Teaching Respect.
By C S Sinclair.
Chapter Fourteen.
With a deafening crack, a huge explosion of sparks erupted into being over the city, burning with bright blue flames in the sky, before fading slowly away. It was so loud that they both jumped involuntarily, Fujin clutching onto the rail and pressing back against her, as Xu hugged her closer.
Standing here in the shadow of the Garden, they had a great vantage point to see the last of the fireworks. It was quiet and peaceful here, free of the crowds they had encountered throughout the night. People would be filtering back soon, but until then, they were alone.
She felt a slight shiver run through her body - the night air was warm, but there was still a slight chill in the air, occasionally. She clung to Fujin, warming her face by burying it in her partner's hair and massaging her sides and stomach slowly. You could still hear the cheerful shouts of people in the city – so carefree and... well, they said it was bliss, didn't they? Perhaps they were right...
"VERY QUIET..." said Fujin, leaning back against her. She took a hand from the rail and clasped it over one of Xu's that was resting against her stomach. "PICTURE" she stated, rather than asked, twisting to face her.
Xu nodded and kissed her on the cheek. The incident at the shop had been such a bizarre, profound experience, that neither one of them had quite known how to go about discussing what it meant for them. It had certainly put the lid on their reservation at the restaurant! Walking about in a daze, they'd managed to grab a quick bite to eat in a small cafe, but their minds were far from food right now...
There was such an air of... significance present now; that they had found it impossible to settle or relax. All the time, they'd held hands, walked arm in arm, not taken their eyes from each other hardly. But it was the most bizarre feeling – that they knew a great secret, but couldn't speak about it. It was just too huge, if it was true.
Fujin looked round at her again. Each was hoping the other would go first. And as the 'head of the household', it was her job really... She tightened her grip on her partner and tried to think of where to start.
"Jin... about what we saw... I..."
Sighing, she shook her head – she just didn't know how to even begin to discuss this. True, the world was a strange and remarkable place, but seeing into the future, seeing your own future, was still extremely rare. Only the Sorceresses were rumoured to have such power, and the enormous pressure of dealing with such knowledge had taken a terrible toll on even those mighty beings.
She remembered that in the days following Ultimecia's defeat, there had been considerable panic over the time-compression phenomenon. Most people had understood very little about it, and were it seems, happy to leave it that way. The idea that your fate was already decided; your future already written in some fashion... This was simply was beyond what most people were comfortable dealing with – it was hard enough for many to fully accept the concept of GFs and magical powers. Many therefore, now regarded the whole thing as little more than an illusion or sorcerous trick.
But as the new headmistress of Balamb, it was part of her job to know about these sorts of things. She remembered reading in then-Headmaster Cid's notes, about how seeing the future had driven some Sorceresses insane, made them shy away from people, scared to do anything that might alter the future they had seen... Could that in fact have been what they had encountered – a Sorceress?!
"BELIEVE PICTURE?" Fujin asked suddenly. She looked over, grateful to have been roused from that rather disturbing train of thought.
"PICTURE? AUTHENTIC?"
She tried to answer, but still couldn't find any way in. Looking out over the city, she listened to the sounds of the people again. This was crazy – no sooner did they put the past to rest, than they had to contend with the future! All those people down there were fortunate to only have the present to worry about! In that moment, she made up her mind - Headmistress Xu and regular Xu were going to have to set some ground rules...
"I think... that I've spent a long, wonderful evening with the girl I love" she began, steeling herself to say what needed to be said. "...And the only thing that I want to think about now, is how this perfect evening is going to end to our mutual satisfaction" she concluded.
Fujin twisted around with a look of astonishment on her face. It had been a very bold thing to say, but either she was in charge of moving this relationship forward, or she wasn't...
"HOW EVENING... ENDS...?" Fujin replied, clutching and stroking her arm in what Xu thought (and certainly hoped) was a 'I'm scared, but tell me more!' fashion.
Xu nodded, but felt she should at least explain: "Jin, I just want to focus on us, in the here and now... I mean, there's no doubt we got a glimpse of something unbelievable and... incredible tonight – I honestly don't know what to think about it..."
She leant round to look her partner in the eye. "All I do know, is whilst it was a shock to receive confirmation, it certainly wasn't a shock that you were the one I wanted to spend my life with. I didn't need a picture from the future to tell me that!"
"NEITHER!" Fujin stated defiantly, in case there was any suggestion otherwise.
