A long and thin strip of color mars its way across a white scroll of paper, creating a trail after a paint brush. From his place on the floor, Locke looks over at the pilot to ask. "What else do you see?"
"Hmm." Setzer twists the lense at the head of the telescope for a better look. "I see a herd of Buffalax, grazing."
Blinking, he asks. "Are they wild?" On a note pad, beside the map, he's writing out the animals of the land; its for merchants. Things like vegetation and creature population are very important things to know. It keeps you alert.
"I see no pen, nor houses. But they look tame." After a second thought he adds. "Well, as tame as those ugly things can look." He scrunched his face seeing a closer look at the horned beast, snuffling and rooting about moving grass. "It also seems that a patch of Bloompires are taking root in the grass and baren soil."
After making a note, Locke got up and walked to the edge of the deck to peer down at the land. Without the scope he can't see a zoomed version of anything, but he can see a crop of forest. "Look that way," He points. "What're the animals in the forest?"
Checking, Setzer shrugs. "I don't see any, but there is a chocobo stable."
"Really?" Receiving a nod, Locke makes a note of it then stuffs the pad into his pocket. "After I check the longitude and latitude of the land, we can come back and take a bird out to check over the areas for monsters and things."
"What do you think is going on with Edgar?" Setzer asks out of the blue.
"Huh?" Cocking his head to the side a bit to see the man's face, he asks. "What do you mean?"
Setzer lowers the scope to look at his travel partner. "When he showed up that day he seemed more than agitated, you didn't notice?"
Locke thought it over. Sure he'd noticed, but then Edgar seemed fine when they'd gotten to their bedroom, so he figured it was nothing. "Could have just been having a bad day."
"Just the same," He hums to himself thoughtfully. "I think it'd do well to get this little trip over with as soon as possible."
"Are you kicking me off your ship?"
"Not at all." He seemed offended that Locke would even think so. "I'm merely looking out for my friends."
"Mm." Looking down at the moving scenery, he takes the scope for himself. "Check it out," He hands the item back. "someone's built a bridge down there to connect the lands. ...That seems like a good idea for all of them- well, the ones close enough to be connected."
"That would be useful." He'd been admiring the deserts of this land before, a particular stretch that leads to Nikeah. It seems to the be longest to travel, and his interest in it only heightened at the thought of walking or riding merchants coming through it. Maybe the place to build is not near Tzen, but out here. The pilot glances to the side when Locke lowered himself back to the floor.
"I hate that damned tower." He mentions to himself absently. Writing down that the Fanatics Tower is surrounded by mountains and that- as a lie- the only way to enter is by air, when in fact there is a small cave to get inside at the left end, he leaves that information sparse with only that. Locke wasn't stand-offish to the place, but the activity that goes on there. Being brainwashed... being trapped in your own body like you're in a coma, while someone else is able to move you. Its just a creepy and chilling thought.
"Come on."
Setzer's voice broke the male's lament. He noticed now that the ship has landed.
"Where are we going?"
"To get some exersize. No sense travelling straight through, if you really intend to spend two months out here."
"What happened to concern for a friend?"
"I said cocern, not overwhemling troubled." He's already disappearing beneath the floor.
Locke was beginning to remember why he'd found it hard to trust the man, so many years ago. His bouncing from this to that seemed almost unstable, but then some people are like that- mostly women- he chuckled to himself. Following the gambler to the lower decks, he realizes that he would like a workout.
22222
Edgar towels his hair dry after taking a nice long bath. He hasn't had that kind of excitement in a long time. With chocobo under his commanding weight and guidance, the two guards having the same, they rode out to the course set up three miles into the desert. It was a simple game; he, Sabin and Locke played it often as children: you ride around a course, shooting arrows at bullseye targets marked with points on each ring. The arrows have colored feathers, to decipher whose is whose, for when they talley up the score. The game had been going well. The king in the lead, both in riding and in aim, soldier 2 was in a close second and the other guy, well, he was just having a good time. Hardly any of his arrows made the mark, but then he has never been a marksman, his talents shine with a spear. The game was started again once the scores were added up, declaring the king the winner. Edgar suggested they play again, and the guards couldn't say no. He must have worn them out completely, though, as they did not follow him back to the castle- that- or they're actually lovers who took some time away to sneak off and have a little naughty fun, while the king was giving them a break. Either way, Edgar had a nice time and the two men could do whatever they wanted so long as they came back to their post by the next hour.
