Chapter 4- Dangerous Love
"Audrey, behave, PLEASE." Celes lectured to the bird when she had tied her up on a post outside of the bar. Audrey snorted, and proceded to poke at the chocobo beside her wearing a large, gold plated colar that read "Marie". Celes rolled her eyes. "People and their damn chocobos...Well, Audrey and Marie, have fun."
Celes looked up to the bar. It was on the edge of town, but was well lit in the front with many lanterns and torches. Alot of people were going in and out, most of them traveling in couples. Celes made a face and stood up a little taller as if she were going into battle. It was too obvious that she really needed to be with more people...
She walked inside and took a look around. It actually wasn't a very big building at all, and it was a little crowded for her liking. The room was mostly filled with middle age men, sitting at the bar and gulping down drinks. She couldn't gather anything from their conversations, becasue they were all so blurred together. It didn't reallt seem like the type of place Keith would go to, but then again, Celes couldn't make assumptions of anybody that seemed close to their true character these days. She slipped up to an empty corner of the counter, and the barkeeper walked over to her.
He had soft blue eyes, and looked rather young, about 16. His black hair was tied back in a small ponytail, similar to Sabin's hairstyle. He gave Celes a smile, and she smirked.
"You look a little young to be working in a place like this." She commented.
"Well, you look a little young to be commin' to a place like this!" The boy said, and laughed. "Truth is, my father owns this place. He's out with my mom on some sort of second honeymoon thing, so I'm stuck here bringing in the GP for the family. Make myself a REAL man, as my father said." He laughed again.
"Here." Celes said, and slipped him the ticket Kith gave her. The boy looked it over.
"So what will it be, lady?" He asked. "Are you really old enough to be drinking?"
"Ummm...." Celes turned red.
"It's alright, it will be our secret." He said. "Age doesn't nesscessarily define maturity level, and by the look on your face, I'd say you'd either been through hell, high water, or a really bad breakup with a boyfriend. Which is it? All require a good drink to soothe."
"Well..." Celes looked down.
"Nevermind, I'm not supposed to be askin' questions." He smiled.
"I'll...." Celes looked around at the men seemed to be drinking. Mostly beer....and that was just making them rowdy. She hated rowdy men.
"Give me a soda." Celes said, a little embarassed, and the boy nearly fell over.
"Y-Yes..." He said, and tried not to laugh as he turned and fixed her order. Celes made a face behind his back and decided it was not going to be a fun night after all.
"My name is Ryan, by the way." The boy said.
"I'm Celes." Celes offered.
"Pretty name, doesn't that mean something like "beautiful star?""
"Yes." Celes said, nodding.
"What's your last name?"
"Chere."
"Aha! Chere means "dear". Celes, you're destined to be someone's "dear beautiful star!"
"You know alot about names." Celes commented as he slipped her the drink.
"Spare time hobby." Ryan smiled.
"Ohhhhh..." Celes said, and sipped her soda. She had came an awfully long way for nothing. What a waste of valuable sitting alone at home time.
After finishing her drink, Celes thanked Ryan and stood up.
"You leavin already!?" Ryan asked.
"I must get home." Celes said softly. "I have to return someone's chocobo."
"Oh, alright." Ryan said. "I'll be seeing you, ok?"
"Good bye." Celes said, and left the bar quickly. The summer night air was actually rather chilly now, and she shivered, pulling her cape around her sides. But when she got outside, she saw that Audrey was gone!!
"Audrey!" Celes cried, and turned white. "Oh no..."
She whirled around, looking for a clue, looking for anything. She sniffed the air, and noticed the distinct smell of chocobos comming from the darkened street beside the bar.
At first instinct, Celes didn't like the idea of going alone. Something in her stomach jumped at the thought. But Celes didn't have anyone else to ask to come with her. She had to get Audrey and get the heck out of Nikea. She took a deep breath, and ran down the empty street. She could clearly see that it was a dead end. Audrey was at the end, digging in the soft dirt, obviously searching for treasure. After all, that was like a natural instict for a chocobo.
"Audrey." Celes hissed, and grabbed the bird once she got to it.
"WARK!" Audrey shrieked.
"How dare you leave!?" Celes snapped. "I was worried. Come on Stupid, we have to go home." She was about to hop on Audrey's back, when she heard footsteps. Celes stopped, and blinked. It was at that moment she realized she had no weapons or magic to defend herself with. And she was alone, in a dark place...
You little fool. Her thoughts raced. Just because Kefka is gone, doesn't mean you're automatically out of danger forever. Fool...
"Hey, little girl." A deep voice said. Celes gasped and whirled around. A short, but strong-looking man had appeared. He was wearing a dirty light jacket and ripped up pants. His feet were concealed in huge black boots. His face was twisted in an ugly smile and his eyes were little black pools that seemed to stare right through her.
"Eh..." Celes muttered.
"You know what they say about young girls who walk alone at night?" He asked.
