Chapter 2
A gentle breeze blew across a deserted outdoor arena. Deserted except for Leo who stood alone in the middle leaning casually against his sword.
"Interesting meeting," he said to himself. "And today, too." He ran his fingers absently through his crew-cut blond hair. Technically, Razi wasn't late. Razi was never late. He was just early. Leo scanned the eastern horizon, broken only by a few scattered buildings. Off to the west was the center of the city, where scores of people would be crowding the streets, out on their way to work or doing their morning shopping. Leo grimaced slightly when he thought of all the bustle and confusion. Here, out in the arenas used for Magitek testing, it was quiet. Nothing would be happening here for a few more hours.
Leo sighed, and spoke aloud. "The peace here is refreshing."
"Isn't it, though," a voice responded, "shame it's not going to last long."
He turned rather deliberately to face General Razi Desdemona. She was dressed impeccably as always, in a solid black uniform. There were no markings on it, save for the gold buttons and red trim on her jacket, and a single red stripe on the outside of each pant leg, a marking that distinguished the rank of "officer." Leo also wore the striped-red, black pants, but he preferred a plain green officer's jacket to the black, dress uniform. He would only grudgingly don the full black uniform for ceremonies and special occasions. The only indication of their status as generals either of them wore was the four gold stars pinned just below the right shoulder of their jackets.
"You know, Razi, I've become so used to you sneaking up on me that it doesn't even surprise me anymore."
"Congratulations, Leo. Though in my opinion it was an inevitable consequence—"
"—Of me having to put up with you so much."
Razi shrugged. She tossed her head to the side, swinging shoulder-length, wine-red colored hair out of her face.
"I suppose you could say that. I would have preferred 'Of me having been blessed with your presence for so long.'"
"I guess you would have, Razi." He shouldered his sword. "Might I inquire as to why you have requested my presence here this morning?"
This provoked a raised eyebrow from Razi.
"No need to be so formal, Leo, but if you insist on it, then you might as well start calling me 'General.'"
"In that case you'd have to call me 'General' as well, but you haven't answered my question, Razi."
"Well, the answer to that is really quite simple, Leo. I wanted to practice my fencing on a worthy opponent."
Razi unsheathed her sword with a swish and examined the blade, which was not made of steel like traditional swords. Instead, it was made of some type of translucent crystal. Very bizarre, but it created a beautiful effect. Sometimes it acted as a window, giving a slightly distorted view of the landscape behind it, and sometimes it acted as a mirror. That was disturbing. It wasn't encouraging to see your own face reflected in the blade of your opponent's sword. It didn't bode well for you. Somehow, someway, Leo felt that Razi had made it like that on purpose.
He watched her test the sword's weight and adjust her grip. She ran her fingers along the quillion, a pair of fine black-feathered wings. Two golden snakes entwined themselves into a beautiful swept hilt. Leo made no attempt to hide his admiration of the weapon. As a trained expert in these things he knew good swords when he saw them and Razi's was one of the best. It was a court rapier, thin and light for dueling and fencing, but she never used another sword for any purpose, even combat. One would think she'd prefer a heavier sword rapier for actual fighting, but she didn't. Her crystal blade was obviously stronger than it looked.
Unexpectedly Razi whirled around, arm and sword extended, to stop suddenly, her sword point held quivering, fractions of an inch from Leo's throat.
He raised an eyebrow.
"I wish you wouldn't do that, Razi."
"Somebody has to keep you on your toes, Leo." She lowered the sword. "I wouldn't want my former student to go soft on me now, would I?"
"I suppose not."
"Shall we duel?"
"Of course, Razi." He unsheathed his own sword—a large, double-handed, double-edged blade over four feet in total length. He'd made it himself, and it wasn't an overly artsy weapon, like Razi's. Oh, it had it's own unique qualities, but they weren't ones you could see. Leo held the sword ready in front of him.
"One more question, though," he said.
"Yes?"
"I have a hard time believing that you dragged me all the way out here this early in the morning, and today, of all days, just for fencing—"
"Oh, do you now?"
"—So what's the real reason I'm here, Razi?"
Suddenly she was in front of him, brandishing her sword and attacking. Leo was nearly caught off guard. Metal clanged against crystal as he blocked and stepped back to give himself more room.
"Very nice, Leo, and, as it is, you are correct."
She swung again, he countered and stepped again, falling easily into the familiar fencing pattern. Razi was starting out easy, testing him. He smiled inwardly.
"I did not call you out here solely for fencing," Razi said as she neatly blocked a thrust and in the same movement launched her own counter-attack. "I have a few things I wish to discuss with you, and, though they may seem typical, it's better that I am not heard by prying ears."
"Oh really?" Leo stepped backwards, his eyes never leaving Razi's sword. "Now I'm curious. Fire away."
"I hear that Cid's finally going to have some help in managing the Magitek Factory," she began, never missing a beat.
"Yes, he is," Leo replied, matching her every move.
"This girl being promoted—what was her name?"
