Okay, I am back once again! Hello to all, hope everyone had a good week so far as Christmas is almost here. And Hanukah…and that whole lot of other holidays I don't know. But enough of that because that only happens NEXT week. So in this one I have once again invited a friend to join me on the disclaimer. Everyone a big round of applause to Shadray (Loud clapping echoes and some really ugly random X-mas carols)
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Reyavie: Rai! Need help here (knocks on screen)
Shadray: Hm?
Reyavie: Help me with my disclaimer pleaaaaaaaaaaase?
Shadray: Oh, sure!
Reyavie: Then go ahead (pulls you to the front)
Shadray: um...hi, all. -waves to readers- Yyyyyyeah...
Reyavie: They don't bite (grins innocently)
Shadray: they could, you know. you never know who's reading this... -points to alligator-
Shadray: Well, anyway, if you think Reyavie here owns any of these FF8 characters, you need to be cut apart and ripped up by a human shredder- unless, of course, you are made of paper; then you can be ripped up by a paper shredder- and I shall come to your house and eat all of the food in your fridge, therefore leaving you hungry for the rest of your life, therefore killing you all, and therefore going to jail for 5-10.
Reyavie: (blinks) He's kinda direct isn't he?
Shadray: no, wait, I'm not finished
Reyavie: (steps behind and sits)
Shadray: And I shall escape with my chainsaw and my muses and the six of us shall all make our way over to your computer to infest it with fake viruses that make you think there's a virus on your computer when there really isn't, and then we'll laugh maniacally and end up choking, but once we recover I shall set a bomb on the North Pole and explode the world.
Shadray: Or perhaps implode the world... Which one do you think, Reyavie? Of course, I will save Tokyo.. but then again it would be floating there in the middle of space...
Reyavie: Explode. The lights lighten the galaxy...
Reyavie: And sure. I'll save North Pole because I want the gifts. Anyways if you really want all of that (points) not to happen...REVIEW
Shadray: And now, ...time for you to read the story.
Reyavie: So go on (points bellow) and Rai? Behind you
Bellona: (grins)
Shadray: Unless you are an alligator. then, i suppose, you would eat the story. and -looks behind- AHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Shadray: -implodes- NOW READ!
Reyavie: sighs and gathers atoms Have fun waves and goes away
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Welcome to the fortieth-sixth chapter of Second Life…See ya in a bit
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- "Have a seat" – The room where they were was rather plain, calm browns and greens mingling together to create a very calm and relaxed environment. Basically it didn't go too far off the style of the village. Paintings and pictures filled the light green walls as well as the dark brown furniture and here and there small trinkets marked the journeys he had made when younger.
Stef plopped herself on a couch as Ariadne pulled a chair and straddle it, placing her arms on its back. The men sat on a couch in front of them both, a faint scolding glance directed at Aria that seemed to ignore it as if she wasn't seeing it at all.
– "Aren't you going to introduce me your companion Beckerman?" – He said after analysing his guests. Aria's expression was slightly bored. She knew damn well that he had perfect knowledge of who her friend was.
– "Always a sucker for formalities" – A mental sigh followed her thought.
– "Stef, this is former instructor Bryant Yahnke" – Ariadne introduced hiding the displeasure of such procedure – "Yahnke, this is my good friend and comrade Stephanie McAllister, Seed and member of the Council of Galbadia Garden." – The only sign of surprise was a small flicker of his eyes as she said the word Council.
– "He doesn't have anyone in Galbadia Garden to inform him then" – She thought with a smug grin though her face remained impassive – "Either that or the fact that we have been constantly in motion has made any communications attempted even more difficult."
– "Both more than probable" – Agreed Sacred. Bryant nodded in acknowledgement but his expression told Aria quite clearly that she was about to be as drilled for just as much information as he was.
– "At the least he won't be able to try to request favours from you in the future" – Continued the older guardian
– "That sounded so wrong" – Minotaur's voice commented with a disgusted tinge.
