Aaaaaah! I'm so sorry that this is so late! It was one that I was having trouble with. I'm sorry.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, sadly. Bawww
"Is everything all right in here, Steiner?" Beatrix asked as she joined the armoured man. He stood in the doorway to the large entrance hall, where beds for those who could not be housed in the spare suites of the partly-built castle had been set up.
"Seems to be." He nodded. "The people are happy and well-fed, just getting ready to sleep for the night. Doesn't seem like any sign of trouble, but all the same, I'm going to keep a guard at the door in case problems arise."
"That sounds like a good idea." The woman agreed. "Garnet is just in the Dining hall for dinner, and then I'll send her to bed. She's had a very long day."
"Fair enough." Steiner inclined his head in a slight bow. "I shall probably see you later on tonight." Beatrix nodded, and turned away from the man, walking the magnificent corridor to the Dining Hall. The large double-doors were shut, and Beatrix pushed one open just a crack, peering cautiously inside the large hall.
Garnet sat alone at the table, a picture of solitude. There were a number of plates around her, each with their own sumptuous meal, but aside from a small helping of soup, it was untouched. The young Queens' hands were clasped together under the table, her head down, staring at the tabletop.
"My Queen?" Beatrix closed the door behind her, and rushed across the room. "Are you all right?"
"Oh... Beatrix." Garnet blinked rapidly, then lifted her head. "I was just... Thinking."
"Are you not well?" The General touched Garnets' head in concern, looking for a fever. "You look very ill..."
"I-I'm not hungry." Garnet pushed the plate of food away. "Just... Just..." Her hands came up from under the table, and found her face. She buried her face in her hands desperately, her shoulders shaking.
"Ohh..." The woman patted Garnets back gently. "Garnet, I..."
"I want him here." Garnet wailed, her voice muffled by her hands. "I just want him beside me..."
"Oh, I know..." Beatrix tried to hug the girl, but she was stiff, unresponsive to her touch.
"Beatrix, h-how... How do I stop hurting?" Garnet sniffed. "I'm trying, but..." She wiped at her nose, rather disgracefully, with a gloved hand. "Every day, I can't stop thinking about him..."
"That's because you love him, it's natural." Beatrix murmured. "Oh, you poor thing..."
"I just want him to come back." Garnet cried. "Even if he doesn't stay with me, I just want to know he is alive and well... I just..." She collapsed into fresh sobs, feeling overwhelmed.
"I know, I know." Beatrix didn't know what to do. "Look... If you're finished eating, then how about you go and get some sleep. You look exhausted."
Defeated, broken down, Garnet slowly nodded.
"Hey." Blank didn't look up from the ground as Marcus took a seat beside him. "How're you doin', bro?"
"Just freakin' peachy." Blanks' teeth were gritted. "What are you doing here?"
"I hear you went off at Ruby." Marcus sighed. "Just because you're pissy, you don't have to take it out on her."
"Shut up, Marcus." Blank groaned. "I don't want a lecture from you."
"I'm not trying to lecture you." Marcus' voice was steady and calm. "I'm just telling you that being angry isn't the way to deal with this."
"Marcus, please." Blank rubbed at his eyes. "I mean it."
"And so do I." Marcus looked up at the sky, which was tinged a brilliant orange from the dying sun. "It's obvious you're hurting over this. Hell, so am I. But like Baku said, we don't even know anything. He could be fine."
"But he wont be." Blank muttered. "It would be too..."
"Too what?" Marcus shifted his gaze from the darkening horizon to Blank. "Bro, you're scaring everyone."
"Well, I'm sorry you're all so scared." Blank stood up, stretching. "Look, I'm gonna go for a walk, kay?"
"When did you last sleep?" Marcus inquired, pulling himself to his feet.
"This morning." Blank frowned. "Why do you-"
"No, I mean more than a two-hour nap." Marcus looked concerned. "Go and get a good nights' sleep, Blank."
"No, I'm fine." Blank argued. "I don't think I could sleep anyways... Later, Marcus."
"Blank." Marcus grabbed at the other mans' elbow. "Being angry at Zidane isn't gonna make you feel better."
"Look, bugger off." Blank said distractedly, pulling himself free. "I don't need your pity, Marcus."
"This isn't pity, its concern!" Marcus burst out. "Not just from me, but from all of us. Even Vivi's worried, and he's got way too much on his plate right now to start stressing over you!"
"I never asked him to be worried!" Blank shot back. "Look, just tell him-"
"No, you go and tell him." Marcus said evenly. "And while you're at it, apologize to that Mage for doing your nut at him. And Baku wants to have a word with you as well."
"I'm not talking to the Boss." Blank responded. "I don't care what he has to say right now."
"He's the Boss, Blank." Marcus was exasperated. "Goddamn it, get a grip on yourself! I know you're angry and hurt over what's happened, so is everyone! And if Zidane is crippled, I'm going to be devastated, trust me. But I'm going to be there for him, like you should be. He's going to need you there for him Blank."
"Dammit, why did he have to go back, Marcus!" Blank ran his hands through his hair, turning away from the other. "Why did he have to play the hero one last bloody time!" He kicked at a rock, hands clenched into fists. "What was even the point?"
"So that's what's eating you up." Marcus murmured sadly.
"Damn right it is!" Blank shot back. "I was pissed off when he went for Garnet, but I forgave him when it came through that he loved her. He risked his neck to save the world, and fair enough, who wouldn't? But why, why did he go back for Kuja? He knew he couldn't get him out of there, he must have known. Why did he risk his life for the man who tried to destroy the world, Marcus?" Blank's voice cracked. "Why?"
"I don't know why." Marcus sighed. "He would have his own personal reason. And he would probably regret it, too. But cut him some slack, Blank. He's really, really injured. By all rights, he should be dead. Our bit isn't over. When he wakes up, think about how down he's going to be. Bedridden for months, could be paralyzed, might be screwed in the head... He's going to need his friends and family around him. And that's us."
