Heart, Soul and Science
By
Cyberfox
Author's note: This is getting annoying, I know, but Final Fantasy Belongs to Squaresoft and the story belongs to me. Please ask me before you use it or parts of it. Yawn. This chapter is mainly a flashback so I hope you don't get bored. To those who have reveiwed - I'll love you forever! They were really encouraging so if there's anything you like/don't like, please let me know! ^__^. Anyway, back to writing.
Chapter Five
It was a dark night with clouds hanging in the pitch black sky, intercepting the light of the stars. There were no noises either albiet the soft warking of chocobos in their stables. It was calm in Sefeth's home too until a soft creak broke the silence. It was soon followed by one more, as Marelyn tiptoed down the wooden stairs. She crept silently through the house until she came to the living room. It was large with wooden walls, floors and furniture draped in the velvety shadows. Marelyn shut the door and walked to the piano. She sat down and let her fingers rest on the ivory keys for just a moment and she drew in a deept breath. Then, she started to play. It was a soft tune, nostalgic and full of memories and days long gone. A couple of salty tears splashed onto the keys and Marelyn started to remember.
Twenty years ago
Marelyn sat in a bar. She was nineteen, no more than a student in Midgar, studying the fine arts. Easily the most beautiful woman in the bar, she received numerous glances from men. Her hair flowed in an ebony waterfall down her back and her pale face was flawless, as if sculpted from marble. Her golden eyes were closed in thought as she held her glass of water.
I can't believe he dumped me, she thought as the hurt of rejection enveloped her aching heart. She was no social butterfly, flitting from one party to another so the loss of someone who she thought that had loved her was a bitter loss. She was demure, silent and docile, a flower growing amidst the trash of Midgar. A silver tear trickled down her face.
"You alright?" asked the bartender. Marelyn nodded silently, her eyes still closed. Her boyfriend had told her that he wasn't used to commitment. He had said that he was too busy to pay attention to her and, that after three months, he found her boring. Beautiful, but boring. A silent sob wracked her body as she remembered what he had said. She remembered the humiliation of leaving his apartment and walking home in the bitter snow.
What am I doing here? She thought sadly. I should be at home. It's not as if I'm even drinking! She shook her head slightly, looking into her glass of water. She didn't want to go home. She didn't want to sit in a room filled with so many little things that reminded her of him. She'd have to go home sometime but she'd do that when she was exhausted. When she wouldn't have to lie awake contemplating her fate. Then, the next morning, she'd clean out the house and remove every single reminder of the man that had treated her so callously.
Hours later, Marelyn unlocked her door and walked inside, not bothering to turn on the lights. Without even undressing, she collapsed on her bed and drifted into the world of dreams but not before one last comforting thought decided to run through her mind.
I won't give up. I'll meet other people. I'll start tomorrow.
The following evening came to reveal a completely new person. Marelyn had taken a shower, washed her hair and put on a sparkling cherry evening dress with a low neckline. Her ebony hair was tied in an elegant knot at the top of her head with a few tendrils falling over her golden eyes. Her makeup had been painstakingly applied and she'd put on a pair of open-toed high heel shoes, the same colour as her dress, that she'd never worn before. She gazed at herself in the mirror before grabbing her handbag and setting out.
This is hopeless! Thought Marelyn desperately as she gazed around in the room. What had possessed her to come here in the first place. She just couldn't work up the courage to ask anyone to dance! It would be too embarrassing if they said no. She sat at her table and the waiter walked up to her.
"Another drink, Miss?"
"Another iced tea," murmured Marelyn, her fifth in a row. It was placed in front of her and she gazed into its depths. The amber liquid could only reflect her troubled eyes. The tea leapt against the edge of the glass as Marelyn jerked in shock. Someone had placed a hand on her shoulder. Her head snapped around, to see who had intruded on her privacy. It was a young man. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw how cute he was. He wore an immaculate suit, probably fresh from the drycleaners with a rose in the buttonhole. His face was thin and serious but his hair contradicted his entire appearance. It was dark and messy with pieces falling in his dark brown eyes. His mouth turned up in a smile.
