A/N - I had to fix some spacing issues, I apologize if you tried to read
through those nasty paragraphs *grimace* Please enjoy :).
***
Outside Castle Figaro, there were several pitched tents and temporary buildings in preparation of the celebration. Everyplace was filled with people that had come to celebrate the anniversary. People had been here for weeks preparing to sell there wares, their services, and food for what seemed to be a month long festival leading into the Grand Ball.
Leo, exhausted from all the walking, found a public bathhouse. He looked around uncertainly at the facilities, as they seemed to harbor desert creatures of the creepy crawly nature, but yearned to be clean of the dust and dirt from his travels. He placed his belongings close by as he disrobed. He pumped the water through to his showerhead and washed quickly underneath the tepid water. It may have not been the best way to clean, but it got rid his skin of the several layers of dirt, sweat, and grime that Leo had become accustomed to.
He dressed in clean trousers, and a dark shirt, common to most merchants in the area. He pulled on his boots over his sore feet and marched back out to the bustle of the mini village.
As much as he hated crowds, his passion to find her kept him on the busy path. He really didn't have a clue on how to locate her. The few questions he asked were answered by scoffs or laughs or rumors of her relationship with the king. Nobody seemed to care about his story, or the fact that he wasn't interested in a relationship with the girl, but that she had some key to unlock his past.
What he understood from that snotty scout was that she was someone of importance. He wasn't exactly sure how to locate her, or even if he did see her if he'd know who she was. The weight of the situation was beginning bog him down. He was beginning to see more and more the futility of his trip.
Although he did enjoy getting away from the blacksmith's shop. He didn't mind the hard work, in fact he was proud of his work. He didn't mind the demeaning looks from "nobility" who walked by him.
He was happy. He was happy with who he was and where he was. He knew he wasn't an ugly man, especially from the looks he got from the young women in the crowd. A small group of girls giggled when he smiled brightly at them. He was humored by that. Sern always wondered why he didn't seem interested with the women of the town. Leo was pondering that now.
But then his feelings seemed reserved for someone. It must be that girl. That someone who not only could unlock the key to his past, but perhaps the lock on his heart. He was always referred to dispassionate unless it was something to do with his work. He longed for her companionship... however he felt stupid at longing for companionship from a girl he did not know. He then thought what if this Terra person was his sister? That'd really make things confusing... however, he doubted that.
He became lost in his thoughts. He was brought to attention by a young blond girl with a purple scarf in her hair that stood right in front of him with her fists on her hips and a demanding stare in her eyes.
His eyes widened at the sight of the girl, and he moved to the side to pass her bye, "excuse me," he muttered.
"Now hold on a minute," she stopped him, but placing her small hand on his arm.
"Yes?" He looked at the girl who at her tallest was about 5 inches shorter than his shoulders.
"I said 'hello' and you didn't respond," she continued.
Leo smirked and rubbed the back of his head, "I do apologize. Hello, young lady."
"Relm," she corrected.
"I'm sorry?"
"Relm," she repeated, "My name is Relm."
He nodded, "Hello Relm."
"Well?" she looked up at him impatiently.
Although impetuous, she was rather amusing. He smiled, "My name is Leo."
"Much better," her eyes softened. "Look, I need your help."
"My help?"
"Yes, I need a date," she said matter-of-factly. Perhaps even with an added taste of disdain.
"Young... Relm, you can't be 14 years old..."
"I'm 15, thank you. But I still need a date for the celebration."
"Why would a pretty girl like yourself need to ask an old man like me for a date?"
"Old man? Old man??" she laughed, "perhaps your old, but you are very good lucking, and very,...." she patted his arm," very muscular..."
"I'm sure there are many young men that would be more than happy to escort the Lady Relm," he replied.
"Well, yes, but not the one I want."
"Why not?" Leo asked.
"I don't know, I guess he doesn't notice me. But he would if I were to walk in on your arm!" she insisted.
"My Lady, I don't think it's appropriate..."
"Come on, Leo, just walk in with me! It's a big party, you can scoot off to wherever you want afterwards."
"I hardly have the clothes for the occasion."
