Disclaimer: I don't own CT
A/N: I was thinking that the CT gang needs to have some fun so here you go!
Chapter Four: Fun in the Future "Crono!" Marle bellowed once they reached the village. Crono came running from the cabin the boys were staying in. "What is it?" "The ball! We totally forgot about it!" she cried. The spiked redhead's eyes widened. "Oh! You're dad's going to kill us! Gabrielle, we can't stay the night, sorry!" Marle dismounted and together they ran to the cabins. Gabrielle ran to hers and began to stuff some of her belongings into a leather pack. "You're coming too?" Magus asked, hoisting his own bag onto a black horse. The others were packing hastily as if a tornado was ripping through the village. "If that's all right." She asked hopefully. "Sure." Crono called over his horse's back. "Of course you can come." Marle called over hers. "Great!" Gabrielle cried delighted. "I'll call some Amazons to collect our horses after we leave. They'll keep them safe." With the packing done everyone rode their own horses out of the village. The company was a very different one than when they came up the mountain. Instead of three horses two to a horse there were nine horses one to a horse. They rode hard for an hour then rested at a small lake. Gabrielle dipped her hand in it to drink. She saw in the reflection of the lake, a man behind her: Glenn. She continued to drink until she had her fill. She whirled around and glared. "Would you please leave me alone?" she demanded. When she went to go around him, he moved to block her path. She scowled and moved to the right; Glenn blocked her there too. She faked going left again then right with Glenn still following her. Finally she pushed him, catching him by surprise. He grabbed her arm and she fell with him. They looked at each other; they were close enough to kiss for almost a full minute before Gabrielle scrambled off of him. Silently, she busied herself with her saddlebags. Glenn dusted his bottom to get the snow off and casually walked away like nothing happened. Little did the two know that Lucca, Marle, Schala, and Crono had seen the whole thing. They snickered about it then saddled the horses again and rode hard for another hour. Passing by the tents, they finally saw the clearing at the base of the mountain called the Commons. They became more talkative now that they had reached the bottom of the mountain. The old man was surprised to see Gabrielle. "Haven't seen one of you in a while, miss." He remarked grinning. "I mean the Samarans of course. Those Manesh need a lesson." "We gave them one." Crono assured him. "We must go now." He nodded to him and the party walked out of the Commons on foot, leaving the horses to some youths in the Commons. "I think I'm going to feel that ride for a week." Lucca said as she struggled to walk normally. Gabrielle giggled as she strode around as if she had just woken up this morning. Lucca glared but had a wry smile on her face. "Now, here's a obstacle for us." Magus said. He gestured to the sleek gray pod like ship with wings: Epoch. "How to get nine people in.that." He pointed and Gabrielle stopped where she was to marvel at Epoch. Glenn, who wasn't watching ahead of him, collided into her. "Watch it!" Gabrielle snapped. She walked forward and touched the smooth surface of Epoch. "Wow, the blacksmiths here couldn't do anything nearly this smooth." "That's because it was made in the future." Crono told her, climbing in. They all were packed in, being three to a seat. Against her wishes, Gabrielle was squished between Glenn and Magus. One reason was because she was unhappy with Glenn and that the girl was slightly claustrophobic and hated being crammed. As the engine roared, Gabrielle stiffened. Beeps and clicks told her that Crono was at the controls and suddenly Epoch zoomed forward. Gabrielle yelped and grabbed onto both Magus and Glenn's hands despite her anger. They smiled at each other and held the girl's hands. A sound that sounded like a whip cracking rang out and when Gabrielle dislodged herself from Glenn and Magus she found herself in a world of green. "Wow." she breathed. People and trees were everywhere. There was nowhere Gabrielle would look and not find a person or a tree or an animal. She felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Lucca. "Welcome to Guardia, Gabrielle." She told her. "Hey, Gabrielle." Magus slung his bag over his shoulder. "You're eyes are going to fall out, you've got them so wide." He clapped her on the back. "I had a similar reaction." Schala said as she passed. Now Gabrielle's eyes were REALLY going to fall out when she was what was beyond a huge forest ahead of them. Crowning a hill was an enormous castle with flying pennants at the top of the many towers. The dark stone glittered in the sunlight and it seemed like it touched the sky. Marle and Crono had to push the girl to the forest and into the door of the castle. "Princess Nadia!" the guards at the door cried. They bowed as one. They entered a large room with an aging man sitting on a single throne in the huge room. "Nadia! Where have you been?" he demanded, jumping up from the plush seat. "And who're all these people?" Quick introductions and reintroductions were made. The King raised his eyebrows at Gabrielle. "Who're you?" he inquired. "Father, this is Gabrielle of the Amazons in 12,000 B.C." she told him. "She saved my life when I fell through some thin ice." She said quickly to smooth over her father's glare. His glare lifted and the King grabbed Gabrielle's hand. "I thank you for saving my daughter, young lady." He said regally. "No problem." Gabrielle said informally. The group exchanged smiles and held in their giggles. "Now, Nadia. You're lucky this time." The King told her. "Tomorrow night is the ball." Sighs of relief went through the group. "And I would like all of you to come. Especially you, Gabrielle." "I don't know what you guys want to do but I need a bath!" Marle said. "A nice warm bath and a night's sleep in a real bed and I'll be a new woman." The boys went to the men's