Chapter 7
Balamb
Eve awoke when she felt the train come to an end. She looked out her window to see the sun just rising over the mountains. Slowly the train moved into Balamb Town. People began to get off and Eve remembered Sly Fox. She hurried out of the train and went to the cargo car. A man was already bringing her chocobo out.
"Here you go. She's fine as can be." The worker said.
"Whatever." She replied. "Are you all right Sly Fox? Sorry that you had to wait so long in that smelly car."
: It wasn't smelly, just small and crowded. Come on, we are wasting precious time. :
"O.K. Let's go." She slipped onto Sly Fox's back and started out. When she past the town gates a man stopped her.
"It's against the rules to ride in the public. Accidents can happen. I'm sorry, but you'll have to station your chocobo here." Eve rolled her eyes and slid off. She led Sly Fox into one of the stables and patted her head. "I'll be back." Sly Fox gave out a purr and watched Eve walk away toward the lively town. Eve looked all over until she found a comfortable inn. As she entered she noticed that it was well kept. She had to be careful because some people might know her parents and she did have a resemblance to her father. The inn had a bar and a restaurant that had tons of people and young kids roaming around. I hope they have some rooms left, she thought. There was no one at the service desk so she waited until someone came. Meanwhile, she was watching a group of young men play pool. One of them, a blue eyed with black hair, noticed her and he smiled. Eve didn't return his smile instead she turned to look at something else. Pathetic, I have no time for games.
"Can I help you?" a voice asked from behind her. She turned around to come face to face with a man in his early forties. His blue eyes held a rough character and his hair was combed back.
"Do you have any rooms left?"
"Your in luck, tourist season had just begun and it gets crowded. Room forty-five; up the stairs and to your left." He said. Eve left without a word and when she entered her suite she fell onto the bed. There was a bathroom, a balcony that overlooked the sea, and a T.V. Eve took a long shower and wrapped her self in a towel. There were drinks on the table ready for her. I didn't order any drinks. There was also a bouquet of daisies on the table and a note.
Hi, I saw you downstairs and I totally had to meet you. But you escaped me. So I ordered you drinks and sent them up to you. Hope you like the flowers. Meet me downstairs; I'll be waiting for you.
Eve almost gagged. Some men just can't learn or even stop. She dumped the alcohol down the toilet and threw the bouquet onto the bed.
* * *
Seifer sat behind the bar and wondered. The woman looked so familiar, but in what way? He saw Robune staring at her as she left upstairs. That kid was bad news and made a rival out of his son. Reminds me of myself and Squall, when we were at Garden. He chuckled and then saw Robune walk up to the information desk and talk to one of his employees. The kid looked scared and gave him something. When Robune left to go join his friends, the employee fast walked over to the restaurant and got drinks and flowers. I'll get Robune later for this, harassing my employee is not a good thing. He might as well see what the girl will do in return. She did ignore him in the first place, but hey what did he know about women?
A few hours later, Dark Blade Almasy came in with a woman trailing behind him. Seifer noticed the young woman and almost cried, but he could not. That chapter in his life was closed and it would never be open again. Though she looked so much like her mother.
"Dad! We're back and here's Gwena Trepe. Dad, you'll never believe what happened to me!" Blade said out loud. Robune snorted and left the inn with his buddies, but Dark Blade ignored him. Seifer straightened out his face and walked over to them. Gwena was confused, she felt something yet faintly about this man. She shook her head and watched Blade explain their journey. Some of the girls had already come in and settled themselves by Dark Blade. Gwena jumped when she heard someone shrill at the entrance door.
"Dark Blade! You're back! I've missed you so much!" a girl said as she threw herself at Blade. Blade gave a sigh and shook Vila off of him. "Yeah and back in hell." When he was young he flirted with all the girls and he still did except for one, and that was Vila. Gwena stepped in front of Vila and smiled.
"Who are you ponytail?" Vila scoffed.
"Leave him alone for god sakes, he's trying to explain something to his father and you're cutting him off." Gwena said harshly. Vila looked at Blade and Seifer, they were looking at her and her face blushed hot. "C'mon girls, let's give Dark Blade some room." Some left and some stayed behind listening patiently to Blade's story and how he got Leviathan.
"Leviathan! That can't be possible! Rinoa owns him unless."he alleged. No, it wouldn't be happening again. He would not be another knight for some crazy lunatic woman.
"Whose Rinoa, dad? And what are you talking about?" Blade asked. Seifer looked at Gwena, "Did you receive a GF?"
