Strength In Our Bonds (The Strength in Generations Accompanying Book)

Feels Like The First Time

Aurelie sat in her office, reading a magazine about animals (it was a slow day at the Academy), while having smooth jazz play from her phone. She liked slow days. Even though part of her felt irresponsible for not getting any work done, she liked these chances to relax, without too much interference.

She couldn't wait for her apartment to be fixed, so Nora could stop pestering her...

She heard her mother go back into her own office and immediately stood; she'd been waiting for her to get back.

"Mom, I need to-" Aurelie stopped herself. "Hello. How is your morning? Also, I need to ask you something."

Quistis smirked amusedly. "What is it, Aurelie?"

"I was just now reading this article, and it states that Balamb Garden has one of the highest animal mortality rates in the world. You used to work there; is that true?"

"Hm. I'm inclined to say no, but if they included the Training Center..." Quistis frowned, "Not to mention the ungodly amount of animals that must be needed to keep up the Garden's supply of hotdogs, by association."

Aurelie cringed. She didn't like any meat, but she had a special type of dislike toward hotdogs and sausage. They were essentially animal flesh in tubes!

"Then, I have to write a letter to Commander Leonhart!" she decided. "I have to... I have to implore that he reconsider his Garden's protocol so that he can stop harming animals! Or at least... not so many of them."

"Aurelie, please tell me this isn't the only reason you came in here."

"It was the most important reason." Aurelie composed herself before continuing. "Do you know that week I have off where I'm supposed to go visit Grandmother?"

"Yes. Oh, Aurelie, please don't tell me you're canceling..." Quistis had a sad look on her face. "You know how Mother gets in the springtime; so depressed, and you're the only one that can go, and-"

"Mom, I'm not canceling. Don't worry." Aurelie laughed. "I was going to ask if I could revise my hours for the two days preceding that, so I could work earlier. And hopefully not as long..?"

"You only work six hours anyway." Quistis frowned. "What is this about?"

"Well..." Aurelie smiled bashfully, "Harlan will be in Balamb for a week, and he's going back to Esthar on the same day that I go. I was hoping that we could leave together, but before we do, I wanted to show him around. I didn't get a chance to last time he was here, or the time before."

Quistis smiled at her daughter. "Do you know this is the first time you've ever mentioned changing your schedule in any way? It's been almost five years, Aurelie."

"Well..." she looked away again.

"You will work an early, full-time day on that first day, and have the second completely off. How does that sound?"

Aurelie gasped. "A whole day off?! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" She gave her mother a tight hug, something very unlike her.

"No problem. Stay out of trouble." Quistis had to think about what she'd just said for a second, before adding, "Sorry, force of habit. I'm usually saying thing like this to Nora. Have fun!"

"I will." Aurelie smiled.

~ * ~

"This is Grand Avenue," explained Aurelie. "Think of it as an outdoor version of that shopping center you guys have in Esthar."

"Oh, so like a promenade?" asked Harlan.

"That's the word I was looking for! A promenade." Aurelie smiled up at her boyfriend. "Everything you need is here. Stores, restaurants, salons, and everything in-between. There are festivals at the right time, as well."