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Chapter Five: The Grand Castle, Lindblum

The cargo ship's engine was worn and loudly clattered the rest of the way through the Falcon's Gate, which entered directly into the gigantic entrance bay of the grand castle. Blank, who had taken over the controls once they entered the Falcon's Gate, since properly landing an airship took skill, especially in such a large and expensive bay. Once they landed, some of the Lindblum soldiers, who were garbed in a white uniform and all had large spears, dropped a sort of drawbridge onto the airship, allowing them to safely enter the humongous airship bay, which was the pride and joy of the Lindblum castle, though it was surprisingly empty.

"What is your purpose for being here?" one guard immediately asked.

"I'm am princess Garnet Til Alexandrios," Claire immediately answered, stepping forward and showing her pendant, that had the symbol of Alexandria. "I have come to speak to Regent Cid."

"What is this?" one soldier muttered, grabbing the pendant.

"Is it the Falcon Claw?" another soldier asked, examining the pendant.

"No, no, it's a little different..." the first soldier responded. "Call Artania!"

A third soldier quickly rushed out of the airship bay, while Steiner seemed mesmerized by the gigantic bay. "Wow..." the knight muttered. "Even the queen's Red Rose could easily fit in here!"

"Of course," Felix responded. "Lindblum is well known for it's technology, specifically in airships."

"Yeah," Blank nodded. "The weird thing is... where are all the airships? It seems so... empty here..."

"Indeed," Felix agreed.

"Here she is," a soldier, who came with an elderly man with a dark gray hair and goatee and wore an official uniform of Lindblum.

Claire instantly ran up to the man, crying, "Uncle Artania!"

"Princess Garnet!" the man smiled, then turned to the soldiers. "You may go back to your positions, I shall take care of this."

"Yes, Minister Artania!" The soldiers saluted, and ran off.

"Princess Garnet!" the minister said. "We were expecting you!"

"Expecting...?" Claire wondered, looking back at Blank, who grinned. The team then followed Artania past the main hallway, and into an elevator which was guarded by a soldier, clearly watching for any people who wouldn't be allowed. The guard sneered at Blank and Vivi as he they walked by, Blank barely noticed, having being looked at quiet often for his stitches and mismatched skin, but Vivi looked back and, realizing that the man was angry, looked down at his feet.

Once they reached the elevator, the minister pressed a button labeled Upper Level, and the minister began to explain the castle. "You see, this castle is split into three levels," Artania explained. "The upper level is where the regent resides, so it is heavily guarded. The middle level consists of the guest bedrooms, airship docks, as you saw, and the entrance to the town proper. And, the bottom level consists of our docks, which are now rarely used thanks to the great invention of aircrafts, and our Dragon Gate, which is always closed unless absolutely necessary, or if our Chocobo Knights (A/N: you may remember these from Final Fantasy X, and they're the same as that... which I don't own) search the area for powerful beasts, if necessary."

"Are the Chocobo Knights really so necessary?" Blank asked. "With all the airship technology, are they really still needed?"

"Of course," Artania instantly responded. "As you know, the mist generates powerful monsters, and our Chocobo Knights prevent them from getting any stronger."

"I see..." Blank nodded.

"Say, you're one of the Tantalus members, right?" Artania asked Blank.

"Yeah, why?" Blank asked.

"What happened to the rest of the members? Specifically Baku?"

"I don't know," Blank shrugged. "I was kinda hopin' they were here already..."

"I'm sorry, but they aren't," Artania responded. "I heard your airship crashed in Evil Forest, did the rest of the men make it out?"

"Well... Baku told me to help Zidane, who left the group to help the princess," Blank answered. "As we were escaping from the forest, Zidane was petrified by the forest somehow. I know the rest of the guys got out of the forest, I sent them a message, but I don't know anything else after that."

"I hope they are alright," Artania mumbled. "Baku sure had some good men under him..."

"I wouldn't worry too much," Blank responded. "I plan to find them, now that I completed the mission."

"That would be most wise," the minister responded. "And I'm sure the regent will send some troops along with you."

"It's alright, I can find em myself," Blank responded.

"Uncle," Claire said. "How is the regent?"

Artania turned and put his hand on his chin, "He... well... you will see..."

"What do you mean?" Claire pondered.

"As I said," Artania responded. "Also, Blank, Vivi, and Felix, I would like to hear of your adventure with the princess, while the regent speaks with the princess."

