Audience of One

Chapter Twelve

The open sea salt air breezed through Blank's hair. When he glanced over his shoulder, Lindblum had become just a distant structure and only white capped waves followed them. It had been years since Blank had chartered the open waters of the ocean. When he had become a certified captain, he had sworn to his brother's he was going to go live out there and float; go wherever the tides pulled him. Though that had never happened, Blank found solace in his task as he gripped the wheel and kept it straight against the ebb and flow of the water. As he passed the final orange buoy that bobbed heavily in the waves, he reached above him and pulled a chain down. Behind Blank, he heard the hiss of the engine responding and it didn't take long for the Blue Narciss Marx to be making good speed. He tilted the wheel towards the direction of the Burmecian islets and they were well on their way. Blank was glad Regent Cid had come to his senses and had a proper shaded bridge designed in the center of the ship. It made navigating easier and also took mercy on his fair, pale skin. He looked out to the endless horizon of ocean before him. Zidane was somewhere out there. It was not lost on Blank why he was chartering that boat. Sure, everyone was disappointed when he chose to leave again. But ever since the Mist Wars and him finding out his true origins, Zidane had been greatly altered. Gone was the silly young man who learned to tap dance just so he could steal some old women's fur shawls. He wasn't the carefree boy slurping noodles in the alleyway, waiting for a distracted passerby. He had a new sense of purpose, of being. Blank respected the hell out of Zidane, even though many days he lamented not realizing how good he had it when Zidane was apart of Tantalus. Though the crew had trucked on easily and had their fair share of great times, it was always noticeably different when they were all together without him. Garnet's actions surprised the captain as he cut the ship through the waves. She had always been level headed and grounded in his eyes. Were things really that bad with the engineer on board?

"She leapt from a waterfall," Regent Cid had told Blank in the silent, tense meeting chambers of the Lindblum Castle. Blank was still, his eyes only lingering on the Regent. He swallowed roughly. "We thought she was dead but… somehow she survived."

Blank knew Garnet loved Zidane and Zidane loved Garnet. Why they complicated things so much were beyond him. To Blank, they were the obvious answer for each other. Zidane did back flips for that girl and, finally, when she reciprocated, it's like it scared him. But that wasn't the Zidane Blank knew. He could never understand, he reasoned. There was a lot that happened between them that he didn't see. All he knew was that it seemed like no one was themselves recently. The Mist Wars had changed everyone. Blank wished things could go back to how they were before, but he could only roll with the punches now.

"We know she's after Zidane," Regent Cid said. "Eiko can give you more details about some… disturbing visions she's been having. Right now, we have to try to locate Queen Garnet. We'll worry about Zidane at a different time."

Blank blinked rapidly as he came out of his mind. From the corner of his eyes, he saw a black and gold coat. He did a double take, realizing it was Liam who was inspecting how the engine worked on the boat. It wasn't much different than an airship, though Liam saw it was reversed engineered to how an airship would normally be built. He raked his dark curly hair from his face and turned to look at Blank before his green eyes looked out to the horizon. Just a few more hours and they would be meeting the cold, steady downpour of Burmecia's waters. Liam could only hope they weren't too late. He didn't know what Garnet was planning, but everyone had chalked it up to a dangerous feat. He jammed his hands in his pockets as he came to stand beside Blank as he navigated them across the ocean. The flap of the large dragon wing sails were heard behind them. Liam licked his lips and glanced to Blank.

"So, you're Zidane's brother?"

"Yeah," Blank nodded, not even looking to him.

"You two don't look very alike," Liam commented.

This made Blank laugh. "We're adopted. We were both orphaned as children."

"Oh, I'm sorry…" Liam seemed embarrassed and sheepish. "I… I didn't know."

"Doesn't seem like you know Zidane very well," Blank said, examining the side of his face now. "Why'd you come with us?"

