Disclaimer: Same thing I don't own FF8 characters Square does.
A/N: Here's chapter 12! Hope you like it!
~*~Memories~*~
~*~Chapter 12~*~
The wedding reception was well on its way. People were laughing, chatting, drinking, eating, dancing, and enjoying themselves. Quistis and Seifer stayed close to the bride and groom, but way from each other. Neither knew how to react to each other after the kiss they shared earlier. Quistis wanted to sort out her feelings. Her actions. Herself. What happened between them was not something she expected at all. She looked across the room finding Seifer standing alone and aloof from the lively party. He had a drink in his hand, and had an expression that revealed he was in deep thought. Than a rather pretty girl walked up to him, she probably was asking him for a dance, but after a couple seconds the girl's smile turned into a frown and promptly walked away from him. Quistis could help but smile at his rejection of the girl.
Quistis knew she couldn't avoid him forever. She directed her attention back at the newly weds. Victor had a traditional black tuxedo on, and Nora wore a simple gown with a princess collar bodice. She indeed looked like a princess bride who found her prince charming, Quistis thought to herself.
"They look so happy don't they?" Quistis turned around to find President Alma. "I'm glad the dress fits you beautifully," he said with a smile.
"Oh thank you," she blushed at his comment. "Yes, they do look every happy."
"And that necklace matches nicely with it."
"Oh thank you, Seifer gave it to me." She answered.
"Really?" Quistis nodded.
"But I don't know where he got it from. He wouldn't tell me." She looked over Seifer still standing alone, seeming lost in his own thoughts again.
"He doesn't say much doesn't he?" Now both of their attention was turned towards Seifer.
"No, he never really says much about himself, or what's on his mind." Quistis noticed that Alma was no longer paying attention to her or Seifer. He seemed to be scanning the room for something. It looked as if he was expecting something, or worried about something.
"Sir is everything alright?" she asked hoping to get an answer. He only shook his head and continued scanning the crowd. "Sir, it looks as if you are expecting something." She attempted to ask again.
"It's starting to get pretty warm in here don't you think?" he finally said trying to change the subject. He loosened his collar and bow tie, revealing a necklace that caught Quistis's eye. The necklace that he was wearing looked just like Seifer's Hyperion Cross. This must have been the necklace Nora told her about the other day. She was about to comment on his necklace, when she noticed his attention was focused on a man approaching them.
"Ah, Alma long time no see," Quistis turned around to a middle-aged man with dark brown hair approaching them. He looked very familiar to her, but she just couldn't figure out where she had seen him before. She looked at the two men. She could immediately feel the thick tension between them.
"Ivan Blaine. It has been a long time since we last met. Now that our children are married, it means we will be seeing more of each other." He stretched out a hand in a gesture of a friendly handshake.
"Not necessarily," was Ivan's only reply, ignoring Alma's outstretched hand.
Ivan. The name brought a flash back into Quistis's mind. Just a flash of a young man in uniform, the image only lasted a second and it was gone. She then looked at Alma, who was calmly retaining his composure, but his emerald eyes burned into the other man. The emerald eyes look as if…Could those be the eyes the same ones in her dream the couple nights before. She thought to herself. Quistis started to feel the air around close in and her head was starting to feel light.
~~~
Seifer stood alone secretly watching Quistis talk to Alma. For the past hour he had been wanting to talk to her. He wanted to apologize for the kisses they shared earlier, but he felt that he wasn't wrong to kiss her. Hell! She even kissed him back! But his heart told him that he wanted to know. He wanted to know…
A third party had joined the conversation between Quistis and the President. Seifer saw his chance, since Quistis seemed to be uncomfortable between the exchanges of the two men's conversation. He quickly walked over and felt a strong tension radiating between Alma and the other man. Quistis seemed lost in her own world.
"Quistis," he whispered to her. "Are you all right? You don't look well." She nodded. A new song was starting and he decided going on to the dance floor would help Quistis relax and give them the privacy he needed. He dragged her on to the dance floor.
"Seifer, what are you doing?" I was in the middle of a conversation with the President and Victor's father." She exclaimed.
"Well it's not like you were saying much," he said raising an eyebrow. "It looked more like you were about to pass out from the tension exploding from them." He glanced back at the two men. "Look they are just having this staring contest. Besides I need to talk to you."
"You don't understand," she said with disappointment in her voice. Seifer arm wrapped around Quistis's waist, "Now shall we dance?"
"Looks like I have no choice," she replied sarcastically and obediently wrapped her arms around his neck. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
"I wanted to…" he began.
