Dusk
It was now quite time after they leave the beach, with ID's and keys they find along with conclusions they reached and unspoken hopes that brings, they walked determined to find out what was truth, as darkness slowly creeps the sky above them, it seems to affect their hearts as well, as chatter gradually went quiet it seems everyone shift in his own thought with anxiety and hopes about what awaits them,
Light was walking in silence her gaze shifted over the dusk sky to her company, alerted by sudden silence, not before long girls were chattering among themselves, with boys leading front, Light was last in line, watching after them, but now she notice Sazh was walking beside her with Dajh sleeping in his arms, her feelings shifted as she exchanged quick glances with Sazh, his face was worried, and he seems somehow absent, she frowned, kid must be exhausted! no wonder he was fast asleep in his fathers arms, even little canary who was chirping happily all the way now was nowhere to be seen, smile flashes over her face at thought he was probably sleeping to somewhere on the old man head, he seems tired, others must feel same, she could not see their faces as dusk was hiding it with shadows, as to remind them it will got dark soon, they should find some place to sleep for tonight, she thought, but they were still walking in silence without rest, with same eagerness to reach their destination, unlike children adults cant afford to rest when just a few steps away from their goal,
crowd seems to stop suddenly, Light use this chance for quick rest and glance around noticing view changed drastically, from one side behind her back sea was still visible but looks so far away and front was something what look like valley? She concluded with surprise apparently they were standing on slight uphill! no wonder walking was so hard!
"That's it!" Light glue here eyes of the sea and turn forward the voice to see Noel and Snow standing in front of the small traffic sign they reach pointing toward the near condo, apparently it was the same as one they marked on the map Hope was folding now cautiously looking toward them, that was it, strange chills run down her hands making her shiver at thought just a few steps and,,,,, is she ready? Her eyes rise, she was not the only one to think this as everyone start running toward the small condo that shows up in their view as they run faster with thrill, she speed up after them, after all she didn't won't to get last in this race,
for some reason Fang was left behind, her gaze somewhere in distance over the sea, following small birds gliding over the sky in silence, as it was hard for her to part,
"Birds here,,," her hands crossed, "they are nothing like on Gran Pulse!" barely hearable she finished sentence with almost sad voice, her hands unfold and fall beside her, but then she turn around in surprise looking at the small hand on her shoulder, strange I though everyone's gone,,, her eyes lifted up with smile in relief seeing Vanille smile, "no, they are much smaller," she tapped her back pushing her after others, "don't worry about that! we'll adjust!" Adjust?! Fang repeated, smiling back and start walking casting quick glances toward the others "well, guess small birds can be tasty too," she say that with playful gleam in her eyes, Vanille cover her mouth containing giggle, luckily Dajh was seeping! "Hurry up! everyone's waiting!"
upon reaching their destination they stopped to catch a breath staring at the door before them like some miraculous artifact, doors were in fact very simple and attached to humble two floor house which was in line with few other houses cast randomly around this place making it all look like some sort of resort settlement, but in that moment it seems as luxurious palace in the world, as it give of thought that this by all chance could be IN? and that goes hand in hand with possibility to finally get beds for tonight and maybe some food? This thought makes everyone's eyes shine with wide smile, as her stomach reminds her grumbling on this option, Light agree with it to calm it down, fine not a bad idea! She was impatiently glancing front hoping to see who will open it? others were reluctant to find out what's hidden behind this doors as well, Snow and Noel were closest gathering courage to knock on, with Snow scratching his head, while Noel was suggesting they should just knock the door and get over with it, he was trying to be cool in front of Yeul glancing at her, while she was looking at him somehow strange standing with Serah Vanile and Fang little farther away, catching his eyes, hand crossed give away he was nervous as well, Light look at Serah as apparently they divided in two groups just in case something jump them of! this is nonsense, Light lose her patience and was just about to stop this little charade, glancing at Hope judging by his awkward expression he was troubled with different concern "maybe we should prepare our stories,,,?" but before he finished his sentence,,, Vanille slide beside astonished Noel and Snow, without listening to anyone on their horror her hand reached for the door bell, but what come next almost knock them of their feet as before she even get the chance to touch it doors suddenly open on their own like reacting on her shear intention reveling rays of blinding bright light from the inside, as everyone watch with jaw hung, what will come out of it?
