[ Phone Call : Rydia // Action? ]

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[ Garnet had just finished reading Regent Cid's post to the network. War. Their world is at war again, and all she could do was pace her private quarters, positively at her wits end. Her sky phone in hand, she alternately stared at it, glanced out the window, looked at the stack of things on her desk. She had no idea what had happened to Vivi. She'd sent all the reinforcement from Alexandria that she could spare. Still, nothing shakes her more than the idea of their world being in an all-out war once again.

She needed to talk to someone. Someone who wouldn't blow things out of proportion. Someone who could talk her down from this ridiculous hysteria -- and it wasn't Zidane. No, because there were things she couldn't say to him yet, that she didn't know how to bring up, how to even begin...

And once again she was Staring. At the phone. Who could she call. Who could she trust? ...Who would understand what she's feeling? In these days, she considered Rydia her best friend, but she could tell from their last meeting, Rydia had so many of her own worries. It pained her to think of burdening her again. Yuna... but she and Yuna had never been particularly close, and the last time they had talked, she'd babbled and backpedaled like an idiot. Maybe Ashe? She'd been in the same position, a person in power, a world at war...

Garnet sat down. For the briefest of moments, she wished that Vayne were still alive, and that tiny flicker of a thought almost pushed her to tears. She shouldn't be thinking about things like that.

Finally, she sets her fingers to the keys, and dials Rydia's number ]

Comments

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Hello, Dagger!

[Perky and yup, definitely trying to hide how tired she is.]

How are you?

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't believe her one bit... but hearing Rydia's voice puts her a little at ease.] I've been better... but it's a relief to hear your voice. We sent all the reinforcement we could to Alfitaria, but I didn't know what had happened to you, or Edge...and Eiko's still there too, isn't she?

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

She is, but she's being sent home as soon as we can spare the transportation. I wanted her to be with her parents long before, but...she has been a great help.

Your reinforcements were a great help, too, Dagger. Without them, I'm not sure we would have lasted.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Eiko may be young, but she's certainly a proficient White Mage. Even when she was six, she was stronger with healing magic than I was.

I'm glad they were of some help... though I get the feeling no amount of help could have stopped this completely.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

[Sigh.]

Maybe we should have gathered forces before she invaded Wutai, while there was time...but no one thought she would move this fast.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

No one could have guessed, not even those of us who have fought Kuja and Garland before. Even being familiar with what they're capable of. [She sighs quietly]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Well, something has to be done before she strikes again. We wouldn't last another assault like that.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

You're right... As much as I hate to admit it, it's the truth. We've been going about this whole thing the wrong way... I kept hoping that the world as a whole could band together, but still, these few people keep managing to do so much. We're doing something wrong, I just don't know what.

[her voice lowers] I'm... I'm scared. Uncle Cid ha declared that the world is at war. I hoped this would never happen again..

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Well...there's no help for it. Would that it were otherwise; we all deserve to be free of such madness.

Is he calling another Heads of State meeting?

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

I don't know. He hasn't said anything about it yet. We just had one, not even a month ago.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Well, the world doesn't seem to be running out of reasons to have more. I would expect her to hit the Mist Continent, next.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[There's a tense pause] I... I honestly don't know what I'll do if she hits Alexandria. There's been so much damage done here, we haven't even had a chance to recover completely between instances. I feel like I should be out there with everyone else, with you and ...

[Okay, she's obviously not helping]

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Garnet. Breathe.

You're exactly where you should be. I know it must be difficult to stay put, but Alexandria will need you. We'll manage as best we can over here.

Well, you did say Action :)

[knightedmayrose.livejournal.com]

[Beatrix politely allows the queen her privacy to complete her call before intruding with her own arrival. She's quite practiced in the art of not eavesdropping and if she's overheard a word, she's not betraying it. She salutes crisply.]

Your Majesty, we've returned.

That I did! :D

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[Garnet turns suddenly, started by how suddenly Beatrix is there. ]. Welcome home. Have you just arrived? [ in other words, how much did you hear?]

[knightedmayrose.livejournal.com]

[Only as much as Garnet wishes her to.] Yes, Your Majesty. I left a company stationed at Alfitaria to assist and sent another to Iifa. Our casualties were minimal, given the circumstances.

[Translation: it was bad and half of the soldiers sent were decimated.]

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[She looks saddened... A normal expression with news like that.] Very well, then. ... You may want to see about training some new recruits. I hate to think of endangering more lives, but without them, we'll all be lost.

[knightedmayrose.livejournal.com]

I will see to that first thing in the morning.

I have to be frank. Should such a force be visited upon Alexandria, the city will not stand. Alfitaria is in rubble. It will take a decade for it to be half of what it was.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm afraid of...

[knightedmayrose.livejournal.com]

We'll begin fortifying the defenses immediately and the company waiting at Iifa will be back before the planned festivities. Do you still intend to host them?

[There is an implied 'now that your circumstances have changed' in that query. Alexandria has waited too long for an heir to risk losing it for a party.]

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Absolutley. [There's no hesitation... but then neither is there any feigned confusion. Her vehemence is actually... perhaps a bit a sign of over-compensation.] The plans have already been set in motion, and it's Winterfest. There was no celebration last year, what with the food shortages. And besides... the best means of presenting a strong image, is to act as though there is nothing to fear. The people need not be aware of such things.

[knightedmayrose.livejournal.com]

I will see the city and castle secure then. If I may, Your Majesty, please considering allowing your guests to come with what armaments make them comfortable.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[She pauses... and then nods] You may be right... though I worry about some of the attendees. I invited Rinoa, you see... [as if that should explain everything]

[knightedmayrose.livejournal.com]

[Oh it does. Beatrix stiffens and if it's at all possible, her posture goes just that little bit more formal. She absolutely disagrees with that and while she's not so rude as to directly say so, her lips press hard together so as to not frown.]

I understand. That does pose a challenge.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

[Garnet's not blind, or dumb -- she understands what this could mean, and she knows people would disagree with her] She is not a bad person, Beatrix. And a masquerade should make it more difficult for her to be identified. And not just her, but many of my friends are sky people, and I know how people in Alexandria feel about them right now. This may be a perfect opportunity to show that they aren't a threat. [okay, she's getting kind of worked up]