Author's Notes: Once again, thank you all for the reviews. Don't know where I'd be without 'em. :) Now on to ch. 4!
*Disclaimer*: Xenogears is the sole property of Squaresoft.
Chapter Four
Once everyone had congratulated Fei and Elly and the sumptious dinner had been consumed, Jessie managed to find a bottle of wine Margie hadn't even known she had in her house. All of them had a drink. Even Dan and Midori had a small sip before making disgusted faces. After the bottle was empty (which didn't take long, considering sixteen people each took a small amount), Margie made them all sit down at the table and listen to her.
She stood in front of them and noticed that all their eyes were focused on her. Nervousness hit for one sweaty moment, but she forced it down and began.
"As most of you already know, Kahran Ramsus arrived in Nisan today with a group of refugees. Gladly we took those refugees in, but that wasn't the only reason he came. Seems he has some business he needs to take care of with Zephyr, and since I know where the remains of Shevat are, he asked me about its whereabouts." Margie stopped and sighed when Fei, Maison and Sigurd began asking the question she knew they were bound to ask. "No, of course I didn't tell him where it was! I'm not stupid." They sat back down with combined looks of relief and shame on their faces. She shook her head at them and continued. "When I didn't tell him the location, he suggested I go with them to show him where Shevat is at. So I said I would."
This time everyone began talking at once. Margie sighed again and crossed her arms, waiting for them to settle down. Finally Bart put his fingers in his mouth and gave a loud whistle that got everyone's attention.
"Everyone! Quiet down! Let Margie finish! If she agreed to do this, that's her decision and we should all be fair and listen to her reasons for accepting to do this," he announced and everyone turned back to Margie. Her eyes locked with his for a moment and she gave him a small, grateful smile that spoke volumes and made him blush in confusion. Why should her face affect him so much?
"Well said, young master," Maison cheered.
"The young one is right," Citan agreed. "I believe we did not let Marguerite finish explaining her plans. We should trust that she has thought this through."
"Well then, come on girl, spit it out," Jessie urged. "No need to keep us in suspense."
Margie rolled her eyes and smiled. "Yeah, as I was saying...
"Kahr wouldn't reveal what business he had with Zephyr and that is one of the reasons I'm going. Maybe I can get it out of him before we get to Shevat. If I can't, then maybe Zephyr will tell me. Besides which, I want to see Zephyr and see how the rebuilding is coming along." ~Not to mention see the snow, have some free time to myself...~ but she didn't say these things out loud.
Everyone began murmuring amongst themselves again until Sigurd spoke up.
"Miss Marguerite, you aren't seriously planning on going by yourself? Someone should surely go with you. At least, as a proper escort."
At this, voices rose again in agreement. Margie quieted them down by banging an empty iron mug on the table.
"People! People! Of course I'm taking a group along with me. Well, that is, as long as they _agree_ to come with me." She glanced around at the room. "I was planning on asking Citan and Jessie to come along for their expertise on Shevat and because they're a part of it's Council. If the Queen doesn't reveal anything, I'll make you guys spill it." Citan blinked at this and Margie laughed. "Just kidding, Citan. I wouldn't do that. But I _do_ want you to keep an eye out for anything I might need to know. You guys are still trusted advisors of Nisan, after all. I also wanted to ask Fei and Elly to go with me but, well, with the recent happy announcement," Elly blushed, "it's up to you two to decide what's best. It's okay if you don't come, but I'd rather have you guys with me. Maria you're welcome to come, too. In fact, I'd be surprised if you didn't. I'm sure you want to see all the people in your hometown." Maria nodded eagerly, her dark green eyes lighting up happily.
"Chu-Chu go too! Chu-Chu go too!" a little pink furball cried from somewhere in the room and then rolled over to Margie, hugging her legs.
"Yes Chu-Chu, I didn't plan on leaving you behind. Next I wanted to ask the huge favor of either Bart or Sigurd to take us to Shevat on the Yggdrassil, since Gears aren't allowed there anymore. If either of you guys could be spared, I'd really be grateful." She gave them a pleading look and they both smiled. "Oh, and we have to pass by Kislev and pick up Rico. Since this _is_ a diplomatic thing I'm sure he'd like to come along, too."
