Terra heard a familiar light knocking on her cabin door, but the door did not open of its own accord like it used to. Instead she opened it to see Sabin standing there, expressions of hopefulness, confusion, regret, and anticipation on his handsome face.
"May I come in," Sabin asked timidly, his eyes openly imploring. Terra nodded and opened the door wider to let the large man into her small room. He stood in the center of the room in his traveling clothes, his baggy pants and equally baggy tunic and sandals on his feet. Terra sat down on her bed that was built into the wall and sighed.
"I was beginning to think that you were never coming back," Terra started as she dangled her feet over the edge of the bed. She had since changed into a nightgown that Patriot had given to her with a matching silk robe of black. She had braided her hair in her old fashion, down her back and tied with a simple ribbon. "It was hard to adjust to you not being around anymore."
"I'm sorry that I left so abruptly," Sabin finally apologized but Terra didn't even spare him as much as a glance. Sabin was one of the most skilled fighters of the group but when it came to expressing himself in a subtle eloquent fashion, Sabin was a novice. "I was confused about some things and I needed to meditate. I couldn't focus in the castle."
"Did you finally find your focus?" Terra asked politely.
"Yes," Sabin said as he knelt at her side and grabbed up both her hands and held them firmly. Terra looked up in surprise to find his deep blue eyes entreating her for her attention and affection. "I came back for you," he finally spoke. "And when I heard what had happened I almost went into a blind rage to find you. You are my focus, Terra, I know that now. I was a fool to not know earlier. I just hope that I have not hurt you in my foolishness and you will accept me."
Terra gasped to find the words to reply, but her mind screeched to a halt as Sabin spoke words she never realized she wanted to hear. And now as he spoke, pouring out his very soul, she was stunned. And without her realizing it, tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her pale cheeks.
"Oh please," Sabin begged. "Please don't cry." He reached up and wiped her tears from her cheeks. But the tears kept coming down, no matter how many he wiped away. He even felt a pinch in his throat as he watched her sob as if he too might shed tears.
"Sabin," Terra finally muttered between heart wrenching sobs. "I don't… know…"
Sabin tensed.
"I'm sorry, I have bothered you," Sabin stated with a sense of confusion and rejection. He released Terra's hands and stood up. "I will not trouble you anymore. I will let you rest."
Sabin bowed slightly then turned on his heels. He was to the door before Terra managed to say anything else.
"Sabin, wait." Terra cried. Sabin stopped moving with his hand on the door latch and looked back. Terra was standing, wiping her tears away. Then she nodded to him and he knew it was the answer to his request.
And then Terra smiled at him, the secret smile that only he ever saw.
* * *
Celes stood outside the privy, leaning against the wall early in the morn. She had never had to use the bathroom so much in her life. And the child had no concept of night or day.
Celes heard the click of a latch and turned to watch Sabin as he exited Terra's cabin and quietly closed the door behind him. He had his workout uniform on for his morning routine.
Celes smiled to herself, happy for the both of them.
* * *
Terra woke to an empty bed that morning and frowned a little bit. She had forgotten Sabin's strict work out regiment. She hadn't even noticed him leave. She rose out of bed, straightened her night gown, and went to her dresser. She started her own morning routine, which consisted of washing up, brushing her hair and rebraiding it and choosing her clothes for the day. She went for the clothes she had worn the day before and spotted her light armor and sword. A slight smirk graced her lips.
It took Terra a moment to remember her old morning routine. But after a minute, the stretches and muscle building techniques came back. It had been too long since she had worked through her routine. Once Kefka was defeated and she settled in Figaro Castle, she had completely stopped. When she was done, she was sore from head to toe. But it was a good sort of pain, and it would fade as the day went on.
Now she was ready for some breakfast.
* * *
The Falcon began its landing procedures as it hovered outside the city limits of Albrook. Edgar and Locke stood near the docking gate ready to depart the moment the ship was securely on the ground. Sabin was in meditation on the upper deck near where Setzer was barking orders to his crew. Terra leaned against the railing on the bow of the ship in her armor and Celes was below deck sleeping.
Albrook looked like every other city on the southern continent, small, sleepy, and old. But the band of heroes would not have a problem blending in with the presence of the royal guard still present even though the king had gone awry. That also meant that there would be armor and weapon smiths to repair and upgrade the party's old armor and weapons. So the search for the king would not start right away.
King Edgar would have to fortify himself first; and flirt with the pretty store clerks.