~*~Silent Tears~*~
Chapter 6
A/N: Well, there'll be definite Relm/Gau-ness. Doesn't that phrase just warm your tiny Grinch heart? I'm having way too much fun writing the Celes/Setzer parts. Most people often think they are one of the most unlikely couples, but by the way I'm writing it, I believe its very compatible and VERY possible. Alas, I cannot guarantee a happy, heart-warming Locke/Terra ending..I enjoy Terra angst way too much. I could maybe make the ending based on reviewer's votes - which would make it *eye twitch* 3 people. We shall see...
Ayako - That's right. I'm friggin' royalty. So BOW! ON YER KNEES, LOWLY SLAVE!! And while you're doing that, would you mind giving me a Burger King birthday crown? Thanks.
Relm - Gau's Girl - Wow, you're scary. (don't take offense, cuz its a COMPLIMENT! Well, to me it is. @_@) But that's hunky-dory. I can be just as, if not more, insane.
*takes Sephy's masamune* OoooOOOoOhHhhHhh..POINTY!! BUAHAHAH!
~Terra was wrong. So wrong. I was stupid. Again.~
The chocobo was beginning to get tired from running at top-speed. They had passed the forest and were now approaching the desert. The animal desperately needed a break. It was a bit more plump than other chocobos. Perhaps that was why.
Yes, Locke had to admit, he'd been expecting a fairy tale ending.
He would confront Celes, who'd (as he succesfully predicted, even more than expected) try to resist him, because he knew she was a stubborn woman with a fierce amount of pride.
Okay, he hadn't been expecting a chase. But he would tell her how wrong he was and how much he loved her. Celes would turn around and give in to their love, and they'd kiss, that would reunite them and bond stronger then ever.
He certainly hadn't been expecting Setzer.
The chocobo stopped altogether now. It was panting and hoping for water, but they were in the desert now and there wasn't water or plants anywhere in sight. Locke was annoyed at it. "C'mon," he muttered, and kicked it, digging in his heels. The chocobo warked loudly, and thrashed about, making Locke fall to the ground in similar fashion to when a cowboy is unseated from a raging bull.
"Hey! I paid 100 Gil for a ride from you!" Locke shouted, but the creature turned its beady black eyes at Locke, staring defiantly at his rider. His words fell on deaf ears, if a chocobo indeed had ears. Then it turned and trotted off at a moderate pace to its own liking. "Fine! I don't need you!" Locke shouted after it, and immediatedly felt silly for screaming at something that can't reply. However, he did have to spit out dirt from where it was piling up on him, because the chocobo was kicking out dust from behind its legs.
Covered in dirt, out in the blazing hot sun with a heart neatly broken in half, Locke had never felt so...well, alone.
Then he swore an amazing variety of curses at the sky, each one
different and uniquely colorful, it would've made even Sabin blush.
(A/N: So just imagine Cyan!! ^____^)
****
Terra woke up in the early morning in Figaro Castle after a restless dream. She laid there, silent and still, listening for any movements underneat her. Hearing none, she threw off her covers with one sweeping motion, swung her legs and got out of bed. She desperately needed peace of mind, and a walk usually cleared out most of her cluttered thoughts. It was chilly, and all Terra wore was her nightie, a lacy, satin (and extremely luxerious and comfortable) white dress that went to her mid-thighs. Edgar had provided it, and she had shrewdly asked where he had gotten hold of such a thing for Terra (and Relm and Celes, so it seemed) but Edgar would go mysteriously deaf until she gave up asking. It was something a woman on her honeymoon would wear, and as Terra put on her long dark grey coat over the thin dress, she knew that was most certainly not the case for her.
It was even colder outside. ~When is Edgar going to start putting that heating system he mentioned into action?~ She thought furiously, as the cold wind bit at her. She walked all around the outside of the castle, then went downstairs, uncomfortable at the eerie darkness of the long stone halls and lit torches. Terra made up her mind and walked outside the castle entrance. She imagined it was about 4 or 5 in the morning, because outside even the hot desert was still in nighttime mode. The sand, which usually was aroused and lively, kicking up sandstorms everywhere, was deathly still on the ground. Indeed, it seemed, everything was dead. Terra shivered and shook violently under her coat. The cold got to her worse than anyone - she always supposed it was because her magic strength was fire-based. Afterall, Celes always seemed to be most at home in the freezing cold, snow and sleet. Although Terra had a somewhat child-like fascination with snowflakes, it was not snowing at the moment, only terribly cold in the beginnings of a storm, and she despised it more than ever now.
