An Old Acquaintance [ Black Waltz 1 ]

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LAYERS OF HARMONY

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Alone for a while, I've been searching through the dark, For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart
To weave by picking up the pieces that remain, Melodies of life, love's lost refrain

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@pharaohleap

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Before Garnet stepped through the Treno’s Auction House thresholds, the Queen was granted a momentary pause as the sea of patrons began to murmur amongst themselves – their attention fixated on a singular object or person rather. Much to her relief, Garnet was pleased to know that she hadn’t drawn the attention of the surrounding noblemen and women, however, it was short lived as she’d heard a handful of their malicious jeers. In the grand scheme of things, a trivial matter such as how the resident of an allied nation interacted with one another within their borders, it should have matter naught. Yet to Queen Garnet, it struck a particular chord, resonating deep with in her. Her hand remained anchored against the well-worn wood of the door, hesitating to push it further open – ignoring the irritated murmurs from those immediately behind her. [break][break]
Garnet purposefully took a step back, taking a singular step forward as she began to maneuver herself through the crowd. She’d willingly taken a page from Zidane’s book, unafraid to periodically throw her shoulder into the mix, especially, if someone refused to move in spite of her quiet yet insistent requests. There wasn’t a singular doubt in the back of her mind, if Garnet had revealed herself as the Queen of Alexandria, they’d have parted like waves upon a rough sea, no doubt, the Treno Guard would have involved themselves as way to garner her favor. In a way, such behavior like that unnerved Garnet, providing her with no shortage of discomfort. Beneath the adopted façade of a regal Queen, Garnet was still someone who desired little more than to explore the wonders that the world had to offer, to adventure beside her beloved husband, Zidane. [break][break]
For the past two years, Garnet had denied herself such luxuries, willingly sacrificing a portion of her happiness for the sake of not only her people, but all the denizen of Gaia. What had it cost her though? Garnet’s close ties with her friends had weakened, her strained connection with the Eidolin borderline non-existent – with the exception of Ramuh. The wise Fulgarian had already chastised her, exclaiming that they’d ceased answering her pleas because she’d stopped being honest with herself – it was also the very reason she’d lost access to the unparallel might of Trance . Deep down, Garnet innately knew, letting such injustice stand was doing little more than continuing her pattern of self-dishonesty. Garnet ignored the seething from a noblewoman whom she’d nudged out of her way, gritting her teeth in unvoiced frustration as those shrill screeches assaulted her ears. [break][break]
The only response she deemed necessarily was a polite smile, one that was scarcely visible beneath the hood of her cowl, a contrite bow of her head. Garnet’s approach to the seemingly-hunchbacked individual began to slow, something felt off. Garnet’s heart began to hammer in her chest one her eyes settled upon an exposed talon, immediately reminding her of the pursuits of Black Waltz 3 and the horrors that its’ distant cousins had caused to countless cities. How is it still moving , Garnet mused as she’d forced herself proceed forward, her research into Kuja as well as the manufacturing process had predicted that seldom did any of the Mage-archetype constructs last longer than a year – much less the three that had passed. Beneath her cowl, Garnet found her hand instinctively drifting towards the Tiger Racket , her fingers nervously drumming against the metal. She couldn’t permit an outburst in such a densely populated area, it’d not only expose her, but it’d also place countless at risk. [break][break]
Garnet stopped a handful of feet away, purposefully standing still and lifting her hood back just a smidge, enough to ensure that the Black Waltz caught a glimpse of whom was hidden beneath. She remained stationary for a split second before she began to maneuver herself through the crowd before disappearing into a nearby adjacent alley. For the time being, all Garnet could do was see if her plow had worked and if the Waltz followed after her.

