Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, they belong to Square, who are Gods, as far as I am concerned.
A/N: My first try at fan fiction, I hope you enjoy it. Comments please.
Summary: Zidane and Garnett host a small dinner for themselves and a group of important nobles. Only one problem: Zidane doesn't like any of them.

'Oh, Zidane, when are you going to get ready?'

The former thief opened his eyes. He had been relaxing on his bed, wearing his normal, everyday clothes, and picking grapes from the cabinet next to the bed.

'What?' he asked, sitting up and rubbing his eyes, 'getting ready for what?'

'The nobles are coming round!' exclaimed Garnett, who was rather nicely dressed in a white, tight and strapless white dress.

'I know that. You told me yesterday. I was just wondering why I had to get changed.'

'Because it's a special occasion!' said Garnett, taking Zidane's hands and pulling him out of bed and onto his feet, 'you've been wearing your boots in bed! Zidane!'

'Special occasion?' asked Zidane, 'we've having a meal, that's not special.'

'It is to nobles.'

'I'm not a noble though.'

Garnett shrugged. She knew that Zidane wasn't exactly comfortable being a King, and she didn't expect any different. The job of being a thief transforming into the job of being the head of the royal family was not an easy one, and one that Zidane was reluctant to go through. Nevertheless, he dearly loved Garnett, and did it for her. A rapid increase of money and being an idol of millions wasn't a bad touch either; but at nights, when Zidane heard the growl and purr of night, his craving for being a bandit was almost too much to bear.

He smiled at Garnett's uncharacteristic gesture, and moved his tail forward, wrapping it around the Queen, and pulling her towards him.

'Zidane,' she giggled, as she pressed up against him, 'I don't have time for this.'

'That's never stopped you,' he grinned, kissing her gently, 'Go on then, your highness, go sort out whatever you need to do. Don't expect me to get dressed though.'

Garnett rubbed his hair as Zidane released his grip, and she sauntered out of the room, leaving Zidane to chew on a few grapes. There was only a couple left. 'Nuts,' he said, and went off to the kitchens.

Steiner stood with pride. As the best, most important, and most dutiful soldier Alexandria had, he held that standing proudly was something he deserved to do. Sure, guarding the lobby of castle Alexandria seemed a bit of an anti-climax compared to some of the things he had been involved in, but quite frankly, he didn't want to get involved in them again. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy adventure, he just preferred it if adventure didn't seek him.

'Evening Zidane,' he said as the King trooped down the stairs, heading to the kitchens.

'It's King Zidane to you,' was the smirked reply.

'You're still a filthy peasant to me,' smiled Steiner.

Zidane playfully punched him, and rubbed his hand when he worked out it isn't a good idea to punch plate. 'Anything interesting happened, by the way?'

'Blank came round.'

'Really? Why?'

'He said he wanted to join the guard,' said Steiner, raising an eyebrow.

'Seems a bit strange,' coughed Zidane.

'It does, doesn't it? Want to know another thing? The gold clock from the recruitment room has mysteriously disappeared,' said Steiner, putting obvious searching emphasis on his last two words.

'Shame you didn't recruit him then,' grinned Zidane, innocent tones in his voice, 'would have helped to catch the thief.'

Steiner regarded him critically. 'Shame indeed.'

Zidane nodded and walked off, silently laughing.

The kitchen, as kitchens catering to royalty tend to be, was in utter chaos. Nervous cooks prepared the meals, all the while being shouted at by a very irritated Quina. No-one paid any attention to Zidane as he stalked in, in search of a snack.

'Alright Quina?' he asked the head cook, while eyeing up some of the trifles on display.

'Yep,' said Quina, waving a fork at a stuttering, cook who was doing his best not to be scolded.

'Haven't got any grapes I could have, have you?'

'Grapes? Yes. We have grapes. Nice grapes.' The food obsessive opened some drawers and took out some wet, juicy, and delicious looking grapes. Zidane took them gratefully.

'Thanks,' Zidane nodded, 'keep up the good work.'

Alexandria's pier was a sight for sore eyes. Clean, pure water flowed immaculately, the reflection it gave off completely clear, as good as any mirror you care to mention. The stonework around the river complemented it wonderfully, white marble predominantly used for bridges and walkways.

Zidane came out of the kitchens via the backdoor, and so was greeted with the beauty that was the pier. He munched on his grapes without a care in the world, until his eyes caught a familiar blue coated figure.

'Hey Vivi' he called as he walked up to his friend.

'Oh, hi Zidane,' said the one with the excellent taste in hats.

'What you doing out here?' asked Zidane, 'you not going to town or something?'

'I'm just thinking,' said Vivi, looking at his sad reflection in the water.

''bout what?'

Vivi sighed deeply, and turned to Zidane. 'Just how I'm not normal.'

Zidane scratched the back of his head, and leaned back against the barrier of the bridge they were standing on. His tail wagged solemnly.

'I'm not exactly normal either,' he said finally, 'considering I'm a genome and all.'

'Yeah, but no-body would be able to tell. You wouldn't have known if it wasn't for our adventure. No-one would know the difference.'

'Well, I do now, and I don't like it. Anyway, what do you mean, no-body would know the difference?' he poked Viva with his tail, 'What's this?'

As much as it is hard to tell the emotions of a black faced yellow eyed dwarf, Zidane could see Vivi was sulking. He had been with him enough to tell that.

'Look mate, everyone is different somehow.'

'Your tail suits you though,' said Vivi, gulping.

'It doesn't matter,' said Zidane, 'look at Quina. She, he, or whatever it is is different. Moggles are different. Look Vivi, you were designed. So was I. The difference is, I was designed to destroy worlds. How do you think that makes me feel?'

'Bad?'

'That's one way pf putting it,' said the king, 'another way is bloody terrible. I used to be a petty thief. That screwed up, didn't it?'

Vivi said nothing, he just stared at the constantly flowing water.

'Oh come on Vivi, cheer up, will ya? Go watch a play or something. You're a great guy, I hate to see you upset. Different or not, you're still my best friend.'

Vivi turned to him. 'I'm sorry.'

'Nah, don't bother with all that.'

'No, I am. Really. I sound very arrogant and selfish.'

'No, no you don't' said Zidane, 'you're allowed to get depressed. It ain't illegal. I'm always there for you, you know that right?'

'Yeah. Thanks.'

'Don't mention it. Now off to the theatre with you.'

Vivi shrugged. 'I don't have any money.'

'I don't have any money on me.'

'Here,' smiled Zidane, shuffling through his pockets, 'take this.'

'I didn't know Kings carried money around with them,' said Vivi, taking it gratefully.

'We don't. I nicked it from Steiner.'

Vivi looked shocked.

'Don't worry, I'll give him a pay-rise or summit. I doubt he'll notice anyway, he never buys anything.'

'Thanks Zidane.'

'Don't mention it. Just don't get yourself all upset. I should be the upset one. I'm off to have dinner with some nobles.'