Terra thought she heard the beginning of movement inside the castle, so she turned around to go back in, until something stopped her.
The movement wasn't IN the castle. It was outside - and very close.
Terra froze, trembling in cold and fear. She weighed the odds - she was unarmed, and her fingers were so numb they were hardly in any condition to hold a sword let alone fight. The best she could do was kick with all her might and run. She swung around, wishing she had learned martial arts along with Gau and Sabin in their lessons, but there was no time for that. Where was it? She searched the darkness, until -
"Locke!" The footsteps were slow. As the figure trudged along, sure enough, Terra saw the bandanna holding back wild dirty blonde hair, the sleeveless vest, that tacky green belt...
"You must be freezing." Terra whispered as she ran to him just as he was about to fall. She caught him, nearly falling down with him in his weight, but gathered her strength and staggered towards the tower where Locke had taken Terra after meeting King Edgar. Distant memories of herself, back then a frightened, lonely child with powers she couldn't understand, being comforted with soothing words by Locke.
Terra hadn't understood his words, but she was comforted anyways, being told she wasn't really all that bad by someone who hated her.
It was the truth, wasn't it? Though Locke had sworn to be her protector, her knight in shining armor, she felt a strange bitterness, or resentment, come from him. Like as he smiled at her, it seemed when he turned away the smile turned sour and dark. She pieced it together soon enough. Locke had told her little about that 'friend' that had been captured by the empire. That wasy why he had joined Returners.
Out of hatred for the Empire, who killed innocent lives senselessly.
Out of hatred for her.
"Are you alright?" Terra asked Locke, who sat on the bed, refusing to lay down like Terra urged him to. He refused the blankets she handed to him as well, and Terra was frowning even as she spoke.
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine. I feel great - stop scowling at me like that, really. I'm not cold. I - i can't feel anything anymore.."
"Locke," Terra said gently, and when it appeared that he hadn't heard her she repeated herself. "Locke, why are you here?"
Locke looked up at her, looking at a loss and childlike with big, blank eyes. It was a horrible blankness in his expression, like a stupified person with no emotion, which didn't suit him at all. There was always some emotion going on his eyes, and it was always intense as well, whether it be excitement, pure happiness, or furious anger. "Celes." He said slowly, thickly, as if he were learning to speak.
"Yes, Celes." Terra said, getting slightly impatient. "What happened?"
~Remember, Terra~ She thought to herself, ~Its your duty to be happy for him. Be the best friend that you can be~
Instead of answering he gave a huge shiver, which seemed to go all throughout his body. Terra sat down next to him and kind of hugged him while moving her hands up and down his arms, trying to transport her body heat to his.
"She doesn't love me anymore." Locke said with a low and quiet voice, no longer slow and clumsy.
"I should've known. But I didn't." He was silent for a few moments, before finishing. "She doesn't love me."
Terra didn't know what to say. She was torn between two emotions -
hope, hope that was still a chance for her, and sadness, feeling the pain as Locke was feeling in total heartbreak. She knew how it felt to be rejected only too well.
"I'm sorry Locke." Terra said quietly. "I shouldn't have told you to throw yourself out there like that."
"Its a little too late for apologies, isn't it?" Locke replied savagely, but Terra stiffened at the cold words, and he immediately regretted them. "Sorry, Terra. I didn't mean that."
"It doesn't matter if you meant it or not, Locke. Its true." Terra smiled a very weak, brittle smile, and stood up to leave. "I won't tell Edgar or anyone you're here until you want people to know." Terra walked towards the door, but Locke surprised her with a sudden grip on her arm holding her back. Terra looked at the hand holding her arm in a strong grip. Strange that his strength could come back to him so quickly.
"No." He said. "Please..stay, Terra."
Terra still hesitated. All she wanted to do was throw her arms around Locke and comfort him, but she knew she couldn't do that to him..or Celes..
