a/n: ooh. chapter 5! hmm... i think its been a week since my last update. ;)

Disclaimer: i really, really don't own FFVXIII and its characters, SE does. *sigh*

"Oblivious Fate"

By: rorudesu-chan

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Chapter 5: Return to the Starting Line

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The night proved to be a difficult one for Stella. But to wake up to a morning following the aftermath with a smile and a new hope for her wishes, was a unique gift bestowed upon her. She hadn't realized that she had slept the rainy night away with a pillow covered above her head. Stella sat up from her bed and saw that her two dorm mates had returned from an evening of unwinding and most probably have crashed directly into a slumber without a change of clothes.

The blonde haired diplomat stretched her arms into the air before letting her feet lead her to the bathroom. Once she got inside, she immediately reached for her toothbrush and squirted toothpaste over the bristles. But before she could get any business done, she gazed upon the mirror and saw that how she looked like was no better than her friends who came back last night with a drunken disposition. Stella's beautiful azure eyes were half encircled by concave lines that reached right beneath the middle of her nose.

She almost forgot that she had spent the rest of the night crying herself to sleep after the call with Tenebrae. She leaned her wrists upon the sink with her toothbrush lodged in one hand and felt the pain of losing a fortunate chance slink back into her senses. Feeling that her eyes were about to betray her and stream tears again, she quickly placed her toothbrush above an upside down cup and opened the faucet. Stella splashed the cool morning water on her face and scrubbed her sad tears away. She turned her eyes towards the mirror and convinced herself that sulking around desperately wouldn't change anything about the things that were never meant to be. She closed the faucet and let out a heavy sigh before retrieving her toothbrush.

The Tenebraean Ambassador believed that this was another morning she woke up to in which she shouldn't waste. There was still something else that could be done in order to achieve what she truly wanted the most. Believing in these kinds of things made Stella strong deep inside. After she finished brushing her teeth and taking a refreshing shower, Stella prepared her things for her weekend stay in her beloved kingdom. As she was about to put her phone into her bag's side pocket, the golden locked beauty recalled that since the council's elders have decided to pursue their plan in another way, there was no need for the Prince to come with her for a 'tour'. Stella knew that she had to cancel the affair as she scrolled down in her phonebook to search for Noctis' number. When she found none, she realized that both of them haven't even asked for each other's contact numbers. Stella scanned around the room and looked for any possible sources of reaching him.

Because of the rustling noise that the blue eyed transferee unknowingly created, Stella had woken up one of her dorm mates whose strands of auburn hair fought each other in a tangle.

"Stel…? What are you doing…?"

Stella spun around as she responded with a smile to her half asleep roomie. "Good morning Laura! How was last night?"

"Oh… It's the usual… Drinking stuff you didn't even know that existed." The busty figured girl rubbed her eyes as she sat up and looked at Stella who was flipping through the pages of the thick phonebook that rested beside their room's telephone.

"Hey Stel,"

"Hm?"

"Why are you dressed like that? There's no school on a Saturday, you know."

Stella giggled at Laura's comment as she hesitated to turn around and reply. "Yes I know that. I'm going home for the weekend."

"Home? Oh, you mean to Teneburee…"

"Tenebrae." The charming diplomat thoughtfully corrected her roommate as she traced her fingers on the page that contained family names that started with a C.

"Right... So anyways, you haven't answered my question yet."

"What question?"

"What are you doing?"

"I'm looking for something, Laura." A small sound escaped from Stella's throat as she closed the phonebook in failure. She headed over to their desk and pulled the drawers thoroughly as she scanned its contents.

"What are you looking for?"

"Not here." Stella mumbled as she ignored her dorm mate's query.

"Stella!"

The vivacious Tenebraean pursed her lips as she rested her palms upon the study desk. She hung her head low as her peripheral vision detected a pink sequined phone that rested at the tip of her right hand. She gazed at it for a second before grabbing it and turning around to Laura whose eyebrows were raised in confusion.