– "Hyne, you are a pervert Taur" – Aria sent back with a mental wince.
– "So to what do I own the pleasure of your visit Beckerman?" – The former instructor asked relaxing his posture on the couch – "I doubt you have come here with all that's going on just to chat with an old acquaintance." – Ariadne still hated his mind games. She still felt the same need to give him as good as he got…but unfortunately they had little time and the game could take ours.
– "Cut the crap old man" – Aria said evenly leaning slightly on her chair – "You know perfectly well why we're here and we have no time to waste with this. What do you know about what's happening in Deling?" – Blue eyes rolled appraisingly over her stern expression before Bryant shook his head
– "Have you forgotten everything I have taught you girl?" – He inquired in a tone similar to hers. Emerald flashed in her eyes as a plain sign of warning
– "This is the time for bluntness and not for the small hints you are so fond of – She shot back easily – "The information we have is not nearly as much as we need to intervene and I cannot contact my network without placing a whole bunch of people in danger. Now, are you going to help or not?" – Stephanie looked from teacher to student in silence.
She knew that the battle Ariadne was fighting was hers and hers alone. She had never had direct contact with the stealth instructor but she knew that Ariadne prized the man's opinions and suggestions. Just as much as she hated the way he tried to make her battle for each word that left his lips. But Aria's patience was wearing very thin at the moment and that wasn't good…no good at all.
The older man nodded stiffly before he stood up only to walk to table to a side. From a drawer Bryant took several files and notes which he placed in front of his former student. Ariadne waited, now more patiently as he sat down once more.
His attitude showed that he would help and he never went back on things he proposed himself to do. Piercing light blue eyes found hers and Aria felt herself as if she was trying to pass a test. She probably was.
– "So be it" – Bryant sighed inaudibly before leaning front to open one of the folders and motioning her to read it. The Seed frowned slightly as she analysed it as quickly as she could.
– "Seems only a list of names" – Said Minotaur – "What's so special about it?"
– "These are soldiers of the Galbadian army" – Declared Aria answering her guardian and requesting her mentor to continue with the same sentence before she passed the folder to Stef – "What has happened?" – Bryant reclined once more on the chair, the more relaxed position betraying a hint of tiredness
– "Everything that we did not wish to happen with our country" – Aria loved when he answered her question without answering at all. Not. – "I will not speak about the sorceress Edea because I am sure you know more about that than myself" – The man said – "But after she left to wherever she has left Galbadia was still under the power of another sorceress."
– "Ultimecia" – Completed Ariadne without missing a beat – "With Seifer Almasy as a mediator if we can call it that. And then…" - Bryant showed no surprise in relation to her knowledge.
– "As soon as they disappeared to Esthar the military began slowly, but securely, gaining their power back. When the defeated soldiers came back from the…Lunatic Pandora?" – Both girls nodded in unison – "And missing their leader as well as any of the sorceress's puppets they realized their time had come."
"Martine was missing so he was out of the game, Cobbald has conveniently vanished without a trace as soon as Edea entered the picture, Kenward actually went with the new situation and Caraway was arrested two weeks ago. He's being held in Deling City Prison"
– "Makes sense he would" – Commented Stef giving Aria a small amused smile as if to defuse the situation – "After what you guys did, I don't doubt they no longer think the D District prison as the safest. Especially for certain prisoners."
Bryant raised an eyebrow almost invisibly, a vague questioning look on his eyes. Ariadne paid it no mind while she went over what she had been informed. Of five allies that she had counted on trying to get on their side only one was able to do so…if they managed to get him out by some way.
- "Aarstad and Fennell are at the top now and with them other three major officers, Gossard, Lusher and Oyler" – Continued Bryant breaking her path of thought – "Martial law is being applied, no people out of their home after six in the afternoon, no information leaks out except for the one brought by the caravans of supplies currently being shipped off from Zaed."
