Chapter Three

"Darling, please, just do a small spin… for me?" Lady Hilda puckered her red lips out as she cradled her tea cup close. She was seated on the plush brocade couch in the royal chambers of Queen Garnet. An evening sun was beginning to bleed through the open windows. Beside her, young Eiko, freshly seven years old, sat and tried to mimic the posture of her adoptive mother. Eiko's startling purple hair had been allowed to grow out and Lady Hilda always had it dutifully braided into a thick plait that followed the curvature of her round head. Short teased bangs were allowed to frame her bright face and her braid was poised to rest on her wiry shoulders. She did her best to straighten her back, but she still wasn't used to the constricting and somewhat itchy affair of nice satin dresses with several useless ribbons. Some days, Eiko genuinely missed her rompers and overalls, but Lady Hilda insisted it was unbecoming of a young girl being groomed to lead a great nation. Across the sitting area from the Fabool matriarch and daughter, stood a rather displeased queen. Garnet's dark onyx hair had been pulled up into a bun atop her head, like an obsidian mountain rising from her unhappy face. She was dressed in a dark blue satin dress with black lace cuffs and collars. The bodice stuck tightly to her thin torso and flared past her hips. Garnet felt like nothing short of a hot air balloon.

"I don't like the color," Garnet said, glancing down and grimacing at the ludicrous fashion. "It's no better than the last one, Aunt Hilda."

"But, darling," Hilda was quick to set her tea cup down and jump to her feet. Her pumps were muted against the thick carpets that ran across Garnet's chambers. She came towards her niece, wrapping her arms around her stiff shoulders. "This is high fashion! Every woman will be wearing Charlton and Co or will be busy envying the women who had the means to obtain one. I fought tooth and nail with a noble woman to walk out with these dresses! So you don't like this blue? Try on the green one. It has lacy sleeves, which I just know you would adore!" Hilda didn't even wait to turn Garnet around, pulling the zipper down her back. "Just think, sweetheart: you're wearing one of these fabulous dresses and a beautiful suitor emerges from the crowd to dance with you!" Hilda gushed as Garnet pulled the sleeves down to reveal the thin slip beneath. "You two will spin about the dance floor, beneath a magnificent sky of stars, and your full skirt will make it look as if you're both simply floating!"

Garnet shimmied from the dress and Hilda caught it as she stepped out. The satin slip hanging from Garnet's body shimmered in the orange and pink lights that now painted the room. She hugged herself, looking towards her aunt. "That's not quite how I envisioned the night progressing…"

"Darling…" Hilda shook her head, holding the crumpled dress to her chest. "You do recognize what you're doing to yourself is not healthy, right?"

Garnet seated herself at her vanity, adjusting the weight of all her hair atop her head. "I've not even been Queen for a year yet… it's too soon to just marry myself off. For the time being, I do not wish to be married."

"Well, of course, you're just fine as Queen on your own," Hilda said, dutifully laying the blue dress down and lifting the green one up. "But just picture a dashing king to sit beside you for portraits and hold your delicate little hand! The company will be good for you. You don't have to love him, darling."

Garnet stared at her reflection, pursing her lips. Her bold brows furrowed together. "Do you love Uncle Cid? Truly?"

Hilda clucked her tongue as she picked imaginary lint from the freshly pressed dress. "Of course I do, sweetheart. He's a gentleman… well, a reformed gentleman, more or less. It took some work, but I have him where I want him."

Garnet swiveled on her velvet stool. "Did you love him when you married him, though?"

"Oh, darling, you're getting muddled in the weeds," Hilda said as she presented the next dress forward. "I understand, sweetheart, it's all with due time." She lowered the dress to peer at her young niece, whose dark eyes were quite serious. "I truly understand where you're coming from, dear Garnet. If you loved Zidane even a quarter as much as Eiko did, I understand, sweetheart."

"Mother," Eiko protested. It still felt rather foreign to say. "Zidane and Dagger were meant to be together!"

"Yes, dear, I know," Hilda nodded. "But we can't always have what we want, right? Don't you remember my lessons in modesty?" Hilda thrust the dress towards Garnet. "One more, please, dear. For me? I cannot sit idly by and allow you to wear the same dress for your seventeenth birthday. It goes against all the fibers in my being! I only want you to be happy, darling, don't you know that?"