"Please, Terra." Locke's blue eyes were pleading. "I need you."
Those three words were all that Terra needed to hear. She helped Locke up and stagger to the couch against the wall. Terra sat down, and then Locke slowly sat as well, kind of leaning against her. Once again, Terra put her arms around him, her flesh going pickly and goosey at the coldness of his body. Locke shivered again, and Terra removed her coat and laid it carefully on top. It seemed to be enough, as he stopped shaking and began to fall asleep, his head lying on her shoulder. Now Terra was the one cold. She fiercely muttered at the air with some words she had learned from Sabin, loathing the cold even more passionately than before. Terra's garnet eyes lowered, observing the sleeping man in her arms. With one arm still around Locke, she used her other arm to gently stroke Locke's tousled hair. It was surprisingly very soft, and a little bit fluffy. Terra smiled and kissed the top of his head. Locke suddenly groaned and shifted slightly. Terra froze, hoping she hadn't disturbed his sleep.
She hadn't. He was having a dream...or was it a nightmare?
"Uggh..Rachel.."
Terra held her breath. She wasn't sure whether to wake him or not. ~Nightmares usually pass on quickly, don't they?~ Terra wondered, and from some very sadistic voice in a deep corner of her mind, she thought, ~My nightmare didn't pass quickly. It went on for 18 years.
18 long years.~ Quickly shoving that thought aside, she focused all of her attention on Locke's fidgeting - yet still sleeping - form. But she had been right, and after a minute or so Locke stopped moving and seemed peaceful again.
No, he wasn't. For a while Terra believed it had really stopped, and had begun nodding off herself until Locke suddenly grimaced in something that looked like pain. His eyes squeezed together, and Terra felt the movement from under her hand on his head. "No...Celes.."
Terra closed her eyes, wishing she could somehow plug her ears like a child without waking up Locke in the motion of her hands. She knew that
this nightmare wasn't meant for anyone's ears. And she didn't WANT to know what Locke was dreaming about.
"Setzer...leave..alone.."
~What?~
Terra opened her eyes in surprise. What did Setzer have anything to do with this? Locke and Setzer were never really good friends, perhaps because of the manner they met. Terra imagined that if they had met under different circumstances, they would've been very good friends. Afterall, both led adventurous, free-living lifestyles that allowed lots of traveling...both were constantly hunting for excitement, and taking chances. (even moreso for Setzer & his obsessive gambling.) Both had the same taste in women.
~Maybe I should've fallen in love with Setzer.~ Terra thought dryly, but quickly reprimanded herself for even thinking of such a thing. ~I'll always love Locke.~ She thought sleepily. ~To the end of time..longing for him..and never doing anything to get him..~
As Terra fell asleep, her dreams floated to images of her treasure hunter extraordinaire, smiling at her with his warm cole-colored eyes, along with fleeting instances of General Leo's face, slightly blurred because she couldn't remember what he looked like..
..and then, she dreamt of herself at a ball again. She was dancing with Relm. "Do something" Relm said, and with an elegant twirl Relm was replaced by Edgar. Next to her, Locke was dancing with Celes. The partners were switched and Celes was now dancing with Setzer, while for some reason Locke and Terra ended up partnerless. Terra tried to run towards Locke, spurred by Relm's encouraging voice, but suddenly she was dancing, in the arms of Kefka, and couldn't move or struggle, only dance to the steps. Except the strange thing was, he was not wearing any clown paint, and he looked to be quite a deal younger.
"You're mine, Terra," He whispered in her ear. "All mine."
Then he twirled her and the sounds of the orchestra playing was drowned out by a horrible cackling.
Funny thing was, that ball was the only part of her dream she didn't remember when she woke up in the morning, finding Locke's head resting on her lap.
TBC
A/N: creepy...ne? You know, I've always kind of imagined that Kefka, in his younger, less insane days, was a handsome youth type of guy. Possibly even with ideals and morals!! *GASP from everyone* Then he went wacko cuz one day he saw the Emperor naked in the shower, singing a Ricky Martin song, complete with hip movements. That image permanently pressed into his mind, it drove him insane and spurred him to kill people...