"Yeah, Shiva the Ice Queen." She replied.
"My god, but why aren't they with Squall and Rinoa?" he asked himself. He looked up at the two young people and nodded his head, "Tomorrow when you go back to school, I'll be coming with you." He said.
"But who is gonna take care of the inn?" Blade asked.
"I'll have David take care of things, he's a good man and he'll do things right." Seifer answered.
* * *
Eve was lying on her back and looking at the brochure of her father on it, holding LionHart at his side. How would she pass by without getting caught? She would have to change her name though. How about Samantha or Tiffany? No, they didn't sound like her. Dava? That sounded good, but Dava what? .Icehart? That sounds perfect, Dava Icehart. She got dressed and suddenly remembered what she would have to do with the gun blade. It was the only one of its kind and people would recognize it. She shook her head, no I'll think of something later. Right now my training comes first and Dad will see that I was meant for this type of life. She covered Lionhart tightly until not one bit of sapphire glow shone through the fabric. The brochure held everything about where to find the Garden. She closed the door behind her and descended the marble stairs. There was a group surrounding the bar and she noticed the man she talked to earlier with another young man and a woman. She past them by and ran into the guy she saw earlier when she was waiting for the clerk.
"Hey, my name is Robune and yours?"
"None of your business." Robune shrugged her anger off and continued.
"Did you like the flowers and the drinks?" he asked as he followed her behind.
"Oh you mean the flowers that I ignored and the drinks that I flushed down the toilet, I got them. Now listen here, I don't have time for people like you so here's a few words of advice, leave me alone or you'll get hurt." Eve ordered. Robune's friends tried to hold their laughter in as Robune walked away angrily. That should keep him off my back, once I leave this town I'll never see that asshole again. Eve needed to supply herself with potions and a few other things as well. After she bought what she needed she walked into the town's weapon shop. The owner had several arms that would suit her but she picked out a gray steel blade. It was lightweight and it felt good. This should cover her lack of weapon and get peoples minds off what was strapped to her back.
"That's a very good blade that you picked out there. I see that you know your weapons." A man behind desk said. He wasn't looking at her but at the pair of gloves he was polishing. He looked like the energetic type for someone in his late thirties.
"How much and what's it called?" she asked. The man looked at her and smiled.
"Why do you want a second weapon? It seems that two would already be a burden." He said, "My name is Zell, I own this shop here, and your name is?"
"Dava Icehart, and it isn't your business if I have another weapon or not. How much?" she asked again.
"One hundred and twenty-five gil and it's called Silveraine." Zell replied. Eve paid the man and waited for him to give her a receipt. "You don't talk much I see. I used to know someone like that. We were good friends. So where are you heading?" he asked.
"Balamb Garden." She said. This man was wasting her time! She had to get there as quickly as possible.
"Oh, are you signing on as a trainee? That is where I work too, I'm the Garden's Combat Teacher and if you are joining we'll see each other again."
"Whatever." Eve muttered. Great! Zell looked up and shook his head. She seems so.somehow I know her, but from where? Dylan entered with Dark Blade and Gwena walking behind him.
"Dad, Dark Blade is back and he brought a friend too, I want you to meet her." He explained.
"Oh good, your back again Blade. You know school at the Garden starts tomorrow and I will warn you if you forgot those moves I taught you before vacation, then your in trouble." Blade froze and grinned sheepishly. Zell began to laugh. Eve felt like she was intruding and she decided to leave without anyone noticing her.
"Miss, Icehart, you forgot your receipt." Zell shouted out. Everyone turned toward her and she sighed. She walked up to the desk and snatched the paper out of his hand. She left angrily and back toward the inn. So the school opened tomorrow? Hmm, might as well get ready for it and if I don't get any sleep, I'll loose my mind.
* * *
"Who was that?" Blade inquired. He was struck dumb and this girl was new to him.
"You mean, Dava Icehart? Yeah she's joining the Garden. I'll tell you one thing, she is strange and very inward." Dylan's Father illustrated. Blade was in another of his trances, Gwena thought.
"Snap out of it Blade." Gwena giggled. She punched him in the shoulder and he looked at her.
"What?" he asked innocently. Dylan burst out laughing. "No seriously, what?" Gwena cracked up too and join Dylan in with the joke. Dark Blade shrugged and smiled, yet the girl was on his mind. Who was she?
