Eiko gazed out of her bedroom window wistfully, watching the crowds of Lindblum go by. It was nearly time for dinner, judging by the dimming light outside. "Mama will be calling me soon," she thought, crossing the room to her wardrobe and riffling through it for an evening dress to wear. She had been adopted by the Fabools last year, but she still wasn't used to the high life and formality.

"I miss my friends…it sucks!" Sighing, Eiko slipped off her current dress and dragged the blue evening dress over her head, wincing as it got caught on her horn. With her dress in place, Eiko gave her hair a quick brush, washed her hands and slipped her feet into patent-leather shoes before opening her bedroom door to behold a surprised looking Hilda. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "I was just about to call you down! And you've even gotten yourself ready on time!"

"Yes, Mama!" smiled Eiko. "Can we go to dinner now?"

"Of course," Hilda replied, taking Eiko's hand as they began to descend the stairs. "Now, your father has invited a few guests to dine with us, so I want you on your best behaviour, yes?"

"Yes, Mama!"

"Good girl." Hilda nodded to a saluting guard.

"Who has Daddy invited to dinner?"

"I'm not sure myself, but I think they are old friends…" They reached the lift, and Eiko jumped up to operate the controls to take them to the Upper Level.

"I wish my old friends would come for a visit…" Eiko sighed, crossing her arms. Hilda leaned down and gently uncrossed them, shaking her head.

"Dear, you'll crease your dress! But I'm sure your friends will come to see you at some point. Lady Freya and Sir Fratley visited the other week, remember?"

Eiko nodded. "Yeah…but Freya's so uptight! We didn't like each other much. I mean like Zidane, or…or Vivi, could visit."

"There's always a possibility," Hilda said. "Let me see your hands." Eiko held her hands out for her mother to inspect. "Yes, they're clean."

"I washed them before you came to get me."

"That's good." They stepped out of the lift and made their way to the dining hall. It was empty, save for a servant girl laying the table; she looked up and curtsied when she saw Hilda and Eiko. "I'm almost finished, milady," she said. "Regent Cid asked me to tell you that he has left to greet the guests and he'll be back shortly."

"Thank you, Kendal," Hilda smiled. "You may go when you're finished."

"Yes, milady." Kendal finished laying the table, curtsied once again, then left, pushing her crockery trolley. Hilda crossed the room and seated herself in her allocated chair, beside Cid's, and Eiko jumped into her lap, cuddling up close to her. "Do you think we could send a message to Garnet soon, Mama?" she asked. Stroking Eiko's hair, Hilda let out a short laugh.

"A message? Whatever for?"

"I just…I just miss her, that's all. We're the only summoners left on Gaia, Mama…it'd be nice to see her again."

"Garnet is a busy young woman these days, Eiko. I understand how you feel, but we can't simply see her when we feel like it." She raised her head, looking towards the door. "Ah…I hear your father approaching."

The door boomed open, and in strolled Regent Cid, his moustache bouncing round his jolly face. "My girls!" he beamed. "There you are!" Eiko jumped off her mother's lap and went to hug Cid.

"Good evening, Daddy. I haven't seen you all day!"

"Sorry, my little daisy," Cid replied, patting her on the head. "I've had a lot to attend to. Now, allow me to introduce my guests-"

He rattled off a number of names as the guests entered the room. Eiko noted they were all rat-people of Burmecia or Cleyra. The troupe, and Cid, sat down and Eiko went to her own seat as a number of chefs came in and served the food. Eiko was sat next to a female Cleyran wearing robes of green and white, who she took an immediate liking to. "So why have you come to Lindblum?" she asked, adopting a formal tone.

The Cleyran, whose name was Kildea, replied, "Your father has been friends with the King of Burmecia for many years, and he has kindly invited us here so he may speak to him about plans for Burmecia's reconstruction."

"Is reconstruction not going to plan so far?"

"Unfortunately, we have neither the supplies nor the workers in great enough numbers to finish the task. Us Cleyrans have assisted where possible, but having lived in isolation, we find it difficult. It was not anything we have ever had to partake in before…"

"So is Father going to give you workers and supplies?"

"That is what they are talking about, I assume, Lady Eiko."

