I do not own FFVII characters – though I wish I did. lol
I do own my own character – Jalyne.
A shorter and slower chapter to enjoy. We will be back to our regularly scheduled program momentarily.
Chapter 30 – The Feast
Jalyne awoke to the wonderful smells of Rude's cooking and realized that she may have missed the festivities. She noticed one thing as she became fully awake - she trembled and shook lightly. It was still dark out as she looked around the room and swung her legs out of bed shakily, trying to stand and face the window.
"My hell, woman!" Reno exclaimed as he rushed through the door, steadying her at the window. "You need to sleep."
"What time is it?" Jalyne asked turning in his grasp.
"Around 6 am. Rude started cooking about an hour ago, yo."
"Oh." She leaned her head to rest on his. "How long have I been out?"
"We brought you back around ten thirty." Reno replied quietly.
In a drastic move, Jalyne wrapped her arms around him, hugging him fiercely. Reno heard her light sob and felt her magic dissolve as she resumed her normal attire. "Thank you." She whispered. "For everything."
"No problem, yo." He responded gently looking into her green orbs when he pulled slightly away from her. Jalyne sat back on the bed and looked up at him.
"Did you and Rude even rest?"
"Of course, we did, yo." Reno asserted quietly. "Rude took one of your spare rooms."
"Are the others still coming?" Jalyne asked.
"You had one hell of an evening and you are worried about Thanksgiving?" he chuckled sitting with her on the bed, to which Jalyne smiled wanly.
"It is the celebration of the harvests. It is important." She commented stubbornly. "I just hope the shakes stop before I have to make the dish."
Reno reached out and grabbed her hand within his. "Why don't you get some more rest."
"Because I'm not tired." Jalyne said seriously.
Jalyne joined the other Turks after about an hour. The smells coming from the kitchen were great, but she was curious on what exactly rude was making. Not surprisingly, Reno was sitting on the couch watching TV. He glanced her way and nodded. Jalyne entered the kitchen only to be halted by one word.
"Out."
Jalyne surprisingly looked at Rude and then chuckled, backing out of the kitchen, and moving to sit next to Reno.
"He doesn't like to be bothered when he cooks."
"I gathered that." Jalyne laughed. "He realizes that I have to make my dish too, right?"
"Yes." the voice came from the kitchen of which she raised an eyebrow to him.
"Feel any better, yo?" Reno questioned. Jalyne held out her hand, which shook minimally.
"I'll be okay."
"How long do you need?" Rude asked appearing in front of them. He was dressed in in jeans and a tee with an apron tied around his neck and waist.
"About two hours." Jalyne answered. "One to prepare and one to make."
"The others will be here around noon." Reno stated still watching the morning the news. "Dinner will be around four."
"Then I better get cooking." Rude turned and went back into the kitchen. Jalyne stood up suddenly and looked around her place.
"I better do something about this." She commented with her hands on her hips. Reno looked up at her and smiled.
"About what, yo?" he inquired with mirth.
"Decorating, of course."
Her hands began to glow lightly as she concentrated, thinking of which decorations she would use. An idea sprang forth and she smiled even more as Reno looked on. Jalyne outstretched her hand towards the formal dining area and the chairs were covered in golden silky fabric and the table adorned in a deep autumn red runner with golden place holders.
Jalyne swept her arm overhead in a wide arc and placed decorations of leaves and rustic branches in golden, green, orange, and red hues throughout the living area. She looked back at the table, furrowing her brows lightly and suddenly snapped her fingers. The silver plates that appeared looked like something carved from tree trunks and the accompanying silverware and goblets matched beautifully. Jalyne reached behind her, outward to the patio and lights sprang forth, floating above the pool and surrounding area. She turned and smirked with a wink to Reno and sat down.
"Beautiful." He commented as she settled next to him to watch TV. He reached for Jalyne's legs and pulled them across his lap, letting her recline on the end of the couch. Within minutes her soft breathing reached his ears as she dozed, and he smiled to himself.
The others were due to arrive around noon and Jalyne had started cutting the choracti by mid-morning as Rude looked on attentively, watching the preparation with great interest.
"If you slice it like so, choracti softens better when you put it over the water bath." Jalyne instructed. She paused and whispered. "Thank you for everything, Rude."
The normally silent partner reached out and touched her arm in comfort. "You're quite welcome he said silently as he continued to watch Jalyne prepare her dish. Jalyne smiled sadly.
