This story belongs to me and my creative mind. However, most of the characters, names, and places all belong to their respective companies, so don't yell at me for copyright infringements! Remember, Italics represent a person's thoughts or the telling of past events.
Enjoy...
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:Faraway Dreams:
Chapter Four:
Fedrich stopped at a bench and sat down, giving his clawed feet a chance to rest. The festival celebrating the Princess' birthday was truly a unique experience, especially since it wasn't even for Lindblum royalty. People were walking along the streets in droves, and the Business District was alive and roaring with the sound of voices. He pulled out a small piece of dried meat and chewed on it, a late afternoon snack to complete his small lunch.
This city seems to be filled to the point of bursting with people. I wonder where they manage to live among the industries and shops...
After finishing his snack, he stood up and made his way further towards the Hunter's Gate, pushing through the masses of people to Lavilero's Inn. Fedrich had completely forgotten that he still had five days of official usage of the room he paid for, and most of his things were still there.
I hope that the owner is willing to refund me at least some of my money since I won't need to sleep here.
Spying the Inn, he moved through the crowds to enter the main room, the sound of people talking significantly quieter. The same worker was sitting at his post, looking to be reading the same paper he had two days prior. Fedrich quickly ascended the stairs to his room, unlocking the door and revealing the drab surroundings of his first day of being independent. He went to the dresser and pulled out his clothes, stuffing them into his pack as well as the other items he forgot. Gathering the pack up, he exited the room and locked the door, then proceeded downstairs to the main desk.
"Excuse me." Fedrich spoke, getting the worker's attention. "Is it possible to get refunded for days not needed here?"
"Depends." The worker muttered.
"Well, I paid for seven days in a room, and it's only been two full nights so far, so is it possible to get back the five days Gil I paid for?"
"What's your name?"
"Fedrich Castor."
The man reached out for a thick book and took it into his hands, opening the dirty cover and flipping through several layers of paper. After several seconds of scanning the contents of the book, he reached under the desk and pulled out a box filled with various coins.
"Alright." The man sighed. "Five days payment at eighty Gil is...four hundred total."
He pulled out four one hundred coin pieces and placed them on the counter before Fedrich. He then dropped the book in front of him and rolled a grease pencil into the groove.
"Sign at your name."
Fedrich picked up the pencil and scribbled his name into the appropriate line. The worker than took back both book and pencil and put them aside, picking up his paper to start reading again while muttering something that sounded like 'have a good day'. Fedrich picked up the four coins and pocketed them, wishing the worker a good day and heading back out into the busy marketplace. Adjusting his pack to a comfortable place on his shoulders, he headed towards the Aircab station to get a lift to the Theater district to drop off his things.
The Aircab station was crowded, people rushing through the closed space get a lift to other parts of the city. Fedrich quickly scurried through the knots of limbs, using his advanced hearing to try to hear any departing cabs going to the Theater District. Ears finally picking up someone declaring a cab for his destination, he quickly shoved his way towards the Aircab while shouting apologizes left and right. With a final lunge, he flew into the Aircab as the operator closed the door and started up the mist engine. Moving to the rear, he settled down just as the craft leaned forwards and began accelerating towards the Theater District.
There sure are lots of people out today...
Fedrich reached to his hat and adjusted it again, idly stroking the chocobo feather pinned to its rough material. He let his mind wander aimlessly, but he still couldn't shake the subconscious worry the prophetic dream instilled into his head.
It's only going to be two more years until the Alexandrian Princess turns sixteen, and that's when all this chaos is supposed to begin. I don't know why I'm so worried about it, though. Is it because I was chosen to see into this future? Maybe that group of people is somehow connected to me...or maybe I'm supposed to join them in this battle for the world...
The Aircab around him suddenly slung around to the right, and Fedrich looked past the operator to see the Theater station approaching rapidly. He silently cursed, wondering why he was letting the concerns of a faraway dream bother him so greatly. The Aircab slid into the station, doors opening to an equally crowded area of people seeking transport. Fedrich exited the cabin and navigated his way through the crowd until he could easily move along the streets. Walking slowly, he passed by the numerous homes and shops of the area until he came upon the familiar square the Hall sat on.