"Actually," Felix spoke in his deep almost frightening voice. "I would like to speak with the regent as well. There are terrible things Alexandria is plotting."

Claire looked down to her feet, taking the blame on himself, so Blank put his hand on her shoulder and whispered into her ear, "It's alright, Claire, you did the best you could."

"Thank you, Blank," Claire responded so silently, Blank could barely hear her.

"I am sorry, master Felix," Artania told the former beast hunter of Dali. "But, for the safety of the regent, I shall have to speak with you about the village."

"What about me?" Steiner asked. "I shall go with the princess to see the regent, correct?"

"Yes, master Steiner," the minister replied. "I do not expect the princess to be separated from her knight."

"I see, thank you minister," Steiner slightly bowed.

"It is quite all right, Master Steiner."

"Are you sure there is no way of me speaking with the regent?" Felix asked once more. "I have vital information about what is happening in Dali."

"Unless you are a knight or of another high official," the minister responded. "I shall judge your information."

"Actually, sire," Felix replied. "I once, long ago, was a knight of Alexandria."

"You were...?" Steiner muttered. "Perhaps that is where I know you..."

"As I once was a knight, perhaps I would be able to speak with the regent," Felix inquired once more, ignoring the knight.

"I shall ask the regent," Artania said. "Though I doubt it would be suitable."

"Please try," Felix responded. "I must tell the regent something dreadfully important... perhaps something that will end a war before it begins."

"..." the minister looked into Felix's cold almond eyes. "Very well, Master Felix, I shall allow you to speak with the regent."

"Good," Felix nodded, and, almost as if on cue, the elevator stopped and had finally reached the top floor of the Grand Castle.

"Please follow me," the minister said, and walked out of the elevator and immediately several soldiers rushed up to the crew. "Ah, yes, you must give these men your weapons," the minister told them. "It's for the protection of the king."

"Of course," Felix nodded, and took of his long, thin sheath and handed it to one of the soldiers, like the rest of the team.

"Alright," the minister continued once the new men were unarmed. "Please, follow me." The team followed the minister beyond a short hallway and into a grand lobby-like room with a large door at the top of a staircase, two staircases in fact, both went up from the sides of the room, and another door downstairs. "Master Blank and Master Vivi," the minister said. "Please go into the lower door, I shall be with you momentarily."

"Alright," Blank nodded, giving one last look to Claire who thinly smiled, and then he and Vivi went into the door, which had a large table in it and a strange throne like thing with no chair.

"Princess, Master Steiner, and Master Felix," Artania continued. "Please follow me up the stairs."

"Very well..." Claire silently muttered.

They followed the minister up the left staircase, and into the large door, where the large throne is, but, to everyone's surprise, there was no king on it, but an...

"O-OGLOP!!!" Steiner shouted.

"Relax, Master Steiner!" Artania shouted, stopping the knight from every hurting the oglop. "You are before the king!"

"Wh-what?" Steiner asked. "You jest, surely..."

"He does not!" the oglop shouted.

"What... that mustache..." Claire muttered. "Uncle Cid?!"

"Yes..." the regent muttered.

"Hmm..." Felix slightly chuckled. "So this is the mighty regent of Lindblum..."

"Silence!" Cid shouted. "Whom are you anyway? I know the princess and Steiner... but I have no recollection of you..."

"My name is Felix," the former knight responded, and fell to his knee. "A former knight of Alexandria, and former beast hunter of Dali."

"I see..." the regent responded.

"They have urgent secrets of Alexandria to tell you," the minister told the regent.

"What must you tell?" Cid asked.

"Let Felix speak first," the princess said. "He probably knows the most about the dealings in Dali."

"Very well," the regent responded. "Speak, Felix."

"Very well," the man sighed and stood. "It was about... a year ago when a representative of Alexandria came from the capital to Dali and gave us the option of making weapons for the kingdom. The mayor took a vote on it and, greedy as he was, didn't take into much consideration of the people's votes. Anyway, they decided to build the underground factory, where they built the 'weapons', which were similar to the black mage like Vivi. Anyway, as they were making them, we had a huge farm, that an old woman, the mayor's brother, when he had the chance, and myself to work. However, one time a black mage escaped the facility somehow and burnt down most of the farm, except for a very small portion. I'm not sure if the mayor did that himself, or if it truly was an accident, but I suppose I shall never know..."

"How powerful would you say the mage was?" the regent asked.