Garnet lowered her eyes, falling lost in her mind for a moment. How dearly she wished she could choose happiness. If only it was easy as Lady Hilda proclaimed it to be. Garnet felt unnerved by the idea of her own birthday celebration. Zidane had showed up, unannounced, only a year ago. For months following the ordeal, she had struggled to understand why. But now, she knew it had been destiny. They had been meant to meet that fateful night. In many ways, it felt as Garnet's entire life had been turned upside down. But she wouldn't change a thing about it.

Garnet stood in the next moment, the stool creaking beneath her. With the fading sherbet of evening lights coming over her smooth and clear olive skin, she approached the window, gripping the sill tightly. The growing and prospering Alexandria was beginning to glow with the coming twilight. Scaffolding peaked between the tight knit buildings and Garnet could clearly spy the stacks of wood and stone that awaited their day of construction. In some ways, it felt as if the past eleven months simply dragged on, grim and bleak. But some days, it felt as if it just flew past her. Soon, it would mark an entire year from when first met Zidane. A painful knot constricted in her belly at the time. How could it be so short of a time? Garnet felt as if she'd known him her entire life.

"Do you think…" Garnet said slowly, still looking over her kingdom. "… there's a chance Zidane may return?"

From behind, Lady Hilda looked to Eiko pointedly, as if to remind her of her manners. Eiko folded her hands together, tilting her head. Eiko, in the deepest fathoms of her heart, did not want to believe Zidane may have perished. The young girl thought the world of Zidane and could imagine no scenario where the impish blond boy would be trumped. But as time waned on and other life events came into factor, it began to dawn on the seven year old that he possibly had met his fate, just as her grandfather, her entire family, all of her people, had. It was difficult understanding the full concept of life and death. Even after all she had faced and learned and discovered, the true concept still alluded the child. Her heart hurt for Garnet, as it hurt in her own chest.

"We'll never stop thinking about him, darling," Lady Hilda replied, hugging the sheening dress to her chest. "Zidane was an excellent man, no doubt. He's helped everyone tremendously. But I do not like the way you are treating yourself, Garnet. You are not responsible for what happened to that boy. You can love him forever, but that will not change facts, darling."

Eiko climbed down from the couch, taking a moment to arrange the annoying petticoat beneath her skirt. "Dagger, we'll never stop holding out hope… no matter how much time has passed. But Mother is right. Zidane wouldn't want you to punish yourself like this."

Garnet watched the sinking sunset for a moment before turning back towards the Ladies of Lindblum. "I will try the dress for you, Aunt Hilda," Garnet said, reaching for the glimmering fabric. Hilda was eager to pass it along. "The olive green is a nice color…"

"Oh, it will compliment those little doe eyes and red cheeks very well," Lady Hilda declared, running her hand along Garnet's smooth jaw.

…

The day of Garnet's evening birthday gala had arrived. It had become one of the most important things among all staff at the Alexandrian Castle. Everything had to be perfect. And that was Beatrix's definition of perfect, at that. The soldiers were already about securing the perimeter and ordering stops to visitors for the time being. No one was allowed across the river until six-thirty that evening. The maids had been on their knees since dawn, scrubbing baseboards, nooks and crannies- some had even decided to scrub the gray brick of the castle garden. Green and gold satin banners were being delicately pinned to balustrades and draped over hedges. Technicians worked diligently to prepare the landing space for Tantalus' airship. The kitchen staff, headed by Quina, had mostly been up all night, painstakingly carving butter to reflect delicate roses, and piping warm chocolate to form beautiful doves and geese. The birthday cake had only been two tiers high the night before. It now towered to nearly six tiers of moist lemon cake, Garnet's favorite. The Castle of Alexandria was abuzz with energy and dedication that morning.

