Days of Exile

As promised, the continuation of the plot… just skipping through the scenes. Thus, the shorter chapters. This chapter also makes a reference to one of my favourite Final Fantasy characters – Rikku!

Chapter 52 – Refuge

To say that Meia and everyone else were handling the aftermath well would be quite an overstatement. For some reason, they did not manage to evacuate everyone completely before and during Meteorfall. There was an increasing suspicion that there are survivors that the Turks might have missed, but things were busy as they were in the refugee camp near Sector Two.

As Kalm was full of refugees, the remaining people had to stay in the lower sectors. Apart from the concern that the upper plates may come crashing down, the lower sectors were not much affected by the destruction brought by Meteor. It was a laughable irony, Meia thought. Years of oppression, stuck in the dim world that many called home… who would've thought that they are the safest places in Midgar now?

However, they should not be happy with staying in the lower sectors forever. The former Turks had to find a new place for them, and quick. Rations and space to fit people in were running out. People were starting to complain about the lack of basic amenities like water and blankets. Some people were freaking out and causing lots of ruckus during the day because they had never seen sunlight spilling into the open lower sectors.

For the ten Turks to handle thousands of people, it was not easy, even with the best of their efficiencies. Meia had given the former Turks autonomy to handle the Midgar citizens, as long as they did not hurt them. However, there was so much she had to do. Meia turned to Mason and Cisssnei in utter despair. She knew that there were pressing matters to handle right here, right now. Still, there was a naggy feeling that there would always be that one more person out there awaiting rescue.

"Let us help too," a voice spoke up. Meia turned to see a group of men from the slums. Most of them were the people from the Wall Market – people whom she saved by defeating Beren and Samuel. These men had gathered their own friends from the other sectors too. "I heard that there may still be survivors."

"There are too few of you to save everyone," added another man. "We won't have you take your time to finish matters here. So we will go."

Meia stared at them in surprise. Despite their harsh words, Meia knew that these men meant well. "Will you really go?" asked Cissnei. "We really could use all the help that we have."

"Yeah!" piped a younger man, blushing a little at the sight of Cissnei. "Safety of others is more important than sitting around here blaming Shinra and the Turks for our misfortune."

Meia could feel tears in her eyes, overwhelmed by the willingness of the people in times of need. "Everyone… thank you." She straightened herself and bowed to the men.

"Meia!" gasped Mason.

The men laughed. "We are not doing this for you, Turk!" One of them rolled up his sleeves. "You are a Turk, act more like one!"

"No, I'm thanking you but not as a Turk," said Meia, tears of relief streaming down her face. "I'm thanking you as a fellow victim of Meteorfall."

Thanks to the citizen-led rescue team, new people continually appeared at the refugee-spot. Rations and space continued to be a problem. Thankfully, the people from the slums were willing to help each other. Soon, after people started becoming used to the sky, not many complained and murmured among themselves.

Meia was surprised to see the groups coming back with quite a sizable amount of people every time. Could we have done better? Meia wondered.

Veld had a different answer. "It's okay," said Veld at some point during the chaotic period. "We have done our best. In such short notice and considering our reputation, we could not have done better."

Within days after Meteorfall, the fugitives finally accepted their situation and settled down with whatever they had. The Turks were glad to take a breather, even if it was for a day or an hour. Who knew when would problems start coming their way again?

23 January 0008

"Hey."

Meia looked up at Leia. "Hey, Leia." She smiled and invited Leia to sit beside her.

Being ever efficient, Leia went to the point straightaway. "Randy and Heidi are getting married next month."

Meia turned to Leia. "Really?" She beamed. "Can't wait to see them then. Maybe I should go to Icicle Inn before deciding on Veld's offer."

"About that… there's something that you should know." Meia gave Leia a puzzled look. "When Haato and I were in the Icicle Inn, Randy found out that we were Turks. That includes you, too."

Meia's heart felt cold upon hearing those words. "That's no good," she mumbled to herself. Deciding to be a little more objective, she asked. "How did he take it?"

The beautiful martial artist smiled wryly at the memory. "Just like how anyone would feel if he had found out that his friend had been keeping her true identity as a Turk from him for many years." She shrugged. "He did not talk to us after that."