"Sorry for scaring you but I couldn't help noticing that you looked upset. Is anything wrong?" he asked, his voice pleasantly deep. Marelyn felt her customary blush creeping into her cheeks.
"I'm okay," she whispered. He hadn't removed his hand from her shoulder.
"I know that it's likely that you have a jealous boyfriend lurking in the shadows but I just wanna try my luck. Would you care to dance?" he asked, running his hand through his hair, messing it up even further, his eyes never leaving hers although she could see that he wanted to check the background for any potential angry boyfriends. She laughed suddenly, loving the happy feeling that coursed through her veins just from looking at him.
"I don't have a boyfriend," she said softly, her voice filled with mirth.
"You.you don't? That's great! Well, it's not great for you but it's great for me because.I suppose that I'd better just shut up and dance, huh?" he asked, smiling. Marelyn stood up and they walked onto the dance floor.
"I'm not a good dancer," Marelyn warned him.
"Well, that's nothing. If I were to practice my dancing for a few years I would be merely very bad. I dance like a lumberjack," he laughed, running his hand through his hair yet again. "I hope I don't step on your toes but if I do you're welcome to slap me."
"I wouldn't slap you," giggled Marelyn and he shot her a piercing look. She suddenly thought that he wasn't as careless as he looked.
"I can't believe you don't have a boyfriend," he said. "You're beautiful!"
Marelyn blushed. "I'm not very social. I've just been dumped, to tell the truth."
"Oooh. Sorry. Ditto for me, in fact. Well, I suppose that us single people will have to stick together huh?" he asked, kissing her check. The music started and they began to dance. Marelyn had clearly contradicted herself because she flew over the dance floor like a bird. People actually stopped to look at this woman who danced as swiftly and gracefully as a swallow. Marelyn forgot herself in the music and thought only of the hypnotizing notes played by the pianist in the corner that lingered in the air and waltzed through her heart and soul.
The song ended and Marelyn looked up at the guy. He was staring at her, a half smile on his face and a look of wonder in his eyes. She felt a little dizzy but she tilted her head questioningly.
"You are such a liar," he laughed. "You dance like an angel!"
"Thanks. I suppose I did lie a little it's just that my former boyfriend hated dancing and I forgot to practice. I thought that by now I'd be terrible!"
They continued to dance for the rest of the evening, not thinking of food or drink. Eventually they walked out of the building and into the snow. The guy chuckled.
"It's so strange. I feel as if I've known you my entire life!"
"You're a complete stranger to me!" said Marelyn and he looked a little hurt. She stepped closer. "You're a complete stranger because even though I feel as if I know you like the back of my hand, I don't even know your name!"
The man laughed again. "You're right! I can't believe we didn't think of asking. Well, my name is Mark."
"I'm Marelyn," she said as they formally shook the other's hand before cracking up again.
"Marelyn. It sounds like the wind whispered over the meadows," murmured Mark. Marelyn blushed. She had always thought her name so boring! Now she silently thanked her mother for giving her such a mystical name.
"So, you're here on a Science trip?" she asked, referring to their earlier conversation. He nodded.
"I live in Nibelheim but I've always loved Science. I'm only here till the end of the week though."
"It's such a pity that we should meet each other only to be parted," muttered Marelyn.
"Take it one day at a time. You never know what might happen. By the end of the week you may wish that I'd leave sooner!"
"I could never wish that!" laughed Marelyn and they moved closer before they kissed, the snow falling around them like angel tears.
The week moved to quickly for Marelyn's liking. She had only known Mark for a week but she felt that when he left it would be like losing a limb. He had his bad habits, sure, such as his tendency to exaggerate, he talked way to much and he was very absent minded, but Marelyn felt that without him she would never feel whole again. She looked up from a photo of the two of them. They were lying spread-eagled in the snow, making snow angels. Her face was flushed with cold and euphoria and she had never looked happier.
