Author's Notes: Konnichiwa minna-san! Okay everyone, I will seriously need your opinions because I'm still not sure as to how I'm going to continue writing this one. Read this chapter and tell me where you want me to go from there, ok? I have a general idea of what I want in it, but it's up to the readers to make their suggestions if they want the story to go any particular way. Okay? Thanks in advance and happy reading! ^_^
*Disclaimer*: Xenogears and its characters all belong to the very powerful company Squaresoft. Not to me (damn), so please don't sue.
Chapter One
Margie, as the Great Mother of Nisan, never thought that she'd find herself scrubbing the floor of a house that wasn't even hers. Not that the Sisters hadn't put her through rigorous manual labor when she'd been younger, but that had changed as she'd unwillingly become the Great Mother. Half a year ago she never would have imagined all the changes that had been forced upon them. She never would have dreamed that what had happened in the last several months, had happened. Death and suffering everywhere.
Luckily, it was all over. Well, mostly.
"They're back! They're back! Fei is back!" Chu-Chu cried happily, bouncing into the house (literally) Margie was cleaning. "Fei is back! And the others, chu!"
Margie's face brightened up considerably and she stood up quickly, hurriedly rolling down her dark brown trousers and pulling on her socks and boots, not even bothering to tie up the laces.
They had been gone for five weeks. Five whole weeks! Margie had started worrying, even though she'd never admit it openly. She wasn't one to share those type of feelings. Chu-Chu rolled down the road alongside her and a bunch of other villagers who had heard the news as they all made their way toward the crowd that was gathering at the front gate of the small city. People had stopped working to welcome the Heroes back.
Margie stopped in mid-run and stood just behind the cheering crowd. Now that she was the Great Mother she had to act with more dignity, even though all she wanted was to push the crowd aside and take a look at her friends. Just like Chu-Chu was doing.
"Chu-Chu want to see Fei chu! Chu-Chu want to see Fei chu!" The little pink creature cried, trying to roll through the crowd. When noboby moved aside, Chu-Chu glared and stood back. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before she began growing in size. Luckily for everyone there, she only grew big enough to shoulder people aside without hurting them.
"Come on Margie! Chu-Chu found a way through! Don't chu wanna see the others?" She asked, pulling on Margie's arm.
"Um, Chu-Chu..." Margie started to object, but Chu-Chu either didn't hear or decided to ignore her as she pulled her along through the crowd. "Chu-Chu, we should just wait behind..."
And suddenly, they were in front of the crowd and Margie could see the Heroes approaching. Chu-Chu beside her shrunk down to her original size.
First came Fei and Elly, side by side, holding hands, fingers entwined. You couldn't really think of one without the other anymore. It was like they were one. They both looked tired, especially Elly. She had been wearing regular commoner clothes since she had been saved by Fei. Shirt, trousers and boots. And she had been helping with the healing of all the people who were still recovering. Her serious, gentle face brightened with a smile when Fei leaned closer and whispered something in her ear. Fei was smiling, too, even though he looked exhausted. Even if the worst was over, there was still a lot of work to do.
Behind them came Emeralda, her amber eyes always on Fei, her arms crossed under her chest in a natural stance of detachment. But Margie noticed that the position of aloofness was getting more difficult to uphold for the girl as her involvement with people increased. She seemed a little more relaxed around Elly now that she knew Elly and Fei were permanent mates, but she was still protective of him. After all, she still thought of him as her 'father'. Her creator.
Doctor Citan Uzuki walked beside her, probably questioning her about what she remembered about her past. Yui and Midori suddenly broke away from the waiting crowd and ran over to hug him. Margie smiled as she saw little, quiet Midori run back into the crowd to pull a struggling Dan over to Fei and her father. Dan, of course, still tried to act as though he didn't care they were back, but she saw a happy smile tugging at his lips.
Jessiah, Primera and Billy came after them. Primera insisted on going with them anywhere they went and was holding onto her father's hand like she'd never let go. She stared up at her father and older brother as they argued, a calm look in her wine colored eyes. Actually it was Billy who was arguing. Jessie just sighed and shook his head, hiding a smile behind his usual scowl.