baths to bathe, as did the girls went to the women's baths. Gabrielle was leery when she saw the large in-ground tub of water the size of a small pond in the porcelain-tiled room. Unlike her, the other girls were overjoyed to see the slightly steaming water. After stripping, they leaped in with yells of delight. "C'mon Gabrielle." Marle beckoned. "Surely you bathed with the other Amazon women." "Well, of course. I'm just curious on how they made it in the floor." She said. The girls laughed and beckoned the girl. She yanked off her boots, tunic, shirt, pants, and underclothes and jumped into the pool. "This is great." Gabrielle said when she came back up. After bathing with the other Amazon women for so long she wasn't uncomfortable seeing her girl friends without any clothes on. Schala handed her a bottle of a gooey green substance. She looked at it puzzled. "Wash your hair with it." Marle instructed. Gabrielle took the cork stopper off the bottle and poured some into her palm. She handed the bottle to Ayla who asked for it. Still puzzled, she sniffed it. It smelled of apples and other spices. Then she worked it through her hair. She really wasn't careful and some of the lather got into the girl's eyes. She yelped and got water into her palms and splashed it on her eyes. Marle giggled and showed her how to not get it in her eyes. "You should have warned me." Gabrielle told her. "I didn't know you'd get it in your eyes." Marle retorted. Gabrielle was familiar with the soap but it smelled different than the soap she was used to. "It's supposed to make your skin smell nice." Schala said. "Oh." "Me done." Ayla announced getting out of the pool. She wrapped a towel around her body and left the room. "I am too." Gabrielle said. "Ah, you guys don't know how to enjoy a bath." Marle complained. Gabrielle decided to stay. "Still mad at Glenn?" Lucca asked. "Yes." Gabrielle retorted glaring. Marle gave a wry smile, "That's not what I saw at the lake." Gabrielle blushed crimson and splashed at the girls who were laughing. They shrieked with mirth as the water hit them. "I'm getting all pruny." Schala said after a while showing everyone her wrinkly fingers. "Yeah, let's get out of here." Lucca said climbing out of the pool. They all wrapped towels around themselves and went to dress in the dressing room. Marle led them all to her room in one of the castle's many towers, where Gabrielle saw more things she never saw before. "This place is so cool!" she cried. "Wait until tomorrow night." Marle rolled her eyes. "Normally balls are fun but sometime they are so boring!" "Tell me about it!" Schala cried. "What're they like?" Gabrielle wanted to know. Marle sighed and thought before she answered. "Well, they're always held in a huge room called a ballroom. And there's music and dancing and-" "Food?" Gabrielle inquired. "Sometimes." Marle replied. "Depends on what time they're held." "Enough about party." Ayla said. "Let's Gabrielle other stuff." "There's more?" Gabrielle asked eyes wide. Gabrielle yelped when there was a knock at the door. "It's us." Crono called through the door. Marle let them in and everyone settled into anything that could be claimed as a seat. Gabrielle moved when Glenn sat on a chair five feet from her. She went to sit on Marle's bed between Ayla and Lucca. "So, how about we take a walk?" Magus asked. "I hate being cooped up in here." Gabrielle was surprised; she wouldn't have minded it if they stayed in this castle her entire time here. "Yeah, let's go." Lucca said getting up.
* * * They showed Gabrielle around Truce first. Gabrielle couldn't stop whirling her head around so she could see everything until Magus put his hand firmly on her shoulders. "The houses and trees aren't going to grow legs and walk away, Gabrielle. You'll see everything, trust me." He told her. Lucca near them laughed. "Gabrielle, come to my house!" the inventor grabbed the Amazon's arm and towed her across a bridge and to a good sized villa. "Mom! Dad! There's someone I want you to meet!" Lucca called. They found them in the kitchen having lemonade. "Hello there, Lucca." Her father said. "Who's this?" he asked seeing Gabrielle. "This is Gabrielle. She's an Amazon." She said to her parents. "Hello, Gabrielle." Lucca's mother said. "Pleased to meet you." "You too." Gabrielle shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She sometimes was shy when it came to strangers. "And Gabrielle likes science!" Lucca went on. "Well, that's a noteworthy quality, young lady." Lucca's father's attitude toward the girl changed rather quickly. "Has she seen the Telepod?" "No, not yet." The scientist replied. "Well, show it to her!" Taban ordered cuffing his daughter gently on the shoulder. "C'mon, let's go." Lucca said.
* * * "Before you see the Telepod, I want you to see my house." Crono said. Gabrielle really wanted to see the Telepod whatever that was, and she about to say this when Crono grabbed her arm and pulled her to a tan stone house. It was either go or be dragged. Gabrielle wondered if Crono knew his own strength. "Mom!" Crono called. "Crono! Where have you been?" she demanded. "And who's this?" "This's Gabrielle." Crono told her. "Gabrielle, a lady doesn't dress like that." She told the Amazon. "But how could I ride a horse in a dress? Or staff fight?" Gabrielle protested. "Just say 'Yes, ma'am'." "Yes, ma'am?" Gabrielle inquired. Crono elbowed her in the ribs. "Ow!" Before Gabrielle could say anything else, Crono, Marle, Lucca, and Ayla dragged her upstairs and closed the door. "What was that about?" Gabrielle wanted to know. "You have to understand that girls your age wear dresses and always obey their elders, you know stuff like that." Marle explained. "You were raised differently so they're going to think you're-" "A savage?" Gabrielle finished. "That's-not the word I was going to say but that's what people think." Marle said. "But we no think that." Ayla told her. "You good with stick and you strong. It good to be strong." "Thanks Ayla." Gabrielle said. "Let's go see the Telepod!" Lucca said.
