Shining Like Diamonds
An FF4 Fanfiction
By: Celes Chere
Author's Note: Ok, well, you obviously know what this is about if you read the summary, eh? Heh heh ^^;; Well, it has been a long time since I have written or finished any of my stories. Bad me... But I can't help it, being a sophomore is scary and stressful! *sob sob* But of course, I am also a single sophomore, therefore, I have a lot of free time on my hands to dream up romantic fanfics about my fav couples, rather then be in a real-life romance of my own. *moooooooan* Well, I'd like to THINK I am in one... but the people who know who I am talking about will probably say "Celes, you are being rigoddamndiculous." ^^;;; Ack, how did I get on the subject of my love life? Ahh, who cares, this is a romance fanfic anyway, so I gotta set the mood! *lights candles and incense* Oooooooooo!
I have tried like, one romance before and actually completed it, and it was a looooooong one, so long I almost quit. But then I realized OMG, quit on Locke and Celes? NO WAY! And so I finished As Pure As Snow. Didja read it, huh? Well, if you didn't, damnit, what are you waiting for? Oh...you want to start THIS story? And you want me to shut up? Oh....ok. ^^;;;;; But what I was going to say was that this story will probably be a lot like my other one...it will sort of jerk the characters around a bit before settling them into nice and happy lives. ^____^ I really do love torturing my characters, I do it because I care for them!!! (Oh yeah, I do not own anything when it comes to FF4....rather, I am borrowing the chars and the locations and all that... hee hee...that was a disclaimer. ) Um, ok, so I guess I should actually write this now! Oh yeah, and I will put it up chapter by chapter... so reviews are recommended so that I can have the strength to go on!! *squeal*
Shining Like Diamonds
Chapter One: The Girl and the Cloak
"Rosa! Rosa! Time to get up dear!" A young woman's voice carried its way through the open doorway of a small bedroom, within a decent-sized brick house, which was set inside the small but well-populated town of Baron. While this house appeared to be much like the other homes in Baron on the outside, one on the inside of the house might notice the beautiful gold-plated family crest of arms located right in the parlor hall that hinted that the family contained within its walls was of noble descent. Other signs that attributed to this was the expensive, shining cherry wood oak furniture, the delicate glass figurines and crystal vases that decorated each room, and the elegant, well-kept fireplace in the parlor that was not used for cooking, but rather, for show, which was rare in this day of age.
The owners of this home were none other then Sir Lawerence of the Baronian military and Lady Alexia, his wife. Lady Alexia had been a powerful white mage in her youth, and met her husband during a raid in Baron that had almost crippled the kingdom many, many years ago. He had been injured, and as a white mage, it was her duty to serve the wounded in war. When they met, it had become love at first sight. When Lawerence was well again, Alexia joined his side in battle and fought bravely with him until the war had ended and Baron had won. After being generously rewarded by King Baron for his battles, Lawerence asked Alexia to marry him, and she said yes. It was a year later that their daughter Rosa was born...marking only the beginning of many changes in that household...
"Rosa!" Alexia called again, in a much more impatient tone then last time. She was about to march over to Rosa's room in a very un-ladylike manner when like a ghost, Rosa appeared in her doorway and smiled brightly.
"Good morning, Mother!" Rosa said in a very polite but endearing tone. Her mother sighed and shook her head, putting her hands on her hips.
"Rosa, did you all of a sudden forget that you have archery lessons at the palace at seven every morning??" Alexia demanded, but Rosa simply let out a yawn and stretched, her lacy white nightgown gently lifting up for a moment to reveal her pink slippers.
"Mother, did you forget that my lessons were cancelled for today?" Rosa asked in a sweet tone, and Alexia stopped frowning immediately, her face going into the same thoughtful look Rosa would get when thinking hard. At last, she came to the conclusion her daughter was right, and sighed, bringing a hand to her forehead.
"I'm sorry dear." Alexia said, and sighed. "I guess I wasn't paying much attention to you last night when you told me. Forgive me."
"It's alright Mother..." Rosa trailed off, her smile slowly disappearing as she walked over and embraced Alexia gently. Alexia wrapped her arms around the 14 year old girl and leaned her head on hers. Rosa gasped a little when she thought she heard her mother sniffle, but she didn't say anything. She wasn't surprised really...her mother was still mourning the death of her brave father, who had been killed in a recent battle for his royal highness, King Baron. He had died over a month ago... and while Rosa was far from being finished with her own mourning, archery and magic lessons occupied most of her life and kept her from thinking about it too much. But her mother had nothing...she instead stayed at home all day and either cried or looked over her lost husband's war garments and medals. Rosa knew that working hard cheered her mother up, so she was striving to succeed in her lessons now more then ever before. Alexia pulled away finally and put a small smile back on her face. There were no traces of tears in her big brown eyes, which gazed into Rosa's.
