Author's Note:
Many thanks to Angry Angel, Jean-chan and Lady Pyrefly for their lovely comments! I'm so happy you guys like my story! Lol, and I'm happy you picked up on the FFX part, Lady Pyrefly! I was actually playing that part around the time I wrote this chapter, so I thought I'd add it in. I love that game.
I still do not own Final Fantasy or any of its characters... I just have a strange obsession with trying to recreate some of their outfits... muahaha...
Chapter Seven: The Hardest Journey
A pesky ray of sunlight crept through the blinds and pulled at Seifer's eyelids. Nnnngghh... I wanna sleeeep. He whined in his thoughts. He tossed and turned, but the sun kept persisting, until finally Seifer sat up. He stretched his arms high overhead as he let out a yawn. It hadn't been his best night's sleep, but the small couch in Quistis's hotel room was still fairly comfortable. He rubbed his good eye and glanced over at Quistis's sleeping form.
She looks like an angel. He thought. ...Oh no you don't, Almasy. Only losers fall for their instructors. He crept soundlessly to her bedside. Her golden hair was spread out behind her and the early morning sun highlighted her beautiful face. Seifer shrugged. I'm a loser. He thought to himself with a smile. He glanced on her nightstand and noticed her traditional hairclip. He picked it up and glared at it. Hmmm... Without hesitation, he slid it under the chest of drawers with a devilish grin.
After calling room service and ordering two breakfasts, he sat back on the couch and rubbed his hands together. I wonder what it'll be like. I was getting tired of that clothing store anyway... and it would be nice to have Hyperion back... He chuckled to himself. I can see the look on Puberty Boy's face now...
A soft knock on the door broke his thoughts. As quietly as possible, he wheeled the food cart into the room, silently cursing the one squeaky wheel.
"...Seifer?..." Quistis yawned as she sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Morning," he greeted her. "Breakfast is served." He took a long napkin and draped it over his arm as he'd seen waiters do, then took one of the trays of food and presented it to Quistis. "Your entrée, mademoiselle."
"Thanks," she laughed.
"Told ya I'd repay you." Seifer added with a grin. He took his tray and sat back on the couch. "Mmm... not bad..." He said in between bites. "So... what's our plan of action?"
"Well," said Quistis, swallowing. "I'll buy another ticket, the train will leave around seven o'clock, and we'll be in Balamb in no time."
"Would you mind if I said goodbye to someone before we go?"
"Sure," Quistis replied, knowing fully well who he meant. She began to gather her hair with one hand and reached for her hair clip with the other, but could only feel the table's surface. "That's strange..." She slid out of bed and grabbed another from her suitcase.
"...You packed an extra hairclip...?"
Quistis nodded. "Three actually. It's always best to be prepared."
-Meanwhile...-
It's 6:20 AM on the dot... There's no one in sight... I can smell that sweet aroma now... Mmmm... they shall soon be mine... MUAHAHAHAHAHA!
"Zell, honey... You're fogging up the glass. Just wait a few more minutes, okay?" Said one of the cafeteria ladies.
"...Heh... Yes, ma'am..." He replied as he scratched the back of his neck embarrassedly. Then he gazed intently at the sausage links. You shall soon be MINE! MUAHAHAHAHAHA!
-A few minutes later...-
"Are you sure she's up?" Quistis asked as she walked up beside Seifer.
He nodded. "She's always up early."
Sure enough, Mama was walking around in her kitchen. She caught sight of Seifer even before he knocked and came sprinting to the door. "Get inside, quickly!" She ordered both of them. She locked the door behind her and ushered the two into the back room.
"They know," She said as she put a hand on Seifer's shoulder and shook her head sadly. "They know it's you, honey."
"But then... You knew...?" Quistis began.
Mama nodded. "I found Seifer early one morning. The poor kiddo was really beat up. So, I helped him up and took him home with me. Once I cleaned him up a little, I recognized who he was. I wasn't afraid, though. Ultimecia wasn't the first of her kind, and her knights weren't the first to get suckered into such a bad deal. My uncle had also been a sorceress knight, and had been persecuted for it. Unfortunately, I knew that not everyone around here would feel the same way I do." She smiled a little. "So, that's when I taught Seifer the way to apply makeup. I never had a daughter I could teach how, so it worked out well for me, wouldn't you say?" She chuckled a little.