Chapter 6
A/N: Well, there'll be definite Relm/Gau-ness. Doesn't that phrase just warm your tiny Grinch heart? I'm having way too much fun writing the Celes/Setzer parts. Most people often think they are one of the most unlikely couples, but by the way I'm writing it, I believe its very compatible and VERY possible. Alas, I cannot guarantee a happy, heart-warming Locke/Terra ending..I enjoy Terra angst way too much. I could maybe make the ending based on reviewer's votes - which would make it *eye twitch* 3 people. We shall see...
Ayako - That's right. I'm friggin' royalty. So BOW! ON YER KNEES, LOWLY SLAVE!! And while you're doing that, would you mind giving me a Burger King birthday crown? Thanks.
Relm - Gau's Girl - Wow, you're scary. (don't take offense, cuz its a COMPLIMENT! Well, to me it is. @_@) But that's hunky-dory. I can be just as, if not more, insane.
*takes Sephy's masamune* OoooOOOoOhHhhHhh..POINTY!! BUAHAHAH!
~Terra was wrong. So wrong. I was stupid. Again.~
The chocobo was beginning to get tired from running at top-speed. They had passed the forest and were now approaching the desert. The animal desperately needed a break. It was a bit more plump than other chocobos. Perhaps that was why.
Yes, Locke had to admit, he'd been expecting a fairy tale ending.
He would confront Celes, who'd (as he succesfully predicted, even more than expected) try to resist him, because he knew she was a stubborn woman with a fierce amount of pride.
Okay, he hadn't been expecting a chase. But he would tell her how wrong he was and how much he loved her. Celes would turn around and give in to their love, and they'd kiss, that would reunite them and bond stronger then ever.
He certainly hadn't been expecting Setzer.
The chocobo stopped altogether now. It was panting and hoping for water, but they were in the desert now and there wasn't water or plants anywhere in sight. Locke was annoyed at it. "C'mon," he muttered, and kicked it, digging in his heels. The chocobo warked loudly, and thrashed about, making Locke fall to the ground in similar fashion to when a cowboy is unseated from a raging bull.
"Hey! I paid 100 Gil for a ride from you!" Locke shouted, but the creature turned its beady black eyes at Locke, staring defiantly at his rider. His words fell on deaf ears, if a chocobo indeed had ears. Then it turned and trotted off at a moderate pace to its own liking. "Fine! I don't need you!" Locke shouted after it, and immediatedly felt silly for screaming at something that can't reply. However, he did have to spit out dirt from where it was piling up on him, because the chocobo was kicking out dust from behind its legs.
Covered in dirt, out in the blazing hot sun with a heart neatly broken in half, Locke had never felt so...well, alone.
Then he swore an amazing variety of curses at the sky, each one
different and uniquely colorful, it would've made even Sabin blush.
(A/N: So just imagine Cyan!! ^____^)
****
Terra woke up in the early morning in Figaro Castle after a restless dream. She laid there, silent and still, listening for any movements underneat her. Hearing none, she threw off her covers with one sweeping motion, swung her legs and got out of bed. She desperately needed peace of mind, and a walk usually cleared out most of her cluttered thoughts. It was chilly, and all Terra wore was her nightie, a lacy, satin (and extremely luxerious and comfortable) white dress that went to her mid-thighs. Edgar had provided it, and she had shrewdly asked where he had gotten hold of such a thing for Terra (and Relm and Celes, so it seemed) but Edgar would go mysteriously deaf until she gave up asking. It was something a woman on her honeymoon would wear, and as Terra put on her long dark grey coat over the thin dress, she knew that was most certainly not the case for her.
It was even colder outside. ~When is Edgar going to start putting that heating system he mentioned into action?~ She thought furiously, as the cold wind bit at her. She walked all around the outside of the castle, then went downstairs, uncomfortable at the eerie darkness of the long stone halls and lit torches. Terra made up her mind and walked outside the castle entrance. She imagined it was about 4 or 5 in the morning, because outside even the hot desert was still in nighttime mode. The sand, which usually was aroused and lively, kicking up sandstorms everywhere, was deathly still on the ground. Indeed, it seemed, everything was dead. Terra shivered and shook violently under her coat. The cold got to her worse than anyone - she always supposed it was because her magic strength was fire-based. Afterall, Celes always seemed to be most at home in the freezing cold, snow and sleet. Although Terra had a somewhat child-like fascination with snowflakes, it was not snowing at the moment, only terribly cold in the beginnings of a storm, and she despised it more than ever now.
