Return to Darkness

[nexus]

Nexus looked to his food and remembered just how hungry he was, he cared not what is was but that is was edible. He dug in with a bit of haste forgetting some of his manners.

After a moment into the meal he remembered himself and his surroundings, he looked up to see that some of the people had looked his way. "Did Sai decide not to join?" he heard one of the women he saw earlier ask. He grabbed a nearby napkin and wiped his mouth and cough a couple times clearing his throat. "I'm sorry, ummm Lady Abigail was it?. I believe the last I saw of Sai he was heading to the library."

Nexus felt like he was forgetting something as he returned to his meal. "Oh shoot" he said as he thought of Airinose but instantly felt releaved when he thought "If she gets hungry she'll just go hunt in the forest nearby"

Nexus overheard them talking about the woman Agrias, who did look lovely in her dress, but seemed to be out of place in it. She reminded him of the women in the castle towns on his world. they too dressed in the same fashion and wondered if her world was maybe like his....was. Nexus stared at his plate, home......... he missed it, ....bad.

He remembered the open fields and the roaming mountains. The winding rivers and the vast oceans. he kept staring at his plate letting the images just roll over in his mind, till one stood out. "Nesus.......Nesus it's time for dinner, mom mom says come inside." it was his little sister not more then four, she was no more then two feet tall, had fire red curly hair and had cute little dimples when she smiled. She came to get him from the field behind their house with a stuffed rabbit in her arms, she smiled as she waited for him to put away his sword to reach out a hand and take his as they walked back to the house.

Nexus smiled , remembering that she couldn't say the X in his name. He was lost in his thoughts as a tear slipped out and rolled down the side of his face.

The King mentioned about a ball which brought him out of his daze to look up at him and think "Could be fun" and with a sigh he wiped his cheek and returned to finishing his meal.

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Abigail had noticed the boy's... emotion. She sighed a little, wishing she could help somehow, but this was hardly the time or place to approach someone's feelings. She looked back to her plate, hoping not to prod. She looked up with Beatrix spoke to her and smiled.

"Alright! But after my riding lesson, if that's okay. I don't want to risk running out of daylight, or go from a fitting directly to a lesson for fear of ruining one of your dresses!" She seemed oblivous to Beatrix's glare, instead seeming chipper and polite. "Thank you so much!" she added.

Looking down, she found her plate empty, and nodded. "Thank you very much as well, your highnesses..." she said, then stood up. "I think I'm going to call it that, so I can get ready for my lessons!" she bowed politely to Belle and Adam then waved to Agrias and Beatrix before walking off.

She found the stables pretty quickly, as Boco was quite verbal about his smaller living space. She giggled and walked over, leaning on the door to his stable. "You only have yourself to blame!" she said. "Eating all those greens is why you have less space now!"

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]Riding lessons...

Seething quietly, the general stood up when she finished her meal and turned to both Belle and Adam, giving them each in turn a polite salute and bow before spinning to face Mrs. Pots.

"I thank you all kindly for your hospitality but must confess that I am rather busy with some things I must make haste to get back to. Please, everyone, excuse me." She gave everyone around the table a polite nod, especially Agrias, whose future was one Beatrix waited to fold out personally.

"Lady Agrias, when you're finished with your...lessons, with Lady Abigail, I do hope that you'll make time to come see me; there are some things I'd like to discuss and perhaps we'll talk before I see Abigail."

That said she turned on her heel and proceeded out of the room, stopping only at Nexus' back and whispering "come with me now".

When she exited out into the massive hallways, she took a seat on the grand foyer's stairs, nearest the bottom, and waited.[/glow]

[Agrias Oaks]

"Lady Agrias..."

She heard the General call, her eyes snapping open to look directly at her,

"...when you're finished with your...lessons, with Lady Abigail, I do hope that you'll make time to come see me; there are some things I'd like to discuss and perhaps we'll talk before I see Abigail."

At this, she bowed her head politely, before looking to the Royals, "I believe I should get ready. It was all delicious, and I thank you for such wonderful hospitality. Your world seemed beautiful on the way in... I would love to examine further." she smiled, standing up, and curtsying to them and nodding to Ms. Potts, "Excuse me."

She turned toward the exit, and went off to rub at her burning cheeks. Little did she know, she was blushing since she made eye contact with Beatrix... she felt like...such a girl. "Oh, wait!" she snapped her fingers, noticing that she was still in Socialite Class.

The knight looked about for an empty room, and surrounded herself with a warm light which allowed her to turn to her normal, Holy Knight clothes and armor. She sighed a little, reaching up with a now-gloved hand to rub at the back of her head in a shy gesture, "Now lets see..." she would begin, walking over to the stables to find Boco, the silly chocobo wiggling its way out of the stable. Turning to see the surroundings were big enough for practice, before going into town.

"...hrm... " The knight grumbled, until she saw Abigail, giving her a sweet smile, "Hope you are ready for your lesson..." she turned to give Boco a small grin, "I know Boco is just eager to work out this fat of his."