"Extremely powerful," Felix responded. "I truly believe that the mage easily would have been able to destroy the entire farm, if not the entire village on it's own."

"I see..." the regent muttered. "Continue..."

"Anyhow, I was able to defeat the mage, since he seemed focused on the farm," Felix explained. "And it took several of the villagers, who were still in the upper village, took get ride of the fire. However, what was left of the farm, was just enough for the old woman to tend to. I really think it was a plot to get the rest of us to work on the weapons, but none of us did, and we all split off and did different jobs. A couple of times I visited the factory," Felix said in almost a whisper, "I don't know how they did it... but they seemed to be making the black mages out of... mist..."

"Mist?" the minister asked.

"Yes," Felix nodded. "And, I fear, that if Alexandria knows how to use the mist for her own purposes... I think she could easily take the continent by force..."

"I see..." the regent replied, with a hint of worry in his voice. "Is that all you have to tell?"

"..." Felix was silent a moment. "I have one question... though it's a little off the subject..."

"Very well," the regent responded. "You may never have the chance to ask the question again, so you may as well now."

"That... blue moon of your- ours," the former beast hunter. "How long has that... been there...?"

"Sure you know," the regent said. "You must have been around when it arrived."

"Yes... I just... forgot," the man muttered.

"Well... it's been around for about... thirty years," the regent said. "If you want to know more about it, you should visit our libraries and speak with some of our scholars there."

"Very well, thank you regent," Felix nodded. "May I be excused?"

"Yes," Artania nodded, "but go into the room with Blank and Vivi. I would still like a word with you."

"Very well," Felix nodded. "I hope you may live long, regent."

"Thank you, Felix," Cid nodded, though you could barely tell on his oglop body. "May you live long as well."

Felix nodded once more and left the room, the regent then turned to Claire, "It is getting late and I'm sure you're tired and hungry," Cid told her. "I wish to dine with Blank and the others, with you too, of course, and would like that to be tonight. So, how about we talk in the morning?"

"Um... alright," Claire nodded.

"I realize that you may have very important things to tell me, and they would be very important," Cid told her, making her slightly smile. "However, we will talk tomorrow, alright?"

"... Very well..." Claire muttered.

"Now, minister," the regent turned to Artania. "Go speak with the others."

"Yes, regent," the minister nodded. "But, one thing first... it seems Master Blank wishes to go find Baku and his crew..."

The regent was nodding, knowing the question, "Of course send some troops with him. There are far too many beasts roaming the land these days."

"Very well, regent," Artania bowed and then left the room.

"Princess," Cid began. "Please go to the guest bedroom and rest there. We shall have a high security watch for you."

"Oh..." Claire muttered. "Ok..."

"Geez..." Blank muttered, being very bored for having to wait so long for the minister. "Where is Artania?"

"Maybe Felix had a lot to tell," Vivi shrugged.

"Maybe..." Blank muttered, then turned to Vivi. "Hey, what are you going to do?"

"What do you mean?" Vivi asked.

"I mean, how are you going to get home?" Blank asked.

"I don't know..."

"Well, if you want, I could bring you home while I search for the other guys of Tantalus."

"Oh, are you sure you want me?"

"Of course! A black mage like you has great powers!"

"Yeah... but..." Vivi muttered looking down at his feet. "With the black waltz and... the... other mages... why do you think you can trust me?"

"What are you talking about Vivi?" Blank asked. "Those weren't you! They're... well..."

Suddenly, the door burst open, and Felix walked in and sat down, not making eye contact with any of the two.

"What's keeping Artania?" Blank asked.

"Claire might still tell her story," Felix responded. "If that's the case... it still might be a while..."

"Oh..." Blank muttered, and then was silent for a little while. "What are you going to do, now that you're here in Lindblum?"

"I don't know," Felix shrugged. "I'll probably try and be a beast hunter here, too."

"Sorry, but they don't need it," Blank told the man. "They have huge walls covering the entire kingdom! And the only entrance is guarded by several of soldiers."

"..." Felix was quiet a minute then turned to Blank. "Why do you care?"

"Well I-" Felix began, but then Artania came in.

"Thank you for waiting," Artania said and walked up to the end of the table. "Now... what do you have to tell me?"

"Well..." Blank muttered. "Do you want me to tell you about the mission, or just Dali?"

"Tell me the entire mission," the minister responded. "I believe Felix has already told us enough about the factory in Dali."

"Alright," Blank nodded. "Well..."