"Well, like Regent Cid said…" Liam wandered towards the front of the bridge, planting his hands against the half-wall. The salty breeze rushed over him, lifting his hair. He searched the horizon endlessly. "This is about Garnet." Blank pursed his lips and remained silent. He had a few quips that almost came through his lips, but he held them all in. "Alexandria needs her, Blank. And I'm hoping I can be one of the people to convince her of that. We know where Zidane is; with his people in that village on the Outer Continent. We can send for him. Garnet belongs on the throne. She has made Alexandria prosper in the years since the Mist Wars and it'd be damning to let all that hard work go to waste for an endeavor such as this."

Blank shifted the weight between his feet as he kept his hands steady on the wheel. "'An endeavor such as this'?" Blank echoed. Liam looked over his shoulder. "Why do you think Dagger's doing this, Liam?"

The young man dipped his head and sighed. "Because she loves him, I know."

"It's not just that," Blank shook his head. Liam straightened up at this remark, furrowing his brow as he turned to the captain. "You've heard what Eiko has described. If Eiko and Zidane are having these visions, then Dagger is, too. She knows he's in danger. Maybe she didn't want to marry you, who knows. But Zidane has done too much for Dagger for her to just ignore any telling sign that he's in deep. Sure, she's the Queen, but she's a lot more than that, Liam."

"I just don't want her to get hurt anymore than she may be right now," Liam told him.

"Dagger can take care of herself. She's a lot stronger than you give her credit for."

"Then why are you chartering this boat to intercept her?" Liam held his arms out at his side. There was silence for a few beats as the Blue Narciss Marx effortlessly cut through the waves. Blank turned the wheel with ease against the tide.

"I told Regent Cid I'm not coming back without Zidane or Dagger," Blank finally said. "We all want to find Dagger, Liam. That's why we're all here, putting our lives on hold, floating through the middle of the goddamn ocean. But we also have to figure out what the hell is happening out on the Outer Continent that's triggering these awful visions. We can't let that go unanswered for."

"Freya is the leader of this voyage," Liam replied. "Does she know you want to go on to the Outer Continent, even if we find Garnet?"

"I know she'll think it's a good idea," Blank's voice was even. "She's known Zidane for over a decade. She's not a stranger to unrest, Liam. She'll know we can't just let this all go. Not after what Eiko's seen." Liam was silent as he raked his hands through his hair and paced a few steps on the narrow bridge. Blank only watched his tense movement. "I know your heart is in the right place, Liam. But you can't let that and your mind get confused right now. There's more at stake than just reinstating Dagger on the throne. We could be looking at an entirely new war if we just turn a blind eye to it. We've got it under control, alright?"

Liam walked to the end of the bridge and stopped abruptly at the edge of the shade. He shook his head before he looked to the captain once more. "Nothing has been under control for a long time, Blank." And with that, he marched off.

…

Down in the newly designed mess hall, Eiko watched intently as Freya dipped a quill in an ink jar and continued drawing on a piece of parchment. The ship groaned as it traveled through the ocean. Down the bench from them sat Steiner. His hands were placed under his chin and he bobbed his knee incessantly. Only a few hours had passed and he was already drowning in the feelings of missing his family. How long would he be gone? How many of Addam's milestones would he be forced to miss? Steiner dearly wanted to snuggle his toddler son close and kiss Beatrix on her forehead. He recalled the many nights the two had laid awake in bed, speaking of a life unknown to them. What if we finally did something for ourselves, Steiner? What if we got that little cottage, had our farm with the chickens and cats that kept the mice away? Wouldn't it be wonderful to watch Addam grow up in a field of sunflowers and daisies? To watch him learn that life is freedom, that it's not about servitude. That the line between good and bad is not as simple as black and white. Steiner blinked rapidly as the ship groaned again. He straightened up on the bench and his dark eyes wandered down the table to see Eiko leaning far forward at what Freya was drawing and pointing at.

