Disclaimer: Nope...not mine.
A big thanks goes out to Jenova for being my first reviewer! Revised!
Chapter 2
Mikoto watched the verdant scenery pass by underneath the airship. The once Mist-covered
lowlands now were lush with plant life. Green was spread as far as she could see, only
disappearing into the depths of the distant sapphire ocean. An ever present breeze blew her blonde bangs away from her forehead, cooling her in the late summer sun.
Whenever she traveled by airship, Mikoto would spend much of the journey out on the deck,
leaning over the railing. She couldn't stand being cooped up inside. The airship creaked and
groaned from the cabins, however outside only the wind and occasional bird were heard.
Looking up, Mikoto saw a flock of simple white doves. The avians flew past at eye level, their
bodies softly reflecting the afternoon sunlight.
She liked the view of nature surrounding her. Bran Bral had been full of coldness-the crystals
filled with the emptiness that the inhabitants shared. But Terra was gone, and now Mikoto lived
in this green world.
Turning away from the railing with a final glance at the flora, she started walking to the stairs
that led below deck. Zidane, the children, and herself were traveling on a cargo ship, Venture. It
was an older ship, built before the invention of the steam engine.
Continuing down a hallway, Mikoto thought that age lent the airship most of it's charm. Her
booted feet thudded against the graying wooden floorboards, and her fingers ran along the
decorative moldings along the wall. She passed some interior windows that separated public
areas of the ship, their mismatched stained glass window panes filtering the low level of light
into tinted shafts. All of this contradicted the latest addition, a newly installed steam engine.
After the Mist disappeared, many people were weary, for how could the majority of transport
vessels run? At first long distance travel and trade practically stopped, the only non-Mist running
ships being military. However, Regent Cid of Lindblum solved the problem by developing the
acclaimed steam engine. Then the airships needed to be overhauled, and a new engine installed.
Considering the number of airships grounded, this took time and money. Even now though,
Gaia's economy was still recovering, but without the threat to their world the denizens of Gaia
had hope for a bright and prosperous future.
Yanked out of her musings by the sound and heat of the engine room she had just passed,
Mikoto continued onward to her destination- the bridge. Upon reaching her goal, her green eyes
scanned the large windowed room until she found her quarry. She stepped up to the burly man
standing at the helm she, "Excuse me, but how much longer until we reach Lindblum?"
He turned, and glanced down at her petit form, "Ah now missy, not much longa, meybe an
'our or two at th'most." the helmsman answered cheerfully.
Seeing the wide grin plastered on the husky man's face, and feeling the longing coming from
him, Mikoto decided he was probably happy to be headed home. She returned his grin and
thanked him, heading off to the cabins.
He was going home, and she wondered what that felt like. She lived in Alexandria, but it
never really felt like a home. Nowhere I have lived has, she thought a bit morbidly. Terra and Leo were her reasons for staying there, not any feelings of attachment.
Her thoughts turned to the children. Following the attack from the silver dragon last night,
Queen Garnet decided that her children were not safe in the Alexandrian castle. So she had
contacted Regent Cid to shelter them temporarily. The queen must have thought her children
would be protected from any more attacks due to Lindblum's massive air fleet. Alexandria's own
fleet paled in comparison, save for the Invincible, which was grounded. The queen not trusting
anyone enough to fly the ship of destruction.
Her brows furrowed as she thought of the attack. Why only one dragon? And why go after the
children? More disturbingly, where did the monster come from? Mist monsters cannot survive
without Mist.
Turning a corner she wondered, what kind of sadistic bastard would want to harm a three year old and an eighteen month old? Even if they were the princess and prince of Alexandria. She could picture in her mind's eye Terra and Leo. Terra's pretty dark brown curly hair and her dark eyes, an image of innocence. And Leo, a near carbon copy of Zidane except for the brown eyes and no tail.
That silver dragon had come after the children. The two who had brought so much joy to
everyone around them. The two everyone loved, and wanted to protect. The two who were like
the children she probably would never have.
If anything happened to them, I could never forgive myself.
Closing her eyes and composing herself, Mikoto walked on, determined not to think anymore
morbid thoughts. By the time she reached the cabin, she was calm and collected, but her
eyebrow raised when she heard some very suspicious giggling coming from inside the door.
Curious, Mikoto turned the knob."What the...?"
Zidane was seated on a bench, his daughter standing next to him. But what caught Mikoto's
eye was the fact that his face was red, unnaturally red. Terra stood on the bench smearing rouge
not only to Zidane's mouth, but his entire face. His blonde hair, normally tied back, sported on
assortment of bows. Leo was on the floor next to them grinning.
Terra was nearly beaming, "Auntie Mikoto! Lookie how pretty daddy is!"
Stifling a chuckle, Mikoto walked over to her luggage and pulled out a blue dress with white
lace. With the seriousness the situation required, she said, "Here Terra, we can dress him up in
this too."
Terra's grin got even wider, while Zidane just groaned, "Oh no...I'll never live this down."
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A bit of scrubbing and a change in clothes later, Zidane joined Terra, Leo, and Mikoto on the
deck of the airship. They peered down when the clouds dissipated, showing the technological
hub of Gaia.
To truly appreciate Lindblum, one had to arrive by airship. The Grand Castle walls stood true,
the massive structures had been erected many years before to shield the city during the numerous
wars of the past. When the late Queen Brahne had attacked the city, only the walls remained
unscathed, a tribute to the people who built them.
Looking down, the chaotic masses below seemed to be mere ants scurrying about. The sights,
sounds, and smells- especially the gyhsal pickles- were nearly overpowering at ground level, but
up here they blended together to create a more pleasant atmosphere.
