Chapter 6 – Appearances (In more ways than one)
How did the beach trip go? To make things simple, let me just say that it gave me the break that I truly craved for a long time. I wouldn't go into the details, since you'll get to hear it from Quistis or Seifer's point of view, which will definitely be more interesting than my side of it. *Wink wink*
Anyway… things got back to normal, and I started joining them for lunch again. Went out on missions again. Oh yeah, the penalty was indeed lifted, all thanks to a certain platinum blond. The guy didn't tell me himself, but from what I gathered from Headmaster Cramer's words, he had played a very big role in the lifting of my punishment. I owe him a lot… one of these days, I'm gonna hafta thank him… but not now. I still enjoy our semi-bickering relationship better… otherwise it might just turn into a boring one… like with Squall, few worded answers and such.
Oops… I realise how inappropriate and rude it is to criticise my own commander and good friend, but that's the way I'm made… shooting my mouth off the second it enters my mind.
At least, I was normal at face value.
But deep in my heart, I could feel the empty void in there… even as I joke with the gang, even as Yuri lies in my arms fast asleep at night. Yuri… I must do something about her. I can't deceive her any longer… any more than I can deceive myself. But I just can't bring myself to hurt someone who places her complete trust in me…
It all just adds to the torment that I get from the empty void, most acutely when I'm lying on the bed by myself.
It keeps reminding me not to forget my Angel.
And hard as I might try, I know that it's impossible.
And I don't want to.
My memory of her, short and scant as it was, is all I have that's hers; except for the precious stone she had given me. I keep it close to my side wherever I go, whatever I do.
The thing is… I keep getting the feeling that someone's watching.
Am I imagining things again? Do I assume that just because I saw A, I could see others like her as well?
I sense that this person's glance isn't a good-natured one at all.
I hate riddles. I want to yell my guts out.
Come right out and announce your intentions, whoever you are!
**** ******
Hmmph… so he finally noticed. If my line of vision were a visible, tangible force, his body would probably be full of holes by now.
It won't be long… before I take it from it away from him.
I am the one who truly deserves it.
Don't worry, my dearest. I'm coming to get you. You won't be alone in that dark, Hyne-forsaken place for long……
"Don't you want your beloved back? Join me, and I shall release her from her sleep." A throaty voice whispers close to my ear, blood-red lips brushing at the tips while she caressed my chest with long arms. It felt just like a snake slithering across my body. I loathe snakes.
"Are you trying to seduce me? You're failing miserably." I said, throwing her off my back.
"My… a little prickly today, aren't we?"
"I will never succumb to the likes of you… as long as I am alive and sound of mind!" I declared resolutely. "Now get out, and don't let me see you around here ever again!"
"Or you'll do what to me? You're helpless without the protection of the Great Lord. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" She finally exited, leaving a trail of screechy laughter in her wake.
"Damn!" I swore, punching vehemently at the tree trunk, but since my touch was so light, not a single leaf moved.
I know she's right… and it vexes me to no end.
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Author's Notes: Oooh… I have a confession to make. I might have unknowingly misled some of you. The thing is, the only reason I could write so quickly is because this was all already written in some notebook… I just have to transfer onto computer (which is a hell of a task! When will they invent some kind of robot that does the typing for you?). But when you get one whole big chunk of story… it becomes hard to break it up into chapters and not disrupt the flow, you get what I mean? Anyway, thank you, Shootinstar for your suggestion! Err… but Celestine might not appear so fast. I promise to type at lightning speed so that we can all see her again. Adios Amigos!