Margie knew how pig-headed Billy could be with his father. The young ex-priest didn't like to give an inch. She waved at him when he turned and he dropped his stubborn look long enough to wave and smile back.
Maison followed behind, looking horrified at the way Maria's pink dress was stained in gear grease. Even though Maria Balthazar was only thirteen, she knew more about fixing her giant gear Seibzehn than anyone else. And the grease didn't seem to bother her. She immediately grinned when she saw Margie.
Margie gazed at the Heroes entering Nisan and noticed sadly that no one else was coming behind them. Rico had probably stayed behind to help rebuild Kislev. And Bart and Sig... well they had Aveh to take care of. Nisan was her own problem.
Chu-Chu was near to bursting with excitement, but Margie's hand on the soft fur of her shoulder kept her from jumping on her friends. As soon as they were about five feet away, though, she threw herself onto Fei, babbling happily.
"Oh Fei, you don't know how much Chu-Chu missed you! Chu-Chu so glad you're back! Oh, and Elly, chu!" She said, jumping onto Elly, making Fei laugh. "Chu-Chu has been very good! Right Margie?"
Margie laughed and nodded then went over to Fei and stood on tiptoe to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "I'm so glad you guys are back," she murmured going over to hug Elly tightly. She was glad when Elly hugged her back just as tightly. They had become really close friends since... since all of this began. Margie was glad she had someone to talk to that was female. Being best friends with a guy had its perks, but Margie didn't feel very comfortable talking to Bart about some things. Especially since it was him she was sometimes needed to talk about. Now when exactly had things gotten so complicated?
She brushed that thought out of her mind for the moment as she welcomed the others back, laughing when Maison, instead of hugging her took a handkerchief out of his pocket and rubbed a smudge of dirt she had on her face.
She kissed Citan's forehead and hugged Emeralda and Primera each, helped Maria with her tools and kissed Billy's cheek while Maria giggled at the way he blushed. Then she took a surprised Emeralda's hand and signalled for Maria to grab Prim's and all of them ran towards the house that had been left vacant for the Heroes. As soon as they arrived at the room Emeralda, Maria and Prim would be sharing, Margie and Maria burst into happy giggles. Even Primera, who had been quiet most of her life, laughed joyfully. Emeralda stared at them quizzically for a minute then sighed and shook her head in confusion. The nanomachine who was still didn't understand half of human feelings muttered something about going to find Kim, but was stopped from leaving when Margie moved to block the door.
"Wait Emeralda, don't leave," she pleaded. She gave the taller girl her friendliest smile and urged her to sit down on the small couch in the room. "Please stay. We wanted to catch up on what's happened and you're one of us remember? We want to hear your story, too. Don't we?"
The other two nodded and put the emerald-haired girl at ease in their own way. Maria grinned while Prim smiled encouragingly. Emeralda finally shrugged and sat down. Margie exhaled in relief and sat down on one of the beds, lying back as she saw the others sit.
"I'm glad you guys are back," Margie finally said, staring up at the ceiling. She had helped with the clean-up and repairs of this room and was proud of it.
"Yeah, me too," Maria sighed as she stood up to go rummage in the wardrobe her extra clothes had put in. Primera smiled shyly to show her pleasure.
"I'm glad to be back also," Emeralda said slowly. The other three took pleasure in the fact that Emeralda's sentences were becoming more complete.
After a moment of silence Margie sat up and bit her lip, thinking of a way to ask the question that was on the tip of her tongue. Oh heck, a year ago she wouldn't have hesitated to ask how Bart was, but now...
Maria poked her head out of the wardrobe and grinned at her, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. The girl had changed, loosened up a lot since Solaris had been stopped. She didn't have revenge on her mind anymore.
"Just so you'll know, we passed through Aveh on our way here," she began slowly, almost as if she had read Margie's mind.
"Oh," Margie said, acting as if she wasn't interested.
"Yeah, and we saw Sig and Bart..." Maria continued, smiling slyly.
"Really," Margie said, grinning back.
