The Barkeep (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
forcegalactic) wrote2015-09-30 03:00 pm
forcegalactic) wrote2015-09-30 03:00 pm
Entry tags:
Fanfiction
Writings are in the comments. The stories will only include those who have tagged into his August log, canonmates, and anyone else who has expressed permission to use their characters.
Characters:
Characters:
- Albel Nox
- Ales Mansay
- Aya Brea
- Cloud Strife
- Chrom
- Duster
- Fai D. Flourite
- Graham Specter
- Ichigo Kurosaki
- Jade Curtiss
- James Kidd
- Johnny D'Amico
- Nanami Kiryuu
- Ramza Beoulve
- Rialynn Kollman
- Reno
- Rukia Kuchiki
- Saori Nakagawa
- Sephiroth
- Sparks Nevada
- Tazendra Lavode
- Tear Grants
- Terra Branford
- Vincent Valentine
- Yuffie Kisaragi
- Zelda
Drabbles
Page 1
Vincent didn't answer, opting to stare out the window instead. He didn't feel like talking, but he wasn't going to voice that. He was a rude, inconsiderate man, who preferred to keep people guessing what he wanted instead of politely declining their offers.
Elizabeth cleared her throat. "I said, please tell me a story to reveal a truth about your world."
"No," was the only answer Vincent gave, and he swished his cape at her as he turned to the exit. It billowed behind him, fluttering with each step. Elizabeth stared at the tattered edges as they disappeared around the corner.
She tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear and sighed. "Humans are such boring creatures."
Palitutu, the meanest girl in Aqures High School, watched the other students enter the lunchroom over the top of her biology book. Her boyfriend, Artemicion, was munching on his meal of Kupo Nuts, not caring about the loser Palitutu was glaring at the moment. Sure, he didn't like Ashe because she got close to exposing their plots to Principal Cid too often, but he didn't have to worry about her today.
He was nudged roughly by his girlfriend. "Hey, finish up so we can get to work." Artemicion stuffed the last of his lunch in his mouth at her order. They had to finish their project report in time for the science fair, which was their time to shine and show all the other students in their class just who were the two smartest kids in school. That'll show them. That'll show them all.
Ashe the adventurer knelt down before the goddess of Skyloft, Zelda, and rested her blade beside her. "I pledge my loyalty to you, Hylia. You have my sword. And my shield."
Hylia-Zelda smiled down upon her. "Then with your help, I will defeat the darkness that threatens this world." She held her arms out to the sides and looked at the sky. "Let us go!"
Using only her mind powers, her loftwing was called down. It landed in front of her, and Hylia-Zelda sat on it. Ashe followed on her smaller, less impressive bird, and the two took to the skies, ready to right outlaw wrongs.
Page 2
"Don't you think that's a bit too hot to eat, dear?" Yuna asked.
"It'll cool off once we open," Fai laughed. Still wearing his mitts, he carried the bread out to the front where they displayed their food. Outside, Elizabeth and Albel pressed their faces against the glass and stared.
"And do humans enjoy watching what they cannot eat?" Elizabeth asked. It didn't make sense that they'd wait outside before the bakery opened.
"Grumble grumble," replied Albel and his stomach. He didn't care what anyone thought of this, he was going to buy the warming loaf of bread before anyone else could lay their hands on it!
Tifa and Red swished their jackets as they pummeled the monsters that dared attack them while camping on the plains of Mars. Tifa punched them so hard they fell back five feet, and before they could get up and fight again, Red shot them. They made a perfect team of vengeance.
When their attackers were all dead, they sat down to finish breakfast. "Never thought I'd be teamin' up with someone on a hunt," the vigilante said. "Normally I pick whichever outlaw I have to stop myself."
Tifa looked at her with an angry look on her face. "He killed my father," she stated. "I want to deliver the killing blow." Her long hair blew in the wind dramatically, and he gazed at the plateaus in the distance. He had to be there.
Red tossed her coffee cup into the bucket of water and stood up. "We can't lose any more time. He's gonna pay for what he did."
They stuffed the last bits of food in their mouths and packed up. Both hopped onto their robot horses and rode off towards the horizon on their mission.
"It's time for the championship game for this year's Blitzball Tournament!" The blue, tiny announcer yelled at the screaming fans. "On one end, the Ixen Waves!" Half of the stadium cheered while the other half booed. "On the other, the Tofs Particles!" There was cheering and booing again.
