Author's Notes: It's been a while, but I'm back. This is a good, long chapter for ya. And due to the overwhelming desire to see Terra, I had to put her in this chapter. We'll be getting the plot rolling shortly. Thanks for all the reviews and hope to hear from you soon:)

Chapter Four

Caretakers, Children and Close Contacts

Part I: The Blind Man
Part II – The Next Generation
Part III – The Wild Friend

Part I - The Blind Man

Thamasa was a peaceful town, capitol of its own self-proclaimed nation. Nature was the dominating sound on this providence. One could hear birds chirping and insects buzzing just beyond the swaying trees from the gentle breeze. Even the town square was void of human activity. The small population simply preferred to stay in their small cottages and wait for the days to pass. Commotion was considered an annoyance that had to be dealt with quickly. Strago Magus personally enjoyed the lifelessness of his hometown.

He rocked back and forth on his rocking chair by the window so he could feel the sun on his wrinkly skin. He kept the window open halfway so he could hear the sounds of nature, which often put him right to sleep. Of course, the smell of freshly baked apple pie coming from old Margaret's home always crept in and awoke him, his appetite heightening. Other than that, the old man was left with his thoughts.

He was seventy-eight and it showed. It was only eight years ago when he was chasing ghosts and fighting chaos. The past few years had finally taken its toll on him and although he won't admit his elderly-ness, he couldn't deny it either. He would get tired merely from getting out of his favorite chair. He still had some bleach white hair on the back of his head and his chin, which he was thankful he hadn't lost that. But, only a few years ago, his sight went completely blank, making him blind.

It was time to relax. He had lived a good life and was proud of it. Unfortunately, life didn't seem to want to let him go so easily. While he couldn't see, his mind was still functional, a multitude of wisdom that people often sought. He was, of course, another one of the legendaries, grandpa and caretaker of the young Relm Arrowny. Their relationship was at most odd. They were both legendaries, both the youngest and oldest of the set, her life starting and his life ending. She had become somewhat reclusive in the current days and he was still as grumpy as ever. They'd get into verbal battles all the time which was often heard amongst the quiet village. Yet, what could anyone say to the town's two most important people?

One rainy day…

The door was quickly flown open, its hinges screaming. Strago stopped rocking in his chair and listened, automatically assuming it was his mindless granddaughter. He could hear the drops of water falling off her onto the tile by the door. He could sense her clothes were soaking, considering they made that squishing sound that clothes do when filled with water. The door was then shut and he heard her groaning on about something.

"What in all the world is goin' on?" Strago grumbled.

"Nothing!" It was definitely Relm.

"Don't you be steppin' around like that, take those clothes off and dry yourself!"

She grunted angrily. "I'm not taking my clothes off, old man."

"Yes you are! What are you so worried about, I can't see nothin'."

She grumbled some more comebacks, but then he heard the slapping sound of wet clothes hit the tile floor. He shook his head in annoyance.

"What were you doing out there anyway?" he asked.

He heard her walk to the room next to him and then he heard steps down the hallway.

"What I'm always doing, Grandpa."

"In the rain? You gone crazy?"

"Yeah, in the rain." It sounded like she had a something over her face, a towel perhaps.

"Seems I've raised a fool."

There was a moment of unexpected silence. Strago figured he would hear some kind of heated retort. Maybe she didn't hear him? Then there were more footsteps coming from the opposite direction from the hallway and then tapping sounds of her walking over the kitchen tile. She started to move some pots and pans around.

"What are you doing?"

"Fixin' some food. What does it sound like I'm doing?"

"No, ya dingdong, why aren't you picking up your wet clothes?"

She sighed annoyingly and the pots and pans were placed on the counter. He heard her move to the clothes and take them somewhere further in the house. Then she came into his room.

"You want something to eat, old man?"

He turned his head to the sound of her voice and smiled his yellowy teeth. "That'd be nice."

He assumed she rolled her eyes.

She went back to the kitchen and started cooking something. Strago sat back and listened to the light drizzle just outside his opened window. It wasn't long before he could smell some bacon being cooked in the adjacent kitchen. He liked bacon. His mouth started to water.

"There was an odd man out on the plains today," she suddenly announced.

"Was that why you took so long coming back?"

"More or less."

He heard her step back into his room.

"He…attacked me," she said.

"What?"

Strago attempted to get up, fury wrinkling his old face, but he was met with two hands that gently put him back into place.

