The sweet fragrant smells of roasting chicken and stuffing drifted up to the roof beams where two men crouched. Quivering where he sat, a pig-faced, short and stout thief soaked up the sweet smells – mouth open and watering now. Beside him, a long-toothed, squinty-eyed man gave a contempt sigh. Crouching there, he redirected his attention to the patrolling guards below them in the foyer. Firelight cast eerie shadows across the black and white tiles.
A soldier in newly polished, steel armor paused – staring down at one mysterious shadow. Heart pumping, Marcus suddenly dragged his drooling companion back, covering his startled cry with a hand. The Pluto Knight gazed up at the roof beams with a suspicious look, but a fellow guard caught his attention.
Striding forward, the second young man prompted, "Biggs, what's the matter?"
Looking thoroughly baffled and unsure of himself, Biggs just shook his head, saying, "I-I thought I saw someone."
Casting his gaze around, the second knight noted, "It's the castle. You're sure to see someone." Before Biggs could open his mouth to protest this statement, the knight was already returning to his patrolling, calling back, "Now get back to your duties, and stop being so paranoid."
After another glance back up, the Pluto Knight shook his head and did what he was told. Peering out into the foyer, Marcus slowly released his grip on the struggling thief.
Pushing his companion's arms away, the disgruntled man hissed softly, "Watch those hands, we almost went over."
Clearly distracted and not listening, Marcus muttered, "Yeah, right. If you say so, Cinna." The other man gave a sniff at this, and continued to mutter incoherently to himself.
Darting quietly from one roof beam to the next, a fiery-redhead paused behind the pair. Resting his hands on their shoulders and leaning in closer, Blank said quietly, "How's it going?"
Ignoring Cinna's startled jump and starts of protest, Marcus turned to the newly arrived companion, saying, "They still haven't changed shifts yet, Bro."
Nodding, Blank told Marcus, "That's our only chance, so make it count."
Marcus beat his fist against his chest as the Tantalus trademark sign. Blank returned the motion – ignoring Cinna as he failed to do it in his awkward sitting position. The roof beam wasn't wide enough to fit the three of them comfortably.
"I'm not so sure about this," Cinna admitted nervously, hands twisting in his lap. "Should we be doing this?"
As Blank rolled his eyes, Marcus turned to the uneasy thief, saying, "The regent asked us to. He said it's all for the better good."
"But stealing from the princess," Cinna exclaimed, quickly cutting off at Blank's hush. Swallowing, Cinna hissed, "We shouldn't be doing this…"
Raising an eyebrow at him, Blank turned to Cinna, saying, "You still have that doll, don't you?" Licking his lips, the thief avoided their eyes. Scoffing, Blank turned back to Marcus, saying, "I'm going on ahead to see if I can find a better spot to drop down in."
At his companion's nod, they beat their chests again before Blank scurried off quietly. Marcus watched his Bro head further down, and then leap up onto the next beam out of view without a sound.
Looking to his companion, Cinna asked in a quiet, urgent voice, "What about you Marcus? What do you think of this?"
Shrugging, Marcus told him, "I just follow orders." Glancing back down at the foyer with a nod, he added, "Good, they're changing. Let's go."
Before Cinna could protest, Marcus had already pushed off the roof beam. Soaring down the twenty-five feet or so, he landed expertly on his feet. Straightening slowly, letting his shaking limbs still, Marcus glanced back as Cinna came down in a heap – rolling from his side onto his stomach and getting to his feet clumsily.
Gesturing him towards the wide, red-carpeted staircase leading to the next level – one index finger to his mouth – Marcus took up a quiet, cautious step. Cinna, recovering from his sudden leap, followed at a scurried pace that made his companion send him a warning glare. Slowing to an almost stop at the bottom of the staircase, Cinna stood, shaking noticeably.
Ignoring his fellow thief's reaction to the situation, Marcus climbed the steps carefully – peering around the side cautiously. Heart pumping in his ears, the man didn't want to think about trying to explain to the queen why they were sneaking around were caught. Pushing worrisome thoughts aside, he gestured behind him for Cinna to follow.
In one swift movement, Marcus was up the stairs and around the side. Glimpsing a flash of metal against the dancing torchlight, he crouched quickly. Colliding into Marcus' back, Cinna had to bite on his jutting bottom lip to stop from crying out.
