a/n: and the girl waiting for Noctis is....?
Disclaimer: don't own final fantasy versus xiii!
"Oblivious Fate"
By: rorudesu-chan
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Chapter 17: Compulsory Attendance
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The Caelum Prince and the Tenebraean Ambassador sat, inches away from each other, on a ceramic-made white bench that was just beside a red vending machine.
The view below them was the university's football field and they could practically watch the team's coach training them the same way with the cotillion's instructor—only it was purposely done under the prickling heat of the afternoon sun.
Regius' faculty thought that it would be a good place to set up benches where it was accessible for people who just came from the parking lot to park their cars and who immediately wanted to get a seat with a good gaming view, not necessarily near or far from the field.
"By the way," she began. "Have you received your invitation to the upcoming conference?"
Noctis popped the lid of his Pepsi open. He watched as he noticed tiny bubbles fizz out from the opening. He held the can before his mouth and gulped a mouthful which cooled his insides as he felt the liquid rush down his throat.
"Yeah. Just a day ago." His head tilted towards her. "You?"
"I just received it this morning. As a matter of fact, I have it with me."
Stella settled her unopened can of diet soda between them. She reached for the rectangular, aqua handbag beside her and zipped it open. Feeling the satin texture of an envelope, she pulled it out and held it in one hand.
Noctis' eyes spotted the red sealed mark in the middle of the invitation.
"You haven't opened it."
"I guess I haven't." Stella replied and locked her eyes upon the envelope's closed flap.
Noctis trailed her gaze. "Are you waiting for it to open by itself?"
The Ambassador laughed, holding the envelope before him.
"Open it then, Noct."
"If it'll get the excitement out of you…"
"Thanks, but I'm not really excited."
The Prince placed his half-empty Pepsi beside Stella's 7up. He took the invitation and hunched over.
Stella watched as he scraped the dry seal of the envelope with his right thumb. The red candle wax crumbled into tiny bits as he flipped the flap open.
"What did it say?" The Ambassador asked, leaning sideward.
Noctis dug out the folded letter from the envelope and held it between them.
"Read it for me, alright?" He said with a smug.
Stella tucked her lips and forced herself to receive the two-page letter.
Her eyes swiftly scanned the first paper, noting only the important details such as the date, time and venue. Her hand flipped to the second one, but seeing that it only stated the conference's outline that would be discussed on that day, Stella folded the letter and gave it back to Noctis.
"I hope you understood what it said."
The Prince buried the invitation back into the envelope that he held.
"It's a week from now. Sunday, to be exact. Seven thirty in the evening at Duke Thibault's mansion."
Noctis nodded in agreement as he returned the invitation to her. Stella willingly accepted it and kept the envelope between her hands.
"Your kingdom has always been given an invitation, isn't that so?" The Ambassador said. "It's funny how I've never seen you there. Not even once."
"So we're the same then."
"But I guess this time, we'll recognize each other." She grinned.
"Ah," Noctis slightly frowned. "That I'm not so certain of."
"What do you mean by that?" Stella's eyes raised her brows.
"You might not see me at the conference."
"Isn't our attendance mandatory?"
"Yeah," The Prince leaned his back on the bench. "It is mandatory."
"I wonder what your reason is, Noct."
Noctis debated within himself whether he should answer Stella or not. He thought it over as he watched on the field, one of the varsity players swinging the football with all his might.
"Let's just say," He said. "I don't really feel like going."
Touchdown!
The brawny, brown-skinned player yelled and raised his arms into the sky. The team's cheering caught Stella's ear as she spun her head straightforward.
She fell silent and pondered over Noctis' answer for a few seconds.
"I don't believe that response, you know."
"How so?" The Prince's head jerked towards her. Stella smiled, smugly.
"Prince Noctis must be running away from something or someone."
"No, he isn't."
"Then why won't he come to the conference?"
"Because," He said, turning away.
Noctis was reluctant to continue but he felt Stella's eyes upon him, waiting for a rational explanation. The weight of her stare strangely pushed him to tell.
"It was in that conference… where the parents of the Caelum Prince, died."
A strong breeze blew through the Prince's charcoal locks and the Ambassador's golden layers. Stella's hands clutched onto the letter.
"You mean…?"
Noctis lifted his gaze towards the dusk sky.
"They passed away four years ago… The tragic diplomatic conference also happened four years ago…"
He brought his stare back down and his indigo eyes shut momentarily, resisting the pain of bitter recollection.
As a glum expression crossed Stella's face, an unruffled looked remained in his.
"I'm sorry..." Her voice softened.
"Yeah,"
"But…"
"What?"
"If you've always felt that way, then why have you gone into the previous conferences right after the incident?"
"I guess—"
"No, wait. Don't answer. I shouldn't have asked that. Sorry…" She lowered her head. Noctis shook his in disapproval.
"I'm fine with anything, so long as it's not against it."
Stella glanced at him and she felt at ease.