"I should be stronger than this." she said.
"There is only so much one can do." Rude commented still keeping his hand upon her arm. "We always continually grow stronger. There is nothing that the Turks can't do, and we always succeed."
She smiled at him and continued teaching him the dish. "But I shouldn't have lost it like that last night."
"We are not infallible, Jalyne." He stated. "I hate to think what would have happened if it was Elena. Or one of us."
"Does Mako do that to Gaians?"
"It depends on the concentration." Rude paused. "And if there are any hidden abilities. On some people, superhuman strength and other attributes can occur."
"Like Cloud? And Zack?" Jalyne inquired.
"Hm." Rude nodded in agreement. "The SOLDIER program."
Reno appeared in the entryway and looked at his two partners cooking a dish that well, looked interesting. "What about the SOLDIER program?"
Jalyne paused, putting the knife down as she began to tremble lightly. Finally, she looked at Reno in thought. "There is more happening with Raphael than is originally thought."
"How so?" Reno asked shrewdly.
"He is doing…arcane experiments. At least from a Gaian perspective I believe." Jalyne said, resuming her baking.
"So, you did touch his mind." Rude stated and Jalyne shuddered unconsciously.
"I would prefer not to go down that rabbit hole again if I don't need to."
"That bad?" Reno questioned, leaning on the island counter gauging Jalyne's reaction.
"I would prefer not to discuss it at the moment." Jalyne looked at him pointedly. "This is supposed to be a joyous occasion."
Reno shrugged his shoulders but kept a gaze on her a moment before exiting the kitchen with a beer and staring out to the pool, waiting on the others to arrive. Jalyne and Rude finished up the dish and joined him as the snow started to fall. They heard the elevator not long afterward and Elena and Tseng walked through the door bearing alcohol and assorted dishes to add to the festivities. Rude dutifully took the dishes and headed into the kitchen with a slight smile.
Tseng rushed to Jalyne in rare form and hugged her tightly. "I was worried."
"No need." Jalyne assured him, returning the hug. She glanced at Reno and smiled warmly. "Reno was there to help me."
"That was a crazy mission." Elena stated hugging her coworker tightly. "I could have done more, you know."
Jalyne reached up and put a hand on her shoulder in comfort. "I know. I told you I wouldn't let anything happen to you, though." She winked at her and looked at Tseng devilishly. "Besides, Tseng would kill me if that happened." Jalyne teased.
They idly chatted while Rude was preparing the other dishes, drinking lightly, and enjoying each other's company when Jalyne heard the elevator.
"Are we expecting anyone else?" she asked Tseng.
"Not that I know of." He replied. "Friends of yours, maybe?"
"They're all here." Jalyne commented dryly. She stood at the front, mainly to protect the others in case a surprise came through the door. The doors opened and her eyes widened slightly at the sight.
"Sir!" The Turks all addressed the President as he walked in, carrying a gift and wine.
"Hmph." The blond president huffed lightly with a gleam in his cerulean eyes. "Why so surprised?"
"We didn't expect you, Sir." Tseng answered. "Usually it's just us Turks."
"Times change." He stated and found Jalyne's gaze upon him. "Yes?"
Jalyne pulled her palms together in front of her, right hand up and left hand down, giving the formal bow. He looked on for a moment, surprised at her for showing such formality in her own home. Elena retried the gifts from him and despite the looks of incredulity upon his Turk's faces, Rufus returned Jalyne's bow perfectly. As he gazed at her green eyes, he noticed the slight but hidden surprise and she suddenly smiled warmly at him.
"Palciae e comwelia." Jalyne stated in Trerran and extending an arm for entry. Rufus paused before standing in front of her and embracing her, kissing her cheek.
"Are you alright?" he asked quietly.
"Yes." Jalyne responded. "I still tremble a little here and there."
"What happened?"
Jalyne chuckled and nodded to Reno. "I told Reno to throw me in the pool."
"Hey, yo." The red head defended. "She told me too."
"The water contained my bursts." She explained. "And the coldness cleared my mind to concentrate enough to use healing."
Rufus caught the shadow that crossed her eyes, and she shook her head. "Not now, please. This is a joyous occasion of celebration." Jalyne whispered in answer to his look and he nodded in acceptance, moving towards the others.