"Any form of written info is too dangerous to use and assemblies are carefully scanned in case of a rebellion is being prepared. Even the phantom government Vinzent had created has been dissolved. That list…they were taken to the D District Prison – Stephanie closed her eyes forcibly and Aria knew well why. Her hand reached for her friend's and was met with a death grip. Stef was Galbadian, she had been born in Deling, most of her family lived there…"
- "Don't think the worse Stef – Aria whispered gently – "They are fine. And we're going to help"
– "And how do you plan to do that Beckerman?" – Inquired Bryant somewhat harshly. Emerald eyes narrowed.
– "Attacking from where they least expect it of course. Seems better than crossing my arms and wait for something to happen" – Aria answered coldly – "And I would advise you not to push your luck old man. She doesn't have to deal with your games as well." – A single nod was his version of an apology and the brunette couldn't ask for a lot more.
– "Do you have any idea?" – Asked Stef softly. Ariadne stilled for a moment, ignoring completely the two presences in the room, and slowly a small smirk appeared on her lips.
– "By the Stars" – Sacred's tone clearly said that he had already found out exactly what she was planning…
- "Nice" – Added Minotaur with a hint of excitement – "Very nice. It should work."
– "Are you crazy?" – Countered his brother irritably – "There are hundred of things that can go wrong in what she's thinking. She has just left one war"
– "And what else is new?" – Was the reply. – "She can't be quiet. You know that as well."
– "Beckerman?" – The smirk grew as Aria looked at her formed instructor and then to her friend
– "Oh yes." – The half-backed plan began taking a more solid form in her mind.
– "Why am I scared?" – Mumbled Stephanie under her breath
– "Because you are smart and know the friend you have" – Responded Sacred. – "Why did we get stranded with a girl with a constant death wish?"
– "For the same reason I got a mothering cynical Minotaur and his constantly high brother as my guardians" – She said dryly – "Bad Karma."
– "Understatement" – Sacred sighed as if recognizing that he wouldn't be able to change her mind at the moment. Moment being the key word.
– "And now?" – Once more her thoughts were broken apart by the strong voice of Bryant but this time it didn't carry that evaluating trait she had been feeling ever since he had begun.
– "We have to get back to the Garden" – Ariadne disclosed – "The others are waiting. We have to summon the Council as soon as we do so." – The last part was for Stephanie. The girl merely nodded, not bothering in questioning the other. She would know soon enough what Aria was scheming.
– "I will accompany you" – Bryant said unexpectedly. Silence filled the small room as that sentence processed and the surprise took over Stef and Ariadne wasn't much better. As much as she knew her teacher she could not understand what he was thinking, what he wanted to do…
- "I won't ask you why" – Aria stated firmly – "The choice is yours but…I didn't mean to destroy this life you have now by coming here. I…" - She was halted by a chuckle, an amused one.
Bryant smiled faintly, the small action softening his features making him look younger. In his eyes she saw the one thing she had not hoped to see.
Approval.
– "You worry too much about the consequences Aria" – It was the second time he had ever said her nickname. The first had been when he had said goodbye
– "I left the Garden because I did not agree of what we were being transformed into" – He scoffed – "Martine was nothing but an arrogant bastard whose only concern was his own position. We lost five Seeds and eleven students in ill prepared missions only because they were well paid. I couldn't accept that."
– "Why didn't you tell me?" – Aria interrupted, tone brimming with barely contained anger but not at him. The burden that the older man seemed to carry was not something Ariadne could ignore even if she tried. Stef just watched knowing that both of them were reading more from each other's attitudes.
– "You already hated him enough." – Bryant said calmly – "I doubt that at the time you would be able to remain quiet enough not to do something that would get you expelled"
– "You were right. Except for one tiny detail. I've never hated him" – The girl said sarcastically – "I simply loathed him. And guess what old man? I'm thinking if the humiliation brought by that pity act the guy put at FH is enough for me to choose not to hurt him."
– "Aria, it's ok" – The soft whisper of Minotaur's voice was calming to her nerves. Reassuring.
