Chapter Ten
Alexandria; Inn; Late Morning
Freya woke up only a few hours before noon. She hated to sleep late, but Fratley, who was sitting on one of the other beds, didn't mind. He understood that Freya needed the sleep. Cleo was still in her cat form. Freya yawned lazily while Fratley reached over and grabbed a piece of bread off a plate on an end table near his bed. He handed it to Freya.
"It seems that you get free breakfast at this inn," he told her.
Freya took the bread, muttering a sleepy thank-you. She wasn't completely awake yet. She ate the bread, staring out the window. Already the streets were full of people. Freya idly searched the streets for someone she knew. She was a little surprised when she saw a familiar face.
Leaning against a wall was a tall, bulky man. His skin was slightly bluish, though it wasn't all that noticeable. He had a tattoo of an unknown symbol on his upper right arm. He had a ton of shaggy red hair that covered most of his small face. He did appear to have a red beard, but his hair hid any other facial features. He wore green clothes with large brown boots. He glanced upward at the inn window, and Freya and he locked eyes.
"Didn't think he'd be here," Freya commented to both Fratley and the person outside.
"Who?" Fratley asked.
"Amarant," Freya answered.
"That's my name, don't forget it," Amarant clearly said as he stared at Freya.
"I wasn't talking to you," Freya told Amarant.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just go outside and talk to him?" Fratley asked.
Freya turned away from the window and nodded. "Probably."
Freya ate one more piece of bread before she rose from the bed. Cleo transformed into a butterfly. Freya opened the window as if she was letting in the air, but she was actually letting Cleo get out.
"We'll meet you soon," Freya whispered.
Cleo nodded, though it was hard to tell. She flew out of the window. Freya closed the window. Fratley was rummaging through his pack to see what he needed. Freya looked over the window briefly to find Amarant staring up at her. He knew she would probably come out.
"I need a lot of junk," Fratley muttered as he closed his pack. He swung the leather pack over his shoulder.
"Like what?" Freya asked, taking the bronze key off the end table near the bed she slept in.
"Potions, Phoenix Downs, and the like. Nothing really expensive," Fratley told her as they left the room.
"I hope a new lance won't cost too much," Freya commented.
"Doesn't matter. I'll buy it for you," Fratley told her, smiling.
The two descended the stairs. Freya returned the key to the innkeeper and signed out. They then headed outside. Freya squeezed her way through the crowd, only to find she couldn't find Amarant. He found her instead.
"You suddenly become blind in two minutes?"
Freya looked to her left to find Amarant staring at her. She shook her head.
"No. Apparently you moved," Freya told him. "Trying to confuse me?"
"Actually, I didn't move. What, did you just wake up?" Amarant asked her.
"Yes, I did," Freya replied. "What are you doing here? Little kids running around, Zidane practically king, and no good places to rob in sight. Sounds like a nightmare for you."
Amarant rolled his eyes. "Well, I don't exactly have anything to do but hang around here. What are you doing here? No rain, no Burmecians, and no place to practice your skills. Sounds like a nightmare for you."
It was Freya's turn to roll her eyes. "I didn't have much of a choice but to come here."
"Why?"
"Take a guess."
"I hate guessing games."
"Too bad. Take a guess."
"And if I don't?"
"You'll never know why I'm here."
"Damn."
"So, take a guess!"
"Can't you just tell me? You make things difficult."
"Just guess."
"Damn it. fine." Amarant seemed to be thinking.
Fratley was very confused at this point. He walked over to Freya and looked over at her.
"Who is this guy?" he asked.
"I'm Amarant," Amarant grunted nonchalantly. "Who are you, her bodyguard?"
"Shut up, Amarant. He's Fratley, my boyfriend. You, out of all people, should know I don't like bodyguards. Or need them," Freya said.
"Then explain the wounds," Amarant commented.
Freya only stood there stunned. She immediately knew Amarant probably knew exactly why she was in Alexandria. He just wanted her to say it, not him.
