Balance Restored…?
(Just One Yesterday ch. 4)
~- I -~
“A gil for your thoughts?”
The princess’ soft voice pulled the warrior out of his thoughts as he turned instantly watchful grey eyes to their surroundings. She laughed, drawing a confused frown across his face before her words at last registered with him, and his mouth softened into a smile. “My lady?”
“You’re always so serious, Sir Taiyou, but your face softens sometimes when you think. Who are you thinking of, my knight?” Princess Sarah gave the knight another smile.
A golden haired goddess, Taiyou thought, before he said, “It doesn’t matter, my lady. Tell me, though, if I may ask; is the sun agreeing with you today?”
The princess gave another easy laugh as she danced in a circle, her skirts flaring around her ankles as she sang, “But of course it does, my friend! I simply adore the first weeks of spring; the sun reminds me of the promise of new life and the flowers that will soon begin to grow once more!”
Princess Sarah’s joy was infectious. The knight began to laugh softly himself, his mind turned for the moment from his origins and the friends he had made among his fellow warriors during the cycles of conflict with Chaos’ champions. Turning his face skyward, he watched the clouds float by as he said softly, “The spring sun really does promise beautiful things, doesn’t it?”
“It certainly does,” Sarah agreed. Turning her attention toward Cornelia Castle, a smile spread across her face as she said, “However, it seems that the sun isn’t the only thing of beauty to be had today. I believe you have a visitor, my knight.”
Following her gaze, Taiyou could see what she meant. His heart warmed at the sight of Nia and her familiar white mage cloak, her strawberry blonde hair blowing in the light spring breeze, and a slow smile lit across his face. Noting his reaction to the woman’s presence, Sarah said, “you may go and speak with her, if you wish, Sir Taiyou. I know that you and your companions grew close during your travels after you rescued me from Garland; I’m sure that you and she would like to catch up.”
Once again, the princess was correct. However, Taiyou was reluctant; he wished to speak with Nia and to share the day with her, but he also had his duty to the princess as her guardian. His tone growing more formal, he said, “Thank-you, your highness. However, it is my duty to watch over you as your escort…”
“And your relief is walking with Lady Nia toward us,” Princess Sarah said, cutting across Taiyou’s half-hearted refusal. Laying a hand on his arm, she waited until he’d taken his eyes from the approaching figures before she said, “Thank-you for being one of my father’s knights, Sir Taiyou. However, even the most virtuous and hard work knight needs time to himself now and again. I’ll be fine with Sir Roland. Go, enjoy Nia’s company. You’ve earned a break.”
Taiyou watched the princess for a moment longer before giving her a soft nod and a grateful smile. He waited just long enough for Roland to reach him and the princess, then Taiyou saluted her before walking away to meet Nia, his eyes trained on her face and the warm, open smile that already graced her lips and sapphire eyes.
~- IV -~
“Stop. I think that’s enough.”
Kain’s voice cut through the air just a moment before Cecil’s own could suggest the same thing. Sheathing his sword, the king watched as Ceodore quickly did the same across from him, a light sheen of sweat on the young man’s brow and the threat of a smile at his mouth. Cecil felt a smile ghosting around his own face as Kain stepped forward, the coolness of the captain barely containing his own satisfaction.
Only Rosa seemed willing to let her opinion show as she called out, “Well done, both of you. That’s my boys!”
Ceodore’s eyes darted to the ground, a shy smile appearing on his face at last with his mother’s praise. Cecil chuckled, amused by his son’s modesty, but also proud of how far he’d come in just a few short years; though still shy, Ceodore’s confidence had evolved since the battle with the Creator, and Cecil knew that he’d make a fine warrior one day. Finer, he should say; Ceodore was already good in both combat and on medical duty.
Taking a few steps forward, Cecil placed a hand on Ceo’s shoulder, waiting for the younger man to look up before he said, “You still need to practice your footwork, but you did well today.”
“Thank-you F…sir,” Ceodore said quickly, seeming to remember at the last moment that, though it had been relaxed, the training session had still been a formal assessment. In this moment, he wasn’t the Prince of Baron, but a soldier in the Red Wings being evaluated by his commanding officer and the King.
Taking his own turn at speaking, Kain said, “I’ll give you the full details of your assessment later, cadet. Dismissed.”