Boco's head feathers lowered in a form of a pout, and his beady eyes would look frightened at the idea of... training, even though he knew it was coming. He would peck playfully at Abigail's hair, hoping for at least his new friend to be gentle.

"No, no, no." Agrias sighed, walking over to get the rails, "You do not do that! You are going to have a walk, then a run, and enjoy it!"

"W-waaark." The bird would whine.

"No, Boco..." she smiled, "... I'm sure you will enjoy Lady Abigail riding you... she is to learn Chocobo Riding, don't you wish to help our fair lady?"

"W-wark?" His head feathers perked up, showing a sign of happiness, "K-wkee!!" he sounded excited, his feathers ruffling before smoothing out.

"Yes, yes!" Agrias chuckled, petting a little at his beak before turning to the mage, "... Speaking of, art'thou ready, Lady Abigail, for your lessons?"

[Leckseeuh]

Lexia had been walking around the ship, aware that they landed. She wanted to get around the ship since it was pretty much huge. She basically looked everywhere, finding Lilith somewhere on her journey.

Looks like you're comfortable, she teased, poking Lilith on the arm and walking off.

She went down a few corridors and halls until she stopped at some of the holds, looking inside one of them. On some of the boxes, there was "property of the Alexandrian Army" and some numbers stamped on them. She snooped around, just being curious, finding someone she kind of recognized.

Oh, hey there. Whatchyu' doin' down here?

[nexus]

Nexus was watching as Beatrix left her seat but when she whispered to him "come with me now" he almost choked on the dinner roll he had in his mouth. He blinked a couple times wondering "did she just say that to me?" he watched he walk away and figured it best to follow then not.

Nexus wiped his mouth. pushed back his chair , an turn with a bow. "Thank you for your hospitality" he said. He turned and followed Beatrix out of the dinning room.

Nexus found Beatrix siting on the stairs, he walked up in front of her, stopped a couple feet in front of her and spoke softly but firmly "Can i help you, lady knight?"

[General Beatrix]

[glow=red,2,300]When Nexus appeared after several minutes of waiting, Beatrix stood up and brushed dust off the lower front of her jacket and stepped forward, reaching to her belt side and recalling her gauntlets; she strapped them each onto her arms with practiced haste before continuing, and raised her eyebrow as she turned her gaze to Nexus.

No doubt this man would be amazed by her swiftness, her regal presentation, or her rhetoric. She then smirked before throwing out a gloved right hand, its fingers manicured and polished a dark red.

"I am very glad that you agreed to come and see me," she spoke, no sign of enthusiasm in her voice. Instead she was more cold and emotionless, though her act would be spot-on. Presenting oneself as an unapproachable, powerful authority figure who one felt the need to approach? She had this down perfectly.

"I do hope that you enjoyed the supper this evening. The magnificent staff here is one of the best for fine cuisines I have ever met." She lowered her hand, deciding now that she did not wish to shake the man's hand. "Now I assume that Sai indeed confiscated your weapons upon my orders, yes? I would like to evaluate you at some point this evening--possibly now, if you are not busy--to see exactly how much of a threat you pose to my comrades or this campaign."

The general took one hand and rested it on the hilt of her blade and turned, facing up the right-side grand staircase; at the center of the foyer's far wall, between the two stairs, sat on the wall a portrait of both prince and princess. Beatrix' amber eye glinted, and for a split second the picture changed.

Prince Adam's form changed from man to beast, and Belle's cheerful smile faded to a look of complete horror. But again, this was for merely a split second; had Nexus seen this--as Beatrix assumed he would--a sudden chill should creep up his spine.

The art of manipulating people into fearing you and your surroundings...yet still maintaining their respect for your person.

Turning back to the man Beatrix gave him a calm, polite smile; her lips glistened in the candlelight. "Shall we take a walk, then? Tell me, who are you...where are you from, and why should I let you move freely about this castle?"

With that she began her ascent up the steps, a somehow quiet, confident stride.[/glow]

[Secondary Characters]

Vivi, who had not been seen since the Battle of Naught, sat quietly in a moderate-sized cabin aboard the Red Rose, staring longingly at a torn, dusted old steepled hat. This particular article lay beside several shattered crates and tube-like glass barrels, pipes and wires from ages past ripped and broken protruding from the containers' metal bases and tops.

Property of the Alexandrian Army: [# 710-715] read a much more intact crate nearby; a shadow-formed golem, much like Vivi, lay motionless fully dressed in the uniform of its militant comrades of the past.

This was one of the three Black Mage Research and Packaging storage facilities from the Age of Brahne, and Vivi gazed upon this place with a familiar forlorn set of lighted yellow eyes.

"..."

He was startled to soon find that someone else had intruded on his private thinking session. With a dramatic spin he flailed and collapsed onto his rear, tumbling backwards once. When the action died down, he shook his head and peeked up, using his hat's wide brim as a slight mask while his face was cruched into the wooden floor.

