Chapter 23: A Day in Lindblum: Afternoon
"Try this, Chris," Zidane said as he handed the twentieth sword to Chris.
"Eh…right length…but it's kinda heavy," Chris said after giving it a few swings.
"How about this one?" Miranda handed him another sword.
"Maybe this one?" Vivi offered, struggling to hand him the heavy sword in his hands.
They were in the fifth Weaponry and Arms shop. So far, they hadn't found the right sword for Chris. It wasn't that he was being picky or anything, it was just that they didn't feel right for him.
"Thanks, again!" Zidane said to the sword merchant.
"Come back again! And I hope you find the right sword, son," the merchant called back.
"You! You young feller over there!" a voice called to them.
The group turned to find an old store displaying a variety of sword and sabers. Zidane and Chris gasped in surprise. "It's the old woman!"
Miranda blinked and looked at them. "Old…woman…?"
"Oh, you must mean my sister down in the Apparel section," the ancient woman said a little hastily. "Come in, come in! I'm sure I have what you need."
"Well…worth a shot," Chris shrugged and turned Joey toward the shop. "So what do you have?" he said as the others dismounted and tied up the chocobos.
"Take a look," the woman said, waving her hand over the display. "I have more in the back."
The group browsed through the display. Miranda picked up a sword. This looks almost like the one I have…
"Aah…the Light Sword…" the old woman said as she came up to her. "Double meaning as in the weight and that its main element is light. Also, the handler must be light of heart."
"Hm…interesting…" Miranda placed the sword down. "Did you find anything, Chris?"
"I think I'm jinxed or something," he replied. "Always so close, but never right! I've tried every sword in this shop!"
"Not every sword," the old woman said as she went to the back. She rummaged through a familiar looking chest and pulled out a flashing sword, the hilt, though simple, flashed in the light as if covered in crystals. "This is called the Soul Blade. No, it's not because that it sucks out your soul," she said at the look on their faces. "It draws it power from the will of the owner. Not energy, the will. The stronger it is, the more effective the stroke, and the more power it uses. Also, it's a very picky sword. Only a certain few can handle it. Why don't you try your luck?" She handed it to Chris who took it a bit hesitantly.
"Worth a shot…what could I lose? My soul?" he said jokingly. He swung the sword in an arc and did a few slices in the air. "Hey…this actually feels pretty good…I can feel it flowing…"
"Looks pretty good, too," Zidane nodded in agreement. "What do you think?" he asked the woman.
"It is not what I think…it is the sword."
"Uh…alright then! What do you think, Soul Blade?" Zidane asked the sword. Boy I feel stupid…
The sword flashed in response, making them all step back in surprise. After a moment, it returned to its normal color. Chris blinked. "I take that as a…yes?"
"I believe the sword has chosen its owner…do you feel its power flowing within your body?"
"Actually…I do feel stronger," Chris said a bit surprised.
The old woman gave them a toothless grin. "Then the sword is yours."
"How much?"
"20,000 gil."
"WHAT?!?!?!" all four of them yelled.
"Though the sword has chosen its owner, I can't just give it for free," the woman said sipping on some tea. "Get something else and I'll make the next item free of charge."
"You are sisters with that other woman," Zidane said running his hand through his hair. "Righto…we need this sword…anyone want anything else?"
"I also have accessories and armor," the woman said, still drinking her tea.
Miranda looked around. "Do you have any stuff for chocobos?"
"Certainly." The old woman led them to the other side of the shop. "We have saddles, bridles, girths, buckles, straps, you name it, I have it."
"Well…I just really need a good bridle…I noticed Rocky's was getting a bit worn down and it really wouldn't do if he had to go through a long journey with that thing…"
"Hm…is he the big one with the tough looking face?" the woman asked while looking through the bridles.
"Yes, that's him! He's really a softie though," Miranda added.
The woman smiled at her. "I know. Looks are deceiving, but all who are hard looking are actually soft." She picked out a nice, well polished leather halter. "This should do it. You can try it on him if you'd like."
"Thanks!" Miranda walked out to Rocky and switched the bridles. She could tell that he really liked it. "It's perfect! Do you think I could just leave it on him…?"
"Of course. You're getting a good deal you know. That bridle is twice the amount of the sword."
"TWICE?!?!" they all said incredously.
"Yep, said to be made by goddess Serenity's chocobo attendants. That sword is also to have been made by her black smiths."
"I don't believe this…is there anything here that isn't related to goddess Serenity?" Chris said.
"Hm…well everything except the stuff you bought," the woman said.
"…here's the 20,000 gil," Chris sighed. Bye-bye money T_T.
