Author's note: Thanks for the reviews, and for bearing with me in taking so long. Please don't kill me, though, it'll be hard to write more if you do. :)

Also, constructive criticism is very, very good. I've changed some edgy stuff in the earlier bits of the story from the helpful review I got from Alex. Sorry, should have said this much, much earlier: Thank you!

If you see something that you think should be polished or changed, please do tell me. That's what reviews are for after all; nobody can improve without comments from the readers. Praise makes me warm and fuzz, of course, but really, constructive comments are highly valued!

Okay, less talkie, more chapie.

Chapter 33, Persuasion

Gogo stared at the wall in the distant light of Kerr's reading lamp. Siren might have thought that he slept, but in reality that was the last thing on his mind.

'No, no. Of course not. Simply insane.'

Turning over he stared at the ceiling instead, his eyes growing thin as a frown took over his forehead. This was the second night he spent like this, twisting and turning the idea that despite his best efforts had formed inside his brain, giving himself only small pauses for sleep until the thought pulled him back into an awakened state with its alluring potential.

'Insane, huh?'

No matter how he tried to reason against it, the possibilities kept lashing back at him like waves upon a beach.

'Past insanity, even.'

The repercussions would certainly not be light, and the risks by far outweighed any so called "possibilities"… which, by decree of all common sense, could never be anything but his own brain ghosts.

'Way past Kerr-insanity.'

Still, if it could be pulled off, if Siren perhaps could help making it work without anyone getting seriously hurt…

'…'

As the sleepless hours floated by, he had watched the thought evolve into a full idea that patiently dug its way into his consciousness until it was too secure to remove. And now, it really wouldn't leave him alone.

'No, no…'

It was far too risky, could only end in disaster. There was no way it could be pulled off. Not with all the people that stood in the way.

'No. Kerr wouldn't be caught dead on that height of idiocy.'

He paused.

'Well, that sounded logical. He'd probably be delighted.'

But just as quickly, logic reared its old, parental head.

'Hardly. Better be reasonable. He's a bit insane, not stupid.'

The idea, of course, would never take this offense lying down however, and launched another attack.

'If we can do this, it will solve several of the biggest problems we're currently facing.'

And cause a barrelful more.

'But how could any of us be safe without risking something?'

Logic hesitated at that. Gogo fully well knew that it would take something exceptional to bring him out of the current situation. That was something that Kerr should know as well.

Noting the opening, the idea aimed for the weakest point of all.

'Just seeing his face at the suggestion will make it worthwhile.'

The mimic raised a hand and rubbed his forehead with two fingers, considering that last thought.

'Well, there're only two things he does in cases like this… either he laughs or threatens to kill me. Wouldn't be anything new.'

And the more Gogo thought about the revelation, the more appealing it seemed. Still, it was almost another half hour of slow tossing a turning under the idea's weight before he threw off the blanket and heaved himself out of the bed. Straightening up he strode towards his brother, who looked up from his reading.

"Not comfortable enough for you?" Kerr said and threw the book on the table.

He turned away slightly as he reached for his glass of wine.

"Kerr," Gogo said, folding his arms, "I have an idea."

"Hmm?" the older brother said in an indifferent tone, lifting the glass to his lips while regarding the mimic only from the corner of his eye.

"I thought that maybe…"

Two seconds later there was wine splattered across half the table and a good part of the carpet beyond it, not to mention the huge stain spreading over the floor from the shattered glass by Kerr's feet. The madman was coughing wildly, clutching his throat with both hands as he fought to clear his lungs of the red liquid.

While he repeatedly slammed his palm into his brother's back, Gogo realized that he should have predicted this and waited until Kerr had swallowed properly before speaking.

To add up, in his mind he could hear Siren spluttering as well.

"Ke-Kef-k-ka!" Kerr rasped between the coughs and somewhat gentle hits, "if you… wa-ant-ed to ki-kill me… why do-don't you… just st-stab me in my sleep!"

'Have you gone mad as well!' Siren screeched from some point above the two of them.

"Fo-for once, I sa-ay listen t-to the stri-striptease dancer!"

Kerr fell backwards in the sofa and thumped against the backrest, sighing heavily to regain his breath. Gogo stood firm under the piercing glare that turned at him after a few more seconds.

"I'm supposed to be the crazy one, midget," Kerr snarled, pointing at his brother to put extra emphasis on the accusation.

"I've been thinking this over for a long time," Gogo said, crossing his arms.

