Bitter Sweet Fate {Zidane/Larsa/Albel/Fayt/Mikoto}

[Fayt Leingod]

The way that the emperor brushed off the bluenette's quick and openly stunned glance was really quite admirable, as Fayt realized immediately afterward that of course, everything Larsa did was part of a grand master plan, and that he really should have seen something like that coming. Still, to be given a title like that with no forewarning whatsoever...

... Adonai?

”Looks like I get a personal body guard myself.”

The grin that comment brought to his face could be described as a heavily-shaded lamp, bright in intensity but dim in execution. Mostly because he knew it was unprofessional to look forward to Zidane's company as much as he was. He even fought down the urge to glance surreptitiously at Albel to see if the other had caught his brief lack of professionalism.

Bunch of stiffs anyway.

"Let's hope there's no need for one," he cut back lowly, mostly serious. There was always the potential for things to go very far south very fast. And that, he figured, were why he and Albel were here. Insurance, as it were.

The brush of Zidane's tail against the leg of his pants brought him out of his thoughts with a blink, before he discerned the source and reciprocated with a sort of lopsided smirk. Yeah, yeah. Loosen up; I know.

”I’m a lot of things,” Zidane confirmed, and then added something about chaperoning Mikoto back to her room. Watching them leave over one shoulder, Fayt was struck again about the similarities and differences in appearance.

It wasn't a puzzle he was about to figure out anytime soon, so he let it go, rolling over the anything-but-formal nickname and the blond's assurance in his mind as he watched their retreating backs.

He is a feisty one. Faire Virer's tone was distinctly teasing in that deadpan manner of his, and Fayt hid a roll of his eyes as he turned back around to pick up stride and catch up.

He's a friend. Lay off, he responded, tight-lipped.

As you wish, the pegasus answered, and receded into the depths of his mind. At least the horse knew when to shut up, he relented.

I WOULD favor him over your current... choice in companion.

Or not.

Shoo!

---

The grandeur of the dining hall was something he had come to expect nowadays, but even with past experiences in mind, it still put everything else to shame with the way it sparkled. He waited for Larsa to make his move, having seen it coming, as it would lead to the indicator of exactly which seat was his.

To his slight shock, the Alexandrian queen actually turned the emperor down, and thus the raven male in question sat at the head of the table.

Knowing the look it was bound to have netted him, something vaguely murderous from the gauntleted man, Fayt took the second seat down, leaving the seat at the emperor's right hand very conspicuously open.

Salads. How... quaint. But it was lucky for Zidane that he'd arrived just in time, lest his entrance be even more obvious - and it occurred to the bluenette then just how this room must look to a thief of Monkey Boy's caliber.

His process required much less guesswork than the thief's. Part of the very diverse and specialized bits of trivia he knew was the order of silverware in a formal setting - work from the outside, the very outer fork first, et cetera. So he was confident on that part.

But of course, it was customary for the hosting party to begin with a toast, he remembered as servants came 'round to serve wineglasses or water for those who would abstain. Fayt himself accepted wine - why not - and listened quietly to the raven's succinct speech.

"To friendships and alliances that may keep us strong in times of adversity and confusion, and to goodwill and trust."

Nicely done. Fayt toasted to that, But now came the difficult part... the etiquette.

The bluenette was by no means a messy eater, but he hardly held table manners on par with the Emperor's or the Queen's. What to do...

Confidence, Faire Virer said, with a bit of a whinny. Be sure of yourself - even if you are wrong, you can lead others to believe in your surety.

Well, now didn't he sound like a fortune cookie. But Fayt had to admit he had a point. ... Thank you.

[Albel Nox]

POST BY ALBEL NOX

!!!

THE WEAK AREN'T WORTH MY WHILE

LET ME SEE YOU SQURIM.

YOU'VE GIVEN IN TO - RECKLESS DARK DESIRES

Fayt must be doing this on purpose. Or, rather, just knowing his lover-in-question was glaring at him. He wished he could remove that monkey boy from Fayt's side...Albel may have stared abet too long but, perhaps, it caused his sister to drag him off. Albel did let out a smirk smirk and turned straight to avoid eye contact with Fayt, finally having the monkey boy away from the his side.