Relm sighed, "The have many clothing shops in the area, oh come on, don't be a fuddy duddy!"
Leo closed his eyes and shook his head, "I don't think."
"Please???" she grabbed his arm, "I will not let go until you agree. Please, please, please, please..." she continued.
"All right!" he raised his hands in surrender, "I'll do it." He groaned to himself. Not only was he going with a teenager, as an added incentive he was going to be in a room full of pompous people. He ran his hand through his hair, but then, he thought, perhaps Terra will be there.
He followed Relm through a cascade of shops. But will she know who he was?
* * *
Leo made it clear that he was none too pleased with neither the tailor nor the suit that he was fitted with. The tailor made comments here and there about him being almost as large as the king's brother, and he would just look marvelous with this, or that.
Leo finally decided on the least frilly suit that he could choose from, but even so, it wasn't really something that he favored all too well.
The shirt bloused out at the sleeves and buttoned too close in on his neck. Three layers of ruffles decorated his neck. His pants and jerkin were both made from maroon velvet that would not breathe easily in the desert sun. Good thing this party was at night, Leo thought.
The tailor had a boy working for him that worked hard at shining as much of Leo's boots as he could. The boy was quiet, which was a sharp contrast from the tailor himself, which Leo appreciated.
The boy finally shrugged, "it's the best I can do, sir."
"It's okay," Leo responded and gave the boy a couple extra gil for his effort.
"Sir, I can't take this..." The boy looked at the money protested. He looked up but saw that Leo had already left.
* * *
Leo pulled on the collar, yet another time as he made his way into the castle with Relm on his arm.
"Stop it, it's supposed to fit that way," Relm chided him.
Leo cleared his throat, "of course." He then realized why all these people so stuffy and stuck up, they couldn't breathe in those outfits, they'd have to conserve all the oxygen they could.
They entered a huge room that was decorated with lights and different colored paper decorations and paintings. He looked at a painting that depicted the countryside. How he really wished he were there now. People were all around the room talking with each other ignoring others, but seemingly like having a wonderful time.
Leo scanned the room for something, someone that he would recognize. But the faces were all a blur.
"Okay, I've gotta jet," Relm patted him on his arm and took off before he could say a word.
He grimaced. He didn't belong here. He found himself drawn to the paintings. He saw that several were portraits. "The Hero's Wall" a display was named. He looked at the pictures and found one of Relm, yet quite a bit younger. He saw the King Edgar and Sabin.
He then saw her. Terra Branford. The name was written in a professional script and then he looked at the picture. He saw a girl with green ringlets and a small smile looking back at him. He cocked his head to the side... He could not remember her. This must be somebody completely different. "Why would I know any hero?" he thought.
He followed the wall down and saw a display of "our friends." He glanced at the pictures and stopped at one, "General Leo." He stared at the picture. "General?" he whispered. He read the caption, "General Leo was a humanitarian of the Empire's army. He fought with honor and dignity until the end..."
He looked back up at the picture. He shook his head softly, "can't be..." He looked around at the room. The room was getting smaller, people were everywhere, and the heat was overwhelming. He pulled on the neck of his shirt yet again. He really wanted to rip the damned shirt off.
He shook his head and headed for a door. He stormed through the door, to the protests of guards and walked out onto a balcony open to the outside air of the castle.
He worked to unbutton the shirt at the neck. He walked to the edge of the balcony and placed his hands on the railing. He closed his eyes and gasped for breath. He took a deep breath through his nose and then exhaled slowly.
His head began to clear up. He unbuttoned his jerkin, and almost tossed it over the balcony's edge, but decided to hold on to it. He really did not want to go back through that room again. He contemplated this while looking at the clear night sky. His thoughts ebbed with the setting of the sun. The stars were always objects of fascination for him. He could get lost in them.
He almost forgot where he was until he felt a soft tap on his shoulder. "Shit the guards..." he thought and turned around abruptly lifting his jerkin on his arm.
He stopped suddenly and looked into the soft green eyes of the beautiful Terra Branford. He blinked a couple of times, searching for the right words to say, but nothing was coming to mind. He finally smiled shyly and said, simply, "hi."
