They had been staying in Treno for a few days now. Kuja had given her a tour of the city, and carried on as though this were just some sort of vacation. Garent had yet to see him in any sort of bad mood. That is… until he received an unwelcome visitor.
The man was older and came late in the night. The only reason Garnet had known he was there was because she was troubled by nightmares that had her wandering the expansive, elegant halls alone. Of course she took the chance to eaves drop, her bare feet making little to no noise on the plush carpeting.
"How sweet of you to visit…"
Garnet could hear Kuja address the man with a cold tone, not something she was used to from her child-like host.
"Kuja, I've had enough of your scheming… you must put an end to this," the old man replied.
"Hn, you know I don't answer to the likes of you anymore," Kuja responded.
"This rebellion is ridiculous! Your plans will never work!" The old man was losing his patience.
"You have no right to meddle in my affairs… you cast me aside…" Kuja bit out, almost sounding hurt. "I'm no longer a pawn in your senseless mission."
"You are out of line," Garland hissed, taking the jab more personally than what seemed reasonable. "Let the girl go, she won't help you… she doesn't even remember who you are…"
"No… not yet… but when she does…"
"What? She'll come to your aide? No. Once she remembers, she'll run from you just as she did in the past life," Garland droned on, his tone bored.
"She didn't run... you took her from me," Kuja responded, his voice was dripping venom.
Garnet was frozen to the spot, her mind racing as she tried to make sense of what they were talking about. They couldn't possibly mean her could they? It was the only explanation… She missed the rest of their discussion, almost caught red handed when the old man grasped the handle about to open the door.
"So, you finally understand. Do not make me interfere again. I will stop you if I must," Garland warned. The hallway was empty when he went to leave, the young princess tailing close behind him. Whatever he had told Kuja had rendered the younger man speechless.
Would Garland stop and talk to her if she made herself known?
The princess followed the old man from the safety of the auction house and down a long and winding alley. She had just mustered up the courage to say something to him, but when she rounded the corner after him he was gone. She stared down the street, looking this way and that, but it was as if the old man had just vanished.
"Ah, lass, what're ya doing out here alone?"
Garnet whipped around as an imposing stranger closed in on her. He swayed from side to side, stumbling forwards.
"I'm not alone," Garnet lied quickly, but the inebriated man didn't believe her. He laughed loudly, crowding her in to a corner. His hands slammed down next to her head, trapping her on either side.
"Now, I may have had a few drinks darlin' but I'm not blind, ya ought to allow me to escort you…" He slurred, his hand leaving the wall to graze against her thigh. He was quickly interrupted.
"You shouldn't touch what doesn't belong to you."
Garnet warily looked to the side to see that Kuja had found her. Either he knew she had been sneaking after Garland, or had tried to come after the old man himself.
"I wouldn't let what's mine roam the streets alone," the drunkard retorted.
Garnet was confused by the cold fury in Kuja's eyes. She had never seen him this tense; she had never seen him as anything but jovial. He was terrifying.
"Is that so?" Kuja responded thoughtfully. "My mistake, how about you take a message back to all of the scum loitering around these streets…"
Garnet's assailant was ripped away from her by in invisible force; she could practically hear the powerful magic crackling in the air. The man was suspended in the air above them, flailing and panicking with nothing to hold on to. Kuja's arm was outstretched, manipulating the motion of the floating man.
"This girl… is mine," Kuja hissed, "if I see you or any of your like touching her again… I will put an end to you."
"I- I'm sorry!" The man blubbered. "P-please! Put me down!"
"As you wish," Kuja relented, allowing the man to fall from the sky and down to the ground with a sickening thud. He was not dead, but badly injured. Garnet could only stare wide eyed at the scene before her, her mind telling her to run as Kuja stalked towards her. Her legs wouldn't work as she recoiled back against the wall, causing him to hesitate.
The sorcerer's expression eased as he realized he was scaring her.
"Didn't I warn you that the streets were dangerous alone?" Kuja asked her, his tone concealed with a placidity that he did not feel at that moment.
"I… yes, but I… Who was that?" Garnet asked, giving herself away. She watched as his mask splintered and he tried to hide whatever it was he was feeling from her.