Unaware of the pegasus' musings (though if he know, he'd get to know Albel's cooking), Albel entered the hall. It may come to a surprise, but Albel didn't actually need to be taught of the placement of silverware or even proper etiquette - even he, when he sat at the King of Airygylph's table knew how to act in a formal event.

It was close to this era, which with less technology. However, while he sat there, he had time to fully register Judge Magister Nirankar. What was the Emperor's gain for that? ...Why did he have a funny feeling he and Fayt have had their armor already delivered to their rooms? Albel amused later as Zidane came as his eyes narrowed at him, holding his tongue.

Damn him for being a 'guest' and damn him for being at a peace conference...and dinner. Albel still held his gauntlet; he could still sink his 'claw' into the monkey boy...but he knew he'd face far worse consequences than he'd feel satisfaction. First of all, an angry 12-year old boy...possibly rage from the entire Alexandrian party, and he'd sleep outside for a week via Fayt locking his room.

And the doors. He'd just imagine Faire Virer flying through the skies to make sure he didn't climb the window.

D I S C O N N E C T

& SELF DESTRUCT

[Larsa Ferrinas Solidor]

Larsa was nearly oblivious to the goings-on around him that did not focus upon his immediate interests. Nearly. The responses to Lord Zidane and Fayt's conversation were observed quietly by the young emperor, even as he spoke out loud to his companions.

But Queen Garnet turned his request down, though not before Kuja spoke out as a naysayer. Interesting. A man of tradition, indeed. It was impossible to discern who held the reins of Alexandria, which was what the tactic had been meant to do.

So the young lord took his seat at the head of the table with slight apprehension, thinking quickly as to how to approach these talks. He was not stupid. Larsa knew that every moment they were within the presence of each other, he and Queen Garnet were negotiating. General demeanor played a pivotal role in the outcome of these talks, and he had to plan accordingly, lest he wished to bring a second war down upon himself and his people, living as they were barely on overtaxed resources and minimal defense.

And there were still unknown variables.

He himself accepted a rather ornamental flute of glass, a liberal amount of wine inside. A toast made by the hosting party was, traditionally, null and void unless taken with wine. Larsa was by no means a fan of alcohol, but he was well acquainted with the fermented grape substance. That said, or rather observed, the glass was lifted with a nod as the young lord raised it to toast.

"To friendships and alliances that may keep us strong in times of adversity and confusion," this first part of the toast was directed to the Alexandrian royal party with a brief and indistinguishable flick of steely blue irises, "and to goodwill and trust."

A toast that, hopefully, all could agree to.

Setting down the now-marred glass, Larsa folded his hands in his lap as the servants made their rounds delivering the greens as an appetizer. Leaning slightly forward, as though to eliminate at least a small sense of formality, he beseeched of the blond at the far left; "Lord Zidane. Of your exploits; forgive me, but I am quite interested in this quest of yours. Perhaps it would make for well-meaning and enjoyable conversation whilst you partake in our hospitality... what say you? Would you share your tale?"

Almost a pun, if Larsa was a pun type of person. But nevertheless, a seemingly-neutral topic of conversation that would make well for better acquainting the fellows at the table. If there were misgivings, he would not understand why they would be voiced; the subject seemed innocuous enough.

Unless...

Larsa recognized the air, even if he did not wish to admit it. Lord Kuja reminded him of his elder brother, Vayne - and that held ill fortune for all of them, if the two were comparable.

[Kuja]

Kuja watched the servants move around the dining room, placing wine glasses on the table in front of each seated person. His own glass was placed for him by a young girl, with a slight turn of his head and a small smile on his lips he looked at the girl. It was a mere act, he had done it many times at the dinners in Alexandria simply acting nice to those who served you made people see you in a different light. The puppet next to him was still looking around the room, taking in all the things she had never seen before and would most likely never see again. As Larsa rose his glass for a toast, Kuja's own slender fingers took hold of his glass raising it ever so slightly the puppet next to him doing the same. The genome prayed silently that Zidane would at least do the same, a lack of manners was a sign of disrespect and that was not he wanted to deal with right now.

