Chapter 23- Homecomming
The next morning, Celes woke up from the sound of Locke's mumbling and groaning. She opened her eyes, and looked up into his face. He looked down at her and smiled.
"Morning hon." He said, and kissed her. Celes smiled and sat up a little in his arms.
"Morning." Celes replied, and rested her hand on his leg, rubbing it gently. "Did you sleep well?"
"Heh, I will tell you the truth, I'm kinda sore." Locke said, and laughed a little. "But, you didn't wake up once, so I assumed you slept well?"
"I had some nice dreams." Celes smiled, and continued rubbing his sore muscles.
"About me?" Locke joked.
"Hee-hee, my secret." Celes joked back, and Locke blushed. She slipped out of his arms a minute later, and he stood up, stretching.
"Well, what do you say we get back to the inn?" Locke asked, and Celes nodded.
"Yes, I am sure they might freak out if we do not check out on time." Celes said, and stood up also, picking up her treasure-loaded cape and slipping it over her shoulders. Locke checked around to make sure that everything was taken that they needed, and with that, he and Celes slipped into the secret passageway and made their way back to the inn. Once they had arrived in their bedroom, they emptied all the treasure into their item sack, and collapsed on the bed from lugging all that treasure back.
"Locke, where are we going next?" Celes asked, looking at him.
"Hmmm...." Locke said, and closed his eyes. "I'm trying to picture the world map...."
"Kohlingen is north of here." Celes said quickly. "As well as the Colosseum. There is also Zozo, but why in God's name would you want to go there....?"
"Heh." Locke said, and opened one eye. "You sure know your way around!"
"Of course." Celes said, and smiled.
"Well, where do you think we should go next...?" Locke offered her, and she shrugged.
"I do not know..." Celes trailed off. She really didn't want to go back to Kohlingen, because of the fact that that was Locke's hometown. And Locke's hometown meant more memories of Rachel...But it was the only town they could go to. They couldn't stay in Jidoor, because they needed to sell their goods at another town. It looked like Kohlingen was the only option they had. "Lets go to Kohlingen..."
"Alright!" Locke said, and smiled. "I can show you my place!"
"Sounds....good." Celes said softly, and rolled off the bed, going to the mirror to slap some Soothing Cream on her face before their departure. Locke looked after her for a moment, and bit his lower lip in thought. He had a bad feeling that Celes didn't want to really go to Kohlingen, for certain reasons.
Maybe no matter what I tell her, she won't ever believe that Rachel is in the past. Locke thought sadly. Maybe I'm not doing enough...but...I don't remember things being like this with Rachel.
Locke found himself comparing the differences between Celes and Rachel. For one thing, Rachel was very calm, very lady-like. She was around Locke's age, 25. Yes, she had loved going on adventures with him, but he remembered how she always walked with a dainty step everywhere, how she could never leave the house without making sure she looked ok, or how she could never get dirty without much complaining. Rachel reminded him of a porcelain doll. Locke honestly thought that the only reason she went with him was just because he was there. Rachel had even told Locke that he was not her first 'serious' love after they were engaged. Although they had never gotten into anything too intimate with each other, Locke just knew Rachel had been with other men like that previously. It made him feel inferrior.
And then there was Celes. Celes was always full of energy, and was very youthful. She was younger then Locke by 7 whole years, for she was only 18. Celes obviously was not afraid of getting into trouble, as long as no one was hurt. She didn't always fuss with all that girly make-up stuff, and Locke liked it so much better that way. Celes...was just a natural beauty, inside and out. There was an innocence about her that fascinated him, just something about her that made him want to protect her at all times, make sure she was un-disturbed, un-spoiled. And as far as Locke knew, he was her first real boyfriend, ever. He liked being Celes' first for everything, because he wanted to make it count for her.
Celes turned from the mirror and caught Locke staring at her with a sad look in his eyes. She blinked, and ran her fingers through her hair.
"Locke...? Are you ok?"
"Yeah..." Locke said, and sighed, getting off the bed himself. Celes watched him pick up their sack of goods, and swing it over his shoulder.
"Come on, we'd better get a move on, eh?" Locke asked, and Celes nodded quickly, jogging over to his side. They left the inn, and began their long travel to the little villiage of Kohlingen.
It was a sunny day, without a cloud in the sky. Celes narrowed her eyes slightly to keep the sun out, and kept her focus on the worn path they were traveling. She didn't know what to talk about with Locke. She knew something was up with him, but it was obviously not for sharing. She was almost afraid to, but hesitently, she slipped her hand through his, and didn't look at him for his reaction. Locke gave her hand a soft squeeze, and she knew that at least he wasn't mad at her.
