Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy. Only Squaresoft does, but I own the stories and the ideas used to create them. : P
"Quistis!" A voice yelled. "Get over here now!"
Quistis Trepe winced and dropped her bucket and sponge. Her master was calling her and she knew better than to wait too long before answering him. "Yes, Ashitaka?" Quistis questioned timidly. She was dreadfully frightened of her master because she knew that he could practically kill her if she didn't obey his ever command. If only she had her Save the Queen then she would be able to get away from this life. But when Ashitaka first took her in after she had collapsed that one day five years ago, he took everything valuable away from her. Her Save the Queen, her pride, heck, even her glasses.
"Come over here."
Quistis faced her master and kneeled to the floor. "Yes?" She kept her head down as he looked over her, disgusted at her filth. She tried her best to ignore the sneer that took over his face years ago.
"Quistis, what did I tell you when I first brought you into my home over five years ago?"
Quistis squeezed her eyes shut. His voice had been peculiarly calm and showed no anger. This frightened her.
"Hmm?" Ashitaka continued. He stood up from his chair and paced around Quistis, daring her to answer.
When she didn't, Ashitaka lifted his foot and kicked her in the ribs.
Quistis gasped for air and clutched her side. A searing pain went through her body as he kicked her once again. Then again and again.
"Answer me!" Ashitaka bellowed. He continued to kick her until Quistis didn't have any more strength and collapsed to the filthy floor. She wheezed for air as blood trickled from her mouth. She didn't know how much more of this she could take. This had been going on since the first day she arrived. Why she stayed, she didn't know.
"I told you that whenever I tell you to do something, I expect it to be done right." Ashitaka kneeled down to her face and lifted it from the floor. He forced her to look him in the eyes. "Now tell me this, do you think that this is done right?" He turned her face to the dishes that lay in the dish rack. She didn't understand why he was so angry. She had done them less than an hour ago. Nothing seemed wrong.
Ashitaka dropped her head to the ground and stood next to the dish rack. He lifted up a plate and brought it closer to her. She looked at it and saw that there was a smudge of dirt across it.
Quistis sighed remorsefully. Now she was going to get it.
"See that?" Ashitaka bellowed. He stood up and lifted the plate high in the air. Then he sent it down next to her head with a loud crash.
Quistis squeezed her eyes shut as the plate missed her, but not by much. The shards of glass flew everywhere and left small cuts on her face. She waited a few seconds before opening her eyes again. When she did, Ashitaka was breathing hard, staring at her. "That, Miss Trepe is coming out of your pay check, which means no food for three days."
Quistis let out a small cry in protest, but then quickly shut up, hoping that he did not hear her little squeak.
"Oh, you want to make it a week then? Fine. No food for a week."
Quistis shut her eyes and prayed to Hyne that somehow she would get through this.
"And get up off my floor too." With that, Ashitaka stormed out of the house, with the key and her Save the Queen.
Quistis kneeled down beside her small mat which was supposed to serve as her bed. All it basically was, was a small blanket with two cushions underneath it. But she was very thankful that she had it. If he wanted to, Ashitaka would take it from her, leaving her with nothing.
Dear Hyne, Quistis prayed silently. If Ashitaka heard her, she would really get the beating of her life. He hated being wakened. Especially during the night.
I pray that somehow I will get through this life. That someone will save me from this hell that I call home. I pray that I do not die. I will not let Ashitaka have the satisfaction of killing me. Help me be strong. Help me be brave. With that closing, Quistis laid down on her hard mat and covered up with the small moth eaten blanket and fell into a deep sleep, dreaming of a new life.
"Quistis! Time to get up and do chores!"
Sighing, she stood up from her mat and walked into the living room where Ashitaka was lounging on his chair, waiting for breakfast.
"What would you like this morning?" Quistis asked. She put on her apron and waited for his commands.
"I would like.....eggs. With fresh milk and watermelon. You think you can handle that?"
Quistis nodded and removed her apron. If it was eggs he wanted, she would have to go into town and buy some with her own small pack of gil she possessed. Then she'd have to squeeze the milk out of the cow and clean it until it was healthy enough to drink. Then she'd have to go to the orchard and find a ripe watermelon for him. And this wasn't even the start of her chores. Later on she had to get fresh water from the well that was five miles away from his house, then she had to clean the house all over again since during the past night, he managed to make another mess somehow.
"I'll be back in an hour or two," Quistis said sadly and began walking down the path that led to town.
"Yes, I'd like a dozen eggs, please," Quistis said to the marketer. She held out a basket for the man to fill.
He carefully put the 12 eggs in the basket and said, "That'll be fourteen gil, please."
