Author's Note: This is a compilation between Ceara Ivory and Myself. We don't own Final Fantasy IX!

Distant Memories

Disc 3, Part 4:

Mornings

In the morning, Brahne was finishing some documentation that was long overdue. Her double apparently had no idea how to run a kingdom. It was bad enough that she had severely tarnished the name of the Royal House of Alexandria but really, letting the streets and certain other buildings go without proper maintenance. That was too far. Well, she was home now. Unfortunately, it meant, she was inundated now with fixing several years of neglect.

She was still signing off on long over due public maintenance when the seamstress arrived as summoned. "Thank you for coming on such short notice." Brahne greeted.

She gave a smile, pushing golden locks from her face. "Anything for the queen of Alexandria. How may I help you today?"

"My daughters are in need of new dresses," She looked to a guard. "Please tell Alexandra and Airlia that I wish to see them. Princess Airlia is also in need a proper wedding gown. But it's essential that it's finished in mere hours."

The woman, Rochelle, blushed. "Mere hours for a wedding dress? I have a few that are completed but need to be fitted to whomever is to wear it. Things I did to show what I could do. Would that be satisfactory if I showed those first to see if one of those will work?"

Brahne nodded satisfactorily. She knew Alex would need a wedding gown but she was insisting on using a peasant tailor in Dali whom she had sent for. "That will do just fine. Thank you."

Rochelle hurried out to grab the few dresses that weren't claimed in her shop as Airlia and Alexandra came into the room. The former knight couldn't stop herself from going to her knee, "Yes mother?" It had even sounded strange to say it… but it was becoming easier.

Brahne smiled at her daughters. "Airlia the seamstress is bringing some wedding gowns for you to look at and she needs to get Alexandra's measurements. I know you like the casual style my dear," Brahne said to Alex. "I just think we should add a few dresses appropriate for court functions."

Alex nodded. "Yes Mom... Um..." She seemed to have something on her mind but refrained from saying it. "Kuja is doing a lot better this morning..."

Brahne nodded with a smile, "I'm glad he's doing better this morning. I know that Ramsus will likely want him to be his best man… Speaking of, I'm sure he and Zidane are speaking with Kuja as we speak. Now what else is on your mind my daughter?"

Alex shook her head. "It's crazy... I think I'm just reacting to the fear of last night... It can wait until it's more appropriate... Until we can plan properly." She stammered. "I mean he says the poison has finally melded with his system. So he'll be fine..."

Airlia frowned as she looked at her sister. "Alex, what's the matter? You can tell us both. If you're worried about that old moron… I'm looking forward to him meeting my sword head first." Then her friends and her love would be safe from that man.

Alex looked down. "I just… I love him… and I nearly lost him last night… So I was scared and wanting to rush things but… no it's fine. We can wait… It's your special day." She hugged her sister.

Airlia got a sneaky grin as she hugged her sister. Brahne knew the look and groaned. Whatever her idea was, it was going to be a big one. "Mother? Would it be okay if we had a double wedding?"

Brahne stared at the girl. She had been a little okay with one of her daughters marrying this soon, she had understood the reason. But her first born...she'd only just gotten her back. She wasn't really ready to share her.

Alex smiled. "It's your day Airlia… besides I think the seamstress is going to be nuts as it is… And I still need to see the Tailor in Dali."

Brahne nodded, relieved that Alex was being logical about this. "But I do understand your fears Alexandra. Maybe not a double wedding, but maybe give me a few days...or so… I only just got you back."

Airlia nodded understandingly. "I can understand her fear though… That's why I wanted to offer. She's my best friend and my sister. I want her to be happy too."

Alexandra hugged her tighter. "This is your day. I can wait. Like I said, I was just reacting to last night, that's all." She shivered. "It was very scary…"

Airlia nodded in understanding. "That's how Ramsus felt when he had to move me somewhere safe, and then when Garland threatened to have him kill me or he would… He just didn't want to risk losing me, but understands that in social standings, one needs to be married before much more than handholding is acceptable."

Before anything else could be said, Rochelle returned with four dresses for Airlia to pick from … hopefully. "I hope one of these will be suitable for you Princess. If one is, I can do alterations quickly for any height or tweaks."

Her eyes instantly fell to one gown with thick shoulder straps, but the whole bustier and the straps looked to be made of lace that had glittering rhinestones and a ball gown style with various designs of white lace, almost looking like butterflies with ivy along the bottom of the dress on the thin lace. "It's beautiful…"

Alexandra gazed at it. "Airlia, it looks like it was made for you!" She looked it over approvingly. "Ramsus won't know what hit him when he sees you in this."

