Days of Exile

Chapter 23 – Proposal

29 December 0007

Cassie glanced at her father. "Father, I am not interested in whatever gala Mother has for me."

The man chuckled. "Contrary to her belief, the party is the last thing on my mind." He smiled to himself. "Cassie." Her father sat down and motioned Cassie to do the same. "There had been a good period of six years where you didn't return home to visit. And now you're back, saying that you're no longer a Turk. I would like to know why." Quentin placed a finger on his lips. "I promise I won't tell your mother."

Cassie shrugged, not bothered if he really would tell her mother in the end. The things that she was asked to reveal were still top-secret, but Cassie was no longer bound to Shinra. As long as Shinra doesn't find out what she had leaked out, she should be safe… should be.

So she plainly explained to her father what she had been up to the last six years, AVALANCHE, Veld and Zirconiade. She left out her deeds of murder and assassination; she never explained the specifics of her job. Over the last decade, her clever father had probably guessed what a Turk job would be like. After all, he was a businessman who travelled many places in the Planet. Her mother remained in the dark. Cassie cannot imagine how her mother would react if she found out that her prized daughter had the blood of others in her hands.

When Cassie was done with her explaining, her father was quiet. "I'm more than relieved to see you alright." He said quietly, no doubt thinking about the many close brushes with Death in the last six months. He reached over and affectionately swept away a stray strand of hair falling on her face. "About you leaving Shinra…" He murmured. "Did Jasper leave at the same time too?" Cassie nodded. "When I heard that Jasper had returned to his father, I thought you would do the same. Instead, you hung around Midgar for another two more months." He intertwined his fingers and glanced at his eldest daughter, who was now looking most uncomfortable. "What happened?"

Cassie gulped. In her mind, she tried to form many ways to come up with something reasonable… But in the end she knew she should not hide herself in front of the one who accepted her for who she was.

"I can't marry, father." Cassie's voice was barely above a whisper. "I love someone else."

Quentin Windell's eyebrows raised. "That… That was unexpected." He said calmly, but Cassie knew that he wanted to ask more. "While you were in Shinra? … Maybe that's even better."

"Um, he's not who you think it is." Cassie quickly added, giving him a knowing look…

… Of which he caught it promptly. "Damn? Not Rufus Shinra, huh?" Quentin gave his daughter a cheeky grin.

Cassie grinned back. "Did you honestly think that your daughter is capable of seducing Rufus Shinra?"

That was what she liked about her father. Unlike her mother, her father knew when to drop the pretenses and be just plain ol' 'dad'. He was never too proud to admit his weakness and emotions – so Cassie's arrogance was clearly inherited from her mother. Although Mr. Windell was born into a family rich in the timber-business, it was only with much diligence on his part that he is where he is today. Still, her father never forgot to appreciate the smaller and less grand things in life. Above all, he knew that there were more important things in life than (Cassie quotes) "mindless gatherings and tea sessions". Her father had been a role model to Cassie in everything that she did and thus not only trusted his confidence, but valued his advice highly.

"So…" Mr. Windell looked at his daughter with a new interest. "What is your boy like?"

"Rodzen Daisa? Well, he's a redhead, loud and uncouth, smart alec, a grease monkey, passion for motorcycles… Did I mention that he's also younger than I?" Cassie gave her father a devilish grin. "Everything about him will make mother lose her reading glasses when she scrutinizes him."

"Cassie, you're exaggerating, and very rude," chided Quentin with a mock disapproval. "You know your mother uses monocles, and not reading glasses."

Both father and daughter fell into fits of giggles. Finally Cassie, while clutching her stomach, wheezed, "Okay… dad. Thank you for making the effort to understand."

"Has he proposed?"

Cassie choked on her own saliva. "No, he has not. But honestly, I don't really care. Marriage is not exactly top priority as a Tur… It's just not important."

"Do you like him very much?"

