Chapter 17- Maria
An energetic Celes and a moody Locke stepped out of the airship, only to be surprised immediately with what lied ahead of them. In front of them was the beautiful Jidoor Opera House that they all knew quite well, but now, outside of it, was a young woman who was the spitting image of Celes.
She was tall, Celes' exact height, and had her long blonde hair tied back into a ponytail weaved with a purple ribbon. She was wearing a matching purple dress, which wasn't really too fancy...just someting simple that looked like it actually went under a more fancy gown. Her blue eyes swept over the visitors, although her lips did not crack a smile. Celes let out a little gasp as she stared back. This woman was her twin! She was sure of it!
Locke could only stare at her and looked over at the bewhildered Celes.
Finally, the girl smiled some.
"Aha, you must be Celes, oui?" She said in a sweet voice. Celes nodded, and the woman walked over to them. It was obvious she had much grace just from her walk. She stepped up to Celes, and peered at her deeply, making Celes a little nervous. She then ran her fingers down Celes' cheek, which made Celes jump a little. The woman pulled back and laughed.
"Oui, oui, it's obvious why they chose you to perform for moi last year." She said. Celes noticed now that the woman had a distinct accent. "You are like me in everyway, almost. You are just a bit younger...I can tell by that un-balanced complexion of yours."
Celes blinked, and Locke laughed a little.
"You must be Maria." Celes said, a little hurt from the complexion comment. She nodded, and smirked a little at Celes.
"Oui, I am Maria." Maria said. "Hmmm...you are not very cultured, no?"
"Pardon!?" Celes burst out.
"Hmmm, oui." Maria said, but not in a mocking tone. "If you wanted to properly greet me, you would have come over, and did this." Maria leaned in and kissed Celes on one cheek, and then on the other in a swift manner. Celes made a face.
"Oh, that's just for snotty upper class people." Celes snapped, and laughed as Maria turned red.
"Hmmph." Maria said. "Oh well, at least they did not shame my exhistance with someone dopey and un-opinionated. I have decided I like you."
"Heh, I like you too." Celes smiled, and then leaned in, kissing Maria as she had done to her. Maria honestly reminded Celes of herself, only...a....say, more spoiled version of herself. Maria smiled even more now, making herself look prettier.
Locke smiled a little as Setzer came over, with wide eyes.
"Maria, why do you let Celes kiss you, but I can't?" He whined. Maria smirked.
"Aha, Moiseuier, moi only lets her lips fall upon something prescious and beautiful. You agree, no? I am sure Miss Chere feels the same way?"
".....GAH." Setzer pouted, and went inside the Opera House. Celes and Maria both giggled, and Maria took Celes' arm.
"You know, your escort, he is very....sexy, no?" Maria complimented as they stepped inside.
"Heh, Locke?" Celes said, and smiled. "Well...." The girls went out of earshot as Locke lingered behind them, feeling left out from the girl talk. He looked around the Opera House, and saw that it was still quite empty, being that no performance was being held yet. He decided to seek out the Impressario while Celes and Maria chatted.
Maria brought Celes to her dressing room, a place Celes knew well herself. Maria then surprised Celes by pulling down a brightly wrapped package from a shelf and handing it to her.
"For me?" Celes asked, surprised, and a little ashamed she had not brought a gift for Maria.
"Yes, for you, silly girl." Maria said, and smiled. Celes tore open the wrapping, and nearly melted when she saw what was inside.
"Maria, this is incredible." Celes said. "You picked this out for me?"
"Oui, but of course!" Maria exclaimed, and smiled. "Do not feel weird, but I felt like I needed to do this for someone who had done more for me then a friend would, no?"
"Oh, it was nothing, really." Maria smiled, and Celes looked at her gift again.
It was a beautifully decorated scrpit of the play Celes had starred in a year ago for Maria. The cover was studded with rare jewels and Celes' name was inscripted in the bottom right corner in a gold color. She gingerly flipped through the pages, reading the familiar lines, and getting a warm sense of remembrence. Maria smiled, and sat down in a soft chair.