"I know." Blank groaned, his arms crossed. "I know Marcus, I know. Believe me, I know. But... It's bloody hard, you know?"
"Yeah, I know." Marcus draped an arm over Blanks' shoulders. "Listen to me. When Zidane wakes up, he's going to need you around. Are you seriously going to be angry at him?"
"... I'll want to be." Blank muttered. "But you're right. Damnit Marcus, you're always right."
"Yeah, that's why they call me the smart one." Marcus boasted. "But seriously." He took a more grave tone. "You're always the coolest cat in town. Don't forget that." He clapped Blank on the back. "Now, lets' go have a feed and a sleep, huh? I could do with a lie-down too."
"... Oh, all right." Blank shrugged, but followed the man in slouched agreement.
"Ya feeling any better?" Without waiting for an answer, Baku took a seat next to Blanks bed, startling the male out of a somewhat fitful sleep.
"Oh... Hey..." Fuzzy-mouthed, Blank rubbed at his eyes blearily. "What's up?"
"I just asked how you were." Baku replied. "You better not still sulking."
"I wasn't sulking." Blank protested, sitting up, rubbing at his eyes.
"Wasn't. That's a good sign." Baku stood up. "You need to pull yourself together, Blank. Dammit, everyone hates to see you falling apart like this."
"I'm not falling apart." Blank mumbled. "Jeez, I'm not allowed to be upset? You think I like being like... This?"
"I know you don't." He clapped Blank on the back as he stood up. "That's why we're happy t' see you better."
"I don't feel much better." Blank mumbled glumly. "It's so funny, isn't it? We've stared death and destruction in the face so many times and been so calm and collected. Yet this happens, and..."
"Yeah, well, I suppose this is harder, in a way." Baku wrinkled his nose, trying to suppress the urge to sneeze. "When you're staring death and destruction in the face you don't exactly have time to stop and think."
"Isn't that true." Blank muttered dully, straightening his gloves.
"You know, you sacrificed yourself in that Forest." Baku noted. "Don't forget that."
"But I did that to save the others." Blank argued. "And that was a spur of the moment thing. I wasn't being so sharp."
"I'm not saying it's the same." Baku sighed, sitting down heavily on the edge of the bed. "I was just sayin'. The mind can be an evil thing, Blank. Don't let it play tricks on ya."
"... You're so cryptic." Blank shook his head, crossing his arms. "Why can't you ever just say what you mean?"
"There's no fun in that." Baku grinned. "Now shut up. I'm gonna try for some sleep." Blank rolled his eyes, but left the room wordlessly, and closed the door. He leaned against the panelling heavily, and let out a long, long sigh.
If only it were so easy.
Flashing colours.
Light.
A smile.
"La la la laa..."
Dagger.
Whirling.
"La la la la la..."
Rising cadence.
Chocolate eyes filled with tears.
No...
"Please..."
She's in pain...
"Don't..."
Flashes of broken images...
Make it stop...
Zidane's eyelids slightly flickered.
Blank stared at the still form of Zidane in the dying sunlight, his arms crossed. It was almost as though he was waiting for something. A flicker of the eyes, crease of the brow, twitching of a finger... Something.
What if he died?
Blank closed his mind to the thought instantly. It was inconceivable to submit to the notion, not this far down. Zidane was okay – partly. He was alive, and with a means to eat and drink, his injuries attended to as best as possible, there was no reason for him to die.
"Damnit, Zidane." Blank sat down on the chair beside Zidane's bed, arms crossed and back reclining against the wood. His eyes were drooping, exhaustion setting in. He'd only had a couple of hours sleep before Baku's disturbance, and the continuous lack of sleep had long ago taken a toll on his body. However, despite his exhausted body, Blanks' mind was wide awake. Sleep was a long time coming. He looked over at Zidane, completely still on the bed, unmoving but for the insignificant rise and fall of his chest.
He seemed so alone...
But that was silly. Zidane's only isolation at the moment was inside his own mind. In reality, he was surrounded by his oldest friends, the closest he had to a family. Maybe I'm the one that's really alone...
I've isolated myself with all of this. Everyone is trying to help me, when they should be helping Zidane. That's really stupid of them... Or selfish of me. Probably the latter.
I need to get over myself. Blank groaned, turning his gaze to the window. Like I'm the only one upset by this. If Zidane was awake, he'd punch me for being such an idiot, I know.
I still want to smack him. Blank ran a hand through his hair, which was greasy and unwashed. I need a bath... He shook his head, and sighed, feeling gross both inside and out.
"Ugh." Blank froze, and swung his stare back to Zidane. Did he just...
"Zidane?" Blank enquired excitedly, shaking at the blonde's shoulder. "Are you there? You waking up?"
But there was no response. Zidane was as unresponsive as ever, his pallid skin illuminated in the lantern light. He wasn't awake, Blank realised with a sinking heart. It was just a groan in his throat, a reflex. Although to what, Blank didn't know. He hadn't seen the flickering of Zidane's eyelids, which had also ceased.
Maybe I just heard things. He rubbed at his itching eyes, hoping desperately that wasn't true. Or maybe, he's dragging himself out of this. Didn't the mage say that humans sunk into a sleep like that to fix themselves? Zidane isn't exactly a human, I know, but maybe that's the same principle. Maybe he's fixed himself and he's going to wake up.
It sounds so hopeless. Blank looked sadly down at Zidane. It was a hot, sticky night, and the blankets were folded down at Zidanes waist, his arms folded over his heavily bandaged chest. Looking at him, his bandaged head, re-broken arm wrapped tightly in a splint, his bruises still looking like purple-and-black medals, although the scrapes were healing, Zidane really look so broken. Fraught with the memories of his close friend in his healthy days, laughing and smiling with a jug of ale, or stony-faced, jaw set in battle, Blank swallowed. How could this broken shadow of a man be him?
