Winter in Alexandria

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

Characters: Marquis Halim Ondore IV & OPEN to whomever
Progress: Incomplete
Summary: After quitting Lindblum with the Onion Knight in tow, the Marquis finally makes his way to fair Alexandria.
Location: Alexandria, the town.
Date: January 1804
Warnings: None


While the journey to Alexandria may have been a long one, these two unlikely adventurers managed to reach the town just a minute after two. Riding from Lindblum to the South Gate proved to be arduous than the Marquis assumed, a pleasant surprise. With the Onion Knight towing along, this slightly boring trip turned out to be a tad more pleasant than it should have been if Ondore decided to venture alone. Grateful for the young knight's companionship, Ondore hoped that his nice wouldn't mind if he invited the young man to visit her and Lord Nabradia. Certain that the young queen wouldn't shun his newly made friend, the Marquis led the way towards the rural town thanks to the helpful guide of some of the wayfarers they met at the gate.

"Ah, so this is Alexandria?" Halim questioned aloud as he gawked at the whimsical scenery before him. While winter chill still clung within the air, this beautiful town reminded him a little of fair Bhujerba. Perhaps it was the more laid-back atmosphere that made him think of his homeland but whichever the case, the Marquis certainly felt at home here.

"Come now, we mustn't linger for lo-" Ondore's words were cut short once he realized his faithful companion seemed to have wandered off into the crowd. With a deep sigh, the Marquis decided to search for the nearest inn on his lonesome.

Comments

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"No, no, it was my fault. I should have watched where I was going," replied Dagger, as she readjusted her hood.

Her first thought was of retreat; say her apologies, move on, don't look suspicious. But she stopped, realizing that she didn't recognize the man's accent, and found herself strangely interested.

"I hope I'm not being too forward, but you're one of the Sky People, aren't you? I've never heard an accent like yours before."

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

The Marquis was just about to continue along his way until the girl questioned him about his accent. With a polite nod in confirmation, Ondore chose to answer the young woman's inquiry. "Aye. That I am. One of many who you and your people refer to as 'Sky People'. Although, such a title has stronger ties with the likes of I for I do hail from a continent that does travel across the skies of Ivalice." His smile widened for a moment as he regarded the youth.

Unlike many who do hail from Bhujerba, this young woman possessed dark features that are more common amongst Rozarrians. Her eyes were as dark as the darkest shadows of night and judging by the wisp of her bangs, her hair seemed just as dark. He couldn't make out her face well thanks to that hood she wore but she clearly wasn't of Dalmascan nor Archadian heritage.

“Tell me, young one…” His tone is forever polite and soothing. “Are you a native of Gaia?”

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Dagger blinked. A continent that floats across the sky? How could such a thing be possible? How could a continent... Float? Perhaps despite her better judgment, Garnet reached for her hood and drew it back, so as not to shadow her face so much.

"Yes, I am. Alexandria is my home," she said with a smile.

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

"Ah, so you would make a perfect tour guide." Ondore chuckled lightly since it seems that this girl isn't another wandering 'Sky Person'. "Although, it seems you are in a bit of a hurry and I would dislike intruding upon your kindness." While he was, sure he never seen the youth before, the girl seemed to be quite familiar to him. Perhaps once before he gazed upon such a cherubic face but the Marquis couldn't think of such a time; therefore such a time didn't exist.

"Tis so impolite for me to ask of your aid without even introducing myself." Certain that his title truly would mean nothing to average townsfolks the Marquis decided to live out his title for now. "I am Halim, it is a pleasure to meet you."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"It's nice to meet you, Halim. My name is Dagger," she replied. She was as polite as she could manage, even as she pushed down a slowly blooming anxiety. It wasn't that she was afraid of him, certainly not, he seemed a very kindly gentleman. No, she was more anxious that she might somehow be roped into playing the part of a tour guide, when really, she needed to get to the inn as quickly as possible; she really shouldn't have lingered about for too long, surely someone would recognize her...