"So this," Freya's slender finger came to a curved line at the bottom of her page, "is the inlet of Burmecia, where the docks are." She quickly made a star and then began drawing a long line around the rest of the curved drawing. "This would be the route the ship would have to make to avoid all the rocks along the coast. Maybe even a few more miles out because the storm draws the sea inward." Freya then made another star. "This is the beginning of the Islets of Alexandria. The castle would be here, able to be seen from the ship. That would mean the Outer Continent beach, the one Dagger would presumably choose, would be Northwest of where the boat stalls for the night. I'd say fifty to sixty miles that direction, just skirting the eternal rainstorm. If she's going to take a lifeboat like we think, she'd have a clear shot."

Steiner found himself staring forward at the small portholes that lined the mess hall. The Garnet they were speculating was certainly not the Garnet he knew. But at the same time, Steiner didn't even know what he knew anymore. The world had changed so grandly in the years following the Mist Wars. For as many wars that had cropped up throughout his life, he found the last war the most profound. Maybe it was because of his involvement and the bonds he had created. Maybe it was because of how valiantly he fought for what he believed in. The Mist Wars had delivered so much to him. In a way, he believed the Mist Wars had given him the family he had always wanted. There were two sides to every coin, however.

"That gives us plenty of time to find her," Eiko said, pressing her finger against the parchment. "She'll be at open sea for a while. We should tell Blank to go wide off the coast."

"We have to make sight of the ship she's on first," Freya replied, analyzing her drawing. "Then by the ocean tides, we can define the best route."

Boots were heard barreling down the steep stairs in the next moment and everyone looked over their shoulder to see a rather flustered Liam. Again, he pushed his hair from his face as he walked with purpose to where Freya and Eiko sat. "Tell me," he began, stopping a few feet short of them. "When we find Garnet, what's the next plan of action?"

Freya glanced to Eiko before she looked back to Liam. "Well, we'll have to make a stop at the Outer Continent."

"And do what?"

"Find Zidane," Eiko sat up now, crossing her arms over her chest. "He's injured, Liam. And something nefarious is happening there. We have to figure out what."

"What… what about Alexandria?" Liam seemed out of breath now as he pressed his hands to his hips.

Freya stood, adjusting her black silk vest around her torso. She squared her shoulders as she looked at the young engineer. "I'm sorry, but that's really the least of our worries right now, Liam. First, we have to find Dagger. And then, we need to figure out why Black Mage Village has been designated a Safe Haven. We have to find out what's happened on the Outer Continent. If we leave it be, it could spread to the rest of the world. Besides, Beatrix has Alexandria handled."

"Are we sure it's safe?" Liam shook his head. "We're a team of five."

"We don't know what's out there," Freya replied. "But we have to investigate. If you're feeling unequipped, we can go to the Alexandrian docks after we've located Dagger and drop you off."

"No," Liam was quick to reply as he walked a few steps away from her, still shaking his head. "If Garnet goes, then I go."

Freya watched his tense movement as the ship groaned in the background. "No one is making you do this, Liam. It's your choice."

"I just…" Liam began before he sighed and tilted his head back as he walked in circles. Steiner slowly rose from his seat to stand beside Freya and watch Liam. "The world has changed a lot since all of you were designated as Heroes of Prevailing Peace. We have no idea what's going on out there and chances are, it's going to be something much worse than what you faced all those years ago. I just think we should stop while we're ahead when we find Garnet."

Eiko's eyebrow twitched as she came to stand in front of Liam. Though she only came to his elbow, she had enough power to fill the room with her personality. "Heroes don't just retire, Liam. They don't get tired when the bells are tolled. I don't even know why you came with us because it is very clear to everyone here you couldn't care less for Zidane."

"That's not true at all," Liam huffed, shaking his head. "I'm not explaining myself well. I have no ill will towards Zidane. I know he means a great deal to you all. But things have changed. All of you have changed. You're a Lady of Lindblum now, expected to also take the helm of a nation. And you, Freya, you're practically more powerful than any king in Burmecian history. Steiner, you're a revered knight married to an even fiercer general. And Garnet's the Queen of Alexandria. There's much more at stake now and, quite frankly, I think we're incredibly under-equipped for this mystery everyone is so hellbent on investigating."

