Hey guys! I'm back! And guess what? I'm not sick anymore! Of course the holidays have ended but we can have everything right? And (gasp) I got two reviews! (falls behind and dies from shock…joking) I'm really happy for that though. So…what do I still have to say…ah yes…I DON'T OWN ANYTHING IN THIS STORY. But don't forget that Ariadne and any OCs are mine.
Another side note is that I will probably have to delay slightly the next update cause this month is pure hell with tests so I will have to spend most of my time studying. Expect it to be on the normal day but if I can't it will probably be here by Friday or Saturday. Sorry for that.
anonymous – Sorry for letting you hanging on. Hope that it wasn't for that long. Really loved your review and here it is the answer to your question. Tell me what you think later please
Angel Of Apocolypse – You're back. Thanks again for reviewing. Can's thank you enough for your opinion and help. I really hadn't noticed that misspell. Mostly cause I read it so many times while writing that that small mistakes pass unnoticed. If you find anything else feel free to warn me about. The errors will probably be corrected when I have time to re-update everything. Hope you like the chapter.
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Welcome to the eleventh chapter of Second life. Have fun
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Ariadne smiled as she placed the last frame on the wall. It was a simple wooden frame with a picture that Quistis and she had taken while the Garden had been lost in the sea. After the memory incident.
They were side-by-side, small smiles on their lips and looked as different as the day and the night. At least physically. Because as she looked at the blue and sea green eyes that were staring at her she could see that they were similar. After all the eyes were the mirrors of the soul.
She let go of the frame and proceeded to grab the clothes she had bought in the city. It was nothing special as she had always been an apologist of "The simpler, the better" but it was at least durable materials that she could use in the missions without any fear of ripping them apart with use. Besides…she liked blue.
With care she took her waist pack and one by one placed the small objects on the table. Her pendant that Selphie had taken from her in fear of breaking it after the mission in Deling was put back where it belonged, on her neck. She almost sighed with the comfortable weight that settled on her chest. She could swear that sometimes it warmed her heart. Gave her strength.
On the table shone some of her treasures. Most of them from Anne that had gave her that package on that day. Nothing special to other people but for her it was important. A key chain, a camera and the photos it had contained on that day, a small figurine of a sprite carved in dark wood and a couple of pins. It didn't matter that it was kind of weird to bring that wherever she went because it was a piece of herself as well.
– "Ariadne" – Her door was opened without any problems to show the newly appointed Commander that didn't seem the least bit happy. And somehow she briefly thought that that was an understatement
– "Come in" – She said sarcastically as she turned to place her belongings on their new places. – "Make yourself at home" – He didn't answer but instead threw the folder to her desk
– "What is that?" – He hissed threateningly. She raised an eyebrow as she saw her name but that was the only reaction of surprise he could see.
– "It is a medical folder Commander" – She answered in the same tone as before – "In case you didn't notice it is written on the cover" – He opened it forcefully and placed the sheet in front of her
– "Thank you for reading that for me" – His voice was colder than anything she had ever heard but instead of being threatened by it, her temper began to flare. He had the gift of doing that to her. – "Read this then as you are doing such a great job."
Ariadne grabbed the paper in challenge to see a real Doctor's handwriting. She absently thought if that was something that was a pre-requisite to be a doctor. – "Subject: Ariadne Beckerman, look my name. How interesting" – His gloved hand seemed to grip her chair with such strength that left her wondering if the wood would hold on
– "Filiations: Galbadia Garden, Seed level 22, Birth place: unknown, Parents: unknown, Other relations: unknown, Age: Seventeen, blah, blah, blah. Really cool, fearsome leader but in case you have some really strange ideas about my rationalizing I do know all of this. Just say to the Doc that she should put there that I am allergic to bee stings and idiots. Anything else?" – Squall ripped the paper from her hands
– "Found unconscious in the infirmary, partially closed wound on left side of her chest" – He read angrily – "Slight internal bleeding, blood coagulation, oppression of the lungs caused by the coagula probably originating pains and aches as well as respiratory difficulty. Physical exhaustion and a deep gash on left arm caused by a sword as well as other small excoriations." – He paused before throwing the folder once more to the wooden table
– "Why didn't you tell us?" – He asked coldly. She ignored him as she grabbed the folder and snorted placing it aside. That attitude alone made him even worse as his blue eyes seemed to darken, much like her did when she was angry, and grabbed her arm making her look at him.
