#first chapter up

Having been raised in the city she was a thin woman with pale skin. Her hair blonde as it could get and her eyes as green as emeralds. Her face was soft and welcoming. However, she could change that in an instant to spread fear into anyone's heart. Fleta's upbringing was from her family having high social class in Altissia. She was prim and proper. However a momentary lapse of judgment, she laid with the Lucian.

Months passed while Bence infiltrated the Niflheim. It took awhile but they got what they came after. Bence was never informed of the 'package' but the leader Cor was extremely secretive about it. When Bence was days from returning to Lucis, he found Fleta was carrying his child.

It didn't take much convincing for her to return with him to Lucis, simply due to the fact her mother was furious at her and rejected her and the child forming in her. It was of Lucian blood. How her family despised the Lucians for this needless war.

When Bence returned with Fleta they got married. It was the right thing for him to do since she was with his child. He wanted to support her and give her all the love he could possibly give.

However, his wife, Fleta saw it as a prison of Lucian design. Being with Bence had caused nothing but pain and unhappiness since she came to Lucis.

However, her daughter was the light of her life. It made it bearable for now.

Danielle was a small girl with chocolate brown hair she received from her father and her green eyes from her mother. Danielle had the soft features of her mother and the same thin frame.

However, her eyes had been poor as a young child and she needed the aid of glasses. The only ones they could afford with oval shaped with a thin rim. Coming from the country Danielle's hair seemed to have a will of its own and puffed out from the heat. Her hair was extremely curly like her fathers. It was unmanageable so she just would tie her bangs back to keep it out of her face.

Being in the city was intimidating at first but all the people seeming to be so happy and carefree to what was happening outside gave Danielle comfort. Her father told her she was safe under the King’s protection and she would grow up happy here.

Danielle admired her father's strength and need to protect her. She grew up to be daddy's little girl. Anything her father would say she would hang onto every word. From the stories, he told about the great Kingdom of Lucis to the bedtimes stories he would read her. She loved her father with all her heart. He was her hero.

Danielle even desired to be like her father. She wanted to be strong like him. She wanted to be a Glaive.

When it came time to get her enrolled in school she was nervous. Having to bounce from town to town didn't give her much of a chance to make friends or even have an education. Her mother was able to educate her the best she could. Due to her mother's education and the best tutors in her life, Danielle's level of education was past her age group. She did well enough to enroll in the grade with children her age.

It was the long-awaited first day of middle school in Insomnia. Insomnia Middle School. It was the best school in the city. Danielle had to take a few subway trains with her mother before it was a long three block walk. She held her mother's hand tightly as she put another hand on her backpack strap. She looked around smiling widely at the bustling streets.

Seeing so many people in one area, it was overwhelming but it was fun to see different kinds of people going about their daily lives.

Being only twelve she was ready to explore the world. Next year she would be in middle school and the thought of getting older excited her. Soon Danielle would be able to be just like her dad. She had a deep desire to join the Glaive.

Danielle began to move slightly faster. The faster she got to school, the faster days would go, the faster days would go, the sooner she could join the Glaive Academy.

"Danielle." Her mother reprimanded. "Ladies do not run." Danielle slowed down. Fleta was raised in a high standing family. She refused to let her daughter have nothing less than a proper upbringing. She would be a sophisticated lady.

"But mommy...I want to hurry and get to school. So that way I can learn a lot. Then I want to join the Glaive Academy as soon as I can!" Danielle's eyes shined with her aspirations. She wanted to defend her country and her King.

Danielle's father always spun a tale of how good the king was to the people of Lucis, that he only had their best interests in mind. That's why he put the shield up to protect as many as he could.

Fleta looked down at her daughter. Her face bore the look of disapproval. "Women don't join the army or the Glaive Danielle." It was a half-truth. Some women really do talking and some prefer to let the men do the fighting. Six be damned if her daughter was one of those women who joined.

"But mom..." Danielle whispered and looked up at her mother more confidence entering her heart. "I want to help daddy, and I want to help the king." She said her hand tightening around her mothers. At such a young age all she wanted to do was protect the land she was from.

"I said, no Danielle. You will do no such thing." Fleta ended the conversation there.

The small brunette looked down as they walked the rest of the way in silence. It was always like this. Danielle, however, would never let it go.

Once at the school gate Danielle was excited to go in. She pulled her hand out of her mothers quickly. Her steps were quick. Danielle only turned back to give her mother a brief "Bye, mom!"

"Danielle! What did I say?!" She called after her daughter but the mousy brunette was already halfway to the door.

Frustrated at her daughter she sighed and began to head back toward the subway that would take her to the small house they called home.

