Wow. I AM SO BACK! (makes really large party and destroys random private property). Sorry for the somewhat long hiatus but unfortunately exam season is a bad thing for all living and dead ( yes, dead, or do you think zombies don't need to study?) beings. But it is over and I'm back to my writing (grins)
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Squall: Yay (dry tone)
Rea: I'm not sure but I could swear I hadn't asked you anything yes?
Aria: She owns absolutely nothing in this story
Rea: I do believe everyone knows that already except for one small detail
Aria: She owns the original characters including myself
Rea: Well done
Squall: You don't own me though
Rea: (shrugs) I can make your life hell anyways
Aria: (smirks)
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Anyways the hiatus has an officially over and SL will be back to be updated regularly. If it comes late though blame it all on writer's block.
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ANOUNCEMENT:
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Basically, I, as many of the writers around here, begin to get tired of the tiny little fact that many readers do not bother to review at all. I try as much as I can do so when I have the time and seeing that others don't is kind of annoying. I thank lots to all that DO review.
Now I ask for everyone to go read "Elemental War" By Da KeR MySteRr because basically it's a great story in which many are not reviewing. Now do so because I don't think it's fair for a story to stop being updated because some don't bother to write something to the author. SO READ AND REVIEW IT! (And while we're at it how about doing the same to this one mhmm?)
Now that that's out of the way I remind that all reviews are now answered and anounimous can be found at SL's RAC in my profile. Other than, and without further delaying, the chapter.
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Welcome to the fiftieth-first chapter of Second Life. Read on (waves bellow)
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Ariadne barely reacted as the Galbadian soldier pushed her forward with a harsh touch as she walked, emerald eyes giving him only a quick dangerous look before turning impassive once more.
Sasha had done the same thing when she had seen what the guard had done but her only reaction had been a tightening of her fists, the same indifference in her features. Aria pulled herself straight as they were guided to a small office and forced to sit on two almost destroyed chairs.
An almost indiscernible smirk crossed her lips when she saw who was sitting behind the desk. As she had said to Irvine some time before "General I-can't-remember-his-name-even-if-I-try" only know she could. Quistis had been right.
Know your enemy and you'll be able to hit him when he least expects it.
So she sat, back-straight on the uncomfortable chair, legs crossed and arms resting on the sides, an almost indiscernible smirk on her lips. A small tilt of her head was enough to tell Sasha that the show was about to begin.
The man in front of them was old. Or old for a military career at any rate. Ariadne had the sudden thought that he should not be around much longer. In office either you were strong or you fell.
Grey meshed with white in his short dark brown hair, his skin of a tone so pale one would think it had barely seen the sun in the previous years. Short, he curved lightly to the front when he stood up, trying to look intimidating.
It wasn't really working.
The dark blue uniform with golden accents showed his general rank just as well as the golden handle on his sword that looked just as untouched as the weapons on the wall behind him. The kind of leader Ariadne had always hated. The one hiding while others did the dirty work while risking their lives.
– "So you were the ones that have violated the curfew?" – He asked. His tone was slightly choked as if a frog was stuck in his throat.
– "No." – Ariadne said seriously – "My mom said I was supposed to be at home at eleven. It's…" - She stopped to look at her clock and smiled, a half smile-half-smirk – "Five to ten. So, not late."
Something hit against the back of her head with barely strength enough for her to acknowledge but a show was a show. Emerald eyes turned to her attacker, a young Galbadian guard and her smile turned cold.
– "I wouldn't do that again" – A veiled threat but plain as daylight.
– "Quiet!" – The general's shout made his own men jump with the suddenness but Sasha reacted otherwise.
– "Sheesh old man" – She said with an annoyed tone while nearly slumping in the decayed chair – "Try to keep it down will you?" – The hand that was about to hit her was grabbed by a quick move of her own.
– "Cut the crap already" – Interrupted Aria now with her firm tone of command – "Why the hell is there a curfew in Deling city?" – All her attitude had changed. No acts were needed. After all they couldn't lose a lot of time.
– "Just who do yo…"
- "Where are you from?" – The general's voice interrupted brusquely the one from the last soldier in the room – "What are you doing here?"
– "From a galaxy far, far away" – Informed the sea green eyed girl
– "Unfortunately we ran out of fuel and got stranded here" – Continued Sasha as if she was saying something as obvious as "the sky is blue". – "Can we get some gas now?" – Aria raised an eyebrow to her friend
– "You do know that sounded something 'Liza would say don't you?" – She asked dryly
– "Isn't it annoying though?" – Sasha sent back easily crossing her arms over her chest – "She can say these stupid things and make it sound the most obvious thing in the world."