"Wh-who...what are you doing here?" he asked Lexia, and when he found she posed no threat stood up. He fixed the angle of his signature hat several times nervously, and once again peered up.

"Have we landed yet? Where are we? I heard some things a while ago...a couple of days, possibly...I haven't been myself lately; too lost in my own thoughts."

[The Alexandrian Army]

Daphne stood up and left the table, giving the appropriate thanks to their hosts and nodded. She left the dining room and proceeded down the halls as directed by the overly-polite Cogsworth until she found the grand library.

Everything here was bright and magnificent, nearly as grandiose as the Library of Alexandria. She carried in her arms notes and books; finding Sai would be difficult here, because of the massive size of this room, so she sat at a long table at the library's very center, where a maid was just finishing up dusting off a chair. She sat down and gave the help a polite nod before setting straight to work.

Her assistants soon found her there and sat beside her, quickly setting off to search for all books relevant to the topics at hand.

[Sai]

Sai looked up from his clue to see Daphne and her staff setting to work. He glanced down once more, mulling over his options. There was work being done here. He could do little more than provide another pair of eyes, which was largely redundant. On the other hand, if he left, he felt that the productivity may go down due to Daphne's... obsession.

He had to think about this quite hard. He also had to take into consideration that Daphne would also be on his mind. She was... rather difficult to ignore, even when she wasn't present. Would it be best to go, or stay? He didn't know. What he did know was that drastic actions needed to be taken, if he was to finish his goals.

"Daphne..." he said quietly, gesturing her over. He looked to her, and held the book in his hand. He held it up slightly, hoping she understood what he was to say next. "I have received an invaluable clue, and I must pursue it. I will be leaving in a few moments, but I will be back shortly. I just need to scout out a location, see if there's any validity to it. In the meantime..."

The Nobody reached down and took the woman's hand. Bringing it up, he placed it on the book. "I'm leaving all the notes and the vital clue with you. If you would, please have one of your staff run a scan on this tome. I want to see where all it has been. Please be very careful with these... they're my only hope of getting my heart back... and I entrust them to you..."

With that, he let go, leaving everything in Daphne's hands... All his hopes and dreams were now contained within less than half a cubic foot of space in her grip. He slowly stepped backward, a corridor opening up behind him.

"Two-to-three hours, tops..." he reassured her, then stepped through. It closed around him... and he was gone.

[The Alexandrian Army]

When Sai beckoned the professor she immediately dropped what she was doing and hopped out of her chair, making a speedy beeline towards the Nobody. She stepped up before him and saluted, her gentle eyes set upon his lone blank one. When he spoke of his news that he would be leaving the castle, she almost melted.

"But..." However, the woman soon remembered what the general had always said. 'When faced with sadness, before you break down and cry, attempt the opposite; put on a smile and do not let them know of your weakness.' Daphne curled her lips upward and nodded her head.

"Very well, then. In the persuit of science and...well, you have a goal now, don't you?" She had been entrusted with the future of his heart, and that sent her reeling on the inside. Again she could have melted, but this time in embarrassment and crushing pleasure.

"I will defend both book and tome with my very life," she stated, watching with a forlorn gaze as the Nobody made his exit. She sobbed once, very quietly, and moved her glasses to brush away stray tears before returning to the table, where she and her assistants went back to work.

[Secondary Characters]

Abigail giggled at Boco's pecking, always so happy around the large yellow bird. She found it cute, and it warmed her heart greatly. She smiled innocently to Agrias, eager to begin the lesson. She nodded and added "Alright! What do I do first, professor Oaks?" she smiled.

After a while of prepping Boco, the knight got up and rested upon the saddle, before extending a hand to the Mage to come and join her.

"It is all about footing in the beginning, Lady Abigail..." she started, " Place your foot on the ring there, and hoist yourself up... keep one hand still on that strap there so you do not fall back on your climb, it will be tricky at first, but do not worry, I'm here if anything."

She walked her through the mounting first, "Now move your leg over and... ah hah~ There you go, you made it to the saddle!" she grinned. Boco wiggled slowly as to not knock the two off.

Abigail struggled only a little at first (mainly because of her dress) but she got it. She held tightly at the reigns, and blushed a little darkly when Agrias took the spot behind her (it wouldn't be much of a riding lesson if Abigail sat in the back and didn't take the reigns, after all). She looked over her shoulder to the woman very slightly, so as not to display her reddened cheeks. "Ah...Uhm... okay..." she whispered, then cleared her throat. "So... now that we're up here... what's next?" she asked as clearly as she could, for fear of her voice cracking.

Agrias nodded, resting her hands on the girl's waist so as to not fall out, "Very well... now, hold the reins with both hands, several spacings between holds, if you please... find your balance on the chocobo because you will be moving with him in every step... an extension of your own legs, in a way." she smiled, glancing to Boco, who eagerly wanted to run.