"Uh-huh. And while we were there, I noticed that Bart was hoping you had come along with us. You know, for a visit."
"Yeah, well I can't. I've got enough work to do right here," Margie sighed, a bit sadly. Primera got up and walked over to her, patting her shoulder sympathetically.
"He misses you," she stated quietly, her huge garnet eyes kind. Margie blushed to the roots of her hair. Prim's sincere comment touched her a lot more than Maria's teasing.
While Emeralda studied her in puzzlement, Maria laughed at her red face and slipped out of her stained pink dress. She dropped in on the floor just as the door opened and Billy poked his head in.
"Hey Prim, you know where my- ," he stopped in mid-sentence when Maria let out a high pitched shriek and ran into the bathroom, blushing from head to toe in embarrasement.
Margie and Primera looked at each other and began laughing while Billy frowned in confusion.
"What's up with her?" he finally asked. Margie suppressed her chuckling long enough to answer.
"You came in while she was changing, you dolt."
Billy frowned some more as they continued laughing. ~Why should she be embarrased?~ he thought. ~Her shift covered her about as much as her dress did...~ He glanced at Emeralda, who just shrugged and shook her head. Sometimes, she didn't understand the female mind either...
*************************************************
Margie sighed happily as she combed out her damp hair, which was a lot longer than she it had looked under that hat she had worn until only a few weeks ago. She had given up her hat and her cape, items she had worn since she was about eleven. Now five years later, things had changed drastically and so had she. Maturity came fast when your family was killed and a city's wellbeing was put on your shoulders. Now, sitting on her bed, in her room, fresh from a shower, she wondered once again what her grandmother or mother would've done in her place.
Margie was about to turn off her lamp and crawl under the covers when she heard a knock on her door.
"Come in."
The door opened and Elly came in, wearing her nightgown. She smiled. "Hi Margie. Can I talk to you, or do you want to go to sleep?"
"No! No. I wanted to talk to you all day. It's just that you seemed too tired and preoccupied." Margie patted the bed. "Come on. Sit down."
Elly sat and as she did, she smiled softly, dreamily. Margie blinked as Elly gazed off into space, her face serenely happy.
"What happened that got that look in your face?"
"Oh Margie, I think... I'm pretty sure... but not completely sure... that... that..."
"That...?"
"That I'm pregnant," Elly said, turning to her.
Margie stared, transfixed for a moment. And then the words sank in and she jumped up. "Pregnant! Elly, oh my gosh! You're pregnant?!"
"Yeah, I think. I mean, the signs are there, but I have to make sure before I tell Fei, you know? I mean, I don't want to get his hopes up for nothing."
"But you're willing to get my hopes up."
"I just needed to tell someone."
"I know. I was just kidding."
"I'm having Citan test me tomorrow." Elly looked really excited. "And I want you to pray that I'm right. That I am pregnant."
Margie grinned. "Sure thing."
"Oh Margie, and if I am..."
"Oh Elly, if you are pregnant," Margie said happily, "you can name the baby after me. Marguerite Jr. or whatever."
Elly laughed and Margie pulled her up to her feet to give her a proper hug.
"Isn't this great?!"
"Sure is! How is Fei gonna react?!"
"He's probably gonna faint!"
"Imagine the site! We'll need to take pictures of it then!"
Then both girls burst out laughing. That is, until a knock sounded on the door and they both nearly screamed. Wouldn't do to get caught before they knew for sure.
"Hey! Some of us are trying to sleep," Jessie grumbled loudly. Then his footsteps were heard as he left and a door slammed.
Elly and Margie looked at each other began giggling, more quietly this time.
"Well, I've gotta go. I've been getting a lot more tired lately," Elly said before going over to the door and opening it. "I really missed talking to you, you know. Let's talk some more tomorrow."
"Sure. Good night!"
"Good night."
Margie smiled happily as Elly closed the door and continued smiling until she fell asleep. After she had prayed of course.
To be continued...
