Chapter XIII) The Endless Summer Days Of My Youth

"Time casts its mossy mantle over physical objects and a mantle of forgetfulness on non-physical ones…"

Alexandre Dumas, "The Count of Monte Cristo"

-

-

I'm sorry you got hurt…

Hey, don't worry 'bout it. I only got scraped knees

I know…but, it was still because of me…

Huh, it's nothin'! You're so silly little sis, didn't I say I'd always protect you?

The schoolhouse was only a three-minute walk from her house; but Presea was already out of breath as she dashed through tall golden sea of corn, and her chest hurt from the exertion. All around her, the grain rippled in swirls from the mild summer breeze, whilst the brilliant blue sky above was clear of any cloud, and the six year old felt her spirits rise even further from the beauty of the scene.

The tune she was breathlessly humming abruptly halted as she approached the building, and Presea paused, clutching the covered tray she held in her hands tightly. The schoolhouse was a beautiful structure, adorned with a variety of flowers and a large mural of the countryside – which the young girl would proudly boast to anyone who listened that she had had a big hand in making. It was a little early for school yet, but she guessed that Miss Rose was already inside, preparing the day's lessons before the other children arrived.

Grinning in anticipation, Presea pushed open the door to the schoolhouse and entered, stepping through the small cloakroom and into the building proper. The main classroom was a modest affair, consisting of an area of desks arranged in a four by four square, with a single blackboard at the front of the room. To either side of the desks, long windows lined each wall, which caught the light whether the sun was rising or setting, and rows of flower boxes nestled comfortably on the sills beneath them.

"Miss Rose!" Presea's slightly lisping voice rung out in the warm, empty room, and the young girl frowned as she looked around. Where could she be?

Numerous pictures and paintings, created by both artists and the children, returned her inquiring stare, and tiny little motes of dust drifted aimlessly across the room. The place had always been slightly stuffy and bare before Miss Rose came to Ozette as schoolmistress, bringing flowers and crafts and all manner of happiness into the building. All of the children loved her, but Presea had a firm belief that she, and her best friend Tacy, loved her the most, and was thus loved the most in return. She dashed to the front of the room, hastily stuffing the tray onto her teacher's desk and looked up at the blackboard with an exaggerated frown. Fresh chalk notes for the day's activities had been neatly written on there, so the young girl reckoned that Miss Rose had to be about somewhere.

"Miss Ro-ose!"

Suddenly, the door beside the blackboard opened, and warm sunlight spilled though as a young woman stepped inside. She was a kindly looking person, her slightly round features complimented by a pair of gentle brown eyes that sparkled as she smiled in greeting. Her hair, which hung well below the waistline of her modest clothing, was also a rich brown and, Presea knew from experience, delightfully warm to snuggle up to. The lady smiled sweetly as she wiped her soil stained hands on a towel. The second she was finished, Presea ran up and hugged her, although her arms barely made it to the woman's waist.

"Why, if it isn't Presea," she laughed, her voice high and melodious. "Whatever can I do for you, sweetie? School isn't for another half hour yet."

Presea beamed up at her, realising in retrospect that it should have been obvious Miss Rose would be tending to the flowers in the school's garden. "I know," she replied, "But I hafta show you what I made you!"

"Have to," Miss Rose corrected, then crouched down to pick Presea up. The little girl squeaked with delight as her teacher carried her over to the desk. "Now then, what, I wonder, have you made for me?"

Presea giggled with delight and shook her head. "It's a surprise!"

"I see." Miss Rose set Presea down on the table and looked at the tray. "Well, you know how I love surprises."

With a smile, she removed the cloth that covered the tray and a stacked heap of strawberry muffins was revealed, complete with the delicious aroma that came with them, which flooded the room. Presea squirmed happily at the pleasantly surprised look on her teacher's face and an immense pride filled her at the sight of all her hard work. Miss Rose looked across at her pupil, her eyes gleaming.

"Oh my, these look wonderful Presea," she said. "Surely they're not for me."

Presea nodded enthusiastically. "Uh-huh, they are too! Me an' Tacy picked the strawberries, 'cos everyone knows you love strawberries, an'…an' then we took 'em back to my house an' then we made 'em into these. My mommy helped…but only a little," she added proudly. "Me an' Tacy did most of it all by ourselves."