Airlia lightly bit her lip with a blush on her cheeks. "I hope so Alex… It's beautiful." She turned back to Brahne. "I've been thinking… instead of a bridesmaid, could I have two maids of honor? I can't pick between my sisters."

Brahne smiled at the two girls. "I think that's a wonderful idea. Where is Garnet this morning? I haven't seen her all day."

Alex grinned. "Oh, she's showing Zidane around the castle… Don't worry though. Eiko is chaperoning them."

The doors of the throne room opened and a yawning Beatrix and Steiner entered. They looked as though they hadn't slept all night.

Alex smirked. "Someone stayed up all night didn't they?"

Beatrix blushed, "Well yes unfortunately. But we know our duties and that Airlia's getting married today. So we want to see how we can help."

Brahne looked at their obviously exhausted conditions. "You can help by getting some sleep. You're not much use falling asleep against the wall. Go rest."

Beatrix nodded, "Wake us an hour before the wedding please… my queen." She didn't want to miss her friend's wedding to a man who so clearly adored her.

Steiner tried to not yawn but agreed, "I will be sure to wear my suit for the wedding. Until then my queen, my princesses." The pair went outside, closing the door quickly as they saw Ramsus walking nearby with Kuja.

Ramsus walked with Kuja, paying close attention to his body's signals. He watched for any sign at all of the poisoning coming back, or at least the illness it had wrought on his body. He was still feeling fairly weak and was sure his brother must be as well. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Kuja nodded, smiling at his brother. "Yeah, I'm fine. But are you alright brother?" He could see a mess of emotions on the platinum blond's face.

Ramsus nodded. "The poison is settling I think... why do you think Garland made us this way? With this stuff as our blood?"

Kuja frowned in thought, "Honestly I don't know… Perhaps to make us dependant on him. That's the most likely reason given his power trips and abuse."

Ramsus nodded. "Are you getting nervous," He asked. "Do you really think we can save Terra this way?"

Kuja shrugged, "I honestly don't know… But we don't know really what's the cause of the plants and animals dying… There's every chance to save it if it's something as simple as poison."

"Brother... I'm sorry..." Ramsus forced himself to say. "For my jealousy. I was wrong..."

Kuja embraced his brother. "It's understandable… You were jealous that I got our youngest brother away. Then I left you for a woman… Then there was Airlia who tried to help me while we searched for Alex because it hurt for her to be missing… And for you to be the subject of abuse… he was worse with you than me… I can see it in your eyes. You lashed out the only way you knew how."

Ramsus nodded. "I… I want you to… I've been told I need to pick a Best Man… What is a Best Man?"

Kuja smiled at his brother, "First, yes I will be a best man if you want me to be. But the best man supports the groom in the ceremony as part of the bond between man and his love."

Ramsus smiled. "These customs are very elaborate. I've read of rice throwing and a strange ritual the women must undertake...something about something blue… Why not just let the two consummate their relationship and let that be that?"

Kuja shook his head. "Your guess is as good as mine brother. I honestly prefer simplicity myself. But I know that because they're princesses, they're expected to hold the customs up. My only hope is because it's rushed that it will be simple." He laughed as they pondered why people wanted elaborate ceremonies.

"Our education was quite lacking growing up brother…" Ramsus said. "I'm nervous. Some of the men have been saying strange things… about what I'm going to be doing tonight… And they won't just be upfront so I have no idea what the hell they're saying."

Kuja ducked his own head to hide his blush. Poor Ramsus… Poor Airlia… "What they're talking about is sex Ramsus… It's the intimate touches that – in this kingdom and most kingdoms really – are done between a husband and wife. Most of what I'm saying is just guess unfortunately. We should seek out Zidane… He will know more of this than I. But I'm sure that she is equally nervous about this – not in a bad way… just that she doesn't know what to really expect either."

Ramsus blushed. "Let us find him then Brother...I should know what I'm doing."

Zidane was with Garnet in the palace gardens. "So Garnet, how are things with you and your mother now that everything has… cooled down…" He asked. He was purposely keeping her mind off his own mysterious illness from the night before.

Garnet looked at him, studying for any sign of the illness again. Hearing Vivi's crying and knowing Eiko was still shaken, she had promised to keep an eye on him. "Things are better… and now I'm finding myself enrichened with two sisters and soon to be two brothers-in-laws. How're you feeling?"

"Better," he said simply. He wasn't sure what happened the night prior. He had been playing tetra master with Vivi when suddenly his head burst with pain and he'd lost consciousness. He still didn't know what was up with that. He did know he felt much better this morning and that's all that mattered really.