It's like looking into a mirror of my youth... Alexia mused silently as she looked Rosa over. Just like when she was 14, Rosa was a bit short for her age, but had sparkling brown eyes and long, golden blonde hair that tumbled over her shoulders in natural waves. Her face was a soft peaches and cream complexion, and her arms were toned with small muscles that were gained from training in archery since the age of 6. Rosa could also use white magic, but for some reason, she knew a lot less then Alexia had when she was younger. However, now, differences had begun to emerge between the two. Alexia's hair was tinting to more of a light-red color since her sun highlights had been fading, and she lacked the youthful glow and elegance that surrounded Rosa's every step. She had never been much for ettiquite, but Rosa adapted to it well, since she took her lessons at the Baron Palace.
"Mother?" Rosa asked, blinking. Alexia smiled and ruffled Rosa's hair, which surprised her.
"I need you to do me a favor." Alexia said. "I need you to go to the palace today...I was told they have more of your father's things...but I would rather not make myself up just to go to the palace and see the king. Do you think you could go for me dear...?" Rosa nodded and smiled. She loved going to the palace! It was like a second home to her now.
"I shall!" Rosa smiled, and ran back into her room, slamming the door so that she could change. Alexia smiled and giggled to herself as she turned herself and retreated into the kitchen to make Rosa a quick breakfast.
Rosa rumaged through her wardrobe and made a face at the sight of all her frilly dresses that she was supposed to wear today since she had no archery lesson.
"Oh Mother!" Rosa sighed as she smiled to herself. "The things I will do just to please you..." Rosa found it quite amusing that her mother thought of her as a young lady rather then the tomboy she was at heart. After all, what sort of a lady could shoot an apple off a commoner's head from a 3 yard distance? Rosa decided to strap on her archery outfit anyway, a cute pink leotard with white straps and a matching white cape. To hide it on her way out, she pulled a pink dress over it and tied a ribbon around her neck that would serve as a hair tie once she was out the door. Rosa quickly finished by pulling on her brown lace-up boots and pulled the hood of her cape up over her face as she exited her bedroom.
"Rosa, what are you doing?" Alexia asked just as Rosa was about to turn the knob of the door. "It's hot as hades out there, and you are wearing a cape???" Rosa gulped.
"Uh...oh, well, this isn't mine!" Rosa squeaked, and laughed nervously. "It belonged to...a lady instructor whose chamber was quite cold yesterday. Didn't you notice that I took it home with me by accident?" Before Alexia could continue, Rosa went on. "Yes, well, anyway, don't you think it would be...rather common of me if I didn't return it as soon as possible?" Alexia smiled and shrugged.
"Whatever you wish dear." She said, and kissed Rosa on the forehead. "Be careful, and come straight home."
"Of course." Rosa smiled, and bolted out the door. Alexia blinked.
"She didn't even want breakfast." She mused.
When Rosa looked back, she could see that her mother had already disappeared from the front window. Rosa fanned herself with her hand as she ran across the street to the Baron General Store and burst in on the elderly owner, Mr. Berswick.
"Rosa!" He exclaimed, surprised. "What on Earth brings you here dear? Arn't you supposed to be at lessons?"
"They were cancelled, but I need to go to the palace anyway." Rosa said. With a quick yank, she tugged off her pink dress and dropped it on the floor, adjusting her crumpled cape underneath. Mr. Berswick just blinked and rubbed his eyes, making sure Rosa had not just, well... gone nude. Relieved to see she was wearing her normal outfit underneath, he wiped his sweaty brow and guessed what was going to come next.
"Will you watch my stuff until I come back?" Rosa asked as she scooped her dress up in her arms. "I just hate these gowns, but mother..."
"I understand, don't worry!" Mr. Berswick said, and laughed as he took the dress and hid it behind the counter. "Just don't scare me like that again!"
"Huh?" Rosa asked, not understanding. But she shrugged it off and quickly tied her hair up into a ponytail before grabbing a freshly-polished pot to examen her reflection. Satisfied, she smiled and waved to Mr. Berswick before running out of his store and down the long road that would lead right to the palace.