The two teams huddled for one final pre-game meeting. Yuna, Zelda, Ashe, and Allenby were excited and gave each other high-fives as their manager, Elizabeth, looked on. On the opposing team, Jenni and Kalki glared at their rivals. Their coach, Palitutu, wanted her team to win more than anything, and she would do anything to achieve her goal.
Page 3
"E-Elizabeth..." Rukia choked. A smile graced her dirtied, bloodied face. "I'll be fine..."
The servant to Philemon crouched and held the other, tears forming in her eyes. "No...No, you can't die on me! I...! I...!" She weeped.
Rukia lifted a hand and cupped it around Elizabeth's cheek. "We'll see each other someday...perhaps in another dimension." She closed her eyes and her arms fell.
"NOOOOOOOOO!"
Manami patted his hair down - but it didn't do much on account of how he never combed it - and adjusted the flowers in in hands. Before he could take a deep breath, his Moogle knocked on the door.
"Oh no, I wasn't ready! What if she-" The door opened to reveal Terra standing there. "Um...hello, Terra! I was wondering if you'd like to go to the Night of the Thirteen Moogles party together!" He sweated.
Terra stared at him curiously. "Of course I'm going with everyone."
"Huh?" Manami blinked. "What I meant is that we can go there together! As a couple! On a date!"
Awkward silence.
"...I don't see why not." Terra smiled and the two of them walked off to have some fun.
Johnny waved at his fans one last time before heading off-stage. He sighed and wiped his brow with a rag his boyfriend, Fai, handed to him. "Just one more week, and this concert season is over," he said.
Fai stood aside to make room for a stage hand to go on-stage and grab the equipment. "But once it's all over, you can stay home all day and eat bread!" Fai was really happy that Johnny would have no reason to be gone all day, and he could sleep in and help out at the bakery.
Johnny sighed again. He was too tired to talk, and he trudged off to the changing room while Fai looked on.
Sephiroth swung his gigantic sword around, which was getting more difficult for Cloud to dodge. Over and over, he was inching closer to the edge of the cliff. The solder with silver hair smirked and cast a spell, causing the youth to stumble, leaving an opening for Sephiroth to strike.
It wasn't a fatal wound, but it was a wound anyways. Cloud screamed when his hand was chopped off.
"Hahaha...give up, Cloud, you know you cannot defeat me." Sephiroth took a step closer, and Cloud backed up slowly until he was at the very edge.
"No...I will fight you! I'll won't back down!" He sobbed. "I'll get back at you for killing my father!"
"How wrong you are, Cloud. I am your father." Sephiroth held out an ominous hand.
"No...that can't be true! That's impossible!"
"Look into your mako, into the Lifestream...you know it to be true."
"Nooooooooo!" The ground finally gave way, and Cloud plummeted. Fortunately, his friends were waiting there for him, and he survived. He vowed to defeat this evil man.
Nevada's Angels - Began September
Part 1
"You won't get away with this!" Sparks yelled as he fought against the magic restraints to no use. They had stolen all of his equipment, and with no weapons or sidekicks with him, all hope seemed lost. Jenni smirked as she nodded at Sephiroth, who worked at a magic computer that caused a white crystal floating in the middle of the cave to glow.
"With this Calamity Crystal," Sephiroth explained, "the crystallization of the world will begin anew, and soon we will have the power of the Ancients and conquer this planet!" He chucked evilly for good measure.
"And it's all thanks to you so-called 'Heroes of Light.' While I was distracting you with setting my Summons loose and rampaging throughout the city, I had my minions sneak into Palitutu's secret base and steal the final piece of equipment to complete our evil device!"
"Yeah? And what's this supposed to achieve? What is it with mad scientists and blowing up planets?"
"We're not going to blow it up! Just destroy it a little so that you will never bother us again as we go off to conquer the rest of the galaxy!"
Meanwhile, in a nearby camping site, Olivier, Tazendra, and Allenby were huddled around a piece of paper, discussing their plan to rescue Sparks. Olivier had seen Sparks run off after a mysterious cloaked figure during the battle of Aqures Ixen, but she was too busy saving the townsfolk to follow him. When he didn't come back, she grew worried and sent a letter to her best friends Tazendra, brave warrior, and Allenby, child fighter. Together, the three of them decided to run an undercover mission to save Sparks and put a stop to Jenni's and Sephiroth's plan.
