Disc 1 Part 3
Dali

The trip into the village was short, thankfully because Airlia's hand was getting tired of stopping Steiner and Alex from fighting like cats and dogs. Airlia turned to Steiner, "You, Zidane and Vivi start exploring. Garnet, Alex and I will head to the tailor and get clothing for our new companion. We will also see about having cloaks crafted for the three of us. They will not be heavy cloaks, more to protect from rain since we have to keep a mind of how much we carry. Too much and it will weigh us down, too little and we're under prepared. Steiner, I would suggest getting something to wear under your armor in the event that we run into colder areas again."

Steiner's look was immediately put out by the look from the Princess as he remained silent.

The tailor was easy to locate as the trio went into it. The three women looked around as a man approached them. "My goodness! What ever has happened to the young woman before me?"

Alex chuckled embarrassedly. "Well, I didn't quite think ahead when I found out I would be...traveling...especially by foot, through a very, very cold cave. So, coming out of it, I had to cut off most of the skirt to make traveling easier until we got to you. Do you think you can make me a pair of pants? I can turn this into a shirt but, I will definitely need pants."

"Pants? Why my dear, young ladies wear dresses," the tailor pointed out.

"Not when they have to travel many long miles," she argued. "Please. In black if you could."

The tailor went to his supplies. "Black cloth, very well. If that's what you're needing, I can do that for you. Anything else for you ladies before I start measuring?"

Airlia nodded, "I know you don't have it, but could you tell us where we can get new leather shoes? We will need backups of those for traveling a lot of miles." He nodded, "Of course. Three houses down on the left."

Garnet nodded, "We shall also require cloaks, light weight so it's good for most weather. It's mostly to shade from sun or to give us protection from the weather. Preferably with larger hoods."

He nodded, "Certainly. I will be happy to make such. It will be two hundred gil."

Airlia fished out the money from her pouch to pay the merchant who smiled. "Thank you kindly miss. Where can I bring the parcel when it's finished?"

Garnet nodded, "We'll be at the inn. Please, that would be great if you can help us."

The group left the shop after the tailor took his required measurements. They proceeded over to the shoemaker who was finishing up a pair of leather slippers. He smiled as he heard the small bell chime their arrival.

"Well there, how may I help the three of you lasses?" He asked, delighted to have customers.

"Yes," Garnet began. "We need three pairs of shoes meant for traveling. And we need them to last for many, many miles of walking."

The Cobbler got up. "Three pairs in our strongest leather would come to 600 gil. 200 per pair."

Garnet took the gil from her purse and handed it to the shoemaker. "We would like it if we could have these made as soon as possible. We cannot stay in town for long." She put an extra 100 gil for speedy service in his hand.

The Cobbler pocketed the money. "Yes, I will start immediately if I can get your measurements. This way the shoes are the correct size."

The trio of women took their time, making sure he got the measurements before he smiled. "And where may I take your parcel?"

Airlia supplied, "The inn will be just fine. Thank you very much."

The trio went to the inn to rent two rooms. One for the men, one for the women. Once they went to the inn, Alex remained there while Airlia and Garnet wanted to explore with the others until Alex had her new attire.

"Aww guys, can't I come too?" Alex asked.

Steiner came in from his own shopping, having taken the advice. "No! You look like the princess and you are dressed most inappropriately. A trip to the tailor's was one thing but until you are properly dressed. No, you will stay right here until your new clothes arrive."

Alex smirked. What would he say when he saw her chosen attire. For some reason, she enjoyed making him mad. It was amusing for her.

Alex had to stay in the inn pretty much under the covers while the local tailor finished making her new outfit. Steiner had worried about having someone who looks so much like the princess wandering around in such a short dress. Finally a knock came at the door.

"Miss, the tailor has arrived. He has a parcel for you," the innkeeper called.

Alex called back. "Open the door and leave the parcel on the bed. I need to dress into it right away."

The door opened and a hand placed a small wrapped parcel on the bed. Alex waited until the door closed again and she jumped 'd already finished cutting her dress even shorter so that now her bodice was just a top. She pulled out the black harem pants and put them on. "Hmm, not right yet. Ah ha!" She remember the leftover material of her dress. She quickly fashioned one long piece into a sort of belt that accented the black pants and created a hair ribbon out of the other with which she tied her hair back into a ponytail, pulling the black hair off of her neck.

She came out of the room and saw the tailor and innkeeper. She smiled happily. "What do you think? Does it look alright?"