"Home sweet home." He announced to the air.
He passed through the doors of the Hall, seeing no one inside, and assuming they were all out and enjoying the final hours of the festival. His ears picked up the sound of feet thumping on the wood floor, and Fedrich immediately wondered who they belonged to.
"Sis?" A voice rang out from the passage to his left.
"No, it's Fedrich!" The burman answered.
A moment later the redheaded form of Ruthy stepped into the main room of the Hall, a grin across her face. "Sorry about that, I've been looking for my sister most of the day. You haven't seen her around, have you?"
"No."
Ruthy moaned, frustrated. "Jeez, she told me that she would go with me to a nice dinner tonight."
"Well, that's not exactly kind of her." Fedrich commented.
"It's no big deal. She's probably out with Gordan somewhere, I swear..."
The two remained silent for a few seconds until Ruthy's face lit up with an idea.
"Say Fedrich, would you like to go with me for something to eat?"
Fedrich thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Sure! Just let me drop off my stuff and we can go whenever you're ready."
"Okay!"
The burman walked down the same passageway Ruthy stood in, then tossed his pack into the spare room he slept in. He then went back to Ruthy's side, and the two left the Hall and struck out towards the upper levels of the District.
"So, is there a place you had in mind?" Fedrich asked.
"Yeah, it's a place called the Blue Crow just a little walk from here. They are cutting their normal prices by half for today only, so I wanted to take advantage of that and have a grand feast."
"Sounds like a good idea."
"It is! Normally their menu is horridly expensive, but this time Gil won't be such a concern for me." Ruthy smirked.
"So, what kind of food do they serve?"
"Oh, they have a pretty big variety for a restaurant outside the Business District, but they mainly deal in fresh meats and fish."
"Sounds appealing."
"Lo and behold, we have arrived." Ruthy declared, pointing a thin finger towards a building to their right, front occupied with several tables and blue decorations dominating the area. Expectedly, most of the tables outside were occupied, servers calmly dashing around with carefully balanced plates at their shoulders.
"You sure we can find a table?" Fedrich questioned.
"Of course, it just might take some time for one to be readied."
The two entered the Blue Crow, and a server calmly showed them to a small table at the rear of the main room. Once seated, the server gave them two menus, a list of the daily specials and drinks, and then left them to tend to other patrons. Fedrich looked over the menu, seeing nearly five times the selections offered at Farrel's cafe.
"There is a lot to choose from..." He commented.
"Yeah, but I've been ready to try their deluxe beef and salad for a while. Gordan told me that it was the best they have to offer."
"So he's been here before?"
"Yes. His family was once well known presence in social gatherings until they were accused of fraudulent spending a few years ago. Since then, he's been working towards paying off his family's debt to the city. They came here nearly every day, but not since the incident."
"How tragic."
"Yeah. Poor Gordan has been working himself so hard to fix his parents problems, even though it's their own to deal with."
"He must really love them to work so hard to help fix their problems."
"Well, wouldn't anyone do the same in that situation?"
Fedrich nodded. "You're right, anyone would have done so."
Appearing from the background, a different server appeared with a tablet in hand. "Are we ready to make a selection?"
"Yes," Ruthy answered. "I'd like to have the deluxe beef and salad platter, please."
"And how would Madam like her beef?"
"Well done, please."
"Very well," The server scribbled. "And Sir?"
"I'll have the same, well done, please."
"Very well, and what will you have for drinks?"
"I'll have some Black ale." Fedrich stated.
"I will have the house wine." Ruthy added.
"Excellent. The meal will be ready within a few minutes." The server informed, walking away.
Fedrich and Ruthy remained silent for a few moments, the murmur of people washing through the main room alongside the clinking of silverware. The burman looked around the room, seeing various forms of artwork lining the walls, silken drapes hanging from the ceiling, all in different of shades of blue. The entire place oozed with an aura of somber feelings, yet the lively discussions between the patrons defied the saddening atmosphere.
"Could I ask you a question, Fedrich?"
Fedrich looked back towards Ruthy and nodded. "Sure."