Tazendra swung her sword around while Olivier repeated the plan for the tenth time to Allenby, who was always itching for a real right. As much as she would love to rush into battle and chop off both villains' heads, this was a dangerous quest, and the fate of the universe was at hand, so she listened to the plan patiently.
"...Got it?" Olivier asked the teenager. "I'm counting on you to sneak around and finding a small, hidden passage to crawl through. The first phase of this plan depends on you."
"Fiiine. But after that, can I punch them in the face?"
"Of course you can," Tazendra interjected and sheathed her sword. "We free Sparks, then go to town on the two of them." She smiled, excited to be in a real battle for real warriors. "I look forward to it."
"Then it's settled." Olivier folded the paper and stashed it in her coat. "It's time to ride and scout the area. We have no time."
The other two party members nodded and jumped on their chocobos, riding to the north.
Part 2 -wip
Nevada/Armstrong Motorcycle Gang
Part 1 - written september
did a backflip,and landed a hundred feet behind the two leaders of his motorcycle gang. Sparks and Olivier stood besides their motorcycles, keeping watch over the city below them. There was a rumor that the Tosf Gang was going to cause major trouble in town, and it was up to the Ixen Gang to put a stop to it."Sparks," Olivier turned to her partner, "We might have to call up reinforcements for this operation. Some of their strongest members are going to be out tonight."
"Nah," Sparks replied. "The two of us can take 'em out together." He reached out for her hand and gave her a soft look, but they were interrupted by a young voice.
"Ah, am I interrupting something?" Manami walked his bike up to them, and Olivier jerked back with a glare. "I just wanted to say that you have three people on your side~"
Sparks rolled his eyes. This kid ruined the romantic mood, and he was a newbie to the group. He'd ruin everything. "Yeah, like I need a sidekick. Which I don't."
"We need all the help we can get." Olivier then addressed Manami. "What are your strengths?"
"Ah...I can ride fast?" Manami scratched his head. "Sorry, I don't know what else I can say!"
"Then we can focus on the on-foot work while he rides," Olivier said to Sparks. She didn't have as much of a pride issue as Sparks did.
"Fine. Then we ride at sunset. We're gonna have to take down all their leaders tonight."
"Yeah!" And they all did a three-way handshake.
Sparks/Rukia
"Isn't this beautiful?" Sparks said quietly as he moved his hand on top of Rukia's.
"The sky, or the peace?" She leaned in closer to the Marshal and rested her head on his shoulder. "Both look perfect tonight."
"But not as perfect..." He turned his head to better look at Rukia's face, "...as you."
Rukia blushed and covered half her face with a hand. "Do you really mean it?" She had a good sense he did: Sparks rarely spoke of his feelings this openly, and to say how amazing she was must have been quite the feat!
Sparks cupped her face in his hands. "Of course I do."
And then they smooched.
They both looked away from each other, red as a beet, then back to the night sky. "Wonder if our home planets are ups there," Sparks said after a few minutes of silence. "Wonder if I can bring you back to Mars and introduce you to my friends and family."
"I'm a Soul Reaper, remember?" Rukia answered. "I can visit any place where humans live."
They continued to watch the scenery for another hour before it got cold. Both bundled up in their jackets and hopped onto Mercury, who walked them back into the city.
Aya Brea/Sephiroth - Valentine's day special
Footsteps sounded on the stone steps leading to the roof, and officer Aya aimed her police-grade pistol at Sephiroth's back. One of Aqures Ixen's most elusive criminals was now within her grasp. Just a pull of the trigger, and he'd finally be hers. All these years chasing him, and this man she obsessed over would finally be in the jail. And yet...with every careful step closer to him, she felt less and less willing to kill him. Why? Was she disappointed that her life's greatest goal would soon be accomplished? What fun will there be without a master criminal to run after?
Sephiroth had similar thoughts. Aya made his life interesting. But, she did catch him in the end, and the risk is what made the constant evasion interesting. Ah, well, it was a fun ride. He turned to her, his jacket unbuttoned and flapping in the wind.
Aya gulped.
"...Well, that's it. You caught me," he said in a low, smooth voice. "There's no place for me to run than off this tower." He help a foot backwards over the precipice.
"I..!!" Aya tried to speak, but choked on her tears. "Don't go!!" Her eyes widened and she dropped her gun at her realization of what she just said. "I mean, freeze! You're coming into police custody!"