She cuddled her quick-tempered partner close, to show that wasn't how she'd meant it. Watching the display bursting around them, they rocked gently cheek to cheek, her arms linked about Fujin's stomach and feeling her slowly rise and fall in time with her.
"I don't know why that person, whoever she was, showed us the picture; if she thought she was helping us or something..." she mused. "And it's not that I don't like the idea – it thrills me to think we'll always be together!"
Fujin nodded fervently: "THRILLED ALSO!"
Hearing this, she gathered Fujin's hands up in hers, clasping them together in earnest. It was imperative to be clear on this.
"The thing is... I just don't want it to intrude on our time together now" she explained. "I don't want to have to see some... I don't know, 'great destiny' when I look at us. I want us to be able to act like we were before, just playing around like a couple of love-struck kids on their first date!"
Fujin nodded in absolute agreement: "LOT TO TAKE IN, BUT WILL NOT CHANGE US -TREAT PICTURE AS GOOD OMEN, BLESSING..."
Seeing her partner's defiant optimism, she felt her worries ebbing away. This had all been so strange, but it was just one more obstacle that together, they would surmount. She couldn't describe how heartened she was to see her partner so confident, so willing to believe that she was worthy of having good things happening to her. She'd come so far already... maybe this really was a night of miracles.
She drew back and gently turned her partner around by the shoulders to face her - it was time. Breathe... just breathe... Trying hard to swallow down her fear, she stroked her partner's arms tenderly, trying to find the best way to approach this. Time travel suddenly seemed a much easier topic of conversation...
"So anyway, going back to how I'd like this evening to end..." she began.
But then, she hesitated, her nerve abandoning her momentarily. Fujin had frozen, like she had been paralysed, able only to paw slightly at her as she spoke. Seeing her distress however, she intensified her strokes and nodded slightly in what Xu sincerely hoped was a 'You can do it!' way...
"I'm going to ask... something and I want... I mean I don't want you to feel like you're 'destined' to accept or anything, okay?" she continued, trying in vain to laugh, like she was calm – she wasn't calm. She could feel her heart rate increasing exponentially in sympathy to her partner's heighted tension and sense of expectation. You could practically feel the air crackling around them... Speak, just say it...
"This evening has been so, so wonderful and I... I don't want it to end" she breathed, her heart pounding so hard, she was sure Fujin could hear it too.
"Um, so, so when I ask you... this," (She winced inwardly at how long she was taking getting to the point), "and if you agree to it," (Still no mention of what 'it' was...) "then it has to be because you're ready... but I'll understand if you need more time or..."
"AM READY!" Fujin blurted out suddenly, before blushing bright red and looking away in embarrassment.
Shushing her partner softly, she placed a hand tenderly against her cheek and with guided her to look back.
"Heyy, don't... There's nothing to feel ashamed about!" she whispered, lifting her other hand to lightly cup Fujin's face.
Hearing this, the fear in Fujin's eyes was mixed with a deeper light, of desire and determination. Only dimly now, could she could hear the fireworks, still exploding in the distance. The only way she noticed them still, was in how their light caused Fujin's dress to glow in soft hues of red, yellow, blue... The colours seemed to slide about her, magical and mysterious.
"I don't want to be without you; we've been apart long enough already" she breathed earnestly. "When I close my eyes and go to sleep each night..." she whispered. "I want you to feel you in my arms. This feels so right to me; does it feel right to you?"
There was a slight pressure against her hands; Fujin was nodding her agreement, leaning against her so softly, but restraining herself, waiting for her to take the lead. Her eyes pleaded with Xu to ask, just ask... Summoning all her courage, she opened her mouth to speak.
"Jin, I want us to... what was that?!"
Tilting her head, she squinted through the darkness at the hedge lined path that led down out of the grounds.
"Someone's coming!" she hissed, turning to Fujin.
Fujin was frozen in place, head tilted up slightly. There was a look of agony on her face... Xu understood – she felt exactly the same way, but there was no time to lament right now. Frantically, she took hold of partner and looked her straight in the eye.
"I know, baby, I know, but listen!" she pleaded.
With miserable frustration, Fujin turned to face the path... and gripped onto her in sudden terror.
"THEM! IS THEM!" she stammered.
They were too far from the entrance to duck inside. As Xu scanned around for an escape route, the familiar voices drew nearer.
"I can too twirl the baton! It's more than you can do, you great ox!"
"Ha, is that your best? Fu calls me a great ox all the time!"
"Of course she does – if she called you a great stinking pig, you might cry, you big baby!"