"I hope everything works in your favour." Eiko took a sip from her goblet. "Where do the Cleyrans live now? Actually, where do the Burmecian survivors live, too?"

"Originally, wherever we could find shelter. I myself found refuge in Daguerreo until I received a Mognet letter inviting me here. Now, we have all set up a temporary village of sorts outside Burmecia so we can work on restoring the city."

Nodding, Eiko let her eyes wander the table. The King of Burmecia, who had miraculously managed to escape Cleyra before Odin destroyed it two years ago, sat on Cid's left, chatting away to him. A young Burmecian sat next to the King, devouring a plate of fish and vegetables with great gusto. Eiko recognised him vaguely from a conversation she had had with Vivi at one point. "Excuse me," she said, raising her voice a little so she could be heard, "but are you Prince Puck?"

He looked up and grinned. "Yeah, I'm Puck. What's up?"

"Puck!" his father hissed. "Be more respectful!"

"I was told you left your kingdom years ago. Why have you returned?"

"Well, I couldn't just leave everyone to rebuild without me!" he said, putting his fork down. "Dad needed my help, and he was injured when we escaped from Cleyra, so I stayed with him!"

"It's nice to meet you at last. Vivi spoke of you often."

"He did?" Puck chuckled. "Ah, that kid. When I met him he was a snivelling wreck in Alexandria, so I snuck him into the castle to watch that play."

"I remember him telling me." Eiko smiled fondly as she recalled her friend.

"Last time I was in Alexandria though, I didn't find Vivi, I found loads of Vivis!"

They both laughed. "I don't know how he managed it, but he had children! They live with him in the Black Mage Village now," said Eiko. Puck looked amazed at this.

"There's a village of Black Mages? Sweet! It can't be on this continent though…"

"It's on the Outer Continent, deep inside a huge forest…"

"Wow!" Puck plucked at his father's sleeve. "Dad! Dad! Next time we go travelling, we're going to the Outer Continent! I wanna see the Black Mage Village!"

The King of Burmecia frowned. "Black mages…Puck, surely you can't be serious…"

Cid laughed heartily. "My dear old friend, you should not judge a book by its cover. These mages are not mindless slaves, but as animate as you or I! They have been most courteous to us since I installed a pacemaker in Vivi's chest to extend his life."

At last, dinner was finished, and Cid rose, smiling at everybody seated at his table. "Now everybody has been fed and watered, I would like to invite you to stay the night. Eiko, would you be a darling and show our guests to their rooms?"

"Yes, Daddy." Eiko slid off her seat and inclined her head. "This way, please."

There was an urgent tap on Eiko's bedroom door, waking the young girl. She looked at her clock; it read 7:00. "So early…?" she yawned, getting out of bed and putting on her dressing gown and slippers. "Who is it?" she called.

"Erin, milady!"

"Oh! Come in."

Erin, Cid's head pilot, entered the room and bowed. "I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour, but your father requested that I come and wake you. He has a surprise for you at the airship dock."

Eiko yawned again and stretched. "A…a surprise?"

"Yes, milady."

"Will you tell Daddy I'll be there soon? I must wash and get dressed."

"I'll let him know immediately." Erin hurried out of the room to give Eiko some privacy. When she had first been adopted, Cid had asked her if she would like a maid to assist her with day to day tasks, but Eiko had refused. Having looked after herself from such a young age, she didn't want anybody else mothering her all the time. She had a quick wash, put on a yellow dress, brushed her hair and put her shoes on. "All set!" she said to herself, smiling at her reflection in her mirror. She left her room and made for the airship dock.

She was shocked when she reached her destination. "That's the…Red Rose!" She let out a joyous cry and ran forward, but Cid, who had just come off the ship, stopped her.

"Eiko, I know what you're thinking, but Garnet is not on the ship."

"Garnet's not here? But…why-?" Eiko dropped her eyes to the floor, heavily disappointed.

"However…" Cid smiled and moved aside, "I think your next best friend wants to see you!" A dark head with yellow eyes peeped round Cid.

"Hiya, Eiko!"