"Well." Freya sighed. "All right, so I was beaten, then kidnapped, all right?"
Amarant stared at her with mild surprise.
"Well, that is certainly new," he said sarcastically. "What'd you do, hire someone?"
"Ha ha. Yeah right, Amarant, why would I bother?" Freya asked.
"To give yourself a good sob story," Amarant replied.
"Ha ha ha. You're so funny I keep forgetting to laugh," Freya said, rolling her eyes. "Look, I have a question for you."
"And I'm not going to answer."
"Shut up, would you?"
"First you want me to answer a question. Now you're telling me to shut up. How am I supposed to answer?"
Freya smacked herself in the forehead. Talking to Amarant was one thing. Having him say the things you want was a whole different story.
"Fine then. I don't want you to shut up, but I still want you to answer a question," Freya said.
"And I won't answer."
Freya just managed to not tell him to shut up. She took a deep breath, sighed angrily, and continued.
"Ever hear of Julius?" Freya asked.
"No," Amarant replied.
"Really? Where'd you hear about him?" Freya asked, startling Fratley.
"Damn, I hate you," Amarant growled. "I heard about him in Treno."
"What about?" Freya asked.
"Not much. Only that he murdered a Burmecian twenty-something years ago," Amarant told her.
"And Meander? Ever hear of him?" Freya asked.
"No," Amarant replied.
"Where?"
"Augh. He's known everywhere. There are documents on him in Alexandria, Treno, Lindblum, Burmecia. Everywhere. He's wanted, basically," Amarant told her grumpily.
"I see." Freya said, thinking furiously.
"Are you done?" Amarant asked.
"Not really," Freya said. "You may like what I have to say next, though."
"As if I ever like anything you say."
"Shut up and listen to me! I may have an exciting idea for you."
"As if you ever say anything exciting."
Freya glared at Amarant angrily. Amarant stared back with non- blinking dark eyes. Finally, Freya sighed.
"If you don't want to hear what I have to say, I'll tell you later," Freya told him.
"Or never," Amarant grunted.
"Fine then! Never!" Freya shouted. She stormed off.
"Um." Fratley rubbed the back of his head, clearly confused.
"This is very typical," Amarant told him. "Very typical. We piss each other off all the time. She'll be back."
Freya stormed down the streets of Alexandria, angry with Amarant. She would go talk to him later. Right now, she should probably go talk to Zidane and Garnet. Amarant had at least told her some useful information. Freya headed toward the castle, hoping her temporary bad mood would leave by the time she reached it.
"Freya!"
Freya stopped moving and waited for Fratley. He had soon caught up with her.
"Who was that guy? He said it was typical of you to argue," Fratley said, panting.
"He's right, it is," Freya said. She then realized Amarant was running over. "Oh brother."
Amarant came to an easy stop. He stared at Fratley.
"Well, you are clearly out of shape," he grunted.
"Spare him," Freya said. "What are you doing?"
"Standing here," Amarant replied.
"You pain in the ass," Freya muttered under her breath.
"What a lovely mouth you have today," Amarant grunted.
"At least I know I have a mouth. Sometimes I'm unsure on whether yours is there or not," Freya countered.
Amarant shook his head. "I have to admit, that was a fairly good comeback."
"You were supposed to be insulted," Freya replied.
"I'm going to go shop," Fratley said, leaving quickly.
"We scared him," Amarant grunted.
"Don't get lost!" Freya called after Fratley. She then turned to Amarant. "We probably did."
"Oh well. Most people are scared of my looks. I'm surprised he still stuck around," Amarant commented. "But forget that. What was this. deal you had for me?"
"Actually, I'm just mentioning the deal. You do know the differences between Meander and Julius?" Freya asked.
"Yeah, why?" Amarant asked.
"Well. See, one of the two is after to kill me. I don't know which one, hell, they could be the same! So your job is to find out who wants to kill me," Freya said.
"What fun," Amarant grunted.
"You get to bash them up once you find out," Freya told him.
"Oh." Amarant thought this over.