That was what really rattled him, what he tried to mask and cure with his unjustified anger.
Where am I?
Dagger rubbed her eyes. She was on what looked like a conservatory. But it was so strange, made of black marble, with no railing or walls. It was a platform, thrust into the sky. Huge clouds billowed around her, black as ebony. Trembling slightly, the young Queen took several tentative steps to the edge, and peered over.
The black clouds enclosed the space below her, as well as above. All she could see was the incredibly tall pillar she stood on, stabbing the heart of the stormy clouds.
"Dagger." Her heart seizing, the girl spun around, to see Zidane a few paces from her, a small smile on his face.
"Zidane!" Daggers' voice cracked, eyes welling with tears. "W-What-"
"Dagger, you must listen to me!" He had to raise his voice over the howling of the wind and clouds. "I'm not dead. I'm alive!"
"I know you are!" She wanted to walk towards him, and tried to, but, in a typical dream fashion, her feet refused to obey her. "I know you wouldn't leave me!"
"They're keeping me hostage!" Zidane called out desperately. "They don't want me to come back!"
"Wh-who are keeping you hostage?" Tears fell freely down Daggers' face. "Zidane, tell me!"
"You must rescue me!" Zidane carried on as if he hadn't heard her. "Please, hurry! I'm badly injured, I'll die soon if I don't get help from the doctors! Dagger, you're my only hope!"
"I will Zidane, I will!" Finally, her feet moved, and she was able to run towards Zidane. However, just as she was about to embrace him, a huge black dragon burst from the sky. Dagger screamed, watching in horror as Zidane was lifted in its' talons, swearing and struggling.
"No!" Zidane yelled, and Dagger watched, in pure horror, as the dragon tore at him, his agonized screams filling the tempestuous air, the cries dissipating in the gale.
"Zidane!" She screamed, feeling sick as the dragon let the dead genome fall to the ground, two limbs ripped off entirely, a ragged slash up his stomach exposing his internal organs, his head lolling, neck broken.
"It's no use." Instead of a deep, booming roar, the dragon had a voice rather like a snake, and although he didn't speak loudly, the voice filled Daggers' ears. "You're too late to save him, my Queen! He's already dead!"
With a scream, Garnet shot up in bed, her heart hammering in her chest. She screamed again, scrabbling anxiously at the covers, attempting to pull herself out of bed. Over and over, she saw her precious Zidane torn to pieces, his screams of agony still ringing in her ears...
"My Queen!" Beatrix burst into the room, Steiner hot on her heels. Garnet was on the floor beside the bed, her fingers curled in the displaced sheets. She shook so violently, her teeth chattered. "Whatever's wrong?"
"H-H-H..." Garnets' voice was hoarse and she was unable to form a single word, so aggressive were her tremors. She was only vaguely aware of Beatrix's protective arm around her, brandishing her Save the Queen with the other. Steiner also scoured the room, clutching his Excalibur II.
"Who perpetrated your room, my Queen?" Steiner flung back the curtains, expecting to fins the supposed villain there. "Are you hurt?"
"She looks uninjured." Beatrix reassured the Captain. "Any signs of an intruder?"
"Not that I can see." He lowered his sword, but did not sheathe it. "He must have fled upon her screaming. Nothing appears stolen, her crown is still here."
"No one... came in." Garnets' hoarse voice made the two pause.
"Then what is it that frightened you, my Queen?" Beatrix begged, replacing her sword and gently helping the girl to stand.
"I-I-I..." She fought back tears. "N-Nightmare..." She breathed. "Dragon..."
"... Ah." There was a relieved tone in Steiner's voice as he sheathed his sword, but all the same, closed the Queens' window. "I agree, even in a dream, dragons are exceedingly frightening."
"I-It killed Zidane." Garnet sniffed. "Tore him to shreds... God he's still screaming!" Her voice rose into a hyperventilating cry, and she held her hands over her ears. "H-He's still... Won't stop..."
"Oh dear." Beatrix coaxed Garnet to take a seat on the edge of her bedraggled bed, while Steiner hovered around uncertainly. "It was just a dream, Garnet, no need to be frightened, still."
"B-But... H-He..." Garnet held her trembling hands over her mouth, trying to erase the horrific images from her mind.
"My Queen! General Beatrix! Captain Steiner!" It was a female soldier who pushed open the door, saluting the trio. "The townspeople heard Queen Garnet screaming. They are terribly anxious to know what is going on. What should I tell them?"
"Tell them that..." Beatrix bit her lip, and looked over at Steiner. Tactless at the best of times, she knew the Captain would not be able to phrase it without making Garnet seem a little foolish for waking the castle, and even at that time, Beatrix was unaware of how to phrase it delicately. "I shall go with you." She stated, giving Garnet a pat on the shoulder before standing up, and bustling out of the room with the solider. Immediately, Steiner came to Garnets' side, his eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"My Queen-"
"Z-Zidane said he was still alive." Her voice still trembled. "And that he was held by force." Unlike most dreams, which melted away as one woke, this dream was etched clearly into the young Queens' brain. "Th-That only I could save him. Th-The dragon said I was too late... Zidane was already dead..." She sounded inches from tears. "Wh-What does that mean?"
"I don't know." Steiner said honestly, cautiously coming closer to Garnet. "My Queen... I wish as much as you to send a squadron of soldiers to the Iifa tree, but the fact is that they are needed much more here, rebuilding your kingdom. Tantalus are doing their best to find him, and although it has been a long time with no news, we can still hope for the best."
