thought made her chest tighten and her worry for Hope grow ten fold.
She attempted to calm down and rationalize. She had been warned multiple times about Cass' want for danger and its thrills. Apparently seeking it out through any means. But something just felt off about this situation. Something was completely wrong.
Standing unsteadily, his weight still mostly held by the wall behind him, the young man smirked. "You know me, just can't resist a good time."
"Some tramp you hook decide to exact revenge when she saw how little you had to offer," Zalera mused.
"Wow, she has a sense of humor. Well I guess if the ever stiff soldier can, then I guess the tense warrior can too. Brains, braun, humor, and unbelievable sexiness. Man, Hope really doesn't know what he has."
Lightning rolled her eyes. "Still a pervert, I see."
"Still such a prude, I see." Cass winked before picking up his weapon and sliding it into the back of his pants, soon sitting on the overturned couch. "Well seeing as I apparently welcome unannounced guests in my home, come on in. Have a seat."
"What's going on-"
The seventeen year old waved a hand, brushing off Lightning's concern. "Like I said, just a good time gone better. This is what happens when a party's done right."
Lightning didn't buy it for a minute. "If this has anything to do with whose after Hope, then you best explain."
Ah, so that's what has you all ruffled. "I heard what happened. I'm glad Hope's all right, but don't fret, my pink haired goddess, this had nothing to do with your lover's foes."
Glaring at Cass and his irritating nonchalance about everything, Lightning huffed. "Yeah, whatever."
"Anyway, as much as I enjoy the eye-pleasing company…" Cass reached out and stroked Zalera's thigh that was beside him. "I'd like to know why-"
Before he could even finish the first brush of his hand against the woman's pale skin, he found his throat in Zalera's strong grip and his body held against the wall. "Your salacious words were enough, even tolerable, but keep your lecherous limbs to yourself."
Lightning chuckled. "Guess I'm not the only one who has a hard time in his presence."
"He's amusing to a degree, but I will not allow myself to be preyed upon. Especially not by one so young."
"How old are you, anyway," inquired Lightning, quite amused by the color change in the boy's face.
"Twenty-six."
"Hmm."
Cass wheezed in the woman's tight hold. "Um… guys," Cass choked out.
"You should probably let the runt breathe. I did come here for a purpose, after all."
Zalera released her hold and let out a light laugh as the kid fell to his knees, gulping in air like a fish out of water.
After his face's color returned and his coughing subsided, he glared at his attacker. "I didn't know that you liked it rough. Could've given me a bit of a heads up, but then it's not as fun, right?" His grin shrank as Zalera stomped on his hand.
"What a scuzzball."
Lightning snorted in response. "Anyway, I have a question for you, if you're not too busy living in the lap of luxury, of course."
Cass stood and bowed before them. "At your service, my fare maidens."
The emerald-haired woman put a hand to her hip as she rolled her eyes. "A gentleman now, eh?"
"I just wanted to know something." Not that this banter wasn't cute and all, but it was taking far too long to get the answers she was seeking. It was obvious that Cass wasn't going to spill about his current predicament and now he was just going to toy with his visitors for his own entertainment. As usual. She knew his crude humor and mischievous tactics were to guard himself from others. There was an intriguing depth to Cass, but he didn't care to allow anyone to examine it and Lightning didn't care to seek it out. She was here for one thing. Hope. "I know you haven't been around to notice,"a another thing Lightning found odd. If they were so close, why didn't they ever socialize. Even with all of the tension between Hope and Nivien, they still talked every once and a while. "But Hope has been running himself into the ground. And with his torture and now with the wench's reappearance, his stress level is through the roof. He needs to unwind and…" Although she had successfully sounded very detached, it was clear by Cass' cheshire grin that her overwhelming concern was obvious.
"Oh, so you want to help Hope relax? Simple." She already didn't like where this was going. "Just go down on his d-"
Zalera cuffed him over the head before he could continue, but couldn't contain her laughter as she took in the flustered expression on the younger woman's face.
Shaking her head and letting out a sigh, Lightning crossed her arms before her. "I should have known this would be a waste of time."
"No." Cass controlled his own laughter before accomplishing a look of seriousness. "I'm sorry. It's just so easy. I know Hope likes to work. It takes his mind off of the mistakes he's made in his life. It also gives him that sense of purpose he's always craved. Especially when he's working to protect his people. But, yeah, he needs to chill out. Nivien and I used to have to drag him out of his studies or whatever project or training he was in. We would just go out and have fun, even though half of the time Hope's heart really wasn't in it, you know?" He began to finger the hem of his shirt, a nervous habit he'd reacquired recently. "He enjoys reading, cooking, gardening… all that quiet domestic stuff, I suppose. That pansy." He chuckled. "I don't know, Lightning. I'm pretty sure though, that if it involves you, it would make him the happiest." A look of revelation crossed his features before Cass began again. "It's been awhile… a long while since he's played… but I know that when things were really hectic and stressful back in the old days, he would play his violin."
Lightning looked thoughtful for a few brief moments. She had wondered before what it would be like to hear him play. Lightning nodded. "Thanks, Cass."
"We may not be as close as we used to be, but… take care of him, please. Things are going to get worse. Hope does need to relax, but he also needs to be ready."
She thought to ask how the kid knew exactly that things were going to worsen, but he got up and walked into the next room before her thoughts could form words.
"I enjoyed this little visit, but I need to spend some quality time in my little hovel. You guys can see yourselves out." He bit his lip as he began picking up shards of glass from the broken beer bottles littered along the linoleum. He nodded to Zalera as she gave a half-hearted wave. "Milady," he said as his head bowed.
Zalera scoffed and chuckled. "Your hoboness," she replied as she bowed in return.
Cass snorted as they left. When he could no longer hear their footsteps, he slouched down on the ground. His jovial smile quickly fell, leaving a quelled anger and pensivity inside him. Taking out his gun, the brunet eyed it for a few brief seconds. He considered sticking it in his mouth and letting a bullet bring him peace. It'd be better than seeing all that was to come - than facing what his and his friends' futures held. Instead he set the revolver down beside him and began cleaning up his home. "I'll prove how little you are. This time, I won't be the one left in the dark."
Castea stood on a building, staring intently at the identical one directly across from it. In her minds eye, she could see her plan working perfectly. Hope seeking and retrieving the crystals - him piecing the fragments together - the world ripping itself apart and all life disintegrating into nothing as Buinivelze graced the planet with his presence - a new world born from this one's ashes. If only the boy would just cooperate. After everything Castea had done in her life, after everything she'd worked toward, she wasn't going to let the little runt get in her way. The defiant brat should know by now that I am not one to be trifled with. I swear, if he weren't so important, I would have gutted him ages ago. The little menace.
Sebastian came up behind her, ready to inform her of their little progress. He quietly cleared his throat to gain her attention. "Lady Hidon."
"Have you located the Pulsian, yet? The one with ties to Zalera?"
He shook his head as she turned toward him, his head bowed out of respect and disgrace for coming empty handed. "We almost had him, but we lost his trail. We think he might have attached himself to another tribe."
Castea put her finger under her minion's chin to raise his head and meet her eyes. "Do not fret, darling. I didn't expect you to have collected him yet, anyhow. But he could prove very useful in the future. Find him. I'm not sure what measures we'll have to take to get the young Estheim moving..." She paused and turned to peak at the people that she had been watching for some time. The l'Cie smiled as familiar pink and green came back into her vision as the two women exited an apartment building. "But my patience is wearing thin."