FINAL FANTASY: INQUISITION
By Thomas Knapp
Act Two- Scene Two
"I sure hope you know what you are doing, Midas. This is NOT the way I wish to die." Creed muttered.
"I share your concerns." Midas acknowledged, "But how else are we going to get into Moros?"
"Hey… watch it, Midas! You're crushing my spleen!" Borz warned.
"Sorry…" The Red Mage apologized, "I know this wasn't one of my most inspired ideas…"
"You could have thrown Tamara and Yura in one crate instead of splitting them up. This box is NOT big enough for four people." Creed hissed, "Or should I say three and a half people?"
Borz shouted indignantly, and squirmed to attack the monk, elbowing Midas in the side of the head in the process. Midas began to respond to Creed, but decided that it would simply take too long to explain the reasons why he desired to keep the two ladies apart.
Creed smirked knowingly, then replied, "Don't worry about explaining yourself. I don't doubt those two would kill each other. Both of them have seemed to take quite a liking to you. Although isn't Tamara a little old for you, young man?"
"Tamara is only 5 years older than Midas, and I myself have joined two people with MUCH greater age DIFFERENCES…" Fredros commented, the last word coming out in a gasp. Borz had planted his boot in one of the holy man's more… unholy areas, still trying to squirm around Midas to get at Creed.
Although Fredros's statement did settle the Black Mage, it was only so Borz could reply, "Nah… Yura's the better choice. Tamara's too much like Midas."
Midas then leaned back, pinning Borz between Midas's back and the side of the crate. "Midas… Midas… I can't… BREATHE!" Borz pleaded.
The Red Mage spoke, but it was in a soft, commanding voice that also seemed to carry a subtle threat. "Okay, first of all, stop talking like I'm not even here. That sort of gossip can be saved for when I can't hear it. Second of all, Tamara is merely reacting to Yura's jealousy act, not in any interest towards myself. THIRDLY, Yura is enough to drive me insane. I am not interested in either of them, nor would you have any business in it if I was."
That statement was enough to silence any further conversation until they could feel the cart they were in hit what had to have been the main brick roadway leading into Moros.
"Do you think that Harmon can pull this off?" Fredros queried of Midas.
"He's going to have to." Midas answered, "He's the only one of us that isn't easily recognizable as an Outlaw. Besides, I have Trigger floating around out there just in case things turn ugly."
Outside the cart…
Harmon drew the chocobos to a hold just before the security checkpoint. Two armored guards in yellow tunics stepped to each side of the driver's bench, and asked, "Who are you, and what are you bringing in?" One of them, judging from his rank pins to be the supervisor, asked.
"I am Harmon, scholar from Artica University of Science, and I have come to demonstrate some of my recent findings with the King of Moros."
The supervisor nodded, then his face brightened with recognition, "Right… I knew you looked familiar! My daughter is studying animal behavior at the intermediate school here. I swear that she has every book you have ever written."
"Well… I am flattered to hear that."
At that moment, the guard to the other side demanded, "We'll need you to open up the back of your cart, sir."
"It's just a precautionary measure, Professor." The captain assured, "The Kingdom of Cairos has rebelled against the Rationalist ideals, and it is very likely that they'll be heading this way."
Harmon replied genially, "I understand fully, Captain." Harmon stepped off the bench, and dropped to the ground, working his way around to the back of the cart where he pulled the leather flap up, and dropped the wooden gate, allowing entrance for the guards.
The pair of armored soldiers climbed into the back of the cart, and began to explore the cargo area. It was mostly empty save several wooden crates in the corners, and a series of long scrolled up poster displays tied down in bundles in a row along the side of the cart.
"What's in the boxes?" The underling demanded.
Harmon panicked… his mind went blank, as it did all too often. "Um… I don't remember…" he replied sheepishly, his hand reaching into his pocket, and the small magic bauble that would somehow convey the signal for Trigger to make whatever move the ninja was planning.
"I'm opening it up." The underling announced, his hand reaching for the cover of the crate.
Before he could do so, however, the Captain intervened. "Don't worry about it. Leave it be, Private."
"Pardon?" The young soldier yelped in disbelief.
"From what I have been told, the Professor here is a little short in the memory department." The Captain replied, then added, "No offense, professor."
Harmon stuttered, "Oh! None taken… I understand my flaws quite fully."
The Captain smiled warmly, then addressed the Private. "Besides, young man, do YOU want to be the one to explain to the King that YOU were the one who treated an honored guest of Moros so badly?"
The Private mulled over this for a second, then replied, "That's a good point, I think…" The soldier turned away from the crate.
Meanwhile, inside the box, Fredros breathed just a little too deeply, expanding his chest, and put just a little too much pressure on Borz's foot. The Black Mage let out a little squeak, unable to cover his mouth in time.
The Private then whirled around, and said, "I heard something from inside the crate. Something's in there…"
"THAT'S IT!" Harmon suddenly exclaimed in delight.
The Captain whirled around, and said, "What's it?"
