Fandom Final Fantasy: The Age of Ophiuchus [Closed]

[Arcanist]

He always assumed he would end up in prison. The past caught up to men easily, especially in a changing world such as this one. What was strange was how it took only a few years after his so-called ‘retirement’, where he retreated to the Rozari resort town to open that bar of his. The more he lay on that dirty mat in his cell, listening to men ramble on about their innocence or lack thereof, Elcid wondered what dirt they had managed to dig up on him to land him in here.

“What a fuckin' mess this is,” Cid grumbled, the same look of disgust that forever plagued his expression. He was an older man, somewhere in his early fifties, but still in good physical shape. He had to be to wrestle drunkards and general hooligans out of his bar most nights. Shame he couldn’t do it to the Rozari soldiers who burst into his bar, demanding they come with him. No rhyme nor reason to their demands, only that Cid be arrested by order of His Majesty Mauricio Engar Kavalieris.

They had nothing on him. He was careful with his previous smuggling operations. ‘Can’t be a smuggler in the eyes of the law if you aren’t caught,’ was his line of thinking. He made sure things were cleaned and tidied up before anyone could point the finger at him. For once, it made him doubt himself. Cid had to wonder where he slipped up along the lines.

Cid didn’t react to the extra voices and footsteps that carried through the jail. He had assumed it was guards escorting yet another criminal to their free room for the night…or several nights, should it take the royals’ fancies. He closed his eyes to the tune of prisoners whooping and hollering at whoever passed, wondering if he could catch a few more hours before someone would tell him what the hell he was here for.

The clanging of steel against metal bars eliminated all hopes of sleep. Cid opened one eye, glancing through the cell bars to find a group of people standing on the other side. One such guard had just pulled back from the bars, the source of the ringing in his ears. From some quick glances, they looked expensive, and guards that swarmed around them alerted to him this was no transfer. He groaned as he sat up, then, rose to his feet.

“I must have done something real horrible to earn a visit from both of your Majesties,” Cid mumbled as he stretched out his back, referring to both of Rosari’s rulers.

“You best watch your tone, Elcid,” Mauricio warned.

"Cid," the man corrected them, rubbing his nose. "Just Cid is fine."

The Rozari ruler's expression darkened before he continued, “And your manners. You’ll find we’re not the only ones here to speak with you.”

Cid would have retorted, though instead, his eyes wandered lazy over the visiting retinue once again. The colours of red and gold shone out amidst the murky backdrop of the prison. His eyebrow raised, before he noticed some soldiers with the same colours. He scoffed. “I wasn’t aware you fraternise with the colonizers now too.”

 

[Lucyfer]

The trip had been hasty, Zariel Arkidos’s introduction to the royalty of Rozari swift. Not that they were unfamiliar with each other, but Zariel had never set foot on their land, and her correspondence had been entirely by letter. She wasn’t the sort of person who could just walk into another kingdom on a visit. Her every move into another’s territory nowadays was considered an act of war if there was not an invitation.

She had an invitation to the tune of an engagement and a prisoner.

As such, that meant she didn’t show in armor, or prepared for war – though she had her guard, of course. Zariel showed up in a gown, and had no qualms wearing it into the prison, the red and gold shining out amidst the dreary atmosphere, almost as if it had a light all its own.

Her guard followed dutifully behind their Empress, as she followed the Queen and King to meet the prisoner she had requested for no crimes, save collaboration with an enemy of the Empire, Cleon Bandoethel. ‘And still, nothing.’ Though she had other guards set to watch Elcid’s tavern.

She didn’t trust the Rozari that far, and they couldn’t argue very well when she was right there, if they wanted to retain peace. Which, they truly seemed to want. They were at least that smart, which in some ways, also made them terribly dangerous. Certainly, moreso than Ucantis or Escander had ever been. 'And you're going to marry one of them.' Not the King or Queen, but one related to both. Well, at least not all children ended up like their parents. Oleander was a case and point...or perhaps she was.

Hard to say, considering Oleander killed her parents, and they had tried to kill her. Murdering family seemed a family trait.

Elcid – Cid – was almost exactly what Zariel expected. Perhaps that only confirmed she went to too many bars. In either case, his mannerism didn’t detour or bother her in the least. She’d been called far worse things than a colonizer by her enemies. That was rather tame, actually.

“You ought to pay more attention to the news, Cid,” Zariel would use the term, even if she thought her use might make him bristle. No taking it back now, “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Zariel Arkidos, Empress of the Arkidian Empire. The Kavalieris and Arkidos are to be joined shortly, and Rozari will enter peacefully into the Arkidian Empire.” She didn’t think it was actually announced anywhere yet. Nonetheless, it pleased her to suggest he was inattentive, “Soon you will be an Imperial citizen, as well.”

That would grate on him.

“As such, you are imprisoned for crimes against the Empire, Cid. Notably, conspiring with Cleon Bandoethel, who I know was coming to see you from intercepted letters,” she watched his face for an answer, whether or not he was aware, or suspected it. “Until Cleon Bandoethel himself has been captured, you will remain a prisoner. Your assistance in locating him will bring your freedom sooner.”

Although she knew it was pointless to say, she added, “I want no harm to befall Cleon Bandoethel. The longer he is on the run, the more prone he is to being harmed, so any help you can offer will be a help to him, as well.”

 

[Arcanist]

Cid hadn’t expected the Empress to shake at his manner. Rather, he hadn’t cared if she did or not. He was extraordinarily brusque in the presence of others. He expected to be the same if he found himself in front of one of the Twelve in the end.

The man narrowed his eyes at the apparent ‘news’ he had missed. He considered Zariel’s words before his expression darkened. “Is that what we are now? Imperial bootlickers?” Cid didn’t see a difference whether it was peaceful or not. “How gracious of the Empress not to spill Rosari blood on their land.” Zariel might as well have just spat on each person cut down by Imperial blades. She spat on the body of a prince, a husband, a father, forever lost in Prumoor.

His name followed Cid everywhere, and it was a name that caught up to him today. Not the name of an old friend, but the name that now continued with his son. If Zariel hadn’t Cid’s full attention before, he gave it now. His expression had softened – though, to one of confusion.

“I hate to break it to you, Empress, but you’re hitting a dead end with me.” Cid insisted. “I’ve never seen the kid or exchanged a word, never mind penned a letter to him.” Not in the couple of decades since he had last been in Ucantis. He didn’t stick around Ucantis long after the memorial held for Inara’s husband. And all he remembered of Cleon Bandoethel was that he was a squirming babe that was never off his mother’s teat.

Inara. She must have been the one to tell the boy about him. Either her or that Viera, Reva. Cid barely held contact with any of the ones remaining in Ucantis. It made sense that he was being sought out, what with the Empire’s latest addition to its flowering Empire.

No mention of Inara from Zariel though. Only her son. Cid’s jaw clenched. Was no one safe in Ivocia anymore?

“Sorry,” Cid said, returning to the floor to sit once again, “I can’t help you out when it comes to Cleon. I don’t know the kid. Hell, I couldn’t pick the kid out of the crowd if you asked me too.” He repeated. It was the truth, but the truth wouldn’t get him out of this cell so easily. So, he might as well start making himself comfortable.

 

[Lucyfer]

Zariel did expect brusque denials to help, no offer of information whatsoever, but no surprise flickered in her expression when Cid did give his answer. That initial softening, and the confusion, had said enough. Elcid did not know Cleon, but Cleon knew him. Really, that was the important part – Cleon knew him, and Cleon was going to him, for some reason put into his head either by the late Inara or Reva.

Zariel had those same thoughts, as well. Someone was guiding Cleon here, for a reason, whether or not Cid knew what reason that was. “You may be able to pick him out of a crowd in Rozari,” Zariel said dryly. She understood that Cleon likely kept his long hair. Tradition dictated it. She’d made sure all of her soldiers were aware enough of that, as if a dark viera wasn’t enough of a sign.

“Still, regardless of your knowledge of him, he is heading your way,” Zariel stated. “Perhaps if you were unaware of it, you can fathom a guess as to why he would take it upon himself to venture to see you, of all people in Rozari.”

Ordinarily, monarchs would seek monarchs.

Certainly, one of the reasons Zariel had been quick to engage to Their Royal Majesties Kavalieris before anyone else, to make it clear what would happen if they considered playing host to Cleon Bandoethel and not turn him over to Zariel immediately. She had been familiar enough to know Elcid had some ties to the Royal Family of Ucantis, but she didn’t know much about that.

She didn’t know much about Elcid to begin with, really.

Only enough for her and Lixue to discern his name from that letter that Didymus sent Jagger, when she provided the strange anagram to them.

 

[Arcanist]

Cid scoffed. She had a point if Cleon was anything like most of the nobles in Ucantis. Already the thought of him irritated him. Too proud and stubborn when it came to tradition. That would be the boy’s first mistake being on the run.

As for a guess as to why Cleon would run to him, and not Rosari’s beloved monarchs, Cid knew well why. His father trusted him to the point he told his well-kept secrets to some Rosari commoner. Inara, even if Cid never returned home with her husband, clearly trusted him to see to her son.

What she thought Cid would be able to do about him was what baffled the ex-smuggler. Put him on a boat and hope he ended up far from where the Empire could never reach him?

“I was acquainted with his parents,” Cid told her, confirming what Zariel probably already knew about his connections with Cleon. “Friendlier with his father, the one you and those sand eaters killed in that blunder of a coup in Prumoor.” He couldn’t help bringing up the late Lavi’s crowning achievement and unearthing the spite he had buried for over twenty long years. He had very little to combat with against the Empress. He wanted to feel some satisfaction in verbally sparring with her, but he knew rightly what his position here was.

Cid didn’t intend to tell her his life story.

“Wish I could ask her Majesty why she’s sent him for me to babysit,” Cid shrugged, turning his look back to Zariel again, raising an eyebrow. “Ever think of asking her?”

 

[Lucyfer]

‘Sand eaters?’ Curious terminology. Cid was rife with curious terminology for people, it seemed, and none of them held any positive connotations. Lavi’s failure was indeed a nettling thing, even if a part of Zariel was glad he was a failure – there was more of her that was endlessly frustrated that the man was her father, and wished he had been better in so many uncountable ways.

Alas, he wasn’t.

Cleon Senior had suffered for that. Then again, he would have suffered regardless for standing against the Empire.

It seemed Cid had little to say, or was unwilling to say much. Zariel wasn’t certain which was the truth here as he indicated knowledge of the parents, and little more than that. “Unfortunately, I was not present at the coup in Prumoor, or it would have gone quite differently,” Zariel answered the spite in his tone, even if she was aware he meant the royal You.

The Empire.

She would not leave him in the dark regarding Inara. “I wish I could have spoken with Her Grace to ask, as well,” Zariel said, betraying enough of her disappointment in tone to give indication that what happened was not at all to her satisfaction. Not that she could tell Cid the truth. There was a lie to uphold, after all, “Unfortunately, Her Grace chose to take her own life before we could have such a conversation.”

A beat, and, “You have my condolences. It was no part of my plan to see Her Grace die.” A truth, but one she did not believe would be cared for. It did not matter now, in any case. Inara was dead, and Cid, if he had answers, would say nothing. “You will remain here until such a time as Cleon is captured. After that, there will be new arrangements made.”

Back to business. Elcid would have to stay here. Eventually, Cleon would be found, either going to Elcid’s tavern, or coming to his rescue. Zariel was certain of one or the other, but only if Elcid remained in Rozari.

If she took him into the heart of Amarum, Cleon might give up such a lofty goal as rescue, but here? He would go for it. If he evaded capture at the tavern, and that seemed a might big if. She had placed one of Lixue’s soldiers there, one who knew Didymus, as well. “Your Majesties, I have finished my inquiry into Elcid. Do make sure he is not mistreated while he remains here.”

 

[Arcanist]

‘That’s what they all say,’ Cid thought bitterly. He had noticed a difference between her and Lavi from differing accounts. But regardless of whether it was Lavi or Zariel, their goal was the same, and they wouldn’t stop until they fulfilled it. Even if they did mow down lives in the process.

Cid believed they had done the same to Inara, most likely if she was uncooperative. He let his guard down again when Zariel had regretfully informed him about the situation surrounding Inara’s passing. “Shit…” He murmured, unable to hold back his shock. He was a fool to reserve some hope that Inara had made it out alive, that perhaps tragedy wouldn’t strike the boy twice. But Bandoethels faced their fair amount of tragedy, and no one was more intimate with tragedy than Inara.

He wouldn’t have been surprised by what drove her to do it, and there were many things that would have caused it. Cid knew the anguish in that woman was unbearable.

But he also knew you should never leave yourself vulnerable around a snake. Especially an Imperial one. Cid had his doubts about Inara’s death, and he was sure Zariel knew that too. Zariel ran through the rest of her spiel, and regardless of whatever answers Cid could have given her, it wouldn’t change his current condition. He’d simply have to get comfortable here after all.

“Let’s see if I’m really worth the trouble then,” Cid said.

Back to the matter at hand, Mauricio bowed his head – an act that no doubt disgusted Elcid – and answered, “Of course, Empress Zariel. We’ll ensure his safety here.”

“In regards to our other matters,” Aitana stepped forward, “Prince Sesario should be arriving shortly. I intend to greet him first.”

Cid juggled the name in his head, trying to pinpoint who he met before with the same name. It clicked, and for the first time during his stay here, gave a brief chuckle. Sesario’s exploits weren’t unknown, especially not to those in Rosari, and people like Cid who had worked with him. “I’ll congratulate you once you’ve successfully pinned down that man.”

~~***~~​

Rosari remained as beautiful as ever. The city was the one constant that Sesario could actually appreciate in life. This city was home to him, untainted and vibrant just like in the days of his youth. He used to relay old stories to a younger Hector of how he and his siblings would dash through the streets, dangerously parkour off the flat roofs of buildings, and pinch whatever specialities lay vulnerable on market stalls. It was strange how freeing he felt in his youth in a city that later became too cramped for him.