"Thank you very much and have a nice day," the old woman smiled and walked back to the store.
"You look so handsome, my widdle Wocky!!" Miranda cuddled his head. Rocky gave cute little 'kweh's' in response.
"I think she's going to turn him into a baby," Chris sighed.
"Wouldn't think that he was a vicious chocobo that he once was, ay?" Zidane commented resting his arm on top of Choco's head.
"Definitely not," Vivi agreed.
"Well, lets get going!" Miranda said as she mounted up. "Thanks again—" She stopped short when she turned around. "Uh…"
They guys turned around and blinked. Like the other store, it had vanished, leaving only an empty lot.
Zidane scratched his head. "Odd…"
"But it was…and we were…and then it's not…" Miranda stammered. "Where'd it go??"
Chris shrugged. "Dunno…" That's the second store…He leaned over to Zidane and spoke quietly with Zidane. "Do you think this is related to the other store?"
"Possibly…maybe it's this goddess Serenity shop ring or something."
"Heh, maybe. Well lets get going," Chris said as he turned Joey around. "Where should we go next?"
"Lets check up on the old gang," Zidane said. "Off to the Theatre District!"
A woman stood on the roof of a nearby store, her long hair flowing in the wind. She watched them talk and prepare to leave. Keep Miranda safe Chris…I hope that your new blade will help protect her…and remember that love can be the most powerful weapon…She vanished into the wind.
Chris blinked and looked up. "Huh?"
Miranda looked at him. "What's up?"
He shook his head. "Nothing…I thought I heard someone talking to me…anyway, lets go!"
The group followed Zidane through the growing traffic of people. Miranda moved behind Vivi so he wouldn't get lost in the throng of people. After a few minutes they reached the air cab. It had expanded to include the chocobos. However, there was a big crowd waiting for the next cab.
"Ok…we're taking the detour," Zidane said as he steered them to another direction.
"Wait, couldn't we just fly over there with the chocobos?" Chris suggested.
"I wish…the city officials ruled against it due to it would cause heavy air congestion," Zidane snorted. "Bah, just making it harder on the people if you ask me."
"Couldn't Regent Cid do anything about it?" Miranda asked as she narrowly dodged a passing merchant cart.
"He was ruled out."
"Boy…persistent officials," Vivi said straightening his hat after someone had bumped into him.
"No joke…well here we go!" Zidane said as he turned into a quiet alleyway. "We just keep going straight and we'll hit the hideout in about ten minutes."
"Guess this place isn't traveled often," Miranda commented, relieved to be out of the congestion.
"Yeah, no one really knows about this way. Afraid of thieves jumping them," Zidane laughed.
"We keep telling them we weren't thieves but they never listen."
They turned and saw Marcus leaning against the wall grinning. "Welcome back, bro."
"Yo Marcus," Zidane waved smiling. "Still in the acting business I see?"
"Well there isn't any more treasure to hunt for. You stole it all!"
"What? Me? Not my fault I just got there first."
"Hah! So how's Blank?" Marcus asked as he walked beside them to the Theatre District.
"Well, he had stayed at Ruby's theatre for a little while helping out…but he left. I thought he went back here."
"What? Well he did stop by a couple of weeks ago…but he said he was going to Treno."
"Ooh, ok. Wonder what's he doing?"
Marcus shrugged. "Beats me. Maybe trying to recruit more actors. Ruby probably made him do it, hehe."
"Yeah, we know how persistent she can be," Zidane laughed.
Marcus glanced over at Chris and Miranda. "So who are your friends?" She's kinda cute…
"Oh, that Chris and Miranda. She taken," Zidane in a low voice so they wouldn't hear.
"Darn…so what are you folks doing with this rusty old thief?"
"I'm not rusty," Zidane said. "I'm still sharp as any, even sharper."
"Uh huh, RIGHT," Marcus laughed.
"Um…Uncle Marcus…where's your bandanna?" Vivi asked.
Marcus blinked then felt around his head. "Hey…Zidane!"
Zidane whistled. "What? I'm an old rusty thief! I couldn't possibly have taken it." He grinned.
"Alright, alright, I take it back," he grumbled.
"Hehe." Zidane handed him back his bandanna. "Well here we are! My old home!" He jumped off Choco and tied him out at the chocobo post. The others followed suit. "Wait out here, buddy," he said as he ruffled his feathers.
They walked inside and were greeted by the Nero brothers.
"Hey Zidane!" Benero greeted.
"Wanna play our game?" Zenero asked.