*So what did you all think? This is just the beginning and I apologize if it went a little slow, but it'll get better hopefully! I'll have the next chapter up pretty soon, but I need all of you to please review and tell me where I need to improve or whatever. Ideas are welcome and as I said before, please send me your thoughts as to where you want this to go. Okay? Domo arigatou! :)
*Disclaimer*: Xenogears and its characters all belong to the very powerful company Squaresoft. Not to me (damn), so please don't sue.
Chapter One
Margie, as the Great Mother of Nisan, never thought that she'd find herself scrubbing the floor of a house that wasn't even hers. Not that the Sisters hadn't put her through rigorous manual labor when she'd been younger, but that had changed as she'd unwillingly become the Great Mother. Half a year ago she never would have imagined all the changes that had been forced upon them. She never would have dreamed that what had happened in the last several months, had happened. Death and suffering everywhere.
Luckily, it was all over. Well, mostly.
"They're back! They're back! Fei is back!" Chu-Chu cried happily, bouncing into the house (literally) Margie was cleaning. "Fei is back! And the others, chu!"
Margie's face brightened up considerably and she stood up quickly, hurriedly rolling down her dark brown trousers and pulling on her socks and boots, not even bothering to tie up the laces.
They had been gone for five weeks. Five whole weeks! Margie had started worrying, even though she'd never admit it openly. She wasn't one to share those type of feelings. Chu-Chu rolled down the road alongside her and a bunch of other villagers who had heard the news as they all made their way toward the crowd that was gathering at the front gate of the small city. People had stopped working to welcome the Heroes back.
Margie stopped in mid-run and stood just behind the cheering crowd. Now that she was the Great Mother she had to act with more dignity, even though all she wanted was to push the crowd aside and take a look at her friends. Just like Chu-Chu was doing.
"Chu-Chu want to see Fei chu! Chu-Chu want to see Fei chu!" The little pink creature cried, trying to roll through the crowd. When noboby moved aside, Chu-Chu glared and stood back. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply before she began growing in size. Luckily for everyone there, she only grew big enough to shoulder people aside without hurting them.
"Come on Margie! Chu-Chu found a way through! Don't chu wanna see the others?" She asked, pulling on Margie's arm.
"Um, Chu-Chu..." Margie started to object, but Chu-Chu either didn't hear or decided to ignore her as she pulled her along through the crowd. "Chu-Chu, we should just wait behind..."
And suddenly, they were in front of the crowd and Margie could see the Heroes approaching. Chu-Chu beside her shrunk down to her original size.
First came Fei and Elly, side by side, holding hands, fingers entwined. You couldn't really think of one without the other anymore. It was like they were one. They both looked tired, especially Elly. She had been wearing regular commoner clothes since she had been saved by Fei. Shirt, trousers and boots. And she had been helping with the healing of all the people who were still recovering. Her serious, gentle face brightened with a smile when Fei leaned closer and whispered something in her ear. Fei was smiling, too, even though he looked exhausted. Even if the worst was over, there was still a lot of work to do.
Behind them came Emeralda, her amber eyes always on Fei, her arms crossed under her chest in a natural stance of detachment. But Margie noticed that the position of aloofness was getting more difficult to uphold for the girl as her involvement with people increased. She seemed a little more relaxed around Elly now that she knew Elly and Fei were permanent mates, but she was still protective of him. After all, she still thought of him as her 'father'. Her creator.
Doctor Citan Uzuki walked beside her, probably questioning her about what she remembered about her past. Yui and Midori suddenly broke away from the waiting crowd and ran over to hug him. Margie smiled as she saw little, quiet Midori run back into the crowd to pull a struggling Dan over to Fei and her father. Dan, of course, still tried to act as though he didn't care they were back, but she saw a happy smile tugging at his lips.
Jessiah, Primera and Billy came after them. Primera insisted on going with them anywhere they went and was holding onto her father's hand like she'd never let go. She stared up at her father and older brother as they argued, a calm look in her wine colored eyes. Actually it was Billy who was arguing. Jessie just sighed and shook his head, hiding a smile behind his usual scowl.
Margie knew how pig-headed Billy could be with his father. The young ex-priest didn't like to give an inch. She waved at him when he turned and he dropped his stubborn look long enough to wave and smile back.