Kuja ran a hand through his hair, tossing it back over his shoulder, feigning an air of nonchalance.
"No one you need to worry about, he is of no threat to you," Kuja answered.
"Maybe, but he seems to be a threat to you," Garnet pushed, and he was surprised. Up until this point she had been quiet and polite company, as she was no doubt raised to be.
"My, my… really… your concern warms me to the pit of my soul, but now is not the time or place for explanation," Kuja answered, a feral grin crossing his face and a dramatic hand coming up to clutch at his chest. "May I take you home?"
Garnet blinked in surprise as he snapped back in to his cheerful persona.
"Yes, but why won't you tell me how we know each other?"
Kuja was caught off guard, and his expression turned serious once more.
"Just how much of that conversation did you happen to overhear my little canary?" Kuja questioned her.
"That I know you, but I can't remember. Also that if I did… I…" Garnet trailed off, but followed after him when he began walking back towards the auction house.
"Do you believe that souls return to the earth? Do you believe that it's possible for two parts of the same soul to split and be lost in two different people?"
"I… suppose?" Garnet faltered.
"How far back can you remember?" Kuja prodded.
"I sometimes have nightmares… there's a floating red eye… and it destroys everything it comes in to contact with," Garnet admitted. "I can't really remember much from my childhood."
"Perhaps in time then," Kuja conceded, and he seemed different, almost hurt.
"I'm sorry," Garnet said suddenly. "I'm sorry that I don't remember."
"It's not your fault," Kuja replied. He couldn't say he felt guilt for lying to her. Lying through omission was still lying. He had never been a child. He never had to grow up and develop the complex emotions most people had. His main objective had been to incite war, he didn't have time for much else, but now… now that Garland had thrown a curve ball in to the play, he was going to have to think of another way.
"What is it that you need my help for anyway?" Garnet proceeded. They were back inside by now and he was walking her to her room.
"When the time is right, I will tell you," Kuja answered. The dilemma of learning of his mortality weighed heavily upon his mind, and he just wasn't able to process it. Much like when she was taken from him the first time, despite what he had gained... he had never learned to deal with such complex emotions. It was trying... "It's late; there will be more time for talk tomorrow."
Garnet nodded her agreement, watching him as he left her. He turned around only once, a half-hearted smirk on his face.
"Please refrain from wandering the streets alone again," he said. It wasn't the comment she was expecting.
"I won't," Garnet promised.
The princess couldn't say they were nightmares exactly. When Kuja left her and she had finally fallen to sleep, she remembered a distant village… she was young a child living with her parents. A mysterious man with white hair was there as well. She knew him, but could not recognize him in her dream.
The next morning came without further incident. Kuja had not come for her, and she wondered if maybe he was avoiding her. She felt like she was so close to uncovering something; that it danced just beyond her fingertips. Frustration marred her face and she went to get some fresh air out on the small balcony that adjoined her room. A warm spring breeze tossed her long hair about. Moving outside, she rested her chin in both her hands and leaned against the railing. You could see most of the city from here.
"Careful princess, someone might be out to steal ya away when you're just standing there looking so pretty." Garnet whipped around to see none other than Zidane standing there with his arms crossed, leaning casually against the wall as if he'd been there the whole time.
"Who are you?" Garnet asked, eyeing him cautiously.
"I was sent by your uncle to keep an eye on you. I'm just making sure you recovered from your eh… encounter last night…"
"Encounter?" Garnet managed to sound offended. "If that's what you want to call it, then yes, I'm fine," she said crossing her arms and turning away from him. "How long have you been following me?"
"Whoa, what's with the hostility beautiful? You got saved didn't you?" Zidane asked with a smile. Garnet merely replied with a huff. Why must he be so irritating? "So, where's your silver knight princess?"
Garnet was rendered speechless for a moment and the thief was almost amused at the fury that welled up in her eyes.
"Excuse me? I don't know what you're talking about. Shouldn't you know? Aren't you supposed to spying on him as well?" Garnet questioned
"Nah, the others are tailing him. I on the other hand, have the honor of following your pretty face around the world." Zidane smirked.
