Chapter 02: Familiar Faces

Aladdin was not expecting to see Jasmine on the shoreline early that morning as he walked out of the inn. She wore a bright blue sundress with sheer sleeves, her long hair braided back as she sat on the sands, watching the sunrise.

"Good morning. You look beautiful today, Jasmine," he said, taking a seat beside her.

"Thank you. Were you able to sleep last night?"

Aladdin shrugged. "Well enough. Would've hated to miss this sunrise. Looks even more beautiful than from behind the windows in our rooms." The breeze stirred the edges of Aladdin's brow, his hair blowing back from his face. Jasmine reached a hand up to smooth some of his hair back into place, part automatic and part affectionate gesture as Aladdin shifted closer to her.

"So what's the plan for today? Are we going to see how everyone's doing?" she asked as she leaned against his shoulder, one of her arms looping around his waist.

"I'd like that, especially since we should check in to see how they've been holding up. Though we can take our time in whatever we decide. Not like we're in a rush."

"Aww, you two morning lovebirds are cozying up already, aren't you?" The familiar voice slightly startled Aladdin from behind them. But upon looking over his shoulder to see Genie on a beach blanket while batting his eyelashes at them from underneath an umbrella, Aladdin relaxed. He smiled sheepishly at Genie.

Jasmine laughed at their expressions. "Good morning to you too. Did you sleep well, Genie?"

Genie reached his arms over his head. "The lamp gave me a few cramps in my back on the way here, but finding a proper bed in Tani's Inn? Muuuch better."

"I think Carpet was the only one of us who decided to sleep in this morning. Makes sense since he flew a good distance." Aladdin said. "Though between you, me, and Jasmine, I haven't seen Iago or Abu yet. They were already gone when I woke up."

Genie waived a dismissive hand. "Come on, Al. It should be obvious where those two went. They wouldn't get up this early without an incentive."

Aladdin thought a moment, then groaned when he realized the obvious. "Of course, they're already at the inn for breakfast. Maybe we should make our way over there, get some food while it's still hot."

"I think Tani wouldn't hesitate to make us anything custom made, even if the supplies ran out, kiddo." Genie stood to his feet, brushing off his vacation shorts - decorated with bright pink flowers over a yellow background. "And if she runs out, it's nothing a little *Genie magic* couldn't handle."

Aladdin stood, holding out his hands to help Jasmine to her feet. "Well then, it's a plan. Let's eat."

Tani polished a few dishes from behind the counter when Genie, Jasmine, and Aladdin came walking in the diner. She smiled as she saw many of the customers greet them at the door, clustering around the group like they were celebrities. She knew it was true hero's welcome for the group from Agrabah. She remembered the first time they came to Gloloria, though the time felt much longer. She'd given them a place to stay during the reign of the Deathseeker, told them of the curse and havoc it wrecked on their town at the time. She told them of the son she thought she lost (Ezele) and the one she struggled to keep ahold of (Arzin). Seeing Aladdin and Jasmine - considering they were younger than her sons - made it feel like more of her children had come home.

When it looked like the greetings were wearing out the two royal members, Tani knew she needed to step in. "Okay, okay! Break it up, everyone. Let the Princess and Prince of Agrabah get their share of a homecooked meal. Poor things are probably starving after their long journey last night. I should know, I was the one who greeted them after Miza did." The elder woman's smile was radiant, growing as Aladdin and Jasmine took a seat at the counter. "You're welcome to have anything on the menu that you'd like. Your meals are on me this morning."

"Oh, Tani," Jasmine said. "You really don't have to do that."

"Not a problem at all, your highness. You're our guests after all. And I didn't hear any protests from your friends over there." She pointed to a table directly behind them, where Iago and Abu were cleaning their plates piled with food. "They're on the house as well. But I have a feeling they're almost done. I wanted to make sure they were well taken care of."

Aladdin winced. "I'm surprised they didn't clean out your kitchen from the amount of food they're eating. That's more than they usually have at the Palace at one time."

