After Midnight
Chapter 7
by Rena-Chan44
Story Name: After Midnight
Author: Rena-Chan44
Summary: From the moment I met him, I had always tried to tell myself it was just a petty little crush. Boy, was I ever wrong. Penelo x Balthier
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy XII, or any of its characters. Square Enix, does. So please don't sue. Only the plot of this story is mine.
X-X-X-X
I cracked open my eyes and looked as the ship floated away from me. It seemed to no longer be falling. You know those things that happen in movies and books when everything seems to be moving in slow motion, fuzzy like a dream? I felt like that was happening to me now.
I was still falling...when would it stop? I wanted to look down, but I was too afraid. My body ached from the air pressure. I tried to suck in a breath...but it seemed like all of the air was moving away from me. I decided to look down. Now or never...
My eyes widened. I was extremely lucky the ocean was a few hundred feet below me...I'd have to be careful. If my back hit the water, it could break. I didn't have much time to move myself...but I did, somehow. I quickly managed a position that had me almost standing up in the air.
The ocean was coming closer. I closed my eyes and tried to suck in a quick breath of air.
And it was all darkness after that.
X-X-X-X
I woke in the most unexpected place...in a warm bed.
I tried to open my eyes and lift up my head only to be met with another extreme headache. I felt like I couldn't even move my limbs.
The door opened. At least, I think that's what it was. Quick footsteps made their way over to my bed...well, if that's what it was. I could barely open my eyes, so I had no idea where I was, much less what I was lying on.
I could sort of make out a fuzzy-ish blob in front of me, leaning over the bed, but that was it.
"Penelo?!" the voice said urgently.
I could remember that voice from somewhere...but honestly, my head felt like it was spilt in two. Maybe it was. I couldn't remember a single thing from before. Not at all.
"Are you awake? Penelo?" the familiar voice urged.
I tried to open my mouth, but I couldn't form any words. My mouth was too dry...my jaw hurt.
"Hold on, I-I'll get Doctor Cid!"
The person left quickly. I tried to stay awake...but I just couldn't. My eyes drifted closed and all I saw was darkness, once again.
X-X-X-X
By the time I opened my eyes again, I realized that it was very dark out. It was after midnight, I guessed. I gasped. My vision was fine again! I felt wide awake, and for the first time in a while, my head barely hurt. Well it did, but not the searing pain I was used to lately.
I looked around, where was I? The room looked that of a royal stature...did I know anyone rich? Not that I could remember...
The door burst open. "Penelo!"
A young man that looked to be in his early teens entered the room quickly. He rushed over my side.
"Who...are you?" I asked. I couldn't recognize him...at least not right now.
"Do you not remember?" He asked sadly.
I studied him for a moment, titling my head to the side. What was his name again...I couldn't remember. I knew I knew him from somewhere...but where? I couldn't put a name to the face.
He smiled and giggled. "Try to remember, Penelo."
"Oh! I remember...uh...Lar...Larsa! Larsa!" I remembered happily. I was just happy to be able to remember something, even something this simple.
"Correct." He replied with a small, innocent smile on his face. "Are you feeling better?"
"Um...yeah...but...what happened, Larsa? Why can't I remember anything?! What's wrong with me?!" I panicked.
"Come on, Penelo. Don't frown...I'll explain later. But, if you're feeling well enough, your comrades would like to see you."
I nodded. But I really couldn't remember anyone but Larsa...odd.
"What friends?" I asked quickly.
"Well, I suppose you cannot remember them. Would you still like me to send them in? They have been waiting quite some time to see you, Penelo."
"Sure...how long have I been here?" I wondered aloud.
"...a month." He answered quietly, sitting on the edge of my bed, next to me.
"What?! I've been sleeping for a whole month?"
"Well, you've been in and out of it, but today's the first day you really 'woke up'. You were really...incoherent…"
"Ooh..." I said sadly, my temper lowering. "I'd like to see my friends now...if that's okay...but could I have something to eat? I'm starved."
He got off the corner of the bed. "Of course. I shall fetch them then. Please wait here...I'll send your friends here as well."
I waited for a few moments, gazing around the finely furnished room. It was really nice...quite sophisticated.
All of a sudden, the bedroom door opened again and several people walked in.
"Penelo!" one of the them said. He looked to be around my age, with sandy blonde hair that reached his ears. He looked sort of like me. A brother, maybe? He ran over and gave me a friendly hug. I jumped.
"Um...hi?" was all I said. "Who are you?"
"What?! You don't remember me Penelo...how did this?! I'll bet it was Balthier! Balthier!!"
"Who?" I asked again.
He slapped a hand to his head. "Nevermind. Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah...I just can't...remember anything. Except for Larsa. For some reason, I can remember him."
"Hmm..." An older looking man from the corner spoke. "That is quite odd."
A tall woman with bunny ears walked into the room suddenly. I gasped. She had rabbit ears?!
She rolled her eyes and walked over, bending down in front of me.
"Penelo." She stated in a monotone, "Do you not remember anything else? Not Balthier? The ship? The fall?"
I was silent for a while, trying to remember..."Why does everyone keep talking about this 'Balthier' guy? Who is he? What's so special about him anyway? It's not like I was married to him...wait...was I?"
"Not that we know of...?" A woman with light blond hair and an incredibly short skirt reasoned.
I looked around quickly. I saw Larsa enter the room again. He brought over a tray of assorted food items and countless different beverages.
He looked pleased. "Penelo...everyone. Balthier finally feels good enough to get up. But, he seemed to decide this after I told him Penelo was awake." He smirked. "Has something been going on I did not know about?"
"A whole lot more than you're little self needs to know about!"
"I'm still growing!" Larsa complained, but then quickly composed himself. "Uh, what I mean is...never mind."
I laughed. I'd never expected him to act his age for once.
"Well, Penelo, Balthier would like to see you, alone. Do you mind?"
X-X-X-X
END CHAPTER
a/n: I'm really, really sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out. I've had so much work!
Thanks again to my friend RILEY for the help! (:
Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far, and a special thanks to Wakamoley for reminding me to update!
Furthermore, I know you're probably thinking this story's getting pretty crazy. But it's just really awesome that way, ne?
Plus, someone remind me to stop watching Digimon and update this more often. Kidding. And Balthier wanting to see Penelo alone...it's NOT what you're thinking.
Please Review!! (: