Disclaimer: I no own, you no sue.
*`*`*`*`*`
Author's Note: Thank you so much to the Random Monkey! Without you, the
grammatical errors and mass confusion would still exist! Now for payment!
*goes to read and review as many of her stories as possible*
Anyways, I have this whole story plotted out, beginning to end, but there's still
room for suggestions for plot/what you would like to see, etc. Not saying that
it's necessarily going to happen....but hey! At least you knew you tried! *realizes
how arrogant and cocky I just sounded* Oh God! I'm becoming like my English
teachers!!! *runs away and cowers* I'm sorry!!! I before E except after C, but not
in 'weigh' or 'neighbor'!
~NeoNaoNeo
*`*`*`*`*`
Chapter 3: Black Blood (yummy, bloooood.....)
*`*`*`*`*`
"Where do they think they're going?" Eiko asked, watching as Amarant and
Vivi's airship began disappearing on the opposite horizon. The night was
beginning to settle in, darkness engulfing the eastern skyline and working its
evils across the heavens. The sunset was a warm, affectionate pink, fleeing from
the impending darkness. The moons were in their newest stage, leaving the
oncoming void of night that much lonelier.
"I don't know," Freya muttered. She added sadistically, "But I have a feeling
they're not going to Alexandria."
"Great time to get a sense of humor!" Eiko snapped. "Vivi might be in trouble!"
"Why would Amarant betray us like that?" Freya murmured.
"He's a bounty hunter!" Eiko proclaimed. "Bounty hunters don't care about
loyalty or friends or anything like that!"
"I thought he might have changed." Freya grumbled contemptuously.
"Well he didn't, so what are we going to do?" Eiko snapped.
Freya looked over her shoulder, meeting the innocent and questioning gazes of
Vivi's sons. The Burmecian sighed.
"We won't speak of it until after the play," Freya suggested. "Garnet is probably
already upset. It's been one year since she met Zidane. If she found out she lost
another friend...."
"You're talking like Vivi's already dead!" Eiko snapped, though she was
beginning to feel very pessimistic at this time.
"I apologize, but you must admit, it is a bit grim." Freya sighed.
"Why don't we just turn this thing around and chase after them?" Eiko suggested,
turning to the control room.
"It wouldn't do us much good," Freya groaned. "They're all ready too far ahead.
Let's just get to Alexandria and hope for the best."
"Hm." Eiko sighed with a hiccup.
*`*`*`*`*`
"Easiest 50,000 gil I ever made," Amarant sighed again, easing into his seat in the
control room. Lani was at the wheel, keeping a careful eye on the steam airship's
gauges.
"Yeah, for sure." Lani giggled in a slightly ditsy tone. "What are you gonna do
with it?"
"I dunno," Amarant grumbled. "Haven't really thought about it."
"Well, I'll tell you what I'M doing," Lani bragged as the airship jerked slightly as
it adjusted its coast to over sea travel. "I'm going to take a well deserved
vacation. Probably to Daguerro."
Amarant scoffed.
"Why spend your money there?" he asked. "It's just a water logged library."
"Alot of memories, maybe I like books," she chuckled, looking to Amarant. "I
don't see why we had to split the job. This was too easy, even on your part."
"I like an easy job, even if it is boring," Amarant retorted, checking on Vivi. The
black mage was still contentedly asleep, his hand twitching every so often.
"Don't you feel even the least bit bad?" Lani asked. "I mean, he trusted you as a
friend and all."
"Eh, the only reason I traveled with them was to learn more about Zidane," he
replied. "And since Zidane's gone, I have no loyalty to them."
"So you're saying you'd stab me in the back if the reward were high enough?"
Lani sniffed.
"Probably," Amarant chuckled, flicking his Cat Claws slightly.
"Hmph, alright then," Lani sighed, feeling somewhat depressed. She had always
had something of a crush on Amarant, but never admitted it. She knew how
manipulating the warrior could be and she wasn't the kind who liked being
taken advantage of.
The airship jerked again, indicating they were once again flying over land. But
now the terrain was rough and desert-like, sparse plants and trees jutted from
the infertile ground like skeletons. Every now and then, a troop of Cactaur
trotted by, hunting for scorpions and lizards for food. The only remotely human
inhabitants on the entire continent were the dwarves and black mages, but
neither thought themselves brave nor fierce enough to stray from their villages.
The desert was an especially dangerous mistress at twilight, monsters used her
cloak for stealthy attacks and quick meals.
"Almost there," Lani said chirpily, turning the wheel and increasing their height
as they approached a nearby mountain range. The old airship groaned from the
exertion of energy from rarely used gears, teetering slightly and descending
quickly when Lani allowed it to do so.