But it was too late. Sephiroth smiled. and put both feet on the building and took a step closer to Aya. "Do you want me to stay?"
Aya came closer to Sephiroth and held his hand. "But how can this ever work? You're wanted by the city, and I could never abandon my life for you..."
The two kissed, and when they pulled back, Sephiroth hugged her. "Even if the world wants us to be apart, we don't have to let it be this way."
"...I'll let you go, just this time," Aya suggested after some deliberation. "You managed to get away, and I'll continue searching for you, no matter what."
"That...that would be kind of you." Sephiroth was touched, as he thought this would turn out well for either of them.
"...I came here alone. We can spend the night in one of the rooms below."
Sephiroth wiped a tear from his eye. "That would be wonderful, my love."
Vincent/Ramza - Valentine's day special
Vincent Valentine stood silently at the doorway, letting the cold come in. He didn't mind that. What did draw his attention was Ramza, red (from cold?) and shaking (from cold?)
"Ah. Er, Sir Valentine."
"Vincent," he mumbled.
"I, uh, have something to give you!" He whipped his hands out, presenting the flowers and chocolate. Vincent raised an eyebrow, the most expressive Ramza had ever seen him. "You see..."
Blush rushed to his brain. He forgot why he was here. Chocolates. Vincent. That's right. No, he can't do this.
"...it's Valentine's day, and I thought it would be fitting that you should receive a gift!" There, the perfect lie.
Ramza swore he could see disappointment cast a shadow across Vincent's face.
"...What a terrible reason," he added, but accepted the gifts.
If he were the sentimental type, he would smile at how thoughtful Ramza was to give him flowers of his favorite color and only the darkest and most bitter of chocolates. He opened his mouth to say his thanks, but thought otherwise.
"Then I will see you again." He turned back into his house, and the door clicked behind him.
Ramza sighed and kicked a pebble. "Perhaps I will be more successful next time..."
Graham/Chrom - Valentine's day special
"Long ago, there was a lonely mechanic who only wished to find the one person in the world who would enjoy his stories!" He swung his head around so that his hair whipped across his face. "And then one day, a man walked into his workshop! He had a sad story to tell! His armor needed fixing, and while I worked with modern machines, the wonderful magic of the crystals allowed this mechanic to fix every single dent, rebuild the entire suit in a matter of seconds! Then!" He stood up and flourished the wrench. "The warrior complemented his fine work and--"
"Graham!" Chrom hissed under his breath, and it was enough to get him to be quiet for a minute. "It's the middle of the night. Couldn't you wait until everyone is awake?" He loved him, he really did, but why wake up the neighborhood for something like this?
Chrom sighed. This is how Graham was, after all. He probably woke up in the middle of the night with an intense urge to tell his boyfriend how much he loved him.
"But I did come here for a reason!" He pointed his wrench at Chrom's face. "I have come to ask you to continue this story by accepting my proposal of marriage!"
Chrom drew back in surprise. "But where is the ring?"
"I did not have enough time to buy one! Besides, the jewelry store is closed at this hour!"
"Graham, of course I accept!" He swung his legs over the window and jumped out, still wearing his pajamas. "Once the morning has come, we will announce it to our families and friends!" He held onto the other man's hands.
"Yes! We will proclaim out love for all to here when the sun peeks over the horizon!" He wrapped his arms around Chrom and looked dramatically towards the east.
"...A bit later. When they're awake," he added before he kissed him.
Cloud/Fai - Valentine's day special
"Thank you, ma'am. Have a nice day!" He waved and moved onto the next customer.
Cloud stuffed his hands in his pockets and swayed back and forth on the balls of his feet as he waited for his turn. Finally, he reached the counter where Fai was.
"So," he said as he leaned on the wooden display of bread, "I'm here for the usual."
Fai smiled and turned to the back cabinet where he stored the loaves of baguettes. He put two in a long paper bag and handed it out to Cloud. "That will be 200 Gil."
Cloud took the bread in his hands and leaned in to kiss Fai on the lips. "I'll be seeing you later, alright? five o'clock, remember?"
Fair nodded, remembering about their date later today. "...You still need to pay me with actual money," he added after he finished gazing into Cloud's eyes.
"Oh, right." Cloud reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of Gil and dumped it on the counter. "I'll see you later!" He waved and turned to the door, passing by five more people that had come into the bakery.