"Well, you told us that you came to Lindblum to become the next Master Hunter to honor your family, but is it really what you wanted to do?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"When you told us about it, you seemed...disappointed, like it really wasn't what you wanted in life."
"Well..." Fedrich began. "I guess so..."
"I see..."
"I still have mixed feelings about coming here, though. My father was a sergeant for the Burmecian guards, and he always dreamed that someday I would join them as well. But for some reason, a year ago he reversed his desire for me and wanted me to come here instead."
"Huh, that's odd." Ruthy commented.
"Really?"
"Well, a year ago, the prince of Burmecia was reported to have run away, along with one of the top Dragon Knights."
"Prince Puck and Lady Freya Crescent, yes. Sir Fratley Iron-Tail also has been gone for nearly two years as well, and he was the strongest of all Dragon Knights. It's like all the important people of Burmecia are all leaving..."
"Maybe your father didn't want you to join the Guards because of that."
"That could be it." Fedrich pondered. "But why would that be a problem?"
"I don't know."
Fedrich let his shoulders slump, "Well, you don't need to worry about it, it's my concern."
"Still, though, you shouldn't feel obligated to do this if you wanted to join the Guards." Ruthy pressed.
"Its not that there's anything wrong with this!" Fedrich quickly added. "It's as good a goal in life as any other, I guess I'm still unsure of why my father was so haste to change his wishes."
"I think I understand how you feel."
The two let the silence go for a long moment, but Fedrich spoke up after curiosity poked his mind.
"Might I ask why you're concerned about it?"
"Well, when I saw your disappointment back then, I just...thought for a moment that maybe the feelings you had were the same as mine."
"Oh? So being a Regulator isn't something you want?"
Ruthy glanced to the ceiling, grasping for words. "Well, my sister was quick to join the Regulators when she heard of them, and she later wanted me to join up instead of staying at home. I was perfectly comfortable staying at home to work, but I didn't want to disappoint my sister, so I agreed to try out."
"You seemed rather eager back in the fields." Fedrich commented.
"A person needs to have a certain energy to work, and it's not like one can fight monsters with a sour attitude!" She joked.
"True."
"So it seems we have more in common that it looks."
Fedrich was about to reply, but a plate interrupted him as it was set at his place, another server placing Ruthy's meal before her. The servers walked away, and the two Regulators let the conversation end at that.
* * *
The later afternoon skies were darkening, providing a blanket of reds and purples to coat the sky as daytime dwindled into night. The crowds of people out for the festival had lessened, but the energy of the city was still running strong as nighttime businesses opened. The air inside Lindblum's walls was filled with lights from Aircabs, generating an almost serene atmosphere as if observing a cloud of fireflies over a dark lake. Fedrich and Ruthy had finished their meal, and were walking back to the Hall in silent company to the setting sun.
"So, is your home far from here?" Fedrich asked, breaking the quiet.
"It's just farther down the street from the Hall, close to the Fuegert Memorial Hall."
"Okay."
"Well, I'm going to turn in for the evening. I'm sure Illis will be furious if I don't get back before nightfall."
"Then I'll see you tomorrow, Ruthy. Goodnight." Fedrich said with a tip of his hat. "And thank you for the meal."
"No problem, Fedrich, Goodnight." She smiled.
The redhead briskly walked through the square, disappearing into the darkening shadows stretching across the streets. Fedrich watched as she left, then gave a smile of satisfaction and continued into the Hall. Once inside, the artificial light from numerous lamps revealed that Gerick was present, wiping his forehead as he inspected his battle hammer.
"Good evening, Gerick." Fedrich announced.
"Back already, eh?" He mumbled, peering at some unknown mark on his weapon. "I figured you'd be out 'till the morning hours exporin' the city."
"I think I've seen enough today to sate my appetite for exploration. It would take weeks to do everything I wanted here."
"Too true, kiddo, and you've got time a-plenty to do so."
"I'll be going to bed now, so Goodnight."
"G'night, then. My room's on the second floor if you need me. We'll be gettin' up bright an' early tomorrow, so get a good sleep."
"I will."