"So, who is that boy you were with?" Maria asked. "A friend?"
"Yep." Celes said, and closed the book.
"Nice looking friend." Maria said. "Do you mind if I play with him tonight?"
"WHAT!?" Celes cried.
"Hee, hee, so Celes does mind, oui?" Maria smiled. "Just asking, just asking."
"Hmmm..." Celes smiled a little again.
"Besides, he surely would not have eyes for me if he has not already captured your heart?" Maria questioned, and giggled.
"Man, I wish he would just go ahead and try to already!" Celes joked.
Celes and Maria continued to chat about what seemed like random topics. It was very apparent though, that the girls were on a fast track to becoming good friends. Suddnely, a clock in the room began to chime. Maria gasped, and stood up.
"Oh, my, only an hour until showtime!" Maria squealed. "I must be preparing myself. Well, Celes, if you will excuse me..."
"Of course." Celes said, and turned to the door. Maria smiled and flipped her ponytail back over her shoulder.
"Please enjoy the show tonight!" Maria exclaimed. "I will be thinking of you, my new friend!"
Celes turned and smiled back.
"Don't worry, I will." She replied.
"Oh, do not lock the door behind you." Maria said as Celes opened the door. "That lock gets stuck."
"Oh, alright!" Celes said.
With that, she left the room, shutting the door tightly behind her. Celes traveled down the steps and saw Locke and Impressario talking about something. Celes suddenly felt a dull ache in her chest, remembering how Locke had yelled at her earlier. Deciding not to bother him again, Celes slipped passed them, only muttering a hello when Impressario cheerfully greeted her.
"I hope Maria was not rude to her!" Celes heard Impressario say as she walked away. She did not catch Locke staring after her as she climbed another set of stairs onto a balcony.
Celes sighed and leaned over the balcony, watching crew members frantically set up scenes and props for the show. Maria then appeared a few minutes later, and starting yelling at them loudly about something in a language Celes had never heard before, but had studied somewhat while at the Empire. She thought it was called "French". Maria then stomped off stage, with quite a few stage crew members following her in a little parade.
"Hee-hee." Celes smiled, and sat down in a chair, her hair falling over her shoulders. She remained like that until she heard the voices of other people gathering in the lower seats. Celes peered over and saw that already, it was getting quite full.
"There you are." Locke said, and Celes widened her eyes.
"Locke?" Celes asked, and turned to him. He was standing there, his hands in his pockets. He looked sort of embarassed.
"What do you want?" Celes snapped.
"This is my seat." Locke said nervously, and sat down. Celes glared at him.
"And where is Setzer?"
"Said he didn't want to sit with us." Locke replied, and shrugged.
"Oh...." Celes said softly, and looked away. Locke blushed and looked down.
"Celes, I'm sorry I yelled at you before." Locke suddenly said.
"Well, why did you yell?" Celes asked, a little surprised.
"Hmmm...probably because I was really frustrated before." Locke explained, and sighed. "Celes, would you look at me?"
Celes blinked and turned to Locke, her eyes locking onto his.
"What....were you frustrated over...?" She asked quietly, finding her voice wouldn't go much higher then she wanted.
"....." Locke didn't say anything. Celes blinked again, but suddenly, the lights dimmed, and all voices down below came to a hush.
"It's starting!" Celes exclaimed, turned eagerly towards the stage. At first, she wasn't sure, but she thought she heard faint piano music coming down from the Orchestra Pit, music that seemed very familiar. Locke noticed also, and pushed some hair out of his eyes.
".......This is...." He trailed off.
Celes smiled a little, and nodded. "This is what I starred in last year! The story of Draco and Maria!!"
"Heh, and no Ultros this time to ruin it." Locke commented. But then, the pair fell silent as the magnificant Draco stepped on stage, and began to sing.
"Oh....Maria....Oh, Maria...."