Eiko let out a scream and charged past Cid to throw her arms round Vivi, squeezing him tight. "Vivi, I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too," replied the little black mage, hugging her back, "but you're going to have to let me go unless you want to suffocate me!" Eiko released him and examined him closely.

"You haven't changed."

"But you have! Wow, that dress looks expensive!"

Eiko giggled. "I know, doesn't it? But I made it myself! Mama showed me how to do embroidery, since I already knew how to make a dress."

"You look really pretty, Eiko!" Vivi adjusted his hat. "Zidane and Quina are with me, plus we've brought the entirety of the Black Mage Village. The Genomes, except for Mikoto, stayed behind."

The little girl cocked her head to one side, confused, and took Vivi's hand to lead him away so everybody else could disembark. "Why have you brought all the black mages?"

"We're hoping to talk with Cid…Mr. 288 is going to stop moving soon, so we wanted to ask Cid to extend his life like he did with mine. If it goes well, maybe he could do it to all the mages! In return, we'd do anything he wanted." He spun his staff between his hands nervously. "If Cid can't, or won't, I don't know what else we can do…" He let out a little sniff. Eiko hugged him again.

"I'm sure he'll try his best. He's got a lot on his plate at the moment with helping the Burmecians, but you can only try, eh?"

At that moment, Zidane appeared and stuck his tongue out at Eiko. "How's my former stalker been then?" he said, ruffling her hair; she stuck her tongue out back at him and neatened her violet locks.

"I'm a little lady now, Zidane! I'm not allowed to stalk people!"

"I'm safe from your clutches then!" he laughed. "Glad to see Vivi again?"

"Glad to see all of you!" She gave Zidane a hug. "How's Garnet? Why couldn't she come?"

"She's really busy, so she sent me to babysit Vivi on this little trip. Has he told you why we're here?"

"Yeah, just now. Do you need help unpacking supplies or anything?"

"We're all out. Quina's gonna go to the Business District with Mikoto later and pick some stuff up." Zidane looked over his shoulder. "Cid's coming over."

The Regent approached, looking a little bemused. "This is a surprise, I'll say. How are you, Zidane?"

"I'm swell, Cid, just swell!" Zidane shook Cid's hand. "Garnet had a message for you as well…I think Vivi had it somewhere. Vivi, have you-?"

Vivi wordlessly held out the scroll, which Cid took and read. "Ah, yes. Freya did mention something about a celebration, but I had no idea where…well of course we'll attend! A number of Burmecian survivors are in the castle at this very moment, so I can let them know! Now…I forget my manners. It's very early, but you all look wide awake, so would you like some breakfast?" Everybody nodded, and Cid clapped his hands together. "With the Burmecians here as well, we'll go to the grand dining hall instead. We can talk about why you have come while we eat. Will the mages be joining us? I understand they are all on board too."

Vivi piped up, "They are all busy looking after Mr. 288 at the moment, so I think they'd rather stay onboard."

"No problem, my boy; I shall send somebody to deliver them their breakfast. Any requirements?"

"All vegetarian please, Cid."

"I can arrange that," he nodded. "Come! Eiko, please show them to the grand dining hall while I rouse Hilda and the Burmecians."

"Come on, guys!" Eiko took Zidane and Vivi's hands and dragged them towards the exit excitedly. "So, what's happening in Alexandria, Zidane?" she asked.

Zidane scratched his head with his free hand. "Repairs are coming along nicely; there's not a lot to do now except do something about Alexander's blade."

"Daddy sent Tantalus to help out, didn't he?"

"Yeah, they've lent a hand. Marcus got with Ruby not long ago as well. None of us expected that; we all thought she'd go for Blank."

"Well, he's the best looking one! Marcus looks a bit like a goblin!"

Vivi and Zidane laughed. "But Marcus has those blue tattoos up his arms," Vivi chuckled, "and Ruby thinks tattoos are sexy. I heard her saying something about it after they'd finished a play."

"Besides, they've been flirting for years," added Zidane, "whereas I've never seen Blank with a girl, ever!"

"Might be on the other side of the fence?"

"Y'know, Viv, I wouldn't be surprised…"

"Hey!" Eiko protested. "Lady in the vicinity!"

"Oh, er…sorry, Lady Eiko!" The boys laughed again; Eiko pouted and shoved them into the lift.

