Drake paced the ship as they got close to the castle. He was nervous; worried... he was going to be in so much trouble. He knew it. There was no avoiding it. There was no way Eclipse spent this whole time in Alexandria... was there? Moreover, even if he had, would he be mad at Drake for running off to the arctic? He wasn't supposed to go where it was cold and he really wasn't supposed to go see Severo; not even if Chaucer invited/ordered Drake to go with him again.

He had a bag hidden in his room on the ship, a bag full of his regular clothes, clothes more suitable for warm weather. He'd changed and hid his winter coat... still nervous, though. He checked Vanda to be sure she didn't have any snow on her or anything, sometimes Celestina had some... he guessed, because Eclipse always seemed to know where he went with her.
When the ship docked, Drake slunk off and quickly ran around to the outside entrance to the tower and opened the door.

 

Eclipse was right behind the door; he had been looking for Drake since he had got back to the palace, and already had the appearance of being very tired of it, even though he had only checked the tower so far.
Any positive emotion he showed at seeing Drake was perhaps only being glad that he would not have to expend any more effort looking for him. He looked the boy over and spotted the bags he was carrying, and the bird.

“Oh good, you're already packed...” Eclipse noted, though he wasn't sure how Drake knew that they were heading back to Alexandria.
The man in the dark red robes crossed his arms and his face went even sterner. “But leave the bird here,” he instructed.

 

Drake stared at Eclipse. Then Vanda, then Eclipse. “… Yes, sir.” He replied and ran up to his room, not looking back.
He put Vanda into the keep and quickly packed new clothes then ran back downstairs.
Don’t ask why you needed to be packed, don’t ask, don’t ask...

 

Eclipse had more important things to worry about. Like why the stupid airship pilot was heading away from the ship, and getting his own luggage loaded on board.

It was important that they hurry back to Alexandria. Eclipse didn't trust that stupid fat queen, and much less her plan. It was a good thing that he had plans of his own, too.

“Hurry up!” Eclipse snapped at Drake, and Ellipsis who had also come down the stairs after Drake with his own bags. Now it made sense to him, Ellipsis must have told the boy before he could.

 

“Someone’s in a bad mood,” Drake noted.

He sped up, because he wasn’t stupid, and only stopped to talk to the pilot.

“No, no. Back on the ship,” he whispered.

“What? You’re leaving again?”

Drake narrowed his eyes, lowering his voice even more; this fool was going to get them all in trouble. Him for taking Drake, Ellipsis for not noticing, and Drake for… obvious reasons. “You say another word; I’ll tell Chaucer what really happened to his airship and why we really have to use mine.” His father's airship had a rather bad landing when the mist suddenly disappeared and the piloted had fallen asleep. He got his ship, the Veşnic Viaţă, as a fake birthday gift to replace the old airship.

“So! Where are you three headed?” The pilot asked, taking Drake’s bag and heading for the ship.

 

Eclipse wasn't really in a socializing mood. In fact, he never was, but in this case, he was even more of an antisocial mood than usual. Therefore, lucky for Drake, he didn't hang around him, Ellipsis, or the pilot for long. Just long enough to bark orders to depart as soon as the ship was ready. He did apparently have some orders, though.

“Drake!” Eclipse called him to come over, out of earshot of the pilot or anyone else.

 

“Are we playing poker or gin?” Drake asked.

“Poker,” The pilot replied.

Drake looked back at his card then dropped them and walked over to Eclipse.

 

The pilot grabbed Drake’s cards and looked at them. “… Again, if he asks, we’re playing Poker. Or at least we are now.”

 

Ellipsis looked over at Drake’s cards, too, and then his own. “… Poker it is.”

 

The two spent a little while longer looking at their own cards before mutually deciding to forget about the game entirely and heading off to do whatever they should be doing.

 

“I need you to try and convince that princess that opening the door is a good idea.” Eclipse instructed. “My... sources have told me that Zidane is away, so you should have plenty of time to work on her.”

 

Spend time with Garnet? Alone? Yes! But… wait… “Sources? You were there a week, didn’t you see him leave?” Drake asked, and then thought better of including anything else other than, “I mean… yes, sir.”

 

Eclipse was actually more concerned that he had let slip that he hadn't been in Alexandria all week, and that Drake had picked up on it. Though the latter part he couldn't be angry about. He trained Drake to be perceptive. It was a little comforting to know that all the time had not been wasted.

“Focus on the task,” Eclipse gave in way of his answer. It was a neutral reply, which said he wasn’t angry at him, but to mind his own business.

 

Drake decided he’d accept that answer and not ask many questions… he did make note that he’d need to find out who these ‘sources’ were. However, something was bothering him. “Why is Ellipsis coming? You two never go anywhere at the same time anymore.”

