Give me power! Literally!
Want to hear a tale of wonderful neglect on my part? Last week, instead of pdating, I saw Lord of the Rings again! Yeeeeeeeeei! And then I had sooo much homework during the week, and when I was finally done with it on Friday, we had a beautiful icestorm. Followed by freakinsh wind. Will somebody please tell me why our power lines are above ground? Poor laptop battery. Ran out on me. Poor CD player batteries. No music for hours on end. Well, we got power back this afternoon, so here's the next chapter!
~Enjoy!
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
To never have sunlight on your face.
Yet, you were content to let me shine;
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
While you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name…
A beautiful smile to hide the pain…
(from "Wind Beneath My Wings," performed by Bette Midler)
Zidane felt stretched over the next few days. Seeing Garnet was next to impossible, although he managed to sit next to her twice when she called for private parties with the old group of friends. Out of these brief periods of bliss, being with his old friends was almost discomforting. It was odd to find that he had changed the most. At times, he was even uncomfortable to be with Tantalus. Truth be told, he felt that he could only relax among his own kind. Huh, my "own" kind… Zidane mused as he crept towards the room that the visitors from New Bran Bal had claimed for themselves. The Terran people were generally fun loving appreciators of beauty and excitement. He was probably the rowdiest of them, for as a majority they were soft spoken. He opened the door to find them all drinking alcohol and playing a card game called "spit." It was nice to hear random swatches of Terran speech intermingled with the common tongue of Gaia.
"Good sunset, Zidane!" one female called from behind her hand, then groaned when she realized she had missed three opportunities to discard during her distraction. Zidane chuckled his amusement as he found a seat to watch the game from.
"The greeting is 'good evening' in these parts, Chiaria," he grinned.
"But it's yet to become evening!" she protested before groaning again.
"Chirin," her lover Sumisu chided from behind, "pay attention!" The game slowed to a stop when Mikoto and her two advisors came through the door. All looked tired but triumphant.
"What's the word?" Zidane asked expectantly, standing up.
"Peace negotiations will continue in New Bran Bal," Mikoto answered, sounding pleased although her face was as blank as a fresh sheet of paper. "That should please you, Zidane."
"Damn straight!" Zidane shouted as he pumped an arm in victory. The others laughed at his endearing lack of tact.
"We leave at daybreak," the advisor at Mikoto's right expanded. The Terrans started then to celebrate, happy to be homeward bound. Zidane shot out the door to explain the good news to his Tantalus brothers.
The next day, after saying farewell to his friends, Zidane took his place among the Terran ambassadors. It was important at this point to be considered one of them. The reborn race, itching to get home, was assembled at the dock of Cid's airship long before any of the representatives of the Gaian nations had appeared. When they finally did start trickling in, the genomic individuals had a hard time hiding their impatience. Zidane greeted Regent Cid warmly, but his expression darkened when he noted how many lords were bringing their sons along. Conversely, he could hide neither the love in his eyes nor the delight upon his face when the Queen joined them, accompanied by Steiner and the royal guard: the Knights of Pluto.
Mikoto's accompaniment began to board the ship with Cid's workmen while the Alexandrians and nobles continued shoptalk. Zidane remained, hoping to get close to Garnet. Suddenly, Zidane heard the strained flapping of scaled wings. He scanned the area quickly with his newly developed energy awareness to find a dragon approaching from the sun. By this time, other people had noticed it, he judged from the screaming. He also noticed that Peter de Granville was the first to draw his sword as the Grand Dragon touched down opposite the airship. Steiner quickly drew his sword and began ordering his knights around. The nobles were either scrambling for the airship or nervously baring various weapons. It seemed to Zidane the Garnet was the only one without fear.