"Oh, really. Then why do you even share it with me and ghost girl?"

Resolutely glaring back at his brother, the mimic sat down on the sofa beside him.

"I know it's insane-"

"My point still stands."

"Shut up and listen to me for once!" Gogo snarled.

Kerr snickered and glanced upwards at the thin air where Siren probably was.

"Listen to him, he's developed an attitude."

"Kerr!"

The lord jumped a bit at the unusually sharp tone of his brother's voice, and looked at his brother with a bit of vague interest. Gogo glared. Eventually, Kerr raised his hands with an overblown shrug and sigh.

"What do you know, my little brother is growing up and developing his own sense of madness," he said, "I'm so proud…"

"Proud enough to lend me an ear for a few minutes?" Gogo said, still in a rather frosty voice.

"Oh, what the hell. I'm sure it'll be something to tell the grandchildren to give them nightmares."

Gogo would have continued at once, but both he and Siren were forced to pause and consider the idea of Kerr having children. Or as Siren put it to herself, spawning.

Shudders were suppressed.

"Anyway," Gogo started again after clearing his throat, "I believe that this is the only way to get us out of this situation with both our reputations somewhat clean."

He allowed Kerr a pause after that, knowing that his elder brother would cut him off if he tried to continue. The lord did not waste the offer.

"We'll be caught within two minutes," Kerr said, cheerful as if talking about his last massacre, "after which we'll be mutilated, crushed and murdered. And then they'll kill us."

'You speak from experience,' Siren said.

"Of course!"

"Are you done?" Gogo asked.

"Do go on, this is actually funny," Kerr said with a huge smirk.

He crossed his arms and watched his little brother expectantly. Inwardly, Gogo was starting to grin himself. Siren, on the other hand, began to bite her nails.

"The thing here is that Gestahl is loosing trust in you," the mimic continued.

'Rightfully in several ways,' Siren muttered.

"… And apart from Clyde and the others that brought me out of the zone eater, I doubt the Returners would trust me either," Gogo finished, ignoring the esper's input.

"Is that so? What dirty little secrets have you kept from them and me?" Kerr said, leering.

He was taking the bait it seemed… Gogo experienced a mix of triumph and dread, still questioning what the hell he was doing. But he was on a roll now, and the idea's own will urged him on. The possibility of freedom shimmered just within sight, and therefore he chose to play along with Kerr's peculiar brand of humor in order to keep his brother hooked.

Giving Kerr a blank look, Gogo made a circular motion with a hand around his own face instead of verbally replying. The older brother leant back with a characteristically hoarse chuckle.

"Ah yes, that. Not much of a secret though, Kef."

"Which is my problem."

"True, true… now, you were saying?"

Gogo wet his lips briefly. If Kerr was only mocking him with false interest, it would soon show.

"We need to get out of this with a bang, to convince at least Gestahl that you never dreamt on letting me go," he said, "the Returners are not as dangerous as him; even if some of them might not trust me, they will surely trust Siren."

'Even when he announced his presence with such a fanfare the other night?' the esper bitterly questioned.

Gogo glanced in her theoretical direction with compassion, hearing the fear in her voice.

"You can blame any association to Kerr on me," he said, "you have done nothing but trying to survive."

"Yes, especially suicide missions," Kerr chimed in, "the espers will tear you to pieces when they get their hairy hands on you."

"They will not!" Gogo snarled.

"Oh shush you, she was just starting to have a nice nervous breakdown. Don't ruin it for me."

The mimic gritted his teeth and turned back to the deadly silent Siren.

"I'm sure your friends will understand," he firmly said, "in either case it's better that you are brought out of here and have a chance to explain yourself, than stay here in silence."

She still did not reply, but he felt that she was listening closely. Furthermore, while Kerr still seemed more amused than convinced, he was getting there quickly.

'I'm going to hell for this…' Gogo thought.

Despite that conviction, the triumph only grew stronger.

'-'

Relm squinted at the horizontal metal circle sticking out from the wall. It was only slightly wider than her palette and placed far above her head. The much younger children around her watched in a rare moment of breathless silence just before Relm raised her hand and begun to bounce the fist-sized ball into the floor. For each bounce she recited one word from the beginning phrase of the nursery riddle connected with the game.

"Pretty pet petal pearls…"

On the final word she sent the ball upwards in a wide arch. She knew that it would score long before the kids cried out in delight for her victory.

"Wished to vent in willow tree!" they shouted, the choir of their voices only somewhat synchronized.