Lunch will be in a moment, so he doesn't intend to stay in his bedroom for long. His hair is dry enough so that he can brush it and successfully pull it into a loose, low hung ponytail. Edgar then opens the balcony doors to let in the evening breeze that kicked up in the south. Stepping outside he intakes a breath of air, smiling from the warm feeling flooding his body.
'Clouds?' He ponders when seeing a big puff float by. 'Could mean rain.' He didn't get his hopes up, but the idea of rain was a welcomed change for sure. It would give his men something to do other than stand guard- himself included. 'There's an idea, maybe I could have a meal with the soldiers, see what conversation they have, what good stories they can tell.' Smiling, he straightens up from the lean he'd taken against the railing. 'I'm sure they'd love that. They'd never let the king hear such sorted tales and whatnot. It'd almost be like having your mother or father in the room while you speak of sex.' Releasing a resigned sigh, he's about to turn around and head back in when his weight shifts, sending him forward to stumble over the railing a bit.
Edgar's feet leave the ground just as his weight flipped over the rail, but luckily, he caught himself just in time to keep from going completely over the side. Positioned with only one arm and leg left to hang on, the rest of his body moved to find something solid to hold onto; with a grunt, he adjusts himself quickly, swinging his arm up onto the rail to make it easier to pull himself up. Standing on the balcony now, panic coursing through him, Edgar doesn't allow himself to calm his frazzled nerves but instead rushed into his bedroom to see who had pushed him. The bedroom is empty or at least it looks empty, whomever pushed him had to be hiding out somewhere as they could not have made it to the door quick enough to not be spotted in departure.
"Come out!" He snaps at no one. "I know you're hiding here somewhere!" Passing through the room in an angry huff, he stoops down, checking under the large bed. Nothing. He then moves to the dressing curtain, expecting to see some rogue assassin hiding out behind it. Nothing. The trunk at the end of his bed, surely someone would consider it a suitable hiding place, but when he removed the lid it was empty; to be sure, he removes the thick blanket and extra pillows from within, just incase the person compacted theirself beneath them. It also produced nothing.
"Your highness!" One of his guards banged on the door only once before letting himself in. "Your high-..." His words still when seeing the king's angry movements throughout the room. "Are you alright, sir. We saw you hanging from your balcony and rushed here as quickly as we could." The soldier had to step aside before he was shoved out of the way of the king, who is headed for the door. Watching, the man looks over his shoulder. "Sir?"
"Did you see anyone?" Edgar asks in a near hiss.
"S-.. see anyone, sir?" The guard has to lean back a hair as the king is right in his face, as if to search for a lie in his response.
"Just now! Did anyone come down the hall before you walked in?" He moves to the bathroom. There is no exit in there but the window, and they are too small for anyone to easily get out of- unless of course you're a child with a death wish, as the king's room is on the second floor.
Much like the bedroom, the bathroom was empty, leaving only the hidden room beneath his own.
"No sir. I saw no one. I'll ask the other guards at the end of the hall."
Edgar nods to that idea and the guard hurried out the door. Someone is playing a trick on him, and he doesn't find it funny. Pushing the door open to the secret room, he steps down three stairs, lighting the torch before closing the wall off. Removing the torch from its stand, Edgar walks down the remaing three stairs into the tiny bedroom. Looking left then right, he walks over to the trap door that leads underground and out of the castle, two miles away. He'd have gone down the ladder, but movement on the bed caught his attention. He'd have been more sure of it, had it not been seen from the side of his eye, but it was enough to bring him to the bed to draw the canopy aside. He was sure he'd find someone lounging on the bed; without windows there is no breeze to blow the canopy aside, it had to be moved by someone, but the bed was empty. Stumped, he drops his weight down onto the bed to think. What the hell is going on? Do such things as ghost exist? Sabin once told him about a ghost train that ran through the Doma area, but ghost, real? Its ridiculous to even think it. Hands clasped together, Edgar rests his chin onto it, his elbows to his knees.
