Sorry if it seems a tad short. I wasn't really motivated this week.
~Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kasumu hi ya sazo tennin no otaikutsu
{The day is hazy and, no doubt, listless to the beings of heaven.}
(a haiku by Issa, translated by myself)
In the darkness, the walls of the room seemed somehow both too close together and too far apart. Chizitsu drew his sheets closer around himself as the faintest whisper of wind nearly brought his heart out through his mouth. He lay trembling as such as the minutes drew past, as if he had just awoken from a nightmare. But he had not slept. Chizitsu knew what to do when he had nightmares. A venturous dash down the long corridor would lead him to his parent's room and to the secure place between them, where he would not be touched. But now, there would be no safety awaiting him at the end of his valiance. So when he had found the gumption, it was not to his parents' room that he raced. Gathering his wits together, he tentatively knocked twice upon the door.
"Chizi-ka?" murmured the voice within. Quickly, Chizitsu entered the relative safety of another's presence, closing the door behind him. He then turned bashfully to the violet gaze on him, as his brother lifted his head off of the pillows.
"I couldn't sleep," the younger apologized softly. "Did I wake you?"
"I don't mind," Tabito shook his head, and lifted the blankets beside him, creating a vacancy. Quickly, Chizitsu dashed into the hole like a frightened rabbit, shaking and gasping. A sorrowful sigh escaping his lips, Tabito took his baby brother in his arms and quietly as the shore, awaited the waves of emotion. The little one slowly relaxed as he felt the power in his brother's arms and chest, securing him. It almost felt like he was being held by his father.
"I miss dad, Tabi," he whispered as tears stung the corners of his eyes.
"As do I…" Tabito's reply was barely audible through the suppressed sob. The summoner boy wavered a moment before continuing, hot tears trickling over round cheeks.
"And mother too."
"I know."
"I keep thinking…" he futilely blinked at his tears, for they kept coming. "I keep thinking, that I'll never see them again."
"It's called 'doubt,' Chizi," the older whispered. "One of the plagues to mankind. I doubt we'll ever be free of it." Despite himself, Chizitsu smiled, and looked up to meet Tabito's smile as well. Then he buried his face against Tabito's chest.
"I wish I was strong like you," he said. I wish I was strong like me too, thought Tabito, but all he said was:
"Mm."
"I'm so glad I'm last in line for the throne…" Chizitsu said though a yawn. Tabito cracked a chuckle as he released his now relaxed little brother and rolled onto his back.
"That wasn't the best thing you could have said just then," he chided.
"Sorry…" the little one's expression dropped. Tabito merely shook his head.
"I don't think anyone has died from being king," he said as he stretched out his spine. "Because they were king, yes, but from being king, no." He suddenly felt a frightened grip on his arm.
"That… wasn't the best thing you could have said either," Chizitsu hissed.
"No?"
"I can't lose you too, Tabi!" Tabito fell silent for a moment. He really hadn't considered what might happen to himself for a while; it seemed so incidental. I really don't have a say in the matter. By Alexander, we're just a pair of sitting ducks. Mobilizing an army is still a direct dissention from the treaty with Burmecia and Lindblum. And Lindblum is supposed to protect us, but it doesn't seem like they'll be inclined for the moment. Ooh, what I wouldn't give to know who has their ducks lined up… We're deep fried, Chizi and I. Of course, Chizitsu didn't need to hear that just now.
"I'm glad someone cares," he said softly. Sadly, the boy cuddled against him. Slowly the two listened to their own breathing slow, and slowly sleep crept upon wasted minds.
"May I stay?" came Chizitsu's whisper in the dark.
"I wasn't about to send you away," Tabito answered drowsily without opening his eyes. With the last words of the night spoken, the brothers slept side by side. Whoever wished to defeat them would have to kill two birds with one stone.
~~~~~
The week had passed both quickly and slowly, what for its high points and its lonesome ones. It took Tabito a moment to get a feel for the ivory keys, for it had been so long since he'd touched them last. But after that moment, the music came out of him. Melancholy was the sonata, but he let his fingers do as they wanted to. As the lament of the days filled the air, Chizitsu walked in.
"You're playing the piano," he noted with a smile. Tabito matched the smile, and for once it was not forced.