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LAYERS OF HARMONY

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Alone for a while, I've been searching through the dark, For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart
To weave by picking up the pieces that remain, Melodies of life, love's lost refrain

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@pharaohleap

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By the time Black Waltz no.1 had slid through the crowd and rounded the corner into the semi-secluded, filth-encrusted alleyway she’d disappeared into. Garnet had already pulled wrenched back her hood, exposing the entirety of her face as well as revealing the fact that she’d brandished her Tiger Racket , its’ sharpened claws glinting dangerously in the faint trickles of light that filtered in beyond the Waltz’s cumbersome wings. Garnet’s seemingly unoccupied hand began to radiate a faint glow, its’ radiance increased and pulsated softly in synchronization with the erratic beats of her heart. The faintest crackles of electricity could be heard, its’ presence lingering menacingly – promising swift retribution for any misdeeds. It hadn’t escaped her notice that faint tendrils of permafrost wafted from Waltz’ crow-like talon. [break][break]
“Black Waltz, report your objective, your Queen commands it.” [break][break]
In spite of herself, Garnet managed to muster the strength required to maintain firm yet commanding tone. Admittingly, Garnet had once braved instance such as these as frequently as she’d inhaled and exhaled, however, the past two years had altered her perception. The tantalizing euphoric rush of battle, the ever-present mystery of not knowing what waited around the next corner, and luxurious taste of freedom – things that she’d distanced herself from over the past two years. Those fears had been overwritten, replaced by an innate fear of stumbling as she’d met with the leaders of other countries, or that one would discover the truth regarding Alexandria’s new king apparent – very few knew of their marriage in the Outer Continent. She doubted most would recognize it, some would claim it was false, others would attempt to woo her with new suitors in an attempt to vie for another ounce of implied might. [break][break]
A singular ounce of Garnet’s innate power awakened within, Scan , Garnet thought to herself. Scarcely a second latter, a series of drone-like constructs manifested themselves, soundlessly whirling through the air, encircling Black Waltz . Each one fired off an assortment of red beams, each one attempting to lock on to a different part of Waltz, together they formed an all-encompassing network that worked its’ way top to bottom. She only prayed it would provide her with some much-needed information, perhaps insight to a weakness, especially if it took a sour turn for the worst. Regrettably, Garnet was hesitant to release Ramuh’s might, no doubt, there would be collateral damage and unwanted attention. [break][break]

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LAYERS OF HARMONY

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Alone for a while, I've been searching through the dark, For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart
To weave by picking up the pieces that remain, Melodies of life, love's lost refrain

[attr="class","kiminothing"]
@pharaohleap

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When the Black Waltz’ white eyes widened in shock, Garnet fought back the urge to smile, undeniable pleased with herself – her improvised farce had proved quite effective. Garnet kept her lips set in a firm line, patiently awaiting the Waltz’ response to her inquiry, a matter that had only taken a few seconds. The Black Waltz openly confessed that his original objective was to terminate her alleged kidnappers, despite in doing so, the Waltz had almost claimed the life of Steiner and Vivi; the former a highly-regarded Knight of Pluto and the latter an unsuspecting victim of circumstance. Truth be told, Black Waltz No. 1’s eagerness had almost proved his undoing, along with her caretakers, Garnet had almost perished, succumbing to the enticing allure of frigid that plagued the Ice Cavern – poignantly a place that she’d intended to return to. [break][break]
Garnet’s grip upon the Tiger Racket slackened slightly, patiently waiting for the Black Waltz to voice his conclusion. In response to her probing, Garnet nodded her head promptly, twice in succession, confirming that she’d ascended to the throne and Zidane and company had never truly kidnapped her – she’d willingly threw herself into that thieves’ arms. Zidane had served as a means to an end, one that had evolved exponentially during their travels. Garnet’s impassive façade lingered purposefully for a few seconds before Garnet’s lips parted, inhaling sharply once as she’d corrected her posture. Without further ado, Garnet took calculated, measured steps in Waltz’ direction, willingly dismissing a figment of her conjured might – utilizing theatrics to her benefit. It’d appeared Zidane’s lessons had taken a bit too well. [break][break]
To her surprise, the Waltz willingly submitted without further coercion, crumbling down towards the ground, his one knee connecting with a resounding thud. Garnet’s heart pounded against her ribcage, threatening to rip its’ way free as the Waltz correct himself, placing his free hand upon supporting knee. Within that hand, the Black Waltz held a singular object, a golden bell, if she’d recalled, Zidane had mentioned that bell possessed the ability to conjure forth frigid existence. What had he called it? Garnet mused to herself, it took a few more seconds before she’d recalled it, the Sealion . Frankly speaking, the fact the Waltz managed to conjure forth a creature was impressive in its’ own rite, it was a pseudo-summoning.
[break][break]
Summoning in itself was bordering a lost art, the last two practitioners, herself and Eiko Carol – until either of them produced an heir. Garnet subtly swallowed the lump forming in the back of her throat, willingly returning the glowing stone to its’ hiding spot in one of her numerous pockets. Hesitantly, Garnet placed her hand upon the offered hand, exerting a gentle pressure that hopefully prompted the Waltz to close his hand around the offered tribute, his bell. She said nothing for a time as she’d turned her attention inward, drawing forth the presence of her magic, willing it to escape her body, flowing freely from her hand. It would likely manifest itself as soft white motes of light that siphoned into the Waltz, mending any damage he’d sustained in his gesture and likely prior. Cure , she reaffirmed in her mind. [break][break]