The Venture passed high over the city towards the impressive docks, going much more slowly
than the newer airships. With a final look, Mikoto turned away from the sight-seeing, and noticed
the wind had ruffled the princess' hair. She leaned over and smoothed Terra's hair and fixed her
hairbow. The little girl squirming under the attention.
She then started to straighten her skirt and tuck the loose strands of hair behind her ears,
trying to make herself presentable.
Zidane turned to face her, "You look fine Mikoto, don't worry so much."
She shot him a glare, "That is rich, coming from the one who spends more time in front
of a mirror than his wife."
He grimaced, "Hey! You're not supposed to know that! Oh right I forgot," his voice took
on a mystic quality, "nothing is hidden from the awesome psychic powers of Mikoto."
"Stop it, you will make me blush."she said, not really meaning it.
He grinned, "Like that'll ever happen," ignoring the inflection of her voice, then in a
whisper, "but tell me in advance so I can put some money on it."
Mikoto rolled her eyes and continued the motion, turning around. She hefted the bag
behind her on her shoulder, then knelt down and picked up Leo. The little boy was quite big for
his age, but so quiet. He hardly ever made any sounds, and never mimicked the language as he
should by now. Garnet, like all mothers, was worried about it and tried at every opportunity to
get him to make some significant noises. As for herself, she was glad he was so quiet, his sister
Terra talked enough for both of them.
She turned back to Zidane, "I will take Leo, and you can hold Terra's hand."
Zidane nodded and took his daughter's hand, the girl was nearly jumping up and down
from excitement. They stayed on the deck while the airship made it's final approach into the
docks. With a sudden lurch, the hulking mass came to rest against the metal piers in the building.
The anxious passengers stepped off the aged airship as soon as the ramp was lowered.
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Waiting to greet the new arrivals was a young woman with thick purple hair. That in itself
was unusual, but not so much as the gray horn peeking out between her bangs. Eiko
Carol-Fabool, one of two surviving summoners, and adoptive daughter of Regent Cid.
The mischievous little girl Mikoto had met all those years ago in Bran Bral had developed
into a respectable woman. No doubt Lady Hilda's doing. Instead of a yellow jumper, she now
wore a long pink dress that darkened into a deep red at the hem, neckline, and sleeves. She
proudly wore the ribbon and her memory earring from the journey.
She smiled up at them walking down the ramp, Mikoto didn't need her powers to tell that
the summoner was happy to see them, "Hello Zidane, Mikoto. Welcome to-"
"What 'bout me?" an angry princess demanded.
Eiko turned towards Terra, who was making a face from her father's side. She made a
little bow, "Oh, my sincerest apologies! Welcome Princess Terra til Alexandros the 1st."
"That's better." Terra said, but was still making a face.
The summoner just smiled, she had always liked Terra, she reminded her of herself all
those years ago. "Welcome to Lindblum, home of the great summoner Eiko! I will be available
for autographs later."
Mikoto raised an eyebrow, so maybe the respectable front was only skin deep.
Eiko, not receiving the response she wanted, puffed out her cheeks and stamped her
foot. "None of you know greatness when you see it!"
Silence.
Eiko relented, "Alright, alright! I get the picture. Mikoto, I'll take you and the kids to
your room," she turned to Zidane, "but Father wants to see you."
"Bet Cid can't wait to see my face!" he beamed.
Mikoto inwardly snorted, apparently she was the only one who remembered what
happened last time they were here. Needless to say, it involved a Float spell, four pounds of
potatoes, and a rubber chicken. "I would not hold my breath."
Zidane laughed nervously, "That's harsh sis, see ya later."
As he walked off ahead of them, Eiko took Terra's hand and led the way to the guest
room.
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"Here you are!" Eiko chirped, "you three make yourselves comfy, and there's a room
moogle if you need anything. Be careful around him though, he'll go berserkers if you mess up
his room. I'll be back in a few." At that she ruffled Leo's sandy hair and walked out.
Mikoto ushered the children up the stairs to the bed area. To her complete and utter
horror the guest room was still the same as always, that sickly pink color scheme. Everything
was pink, sure she had worn pink years ago, but that was when she had no choice in the matter.
Noting she could do nothing about the interior decorating, she placed Leo down and then
slung the bag off of her shoulder. Finally free of the weight, she rotated her sore shoulder. Why
did I pack so much? I'm a mage, not a body builder.
Seeing Terra climb onto a nearby bed, she made her way over to the fluffball that
matched the room so well.
The moogle was nearly bursting with excitement. Apparently this room wasn't used to
often. "Good evening Mistress! I am Mogki, at your service, kupo!"
The genome smiled at him, his excitement was bursting from him in waves, "Why thank
you, I'm sure we will lack nothing with you around," his little fuzzy chest swelled out,
"however," Mikoto glanced behind herself, "your nice room is in danger from two little
monsters."
At that Mikoto stepped aside to reveal a bouncing Terra on the once pristine bed, and Leo
was trying his best to climb up and join her.
The moogle's chest deflated, his eyes bulged out, and his pom-pom turned a disturbing
shade of purple. "NOOOOOO! My beautiful beds! How could you, kupo!"
The last part came out almost as a despairing wail. The little moogle was very dedicated
to his duties. Mikoto stepped forward and seized a giggling Terra. "Pom-pom purple!"
Terra reached down and tried to touch it, but Mogki scurried away. He looked around
frantically, ready to defend his room from any further attacks.
Mikoto called to him in a soothing voice, "Mogki, calm down," her face threatened to
release a smile as she continued, "besides, that shade of purple doesn't go with the color scheme
at all."