"What are you doing with my phone?" Laura stood up but Stella gently pushed her back down as the two of them sat on the disarrayed bed sheets.

"Have you ever heard of a Noctis Lucius Caelum?" Stella grinned as her friend's jade eyes sparkled in delight.

"Heard of him?? I know ofhim." Laura felt a jet of flightiness inside her as Stella continued with her inquiries.

"Really now? And what does the captain of the cheerleading squad know about him?"

"Practically everything… I've known him since the sixth grade! He has this eyes that weakens your knees the moment you stare into them. And he has this mysterious look on his face that you'd just dream of every night. Oh and have you seen those disarrayed spikes of his? It's totally cool and totally hot!"

Stella simply smiled and nodded at Laura's fascination about the Prince as she tried hard to contain her laughter within herself. She strongly wondered how a guy like him attracted members of the opposite sex when he himself didn't even dare come near one that isn't at least quarter of a foot away from him. The blonde Ambassador amused herself over this fact, completely unaware that she was the only one who had seen through Noctis' cool demeanor.

"I've been trying to get the chance to introduce myself to him but it seems as though I have to beg Destiny for a chance." Laura clasped her hands together as Stella held her ginger haired dorm mate's phone near her.

"Well you don't have to do that anymore, Laura."

"What do you mean by that, Stel?"

"How about I introduce you to the handsome Prince himself?"

The auburn haired cheerleader dropped her jaw as an inaudible scream emerged from her throat. Her eyes widened and her ears perked at the sound of her roommate's irresistible offer. But her shoulders soon fell as she questioned Stella.

"Okay… What's the catch here?"

"It isn't really a big deal." Stella tucked Laura's phone in her palms as she continued to speak out her intention. "I just want Noctis' mobile number. You do have it don't you?"

"Pfft! Of course I do, Stel! What kind of a fan girl am I if I didn't have his number?" Laura rolled her eyes as her fingers quickly pressed for the contacts in her phone.

"Wait, you're not thinking of stealing him from me, are you?"

"Not at all, Laura. He's all yours." Stella smiled kindly as the cheerleading captain giggled in excitement.

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Knock, knock, knock.

"Prince Noctis,"

"Come in." The cobalt eyed Caelum stood in front of a mirror as he replied while gently fixing the collar of his navy blue blouse.

A stout butler in black slacks entered as he bowed in courtesy before Noctis. After which, he cleared his gruff voice and announced his purpose. "Sir Arkenis is waiting for you in his office."

The Prince nodded as he left his bedroom while his butler gently closed the door behind them and went the other way. Noctis walked down the crimson hued carpet of the wide hallway before turning on the west corner. There on the end, stood a huge door and the charcoal haired Prince knocked on it twice before hearing the sound of an approval for him to enter.

Noctis walked inside the room which had an ash filled fireplace in one side and an elevated wooden bookshelf across it. Beside the tall flagpole that fastened his kingdom's flag upon it, was a wide desk that was occupied with a lot of papers and books mostly concerning the Caelum family's company. Before Noctis called the attention of the man who sat on the table's chair, he looked at the beautiful oil painting that hung above the fireplace. It was his family picture, one that was painted several years ago before he turned seven. His eyes darted on the small child that sat on the lap of a bearded man who bore a crown studded with various and priceless stones. Next to the child, Noctis fixed his eyes upon the standing figure of an elegant woman dressed in a red, flowing dress. The smiles on the faces of the three people in the painting enthralled the Prince in his thoughts as a deep, heavy voice suddenly snatched his attention.

"Good morning Prince Noctis!" The man in a military uniform stood up and bowed before Noctis. "Forgive me for I couldn't get myself out of the office. It seems as though your family's company asks for so much than I could give."

"It's fine, Arkenis." Noctis strode around the room as the gray bearded man poured some white wine into two glasses that he found resting on the edge of his desk. He followed the Prince and gave one glass to Noctis as he politely questioned.

"You have something you wish to address to me, my dear Prince?"

