How the heck is Bartz related to this nice, calm woman? He spent a few moments in thought before sheepishly smiling. “Y-yeah, I know’em! He’s.. Certainly a unique kinda guy.” He’d laugh, hanging his head with a sigh… Unique indeed,
Well there was some interesting hesitation in the kid’s voice… was it not a good thing? “Unique…? You seem to be a little put off… did something happen between you and Bartz?” She asked, brows furrowed slightly in confusion.
Chocobo expert, son, two and two together… “W-wait.. Your son is Bartz?!” He’d twitch his ears, blinking.
Well now that was a surprise! Her eyes widening slightly. “You know Bartz..?” A hand gently clasping at the burgundy throw over her shoulders.
“That’s the fun part of travelin’! Wondering where you’ll end up next. That and I’m kinda hunting for chocobos. Well.. One, really. Easier to travel.”
“Oooh if my son was here he could help out! He loves chocobos. Lucky though, there is a chocobo forest just outside of town here. Would you like me to show you?”
“Keheh.. Ya don’t need to be all proper, Stella!” Puck chuckles, a little red in the cheeks as he rubbed the back of his head.
“Well sure I do. You’re a Prince!” She smiled and nodded, noticing the small blush on his cheeks. “And a handsome one at that.” She quickly corrected before saying cute.
He grumbled a little and tugged his hat lower onto his head as the redness spread across his muzzle. “ThanksIguess..”
She just nodded her head, not bothering to say any more about it. “So, can I ask what brought you all the way out here? Or just traveled and ended up here?”
“Keheh.. Ya don’t need to be all proper, Stella!” Puck chuckles, a little red in the cheeks as he rubbed the back of his head.
“Well sure I do. You’re a Prince!” She smiled and nodded, noticing the small blush on his cheeks. “And a handsome one at that.” She quickly corrected before saying cute.
“Yeah.” He slipped up onto his feet, brushing his backside. “Prince of Burmecia, kingdom of eternal rain. It’s where all Burmecians live together. I mean it’s not like I don’t mind bein’ prince.. I just like to travel.”
Burmecia… not a place she’s heard of before… But she did end up giggling at his last comment. “I know what thats like, the need and desire to travel and explore.” She smiled and shook her head, thinking back a bit. “It’s nice to meet you your highness!” She replied, being proper.
“Name’s Puck. Well.. If ya seriously wanna be formal, it’s prince Puck.” He’d shrug, grinning still.
“Prince?” she blinked in surprise. “You’re royalty?” Guess it was a bit surprising… she definitely wouldn’t have guessed. “May I ask where?”
“Hey, lady.” He smirked and gave a casual gesture of greeting from where he sat.
She leaned forward slightly, bent down, smiling a bit in return to that smirk. “My name’s Stella, whats yours?”
With so many new people showing up from across the world these days, it was not a surprising sight to see travelers meander through the open plains outside of the kingdom. In some instances, soldiers would head out and check the fields to find travelers along with ridding the fields of monsters who neared to close to the borders. Today the young archer was out in the field doing the exact task and of course, she managed to find another who was hoping to find their way.
The woman before her was obviously not from this region, but despite that she seemed like a friendly sort. Maria stopped in her tracks as the woman walked over to her and returned the woman’s shy smile with a welcoming one of her own. “You’re just outside the kingdom of Fynn,” she answered as she gestured to the outline of a castle in the distance. “You’re not too far from it since it is only a brief walk from here. I would be more than happy to escort you there. I can only assume that you are looking for a place to rest.”
The greeting from the woman was definitely welcoming, and one that calmed her nerves just a bit. Not that she was worried, just confused as to where she was, cause it clearly wasn’t her world, though most of what she has seen here was similar in some ways. “Fynn?” She replied, questioning it as she looked off towards the castle just in the distance. Definitely not a place she’s heard of before. “Yes, that would really be appreciated.” She replied with a thankful sigh and a smile. “I take it I’m not the first to wander through?” She asked, considering how hospitable and easily the other replied to her just wandering around the field. “My name’s Stella by the way.”
It was one thing to see werewolves and other anthromorphic creatures. But she honestly had to say, this was the first rat person she has ever met or seen. Each were so different and had many traits to their original counterparts, so what did this boy have? She didn’t want to make too quick of a judgement and so she settled for looking down at the boy with a small but cautious smile. “Well, hello there.”
