The wind whipped Dagger’s hair about in all directions as she ran to the docks and her friends. She could hardly believe she was being so…childish? Impulsive, more like. But…she hadn’t seen Vivi or anyone for over six months; how else was she supposed to act?
Steadily they came into sight as Dagger shot out the huge front doors of the palace. Freya, noble and refined; Eiko’s stance implying the attitude she defended herself with; Vivi, the picture of innocence as he waddled toward the new Queen.
Dagger reached them, and immediately embraced Vivi. The tiny mage squealed with delight as she hugged him.
"D-Dagger, that kinda hurts," he said in mock reproval. She released him and knelt down to his and Eiko’s level, glancing up at Freya with a wide smile.
"I’ve missed you all. I’m so glad you’ve come to visit; it’s so good to see you!"
Freya nodded. "Indeed. Too bad none of the others could be here. But I am afraid we aren’t here simply for a visit, Dagger. Or is it Garnet again?"
The other screwed up her face at the mention of her given name. Her friends did not sound right saying it.
"It’s Dagger for all of you. Garnet was a boring, shelterd little girl. I am not her. At least not while any of you are around. I can be myself when you’re here."
She stood. "So tell me what it is you’ve come for. Perhaps I can be of some assistance?"
Vivi tugged on the large buckle over Dagger’s thigh. "U-um…well, it’s about me, Dagger…"
SO many explanations. Vivi felt like some bad child explaning himself to his guardians. How could he realy expect his friends to be completely accepting of the idea he’d proposed? Yeah, he could hear Zidane say. Let’s make more war machines. Let’s pave the way for another Kuja, or another Necron…
Kuja. Vivi wondered if the rebel Genome was even alive. He remembered Zidane rushing off to save Kuja when Necron’s demise brough the Iifa Tree to life. Zidane came out alive…that was simply a matter of faith, of course. But Kuja had to have been half-dead from the fighting…
Vivi had left Freya and Eiko with Dagger to explain his plan while he went to get some air. He’d been feeling strange of late, and he felt like a walk might help his senses restore themselves. Freya, for some reason, argued with Vivi, but she eventually gave in.
Alexandria palace was beautiful. Vivi was lost in the spaciousness and warmth as he wandered its halls. In the kitchen, the chefs were preparing a meal for Dagger and her guests. Those three looked like Qu midgets, and their appearance reminded Vivi of Quina.
His…wife?
Vivi was a bit unsure of his desire to see Quina. The Qu was a friend and all, but his..or her motives were a thing of the past. Quina wouldn’t go along this time; no new foods to try. Best to leave him, or her..in the Marsh.
The tiny mage rounded a corner and ran right into Steiner. The captain of the Pluto Knights hadn’t changed much in six months, except for the ring he wore around his neck. He couldn’t very well wear a wedding ring under a gauntlet, now could he?
Steiner grinned at the stumbling Vivi and offered a hand to steady him.
"Why master Vivi! I didn’t catch you at the front gates; her highness was too fast for me and Mullenkedheim was complaining about something. How are you? Well, I should hope?"
Vivi smiled back, although he wasn’t sure anyone could see when he did that.
"H-hello, Steiner. Yeah, I’m doing okay, I guess. B-but how are you and Beatrix?"
"We are as happy as it is possible to be," the big knight replied with stars in his eyes. "She is my delicate flower, and I her fierce dragon. Wearing armor, of course."
Vivi stared at Steiner a moment, not knowing what to make of that last comment.
"Well t-that’s good, I suppose. Um, do you know h-how long I’ve been walking around? Cuz my mind’s not working too w-well today…"
Steiner looked out the window, seeing a hint of orange seeping into the sky.
"Hm. I would say you’ve been at this for about a half an hour, my good fellow. Time enough for her highness and the others to work through what business they have. Would you like me to escort you back to the throne room, master Vivi?"
The other nodded. "Y-yeah. It’s good to have company."
DUSK in Lindblum. The castle-town’s fair people were heading home from a busy day at the market or the synthesist; everyone was ready to return home and enjoy the relaxation of the night.
This was when Tantalus came out to play. Normally, at least, but this night called for the band of criminals to focus their attention on something other than pickpocketing or burglary.
Cid had sent word to Baku and his gang that they were going to help him with something. At first, Baku laughed it off and commented on Cid’s audacity, but after he actually finished the letter, he changed his tune.
So, Tantalus was prowling the streets of Lindblum on the lookout for someone. Someone noticeable, at least. Who could miss a Burmecian with a large spear?
As usual, Blank went with Marcus. The two of them made the perfect pair, since they knew each other inside and out. Besides, Cinna was always a baby and begged to go with Baku, and the triplets were inseperable. So, even if it were undesirable, Blank and Marcus were stuck together.
The duo was scouting the Business District of the city. Blank had taken the lower portion, while Marcus was snooping around near the synthesist and the actual shops. Boring work, but it had to be done. What was Freya gonna say if she came back and Fratley was gone?
That guy loved trouble. He didn’t know he was getting into it, but he loved it.
Blank leaned against a building as he thought. Right across from him, Grandma Pickles’ stand sat, stoic in the pre-darkness. It was emptied out; apparently Grandma’d had a good day.
Nothng was happening. Blank hoped something exciting was going on elsewhere, but then again no. if he couldn’t have any fun, neither could anyone else. Hell, Baku was probably chasing Fratley all over the Theater District by now. Not fair at all.
A slight movement caught Blank’s attention. He wheeled about to find Marcus approaching.