"Who are your friends?" Genero asked. (uh…that is his name isn't it? O.o;; I forgot x.x)
"Hey, no, and Chris and Miranda, you know Vivi," Zidane answered.
"GWAHAHAHAHAHA!! Why isn't it the young future king himself!"
"Why isn't it the old boss himself! Hey…Baku…" Zidane gasped as Baku picked him up and gave him a bear hug. He dropped Zidane on the ground. "Heh…still got the old bear hug greeting, eh?" Zidane said half grinning, half cringing as he got up.
"Got yourself a fan club or something?" Baku asked nodding his head toward Chris and Miranda.
"Oh these two? Yeah I'm just irresistible!"
Miranda yanked on his tail. "That was for Garnet."
"Ow ow ow ow ow!!!!" Zidane cringed. "Yeesh…" He blinked. "With your hair like that…you kinda look like Garnet…"
Miranda blinked. "Wha?? No way!!"
Chris looked at her. "Well, your hair did grow longer over the trip…"
The Nero brothers came bursting through a door with a table, mirror, and chair. "Time for rehearsal!!" they said jokingly as they plopped her down into the chair. After a few moments after all the make-up dust disappeared, everyone gasped.
"Holy smokes…" Baku said amazed.
"What? What? And did I not make myself clear when I said…I HATE WEARING MAKE UP?!?!?!" Miranda shouted.
Chris turned her chair around. "Miranda…look at yourself! You're a ring-dinger for Garnet!!"
"Huh…" Miranda looked at herself and gasped in surprise. "Oh my…"
"Maybe you guys are related," Marcus mused.
"N-no way! I'm from an entirely different world!!"
Something clicked into Zidane's brain. Related…different world…wait a minute…could she be…He looked at her up and down and nodded. "Yep…if we ever need someone to fill in her spot, you would fit the job, Miranda."
"But, but, but…it's just a big coincidence!!" Miranda persisted.
"GWAHAHAHA, if she is a twin of Garnet, I bet she'd look great in a dress," Baku commented.
"I AM NOT GETTING INTO A DRESS!!!" she yelled.
Everyone jumped back. "Definitely has her temper," Zidane nodded. "But whether you like it or not, you'll have to for the big shin dig Cid is cookin' up."
Miranda slumped into her chair. "Great, people staring at me…what I need…"
"Oh so that's why you don't wear any regular girl clothings," Benero said.
"Would you like to be stared at and guys trying to hit on you?!?!?"
"Has a point," Zenero agreed.
"At any rate…GET THIS STUFF OFF ME!!!!!" she yelled.
The Nero brothers hurried showed her to the bathroom so she could clean up.
"You'd think she had a phobia for make up or something," Marcus whispered to Zidane.
"Yeah…" Zidane turned to Chris. "What do you think, Chris?" He blinked. "Eh…hello?" He waved a hand in front of his face.
Chris blinked and looked at him startled. "Huh, wha?"
"Guy's hopeless," Zidane said in a low voice to Marcus. "YOW!!" he cried when he felt his tail being pulled.
"I heard that," Chris said. "I was just thinking about something…"
Everyone leaned in. "About what?" they said together.
"Eh…nothing."
Everyone fell over. "What do you mean nothing??!" Baku said picking him up.
"If you put me down, I might tell."
"Hm…didn't flinch…ok." Baku put him down. "Now what's on your mind, son?"
He sighed. "Well…"
They leaned in closer.
He looked up and thought for moment as if trying to figure out how to say it. "…I forgot."
Everyone fell over again. "What do you mean you forgot?!??!!?!?" Marcus yelled.
Chris grinned. "Exactly what I mean, I forgot what I was thinking about."
Zidane sighed. "Well he ain't gonna tell us, bros. Might as well give up."
Chris leaned against the wall. "Hehe…"
"Ugh…I hate…HATE HATE HATE make-up!!" Miranda said as she came out.
"It was just stage make-up, not the real thing," Genero said.
"Still…ugh…"
Baku patted her on the back. "GWAHAHAHAHAHA!! You'll have to put some on later tonight, GWAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
Miranda groaned.
"Hey, are you guys coming?" Zidane asked.
"GWAHAHAHAHAHA!! Of course we are! We wouldn't want to miss seeing Ms. Miranda here in a dress!"
Miranda spin kicked him right in the stomach, sending him crashing into the table. "I AM NOT SOME OBJECT TO LOOK AT!!!!!"
"GWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" Baku laughed as he got up. He was laughing so hard tears were forming in his eyes. "That's some lass you got there!!" he said laughing as he pounded Chris on the back.
Chris cringed then half grinned. "Eh-heh…"
"Make a note, do not make her mad," Zidane said in a low voice.
