A week in Flanoir
By Fenris Amon
Day Three: Failed plans and broken hearts
Celsius
I woke up early and checked to see if the carrier pigeon came back or if there was any sign of the Rehairds, no such luck. Dammit, I'm fine being stuck here in Flanoir and all, I just wish that it was a tad bit warmer. Heck, even I like the warmth sometimes. Anyways, mornings in Flanoir were always boring, just people setting up their shops, some waking up, and people starting to do their morning chores, at least in Altamira or Meltokio, there's always something going on in the mornings. Well, the library just reopened recently, just before the final fight with Kratos. For the longest time it had been closed because of some indoor heating problems. It was a tall building crossed with a bell-tower. Everyday at noon it rung, sometimes so loudly I'd think it would explode. Well, at least we can go outside today.
"Morning Miss Celsius. What brings you to the Flanoir library so early?" asked the clerk behind the front desk in the library. Now that I notice it, the front desk is a beautiful mahogany, papers carefully piled up on each side and a book racks lining both sides. To one side, a metal staircase leads up to a trap door which leads to the bell tower. Why is everything in this town wood?
"Nah, nothing much. Felt like waking up early. Any new books in?" I ask, starting to gaze at the racks of books. They have quite the impressive collection of natural history and the Kharlan war. (And some 'adult oriented' manga, let's not talk about that though. Shut up, I'm still somewhat human.)
"Not at the moment. Oh yes, one of your comrades wanted to talk to you. Miss Raine Sage was it? She's currently in row K-1." She scanned the book rows until she laid her eyes on my half-elf friend. I nodded and walked over to where seemingly the professor was in a euphoria.
"Professor? You needed to talk?" I ask, tapping her on the shoulder.
"Oh, good morning Celsius. This library has a most impressive collection of books from the Kharlan war!" She said, picking a book from a random row and opening it. "Marvelous!" she paged through the book, her eyes scanning each page furiously, I have to admit, I did like the selection here, before the heating problem, I visited this place once a week to pick up a book to read. It was a long trek, but long books kept me interested for long periods at a time.
"Well, that's our Professor. I'm still waiting for a book they said they're getting in soon. So for now I have no reason to be here." I replied wryly.
"I see, well then. I hope I'll see you later today. If need be I'll be here all day." She placed the book back where she found it and took the book next to it, it was volume one of the Kharlan war, page 21 which is part of chapter one explaining the humble beginnings of the war. Sigh. I read that book four times over.
"Alright." I bid farewell to the clerk before opening the door and exiting. It was already mid-morning and I noticed Colette standing outside the door to the inn waiting for everyone. From the outside, the Inn at Flanoir looks like just another large building, it's almost impossible to see our rooms and many others that fit inside it.
"Oh, Celsius! Have you see the professor?" she asked with a nervous smile.
I nodded, "Yep. She's in the library. Best not disturb her." I walk her back inside and into the hallway leading to our grand room, "So what's for breakfast?"
"Sheeny's making it!" She perked up.
"Really now? Well let's be fast, Sheena hates it when we're late to her meals." I stretched my arms out behind my back, staring at the light fixtures scattered throughout the hallway. Maybe I should of told Raine about breakfast.
Breakfast was delicious, Mizuho style morning meal. Anyways, after breakfast we all scattered to our own particular ways. I decided to follow Colette to the Church of mana and watch. We spent an hour or so there praying for guidance, I could swear I could smell the feint smell of lilac and roses. (I was never overly religious, but I still pay my respects.) It was about noon when I got out of the Church, and it was still snowing. What a laugh. I found myself wondering the streets pretty aimlessly, just chatting with some of the few residents, and shopping for absolutely nothing. People still find it funny how I can wear a low-cut, small halter-top and a skirt in twenty-degree weather. (For this I'm happy, I don't get the 'are you smuggling tick-tacs or are you just happy to see me?' pick up line from Zelos.)
Sheena, 6 PM
It was already getting late when I made my way back to the Inn from talking to the old couple who knitted for a living. When I first arrived here in Flanoir, I helped them out and they never forgot it, so they invited me over for the day. Well, after I had dinner there, I noticed the sun was starting to fall. Celsius told me that Lloyd would be at the terrace towards night fall so I guess I should get the jump on him and arrive there first. It was getting a bit more chilly, so I changed into a deep purple sweater and a fleece jacket. I know I'm not wearing my normal Mizuho garb, but it's cold! By the time I made it outside and looked at the clock, it was seven-thirty.
I walked briskly towards the terrace that overlooked Flanoir, I didn't see Lloyd anywhere so I decided that he might come a bit late. He's always missing stuff like this, oh well. It was another normal night tonight, snowing, cloudy. It was nice though, Flanoir has always been known as one of the romantic cities. After about ten minutes of waiting, I heard crumpled footsteps in the snow behind me, oh damn I'm nervous.
"Lloyd?" I ask without turning around.
"Nah, it's me." Shit. Shit, shit, shit. Zelos? Why is he here? Is he coming to tell me some bad news? What if Lloyd wasn't able to come? "So why are you standing out here in the cold?"