Harmon bubbled, "I just remembered. I have some of my trained mice in that crate!"
The Captain raised an eyebrow, and replied, "Trained mice?"
"Yes, trained mice. Did you know that small mammals, like mice, possess limited memory and cognitive abilities?"
"Whatever you just said."
"In other words, they can remember, and think things out like we can. I have actually trained several mice to navigate a simple maze. They can actually think out and remember the path necessary to escape the maze."
The Captain crossed his arms, somewhat impressed, "No kidding…"
Harmon continued, "I'm not kidding in the least. As a matter of fact, after I present this to the King of Moros, I will probably make another presentation in the city-square for the public. You are invited to attend if you are willing and able."
The Captain slapped Harmon on the back in a friendly gesture, and replied, "I shall see what I can do. That is something I wouldn't want to miss. Come on, Private, we don't want to waste any more of the Professor's time."
The two guards exited the cart, although the underling seemed hesitant to accept the explanation. Harmon took his place at the front of the cart once again, and reined the chocobos into a casual gait, taking a deep breath in the process. That had been far too close for his tastes… if only he could have remembered what he had supposed to say.
At that moment, Borz appeared through the flap leading to the cargo area. "I do NOT appreciate being called a RAT!" The Black Mage hissed indignantly.
"I called you a MOUSE." Harmon corrected, "Mice are generally smaller, and have less ferocious tendencies. They also possess a slightly higher intelligence factor."
"Whatever…" Borz waved his hand, "Just don't do it again."
"I shall indeed try not to." Harmon noted, "That is… if I could remember what I just promised not to do…"
Inside the city of Moros…
"All right, everyone." Midas warned, "Let's try and stay inconspicuous. We most likely are not welcome here, with the possible exception of Harmon."
Tamara hissed indignantly, "I'm well aware of where I am not wanted, or are you saying that for Yura's sake?"
The red-haired summoner took exception to Tamara's comments, replying, "Well, if you get caught, you can always use your feminine charms to woo them like you always do."
Tamara whirled to face Yura, and in a voice that resembled a growl said, "What exactly are you implying?"
"Everyone in the Cairos court KNEW that you had the old king eating out of your hand. Are you trying to get in on the NEW king as well?" Yura suggested.
"Yeah, right." Tamara said, sounding somewhat displeased.
"What are you taking offense to? Being in the old king's lap, or wanting in the new one's?"
Tamara paused in her reply just a moment too long for Yura's comfort. "BOTH." she finally snapped.
"Knock it off right now!" Midas shouted, snapping the two ladies out of their increasingly heated discussion. Tamara jumped to face the Red Mage just as, either by coincidence or design, he started to pull off his typical red robe in lieu of the more civilian attire that had been laid out for him.
Much to her surprise, Tamara started to think about things that a loyal Inquisitor Knight should not be thinking. Then, to her increasing surprise, she frowned in disappointment when it was revealed that Midas was wearing a full-length shirt underneath the robe. She was so engrossed in her… less than appropriate thoughts that she didn't even realize Midas was talking to her until he yelled, "TAMARA!"
The Knight tensed, and pulled straight, yelping in surprise, "Yes?"
"I want you to stop antagonizing Yura. It takes two people to start a fight, and I expect a lot more composure out of you. Do you understand?" Midas snapped as he buttoned up the front of his brown leather vest.
"O… of… course." Tamara stammered, and her mind reeled. She hadn't stammered like a schoolgirl for years. It wouldn't do to start bad habits all over again.
Midas turned to Yura, and replied, "And YOU, drop the damn attitude. We are a team in all this. Start acting like it."
Yura shook her head, and replied, "Huh?" It was evident that she had been distracted with similar thoughts as Tamara.
Midas nearly screamed, then pushed his way past the two girls, muttering as he past, "Never mind… just forget I said ANYTHING. Hurry up and get changed." He disappeared out of the cart, jumping down to the ground below.
Tamara staggered over to the attire that no doubt Trigger had appropriated for her in a less than legal fashion, her mind mulling over what Midas had told her. It was easy for him to talk about composure when it became increasingly hard for her to maintain it. Hell, she had been ogling Midas like she had been a starving woman given a menu! And he hadn't even really SHOWN anything!
At that moment, her imagination, totally unbidden, created a most alluring scenario involving a secluded waterfall and Midas taking a bath. Tamara could feel herself flush and she slapped herself, trying to get the alluring picture out of her head, with precious little success.
'What is happening to me?' The Knight thought, eventually managing to scramble her rationality together once again. This had all started when she had collapsed in the Outlands, waking up to see him watching over her, the look he had displayed conveyed a concern for her well-being that she had never realized a person could possess. No one had ever cared enough to actually go out of their way for her benefit. He had saved her life, and he had been her hated enemy. Could that be the reason for this… unwelcome affection?
