Chapter 12 – Another Life
The Balamb station had very little traffic on late Saturday morning. Most vacationers had either arrived last night for the night life or earlier that morning to find the best fishing spot. For that Squall was extremely grateful as they boarded the morning. He didn't need a crowd of people wearing him down even more than Zell and Selphie already were.
Squall knew leadership was tough, but he didn't appreciate how truly hard it was and it wasn't for the reasons he expected. He didn't have to worry about Zell and Selphie in a fight, it was the in between…getting from point A to point B with the non stop talking, bickering, or whatever… It was beyond trying and it made Squall wish he went into covert ops if he didn't loathe sneaking around so much. At least he could be ALONE.
As they boarded the train, Selphie's voice broke Squall out of his mind.
"This train is AWESOME! " She said rushing past Squall like an overly eager child.
Zell piped in next "An intercontinental railroad, baby!" he exclaimed punching a fist into the air "It even runs in an underwater tunnel to get to Timber. Pretty cool, huh?"
Squall's flat expression met with Zell's zealous grin. Zell's smile faded as Squall expression showed he remained unmoved by their means of travel.
"Guess you're not really interested in that…" Zell said as he stared at the ground.
Squall's silence was answer enough.
"Uh…you'll need to use the ticket if you want us to get to the SeeD compartment…yeah…" Zell stammered.
Squall pulled the ticket from his pocket and placed it under the reader mounted on the wall. The reader glowed green and the door leading to the SeeD compartment slid open.
"Woohoo! Thanks." Selphie said as she danced around Squall to go through the door.
Squall jumped back out of her way. Zell came zooming by next.
"Come on, Squall! Let's check it out."
Squall looked on at the both and silently shook his head.
Both Zell and Selphie ran down the hall and turned left to go into the private SeeD compartment. Squall followed them.
"Check this out, man!" Zell said as he twirled in the middle of the compartment.
"We got fridge, TV, bunks," Zell twisted and pointed out everything. "We even have magazines."
Zell picked up a magazine and flung it at Squall like a metal star. Squall looked at the cover. Pet Pals vol. 1…yay….can't wait to read that. He threw it down on the bunk next to him as he walked in.
"So glad you're so excited." Squall said flatly.
Zell didn't pay any mind to Squall's disinterest.
"Right?! It pays to be a member of SeeD, baby!"
I'm not your baby…. Squall stared Zell down.
He's worse than a 2 yr old hopped up on sugar.
"Know anything about Timber?" Zell excitedly asked.
"Uh…" Squall began.
"Thought so, let me fill you in." Zell cut Squall off. Squall sighed, folded his arms across his chest and sat on the bunk.
Zell went on.
"Timber used to be a country surrounded by deep forests. But 18 years ago, Galbadia invaded. Timber fell quite easily to Galbadia. So now Timber is under Galbadian occupation. It's said there's a whole bunch of resistance factions, big and small."
Squall scowled at Zell.
"And…?"
"And that's it!" Zell proudly exclaimed.
Squall rolled his eyes and sighed again.
"Well, thank you Mr Know It All Zell!"
Zell grinned wide.
"No prob, man!"
This mission can't be over quick enough.
Selphie came wandering back into the compartment looking green
Squall eyed her as she stumbled in.
"Are you ok?" Squall asked.
"I-uh...don't feel so good…"
Selphie dropped to her knees and then collapsed onto the floor.
"Selphie!" Squall shouted as he went towards her.
"Ugh…what the hell…" Zell grabbed his head and pitched forward.
No…
Before Squall could react, a vise like pain clamped down onto his head. He dropped to his knees, fighting the pulling sensation threatening to what felt like something trying to pull his brain out of his skull.
"What….is…this..?"
His vision swam and the world went black.
The air was thick and wet as they ran.
His boots slightly sank and slipped in the mud.
The Forest drew nearer with each step
(Yo..weren't we just on a train…?)
(Who are these guys..? The guy ahead is kinda cute with his long, dark hair. )
(?! What is this?! Where am I? Who are these guys?)
"Uh, Laguna…are you sure this is the right way?" A tall, slender man with dark skin in the running trio asked. All three men were dressed in blue, armored uniforms.
