Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy IX©... SqaureSoft owns it all... let's give them a great big hand for making such a great game....
Dedication: This is dedicated especially to Maki for having that one night of plotting when I was explaining this one story of mine that will be part of a four book series if I get enough reviews....
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~As Years Fade... Love Stays~
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~Chapter 1~
~Appears~
All the large airships were docked in the docks at the Western side of Alexandria as people pushed their way through the crowds around to get to the tables that sold goods from all around. Exotic jewerly, exotic clothes, something you'd never catch the young nineteen year old woman who stood in the window at the top of her castle, overlooking the celebration as it unfolded before her soft chocolate brown eyes.
Garnet Til Alexandros the 17th frowned deeply and then ran her tongue over her top teeth as she turned from the window to stare in dismay at her bedroom that hadn't changed since she could remember. Light pink. That's what everything was dyed to be. Her wallpaper, her canopy on her large Queen-sized four post bed, her quilt, her pillows, even the chair that stood in front of the window beside her.
Garnet's frown deepened as much as it could and she then sighed heavily as she reached up behind her to grab ahold of her long, flowing dark hair to lift it away from the nape of her neck, allowing the light breeze that flowed into the room from the window to caress her flushed skin.
" Gods... why is it soo humid in here? Why can't we get a fan of some sort in here... " she mumbled to herself and no one in particular as she stepped away from the window and walked across the room and plop down onto her bed.
Garnet stared up at her canopy as she tilted her head back, tilting her head to the side now as she watched the ruffles on the sides sway to the side in the breeze. She glanced over at the small glass clock that stood on her nighttable beside her bed and groaned for it only read five fourteen pm.
" Why can't time go fast around here? " she asked the room again as she now fell back onto her bed, her arms over her head as she stared up at tha canopy again.
" Hurry! We can't let him see what we did. If he sees, then we'll get a whooping!! " something or someone shouted out in the back of her mind, surprising her.
Garnet bolted up on the bed and her eyes darted around the room nervously, looking for who was talking to her in her mind.
' Perhaps it's just me... I'm just starting to hear things because I haven't left this castle in ages... '
Garnet nodded and sat up from the bed. She glanced at her clock again and it now read five thirty pm. Only two and a half more hours till it was time. Time to leave.. to get away from it all for a while. Garnet got off the bed and then made her way to the door.
She pulled it open and then stepped out into the deadly quiet hall that was usually bustling with excitement and chatter. Garnet scratched her head and then reached down to gather her skirts in her hands as she made her way to the winding staircase that would lead her to the first floor of the Alexandrian castle....
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" What do you think we're going to be doing tonight boys? " Baku, the leader, the boss and the father to the men who made up the infamous Tantalus troupe cried out in happiness as he watched a pair of girls walk past him, giggling, their arms linked together.
Zidane Tribal rolled his deep, dark forest green eyes and gave a non-chanlant flick of the wrist as he propped his elbow on the tabletop and then rested his chin in his hand, watching as girls of different shapes and sizes walked past him, giggling, winking or waving at him, some even blowing kisses.
Zidane only flashed them his usual ipmish grin and waved back. Blank glanced over at him and slapped him in the arm. Tobi Michalos, the newest member in Tantalus, and best friend to Zidane since childhood snickered lightly, his clear blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
" Don't get him mad, Blank... " Tobi warned lightly under his breath as he watched Zidane frown and then slap Blank's hand away as it went to tug at the thick long strands of dark honey that hung around his face as bangs.
" But, I like to get Zidane mad... don't you? " Blank replied sarcastically, rolling his own clear blue eyes, his dark auburn red hair swaying to the side in the sweet gentle, voiceless song of the wind.
Tobi giggled this time. Marcus blinked as he glanced over the top of his paper that he was so interested in. [ It's paper this time, Maki.. not a book... ] He looked at Zidane and then at Tobi who was grinning broadly from ear to ear.
" What are you smiling at, pretty boy? " Cinna demanded as he walked up to the table that sat at the East side of the merchants sqaure, his sledgehammer in hand, a frown setting his ugly features more uglier.
Tobi blinked and shrugged lightly, " Nothing... " he replied, not bringing his eyes up to meet Cinna's that glowed a canary yellow. He still hadn't gotten used to the fact that the man had glowing eyes.
Zidane frowned impatiently as Blank took his final tug at Zidane's hair, before Zidane jumped up from the table, whipping out his Ultima Weapon; the newest weapon he had bought from an unknown merchant travelling behind them for some unknown reason.
He pressed the blade to Blank's exposed neck and stared him in the eye, " Wanna try that again, buddy? " Zidane grounded out through clenched teeth as he watched Blank suddenly smile.