Prompted by that line of thought, the waterfall image reappeared, causing Tamara to moan in dismay, and mumble, "Oh… this will not do at all…"
Meanwhile…
Yura heard Tamara moan softly, then say something to herself. No doubt the Knight was scheming of a multitude of ways to seduce her way into Midas's heart. Yura knew how Tamara presented herself in the court in Cairos. Most people mistook it for typical Inquisitor pride, but Yura could tell the truth.
Yura seethed at her competition. She knew how Tamara always seemed to walk around in a tunic that seemed just a size too small, carrying herself in a way that drew attention to her femininity. No doubt Tamara was trying to work those same physical charms on Midas.
Yura smirked with the knowledge that Tamara's advances weren't working in the least. Midas was too smart for that. But then again, Yura realized wryly, that HER advances didn't appear to be working either.
Why was Midas trying to push everyone away? He seemed so anti-social at times, but when she thought about the time in the underground tunnels of Cairos, how he had backtracked to battle that giant rat. Or even when he had everyone… rescue Tamara, or even when he was about to fight Creed, she saw the softer side, the one that possessed a child's innocence.
He was such an enigma… a mystery she desperately wanted to solve before Tamara warped it. She had to be the one to get him to open up!
Several minutes later…
Tamara and Yura emerged, wearing their new clothes, and Midas couldn't help but marvel wryly that they hadn't killed each other. Midas wondered depressingly how he was going to manage to keep those two in check, since both of them were vital to the success of this adventure.
"What in Alexander's name am I going to do?" Midas muttered just below what could be clearly heard; waving off Fredros's attempt at a query before it even came. The Red Mage pondered just how this all had gotten out of hand. The last thing he needed was a lady hanging all over him, and yet Yura seemed intent on doing just that. Then there was Tamara, who was appearing to Midas to be equally interested, although trying to be a little more delicate about it.
It wasn't that he didn't want to be loved in that way… but he didn't have time for that now, something it appeared Tamara understood for the most part, but a point that seemed to continually be soaring over Yura's head.
When this was all over, he was certain that it could all be sorted out, but until then… they'd just have to learn to live with each other, no questions asked. To their defense, it was obvious that they really were trying to at least tolerate each other. He had seen squabbles over another's heart before, and they were rarely pretty. He supposed that he should give them some credit.
Another thing that baffled them was why they were interested in HIM, of all people. It wasn't exactly like he had put himself on the market. As a matter of fact, he had thought it was quite clear he WASN'T available at the moment. Perhaps it was a forbidden fruit thing… who really knew?
"They see that you are really a kind person." Fredros whispered into Midas's ear, "That draws ladies like moths to an open flame. Especially two ladies that must have been quite lonely for most of their lives."
"Lonely?" Midas scoffed. "I doubt either of them had ANY problems getting attention." Indeed, they were more than pretty enough to but point a finger, and have more than adequate suitors.
"Ah… but Yura has spent most of her life in hiding… quite sheltered, unable to really explore herself." Fredros reminded.
At that point Harmon stepped into the conversation, "And you have not been around Inquisitor Knights like I have. They are called into remarkable emotional and physical restraint as part of their code. Poor Tamara has had her life turned totally upside down, with feelings she had never been able to examine surging to the front of her mind."
"Nice conjecture." Midas added, "But you are forgetting one important part of the equation."
"What's that?" Harmon and Fredros asked together.
"That I give a damn either way." And Midas strode ahead, preparing to address the party.
Fredros glanced at Harmon, and said, "He just can't make up his mind what he wants."
Harmon thought about this for a moment, then nodded conspiratorially, "Indeed."
If Midas heard that last part of the exchange, he didn't react to it, for he called everyone into a close circle. "All right, we're going to have to split up and find the entrance to the summoner's labyrinth. Creed, go with Harmon, since he hasn't been here long enough for you to develop a deep hatred for, and explore the north part of the city, and stop by the palace to do that presentation Harmon committed himself to. Meet back here in two hours."
Creed snorted, and replied, "Suits me just fine. Come along, smart guy."
Midas shook his head, then addressed Borz, "Borz, you and Fredros explore the south side. Same deal… two hours."
"Right! We won't let ya down, Midas!" Borz chirped, and the pair of mages disappeared south.
"Yay!" Yura cheered, "I'm going with you, right?"
Midas smiled deviously, "No… Trigger and I will be exploring the west side. You and Tamara will go east."
Tamara gaped, not believing what she had just heard. Yura wasn't any happier with the arrangement, and she was about to say so when Midas's features softened, and he almost pleaded, "It would really help me out if you two did this for me without any trouble."
Yura and Tamara KNEW that this was just a ploy, that he was playing on their feelings. Too bad it didn't help them in the least. With a pair of almost simultaneously dejected sighs, the ladies looked at each other, and proceeded east.
Midas exhaled, and then turned his head to a dark alley between a pair of shops. "All right, let's get moving, Trigger. That summoner's place isn't going to find itself." Midas started down the westerly road, noting the ever so subtle movement in the shadows that was following him.
End Scene 2