* * * "Voila!" Lucca cried as they took the white sheet off the machine. "I give you.the Telepod!" "So.what does it do?" Gabrielle wanted to know. "Well, it's supposed to take you from one pod to the other." Lucca replied. "But if you're you have any Dreamstone on you, see you later!" "When I tried it out, my pendant reacted with it and I was thrown to A.D 600." Marle said. "Remember, I told you." "Yeah. Can I try it?" Gabrielle asked. "Sure!" Lucca said. Soon, Gabrielle was standing on the right pod, waiting for Lucca to get everything ready. "Ok, ready?" Lucca inquired. "Yes!" "All right! Here we go!" Lucca called out orders for the group to get the machine started and going. Gabrielle disappeared into a dozen sparkly dots and was transported to the left pod. "Whoa! What a rush!" Gabrielle shouted with glee. "Again!" She went on it again and again, until finally she said, "Oh, I think I'm going to be sick!" And she was. She ran to a corner and vomited. Then she laughed. "I think you did that one time to many." Magus said. "Anything else you want to show me?" Gabrielle asked. They took her through the Fair and went into 's tent. Gabrielle shrieked when she saw the floating head and hands and tried to flee but Magus caught her. They played a few games and got some cat food for Crono's cat. They went all around playing games and they ate a small supper there in one of the many eating tents. Gabrielle was amazed by the food and emptied her plate quickly. They sat by a fountain, when the gang decided to get mischievous. Crono slapped the water to hit Marle, who splashed him back. Ayla nearly drenched Glenn, and Magus tried to pull Gabrielle into the fountain. Marle jumped up and gave Crono a playful shove. He tumbled into the fountain. He leapt out soaking wet and chased Marle. "Run, Marle!" Schala called through cupped hands. Marle ran out of the square, Crono at her heels. The group followed as they ran to the beach near Truce and took off their shoes and waded into knee-deep surf. They played a few games of chicken and lounged on the beach having the best time they'd had in a while. The idea of the coming battle with Lavos never entered their minds once. Lucca snoozed on the beach in the late-afternoon sun as the others stayed in the water. Schala wad the one with the idea to cover their friend with sand. When Lucca awoke she found herself heavily layered with sand. "Hey!" she bellowed. "What the hell?" Gabrielle laughed until she cried. Crono and Marle helped Lucca out of her cocoon of sand. Gabrielle threw a fistful of sand at Glenn when he came too close to her. He was quick to react and turned his head. Even though it didn't get into his eyes, he would have a hard time getting all the sand out of his dark brown hair. "What is that girl's problem?" he demanded when Crono came over. "I guess she's still mad about you calling her a savage." He said. "But I didn't call her one!" Glenn shouted. "I didn't do a damn thing to her!" "Maybe.maybe she's trying to hide something." Crono suggested. "What?" "Has it ever occurred to you that she may be flirting with you?" Crono inquired. "It could be anything." "I just wished she'd stop." He said, running his fingers through his hair scowling when a bit of sand came loose. "It's getting annoying." Schala came to stand next to them. Her hair was tousled by the sea breeze and was a bit wet. "Go talk to her." Schala suggested. "I'd do that if she wouldn't lob sand at me every time I get within five feet from her." Glenn snapped. "Here, I'll help. I'll walk with you and if she grabs for some sand I'll stop her." Schala said. With a sigh he said, "All right." The two walked over to the girl, who was rolling her pants up above the knee so they wouldn't get any more soaked than they all ready were. "Hey Gabrielle." Schala said cheerful. Gabrielle's head was still bent over her work; when she looked up, she scowled and began to walk away. "Wait!" Glenn called. "Give me one reason why I should." Gabrielle demanded. "Because I want to talk to you." Glenn said. "You have to know that I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. I never meant offense to your people." Glenn told her carefully. "I'm glad you feel that way." Gabrielle said turning on her heel and running off. "So," Glenn inquired. "Did she accept my apology?" "I have no idea. I'll go find out." Schala murmured. She ran to catch up with the trotting Amazon. "Gabrielle, wait!" "What is it?" Gabrielle asked. "So, are you accepting Glenn's apology?" Schala wanted to know. Gabrielle paused a moment before she spoke. "No." she replied flatly. "Why not?" Schala was flabbergasted: how dense could this girl get? "He was rude to me. No Amazon stands still while a man insults her or her people." Gabrielle said. "But he apologized." "Why do I have to-" Gabrielle was saying when Magus came over. "Hey, have you seen Glenn?" he inquired. "Why does everyone have to torture me by saying his name?" Gabrielle demanded loudly. Magus gave Schala a perplexed look. Gabrielle fled to a shaded corner of the beach, leaving Magus and Schala standing there confused. "We're going to need a sledgehammer to break this girl." Magus told his sister. "She's stubborn as a mule!" Schala said. They walked back to the group, who was snacking on some of the edible prizes they received at the Fair.