"I wish I could help you, but I am sort of in a hurry. There's someone I'm out to visit today..." but a longer look at Halim, and she softened just a bit. She just wouldn't feel right, leaving a stranger in her homeland to wander. "...But if there's somewhere you're trying to get to, I could help you find that, at least."

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

Noting that the young woman seemed to be hesitant to assist, the Marquis was about to part with a 'Good day' until Dagger proved otherwise. "Ah?" It took Halim a moment to realize that the lass wished to help. "Are you certain I am not intruding too much? While I am thankful of your help, perhaps it would best for I to save such sightseeing for later. Although, I do not know where the nearest inn is." It was rather cold out, just as icy as it was in Lindblum, not very good weather for sightseeing even if the Marquis vowed to do such later.

"You truly have my thanks nonetheless, Dagger." Halim stated with a slight bow.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

The inn. Curse her luck! There was only one Inn within the royal city, and it was exactly where she had been planning on going herself. Well, maybe it wasn't such horrible luck... after all, he was probably just looking for someplace to stay.

"I can show you exactly where that is, if you'd like! It's no trouble at all."

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

"Hanta! I can finally bid my farewell to this chilly weather." Considering that, Alexandria lacked the help of actual guides to usher the tourists about, the Marquis surely did appreciate this young girl’s help. Eagerly ushering for Dagger to lead the way, Halim allowed his eyes to wander. While he was certain that his young companion would do well on his own here in Alexandria, Ondore couldn’t help but be somewhat worried for the nameless Onion Knight. The young boy seemed so eager to explore this town, eager enough to leave the poor Marquis worried for the youth’s wellbeing. He wasn’t very sure if he would see that boy again but he hoped the lad would at least remember to keep his helmet on straight.

“Hm...?” Catching the sight of a few woman guards nearby, Ondore couldn’t help but wonder why Alexandria seemed to be such heightened alert. “I hope this isn’t a normal feat.” Halim muttered quietly as he followed with Dagger’s lead.

“The city, it seems as if many are on edge.”

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Perhaps coincidentally, Dagger pulled her hood forward a bit more, as she lead the way. Down cobblestone roads, past bundled merchants and smiths, the young mage wove her way through the sparse streets.

"Everyone is still on high alert, after that invasion. Normally, being above the mist, the monsters never make it into the city borders. With the number of casualties..." she paused, a hitch in her voice. "Some are in mourning. Everyone is growing more and more restless. Especially with all that's happened in the last few months."

It only served to remind Garnet of all that troubled her. Her country, her friends... her own life, so tumultuous and uncertain, and constantly under a glass. Even the most frazzled civilian had an opinion.

"...Have you only just arrived in Gaia? Or did you come from another city?"

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

Not noticing the change in Dagger's demeanor at all, Halim walked with her in silence as she explained the current worried status of her fellow citizens. "The invasion. Aye, I have heard some talk referencing that from other townsfolk." Especially since the Marquis tends to keep his ears ready for any news or rumors that may circulate out of habit since the quarrels in Ivalice began. This is how he managed to be one-step ahead of the Empire while secretly funding the Resistance within Rabanstre.

“They claim that a wild man with hell blazing within his eyes stormed the palace recently. I must say, such news nearly deterred me from visiting Alexandria but I have family to meet with.” Such family being the Lady of Dalmasca herself and her newly born son, Ondore wasn’t going to miss the opportunity of seeing them both in person.

“The latter, I’ve just quit Lindblum about several days or so after my audience with the Regent.” It seemed that little bit of information accidentally slipped out but Halim hoped that the girl missed that part once they walked past a few noisy vendors.

"I-in any case, it's been a rather daunting journey so far."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"You mean, on the Queen's birthday?" It was always a bit strange, speaking of herself in the third person, but mention of Kefka and his malicious antics had grabbed her attention. "Strange... he's not been back to Alexandria... it seems he'd rather spread chaos everywhere, than concentrate on a single target."