Blank began to tell of their journey, starting with Tantalus on the Prima Vista heading to Alexandria, and how Claire actually wanted to be captured. He told through the Evil Forest and Zidane's petrification, and how they visited the nearly destroyed South Gate, and how they went through Ice Cavern, and ending with telling about the black waltzes.

"I see..." the minister muttered. "So... they not only create black mages, but also black waltzes..."

"Yeah," Blank nodded.

"Interesting..." the minister said, then turned to Vivi, who has been very quiet. "Do you have anything to share, Master Vivi?"

"N-no," Vivi quietly responded.

"Very well, then," the minister said, then looked back at the group. "Now, you must not tell any of the civilians or Alexandrians about this. I would hate for anyone to worry."

"Alright," Blank nodded, along with Felix and Vivi.

"Good," Artania smiled. "Now then, Blank, I believe you said that you wish to go help Baku and Tantalus, correct?"

"Yeah," Blank nodded. "Vivi's going to help me too."

"No need," Artania shook his head. "We shall send some soldiers with you-"

"Nonsense," Felix immediately interrupted. "You need every soldier you can get to guard the town. I can go with Blank to help his friends."

"..." Artania was silent a moment, but then nodded. "Well... if that's really what you want..."

"Yeah," Blank agreed. "Besides, Baku would kill me if I needed the help of soldiers to get him."

"... If that's what you want..." Artania responded. "But first, we wish to dine with you all, the princess and Master Steiner will be there as well."

"Sure," Blank nodded.

Vivi grinned and put his hand on his stomach, "I'm starved!"

"Good," Artania smiled. "The meal will be ready shortly, please stay seated."

"Alright," Blank nodded as Artania left.

Shortly after, Claire and Steiner walked into the room, Claire immediately walked over to Blank and sat down, after Steiner pulled out her chair, and Steiner sat next to her. "So, Blank," Claire smiled to her former capturer. "I hear you are planning to go help Tantalus, right?"

"Yeah," Blank nodded. "I hope they don't need my help, but I'm gonna go help em anyway."

"Alright," Claire nodded and smiled, but Blank could feel a hint of sadness behind the smile. But, then again, who wouldn't be sad if they found out that their mother was making black mages and is more then likely planning to use them for war?

"Tis foolishness!" Steiner proclaimed. "If he helps them, they will merely come capture you again, Princess!"

"Calm down, Steiner," Claire sighed, which slightly angered Steiner, but he immediately obeyed. "I hope you have good luck, Blank."

"I hope you do to," Blank told her. "You're the one who really needs it. Tantalus could probably make it here themselves, but you are needed to help a war."

To this, Claire looked down, saddened.

"Hey, sorry," Blank responded.

"It's ok," Claire sighed. "It is... the truth..."

"Yeah well..." Blank responded, feeling guilty as any man would who made her sad. "If you ever need my help... or Tantalus's, just tell me and I'm sure we'll all help any way we can."

"Thank you, Blank," Claire responded, looking happily into his eyes with her own slightly water glazed eyes.

"It's... alright..." Blank responded. Once, in fact not even ten minutes ago, he had been glad that he finally reached Lindblum, but now he wished their journey together would have been longer.

"Here's your dinner!" the minister proclaimed, walking into the room with several chefs behind him carrying delicious food that made all the people sitting around the table's, except Felix who joined their team to late to eat anything that was as disgusting as their own diet, mouth drool, even Claire, though she quickly wiped it off.

The chefs quickly put the meals on the table which included pork, chicken, beef, steak, and many more delicious meat and foods. The team quickly ate their food, specifically the vegetable that the king offered them, as they haven't eaten vegetables for about three days, and their body craved it. Once they had finished, which wasn't much after they had begun eating, the chefs took the many left overs off the table and out of the room, and Artania stood up.

"Now then," Artania begun. "I'm sure you're all very tired from your journey, and it has gotten late, so I have rented a room in the local inn for Master Blank, Felix, and Vivi, while Claire shall stay in the castle, understood?"

"Yeah, sure," Blank nodded.

"Also, I suggest that if you leave to find Baku tomorrow, that you leave early tomorrow," Artania told the young thief.

"Why?" Felix asked.

"The festival of the hunt is tomorrow," a voice from above said. And, above the place where the strange throne with no chair was a thing lowered, and a throne appeared there, and, on the throne, was an oglop.

"What the?!" Blank exclaimed. "What's an oglop doing on the throne?!"