"I don't care." Celes snapped, and stood up straighter in a threatening stance. It didn't seem to bother the man.
"It means they're lookin' for a good time." He laughed. "I could use someone pretty like you for me and meh boys back home. Why don't you forget 'bout the bird and come with me?"
"Ug, over my dead body." Celes snapped. He suddenly crept up to her so fast, she backed into a wall. Her breath quickened as he stood up right in her face, his eyes almost level with her chest.
"That can be arranged." He laughed. "Just because a pretty one is dead, doesn't mean it will stop us. They're still good after a few hours."
Celes turned even paler and let out a loud shirek that bounced into the night air. He slapped a strong hand over her mouth and used the other to draw a chipped knife from his belt. She noticed it had dried blood on it. Her eyes widened as he slowly traced it down her stomach to her most private area. She couldn't even breathe.
"I'll make the cut, right there," He said, and laughed evily. Celes tried to stomp on his foot, but he caught her and crushed it with his own. She let out a cry of pain that was muffled against his hand. He sneered and placed the knife right against her stomach now. The coldness of the blade seered right through her suit.
"Make another sound and..." But he didn't get to finish. There was a 'whooshing' sound in the air, and a blunt object smacked him right in the head. Celes saw his mouth open as if to make a sound, and his eyes rolled in the back of his head. He slumped down, dropping the knife. Celes gave him a good kick before backing away from the wall.
"Who's there?!" She barked, remembering the thrown object that had saved her. Audrey made a cooing noise and slipped beside Celes, ruffling her feathers. Celes turned red. "Show yourself!"
"Calm down..." A new voice said, and there were more footsteps. Celes tried to hide her tears when she realized who it was.
She took off running and leaped into Locke's arms, startling him. However, he wasn't startled enough to not return the embrace. He pulled her against his body lovingly, lowering his head to her hair and burrying his face in it. He couldn't resist. His hands rested at her waist, his fingertips burning to the touch.
"Celes..." He whispered.
She began to sob, her forehead pressed against his shoulder. She had never been closer to him in her life until now. Her heart was beating so fast, she thought she would pass out. Instead of words, she found all she could do was whimper his name.
But both were satsified with this for now though. Locke tried to quiet her down a little by stroking her hair and whispering over and over "It's ok Celes, I'm here, I won't let you go. I'll take care of you..."
"Locke, I was...so...stupid...."
"Stop that now."
"But..."
"Celes...will you take me to your home, in Albrook?"
Celes didn't even hesitate this time.
"Yes."
"Good...lets talk there."
"Audrey, behave, PLEASE." Celes lectured to the bird when she had tied her up on a post outside of the bar. Audrey snorted, and proceded to poke at the chocobo beside her wearing a large, gold plated colar that read "Marie". Celes rolled her eyes. "People and their damn chocobos...Well, Audrey and Marie, have fun."
Celes looked up to the bar. It was on the edge of town, but was well lit in the front with many lanterns and torches. Alot of people were going in and out, most of them traveling in couples. Celes made a face and stood up a little taller as if she were going into battle. It was too obvious that she really needed to be with more people...
She walked inside and took a look around. It actually wasn't a very big building at all, and it was a little crowded for her liking. The room was mostly filled with middle age men, sitting at the bar and gulping down drinks. She couldn't gather anything from their conversations, becasue they were all so blurred together. It didn't reallt seem like the type of place Keith would go to, but then again, Celes couldn't make assumptions of anybody that seemed close to their true character these days. She slipped up to an empty corner of the counter, and the barkeeper walked over to her.
He had soft blue eyes, and looked rather young, about 16. His black hair was tied back in a small ponytail, similar to Sabin's hairstyle. He gave Celes a smile, and she smirked.
"You look a little young to be working in a place like this." She commented.
"Well, you look a little young to be commin' to a place like this!" The boy said, and laughed. "Truth is, my father owns this place. He's out with my mom on some sort of second honeymoon thing, so I'm stuck here bringing in the GP for the family. Make myself a REAL man, as my father said." He laughed again.
"Here." Celes said, and slipped him the ticket Kith gave her. The boy looked it over.
"So what will it be, lady?" He asked. "Are you really old enough to be drinking?"
"Ummm...." Celes turned red.
"It's alright, it will be our secret." He said. "Age doesn't nesscessarily define maturity level, and by the look on your face, I'd say you'd either been through hell, high water, or a really bad breakup with a boyfriend. Which is it? All require a good drink to soothe."
"Well..." Celes looked down.
"Nevermind, I'm not supposed to be askin' questions." He smiled.
"I'll...." Celes looked around at the men seemed to be drinking. Mostly beer....and that was just making them rowdy. She hated rowdy men.
"Give me a soda." Celes said, a little embarassed, and the boy nearly fell over.
"Y-Yes..." He said, and tried not to laugh as he turned and fixed her order. Celes made a face behind his back and decided it was not going to be a fun night after all.
"My name is Ryan, by the way." The boy said.