– "Why Ariadne? Answer me, Hyne damn it." – She pulled out of his grasp and the familiar emerald began creeping into her normally sea green eyes – "It is none of your bloody business Leonhart. It is my life and you sure as hell don't have anything to do with it."
– "I do when it concerns my mission and the people under my command" – He shot back, all control lost leaving only pure and undiluted anger – "You could have died in the fights, you could have fallen against any of the opponents we faced on the way. And then what?" – She lost it then as well. He was just that good to riddle her.
– "But I didn't" – She spat disdainfully– "I pulled through and came back alive. I am a Seed by my own means and I don't need anyone taking care of me. I know that you don't trust shit about my abilities but you know what? I DON'T CARE!"
– "That is not the point" – Squall yelled, as angrier as she had ever seen him – "You could have died by pure stubbornness and stupidity. And it would have been my fault" – The words he was going to say were cut short by her own, now completely out of control
– "And all of this is because you're feeling bloody GUILTY?" – For some reason her hand twitched in the direction of her katanas – "That's all this is about? Get your head out of your ass, you conceited bastard. I did what I wanted to do. You didn't place me in front of that spear or threw it at me. I chose to do it. It was MY choice. Pacify that stone heart of yours because I don't need anyone's pity. And I don't need yours as well" – Her hand gripped his arm and with strength he wouldn't expect from someone with her built she pushed him against the door
– "Now do me a favour and consider it the last one I will ever lower myself to ask of you. This is still MY room so FUCK OFF!" – And she opened the door and hauled him out in one swift move before closing it and putting the lock. She was breathing harshly, the sound pained even to her own ears, as she let herself fall against the door.
On the other side Squall was doing much the same but instead he was glaring at the door as if it was invisible and he could see the one inside. It took him a few moments for him to understand that he had been doing that for the past five minutes before he stalked angrily to his own dorm.
Inside Ariadne had stood up, emerald eyes flashing in fury, as she grabbed her katanas and placed the sheaths on her back in unaware movements before leaving her room altogether. The slam of the door brought the attention to the Galbadian but one single glare made all who had had the bad idea to look find something else to do extremely fast and very far away from the girl.
And ignoring the few brave ones that were still looking at her she walked the hallways to the training center and proceeded to take her frustration on T-Rexs and Grats and…generally everything that crossed her path.
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- "Ariadne?" – If she heard him she didn't show that she had. Her whole attention was focussed on the Grat in front of her. Two quick slashes and it was by her feet, dead. –"Ariadne!" – A scowl marred her face as she wiped around irately.
– "WHAT?" – She snapped. Irvine almost jumped behind in surprise – "Damn…you are pissed" – Ariadne sneered as she turned in search of a new opponent
– "And you were able to discover that all by yourself?" – She asked, sarcasm flowing easily from her tone – "Aren't you smart?" – He raised an eyebrow as he saw the way she was acting. That was not the girl he knew.
– "What the hell is wrong with you?" – That was apparently the wrong thing to ask
– "None of your fucking business Kinneas" – She shouted – "So leave me the fuck alone" – He almost did it. Until he reminded himself that something really wrong must had happened for her to behave like that. He had never seen her like that. Never. And he had known her for some time.