"And Zidane holds the answers for this entire planet," Eiko replied with an even, callous tone. "Your argument is weak, Liam. And you're outvoted, anyway."

"I mean no disrespect," Liam told her. "These are just my concerns."

"Look, we don't know anything at all right now," Freya stepped between them. "Let's just focus on finding Dagger. That will determine the next course of action, anyway. She needs to be medically evaluated."

Liam rubbed at his rosy face. "I'm going to take the air on the deck. Blank says we'll be near Alexandria in two hours."

The three old friends were silent as they listened to his boots march back up the stairs. The bright sunlight fell in slants across the mess hall and were just as quickly shut out. Eiko was absolutely fuming. She picked Freya's drawing up and held it towards the light of the portholes, examining it closely. Freya swiped her ashen bangs from her brow and put her hands on her hips, turning to look at Steiner. "Why didn't you say anything? You've known Dagger since she was six. Doesn't this mean a lot to you?"

Steiner's dark eyes darted about for a moment before he sighed and paced towards the small windows that showed the tossing waves of the sea. "Of course it does. I just couldn't think of anything productive in the moment. I don't necessarily disagree with Liam."

"In what ways?" Freya turned towards him. Eiko lowered the parchment.

"Maybe… we are in over our heads," Steiner shrugged, looking to them. "Eiko's visions are disturbing, wouldn't you agree?"

"Yeah, you don't have to live with them ingrained at the front of your mind," Eiko said, exhaustion painted all over her face. "But this is important, Steiner."

"I know it is," Steiner nodded. "Her Majesty would not have done such a thing if it wasn't."

Eiko scoffed, lowering her eyes to the drawing again. "She was never going to marry that a dolt in a million years. Not if she could help it."

…

It was snack time on the boat. The Burmecian children sat wherever they pleased, even if it was in the middle of a narrow corridor. The captain reported they would be clear of the eternal rainstorm within the hour. Johanna was still rejecting all forms of Garnet's presence. The kind assistant chef who brought the meals to the children, however, accepted Garnet's help in distributing the food. The students had been given fruit juice in tin cups and a small portion of crackers with jam. She did her best to be friendly with them. She wouldn't have to bide her time much longer. They were due to arrive at the Alexandrian Inlets in just a few hours. By sheer luck, the promenade that contained the lifeboats was on the port side of the ship. The passengers would gather starboard to observe Alexandria. She could disappear easily, she reasoned. Garnet found a promenade to sit down and watch the storm on alone. The rain shifted in multiple directions, a sign they were close to the break. The sea raged as tumultuously as her mind and stomach did. The kind assistant chef had offered her mineral water and toast with jam, but Garnet couldn't find the energy to summon an appetite. As she sat there alone with her thoughts, she was silently glad that Johanna characterized her as unfit to help with the children. As it ticked closer and closer to her impending task, she only found herself growing more anxious. She waxed and wane between that and instilled confidence. Garnet told herself she knew what she was doing. She didn't really care if she did, though. Garnet was just becoming increasingly desperate to find Zidane.

The glass door opened in the next moment, startling her. She looked up with wide brown eyes to see Johanna who had a hand-rolled cigarette already perched between her lips. Slowly, she closed the door and lowered it from her lips. "I'm surprised you found this promenade. Not many people come on this side because of all the misty rain that gets on the deck." She gestured to the glossy floorboards closer to the railing.

"I can leave so you can take your break," Garnet replied, already coming to her feet.

"No, you're fine," Johnna shook her head. She pulled a lighter from her coat and cherried the end of her cigarette. She paced closer towards the railing and exhaled a plume of smoke. Johanna then offered a silver case out to her.