"Is there a bounty over both their heads?" Freya asked.
"Yes, though the bounty on Meander's is bigger."
"But do you like the deal anyhow?"
"It's probable. It gives me something to do, and I get money no matter who I bash."
"So what will you do?"
"Does it matter what I do? It won't affect your situation."
"No, it probably won't."
"So why do you care?"
"I'm just curious! Ever hear of that?"
"Never from you."
"Augh! I don't understand you."
"And I don't understand you. What are you so mad about?"
Freya shook her head. "Never mind."
"I made up my mind."
"How did you possibly make up your mind while we were-"
"Shut up, okay? I made up my mind."
"Tell me. What are you going to do?"
"Have a hell of a good time."
"Amarant!"
"All right, all right, I'm going to go find out who wants to kill you and then cream them."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Two things. Thank you for actually telling me what I needed to know, and thank you for going off to cream whomever it is that wants me dead. It helps."
"Huh."
"Huh?"
Amarant smirked. "What?"
"Oh, you're really fun to have a conversation with."
"I'm surprised your boyfriend isn't back yet."
"He'll be back. Give him time."
"He probably jumped off a cliff."
"And why would he do that?"
"With you for a girlfriend."
"AMARANT!"
Amarant's smirk broadened. "Perhaps we should end this conversation."
"Before we kill each other." And indeed, Freya looked extremely ready to kill Amarant.
Amarant drew hidden claws on the gauntlets he wore on his hands. Freya leapt backward to avoid the sharp ends.
"No fair! I don't have a weapon to fight with!" Freya snarled.
"Then go buy one, you dummy," Amarant grunted, leaning against a wall. "Then I can cream you."
"Oh believe me, you're the one who's going to be creamed! I still have my skills!" Freya told him.
"Just go buy your weapon. Then we'll see who's being creamed," Amarant said.
Freya headed off to find Fratley.
"I cannot believe you."
Fratley was staring at Freya with disbelief after hearing about her conversation. He shook his head and sighed.
"You want to get a weapon so you can fight? You're in no good condition!" Fratley told her.
"Relax, Fratley, it's all right. The most Amarant and I give each other are broken ribs," Freya told him.
"Oh great." Fratley muttered, rubbing his temples. "What's the least you give each other?"
"A very bloody nose," Freya replied. "Very bloody."
Fratley sighed. "Good God."
"Relax Fratley, we won't kill each other. I promise, and I'll make him promise," Freya said.
Fratley gave in and handed Freya his pouch of Gil. "Fine, but I'll be watching."
"Why?" Freya asked as they walked toward the Weapon Shop.
"I want to make sure you don't kill each other," Fratley told her.
The two walked to the Weapon Shop in silence. Freya quickly picked out a Heavy Lance to use as a weapon, paid 2500 Gil for it, then left. She then quickly walked back over to the square where Amarant was waiting.
"Fratley's going to watch," Freya told Amarant.
"He wants to watch me cream you?" Amarant asked with a hint of challenge in his voice.
"Oh no, he's going to watch me cream you," Freya told Amarant, returning the challenge.
Fratley only shook his head. He had no idea what he would be watching. He just hoped Freya wouldn't be dead by the end of it.
"On guard?" Freya asked. She held her Lance in her left hand and in a fighting position.
Amarant looked around at all the people in the square. One glare sent them all crawling away. He then looked at Freya and smirked.
"On guard."
------- Personally, I find this chapter fairly humorous, but that's just me. Okay, so Amarant's in this story, yes. More characters will come up soon, and I think the next chapter is extremely long if I'm remembering correctly. Oh, and to those who are confused on why Puck and Verdant were together and not Vivi, Vivi is in Alexandria in the next chapter, and I really don't think Vivi can travel from one city to another in one night. So that explains that. Oh, and Verdant is Vivi's son!
If you are a fan of Fratley, check out my other story, Let Fear Propel You Forward. It's his biography in first-person. =)
Copyright to SquareEnix (mostly) and me (some).