Unfortunately for Halim, Dagger did catch the mention, and she stopped in her tracks. "You've met with Regent Cid?"

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

"Aye, I speak of him. The madman who travels across the land with little respect for life. I detest him." While news of Kefka has been scarce, Ondore does remember hearing a little about this lunatic from Ashelia's desperate cry for help amongst allies and friends alike. It troubled him that this sorcerer managed to agitate his niece but it troubled him more that Kefka hasn't been brought to justice as of yet. Perhaps one day he shall look into the matter himself but maybe by then Kefka's Tour of Destruction will be over.

"Kastam..." Mentally scorning himself for being too loosed-lipped, Halim decided to answer the girl's inquiry with a slight nod. "Indeed, I have. Regent Cid Fabool IX is a rather honorable man. He and his people have done much to ease the transition for the Sky People who wander through Gaia aimlessly. It was my desire to meet with this great man so we could talk about the current climate of Gaia's plight." With this he decided perhaps, it was time to drop his façade as a mere commoner and just admit truth to the Dagger. Despite popular beliefs, Ondore isn’t fond of lying.

"Remember the floating continent I've mentioned earlier, Dagger?" A warm smile settled upon his aged features. "Tis the kingdom I rule, it called 'Bhujerba'."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"The Regent is a good man. And Lindblum and Alexandria have been allies for many years."

Dagger pressed her lips together. She didn't expect that Cid would tell her of every person he's ever met with... but she expected to at least be kept in the loop. Considering his audience with the Regent had been fairly recent, she could only assume his presence had not been known to Cid until after the meeting of the Heads of State. Otherwise, he certainly would have been there... right?

"'Bhujerba?'" she repeated, as if trying the word out for herself. Such exotic names these places had, and she'd heard many of them til now. The prospect of a floating continent intrigued her once more, and she could not help the light that came to her eyes, the curiosity that was evident in her visage.

"Tell me... how does a continent float?" She had seen the Chocobo's Air Garden... was it something like that, she wondered...

[marquisofthesky.livejournal.com]

Learning that little tidbit of information would prove to be very useful for Ondore in the near future but for now, it shall linger as a mere note. He haven't gotten the chance to learn much about Gaia's history so far but perhaps someday he will divulge within the archives of an esteemed library to learn all he could about this foreign world. As of now, he will simply have to make due with not being as knowledge as he may wish about Gaia's history.

"Tis a good quality to show such curiosity but I am afraid that my answer may be far too lengthy to keep your attention for long." Halim replied with a faint smile. "To speak of Bhujerba means to mention the larger continent of Dorstonis and to speak of Dorstonis means for me to speak of the floating islands of Purvama." He made sure that the pronunciation of these foreign names came slowly as he spoke for Halim was worried that he would confuse Dagger if he spoke too quickly.

“Purvama, also known as 'The Floating Islands' is as you guess a cluster of floating landmasses that sail the skies of Ivalice. Some are found directly above the Naldoan Sea while others tend to meander about freely because of the precious sky stones that govern their movement. Bhujerba is located upon the magicite enriched soil of Dorstonis. It is the magicite, these magical stones that grant Dorstonis’s flight. In Bhujerba, we mine for magicite for various reasons but we careful to not abuse the land’s wealth for if we did, Bhujerba would fall to the oceans below.”

Halim chuckled lightly at that morbid thought. “Or so the moogles claim. They are the wisest amongst my people because they are the original inhabitants of Dorstonis.”

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"Floating islands... Sky Stones... it all sounds so fantastical, I could hardly believe it." That wasn't to say she didn't believe it... She'd seen enough 'impossible' things in her life, that there was very little she could not believe anymore.

A pause. "I wish that I could see it myself."

She turned her head to look at the Marquis, as they continued down the street. "I don't think the moogles here ever had their own country."