* * * Gabrielle sprawled out in a shaded patch of beach that was shaded by that trees that towered over that area of the beach. It was the edge of the sandy beach and behind the trees, was Truce Village. She was enjoying the peace of hearing the waves and gulls and soaking up her first beach excursion, when she heard a noise behind her. She jumped up and looked where the noise was. It was Glenn emerging from the trees. He held his arms up as if to tell her he wasn't going to do anything. "Relax. I just want to talk to you." Glenn snapped. "Well, I don't want to talk to you." Before she could walk away, Glenn snatched her wrist and didn't let go. "Let go of me!" she ordered. "Not until you hear me out!" Glenn said fiercely. "Can't you listen for two seconds?" "I'm going to kick your ass, if you don't let go of me NOW!" Gabrielle shouted. She dug her thumbnail of her other hand into the base of Glenn's, making him hiss and release her. "What part of I don't want to talk to you d'you not understand?" she demanded. "Why can't you let go of a grudge?" Glenn asked her. "And don't you dare tell me it's one of those Amazon things!" "There you go again!" Gabrielle cried. "Just don't talk to me and leave me alone!" She turned to leave but Glenn swiftly darted to get in front her again. "You are so annoying!" she yelled through grit teeth. She pushed him, but he was ready. He grabbed her wrist as she was passing him and yanked back. She tried to twist away only to make it worse. A sound of bone cracking could be heard as well as Gabrielle's cry of pain. The girl fell to her knees cradling her right arm. "Oh gods! Gabrielle, I'm sorry!" Glenn cried kneeling next to her. "Go away! Haven't you done enough?" Gabrielle shouted. When Glenn touched her shoulder, she threw her left hand at him blindly letting her acid spray out with a yell of frustration. Glenn yelled out so loud it echoed far more than Gabrielle's cry of pain. Everyone came to them at a run. Marle ran straight to Gabrielle and saw her arm. Crono and Magus went to Glenn who was still yelling as he removed his hands from his face. Ugly red burns ran from right below his left eye down his face and neck and onto his shoulder. Magus then went to Gabrielle to see what was wrong with her. He cringed at the swelling at her shoulder and bruises on her wrist. No one asked what happened but silently went to get everyone's shoes and collect their things: It was time to go back to the castle. This time Gabrielle's glare was returned every bit as mean every time the two made eye contact. Anyone could see the two were in pain and very irritable. They walked quietly to the castle where healers were fetched and they were settled into their rooms. Marle thought it would be best if Gabrielle and Glenn were as far apart as possible but Crono said it might help if they were next door. Lucca cringed at what could happen. "If anything goes wrong we could always move them, you know." He said. Gabrielle's arm was set and Glenn had his burns tended to. Everyone retired to bed with mumbled 'good night's.
* * * "I'm telling you-ouch!" Glenn was having his bandages removed. Marle had put the strongest healing she could last night and now she was seeing what the turnout was. "All I did was touch her shoulder and," he made a gesture right for his face. "She showered me with acid." "You're lucky she didn't get your eye." Marle said quietly. "I think I need to talk with out Amazon friend." "I'm going with her." Schala said. The girls went through the adjoining door into Gabrielle's room. All the guest rooms had adjoining doors to connect them all. Gabrielle was reading on her bed when the girls entered the room. The girl rolled her eyes clearly annoyed. "Oh great." She moaned. "Another lecture. Magus, Ayla, and Crono all ready snapped my head off, ok?" "We just want to talk." Schala said cheerfully. "Right, Marle." "Right." "Well, this still isn't a lecture but.why did you do that? I mean, Gabrielle, you could have blinded him!" Schala said. "I know!" Gabrielle cried. "D'you think I liked it? D'you? I feel horrible and now everyone hates me! I wish I never had this magic!" Gabrielle's eyes were filling with tears. "We don't hate you! We're just.displeased." Marle said. "I can understand being mad when he dislocated your shoulder but I think you shouldn't have sprayed acid at him." Someone knocked on the open doorway and ambled in the room. Schala and Marle took one look at the visitor and quietly left the room. Gabrielle saw her visitor and clenched her jaw and looked down. "Look. I want to make a truce with you." Glenn said. "I really can't stand fighting with you. For one thing, you hit too hard." Gabrielle actually smiled when he said this. "And water can only dilute acid.not block it." When Gabrielle looked at him perplexed he said, "I have water magic." She nodded. She threw the covers off of her and stood. Glenn held out a hand. "Friends?" It was like the thick stonewall around Gabrielle's heart as she took his hand. They shook hands, smiling at each other. "Friends." Gabrielle whispered. "All's well then?" Magus inquired from the doorway. "I guess so." Glenn replied. "Finally!" Lucca sighed. "It's about time we broke you, Gabrielle." Schala teased. "You're a very stubborn young lady!" "Me glad!" Ayla cried. "But also.me hungry!" she said thumping her bare stomach. "Let's get some food, I'm starving!" Glenn said. To the group surprise, Glenn and Gabrielle went to breakfast holding hands.