Sighing, he thinks tiredly. 'I need a drink.'
Oddly enough, it sounded as if someone had uncorked a bottle of wine just off to his side. Turning his head, his attention is drawn away from where the popping sound had come from, when he hears the guard from before calling for him.
"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?" The man calls in confusion as to where the king had gone.
Standing, Edgar walks up the small stairs. He didn't remember leaving the door to the hidden room cracked, but it was better that he had, otherwise he wouldn't have heard the man calling for him. The great and bad thing about stone is... no one can hear you scream. Walking up the stairs, he takes one last look over his shoulder while placing the torch back onto the hook then he proceeds into his bedroom.
Seeing the blond head behind the dressing curtain, the guard salutes. "The other guards reported that no one came in or out of the hall, sir."
"I see." His gaze lands thoughtfully to the throw rug. "Manny, you said that you saw me hanging from the balcony. Could you see me the entire time I was out there?"
The guard, Manny, thought it over. "Yes, we could see you."
"And before I went over, did you see anyone behind me?"
"Sir, is someone in the castle again?" He asks directly. "I can lead a search party for them."
"That would be best, though I'm not to sure if anyone is in the castle any longer." Looking at the man, Edgar admits. "Someone did push me though, I'm very certain about that." He can recall the strength behind the man's push, strong enough to practically snap his spine in half.
The guard seemed confused by that. He's certain about something as well, and that's that he saw no one behind his majesty at all. He doesn't want his king thinking that he's going mad, but he can't exactly lie to him either. Before he could open his mouth the king brushed past him, heading out the door. Following after him, the guard listens in as his king mutters to himself about how he doesn't have time to deal with some idiot, playing games with him.
22222
Locke collapsed to the ground, exhausted and spent, the sword he'd been weilding left his limp hand, falling to grass. Snickering, he turns his head, looking where Setzer is laid out. "I guess I can cross Bloompires off the list." Still panting, he decided to remain on the ground for a rest. His gaze locked onto the floating clouds. Hand running through his sweaty, peppered, hair he looks over at his traveling companion. "...So you really think something's going on with Edgar?"
"I'm not sure anymore... I don't mean to pry anyway." He turns his head to look at Locke. "Was he alright with you?"
Nodding, the male looks back up to the clouds. "I thought he had just needed a good roll in the sack, he seemed fine afterwards. Maybe he's just bored." Sitting up, arms extending back, he leans his weight on them. "He seemed really annoyed that I was leaving." With a shrug, he stands. "Come on, fun's over."
Reluctant to move, Setzer gets up from the grass and follows Locke, brushing a hand through the back of his hair to remove the grass and dirt.
22222
"You're leaving again?" Chancellor Arnold asks.
"Yes, but not for long. I want to speak with someone." Edgar informs the man.
He's in the middle of having his things packed, and a bird set up for his departure. The chancellor was at least grateful for the man telling him this time instead of sneaking off. But to leave now, when someone is suspected of being in the castle, seems a little risky.
"Alright, your majesty. I will hold down the castle while you are away." The chancellor walks out of the livingroom, Edgar behind him. "If we see anything, we go into lock-down and dispatch the enemy?" He asks to be assured.
"That's why you're my right hand, you know me better than I know myself." He pats the man on the shoulder. "I'll only be a week."
"Yes, sir." He bows his head.
Edgar exits the castle. He has no need to check his things, knowing that his maids and counsil will have everything he needs for the trip to South Figaro. Climbing into the seat of the stage, he grabs the reigns giving the two birds the go ahead with a light snap of the straps. The chocobo's pull away from the castle at a slow roll, then pick up the pace on command.
22222
Terra was awakened by a knock on the front door of her home. She'd been napping in the rocking chair, in the livingroom. Yawning, the woman gets up from the seat and heads to the door, pulling it open. Surprised, she kneels down a bit to come to eye level with the visitor; a seven year old child by the name of Menard.