Galbadian uniforms.
(Galbadian soldiers? How...?)
The large man called from behind.
"Ah man, Laguna!" he exclaimed., "You got us lost AGAIN!"
"Pah! Nonsense! I know exactly where we are." The man with long dark hair proclaimed.
"We go North!" He pointed.
The dark, slender man shook his head.
"Laguna…that's south."
A scowl crossed the man's face with dark hair. His emerald green eyes narrowed.
"How do you know?!"
"Because I can read a compass." The dark man countered.
Laguna deflated taking the map out of his pocket and looking at it again.
As he studied, he realized they came full circle.
"Bah! Screw this…we're going home!"
"Aren't we supposed to be fighting a war?" the large man asked. "You know, the great Timber army?"
"Can't fight 'em if we can't find 'em." Laguna said cheerfully as he marched south.
"Deiling City, here we come!" Laguna waved his team on. The two other men sighed and followed Laguna thru the brush back to their transport.
The heavily armored vehicle the team arrived in was parked haphazardly in the tall grass about a quarter mile south of their location. The tired soldiers climbed inside and made their way out of the forest, driving an hour out of the once sprawling forests to a major city.
As they approached the city, night began to fall. The team was welcomed by street lights, bright signs, and massive amounts of traffic. After 5 minutes of not budging an inch in the round about around one of the central fountains, Laguna sighed and much to his companion's shock, shut off the motor and climbed out of the vehicle.
The larger man in the back seat exclaimed after him. "Hey! You can't just park right in the middle of the street!"
Laguna rolled his eyes "Chill man! It's cool. No one's going anywhere." As he gestured to the bumper to bumper traffic clogging the roadway.
The larger man glared at Laguna.
"Tell you what, Ward, I'll buy your drink. We're all going drinking."
Their darker complexion team mate started to laugh.
"Laguna, we all know you don't drink."
"Whatever, Kiros."
Ward piped up smiling broadly at both his team mates.
"Yeah, you're just going to get a virgin margarita and gawk on the Piano Lady, like a weenie. Haha!"
Laguna turned beet red and glared at both Ward and Kiros.
"She is not the Piano Lady. Her name is Julia. I don't gawk, I enjoy her music, and I do too drink! "
Both Kiros and Ward erupted in laughter. This agitated Laguna further.
"You know what, fine…I ain't going."
Kiros still laughing said between his laughs
"Oh, come on Laguna. We all know you're going to do exactly that."
Kiros and Ward start walking down the packed avenue as people remained in their cars, blaring their horns at now their vehicle that was obstructing traffic. Laguna stood by the vehicle, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Argh!" he growled as he started to run after his team mates.
"Hey guys! Wait!"
He caught up to them as they were approaching a grand stone building with a large illuminated sign at street level identifying it as the Galbadia Hotel. A red carpet led up to the brass framed glass doors that lead into the immaculate marble clad hotel lobby. The party veered to the left to go to the lounge, and followed the red carpeted stairs down. A gentleman in a black dress slacks and white dress shirt acknowledged them.
"Your usual table, sirs?"
Kiros answered "Yes, please."
The Host showed them to their table out of professional courtesy. It was the same booth week after week, off to the right of the stage in the back. The perfect angle to admire a performer and remain inconspicuous, or so Laguna believed, Kiros thought.
(Teehee! This Laguna guy is HOT)
(Whoa… This is one helluva trip.)
Ward and Kiros remained standing at the table until Laguna arrived.
"At ease, men." He dismissed.
(Oh Hyne, what is this? What is wrong with me?)
A confused look began to spread across Laguna's face.
Kiros's expression inquired what the problem was, but then Laguna shook the expression.
It was probably nerves. Kiros had a good feeling that Laguna wasn't going to go thru with it tonight.
He's been threatening for months now.
"We're going all out tonight, right boys!" Laguna announced and sat down.
A waitress dressed in a black pencil skirt and white dress shirt, similar to what the Host was wearing came to their table with a friendly smile. She leaned I to the table and asked "What can I get you boys tonight?"
Laguna looked to Ward and Kiros as if to draw some inspiration or courage but their faces offered him nothing. Slouching his shoulders as he sighed, Laguna resigned.