The doorbell rang and Marelyn placed the photo back on her desk before opening the door. Mark was standing there, his face sober. Marelyn didn't need to ask what the problem was. She already knew. It was Friday. How ironic that the day she always longed to come was the day that she now wished had never existed.
"I have to be at the station in an hour," said Mark with a sigh. Marelyn felt a tear escape her eye. Mark was suddenly on his knees, holding her hand.
"I can't believe I'm doing this but I love you Marelyn. I don't want to leave you but I can't leave my work either. I know it's asking a lot but.will you marry me?" asked Mark and he took out a small box from his pocket. It contained a diamond ring. Marelyn gasped in surprise. She'd know Mark for a week! He was proposing! To her! She wanted to go with him but she loved her little apartment and she loved studying Art. She frowned slightly. She could study in Nibelheim couldn't she? And going with Mark would be a dream come true. She giggled, her usual self coming back into play. "Of course I will!" she said and Mark placed the ring on his finger. "We'd better hurry!" he said, glancing at his watch. The two of them ran around the apartment, laughing and grabbing any item they could to pack into the small duffel bag that Marelyn had unearthed. "We can fetch the rest later," said Marelyn when she thought that she had all the necessary items.
The two of them ran from the apartment, which Marelyn had remembered to lock, and raced to the car. They sped off to the station and arrived there with five minutes to spare. Once they were on the train they could relax. "I know that this is a big decision Marelyn.but I will do everything in my power to make you happy," said Mark and she smiled in appreciation. "Mark.before I met you I didn't know what to do! I couldn't see any future for me but now you've opened my eyes and I'll always be grateful. Thank you."
The two of them arrived in Nibelheim and Mark showed Marelyn his house. It wasn't an apartment, rather, a small house. It had a kitchen and a living room at the bottom and upstairs were two bedrooms and a bathroom. Marelyn loved it. She loved the mess of papers compared to her own spotlessly neat home. She loved the way the house was so different to her little apartment. She did have any friends to miss because all of them were in Kalm, her hometown.
The wedding was a month later, in Spring. It was a small wedding due to the financial situation of the bride and groom with only their parents, a few close friends and the priest. Marelyn had looked resplendent in a long white gown with no sleeves and a slit up the side of the dress. Her hair had been loose, an ebony waterfall cascading down her back. She wore no veil and in its place was a crown of white roses. Mark had worn a tuxedo but there was no helping his hair which remained it its usual position i.e. everywhere.
Marelyn's parents weren't entirely sure about the wedding but they respected their daughter's decision. Marelyn's mother felt slightly relieved as she had felt that Marelyn, what with her shyness, would never get married and would be left destitute when her parents were gone. Mark's parents were completely against the wedding and they disappeared as soon as the ceremony was over. They were hurt that the bride hadn't been introduced to them beforehand and they felt that Marelyn would wreck their son's chances of becoming a renowned scientist.
Four years went by and Marelyn and Mark were happy, or so it seemed. Marelyn had noticed that Mark was becoming more and more withdrawn as he worked on his scientific theories and Marelyn felt as if she was competing with Science itself to get her husband's attention. For Heaven's sake, she was jealous of a school subject! She did learn, to her joy, that she was pregnant and nine months later, Sefeth was born. At last, she would have something that she could care about and that would care for her in return.
Marelyn continued to play her song. The first song that she had danced to with Mark. She didn't have any regrets. She loved both the men in her life but sometimes she would wonder.what if things had turned out differently? What if she'd never married Mark? What if? She smiled sadly. The past was another country, as the saying went. It was no use thinking about things that were never meant to be. She got up from the little piano stool. The tears stopped falling and the notes were silent.
Hi. I know, flashbacks aren't always that cool but I felt sorry for Marelyn because nobody seems to love her and I just wanted everyone to understand her pain. Anyway, I'll try get another chapter going as soon as I can. Wish me luck, I'm writing loads of exams right now and I still have another two weeks full of them (Finds bucket to throw up in). Cheers!