* * *
The next morning Eve woke up thinking where in the world she was. When she looked out her balcony window she remembered, Balamb Town and far away from home. The sun was rising in the east and the sun's heat was already rising. It's going to be a hot day.she got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. After a nice cool shower and washing her hair she felt refreshed. Her hair was still wet and she waited outside in the morning sun to let it dry out. The sea was beautiful and her thoughts kept on skipping to the face that erased five years of her life. The demon, she was getting close to her goal. She smiled viciously and left the balcony. She strapped Lionhart across her back and Silveraine at her side. She remembered the silver feather she had found as a child and took it out. It looked alive as she handled it in her hand. Its colors swirled together in the sunlight. Eve now knew what she would do with it. She brought it to Silveraine's handle and cast fire onto it. The metal melted in with the gray blade and the whole entire sword took on a new color, the color of the feather. She smiled and hooked the sword back to her belt. When she walked out into the restaurant and bar foyer, she noticed that not many people were there except for the owner, and the three people she saw yesterday at the Weapon's Shop. Then more people came in and it was Zell, his son, and another young man behind.
"Troy, what took you so long?" Blade asked.
"I bumped into Vila."
"That explains it." Seifer said, "C'mon let's go."
"Wait there's that girl we met in the shop yesterday." Gwena whispered. Everyone looked up at Eve as she came downstairs. She ignored them and walked out the door.
"Boy, no good morning there." Dylan whispered. Eve's neck felt hot and she walked straight toward the Chocobo Stables. People had no respect at all. On the way, the young man she had seen in the inn caught up with her.
"Hey hold on, Icehart was it? Yeah, so your joining the school I heard." Dark Blade started. Eve kept on walking and tried to ignore him. "Well, anyway, I thought you would be interested to come along with me and the gang to Garden. How about it?" he asked.
"No. I have my own way of transportation."
"How? You gonna walk?"
"No, I'm going to ride." She replied. She entered the stables and paid the groom. Sly Fox came out and purred at the sight of Eve.
"Oh." Blade said. Before he could say another word, she was already on her way out. The rest of the group caught up with him.
"So son, is she going to accompany us?" Seifer asked.
"Naw, she just left with her chocobo." He explained. The rest of the group were already in the two cars that Seifer rented out. He walked up to one of them and got in. Icehart? Why such a cold name?
Balamb
Eve awoke when she felt the train come to an end. She looked out her window to see the sun just rising over the mountains. Slowly the train moved into Balamb Town. People began to get off and Eve remembered Sly Fox. She hurried out of the train and went to the cargo car. A man was already bringing her chocobo out.
"Here you go. She's fine as can be." The worker said.
"Whatever." She replied. "Are you all right Sly Fox? Sorry that you had to wait so long in that smelly car."
: It wasn't smelly, just small and crowded. Come on, we are wasting precious time. :
"O.K. Let's go." She slipped onto Sly Fox's back and started out. When she past the town gates a man stopped her.
"It's against the rules to ride in the public. Accidents can happen. I'm sorry, but you'll have to station your chocobo here." Eve rolled her eyes and slid off. She led Sly Fox into one of the stables and patted her head. "I'll be back." Sly Fox gave out a purr and watched Eve walk away toward the lively town. Eve looked all over until she found a comfortable inn. As she entered she noticed that it was well kept. She had to be careful because some people might know her parents and she did have a resemblance to her father. The inn had a bar and a restaurant that had tons of people and young kids roaming around. I hope they have some rooms left, she thought. There was no one at the service desk so she waited until someone came. Meanwhile, she was watching a group of young men play pool. One of them, a blue eyed with black hair, noticed her and he smiled. Eve didn't return his smile instead she turned to look at something else. Pathetic, I have no time for games.
"Can I help you?" a voice asked from behind her. She turned around to come face to face with a man in his early forties. His blue eyes held a rough character and his hair was combed back.
"Do you have any rooms left?"
"Your in luck, tourist season had just begun and it gets crowded. Room forty-five; up the stairs and to your left." He said. Eve left without a word and when she entered her suite she fell onto the bed. There was a bathroom, a balcony that overlooked the sea, and a T.V. Eve took a long shower and wrapped her self in a towel. There were drinks on the table ready for her. I didn't order any drinks. There was also a bouquet of daisies on the table and a note.
Hi, I saw you downstairs and I totally had to meet you. But you escaped me. So I ordered you drinks and sent them up to you. Hope you like the flowers. Meet me downstairs; I'll be waiting for you.