Miss Rose smiled at the rapid stream of words, and looked down at the muffins. "Well, they smell delicious, sweetie. Thank you very much." She took a muffin and handed one to Presea. "As you went to such trouble, you should have one as well. Is Tacy not here?"

Presea eagerly took a bite from the muffin and shook her head. "Mmph, no, she's sick today," she replied, her mouth full. Miss Rose shook her head.

"Presea, remember we swallow our food before speaking," she chided gently.

The young girl grinned, her mouth spotted with tiny bits of muffin. "Yes, Miss," she replied.

Miss Rose nodded, and reached into her desk for a comb. Walking behind Presea she began to comb the young girl's hair, which had presumably fallen out of its pigtails during her run to the school. Presea giggled happily as the brush passed through her knotted locks and looked at the clock mounted above the blackboard.

"Miss Rose, can we go and look at the flowers in the garden again before school starts?"

"Of course Presea, if you want to."

Presea nodded enthusiastically as her teacher refitted the pigtails. "Uh-huh, spendin' time with you is fun, Miss Rose!"

---

Presea woke with a shuddering cry, and jerked herself upright in a movement that caused a dizzying pain to explode inside her head. Gasping as though she was out of breath, she looked down at the snow-coated ground she was sitting on and sighed heavily, feeling the most intense sadness wash over her. A gust of cold evening wind caressed her face and she brought a shaky hand up to the cool damp patch on her cheek, realising that she had been crying.

What had happened? She wondered, noting that some lingering scent of strawberries persisted for a moment longer before fading completely. Had it all been a dream? The small girl frowned, feeling confused, and wiped a hand across her wet eyes. It had all seemed so real, but now…now she was back on the ridge Rochelle had brought her to – feeling so cold. So lonely.

"…Presea? Are you…all right, babe?"

Presea looked round to see Rochelle sat beside her, hugging herself and trying not to let it show that she was freezing. With a moment of embarrassment, Presea realised that the Felesian had removed her own winter coat to drape over her, thus keeping the pink haired girl warm. Shamefaced, she handed the garment back to her friend. The Felesian took it, her smile composed of relief and uncertainty.

"You…you just collapsed," she whispered apologetically. "I tried to move you but I couldn't and…I thought it best to keep you warm, but…"

Presea scrubbed at her eyes again and shook her head, cutting off her friend's words. "Please, do not worry…I…I do not think I have suffered any physical damage." She adjusted herself so she was sat with her back against one of the larger boulders, feeling the coolness of it penetrate her clothing, and flexed a few muscles in her limbs. "Negative. There are no detectable ailments. I…must just be fatigued."

She could feel Rochelle's gaze on her, clearly not believing her explanation, and looked away at the darkening horizon – uncomfortable with the scrutiny. It always got dark so quickly during winter, she observed, trying to clear the nagging familiarity of the vision, as well as the fear and confusion she felt.

Rochelle seemed to watch her for a few more moments, before shuffling alongside Presea, and sitting against a slightly smaller boulder. The Felesian remained silent and the scene suddenly reminded Presea of that dream she had had in Altamira, of the two small girls sat against the boulders in the summer's heat. She closed her eyes in thought. That one girl had looked so much like herself.

"…Is it…my fault?"

The Felesian's question dragged Presea from her melancholy thoughts, and she looked round to see Rochelle staring at her, the young girl's eyes shimmering in the dying sunlight. Presea shook her head, feeling sorry for her companion and not wanting to worry her further.

"No," she replied. "It wasn't anything like that…please do not concern yourself, little sister." She leaned gently against her friend, lending her some of her warmth.

Rochelle purred softly at the contact, and nestled her head against Presea's shoulder. "Okay, if…if you're sure." She sighed and shook her head. "You know babe, to be honest, I…I was scared of coming here anyway…scared it would confirm something."

Presea frowned. "I am confused…for what reason were you afraid?"

