"Good morning, Master Ffamran." The heavy curtains of my chamber were pulled apart, allowing the harsh, morning sunlight to fill my room. I buried my face into my blankets, moaning aloud.
"What compels you to rouse me at such an hour!" I demanded, muffled by the pillow I was yelling into. I was beyond soreness, as the bruises of the previous night had surfaced on my face in their appealing hues of violets and yellow. I planned to sit out the day in my chambers, and recover by the touch of my father's handmaids. I did not have my own, as Cidolfus knew me well enough not to hire any solely for me. I could not get much accomplished with such an appearance outside of my own walls.
"You must wake early now. Your duties as a judge begin today." My doors opened again as more servants filed in. They rallied the troops already!
"No, no..!" Together, they arranged an extensive uniform at the foot of my bed, consisting of chain mail and armor. I pulled myself up, examining the armor with animosity. The shoulder plate and helm were engraved with Arcadia's emblem, and the cloths were dyed our colors. "What is the meaning of this? Am I to wear such elaborate garb?"
"You are. It is the uniform of an Imperial Judge." I swung my legs over my bed, and walked drowsily to inspect them. They were well kept, but all that mattered was how heavy they appeared. I shook my head and exhaled defiantly.
"I refuse to wear such massive-hey!" The second I was standing, my servants flocked me as if I were a piece of sweetherb to chocobos. I suppose, since I had declined their assistance in dressing myself all my life, they were making it up now by being as rough as possible. I cussed under my breath and beckoned to one of the few, unoccupied servants.
"I don't suppose that you've prepared any sort of meal this fine morning."
"Master Bunansa requested your company in the dining hall for breakfast." Just as he was forcing this new occupation upon me? My face must have become red with anger, for the servant became anxious to leave.
"You can tell "Master Bunansa" that I am just too excited to be eating anything before I begin my work today!" the servant nodded, backing out hastily. "With vigor, now!"
"O-Of course, Young Master." I shook my head as my servants pulled away.
"Now, all of you, out." They bowed in unison around me.
"I will await outside to escort you when you are ready."
I lifted my hands. No skin was visible under the heavy mail and iron gloves. When I raised my head, I saw my reflection in the mirror across my room. Never before had I been so dissatisfied with my appearance. Dressed in the garb of those loyal to our tyrant king. I shook my head, and looked away, disgusted.
The uniform proved to be even more obnoxious than I had thought. My cape made noise at every step and, no matter how my servant assured me otherwise, I was convinced that the echoing footsteps of my boots was someone pursuing us.
I followed my head servant as he led me quickly down the hallways. He appeared as anxious as my father to get my new position. To be accepted as a judge brought great honor to the family, so everyone was eager that I...act accordingly, starting by arriving on time. That explained why I was being escorted. I recognized the path we were taking as the same one my father had taken me yesterday. I suppose that meant our destination was the same as well. That circular room with the cursed war banners. We entered the viewing deck above the shipyard, and my pace slowed. The airship I had seen only yesterday was taking on form. A pair of wings were spread out on the ship's sides, folding against the ship, then back out for testing.
"Dual wings that fold to the side? Interesting." And the speed thrusters attached to them looked even more interesting.
"Why yes, Young Master. That prototype is a completely new model. We hope that Sir Vayne will be pleased." I waved that off. Always to please him. His younger brother would be more worthy of such a craft. As I began to move away, a sight just as alluring as a new airship caught my eye. A strikingly familiar viera stood tall among the workers. "Young Master, we should move along."
"Who is she?"
"Young Master?"
"That viera. White ears with brown tips." My servant joined me by the glass.
"She was sent here to oversee the construction of the airship." My mouth gaped open in a wide smile.
"A mechanic?"
"Well, that should be expected. Or we wasted our money."
"She knows airships, as well as combat." A smile crept up on my lips. "Unique indeed."
