Other Side

Zidea... I can't believe I passed out.  Thank you for bringing me home.

Not a problem.  Oh this table here is interesting.

Oh...  hehe thanks.  That's an Egg Buffet.  I like it too because Sha...  Um...  Well its neat I think because the egg inside is pretty ^^;

Yes, it is.

Hmm.  I wonder what is on the other side of your vent?  It's kind of hard to tell...  Must be outside since I can see a little light coming in.

I stood up on my tippy toes beside Zidea and found I could not quite get high enough to peer out.

I'm not sure, it's too high up for me to see out...

Well then let me fix that haha.

Wha--

Without further warning, Zidea hefted me up and I pressed my palms hard into the wall.  As I got over the initial surprised shock, I peered carefully out the thin slits of the vent.

Ahhhhh!!!!

What?!

Shocked, Zidea half-dropped me and I slid down the wall to the floor.

EYES!

Huh?

I panted, shocked,  for I had spied a pair of eyes blinking back at me!

Woah I think--

My thought was interrupted, and confirmed, by Ghrenn letting herself in through the front door and slamming it shut behind her.

Whats going on with you two?

Me and who?

You and Zidea!

He’s my friend, Ghrenn.

Special friend?

Woah now what are you-

Before Zidea could finish, Ghrenn stalked over to him and jabbed her index finger into his chest.

She's married you know mister fancy schmansy red mage!

Yes, of that I am well aware, miss-

And yet your prancing around trying to impress her!

I assure you it is nothing like that.

What if I hadn't been peering into the window when I was?  I saw you carry her in here!

Ghrenn… 

She passed out.  I was being a gentleman and brought her home.

Passed out eh? 

Yes.  I fell ill and...

Fell ill?!??!  Did you drug her?!

Ghrenn crossed her arms under her chest and glared at Zidea.  Both he and I sighed dejectedly.

No, I did not.

Why would he even do such a thing?  Why are you throwing out such accusations Ghrenn?!

Well you can't be to careful.  Gals and their vows now-a-days seem to not mean much.

Kiamo, I'm glad you are feeling better.  I'm going to get going.  Take care.  You too Ghrenn.

Zidea you don't have to go.. I don't know what-

Bai BAI!

Ghrenn...

What the heck had gotten into her?!

I need to talk to you in private anyway.

See you again Kiamo.

Zidea bowed to us both and let himself out.

As soon as the door closed I turned my attention to Ghrenn.

Ghrenn what is the matter with you?!

Me?!  What would have happened with you guys if I wasn't here Kia?

Nothing!

What about Shag?

What about him?

Exactly!

I don't understand you!  I have a friend who actually does things with me and you are acting like I've forgotten my vows to Shagrath.  I would NEVER do that.  I love him and him alone.  Nobody can replace him!  So don't even think for a moment that I would even consider being unfaithful to him.  Even if.. If... he never comes back.

The thought of that alone was too much to bear, but speaking it aloud caused me to be unable to hold back tears.  I began to sob and crumpled to the floor.  Just when I had finally chased all that from my mind.  Why was happiness so difficult to cultivate without Sha-chan around?

Ghrenn settled herself beside me and hugged me tightly.

Sorry Kia.  Shag will come back for you.  Why wouldn't he when he's got somebody like you waiting for him.

She sighed and leaned back.

It’s just…  Well…  It’s Domo…

I dried my eyes and squeaked.

Domo?

Him and Mish are hooking up behind my back.  Well... now its in front of it.

What!? 

Ghrenn hugged her knees to her chest.  I was too shocked by what she had just said to be sad for myself any longer.  I shook my head in utter disbelief.

But..  No way...  Wow.   Are you certain?

He's supposed to be my boyfriend...

I gaped at her.

That's news to me Ghrenn.

You're kidding…

I've never been more serious ... because uh..

Because what?

Well I'm certain he and a friend of mine were an item...