An energetic Celes and a moody Locke stepped out of the airship, only to be surprised immediately with what lied ahead of them. In front of them was the beautiful Jidoor Opera House that they all knew quite well, but now, outside of it, was a young woman who was the spitting image of Celes.
She was tall, Celes' exact height, and had her long blonde hair tied back into a ponytail weaved with a purple ribbon. She was wearing a matching purple dress, which wasn't really too fancy...just someting simple that looked like it actually went under a more fancy gown. Her blue eyes swept over the visitors, although her lips did not crack a smile. Celes let out a little gasp as she stared back. This woman was her twin! She was sure of it!
Locke could only stare at her and looked over at the bewhildered Celes.
Finally, the girl smiled some.
"Aha, you must be Celes, oui?" She said in a sweet voice. Celes nodded, and the woman walked over to them. It was obvious she had much grace just from her walk. She stepped up to Celes, and peered at her deeply, making Celes a little nervous. She then ran her fingers down Celes' cheek, which made Celes jump a little. The woman pulled back and laughed.
"Oui, oui, it's obvious why they chose you to perform for moi last year." She said. Celes noticed now that the woman had a distinct accent. "You are like me in everyway, almost. You are just a bit younger...I can tell by that un-balanced complexion of yours."
Celes blinked, and Locke laughed a little.
"You must be Maria." Celes said, a little hurt from the complexion comment. She nodded, and smirked a little at Celes.
"Oui, I am Maria." Maria said. "Hmmm...you are not very cultured, no?"
"Pardon!?" Celes burst out.
"Hmmm, oui." Maria said, but not in a mocking tone. "If you wanted to properly greet me, you would have come over, and did this." Maria leaned in and kissed Celes on one cheek, and then on the other in a swift manner. Celes made a face.
"Oh, that's just for snotty upper class people." Celes snapped, and laughed as Maria turned red.
"Hmmph." Maria said. "Oh well, at least they did not shame my exhistance with someone dopey and un-opinionated. I have decided I like you."
"Heh, I like you too." Celes smiled, and then leaned in, kissing Maria as she had done to her. Maria honestly reminded Celes of herself, only...a....say, more spoiled version of herself. Maria smiled even more now, making herself look prettier.
Locke smiled a little as Setzer came over, with wide eyes.
"Maria, why do you let Celes kiss you, but I can't?" He whined. Maria smirked.
"Aha, Moiseuier, moi only lets her lips fall upon something prescious and beautiful. You agree, no? I am sure Miss Chere feels the same way?"
".....GAH." Setzer pouted, and went inside the Opera House. Celes and Maria both giggled, and Maria took Celes' arm.
"You know, your escort, he is very....sexy, no?" Maria complimented as they stepped inside.
"Heh, Locke?" Celes said, and smiled. "Well...." The girls went out of earshot as Locke lingered behind them, feeling left out from the girl talk. He looked around the Opera House, and saw that it was still quite empty, being that no performance was being held yet. He decided to seek out the Impressario while Celes and Maria chatted.
Maria brought Celes to her dressing room, a place Celes knew well herself. Maria then surprised Celes by pulling down a brightly wrapped package from a shelf and handing it to her.
"For me?" Celes asked, surprised, and a little ashamed she had not brought a gift for Maria.
"Yes, for you, silly girl." Maria said, and smiled. Celes tore open the wrapping, and nearly melted when she saw what was inside.
"Maria, this is incredible." Celes said. "You picked this out for me?"
"Oui, but of course!" Maria exclaimed, and smiled. "Do not feel weird, but I felt like I needed to do this for someone who had done more for me then a friend would, no?"
"Oh, it was nothing, really." Maria smiled, and Celes looked at her gift again.
It was a beautifully decorated scrpit of the play Celes had starred in a year ago for Maria. The cover was studded with rare jewels and Celes' name was inscripted in the bottom right corner in a gold color. She gingerly flipped through the pages, reading the familiar lines, and getting a warm sense of remembrence. Maria smiled, and sat down in a soft chair.
