Memories of Happier days (Fate/Closed)

[Oerba Dia Vanille]

Hopeful Dreamer
Wishes can come true. But not if you just wait for miracles. Miracles are things we make for ourselves. Here, and now.

If life was fair, things would probably be a little better, but who was to say it wouldn’t be worse? If everyone had their way, well, maybe things would be even worse than they were now. Maybe it was best for life to…not be fair. Of course, for some people maybe a little bit of luck every once and a while wasn’t so horrible now was it? “No hope? Oh well. Thanks anyway…I don’t think I would’ve liked the acting career anyway.” Vanille shrugged in her seat. Frankly she had no career ahead of her anyway. On Pulse things were a little more simple than the busy life of Cocoon. “Well consider yourself lucky then. I bet these Cocoon people have a few nice places filled with nature…they just don’t stop to smell the roses and enjoy life. At least that’s my opinion.” That’s probably what made Vanille such a warm caring person. She had all the time in the world to look at things from different perspectives, or as she said, she got to stop and smell the roses and enjoy life a lot more.

Vanille laughed a little as she took the sleeve of her weird looking cloak and wiped her eyes. “Sorry, just needed to…think about some things I guess. No need to tickle me…or cry…I’d hate to make other people cry. I would have to hug them to death until they stop.” She smiled containing herself now and working on that skill of controlling her emotions and staying the happy girl she was always imaged to be. But with the train stopping, the people leaving, and them rebelling, Vanille was anything but happy. Concerned was more like it, and worried. So. This is what it came to? The Sanctum and PSICOM planned for this, rebellion and death. What an easy way to go, but she wasn’t going to go that way, she was getting to Pulse even if she had to plow right through the soldiers to get there. And She ran for the gate to Pulse.

Gran Pulse…just out of reach and getting closer with ever quick step she took. Her mind was so set on getting to Pulse, she didn’t worry about the soldiers going after her, in fact, her mind was so clouded with the thought of chocobos, feral creatures, grass and flowers, that she forgot Fate! When the gunfire started, then her mind clicked back to what she had forgotten, and a promise she made. Vanille skidded to a stop and turned back looking at the soldiers and Fate, apparently there was a misunderstanding and they targeted Fate as a L’Cie, when really, she was the L’Cie. This was horrible. Vanille already left Fang behind…was she really going to leave Fate? No. “I made a promise. That we’d get to Gran Pulse, together…and unharmed.” Seemed that promise was broken right as she re-stated it to herself.

Fate had been shot. Vanille screeched a gasp as she felt her hands to go to her mouth to cover her shock. Forget about Pulse, she wasn’t going to leave a friend to be killed off by PSICOM. She promised, and it was a promise she was going to keep no matter what. So running back towards the soldiers she felt her brand give off a slight jolt of pain as she called upon her Eidolon. “Come on Hecaton!” Her crystal appeared in her hands and she threw it in the air, the crystal shattering and releasing Hecatoncheir. As Vanille closed in on Fate she looked over at her Eidolon before pointing at the PSICOM soldiers. “Get’em!” She yelled before quickly rushing over to Fate, dropping her binding rod and shaking her head. “Im so sorry…I shouldn’t have…ran off like that.” Her eyes cut to the wound on his forearm. Hecatoncheir seemed to be doing a good job taking out the soldiers and guarding both Fate and Vanille, that would buy them some time, or at least give Vanille a chance to apologize and heal Fate. A green light appeared in Vanille’s hand and she waved it over Fate’s arm, using the magic to cure him. Maybe being a L’Cie…wasn’t such a bad thing.

[Fate Lingod]

Cocoon was these people home and the Sanctum was going to strip them of that. When you known something your whole life you become afraid of the unknown. And with the fabricated stories of Gran Pulse, it was no wonder why these people were afraid. Gran Pulse was hell to these people. Though Fate knew nothing about Gran Pulse he highly doubted that it was hell. Different, yes. But hell, no. Vanille was living proof. ”Nowadays I don’t think nearly anyone stops to smell the roses and enjoy life,” Fate said, ”Maybe that’s why we have so much confrontation in worlds.” He shrugged slightly also. Fate knew that as long as people had different views and ideals that there would always be confrontation, always be violence. If only people could just talk things over rather than fighting. ”Hug me to death? Well, at least I’d die happy,” Fate said, ”But tell everyone I died saving a bunch of kids from like a zillion monsters. Maybe then they’ll give me my own parade.”