"Ah, poopie." She pouted. "Sometimes, keeping personal secrets is like keeping water in a sieve. I guess Randy and Heidi must be thinking the worst of me."

After that statement, Meia kept quiet, and Leia made no attempt to interrupt her thoughts. Leia nodded approvingly at how calmly Meia was taking the whole situation. When she was a lot younger, Meia would react explosively to anything that happened. Allowing emotions to get the better of her was always one of her weaker points as a Turk. Something must have happened after we left Shinra, Leia thought. Perhaps it was when she was captured by Hojo.

Finally, the young woman stood. Leia stared at her. "I will go back, nevertheless. Maybe when Jasper returns to Bone Village, I'll return with him," Meia decided. "Even if my efforts are futile, I must see Randy and Heidi at least one more time."

"Fair enough." Leia agreed. "Jasper should be leaving in a few days' time."

"Yeah… more than enough time to think about what to do."

"You are calmer than I thought."

Meia turned and gave a sad smile. "Yeah, being locked up by Hojo gave me a lot of time to think many things through. About the people around me and about myself as a Turk. Maybe I've grown up a little." She sat down beside Leia again. "Well…" She laughed humourlessly. "I've forced myself to stop thinking that I'm a child already."

It was what Leia had guessed, but she was surprised nevertheless. "You have changed, for sure," Leia said quietly. "I would say that it's for good yet I feel some loss for you. Your childishness have always been a part of you throughout…"

"Exactly," grinned Meia. "But well… it's part of growing up. I had to let it go no matter what."

Leia was quiet for a brief moment, before saying, "You do not need to act like that anymore." She placed her hand on Meia's soft head. "You are not a Turk anymore. You don't have to make any more conflicting moral decisions."

"Nah, it's too late." Meia smiled. "The journey as a Turk has led to the inevitable change in me."

Meia's smile faltered when she saw that Leia's smile was a sad one. Leia was one of the first few people that she met. She was with Reno and Rude when they had found her in the Sector Four slums. Leia always had a soft spot for Meia, more than she would like to admit. Meia knew that; while she did not make fun or mention it to Leia, she in turn also became extremely fond of the tough-only-on-the-outside Leia.

Meia held Leia's hand and squeezed it. "Leia, don't be sad about it. I'm still Meia, aren't I? I may not behave like a kid, but I still want to hold on to my childish dreams… well… once in a while. Time will tell if my change is for the better or not." She stretched herself. "And guess what? I think I have finally gotten over the whole Turk-moral thing."

"Oh?" Leia said with a smile. It was one of the main things that Meia could not get over when she was a Turk. It tortured her inside, just as much as the others did before her. "So, tell me your theory."

With a sheepish smile, Meia began to explain. Leia nodded. It was more or less what everyone else thought or concluded. It was not the best explanation to give anyone outside the Turks, but it would do. Indeed, Meia had grown up to understand that there was really no way to get the ideal situation, but that she had to make the best of what she had.

"So… what do you think?" Meia asked after her explanation.

Leia smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I think it's pretty reasonable."

"Yeah…" Meia said softly. "So if I ever get a chance to explain to Randy and Heidi… I would probably say all these. Not too bad, eh? Just gotta keep calm and not-" She swallowed. "Not let my emotions show… too much." She wiped traces of tears. "I'm scared, though." Leia opened her arms and Meia sank into her comrade's embrace. "They are the only people outside of the Turks who were my friends," Meia mumbled.

"I know," said Leia, thinking of that time when her friends stopped talking to her because she became a mercenary. With no one to turn to, Shinra and the Turks became her only refuge to devote her hurt and disappointment into her work. Leia kept a sigh within. "I really do."

Hello all! I'm on time this time, huh? Hurray! I've decided to upload the chapter a little early this week. Thank you for your reviews and faves! They make me feel like I'm on the top of the world everytime. To the reviewer with that question, I've answered it on my blog at aichioluv dot blogspot dot sg. I prefer spamming over a blog than to do it here, I hope you understand.

Okay, so Meteorfall Aftermath has started. How would Meia and friends cope? Stay tuned!