"Wait," Quistis's eyes widen in concentration. "Did you hear that?" She was obviously listening to the hidden earpiece she had on.
"Captain this is James. Kim and I have noticed some movement by an unknown party outside the premises of the Residence. Right now their movement is uncertain, but they seem to be waiting for something."
Quistis took a deep breath and tapped on her microphone. "Do you know how many are there?"
"Negative, It looks like one or two of them, but for all we know there may be more in the surrounding area." He young man continued reporting.
"All right, you guys just keep your eyes open, and alert the guards to tighten security immediately. Report any changes to me or Seifer immediately." After finishing her instructions to the rest of the squad, she raised her head and looked at Seifer. She was surprised to see a smirk on his face.
"Looks like this mission going to be more interesting then I thought," he winked.
"I'm sorry about this, but…"
"Don't worry about it," he interrupted her. "It's about time we got some action in this party." He smirked again, hoping it could hide his disappointment.
"Seifer, you don't have to…"
"Have to do what?" He interrupted her again. Quistis gave up trying to reason with him. She wanted to know what he wanted to say to her, but now was time to work. She sighed and walked back to Alma and Blaine, who were both standing next to each other in silence.
Seifer didn't know why he bothered to interrupt Quistis so rudely. All he knew that revealing himself to Quistis made him feel vulnerable, and he didn't like to be vulnerable to anyone. Ever.
"Pardon me, Sirs, but there has been a report of unknown movement from an unknown party outside, and I suggest you and your relations should move to a safer part of your residence." Alma listened and glared at Blaine.
"Don't accuse me of this Alma. I'm here aren't I? It's enough proof that I do not intend to ruin my own son's wedding. I would never betray the people I love." He sneered. Ivan's last remark stung Alma, but he kept his composure and led them up the stairs, while Seifer gathered the bride and groom.
He led them into an empty reading room in the residence. "Is this place safe enough?" he asked.
Quistis and Seifer observed the room. The room was rather large. The three walls were lined with cases of books and paintings decorated the wall. The fourth wall was a large window with a door leading into to the balcony. A full moon was shining on the balcony and into the reading room.
"I guess this will do, until we figure out what is going on," Quistis finally said. She looked back to see Seifer standing by the glass doors look out intently into the darkness. She walked up to him, "Seifer? What's wrong?" he continued looking into the darkness, searching for something.
"Something is out there," he finally said to her.
"What do you mean?"
"I saw something, but now I can't see it any more," he pulled out his gun from his suit. The gun felt odd in his hands. He wished he had brought Hyperion with him, but he completely forgot about it after the kiss. After the kiss he forgot about many things, he looked at an empty-handed Quistis. "I suggest you arm yourself as well, Trepe."
Suddenly Seifer saw three black figures on the balcony moving menacingly towards the window. Seifer took a step back at the sudden appearance. He stretched out his arm pointing his guy at the figure in front. Quistis stood next to him with her gun in her hand as well.
"Everyone get back!" Seifer yelled over his shoulder. His gun still pointed at the advancing black figures. Each figure was in hooded cloak black velvet. Their faces were hidden in the darkness provided by their hood. Finally they reached the window and paused. Waiting.
"Put the gun down," a voice came into Seifer's head. Seifer ignored the warning. Never again will he succumb to a haunting voice. The voice reminded him of Ulitmecia and the pain and scars she left him with.
"Put the gun down," the voice repeated, his only answer was the click of the gun and the placing of his hand on the trigger. The leading figure in front seeing Seifer's resistance, slowly raised its hand and place its palm against the window then it quickly stepped back.
Seifer looked at Quistis in confusion. Then the sound of cracking glass was spreading along the windows. Visible cracks raced through the once flawless glass intersecting each forming intricate web like designs all the windows.
The next thing Quistis knew Seifer had thrown his body over her to shield her from the rain of glass that was once a window.
"Are you alright?" Seifer asked as he helped her up again. Quistis nodded. He quickly brought his attention back to the three intruders. They proceeded to enter the room, and stop in front of Seifer and Quistis.
"Who are you?" Seifer demanded as a small trail of blood seeped down his cheek from his fresh cut. His gun remained pointed at them.
"Put the gun down and you will know,"
"Well tough, I don't want to put the gun down, and you know what I don't give a flying fuck for who you are!"
"If you do now comply with our simple request we have no choice but to terminate you." The voices threaten.
"Terminate me? Why don't you just go ahead and try," he mocked. "I'm not going to 'comply' until you listen to me first!"
