Wild Rose
As soon as they reached their next destination, Lightning spoke her mind.
"We're running out of places to look. Half of these areas, we haven't even been to yet."
She looked at Firion.
"At least…I haven't."
Firion looked at her and just nodded lightly.
"Trust me. I haven't been here yet either. But, you never know. It couldn't hurt to have a look around, right?"
Lightning didn't reply – just nodded lightly as they stepped forward, stopping again only seconds later.
Firion looked at Lightning in confusion.
"Light. What's wrong?"
She was slow to speak for a moment as she thought about how to say what she was thinking. So many questions – yet that one in particular still lingered at the front of her mind. There were enough mysteries and puzzles to figure out and she wanted to ease this burden bearing down on her. Of all things to clear up, this would surely be the easiest one…or, so she thought.
She turned toward Firion slowly and took a deep breath.
"Firion..."
"Huh?" he asked, looking at her with concern.
Why was she so hesitant to speak? It wasn't like there was anything to be worried about. It wasn't like she was about to pry…too terribly much anyway. She just wanted to get it up in the air and out of her head. Besides…she really didn't know how much more she could take traveling with someone whom was clearly concealing something from her. She was never fond of such a thing, especially if it included her…which she knew all too clearly that it did.
"I…"
She took a breath again and relaxed a little. She couldn't believe it. Now, she was feeling anxiety around Firion. Or, maybe it was more so discomfort from what she was about to say? Either way, she had to say it. She had to know so she could let this go.
"This whole thing: our search for the rose. It all started back at Prima Vista when you wanted to talk to me about something. What was it exactly that you wanted to talk about?"
Firion was taken aghast by her words as he stepped back a little – completely speechless by her question.
"…W-What?" he asked, tripping over himself with just one word.
Lightning knew now more than before given his reaction that it indeed had something to do with her. That was uncomforting for her, but also a bit pleasing. There was only one other person whom ever had her on their mind…and she had been separated from her upon being called to this world. Still, she couldn't just assume that being on someone's mind meant it was good. Though she didn't know Firion to have any unpleasant thoughts towards or about someone…she didn't want to just assume because they were friends. She wasn't getting her hopes up again.
"Relax. I'm just curious, is all. I know I was a bit cold at that particular moment. You'll have to forgive me for that." she said, as she glanced to the side.
Firion regained himself and looked at Lightning. He still didn't know what to say. What had made this suddenly come to her mind? He couldn't bring himself to believe he'd finally been backed into a corner. It was obvious now he'd done a terrible job at hiding what was on his mind all this time if she was finally asking the question he'd been trying to avoid all along. He didn't want to tell her. It was too embarrassing; too weird and crazy for even him to believe. If that was the case…what would Lightning think?
He looked at her closely and saw she had no intention of changing the subject or letting it go in any way. Right now, he just wished something could get him out of this predicament for just a little longer. He needed more time – to sort this out and make sure it was what it seemed. It wasn't something he could just easily dismiss or accept without absolute certainty. And, that was something he didn't have yet…about anything.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to think of what to say and how to say it. What could he say? He couldn't tell her the truth, after all. What was the truth anyway? Not even he knew that just yet. How could he say what he wasn't sure was true? It might as well be a lie until proven correct.
His heart beat faster with each second. This was surely it. The longer he waited to speak, the more uneasy both of them got, and Lightning still wasn't willing to drop it just like that without an answer – an answer he didn't have.
"…Lightning, I…" he mumbled.
Finally, he got his wish as he saw someone in the distance.
"Hey. Who's that?"
"Hm?" Lightning asked, quickly turning around.
She saw a figure dressed in black carrying a broad sword and she quickly drew her gunblade. However, upon closer inspection, she relaxed just as fast – realizing she knew the person whom stood before them.
Firion watched in surprise as Lightning withdrew her blade.
"Lightning."
She stared ahead in silence at the person before them as he stood still and silent in the same manner.
"You. I've met you before."
She thought for a moment and it came to her.
"…You're Cloud."
Cloud only nodded lightly in response and gave no more than a quiet, muttered reply.
"…Yeah."
He stood across from them with sword in hand as if he might come at them at any moment, and yet…did nothing as he continued to look at them. They couldn't imagine why or what he was doing here, but still…Lightning detected no threat, even as Firion was prepared just the same.
Still, though, Lightning's words and actions struck him. This was by far the most bizarre encounter he'd ever experienced. They had never seen him at Sanctuary nor heard a word from him until now. How could Lightning know him? If he wasn't their ally, which he appeared most certainly not to be, who was he? Where had he come from?
"Light, you know him?" he asked, as he looked at her in shock.
Lightning glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
"That's another story." she said, indirectly answering his question.
Firion nodded in understanding and dropped it right there.
"…I see."
They both looked toward Cloud again as he still stood looking at them in silence. It was like he wasn't even fully aware he was even there. He hardly spoke or moved and didn't appear to even really notice they were before him. This was by far the strangest of all people they'd come across yet. Firion even had to wonder if he was alright. He didn't even speak unless they said something first.
He looked at Lightning, knowing what came next as usual.
"I…don't think this guy is all there, Light. We shouldn't waste our time."
He relaxed as he stood straight again – ready to keep moving forward. But, Lightning still didn't move just yet. Firion could tell they certainly must have met before judging by this encounter…but, when? How? He was beginning to realize exactly how little Lightning shared with even those she considered her allies. He still had much to learn about her even after everything that had happened up to now.
"Lightning, when did you-"
"Cloud." she said, cutting Firion off as she stepped forward.
She knew even before she spoke that what she was about to say may again serve them nothing…but, she tried it anyway. Of all people, Cloud certainly didn't seem like one to be of much help in a matter such as this, but she'd already decided to do whatever it took to find what they were searching for. They hadn't come all this way for nothing after all. At some point, they were due some good news. She just had to keep believing that to propel herself forward.
"We're-"
"Not interested." Cloud quickly replied before she even really got to speak.
Lightning looked at him in surprise as he started walking off.
"Hey. Wait!" she said, reaching her arm out.
Cloud stopped for a moment as he turned his head enough to see them in his peripheral vision.
"Please. I need to know. If you can't help us…could you at least tell me what you're doing here? I just want an answer already; something to be made clear for once in this world." she said, as she looked at the ground.
Cloud stood in silence again, seemingly unconcerned with the burden Lightning carried.
He turned toward them a little as he lightly nodded his head upward.
"If truth is what you seek…you're in for a horrifying reality."
Lightning's eyes got wide at his words.
"What do you mean?"
Without another word, Cloud walked off – leaving her and Firion to ponder the answer themselves. However, all that came to Firion was shivers from his reply…and the way he delivered it. He didn't want to think about what Cloud could have meant. They had other things to worry about and why should he listen to someone he'd never met before? Despite Lightning's apparent familiarity with Cloud, it wasn't quite enough to convince Firion to take heed. He was only focused on one thing – and wouldn't think of anything else until it was taken care of.
He started walking forward, but Lightning didn't move – still stuck on Cloud's words as she stood quietly, seemingly thinking hard on them.
"Lightning."
She looked at him upon the sound of his voice.
"Come on. We should keep moving. We can think about this later." he said, as he nodded.
Lightning sighed and nodded lightly in response.
"…Right."
They headed off – continuing on their way in hopes of finding the rose. Sooner or later, their search had to pay of…and they hoped it would be sooner.