The toast had been along the lines of what he was expecting, goodwill and trust all that stuff Kuja almost wanted to laugh at everyone who believed that was why they were really here. Garnet gave a nod of her head, black strands of hair moving over her exposed shoulders. "Yes to friendship and trust, two very important things people have forgotten during these times" she spoke with confidence, just as a Queen should for her there was no place to be shy or timid she had to hold her own. Kuja however simply took a sip from his glass, the dark red liquid contrasted with his pale lips and skin. Glass were placed back down on the table, a single drop of wine ran down from the corner of Kuja's mouth almost like the blood dripping from the fangs of a beast.

A white napkin was gently placed against his skin, "oh my how embarrassing" his voice was softer and more reserved he was playing the part of a by standard now. All peace talks were to be between the Queen and the Emperor, Kuja would only be called on when the Queen needed him to explain something or take over if she felt unable to complete the talks herself. Larsa made his request of Zidane, both Queen and Adviser turning to look at the blonde. The Queen offered Zidane a smile, a smile she had once given him on there long journey "Oh would you please Zidane, you always did give quit a show when telling a story" a hand was placed softly on her chest almost as if she was remembering those days long since passed.

Kuja however said nothing, only looked at the blonde before turning back to the plate before him. Picking up the salad fork he began to pick at the salad, The Queen following soon after. Both carried it out with grace and perfect manners, Kuja of course was a person who practiced things like this and as a Queen was expecting to eat like this at all times he had trained the puppet. "Come now Zidane I am sure they would love to hear your tale, I do know I personally enjoy the tale myself" the smirk that graced his lips was hidden, for there was nothing like the tale of life as the Queen next to him slowly began to die. The poison in her food slowly starting to pump through her body, with each course she will slowly eat her way to death.

[Zidane Tribal]

[/i][/colour]

Fingers ensnared the thin wine glass, the crystalline object chilled to the touch (expected of glass), before the blonde repeated the action. The clicks of glass echoed and Zidane felt himself having to hold back. This was not Baku and Tantalus in general; even toasting a successful raid became a contest of who could successfully break another’s glass first. Name the type of drinking cup, they tried it and most likely succeeded somehow. Now those were the days; where you could rough house and escape by the skin of your nose – unlike now, where everyone appeared far too fragile to the touch.

Sky blue irises fell to the liquid contained in the glass, and he swallowed hard. He hadn’t had any variation of alcohol for quite some time; or at least in a vast quality. His heart sank realizing he had abused the liquid the first time Dagger became Queen. They still had hopes to be with each other, and the following events would only strengthen their bond. However, the recent events in Alexandria proved otherwise now. Zidane’s gaze shifted to the food as he took the fork and merely poked at the appetizer. The thoughts of Kuja dying had haunted his mind, and even after Dagger’s embrace and celebration – there was a bit of drinking, the scent of death had lingered after the Iifa Tree.

Even after the moment of the lake, Zidane couldn’t find himself to cut off any ties officially. Everyone’s worth coming back for. That way of thinking was what brought him here, at this royal gathering in hopes for peace. There was no use in dwelling in the past, as he lived for the moment. Raising his head as Kuja spoke and suddenly Zidane knew needed a drink. As Kuja brushed off the remaining liquid, Zidane reached for his own glass. Downing the deep coloured liquid in a single gulp Zidane let out a weak, content, sigh before realizing his action. It would appear as if he unfazed anyone, which was a positive sign.

Minimum chitchat happened from there on, so the genome found himself eating the non-filling appetizer. Zidane could already this dinner was boring him; that was, until, the kid Emperor spoke up. Though quite winded, the request was thrown out there and, much to Zidane’s shock, something else came out of that. His tail bristled as golden blonde brows slowly lowered, ever slightly, at Larsa’s statement. Did the Emperor just throw a pun at me?! Shifting in his chair, the actor let out a light laugh,”I donno if you can handle it, I mean it’s one he—“

The puppet Queen’s words cut through the air, instantly drawing Zidane’s attention. As she spoke sweetly, her lips spread to a warm smile, and all of Zidane’s arguments melted. His hand fell to her hand on her chest as she must have let out a content sigh. His cheeks began heating, realizing where his eyes had landed (not like he hadn’t pulled worse moves) before facing Dagger’s beauty. A swift, firm, nod came before the reply. ”Alright.” Why were the two people, who could get him to agree to anything with little to no work at all, sitting here before him? Speaking of them…Kuja spoke up and requested.