Fate was satisfied. Vanille was going to make it back to Gran Pulse and he… He was going to be shot at. But Fate didn’t plan on dying without a fight. The sleeve of the cloak was turning red from his blood. ”… I totally wanted to keep this!” He removed the cloak, casting it to the side. It was pretty much ruined now. He would wait to attack once the soldiers had started to reload, but he would have to be quick. But Fate was shocked to see the young girl running back. Something was release from the crystal she threw… Something huge! It was a Guardian Force. They call’em Eidolons here buddeh. It was unlike anything Fate had ever seen. He had seen a few eidolons, but never this one.

”I was totally trying to be cool and buy you some time to get to Gran Pulse,” He smiled, ”But I’m glad you came back to help me… Though now I won’t get the chance to miss you.” He looked completely calm on the outside, but on the inside Fate was freaking out. What if Vanille got hurt? He was sure that Fang would find him and kill him painfully. After being healed Fate let out a deep sigh. This wasn’t exactly how he planned this mission. ”I’m sorry Ms. Vanille. I should have known that this train wasn’t going to Gran Pulse… You should have just kept running.” He lowered his head slightly for a moment. It wasn’t over yet! There was still the train! ”Okay, okay. I can do this…”

He peeked his head around the wall slightly to get a good look. As expected, the train was still there farther down the tracks. He held his hand out toward the train, completely focusing his concentration on it. ”C’mon! C’mon!” After a moment the train started to move again, but at a slow pace. Fate closed his eyes, blocking out everything to focus his on the train completely. The train’s pace started to move at even a greater speed. ”Guess it pays to be a living lightning bolt…” The train came rushing down the tracks causing the soldiers to dive off the tracks. The train came to a stop a few feet in front of her Eidolon. Fate slumped over and nearly stumbled to the ground, but caught himself. Controlling something this big always drew a lot of Fate’s energy. ”Next… Stop: Gran Pulse. All aboard… I don’t think your Eidolon is going to fit though…” He grabbed Vanille’s hand and headed for the train once again.

[Oerba Dia Vanille]

Hopeful Dreamer
Wishes can come true. But not if you just wait for miracles. Miracles are things we make for ourselves. Here, and now.

Sometimes…it didn’t matter how peaceful people wanted things, there always seemed to be conflict. If everyone in the universe wanted…’world peace’ it still wouldn’t happen. There would always be confrontation between people, worlds, everything. It was the way life was, competition for survival, that’s how everything seemed to work in life. She figured not to comment on the subject, it could end up a debate or something. “Okay, when the time comes for me to hug you to death, I’ll give everyone an epic excuse for you. Such as saving kids from monsters or pulling babies out of burning buildings.” She said that with a smile before all the…chaos happened.

Hecatoncheir, the many armed Eidolon was attacking PSICOM with different quakes and earth based attacks. If needed Vanille would take it to gestalt mode and annihilate these stupid soldiers. That’s what her Eidolon was for, to help when she needed it, so for now, while Hecaton was guarding them, Vanille had her attention on Fate. “Buying me time and getting yourself killed…isn’t exactly cool in my book. I’d much rather have you stay alive than me getting back to Gran Pulse.” She had to admit, this was all so crazy and chaotic, but…she wouldn’t have it any other way right now, despite all the danger, this was quite a moment. “Don’t you remember what I said before? I promised that we’d get to Gran Pulse together. I wasn’t going to just leave you behind…I can’t do that to anyone else….on the plus side, you’re right, you won’t have any time to miss me, in fact, I’ll be around so much, you might just get sick of me.” She grinned before she saw what he was doing, and the train inched towards them, picking up speed.

As the train moved towards them, Hecaton made sure the soldiers were knocked out, and the ones diving from the train ended up that way. No sense in leaving them able to hurt either Fate or Vanille. Once the train stopped right in front Hecatoncheir, Vanille just looked at Fate amazed. “Wow. That’s some power you have there Fate…” She said before being pulled towards the train, she grabbed her binding rod and walked along with a smile. She was really getting to Gran Pulse. He said he would get her to Pulse and he was right. This was fantastic. As they made their way to the train Vanille looked back at her Eidolon. “Good Job Hecatoncheir…” And with that the summon disappeared, ready to be called once again when Vanille needed his aid. “Ready to get that Sandwich Fate?” She asked with a giggle boarding the train once again, over excited to see the blue skies of Gran Pulse.

[Fate Lingod]

”No worries. I didn’t plan on dying,” Fate said, ”Lousy soldiers can not defeat the great Fate.” Yup, but their bullets can. He smiled slightly as id that was going to help. He had been in some pretty tough situations, but nothing like this in a long while. But she was right, Fate dying wouldn’t sit well with people. Well, at least one person. Vanille returning to save him and saying all these things made Fate feel…Loved. Maybe that was too strong of a word, but it was the only way he could describe how he was feeling right now. ”I think I’m already getting sick of you…” Fate said, ”Love sick that is. You know, us hanging around a lot is going to give people the wrong idea.”

