Author recommendation: Read Terra in order to fill the gaps mentioned in this first section.
..: Part II :..
8: A Remembered Opera
"Yo! Setzer!"
Setzer finished slipping into his uniform jacket as he turned toward the voice. Sabin approached, apparently on his way to the café there in Kohlingen. Setzer adjusted the jacket and the sleeves of his shirt within. "What is it, Sabin?" he asked with a smirk. "If you want help with your plot to get the opposites to attract, count me out. He's your brother."
Sabin laughed and came to stand by Setzer on the little bridge near the café. "The day I can't handle Edgar is the day I beat you at cards."
Setzer's smirk evolved to a grimace. With as distracted as I am here? "Then what is it?"
"Saw you leaving. Where you headed?"
Setzer made sure his things were in the proper places. "Unfinished business," he said absently.
"You too? Well, take it easy." Sabin sent the gambler a farewell salute before resuming his trek to the café.
Setzer continued out of town to the Falcon. He had hoped to find trace or hint of Marée in Zozo when they'd arrived there with Terra in search of her children, but Lady Luck had been in a foul mood. She hadn't given him the time he needed before whisking him off to Jidoor. It had been there the itch to find something had settled deep. There that Lady Luck had made him notice the machinery from Figaro, the books from Thamasa, and the general stench of those people that called Zozo home. All of which, to him, totaled one thing: Marée.
Now Terra was on the road to recovery. The surgery removing the Empire built mind-control equipment had been a success. The man responsible – Ledo Grikea – was now dead, and Setzer felt the push to move on. So that's what he planned on doing. Lady Luck, I've been patient with you and your sisters the Fates. Now I want something in return. Even if he had to make his own Luck.
Setzer pushed forward on the throttle and steered the Falcon toward Jidoor. Marée would be mad enough to spit fire when she found out that her unknown cargo was suspected in the manipulation of Terra. Setzer had a feeling Marée felt the same desire to protect Terra from the evils of the world as the rest of them. Terra wasn't a Lander in the normal sense of the word. The young woman had lived a rough life while making the best of it. Marée would respect that, as he did. She would also have come to love Terra's devotion to friends. Loyalty was a sought after commodity in the seaman's life.
Setzer smiled, but it was more smirk than anything. I wonder if this loyalty follows her to her heart? Her thirst and hunger for adventure had likely led her to many a man and many a 'distraction'. When she got her fill of him, Setzer would probably find himself cast to the wayside the same as the others. The expectation satiated, she'd move along.
Setzer released a deep breath. Memories would be enough. Hadn't he said as much at their meeting in Kohlingen? She was married: to the sea. He was simply an amusement, and he knew that to be true. Wasn't she the same for him? A key to a rush of blood and emotion that he hadn't had since the adrenaline of Kefka's Tower. They were using each other. They knew it. They expected it. They were waiting for the end of the… allure.
Setzer guided the Falcon a safe distance past Jidoor and anchored it. Expectation had been replaced by dread and the resignation of a too-soon ending. Ah well. Each hand must end. Whether I'm the loser or the winner is all in the way the game is played. Setzer followed the statement with a smirk and a nod to the rear guards before leaving the Falcon.
Jidoor bustled with activity as people, dismantled those rooms of technology used to destroy innocence. Instead, the machinery would be put to a different use. To the use of life and living. Setzer nodded several greetings to the people hurrying past. Their excitement would likely irritate Marée due to the fact her life differed so much from theirs.
Setzer saw beyond that. Marée understood the life of a Lander, even though she'd deny it. She understood it because he knew that at one time everyone's life had been as simple. Fate and Luck had just molded Marée and Setzer according to a different set of rules and expectations.
Setzer retrieved his newest deck of cards from his jacket pocket and absently shuffled them. He hadn't yet flipped the top card. He hadn't yet asked Lady Luck for a hint. He had decided to keep a little back from them. One side of his lips twitched, and he raised his eyes from the deck. The auctioneer approached with a purposeful stride.
Setzer tucked the deck back away and retrieved his not-so-charmed dice. He clicked them together in a circle at a steady pace. "What can I do for you?"
"You're the one with the airship, right?"
The dice paused. "Yes."
"Would you be willing to take a shipment to the Opera House Impresario? I'll pay you 500 gil now, and he'll pay another 1,500 when you arrive and drop off the shipment."
"And what is this shipment?"
"Some of the machinery from that madman's contraption. We've no use for it, but the Impresario seems to think he can make something of it. Probably hired that crazy inventor again."
"Cid?" Setzer's eyes twinkled with memories of the Vector engineer.
"That's the one." The auctioneer scoffed moments before presenting Setzer with a bag of gil that sounded a little more than 500 gil. "Here. I'll get the loading started."
The auctioneer gave a curt nod and then made his way back. Setzer moved his silver eyes back to the bag of gil with a raised eyebrow. The Opera House had once been a frequent jaunt for him and his original airship. He smiled and tucked the gil safely away as he absently clicked the dice in his other hand. An interesting turn, though not an unpleasant one. Maria had been a consuming distraction at one time. Seeing her and hearing her lovely voice would be a welcome visit to the past.