 

“He'll be staying on the ship, unless he's needed.” Eclipse told the boy. He wanted to be able to slip away unnoticed if he felt the need to. It would be a lot easier if Ellipsis was around. Besides, no one would be snooping around on the ship, so the chance of Ellipsis being found out were minimal.

 

“Mm hm…” Drake was somewhat curious about this, but he let it go. “Anything else?”

 

“Just that in a little under a week, there is a world leaders meeting in Lindblum, as you should already know. We need to head back to the palace at least a day or two before that. You are expected to be at the meeting, along with your parents.” Eclipse recalled, spitting out the last words with distaste. He still hated having to deal with them.

 

“Fine,” Drake concluded and walked to his room, he was still somewhat mad about the events that had taken place last time he was in Alexandria… or at least remembered he should be mad and that for appearance sake he still should be.

Truth was, though, he was too giddy about being able to spend time with Garnet, and that he wasn’t being punished to truly be mad.
When they arrived, he was the first off the ship.

 

Ellipsis of course, stayed on the ship, which was no real hardship because the rooms were quite luxurious anyway. Meanwhile Eclipse casually climbed down the steps of the gangplank with ease and headed into the castle with a slow and seemingly carefree pace. He was looking for the Queen...

 

Drake easily found Garnet, and she seemed happy to see him, which was a relief.


Brahne saw Drake and was a bit curious… she hadn’t told him to come. Her curiosity was cured when she looked over and saw Eclipse.
“Ah… Master Eclipse… I, mm, I wasn’t expecting you. You’re not upset about that incident with Zidane’s new jet, right? That really wasn’t my fault…”

 

“Children will be morons,” Eclipse hissed. He wasn't really mad at the Queen, though back at the Daguerreo palace, there would have been no way that a surprise like that would have been a surprise to him. He made sure he knew anything and everything that went on. Moreover, he would not have let Zidane, or his little criminal friends go around unwatched.

 

“Yes, I mean... he did get on the jet and didn't have to.” Brahne added, thinking and hoping that's what Eclipse meant.

 

Eclipse waved his hand dismissively. He really didn't care to waste his time in idle chatter about things that he didn't really care about anymore. “Where is Zidane?” He asked. Though his sources told him Zidane was gone, he didn't know where to. Eclipse didn't want the boy messing with the secrets of Terra. Not until the right time.

 

“Uh, he went to Oeilvert with Captain Steiner. There was some problem there with people breaking in and getting hurt…” Brahne explained. “I’m not sure, really, when they will be back…”

 

Eclipse closed his eyes and took a slow deep breath. The way you do when you are dealing with an idiot, and are trying so hard to not just smack them upside the head. “You didn't think to make sure they will return before the meeting?”

“Of course I did! I told Steiner about the meeting, I’m sure he’ll…” Brahne had to think about that for a moment. “I’m sure he’ll try to get back in time…”

 

'Steiner? Oh yes, the Knight that reminds me of that guard that keeps falling over, with the addition that he's more out of shape and apparently can't keep his armor rust-free.' Eclipse recalled. “Well, at least we can still work at convincing the other world leaders it has to be done.” He decided, he'd have been mad if Zidane's presence had been absolutely critical.

 

“Yes, I did speak with them, briefly.” Brahne said, feeling the need to mention it. “But hardly anyone seems all that concerned. I mean, a few of them are a bit troubled by the situation, but they are worried about bringing that up in Lindblum, as Regent Cid has already stated he doesn’t care where Zidane is truly from.”

 

“We're going to have to make sure the Regent doesn't become a problem.” Eclipse pointed out. Cid was a pretty easy-going ruler, and had been a huge supporter of Zidane during the brief but amazingly destructive world crisis. It was unlikely that his opinion would be swayed easily. Therefore, they would have to find another way...

 

“What’s that on your arm?” Garnet asked, looking at Drake’s right wrist.

Drake looked down, trying to see what she meant… he had a lot of marks on his arm.

“That scar around your wrist.” Garnet took his hand and pulled his glove down a bit. It was a scar, but it went around his entire wrist. “What made that?”

“Oh.” Drake gave a nod, “Handcuffs. Very sadistic method Pricilla used to try and make me miss my flight home a few years ago. I had to break the chain to get free.”

Garnet blinked a bit. “Ah… that caused the scar?”

“Not exactly… I made a mistake when I got home.” Drake informed, with a slight smile at her.

“What mistake?”

“I said ‘Hey, Eclipse. Can you get this off?’ when he was in a bad mood.”

Garnet almost laughed, but it seemed too sad. “… I suppose it’s better than a ‘and that’s how I got this unusual bracelet’ story.”

“I figure so.” Drake nodded, smiling.

 

“So, why are you here?” Garnet asked.