Fate and Vanille sittin’ in a tree! K-I-S-I-N— You forgot an ‘S’ idiot! … SO! Besides, ya didn’t deny it! Ya wanna kiss Vanille in a tree! Fate smiled seeing as Vanille was impressed by his powers. Instead of a simple ‘thank you’ or a bashful remark he decided to let his ego get the best of him. ”Tch! That was nothing. I could have done this in my sleep,” He smiled, “And I’m totally not just saying all this to impress you.” But what Vanille did was way more impressive than what Fate had done. She made an Eidolon appear out of a crystal! She’s clearly on that other stuff.

Was he ready to get the sandwich? No. That sandwich meant the end of their little journey. After seeing her home, Oerba, and getting his sandwich he would have to be on his way. He would never see Vanille again most likely. ”Well, since I got shot TWICE I think I should get two sandwiches,” He chuckled slightly. He kneeled down and placed his hand on the floor of train once they were inside. Now that he was actually inside of the train this would be much easier for him to do. The train jerked backwards before launching forward down the tracks again. ”Anything that’s powered by electricity I can control or manipulate. I think I was born this way,” He said, staring at the floor of the train, ”It took me a long time to get these abilities under control. I don’t think I’ve mastered them yet though.”

”When I was younger I couldn’t walk into a room without every electrical device or appliance going haywire… It was funny.” Though he would hate to admit it, he would have to thank those scientists that experimented on him. Without them he may have never been able to control these abilities as much as he could now. These abilities were a cursed gift. Something that he thought he had no use for since he thought they were just for hurting people. But he was helping Vanille now using these abilities. ”I don’t want those sandwiches…” He continued to stare at the floor, pondering if he should just say what was on his mind. Chances were he would scare her off. The thought of Vanille jumping from the train to get away from him made Fate chuckle lightly. Don’t be a marshmallow now. Spit it out punk! Hope was right. Just spit it out… Say it.

”…I just want to stay with you… As long as possible, as long as you will allow me.”

[Oerba Dia Vanille]

Hopeful Dreamer
Wishes can come true. But not if you just wait for miracles. Miracles are things we make for ourselves. Here, and now.

As long as Fate didn’t die…Vanille was happy. What she had said was true, she’d rather he stay alive and her not get to Pulse instead of him getting shot and her succeeding her goal to get home. That just wasn’t the way things were to Vanille. She was so kind hearted; she put everyone else’s needs and what not in front of her own. “Good. Because if you died…or die. Well…I’m sure I’m not the only one who won’t be happy.” Of course the term ‘not happy’ was used rather loosely. It was more like Vanille would be crushed, distressed, depressed…hell throw in heartbroken too. Then the term Lovesick was thrown out. That word, Lovesick, it made Vanille want to blush or something. “Who…cares what other people think…They can think whatever they want.” She smiled as she tried not to lock eyes with Fate otherwise she would indeed start to blush.

His powers were pretty amazing. Nothing like Vanille had ever seen before, sure being a L’Cie you can control some magic elements, such as fire and water, but being able to manipulate electric objects, that was a big wow in her book. “Wow if that was nothing…” She couldn’t even finish her statement, she was so amazed at all this. Whether Fate said anything regarding his powers or not, she was still impressed none the less. “Well consider me impressed anyways…” No matter how dark the situation tended to be…whether it was being shot, or running away from PSICOM Fate always seemed to keep Vanille smiling, and not that fake smile either, maybe…just maybe that’s what it was supposed to be like. There always was that one person who could always make you happy no matter what, and to Vanille, that was Fate.

2 sandwiches, that sounded fair for taking 2 bullets. Once in the train Vanille sat on the ground next to Fate as the train started moving. She didn’t want to end up falling so sitting was probably her best option. “It’s more than even a L’Cie could do…although I see where the soldiers were coming from…L’Cie do have the ability to harness the power of lightning…just not this much.” She said referring to the train that was heading for Pulse. “Now…you seem to have the hang of things, thank goodness too. Seems some powers come in handy right when you need them eh?” That was true for her to; if she wasn’t a L’Cie there would be no curing powers, no magic, nothing. She would’ve been just completely helpless.

As Vanille sat on the floor looking around the train, getting more anxious by the moment for Gran Pulse, she couldn’t help but wonder how Fate would get back. It depended on where this gate to Pulse led them. The small bit of silence was broken by the sandwich comment. “Hmm?” Vanille started as she looked over at Fate who seemed to be thinking about something, and when he finally spoke of what he wanted, not even Vanille could hide the emotions that bubbled up to the surface.

