"Where have ye been King Figaro and Sir Sabin," Cyan politely asked Edgar and his twin brother Sabin. The brothers were in worker clothing with their long blonde hair tied in a bun while Cyan was still in his samurai armor. The three were in the hallway near the throne room.
"Oh, we were finishing on the new South Figaro Public Beach," answered Sabin.
"Its a way to raise more money for country," Egdar added, "and to look for gorgeous women," Edgar dreamed of how many beautiful ladies he would see while Sabin thought about the potential economic benefits.
"Ludicrous idea!" complained Cyan,. His face reddened due to thinking that it would not work, "It's a waste of wealth and fortune if ye don't do anything spectacular." Sabin and Edagr exchanged looks.
"Don't worry, there would be many restuarant and other attractions," Edgar defended, "including swimming with the dolphins." Sabin left the hallway while his twin brother still explained. Cyan was getting more aware and concerned of the unorthodox proposal that the King made.
"Your Majesty, we have done the favor defeating Kefka, but now thou want to damage the environment?! That makes it more unwise," he argued. As Edgar and Cyan were disagreeing, Sabin was at outside, getting the map for the public beach. The desert air was scorching as usual but there was also a fairly strong breeze. As he was about to enter the door, he saw Locke standing on a bench; he had his elbows on his knees and his hands on his cheeks. Sabin noticed that Locke had a somewhat depressed grimace.
"Anything wrong Mr. Cole," asked Sabin. Locke looked ar Sabin and responded with a slow nod. "Is it related to the opening of the new beach?" Sabin asked again. Locke nodded again, but that time, it was a sigh.
"I planning on taking Celes to the beach," said Locke, "but I'm not sure about how would she react. She had been getting aloof and cold recently and I don't know why." Locke sighed for more and Sabin sat next to him.
"Don't worry, just try make it a positively memorable time. I had been taught that in my days as a monk," suggested Sabin. He got up and went inside. Locke was not only still sad but also worried and confused.
"But Celes wouldn't accept my marriage proposal," he mumbled. He pulled out a ring that was kept in a small chest. It was gold and heart shaped with shiny emeralds. Locke heard the door open and Cyan and Locke walked out.
"If this beach fails to meet thy goals, then it is thy fault!" Cyan warned before getting on his Chocobo and left. Edgar was more aware about the potential consequences of managing that beach. Moments later, he saw Locke in his same position and walked to him.
"You're planning on taking Celes to my beach?" Edgar asked. Locke looked at him in the eye.
"Of course, but I don't know how to get her to approve my marriage proposal," said Locke.
"Well, maybe you should act more flirty," Edgar advised, "beautiful women like Celes take more effort to please,".
"Edgar, I think that's just one of your philosophies about love," corrected Locke. Edgar began to walk away feeling awkward about what Locke had said.
"But think again, try to make her happy," said Edgar. He went back inside and Locke thought about what the Figaro twins had said. They had both suggested to make Celes happy but Locke was still unsure. Nevertheless, Locke decided to write an invite to he gave the letter to a pigeon and told it whom to look for. The pigeon flew away and Locke left the castle.
Celes was in a bar in Jidoor drinking several jugs of Cactuar milk. The milk had a mix of taste, ranging from sweet to sour. It was dimly lit and there were no other customers present, mainly due to the preparation of South Figaro Beach. Celes, who were in her casual clothes, was very moody as the bartender showed concern for her.
"Young lady, I think that's too much drink for you." he warned, "Besides, you're going to get broke fast." Celes didn't answer all. The bartender tried to pat her but she slapped him in the face. The one of the city's mail carrier walked in. He was startled by the current atmosphere of this place."
"Miss.. Chere... you got a letter from your friend, Locke," he said. Celes didn't answer him either.
"What the hell is wrong with that lady?" complained the bartender.
"It's.. been a year since Cid had died," she finally said. Tears started to flow from her bright blue eyes. "Witnessing his death had scarred my mind. Leave me alone while I think about that crap." The mailman set the envelope on the table and ran out of the almost empty bar. The bartender, though annoyed, looked at her in pity. He knew that he couldn't help Celes, as he never really knew her. He walked to the kitchen and Celes remained. It took a while for her to actually choose to open the letter. She read the letter which said:
Dear Celes,
It's been a year since your caretaker died, and I know that you have been very moody recently. I just want to tell that I still love you, especially in your beauty and your actions. My first girlfriend is no longer alive but overall, I am fine as I am. So don't get too upset about it
Anyway, I am asking you to please come to to grand opening of South Figaro Public Beach. If you go, it will be a wonderful event for us to go. I have a surprise that I will share to you!
Love,
Locke Cole
Celes went emotional and stared at the letter for more. She didn't feel like going but she didn't want to upset her boyfriend. The bartender picked up the letter and read it a couple times.
"So, are you going with him?" he asked.
"I guess I'll go," Celes said deeply. She got off her seat and left the bar. The people in Downtown Jidoor were scattered here as Celes looked for a store. Eventually she found one, which is called Ocean Breeze. She walked in and looked around. There were jewelry, sea shells, and the trending swimming clothes. Eventually, a shiny and fancy pearl had gotten her attention. It was a necklace made out diamond and emerald. "I hope that Locke likes it," she said. She grabbed the necklace and went to the clerk's counter. "How much does it cost?" Celes asked the clerk.