Tani laughed. "I'm always happy to make more. Gives me more practice in the kitchen." She looked over her shoulder, calling out to her granddaughter in the kitchen. "Miza, make sure you finish up washing that next set of dishes. We'll need more for our guests."

"Yes, Ma-Tani!" Miza called from beyond the doorway. Aladdin couldn't see her, but Tani saw the smile that crossed the Prince's face at the girl's voice. He met Tani's eyes at that moment, turning his warmth towards her.

"Guess all of you have been busy since the last time we were here. Gloloria looks amazing - you've really done a great job with it," he said.

Tani allowed Jasmine and Aladdin to make their requests and serve their food before she answered. "It was a team effort. We pitched together and not only rebuilt the huts, but also accomodations for travelers. It's the first time we haven't been worried about what would pop out of the sea. We haven't quite finished renovating the lighthouse, as Yirya mentioned in her last message. Area's a little unstable, so we're taking our time with it."

"What about your place? Was it rebuilt after the Deathseeker destroyed it?" Aladdin had so much concern in his voice that Tani felt the guilt coming from him in waves. During their final encounter with the Deathseeker, when all the villagers pitched together with Aladdin and his friends, Tani's home had been destroyed. Tani had been hurt by falling debris, but her son Ezele had helped her move further inland for safety. After Aladdin and his group left town, Tani stayed with Ezele and his family until her home could be rebuilt.

She nodded to Aladdin, reassuring him. "It's as good as new. I moved back into it a while ago. You'd be surprised what the effort of a village can be once they come together. I know that it would have gone much faster if you all had been able to stick around, especially with Genie. You helped us so much before you left that we were able to make quick work of things. Still, I told Ezele that since we have an inn now, I don't need all the space I used to have to take in travelers like I did with you. But if you ever want to come stay with me again, even to chat, you're always welcome."

"How are Yirya and Ezele doing?" Jasmine asked.

Tani was happy to give an update on her son and his wife. "Yirya is doing much better. It's hard coming out of a long sleep, especially the spell the Deathseeker cast on her. But I can tell you she's much happier knowing that her husband and daughter are with her again. Ezele is adjusting alongside her, making his own way after being trapped in the Deathseeker's lair for five years. There are times I know it's hard on both of them, but caring for each other and Miza keeps them afloat." Tani felt tears welling to her eyes, but she blinked them away quickly, not wanting to worry her guests. "I'm just happy to see my family alive and well. I include Arzin in that too, always."

Jasmine's brow furrowed at Tani's latter point, her voice giving away her concern as Tani mentioned her other son. "I was just about to ask. I know Arzin's gone through so much after...well, everything last time."

"You're welcome to ask him yourself, if you want." Tani nodded her head in the direction of the far corner of the diner. At a table near the back window, away from the boisterous crowd of people chatting with Genie and watching Abu and Iago gobble down more food, sat Arzin. The shoulder-length, curly haired man looked out the window, his beard trimmed down from the last time Aladdin and Jasmine saw him. He was alone at his table, his food plate only partially touched. "I keep encouraging him to be more social, but even in a place like this, he keeps to himself. No one bothers him. He's more like the son I used to know, but..." Tani trailed off, not sure how to speak on Arzin's behalf. She knew her son carried the weight of what he'd done under the partial influence of the Deathseeker.

Aladdin took a long, shaky breath, still taking a few bites of his meal. "If it's okay with you two, I'll go talk to him after I finish up here." He paused, taking a tentative bite of his meal. He seemed reluctant to ask his next question. "Do you think he'd want to talk to me?"

Tani nodded. "I don't think he'd push you away. I know that you two have had some rough clashes. I underspeak it saying so. But being the mother that I am, I know Arzin feels guilty over what he did to you. To all of you."

"I don't have any hard feelings about it," Aladdin said honestly. "The Deathseeker manipulated him, but Arzin saved my life after we destroyed it. If he hadn't come to rescue me when he did, I don't know what would have happened."