Jade/Rialynn - Valentine's day special
Not according to Rialynn, who knocked on his door. "Jade, what are you doing? You didn't go to bed?" she was wearing her green nightgown, and she woke up early when she had a dream that Jade was being eaten by shadows. Her heart pounded when she ran to his bedroom, only to find it empty. "You're going to die if you stay up all night every day this week!"
"Nonsense, I'm fine," he responded. He turned around to smile and show his live-in bard how fine he was, only for him to tip out of his chair and onto the floor.
"Jade!" Rialynn gasped and ran over to his side. "Jade, answer me!" She cradled his head on her hand and lifted him up to a sitting position.
"Urg..." Jade help his head. "Why is everything spinning?"
Rialynn managed to wipe off the fear on her face and take on a serious tone. "See, this is why you need to sleep." She pulled him up, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held his waist with her arm. "I'm taking you to bed."
"But...my studies..." he reached out for his beloved desk and papers to no avail. He was being led into the dark hallway, down to his bedroom, and he was too weak to struggle against Rialynn's grasp, who help him very close. If he asked, she would say it was to be extra sure he didn't collapse again.
She let his drop onto his soft mattress, deciding it would be easier to let him sleep in his work clothes rather than change him into his pajamas. "Wait here, I'll be back. Get some sleep." She walked briskly out of the room.
Jade laid his head on his pillow and stared at the ceiling. His mind was racing with thoughts about the government and military research, and he was certain there was no way he could fall asleep ever. Fortunately, Rialynn returned with her lute.
"Alright," she said and sat on a corner of his bed. "I'll sing something to help you fall asleep."
Jade's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh...thank you." He didn't know what to say. It was awfully nice of the bard he hired, he thought to himself and closed his eyes. As she sang him to sleep, Jade felt the thoughts swirling in his brain slow down. Soon, only her voice occupied his mind, and he drifted into slumber.
Rialynn, noticing that he was snoring, set her lute aside. Morning would soon come, and Jade had a lot of sleep to catch up on. His bed was huge. She lied on the opposite end of the end and covered herself with the blanket. She'd rest for an hour or two, and then she could continue on with her day.
Ichigo/Duster - Valentine's day special
"We have to run!" Ichigo yelled and he pulled Duster back on his feet. They ran some more, heading to an underground bunker. They feared that the Observatory would be blasted while inside, so this would be safer.
Duster jumped into the hatch, rolled at the landing and crawled to a corner. Ichigo followed. Another boom resounded from above, and the two huddled together for safety.
The bearded man looked around the room. "Where's everybody else?"
"There's other bunkers in the city, you know," Ichigo answered, but the idea Duster presented was worrying. "Let's not worry about it. We're safe." He sat down next to Duster with his hands planted on the group. One rested just behind Duster.
Duster leaned towards Ichigo and held him for safety. "We might be here for hours."
Ichigo wrapped his arm around Duster. "Yeah. But we'll be fine. We got food, and water, and each other."
Nanami/Tear - Valentine's Day Special
"Thank you, sir," Nanami put down her book while the waiter laid her tea and cream puff in front of her. "That will be all."
Mysterica held her hands on her lap while her order of coffee and pound cake was placed in front of her. The tall waiter bowed and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Well!" Nanami said while lifting her cup between dainty fingers. "I was almost upset that he was taking so long." She quietly sipped the tea while Mystearica poked at her cake with a fork. "Your coffee hasn't gone cold, has it?"
The other girl shook her head. "I'm just taking my time with eating." The cake was good. Lemon flavor. She gazed outside the window and sighed.
Nanami scowled and put her tea down. "Did they add too much sugar? How dare the ruin our Valentine's Day date!" She pushed herself off the table and was prepared to storm to the counter when Mystearica held a hand out in alarm.
"No! It's nothing. The cake is great, and so is the coffee!" She demonstrated to taking a sip from the mug. "I'm just nervous, that's all. I've never been on a date before, so..." She looked down at her cake.
"Really? I never thought you were the type to get nervous. You always looks so serious about everything!"
"But this is new. It's so...daunting."
Nanami flipped her hair. "I never went on a date before, but that doesn't bother me. I wouldn't have come in the first place if I didn't like you!"
Mystearica smiled and cut another piece of cake with her fork. "That makes me feel a little better. Going out might not be so bad after all."
"Obviously!" Nanami sat down. "After lunch, we're going to the park. And we're going to enjoy ourselves. I will not allow this day to make you upset!" She angrily finished her tea and began work on the cream puff.