She has the reason not to be afraid, he thought admirably. Then he remembered his own weapon: Ultima. Oh yeah, I had that for a reason, didn't I? Zidane unsheathed the twin blades and locked them into place opposite each other. Half of the company stopped to see the crystal blue of the ancient Terran weapon. Most notably, the dragon ceased its roaring at the threats of men to snort in Zidane's general direction. It knew a challenge when it saw one. Zidane propped the weapon on his shoulder as he made his way away from the Hilda Guarde.
"Estuans interius ira vehementi," he baited at it in a language of old. The dragon charged at him, sweeping all the other opponents from itself as it barreled down upon the last of the highlanders. Zidane bade his time, watching almost as if only from interest as the monster drew closer. Vehemently, as Zidane had suggested, it swung a venomous claw at him. It was far too late, for by the time it had started its strike, Zidane was counterstriking. The dragon reared up with a roar streaming cold blood from a gash in its chest. It spun and struck again, seeking to take out the small, tailed man with any or all of its lethal limbs. Zidane was nothing if not nimble and was quickly cutting the dragon to pieces. After multiple failed attempts to decapitate the fleet fighter with its poisonous touch, the frustrated Grand Dragon breathed a Thundara spell.
Zidane was prepared for this, but not quite quick enough. A gasp escaped from the onlookers as Zidane was struck down and sent tumbling along the ground, limbs cackling with electric energy. After a split second however, the resilient genome had darted well out of the dragon's reach and stood panting, no worse for the wear. A second gasp, followed by a murmuring, went through the noblemen, who were shocked by the lack of damage done to the young man. Zidane remembered the strategy of the old times. He always got personal with the large monsters, and it never mattered if Vivi missed, for Zidane had no weakness to elemental attacks. Recently, all magic had less and less affect on Zidane. Only Zidane himself truly understood why. The dragon, encouraged by the results of his last attack was now conjuring up a much stronger spell. In the corner of his eye, Zidane saw Garnet break free of the crowd, running in her long skirts to his aid. He could practically hear the words of Reflect forming on her lips, but he caught her eyes and shook his head. She withdrew, although the doubt and worry lingered on her face.
The sky darkened above; Zidane drew his eyes up to it. Full Thundaga—death to all the assembled—brewed amongst the clouds, ready to be released. And amidst the screams of terror and confusion, Zidane smiled. He raised his right hand to the sky, as the powerful thunder spell broke open. All the bolts struck Zidane's hand. His face contorted in pain, but his peace held. Everyone stared in awe as he bought his fist down, for it glowed a brilliant pink as it was brought level with his shoulder. Zidane glanced up at the terrified dragon, and smirked.
"Shock," he announced, as he stretched out his hand to the monster. It was indeed a variation of Shock that tore the life from the dragon, its own power becoming its downfall. The creature slumped to the ground, stone dead. There was a silence that hung over the Gaians as Zidane walked back towards the ship, shaking the feeling back into his hand. The Terrans, however, broke out into applause from the deck, although one of them leaned forward and shouted:
"Boooooo! Where were the waves of light and neon signs?!"
"It's too early for that!" Zidane shouted back, making some sort of sign with his hand. Whatever it meant, it brought roaring laughter from the tailed people.
"Are you hurt?" Garnet asked, her eyes full of concern as she came close to him, purposefully touching his right arm.
"Not really," he answered, sounding disinterested, as he sheathed the Ultima blades. His eyes told her otherwise. She took his shoulders in her hands and murmured a quick Cure spell. His body glowed with a rejuvenating green light as she brought herself close against him. None-too-discreetly, Zidane petted her head, drawing her face against his neck. He then put hand around her waist, pulling her completely into an embrace. Any excuse is a good excuse, he thought happily as she returned his embrace. With a quick glance, he surveyed the field of nobles' sons. All looked both incredibly envious and satisfyingly alarmed. He fixed his gaze on Peter, who was practically seething. Whatever Garnet had told the son of the Count had definitely not pleased him. What was better was, once Peter realized that the "common thief" was looking directly at him, he speedily averted his gaze. What a blessed turn of events, Zidane thought smugly. No one was going to argue his abilities now.