With a worried look on her face Vanille’s hands rushed to cover her cheeks as they faded a good pinkish red color. What worried her now was if she started to speak her words would be jumbled into a word salad, random words that made no sense with what she really wanted to say, but might as well take a chance and if the words slurred out, she’d shut up. “You…want to stay with me?” So far so good, no signs of word jumbling, so she continued. “You…can stay as long as you like.” And with that her cheeks burned another darker shade than before, but all the while, she continued to smile.

[Fate Lingod]

"You're right. Those dudes that I owe tons of money too won't be happy either if I died," He said jokingly, "It would be very hard for them to collect their money from the dead, right?" That was Fate for you. He could make light of any situations, but he did know when to serious. Maybe this wasn't the time for joking, but Fate really didn't care. He was all about keeping this young girl happy. He knew what it was like to hold everything in. In fact, he held some things in even now. "Word from the wise Vanille, ay? You're right though. I don't care what those random people think."

He smiled slightly. She was impressed. Honestly, he had never smiled this much in his whole entire life than he did this day. "Nah, I'm just trying to show off. The bigger the object I control, the more stress I put on my body and mind," He said truthfully, "It's not really left threatening. Just makes me a little tired." The much larger machines, like a huge airship or something along those lines, Fate couldn't control. Manipulate, yes. But not for long. Something that big was just too much for him right now. "Yeah, they do come in hand when you can help someone."

People here would believe that nearly everyone from his world were L'Cie. There was a number of people that knew magic and a few that even have Eidolons, though they called them Guardian Forces. Though now that Fate thought about it, people in his world feared the sorcerers and sorceress. Even those that were good. Fate was one, but no one knew. It was a secret that he even kept from his best friend Sonuske. If anyone found out it would be the end of Fate, especially since he would be the first know Sorcerer since the Great Hyde.

Fate turned his face to the other side away from Vanille's sight. He couldn't allow her toseehim blushing. "Oh, I can stay as long as I like... So when do you plan on telling Fang I'm moving in?" Yes, Fate could even joke about this. He turned back to her to see her blushing as well and that lovely smile she had. "Oh! Ms. Vanille really, really likes Fate!" He teased, "I think you like me; you really, really like me!"

[Oerba Dia Vanille]

Hopeful Dreamer
Wishes can come true. But not if you just wait for miracles. Miracles are things we make for ourselves. Here, and now.

Vanille shrugged a bit. “I’m sure they could rob your grave or something…but since you aren’t going to die, that won’t happen.” She grinned playing along with the little joke Fate had started. Vanille was feeling much better now, she had actually completely forgotten about her terrors and despairs from awhile ago, the very thoughts she had shed tears over, were now a thing of the past and long forgotten, except Fang. That thought would always remain, but it didn’t seem to bother her as much as it did before, at least Vanille wasn’t alone. “The only thoughts that matter, should be those of your closest friends and family…no one else matters.” It was true, Vanille only really cared what Fang thought, and now she added Fate to that list.

So he was just showing off, well it was working. Vanille was still impressed by all this. In fact, she’d been impressed since Fate knocked out all those PSICOM soldiers back on Bodhum beach. “Well don’t hurt yourself…if you need to rest well, the time is coming soon.” Vanille grinned as she imagined the gate to pulse getting closer and closer. In fact she wanted to see how far they were. She opened one of the train doors and looked out carefully. The gate was RIGHT there! She closed the door and prepared for impact with Pulse. “We’re almost there” She said happily as she sat back down next to Fate and smiled, happy as ever.

Vanille laughed at Fate’s comment about moving in. “Oh I’m sure Fang won’t mind…if she ever gets back to Pulse that is…which I hope she does…” Vanille sighed but continued to smile and be happy. What wasn’t there really to be happy about? She was with Fate, she was going home…did I mention she was with Fate? That’s when he caught her blushing. Oh no! Vanille pulled her knees in and hid her face in her knees to hide her already discovered blush. “Where would you get an idea like that?” She said muffled by her face being hidden in her knees. “I don’t see how you could’ve come up with that one…” While she was hiding her face, she was smiling to herself, knowing she couldn’t resist the truth, but still, denying it was fun and it gave more to joke around.

They should be arriving in Pulse any moment now. In fact, they should be there. The train that was running so smoothly on the Sanctum built tracks soon started getting bumpy and what not. Uneven ground. This was Gran Pulse. “Stop!” Vanille shrieked with a pause as she got to her feet and looked serious. She opened the door to the train and saw nothing but green. “….This is it…Gran Pulse.”