On the other side of the gil coin, Sesario detested coming home. Home was stifling with his parents demanding he come visit. The lectures about his responsibilities, the comparisons to his siblings who were ‘all settled’, and not to mention their recent insistences that he stay in Rosari for longer.

He wondered if his grandfather would have asked the same of him if he was still alive.

All things considered, their trip back to Rosari after leaving off the priestess should have been quick, but enough stalls from Sesario on the way back extended their trip back a little longer. Sesario hopped down from the airship’s door onto Rosari land with a renewed vigour. If he acted happy to be here, then perhaps his hesitant mood would dissipate as time went on. It was a lie he often told himself to get through these short visits.

He wondered what lectures his parents would surprise him with on this visit.

“Hector!” Sesario called, before he ascended the steps once again and popping his head in through the door. “Don’t suppose you fancy visiting my parents with me?” He grinned. Anything to make the visit more bearable. But he knew what Hector’s answer would be. Sesario just wanted to put off the visit for a few minutes longer.

 

[Lucyfer]

What was a King to an Empress? A Queen? Nothing. The pair knew their place, even if they held resentment for it. Zariel had no need to remind them, or offer any hint of offense at their behavior, even if it was tedious. Zariel didn’t like war, but she often considered politics and diplomacy quite boring, all the same. No one could be blunt or say what they wanted.

Likely why she enjoyed the Virys’s so much, even when they were insulting her.

Of course, she’d despise these two if they so much as tried that.

They didn’t, and as they planned to attend to other matters, such as Sesario’s arrival, she would follow out, catching the words of Elcid. An audible enough scoff – almost laugh – was her only answer to that. She’d heard plenty more about Sesario since arriving, plenty his parents likely wished she hadn’t heard, but it didn’t matter.

All Sesario had to do was play his role when called upon to do so. Other than that, Zariel didn’t care if he wanted to be riff-raff. Oleander got away with plenty. There was no reason Sesario couldn’t as well, so long as he did his duty when called upon. And it wouldn’t be much. Zariel would never trust him to much.

Still, she supposed she’d accept the congratulations, later.

Elcid really didn’t need to die.

Zariel returned to the Kavalieris home, dismissing her guards to their quarters while returning to those that had been set aside for her to wait. ‘Not much longer.’ She loathed waiting, but had come to understand that Sesario was…somewhat unpredictable. Well, more than somewhat. Yet, it was known he was in Rozari, and he was expected to pay a visit.

It would have been easier to just fly to where he was, but protocol dictated she allow the parents to bring this up with him first.

Ah, to be free of parents! Yet still trapped by these terrible noble priorities.

‘At least Rozari is beautiful.’ It was one of the few nice things about waiting as she stepped out onto the balcony and looked out at the city, taking a starfruit from the bowl to eat as she enjoyed the view, the air, lightly perfumed as it was.

Pleasant. It may be lacking technologically, but there were things that could be learned here.

~***~

‘We’re not here because he wants to be here.’ Hector knew that before they arrived in Rozari, just by the way Sesario acted. His smile and his enthusiasm were only given energy by his anxiety. Something was off, and Hector didn’t know what it was, although he suspected it might go back to the Imperator knowing Sesario’s name.

It certainly kept Hector anxious. It had to come back to Sesario’s parents somehow, right? Even so, Hector delayed, going through things over and over again, as if he needed to grab something more beyond his clothing, and his pouch of gil to go shopping with. He was dressed more Rozarian than Sesario was.

Not a surprise, really.

He let out a groan as he heard Sesario return to ask him if he would go along. He gave the man a dull stare, but sighed and got up, “Okay, I’ll come along, but I’m not staying for dinner or anything,” he said, getting up. He didn’t have anywhere to be, but he’d come up with a convincing enough lie.

Something about airship parts, and stores closing…that would work well enough. “You have to deal with that on your own.” He’d also sleep in the ship. “Your parents don’t like me.” Probably not true, but Hector just didn’t know how to act around them, and the discomfort and tension was always too much to deal with. “How long are you going to be here, anyways? I was thinking of doing some significant upgrades while we’re here, since we got so much gil from Oleander.”

More than enough to do plenty with the Valkyrie.

 

[Arcanist]

Sesario’s grin grew, pleasantly surprised by Hector’s answer. “Ha, great!” The kid usually preferred to spend his time with the Valkyrie, her engines and his tools the only things he wanted to hear. Sesario himself preferred it to the sounds of his parents, but he still had to play the dutiful son now and then to keep them happy.

Sesario gave his own groan in return. “Fine, fine. I suppose I wouldn’t force you through that.” He wouldn’t have, honestly. He did scoff a little at Hector’s insistence that his parents didn’t like him or his company. Though, he knew the pair of them must have found it absurd the first time he brought Hector home.

The sky pirate put any wild conclusions to bed before his parents could ask him where his parents were.

They started making their way up to Sesario’s home. The sight of the palace made him want to walk backwards. Sesario scratched his jaw, pondering how much time he would stay here, but he, and Hector, he was sure, already knew his answer. “As short as I possibly can. Though, I can stretch it out for a little longer for you to play around with the ship.” He’d at least allow that for Hector. But it didn’t take Sesario long to get antsy staying in the one place. And not to mention that staying longer sent the wrong message.

It hadn’t been long before their feet took them to the familiar marble steps of the palace. As always, the building had been draped in Rosari’s regal purple, guards attentively standing by their posts…and his mother, already halfway down those steps to greet him. It was only polite to meet her, and so ascended with open arms.

“Mother! So good to see you,” Sesario greeted her with his usual, exaggerated bravo, kissing her own both cheeks.

“Sesario,” she greeted with a small smile. Though, she quickly sighed, pulling at his clothing, “couldn’t you have dressed more appropriately? You’re always in such a state when you return home…”

Sesario leaned back as his mother reached out to fix hair. “Yes, Mother, we had a safe flight home, not a scratch on either of us, thanks for asking!” He forced a smile at his dear mother, who just rolled her eyes.

“I suppose it’s better than you being in pieces,” she yielded, “though, you could at least put in the effort like Hector does with his appearance.” She jabbed as she turned and ascended the steps, expecting her son and Hector to follow behind.

Sesario cast his eyes to Hector, raising his eyebrows. “What was that about my parents not liking you?” He teased quietly, before following her. He knew the routine when he visited. Follow his mother, get reacquainted with the home he hadn’t seen in months, make small talk with the father, etcetera, etcetera. Speaking of small talk, “How is our beautiful home fairing?”

“Rosari’s been well, much the same as since you left.” Not entirely true, what with the recent developments with the Empire. But she knew if she told her son otherwise, there would be no hope getting him through the door.

 

[Lucyfer]

Hector followed, knowing that straight answers at this juncture were hard to get. Much depended on Sesario’s desire to stay, and how his parents – and sometimes siblings – were. Hector gave a nod, “I’ll tell you what I’d like tomorrow,” so far as how long they ought to stay for him to get everything done. He wouldn’t needlessly torture Sesario with a longer visit. He could buy supplies and fix things up elsewhere, though elsewhere was harder to come by with the Empire cracking down.

Escander wasn’t going to be the only place with an identification system, Hector knew that. Too soon, they’d have almost no ports to stop in unless they wanted to play the Empire’s game – or try to fake their way through it. A black market would come up, eventually. Escander was great for that.

The arrival at Sesario’s “home” was not atypical, although Hector didn’t expect to see Aitana coming to greet them outside. He tried not to tense too much, always too anxious around Sesario’s parents. He put on a smile, and even flushed under the comment of his attire. He was self-conscious about, well, fitting in. Being liked. In a way. He still shot a rueful glare at Sesario for pointing it out, even if he did so in a way that didn’t draw his mom’s attention back.

She didn’t need to know Hector was worried. Or cared.

Hector wouldn’t say he was awed by things any longer in Sesario’s home. He still appreciated the beauty it held, the upkeep, and still looked around as if it were mostly new. It was, to him. He didn’t venture here as much as Sesario did, always finding his excuses. “I’m glad some things never change,” that sentiment was true, given the rest of the world.

They followed where Aitana led, and when it seemed they were finally going to stop in a lounge, he did seek out the couch to take his seat. An individual chair always felt too presumptuous. He should be willing to share; not special enough not to share. Still, he sat on the edge of a cushion.

‘Don’t ask about Sesario’s siblings, never with his mom.’ Not their mom. He was curious about them, though, but would refrain. He never knew what to say. That was so much the problem of being here. What he and Sesario did weren’t exactly respectable things to talk about, and Hector didn’t have the gall that Sesario did.

There were also so many landmines with nobles, even asking if she was well seemed fraught with potential problems!

“I’m sorry I can’t stay for dinner, but it’s good to see you, Your Grace,” he couldn’t not be formal, either, “Despite our state, I have some work to do on the Valkyrie. Sesario can tell you about the bird that got into it and caused a ruckus.” He might at least enjoy talking about those things more, too. A small save? “Not to mention the lizard.”

Sesario might not take it as such if any clucking over his well-being began.

 

[Arcanist]

“Yeah,” Sesario had simply murmured, staring down the same paintings that still hung even from when he was a boy. Again, it was the one constant for him in life, at the very least among everything else. But deep down, he knew change was catching up to all of them. Escander had been a wake-up call, or at least, made him sit up and acknowledge the change. Hector and he would have to adjust, like they constantly were already, but the trade they were in didn’t make things any easier for them.

Once they arrived in one of many lounges this place had, Sesario opted to take the individual plush chair that Hector had refused. It was his home, and he was quite important, even if he loathed to admit his status, so it wasn’t as if it mattered. Though, in stark contrast to Hector’s polite restlessness, Sesario fell back into the chair, one leg propped up, the other leg outstretched on the floor in front of him. A few moments of inspecting the room around him, and hearing Hector trying to uphold his reputation, Sesario was up on his feet, beginning his first lap of the lounge.

Hector always did have a meekness about him but was always so mannerly. It was something she appreciated in him, while something she desperately wanted to drum into her son. She did show some genuine interest – though, most likely founded by concern – about the bird and the lizard, and she glanced to Sesario for elaboration.

“The bird was an uninvited ruffian, and the lizard was actually a welcomed guest,” Sesario explained as he passed his mother and walked into the middle of the room. “The bird was as big as the bloody ship. It’s a long story, best saved for later.” He’d normally give small teasers of his adventures and escapades to build up to a larger story over dinner. Steered away from any unwanted topics.

Aitana tutted, politely tipping her head to the side in what Sesario was sure was now a feigned interest. He did appreciate her continued tolerance of him. “A shame Hector can’t stay to tell it. I’m sure our guest would have loved to hear the both of you tell it together.”

Sesario’s pacing slowed, and he raised an eyebrow at his mother. “Guest? You didn’t tell me you were hosting someone.” Surely, she would have told him about it, or he would have been able to tell when they walked through the halls together. No wonder she complained about his appearance. Where the thought of facing the unknown normally thrilled him, here, it set him a little on edge.

It could have been anything, or rather, anyone. A rival sky pirate looking to settle a four-year long feud. Though, he doubted his parents would refer to one as a ‘guest’, never mind grace their presence with a potential criminal. An enraged father demanding Sesario pay his half of child support for a grandchild on the way? At least his mother would be getting the grandbabies she harped on about.

Before anything more could be asked in regard to this ‘guest’, the figure of Mauricio entered the lounge. “Ah, Sesario, good to see you.” He joined Aitana, barely acknowledging Hector. It was straight down to business, barely without a breath between sentences. “We have some important news for you. As of late, we’ve been in discussions with the Empire, regarding Rozari’s…position, as a nation state. So, it has been decided that you and Empress Zariel are to be married as a way for Rozari to peacefully join with the Empire.”

Silence. Sesario looked between his parents. He chuckled a little at first. Then the sputtering started. Before long, he was crumpled over into guffaws of laughter. “Y-you're kidding?! Me? Marrying her?” He wheezed, wiping a tear from his eye. Hector had practically laughed in his face not so long ago at the very thought of something ridiculous. "Wow...phew. Hah…so, when’s the wedding then?” He finally breathed, looking at their faces expectantly for someone to laugh with him.

Neither of his parents were laughing.

 

[Lucyfer]

‘It wasn’t that big.’ Hector thought with a slight smile, glad to see Sesario had a topic now to hook his parents with, and avoid anything else that might be uncomfortable. At least, for a bit. Although, Hector was also curious about this guest. All the more reason for him not to be there. Any guest that would want to hear from Sesario was probably an enemy in disguise since they went the route of going to his parents.

So, needless to say, Hector nearly coughed on his caught breath when the King introduced the subject as soon as he stepped into the room.

And as Hector saw a figure in the red and gold of the Empire move by. A guard, by the looks of it – not a good sight in Rozari.

“Byn mac Tuiwa,” Hector muttered, switching immediately as Sesario began to laugh, not at all forgetting his own joke about Sesario’s odds with an Empress. “Z’ye ted IHA bmyecyhdanea!” He didn’t really intend to be overheard, but he supposed he shouldn’t mention joking about this before in front of Sesario’s parents. Or the circumstances that caused it.

“I don’t think ah – anyone can presume to set a date for an Empress,” Hector managed, although he suspected sooner than later, all the same, as he slapped his hands on his knees as he got up, flushed in embarrassment for it, and gave a hasty smile and rough bow before Mauricio, “Your Graces, I think I should excuse myself, I have some work to do and I wouldn’t want to offend your esteemed guest.”

He actually wouldn’t mind that, but he should consider Rozari. Getting Sesario out of a marriage by starting a war or offending the Empress was not how things should go down.