Terra thought she heard the beginning of movement inside the castle, so she turned around to go back in, until something stopped her.
The movement wasn't IN the castle. It was outside - and very close.
Terra froze, trembling in cold and fear. She weighed the odds - she was unarmed, and her fingers were so numb they were hardly in any condition to hold a sword let alone fight. The best she could do was kick with all her might and run. She swung around, wishing she had learned martial arts along with Gau and Sabin in their lessons, but there was no time for that. Where was it? She searched the darkness, until -
"Locke!" The footsteps were slow. As the figure trudged along, sure enough, Terra saw the bandanna holding back wild dirty blonde hair, the sleeveless vest, that tacky green belt...
"You must be freezing." Terra whispered as she ran to him just as he was about to fall. She caught him, nearly falling down with him in his weight, but gathered her strength and staggered towards the tower where Locke had taken Terra after meeting King Edgar. Distant memories of herself, back then a frightened, lonely child with powers she couldn't understand, being comforted with soothing words by Locke.
Terra hadn't understood his words, but she was comforted anyways, being told she wasn't really all that bad by someone who hated her.
It was the truth, wasn't it? Though Locke had sworn to be her protector, her knight in shining armor, she felt a strange bitterness, or resentment, come from him. Like as he smiled at her, it seemed when he turned away the smile turned sour and dark. She pieced it together soon enough. Locke had told her little about that 'friend' that had been captured by the empire. That wasy why he had joined Returners.
Out of hatred for the Empire, who killed innocent lives senselessly.
Out of hatred for her.
"Are you alright?" Terra asked Locke, who sat on the bed, refusing to lay down like Terra urged him to. He refused the blankets she handed to him as well, and Terra was frowning even as she spoke.
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine. I feel great - stop scowling at me like that, really. I'm not cold. I - i can't feel anything anymore.."
"Locke," Terra said gently, and when it appeared that he hadn't heard her she repeated herself. "Locke, why are you here?"
Locke looked up at her, looking at a loss and childlike with big, blank eyes. It was a horrible blankness in his expression, like a stupified person with no emotion, which didn't suit him at all. There was always some emotion going on his eyes, and it was always intense as well, whether it be excitement, pure happiness, or furious anger. "Celes." He said slowly, thickly, as if he were learning to speak.
"Yes, Celes." Terra said, getting slightly impatient. "What happened?"
~Remember, Terra~ She thought to herself, ~Its your duty to be happy for him. Be the best friend that you can be~
Instead of answering he gave a huge shiver, which seemed to go all throughout his body. Terra sat down next to him and kind of hugged him while moving her hands up and down his arms, trying to transport her body heat to his.
"She doesn't love me anymore." Locke said with a low and quiet voice, no longer slow and clumsy.
"I should've known. But I didn't." He was silent for a few moments, before finishing. "She doesn't love me."
Terra didn't know what to say. She was torn between two emotions -
hope, hope that was still a chance for her, and sadness, feeling the pain as Locke was feeling in total heartbreak. She knew how it felt to be rejected only too well.
"I'm sorry Locke." Terra said quietly. "I shouldn't have told you to throw yourself out there like that."
"Its a little too late for apologies, isn't it?" Locke replied savagely, but Terra stiffened at the cold words, and he immediately regretted them. "Sorry, Terra. I didn't mean that."
"It doesn't matter if you meant it or not, Locke. Its true." Terra smiled a very weak, brittle smile, and stood up to leave. "I won't tell Edgar or anyone you're here until you want people to know." Terra walked towards the door, but Locke surprised her with a sudden grip on her arm holding her back. Terra looked at the hand holding her arm in a strong grip. Strange that his strength could come back to him so quickly.
"No." He said. "Please..stay, Terra."
Terra still hesitated. All she wanted to do was throw her arms around Locke and comfort him, but she knew she couldn't do that to him..or Celes..