"Someone attacked the castle," Cid explained. "They turned me into an oglop and captured my wife and stole my newest airship, the Hilda Garde 1."

"Oh geez..." Blank muttered and turned to Artania, not really wanting to look foolish by talking to an oglop. "Does Baku know?"

"Baku does, in fact, know," Cid answered. "He and I go way back. He may be a thief, but I trust him more then I do some of my most trusted knights."

"Oh..." Blank responded. "Anyway, the festival of the hunt is tomorrow?"

"Yes," Cid nodded. "I would love to see you perform in battle, but if you must try and find Baku..."

"Of course I'll fight!" Blank exclaimed. "Baku always said 'go after every treasure you can get' so I'm gonna fight."

"Excellent!" Cid proclaimed, and, although no one could tell, he smiled. "What of you, Master Vivi?"

"I... uhh..." Vivi stammered.

"You should try, Vivi," Blank told him. "With your magic, you should be able to defeat the beasts easily!"

"Well... ok..." Vivi muttered.

"What about you, Master Felix?" the king asked. "Since you are no longer a knight, you may battle in the tournament."

"I shall think about it," Felix responded.

"What are you afraid to lose to me?" Blank grinned.

"I'm afraid to make you look like a fool," Felix answered the proud young thief.

Blank sighed.

"I shall just watch," Felix told the oglop king.

"I did wish to see your power... but I suppose it's alright," the king sighed.

"Well, shall I escort you to the inn?" Artania asked.

"We can go ourselves," Blank told the minister.

"Very well," Artania shrugged.

The three went to the inn and rested fairly comfortable for the night. Once the sun rose, Blank sat from his bed and saw that Felix was no longer here, and that Vivi had just gotten up and it looked like he was about to leave.

"Hey Vivi," Blank said, causing the little mage to look back at him.

"Morning, Blank," Vivi responded.

"Where ya goin?" Blank asked the little, but powerful, black mage.

"I'm going to look around Lindblum," Vivi answered. "I don't think I've ever been in such a big place..."

"Want me to go with ya? I know Lindblum better then the back of my hand."

"N-no, I would rather look around myself," Vivi stammered.

"Whatever, but we should probably meet back at the castle later on, alright?"

"Sure," Vivi nodded then left.

"Well... first I should see if Tantalus is back yet, which I doubt," Blank sighed. "Then I... guess I'll see if the blacksmith has something new. Then I'll get back to the castle and see if I can get Vivi home safely without dragging him along for too long." He could tell that, during their journey, Vivi was pretty slow and he could remember that he could see sweat dripping down his forehead and deeply breathing before Blank barely even begun to slow down, well, except for the fact he would have left the rest of the group in the dust had he walked as fast as he wished. But, then again, that's understandable if you didn't exercise regularly, or if you were a magician, who naturally are physically weak and still didn't exercise.

Blank got dressed into his black jeans and white muscle shirt and left the inn and entered the aircabs. Blank never really liked the aircabs, the only good thing about them was that he and the guys could easily rob people on the cabs, since there was no one else around. Normally, he and the guys would jump out of the cabs right before it arrived in the station, so the person they mugged wouldn't be able to get them arrested by the guards at the stations.

Once Rune reached the Theater Station, he went to the secret thievery base, which was also the base for Tantalus which was not only their thievery name but also their acting name. Blank himself thought this was a foolish idea, as people might find out that the great thieves were called Tantalus and they would connect it to the acting band, but he couldn't change the name, but once Baku quits, which he isn't looking forward to, Marcus would be in charge and he would probably change one of the names.

As Blank suspected, no one was in the base, and it was just as he remembered it three days ago. He then sighed and left the base, as thinking of it made him think of Zidane and the rest of the guys, but mostly Zidane, since he knows Zidane is gone for the time being. Blank soon found himself running from the hideout, and, before he knew it, he was on a aircab back to the industrial district.

Blank regained his upright stature and walked to the blacksmith, and was surprised to see the old man, who was the sole owner before he had left on what may have been his greatest journey yet, was accompanied by a younger man, who was clearly his son. "You need to keep these weapons in the fire longer!" the old man shouted as Blank walked in. "They won't make a good weapon if they're not in long enough!"

"I know, I know," the young man sighed and rolled his eyes. "Be quiet for a minute! We gotta costumer!" the young man then looked at Rune, "can I help you?"

"Yeah... you got any good weapons?" Blank asked the young man.