Quistis took out her packet of gil and looked at it. She only had seven gil. "Um, sir," Quistis said panicking, "I only have seven gil and I was wondering if..."
"Not a chance, lady," he replied, not letting her finish.
"But my master. He would kill me if he knew...."
"Not my problem, lady. Now either come up with fourteen gil, or you get only five eggs."
Quistis breathed hard. She needed twelve eggs or Ashitaka would kill her. She felt her skin go hot and fiery tears threaten to fall down her black grungy face.
"Please, sir. I'll pay you double the next time I buy eggs. I promise."
The man shook his head. "No. Either take what you have worth or get out of here."
Quistis glanced down at the floor, thinking. She put her hand in her pocket and took out a small pendant that she has had ever since she joined Garden ten years ago. It was worth everything to her, but her life was worth much more. "How much will you give me for this?" she asked. She held the shiny metal out for him to examine. It had a picture of her and the gang when they were younger. They were all smiling except for Quistis. She just stared at the camera sadly. Even at that age she knew she didn't belong.
He stared at it. "20 gil."
"Huh!?" Quistis exclaimed. "It's worth two hundred gil! It's real silver. The best in all of this continent!" She clutched the pendant to her chest, protecting it.
"Hey, it's either twenty gil or nada. What do ya say?"
Quistis stared at the pendant a little longer. It was a prized possession. Something that reminded her of the old days.
But what were the old days? Quistis debated. You didn't fit in. Why hold onto that memory? Just let it go. Besides, this is your life we're talking about. Do something that you know is right.
She was about to hand over her pendant to sell when someone stopped her. They clutched onto her hand and put it back at her side.
"That's a very lovely pendant," a voice purred. "I would hate to see it go to waste. I'll buy you those eggs." The man tossed fourteen gil over to the marketer. "There you go."
"Please, sir," Quistis begged. "I can not take your money. If my master found out..."
The man scoffed. "You're not taking my money. I just gave it to the man. You keep your money and spend it on something good for yourself."
"But my master...." Quistis protested.
"Forget about your master. If he asks, then just tell him to deal with Seifer Almay."
Quistis bowed her head and nodded. "Thank-" She stopped short. Seifer Almasy!?
"Wait!" She called. She looked up, but he was nowhere to be found.
By the time Quistis got home, she nearly forgot about the encounter with Seifer. Ashitaka had ordered her to do more chores as soon as she got finished with his breakfast. Her day seemed more longer than usual. Partly because she wanted to get out of the house so bad so she can find out if Seifer really was in town. When the time came for her to go get some water from the well, she jumped at the chance and set off happily.
And what if Seifer really is here? Quistis thought. Would that really change anything? I mean, he is still the one who made me leave town. He drove me away from everyone with his arrogance and his comments about me being mediocre....no, that was my fault. I left willingly. He didn't force me away. I just looked for an excuse to leave. That's what I was waiting for all my life. Dumb excuses to leave. And here on finally comes and my life turns out more screwed up that imaginable. What a life.
Quistis continued to walk down the long path in a daze. She didn't notice the small children that ran in circles around her legs or the dogs that begged for food. She didn't even notice the light rainfall that had begun. But she did notice a large man walking towards her on the same path. He hadn't noticed her yet, but he was getting closer with every long stride he took.
Quickly, Quistis ducked behind a large tree. She held her breath and tried to make herself smaller. Her heart began to race. She didn't really get to see the man, but she did see that he was very tall and built. Not built like the way Zell was, but not as tall as Irvine. And he definitely wasn't Squall because he had blonde hair, not brown. Who else could it be?
Quistis held her breath for as long as she could, but she had to let it out soon. As quietly as possible, she let her breath out in a long breath. Her chest burned for air. Then she could see him. It was definitely Seifer. He still even had the same trench coat, though he hadn't been wearing it earlier. He did seem much older. He was already in his late twenties, as was she. But he wasn't balding or even showing a hint of aging. He still had the same boyish good looks. She felt her heart race again. She didn't know what it was or what it meant, but it ached terribly.
Should I jump out? Quistis asked herself, biting her lower lip. She could feel the familiar sting on her chapped lips. Should I tell him that it's me? The real Quistis Trepe. Full memory and all. She watched him walk down the path further, slowly losing a grip on reality. The further he went, the more she wanted to cry out. But she knew she couldn't. She's the one who said that life doesn't begin or end as a fairy tale. She knew it wasn't possible for him to forgive her or to even consider it. She was beginning to understand how he first felt when he came back to Balamb and she rejected him. Now she knew all was lost for her life. Sadly, she continued on her way to the well, her footsteps dragging even more mournfully than before.
A knock was heard on Ashitakas door. "Quistis! Is that you? I told you to go get the damn water!"
Ashitaka stormed out of his chair and swung open the door, ready to hit Quistis. But instead of Quistis, he saw a man in his late twenties, early thirties.
"Yes?" Ashitaka asked. He lost the temper and looked at the man curiously.
He coughed. "Is this a bad time?" He started. Then he remembered what Ashitaka said. "Did you say the name Quistis?"
Ashitaka opened his door wider and made him seem welcome. "Come in, come in. Have a seat. I was just waiting on my servant. She went to get water not too long ago. I just thought that she was back."
Ashitaka took the trench coat from the man. "Now, who might you be, young fellow?"
He gave his coat to Ashitaka gratefully and took a seat. "My name is Seifer. Seifer Almasy. I'm in town for three days, recruiting for the Garden that I work with. I just came by to ask if there were any eligible male or female students who would like to train under us." He paused. "Might there be any available?"
Ashitaka shook his head. "Nope. Not in this household. Just me and my servant."
Seifer nodded and cupped his chin. "And who is this servant? Is he between the ages of thirteen and thirty? If so, we could really use him on our squad."
Ashitaka shook his head. "No. And it's really a she. She's not the type that'll do good in fighting anyways. Weak as anything. There's actually a family three miles up that have a whole household of children that might interest ya." Ashitaka pointed up the hill that Seifer came from.
"Three miles?" Seifer asked. "Isn't there anything closer?"
Ashitaka shook his head. "No. The closest is them. But if you go the other way, there's another house, but that's five miles down. Best way there is using a cart. Unfortunately, I don't have one that you can borrow. If I did, I'd let ya."
Seifer seemed to think a moment. "Well, may I ask a favor of you?"
Ashitaka hesitated. "Sure. You name it."
"May I stay here the night? It's already late and I have been traveling this whole day. I'm afraid that if I were to walk any longer, I would collapse of dehydration."
Ashitaka thought a moment. "Well, sure. My servant will be back any time now with water so you can quench you thirst. Let's see, you'll need something to sleep on." Ashitaka disappeared into Quistis room and brought out her mat. "This is the only thing that we have. Unless you'd like to sleep on the floor. This has plenty of cushion and I'm sure that you'd be alright with this."
Seifer nodded. "Of course. Thank you very much, sir."
Ashitaka nodded and looked out the window, wondering where in the hell Quistis was with that water.
"And sir?" Seifer asked.
"Yes?" Ashitaka questioned.
"What's your name? I don't think that I caught it when I first arrived."
Ashitaka smiled politely. "Ashitaka. I have no last name, since I came from no family."
Seifer nodded knowingly and watched as the night began to grow darker. "Are you worried about your servant?" Seifer asked. "It's almost black out. Will she be alright?"
Ashitaka nodded. "She does this all the time. She knows her way around here well. She's been living me for five years. I saved her life, so the least she could do to repay me was become my servant. I took care of her, fed her."
Seifer stared at the ceiling. "Really? Where did you find her?"
"Well, she was collapsed on the grass. I had been out getting food for myself when I saw her lying there. So I took her in."
Seifer nodded and laid on the floor mat. He used his trench coat to cover his chilled body. He glanced around the small home. It was cluttered, though it had tried to be cleaned so many times. He looked over everything, glancing at some rare items. There were rare cards on the mantel over the fireplace, and a whip hung on a nail not too far from that. Next to the whip there were.....wait.
Seifer sat up on his mat. "Where did you get that whip?" Seifer asked Ashitaka. "It is the rarest of that type and it is said that only a woman can handle it correctly."
Ashitaka glanced over. "Well, the girl that I found was carrying it on her side. You say it's rare? How much do ya think it's worth?" Ashitaka leaned over excitedly.
Seifer didn't say anything, but he knew that everything was coming into place now.
Tiredly, Quistis bent down to lay the bucket filled with water down on the grass. She laced her fingers together behind her back and bent backwards to crack her back. She stared up at the crescent moon. It seemed awkward how everything could seem so peaceful, but really it was just chaos. She stared at the sky dreamily, wishing to become one with it. But the reality came back on her and she turned to go inside the house. Before she had a chance to turn all the way around, someone had grabbed her from behind and placed a cloth on her mouth.
Quistis struggled for a moment, but then she began to feel dizzy. The world spun as her mind told her to go to sleep. Then she finally did.
A.N.: Hey, I'm back finally with the next chapter!!!! Sorry it took so long, but there were some personal problems that I had to deal with. Now that everything is straightened out, though, I am ready to write again!! So, review as high or as low as you want. I'll get the next chapter rolling ASAP. I promise!!!