"The usual."
Kiros followed. "Same here."
Ward ordered last. "Keep 'em coming!"
The brunette waitress winked.
"You got it, boys!"
Their Waitress made her way away to the bar. Laguna's eyes followed her shortly until the real reason why they were there made her way on stage.
Laguna stood spellbound as she walked across the stage to her usual post every night, the black grand piano that dominated the small stage. The skirt of her long red sequence dress with crisscross straps flowed behind her giving her the appearance of being a specter gliding on stage. Her dark brown, almost black hair was secured neatly in an elegant up-do. He remembered how to breathe as she played those 1st few notes on the piano to one of favorite tunes. However, it was hard for Laguna to really pick a favorite. Anything she played sounded like it was blessed by Hyne itself.
Ward and Kiros both looked at Laguna as he stood to their right intently watching her play. They knowingly smiled and nodded.
Ward clears his throat gruffly breaking Laguna free from her powers.
"Hey, Laguna! Are you going for it tonight? "
Ward's gaze shifted to the woman on stage and then back to Laguna.
"Man, she's gorgeous tonight. You got to go for it!" Kiros added.
Laguna felt heat radiate from his cheeks as he turned beet red.
"Whatever. Can't you see she's working? "
Kiros laughed. "Come on! You can't go back on your word… Go wave at her!"
"Come on! Give me a break…" Laguna hid his face in his hands.
Ward deeply chuckled.
"That's what you say, but we all know you want ta."
Laguna shook his head while the other two continued to laugh. He breathed in deep and began to approach the stage. He stood directly in front of her, soaking in the music, watching her as her fingers danced amongst the ebony and ivory keys. The dim stage lights focused on her, making her red sequence dress sparkle like the most precious rubies against her porcelain white complexion.
Laguna mused to himself "Ah to be this close to Julia."
Julia remained intent upon what she was playing, unaware of Laguna standing just out of reach below the stage, lost in the music of the piano she played, studying her intently. It was then she unwittingly broke the spell as she looked up to find his peaceful eyes upon her.
Laguna locked eyes with her as his once peaceful expression melted away into one of pure anxiety.
(No no no no…my leg! Argh!)
Laguna quickly reached down and grabbed his calf and began to massage the cramp.
(Is this guy serious? )
Laguna jumped up at the intrusive thought, scanning the tables to see who said that. His leg cramped up again, quickly making him abandon his short lived investigation. He slowly limped back to his table.
(Sad. Poor Sir Laguna. )
"Hey! You did it. Way to go Laguna." Kiros praised Laguna.
"Mission successful." Ward said.
"Yeah, sure…" Laguna sulked.
Ward smiled broadly and clapped Laguna on the back.
"Hey, I didn't actually think you would go through with it!"
Laguna glanced at his large friend sideways.
"Gotta say," Ward continued "our popularity went up a point."
Kiros shot Laguna with a look of feigned look of pity.
"Yeah…but you cut a pretty pitiful figure up there. I'll give you a negative 3 on the manliness scale."
"Say what you want!" Laguna curtly replied, becoming quickly annoyed with his friends and whatever these strange, degrading thoughts about himself that surfaced out of the blue tonight. He closes his eyes and makes a deep sigh to clear his mind. Laguna's emerald eyes moved up the stage to Julia as she played.
"Gosh, Julia is sure pretty…." Laguna said mostly to himself.
Kiros and Ward shared a knowing look.
The music faded away, but Laguna didn't seem to notice, being carried off by whatever fantasy now played in his mind.
"Aaa.." Kiros began as he saw the one who held this strange enchantment over his best friend now approached. Kiros jabbed Ward in the ribs.
Ward glared at Kiros, inquiring why the he was poked. He followed Kiros' eyes to meet with a slender, feminine, figure that approached. Realization came across Ward's broad face.
"Ahh..Laguna, we're heading out." Ward's gravely voice announced as he arose from the table. Confusion and hurt clouded Laguna's emerald eyes.
"Huh, but we just got here…" Laguna began to protest.