"Lilean Sette."
"Ah yes, Lilean. Cid seems happy to be able to turn some of the managerial responsibilities over to her," Razi said, feinting to the right.
"He is," Leo answered, concentrating on Razi's attack. "He's got a tough job."
"Then this Lilean must be rather…special, I suppose. Otherwise, wouldn't it seem just a bit odd to put a sixteen-year-old in charge of the Magitek Factory?"
Leo paused before answering, concentrating on their mock battle. Razi was picking up the pace, challenging him. Her blows were falling faster, her moves becoming more difficult to block. Slowly Razi was eradicating the possibility of being able to recover from a mistake.
"It would, I guess," he answered at length, "but Lilean is more than just another sixteen-year-old girl. Cid tells me she's the most brilliant student he's ever had."
"How intriguing." Razi sounded anything but intrigued. "But still…sixteen years old. The ceremony is scheduled for her birthday, correct?"
"Correct." Leo had a sneaking suspicion that she had already known the answer to her own question.
"Still, I wonder," Razi replied thoughtfully, almost absently, "How wise can it be? The MRF and Factory are our proudest creations, can we afford any errors?"
"What makes you think she will make any errors? Celes hasn't, and she's a sixteen-year-old general." A bead of sweat broke out on Leo's brow. Razi was getting ruthless. Mistakes were now completely out of the question.
"Celes is a genetically engineered soldier. She was created to be what she is. Lilean was nothing more than a common orphan girl pulled off the street. So she can use magic. All those who work in the MRF or Factory were infused, so that ability is nothing special. Currently Lilean's a loudmouthed, arrogant, fifteen-year-old girl with a real problem for authority. No matter how brilliant Cid says she is—you think she can actually do this job?"
CLANG!
"Very nice, Leo." Razi looked impressed. She lowered her sword. "I was half-convinced I'd gotten you."
"You almost had." He pointed his sword at her. "That's enough for the moment; I've got a question for you, now."
"Go ahead."
"Why are you asking me of Lilean? You already seem to know all about her, and to have formed an opinion." His voice was hard.
Razi smiled. It wasn't a particularly nice smile.
"Oh, Leo whatever have I done to offend you so...?"
"Just answer the question."
"Well, I could say that I'm just curious. She is quite the star in both the MRF and Factory, you know."
"You don't concern yourself with those things."
"Is that an order, Leo?"
He frowned, and lowered his sword point.
"Don't be so difficult, Razi."
"Who's the one being difficult? Don't keep interrupting me."
Leo was silent.
"As I was saying, Leo, I'm just a bit curious. A sixteen-year-old to be in charge of the most advanced technological engineering facility to be built since the War of the Magi? Many wonder if it's wise."
"What do you want with her?"
Razi examined her blade. A sly smile tugged the corners of her lips.
"Rumor is, Leo, that you're the catalyst behind Miss Sette's rather sudden and spectacular ascent."
"It was Cid's idea." Leo was getting frustrated. "All I did was say I thought it was a good idea."
"And what made you think, Leo, that it would be such a good idea?" Razi cocked her head to the side.
"I know her Razi. I know what she's capable of." Leo's frustration was giving way to anger.
Abruptly Razi straightened. Her eyes bored into him, twin orbs of green fire, that cunning smile still pulling her lips. She lifted her sword, slowly, deliberately, and tipped up Leo's chin with its point. He glared down the blade at her, his own emerald-green eyes narrowed, suspicious.
"Oh I see. You…know her."
A moment's pause, then Leo realized what she meant. In one sweeping movement, he swung his sword, meaning to violently knock her blade away. She was too quick for him, though, and there was no ring of steel against crystal, only the whoosh of the wind as Leo's sword slashed at thin air.
"Listen hard, Razi. I will say this slowly. I think of her as my sister. Nothing more. Do you understand?"
Razi rested the flat of her blade on her shoulder, a smug grin on her face. "Oh I understand, Leo. Don't worry, I understand. But…do the others?"
"What others? What are you talking about?"
Razi turned to leave, her sword still on her shoulder.
"Don't you walk away from me, Razi Desdemona."
She looked back at him over her shoulder.
"Now it is your turn to listen hard, Leo Christophe. Four years ago you were made general, at a mere twenty years of age. You, who was nothing more than a common boy with common parents put into training when he was ten for future use as a mindless soldier. You can't use magic; you refuse infusion. You are suspicious of it. You are a swordsman, a master swordsman, but a swordsman only. You are a shrewd and talented strategist of traditional warfare. You are honest, you are noble." She pointed her sword at him again. "You are everything this empire has no use for."
Leo glared hard at her, teeth clenched, her sword point sharp against his chest. "Funny you should tell me this now. Or have you forgotten that you were the one who pulled me out of that mindless soldier training? You became my sole instructor, I your sole pupil. If I am truly 'everything this empire has no use for,' then why did you choose me, and why did you train me as you did? With the instruction you gave me, I don't need magic."