She looked to Abigail a moment, "Let us start slow, tap lightly with your heels at Boco's sides to start going." she smiled, "Remember, an extension of your legs."

Abigail blushed once more, coughing lightly to cover her gasp. She looked quickly to the reigns and thought out loud, "...an extension of..." she whispered, then attempted to lightly tap Boco's sides. Granted, she might have tapped a smidge harder than she initially planned, but certainly did not stab the poor bird in the sides. "Giddyup...?" she whispered, trying to at least sound like she knew what she was doing.

Boco began to move forward at a steady pace, his head shaking a little, ruffling his feathers against the light wind front hitting against his face, "Ke-whee~" he cried happily, his slow wobbly movements giving an apparent reason to hold balance.

Agrias held a little tightly before relaxing her hold on Abigail's waist, thinking a moment she was going to fall off from the sudden start. She laughed and looked forward, "Good, good, Lady Abigail... now, for our next lesson, turning." she nodded, "To turn left, you simply tug on the reins to the left, and likewise to the right... it will turn the chocobo's head to the direction you want him to go..."

Abigail gasped, then grabbed the reigns a little tighter. She was equally wobbly at first, but she quickly grew used to moving with Boco as he stepped."I'm doing it! I'm doing it, Miss Agrias!" she called out delightedly! Her eyes went wide and sparkly with her happy accomplishment. She nodded, now with a lot more confidence and gently moved the reigns to the left as directed. "I'm not hurting Boco am I?" she asked, suddenly concerned that turning his head without really having his permission might cause strain on the poor bird's neck.

Boco turned to the left, warking happily with every wobbly step. Agrias smiled, "Ah, no~ He was trained for this you see, his long neck allows for some maneuverability when it comes to direction for him." The knight gave a bright smile, seeing the girl's happiness, "You are doing splendidly, Lady Abigail. Just grow familiar... and when you want Boco to stop, you just tug back on the rails slowly."

The white mage nodded, and smiled a bit. She attempted a stop for experiment's sake before releasing a hand from the reigns and leaning forward to gently pet the large bird's neck. "It's so much simpler than I thought! I would have sworn on the book of Cosmos this was a tremendously difficult skill to master, but look at me! I'm riding like a pro already!" she giggled happily, then looked over her shoulder to Agrias once more. Those blue eyes of hers sparkled with so much life and happiness, and those red lips curled upward into a gleeful smile. "Thank you Miss Agrias..." she said... then petted Boco once more. "And thank YOU, Boco!"

Agrias grined, " A pro, eh?" the knight chuckled, "Lady Abigail, hold on to the rails, we are going to the Village!" she laughed, "You will be taking us there with Boco... feel free to try your skills on the open road now. Simply remember the principles.... why not try going a bit faster? For that to happen, you press on the rings of your hills and hit a little harder against Boco's sides, but not too hard, he will get you wish to go fast when you press down."

Abigail nodded, then looked to Boco once more. "You ready?" she asked, then gripped the reins tighter. She gulped, then tapped his sides with a little more vigor. "Let's go!" she called, confident she understood the basics, but not so sure if she was ready for a full-out run. Still, maybe a bit of a jogging pace would be sufficient? She gently steered Boco to the road, hoping he didn't take off the second his feet reached cobblestone...

"WAARK!" The bird would sound excitedly, feeling solid ground under its claws he began to go a bit faster. Agrias chuckled, and wrapped her arms around the mage's waist as to not fly off. She would move her body from left to right, sharing the extension with Abigail when it came to balance, "Now we are going!" she would call out happily, her brown eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Abigail gasped lightly, grabbing hold of the reins even tighter! She blushed as Agrias held her as well, almost getting distracted to the point of falling off, but she regained herself quickly. She laughed a little, though was utterly terrified even at this relatively slow speed. She looked down the way to see oncoming curves in the road and turned Boco deftly through them. "I think I got it!" she called out, seeming overjoyed in her accomplishment! She saw the village ahead shortly, and tapped Boco's side once more, to indicate it was okay to get a little more speed. "Hee hee! Let's-"

"WAARK~!" Boco shouted happily his version of 'go', loud enough for the villagers to hear their coming. Agrias laughed at both their eagerness, and leaned forward for them to catch speed.

Abigail would let out a little squeak of startled surprise, almost panicking. She ducked her head down and closed her eyes tightly, growing frightened of the speeds they were going. "OhCosmosOhCosmosOhCosmos!!!" she cried out, and after a second or two of terrified prayer, pulled the reins up. She opened one eye to find they were now in the precise center of the town square. She shivered all over and looked to Agrias. "H-h-how do I g-get down?"