"No, I think not," Garnet said irritated. She turned around, her long hair flying around her face as she heard him laughing at her. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing, you're something else princess; you know that?" Zidane smirked. "I better go, don't get yourself into too much trouble, alright?" With that the thief moved and jumped from the balcony onto the nearest roof, and disappeared down into the nearest ally. Garnet rolled her eyes, and stepped back inside, closing the doors tightly behind her. She should have known her uncle wouldn't trust her to be able to handle this situation. It was infuriating and soured her disposition for the rest of the day. It was so much so that Kuja wondered why she was in such a foul mood when he came to see her later on. Surely she wasn't still angry about last night was she? She was adorable when she was furious, but he tried not to let her know that.
"Would you care to see a play with me this evening?" Kuja asked. Why he was spending his time on such mundane activities was unknown. He never did anything he didn't want to do. Now that his plans were in motion, he had to invest some time in his other goal… getting Garnet to remember.
"Yes, I would like that," Garnet replied, forcing a smile. She was not nearly as good of an actor as he was, but he didn't push her.
They ate dinner together, nothing really out of the ordinary, and he escorted her to the theater to see her favorite play, "I want to be Your Canary". Garnet sat captivated, on the edge of her seat. She had remembered seeing this play with her mother and father every year on her birthday. What had happened since then?
Father… if you were still here, none of this would have happened…
"What's the matter Garnet? Didn't you enjoy the play?" Kuja asked, as he led her back to the auction house.
"No, it was lovely. My favorite play actually, I was just thinking," Garnet replied.
"About?"
"My father," Garnet answered truthfully. "We used to see the play every year on my birthday."
"I see," Kuja replied, and he was unusually subdued.
"Are you alright?" Garnet asked after some time had passed. They were taking the long way back and he seemed to want to prolong their time together.
"Of course, how ridiculous, how could I not be?" The sorcerer answered, plastering a smirk to his face. He had been different ever since his meeting with Garland.
"What did that old man say to you?"
"Nothing, it's nothing more than another small obstacle," Kuja brushed it off. He was in denial about what Garland had told him, that he wasn't immortal, that he was just temporary… a thing to be used and then discarded. He could feel the anger bubbling back up inside of him. Yet, the sorcerer still had managed one thing; at least she was back at his side… for now. Despite her near constant state of confusion, having her near him eased his troubled mind. He had never had to think about things like this before. He had never had to feel the emotions that were currently swirling around in his head. Part of it he knew was because of the soul they shared. When he found out where she was and then had been ordered to destroy that place… He had let her go, hoping that he would have the chance to find her again.
The sun had long since disappeared over Lindblum, and the Regent was just entering the conference room for another meeting with the members of Tantalus.
"So what did you call us here for?" Baku asked. "We just met last night." The leader of Tantalus leaned casually back against the wall, his men either sitting or standing in the same fashion.
"Considering the recent attack on Burmecia… I believe Clerya's in danger," the Regent said. "It is clear Brahne's objectives are to destroy the last of the main kingdoms…" Cid didn't have time to finish his sentence. A dragoon dressed in red staggered through the doors, looking tired and wounded.
"Freya!" Zidane called moving over to catch her before she fell.
"Please Regent, we beg for your assistance!" Cid looked upon the dragon knight in front of him, perhaps they were too late. "Clerya has been annihilated by Queen Brahne's black mages and an Eidolon! We managed to save the king and the few remaining from Burmecia; along with a few of the town's people of Clerya, but we are in desperate need of a place to stay."
"How is this possible? The queen was not able to extract Garnet's Eidolons… She must have another source…. What happened to the sand barrier?" Cid asked.
"They performed the ceremonial dance, and then the sand barrier just died away! Once we escaped they put the tree up in flames. It is surely nothing but ashes now," Freya explained.
"Where are the survivors?" The regent looked at her curiously.
"They are waiting inside Dragon's Gate."
"Very well," Cid sighed. "Zidane, go with her to help organize the survivors to be brought up on the lift in an orderly manner. Get the injured to the castle infirmary, and let the other's rest in the soldier's quarters. That is the best I can do until we can make a space for them to stay in the theater district…"
"Thank you Regent," Freya said. With Zidane's help, she righted herself and stood upon shaky feet. Once sure she could handle walking, the two made their way to the lift.
