Author's Note: I love the internet, I really do. Thanks to skim reading, and online translations, my homework is now complete! So, now that I am able to begin work on chapter seven. After this chapter, I'm taking a little break from updating, because I need to work on the outline…but chapters eight, nine, and ten should be up by the end of the month if all goes according to plan. Cookies to all reviewers, you guys make my day!

Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy IX, its characters, places, or anything else. I wish I did, but SquareEnix / SquareSoft do. The description of the black mages and Vivi belong to Guardian1, who was wonderful enough to allow me to use her idea. However, I do own those pesky waiters who keep on hearing everything…


Preparations for Departure

"It looks like were going to the place near Treno where Vivi lived with his Grandfather first. I guess that makes sense, since its closest…After that, were going to Black Mage village, then Madain Sari. I wonder how my moogles are doing…" -Entry from Diary of Eiko Carol

It wasn't as if she was jealous of Vivi because he got to visit his homes first. She just…was impatient. After all, her moogles must be frantic with worry, not to mention bored half to death by now, since she had been gone so long. At least Vivi seems happier now…probably because he finally told someone! Good thing I'm good at keeping secrets. She gave a little half-sigh, which for someone her size, was more like a miniature pout. Maybe too good…I don't think anyone even knows that my birthday is in three months. Three months, two weeks, and four days…not that she was counting. Well, she could always count on her moogles to let something slip to one of her escorts while they were in Madain Sari. Re-tying her ribbon that Mog had left to her, Eiko Carol made her way down from the roof back to her room to finish packing. After all, they were leaving in the morning, and she couldn't spend all night on the roof staring at the stars.


"I'm glad I'll be able to go back to the house where grandfather and I lived…but…I just hope were not too late arriving at Black Mage Village. I don't want to arrive there just to find out that they've all…stopped." -Entry from Journal of Vivi Ornitier.

After double checking his slight amount of luggage, which consisted mostly of the cloths on his back, his Mace of Zeus, a Jade Armlet, a Robe of Lords, a Rosetta Ring, and a Circlet, Vivi found himself wearing a slight smile and feeling a little sorry for any monsters they happened across. Twirling his Mace of Zeus slightly, he felt his smile broaden. He could feel the power of Doomsday residing inside of this staff. Continuing to twirl it, he leaned back slightly. Much as he disliked everything else that was changing, he loved his new sense of balance. Also, it seemed that since his balance was better, his accuracy had also increased. Glancing over his equipment once more, and satisfied that he hadn't forgotten anything, he took his store of elixirs and ethers out of their hiding place, a row stacked carefully beneath his bed. After a quick double check of his equipment and items, Vivi Ornitier had only one thought cross his mind as he headed downstairs. I guess you can't travel across the world and not have get the best equipment there is in the process.


"Well, now that it is no longer a secret, we should set it for when it is convenient for everyone." -Overheard by a waiter in the castle of Alexandria; conversation between Adelbert Steiner and Captain Beatrix.

After careful planning, many letters sent back and forth with mognet, and many marks on the calendar made by the trio that was himself, his fiancé, Beatrix, and their queen, Garnet, the date for their wedding was finally set. Though they still had many other plans to make, he felt a certain sense of accomplishment in the fact that they had set a date for their wedding. After all, wasn't that supposed to be one of the harder things to do when planning a wedding?

However, one rather large problem still existed. Though they could call upon any of their knights; or in Beatrix's case, even their queen; they were still missing one very key component. The best man and bride's maid. Sighing slightly, he set down his pen. His work was getting in the way of his marriage…or was it the other way around? Either way, marriage plans were demanding his attention, and the training plans weren't due for another three weeks, so a little procrastination couldn't hurt…right? Looking to the left and right parts of his desk, Adelbert Steiner found that both piles of work were the same in height. With another sight, he reached over to the left pile and continued to work. Though who the hell cares what color the flowers on the cake are is beyond me…


"I don't know what to do about this. It…is almost too much…what would you have done, Zidane?" -Entry from Royal Diary of Queen Garnet Til Alexandros 17th

She was slightly surprised at the grudging acceptance Amarant and Freya had to her plan for the two of them to escort Vivi and Eiko. She had been prepared for a verbal battle, and instead had only needed to point out where they needed to sign the papers for her solution to the problem of the custody of Vivi and Eiko...Though they had both seemed a little out of it, and were talking quietly. After quietly and privately asking Freya, the Burmecian had agreed to take twenty-five percent of the guardianship. Amarant had the same amount, while Cid and his wife had twelve percent, and she had thirty-eight percent of the guardianship. That way, there was no chance of the two children being forced to rule either the country of Alexandria or Lindblum. Later, she had had an appointment with her doctor, and nearly passed out from the news he had given her. Of course, she hadn't though stress was getting ride of her monthly cycle…but this hadn't exactly been expected either. Pregnant…I'm…pregnant…

She had been assured that so far everything was healthy, and she was a little past the one month mile stone. Though they hadn't asked her to name the father, she already knew who it was. After all, she would never forget that night, their last night together. Even though your gone, you left me something…

She wasn't sure what she would do if Zidane turned up at this point. Defiantly hug him…but he defiantly had a few slaps coming his way as well. Garnet lay down in her bed, her last conscious thoughts spiraling toward her two children, Vivi and Eiko, and wondering what the child to come would be like.


Ok, this chapter goes out to all you reviewers, and the guilt I feel for not updating yesterday…I'm sorry about that. From here on, I have no idea exactly what's going to happen, because I only outlined to this chapter. So…now I have to spend some time outlining the story. Chapter eight is scheduled for 9/15...but it might be up sooner. I don't know. Cookies to all who review! Oo imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning and found that I have over 450 hits now! And 16 reviews! Thank you all so much.

Solark: I'm not sure when, but I will read and review you…eventually…and you get a cookie every time you review!

Sup3rl0z3r: We should start a union and protest weekend homework…

Yuja/Chowder/Catz: GET TO WORK YOU LAZY BUM (j/k)

J.L Dexter: You just barely made it in here, as I was about to add the chapter, I checked my mail, and low and behold, there you are with another review! Thank you for your support, and for reviewing!

Also, if you want to name the waiter, leave a recomendation in the review or contact me...depending on how it seems to fit, i may use the name instead of 'overheard by a waiter'. And yes, the waiter who overhears things is always the same person...they are stalking the saviors of the planet,