Lips flashed a genuine smile. ”Alright, alright. Fine, I’ll tell it.” All he needed before the gypsy knelt toward the table, his voice beginning low. ”It all began when our Queen – who was the princess – turned sixteen.” He’d continue the story as his arms would react to the description of combats. Emotions ran high with each line he spoke out. Hell, if it wasn’t for the fact his tail was around the chair leg, Zidane would’ve most likely be up and about telling the story. Much like telling the story to Wei’s and Kal’s children, Zidane would have physically bounced off the chair and unto the table. Too bad the gypsy knew he couldn’t do such a thing, ruining a dinner by acting wasn’t quite asking for peace.

Of course, Kuja’s name would’ve been altered to protect the silver genome’s reputation. The blonde genome couldn’t let the Archadians not trust Kuja – or Alexandrian judgment by letting a previous antagonist help rule the kingdom. Even if he had changed, doubt would be placed into their hearts – Zidane wasn’t that clueless about the world; not many viewed second chances as highly as he did. The Iifa Tree scene began during the main course, and Zidane’s throat tightened at those memories. Maybe he shouldn’t – no, the play was not complete if one scene was cut out, and perhaps Kuja would understand some of his true feelings...the ones he hid behind harsh words.

”As the roots descended downward, he felt cold as I’d throw myself to help in any way I could,” he gypsy’s voice dropped, each word he spoke felt like he swallowed a thousand needles, ”I thought my own body was impaled in that moment, the sheer icy terror still haunts me…and I wasn’t even worried about my life.” Sky blue irises became hazy as Zidane inhaled. Damn was this getting hard, and it almost felt like a huge confession – maybe it truly was meant to be one. ”Even after all that went down, he’d want to know he truly inspired us…” Raising his head, locking eyes with Larsa before fluttering his eyes shut, the genome spoke. ”Gave us hope, showed us that we were not created for a wrong reason, and that our lives have meaning.” A speech that Zidane knew deeply, and had a deeper connection too; but at a cost of not knowing the fate of one of his closest friends.

”We have to keep that memory alive, no matter what,” his eyes would land on the Queen as his lips holding a smile not truly meant for her. ”Don’t you agree?”

Oh, how the following scene would fit in perfectly. Once more the gypsy would catch the scent of death.
[/size][/ul][/blockquote]

[Fayt Leingod]

He imagined that that was one of the most interesting and unique things about the Emperor; Larsa seemed to have a profound sense for determining what the logical next step would be in a sort of divine script, and then circumventing said script to lead situations at his behest. Much less than being trapped in a sequence of events, it was uncanny enough that it would not be a far extrapolation to assume that the boy's very thoughts were a game of subtle machination, with the skill he demonstrated in making what could be called, by all accounts, the sliest series of turns he had ever seen.

Fayt's next thought, then, was that he would never want to end up playing a game of chess against the prodigy. He wasn't altogether good at strategy as intellectual as that, something his father had lampshaded once upon a time. Sure, fighting took some skill, as it could be a brutal exchange of blows or a dance or anywhere in between, but this - this was different. This was the manipulation of logic to one's own advantage. And the Solidor heir had an advantage on that part as it were: none would suspect a mere twelve-year-old to possess deductive power and reasoning almost equal to his predecessors - and there was nowhere to go but up for him.

Somewhere in the middle of all of these thoughts, Larsa bade Zidane to tell that story - and the shameless pun came when the bluenette just happened to be taking a sip of wine.

Cue some impressive stealth-choking as he attempted to breathe, trying to the best of his ability not to be a distraction so as to not interrupt Kuja's and Garnet's pleading that he, oh please, tell the story.

Success, it looked like; he hadn't seen anyone staring at him as he straightened one of the tassels on his vestments, and the actor seemed to have given in upon the pleas of his two companions. Guess we get to see his talent in action, the bluenette thought, reorienting himself quietly as Zidane launched into his tale.

If nothing else, he was an excellent storyteller. As the performance - for that was almost what it seemed to be, his natural acting instincts even suppressed for the status of the people he was telling it to - went on, it was hard to explain what Fayt's reaction to the whole thing was.

Creations. If it was true, if they were still inside the Eternal Sphere, Zidane didn't know the half of it. As Luther had said when they confronted him, a collection of 0s and 1s...