"It appears the Queen is always one step ahead of us," Cid sighed. "I think we need to get the princess back to safety with us…"
"So, what are your orders then?" Baku asked, not really caring what they had to do, knowing the pay would be good.
"She might be safer with that Kuja guy though," Blank said, earning incredulous looks from the rest of the gang, the Regent included. "Think about it. According to Zidane he saved her from the streets and has yet to turn her over to the Queen. We know there have been messages getting through to him about her wanting to extract the Eidolon's from the princess. He's just been ignoring them. Besides, the chance of Brahne being able to take him down doesn't seem very likely."
"Blank may be on to sumthin' here," Cinna said.
"That's all well, but what does he want with her?" The Regent questioned. "What if he is just protecting her until he needs to use her for his own gain?"
"What would be the point of defending her? With the way Zidane said he reacted, it looked like he may actually care about her," Blank explained.
"You may be right, but I can't wait around for her to be hurt to find out that he doesn't!" Cid put a hand to his forehead. He had to make a decision. Blank did have a good point; he may be putting his niece in greater danger by taking her away from the strange sorcerer who. He thought back to the last time he had seen the young princess. She hadn't seemed distressed, almost eager to be able to stay with her supposed husband. With everything that had been going on, the princess had been all but forgotten about among the people. "Alright, this is what I want you to do…"
Garnet would never get used to waking up at night, knowing that it was morning. She wondered how long they would be staying here. She was just getting ready for the day when her balcony doors flew open. She dropped the brush she had been using and it clattered noisily to the ground. She could see Zidane enter behind her as she stared at his reflection in the mirror.
"So you've decided that barging in is acceptable now?" Garnet questioned.
"Listen, we've got a bit of problem," the thief began.
"Yes, you're in here…" Garnet said, causing Zidane to chuckle.
"That's not what I mean," the thief replied. "Your mother has taken out Clerya."
Garnet blinked slowly. The information registering more slowly than it should have.
"My mother!? My. Mother. has been destroying the other kingdoms? How have I not heard of this already?" She was incensed. Had Kuja kept this from her? If so he had another thing coming when she saw him again.
"Yea… we're not sure where she's getting her weapons from or what she's trying to achieve. The next step that makes the most sense is that the next target will be Lindblum," Zidane said slowly.
"What do we need to do?" Garnet asked.
"We suspect that your new "husband" has been supplying her with black mages… the thing that doesn't make sense is how she's harnessed the power of Eidolons…" Zidane looked the young princess over with concern. He wasn't sure how she would take this news.
Garnet averted her gaze, her hands shaking as she fisted them in the fabric of her dress. The warehouse in Dali… it all made sense now…
"Well, what are you waiting for? Shouldn't you be jumping into my arms and begging for me to rescue you?" Zidane asked, trying to make light of the situation.
"What? No. I need to talk to him… to sort this out…" Garnet bit back, unable to stop the feelings of betrayal that began wheedling away at her confidence.
"You… need to talk to him." Zidane repeated; his tone incredulous. "I just told you who he was and-"
"No. You don't understand," Garnet cut him off. There was more to the story than the thief was aware of. She couldn't leave Kuja until she figured out what was missing from her memory.
"I don't want to fight with you about this… What do we need to do to help my Uncle?" Garnet asked.
"You cut right to the point." Zidane shrugged. "You don't have to do anything but stay safe. The Regent is worried that if you're anywhere near Lindblum the Queen will be able to get you and take your Eidolons to further her destructive army."
"I'm a summoner?" Garnet was disturbed by this bit of material, there was too much she didn't know about herself. She knew the answers would lie with Kuja and that old man who had been here. She had to find out the truth… She was upset that her uncle had kept her in the dark, but then again…
Of course, Uncle Cid would never ask me to use my magic… even if it meant having a chance to help save Lindblum. He wouldn't want me to feel like a tool used for war. He probably thought it was best I never knew about my heritage…
"Yes, we've found out a lot of information spying on the queen and intercepting her messages," Zidane explained.