However, the General of Alexandria didn't even feel like rising from bed. Her headaches had only grown worse. Sometimes, it was awful just standing up. She was convinced it was just onset by her frustrating conflictions of grief and shame and guilt. Every night she dreamed of Zidane and she hated it. She could still hear his voice and see that boyish smile. For someone who didn't take himself seriously, he was quite the force to reckon with. Beatrix only felt horrible when she thought or dreamed of Zidane. He was so young and like Steiner had said, so full of promise. How could they lose him? Nobody left behind, Beatrix wanted to tell herself, but it was too late. She had broken the cardinal sin as a commander of people in action: she had carelessly let one of her people fall adrift. Where are you? Beatrix would nearly plead him in her dreams. Just tell me where I can find you! Though it would shatter everyone to their core to find Zidane's body, Beatrix was convinced it was better than living in this world of not knowing. She had failed, she kept telling herself, digging her face into the pillow. She had let everyone down. There was more she could do, Beatrix was certain. She had dropped the ball and now she had to live with this failure on her shoulders. Queen Garnet must have been ashamed to have a General such as her.

The gas lamp on her bedside table flicked on and Beatrix cringed against the sudden intrusion, draping her arm across her pounding forehead. She spied Steiner standing beside the bed, his arms crossed over his chest. "Looks like you didn't learn your lesson when you had the flu," Steiner clucked, drawing the blankets back on Beatrix's body. "We're just going to have to do it the hard way, aren't we, Beatrix?" He brought his arms down to scoop her from beneath, but Beatrix wriggled.

"No! I refuse to go to the doctor. I only have a headache, let me rest," Beatrix protested, digging herself further into the bed.

"Beatrix, you're sick!" Steiner said, reaching for her arm. She was quick to evade, however. "You're not feeling well! We should take you to the doctor to make sure you didn't come back with something! Maybe some sort of desert fever?!"

"That doesn't even exist," Beatrix pressed her face into the pillow. "Just a few hours rest, I swear. And then I'll get to work helping for the gala. I'll be well for the event this evening."

"You're not invincible," Steiner was nearly pleading as he climbed onto the side of the bed, pressing his hand to her thigh. "It's not normal to feel this ill so long after a return from a journey."

"Look, I appreciate the concern," Beatrix reached up, grazing his jawline. "You're very tender and loving, Steiner. But I don't need to take up a hospital bed for such an asinine condition."

"You're the General, though!"

"Just a few hours rest, that's all," Beatrix told him sternly, curling up beneath the covers and closing her eyes.

The Captain pursed his lips and sighed. He then stood from the bed and flicked the gas lamp off, encasing the bedroom in darkness.

…

The sound of bells awoke Beatrix hours later. Her eyes flew open at the revelation of their tone and beat. They were the announcement of an airship arrival. The General cursed under her breath as she sluggishly brought herself from bed, realizing it had waned far into the afternoon. Tantalus must have been arriving. Hurriedly, she stumbled from bed despite her headache not easing. She clumsily staggered into her pants and laced her boots, barely taking the time to tie the ribbon across the bust of her tunic. She took only a few seconds to comb and fluff her hair, messily applying rouge to her cheeks to make herself look as healthy as possible. Beatrix attached her sword to her hip and quickly left her quarters.

Over the tall green hedges of the garden, Beatrix spotted the new and improved Vista Cruiser sailing through the sky. It only confirmed to Beatrix it was after three o'clock which meant she was behind on everything. She had to check the cake. And the appetizers. She needed to make sure the mead and cocktails were chilling. Had all the foyer rugs been washed and dusted? And did the gardeners remember to pluck the weeds surrounding the Royal Family's burial site? The General ground her teeth together as she took off in a hurry. She was already so far behind on what she believed to be the most important day of the year. Nothing could be wrong for Garnet's seventeenth birthday. After everything she had gone through, the Queen deserved a perfect gala beneath the stars.

When Beatrix came through the tall arching chestnut doors of the Castle's foyer, she nearly ran straight into the back of Steiner. The Captain was holding his hands up, pitching directions at a group of maids who furiously stumbled back and forth with the long running carpet. "Further back… a little to the right… no, my right. Right there, that's perfect," Steiner waved his hands in dismissal and arched his eyebrows when a flash of brown caught his eyes. "Beatrix, you're finally up. How are you feeling?"

"Much better," The General lied. Her stomach was still constricted and twisted in guilt and shame, however. "What else needs to be done? Have the statues-"

"The maids took toothbrushes to all of them," Steiner nodded.