Johnny/Albel
Johnny D'Amico felt the energy of the crowd flow through his body and his fingers moved fast for the guitar solo. Each note was perfect like a drop of rain on the metal strings, and the crowd provided the thunder.
The song ended and the multicolored lights flashed on and off one final time. The concert was over. Albel rushed to the backstage door to help out with clearing out the equipment.
"You were great!" He said when he saw Johnny.
"Hey, I only try to be good," he replied and held out an arm for a hug.
"Whatever man, I think you were good." He gave Johnny a huge then pulled back. "I'm gonna pack your speakers, got it?"
"Fine," Johnny grumbled while trying to fight a smile. "Then dinner at my place."
Saori/Kidd
"Well, it looks like I'm finally home," he said with a smile. His men pulled ropes and tugs on sails, all excited to walk on land again. This was one of the few towns that was friendly to their pirate crew, and in return, the crew gave the town protection and some of the funds from their plundering escapades.
They docked onto the empty port, where there were no townspeople to help. They didn't want to actively help them in case the king used that fact to punish them. Captain Kidd didn't care, but he was impatient to see someone. He barked orders to his crew and jumped off the side of the ship when they were done, then walked into town like he was a tourist. But he wasn't. His casual stride hide the anticipation as he walked down familiar streets to reach a special house.
Saori was kneading bread in her house when she heard a knock. "Coming!" She rubbed her hands together vigorously to get the sticky dough out. Another knock game, and she sighed in frustration while she grabbed a wet rag and walked over to the front door.
"Who could it be?" She asked herself when she twisted the knob with a newly cleaned hand. The answer was right in front of her. "James!" She grinned and jumped into a hug. "You're back!"
James Kidd also hugged her back, then picked her up and spun her around. "I couldn't stop thinking of seeing you again," he said softy before putting her back down and gazing into her eyes. "But now I'm here."
Saori pulled on his arm. "Let's go inside. I was baking some bread for today, but I need to work on something else now that you're home. How about a stew?"
"After months on the sea, anything warm and fresh would do." They both went back into the house to prepare for the week they were together.
Ramza the Ladies' Man
"Pardon me," Ramza announced to the crowd of reporters and fawning fans. "We're on a date, and I would rather not we be late."
Rialynn pecked him on the cheek, and the two entered the stadium and made their way to the VIP seats. This was an expensive venue, but for his ladies, Ramza would do anything. And if tonight turned out to be something more, even better. After watching the races and winning a few hundred Gil in the process, the two returned to their hotel suite on the top floor and spent the night. The next morning, both returned to their jobs: Ramza as a Hero, Rialynn as a musician.
While traveling from Bacilea to Flence, he met another young lady: Zelda. He never met someone so graceful in his life. He approached her with a bow.
"Good afternoon, I'm afraid we haven't spoken before. My name is Ramza Beoulve, hero for hire. Are you are?"
"Zelda," she replied with a smile. "I've heard of you, Ramza. I never would have through I would meet you in person!"
"I am charmed to meet someone so happy to see me." He held her outstretched hand and kissed it. Zelda held another hand to her mouth and blushed.
"O-oh my...!"
"Would you care to see the fine sights of Flence with me, or are you traveling somewhere else?"
"Oh, I was planning to do some shopping there, but I have plenty of time afterwards. Where are you thinking, Sir Ramza?"
"Anywhere my fine lady would love," he replied. "Perhaps the Temple of Water?"
"Of course!" She clapped her hands. "I can't wait to meet with you tomorrow evening!"
"As am I." Ramza held her hand and watched the ground beneath the airship pass by.
A story for Cid
"Bah!" He stamped the last document and picked up the radio. "Where's Kupernicus? He should have give me that report one hour ago!" He looked at his wristwatch. "Make that yesterday!"
Right on cue, the door opened and an elderly Moogle peeked his head through. "Doctor, sorry, but I was--"
"Don't bother me with excuses!" He glared at his assistant, only then to notice the box Kupernicus was holding. There was something...moving inside it. Plus, the Moogle was wearing muddy boots. Clearly not work attire.
"What are those," Cid demanded.
"Oh? This?" Kupernicus stepped into the office, only to be met with a sharp pair of eyes staring over thin framed glasses. Kupernicus kicked the shoes into the hallway. "I found them abandoned out on the street, all alone. Someone must has killed their mother."