"Three guesses who brought that beast here," Zidane whispered in his lover's ear. "And the second two aren't necessary."
"Now, now…" she hushed him. "Conceivably, it could have come on its own."
"Uh-huh."
"Zidane, my boy!" Steiner came up and slapped him on the back as he and Garnet withdrew from each other. "You've most definitely improved! Next we'll have to try you against a chimera!"
"Psh," Zidane scoffed in the hearing of all. "Pit me against a yan or three any day. That might prove slightly interesting." More silence. Even Garnet was looking at him funny. "Of course, it might prove incredibly boring," he continued, apologetically. There was no doubt in Zidane's mind that he could beat a yan, it was only that he did not wish to sound proud. Regardless, once the airship took off, Zidane stood at the bow of it, alone with his Dagger, and undisturbed. He slipped his hand into hers as the wind picked up, drawing their hair from their faces.
"That was quite a show you put on back there," she contemplated admiringly.
"It impressed you?" he drew back in surprise.
"Of course," she looked at him strangely. "It was nothing short of incredible. Why would I not be impressed?"
"It's just—" Zidane broke off and began to laugh. "I keep forgetting how much stronger I've become. And for once…" he looked deeply into her eyes as he chose his words. "I was not trying to impress you." Garnet looked back at him, a smile playing at her lips.
"Zidane," she played with his collar, "you don't know how often I kicked myself for pretending to take you for granted." Slowly, Zidane reached for her cheek. He stroked it for a while, reveling in the sensation of petting a rose petal.
"I didn't mind," he finally said, raising his other hand to her other cheek, cupping her head in both hands. Garnet stood enchanted, unsure what to do with her hands. "I…didn't mind," he repeated, bringing his face low. She raised one hand over his, the other one gripping the railing for balance. Their noses brushed. Garnet tore her eyes from his to glance at his mouth. It was so close. Too close. She pulled away just in time as the door to the cabins opened and several elderly members of her board of councilors stepped out to enjoy the breeze. She looked up at Zidane mournfully. His face was beet red and he was staring off into the distance. She sighed and adjusted her skirts, although it was pointless to do so in this wind. She longed to be intimate with Zidane. But if they were caught merely kissing now… She shook her head.
"Life is not fair," she told her beloved, as more people came out on deck. "I wish we needed not to be so secretive." He glanced over his shoulder for a moment before grunting his agreement and looking back over the world. However, Garnet had caught a glimpse of his eye. "What are you planning?" she poked his arm.
"What makes you think I'm planning something?" The innocent look on his face was positively perfect. But Garnet knew better.
"Oh don't play all innocent with me," she laughed. "I know you too well!"
"So-ka?" he asked something she didn't understand. She raised an eyebrow.
"All right then, keep your secrets," she sniffed, leaning against the railing. "Curiosity is an unladylike quality anyway." This was his turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Since when were you concerned with being 'ladylike'?" he asked. Garnet made a noncommittal noise. "Aha, but I have ways of making you talk…" He jumped up on the railing, standing on one foot only. "Wheeeeee!" he grinned, and toppled over backwards.
"Omigod, Zidane!" Garnet shrieked, but stopped herself when Zidane hoisted himself back up onto the deck.
"Is it ladylike to scream?" he asked, bearing that old roguish grin of his.
"Don't scare me like that," she reproved, punching him in the arm. He grabbed her wrist and pulled it behind her.
"Hey, I need that arm," he protested. Garnet rolled her dark chocolate eyes, but realized quite quickly how much attention they were attracting.
"You can stop teasing me now," she said with a giggle.
"Are you sure you want me to, Your Majesty," he asked, catching on, but he leaned his head closer, whispering, "mystifying, magical, majesty…"
"Not all that sure," she smiled fully, her full lips spread wide enough for Zidane to—he stopped himself and let her go.
