Hello! This is my, what… 1, 2, 3… 5th fanfic! And I reckon this is the best idea I've had yet! ^_^ Hope you enjoy it!
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The warm sun bathed Alexandria as the morning began its daily routine. The quite streets started to bustle with people, and the shops began to open.
Inside the castle, it was much quieter. It had been 4 years since Zidane and Dagger had begun their adventure together. Both being 20 now and living together in the castle, Zidane had become more accustom to castle living.
On this particular day, they were both sleeping in. It was Friday morning and neither of them were planning to get up.
The sunlight poured into the bedroom as Dagger stirred around, rubbing her eyes. Sitting up and squinting, she looked down at Zidane, who was snoring lightly. She giggled a bit and looked up at the clock on the wall.
9:12am
"Oh!" Dagger gasped. She had a meeting at 9:30! She scrambled out of bed and ran to the bathroom to fix herself up.
Zidane, of course, hadn't stirred the slightest.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the mist continent, Regent Cid was up and busy, organising something. He had many papers sprawled all across the table, with many pamphlets and brochures for holidays.
"Hello father!" called out a small voice, trailing up the stairs.
Cid looked over to find his adopted daughter, Eiko, walking into the room. She was 10 now, and had been living as a princess for while now.
"What are you doing, father?" Eiko asked.
Regent Cid chuckled slightly as he picked up a brochure. "Just between you and me, I'm thinking of taking your mother on a little holiday. To getaway for a little while."
"Oh, that's sounds lovely! Where will we go?" Eiko asked, putting her hands onto the table and reaching over to take a peek.
"Oh Eiko, I was kind of hoping it would just be me and Hilda. You know, a little vacation for the two of us!"
"Oh…" Eiko said, slightly disappointed. "Will I be staying here?"
"Well actually, I'm not sure you should stay here on your own, as much as I trust the maids. I thought you might like to stay with Garnet and Zidane for the weekend."
Eiko's face lit up. "Really!?" Eiko refrained herself and said, "I mean, that sounds great!"
Cid chuckled again. "I knew you'd like to stay with them! You'd better start packing if you want to go tonight."
"When will you and mother be leaving? Where are you going?"
"I think we'll be going on a boat cruise around Gaia. The boat leaves first thing tomorrow morning, but I thought you might like to stay at Alexandria a little longer. You can go stay there tonight too. Do you like the sound of that?"
"I do! Thank you, father!" Eiko hugged her father and added "You two have lots of fun!" Then she ran off to go pack.
Cid smiled and took the cruise brochure with him to go surprise his wife.
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It was just after lunch in Alexandria castle. Lately Lindblum and Alexandria castle had had a transmitter installed in the castle, very much like the one in Regent Cid's Hilda Garde 3. It allowed the Regent and the queen to stay in contact when needed, in case of emergency.
Dagger was walking up to her chamber when the transmitter started beeping. She jumped a bit and looked over at the machine. Sighing with relief, she walked over and pressed the button that allowed her voice to go through.
"Hello," She said pleasantly.
"Garnet! It's Uncle Cid. I have a favour to ask of you…"
"Oh? What's that?"
"Well, Hilda and I are taking some time off to relax on a cruise."
"That's sounds delightful! I'm sure Hilda was rapt."
"Oh yes, she was!"
"So, what did you want to ask?"
"Oh, I was wondering if you could baby sit Eiko for the weekend. She'll come over tonight and we'll pick her up on Monday morning."
"Of course we'll have Eiko over! It'll be our pleasure."
"Fantastic! She's very excited, you know. She's already packing! Well, I'll see you in a few hours then. How's after dinner?"
"That's fine. We'll see you then!"
The transmitter beeped once again to initiate that the conversation was over. Dagger had a smile from ear to ear. She and Eiko were very close. She went to go tell Zidane.
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"I'm so excited!" Eiko cried as the Hilda Garde was on its way to Alexandria. "I mean, I'm sure we'll have a splendid time!"
Hilda smiled warmly. She was by Eiko's side out the front of the ship, watching the sunset. Cid was in the cockpit.
"I'm sure you will. Darling, don't forget your manners."
"Of course not, mother." Eiko said with dignity, like she'd practiced.
The castle came into view and Hilda went into the cockpit to talk to Cid. Eiko was on her own now, and she let out a small squeal of excitement. Her boisterous self showed through that shriek.
The airship docked and Cid and Hilda helped bring Eiko's bags inside. Dagger and Zidane were inside waiting for them.
"Good evening!" Eiko said politely walking up to the couple. Zidane gave a puzzled look whilst Dagger smiled warmly. Dagger kneeled down and gave Eiko a hug.
"Thank you for looking after Eiko." Hilda said gratefully. "It means a lot."
"No problem!" Zidane assured. He then looked at all of Eiko's luggage. About 3 large bags were resting behind Cid.
"Are you staying for a month?" Zidane teased. Dagger let go of Eiko and stood up, and elbowed Zidane on his side.
"Zidane, don't be rude." Dagger whispered.
Eiko laughed lightly and said "Well, a princess must bring her necessities!"
"Thank you. I hope she's not too much trouble!" Cid laughed.
Soon Cid and Hilda said goodbye and Zidane helped Eiko take her stuff to the guest room. The room was opposite Zidane and Dagger's room, across the hall.
Inside the guest room, Zidane plopped the last bag down. "Do you need help unloading these bags?"
"No, I'm sure I'll be fine. Thank you anyway."
"She's acting very weird…" Zidane thought. Eiko had never been like this. Even Dagger wasn't like this at her age. Either Cid and Hilda had trained her real well or that wasn't the real Eiko.
"So, what did you wanna do tonight?" Zidane asked. Eiko had been over plenty of times and had lots of favourite things to do.
"Um… I think I'll go to bed early tonight. A princess needs her sleep to stay poised and pleasant during the day!"
"U-Okay… do you need anything?"
"No, I'm fine thank you. Goodnight."
Zidane looked stunned. Eiko had never been like this.
"Goodnight…" Zidane mumbled, and shut the door behind him. He found Dagger waiting outside.
"What's wrong?"
"She's going to bed." Zidane said simply. He started walking towards their bedroom.
"What?" Dagger asked, following him.
"Mm!" Zidane nodded. "She said a princess needs her sleep to say pleasant or something."
"Eiko's acting very strange…"
"Tell me about it." Zidane opened the door and walked inside. "Do you think something's wrong?"
"Maybe just leave her for the night. See how she is tomorrow."