By
Cyberfox
Author's note: This is getting annoying, I know, but Final Fantasy Belongs to Squaresoft and the story belongs to me. Please ask me before you use it or parts of it. Yawn. This chapter is mainly a flashback so I hope you don't get bored. To those who have reveiwed - I'll love you forever! They were really encouraging so if there's anything you like/don't like, please let me know! ^__^. Anyway, back to writing.
Chapter Five
It was a dark night with clouds hanging in the pitch black sky, intercepting the light of the stars. There were no noises either albiet the soft warking of chocobos in their stables. It was calm in Sefeth's home too until a soft creak broke the silence. It was soon followed by one more, as Marelyn tiptoed down the wooden stairs. She crept silently through the house until she came to the living room. It was large with wooden walls, floors and furniture draped in the velvety shadows. Marelyn shut the door and walked to the piano. She sat down and let her fingers rest on the ivory keys for just a moment and she drew in a deept breath. Then, she started to play. It was a soft tune, nostalgic and full of memories and days long gone. A couple of salty tears splashed onto the keys and Marelyn started to remember.
Twenty years ago
Marelyn sat in a bar. She was nineteen, no more than a student in Midgar, studying the fine arts. Easily the most beautiful woman in the bar, she received numerous glances from men. Her hair flowed in an ebony waterfall down her back and her pale face was flawless, as if sculpted from marble. Her golden eyes were closed in thought as she held her glass of water.
I can't believe he dumped me, she thought as the hurt of rejection enveloped her aching heart. She was no social butterfly, flitting from one party to another so the loss of someone who she thought that had loved her was a bitter loss. She was demure, silent and docile, a flower growing amidst the trash of Midgar. A silver tear trickled down her face.
"You alright?" asked the bartender. Marelyn nodded silently, her eyes still closed. Her boyfriend had told her that he wasn't used to commitment. He had said that he was too busy to pay attention to her and, that after three months, he found her boring. Beautiful, but boring. A silent sob wracked her body as she remembered what he had said. She remembered the humiliation of leaving his apartment and walking home in the bitter snow.
What am I doing here? She thought sadly. I should be at home. It's not as if I'm even drinking! She shook her head slightly, looking into her glass of water. She didn't want to go home. She didn't want to sit in a room filled with so many little things that reminded her of him. She'd have to go home sometime but she'd do that when she was exhausted. When she wouldn't have to lie awake contemplating her fate. Then, the next morning, she'd clean out the house and remove every single reminder of the man that had treated her so callously.
Hours later, Marelyn unlocked her door and walked inside, not bothering to turn on the lights. Without even undressing, she collapsed on her bed and drifted into the world of dreams but not before one last comforting thought decided to run through her mind.
I won't give up. I'll meet other people. I'll start tomorrow.
The following evening came to reveal a completely new person. Marelyn had taken a shower, washed her hair and put on a sparkling cherry evening dress with a low neckline. Her ebony hair was tied in an elegant knot at the top of her head with a few tendrils falling over her golden eyes. Her makeup had been painstakingly applied and she'd put on a pair of open-toed high heel shoes, the same colour as her dress, that she'd never worn before. She gazed at herself in the mirror before grabbing her handbag and setting out.
This is hopeless! Thought Marelyn desperately as she gazed around in the room. What had possessed her to come here in the first place. She just couldn't work up the courage to ask anyone to dance! It would be too embarrassing if they said no. She sat at her table and the waiter walked up to her.
"Another drink, Miss?"
"Another iced tea," murmured Marelyn, her fifth in a row. It was placed in front of her and she gazed into its depths. The amber liquid could only reflect her troubled eyes. The tea leapt against the edge of the glass as Marelyn jerked in shock. Someone had placed a hand on her shoulder. Her head snapped around, to see who had intruded on her privacy. It was a young man. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw how cute he was. He wore an immaculate suit, probably fresh from the drycleaners with a rose in the buttonhole. His face was thin and serious but his hair contradicted his entire appearance. It was dark and messy with pieces falling in his dark brown eyes. His mouth turned up in a smile.