"Oh, no thank you. I don't smoke," Garnet told her. Johnna laughed as she put the cigarette back between her lips.

"Are you really a nurse?" Her light eyes looked to the young woman.

Garnet joined her just on the fringe of the misty water coming onto the promenade. "At one point, I thought I was. I used to be very good at it."

"So," Johanna lowered her cigarette. "You used to practice white magic?"

"Do you know people who do?"

"Sure, plenty," Johanna nodded. "It's a wonderful, mysterious gift. Lady Freya helped lead the cause to make it tolerated. Burmecia used to believe magic of any sort was dangerous and to be feared. It is now celebrated when anyone shows sign of the gift. You were one of the blessed. Sounds like you can't do it anymore."

"I don't know why," Garnet's lips and heart strings were taut at the mention of Freya. "But I can't do it anymore."

"Is that why you enlisted in the Alexandrian Travel Company?" Johanna arched her eyebrows and leaned in closer to Garnet, a ribbon of smoke wafting between them. "No offense, but it's an awful agency."

"We all have to eat, unfortunately."

Johanna tapped the ash off the end of her cigarette. "Maybe you can tell them when you get back that we don't need the help. We're strong and able to stand on our own two feet." Garnet was silent as she watched the storm beyond them. Johnna took another drag before she threw it over the edge of the railing. "I'll give them a grand review of you, though. It's very sweet watching you with the children." Johnna adjusted her coat before she turned and began for the door. Garnet felt her boots sliding across the deck.

"Why do you hate Alexandria?"

"You may look young, but I know you're old enough to know the history," Johnna's hands dangled in her coat pockets as she turned back to her. "We are resilient, just as the Alexandrians are. We must work harder, though, because this generation of children are greatly malnourished from The Great Starve following The Mist Wars."

"Burmecia has a stage with the nations, though, as a result. Freya is a Hero of Prevailing Peace."

"Yes, maybe Queen Garnet isn't so bad after all," Johanna shrugged. She then left the promenade.

Garnet chewed on her lip as she went to the railing, gripping the slippery metal tightly. Her heart thundered in her chest. She told herself that Johanna was just being cynical. Garnet exhaled unevenly as rain drops came over her clammy skin. Not much longer, she tried to talk herself down. As she watched the storm wane on, she felt every muscle in her body tightening. Zidane, I'm coming. I'm done twiddling my thumbs. I have it in me to save us both. I swear. I'll be whatever I need to be for both of us.

…

"General Beatrix!" A new recruit shouted up the balconies of the castle's foyer. "General Beatrix, are you up there?"

She was indeed on the second floor thoroughfare where the tall wall length windows of the foyer bled the afternoon light in. Little Addam was on a small pallet with the toys that occupied him most. Beatrix was just kneeling down to hand him a bottle of warm milk, but her shoulders hunched upon hearing her name. "Come up the stairs, private!" She yelled back. She then pinched Addam's cheek to lighten his spirits as she gave him his afternoon milk. His dark eyes and short cropped black hair reminded her so much of Steiner. Beatrix did her damnedest to suppress the feelings of longing and loss. There was an underlying feeling of anger that she didn't completely understand. Beatrix didn't know what the future held, but she was determined to ensure the fate of Alexandria and, most of all, be with Steiner as a complete family. She heard the quick hurried steps of boots to the carpeted stairs but she remained focus on helping Addam latch onto the nipple of the bottle. It didn't take much coaxing to get him to hold the bottle and have his mid-afternoon snack. The General couldn't help but think he was growing up so fast and yet she felt blind to it all.

"General Beatrix," the soldier behind her greeted.

Beatrix kept her eyes on Addam, combing through his soft hair gently. "It's too early for status report. Come back at dusk. That's the report I want."

"No, General," the soldier saluted despite her superior not even looking at her. "An angered crowd has gathered on the other side of canal."

"Journalists?"

"No, citizens," the General found herself standing in the moment, turning toward her soldier with a furrowed brow.