The cracked, caked soil became fine sand, running into dry pits. Antlions
growled and bellowed from their nests in the sand, snapping mandibles at the
passing airship.
"So, where am I gonna land this thing Amy?" Lani giggled.
"Don't call me that," Amarant snarled.
"Okay, chill out a little." Lani sighed.
"Head over there, to that pit."
"Land in a pit?" Lani questioned. "Are you insane?"
"Just do it."
"Okay, fine. If we die, it's your fault." Lani shrugged.
"Hmph," Amarant grunted.
The airship began a slow descent towards the directed sand pit. To Lani's
surprise, the airship landed with a thump in the ornately decorated landing
docks of the fabled Desert Palace.
"Whoa, that was....really weird." Lani muttered, removing the keys from the
airship's control panel.
"It was a hologram," Amarant said. "An illusion made for the entrance to the
dock to look like an Antlion pit. Pretty clever if you ask me."
"Pft, right. OBSESSIVE if you ask me," Lani said sarcastically. "Anyways, it
doesn't matter how crazy our client is. Let's just deliver the runt and get this job
done with."
Amarant grunted an agreement, lifting Vivi into his arms.
"I feel so stupid just hauling this kid around," Amarant muttered, following Lani
out of the docks and down a hallway.
"Well, it's not me!" Lani replied. "Hey, you know where we're supposed to take
him?"
"Nope, we could just wander around aimlessly until we run into her," Amarant
shrugged, slightly jarring Vivi. The black mage roused, his bright yellow eyes
half lidded. He yawned and stretched, but quickly panicked, realizing his
surroundings.
"Wh-what are we doing here!?" Vivi shouted, completely taking Amarant off
guard.
"Don't worry about it," the bounty hunter said, setting Vivi on the ground. "Just
follow us, hear me?"
Vivi gulped and looked around.
"O-okay," the mage replied shyly. "Wh-where are we g-going?"
"Some lady really wanted to meet you," Lani added.
Vivi jumped back, recognizing the girl from Fossil Roo.
"You!" Vivi snapped.
"Don't worry, she ain't that bad," Amarant coaxed. "Now come on, wouldn't
want to be late for the play."
"Oh! Okay," Vivi said with a complying nod. Lani was on the verge of hysterics.
'Either this kid is really stupid,' Lani thought. 'Or....no wait. He's just really
stupid.'
"What's wrong?" Vivi asked, noticing Lani's face was going very red from her
surpressed laughter.
"N-Nothing!" she said, a giggle escaping her throat.
"Welcome," Lenore greeted, peering from around a doorway. She had taken off
her robe and hood, allowing her full silver hair to shine and move to its own
graceful will. "Come in, come in."
Lenore turned back into the room, the tail of a white overcoat swished behind
her. Vivi gulped, seeing the girl. She looked like the exact replica of Kuja,
although more feminine and filed out in her figure. But he quietly followed
Amarant and Lani, putting his trust into the wrong person's hands.
The room looked more like a lab. Shelves of research notes and volumes of
reference encyclopedias cluttered the available wooden desk, along with
multiple quills and ink bottles. The most curious thing was a circular platform in
the middle of the room, its surface was covered with a grate. Beside it was a
control panel, covered in several foreign looking controls. There were various
dangerous looking tools scattered about on a wooden table.
"Now, down to business?" Lenore asked, brushing her hand over the top of the
desk. She went into a drawer, pulling out two bundles of gil. "Here you are."
She handed one to both Amarant and Lani. Vivi gasped, horrified.
"Y-You tricked me!" he snapped at Amarant.
"You trusted me." Amarant shrugged. "It's not my problem."
"Why?" Vivi whimpered. "I thought you were my friend."
"Looks like you have a bad taste in companions," Lenore muttered. "Nonetheless,
you're mine now."
"No! I have six sons!" Vivi defended. "I-I can't stay here!"
"I'm sorry, you haven't much of a choice in the matter," Lenore said and pointed
her hand at Vivi. The black mage tried to conjure a spell, not that he had much of
a chance of escaping without an airship anyways, but was stifled by a Silence
spell.
"Well, we'll leave you two now!" Lani purred with a wave. "Come on Amarant!"
"See ya kid," Amarant chuckled. "Have fun."
Vivi's eyes widened as the door slid shut. He tried opening the door, but it
refused to budge. Lenore took a step toward him, the sole of her black leather
boot making a soft shuffle.
"I'm sure you're curious about what I have in store for you my pet," Lenore said
affectionately. "Allow me to explain, perhaps it'll provide some comfort."
*`*`*`*`*`
A/N: Wow, this story is developing a little too fast for me....aw... But not to
worry, there'll be at least ten chapters. Er, hopefully. Yay!
