Well into the early hours of the morning, most of the partyers had crashed or gone to their homes or hotel rooms. After sharing a sharing a meal and beer at one of the cafes, Garnet had lead Tempest to the very same rooftops the Alexandrian "poo'folk" had watched the play from the night before. Garnet was a little tipsy, never having drunken more than a small glass of wine as a social event, and giggled as they plopped onto a flat cranny on someone's roof.
"Tempest, thanks for 'rescuing' me," Garnet said, unconsciously slipping out of her formal voice. "I haven't had this good for a time since m'father died." She gazed upward with a dreamy look on her face. Tempest stared at her, fascinated. She still wore his cloak, but had kicked of her shoes and let her hair down. It sways gently around her face in a breeze, so shiny that it reflecting moonlight. Both appreciated the beautiful, peaceful view of the sleeping city from its very own rooftops.
"Why is that?" Tempest asked quietly.
"My dad used to bring me everywhere with him. My mom… she's alright, but she can't control me if I'm in another city and she certainly never steps foot out of her own domain!"
Tempest nodded. "You'd rather be off living your own life, not the one she's got planned for you," he suggested.
They continued to talk for the next few hours. Tempest asked questions and mostly listened. He was never one to talk about himself. Garnet, perhaps a result of the alcohol, held nothing back. She opened herself up to him, reveling her frustrations with the life she lead and who she eased her boredom by making up fantasy adventures. Tempest found himself enthralled in her every word she uttered, although he wondered what her mother did for a living. Was she a one of the Queen's noble women? Nevertheless, Garnet was brave, often sneaking out of the castle to explore the city. She spent hours in the library, loosing herself in classic works of fiction. She had an air of sophisticated innocence around her that he found intriguing. Garnet was bright, straightforward, and beautiful.
"It really means a lot to me… being here with you, that is, Tempest," Garnet leaned her head against his shoulder. He was glad she had relaxed enough not to be formal. "I've never really opened up to anyone before."
Tempest mustered the nerve to place his arm around her shoulders. When she didn't resist, he drew her body close to his.
"You're an amazing person, Garnet," he whispered. He'd meant it when he'd said she was beautiful, and thought it even more with her tiny body beside his. Pretty girls were a dime a dozen, but beauty and brains were a rare combination.
"You are, too, Tempest Fyrehart. I will never forget the friend I've made tonight."
"Garnet…" Tempest whispered but trailed off. The girl wrapped her arm Tempest's waste and turned to face him.
"Damn beer," she giggled. "I've never done this before…" Garnet pressed her lips against Tempest's. He almost backed away in surprise, but accepted the kiss. Her lips were moist but cold from the night air. Still, he felt his stomach flutter as he returned the embrace, mouth parting to accommodate her wandering tongue. Tempest curled both arms around her waste and drew her on top of his lap.
Garnet pulled back, nervously blushing. She met Tempest's gaze and his smile filled her with warmth. He responded by brushing her soft hair aside and nibbling on her neck. She gasped at the tingling sensation. He supposed fifteen wasn't too old for a first kiss, remembering what little experience he had two years ago.
They continued to kiss, Tempest careful not to act too passionately as he kept in mind Garnet had never had a boyfriend. Garnet finally shifted back. "Tempest, thank you…" she smiled, "but I should be getting home. It's late… I mean, early." They both giggled. They rose and began to make their way back towards the ladder they'd used the night before.
"I want to see you again," he breathed. He really liked Garnet, plus he found making out and light petting pretty satisfactory for a first date. He helped Dagger down from the rooftop before she replied. She stumbled, a bit hung-over. He reached out and caught her, setting her firmly on the ground.
"I would like that, Tempest. But my mother wouldn't have it…"
"What do you mean?" he asked. There was no law forbidding two consenting teenagers from simply dating!
Tempest didn't hear her reply because a group of Pluto Knights emerged from around the corner. Their leader, a big man clad in a creaking suit of amour, stopped dead in his tracks.
"Princess!" he exclaimed. "We have been out all night looking for you. Your good mother is beside herself with sorry." Princess? Wait… Garnet was the name of the queen's daughter… Garnet was the princess? It hit Tempest like a brick. How could he have missed a detail like that!?
"Steiner, I am absolutely F-I-N-E!" Garnet stamped her foot in a childish manner.
"You're the princess?" Tempest asked, jaw hanging open. The knights and Garnet all turned to him with looks shouting DUH!
"Well of course," the captain, Steiner, replied. "Now, Princess, I'm afraid I've been ordered to return you to the castle."
Before Tempest could react, the Pluto Knight swept the kicking and biting princess off her feet and swung her over his shoulder.
"Escort this man to the gates of the city and see he is sent of his way. The queen will not want the princess associating with troublemakers," Steiner said, turning to walk away. The knights grabbed each of Tempest's arms and began to drag him in the opposite direction.
Garnet looked back and shouted, "Tempest, I want to see you again!"
In a crazy impulse, perhaps sparked by his desire to spite those kooky knights, Tempest screamed the first words that came to mind. "Garnet, I AM FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU!"
Tempest's vision grew dark as one of the Pluto Knights banged him over the head.
Author's Note:
Thank you for bearing with this. It's the prolog to a longer story I am working on taking place during the time Zidane was gone, involving Dagger moving on and going on another adventure with her friends. Tempest will come into play later. ::evil grin:: Please let me know what you think (rather than flaming) so I know if I have anyone interested in me continuing this story. Keep an eye out for the next chapter.
