a/n: hmm.. there's nothing much to say... ch16!
Disclaimer: do. not. own. FFVXIII.
"Oblivious Fate"
By: rorudesu-chan
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Chapter 16: Regained Consciousness
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"Hello Stella, I am Ofelia! Starting from this day forth, you will be living in this house with me, your grandmother."
"Okay… Grandma, my head hurts…"
"Does it now, Stella? Don't you worry about a thing. I'll take that pain away…. Now… Does it still hurt, Stella?"
"Not as much as before…"
"Oh, that's alright! It'll go away, so you shouldn't be afraid, Stella."
"Why do you keep calling me 'Stella', Grandma?"
"Because that's what I decided to call you! That has been your name, right after your parents left."
"My parents? Are they going to come back? Ever?"
"No Stella, they won't. And I am very sorry about that. But don't worry alright? I'll always be by your side."
"Forever and ever, Grandma?"
"Forever and ever, Stella."
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"Mmph…" A voice suddenly moaned in a muffle.
Noctis felt the weight upon his left arm slowly lifting off. He spun his head straightforward and dropped his arm in place after it no longer served its purpose of holding her up.
"What… happened?"
"Mademoiselle!" Marceau shrieked, trudging quickly on his feet. He bent down and placed a comforting hand upon the back of the now conscious student.
"Are you alright?!"
"Yes," She replied, still with a flimsy grin.
Stella lightly rubbed her head as she felt more awake by the second. She realized that she was sitting on the floor in the middle of the dance studio. Her eyes gazed around and she felt the stares of her fellow cotillion representatives upon her.
Their faces were all the same—full of speculation and curiosity.
But one face was completely different. His expression remained cool and calm. However, his eyes told another story. At first, Stella thought she saw something from his face. But then her stare met his. He blinked at it and the look never resurfaced.
"Noct—"
"'Scuse me! 'Scuse me! School nurse, comin' through!" A hoarse voice cried out. "Where's my patient, eh?"
A plump, stout woman with vermillion hair tied into a bun forced squeezed herself through the crowd of students who stood around the scene. The students felt her bloated, bodily presence as she managed to come out to the other side.
The ambassador tilted her head up as the woman walked towards her with the end of a stethoscope dangling in the middle of her white blouse.
"Another case of skipping lunch, I s'ppose?" The nurse said, coursing her squinty eyes upon Stella's slender figure. "Ya'd better stop believin' 'em diet rumors, honey. Unless ya got 'em plans of bein' anorexic!"
She bent down beside Noctis who kept his reactions to himself. In order not to be of a nuisance to the mouthy nurse, he stood up and gave way.
"How ya feelin' now, girl?" She inquired, draping a hand across Stella's forehead.
"I'm fine." The Ambassador smiled.
"Are 'ya sure? We could go to the clinic if 'ya want." The nurse glanced at Noctis who stood not so far from them. "This nice boy ov'r here can carry ya along the way if 'ya'd also like."
Stella glanced as well to the boy whom the nurse referred to. She couldn't help but give out a slight chuckle at her words. There was no way that was ever going to happen, it was plain ridiculous, Stella thought.
Noctis, hearing that remark, thought it was also ridiculous and stupid. He could perfectly picture out in his head how Celer and Lacertus' faces would look like if they themselves witnessed the day when he carries a girl in his arms or when a girl allows him to carry her in his arms.
"There's no need for any of that to happen." With the strength in her body, Stella pushed her arms upon the floorboards. The nurse watched as she hoisted herself up without any trouble.
"See?" The Ambassador smirked. "I am fine."
The plump woman pursed her red lips and gazed momentarily at the girl who towered over her bent posture.
The nurse sighed and stood up as well.
"I don't think I can persuade 'ya anymore, honey. But I'ma advise 'ya to cut this," She spun her head around her surroundings and continued, "Dancin' thing. Too much of this builds up fatigue in the body, 'ya know?"
Stella darted her eyes to her far right. "Mr. Marceau?"
"Go ahead, Mademoiselle Fleuret!" The instructor insisted. "It is for your sake, as well as ours."
"I will make up for this session tomorrow."
"Yes, yes, you will. We'll see you in practice by then. But for now, au revoir!" Marceau answered, waving a hand to her.
Stella politely curved her lips into a grin before she excused herself.
"Mr. Marceau!" A gruff voice cried out. "This is the students' health we're talkin' about. Ya can't just go around lettin' this kids dance nonstop! Ya'd better have an explanation for this one!"
Marceau forcibly pushed his cheeks high as his voice cracked. "Why of course I do! You see, I…"
The instructor tucked his mouth and swiftly glanced at the person on his right.
"Monsieur Caelum, what are you still doing here? Your partner has left. There is nothing else left for you to do."
Noctis did not reply but he knew what Marceau was about to say next.
"You may go now. Au revoir!"
He ambled quickly towards the white, long bench that rested a bit farther from the studio's doorway. Without stopping, his hand grabbed the pelt sling of his black bag that dangled from the bench's edge. He wore it from the right, diagonally upon his chest and then he exited the dance studio.
The crimson and golden streaked sky greeted the Prince outside. It was quiet, except for the commanding voice of the football's varsity coach and his whistle blows which resonated from the football field that was located east from the studio.
Noctis scanned the area, with a purpose in mind.
"Noct!"
Upon hearing his name called out by that recognizable voice, he felt his purpose served in another way.
The girl with the blonde layered hair and bright blue irises stood farther from his left. She had her smile back on.
She had been standing there, for just a couple of minutes. Though he wasn't aware of it, she was waiting for him.
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a/n: hope this was a good chapter... Review! Comment! Criticize! A big hug to those who'll do so! :)