"Oh relax. You're off duty." Rufus stated sourly rolling his eyes at the rest of his family.
The Turks chatted and laughed, and the President loosened up as he drank more wine and alcohol. Jalyne emerged from the kitchen a time later and stood in front of them, waiting to garner their attention. They looked at her inquiringly because she was dressed in formal Trerran festive attire. As all eyes turned to her, she smiled and addressed them.
"I have something I would like to share with you." Jalyne started and then looked at Reno with a grin. "If you can bare the cold."
They stood and slid on their coats and followed the Princess out onto the patio by the pool house and waited. Jalyne looked upward to the sun setting in the west over Midgar and then closed her eyes. She brought her right hand to her forehead in concentration bringing her power forth in a burst. Heaven's Gate opened in front of them showing them Litrandan, just outside of Solaria's palace. Jalyne concentrated a moment more and opened her eyes to the gasps of her new family.
"Litrandan." Jalyne explained. "At the time of the Great Feast."
The palace glowed in the rusty colors of autumn and the grasslands reflected the orange and red hues of the lowering suns. The leaves on the trees were a deep forest green and some of them were already changing to the deep purples and blues that would mark the changing into winter.
"It's beautiful, Jalyne." Elena marveled, hugging her friend, and staring outward to the plains.
"Just a moment more." Jalyne replied cryptically, looking around at her friends. The first sun had set and the second was halfway down and they kept their eyes watchful. Suddenly the trees sparkled in numerous colors as the second sun made its way beneath the horizon. Jalyne glanced at her friends and noticed each of them had their eyes wide in wonderment.
Even Rufus looked on in astonishment and marvel, absorbing all of the colors the trees of light had to offer. Reno gave a brief squeeze for thanks for showing them this landscape of peacefulness.
"Just wait." Jalyne commented deviousness and turned to Rude with a wink. "There's another surprise coming."
The darkening sky lit up in bursts, the minimal clouds high clouds reflecting the light. The lights swirled and changed rapidly not unlike fireworks and suddenly the Queen of Lights hovered and landed in front of them. Reno and Rude were not fazed, but the other three jumped at the sudden intrusion.
"Your Highness." Solaria bowed to them. "This was an unexpected surprise."
Jalyne returned her bow lightly and chuckled. "I wanted to give them a surprise, Sol, and introduce you to the rest of my family."
Solaria looked at Rude and smiled even more at his presence. "Hello, My Lord." She flirted through the Gate. "I await your return to the world of Light." She said formally to which Rude bowed in response.
"I look forward to it also." Rude nodded with a slight blush coming to his darker features though Jalyne thought she detected a longing within him. Reno coughed and nudged him in his arm knowingly. Solaria laid her eyes upon the flame-haired Turk.
"And there you are, My Lord Consort!" the queen exclaimed. "and you haven't changed your hair!" Solaria commented exuberantly clapping her hands together. "You better be taking care of our Empress, Reno. And don't you dare not come with her next time she arrives."
"Oh, I am, yo." He chuckled at her. "And I won't." he promised the queen.
"Sol, this is President Rufus Shinra." Jalyne started standing aside. "I know you don't have a lot of time and I'm sorry I this is sudden." Rufus bowed his head to her of which she returned with a smile. "Rufus, this is Queen Solaria of Litrandan."
Jalyne turned to Tseng and Elena and Solaria peered at them curiously.
"This is Director Tseng and Elena." They smiled warmly at the queen and nodded in thanks.
"This is beautiful." Elena gushed to Solaria. "I can't wait to see it!"
"When things are a little calmer, I will throw a grand celebration for you." Solaria winked and then pouted a bit. "I wish I could come through the Gate, Jalyne." The queen looked over her shoulder at the palace.
"Another time perhaps, Sol." Jalyne commented. "How are things?"
"Getting worse, unfortunately." Solaria admitted. "It won't be long until war breaks out. Your father is deteriorating rapidly."
"I'm sorry, Sol." Jalyne whispered. "I wish it was different."
"It will be, Jalyne." Solaria paused. "Change is coming. Fraeztka, DarkienLyy and Firharni are finding more and more. Others are realizing what is happening, too."
"Oh?"
"Yes." The Queen of Light glanced one last time at the castle. "I have to go before they send search parties out." She stated wryly. "It was wonderful to meet you all!"