She lowered her sword and turned her head away from him, closing her eyes and smiling a cruel smile. Leo found his eyes examining her profile, hating himself for it but staring nonetheless at those long, black lashes swept downward against smooth, pale skin. The fine, silky, wine-red hair that framed her narrow face, and those sensuous lips as red as fresh blood spilled on white marble…
"Desire, Leo." Her eyes opened, ever so slightly. She watched him, but did not turn her head. "I do not answer to you, General. But it is desire I warn you of, desire and jealousy. You do not 'know' Lilean Sette, not in the fashion I implied. That behavior is below you. You have a good reputation. And there are those, those jealous of you and your rank, your privilege, who desire to ruin you, through any means possible. Beginning with rumors, many rumors, and ending…where? Well, the future is unknown." She took a step away from Leo, then turned and looked at him one last time. "And, speaking of the future, I'm sure you remember that we have a rather important guest arriving today. Be in the Plaza by nine o'clock…and don't forget to change your clothes."
Without a further word she turned and left, her slender figure disappearing as she descended the stairs to the arena's exit. Leo swore and checked the time. The guest Razi spoke of was none other than King Edgar Roni Figaro himself. The King paid only infrequent diplomatic visits to the capital of the Empire he had allied with since his coronation eight years ago, so his two-week-long stay was something of an event. Leo, however, was not overly fond of Edgar, and really hadn't done as much as he probably should have to prepare for the welcome of the young king. He told himself it wasn't his job, which was true, but as one of three generals, some formalities were expected of him, including proper attire. Resigned to his fate, he trudged off towards his home to change into that accursed black, formal uniform.
* * *
Head Scientist Cid hunched over his desk, intently examining for about the fifth time notes on the previous weeks' research. He sighed and pressed his fingers to his forehead; it was too early in the morning to be occupied like this. Resting his chin in his hand he gazed at the far wall of his office, covered completely by bookshelves containing every bit and scrap of research he and his team had done on Espers since Gestahl had returned from the Sealed Gate, sixteen years ago. It was all meticulously organized into chronologically advancing volumes, sometimes a dozen or more per year. Every note was dated down to the minute and accompanied by detailed sketches and sometimes photographs. Cid glanced dejectedly downwards at the haphazard jumble of observations and conclusions sprawled on his desk. It was nearly December; soon it would be time to organize all of this year's files into volumes and place them on the shelf, next to the others. He sighed again. He was not looking forward to that task.
Cid turned his head to the side, staring at the wall to his right, also covered in bookshelves. One half of those shelves was devoted to the Magitek Factory, containing blueprints and designs for suits of Magitek Armor, notes on their performance, testing, ideas for new prototypes, etc. Looking at all that, he felt decided relief that Lilean would soon be promoted. She was a talented scientist, but a fantastically gifted mechanic and engineer. In fact, some of the blueprints for experimental prototypes had been designed by her and her alone. Once she became lieutenant, Cid planned to put the entire Factory under her direct control. Both the Research Facility and the Factory had become too much for him to handle alone, and he was rather the opposite of Lilean, being much more gifted in the realm of scientific research than in mechanics or engineering. Lilean's youth didn't worry him at all. He knew she wasn't afraid to take charge, and everyone who worked in the Factory knew well her brilliance.
Cid's eyes slid downward, toward the other half of the shelves. Several volumes lined one shelf, three labeled "Celes," four labeled "Kefka," and sixteen labeled "Tina."
Cid closed his eyes and put his head in both of his hands. Below that shelf, he knew, were great filing cabinets containing records on every magic user in Vector—every soldier, child, officer, or employee ever infused. None of them were terribly significant, the records were updated little and kept, for the most part, as a formality. The twenty-three volumes on the shelf above the cabinets were different, though. Cid clenched his teeth as he thought of those volumes—records kept on the most powerful magic users in Vector.
He looked back at the volumes labeled with the three names. As he read Celes' name he felt a pang of…what? Guilt? Grief? Cid couldn't help it as he thought of Celes, his own foster-daughter. Genetically engineered, the cells of her embryo had been infused with magic, and the ability had become a part of her before she'd even been an infant.
Cid had taken it upon himself to raise her and loved her dearly but she had always been distant…cold as the magic of Shiva's ice in which she'd been steeped. Since being made general in March, she'd left to live on her own, and Cid barely even saw her now.
Kefka…there were four volumes on Kefka, as opposed to Celes' three. Though they had been infused with magic at the same time, there was one extra volume required for him. Celes had been barely more than a mass of cells at the infusion, Kefka a grown man. At that time the process had not yet been perfected for adults, and something had gone terribly wrong. Cid shuddered to think of it.
The fourth volume chronicled Kefka's steady descent into madness.
Cid didn't even look at any of the volumes labeled "Tina." Gestahl's greatest prize, he thought bitterly. Tina, the half-Esper, half-human girl the Emperor had somehow managed to capture as a war trophy during his raid on the Sealed Gate. She was sixteen years old now and subject to endless scientific tests—there was one thick volume for each year of her life. It troubled Cid that he wasn't in charge of the research on Tina. Kefka had insisted that he and his team be in charge, not Cid. It made the Head Scientist shudder to think what Kefka might be doing to that poor girl.
