Chapter Two :: Midsummer Musings

Everyone was gathered about the tables in the backyard as Meredith was preparing lunch. She'd wisely chased her nephew out with the company to keep him out of the way and listen to the chatter of them all. Ramza was busy talking with Beowulf, Mustadio, Cid, and Malak, which Johnathan floated over to quickly in favor of listening to the girls talk of things which didn't interest him. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Alma looked much happier than she had in some time.

"Well, Beowulf, you certainly seem a lot happier than when we first met," Ramza noted, "glad we helped you out. Reis certainly looks equally happy. No children yet?"

"No, not yet, though... you can't say we haven't tried," he chuckled. "In due time, Ramza. Though she still doesn't speak a lot."

Johnathan planted his butt right on the tabletop, lying back across it. "Well, I can't say a lot of chatter has gone on since you arrived..."

Cid nodded. "Well, some things stick with you." His voice held a note of sadness. "Still, it is good to have everyone back together again, no matter the mood. Besides, company brings cheer."

"Indeed," Malak said. "Rafa was excited when she heard about this. I hadn't seen her that happy in, well, a long time. Funny how time changes people..."

Mustadio nodded. "Yeah, sometimes. Ramza's still a lot of the same since it was over. All bashful and such."

"And you're still always saying things without thinking," Ramza countered with a small yank on the engineer's ponytail. "Speaking of attachments, I see you've still not found anyone to cool your attitude down."

"What?" he squawked. "My attitude, I'll have you know-"

"Johnathan! Come here, you've got company!" Meredith shouted form the kitchen window. He crawled up off the table and bid adieu from them a moment to find out who had come calling, and what his aunt wanted him to do. He kicked some dirt off his shoes, squinting into the darkened interior as he stepped within the house.

"Who is it?" he asked, dodging a pot handle jutting off a counter.

"Its Lillina, Doran, and Chloe, you might as well take them back and join the party. I'm sure Chloe would like to see Ramza after all. And I doubt any of them would betray trust." She chuckled. "Chloe already knows anyway."

"I know, okay, no problem," he said, clearing out of the kitchen before he got doused in bread dough as she made some bread to complement the lunch she was preparing. He dodged over a few misplaced items, and nearly tripped on himself as he reached the front room where his three friends were.

Lillina, radiant as always was the first to greet him with a good tight hug, causing him to cringe slightly as yesterday's wounds revisited him. He looked down into her small rounded face, into her amber eyes and equally golden hair framing her face. She gently poked his nose, smiling at him. "Well, looks like you did survive the night. I told you Doran, he would make it."

"Well, give me credit, the way they carried him off the field..." The young lad was taller than Johnathan by quite a bit, with darker hair and brilliant green eyes that searched his friend over. His left eye was ringed with purpled hues from where Johnathan had hit him the day before. He also scratches on his cheek from when they went down in a tackle.

He grinned slightly, and grabbed his friend's suntanned arm. "No hard feelings, about the eye?"

"Nah, I'll get you back another way someday," he said, grinning.

He turned to Chloe then who had remained quiet the whole time. It was much like her, always quiet and reserved. Her wavy auburn hair fell around her face and down to her waist, perfect as always, and her soft gray eyes studied him a bit in quiet serenity. Her face, as always, was the picture of perfection, calm peace and tranquil beauty. Johnathan forced himself to blink and grinned. "Heya Chloe. It's always good to see you. Shame you missed the tournament yesterday."

"I do wish I could have come, but I had to take care of some things for my father," she said, her airy voice laced with a tinge of sadness. "You know how he gets. Was he there?"

"Nah, he was busy with the chocobos yesterday," he said, jerking his head back to the barn. "Why don't we mosey on out to where they are." He turned away, grabbing Lillina's hand and grinning, leading the trio out back through the side door avoiding Meredith's storm of cooking. As they stepped around the corner, Johnathan couldn't help laughing, as Doran froze in mid-step and Lillina's gasp. Finally collapsing into helpless gales on the ground, he rolled a bit as everyone looked over.

"Really now, Johnathan," Chloe said, putting her hands on her hips. "You shouldn't laugh at them."

"I can't help it," he managed between gasps, "Its just their reaction!"