Instead of drinking the wine like Arkenis vigorously did, the young Caelum shook the glass lightly in a circular motion. "As a matter of fact, there is." Noctis briefly paused and arranged his thoughts before continuing. "The Crystal's situation… How is it as of now?"

The military official sipped his wine contentedly as he turned around and marched oppositely from the Prince. "We are constantly supporting it with everything we can. But it seems as though its life source is slowly decreasing, as we speak."

Noctis approached the office window which overlooked his palace's garden as Arkenis continued to bear the dire news regarding the Crystal. "We need that land as soon as possible, Prince Noctis. Otherwise when the time comes, it will not only be the company that could suffer but the entire kingdom as well."

"I understand that perfectly, Arkenis."

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Before Noctis could continue, the phone inside the right pocket of his pants rang. He reached for it with his free hand and he read his caller's identity upon the screen. It was Celer, reminding the Prince of their air soft rematch. Noctis was honestly not in the mood to answer the call so he pressed the button which ended the ringing. He shoved the phone back into his pocket and faced Arkenis who was refilling his wine glass.

"Who was it Prince Noctis?"

"I'll call him back."

"Very well then. Now my Prince, where were we?" Arkenis took a small sip as he remembered what they were conversing about. "Ah, yes! The Crystal…"

"I've found a way to save the Crystal from its destruction."

"Let us hear what his majesty has to say then."

"Do you recall the name of the girl in whom you have strongly suggested that I acquaint with?"

"Yes, of course. Stella Nox Fleuret, an Ambassador of the kingdom of Tenebrae. How could I ever forget such fine and elegant, young woman?"

"It looks as if there is no more need for me to keep track of her."

"Why is that?"

"In one fortunate afternoon, Stella," Noctis swerved his head and looked straightly at Arkenis with confidence. "Has unknowingly offered me an opportunity that will help save the Crystal. I didn't expect for it to happen so quickly but I simply chose not to hesitate."

The gray bearded officer smiled deceitfully as he kept an ear on what more the Prince had to say. But before Noctis could continue, the polyphonic ring of his silver Nokia echoed within the office walls again. He decided to ignore it as it might be Celer again but he knew that the ringing wouldn't stop unless he pressed the end button. So reached for his clamshell phone and flipped it open. Just as he was about to dismiss the call, his eyes curiously locked upon the screen.

"Answer it, Prince Noctis."

"An unregistered number." Noctis muttered under his breath as he felt the vibration of the ringing device in his hand.

"You must stop ignoring the people trying to contact you, my Prince. Besides, you are monarchy, therefore you're excused whenever."

Noctis was disinclined at first but then he wanted to know who the mysterious caller was so he answered it as he pressed the answer button.

"Who is this calling?" The Prince politely asked in a deep voice.

"Hey there,"

It was a lyrical voice that Noctis has come to recognize over time. But before he replied to her, the cobalt eyed Caelum settled down his wine glass on Arkenis' desk and swiftly headed out of his office. While the gray bearded man drunk his luxurious alcohol, his sinister black eyes followed the Prince as he left the room. Once Noctis was outside, he gently closed the door behind him and finally spoke to his caller.

"Ah Stella,"

"Noct, there's something I have to tell you."

Enigmatic cobalt eyes darted towards the ceiling as Noctis recalled the reason why he didn't answer Celer's call. Right now simply wasn't the moment to divert his concentration. He knew he was already doing what he had to do as the Caelum Prince and as the future king in his land. And as he is fulfilling his duties particularly to the Crystal, his interest was centered only to it.

"I'm sorry but there's still something I must do. Anyways, we'll see each other later."

"Actually it's about that." Stella leaned upon the driver's door of her white Carrera Porsche as she placed her lips in a tuck.

Noctis didn't like the sound of how this was going. He leaned his back on the corridor's wall and jostled a hand into his pocket as he continued to listen eagerly to the other line.

"Something suddenly came up," Stella paused as she realized that she hadn't thought of what excuse to say to the Prince. Her other hand bent on the edge of the car's door as she thought of a persuasive reason why the 'tour' was cancelled.