Rochelle smiled sadly. "That I'd know this place. I…I think I lived here once." She caught sight of Presea's surprised gaze and swallowed nervously. "I can't be certain babe, but ever since I first heard the name Ozette, I've been having these feelings…that I know the place. At first I thought it was just me…but coming here…and hearing some of the stories you've told me, it…it seems so familiar I just can't shake it…"

Presea put her arm around her friend, remembering how, when Lloyd had done it to her when she was feeling lost, it had helped her feel better. She tried to think of some comforting words, and wondered how it was people could make their voices sound sympathetic at moments like this. It was still an uncomfortable and sometimes frustrating experience, not knowing the right things to say or do, for she hadn't gone through life in the knowledge that she'd need to master such skills.

"Perhaps…at one point you did live here," she replied eventually, unsure whether she was saying the right thing. Rochelle nodded though. "I must have done," she said. "I mean, I've got these names, these places in my head, and I don't know how they got there."

Presea gave her friend's arm an encouraging pat. "I…believe I can understand the frustration you must feel, but I am sure that these memories will return to you in time."

"You think?" Rochelle thrashed her tail irritably, then nodded. "I guess you're right." She thought for a moment, then looked up. "Can I…ask you something else, babe?"

Presea nodded. "Affirmative…what is it?"

"Well, um…" The Felesian licked her lips for a moment and took a deep breath. "Are you…are you still sure we haven't met before?"

The question, although unexpected, did not take Presea completely by surprise, although she did feel a strange sensation in the back of her mind as she thought about it. It was unusual really – she had never, to her knowledge, encountered Rochelle before, but for some reason couldn't bring herself anymore to accept that they had, until couple of weeks ago, been absolute strangers. Looking across at her friend, Presea met her gaze and smiled gently.

"It seems illogical to suggest such a concept, but negative," she replied. "I…am no longer sure."

"Oh," Rochelle looked at the ground for a second, then gave a short laugh. "Heh, you know, for some reason that doesn't bother me, babe."

Presea nodded. "Yes, I second that thought." She looked down at the Felesian and smiled. "And whatever the answer may be, we will find it together, okay?"

"Yeah!" Rochelle snuggled close against Presea, her voice sounding content once more. "Thanks Big Sis, you're the best."

---

They returned to Mizuho just as the failing light of the afternoon succumbed to the darkness of evening, and Presea skilfully negotiated the lamp lit silhouettes of the houses as she guided the skiff into its allocated space. The two friends had decided to leave Ozette shortly after the incident on the ridge, and Presea was glad of the decision, now that the cold was intensifying with the absence of the sun.

Raised voices of a jovial nature could be heard from Sheena's house as the pair neared the building, and Presea wondered if Colette had already finished her induction into the citizenship of Mizuho – suddenly feeling panic in having missed her friend's return when she had promised to be there.

"Rochelle," she said, trying to keep the urgency from her voice. "We must increase our speed!"

She dashed inside, closely followed by the nonplussed Felesian, and burst into the parlour with more force than she would have liked, on hearing the laughter spill out from within. Pausing, she took in Lloyd and Quinn, who were sitting on the padded cushions, but there was no Colette or Sheena present. She wondered absently if the former Chosen had actually finished yet before the delayed shock hit her and she stared in open-eyed astonishment at the other two people present.

"P-Professor Raine? Genis?" She blinked in surprise. "You…have arrived."

Genis smiled warmly as he nodded and looked down at himself. "Well…yeah, it sure looks like it!"

"Ah…affirmative…" Presea blushed at her unnecessary observation, but a warm smile broke out over her face and she dashed forward to embrace the two half-elves in turn, a delightful, heady sensation passing through her on seeing her old friends.

"Oh, it is wonderful to see you both again," she laughed, releasing Genis from her squeezing embrace. "We have so much to discuss."

He made a noble effort in trying to hide his blush, but his voice shook as he spoke. "Ah…heh, it's g-great to see you too Presea. All of you – it's been too long."

"Yeah," Lloyd nodded in agreement, obviously in high spirits in being reunited with his best friend. He shuffled over to make room for Presea and Rochelle. "You know, we should visit each other more often." He looked across at the pink haired girl and smiled warmly, whispering 'welcome back' in her ear.