The boy smiles at her, his top front row of teeth missing the first two and one extra three teeth down. Rubbing a hand under his nose, the boy holds out an envelope to her. "A bird was standing on your mailbox, Miss Terra, and it was holding this." He sticks it out a bit further for her to grab. "I didn't read it or nothing."
Chuckling, Terra takes the note then pats the boy on the head. "I know that you didn't. Thank you for bringing this to me."
"You're welcome!" The boy grinned sheepishly, rubbing a finger under his nose before dashing off to his home.
Closing the door, Terra walked into the kitchen and started a pot of water for tea. She's sure that its another love note from Setzer. He's sent her one every month, and came for a date in the same manner. It wasn't that she didn't like all the attention from the man... she loved it! As any woman would, but the thing was... She could only hold back her curiosity of intimacy for so long; and eventually, the half Esper who never knew love can now say that she knows it quite well. From there, her and Setzer's relationship hit a stand-still, she didn't know how to bring it up and was sure how he'd react if she told him but... Terra is pregnant. She's known for a month now. Katarina checked her out after she'd spent a morning over at the woman's home, vomiting once breakfast was said and done. So silence greeted her lover anytime he came around; oh she wants to tell him, so many times she's tried... but still, silence.
Tearing the letter open, she skims down its contents discovering that the letter is actually from Edgar. Smiling from the pleasant surprise, she grabs some herbs from a small box in the kitchen cabinet, dumping them into a spoon with holes. Lifting the whistling kettle from the stove, she tilts it over so the water pours over the tea leaves and into the cup, in a lovely shade of green. Setting the kettle back down, she brings the mug over to the kitchen table and takes a seat. Letter unfolded on the table top, with a finger in place, the woman reads over the words.
Dear Terra,
How are you? Doing well, I hope to hear. I myself could use some solid company, but I'm not at all in any bad way personally. Things at the castle are as usual, the newest news is that there was a break-in; its impossible, at this point, to determine whom the culprit is but our eyes remain watchful. In lighter news, I had the most delightful visit to South Figaro, not long ago, I sort of snuck out in the night. I hadn't been to a bar in a very long time, but I did not let myself indulge too deeply.
Locke is doing well, if you have not seen. Sabin as well. They came by for a bit and are off again; mine left with yours to draw out a map of the land. Its the last one he has to do then he'll be here with me in the kingdom. We should have a meal together, the four of us. I'm not sure that Shadow would come, but I can also invite my brother and the others as well.
I do hope to hear from you soon. I miss our chats over tea.
my best,
Edgar
Terra was thrilled to hear that Edgar would like a visit. She hasn't left her home in New Mobliz for sometime. Mostly only for dates. She didn't know what it was about the place that kept her rooted here, it could be the orphaned children, could be the friends she's made with Katarina and Duane; all the time Terra has been here she's been helping to take care of the children, that live in a large home in the back of the town. As a healer, with botanical medicines, she's been tending to the wounds of the families who live here, and the workers who helped rebuild the place. Its a nice, quiet life and she wouldn't want to change it easily, but time away is good for the soul; not to mention she's always up for visiting her friends. It seemed that she's lost touch with them sometimes: Setzer, Gau, Mog, and Umaro being the ones to come around the most and Locke, whenever he needed a place to stay overnight or something, but that didn't happen often in the two years they had to change the world after the war.
Taking a drink from her cooling tea, she stands and walks back into the livingroom to retrieve a piece of paper. Writing out a note of acceptance to the offer, while promising to come sooner if she could, Terra leaves her drink behind to head outside. Envelope in hand, she walks out to the mailbox to slip the note into the pouch on the white bird that, thankfully, remained perched atop the blue box.
"Return this to Figaro castle." She says to the bird.
Sounding its animal response to her human language, the bird then flaps its wings flying into the sky and out of sight.