Relm easily caught the ball before even the quickest child had finished the sentence, though she had to skid to a halt rather desperately to avoid the boxes and sacks lining the walls. No room could be completely dedicated to anything, not even a place for children to play a simple game.

"Doodling dogs and daughters…" Relm chanted.

Bounce, bounce, bounce, throw. And… victory!

"Clutter climbing clam came!"

"Three times to the tree-augh!"

"Oh, sorry!" Terra gasped, diving backwards through the door as the ball bounced straight towards her face.

Relm dove for the ball and caught it before it could flee the room, pouting at the half-esper. The game had brought the girl so close to the room's entrance that when Terra entered, she nearly smacked Relm with the door.

The children were not happy at all and let that be known with loud protests.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry," Terra assured them, trying to calm the young mob before her.

But despite her efforts, the pouts remained vicious. There are battles meant to be fought, and battles meant to flee. And right now, Terra felt no greater desire with trying to make peace with the children. Maybe she could make it up to them later…

"Relm, have you seen Locke or Sabin?" she instead asked.

The young artist idly let the ball jump between her hands as she replied.

"Locke should be wherever Celes is and Sabin… aren't they all still asleep?"

Terra shook her head.

"Celes had left when I got back, and the guys also," she said.

"What is it now, did somebody burst into flames?" Relm said.

She used a silly voice which drew giggles from the group of children, but despite the jocular tone Terra saw the exhaust behind it.

"No, not quite that bad," the half blood said, managing a smile, "but there's something we should discuss. Can I borrow you for a second, at least?"

"Nooo!" the kids cried.

Relm looked at them over her shoulder and threw the ball at them.

"Oh stuff it," she said, "here, play with yourselves until I get back."

Terra nearly gagged. Relm met her older friend's stare and smiled with perfect innocence, while behind her the mob of children fell over each other in the hunt for the ball.

"What?" the young girl said.

"Clyde should clean your mouth with soap!" Terra hissed and grabbed Relm's arm.

"I have no idea what you're talking about!"

Terra dragged the small artist out of the children's playground and closed the door behind them.

"You know that if you teach the kids dangerous phrases you'll get in trouble when they innocently start using them around their parents," the half-esper said as soon as the door was tightly shut.

"What are you talking about, Terra?" Relm asked, looking up at the woman with wide eyes.

Terra debated with herself for a moment, but the main task she had set out for this day was stronger than the wish to debate with Relm about her babysitting skills. She sighed.

"Never mind that now," she said, "I wanted to talk about Edgar."

"Ooh, when's the wedding?"

Terra blinked, glaring down at the grinning girl. She was rapidly regretting her decision to bring the matter up with Relm. The original plan had been to find Sabin and Locke first, them being the Returners whom knew Edgar best and therefore should be the easiest to speak with. However, when Relm had been available the half blood had thought to herself that she might as well get one person over with.

"No wedding," she said.

"Aww. Engagement?"

"No!"

"A little embarrassed, are we?"

Relm smirked so wickedly that even Kerr might have been impressed. With the steel hard will forged in countless battles, Terra swallowed her frustration and shook her head.

"Edgar feels like a prisoner in here," she said, "we need to let him come with us in our missions or he'll go crazy."

"He should get in line, there are enough nutcases around here already," Relm said.

She crossed her arms and rocked back and forth on her heels as she continued speaking.

"But hey, why isn't he just coming along then? He's the master of the castle."

Terra shook her head again, hearing her own argument that Edgar himself had shot down earlier.

"He feels that we're voting him out, which might be true," she said.

"He's too nice sometimes, y'know? If he wanted to go outside he could just waltz out and hang anyone who dares to protest in their toenails."

"That would be Gestahl, not Edgar," Terra said, but Relm's way of speaking drew a smile to the half blood's lips.

"Oh, right…"

Relm chuckled and looked up at her friend.

"What's to discuss, anyway?" the girl asked, "Edgar is old enough to decide for himself, isn't he?"

"That's what I thought too, but it seems he doesn't agree."

Terra smiled.

"Thank you, Relm," she said, "I'll look for the others then. And don't teach the kids too many weird phrases, understand?"

"What do you mean, weird? I'm just puzzling words together like everybody else!"

With that, Relm slipped back into the world of playing kids, and closed the door behind her. Terra rolled her eyes, but headed off into the depths of the castle to find her next prey instead of starting to nag on the girl again.