"Hmm," Genis thought about it for a moment, then made a funny face. "Yeah, that would be good, but I doubt you'd enjoy visiting me soon – I'll be attending Palmacosta academy once it's finished being rebuilt. I know how you hate learning…"

Lloyd sighed wearily, but there was a smile on his face. "Man, that didn't take long…"

Raine smiled, her blue eyes glittering with mirth. "How has your studying been going Lloyd? I expect with all the travelling you've been doing, you must be quite knowledgeable in a number of areas by now."

"Argh, enough already!"

Presea smiled fondly as she watched Lloyd squirm at the jibes, and Quinn's uproarious laughter, and decided to come to his rescue. She looked across at Raine and smiled.

"Will you be staying in Palmacosta as well, Professor?"

Raine nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Yes. I've been offered a job within the History Department teaching post-Kharlan dynasties, or in the Science Department teaching advanced mana theoretics."

"Woah," Lloyd looked amazed. "Two jobs? How are you going to manage that, Professor?"

Genis sighed. "Well she obviously has to pick one or the other. Gee Lloyd, it's comforting to know that you haven't changed."

The young man glared at his friend. "Hey!"

Presea smiled to herself and ignored the exchange. Looking back to Raine, she cocked her head to one side.

"Have you decided what position you are going to accept?"

"No," Raine replied, looking slightly irritated that she actually had to make a decision. Presea could understand her frustration, guessing that the Professor could easily manage both jobs. The gleam in the half-elf's eyes intensified. "They're both so wonderful. For instance, did you know…"

Genis met Presea's gaze through the stream of academia flowing from his sister's mouth and rolled his eyes wearily. "You had to ask," he laughed.

Presea laughed, and caught sight of Rochelle beside her, realising that she hadn't introduced her friend yet.

"Oh, Raine and Genis," she said, looking back over at the siblings. "I would like you both to meet someone who has been accompanying Lloyd and myself on our travels." She indicated Rochelle. "This is Rochelle."

The Felesian quailed a little under the gaze of the two half-elves, holding up a hand in greeting and smiling awkwardly. "Er…hi!"

Genis caught sight of her tail thrashing about with embarrassment, and his face lit up in awe. "Wow…a-are you actually a…Felesian?"

The question obviously took Rochelle completely by surprise. She ran a hand through her hair and laughed, and Presea couldn't help but notice a slight tint in the Felesian's cheeks. "Ahaha…wow, I'm impressed babe…no-one's ever guessed that before. How'd you know?"

Genis flustered at the compliment, and looked round to Raine for confirmation. "A-ah, well, I…read a book on different r-races by a Professor of Anthropology we met in Sybak."

Raine nodded. "Quite so. A fascinating fellow he was too."

Genis, sensing an opportunity to draw attention away from his blush, smiled mischievously at Lloyd. "Yeah, Raine liked the guy."

Lloyd raised his eyebrows. "Professor!"

"I-I did not!" Raine protested. "He had a remarkable intellect, that's all."

"I'm surprised to be honest. I mean…you liking something which isn't at least three hundred years old –"

The sound of Raine's staff making contact with Lloyd's head echoed around the room, barely audible above the chorus of laughter that subsequently rung out.

---

Colette removed the last of the silken ribbons, allowing the long lengths of blond hair to fall loose around her waist, and looked at herself in the long mirror of her room. Exhaling deeply, as if she was breathing out the very last traces of the ceremony, Colette turned away from her reflection and removed the last of the jewellery and beads – returning them carefully to the bag they had come from.

She didn't feel different, not really, and she wondered deep down if she was actually supposed to. It wasn't as if she was really saying goodbye to her name, it was her real name after all, but some small part of her felt like it was moving onto a new chapter in her life. Colette Brunel, the Chosen. She was a little glad to distance herself from her previous title, but reckoned the change would still take a little getting used to.

"Colette? Colette, are you okay?"

The former Chosen jumped at the sound of her name, and opened the bedroom door to see Sheena stood on the other side, looking slightly concerned. Colette smiled brightly and nodded.

"I'm fine. Hehe, aren't you supposed to be calling me Kirie now?"

Sheena grinned ruefully, and rubbed the back of her head. "Ah…heh, yeah, guess you're right. Man, it's going to take a little getting used to." The Mizuhoan paused and studied Colette's face for a second. "You sure you're happy?"