Danielle's bright emerald eyes looked around at the kids her age. So many of them were talking and laughing. It looked to be a lot of fun and she wanted to join in as soon as she could. She moved and fished her documents out of her pocket. Danielle needed to find her foot locker first to put her shoes on. Gazing over the locker numbers she found hers. Right below it was her name. She smiled widely and began to open it.

Danielle changed her shoes as quickly as she could. Once they were slipped on she smiled and put her street shoes away. She turned on her heel heading for the hallways. With a quick push of her glasses to see the paper clearly, she headed down the hall. Once she reached a set of staircases she climbed them with confidence. It was the first day after all. There was a desire to prove she wasn't scared or intimidated by the large school body.

Once she reached the proper floor she looked down the hall from left to right. "2-1..." Her feet began to carry her down the hall as she looked up at the signs signifying which room was which.

"2-1" she whispered softly. "Ah." She smiled and opened the door. Danielle was hit with loud noises and chatter. There were her classmates. Every person in the room had a potential to become her friend.

They were all broken up into their groups and were talking and laughing with one another. It was obvious that people already formed their friendships from the prior year. It would be hard to be accepted but, the Lucian people had been kind so far.

The brunette found her seat and hung up her bag as she nervously sat down and looked at the commotion in the room. Everyone seemed so happy. No one worried about the war outside the shield. They were protected. Danielle was still getting used to the thought of never having to worry or wake up in the middle of the night hearing explosions.

The door opened up again, revealing a heavy set blond boy. His blue eyes were kept down on his camera as he walked in. He sidled with some difficulty through the throngs of children to get to his seat in the back corner of the room, he sat down, his head still down as the classroom hummed with children's morning activities.

He yawned slightly before he looked up for the first time. He scanned the room. Just the same old people. He looked down and let out a sigh flipping through another nature shot. A new girl? He blushed, looking down when she looked at her. She was cute! Her glasses seemed to suit her so perfectly! He wondered what she would say if he asked for a picture of her because she was so pretty....

Danielle smiled and stood slowly gaining confidence. She was going to talk to some girls that were talking about their barrettes and hair accessories. She swallowed and stood next to them. Their conversation stopped and they turned to look at her.

"M-my name is Danielle Bonifaas..” She said, obviously completely nervous, her heart pounding in her chest. “Nice to meet you! I hope we can become friends!" In her nervousness, she had spoken overly loud causing the entire classroom to went silent. She turned red.

The girls looked at her and one soon began to laugh causing the rest of them to laugh.

"Sorry, we don't become friends with immigrants. You don't belong here." The tone she had was condescending filled with hate.

It was obvious that she wasn't from Insomnia. Danielle froze and she looked down. The entire room began to whisper and she went back to her seat. She sat down and just decided to pull her books out as the girls laughed.

"My dad says it’s people like her who are turning our city into a slum."

Danielle felt more pain. Was her mother right? Were the Insomnia people as heartless as she said? But she was still a Lucian. Weren't they all one people?

Prompto looked at her and gulped. "D-don't mind them... they're in their own little world." He said with a small smile. "I'm Prompto, by the way." He continued blushing a little. He couldn’t believe he was talking to a girl

Danielle looked up. "Um...Danielle," She said softly, her emerald eyes showing signs of being close to tears. She then looked away from him. Before he could get in another word class started.

Everyone got to their seats and Danielle just went through the motions of the day. When lunch came around she had vanished to the bathroom to be left alone. She could hear the girls and the rest of the class talking about her. Most of them were saying what their parents said. Danielle had lost her appetite for her lunch. So far Insomnia wasn't growing on her. She wanted to go back to Leide. At least there she was happy.

The bell rang and she wiped her tears away and sighed as she opened the stall door and headed back to her class and took her seat for the second round of classes. She sat down and sighed softly as she looked to the board and continued her work.

The day finished up and she headed to her foot locker and slipped on her shoes. She then began to head out to the gate and sit on the bench to wait for her mother. She kicked her feet slightly as she sat there.

"So much for this being fun dad..." she muttered.

While Danielle sat alone on the bench, Prompto saw her. She had taken off so fast he didn't get a chance to speak to her again. However, when he tried to approach her he was cut off by two boys.

"Where do you think you are going tubbo?" The brunette asked smiling widely.

Prompto took a step back. "Please Adrian, not today..." He whispered holding his camera tightly in his hands.

"Yakov, get him!" Adrain yelled to the raven haired boy.

The two boys grabbed prompto pulling him to the ground. They both tried to reach for the camera as they laughed at the blonde begging for them to stop.

"Ouch! No, not the camera!" Prompto begged as he pulled it close, the two boys kicking him as he laid on the ground.