– "No, it's not. Not right now…" – And then the concerned and gentle touch of Sacred in her mind
– "But it will be" – He was right. She couldn't hold onto hate forever. Ultimecia…no, Lyanna had taught her that.
– "Nevertheless I am still a Seed" – Continued Bryant rising from the couch – "And even if I have to stay in Garden I can serve as intelligence. I doubt you have anyone with more experience than I" – Aria was tempted to bash his ego but, unfortunately, he wasn't lying.
– "Damn" – Stephanie looked at him as if he was completely crazy and then sent an is-he-serious? look at her friend. When Ariadne nodded Stef did the one thing the situation was begging for. She slapped her forehead and cursed under her breath.
Aria bit her lip to stop her laughter before it could began as words like "another", "cursed", "doomed" and "hopeless" reached her ears.
– "Is everyone you know like this?" – Asked Bryant watching as the blond girl dropped her head on her hands
– "You have no idea" – A smile was tugging Aria's lips and she didn't fight it
– "You sure you want to do this old man?" – They stared at each for a moment before he walked away as if he hadn't heard her. Then a strong hand slapped the back of Aria's head
– "Don't call me old man, girl" – The Seed rubbed the back of her head muffling a curse
– "Yes" – Aria thought – "Just why don't I know anyone normal?"
– "Birds of the same feathers flock together?" – Chimed Minotaur
– "I give up."
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My POV
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If there was one thing I was not expecting was for Yahnke decide to join us. I really wasn't expecting that.
And I wouldn't be the one to ask him to do such a thing.
But I guess…no…I know that he feels that he has to fight for his home as well. That and apparently make sure that we don't get ourselves all killed in this. He said that one as soon as he got in the car after the "I drive".
Did I ever mention that the only thing he does better than Josh behind the wheel is knowing the use of a brake? And he uses it quite well in fact. As in nearly on top of whatever is front of the car.
So when with him one has to remember certain rules.
Rule number one: Never forget the seatbelt.
Rule number two: Never let him drive.
Rule number three: In case rule number two fails don't forget to apply rule number one.
Stef left the car saying something about buying a bicycle so you can guess what she thought of that wonderful and enlightening experience. She can't complain really. There was no body harm to anyone and besides she'll have to get used to it. As bad as Yahnke drives Josh can be a lot worse.
Broken-leg kind of worse.
But bypassing the lack of ability to drive everyone I know seems to have I had to take a grandmother's place and act as a story teller.
I told him everything.
Where had I come from, what had happened ever since he had left, ever since he had left…One thing that did surprise me was the fact that he didn't seem the least shocked with my false amnesia. I could only look at him when he explained why. Yahnke said that he had seen amnesiacs before.
They were alright most of the time except for the moments where despair would strike the most.
When they wanted to remember.
And then he said the one thing that showed me just how well he could read me. He said that, when he met me, I didn't want to remember.
I wanted to forget.
That I wasn't in despair.
I was in mourning.
I guess he's right. I just had never thought it that way. Wait…that's not right. I had never thought about it. Everything I did in those first months was to forget. Classes, training, excursions and parties were sometimes mere excuses not to think too much.
Until I understood that I could not delay those feelings forever. And I began living again. Oh no. I'm speaking about elevated things again…of course anything I think right now is elevated because I'm standing in the control room but…
Hey, my randomness is back. Then it's ok. All is good with life now.
Ok, maybe not all. I could think about several other places where I would rather be right now but as Taur said what has to be done has to be done. Damn.
But back to the old man. If I see him checking out my aunt again he and my katana are going to have a long, and not to mention painful, conversation. I do not need any more mental scars thank you very much.
First my brother, then my best friends, now my aunt. I'm pinning over a guy too but at least I'm discreet. That sounded so pathetic.
I have turned myself into…into a…well, something out of those chick flicks Stef has a tendency to drag the gang to see. Sad. Not the viewing thing. Sasha and I spend the whole time laughing our heads off, being threatened of several bad things if we didn't shut up and being throw out only to end up at the store inhaling popcorns while watching as people gave us really weird looks.