The Tailor looked her over from top to toe. "Well, I never would have thunk it possible. A young lady looking so lovely in men's trousers. I like this look. I might have to try and make more pants for women. You've inspired me dear. Though I must recommend you let your hair down. Women shouldn't show their ears."

Alex shrugged. "I'll be walking for a good long time Tailor, in the hot sun. I need my hair off my neck to keep it from getting overly sweaty and like this, it'll be harder for a monster to use it against me, no?"

"A smart girl you are," the Tailor agreed. "The man who marries you will be lucky indeed for your intelligence. Well, I'm glad they fit. As we've already settled our accounts, I really just wanted to see the results of my labors."

"You're a master tailor," Alex praised him. She felt somewhat sad for having cut up her expensive evening gown, but her brain reminded her that she didn't really cut up her dress. This was only a dream.

The Tailor nodded. "Just come see me again if you need anything else. Yes, I do much like this new project." The Tailor left.

Alex looked at the Innkeeper. "Finally I'm not half naked. If my friends come back, please let them know I've gone out to explore around the town. I'm going stir crazy." She waved and disappeared before the Innkeeper could warn her of the foolishness of this idea. She finally had a real chance to enjoy her dream. Who knows how long she would have before she woke up in the real world. Damn it, she was going to enjoy herself.

Kuja was wandering about the forests outside of Dali. He was supposed to be returning to Treno for a well deserved rest. As of late, he'd found himself needing to rest a lot more often. He wondered if he hadn't picked up one of the illnesses of Gaia.

Footsteps sent the man into the trees. He readied his battle skills in case it was a monster seeking an easy meal. However, the voice that joined the footsteps led him to lower his guard by only a margin. The odd thing is he could pick out a melody in the voice.

"I will ride, I will fly, chase the wind and touch the sky," the voice became discernable as a young woman with black hair ran into the clearing. She was wearing pants...of all things. Black pants. And she was...dancing and singing? In the middle of a monster infested forest. He watched intrigued. She was...pretty was a good word but that wasn't the most interesting part. This simple human was just lost in her own little world. "I wonder…" he noticed the tune seemed to have changed. "I wonder...why sweet little birds have a someone…" She stopped in front of a branch, almost pretending to be looking at something as she sang. "If my heart keeps singing will my song go winging to someone...who'll find me and bring back a love song to me…" She turned and seemed to look directly at him.

He froze. Did she see him? At first he thought she might have until her eyes turned and she sat on a nearby log. He didn't want to move. If he moved she might hear him.

She seemed to be about to start another song until a large, black and red spider lept out of the trees and ambushed the girl. She screamed and tried to run but another spider had joined the other. Kuja watched as the girl was trapped between the two monsters bent on turning her into their next meal. She obviously didn't have any weapon on her. He didn't know what came over him next.

Alex screamed and squeezed her eyes shut as her dream fast became a terrible nightmare. Now would be a great time to wake up, she thought and tried willing her dream to end but instead she heard the two spiders screeching in unison. She opened her eyes and saw a man in a strange white outfit with silver hair standing before her. The two spiders were burning into cinders thanks to what must have been a fire spell.

"Thank...thank you…" she stammered. Relief filled her chest. Of course, this was the part of the dream where he saved her and they could meet.

The man turned on her. "What do you think you were doing wandering out here without some sort of weapon?" He asked, scolding in his voice.

Alex looked properly chastised. "I wasn't thinking. I just wanted to explore some but..."

"Where are you from?" The man asked.

"Dali," Alex replied. "I'm staying at the inn there."

The man sighed. He couldn't just let her walk back alone, knowing she was unarmed. It didn't sit right with him. "I will walk you back into town. And your first stop will be the foundry for a weapon when you get back. Understand."

Alex grinned sheepishly. "Um...thank you...I appreciate it."

He didn't talk much as he led her back to the town that he had just left sometime ago. "Now, that's the foundry right there. Goodbye."

She called out. "Wait!" But he was gone without even giving his name, though she already knew it. She sighed and turned around to see Garnet and Airlia. Where was Steiner, she wondered. And Zidane and Vivi. "Hey guys!"

Everyone gathered, though Airlia had found it odd that Steiner wasn't around. "Could Steiner be at the inn Zidane?"

He shrugged, "Dunno, and don't care. Rusty just slows us down all of the time. Whining about the princess needing to go back to the palace."

Garnet's admonishing look made him pale. "While some of it is true, he does have his heart in what's best for me Zidane. Let's go look."

They went to the inn and up to the men's room only to find a bag of goods, but no Steiner. Airlia frowned. This is not good. Where the hell did he go?

