Vivi and Eiko made good time to Fossil Roo, and they had navigated the cavern’s twisting passages without much trouble. Soon they emerged back on the Mist Continent, and were prepared to make their way to Lindblum and Cid.
It had been a day since then. Vivi and Eiko had arrived in Cid’s castle-town, and were prepared to make their case to him. But how was he going to react?
The rebuilding of Lindblum had come along rather well. Vivi could hardly recognize half the buildings and even people. He’d spent enough time here, shouldn’t he know it?
That really wasn’t bothering the tiny mage though. He’d been lost in thought for a while over what Eiko’d told him; about dreams. She said dreams were like living imagination…you could fly, or be a king for a day, or do anything you wanted. Anything at all.
Vivi wanted to dream. He supposed it wasn’t possible, because if he was going to dream he’d have done it by now. He felt something funny when he thought of dreaming. It was…pleasant, but…
"HEY VIVI!" Eiko yelled from across the promanade in Linblum’s Business District.
"U-uh?" the tiny mage responded. "Wha?"
Eiko placed hands on hips. "You’ve been standing there a good ten minutes. What’s up?"
"N-nothing. Thinking, I guess. Are we going to see uncle Cid now?"
Eiko’d been shopping for the longest time. She said they needed supplies for the journey, but inside the shop the summoner’d squealed at every dress she came upon. Vivi didn’t think he liked girls very much…at least not when they did that.
"We’ll go see Papa if ya don’t mind getting on the Aircab, Vivi," she sassed at him.
He started after her. "O-okay. I’m coming."
LINDBLUM’S Grand palace was still as impressive as ever. Vivi got off of the Aircab and stepped onto the platform staring at his destination with what could best be described as a smile. Eiko simply ran in and yelled for the tiny mage to follow.
The duo ran into Minister Artania on their way in. The big man stepped up to them wearing a smile, albeit a confused one.
"Why, Lady Eiko! And….Vivi Orunitia? However did you get here without the Invincible? Or have those chocobos you’ve been raising gained an ability for water-walk?"
Eiko grinned ear to ear. "No, uncle Artie! We went through Fossil Roo. It’s really mega-important, so could ya please go get Papa? Please?"
The minister looked at Eiko, then Vivi. He smiled ever-so faintly, then turned about-face and walked down the corridor he’d come from.
"C’mon, you two. I’ll tell the Regent you’ve arrived."
As they walked, Eiko biffed Vivi in the shoulder. "I hope Papa takes the news well."
"W..what news?" Vivi replied. "About me wanting to make more friends?"
She shrugged. "Well yeah, that too. I meant about my bodyguards being drunk and all.
"It’ll be okay, Vivi. I don’t think Papa’s gonna tell you ya can’t do what ya want. After all, you’re on o’ the people who saved Gaia. Along with me, of course. Just…I don’t think ya should tell him ya wanna find Kuja."
Vivi looked to Eiko, confused. "B-but why not? I don’t wanna lie to him, Eiko. You shouldn’t either."
"Then what was that back in Madain Sari?" she retorted. "Seemed to me you were willing to lie to get your way. You arent’ thinking straight, huh?"
He shook his head. "Not since I left the village. I don’t feel…..normal."
The other stared at the floor as she walked.
"Yeah, I understand. But you know we’ll all stay by your side, Vivi. Me especially, cuz I know how ya must be thinking right now. Just…let me handle Papa. I’ll get us passage to Alexandria. And we’ll do whatever ya want then, even run after Kuja."
Vivi looked to Eiko expectantly. "R-really? T….thanks, Eiko."
She smiled. "Hay, no prob, little guy!"
They reached the lobby that stood before the throne room-slash-conference room. Artania ascended the stairs and, after a quick word with his subordinates, beckoned for the young pair to follow.
"Urgh," Eiko exhaled. "Whenever Papa’s in the throne room he’s usually signing papers and stuff….that bites cuz it always makes him grumpy."
Artania sighed. "Yes, I know Lady Eiko. But when he sees you’ve returned his mood will lighten. I guarantee it."
He led them into the throne room, where Cid sat upon his chair looking over some thick documents. Hilda sat at his side, oddly enough engrossed in a game of Tetra Master with one of her handmaidens. The Regent’s wife looked up with a smile and tapped her husband on the shoulder.
"Dear….our daughter is home."
Cid’s head jerked up. He looked visibly worried.
"E-Eiko!" he stammered. "You were supposed to let me know when you wanted to come home, not come home yourself! Where are the guards I sent with you???"