"Seifer! Why don't you stop?" Quistis pleaded. "You're bleeding."
"It's just blood Trepe nothing more," he replied coldly.
"Well we don't know what we are dealing with, and if you would stop being so stubborn maybe we could figure what the hell they want!" Quistis patience was waning.
"Why do you not listen to her?"
He had enough negotiations and was ready to shoot. He pushed Quistis away. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, Quistis stood in front of him.
"What the fuck are you doing woman?!" he yelled at her. "Have you lost your fucking mind?"
"No I have not lost my 'fucking' mind. Mind you." Quistis turn her back towards Seifer and calmly asked again. "Who are you? What is your business for interrupting Nora and Victor Blaine's wedding?"
Finally the leader of the trio pushed back its hood revealing a woman with long ebony hair tied into a tight braid. Upon her forehead was a plain tiara gold tiara with a single amethyst teardrop hanging down the center matching her violet eyes. She was beautifully enchanting. Her voice strong delicacy that was pleasing to the ear.
"We have not interrupted any wedding. In fact the wedding is still in progress as we speak. The bride and groom may leave if they wish. They are of no concern in this matter to us." She then focused her gaze at Quistis, "you are the reason we are here."
Quistis was taken a back by the woman's words, but refused to reveal her surprise. "You still have not answered our question of who are you?" she asked sternly.
"I am Soria Vione, head
sorceress of the Azurial clan."
"What? A sorceress clan? Are you shitting me?" Seifer blurted out in
annoyance.
Ignoring his comment, she continued, "We have been searching for you for a very long time. For years we thought you were killed, but in the defeat of Ultimecia, your presence was revealed to us. But we were not sure if you were the one we have sought, until today." Her porcelain white fingers lightly touch the rose cross, "This necklace you wear around your neck proves that you are Cassandra Trepe's daughter."
"What?" Quistis took a step back. "How can my possession of a necklace be proof of my birth?" She asked in disbelief. "I've never known of the existence of this rose cross until this evening. I can hardly remember my past in the orphanage much less my parents. How can I believe a word you say? The proofs you give me are not reasonable."
"Young Quistis, you do not need reason for such things," Soria smiled. "You think and over analyze things, follow your heart for once." She glanced back at Seifer and smiled. "Young Almasy over there is too passionate. That's what led to his downfall." Seifer could only turn away at the reminder of his embarrassing past. "You want concrete proof? I shall give you it."
"Cassandra Trepe was a member of our clan. Our clan consists only of those with sorceress linage in their blood. Those with this linage have the ability to control and use blue magic, and you Quistis Trepe obviously posses this power. You also look very much like Cassandra." Soria turned her attention at Alma. "Ask President Alma here. He knew your mother. Does she not look like Cassandra, Seth Alma or shall I say Almasy?"
At the mention of Cassandra's name, the president lowered his eyes in embarrassment, but his embarrassment was quickly replaced by shock from the mention of his last name. The last name that he put behind him after Rachael died. The President raised his eye to meet the gaze of Soria and the widen eyes of Seifer.
Seifer stared into Seth's eyes. Emerald to Emerald both trying to penetrate the others thoughts. Seifer wasn't ready to accept that the President sharing the same name as him could mean anything more then a coincidence, but deep down inside he knew he was afraid of the truth. All the memories of his childhood have been forgotten, and the only childhood memories he had were from his orphanage days. Why he remembered them? He didn't know. Maybe because they were the last times he was truly happy. Or was it? The silver chain he wore around his neck was the only relic of his past before the orphanage. The silver chain and with the delicately engraved calligraphy of his name was the only proof he was loved at one point in time. He continued to gaze into Seth's eyes questioning him with his vision.
Quistis shifted her gaze from Seifer to the president and back to Soria.
"Would you like more proof?" Soria asked.
"What do you want from me?" Quistis asked hesitantly.
"Well only wish to bring you back to your home. Since you belong to our clan of Auzrial, and we shall teach you in using and developing your skills of magic."
"What if I choose not to go with you?"
"Then you will choose to live in this world like your mother before you did."
"My mother?" She was surprised to hear that her mother had turned down request from them. Why would she to that? Questions flood into Quistis mind again, but she didn't know what to do with them.
"Why?" she finally uttered.
"Because she fell in love with General Ian Trepe," she replied frankly.
Quistis closed her eyes and tried to remember and search deep inside her a memory of her mother or father, but her mind could only draw blankness.
"You speak of my mother, Cassandra Trepe, but I have no recollection of her," she replied with some distress hinted in her voice.