Alexandria; Inn; Late Morning
Freya woke up only a few hours before noon. She hated to sleep late, but Fratley, who was sitting on one of the other beds, didn't mind. He understood that Freya needed the sleep. Cleo was still in her cat form. Freya yawned lazily while Fratley reached over and grabbed a piece of bread off a plate on an end table near his bed. He handed it to Freya.
"It seems that you get free breakfast at this inn," he told her.
Freya took the bread, muttering a sleepy thank-you. She wasn't completely awake yet. She ate the bread, staring out the window. Already the streets were full of people. Freya idly searched the streets for someone she knew. She was a little surprised when she saw a familiar face.
Leaning against a wall was a tall, bulky man. His skin was slightly bluish, though it wasn't all that noticeable. He had a tattoo of an unknown symbol on his upper right arm. He had a ton of shaggy red hair that covered most of his small face. He did appear to have a red beard, but his hair hid any other facial features. He wore green clothes with large brown boots. He glanced upward at the inn window, and Freya and he locked eyes.
"Didn't think he'd be here," Freya commented to both Fratley and the person outside.
"Who?" Fratley asked.
"Amarant," Freya answered.
"That's my name, don't forget it," Amarant clearly said as he stared at Freya.
"I wasn't talking to you," Freya told Amarant.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just go outside and talk to him?" Fratley asked.
Freya turned away from the window and nodded. "Probably."
Freya ate one more piece of bread before she rose from the bed. Cleo transformed into a butterfly. Freya opened the window as if she was letting in the air, but she was actually letting Cleo get out.
"We'll meet you soon," Freya whispered.
Cleo nodded, though it was hard to tell. She flew out of the window. Freya closed the window. Fratley was rummaging through his pack to see what he needed. Freya looked over the window briefly to find Amarant staring up at her. He knew she would probably come out.
"I need a lot of junk," Fratley muttered as he closed his pack. He swung the leather pack over his shoulder.
"Like what?" Freya asked, taking the bronze key off the end table near the bed she slept in.
"Potions, Phoenix Downs, and the like. Nothing really expensive," Fratley told her as they left the room.
"I hope a new lance won't cost too much," Freya commented.
"Doesn't matter. I'll buy it for you," Fratley told her, smiling.
The two descended the stairs. Freya returned the key to the innkeeper and signed out. They then headed outside. Freya squeezed her way through the crowd, only to find she couldn't find Amarant. He found her instead.
"You suddenly become blind in two minutes?"
Freya looked to her left to find Amarant staring at her. She shook her head.
"No. Apparently you moved," Freya told him. "Trying to confuse me?"
"Actually, I didn't move. What, did you just wake up?" Amarant asked her.
"Yes, I did," Freya replied. "What are you doing here? Little kids running around, Zidane practically king, and no good places to rob in sight. Sounds like a nightmare for you."
Amarant rolled his eyes. "Well, I don't exactly have anything to do but hang around here. What are you doing here? No rain, no Burmecians, and no place to practice your skills. Sounds like a nightmare for you."
It was Freya's turn to roll her eyes. "I didn't have much of a choice but to come here."
"Why?"
"Take a guess."
"I hate guessing games."
"Too bad. Take a guess."
"And if I don't?"
"You'll never know why I'm here."
"Damn."
"So, take a guess!"
"Can't you just tell me? You make things difficult."
"Just guess."
"Damn it. fine." Amarant seemed to be thinking.
Fratley was very confused at this point. He walked over to Freya and looked over at her.
"Who is this guy?" he asked.
"I'm Amarant," Amarant grunted nonchalantly. "Who are you, her bodyguard?"
"Shut up, Amarant. He's Fratley, my boyfriend. You, out of all people, should know I don't like bodyguards. Or need them," Freya said.
"Then explain the wounds," Amarant commented.
Freya only stood there stunned. She immediately knew Amarant probably knew exactly why she was in Alexandria. He just wanted her to say it, not him.