"Well... are best is easily this one," the young man rose a blade that was much longer than Blank's own and easily sharper. "This was used by some of the earlier knights. They relied on it's weight to kill the enemies more than it's sharpness."

"How much?" Blank immediately asked.

"Ten thousand gil," the young man answered after glancing at the sword for a minute.

"Alright, I'll go get the cash and be right back," Blank giddily nodded and rushed out of the building. Of course he wasn't going to pay for it, that was why he had spent so long perfecting the art of thievery, but he had to find a way to do it. Let's see here... Blank thought. I need to get them out of there... Blank looked around and then saw a dog barking wildly at everything, that was when Blank's plan was clear.

"Help!!!" A woman cried as a dog ran like a rapid beast. "Heeeellllppp!!!"

"What's going on outside?!" the old man in the weapon shop shouted at the younger man.

"I dunno!" the young man shouted back and rushed outside. "Oh my!!!" the young man ran back and picked up the first weapon he saw. "There's some beast running around chasing people!!!"

"What the-!" the old man cried, grabbing the first weapon he saw as well and followed the young man outside.

The second after they had left, Blank stealthily slipped in through the window and grasped the weapon, along with a few daggers he could slip into the large black bag he brought with him. He learned that the young man was not kidding about the weight of the blade, it really was heavy, and, Blank feared, that he would have to train with it before the festival.

Once the peace has been restored in the Industrial District and the mutt had been killed by the young man (afterwards he was yelled at by the his father that he was dragged outside while the store was mugged). Anyway, Blank then went another, poorer weapon shop and sold the daggers he stole, claiming that he was a merchant, and then decided to finally retire to the castle.

Once he got to the castle, he saw a group of the guards running frantically around the castle along with Steiner who ran up to him. "You!" Steiner exclaimed pointing his accusing finger at him. "What did you do with her?!"

"Do what with who?!" Blank shouted back, but he already knew what he was accusing and about whom.

"The princess is missing," Vivi calmly responded.

"I'm willing to bet it was you who captured her!" Steiner shouted at Blank. "Again!"

"I wasn't me!" Blank shouted back. "Now are you going to yell at me, or are you going to help me find her?!"

"Come on, Mr. Steiner," Vivi said, slightly pleading. "Let's find her."

"No need," Felix announced from another room. "Steiner and I shall search the castle. Blank, you and Vivi should go and prepare for the tournament. It isn't your job to protect the princess."

Blank sneered, then glared at the man, "I'm going with you! I brought her, along with the rest of you, all the way here! I think I'm a little more than an acquaintance!"

"Why would you want to help us?" Felix asked, crossing his arms over his chest, then rose one eyebrow. "Do you want to be with her?"

"Wh-wh-wh-what?!?!" Steiner shouted.

"No, no, no!" Blank shook his head. "It's just a nice thing to do, is all."

"That best be the reason!" Steiner shouted, then turned to Felix. "Let us go, Sir Felix! We shall find the princess much before this foolish thief!"

Steiner then rushed behind Felix, while he just glared at Blank. "Well, I suppose that we shan't be on a team. For now. Good luck, Blank." Felix then turned and calmly walked off with Steiner.

"Man, I hate that guy!" Blank cried.

"Well... what do we do?" Vivi asked.

"You go off and search the town," Blank told the little mage. "I'll stay here and search the castle."

"A-alright," Vivi nodded and began to run off, but then Blank called him back. "Yeah?"

"Take some gil," Blank then handed over a couple of coins. "Buy yourself a new staff or something."

"Thanks," Vivi smiled, then ran off to the aircabs.

Blank then began to search the floor of the castle, the guest room, under the staircase, he even managed to sneak behind the guard and search the airdocks, but she wasn't there either.

"Dammit..." Blank muttered and he snuck past the guard and back to the castle proper. "Where is she?"

"Perhaps you'll need to use some of thievery skills," Blank heard someone say behind him.

Blank turned and saw that Felix was standing behind him. "What do you mean? And why aren't you with Steiner?"

"Steiner's a fool," Felix responded without hesitation. "And I mean the skills you just used to get into the airdocks. Perhaps you'll need to get upstairs."

Blank would have easily tried it, had it not been this man. This man who made him look like a fool, a weakling, and an idiot. "Why are you helping me?"

"You... remind me of someone," Felix answered. "Now I'd hurry, Steiner's trying to get a permit to go upstairs, it won't take him long to get it."