Ward smiled as he said, "It's on us, friend." His large hand reached over to grip Laguna's shoulder in a comforting grip. "Why don't you stay and relax awhile."
Laguna narrowed his gaze as his eyes darted from Kiros back to Ward.
"oooh…okay?." Laguna said.
Kiros smiled broadly. "Enjoy!" The two friends turned and left, leaving Laguna to intently stare off at them as he watched them leave the lounge as a young woman with porcelain skin, dark hair, wearing a ruby dress continued her approach to Laguna's left. She softly touched his shoulder causing Laguna to blanch white and nearly jump on top of the table.
"May I?" she smiled as she softly spoke.
Laguna turned to her voice. As his eyes focused on her face, he jumped backwards, as if he had been shocked by a strong static discharge.
"Aaa.." was all Laguna could force out of his mouth as his mind raced.
Holy smokes…holy smokes…she's here. Right here.
He finally sees that he's blocking the seat she asked for and limps out of her way, clumsily offering it to her.
The woman smiles "Did I interrupt something?"
Laguna snaps out of his internal dialog, briefly.
"N-n-n-n-ooo." He sheepishly grins once again offering her the seat in a much more animated fashion than before.
"Please, please, have a seat!"
As she sat, Laguna continued to stand frozen.
Ooooh man, oh man….its her..its REALLY HER. Oh, God, what do I do? Kiros, Ward, please come back! I don't even know what to say…oh wow…but, she's so beautiful…
The racing thoughts crashed full force into the icy wall of foreign, condescending thoughts that invaded his mind.
Is this guy for real? Come on…
Laguna frowned at the strange, inward remark that was not his own. It was cold and calloused.
Julia's soft giggle broke Laguna free of his internal conflict and the stranger that had somehow entered his mind…his ear…like a small fairy he used to hear in children's books when he was small? He wasn't quite certain.
"Are you ok, now? I seem to have startled you." Julia asked.
Laguna lowered himself slowly into his seat, still trying to figure out what to do or say and shake this ever growing feeling his mind wasn't his own anymore.
"Kind of…" Laguna sheepishly grinned, looking into Julia's dark brown eyes. Their deep color calmed him.
Julia smiled at him back and gestured towards Laguna's leg he was now gently massaging.
"How's your leg?" she inquired.
Laguna quickly straightened up.
"Lllleg?" he stammered back. "Its fine, everything is fine." He sheepishly grinned again. "It kinda cramps up when I'm- em…nervous.."
Laguna nervously cleared his throat, then took a long sip from his drink, drinking too fast and causing him to cough.
Whatever…
Laguna wrinkled his brow again at the intrusive thought, then shook it off. He was determined to let nothing get in his way this time.
"Are you nervous? " Julia inquired further.
"Yeah, kinda…" Laguna replied.
Laguna silently chided himself..what a weak reply!
Julia looked deeper into Laguna's eyes and gently took his hand. Her touch sent a tingling sensation through his hand, up his arm, and down his spine. He fought not to gasp.
Feeling his tension, Julia responded "You don't have to be nervous…please relax."
Laguna closed his eyes and took a deep breath, attempting to calm his racing heart. Julia continued to hold his hand, gently massaging his palm with her thumb.
"Say, perhaps we can go somewhere a bit more private…"
Julia started to suggest.
"Erhm…where are you suggesting?..." Laguna asked.
"I have a room here," Julia began. "We can go up there and no one will bother us."
Laguna's eyes opened wide as he jumped up out of his seat. Julia quickly let go of his hand and looked up at him.
"YOUR ROOM?!" Laguna turned three shades of red as he exclaimed.
"It's the most private place I know close by." Julia softly spoke. "Do you know of another place? We can go there…"
Laguna regained composure and lowered himself down to his seat, again, chiding himself for his behavior. His natural complexion slowly returned to his cheeks.
"Uh..no…your room will be fine." Laguna began to scratch the back of his head.
"OK, follow me then. " Julia stood and gently took Laguna's hand. Laguna followed Julia as they exited the lounge and took the back elevator to the 3rd floor. As they made their way to Julia's room, Laguna's mind continued to race.
Holy smokes…is this really happening…? Ok, be cool Laguna…be cool..just a get to know ya talk, right? Haha..