"Make up your mind!" he shrugged.
"Hm," she made herself to think. "I want to go to lunch. You will come with me." She snapped her fingers and made in the direction of the galley.
"Whoa, when did I agree to that?" Zidane called after her, thoroughly enjoying making a scene with the Queen of Alexandria.
"Agree?" she looked at him as if he had sprouted a second tail. "I ordered you to come with me."
"No dice," he made a snobbish face. "I'm a Terran, and therefore a partaker of selective democracy. No one 'orders' me anywhere. We must vote."
"I see," she smiled evilly and grabbed his arm. "But I have taken you prisoner. So now I order you to come with me."
"I can't argue with that…" he dropped his head, as if in defeat. Then Garnet lost it and burst out giggling. Zidane looked up at her, biting back laughter himself. "I'd call you a cruel monarch, but I don't thoroughly object to coming with you."
"Why didn't you say so in the first place?" she placed her hands on her hips as if in exasperation.
"I'm just being difficult."
"And therefore teasing me again?"
"You know you didn't want me to stop," he grinned and offered her his arm. "Shall we go to lunch?" Smiling with all of her face, the Queen of Alexandria allowed the Understudy of Tantalus to lead her off of the deck.
By afternoon, the ship had arrived at the Outer Continent. Everyone came outside to watch the arrival. Zidane took Garnet's hand once again and squeezed it as they passed over the Qu's Marsh and towards the "Dead Forest."
"That looks familiar," he elbowed her as he pointed off to the Dwarf City of Conde Petie. Garnet giggled at the memory. "Too bad we're only married there," he whispered mischievously, "it'd be so much nicer to be married in the next city over." She smiled at him, noting the suspicious light in his eyes from before. "Look," he breathed suddenly. Garnet looked and gasped. The once dead forest was overrun by bluish-greenery, as was the once dead plain. But what was most impressive was the construction of mostly finished, white structures, erected between the beach and forest, facing the great ocean south with their backs to the wall. Clustered in strips around them were many, many partially finished buildings.
"How did they manage—"
"I might ask the same of your city," Zidane cut her off.
"Zidane…" Garnet shook her head in disbelief. "We had something to start from. None of this was here a year and a half ago."
"My culture's more advanced?" Zidane suggested with a shrug. Then he pointed to the horizon. "Quickly, look there!" Garnet followed his gesture. At first she saw nothing. Then, for a second, she glimpsed the dancing of a thousand tiny rainbows that shattered like glass before the fragments vanished. She blinked once to ensure her sanity.
"Zidane…" she breathed, "what was that?"
"The dismissal of the guard," Zidane smiled. "It will return once the ship is inside."
"The guard?" Garnet asked. "Like a guardian? An eidolon?"
"Oh, no," Zidane shook his head. "It's quite mortal. And useless against an eidolon, I'd think. But it is a shield against weapons and a barrier against life forms. It keeps our native creatures in and the Gaian ones out, so to speak."
"Native creatures?" she asked, intrigued. Curious as ever, I see, thought Zidane.
"Mostly plants," Zidane scratched his head, "considering that was my forte, and I was too weak to help with construction. But we do have a few…'fauna specie,' as my sister would call them. And more to come in the future, I'd presume."
"Like what?" Garnet pressed as the ship hovered before touching down.
"Oh, you'll see," Zidane smiled and glanced upward as the Guard of New Bran Bal resumed its position. They had arrived in the city of the Terran Souls.
Yes, that is Latin, and yes, that is Japanese. I really don't believe you about not knowing the Latin part, but I'll humor ya. It means "burning inside with violent anger." And a shiny penny to those of you who can tell me where it's from. 9__9
As for the Japanese, if you don't know at least that, then you're worse off then Garnet, cause I'm not telling. :-P
And, crap, know what? Rehearsal starts the 10th. Bye bye, freedom. -_-
Want to hear a tale of wonderful neglect on my part? Last week, instead of pdating, I saw Lord of the Rings again! Yeeeeeeeeei! And then I had sooo much homework during the week, and when I was finally done with it on Friday, we had a beautiful icestorm. Followed by freakinsh wind. Will somebody please tell me why our power lines are above ground? Poor laptop battery. Ran out on me. Poor CD player batteries. No music for hours on end. Well, we got power back this afternoon, so here's the next chapter!