"Wh-What if it's them?" Garnet accused wildly. "What if they're the ones holding Zidane? What if-"
"They may be naught but a group of vagabonds and thieves, but they would not do such a thing." Steiner said gently, a hand on Garnets' shoulder. "You had a nightmare. Your brain is just playing tricks on you, nothing more." He watched as Garnet's face crumpled, as she tried very hard to hold back her tears, but the effort failed, and soon she was sobbing into the cold comfort of her hands. Unsure what to do, Steiner looked around the room, before gently sitting on the bed beside Garnet, a gloved hand on her shoulder. With a little moan, Garnet clung to Steiner, her most loyal of subjects, who had seen the worst of times beside her, and was the only one who really knew just how deep Garnets' affections flowed for the tousle-haired, charismatic, thief who appeared gone from her life forever.
"It's going to be all right." Steiner said after a time, patting her somewhat awkwardly. "For all we know, they have found him and are caring for him."
"Th-Then wh-what's taking them s-so long?" Her cheek was against the cold metal of Steiner's breastplate staring at the stars through her open window. "A-And n-not even a letter?"
"I think we found how out how unreliable Mognet can be." Steiner remarked with a wry smile. "And besides, they're on the Lost Continent. You know how wild that place can be. It's just ruins and mages and dwarves. Perhaps they crashed their airship and are waiting for repairs. Maybe Zidane is so badly injured that he cannot be moved great distances. There are many reasons why we have not yet received contact, my Queen. Do not think the worst yet."
"B-But it's so hard." Garnet said weakly, sniffing. "I-It's been over a month... H-How could anyone..."
"He's not dead." Steiner said flatly. "I assure you, Queen Garnet. He lives. After everything he has done, do you really believe that this is his end, as poetic as it may be?"
"...I-I just..." She tried to compose herself, and failed. "I want him here, Steiner."
"I know, my Queen." He sighed. "And he will. You must have some patience."
"I have been." Garnet argued. "A-and I-I don't know if I can for much longer..."
"Then I don't know." Steiner said quietly. Garnet slowly drifted off into silence, her tears gradually easing into long, ragged sighs. Looking about the room as he gently consoled her, Steiner realised for the first time that he was in the Queens bedroom late at night, with her clinging to him in just her nightgown. A blush crept across his face, hardly visible in the weak lamplight of the bedchamber, much to his relief.
"It is all sorted out." Beatrix said in a businesslike tone as she shut the door. "One mention of a nightmare full of dragons and the entire hall shivered. And no wonder, after Bahumut... But yes." She cleared her throat. "It is late, my Queen, do you wish to return to bed?"
"I-I think I shall." She nodded, and breaking apart from Steiner, gave the man a weak smile. "Thank you, Steiner." She said gently. "You were right. I am being silly." She stood up, watching as the pair replaced the covers on her bed. "But why were you two still out on patrol?" There was a scolding edge to her voice. "Did you not look at the time? You must get a good nights' rest or you shall be of no use tomorrow."
"We usually don't sleep until the wee hours." Beatrix admitted, giving Steiner an odd glance. "But are you sure that you will be all right in here, my Queen?"
"Yes, yes, I will be fine." She affirmed. "I can put myself to bed. You two go and get some sleep."
"All right, my Queen." They both left the room with a bow, Beatrix shutting the door behind the girl. Garnet stretched out on her bed, above the covers, with a long sigh, staring up at the deep red curtains. Eventually, she rolled over onto her side, staring out the window.
There was another possibility, which Garnet had tried not to think about. That Zidane was alive and, indeed well, and roaming the world with his band of thieves. For after all, he could not do that again, if he were to return to Alexandria, and Garnet. Her people would never stand for that, their Queen marrying a man who continued to be a thief.
Marrying? Garnet blushed. I'm thinking far too far ahead. Besides, I don't think he would ever want to marry me. This lifestyle, it just is not for him. He would loathe being tied down in such a way. He's a free spirit. You just cannot keep a wild bird in a cage. But do I really think that little of him? That he is hiding himself from me? Does he not realise that I would never order him to stay? I know he wouldn't stay. He's still so young, he would want to see more of the world first, travel with his friends.
More of these ridiculous hypothetical's. Garnet wrinkled her nose in the dark. It will drive me insane, all of this thinking and wondering. Is he alive, dead, injured, healthy? Does he want me or does he want his freedom?
He cannot have both. It was a terrible blow to Garnet, but it was true. The husband or partner of a Queen could not go gallivanting off around the world, unless it was fighting a direct threat of the kingdom, and Garnet had written fresh peace treaties to Lindblum, and the combined settlement of Burmecia and Cleyra, all of whom were nowhere near capable of starting a war for another twenty years, at least, with their ruined cities and decimated populations. So much hurt...
I supposed it just depended on how much he cared. How much he would want to sacrifice. By their own accord, her feet carried Garnet over to her window, which she pushed open, leaning over a little to drink in the night air.
I feel so frazzled. Her hands clenched on the windowpane, Garnet gritted her teeth. I need to put him out and leave him out of my head. I have a nation of people who need guidance from their ruler. I cannot be sitting here, my thought preoccupied with him. What I want is not important. Getting Alexandria back to normal – or even better, upgrading it, expanding the city boundaries to reduce crowding, wider streets, better sanitation, cleaning up the river properly, getting rid of the animals that spread plagues and poxes... My rooms here are stuffed with taxes. I would gladly spend myself into poverty, if it meant that Alexandria is a modern city that is safe and healthy to live in. Unlike Mother, my priorities are not self-centred.
I need to get some sleep. Far away on the eastern horizon, the sky was beginning to bear just the tiniest smear of a slightly lighter grey. Dawn was a few short hours away, and she knew tomorrow would be just as hectic as the previous day. But it was so nice here...
Closing her eyes, Garnet began to hum, her melodic voice mingling with the fresh night air, the song she had learned as a small child, the song of Madain Sari.
Her and Zidane's song.