The woman smiles to herself as she watches the bird fly away. A wonder is in the back of her mind, as she returned to her home. How was Edgar going to take the news of the baby? He'd be pleased, she was sure of that. She also made sure to enclose that if he saw Setzer anytime in between the visit to the castle, that he not tell him of the news. She wants to break it to him in just the right way, if she can. But, if she holds her tongue any longer she won't need to tell him, as eight months from now he'll be a father. Closing the door, she grabs her cup of tea from the table where she'd left it then returned to the rocking chair. Setting the cup down on a small table beside her, Terra grabs a book in place of her cup, opened it to the last spot she had been reading to start again, and a chapter later she fell asleep.
...One week later...
Setzer finished washing the dishes he and Locke made, drying them he set them into the upper cabinets being sure to strap them into the bin to prevent them from rattling around or breaking during flight. Turning away from the sink, he cocks a brow at the sight of Locke picking his teeth clean with a tooth pick. "You could have helped wash the dishes, or at the very least dried them."
Locke shrugged apologetically. He really could have helped, but the gambler was so straight away about it, he barely had time to process what was going on before it was over. "If it will make you feel better, I can make dessert next time."
"You bake?" Drying his hands on a dish towel, he walks over to the kitchen table pulling out a seat to occupy.
"Don't sound so shocked, I do know a thing or two. I've lived on my own for ages." He gives a glance to the deck of cards set out of the table, nodding at the asking expression. "I can make a rum cake."
"Mmm." He deals the cards out after giving them a showy shuffling.
Locke wondered if that were for his benefit or if Setzer simply couldn't help it, casino for brains or something like that. The two men play four games of poker while speaking randomly of this and that; the airship is grounded for right now; they're waiting for the sun to set as the two planned on leaving to the shore to wash up. Setzer offered going to an Inn, due to not wanting to heat water for a bath but Locke wasn't interested, saying that a true adventurer makes due with the elements, which earned him a nose scrunched: no wonder you stink when you come back from your travels. True enough; Setzer at least has soap for them to use, whereas he never has anymore once the bar he's taken from the castle runs out.
"I win again." Setzer announced before turning his gaze to the windows.
"Good thing we weren't playing for money."
Snapping his fingers, he replied. "I knew there was something I'd forgotten to say. You got lucky." Pushing the seat out, he stands. "I'll get the toiletries, go on without me."
"Okay." Shoving his seat back in, Locke freezes a moment as a cold chill just rushes down his spine. 'What gives? Its not even cold in here.' Hearing footsteps in the hall, he shakes his head then follows the man out of the ship.
The two raced to the shore; Locke beating Setzer by a good stretch, his clothes flying through the air as he stripped while running. The Returner splashed through the water, shivering at the contact of the cold, submerging himself completely to get used to the water temperature. Letting out a refreshed howl and cheer, he tosses water into his face. Setzer wadded into the water a bit later, seemingly unbothered by the cold, he swam out a bit further than Locke getting ready to lather up his hair.
"Squid attack!" He pounces on the unsuspecting male.
Laughing, Setzer retaliated by swooshing water into Locke's face, like a tidal wave over and over. Diving under that onslaughter, Locke grabs the man by the thighs tossing him up into the air; leaping onto the man who tried to recover, they wrestle around for a good ten minutes before sobering up to clean themselves. Once they'd scrubbed off all the dirt of the week, and washed the smell from their hair, the two walk onto shore picking up the towels to dry off.
Wrapping the towel around his waist, Locke starts for the ship. "The moon is gorgeous tonight, we should sleep outside."
"Ocean baths and tents, are you mad?"
"Are you?" Retorts the adventurer. "I like the outdoors."
"I like the outdoors just fine, but I like a nice warm bed best."
"Party pooper; bring me a tent out when you get dressed."
"Alright." He pulls open the door; the step ladder releases.
Waiting around, just outside the ships entrance, Locke quickly catches the sleeping bag tossed his way. Seeing that Setzer also has a bag under his arm along with the tent, he cocks a brow. "Thought you were an indoors guy?"
"I like the view." He nods at the sky. "Help me get the tent up."
Dropping the sleeping bag to the grass, Locke unfolds the tent setting it up while Setzer bangs in the spikes. Unrolling the bags into the tent, the two climb inside. Something soft brushed Locke's shoulder, when he looked he took hold of a nightgown.