“Rise, Black Waltz, I have a new mission for you. I am undertaking a matter of utmost priority, I want you to watch from the shadows...” [break][break]

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LAYERS OF HARMONY

[attr="class","kiminolyric2"]
Alone for a while, I've been searching through the dark, For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart
To weave by picking up the pieces that remain, Melodies of life, love's lost refrain

[attr="class","kiminothing"]
@pharaohleap

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Unbeknownst to Black Waltz No. 1, Garnet taken a leap of faith of her own, placing herself in harms way as part of a gambit – banking on the Black Waltz’ core protocol remaining active. What if his protocol had been corrupted like his predecessors? Garnet internalized, unsure of she’d have proceeded should that turn of events come to fruition. If nothing else, Garnet certainly could had taken a page or two from Zidane’s lengthy book, electing to improvise it on the fly – a noteworthy example was when she’d poisoned an entire banquet to Sleep Weed in an effort to escape Lindblum undeterred with Steiner’s aid. In her personal opinion, too many nobles relied upon their wealth, their beauty, and their status. Isolated from the world by her own mother, the deceased Queen Brahne, Garnet had been forced to discover another tool at her disposal – her unquavering wit. [break][break]
Dr. Tot had often preached the importance of knowledge, how it was a synonymous with power – albeit it was far less prone to fallibility. Overtime, Garnet had discovered that a manicured dialogue or a pointed look disarmed as effectively as a blade. For that very reason, Garnet viewed each meeting of Alexandria and its’ allies as a battlefield, it was for the very reason, she’d taken it upon herself to provide a strong front. How did that pertain to her current precarious situation? How she proceeded forward required a delicate and insightful touch. Her suspicions erring her to proceed forward with caution, if she’d revealed too much, it could jeopardize her mission and cause undue tension between the Empires – undoing everything she’d struggled to achieve. [break][break]
Gaia as it presently stood was in a state of peace, albeit, it was strained – notably between the Beurmecian and the Empire of Alexandria. Not that she faulted her for their distrust, Queen Brahne had demolished Cleyra and ordered the eradication of countless in their home city in pursuit of power. If it became public knowledge that the Queen of Alexandria’s ability to conjure for Gaia’s deities, it presented itself as weakness. Not to mention, the last time they’d been controlled by another, three cities were decimated in a matter of hours. For that very reason, Garnet kept the matter private, less than ten people on Gaia were privy to the truth. Garnet forced herself to nod as Black Waltz inquired about the nature of their mission. [break][break]

“I am undertaking a pilgrimage, one to grow stronger so that I may continue to protect not only my Kingdom but its’ citizens. ” [break][break]