"And the garden-"

"Is groomed to perfection."

"The food, has it-"

"Been chilled? Yes. The cake looks great, by the way."

Beatrix let out a sigh and glanced around the large foyer that glistened and sparkled. It felt somewhat lively with the satin streamers tied to the marble balustrades. Flag lines draped from the high rafters. For a moment, Beatrix could believe that it hadn't been an entire year that had passed. Everything seemed just normal enough, she could have sworn nothing had actually happened. But how she felt inside could not deceive her from the time that had elapsed. Beatrix felt completely out of sorts, as if this wasn't even her body. The awful feeling she had endured since asking to call the search off made her believe she couldn't remember how to function normally or make her body do what she wanted. She felt utterly powerless and that frightened her. From above, the loud bass of the bells rang out again.

"Tantalus must be losing altitude," Beatrix turned for the door. "I shall go greet them and then meet with the maid's team that is dressing and grooming Her Majesty." A chilly gust of spring air came over her and she shivered, looking over her shoulder at Steiner. "Thank you for picking up my slack. It is greatly appreciated." She didn't wait a moment more for Steiner to speak, however. She only could suspect he would still protest her dismay and awkwardness. But Beatrix had no time to confront such frivolous things. She had failed, but now she wanted to succeed. For the rest of her life, she couldn't let anyone down. Her shoes clapped to the sullen gray brick path beneath her as she traveled to the western portion of the garden. The dying drone of airship engines reached her ears and her hair was lifted by the forceful breezes the airship still made. She was greeted by a scene of soldiers and technicians darting everywhere, securing the ship, tying ropes, and inspecting the landing area. Soldiers scurried to place a board to the side of the ship and only a moment passed before the familiar people of Tantalus came pouring down the side. Baku, Cinna, and Marcus crossed towards Beatrix, but one more figure caught her attention and Beatrix lifted her eyes over the top of Baku's worn leather cap. The tall, round man looked over his shoulder.

"Ah, yeah… we got 'im to come after all. It was a fight, but we're all here," Baku said. "We're just gonna need a light and sound check."

"Yes, Bonnan will be in charge of that this evening," Beatrix nodded. "It's good to see all of you. Thank you for being here this evening."

Blank was slow to join the side of the band and he didn't even look to Beatrix. Blank gawked his head to look at the familiar performing area, his eyes resting on the balcony where, in just a few hours, Queen Garnet would be sitting. The decorations surrounding him of rich green and gold banners, festive party flags, and bursting bouquets of white daisies and lily-of-the-valley's did not seem to delight him in the least. He was oozing with bitter hurt.

"Wouldn't dream of missin' it," Marcus said. "How's the Birthday Girl?"

"Oh, you know," Beatrix tilted her head. "Jittery."

"Well, we've been practicin' a lot," Cinna told her, gesturing widely. "I hope we can give Dagger the best play we've ever done."

"It's gonna be our first show in a while," Baku shuffled his feet. "And this is the first show we won't be swipin' anything from under your noses. Unless there's cheese. Is there gonna be cheese?"

"Plenty, take as much as you'd like," Beatrix grinned politely.

"Where's Dagger?" Blank asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"She's getting ready in her chambers," Beatrix replied. "That's actually where I'm heading to next. She'll speak with all of you this evening. I'm certain Your Majesty is excited to see you."

"Hey, while we set up, do you think you could get a servant to bring us a tray of cheese?" Baku guffawed ruggedly. "I didn't ask when we were negotiatin' the whole thing, but if there's cheese, I don't think the nobles'll mind we swiped one for ourselves."

Beatrix smiled. "Sure, I'll have one sent."

…

From high above, Garnet stood at her window, gazing down at the scene of the arriving Tantalus. Baku's laugh reached her ears and for a faint moment, it made her smile. Her damp hair fell against the nape of her neck. She turned away from watching Beatrix greet the band and hugged her silk white robe close to her slender body. It would be Garnet's first time seeing Blank since she agreed to drop the search. Cinna and Baku wrote often, but she had not heard from the youngest Tantalus member nor did the crew reasonably answer her concerns about him. She hoped Blank knew that she felt exactly as he did. Garnet had spent many restless nights thinking about Zidane. Every waking moment, any delay in concentration, she only thought of him. Blank was right: people don't just disappear. But what more could she do? He really had vanished.