Abruptly the door to the office banged open. Cid, jerking himself out of his reverie, whirled around to see who it was.
"Lilean. You're late."
"I know Cid. Sorry. I, uh, ran into Celes this morning at breakfast…there was a little trouble…" The pink-haired soon-to-be-officer scratched the back of her head and fidgeted.
"What?" Cid jumped out of his chair, "You ran into trouble with Celes?"
"No, no! Not like that!" Lilean waved hands and glared at Cid. "I mean…Celes…got me out of trouble."
"And why were you in trouble?" Cid crossed his arms.
"Some stupid colonel was being a jerk. So I yelled at him." Lilean defiantly stuck her nose in the air.
"You yelled at a colonel?" Cid was incredulous. "Lilean, you're not even an officer yet!"
"So?"
"So?" Cid couldn't believe this. "So you're damn lucky Celes helped you out! Think of what could have happened to you if she hadn't shown up! You could have been court-martialed for insubordination! Then what would you have done?"
Lilean crossed her arms. "I would have told the court martial that I'd yelled at Colonel Colway because he'd been talking shit about General Leo. His superior." Lilean looked up at Cid smugly. Cid glared at her and shook his head.
"Sometimes I think you're too smart for your own good."
Lilean grinned, but her smile faded quickly. Cid creased his eyebrows in concern.
"What's wrong?"
Lilean cast her eyes downward and sighed.
"I couldn't help thinking…I mean it…it just makes me sad, Cid. Seeing Celes this morning, I mean. We used to be such good friends, but now…since her promotion I don't even know her anymore. She's so distant, now."
"I know, Lilean." Cid grimaced. "It's hard. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but…there's nothing either of us can do."
Lilean nodded slowly. After a moment she looked up at him and said,
"So, what work is there for me?"
Cid smiled wanly down at her. Strong girl, she was.
"Actually," he began, "I've got a special assignment for you. It's not until next week, though."
Immediately Lilean brightened.
"Oh, really? What's that?"
* * *
The tap of boot heels announced the procession winding its way through the corridors of the Imperial Palace. It wasn't an exceptionally grand showing. Emperor Gestahl and Kefka led the way while making small talk with a polite, but obviously cool King Edgar. Directly behind them Razi and Leo followed, side by side, in silence. Behind them marched a mixture of Imperial Guards and common soldiers, who were there mostly for show. Celes had been present at Edgar's arrival, but was now absent from this ridiculous formality. Leo made a mental note to ask her how she'd managed to get out of it next time he saw her.
Technically Kefka should have followed Razi and Leo, as he was lower ranked than they were. Razi, however, had decided to walk behind him and Leo had followed suit. He wasn't exactly dying to fake a conversation with Edgar, so if Kefka wanted to, he was more than welcome. Leo also desperately wanted to unbutton the high collar of his dress-uniform's jacket, as he wore his preferred green jacket, but of course he couldn't do that. How he despised being a general sometimes. All the formalities made him wish Razi had never picked him out for officer's training eleven years ago. They'd all go off to some office somewhere, have coffee and wine (what a horrible combination), Razi would get out her cigarettes, smoke up the whole room until you were sure you'd be suffocated, and they'd talk politics for half the day. Politics. Hell. He had work to do.
Gestahl motioned all following him to stop. The Guards and soldiers were dismissed, and the five people who remained filed into a lavishly furnished drawing room of some sort. No matter how hard the decorators tried, though, they could never quite mask the eerie feeling the whole palace held. Of course, the fact that it was fashioned and built almost entirely out of metal didn't do much to give the palace a warm, welcoming effect.
Leo sat down in one of the chairs that surrounded an excessively large, mahogany coffee table, and tried not to "plop" down too heavily. He resisted the urge to massage his forehead, crossed his ankles, and stretched out his legs. Razi took the seat across from him, on the other side of the table, and Kefka sat to her right. Edgar, Leo noticed with just the slightest bit of chagrin, took the chair on his left, across from Kefka. Gestahl sat at the head of the table, as expected. A maidservant entered with a tray of the predicted coffee and wine, and Edgar flashed her such a brilliant smile Leo worried for a moment he'd be blinded. Across from him, Razi deliberately lifted her eyebrows and pulled out her cigarette case. The maid blushed bright red at Edgar and was caught off guard until Razi coughed rather violently to inform her of her undesired presence. Still blushing, she hurried out of the room.
"Wine, King Edgar?" Razi asked, more loudly than she needed to.
"Why of course, my dear," he answered, just a tad suggestively.
"'General,'" Razi corrected him as she uncorked the bottle of wine.
"Hmm?" Edgar seemed puzzled.
"I am generally addressed as 'General,' King Edgar."
Edgar was a bit taken aback at this, but Razi's tone did not invite further questioning. She handed him his glass of wine.
