Chapter Four: The Forgotten Generation

Peter held the shotglass in his hand. Inside of it was a mix of a dozen alcoholic substances. He didn't know any of their names, but he enjoyed the taste. He especially enjoyed the effects. He lifted the glass and downed it. He slammed it back down on the bar.
"More!"
The bartender looked at him with a curious eye, "Are you sure?"
Peter pointed to the bar in a half-drunken manner, "Damn straight."
The bartender shrugged and began to pour, until another hand came in and made a 'kill' gesture. The bartender looked up, nodded, and stopped.
Peter looked behind him and saw Neos Leonheart standing above him, "Peter, what the hell are you doing?"
Peter shook his head, "What do you care, man? I've got my problems, and I'll handle 'em my way."
"Man, it has been two weeks. Don't you think you should… look at the world outside the bar?"
"I'm on a leave, I'll do whatever the hell I want!"
"I'm on a leave too. Julia got one, I got one, you got one, and a whole bunch more of us got one. Balamb is a pretty little town, maybe you should look around."
"I like the bar."
"Peter…"
"Shut up! What do you know anyway?"
Neos stepped back, and Peter sobbed a bit.
"Is your mommy dead? Huh? No, your mom is a sorceress, she'll live for fucking ever."
"Pete…"
"And your dad? Well? No, he's a fucking hero! Everyone loves the great Squall Leonheart! His son is just as perfect! Your grandfather was the fucking president of Esthar! What do I get, huh? My dad was unconscious for the FH thing, and he couldn't even commit to bringing a kid into the world. No one knows me, no one cares."
Neos stepped forward and placed a hand on Peter's shoulder, "That's not how it is Pete."
"Oh? Then how is it? Huh? How is it big boy? Tell me just how it is, oh great son of the hero!"
Neos sighed, "Peter, do you have any idea what it is like being the son of Squall Leonheart? It sucks! I spent a good portion of my life hiding from terrorist attacks. I was the target of a Galbadian hunt. I almost got killed in Esthar- twice! Need we forget the many times when I was simply surrounded by nosy reporters dying to see the 'President's adorable little grandson'?"
Peter stared coldly.
"I'm just a regular guy. With dad retired and grandpa dead… my life has finally started to relax a little."
Peter turned back to the bar, "Who cares about you? I've got my own problems."
Neos sighed, "Pete, you're drunk."
Peter turned to Neos and pointed a finger at him, "I am not… drunkish. I'm jush in mourning."
Neos sat down at the bar, "Y'know, you're not the only one suffering from this." Peter just stared, so Neos continued, "When mom and dad left Garden, Julia was 14. She was kinda young. Jasmine became a mother to her. They bonded, talked, enjoyed each other's company. You know that as well as I. How do you think she feels right now? What about Lee? He knew you mother since they were kids. He was with her on the SeeD test. He helped comfort her after the bomb that nearly killed your dad. He was there to watch them grow and marry and have a kid. How do you think he feels watching this happen? What about Selphie? She was a mother to your mother. She cared for her, watched over her; they had a bond going on. How do you think Selphie feels outliving your mom? What about the students, past and present? They loved Jasmine. What about your dad? By Hyne, Pete! Do I even need to go there?"
Peter stumbled for words, and finally came out with something not so intelligent, "Shut up!"
Neos sighed, "This is gonna hurt you a lot more than it hurts me, but it's for your own good."
Neos balled his right hand into a fist, and launched a clean shot right into Peter's face. He recoiled his hand and shook off the pain while Peter lay prostrate on the floor.
"Alright, maybe the pain broke even." He looked at the shocked bartender, "Put it on my tab."
"Is he alright?"
"Hey, I'm a Leonheart, of course he isn't alright after I hit him."
The bartender looked at Neos in a mixture of shock and awe, then nodded, "Alright, you need help carrying him?"
"No, thanks."
Neos bent down and picked up Peter over his shoulder, whispering, "Y'know Pete, the attention may suck, but being a Leonheart sure does get you some nice offers."