Eiko put on her best innocent face. "Umm…..well Papa…..I gotta tell ya….."
CID didn’t take to the news very well. His own elite guard slacking on the job when his adopted daughter’s welfare was on the line was a bad thing, apparently.
The Regent had sat down and listened to Vivi’s plight…after he’d calmed down and sent Artania to deal with the snookered soldiers.
"I can see the validity of your quest, Vivi. But why did you think I’d be against it?"
Vivi fingered the brim of his hat nervously. "Well….t-the black mages did some very bad things, uncle Cid….even in Lindblum…I didn’t know if anyone would want me to make more of…well more of me. I thought you’d all hate me or something…"
Cid blanched at the assumption. "Vivi, none of us could dislike you, much less hate you! To me, you’re as much a member of my family as Eiko. And she doesn’t think any less of you for this either…neither will any of your former allies.
"Speaking of which," he trailed off, looking to Hilda. "We received word from Freya a few days ago, didn’t we my love?"
She nodded. "She sent word of her approach, and said she was bringing Sir Fratley with her for some rest. The two of them have been clearing Gizamaluke’s Grotto of monsters so the Burmecians may again worship there."
Cid nodded. "Yes, that’s it. Well I’m sure we can take care of Sir Fratley for a while. And I’m certain Freya would accompany you two on your trip. After all, you only have your magic to shelter yourselves…"
"HEY!" Eiko yalped. "I love Freya, but we can take care of ourselves, ya know, Papa. I have my Madeen, and Vivi’s got his Flare and stuff…"
She looked at Vivi a minute.
"But he needs support, so….yeah. When’s Freya getting’ here?"
A few days went by….Eiko spent her time lost in mischief, while Vivi stayed in the guest room and did what he did best…got lost in thought.
He began to remember the days he traveled the countryside with Zidane and everyone….not that long ago, but far enough away to miss. Vivi seemed to have a purpose during the battle against Brahne, Kuja, and then Necron…
But no. He was scared when he thought of it that way. Because…if Vivi only found a purpose in fighting…that would mean he was as mindless as the mages he slaughtered. He didn’t want to think of himself that way…as a thing and not a person.
Finally Freya Crescent arrived in Lindblum with her companion Fratley. Cid, Eiko, and Vivi were there to greet them at the Dragon’s Gate.
The look on Freya’s face was entertaining to say the least as she padded into the Gate’s shelter and saw her welcoming party. She was expecting to see Eiko, of course…but Vivi?
The Dragon Knight approached her good friends with a smile. This was enough reason to leave the village, Vivi told himself, despite what he was out to accomplish.
"Regent Cid," Freya greeted in her noble manner. The other bowed to her.
Then she turned to Eiko and Vivi.
"My friends…so very good to see you…"
Freya embraced the both of them at once; their tiny frames scrunched together.
"Heehe…" Vivi giggled. "Nice to see you too, Freya."
She drew away from them and focused on Vivi. "So what brings you here little one? Business or pleasure? Surely the trip wasn’t very easy."
"I’d say business," Eiko replied. "Vivi and I are gonna go on a quest, and we want you to come."
Freya smiled again. "Hmm. Well I believe I could do that, but what about Sir Fratley here?"
The amnesiac simply cocked his head at the mention of his name.
"We can take care of him," Cid replied. "I’m sure Fratley won’t mind staying at the palace for a while, now will he? After your time in the Grotto and all."
The Regent approached Fratley and extended a hand to rest on his shoulder.
"Welcome to Lindblum, Sir Fratley. I am Cid, Regent here. You’ll be staying here for some time, I’m assuming, so I believe it wise for me to show you around. Much harder for you to get lost if you know where you’re going, after all."
Cid turned to the others. "I’ve got him. Eiko, you and Vivi should explain the situation to Freya before departing. When you are ready, the Hilda Garde III will be docked and prepared for departure…wherever you’re going."
He bent down and gave Eiko a gentle kiss on the forehead.
"Be careful, my dear. I know you have an abundance of power hiding in that little frame of yours, but it doesn’t make up for carelessness. And I know you, Eiko."
The little summoner put hands on hips. "Papa, we’ll be fine. Now you show Fratley around town, okay?"
Freya placed a hand on Cid’s shoulder. "Please do be careful with him, Regent. He is fragile in mind, and will take to fancy if left alone too long."
Cid nodded. "Of course, Lady Knight. And you guard these two with your life…not that you aren’t accustomed to that already."