"I didn't know if you intended to sleep naked or not, so I brought you a gown." Laying on his stomach, arms folded, he rests his chin onto them.
Slipping the gown over his head, Locke brushes it down his bare hips then mimics Setzer's laying position. "I love a half moon... don't you?" Rolling onto his back, he looks questioningly at said moon. "Where do you think the rest of it goes?" A croaking in the distance catches his attention. "Have you ever eaten a Giga Toad? Its really not that bad, its not posionous either, you think it would be. I guess when the magic disappeared, so did the venom. Now its like regular frogs legs but with more meat."
"You really shouldn't eat something that isn't a sure thing." He responded in a sleepy mumble.
"When you have no money, you make do with whatever you find." Now that the thought crossed his mind, he asks. "Have you ever been poor?" Seeing the weak nod, Locke goes on to say. "Oh right, when your ship smacked into the ocean." He paused briefly before adding. "How did you make it all back? Setzer... Hey, how can you be tired so quickly?"
"Sleep herbs... for.. my... insomnia..." He'd said, but only half got out.
"Sleep herbs?" He sounds offended. Figuring conversation to be dead at that point, Locke instead focuses his attention on the stars. He named as many constolations as he could before falling asleep.
22222
Edgar climbed into the carriage, sitting down heavily in the seat; he can feel a snicker creeping up from his throat but he keeps it down. It really isn't funny. Although, you'd be a fool to know of it, and not find it a little funny. He'd spent the week in South Figaro, airing his dirty laundry to those guys he'd spied on before in the cave. He'd gone in disguise, black hair, and caps over his eyes making the natural sky blue, a thick brown color. He'd changed his clothes from his usual royal garb to something more common. He'd spent the day shopping for a new wardrobe to blend in. Two shirts: a long sleeve white one, beneath a dark purple tunic with a gold string to lace up the front, and a pair of comfortable brown pants with matching boots.
Like before they had gone to the bar, drank themselves stupid, then walked to the caves to bitch about their problems to one another. Edgar, on held breath, went in ready for the shove off, but the group was actually really receptive to the newcomer, who introduced himself as Iron, Dager, Lord; taking the letters from his middle name to form a new, and his first name to form a middle, topping it off with his mother's maiden name to create a new persona. He'd made sure to walk around all day dressed like Iron, to familiarize himself with the people in the town and cover up the fact that the king has come in. His carriage was not one to be missed, that was for sure.
The members of the group introduced themselves, their names common- minus the child of a wealthy family. The shortest male, the one Edgar had established as being incharge, is named Carlton Mortemier, the other male- the one who hated fish- is named Darrien Kabar, a child from a noble family and the last name is of the desert region, which meant Darrien is definitely a native to the town of Figaro. He considers himself the black sheep and shame of the family, over reasons he doesn't know. The woman's name is Sonya Lanton, and the bulkier male is Sesto Prescott. The members thought Iron's name was really cool- especially if it wasn't an alias or something; Edgar assured them it was not. Darrien treated him as though he were an older brother, feeling that Iron is closer to his situation, as Lord is a very well known noble name since his mother married his father. Edgar didn't mind, it was actually kind of nice having a brother whom WANTS to be around you.
The five of them talked for hours into the night and some of the day, Edgar talked about his friends and how lonely he's been feeling and the others did the same, telling him of their stories and pains. It was on the fourth night that Carlton decided that they should have a feast to celebrate the new member of The Outsiders, and for this feast they needed to steal the food. Edgar hadn't even given it a seconds thought to not doing it; he's seen Locke steal things, pick-pockets and whatnot numorous times, so doing it himself was a sinch.