"Attacked you?" he asked.

"Well," she said, her voice right next to him, "not really. I tried to attack him."

"What rubbish are you goin' on about?"

"I don't know. It was weird."

She seemed slightly nervous. Strago, realizing her change in moods, decided to be a little gentler with the topic, since she seemed startled by the event.

"Okay, tell me what happened."

"Well…I went to my spot as always."

"Uh huh."

"And there was this creepy guy there. He acted like he didn't know me, but then…somehow…he knew my name. He knew I was going to be there."

"That's not surprising. Everyone knows you go out there to paint."

"I know, but he wouldn't move away. And…it's weird. He acted like he didn't know me at first. So…I thought he was a Hunter."

"A Hunter?" Strago did not like the thought of her being assaulted by a Hunter.

"Yeah. So I tried to stab him. But, but, before I knew it, I was slung around and the knife was in his hands and up to my throat. I thought he was going to kill me. Then he kicked me forward and gave the knife back. Then he told me to run away, back home. He just sat there like nothing had happened. Wouldn't even tell me his name or anything else. So I left. He's probably still out there."

Then she took a long, much needed breath. Strago sat back to ponder on the situation.

"And he didn't hurt you?"

The bacon in the kitchen started sizzling.

"No. Not physically."

Then she walked over to the kitchen as Strago continued to think of what had happened.

"Relm, what did he look like?"

"Dark tan, blonde hair…looked strong, very strong. Who do you think he is?"

Strago tapped his forehead. "Sounds like Sabin."

He heard her lean around the corner. "Yeah…he looked like Sabin and moved like him too. Like his offspring or something. That wouldn't make sense though."

"Go tell Marvin to come here."

"Hey, it's raining!"

"Bleh, it's barely even sprinkling. If that man is still out there, we could bring him in for questioning."

"Fine. Here's your bacon." She placed a plate on his lap.

"Thanks, now run-along."

"What? I don't get to eat first?"

"Stop your waistin' time," as he waved the bacon blindly at the window, "we got to get to this guy before he moves. Food can wait!"

And he took a bite out of his crisp bacon.

Part II – The Next Generation

She sat in her royally cushioned chair, holding a wisp of her curly hair, running a comb through it. Each time she got to its end, she'd give a little force to break through and the hair would instantly reset into its previously curly state. It was an impossible task, but she was not doing it to straighten her hair. She did it because it felt so human and she liked that.

As she combed, she stared at the mirror on the dresser in front of her, watching herself comb. She sure did look human, she thought. Yet there was a part of her that felt dead, origins that had been forgotten, left behind. She liked being human, no, loved being human, but the void was there and she could not deny its presence. It almost felt like disobeying her father whenever she tried to push the thoughts aside. So she was affixed with these thoughts as permanently as her curly hair.

She was not despaired, although. In fact, she was quite happy. Happiness was a feeling she liked also. No…loved. She sat back and let out a feminine sigh as if combing her hair had tuckered her out. Letting her eyes roll over in her head, she glanced at her child…her child.

Terra Branford was the most unexpectedly best mother in the world. A woman who could not grasp the sole principle of love had found its meaning in the orphaned children at Mobliz, a town destroyed by Kefka's Judgment of Light. After the floating island disaster, Terra had been severely hurt. The children of Mobliz brought her into a still-standing house and nursed her as best as children could. They had no idea who she was, but they cared so dearly for her. She had not been expecting to ever find love, but it seemed that love had found her.

In response, Terra took place as mother of nine children and supported two older teenagers with their soon-to-be child. Terra was only eighteen years of age! The children filled her heart with so much joy and she decided that this was love and that she would no longer question it.

However, she made an amendment to her theory of love. She decided that it was not static but dynamic. She decided love came in all different forms. And what made her come to this conclusion? A blonde-haired man who was nine years older than her.

After the Day of Sovereignty, Edgar Figaro made several personal trips to Mobliz to assist Terra and her children with supplies and food that was much needed. Edgar and Setzer's partnership made this an easy task. Edgar considered Terra a close friend; they had basically fought together since the beginning of the crusade against the empire. He loved going out of his way to help such a dear friend. He'd buckle down and join the crew to personally lend a hand with the manual labor of hauling out the supplies. The chancellor would always argue that a king should not be doing such work. Edgar always countered that he should have never defeated Kefka in that case. Even so, at the end of the work, he'd go over to Terra and spend some quality time with his good friend.