Light hold her breath as her heart stops in leap and start ticking again just a little later after they all stand speechless one log moment unable to believe their eyes,
"I told you I hear someone before the doors!" it was a women voice, followed by steps
"So what, you should not open it alone!" this time it was man or boy? And he sound upset,
"Please! Are you implying I can't open the door by myself?" women replyed ready to be offended,
"No, you should just wait a moment! I told you I will do it!" man continue
Women didn't seems to listen to him as she open the door and stood still with mouth half open whatever she was about to say it was muted by utter shock as she stare to tall blonde silhouette before her, his mouth opened and he blinked few times, but she didn't hear him,
"Snow!" she scream at last and fell over his neck, he catch her in his arms thankful she remind him of his name, "how,,," his words froze in shock as three more heads poked out beside door, his vision blur as they scream his name and jump over in embrace, "Boss you're alive!" he just nodded speechless, still in shock at least thing they expect to see them after millennia? Gadot grab his shoulders just in time to prevent him from falling to the ground, Snows face turn to look at him, and two best friends look each other before falling into a warm embrace, Snow cry like a baby, Light turn her back at the sight, Hope followed her example noticing her back shake a bit, "are you ok?" His hand reach to touch her shoulder in concern, but she look at him with a gleam "yeah!" She was containing laughter,
"Serah !"
Light turn around at hearing Serah name to see Snow finally get a holdup himself standing in the middle of gang with a smile and tears in his eyes, crying Serah name and waving her to join him,
"I know he is a wimp!" Light muttered in her hand looking at Serah, she was standing little farther away with others as no one dare to say a word or disturb this moment of touching reunion,
"let me present you my fiancé,,," Snow hands fall over Serah shoulders when she finally stand beside him nodding,
"Whoa! You really find her?!" Maqui was first to react jumping of
as Lebreau run toward Serah embracing her, and welcoming her to enter the house noticing others who were standing beside in silence all this time, feeling somehow awkward like spectators, Lebreau look at them confused one moment,
"What are you all waiting for?" their faces seems familiar but her memories were same as dusk shadows that hide their feature, maybe because of shock or other reason she was unable to recognize them at this instant,
"c'mon get in! we have a party and you are all invited!" her hospitality prevailed as she invited them in, after pushing Serah toward Snow, she embraced Light and noticing Dajh was seeping she waved toward the others to be silent and help her drag them in, everyone accept her invitation with gratitude, they all help them feel welcome ensuring they are drawn inside the house, crossing the threshold and entering the small hallway, passing the staircase leading up, Lebreau show to Sazh small guest room to the right where kid can sleep at peace, in same time directing them left to the spacious living room with small table in the middle lined around with big sofa, Light legs were thankful for comfortable seat she was set after all day walking, now was her stomach turn to demand the same, she look up to Lebreau somehow ashamed but she already disappear returning next moment with a big smile and hands full of plates "we have restaurant opening tomorrow!" she explained while serving food on the table in front of them, seeing her troubled Maqui stand up and run to kitchen helping her to bring more, as Yuj help with serving and adding plates, "I spend all week in kitchen preparing food, and you are our first guests!" her smile was sincere and contagious something meant to be shared and bring happiness to others, "hey! we helped to!" Gadot added playing offended, she just smile and wawe her hand "sure!" tossing plates "you must try it now!" she added with a proud tone expecting everyone to start eating, "tell me how you like it?" her eyes were glowing with concern and expectation,
They were hesitant but after few bites it start to flow everyone praised her food agreeing she is excellent cook! And her food was something best they eat in a long time! she accept it all with genuine smile and humble "thank you!" not before long they all laugh at Yuj jokes as Gadot mimic some strange creatures they encounter, reminiscent about their adventures, it seems their appetite returned with a good mood, and Nora gang lifting their spirits in positive atmosphere, they were great in entertaining, and soon conversation start lively as they were all talking and laughing in relaxed manner, as good old friends gathered to talk about good old times and other not so,
It turns out Nora gang did try to find their boss and his fiancé and well, some other people who also disappear one by one some time later, but instead they find themselves on near beach one day after many adventure and strange places they visited on their journey, but they were not complaining, Gadot explained they were expecting it to be "adventure" and "dangerous" so they were good "prepared" and concluded it all ended well! after all they are reunited with their boss! And not just that they are expecting wedding soon! Wedding? After some pause filed with silence broken only by crickets sound and Nora gangs exchanging glances between themselves smiling at Snow staring bewildered at Serah for help as she smiled mysteriously, Gadot slap his shoulders and burst laughing, finishing their story with logo "Nothing mach Nora!" Light sighted she couldn't complaint it this time, instead she just nodded in confirmation and content grin on her face, it was about time.
whoa! this was long chapter!^^ started with one page and ended up 3!^^ lolz ;))))
I'm happy how it turns out!^^ this story just flows on its own!^^ lolz ;))))
i think I make it interesting?^^ ;))))))
no need to say engl is not my original language and I didn't had time for thorough spell n other check so point mistakes if any!^^ ;))))
Lebreau is a great host!^^ and she had to be to be able to manage everything!^^ lolz
p.s I luv manga so maybe I over dramatize it a bit!^^ i find that hilarious!^^ and use it as comic relief?^^;)))
you may notice some hints for ffxiii uni!^^ ;)))
no need to say this will continue!^^ (probably one chapter on week/I have other obligations you know!^^ ;))))
so stay tuned!^^ ;)))))))))))))))))))))))))