Edonil: Me again! I have so many ideas for other fanfics I could do… When you review, perhaps you could tell me which is the best. They are: Crims's life, what happened immediately after Zidane got back, or something involving Steiner and Beatrix. They would all probably tie in to this.

Disclaimer: If you still think I might actually own FFIX, you really aren't that bright, are you?

Claimer: Believe it or not, I still own Crims, Avylonn, Sarah, and Saniiro.

To Change

Chapter Thirty-Two

Alexandria was very… interesting. The people were noisy and pushy and rude, but Avylonn didn't mind much. This was the third day she'd been here, and the quaint little town still fascinated her.

There was so much to see! The children were very friendly, and her hair never failed to interest some of them. The adults were very wary around her, probably because of her strong resemblance to Kuja, but they had just cause. The first day, Avylonn had only lasted a few hours before having to go inside; the sheer number of people was terrifying. But now it was getting late, and people were vanishing into their homes. It was… nice. No loud noises, no crowded streets. Much nicer than during the day time. She probably ought to return to the Palace; she wasn't normally out so late. But she never joined everyone for dinner anyway (she preferred to eat in solitude), so they wouldn't know.

---

What was she still doing outside? And in this part of town! Didn't she know better? Probably not; Saniiro had watched her for several days, and she gawked as much as any country girl. But she didn't act like one. Her poise and bearing suggested almost royal parentage. Her clothes suggested a fair amount of wealth. And her physical appearance… He had heard rumours that the man who had destroyed Alexandria, Kuja, had a daughter, and that she was in her mid-teens… Could this be her? Rumour had it Kuja was in Alexandria Palace…

Why had she not gone inside? She was in the very worst part of town! And she hadn't even glanced at him; Saniiro could do anything he wanted to her, and she wouldn't know until it was too late…

---

Avylonn looked around curiously. Now she was all alone. It was as if the sun going down meant that people went inside, and no one dare break the rule. How curious. Of course, now she could examine the town better, even though it was getting dark. She had fairly good eyesight-

"'Ello, Darlin'." Avylonn looked up to see an unkempt man dressed in a mass of mis-matched clothes.

"Hello, Sir," she said, inclining her head politely. His accent alone said she was safe; the Ma- Garland had been much more sophisticated, and Avylonn had never met an unkind civilian.

"Out kinda late, ain'cha?" he asked, moving closer. Avylonn frowned slightly. Was there some kind of rule about being out this late…?

"I'm new to these parts, and was exploring," she explained.

"New? 'Ow sweet. An' whereabouts is ya from?"

"The Forgotten Continent."

"Really now? Not many people out that way." He was coming closer and closer. Avylonn instinctively moved back a step. "What'sa matter? You 'fraid o' little old me?" He grinned, showing rotten yellow teeth. Avylonn didn't want to hurt his feelings, but she was getting rather uncomfortable…

"I am sorry. I am not used to talking with people; I have spent much of my life alone."

"Really now? That's just… lovely." He came even closer. Then his hand shot out, and he grabbed her. Pulling her close, he covered her mouth with his hand. "No use screamin', Darlin'; no one will hear you."

"I will." Avylonn tried to twist and look at whoever had spoken, but failed miserably.

"Saniiro," her captor whispered. "Why're ya 'ere? I thought ya were… elsewhere."

"Let go of her."

"But Saniiro, ol' buddy ol' pal, I ain't doin' nothin'! She likes me, don't ya?" He turned and glared at Avylonn. "Don't ya?" Avylonn was being held so tightly she could barely breathe, so she could neither confirm nor deny it.

"Let go of her." Avylonn hoped that her savoir was as nice as he seemed. The man who had grabbed her certainly wasn't.

"Fine, fine, but ya remember this, Saniiro: Me 'n me buddies'll get ya good!" Then the man let go of Avylonn. She fell to the ground, gasping for breath. When she looked up, he was gone.

She turned to look at Saniiro. He was medium height, with thick black hair, dark brown eyes, and heavily tanned skin. He was dressed much in the matter of the last man, in a mess of clothes, all layered on top of each other. He didn't look that bad…

"Are you alright?" he asked. Avylonn nodded, not wanting to talk. "You should be more careful," he told her. "It's not safe to travel these streets at night. Ever since the city was destroyed, there have been thousands of hidden places for the worst of men to live in."

"Thank you for saving me, Sir."

"Call me Saniiro." He offered her his hand, which Avylonn accepted. Once she was on her feet, she said,

"I'm Avylonn."

"Please to meet you," he said, inclining his head. "And now I suggest you hurry home. Your family will be frantic."

"I doubt that. I do not generally join them for dinner."

"Still, they might notice your absence. And there are many evil men out here. Would you like me to escort you?"

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble." Avylonn was starting to be very scared. Saniiro seemed nice, but…

---

He didn't understand her. Was she always this naive? She seemed to know nothing of city life! Of course, if what she had said earlier was true, that was because of lack of experience. Still…

"Where do you live?" Saniiro inquired.

"Alexandria Palace."

"Really? That's… interesting." Going near the Palace could be… interesting. Captain Steiner did not particularly like Saniiro. But Avylonn seemed so scared. He had to escort her home.

He had thought when he was watching her that she wouldn't know she was in danger until it was too late; he was right. She wasn't too intelligent. If she lived in Alexandria Palace, maybe it was because she was a noble. Nobles were generally airheads. But she said she was from the Forgotten Continent…

"Might I inquire who your parents are?" he asked finally. She looked at him.

"Kuja and Crims."

Kuja. He was right. She was Kuja's daughter. But… It was impossible! How could Kuja have a teenage daughter? And how could his daughter be so naive? Kuja was sadistic, and his daughter should have been used to seeing evil… It didn't make sense.

Saniiro heard a clanking sound. Lovely. It would have been nice if she hadn't been missed; Saniiro had no desire to see Captain Steiner. But the bloke was headed straight for them. Splendid. Perhaps he liked Avylonn, and would be grateful that Saniiro saved her…

"Avylonn! There you are!" Steiner glanced over at Saniiro. "Saniiro! What are you doing? Are you responsible for her being out so late?"

"Captain Steiner, Saniiro saved me," Avylonn said quickly.

"What?"

"Lady Avylonn was waylaid by a miscreant, and I got rid of him," Saniiro explained.

"I'm sure you arran-"

"Thank you, Saniiro," put in General Beatrix, who had finally caught up with the Captain. "I'm sure Avylonn's parents would thank you too, if they were here. We will take her now."

"Fare thee well, Lady Avylonn," Saniiro said politely.

"Goodbye, Saniiro. Thank you for saving me."

Then Avylonn left, escorted by General Beatrix and Captain Steiner. Saniiro sighed. She was very pretty…

Edonil: So, what think you all? You like? If so, R&R! And remember to tell me what other fanfic(s) I should work on!