~Enjoy!
It must have been cold there in my shadow,
To never have sunlight on your face.
Yet, you were content to let me shine;
You always walked a step behind.
So I was the one with all the glory,
While you were the one with all the strength.
A beautiful face without a name…
A beautiful smile to hide the pain…
(from "Wind Beneath My Wings," performed by Bette Midler)
Zidane felt stretched over the next few days. Seeing Garnet was next to impossible, although he managed to sit next to her twice when she called for private parties with the old group of friends. Out of these brief periods of bliss, being with his old friends was almost discomforting. It was odd to find that he had changed the most. At times, he was even uncomfortable to be with Tantalus. Truth be told, he felt that he could only relax among his own kind. Huh, my "own" kind… Zidane mused as he crept towards the room that the visitors from New Bran Bal had claimed for themselves. The Terran people were generally fun loving appreciators of beauty and excitement. He was probably the rowdiest of them, for as a majority they were soft spoken. He opened the door to find them all drinking alcohol and playing a card game called "spit." It was nice to hear random swatches of Terran speech intermingled with the common tongue of Gaia.
"Good sunset, Zidane!" one female called from behind her hand, then groaned when she realized she had missed three opportunities to discard during her distraction. Zidane chuckled his amusement as he found a seat to watch the game from.
"The greeting is 'good evening' in these parts, Chiaria," he grinned.
"But it's yet to become evening!" she protested before groaning again.
"Chirin," her lover Sumisu chided from behind, "pay attention!" The game slowed to a stop when Mikoto and her two advisors came through the door. All looked tired but triumphant.
"What's the word?" Zidane asked expectantly, standing up.
"Peace negotiations will continue in New Bran Bal," Mikoto answered, sounding pleased although her face was as blank as a fresh sheet of paper. "That should please you, Zidane."
"Damn straight!" Zidane shouted as he pumped an arm in victory. The others laughed at his endearing lack of tact.
"We leave at daybreak," the advisor at Mikoto's right expanded. The Terrans started then to celebrate, happy to be homeward bound. Zidane shot out the door to explain the good news to his Tantalus brothers.
The next day, after saying farewell to his friends, Zidane took his place among the Terran ambassadors. It was important at this point to be considered one of them. The reborn race, itching to get home, was assembled at the dock of Cid's airship long before any of the representatives of the Gaian nations had appeared. When they finally did start trickling in, the genomic individuals had a hard time hiding their impatience. Zidane greeted Regent Cid warmly, but his expression darkened when he noted how many lords were bringing their sons along. Conversely, he could hide neither the love in his eyes nor the delight upon his face when the Queen joined them, accompanied by Steiner and the royal guard: the Knights of Pluto.
Mikoto's accompaniment began to board the ship with Cid's workmen while the Alexandrians and nobles continued shoptalk. Zidane remained, hoping to get close to Garnet. Suddenly, Zidane heard the strained flapping of scaled wings. He scanned the area quickly with his newly developed energy awareness to find a dragon approaching from the sun. By this time, other people had noticed it, he judged from the screaming. He also noticed that Peter de Granville was the first to draw his sword as the Grand Dragon touched down opposite the airship. Steiner quickly drew his sword and began ordering his knights around. The nobles were either scrambling for the airship or nervously baring various weapons. It seemed to Zidane the Garnet was the only one without fear.