"This is it." Julia pointed. She opened the wooden door with a brass placard on it. "Come in!"
Julia entered the room and switched on the lights.
Her room was moderate sized filled with fairly high end hotel furniture. The large window commanded a beautiful view of the Deiling City skyline, full of twinkling lights from neighboring buildings and traffic.
"Please, make yourself comfortable." Julia gestured to a chair. She sat on the edge of one of the two beds in the room as Laguna paced from the window to the door. His internal dialog continued.
I'm dreaming…Laguna thought.
I gotta be dreaming...The intrusive thoughts slipped into his mind. Laguna was beginning to wonder if Kiros put something in his drink as a way to get him to relax because he knows he gets nervous. Where was this coming from?
He looked over to Julia. This is not a dream, she's right there, Laguna thought.
This is too insane to be a dream. Lack of sleep and the exam finally made me crack, the intrusive thought entered once more.
Huh? Laguna stopped pacing.
He looked back over at Julia, sitting on her bed smiling at him. Her dark eyes following him.
She's sitting right there and she wants to talk to me…
Oh dear God! This guy talks to himself way too much.
Laguna frowned as the intrusive thought made itself present once more.
He thought back about the Fae his Grandmother used to tell him about as a boy. Maybe they were real?
And lucky him got the one with the worst attitude.
Whatever…
Can you hear what I'm thinking?
Unfortunately, YES! The Fae responded.
Stop! I'm nervous enough. Aren't the Fae supposed to be helpful?!
He stood in silence, collecting his thoughts, trying to calm his mind.
"S-s-sorry I've been so nervous tonight." Laguna began as he stared down studying the floor. "I've been such a big fan of yours since you started playing here. I try not to miss a performance, but sometimes we get sent off on long missions…"
He looked up and met her eyes.
"I still can't believe you invited me up here. This feels like a dream."
Julia softly giggled.
"Yes, I've seen you."
Laguna jumped back.
"Y-you saw me?"
Julia stood and nodded.
"I believe so. I always saw you smiling. Your beautiful green eyes had the most peaceful look about them, I could get lost in them…but there's fear in them now." Julia frowned as she brushed back Laguna's hair from his face. Laguna slightly shied away from the contact, until Julia gently took his hand.
"Now, now...there's nothing to be afraid of." Julia stared up into Laguna's eyes. "I promise you I won't pluck out your eyes and eat them.." she giggled. "I just want to lose myself once more in your beautiful emerald eyes."
Laguna allowed his body to relax. He brushed his hands along her bare arms.
"I really must be dreaming."
Julia shook her head. Her eyes still intently staring into his.
"So, pretty eyes…do you have a name?"
"Y-y-yes. Laguna. Laguna Loire."
"Pleased to meet you, Laguna."
"This has got to be a dream…"
Julia smiled and shook her head again.
"So tell me about you. I can see you're in the Army. Do you like it?"
She stepped away and sat back on the edge of her bed. Laguna sat down.
"Yes and no. I like the fact we get to travel, but I don't really like combat. I would really love to be a full time journalist. I've published one article and it made it to the readers column, so guess people enjoy what I write…"
Julia sat on the bed as Laguna continued to tell her about the adventures he had in the Army with Ward and Kiros, his two best friends. He continued to tell her how he would love to write about what he did and saw. As he spoke, he began to feel more and more relaxed and very groggy. He let out a loud yawn.
Bout time you mellowed out…Laguna heard the Fae criticize him once more.
"I'm sorry." He blushed. "Wine has a tendency to make me so relaxed, I get sleepy. I should have known better than to indulge."
He got up and stood against the wall.
"I'm probably boring you to death anyways, so please, tell me about yourself. Do you have any dreams for the future?"
Julia stood from the bed and walked towards the window, away from Laguna, staring at the night cityscape. She turned towards him.
"I- I want to sing. Not just play the piano, but sing too."
Laguna smiled. "I would love to hear you sing. I bet your voice is as beautiful as you."
Julia smiled weakly.
"I hear a but…" Laguna started.
Julia nodded.