It only lasted a few minutes due to Adrian and Yakov not wanting to be caught by other teachers or students. To them, Prompto was simply an easy target. He couldn't run very fast and he had no one to stick up for him.

After a few moments, the boys stopped and looked down at him in anger.

"Tch, you're no fun. Fatty,” Adrian said before they all turned tail and ran.

Prompto sat up, looking at his camera. It was dusty, but it was still operational. He sighed, grabbing his bag and getting up to walk toward the entrance of the school to walk home. It was then he saw Danielle sitting by herself in the most beautiful way. His eyes shined, getting his camera ready. The lighting around her was perfect. She sat there with the sunset seeming to glow around her like she was an Astral.

With the touch of his finger, he smiled. The camera shuttered loudly and he looked down right away to check if it was good enough or if he had to take another.

While sitting there Danielle heard a camera snap and her head turned to the source of the sound. It was the kid who tried to talk to her that morning. She rose a brow and looked shocked.

Prompto was satisfied with the photo. It was pure perfection. He got the right angle, the lighting was amazing, and the model was perfect. He rarely took pictures of people. He tended to take photos of the scenery in Insomnia.

Prompto looked up and his eyes widened slightly. Had she noticed?

That was it.

Danielle already had a horrible day and now he was taking a photo without permission?! She stood and her body tensed as she approached him.

"What? Taking a picture of the immigrant so you can show your friends and laugh at me?!" She asked tears threatening to fall.

"W-what? N-no it's not-" Prompto tried to say but Danielle simply kept going.

"Well go ahead! Make fun of me!" She yelled. "My mother was right! The city people here are horrible! They only care about themselves and ignore people who try and come in to live their life!" Her fists were tight and she was obviously shaking.

"I hate people in Insomnia!" That's when tears began to fall from her eyes. They ran down her cheeks. She sniffled trying to wipe them away. "I just wanted to make friends..."

"W-wait... no, I just..." He turned the camera. "I just thought... you looked really pretty..." he said softly.

Danielle looked at the camera and she blinked. She had never liked a photo of herself before. She actually did look pretty.

The setting sun was perfectly around her. She almost could say she looked like a goddess. She looked up to the blonde boy and then felt so ashamed.

"I'm...I'm sorry, I didn't..." she then looked like she was about to cry again.

"No, it's okay! I just... want friends, too, Danni.." Prompto's face flushed. "I mean, Danielle!"

He closed his eyes, wondering if she'll hit him for shortening her name. He knew some girls didn't like that.

Danielle blinked. She was taken back from that. Did he call her Danni? She began to laugh slightly as she dried her eyes.

"No one but my dad calls me that." She said softly her smile coming through.

It was the first time that day she really smiled.

"My mom doesn't like people shortening my name. Something about it not being my proper name." She said softly and looked at him.

"Prompto, right?" She asked as she held onto her backpack straps. She had gotten all the tears off her face.

"Yeah, that's my name." He smiled, feeling a little more confident. "Just the fat kid in class." He blushed immensely.

Danielle chuckled again and looked at him. "So what?" She asked. "Your outer appearance shouldn't matter at all."

Prompto smiled slightly as he looked over his glasses at her. "Thanks." He whispered.

Behind the two children, Fleta stood staring them down. That's when she cleared her throat to grab her daughters attention.

"Danielle." She called.

The brunette turned. "Coming mom!" She called. "So I'll see you tomorrow Prompto?"

Prompto's eyes lit up. "Yeah!" He said with a grin. "See ya tomorrow, Danielle!" He waved.

Danielle waved back as she walked to her mother who took her hand like she was still five.

The two walked in silence the entire way home. Each train stop was full of people on their way home from their jobs and classes. Danielle had a bright smile on her face as she kicked her feet freely. Her mother touched her legs and that's when she stopped.

Danielle's emerald eyes gazed out the window looking over the skyline of Insomnia. It was gorgeous at night and during the sunset.

After getting off the last train of the night they walked two large blocks back to the small home. Fleta unlocked the door and opened it for her daughter.

"Take off your shoes Danielle." She said taking off her coat and then moved to her shoes.

However, Danielle bolted inside and rushed to her father who was in the kitchen.

"Dad!" She yelled and jumped into his arms.

"Ah, there's my little Chocobo!" He said holding her and spinning her around as she giggled.

Fleta blinked slightly. She was not in approval of these kinds of actions. However, she let it go. She was tired and headed upstairs to her bed.

Bence didn't mind where his wife went. He was too enamored by his daughter. "So what do you want for dinner?" He asked smiling.

