A simple day in Alexandria is turned upside down as two paths are unexpectedly crossed.
"That'll be fifty gil please…" the clerk said.
The short young man handed over a handful of coins and left the shop, placing a package in his pocket. He was planning today to take it slow, rest up and go to a play that night. His friend, Keith, had spent a very long time away from him writing the play. Tonight was the night of the presentation, and approval from the crowd meant that Keith would be the toast of the town.
If it didn't go over so well, then he'd be, well … toast.
The sun shone high in the sky as the young man entered the main square. The Alexandrian Gardens blossomed with flowers, and marble benches made for nice scenery, if not better seats. The young man sat down, facing the huge castle, and watching the serene moat flow quietly. The royalty and nobles were sitting atop the castle, enjoying a meal prepared by the chefs.
The young man opened the package, and placed it upon his eyes.
"Hmm, not bad, great view." He spoke of his scope. "The smith's have outdone themselves."
He looked around, at the nobles and royalty, then at the Alexandrian guards who were using gondolas to patrol the moat. City music was playing steadily, and a line was growing at the ticket booth. In about four hours, the play was to start. Luckily, knowing Keith, the young man had a ticket. He spent a little more time testing out his scope, focusing, refocusing, then deciding to go home.
----
Alexandria. Bah.
A beautiful city. Pleasant people. A great city for the arts. A respected corps of soldiers, and the most well known knights of all, the Knights of Pluto.
Bah.
The young woman watched the people from her apartment window, happily walking along, walking in and out of shops, having a great time.
Bah.
She was homesick. Lindblum seemed a long way away. She couldn't wait to go back home after tonight's play. Please, she hoped, get this thing over with.
At her side sat a plush chocobo doll with a red ribbon attached to its neck.
"Fluffy." She smiled to herself. She clutched the doll to her chest and sighed heavily. At least her closest friend was with her. It resembled the real life chocobo back in Lindblum that she loved to ride.
Bah.
The play would begin in a few hours, and she looked at the corner of her room. Her dress was colored off-white with red stripes across the borders, and a hood. She walked in front of the mirror and brushed her long, brown hair, her hazel eyes following the brush.
"I can't wait to get home." She told herself, the town music steadily flowing anywhere it could.
----
As the lines and anxiety grew longer, the young man arose from his seat and placed the scope in his pocket. Before he turned, he spotted a very colorful figure atop the castle. The young man quickly viewed through the scope and watched the roof of the castle. The figure's every movement seemed to be exaggerated, and the small group seemed to be entertained. Normally, he would've looked away, but this figure caught and held his attention.
The figure wore an elaborate hat with many colored chocobo feathers, and a colorful suit with flared sleeves. It had its back turned, and was dancing and moving it's arms around in a weird manner. Finally, it spun, and the young man got a good look at the face. It was a man! He was probably apart of the play tonight, the young man figured. He placed the scope back, and walked to his small house in the main area.
----
"Hmm, it is a nice day outside, and since the play isn't for a while…" The young woman happily clutched her stuffed chocobo once more, and left with a red purse in her hand.
----
"Man oh man Robin, if we don't get some money, we are goners. Marin has let us off the hook too many times." A lanky man said to his shorter companion, who had blonde hair.
"Yes I know. This is the perfect place to pilfer some pockets. A huge crowd, buncha money flyin around … this is the perfect place …" the smaller man crossed his arms. Suddenly, the young woman with the red purse crossed his path.
"My, it looks as if we've got a little bit of money already…" Robin looked to his lankier companion. "Hood, you know what to do."
The taller man happily nodded and quickly walked ahead of the young woman, seemingly blending in with the crowd. He turned and made eye contact with Robin, who waited until the young woman was far ahead of him. Hood looked around, then nodded. Robin dashed through a few people, and in one motion, pushed the young woman down and snatched her purse. A female bystander screamed as the young woman struggled to arise.
----
"Huh?" the young man watched a blonde-haired man was rushing in his direction, Alexandrian citizens parting the way for him.
The young man narrowed his brown eyes and began to run head on at the assailant, who hadn't caught sight of the unmoving person in front of him.
Just as the young man was about to make contact, he was caught off guard by Hood, who moved in motion with Robin as they ran out into a sea of people and houses. The people of Alexandria were more confused than surprised. The young woman lost her breath, stopping at the young man who'd at least made an attempt at catching the thieves. She did not make eye contact with the downed man, but did stomp her foot in anger.