"Shove over."
Ruby started out of her sleep on the makeshift bed on the floor, squinting through the darkness through a tangle of golden hair.
"Huh?" She rubbed at one eye, watching as the figure sat down beside her thin mattress upon the floorboards, pulling at his boots. The gloves came next, as well as the bulkiest of his accessories. "Whut do yer think yer doin'?"
"Getting some sleep." At the sound of Blanks' voice, Ruby relaxed, and scooted over in the bed to give Blank more room. "Thanks. Can't find any other beds around."
"Ah." The new part of the bed she lay in was cold, but Blank was warm at her other side. "Did her see Zidane?"
"Uhuh." Blank sounded very sleepy, curled slightly into Ruby so they made the best space out of their blanket.
"And?" Ruby coaxed the tired man, looking through the darkness at him, making out a vague silhouette.
"I think he made a noise." Blank frowned, eyes snapping open. At his side, Ruby stiffened a little.
"Really?" She kept her voice at a whisper, for the sake of the other snoring figures in the room.
"Yeah." Blank sounded thoughtful. "Or maybe it was my imagination, I don't know. But it was just like a little groan you make in your sleep. That was it. I hope I wasn't hearing things..."
"Yer weren'" Ruby declared with an air of confidence. "Dun' worry."
"It's all I've been doing." Blank muttered dryly. "It's hard not to... Ruby, do you think Zidane is looking better, or worse than when we first found him at the bottom of the tree?"
"It's all th' bandages." Ruby said consolingly. "Makes 'im look worse. I think 'e's lookin' better."
"I just don't think so." Blank's shoulders were slumped. "I-I feel like he's getting worse... And it's just getting harder to watch."
"hun, o' course it is." She rested a hand on Blanks' shoulder. "But be happy, gawd. We got 'im. And 'e's not gonna die."
"We don't know that just yet." Blank murmured. "Everytime I see him, it's just..."
"I know." Ruby's grip tightened. "But... It'll be okay. I promise."
"You don't have to promise me." Blank sighed. "I just need to get over myself. I'm cracking up. Maybe it's the lack of sleep that's done it."
"Probably." Ruby suggested. "Sleep now."
"I-I-I-I will." Blank finally finished around a wide yawn. Burrowing down into the blankets, for the night had turned colder, Blank closed his eyes, his head very close to Ruby. The young woman waited for the light snore, then rolled over gently in the bed, examining Blanks' face. The clouds moved, up high in the night sky, and a finger of moonlight touched the man's face, bathing his features in silver. She noted the dark shadows under his eyes sadly, frowning as she examining his eyes, thinking that tears were clinging to Blanks' eyelashes. They were. Awash with a deep pity for the man she cared so deeply for, Ruby laid an arm across Blanks' chest, scooting a little closer – for warmth, she told herself – and rested her forehead in the crook of the man's neck. In his sleep, Blank mumbled, and turned a little himself, one hand subconsciously resting on her hip. Ruby blushed strongly in the dark, but didn't move, too warm and comfortable to even think about shifting their position.
One of these days, she told herself, before drifting into a sleep as deep as the heavily-snoring Blank. One of these days, I'll tell that man just what I think of him.
"Are you not hungry?" Mikoto noted as Cinna pushed away his half-eaten breakfast. At his right, Marcus sniggered a little, as Cinna shook his head, blushing.
"Oh, no, I am." Cinna said weakly. "And the food is good, thank you so much for making it, I just... I don't know, I'm starting to feel a little sick of the same stuff all the time, you know? I mean, is there anything else you guys have to cook?"
"Well, not really." Mikoto admitted. "I'm not the best cook at all, but no one else here even tries, not even the Mages. Why, do you think that you could make something?"
"Well, I could." Cinna said a little reluctantly. "What do you have?"
"Well, we don't have a wide selection of food." Marcus watched the exchange silently. "Sorry."
"Oh, no that's okay." Cinna shrugged, looking a little downcast. "It was just a thought."
"I have an idea." Marcus cut in. "Why don't you guys take a little day trip to Conde Petie? They have heaps of supplies there, and Cinna, you can show Mikoto what she could buy another time."
"That sounds lovely!" Mikoto perked up, her voice overriding Cinna's weak stammers. "What do you think, Cinna? It's such a lovely day today as well, don't you think? We could even eat lunch there, it's such a nice place to be on such a day..."
"Well, yeah, I guess." Cinna finally agreed weakly. "I just need to go and get ready... I'll be back in ten minutes, that okay?"
"Sure!" Mikoto grabbed the dishes, glad to be going on a trip with her newfound friend. "I'll see you soon."
"Sure." Cinna forced a smile, then shot daggers at Marcus. "Do you mind coming out here?" He shot his fellow bandit a falsely sweet smile.
"Sure." Marcus sounded unabashed as he followed Cinna outside. The moment the pair were under the greenery, Cinna turned to the man, clearly furious.
"What the hell was that?" He hissed, keeping his voice low, lest Mikoto hear. "What are you playing at?"
"Nothin'." Marcus shrugged. "Look, calm down. I just gave you guys an opportunity to be together, what's so wrong about that?"
"I don't like her like that." Cinna protested in a weak moan. "How many times do I have to tell you, she's Zidane's little sister! You don't go after a brothers' little sister!"
"You don't have to be like that with her." Marcus frowned. "But jeez, be a friend to her at least. Think about how lonely it must be here, where the only person you can even really talk to is a little kid."
"Yeah, but..." He sighed. "I-I just don't..."
"I know you 'just don't'. That's why you're blushing so hard." Marcus teased.
"You!" Purple faced, Cinna lunged at Marcus, who merely shook his head, and with a chuckle, turned, and began to saunter away, towards the Inn. "Yeah, you better walk away!" Cinna called. "Unless you want my hammer hittin' the back of your head!" Marcus only waved cheerfully before entering the inn, the door shutting beside him.