" Sure! Thanks for the offer, bro! " Blank shouted as he grabbed Zidane's ponytail this time and gave a final hard tug, causing the Genome's head to snap backwards and then bounce up.
Zidane yelped out in pain and then glared at Blank as he took a swipe at him with his weapon, missing the dark auburn red hair by an inch as Blank swiftly ducked out of the way of the blade and dove underneath the table to pop out the other side before Zidane could crouch down to chase after him.
Blank grinned and snickered as he blew on his fingers and then ran then through his hair, " Aren't I cool or what? I outsmarted Zidane Tribal the great Genome! " he began to chant as he plopped down into a chair beside Tobi who was holding his stomach, trying not to cry from the laughter that shook his body.
Zidane's upper lip curled up and he went to say something really mean, but the bit the retort back, keeping it on te tip of his tongue just incase as Baku stepped forward, slamming his massive light purple paw down onto the table.
" Listen up, boys! There's going to be a party. Free drinks... free women... free food! For everyone. Part of the merchants celebration... "
Zidane sighed heavily and then crinkled his pert nose, " But... boss? We ain't merchants... " he muttered low.
Baku glanced at him and grinned, " I know! "
Zidane arched an eyebrow and then shook his head as he turned his back to Baku, leaving him to look down at him, confusion in his dark blue eyes that were hidden behind a pair of dark tinted goggles.
" what's gotten into you, Zidane? " Tobi asked lightly as he moved his chair over to his.
Zidane glanced at Tobi and shook his head, " Huh? Oh... nothing. I'm just not really in a jovial mood. I got up on the wrong side of the bed again today... sorry, bro... " he apologized lightly, beginning to shred the napkins into smal pieces, letting them fly away with the light breeze.
" Are you sure? You seem out of it today... " Tobi persisted.
Zidane nodded, " I'm fine... don't worry... "
" Hey boss! Where is this free drink thing being held? " Cinna called out, trying to break the tension in the air.
Baku tore his gaze from the women who strolled past him and met Cinna's, " In one of the bars near the castle... if I remember clearly, it was called The Jovial Candidates.... "
Zidane lifted his gaze from the shred pieces of napkins and looked at Baku, " That's an odd name.. I've never heard of it before... "
Baku shrugged and shook his head, " I haven't heard of it either. From what I heard, it's a new joint that gives you everything and anything you want... "
" Where's this place with all the women... "
Baku chuckled now, " I believe it's right next door... "
" And the free food?? "
" Right in the same bar as the drink... but I heard that the women just stroll over and end up in the drinking and eating bar... "
Zidane snorted, ' Count on women to go to the one place where a man's heart sits... a place where they give out free booze and free food... '
There was a loud blaring in the background and everyone around them started to stand up and cheer as someone walked past them and then disappeared into one of the bars, followed closely by the crowds. Zidane glanced at Baku just as he glanced at Tobi.
" What's going on there? " Zidane asked, beating everyone to the question as all the men in Tantalus looked at Baku for an answer.
Baku grinned, " I wouldn't know myself. Why don't we stroll over and mingle for a while then head over to the free drinks... "
All the men in Tantalus cheered and jumped up from their chairs to follow Baku, all but one....
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' Ugh.. if I eat another bite, I think I'm going to have to make a long trip to the restroom... ' Garnet thought to herself as she grimaced and pushed the half emtpy plate in front of her away, her personal guard and General of all Alexandria eyeing her as she did so.
" Are you not hungry, Majesty? " Beatrix asked gently, poking around at her own sliced carrots and wild rice.
The young Queen shook her head, " No... it's not that. I just don't feel like eating anymore... I'm still hungry, I just can't eat another bite of that stuff... " she gestured to the food with a nod of her head.
Beatrix chuckled and Adelbert Steiner frowned from the seat acros from Beatrix, " What's so funny, Beatrix?I find absolutely nothing of this amusing... "
Garnet was the one to chuckle this time, drawing a curious glance from Steiner, " It's alright, Steiner... it was only a small joke that us women would only get.... "
Steiner blinked and then frowned deeper, " Alright, Majesty.... "
Beatrix pushed away her plate and then leaned over the table, her elbows propped up as she rested her chin on the backs of her hands, watching Steiner as he shovelled down the food like it was going to be his last meal.
" You should slow down, Steiner.... " Beatrix murmured as she eyed the fork going from plate to mouh, plate to mouth.
Steiner stopped, the fork hanging in midair as he lifted his eyes to look at Beatrix who watched him, " You never know what tomorrow can bring, Beatrix... might as well go prepared then to not have anything at all... " he replied as he began to shovel the food into his mouth again.