The noise began as everyone dicussed her plan and she shouted over the noise. "I want all of you to think about it tonight. If anyone else wants to come, just talk to me. Thank you all for listening, but now I'm going to take a walk. I need to think. Oh, and thanks Yui for the wonderful dinner."
Yui smiled sweetly as Margie waved at her and went out the door into the night air outside. She sighed and realized that her nervousness had pretty much disappeared. Had it been when Bart had talked on her behalf? For once, he must've paid attention to what she'd said.
Smiling, she began walking aimlessly, her hands in her pockets and just enjoyed the calm that came after dark when everyone was inside their houses enjoying their dinner and being among family. Crickets filled the quiet with their song and the faint breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and the bushes. A perfect night. Margie stopped at the bridge that was covered in ivy and leaned against the railing once again as she stared up at the clear sky. Midnight blue with a scattering of stars.
Nisan... her homeland... The city and its people she was now responsible of. The thought left her shaken and sad. Shaken because she had never really prepared for this. Her grandmother had been the Great Mother for the past decades which meant that Margie's mother had been next in line. And that meant that Margie had never really gotten any serious training in this ruling stuff. She had always had a very normal childhood. Of course, she had known that someday she would become the Great Mother herself, but back then she had thought that that was so far off. So had everyone. No one could have forseen that Shakhan would murder both her mother and her grandmother...
Margie's eyes stung, so she closed them. But she couldn't close off the aching in her heart. Sad, heavens so sad, because deep in her heart she had never wanted this. She loved Nisan, but...
"I've seen that look in the young master's face often enough to recognize it by now. You are unhappy, Marguerite?"
Margie opened her eyes and turned to stare at Sigurd, who was standing a few feet away. He came forward slowly and she wrapped her arms around him gratefully, the show of affection making her shield waver enough that she began sobbing on his shoulder. He hugged her with one arm and smoothed back her hair with his free hand.
"What is it, Margie?" he whispered in concern, using her petname which he hardly ever used. "What's got you so sad? You can tell me."
Could she really? Could she tell him that she was so unhappy with being the Great Mother that she used any chance she could to get out of Nisan and try to have a life of her own? One that didn't involve all these responsibilities and worries and stress? When was the last time she had done something without having to worry about how it would affect Nisan or the people?
And when she thought of telling Sigurd that, she felt the guilt swamp her. It was her responsibility, what everyone expected of her. What would her grandma and mom say if they saw how she was behaving? Like a spoiled brat. She had known her future was planned since she'd been born. No matter how hard she wished it otherwise, this was her life.
"No, nothing's wrong, Sig," Margie sniffled, pulling away from him. "I guess I just needed to cry a little. It does happen a lot when you're a girl my age, you know." Sigurd frowned in disbelief.
Margie wiped her face and laughed shakily. "Don't worry Sig. I'm okay, really I am. I guess everything just overwhelmed me all of a sudden," she insisted, turning away. She hated lying to him and she was aware that he didn't really believe her. But she also knew that he wouldn't push the issue further. And she loved him for that.
"Okay, Margie. We'll leave it at that. But you know you can talk to me whenever something's botheing you. We're friends after all, right?" She looked at him and gave him a watery smile. "Good. Anyway, I just came to tell you that Bart will be the one to go with you on your trip with Khar. The Yggdrassil is ready whenever you need it."
"Oh Sig, thar's great!" Margie exclaimed clapping her hands. Then she threw her arms around him again, but this time to land a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks! I knew you'd come through for me! Where's Bart? I need to thank him, too!"
"He's in your house talking to Fei and Elly. Everyone else already left."
"Thanks Sig. See you later!" she called over her shoulder as she ran off toward her house. She was considerably more cheerful. Now that she knew she was going. And with Bart... Well, it made her glad.