"Dagger, come have some tea!" Eiko said from the couch, noisily clattering her tea cup and saucer together. Lady Hilda had already had Eiko dressed and groomed. The matriarch was getting done in her chambers at the moment. Regent Cid would be arriving soon. Eiko's hair had been done up in an elaborate do. Her silky purple locks had been coiled to resemble roses and pearly hair clips adorned her head. She had been dressed in a yellow satin dress with long bell sleeves and purple embroideries that spanned across the chest and over her shoulders. "It'll calm you down. Are you nervous?" Garnet was still for a moment before she chose to sit with Eiko.

"I never did like being the center of attention," Garnet said, her eyes cast down as she poured her tea. "Somehow, though, I always find a way to become it."

"Everyone just wants to make sure your happy," Eiko shook her head, but stopped when she remembered her styled hair. "You are the queen, after all."

"Well, I certainly don't feel like," Garnet sat back in the love seat, looking at the newfound princess.

"Dagger, cheer up!" Eiko puffed her lower lip out. "You know, it won't be considered blasphemous to allow yourself to be happy for one evening. Zidane would want you to be happy, anyway. At least, that's what I tell myself."

"You're right," Garnet tenderly blew the steam away from her tea. "He always just wanted what was best for us…"

Eiko was quiet for a moment, glancing towards Garnet's poster bed where several dresses were laid out. "Let's have some real girl talk, Dagger. Princess to Princess. We shouldn't spend the afternoon before your party having a wake for Zidane. We should celebrate you, for being the best you you can be." Eiko set her tea down, tugging on her Garnet's hand. "C'mon, let's look at your dress options one last time. Without Mother hovering over your every move, you can make a last minute change."

"Oh, I don't know," Garnet placed her tea on the rich mahogany table and followed Eiko to inspect the garments Lady Hilda had dutifully laid out. "Auntie Hilda will be very upset if I don't wear the green one like I promised." Garnet lifted the dress and watched it glimmer in the afternoon light. "Do I really want to have her upset the entire gala?"

"It's not her birthday," Eiko put her hands on her hips. Despite a year of proper classes and several lessons, Garnet was convinced Lady Hilda would never chase the sass completely out of the young fireball. "She can do whatever she wants for her party. Do you really like the green one?"

"Well, the color is nice," Dagger said as she laid the dress back down, turning her attention to the black one with a high collar. "This dress has a nice flow to it, though."

"The silver one with the sweetheart neckline made you look very dainty and slender," Eiko pointed across the bed.

"Oh, but the lace on the cuffs is terribly itchy."

"Getting picky now, I like it," Eiko grinned. "You keep looking. I'm gonna see what jewelry I can find to accent the dresses!"

Garnet welcomed the task. It gave her a semblance of normality that she didn't realize she desperately needed. For only being seven years old, Eiko seemed to be managing quite well. Garnet was nearly envious, but she hoped with due time, she could come to accept things for what they were. For the moment, she devoted herself to inspecting all of the dresses again. The green one was a modest and safe choice, she decided. The black one was far too moody. The silver one, while elegant, would not be comfortable. The yellow dress, however, felt childish and overly bright to her. The blue one wasn't a favored shade of blue, it looked rather murky to the Queen. That only left a powder pink dress with dark lace. Garnet sighed, shaking her head. That dress was much too rosy for her. Lady Hilda claimed they were the top notch. While the quality certainly was, Garnet found it hard to believe women were playing tug of war over such lackluster designs.

"Dagger, I think you should wear this one." The Queen turned, watching as Eiko emerged from the large walk-in closet. She was beaming as she held up the white cotton dress with twisting ivy's. In Eiko's hands, she clutched the delicate arm coverings. Eiko crossed towards her friend, extending the dress outward. "If it'll make you happy, that is."