"I think I figured out Mother's secret," he said.
"Oh?" Chizitsu asked.
"It stretches you, the responsibility," he continued. "Spreads you out like a condiment, and you have to cover everything. But there are times where you have to just stop and take a moment to pull yourself together. My problem is that I've been letting people stop me from doing that."
"Oh." For a moment, only Tabito's fingers made any sound.
"What do you have?" the crown prince's voice broke in.
"I was going to let you—"
"Let's just have it."
"You're too eager is the problem," Chizitsu laughed. "Well, your approval among the people seems to be about the same."
"As long as nothing affects them, it's okay," he muttered. "But they wish I was more something, right?"
"There isn't much consensus on that note," Chizitsu shrugged.
"Hmph, I wish they'd hurry up with Raven's trial," the prince muttered. "That would make some things easier."
"Eiko says that the people will want better proof of the Pumice stone," Chizitsu shrugged again. "She doesn't think we should rush."
"Hmph," Tabito repeated, annoyed.
"According to my sources," Chizitsu continued in a more hushed tone, "there is one important note that we've really overlooked."
"What's that?" Tabito looked at him, eyebrows raised.
"Generally, for what has happened, the people blame the Terrans." The melody ended with a dissonant dang.
"Cripes!" Tabito was on his feet in a flash. "What?!"
"They say," Chizitsu shrank back from his brother's sudden vehemence, "they say that the Terrans are trying to take over Gaia. You know, take it for themselves."
"That's it, then," Tabito started to pace back and forth. "We're fixed."
"But…" Chizitsu stammered, not understanding, "but, Tabi…it's not true. It can't be."
"Oh?" Tabito continued his heavy stride back and forth across the room. "It was Ark, was it not?"
"The Terran summon…but Terrans can't summon."
"Raven, like you and I, is half Terran," Tabito groaned as he paced faster.
"But…but Tabi!" Chizitsu was trembling. "Tabi, you know that the Terrans want nothing to do with Gaia."
"I know that yes," the crown prince nodded with a sigh, "but try telling that to the Gaians."
"Dad stopped the assimilation twenty-some years ago," Chizitsu argued. "He married mother as part of the promise that the Terrans would leave Gaia alone."
"Keep talking," Tabito continued to pace.
"All those twenty years, the Terrans have been painstakingly keeping the life-streams separate. They monitor the soul-flow in Terra and synthetically create nutrients that the place into the soil, as well as biologically engineering flora life that puts more into the planet than they could possibly ever take out. It will be at least a thousand years before they can even move onto the planet, and even then it will possibly never be restored. Even so, they keep the guardian up at all times, avoiding contact with even the smallest Gaian creature. They keep to themselves so as not to pollute us, their diplomats only occasionally appearing on the green continent for important occasions. They wouldn't… Am I talking myself into a box?"
"Somewhat," Tabito nodded. "None of that would serve for a satisfactory argument."
"But they. Mikoto wouldn't… but they take the restoration project so seriously!" Chizitsu was on the verge of tears. "They wouldn't just throw it away like that."
"Chizitsu," Tabito stopped pacing to look at him. "You're right, Terra is not the aggressor. Terra is the excuse."
"The excuse…?" Chizitsu repeated, befuddled. "Tabi, what do you know that I don't?" Tabito stared out the window for a spell, so Chizitsu pressed on, "Tell me!"
"It doesn't quite come together," Tabito shook his head, "but all I see is revolution."
"Rev-revolution? In Alexandria?"
"At least," the older prince shook his head with a sigh. "Unless Raven actually did attack Lindblum, someone has framed the people of Terra. Either way, the Terrans would not have summoned Ark, and then not on Lindblum. It would not be in the Terran style to use a weapon they know nothing about against the master of that weapon. As a matter of fact, they wouldn't attack Lindblum at all, what with their entire fleet on Terra."
"So…Lindblum attacked Lindblum, as an excuse to knock off the people of Terra?"
"Possibly," Tabito frowned. "I'm more inclined to believe that the problem's in Alexandria."
"But… maybe it's Burmecia, trying to get revenge or—"
"That's just it, Chizi," Tabito sat down with a sigh. "I have no clue who could be behind it. But I know now that New Bran Bal is a target. And I knew before, that you and I are between the aggressor and what they want."
