OMG! Thanks to the following people who read, reviewed and favorited/followed my story:
FlowersN'stars
paineraine
DorothyS65
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You all get free moogle dolls and virtual cookies! XD
By the way, the pairings for this story will be:
Main:
Claire "Lightning" Farron x Noctis Lucis Caelum
General:
Cloud Strife x Tifa Lockhart
Aerith Gainsborough x Zack Fair
Rinoa Heartilly x Squall Leonhart
Selphie Tilmitt x Irvine Kinneas
Oerba Yun Fang x Gladiolus
Stella Nox Fleuret x Ignis
Ace x Deuce
Trey x Cinque
Cater x Eight
Nine x Queen
Sice x King
Jack x Seven
Rem Tokimiya x Machina Kunagiri
Serah Farron x Noel Kreiss
And two love triangles:
Oerba Dia Vanille x Hope Estheim x Prompto
Kurasame Susaya x Emina Hanaharu x Izana Kunagiri
I did say I would include characters from other Final Fantasies, didn't I? Okay enough talk. Apologies for this long A/N. (By the way, Lightning has two jobs: a secretary and a soldier of Guardian Corps with Fang.)
Previously on Meeting You...
Lightning looked at the watch inside the building. It was now 2:14, 6 minutes before their flight. She and her sister then hurried to plane A5-6796 and climbed inside. Luckily, there were still two vacant seats beside each other.
After they had settled themselves in, they readied themselves for a long flight.
Now...
The flight to Tenebrae took 12 hours. Since they left at 2:20 am, they arrived at 2:20 pm. As for the party, Serah told Lightning it was going to take place in Stella's palace at exactly 7:00 pm. It will end at 11:30 pm.
Lightning and Serah got their bags and was about to hail a cab outside when a black limo stopped in front of them. Then an old man wearing a chauffeur outfit came out and greeted the two sisters.
"Good morning, ladies," the man said with a smile. "I assume you two are Stella's close friends?"
"Yeah, we are." Serah replied.
Then the chauffeur opened the door for them and said, "Now get in, please. Princess Stella is waiting for you."
The two sisters both nodded and got in the limo. Inside, it was very fancy. There was a table full of expensive food, the air conditioner was blowing out very cold air, and there was a TV attached above them.
"Wow, sis! This is so cool!" Serah exclaimed in amazement.
"I know," Lightning replied, a little astonished. "These are the perks of being a princess."
The drive to the palace took 25 minutes. When they arrived in front of the palace, two men opened the gates.
Inside, there was a fountain of an angel in the middle. There were flowerbeds at the side and the palace looked huge up close.
"OMG..." Serah could only mutter.
Lightning looked around. Last time she was in the palace was when she was still 14 years old.
This brings back memories, seriously. She thought as she unloaded hers and her sister's bag.
"Need help?" The chauffeur offered.
"Um... No thanks, Sir...?" Lightning trailed off, not knowing his name.
"Please, call me Hubert." The chauffeur told her.
"Um... Okay. No thanks Sir Hubert." Lightning declined politely.
The man nodded in understanding as he went back to the car to park it on the underground parking lot.
When they neared the palace, a figure with blonde hair wearing a white frilly dress, black bolero and a pair of black wedges was walking towards them with a happy smile.
It was Stella.
When Stella was close enough to the two, she gave both Farrons a tight group hug. Serah hugged back while Light was suffering. Geez! Stella and Vanille both have the same strength when it comes to hugging.
"Can't... Breathe... Must... B-Breathe..." Lightning choked out, almost on the verge of fainting due to lack of air.
At these words, Stella immediately pulled and cried out, " Omigosh! So sorry Light! You okay?"
Light swallowed in gallons of air before responding, "I'm okay."
Stella and Serah both let out a sigh of relief before Stella spoke, "Oh, by the way, let me lead you to your rooms! The maids will be the ones who will carry your bag. They should be here right about..."
Stella looked at her watch and said, "Now."
As if on cue, two maids came out wearing the traditional black-and-white maid dress. Before Light and Serah could protest, the two maids had carried their luggages.
"Okay guys, follow me." Stella said as she walked back inside the palace with Light and a curious Serah following behind her.
Eventually, they had to pass through an enormous set of stairs and hallways that seemed to never end. The walls were colored white and the door archways were colored gold, the doors were made of cherry oak wood.
And oddly, it smelled like... Strawberries?
"Hmm, what's that smell?" Serah asked, sniffing the strawberry-scented air around them.
"Air-freshener," Stella replied, taking in the smell of strawberries. "I just love strawberries."