Garnet giggled and then frowned, " Isn't that what mother used to say? " she murmured softly, bringing her eyes to the tabletop.
Steiner stopped eating and then let the fork drop to his empty plate as he leaned back in his chair, his hands over his armor clad stomach. He nodded his head once, bringing his soft light brown eyes to Garnet's.
" You're right, Majesty... your mother did say that. She used to say it to us all the time before she passed on... "
Beatrix nodded and leaned back in her own chair, " He is right, Majesty... "
Garnet smiled lightly and then nodded as she sat back in her own chair and hugged her arms over her chest. She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and then blinked. It read seven thirty pm. Garnet jumped up from her chair, pushing it back with the back of her knees so hard and so fast, it toppled over and hit the ground hard.
Beatrix and Steiner jumped up as well, as if expecting someone or something to attack Garnet, " What is it, Majesty? " Steiner asked, already reaching for his sword.
Garnet raised a hand and shook her head, " You have no need for your weapons this night. Put them away... you won't be needing them for where we're going... "
Beatrix and Steiner shot each other uneasy glances across the table. Garnet caught this glances and shook her head again, " It's not what you must be thinking... "
" Then what are you thinking, Majesty? " Steiner asked lightly.
Garnet suddenly grinned, " We're going into the town tonight! " she announced happily.....
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The music was loud and the air was humid and smelling of sweaty bodies as dancers danced in the middle of the room, showing off all their curves and swells greatly through the flimsy pieces of material called clothes. Zidane wrinkled his nose and then took another sip of his fifth cup of ale that night.
Everyone else who was in Tantalus were either out on the dancefloor with the women or else they were else where with the women. Zidane felt a pair of soft hands on his back and they slowly slid down the front of his neck, beginning to untie the blue ribbon at the top of his high ruffled collar.
He ignored them, continuing to drink his ale without a single word. The hands slowly slipped past his collar and wiggled their way down his vest and then beneath the thin cotton fabric of his white muscle shirt to caress the toned flesh. Zidane was suddenly spun around on the barstool as he was straddled by an extremely pretty petite brunette who's hand were busy slowly and clumsily undoing the buckle to the loose belt around his waist.
Zidane frowned lightly and then watched the woman get the belt unbuckled and then slip her hands down his pants, squeezing him hard and sure through the fabric of his boxers. He couldn't help it. He groaned out loud and then felt the cup of ale slip from his fingers to shatter to the ground as he reached out to grab her face roughly and then press her small lips to his in hunger and need.
The woman on top of his began to rock him hard and slow as her tongue was being teased by his. Zidane's hands left the woman's face to slowly unbutton the blouse she wore and stick his hands inside, realizing she wasn't wearing a bra as soon as he felt her stiffle, pebble-like nipples rub into his hands as she arched her back, beginning to rock him harder now, making him groan louder, and making her moan softly.
The air around him was beginning to get to his brain. It was either that or else it was the woman on top of him who kept rocking him, making his head spin with dizziness as he opened his eyes and watched as she threw her head back, her hands over his as he squeezed her breasts.
All of a sudden, the girl fell to the ground with a yelp of pain as her butt hit the ground hard as something or someone from behind slapped Zidane in the back hard, causing him to almost stumble forward on top of the girl, not that neither one of them wouldn't like it.
Zidane's head snapped around and he found himself staring into Tobi's clear blue eyes that were glazed over from the amount of alcohol that he had had that night. Zidane knitted his brows together and placed a hand to his head, trying to stop the spining from going any farther.
" You alright, Tobi? " Zidane shouted over the music as he clamped his eyes shut.
Tobi nodded, " Yeah. What about you? You look a little green! Why don't you go sit outside for a while... " he shouted back.
Zidane absentmindedly nodded his head as he stood up from the barstool, stepped over the girl still laying on the ground, only with another guy and began to head towards the door until the opened and slammed into him, sending him to stumble back a few feet.
All of a sudden, the music, the shouting and excited screams of women and men alike stopped. Zidane opened his eyes and found himself standing in front of a young woman his age with long flowing dark hair, her eyes the softest brown he had ever seen in his entire life.
Zidane found himself to be down on one knee, clutching his head in front of the woman who stared at him curiously. Garnet tilted her head to the side as she watched the strange looking man in front of her. She glanced at Beatrix over her shoulder and then brought her attention to the man in charge of the music.
Garnet nodded, " It's alright.. " she called out, " you may continue... "
The man looked at her oddly. It was obvious that no one really knew who Garent was. It was obvious that they were all pissed out of their mind on the booze. The man kneeling in front of her slowly groaned and then stood up, his hand still on his head as he opened his eyes and looked at Garnet, the green orbs going over her body about a dozen times before stopping to stare at her face.