What?!  Since when?

Umm well I mean she talked about marrying him... She has this thing for hume samurai.  It's pretty cute actually...  Well, when she's not being perverted about it hehe..

This isn't funny at all, Kia...

Ghrenn glared at me.  I wasn’t sure if this was some prank or what.  I didn’t want to seem cruel to her, but if what she was saying was true... 

She used to tell me about their late-night kanoodling…

WHAT?!?!?!?

In a flash, Ghrenn was up off the floor.  Her fists were balled at her sides and her tail puffed up behind her as she stomped her foot hard on the floor.  This was no joke.  My eyes went wide in astonishment. 

Ghrenn I didn't realize... 

Heh.  Well she'll be just as mad as me when she finds out.

Well wait a moment…  Did you actually see something?  I mean he can just be a caring fellow, you know?  Maybe you misunderstood?  Besides Mishi is married, remember?

Her husband is no where to be seen and hasn't been for quite a while.

The same goes for Shagrath, but-

So you see why I was giving you grief earlier?

Oh I assure you, Ghrenn, there never has been, nor will there every be anything going on between Domone and I.  Heck, he doesn't even speak to me anymore.

I meant about Zidea...  Sheesh Kiamo.  I sometimes I wonder if you’ve got a light out or something.

Oh.. sorry.

I sighed and we sat in silence for a moment before I continued.

Ghrenn I get so spaced out lately...  Maybe something is the matter with me...

They're getting married.

Pardon?

I'm going to put a gobbie head on her doorstep..  A big, ugly, bloody one!  With the entrails-


Ghrenn!! That's disgus---uhmmff


The image of something so foul.  It was horrid and cruel and for some reason just hearing her say such a thing caused my stomach to churn.  And then twist…  I clasped my hand to my mouth but that wasn’t going to stop it.

Kia..?

I lurched to grab an empty flower pot and heaved into it.

Woah, you are really sick.

I dabbed my mouth with a nearby wash rag and shook my head in dismay.

I don’t know what is going on.  Every little thing makes me cry.  Now this.. and I just get so tired.  I fainted after the ENM with Zidea.  That is why he was here, Ghrenn.  I just want to sleep most of the time but I force myself to do things... and usually alone and it... and I miss him... I miss him!!!!!

Once again, I broke down into tears.

Kia... you're depressed.

I shook my head at her and rubbed my eyes.  I was so tired of crying!

I think you should go see Monberaux.

I don't want to be depressed...

So go see him and find out if you're sick or depressed.

I sighed.  An airship ride to Jeuno was certainly not something I felt like doing.  A bath, sure.  Wash out my mouth, definitely.  Sleep.  Yes.

I don’t feel like going to Jeuno right now.

Well soon, okay?  Nobody wants to see you like this.  I gotta go…  Sorry for yelling at you.

I'm not mad at you Ghrenn.  I hope things work out with you and Domone.

Ghrenn shook her head and wiggled her fingers at me in farewell as she slipped out the door.
I cleaned the bile residue from my mouth, washed my face and curled up in bed. 
Tomorrow, I decided.  Tomorrow I will go see Monberaux.

True Everything

Kup-Kiki!  Zidea has come to call!

Oh okay. ^_^   Let him in Sarima.

Hey Kiamo.

Hi!^_^

I have some free time, would you like to try that Brothers ENM today?

Oh certainly!

Okay, but let me warn you, it’s a pretty long journey and getting into the cave is a bit tricky.  Are you sure you’re up for it.

Truth be told, I wasn’t sure if I was, but I needed some fun and Zidea always brought that element to any adventure we had.

Let’s do it!



Zidea was right, it was far!  And cold!  I was trying my best to follow his footprints in the snow, for we both had need for sneak and invisible enchantments, when I spied something far off in the distance.
It had giant bat wings of a purple hue.  I blinked, wondering if I was imagining something.   Perhaps the cold was affecting me?  Perhaps just the way the light hit the snow?  No… for as I gingerly approached, I saw not a bat towering in the snowfield but a colossal DRAGON!