Jasmine couldn't hide her concern as she saw Aladdin's serious expression. He appeared to be remembering the night he'd nearly been killed by the Deathseeker. Arzin had seen Aladdin fall to the ocean after he and Carpet had been struck by the Deathseeker's lightning power. Arzin had ran to save him. But he only barely managed to get them both to shore before collapsing from a serious head injury. In the end, Aladdin and Arzin both were clinging to life for a time before they recovered.

Aladdin broke the silence of the moment, looking between Jasmine and Tani both to reassure them. "I'm glad it all worked out."

"Me too." Tani said. "And of course you can talk to him. I'm not stopping you. If anything, I think it'll be good for the two of you."

Jasmine reached out her hand to clasp Aladdin's beneath the counter, squeezing it reassuringly. "I'm for it too. Who knows, he might've warmed up to you since the time we've been gone."

Tani chuckled. "I don't think that optimistically, Princess. Arzin's never been one to be warm to anyone. The only person I can think of that's closest is Miza. She's his niece after all, and he raised her in the years that Ezele was trapped and thought dead. But, well, you know."

Aladdin shrugged, rising from his seat once he finished his meal. "Guess there's only one way to find out. Be right back."

Tani and Jasmine watched as Aladdin moved through the crowd. The elder woman sighed heavily, knowing Aladdin wouldn't hear her next words, but Jasmine would. "You married a brave young man, your highness. He's far more gracious about Arzin's past actions than I would have been, had I not been Arzin's mother."

Jasmine smiled a little, turning to face Tani directly. "Aladdin's always been like that. And he hasn't changed at all since I've married him. He's been called a 'diamond in the rough' before. I think he's more than that - he really tries to help everyone he can and wishes the best for them. I just hope for more moments where Aladdin doesn't overdo it. For his sake more than mine."

Aladdin was only a short distance away from Arzin's table when the man spoke to him. Surprisingly, Arzin hadn't turned his head to face the prince at all, continuing to stare out the window.

"Looks like you've returned. Surprised you came back."

Oh boy, this is going to be a fun conversation, Aladdin thought with a grimace. He hoped he wasn't wearing his emotions on his expression, though Arzin wasn't looking directly at him. He kept his voice as even as he could manage. "Well, we promised we would. It's good to see you, Arzin." Arzin didn't respond to that so Aladdin thought he'd try to push more to further the dialogue. "Do you mind if I sit here?" he asked, gesturing to the empty seat across from Arzin.

"It's not taken by anyone else here that you see, right?"

Yeah, Jasmine definitely didn't call this "fun" conversation accurately, Aladdin thought, a feeling of awkwardness running through him to his bones. But he was surprised when Arzin finally turned to look up at him, then motioned his head to the side to indicate Aladdin could sit. The prince obliged.

Aladdin took a moment to collect his thoughts, wondering where he should start without getting more of Arzin's cool rebuffs. He decided to start simple. "How have you been?"

"Well enough," Arzin said. "The area's known more peace in the last several months than it has in generations. That speaks in itself. We've been more busy. More resources means more travelers, more travelers mean even more resources. It's the longest Gloloria's thrived in a while."

"Really glad to hear that," Aladdin said honestly, though Arzin notably dodged answering the question about himself directly. "Miza doing okay too?" Aladdin figured that was a lighter, question Arzin could answer.

Arzin nodded, tension leaving his shoulders a little. "She's doing well. I've always said that she's a resilient girl. She's been that way before and after the Deathseeker's demise. I think she's much calmer since the sea demon's been gone, though. More carefree. Our mother has her working the kitchen for a small allowance these days. She stays with Ezele and Yirya now, as you may know. They are her parents, fitting that she returned to them. But she comes by to say hello from time to time. She's getting better at cooking her own meals."

"Does she share them with you?"

The barest hint of a smile crept up on Arzin's face, but he was quick to move his hand over his mouth as if he were thinking. He spoke from beneath his hand, not looking directly at Aladdin as he spoke, eyes returning to look out the window. "She does sometimes. I told her she still has a way to go to reach the level of Tani's expertise. But she only answered me saying 'Well that gives me something to work to, Uncle Arzin. Just you wait.'"