[Fate Lingod]

"Awww, being a ghost would have been cool. I cool float and walk through walls," Fate said, "But I won't die. It's a promise." Again, she was right. Nobody's thoughts should matter except those who truly cared about you. Sadly, that was something Fate was still working on. He would hate to admit it, but he was a bit hypocritical. Here he was telling Vanille that it wasn't good to hold things in when he was doing the exact same thing. Fate would claim that he was over his past, but from time to time he would find himself asking why... Why did this happen to me? Why didn't my parents ever come for me? Why would someone want to hurt someone innocent?

It was hard to forget the past when the past won't go away. "Tch! I'm going to hurt myself. That way you can heal me and i'll have your attention," He said, "Kidding, kidding. I don't like pain and if I wanted your attention I'd just take it." He smirked as he stared at her. As she said, they were almost there. Gran Pulse. The other world. Dude, that Fang chick is gonna kill us! We're totally hittin' on her lil' sister. Well someone who is like her lil' sis. ...We're so dead. Hey! it'd be worth it!

Where did he get the idea that she really really liked him? Could be the way she was treating him. Then again, she was a nice and generous person. No, it was that Fate really really liked her and he couldn't just say it. From the way she was hiding her face in her knees, it must have been true. All jokes aside, it was time to get serious for a moment. "Because I can see it in your amazing eyes. I can see it in that beautiful smile, in that pink blush of yours," He paused, staring at the ceiling, "And this feeling that I get when i'm around you. There's no words that can describe it... But I know it's amazing. Beyond amazing..."

Yeah, Fate was pretty space bound right now. He couldn't believe that he said all that. And he couldn't take it back now. Not that he wanted to. He just didn't want to lose Vanille's friendship. Her happiness was all that matter to Fate. When she said stop of course Fate stopped the train. They were here! He stood to his feet and walked up beside to Vanille. "Welcome home."

(They really going to Gran Pulse?)

[Oerba Dia Vanille]

Hopeful Dreamer
Wishes can come true. But not if you just wait for miracles. Miracles are things we make for ourselves. Here, and now.

Vanille smiled a nodded a bit as he said he wouldn’t die, and he promised to that. Good. “Sounds like a good plan to me…Although it might’ve been a little fun to haunt people.” All the guilt and depression that had once surrounded her, was now gone, she didn’t know why either. Shouldn’t Vanille still be upset over leaving Fang on Cocoon? Or about this whole L’Cie thing? Yes, she should be, but she wasn’t. The fact that she didn’t feel bad about either of those things…made her feel well…bad. Not to a point where she showed that she was bothered, it was just something lingering around, nothing too serious to worry about. “Well if you got hurt that’d certainly get my attention…I mean, look back about 10 minutes ago. You got shot and I came rushing back….Sorry about that again. I wasn’t really paying attention to anything except the gate to Pulse.”

“Fang would be okay with this…Right?” Vanille asked herself mentally as she hid her face from its constant blushing. Why did her emotions have to be so strong? At least her happy cheery emotions. Why couldn’t she hold those back like she did the sad ones? Maybe it was because she really was a happy person, and it was easy to mask any sadness for her, everyone knew her has the happy girl who always smiled, it was an easy cover for her to play. Vanille peeked at Fate a bit from hiding her face. He had always complimented her eyes, even when they first met, it was one, if not the first thing Fate had said to her. All this talk only made her get the feeling of butterflies in her stomach, and she felt really giggly, so today, all and all, aside from the danger of PSICOM, was a good day. “You are probably the first person who has been able to see through me. You knew when I was upset earlier, even though I had the whole fake smile going, and you can see through me now. Congratulations to you.” Vanille smiled coming out of hiding.

That feeling he was talking about. Was that the butterflies Vanille was experiencing now? It was a nervous, yet wonderful feeling. “Seems like amazing is a word to describe it.” Vanille squeaked out as she stared out the door. “Sounds good to me….Amazing…plus some.” If this was really Gran Pulse…and not some trick by the Sanctum, then some things had really changed from her last being here. Sure fault lines have shifted and created new looking areas of this place, but this was not near Oerba, Vanille could tell by the flowers that bloomed here. “Home…” She repeated, and the word sounded much better now, like it was real.

With that word stuck in her head, Vanille stepped out onto the grass below, not cement. Gran Pulse and Cocoon were opposites in many ways, and it was good to be home. A giant smile stretched across Vanille's face as she started to laugh, taking in everything now. "Fate! You did it!" She beamed happily as she looked around in many directions, already she could see the few familiar features of Pulse she remembered. Home. Vanille turned around and hugged Fate tightly with a few giggles. "You got me home...I can never thank you enough for this." With her smiley peppy attitude back to where it should be, Vanille smiled and kissed Fate's cheek before skipping off to a nearby patch of blooming flowers.