“Yes, captain,” Ceodore said, snapping a quick salute to Kain. Looking between Cecil and Rosa, Ceodore offered them both one last, shy smile, then bolted from the courtyard. Cecil laughed softly again, a grin on his own face as he said, “Just as quiet and earnest as always, isn’t he?”
“Indeed. He reminds me of what you would have been like if you had donned the mantle of paladin from the beginning instead of a dark knight,” Kain commented. Coming forward to stand by his old friend, the dragoon’s eyes turned to the door that Rosa had just exited through herself before Kain said, “So, what do you think?”
“I think you should have been made captain of the Red Wings long ago, Kain. He’s grown under your command; I think Ceodore may very well be able to take your position as commander in a few years and a little more confidence. Maybe then, you may actually be able to find a wife.”
Kain turned a cool look to Cecil for his last remark, while the King placed the most innocent of looks upon his face. After a moment, Cecil said, “What? You’re our finest dragoon, Kain. It would be a shame to lose such talent to the hands of time. Our reprieve from aging was lost when Chaos was felled; life carries on.”
“That it does,” Kain said softly, turning his eyes skyward. For a moment, he seemed to be lost in thought, before he at last said, “Tell me, do you still keep in contact with the others?”
“From time to time,” Cecil said, his own thoughts returning to the cycles. That had been a rather tumultuous time for him, that was certain. Broken free of the Mysterious Girl’s spell, but still unable to regain his full sense of self, Cecil’s consciousness had receded deep within, and he’d found himself in the endless cycles of conflict. He had been surprised that his subconscious had taken on the form of his younger self, and that he had chosen to use both his powers as a dark knight and a paladin during that war. Cecil had come to decide that the resurgence of his darker powers had been due to how conflicted his mind had been at the time. What he hadn’t expected was for Golbez to be there, or to find out that Kain had been in the conflict, but had fallen in a previous cycle.
Pulling himself out of the past, Cecil said, “Everyone has their own lives to lead, so we don’t stay in touch often. But still, there were friendships forged there that won’t fade.”
“Including your brother?” Kain asked. Catching Cecil’s attention again, the dragoon said, “I heard that Golbez was supposed to be coming today to discuss something with you.”
Cecil nodded before he started walking, saying over his shoulder as he did, “You heard correct. He was supposed to arrive shortly after Ceodore’s assessment, actually. We’d best be off, now.”
~- VIII -~
“Remember, watch your opponent’s feet, not his arms or her face to discover their next move. A rookie will give themselves away through their upper body, while an expert will conceal it, but their feet are more likely to betray them. Class dismissed.”
The small class of SeeD cadets turned immediately to the task of packing up their bags and training equipment while Squall turned his own eyes to inspecting his Revolver, part of his attention remaining on the students even as he inspected the blade. Across from him, Zell dropped into a few cool-down stretches, the slight flush from the recent workout slowly leaving his face.
Satisfied that the gunblade was in good order, Squall turned to put the sword back in its case as the last of the students trickled out of the training room. The light sound of footsteps alerted the brunette to Zell’s approach even before the blonde said, “I still find it kinda hard to think that you’re here, Squall. Not that you’re not good at this, mind; I just never thought you’d ever become a teacher.”
Truth was, Squall hadn’t, either. But after things had settled down from Ultimecia, time compression, and a
really weird stint in a war between gods (and he’d thought getting thrown back into Laguna’s memories had been strange; the only thing Squall could chalk the cycles up to was having fallen into despair of ever leaving time compression and his mind giving up on him), he’d found some of the upper classmen asking him for a few pointers in combat.
After a few months of working with students with all levels of experience, Headmaster Cid had approached him about making him an official combat instructor, and Squall had been surprised by how happy he’d been at the offer, one he’d accepted almost immediately. Garden had raised the minimum age of entry into the program to become SeeD; though they still took in orphans of any age and provided them with home and education both, only students who were at least eighteen could apply for SeeD training. How young they’d been before had been partly Squall’s fault, considering when he’d appeared before Matron, but as the threat of Ultimecia was past, they had all agreed that the students needed more time to grow and mature.
“What can I say?” Squall said at last, “It’s grown on me.”
