Chapter 2 - Zozo Jumping Bug

Locke staggered up to the window ledge, peering over the side at the long drop below. Perhaps he should have listened to that merchant who told him not to go jumping between buildings. A fall from this height could easily break his neck. And to make matters worse, he was still drunk after their brief stop in Kohlingen had him coming face to face with a remnant of his tragic past.

They had seen him kneeling beside her bed, holding her hand in both of his. Her skin felt so cold against the warmth of his body. She was still just as cold, just as pale as when he'd last seen her. Nothing was going to change that, not unless he managed to find the fabled treasure he'd been searching for.

After seeing her and being reminded of his failure to protect the one he loved, Locke waited until the others weren't looking and snuck off to the local pub for a good strong drink. One drink turned into three, then four, and now he was swaying slightly as he peered over the edge of the windowsill.

"Locke!" Celes called out, waving to him from the adjacent building. "Come on, Locke. Hurry up and get over here."

The thief adjusted his bandana, backed away from the ledge, then took a running leap and went flying backwards off the windowsill. No one was sure how he managed to spin in the air, twisting himself in a half-circle so that he was facing left while jumping right. He then hit the side of the building with a splat, his legs flailing in the air as he faced the wrong way yet again, looking out at the rain soaked streets below as he pulled himself up onto the ledge.

Celes stood back, watching as hauled himself in through the open window. "What the hell was that?"

Locke grinned. "An optical illusion, my dear Chere," he said, his words slurring together as he spoke.

"Right. And I'm sure the smell of whiskey on your breath is an illusion too."

"Yep." He then fell face first onto the floor and passed out.

Moments later Edgar looked up and saw Celes dragging Locke's unconscious body down the stairs.

"Get the phoenix down," she said, ignoring the soft thump, thump sound as Locke hit his head on every step as they descended the stairs. "Locke drank too much and passed out after flying sideways out the window."