Chapter Four: Fun in the Future "Crono!" Marle bellowed once they reached the village. Crono came running from the cabin the boys were staying in. "What is it?" "The ball! We totally forgot about it!" she cried. The spiked redhead's eyes widened. "Oh! You're dad's going to kill us! Gabrielle, we can't stay the night, sorry!" Marle dismounted and together they ran to the cabins. Gabrielle ran to hers and began to stuff some of her belongings into a leather pack. "You're coming too?" Magus asked, hoisting his own bag onto a black horse. The others were packing hastily as if a tornado was ripping through the village. "If that's all right." She asked hopefully. "Sure." Crono called over his horse's back. "Of course you can come." Marle called over hers. "Great!" Gabrielle cried delighted. "I'll call some Amazons to collect our horses after we leave. They'll keep them safe." With the packing done everyone rode their own horses out of the village. The company was a very different one than when they came up the mountain. Instead of three horses two to a horse there were nine horses one to a horse. They rode hard for an hour then rested at a small lake. Gabrielle dipped her hand in it to drink. She saw in the reflection of the lake, a man behind her: Glenn. She continued to drink until she had her fill. She whirled around and glared. "Would you please leave me alone?" she demanded. When she went to go around him, he moved to block her path. She scowled and moved to the right; Glenn blocked her there too. She faked going left again then right with Glenn still following her. Finally she pushed him, catching him by surprise. He grabbed her arm and she fell with him. They looked at each other; they were close enough to kiss for almost a full minute before Gabrielle scrambled off of him. Silently, she busied herself with her saddlebags. Glenn dusted his bottom to get the snow off and casually walked away like nothing happened. Little did the two know that Lucca, Marle, Schala, and Crono had seen the whole thing. They snickered about it then saddled the horses again and rode hard for another hour. Passing by the tents, they finally saw the clearing at the base of the mountain called the Commons. They became more talkative now that they had reached the bottom of the mountain. The old man was surprised to see Gabrielle. "Haven't seen one of you in a while, miss." He remarked grinning. "I mean the Samarans of course. Those Manesh need a lesson." "We gave them one." Crono assured him. "We must go now." He nodded to him and the party walked out of the Commons on foot, leaving the horses to some youths in the Commons. "I think I'm going to feel that ride for a week." Lucca said as she struggled to walk normally. Gabrielle giggled as she strode around as if she had just woken up this morning. Lucca glared but had a wry smile on her face. "Now, here's a obstacle for us." Magus said. He gestured to the sleek gray pod like ship with wings: Epoch. "How to get nine people in.that." He pointed and Gabrielle stopped where she was to marvel at Epoch. Glenn, who wasn't watching ahead of him, collided into her. "Watch it!" Gabrielle snapped. She walked forward and touched the smooth surface of Epoch. "Wow, the blacksmiths here couldn't do anything nearly this smooth." "That's because it was made in the future." Crono told her, climbing in. They all were packed in, being three to a seat. Against her wishes, Gabrielle was squished between Glenn and Magus. One reason was because she was unhappy with Glenn and that the girl was slightly claustrophobic and hated being crammed. As the engine roared, Gabrielle stiffened. Beeps and clicks told her that Crono was at the controls and suddenly Epoch zoomed forward. Gabrielle yelped and grabbed onto both Magus and Glenn's hands despite her anger. They smiled at each other and held the girl's hands. A sound that sounded like a whip cracking rang out and when Gabrielle dislodged herself from Glenn and Magus she found herself in a world of green. "Wow." she breathed. People and trees were everywhere. There was nowhere Gabrielle would look and not find a person or a tree or an animal. She felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Lucca. "Welcome to Guardia, Gabrielle." She told her. "Hey, Gabrielle." Magus slung his bag over his shoulder. "You're eyes are going to fall out, you've got them so wide." He clapped her on the back. "I had a similar reaction." Schala said as she passed. Now Gabrielle's eyes were REALLY going to fall out when she was what was beyond a huge forest ahead of them. Crowning a hill was an enormous castle with flying pennants at the top of the many towers. The dark stone glittered in the sunlight and it seemed like it touched the sky. Marle and Crono had to push the girl to the forest and into the door of the castle. "Princess Nadia!" the guards at the door cried. They bowed as one. They entered a large room with an aging man sitting on a single throne in the huge room. "Nadia! Where have you been?" he demanded, jumping up from the plush seat. "And who're all these people?" Quick introductions and reintroductions were made. The King raised his eyebrows at Gabrielle. "Who're you?" he inquired. "Father, this is Gabrielle of the Amazons in 12,000 B.C." she told him. "She saved my life when I fell through some thin ice." She said quickly to smooth over her father's glare. His glare lifted and the King grabbed Gabrielle's hand. "I thank you for saving my daughter, young lady." He said regally. "No problem." Gabrielle said informally. The group exchanged smiles and held in their giggles. "Now, Nadia. You're lucky this time." The King told her. "Tomorrow night is the ball." Sighs of relief went through the group. "And I would like all of you to come. Especially you, Gabrielle." "I don't know what you guys want to do but I need a bath!" Marle said. "A nice warm bath and a night's sleep in a real bed and I'll be a new woman." The boys went to the men's baths to bathe, as did the girls went to the