Aladdin laughed. "That sounds like her."

"Her spirit doesn't waiver, for sure. Not even around someone like me."

"Arzin..." Aladdin wasn't sure what to say to that.

Arzin finally returned Aladdin's gaze at that moment, his brow furrowed. It was a long moment before he spoke again, with a heavy groan rumbling from his chest. "I don't need your pity, Aladdin. You know as well as I do the truth of things. That there's no penance to be had for what I've said and done."

"You were under the Deathseeker's influence. It wasn't your fault."

That seemed to be the wrong thing to say, as Arzin's eyes grew colder. "Don't absolve me of my sins. You have no authority to do so. I bear the weight of them every single cursed day. You may be Mr. All-Well-and-Good when it comes to matters of previous contention, your highness, but those of us who don't live in the clouds know differently. I prefer to live with the reality." The way that Arzin put emphasis on the words "your highness" had an edge that Aladdin recognized all too well. Arzin wasn't using the honorific as intended, but as a means to mock.

"You're assuming I don't know that reality. That I don't think about it. There you are, putting words in my mouth again," Aladdin said, feeling his own stubborn anger creep to the surface. "Don't think I need to remind you that I grew up on the streets of Agrabah. I wasn't born a prince. I know what it's like to come from nothing."

To his surprise, Arzin didn't argue that, not like he had in times before. "You may know what it's like to come from it, but do you truly recall those burdens now that your life is more fortunate? Or does your happiness blind you to what has been?"

Aladdin was struck by how direct (and accurate) Arzin's words were. Even more, Arzin appeared to be paying more attention to him. Almost in a way that was unsettling.

"I...no. I don't forget. I've said this before and I'll say it again. I remember where I came from and the things that hurt me along the way." Aladdin took a shaky breath, thinking about what his next words would be before he said them. He wanted to let Arzin know he was thinking about his questions seriously. "I know a lot of street rats where what happened to them hardened their hearts to the point where all they saw was pain. Pain from what they didn't have or what others put them through. Some fell under the weight of it, some wanted to give it back to others ten times more, as retribution."

When Aladdin stopped speaking, he saw Arzin nod to him. "Seems you have more to say. Go on."

Aladdin took another breath before continuing. "But that's never been me. Even with everything I've been through, I've always tried to use that as a catalyst to move towards something better. To create a place where people wouldn't have it as hard as I had. Even if I was down to my last loaf of bread, if I saw someone needed it more than me, I'd give it to them and go hungry a little longer. Then I'd use that hunger to find some other means to survive. I just kept going. There have been a few times when I stopped, but then the people around me - my friends especially - kept me from falling. For that I'm grateful, not just for them lifting the weight, but recognizing that it's there and not going anywhere. Arzin, you say I don't remember, but I always carry those things with me. It's not any more or less, it's just... carried differently."

"Hmm." Arzin didn't have any committing words as he stood from his chair, dropping a few coins to pay as tip for his meal. Aladdin wondered briefly if Miza would be the one to collect them. "Then I think it's simple enough to say that we see things differently, in your words."

"Arzin, I think..."

"I don't need to hear it, your highness." Arzin wasn't being disrespectful this time, the honorific sounding more tired than mocking. "No platitudes you speak will erase what I've done. Let me be clear - what I did to you and yours was wrong. But I'm not seeking your forgiveness. Never asked for it."

"Didn't say you were," Aladdin said, looking up at Arzin and meeting his gaze with a firm one of his own. "But I wasn't saying you should seek my forgiveness. Nor anyone else's."

"Then what are you saying?" Arzin tried to hide the surprise in his voice with a rough tongue, which almost came out as a growl.

Aladdin's words were quiet in comparison. "I think you need to forgive yourself first. I know I had to."