Eve almost gagged. Some men just can't learn or even stop. She dumped the alcohol down the toilet and threw the bouquet onto the bed.
* * *
Seifer sat behind the bar and wondered. The woman looked so familiar, but in what way? He saw Robune staring at her as she left upstairs. That kid was bad news and made a rival out of his son. Reminds me of myself and Squall, when we were at Garden. He chuckled and then saw Robune walk up to the information desk and talk to one of his employees. The kid looked scared and gave him something. When Robune left to go join his friends, the employee fast walked over to the restaurant and got drinks and flowers. I'll get Robune later for this, harassing my employee is not a good thing. He might as well see what the girl will do in return. She did ignore him in the first place, but hey what did he know about women?
A few hours later, Dark Blade Almasy came in with a woman trailing behind him. Seifer noticed the young woman and almost cried, but he could not. That chapter in his life was closed and it would never be open again. Though she looked so much like her mother.
"Dad! We're back and here's Gwena Trepe. Dad, you'll never believe what happened to me!" Blade said out loud. Robune snorted and left the inn with his buddies, but Dark Blade ignored him. Seifer straightened out his face and walked over to them. Gwena was confused, she felt something yet faintly about this man. She shook her head and watched Blade explain their journey. Some of the girls had already come in and settled themselves by Dark Blade. Gwena jumped when she heard someone shrill at the entrance door.
"Dark Blade! You're back! I've missed you so much!" a girl said as she threw herself at Blade. Blade gave a sigh and shook Vila off of him. "Yeah and back in hell." When he was young he flirted with all the girls and he still did except for one, and that was Vila. Gwena stepped in front of Vila and smiled.
"Who are you ponytail?" Vila scoffed.
"Leave him alone for god sakes, he's trying to explain something to his father and you're cutting him off." Gwena said harshly. Vila looked at Blade and Seifer, they were looking at her and her face blushed hot. "C'mon girls, let's give Dark Blade some room." Some left and some stayed behind listening patiently to Blade's story and how he got Leviathan.
"Leviathan! That can't be possible! Rinoa owns him unless."he alleged. No, it wouldn't be happening again. He would not be another knight for some crazy lunatic woman.
"Whose Rinoa, dad? And what are you talking about?" Blade asked. Seifer looked at Gwena, "Did you receive a GF?"
"Yeah, Shiva the Ice Queen." She replied.
"My god, but why aren't they with Squall and Rinoa?" he asked himself. He looked up at the two young people and nodded his head, "Tomorrow when you go back to school, I'll be coming with you." He said.
"But who is gonna take care of the inn?" Blade asked.
"I'll have David take care of things, he's a good man and he'll do things right." Seifer answered.
* * *
Eve was lying on her back and looking at the brochure of her father on it, holding LionHart at his side. How would she pass by without getting caught? She would have to change her name though. How about Samantha or Tiffany? No, they didn't sound like her. Dava? That sounded good, but Dava what? .Icehart? That sounds perfect, Dava Icehart. She got dressed and suddenly remembered what she would have to do with the gun blade. It was the only one of its kind and people would recognize it. She shook her head, no I'll think of something later. Right now my training comes first and Dad will see that I was meant for this type of life. She covered Lionhart tightly until not one bit of sapphire glow shone through the fabric. The brochure held everything about where to find the Garden. She closed the door behind her and descended the marble stairs. There was a group surrounding the bar and she noticed the man she talked to earlier with another young man and a woman. She past them by and ran into the guy she saw earlier when she was waiting for the clerk.
"Hey, my name is Robune and yours?"
"None of your business." Robune shrugged her anger off and continued.
"Did you like the flowers and the drinks?" he asked as he followed her behind.
"Oh you mean the flowers that I ignored and the drinks that I flushed down the toilet, I got them. Now listen here, I don't have time for people like you so here's a few words of advice, leave me alone or you'll get hurt." Eve ordered. Robune's friends tried to hold their laughter in as Robune walked away angrily. That should keep him off my back, once I leave this town I'll never see that asshole again. Eve needed to supply herself with potions and a few other things as well. After she bought what she needed she walked into the town's weapon shop. The owner had several arms that would suit her but she picked out a gray steel blade. It was lightweight and it felt good. This should cover her lack of weapon and get peoples minds off what was strapped to her back.
"That's a very good blade that you picked out there. I see that you know your weapons." A man behind desk said. He wasn't looking at her but at the pair of gloves he was polishing. He looked like the energetic type for someone in his late thirties.
