| Time with the family is the most important time of all. You must never be too busy for it. -Seen on Eidolon Wall in Madain Sari Part 71 There was a scratching at the door. I went over and opened it. [Yes?] [May I come in?] I glanced back at Zidane and Kuja. They both nodded. I opened the door further to allow Tiovex through, then closed it behind him. � So?� Kuja demanded again. � Well, Kiti�s my mother and Tiovex is my father. Both adopted, of course.� � I do believe I�m feeling jealous.� [I don�t mind having another adopted son,] Tiovex put in, [but you�re going to have to beat me in a head-bashing contest.] I rolled my eyes. Emperors. [Well it�s going to have to wait. I don�t want him doing any skull-cracking until he�s completely healed.] � Head-bashing contest?� � It�s a dragon pastime,� Zidane explained. � Two dragons, usually emperors because empresses aren�t that stupid, stand at opposite ends of a defined area, then charge forward. They can�t use any other part of their body except their head and if they do, it�s an immediate forfeit of the win.� � Uh . . .� � They beat each other up with their head, basically.� � Oh! How is it?� � It hurts, but it�s fun.� Zidane leaned toward him and whispered, � If you want to practice, let me know. Don�t ask Kiti because she�ll knock you flying even when she�s holding back.� � Okay.� I snorted. [You�re just a weakling.] � Oh yeah?� he challenged. � Then how did I beat Tiovex if I�m a weakling?� [Luck.] He growled and lunged at me, clamping my neck against his side and rolling over on top of me. � Can�t you just be nice for once?!� [You know my view on that silly game,] I said breathlessly. � I�m not talking about that!� [Oh,] I gasped, [In that case, I do it because I�m hoping you�ll learn to laugh at jokes played on yourself. You are much too hot-tempered for your own good.] He stopped, then blushed and stood sheepishly. � Sorry. Here.� I stumbled to my feet, staggering to the side a few steps. [Whoops!] � Does this happen often?� Kuja asked Tiovex worriedly. [Let�s put it this way. If it doesn�t happen, pray for the safety of Gaia.] � It�s that common?� [At least five or ten times per day. Kitiane has a way of pissing Zidane off to the point of insanity. He�s almost killed her several times over, but she won�t quit pestering him.] Zidane leaned on my head. � Ah, it�s just mother-son love.� [More like mother-son murder.] There was another knock at the door. � Come on in!� Zidane called. The door opened, revealing Garnet. She was by herself, to my surprise, but didn�t appear bothered by the fact. She probably preferred it. She bowed as a queen should and said graciously, � Good afternoon.� Zidane sighed exasperatedly. � Oh come on, Dagger! Quit with all the proper stuff already!� She smiled slightly and straightened. � You are all invited to the party tonight. Kuja, may I speak with you alone?� Confused, Kuja followed her out of the room. She poked her head back in a second later. � I�m leaving the door open.� It was said with a �don�t-you-even-dare-listen-in-or-you�ll-regret-it� tone. We all stayed where we were, but tuned our hearing to Garnet�s voice. � Kuja, will you be attending?� � I was wondering that myself.� � If you are, you have to be prepared.� � I know. I understand. I am sorry for what I have done, but I know that not everyone forgives me. It�s all right.� She let out a rather relieved breath. � Well I�m glad I didn�t have to explain it.� They came back in and Garnet said, � If you are attending, you need to find some acceptable dress.� � What?!� Zidane screeched. � Are you serious?!� A devious glint appeared in her eyes. � I�m very serious. Oh, by the way, did I tell you that you have to go, Zidane? You are the guest of honor, after all.� She reached out and grabbed his arm, then drug him from the room. � We�ll fix you up in no time!� Zidane�s cry resounded throughout the castle: � No~o!� Garnet reentered a moment later. � Kiti, I�m afraid he won�t cooperate. May I have The Feather?� � No! Don�t give it to her!� I handed it over. � Oh, thank you, Kiti. You�re such a dear.� � Mo~other! You�re supposed to be on my side!� [I am!] I called back. [Just not this time!] Kuja sat in stunned silence for a long while. Then he said dazedly, � I was beaten by a crybaby.� [A powerful crybaby,] Tiovex reminded him. [But a crybaby nonetheless,] I countered. � I suppose I�ll go as well. What should I wear?� [I can take you back to Swiftwing and have something made up for you,] Tiovex offered. � Really? Thank you.� The castle intercom crackled to life. � Attention everyone. Zidane is being fitted for tonight�s party. If you happen to see him before . . . four o�clock, catch him and bring him to me, please. For those of you who don�t know him, he�s blond and has green eyes, wings, and a tail. You can�t miss him. Thank you.� In the background, I heard: � This is so embarrassing. Hey! Don�t you touch that! It�s sensitive! . . . It�s a tail, you don�t need to put anything on it! Don�t touch my wings either! Geez . . . I swear I am really going to kill you this time, Mother!� <--Part 70 Part 72--> |