"Sorry for scaring you but I couldn't help noticing that you looked upset. Is anything wrong?" he asked, his voice pleasantly deep. Marelyn felt her customary blush creeping into her cheeks.
"I'm okay," she whispered. He hadn't removed his hand from her shoulder.
"I know that it's likely that you have a jealous boyfriend lurking in the shadows but I just wanna try my luck. Would you care to dance?" he asked, running his hand through his hair, messing it up even further, his eyes never leaving hers although she could see that he wanted to check the background for any potential angry boyfriends. She laughed suddenly, loving the happy feeling that coursed through her veins just from looking at him.
"I don't have a boyfriend," she said softly, her voice filled with mirth.
"You.you don't? That's great! Well, it's not great for you but it's great for me because.I suppose that I'd better just shut up and dance, huh?" he asked, smiling. Marelyn stood up and they walked onto the dance floor.
"I'm not a good dancer," Marelyn warned him.
"Well, that's nothing. If I were to practice my dancing for a few years I would be merely very bad. I dance like a lumberjack," he laughed, running his hand through his hair yet again. "I hope I don't step on your toes but if I do you're welcome to slap me."
"I wouldn't slap you," giggled Marelyn and he shot her a piercing look. She suddenly thought that he wasn't as careless as he looked.
"I can't believe you don't have a boyfriend," he said. "You're beautiful!"
Marelyn blushed. "I'm not very social. I've just been dumped, to tell the truth."
"Oooh. Sorry. Ditto for me, in fact. Well, I suppose that us single people will have to stick together huh?" he asked, kissing her check. The music started and they began to dance. Marelyn had clearly contradicted herself because she flew over the dance floor like a bird. People actually stopped to look at this woman who danced as swiftly and gracefully as a swallow. Marelyn forgot herself in the music and thought only of the hypnotizing notes played by the pianist in the corner that lingered in the air and waltzed through her heart and soul.
The song ended and Marelyn looked up at the guy. He was staring at her, a half smile on his face and a look of wonder in his eyes. She felt a little dizzy but she tilted her head questioningly.
"You are such a liar," he laughed. "You dance like an angel!"
"Thanks. I suppose I did lie a little it's just that my former boyfriend hated dancing and I forgot to practice. I thought that by now I'd be terrible!"
They continued to dance for the rest of the evening, not thinking of food or drink. Eventually they walked out of the building and into the snow. The guy chuckled.
"It's so strange. I feel as if I've known you my entire life!"
"You're a complete stranger to me!" said Marelyn and he looked a little hurt. She stepped closer. "You're a complete stranger because even though I feel as if I know you like the back of my hand, I don't even know your name!"
The man laughed again. "You're right! I can't believe we didn't think of asking. Well, my name is Mark."
"I'm Marelyn," she said as they formally shook the other's hand before cracking up again.
"Marelyn. It sounds like the wind whispered over the meadows," murmured Mark. Marelyn blushed. She had always thought her name so boring! Now she silently thanked her mother for giving her such a mystical name.
"So, you're here on a Science trip?" she asked, referring to their earlier conversation. He nodded.
"I live in Nibelheim but I've always loved Science. I'm only here till the end of the week though."
"It's such a pity that we should meet each other only to be parted," muttered Marelyn.
"Take it one day at a time. You never know what might happen. By the end of the week you may wish that I'd leave sooner!"
"I could never wish that!" laughed Marelyn and they moved closer before they kissed, the snow falling around them like angel tears.
The week moved to quickly for Marelyn's liking. She had only known Mark for a week but she felt that when he left it would be like losing a limb. He had his bad habits, sure, such as his tendency to exaggerate, he talked way to much and he was very absent minded, but Marelyn felt that without him she would never feel whole again. She looked up from a photo of the two of them. They were lying spread-eagled in the snow, making snow angels. Her face was flushed with cold and euphoria and she had never looked happier.