"Is everything all right?" Mikoto asked, in the doorway of her modest home. Cinna jumped, and spun around, flustered.
"Err, yeah, just fine." He scratched the back of his head. "I er, I'll just go and get ready, shall I?"
"A-All right..." Mikoto watched as Cinna dashed off, frowning. What was wrong with him? Why did he seem so... strange? With a shrug, she walked back into the house, finishing up on cleaning the dishes.
Maybe whatever it is, I can ask him when we go to Conde Petie. At the thought of the little trip, a thrill of excitement surged through Mikoto's chest.
"Good morning, loverboy."
"Huh?" Blank rubbed at his eyes with his free hand, peering up to see Marcus standing over him with a smile. "Wh-What's up?" He peered through the mid-morning light, a little unsure.
"Err, look at how you're sleeping." Marcus gestured down to Blank, who saw with a slight shock that Ruby was curled into his side, one arm and one leg sprawled out over him, her head on his collarbone. His leg had curled with Ruby's, under the blanket, and he'd looped an arm around Ruby's waist.
"O-Oh." Blank was pleasantly surprised. "Look at that." His only response was to snuggle back down under the blanket. "All right, bye-bye now, Marcus."
"Oh, ugh." The man shook his head in disgust. "First Zidane and Garnet, then you and Ruby, now Cinna and Mikoto..."
"Really?" Blank opened one eye. "Good for him then. At least he found a girl that doesn't run screaming when he looks at him."
"Don't let him hear you say that." Marcus muttered. "But yeah." He sighed. "Must be something in the water."
"Aw, is Marcus jealous?" Blank teased. "All lonesome..."
"Oh, please." Marcus snorted. "Bro, you know I'm not like you and Zidane, always thinking about girls..."
"Because you're not natural." Blank announced. "You just don't know what's good for you."
"Oh, I do know what's good for me." Marcus remarked.
"Clearly." Blank chuckled. "That's why I'm waking up in the arms of a beautiful women late in the morning, while you skulk around."
"Okay, now you're stretching it." Marcus sniggered. "Ruby? Beautiful?"
"Hey man, lay off." Blank retorted defensively. "I happen to think she is. And she's got a good head on her shoulders. You name someone else like that."
"Aww, you are in love." Marcus shook his head. "I just can't escape it, can I?"
"Well, stop being a spoilsport and get a girl then. Or go and see Zidane." Blank pointed out.
"Ugh, even he's on it." Marcus sighed. "He was murmuring Garnets' name all through this morning."
"What?" Blank stiffened. "D-Did he?"
"Yeah. Don't get up," He held up his hand as Blank made to get out of bed. "There's no use in going now, he's stopped, but yeah, he was muttering all morning. I wanted to wake you, but Baku said to let you be. And you do look lot better."
"Yeah, it's amazing what a good mornings' sleep can do." He grinned, his heart so much lighter at the news. "So, he's going to be okay?"
"He was always going to be okay." Marcus said gently. "You were the only one who had any doubt."
"I-I guess." Blank sighed, his gaze now on the ceiling. "Who's in with him?"
"Vivi and the Boss." Marcus reported. "They're refusing to leave his side. I'm heading back there now, just wanted to check on you. Look, see if you can get a couple more hours' sleep. If Zidane makes any movement, I'll come right in and wake you up, all right?"
"Yeah." Blank relented, relaxing under the sheets once more. Despite the exciting news, an exhausting veil of sleepiness was still over his eyes. He felt as though he could sleep for a week. "Sleep sounds good..."
"Sweet dreams then." Marcus teased, before leaving the room. Blank smiled, and looked over at Ruby, a thick tangle of blonde hair in her face. He pushed it away, and smiled again. "Jeez, how could Marcus not think you're pretty? He must have been teasing." With that, he closed his eyes, swallowing a yawn.
"Thanks Blank." Ruby mumbled sleepily a few moments later, but the red-haired man was already asleep.
"Wow, we have so much stuff!" Mikoto marvelled at the stuffed saddlebags that hung on Bobby Corwen. "What are we going to make with this?"
"Oh, I don't know." Cinna shrugged. With a flick of the reins, the juvenile chocobo, mature enough to handle a load of supplies and two small figures, trotted across the vast green meadow. "I haven't eaten Mist food in so long... What I really want is some South Gate Bundt Cake... Jeez, I miss the stuff."
"What's that?" Mikoto frowned, clinging to Cinna's waist. "Never heard of it before."
"You wouldn't have." Cinna coaxed the chocobo to move faster. "You can only buy it in South Gate... That's a place on the Mist Continent." He explained. "It's like heaven in your mouth. Truth be told, I have no idea how to make it, but it's worth a shot."
"If you don't try, you never get anywhere." Mikoto was staring thoughtfully out along the horizon. "I'd like to try and make it. It sounds interesting."
"I guess it is." Cinna was somewhat surprised. Even the simple concept of baking was beyond the girl. She has got a lot to learn... And she wants me to teach her. Feeling a little hot under the collar, Cinna shook his head.
"Are you all right?" Mikoto asked at the gesture.
"O-Oh, yeah." Cinna lied. "Fly on my nose, is all. C'mon, Bobby Corwen, get a move on. Mikoto, hold on really tight."
"All right but I don't see wh- Woa!" She gasped in shock as Cinna made the juvenile chocobo jump into a frantic run, his feet pounding the grassy meadow as they dashed across the countryside. "He's so fast!" She yelled, her voice flung into the wind.
"I know!" Cinna called back. "You should see some of the ones bred for racing and long-distance travel. They almost fly over the land!"
"This is fast enough!" She buried her head in Cinna's shoulder. "Are we close to the woods yet?"