And a needed distraction from aquamarine eyes.
» § «
Setzer stepped within the well-lit entry hall of the Opera House and smiled. The orchestra practiced for that evening's performance. According to the sign on the front desk, the performance had sold out. Setzer chuckled and stepped further in, wishing Marée was with him so he could tell her the humorous tales of adventure in the arms of the lovely and cultured Maria.
"Mr. Gabbiani," the Impresario greeted with a wide smile. "How are you?"
Ridding the man of an earth dragon and a crazy octopus had put him in surprisingly good spirits toward Setzer, the infamous 'Wandering Gambler' who'd tried to abscond with his star performer. "Quite well, Impresario. Thank you. And you?"
"Glorious. Glorious. You're too kind."
Setzer motioned over his shoulder. "I believe I have some items in the hold of my ship that you were wanting."
The Impresario clapped his hands together once in delight. "Ah! Glorious."
"You have men available to unload?"
"Of course. Of course."
Setzer gave a nod. "Good. I believe my visit is overdue." He turned to his right and ascended the stairs leading to Maria's dressing room.
"M-Mr. Gabbiani!" The Impresario rushed after him. "Y-You mustn't disturb her so few hours before a performance. It's opening night of the new show!"
Setzer chuckled. "Don't you worry, Impresario. I'll do my best to keep from tiring her out."
"Oh d-dear. Oh d-dear…" he complained as Setzer knocked and entered.
Maria's tall and slender frame stood in front of the mirror as she minutely examined her appearance. Long, shining blonde tresses pulled back from her delicate face. Full lips colored to perfection. Silky skin of chest and arms perfected by the rich blue of the robe she wore before changing into her costume.
Setzer's eyes twinkled with his smile and the vision of memories he saw as he crossed his arms. "Maria, you steal my breath."
Maria's pale eyes focused on his in the mirror. Her cheeks flushed, and she turned. "Setzer?"
He bowed. "The very same." He straightened to again absorb her cultured and elegant loveliness. "Success agrees with you heartily, my dear."
Maria smoothed her robe with trembling fingers and a hesitant smile. "Thank you." She slowly lifted her eyes to his face. "You're looking well. The wandering of your heart has kept you as fascinating as ever."
Setzer chuckled and stepped further into the room. "While I thank you for the compliment, I feel I must confess my wandering has more of a purpose now than it did before. I'm afraid I've become a hero of one of your operas."
The music of her laughter danced in the air and tickled his ears. "You make that end sound as the doom to your existence." Maria stepped closer as she held his gaze, the seductively soft 'swish' of her satin bloomers enhancing her femininity. "The end to purposeless wandering hasn't been a curse, has it?"
Setzer released a chuckle. "A curse? No. An unexpected end to the hand I held? Yes."
Maria took hold of his hands to hold him out at arms length. Her pale eyes compared his current physique to that of her memory. Finally, her eyes again met his and her lips were caressed with a delicate smile. "And what has brought the Wandering Gambler to my room on opening night?"
"A shipment of goods from Jidoor, I'm sorry to say." He tightened his hold on her soft hands and leaned forward to bestow a tender kiss on each cheek. When he pulled back, there was an odd expression on his face.
"Why, Setzer," she said in her gentle voice, "what's wrong?"
Setzer forced it away and released her hands. "Nothing, my dear. Nothing." He cleared his throat and directed her to sit. She did so with a graceful motion of body and arm that had him momentarily hypnotized. He'd forgotten the allurement of her grace and culture. Of her delicacy and dependence. Such an extreme difference from Marée.
Setzer leaned on the desk/vanity across from her as he tightly crossed his arms. "I've but only a few moments before I must be off again, Maria."
"And you came to spend them with me?" Her pale eyes twinkled with her smile. "I'm honored."
Setzer laughed. "Our history together deserved the visit, my dear. I am only sorry I haven't visited more often. We had such fun together."
Maria lowered her eyes to her clasped hands. "My life within the Opera House hasn't the alluring color of unexpected adventure, Setzer. I knew you would leave. I'm thankful of the memories I have."
Setzer's smile vanished at her statement. It reminded him clearly of his comment to Marée in Kohlingen. "Maria." She raised her eyes very slowly. Sadness shined there. Setzer released a slow and deep breath as guilt dealt none-too-gently with him. "Maria, I am so sorry. It was never my intention to hurt you."
Maria lowered her eyes again, twisting the belt of her robe between her fingers.
Setzer straightened and made his way to sit beside her. He took her hands. "Maria, we were not meant to be together. If we had been, you would have been taken aboard my ship that day and not General Celes." A tear collected itself in her eye and broke free to glisten on her cheek. He fondly touched it away before bringing each hand to his lips. "You, dear lady, will forever be on the pedestal of my memories."
Maria's pale blue eyes rose from their scrutiny of their clasped hands to meet his eyes of silver. "I never wanted to be on a pedestal, Setzer," she confessed in a musical tone of tears and dramatic misery. "I wanted to be with you. I wanted to be your song, and I wanted you to be mine." Maria's hands tightened as her eyes searched his. "Remember? Remember how we were together? It was a complete symphony. An opera of passion and love."