((honestly, sure? We started this site before the events of FFXIII so we aren’t really going by the plot line of the game, doesn’t matter, if not, we could always make it some sort of trick by the sanctum))

[Fate Lingod]

"Haunting people does sound fun until you drive them mad... I totally don't know where I was going with that joke so blah!" Yeah, that was an epic fail as they called it. Fate shook his head no and waved his hands in a 'no way' gesture. She didn't need to apologize to him. He made the decision so it was his own fault that he got shot. Everything that happened and will occur to him was his own fault. "Don't worry about it. Being shot made me look really cool... And you came back. That's all that matters."

He was probably the first person to see through her? Guess Fate was just really good at reading people or maybe he was just the first person to look close enough. "Nah, no congrats for Fate. I was just being a good friend or trying to be one." Seriously, if only more people could think that Fate was as cool as Vanille thought he would have a countless friends. But he would give them all up just to spent more time with Vanille, even if it was just an hour. Think they got cookies on Gran Pulse? Yup, they also have roller coasters too!

As Fate expected, Vanille did feel the same as he did about her. Fate would have jumped for joy, but Vanille was there to see him so the boy stayed cool... At least on the outside. I got a girlfriend! A GIRLFRIEND! Slow down Speed Racer. She didn't say she was ya girlfriend. Girls have to say these things to make 'em official. Okay, so what was it? Great. Now Fate was confused. Maybe that was the way things worked here; you didn't have to speak it so it would be reality. Yeah, Fate would just cling to that thought for now. "If it sounds good to you then it sounds good to me."

Fate stepped out of the train, but stopped maybe a few feet away. It smelled much different here. It smelled alive. "We did it. It was a team effort." Fate continued to look around at the enviroment. He was sure that this wasn't Oerba, but maybe it was close by. Fate was getting ready to open his mouth to ask if she knew where they were in Pulse, but he was embraced in a hug. A hug and a kiss on the cheek. Yup. Definitely still just friends buddeh. Fate started to blush again as he rubbed his neck. As she skipped off Fate rubbed his cheek as if he couldn't believe that she kissed him. It wasn't on the lips, but it was still special to Fate. He stood back smiling, letting her enjoy her return back to her own world.

[Oerba Dia Vanille]

Hopeful Dreamer
Wishes can come true. But not if you just wait for miracles. Miracles are things we make for ourselves. Here, and now.

Vanille shook her head and giggled silently a bit. Was Fate always referring to him doing things to be cool or to just cover up some sort of weird choice? Oh well. “You being shot nearly scared me half to death.” She added on almost in a musical tone as if to prove a point, though there really was no point to prove, except maybe that Vanille really did care about what happened to Fate. Of course, had he not gotten shot, Vanille probably would’ve kept running for that Gate to Pulse, and left him behind unintentionally. So, maybe it was a plus, besides, she healed Fate and all was well now right? That was exactly Right.

Trying to be a good friend? Please…There were times when Fate was trying too hard, then there times he was way too modest. “Well if that’s really what you think, then you did a good job. You’re a great friend.” Maybe…that was a slight, no major understatement. "Are you kidding? Friend? what a silly word here, stop trying to deny your feelings. You totally like him. Admit it!" Those thoughts were screaming at her, but she shrugged them off a bit. Whether or not they had spent a few minutes together, or a few years together, Vanille was happy to have Fate around, jokes and all. Surprisingly, Vanille was starting to get the idea that she’d see Fate more than Fang in the future, if her feelings were leading her towards what she thought. If things really came down to it, after visiting Pulse for awhile…she might leave, if Fate did. First thing was first…figure out priorities…what in her life became number one right now? Well, Fang of course, but…she wasn’t here…Vanille didn’t know if she would ever see her best friend, no sister, ever again.

Back to emotions. Vanille was the type of girl who thought…actions speak louder than words, so…what was she proving here? Again with proving things, hopefully Fate already got the idea about how she felt about him, if not, then wow, maybe words were better. But words would have to wait. Vanille was just so overjoyed about being here, on Gran Pulse. “We? I don’t think so…It was ALL you.” Vanille said as she had run over to the patch of flowers and just took everything in, also thinking about what she just did. She had kissed Fate on the cheek. Was that okay? Boy if Fang were here…well good thing she wasn’t for now. Fang would probably have Fate roasting over an open fire by now, of course, if things ever got that far, Vanille would stop it. She couldn’t let Fate get hurt, even if it meant disobeying her best friend.

