I'm doing this writing challenge with a friend of mine. I think of it as a race but I don't know if she does. I'll just say I'm winning.

When Lightning was little she dreamed of having what every little girl wanted...a pirate ship with at least 60 cannons attached. Instead she found herself in a very different situation. Who would've thought that the family Tomboy would be wearing a godforsaken dress and makeup to attend a godforsaken ball to appease her mother. Her mother was like a bat outta hell trying to set her daughters up for marriage. Even if it was just going out for food, she'd have her two beautiful, young daughters dolled up just in case.

Just in case, she'd say. Just in case was always her damn excuse. Serah was only 14, barely a child in Lightning's eyes. She had just turned 17 and her mother was beginning to wonder if she'd end up an old maid. It would be a shame to waste her youth but Rosa couldn't bear to see that happen to her eldest. How shameful it would be if she was a socialite with a maid for a daughter.

So here she was-Lightning, that is, standing with perfect posture and a tight lined, unreadable, cold face. She was itching to rip her dress and run through the Garden outside which look ethereal in the moonlight. Instead she was cooped up in a corner of a ballroom waiting for her mother to push her onto some creepy old man or grabby son of one.

Serah was already in a conversation with a burly, tall blonde. He was dressed in military uniform but even so it looked sloppy. Like he had rolled out of bed and into this party. Lightning rolled her eyes hoping Serah wasn't going to actually consider him as a possible husband. Not that she had much of a choice, their mom would die of joy if Serah married an officer.

The pinkette pulled up her long gloves and smoothed out her black dress with intricate white, red and blue designs on it. She found that it was itchy and uncomfortable and preferred to wear trousers, an undershirt, tunic and boots to go hunting with her dad.

Many of the other women thought it was barbaric how much of a boy she was and believed she would never marry anything but a wild animal. Rosa laughed but she would always tell Lightning that she would get married an live in a lush estate. Not that it bothered Light because she was happy out hunting and roughing it; this scene wasn't her at all.

She hummed along with the orchestra, contrary to popular belief she did enjoy classical music. It wasn't often that she could be able to hear a live orchestra but it made these parties bearable.

"Claire! Claire! Come here for a moment. I want you to meet someone!" There was her mother. Pink hair that ran down in curled locks. She was wearing a simple red dark blue dress with long black gloves. She was nearly 31 but she still looked rather pretty. Rosa was married off at 13 and had her first child, Claire at 14. Her daughters were behind in terms of her own experiences!

She was pulled gently over to an older man with a darkened goatee that still looked rather nice. He smiled kindly and bowed slightly, Claire offered a small curtsy. Her mother was brimming with hope. "You weren't lying when you said your daughter was beautiful, Lady Farron," he smiled and turned to Lightning. "Your name?"

"My name is Claire, sir."

"Sir? I'm not your master!" He chuckled, "You can call me Regis if you want, Lady Claire."

Lightning knew how this was going to go. Routine courting as per usual. At least this man had some sort of decency. Unusually, her mother stayed. She'd have left by now why she was still at Lightning's side was a question in her mind. "Claire, I'd like you to meet someone. Your mother and I were talking about our troubles and one common interest."

"Mother, what is he talking about?" She kept a fake smile plastered and whispered lightly in her mother's ear. Rosa just grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze, smiled and then giggled. What in creation were they talking about?!

Regis pulled a boy no more than maybe 19 into the circle. He looked just a unhappy an uncomfortable as she did. His dark hair was in chaos but even so it look good and his cobalt eyes were just as distant as Light's had been moments before.

Regis smiled and introduced the young man, "This is my son, Noctis. Noctis this is Lady Rosa and her beautiful daughter, Claire."

Noctis gave a weak smile and wave. He looked less than thrilled to be in this predicament. And then as soon it had gotten quiet, their respectable parents seemed to have slipped away. It left the two in an awkward situation. "You like you want to be elsewhere," Lightning answered first, holding her hands in front dress.

"Don't take this the wrong way. You are very pretty but I'm not really looking for anyone to marry."

Well that had escalated quickly. But she finally got what her and his parent her 'troubles' were. A stubborn child not wanting to marry just yet and the fear of the family whittling away to nothing. Lightning sighed in relief at least somebody share her pain. "I would rather not, myself. Yet my mother insists I be more ladylike. Hunting and adventuring doesn't exactly fit into the description."