"We are?" the eleven-year-old squeaked.
"And I can't do anything," Tabito nodded angrily. "All I can do is run the country until I get knocked off." He made a cutting motion at his throat as he said this.
"But…but…" Chizitsu whimpered. Tabito cast half a smile at him. He hadn't wanted to explain it to his baby brother, but the boy was a genius, and he needed someone to help him. Even, Stephen, as of late, had been reduced to throwing his hands in the air when Tabito presented this problem to him. Now it was clear just how helpless they were becoming.
"I can't mobilize the reserves until it'll be too late," Tabito growled. "Otherwise, Lindblum and Burmecia would take arms against us."
"Lindblum is supposed to protect us…but they won't, will they, Tabi?" Chizitsu was slowly picking it up. "New Bran Bal would, though. Mikoto would help us!"
"Terran blood is thicker," Tabito agreed spitefully. "But can we afford to contact the Terrans?" Chizitsu didn't answer. Instead he wrapped his arms around himself. "Kuja's legacy remains as something he never intended," Tabito murmured to himself. "Such is the way it always is. Alexandria and Terra… can I save them both? Can I do anything? I am a puppet, dancing on the strings of the one behind the curtain. I wish now I had not sent Beatrix off. She'd know what to do."
"But she'll bring mother back," Chizitsu persisted, unwilling to give up hope. "Mother would know what to do better!"
"We can hope," Tabito sighed. "And we can pray." He sat in silence for another moment, and his brother sat down beside him.
"If the worst comes," Chizitsu finally said, "I am master to many eidolons."
"My fist and my sword," Tabito smiled, "they comfort me." Then he laughed, for laughter's sake. "If it comes to that, I am prepared." It was at that moment that the door burst open and Haagen, a Pluto Knight, rushed in.
"Sir, um… Your Highness!" he saluted.
"Yes?" Tabito motioned for him to continue.
"Five warships are approaching the harbor, and we've spotted a small mass of armed men out on the plains! We're under attack, sir!" Chizitsu's breath froze as he turned to look at his brother.
"Oh," the acting king said dryly. "Lovely."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please review. It helps me get myself to write.
~Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kasumu hi ya sazo tennin no otaikutsu
{The day is hazy and, no doubt, listless to the beings of heaven.}
(a haiku by Issa, translated by myself)
In the darkness, the walls of the room seemed somehow both too close together and too far apart. Chizitsu drew his sheets closer around himself as the faintest whisper of wind nearly brought his heart out through his mouth. He lay trembling as such as the minutes drew past, as if he had just awoken from a nightmare. But he had not slept. Chizitsu knew what to do when he had nightmares. A venturous dash down the long corridor would lead him to his parent's room and to the secure place between them, where he would not be touched. But now, there would be no safety awaiting him at the end of his valiance. So when he had found the gumption, it was not to his parents' room that he raced. Gathering his wits together, he tentatively knocked twice upon the door.
"Chizi-ka?" murmured the voice within. Quickly, Chizitsu entered the relative safety of another's presence, closing the door behind him. He then turned bashfully to the violet gaze on him, as his brother lifted his head off of the pillows.
"I couldn't sleep," the younger apologized softly. "Did I wake you?"
"I don't mind," Tabito shook his head, and lifted the blankets beside him, creating a vacancy. Quickly, Chizitsu dashed into the hole like a frightened rabbit, shaking and gasping. A sorrowful sigh escaping his lips, Tabito took his baby brother in his arms and quietly as the shore, awaited the waves of emotion. The little one slowly relaxed as he felt the power in his brother's arms and chest, securing him. It almost felt like he was being held by his father.
"I miss dad, Tabi," he whispered as tears stung the corners of his eyes.
"As do I…" Tabito's reply was barely audible through the suppressed sob. The summoner boy wavered a moment before continuing, hot tears trickling over round cheeks.
"And mother too."
"I know."
"I keep thinking…" he futilely blinked at his tears, for they kept coming. "I keep thinking, that I'll never see them again."
"It's called 'doubt,' Chizi," the older whispered. "One of the plagues to mankind. I doubt we'll ever be free of it." Despite himself, Chizitsu smiled, and looked up to meet Tabito's smile as well. Then he buried his face against Tabito's chest.