"Anything you'd like, Leo? Wine?" she asked. She chose a cigarette and snapped the case shut, returning it to a pocket in the skirt of her jacket.
"Just coffee," Leo answered.
"Sugar? Cream?"
"Black."
The corner of Razi's lip twitched. She knew well how much Leo despised these socializations. For one thing, it meant he had to wear his dress uniform. She poured some coffee into a cup for him, and handed it over.
"Anything for you, Kefka?" she asked as she placed the cigarette between her lips and reached for her matches.
"Just give me the bottle."
"Not going to share?" The cigarette wagged up and down as she spoke.
"I meant I would pour it myself."
"Ah. Specifications next time would be appreciated." Orange flame flared up from the end of the match as she struck it and lit her cigarette. The spent match was placed in the ashtray. She inhaled deeply, removed the cigarette from her lips, exhaled a cloud of wispy, gray smoke and turned to Gestahl.
"Your Highness." She smiled. "Something to drink?"
"A glass of wine, as usual, Razi." He smiled surreptitiously at the eldest of his generals.
"As you wish." Razi didn't bat an eye. She served him and Gestahl inclined his head towards her.
Leo could see Edgar struggling to comprehend what was going on here. Every word spoken, every move made by Razi was deliberate and calculated, as were Gestahl's, Kefka's, and even his own. This was all a show, a game, lines memorized, timing perfected, rules read and rehearsed. And here Edgar was, thrown blindly into the middle of it all. Underneath the front of polite hospitality burned hostilities and power plays, pushed levers and pulled strings. The atmosphere sparked tension, electricity in the air thick enough to taste. Edgar's eyes slid from one Vectorian official to another, trying to see underneath their masks, trying to decipher the strange code of looks, gestures, words, and actions.
First that intriguing general. She had poured a glass of wine for herself, but it was yet untouched. Very tall, but very thin, she looked as if one could break her in two, but Edgar had no doubt who would be the loser in a fight picked with her. The darkness of the room and the smoke curling around her head from the cigarette made her hair appear almost black, but he could see that it was actually about the same color and shade as the burgundy wine he held in his own glass. She had an underhand, dark kind of beauty that was strangely magnetic in quality. He watched as she lifted the cigarette held lightly between her long fingers to her lips and took a drag. She tipped her head back and gently blew smoke out above her, sending still more silver tendrils into the air. As she lowered her head, Edgar managed to catch her eye.
To say her eyes were emerald green was an understatement. Saying her eyes burned like green fire was getting closer, but really nothing could describe their intense, hypnotic quality. The burning tip of the cigarette paled in comparison to her eyes, two glittering jewels that were positively alive. Hers was the kind of gaze from which one could hide no secrets. She smiled at him. Edgar swallowed hard.
Then there was Kefka.
Where to start with him? Edgar had met him a few times before. He was not anybody's favorite person. Long blond hair tied back in a ponytail—like his own, as a matter of fact—but unlike Edgar's blue-green eyes, Kefka's were crimson red, the color of blood. He was like a sinister clown with his sweeping, wide-sleeved green robes belted at his waist. The contrast of his white gloves and facial make-up gave him the pallor of a corpse and made it almost impossible to judge his true age. He was insane, mind warped when his infusion with magic had gone irreversibly wrong. Edgar felt decided relief that Kefka lived all the way in Vector, far, far from his own kingdom of Figaro.
Gestahl himself was not in any way an intriguing or interesting character. He was a jaded, greedy ruler, made even more so by his own aging. As Gestahl grew older he clung to the lives of those around him in his Empire with more force, with more power. He wanted to control everything, wanted to rule everything, was afraid of dying and leaving nothing as his mark. He had ordered the murders of Edgar's parents, Edgar knew that well, and despised Gestahl and his Empire for it. Proof, however, was virtually non-existent. Unconsciously Edgar tightened his grip around his wine glass. That bastard. He'd pay for what he'd done, Edgar had sworn it to himself the night of his coronation, the day after his brother had left to pursue his own life. That had been eight years ago, and still Edgar remained false ally to this Empire, playing a dangerous political game that took every bit of determination and will he possessed.
Catty-cornered across from him Razi watched the young king struggle with his emotions as he regarded Gestahl. She rather admired his will. He's a good actor, she thought, and a charmer, for sure. I've no doubt he's got Gestahl fooled. Kefka maybe, too.
But not her.
Whether or not she cared that he was an unreliable ally, though, was a different matter.
