Disclaimer: I don't own any FF9 characters, logos, locations, names, moogles, what have you.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Author's Note: Hey all! I just started a new game on FF9 and, after leaving Dali and hitting 'X' on any possible exclamation point in the Windmill forty times and pausing the game to admire the feather's on Black Waltz No. 2's wings (I'm not obsessed!) Just kidding. But still, I've revisited Dali in a new game and did some stuff and I'm inspired now!
Also, if you guys don't review, I won't update. I hate to resort to this, but I don't magically know if you're reading the story, and if you don't review I assume you guys aren't readin'. So please, humor me.
Once again, apologizing for time lapses. We'll jump ahead once ag'in next chapter and that should be it, so....whoo.
~NeoNaoNeo
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
"Just remember Tsukasa, I am your ally. As long as we walk together, I will protect you." ~Maha, '.hack//sign'
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Chapter 6: Broken
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
((Three years later...))
The monotonous, low hum of the stationary airship's engine filled the cold, autumn air in the Alexandrian Airship docks. The sky was a bleak gray and overcast with rainclouds. A group of people clustered around the platform onto the Lindblum-bound airship.
Vivi was talking to Zidane, Ipsen clinging to his sleeve. The cutting breeze blew past the group, Ipsen drew his deep blue wings closer to his back, the stiff, cream white flight feathers swaying lightly.
"Is Robin coming?" he asked Zidane, turning his face up, a few curled, navy blue feathers sticking out from under his yellow and green tunic.
"Don't worry," Zidane assured him. "Garnet and Robin will be here..."
"Hey! Don't leave!" Robin shouted above the crowd as she broke out of her mother's grip and bounded toward them. She stopped behind her father, still panting.
"The airship's not leaving for another half hour," Vivi said. "So you two have plenty of time to...well.." He couldn't bring himself to say anything else. Ipsen released his sleeve and went over by the girl, dropping his ruck sack on the ground.
They turned away and began talking. Zidane looked from them to Vivi. "Are you sure you have to go?" Garnet asked the mage. "Poor Robin, she'll be so lonely."
"Yeah Vivi, they're practically joined at the hip," Zidane said, hoping to lighten the mood.
Vivi nodded. "There's just no jobs here, after I lost my position at the Items Shop..." the mage sighed, recalling how he fell and accidently broke an entire crate of very rare and very expensive Elixirs.
"Well, how do you know you'll get a job in Lindblum?" Zidane shrugged.
"I've already sent an application and everything to the Synthesis shop owner in the Business District. He said I'm guaranteed a job." Vivi explained, wrying his sleeves. "I really hate to do this to them, but I think it'll turn out alright."
"Yeah, Robin's a tough girl." Zidane chuckled.
"Just like her father," Garnet smiled.
"I am NOT a tough girl," Zidane said. "I'm extremely dainty and fragile."
The airship's whistle blew loud and clear, signalling all the passengers on deck. "All aboard!" shouted a person on deck. Ipsen jumped in surprise at the sudden noise, his wings shot from his back, revealing a small patch of white feathers on the underside of his left wing, where Jack had yanked out the down a few years ago. Other than that and his flight feathers, his wings were the deep and undisturbed blue of a starless midnight sky. Robin bit her lip.
"You'll visit me, right?" she asked.
The winged mage nodded vigorously. "Why wouldn't I?"
"I don't know," Robin shrugged. She leaned in and gave wrapped her arms around Ipsen. "Bye!"
"Bye," he said, returning the embrace.
"Come on Imp," his father called.
"Com-ing!" he said chirpily.
"Hey, remember, if you get a girlfriend, tell me before anyone," Robin said. "You promised."
"I'll write you a letter," Ipsen responded. They began walking toward the platform leading onboard the airship.
Ipsen followed his father onboard.
"Bye!!!" Robin called over the roar of the engine as it warmed up.
Ipsen waved down to her from the deck as the airship jerked and lifted off.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
They hadn't brought much to Lindblum from their old home, not that they had much to start off with. It was drizzling outside, an occasional flash of muted and dull lightning caused a cloud to seemingly glow for a moment. Vivi was sitting in a chair, exhausted from the unpacking and cleaning they had done, but he knew that he'd be starting work tommorrow. He had tucked Ipsen in a few moments before. The boy didn't seem to sad about it, so he pushed his guilt about the abrupt move aside.