Maison followed behind, looking horrified at the way Maria's pink dress was stained in gear grease. Even though Maria Balthazar was only thirteen, she knew more about fixing her giant gear Seibzehn than anyone else. And the grease didn't seem to bother her. She immediately grinned when she saw Margie.
Margie gazed at the Heroes entering Nisan and noticed sadly that no one else was coming behind them. Rico had probably stayed behind to help rebuild Kislev. And Bart and Sig... well they had Aveh to take care of. Nisan was her own problem.
Chu-Chu was near to bursting with excitement, but Margie's hand on the soft fur of her shoulder kept her from jumping on her friends. As soon as they were about five feet away, though, she threw herself onto Fei, babbling happily.
"Oh Fei, you don't know how much Chu-Chu missed you! Chu-Chu so glad you're back! Oh, and Elly, chu!" She said, jumping onto Elly, making Fei laugh. "Chu-Chu has been very good! Right Margie?"
Margie laughed and nodded then went over to Fei and stood on tiptoe to give him a quick peck on the cheek. "I'm so glad you guys are back," she murmured going over to hug Elly tightly. She was glad when Elly hugged her back just as tightly. They had become really close friends since... since all of this began. Margie was glad she had someone to talk to that was female. Being best friends with a guy had its perks, but Margie didn't feel very comfortable talking to Bart about some things. Especially since it was him she was sometimes needed to talk about. Now when exactly had things gotten so complicated?
She brushed that thought out of her mind for the moment as she welcomed the others back, laughing when Maison, instead of hugging her took a handkerchief out of his pocket and rubbed a smudge of dirt she had on her face.
She kissed Citan's forehead and hugged Emeralda and Primera each, helped Maria with her tools and kissed Billy's cheek while Maria giggled at the way he blushed. Then she took a surprised Emeralda's hand and signalled for Maria to grab Prim's and all of them ran towards the house that had been left vacant for the Heroes. As soon as they arrived at the room Emeralda, Maria and Prim would be sharing, Margie and Maria burst into happy giggles. Even Primera, who had been quiet most of her life, laughed joyfully. Emeralda stared at them quizzically for a minute then sighed and shook her head in confusion. The nanomachine who was still didn't understand half of human feelings muttered something about going to find Kim, but was stopped from leaving when Margie moved to block the door.
"Wait Emeralda, don't leave," she pleaded. She gave the taller girl her friendliest smile and urged her to sit down on the small couch in the room. "Please stay. We wanted to catch up on what's happened and you're one of us remember? We want to hear your story, too. Don't we?"
The other two nodded and put the emerald-haired girl at ease in their own way. Maria grinned while Prim smiled encouragingly. Emeralda finally shrugged and sat down. Margie exhaled in relief and sat down on one of the beds, lying back as she saw the others sit.
"I'm glad you guys are back," Margie finally said, staring up at the ceiling. She had helped with the clean-up and repairs of this room and was proud of it.
"Yeah, me too," Maria sighed as she stood up to go rummage in the wardrobe her extra clothes had put in. Primera smiled shyly to show her pleasure.
"I'm glad to be back also," Emeralda said slowly. The other three took pleasure in the fact that Emeralda's sentences were becoming more complete.
After a moment of silence Margie sat up and bit her lip, thinking of a way to ask the question that was on the tip of her tongue. Oh heck, a year ago she wouldn't have hesitated to ask how Bart was, but now...
Maria poked her head out of the wardrobe and grinned at her, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. The girl had changed, loosened up a lot since Solaris had been stopped. She didn't have revenge on her mind anymore.
"Just so you'll know, we passed through Aveh on our way here," she began slowly, almost as if she had read Margie's mind.
"Oh," Margie said, acting as if she wasn't interested.
"Yeah, and we saw Sig and Bart..." Maria continued, smiling slyly.
"Really," Margie said, grinning back.
"Uh-huh. And while we were there, I noticed that Bart was hoping you had come along with us. You know, for a visit."