He saw what happened to Escander. Knew the stories of Prumoor, and heard more about Ucantis. Rozari was next, that much was certain. If Sesario wanted out of this, he knew how to run away, and Hector would have the ship more than ready for it. ‘But where would we go?’ Despite it being a matter of time, somehow…somehow Hector hadn’t really thought about losing Rozari. Or even Escander. The impact had never been so personal before.

At least now they knew why Lilia knew Sesario’s name. “Ses, I don’t want the details,” probably being cheeky was a bad move, too, but it was better than dwelling in the serious, “I’ll show myself out.” Not that he’d oppose Sesario following, but he figured Sesario wasn’t going to escape his parents that easily.

~***~

It was that guard who reported to Zariel not long afterwards. They hadn’t meant to be anywhere near, they were just getting a snack from the kitchens, but couldn’t help but see and overhear a bit of the situation on their way back to where they were put. So, considering it a duty of sorts to let the Empress know, she knocked on Zariel’s door and was let in.

“Prince Sesario has arrived,” the guard indicated first, “and been informed of the situation.” Zariel arched an eyebrow. The guard continued, “He, ah, seemed to think it was a joke. I didn’t find out more than that, I just happened by and didn’t want to appear…well, discourteous by eavesdropping.”

Zariel chuckled at that, but shook her head. She didn’t fault the guard for hurrying on. “That’s all right,” she could understand it as a joke. She wished it was a joke herself, but the alternatives were war, even if she chose a different heir from a different family. Then that’d be a civil war of sorts, and honestly after Prumoor, she had few intentions of setting up coups.

She’d do it better than her father, but they were messy.

Sensing the mood was better, the guard ventured, “He’s not bad looking.” When Zariel rolled her eyes, she added, “Really! A bit…oddly dressed.”

“This is Rozari.”

“Even for Rozari. Animal skin.” She opted to add, “And I think I saw some tattoos.”

‘What are you getting into?’ It was a shame, really, none of the other children were worth even a second glance.

“I’ll see for myself soon enough,” Zariel’s tone shifted, the guard flushed in subtle embarrassment, “I’d rather make my own opinions.” Not that she had been allowed to do such since the name was mentioned. Everyone had an opinion on Sesario Kavalieris.

~***~

“Well, how do I look?” Didymus asked at last, now that he was dressed in the armor. They’d washed it and patched it up as much as they could, and Kikiti did a good job hiding those patches, since they didn’t have Imperial Red among their threads. It wasn’t a color any of them planned to wear, even if they had to go straight into Amarum for some reason.

“Terrible.” Reva answered flatly, opinion based entirely in what the outfit was.

Even Yarrow whined and hid behind Kikiti, rather than approach Didymus in the armor.

That wasn’t what Didymus was asking for, of course. Thankfully, he understood, “Good, then it’s perfect.” His twin daggers had been worked into the belt, as were his bombs. He hoped not to need them, but a guard without weapons was odd. “I shouldn’t be gone more than eight hours. I may have to wait for a shift change or something, so…that long, maybe.”

“I still do not like this idea,” from where they had set up camp, they could see the capitol of Rozari. Reva and Cleon were once again relegated to waiting, something Reva also disliked in these circumstances, but she knew there would be too many Imperials for her or Cleon to safely get through.

They had to give this a chance.

“Yeah, neither do I, my Amarum accent is atrocious,” Didymus said, shrugged, “but guards can come from anywhere so it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll be back with Elcid, promise!” He added, and would leave them.

Not that Reva would let it end at that, of course.

“Kikiti,” hesitantly said. Kikiti couldn’t follow Didymus obviously, nor go with him into the prison. All the same, “Would you keep an eye on him?” Having Didymus on his own seemed…a bad idea. Any of them, on their own, seemed a bad idea.

 

[Arcanist]

No one was laughing. Why was no one laughing? Sesario knew rightly why no one was laughing, but he would have rather spent these moments in sheer delusion and rejection than admit to thinking he heard his parents right. Hector’s own mutterings should have been a signal for him to shut it, though, and he had refused to listen to it.

Shiva’s fucking tits. This wasn’t a joke.

Worse yet, Hector was about to make a beeline for the door and leave him to stew in this horrible, horrible not-a-joke situation. Sesario rushed forward, only for his sleeve to be caught by his father. For a man who his mother lamented was ageing fast, Mauricio’s cobra grip hadn’t loosened at all.

“Much appreciated, Hector,” Mauricio spared a look to the young man before eyeing Sesario, “you can understand Aitana and I have much to discuss with our son.”

Hector’s comment soon after hadn’t helped matters. “Oh, you’ll get details alright,” he told him, indicating that, in fact, he’d be getting more than details. That boy knew how to bring up cheekiness at just the right moment. Sesario deserved it, really, for the torture that he was for Hector. But he would never admit to that.

Once Hector had left, and Mauricio loosened his grip on him, Sesario turned away from his father to a pair of balcony doors…that his mother that pre-emptively closed and leaned against it as she cleared her throat.

He grunted and snapped his fingers. Thwarted. The last time he reacted so badly to the mention of a possible betrothal, he practically threw himself off the same balcony, and landed in a flowerbed. His mother was so upset at the flowers he ruined, and the fact he never said a proper goodbye. His father, naturally, was more upset at a ruined betrothal.

“Sesario, sit.” Mauricio’s tone and the shift to their native Rozari tongue gave away the patience he was quickly losing.

Sesario had no intentions. “I’ll stand, thanks,” he grumbled, looking between his parents. “What the hell were you two thinking? That I’d just go along with whatever deal you struck up?”

“Sesario, please,” Aitana sounded exhausted already, a state that, in all honesty, her son never enjoyed seeing her in. She had been tired for a long time. “We were left with very few options. It was either this or war. You had to have seen them coming.”

Sesario did. He just thought Rozari would fall before they would ever bargain with the Imperials.

“You do realise this puts us, you, most importantly, in better stead with the Empire?” Mauricio asked, as if Sesario should have been grateful for it. “Rozari doesn’t have to spill blood in a battle we know we would lose. You’re marrying the Empress. That puts you in a very promising position.”

Sesario gave a dramatic groan as he rubbed his eyes. He practically threw himself down onto the couch. “This is exactly why I don’t come home, you know? So you don’t have to dictate every tiny detail of my life!”

“This isn’t just about you anymore,” Mauricio hissed. “Or are you just that selfish?”

‘At least I know where I got it from,’ Sesario thought bitterly. Mauricio was king, but it didn’t give him a licence to do as he bloody well pleased in his son’s eyes. He felt a hand on his leg, and he looked across his mother who sat beside him.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly, squeezing his leg. “We hadn’t any other choice, Sesario.” She looked at him regretfully. Genuinely. She would know the best about how…heavy marriage could be.

Twelve, not that look. He sighed, leaning forward as he rubbed his temples. That ringing in his head started all over again, struggling to hear that voice that had followed him for years clearly. He had to find a way out of this.

Or maybe, he just did.

~***~

Kikiti stood alongside her comrades, admiring her handiwork with folded arms. “Positively Imperial,” she nodded proudly. Positive was a term she should have used loosely in this case, but anyway. Even Yarrow seemed to agree the fit suited him. A sheep in…wolf’s clothing?

“Well,” Cleon sighed at Reva, rubbing his neck, “it’s not like we have any other way of getting to Elcid…” Apart from giving themselves up that was. But that, of course, defeated the whole point of going to fetch Elcid in the first place.

They needed him. His mother wouldn’t have told them to find him if he couldn’t help them, right?

“Be careful!” Cleon shouted as a final farewell to Didymus. No longer than eight hours…what were they supposed to do for that length of time? There was the option of meditating, as Reva had previously suggested, but surely not for that length of time? Clearing his head to focus at a time like this wouldn’t be easy.

And even more so if Kikiti was to go with Didymus like Reva suggested. Cleon turned to Reva, asking, “Reva, are you sure that’s wise?”

“What? You don’t think I can take care of myself?” Kikiti asked, defiantly putting both hands on her hips.

Cleon flushed at her defiance, somehow intimidating as always. “N-no, not at all, Kikiti. I’m just concerned that…”

“Oh, hush, Cleon,” the Lalafell sighed, lifting Yarrow into her arms. “I’ll be okay. I’ve wormed myself out of enough situations since we’ve travelled together!” She didn’t count the last one at the tavern. She knew Cleon did, by his scepticism. “I’m becoming super adept at manipulation.” She turned to Reva, closing the conversation. “You can count on me, Reva. I’ll keep an eye on him. You know the drill; no more than eight hours.” She gave them both a reassuring smile as she turned.

“Please be careful…” Cleon repeated with a sigh, watching Yarrow clamber up onto her shoulder as she walked off in a similar direction to Didymus. He didn’t doubt Kikiti’s street smarts, she could still just as easily be misled.

Not that he wasn’t the same.

~***~

Trailing after Didymus and sneaking into a foreign city thrilled Kikiti. She had read enough books over the years to know she needed a cover story, an alibi, all sorts of wits to break in and go undetected. Oh, to be like all the heroes who spent their days snooping around!

Really, she was surprised at how easy it was for her to walk in through the gates. Sticking behind a small group of people enough to seem like she was part of it did the job. Even a smile at a guard, and even the way she yawned and tried to smile back indicated how dedicated she was to her post.

Then again, Kikiti could have just been like any other tourist, when she thought more on it. Had she much reason to be suspicious?

The Lalafell had been used to busy city streets and crowds, though, the fact it had been a bright and colourful city, a far cry to how traditional Ucantis was, left her in awe. She would have stood to admire the views, though, Reva did give her the specific task of trailing Diddy. At least until he got where he needed to be.

The problem with cities and crowds were that Kikiti’s eyeline was restricted far too easily. Not to mention any Imperials that would be thrown into the mix. “Yarrow, can you see anything?” She asked conspicuously, weaving around a man with an incredibly wide pants leg. She’d have to remember to look more into the fashions here when she had time to spare.

When she did emerge from the crowds, she found herself at a crossroads. She did a full turn, considering her options. “Uh…lucky left?” Kikiti ventured, before walking down that way.

 

[Lucyfer]

Zariel received the invitation for dinner by one of the Kavalieris staff not long after Hannah was sent away. Twin of Anna who was dealing with her brother – mostly Lilia – Zariel did find she rather respected the opinion of Hannah a good deal more than Anna. Even if she may not trust her judgment of men.

Nonetheless, Zariel wasn’t marrying for looks, for money, for anything other than an easy way to bring Rozari into the fold. Sesario could be horrendous to look at, and she’d have to bite her tongue and deal with it. Given the appearances of his parents, she doubted he would be that bad. With any luck, he might also be as spineless. ‘You should stop thinking negatively of them for being smart.’

Perhaps. And yet there was still something in her that couldn’t help it, even if it was the smart thing to do, and she’d think negatively if they didn’t give in. There was simply no winning.

When the time came, Zariel had only changed one dress for another, though forsook the thought of a black one – no matter how morbid the mood, and her penchant for dark humor. She wouldn’t concede to purples, so it was to burgundy she went, a close enough blend, with the familiar gold accents.

“Are you sure you want no guard present?” Hannah, naturally, fretted, “Should something…untoward happen….”

“I will be fine,” Zariel reassured, aware Hannah was concerned about poison, not an uncommon method of killing someone in a flowery civilization. Thankfully, she was familiar with nearly all of Rozari’s poison and could imbibe it. Little was going to compare to that fiend from the forest, and Lixue would soon have enough of that prepared and disseminated for Zariel to start drinking, as well.

Zariel would never use a taster. That was a weakness she could ill-afford. “Keep everyone in their stations. You may present closer to the dining hall.”

“Thank you, Your Eminence.”

With that, Hannah was gone, and Zariel left the room a few moments later on her own accord to go to the dining hall, to be there before the others. No need to wait for a servant to come and show her the way, she already knew, and tended to like being ahead of others. It would allow her to catch any of the conversation before they entered, and consider the dynamic of the family before it was hidden away by the mask of a dinner.

How she loathed the formality. It would have been better to speak to Sesario on his own first, and come to an easy arrangement that suited them, but that would have to wait.

Parents.

~***~

‘If it’s anything like Ucantis or Amarum….’ Didymus knew the prison wouldn’t be too far from the castle. It was an odd thing for nobility, in Didymus’s not so humble opinion. What noble would want prisoners near? And yet, every time, it seemed to be the case that the prisons were kept near. Perhaps to better keep an eye on things, though that was an unconvincing argument. Didymus would want prisoners far away.

‘Well, there are some that are.’ On islands. Separated from society. Those were for the worst of the worst, not needed for questioning. Why they weren’t just executed, Didymus wasn’t clear on that, either.

He didn’t do a lot of politicking, and didn’t try to understand the prison system too much. Perhaps he ought to.

He was unaware of Kikiti’s attempts to follow him, only aware enough of how things shifted in the environment. Rozari was beautiful, but he had known that. Purple grew more common the closer he got to the castle – yet another oddity.

It was indeed as he got closer that someone called out to him. “Hey! You! You’re late!”

‘Fortune smiles on me again.’ Didymus turned his attention to the guard, giving an embarrassed smile. “Sorry, I got turned around,” he answered, falling in step with the guard who seemed a bit puzzled. ‘Wait, shit, where am I going?’ What if he was going to the wrong place by following along? ‘Time, give it time.’

“You’re not Rafael.”

“No,” he said, shaking his head, “I’m—” ‘fuck what’s a good Imperial name.’ “Martius.” ‘Fuck.’

Still it didn’t seem to bother the guard.

“I’m supposed to take possession of Elcid and bring him back to our ships for transport to Amarum.”

The guard was puzzled by that. He shook his head, “No, we have orders to leave him here until we come into custody of Prince Bandoethel.”

“Plans have changed.”

Confusion remained. ‘Why is that?’

“Then I would have expected Hannah to be delivering the news, she’s with Empress Zariel now.”

“Hannah ah—”

Didymus’s tongue failed him. Empress Zariel was here? Now?!