Kohlingen was one of those towns that never seemed to change, no matter what the course of time threw at it. It had the same homes, no new ones were ever built...people would just move into the empty ones that other families left behind. Trees that were chopped down for wood were never replanted, and their ancient stumps would remain in the ground for clumsy children to trip on. The same flowers always grew....the blue stream within the town never stopped flowing...never suffered from a drought...the same kids always seemed to be running around, screaming and laughing.
And Rachel's house...a house on the west side of town, was always empty. It seemed that no one had wanted to live in it, that it would always be her home. Rachel's death was the first major youth death that had hit Kohlingen. Her family soon left the home, and it had never been disturbed since, even with all the families moving in and out of the villiage.
So Celes wasn't too surprised when Locke stopped her infront of a home on the northern edge of town, away from a lot of people, near a forest, and claimed it was his new home. She had seen this home before on her travels there, only now it was empty. She didn't think a new one would be built.
"It has a rather nice exterrior." Celes commented, as Locke fiddled with the lock on the door. He finally got it to open, and they stepped inside.
Celes found herself in a nice, wooden floored living room with a fireplace and a rug infront of it. The floor was smooth and polished, and she could slightly see her reflection back in it when she looked down. The living room also had a small blue couch and blue armchair.
From the open doorway to the left, you could see a small but cozy kitchen. Also to the left was another door, which Locke explained led to his bedroom. From the right, there was a bathroom door, and a hallway which led to two extra bedrooms.
"The last family that was here added on to this place for their children." Locke said. "So now I just use one of the rooms as a storage room, and the other as a guest room."
"It looks so cozy and warm." Celes smiled, and leaned her head on Locke's shoulder. "You did a good job picking this out."
"Thanks!" Locke said, and kissed the top of her head. "Gets kinda lonely here though, all alone..." He winked.
"What are you talking about?!" Celes cried. "You're never here!"
"Ooops, good point!" Locke said, and laughed nervously. Celes shook her head and put her hands on her hips.
"Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to take a walk." Locke said. "You know, say hello to a few of the people I know from here." From the tone in Locke's voice, Celes could tell that he wanted to be alone.
"Alright." Celes said, and thought for a moment. "Why don't I make us some late lunch while you're out?"
"That would be great babe." Locke said. "I have plenty of stuff in the kitchen, so see what you can find. Noodles actually sound good right now..."
"I get the hint!" Celes smiled, and kissed him on the cheek. "Have fun." With that, she retreated into the kitchen, and Locke left the house.
Locke strolled down the path that led from his house down into the villiage, where many children jumped out from their games and gave him bright "Hellos" and "Locke, you're back!!!'s" He waved to everyone and walked into flower shop. There, he purchesed a beautiful bouqet of mixed wildflowers, and left, heading for the small graveyard at the southern point of town.
When Locke arrived at her grave, he kneeled down and whispered a short prayer, laying the wildflowers down near the marble tombstone.
Rachel K. Junpei
What the Earth has blessed us with has returned to her bountiful Mother. Beloved daughter and friend to all....May You Rest in Eternal Peace.
Locke sighed and pushed his hair out of his eyes as he gazed at the inscription of two doves flying out into the horizon on the tombstone. Doves were her favorite, he remembered.
"Rachel..." Locke said, and touched the cool marble. "I will never forget, nor never stop loving you. Only you and the Goddesses above know how deeply I still care for you, even if we were not meant to be..." He felt hot tears begin to burn his eyes, and he shut them tightly, causing the tears to slowly fall down his cheeks.
"But Rachel...I'm....going to do what I thought I never could do after you left me....I'm going to try again. You've seen her from heaven, I'm sure...how beautiful and sweet she is....how gentle and kind...you've seen how she needs me, right?"
Of course, there was no reply.
"I know you understand how I feel about her....because it's how I felt about you, at one point, at the peak of our love...I know you are at peace, in paradise...up above...and finally, I can be at peace, here on this damned Earth. I've found my peace, at long last."
Locke suddenly heard a soft tune being sang. As he looked up into the trees above him, he saw a baby white dove, staring down at him. It let out another melodic chirp, and suddenly fluttered its wings and disappeared into the sky, as if it were an illusion. Locke smiled a little, and looked back to the grave.
"Please bless Celes and I from above." Locke finished. With that, he leaned in, and briefly pressed his lips against the marble, making a shiver run through his body from the cold. He stood up, brushed himself off, and left the graveyard silently.