Ipsen peered from around the corner of the wall. "D-dad...?"
"What's wrong?"
"I don't like my new bed. Or new room," he replied meekly.
"Why not?" Vivi asked and opened his arms, allowing Ipsen to scramble into his lap.
"Do remember that song you used to sing me?" Ipsen asked quietly.
Vivi nodded. "Why? You haven't wanted me to sing that since you were four." the mage replied, recalling the lullaby that Quan had taught him as a child, the one that Ipsen grew up hearing.
"Well, please?" Ipsen requested.
Vivi sighed and repeated the lullaby.
"'The grey clouds hang like fog,
Crytal drops, heavy and long.
In the swamp chirps a frog.
This is life's sad song.
The sun above dries the rain,
Letting gardens grow big and strong.
Only the warm breeze can explain,
Why this is life's bright song.
An owl goes through the night,
A mouse his next meal.
The gentle creature within its sight,
Soft, warm fur, is what his talons feel.
Sometimes even scholars can't understand,
why that is life's bittersweet song.'"
By the end, once again, Ipsen was fast asleep. Vivi chuckled and took him to his room. "Good night little one."
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The day was young and bright as children trudged to the bane of most of their young lives; school. Ipsen, however, was always eager to learn, and adored school. A few children loitered about in front of the building, but a majority of them went straight inside. The bell in the steeple of the roof rang, and all the children headed inside.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The teacher was a nervous, wirey woman, her thin, black hair tied in a messy bun. A pair of thick glasses rested on her nose. She wore a bright red sweater that was three sizes too big. She looked to Ipsen, and gave a shudder, recalling the attack on Lindblum twelve years ago. "Alright children! Hush! We have a new student joining us today. Ipsen Ornitier, would you like to tell us about yourself?"
Ipsen shrank back in his desk. "Not really," he replied. It was very rare he was shy, but all the students were staring at him with cold, hard glares.
"Now, now." Ms. Crouch purred. "Come on boy, don't be shy."
Ipsen sighed and hopped out of his desk, the class was completely silent. He began walking toward the front, his peers now whispering comments and insults to one another, laughing every so often. Ipsen finally made it to the front after what seemed like an eternity and spoke in a small, unsure voice. "Me and my dad just moved here from Alexandria and..."
A large, oafish-looking child raised his hand. "Yes Semore?" Ms. Crouch called.
"Yeah, is your dad a freak too?" he insulted.
Ipsen held his tongue while Ms. Crouch scolded him lightly. Ipsen thought he had said enough and returned to his seat.
"Okay, we're starting fractions today. So get out your scribble pads and do this problem," she jotted down ' 1/2 + 3/4 = ?' on the board. Only a few seconds later, Ipsen raised his hand. "Are you having difficulty with the problem?"
"No ma'am. I know the answer." he replied.
"Betcha it's wrong," Semore whispered to the kids around him.
Ms. Crouch chuckled. "Alright, what'd you get?"
"One and one fourth," he answered chirpily.
"That's right," Ms. Crouch confirmed. The students chattered to one another silently in disapproval. "Would you like to show your work on the board?"
"I didn't write anything down." he said.
"Then how do I know you didn't just take someone else's answer?" Ms. Crouch asked, stepping toward him.
"But, no one else near me had the answer," Ipsen said innocently.
"Now listen here, in this class we write out our work," she said sternly. "So if you get it wrong, we can find out what you did wrong."
"But I didn't get it wrong. Do we even have to fo it with the easy problems like this one?" Ipsen asked.
"Nerd!!!" shouted a child, in the usual immature attempt to riddicule anything different. Ipsen narrowed his eyes at him, but let it go. The steeple bell rang, announcing recess.
*`*`*`*`*`*`
The playground was chaotic, children running and screaming in every direction. Ipsen stretched his wings, aching to practice flying sometime. A kid called him over "Hey kid! Wanna play tag!?" Ipsen was glad to accept, at least it proved not all the children were hostile toward him. He ran toward the small group.
"Sure!"
"Okay, one two three....NOT IT!"
