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Annabel Ashcroft

Faerie [Aether]

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Day 127: An end and a beginning

Public
Serious Annabel
Part 1


Dear Dee:

It's so strange what we have come to here in Eorzea. It started with simply local matters, you know problems with nature, and from that grew, (pun not intended), more serious problems. Eventually this led to the Garleans, which were defeated long ago, or so we thought. Turmoil seems to go in cycles, for once more the Garlean Empire threatens this land that I have chosen to help.....

Chosen? That would be a fallacy Dee if ever there ever was one. I did not CHOOSE anything, this damn Echo forced it's way into my life and changed it forever, for both good and bad. Lately though, the bad has rapidly been taking over the good as things here have gone from bad to worse. Honestly Dee, I just REALLY don't know what to do. I am alone, alone to face all of this myself now......


"Alone? Are you KIDDING Annabel?"

Her thought train broken, Annabel's face showed a foul look as she looked up to see the spirit of Minfilia Ward hovering above her. "Do you MIND", Annabel said in annoyance. "This IS private, you know, the PURPOSE of a journal, to keep one's thoughts away from OTHERS!"

Minfilia ignored the comment, hovering to be eye level with her charge. "Honestly Annabel, it's pretty much the only way I can be privy to your thoughts, you have the most annoying habit of never telling me anything, especially anything important."

"Um, what's the point Minnie, aren't you around me just about ALL the time ANYWAY? So you see everything I do."

"Annabel”, Minfilia said, "what you do and what you are thinking when you do them are two different things. Believe it or not, that's important too."

"So you say Minnie." Annabel interrupted the conversation by putting the pen down and rising from her chair. As long as Minfilia was around, she knew she would never be able to continue. Pink and white skirt swishing, Annabel decided she needed some air and left her room leaving Minfilia looking peeved. Wanting to say something but deciding to hold her tongue instead, Minfilia silently followed the young blonde out into the hall.

The semi new headquarters of the Scions was a bustle with the comings and goings of people. Old vets and new recruits alike went about their business or gathered in groups discussing various subjects. The whole thing with the Garleans, as well as what had happened to their senior members, had everyone nervous and wary, and it showed in both their faces as well as their mannerisms. It did not keep them though from giving their champion a friendly greeting or acknowledgement.

Annabel returned all in kind, used to this by now. The time of being an anonymous face in the crowd had long passed her by, if there had ever been a time. Both her extreme beauty and choice of pink outfits had always made her stand out, being famous now just made her presence more pronounced. Floating above, Minfilia watched the exchange, invisible to all except Annabel. So many new people, she was glad to see her creation flourish in her absence. Her successors had done well, and was both relieved and glad Eorzea was in safe and capable hands.

The pleasantries soon concluded, Annabel reached the solar, Minfilia's old office, and knocked. There was a high pitched sound and then Annabel opened the door and entered, Minfilia following behind her quickly before the door closed. Sitting in the room at Minfilia's old desk was Tataru, her super efficient secretary and friend. Minfilia missed her dearly, missed all her friends and comrades, but she had made her peace with that and it didn't affect her nowadays, well too much. Positioning herself to get a good view of the exchange, Minfilia watched as the two conversed.

Annabel, for her part, had tried to ignore Minfilia. The woman knew from experience it was NOT a good idea to try conversing with a spirit when only you could see her. Talking to ones self was a good way to make a rather bad reputation and she did not need to make hers any worse than it was already was. Oh sure, people were pleasant and cordial enough out in the open, but she knew what they said behind her back, and it was NOT good.

"Annabel," The little Lalafell said with both a pleased and surprised tone in her high voice, "what brings you here, do you have any news?"

The young blonde gave Tataru a pleasant smile as she sat in the chair opposite the desk. It was so odd doing this and yet felt....right? No, that was not the word....was it? Annabel shook the thought out of her head and focused on the situation in front of her.

"No, nothing's really changed, either here or out there. It's so maddeningly frustrating not knowing what's going on, knowing you can do nothing to help." Annabel's smile turned to a look of frustration, "I just feel so...." she cringed at the word, "useless."

Tataru looked shocked at Annabel's tone. "Annabel, how can you SAY that? If if wasn't for you stopping Zenos, who knows what the Garleans would be doing right now in Ala Mhigo."