The distinct sound of cleats against the soft fabric of the hallway carpet made Marcus shift uneasily. They could head back and out the doors – escaping through the courtyard. However, Regent Cid had made is distinctly clear that their mission at hand was to be completed. The details weren't passed along from Baku to his men. All the Tantalus crew needed to know was that there were great rewards involved, and it would benefit Alexandria. The regent had Marcus at 'great rewards'.
The life of a thief was growing drastically dull ever since the Tantalus got involved with helping to secure the world's safety. Though Marcus wasn't overly fond of the extra work with no personal benefits, he knew that Blank was even more disgruntled about it. Bro personally blamed Zidane for it. If it weren't for their ex-Tantalus member chasing the princess' skirt, they wouldn't have gotten involved in the world's affairs at all.
Marcus didn't hold a grudge to Zidane – knowing that what they did was for the best. Even if they had grown distant before Zidane's death, he held his deceased friend's actions in the highest regard.
For you my friend, Marcus vowed quietly. For all the good times you will be missing out on…
He ducked down suddenly as a soldier passed by distractedly. Marcus thanked the late hour and the obvious lull to the Pluto Knight's stride. As the man passed by carelessly, Marcus moved swiftly around the side – and remaining low to the ground – headed down the hallway.
Heart pumping in his ears, the thief didn't pay any mind to the hallway he passed and the open door to the kitchens, nor to his scuffling companion behind him. All Marcus knew was that Zidane wasn't around to protect Dagger anymore. He felt that someone had to be looking out for her.
Pushing these thoughts away for now, he dove into the cranny beneath the stairs leading up to the royal chambers. As Cinna stumbled past, Marcus reached out a hand, and clasping his clumsy companion by the shoulder, pulled him back into the shadows. Plopping the man down with a serious, warning look, Marcus squinted into the dimly lit hallways. A pair of guards strode towards one another, pausing in discussion. The exchange of nods and hushed words perked Marcus' interest, but from where he crouched, no words could be made out.
Silently cursing – reminding himself to clean out his ears – the thief gestured to Cinna to wait where he was. It was already amazing they weren't caught yet with how much noise the plump man made. It made Marcus wonder why Cinna wasn't kicked out of the Tantalus group yet.
I guess Baku needs someone to fall back on and blame.
On soft steps, Marcus rounded up to the banister, and eyeing the hallway for the guards, nearly tripped over himself. He was almost at the top when the sound of opening doors made him turn quickly. Staying pressed against the banister, Marcus' heart pumped in his throat at the sound of approaching footsteps.
Feeling antsy where he was, Cinna shifted uncomfortably. Catching a glimpse of armor, the thief glanced towards the staircase anxiously. Was the sound of opening doors Marcus, or someone coming out? If Marcus was still on the stairs, the guards would seem him for sure.
Without another moment's thought, Cinna leapt out in the hallway. Staying where he was, the thief stood on trembling legs as the Pluto Knight hurried towards him, shouting out, "Hey, you there!"
Waiting another moment, Cinna turned sharply to run – colliding with the other guard. Having forgotten about the second knight, the thief didn't hesitate before running around him and down the hallway on stumbling, duck feet.
At the shouts, Marcus' fear increased. Glancing back, expecting to see the guards coming at him, he was surprised when they ran right past the staircase. Confused, the thief redirected his attention to the moving footsteps overhead again. From where he crouched, he caught a glimpse of a pair of gloved hands on the crossway railing and a glimmer of firelight against metal.
Marcus then knew who it was, and knowing he would receive ultimate punishment were he caught – remained as small as he could. Trying to calm his shaking body, the thief shut his eyes in an attempt to block out disturbing images.
From atop the banister, a woman clad in leisure, white clothing complete with cleats and a sword at her side, stood staring out distractedly across the hallway. She watched a pair of incapable guards running through the foyer after a target she couldn't see. It was probably just another kitchen servant.
Shaking her head, the general of the Alexandrian forces Beatrix, returned to vague thoughts of the outside world. Alexandria had once stood as a proud and noble kingdom, but with such a young and ignorant woman on the throne, it didn't shine with its former glory. Even if Queen Brahne's ambitions were distasteful at the end of her rule, she knew how to go about retrieving her goals. Garnet had none in mind other then to rebuild Alexandria. But what then? Her people wouldn't wait forever in silence for her to build up their kingdom again.