Agrias had taken over the reins, being that their rider could not be blind, in this case panicking. She smiled a little, reaching up to rest a gloved hand over the girl's head, "Shh shh... we are here, worry naught, Lady Abigail. I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you." she assured her, hopping off to look up to the mage, "Now, to get off, it is the same procedure as getting on, only backward. you hold on there on that strap, and move your leg down over here... press down on the ring and bend your knee to reach the ground with your other foot."

Abigail nodded, then attempted to duplicate the process... but she slipped at the last moment, her knee weak from shaking so much. She toppled into the waiting arms of Agrias, catching her at the shoulders. Her eyes were shut tight for a moment before opening and looking up into those... wonderful hues. She blushed again, staring a moment. "Th..thank you..." she whispered... her heart pounding in her chest, but for reasons other than Boco's wild ride...

"WHY!! THAT IS THE LARGEST CHICKEN I'VE EVER SEEN!" gasped a large man, who seemed to be a butcher by his dress wear, " I'll give you 15 gold pieces for it!"

Boco blinded looking over to the man, and looking about, 'chicken? where?'

Agrias was still holding onto Abigail when she heard those words spoken, she turned to the large man and blinked, confused, "Chicken?"

"Why YES! That-- that MASSIVE yellow thing behind you!" he pointed, "25! 25 gold pieces for it! It would make a fine banquet!"

"I beg your pardon, but my chocobo is NOT for sale! NOR will he be part of your MENU! He is my faithful ride!"

Abigail blinked just like Boco, confused by what just happened. She had been stricken from paradise so quickly and abruptly that she didn't have a lot of time to react. "huh...?" she asked, then looked to the man claiming Boco was some kind of entree! "how terrible! Can't you see the saddle on the bird? It's obvious he's not for eating!" she huffed, a bit upset anyone would even think of Boco in such a way!

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!" boomed a very manly, mocking chuckle. Several feet away from the village's central water fountain stood a tall, bulky muscular man boasting a rose-red tunic and black leather leggings; slung from a belt on his back was an ancient shotgun, and in one hand he held a sandwich.

Three women stood on his sides, fawning all over him as he pointed at the Chocobo riders and laughed hysterically; the women followed suit.

"Ridiculously absurd!" he bellowed, tossing away his meal and marching over to the two women, his shoulders matching his steps in movement forward and back; his chest was pronounced and his chin was high.

"Greetings," he said, his voice the sound of a tuba. "The name's Gaston." He pushed aside the butcher and threw a muscular arm over Agrias' shoulders. "What are you doing riding a gigantic hunk of poultry, anyway? The head of this thing'd look great over at the tavern, on my wall of conquest. Don't you think?"

"Alright alright 50 gold pieces, but that is my final offer!" called the man, new spectators coming to see the giant, yellow bird. Boco began to grow nervous when the new threat appeared, especially when he threw a hand on Agrias like that. His feathers ruffled angrily.

"Back off!" Shouted Agrias, " and UNHAND me! Knave!" she hissed, backing away from the man, and reaching for the hilt of her blade, "Do not dare speak of my dear Boco in such a foul manner, for he is faster than anything you can provide! A trust worthy ride!"

Some of the children there were pointing and laughing at the strange knight and bird, along with the mage, "Chicken women, chicken women~!!" they would tease, running circles around them.

Abigail would even step up against this man, getting between him and Boco. She glared at him angrily, a sight considering she was quite a bit shorter than he. "How barbaric!! How...how uncivilized! You see something new, and you immediately begin plotting to kill it?? What kind of a psychopath are you, anyway???" she demanded, then shot a very mom-like look at the children, holding a finger up to them in a very strong stance. "It's not nice to call names! Shoo!" she demanded before looking to "Gaston" once more. "And it's just like Agrias says! Boco deserves respect, mister!"

"Ha-ha-ha!" boomed Gaston's bothersome laugh once more and he backed off, waving his hands out in an "okay, okay," gesture. When he was some feet away he stuck out his thumb and pointed it toward his face.

"Ah, but you're wrong about one thing, mademoiselle," he said, his white teeth glinting in the setting sun. "I've got a stallion that would leave your banquet-sized beast behind in a trail of dust."

He stared at the children playfully mocking the two women and their Chocobo and joined in on the teasing. "Unless you're afraid your chicken'll lose to a horse."

"Tch! Sorry to disappoint but you shall be eating your own words!" Agrias grinned, crossing her arms as-a-matter-of-factly, " I propose a wager, ser!" she called out, reaching within one of her pockets to reveal a good-sized bag to show to the villagers, " If the villagers are up to such a race, are you all interested??"

" NO CHICKEN CAN DEFEAT GASTON AND HIS STALLION! OUTRAGEOUS" called out some villagers, laughing at the idea, but seeming to agree. Agrias would look to Gaston to see if he was interested.

Gaston scratched his enormous chin in contemplation--not that he really could think things through too well--and shook his head.

"Mm, I don't know. You think your twig-legged poultry's really up to facing Blackwall? No one wins like Gaston! Ha-ha-ha!"