Margie arrived at her house to find Bart sitting on one of the chairs by the table, staring off into space as he tipped his chair back and played with something in his hands. He was alone. Feeling more mischievous than she had in ages, she decided to surprise him. She tiptoed over to him slowly. He didn't see her until she stood right next to him (slightly behind him actually...) and she leaned over, getting in the way of his view of the ceiling. Bart let out a yelp and lost his balance, crashing to the floor with the chair. Margie laughed as he got up angrily.
"Now you've done it," he hissed through clenched teeth. "You probably woke up Elly with all that noise and Fei went to so much trouble to get her to sleep."
"Hey, I'm not the one that fell."
"No, but you caused me to fall. Just for that I think I wont give you guys a ride on my ship anymore," he declared, glaring. Margie just grinned at him and suddenly noticed that he had something in his hand. He seemed to notice at the same time too and tried to put it away, but she managed to grab a hold of his hand before he could stuff it in his vest. Then the tug-of-war began.
"What are you trying to hide from me?" Tug.
"Nothing." Tug.
"What is it?" Tug.
"None of your business." Tug.
"Come on! Let me see!"
"No! Now let go!"
"Not until you let me see!"
"Margie, would you quit being so nosy!"
"I'm not being nosy! I just wanna see! Let me see!"
"That's being nosy! Now let go before I deck you!"
"You wouldn't dare try to hit me! You know I'd beat the living daylights out of you!"
"Since when?!"
"Since always! Now let me see before I really get angry!"
"Margie, let go!"
"Um... You guys...." A new voice.
"Bart! Come on! Let me see! What kind of childhood best friend are you if you don't even trust me?!"
"...You guys...?"
"It's not about trust! I'll just show it to you later."
"You two?" Sigh.
"Promise?"
"I promise! Geez, what else do you want? A pinky swear?"
"Ahem!" A cleared throat.
"It might help," Margie said and giggled wickedly when Bart rolled his eyes. Then she finally glanced at Billy who was standing in the doorway. "Sorry, Billy. What's up?"
Bart sighed and sat down in his straightened chair before putting the very precious item away in the inner pocket of his vest.
Billy, who had seen most of the argument, shook his head at the way these two seemed to handle their problems. "I just came over to tell you that since dad's going with you, Prim wants to go, too. And since Prim's going, I'll be coming along also."
"That's great Billy!" Margie cheered.
Billy blushed at her show of enthusiasm and fervently wished that his complexion wasn't so pale. It was so embarassing to blush at everything this over-emotional friend of his did to show her affection. He wasn't used to having friends who cared for him as much as he had now. People who worried about him. Usually, it was he who worried about everyone else.
He nodded hurriedly at Margie and then noticed the raised eyebrow'd look Bart was giving him. He glared at the impish gleam in the pirate's eye before turning back to Margie. Bart chuckled under his breath at the guy's reaction. Getting on each other's nerves was a habit practiced whenever they saw each other.
"So anyway, I just wanted to tell you that," Billy continued as his blush disappeared.
"Great, Billy. I'm glad you're going. Just wait, we'll have the biggest snowball fight ever! We'll drag everyone in, even Rico!"
Billy grinned, her cheerfulness contagious, while Bart winced as he got a mental image of Rico throwing a snowball the size of his torso at Bart with the pretense that it was part of the game. He could still remember how the half-blood had reacted when he'd found out that Bart was the one that had shot down the Goliath. Better not tempt the ex-battling champ with a chance to cause Bart some pain.
"Sounds like fun, Margie. I'm sure Prim'll have fun, too. She needed to get out and have a few carefree afternoons, anyway," Billy shrugged with a smile.
~Don't we all~ Margie thought. "Don't worry, Billy. We'll make that girl laugh all day," Margie promised. Then she got up and began pushing both men towards the door. "Now you guys go get some sleep. God knows I'll need the rest. Tomorrow's planning is going to be hectic."
And she kicked them both out and shut the door in their faces, ignoring their protests that came through the closed door. She began cleaning up the common room as quietly as possible and could still hear them outside. If she knew them at all, she'd bet they were arguing in an attempt to figure out who's fault it was that they'd been kicked out.
Grinning, she yawned and stretched, loosening her bound up hair as she headed for the bliss that was a soft bed after a tiring day.