"That's it – come here! I'm gonna wring that little neck!"
"You think I'm scared of you? Take that and that!"
"Will you two calm down - we're almost home!"
Rushing over to the railing, Xu saw that the low hedgerow beyond would provide ideal cover, but they had to move fast. If Quis and Jeanette saw them... she wasn't ashamed of being seen with Jin, but this was private and they had their intentions written all over their faces...
"RAIJIN SEES DRESS – WILL NEVER HEAR END!" Fujin cried, clutching desperately against her.
Without another word, Xu grabbed her by the hand and dashing for the steps, led her hurriedly towards the hedge. Clattering down the steps, she felt Fujin pull back – she'd lost a shoe! Pulling her back, she pecked her on the cheek and pointed at the hedgerow, before diving up the stairs.
She'd just laid her hand on the shoe when Quis and co came into view down the lane. Sheltered by the shadow of a tree however, they didn't appear to spot her. Swiftly, she whipped the shoe out of sight and slithered back down the steps, racing over to where Fujin was beckoning wildly.
Collapsing into a sitting position, she motioned for Jin to be quiet as her partner fussed about her, brushing leaves from her hair. Fighting back the urge to giggle at this ridiculous situation, they huddled together, holding their breaths. Overhead, the gang of three came to a stop not far from where they had been standing. As quietly as they could, they tucked in close to the hedge.
"Well, I've had a lovely evening. Thank you so much, both of you. I hope we can do it again?" they heard Quis say warmly.
Both Raijin and Jeanette agreed with this over and over, trying to outdo each other with the enthusiasm and volume of their replies.
"Well, I think I'll go in now" Quis declared finally. "Are you going to stay out here?"
"Er, we'll go in, in just a minute, Miss T" they heard Raijin reply. "We have a few things to settle first..."
"Oh? I don't want you two fighting..." Quistis said warningly.
"It's okay Miss – we're just going to talk is all" Jeanette chipped in, in what Xu thought was a rather feeble effort to cover up the inevitable showdown.
Quistis also didn't sound entirely convinced and she hung around a while longer, making them swear to be friends, before finally giving in and heading off into the Garden. As soon as her footsteps had faded however, Raijin and Jeanette began arguing loudly and accusing each other of all manner of sabotages during the evening...
"PITIFUL SIGHT – REMIND TO PUNISH!" Fujin muttered, shaking her head in embarrassment at Raijin's actions.
Xu giggled at this, almost setting her partner off too.
"Shh – they'll hear us!" she grinned chidingly, putting her finger to her lips.
"UNFAIR - XU STARTED!" Fujin protested, pretending to sulk.
Reining themselves in, they decided to try and escape. With Raijin and Jeanette busily engaged in their argument overhead, they might be able to sneak past them... A quick look around however, soon revealed this to be hopeless. If they moved towards the stairs, they would be seen, but if they moved back, they would run up against one of the decorative pools used for growing aquatic plants... They were trapped!
"Hey – what's this?" they heard Jeanette call suddenly, as they were searching for some other option. "It's some kind of scarf – is this Miss Trepe's?"
"Don't remember her wearing a scarf" Raijin replied. "Give it here – I'll go and ask her..."
At this, Fujin suddenly gave a small scream of dismay, which she just about managed to stifle. Xu dived over and took hold of her.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt, did you scratch yourself on something?" she whispered with concern, trying to check her over.
Fujin shook her head and indicated her shoulders... what... the scarf! They both let out a despairing sigh and chanced a peek over the hedge... yes, there it was. Jeanette was backing away from Raijin, winding it around her hands like a prizefighter, preparing for battle.
"No way! I found it – I'm giving it to her!" she shouted. "Hey, get your hands... offa... it!"
Raijin had lunged for the scarf and with each grabbing hold of one end; they began a furious tug of war. Raijin was of course massively built and far stronger than Jeanette, but the contest was surprisingly even – the power of love was a force indeed it seemed...
"SCARF – WILL BE RUINED!" Fujin moaned despairingly.
Xu pulled her back down and hugged her comfortingly. She had to do something – she couldn't let them destroy part of her girl's new dress! There was an obvious solution – use magic. A wind spell to catch the scarf would be ideal... but she didn't want to press her partner into attempting something like that, so soon after what had happened earlier. She had to do this... but she'd need some power first. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and concentrated... concentrated... concentrated.