"I'm Celes." Celes offered.
"Pretty name, doesn't that mean something like "beautiful star?""
"Yes." Celes said, nodding.
"What's your last name?"
"Chere."
"Aha! Chere means "dear". Celes, you're destined to be someone's "dear beautiful star!"
"You know alot about names." Celes commented as he slipped her the drink.
"Spare time hobby." Ryan smiled.
"Ohhhhh..." Celes said, and sipped her soda. She had came an awfully long way for nothing. What a waste of valuable sitting alone at home time.
After finishing her drink, Celes thanked Ryan and stood up.
"You leavin already!?" Ryan asked.
"I must get home." Celes said softly. "I have to return someone's chocobo."
"Oh, alright." Ryan said. "I'll be seeing you, ok?"
"Good bye." Celes said, and left the bar quickly. The summer night air was actually rather chilly now, and she shivered, pulling her cape around her sides. But when she got outside, she saw that Audrey was gone!!
"Audrey!" Celes cried, and turned white. "Oh no..."
She whirled around, looking for a clue, looking for anything. She sniffed the air, and noticed the distinct smell of chocobos comming from the darkened street beside the bar.
At first instinct, Celes didn't like the idea of going alone. Something in her stomach jumped at the thought. But Celes didn't have anyone else to ask to come with her. She had to get Audrey and get the heck out of Nikea. She took a deep breath, and ran down the empty street. She could clearly see that it was a dead end. Audrey was at the end, digging in the soft dirt, obviously searching for treasure. After all, that was like a natural instict for a chocobo.
"Audrey." Celes hissed, and grabbed the bird once she got to it.
"WARK!" Audrey shrieked.
"How dare you leave!?" Celes snapped. "I was worried. Come on Stupid, we have to go home." She was about to hop on Audrey's back, when she heard footsteps. Celes stopped, and blinked. It was at that moment she realized she had no weapons or magic to defend herself with. And she was alone, in a dark place...
You little fool. Her thoughts raced. Just because Kefka is gone, doesn't mean you're automatically out of danger forever. Fool...
"Hey, little girl." A deep voice said. Celes gasped and whirled around. A short, but strong-looking man had appeared. He was wearing a dirty light jacket and ripped up pants. His feet were concealed in huge black boots. His face was twisted in an ugly smile and his eyes were little black pools that seemed to stare right through her.
"Eh..." Celes muttered.
"You know what they say about young girls who walk alone at night?" He asked.
"I don't care." Celes snapped, and stood up straighter in a threatening stance. It didn't seem to bother the man.
"It means they're lookin' for a good time." He laughed. "I could use someone pretty like you for me and meh boys back home. Why don't you forget 'bout the bird and come with me?"
"Ug, over my dead body." Celes snapped. He suddenly crept up to her so fast, she backed into a wall. Her breath quickened as he stood up right in her face, his eyes almost level with her chest.
"That can be arranged." He laughed. "Just because a pretty one is dead, doesn't mean it will stop us. They're still good after a few hours."
Celes turned even paler and let out a loud shirek that bounced into the night air. He slapped a strong hand over her mouth and used the other to draw a chipped knife from his belt. She noticed it had dried blood on it. Her eyes widened as he slowly traced it down her stomach to her most private area. She couldn't even breathe.
"I'll make the cut, right there," He said, and laughed evily. Celes tried to stomp on his foot, but he caught her and crushed it with his own. She let out a cry of pain that was muffled against his hand. He sneered and placed the knife right against her stomach now. The coldness of the blade seered right through her suit.
"Make another sound and..." But he didn't get to finish. There was a 'whooshing' sound in the air, and a blunt object smacked him right in the head. Celes saw his mouth open as if to make a sound, and his eyes rolled in the back of his head. He slumped down, dropping the knife. Celes gave him a good kick before backing away from the wall.
"Who's there?!" She barked, remembering the thrown object that had saved her. Audrey made a cooing noise and slipped beside Celes, ruffling her feathers. Celes turned red. "Show yourself!"
"Calm down..." A new voice said, and there were more footsteps. Celes tried to hide her tears when she realized who it was.
She took off running and leaped into Locke's arms, startling him. However, he wasn't startled enough to not return the embrace. He pulled her against his body lovingly, lowering his head to her hair and burrying his face in it. He couldn't resist. His hands rested at her waist, his fingertips burning to the touch.
"Celes..." He whispered.
She began to sob, her forehead pressed against his shoulder. She had never been closer to him in her life until now. Her heart was beating so fast, she thought she would pass out. Instead of words, she found all she could do was whimper his name.
But both were satsified with this for now though. Locke tried to quiet her down a little by stroking her hair and whispering over and over "It's ok Celes, I'm here, I won't let you go. I'll take care of you..."
"Locke, I was...so...stupid...."
"Stop that now."
"But..."
"Celes...will you take me to your home, in Albrook?"
Celes didn't even hesitate this time.
"Yes."
"Good...lets talk there."