women's baths. Gabrielle was leery when she saw the large in-ground tub of water the size of a small pond in the porcelain-tiled room. Unlike her, the other girls were overjoyed to see the slightly steaming water. After stripping, they leaped in with yells of delight. "C'mon Gabrielle." Marle beckoned. "Surely you bathed with the other Amazon women." "Well, of course. I'm just curious on how they made it in the floor." She said. The girls laughed and beckoned the girl. She yanked off her boots, tunic, shirt, pants, and underclothes and jumped into the pool. "This is great." Gabrielle said when she came back up. After bathing with the other Amazon women for so long she wasn't uncomfortable seeing her girl friends without any clothes on. Schala handed her a bottle of a gooey green substance. She looked at it puzzled. "Wash your hair with it." Marle instructed. Gabrielle took the cork stopper off the bottle and poured some into her palm. She handed the bottle to Ayla who asked for it. Still puzzled, she sniffed it. It smelled of apples and other spices. Then she worked it through her hair. She really wasn't careful and some of the lather got into the girl's eyes. She yelped and got water into her palms and splashed it on her eyes. Marle giggled and showed her how to not get it in her eyes. "You should have warned me." Gabrielle told her. "I didn't know you'd get it in your eyes." Marle retorted. Gabrielle was familiar with the soap but it smelled different than the soap she was used to. "It's supposed to make your skin smell nice." Schala said. "Oh." "Me done." Ayla announced getting out of the pool. She wrapped a towel around her body and left the room. "I am too." Gabrielle said. "Ah, you guys don't know how to enjoy a bath." Marle complained. Gabrielle decided to stay. "Still mad at Glenn?" Lucca asked. "Yes." Gabrielle retorted glaring. Marle gave a wry smile, "That's not what I saw at the lake." Gabrielle blushed crimson and splashed at the girls who were laughing. They shrieked with mirth as the water hit them. "I'm getting all pruny." Schala said after a while showing everyone her wrinkly fingers. "Yeah, let's get out of here." Lucca said climbing out of the pool. They all wrapped towels around themselves and went to dress in the dressing room. Marle led them all to her room in one of the castle's many towers, where Gabrielle saw more things she never saw before. "This place is so cool!" she cried. "Wait until tomorrow night." Marle rolled her eyes. "Normally balls are fun but sometime they are so boring!" "Tell me about it!" Schala cried. "What're they like?" Gabrielle wanted to know. Marle sighed and thought before she answered. "Well, they're always held in a huge room called a ballroom. And there's music and dancing and-" "Food?" Gabrielle inquired. "Sometimes." Marle replied. "Depends on what time they're held." "Enough about party." Ayla said. "Let's Gabrielle other stuff." "There's more?" Gabrielle asked eyes wide. Gabrielle yelped when there was a knock at the door. "It's us." Crono called through the door. Marle let them in and everyone settled into anything that could be claimed as a seat. Gabrielle moved when Glenn sat on a chair five feet from her. She went to sit on Marle's bed between Ayla and Lucca. "So, how about we take a walk?" Magus asked. "I hate being cooped up in here." Gabrielle was surprised; she wouldn't have minded it if they stayed in this castle her entire time here. "Yeah, let's go." Lucca said getting up.
* * * They showed Gabrielle around Truce first. Gabrielle couldn't stop whirling her head around so she could see everything until Magus put his hand firmly on her shoulders. "The houses and trees aren't going to grow legs and walk away, Gabrielle. You'll see everything, trust me." He told her. Lucca near them laughed. "Gabrielle, come to my house!" the inventor grabbed the Amazon's arm and towed her across a bridge and to a good sized villa. "Mom! Dad! There's someone I want you to meet!" Lucca called. They found them in the kitchen having lemonade. "Hello there, Lucca." Her father said. "Who's this?" he asked seeing Gabrielle. "This is Gabrielle. She's an Amazon." She said to her parents. "Hello, Gabrielle." Lucca's mother said. "Pleased to meet you." "You too." Gabrielle shifted her weight from one foot to the other. She sometimes was shy when it came to strangers. "And Gabrielle likes science!" Lucca went on. "Well, that's a noteworthy quality, young lady." Lucca's father's attitude toward the girl changed rather quickly. "Has she seen the Telepod?" "No, not yet." The scientist replied. "Well, show it to her!" Taban ordered cuffing his daughter gently on the shoulder. "C'mon, let's go." Lucca said.
* * * "Before you see the Telepod, I want you to see my house." Crono said. Gabrielle really wanted to see the Telepod whatever that was, and she about to say this when Crono grabbed her arm and pulled her to a tan stone house. It was either go or be dragged. Gabrielle wondered if Crono knew his own strength. "Mom!" Crono called. "Crono! Where have you been?" she demanded. "And who's this?" "This's Gabrielle." Crono told her. "Gabrielle, a lady doesn't dress like that." She told the Amazon. "But how could I ride a horse in a dress? Or staff fight?" Gabrielle protested. "Just say 'Yes, ma'am'." "Yes, ma'am?" Gabrielle inquired. Crono elbowed her in the ribs. "Ow!" Before Gabrielle could say anything else, Crono, Marle, Lucca, and Ayla dragged her upstairs and closed the door. "What was that about?" Gabrielle wanted to know. "You have to understand that girls your age wear dresses and always obey their elders, you know stuff like that." Marle explained. "You were raised differently so they're going to think you're-" "A savage?" Gabrielle finished. "That's-not the word I was going to say but that's what people think." Marle said. "But we no think that." Ayla told her. "You good with stick and you strong. It good to be strong." "Thanks Ayla." Gabrielle said. "Let's go see the Telepod!" Lucca said.