Annabel shook her head negatively, denying the Lalafell's words, the woman's honey blonde hair moving back and forth with the effort. "But I DIDN'T stop him did I? Tataru, he almost BEAT me! That....damn vision I keep getting crippled me, caused me to almost lose my head. If it wasn't for Estinien I would have....would have...." She could not being herself to say it, so Annabel left the words hanging, for fear of them coming true somehow.

Tataru's wide eyes looked at Annabel with worry in them. Sure the reports she read and the accounts Annabel herself had given had told her about what happened. But SEEING the Warrior of Light in front of her acting like this, filled with so much doubt of her abilities, it made the little Lalafell fear for what the future was going to bring them.

Knowing she was the linchpin that held everyone else together here, Tataru pushed those thoughts out of her mind. She was the optimistic one, the one who saw the best in everyone. If SHE started to worry, this place was doomed. Blinking rapidly, she formed her face into a disapproving pout.

"Annabel, you shush, enough of that. You know VERY well you are NOT useless nor a failure. So he bested you, he did it before and you got back at him, right? It seems to go in a circle, he beat you, you beat him, he beats you again; next time it's YOUR turn, I can just see it!"

Minfilia smiled in spite of herself. My, her little admin had come a long way, taking charge when it was needed and getting things done. But then, Tataru was always like that, never slacking off, always there when Minfilia needed her. She watched as Annabel responded, the silly girl NEEDED to stop being so...negative.

"Well," Annabel said looking a bit doubtful at Tataru's words. "I'm glad you think so. I guess I need to think the same way, right? But enough of that," she said changing the subject. "It will happen when it happens, right now I NEED to figure out this damn voice, what it wants and why it won't let up!" She gave a peeved look not directed at anyone. "It's caused a real mess Tataru, and I for one am sick of it."

"You and me both Annabel," agreed Tataru. "It's taken my friends, people I've known a long time. It's crippled us badly and left us floundering. You and Krile are the only ones left and if we loose you both, well....." She left the thought unfinished as if afraid it would happen if she spoke it.

"I'm sure Krile is doing her best wherever she is, and I guess I need to start doing mine. Ugh," Annabel's peeved look turned into one of annoyance. "I just don't know WHY he wants me to go back to that tower? I mean we locked the damn thing up, sealed it off from everyone. If he's in there, I would like to know how the hell he got in."

Taturu shook her head, "I'm afraid I am not the one to ask about that. All that happened before we came over here."

"Oh I know that," Annabel said, "I was just complaining out loud, trying to work out my thoughts. I would think you would be used to that by now."

"Well.....yes..." Taturu said with hesitation, "but with you Annabel, it's kind of hard to be sure about anything really. You can be so odd at times."

The pretty blonde gave an amused snort and smiled. "You've only just noticed? Dear Tataru, you need to pay attention more. Imagine how Minfilia felt dealing with me, now that you sit there, you'll have to put up with the same."

"Oh I don't have to imagine Annabel", Taturu retorted, "I got an earful from her ALL the time about you. You really drove her nuts sometimes, you know that? She always tried to second guess you and nearly always failed. I'm going to have more sense and not even try."

"Smart girl," Minfilia thought, "She's not worth the effort, as I found out too late." She sighed as she thought of all the hours wasted on that.

"Well then," Annabel said, "in that regard, it should make this job a BIT easier. Now, tell me what else is going on before I head out tomorrow, I rather not have any new surprises thrown my way."

The two talked for a few moments more, discussing this and that. Tataru, as usual, was her hyper efficient self, and Annabel got far more information than she was expecting. Finally finished, Annabel took that as a chance to escape the Lalafell's grasp before another task was thrust upon her and said her farewells leaving the room.

Watching Annabel leave, Minfilia did not follow but lingered, watching Tataru go about her tasks. With the Lalafell having been gone for so long in Kugane, Minfilia had not really had a chance to see her former right hand minion. She was curious to see how far she had come. Besides, Annabel was not leaving till tomorrow. Minfilia did not have to watch that silly woman ALL the time despite what Annabel herself thought. Pushing that ditzy blonde out of her thoughts, Minfliia continued to watch Tataru, thoughts drifting to memories of her past, happy ones, for once.



continued: part 2
Comments (2)

Annabel Ashcroft

Faerie [Aether]

There you go, the beginning of the last story for awhile. I will post each part as I finish, it will probably be 3 parts. I hope my fans enjoy it.

Alestrae Vanrys

Louisoix [Chaos]

If they don't, I have a pitchfork.. Essential implement for a midgardsohmr barbecue... I'm so going to have to use that in my next pun.
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