"So... why 'Alexander'?" Quistis asked.
"Alexander was my uncle's name," Mama replied with a smile. "My little way of avenging him I guess." Her expression darkened. "But I didn't keep you safe all this time for nothing. You can't stay here, Seifer."
"Actually, that's what I came to tell you," Seifer replied. "I've decided to go back to Balamb Garden."
Quistis nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes to make sure he's pardoned."
"Well, if you need another person to vouch for him, I'll gladly put my two cents in." Said Mama. "He may look like a tough guy, but he's all soft." She gave him a big hug. "I'm gonna miss you, kiddo."
"Hey, as soon as my name's cleared, I'll come back and visit." Seifer replied. "There's no better food in all of Gaia."
"You better believe it," Mama said, smiling. She turned to Quistis. "And I expect you to visit, too." She said as she embraced the blonde woman.
"I will." Quistis replied.
Suddenly, they heard someone pounding on the door.
"Stay here." Mama said. She made her way slowly to the front room. A few angry citizens stood glaring at her from the outside. Their snarling expressions were reminiscent of ravenous beasts.
"...Shit... That's the only way out..." Said Seifer as he started to pace around the room.
"Don't give up just yet," Replied Quistis. She gazed around the room, looking for anything that might help them. And then she saw it.
Meanwhile, Mama had opened the door and was attempting to communicate with the surprise ruffians. "Now calm down, gentlemen. What would give you the idea that Seifer Almasy would be here? I don't have enough time to cook for my patrons and house criminals, now do I?"
"We know he's here! Either you give him up now, or we'll search the place... our way..." One of the men replied, tapping an axe against his boot.
"What's all the racket out there?" Cried a high, raspy voice from the back room.
"Huh...?" Remarked the crowd in unison.
Mama turned around slowly and her eyes went wide with surprise. There was Quistis... and what appeared to be an elderly woman draped in one of her dark table cloths, folded to resemble a nun's habit. The "nun" hobbled towards the group, using Quistis's arm to steady herself.
"Don't you know it's a sin to falsely accuse thy neighbors?! You'll all rot in hell for this! ...Unless you repent! When was the last time you set foot in a church?!" Cried the "nun."
One of the men began to snicker, only to be whacked by his comrade. "Shhh... You snickered at a nun. You'll burn for sure, now..."
"Uh.... I... I was just on my way to church, Sister! I promise I was!" Said another. He dashed out the door and down the street.
"I-I don't wanna burn in hell!" Cried the man who had snickered.
"I shall heal you, my child." Replied the "nun." "She" smacked him on the forehead, causing him to fall backwards. "Behold! You are forgiven! Now get out of here and pray for mercy!"
"Y-yes ma'am – uh... Sister!" He and the rest of the citizens bolted for the church.
Mama fought back her laughter until she was sure the others were far enough away. "I never thought I'd have a use for that old tablecloth. It's a good thing I decided to keep it."
"It really brings out your eyes," said Quistis with a smirk.
Seifer rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, well as much as I love reveling in my new look, I think we'd better get going."
Quistis glanced down at her watch and gasped. "We've only got six minutes to get to the train station!"
"We'll never make it! It's on the other side of town!" Cried Seifer.
"Oh yes you will. C'mon! We'll take Ol' Betsy." Mama ushered Quistis and Seifer outside and around the building. She hurriedly pulled off a sheet, revealing an old, silver car. "Get in!" The two did as they were told, and after a little forceful coaxing, the engine turned over.
Soon, the silver car was speeding down the street, sending its passengers bouncing up and down in their seats. Seifer held onto the dark tablecloth for dear life. They swerved this way and that, and finally made it to the station.
Seifer and Quistis leaped from the car, waving as they sprinted for the ticket office. With less than a minute to spare, they got their tickets checked and boarded the train. Both were gasping for air. They managed to hobble to their seats and hoisted themselves up to see out the window.
Outside, Mama was waving to them. They continued to wave back until the train had pulled completely out of the station and Mama had disappeared into the distance.
Thanks, Mom. Thought Seifer as he watched her figure fade. Then he turned to Quistis. "I can't believe we actually pulled that off..." He laughed.