* * * "Voila!" Lucca cried as they took the white sheet off the machine. "I give you.the Telepod!" "So.what does it do?" Gabrielle wanted to know. "Well, it's supposed to take you from one pod to the other." Lucca replied. "But if you're you have any Dreamstone on you, see you later!" "When I tried it out, my pendant reacted with it and I was thrown to A.D 600." Marle said. "Remember, I told you." "Yeah. Can I try it?" Gabrielle asked. "Sure!" Lucca said. Soon, Gabrielle was standing on the right pod, waiting for Lucca to get everything ready. "Ok, ready?" Lucca inquired. "Yes!" "All right! Here we go!" Lucca called out orders for the group to get the machine started and going. Gabrielle disappeared into a dozen sparkly dots and was transported to the left pod. "Whoa! What a rush!" Gabrielle shouted with glee. "Again!" She went on it again and again, until finally she said, "Oh, I think I'm going to be sick!" And she was. She ran to a corner and vomited. Then she laughed. "I think you did that one time to many." Magus said. "Anything else you want to show me?" Gabrielle asked. They took her through the Fair and went into 's tent. Gabrielle shrieked when she saw the floating head and hands and tried to flee but Magus caught her. They played a few games and got some cat food for Crono's cat. They went all around playing games and they ate a small supper there in one of the many eating tents. Gabrielle was amazed by the food and emptied her plate quickly. They sat by a fountain, when the gang decided to get mischievous. Crono slapped the water to hit Marle, who splashed him back. Ayla nearly drenched Glenn, and Magus tried to pull Gabrielle into the fountain. Marle jumped up and gave Crono a playful shove. He tumbled into the fountain. He leapt out soaking wet and chased Marle. "Run, Marle!" Schala called through cupped hands. Marle ran out of the square, Crono at her heels. The group followed as they ran to the beach near Truce and took off their shoes and waded into knee-deep surf. They played a few games of chicken and lounged on the beach having the best time they'd had in a while. The idea of the coming battle with Lavos never entered their minds once. Lucca snoozed on the beach in the late-afternoon sun as the others stayed in the water. Schala wad the one with the idea to cover their friend with sand. When Lucca awoke she found herself heavily layered with sand. "Hey!" she bellowed. "What the hell?" Gabrielle laughed until she cried. Crono and Marle helped Lucca out of her cocoon of sand. Gabrielle threw a fistful of sand at Glenn when he came too close to her. He was quick to react and turned his head. Even though it didn't get into his eyes, he would have a hard time getting all the sand out of his dark brown hair. "What is that girl's problem?" he demanded when Crono came over. "I guess she's still mad about you calling her a savage." He said. "But I didn't call her one!" Glenn shouted. "I didn't do a damn thing to her!" "Maybe.maybe she's trying to hide something." Crono suggested. "What?" "Has it ever occurred to you that she may be flirting with you?" Crono inquired. "It could be anything." "I just wished she'd stop." He said, running his fingers through his hair scowling when a bit of sand came loose. "It's getting annoying." Schala came to stand next to them. Her hair was tousled by the sea breeze and was a bit wet. "Go talk to her." Schala suggested. "I'd do that if she wouldn't lob sand at me every time I get within five feet from her." Glenn snapped. "Here, I'll help. I'll walk with you and if she grabs for some sand I'll stop her." Schala said. With a sigh he said, "All right." The two walked over to the girl, who was rolling her pants up above the knee so they wouldn't get any more soaked than they all ready were. "Hey Gabrielle." Schala said cheerful. Gabrielle's head was still bent over her work; when she looked up, she scowled and began to walk away. "Wait!" Glenn called. "Give me one reason why I should." Gabrielle demanded. "Because I want to talk to you." Glenn said. "You have to know that I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. I never meant offense to your people." Glenn told her carefully. "I'm glad you feel that way." Gabrielle said turning on her heel and running off. "So," Glenn inquired. "Did she accept my apology?" "I have no idea. I'll go find out." Schala murmured. She ran to catch up with the trotting Amazon. "Gabrielle, wait!" "What is it?" Gabrielle asked. "So, are you accepting Glenn's apology?" Schala wanted to know. Gabrielle paused a moment before she spoke. "No." she replied flatly. "Why not?" Schala was flabbergasted: how dense could this girl get? "He was rude to me. No Amazon stands still while a man insults her or her people." Gabrielle said. "But he apologized." "Why do I have to-" Gabrielle was saying when Magus came over. "Hey, have you seen Glenn?" he inquired. "Why does everyone have to torture me by saying his name?" Gabrielle demanded loudly. Magus gave Schala a perplexed look. Gabrielle fled to a shaded corner of the beach, leaving Magus and Schala standing there confused. "We're going to need a sledgehammer to break this girl." Magus told his sister. "She's stubborn as a mule!" Schala said. They walked back to the group, who was snacking on some of the edible prizes they received at the Fair.