“—sent me. The Empress needed her. Above my paygrade to ask.”

He snorted, “I’m not buying it.” Though he clapped a friendly hand on Didymus’s back, “Let’s go have a talk with Captain Mikhail.”

‘…why do I know that name?’

~***~

To say Hector was in a daze would be a gross understatement once he got out of the home. ‘Sorry, Ses. I left for your own good.’ He’d find a way to explain it to him later. This wasn’t the last time he would see Sesario, though he didn’t know what their future held. Sesario was a lot of things. Rash, rambunctious, reckless – even disdainful of his position as future King of Rozari – and yet, he certainly loved Rozari, and he loved his family, in a way, no matter how it agitated him.

What would he do for them?

What wouldn’t he do?

They were soon to find out. ‘That wouldn’t have worked in Escander. There’s no real ruler in Escander.’ Hector had lifted a hand to his head, agitatedly working at his hair, rubbing his temple, as he walked, ‘And the Bandoethel kid was too young, I think.’ He really thought the Bandoethel kid was a kid, or at least a teenager. Definitely a teenager. Far too young. ‘Maybe could have made an alliance with Lilia, but not if the Queen wouldn’t give in….’

Which, all accounts suggested, she didn’t.

Even unto her last breath.

Rest in Peace, Inara.

“Okay, okay, okay,” he muttered under his breath, before taking in a deeper one, “Just go get some supplies, go work on the ship, Sesario will be here. No one is gonna bother you, the Empire definitely knows Ses’s ship, probably, maybe, so if you’re with it, you should be okay.”

He didn’t bother going to any individual shops. He went right to the moogles. “Kupo!” He greeted on entry, smiling big, “How have you been, Arkimetes?”

The moogle spoken to turned right around, initially surprised to be recognized before his eyes alighted on the source, “Kupo! Hector! You’ve been away so long!” The moogle came flying over, and stayed flying, “Is Sesario back, too?”

“Prince Sesario, remember?” He teased, and the moogle made a noise at that, tongue stuck out. They were closer than all that. “Yeah, he’s, uh, yeah.” Arkimetes seemed to deflate at the tone.

“Is he hurt? Unwell? Do you need something for him, kupo?”

“I might,” Hector said evasively, before lowering his voice, “there’s another betrothal.”

A chorus of moogles let out an ‘oooooo’, apparently their hearing still good enough. Hector lifted his hands and crossed his arms several times.

“No, no, no! You didn’t hear it from me!”

“Not a word!” Diatis agreed.

“Kupo, moogle’s honor!” Sila added.

Hector sighed, “I’ll tell you more later, but I really need to get some parts for the Valkyrie,” he said, “and I could use some help gathering them.”

“We’re here to help!” Arkimetes agreed, and jotted down the list as Hector offered it from memory. By the time it was done, it had been divided among the moogles, “Kuuuupo! We’ll get this all to you before sunset!”

“You guys are the best,” he grinned, “I’ll have a good dinner prepared! Lots of kupo nuts!” He promised, before he would leave to get to the ship, and begin the preliminary preparations he could do before things started to file in. The way back to the hangar was close to the palace, and his thoughts drifted once more.

How could it hold to anything else?

So, of course, he didn’t notice when a carbuncle came barreling into his legs, trying to follow someone else. He just fell backwards at the sudden impact, and saw a whining creature in front of him. “Hey there, I’m sorry, did I kick you? I’m sorry,” he reached out to the carbuncle, stroking its head, “Where’s your master, little one? I’ll get you back and make sure you get some treats.”

Yarrow knew the word treat and perked up immediately, letting the one who said the magic word take them up into his arms.

 

[Arcanist]

Dinner was still going ahead as planned, only, there was an extra setting not only for Sesario, but his new fiancée. That word still didn’t sit right with him. The concept of him getting married at all was foreign to him. He always thought if he did get married, it’d be after a crazy night of galivanting, where he wouldn’t have remembered it. Damn, he wished he had gone down that route now.

But…he could sympathise with his parents. Just a little. Sesario could have returned to a Rozari decorated with blood and Imperial flags. It was a small grace that he came back to it in one piece, but for that, he had to pay for it. Now would have been the perfect time to give up these ‘flights of fancies’ that the prince had. He was told he would just know when the time was right.

Yet, all he ever felt was this sense that something had been left unfinished. Maybe there was something left unexplored, something he hadn’t ticked off on his endless bucket list. A constant reminder from that voice.

He didn’t belong here. He needed to be elsewhere. It wasn’t time to come home and stay home yet. And yet, he had so many pressing responsibilities here. But they were responsibilities he wasn’t ready for.

Sharp knocking on his door had pulled him from the painful fog he had been in. One of the household staff calling on him to attend dinner. Sesario gave some sound of affirmation before he rubbed his eyes. Finally, a serene silence in his mind. Peace, from that company, for now at least. He had a different kind of company to deal with now, and he wasn’t sure which one he preferred right at this moment.

It wasn’t long before he made his way down to the dining hall himself. He had been tempted to wander, stretch out the minutes, but he had already ruffled his parents’ feathers enough as of late. All the while, he kept pulling at his tunic and the multiple wraps around his torso and his pants. It felt overly extravagant in the wrong sense. Not the suave of a sky pirate, but a…prince. A stifled one at that. Sesario was starting to understand how out of place in his own customs he was.

At least the tattoo on his arm would be an interesting topic of conversation.

He arrived at the dining hall, where as thought, both parents had already arrived. His mother, chirpy as ever – or rather, quite the actress as ever – approached him. “Ah, you’re looking much better than before.”

“I feel like a curtain,” Sesario mumbled, radiating the same energy as a teenager forced to put on something their parents bought them. It wasn’t much different from that, seeing that the outfit was delivered to his room.

Aitana did snort a little. “That sounds exactly like something your grandfather would have said.”

Sesario smirked a little. That was the point. He wondered if his grandfather was rolling in his grave at this moment.

“Remember, Sesario,” Mauricio said quietly, quick as always to move on to the task at hand, “proper etiquette.”

“I think I’ll manage,” Sesario sighed. He hadn’t forgotten all of his lessons on social etiquette. He was just…a little rusty. He debated verbally sparring with his father once again, though, the appearance of another elegantly dressed figure caught his attention. It didn’t take him long to register that this was the Empress Zariel. Now, he would admit, she was a pretty thing.

But they were taught to be cautious around roses for a reason, weren’t they?

Sesario watched a sudden movement to his sides. “Oh, shit,” he hissed, quickly bowing in realisation alongside his parents. Already off to a flying start.

“Empress Zariel, we are honoured to have you grace us with your presence this evening,” Mauricio began, straightening up as Aitana did, with his son slow to follow behind. He tried not to let that be a contentious thorn in his side. “Allow us to introduce our son, Prince Sesario.”

‘Prince Sesario’ stepped forward, forcing a smile. If he was going to make it through this dinner at all, he had to inject some of his own charm, at least not to make himself feel so stifled in this hall. So, he bowed again, much deeper and with much more flair than before. “Empress, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Might I add that you’re looking exceptionally radiant this evening?”

~***~

The guard didn’t waste any time walking with Didymus to find their captain. All they needed to do was speak to the captain to clear things up. The Rozari guards didn’t need to see hesitation in Imperial soldiers. Captain Mikhail was particular about that when he had been organising the patrols and guard shifts. One foot out of place or one little mistake might not have seemed much. Though, if many soldiers put one foot out of place, that added up to a much bigger lot of mistakes.

The last thing Rozari needed was any sort of ammunition to play with, even if they couldn’t do much about the new developments here.

Captain Mikhail stood giving orders to two other recruits when the guard halted, saluting.

“Captain! A moment of your time to clarify something?”

“What is it, Rufus?” Mikhail sighed, dismissing the other two soldiers with a wave. Patience was not Mikhail’s virtue, especially not as he stood there with folded arms.

Rufus stood to attention, quick to explain. “This soldier was sent to deliver news that he’s supposed to take the prisoner Elcid to be transported to Amarum. Has that been confirmed by Hannah?”

There was a pause, and the guard watched Mikhail as he looked between Rufus and ‘Martius’. He stared at Didymus for a little longer than was socially acceptable, before he looked back to Rufus and stated, “It’s the first I’ve heard of it.” He watched Rufus swallow back, side-eyeing Didymus. “There have been no other official orders from Hannah or Empress Zariel. We stick to schedule and our previous orders as planned.” He gave a satisfied smile to the guard. “Thank you, Rufus. Return to your post.”



Mikhail turned slowly. “Didymus,” Mikhail flashed a wicked grin, clasping a firm hand on his shoulder. “So good to see you again.” Oh, he remembered the dirty thief that the Empress employed. After all, he was the one who caught Didymus doing what he supposedly did best. He would regret messing with him that day, and not taking the deal that his mercenary friend went to great lengths to set up seriously.

“Sounds to me like you’ve found Ucantis’s prince. Though, I thought you were smarter than to turn tail when it came to working under Her Excellency.” He tutted, grabbing him by the arm. “Your last mistake. Let’s go. I’m sure Her Excellency would be glad for an update on your progress, hm?”

~***~

This wasn’t the first time that Kikiti wished she was just that little bit taller. She remembered praying to every one of the Twelve during their respective cycles, asking, pleading for a little height as a child. She must have gotten her wish because that’s what she got. A little taller. Not enough to traverse through a crowd and track someone at the same time.
“Ah, drat,” Kikiti huffed, turning as she watched people pass by her. None of them were Didymus. Gone. He must have found a patrol, or a group to slide into easily. Still, it unsettled her, him going off alone like that. She had gotten so used to being around him that it felt she was missing a limb. Diddy was a big boy who could handle plenty on his own. Kikiti wasn’t even able to keep Diddy in her sights.

Kikiti sighed. “Any sign, Yarrow?” She asked, expecting some sort of sound or even non-verbal response. None came. “Yarrow?” She felt her fingertips go cold as she turned, and she froze. “Oh, no. No, no, no…” The Lalafell-Human felt her face flush as her head bobbed to every possible place she could lay her eyes on. Losing Diddy and Yarrow?! Reva was going to be beyond upset!

Her first instinct was to search for the carbuncle. “Okay, okay, um…” Kikiti’s eyes zipped over to nearby pile of boxes, and she sprinted for them. “Yarrow?!” She called, pulling herself up enough to peer inside. Nothing but tangerines. She groaned, dropping back down to the ground. ‘Okay, uh, retrace your steps!’ That was bound to work!

“Yarrow?! Yarrow! YARROW!!” Kikiti didn’t remember ever putting this much effort into running before, not since their escape from Ucantis. Or the amount of breathing it took to use her lungs. As she came back to the crossroads she had recently found herself at, she worried Yarrow got mixed up too and went in a completely different direction. No, deal with that later! Retrace steps!

Yarrow had settled in the arms, waiting the distribution of treats and many other head pats. Though, he did raise his head, ears twitching at a familiar voice bouncing through the streets.

 

[Lucyfer]

Prince Sesario and his parents had their moment, Zariel still, observing. She wasn’t by nature a spy, rarely went without being seen, but she saw no reason to remind anyone she was there when Sesario hadn’t noticed. His reaction to her movement said enough when at last she chose to do so. Red was always such a catching color. Yet, the burgundy had melded well into the wall, and Zariel smiled – that practiced, soft and regal, smile, that even seemed to touch her eyes.

Mauricio continued as if there had been no slip, and Zariel would pretend not to notice it, either. What point, really? From Mauricio, she took in Sesario, expression that carefully pleasant neutral. She had years of training in this, too, only to her it came easier.

‘Hannah, you and I really need to talk about your preferences.’ Not that Sesario was bad looking. Far from it, really, he was all man, and no doubt broke plenty of hearts in his day. It’d mostly just be fun to tease Hannah, and Zariel was aware her preferences tilted oddly. She couldn’t pin it down – her brother had, though. Something in the face – cheekbones.

Not a grave offense.

“And you would know if this was exceptional, would you?” For all Sesario likely knew, this wasn’t much at all. Zariel kept her tone level enough to perhaps worry some that it was a genuine question, but there was enough mirth in her expression as she moved for a seat, a gleam easily seen in her eyes – the one with a touch of golden makeup below, tracing the Leo constellation, sparkling in the light.

That was her claim to the throne, after all. Leo. Phoenix. “I am only a touch disappointed I could not see the animal print I heard you arrived in. Which animal was it?”

That was more the genuine Sesario, and she intended to see more of him than this prince shoved forward by his parents to appeal. She still had to play nice around his parents, obviously, but…not completely. Now the power shifted.

~***~

‘Who the fuck is Hannah?’ Didymus thought he knew an Anna from Escander’s guard, but then again, he wasn’t sure of that, either. Regardless, he apparently should have known this Hannah, but he was really counting on the Imperials not being…well…Zariel’s more personal guard. Which it was obvious these were. They were very well trained, and not inclined to go off in a panic.

Their chain of command was obvious.

And Didymus knew how he knew Mikhail when he laid eyes on him. ‘Motherfucker.’ This was not his day. Nor was it his day back at the tavern. Zariel’s guard would recognize him, and he kept his mouth shut tightly as Rufus was dismissed, and Mikhail approached.

“Hey, I’m not—I have a plan to deal with Cleon, okay? It required Elcid.” Didymus tried to roll his shoulder and pull his arm free, but to no avail. Those fingers just dug in deeper to his arm, hurting Didymus.

“Do you now?” Mikhail didn’t seem to believe him, but he seemed willing to play, airy tone, “Well, I’m sure you can explain it all to Her Excellency, and if she agrees, then we’ll let this play out. No problems. Right?”

Didymus did not like that smile. He felt chilled, but returned a smile, and a shakier, “Right.”

Fuck.

He was going to be burned alive.

‘Wait, no, you have a mark, you’re safe! You’re safe!’