To be continued...
*Just a reminder that you review please. =]*
*Disclaimer*: Xenogears is the sole property of Squaresoft.
Chapter Four
Once everyone had congratulated Fei and Elly and the sumptious dinner had been consumed, Jessie managed to find a bottle of wine Margie hadn't even known she had in her house. All of them had a drink. Even Dan and Midori had a small sip before making disgusted faces. After the bottle was empty (which didn't take long, considering sixteen people each took a small amount), Margie made them all sit down at the table and listen to her.
She stood in front of them and noticed that all their eyes were focused on her. Nervousness hit for one sweaty moment, but she forced it down and began.
"As most of you already know, Kahran Ramsus arrived in Nisan today with a group of refugees. Gladly we took those refugees in, but that wasn't the only reason he came. Seems he has some business he needs to take care of with Zephyr, and since I know where the remains of Shevat are, he asked me about its whereabouts." Margie stopped and sighed when Fei, Maison and Sigurd began asking the question she knew they were bound to ask. "No, of course I didn't tell him where it was! I'm not stupid." They sat back down with combined looks of relief and shame on their faces. She shook her head at them and continued. "When I didn't tell him the location, he suggested I go with them to show him where Shevat is at. So I said I would."
This time everyone began talking at once. Margie sighed again and crossed her arms, waiting for them to settle down. Finally Bart put his fingers in his mouth and gave a loud whistle that got everyone's attention.
"Everyone! Quiet down! Let Margie finish! If she agreed to do this, that's her decision and we should all be fair and listen to her reasons for accepting to do this," he announced and everyone turned back to Margie. Her eyes locked with his for a moment and she gave him a small, grateful smile that spoke volumes and made him blush in confusion. Why should her face affect him so much?
"Well said, young master," Maison cheered.
"The young one is right," Citan agreed. "I believe we did not let Marguerite finish explaining her plans. We should trust that she has thought this through."
"Well then, come on girl, spit it out," Jessie urged. "No need to keep us in suspense."
Margie rolled her eyes and smiled. "Yeah, as I was saying...
"Kahr wouldn't reveal what business he had with Zephyr and that is one of the reasons I'm going. Maybe I can get it out of him before we get to Shevat. If I can't, then maybe Zephyr will tell me. Besides which, I want to see Zephyr and see how the rebuilding is coming along." ~Not to mention see the snow, have some free time to myself...~ but she didn't say these things out loud.
Everyone began murmuring amongst themselves again until Sigurd spoke up.
"Miss Marguerite, you aren't seriously planning on going by yourself? Someone should surely go with you. At least, as a proper escort."
At this, voices rose again in agreement. Margie quieted them down by banging an empty iron mug on the table.
"People! People! Of course I'm taking a group along with me. Well, that is, as long as they _agree_ to come with me." She glanced around at the room. "I was planning on asking Citan and Jessie to come along for their expertise on Shevat and because they're a part of it's Council. If the Queen doesn't reveal anything, I'll make you guys spill it." Citan blinked at this and Margie laughed. "Just kidding, Citan. I wouldn't do that. But I _do_ want you to keep an eye out for anything I might need to know. You guys are still trusted advisors of Nisan, after all. I also wanted to ask Fei and Elly to go with me but, well, with the recent happy announcement," Elly blushed, "it's up to you two to decide what's best. It's okay if you don't come, but I'd rather have you guys with me. Maria you're welcome to come, too. In fact, I'd be surprised if you didn't. I'm sure you want to see all the people in your hometown." Maria nodded eagerly, her dark green eyes lighting up happily.
"Chu-Chu go too! Chu-Chu go too!" a little pink furball cried from somewhere in the room and then rolled over to Margie, hugging her legs.
"Yes Chu-Chu, I didn't plan on leaving you behind. Next I wanted to ask the huge favor of either Bart or Sigurd to take us to Shevat on the Yggdrassil, since Gears aren't allowed there anymore. If either of you guys could be spared, I'd really be grateful." She gave them a pleading look and they both smiled. "Oh, and we have to pass by Kislev and pick up Rico. Since this _is_ a diplomatic thing I'm sure he'd like to come along, too."