Garnet was silent for several minutes after that. Part of her was glad to find out; the other part was upset and she felt deceived that no one had told her before this moment.
"I can't just sit here though!" Garnet put her hands on her hips, a look of frustration crossing her face.
"I'd take you back with me if you promise not to be too much of a hassle," Zidane replied with a smirk.
"Won't my uncle be angry you brought me back, though?" Garnet asked.
"He was pretty indecisive. He couldn't decide which was safer for you, so I came to let you decide what you wanted to do. You can come back with me and maybe use your eidolons to try and help defend the castle, or you can stay here with that girly man." Zidane crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. It was still fairly early in the day, though you couldn't tell it from being in Treno.
Garnet was quiet for several minutes.
"Is he that good in bed that you have to think about it this long?" Zidane teased her, trying to provoke her.
"What!? No!" Garnet whipped her head to the side throwing a glare that could kill. He's so insufferable! "I want to go back with you and help!" She didn't feel so confident about leaving Kuja. How would he react? She didn't want to leave, not yet, not when she was so close to figuring things out, but if she really had the power to help then she had to try. It would be hard to fight back against her mother, but she could not allow her to keep hurting innocent people.
"Alright then princess, let's go." Zidane said. Garnet sighed, hesitating before she followed him out to the balcony. Instead of sweeping her up in his arms as Kuja would have, he kneeled down so she could climb on his back. She took one last look over her shoulder before she allowed the thief to give her a piggy back ride. She in no way felt comfortable with her current situation and had to suppress a small cry as he jumped from the balcony. Her long dark brown hair whipped up into the air behind her as he landed on a roof and then jumped down into an ally. Once he landed he kneeled down again as Garnet shakily got herself back onto solid ground.
Zidane didn't say anything, but looked over his shoulder from time to time to make sure she was still coming. Garnet followed behind him silently. Once they exited the city, Garnet saw a green chocobo. She had only ever seen yellow ones.
"What kind of Chocobo is that?" Garnet asked.
"It's a mountain Chocobo. It can scale cliffs, and it's the fastest way to get to Lindblum and back without an air ship," Zidane explained.
"WARK!" The chocobo knelt down so that Zidane and Garnet could climb on its back.
"Hold on, it's going to be a bit bumpy," Zidane said over his shoulder, smirking when he felt her arms wrap around his waist. "Let's go Choco, to Lindblum." Garnet squeaked as the chocobo began moving at a swift pace.
The journey was long, but it would have taken days by foot. They stopped frequently, and it was early evening when they reached Dragon's Gate. Zidane hopped off of Choco's back and turned to help Garnet. Resting his hands on her waist, she braced herself by holding his shoulders as he lifted her from the Chocobo and set her down.
"Thank you," Garnet said.
"What's with you?" Zidane asked, earning a surprised look from the princess. "You're all witty when I talk to you before, and now you clam up?"
"You're helping me to be useful, but you're still a stranger," Garnet explained.
"Hardly any more than your supposed husband," Zidane argued as they entered the gate.
"I've spent weeks with Kuja, this is only the second time I've really been around you," Garnet said. She was confused when Zidane had them let off at the middle level instead of the top level of the lift. "Where are we going?" She asked.
"Well, the Regent would be pretty pissed if he knew that I brought you here, so I'm taking you to the Tantalus hide out." Zidane looked over his shoulder as they boarded the air cab. A few minutes later they were in the theater district and Garnet was again following Zidane. When they entered the hide out there was no one there. "Make yourself at home princess while I fill you in on the plan," Zidane said.
"Alright," Garnet replied taking a seat and watching Zidane intently.
"We expect the attack to come tonight or tomorrow night. The regent has the citizens set up in two different strong holds. One is in the business district, and the other is Dragon's Gate." Zidane explained.
"I don't remember seeing many people on our way through though," Garnet said looking a bit confused.
"The plan isn't going into effect until about a half hour from now. We got here just in time, before the hordes of people saw you," Zidane said with a smirk. "Just relax for now; it's going to be a rough few days."
Garnet didn't know how long she had been asleep; she didn't even know she had nodded off until Zidane was shaking her awake.