Garnet was slow to take the fabric into her hands. It nearly burned her with an intensity of flooding memories. She remembered when her mother had it made for her. That was the last thing they did together before things began to go awry. In her hurry to get help, Garnet had nearly fled the castle wearing it, but decided last minute to change into something more forgiving. She held it up against the bright light of the sun, admiring it. It felt right beneath her palms.

"Let's put these dresses back in Aunt Hilda's trunk," Garnet lowered the dress. "Quickly, before Beatrix and the maids arrive."

…

The audience hooted as Benero and Zenero rushed off the stage from a fierce looking Blank and arm flailing Cinna. A hush came over the crowd as they now zeroed in on the scene of Marcus and King Leo. To the side, a melodramatic Ruby did her best to display distress as she watched the scene develop. From above, Garnet sat in the stiff throne, gazing down at the stage pooled in light. She was poised delicately with her shoulders drawn back, sitting straight as an arrow, with her hands settled into her lap. Just behind her, Beatrix and Steiner stood at attention.

Baku turned towards Ruby, lifting his arm out in gesture. For such a large stocky man, he had mastered the art of eloquence. "Pray, sweet daughter, come home to the castle with me."

Ruby brought her hands out from her side. "Nay, Father! I shan't return!"

Baku shook his head, pacing towards her. "Cornelia… trouble me no more. This wedding is for thine own welfare. Be mindful of that."

Marcus stepped forward, brandishing his sword. His face was painted in frustration. "Not if I can help it!" Marcus' strong voice sailed across the audience and many of the viewers clutched their pearls and husband's arms as the tensity in the scene grew. "Now is my moment of vengeance! For my parents, and for my love, Cornelia… I shall cut thee down!" Marcus reared his sword back widely, driving it straight forward. In the next moment, however, Ruby dove in front of the bracing Baku, sending the sword between her arm. Ruby let out a loud cry and forced mangled breaths before collapsing across the floor. The audience screamed, jolted, and cried out. Garnet's hands tightened in her lap, remembering distinctly her moments on that stage.

"No! Cornelia!" Marcus' hands visibly shook as he collapsed beside her, cradling her head in his arms. Audience members began to openly weep.

"Mar…cus… forgive me," Ruby sputtered out. "I still love my father…" From the balcony, Garnet mouthed every word to herself.

"Cornelia!" Baku bellowed, unsteadying himself for a moment.

Ruby cocked her head towards the ailing Baku. "Prithee, forgive my selfishness, Father, and spare my sweet Marcus…"

Marcus staggered to his feet, looking towards his red hands from the snipped dye packet in Ruby's lacing. "What have I done?!" He cried out towards the audience. Handkerchiefs now flailed through the crowd. "Am I never to hear her loving voice again!? Am I cursed never again to feel her soft touch?! O, cruel fate! Thou hast robbed me of all I treasure!" Marcus then howled upwards in a frustrated rage and in the same swoop brandished a dagger from his vest. Marcus hurled it through his chest and the audience gasped sharply as he fell to his knees and crumbled across the floor, only a few feet away from the now motionless Ruby.

The performing arena became very quiet in that moment as a solemn Baku looked over the bodies. He was slow to ease himself down, seating himself beside Ruby. Cautiously, he toyed with her hair and gazed outward, as Marcus had done once before. The light of the eastern sun glowed softly in the background now as it faded into dawn. Baku then crumpled forward, resting his head to Ruby's bloodied torso. On the edge of the light, Blank as Schneider stood passively to the side, watching the scene unfurl in an almost catatonic state. Many in the audience would chalk it up to director's choice. The light closed on the stage and audience went into an uproar of whistles, hoots, and thunderous applause. Their chairs scraped as they came to their feet, jumping up and down, their cheeks rosy and their eyes wet. Garnet stood, coming to the edge of the balcony and clapping.

Tantalus had done a magnificent job. Though there had been small snippets changed to flesh out a large act with such a little crew, it came across to Garnet had genuine and probably one of her most favored renditions of the beloved classic. She certainly missed Zidane's overpowering presence on the stage and though Cinna was quite deft, he hadn't executed the sword fight with Blank as seamlessly. Altogether, however, it exceeded Garnet's expectations. The lights came up on the stage again, revealing the cast lined up shoulder to shoulder. Tantalus bowed and waved their hands in thanks.