Shit.

Woah!

Kiamo?

Oh my Goddess this is amazing!

Where did you go Kia?

I’ve never seen such a thing!

And without further word I attempted to sneak up behind the enormous beast.  It was just so majestic!  So beautiful!  So huge!  I had to get a closer look.  Not my smartest decision.
I had barely crept up to its tail when it whirled around to face me.

Wha… but I have sneak and invisible enchantments on… 
I wheeled backward and nearly fell over in the snowdrifts.

KIAMO RUN!!!!!

Ugh.. Trrrying…

Wait, I’m a Red Mage!  Maybe…  

{Casting spell} {Sleep} Jormungand!  Take care.

JUST RUN KIA!!!

Eeeeeekkkkkkkkk!!  Zidea!!!!! I think its chasing me!

  Jormungand swatted its mammoth paw at my head, which I just managed to dodge, but it was after me and it could fly.  Behind me I felt a woosh of cold air, then hot breath and then…  I was falling face first into the snow.

The next thing I remember was being gently tugged… propped up…  cold snow being wiped from my face…
  
Zidea?  What…  are… you doing..?

You okay?  Come on we need to move before it sees us again.

I’m sorry… I wanted a picturrre…

I should have warned you…  He is true sight and evil evil.

But I was behind him.

And true sound.

Oh… 

With Zidea half carrying me, we trudged into a tunnel area where we could rest a moment and be out of the biting wind.

I’m sorry for putting us in such peril, Zidea.  It’s just.. I’d never seen such a thing and..  I remember Sha-chan saying to me…  He told me of such amazing dragons and promised to take me to see them one day…  When I was stronger.  I guess…  I’ll never be strong enough.  I suppose that doesn’t even matter any more, does it…

Zidea sighed and put his arm around me. 

Kiamo, that dragon can slay people stronger and more battle hardened than you or I.  And sure maybe Shagrath didn’t get a chance to take you but… Well at least you’ve seen this one, right? 

But I put you in danger…  I’m sorry Zidea.

He’d been so nice to me with no pretence.  He never got mad no matter how much I screwed up during training.  He was always patient and answered my questions without getting annoyed.  What could I ever do to show my appriciation for such things?
I leaned over and hugged Zidea tightly.

Ohooff!  Kia?

Perhaps too tightly?  I let him go and stood up. 

I promise I won’t wander off again Zidea.

Zidea rose as well and tugged my hat over my eyes.

Heh, don’t worry.  That was pretty funny.

He chuckled as I fixed my hat and we set off once again.


Finally we got to the cave where we were to face these “brothers”.
As it turned out, the fight didn’t go over too well and we lost.  Not only did we lose, but Zidea was knocked out several times, as was I.
I thought for sure he would be cross with me.  But somehow, he wasn’t.  Instead, he gave me some pointers about where I could improve for next time.

I don’t know what is the matter with me… I just couldn’t … focus.  Maybe I’m just not cut out for Red Mage.

Nonsense.  Just keep working at it.  I know you’ll be great!  Have faith.

Right..

I nodded, but then suddenly I felt so ill.  I clapped my hand to my mouth and ran for a corner.

Kia..?

I couldn’t even tell him to stay away.  I didn’t want him to see what I had eaten before the battle in such a way.  I tried to will myself well but my body refused to respond.  Instead my stomach seized, causing me to drop to my knees and wretch.

Zidea knelt beside me and pulled my hair back from my face.

How embarrassing!

Heh.  Some bad Marron Glace maybe?

I could only shake my head and scoot away from the ick on the floor.

Let me see if I have some water in my pack for you Kia.

I tried to sit up, but even that caused me to become so dizzy.  The entire room was spinning.  I screwed my eyes shut, but that didn’t help.

Kia!?