I sighed, "Do I have to tell you? I was hoping to talk to Lloyd tonight."
"I see." he began to stare out into the distance. "Are you going to leave Tethe'alla forever this time?" he asked, with a glint of seriousness in his voice for once, trying to go off topic.
"I guess. Lloyd's already said that people from Sylvarant don't mind." I stood next to Zelos, leaning on the guard rail.
"I could find you somewhere to live here in Tethe'alla. There's no need for you to go all the way to Sylvarant just to live." he added, his voice sounding undeniably romantic.
"Really? I mean, are you sure about that?" I asked, almost astounded, "But how are you planning on going about this?"
"I'm the chosen! I still have the rights of the Chosen as long as the Church of Martel or Mana exists!" he replied rather enthusiastically.
"You really do have a good heart at times, you know that? But why are you going so far out of your way to keep Mizuho here in Tethe'alla?"
"Well, cause of you Sheena!" He smiled, not his most sincere smile, but one truthful enough to let me believe him.
I guess I gotta be honest with myself as I blushed, Zelos may be a complete dumb-ass at time, so insincere and loose, but at times like this, he does have a good heart. That's something that's undeniable about Zelos. "Um, thanks?"
"You know, I don't know how to explain it but you're a wonderful person to be around Sheena." he added romantically. I let him get close to me, too close for normal comfort, but this wasn't a normal incident.
I felt myself returning his words, "Zelos, I guess I've finally fallen for you."
I begin to feel his lips contour to mine, his soft touch rubbing my neck slowly. …Footsteps. Running. I break the kiss on the balcony to see a shoe turn the side of a building. A pink flower falls to the ground…a pink flower?
Celsius
Cursed be Martel! Damn! I thought this was going to work out. Everything was so perfect too.
I watched the scene unfold from the bell-tower, I never took into account Zelos. Damn, Lloyd must be heartbroken. I gotta somehow rectify the situation. The stairs seemed especially long today as I ran down, I exit through the front door and rush to where Lloyd was. The pink flower, it's wet now, the paper is getting soggy, I wrap it carefully in cloth. I see Sheena and Zelos staring at me. I hit the ground with all my force in my fist. "Dammit!" I felt the earth shake a bit.
Lloyd
…This is all wrong. This didn't happen to me. It's all a dream and I'll wake up with Sheena at my side. I'm sick, yeah. That's it. I'm just sick. I'm sick and im dreaming about what might go wrong. I close my eyes. I hit myself. Damn. This isn't a dream. I hate them all now, for betraying me, for the lies they told me about Sheena. The lies that Zelos told me that he was my best friend. The lies about Sheena being at the terrace by herself. This is all wrong! If Mana truly loved me, she would of…I can't think straight. Martel help me.
I'll leave right now, that's that. I silently run back to my room, barely making a noise as I run to my room. I look around. My winter traveling clothes…given to me by Sheena. My seals of warmth that will keep me warm in any temperature… given by Sheena. I don't want to remember anyone anymore. All I need is supplies and my swords. I take my leave silently. Before I leave I hear voices, Sheena and Zelos come to rub salt in the wound no less. Noishe nuzzles me in the side, maybe he feels my pain. I bid him farewell. I want to be alone now. I run off into the desert of ice. I don't want to see anyone anymore.
Celsius
I find myself back in the Inn next to Lloyd's door. Everyone is already gathered there looking worried. Genis, Regal, Presea, Zelos and Raine. Sheena is missing. She's been gone ever since the incident.
"What could of happened?" asked Regal, inspecting the room of anything else missing. Lloyd left everything that reminded him of Sheena, the seals, the coat, the necklace… everything. He only took his swords and food. I kept silent.
"Chance of survival in current weather…less then five percent." comment Presea rather coldly. "I'm worried about Lloyd." her tone resounded with worry for the first time in a while. Regal comforted her a bit, sitting next to her.
"It's not good in this type of weather. I heard that there is a strong possibility of a snow storm hitting the area." Raine sat down on Lloyd's bed.
We wouldn't be able to get any sleep tonight, both Lloyd and Sheena are missing and I'm worried, for once I admit this is all my fault, and it's my duty to rectify it.
Sheena
Everything is so confusing…Do I love Zelos or Lloyd? No matter. I have to go find Lloyd before he dies in the freezing cold. I snuck into my room late at night, I used my last remaining wing-pack on my stuff, my extra clothes, I put on my heavy winter clothing and put Lloyd's scarf around my neck. I noticed Colette and Celsius sleeping. I silentlwaved goodbye and left. As I make it outside, I hear Noishe. He's worried about Lloyd. Lloyd you better be alive.
"You want to come with me, boy?" I ask softy, which he nodded yes to and whined. "Okay then." I mounted Noishe, I was light, even only as heavy as Lloyd with all my equipment. Lloyd won't survive too long in this weather. I ride swiftly in the direction that Noishe takes me, I make a mental note never to keep my feelings hidden inside me ever again.
To love and lost is better then to of never loved at all, but to have loved and never spoke is worse then death itself.
Aht uv Lrybdan