"We're not out of the clear yet," Quistis reminded him. "Keep that tablecloth on." A twisted grin spread across her face. "That's one habit you don't want to break." She snickered at her joke.
Seifer raised an eyebrow. "... You really are a dork, Trepe." He replied with a sigh.
"...Leave me alone... I need more coffee..." She said, rubbing her temples.
"Take a nap." Suggested Seifer as he adjusted the back of his seat and pulled the tablecloth over his face. "It'll take awhile to get there anyway..."
Quistis yawned. "Alright..." Before long, she drifted off to sleep...
...and began to dream...
-Quistis's Dream-
Quistis was running so fast she thought her heart would burst. She kept her eyes fixed straight ahead. She didn't know exactly why, but she was too afraid to look behind her. She darted in and out of foggy alleys and the tangled branches of mysteriously appearing and disappearing trees. Finally, a whole grove sprang up before her and she had nowhere else to turn... except behind her.
She slowly turned and was surprised to find her own reflection staring back at her. Before her was a long mirror. She stepped closer to it. As she looked, she saw her reflection turn ghostly pale. Meanwhile, all around her, her friends were dancing and glowing with a rosy light. They skipped closer and closer to her, until they passed right through her. She blinked a few times, and suddenly, she saw ice start to form around her feet and traveled along the rest of her body.
Then, her reflection spoke. "Nothing changes."
Quistis shook her head. "That's not true."
Her reflection smiled faintly. "Of course it is. Your life will always be like this." Then her eyes narrowed. "You should just accept it."
Quistis reached for Save the Queen, but it was missing. She looked up and noticed her reflection holding it triumphantly in front of her.
"Believe, child. This is your fate." She stared deep into Quistis's eyes.
"Tch... I was under the impression that we choose our own destinies." Said a deep voice behind her.
Quistis turned around, but only saw the thick mass of trees. "Where...?"
"Behind the mirror." The voice replied. "Do you trust me?"
Upon those words, the mirror in front of her grew larger and morphed into various shapes, distorting the images inside. The wind picked up around Quistis, sending leaves and twigs swirling around her. She shielded her face from them and squinted at the mirror.
"Trust me..." The voice echoed.
"Face your destiny!" Her reflection cried, glaring at Quistis with blazing red eyes.
"I will!" Quistis cried. She looked to her side and Save the Queen materialized. She detached it and whirled it through the air. Save the Queen's tip came crashing down against the glass. She struck over and over, using all her strength to break through the tough glass face. She finally succeeded in making a whole in the top of the long panel.
A hand pried away at some of the loose pieces of glass surrounding it and reached out. "Give me your hand!" The voice commanded.
"You can't escape from your fate!" Her reflection boomed.
"Quickly!" The voice pleaded. "I can't lose you again!"
"I won't let you go..." Quistis's reflection began to glow bright red. A high pitched noise filled the air as her hands reached through the surface of the glass towards Quistis. Above her reflection, the other hand reached out to her.
"Grab my hand!" The deep voice cried again. "I won't let you fall!"
"Do you dare?..." Her reflection grinned coldly at her.
Quistis's heartbeat was racing. She closed her eyes and ran forward. With her right hand, she slashed at her reflection's icy grasp with Save the Queen, and with the other she reached up, hoping she would make it.
"I've got you! Hold on!"
And she did.
When Quistis opened her eyes, she found two arms encircling her tightly. Her own arms were wrapped around a muscular torso. She closed her eyes again and her breathing began to slow.
"You're safe." The voice whispered softly.
-In the real world...-
Seifer cracked a smile as he watched Quistis breathing softly. He had woken with a start when he heard the blonde woman begin to whimper softly. When he had noticed her face was contorting with pain, he had reached over and took hold of her hand. She in turn had surprised him by wrapping her arms around him. Instantly, her face had regained its peaceful glow and a faint smile curled against her lips.
Seifer brushed a few loose golden strands away from Quistis's eyes. Hyne, she's beautiful.
Just then he looked up and noticed two young children looking at him.
"It's a sin to stare, young whippersnappers!" He cried in a high pitched voice. The children shrieked and ran back to their seats.
"...Mmm?" Quistis murmured as she shifted slightly.
"Shhh..." He whispered close to her ear. She snuggled into him and drifted back to sleep.