"Please, Terra." Locke's blue eyes were pleading. "I need you."
Those three words were all that Terra needed to hear. She helped Locke up and stagger to the couch against the wall. Terra sat down, and then Locke slowly sat as well, kind of leaning against her. Once again, Terra put her arms around him, her flesh going pickly and goosey at the coldness of his body. Locke shivered again, and Terra removed her coat and laid it carefully on top. It seemed to be enough, as he stopped shaking and began to fall asleep, his head lying on her shoulder. Now Terra was the one cold. She fiercely muttered at the air with some words she had learned from Sabin, loathing the cold even more passionately than before. Terra's garnet eyes lowered, observing the sleeping man in her arms. With one arm still around Locke, she used her other arm to gently stroke Locke's tousled hair. It was surprisingly very soft, and a little bit fluffy. Terra smiled and kissed the top of his head. Locke suddenly groaned and shifted slightly. Terra froze, hoping she hadn't disturbed his sleep.
She hadn't. He was having a dream...or was it a nightmare?
"Uggh..Rachel.."
Terra held her breath. She wasn't sure whether to wake him or not. ~Nightmares usually pass on quickly, don't they?~ Terra wondered, and from some very sadistic voice in a deep corner of her mind, she thought, ~My nightmare didn't pass quickly. It went on for 18 years.
18 long years.~ Quickly shoving that thought aside, she focused all of her attention on Locke's fidgeting - yet still sleeping - form. But she had been right, and after a minute or so Locke stopped moving and seemed peaceful again.
No, he wasn't. For a while Terra believed it had really stopped, and had begun nodding off herself until Locke suddenly grimaced in something that looked like pain. His eyes squeezed together, and Terra felt the movement from under her hand on his head. "No...Celes.."
Terra closed her eyes, wishing she could somehow plug her ears like a child without waking up Locke in the motion of her hands. She knew that
this nightmare wasn't meant for anyone's ears. And she didn't WANT to know what Locke was dreaming about.
"Setzer...leave..alone.."
~What?~
Terra opened her eyes in surprise. What did Setzer have anything to do with this? Locke and Setzer were never really good friends, perhaps because of the manner they met. Terra imagined that if they had met under different circumstances, they would've been very good friends. Afterall, both led adventurous, free-living lifestyles that allowed lots of traveling...both were constantly hunting for excitement, and taking chances. (even moreso for Setzer & his obsessive gambling.) Both had the same taste in women.
~Maybe I should've fallen in love with Setzer.~ Terra thought dryly, but quickly reprimanded herself for even thinking of such a thing. ~I'll always love Locke.~ She thought sleepily. ~To the end of time..longing for him..and never doing anything to get him..~
As Terra fell asleep, her dreams floated to images of her treasure hunter extraordinaire, smiling at her with his warm cole-colored eyes, along with fleeting instances of General Leo's face, slightly blurred because she couldn't remember what he looked like..
..and then, she dreamt of herself at a ball again. She was dancing with Relm. "Do something" Relm said, and with an elegant twirl Relm was replaced by Edgar. Next to her, Locke was dancing with Celes. The partners were switched and Celes was now dancing with Setzer, while for some reason Locke and Terra ended up partnerless. Terra tried to run towards Locke, spurred by Relm's encouraging voice, but suddenly she was dancing, in the arms of Kefka, and couldn't move or struggle, only dance to the steps. Except the strange thing was, he was not wearing any clown paint, and he looked to be quite a deal younger.
"You're mine, Terra," He whispered in her ear. "All mine."
Then he twirled her and the sounds of the orchestra playing was drowned out by a horrible cackling.
Funny thing was, that ball was the only part of her dream she didn't remember when she woke up in the morning, finding Locke's head resting on her lap.
TBC
A/N: creepy...ne? You know, I've always kind of imagined that Kefka, in his younger, less insane days, was a handsome youth type of guy. Possibly even with ideals and morals!! *GASP from everyone* Then he went wacko cuz one day he saw the Emperor naked in the shower, singing a Ricky Martin song, complete with hip movements. That image permanently pressed into his mind, it drove him insane and spurred him to kill people...