As Vanille looked around things seemed, way different than she remembered. Who was to know that the once largely populated world she grew up in was now empty of any human life and had crumbled into ruins? “I think we’re a little bit to the south of the Archylte Steppe…” Vanille said examining the features of their location. “Oerba is in the north part of Pulse…” She turned around to face Fate once again, only to catch him blushing and smiling. “Looks like we’ll be spending A LOT of time together then…if we’re going to get to Oerba…”

[Fate Lingod]

"Being shot is or would have been worth it to get you home," Fate said "I'm impressed. Never seen anyone run that fast as you. And I've chased a lot of people away." He lifted his right hand and gave her a thumbs up. It was safe to say if they needed to run away from something Fate didn't have to worry about her keeping up. Hopefully, he would be able to catch up with her. Hehehe. Still in the Friend Ship after spillin' ya heart out like that. I hate you so much... Ya gonna have to be more forward with it if ya want to board that Relation Ship.

"Yeah... I am a great boyfriend..." He paused after catching what he had said. How much of an idiot could he have been? He slapped himself on the forehead and sighed. "I mean... Like a friend that's a boy... Yeah." Smooth Fate, real smooth. No, what was he doing? He meant what he said the first time. There was nothing to be scared of... Except Fang. Well, Fang's approval did matter to Fate, but even if she didn't approve what was Fang going to do? Kill us.

There was no denying the way they felt about each other. Actions did speak louder than words. But that was one phrase, three words that spoke louder than any others when you said them in a particular order. But he would have to save those until he could truly mean it. Vanille, she had the boy love struck. Fate was completely caught in her web; from her eyes to her smile to her personality. But what drawn Fate to her the most was the fight that she was fighting this focus. Most people would take the easy way out and attempt to destroy Cocoon in order to save themselves. But she chose not too. She chose to search for away to get rid of her brand. Fate was sure that if it came down to it, Vanille would become one of those monsters before destroying Cocoon. That was a thought that Fate didn't want to think about.

"All me... Well, it's the least I can do since you're going to lead the way to Oerba," Fate said. Oerba. It had been five hundred years since Vanille had been there. A lot could change in five hundred years. Fate just hoped it wasn't too much. She had caught him blushing, but Fate didn't mind. "Alright! Fate gets to spend more time with Vanille!" He smiled, "So you going to give me a piggyback ride?" Of course the last part was a joke. He kneeled down to get a feel of the grass. It was nice here. Very peaceful. He slowly stood back up and walked toward her. "I'm ready when you are boss."

[Oerba Dia Vanille]

Hopeful Dreamer
Wishes can come true. But not if you just wait for miracles. Miracles are things we make for ourselves. Here, and now.

Vanille sighed a bit, giving up on debating this whole getting shot thing. Bottom line was, she was glad Fate was okay now. “Well I was kind of in a hurry…” Vanille shrugged a bit with a smile as she looked around aimlessly. How far away was Oerba anyway? Vanille hadn’t traveled this far south before, well, maybe once or twice but the Archylte Steppe was a giant area to cover, then going through the other areas and by Taejin’s tower…that Vanille knew, because it was right next to Oerba. Anyways, it would be a LONG walk. Unless she found a chocobo around someplace.

What was Fate thinking? Vanille thought maybe she hadn’t said the right things, he did express himself to her, and she…didn’t do all that much except blush and stuff. She hoped his feelings were hurt or anything, because truly she felt the same way, but this was an emotion she was hard of showing, not that she really ever showed it to anyone before. Vanille folded her arms behind her back and stopped to look at Fate when he said the comment about…boyfriend, but quickly explained himself afterwards. With a side smile Vanille let out a giggle. “I’m sure you make a great boyfriend…and I mean that in both ways, both a friend who is a boy, and the…well main term when one things of the word Boyfriend.” She said that with a wide grin before walking off a bit towards a wall of stone, close to another, but large enough to walk through. It must’ve led to the Archylte Steppe, so Vanille headed that way.

“I hope I make a great girlfriend…whichever way to you chose to interpret that is up to you-“ Her comment was cut short as she paused from walking feeling a stinging pain coming from her brand, she dare not show pain. Her brand must be progressing a little. That was bad. It meant Vanille was running out of time, best be getting to Oerba as quick as possible. “I’ve never been this far south before…So I hope we go the right direction…as for the piggyback ride…how about we just find a chocobo instead? Im afraid I’d collapse after a few miles of walking, let alone carrying someone else.” Vanille managed to keep her voice normal and giggly as she added onto the joke even with the slight burning pain of her brand. “Alrighty then. There’s no time to waste.” She said walking off towards the stone walls that led to the vast plain, which would lead them closer to Oerba…a deserted, crystal sand covered ruin.

[Fate Lingod]

"Are all people on Pulse that fast? Or is everyone else just that slow?" Fate looked up at Cocoon, wondering what Mr. Angeal and Sonuske could be doing right now. Well, Fate could always guess what Sonuske could be doing at any time. When Fate wasn't around to 'torture' Sonuske, he could be found napping or staring at the clouds. Angeal, on the other hand... Fate actually had no idea what he could be doing. He was a strange case, but still cool. No time to think about them. Vanille and Fate had to get to Oerba.