"Hate to wake you sleeping beauty, but we're under attack! We need to get you to the castle!" Zidane's voice was calm, and she didn't understand how he could be so relaxed at a time like this.
Garnet grew nervous as he led her through the streets and alleys; she had never harnessed her summoning powers before. She wasn't even sure she could do it. The air cabs were no longer running, making Zidane lead her through a very un-familiar part of the city. Every time he weakened, Garnet healed him so that he could cut their path through the black mage army. Thankfully most of the mist monsters were focused on breaking through the stronghold of where the one group of civilians was being guarded.
"How much longer will it take?" Garnet asked. Her voice must have given away her apprehension for Zidane looked over at her with an almost sympathetic look.
"Don't worry princess, everything will be fine. We're almost there, stay close," Zidane said.
They were just about to make their way out of a long ally when a large black mage flew down in front of them. It didn't look like the others, being much taller and had wings black as death.
"I am here for the princess, stand aside or be annihilated," the mage said. "I am black waltz no. three. Lucky for you, waltz's one and two are currently detained claiming the castle." The black waltz's voice was raspy, and there was something clearly artificial about it.
"We didn't come all this way just for you to steal her away," Zidane said jumping in front of Garnet and drawing his daggers. This black waltz was very heavy on magic attacks, quickly beating Zidane down. Even with Garnet's help, it didn't look as though they could hold out much longer. Before long Zidane was finally exhausted and passed out before Garnet's feet. The princess began to panic as a few stray black mages wandered up behind her leaving her trapped between them and the black waltz. Tears began to form in her eyes as she dropped to her knees beside Zidane, shaking him.
"Please Zidane, wake up! I really need you," Garnet cried out. The other black mages stayed back as the black waltz closed in on her. She looked up, unable to halt the tears rolling down her cheeks.
This can't be happening…
Garnet clung to Zidane's passed out form, though he did fade in and out of consciousness.
"STAY AWAY!" Garnet shrieked, and something snapped as she willed the monsters away. The earth began shaking beneath them.
Ifrit, the devil summon burst forth from the ground, emitting an ear shattering roar. The heat of the flames made Garnet wince as she watched the eidolon growl and form giant fire balls with its clawed hands. The ground cracked beneath the force of its power as it hurled the infernos towards their enemies, effectively taking out all the black mages that had previously trapped her. Turning, Ifrit now stood in front of Garnet and the injured Zidane. Letting out another roar it conjured another stream of fire and blasted the black waltz into the ally wall before disappearing.
Garnet stared wide eyed at the scene before her, her grip tight on Zidane. The black mages were gone; all save for the black waltz that seemed to be short circuiting.
"Must… m… must retrieve… p…princess… use… f… force… if…ne… necessary…" The black waltz stuttered and twitched as it stumbled forward towards the princess.
Garnet struggled to get up with Zidane to try and escape, but she could not move him. She didn't know if she had the strength to summon again. She could feel the electricity in the air as the black waltz raised its staff, preparing to thundaga them in to the ground. She closed her eyes, and hugged Zidane tightly, she couldn't just leave him there. Her eyes were clamped shut, but the blow never came. She jerked hearing lightning strike, but it was the black waltz that had been destroyed. Leaning forward slightly over Zidane, tears fell freely from her face. There was no one in the ally way, and it was then that she looked up to see Kuja flying down for her on his silver dragon.
Kuja had not planned to return to Treno that night, he was far too interested in seeing how Brahne demolished Lindblum, but he was uncharacteristically concerned about the girl. He had some inkling that he had been tailed, but didn't see any real threat in it until he went back to find Garnet gone…
The sorcerer was impressed by the girl's ability to summon, though it was not enough to completely destroy the black waltz. He was infuriated by the sight of Zidane. So… the weakling had lived. Kuja had not thought twice about his successor since he had stolen him from Terra and left him to fend for himself. How dare that fool try to steal her away… He was never going to lose her again.
Garnet couldn't move from where she kneeled, her tears started anew at the sight of her current rescuer. She didn't know if she should go to him or run from him. He was livid, and she wasn't exactly sure as to why.