"Thank you, Sol." Jalyne waved at her friend as she lifted off the ground lightly, winking at Rude who coughed lightly at the attention.
"Joyous Feast!" The queen bowed at each of them and took off towards the palace as the last light of the third sun dipped below the landscape.
"And to you, too, my friend." Jalyne whispered but left the Gate open to enjoy the view for bit longer. Finally, she closed the Gate and turned to her friends. "What did you think?" she asked, grinning at them.
"You called it Reno." Tseng stated. "That was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen."
"And you have been there!" Elena exclaimed. "Jealous!."
Jalyne chuckled and led them out of the colder, snowy weather, where the smells of the impeding feast filled the penthouse. Jalyne helped Rude bring the food to the table and started filling drinks. Each of them took their seats with Jalyne and Rufus at the heads of the table; Tseng and Elena on one side with Reno and Rude on the other.
Jalyne raised her glass in a toast as the others did the same. "Thank you everyone, for all you have given me."
They each clinked the glasses and settled into the meal, complimenting Rude on the fantastic cooking. When everything was cleaned up, they settled around the living room laughing and joking.
"Have you ever ridden a chocobo, Jalyne?" Elena questioned.
"Oh no, yo." Reno put his head in his hands. "Not those accursed beasts."
"What's a chocobo?" Jalyne asked confused.
"Don't ever ride one." Reno grumbled.
"Why would I ride one? I can fly."
Reno looked at her seriously for a moment and burst out laughing bringing tears to his eyes. Even Tseng and Rufus chuckled at the seriousness of Jalyne's statement. "Too true!." Reno chortled. He calmed down a moment before explaining. "They're like a big chicken that can run very fast across certain terrains depending on their breed."
"Oh." Jalyne paused. "It's like a Korhlchia." She peered at him. "But I still don't know why you would want me to ride one."
In their defense, the alcohol was running wild and even Rufus's eyes widened in surprise and he almost indignantly spit out his wine. He laughed lightly at her. "There's even races for them, Jalyne." He stated amused.
"Really?" she chuckled. "I would like to see that."
"You better take her to the Golden Saucer, Reno." Elena slipped in the conversation, giggling to which he nudged her from the floor in jest.
"It's an amusement park." Tseng supplied.
They laughed and joked a little longer when Tseng decided it was time to call it a night. It was nearing midnight and he was to take Elena home.
"Shopping, tomorrow?" Elena asked Jalyne as she hugged her goodbye.
"Sure." Jalyne whispered. "I have to find something for all of you."
"I know you hate it." Elena commented.
"It'll be okay." Jalyne replied. "It's just different for me."
"We'll have fun!" the blond exclaimed hugging her again. "Thank you for everything. This was my first Thanksgiving as a Turk."
"Mine too. And you are welcome."
Tseng hugged her goodbye and Rude followed, giving Jalyne an unexpected kiss on her cheek.
"That was a wonderful surprise, Jalyne." He whispered quietly to her. "Thank you."
"Sol is quite fond of you, Rude." Jalyne smiled at him.
"And I her."
"Good night."
She turned and walked into the kitchen to finish cleaning up. Rufus and Reno were still conversing lightly with each other in the living room. That didn't bother her as she had enough room if they wanted to stay the night. This used to be Rufus' place anyway, so he knew his way around. Jalyne finished the dishes and walked outside to the patio, suddenly a little hot.
Jalyne lifted and hovered just under the lights she created and looked to the Heaven's. She raised her voice skyward and began to sing the traditional song for the feast.
Rufus snapped his head up and looked around, hearing the angelic voice. The president looked at Reno who suddenly closed his eyes to listen. Her voice was hypnotic, and the young blond stood to follow it stopping at the doors to the patio. Reno rose to join him and looked at Jalyne hovering by the lights, face turned upward to the night sky.
As she sang, Jalyne closed her eyes as tears flowed forth, not of despair or anger, but of longing. A longing she never thought she would feel. At this time, she missed her home and the people she knew and could call friends. Jalyne was joyous also, for she found a new family and people she cared for deeply, with one in particular.
"She's beautiful, isn't she, yo?" Reno quietly commented to the president, looking at her framed by the glow of the feast lights hovering above her pool.
"That she is." Rufus agreed. "Don't screw this up, Reno."
"Sir?"
"Jalyne doesn't deserve to have her heart broken." He stated calmly turning and walking out the door to leave.