They reached the palace, but they were not taken to Zariel – busy, apparently. Instead, they were taken to Hannah’s quarters, and Hannah was not long in showing up, looking agitated to be summoned.

“What is it, Mikhail?” She glanced at the other guard, brows knit together, “Who are you?”

Didymus sighed, “Didymus. I’m working for Zarie—Her Excellency,” he grumbled, then, “I’m marked, you know! That’s why she’s let me have more free reign!” Might as well throw that in there now to keep his head.

~***~

Hector continued with those head pats and scritches, and took note when Yarrow’s ears flickered. He paused, listened, and caught the voice of someone calling out a name. “Yarrow, huh?” Yarrow looked at him immediately, and he grinned, “Okay, let’s go find her, yeah?”

It wasn’t hard, and Hector had some advantage of distance not to be terribly surprised when he saw her through the crowds and recognized she was short – but also definitely not a kid. ‘Lalafell?’ A tall lalafell if so. Either way, her panic was obvious, and he didn’t intend to leave her to that for long.

It was a good enough distraction from his other thoughts, anyways, “Hey! Miss! I think I have Yarrow!” He called, lifting up the carbuncle, who let out a bit of a howl at being lifted up that way. Hector just laughed, and as he approached closer to the woman now that he had her attention, “I’ve also maybe promised him some treats for running into him. Sorry about that,” he offered Yarrow down to her.

‘Cuuuuute.’ For how small she was, her eyes were huge! And so expressive! Yet still not in the childish way, and Hector tried to hide the thought, “Um, I have a few gil you can use to buy treats. I can even show you a good place, I was on my way there to get some kupo nuts – I’m sure after the stress of losing you, Yarrow could use some good treats, too.”

Why the hell was he rambling about getting treats?

Suddenly he was glad Sesario was nowhere near.

 

[Arcanist]

Sesario cautioned a glance at her before he smirked. 'I've seen better,' he had been tempted to tease, though, thought better of it with his parents there. His parents had awkwardly shifted at Zariel's question, while SesarioSo many things he couldn't get away with as a prince. Half of the things you could say could start a war. Though, there were plenty that prevented them.

Especially the ones exchanged between his parents and Zariel.

"Oh, I'd know," Sesario answered back with a grin. It was surely not an answer his parents appreciated, but he certainly wasn’t going to go back on what he said. Regardless, her move towards a seat prompted his parents to do the same. Sesario moved soon after, and caught the golden sheen from Zariel’s cheek. He would have chosen to ignore it, for it was just for cosmetic purposes. Plenty of women he knew - his mother included - painted their faces all shades.

But the pattern was what he was most interested in. It bore a striking resemblance to the mark he suddenly acquired somewhere over twenty years before. Hers had formed differently, made to stand out. He only ever addressed his when people asked about it, citing it was just another tattoo. But only he knew that the mark had appeared without warning, and that damned voice along with it.

Perhaps she knew something more about it. Sesario could bring it up, couldn't he? But then...

Sesario felt compelled to scratch the sudden itch at his right shoulder, but ignored it, listening to Zariel’s next question. So, she had heard about that then. Sesario noted the number of Imperial soldiers slinking around the palace. Not unusual given Zariel’s presence here. They'd have plenty to report back to her on. Still, something as trivial as what he was wearing? He did appreciate the interest, for the outfits were fine pieces. If it didn't garner conversation, Sesario hadn't done his job well enough.

"Depends on which one you’re talking about," Sesario told her, already waited upon by one of the staff with a pitcher of wine. Good to see that they still remembered his preference to start early. "There's the Sabertooth Liger, one I barely managed to fight off when running a bounty in Prumoor.” A most troublesome beast. Their fangs and pelt sold for glorious gil on the market - but pinning them down was notoriously difficult to do. “The other I wear around my shoulders is a Winter Coeurl. That one I can’t exactly take the credit for.” A well-deserved reward. Or at least, in Sesario’s eyes, when he had pilfered it one night on his drunken excursions.

Both prints had a story behind both of them to pad out the evening if need be.

“You can see Sesario has…ah...” Mauracio started, clearing his throat as if emphasizing his next point, “unique taste…” He had made his opinion on Sesario’s mode of clothing many times before.

“Well,” Sesario started, lifting his cup. “You have to dress appropriately in the company you keep., don't you, father?” And with that, he took a large swig. The wine was bearable, at least. He preferred the bitter flavour over vineyard wines that most Rozari natives worked hard to produce.

~***~

Hannah was inclined to just let Mikhail throw this Didymus in one of Rozari’s several holding cells. Yes, he worked under Her Excellency, but she knew plenty did. And anyway, the Empress had much more important matters to attend to. She couldn’t let something as trivial as Didymus interrupt the Empress’s evening, could she?

Not to mention, Mikhail had pulled her from her position for this. Despite her taste moving towards Rozari men like the prince, she had no reason to trust any of them. Or anyone from outside trying to break in, for that matter...

That was until Didymus revealed something that made her pause. “Marked?” That was interesting. She had heard of no such thing, not unless she had missed that fact. She rarely did though.

“You? Marked?” Mikhail gave a harsh scoff. “Don’t be ridiculous. Hannah, he’s bluffing. He’s been sweating ever since I caught him outside.” He explained, sounding much more self-righteous as he continued. “Our friend Didymus here is very interested in our prisoner Elcid. So much so, he thought he’d be able to just walk out with him in Imperial garbs.” How he got his hands on them baffled Mikhail, though he was sure he had stolen them at some point. He heard reports of dead Imperials in places.

That said enough in itself. If it involved Elcid, then Prince Bandoethel was closer than they thought. But there still remained the issue of a mark. “Show me, Didymus,” she ordered. “I don’t care where it is, I need to see it.” It was bad enough bringing a treasonous sneak thief to Zariel, but to bring him to her claiming he had a mark was much more serious.



~***~

The further she retraced back to where she last saw Yarrow, the more hopeless she was beginning to be. Why was sneaking around made out to be so easy in all those books? “Oh, Yarrow, where did you go?!” She sighed, starting to slow down in the street, until she heard someone else calling.

And a howl that couldn’t have belonged to anyone else other than Yarrow.

Kikiti turned and squinted. The sun behind the man approaching her shone bright behind him, but once he got closer, he and Yarrow came into perfect focus. It was almost holy how he came to her holding Yarrow out. Probably because he had just saved her hide…and maybe because he did look quite charming in that Rozari number.

“Yeah! That’s the one!” Kikiti sighed with relief, holding out her hands to take Yarrow. “You silly thing,” she started lightly scolding Yarrow, though, she couldn’t hide the relief in her small laugh. She did note the way their fingers brushed together when she took Yarrow off his hands, and she couldn’t help but feel that odd leap in her stomach.

“Oh, no, don’t worry,” Kikiti giggled, securing Yarrow in her arms. She’d carry him the whole way through Rozari if it meant he wouldn’t get lost again. “I’m used to him wanting food. He’s a big eater. Really, I should be thanking you for even managing to find him in the first place…” She rubbed her head, letting a nervous laugh. Thanking him first would have been more appropriate, she was realising in hindsight.

Kikiti looked up to the man as, again, he mentioned about getting treats for Yarrow. Hesitance only flickered in her eyes for a second, but when she thought about it, Diddy was long gone now. It’s not like she could have followed him all the way, right? She had time to waste. Plus, her motto in life was to never refuse an offer like the pretty boy in front of her just did.

Even if Yarrow was the one to benefit from it.

The Lalafell struggled with the squirming Yarrow in her arm, growing more excited with each consecutive ‘treat’ that was mentioned. As she tried to hold onto him tighter, she tried to manage her best, non-struggling smile. “Well, when you put it that way, I don’t think I can refuse! And, uh, nor can Yarrow.” Damn wriggly carbuncle. “Oh, uh, yeah,” she added, “that’s Yarrow – well, you already know that – and I’m Kikiti.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Zariel’s mark was made to stand out. That didn’t mean she didn’t notice the way Sesario’s eyes alighted on it, nor that flash of familiarity. ‘Impossible.’ Not that it was, and she knew that. Why wouldn’t Zodiacs pick royalty elsewhere? They had chosen Cleon. It was reasonable they’d pick Rozari nobility, just like they picked Lixue, and her brother. Figures already poised to take over the world.

Not that she could say anything, only listen to remarks about the clothing. Liger and Coeurl. She had experience with both, hardly the pampered Empress – though not winter Coeurl. She doubted they were that much different than the sorts she’d encountered, but it was always possible.

She didn’t quite mask the smirk at Sesario’s remark to his father before he lifted the wine to his lips. Tensions were obvious, and she took a draught of her own cup. No wine – she had made that clear. Intoxication was one risk she couldn’t take in this kind of company, though she sorely missed it. It was a simple juice instead.

“I am quite used to rather exotic tastes,” Lixue came to mind. Not that he had exotic tastes in clothing, he was just…weird, in about every other way possible. “I’ve not dealt with a liger myself, but I am familiar with coeurl. Was the liger your bounty in Prumoor, or was it something else?”

Zariel would easily continue to navigate the conversation to these small things, no doubt things Sesario didn’t mind talking about, even if his parents might cringe from the subjects not showing a Rozari or a Rozarian how they liked.

Zariel wasn’t too concerned about their opinions any longer. Nor did she care to offer any details about herself; they knew enough, and Sesario didn’t seem the sort who would be upset at having a conversation dominated by his stories, no doubt told a thousand times over.

~***~

Didymus shot Mikhail a glare for his scoff, but held his ground on it silently, letting Mikhail explain. He knew Mikhail would, he wasn’t getting out of this without Elcid being thrown in his face. So, he waited until Hannah came back around to the point – the mark.

“Don’t worry, it’s no where scandalous,” he huffed, pulling the red sleeve of his tunic up, and with it the pink bracelet, showing the mark just above his wrist, “Right there. Gemini. You don’t think Zariel would trust just any thief, do you?”

Hannah stepped forward to examine it, frowning. So far as she knew, that was legitimate, though she still reached out and wiped her fingers over the freckles to see if they’d smear. They didn’t, they stayed exactly as they were. “Shiva’s tits,” Hannah muttered, “you are marked.”

“Told you,” Didymus took his hand back and crossed his arms over his chest, trying to rid himself of the feeling.

Hannah shook her head, “She would have told us – Gemini wasn’t known.” Hannah insisted, though she sounded doubtful. Gemini was on the list of marks they were still looking for, wasn’t it?

“She wouldn’t have,” Didymus said, adding, “Running into enough Imperials on the road, it was obvious she was looking for marked. Cleon knows what he is now, you know – Za—the Empress at least had the foresight to make it seem that she didn’t know me.”

~***~

Hector may have intentionally made his offering so it’d be hard to avoid his hand, but he was still pleased that Kikiti – as he learned – hadn’t entirely avoided it, either. A good sign! ‘What sign? You literally just ran into her in the street.’ He would disregard that inner voice that wanted to nitpick everything. For now.

The momentary hesitance was obvious, but it was gone quick, too.

He’d have to maintain appearing non-threatening. Not that he wanted to be threatening! Yet, Hector knew how it could be; he’d been a vulnerable child in a terrible world once before. Not so anymore. And never again.

‘Though what happens if Sesario….’

He didn’t want to think about that with a cute girl and her carbuncle, though. “I’m Hector,” he introduced, “Your parents deserve praise for such a melodious name, Kikiti,” it did roll off the tongue well, “Lalafell? You look as if you have a bit in you,” though he clearly recognized not all. The assumption was part human, but who knew?

She didn’t have the ears for a viera, though.

“Sorry if that’s a sore topic – I spend a lot of time traveling,” he said, already starting to walk with confidence, keeping his pace to match hers, “I’ve met a lot of lalafell, and the naming convention fit with your features,” he would not say ‘stature’, because there was more to it than that. “If I’m way off, just tell me,” he laughed, adding, “sometimes I see too many things and get it muddled up in my head. I’m better with numbers than anything else – apparently like learning to shut up in front of a pretty lady and let her talk.”

Well that was bold.

‘Fuck.’

A very good thing Sesario wasn’t there to tease him. He was never like this. Sesario would have a field day. And offer too many bad pointers.

 

[Arcanist]

His father tried to hide his irritation at Sesario’s antics, but it was obvious his son was an expert at ruffling his feathers. Sesario noticed his mother took some amusement from it on occasion, a jab at a man who thoroughly deserved insults and more. Though, tonight, she cautioned him with a look, a kind that told him that this wasn’t the time for it. At least Zariel seemed to find some amusement from it.

She had no patience for a model Rozarian prince. Granted, Sesario wasn’t sure if she would have patience for the sky pirate in him. Only people that did were people paying him to do a job, or other pirates.

“I wish. If it was, maybe I’d have been more prepared to face it,” he sighed dramatically, leaning back in his seat. “The bounty was for a pack of Worgens that kept disrupting travellers. When I got to them, I found the Liger had done the job for me. It took a lot more than just spearing the thing to get it to go down. He went down in the end, but I came away a little worse for wear,” he shrugged, knowing it hadn’t been the first time it happened. He still had the scars from that attack, and he did spend a decent time on the down-low recovering.

“But,” Sesario continued with a grin, pointing his finger, “won my bounty. Plus, the gil that came with dragging that Liger back to the city. Could have sold the pelt, I suppose, but then I wouldn’t be able to bring up the story so naturally. Makes for a nice trophy.” It was strange, he simply felt odd parting with the old thing after it did a number on him like that.

By now, the entrees of the evening were starting to flow into the room. The staff were quick and quiet as usual, no doubt having heard Sesario relegate this tale however many times he had in the past. His parents had remained silent during Sesario’s spiel. They had little to add, and as they witnessed, the conversation seemed to flow well enough between the betrothed.

Shame that it had to be Sesario talking about being a damned sky pirate.

“Though, it sounds like you’ve had your fair share of fights, Empress,” Sesario said, a smirk playing on his lips. “I never pictured you as a woman who wrestles with coeurls.”