"I'm afraid I can't. I can write tunes easily, but the lyrics…I haven't been able to write meaningful lyrics."
Laguna frowned and grabbed his chin. His eyes lit up as he lifted his head.
"Try writing from your heart."
Julia smiled.
"Yes…."
She walked towards Laguna and looked into his eyes.
"I think I can come up with something now, thanks to you."
"Me?" Laguna pointed at himself with a wide eyed expression.
"Yes…you've shown so much of yourself tonight. Your hopes and dreams. The things that hurt, the things that frightened you…the ones you love…I see it all in your eyes, your face.. I hear it in your voice. Yes, I believe I can weave all these things into lyrics and music."
She now stood before Laguna and held both his hands. Laguna looked down to continue looking at her face.
"Whoa.." Laguna said. "I feel like I'm going to wake up and this will all be a dream."
Julia gently pinched Laguna's arm.
"Ow…" Laguna said with a confused expression.
"See, not a dream. " Julia tenderly smiled.
Laguna and Julia leaned into each other and as their lips brushed upon each other, a loud knock sounded at the door.
"Laguna! It's me, Kiros! We got new orders and need to get to the Presidential residence ASAP."
Laguna frowned.
"I'm so sorry, Julia. "
"It's ok.." she smiled as she kissed his cheek. "I understand. Just do me a favor…"
"Anything." Laguna said.
"Promise you'll return."
Of course." He smiled. "How else am I going to hear your song?"
The world started becoming dark around the edges as Squall felt he was being tugged away from the scene in Julia's room.
"Arriving at Timber Station. Arriving at Timber Station…"
Squall felt small hands grab his shoulders and turn him over to his back. He then felt those same hands hitting his cheeks.
"Squall…Squall! Come on, wake up…" a high pitched voice demanded.
Squall opened his eyes but reeled back from the light.
"ARGH…my head. What the hell…"
"Hey man, are you ok?" a masculine voice asked as firm hands helped him to a sitting position.
"Not really..."he opened his eyes again to find a concerned Zell and Selphie staring at him.
"Was I asleep?" Squall inquired in a dazed state.
"I think we all were." Zell replied. "Might have been sleeping gas in our cabin. There's a lot people out there that resent SeeD."
Maybe...best to be careful, Squall thought as he fought a wave of nausea trying to stand.
Selphie's eyes grew wide at the implication. She looked about frantically checking to see if her weapons were still on her person and no one was I injured.
"Everything appears to be secured." She said as she concluded her brief search.
"Heehee! I had the most amazing dream though…"Selphie declared as she threw herself back into the cushions on the bench.
Squall thought to himself, so did I…only it wasn't so nice. I dreamt I was a MORON.
Three chimes sounded in the cabin "Attention travelers We will be arriving in Timber shortly. We ask all travelers whose final destination is Timber to secure all belongings to ensure a smooth departure. Thank you for traveling with us."
"Sir Laguna was such a gentleman! And oh my Godddd was he CUTE!" Selphie clasped her hands and brought them to her chest.
"Whoa.. there was like a Laguna in my dream too!" Zell jumped up and exclaimed. "Dude had long, dark hair…cool guy but kinda awkward…he was a Galbadian soldier, right?"
"Yeah!" Selphie squealed.
Squall froze in place. Ice crept up his spine as he slowly spoke.
"Laguna, Kiros, and Ward."
Zell's face went white. "uh...yeah." he managed.
The three SeeDs all shared a haunted expression with each other.
Three chimes sounded again inside the cabin.
"We will be arriving in less than five minutes."
Squall shook his head, hopefully he could wrestle himself free of this unwelcome feeling this bizarre coincidence brought.
"As strange as this was, we don't have time to really investigate it right now." Squall said. "We have a mission, our 1st..so let's be on our toes. When we return to Garden, we can look into it further and see if the Headmaster can help us make sense of it. That's all for now. Let's make sure we have everything."
Zell and Selphie nodded in agreement. They then grabbed their belongings and exited the cabin.
Selphie yawned as she went into the main cabin.
"Whew..still kinda sleepy."
Laguna…Kiros..Ward..who are these guys? What did this mean?
No time for this, Squall thought. I need to keep my head in the game.