"Citizens?" Beatrix echoed, straightening her shoulders.

"A protest," the soldier said, somewhat hesitantly. "The tabloids have spun a tale, General. They are protesting Her Majesty and Sir Liam's relationship."

Beatrix touched her brow and nearly cursed beneath her breath. "What… does that mean?"

"The Alexandrian Courts are such romanticists when they write, General. They've written so much speculation on both sides. It's a standoff."

"Wait, you're not saying…" Beatrix's lips were slightly parted.

"It's a divided crowd," the soldier nodded. "Those in favor of Her Majesty and those in favor of Sir Liam."

Beatrix wanted to say every damned work in the book. Her blue eye was intense and dark and angry. She breathed silently, however, and knelt back down to check on Addam's feeding. The soldier was silent and stiff. She had only been part of the crew for two months. She depended on the paycheck and kept cool despite the inner anguish she felt. General Beatrix was still a rather scary creature to be around, a sentiment shared by the majority of Squad Beatrix since her last keep had been entirely wiped out in the insurrection. In that moment, however, General Beatrix seemed tender and matronly. It was obvious she was just as exhausted as the next person, but persevered and contained herself well. The soldier would be sure to share about the human tendencies she also had.

"Tell all the soldiers to ignore them," Beatrix finally looked over her shoulder. "No one should even cast a glance their direction. If they still return after two days, I will address them personally."

"Perhaps I should tell the maids to light the chambers of Her Majesty," the soldier offered. "Give it the lived in look."

"I can do that," Beatrix discarded Addam's empty bottle to the side and lifted the rather chunky toddler into her arms where she gave him warm pats on the back. "It will give me time to burp the baby. Dismissed, soldier. And thank you."

As she approached the first set of staircases to carry her up, all Beatrix could do was hug her baby close. Luckily, Addam was somewhat clingy to her and curled up in her arms easily. She was glad because it gave her a motherly feeling. One that she longed for but also felt lacking. Her nostrils were flared, however, as work preoccupied her mind. The throne had been silent for far too long. It had been weeks since royal wedding had "happened". Beatrix knew it was probably unnerving with hearing nothing from Queen Garnet. She imagined people were assuming the worst in the wake of the famous idealized matrimony. She started up the steps and slung Addam against her shoulder. She had forgotten the burp rag but she didn't even care and decided to whisk her thick chestnut hair onto her other shoulder. The Alexandrian's were driven by the tabloids to take sides on an internal crisis. Those were the beginnings of trouble. From her remembering Eiko's shocking visions and now this, Beatrix only began to assume the worst. She paused on a landing and bobbed about, patting Addam's back tenderly. What about that little cottage? The blooming flowers? The pets that kept the vermin from padding about the floorboards? Addam burped proudly and Beatrix settled him on her waist. In the grand structure that was the Alexandrian Castle, she couldn't help but feel so small and insignificant. Adam tugged at the ribbon on the bust of her uniform. As she looked at him, she couldn't help but be washed in adoration for Addam Steiner. She had an ideal world for her child to grow up in her mind. But the world they lived in didn't offer even a ribbon of semblance. She squeezed his pudgy thigh as she took the next flight of stairs. She reached the next thoroughfare and slowly approached the railings that looked out the tall windows. Sure enough, she saw the divided crowd. Beatrix watched them somewhat intensely.

"If only they knew…" she whispered. In the next moment, Addam's chunky hands came across her cheek and she was distracted from the pressure building up outside.

..

Garnet found herself back on the starboard promenade that evening. A band of stars were glittering overhead, twinkling faithfully. Her eyes were glowing as she looked beyond the railing. Alexandria and the castle were lit up warmly. With all the torchlight, the glowing red thatched roofs, characteristic of the nation, were seen easily. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her nerves were absolutely shot. She pressed her hand against her belt, feeling the small dagger beneath her tunic. She stared at the city a bit longer, remembering all it had done for her. Majority of her memories took place in that enormous, high reaching palace. But it simply wasn't who she was anymore. The sea was significantly calmer and Garnet called its energy upon her as she tried to breathe evenly and focus on her next task. Her rucksack felt heavy to her despite only having a few packaged meals from the kind sister's in Burmecia, some first aid equipment, and a change of clothes. Garnet reached up and tenderly ran her hand along the colored riverbed rocks that dangled from her neck.