"Young Master, we must-"
"Yes, yes. You are dismissed." He did not move. I sighed, smiling. My escort wanted to be certain that I arrived. "I won't run away from my "duties" this day. I will report in, as i am supposed to." My servant bowed and left me alone. "But for now…"
~Fran POV~
"Fran, that man has been watching you for minutes now, kupo." A small moogle dressed in green signaled me from his lookout point from atop a large crate. I did not look his way, and continued to read through the ship's progress reports casually. According to them, I had been more of an asset than I had thought.
"I am aware, Nono." I assured him. This not being my first time under observation, it did not worry me. "I've felt his gaze for some time now, but he is of no threat." The moogle glanced back and forth fervently.
"But Fran…He's dressed in armor with Archadia's emblem, kupo..." My ears twitched his way. Armor? I lowered the clipboard and turned slowly. I could see his every detail, even from so far away. Though his back was to me, his facial features were insignificant. The black cape with the red emblem was plenty enough to infer. An imperial Judge. I put down the papers and walked to the elevator. This I could not leave alone. It is understandable if a Judge watch the progress of the ship, but not its supervisor. He was planning something. "Oh dear, kupo! Fran, what are you going to do, kupo?" Nono dashed to my side.
"I will just have a…friendly word with him, nothing more."
~Ffamran POV~
"Huh? Where is she off to now?" I leaned over, putting my hands to the glass. The viera was out of sight, disappearing under the observation deck. "Hm. Well, I suppose that's that." The elevator across from me let out a soft ring as it reached this level, and my body froze rigid. "She did not!" Though I tried to make a…hasty getaway, my new attire held me back considerably. Before I could make it a yard away, the metal door opened and out strut that familiar viera.
"Why in such a hurry?" I froze in mid-step, groaning inwardly. "You seemed to have much time, what compels you to leave now?" I coughed. Well, there was no escaping fate. So I turned to face her with a smile.
"Well, you know." I shrugged. "Places to get off to, people to converse with." Her eyes narrowed with recognition, but she did not voice her thoughts. Her complex, spider-webbing thoughts… Those eyes seemed to analyze me, making my skin hot. She blinked slowly, then cocked her head ever so slightly, as if she were breaking from her stare.
"I see." She replied softly. I chuckled.
"I'm glad you do." I turned my shoulder to the airship below. "I also see that you are in charge of the new model now."
"Yes. How observant." She wasn't letting her guard down at all- reminding me how I had been caught spying on her. I put on hand on my hip, and the other in the air.
"Come now. Can you not relax even in a friendly conversation?"
"Your bruises turned out nicely." And she bites back! My hair stood on end, and she did not even grant me a second glance. Her eyes were fixed, distant. "I thought the officers were using you as an example of their authority, a mere show of dominance." Dominance…? "But it seems that they are allies after all. Opposing a Judge is foolish, but worthy of recognition. You Judges are the ones who let such power go to your heads." She turned. "It seems I was wrong about you after all. Assisting you was a mistake that I will not repeat."
"Wait just a minute-!" She thought I was a Judge, well, a real one. Thinking that, she did not even hold her tongue! What nerve! What nerve she had…Impressive. I smiled. "And…knowing my rank, you still speak to me in such a manner?"
"Rank is not tangible. It is a mere figure of status. Your abuse of such a title does not rouse fear, only disgust."
'Well said.' I thought. For now, I only smiled.
"Will you now arrest me- for sedition?"
"If I did, then they would hire another to oversee the ship. I would no longer see you on my walks across the deck." I noticed a slight flick of her ears, then stillness once again.
"My opinion remains unchanged." She turned her back to me, ivory hair trailing far behind her as she boarded the elevator. We watched each other carefully as the doors closed- her inquisitive chestnut eyes the last thing I saw before the doors curtained her face. I stood in a daze, rocking on my heels with a peculiar grin as I reviewed our short conversation in my mind. Each word held an even larger commitment behind it. She had the guts to approach and interrogate an Imperial Judge, then openly voice her thoughts even while knowing what the consequences could be. This encounter would fixate me for some time.