Edgar stared down into his wine glass. And then there was that young general who sat next to him, Leo, it was. He had been sent up to Figaro about four years ago, shortly after his promotion, on a diplomatic assignment and had blown everybody out of the water. The citizens of Figaro and South Figaro detested the Empire, but they had adored handsome, twenty-year-old Leo. Edgar watched him out of the corner of his eye. He hadn't seen Leo since then, and had no idea what he might be like now. The young man sat rather dejectedly in his chair, normally bright green eyes dull and half closed, cup of coffee half finished, steam curling up into the air around him and mingling with the smoke drifting over from Razi's cigarette. His sun blond hair contrasted starkly against his darkly tanned skin and black uniform. Edgar remembered him well, he had a bright smile and a knack for finding more than satisfactory solutions to problems everybody else had already given up on. A peacemaker, so it seemed. Leo may truly be intent on finding ways around fighting bloody battles, Edgar thought, but he is a general, and quite a famous one at that. He was also an excellent swordsman and reputed to be an even better strategist. And in order to be a good strategist, one must know how to deceive.
So Edgar's sizing me up. The thought drifted lazily through Leo's head. He could tell by the way Razi was looking at him, smirking a little over the rim of her glass. Her eyes had darted once over towards the young king, telling Leo exactly what he hadn't cared to know. That's why she had done it; she loved to make people nervous. But by now Leo had descended too far into hell to care. When would this end? The sad thing was Razi hadn't even finished with her first cigarette. His eyes fell fully shut, and he took another sip of coffee.
"Tired, Leo?" That seductive voice.
"A bit Razi," he answered, not looking up.
"Didn't I let you get enough sleep last night, General?" Razi lowered her eyes and looked up to the side through her lashes, to catch Edgar's reaction. The King looked as if he'd rather he hadn't heard that last comment.
"If you're worried about my sleeping patterns, Razi," Leo knew exactly what she was trying to pull, "then maybe next time you should schedule the fencing match for the afternoon, and not the early morning."
Edgar visibly relaxed. Razi chuckled. "So, King Edgar," she said, "you haven't paid a visit here in quite some time, have you? Three years, I believe."
King Edgar nodded. "That's right."
"Three years." Razi leaned forward and stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray. Leo conspicuously ignored the fact that Edgar had taken the event of Razi's bending over to clandestinely check out her cleavage. She caught him at it.
"Apparently Vector's not the only thing you've been missing these last three years, King Edgar."
The glib, smooth, unabashed and lecherous King was, for once, struck speechless. Leo coughed violently to try and cover a laugh. It didn't work. Gestahl looked up.
"Are you feeling all right, Leo?"
Leo nodded, still coughing.
"I just...inhaled some coffee, sir," Leo answered, finally managing to get his "coughing" under control.
Gestahl nodded.
Edgar's own expression was flat as a pancake.
Razi serenely sipped her wine.
"Well, I apologize for the delay, I'm afraid Head Scientist Cid presented me with the latest research results from the MRF yesterday afternoon, and this is the first chance I've had to discuss them with Kefka here," Gestahl announced rather smoothly.
Dispassionate nods from Razi and Leo. Edgar tried hard not to stare. How often do they go through this?
"As it is," Gestahl continued, "there are a few issues that need discussing, such as..."
Inwardly Leo let out a dejected, defeated sigh. Here come the politics... Across from him, the corner of Razi's mouth twitched slightly. Over the top of her glass she mouthed at him, Welcome to hell, General.
Leo scowled and poured himself more coffee. Black, as usual.
* * *
"You want me to do WHAT?"
Lilean gaped at Cid, disbelieving. "No way! I refuse!"
"Lilean, King Edgar is as talented a technician as yourself. He loves machinery. He would be very pleased—"
"I don't care whether or not he'd be pleased!" Her indignant, tangerine-colored eyes flashed. "Do I look like a tour guide to you? I'm almost a lieutenant!"
"Lilean, listen. That's just it. Once you're promoted I'm going to put you in charge of the Factory. And as the Factory's supervisor, there are certain formalities expected of you. Furthermore, Edgar is King of Figaro, and not just any tour guide will do."
"I'm not supervisor yet! Why don't you do it, then, Cid?"
Even through his frustration with the girl, he managed to smile at Lilean.
"Because I'm not nearly as good with the machines as you are. Lilean, you're the most talented engineer we have. You know the Factory better than I do, and I helped design it! You're just simply the best for the job."
The flood of compliments caught Lilean off guard.
"I am, aren't I?" she said thoughtfully.
"Yes, you are. So, then, be here by seven…"
"You didn't hear me say, 'Yes, Cid, I'll do it,' yet, did you?"
Cid's patience finally wore through. He put his hands on his hips.
"Let's just put it this way: You don't have a choice."
Looking into Cid's eyes, Lilean knew she'd lost. She grunted her consent.
"Good, then," Cid continued. "Be here by seven o'clock Monday morning. The tour starts at seven-thirty, but I want to introduce you and King Edgar first. The only thing you need to know is that the King has a lunch engagement at twelve-thirty, so you need to be finished before then. And the MRF is off limits; the tour is of the Factory only. But you know that."
Lilean nodded dejectedly. "Yes, sir."
Cid checked the clock on the wall, "Time to get to work, Lilean."
Again Lilean nodded dejectedly as she followed Cid out of the office.
* * *
One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine.
Nine.