***
Outside Castle Figaro, there were several pitched tents and temporary buildings in preparation of the celebration. Everyplace was filled with people that had come to celebrate the anniversary. People had been here for weeks preparing to sell there wares, their services, and food for what seemed to be a month long festival leading into the Grand Ball.
Leo, exhausted from all the walking, found a public bathhouse. He looked around uncertainly at the facilities, as they seemed to harbor desert creatures of the creepy crawly nature, but yearned to be clean of the dust and dirt from his travels. He placed his belongings close by as he disrobed. He pumped the water through to his showerhead and washed quickly underneath the tepid water. It may have not been the best way to clean, but it got rid his skin of the several layers of dirt, sweat, and grime that Leo had become accustomed to.
He dressed in clean trousers, and a dark shirt, common to most merchants in the area. He pulled on his boots over his sore feet and marched back out to the bustle of the mini village.
As much as he hated crowds, his passion to find her kept him on the busy path. He really didn't have a clue on how to locate her. The few questions he asked were answered by scoffs or laughs or rumors of her relationship with the king. Nobody seemed to care about his story, or the fact that he wasn't interested in a relationship with the girl, but that she had some key to unlock his past.
What he understood from that snotty scout was that she was someone of importance. He wasn't exactly sure how to locate her, or even if he did see her if he'd know who she was. The weight of the situation was beginning bog him down. He was beginning to see more and more the futility of his trip.
Although he did enjoy getting away from the blacksmith's shop. He didn't mind the hard work, in fact he was proud of his work. He didn't mind the demeaning looks from "nobility" who walked by him.
He was happy. He was happy with who he was and where he was. He knew he wasn't an ugly man, especially from the looks he got from the young women in the crowd. A small group of girls giggled when he smiled brightly at them. He was humored by that. Sern always wondered why he didn't seem interested with the women of the town. Leo was pondering that now.
But then his feelings seemed reserved for someone. It must be that girl. That someone who not only could unlock the key to his past, but perhaps the lock on his heart. He was always referred to dispassionate unless it was something to do with his work. He longed for her companionship... however he felt stupid at longing for companionship from a girl he did not know. He then thought what if this Terra person was his sister? That'd really make things confusing... however, he doubted that.
He became lost in his thoughts. He was brought to attention by a young blond girl with a purple scarf in her hair that stood right in front of him with her fists on her hips and a demanding stare in her eyes.
His eyes widened at the sight of the girl, and he moved to the side to pass her bye, "excuse me," he muttered.
"Now hold on a minute," she stopped him, but placing her small hand on his arm.
"Yes?" He looked at the girl who at her tallest was about 5 inches shorter than his shoulders.
"I said 'hello' and you didn't respond," she continued.
Leo smirked and rubbed the back of his head, "I do apologize. Hello, young lady."
"Relm," she corrected.
"I'm sorry?"
"Relm," she repeated, "My name is Relm."
He nodded, "Hello Relm."
"Well?" she looked up at him impatiently.
Although impetuous, she was rather amusing. He smiled, "My name is Leo."
"Much better," her eyes softened. "Look, I need your help."
"My help?"
"Yes, I need a date," she said matter-of-factly. Perhaps even with an added taste of disdain.
"Young... Relm, you can't be 14 years old..."
"I'm 15, thank you. But I still need a date for the celebration."
"Why would a pretty girl like yourself need to ask an old man like me for a date?"
"Old man? Old man??" she laughed, "perhaps your old, but you are very good lucking, and very,...." she patted his arm," very muscular..."
"I'm sure there are many young men that would be more than happy to escort the Lady Relm," he replied.
"Well, yes, but not the one I want."
"Why not?" Leo asked.
"I don't know, I guess he doesn't notice me. But he would if I were to walk in on your arm!" she insisted.
"My Lady, I don't think it's appropriate..."
"Come on, Leo, just walk in with me! It's a big party, you can scoot off to wherever you want afterwards."
"I hardly have the clothes for the occasion."
Relm sighed, "The have many clothing shops in the area, oh come on, don't be a fuddy duddy!"