"It's fine. I understand."

The blonde Ambassador was quite surprised as Noctis suddenly gave her an answer without even hearing a reason or plainly asking why. The Caelum heir felt heavy disappointment banging him down. Nevertheless, he calmly adjusted to this inopportune situation.

"Okay then. I'm sorry about this, Noct."

"You don't have to be."

Stella chuckled as she tried to make up rather ridiculously. "I still owe you, you know."

"Apparently that's your choice, not mine."

The vivacious Tenebraean laughed again as she opened the car's door and slid herself in the driver's seat. "Fine then, my choice."

"I have to go now, Stella."

"Alright. I'll see you around, Noct."

As Stella ended her call, she tossed her phone on the empty passenger's seat and thrust a key into the ignition. The white Porsche roared to life as the blonde haired lady drove her car from the campus and headed towards her kingdom where a council of elders awaited her.

Noctis jostled his phone back into his pocket and placed a hand upon the office's doorknob. He was reluctant in entering as he had bore ill news for Arkenis and for the Crystal as well. It took him a few minutes before he could round up the proper excuse for the military official who seemed to be quite eager about what that opportunity to save the Crystal was. When he was done, he jerked the knob open and entered the office premises once more. There waiting for him in one corner was Arkenis who had a handful of fish food held over a wide, rectangular aquarium. As Noctis approached silently, the gray haired man sprinkled the different colored feed to the various fishes that swam rapidly and caught their meal in a gulp. The Caelum military official bent and leaned his face near his reflection upon the aquarium's glass as he spoke without turning back towards the Prince.

"Ah, good you're back. Now tell me of this endearing opportunity that you have accepted. "

Noctis stopped in his steps and averted his eyes towards the carpeted floor with stillness. Arkenis waited for a reply but hearing none, he had taken that as a sign and responded to the hushed Prince.

"Something had happened, I suppose." Arkenis hauled himself up and spun around to console the Prince of his misfortune. "I believe that there is still hope for the Crystal, through that girl."

"I'll carry out this task efficiently the way my father carried his. Just give me a little bit more time." Noctis swerved around and walked towards the door. But before his left hand could reach the handle, the authoritative voice of his head military officer reminded him something.

"The Crystal is dying, my Prince. I'm not sure if there is still time I can give."

"I'm aware of that." Noctis gave Arkenis' words a thought for a few seconds before sternly replying back.

With a moderate slam in the door, the spiky haired Caelum left Arkenis' office still bringing with him the will to pursue his duty despite the wasted chance that arose. Meanwhile, as the military officer strode back into his desk, a rustle of footsteps suddenly echoed behind the huge bookshelf that archived numerous books dating even before the time of the Crystal's discovery. Arkenis continued walking until he reached his chair and sat down with his palms rolled into a fist.

"How long have you been standing behind there?" The Caelum official traced his ominous eyes towards the man with glasses who slowly approached his table.

"It doesn't matter. What matters now is that if the Prince realizes that there's more to just 'planting' the Crystal in a new land."

A sudden reverberation of laughter bounced within the walls of the office. Arkenis cackled darkly at the young lad's naïve inquiry. He replied as he stood up quickly and crashed his huge, calloused palms onto the table.

"He knows nothing! And it must remain that way. We simply can't have His Majesty bearing doubts while he fulfills the task he is obligated with."

"Very well then, Sir Arkenis. I shall see to it that neither the Prince nor the others knows anything about this."

"Do what you must do, Salsus."

The humble young man with a furtive smile excused himself from his superior's office as the military officer nodded his head in approval. Arkenis gazed at the Caelum family portrait that rested beautifully above the fireplace. His black irises traced specifically at the man who held the cherished, young Prince upon his lap. As if he expected the painted monarch to be listening, Arkenis spoke firmly with a heavy, resolute voice.

"Your son will be doing what you refused to do years ago. Witness as this kingdom grows more in splendor once he accomplishes his obligation as the crown Prince."