They took fruits, vegetables, Edgar managed to steal an entire duck to roast, right off its hook. With larger statures, sneaking isn't an easy task; but he's no slouch in getting around and was trained for survival at all cost, which included being very stealthy. The chatter and good mood poured from the cave as the group ate, and celebrated that they at least had each other. By the end of the week, Edgar was resigned to going back to the castle; living as Iron Lord proved to be a lot of fun. He may even do it again sometime. Undressing from his costume then redressing in his usual clothes, Edgar figured he'd stop somewhere and scrub the black from his hair before he arrived at home. He knows that the birds know the way and can easily lead him home on their own, so he rests in the cabin of the carriage instead of riding outside like he had when going into town. The king supposed that he'd feel guilty later on, for bad mouthing his friends to complete strangers, but right now he feels a thousand pounds lighter.
Laying back, Edgar closed his eyes; he completely missed it when the first flash of light brightened the sky, but the next one was flashy enough to be seen even with closed lids. Opening his eyes, he sits up; a shadow moved from the window behind him. Edgar blinks in wonder of when a storm had come up; the sky releases a loud boom as if on cue.
'Maybe I should camp out in here until the storm lets up.' Settling himself on the bench seat, in a laying position again, he closes his eyes.
"He's trapped in a box, just like a little Jack..."
Edgar's eyes open, but he does not sit up. A muffled voice can be heard from outside of the carriage; it seems like the person is singing.
"With a turn of the crank, let's see if he will crack..."
Edgar started when the mysterious singer bumped into the carriage over and over again, it felt like it was being pummeled by a herd of Rhinotaurs. The man must be a near giant to shake it this hard. A thump sounded overhead. Sitting up, Edgar looks up at the ceiling.
"Come out, come out, wherever you are!"
Fist balled in anger, Edgar grabs the door handle giving it a turn but when the door pushed open, it was instantly kicked back to shut. Concerned, he tries for it again and, like before, the door kicks shut.
"What the devil...?" He questions. Leaning forward, he cast his gaze up trying to see out the window at the person who's harrassing him. "Aah!" He yelped when a boot came down infront of his face. He'd of been whacked good if not for the glass covering the window. The man is sitting on top of the coach and kicking his feet in alternate, allowing his booted heel to bang into the window each time.
"I hate it... that you feel good this way. I hate it- I just hate it! Airing your grievances about how lonely you are... bah! If you were really lonely, you'd make them pay attention to you, wouldn't you?"
"Who's up there?" Edgar calls. He knew he wouldn't get an answer, not the correct response anyway. This is probably that man, the one who keeps breaking into the castle. He knew he'd been followed! On his ride to South Figaro, he could swear he saw a man on a black chocobo riding along side of him at a good enough distance, to be noticed but not really seen. Trying the door again, there's still a hard resistance from the man's feet keeping it shut. Maybe he can time his push.
"Don't bother, you'd only be wasting your time. If you can't push the door open now then you're simply too weak to do anything."
"Do anything?" He cocks a brow, anger building in the back of his voice. "About what?"
There was a crash from the window behind him before, directly in his ear, Edgar hears the response. "This!"
Arms wrap tightly around him, one around his torso the other strangling him around his neck. The grip is so incredible, he's surprised his guts didn't shoot out of him from the impacted pressure of being held so tightly. He's very light-headed, but still is trying to remove the man from his person; each hand is gripped onto one of the man's forearms and struggling, with all his strength, to gain some distance from them and his body.
"Crack... Crack... Crack.." He chants into Edgar's ear, applying more pressure.
Bucking and writhing, the king digs his heels into the door and, with its help, shoves his weight back to slam the man into the broken window. With any luck, he can slice open the back of the man's head on a broken shard sticking out of the frame. But he ends up crying out in pain instead; a splitting headache wracked his brain when the cool night wind bit into the slice on his neck. He's alone. No. It can't end like that. Shoving open the door of the carriage, Edgar turns this way and that looking for the retreating man. He'll make him pay, not only for assaulting his help but for twice breaking into the castle and twice trying to take his life.
"Show yourself!" He called loudly through the storm. Nothing. "Show yourself now! Or are you a coward!" He looks around then, during a flash of lightening, a man can be seen leaning against the carriage. His head is down, his posture relaxed but realizing that Edgar sees him, the man lifts his head to look at him. Edgar's seen him before, he's sure of it... But where...? That's it! He's the man from his dream. But that was only a dream, this man can't be real... or maybe he is, and he's seen him before. His memory could have recalled him in the dream that night.