"Shut it, you two! Honestly!"

The boys just continued to laugh hysterically. Eiko rolled her eyes and operated the lift controls. "I'm gonna kick your asses for that!"

Clutching his ribs, Zidane choked, "Oh no, Vivi, Lady Eiko is gonna punish us for being naughty boys!"

"Oooh, save me!" Rolling around on the floor, the young mage burst out into fresh peals of laughter. Zidane hauled him up and dusted him off, putting a hand over his (invisible) mouth. "We better shut up now or she'll knife us, Viv…"

They both adopted sombre stances till they reached the desired floor. Eiko strode out of the lift and skipped ahead of them, the boys lagging behind, still sniggering behind their hands. A guard saluted the trio as they passed. "Hurry up!" called Eiko, standing before two huge doors, which she pushed open with some difficulty. "Make yourselves comfortable; I'm gonna go send word to the chefs!" With a cheery smile, Eiko departed, leaving the boys to choose chairs to sit in.

"Eiko seems to like being a princess, eh?" chuckled Zidane, sitting on a chair and stretching. "Still as bouncy as ever though. Nothing'll change that." He frowned. Vivi didn't seem to be listening. He snapped his fingers, and the little mage jumped suddenly as if icy water had been thrown over him. "Huh? Oh, I…um, y-yeah, sure…"

"You feeling alright, Viv?"

Vivi nodded and sat in a chair next to Zidane, avoiding eye contact. Zidane shrugged and fiddled with his hair till the doors opened and Mikoto entered, followed by Quina. "Hello, you two," Mikoto said quietly, sitting down. "Cid and his guests aren't far behind now. Quina, are you going to sit with us?" The Qu nodded and jumped onto a chair beside Vivi. Eiko then entered with her parents, the Burmecians and the Cleyrans; Puck let out a shout of joy and ran across the room to high-five Vivi and give him a tight hug.

After acknowledgements were exchanged, everyone was seated and the chefs came in to serve them. Cid talked away with the King of Burmecia for some time before turning his attention to Vivi. "Now, Vivi…the King and I have finished our conversation for now, so now it is your turn to explain why you have come to Lindblum."

Vivi looked up from the grapefruit he was tucking into and nodded shyly. "Yeah…u-um, remember how you installed that pacemaker thing in my chest?"

"How could I forget? It was a major triumph for us! And now, from the operation's success, many lives have been saved; now we know how to extend one's life should it be failing."

Vivi chuckled. "I was just the stepping stone for a major breakthrough, wasn't I?"

"You could put it that way, I suppose…"

"W-Well, it involves that. I've brought the black mages with me, as you noticed earlier. That's because of Mr. 288, the elder…well, he's slowing down, and he will stop moving soon. It's…it's a miracle he's even survived two and a half years. I arrived at the Black Mage Village two days ago and in just that short space of time, he has become even worse." The little mage sighed. "Regent Cid, if you would perform the operation on Mr. 288 that you performed on me, we would be extremely grateful! In return, we'll do anything!"

"Cid, we're desperate," Zidane chipped in. "Without Mr. 288, the village will be left without a leader and nobody'll feel worthy to take his place. And there's the matter of the Genomes; they still need looking after. Would you do it for us?"

Hilda, watching the scene closely with her big blue eyes, reached out and laid her petite hand over Cid's. He looked down and nodded. "Well…I shall speak with my men about the matter. I'm a very busy man, but I can see this troubles you greatly. I will do my best to assist you, Vivi, and all your black mage friends. Of course, I shall expect something in return…"

"Anything, sir! Anything!"

Cid twiddled his moustache. "We'll discuss that later; it's not important at the moment. Let's not worry ourselves at the present moment. I'll send for you later when the time is right, yes?"

"Thank you," Vivi replied, nodding and returning to his grapefruit.

Eiko gazed up and down the large table- her parents, still holding hands, smiling at each other; Zidane and Mikoto having a conversation about god-knows-what; The Burmecians and Cleyrans talking among themselves, like last night; Quina sniffing all the food and proclaiming in his usual loud voice.

But all Eiko really noticed were the tears running down Vivi's dark face.