The small boy paced back and forth in front of the stateroom door, snarling and yelping like a wild animal. Edgar held a torn strip of leathery meat in front of him as he approached, his left hand making what he hoped were calming gestures toward the tawny-haired youth. "Easy there, Gau," he said, struggling to keep his voice level and calm as the young man snarled at him.
"I don't mean anyone any harm; I just want to speak to the Lady is all, OK?"
The feral child paused and stared at the approaching king, his head cocked to one side. "Talk?" he grated out, his voice struggling to pronounce the word without making into an animal sound. "Sandyhead wants to talk to nice lady?"
Edgar grinned slightly and nodded as he neared Gau, gesturing to the boy with the dried meat, "Yeah, that's all I want to do, Gau. Just talk to her, OK?"
The wild-haired boy paused for a moment, considering the proposition. Tentatively, he reached out and took the strip of meat from Edgar's hand. The young king stepped forward and reached for the stateroom door, opening it slightly before Gau's teeth were clamped around his wrist. Leaping back and cursing, Edgar looked at Gau angrily, his left hand covering the tiny puncture marks on his wrist. "What did you do that for? I thought we had a deal?"
Making a sound halfway between a snarl and a laugh, Gau shook his head as he resumed his pacing. "No! No deal with Sandyhead. Sandyhead give Gau food and then think Gau let him go hurt nice lady again? Gau not stupid; Gau just hungry."

Glaring at the young boy and muttering darkly to himself, Edgar turned and walked down the stairs to the lower level of the Blackjack's main hold. Setzer was there, gleefully fleecing Cyan of his Gil as Sabin sat back and watched with a small grin on his face. Edgar sat on a plush chesterfield and looked over at his brother, shaking his head.
"So," said the massive young man, undisguised mirth in his voice, "I take it that negotiations were unsuccessful?"
Scowling, Edgar shook his head but remained silent.
"You know, Ed, I could go and talk to her if you wanted... Find out what it was that you did and all."
Edgar looked sidelong at Sabin and shrugged. "I didn't do anything, but you can do whatever you want, brother," he began, trying his best to sound unconcerned, "There's plenty of sand in the desert, after all."
Sabin looked at Edgar for a moment and sighed as he stood up. "You can thank me later," he said as he mounted the stairs. Edgar said nothing, instead getting to his feet and following his brother. As the pair neared the stateroom door, Gau stopped his pacing and bared his teeth at them.
"What is Mr. Thou doing with Sandyhead?" asked the young boy, "Sandyhead think Gau stupid."
"I don't think you're-" Edgar's reply was cut off by a fierce snarl from the boy and the king took a small step backwards, raising his hands. "Easy, easy, I didn't mean it like that, Gau."
Snarling, the feral child sat himself in front of the stateroom door and eyed Edgar warily. Looking at Edgar then Gau, Sabin smiled and shook his head. "Listen, kid," he began, taking a step towards Gau, "I don't think you quite get it. Sandhead over there is my brother, he won't hurt Terra. I promise. Now, why don't you let him through?"
Gau barked a short laugh and shook his head. "Mr. Thou thinks Gau stupid too? Sandyhead is scrawny little thing, Mr. Thou is big! Mr. Thou can't be Sandyhead's brother."

Edgar bristled at Gau's remark and took a step forward, his hands balling into fists. "Scrawny? Why you flea-bitten little-"
Sabin put an arm in front of his brother and laughed as his elbow dug into Edgar's ribs. "Of course he's my brother. He was the runt of the litter; a scrawny little thing. I mean, look at him; all stringy and ropey... And don't even get me started on personality. Now, come on, will you let him past?"
Gau looked from Sabin to Edgar and shook his head. "Maybe... Mr. Thou wouldn't lie to Gau, right?"
"Of course not, little guy."
Gau regarded the two for a moment and nodded his head. "Maybe Mr. Thou is right. Sandyhead smells like Mr. Thou... A little. Gau will let you in, Sandyhead, but only for a little bit. If nice lady yell, though, Gau will eat you!"

Edgar looked at Gau and nodded quickly as he realized the boy wasn't kidding. Holding his hands in front of him, he slowly moved to the stateroom door and stepped inside, turning to close the heavy oak door behind him. Letting out a long, low breath, and put on the most charming smile he could as he turned to face Terra. She was sitting on a plush leather bench, staring out one of the bank of windows at the passing clouds. As he neared her, he cleared his throat and smiled, raising a hand in greeting as she turned to face him. His breath caught in his throat at the sight of her; the awakening of her powers had changed her subtly, turning her once exotic looks into something almost otherworldly. Her hair was lighter, her skin had a flush to it and her once grass-green eyes had darkened to the colour of pine needles. Smiling, Edgar opened his mouth to speak but his words were abruptly cut short by Terra's voice.
"If you have anything worthwhile to say, Edgar, say it. I warn you, though," her voice became brittle as her eyes narrowed, "If this is simply a visit to say 'You look lovely, m'Lady' and flatter me, we won't have to worry about feeding Gau for a week. Now, what do you want?"
Edgar stared at Terra as his mouth worked dumbly while he tried to think of something - anything - to say. After a long moment, Terra turned away, watching as the mountains surrounding the cave to the Sealed Gate loomed in the distance.

Finally finding his voice, Edgar reached his hand out and set it on her shoulder, only to pull it away as she stiffened. "M'Lady," he began, his voice unsteady as he searched for words, "I, uh, I don't know what it is that I did, but I'm truly sorry for upsetting you so. Believe me; it's not in my nature to upset a Lady, especially one I find so intriguing. I just wanted to-" His voice stopped abruptly as she shook her head.
"Don't lie to me, Edgar. I'm nothing important, remember? I'm just a tool to people like you and Bannon and the Empire. You need me to find the Espers and nothing else. I'm your link to them, that's all. I'm just... I'm just a tool. Now," she straightened and shook her head, "if you're done trying to charm me, I'd like you to leave."
"M'Lady...Terra, I'm not trying to charm you; I'm being honest. I don't think you're a...a tool. You're a lovely young woman, someone who's interesting, who I'm interested in learning more about. I... I care for you, m'Lady. I do."

Terra sat in silence, staring out the window as her shoulders trembled slightly. As Edgar put his hand on her shoulder, she brushed it away and shook her head violently, blinking away the tears that threatened to escape. "You're lying, Edgar," her voice was strained, tight with emotion. "You are. You might not realize it, but you are. Edgar, please... Just go. I'll see you when we land, alright?"
Edgar nodded slowly, his lips a tight line, and took a step backwards, his hand reaching for the door. "Of course, m'Lady; I wouldn't dream of letting you go in there alone."

Terra nodded as Edgar stepped out of the stateroom and watched as the Blackjack approached the mountains and let out a long sigh. Whatever awaited her in there, she was certain that it wouldn't be nearly as complicated as what she was experiencing now. Getting to her feet, she made her way to the stateroom's door; it had been too long since she'd had a breath of fresh air, or felt the wind in her hair and this might be the last chance she'd have. Whatever happened at the Gate, she would be sure that she'd at least have one less regret. Grasping the brass knob, she made her way to the stairwell leading to the deck, brushing a hand playfully through Gau's hair as she passed by him.