"Okay, students, open your eyes!" The teacher's voice echoed from the deck above. It was followed by screeches and uproars of young children. Garnet took that as her cue. She tore her eyes away from the warm orange city of Alexandria and quickly pushed through the glass door. A few maids were walking about with arms full of linens as they prepared for the children's bed time. Garnet turned sharply at the intersection of corridors and went to the A Deck where the promenade containing the life boats were. To her left, she heard the racket of the kitchen preparing a late supper. It smelled warmly of grilled vegetables and sweet rosemary butter. She turned the other direction, though, and hurried along. Her backpack beat against her as she glanced over her shoulder, slipping out onto the deck to the crisp, cool night. The promenade was deserted, naturally. The lifeboats were so bulky, it hindered the view beyond the railing and there wasn't much room to gather. Her boots scuffed against the floorboards as she chose the lifeboat on the end. The ships structure curved away from it, giving her plenty of clearance. She stepped up the iron pulley wound with thick rope and reached above her. With all her might, she pushed, and the iron creaked as it sent the lifeboat forward, dangling over the sea below.

Garnet gripped the stock of the railing as she stepped up onto it. A gust of wind brushed over her face as she carefully straightened her legs, balancing precariously on the railing. She looked over her shoulder one last time before she bent her knees and leapt. The boat swung back and forth as she fell between two planks. She was looking up the side of the boat now on her back and she cursed out loud, coming to sit up on her knees. She hadn't realized the top deck was where the lowering mechanism was. In times of emergency, the crew must have raised the boats to load passengers. Garnet looked at the dark sea behind her and pursed her lips. "Screw it," she whispered. She pulled her knife from her belt and stepped over one of the benches, digging the knife into the woven rope. The bizarreness of her reality was steadily sinking in on her as she drove the dagger back and forth, her teeth ground together. Just get through this. After this, it should all be much easier. She stopped just short of cutting completely through it. Carefully, Garnet climbed across to the other side of the lifeboat and began cutting the other rope. It frayed and crackled as she worked through it. Garnet ripped her dagger away, glancing at both of the ropes in the darkness. She then stood and stepped in the middle of the lifeboat. She began jumping up and down, hopeful her weight and impact would make the final frays of the rope give in. It didn't take too much for that to happen and Garnet's stomach leapt into her throat as she fell herself falling, scaling past the side of the tall liner in a flash. The lifeboat splashed into the water first and just a moment later, Garnet crashed into it. Her lower back seared in pain as she landed on one of the benches. All the air had been pushed right out of her. She let out a moan as she sat up, rubbing at her tender back. After that, Garnet sprung into action and unraveled the oars that were secured on the sides of the boat. They were large and bulky, obviously meant for more than one rower, but that didn't stop her tenacity as she used an oar to push off the side of the ocean liner. The water rippled and the little lifeboat buckled as she began to float away.

She tied her scarf around her neck to protect her skin when the sun rose and then bundled her hair into a messy bun on her head. Garnet glanced up at the bands of stars above her before her eyes rested on a brightly burning one. That's north. With some effort, she began paddling the oars through the water, hopeful to get around the break of the ship and catch a tide out. As she rowed, she couldn't help but grin like a fool. She had done it. Everything was going according to plan. The ocean lapped up against the side of the boat and made it rock and back forth. She could feel the waves coming against her now and she steered a bit to the left of the twinkling northern star. Her body was still a bit sore from her travels as she continually bent her elbows in her efforts. Garnet looked up, a strand of onyx hair falling across her flushed face. She had already made a good distance from the ship and she was feeling confident, the riveting anxiety practically evaporating. Garnet didn't know how long she'd be at sea, but if she just kept steady with her rowing and tried to keep the stern straight with the tide, she was sure she could be there within a days time.