That's how many of Razi's cigarette butts were stubbed out in the ashtray, and it wasn't as if she smoked them one right after another. She waited at least a good ten minutes between lights and took another ten minutes to smoke each one. So, then. Twenty minutes per cigarette times nine equaled one hundred and eighty minutes.
Three hours.
Three hours.
Leo sank still lower in his chair and let the low buzz of voices fly around his head. He had contributed to the conversation as was expected of him, but Edgar's own interests inevitably turned the talk to technology and the Magitek Factory, something neither Leo nor Razi really had much to do with. That was Kefka, Gestahl, and Cid's domain. Too bad Cid wasn't here now, maybe he'd be willing to trade places. He looked up. Razi didn't seem unduly bothered by the fact that no one had said anything to her in about half an hour. Then again, she was much more detached than he was. She was just so strange. She smoked like a chimney, drank like a fountain, and was arguably the most promiscuous officer in Vector. The branch of the military that fell under Razi's direct control was Intelligence. All the spies and assassins, and for the most part it suited her. There was only one thing that Leo didn't understand, and it was the fact that Razi was a very direct fighter. That wasn't exactly a quality to be valued in a spy or assassin. He remembered his training with her as a boy, as she had prepared for a raid on Albrook. "Now look," she had said, pointing to the map of the city, "Albrook is a port city, it has multitudes of canals running criss-cross all through it. What most of the other officers—including General Tarin—will tell you is the best strategy for taking Albrook down is to poison the water. However, Leo—" She had turned to face him, "—I don't ever want to hear of you poisoning someone. Poison is the coward's weapon. And I don't train cowards."
Well, General Tarin was long since dead. But it had always bothered him. If Razi detested poisons so much, why did she head the assassins? Rumor had it that it was poison that had killed the previous King of Figaro, and maybe even the Queen, as well. If that was truly the case, and Razi had stayed true to her words, she must have been pretty pissed off when she found out. Of course, that had been eight long years ago. He looked up toward the ceiling. He and his life sure had changed a lot since then. Clouds of smoke hung above his chair and he sighed. Razi and those damn cigarettes. She sure hadn't changed much in those eight years. He looked back down at her. She hadn't even aged.
That in itself was the single most potent element of Razi's undisputed authority. Gestahl gave her a very, very long leash, and let her do pretty much whatever she wanted. Kefka never challenged or insulted her, at least not to her face. The other officers obeyed her without question, and nobody ever contested her decisions. The reasons why? Ask anyone that question and they'd all answer with the same question: "How old is she?"
Fourteen years ago, when Razi had chosen him to be her student in officer's training, she had looked to be in her mid-twenties. Now, over a decade later, she still looked to be in her mid-twenties. Once Leo had checked her service record. It was older than he was. She couldn't be twenty-some years old and have served for over twenty-four years. There was something just incredibly...not right about her.
Leo closed his eyes for a moment, then checked the ashtray. Ten cigarette butts, now.
* * *
At the end of the workday, Lilean walked sulkily home, slowly swinging her bag from side to side. She couldn't believe it. Do I look like a tour guide? She thought to herself. Even though her day had gone well otherwise, she was still hung up over the fact that she had to lead King Edgar around the next week. What rotten luck.
Lilean looked up at the Imperial Palace as she passed it. She paused. It's such a spectacularly ugly thing, she thought. The steel stronghold never ceased to simultaneously amaze and offend her senses. She shook her head and, after a moment's hesitation sat down on one of the dozens of steps that led up to Gestahl's castle. Lilean rested her chin in her hand and sighed. It was about five o'clock, but Summer Solstice was approaching and there was still a good three or more hours left of daylight. I don't want to go home yet, Lilean thought, but she had no idea what else she might do during that time.
Out of the corner of her eye Lilean thought she caught sight of a familiar figure. She looked, to be sure, then grinned and jumped to her feet.
"Leo! Leo!" Lilean frantically waved an arm.
The young general stopped and looked over at the call of his name.
"Hi, Lilean. How has your day been?" he asked, walking up to her.
Lilean paused.
"Actually, it kind of blew."
"Well..." Leo hadn't exactly expected that response, but, "...as a matter of fact, mine did too."
"Really?" Lilean seemed to cheer up, "I'm glad to hear that!"
"I'm sure. So, um, what's up?"
"Nothing really." Lilean sighed and sat down again. "Actually, I'm bored, and I was wondering what to do with the rest of my day when you walked by."
Leo sat down next to her and smiled. "I've got an idea," he said.
Lilean looked over at him. "What's that?"
"I know a nice little café where we could go get some dinner. It's quite a walk from here, though."
Immediately Lilean brightened. "That's fine. Let's go!"