“I don’t have the slightest idea… truly. However, while I am here I do have to discuss some things with you… I’m a bit more familiar with the majority of the world leaders, and they’re still concerned about The Secrets of Terra.” Drake put in, keeping his voice light.

“Oh? … That isn’t good.” Garnet worried, that problem had been on her mind a lot.

“No, it isn’t. They plan on confronting him at the next meeting.” Drake informed, knowing that was surely what Brahne had planned.

“Oh… I promised to play tea party with Eiko then…” Garnet sighed.

Drake smiled, slightly. “Not a problem. I have a few ideas that should keep him out of trouble…”

 

 

 

 

 

“He can be quite stubborn at times…” Brahne sighed. “And I’m afraid he still doesn’t trust me…”

Just then, Garnet walked in. “I think Captain Steiner is going to need the rest of the day off…”

Brahne was somewhat startled to hear they were back so soon. “Why, dear?”

“He just got off the jet, and he’s really not looking to good… and I’m fairly sure Lana, Drake and Zidane aren’t helping…”

 

In the background, faint comments about flying speed and airsickness were mentioned along with Steiner screaming for them to shut up about it.

 

Eclipse was also a little surprised that they were back already. How odd, maybe he had underestimated the boy's drive not to open the door. Well, no matter. He didn't show any of his surprise to Garnet. Just manipulated her mind to slightly suggest that he wasn't even there. Didn't want her to grow suspicious.

 

The next couple of days passed without anything too interesting happening, at least for Eclipse. In fact it was being so unproductive, that Eclipse came to Drake that day and informed him that it was time to go home.

 

When they landed, Drake felt... odd. It was late, he figured he was just tired, but something was definitely wrong.
“I'm tired, I'm going to bed.” He announced and walked up to his room.
Two seconds later, he ran full speed back down the stairs. “Changed my mind, going to go say 'hi' to Chaucer!”

 

Eclipse's hand darted out like a frog's tongue catching a fly as he grabbed the boy's collar as he tried to go past. He had still been at the bottom of the stairs, in no real hurry to climb the tower.

“What's wrong with you?” He asked, suspicious of the boy's actions. He hated seeing his father...and it was too fast for even Drake to have accidentally set the tower on fire.

 

Drake choked from the sudden stop and tried to pull away before explaining, having forgotten what good that would do. “Let go, let go, just let go!”

“Drakey! I saw you!” Pricilla shouted, walking down the stairs.

 

Eclipse let go of Drake's collar, a tiny bit startled, but mostly because it all made sense now. Besides, if Drake could run, that meant Pricilla would follow him and be away from his room.

As for Ellipsis, well... for some reason he seemed to have completely disappeared into thin air.

 

Drake ran, Pricilla did follow.

“Why are you running?!”

“People tend to do that when they see monsters!” Drake replied, and he should know.

They weren’t paying attention to where they were running, and had a head on collision with Chaucer.
Chaucer yelled, tried to regain his balance… and fell into the reflection pool.

Drake and Pricilla stared and Chaucer started screaming words that… well, were the common language terms for Drake’s favorite Occultation words and not at all something either Drake or Pricilla had ever seen Chaucer use.

The guards ran over and helped him out. “I think you’ve sprained your ankle, sir.”

“Ugh! I’m supposed to attend a meeting in Lindblum!” Chaucer groaned.

“It’s not a good idea, you could hurt yourself worse.” A guard said, truly concerned.

“…” Chaucer looked at Drake and Pricilla who were glaring at each other as a means of deciding who would take the blame for this. However, Chaucer hadn’t seen who’d hit him… he sighed. “Dracula…You’ll have to go instead.”

 

There was a sound like distant hysterical laughter; it only lasted a second, and was so faint and short lived that it could have easily been some strange bird's call.

Eclipse had just been passing a window in the tower that looked into the palace when all this had happened, so he saw the king fall into the pool out the corner of his eye, and backed up to check if his peripheral vision was accurate. He quickly made his way down there when he saw his eyes weren't playing tricks on him, and was watching from the shadows. This was fortuitous, now he wouldn't have to break the oldot's (this is not a typo it’s a naughty word) leg or something himself.

 

“What meeting?” Pricilla asked.

“Oh, hello Empress Pricilla…” Chaucer sighed, wanting to get away from them as fast as possible, as usual.

“Hello, sir!” Pricilla chirped. “Are you okay? That was an awful fall.”

Chaucer smiled at that, that girl was everything he could want in a child. So energetic, so colorful, so happy, so respectful, so… everything Drake was not.

Drake was looking around wondering what that weird sound had been.

“I’m alright. Ah, the meeting with the World Leaders, I assumed you knew about it.”

“I didn’t…” Pricilla looked curious about that, then her eyes darted to Drake and she got an evil grin. “I should go with you, Drakey! Save resources; no need to use two airships.”

