[Action - Figaro Castle]

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[Locke is seated at a table with all sorts of maps surrounding him. He's trying to decide where they should hunt treasure. In his pile are maps of Zanarkand, Treno, Figaro, Wutai, etc. Between all the guardians and everything else, he hasn't had any time to relax.]

Comments

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra yawns as she enters the area, fighting off the urge to nap. It's been a long day and she was up early. But seeing Locke prompts her curiosity and she moves over to him.]

What are you up to, Locke?

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[Locke grins from behind the maps.]

There's a lot of treasure out there waiting to be found!

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[She shakes her head, a small smile on her lips.]

After all this time, some things don't change.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[He gives her a quick smile.]

Somebody has to free all that treasure and Edgar hardly ever leaves the castle.

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

That's true.

[And then she bites her lip.]

...are you going now?

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

Me and Celes were going to go treasure hunting!

[He drops his enthusiasm at Terra's response as concerned brother figure steps in.]

Why? Isn't Edgar doing better?

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

What? ...oh, he is, it's just...I don't want you and Celes to get hurt like he did.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[Locke gives Terra a playful smirk.]

I'll be careful.

[He waves the maps lightly.]

I'm looking for the safer path.

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra nods, though she doesn't look entirely convinced.]

Will you promise?

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[He nods his head slowly.]

Terra, I promise we'll be safe.

[He looks concerned. She's been worried too much lately.]

Do you want me to cancel it?

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[She's tempted, but shakes her head.]

...no. It might be your last chance to do something fun for a while. I don't want to ruin that.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[Even though they would have canceled it for Terra, he's really glad that he can get away with Celes for even a little bit.

Even so, Terra's here now and he pushes the maps to the side for the moment patting the chair beside him inviting her to stay. He's available to listen if that's what she needs.]

We're not leaving today.

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra takes the hint and sits down beside him.]

When, then?

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[He's not quite sure yet.]

When I'm sure you're all right.

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra shakes her head.]

There's always going to be something, Locke. If you need to go...don't let me keep you.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[He nervously pulls on his bandanna.]

I'm not heading out today. Terra, tell me what's going on.

[He knows he hasn't quite been there for her since his return, but he can fix that.]

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra stares downward.]

We all survived Kefka's defeat, but...we probably won't be so lucky, this time. I'm scared of who we'll lose.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[Locke considers making light of the situation, but that wouldn't do Terra any good.]

It's going to be tough, but we'll win.

[At what cost, he himself even wondered.]

But we'll look out for each other.

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[She looks up and draws in a deep breath, nodding.]

That's the most we can do, I know. I'll try to make sure that no one falls, not if I can help it.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

I'll protect you.

[He wasn't really worried. Between Terra and Celes' skills, he'd be safe enough. He turned to her and grinned.]

Then you'll be safe enough to keep us healed!

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Locke's confidence in her caused a smile to form.]

Of course. I'll do whatever I can, always.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

I know. You always have. Even in the caves of Narshe.

[He takes a long hard look at Terra, knowing he can't do everything for her and with Edgar around he's needed for less, but he's still here for her now and wants her to know he'll still do anything for her.]

Terra. I'm still her for you.

[heavenslament.livejournal.com]

[Terra leans in, resting her head on his shoulder and giving him a side-hug.]

I know. Thank you, Locke. That means so much to me.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[Locke wraps his arm around Terra, with a warm smile. She means just as much to him.]

[stragothemagus.livejournal.com]

[Strago enters the room, finally arrived at the desert castle. He sees Locke looking at various maps of various places.]

What are you planning to do now?

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[Locke smirks, looking over at Strago.]

These treasures can't hide from me for long.

[stragothemagus.livejournal.com]

Hmph.

[Frowns a bit.]

Just don't do anything foolish, like angering a Behemoth or something.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

That Behemoth never woke up!

[And he got the treasure, oh yeah he gives a smirk.]

[stragothemagus.livejournal.com]

[Cue eye-rolling.]

Probably because it didn't feel like attacking a thief in its territory.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

Or I was sneaky!

[stragothemagus.livejournal.com]

[Chuckles.]

I see...

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[Locke nods his head smirking. He knows he's a good treasure hunter.]

[stragothemagus.livejournal.com]

[And he has a pretty blonde general looking out for him, too.]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[At some point, Celes will meander in and blink at the maps.]

Does this mean we're still on for Zanarkand?

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[He has a huge grin on his face.]

I hope you like it there!

[And she'll find that the main map he's been studying has been Zanarkand's.]

There's lots more tunnels than I've ever been in!

[He wants to be careful that he doesn't place Celes in any unnecessary danger.]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

I'm going there with you. Of course I will.

[She peers over the map.]

It'll be interesting. When were you thinking of going?

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[He stops staring at the map, to give Celes a grin.]

Now?

[He knows that's probably not possible, but he's excited about this little trip.]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Maybe.

[She sits down and leans over the map.]

Maybe before or after we go myrrh hunting again, while we're already out and about.

[ pause ]

I've missed doing that with you.

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[Locke tugs lightly on his bandanna as his cheeks darken lightly.]

It's always more fun with you.

[But he knows everything has and will continue to be crazy and he can't just run off and play all the time.]

We'll get a chance real soon.

[Hopefully sooner than later, so they can find that earring's match.]

Have you gotten a chance to visit Zanarkand?

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

[She shakes her head.]

No, I haven't. I've been meaning to, especially since you turned back up there. What's it like?

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[He snakes his free arm around her, while pointing at the map with his other.]

This is where I arrived and there's the elevator right there.

{He thinks about the city.]

It's pretty and sad. It was really nice, but...you might see visions of me and others.

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

Visions?

[She leans into the embrace just a little bit, glancing at the map as he talks.]

What do you mean? What kind of visions?

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

[He likes how well she fits by his side.]

[He wishes he knew better how to explain it, but since he knows more than she does...]

I ... saw myself down there...

[His face tells how weird and strange it was.]

[magitekrune.livejournal.com]

How? Doing what?

[She's curious. Very curious.]

Or is it one of those things that's easier to see for myself?

[notathiefcole.livejournal.com]

Um... I guess you do, but don't be surprised if you see what I did last time I was there. Remember when I was there with Rinoa a while ago? I saw it...

[he turns to Celes smiling. ]

It's really neat!