She has the reason not to be afraid, he thought admirably. Then he remembered his own weapon: Ultima. Oh yeah, I had that for a reason, didn't I? Zidane unsheathed the twin blades and locked them into place opposite each other. Half of the company stopped to see the crystal blue of the ancient Terran weapon. Most notably, the dragon ceased its roaring at the threats of men to snort in Zidane's general direction. It knew a challenge when it saw one. Zidane propped the weapon on his shoulder as he made his way away from the Hilda Guarde.
"Estuans interius ira vehementi," he baited at it in a language of old. The dragon charged at him, sweeping all the other opponents from itself as it barreled down upon the last of the highlanders. Zidane bade his time, watching almost as if only from interest as the monster drew closer. Vehemently, as Zidane had suggested, it swung a venomous claw at him. It was far too late, for by the time it had started its strike, Zidane was counterstriking. The dragon reared up with a roar streaming cold blood from a gash in its chest. It spun and struck again, seeking to take out the small, tailed man with any or all of its lethal limbs. Zidane was nothing if not nimble and was quickly cutting the dragon to pieces. After multiple failed attempts to decapitate the fleet fighter with its poisonous touch, the frustrated Grand Dragon breathed a Thundara spell.
Zidane was prepared for this, but not quite quick enough. A gasp escaped from the onlookers as Zidane was struck down and sent tumbling along the ground, limbs cackling with electric energy. After a split second however, the resilient genome had darted well out of the dragon's reach and stood panting, no worse for the wear. A second gasp, followed by a murmuring, went through the noblemen, who were shocked by the lack of damage done to the young man. Zidane remembered the strategy of the old times. He always got personal with the large monsters, and it never mattered if Vivi missed, for Zidane had no weakness to elemental attacks. Recently, all magic had less and less affect on Zidane. Only Zidane himself truly understood why. The dragon, encouraged by the results of his last attack was now conjuring up a much stronger spell. In the corner of his eye, Zidane saw Garnet break free of the crowd, running in her long skirts to his aid. He could practically hear the words of Reflect forming on her lips, but he caught her eyes and shook his head. She withdrew, although the doubt and worry lingered on her face.
The sky darkened above; Zidane drew his eyes up to it. Full Thundaga—death to all the assembled—brewed amongst the clouds, ready to be released. And amidst the screams of terror and confusion, Zidane smiled. He raised his right hand to the sky, as the powerful thunder spell broke open. All the bolts struck Zidane's hand. His face contorted in pain, but his peace held. Everyone stared in awe as he bought his fist down, for it glowed a brilliant pink as it was brought level with his shoulder. Zidane glanced up at the terrified dragon, and smirked.
"Shock," he announced, as he stretched out his hand to the monster. It was indeed a variation of Shock that tore the life from the dragon, its own power becoming its downfall. The creature slumped to the ground, stone dead. There was a silence that hung over the Gaians as Zidane walked back towards the ship, shaking the feeling back into his hand. The Terrans, however, broke out into applause from the deck, although one of them leaned forward and shouted:
"Boooooo! Where were the waves of light and neon signs?!"
"It's too early for that!" Zidane shouted back, making some sort of sign with his hand. Whatever it meant, it brought roaring laughter from the tailed people.
"Are you hurt?" Garnet asked, her eyes full of concern as she came close to him, purposefully touching his right arm.
"Not really," he answered, sounding disinterested, as he sheathed the Ultima blades. His eyes told her otherwise. She took his shoulders in her hands and murmured a quick Cure spell. His body glowed with a rejuvenating green light as she brought herself close against him. None-too-discreetly, Zidane petted her head, drawing her face against his neck. He then put hand around her waist, pulling her completely into an embrace. Any excuse is a good excuse, he thought happily as she returned his embrace. With a quick glance, he surveyed the field of nobles' sons. All looked both incredibly envious and satisfyingly alarmed. He fixed his gaze on Peter, who was practically seething. Whatever Garnet had told the son of the Count had definitely not pleased him. What was better was, once Peter realized that the "common thief" was looking directly at him, he speedily averted his gaze. What a blessed turn of events, Zidane thought smugly. No one was going to argue his abilities now.