The townspeople cheered him on, and he shook his arms again. "All right, all right. I accept your challenge, woman."

He spat the last word, as if it left a bad taste in his chauvinistic mouth. "What are the terms for your girly arrangement, then?"

Abigail smirked a bit. She really hated people like this, who thought they were better than everybody. She crossed her arms and waited for Agrias to put this big dumb oaf's butt in its place. "And I think we're about to find out that nobody loses like Gaston either!" she declared, quite confident. "Agrias here is an expert military rider! You don't stand a chance!"

"My wager is..." she thought a moment, certain that this is what she wanted, "... if you win, I shall share my treasures here with the villagers." she waved the bag around, "All 300 thousands of my gold pieces, along with a few rare artifacts!"

Some of the villagers would 'oooh' and 'aaah' at the idea.

"... but if I win." Agrias chuckled, hiding the gold bag away and crossing her arms, "You will all make a feast...a celebration for the Alexandrian Soldiers back at the Red Rose... AND give Boco a heartfelt apology, which he so rightly deserves!"

Boco would wark and kwhee in agreement to this.[/i]

"Red Rose?" Gaston was unsure what the woman spoke of and shrugged his shoulders. "Some girly brigade of scouts, no doubt. I knew that wench would ruin this place if we let her think freely...marrying a beast, and all...this place has turned to hell; lucky I'm here." He chuckled once more and moved forward, once again slamming his arm on the woman's back.

"You've got yourself a deal, lady. Let's see how well Belle's fools fare with an over sized chicken. Hah!"

Abigail growled lightly, then petted Boco's beak softly. "Don't worry, Boco! You can beat even their best horse and most experienced rider blindfolded and with a novice on your back!" she said, then shot a nasty look to Gaston. Something about him just rubbed her wrong right from the get-go, and she really disliked that he was talking down to Agrias of all people! That just does not happen!

Agrias chuckled, looking to Gaston, "Then 'tis a deal!" She walked over to Boco and Abigail, and gave her a bright smile, "Saddle up, Lady Abigail. You shall be leading this win for us!" she chuckled, resting a hand on her shoulder. "This will be a great opportunity for you to learn pro-chocobo riding!"

Abigail looked at the woman a second, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What?" she asked, shaking her head a little before pointing at herself. "Me? Don't you want to teach this oaf a lesson yourself?" she asked, not confident her ability to do so just yet. "I mean... You have so much more experience than I do!"

Agrias shook her head, "I believe you have got the gist of it, Lady Abigail. I trust in your abilitles... and as you said, I am well a master at chocobo riding, and it wouldn't seem all too fair for said oaf..." she nodded, resting a hand on her shoulder, "You can do it, Lady Abigail! I'm sure it will taste all the sweeter with you leading victory."

"Hah!" let out Gaston, who then brought his hand up and used his fingers to create a high-pitched whistle; moments later a massive black stallion galloped through the village, its snout billowing out visible air in clouds of smoke; the weather in the evening grew somewhat cool, so this was natural, though it made the beast look more frightening.

The arrogant hunter mounted his steed and yanked the reins; Blackwall drew up on its hind legs and whinnied loud and bestial. When he landed back down Gaston pulled again to turn.

"We shall begin here at the town square and finish at...the castle. How about that?"

He waited for an answer, but when he heard the Mage would be riding against him he scoffed. "You're really making this easy on me, aren't you? Sending the little pansy my way for flawless victory? Psh!"

At first, Abigail was hesitant. She looked to Agrias, smiling weakly despite being bolstered by the woman. "Well..." and then he had to speak up. She cringed when the man once again spouted mean words, then glared at him hatefully. She looked again to Agrias and nodded. "He's going down..." She practically leapt onto Boco's back, patting his feathers softly. "Ready, Boco?" she asked, then looked to Gaston. "Let's make it to the Castle and back! No one's there who knows about the race, so there's no way to know who won! Besides..." she held Boco's reins in her hands confidently. "We're going to out run you every step of the way!"

Gaston narrowed his eyes on the girl and gave her a goofy grin; even if this Chicken-boo was, in fact a speedier competitor, Gaston had means of making sure that only he came out on top.

"Whatever you say, pansy," he said, and flicked the reins and let out a quick "h-ya!". Blackwall bolted forth, its hooves click-clacking on the cobblestone streets as he pushed for a head-start. "H-ya, h-ya!"

Agrias blinked at Abigail's sudden boldness, and she laughed, clapping her hands and looking just as determined, "She is right, Ser Gaston! She-- HEY!" shouted the knight, seeing the sudden head start, "The race hasn't-- that insolent-- gah!" she looked up to Abigal and nodded to her, "Go, Lady Abigail!"

Abigail pulled lightly on Boco's reins to point him in the right direction. "Boco... don't hold back for me, okay?" she asked sweetly to the large bird, then tapped his side firmly. "Let's-" she started, allowing Boco to Wark his part when the race was ready to begin!