"I wish I was strong like you," he said. I wish I was strong like me too, thought Tabito, but all he said was:
"Mm."
"I'm so glad I'm last in line for the throne…" Chizitsu said though a yawn. Tabito cracked a chuckle as he released his now relaxed little brother and rolled onto his back.
"That wasn't the best thing you could have said just then," he chided.
"Sorry…" the little one's expression dropped. Tabito merely shook his head.
"I don't think anyone has died from being king," he said as he stretched out his spine. "Because they were king, yes, but from being king, no." He suddenly felt a frightened grip on his arm.
"That… wasn't the best thing you could have said either," Chizitsu hissed.
"No?"
"I can't lose you too, Tabi!" Tabito fell silent for a moment. He really hadn't considered what might happen to himself for a while; it seemed so incidental. I really don't have a say in the matter. By Alexander, we're just a pair of sitting ducks. Mobilizing an army is still a direct dissention from the treaty with Burmecia and Lindblum. And Lindblum is supposed to protect us, but it doesn't seem like they'll be inclined for the moment. Ooh, what I wouldn't give to know who has their ducks lined up… We're deep fried, Chizi and I. Of course, Chizitsu didn't need to hear that just now.
"I'm glad someone cares," he said softly. Sadly, the boy cuddled against him. Slowly the two listened to their own breathing slow, and slowly sleep crept upon wasted minds.
"May I stay?" came Chizitsu's whisper in the dark.
"I wasn't about to send you away," Tabito answered drowsily without opening his eyes. With the last words of the night spoken, the brothers slept side by side. Whoever wished to defeat them would have to kill two birds with one stone.
The week had passed both quickly and slowly, what for its high points and its lonesome ones. It took Tabito a moment to get a feel for the ivory keys, for it had been so long since he'd touched them last. But after that moment, the music came out of him. Melancholy was the sonata, but he let his fingers do as they wanted to. As the lament of the days filled the air, Chizitsu walked in.
"You're playing the piano," he noted with a smile. Tabito matched the smile, and for once it was not forced.
"I think I figured out Mother's secret," he said.
"Oh?" Chizitsu asked.
"It stretches you, the responsibility," he continued. "Spreads you out like a condiment, and you have to cover everything. But there are times where you have to just stop and take a moment to pull yourself together. My problem is that I've been letting people stop me from doing that."
"Oh." For a moment, only Tabito's fingers made any sound.
"What do you have?" the crown prince's voice broke in.
"I was going to let you—"
"Let's just have it."
"You're too eager is the problem," Chizitsu laughed. "Well, your approval among the people seems to be about the same."
"As long as nothing affects them, it's okay," he muttered. "But they wish I was more something, right?"
"There isn't much consensus on that note," Chizitsu shrugged.
"Hmph, I wish they'd hurry up with Raven's trial," the prince muttered. "That would make some things easier."
"Eiko says that the people will want better proof of the Pumice stone," Chizitsu shrugged again. "She doesn't think we should rush."
"Hmph," Tabito repeated, annoyed.
"According to my sources," Chizitsu continued in a more hushed tone, "there is one important note that we've really overlooked."
"What's that?" Tabito looked at him, eyebrows raised.
"Generally, for what has happened, the people blame the Terrans." The melody ended with a dissonant dang.
"Cripes!" Tabito was on his feet in a flash. "What?!"
"They say," Chizitsu shrank back from his brother's sudden vehemence, "they say that the Terrans are trying to take over Gaia. You know, take it for themselves."
"That's it, then," Tabito started to pace back and forth. "We're fixed."
"But…" Chizitsu stammered, not understanding, "but, Tabi…it's not true. It can't be."
"Oh?" Tabito continued his heavy stride back and forth across the room. "It was Ark, was it not?"
"The Terran summon…but Terrans can't summon."
"Raven, like you and I, is half Terran," Tabito groaned as he paced faster.
"But…but Tabi!" Chizitsu was trembling. "Tabi, you know that the Terrans want nothing to do with Gaia."
"I know that yes," the crown prince nodded with a sigh, "but try telling that to the Gaians."
"Dad stopped the assimilation twenty-some years ago," Chizitsu argued. "He married mother as part of the promise that the Terrans would leave Gaia alone."