Ariadne was someone that was prided herself in being able to make anyone quiet using only her smartass remarks and some well made glares. He had never seen her argue with no one except when someone hurt her friends. He knew that one quite well. So for her to be like that… He rested one hand on her shoulder and she flinched. Emerald seemed to burn in her eyes
– "Ariadne you are not yourself. Please calm down. You are going to hurt yourself if you continue." – She snorted as if totally uninterested
– "Let me guess" – He ventured tentatively – "Squall?" – That brought her attention to him in an instant. Her stance relaxed barely with her surprise – "How did you…?" – The sharpshooter smirked lightly
– "He is one of the few here that can make you lose your temper" – He looked around and his smirk got wider – "And I suppose that for the quantity of beasts you have slay he must have broken his record in stupidity." – A small pause extended in silence
– "He probably didn't mean it Ariadne" – Irvine's voice broke it as if he couldn't bear too much of it, especially when surrounded by dead beasts – "He has zero to none social capabilities and just messed up." – She sighed placing back one of her katanas on the sheath but leaving the other on her right hand in case of an attack
– "The probably on the sentence ruins the effect Kinneas" – She finally said – "But nevertheless you got most of it correct." – Her eyes rose to him and he could see that they had returned to their usual colouring – "I'm sorry for having snapped at you back there. It wasn't your fault." – Another sigh and she seemed to return to the Ariadne he had known for the past years
– "So what did you need?" – A pause followed by a sound of exasperation from the girl – "Don't tell me you forgot whatever you wanted?" – Irvine frowned, deep in thought
– "No" – He stated after a while – "Only got sidetracked. Selphie asked for me to call you. We need your help for something." – She didn't answer as she started to walk towards the exit, a small nod of her head sufficient for him to follow her, her hand sheathing the last blade as she did so
– "I said I would help her" – She said, walking to the dorms – "Tell her that I'm just going to take a bath and meet you guys later" – He nodded
– "We will be near the Mayor's house in half an hour" – Another pause as they arrived to her room. When they did she made him stop with a small touch on his arm
– "You really care for her don't you? For real this time?" – The Galbadian stumbled as if he had expected everything but that and swallowed before answering – "Yeah."
She smirked dangerously – "You do know that I will kill you if you hurt her, don't you?" – He swallowed again – "I dare say I do Ariadne." – Her smirk disappeared and in its place showed a small but true smile
– "Good…and thanks for bringing me here Irvine. And for smacking some sense into my head as well. I needed it" – He laughed slightly
– "Have you noticed that this was the first decent conversation we ever had?" – She hadn't and that, by itself, made her laugh as well.
– "I suppose you are right. But it is strange that this conversation can be classified as decent. I did blow up at you…"– Her door was opened as she prepared to get in – "I will meet you and the others in a few minutes okay?" – Irvine nodded yet again and was about to leave when he heard her voice calling him. – "And call me Aria. All my friends do."
None of them noticed their observer as they each walked to their separated destinies. An angry snort was heard on the empty hallway before it vanished as well.
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- "No!" – "But… - NO! Hell no! Forget about it! I am NOT going to sing" – Aria glared in the general direction of the rest of the group that was failing really badly in hiding the snickers
– "And stop laughing! No!" – Selphie sighed with the most recent "no" that she had received from the Galbadian Seed. It had all started half an hour before when both she and Irvine had told them about their idea to help Squall. At that moment he had sent her an apologizing look, knowing full well that the last thing that was on her mind was helping the Commander.
– "I will help organizing the stuff but I am not going to place one single foot in that blasted stage and that's that." – And if Aria had been five years younger she would have crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out. But she wasn't so she simply resigned with a final glare and stern expression. Zell burst out laughing followed closely by Irvine.
– "So…you sing badly then?" – Ariadne rolled her eyes – "Believe that I do if that will put me away from the stage"
– "So…you sing well then?" – A groan of pure frustration was heard accompanied of renewed laughter. Ariadne breathed deeply for a few moments before speaking again
– "Let's do this one last time. I like rock, hard-rock, the kind that we hear really loudly. I am one of those types of people that sings only in the shower and when no one else is around. So I am not going to sing in front of anyone ESPECIALLY when it's something I've never heard before and classical on top of that. So…I am only going to sing when Hyne herself comes down to Gaea and orders me to." – Silence
– "Have I told I was Hyne in a past life?" – The way the sentence was said was another source of laughter and in seconds even Ariadne couldn't speak with all her attention concentrated in controlling her chuckles.