It had been five years since the last Sorceress War, and life had settled into routine for everyone. There were days when Squall questioned his decision to become a teacher, and others that he couldn’t imagine doing anything else; then there were the times that he thoroughly enjoyed it because it allowed him to deliver the beat-down on Zell in the name of education. And then, there was the newest development in Squall’s life, the one that had happened only in the last few months…
“I was hoping you boys would finish on time today. Class tends to run over on exhibition days; I’m glad today wasn’t one of them.”
A smile spread across his face at the sound of Rinoa’s voice, and Squall turned to meet her just in time for her to step into his embrace. She held tight to him for a moment before stepping back, the afternoon light shining off the engagement ring on her left hand as she brushed her hair out of her face. He wanted to reach out and run his fingers through her hair himself, but he held himself back as he said, “We got lucky. I thought you were supposed to be gone until tomorrow?”
“The presidents came to an agreement sooner than anyone expected, considering how stubborn the new president of Galbadia can be,” Rinoa said, waving her hand in a dismissive gesture. Smiles spread across all of their faces before she continued, “That’s part of the reason why I came here, actually. President Laguna insisted on escorting me back to Garden because he wants to speak with you, Squall.”
“I dreamt I was an idiot last night; I guess that’s why,” Squall said, throwing an arm around Rinoa’s shoulder as Zell exploded in laughter. The comment earned Squall a quick elbow in the ribs as Rinoa said, “Hey! Be nice!”
Squall raised his eyebrows and gave her the most innocent look he could muster as if to say, “Who? Me?” Before he chuckled, her own soft laugh joining his after a moment. A smile still on his face, Squall started walking as he said again, “Come on, let’s go see what my father wants.”
~- X -~
“Seriously, though; when’d you get so good?”
Tidus turned around to face Yuna, the retrieved blitzball in hand as he waited for her to respond. She put her hands behind her back and twisted her body to the sides a little, a sweet smile on her face and laughter in her two-toned eyes as she watched him right back.
A grin spread across Tidus’ face as he bounced the ball against his knee. He’d heard a little from the others that things had been settling down all over, just like Spira had settled down. Sin was defeated, Shuyin had been laid to rest, Chaos had been sent packing, and Tidus had even gotten to upgrade his status from a dream to a living creature that didn’t need the Faythe to sustain him Now, he just needed to find out when his girlfriend had gotten good enough at blitzball to become a challenge to him.
“I’ve been practicing,” she said simply, shifting her weight slightly in invitation. Taking the que, he kicked the ball to her, allowing Yuna to catch it and start doing a few tricks of her own with it. Tidus watched her for a while, noticing how her hair brushed her shoulders; she’d started growing her hair out again since he’d gotten back, although she’d kept the slightly messier style.
He liked it. A lot.
Tidus frowned slightly as a chill ran up his spine. He turned his face to the sky, noting it’s light blue summer color and the soft, fluffy white clouds that played across the sun. Tilting his head to the sound, he muttered softly, “What in the worlds…?”
A soft whistle was the only warning he had. Not even thinking, he ducked, just avoiding getting clipped in the ear by the blitzball that Yuna had passed back to him. She followed close behind, her expression stuck somewhere between horror and absolute amusement as she burst out, “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to… I wasn’t… are you okay?”
Tidus rubbed the back of his head as he laughed, trying to set her mind at ease. “Don’t worry, it didn’t even hit me, Yuna. I just got distracted, that’s all. But just what was that?”
Before Yuna had the chance to ask what he meant or he could elaborate, another voice broke the air, along with the sound of running feet. “Aunt Yunie! Uncle Tidus!”
The two of them turned just in time for Yuna to catch Vidian as the little boy threw himself into her arms. Yuna laughed while Tidus turned his attention a little further up the beach to see Wakka walking toward them at a slower pace than his son. Waving a hand, Tidus called, “What, finally up for some practice, Wakka?”
“Maybe later, ya?” Wakka answered, drawing near them at last. Yuna ruffled Vidian’s hair one final time before setting the little boy down so she could climb back to her full height. Looking between the two of them, Wakka continued, “Actually, Kimari’s dropped in for a visit. He said there’s something that he wants to discuss, and it’s kinda important.”
A confused frown drew at Yuna’s face, but Tidus noticed that she kept most of it to herself as she said, “Well, we don’t want to keep him waiting, do we? Let’s go.”