The doorbell rang and Marelyn placed the photo back on her desk before opening the door. Mark was standing there, his face sober. Marelyn didn't need to ask what the problem was. She already knew. It was Friday. How ironic that the day she always longed to come was the day that she now wished had never existed.
"I have to be at the station in an hour," said Mark with a sigh. Marelyn felt a tear escape her eye. Mark was suddenly on his knees, holding her hand.
"I can't believe I'm doing this but I love you Marelyn. I don't want to leave you but I can't leave my work either. I know it's asking a lot but.will you marry me?" asked Mark and he took out a small box from his pocket. It contained a diamond ring. Marelyn gasped in surprise. She'd know Mark for a week! He was proposing! To her! She wanted to go with him but she loved her little apartment and she loved studying Art. She frowned slightly. She could study in Nibelheim couldn't she? And going with Mark would be a dream come true. She giggled, her usual self coming back into play. "Of course I will!" she said and Mark placed the ring on his finger. "We'd better hurry!" he said, glancing at his watch. The two of them ran around the apartment, laughing and grabbing any item they could to pack into the small duffel bag that Marelyn had unearthed. "We can fetch the rest later," said Marelyn when she thought that she had all the necessary items.
The two of them ran from the apartment, which Marelyn had remembered to lock, and raced to the car. They sped off to the station and arrived there with five minutes to spare. Once they were on the train they could relax. "I know that this is a big decision Marelyn.but I will do everything in my power to make you happy," said Mark and she smiled in appreciation. "Mark.before I met you I didn't know what to do! I couldn't see any future for me but now you've opened my eyes and I'll always be grateful. Thank you."
The two of them arrived in Nibelheim and Mark showed Marelyn his house. It wasn't an apartment, rather, a small house. It had a kitchen and a living room at the bottom and upstairs were two bedrooms and a bathroom. Marelyn loved it. She loved the mess of papers compared to her own spotlessly neat home. She loved the way the house was so different to her little apartment. She did have any friends to miss because all of them were in Kalm, her hometown.
The wedding was a month later, in Spring. It was a small wedding due to the financial situation of the bride and groom with only their parents, a few close friends and the priest. Marelyn had looked resplendent in a long white gown with no sleeves and a slit up the side of the dress. Her hair had been loose, an ebony waterfall cascading down her back. She wore no veil and in its place was a crown of white roses. Mark had worn a tuxedo but there was no helping his hair which remained it its usual position i.e. everywhere.
Marelyn's parents weren't entirely sure about the wedding but they respected their daughter's decision. Marelyn's mother felt slightly relieved as she had felt that Marelyn, what with her shyness, would never get married and would be left destitute when her parents were gone. Mark's parents were completely against the wedding and they disappeared as soon as the ceremony was over. They were hurt that the bride hadn't been introduced to them beforehand and they felt that Marelyn would wreck their son's chances of becoming a renowned scientist.
Four years went by and Marelyn and Mark were happy, or so it seemed. Marelyn had noticed that Mark was becoming more and more withdrawn as he worked on his scientific theories and Marelyn felt as if she was competing with Science itself to get her husband's attention. For Heaven's sake, she was jealous of a school subject! She did learn, to her joy, that she was pregnant and nine months later, Sefeth was born. At last, she would have something that she could care about and that would care for her in return.
Marelyn continued to play her song. The first song that she had danced to with Mark. She didn't have any regrets. She loved both the men in her life but sometimes she would wonder.what if things had turned out differently? What if she'd never married Mark? What if? She smiled sadly. The past was another country, as the saying went. It was no use thinking about things that were never meant to be. She got up from the little piano stool. The tears stopped falling and the notes were silent.
Hi. I know, flashbacks aren't always that cool but I felt sorry for Marelyn because nobody seems to love her and I just wanted everyone to understand her pain. Anyway, I'll try get another chapter going as soon as I can. Wish me luck, I'm writing loads of exams right now and I still have another two weeks full of them (Finds bucket to throw up in). Cheers!