"I don't plan to," Chris replied.
Miranda stood there with her arms crossed. "Hmph."
Baku patted her arm lightly. "I was just kidding with you, GWAHAHAHAHAHA!!"
"Do you always laugh like that?" Miranda asked.
"No…just my favorite type of laugh, GWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"Oi…hey boss, we have to get ready if we plan to go," Marcus said.
"Yeah, we better be headin' off to," Zidane said. "Come on Vivi." He paused in front of Vivi. "Uh…Vivi? Helloooooo!" He waved a hand in front of his face.
Vivi blinked and looked at him. "Huh, what?"
"Not this again…come on Vivi, we gotta go."
"Oh, ok. I was just wondering what kind of food was going to be at the party. I hope they have chocolate covered strawberries!" (yummy =9)
"Heh, I'll make sure there are," Zidane said. "Well, I take it I'll see you later tonight then! See ya!"
"See ya later Zane-inator!" Benero said.
Genero and Zenero whacked him. "We told you not to use that!!" They ended fighting on the ground.
"Brothers…" Baku sighed turning away.
Zidane, Chris, Miranda, and Vivi untied their chocobos and headed toward the air cab. "It won't be as crowded now," Zidane had said.
There were hardly any people there so they went on the cab. Miranda stared out below them, awed by the size of the city. I wonder how many people live here…
Zidane snapped his fingers. "Oh yea! I never did meet that Tristan fellow…hope to see him at the party! Great to see another Genome around."
Chris and Miranda exchanged glances and stayed silent.
They soon reached the castle and could see that this would indeed be one of the biggest parties ever held in Lindblum. Vines of flowers where hung everywhere, the place the spotless, and when they entered the dining hall, there were endless rows of tables at both ends of the room where the food would be served.
"I am really glad Quina stayed at the kitchen," Zidane said.
"What about Beatrix, Steiner, and Amarant?" Miranda asked.
"They wanted to stay to protect the castle. Hehe, Old Rusty would have pigged himself out here, hehe."
"Don't let him hear you say that Zidane," Kuja said as he walked by carrying a ladder. "Are you going to help or not?"
"Sure!" Zidane turned to them. "You guys relax a bit and explore the castle a bit more. Why don't you two go up to the observatory area?" he said while looking at Chris and Miranda. "Vivi, come on with me. We'll stop by the kitchens and maybe you can get yourself a first tasting of the chocolate covered strawberries!"
Vivi jumped with joy. "Yay!"
"Special bonus: free ride!" Zidane said as he leaned down so Vivi could clamber on his back. "Ready? Hey Kuja! Wait for us!!" he yelled as he ran down the hall carrying Vivi.
"He stole my job…" Chris grumbled.
"Aww!" Miranda said laughing. "Come on! I wanna see what the view is like from up there," she said as she grabbed his hand and ran toward the elevator.
"Whoa, whoa wait!!" he yelled as he was continued to be dragged along.
When they reached the observatory area (I guess that's what it's called…), Miranda looked through the telescope. She pulled away from it and beckoned for Chris to look through it. "You can see everything!!"
Chris looked through the telescope and was amazed at all he saw. "Whoa…this is totally different from the game! I can see farther and even some houses!"
"Pretty neat, huh?" Miranda said smiling, looking over his shoulder.
"Yeah," he smiled looking at her. Well…I guess now is a good time as any…He turned and found her looking over the ledge. He walked over to her. "Hey…uh…Miranda?"
She turned to him. "Hm?"
"Er…there's something I want to give you…"
She blinked. "You got something…for me?"
He reached into his pocket. Phew! It didn't get bent or anything. He pulled out the box containing the necklace. "Er…here," he said as he handed it to her, turning around a bit embarrassed.
She opened it carefully wondering what it was and gasped in surprise. "It's beautiful…" she said softly as she pulled out the necklace. "Is that…is that a real crystal? This thing must have cost a fortune!"
"Nah, it wasn't that expensive…so…you like it?" he asked nervously.
"Like it? I love it! Thank you Chris!" she said as she hugged him.
Phew! "Heh, glad you like it. Here let me help you put it on." He fastened the clip behind her neck and smiled. "It looks perfect on you…"
She blushed. "I don't know about that…"
"It came in a pair. The old lady who sold it said that the guy wore one, too, so," he pulled out the crystal from underneath his shirt, "I have one, too. Said that no matter how far we are apart…we'll always feel like we're close by one another if we wear these…"
Miranda smiled. "I like that…and I love this…thank you so much, Chris…it really means a lot to me…no one has ever given me a gift like this…"
Chris gave her soft, gentle kiss as he placed his arms around her waist. "I love you…"
"I love you, too," she said softly as she gently kissed him back, going into a deep, long kiss.