~- IX -~
“Do I have to wear the crown?”
Dagger turned a rather pointed look at Zidane from her place at her vanity as she worked with her hair, her raised eyebrows in the silvered glass of her mirror speaking volumes before she actually did. “It’s an official event, Zidane. And since you’re the king now, that means yes, you do. And what about before? Don’t tell me you wouldn’t have stolen the crown if you’d been given the option to.”
“Ah, but there’s the difference. Stealing the crown and the royal jewels is like a rite of passage for any thief, not to mention a ton of fun. Wearing it, though? That just seems presumptuous,” he flipped right back at her, an easy grin on his face.
It was an old argument, really, one that had been going on now for about three years; it was actually part of their routine for getting ready for these events. Actually, it had started with his coronation right after they’d been married, and the little argument seemed to help smooth out any nerves that either one of them felt before some event where they had to appear as the king and queen.
Being the King of Alexandria still seemed weird to Zidane, and if he was being honest with himself, he didn’t think he’d ever get used to it. He was born an angel of death and raised as a thief; how could he ever be comfortable being king? But he was also an actor, and one of the things that Baku had taught all of them in Tantalus to help get over stage fright was the saying “Fake it ‘till you make it.” Zidane knew how to play a role, even if he wasn’t entirely comfortable with it. He was glad that he at least seemed to be a good king, as ol’ Rusty had pointed out to him early on, but Zidane wasn’t entirely sure he’d ever be as good at it as Cecil was.
Yeah, that one had been weird too. Zidane had gotten close to the other warriors of Cosmos during the cycles of conflict, but he hadn’t expected to be able to keep in touch with them after the cycles had ended. When they’d found out they could, though? It led to some interesting discussions when the comrades got the chance to meet up from time to time, including finding out that Cecil was about twenty years older than the rest of them, and had a son that was about Zidane’s age, to boot!
“What’s so funny, Zidane?”
Zidane saw the grin on his face when he looked up and caught his reflection in the mirror. He shook his head, the grin mellowing into a smile as he said, “Just thinking about some old things, that’s all.”
Dagger nodded, a mix of emotions in her eyes as she said, “I was thinking. Maybe, after the event is over, we could go see Vivi.”
And there went his mood. A bittersweet edge crept into Zidane’s eyes and his smile as he went to pick up the crown. It had been hard enough being away from everyone for so long after he’d gone back to the Ifia Tree to be with Kuja so his brother wouldn’t have to die alone, even after everything he’d done. But finding out that Vivi, the black mage that Zidane had come to see as family, had passed in the time that he’d been gone? That cut just as deep now as it did then.
Even so, time really did help to ease the worst of the pain. Even though he had his back to her, Zidane said, “Sounds like it’s a busy day, then. I was thinking we could go to the orphanage and maybe talk to the staff a little more about an adoption.”
“About that, Zidane. We might not need to…”
There was the slightest note in Dagger’s tone that had Zidane frozen to the spot, hope and disbelief blooming through him. No way; no way in all the worlds. They’d been talking about a family, but they hadn’t been able to, and they’d chalked it up to the possibility that summoners and gnomes weren’t compatible in that sense. Once they’d come to accept the likelihood that they wouldn’t be able to have children of their own, and Zidane had been able to face Dagger’s tears without feeling like he was being ripped apart for his failure, they’d started talking adoption. They’d both had the families and upbringings they’d had because of others that weren’t their birth families; why couldn’t they do the same for another kid that needed a family?
But was she saying what he thought she was?
“Dagger,” Zidane said softly, his voice rough as he fought for control, “Are you saying…?”
Well, if this isn’t quite the domestic scene
The hope from a moment before was washed away in a wave of dread as the voice entered Zidane’s mind. He was used to the occasional telepathic communication from his sister Mikoto; it seemed to be a thing with the gnomes, and it came in handy with keeping tabs on how the rest of them were doing with gaining their individuality.
But he hadn’t heard this voice in years, and never like this. It was almost like he was trying for the same sarcastic, disdainful tone that had always been there, but now, he just sounded tired and worn down.
Dagger had noticed Zidane’s distraction. Turning around, her confusion turned to worry as she said quickly, “Zidane, is something wrong?”
She may very well be right, little brother
Zidane’s tail lashed behind him as he hissed one word, “Kuja…?!”
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