I knew why Vivi had called us, it was just a quiet little talk and a reunion between friends. What I didn't know was it would be his last...which left me with a deathbed promise to keep. Since I had other obligations, it would be impossible, I thought I'd been horribly rash and wasn't sure how I'd manage both.
It was very lucky that when I was taking a walk with Eiko in Lindbulm that that lady thief found us. I didn't believe her at first, I didn't think Zidane had a girl as a teacher, but she proved me wrong when I crossed weapons with her. As everyone knows, the teacher leaves his or her mark on the student, and I could see it.
It's a really good thing she volunteered to be my proxy in this matter, I can't be two places at once...
~~From Freya's Journal
Freya hurried into Quan's Dwelling, where Vivi had gone after everything was over. He wanted time to think, Freya thought. But why a group reunion here? I really wonder what is going on.. Vivi smiled and nodded; Freya had been the last to arrive.
It's a shame Zidane isn't here, but he's..gone. No one could of survived that..
It turned into a chat about old times and a bit of a party. It wasn't much of one but it was good to be with old friends again. I've been really busy, Freya thought. Rebuilding Burmecia, getting to know Sir Fratley all over again..it's been hectic. This is a nice break though.
After a bit of a laugh with Steiner, Freya noticed Vivi was trying to get her attention. She went over to Vivi.
"Anything the matter, Vivi?"
"Not really. But if you have the time...could you do me a favor?"
What's that?"
Vivi removed a sealed letter from his robes. "Please...if you could get this to Zidane..I'd appreciate it."
"I don't think he's still alive..."
"I have a feeling, somehow, that he is. Don't ask me how or why, I just do."
Freya decided to humor him. "I'll do my best when I can, Vivi."
Everyone stayed until quite late, and decided to sleep in the outer area of the place. The next morning...they awoke to an awful surprise. Vivi had died in the night. Mist bled from his body to encircle a number of black mage eggs.
Two days after the funeral, Eiko and Freya were walking in Lindbulm. Eiko turned to Freya.
"Has something been bothering you..since what happened? Somehow you've seemed quite upset.."
Freya nodded sadly. "I feel torn right now. I didn't know when I made the promise but...now I'm honor bound to keep it...and considering me and Fratley have been trying to rebuild Burmicia, I don't know how I can."
"What promise?"
Freya showed Eiko the letter. "Vivi...wanted Zidane to get this...thought Zidane's still alive. I'm still not convinced, it really looked like he'd gotten killed. How can I search when I can't be two places at once?! Among my people though, a deathbed promise MUST be kept, no matter what. What am I going to do?!"
Eiko patted Freya's arm in sympathy; she wasn't sure how to solve the problem, either. Just then, an
unfamiliar voice said, "Is someone taking dat scamp's name in vain?" They both looked up to see a strange lady. Her flaming red hair was pulled back by a leather cord. There was a really ugly knife scar on her left cheek; her hazel eyes were sparkling with life, tho she seemed pretty tired. She was wearing boots, slacks and a shirt and was fairly flat chested; her clothes seemed to be a little stiff with salt (Freya could smell it), which made Freya think she might have been on the sea recently. Freya recognized this was a rare bird; a lady thief. Few women become thieves, she thought. I don't think she's with Tantalus or I think she'd of been mentioned...
The lady put her hands on her hips. "Now, what's this 'bout Zidane?"
Eiko put her hands on her hips as well. "I haven't seen you before. How do you know him? And who are you?"
The lady smiled. "As fer who I am: I'm Alanna Alys Mustokova. And I know about him since I waz one ov his weapons teachers." That startled Freya, who cried out: "I'm not sure if you're lying, lady thief. Could you prove it?"
Alanna blinked. "Whadda mean, miss dragoon?"
"Would you mind crossing blades for a moment? If you really taught him, I'll be able to see where you left your mark on him. The teacher always leaves his or her mark on a student's style somewhere."
"Well, okay. This ain't da normal way ta settle somethin' like this, but I see yer point." She drew out two jewel and crystal daggers from her belt, joined them at the end of the handles, and then..they extended into something very familiar...a thief's swordstaff.
Freya nodded at Eiko. "You back off. Since we have to use our real weapons, there's always the possibility of someone getting hurt. I don't need to explain more than that, do I?"