"It's worth a million gil." the clerk answered. Celes sighed and checked her purse. In the sea of invaluable coins were about a dozen shiny and golden coins worth a thousand gil each; she still couldn't afford it. She left the store, regretting about drinking too much Cactuar milk.
"I am still going to go," she said as she headed towards the buggy. She gave the driver some money, asking him to take her to Figaro. He accepted the offer and they left.
Locke had made it to South Figaro, where he would be renting a room. It is in the Desert Watcher Inn, the tallest and youngest hotel in the city. However, the room was short and contained just a bed, drawers, and a waste room. It also had a door which opened to the porch. The night sky gleamed there.
"A few thousand gil for a pleasantly room," Locke remarked, "But its fine for me." Hesat down at the bed and sighed. He stared at the ring for some more. The ring still had a lot of luster, shiny enough to likely impress Celes. Locke deeply wanted to marry her. Nevertheless, Locke was tired, so he got in the bed and slept.
"Locke, Celes will marry you," a feminine voice cried out. Locke heard this in his dream. He was in a beach with an indigo sky. Despite its ghostly tone, Locke recognized the voice; it was from his deceased girlfriend, Rachel.
"Rachel? Where are you?" he yelled. Rachel didn't show up as he turned around. Locke turned around and saw a tsunami about to fall over him. It salty waters crashed on the shore, washing him away. Locke quickly woke up, thinking about this dream. He took deep breaths and looked at the window; it was morning. outside. "I don't know what the hell had happened." he said. He took off his jacket and marched out.
Across Locke's inn was a small hotel, where Celes was staying. Her room was similar to Locke's but a little larger. Celes laying down in her bed, wearing the same clothes as yesterday. She thought about what to give to Locke, besides acceptance to Locke's invite.
"Maybe I'll find one during the trip." she said. She opened her drawer and picked up one of her green leotards and sandals. She changed her clothes and packed a towel and a canteen full of fresh water. She left her room, quietly and confidently. Her long and wavy blonde hair had covered her back instead of a white cape. As she walked out of the inn, she saw that most of the streets of South Figaro were empty. A bunch of buildings were closed for the opening of Figaro beach. Celes trekked though the city, eventually gate to South Figaro Beach. Many people gathered there to wait for King Edgar's opening speech. She couldn't find Locke but Edgar noticed her; he decided to just wait until the opening. Meanwhile, Sabin and Cyan were talking to each other, with Gau with them. They were wearing their usual attire despite the heat.
"So, today is the day." said Cyan, "I hope that thy beach will not fail."
"Hah! It won't!" Sabin chuckled with hope, "Many people are crowded for this event." Gau was starting to get hyper and impatient from waiting. He clenched and teeth and growled.
"Gau want beach! Gau gau gau! Arooooo!!!" he yelled. Cyan picked the child up and he stopped complaining. Cyan sighed because he would have to babysit him until Terra comes to Figaro, in several hours.
"Gau had been very excited for the beach. He cannot even control himself." he complained to Sabin, who laughed for some more.
It was now noon, when Edgar, who was wearing his royal clothes, would open his beach. He whispered what he would be saying and coughed. He took a deep breath and began speaking.
"Welcome my people! As your king, I am very glad to announce that the South Figaro Public Beach is now open." he told the people. His guards began to open the gate and many people slowly stampeded to the shore. Celes began to walk when Locke walked to her.
"Celes, you came!" he said. He had his ring in his backpack as she smiled.
"Why yes my love, I'm here." she said, "Why won't we have a good time there." They began to go inside the gate as Edgar waved at them; the couple waved back at him. Within minutes, most people were in the cool and salty ocean while Locke and Celes sat on the sand. They gazed at the sunny view of the sea.
"Celes, I'm have a surprise for you when the sun sets." told Locke. Celes didn't respond and Locke assumed that she was still thinking about Cid's death so he didn't bother her. Celes got up and started walking towards the shore. She sat by the shore and watched the waves reach the sand. There were sea shells that remained but they weren't worth a lot.
"I wish that I had a better apology for Locke." she whispered. Something glowing in the water had caught her eye. Celes held her breath and began reaching it. After multiple attempts, she finally grabbed it. It was a diamond conch shell, long as a Chocobo leg and wide as a human foot. It was also borderline heavy as it seemed to her. Celes was happy and decided to show it Locke. She started running as a small tsunami began following her. The others began to run for their lives. Unfortunately, the high waters grabbed her and she started screaming, which woke Locke from his nap.
"Myde golly! Celes is in trouble!" he yelled, "I gotta go rescue her before she drowns. Locke raced to the shore to see the ocean trying to suffocate her. He started to swim towards the tsunami and grabbed her by the arms. He quickly took her to the sand and lay her at their spot. Her eyes were closed shut and her breath had stopped. Locke compressed her chest many times, but she didn't recover as much. Locke sighed and gave her a rescue breath. Celes coughed a couple times and opened her eyes.
She saw Locke's face and said, "Thank... you... Locke."
"I thought that you might drown." said Locke, "I don't want you dead my love."
"I was going to give you something I found on the sea. As an apology for my cold be behavior lately."
"It's ok, Celes, don't let it hinder our passion and love." Locke spoke softly. They began to kiss for a while. When they were done, Celes insisted that they go somewhere to eat and Locke agreed. After what happened, Locke decided to not propose to his girlfriend that day.
"Maybe another day." he whispered, "Maybe another day."