"Well." Freya sighed. "All right, so I was beaten, then kidnapped, all right?"
Amarant stared at her with mild surprise.
"Well, that is certainly new," he said sarcastically. "What'd you do, hire someone?"
"Ha ha. Yeah right, Amarant, why would I bother?" Freya asked.
"To give yourself a good sob story," Amarant replied.
"Ha ha ha. You're so funny I keep forgetting to laugh," Freya said, rolling her eyes. "Look, I have a question for you."
"And I'm not going to answer."
"Shut up, would you?"
"First you want me to answer a question. Now you're telling me to shut up. How am I supposed to answer?"
Freya smacked herself in the forehead. Talking to Amarant was one thing. Having him say the things you want was a whole different story.
"Fine then. I don't want you to shut up, but I still want you to answer a question," Freya said.
"And I won't answer."
Freya just managed to not tell him to shut up. She took a deep breath, sighed angrily, and continued.
"Ever hear of Julius?" Freya asked.
"No," Amarant replied.
"Really? Where'd you hear about him?" Freya asked, startling Fratley.
"Damn, I hate you," Amarant growled. "I heard about him in Treno."
"What about?" Freya asked.
"Not much. Only that he murdered a Burmecian twenty-something years ago," Amarant told her.
"And Meander? Ever hear of him?" Freya asked.
"No," Amarant replied.
"Where?"
"Augh. He's known everywhere. There are documents on him in Alexandria, Treno, Lindblum, Burmecia. Everywhere. He's wanted, basically," Amarant told her grumpily.
"I see." Freya said, thinking furiously.
"Are you done?" Amarant asked.
"Not really," Freya said. "You may like what I have to say next, though."
"As if I ever like anything you say."
"Shut up and listen to me! I may have an exciting idea for you."
"As if you ever say anything exciting."
Freya glared at Amarant angrily. Amarant stared back with non- blinking dark eyes. Finally, Freya sighed.
"If you don't want to hear what I have to say, I'll tell you later," Freya told him.
"Or never," Amarant grunted.
"Fine then! Never!" Freya shouted. She stormed off.
"Um." Fratley rubbed the back of his head, clearly confused.
"This is very typical," Amarant told him. "Very typical. We piss each other off all the time. She'll be back."
Freya stormed down the streets of Alexandria, angry with Amarant. She would go talk to him later. Right now, she should probably go talk to Zidane and Garnet. Amarant had at least told her some useful information. Freya headed toward the castle, hoping her temporary bad mood would leave by the time she reached it.
"Freya!"
Freya stopped moving and waited for Fratley. He had soon caught up with her.
"Who was that guy? He said it was typical of you to argue," Fratley said, panting.
"He's right, it is," Freya said. She then realized Amarant was running over. "Oh brother."
Amarant came to an easy stop. He stared at Fratley.
"Well, you are clearly out of shape," he grunted.
"Spare him," Freya said. "What are you doing?"
"Standing here," Amarant replied.
"You pain in the ass," Freya muttered under her breath.
"What a lovely mouth you have today," Amarant grunted.
"At least I know I have a mouth. Sometimes I'm unsure on whether yours is there or not," Freya countered.
Amarant shook his head. "I have to admit, that was a fairly good comeback."
"You were supposed to be insulted," Freya replied.
"I'm going to go shop," Fratley said, leaving quickly.
"We scared him," Amarant grunted.
"Don't get lost!" Freya called after Fratley. She then turned to Amarant. "We probably did."
"Oh well. Most people are scared of my looks. I'm surprised he still stuck around," Amarant commented. "But forget that. What was this. deal you had for me?"
"Actually, I'm just mentioning the deal. You do know the differences between Meander and Julius?" Freya asked.
"Yeah, why?" Amarant asked.
"Well. See, one of the two is after to kill me. I don't know which one, hell, they could be the same! So your job is to find out who wants to kill me," Freya said.
"What fun," Amarant grunted.
"You get to bash them up once you find out," Freya told him.
"Oh." Amarant thought this over.