Setzer did remember. He remembered waking from a night of passion to the sound and song of her. He remembered the fire that would burn when she came to him at the end of a perfect performance. And still she would sing, beckoning his soul from him with her power of tone and word as easily as Marée had done with the intensity of her free spirit. Yes, Setzer did remember.
"What do you want me to be?" Maria asked, almost desperate. "I've played so many roles, Setzer." Her soft and warm hands released his to cup his face, teasing his cheeks and jaw with their gentle caress. "Tell me which you would want me to be. The commoner that gives her life for the safety of her true hero? The mermaid, so innocent yet determined to give all for love? The woman pirate so assured and--"
Setzer stood sharply with the memory of 'virgin mermaid' exclamations and captain uniforms. He stepped away from her until an end table blocked his path with a clink and clunk. He steadied the table and himself with a hand behind him. Marée... He closed his eyes and lowered his head. "No, Maria. You should never change who you are. This is what attracted my attention that first fateful day."
There was a rustle and then the slight scent of flowers. Her warmth approached and surrounded him, bringing again the memories of life with her. It had been good. Her songs. Her warmth-- Setzer tensed when her hand took his, her other caressing his cheek.
"I still love you, Setzer. I am too much a heroine to not. And as a heroine does, I will wait for you. The memories will be enough until then." She pressed her rose petal lips against his cheek for a long moment, and then she gently squeezed his hand before releasing it and moving away, disappearing into a back room to change for her performance.
Setzer slowly opened his eyes, fighting back the urge to follow and renew the memories. That part of his life had gone… Wasn't it?
» § «
Setzer absently tapped the top card of his yet unused deck of cards as he clicked the dice together in his other hand. Glancing up from his desk, his eyes met those of Marée's within her portrait. The dare shone still as bright as the flame her touch brought to his skin. Yet it was different. It held a dare to choose any woman but her. A dare to try and find her spark of life in a cultured beauty who sang of unlived dramas of life.
That presence of a continued passion for Maria surprised him.
Setzer's mind sputtered and stopped. He lowered his gaze back to the cards as he halted the tapping of his fingers. He picked up the topmost card and stared at the back, intensely scrutinizing the Esper design - Bahamut, he believed - as he tried to decide a path. Both held the promise of passion and intensity. Both held the promise of newness and adventure. Both women moved him.
Setzer tossed the card away and leaned roughly back in his chair, kicking his feet up on the desk. He rubbed at his forehead as he released a deep and quick breath. Maria had said she would wait. So why couldn't he have his adventure with Marée? Then, when his quality of distraction and amusement faded… Setzer scoffed and chucked his dice across the room. Am I a letch? An abuser of women? I am a gambler, yes, but not with the hearts of sensitive creatures such as Maria!
"Bah!" A knock sounded. "Enter!"
The Impresario did, surrounded by an air of uncertainty. "Mr. Gabbiani. Thank you again for the shipment." He set a large bag of gil on the table. "And thank you also for your visit. Maria has never before sang with such… passion."
Setzer nearly groaned. Instead, he stood and motioned back the way the Impresario had come. "I'm glad I could have such a positive influence, Impresario." He closed the door to his office and led the man through the main room and to the exit.
"As long as you promise not to steal her away, you must visit again. I could reserve a box for you and a guest."
Setzer fought back the urge to accept. "If my schedule brings me this way, I thank you for the invitation. Good night, Impresario."
"Good night, Mr. Gabbiani."
Setzer shut the door with a frown. Then he strode back through the main room to the flight deck. Once at the wheel, he clutched it and pushed the throttle forward. The engine whined, driving the Falcon into the wind in an attempt to appease her pilot. The wind was a double curse, though. It reminded him of both women. The wind in his hair evoking visions of Marée as the sound of the musical hum in his ears tortured him with thoughts of Maria. Two women. Two different lives. One passion. Enough to drive him mad.
Setzer dove the Falcon down, down, down until she skimmed the water of the sea, wetting his face, hair, and uniform with spray. Then he pulled up hard to soar with a wyvern, chasing and torturing it as the memories and ecstasies tortured him. Captain. Songstress. Command. Delicacy. Intensity in each. Setzer clenched his jaw, abandoning the wyvern to a need for speed as he coaxed every morsel of energy from the Falcon's engines. She gave it, doing her best to soothe his heart and quiet his soul.
As usual, the Falcon succeeded.
Setzer eased back on the throttle and caressed a spoke of the wheel. "I'm sorry, love. I'm in a bit of a mood tonight."
He sighed with a shake of his head as he leaned into the wind. I'm sorry, Maria… She resided in his past. It had been a pleasant one, but it was still the past. He had long ago promised not to look back, but always to the future. To the next adventure. To the next turn of the card…
Setzer anchored the Falcon and went below, entering his office with a purposeful step as he made way to his desk. He took up the cards and stared down at them, gauging his intent and what it could mean. Finally, he shuffled them and took the top card. But Setzer couldn't turn it. He couldn't let the card decide his future. Not this one. He lowered the card to the deck and purposefully placed the deck on his desk.
"No. Not this time."
Setzer turned and left the room.