Blank nodded in response and rushed back to where all the soldiers were running rampant except for one guard who stood in front of the elevator. Blank looked around for a way to distract him, but one naturally happened instead. Felix rushed in and ran up to the elevator guard and commanded the soldier to follow him. At first he tried to fight back, but Felix forced him and, as he ran by Blank, Blank noticed his almond eyes looking directly at his belt, searching for his eyes.

Blank was perplexed, but he quickly rushed into the guardless elevator and went to the upper floor. Here, Blank heard a soft voice singing from a higher floor, so Blank followed the voice until he reached an upper balcony with a large telescope. Here he found the gorgeous princess singing with all the doves hovering around her. However, with Blank's appearance, the doves flew away, and Claire turned back and saw the young thief standing there.

"How did you get here?" Claire asked.

"I was hoping you knew me better," Blank told her. "I can get wherever I want. It just takes a little training."

"Oh, of course," the princess looked down. "I suppose you could get anywhere you want..."

"..." Blank walked closer to her, but didn't dare touching her. "You... alright?"

"..." Claire was silent a moment. "I-I am fine..."

"No you aren't. It's your mother, isn't it?"

"Of course..." Claire said, and Blank saw a tear slid down her cheek. "Why... would she do this?!"

Claire looked up to Blank with her eyes full of water, and Blank then did hold her close without even realizing it. Instead of fighting away, like he thought she would do, she embraced it, and held him tight across his stomach, bawling. Blank then put his hand up against the back of her head, rubbing her beautiful silky black hair. "It's alright, Claire," Blank whispered into her ear. "I know how bad it may seem. But I'm certain that it's better then it might seem. I'm sure Cid will take care of it, if it is as bad as you think."

"He is so good!" she bawled. "He is great at that! He knows how to do it so well!"

"Well of course he does. It's the job he's been doing all his life, if he didn't know how to do it, he wouldn't be the regent."

"I... I suppose..." Claire said, and Blank could feel that her eyes were beginning to dry. The two then separated and Claire looked lovingly into Blank's eyes. He felt so, well, hot. He had been in this situation many times before, afterwards he would use the woman and then maybe be with her a little while longer, but afterwards they would more than likely break up. But she was a princess, specifically Claire, and he could never do this to her. "Th-thanks, Blank," the princess said, drying her eyes from any water that remained.

"No problem," Blank grinned, but then decided to change the subject so nothing more would happen and making things more confusing. "Uhh... this is a great view isn't it?"

"Yes, it truly is," Claire smiled at him.

"Princess!" Blank could hear Steiner cry.

Dammit! Blank thought.

"I'm up here, Steiner!" the princess called.

Steiner and Felix then rushed up their stairs and found the princess and Blank. "You!" Steiner shouted. "Why didn't you bring the princess down?!"

"I just found her," Blank shrugged.

"I doubt that! I think you-!" Steiner began.

"Steiner!" Claire shouted putting her arms to her hips.

"... Sorry, Princess," Steiner sighed, already getting yelled at for yelling at Blank so many times, it seemed that he was used to getting yelled at.

"Let's all go downstairs," Felix told the team. "We should prepare for the festival of the hunt."

"Right," Blank nodded, realizing that he didn't get anytime to train with his new weapon.

"Let's go," Claire proposed, and the team went downstairs.

About ten minutes later...

The team was gathered in the guest room, with one guard speaking, "Blank, the... actor, shall receive ten thousand gil if he should win. Vivi, the black mage, shall receive a... card if he should win. And Freya, the dragon knight, shall receive a weapon if she should win. Is this correct?"

The two nodded, but no one named Freya nodded. "Who's Freya?" Blank asked. "No one else is here."

"I am terribly sorry I'm late," a Burmecian woman said. She had a rat like face and a long red coat and a red hat similar to Vivi's when's it erect, if red. She was very tall, a little taller than Felix, but Burmecian are generally very tall and Blank wasn't surprised by her clothing either, as, to Blank at least, they all seemed slightly dark. The name Freya seemed similar to Blank, it was Zidane he heard the name from, but at the time he couldn't quite remember. "I'm Freya, and that's right."

"Good," the guard said. "Now, go to the districts and prepare for fights.

THANKS FOR READING AND PLEASE!!! REVIEW!!!

I'm sorry it took so long to update, but my computer crashed and it took forever to get my internet to work as it should.

PLEASE KEEP READING AND REVIEWING!!!