"Well, I do." Cassie pursed her lips thoughtfully. "I never considered him as anything more than a friend in the last six years, but he was one of my closest colleagues. He never refused a friend in need and had been taking care of me, even though I should be the one taking care of him, the rookie. I… I never realized how much I treasured his company and presence until I was facing Zirconiade. That was when I thought that perhaps things won't be as exciting and worthwhile if he weren't around." Cassie giggled. "So yeah, I guess you can say that I really like Rod very much."

"Your mother will not be pleased to hear this."

"Yup." Cassie grinned. "But I don't want to be with anyone else but Rod. I'm sorry, dad." She sobered again and looked at her father sincerely. "I know that you treasure your business very much. I know that you want me to marry someone who can help you prosper your business. With all my rebelliousness, I can't do this… marrying someone whom I'm not interested in."

Cassie placed her hand over her heart. "When I was a Turk, I faced many challenges and near-death experiences, but that was exactly what I want. To live my life the way I had always intended to do. I know that when I ran away from home, you argued with mother for a really long time. Thank you for putting my interests and passion above my duties, but I've…" She smiled sheepishly. "I've gotten greedy with your support. This is the life that I've always wanted to live and there's no way I can ever, ever go back. So if you cannot accept my decision then perhaps…" The shotgun user was at loss for words, but more because she couldn't say it.

"Perhaps you'll leave the family for good." Her father finished it for her. Cassie looked down at her coffee table, but gave a slight nod to his words. "Very well then. I give you my blessings."

"… To leave the family?"

"To go ahead in your way of living life."

"Wait, what?" Cassie stared at her father. "You are not going to force me into the arranged marriage?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "You're not going to even try?"

Quentin Windell rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration. "You want me to allow you to live your life your way, and then now you want me to interfere?"

His daughter shook her head vigorously. "It's not that!" She explained. "I just thought you'll be more… aggressive about this. I know Mother would."

"Of course I want to interfere." The man sighed. "Do you really think I'm going to let you run off with some guy that I've not even met?"

"Dad…"

"But Cassie, you should know that above all that, I want your life to be the best that anyone can ever offer. You're my baby girl." Cassie scrunched her face good-naturedly at his words. "I want you to be happy. That is far more important than any of my dreams and plans. In fact, that IS my dream. So… If you have already found someone that can make you smile always… then you have my blessing."

"… Really?" Cassie stared at him. "Even if he's some kind of hobo that doesn't shower and doesn't eat proper food?" Her father raised a questioning eyebrow at her. "Just kidding," Cassie grinned, patting her father's hand affectionately. "But close enough." She grinned. "I guess… I should still attend the party, shouldn't I?"

"To appease your mother's request."

"So it shall be then." Cassie smiled. "Then… What about the business?"

The timber businessman sighed to himself. Indeed there was still that problem. If Cassie wasn't going to take over the business, he supposed that he'll continue working in his job until he wanted to retire. Not that it was a bad thing, but Quentin had loved the business; it had been his treasure and his trophy of unwavering perseverance.

When he voiced his plans, Cassie stared at her father solemnly. "Seriously, dad…" Cassie spoke in lower tones. "Why don't you consider Andy again?"

Upon the mention of his name, Quentin's face darkened. "Your brother no longer deserved to inherit my business."

"Father… Andrew was only 16 when the incident happened." Cassie said quietly. "I'm sure he had repented and became more mature since then."

"Cassie…" Her father shook his head. "Don't be so blind, child. You have been home for two days. You've seen how Andrew was like."

That, Cassie couldn't deny. Her brother, six years her junior, had changed so much, she could not recognize him anymore. When she last saw him, he was only 14 years old. Sandy-brown hair like her, bright eyes and dimples, Andrew Windell was cheerful and lovable. Returning to Mideel just two days, Cassie could barely believe her eyes. Andrew's hair was shaved from both sides, leaving a centre portion of hair tied in a low ponytail. Long gone were the bright eyes and ready smiles, Andrew now carried a sullen countenance and barely talked more than 3 sentences. In short, Andy looked more like a rebel than a rich man's son.

Everything changed because of his folly.