At first, it was just a friendly meeting. They were only seeing each other once or twice a month. Edgar was still a flirt back at the castle, giving passing maids impure grins as they giggled. And Terra was not in love with him, but she was always happy to see him. He was the only one she was seeing regularly.

Their meetings continued a little over a year, but then something changed. It was so small, but it was enough. Terra combed her hair one more time, looking at her sleeping child as she thought back to that moment that she believed changed her forever.

"Well," Edgar started, slapping his knees proudly, "she's all done for the day."

"Thank you, Edgar." Terra stood straight, directly behind him, admiring his hard work.

"Don't mention it, lovely."

"Uh…okay."

He let out a small laugh and stood up, grinning on one side of his lips. "It's just an expression, Terra."

"I don't understand…"

"I know," he grabbed her shoulders, "and I don't think you ever will."

The two friends went inside and walked to the basement where the children were playing a game they had made up. Upon arrival, Bobby, the oldest of the nine, ran up to them.

"Want some water, mama?" he asked.

"That would be nice. Please pour some for Edgar as well."

"Yes, mama," with a slight heightening of the second 'ma'.

They sat down as the young boy ran to get some water. Edgar wiped his forehead and let out a sigh of exhaustion. He looked back up at her and smiled friendly. She returned the favor.

"So…what has the busy king of Figaro been doing these days?"

"Well…where to begin? It's been madness trying to restore everything into a state of…well…non-insanity."

A little girl peaked her head around the corner. "You mean sanitwee."

Edgar scratched his head, smiling as always. "Huh?"

"Non-insanitwee is a dowble negative," she stated proudly, arms behind her as she stepped into the doorway.

"Why, by golly. She's right!" Edgar declared, his white teeth glaring behind his smile. "Now come over here and give old king Edgar a kiss, eh Lilly?"

The girl named Lilly ran over and jumped onto his lap, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

"Oh my."

The little girl giggled as Edgar squeezed her in a jovial hug. Terra sat straight as a pushpin, but she continued smiling at the two.

"My gosh, Lilly, you're getting so big," he told the ecstatic child.

"I know. I drink my water every day like mama tells me."

"Well, mama knows best," he said, giving Terra a quick glance.

She looked down. "I-I would not say I know best."

"Oh, come on, Terra. Look at these children. You're amazing!"

Then Bobby came in with the water, placing a cup at each side of the table.

"Thank you, Bobby."

Edgar immediately took a sip and exhaled. "What took you so long, boy?"

"It was my turn at Joker," the child responded.

"At what?"

"It's this little game they invented," Terra answered for the child. "It's pretty cute."

"Oh, mama."

"Well it is. They take this umbrella and spin it and wherever the cane points to…"

She explained it so thoroughly. Edgar tried to follow, but it didn't make much sense to him. However, he was laughing at how much she understood the game and how she was so excited about it. It seemed like she had played it with them.

"What are you laughing about?"

"Oh…nothing."

"I want to know," she continued to ask.

"Me too," Lilly jumped in.

"Oh…it's just your mother. She can be so funny sometimes without even knowing it." He laughed some more.

"What did I do?" she asked.

"Let's just say it's your looks."

Bobby and Lilly laughed heartily.

"I look funny?"

Edgar shook his head and grinned that side-lip grin. "No. I'd say you look lovely."

And that's when it happened…the thing that changed her. So small and she never even understood where it came from. But it happened, one way or another.

She giggled.

Lilly took in a deep breath. "Mama giggled. Mama giggled? Mama's in wuv!"

Bobby took off into the other room, shouting that 'mama' was in love to the other children and an explosion of shouting began. Terra blushed and ran into the room to calm the children down.

Lilly looked up at Edgar, bouncing ecstatically. "Are you going to be our dada?"

Edgar smiled again and playfully tipped her chin ever so lightly with his fist.

"Mother?"

Terra awoke from her past recollection, turning to see a little girl standing at her doorway. Her motherly smile immediately took place. It was the second oldest child, Lilly. She was now thirteen years old.

"I'm combing my hair."

The little girl giggled.

Terra put down the comb on the dresser. "And what is so funny?"

"It's still so curly," the girl replied.

Terra laughed with Lilly, admitting it was a pointless battle. "Do you have everything for tomorrow's trip?"

"Yes, Mother."

"And the others."