"Oh, what a beautiful day!" Rosa sang out loud as she looked up into the cerulean blue sky. She loved the way the soft summer wind felt against her legs and face, which were no longer hidden by a long gown and long hair, respectively. Suddenly, a neighbor of Rosa's waved to her as she ran by. Rosa squeaked in surprise and turned to wave back, but suddenly, a sharp gust of wind blew by, flipping her cape hood up and over her eyes. Rosa let out a sharp scream when her body suddenly rammed into something hard, knocking her to her rear and knocking the breath out of her. She moaned as she kept her eyes closed for a moment, only focusing on breathing in and out, in and out... but was brought back to the world of the living when a deep voice asked, "Hey...are you ok lady?" Rosa looked up and blinked in surprise.
That something she had rammed into had actually been a person, no, a boy about her age. He was tall and had a small frame, but was built up nicely. Not too strong, but not as weak as some of the other boys she knew. He had soft, very light blonde hair, almost white, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to focus only on her. He was wearing a black, tight mucle shirt that looked more like a man's bed clothes with his pants, that looked as if they were apart of the Baronian army's uniform.
"I asked if you were ok." The boy said again, not offering a hand to help her up. Rosa nodded slowly and got up on her own, which took the boy by surprise. He had expected her to break out crying or worse, turn him in to someone even though she had been the one to smash into him...
"Thank you, I'm fine." Rosa finally said, gaining her voice. "It was my fault, please forgive me!" The boy simply shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Well alright then." He said. "If you'll excuse me, I have to find my friend and then get to the palace...I'm sort of in a hurry."
"Oh, I'm going to the palace too!" Rosa smiled. "Would you like to go together? I'll tell whoever you need to see that you were late because of me! Everyone knows me there, so you should be ok!" The boy blinked and let out a slight moan. Girls...maybe this one was just like every other one he knew. Annoying.
"Whatever floats your boat." The boy said, "but you'll have to catch up to me, I'm not slowing down for you to do your hair or whatever."
"Oh, who cares about that?" Rosa smiled. "Anyway, you should know my name! I'm Rosa Ferrel! What's yours??" The boy looked her up and down again for a moment and finally pulled a hand out of his pocket, holding it out to Rosa, which surprised her. She noticed a silver band around his ring finger.
"I'm Cecil."
Ack, well, that's it for now. ^^;;; Sorry that chapter was so short, but I promise to do more supa-soon! *squeal* Please leave a review!! Please?? ^_^
An FF4 Fanfiction
By: Celes Chere
Author's Note: Ok, well, you obviously know what this is about if you read the summary, eh? Heh heh ^^;; Well, it has been a long time since I have written or finished any of my stories. Bad me... But I can't help it, being a sophomore is scary and stressful! *sob sob* But of course, I am also a single sophomore, therefore, I have a lot of free time on my hands to dream up romantic fanfics about my fav couples, rather then be in a real-life romance of my own. *moooooooan* Well, I'd like to THINK I am in one... but the people who know who I am talking about will probably say "Celes, you are being rigoddamndiculous." ^^;;; Ack, how did I get on the subject of my love life? Ahh, who cares, this is a romance fanfic anyway, so I gotta set the mood! *lights candles and incense* Oooooooooo!
I have tried like, one romance before and actually completed it, and it was a looooooong one, so long I almost quit. But then I realized OMG, quit on Locke and Celes? NO WAY! And so I finished As Pure As Snow. Didja read it, huh? Well, if you didn't, damnit, what are you waiting for? Oh...you want to start THIS story? And you want me to shut up? Oh....ok. ^^;;;;; But what I was going to say was that this story will probably be a lot like my other one...it will sort of jerk the characters around a bit before settling them into nice and happy lives. ^____^ I really do love torturing my characters, I do it because I care for them!!! (Oh yeah, I do not own anything when it comes to FF4....rather, I am borrowing the chars and the locations and all that... hee hee...that was a disclaimer. ) Um, ok, so I guess I should actually write this now! Oh yeah, and I will put it up chapter by chapter... so reviews are recommended so that I can have the strength to go on!! *squeal*
Shining Like Diamonds
Chapter One: The Girl and the Cloak
"Rosa! Rosa! Time to get up dear!" A young woman's voice carried its way through the open doorway of a small bedroom, within a decent-sized brick house, which was set inside the small but well-populated town of Baron. While this house appeared to be much like the other homes in Baron on the outside, one on the inside of the house might notice the beautiful gold-plated family crest of arms located right in the parlor hall that hinted that the family contained within its walls was of noble descent. Other signs that attributed to this was the expensive, shining cherry wood oak furniture, the delicate glass figurines and crystal vases that decorated each room, and the elegant, well-kept fireplace in the parlor that was not used for cooking, but rather, for show, which was rare in this day of age.