Till now, Cassie could not believe that her baby brother, the one who had clung on to everything she said and do like the gospel, could do such an unspeakable crime. After visiting Mideel for the last time in the next few years, Cassie was in Midgar for almost six months when it happened. Her mother was distressed to no end, calling Cassie in the middle of the night crying…

"Your brother… he just murdered someone."

Goosebumps ran across her arms and Cassie took a deep breath. Her mother had begged her to return home, but she couldn't. She had just returned from Mideel. Although she had tried to comfort her parents, she knew that the person she ought to talk to was her brother. There was no news for the next few days. In fact, there weren't much news from Andrew in the next six years. Her parents had kept to themselves after the incident. They did not stop caring or being concerned for him, but Cassie knew that they held reservations against their own son. Whenever she asked about him, they vaguely talked about counseling and worrying. Whenever she asked to speak to him, they said that he wasn't at home.

And indeed, Cassie barely saw her brother when she came back this time. Her brother had grown more withdrawn in the last few years and it troubled her. "Father…" She said. "I know Andrew did terrible things in the past, but you should know that things may not be what they seem. Did you two even ask him why he did… that?"

"We did, but he only said that he didn't like that chap." Quentin Windell said seriously. "How can I trust my business to a person that I can't trust? Nowadays, I barely know what he thinks anymore."

"Are you really sure?"

"…" The man stood from his chair and walked towards a window. He glanced outside and drew a deep sigh. "Truth be told, in the last few months he had shown interest in taking over my company. But does he deserve it?"

"… And you think your daughter is any worthier of inheriting your business?" Cassie said softly from her armchair. "Both your children have blood in their hands." When her father did not reply, she stood from her armchair. "It's not like you didn't know. If you are worrying that Andrew's past deeds will taint the family name, then I'm more than disqualified. Maybe you should think about that." She took a deep bow to her father and walked out, leaving her father in the living room to ponder upon her words.

31 December 0007

"Icicle hasn't changed much, has it, Uncle Seki?" Randy grinned.

The sides of Uncle Seki's eyes crinkled when he beamed at Randy. "Indeed." The elderly man chuckled. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He gazed out into the white expanse of snow. "It's only a year since I left this place."

Randy looked at Uncle Seki, who wasn't his biological uncle. Everyone in Icicle Town simply called him that. He was originally a Gongagan native, who constantly travelled many places in the Planet. He had been an explorer in his youth and even in his older years, he was still adventurous for his age. He never married, choosing to spend his freedom in the vast mountains and busy towns. He moved to Icicle Inn for a few years and spent his time enjoying the frozen landscape and telling stories of his adventures. Meia Etsky, a Midgarian girl who occasionally stayed with them for long terms, loved his stories.

Then again, she always loved stories. Randy thought with a small smile. Any story would fascinate her.

Uncle Seki left a year ago to explore the Eastern Continent, but now he is back. He still looked the same. Same wiry hair rimming the sides of his shiny head, a large nose and a protruding lower lip that might give him a fierce and grumpy look. Contrary to his look, Uncle Seki was a friendly and cheerful man.

"Many things can happen in one year. But you're right, nothing much has changed, really," explained Randy. "Except that I'm thinking of proposing to Heidi this March."

Uncle Seki laughed gaily and slapped Randy's back. "Good for you, boy!"

"Also, Meia visited Icicle Inn again while you were away, and she expressed her regrets for not being able to see you."

The fifty-three year-old man chuckled when he thought of the cheerful brunette. "Did she say when she is coming back again?"

Randy shook his head. "Not really." He answered. "Actually her departure this time was rather abrupt. She just left a note with Mrs. Glasko and then she left. Not even a word of goodbye to us." He clamped his lips thoughtfully. "The last time she left, it was also done in a moment's notice…"

"You must be wondering about Meia's background, aren't you?" Randy nodded at Uncle Seki, who continued. "You're right. Despite her liveliness and sincerity, she kept a lot of things secret about her past and her background."