– "She has lots of training." – A small smirk was appearing on Aria's lips as she noticed the growing annoyance around the apparently unconcerned girls. Perfect.
– "She spends time with kids and…oh, you wanted to ask something right?" – Aria asked with a raised eyebrow. A slow clapping came from a corner, the sarcasm dripping from the action matching perfectly the one on the girl's speech.
– "Excellent show you put here" – A man came forward using the same uniform as the general behind the desk – "So normal little girls right?" – His hard brown eyes threw the weapons that had been surrendered earlier to the table. Two sheaths collided with the hard wood followed by the low tone of the adamantium staff.
– "Seems too much to carry around doesn't it?" – He asked with a hint of amusement
– "Ya think?" – Aria sent back – "It's the latest fashion statement in Trabia."
– "I would say Esthar" – He continued walking to the desk – "Would you agree with me Ms. Beckerman"?
– "It's lieutenant Beckerman" – Corrected Sasha with sharp coldness – "Still remember Galbadia Garden? The ones you tried to kill? If not I can always remember the way we kick your moron's asses."
–" Obnoxious?" – Asked Sacred calmly – "I thought you didn't want to get killed." – Ariadne and the unknown man were locked in a stare war, none of them ready to back away.
– "What are you doing here?" – He inquired bluntly
– "Catching flowers. They're great this time of the year" – Aria answered back coldly – "Why is half the city empty?"
– "You know why" – She neither confirmed nor denied. Bryant's first lesson ever. Don't give something that can save your life away. – "And you also know there are bounties on your heads." – Ariadne's eyes narrowed to emerald slits.
– "You don't get that much information in the middle of nowhere." – Her voice was steady and cool not showing anything she might be thinking. Apparently any student from any Garden was worth a small fortune. A reason more than enough for any of the citizens to try and catch them…if they didn't know that would be very stupid not to mention idiotic thing to do. From what Aria had found out there wasn't a lot of satisfaction on the people's side.
– "You are playing with fire here Ms. Beckerman" – Warned the older general.
– "It's lieutenant old man" – Repeated Sasha with a sardonic grin – "Get it right" – Someone advanced behind her but emerald eyes turned from the silent battle of wills saying clearly not to dare doing anything against the other Seed. The younger one said nothing. His features betrayed no thoughts.
– "A lieutenant from the Galbadian Garden…" - He whispered after a while.
– "Think that you bastard" – Muttered Ariadne in her mind – "Think exactly what I would think. Be smart for once."
– "Put them with the others" – Growled the old man – "I don't care who think you are but…"
- "Join them to the political prisoners on the city prison" – Interrupted the younger once more. Ariadne's mind began working overtime and only a great deal of control stopped her from smirking – "Separate them"
– "Hell NO!" – Sasha rose from her chair so quickly one could have sworn she had been shocked. – "You're not going to fucking…" - Ariadne's hands on her arm stopped any movement she might have done to attack. A very stupid move for someone in their position.
– "Sasha!" – Emerald eyes held a hint of pleading before they turned to the two generals.
– "What do you want us for?" – She asked coolly – "We won't serve as bargaining chips for anyone."
– "We'll see about that Beckerman" – The younger general came in front of her, brown eyes with a hint of danger in their depths – "I don't know what you were planning but you made a grave mistake coming here again" – Aria smirked coldly even as a hand grasped her arm beginning to pull her back.
– "We'll see about that Kenward" – She whispered to his ears only. It was the only thing she could say before she was dragged out of the room, the insults of Sasha to the soldier taking her away ringing in her ears as she followed silently, deceptive unaware eyes taking everything around her in
– "Best way to get inside a prison?" – Asked Minotaur. The smallest smirk crossed her lips
– "Get arrested" – She answered not bothering to hide her amusement.
– "You have been really losing all brain capabilities you ever had in these last months." – Minotaur's voice sounded like if he was between being happy by that fact or just wanted to ring her neck. Confusing but true. Her eyes narrowed as she was pushed once more.
– "Out of the pan and into the fire…"
- "I don't plan to be the one to get burned." – Ariadne assured calmly.
Sacred sighed but otherwise didn't comment. As she was pushed inside her cell Aria felt her magic flee her body in a rush of energy as if a leak in her power had been opened and then closed just as quickly. The smirk on her lips widened.