"Three guesses who brought that beast here," Zidane whispered in his lover's ear. "And the second two aren't necessary."
"Now, now…" she hushed him. "Conceivably, it could have come on its own."
"Uh-huh."
"Zidane, my boy!" Steiner came up and slapped him on the back as he and Garnet withdrew from each other. "You've most definitely improved! Next we'll have to try you against a chimera!"
"Psh," Zidane scoffed in the hearing of all. "Pit me against a yan or three any day. That might prove slightly interesting." More silence. Even Garnet was looking at him funny. "Of course, it might prove incredibly boring," he continued, apologetically. There was no doubt in Zidane's mind that he could beat a yan, it was only that he did not wish to sound proud. Regardless, once the airship took off, Zidane stood at the bow of it, alone with his Dagger, and undisturbed. He slipped his hand into hers as the wind picked up, drawing their hair from their faces.
"That was quite a show you put on back there," she contemplated admiringly.
"It impressed you?" he drew back in surprise.
"Of course," she looked at him strangely. "It was nothing short of incredible. Why would I not be impressed?"
"It's just—" Zidane broke off and began to laugh. "I keep forgetting how much stronger I've become. And for once…" he looked deeply into her eyes as he chose his words. "I was not trying to impress you." Garnet looked back at him, a smile playing at her lips.
"Zidane," she played with his collar, "you don't know how often I kicked myself for pretending to take you for granted." Slowly, Zidane reached for her cheek. He stroked it for a while, reveling in the sensation of petting a rose petal.
"I didn't mind," he finally said, raising his other hand to her other cheek, cupping her head in both hands. Garnet stood enchanted, unsure what to do with her hands. "I…didn't mind," he repeated, bringing his face low. She raised one hand over his, the other one gripping the railing for balance. Their noses brushed. Garnet tore her eyes from his to glance at his mouth. It was so close. Too close. She pulled away just in time as the door to the cabins opened and several elderly members of her board of councilors stepped out to enjoy the breeze. She looked up at Zidane mournfully. His face was beet red and he was staring off into the distance. She sighed and adjusted her skirts, although it was pointless to do so in this wind. She longed to be intimate with Zidane. But if they were caught merely kissing now… She shook her head.
"Life is not fair," she told her beloved, as more people came out on deck. "I wish we needed not to be so secretive." He glanced over his shoulder for a moment before grunting his agreement and looking back over the world. However, Garnet had caught a glimpse of his eye. "What are you planning?" she poked his arm.
"What makes you think I'm planning something?" The innocent look on his face was positively perfect. But Garnet knew better.
"Oh don't play all innocent with me," she laughed. "I know you too well!"
"So-ka?" he asked something she didn't understand. She raised an eyebrow.
"All right then, keep your secrets," she sniffed, leaning against the railing. "Curiosity is an unladylike quality anyway." This was his turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Since when were you concerned with being 'ladylike'?" he asked. Garnet made a noncommittal noise. "Aha, but I have ways of making you talk…" He jumped up on the railing, standing on one foot only. "Wheeeeee!" he grinned, and toppled over backwards.
"Omigod, Zidane!" Garnet shrieked, but stopped herself when Zidane hoisted himself back up onto the deck.
"Is it ladylike to scream?" he asked, bearing that old roguish grin of his.
"Don't scare me like that," she reproved, punching him in the arm. He grabbed her wrist and pulled it behind her.
"Hey, I need that arm," he protested. Garnet rolled her dark chocolate eyes, but realized quite quickly how much attention they were attracting.
"You can stop teasing me now," she said with a giggle.
"Are you sure you want me to, Your Majesty," he asked, catching on, but he leaned his head closer, whispering, "mystifying, magical, majesty…"
"Not all that sure," she smiled fully, her full lips spread wide enough for Zidane to—he stopped himself and let her go.