"Could she be some sort of dangerous person, or a spy?" Randy asked doubtfully. He felt guilty that he had such doubts about his friend, but the truth was that Meia was simply too uptight about where she came from and what she does when she's not in Icicle Inn. He couldn't help but wonder if she was much, much more than what she made herself to be. Heidi, his innocent and trusting girlfriend, believed every word of Meia's background – that she is a company worker in Midgar who is trying to clear her annual leave.

"It is natural for people to hide their pasts." The old man said with a smile. "I'm not saying that Meia is someone to be feared of. People hide who they are sometimes because they are afraid that the people whom they like will despise who they are."

The young man scratched his head. "What can Meia possibly be such that we could hate her?" Randy mumbled to himself. Suddenly, Uncle Seki disappeared from his line of sight. He looked at the old man. "Is everything alright?" Randy asked concernedly, because the old man was staring at something ahead of them.

Uncle Seki lifted a finger in front of him. "W… Who is that man over there?"

Randy followed the direction until he saw two figures – Leia Glasko and her boyfriend, Haato. They were holding hands and walking out of the town. Nothing suspicious to Randy, so he replied, "That's Haato, Leia's new boyfriend. He's from..." His eyes widened when he realised that both Haato and Uncle Seki were both from Gongaga. "You know him?"

"Everyone in Gongaga knows him..." Uncle Seki's eyes looked haunted as he gazed at them. "He was the punk who broke into our prison, killing ten police officers in one night."

Randy's blood turned cold at the news. He remembered Uncle Seki once told them an extremely exciting story about a young boy who singlehandedly took on a troop of Gongagan policemen in order to save his friend. The rescue was not worth it, because in the end the friend still died of his old injuries. "Are you sure about this?" Randy asked.

"Does he have a scar running down his left cheek?" Astonished, Randy nodded. "That was the only injury he has gotten that night. And he received it because he was distracted for a moment. With what, I can't remember, but in that moment one of the last surviving officers struck him with his dagger." Uncle Seki sighed. "He was thrown into prison, just sixteen years old."

"Then, how did he escape?"

"Well…" Uncle Seki's face darkened. "A group of people came to town a few weeks later to take him away. All these years I've thought he is dead…"

"Wh… Why would Leia…" Randy gaped at the two figures, now disappeared in the white mass of snow. Why is she dating such a dangerous person? Does she know of his past? His eyebrows furrowed. He wasn't close with Leia; in fact he was many years younger than her. However, that was the culture of Icicle Inn. Everyone looked out for each other in the small town. Like it or not, nobody keeps secrets.

Besides, Randy was genuinely concerned for Leia. If she is unaware of Haato's past, Randy couldn't bear to keep her in the dark. He took a deep breath and nodded approvingly of his decision.

I have to talk to Leia.

Icicle Inn. It had been a haven for Meia many times, now it was home-again for Leia and better-place-than-home for Haato. Despite the joy of being able to relax somewhere without worrying for their jobs or their lives, even Haato admitted that he wasn't used to the sudden freedom. So for some time, Haato and Leia had stayed in the quaint little town, enjoying the friendliness of the town and each other's company… sparring.

"Damn, almost gotcha," muttered Haato, gripping the handle of his katana tightly. "You're getting sneakier everyday."

The light-haired woman replied, "Not really." However, the smile that she gave her former-colleague-turned-lover suggested more than that. "I was just a little more observant of your fighting style, that's all."

Haato smirked and, without warning, swung his katana upwards, narrowing missing Leia's shoulder. Leia flinched and swung aside in response, though she would've been too late if he was aiming for her arm. "Pride comes before a fall." He remarked lightly.

"Something that you should learn, rather than I." Leia rolled her eyes. She braced herself and with a nod from Haato, they ran at each other in full speed.

Unbeknownst to them that Randy and Uncle Connor were discussing about Haato's background earlier, the couple had walked ahead to a small clearing, just a mile outside Icicle Inn. Friendly combat was their favourite activity while they were still Turks in Shinra. Last time, they would spar once a week, mentor to mentee. Now, it is still a habit of theirs to continue sparring.