The streets of Vector crowded as people were let off work for the day. All seemed to have much the same sentiment as Lilean—why go home on such a beautiful afternoon? Everywhere people of all types conversed and laughed—commoners, soldiers, officers, even some Figaran guards from King Edgar's escort. As Lilean looked around at all this, she began to notice quite a few people looking back, expressions of curiosity and confusion flashing across their faces. Suddenly Lilean became painfully aware of the distinguished, handsome general walking at her side. How strange it must look—an unrecognizable fifteen-year-old girl accompanied by one of the world's most successful military commanders! She bit her lip and stared down at the sidewalk as she walked. As if to add to the incongruity of it all it also occurred to Lilean that, while her uniform was nearly solid white, Leo, still wearing his formal attire, was clad almost entirely in black.
"Lilean, are you okay?" Lilean snapped her head up to see Leo standing a few paces in front of her and smiling kindly. Unwittingly, she had stopped walking.
Lilean blushed under Leo's gaze. "I just…people were looking at me funny."
Leo laughed. "Well, that's because of your hair, of course! How many people do you see with rose-pink hair? Not to mention braided pigtails down to their knees!" He chuckled some more.
Poor Lilean flushed to crimson at that and bowed her head further. Leo didn't realize…
"Oh, Lilean, I didn't mean to embarrass you. You're unique—and I think you're hair is very pretty." He reached out and traced a lock that framed her face with his fingers. "Now, let's hurry, I don't know about you but I'm starving!"
Lilean chewed at her thumb but allowed herself to be led on by Leo. Her mind raced. Was he flirting with me? With me? No, that wasn't it. She didn't know what it was, but something told her beyond a shadow of a doubt that he most certainly hadn't been flirting. She relaxed, but still felt a bit jittery.
Leo looked down at Lilean, who was lost in her own world. He smiled. She's so funny! he thought to himself, Gods, it's nice to be able to see someone around here like that. He looked up toward the sky and sighed. I wish I really did have a little sister, though…
A few more minutes walking and they reached the café Leo had spoken of. It was a bit out of the way, a few blocks off the main thoroughfare and into the more residential, southern area of Vector. Leo opened the door and ushered her inside—he could see she was still uncomfortable. He frowned slightly. What could be bothering her so?
A perky waitress showed them to their seats. Leo's presence caused a bit of a stir within the café, Lilean noticed. People's head's whirled around and she even caught a few whispered comments but, thankfully, none referring to her.
"Here you are, Sir, Miss," the waitress said with a bright smile as Leo and Lilean took their seats. She handed them their menus and asked, "Would you like to hear the specials?"
Absently Leo nodded and the waitress happily rattled off all of the offerings for the day. Lilean listened half-heartedly, but nothing caught her fancy.
"All right then, I'll be back in a few minutes to take your orders." The waitress walked purposefully off, her high heels clicking on the hardwood floor. Lilean glanced over the lists of dishes, chose something at random, and placed her menu back on the table.
"Quick thinker, you are, Lilean," Leo said, still reviewing the menu. "Well, I'm not feeling particularly creative today, so I think I'll just get some pasta." He put his menu down and glanced at her. Noting her absent stare out the window he asked, "Oh, come on, Lilean. What's bothering you?"
She hesitated a moment before replying, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She didn't really want to tell him the truth.
"Well…" she began, "like I told you, I guess I just had a bad day."
"What was so bad about it?"
"I found out I have to give King Edgar Figaro a tour of the Magitek Factory next week. Me! Cid says the King deserves a tour from an official, but he won't do it himself, and technically I'm not an official of anything yet!" Lilean huffed and rested her chin on her hand, scowling stubbornly. "This sucks. Why do I get stuck with this lousy grunt work?"
The corner of Leo's mouthed twitched. "Well, Lilean, it…it might not be as bad as you think. Maybe…Edgar will turn out to be a really nice guy."
Mentally Leo kicked himself.
"I've heard he's the worst kind of womanizer…" Lilean half-mumbled.
Leo thought of Edgar's glances at Razi during their meeting. Anybody who checked her out had to be crazy. He decided not to mention it.
"Well, Lilean, there's nothing anybody can really do about it. If Cid's said so, then that's that. But, well, d'you know what I do when I've had some bad news?"
Lilean sniffed. "Yeah."
Leo arched an eyebrow, half amused, half afraid. "Oh? You…do?"
"You go down to that bar by the barracks, order yourself a scotch on the rocks, and drink away your troubles like a man. I've tried that. The guy says I have to be sixteen. Which I will be, soon."
Lord help us, Leo thought, wincing. And I've only done that once…
"That's…not exactly what I meant, Lilean."
"Oh." Lilean looked up, "then what did you mean?"
Leo sighed. "I meant that you should try and look on the bright side. You can't wallow in your problems, believe me. Look, I just spent all day stuck in a little room with Razi, Kefka, Emperor Gestahl, and yes, King Edgar, discussing politics—of all things—and I'm still alive. I'm probably even a better person for it."
Lilean's eyes twinkled as though she were about to laugh. Then she did. She grinned at him.
"You're really reaching, Leo."
Leo shrugged helplessly. So he had been, but he smiled nonetheless. He opened his mouth to say something, but their enthusiastic waitress appeared, pen and tablet in hand.
"Are you two ready to order?"