"No, you do have recollections of her," Soria responded matter-of-factly. "Have you not been having dreams of her, and possibly of people present in this very room?"
Quistis eyes widened in surprise at the mystical woman's knowledge of her recent dreams. She nodded her head with a soft escape of a silent "yes" slipping through her lips.
"Of course you've had these dreams. I was the one to reveal them to you again." Soria made eye contact with the blond woman to see her reaction.
"But these memories you've revealed to me are only a small piece of the large emptiness I feel," Quistis interrupted. "I want to remember. I want to remember the past I've lost. The past that is clouded and hidden from me, I want to remember…" Her voice was nearly pleading the sorceress to help her remember. At the same time she was shocked at her sudden desire to know her past again. Was it worth it? She asked herself as she looked at Seifer looking intently at her and the sorceress.
"As you know already some of these memories maybe unpleasant, do you still wish to remember them? If you do not fear what is to be revealed, I will gladly help you remember, and hopefully this will help you decided which path you will take." Soria reached out both of her hands forward towards Quistis. "Just touch my hand and I will clear and revive the clouded and lost memories of your past."
"Quistis!" Seifer yelled, "What are you doing? You don't even know if she's someone you can trust!"
Soria's attention was turned to Seifer again. "Someone you can trust? Do not forget young Almasy, I maybe a sorceress, but I am not Ultimecia," her voice was clear and firm. "Though she was part of our clan, her hunger for power led her to break the code of our clan and kill innocent lives in order to gain power."
Seifer just continued to glare at her his eyes narrowed again. "If she was part of your clan why didn't you stop her then?"
"We could not stop her because her attack on us was so sudden and caught us all off guard. She then sought to kill all of those born with sorceress linage in order to increase her own strength. Fortunately, SeeD was able to destroy her, but not before much destruction was already committed."
Again she brought her hands out towards Quistis, waiting for the young woman to place her hands over her palms.
"Do not fear, just place your hands into mine, and I will help you remember everything," she tried to comfort Quistis with a smile. Quistis slowly walked up to her and placed her soft white hands on top of Soria's hands. "Let's begin, shall we?" She asked. "Now close your eyes, and take a deep breath."
The young woman slowly took a deep breath and closed her eyes, her heart beat was rapid in fear and anticipation. Suddenly visions of memories from her past flashed across her mind. Everything from when she was a baby to her fist step, first birthday, and most importantly her father and mother. She saw a vision of them being very affectionate and loving of each other. With the revelation of each vision, she felt the emptiness in her slowly fill with the tender love she had been lacking for her whole life. A smile crept across her face as she remembered them. But the visions continued, and she remembered the escapes into the forest, the frantic search for safety, and attacks in the forest. The fear and sadness in her mother's eyes the day she was forever separated from her. She also remembered the necklace her mother always wore. The rose cross she wore now. She also remembered the night she arrived at the orphanage, and her life and joys there. The last visions she had were of the dreams she had a couple days before. This time the dreams were clearer, and in Quistis's mind's eye the last thing that she saw was the fiery green eyes of madness staring straight back at her again. Then she felt her world grow dark and empty again. Her lead felt light headed and her legs gave way, and she fell. She fell into strong arms that caught her and embrace her.
"What did you do to her?" Seifer demanded from the violet eyed sorceress as he cradled Quistis unconscious body in his arms.
"I only showed her what she wished to see," she replied. "But do not fear. She is fine. Remembering a life time of memories in a couple minutes can be overwhelming to anyone, but she is a strong woman and she will be fine. This I assure you." She then slowly prepared to turn around and walk away.
"Wait, now that she remembers everything. What are you guys want with her?" Seifer asked standing up with Quistis in his arms.
"As I said before we only wish to take her back to the clan with us."
"What if she doesn't' want to go?"
"That decision is hers and not yours." Soria gave one last look at the crowd and started walking toward the glassless doors as each footstep produced crunching noise of glass at her feet. Soria and her three companions walked out in to the dark balcony and disappeared into the darkness.
Seifer looked down at the woman in his arms. She looked so peaceful like he had seen her each time she was asleep. "What will you decided, Quisty?" Seifer softly asked the sleeping woman.
A/N: Just wanted to thank everyone who gave me reviews. I totally appreciated it. Seriously reading the reviews really motives me to want to finish this fic as soon as I can, but this fic doesn't seem to want to end yet…so yeah. But I'll definitely finish this fic eventually that is a promise!...again thanx for all the reviews guys! *huggles*
