The journey was uneventful, but I found something I'm sure ya wouldn't ah liked, Freya; Kuja was at Conde Petie. Since you'd told me da story on da way when I was takin' ya home, I was careful; I didn't fall off no turnip wagon yesterday. Seems he's really sorry for what he did, an' he had some news; Zidane's really alive, but he ain't here at da moment. I can't tell ya 'zactly what happened 'cause it would seem too incredible ta believe, but don't you fret, and tell Queen Garnet not to cry, I'll bring him home safe...and deliver dat letter... ~~Letter via Mognet from Alanna to Freya
It hadn't taken long for Alanna to get Freya to Burmicia; they talked about things along the way, Alanna was interested in what had happened while she was gone; Freya was happy to indulge Alanna in that. Alanna turned to Freya before she got off.
"Freya, I'll keep in touch with ya via Mognet; as long as nothin' gums up ta works, you'll know what's goin' on."
"Works for me." I hope that moogle didn't use Superslick on his fur again... Freya thought. Just then Sir Fratley came up; they shared a hug and touched noses. Alanna waved, then flew off.
It took Alanna a couple days to get to the Outer Continent. She headed for the Iifa Tree, hoping she could find some clues. She climbed down to notice a sparkle on a platform; it was covered in dead and dying roots that were skewering it. She threw a rock at the sparkle; it disappeared.
Hmm, she thought. Could dat mean they got taken..elsewhere? Hard ta say really, it really looks like they could've been skewered...but I ain't sure. Something inside tells me there's more than meets da eye.. She climbed back up.
She was starting to feel a little hungry. Remembering she'd seen a town not too far from there, she boarded her airship and headed there.
She headed to the little cafe. Sitting there was an odd man. It took Alanna a bit to place him, but then she remembered what Freya had said about who they'd had to fight..
Damn, she thought. If I got the description right, that's Kuja! What is he doing here an' alive?! Freya said he was dyin' when they had to leave...and was prolly dead now...But maybe he knows what happened? Better be careful tho, he was horrible, I understand, which is why they had to fight him...
She picked up her courage, made sure she had a dagger within easy reach, and then approached him.
"Excuse me sir." she said in a slightly peeved voice.
The guy looked up. "Hm?"
"Is your name...Kuja?"
The guy then nodded. Alanna narrowed her eyes. "How did you get out ah that, mister? I've heard what happened, and you'd better tell da truth or else..." She took out a dagger and started making a little show of cleaning her nails with it.
"I was saved..by the Guardian.."
"Guardian, huh? Lucky for you it was me that came a'lookin'. I'm prolly da only one that knows what that is..She poked her nose inta that?" Alanna figured no one would lie about that, tho she didn't completely trust Kuja.
Kuja nodded again. "She also sent Zidane to another world, saying it'd be the only way he'd live; he did something stupid and almost died.."
Alanna's eyes widened. "Don't tell me; did that world have ta do with a spikey headed guy with a big sword?"
"Yeah, it did."
"So yeah. He's likely alive, but not here, eh?" Satisfied with her nails, she checked the edge of the dagger, then said, "Guardian's really hard ta ketch; ya rarely see even her footprints around. I'll have ta ketch her when she sends Zidane back..."
"Back? You think she will?"
Alanna nodded. Kuja continued, "Would you mind if I came along?"
Alanna thought a moment, then said, "You got a bone ta pick with him or something?"
"I have something I want to tell him..seriously, I got a reprieve from dying, but I don't know how much longer I have left. This might be the last chance I get to talk to him." Kuja flipped his hair a bit.
Alanna then nodded. "Okay, but if ya try anything rotten..." She pointed the dagger right at Kuja's face, then continued, "I'll personally remove 'nuf of your hide ta make me a pair ah slippers!"
Kuja bowed his head, looking slightly ashamed. "I guess I deserve that...I wish I could go back in time and not do that stuff..." he whispered. Alanna sheathed the dagger and continued, "We'll have ta check all da spots around da world that no one would wanna go near. If I remember right from da one time I did see her, that Guardian prefers ta not let anyone see her or anything she does. I'm guessing it'll be right here at da Iifa tree when she does show her power and bring Zidane home, but I've been wrong before. "
Kuja nodded. "Sensible."
"My airship isn't da fastest but we'll find him, for I betcha that spikey head won't stand for Zidane staying there permanently when he should be here... Anyhoo, I'd better go see the moogle here; I promised Freya I'd keep her updated. She proly won't come after you; there aren't that many steam powered airships yet, so your hide's safe. For now."
Kuja nodded. It didn't take long for Alanna to find the moogle and send Freya a letter. She went back to the cafe to get her some lunch to go, as she did that she thought; I hope he's somewhat reformed. Dunno how much of a chance I got if it comes ta a fight, but he seems sincere enough. Here's ta hoping he don't mean anything bad...
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