They went outside and started looking around more intensely as a dark shadow crept up to the group. Airlia turned around and flashed her sword and slashed at the creature trying to grab Garnet.

"Hands off you creep." Airlia stated as she lunged again. This creature was strange as he bore resemblance to Vivi, but yet he was taller with wide wings. His blue robe was a darker shade and his wings were at least the width of his arms. He wore the same sort of hat that Vivi did but its point stood high.

"I am here for the Princess. Your mother is greatly worried for you Princess," the Black Mage declared. "And I will not fail where my weaker predecessor did. Apparently, he couldn't even recognize the princess among…" He looked from Garnet to Alex. One had black hair, the other brown. And he couldn't remember which color he was told to look for. "Which one of you is the princess?"

Garnet looked at Alex. This was fortuitous. The creature didn't know which one he was to bring back to the palace.

"Princess?" Alex asked. "Neither of us is this princess you seek." She lied, taking advantage of the obvious confusion.

"Impossible," the creature declared. "One of you must be the princess."

"No, no princess here. I am Alexandra, a visiting seer from the far north," she gestured to Garnet. "This is my sister Dagger. We both heard from rumors that we look like this princess you speak of. What was her name again?"

"Garnet, Princess Garnet Til Alexandros the XVII," The creature explained. "How is it that the princess could have two identical strangers, two doppelgangers. I don't buy it but...which one is it…"

"Neither," Alex pressed. "Isn't that right Zidane?"

"Yes, that's right," Zidane said. "I was hired by these two lovely ladies and their cousin to guide them to Alexandria, that they may see the Princess and either confirm or disprove the rumors."

He seemed to accept the answer until a soldier approached them. "Princess! Why did you leave me behind?"

The creature, even though his face couldn't be seen, one could almost sense a raising of the eyebrow. "Princess?"

Airlia shook her head. "Don't mind him. Rusty hit his head and when he awoke, he thought my cousins were both princesses of Alexandria, and nothing has changed his mind since. Even though we have reminded him relentlessly that this is Dagger and that is Alexandra."

The creature again nodded. "My apologies ladies. it seems that I, indeed have the wrong one. Might I suggest that you try to impress on him that neither of you are the princess? There is another one of us. One who is a hothead and if he even thinks you are the princess, he will grab you?"

Airlia nodded. "I will impress on him, that I promise. But what are you called anyways? I hate not knowing your name kind sir."

He gave what would have been assumed to be a ghost of a smile. "My kind don't have names. But if you must, Black Waltz. I would be number 2 because there are three of us."

She smiled, "It was lovely to meet you. I'm Yepa. May we meet again my friend. We need to rest for a little longer before we continue our journey. But let me tend to the wound I gave you in my fear for my cousin."

He tried to shake it off until gentle hands tenderly dressed the wound, using her potion to accelerate the healing before wrapping it gently. "Wow, thank you Yepa… You have gentle hands."

She smiled, "Again, my apologies. But with the bandits and people thinking how my cousins look like the princess, I've had to be on my toes." He nodded before leaving as Airlia sagged to the ground in relief.

Steiner frowned as he joined them. "What the hell was that Airlia?"

She shot him a dirty look. "You almost got us into a nasty battle with a very strong magic user. You really need to use our fake names Steiner, or I will start calling you Rusty like the others."

Steiner stomped his feet and shook his hands. "But..l…but...and what are you wearing!" He shouted at Alex, changing the subject effectively. "Ladies do NOT wear pants."

Garnet tapped on his shoulder. "Unm, Steiner…" She drew attention to both she and Airlia. "When you can walk around perfectly fine for an entire mile in a dress, then you can scold Alex."

Alex sneered. "Besides, you'll find that I don't care what is considered proper. I won't go around showing my tits or anything, but I wear pants. I like dresses sometimes, but only occasionally."

"Guys, where is Vivi?" Zidane asked finally.

Vivi came out. "Here I am. He looked like me...I was scared…why did he look like me?"

Airlia was at a genuine loss. Why indeed… She shrugged. "For right now, it doesn't really matter does it? It can be a sign that you're not alone. If he existed, and he said two others like him did too, then maybe there are more like you."

Vivi looked at her and nodded. "I hope so. I hope they're all nice too!"

Airlia turned to look at Alex and Garnet, mouthing. "I hope so too." Then aloud, "So Alex, where should we go from here? Have you had any visions?"

Alex shook her head. "No on the visions but I do hear something above us." She pointed up as a cargo ship came flying in low, landing in the field. "I wonder if we could use that ship to get to Lindblum."