"Are you guys breathing?!!?" a voice cried out after a few minutes.
"GYAH!!" They both jumped drawing apart.
"Busted…" another voice said.
"I told you this wasn't a good idea!" a third voice hissed.
"Admit it, you were getting into it!" a fourth voice said.
"Shut up!" the third voice yelled.
"I don't know how you guys dragged me into this…" a fifth voice said.
"How many people are there hiding back there?" Miranda asked Chris.
"Hm…lets just see," Chris said as he parted the bushes, revealing almost everyone in the group. "Should have guessed it," he sighed.
"It was HIS idea!!" everyone yelled as they pointed to Zidane, who was hiding in the back.
"What? Me? I didn't plan it up!" he said with big, innocent eyes.
"Cut the cutesy act, monkey boy," Mikoto said as she yanked on his tail.
"I tried to talk them out of it," Garnet apologized.
"Admit it! You were getting into it!" Eiko repeated.
"DID NOT!" she yelled as she grabbed Eiko's horn. (violent o.o)
"How could you guys kiss each other for so long?!?" Kristin asked in disbelief.
"Let go of my horn!!"
"Man I thought I was going to get speared to death, Freya!"
"I'm sorry Fratley!! I didn't mean, to!"
"Mm…chocolate strawberries…"
"Uh…where'd they go?" Kuja said after a while.
Everyone stopped their fighting and looked around.
"They…disappeared!" Zidane exclaimed.
"Yeah, like those strawberries Vivi ate," Eiko said rubbing her horn.
"Maybe they went back down to the castle," Regent Cid suggested. (Hoho! Didn't think he was among the group, did ya? Hehe)
"Lets go go go!" Zidane said as he led the group downstairs.
Chris waited until they were gone and motioned for Miranda to come out from their hiding place. "Goooodness! No privacy!"
"I was surprised that all of them fit in there…and Regent Cid included! Hilda had the sense enough not to come," Miranda laughed. She walked back over to the ledge and looked out at the mountains. "What a beautiful sunset…"
Chris came up behind her and hugged her from behind. "Yeah…"
They stayed a few more minutes like that, then, hand in hand, they turned and went downstairs, being careful not to hit the FF9 paparazzi group.
"Well, I'll see you later tonight then!" he said in front of her room.
"Ok," she smiled. "See you then." She opened the door and was immediately grabbed by Kristin. Garnet smiled at Chris and slowly closed the door, though not before he heard a yell that sounded like "I AM NOT WEARING THAT THING!!!!" and "Now, honey, you'll look just gorgeous in this! It came from my own theater!"
"…ooookaay…" He stood for a moment and then walked to his room. "Better be prepared…"
He slowly opened the door and jumped back as a rope was swung at him.
"Darn, I missed!" Zidane said.
"Don't worry, I got him, GWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Chris felt himself grabbed from behind. "Baku?!?!? You guys are here already?!?! What's the big idea?!?!"
"So…you must be Chris," Blank said as he opened the door wider so Baku could get in.
Baku plopped him into a chair. "It's time to get this young man a new style!"
"NOOOO!!! LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!!"
Fratley locked the door. "You can scream all you want…but in this castle…no one can hear you scream."
"Want some strawberries?" Vivi offered.
"Is that all you think about?!" Kuja asked in disbelief.
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!"
"LET ME GO!!!" Miranda yelled.
"Cool your jets, sugar dumplin'," Ruby said as she worked on her hair. "You'll look absotively posilutely beautiful for your boyfriend!"
"IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW I LOOK ON THE OUTSIDE—"
"It's the inside that counts, blah blah blah," Ruby finished. "I know that, but it helps to at least look nice for him."
Miranda looked at Garnet who was watching from the bed. "Et tu, Garnet?"
Garnet smiled apologetically. "Um…well…"
"We dragged her into it, so don't worry," Eiko said.
"Now try this on!" Kristin said as she came in holding a skimpy looking outfit.
"NEVER!!! I AM NOT WEARING THAT THING!!!!"
Freya locked the door. "You can yell all you want…but in this castle…no one can hear you scream."
"Ok, if not this, try this one!" Mikoto offered.
"No that's to plain looking," Garnet said.
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Author's Note: Bwahahahaha…will Miranda and Chris survive this fashion attack? And how did all of them fit in behind those bushes?! Er…well you won't know about that last one, but you'll find out about the first one in and a whole lot more in chapter 24! Whoo!