After a few minutes, they finally arrived on Serah and Lightning's guest room. Inside, the walls were pink, there was a king-sized bed, mahogany wood closet, cherry oak wood nightstands on each sides of the bed, a wall TV with two burgundy couches, a beanbag chair and a coffee table made of glass in front of it with a rag underneath. The windows were decorated with golden curtains with white patterns. There was also a bathroom in a corner. It had a jacuzzi and another wall TV inside. There was also a laundry basket and two sinks that were connected with a long mirror above.
Serah and Lightning were shocked at this. This whole room, was for them?
So this is what it feels like to be living in a life of luxury, especially being a princess. Lightning thought as she eyed the room with somehow, wide eyes.
Serah was the first to react. As fast as the Flash, she immediatly took her low-cut boots and jumped on the bed.
"Oh my gosh, this is so soft!" exclaimed Serah as she laid down on the soft bed.
Lightning then stared at Stella, with a look that said, 'Are you kidding me on Etro's name?'
Stella just shook her head and smiled. "No jokes. This room is for you two. Plus, you like pink so I had the servants put on pink wallpapers."
Lightning was utterly speechless. "I-... I don't know what to say..." Then she faced Stella and said, "Thanks, Stells."
Stella only grinned. Then, a maid came in and greeted Stella with geniune respect. "Your Highness, your meeting will start in about, 30 minutes from now."
"Oh shoot!" Stella exclaimed, face-palming herself. "How could I forget?"
Immediately, she headed for the door, but not before telling Lightning, "I have to go Light. I have a meeting to attend. See you tonight!"
Light only nodded in approval.
6:00 pm.
Fleuret Palace, Lightning and Serah's room
One hour was now left before the party would officially start. Serah and Lightning were now preparing themselves.
Serah was the one who picked Lightning's dress. Apparently, Lightning was not very fond of dresses and shoes, especially make-up. For Light, looks didn't matter in the battlefield when all you had to wear was a dirty uniform, a face covered with blood, dust, wounds and bandages.
The dress that Serah picked was a black and skinny halter dress with the silver straps forming a criss-cross on the back. As for the shoes, it was a pair of black pumps which Lightning had to practice walking with. For the make-up, Serah applied layers of pink cherry blossom lipstick and lip gloss. She also put on jet black mascara on her sister's eyelashes and purple eyeshadow on her eyelids. She styled Lightning's hair into a bun, with the short leftover hair swept on the right side of her head. Silver earrings were now hanging on both Light's ears and a silver necklace was on her neck.
"Ta-da!" Serah exclaimed, looking at her sister's reflection in the mirror.
Meanwhile, Lightning felt uncomfortable. She felt like a stuffed mannequin. If not, a doll waiting to be sold. But since this was a party, you had to look formal.
As for Serah, she was wearing a lilac Quinceañera cocktail dress which was tight to her waist, showing off her curvy figure. She was wearing a pair of silver peep-toe heels with ribbons on top. Her earrings were colored purple and she was wearing a white pearl necklace on her neck.
Both sisters decided to check the time. It was already 6:45 pm, 15 minutes before the party.
"Wow," Serah mumbled, a little surprised. "Time does really run that fast, huh?"
Lightning simply nodded and said, "We have to go now. There are 15 minutes left."
Without a word, Lightning took her purse and went out with Serah trailing behind her. Luckily, she had managed to memorize the way down to one of the palace's function halls where it was to be held.
But unfortunately, they had to pass down the stairs while on heels. This was no problem for Serah, for she was already used to these kind of situations. As for Light, however, she couldn't help but chicken out a little bit.
"Come on, Light!" Serah encouraged her. "You can do it!"
Lightning couldn't help but feel nervous. Yes, she had faced monsters bigger than her size, decimated a lot of soldiers. But this was different.
Suddenly, an idea popped on her head. Looking around, she waiting before the guests were out of sight before she took off her pumps and went down barefooted. Serah, on the other hand, had a bewildered look on her face. When Light went down the last step, she immediately put on her pumps back.
"Wow, sis. You're not afraid of monsters but... You're afraid of going down in heels?" Serah said incredulously.
Light only grunted in response and said, "Let's go now."
The two followed the arrows leading to the Function Hall no. 1. Inside, it was already full of people. Some were chatting, joking, laughing and drinking expensive champagne and wine.
Lightning looked around and spotted her friends; Tifa, Cloud, Aerith, Zack, Squall, Rinoa, Selphie, Irvine, Hope, Vanille, Fang, Kurasame, Emina and Izana. This also included theirs and Stella's siblings; Ace Fleuret, Deuce Gainsborough, Trey Strife, Cater Tilmitt, Cinque Gainsborough, Sice Estheim, Seven Estheim, Eight Leonhart, Nine Strife, Jack Fleuret, Queen Lockhart and King Strife. This included Vanille's friends, Machina Kunagiri and Rem Tokimiya then Stella and Ignis themselves. They were socializing with each other when Stella spotted her and waved. This also got the others' attention as they looked at Lightning. Immediately, their faces lit up in recognition.