He knew she didn’t give it, but, maybe with the pre-tense she had before, she’d be more prone to say it. Zidane bit his bottom lip. Stella Klauser.. shit. But the dead didn’t just come back. How could they? And.. why, if something did? Zidane decided if they found Bartz, he’d either recognize this woman imminently or he wouldn’t. But what was it going do to him if he did? .. Was it possible she didn’t die, just went missing and assumed dead?
..How was he going to take it?
“Maybe we should just keep going. I’m sure there’s answers in Lix.”
That was odd… the boy fell silent after she had told him her last name. He may not have realized it, considering he was most likely too lost in thought. But she had a feeling, that the Bartz’s they were talking about were one and the same. She nodded her head in agreement. No use over thinking everything now. “You’re right. We’ll be there in no time.” She replied back, the town getting closer and closer until they made it on the outskirts at the South end of town. Her heart was beating rapidly as she looked over her old town, seeing quite a few familiar faces… albeit, older faces… so time had passed… and the likelyhood of her Bartz being the one the blonde was looking for… was growing exponentially higher.
“Hm.. Maybe.” He answered slowly, now taking the time to really take in this woman’s features. Okay.. maybe he was thinking too hard on it, but the face really did look like Bartz’s. Very gentle and delicate looking, No way. We were just by their graves.. graves..
“Say, what’s your last name again? I don’t think I caught it.”
“Hm?” She looked at him at the next question. “Oh, I didn’t say. But it’s Klauser.” She offered to him, blinking a bit in curiosity, though had a suspicion that it may be because he wanted to be sure that their Bartz’s weren’t the same.As odd as that thought even was.
The youth of innocence, shielded him away from the truth of which as an adult he would later know about his mother. The huge eyes that were slowly were growing to the world around him, could only see the outer appearance of his mother, never knowing the inner turmoil she was currently feeling, as she was pressing the familiar kiss on his forehead, gaining another burst of childish laughter in response. “ It’s okay Mommy, least we found one another again. ” Beaming a large smile full of teeth to her, once again not catching on to the hesitation in voice.
” Um..” Smile dimmed down, lips going small with eyes averting their gaze to her. “…Well...” Even though he loved hearing his mother’s praising him, even as a child Bartz wasn’t one to lie about something he didn’t achieve by himself.
That was right. They did find each other again. It was like she never left. It was like he never grew. Maybe instead of forward in time, she was sent back just a bit? Which brought even more questions… but for now, she put them aside. Her main focus and priority was her son. Moving a hand up to run her fingers through his brown hair, stroking his head in a gentle and soothing manner. “No? Did someone help you get back?” She asked, noting the hesitation in his voice, and offering him a small smile. “It’s okay, relying on others, isn’t a weakness. It’s a strength all it’s own.” She replied, nodding her head with confidence. “Who was it?”
Zidane blinked when she came to a stop, himself halting in his steps. Did he say something offensive? He didn’t think so..but, new world. Who knew. She looked lost.. and the reasoning was explained quick enough. He rose a brow, frowning slightly. “Well, I don’t know what it means, but it has to be a different Bartz. The Bartz I’m talkin’ about grew up in Lix, yeah, but his parents passed away some years ago..”
Some years ago… if this was the very same Bartz… just how long ago was it exactly? Would he be around this kids age? If so, she’s missed out on so much. But she didn’t want to get her hopes up either. She nodded her head at Zidane’s reasoning. “Of course, you must be right.” She stated and proceeded walking. “Sorry… it was just kind of a strange coincidence, you know?”
Stella? That name sounded familar. But Zidane dismissed it quickly, just about fearing it was the name of a girl whom he dated in the past. Didn’t need that right now. “That so?” He asked, resting his hands behind his neck as the walked. Chances are she lady might know Bartz then.. maybe. “Yeah. His name’s Bartz. Pretty popular there from what I can tell.”
That brought her to a full stop. Standing there staring at the tailed boy just in front of her with slight confusion. What…? Was it possible that there was another Bartz out there someplace? It was possible… especially considering this guy was from another world. But to say that this Bartz grew up here in Lix?! She would have known about it… surely. “Bartz… thats, a unique name.” She replied slowly. “I said it was a small world… but just how small is it for me to say my son’s name is Bartz…?”
Zidane let out a chuckle. Seemed they had something in common. “Tell me about it. Couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve turned around or waken up and he’s not there.” Like today! “Well, that works out great, then! I appreciate it. Name’s Zidane.” He grinned proudly, giving a small thump to his chest before following behind her. “You seem to know your way around her. Traveler or local?” He asked, before paying mind to the questions asked him. “I’m actually not from this world at all. Traveling. Thought it’d be a good idea to check out where my current missing person grew up.”