"How much and what's it called?" she asked. The man looked at her and smiled.
"Why do you want a second weapon? It seems that two would already be a burden." He said, "My name is Zell, I own this shop here, and your name is?"
"Dava Icehart, and it isn't your business if I have another weapon or not. How much?" she asked again.
"One hundred and twenty-five gil and it's called Silveraine." Zell replied. Eve paid the man and waited for him to give her a receipt. "You don't talk much I see. I used to know someone like that. We were good friends. So where are you heading?" he asked.
"Balamb Garden." She said. This man was wasting her time! She had to get there as quickly as possible.
"Oh, are you signing on as a trainee? That is where I work too, I'm the Garden's Combat Teacher and if you are joining we'll see each other again."
"Whatever." Eve muttered. Great! Zell looked up and shook his head. She seems so.somehow I know her, but from where? Dylan entered with Dark Blade and Gwena walking behind him.
"Dad, Dark Blade is back and he brought a friend too, I want you to meet her." He explained.
"Oh good, your back again Blade. You know school at the Garden starts tomorrow and I will warn you if you forgot those moves I taught you before vacation, then your in trouble." Blade froze and grinned sheepishly. Zell began to laugh. Eve felt like she was intruding and she decided to leave without anyone noticing her.
"Miss, Icehart, you forgot your receipt." Zell shouted out. Everyone turned toward her and she sighed. She walked up to the desk and snatched the paper out of his hand. She left angrily and back toward the inn. So the school opened tomorrow? Hmm, might as well get ready for it and if I don't get any sleep, I'll loose my mind.
* * *
"Who was that?" Blade inquired. He was struck dumb and this girl was new to him.
"You mean, Dava Icehart? Yeah she's joining the Garden. I'll tell you one thing, she is strange and very inward." Dylan's Father illustrated. Blade was in another of his trances, Gwena thought.
"Snap out of it Blade." Gwena giggled. She punched him in the shoulder and he looked at her.
"What?" he asked innocently. Dylan burst out laughing. "No seriously, what?" Gwena cracked up too and join Dylan in with the joke. Dark Blade shrugged and smiled, yet the girl was on his mind. Who was she?
* * *
The next morning Eve woke up thinking where in the world she was. When she looked out her balcony window she remembered, Balamb Town and far away from home. The sun was rising in the east and the sun's heat was already rising. It's going to be a hot day.she got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. After a nice cool shower and washing her hair she felt refreshed. Her hair was still wet and she waited outside in the morning sun to let it dry out. The sea was beautiful and her thoughts kept on skipping to the face that erased five years of her life. The demon, she was getting close to her goal. She smiled viciously and left the balcony. She strapped Lionhart across her back and Silveraine at her side. She remembered the silver feather she had found as a child and took it out. It looked alive as she handled it in her hand. Its colors swirled together in the sunlight. Eve now knew what she would do with it. She brought it to Silveraine's handle and cast fire onto it. The metal melted in with the gray blade and the whole entire sword took on a new color, the color of the feather. She smiled and hooked the sword back to her belt. When she walked out into the restaurant and bar foyer, she noticed that not many people were there except for the owner, and the three people she saw yesterday at the Weapon's Shop. Then more people came in and it was Zell, his son, and another young man behind.
"Troy, what took you so long?" Blade asked.
"I bumped into Vila."
"That explains it." Seifer said, "C'mon let's go."
"Wait there's that girl we met in the shop yesterday." Gwena whispered. Everyone looked up at Eve as she came downstairs. She ignored them and walked out the door.
"Boy, no good morning there." Dylan whispered. Eve's neck felt hot and she walked straight toward the Chocobo Stables. People had no respect at all. On the way, the young man she had seen in the inn caught up with her.
"Hey hold on, Icehart was it? Yeah, so your joining the school I heard." Dark Blade started. Eve kept on walking and tried to ignore him. "Well, anyway, I thought you would be interested to come along with me and the gang to Garden. How about it?" he asked.
"No. I have my own way of transportation."
"How? You gonna walk?"
"No, I'm going to ride." She replied. She entered the stables and paid the groom. Sly Fox came out and purred at the sight of Eve.
"Oh." Blade said. Before he could say another word, she was already on her way out. The rest of the group caught up with him.
"So son, is she going to accompany us?" Seifer asked.
"Naw, she just left with her chocobo." He explained. The rest of the group were already in the two cars that Seifer rented out. He walked up to one of them and got in. Icehart? Why such a cold name?