The noise began as everyone dicussed her plan and she shouted over the noise. "I want all of you to think about it tonight. If anyone else wants to come, just talk to me. Thank you all for listening, but now I'm going to take a walk. I need to think. Oh, and thanks Yui for the wonderful dinner."
Yui smiled sweetly as Margie waved at her and went out the door into the night air outside. She sighed and realized that her nervousness had pretty much disappeared. Had it been when Bart had talked on her behalf? For once, he must've paid attention to what she'd said.
Smiling, she began walking aimlessly, her hands in her pockets and just enjoyed the calm that came after dark when everyone was inside their houses enjoying their dinner and being among family. Crickets filled the quiet with their song and the faint breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and the bushes. A perfect night. Margie stopped at the bridge that was covered in ivy and leaned against the railing once again as she stared up at the clear sky. Midnight blue with a scattering of stars.
Nisan... her homeland... The city and its people she was now responsible of. The thought left her shaken and sad. Shaken because she had never really prepared for this. Her grandmother had been the Great Mother for the past decades which meant that Margie's mother had been next in line. And that meant that Margie had never really gotten any serious training in this ruling stuff. She had always had a very normal childhood. Of course, she had known that someday she would become the Great Mother herself, but back then she had thought that that was so far off. So had everyone. No one could have forseen that Shakhan would murder both her mother and her grandmother...
Margie's eyes stung, so she closed them. But she couldn't close off the aching in her heart. Sad, heavens so sad, because deep in her heart she had never wanted this. She loved Nisan, but...
"I've seen that look in the young master's face often enough to recognize it by now. You are unhappy, Marguerite?"
Margie opened her eyes and turned to stare at Sigurd, who was standing a few feet away. He came forward slowly and she wrapped her arms around him gratefully, the show of affection making her shield waver enough that she began sobbing on his shoulder. He hugged her with one arm and smoothed back her hair with his free hand.
"What is it, Margie?" he whispered in concern, using her petname which he hardly ever used. "What's got you so sad? You can tell me."
Could she really? Could she tell him that she was so unhappy with being the Great Mother that she used any chance she could to get out of Nisan and try to have a life of her own? One that didn't involve all these responsibilities and worries and stress? When was the last time she had done something without having to worry about how it would affect Nisan or the people?
And when she thought of telling Sigurd that, she felt the guilt swamp her. It was her responsibility, what everyone expected of her. What would her grandma and mom say if they saw how she was behaving? Like a spoiled brat. She had known her future was planned since she'd been born. No matter how hard she wished it otherwise, this was her life.
"No, nothing's wrong, Sig," Margie sniffled, pulling away from him. "I guess I just needed to cry a little. It does happen a lot when you're a girl my age, you know." Sigurd frowned in disbelief.
Margie wiped her face and laughed shakily. "Don't worry Sig. I'm okay, really I am. I guess everything just overwhelmed me all of a sudden," she insisted, turning away. She hated lying to him and she was aware that he didn't really believe her. But she also knew that he wouldn't push the issue further. And she loved him for that.
"Okay, Margie. We'll leave it at that. But you know you can talk to me whenever something's botheing you. We're friends after all, right?" She looked at him and gave him a watery smile. "Good. Anyway, I just came to tell you that Bart will be the one to go with you on your trip with Khar. The Yggdrassil is ready whenever you need it."
"Oh Sig, thar's great!" Margie exclaimed clapping her hands. Then she threw her arms around him again, but this time to land a kiss on his cheek. "Thanks! I knew you'd come through for me! Where's Bart? I need to thank him, too!"
"He's in your house talking to Fei and Elly. Everyone else already left."
"Thanks Sig. See you later!" she called over her shoulder as she ran off toward her house. She was considerably more cheerful. Now that she knew she was going. And with Bart... Well, it made her glad.
Margie arrived at her house to find Bart sitting on one of the chairs by the table, staring off into space as he tipped his chair back and played with something in his hands. He was alone. Feeling more mischievous than she had in ages, she decided to surprise him. She tiptoed over to him slowly. He didn't see her until she stood right next to him (slightly behind him actually...) and she leaned over, getting in the way of his view of the ceiling. Bart let out a yelp and lost his balance, crashing to the floor with the chair. Margie laughed as he got up angrily.