Well, it was safe to say that Vanille was more than cool with the fact the two of them were a couple. "Yeah, you're a great girlfriend..." And how excactly would Fate know that? He never had a girlfriend before in his life. He have never spoken to a girl close to his age besides saying the simple 'hey.' This was the longest he had ever spoken to a girl. And it felt right. But Fate followed behind Vanille, placing his hands behind his head. "Well, if you get too tired I can always carry you," Fate smiled, "I am your baby chocobo after all."

Wow... Please someone shoot me now. Put me outta my misery.

He pressed forward by Vanille's side, letting his hand brush against the stone as he walked. Yes, he was unaware that she was in pain right now. Maybe he wasn't that well at reading people after all. "So could someone us complete your focus for you? I mean... Like, if someone does your focus for you do you still turn to crystal and get enternal life?" Fate didn't want Vanille to turn into one of those monster thingys. It was scared thought, but it had to be even more scary for her. Fate came to a halt once they reached the vast plains. This place was huge and covered with creatures! The creatures didn't look like pushovers either. "... This is going to be an extremely long walk... We could always hitch a ride in one of those big creatures stomaches."

[Oerba Dia Vanille]

Hopeful Dreamer
Wishes can come true. But not if you just wait for miracles. Miracles are things we make for ourselves. Here, and now.

“Ha. Maybe it’s just everyone else being slow…“ Vanille shrugged noticing that Fate was looking at Cocoon, and her attention was brought to it as well. The main feature of Cocoon, from this point of view was the giant crack in its shell. A small smile was brought to Vanille’s face as she looked at the world above. The memories of the War of Transgression floating in her mind, the vile things being said about Cocoon and the same about Pulse, and then there was the focus, which Vanille and Fang had yet to complete. 500 years ago, the two were made into L’Cie…to become Ragnarok, and destroy the Fal’Cie Orphan, to destroy Cocoon, but due to Vanille’s reluctance to destroy Cocoon…only Fang transformed and cracked the shell of Cocoon…leaving their focus failed, and they turned to crystal, even though they didn’t complete their focus.

That’s what really stumped Vanille. She was led to believe that L’Cie who complete their focus gain eternal life and turn to crystal, and those who fail…turn into a Cie’th. Fang and Vanille certainly didn’t complete their focus, and now, being back from a crystal sleep Vanille’s brand burned as it progressed and Fang’s was scorched over and never progressing, there was also Fang not having any memory of what happened during the war…these were things she just didn’t understand. As her thoughts got carried away back to Fate she smiled in response as she kept wondering…what would happen next? Would she become a Cie’th? It was horrible to think about, but she knew somewhere…Fang was trying to figure out Vanille’s focus and get it completed no matter what.

Vanille laughed as she kept walking. “I just might take you up on that offer…later that is. We’ll see how tired I get after the next few thousand miles.” That was a joke, surely they weren’t THAT far from Oerba…but it would be a long travel. Long or short, one thing she didn’t want to worry about was her focus…until arriving upon Oerba, but the subject came up anyways. Vanille sighed a bit as she slowed her pace down, just before arriving at the Archylte Steppe. “I’m pretty sure that’s what would happen. So long as someone’s focus is completed…they gain eternal life. If failed well…I’d rather not think about that right now.” Vanille was now worried that Fate might try to help her complete her focus, time was running out, and no matter what, she did not want to hurt anyone else, so completing her focus was out of the question…and later, if it came down to it, she’d make that perfectly clear to anyone who asked.

Finally, at the Steppe, Vanille stopped when Fate did and looked around at all the feral creatures lurking around. Some of them, she remembered, like the giant dinosaur-like adamantoise, but some of these creatures were new to her and she didn’t want to take the change to ‘get to know them’ so to speak. “Uh. That might be quicker, but maybe walking would be better…” She said placing her hands on her hips and looking around. Where were the cute chocobos she remembered? They hadn’t gone extinct here had they?! Looks like walking was the best bet. “Guess we better get going, be careful.” Vanille unhinged her binding rod, just in case any of these beasts came for an attack, she would be ready.

About ready to step forward Vanille heard a rustling behind her. Maybe it was one of the creatures, sneaking behind for a preemptive strike? She turned around only to have a beak in her face which released a giant squawk. A giant yellow bird stood there staring at the two, as if it were waiting for them to do anything. “Heh. Great timing! I did say first thing I would do here was ride a chocobo…what do ya say Fate? Trust the chocobo?” Of course by now Vanille was already over petting the bird and planning to get on it anyway.