"Almost there." Cinna was about to slow his pace, but the head against him made the man persuade Bobby Corwen to continue the fast pace. "Just around this bend..."
"All ready?" Mikoto was surprised, and lifted her head as Bobby Corwen eventually slowed his birdlike gallop to a walk. "That didn't take long..."
"Not with one of these babies." He patted the large yellow bird on the head. "And it's good for them, to, getting the runabout. Useful excercise."
"I never thought about that." Mikoto murmured. "Riding the chocobo to Conde Petie... Of course!"
"Well, you'd want him to grow a bit more before sticking a Mage up on there, but of course you could." The bright sun gave way to a pleasant green glow as they entered the shelter of the trees. "It's why we put so much effort into breeding and training them, so they can be ridden."
"Well, Cinna, you opened my eyes." Mikoto smiled. "Thank you."
"Aw, don't worry about it." His ears turned a shade of pink despite this. "I'm just glad to help. It must be hard, learning everything all at once and still trying to help everyone else."
"You're right, it is." She tightened her hold on Cinna's waist. "The Mages try, but they just don't know enough themselves... Were you serious about me leaving?"
"Of course you have to leave." Cinna frowned. "Maybe give it some time, but you must go and see the world, else how will you learn? And maybe if you teach the Genomes enough, they can come and live on the Mist continent too."
"I would like that." Mikoto confided. "I don't know if they can have souls or not, but even the slowest children eventually learn, right?"
"Right." Cinna affirmed. "You won't be out here forever."
"I would definitely not like that." Mikoto murmured.
"Exactly." Cinna said cheerfully. "Don't dwell on it, you'll go grey."
"I-I'll go grey?" Mikoto blinked. "How? I don't understand..."
"Never mind." Cinna shook his head. "Just an old saying, forget I said it, okay?"
"All right." She frowned nonetheless, sinking into thoughtful silence, and it was a long time before either of them picked up conversation again.
It was late afternoon when Blank woke again.
Ruby had gotten up sometime after noon, and when the man came to, he found himself sprawled out across the bed. Instead of moving right away, however, Blank out his hands behind his head, staring up at the low wooden ceiling. After such a good, long sleep, he found it too pleasant and comfortable to even move at the moment, choosing instead to close his eyes, listening to the low hum of talking and the light twittering of the birds.
It really is nice here. He thought idly. Not to live in, of course, but it's a good break. Almost like a holiday home. Even the air seems richer. He didn't realise, of course, that it was how real air actually was, having grown up with the thick smog of Lindblum, and the Mist pervading everywhere he went, until it was finally destroyed.
"Mornin', sleepyhead." Ruby stood at the doorway, a weak smile on her face. "Ya gettin' up?"
"Yeah." Blank sat up in bed, rubbing at his eyes. "And Ruby, about last night..."
"Dun' worry 'bout it." But she lowered her eyes a little all the same. "Silly of us."
"... Yeah." He mumbled as Ruby turned and left the room, feeling downcast. "Silly." Jeez, I'm getting sick of this pussyfooting around one another. It's getting so stupid... With a sigh, he dragged himself out of bed, pulling on the heavier of his clothing, and with a long stretch, brought himself outside, under the pleasant shade of the trees.
"You're looking a lot better." Marcus, who was staring at the stream, turned to greet the still-sleepy Blank. "Feel it?"
"Actually, I do." Blank nodded, stepping beside Marcus, his hands on the railing. "Amazing what a good long sleep can do, huh?"
"Well, you slept damn near twelve hours." Marcus pointed out. "When we all sat down and worked out how much sleep you actually got, it was worrying. No wonder you're cracking up."
"I'm not cracking up." Blank argued defensively. "I'm just a little stressed, all right? And with good reason, last time I looked, what with Zidane being so close to death and all."
"I know that." Marcus sighed. "All of us are like that. But Blank, you're being hard on him, and yourself. You've pulled those sorts of stupid heroics before, too."
"I know, so has everyone." Blank rubbed at his eyes. "But at least I had a freaking cause-"
"All right, let's not get into that again." Marcus held up a hand. "I know your pissed, and all, but you're not really going to take it out on him when he wakes up, are you?"
"Like I said, I'm tempted." Blank folded his arms on the wooden railing, staring into the water. "Sometimes I feel like it's all he deserves."
"If he wasn't so hurt, I'd half believe you." Marcus murmured. "But come on, Blank. Especially if he's paralyzed. He doesn't need that guilt hanging over him."
"I know, I know." Blanks hands had clenched at the mention of the word 'paralyzed', and he swallowed. "And I know I flipped out over that. It was just a really nasty shock."
"You're telling me." Marcus murmured. "I thought I was going to pass out when I heard that. It's just really not anything you would expect. But chin up, bro. He's not dead, and not going to be. And even if he is paralyzed, it's not likely to be forever. He'll be able to walk again."
"Hopefully." Blank added darkly, but then sighed in agreement.
"Wanna go see him?" Marcus suggested. "You might feel better. He's got a lot more colour in him."
"All right." Blank agreed, following Marcus, who walked with his hands in his pockets towards the Inn. When they entered the little room, they found it packed with Ruby, Vivi, Baku, Cinna, and Mikoto, all of whom were crowded about the bed.
"We were just about to come and get you." Mikoto looked up as the pair entered the room. "He's moving about a little."
"Great!" Marcus approached the bed, which contained both Zidane, Vivi, and Mikoto, the latter pair curled up at the foot of the bed, legs crossed. "Any words yet?"