"OH, I HATE ALEXANDRIA!" she shouted, not caring who heard. The young man checked for any sign of bruises or cuts. None. The young woman angrily looked down in his direction, and her expression changed.
"Oh, please excuse me." She said, helping him up. The young man dusted off his white shirt and navy blue pants, then looked up at the young woman. She was wearing a blue and yellow skirt with a yellow blouse with blue shoes. She was a little shorter than he was, and her hair was black
"Thank you." He said, watching as various townspeople passed them by, not sure whether to talk to them, or help the young woman out.
"Did you know who they were?" she asked, looking past him.
"No, but don't be too alarmed. Things like this happen everyday. And robberies usually happen around this time, because of the plays happening. People can get distracted easily." He explained.
"I've got to get that purse back. The tickets for me are in there. What direction did they go in?" she asked. The young man pointed behind him.
"Can you help me?"
"Sure."
"Thanks. The name is Romea. I'm visiting from Lindblum."
"Nice to meet you. My name is Malachi. Mal for short. I'm from here."
Romea and Mal began to go in the direction of the two thieves, inquiring of the citizens of two thugs that had ran deeper into Alexandria. They met a lot of no's and weird looks before deciding to stop by the smaller Alexandrian playhouse. Sitting inside was of course the well known Ruby, and another woman, who seemed to be very angry at the moment. She wore a green, red and white outfit with short sleeves. She had red hair and in front of her was a slick looking green dagger.
"Oh, those two nincompoops!" she slammed her fist on the table, the dagger spinning around.
"Oh my sugah, what's the problem?" Ruby sat beside her.
"I sent two dunderheads are out to get some money, and I haven't seen them since yesterday. If it weren't for you, I'd be sleeping in the streets." She replied.
"No problem. This place is my home anyway." Ruby looked up to see Mal and Romea in the room.
"Anything I can help ya with darlings?" she inquired.
"Yes." Romea answered. "I was wondering if you'd seen the men who stole my purse. I really didn't get a good look at them."
"One had blonde hair, and another tackled me before I could catch the other one." Mal added.
"Hmm, sorry, haven't seen anyone like that." Ruby responded with a bit of disappointment. The playhouse owner turned to the red-haired woman sitting at a table.
"Marin, Have you seen anyone like that?" Ruby turned to ask the woman, but she was gone. The door immediately shut, and Romea and Mal wasted no time in running outside. Marin was easily spotted running and bumping into everyone. Mal and Romea easily gained ground, watching as the woman ducked into an alley, where Robin and Hood were.
"Now we've got you!" Romea cried, Mal beside her. Her mood quickly changed as she saw three people.
"There you are." Robin laughed. "Lookin' for this?"
He dangled the purse in front of her, even though it was out of reach.
"Hmm, while we're at it, let's see what we got here." Robin began to chuckle.
"Lipstick? Earrings? Ooh, looks expensive. And – ohohoho …" he turned and smiled at Marin and Hood. "Tickets to tonight's play! These look just a leetle important …"
Suddenly, Mal looked behind the trio of thieves. There were two Alexandrian knights tip-toeing up behind them. He did his best to not notice, but Hood instantly turned his head, and alerted Marin.
"Halt! The Alexandrian guard is upon you!" the two armored women forced the band
of thieves to run in Romea and Mal's direction. Suddenly, rounding the corner were two Knights of Pluto. The thieves stopped in their tracks, and had nowhere to go. Mal and Romea were forced back as the knights converged on the trapped thieves. In a last second effort, Hood, the tallest of the three, snatched the purse from Robin and broke through the guards.
"Allow me to return the favor." Mal said, Hood looking back to see if the guards were giving pursuit. He didn't notice a charging Mal about to flatten him. With a loud POW, Hood was taken down by the shorter person, causing the town to applause.
"I'll be taking that, thank you." Romea snatched the purse out of the downed thieves hand, stepping on him for good measure.
"The Knights of Pluto salute you for you bravery and courage. The Eagle's Talon was a gang we were trying to apprehend. Thank you!"
The citizens turned onlookers cheered and clapped as the knights, both of Pluto and Alexandria apprehended the thieves.
"If this is what happens in Alexandria by day … " Romea said, "I can only imagine what will happen tonight!"