Disclaimer: I don't own Ragnarok Online… My disclaimer is so plain and boring… sheesh…
A/N: I know, I know. Saga 2's darn short and this part's the shortest so far. XP Anyway, this part is like telling what happened on the same day Ri-anne and co. left for Juno in Morocc. It leads to the future events as you will see that are bound to happen… hehe
Saga Three, Part One
Few days ago—
Feng-xen stared at the stacks of files and documents before him with unpronounced dread and exhaled in hopelessness. Sitting in the office room of the President of the AGO was complete hell although some tend to only look at its glamorous side.
If they knew what the President of the AGO does, they'd never wish they could have it!
"Like as if there's anything glamorous about reading documents and approving missions on papers in an office," he grunted sourly.
A light tap on the door became his excuse to not start work for the day just yet. "Come in," he permitted.
The scarlet-eyed man made his entry with a big grin. "How ya' doing, Feng-xen?"
"Zivon! You're back! Feels good to see you," greeted the acting president gladly. He rose from his huge spinning armchair in the effort to welcome his old friend.
"I am very happy to hear that you are going to be my brother-in-law," he added cheerfully but suddenly drop to a whisper. "Hey, man, I'd have you any time, any where as my own family but I feel bad for you. To live with my sister for the rest of your life… I pray for your good health!"
Zivon laughed at his supposed warning but clapped him on the back sportingly. "I think I feel worse for you, Feng-xen. Look at you, stuck here with your sister's work."
"Don't worry, I'll have my full payback when I see her," he muttered with assurance.
Although it was the President's office, Zivon noticed that it was kept simply and reasonably furnished. Pictures of past leaders of the AGO were hung in respect on the wall on the right. The newest one among them was the picture of Sir Sen-yu Zedt. He felt regretful for not being able to attend his funeral for he was still at the Metal City then.
"Please, it's not her fault," said Zivon truthfully. "She ran off because of me, I daresay. She would've stayed if it wasn't because of our engagement.
It was the younger Assassin Cross turn to laugh. "You can be sure of that. MY sister isn't very forgetful when it comes to keeping records of those who offend her. Apparently, you're in her 'must-run-away-if-close-by' list. And I can guarantee that your name's the only one in it. She's not even wee bit afraid of my dad as she is to you."
"Yeah… I was pretty mean to her when we were much younger," he sighed. He sat on the sofa which was placed against the left wall. Feng-xen followed suit.
"I could still remember that glorious day when you scared her by placing a fake life-size Argos doll in the backyard!" mentioned Feng-xen blissfully.
"Honestly, Feng-xen, I don't feel proud doing all those things to her," confessed Zivon, his gaze fixed to the ground.
The Zedt's laughter died out when he sensed the seriousness in his tone. "O…kay, so, why regret now?"
"Because…," Zivon entwined his fingers and sighed, "Because I was foolish back then. I didn't understand why, as a small and immature boy, I was so attracted to her as we passed day by day together after we first met when I was nine. I tried to shun her away one day when she came to me to play by bullying her at times because I didn't like the fact that I was sort of depending on her company each day."
"Whoa… Wait… Are you telling me that you liked my sister since we were kids?!" gasped Feng-xen. He must have heard wrong! Why would anyone fall for that sister of his?
Zivon chuckled. "Shocking, I know. Only my parents and Sir Sen-yu knew about it."
"What?! Now you're saying Grandpapa knew about it all along?" The story was getting weirder and weirder by the second to Feng-xen.
"You spoke about the Argos incident… Well, Sir Sen-yu talked to me about it alone after discovering that I was behind it. I was so certain that he would give me a bad scolding for hurting Ri-anne in a way. Instead, he wanted me to tell him why I was being unpleasant to her. His kindness convinced me to confine in him my problem. Believe me; I was surprised when he smiled benignly at me, as though I had done no wrong.
'It's okay to want to be with "a precious someone". It doesn't make you a weak person.' That's what Sir Sen-yu said to me. He helped me realise that I should protect your sister, not hurt her if she is dear to me," explained Zivon.
That sounds like Grandpapa alright, thought Feng-xen. "Let me guess the rest. Grandpapa discussed with your parents and secretly arranged the marriage between you and my sis. Grandpapa knows enough that my dad would never object to it when the time comes to reveal it since he knows your dad personally anyway."
"You're good," remarked Zivon, grinning.
"I know," Feng-xen quipped, grinning too. "I'm all out to help you get my sister back AND conveniently return her this office! But how are we going to do it?"
"I have a plan but it might be time-consuming… and it all starts with that pair of Tiger Fangs on your table…"