"Nope." Vivi shook his head rather sadly. Truth was, he was taking it very, very hard, although he was clearly trying very hard to keep his appearances up. Unlike the others in the room, he had seen Zidane in his last moments of consciousness, worn and weary from seemingly endless fighting, but still hardened with resolve. It was Garnet which hurt Vivi the most, he had seen the way her eyes filled with tears as the airship was lifted into the sky – somehow, she knew, deep down, that it was their final parting. It was her uncontrollable grief that spurred him to decline her invitation to live in Alexandria, and return to the Mages' village. Here, he felt more at peace. Although he saw Zidane in the fact of every Genome that passed, he was able to put it out of his mind, focusing instead on the goings on of the village. Two mages already had died since he settled, and it was this that made him focus on the secret project with Mikoto, that they didn't dare share with anyone else, lest it didn't work.
He felt a comforting hand on his shoulder, and looked up at Mikoto, who smiled weakly at him. He sighed, and returned his gaze to the increasingly restless Zidane.
"You know something Blank?" He finally spoke up, looking from Zidane to his close friend, who jerked out of a torpor to stare at the little mage. "When you were petrified, in the forest, Zidane was really upset. It took ages for Da-Garnet to pull him away. He was angry at you, too, although he tried to focus on getting out of danger."
"Really?" Blank didn't know, because, of course, Zidane had never told him, and probably never would himself. Vivi nodded thoughtfully, staring down at the somewhat faded coverlet.
"Yeah." He sounded somewhat unhappy. "But he never would have been angry to your face."
"I sure as hell wasn't." Marcus gave Blank a heavy clap on the back. "I was just happy to have my bro back. Appreciate what you got, ya know?"
"All right, all right." Blank sighed in exasperation. "I get what you guys are trying to do. And thanks. And I do feel a lot better, trust me."
"Good." Baku muttered. "Now that I've got you all here, I want you to swear something. And this goes for you two as well," he nodded towards Mikoto and Vivi "I know you're not Tantalus members and I have no command over you, but I'd still like this to be followed."
"Got it." Mikoto agreed, and Vivi nodded. "But what do you mean?"
"I mean that even if Zidane's awake, we stay hush hush." Baku rubbed at his eyes. "I know it doesn't sound ideal, but I need a vow of silence on this. No word of this leaves the village. I've spoken to the boys' about this, but it goes for everyone. And if you can't handle whatever happens to Zidane when he wakes up, then don't come near him. Simple as that. I don't want any tears from anybody. I knew a guy who was paralysed, thrown off an airship. When he found out he could never walk again, he drowned himself."
"B-But Zidane wouldn't do that." Cinna frowned. "... Would he?"
"He's that dramatic." Marcus sighed. "I could see him being suicidal if he couldn't walk."
"Don't say that." Blank's shoulders were slumped. Under his breath, Zidane murmured, wordless sounds, his features pulled into a vague frown.
"All the same." Baku kept an authoritative tone in his voice. The others had never seen him so serious before. "If you're sad, he'll be sad. I'm not saying sing and dance, I'm just saying moping will make him feel even more down."
"No." They all looked around to look who dared to protest Baku. "S-Stop..." Above the blankets, Zidane's good hand had clenched.
"Zidane." Baku bent over Zidane, his tone clear and loud. "You're having some sort of dream. Wake up."
"It's no use." Marcus argued. "He's still out to it. Whatever we do, I don't think it'll do a thing."
"Zidane." Baku said again, shaking Zidanes unbroken shoulder.
"He's dreaming." Mikoto stared very intently at Zidane, trying to send some sort of message to the man. "But his head's clearer than it's been in weeks." Wake up, Zidane. She begged. It's time for you to wake up. It's time for you to drag yourself out of this. You have so much more healing to do.
Help me. The weak voice in her head made her start. Zidane. Sis...
Please just wake up. She was close to tears. Please...
Can't...
"Yes you can!" She lost control, and leaned over Zidane, shaking his shoulders desperately. "Damnit, wake up!"
Help...
"You were built to be better than this!" Marcus and Blank took her arms, gently, but firmly pulling the distraught girl off of Zidane. "I know you can hear me!" For the words ran through her mind as well as her speech. "Just pull yourself free!"
Can't... Sis... Hurts... Cold...
"Then wake up." Her voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper in her throat. "Wake up."
How... Hurts... So much...
"You have the strength!" The voice of his sister sounded like a frightening roar. "What's stopping you?"
"Can't..." He was barely able to lift a finger. "Need... Help..."
"I can't help you." Zidane whimpered, feeling as through something was sorting through his head with a knife, so acute was the pain. "I-I can't..."
"Then... How..." It was a world of blackness, he was submerged, suspended in, a frightening realm of Nothing. Even the colour had faded. Although he was closer than ever to reality, he had never before felt so distant from it. "Can't..."
"I-I don't know." She really was close to tears of frustration and desperation. "I-I just..."
Then, he heard something else entirely. Singing. It took a moment, but finally recognition dawned in him, warmth and joy blossoming through his chest.
Dagger was singing.
It was a pure hallucination, he knew. More than likely, this whole episode was just a hallucination. All the same, Zidane tensed, and although the sharp agony in his head had peaked, he never felt stronger.
"D-Dagger..."
"Yes!" Mikoto's voice sounded joyful. "Think of her. Think of how lonely she is. Think of how overcome with grief she has become. Think of how happy she will be when you return."
"Must..." Zidane willed his arms to work, panting with exhaustion. "Dagger..."
"Yes." Mikoto breathed, everybody in the room focused intently on Zidane. She had been released, and now sat on his legs, tightly clenching his good hand. Zidane's eyes flickered.
"D-Dagger..." Mikoto's eyes widened as Zidane weakly clenched onto her hand, the fingers trembling. She had heard the singing in her head, weakly, and was just as clueless as Zidane as to where it came from. His lips parted, and he took a shallow breath. "M-Must..." The entire room held its' breath, waiting intently for Zidane to finally be released from the awful prison of his own mind.
And finally, with a deep gasp that made his lungs burn with the effort, Zidane finally opened his bleary eyes.
Yaaaay :D
R&R?