Two Liars Makes A Couple
So Locke Cole escapes the imprisonment he didn't want to end. He runs back to Celes Chere. He proposes to her. They decide to get married. They arrange a date. So on this date Locke Cole stands on the altar with Celes Chere supposedly listening to a priest recite their vows. But Locke Cole's mind is elsewhere.
Locke Cole is thinking all about his time spent with Klay. Locke Cole thinks about the intimacy he shared with Klay.
It's the wedding day, high noon. A memory for the ages I say. Here I am standing before the priest, Father What'shisname, preparing to make my lifelong commitment to Celes. You could say she looks beautiful in her pure white wedding dress; sign of a virgin. My little liar Celes all dolled up for her special day.
That bitch.
I don't know who started this tradition. Right about now I'm not really caring about it. Besides, I don't want to marry Celes.
Then, as I glance towards our audience for this gruesome public display of affection, I catch Terra's eye. Or is it a display of public affection?
Either way, my mind is millions of light years away thinking about my romantic splurge with psychic interrogator Klay. Who he works for is unknown, along with his reasons for kidnapping and choosing me for a subject in his little mind probe.
Doesn't matter either way.
You say you can't love, yet you watched me because you wanted to love me. Oh how you elude me Klay.
As I catch a quick glimpse of Terra I remember her name had been on my lips as I exited the imprisonment chamber. I remembered our first meeting.
That was when I confirmed love at first sight as being possible.
So who's still in love with whom? Terra found her kids. I found my Rachel. And after I did she left me for good. Thanks Espers.
Okay, so I got to talk to her one last time. That was wonderful. But still . . . I don't have her.
Dammit Rachel, can't I get over you?
So Terra, what can you do for me? Are you still in love with me? Or has that long passed? Sure, I acted like I had lost my love for you. I had my reasons. They're named Rachel and Celes. Terra, I'll never forget Rachel.
Celes was a controlling bitch that forced me to love her, or tricked me into thinking that I did. I'm sort of about to marry her here, therefore I'm having a tough time remembering.
I was a fool to give you up Terra. Perhaps Terra, several years from now when Celes and I are fighting everyday while throwing various objects at each other, you can come and be the true love in my life.
Unless I find my Klay.
Sorry to be a bringer of bad tidings Terra, but I definitely love Klay more so than you. In a lifetime partner sense that is. Terra, I want to be your great friend, and wouldn't mind being your lover. You just have to show your face more. Your kids have grown. They will be okay if you leave them for a while.
Terra, I want you around.
So, I'll make it nice and clear right now: the two people I truly love, well, neither is on this altar with me. Sad, of course it is. What would you expect from tragic Locke Cole?
Ah, here's one of your kids as the ring bearer. Perhaps the bearer of bad tidings isn't really me.
Oh, time for that age old ring ritual. Fine, I guess I'll partake in it.
Proclaiming false love is so much fun!
So all of my old friend's eyes are on me as I'm about to make my pact. Terra, Edgar, Sabin, Setzer, Gau, Relm, Clyde, and even an ailing Strago are watching. They're all watching. Proclaim your false love. Make us all happy. We didn't come here for nothing.
To have you once more Klay would be ecstasy. To feel you at my side Terra would be a blessing.
Oh, the priest asked me something I think.
"I do?"
"You may now kiss the bride."
Is that an option?
And so my lying virgin removes her veil. Not who I was hoping for. Perhaps I should have gone with door number two.
Ah my wonderful Celes, your lips are as sweet as the bile rising up my throat.
Aren't I just a hopeless romantic?
So it's down the aisle and out the door of our little church. Bye to Father What'shisname, bye to Terra's ring bearer.
Bye to a haunting memory. Hello to a new one. Perhaps more if I can live for the next three months.
I don't drink much but it's times like this when I need alcohol, right in my back pocket with a label reading In Case Of Marriage to an Overpowering Woman.
Rescue me Klay, rescue me Terra. I'm being hit with rice. Damn this day for ever happening.
Why do I have to have guilt complexes? 1. I know a wedding won't get me over it. Yet I propose. Guess that's just the kind of nice guy that I am.
You throw your rice, you clap, you're happy. This seems like it's all over for today.
Reception to commence in one hour.
Perhaps it's just me hallucinating, but as we step into our carriage I look to the wispy field of dandelions to my left. I see Klay, standing in the waist high weeds. He smiles.
Bad move. The telepathic thought rings in my head. He's gone when I look again.
So it's reception time back at my estate. Celes and I had our dances and kisses for the photographer. Now I'm sitting in a corner when Edgar comes to chat with me.
You know, I'm glad to see him.
"So, after all these months you've never told me."
I ask him what I haven't told him.
"Why you married her on such a whim." Edgar says.
I tell Edgar that we've been together for a long time.
"Spare me the story Locke. I can tell when things are up with you."
I say nothing's up. I love Celes with all my heart therefore I married her.
I'm choking on my words.
"Don't be scared Locke, tell me the truth.'1
I say I told the biggest lie of my lifetime today.
"Which was what?"
I say I do.
Edgar laughs. "So what started it all?"
I ask Edgar if he remembers when I was kidnapped a few months ago.
"Yeah."
I tell him all about Klay, about how he charmed me and how he made love to me. About him telling me that he watched me, wanting to fall in love with me. I tell Edgar about Klay's theory on his inability to love. He stares at me for a moment. I stare back.
"Then why did you get married to Celes today?" Guilt, I say.
"Guilty about what? About finding the right person for you? Celes may be a monster at times but eventually she'd understand."
I tell him I'm guilty about loving a man.
Edgar smirks. "That's nothing to be guilty over."
I ask him why not.
"You do know that Sabin and Gau have a relationship."
After getting over some light shock I say that Gau is a bit young.
"Gau will always be young." At that point Edgar stands up and walks away. I'm left there, thinking.
Then Terra steps up.
"Hi Locke."
"Hi Terra."
"Well," she smiles, "I'm happy for you!"
"Will you dance with me?" I ask.
"Sure."
And as we twirl to the music I whisper something very faint in her ear.
"Don't let go of me."