Despite the new status as lovers, both fighters showed no signs of wanting the other to win. Although Haato was the better fighter than Leia, the mountainous air and cold weather in Icicle were not Haato's best friends. Finally, Haato fell back onto the icy floor, out of breath.

"Fine…" He panted. "You win."

"Of course," answered Leia with a wide smile.

The katana Turk groaned. "I blame it on the old injury, you know?" He said, tapping the long scar that stretched across his cheek.

"Don't fool me with that nonsense," replied Leia, pulling her combat gloves off. "That thing hasn't ached for years."

Haato slowly got up and rubbed his bruised buttocks and equally bruised ego. "You know, I actually like this place very much." He grinned.

Leia glanced at him. "Of course you do." She smiled. "You've been here for a while, haven't you?" She reached into her pocket and pulled out her PHS.

"I know," answered Haato, tightening the katana that hung by his hips. "I mean more than that. Your town is quite like home to me. Your mother and your townspeople are very friendly and warm." He paused and gazed around him. The town stood at a distance, lights twinkling gently in the frozen landscape. "Anyone would want to live here forever and protect such a beautiful place."

Leia chuckled. "Icicle is indeed a beautiful place…" She murmured, staring at her PHS. "Can't believe I left it for so long…"

"Well, it's more than just your town." Haato scratched the back of his black hair, damp with snow. "I love it because it's beautiful, but I love it because it is YOUR home. And…" He gulped, surprised at his sudden nervousness. "I want to be here because YOU are here… I don't mind doing this everyday with you for…" Haato hesitated using the word 'forever' so he quickly amended, "A really long time." He chuckled quietly to himself. "Sounds like a proposal, huh? I guess it pretty much is-"

Leia's head snapped up, cutting Haato's words short. "WEAPON is coming," she reported. "It is on its way here."

He stared at her incredulously. Did she even hear what he had said in the last minute? Haato covered his face with his hand and shook his head slowly. Trust Leia to be so work-oriented to not notice his intentions. "I… I suppose we gotta go get it." Haato said with a subdued voice.

"Yes, we should waylay it before it reaches Icicle Inn, just like Cissnei in Cosmo Canyon."

Haato brushed the snow off his shoulder. "Well, I have another proposal, actually."

"Another?" Leia frowned.

"Let's ask Jasper to join us."

A short silence ensued, but it was quickly broken by the martial artist. "It's futile." She declared. "He won't join us. He has been rejecting our calls and not replying our messages since we left Shinra."

"We won't know when he'll ever reply until we try. And I suggest we keep trying." Haato reasoned. Leia mumbled that she will call him. Haato turned to his sides, left and right, feeling the aches in his body loosen. He was beginning to adapt to the high altitudes of the snowy town. With luck, he will be just as good fighting on snowy terrain as on ground.

"He's not picking up, so I've messaged him." Leia placed the PHS back into her phone. Both nodded at each other to signal that they're ready for the WEAPON. "You alright from the sparring, Haato?" She smirked. "You know you aren't getting any younger."

The katana-Turk coloured. "You kid!" He called, even though Leia was far from a child. "Who is the one who sacrificed his weekends so that he can train you in combat when you were a rookie?" Leia snorted and retorted something along the lines of him needing to catch up. Haato narrowed his eyes at her. "You win just one bout today and you're so smug, young lady."

"Let us go now." Leia answered with less cheekiness. "Don't you want Jade WEAPON to come wreck this town, do you?" Without waiting for his answer, she walked ahead and up the snowy slope to the main town.

He gritted his teeth at his girlfriend. "You wait! When I get accustomed to the Icicle climates I-"

His words were cut off because Leia turned around and looked at him. "I hope we can quarrel like this every day, always." She smiled warmly. Quickly, she turned around and returned her climb up.

… So she did hear my proposal just now? His shock quickly turned to warmth and Haato smiled at Leia's words. That was exactly what he loved about her. While she is direct and no-nonsense, Leia is incredibly stubborn in expressing her emotions and feelings. It is snippets of times like this, when she admits her joy or her acceptance in such a roundabout yet obvious manner, that Haato thought she was adorable beyond words.

