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Title: What is Love?
What is love? Leo watched Terra as she stood on the deck of the ship, looking up at the stars. For some reason the sight of her sent a sting of pain to his chest. Looking at her, he felt dishonorable and that he had wronged her. "You alright? Looks like you're feeling better..." He asked, not sure what else to say. "Funny, isn't it...I was used by the Empire...even had my thoughts ripped from me...But here I am cooperating with the "enemy"..." The words came out confused...angry. Her whole life...what life? She had no life, no past...all those years non-existent. They weren't hers, they had belonged to the Empire. Only the Empire knew what she had done. Did Leo know what was done? He didn't know what to say. She had spoken truths. The Empire had done horrible things to her, stripping her of her childhood. No one should've been put through what she had been put through. "People are people. Not all of us are like Kefka." She couldn't help but turn to look at him. Something in his voice tugged at her. "What...what's with you?" Not being able to hold it back any longer, Leo gave a slight sigh. "I knew you were being used as a kind of biological weapon... And because I didn't do anything about it, I'm no different than Kefka..." He doubted he could make her understand how he was feeling right now. Every time he had seen her, it was as a weapon... Now--now he saw her as a young woman. A living breathing human being, not a mindless drone. "I'm the product of a human and an Esper... Will I ever be able to love someone?" Her voice cut through his thoughts. "Of course!" He stammered hastily. Her voice sounded so full of sorrow and fear that he had to reply immediately. She could only look at the floor. She was sure he was trying to help, "But...I haven't felt that way yet..." "You're just young. ...but I understand what you mean. I understand only too well..." Leo understood. He himself had never felt anything he could consider love for another person. Kinship amongst soldiers, respect to the Emperor, all feelings but none of them love. He had been so worked up in fighting for the Empire, he hadn't taken any lovers either. She was quiet...very quiet. Deciding the best of it, he turned and left. Perhaps--perhaps she needed some time alone. "But... I want to know what love is...now!" She called after him, not loud enough for him to hear. Her heart stopped at the sound of a scuffle. "Who is it?" A sleek form appeared, almost mimicking the darkness he came from. His semblance only confirmed his identity. Ever dressed in black cloth, covering him from head to toe except his eyes. "Thought I'd sleep out under the stars." The voice rang out in the silence of the night air, quiet, a bit husky. It was unmistakably Shadow, the hired help so to speak. Not to be taken lightly. "Did you hear... ...what we were talking about?" It was one thing to talk about it with General Leo. He had known her longer then she had known herself, but to be overheard by a total stranger? "I didn't mean to overhear anything." The answer came quick and to the point. He had been listening to her! If it wasn't for the dark, he'd be able to see the embarrassed flush in her cheeks. Even if he was a hired assassin...maybe he..."Umm..." "I can't help you. You must look within for answers." The words snapped coldly, almost mechanically from his lips. "Terra." Did the tone soften? Even for a moment? "In this world are many like me who've killed their emotions. Don't forget that." The same cold and emotionless tone. Had he softened for her, even a bit. I'm getting soft hanging around these freedom fighters. He thought to himself quietly as Terra walked off. She had been sitting there for hours on her bed staring at the far wall. Locke still hadn't returned to the cabin. She wondered if it had something to do with Celes. The way they looked at each other...was that love? Did they love each other? It was an odd look really. Locke had a mixture of sorrow, relief, and fear written across his face. Celes just sorrow. Wasn't love supposed to be a happy thing? If they loved each other, why so much pain in their eyes? If it wasn't love, it must've been something rather strong, for she could feel it. General Leo awoke to the sound of the door to his cabin opening. It wasn't a particularly noisy door, but there was a light undeniable squeak to it. Using the darkness to cloak him, he quickly slipped out of bed and made his way to behind the door. When the figure had made its way inside, he quickly subdued it, pressing it against the wall, holding its arms behind its back. The person had been small, much smaller then himself. "Identify yourself?" The words came out quietly in a whisper, barely audible most definitively a woman's. "Sorry to disturb you general. I--I just couldn't sleep." She didn't mind her current situation, she had of course intruded, although the way he held her was rather uncomfortable. "Its Terra." "Terra?" He let her go spinning her around. His eyes were still adjusting to her features in the dark, and could barely make out the lines of her face. Before he new it, his fingers were tracing those lines. Gently down the bridge of her nose, whispers on her cheek, combing through her hair, it was down now. The long green locks framed the perfect portrait that was her face. Catching himself, he drew his hand back. "What are you doing here?" She rubbed her wrists where he had held her, having stayed perfectly still as he touched her. It was a gentle touch, soft, nice. Oddly, she had liked it. A weird feeling had churned in her gut, it wasn't good but it wasn't bad. It was just...odd. The words came in the same whisper, a bit more, unsure this time. "I couldn't sleep. I..." He said he understood, that he understood all to well. Maybe...maybe they could find out what love was together? "I shouldn't have come. Sorry to disturb you, general." The last word was said mechanically, as if she were one of his soldiers. Spinning on a heel, she turned to leave. "You aren't disturbing me at all." Leo found himself holding onto her wrist. Why aren't I letting her go? I'll only make things worse if I don't let go. It was an awkward moment. He felt he could have just said it instead of stopping her completely. His hand fumbled its grasp from around her wrist. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-" Those eyes, those big green eyes were looking up at him now. "-to..." The words had fled from his tongue and his mind, nothing coherent making its way to his lips. All he felt was her sliding into his arms as he drew her close. "You can stay if you like." |