"Zidane!" A call from across the garden told him they were about to lose their privacy.

Kuja came over, joined by Ramsus. "Good morning Princess," Kuja bowed. "May we borrow Zidane for a short while?"

Garnet nodded, "Of course Kuja, Ramsus. Zidane, I'll be over at the balcony there if you need me for anything." She found herself smiling as she walked away when she heard his scuffing his foot in disappointment.

Zidane looked at the two men and noticed quickly that Ramsus was blushing redder that Steiner had when he woke up that morning looking up Alex's skirt. "Okay what's up?"

Ramsus scuffed his foot as he thought about how to explain his predicament. "I'm hearing … suggestions… as to what I'm to do tonight with Airlia… but no one will explain what it is exactly." His blush, if possible went even deeper in tone.

Zidane let out a sigh of realization. "Okay, starting simple. You know that men and women are different right?"

Ramsus nodded. "I know certain differences… but what are they getting at?"

"Okay, I'm gonna put it how my father put it. A man has a phallus. A woman has a vagina," Zidane said bluntly. Baku had never been subtle. "These parts are made to come together."

Ramsus nodded, while he didn't understand the terms, he understood the idea behind it. "Okay, what then?"

Zidane sat them both down, once he realized that Kuja would likely need this talk to. He carefully, but bluntly, explained what it meant for a man and a woman to make love and what would hopefully eventually come about as a result. "And that's how a baby is made."

Ramsus thought it wasn't possible to blush anymore, yet as he thought about his knight… he found himself wanting to very much have this happen. "Thank you Zidane… I heard about a custom with wedding ceremonies… I'm not entirely sure what it means, but I'd like for you to be a groomsman… if that's okay?"

Zidane was surprised. This man barely knew him and just a few days ago they were at each other's throat. "You want me? I… I guess… I'm sorry I didn't expect that…"

Ramsus nodded, "I understand Zidane. I just… I want to make amends for all of the bad blood between us… I thought it might be a good start…" He turned away cursing himself for being a fool.

Zidane nodded. "Thank you Ramsus. I would be honored to be a groomsman."

Garland stood over a cauldron on the Invincible. "Yes...this should be enough to get me what I want…" He looked into his viewer to see that Kuja was by all appearances doing well but a scan showed the boy was a good faker. He was sick as a dog but refusing to show it. "Yes… but...first. Zorn! Thorn!" He was glad he'd stolen the puppets the night before. They would help him now.

The two jesters looked at one another before wandering into a small, empty room and locked the door. They vanished back to the Invincible to bow to Garland, "Yes sire?" Zorn responded.

"I have a job for you… my two little traitors have gotten themselves very sick…" He told them. "I wish to make use of this." He waved his hand to produce two bottles of murky mist. "I need you to administer one of these to Kuja and the other Ramsus… or to his lady, it matters not. Use another puppet to help you if you must."

Thorn bounced on his heels, "Yes sire! I will gladly so do! Anything to hurt that bitch. She embarrassed us to our Queen. Nearly cost us our spots."

Garland stopped them before they could go. "On second thought, poison both bitches. They left me for those two. Well, I'll make them regret that."

A pair of dirty smirks came to their faces. "Yes sire and we know just who to go to…"

Airlia smiled as she was finishing the last of the alterations while the tailor from Dali had helped to make maid of honor dresses for Princess Garnet and Princess Alexandra.'

Alex let the tailor pin and alter the gowns for the wedding that day. "Thank you for helping on such short notice, sir." She looked at the pale blue gown in the full length mirror. Her hair was already done in a tasteful chignon on top of her head. Garnet's was similarly done. "So Airlia, you nervous about tonight?"

Airlia blushed brightly as she found herself unable to speak as she nodded. "Very…" She found herself wishing that her parents hadn't been taken from her when she was so young. "I've no idea what goes on during a wedding night, except for the suggestive smirks and small quips."

Alex grinned and looked at Garnet. "Well, I don't know much myself besides what they taught us sex ed."

Airlia blushed as she murmured questioningly, "Sex ed?"

Alex laughed. "Sorry, in the world I lived in, it's the school's job to teach kids about sex. So they have a class once or twice a year called Sexual Education or Sex Ed." She started going into the particulars of what they tried to teach them plus what her own research had brought about when those classes proved pointless. "The thing to remember is, from research, it can feel really good and you should only do it with your husband or life partner. Though it can hurt for some at first."

The knight had the grace to blush deeper, "I couldn't imagine doing this… with any other man than him honestly. When I think about what you've described, only his face comes to mind. Thank you Alex." She embraced her sister after the dresses were done being adjusted.