Then it was empathy, really, his feelings about what Zidane and his friends had gone through. There were similarities between them that the bluenette hadn't even fathomed. Looming fates like guillotines, living life blind to them until the curtains came up and the stage-play began. Perhaps a divine joke, or history repeating itself across worlds; after all, times had been mixed, not just locations. An example of oneself in a different day and time was not beyond the norm to see, anymore. Not the same soul; the same situation, and the same purpose for being. There were a finite number of permutations.

And near the end, he recognized those statements... a glance at Albel beside him, loaded with meaning, and thoughts tumbling around his head, trying to connect the dots.

True, he had lost all memory of what happened after they fought Luther. But they were all here now, weren't they? Nel too; Nel was alive. He knew it, somehow, despite the ruins of Esthar that lay in the distance.

And that they hadn't been created for the wrong reason... yeah, Fayt was not typically the kind of guy to wax introspective on a daily basis, but that statement of Zidane's, even if it was meant for a completely different situation, lifted a weight off his shoulders that he hadn't even noticed had been there.

It doesn't matter what we are, who made us, or what we were told to do. What matters is that second chance... and what you do with it. He, after everything else, borrowed enough time to save Zidane's and Garnet's lives, along with everyone else with them...

... though his thoughts would remain reserved on just who Zidane's brother was.

But what happened next?

Unbeknownst to them all, at the very least the bluenette taking life lessons from this story, every word that the blond spoke was one word closer to the end of an act.

A scene change; a cast change; role changes, even. A fitting end to the epic narrated by the blond-haired genome, an actor in his own right.

[Albel Nox]

POST BY ALBEL NOX

!!!

THE WEAK AREN'T WORTH MY WHILE

LET ME SEE YOU SQURIM.

YOU'VE GIVEN IN TO - RECKLESS DARK DESIRES

The Emperor spoke and willed it for the monkey boy to tell a story. He was encouraged by the Queen herself and as well as her adviser. He said nothing, simply sipping a glass of wine, which seemed an oddity, given that Albel was hardly classy. On a side note, imagined if the claw was on his dominant hand. Picking a glass of wine with a gauntlet would be no east feat.

Albel was possibly the only one who didn't pick up on the pun, but Zidane went on with his story. Quite an interesting one; it amused Albel anyways. Even if he wanted to strangle the monkey boy with his own tail for merely being so close to the other before. He was not overly protective of Fayt, as far as he was concerned.

Towards the ending of the story, Albel glanced at Fayt, noticing he had done the same. Albel's memory was perfectly fine, strange but true, as he recalled much of the events of their travels. He was probably thinking the same thing too. Though, Luther was a second thought. He recalled once he literally got Fayt out of a situation by throwing his life on the line.

Though, the thought would be cut short for what was going to happen after that would be horrifying for all.

D I S C O N N E C T

& SELF DESTRUCT

[Larsa Ferrinas Solidor]

The story that Zidane told was indeed worthy of a playwright's pen, much more so than Larsa's own story. At twelve, still being one for a good novel, the young lord was literally entranced by the telling of the histories of Gaia and Terra, appreciating each of the small "quirks" of an acting background that were realized during the telling. Such as a dramatic emphasis on the more pivotal parts.

Zidane reached his telling of the Iifa Tree among platters of Archadian fish, formerly of the Phon Coast and having been 'carried over' in a way. His... difficulty with telling this act brought upon Larsa a sympathetic flick of his glance away from the blond 'genome', knowing full well what it meant to lose a brother, but of course being completely unaware of less... innocent connotations.

”Even after all that went down, he’d want to know he truly inspired us…

Their eyes met, and Larsa could only nod, caught off-guard by the emotions lighting Zidane's misty blue eyes. There was little else he could do, after all...

And his empathy was not unfounded. Vayne, if only you could listen to Lord Zidane's sentiments. I do not doubt you would scoff them away, but I would hope the very notions would reach your heart, no matter how insignificant you may have found them.

That somber mood would only grow and compound upon itself, but for the machinations that had been put into play beyond all of their expectations, especially the emperor's...