It was clear that Haato's age was not catching up on him. Within moments, he caught up with her, hugging her from behind. "We'll be together always… quarrelling till you're sick and tired of me… alright?"

"…" Leia grabbed Haato's hands for a brief moment of affection before pushing them away. "Let's go, Haato," was her answer, although Haato could swear his socks off that her tone was already less than strict.

Jasper Gemsworth knew very well that the trip to Mideel was a social party of various rich families. He also knew that the main purpose of the party was for the Windell's eldest daughter, Cassandra (or Cassie as he knew her by), to find a suitable husband to marry. By attending the party, the Gemsworth family had nominated their interest in an arranged marriage.

How is this even possible? Jasper placed a palm on his forehead in worry. Rod will absolutely kill me if he knew that Cassie is going to marry me. Besides, there's no one else I truly ever liked, except Meia Etsky.

Then, he thought back about his secret deal with Cassie when he met her at the party. Dressed in a scarlet cocktail dress, even Jasper admitted that his colleague was stunning. If only Rod had seen her.

The two Turks wasted no time. Both agreed that the marriage seemed inevitable; even if they didn't want to marry each other, their parents will find someone else. They had agreed to play along as reluctant but filial children that obey their parents' wishes… for now. Cassie apparently had some plan going on, supposedly trying to get her brother to take the place of inheriting the family business instead. She was never interested in taking over the business in the beginning. With that out in the light, her family would be less adamant about her marriage.

As for Jasper, he wasn't interested in marriage. The only girl whom he ever had feelings for was Meia, and well… obviously that wasn't going to work out. Until they find him a solution, he wouldn't mind pretending to be Cassie's husband-nominee. It wasn't as if he disliked seeing her.

Cassie was equally pleased to see Jasper. They talked at length, catching up with the things that Jasper missed after returning to Bone Village. That was how Jasper knew of Rod and Cassie being together, and that Veld was still alive. Cassie also, in low tones, quickly explained to Jasper the current turmoil of the Planet – Meteor.

Jasper paused in his thoughts to look out of his carriage window. In the daylight it was almost hard to spot, but if Jasper squinted, he could see the rock in the sky. During the party, many people speculated what it could be, though no one was genuinely worried. "Perhaps a passing comet," suggested someone with obviously no astronomical knowledge. Some were sure that it was retribution to Shinra for the terrible things they've done, and some claimed that it is a new star, like the new sun replacing their current one. All these are mere guesses. Only a small handful, Jasper now included, knew the real reason.

In the return from Mideel, Jasper's father was most pleased with Cassie. He would not stop talking about her in the entire trip back to Bone Village. Jasper was very sure that his father will hope to see their families unite as one through marriage.

Sorry, father. He thought. It's not going to happen.

Jasper alighted the carriage and nodded his thanks to the driver. From behind him, his father remarked casually, "I'm still not very used to seeing you like this, Jasper."

His son turned around with an amused look on his face. "Father, weren't you complaining years ago that I was too friendly with my servants?"

"I remember what I've said. My boy was only an 18 year-old boy who cannot draw his boundaries between various people. Now, look at you… A strong man of 23 who has shown great perspective and tactfulness in your demeanour. Your uncles will be very surprised to see the change in you tonight."

Jasper remembered. His father had organized a welcome party for him for his distant relatives across the Planet. Jasper only saw it more like a chance for his father to boast that his decision to let his son do something different was a good choice. "I'll remember to be on my best behavior, father." He said.

"You've changed a lot since you left." His father threw him a knowing look. "Perhaps letting you become a Turk wasn't so bad after all."

"None of that is important anymore," said Jasper testily. "I am back to inherit your business. We've agreed before that we will not discuss about anything that had happened in my last five years, have we not?"

"Of course."

"If you would excuse me, father." Before the older man could respond, Jasper gave his father a deep bow and quickly walked up the steps leading to his mansion.

Hello everyone! Chapter 23 is back! I hope that you're still hanging on! Also, that you still understand what is happening everywhere :P

Do read and review!