Opening her eyes, the world was now a swirling patchwork of vibrant colours and textures. Streams of energy pulsed silently all around her, bound in fixed patterns and forms. Unfortunately, the nearby area had none of the points where this energy erupted out, available for those attuned to make use of it. But she had known this – instead turning her attention to the quietly thrumming shape hovering before her, teaming with barely restrained power.
Reaching out in her barely conscious state, she took her girl by the hand. Starting in surprise, the shape calmed almost immediately and knelt down right in front of her. She was saying something, but she could barely hear over the howling of wind she could hear from inside her.
Then the shape leaned its head against hers and touched its lips to hers. And with the gentlest of mental tugs, she took hold of some that force and drew it out into herself. Usually an intense experience, this consensual exchange was even more so, like she had been gifted a wild, playful piece of her partner's soul.
She staggered back, feeling herself cradled as she collapsed. It was like a strong blast of wind had blown straight through her eyes and brain; before working its way through her whole body, rushing and gusting, exploring its new home. She looked up groggily, her body tingling all over, and found her partner smiling proudly down at her.
"ANSWER IS YES - AM READY" she whispered.
Both of them grinned from ear to ear, forgetting even to be embarrassed. Embracing her partner with utter delight, Xu suddenly realised... wasn't there something she was supposed to be doing?
"The scarf!" they both cried at once.
"Hey, hey! Calm down, okay?!" Raijin called, in obvious alarm as the scarf suddenly jerked violently.
"It's... not me! What are you... no!" Jeanette called, frantically trying to hold on.
With another mental tug, Xu sent the scarf whipping up and out of their hands. She tried to push it in the opposite direction, hoping to buy them enough time to nip inside. One of them could then walk back out and confiscate it with less fuss. However, she wasn't nearly as skilled at this kind of magic as her partner...
As she wrestled with the spell, a natural air current suddenly hit the scarf and blew it back towards them... and it landed on top of their hedge! Xu winced and looked with apology at her partner – maybe she should have left it to the expert after all...
"Oh well done – hey, come back! It's still mine – I found it!"
Footsteps were thumping down the steps towards them. They were coming – they had to get out of here! With no time for anything else, Xu grabbed Fujin by the hand and led her to the water's edge. Drawing on the last of the energy inside her, she summoned up a gust of wind beneath them, lifting them up just off the ground.
"I'm out – you'll have to push us off" she whispered, holding her partner securely, sweat beading on her forehead as she fought to retain control of the spell. Fujin hesitated however, clinging to her nervously.
"You can do this – I know you can!" she encouraged with a gentle squeeze. "I know I'm safe in your hands." Exhaling resolutely, Fujin nodded and waited for her signal.
"Okay... now!"
Turning to give her girl a good luck kiss, their lips mashed together awkwardly as they both had the same idea. But there was no time for apology, because at that moment, the blast from Fujin's spell hit them and they were off!
Shooting forward, they skidded across the water in an erratic arc, leaving faint traces in the water as they skimmed by. As the sky erupted in fireworks around them, Fujin grinned with pleasure, her hair blowing and her dress flowing about her... this was her kind of magic!
Lost in adoration of her girl, her swan, Xu allowed her to pull away to arm's length, but kept firm hold of her, swinging her about as they completed a more or less graceful arc to come to a stop in the shade of one of the central displays. It had only lasted a few moments, had taxed her mental reserves to control, but it had been... exhilarating! No wonder her girl liked wind magic so much!
Fujin evidently agreed with her assessment of the spell, as she dived forward, embracing and kissing her madly.
"LIKE DREAM – HAD DREAM LIKE THIS!" she shouted, either completely forgetting to keep quiet or no longer caring.
"I... shh, calm down!" Xu scolded happily, desperately trying to retain control of the floating spell, (not to mention stop herself from crying with delight to see her girl like this). "I think we're hidden here..." she said, trying (though admittedly not very hard) to get her girl settled.
"Jin, we've got to... oh... er... Jin?"
Her partner looked up at the sudden worry in her voice.
"Do you... have any energy left?" she asked in what she hoped was a calm voice. Fujin gasped in mock outrage – she had either misunderstood or was still too playful to take anything seriously.
"No, no, I don't mean that..." (Fujin looked extremely crestfallen.) "I mean magic! I... I don't think I can..."
Fujin looked down in alarm: "HAVE NO MORE... MUST..."
"There's no time! Baby, hold on to..."
"What was that? You hear something?" Raijin asked, turning to look over the water. "Thought I heard some sort of splash..."
"Oh like I'm going to fall for that old one!" snorted Jeanette.