Shaking her head with a deep sigh, the woman turned her back on the hallway. She was nearing her forties now, and still she felt like there were parts of her life that were wasting away. Up until a few months ago, she was perfectly content with how things were going. She was the general of a conquering and growing kingdom under an ambitious and strong woman, and there were no conflicting feelings in her heart.
"Now there's you Steiner," she whispered quietly to herself.
Shaking her head to clear it of the thoughts of the rambunctious and proud man, Beatrix gazed back to the open, doublewide, white doors. Beyond them, Garnet lay in waiting for her general's grasp on Regent Cid's warnings. Despite that the regent was a wise man who had reasons for his actions – even if they were unknown – Garnet had refused his request to give up the Silver Pendant. It was Garnet's only real reminder of her mother and what led to her journey into her life.
In a way, the general could understand the queen's reluctance to give up her heritage. If she was told to give up her prized curved and bloodstained sword – Save the Queen – Beatrix would refuse as well.
Shaking her head and deciding it best to head back, Beatrix strode hesitantly through the doors, closing them behind her. The sound of the firm clasp made Marcus relax. However, now he was in a delicate situation. He didn't know what lay beyond those doors other then Alexandria's general – one of the best warriors throughout the land.
Sighing, seeing the mission as a lost cause, Marcus rose stiffly to his feet when a voice suddenly called out his name.
Turning, the thief watched as Blank ran towards him from a side room leading to the soldiers' barracks. Relieved at the sight of his Bro, Marcus hurried down the steps to meet him in the hallway, saying as he drew level, "It's no good. The general's with Dagger." At the wince Blank made, Marcus nodded, adding grimly, "Yeah, tell me about it. I'm not about to rock that boat either."
Crossing his arms in thought, Blank muttered, "And Dagger doesn't take that necklace off ever…"
Shaking his head slowly, Marcus prompted, "What was the regent thinking? This is impossible. He must really want that pendant."
Straightening with a nod, Blank said distractedly, "Yeah, maybe…"
Turning to gaze down the hall, the man drifted off into thought. Narrowing his brow to stare at his Bro in puzzlement, Marcus said slowly, "Blank…is everything—"
Looking back to his companion, Blank interrupted, "All right, grab Cinna. We'll regroup and think of a new plan."
Before Marcus could do more then open his mouth, Blank had already given the Tantalus salute, and was off down the hall towards the stairs that would bring him outside. For a minute, Marcus just stood there, staring after him. Blank had been acting strange for a few days now, and he couldn't quite place the distant look that had entered his Bro's eyes. There was a sense of lost within them.
-
-
Pacing slowly around her room, paying no mind to the drapes of her bed drifting lightly from the breeze coming through the open window, Alexandria's young queen was caught in thought of Zidane again. Her heart ached at the sight of him walking away repeatedly in her mind. All she could see was that lone figure heading towards certain doom, and Garnet could feel tears welling to her eyes again.
Sitting down in a chair near the window in defeat, Garnet ducked her head into her hands. Trembling as silent sobs racked her body, she looked up suddenly at the light knock on her door. Quickly wiping away the tears – knowing that it wasn't very becoming of a queen to be caught crying – she called out in a cracked, struggling voice, "C-Come in."
Opening the door hesitantly, afraid of intruding on anything, Beatrix stepped in. Seeing the redness that had entered her queen's face, the general gave an elegant bow – holding it so Garnet had time to clear up her emotions. A clearing of her throat allowed Beatrix to straighten and peer at Garnet with one eye.
The young woman was standing now in her light, flowing nightgown with a sense of pride in her eyes again. Behind the soft orbs though, sadness still lingered. It hadn't left her gaze in months, and Beatrix worried that it was slowly overtaking her queen's rational thought. Of course, Garnet stomped down any notions.
She's a proud woman, Beatrix noted. Proud and impudent.