"Why are you doing this?" Edgar asks, slowly walking toward the man; who's slowly walking toward him. "Is there something you want? Money? Recognition? Or are you simply looking for a quick death?"
"It sure is wet outside, isn't it?" The man says casually, the accent in his voice becoming clear now. "They say water reflects your true self, as it cannot be altered as mirrors can." He looks up into the sky. "Do you think that, Edgar? Do you believe that there are a bunch of tiny mirrors falling from the sky, all showing off who you really are?" Lowering his head, he frowns. "Do you know what they're seeing now?"
Edgar's eyes never leave the man's shaded face, as he listens and answers. "No man has attention as quick, nor a gaze as sharp to see anything on a droplet of rain."
"Oh no?" Holding his hands together like a little craddle, the man walks closer to Edgar, smirking when the king takes a step back each time. "Are you really that scared to see? Look... come and look at yourself."
"No."
"Afraid?"
"Of a stranger that tried to push me off a balcony? Never." He chided.
"Oh that," The man stops walking seeing that Edgar only continues to back away. "I was giving you something to do; a way to amuse yourself. You quite liked the idea of someone breaking into the castle, didn't you? Someone to mess with and give chase... to punish where you cannot punish your friends for abandoning you in that gray tomb." The man snickered when Edgar practically spat in his direction.
"As if I would ever!"
"You wouldn't, but I would... in your heart, I know you know that." He starts forward again. "That's why you let me do it... you let me beat up that maid." He laughs joyfully. "You wanna know why she didn't talk? Its because she knows that the person who did it... is you."
"That's impossible!" He's turning his steps now, so that he is heading back towards the carriage. If he can reach his sword, he can shut this scoundral up once and for all.
The man's steps seemed to have gotten heavier, as the splats turned into thick squishing and squashing sounds. "You know that I'm right... that's why you refuse to look at your reflection... you'll see what's grown there, over your face."
Edgar's hand shot absently to his face, touching over his cheeks and jaw and neck. He, of course, felt nothing. He hated himself for being tricked into the man's will, even of the slightest thing. The door is pulled open and Edgar reaches inside, quickly his sword is unsheathed, the tip of the blade points directly at the man's throat.
"I will kill you." Edgar warns in a low serious tone.
"You can't kill me. You don't have the power to, no one does... you especially."
The man threw his body back into a bend to dodge the blade swinging forward and up at his neck. Edgar tensed for the retaliation but none came, as the man only straightened back to a comfortable standing. Edgar thrusts the sword repeatedly, three times, at the man's chest but again the man dodged the attack. Sizing up the battle, Edgar starts to circle the man from his dream.
"What do you want with me? Why are you following me around?"
A loud boom echoed through the sky; you'd think the mountains collided with each other and exploded. But Edgar's freying nerves held, keeping him from jumping out of his skin; the man wasn't bothered by the storm at all, you'd think he was standing in a field on mid-summers day.
"I wanna do you a favor, I wanna take away your shame."
The king ducked down, sweeping the sword through the air at the man's ankles, losing no ground by keeping the spin going on the way back up; he'd actually thought that he'd cut the man but instead concludes to see that the blade had been pushed at the dull end, turning Edgar so that his back is to the man. That was the advantage the dream man had been waiting for as he once again has him in a good hold. Edgar smacked into the carriage after his sword impaled the door, when the man's weight shoved them both forward into it.
Edgar's breath sucks in sharply seeing his reflection in the glass and beside it the man's, almost like looking at a doubled image.
"Look at yourself... the hurt... the resentment towards them. You've created me, and now you've named me... the only thing left is to let me out."
"No, I... This isn't real." He closes his eyes.
"Its real... its real where it counts anyway."
Head dipped and shaking in defiance to the man's words, Edgar whispers over and over. "No, its not true. Its not true. You're not real... you're not real."
He's surprised when his arms shoot out, instinctively catching him from smacking into the coach. He's panting hard, waiting for the pain or more verbal slander to his person but when neither come, he opens his eyes and looks around... He's alone.