The gray bearded man sat back into his seat as he picked up a red fountain pen that lied on top of last week's data. With a staid look, he carried on with his job as head military officer and the Crystal's overseer as he continued recording down the company's daily assessments.

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In a veranda settled within a beautiful floral garden, a peaceful afternoon was enjoyed by a young lady who wore a white lacey blouse patterned with a ruffled skirt and ankle style wedges. Her elegant golden tresses which had bangs swept to the side, played with the soothing zephyr of Spring. In a graceful cross-legged position, the gorgeous Ambassador enjoyed reading a Shakespearean novel while she forked in a portion of a Tiramisu slice with delight.

"Miss Fleuret," A womanly voice cried out in politeness as the girl swerved from her seat.

"Hello Somna,"

"Mind if I join you for tea?"

Stella nodded with a grin as Somna sat in a chair across her and poured herself a warm cup of Tenebraean tea. After the short haired brunette sipped a generous amount of drink, her red wine eyes looked at her fellow Ambassador with glee.

"I hope you are pleased with the council's decision."

"I'm satisfied, more or less." Stella frankly replied as she inserted a hand crafted bookmark into one of the pages of the small book in which she planned to continue reading later.

"The job's going to be quite difficult. I just wished you didn't turn down the offer of assistance."

The blonde Ambassador chuckled before answering shortly. "What am I to do by then? Tell our target that there's another transferee from Tenebrae?"

"You don't have to introduce again or do anything else similar to that. This is just to help you get closer to the Crystal." Somna placed down the porcelain teacup as she reached for the knife and plate before grabbing herself a slice of the dessert.

"I know, Somna. But I think I can handle this task on my own. Don't worry, if I'm finding things rather complicated already, I'll ask for assistance immediately. Besides," Stella held the rim of the cup near her lips and softly blew the warmth away before adding. "We may not be aware that there might be bodyguards securing the Prince's safety in secret."

The wine eyed brunette puckered her lips together as she deeply stared into Stella's azure irises. "Fine… I see that you're just being rational and careful. I admire your strength and confidence, Miss Fleuret."

"Thank you."

"Speaking of the Prince," Somna's face crafted a curious look which caught the young Ambassador's attention. "What is His Majesty like?"

"Wait… So that's why you wanted to give me assistance. Is that right, Somna?" Stella's blue eyes sparked in delight as she felt the corners of her mouth twinge to a smug.

"Oh goodness, no!" The short haired diplomat almost choked the Tiramisu chunk that she spooned into her mouth. "I'm engaged to be married, Miss Fleuret. Besides, royalty is not exactly my ideal measure for a man."

The two Ambassadors shared laughter within the tranquil garden-veranda scenery before the older diplomat asked again in an abrupt somber tone. "Seriously now, tell me who this Prince Noctis is."

"Well," Stella settled her book on the table as she nattered on about what she honestly thought about the young Caelum heir. "He'll probably be the last person you'll ever think of as a Prince."

"Why is that?"

"The first time I tried to look into his eyes during the grand party, he quickly pulled away from the contact. At first I thought that he must be like that because he's an extremely wealthy monarch thus feeling the need not to talk to anyone lower than his level."

"You're an Ambassador. I hope you realize the weight of that title."

"I do. But while we were talking in the palace's balcony, he was conscious of the distance that he purposely set between us."

"Is he avoiding you?"

Stella stared into the white petite fountain that stood at the center of the garden. Her blue eyes were affixed upon the gushing water as she answered back at Somna. "I don't really know. But he's always mindful of the space among us. If I'm right beside him, he moves farther. If we're walking, he makes sure to be a step or two ahead of me."

"I see. You're alright with this, Miss Fleuret?"

"Yes, I think so. I actually find it rather amusing whenever he does that. It's as if he wishes to stay away from me but kindly chooses not to, as a sign of respect when I'm talking to him." The cheerful Tenebraean smiled as Somna finished off her dessert and quickly washed it down with a swig of warm tea.