"Um! How about burgers!" She said and took his hand when he put her down.

"Burgers! Alright. Sounds good. How was your day at school?" He asked, leading her to the table.

Danielle's smile fell for a moment. "It..." she sighed. "It was bad." She admitted. "No one wanted to be my friend cause I was an immigrant..." she said as she sat at the table.

Bence frowned. "Honey, you aren't an immigrant..." He brushed her hair behind her ear. "You're a Lucian..." He said, then brushing a callused thumb across her cheek. "And you're sure no one wanted to be your friend...?"

She then smiled her green eyes lighting up. "There was one! His name is Prompto and he said I was pretty!" She then looked down.

"He took a picture of me and I thought he was going to make fun of me but he said I was pretty. He showed me the picture and I looked so pretty!" A small smile came to her lips. "He was nice to me Daddy."

"That's awesome, Danni. I'd like to meet him next time." He said with a wide grin.

Danielle nodded and she smiled widely. "He even called me Danni."

"He even called you Danni? Wow.. no one but me calls you that." He smiled at his beautiful little girl.

Danielle nodded and grinned softly. "Yeah!" She beamed. "I didn't even ask him to!"

"That's great, little Chocobo." He said, kissing her forehead. "Now. I'm going to make dinner, so try and get some homework done before then, alright?" He asked, petting her head.

Danielle nodded obeying her father. She went back to the entryway and put her shoes there like her mother asked her to before she ran in.

Once she returned to the kitchen she tossed her bag onto the table. Her hands pulled out a few sheets of paper and a large book. She then paused and took a moment to talk to her father more. "How's the Glave daddy?"

"Hard, hard work, sweet pea." He replied, working the spices into the meat with his washed hands.

Danielle thought. "Well, have you met the king?"

"Ah, not yet." He smiled. He was still low in the ranks of the Glaive. However, with his connections to the higher-ups, he should become a Lieutenant soon.

Danielle nodded and returned to her school work. Having had her mother teach her for awhile excelled Danielle into a further grade than most of her classmates. However, she wanted to be around her own age group so some of the work she was doing was fairly easy. Just some extra practice. Maybe she would learn something her mother forgot?

Soon Fleta came down after changing and looked at her daughter and began to examine her work.

"What on Eos is your teacher showing you? You are way past this grade level." She said looking at the work in distaste.

Bence looked back at his wife. "Fleta she is in a middle school. They are going to teach that grade level."

Fleta rolled her eyes at her husband and picked up some of Danielle's work. Her eyes glanced over it with her judgemental eyes.

"She's at least at a high school level." She scoffed and set down the papers. "The Altissian school system seems to be better than the Lucian."

"Let her be, Fleta." Bence sighed. "She's only 12." He reminded her. "Let her be herself."

"She is better than this." She said as she crossed her arms. "I told you we should have left for Altissia." She added as she moved to get something to drink. "Our daughter could be much more successful there."

Danielle looked up at her mother. "But I like it here...I made a friend already."

Fleta sighed and looked at her daughter. "I heard you tell your father, but the rest of the children were mean to you. It's not good to have just one friend."

"One friend can be more than enough," Bence answered. "Popularity isn't everything." He poured bread crumbs into the mix. "Besides, it's only the first day. I'm sure they'll come around."

"It does when all you are seen as is scum to those who live here." Fleta set down her drink and continued "We are compared to sewer rats, Bence." She crossed her arms. "Danielle could have a better life if you just realize it and give up a fight for a king that doesn't give a shit about us."

"Fleta, language!" Bence said, glaring at her. "The king cares plenty for us. He's not fighting uselessly. Unlike the Altissians who refuse to help." He said, insulting his wife underhandedly.

Fleta glared. "A senseless war between the Niffs and Lucians! What does the king do?! Hide behind his damn shield while our home got destroyed!" She yelled. "At least in Altissia we don't have to live in fear!"

"Enough." Bence snapped. "We're here in Lucis now, safe and sound. That's all that matters. End of argument..."

Fleta glared and shook her head. She wanted to say something but she turned and left the room.

Danielle was staring at her paper. Her hand had stopped writing. This was a common occurrence in their home. No matter where they were. She was used to these fights. It only got worse when they got to Insomnia.

Bence looked at Danni. "Sorry, Sweetheart... mom and I should stop fighting so much, huh?"

"Yeah..." she said softly. "I'm used to it...I know mommy wants to go to Altissia to be with her family..." she said softly as she kicked her legs.

"Yeah..." He said softly. "She does..."

Danielle looked down. "Daddy I love you and I like living here."

"I love you, too, sugar pea..." He said softly, kissing her forehead before going back to cooking.