[Kuja]

The story that the blonde told was one Kuja knew, well he knew the parts that involved him and even a bit more then the other genome did. However some of the other information was new, events that took place in cities he was not there for. Or even just simply things like the places they went to, sure Kuja had been involved in a lot of the events and had eyes and ears all around the place but it did not mean he knew every exact location Zidane an his party travelled.

When Burmecia had come into the tale, the part where Kuja made his entrance he was sadly disappointed to hear his named changed. He had been hoping Zidane would say it just so he could watch how the Emperor and his Judges would re-act to such information. As the story neared its end, memories Kuja would rather have forgotten started to play out in his mind he could almost see it like it was happening all over again. Garnet had been listing the whole time with her eyes closed, occasionally taking a bite of her food a meal that would surly be her last as both Queen and a puppet.

Yet the story did not just end with a happily ever after like Kuja had assumed Zidane would, no instead it came with a heart warming message or what most people might consider one. Mikoto had said a similar thing about him when he first took over Alexandria, he brought her hope and now it seemed Zidane felt the same way. Kuja simply took another sip of his wine, a small content smile gracing his face it was fake but no one in the room would ever be able to tell the difference. "Zidane you really do bring that story to life, every time you tell it I feel like it was only yesterday that you and I fought together" unknown to everyone else the poison was starting to take effect, in a few seconds their worlds would take a sudden change of events.

"It was a show the likes of Gaia had never seen before, one we shall never forget either" as he spoke Kuja rose his own fork to his mouth, however just before he could take a bite a sudden pressure on his arm caused him to drop his fork. A head of silver hair would turn to look to his right, sapphire blue eyes landed on the hand that was currently gripping at his arm. It belonged to the Queen her shaky fingers were not as strong as they were moments ago, her eyes filled with a certain look of fear and pain. "What troubles you my Queen?" his voice was filled with concern, yet it was strong just as he should be.

"K.......kuja" that was all she could manger before a shriek of pain would fill the room, the poison was taking effect and it seemed that there would be no peaceful silent death for the puppet. Kuja was quick to take action he pulled himself onto his feet "My Queen w...what has be fallen you?" slight panic filled his voice, it all sounded so real yet in this whole situation only Kuja's concern and panic would be fake. The genome would turn to face the raven haired Emperor "What trickery does house Solider pull know, you would do well to get a healer...........unless this is your doing?" all attention was pulled back to the Queen, as it seemed a rather painful feeling ripped through her body the scream of pain that followed was loud enough to alert others in the castle.

Garnet tried to move form her chair, standing up only to fall to the ground her white dress spread out around her. Kuja dropped to his knees right next to her, his face was filled with panic and fear as if he had never seen this coming. "K...Kuja, Z...idane" her once soft and sweet voice was now horse and strained. "Do not fear my Queen we shall get you a healer, the airship shall be ready soon we shall get you home and away from these snakes these vipers that lured us in with the hope of peace yet it seems they had a plan all of their own" slender fingers brushed black strands of hair away form her face, as his other hand gently held her back up so she could face them all. "I will not make it home alive" the genome would shake his head at her words "My Queen do not say such things, your time on the stage has not come to an end so quickly I will not allow it".

Garnet would let out a horse cough, blood form her now damaged throat would fly out and stain her white dress with small red dots. "I can feel my death upon me, yet I do not fear for my kingdom" another pained cough and yet more blood would stain her dress "F...for I know the hands I will leave it in will guide it on the right path for me" this had been what Kuja was waiting for, the puppet to make it final that he was to rule Alexandria as its King. "Lord Kuja...........and Lord Zidane I leave my kingdom in your hands, I trust you both.......m...may......." the last of her message would never be heard, eye lids would slowly shut as breathing would come to a stop.

Kuja looked down at the know dead puppet in his hands, she had betrayed him in the end. Given half of his kingdom to the blonde genome, him of all people and right now Kuja could do nothing but play his role. Kuja would gently pick up the Queen into his arms, holding her close to his chest turning on his feet to face the raven haired youth. "Tell me Emperor Larsa, does your kingdom make a habit of killing those who get in your way or does your family simple enjoy killing that much" his voice was strong, yet it held under tones of malice and grief both to be expecting at the current situation.

"The spotlight is on you now, do you wish to explain your actions or at least wish to plead for forgiveness or shall you stand there like a child and deny it all". The plan would be carried out as normal, even if the puppet had not played her part correctly.