– "Ok Selph, you are officially nuts." – She mumbled after a while – "But that doesn't mean that I'm going to do it. Now let us begin or else we will not get anything done anytime soon" – The Trabian dropped the frown she had assumed to try and move the other girl
– "Alright then…You three, were going to rehearse. Aria, can you help the guys from FH to set up the stuff?"
– "Good as done" – She saluted her mockingly and vanished out of the place as fast as she could before Selphie had more ideas. Her feet led her to the place where the stage was going to be when the engineers from FH finished. She couldn't say that they didn't work well.
– "Holy shit" – She whispered as three man continued to work, their methods swift and precise as they placed the last pieces of the metal structure
– "Need anything Miss?" – She turned to see one of the engineers looking at her in questioning. He was young, probably thirty, thirty-five, with short blond hair and grey eyes. He was using the same dark uniform as all the others
– "I was sent to help if you guys need anything…oh" – She extended her hand firmly and smiled – "Ariadne Beckerman, Seed from Galbadia Garden now working under Balamb Garden's directions." – He took her hand, expression calmer that when he heard the word Galbadia. Good thing that she anticipated that – "Gene Samson. One of the engineers working on the city. Pleasure to meet you Miss Beckerman."
– "Ariadne will work just fine" – He nodded and with a small grin led her to the place where the three man where attempting to connect the pieces
– "You are a magic user, are you not?" – Gene asked when they came closer – "We could use some help to connect the pieces. If you could do it we would really appreciate it." – She looked at the place she was supposed to melt and shrugged
– "Sure. Warn me if you need anything else" – And she put herself to work ignoring the pointed comments both Sacred and Minotaur were making in her head. A really angry part of her that was carrying the remains of her temper after the fight with Squall was ranting about scoldings not being the thing that seventeen years old had to hear especially from spirits that live in your head and the other was grumbling something about rest and sleep.
– "And I was calling Selphie nuts?" – She mumbled under her breath – "I am talking to myself…and now that I think about it my head seems like an asylum. Damn, my life keeps getting better and better."
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My POV
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I never thought that would say this but Rinoa is right. Damn the song is horrible…or better, the way they are performing it is horrible. I am quite confused in how there are no dogs howling or birds flying away scared…and why the hell am I still hearing this.
I should have placed my Discman inside my backpack that day…then I could be pretending to listen but safe from ear injury. Even if it is to die for the way Zell is trying to understand which string is supposed to be pulled in which time…but I don't think that seeing me laughing to the death will help their self esteem.
I am really thankful to Hyne and all the Gods in existence that they are Seeds and not attempting to enter music industry. Because they can be great warriors, no one can say anything against that and will personally bash the first one to say such a thing, but they have absolutely no touch for music. Even Ultimecia would probably run away from this. She would be very smart if she did so…which is only good enough to prove that I am an idiot.
But I can see everything that's happening from where I am sitting and that's better than nothing I guess. Rinoa, for example is talking to Squall next to the stage and…doing a back flip as she does so…my mind is yelling at me not to comment on that but I've never listened to it much.
Does that have a VALID purpose?
But it is fun to see Squall frowning yet again. I sincerely don't understand what it is his problem. I tried to get myself out of his way except for that one time in which my stupidity reminded me of its existence.
I thought that I could do this…that I could help and stop some things that would hurt people. But I am not God and I can't decide that. I just can't understand why. What was he expecting me to do? Sit around and wait for everything to be alright? Hide somewhere while everyone fought around me?
That's just not me! I remember dad saying once that I was like an uncontrolled train. Someone that doesn't listen to anyone when it has its mind set one something…and Lugh used to say that I was just bloody stubborn. But he was my older brother so that can't be taken into account even if he was right.