"Serah!" The cheerful one, Cinque, wrapped her arms around the pinkette. Deuce, Cater, Sice and the rest of the females gathered around them.
"Lightning!" Sice and Seven both greeted the older Farron, exchanging hugs.
As for the men, they smiled at the sight of their girlfriends sans Light, Fang, Vanille and Serah; socializing with one another.
Then suddenly, a nearby speaker boomed out: "Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a round of applause to the newly-engaged couple, Princess Stella Nox Fleuret and Mr. Ignis Sanchez!"
Everyone then clapped their hands as the said couple went up to the stage to give their speech... Or Stella's speech.
"Good evening everyone," Stella addressed the guests. "It is such an honor for you to be able to attend this wonderful event that has come."
Everyone nodded and Stella continued, "I know some of you had to ask your bosses for a day-off just to attend the party for me and my fiancé, Ignis. So I want to say 'thank you' for being here with us. And I hope you have a very good time. Once again, thank you and good evening everyone."
Once she finished her speech, everyone applauded. Some were even letting out cheers. Then everyone scattered and began to get food from the buffet table.
Light's friends excused themselves and went to the table, leaving the two sisters.
"Come Light, I'm hungry." Serah beckoned her to the table.
"Okay."
Once the two had found their table, said their prayers and ate their food, Light decided to take in some fresh air and get away from the noisy atmosphere. She looked around and saw a door that led outside the palace to the garden. Then, she excused herself from Serah and walked towards the door.
When she opened it, a cool breeze blew towards her but she didn't care. It was better being here than having to bear the noise inside. She then took the killer pumps off her feet, slung them on her shoulder and walked towards the garden, the green grass tickling her feet. It was even bigger than what she thought and it looked like a mini-forest. There were cherry blossom trees, flowerbeds and stone path that led to a small pond.
"This is so beautiful..." Lightning muttered, awestruck by the beauty of the garden.
Then, she decided to follow the stone path and a small pond greeted her sight. It was full of koi fishes and cherry blossoms that had fell off. She decided to relax by dipping her right foot lightly on the surface. The water tickled the delicate skin of her foot, making Lightning relax. This was perfect.
This was just what she needed. The peaceful and tranquil atmosphere calmed her down.
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind her. "Miss?"
By instinct, Lightning immediately spun around. But instead of seeing an enemy, she saw a man about her age. He had spiky, navy blue hair and eyes the color of the night. His skin was pale white and he had a look of curiosity on his face. Still Lightning did not let her guard down.
"Who are you?" Lightning asked in a suspicious tone. "What do you want?"
The man was silent for a while before answering calmly, "I was just... Trying to ask what you were doing, Miss."
His voice was cool and husky, Lightning couldn't help but let her guard down. He seemed like a nice person though.
The man then spoke up again. "Apologies, madam, if I disturbed you. I shall leave you alone, now."
This guy was very polite and mannerful. But before Lightning could stop herself, she cried out, "Wait!"
The man stopped and turned around. "What?"
"Um... I-... Um... I didn't... Get your name..." Lightning stuttered, her face starting to warm up to a light blush.
The man couldn't but notice the blush, making him chuckle lightly. He then approached Lightning and stuck out his hand. "Noctis. Noctis Caelum."
Lightning took his hand and shook it. It was warm and soft to the touch but she shook it off and replied, "Lightning. My name is Lightning Farron."
"Lightning?" The man mumbled out, slight surprise on his face. "What an odd name." He then looked up at Lightning and added, "No offense, Miss Lightning."
"It's okay." Lightning said assuringly.
Silence.
They stayed like that for a few minutes. Lightning then felt her heart beating fast and her cheeks flushed. Then she realized that the man who was now known as Noctis, was still holding her hand. Clearing her throat, she said, "Um... You can let go of my hand now, Mr. Caelum."
Noctis, looking down at their still-intertwined hands, immediately blushed lightly. Then he excused himself, "I have to go. My father is probably looking for me now."
"Sure." Lightning said, nodding.
Before Noctis could go, he added, "It was nice meeting you, Miss Farron."
"Just Lightning, please." She corrected him politely.
He nodded and went away, running back to the Fleuret Palace. Then he turned and smiled at her.
Wow, how charming, She thought. Realizing it, she shook her head and scolded herself mentally. No, no, no, Light! You can't fall in love! You'll only hurt yourself in the end...
Lightning then sighed frustratingly. Time to go back inside, I guess.
Finally! Lightning and Noctis finally met! Sorry for the long note above there. I included the Type-0 characters because they weren't getting that much attention in FanFiction. They only have, like, 150 stories there. And yeah, I made Class Zero siblings of the chosen Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy Versus XIII/XIII and Final Fantasy VIII characters. And yeah, please review!