Locke made one last stop on his way home.
The next morning, Celes woke up from the sound of Locke's mumbling and groaning. She opened her eyes, and looked up into his face. He looked down at her and smiled.
"Morning hon." He said, and kissed her. Celes smiled and sat up a little in his arms.
"Morning." Celes replied, and rested her hand on his leg, rubbing it gently. "Did you sleep well?"
"Heh, I will tell you the truth, I'm kinda sore." Locke said, and laughed a little. "But, you didn't wake up once, so I assumed you slept well?"
"I had some nice dreams." Celes smiled, and continued rubbing his sore muscles.
"About me?" Locke joked.
"Hee-hee, my secret." Celes joked back, and Locke blushed. She slipped out of his arms a minute later, and he stood up, stretching.
"Well, what do you say we get back to the inn?" Locke asked, and Celes nodded.
"Yes, I am sure they might freak out if we do not check out on time." Celes said, and stood up also, picking up her treasure-loaded cape and slipping it over her shoulders. Locke checked around to make sure that everything was taken that they needed, and with that, he and Celes slipped into the secret passageway and made their way back to the inn. Once they had arrived in their bedroom, they emptied all the treasure into their item sack, and collapsed on the bed from lugging all that treasure back.
"Locke, where are we going next?" Celes asked, looking at him.
"Hmmm...." Locke said, and closed his eyes. "I'm trying to picture the world map...."
"Kohlingen is north of here." Celes said quickly. "As well as the Colosseum. There is also Zozo, but why in God's name would you want to go there....?"
"Heh." Locke said, and opened one eye. "You sure know your way around!"
"Of course." Celes said, and smiled.
"Well, where do you think we should go next...?" Locke offered her, and she shrugged.
"I do not know..." Celes trailed off. She really didn't want to go back to Kohlingen, because of the fact that that was Locke's hometown. And Locke's hometown meant more memories of Rachel...But it was the only town they could go to. They couldn't stay in Jidoor, because they needed to sell their goods at another town. It looked like Kohlingen was the only option they had. "Lets go to Kohlingen..."
"Alright!" Locke said, and smiled. "I can show you my place!"
"Sounds....good." Celes said softly, and rolled off the bed, going to the mirror to slap some Soothing Cream on her face before their departure. Locke looked after her for a moment, and bit his lower lip in thought. He had a bad feeling that Celes didn't want to really go to Kohlingen, for certain reasons.
Maybe no matter what I tell her, she won't ever believe that Rachel is in the past. Locke thought sadly. Maybe I'm not doing enough...but...I don't remember things being like this with Rachel.
Locke found himself comparing the differences between Celes and Rachel. For one thing, Rachel was very calm, very lady-like. She was around Locke's age, 25. Yes, she had loved going on adventures with him, but he remembered how she always walked with a dainty step everywhere, how she could never leave the house without making sure she looked ok, or how she could never get dirty without much complaining. Rachel reminded him of a porcelain doll. Locke honestly thought that the only reason she went with him was just because he was there. Rachel had even told Locke that he was not her first 'serious' love after they were engaged. Although they had never gotten into anything too intimate with each other, Locke just knew Rachel had been with other men like that previously. It made him feel inferrior.
And then there was Celes. Celes was always full of energy, and was very youthful. She was younger then Locke by 7 whole years, for she was only 18. Celes obviously was not afraid of getting into trouble, as long as no one was hurt. She didn't always fuss with all that girly make-up stuff, and Locke liked it so much better that way. Celes...was just a natural beauty, inside and out. There was an innocence about her that fascinated him, just something about her that made him want to protect her at all times, make sure she was un-disturbed, un-spoiled. And as far as Locke knew, he was her first real boyfriend, ever. He liked being Celes' first for everything, because he wanted to make it count for her.
Celes turned from the mirror and caught Locke staring at her with a sad look in his eyes. She blinked, and ran her fingers through her hair.
"Locke...? Are you ok?"
"Yeah..." Locke said, and sighed, getting off the bed himself. Celes watched him pick up their sack of goods, and swing it over his shoulder.
"Come on, we'd better get a move on, eh?" Locke asked, and Celes nodded quickly, jogging over to his side. They left the inn, and began their long travel to the little villiage of Kohlingen.
It was a sunny day, without a cloud in the sky. Celes narrowed her eyes slightly to keep the sun out, and kept her focus on the worn path they were traveling. She didn't know what to talk about with Locke. She knew something was up with him, but it was obviously not for sharing. She was almost afraid to, but hesitently, she slipped her hand through his, and didn't look at him for his reaction. Locke gave her hand a soft squeeze, and she knew that at least he wasn't mad at her.