* * * Gabrielle sprawled out in a shaded patch of beach that was shaded by that trees that towered over that area of the beach. It was the edge of the sandy beach and behind the trees, was Truce Village. She was enjoying the peace of hearing the waves and gulls and soaking up her first beach excursion, when she heard a noise behind her. She jumped up and looked where the noise was. It was Glenn emerging from the trees. He held his arms up as if to tell her he wasn't going to do anything. "Relax. I just want to talk to you." Glenn snapped. "Well, I don't want to talk to you." Before she could walk away, Glenn snatched her wrist and didn't let go. "Let go of me!" she ordered. "Not until you hear me out!" Glenn said fiercely. "Can't you listen for two seconds?" "I'm going to kick your ass, if you don't let go of me NOW!" Gabrielle shouted. She dug her thumbnail of her other hand into the base of Glenn's, making him hiss and release her. "What part of I don't want to talk to you d'you not understand?" she demanded. "Why can't you let go of a grudge?" Glenn asked her. "And don't you dare tell me it's one of those Amazon things!" "There you go again!" Gabrielle cried. "Just don't talk to me and leave me alone!" She turned to leave but Glenn swiftly darted to get in front her again. "You are so annoying!" she yelled through grit teeth. She pushed him, but he was ready. He grabbed her wrist as she was passing him and yanked back. She tried to twist away only to make it worse. A sound of bone cracking could be heard as well as Gabrielle's cry of pain. The girl fell to her knees cradling her right arm. "Oh gods! Gabrielle, I'm sorry!" Glenn cried kneeling next to her. "Go away! Haven't you done enough?" Gabrielle shouted. When Glenn touched her shoulder, she threw her left hand at him blindly letting her acid spray out with a yell of frustration. Glenn yelled out so loud it echoed far more than Gabrielle's cry of pain. Everyone came to them at a run. Marle ran straight to Gabrielle and saw her arm. Crono and Magus went to Glenn who was still yelling as he removed his hands from his face. Ugly red burns ran from right below his left eye down his face and neck and onto his shoulder. Magus then went to Gabrielle to see what was wrong with her. He cringed at the swelling at her shoulder and bruises on her wrist. No one asked what happened but silently went to get everyone's shoes and collect their things: It was time to go back to the castle. This time Gabrielle's glare was returned every bit as mean every time the two made eye contact. Anyone could see the two were in pain and very irritable. They walked quietly to the castle where healers were fetched and they were settled into their rooms. Marle thought it would be best if Gabrielle and Glenn were as far apart as possible but Crono said it might help if they were next door. Lucca cringed at what could happen. "If anything goes wrong we could always move them, you know." He said. Gabrielle's arm was set and Glenn had his burns tended to. Everyone retired to bed with mumbled 'good night's.
* * * "I'm telling you-ouch!" Glenn was having his bandages removed. Marle had put the strongest healing she could last night and now she was seeing what the turnout was. "All I did was touch her shoulder and," he made a gesture right for his face. "She showered me with acid." "You're lucky she didn't get your eye." Marle said quietly. "I think I need to talk with out Amazon friend." "I'm going with her." Schala said. The girls went through the adjoining door into Gabrielle's room. All the guest rooms had adjoining doors to connect them all. Gabrielle was reading on her bed when the girls entered the room. The girl rolled her eyes clearly annoyed. "Oh great." She moaned. "Another lecture. Magus, Ayla, and Crono all ready snapped my head off, ok?" "We just want to talk." Schala said cheerfully. "Right, Marle." "Right." "Well, this still isn't a lecture but.why did you do that? I mean, Gabrielle, you could have blinded him!" Schala said. "I know!" Gabrielle cried. "D'you think I liked it? D'you? I feel horrible and now everyone hates me! I wish I never had this magic!" Gabrielle's eyes were filling with tears. "We don't hate you! We're just.displeased." Marle said. "I can understand being mad when he dislocated your shoulder but I think you shouldn't have sprayed acid at him." Someone knocked on the open doorway and ambled in the room. Schala and Marle took one look at the visitor and quietly left the room. Gabrielle saw her visitor and clenched her jaw and looked down. "Look. I want to make a truce with you." Glenn said. "I really can't stand fighting with you. For one thing, you hit too hard." Gabrielle actually smiled when he said this. "And water can only dilute acid.not block it." When Gabrielle looked at him perplexed he said, "I have water magic." She nodded. She threw the covers off of her and stood. Glenn held out a hand. "Friends?" It was like the thick stonewall around Gabrielle's heart as she took his hand. They shook hands, smiling at each other. "Friends." Gabrielle whispered. "All's well then?" Magus inquired from the doorway. "I guess so." Glenn replied. "Finally!" Lucca sighed. "It's about time we broke you, Gabrielle." Schala teased. "You're a very stubborn young lady!" "Me glad!" Ayla cried. "But also.me hungry!" she said thumping her bare stomach. "Let's get some food, I'm starving!" Glenn said. To the group surprise, Glenn and Gabrielle went to breakfast holding hands.