– "Didn't mommy teach you never to play with flames?" – She asked mentally, almost laughing.
On another level a Galbadian soldier found out exactly why Aria prized her katanas so much as crystal-covered steel shone with an unearthly glow as it burned his skin.
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My POV
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Many would ask just why I threw myself into the wolf's mouth. Many would say that I'm completely nuts by doing so. Even Red and Taur think so.
But one thing I learned in these last years is that no one ever expects the unexpected. And that's what I have to be right now if I hope to have any chance to turn this tide around without hurting people more than they have already been hurt.
I'm just sorry I dragged Sasha into this. I didn't want to place her in danger. But a choice is a choice and that wasn't mine to make. Besides I have more things to worry about and Sasha isn't someone to mess with. I almost pity the Galbadian soldiers…no. Actually I don't.
Would anyone in my situation?
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3rd Person POV
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The silent woman rose quietly in an unknown alarm. A hand rested over her erratically beating heart as if she was trying to understand just what was wrong. There was no one to answer her. Black hair was pulled gently behind her ears as she stood and calm steps led her away from the slumbering form of her husband.
A soft sigh was heard in the deep and almost unreal silence and then a gasp just as quiet as panic crossed her mind and heart. But not hers. Brown eyes closed for a moment but when they opened something akin to understanding could be seen.
– "Dear Hyne…" - She turned immediately behind, pale hands grasping a robe before she left the room without even giving a thought to the sleeping man.
The insisting tug in her mind was clearly felt now that she had understood its provenience. A pale hand knocked insistently on a wooden door as soon as reached her destination, answered seconds later by a muttered curse that made the woman smile despite her worry. A slightly messed up Squall frowned as he saw her, blue eyes for once confused.
– "Matron?" – His normally calm and steady voice carried a hint of weariness. The days weren't easy for the still new-to-the-job Commander and the tension of an unknown variable as the Galbadia government was nothing short than a major concern for everyone. But that wasn't what worried them the most and there was no one that didn't know that small detail…even as it was kept unmentioned.
– "Did something happen?" – Edea almost lost her composure as she noticed she had somehow lost herself in her own thoughts and worries.
– "Yes" – The former sorceress bowed her head slightly as the tug in her magic made itself feel like a beacon. – "Ariadne." – Dark blue eyes flashed for a second as the hand grasping the wooden frame tightened almost painfully.
– "What about her?" – Squall asked coolly. The tug pulled once more, stronger as if it had felt that had been a very stupid question. That or "hurry and get this over with". Brown eyes shone with an undeniable certainty
– "She needs us." – Edea whispered – "All of us." – That had been the feeling crossing her mind.
The feeling of danger and urgency.
Squall just nodded sharply before turning around, leaving the door slightly open. From inside Edea could hear the faint sound of clothes and the brunt noises from metal. Then only commands to what she supposed to be the phone line.
The tug pulled again, taking her from her observations and back to what she should be doing. Edea's steps were certain as she went back to her room to get ready. That was a battle she wouldn't miss.
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…Somewhere…random time…
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- "It's about time you got the message" – The brown haired female rolled her eyes before crossing her arms somewhat annoyed – "And here I was thinking about vacations…I hate my life…or unlife…immortal…whatever. Just why can't I maim those idiots directly?" – An indescribably sound filled the air and the woman winced
– "That is a good reason" – She agreed quickly before turning around once more. – "Just what smart twenty-something millennia years old goes back to live with her parents?" – Another sound. – "Yeah, yeah, sure" – And with a somewhat pouting expression, Hyne, first sorceress and guardian of Gaea, crossed her arms and glared at nowhere before looking once more at her planet.
– "Now move you bunch of losers. By the stars an adamantoaise would reach them faster." – Yet another noise – "Yeah, sure mommy dearest."
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3th person POV
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Ariadne rested her head against the wall calmly. Her head was filled with random thoughts and worries but she seemed to refuse to acknowledge any of them, eyes closed while humming a random tune under her breath and hands fiddling absently with the small chain of the shackles around her wrists.
She was sure the guard hadn't been ordered to do that but it seemed there were some who feared the mere thought of the word Seed. Aria turned her head slightly to the door as she heard the hinges cringe with an annoying sound.
That was the only movement she allowed herself to make as the general she had seen earlier entered her cell. Kenward's hard dark eyes were on her, an appraising glint she could see easily. In the back of her mind she could feel her guardians' concerned presence as they kept themselves hidden from the magical suppressors that had been installed in every surface of the small grey room.