~***~

Mikhail had joined Hannah in ascertaining the validity of this mark. His disappointment was clear when his nostrils flared. Not that Didymus had a mark, but that he never discovered that mark for himself.
“You mean the soldiers you’ve stolen from,” Mikhail said. It wasn’t a question, but rather a statement, an accusation. Reports had come back as of late of soldiers left stranded without supplies, important information handed to them stolen too. It would make sense that Didymus would be part of the riff-raff going against Imperials.

And the prince knowing sounded as if that posed a problem, even if Mikhail didn’t understand a great deal about these marks in the first place. It was clear in the way Mikhail and Hannah exchanged looks. The next question was, how much did the prince know?

Hannah rubbed her face, sighing. She didn’t want to interrupt their Empress, but finding those with marks were classed as a high priority. And Didymus certainly had a lot of explaining to do. “I’m sure Her Excellency will be willing to lend an ear to those updates you have when we bring you to her then.”

~***~

Hector. It was a nice name, but given the young man’s appearance, she expected a name that was more exotic. She’d heard enough names in the short time she had been in Rozari to know he was an exception. But…it suited him. It was very charming. And he was charming too, if his tongue was anything to go by.

“No, not a sore topic at all. You can thank my mother for that bit in me,” Kikiti giggled, feeling more of a spring in her step as she walked with Hector. She was used to being cited as one or the other, never with the possibility of being mixed. She didn’t blame people for that as much as the acknowledgement was frustrating. “It’s a nice change from being called a child or a straight up lalafell. And I’ll certainly let you keep talking if it means you can compliment me even more.” She smirked.

Too much? No, just simply a tease. It was harmless for a random guy who happened to help her on the street, wasn’t it? And anyway, if he was being forward, surely, she should be allowed to have some fun with it too!

Kikiti at least found another topic that she could play off as they spoke. “You’re a traveller too then?” Fiddles, no, he just told her that. Plus, it implied she travelled. Not a lie, but the history behind the travelling… “You must have travelled around a lot if you’re able to pick out half-lalafells. I’m only really starting out, if I’m honest. I’m, uh, trying to work on figuring out where to go places, I’m sure you can tell.” She admitted sheepishly, pulling at a loose strand of hair. So much for seeming like a seasoned traveller. She couldn’t begin to think of the experience this guy had compared to her!

Yarrow could sense Kikiti’s first-meeting nerves, something he hadn’t been entirely used to. He glanced up at her with beady eyes before his nose rubbed against her chin in a bid for her attention. Kikiti simply put her hand on his head, patting softly as she insisted, “Treats are coming soon, Yarrow.” Those slight nerves must have been obvious if Yarrow was reacting the way he was.

 

[Lucyfer]

Worgens were far easier to deal with, from all accounts. Morana could empathize with not being prepared for a feline over a canine. Different strategies did have to be taken into account, but at least he’d made it through, and with a pretty pelt to top it off, and an apparent enthusiasm for such ventures.

Well, at least he wasn’t useless.

The food was fine – pleasant enough fare, really. The spices were different than Amarum, no doubt helped by the climate and inclinations of the Rozari people towards plant-life. It made quite a few of the more plant-based meals tastier than what the norm was in Amarum. Another mental tally, atop endless tallies.

“Mmm, I am of a martial family.” Obviously. “It’s not uncommon to deal with pests that crop up near or within our borders,” and those had grown substantially. One day, however, that would hopefully be all they were dealing with, or the majority. No longer human, lalafell, viera – no longer things but beasts! “Only recently I had dealings with a rather foul malboro.”

No doubt he knew of such beasts, even if he had the fortune to evade them. Zariel wasn’t keen on doing it again, though she and Lixue had learned quite a bit from that venture, and would certainly learn more the more they tested Mist.

“Sadly, malboros’ aren’t exactly equipped with much that makes nice attire, though their hide malleable enough for armors – it’s just little protection against fires.” Even with that, she’d had a hell of a time fighting it. Still, “So I’m afraid no malboro dresses for me.” Impish, “Are those tattoos to cover up the scars, or are they scars all on their own?” Some people preferred to cover. Others didn’t.

Oleander just had them because of Lixue’s work.

~***~

It was working.

They were believing him!

The issue would come with Zariel, of course, and he’d have to make it clear Jagger hadn’t known. Somehow. Well, he’d figure that out when he was facing Zariel, since that now seemed to be his fate. Not what he expected, but he’d still work with this. At least Mikhail and Hannah seemed wonderfully annoyed with all of this.

‘But Zariel is busy.’

That much was clear. Negotiations with the Rozari monarchy? Evidently, considering where they were. Didymus doubted he’d be waiting longer than eight hours, not with word of the mark, but he still felt anxious, “And how long do I have to wait? If I’m gone too long, it’ll cause a problem.”

“You could tell us where they are.” Hannah noted.

“Yeah, I could, and then you’d all die to them,” Didymus pointed out. “Reva does use Leviathan at a whim,” he exaggerated, “and Cleon’s sword cut clean through Lixue’s little toy.” Did they know about the toys?

Hannah’s face suggested some familiarity, but Mikhail looked a bit more confused. Hannah sighed, seemed the saner one. She wouldn’t admit Didymus was right, familiar with what happened to Oleander though she was, only say, “I suppose we shouldn’t make any move until Her Excellency instructs it. However, I cannot disturb her right now. As soon as her dinner is over,” that would be good enough.

To Mikhail, “Put him in shackles, but keep watch of him here. He doesn’t need to mix with the prisoners,” or have any access whatsoever to Elcid. “I’ll give orders to increase security.” No venturing out. Not yet.

It would be quick enough, she knew the key figures and where to expect them. She’d certainly be back in time before the dinner was over. Hopefully.

~***~

Hector’s grin widened as Kikiti didn’t seem at all upset with his mannerisms, encouraging them instead, “I do not think that will be too difficult,” complimenting shouldn’t be, at any rate, “for someone who’s made such a fast friend of a carbuncle, I can’t imagine I’ll find many faults.” Given his own queer friendships with moogles, he often found those who befriended animals or other kinds of people easily, to be worthy of some lauding.

And she was a traveler! Well, new to it, but everyone began somewhere, and most people didn’t start as young as he did. He nodded to the obvious question, and brought them into a familiar store that sold all manners of treats – a confectionary, but it catered to what many indulged in for treats, which was one of the reasons Hector preferred to give it his business.

So, it had treats for pets, treats for moogles, even viera – though viera weren’t as common, they still happened about. There was apparently a forest not too far away, though he’d never seen that. Viera were touchy about those things.

“Well, I do know about how tall most lalafell are,” Hector said, moving a hand behind his head. His own height was a sore issue for him, only because of Sesario. He led her down to where treats for canines were, “I think any of these….”

Yarrow immediately began trying to scramble towards the wooden boxes of treats, sniffing wildly. Hector laughed at it, and poor Kikiti’s struggles. “Do you have more carbuncles with you? Or others? We could pick them up some things, the stuff here is delicious,” he said, sighing, “I might be losing my own traveling partner here soon so I might need a group to bum with anyways.”

He flushed. ‘FORWARD!!!’ “Not—I don’t want to burden your crew – I’m just dealing with my feelings and I haven’t traveled alone like…ever. Not sure how I feel about that. And it might mean doing without my ship.” Sesario’s ship. But really, his ship. And he was sad at the thought of it, and trying to find his own way, without Sesario.

Without anyone.

No matter how much he did enjoy his time alone, he still liked being with others.

 

[Arcanist]

At least Zariel had gotten her hands dirty herself. Nothing worse than someone who sat back and left everyone else to do the dirty work. Granted, his grandfather drummed that into him. He worked and worked Sesario as a child, kept him committed to things. That all changed when his Ignacio passed, and he hit that pivotal age in life where everything started changing. The mark and the voice came with the change too.

Sesario raised an eyebrow and chuckled a little at the malboro reveal. “You’re shittin’ me?” He ignored the sudden choke from Mauricio that came quickly after, and instead kept his interest on Zariel. “Ugly lookin’ things. I certainly wouldn’t wear them, so maybe that’s a blessing for you more than anything.” He resolved. The only good Malboro was a dead one. He remembered – a long, long time ago – a crewmate on some of his first excursions had been gobbled up by one. That was enough of a warning to avoid them.

Talk turned to tattoos, and Sesario lifted his arm as he explained, “No, but I considered it at one point before changing my mind. I like to think we’re all blank canvases when we’re born. Scars, burns, tattoos, they’re all testaments to how we’ve lived in this world. Seems an awful shame to hide those stories.” A typical Rozarian poet. He liked to think he came out with good things now and then. Or maybe Rozarian wine affected him more than he thought.

Much of the dinner continued like this and went…surprisingly swimmingly. Far less stilted than Sesario thought it would be. Mind you, the wine always did help to loosen things up. Thankfully, he was wise enough to take his time with it, else it would have been a whole debatical that his parents would have had to sort some damage control over. Hector managed his drinking for a reason.

Speaking of, his parents couldn’t get much of a word in edgewise. Aitana was pleased enough that the two could have an amicable conversation. Though, plenty of times, she cleared her throat, made swift cut-ins, or else gave her son a look that said, ‘Behave.’ Mauricio had tried to discuss more of what the future held, though, they were met with curt and short answers, before Sesario found more ways to bring them back to topics that were actually interesting to him.

Though, dinner wouldn’t last forever. Hannah had appeared as dinner was naturally on its way to a close – bar Rozari’s rulers trying to drag the whole affair out. She had whispered in Her Excellency’s ear about Didymus, the thief she had employed, and the incident involving the attempted lifting of their prisoner Elcid. Security was increased, and Hannah would give her a full briefing on the way to Didymus. The Rozari royals didn’t need to hear of this. Discretion was of the upmost importance. Mikhail was holding the thief in Hannah’s quarters anyway, so the thief wouldn’t be sneaking off anywhere any time soon.
Hannah, of course, was aware of the looks she was getting, though, more so from Sesario. She did try to ignore them, given the earlier comments to Zariel. The Rozari number though did show off considerably more than his animal print outfit did…

~***~

Kikiti smiled proudly when she was told the compliments wouldn’t stop flowing. “I guess I’ll keep you around then,” she teased again. She wouldn’t mind keeping him around. He was good for an ego boost.
She followed him inside the confectionary, trying to mellow a sudden childish excitement at the range of sweet treats around her. Her sweet tooth was her biggest weakness. Then again, any kind of food was her greatest weakness. Kikiti did appreciate the little extra that Didymus managed to set aside for her so her stomach wouldn’t grumble during the night. She didn’t want to just ignore her own wonderings about Diddy’s condition, but…

They reached a section that would be perfect for Yarrow, whom Kikiti was struggling to keep a hold of in her arms. Though Hector found it rather amusing, Kikiti was just more worried that if Yarrow escaped, he’d stuff as many treats as he could into those treats and make off with them. “Yarrow, at least let us pick some out and pay for them first!” She told him, and cautiously, started getting him closer to some of the boxes, to gauge which one he might like best.

All of them, probably. A bit of everything, like Kikiti would prefer in her own choices.

Kikiti shook her head at Hector’s next question about carbuncles. “Just Yarrow. Really, he’s not mine. I’m just kind of babysitting him for a while.” Not a lie, for she was taking care of him for Sofia and Matias. She pondered the idea of mentioning if she was with a group. She didn’t have to mention names, right? Kikiti could keep it vague enough. She would really like to buy some local goodies…

“Ahh, well, yeah, I’m travelling with a few others,” Kikiti mentioned, though, didn’t elaborate on names or how many others. “But…we’re kind of on a tight budget. I’m not sure they’d appreciate me spending all my gil in here…” She chuckled a little. It was tempting, sorely tempting. Reva managed their finances very well, and if Kikiti was going to be the only one out of pocket, that just wouldn’t do.

Though, she frowned when Hector mentioned the potential of being without a travelling partner. That was when her heart started to bleed a little for him. “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” she sympathised, and she really meant it. “I hope it’s not over anything awful.” Kikiti could imagine arguments could really break up the dynamics of a travelling pair or group.

At first, Kikiti wanted to say ‘Yes, of course you can join us!’ But she didn’t have the luxury of being selfish. And it wasn’t as if she knew Hector very well – obviously, seeing as they just met. But those poor green eyes – or were they hazel? Or brown? All of them? – just looked so…sad.

Kikiti’s eyes, however, widened at the mention of a ship. “A ship?” She asked, feeling her grip on Yarrow sliding as he scampered down onto the floor, already sniffing around a few boxes. She ignored him trying to get into a box of sweetened Star Carrots. “Like…a boat ship? You and your partner have a ship?!” To think…the two of them must have been flushed with gil if they could afford something as big as that!

She was sceptical that her comrades would appreciate another travelling partner, but if she could manage to get one with a ship…granted, if Hector couldn’t bring it, it’d be problematic. So, if she could find another way…?

Oh, but that made it seem like she was trying to take advantage of him, and she really wasn’t! This had just sweetened the deal more considerably!

“Ooh, can I see it?” Kikiti looked at Hector, linking those pleading brown eyes at him. “O-only if that’s okay! I just, uh…I’m interested in those kinds of things!”

Kikiti knew next to nothing about ships, other than they sat on water, and they moved on water.

 

[Lucyfer]

Zariel couldn’t help but be amused at how Mauricio choked, though she resolved not to show that amusement. ‘You and Oleander would get along.’ Or they’d hate each other. Hard to tell with Oleander, sometimes. She couldn’t decide which way her brother would fall as conversation continued about the tattoos and ventures, following easily enough from the commentary on blank canvases.

Of course, she couldn’t ask him about what she wanted.

Nor did he inquire about her own choice of make-up, to continue in that vein.