I wish I could talk to him to tell him that I have found someone that can piss me off as well as he did. He would have a fit. ARGH! Bloody hell, that song is a bloody crime to all music…I need an aspirin. The song isn't helping my growing headache.
– "Ariadne."
Oh SHIT…This is just NOT what I needed right now.
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3rd Person POV
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- "Ariadne2 – Her eyes opened slowly as if she had been in deep thinking and focussed on him, emerald sweeping past showing her annoyance. She was sitting on the satellite dish, knees to her chest and head supported on them. Even in that place where none could attack her, she was armed, her katanas resting near her right arm, ready to use if needed
– "Want anything Commander?" – She asked in a chilling tone as she stood up and gathered her blades. He just stood there, watching her in some unnameable way, as she seemed to listen to the song. Never mind that she was flinching every two or three seconds, every time a note left the way it was supposed to sound. She sighed before turning to him and glaring slightly
– "I don't have patience for these games Leonhart. Spit it out. What do you want this time? Scold me as if I was half of my age like you did earlier?"
That was probably one thing that she wasn't supposed to say as his expression began showing the same annoyance as hers was. – "I had every right to do so. You are a Seed not a child and yet you insist in acting like one."
– "Good for you" – She made to pass by him but as before he held her arm. Her glare turned worse in warning – "You may think that you have the right to meddle in my life Commander but believe me when I say that I would throw myself of the fucking tallest cliff I could find before I allowed anyone to even start to do such a thing. I already gave you my answer this afternoon and be sure that I haven't changed it one single word. Now if you don't want a repeat of that scene let me go now" – He didn't, blue eyes narrowing as he absorbed her words
– "It is always like this" – He said as she was preparing to throw him off. Ariadne stilled as she heard that. It was everything she wasn't expecting from him. – "Always the wrong ones" – He let go, turning his back to her – "I am sorry for what I said earlier. You are right on one thing. It is your choice. However stupid it might have been" - She frowned – "But it was yours." – Her irritated expression faded into nothing noticing some emotion underneath its apparent coldness that she didn't know how to translate.
Her mouth opened to retort only to close without a single sound leaving her lips. She wasn't sure about what to say to that. She was tired of fighting
"I am going to the Garden now." – She finally whispered breaking the uncomfortable silence – "If you talk to the guys warn them in case they get worried." – He didn't say anything so Ariadne did as she had stated and departed towards the Garden. Only when she was alone in her room her mind took over and said what it had been thinking ever since that meting
– "What the hell was that?"
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Ariadne walked silently to the Quad trying not to be noticed by her comrades. Here and there she could see the students gasping at the sight of the small village a lot of them called home overrun by soldiers. But what really hurt her was the red building floating on the sea next to it. Galbadia Garden. Her home. The one she had left barely a month before.
– "Are you sure about this Aria?" – Her eyes narrowed, emerald showing visibly. She could feel the concern on her GFs' voices but she had no other choice.
– "I have to do it. I have no other option. You guys know this" – Her connection with them flared to life and she smiled when she felt their feelings as if it were her own.
– "We will always be here Aria" – Whispered Minotaur soothing voice
– "And you can count us to help" – Assured Sacred immediately – "But you do know that you are going to have to listen to yet another scolding don't you?" – She knew that this time he wasn't talking about them
– "He learned enough not to mess up with me the last time. If he didn't I will have the pleasure of teaching him again" – She had the strange feeling they were both smirking. How she knew that? She didn't know exactly. But the smugness overflowing the connection was a very good clue – "So let's do this then."
– "Have you warned them?" – Asked Minotaur sternly. She smirked as she turned around and left the Quad. Ten minutes after she had left the Garden and was running towards the city as fast as she could. Time to see if her training had paid off.
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And I think that it's enough for now everyone. Don't forget that reviews make me very happy and that a happy me is a very good thing (everyone that knows me says that's a good thing. I cannot understand why though…(snickers)) Anyway, please REVIEW
Next chapter: Missing members and personal missions…
See ya all next week everyone
Reyavie