He tilted the box towards Cid to reveal five yellow baby ducks peeping and flapping their tiny wings.
Cid's eyes appeared to have softened, and Kupernicus relaxed, only for the regular harshness to return. Now wasn't the time to be distracted from work. "This is no excuse for being late! Leave this here, and I'll find a use for them after work!"
"But Doctor! I was planning to call the Animal Socieity and--"
"Do that, then! But you'll have to stay here over the weekend to catch up on the work you missed. Dismissed."
Kupernicus sadly floated out of the room, dipped downwards to pick up his boots, and flew down the stairs hunched over. Cid leaned back into his seat and squinted at the contents of the box.
"How could he bring something like this into my office?" He poked at one of the baby ducks, which flinched and peeped more loudly. "They need to be fed, they're not some sort of decoration." He poked another on the head, but this time, it leaned into his finger and closed its eyes. Cid froze. Its feathery down was surprisingly soft, so he rubbed his finger a little more. He got a happy peep in response.
Cid stood up and closed the door to his office. Just in case. He moved the box from the desk to his lap and petted another ducking. This was...relaxing. Strange. Touching the baby animals took away the stress of running a city.
The sun set and the room grew dark, which meant it was time for the ducks to sleep. Kupernicus, still shaking from the spat from earlier that day, opened the door to the office only to be surprised to see Cid sitting at his desk and smiling at the sleeping ducklings. "Doctor? Isn't it time for you to go home?"
Cid looked up from the box. "Are these ducklings being given a new home?" That was more important.
"Yes," Kupernicus stuttered. "I have to take them away tomorrow morning." He stood there, still parsing the scene in front of him. "It's been two hours, doctor. You need to go home."
"Of course." Cid handed the box over and went home. He had gotten to like to little animals, and now they'll be gone.
The next morning, Cid found another box on his desk. This was clean and topped with a bow, and he heard something moving inside it. He lifted the top off with both hands to reveal a kitten, mewing and walking across the floor of its box. Cid lifted his up and held it to his chest.
Kupernicus watched the scene from his hiding place outside the window, smiled, and flew downstairs to get to the piles of work he had to go through by the end of the week.
Ellana/Dylas
For within the magical realm that few humans dare venture lived a beast. A beast cursed to be hideous and frightening to humans. There were rumors that it ate human flesh at night, which kept children from wandering into the forest. Ellana ran into Dylas during a lonely hunting trip and discovered the truth.
In actuality, Dylas was a lonely soul searching for companionship. The birds and beasts of the forest respected his mighty presence, but they could not fill the void in his heart. He dared not to approach the village in fear that they would retaliate with pitchforks. It seemed that he would spend his life alone in the enchanted alcove in the middle of the forest if Ellana hadn't spotted him as he ran back to his hiding place. She was afraid of him. She saw the kindness in his heart and reached out for it.
He heard her footsteps while he sat inside his hut formed from tree branches. Dylas brushes a long lock of hair behind his ear and smiled, turning to the entrance to welcome his lover. "Welcome back, beloved," he said as he held a claw to his chest and bowed like a gentleman.
Ellana cupped her cheeks and blushed. "Oh Dylas, you may have a reputation of a horrid beast, but you have the kindest heart I have ever known." She reached out for his hands and clasped them together. They looked each other in the eye. Stars sparkled around each other's faces as they gazed deeply into their souls.
After minutes had passed, Dylas lead her to a table with tea and biscuits laid out on it, baked by the autumn faeries. "Come, stay a while," the kindhearted beast said to the beauty. "The day is young, and every hour with you brings me closer to life."
"Dylas..." Ellana sighed. She nodded and sat on the chair opposite him. She held his hand and she ate and drank, and the two talked throughout the day. It was only when the shadows of the trees crept into the hut that Dylas realized she had overspent her time.
"No!" He stood up, knocking the table over. "Ellana! You must run back to the village before everyone grows suspicious!"
"But, Dylas!" Ellana clung onto his fur and wept. "I haven't properly said goodbye yet!" She held his head and pulled it closer to her so she could kiss him on the lips. "Goodbye...I hope we can see each other soon..."
Ellana grabbed her bow and arrow and ran out the door. Dylas watched her from his hiding spot with tears in his eyes. He loved her dearly, and one day, he knew their love would bear fruit. Ellana knew this too, and promised herself to continue searching for a way for the villagers to accept the beast in the forest or for the two of them to elope.