~NeoNaoNeo
*`*`*`*`*`
Author's Note: Thank you so much to the Random Monkey! Without you, the
grammatical errors and mass confusion would still exist! Now for payment!
*goes to read and review as many of her stories as possible*
Anyways, I have this whole story plotted out, beginning to end, but there's still
room for suggestions for plot/what you would like to see, etc. Not saying that
it's necessarily going to happen....but hey! At least you knew you tried! *realizes
how arrogant and cocky I just sounded* Oh God! I'm becoming like my English
teachers!!! *runs away and cowers* I'm sorry!!! I before E except after C, but not
in 'weigh' or 'neighbor'!
~NeoNaoNeo
*`*`*`*`*`
Chapter 3: Black Blood (yummy, bloooood.....)
*`*`*`*`*`
"Where do they think they're going?" Eiko asked, watching as Amarant and
Vivi's airship began disappearing on the opposite horizon. The night was
beginning to settle in, darkness engulfing the eastern skyline and working its
evils across the heavens. The sunset was a warm, affectionate pink, fleeing from
the impending darkness. The moons were in their newest stage, leaving the
oncoming void of night that much lonelier.
"I don't know," Freya muttered. She added sadistically, "But I have a feeling
they're not going to Alexandria."
"Great time to get a sense of humor!" Eiko snapped. "Vivi might be in trouble!"
"Why would Amarant betray us like that?" Freya murmured.
"He's a bounty hunter!" Eiko proclaimed. "Bounty hunters don't care about
loyalty or friends or anything like that!"
"I thought he might have changed." Freya grumbled contemptuously.
"Well he didn't, so what are we going to do?" Eiko snapped.
Freya looked over her shoulder, meeting the innocent and questioning gazes of
Vivi's sons. The Burmecian sighed.
"We won't speak of it until after the play," Freya suggested. "Garnet is probably
already upset. It's been one year since she met Zidane. If she found out she lost
another friend...."
"You're talking like Vivi's already dead!" Eiko snapped, though she was
beginning to feel very pessimistic at this time.
"I apologize, but you must admit, it is a bit grim." Freya sighed.
"Why don't we just turn this thing around and chase after them?" Eiko suggested,
turning to the control room.
"It wouldn't do us much good," Freya groaned. "They're all ready too far ahead.
Let's just get to Alexandria and hope for the best."
"Hm." Eiko sighed with a hiccup.
*`*`*`*`*`
"Easiest 50,000 gil I ever made," Amarant sighed again, easing into his seat in the
control room. Lani was at the wheel, keeping a careful eye on the steam airship's
gauges.
"Yeah, for sure." Lani giggled in a slightly ditsy tone. "What are you gonna do
with it?"
"I dunno," Amarant grumbled. "Haven't really thought about it."
"Well, I'll tell you what I'M doing," Lani bragged as the airship jerked slightly as
it adjusted its coast to over sea travel. "I'm going to take a well deserved
vacation. Probably to Daguerro."
Amarant scoffed.
"Why spend your money there?" he asked. "It's just a water logged library."
"Alot of memories, maybe I like books," she chuckled, looking to Amarant. "I
don't see why we had to split the job. This was too easy, even on your part."
"I like an easy job, even if it is boring," Amarant retorted, checking on Vivi. The
black mage was still contentedly asleep, his hand twitching every so often.
"Don't you feel even the least bit bad?" Lani asked. "I mean, he trusted you as a
friend and all."
"Eh, the only reason I traveled with them was to learn more about Zidane," he
replied. "And since Zidane's gone, I have no loyalty to them."
"So you're saying you'd stab me in the back if the reward were high enough?"
Lani sniffed.
"Probably," Amarant chuckled, flicking his Cat Claws slightly.
"Hmph, alright then," Lani sighed, feeling somewhat depressed. She had always
had something of a crush on Amarant, but never admitted it. She knew how
manipulating the warrior could be and she wasn't the kind who liked being
taken advantage of.
The airship jerked again, indicating they were once again flying over land. But
now the terrain was rough and desert-like, sparse plants and trees jutted from
the infertile ground like skeletons. Every now and then, a troop of Cactaur
trotted by, hunting for scorpions and lizards for food. The only remotely human
inhabitants on the entire continent were the dwarves and black mages, but
neither thought themselves brave nor fierce enough to stray from their villages.
The desert was an especially dangerous mistress at twilight, monsters used her
cloak for stealthy attacks and quick meals.
"Almost there," Lani said chirpily, turning the wheel and increasing their height
as they approached a nearby mountain range. The old airship groaned from the
exertion of energy from rarely used gears, teetering slightly and descending
quickly when Lani allowed it to do so.