The silence between them was palpable, even among the noisy dining area. Arzin shook his head, appearing unwilling to follow Aladdin's words with anything else. "Enjoy your stay in Gloloria, Prince of Agrabah. Extend that message to the Princess as well." He turned and walked away, leaving Aladdin sitting at the empty table. Some of the diner patrons moved aside as they saw Arzin approach and leave.

"I bet that went well," Iago said, approaching Aladdin as he used his wing to rub a protruding belly. He stood on the table's surface as Aladdin didn't meet the bird's eyes, seemingly lost in thought. "Look at you trying to be social with the guy who tried to kill you a few rounds last time. I didn't hear everything, but at least he was nice this time 'round. As nice as a guy like that can be. Trust me, I used to be a bad guy, I know."

Abu approached cautiously to the surface of the table, glaring at Iago even while moving with his own filled belly. But he turned his concern to his friend more. "Aladdin okay?"

It was Aladdin's turn not to meet anyone's eyes, staring out the window as he did so. His thoughts were focused as he saw Arzin walk away from the diner towards his own home. Arzin can't get out of the darkness he's in unless he's willing to try. I can't do anything to help him, no matter how much I want to. I hope he's able to get there eventually, though.

Unlike Arzin, as his thoughts cleared, Aladdin didn't ignore the question. "I will be, Abu. Eventually."

Remi frowned as he worked the archival stacks in his usual workplace that afternoon. He'd been in the process of converting several scrolls to books thanks to more resources that were gifted to Gloloria from Agrabah (something that made Remi extraordinarily happy). But he realized one of the vital scrolls was missing.

"That's strange," he said to himself. "Pretty sure I would have known if I moved something like that or loaned it. It's not even a scroll that's loanable - Ezele said it should be kept here since it's the only true duplicate of the mystical cures Saztou wrote long ago. Where could it be?"

Remi recalled the history of the sorcerer Saztou, a tragic one that Aladdin and his friends had uncovered during their previous visit to Gloloria. Aladdin had a vision of a captured sorcerer left to drown in the underbelly of the town's damaged lighthouse. Back then, the Deathseeker realized Saztou was leading a battle to betray the former sky god. Saztou had been a prominent member and influence on the mystic medicines - and records of various magic maladies - since the town was founded. Remi made certain to keep those records intact after Aladdin had discovered - and told Remi of - the former sorcerer's role in working to defeat the Deathseeker.

However, the tragedy was that Remi had not heard of Saztou at all before the mention. The sorcerer been among the city's many recorded missing members after the Deathseeker's attacks. It was Aladdin and his group finding the sorcerer's remains and amulet that compelled Remi to update the archive and the memorial.

How sad is it that generations went by and no one knew you died, despite how much you contributed in life, Remi thought as he shook his head. I still don't get it. Saztou deserved better than that.

It made Remi's task of finding the missing scroll all the more important, now that he knew it wasn't anywhere immediate to be found. But just as soon as he made a motion to search for it, he heard someone take a long, deep breath behind him, as if preparing to blow out a series of candles. Remi turned, only to get a face full of dark, cloudy magic, making him cough furiously.

Remi was so out of breath that he fell to the floor, his glasses falling off his face and spinning a distance away.

A pair of dark green slender legs moved in front of Remi's vision. Remi could barely keep himself awake as he realized that the smoke wasn't just making him not able to breathe, but lulling him into a forced sleep. He'd walked into a trap.

"Do forgive me on this very pleasant afternoon," a sinister voice said while standing over the archivist. "My name is Aziz, though it's unfortunate you won't remember it when you wake up. My magic mist is not only capable of stealing one's breath away, but also an effective sleep agent. I needed the perfect opportunity to borrow one of your most precious texts, you see. It's a vital part of my plan for Gloloria's future and having vengeance against my greatest enemy. Don't worry, I'll return it when I'm done." Aziz laughed hysterically, walking away from where Remi lay while intentionally crushing Remi's glasses under his foot.

"You...monster." Remi managed just before his already hazy vision blurred to darkness. He didn't realize how accurate he was.