Noctis was silent before saying, "Do you wanna step outside? It's quite stuffy in here."

And she followed him through open doors to the place she'd been eyeballing. The gardens. She sat down on the ledge of the large fountain. Its peaceful hum of running water was complimented by the soft peice of the orchestra. It was very serene out there.

Noctis sat down as well but his elbows were resting on his thighs, hands clasped together and head looking towered the party. Lightning quirked an eyebrow. "Something bothering you?"

"...actually yes."

Lightning mimicked his pose with a bit of difficulty but turned her head toward him. "You can tell me. I'm not going to gossip about you behind your back."

He sighed, "You feel it too, don't you? The pressure of all of it. The pressure of living the same life as everyone else."

Lightning fiddled with her fingers and bit her lip in thought, "I will admit it is stupid and I'd rather be happy than be somebody's wife left to gossip and boss around servants. I want adventure, I want my own piece of heaven! That I would be able to sail or cross swords with dangerous characters...but I guess I just accepted not being able to choose what I want to do. I'm sorry, I'm rambling."

Noctis shook his head and laughed a bit, "I don't mind. I've never heard anyone speak so passionately about the desire to be a pirate. Especially a woman."

"Are you sexist, Noctis?" She teased him and added a small laugh. Noctis immediately apologized though Light knew what he was getting at. "Don't worry. What are your plans if not to marry?"

"I want to marry...just not to some woman I don't love," Noctis sighed. "I'm a hopeless romantic, but my dad and so many other people have been throwing women at my feet. All of them are selfish and want titles; I just want that true love that plays are written about. Undying, never-ending, and real love," Noctis flushed a bit realizing he was just pouring out his feelings to an almost complete stranger. "I feel like an idiot right now."

"Because you want happiness? That's nothing to ashamed of. I hope you do find that love of yours. She's gonna be a lucky lady. Have you met her yet?"

"I'm sure I'll know when I meet her..."

Lightning suddenly got to her feet and extended a hand out. Noctis looked up, "But I hope I can substitute in the meantime."

He grabbed her hand gently and felt her hold his hand with a firm grip unlike other girls who would barely touch him. Too afraid that he'd push her away for being to aggressive or have her killed for even talking too casually. This wan was nothing like that and intrigued him to no ends. She didn't speak of living in a palace or in some castle, looking down upon those below her; she wanted nothing to do with anything of the sort. She wanted high adventure and excitement far from socialites.

She brought him back in and the orchestra was playing a waltz piece. Noctis danced with the pink-haired teen all night and up until his father informed him of their leaving. Lightning looked a little sad she was beginning to enjoy Noctis's quiet presence. He didn't mind not talking about himself and was a gentleman.

"Well, Claire, my father and I must get going. I'm glad to have spent the evening with you. I hope you fulfill your dream of piracy," he said with a light grin on his face, bowing slightly. He was joking but still genuine about her being happy. Lightning curtsied in goodbye.

"And I hope you find that lucky girl."

She smiled. A servant of a young agar appeared by his side, "Prince Noctis, your father is waiting in the carriage."

"I'll be outside in a moment," Noctis sent him away and turne back to a slightly shocked Light. She thought she was hearing strange things. "Are you alright?"

"...Y-You're a prince, Noctis?"

"I thought you knew? This was thrown in my honor of my birthday, Claire. I really must be going though," he bowed once more and began walking away. He turned around once more, "For the next time we talk...call me Noct, okay?"

Then he was gone. Now Lightning learned three things that night. One, Dresses are deathtraps to remove; Two, remember to check what event you're attending and three, never trust your mother with blind set-ups. Lightning Farron wanted what everybody didn't but maybe she would have to alter that list just a bit for that stupid Noctis.

I was watching Pride and Prejudice with my mom, so forgive my random fiction. I'm so excited Final fantasy 15, I could die already. Alas, we must all suffer some more, but we've waited 7+ year; I think we'll be alright...right?

Inspiration: Clair de Lune By Claude Debussy

New stories and updates will posted as well! I was trapped in the barren, wasteland, called my Grandmother's House. She doesn't believe in Wifi.