"So, who is that boy you were with?" Maria asked. "A friend?"
"Yep." Celes said, and closed the book.
"Nice looking friend." Maria said. "Do you mind if I play with him tonight?"
"WHAT!?" Celes cried.
"Hee, hee, so Celes does mind, oui?" Maria smiled. "Just asking, just asking."
"Hmmm..." Celes smiled a little again.
"Besides, he surely would not have eyes for me if he has not already captured your heart?" Maria questioned, and giggled.
"Man, I wish he would just go ahead and try to already!" Celes joked.
Celes and Maria continued to chat about what seemed like random topics. It was very apparent though, that the girls were on a fast track to becoming good friends. Suddnely, a clock in the room began to chime. Maria gasped, and stood up.
"Oh, my, only an hour until showtime!" Maria squealed. "I must be preparing myself. Well, Celes, if you will excuse me..."
"Of course." Celes said, and turned to the door. Maria smiled and flipped her ponytail back over her shoulder.
"Please enjoy the show tonight!" Maria exclaimed. "I will be thinking of you, my new friend!"
Celes turned and smiled back.
"Don't worry, I will." She replied.
"Oh, do not lock the door behind you." Maria said as Celes opened the door. "That lock gets stuck."
"Oh, alright!" Celes said.
With that, she left the room, shutting the door tightly behind her. Celes traveled down the steps and saw Locke and Impressario talking about something. Celes suddenly felt a dull ache in her chest, remembering how Locke had yelled at her earlier. Deciding not to bother him again, Celes slipped passed them, only muttering a hello when Impressario cheerfully greeted her.
"I hope Maria was not rude to her!" Celes heard Impressario say as she walked away. She did not catch Locke staring after her as she climbed another set of stairs onto a balcony.
Celes sighed and leaned over the balcony, watching crew members frantically set up scenes and props for the show. Maria then appeared a few minutes later, and starting yelling at them loudly about something in a language Celes had never heard before, but had studied somewhat while at the Empire. She thought it was called "French". Maria then stomped off stage, with quite a few stage crew members following her in a little parade.
"Hee-hee." Celes smiled, and sat down in a chair, her hair falling over her shoulders. She remained like that until she heard the voices of other people gathering in the lower seats. Celes peered over and saw that already, it was getting quite full.
"There you are." Locke said, and Celes widened her eyes.
"Locke?" Celes asked, and turned to him. He was standing there, his hands in his pockets. He looked sort of embarassed.
"What do you want?" Celes snapped.
"This is my seat." Locke said nervously, and sat down. Celes glared at him.
"And where is Setzer?"
"Said he didn't want to sit with us." Locke replied, and shrugged.
"Oh...." Celes said softly, and looked away. Locke blushed and looked down.
"Celes, I'm sorry I yelled at you before." Locke suddenly said.
"Well, why did you yell?" Celes asked, a little surprised.
"Hmmm...probably because I was really frustrated before." Locke explained, and sighed. "Celes, would you look at me?"
Celes blinked and turned to Locke, her eyes locking onto his.
"What....were you frustrated over...?" She asked quietly, finding her voice wouldn't go much higher then she wanted.
"....." Locke didn't say anything. Celes blinked again, but suddenly, the lights dimmed, and all voices down below came to a hush.
"It's starting!" Celes exclaimed, turned eagerly towards the stage. At first, she wasn't sure, but she thought she heard faint piano music coming down from the Orchestra Pit, music that seemed very familiar. Locke noticed also, and pushed some hair out of his eyes.
".......This is...." He trailed off.
Celes smiled a little, and nodded. "This is what I starred in last year! The story of Draco and Maria!!"
"Heh, and no Ultros this time to ruin it." Locke commented. But then, the pair fell silent as the magnificant Draco stepped on stage, and began to sing.
"Oh....Maria....Oh, Maria...."