As Garnet powered the boat through the water, memories of Zidane surfaced in her mind. She could see his boyish grin as he snagged an apple down from a tree, tossing it towards Vivi. There he was walking ahead on the path from the group, his fingers locked behind his head as he swung his elbows back and forth. He had been rambling on about some fox-like creature he remembered roamed those plains. He had said they were cute, but could eat your entire hand. She remembered a night they spent in a gusty valley. Garnet couldn't sleep as she watched the canvas of the tent shift violently above her. She was very worried it would be ripped away any moment. But Zidane had stayed up with her, even though it was evident he was exhausted from their travel that day. He made it his personal effort to tell her funny stories about his childhood with Tantalus. Zidane was extra excited as he relayed to Garnet a tale of a dinner party robbery that ended with a fondue pot of cheese falling over Cinna's head. Garnet smiled while she continued turning the oars through the waves.

A low rumble of thunder roused her attention and she cast a glance out the boat. She could see flashes of lightning not too far away and looked up. She was reaching the edge of the eternal rainstorm. That would be her guide in the daytime as she saw the bright star just on the edge of the clouds. The rainstorm would guide her towards the beach that fell between Black Mage Village and Madain Sari. She continued on, the water a bit choppier as she waded near the weather phenomenon. Garnet already felt the beginning of blisters on her hands, but she was determined not to give up. She couldn't. Not when it was the middle of the night and she was completely alone in the middle of the ocean. The ocean liner she had bailed from was now very far in the distance. Garnet wondered what the protocol was when a ship realized it was missing a lifeboat. As long as she just kept rowing, she was sure she could stay out of the radar of any investigations that took place.

Hours passed. Garnet only knew because when she looked up, the moon had sailed halfway across the sky. She was dead tired and pulled the oars into the boat, rubbing at her raw hands. Garnet reached into her backpack and fumbled about for the water bottle Nina had given her. She drank it modestly, despite being much more thirsty. She let out a long breath as she glanced around. She was completely alone now, not a single light in the distance. Garnet looked at the tide and was relieved it was rushing against her. She used one oar to keep the stern straight and checked on the bright star in the sky. As she returned the water bottle back to rucksack, she considered having some of the veggies Nina had sauteed for her. She knew they wouldn't keep for very long. The boat buckled violently, however, and Garnet almost lost an oar over the side. She gripped the edge of the bench and looked up, noticing she was floating into a different storm coming the opposite direction. The water became very aggressive in that moment as the two storm clouds came closer to each other. Garnet pulled her backpack over her shoulders in case she cap sized and braced with the oars, attempting to stabilize her boat. She let out a sharp gasp as sheets of cold rain suddenly came over her. Water sloshed over the edges, soaking her boots and Garnet found herself spiraling. She pulled the oars in, raking her wet hair from her face. She lifted her eyes to find the sky completely dark now, like a dark portal forming to swallow her up. Old, distant memories filled her mind as she found herself out of control. The boat rocked back and forth, sending Garnet against the edge where she fell against the bottom. She coughed as another wave washed over her. All she could do was hold on for dear life and hope she'd escape the weather soon. Her teeth were chattering and the temperature was dropping rapidly. Garnet's heart was beating so fast, she was sure it was going to burst from her chest.

Another large wave rushed against the scene. After that, Garnet found herself writhing in the ocean, fully submerged. Only pitch black surrounded her and Garnet pedaled for the surface. She let out a long gasp as she emerged, thrashing her arms around to fight against the waves. She couldn't see where the boat had gone. Garnet coughed as she fought against the raging sea. She didn't know which way to go as she kicked her legs with full force. A wave crashed over her again, sending her spiraling under the surface once more.

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