"The conference was mandatory and I am Prince. I was obliged even if I felt like refusing."
"We don't have to agree with everything all the time, Noct."
"But I do, Stella." He firmly stated. "It's my responsibility… as the future King of my country."
She kept her silence after his response. There wasn't anything more to say. After all, she didn't feel the pain he felt. Not the exact pain, at least.
"You should know that," he added. "I've learned to accept things the way they're supposed to be."
An airplane glided across the sky, its engine sound became only a resonating hum to those who spotted its passing from below.
Stella glanced at him then smiled. She smiled for him, for she was glad that Noctis was able to let go of a burden from the past. Though, she could not say so much for herself.
Noctis felt his throat run a bit dry. He needed a drink to quench his thirst. He reached for his Pepsi, hoping that it was still cold enough to taste well.
"I almost forgot to thank you for helping me out awhile ago."
Noctis pressed his lips against the lid and he tilted the can upward to let the carbonic beverage trickle down inside him. He tasted it and it was still cool enough.
"I don't recall doing anything much, Stella." He said, pulling the soda off his mouth.
"Even though that's the case, you were still right beside me when I regained my consciousness, right?" The Ambassador insisted her opinion.
"If you say so," Noctis glimpsed at Stella who sat from his left. He couldn't help but feel his mouth twinge into a smile because of that thought.
A loud cry called out.
"HEY! NOCT!"
Curious, the pair spun themselves around to see where the yell resonated from.
A fist whacked the head of a blonde boy who winced in pain after feeling the throbbing sensation of his cranium.
"What the hell?! Lacertus!!"
"Reckless and stupid."
"Shut up, Sal!"
"Sorry, Noct! We didn't mean to interrupt the two of you!!"
Lacertus, Salsus and Celer stood a foot away from the bench where the Prince and the Ambassador sat.
It was only this time that Noctis did not sense the presence of his posse, 'sneaking' up on them again. It was going well as the threesome concealed themselves behind the trunk of a broad cherry blossom tree. But that was until their beloved and boisterous air soft addicted pal suddenly felt all cunning and clever that he decided to come out of his hiding to 'bust' Noctis who was with a girl.
But unfortunately, things did not go as the blonde boy expected it to be.
"Did you need someone to accompany you to the boys' comfort room, Celer?" Noctis teased.
A chuckle escaped from Stella's mouth. But it wasn't as loud and powerful as Lacertus'.
"As a matter of fact Noct, he does. That's why he called out for your assistance." Salsus scorned, pushing his spectacles to the bridge of his nose.
"I. Will. Kill. You." Celer's face was tainted in red as his hands curled into firm balls.
He charged towards Salsus as he felt the collar of his school uniform suddenly tighten around his neck.
"You can"—laugh—"kill Sal"—laugh—"later in the tournament."—laugh—"Don't do it here,"—laugh—"too many witnesses."
Lacertus tried to grasp for air as he laughed between his statements. He just couldn't get over sadistic things quite easily.
"Fine! Prepare to meet Goddess Etro, Sal!!!" Celer growled, cracking his knuckles. His scar-faced pal released his strong grip from Celer's collar, seeing that he has come to terms.
"We'll see if who meets her first, Celer." Salsus scoffed.
"What did you say?!"
And so their petty argument continued, with Lacertus as their referee, of course. But the noise of their bicker gradually became a background sound for them.
"I see you must be going now."
"It would seem so. They can't wait for the game already."
Stella took her handbag into her lap and returned the conference invitation inside. She zipped the bag close and wore the sling over her left shoulder.
She stood up and smiled.
"I'll see you tomorrow at the cotillion practice."
Noctis rose from the bench, bringing a can of unopened 7up with him.
"I heard food will give you a lot of energy during the rehearsal." He said, handing over the beverage.
Stella received it and felt her fingers touch the tips of his. There was a contrast of warmth and coldness.
"I don't skip meals, okay?" She assured.
"So you just felt like fainting at the moment."
"Not at all."
Stella felt parched and she decided to open the soda. Her right thumb flipped the aluminum lid open and she drank the 7up, tasting the sweetness of its ingredients.
She licked her lips, removing any excess liquid from the drink and she grimaced in thought.
"Maybe…" Stella recalled what had happened.
Father.
Daughter.
Storybook.
Killer.
Death.
The Ambassador shook the images away with a blink from her azure eyes.
"All I needed was some rest." She feigned.
"Then have some." Noctis suggested.
"I'll see if I can make that happen." Stella grinned.
The morning star retreated behind the hills. Her corona left splashes of scarlet and ginger against the vast canvas. Soon, glistening servants humbly spread themselves across the darkening heavens as they awaited the coming forth of the deity of the night who was to mark another evening of his reign.
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a/n: hope you liked this latest update! the last paragraph was a bit poetic don't you think? hehe. Review! Comment! Criticize! another big bear hug to those who'll do so! :)