I don't think any of them could ever think that we were students from Galbadia Garden.
Persons tend to dehumanize those who try to help. They cannot have weaknesses. They cannot have real, normal lives. Because if they do they stop being that perfect image we all got pounded in our minds.
It's hard to believe that average people can do anything out of the ordinary.
Just for the record…the day anyone calls any of us average I'll have to wonder just how well the drug market is going because I'm sure as hell that half of the population will be on crack. Somehow I think I should cut down on the sugar intake.
My thought pattern is getting weirder and weirder by the day. And here I was thinking that was already impossible. Always learning indeed.
My dad should have been a philosopher instead of an accountant.
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3rd Person POV
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- "So am I apt to be released anytime soon?" – Ariadne fought the urge to whine. She understood that her aunt was concerned about her. After she had had a bloody magic exhaustion.
But daily check-ups during the entire week they had been near Zaed? Her hate by infirmaries, medical wings, med labs or whatever one wanted to call them was increasing by the second as she was forced for the who-but-Christine-knew-th time to repeat the same examinations to her system and magical reservoir. Nope. At the moment Aria was not a happy girl.
– "Stop glaring at that wall Aria" – Ordered Christine pointedly ignoring the question while analyzing yet another reading – "I have already told you that it will not burn due to that."
– "Not for the lack of trying" – Mumbled Aria blowing strands of her hair away from her eyes – "Come on Aunt Chris. I'm fine. I have been training for the last days and even the old man said that I'm "in as good as shape as anyone like you can be". From him that's one big ready-to-kick-ass. So are you going to tell me the reason why my file still says "on observation"?"
– "Because I am still observing you" – Answered the doctor easily. Ariadne rolled her eyes.
– "Really?" - She drawled, tone thick with sarcasm – "I hadn't noticed. Now the real one." – It took about thirty seconds for Christine to stop looking at the Hyne-forsaken exam, during which Aria had already thought of fifty different ways to destroy, and to turn her eyes to the young girl.
– "Seriously?" – The Seed raised an eyebrow as if to say "Duh". The doctor sighed before sitting next to her. – "I think I was trying to find a way to stop you from attempting that crazy plan of yours."
– "Ah yes" – Aria thought dryly – "The latest-plan-to-get-myself-killed. Next time Eliza babbles I am so hurting her."
– "I guess I am slightly apprehensive this time you won't come back" – Murmured Christine while watching the same wall Ariadne had been glaring at moments before. So she didn't see the mix of sadness and happiness that had filled the warrior's eyes.
A small smile crossed Aria's lips as she placed her head on the older woman's shoulder. An arm came around her in a protective gesture. Christine had been a Seed on active duty when Ariadne had come to the Garden but months after an injury on her leg had stopped whatver hopes the woman still had of being a field worker.
At first that had been the reason why she had spent so many hours trying to get Aria on her feet. At first. Now…blood wouldn't make their connection stronger.
– "Don't worry so much" – Whispered Ariadne after a while – "I lived through a change of worlds, the Garden's routine, a sorceress's revenge and Stef's cooking. I doubt military will stop me from coming home."
– "In which state?" – Asked Minotaur mock-innocently
– "Pissed off in a sec" – Aria grumbled back – "And you are getting far too pessimistic Taur"
– No" – Intervened Sacred – "For once he's actually thinking"
– "Nice." – She said blandly – "Should I write this on my journal for posterity?"
– "Yes" – Continued the older guardian – "It won't happen so soon."
– "Hey" – Interrupted Minotaur curiously – "How did we pass from telling her off to make fun of poor old me?"
– "You're an easy target and she knows it" – Was Sacred's answer. – "Smartass"
– "You swore! Well, as much as you can anyways…but by the stars you're turning into…me" – Aria chuckled under her breath with the horrified tone on Taur's voice.