"A very happy birthday to Your Majesty, Queen Garnet!" Baku shouted over all the noise. Garnet blew them a kiss. From the edge of the line-up, however, Blank's face was hard as stone.

…

The party kicked off mere moments of Tantalus' departure from the stage. Everyone gravitated from their seats, funneling themselves towards the courtyard on the water front. Women flocked together in hoards, fighting over mirrors to fix their make up. The sound of drums began to echo across the garden, followed by bag pipes, flutes, and lutes. The audience then howled with delight upon finding a spacious dancer floor and tables of decadent foods. Grilled mackerel on beds of greens. Bowls of cherry tomatoes soaked in olive oil. Ramekins of little chocolates, trays of several different types of cheese. There were cherry tarts, blueberry tarts, and cream cheese filled puff pastries. It was all fit for a decadent court. Champagne fizzled, along with mimosas and tall steins of mead from the local brew master. It wasn't long before the people of Alexandria began making a ruckus of fun, momentarily forgetting it was all for Queen Garnet's birthday. Garnet had many people to speak with upon first arriving to the courtyard. Lady Hilda was the first, who made a steaming beeline through the crowd, a mimosa already in hand. Her face seemed pinched in frustration, but upon seeing the coming wave of people towards the Queen, Hilda straightened her face out and grinned. She wrapped her arm around Garnet's shoulders, directing her towards the refreshment table.

"What happened to all the dresses I left in your chambers?" Hilda asked with a smile despite her tense tone.

"I thought I would be more comfortable in this," Garnet said, reaching for a bubbly glass of champagne.

"Darling, the words comfortable and fashion never go hand in hand," Hilda sighed, glancing towards the crowds of people. "Never mind that, you look dashing, darling. There is someone I would like you to meet."

"Who might that be?" Garnet paused, knitting her eyebrows together.

"Oh, come on, it's a party, don't be shy!" Lady Hilda laughed, placing her hand to Garnet's back and directing her into the scene. "They truly are good friends of mine. Why, I went to Finishing School with her and her family means the world to me. They've been so great with Lady Eiko, too, they're a true delight and I'd like you too meet them." Lady Hilda swiveled her head around the congested courtyard, peering through the bodies of men in chugging contests and ladies daintily eating their fish. "Yoo-hoo! Shari, darling! Over here!" Lady Hilda fluttered her hand through the air.

It only took a moment for three people to emerge from the crowd. Shari was not a very tall woman, but wore a tall hat with a delicate shroud of lace falling towards her shoulders. She had brown hair, pleated into a braid to the small of her back. Her cheeks were plump and red and she was bathed in white and gold muslins that clung to her curvy body. Beside her was who Garnet assumed was her husband. He was an older gentleman with wrinkles that distinguished him. His salt and pepper hair had been combed back neatly, his beard uniform along his strong jaw. And next to him, Garnet looked at Shari's son. He was tall with broad shoulders and thick wavy brown hair he kept disheveled atop his head. His dark eyebrows were bold, set over surprisingly olive green eyes. He grinned at Garnet.

"Garnet, darling, this is my dear old friend, Shari, her husband, Briggand, and their son, Liam," Lady Hilda leaned in close to Garnet. "Liam is only two years your senior."

The Queen looked to her aunt in exasperation before smiling politely at the family. "So wonderful to meet you. And thank you for being here tonight. I'm glad my Aunt Hilda has friends such as you."

"Well," Hilda grinned, looking between everyone. "Since the party's just started, Liam why don't you kick the festivities off and treat the Queen here to a proper dance!"

"What are you doing?" Garnet whispered.

"Oh, you can thank me tomorrow morning, dear," Hilda pat her cheek delicately.

Liam smiled and his teeth were quite pearly in the milky moonlight. He offered his hand forward. Garnet stared at it hesitantly and pursed her lips. She felt as if she didn't really have a choice, so she reached forward and took his hand. It felt so… different. Zidane's hands had always been calloused. It wasn't an unpleasant sensation for him to touch her, however. She rather liked the roughness of his hands. It made him so real, so imperfect… so human. But Liam's hand was smooth, devoid of any blemishes or proof of hard work. When they took foot to the dance floor, people cleared a path for them, hooting and hollering as their dance partners continued to swing them about. Liam pressed his hand to the small of Garnet's back, pulling her in close to him.