The Regent departed, with Fratley trailing after. Freya watched him with a noticeable sorrow in her ice-blue eyes. She still felt pain even though her love had returned.
"So," she said, regaining her composure. "What is the point of this quest we are about to undertake?
Vivi lit up. "Well I wanna make more of me, Freya! I wanna find a way to make more mages like me, so we won’t all d---stop moving."
The Dragon Knight was a bit shocked, but her expression changed to wonder in a few moments.
"I thought as much, Vivi. And you can count me in. I would be happy to assist in any way possible, and besides, I wouldn’t miss it for the world."
Vivi hopped gleefully. "Oh thanks Freya! I knew you’d come along. See first we have to go see Dagger…I mean Garnet. And then we’re gonna……we’re……"
He stopped. Eiko leaned over and stared Vivi in the face, nosy more than anything.
Vivi’s eyes had dimmed noticeably. He swerved about and seemed…well, not all there. Nearly unconscious but still standing.
The other two glanced at each other, concerned.
Eiko grabbed Vivi by the arm and forced him to sit down. He did, with some effort, but the little mage’s eyes still looked like half-burnt candles; he was still swaying about.
"Freya….?" Eiko questioned, a tear in her voice.
"I don’t know what’s wrong," she responded. "I hope Vivi recovers soon, though. Has he done this since you met up with him, Eiko?"
The tiny summoner was visibly concerned. Tears were forming in the corners of her eyes.
"No. he’s been normal…Freya, what can we do? What’s wrong with him?!"
She let go of Vivi’s arm to embrace Freya…
The little mage toppled over and hit the ground with a hollow "thump."
"Ah!!!" Eiko squealed and scrambled to pick him back up, tears coming in full force now. As she reached for Vivi, though, he propped himself up and stared at his companions. He looked confused.
"….Eiko? What’s wrong? Are you c-crying? Did I do it?"
Eiko grabbed Vivi’s arm again and didn’t let go. She wiped the tears from her eyes and proceeded to help him up.
"It’s nothing, Vivi…just, I stubbed a finger on that darn pole over there…hurts."
Freya saw the opportunity.
"So shouldn’t we be heading to Alexandria? I know you want to get a great deal done in a little amount of time, Vivi, so we shouldn’t waste any."
Vivi dusted himself off and stood a minute to wonder how he got on the floor. Eiko and Freya exchanged furtive glances.
"Okay!" the little mage said. "Let’s go see Dagger…or Garnet….nevermind, let’s just go see her, heehee!"
He bounded onto the shuttle and beckoned for Freya and Eiko to get on as well. They did, and the hunk of metal began to move.
"So, how did I end up on the floor?" Vivi inquired. "Eiko, did you push me? Naw…I-I’m pretty clumsy, so maybe I bumped my head or something…"
"Y-yeah, Vivi," Eiko responded, almost without knowing it. "You fell and hit your head…and I used a spell to wake you up."
"We were quite worried about you," Freya added to the fib. "We thought you really hurt yourself, but we didn’t want to move you for fear of hurting you more."
Vivi giggled at that. "I’m fine, Freya. B-but thanks for the concern…"
He was excited; he babbled all the way to the airship docks. Freya and Eiko simply offered a smile or a nod when the tiny mage looked their way. All the while, behind his back, Eiko was wiping away tears and Freya was staring at the floor.
They both knew what happened at the Dragon’s Gate…but neither were prepared to admit it.
Silently the trio boarded the Hilda Garde III and slowly departed for Alexandria. Vivi was hopping about the airship and rattling on like any normal child.
Far from normal, Freya though as she watched the mage begging Eiko to look at the clouds with him. Normal seemed inadequate for Vivi. He was so brave, to endure what he had at the hands of Kuja and that…thing Necron. And now look at him, she told herself. Such a small child…taking on such a big responsibility.
When he knows, sooner or later, he’s going to die.
Perhaps that was what pushed Vivi on, the Dragon Knight mused as she watched him play. He’d made peace with death at the Iifa Tree, and from then he was unshakable. But perhaps he hadn’t forgotten about his fate.
Perhaps it had truly been eating at him for some time…he simply didn’t let it show.
Freya decided not to let Garnet or any of their other friends know about Vivi’s…fit. Not until she was certain of it’s nature. She would instruct Eiko to keep quiet as well….the poor girl was so upset. Freya was sure Eiko knew what had happened as well.
She stared out the window and listened to the sound of the steam engine below her.
"Vivi…" she said to herself. "I am not going to let you out of my sight now.
"You will not die alone…"