"WAARK!" Boco sounded angrily at the start of the horse, and DASHED through, his head leaning forward for quicker speeds, though at first he would begin slowly for Abigails motion of balance to catch up with him. He knew she was a novice, it didn't mean he was going to be reckless with his rider!

Abigail leaned forward as well, trying to imitate Boco as best as she could. She almost fell off once or twice, but instead of freaking out, adjusted her stance and kept going. "C'mon, Boco! Faster!" she called over the rushing winds, gaining on Gaston and Blackwall quickly. She would pull the reins this way and that, quickly maneuvering as she reacted to turns in the road. It wouldn't take them long at all to catch up! "There you are!" she called. "Guess no one cheats like Gaston too, huh???"

"Go, Abigail! Go, Boco! Go go!" Agrias would cheer from the village, her hands into fists- she would look to the villagers, " A wonderful race this will be!" she chuckled, looking to were they left, "Heh... won't the Alexandrian Soldiers be happy."

"You speak as if your poultry would win over Gaston and Blackwall!" grunted one of the villagers, "So, 300 thousand gold pieces you say?? Heh, better hand that over in advance! NO one beats Gaston!"

"We'll see.... we'll see..."

Gaston moved swiftly and proud through the streets and even out onto the forested highway leading to various other places and more importantly, the castle.

He picked up speed, but soon Abigail and Boco were catching up. He turned to glance over his shoulder and growled, removing his left leg from its lock and letting it dangle for a few moments.

"That's right," he shouted over the loud rumbling the racers' footsteps made, and grinned. When Boco came up along Blackwall's side Gaston raised his leg and shoved outward in an attempt to remove the White Mage from her mount. "That's right! No one even cheats like Gaston! Ha-ha-ha! H-ya! Blackwall, go!"

Abigail gasped loudly, and sharply pulled on Boco's reins to dodge the attack from the man's kick. "Ooooh!!!!" she growled, wanting so badly to cast the freezing light spell on him. However, she wouldn't win this with a cheat! "C'mon, Boco!" she cried out. "Faster!" she gave Boco another little tap on the side, letting him know he can really cut loose. Show this guy what they're made of. "Beat this guy and I promise you all the greens you want tonight!" she called to the bird.

Boco fumbled, bein an extension of the mage's legs, swirved to the side so she wouldn't fall off, his wing flexing to keep her in place, so she wouldn't fall over and injure herself, but have a cussion in place to catch her and keep her on the saddle. Boco warked angrily, going faster than before to catch up, to the horse, and Gaston.

The chocobo twisted his neck to be at eye level with Gaston and opened its beak, releasing a glorious war cry; a very loud, "WAAAAAAAAARK!!" before looking forward and speeding up, leaving a trail of dust for the hunter and black stallion!

Happening fast, Gaston let out a cry of rage when Abby not only dodged, but both she and her mount succeeded in passing Blackwall.

He sped up as well, attempting to catch her on his right this time; he leaned out and kicked again, only to miss once more. He decided to back down a bit, maintaining three feet between the two mounts as they raced.

He let go of the reins with one hand and threw it up over his shoulder and took a firm grip of the barrel to his gun; he yanked it from his belt strap and brought it forward, only to quickly multitask and grab onto the reins as they turned a sharp corner and bolted up a hill now.

He drew up his shotgun with this one free arm and attempted to aim, with little success and simply fired off; if anything, it would cause the Chocobo to stop, turn or stumble, if nothing else.

He held a wing up so the mage would have a cussion again as he made the turn at the fountain with a pro-U turn, and began to dash back towards the village. His head low to keep aerodynamicy, "kwheekwheekwheekhweee!!!!" he would call out determinantly. The shotgun blast didn't startle him, if only, it made him go faster still, being used to war-like scenarios.

"WAAAAARK!!"

Abigail let out a gasp when she heard the weapon discharge. She turned to look, seeing Gaston with his gun pulled. "You have to be kidding me!!" she cried. They turned the corner, Boco clearly completely in control of himself here. She smiled, then looked ahead. "It's a powder-and-ball weapon... he wasted his shot! Let's go!"

Gaston had other tricks up his sleeve but instead tossed this useless gun forward, as the villagers didn't need to see his cheating ways upon arrival. He and Blackwall leapt over the fountain, coming alongside Boco and her rider as they raced to the finish line.


Gaston held fast to the reins and even managed to screw over his balance as Abby pulled a dirty tactic of her own. Blackwall went stumbling as he leaned forward, the reins cracking the beast's head backward.

Finally the black steed stopped dead in its tracks and leapt back, standing on its hind legs again and whinnying, tossing the hunter from its back.

"Gaaah!"

"See you at the finish line, Gaston!" she called behind her, as she and Boco rocketed forward for the victory! She smiled happily, riding Boco right up to Agrias and pulling the reins back for a glorious and spectacular finishing pose, Boco with his wings wide and Abigail atop with her hood flying in the momentum looking like a hero from some fairy tale! "We won!"