Kohlingen was one of those towns that never seemed to change, no matter what the course of time threw at it. It had the same homes, no new ones were ever built...people would just move into the empty ones that other families left behind. Trees that were chopped down for wood were never replanted, and their ancient stumps would remain in the ground for clumsy children to trip on. The same flowers always grew....the blue stream within the town never stopped flowing...never suffered from a drought...the same kids always seemed to be running around, screaming and laughing.
And Rachel's house...a house on the west side of town, was always empty. It seemed that no one had wanted to live in it, that it would always be her home. Rachel's death was the first major youth death that had hit Kohlingen. Her family soon left the home, and it had never been disturbed since, even with all the families moving in and out of the villiage.
So Celes wasn't too surprised when Locke stopped her infront of a home on the northern edge of town, away from a lot of people, near a forest, and claimed it was his new home. She had seen this home before on her travels there, only now it was empty. She didn't think a new one would be built.
"It has a rather nice exterrior." Celes commented, as Locke fiddled with the lock on the door. He finally got it to open, and they stepped inside.
Celes found herself in a nice, wooden floored living room with a fireplace and a rug infront of it. The floor was smooth and polished, and she could slightly see her reflection back in it when she looked down. The living room also had a small blue couch and blue armchair.
From the open doorway to the left, you could see a small but cozy kitchen. Also to the left was another door, which Locke explained led to his bedroom. From the right, there was a bathroom door, and a hallway which led to two extra bedrooms.
"The last family that was here added on to this place for their children." Locke said. "So now I just use one of the rooms as a storage room, and the other as a guest room."
"It looks so cozy and warm." Celes smiled, and leaned her head on Locke's shoulder. "You did a good job picking this out."
"Thanks!" Locke said, and kissed the top of her head. "Gets kinda lonely here though, all alone..." He winked.
"What are you talking about?!" Celes cried. "You're never here!"
"Ooops, good point!" Locke said, and laughed nervously. Celes shook her head and put her hands on her hips.
"Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to take a walk." Locke said. "You know, say hello to a few of the people I know from here." From the tone in Locke's voice, Celes could tell that he wanted to be alone.
"Alright." Celes said, and thought for a moment. "Why don't I make us some late lunch while you're out?"
"That would be great babe." Locke said. "I have plenty of stuff in the kitchen, so see what you can find. Noodles actually sound good right now..."
"I get the hint!" Celes smiled, and kissed him on the cheek. "Have fun." With that, she retreated into the kitchen, and Locke left the house.
Locke strolled down the path that led from his house down into the villiage, where many children jumped out from their games and gave him bright "Hellos" and "Locke, you're back!!!'s" He waved to everyone and walked into flower shop. There, he purchesed a beautiful bouqet of mixed wildflowers, and left, heading for the small graveyard at the southern point of town.
When Locke arrived at her grave, he kneeled down and whispered a short prayer, laying the wildflowers down near the marble tombstone.
Rachel K. Junpei
What the Earth has blessed us with has returned to her bountiful Mother. Beloved daughter and friend to all....May You Rest in Eternal Peace.
Locke sighed and pushed his hair out of his eyes as he gazed at the inscription of two doves flying out into the horizon on the tombstone. Doves were her favorite, he remembered.
"Rachel..." Locke said, and touched the cool marble. "I will never forget, nor never stop loving you. Only you and the Goddesses above know how deeply I still care for you, even if we were not meant to be..." He felt hot tears begin to burn his eyes, and he shut them tightly, causing the tears to slowly fall down his cheeks.
"But Rachel...I'm....going to do what I thought I never could do after you left me....I'm going to try again. You've seen her from heaven, I'm sure...how beautiful and sweet she is....how gentle and kind...you've seen how she needs me, right?"
Of course, there was no reply.
"I know you understand how I feel about her....because it's how I felt about you, at one point, at the peak of our love...I know you are at peace, in paradise...up above...and finally, I can be at peace, here on this damned Earth. I've found my peace, at long last."
Locke suddenly heard a soft tune being sang. As he looked up into the trees above him, he saw a baby white dove, staring down at him. It let out another melodic chirp, and suddenly fluttered its wings and disappeared into the sky, as if it were an illusion. Locke smiled a little, and looked back to the grave.
"Please bless Celes and I from above." Locke finished. With that, he leaned in, and briefly pressed his lips against the marble, making a shiver run through his body from the cold. He stood up, brushed himself off, and left the graveyard silently.
Locke made one last stop on his way home.