The owners of this home were none other then Sir Lawerence of the Baronian military and Lady Alexia, his wife. Lady Alexia had been a powerful white mage in her youth, and met her husband during a raid in Baron that had almost crippled the kingdom many, many years ago. He had been injured, and as a white mage, it was her duty to serve the wounded in war. When they met, it had become love at first sight. When Lawerence was well again, Alexia joined his side in battle and fought bravely with him until the war had ended and Baron had won. After being generously rewarded by King Baron for his battles, Lawerence asked Alexia to marry him, and she said yes. It was a year later that their daughter Rosa was born...marking only the beginning of many changes in that household...
"Rosa!" Alexia called again, in a much more impatient tone then last time. She was about to march over to Rosa's room in a very un-ladylike manner when like a ghost, Rosa appeared in her doorway and smiled brightly.
"Good morning, Mother!" Rosa said in a very polite but endearing tone. Her mother sighed and shook her head, putting her hands on her hips.
"Rosa, did you all of a sudden forget that you have archery lessons at the palace at seven every morning??" Alexia demanded, but Rosa simply let out a yawn and stretched, her lacy white nightgown gently lifting up for a moment to reveal her pink slippers.
"Mother, did you forget that my lessons were cancelled for today?" Rosa asked in a sweet tone, and Alexia stopped frowning immediately, her face going into the same thoughtful look Rosa would get when thinking hard. At last, she came to the conclusion her daughter was right, and sighed, bringing a hand to her forehead.
"I'm sorry dear." Alexia said, and sighed. "I guess I wasn't paying much attention to you last night when you told me. Forgive me."
"It's alright Mother..." Rosa trailed off, her smile slowly disappearing as she walked over and embraced Alexia gently. Alexia wrapped her arms around the 14 year old girl and leaned her head on hers. Rosa gasped a little when she thought she heard her mother sniffle, but she didn't say anything. She wasn't surprised really...her mother was still mourning the death of her brave father, who had been killed in a recent battle for his royal highness, King Baron. He had died over a month ago... and while Rosa was far from being finished with her own mourning, archery and magic lessons occupied most of her life and kept her from thinking about it too much. But her mother had nothing...she instead stayed at home all day and either cried or looked over her lost husband's war garments and medals. Rosa knew that working hard cheered her mother up, so she was striving to succeed in her lessons now more then ever before. Alexia pulled away finally and put a small smile back on her face. There were no traces of tears in her big brown eyes, which gazed into Rosa's.
It's like looking into a mirror of my youth... Alexia mused silently as she looked Rosa over. Just like when she was 14, Rosa was a bit short for her age, but had sparkling brown eyes and long, golden blonde hair that tumbled over her shoulders in natural waves. Her face was a soft peaches and cream complexion, and her arms were toned with small muscles that were gained from training in archery since the age of 6. Rosa could also use white magic, but for some reason, she knew a lot less then Alexia had when she was younger. However, now, differences had begun to emerge between the two. Alexia's hair was tinting to more of a light-red color since her sun highlights had been fading, and she lacked the youthful glow and elegance that surrounded Rosa's every step. She had never been much for ettiquite, but Rosa adapted to it well, since she took her lessons at the Baron Palace.
"Mother?" Rosa asked, blinking. Alexia smiled and ruffled Rosa's hair, which surprised her.
"I need you to do me a favor." Alexia said. "I need you to go to the palace today...I was told they have more of your father's things...but I would rather not make myself up just to go to the palace and see the king. Do you think you could go for me dear...?" Rosa nodded and smiled. She loved going to the palace! It was like a second home to her now.
"I shall!" Rosa smiled, and ran back into her room, slamming the door so that she could change. Alexia smiled and giggled to herself as she turned herself and retreated into the kitchen to make Rosa a quick breakfast.
Rosa rumaged through her wardrobe and made a face at the sight of all her frilly dresses that she was supposed to wear today since she had no archery lesson.
"Oh Mother!" Rosa sighed as she smiled to herself. "The things I will do just to please you..." Rosa found it quite amusing that her mother thought of her as a young lady rather then the tomboy she was at heart. After all, what sort of a lady could shoot an apple off a commoner's head from a 3 yard distance? Rosa decided to strap on her archery outfit anyway, a cute pink leotard with white straps and a matching white cape. To hide it on her way out, she pulled a pink dress over it and tied a ribbon around her neck that would serve as a hair tie once she was out the door. Rosa quickly finished by pulling on her brown lace-up boots and pulled the hood of her cape up over her face as she exited her bedroom.