"It's nice to formally meet you, Your Majesty," Liam said as they fell into beat with the music. "Lady Hilda has told us much about you. You know, my father has been on the regent's elite council for decades. They go very far back."

"That's nice," Garnet replied politely. "Regent Cid could use all the help he can get."

"I'm part of the Lindblum Castle's airship crew. It's amazing the technological innovations the regent is able to imagine. It's hard for me to even picture it as I'm assembling it. But the moment the gears start working, it all makes sense."

"Wow, I bet that's quite exciting work," Garnet smiled. "I've always been very fascinated by the world of airships."

"Oh, you're in for a treat!" Liam laughed. "My father says I'm a windbag when you get me going on airships."

"Excuse me, mind if I cut in?"

The duo abruptly stopped moving and looked to the man beside them. It was Blank, still in costume, his face powdered for the stage lights. "And you are?" Liam cocked an eyebrow up.

"This is my friend, Blank," Garnet said, reaching out to touch his arm. "He just played Prince Schneider in the performance. Do you mind, Liam?"

The young man tilted his lips back and forth, but this time he was the one without a choice. He nodded to Blank and saw himself away from the scene. Blank, however, was not interested in dancing. Instead, he gestured for Garnet to follow him. Together, they left the bustling dance floor and migrated through the throngs of people helping themselves to the food. They walked beyond the light of the party, descending into the dark and quiet garden. He stopped abruptly with his back to Garnet. The Queen ran her hands along the vibrant hedges.

"Blank, I'm glad you sought me out," Garnet said quietly over the chirping cicadas. "I've been wanting to talk to you. But first I'd like to tell you well done for your performance this evening. It meant the world to me that you came."

"Yeah, well, the band was gonna drag me here kicking and screaming, anyway," Blank now turned towards her. "I wanted to make a request."

"I'm listening," Garnet nodded.

"Put the searches back on."

"Blank, I…"

"If it's Beatrix you're worried about, I'll head the search. Beatrix can stay here and do what she needs to. If it's the strain of taxes, you don't even have to pay me, I'll go alone," Blank pressed his hand to his chest. "All I want from you is an airship and some supplies. Please, Dagger, call the searches back on."

"You know more than anything I want to find him, too, Blank," Garnet's heart thundered in her chest. "And I am willing to consider your request-"

"What's happened to you?" Blank shook his head. "A year ago, you were willing to break all the rules. This is Zidane we're talking about. Why are we even hesitating?"

"Well, you certainly cannot go alone," Garnet shook her head and the sterling charms of her headpiece jingled. "That's out of the question. Give me some time, Blank. If you want resources, I need the courtesy of a few days. As Queen, I have rightful paths I must take. I cannot go around giving our airship and supplies out on my own accord. There are channels." Garnet watched the still man for a moment. "Stay here in Alexandria. I can offer you a room here at the castle."

"Just tell me when it's time for something to be done," Blank said, walking away. He paused, however. "And just remember, Dagger: every moment counts when someone's missing."

Blank left after that, leaving Garnet alone in the dark garden. Distantly, the glowing of torches emanated over the bushes and the howls, hoots, and band continued on with no signs of slowing. Garnet sighed, seating herself on the marble ledge. Her heart hammered in her chest. Could she let this happen? It was dangerous on the Outer Continent. Garnet worried Blank was not prepared and didn't understand the true essence of what the landscape offered. There were large beasts out there. It was excruciatingly hot and there were long stretches of barrenness, reminding her of how absolutely alone she was in the entire world. Did she once again want to cling to hope? Did she really want to give another go? Her heart was so swollen with hurt. How could Blank want to keep prodding it? She understood, though. She hoped he realized that. Zidane being gone was simply unacceptable in her mind. But what could more could they do than scour the lands and cry in the nighttime? Garnet knew in her heart it's what she wanted to do, but the anguish the plagued her wanted to try healing instead of digging into the wound.

Garnet sighed, burying her face into her hands.