"Keep talking," Tabito continued to pace.
"All those twenty years, the Terrans have been painstakingly keeping the life-streams separate. They monitor the soul-flow in Terra and synthetically create nutrients that the place into the soil, as well as biologically engineering flora life that puts more into the planet than they could possibly ever take out. It will be at least a thousand years before they can even move onto the planet, and even then it will possibly never be restored. Even so, they keep the guardian up at all times, avoiding contact with even the smallest Gaian creature. They keep to themselves so as not to pollute us, their diplomats only occasionally appearing on the green continent for important occasions. They wouldn't… Am I talking myself into a box?"
"Somewhat," Tabito nodded. "None of that would serve for a satisfactory argument."
"But they. Mikoto wouldn't… but they take the restoration project so seriously!" Chizitsu was on the verge of tears. "They wouldn't just throw it away like that."
"Chizitsu," Tabito stopped pacing to look at him. "You're right, Terra is not the aggressor. Terra is the excuse."
"The excuse…?" Chizitsu repeated, befuddled. "Tabi, what do you know that I don't?" Tabito stared out the window for a spell, so Chizitsu pressed on, "Tell me!"
"It doesn't quite come together," Tabito shook his head, "but all I see is revolution."
"Rev-revolution? In Alexandria?"
"At least," the older prince shook his head with a sigh. "Unless Raven actually did attack Lindblum, someone has framed the people of Terra. Either way, the Terrans would not have summoned Ark, and then not on Lindblum. It would not be in the Terran style to use a weapon they know nothing about against the master of that weapon. As a matter of fact, they wouldn't attack Lindblum at all, what with their entire fleet on Terra."
"So…Lindblum attacked Lindblum, as an excuse to knock off the people of Terra?"
"Possibly," Tabito frowned. "I'm more inclined to believe that the problem's in Alexandria."
"But… maybe it's Burmecia, trying to get revenge or—"
"That's just it, Chizi," Tabito sat down with a sigh. "I have no clue who could be behind it. But I know now that New Bran Bal is a target. And I knew before, that you and I are between the aggressor and what they want."
"We are?" the eleven-year-old squeaked.
"And I can't do anything," Tabito nodded angrily. "All I can do is run the country until I get knocked off." He made a cutting motion at his throat as he said this.
"But…but…" Chizitsu whimpered. Tabito cast half a smile at him. He hadn't wanted to explain it to his baby brother, but the boy was a genius, and he needed someone to help him. Even, Stephen, as of late, had been reduced to throwing his hands in the air when Tabito presented this problem to him. Now it was clear just how helpless they were becoming.
"I can't mobilize the reserves until it'll be too late," Tabito growled. "Otherwise, Lindblum and Burmecia would take arms against us."
"Lindblum is supposed to protect us…but they won't, will they, Tabi?" Chizitsu was slowly picking it up. "New Bran Bal would, though. Mikoto would help us!"
"Terran blood is thicker," Tabito agreed spitefully. "But can we afford to contact the Terrans?" Chizitsu didn't answer. Instead he wrapped his arms around himself. "Kuja's legacy remains as something he never intended," Tabito murmured to himself. "Such is the way it always is. Alexandria and Terra… can I save them both? Can I do anything? I am a puppet, dancing on the strings of the one behind the curtain. I wish now I had not sent Beatrix off. She'd know what to do."
"But she'll bring mother back," Chizitsu persisted, unwilling to give up hope. "Mother would know what to do better!"
"We can hope," Tabito sighed. "And we can pray." He sat in silence for another moment, and his brother sat down beside him.
"If the worst comes," Chizitsu finally said, "I am master to many eidolons."
"My fist and my sword," Tabito smiled, "they comfort me." Then he laughed, for laughter's sake. "If it comes to that, I am prepared." It was at that moment that the door burst open and Haagen, a Pluto Knight, rushed in.
"Sir, um… Your Highness!" he saluted.
"Yes?" Tabito motioned for him to continue.
"Five warships are approaching the harbor, and we've spotted a small mass of armed men out on the plains! We're under attack, sir!" Chizitsu's breath froze as he turned to look at his brother.
"Oh," the acting king said dryly. "Lovely."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please review. It helps me get myself to write.