"Is there a bounty over both their heads?" Freya asked.
"Yes, though the bounty on Meander's is bigger."
"But do you like the deal anyhow?"
"It's probable. It gives me something to do, and I get money no matter who I bash."
"So what will you do?"
"Does it matter what I do? It won't affect your situation."
"No, it probably won't."
"So why do you care?"
"I'm just curious! Ever hear of that?"
"Never from you."
"Augh! I don't understand you."
"And I don't understand you. What are you so mad about?"
Freya shook her head. "Never mind."
"I made up my mind."
"How did you possibly make up your mind while we were-"
"Shut up, okay? I made up my mind."
"Tell me. What are you going to do?"
"Have a hell of a good time."
"Amarant!"
"All right, all right, I'm going to go find out who wants to kill you and then cream them."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Two things. Thank you for actually telling me what I needed to know, and thank you for going off to cream whomever it is that wants me dead. It helps."
"Huh."
"Huh?"
Amarant smirked. "What?"
"Oh, you're really fun to have a conversation with."
"I'm surprised your boyfriend isn't back yet."
"He'll be back. Give him time."
"He probably jumped off a cliff."
"And why would he do that?"
"With you for a girlfriend."
"AMARANT!"
Amarant's smirk broadened. "Perhaps we should end this conversation."
"Before we kill each other." And indeed, Freya looked extremely ready to kill Amarant.
Amarant drew hidden claws on the gauntlets he wore on his hands. Freya leapt backward to avoid the sharp ends.
"No fair! I don't have a weapon to fight with!" Freya snarled.
"Then go buy one, you dummy," Amarant grunted, leaning against a wall. "Then I can cream you."
"Oh believe me, you're the one who's going to be creamed! I still have my skills!" Freya told him.
"Just go buy your weapon. Then we'll see who's being creamed," Amarant said.
Freya headed off to find Fratley.
"I cannot believe you."
Fratley was staring at Freya with disbelief after hearing about her conversation. He shook his head and sighed.
"You want to get a weapon so you can fight? You're in no good condition!" Fratley told her.
"Relax, Fratley, it's all right. The most Amarant and I give each other are broken ribs," Freya told him.
"Oh great." Fratley muttered, rubbing his temples. "What's the least you give each other?"
"A very bloody nose," Freya replied. "Very bloody."
Fratley sighed. "Good God."
"Relax Fratley, we won't kill each other. I promise, and I'll make him promise," Freya said.
Fratley gave in and handed Freya his pouch of Gil. "Fine, but I'll be watching."
"Why?" Freya asked as they walked toward the Weapon Shop.
"I want to make sure you don't kill each other," Fratley told her.
The two walked to the Weapon Shop in silence. Freya quickly picked out a Heavy Lance to use as a weapon, paid 2500 Gil for it, then left. She then quickly walked back over to the square where Amarant was waiting.
"Fratley's going to watch," Freya told Amarant.
"He wants to watch me cream you?" Amarant asked with a hint of challenge in his voice.
"Oh no, he's going to watch me cream you," Freya told Amarant, returning the challenge.
Fratley only shook his head. He had no idea what he would be watching. He just hoped Freya wouldn't be dead by the end of it.
"On guard?" Freya asked. She held her Lance in her left hand and in a fighting position.
Amarant looked around at all the people in the square. One glare sent them all crawling away. He then looked at Freya and smirked.
"On guard."
------- Personally, I find this chapter fairly humorous, but that's just me. Okay, so Amarant's in this story, yes. More characters will come up soon, and I think the next chapter is extremely long if I'm remembering correctly. Oh, and to those who are confused on why Puck and Verdant were together and not Vivi, Vivi is in Alexandria in the next chapter, and I really don't think Vivi can travel from one city to another in one night. So that explains that. Oh, and Verdant is Vivi's son!
If you are a fan of Fratley, check out my other story, Let Fear Propel You Forward. It's his biography in first-person. =)
Copyright to SquareEnix (mostly) and me (some).