"NOT IT!"
"Not it!"
"Not it!"
"Not it!" Ipsen joined in the chorus of refusing the place of 'it'. Unfortunately, he had said it right before Semore, and the poor, ugly oaf was stuck with the position of 'it'.
The game took off with an exciting start as the contestants easily dodged, ducked and out manuevered Semore. Ipsen was running from the boy when he stumbled and fell face flat on the pavement.
"Dog pile on the nerd with wings!" Semore shouted, attracting the attention of the rest of the players. Ipsen was nearly up when Semore lunged at him. Ipsen shut his eyes, expecting the tremendous impact, but all he felt was a sudden flash of freezing cold and then a sense of isolation. He heard kids talking, from what sounded like below him.
"Where'd he go?" Semore said.
"He just vanished," another child explained, slightly frightened.
Ipsen opened his eyes and looked about his surroundings. He was no longer huddled on the ground, but was standing on the roof of the school! He gave a small cry of fright and surprise. "H-help!" he yelled.
"Whoa! He's on the roof!"
"How'd he do that?"
"He musta teleported, I think that's what it's called."
Ipsen sat down. Teleported up here? He didn't know he had the capability to do that. He slid down to the edge of the roof and peered over. No, it was too high to jump. Maybe he could try teleporting again, but how'd he do it the first time? Ipsen thought of what had happened the instant before. Semore was about to crush him, and he thought about being able to fly and get away. He certainly was higher than Semore and he got away. Ipsen exhaled and closed his eyes, concentrating on being back down below with the kids. Another sweep of cold air. He opened his eyes and met the surprised gawks of everyone that was playing the game, even many children that weren't.
"Whoa, you really are a freak." said the kid that had invited him to play. "We don't want you playing anymore, we think you'll cheat."
Ipsen was too afraid to reply, frightened by everyone's glares and accusing murmurs. His wings pressed against his back as he turned away. Ipsen could tell this was going to be a very lonely school year.
*`*`*`*`*`*`
Ipsen stepped on the airship and took a seat. A shout came from outside as the doors began to close. "Hold the door! Wait, I'll be there in a moment." called a taunting male voice, seeming harsh around the edges. A man entered the air cab, drawing his brown robes closer around him. Ipsen couldn't help but stare at the odd gentleman, his hair was a fluttering silver color, a few wisps stuck out like feathers. He had a very pale and delicate face, which could have been taken for a woman's at first glance. The man caught sight of Ipsen and held his stare. The small mage quickly turned away, but couldn't ignore the man when he took the seat next to Ipsen.
"What's your name little one?" he asked.
"Ipsen," the mage replied, not wanting to be rude. "You are...?"
"Kuja," the man smiled lightly. His voice was no longer sharp around the edges. "I saw what happened at your school today." He added.
"O-oh," Ipsen said, thinking Kuja was now going to start antagonizing him.
"You have alot of potential as a black wizard," Kuja then commented, settling in his seat. "I could teach you to properly utilize your skills."
"Oh, my dad already teaches me magic." Ipsen replied.
"But I could teach you so much more," Kuja said and added slyly, "We could become great friends."
That statement had struck a nerve and Ipsen considered his offer. This was probably his only chance to make a friend in this cruel town. "Okay! You can meet my dad and..."
"No no," Kuja said, waggling a finger. "Let this be our little secret. Agreed?"
"Okay," Ipsen said.
"Good boy," Kuja breathed and shook Ipsen's hand. "Let us meet in the fields outside town sometime in the afternoon."
Ipsen nodded as the air cab jerked to a halt. Kuja stood up. "This is my stop."
"Oh, okay. Bye!" Ipsen waved.
"Take care," Kuja said and added under his breath,"My little puppet."
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Author's Note: No Ipsen!!!! Take the blue pill take the blue pill!!! Or the red one...? I forget. Anyhoo, I apologize for the sheer crappyness of the last half of this chapter. I thought it was crappy and somewhat strained.
Still, review. I'm hoping to reach 25 of them by the end of this story. If we do, I'll have an extra special rambling after the epilogue and bloopers! If not, then the ramblings will only be seen by those who can read the cover of my sketch book. And yes, the ramblings are of this story. So be super happy, hwah!