It would have to be later, but there was plenty yet that she needed to discuss with him. Mauricio was the setting sun, after all – the important one was Sesario, who was the rising. He would be more important than his parents in setting the future of Rozari, and so, hopefully, in finding those Zariel needed found.

How much she’d tell him was still debatable.

It was as desserts were brought out that Hannah finally stepped in with the staff and came to her, cupping her ear and whispering of Didymus. While Hannah earned stares for her abrupt entry, Zariel’s expression remained impassive, even if she could feel the sparks of anger. Not that she could show such a thing here. Or many places. So when dessert was set in front of her, she shook her head and rose, “Thank you, but it appears I will have to cut this a little short,” she didn’t regret that, “there is a matter that needs my attention now.”

A quick look to the royals, an easy smile, “It’s nothing concerning Rozari,” she added, shifting to Sesario, “I would like to speak with you on your own this evening, if that is feasible?” It wasn’t really a request, but she ought to frame it as such. She half-expected Mauricio to interject that Sesario would – but she would wait for his answer, before leaving with Hannah.

And try not to set any rooms on fire.

~***~

Kikiti did begin to pick out some things for Yarrow, who she was apparently babysitting while traveling. An interesting situation that Hector was definitely curious about. Petsitting usually meant staying in one place with the pet, after all, not taking it on a wild adventure. Though, his mind hadn’t strayed too far as Kikiti noted his troubles.

“Depends on how you look at it,” Hector hedged, not quite saying what the situation, while considering that Kikiti was with a group. “I don’t mind spending some – a job in Escander gave a rather nice bonus, I couldn’t spend it all in a day if I tried,” he chuckled, and it was the truth. He’d put a good dent in it so far with his moogle orders, but he had plenty to spare.

Though, he wasn’t opposed to showing Kikiti the ship first. Especially since she thought it was a boat. He wasn’t going to correct that, her reaction would be too adorable, as he led her around to where the Kupo nuts were and got a good variety. If Kikiti did want to go grab something, he’d let her, before heading to check-out.

“I’d be happy to show you the Valkyrie. She’s my pride and joy,” Hector grinned, “I’ve put in so much work on her,” he sighed, wistful – sad, still, at the thought of how things could be changing. He’d be wondering all day until he heard from Sesario.

As the total was added up, he easily covered it with that very gil he’d earned, “C’mon, she’s not far from here!” Hector encouraged, “I’ll even give you a tour of her, and Yarrow can eat some of the treats in peace nearby,” though it was obvious he dearly wanted to eat the treats now.

~***~

Time slipped by, waiting for Didymus, or Kikiti. Ideally both, with Elcid. Reva tried to be on watch, to let Cleon have time to meditate, and also prepare himself for the meeting with Elcid, someone he really didn’t know, but was putting his hopes into. They were all putting their hopes into Elcid being able to produce a miracle of sorts.

It was being on alert that let Reva hear the approach of another.

At first she just thought she heard an approaching animal, likely no threat, but then she heard the heavier steps – two, not four, and drew herself up, taking up her naginata as well in preparation. “Cleon—” just as she said his name, a dog came bursting into the clearing, a red bandana around his neck.

He came to a quick halt at seeing them, and crouched down, growling.

“Enkidu, don’t –” Gilgamesh entered the clearing, breathless, and though he wasn’t outright sporting the armor of the Ucantis guard, he made sure that it was visible on his tunic, even with the red cloak that still billowed out behind him. The darker blue tunic, and silver sigil, ought to help his case as he came into the clearing, panting.

Not that he needed to be panting, but it was better to look human.

To seem weaker.

His hands went to his knees, and then, he went to his knees, red hair falling forward to obscure his face. The long hair would help to further mark him as Ucantis native, “Your Grace. Captain Reva.” Reva hesitated. The dog whimpered and ran back to its master’s side.

“Who are you?” Reva did not know him at all.

“Gamesh,” he answered, “I’m – part of a Resistance in Ucantis – I was sent to…to find you, Your Grace.” He kept his head bowed as he spoke,

 

[Arcanist]

Tense airs were a factor that Sesario was all but used to. He had been in enough situations where a deal could go sideways, or a knife could make itself home in your back. He would have been amused by his parents’ tense shoulders, and their worried glances, had he not known that they hung on their Empress’s every word. Pissing off an Empress was something you could easily run from, unlike with a pirate or a merchant you were less likely to pass again.

And they must have been worried it was something to do with Rozari, for their shoulders seemed quickly unburdened when Zariel confirmed it wasn’t.
Her gaze moved to Sesario, apparently wanting some privacy to speak with him personally. Oh, the temptation to be crass only increased with the mixture of wine, but he knew better than to shame his parents more than he already had. His father hadn’t answered for him – for once – though, shot him an insistent gaze. Sesario smiled, and casually confirmed, “I’ll clear my calendar out in anticipation.”

Sesario just dug into his dessert as Zariel left, and before his parents could lecture him, or ask much about how the evening went, he commented, “It’s a good sign she’s coming to see me alone, isn’t it?” He had many questions for her.

Hannah tried to match Zariel’s stride, despite being the one leading her to where Didymus was being held. As promised, she explained more. “Another soldier brought him to Mikhail when he found his motives suspicious. If he was looking to remove Elcid, the Bandoethel and the Viera are likely to be nearby.” Though, she was sure Zariel would deduce that herself. “He says the prince knows about the meaning behind his mark. The viera and himself too, from Imperial orders.” Hannah mentioned it on account of believing she had known, though, still wondered why Zariel wouldn’t have told them this.

It wouldn’t be long before they reached Hannah’s quarters, with the ever loyal Mikhail inside guarding Didymus. He bowed as soon as Zariel had made her entrance.

~***~

Kikiti did begin to pick out some things for Yarrow, who she was apparently babysitting while traveling. An interesting situation that Hector was definitely curious about. Petsitting usually meant staying in one place with the pet, after all, not taking it on a wild adventure. Though, his mind hadn’t strayed too far as Kikiti noted his troubles.

“Really? You’d pay?” Kikiti’s eyes lit up again. A man who would pay for her things too? Hector really was the whole package. Not that gil and suave looks were everything, though, they were a nice bonus. “Ah, thank you! I’ll pay you back – uh, somehow!” Kikiti giggled. As Hector went to pick up some Kupo nuts, Kikiti took her time to gather a mixture of confectionaries that she thought the others might enjoy. Some sweet, some sour, even some viera treats for Reva. There had to be something for everything in the handfuls of stuff she came back to Hector with.
Really, it was his fault for offering to pay.

Once everything was paid for and packed away, Kikiti eagerly followed after Hector. This should have been some red flag surely. People were never this kind. She was no fool either. Even Lalafell and men in Ucantis couldn’t reach far enough into their pocket to treat you to a nice meal or piece of jewellery. And here was a stranger in Rozari doing it for her!

Ugh, it was always the pretty boys that got you, wasn’t it? Maybe it was just part of their culture!

“A tour of the Valkyrie… and you worked on it too? It must be a ship worth seeing then!” Kikiti grinned, Yarrow eagerly following the girl out the shop, eyes poised on the bag of star carrots just for him. She wondered how big it was. She wanted to imagine it was a beast of a thing, able to carry multiple people and supplies across the sea. Maybe it was much more exotic than the merchant’s ship her and the others had been on. She hoped so, seeing as Hector was bigging it up as his pride and joy.

They continued walking for a little bit of time, generally chatting as they moved along the way. Though, Kikiti wondered where the ports were in the city. Obviously, they had just been at a port some days ago, but she hadn’t been sure if there were any up here. As she started to feel a tiny piece of dread well up inside her, that disappeared as they turned a corner and she stopped, gasping.

It wasn’t just a ship. An airship. And it was a mammoth of one too!

“You didn’t tell me it was an airship!” Kikiti squealed, pushing Hector’s leg a little in the excitement of it all. She sprinted towards it, trying to take in the Valkyrie in all its glory. From its wings to its size to its…well, everything! The thing looked far more advanced than anything she had heard about or seen. It maybe even rivalled the likes of the Empire’s airships.

And that changed so many things. This was practically the jackpot.


~***~
Meditating was something that Cleon never really got – at least when he was younger. He did try it with her a few times. Like any other child, sitting still and focusing was boring, and he opted to go do kid things, like climb trees. Though, he never got very far either with climbing trees either.
He figured since he was older now, and had some patience to spare, that it would be easier. Clearing your mind when two of your comrades had been gone for hours, all the while waiting for the man they were risking everything for, was difficult. Even if they did manage to pull this off, where would they go from there?

What if Elcid couldn’t help them?

At the mention of his name, any hope of continuing was shattered by Reva, and a dog that came galloping out of the bushes. He grabbed his sheathed blade, though, found himself scrambling onto his feet, sure that the dog would be quicker. The sound of another voice led him to grab the hilt. He would have unsheathed it at the sight of red, but the flash of blue and silver stopped him. Ucantis. His colours.

Cleon had never felt such relief from seeing blue and silver. And yet, he was just as conflicted about its sudden appearance in the plains of Rozari. He watched the man kneel, his hair falling forward as he addressed them both by their proper titles. The hair was another marker of home, despite its less than common colour. Dyes were just as popular in parts of Ucantis.

Cleon stared for a moment, almost unsure of what was the most appropriate thing to say. Though, he soon cleared his throat, mustering the authority he had prior to being a fugitive. “Rise, Gamesh.” Without missing a beat, the man did as ordered. Cleon went on to ask, “What do you mean by a Resistance?” The wrong choice of wording, but he meant otherwise with his question.

Gilgamesh understood his meaning well enough. “One that doesn’t accept Egbert Marchand’s position on your throne. There are still people in Ucantis who want to see you return and reclaim your birthright.”

A name that caused Cleon to bristle. Another reminder of how easily the Empire could swoop in and change everything overnight. He wasn’t sure if he was comforted or not that there were still a few who saw his claim as legitimate. Cleon could never be so sure if he could easily take it back.
Cleon looked at Reva and nodded, signalling for her to lay down her weapon. “It’s okay.” He risked enough asking her to do this, but he wouldn’t have her pointing her naginata at Gamesh. He turned back to the man, with a quick glance at the dog who stood attentively by his side and watched him and Reva. “How did you find us?”

“Rumours and supposed sightings, Your Grace. I heard about Imperial troubles in Ucantis and assumed you and the Captain may have been involved.” Among other things. Enkidu’s nose was a special thing. He couldn’t explain how marked smelled much different from other mortals, but it was a talent he would never complain about. “I’m impressed by how long you both have managed to elude capture.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Zariel walked with Hannah, indeed letting her guide, but only barely. As Hannah explained more, she managed not to come to a full halt as Hannah tactlessly let drop the information about Didymus being marked. She bristled internally, aware of her own ignorance and wondering how she had missed it. She’d had him looked over! Where was it then, somewhere indecent? ‘Even the indecent places were searched.’ Unless some guard slacked…which names were on that list?

A task for later.

The first task was going through that door, seeing Didymus glowering over his shackles, and Mikhail bowing. She managed a flickering smile before her gaze settled on Didymus. Time to clear up one thing about this situation so her officers wouldn’t feel slighted. “Didymus McCallen,” she greeted, after Hannah shut the door and put her back to it. “When were you going to inform me that you were among the marked? Or for that matter, when was Jagger?”

Didymus felt a stab of panic at her outright admittance of ignorance. And from the look of Mikhail – vindicated, mostly – he couldn’t feel good about that. “When I saw you,” should he throw Jagger on the carriage? No. “Jagger didn’t know. I—”

“You said the Empress knew!” Mikhail accused instantly, and then fell silent under Zariel’s glare.

“Mikhail, see yourself back to the prison area, please.” Despite the please, nothing else about her tone or bearing were polite. Mikhail bowed, and hastened out, Hannah not obstructing him. “Hannah, wait outside.”

“Yes, Your Excellency,” she bowed as well, though Zariel didn’t turn to look. She waited until the door shut to continue.

“You are a profligate liar, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t be a good thief if I told the truth a lot.”

“I see no reason not to have you thrown in a cell far from Elcid as a secondary bait. No doubt Prince Bandoethel is near.”

Didymus swallowed. “You could do that,” he said, “I can’t really stop you,” he lifted already shackled hands, “but I’m still on your side.” He wanted to say Jagger told him about the serpent, but hadn’t forgotten Jagger’s warning to keep it to himself. Even with Zariel – especially with Zariel, he couldn’t say a word. Jagger had obviously known writing it at all would be bad. “Jagger’s my friend, I’m not going to betray her, and she sent me a letter to bring the prince to you, that she had some things to explain. When I asked her about the mark, she didn’t know anything. So I want answers on what this is all about!”

“You’ll have them when I have Prince Bandoethel.” It should be king, perhaps, but she wouldn’t afford him the title right now. “Where is he?”

But Didymus held ground, shook his head. Under her flinty look, he said, “This has to play out my way, or you’ll lose him. The viera’s slippery, and you need her alive.”

Which seemed to cause another thought to occur for Zariel, “You’re right,” she said, “You still have the Mist I gave you?”

He sighed, but gestured with his hand to the chair where his weapons were. She walked over, took the white bomb into her hand, and paced back to where she’d been. Yes, this would help with the viera, senseless she might not be able to call upon the Leviathan. “I do need them alive. Do your bombs for sleep not work? Nor confusion?”

“They do,” he muttered. “But – look, Elcid and Cleon meeting is important. Cleon hasn’t told me why he needs to see Elcid, and we’re not going to find out if they can’t meet up in a seemingly, er, clandestine way. So I have to get Elcid to Cleon.”

“Elcid and Cleon have never met.”

“No, but he and Reva have.”

Zariel considered a substitute, before considering the long lives of viera. Their memory was likely not like that of a human. ‘Obstinate….’ Still, Didymus had a point. Not even she fully understood why Elcid was sought, nor did Elcid offer an answer…or seem to know. If he wasn’t lying. This would be a way to get that information, but then how to get Cleon before he was gone again?