"Now you've done it," he hissed through clenched teeth. "You probably woke up Elly with all that noise and Fei went to so much trouble to get her to sleep."
"Hey, I'm not the one that fell."
"No, but you caused me to fall. Just for that I think I wont give you guys a ride on my ship anymore," he declared, glaring. Margie just grinned at him and suddenly noticed that he had something in his hand. He seemed to notice at the same time too and tried to put it away, but she managed to grab a hold of his hand before he could stuff it in his vest. Then the tug-of-war began.
"What are you trying to hide from me?" Tug.
"Nothing." Tug.
"What is it?" Tug.
"None of your business." Tug.
"Come on! Let me see!"
"No! Now let go!"
"Not until you let me see!"
"Margie, would you quit being so nosy!"
"I'm not being nosy! I just wanna see! Let me see!"
"That's being nosy! Now let go before I deck you!"
"You wouldn't dare try to hit me! You know I'd beat the living daylights out of you!"
"Since when?!"
"Since always! Now let me see before I really get angry!"
"Margie, let go!"
"Um... You guys...." A new voice.
"Bart! Come on! Let me see! What kind of childhood best friend are you if you don't even trust me?!"
"...You guys...?"
"It's not about trust! I'll just show it to you later."
"You two?" Sigh.
"Promise?"
"I promise! Geez, what else do you want? A pinky swear?"
"Ahem!" A cleared throat.
"It might help," Margie said and giggled wickedly when Bart rolled his eyes. Then she finally glanced at Billy who was standing in the doorway. "Sorry, Billy. What's up?"
Bart sighed and sat down in his straightened chair before putting the very precious item away in the inner pocket of his vest.
Billy, who had seen most of the argument, shook his head at the way these two seemed to handle their problems. "I just came over to tell you that since dad's going with you, Prim wants to go, too. And since Prim's going, I'll be coming along also."
"That's great Billy!" Margie cheered.
Billy blushed at her show of enthusiasm and fervently wished that his complexion wasn't so pale. It was so embarassing to blush at everything this over-emotional friend of his did to show her affection. He wasn't used to having friends who cared for him as much as he had now. People who worried about him. Usually, it was he who worried about everyone else.
He nodded hurriedly at Margie and then noticed the raised eyebrow'd look Bart was giving him. He glared at the impish gleam in the pirate's eye before turning back to Margie. Bart chuckled under his breath at the guy's reaction. Getting on each other's nerves was a habit practiced whenever they saw each other.
"So anyway, I just wanted to tell you that," Billy continued as his blush disappeared.
"Great, Billy. I'm glad you're going. Just wait, we'll have the biggest snowball fight ever! We'll drag everyone in, even Rico!"
Billy grinned, her cheerfulness contagious, while Bart winced as he got a mental image of Rico throwing a snowball the size of his torso at Bart with the pretense that it was part of the game. He could still remember how the half-blood had reacted when he'd found out that Bart was the one that had shot down the Goliath. Better not tempt the ex-battling champ with a chance to cause Bart some pain.
"Sounds like fun, Margie. I'm sure Prim'll have fun, too. She needed to get out and have a few carefree afternoons, anyway," Billy shrugged with a smile.
~Don't we all~ Margie thought. "Don't worry, Billy. We'll make that girl laugh all day," Margie promised. Then she got up and began pushing both men towards the door. "Now you guys go get some sleep. God knows I'll need the rest. Tomorrow's planning is going to be hectic."
And she kicked them both out and shut the door in their faces, ignoring their protests that came through the closed door. She began cleaning up the common room as quietly as possible and could still hear them outside. If she knew them at all, she'd bet they were arguing in an attempt to figure out who's fault it was that they'd been kicked out.
Grinning, she yawned and stretched, loosening her bound up hair as she headed for the bliss that was a soft bed after a tiring day.
To be continued...
*Just a reminder that you review please. =]*