It's a three-parter! Slightly backdated to before the VI trip

[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

[Today, Edgar is a busy man. First, a phone call, to one particular little girl who just happens to have summons at her beck and call. No, he doesn't want to talk to your father, he would rather speak with you directly, Eiko.]

[Second, he will climb to the roof to visit Reis. She's been wasting away again, and Edgar is not going to let her do that without a fight.]

[Third, once the rest is accomplished, he will make a broadcast from his office, an official-enough place that is less imposing than the throne room so as not to drive people away.]

I have something of an announcement to make, on behalf of the kingdom of Figaro.

Over the past few months, more and more children have arrived on Gaia without a protector, and many native Gaian children have seen their family and neighbors disappear before their eyes. I have acquired a large, empty building in the town of South Figaro that we plan to renovate extensively to provide a home for these children, a place where they can be assured of safety and security.

It will be run primarily by Terra Branford, but many children need many caretakers. If you are interested in either helping with the construction or at the facility after it is completed, please let me know in response to this message.

The world is changing around us, but together we can provide help for those in need.

Comments

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

Come in. [He doesn't sound particularly busy, at least.]

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra slips inside, closing the door behind her.]

I hope now is a good time to see you...?

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

[Edgar glances up at the newcomer, smiling and pushing his chair away from the desk when he sees who it is.]

Any time is a good time, Terra.

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra heads on over to the desk, smiling in turn.]

I'm glad to hear that.

...thank you for making that announcement. I'm glad to help, but I hope it brings in more people, too.

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

[And Edgar stands, moving to the front of the desk to sit on the edge and take her hands.]

I would not want you taking care of an entire building of children on your own. Even at home, you had help in Mobliz; it's simply too big a job for one person. I hope you don't mind me advertising your name with this project, though.

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Hearing about something she doesn't remember doing is still weird, but the rest doesn't bother her. She shakes her head, letting her hands rest in his.]

No, not at all. I was thinking about how to mention that over the network anyway, so you saved me the trouble. I might when it's closer to being put into action, but still...that will help a lot, I'm sure.

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

[He won't go into the specifics, but really that concern is simply common sense.]

I am, too. And if it's me asking for the help... [He has to smile a bit ruefully.] We might be more likely to have people offer to help if they think I will remember them and do them favors later.

[It's not a fact he likes of royal life, but it's a fact anyway and he'll use it.]

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra shrugs, unfazed by that.]

If they will help and make it easier for the children stranded here, then they'll have earned those favors.

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

Not necessarily, but that's another matter. Right now, if it gets us the help we need, then I'll use that status.

[And he's not letting go of her hands, instead starting to stroke her palms just a little with his thumbs.]

Can you think of anything you'll want?

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra's brow furrows as she tries to think about other things than Edgar's touch.]

Hm...other than plenty of space for the children to rest and play, I'm not sure. Probably a good-sized kitchen area and...I don't know what else. Maybe when I see the place for myself, I'll get more ideas.

[Or asking around might help, too.]

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

[He isn't really helping matters any.]

And others who would like to help will probably have more idea of what's needed for such a proposition than we do. [He's royal, he didn't exactly have a normal upbringing.] I think this will be a very good thing for this world, and for you, Terra.

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[She smiles at that, maybe blushing just a little.]

I'm glad to help. I wanted to do more for a while. Now it seems weird that I didn't think about this earlier.

[And, okay, staring down at their hands.]

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

You'll help plenty with this once we have everything set up properly.

[And then he notices what direction her eyes are straying in, looking at her with a little curiosity.]

Is there something wrong?

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[She's quick to shake her head.]

No, not at all. I was just a little distracted, but...you don't have to stop.

[Please don't? Or the wibbleface will happen.]

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

[And Edgar chuckles, squeezing her hands a little in his own.]

I would be very distraught if you wished me to stop.

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[She's pretty content to keep her hands with his, unless he wants to move away from the desk. But Terra herself doesn't seem to mind staying where they are, if Edgar doesn't.]

Really? Well, I wouldn't want that to happen.

[She leans a little, planting a light kiss on his cheek.]

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

[No, no, he's quite content where he is.]

Of course not.

[And he counters that with a very light kiss on the end of her nose. Just a little teasing.]

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[A slight surprised noise, then she smiles a bit.]

Someone's in a good mood today.

Oh, um, speaking of children...I brought someone back to Figaro with me. He was one of my companions in the Void, and I thought he might like it here. I should introduce you sometime.

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

Why should I not be in a good mood when I see you?

[But the slight tease fell away as she began to speak, and Edgar nodded once she was done.] I'd be honored to meet him. These other friends of yours have me curious.

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

He's a bit young...but like Relm, he played his part.

[Terra's smile returns as she tilts her head a little.]

Would you say that even if I checked to see if you were working too late again?

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

[He lets the first part go; Relm was young, but useful. And there's a chuckle at the second.] Perhaps not, but I think you'd be the hero of the rest of our friends for that. Especially Celes and Sabin.

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

I suppose, but I don't do it to impress them. I just...want to make sure you're alright. Is that too much?

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

As much as part of me objects to having my working time interrupted, I don't see how I can say no.

[That didn't sound very complimentary, but Edgar just had habits. Not necessarily good habits, but habits were hard to change.]

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[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra half-smiles at that. She doesn't expect such habits to change overnight, if it's possible at all.]

Good. It's not as though I would interrupt all the time.

[Just enough, from her point of view.]

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[sonoffigaro.livejournal.com]

[Probably not entirely.]

Perhaps we can place a restriction on it - say, no more than three times a week?