***

When Peter awoke, he was in a bed of the Balamb hotel, still dressed in the clothes from the last night, and he stunk of alcohol. He moaned, his head pounding, and sat up. On the other side of the room, sitting at the table with a book and glass of water, was Neos Leonheart. Neos looked over at Peter.
"You're awake."
Peter rubbed the side of his face, and nodded.
"How're you feeling?"
Peter groaned and pushed himself off the bed.
"I thought so. Sorry if I hit you kinda hard. Although I'm sure the hangover ain't helpful."
Peter shook his head, and opened his mouth to speak. Movement of his jaw was painful, but he continued, "No hangover, not right now. Damn you."
Neos laughed, "At least I didn't bruise you… much."
Peter looked in a mirror; the left side of his face had a dark-colored marking, which was obviously a bruise.
"Damn you again."
Peter turned and stared at Neos, then walked over and sat down, "But… thanks."
Neos nodded, "Someone needed to do it."
"Yeah. Hey look… about what I said last night. I don't remember much of it, but what I do remember…"
Neos cut him off, "Don't worry about it. In a way, you're right. I am… gifted with my heritage, but so are you. That's our problem man. My dad, you're dad, they're members of the 'greatest generation'. What are we? We're their kids, and we have to live with it. We have to live UP to it. Everyone expects us to do great things, and quite frankly, that's an expectation I don't want to live up to. That's our problem, we've got to live up to LEGENDS. How do we do that?"
Peter shook his head sadly, "Still, I'm sorry."
Neos nodded and looked back down at his book, "Hey… Julia is… on the dock."
Peter looked up at his friend, eyebrow raised, and Neos just smiled and nodded.

***

"Julia."
Julia Leonheart brushed aside her long, black hair, and looked up at Peter Animus, her brown eyes sparkling in the bright Balamb sun.
She smiled and nodded, "Hi." Then she turned around and looked out at the sea.
She was sitting on the edge of the dock, her bare feet submerged in the water. Peter slowly walked over and sat down next to her.
"So… how are you doing?"
She bit her lip, "Alright, why?"
"Um… I just know this hit you kind of hard."
She grinned slightly, "Peter, what the heck are you talking about? This hit you harder than anyone else. She was your mom."
"I know, but I know you two were close, and, well," Peter rubbed the side of his face, "Your brother kind of reminded me I'm not the only one upset about this."
She looked at him with a grin, "He has a way of doing that."
"Yeah."
She laughed, then noticed the bruise on his cheek, "Ooh, are you alright?" She gently placed her hand on his face.
"Yeah, I deserved it."
"What did he do to you?"
"He prevented me from doing something I would regret."
"I swear…"
He placed his hand on hers and lowered it back to the dock, "Julia, I appreciate it, but trust me, he was right."
She sighed, "It's just that… sometimes… I worry…"
She cut herself off and pulled her hand back onto her lap, staring off at the sea. Peter continued to gaze at her for a second, then turned to the sea and sighed.