Ah this kids confidence and pride in himself was definitely nostalgic, bringing her back to the days where she traveled with the heroes. Their ego’s knew no bounds to say the least. But it was always a refreshing thing. She just smiled and nodded her head. “Well Zidane, I’m Stella.” He greeted back, giving a gentle bump of her own chest, just to play around a bit ans giggling after. “Local, I like in Lix actually. Or, I used to.” She corrected, the town coming into sight through the tree’s up ahead. “Oh? So you’re partner was born in Lix? Guess the world really is small, or in this case, worlds.” She shook her head in mild amusement. “Whats their name? I may know them.”
Hey, she’s cute. Some years older than him, but still cute. But his eyes moved to her choice weaponry. Hm. He probably should have thought better on approaching her, but at the least, she didn’t seem to take offence. Body-tense, weary-gaze.. it was normal, but soon as stated he didn’t know where he was, all was good.
“Kinda.” It was a small-town. He debating whether or not to say Bartz’s name, since it seemed everyone in Lix knew him anyway. But.. could just be a traveler who’d never heard of him. “I got separated from my partner. He’s got a nack for not sitting still. I’m not from around here either.” He finally settled with. “I can hear him laughing now.. if you could point me in the way, may save me a little embarrassment.” He grinned, keeping as friendly and upbeat as possible.
Alright, so this boy didn’t seem to be too much of a threat to her. Or at least his intentions seemed honest. She finally put the bow away on her back, looking down at the blonde boy. He even managed to get a small giggle out of her. “Sounds like my husband and my son. Always running off. I couldn’t turn my back on them for a moment!” She replied in a small but cheerful voice. “Actually, I was heading to Lix anyways. So I guess we can just walk there together.” She offered, taking a step forward and began heading past the other, assuming he would most likely follow her. “Where are you from? If you don’t mind me asking?” She asked, giving the boy a glance, kind of curious about him.
Quickly entering into her arms, smaller arms wrapped around her form and his cheek nuzzling against the fabric of her dress. Thrilled to finally be there with his mother, he was more then happy to show the affection of being reunited with her. The warming comfort from her embrace, was more than enough for him to start giggling happily to her.
” I missed you too, mommy..but where did you go? ” Glancing up to her, eyes huge with curiosity. ” I woke up in a weird place, but a nice..sorta nice.. ” Correcting himself. ” Kid helped me out. ” He never did get to thank Kain for helping him out, he was gonna have to do that later…
Feeling the warm affections so easily and happily returned to her, she couldn’t help but to beam. But she did have to clear her throat a bit to keep the tears at bay and to make sure her voice didn’t crack as he pulled back just enough to look her son in the face, pressing a firm kiss to his forehead. Where did she go…? How was she to explain that to him?! Her lips pursed and she shook her head. “I’m sorry. I just… I had some stuff to do, but I’m here now, with you.” She answered, attempting to dance around it. “In a weird place? And you managed to get back here all by yourself?” She tilted her head to the side in curiosity before grinning. “Ah what am I talking about, of course you did! You’ve always been smart and strong. Just like your dad.”
Excited to see his mother, the magically turned wanderer ran up to her with a large smile on his face, arms held out for her to pick him up. ” Mom! ” Calling out happily to her.
Stella could only gasp when she heard that all too familiar chipper voice. It sent her heart into a flury as it thumped away in her chest. Turning around cautiously, just in case it was her imagination. But it wasn’t! He was… he was there! Her eyes widening at the sight of her son, she dropped to her knee’s and opened her arms, preparing for is embrace. He was always an affectionate child. Heh, must have got it from her. One he was in her arms, they closed tight around the boy, burying her face into his brown hair, doing her best not to cry. She took in the moment. Her reunion with her son, how he smelled, his excitement, this moment in its entirety. “My boy… Bartz, oh how I’ve missed you.”
<❦>—Her petting made his entire body shiver, that feeling was quite nice. He closed his eyes, relaxing again as she spoke to him. “Mmmnnnchh…” Sadly he could not talk, only hum at her. Lexeren seemed quite tired, so this petting made him want to sleep, though forced himself not to.
The dragons exhaustion was quite clear, nto only in how he had laid down so quickly before, but how his eyes seemed to flutter open and closed as if he was forcing himself to stay awake. Definitely not the best place for such a large dragon to fall asleep. An open field like this… it was bound to draw some sort of attention eventually. “If you wish to sleep, I would suggest moving someplace a little more secluded.” She stated, continuing her not so gentle strokes and pets of the others snout, and along it’s cheek as she moved.