"With those as descriptions, it's as if this Prince Noctis is only known within the perimeter of his kingdom and not anywhere else."

"I have seen him hanging out with a relatively small number of people like his friends. But he must be more popular with the girls in Regius."

"How so?" Somna raised her eyebrow in puzzlement as she neatly wiped any cake residue within the corners of her mouth with a table napkin.

"I don't know how. Maybe it's because they've fallen for that cool demeanor that I once had as a first impression towards him." Stella grinned in assurance as her fellow Ambassador smirked in reply.

"I'm betting that the female students there have fascinated over his looks, am I correct?"

"You don't know how much, Somna. I've only heard these enthrallments from one girl but it seems as though she spoke for the entire population of his devotees." The layered haired Tenebraean chuckled as she recalled her early morning conversation with her dorm mate, Laura.

"And are you not riveted with the way he looks?"

"Well, he's… quite handsome, in his own way." Stella stated her reluctant answer as she turned to the chic brunette whose eyes gave another self-righteous gaze.

"Mhm-hm…"

"What?"

"Prohibited,"

"Somna, what are you talking about?"

The younger Ambassador had an innocent look etched upon her face and had eyes that stared at Somna curiously. The wine eyed lady gave another suspecting gaze at Stella who this time, finally understood what she meant.

"Please stop thinking differently. I don't have plans for such a trivial thing."

"I know Miss Fleuret." The short haired brunette nodded with confidence at the girl before her who was smiling assuredly as well. "Just be careful."

"Somna, there is nothing more important than me finding my real identity. I'll do everything I can to finish this obligation and I'll avoid anything that stands against it."

Stella looked firmly at her fellow Ambassador with eyes filled by determination. Somna smiled as she admired even more the character that this once ill-fated child had become. Indeed, the council has chosen the right person to adhere with the proposed task. Although she may seem fragile at first, Stella was known to have always proven this perception wrong later on. For within her buds the strength and confidence that can accomplish whatever her heart has steadily set on. For Somna, Tenebrae will have the Caelum's Crystal in no time and Stella will finally receive the prize that the kingdom has for her in exchange.

As the two female diplomats continued to chat the afternoon away, a man with curly red locks entered the breezy veranda. Stella smiled courteously at the gentleman whom Somna stood up to greet endearingly with a chaste peck on the cheek. The brown haired woman bid a graceful farewell before setting off with the tall man in a suit. Moments after Stella finished her tea which had gone cold, she stood up from her seat and dusted off any small Tiramisu particles that might have clung onto her skirt. Before leaving the table, she remembered to pick up the book that she laid down earlier and briefly paused reading for awhile. As she held the novel before her, Stella's blue eyes gazed upon its cover.

Romeo and Juliet.

It was the title of the Shakespearean fiction that the Ambassador had chosen for her book report in Literature class. She called to mind how the tragic tale revolved around the lives of a boy and a girl who were forbidden to love one another because the sides where they came from were tied in a severe conflict. Stella was already halfway through the novel's final chapter and she needed to know how it was going to end. Even if the assignment's due date was already on Monday and she had to start writing her five page book report and also study for her Physics exam, somehow, Stella didn't want the story to come to a conclusion yet.

Underneath the dusk sky, the blonde Fleuret casted her stare upon it and wondered if a kind of love like Romeo and Juliet's actually existed. Moments later, she looked down and smiled sarcastically at the thought. If there really was a love such as that, she'd like to test herself to see if she was a girl like Juliet Capulet who would be foolish and vulnerable enough to sacrifice a bright and shining future ahead of her just for a boy like Romeo Montague.

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a/n: okay, so what do you guys think of this chapter?? Review!! Thank you!!

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^________^ isn't it nice to know that FFVXIII was based from two of Shakespeare's famous plays? Noctis and Stella will be portraying the struggle between Romeo and Juliet while Noctis' life will have a somewhat resemblance to Hamlet's. o__o i want that game, now!! hahaha. :D