"All except Bobby…figures," she said, dramatically shaking her head as if she were ashamed of her own brother.

Bobby was the oldest of the adopted children. He had become quite the slacker, often spending his energy on various outside sports to avoid in-house chores.

"He's not the only one."

And Lilly was swept off her feet by the older man shadowing the doorway. She was turned upside down and she immediately started laughing, hitting the man at the knees. The man laughed too, looking up at Terra. They shared romantic glances for only a second before Terra jumped out of her seat.

"Shhh! You'll wake up your son," she commanded.

The man put the girl down. "Uh oh, we're in trouble."

"Not me," she said, taking off down the spirally stairs just outside of the room.

Terra put her hands to her hips in an attempt to look intimidating, but when he came over, eyes glued to hers, giving her a quick peck on the lips, she immediately melted inside.

"Oh Edgar."

"And how is Gerad, Prince of Figaro?" Edgar asked as he walked over to the crib, taking pride in the last words of his sentence.

"Fine, but he needs his sleep for tomorrow's trip," she replied.

"Honey?"

"Yes?"

He motioned for her to come over and she tiptoed over to the crib. Gerad was wide-eyed, smiling from cheek to cheek. Edgar couldn't resist giving him a raspberry on the stomach. He then picked his son up, holding him gently. Terra smiled warmly, placing her head in a crevice on Edgar's shoulder.

"Some day, you're going to be a king…" Edgar whispered.

Part III – The Wild Friend

"Sorry, Strago, no one was out there," Marvin announced.

Strago just scratched his beard, thinking of the situation.

"Thanks, Marvin. We'll be alright," Relm said.

"Okay, but be carefully, missy. I'd hate for anything to happen to you," he replied, tipping his hat as he shut the door behind him.

"Hmpf. No country-side nut-job's gonna do anything to me! Hell, I took on Kefka!"

"Hey now! Watch the tongue," Strago said, scowling at her general direction.

"Bleh," she retorted.

"Bleh," he repeated.

She went back to her room and laid on her bed. 'Two days until my birthday,' she thought. She slowly raised her hand and ran it over the scar over her face, squeezing her eyes shut. Laying there with her eyes closed, she thought about the man who attacked her. 'So annoying and strong and mysterious and…attractive?' She shook her head. She tried to block out the idea of someone taking her spot and threatening her life as being attractive. So instead, she thought of Lloyn. That brought a smile to her face. 'Gosh he was gorgeous.'

"Hey, ya got a letter from Gau!" Strago yelled from the other room.

She immediately jumped out of the bed and ran to the den. "Why didn't you tell me, old man?"

"I forgot," he answered, laughing as he rocked back and forth.

She found the letter on the table and tore into it, walking back to her room. She loved Gau…as a friend. In fact, her only true friend. Sure there was Vigs who'd sometimes talk to her or Wendy who'd play games with her, but Relm didn't consider them friends. Gau was the one being on the planet that understood her and listened to her every word. She plopped down on her bed as she finished reading the letter.

Relm,

Its you birthday! Me be ther for sur!
Me bring you special gift! Been so long
sinc me see you it mak Gau sad! But
no sad on you birthday! Very happy time!
Paint Gau pictur! Need something when
leav! You so old now! It mak Gau laugh!
Hope you happy! Gau protect you like last
time! See you soon!

Gau

She could hardly contain her smile reading the little letter. Gau didn't understand the usage of periods or commas, so everything always ended in exclamation marks. But that was okay, it was remarkable that he had even learned how to write this much. He took lessons from Terra years ago, but he always stayed on his homeland, the Veldt. He only wrote letters to Relm.

Gau made her so happy. He was the only one who came to her birthday every year which was quite a task. He'd never fly on an airship, making the journey himself. He'd actually swim across the ocean just to get to her island. Every year he'd get her a different flower as his 'special gift', storing it in the 'treasure' he used to breathe underwater. It was always her favorite gift, knowing the work he had to go through just to get it to her.

It was good to hear from him. They wrote letters back and forth all the time. She even invited him to stay with her and Strago, but Gau always went back to the Veldt. He loved the open fields and running with the wild. The Veldt had restored most of its beauty since the Year of Ruin, sprouting a new waterfall that he had named accidentally, "Gau's Waterfall."

She put the letter on the stack of letters that she kept from him and snuggled into the blankets to take a nap. Gau's letter was just what she needed to forget that man out in the fields…