"Yeah, well I can't. I've got enough work to do right here," Margie sighed, a bit sadly. Primera got up and walked over to her, patting her shoulder sympathetically.
"He misses you," she stated quietly, her huge garnet eyes kind. Margie blushed to the roots of her hair. Prim's sincere comment touched her a lot more than Maria's teasing.
While Emeralda studied her in puzzlement, Maria laughed at her red face and slipped out of her stained pink dress. She dropped in on the floor just as the door opened and Billy poked his head in.
"Hey Prim, you know where my- ," he stopped in mid-sentence when Maria let out a high pitched shriek and ran into the bathroom, blushing from head to toe in embarrasement.
Margie and Primera looked at each other and began laughing while Billy frowned in confusion.
"What's up with her?" he finally asked. Margie suppressed her chuckling long enough to answer.
"You came in while she was changing, you dolt."
Billy frowned some more as they continued laughing. ~Why should she be embarrased?~ he thought. ~Her shift covered her about as much as her dress did...~ He glanced at Emeralda, who just shrugged and shook her head. Sometimes, she didn't understand the female mind either...
*************************************************
Margie sighed happily as she combed out her damp hair, which was a lot longer than she it had looked under that hat she had worn until only a few weeks ago. She had given up her hat and her cape, items she had worn since she was about eleven. Now five years later, things had changed drastically and so had she. Maturity came fast when your family was killed and a city's wellbeing was put on your shoulders. Now, sitting on her bed, in her room, fresh from a shower, she wondered once again what her grandmother or mother would've done in her place.
Margie was about to turn off her lamp and crawl under the covers when she heard a knock on her door.
"Come in."
The door opened and Elly came in, wearing her nightgown. She smiled. "Hi Margie. Can I talk to you, or do you want to go to sleep?"
"No! No. I wanted to talk to you all day. It's just that you seemed too tired and preoccupied." Margie patted the bed. "Come on. Sit down."
Elly sat and as she did, she smiled softly, dreamily. Margie blinked as Elly gazed off into space, her face serenely happy.
"What happened that got that look in your face?"
"Oh Margie, I think... I'm pretty sure... but not completely sure... that... that..."
"That...?"
"That I'm pregnant," Elly said, turning to her.
Margie stared, transfixed for a moment. And then the words sank in and she jumped up. "Pregnant! Elly, oh my gosh! You're pregnant?!"
"Yeah, I think. I mean, the signs are there, but I have to make sure before I tell Fei, you know? I mean, I don't want to get his hopes up for nothing."
"But you're willing to get my hopes up."
"I just needed to tell someone."
"I know. I was just kidding."
"I'm having Citan test me tomorrow." Elly looked really excited. "And I want you to pray that I'm right. That I am pregnant."
Margie grinned. "Sure thing."
"Oh Margie, and if I am..."
"Oh Elly, if you are pregnant," Margie said happily, "you can name the baby after me. Marguerite Jr. or whatever."
Elly laughed and Margie pulled her up to her feet to give her a proper hug.
"Isn't this great?!"
"Sure is! How is Fei gonna react?!"
"He's probably gonna faint!"
"Imagine the site! We'll need to take pictures of it then!"
Then both girls burst out laughing. That is, until a knock sounded on the door and they both nearly screamed. Wouldn't do to get caught before they knew for sure.
"Hey! Some of us are trying to sleep," Jessie grumbled loudly. Then his footsteps were heard as he left and a door slammed.
Elly and Margie looked at each other began giggling, more quietly this time.
"Well, I've gotta go. I've been getting a lot more tired lately," Elly said before going over to the door and opening it. "I really missed talking to you, you know. Let's talk some more tomorrow."
"Sure. Good night!"
"Good night."
Margie smiled happily as Elly closed the door and continued smiling until she fell asleep. After she had prayed of course.
To be continued...
*So what did you all think? This is just the beginning and I apologize if it went a little slow, but it'll get better hopefully! I'll have the next chapter up pretty soon, but I need all of you to please review and tell me where I need to improve or whatever. Ideas are welcome and as I said before, please send me your thoughts as to where you want this to go. Okay? Domo arigatou! :)