~NeoNaoNeo
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Author's Note: Hey all! I just started a new game on FF9 and, after leaving Dali and hitting 'X' on any possible exclamation point in the Windmill forty times and pausing the game to admire the feather's on Black Waltz No. 2's wings (I'm not obsessed!) Just kidding. But still, I've revisited Dali in a new game and did some stuff and I'm inspired now!
Also, if you guys don't review, I won't update. I hate to resort to this, but I don't magically know if you're reading the story, and if you don't review I assume you guys aren't readin'. So please, humor me.
Once again, apologizing for time lapses. We'll jump ahead once ag'in next chapter and that should be it, so....whoo.
~NeoNaoNeo
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
"Just remember Tsukasa, I am your ally. As long as we walk together, I will protect you." ~Maha, '.hack//sign'
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Chapter 6: Broken
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
((Three years later...))
The monotonous, low hum of the stationary airship's engine filled the cold, autumn air in the Alexandrian Airship docks. The sky was a bleak gray and overcast with rainclouds. A group of people clustered around the platform onto the Lindblum-bound airship.
Vivi was talking to Zidane, Ipsen clinging to his sleeve. The cutting breeze blew past the group, Ipsen drew his deep blue wings closer to his back, the stiff, cream white flight feathers swaying lightly.
"Is Robin coming?" he asked Zidane, turning his face up, a few curled, navy blue feathers sticking out from under his yellow and green tunic.
"Don't worry," Zidane assured him. "Garnet and Robin will be here..."
"Hey! Don't leave!" Robin shouted above the crowd as she broke out of her mother's grip and bounded toward them. She stopped behind her father, still panting.
"The airship's not leaving for another half hour," Vivi said. "So you two have plenty of time to...well.." He couldn't bring himself to say anything else. Ipsen released his sleeve and went over by the girl, dropping his ruck sack on the ground.
They turned away and began talking. Zidane looked from them to Vivi. "Are you sure you have to go?" Garnet asked the mage. "Poor Robin, she'll be so lonely."
"Yeah Vivi, they're practically joined at the hip," Zidane said, hoping to lighten the mood.
Vivi nodded. "There's just no jobs here, after I lost my position at the Items Shop..." the mage sighed, recalling how he fell and accidently broke an entire crate of very rare and very expensive Elixirs.
"Well, how do you know you'll get a job in Lindblum?" Zidane shrugged.
"I've already sent an application and everything to the Synthesis shop owner in the Business District. He said I'm guaranteed a job." Vivi explained, wrying his sleeves. "I really hate to do this to them, but I think it'll turn out alright."
"Yeah, Robin's a tough girl." Zidane chuckled.
"Just like her father," Garnet smiled.
"I am NOT a tough girl," Zidane said. "I'm extremely dainty and fragile."
The airship's whistle blew loud and clear, signalling all the passengers on deck. "All aboard!" shouted a person on deck. Ipsen jumped in surprise at the sudden noise, his wings shot from his back, revealing a small patch of white feathers on the underside of his left wing, where Jack had yanked out the down a few years ago. Other than that and his flight feathers, his wings were the deep and undisturbed blue of a starless midnight sky. Robin bit her lip.
"You'll visit me, right?" she asked.
The winged mage nodded vigorously. "Why wouldn't I?"
"I don't know," Robin shrugged. She leaned in and gave wrapped her arms around Ipsen. "Bye!"
"Bye," he said, returning the embrace.
"Come on Imp," his father called.
"Com-ing!" he said chirpily.
"Hey, remember, if you get a girlfriend, tell me before anyone," Robin said. "You promised."
"I'll write you a letter," Ipsen responded. They began walking toward the platform leading onboard the airship.
Ipsen followed his father onboard.
"Bye!!!" Robin called over the roar of the engine as it warmed up.
Ipsen waved down to her from the deck as the airship jerked and lifted off.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
They hadn't brought much to Lindblum from their old home, not that they had much to start off with. It was drizzling outside, an occasional flash of muted and dull lightning caused a cloud to seemingly glow for a moment. Vivi was sitting in a chair, exhausted from the unpacking and cleaning they had done, but he knew that he'd be starting work tommorrow. He had tucked Ipsen in a few moments before. The boy didn't seem to sad about it, so he pushed his guilt about the abrupt move aside.