Colette nodded vigorously. "Yeah, I really wanted this." She laughed, and gave her friend a tight hug. "Don't worry Sheena, I'm fine – honest."

Sheena returned the gesture. "Heh, well, c'mon then Kirie, let's go find the others. Mio's already organising the food and drink in the parlour. I don't know about you, but after that ceremony I'm starving."

---

Tripping through the door, Colette entered the parlour to a chorus of cheers even before Sheena had announced her as the newest citizen of Mizuho. The former Chosen giggled with rapture as she picked herself off the floor, delighted at both the mass of compliments and the presence of Genis and Raine, whom she swept up in tight hugs, unshed tears of joy misting her eyes.

Presea watched the scene with a contented smile on her face, delighted for her friend, who was moving around the room to get hugs and congratulations from everyone in turn while Sheena greeted her two half-elf friends. It was only when the former Chosen had settled somewhat, and had sat herself down between Raine and Sheena that the chief rose to her feet, holding a glass of Mizuho white wine.

"Ah, heh, well I haven't actually done this kind of thing so informally before," she announced, holding the glass up, "but, well, I'd just like to ask you all to join me in welcoming the newest citizen of Mizuho, even though she's not that new around here – Kirie of Mizuho."

Colette beamed, bright red with embarrassment, as everyone raised their glasses in celebration. Quinn leaned across, a mischievous smile on his face.

"Well, isn't the lovely Kirie going to say a few words?"

The former Chosen shook her head vigorously. "Ah…n-no, there's nothing– "

Colette's wide-eyed protests were drowned out by the cheering agreement of the others in the room, and she eventually rose unsteadily to her feet, clutching her glass tightly as if it was some kind of mascot.

"Er…er, well, I'd just like to thank Sheena for helping me become a proper citizen of Mizuho and that I'll work really hard for the good of the village…" She paused, casting a nervous glance around the room. "…er, heh, that's about it."

Presea laughed good-naturedly with the others at the sentence, which had been so rapidly spoken that it had almost been impossible to understand, and met Colette's gaze as her embarrassed friend sat back down.

"Kirie," she said, testing her pronunciation of the name. It was going to take some getting used to. "Did you select that name? It is pretty."

The former Chosen blushed at the compliment. "Ah…heh, yeah. I'm glad you like it."

Sheena grinned. "It took her ages to think of one though…usually it's thought of in advance."

"I see." Raine thought upon the name for a moment. "I believe that means 'maiden of light' in the ancient Asgard tongue. It's quite appropriate in a way – Is that where you got it from?"

Colette shook her head. "Nope. It's an old Mizuhoan word for 'dog'."

Lloyd stared blankly at his friend. "Uh…dog?"

The former Chosen fidgeted. "I like dogs," she replied cheerily.

"And…er, you were happy choosing your future name simply because it meant 'dog'?" Genis shrugged, then laughed. "That's our Colette."

Sheena grinned, and raised her glass again. "Oh, I almost forgot. We should also take a moment to welcome our good friends Raine and Genis to the village. It's been a long time since we've seen them, and I'm looking forward to spending time with them again."

The toast produced another load chorus of cheers that left both half-elves looking pleasantly embarrassed. Following the second announcement, the merriment began in earnest, with a vast range of food and drink being brought into the parlour.

The hours passed by in a warm blur of conversation and joviality as everyone swapped seats and walked about, catching up on issues that had passed, adventures undertaken, and generally every other topic imaginable. Presea eventually slumped into a cushion beside Lloyd, her head pleasantly fuzzy from being slightly overindulgent with the wine. The young man smiled warmly at her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"I didn't get a chance to ask earlier," he said. "But how was Ozette?"

Presea nuzzled closer to Lloyd, watching everyone else chat merrily away, and feeling the warmth of such companionship keep away the fear and confusion she had felt following her return from the village.

"It was…interesting," she replied, resting her head against his chest. "I will tell you about it later." She had planned to speak to him about the vision she had, hoping to find further comfort and reassurance in sharing the incident with him, but it was an unusual subject matter and didn't particularly suit the night's merriment. She met the young man's gaze, finding it surprisingly difficult to focus on his eyes, and smiled.