Ramza got up and walked over to Chloe bowing and taking her hand. "Always a pleasure to see you, Chloe." He did he same with Lillina, and shook hands with Doran. "A shame I missed the fighting yesterday, but then, it wouldn't have been fair." He winked and grinned, nudging the young man in the side. "Johnathan, you'd better get up before-"

By then it was too late, as Telha round the corner and started licking his face, causing everyone to laugh as he tried to get up. "Aw, Telha, stop that!" he said, shielding his face from the onslaught of slurping.

Lillina and Ramza helped him up as she retorted, "Serves you right for laughing at us." Introductions were made, and they all settled around between the two tables to talk together.

"Well, I hear someone here is looking into training to fight?" Cid inquired. "Ramza, have you helped him any?"

Ramza made an attempt to flatten his perennial cowlick and replied, "Sort of. We're the only two guys on the farm, so we often have to help around the place, so its not been easy. Plus, this isn't Gariland. Still, he's sharp, and catches on. Except maybe yesterday. I heard about that, you know. Everyone was talking."

Johnathan covered his face as Lillina giggled. "Oh man, quit reminding me. I can't believe I fell for that. I knew I should have power break'd."

"You could have, but I don't think you fully grasp it yet," Ramza said. "Maybe I can have Cid and Agrias show you some stuff, or maybe Meliadoul." He chuckled as Johnathan flushed further from the mention of both female warriors being able to outdo him. "Its ok, Johnathan, I was there too. One time, Meliadoul tried very hard to put me in an early grave and came a bit too close for comfort."

It was Meliadoul's turn to blush slightly. "Ah, but it was misunderstanding, and you could have fooled me about being close. I remember that fight clearly, and you were still going strong, Ramza. You always have been like that."

He looked skyward. "Ah, perhaps... but not lately. Another time, we'll talk about it." Silence fell over the group. Chloe scooted closer to him and rested a hand on his shoulder.

"Ah, well, I'm sure we can always show off for the impressionable youths," Cid said, changing the subject. "Besides that, it's been a bit since I really got to use my sword."

Agrias nodded. "Indeed, I've kept in practice, but only had few practical applications. Besides, I hear the area near here has roaming bands of monsters which have been a nuisance."

Doran rolled his eyes and spoke up. "No kidding. Its the primary reason a lot of the youths are training in at least basic combat skills, and that there's a small tournament out here bi-annually. Goblins are the predominant problem, always getting into the vegetable fields and such." He patted the sword at his side. "I still can do a better job than Johnathan."

"Oh, just because you bested me, as I recall it, I've taken down goblins faster," he fired back, though grinning as he claimed it.

"Only because you're using his old mythril sword."

Ramza chuckled, shaking his head. "Ah, but he did have the sense to ask for it. You have to credit him for thinking about that."

Johnathan winked at Doran as Lillina leaned on his shoulder. He sighed and put an arm around her, enjoying the feeling of her leaning on him. Just then Telha began bouncing around the back door, signaling the start of lunch as Meredith carried out two trays of food and set them down. "Johnathan, if you could help me bring out some stuff?"

"Sure Auntie," he said, rising. He didn't really want to help, having gotten Lillina to lean on his shoulder, but he'd rather have not argued with her in front of all the guests. He truly felt blessed to be among such famous names, and didn't want to make a bad impression. He glanced back to see Lillina lean on Doran instead and sighed inwardly. 'Someday, Johnathan, you'll win the tournament and her heart somehow.'

He scooted in the back door as she whipped a towel at his exposed tail to get him in quicker. "Now, then, how about you get the wild choco legs there?"

"Hey Aunt," he said, preparing to ask something, "would you ... ah, mind of Doran, Lillina, Chloe, Ramza, Alma, and the company all go out into the woods beyond the farm for some ... hunting?"

"You mean showing off, dear," she said, a sly grin crossing her lips as he blinked. "Oh, don't feign innocence with me boy, I already overheard you. And you wonder why I like my windows open." She laughed then and shook her head. "Of course dear, I trust they'll take good care of you all."

He breathed a sigh of relief as he collected the platter of sauced up choco legs and hummed a small tune, thankful for an understanding aunt and good friends and fate. Still, something in the back of him mind plagued him about that stone. He suspected it stemmed from when he had heard Ramza talking in his sleep before about the stones and something dark within them. He pushed the dark thoughts out of his mind and focused on the good things, like Lillina. 'Ah, sweet Lillina, someday... mark my words. You'll look at me, and finally see me for who I am.'