Ipsen peered from around the corner of the wall. "D-dad...?"
"What's wrong?"
"I don't like my new bed. Or new room," he replied meekly.
"Why not?" Vivi asked and opened his arms, allowing Ipsen to scramble into his lap.
"Do remember that song you used to sing me?" Ipsen asked quietly.
Vivi nodded. "Why? You haven't wanted me to sing that since you were four." the mage replied, recalling the lullaby that Quan had taught him as a child, the one that Ipsen grew up hearing.
"Well, please?" Ipsen requested.
Vivi sighed and repeated the lullaby.
"'The grey clouds hang like fog,
Crytal drops, heavy and long.
In the swamp chirps a frog.
This is life's sad song.
The sun above dries the rain,
Letting gardens grow big and strong.
Only the warm breeze can explain,
Why this is life's bright song.
An owl goes through the night,
A mouse his next meal.
The gentle creature within its sight,
Soft, warm fur, is what his talons feel.
Sometimes even scholars can't understand,
why that is life's bittersweet song.'"
By the end, once again, Ipsen was fast asleep. Vivi chuckled and took him to his room. "Good night little one."
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The day was young and bright as children trudged to the bane of most of their young lives; school. Ipsen, however, was always eager to learn, and adored school. A few children loitered about in front of the building, but a majority of them went straight inside. The bell in the steeple of the roof rang, and all the children headed inside.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The teacher was a nervous, wirey woman, her thin, black hair tied in a messy bun. A pair of thick glasses rested on her nose. She wore a bright red sweater that was three sizes too big. She looked to Ipsen, and gave a shudder, recalling the attack on Lindblum twelve years ago. "Alright children! Hush! We have a new student joining us today. Ipsen Ornitier, would you like to tell us about yourself?"
Ipsen shrank back in his desk. "Not really," he replied. It was very rare he was shy, but all the students were staring at him with cold, hard glares.
"Now, now." Ms. Crouch purred. "Come on boy, don't be shy."
Ipsen sighed and hopped out of his desk, the class was completely silent. He began walking toward the front, his peers now whispering comments and insults to one another, laughing every so often. Ipsen finally made it to the front after what seemed like an eternity and spoke in a small, unsure voice. "Me and my dad just moved here from Alexandria and..."
A large, oafish-looking child raised his hand. "Yes Semore?" Ms. Crouch called.
"Yeah, is your dad a freak too?" he insulted.
Ipsen held his tongue while Ms. Crouch scolded him lightly. Ipsen thought he had said enough and returned to his seat.
"Okay, we're starting fractions today. So get out your scribble pads and do this problem," she jotted down ' 1/2 + 3/4 = ?' on the board. Only a few seconds later, Ipsen raised his hand. "Are you having difficulty with the problem?"
"No ma'am. I know the answer." he replied.
"Betcha it's wrong," Semore whispered to the kids around him.
Ms. Crouch chuckled. "Alright, what'd you get?"
"One and one fourth," he answered chirpily.
"That's right," Ms. Crouch confirmed. The students chattered to one another silently in disapproval. "Would you like to show your work on the board?"
"I didn't write anything down." he said.
"Then how do I know you didn't just take someone else's answer?" Ms. Crouch asked, stepping toward him.
"But, no one else near me had the answer," Ipsen said innocently.
"Now listen here, in this class we write out our work," she said sternly. "So if you get it wrong, we can find out what you did wrong."
"But I didn't get it wrong. Do we even have to fo it with the easy problems like this one?" Ipsen asked.
"Nerd!!!" shouted a child, in the usual immature attempt to riddicule anything different. Ipsen narrowed his eyes at him, but let it go. The steeple bell rang, announcing recess.
*`*`*`*`*`*`
The playground was chaotic, children running and screaming in every direction. Ipsen stretched his wings, aching to practice flying sometime. A kid called him over "Hey kid! Wanna play tag!?" Ipsen was glad to accept, at least it proved not all the children were hostile toward him. He ran toward the small group.
"Sure!"
"Okay, one two three....NOT IT!"
"NOT IT!"
"Not it!"