"I love you," she said simply, her tongue having trouble pronouncing the words clearly.

Lloyd laughed, and gently flicked her nose. "You're drunk," he replied. "But I love you too."

---

"Um, hi there."

Rochelle turned her attention from Colette and Quinn's conversation to see Genis slump down wearily into the cushion beside her. He smiled brightly. "How's the evening going?"

She grinned mischievously. "It's been cool babe, except for the two lovebirds here." She indicated Quinn and Colette, who were laughing at some private joke, and rolled her eyes. "I mean, yuck!"

Genis laughed, and Rochelle found herself smiling. It was a nice laugh, warm and rich and full of youthful charm, and the Felesian enjoyed the sound of it.

"So," she said, leaping across to sit beside him, "What's the conversation like that side of the room?"

Genis flushed a little as he made some room for her on the cushion. "Ah…w-well, it's pretty boring to be honest – that's why I came over here. They're still discussing plans for tomorrow." He paused for a moment. "How…did you meet Presea and Lloyd then?"

Rochelle thought back to that day and smiled, feeling truly lucky that she had crossed paths with the couple. "Heh, well, that's a long story, babe."

The half-elf nodded, then met her gaze, and his blue eyes twinkled in the dim light of the room. "Well, I have a feeling the night is going to go on for some time yet...and I, um, w-well, I wouldn't mind hearing it."

Rochelle paused for a second, realising with surprise that her cheeks were flushed. The one glass of wine she had drunk during the toasts must have been strong, she thought. Yeah, that must be it – I mean, what else could it possibly be?

Blinking away her thoughts, she looked across at Genis and smiled warmly, appreciating his genuine interest. Despite only knowing the half-elf for a few hours, the Felesian felt strangely comfortable in his presence, and decided resolutely that she wanted to be good friends with him.

"Well…okay then," she said demurely, and leaned back into the cushion. "Beings as you asked so nicely and all."

---

"Hey, have you heard?"

Mio slumped down into a cushion opposite Lloyd and Presea and grinned with excitement. "I'm going to be going with you guys to the complex tomorrow! Great, eh?"

Presea smiled at the Mizuhoan's infectious enthusiasm, as did Lloyd, who nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you can show us how good a teacher Sheena is!"

Mio nodded, her golden hair tumbling about her face. "Heh, you got it!"

Presea listened to the exchange drowsily. She liked Mio's tomboyish charm, and in that respect the young lady was a lot like Sheena. Sitting up slightly, she cocked her head to one side.

"Who is going tomorrow then?" she asked. "Surely, a large number of us would be a give-away."

"Uh-huh." Mio nodded. "I think it's you two, Raine, Colette and myself. Sheena, Genis and Rochelle are staying put, and Quinn is returning to check on his ship."

She stifled a yawn before climbing slowly to her feet. "Well, I'm gonna grab some sleep. Can't show off my skills tomorrow if I'm shattered. See you guys later."

"Yes, goodnight Mio." Presea watched the girl leave and smiled. "I have enjoyed our time here," she murmured.

"Yeah, me too." Lloyd smiled, but looked grave for a second. "I just hope that whatever's happening at that Desian place isn't the start of something bad."

Presea nodded, absently watching Rochelle and Genis fall deep in conversation. "Affirmative," she replied. "I understand your concerns, but it is as you normally say – we shall cross that bridge when we come to it." The pink haired girl stretched lazily and smiled, wondering herself about what tomorrow would bring. "For now, we should just enjoy ourselves while the opportunity to do so is available."

Lloyd returned the smile. "I knew I'd rub off on you eventually," he replied.

---

A/N: Well, this chapter marks the end of the first phase of the story, introducing and fleshing out most of the characters that will play a major part in the fic. From now on…well, let's just say that the calm before the storm is now over, so expect the more darker elements of the story begin to surface, as well as the main plotline itself.

Thanks for reading this so far – I mean, really!I appreciate the feedback I've been getting, and hopefully people will keep on reading until the very end. I've only just realised how big this fic is probably going to be, so I hope you're all in it for the long haul. Peace.

Next Chapter: Our heroes sneak into the Desian complex, Mizuho falls under the shadow of pirates and a sinister foe is revealed.