The cracked, caked soil became fine sand, running into dry pits. Antlions
growled and bellowed from their nests in the sand, snapping mandibles at the
passing airship.
"So, where am I gonna land this thing Amy?" Lani giggled.
"Don't call me that," Amarant snarled.
"Okay, chill out a little." Lani sighed.
"Head over there, to that pit."
"Land in a pit?" Lani questioned. "Are you insane?"
"Just do it."
"Okay, fine. If we die, it's your fault." Lani shrugged.
"Hmph," Amarant grunted.
The airship began a slow descent towards the directed sand pit. To Lani's
surprise, the airship landed with a thump in the ornately decorated landing
docks of the fabled Desert Palace.
"Whoa, that was....really weird." Lani muttered, removing the keys from the
airship's control panel.
"It was a hologram," Amarant said. "An illusion made for the entrance to the
dock to look like an Antlion pit. Pretty clever if you ask me."
"Pft, right. OBSESSIVE if you ask me," Lani said sarcastically. "Anyways, it
doesn't matter how crazy our client is. Let's just deliver the runt and get this job
done with."
Amarant grunted an agreement, lifting Vivi into his arms.
"I feel so stupid just hauling this kid around," Amarant muttered, following Lani
out of the docks and down a hallway.
"Well, it's not me!" Lani replied. "Hey, you know where we're supposed to take
him?"
"Nope, we could just wander around aimlessly until we run into her," Amarant
shrugged, slightly jarring Vivi. The black mage roused, his bright yellow eyes
half lidded. He yawned and stretched, but quickly panicked, realizing his
surroundings.
"Wh-what are we doing here!?" Vivi shouted, completely taking Amarant off
guard.
"Don't worry about it," the bounty hunter said, setting Vivi on the ground. "Just
follow us, hear me?"
Vivi gulped and looked around.
"O-okay," the mage replied shyly. "Wh-where are we g-going?"
"Some lady really wanted to meet you," Lani added.
Vivi jumped back, recognizing the girl from Fossil Roo.
"You!" Vivi snapped.
"Don't worry, she ain't that bad," Amarant coaxed. "Now come on, wouldn't
want to be late for the play."
"Oh! Okay," Vivi said with a complying nod. Lani was on the verge of hysterics.
'Either this kid is really stupid,' Lani thought. 'Or....no wait. He's just really
stupid.'
"What's wrong?" Vivi asked, noticing Lani's face was going very red from her
surpressed laughter.
"N-Nothing!" she said, a giggle escaping her throat.
"Welcome," Lenore greeted, peering from around a doorway. She had taken off
her robe and hood, allowing her full silver hair to shine and move to its own
graceful will. "Come in, come in."
Lenore turned back into the room, the tail of a white overcoat swished behind
her. Vivi gulped, seeing the girl. She looked like the exact replica of Kuja,
although more feminine and filed out in her figure. But he quietly followed
Amarant and Lani, putting his trust into the wrong person's hands.
The room looked more like a lab. Shelves of research notes and volumes of
reference encyclopedias cluttered the available wooden desk, along with
multiple quills and ink bottles. The most curious thing was a circular platform in
the middle of the room, its surface was covered with a grate. Beside it was a
control panel, covered in several foreign looking controls. There were various
dangerous looking tools scattered about on a wooden table.
"Now, down to business?" Lenore asked, brushing her hand over the top of the
desk. She went into a drawer, pulling out two bundles of gil. "Here you are."
She handed one to both Amarant and Lani. Vivi gasped, horrified.
"Y-You tricked me!" he snapped at Amarant.
"You trusted me." Amarant shrugged. "It's not my problem."
"Why?" Vivi whimpered. "I thought you were my friend."
"Looks like you have a bad taste in companions," Lenore muttered. "Nonetheless,
you're mine now."
"No! I have six sons!" Vivi defended. "I-I can't stay here!"
"I'm sorry, you haven't much of a choice in the matter," Lenore said and pointed
her hand at Vivi. The black mage tried to conjure a spell, not that he had much of
a chance of escaping without an airship anyways, but was stifled by a Silence
spell.
"Well, we'll leave you two now!" Lani purred with a wave. "Come on Amarant!"
"See ya kid," Amarant chuckled. "Have fun."
Vivi's eyes widened as the door slid shut. He tried opening the door, but it
refused to budge. Lenore took a step toward him, the sole of her black leather
boot making a soft shuffle.
"I'm sure you're curious about what I have in store for you my pet," Lenore said
affectionately. "Allow me to explain, perhaps it'll provide some comfort."
*`*`*`*`*`
A/N: Wow, this story is developing a little too fast for me....aw... But not to
worry, there'll be at least ten chapters. Er, hopefully. Yay!
~NeoNaoNeo