Garnet looked away to hide her own deep blush. "I thought it was the parents' job to teach one about this sort of thing..."

"Yeah well parents mostly work in that world and don't have time," Alex explained.

Airlia nodded, "I know that Mother would have been happy to help, or even Lady Beatrix… but… it's awkward for me because part of me still misses my family. I know they would have liked to see this day…"

Alex smiled and got down off the platform that made it easier to alter, and hugged her sister. She proceeded to hug Garnet after. "Tailor, since you are here, I did have a special request..."

He nodded with a smile, "Of course Princess. What can I help you with?"

Alex went over to the vanity where a strange sort of book lay open. The pages were not a paper he was familiar with. "Do you think you can make this design?" She pointed to the wedding dress in the picture on the right. "If you can the whole book is yours."

He looked at it and after putting his thumb over the page, he quickly flipped through it. "I would be most happy to Princess. This will be a challenge that I want to take on."

Alex quickly showed Airlia and Garnet the champagne colored ruffled ballgown with rose ruffles and single shoulder strap and sweetheart neckline. "My wedding dress."

Airlia and Garnet both gave oohs and awes over the lovely design. Garnet spoke up, "It's lovely! I'm sure you're going to knock Kuja off his feet with it."

The knight returned the book to the tailor. "I wish you luck. I know that's a tricky design."

He nodded with a smile. "I'll get back to my shop right away to start on it. Ladies, congratulations first and foremost. Princess Airlia, may you have a long and happy marriage."

Airlia nodded, "Thank you so much Tailor."

Ramsus stood in front of the mirror as he put on the formal suit he'd purchased for the event. "It's almost time." His platinum blonde hair was pulled back into neat tail. "I can't believe how things have changed. I'm getting married… I never thought anyone would want me…"

Zidane grinned at Ramsus as he fixed his own Tuxedo. "You sure had a rough time of it. But I'm honestly not surprised. She was wary of telling us about the encounter you two had. But I can see she was wary of revealing it because she felt strongly for you, even then. Just don't hurt her. Cause that would hurt Garnet and I hurt people who make her cry."

Kuja laughed at the boy. "That reminds me. When are you going to tell Garnet how you feel?" Even Kuja could tell the boy had it bad for the heir to the throne.

Zidane kicked at the floor. "She's a princess. I'm just a thief… There's no way she'd feel that way about me. She only views me as a friend. You and yours fell in love before you knew who she was Kuja, and Airlia was a knight originally. Both were free to marry respectively whom they wished. A princess… It's just not in the cards for me. So long as she's happy… that's all that matters."

Kuja smacked the boy upside the head. "Do you think Garnet cares about that? Do you think the Queen does? You saved her daughter's life! By all rights you should be with her. And the Queen knows that."

Ramsus nodded. "Yes, when a man saves a woman's life, it is in his right to court her no matter their station." He looked around. "At least that is what Alex says."

Zidane thought about it. Could it be possible? "You honestly think I have a chance?"

Kuja replied. "Yes, we do. You need to do something about it before she does and then embarrasses you because you were too slow."

Ramsus looked at Kuja and Kuja looked at Ramsus. "That aside," Kuja said. "There was another reason we asked you to be a groomsman. You were ill last night, do you know why?"

Zidane shook his head. "No, I don't know why… I just had a splitting headache and blacked out. And there was another reason you wanted me to be a groomsman?" He raised his eyebrow inquiringly.

Kuja nodded. "Ramsus fell ill last night too. When the level of the poison in my system got unstabilized… it nearly killed me…" It could still kill me but I'm not telling them that.

Zidane frowned, "What does this have to do with me?"

Ramsus looked at the boy. "The reason I fell ill was because my brother was ill and we are somewhat connected. I know when he is sick and he knows when I am."

Zidane raised an eyebrow in question until Ramsus sighed and showed his silvery tail. "You're our brother."

Kuja let a similar silvery tail appear from his robes. "You're the one I left on this planet, the one I could save from Garland."

Zidane blinked as the words and the tails sunk in. "Wow! I have brothers?! I… I… I'm sorry…" He didn't know what to say… he had hated both of his brothers… the turmoil it must have caused them.

Ramsus shrugged. "What's done is done. We earned your hatred. Your anger. Do not apologize for your emotions. I'm slowly starting to realize that they are what give us life."

Zidane nodded, "But still… Damn that old man for doing this to my brothers. Thank you though… I know now… I'm not alone. Still it's just about time for the wedding, we should take our places and wait for our ladies so we can begin the wedding between you and Airlia."