Leo closed his eyes and shook his head, "I don't think."
"Please???" she grabbed his arm, "I will not let go until you agree. Please, please, please, please..." she continued.
"All right!" he raised his hands in surrender, "I'll do it." He groaned to himself. Not only was he going with a teenager, as an added incentive he was going to be in a room full of pompous people. He ran his hand through his hair, but then, he thought, perhaps Terra will be there.
He followed Relm through a cascade of shops. But will she know who he was?
* * *
Leo made it clear that he was none too pleased with neither the tailor nor the suit that he was fitted with. The tailor made comments here and there about him being almost as large as the king's brother, and he would just look marvelous with this, or that.
Leo finally decided on the least frilly suit that he could choose from, but even so, it wasn't really something that he favored all too well.
The shirt bloused out at the sleeves and buttoned too close in on his neck. Three layers of ruffles decorated his neck. His pants and jerkin were both made from maroon velvet that would not breathe easily in the desert sun. Good thing this party was at night, Leo thought.
The tailor had a boy working for him that worked hard at shining as much of Leo's boots as he could. The boy was quiet, which was a sharp contrast from the tailor himself, which Leo appreciated.
The boy finally shrugged, "it's the best I can do, sir."
"It's okay," Leo responded and gave the boy a couple extra gil for his effort.
"Sir, I can't take this..." The boy looked at the money protested. He looked up but saw that Leo had already left.
* * *
Leo pulled on the collar, yet another time as he made his way into the castle with Relm on his arm.
"Stop it, it's supposed to fit that way," Relm chided him.
Leo cleared his throat, "of course." He then realized why all these people so stuffy and stuck up, they couldn't breathe in those outfits, they'd have to conserve all the oxygen they could.
They entered a huge room that was decorated with lights and different colored paper decorations and paintings. He looked at a painting that depicted the countryside. How he really wished he were there now. People were all around the room talking with each other ignoring others, but seemingly like having a wonderful time.
Leo scanned the room for something, someone that he would recognize. But the faces were all a blur.
"Okay, I've gotta jet," Relm patted him on his arm and took off before he could say a word.
He grimaced. He didn't belong here. He found himself drawn to the paintings. He saw that several were portraits. "The Hero's Wall" a display was named. He looked at the pictures and found one of Relm, yet quite a bit younger. He saw the King Edgar and Sabin.
He then saw her. Terra Branford. The name was written in a professional script and then he looked at the picture. He saw a girl with green ringlets and a small smile looking back at him. He cocked his head to the side... He could not remember her. This must be somebody completely different. "Why would I know any hero?" he thought.
He followed the wall down and saw a display of "our friends." He glanced at the pictures and stopped at one, "General Leo." He stared at the picture. "General?" he whispered. He read the caption, "General Leo was a humanitarian of the Empire's army. He fought with honor and dignity until the end..."
He looked back up at the picture. He shook his head softly, "can't be..." He looked around at the room. The room was getting smaller, people were everywhere, and the heat was overwhelming. He pulled on the neck of his shirt yet again. He really wanted to rip the damned shirt off.
He shook his head and headed for a door. He stormed through the door, to the protests of guards and walked out onto a balcony open to the outside air of the castle.
He worked to unbutton the shirt at the neck. He walked to the edge of the balcony and placed his hands on the railing. He closed his eyes and gasped for breath. He took a deep breath through his nose and then exhaled slowly.
His head began to clear up. He unbuttoned his jerkin, and almost tossed it over the balcony's edge, but decided to hold on to it. He really did not want to go back through that room again. He contemplated this while looking at the clear night sky. His thoughts ebbed with the setting of the sun. The stars were always objects of fascination for him. He could get lost in them.
He almost forgot where he was until he felt a soft tap on his shoulder. "Shit the guards..." he thought and turned around abruptly lifting his jerkin on his arm.
He stopped suddenly and looked into the soft green eyes of the beautiful Terra Branford. He blinked a couple of times, searching for the right words to say, but nothing was coming to mind. He finally smiled shyly and said, simply, "hi."
