Wild Rose

Lightning and Firion trekked onward as their feet carried them to the Crystal Tower. Again, Firion found himself staring up at the sky. He couldn't help it. He wanted to believe everything would work out, but there was no guarantee. As much as he wished he could change what had happened; go back in time and prevent himself from losing the rose however he could. However, he knew that was one thing that was impossible in this world…and so he didn't dare to think any further on that.

He let out a sigh and Lightning looked at him.

"Firion…" she said, softly.

He didn't look up. Whether or not she was truly mad at him, was still a question that lingered on his mind. However, that was not the reason he couldn't lift his head toward her. He just…couldn't bear to look at her while in such a position as he was. There was too much going through his head and right now…he just wanted time to think it all over – a little better and deeper if he could.

Lightning took a few steps toward him, that same look of concern from before at Dream's End on her face. Maybe she was truly concerned for him, or maybe she was just using that as a cover for her aggravation. After all, they were already on one seemingly hopeless quest. Why should they have to endure a second…at the same time?

"Hey." she said calmly.

Firion lifted his head a little bit, but still not enough for her to see his face.

"Come on, you can't walk around like this the whole time. We're going to find it." Lightning said.

Her voice held so much certainty and honesty, but it still wasn't enough to convince him. Nothing was so certain, and even he couldn't deny that right now. He wanted to, as it was completely unlike him to think otherwise, but after all they'd been through so far…could he really afford to be so…naïve?

He didn't respond to her; just letting out a light sigh, he slowly walked over to the nearby wall and leaned against it.

Lightning stared at him in silence, trying to think of something to say. She had never seen Firion behaving this way before and it even made her uncomfortable to experience it. Neither of them knew how long this would take, but either way…they couldn't afford to let anything hold them down and keep them from moving forward. She wasn't about to give up…or let him do so either.

"We should just keep moving. Our best chance could be to cover as much ground as possible. Besides, just sitting here…were like sitting ducks. It drives me crazy."

Firion closed his eyes for a moment.

"Lightning, I…I can't." he mumbled.

She looked at him as he spoke.

"I just…I don't know what to do. Where could we possibly look next? It's a rose. It could be anywhere – especially in this world. It just doesn't seem like a possibility." he said.

She'd never known him to be so negative and honestly…she was getting a little annoyed by it.

"Firion, come on. It's a rose. It's not like it got up and walked away, okay. Everything has the possibility of working itself out. If it's really so special to you…prove it. Quit whining and worrying and let's go."

Firion detected the annoyance she had in her voice and shaped up…just a little. Maybe she was right, maybe she was wrong – though he'd hoped it was the first one. Besides, he knew Lightning well enough by now to know that whether or not he'd keep going…she would. He knew she could clearly take care of herself, but one thing stuck on his mind at this particular moment…the rose was special to him – that much was certain. She'd been right about that – and that alone was enough to get him going again...although, he still held a bit of doubt deep down, but tried to cover it as best he could.

He looked at Lightning.

"Lightning…" he said.

She didn't reply as they heard a voice.

"Hey, Lightning. Firion."

They turned to see Laguna Loire walking up to them – the same cheerful expression he always had.

Lightning turned her head to the side a little as she scoffed lightly.

"If he only knew…" she thought.

Laguna approached them and said the first thing on his mind…as expected.

"What's with the long faces? Someone die?" he said.

He was clearly making a joke, but they didn't feel like laughing right now. They only had one thing on their minds and friendly chatter wasn't exactly one of them at this time.

Lightning got right to the point as she looked at Laguna – taking a deep breath as she spoke.

"Laguna, we need to know…"

He looked at her in anticipation and his face only made her think she was just wasting time. If anyone was fit to help them…Laguna didn't really make the list of potential candidates.

Still, despite her thoughts…he was all they had right now, and any chances should be taken.

"…Have you seen rose anywhere?" she asked, a hint of hope in her voice, yet still not quite getting it up too high.

Laguna looked at her in confusion, glancing to Firion and back.

"...Like Firion's?" he asked.

She and Firion just nodded lightly.

Laguna thought to himself for a moment.

"Hmm…"

The suspense was driving Lightning crazy. It was a simple "yes" or "no" question and here he was acting as if it was some sort of quiz or something. Then again, she had to keep in mind…it was Laguna.

Unfortunately, his next words left them with nothing to work with yet again.

"Not since the one I gave him."

Lightning figured as much, but something else now stuck on her mind, puzzling her even further.

"…Gave him?" she asked, looking at Firion in question.

Firion looked at her calmly.

"That's another story."

She stared at him with a bit of suspicion for a moment before turning back to Laguna.

"…Okay. Thanks anyway, Laguna. We've got to get going though." she said.

She and Firion both started walking, heading past him as he turned to watch them leave.

"Sure. I guess?" he said, scratching the back of his head lightly in confusion.

As they walked, Lightning glanced back at Laguna and then quickly toward Firion, the same puzzled expression on her face again. Firion didn't seem to notice, but he felt it. He tried not to let his awareness show, however, as he played dumb – continuing to walk forward silently as they continued in search of the rose.