***


"I've never… killed a person"
Peter and Neos sighed and took a sip from their glasses. Julia stared in open amazement as they placed the glasses down.
"You have?"
The two men sighed, and Peter nodded, "I've been a SeeD for four years, now, and Neos has been one for nine. Of course we have."
Neos nodded grimly, "It isn't pleasant, but it is unfortunately one of those things you get used to."
The young woman sighed in slight shock, "I guess I just don't want to know that kind of stuff about my brother."
"Well, you shouldn't have bought it up then."
"Wait a minute," Peter said, "How did you pass the SeeD test without killing someone?"
She sighed, "The mission didn't really include it. Besides," she posed triumphantly, "I'm a Leonheart, my combat skills need not be tested!"
Peter laughed, "How did you get that idea in your head?"
She giggled as she relaxed her pose; "Actually, an instructor said that to me."
Neos grinned widely, "Instructor Astus, right?"
"How did you know?"
"He said the same thing to me."
She nodded, "Alright, Pete, your turn."
Peter sighed and thought for a moment, "Let's see. Okay, I've never… used a lighter."
The other two laughed and took a sip of their drinks.
Neos glared at Peter questioningly, "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Peter sighed, "Hey, mom and dad, they were kind of strict. Didn't want me to play with fire."
"Dude, you… are… twenty… years… old."
Julia giggled, "You've never even picked up a lighter?"
Neos reached into his pocket and pulled out a small silver-plated lighter and tossed it to Peter, who caught it, then flipped it around in his hand. He sighed, stared at the device for a second, then flipped the lid open and quickly ran his thumb down the small gear. A spark showed, then a flame danced on the top of the lighter.
Julia clapped in delight, and Neos simply grinned as Peter shut the lighter and handed it over.
Peter flashed a cynical smile at Julia, "Happy?"
"Yes, you're a man now, Peter Animus."
Neos pocketed the lighter, "Before we continue you've used a match… right?"
Peter rolled his eyes and sighed, "Yes, I've used a match. Your turn, Leonheart."
The other two stared at him. He sighed, "Neos."
Neos flashed a grin, and thought for a moment, "I've never… had sex before."
Peter blinked harshly and looked the other way
Julia fell onto her back and tried hard not to blush, "I don't want to know about my brother's sex life!"
Peter sighed, and kept his drink on the table, as well as Julia.
Neos simply stared, "Hey, so I'm not alone."
Peter glared, "No, you're not! But you didn't need to say that! I mean… oh man!"
Neos grinned, and stared at Julia, who was only now catching her breath, "Your turn, sis."
She sighed, "I'm not playing anymore. I don't wanna know where this game goes from here."
Peter laughed as she got up and headed to her room, "You sure have a talent for ending things quickly, Neos."
He shrugged, "Whatever. Eventually, you two will be sipping your glasses together on that question."
Peter stared as Neos left the room, "What do you mean by that?"
Neos laughed, "You know damn well what I mean!"
Peter got up and yelled out to Neos, "It's not like that!"
"Not yet at least!"
Peter stormed outside and walked over to Neos, who was standing on the corner, waiting for clearance to cross, "Neos, why are you doing this?"
"Doing what?"
"Acting like there's something between me and your sister."
Neos sighed and looked his best friend in the eyes, "Dude, my sister has a thing for you."
"Bullshit."
"Not bullshit. She admitted it to me once, very discreetly."
"Man, she practically ignores me."
"Practically. She just… doesn't quite know what to do. She's never been in any sort of relationship before."
"Well, great, but I don't think she has…"
Neos held up his hands, "I'm just the messenger."
"How long ago was this?"
"Was what?"
"When she admitted feelings for me."
"Oh! Well… I was twenty one, so that would make her… twelve."
Peter scoffed, "Twelve? C'mon! Dude, that's puppy love. Just a preteen crush." Peter sucked in his insignificant gut and crossed his arms, "I mean, with my amazing figure…"
Neos laughed, "Don't make me hit you again."
Peter winced and backed away, "Alright!"
The walk signal was given, and Neos crossed the road, leaving Peter alone to think.
Nah.
He turned around and entered the hotel, where the receptionist looked up at him, "You've got a phone call."
"Me?"
She looked around the room and rolled her eyes, "No, the other guy in the lobby. Yes you, ya stupid twit."
Peter raised his hands in surrender and walked up to his room, where the phone's light was blinking. He picked it up and pressed the button to listen.
The voice was that of Miles Animus, "Hey, Pete, call back ASAP."
Peter frowned and dialed up his father's office at Garden. As usual, the connection was shaky, but it worked.
"Miles Animus."
"Dad. What's up?"
"Oh Peter, thank Hyne you got back to me."
"Dad, what's wrong?"
The voice was on the verge of a breakdown, "We've had an incident."
"Dad, relax. What happened?"
"Quistis is dead."
Peter dropped the receiver, and it dangled a few inches above the ground, held up by the cord. Miles continued to talk on the other end.
"Peter? Pete you there? Kid, talk to me!"
Peter grabbed the receiver, "Dad, I'm here."
"Peter…"
"Yeah. What the hell happened?"
"The doctors say natural causes."
"She was in her sixties. Jeez, she had at least ten more years left in her."
"I'm sorry, Pete."
"Dad, don't be sorry. You didn't do anything." He paused, "Are they sure natural causes?"
"Ninety percent."
"That's not very sure, is it?"
"Pete, what are you saying?"
"I dunno, it just seems too… coincidental. First mom, then Quistis, in the same month. I'm sorry, I guess I'm just upset."
"No, it's alright. I thought about that too. But…"
"Yeah. Where are you guys?"
"On our way to pick you up in Balamb, then, off to Centra. She wanted to be buried there."
"Okay. Do the others know?"
"I've contacted Julia, I'm about to call Neos, then the rest of you in Balamb."
"Alright. Good night, dad."
"Good night, Pete."
"Wait, dad."
"What is it?'
"Be careful, alright?"
"You too."
Peter hung up the phone, then sat on his bed, and stared out the window, where the stars of the night sky were dimmed by cloud cover.