Bored With Nothing To Do

Authors Note: After thinking about it quite a bit, I've decided not to use Quina in this story. He/She doesn't really have much point and Quina would only be a side-character in this story, with no storylines of it's own. I'm sorry to any Quina-fans who may be reading this. If I decide I need her in this I'll tell you, but until further notice – she's out. Dead, Sick, On Holiday – you decide, cuz I don't really care nor mind. Enjoy!

Zidane opened his eyes blearily, adjusting them to the light. When he was fully awake and his eyes could take in the bright light without problem, he sat up and looked around his new room for a clock. When he finally found one it read 11:46. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, just noticing he was fully clothed. It took him a moment before he remembered hearing Dagger singing last night.

Zidane washed himself then went downstairs to find some breakfast. He walked into the dining room and up to one of the chefs.

"Hey, can I have some food?" He said.

The little chef ignored him and continued stacking the plates on the table.

"Hey, I said-"

"Breakfast is over. Lunch will be served at One o'clock." The little chef announced then took the stack of plates and wandered off into the kitchen.

Zidane groaned and rubbed his hungry belly. He tried to get some food from the kitchen but the chef's just shooed him out and hit him with tea-towels. He tried this several times, just managing to get his hand on a chicken-leg when one angry chef hit that hand with a frying pan and shooing him out again. Rubbing his sore hand, Zidane therefore decided it not a good idea to continue trying.

On his way out of the dining room, as he was crossing the main hallway, he saw Freya and another Burmecian.

"Hey Freya, who's your-" He began to say when the Burmecians turned around and faced him. "Lord Fratley?"

"Hello. Do I know you?" Fratley asked, looking puzzled

"Fratley, this is Zidane. You met him; remember? In Cleyra?" Freya said

"Oh, yes. Glad to see your okay. Freya told me about your journeys after that." Fratley said

"I found Fratley again after the defeat of Necron and Kuja when I went to help rebuild Burmecia." Freya explained

"Oh, I see. So he finally got his memory back?" Zidane asked

"No. But I'm helping him."

"So… whatcha doin'?" Zidane asked

"We're quite busy Zidane. We came here to get organise a few more supply shipments from Alexandria to Burmecia. Alexandria rebuilt quickly in those 6 months, as did Lindblum. But Burmecia still has a long way to go, and Cleyra may never be rebuilt." Freya said

"Yeah, I heard… So you can't do anything today? Anything at all?" Zidane asked, disappointed

"Sorry Zidane. You're going to have to go pester someone else." Freya said apologetically and her and Fratley began to move away.

"Hey, do you know if Dagger-" He began

"She's a queen now Zidane. She has Royal duties all morning and most of the afternoon, at least." Freya said, cutting him off, then she and Fratley left Zidane standing in the hallway.

Zidane wandered into the library, hoping to find Garnet in there reading. But he didn't. Instead he found Eiko and Dr. Tot. He approached the pair.

"Hey Eiko." He said when he was close.

She looked up and as soon as she saw Zidane her face lit up.

"Zidane!" She squealed, rushing over to him.

"Hello Master Zidane." Dr. Tot said, turning to face him

"Hey Doc." Zidane replied, then turned to face Eiko. "So… watcha doing today?" He asked

"I've got some lessons with Dr. Tot then I gotta go back home to Lindblum." She said, looking at the floor

"Lindblum?" He asked puzzled

"Didn't I tell ya last night?" Eiko asked, Zidane shook his head. "Regent Cid and Lady Hilda adopted me! So I live with them now, but I still visit Madain Sari when I can. I'd never forget about Mocha and Chimomo and Mo-" Eiko started.

"I can see where this is going. So you're busy too?" Zidane interrupted, sighing as he said the last bit.

"Yup. Sorry." Eiko said.

