An Unfortunate Event

The moment that the hailed Saishiro walked away, Selene�s eyes grew blank once again. Celes growled, but was, in all truth, too afraid of the man controlling Selene to do anything about it.

"Outside! Stop being foolish; you�ll ruin the gala!" an odd, masculine voice echoed from Selene. Obediently, Selene redrew her masamune and placed the tip under Celes� chin, forcing her to back out of the building and into the open courtyard.

"Now," the voice whispered again. Celes was beginning to grow curious about the situation. "You know I want the Returners to have �fun� in my world. And I DON�T want Lady Saishiro�s gala interrupted! If you disturb her again, I may just let her do as she pleases with you. Do what I say, and you�ll be pardoned."

�It�s �him-!� Celes thought, gasping out loud. She had just realized that the voice was that of the man manipulating Selene. Speaking of which, he was standing before a great window on the inside of the hall, looking down at the pair with narrowed eyes.

Selene thrust the point of her sword in what would have been a fatal move to Celes, but the ex-general quickly responded by drawing her Rune Edge, just in time to block. "Selene, stop this! We�re from the same place!" Selene took no notice of her. Apparently, the man had tightened his control over the young woman. "I�m not going to beg with you forever! You�re a Returner too!" No response. Celes began to grow frustrated. She began blocking Selene�s moves with more power. "Selene! You can�t disown us! You have to remember Terra and Edgar and-"

Selene�s eye cleared, and she bowed her head. Her masamune wavered briefly in the air, before being brought back to her side. "You� Edgar�" Her head raised. "How dare you! I�m here to help Edgar, you stay out of it!!"

Utterly confused by Selene�s words, she began blocking more furious attacks. �Great� Now it looks like that guy�s power is being backed by whatever Selene feels for Edgar�� Celes wondered how ridiculous the scene must�ve been. There she was, decked out beautifully in that crimson dress, with a sword, fighting with all her ability. She had no idea how long she could keep up.

Celes, in the fast and furious movements of the fight, lost concentration on her opponent�s weapon for a split second, something that would surely be �very- bad on her part. As the masamune neared her right shoulder, a semi-large odd-looking boomerang clashed into the long sword, forcing its holder to retreat in. Celes was stunned as the man behind the weapon stepped forward.

She covered her mouth with a hand as the man came out of the crowd. The first thing she saw was his cerulean bandana; he was wearing it despite the occasion. He picked his weapon off the ground and smirked. His expression was one that of self-glory. He approached Celes and flicked a strand of the blonde hair that hung to the side of her face.

"Wow, you�ve really done yourself up. I haven�t seen you like this� since that crazy impersonation of that Maria woman�"

Celes flushed a soft pink. "I wouldn�t be like this if it were my choice. Hmph. Aren�t you going to even say �hi�?"

"Whoa, sorry!" The man sweatdropped and smiled a cheesy grin. "I guess we never got to meet. YOU were the one who left ME waiting for HOURS in Albrook! You decided to bail and take a vacation here, huh?" He smirked again as he awaited a reaction.

"Like it was my choice�" Out of the corner of her eye, Celes once again caught the mysterious man at the window. Even from her distance, she saw the wicked pleasure in his eyes, and his face twisted out a handsome grin.

"Do it, Selene." His voice echoed again from the cloaked woman�s body. She instantly lunged at the couple, finally together.

Celes couldn�t move fast enough. She tried to shove him out of the way, but he didn�t realize what was coming. Selene was so agile, that in milliseconds she was in their faces- and her masamune had punctured the stomach of her male victim.

"Locke!" Celes� face filled with fear. Selene slid the blade deeper into the paralyzed man until it protruded through his back. She then withdrew it, sheathed it, and walked away.

Locke clasped his hands to his stomach, blood seeping into the cheap clothes he wore. "Well� that hurt�," he said, trying to stay lively even though he fell to his knees. Celes followed his motion, gently holding him by the shoulders, unable to speak.