"Make up your mind!" he shrugged.
"Hm," she made herself to think. "I want to go to lunch. You will come with me." She snapped her fingers and made in the direction of the galley.
"Whoa, when did I agree to that?" Zidane called after her, thoroughly enjoying making a scene with the Queen of Alexandria.
"Agree?" she looked at him as if he had sprouted a second tail. "I ordered you to come with me."
"No dice," he made a snobbish face. "I'm a Terran, and therefore a partaker of selective democracy. No one 'orders' me anywhere. We must vote."
"I see," she smiled evilly and grabbed his arm. "But I have taken you prisoner. So now I order you to come with me."
"I can't argue with that…" he dropped his head, as if in defeat. Then Garnet lost it and burst out giggling. Zidane looked up at her, biting back laughter himself. "I'd call you a cruel monarch, but I don't thoroughly object to coming with you."
"Why didn't you say so in the first place?" she placed her hands on her hips as if in exasperation.
"I'm just being difficult."
"And therefore teasing me again?"
"You know you didn't want me to stop," he grinned and offered her his arm. "Shall we go to lunch?" Smiling with all of her face, the Queen of Alexandria allowed the Understudy of Tantalus to lead her off of the deck.
By afternoon, the ship had arrived at the Outer Continent. Everyone came outside to watch the arrival. Zidane took Garnet's hand once again and squeezed it as they passed over the Qu's Marsh and towards the "Dead Forest."
"That looks familiar," he elbowed her as he pointed off to the Dwarf City of Conde Petie. Garnet giggled at the memory. "Too bad we're only married there," he whispered mischievously, "it'd be so much nicer to be married in the next city over." She smiled at him, noting the suspicious light in his eyes from before. "Look," he breathed suddenly. Garnet looked and gasped. The once dead forest was overrun by bluish-greenery, as was the once dead plain. But what was most impressive was the construction of mostly finished, white structures, erected between the beach and forest, facing the great ocean south with their backs to the wall. Clustered in strips around them were many, many partially finished buildings.
"How did they manage—"
"I might ask the same of your city," Zidane cut her off.
"Zidane…" Garnet shook her head in disbelief. "We had something to start from. None of this was here a year and a half ago."
"My culture's more advanced?" Zidane suggested with a shrug. Then he pointed to the horizon. "Quickly, look there!" Garnet followed his gesture. At first she saw nothing. Then, for a second, she glimpsed the dancing of a thousand tiny rainbows that shattered like glass before the fragments vanished. She blinked once to ensure her sanity.
"Zidane…" she breathed, "what was that?"
"The dismissal of the guard," Zidane smiled. "It will return once the ship is inside."
"The guard?" Garnet asked. "Like a guardian? An eidolon?"
"Oh, no," Zidane shook his head. "It's quite mortal. And useless against an eidolon, I'd think. But it is a shield against weapons and a barrier against life forms. It keeps our native creatures in and the Gaian ones out, so to speak."
"Native creatures?" she asked, intrigued. Curious as ever, I see, thought Zidane.
"Mostly plants," Zidane scratched his head, "considering that was my forte, and I was too weak to help with construction. But we do have a few…'fauna specie,' as my sister would call them. And more to come in the future, I'd presume."
"Like what?" Garnet pressed as the ship hovered before touching down.
"Oh, you'll see," Zidane smiled and glanced upward as the Guard of New Bran Bal resumed its position. They had arrived in the city of the Terran Souls.
Yes, that is Latin, and yes, that is Japanese. I really don't believe you about not knowing the Latin part, but I'll humor ya. It means "burning inside with violent anger." And a shiny penny to those of you who can tell me where it's from. 9__9
As for the Japanese, if you don't know at least that, then you're worse off then Garnet, cause I'm not telling. :-P
And, crap, know what? Rehearsal starts the 10th. Bye bye, freedom. -_-