"Rosa, what are you doing?" Alexia asked just as Rosa was about to turn the knob of the door. "It's hot as hades out there, and you are wearing a cape???" Rosa gulped.
"Uh...oh, well, this isn't mine!" Rosa squeaked, and laughed nervously. "It belonged to...a lady instructor whose chamber was quite cold yesterday. Didn't you notice that I took it home with me by accident?" Before Alexia could continue, Rosa went on. "Yes, well, anyway, don't you think it would be...rather common of me if I didn't return it as soon as possible?" Alexia smiled and shrugged.
"Whatever you wish dear." She said, and kissed Rosa on the forehead. "Be careful, and come straight home."
"Of course." Rosa smiled, and bolted out the door. Alexia blinked.
"She didn't even want breakfast." She mused.
When Rosa looked back, she could see that her mother had already disappeared from the front window. Rosa fanned herself with her hand as she ran across the street to the Baron General Store and burst in on the elderly owner, Mr. Berswick.
"Rosa!" He exclaimed, surprised. "What on Earth brings you here dear? Arn't you supposed to be at lessons?"
"They were cancelled, but I need to go to the palace anyway." Rosa said. With a quick yank, she tugged off her pink dress and dropped it on the floor, adjusting her crumpled cape underneath. Mr. Berswick just blinked and rubbed his eyes, making sure Rosa had not just, well... gone nude. Relieved to see she was wearing her normal outfit underneath, he wiped his sweaty brow and guessed what was going to come next.
"Will you watch my stuff until I come back?" Rosa asked as she scooped her dress up in her arms. "I just hate these gowns, but mother..."
"I understand, don't worry!" Mr. Berswick said, and laughed as he took the dress and hid it behind the counter. "Just don't scare me like that again!"
"Huh?" Rosa asked, not understanding. But she shrugged it off and quickly tied her hair up into a ponytail before grabbing a freshly-polished pot to examen her reflection. Satisfied, she smiled and waved to Mr. Berswick before running out of his store and down the long road that would lead right to the palace.
"Oh, what a beautiful day!" Rosa sang out loud as she looked up into the cerulean blue sky. She loved the way the soft summer wind felt against her legs and face, which were no longer hidden by a long gown and long hair, respectively. Suddenly, a neighbor of Rosa's waved to her as she ran by. Rosa squeaked in surprise and turned to wave back, but suddenly, a sharp gust of wind blew by, flipping her cape hood up and over her eyes. Rosa let out a sharp scream when her body suddenly rammed into something hard, knocking her to her rear and knocking the breath out of her. She moaned as she kept her eyes closed for a moment, only focusing on breathing in and out, in and out... but was brought back to the world of the living when a deep voice asked, "Hey...are you ok lady?" Rosa looked up and blinked in surprise.
That something she had rammed into had actually been a person, no, a boy about her age. He was tall and had a small frame, but was built up nicely. Not too strong, but not as weak as some of the other boys she knew. He had soft, very light blonde hair, almost white, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to focus only on her. He was wearing a black, tight mucle shirt that looked more like a man's bed clothes with his pants, that looked as if they were apart of the Baronian army's uniform.
"I asked if you were ok." The boy said again, not offering a hand to help her up. Rosa nodded slowly and got up on her own, which took the boy by surprise. He had expected her to break out crying or worse, turn him in to someone even though she had been the one to smash into him...
"Thank you, I'm fine." Rosa finally said, gaining her voice. "It was my fault, please forgive me!" The boy simply shrugged and stuck his hands in his pockets.
"Well alright then." He said. "If you'll excuse me, I have to find my friend and then get to the palace...I'm sort of in a hurry."
"Oh, I'm going to the palace too!" Rosa smiled. "Would you like to go together? I'll tell whoever you need to see that you were late because of me! Everyone knows me there, so you should be ok!" The boy blinked and let out a slight moan. Girls...maybe this one was just like every other one he knew. Annoying.
"Whatever floats your boat." The boy said, "but you'll have to catch up to me, I'm not slowing down for you to do your hair or whatever."
"Oh, who cares about that?" Rosa smiled. "Anyway, you should know my name! I'm Rosa Ferrel! What's yours??" The boy looked her up and down again for a moment and finally pulled a hand out of his pocket, holding it out to Rosa, which surprised her. She noticed a silver band around his ring finger.
"I'm Cecil."
Ack, well, that's it for now. ^^;;; Sorry that chapter was so short, but I promise to do more supa-soon! *squeal* Please leave a review!! Please?? ^_^