"That symbol is Alexandria's symbol," Steiner said. "It's going back to the castle. Come Princess. Let's get you home to your mother at once. She is likely worried sick about you. Come, come."

"Steiner, I'm NOT going back to the castle! Get it through your thick skull! I'm going to see my Uncle Cid. You can go back to the castle if you want, but I'm not!" Garnet declared.

Zidane clapped. "Way to go Dagger. Let's see if we can't steal this puppy and get it to Lindblum then, eh?"

Airlia nodded in agreement. They hurried towards the ship and found a few barrels to tuck themselves into that were to be placed onto the ship. Once they were loaded, they waited until things were silent before climbing out. Airlia helping Garnet and Alex while Zidane had to struggle to help Steiner with his heavy armor out of the barrel. Vivi was able to be helped out easily as he was light as a feather.

Looking around things seemed to be odd to the group as Vivi saw a sleeping mage. "He looks… like me. What is this?"

Airlia came over and gently prodded one. Frowning, she saw he was still sleeping. "Vivi, get away from him. I think he's unwell. I don't want you getting sick."

Garnet recognized her words and knew it meant that the mage might be dead. Her eyes watered as she nodded. "Right, let's go this way Vivi."

Zidane looked with concern at his new friend, the one he was beginning to think of as a little brother. "Hey Vivi, let's go to the top and look around. You'll love the view from above." He came and took the little mage's hand.

Alex watched as the two went off. Zidane and Vivi's connection had been one of her favorite parts of the game. She looked at Black Waltz 1 oddly. "I wonder if this is the first Black Waltz. The one that Number 2 told us about. He said that Black Waltz 1 failed because…couldn't identify the princess. Did this happen because of me…if I wasn't here then...but then…"

Airlia frowned. Things didn't add up, but she put it aside. "Alex, don't worry about it. There are a lot of things out in the world that don't make sense. I remember one thing my mother said to me long ago. For everyone in the world, there is always a doppelganger. Perhaps you were meant to look like the princess for this reason."

Alex placed her hands on the Black Waltz 1 and shuddered. "He's not dead...I don't sense any life force in him at all. He's...deactivated I think...like a machine…" She stood up. "What does it mean?" She knew what it meant, but couldn't indicate it. "Come on...let's go help Zidane and Vivi." She noticed Steiner just standing off to the side. "Hey,Sir Rust-a-Lot, you gonna just stand there?"

Steiner clambered over. "I can't believe we're going to steal this ship. Stealing is a crime Princess!" He told Garnet. "We can't do it."

"Stop calling me Princess, Steiner. You are to call me Dagger until such time as we do return to the castle. If we ever do," She ordered. "Stealing this ship appears to be the best way to get us to Lindblum. So hush."

Airlia nodded in agreement. "If what we heard about Waltz 3 is true… You had best continue to call her Dagger and me Yepa. Waltz 2 seemed to be fearful of him. And considering how powerful I sensed he could be… If you ever call us by those names from before, I will forever call you Rusty."

Elsewhere…

A man frowned as he watched the orb, showing him what had happened on Gaia. He wasn't happy with what he was seeing. He had felt her come through the veil, and yet she shouldn't have been there… "Damn it. She will ruin everything!"

A man with silver hair returned. "You called?"

Turning around he nodded. "Yes Kuja. Much of our plans have gone according to plan, but now the presence of this new one could ruin everything. I need you to kill her when you see her next."

"What? Why?" Kuja asked legitimately confused. "You want me to kill a mere peasant girl?" He scratched his head in confusion. "Why?"

Garland frowned. "Do not question me Kuja. I had a vision where if she was involved, she would end up destroying Terra!"

Kuja laughed. "Garland, you might want to have your third-eye checked. I think it might need glasses. She's a simple girl. Very simple. She didn't even have the presence of mind to have a weapon on her."

Garland shook his head. "She did that to fool you Kuja, nothing more. If she was truly so simple then why does she dress so differently from everyone else? As I said, she will destroy Terra. If you don't believe me, then wait until your next encounter. If she shows you more of her strength, then you must kill her. If she doesn't, then maybe, just maybe, it was coincidence and nothing further."

Kuja chuckled. "Whatever. But I assure you, she is of no danger to Terra." He left the ship for his dragon.

Garland sighed heavily as he turned his eyes back to the orb. "I wonder if I will have to ready my second plan…"

AN: Second plan? What is Garland talking about? It seems that Alex and Airlia have managed to diffuse a potentially very bad situation. I wonder if they will be as successful with Black Waltz 3. Find out next time on Distant Memory. REVIEW