A fanfare sounded in Boco's ears the moment that he crossed the finish line. He stopped and hopped in place, sending Abby lightly off the saddle to fall back on it, to lightly be off the saddle again, causing her to jump in place as well! Agrias ran over and jumped as well in victory, chuckling, "YOU DID IT! I KNEW YOU COULD!"

Agrias looked over to the Villagers who seemed to be getting ready to work on that feast, she set everything up so it would be ready by the morning!

The whole way back to the casle, Abigail was sharing the story with Agrias (though leaving out her winning strategy at the end for propriety's sake). She was energetic in her tale, and would involve Boco as well while they rode, convincing him to imitate his motions to a degree. When they arrived, she put Boco back in the stable with little fuss (I'd imagine you'd be tired too), and walked with Agrias to her room, where she bowed politely. "I have to go find Miss Bea now. Thank you so much for everything, Miss Agrias!"

[Leckseeuh]

Lexia looked down at him, just wondering why he was down here. I was....exploring, you can say. And I was looking through these weird rooms and ended up here. She lightly knocked on one of the walls and looked at the floor. Well, it's been at least a day or two since we
landed. She tapped her forehead and thought, not really remembering or really giving a care.

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias sighed happily, having seen Abigail go off to find the General, she smiled. Stretching in place, unable to retire to her room just yet, she went off to tell the soldiers of the good news. She fastened her gloves, and went out to stare up at the Majestic Red Rose.

"Hm...A feast for the soldiers... I am sure Lady Beatrix would agree her knights deserve it." she assumed, tapping a little at her chin with her index, "Hmm... they could use the fresh air as well, t'won't be until tomorrow, so plenty a time to prepare..."

She passed a few soldiers and gave them a small wave, hearing some giggling afterward, them going off to finish carrying crates. The knight began to wonder of how much things have changed since she's been with the General and company... Surely, her manner of conversing has changed; lately she has been using 'you' rather than 'thou' and such... trying to modernize. She frowned a little, feeling her roots disappearing, she couldn't just let it happen.

Agrias began to think negatively, was this one of those reasons Beatrix had been angry as of late? Has she changed so much, and the General thought she was mocking her? Why, what an absurd thought... still, her change began to bother the knight, feeling she was abandoning her old ways.

"I should practice my calligraphy..." she would whisper to herself, "Maybe write a letter...or something, but to whom...?" she would blush, thinking of just one person at the moment...

"What-..what should it be about...?" she asked herself, feeling silly, speaking to herself while she made her way on deck, "... Hello, Lady Beatrix, how has it been?" she began to practice, "I have not seen you as of late as much as I have hoped and I missed you--" she blushed darkly, having said this with a few soldiers watching. When they left, she face palmed herself, "Oh, bloody covert, Agrias you nitwit." she sighed, seeing a group of soldiers she was familiar with, and headed towards them...

'Still...' she would think now, ' ... I would... very much like to write a letter to her... I'll get to it later.'

[nexus]

Nexus listened to Beatrix welcome and thank him. he even watched as she raised and then lowered her hand to him, but the picture changing he was oblivious to, Nexus wasn't one to notice things like that, plus his attention was too intent on the woman in front of him.

Why does this woman who seemed so cold to him earlier want to talk to him? Nexus smiled to himself, A knight , regal , proud, and uncaring. He almost laughed. Was she curios?, that's the only conclusion that he could come up with. Why else would she want to know about him? Nexus never really thought of talking to a knight before, but if he was going to tell his story it might as well be her.

When she started up the stairs, Nexus fallowed. "My name is Nexus Maxus, and i am from Alundra......well was from Alundra" Nexus paused. "My world was attacked by those...uhh....heartless. They came out of nowhere and when it happened i was in the mountains with my teacher when we saw them." he stopped and looked at the picture "before i had a chance to do anything , my teacher stunned me with one of his spells, next thing i know he's calling for Airinose...." Forgetting Beatrix probably hasn't seen her yet "Oh ... sorry Airinose is the dragon i ride on, but it shocked me a little that my teacher even knew a dragon let alone had me escape on one"

Nexus began walking up the steps again "As for who i am, ..... I'm just a student , even tho i'm a dragon hunter i uhhhh never really did kill one" nexus said scratching the back of his head "My teacher was the one who jumped in near the end of each fight, telling me "your worn out" or "i can finish this lad". Nexus scoffed "The thing is, he always confused me, he kept telling me, "Nexus lad it's not your sword or your elements that make you strong, it's your heart, that alone will make you stronger then anyone" whatever that meant" he finished

" So i geuss if you want to say, I'm just No one from Nowhere" Nexus said as he hurried his pace to get up a couple steps in front of Beatrix. he stopped and turned looking down to her "So thats just about all i am,............. sooooo whats your story Lady Knight?" he asked with a bit of a smile