Didymus would not consent to being followed, so much was obvious. She tossed the Mist bomb up, caught it, considered. Didymus wasn’t offering an answer, either – telling, that. While his reasons might have truth to them, his omission told Zariel plenty of where his loyalties lied. Not fully with her – nor Jagger.

Perhaps not fully with Cleon, either, but not far enough away to win him over in this instant. Gil wasn’t going to buy him, either. Nor the truth of things. ‘What, then?’

“How long do you have?”

“Huh?”

“Certainly, you’ve given Cleon and Reva a timeline to consider.”

“Oh.” Damn. “Um. I started with eight hours. I’m not sure how long now.”

Night would fall. Getting Elcid out at night would make things easier all around, of course. It was more convincing that Didymus succeeded, too, if it were night.

Her brother had a way with animals that Zariel didn’t. That aside, she still had plenty of animals in her employ. “Then you’ll go in two hours,” Zariel stated, “with Elcid.”

Too easy. “What’s the catch?” He demanded.

“If you think I am going to tell you that, Didymus,” Zariel smiled, “then you need to reconsider.” He was startled when a flame lit between his hands – terribly hot. It never touched him, but he rose quickly, and watched the metal melt to the floor. The iron bands were still around his wrists. Those, Zariel would not see removed.

His hands were reddened. Almost blistered.

His fear was evident enough, but he didn’t shake, didn’t backtrack. “Go join the guard at the prisons and pretend to be one of them. I’ll have word given soon enough.” Through Hannah, of course.

Of letting Elcid go, and making sure a good number of their dogs had the scent from his clothing to follow – and all of Didymus’s bombs.

She didn’t let him retrieve those, just allowed him his daggers, before she sent him out. “Hannah, see Didymus to his post near the prisons, and then return. I’ll have a few more orders for you.” Nothing about Elcid. Didymus wouldn’t be allowed in. That was still Rozari, and something she supposed she ought to clear with the King and Queen. She had given Elcid over to them. Sort of.

Didymus really should have picked a Rozarian guard outfit.

~***~

Naturally, Hector insisted Kikiti’s company was quite enough payment for now. Compliments were easy when she was such a delightful companion for the time being, easily distracting his mind as they left the confectionary with plenty of treats. He took note of what she had, and wondered at her companions from it, but asked little of them or how long they’d been traveling, able to talk a bit more about Rozari on the walk to his ship.

Which, very obviously, surprised her. He couldn’t mask his own impish grin. “Well, when you just assumed it was a boat, I couldn’t resist omitting that detail,” he admitted, as she seemed all the more enthused, “My companion is the one who bought it years ago, but I keep it up,” he said, indeed, quite proud of it as he followed after Kikiti, and went around to the door of it.

He didn’t hesitate in opening it, and bowing to suggest she go on ahead and take a look, setting the bag of kupo nuts off to the side of the door. “You can let Yarrow eat here, and I can show you around the ship,” he offered.

“It’s a little beat up. We, uh, had an incident with a rather large bird, but other than that, it’s in good order,” he indicated, chuckling, “there’s not much that can put the Valkyrie down for good!” It was, after all, a pirate’s ship. That meant it had to be prepared to possibly outrun Empire ships.

They hadn’t really tested that much, but Hector always tried to stay ahead of things. None of them wanted to be caught by surprise in the air and gunned down. That would be a terrible way to die. “The cockpit is that way,” he offered, as a starting point. It all really began there, and then went on through the ship.

He wasn’t sure how much Kikiti would really be interested in – how many fine details she’d care to hear about where it came to shields, engines, and fuel, but he could certainly talk for hours if she seemed interested enough.

~***~

Reva also bristled under that name. Marchand. That family would pay for siding with the Empire and not resisting. For taking the Imperial bribe of leadership. How dare they! Common people, she could understand, and perhaps come to forgive, but others who had power and could stand up against the Empire, no, she would not forgive so easily. It made her wonder if the Marchands had long been in the palm of the Empire.

How long had they plotted to usurp the throne using the Empire?

‘I hope it is a bitter fate.’ One lacking in power and autonomy.

She still hesitated to stand down, but would not dare to show that same tendency to usurp power. So, with Cleon’s nod, she lowered her naginata, but couldn’t soften her expression too much, still wary by this unannounced guest. She hoped he was friendly and sincere, of course, but she had to hold some doubt. For Cleon’s sake.

“Thank you,” the words were stilted as Reva accepted the compliment about eluding capture, “We are pleased to hear there is a resistance, although we cannot return to Ucantis at this time.”

Gilgamesh shook his head, “No, that is completely understandable. My sighting of you will improve morale. I have come all this way to learn if I may be of assistance, as well – if there are things I can do in Ucantis, or even now, that will improve the odds of your return to the throne,” his dark eyes shone brilliantly, “You are our monarch, I trust in your judgment to know how to win back the people.”

Of course, what Gilgamesh wanted to do was urge them in to Zariel, where they could silence Phoenix once and for all, but he would have to play the good servant for a moment and see how best to move that idea into Cleon’s head.

Actually, “I suspect you must be lying in wait out here to deal with the Empress herself. How clever!” Gilgamesh had no idea they were, in fact, unaware that Zariel was within the city. Oh, but Enkidu knew – Enkidu scented many here, and had told him in his way.

Reva went still. “Zariel is here?” Panic for Didymus and Kikiti both rose up. They were marked! Guards were one thing, but Zariel quite another. Was Oleander there, as well? He was usually not too far, and for Zariel to be here – oh why did they let them go in at all?

Gilgamesh let his own eyes widen in surprise, “Yes – you did not know? Oh! My assumptions, my apologies!” And yet, perhaps this was good, if the anger was still high in Cleon…he could stoke that flame without Cleon having the time to think.

 

[Arcanist]

Sesario Kavalieris was not a man who would let a scandal pass by him without knowing about it. Whatever that soldier whispered in the Empress’s ear, it was something worth knowing, just not to mischievous bastards like himself. Information was dangerous in the hands of those kinds of people.

That, and he was incredibly nosy.

So, when he did manage to get his parents off his back, he did some ‘reminiscent wandering’ through the halls to see just what he could dig up. It hadn’t taken him long to find the same Imperial soldier that whispered in Zariel’s ear standing guard outside one of the doors. It wouldn’t pose a problem to him. Sneaking right up to the door to eavesdrop was a rookie mistake. He would know because once, he had done the same thing once.

That was a fault he never cared to admit.

With the room being on the corner, and Sesario in the hallway near that same corner, he would hear just enough from whatever travesty Zariel had to clean up. He noticed much more Imperial red moving through the hallways and keeping guard, and he figured that would be a good start. Though, instead, he found himself interested in one guard who stood gawking at a painting of the vibrant colours of the city of Rozari. He wasn’t surprised. Sesario shared his mother’s fondness for beautiful paintings.

Either way, this made for a good eavesdropping spot.

“You know you won’t find any suspicious characters in that painting, don’t you?” Sesario asked as he approached the soldier, allegedly on guard. He smirked at the way he flinched, unsure of whether to look the prince in the eyes or move them away. “I can’t say I blame you. It would seem a bit pointless standing here and not taking in some fine art.”

“My apologies, Your Highness,” the man spoke meekly, straightening himself up. “I have a certain fondness for art. Rozari’s is…different from what I’m used to in Amarum. More…well…it captures a certain beauty.” Amarum’s had always been martial in nature. Beauty was strength and power. Rozari’s had been the natural in life.

Sesario had a fine talent of using each ear for different things. Where he caught the soldier’s appreciation for paintings and other such artwork, he also caught two names that he recognised. Elcid and Bandoethel. ‘As in the Elcid?’ He wondered, smiling at the soldier.

It wasn’t difficult to remember Cid, nor the reasonably sized cut for a simple job he and Hector had been offered. Cid handled most of the hard work – getting his hands on munitions and weaponry – while the Valkyrie was simply the transport. Imperial checkpoints were less of a hassle and worry those few years back, far less tight than they were now. He liked Cid. He kept things to the point, gave them their money, and was on his way again. Sesario heard his smuggling extended beyond unattainable weaponry. He’d once smuggled people over borders for a price, provided documents and anything else people needed to start anew. He’d done it for a few who ran from the Empire – criminal or otherwise.

So, what did he have to do with the Bandoethels from Ucantis? More specifically, the prince?

“Surely your Empress has some appreciation for other forms of beauty,” Sesario continued, folding his arms. “After all, she has the best looking soldiers in her personal employ,” he glanced to the soldier, a suggestive playfulness lurking in his tone. As the guard began to stumble for an answer, he took more in of the conversation happening elsewhere.

The conversation turned stranger. Talk of more marks, something that seemed to be cropping up too much for his own liking. Names, Jagger, Reva – there was a viera involved somewhere in all of this, only piquing Sesario’s interest more. Zariel needed this prince, and this prince needed Elcid, for whatever reason the two of them had to meet.

And whoever Zariel spoke to was meant to bring Elcid to him.

“…Excellency couldn’t just trust anyone in her employ,” the guard continued a spiel that Sesario half took in. The soldier was flushed, clearly affected by how Sesario slid in his previous comment.

“No, I agree,” Sesario carried on fluidly, “though, the Empress wouldn’t surround herself with strong soldiers if she didn’t want to, would she?” He was sure Amarum had ugly brutes, especially ugly soldiers. As long as they could do their job, surely it wouldn’t have mattered. Though, better to let the man how appreciative Zariel could have been – or rather, how Sesario was appreciative – of his appearance. He was never averse to appreciating men as much as he did women.

And he would never have taken it that far, if he hadn’t caught that soldier staring particularly longer at him than socially acceptable.

“I…suppose you have a point, Your Highness,” the guard murmured, before he cleared his throat as he shifted in his uniform. Rozari was hot at the best of times, even as it came to the evenings. Not as much as Prumoor, but besides the point. Was it meant to be this hot?

Sesario heard the door opening, and glancing up, saw a younger and dishevelled man in Imperial garb walk out. He could only assume this was the man Zariel spoke with, now wrapped up in her plot to trap the prince and his friend with Elcid has fresh, wriggling bait. Didymus, he believed his name was. He’d remember that face for later.

“Anyway,” Sesario patted the guard’s shoulder, “do keep up the good work.” He winked at the guard, and before he could say much more, split. Leave them hanging and wanting more, as he always said.

As much as he wanted to play that game, Zariel clearly had something larger going on behind the scenes. And that talk about marks…were there really others plagued with the same affliction that he had?

Man. He’d have quite the story to tell Hector when he next saw him.

~***~

As the door opened, Kikiti had to stop herself from just sprinting inside without at least being invited in. Hector’s offer to give her a tour of the airship was enough of an invitation, and she didn’t hesitate in dropping some of Yarrow’s star carrots on the ground for him. “Don’t move, Yarrow! Stay right there!” Mind you, the way Yarrow started tucking into his treats, the instruction seemed to simply fly right over his head.

Kikiti wasted no time heading through the door, eager to take her time inspecting the interior, though, afraid of blinking and missing it all. She saw what Hector meant by trouble with a bird – it had been big enough to leave some scratches and bumps along the walls.

Once Hector had pointed her in the direction of where they could start, Kikiti was straight to the cockpit to start their tour. She was afraid to go too far in, in the fear she might end up hitting something she wasn’t supposed to. She did cautiously inspect at the dashboard – a series of buttons and levers she wouldn’t have known did exactly what. At least the window gave a good view of what was ahead. She could imagine it was a blast when they were actually up in the air.

“So,” Kikiti scratched her head, a multitude of questions starting to form in her head. “How does this thing stay up in the air so easily? Wouldn’t it be super heavy? Ooh, do you guys live on this ship too? Do you have to pay some sort of special airship tax? Or do you need a licence to fly the Valkyrie?”

Her questions were spilling out at neck break speed, too many to keep inside of her head when she could just come out with them.

~***~

Reva, of course, had stated what was true. Returning to Ucantis now and demanding his birthright would be a pitiful sight. Though he had some support, for the most part, he was alone. He didn’t have enough people at his back to go against the Marchands. Cleon hadn’t even been sure where he would start. He wished he shared Gamesh’s confidence in himself. He wasn’t sure what his own people would want.

Nonetheless, he wasn’t going to let that shake the authority he was trying to maintain.

Instead, it was the news that the Empress herself was in Rozari that would shake him. Where Reva’s immediate concern lay with Didymus and Kikiti, all Cleon could think about was her. He couldn’t justify even thinking her name, let alone saying it. He imagined he would cross paths with her, one day, but was it possible it could be so soon? When the wounds were fresh and hardly closing? No, that wound would never heal, so long as the two of them breathed the same air.

When his fist released, Cleon felt a sharp sting in his palm. Small crescent marks left themselves embedded there, a clear sign of his anger.

His anger hadn’t gone unnoticed by Gilgamesh, who held his head with one hand. “To think Ucantis was only just conquered, and Her Majesty’s death so recent, Twelve rest her soul. And she’s moved onto Rozari next on her list of conquests as if it’s of no consequence…” He sighed, shaking his head, the very mention of his mother’s death making Cleon take a sharp breath. All he had to do was plant the seed, and it would naturally grow from there.

Zariel was at the heart of Ucantis’s fall and his mother’s death. Cleon had played the scenarios over in his head too many times to count. If he had insisted his mother joined their escape, if he had stayed by his mother’s side to face the Empire himself, if they had just seen the Empire striking sooner…but Zariel had been the one to give the order to march on Ucantis. It was the same in all scenarios he looked at, an action he could never excuse.

Cleon turned, first without a word, as he began to gather what little he had together. “Reva, we need to find them.” Them, Didymus and Kikiti, even Elcid, had been an afterthought, and he felt a sliver of guilt at that. But it wasn’t enough to overtake the hatred that began simmering in his blood, ruling his head.