Steiner snorted and balled his hands into tight fists, " You! Don't look at her l-- " Beatrix cut him off with a hard jab of the elbow to the ribs.
Garnet blinked and then blushed a light pink as she felt the man continue to stare at her, not blinking, just staring. Zidane opened his mouth to say something but then he closed it, not knowing what to say. Instead he flashed her his usual impish smile and then waved.
Garnet blinked again and then chuckled, " Hello... do you come here often? " she asked gently.
Zidane frowned and then leaned in towards her, " What did you say? " he shouted.
Garnet frowned and then looked around the room befor placing her mouth to his ear, his long strands of dark honey falling into her face, caressing her softly. She almost loved the feeling.
" I said.... do you come here often? " she shouted, repeating what she had said before.
Zidane shook his head, " No! I mean... we just came here.... like... got here, I meant... "
Garnet tried not to giggle at the way he stared at her. It was like she was exhibition or something and he was there just to stare. She caught his glances that went downward towards her cleavage that was almost completely visible through the top of her low-cut white blouse, the neon orange overalls clinging to her body like a second skin, showing off all her swells and all her curves.
Even the other women in the bar were casting her glances of awe and respect. Garnet glanced around at the people laying on the ground drunk. She looked at Steiner and smiled lightly.
" It's alright, Steiner... Beatrix... you can go do whatever you want... I'm going to stay here... "
" In the middle of the front door? " Zidane asked, reaching out to grab her forearm and yank her towards him.
Garnet sucked in a sharp breath as she felt his hand grasp her arm tightly. He hadn't hurt her, it was just the little bolts of electricity that his fingertips sent through her body from their spot on her arm. She felt herself being pressed into something hard, lean and yet soft in a way.
Warm breath caressed her neck, fanned out to slid over the top of her breasts causing them to peak with attention as she felt an arm go around her small waist. Garnet swallowed and then went to pull away, but the arm around her waist tightened and she was being pressed harder into the body.
Something warm and soft presed down onto her neck and she felt herself arch her back, tilting her neck to the side, so he could do more magic to her, set more of her body on fire.
" Let me go... " she heard herself whisper lightly into his ear as she turned her head to the side, placing her mouth to his ear.
Zidane blinked and then immediately pulled away from her, a light crimson decorating his cheeks as he reached up behind his head and scratched his neck, bringing his eyes down to the ground.
" Hey.. I'm, look.. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do what I did... I guess I had a little too much to drink.. " he apologized lightly.
Garnet smiled lightly and took note of the crimson staining his cheeks, " You get embarassed lots or something? " she asked lightly, cocking her head to the side as she leaned forward, peering up at him from underneath the strands of hair that fell in front of his face as he bowed his head.
" I... I guess... "
Garnet giggled and then turned her back to him, making her way to the door, Steiner and Beatrix already by her side, Steiner glaring at Zidane and Beatrix just chuckling and smiling at him. Obviously she found nothing wrong with what Zidane had tried to do to the young Queen, but the other personal bodyguard did however seem to disapprove greatly of the move.
" I guess I'll be seeing you around... " Garnet murmured softly over her shoulder, flashing him one last smile before disappearing through the doors, Beatrix and Steiner not far behind.
Zidane just stood there, staring at the door as if expecting her to return or something. Just then, he remembered that she had shoved something into his pocket and he reached down immediately to fish it out. It was soft and warm from her touch still.
He brought it up to his face so he could examine it and then smiled lightly as he fingered the soft velevty fabric of the hanky. Zidane brought it to his face and he inhaled. Inhaled the sweet scent of lavender and vanilla that he had smelt when he had pressed his nose to her hair when he went to kiss her neck.
' I have to see her again... but... when? How? I don't even know where she lives... or where she's from... ' Zidane thought to himself as he stared at the doors and then at the hanky in his hands.
He gave a nod of his head, shoved the hanky into his pocket and then rushed through the doors and into the night to search for the one who had managed to steal his heart at first sight, who had managed to take his breath away with her very exsistence around him, who had managed to make his body cry out for something...
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{Author's Note: Well? Maki? Whatcha think so far? I think it's... meh, so-so. I mean... it could be better... but then no body's perfect, not even lil ol'me! To reader... it does get interesting. Just keep following along with me and everything will go A-okay! Got me? Good... I hope... What will Zidane say to his mystery woman when and if he catches up to her in time before she disappears behind the walls of her castle. Who really is Tobi Michalos? Find out next time in As Years Fade... Love Stays..... }