"Not it!"
"Not it!" Ipsen joined in the chorus of refusing the place of 'it'. Unfortunately, he had said it right before Semore, and the poor, ugly oaf was stuck with the position of 'it'.
The game took off with an exciting start as the contestants easily dodged, ducked and out manuevered Semore. Ipsen was running from the boy when he stumbled and fell face flat on the pavement.
"Dog pile on the nerd with wings!" Semore shouted, attracting the attention of the rest of the players. Ipsen was nearly up when Semore lunged at him. Ipsen shut his eyes, expecting the tremendous impact, but all he felt was a sudden flash of freezing cold and then a sense of isolation. He heard kids talking, from what sounded like below him.
"Where'd he go?" Semore said.
"He just vanished," another child explained, slightly frightened.
Ipsen opened his eyes and looked about his surroundings. He was no longer huddled on the ground, but was standing on the roof of the school! He gave a small cry of fright and surprise. "H-help!" he yelled.
"Whoa! He's on the roof!"
"How'd he do that?"
"He musta teleported, I think that's what it's called."
Ipsen sat down. Teleported up here? He didn't know he had the capability to do that. He slid down to the edge of the roof and peered over. No, it was too high to jump. Maybe he could try teleporting again, but how'd he do it the first time? Ipsen thought of what had happened the instant before. Semore was about to crush him, and he thought about being able to fly and get away. He certainly was higher than Semore and he got away. Ipsen exhaled and closed his eyes, concentrating on being back down below with the kids. Another sweep of cold air. He opened his eyes and met the surprised gawks of everyone that was playing the game, even many children that weren't.
"Whoa, you really are a freak." said the kid that had invited him to play. "We don't want you playing anymore, we think you'll cheat."
Ipsen was too afraid to reply, frightened by everyone's glares and accusing murmurs. His wings pressed against his back as he turned away. Ipsen could tell this was going to be a very lonely school year.
*`*`*`*`*`*`
Ipsen stepped on the airship and took a seat. A shout came from outside as the doors began to close. "Hold the door! Wait, I'll be there in a moment." called a taunting male voice, seeming harsh around the edges. A man entered the air cab, drawing his brown robes closer around him. Ipsen couldn't help but stare at the odd gentleman, his hair was a fluttering silver color, a few wisps stuck out like feathers. He had a very pale and delicate face, which could have been taken for a woman's at first glance. The man caught sight of Ipsen and held his stare. The small mage quickly turned away, but couldn't ignore the man when he took the seat next to Ipsen.
"What's your name little one?" he asked.
"Ipsen," the mage replied, not wanting to be rude. "You are...?"
"Kuja," the man smiled lightly. His voice was no longer sharp around the edges. "I saw what happened at your school today." He added.
"O-oh," Ipsen said, thinking Kuja was now going to start antagonizing him.
"You have alot of potential as a black wizard," Kuja then commented, settling in his seat. "I could teach you to properly utilize your skills."
"Oh, my dad already teaches me magic." Ipsen replied.
"But I could teach you so much more," Kuja said and added slyly, "We could become great friends."
That statement had struck a nerve and Ipsen considered his offer. This was probably his only chance to make a friend in this cruel town. "Okay! You can meet my dad and..."
"No no," Kuja said, waggling a finger. "Let this be our little secret. Agreed?"
"Okay," Ipsen said.
"Good boy," Kuja breathed and shook Ipsen's hand. "Let us meet in the fields outside town sometime in the afternoon."
Ipsen nodded as the air cab jerked to a halt. Kuja stood up. "This is my stop."
"Oh, okay. Bye!" Ipsen waved.
"Take care," Kuja said and added under his breath,"My little puppet."
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Author's Note: No Ipsen!!!! Take the blue pill take the blue pill!!! Or the red one...? I forget. Anyhoo, I apologize for the sheer crappyness of the last half of this chapter. I thought it was crappy and somewhat strained.
Still, review. I'm hoping to reach 25 of them by the end of this story. If we do, I'll have an extra special rambling after the epilogue and bloopers! If not, then the ramblings will only be seen by those who can read the cover of my sketch book. And yes, the ramblings are of this story. So be super happy, hwah!
~NeoNaoNeo