"Whoa, calm down, Bro," the pug-nosed thief softly cautioned. "Just me. Iron-tail ain’t nowhere close. Least not for now."
Blank leaned back against his chosen building and ran his hand along the blade of his sword; a learned reaction.
"Bah. Think of it, Marcus. The other guys are probably having fun chasin’ that Fratley all over. What’re we doin’? srandin’ here! Ya ask me, we shoulda all gone together. Would been more fun searchin’ for Fratley that way."
Marcus sighed. "But Bro, that don’t make any sense. At least if no one else finds ‘im, someone will. Well, hopefully. Looks to me he’s hiding on purpose. Smarter than he looks, eh?"
"Agreed," Blank replied. "Ya know, I get so—"
Whoosh.
Something passed before Blank’s eyes as he spoke. A swift shadow, blanketing the air in front of him. It…landed. On the roof of card freak Gon’s house. Right…above…Blank’s head.
"Psst! Marcus!" he whispered hoarsly without taking his eyes from Gon’s roof.
His snaggle-toothed friend got the picture and looked as well. "Think it’s him?"
Blank nodded, and then proceeded to find a suitable place to climb. The chimney looked good. He slowly but surely climbed upward, glancing back down at Marcus every few seconds. The other looked after, and kept an eye on the shadow that had settled on the roof.
Finally, Blank reached the top of the chimney. He struggled onto the roof, making as little noise as possible, and looked to his left.
Sure enough, there stood Fratley, staring out at the now-darkened horizon. His spear rested on his right shoulder, and the feathers stuck in his cap swayed with the slight breeze.
Iron-tail Fratley, Blank thought. Gotcha. That didn’t take long. Wonder where ya been?.
He crept on cat’s feet toward the Dragon Knight, careful not to startle him. The roof was a bit slippery, but Blank could manage. Hell, he’d escaped Evil Forest, this would be a piece of cake.
And no one’d have to de-petrify him this time.
Blank was just a few feet away from Fratley. If he could grab the guy, it would all be over. This was easier than—
"What-ho!" Fratley wheeled on Blank, spear at the ready. The shock startled the thief, knocking him off-balance. He leaned….toward the street…
"Marcus!" Blank called down. "If I fall, you’re catchin’ me!!!"
Confused, Fratlye leapt away. Blank watched him—as best he could—jump off into thin air.
The he fell. Right on top of Marcus.
"Well at least ya listened to me," Blank complained as he struggled to stand. Marcus helped him with a hefty push, and they both stood, dusting themselves off.
Blank stared out the direction Fratley had exited.
"He’s headed for the Industrial District….the triplets are over there……wanna help em out?"
After a moment’s consideration, Marcus began moving. "Might as well,"
WHEN Vivi returned, Dagger met him with an accepting smile.
"I think what you’re doing is very noble, Vivi," she said. "I don’t see why you were so afraid to tell me yourself. Did you think I wouldn’t understand?"
Vivi shook his head; his hat flopped about on his head.
"N-no, that’s not it, Dagger. I was just thinking of what everyone might s-say and….i just got scared of everything for a minute, t-that’s all.
"B-but I really wanna do this, Dagger! And I know we’ll need to find Zidane…b-but I dunno how…or where he is."
Dagger sighed, more to steady her heart than to express frustration or anything.
"Well, I’m afraid I haven’t heard anything about Zidane, Vivi. I wish I had by now, but…I’m sory."
The tiny mage looked up at her.
"I-it’s okay, Dagger. Not your fault. B-but…now I don’t know what to do…"
"No one knows where Zidane is," Eiko said. "I’d ask Baku and his pals everyday, and not a thing. So….where do we start?"
Freya was thinking.
"Hmm. Well let us assume that Kuja is still alive, and that Zidane is with him. We need to think about a place Kuja could be alone in…solitary, where no one would intrude. I am assuming such considering the punishment we put the man through. He had to recover from those wounds, no doubt."
She looked to the others.
"Wait…would Kuja’s old palace in the northern desert still be intact? Might he have retreated there?"
"Good idea!" Eiko responded. "I think we should check it out! Whaddya say, Vivi?"
The little mage looked to each face, expecting to see the answer he should give. This was all for him, after all…
"S-sure," he answered.
Eiko jumped about for a few seconds, overjoyed. Dagger offered another warm smile.
"Alright, Vivi," she said. "But I won’t have you leaving this late. You shall sleep in the palace tonight. Besides, this will give me time to convince Steiner that I’m going with you."
Eiko stared at Dagger. "Wha? You wanna go too? Yay!!!"
She ran off, and the others followed, more than ready for bed.
VIVI stared at the ceiling of his room and thought. About everything, really. But he wondered why he did that so often, because it didn’t do him any good. Everything had already been thought through, so why do it again and again?
But that was worry, he supposed. It was worry that made people use their brains more than they should, or made them cry or get angry for no reason. Vivi just happened to be one of those people who thought; just sat down and though things over repeatedly.
Like….why would Zidane want to be near Kuja? After everything he’d done…trying to kill Zidane and everyone…
Then again, why would Vivi want to find Kuja?
Everything is a matter of perspective. Mister 288 had said that before, and he knew what he was talking about. It all depends on where you stand in things…what you’re looking at, really.
All of this was a good thing, Vivi told himself. He was able to see his friends again, and he was on a journey to help himself and his other friends too. So this was good. No doubts now. No misgivings.
In the morning, all the doubt wil be gone. Everything will be okay in the morning.
As Vivi repeated this in his mind, he didn’t feel himself stop…