"Come on now Lady Eiko, we must conitinue with your lesson. Goodbye Master Zidane. Unless you wish to stay?" Dr. Tot asked

"Err… No. It's fine. Really. See ya Doc. See ya Eiko." Zidane said, and left the library before the Doctor forced him to stay.

Zidane leaned against the wall outside of the main entrance and thought what he could do.

Garnet sighed and looked out of the window. It was a bright, sunny afternoon – and she was stuck in here doing Royal duties.

"Steiner, have you seen Zidane this morning?" She asked

"That scoundrel? You'd be better off without him Your Majesty." Steiner answered

Garnet half-rolled her eyes at his response and looked at Beatrix for a decent answer.

"I sent a guard to wake him at Nine o'clock. But Zidane slept through the guards attempts so we just let him be." Beatrix answered. "Shall I go and wake him?"

"No no. It's alright Beatrix. Just let him sleep." Garnet answered sadly.

Life had been quite dull without him after their return to Alexandria, and now he was sleeping through the time they could be spending together. She turned away from the window she found herself staring out of once more and tried to focus on what she was supposed to be doing, but with little success.

One boat ride, a couple pit-stops in town and a short walk later, Zidane arrived at Ruby's Mini-Theatre.

"Hey Rube." Zidane said as he walked down the stairs.

"Oh hey Zidane. You're jus' in time, I gotta performance startin' in five minutes, sit wherevuh you wan' hun." Ruby said and walked off backstage.

"Hey Zidane." Said a voice behind him, and he turned to find the Tantalus boys sitting there.

"Hey guys. Miss me?" He asked, smiling as he pulled up a chair and sat on it backwards like usual.

"Nope." Blank answered

Zidane glared at him from across the table, and Blank began to panic.

"Marcus… Zidane's doing that glare thing again…" Blank said, tapping Marcus repeatedly on the arm, "Marcus…"

"Chill Bro. He wouldn't jump on ya again. Not here. Ruby'd kill him." Marcus said

Blank looked at Marcus for a minute then sighed with relief.

"Yeah, Zidane. Ruby's scaaaaaaaary when she's angry." Blank said, smirking

Zidane shrugged his shoulders and looked away.

"I'll get ya later."

Blank looked around nervously. The Theatre lights dimmed a little and the stage lights were turned on as Ruby walked on stage.

Much later that afternoon, Zidane emerged from Ruby's Mini-Theatre. Zidane stretched his arms out above him and his tail and then walked towards the town square. After finding nothing to do around Alexandria he went back to the Palace.

He looked at a clock and went into the dining room, pleased that it was dinnertime. He walked in and found the others already seated. Garnet's face lit up when he entered and she gestured to a seat on the right of her. She of course sat at the head of the table.

"Zidane, I'm glad you're back for dinner. We noticed you were gone not long before lunch and I was worried." She said as he sat down.

"Yeah, sorry 'bout that. Couldn't find anything to do so I decided to go into town. Went to watch one of Ruby's plays then hung out with the gang." Zidane said apologetically

"It's okay. If you want to go out and see your friends you can. I just missed you when we didn't know where you were. I was afraid-"

"-That I'd run off without saying anything. I wouldn't do that Dagger." Zidane said, finishing her sentence.

Garnet nodded and watched the food being served. Dinner that evening was Roast Chicken with all the usual potatoes and vegetables.

"Zidane, do you want something to do tomorrow? Because I have an idea…" Garnet said as the little chefs ran around serving the meal.

Zidane eyed her carefully.

"Depends… If I have to work with Rusty around the castle then forget it."

Garnet laughed

"No, nothing like that. It's just that…" She began to say, then stopped

"C'mon Dagger. You can tell me. What is it?"

She looked up from her plate and into his eyes.

"Well…."

Sorry, but you're gonna have to wait until next time to find out what Dagger's idea is! Tee hee. Sorry. Please review! Good or bad, I don't care! I don't mind bad ones because I accept constructive criticism, and good ones make me smile. Reviewers…. On your marks… get set…. REVIEW!