– "Something wrong?" – Asked Christine that obviously wasn't seeing where the reason for her niece's hilarity had come from.
– "Red and Taur are nuts" – The girl said with a smirk – "Nothing out of the ordinary."
– "Well you're…" - Minotaur made a pause – "Well you're something really bad and I'll get back to this when I get the right word."
– "And here is the proof that it is impossible for me to turn into him" – Completed Sacred with distinct amusement.
The doctor smiled as she saw Ariadne laugh out loud wondering what the two guardians could be saying. She could still remember the day Ariadne had come back from the Tomb of the Forgotten King. Her body had been covered in scratches and bruises but her smile had been wide and her sea green eyes had shone with happiness and pride.
– "I did it" – It was the only thing that Aria had said before hugging the life out of her. And she loved those guardians, Christine could see that easily. She also knew how hard it was for Ariadne to think of losing them even at the cost of her own memories.
She smiled gently turning away from her laughing niece to open a drawer. A box of pills rested innocently inside. The Doctor took it calmly and returned to where Ariadne was, no longer laughing but still with an amused smile on her lips. Then she looked at the box and groaned loudly
– "More pills?" – That had been definitively a whine. It stopped as soon as herself appeared to understand what she had done, her expression turning to a faint scowl. – "So what are these for?" – Aria asked with a hint of resignation in her voice. Christine smiled again before touching the girl's temple lightly
– "For you to be able to keep those two with you" – She answered softly. Ariadne froze when she heard those words and surprise showed clearly in her features replacing the frown as if it had never been there at all.
– "I…" - Eyes turned to the small non-descript parcel – "My memories? I won't…?" - The older woman pressed it to the girl's hands closing her fingers gently.
– "One each day" – She instructed – "You should feel a little groggy in the first two or three days so eat light okay?" – Another smile – "Consider it my birthday gift."
It was the last thing she was able to say before a bundle of joy also know as Aria had jumped from the infirmary bed before proceeding to repeat what she had done that day. She was shaking faintly, her hold strong and eyes tightly closed.
– "Thank you." – Aria whispered somewhere near her ear, something very akin to tears on her voice, the choked tone barely audible – "Thank you so much auntie." – Christine chuckled as the she felt the gratitude in the girl's voice. It was only natural that she felt that way about the two guardians. After all there wasn't anyone that knew her better than them.
– "And you can skip the next exams" – The doctor finally said – "But…" - She didn't have time to finish as the hug turned into a death grip before Aria ran away with a huge grin on her face. Moments after Alexander had entered through the same door, his ever calm expression softened by a faint smile.
– "Let me guess" – He said looking somewhat amused – "She was released." – Christine raised an eyebrow before grabbing a stethoscope
– "Released?" – The older woman asked even more evenly with a hint of sarcasm in her tone that bounded no good
– "She was. You are not." – And she proceeded to remind the Seed why one did not say anything against her medical treatments and/or the way to whom she choose to apply them.
Christine found some satisfaction in seeing the usually serious nineteen year old grumbling something about how he didn't need to examine his eyes because he saw perfectly well while waiting for the wall in front of him to explode from his glare. The woman found it amusing how Alex and Aria's reactions could be similar when an infirmary was involved.
The Seed shut up when she threatened him with 24 four surveillance system to his heart functioning but nevertheless his uttered words were well heard.
– "I should have known better than expect that you hadn't learned something from Aria."
– "Yes. Indeed he should have." – Christine thought amusedly as she prepared herself to observe the next vict…student.
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Ok, done for this week. Now I request what I always do. Reviews. I see that there are people reading the chapters and yet not nearly as much reviews come up. Don't forget that knowing what readers think is a great help. So please, comments, suggestions and whatever things that come to your mind and the review box is right there. Flames are not welcome because I believe that no one is forced to read a fic. So REVIEW EVERYONE! I have scary friends and I'm not afraid to ask them for help (grins)
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Next chapter: Anger take three and Balamb makes an appearance
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See ya next Friday
Reyavie