Her shoulders were still quivering as Kuja closed the distance between them and she could not stop herself. When he offered his hand to help her up, she flew in to his arms. The feelings of fight or flight had left her a trembling mess; she wasn't sure when she had started to associate his presence with the feeling of safety. Maybe when he had defended her that night in Treno… she didn't know. The girl clearly needed this time to recover and know that they had survived at least this far. Being sheltered had its disadvantages, and it showed as this was her first time out among any serious conflict.
Kuja froze; his eyes were wide. No one had dared touch him before without invitation. Physical affection was not a thing he was accustomed to. The last time someone had offered any sort of positive contact had been… it was her… before she… His eyes fell closed and his brow furrowed. The memory was too painful for him to think on long. Instead, he let his arms come around her.
"Just what had you hoped to accomplish little princess," the white haired man murmured.
"I couldn't let her do this… I had to try and stop her," Garnet explained.
"The queen has withdrawn. The castle is still intact, it is favorable that the Regent is fine," Kuja said, seeming to reign in his anger for now. Untangling one of his arms from around her, he capriciously pointed at the body of the unconscious Zidane and he was transported away.
"Where did you send him?" Garnet was worried. After all, Zidane had protected her.
"To the castle, they will take care of him there," Kuja replied, as though it wouldn't have mattered if he had sent him off the nearest cliff. "You do realize what could have happened if I had not found you," Kuja began.
"Yes…" Garnet said cautiously.
"Do you really?" The sorcerer's voice was tinged with an unhinged amusement. "Do you realize that Black Waltz may very well have fried you within an inch of your life, just to take you back to your mother so that she could steal your eidolons?" Kuja asked. He eyed her skeptically. "She would have killed you after that, assuming the Black Waltz had its programming straight enough to not kill you first."
"I don't understand why you're keeping me in the dark. If I was so important to you, why wouldn't just tell me?" Garnet asked, turning the conversation away from her recent actions.
"I can't force you to remember," Kuja bit out, pulling away from her entirely. "If things do not go as pl-"
"What does that even mean? Why is this so important?" Garnet cut him off and stared into his eyes, seeming to plead with him to stop whatever insanity he had planned.
"Because, this world will no longer exist if I don't. I cannot allow that old man to have his way. So, if you care about this stupid little planet of yours at all, you'll not do anything else to distract me," Kuja said slowly. "That is all you need to know."
There was a long pause, and Kuja appeared to be debating on how he wanted to proceed.
"There is something I must do," he began, seeming to have calmed down.
"What?"
"I need to make sure affairs are in order," he explained.
"You've been supplying my mother with the black mages." It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
"Is that where you're going?" Garnet asked.
"No, there is something else I must see to… it's not safe for you there," Kuja answered.
"You're leaving me?"
Kuja looked at her sharply, looking conflicted between the desire to draw her close again and simply end their conversation where it was.
"Don't. say it like that," Kuja said. "I thought you'd be happy to be back with your uncle."
"I want to know who you are," Garnet replied stubbornly.
"You already know who I am," Kuja sighed, again seeming wounded by her.
The princess couldn't decide if he had been changed by the information Garland gave him, or if he was just becoming tired of acting in front of her. Perhaps it was a little of both, but it didn't seem he was ready to tell her the truth.
"You know what I meant, I… I still have a lot I want to talk with you about, so you better come back for me," Garnet demanded.
"As you wish, princess," Kuja relented, as if he had any intentions of not returning for her.
It was a few days later when the Regent was sitting in the throne room with his wife Hilda. The repairs had been coming along as well as could be expected, but what would happen now?
"Uncle?"
"Garnet?" Regent Cid stared at the door as his young niece walked through carrying a small bag. "What happened? Are you alright?" The concern was obvious as he watched the princess walk in slowly.
"I'm sorry, but I need to make a request. May I please stay for a few days?" Garnet asked. She kept her gaze on the floor, feeling like a beggar.
"Of course niece," Cid said.
"Don't be silly dear, you know you are always welcome," Hilda replied as well. Garnet smiled.
"May I ask why you are staying?" Cid asked. Garnet withheld a sigh; of course he would want to know.
"I don't really know, just that it's safe for me here," Garnet explained.