– "I didn't have a choice you know?" – The general said after a while, eyes turning away from the captive's form. – "Having a high patent a couple of months ago would have been my death sentence if I had not agreed with all of this." – Ariadne finally raised her head, emerald eyes flashing with barely contained anger that even the presence of her guardians couldn't repress.
– "Am I supposed to feel sorry for you or something?" – She snapped back coldly making a small sad smile cross Kenward's expression.
– "I suppose you wouldn't have done what I did" – He said calmly. Ariadne's eyes narrowed until they looked like emerald slits
– "No. Really?" – She drawled – "What makes you think such a thing?" – The general turned away from her again and only a great deal of control kept Ariadne of standing up and hit him as hard as she could with the nearest object. That was a pretty handy metal jar resting beside her. Aria placed that thought away for the moment.
– "Many things lieutenant" – He continued calmly – "I've seen what you have done for Galbadia Garden, heard of your fights against the sorceresses…"
- "You're a stalker and I'm happy for you. What about it?" – Aria interrupted smoothly resting again against the wall even as her eyes never left the now pacing figure in front of her.
– "I did what I thought to be best" – Kenward declared as if she hadn't talked at all – "I thought I could be more useful alive than dead" – The Seed's clenched fists told otherwise in a very distinctive way. – "You probably disagree"
– "You should replace the probably with heartily to get my answer Kenward" – Aria stated coolly – "Now does all of this have a point or have you just come here to find a way to annoy the hell out of me, really push me past the kill-you-zone and enlarge my death-sentence to two or three similar ones?"
– "Yes, I thought you would indeed. But I have some appreciation for my life. Selfish is it not?" – The general smiled with a hint of bitterness before sighing again but this time Ariadne didn't answer.
She was afraid her breaking point would be soon making her end up killing the bastard that had preferred to save his own worthless ass to help anyone. Like Fenwick taken away from his grandchild.
Like Stef's older brother that for some stupid reason had been drafted into the army before he could join them in the Garden. Like dozens of other persons that were now rotting in the desert prison without any clue of when or if they would come out once more.
– "You are planning something" – Aria didn't bat an eyelash at that. Inwardly she scoffed.
– "Was I supposed to tell him that yes, I plan on kicking his ass from here to Trabia not to mention this whole fucking regime?" – She thought struggling not to roll her eyes.
– "Yes?" – Whispered Minotaur
– "Quiet!" – A loud slap echoed in her mind and Aria got the obvious information that Sacred had just placed his younger brother on a tight leash so to speak. Going around the magical suppressors was no easy feat and warning everyone that she still had her guardians would be a very stupid thing to do.
– "What makes you think that?" – She asked resting her crossed arms on her knees.
– "Besides the fact that I hate your bloody guts and want to pretty much see just in just how many ways I can hurt you without outright killing you?" – Calmness she couldn't feel in the least at the moment filled her limbs, the touch of the earth's energy that wasn't that unlike her own.
– "Thanks guys" – Ariadne thought softly.
– "You would hardly get into a situation as delicate as this is without a back-up plan. It isn't the style of someone taught by Yanke and even less yours" – Answered Kenward with a grim smile – "Your file speaks that clearly"
– "Files can be deceiving" – Aria stated wryly. In her case very. Half of what had to be done in missions couldn't be written. She could just picture it. "Agent had to hide for 13 hours in a men's bathroom due to activation of alarm". Embarrassing didn't quite cut it.
– "Now is this going anywhere?" – Ariadne continued pushing her wayward thoughts out of the way. Another sigh, another look to a too slowly moving watch in her wrist. He didn't answer. Instead he walked to the door, opening it and was about to speak when…a loud siren went off, alarms sounding like a condemnation to Ariadne
– "Too soon you bunch of morons!" – She yelled mentally, jumping to her feet while bracing herself to push her way out only to find her movements hindered by the shackles on her wrists and a sword in front of her eyes
– "No plan correct?" – Aria glared fiercely, refusing to back down.
– "We have to force the connection" – Sacred's voice sounded in pure alarm as both guardians were snapped back into her consciousness. The sword moved not unexpectedly and Aria moved to react but too late…
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There. All done. Now, that isn't a cliffy now is it? (receives looks) Maybe it is (grins sheepishly). Anyways remember the small rant? Time to review and say whatever comes to mind. Don't forget that suggestions and errors you have seen feel free to inform me.
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Next chapter: Someone lost is found…hey, where did this individual came from?
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See ya next week
Reyavie