"Nope, I'll be ready in case that happens."
Freya drew her spear, then said, "No fancy abilities, this'll just be weapon on weapon. That should be enough."
Alanna nodded, and then it began. Freya could tell she was doing the honorable thing and pulling her blows; Freya herself was doing the same thing. Then she saw it; Alanna dodged a blow the exact same way Zidane did, not to mention she used the swordstaff sort of like how he did as well. "Okay, hold it!" Freya said. "Your body tells me you weren't lying; I saw you dodge that. Zidane did the same thing...there's no question."
Alanna smiled. "I understand. By da way, what's yer names? I can understand not trustin' me at first tho.."
Both Freya and Eiko introduced themselves, then Freya said, "Let's go somewhere a little more private, then I'll explain."
"Let's go ta my place then.", Alanna said. "Since da air ferry's down, we'll have ta walk tho; it's in da Industrial District...but I need a damn bath." She glared at her salty clothes.
Eiko chuckled. "Dirty is dirty and that sounds okay, eh Freya?"
It took them a while to get there because of the ferry not working, since the Mist was gone.
Once they found Alanna's house, it didn't take long for Alanna to heat the water and get herself a bath; she had a spot in the corner in the kitchen which was blocked off by a curtain that she used for such. She'd thrown her dirty clothes out from behind the curtain, and you could hear her scrubbing as the three talked.
"So, what's up with Zidane?" she asked.
Freya told Alanna what had happened. "Hmm.", she said. :So ya think those roots smashed'im? But Vivi thought he'd lived, somehow?"
"Yeah...I'm not sure if Vivi was right, it sure looked like it.." Freya said.
Eiko chimed in, "I really don't think anyone could of survived that, but.."
"Mebbe I can solve this mystery. I think somethin's a little off...", they heard a splash which could only mean she was washing her hair, and then she went on, "Trouble is, most airships don't work no more since da Mist is gone. I really don't wanna go on da sea again.." There was a bigger splash, like she dropped the soap.
"Waitamo...Could there be a way ta retrofit a Mist-powered airship with a steam engine?!"
"Hmm.", Freya said. "That sounds intriguing, but why?"
Alanna chuckled. "I'm the co-owner of an airship; da Angel's Wing. Unfortunately it's a Mist engine one; if it could be changed over ta steam, I could fly an' find out what da hell's going on. But as it is, dat old girl don't hunt...Just so ya know Freya, I'm willing ta take dat deathbed promise off yer hands if dat li'l problem can be fixed." She splashed around a bit, prolly getting what she dropped.
Freya turned, smiled at Eiko, then said, "Once you're cleaned up, let's go check with Regent Cid. If anyone could do such a thing, it'd be him."
There was a big splash, and then Alanna came out wrapped in a big towel. "I'll find Mavya Javvins too once I'm dressed, she's da other owner. She'd prolly be interested too, if I know her." She ran for the bedroom.
It didn't take long to find Mavya, who was cool with the idea. Then they found Cid, who thought a second, then said, "It might be possible, I'll check it out!"
It turned out that it was very feasible, it took Cid and his engineers a day to rebuild the engine, then Freya and Alanna met on the airship dock. Alanna nodded at Freya. (Cid was already making plans to rebuild the air ferries using steam; he also was training a team of engineers to rebuild Mist engines into steam engines)
"I've been by Burmecia before, I know da custom." She drew her weapon; Freya drew hers. They crossed them, then Freya said, "Alanna, will you be my proxy and fulfill the promise I made to Vivi, who is now dead, since I cannot?"
Alanna nodded solemnly. "Yes. If Zidane be alive, or be he dead, I'll get that letter to Zidane. No matter how long it takes. On both our blades be it!" They both lowered their weapons; at the same time, Freya said quietly, "Then so let it be; all I ask is you do your best." She handed Alanna the letter. "Let's go Freya." Alanna then said. "I don't see a reason ya should walk home; I'll fly ya back there, then I'll be on my way. Wish me luck!"
Freya nodded and joined Alanna on her airship, and off they went.I'm glad I found a way to keep this, Freya thought. I'd hate to be a oathbreaker...