"You don't know where he went dear?" Hilda asked, though Garnet had not exactly come out and said that Kuja had left her behind.
"No, just that I couldn't go," Garnet said.
"I see. Thank you Garnet, please go make yourself comfortable," Cid said looking at her thoughtfully. To him she seemed distanced and uncomfortable in their presence. Watching her walk away, he wondered what had changed about his niece.
"Don't worry yourself too badly dear," Hilda said resting her hand on Cid's arm. Cid tilted his head to the side, confused by the knowing look on his wife's face.
The princess couldn't remember a time where she was more uncertain. Everyone had been lying to her or keeping her in the dark. It was frustrating, and she just needed someone she could trust.
Garnet had barely gotten settled in the guest room when a blonde-haired, monkey-tailed man entered her room uninvited. It seemed to be becoming a habit.
"Hey Princess, you bored yet?" Zidane asked. He smirked and stretched slightly.
"How did you even know I was here?" Garnet eyed him suspiciously.
"Your Uncle told me, thought you might like some company," Zidane explained. The princess sighed, and rolled her eyes. Maybe spending time with Zidane wouldn't be so bad, it would certainly be better than sitting here alone.
"I would like that," Garnet said, smiling at the surprise on Zidane's face.
"Well, let's get a move on. Couldn't really give you a proper tour of the place, what with running from those black mages," Zidane said with a grin. Garnet rolled her eyes again. It had been awhile since she had been here to look around. The last time would have been when she was younger, but with the construction, how much of a tour could she possibly get?
Walking down the stairs, Zidane offered his arm, an arrogant grin on his face. Garnet was reminded of Kuja in the slightest. She hesitated, but accepted the gesture and followed him to the air cab. The first place he took her was the Tantalus hide out. Everyone was there. There was loud talking, but they all seemed to stop when Zidane entered with Garnet.
"Hey! Hey! Look what monkey boy dragged in," Cinna said.
"Shut it would you," Zidane said exasperated. Garnet looked around the room to Baku the leader, the only one she recognized. Her eyes fell upon a short black mage in a blue coat. Jerking, she grabbed Zidane's arm. He followed her gaze. "Don't worry that's Vivi, he's a good guy," Zidane explained. Garnet didn't seem to believe him, and looked ready to flee when Vivi waddled over and bowed.
"I… It's a pleasure to me… meet you princess," Vivi stuttered. Hearing him speak and watching how he reacted; it was clear he was different from the other black mages. Garnet released Zidane's arm, and smiled, gently returning the bow.
"The pleasure is mine," The princess replied. "Where are you from?"
"I… I used to live with my Grandpa along the mountains. I… I went to Alexandria and met up with Zidane while I was sightseeing," Vivi explained.
"Hey, stop hogging her would you?" It was Marcus who spoke next and introduced himself. Garnet was then bombarded with the other members of Tantalus as they all came forth at once to introduce themselves.
"Hey ya'll. Back off, yer scaring the poor thing," Ruby chimed in. Garnet sighed in relief as the only other woman in the room made her way forward. "Come along darlin' have a seat with me."
It was with the members of Tantalus that Garnet spent the rest of her day. They were an interesting group to say the least, but they did keep the best company. Zidane being the thief-ly gentleman he was, got her back to the castle within a reasonable amount of time.
Garnet spent the next few days in the company of Zidane and his gang. Their slang was rubbing off on her, and she found it easier to fit in with the town's people. It was a refreshing new perspective. Perhaps Zidane was not as unbearable as she had first thought, and she actually found it easier to get along with him. Though she enjoyed her time spent with the many faces of Tantalus, after two weeks she was becoming restless. Shouldn't Kuja have come to see her by now? Was he alright?
Garnet was plagued by nightmares that night. The mysterious red eye followed her wherever she went. She relived the destruction of the village, the boat voyage; the images were a garbled mess. She was sleep walking through the hall ways and awoke on the roof of the maintenance attic. Confusion was etched on her face as she looked around. She felt dizzy as her eyes turned towards the sky, she was certain she was still dreaming as the same red eye from her nightmares appeared above her and she lost consciousness.