Keeping these words to herself, Beatrix saluted now, saying in a strong voice, "Your Majesty, regarding the regent's request to—"
Before Beatrix could finish that sentence, Garnet was already shaking her head, snapping, "No. This is the only keepsake I have left from my mother." Looking down glumly, Garnet added more softly, "It's Alexandria and my father's crest of strength…"
Beatrix could only nod, remembering the good and happy days when King Alexander was still alive and well. He was the founder of the Alexandrian Kingdom, and a proud fighter. However, he had given up the sword years previous – passing it down to Beatrix. King Alexander passed away almost two years previous at the age of thirty-three from alcohol poisoning. Alexander's whole life went into building Alexandria, which is why the kingdom hadn't expanded out as much as Lindblum.
King Alexander was greatly mourned, and his wife vowed to expand her lover's kingdom for him. She became vengeful and power greedy. That was when Kuja arrived, and things took a steady rise and fall. Garnet herself now still showed more remorse for her kind adoptive father then her mother.
A silence stretched between the pair as these thoughts played out in both women's minds. At last, Beatrix sighed and bowed again, saying, "If that is your wish Your Majesty, then I shall decline the regent's offer to take it from your grasp."
Garnet only nodded slowly, not raising her gaze. The queen was lost in thoughts of the past – when her parents were kind and happy, and still her parents. When she was six, Garnet came to Alexandria on a small boat with her biological mother. Looking exactly like the princess that had just passed away, Garnet was taken in as Alexander's daughter. Garnet just discovered the truth a few months back.
Then, raising her head with a solemn expression, the queen told her patient general, "Very well then. Leave me, I'm tired Beatrix."
Nodding and saluting again, Beatrix turned and headed for the door. Pausing at it to meet her queen's eyes, she waited another moment before exiting. As the door closed, with a soft click, Garnet relieved a deep, sorrowed sigh.
Turning her gaze to the darkened sky, a cold breeze billowing back her clasped hair, Garnet closed the panes with a grimace. She paused with her delicate hands on the handle, turned to the side. Once she pulled it downwards, it would lock – keeping in all her thoughts and dreams. Letting her hand go, she watched the window swing open again.
Laying down in the warmth and comfort of her bed, Garnet fell asleep to the sight of the open window. She wasn't ready to cage in her hopes and memories just yet.
-
-
From where he sat at the Alexandrian docks, Blank could make out each star in the heavens that night. The sky had cleared for him, and he could feel his answers hanging up there. He felt as if he could reach out and pluck a star to hold it in his hand, and that would be the answer. Blank was torn about what to do.
Zidane had showed up in the flesh, but asked him not to say anything to Garnet. The girl he was with had been convinced he was her brother. Blank couldn't remember his early childhood. His first memory was of Baku telling him to follow. So confused and baffled at such a young age, the youth had done as he was bid. When asked his name, he could only answer with, "Blank".
He didn't have a name, and Baku didn't question his answer. Giving it more thought, could it be that Rennet was his sister? Did he havea sister? It seemed ridiculous to think of it that way. After all these years with his adoptive brothers, he suddenly had a sister.
No, Blank told himself firmly, slamming his fist against a stone statue. Looking down grimly at his feet, he added more softly, I don't.
Pushing away these thoughts, Blank got to his feet slowly, hand red and aching beneath the soft, leather glove. Standing there with drifting notions, Blank turned as a familiar, scuffed voice called to him, "There you are, Bro!"
Blank sighed inwardly at the sight of Marcus. He didn't feel like speaking with anyone, but from the grim look on his fellow thief's face, he knew the mission was over. Turning as Marcus drew closer; Blank prompted easily, "We done then?"
Nodding, Marcus then shook his head, saying, "We have to find Cinna."
Giving a contempt sigh, Blank just nodded, "Fine then."
At the sharpness in his Bro's voice, Marcus gave him a skeptical look, asking honestly, "Yo, what's that matter?"
Blank just shook his head, muttering, "It's nothing – just thinking about the past."
Continuing to watch him skeptically, Marcus just nodded unsurely, and heading back towards the waiting doors, called back, "Let's mosey."
Blinking after him, all Blank could do was shake his head. He wasn't ready to return to the real world and closed in thoughts. For a moment, he was content in believing that there was more to him then what everyone saw. Even if they didn't see it now, as long as he himself knew, then it meant more then anything else ever had.
Sitting back down slowly, Blank traced a circle in the water with his index finger. In the ripples, he saw his own reflection, and for the first time, he didn't recognize it.
-
Themed Song: "Without Question" by Elton John