“That sounds like a grand plan. You two have fun,” Chaucer said and limped to his room with the help of one of his guards.

 

Eclipse shook his head. Were Drake and his parents the only people in the whole of Gaia that Pricilla was truthfully nice too? Though he would have to use the term 'nice to Drake' loosely. She was such a duplicitous girl. So much so that Eclipse was unsure if she was really in love with Drake, or if it was all just some weird twisted plan to become ruler of his kingdom too. Eclipse decided he would have to think about it when he could actually be bothered… it might be useful; Pricilla had managed to fool all the other rulers into adoring her, treating her like their daughter… she had influence with them that might be useful, and she adored Drake which Eclipse could use as collateral…

“OH! Won’t this be fun? We’ll get to spend the entire time together! Oh, it’s going to be so perfect! A romantic little trip!” Pricilla cheered.

Drake pushed her into the reflection pool.

 

Pricilla screamed as she fell, but Drake knew there was enough water in there for her not to be harmed… unfortunately, “You’re a suck up.”

Pricilla spat out water as she came back up. “And you’re rude!”

“So why won’t you leave me alone?” Drake countered.

“I’m madly in love with you,”

“You’re mad alright. If you don’t stay away from me, I’ll drown you.” Drake warned, and meant it.

“Oh hush, I’m going to marry you.”

“And if I’m ever drunk or drugged enough to let that happen, I’ll do to you what you did to your husband.”

Pricilla laughed a low, wicked laugh, looking him in the eye. “Oh, trust me… you won’t get the chance.”

Drake stared back for a minute then shuddered and walked back to his room.

 

Eclipse had to admit, he liked the girl's style, sometimes anyway. The worse she was to the young Prince, the greater punishment threat she became. She didn't know it, but perhaps she was more useful at keeping Drake in line than even Ellipsis was.

The concealed man drifted deeper into the shadows and then seemed to vanish completely. He had a few minutes while Pricilla went to dry off and change in which he could use to talk to Drake about the World Leaders Meeting.

 

Drake hid in his room and let Vanda out of her cage. He lay on the bed reading and she hopped around behind him.
Pricilla hated the birds almost as much as Eclipse. Drake doubted Pricilla would get too close while Vanda was out.

 

No longer hiding in shadows and again out in the open, the man wearing heavy red robes made his way quickly up the stairs of the tower.

Eclipse was unaware of the owl being out of the cage when he walked into Drake's room.

 

Vanda flipped out. She flew up, ready to attack Eclipse, but Drake grabbed her before anything bad could happen… to her.
“…Vanda’s lose.” He stated and walked back to his bed, petting his favorite little owl.

 

Eclipse almost sighed, but he remembered that Pricilla would be eager to come and bug Drake again, so he hurried along.

“We need to talk,” he said simply. Obviously not tempted to venture further into the room.

 

Drake looked back at him. “About?”

 

“The meeting.” Eclipse informed, as if it should be obvious, even though as far as Drake knew, Eclipse hadn't even seen Chaucer get hurt.

 

“Oh. What about it?” Drake asked.

 

“What do you plan to say?” The man overshadowing the doorway enquired. Again, it was a fairly obvious question in Eclipse's eyes. Was it just his imagination, or was the boy slipping since he had started spending time with Princess Garnet?

 

“I plan on saying; Hello. And then waiting to see where the conversation goes from there,” Drake replied.

 

Drake was lucky that Eclipse wasn't close enough to smack him upside the head. “And what goal do you plan to achieve?” He added, through slightly gritted teeth.

 

“I’ve always wanted to be the world’s best archer.” Drake replied, trying to keep Vanda under control.
It was evident she wasn’t very happy.

 

Eclipse really did sigh this time. “You have to help Brahne convince the other world leaders that they must force Zidane to open the door.”

 

“What do—oh. Yes, I remember that.” Drake stated, glancing around. “I just assumed that was a given, by now.”

 

Eclipse wasn't fazed by what was either a very obvious attempt to annoy him, or a really bad cover. “Of course,” he nearly growled. “It's very important that you do so, we might not get another chance to have all the world leaders in the same place.”

 

“Yeah, that only happens every few months.” Drake droned, speaking mostly to Vanda who didn't care. “I know what I'm supposed to do, Eclipse. You don't have to keep 'reminding' me.”

 

“Make sure you don't forget.” Eclipse warned Drake, his voice low. “But now I think I hear your friend coming, so I will remind you again later.”

 

“… I don’t have any friends visiting the pa—… aw, damn,” Drake hissed and got up.

He looked around, quickly. The Hawk Keep? She probably wouldn’t go in there, but he’d done that before and she just stalked around by the door till he came out.
Closet? No, she’d look there. Under the bed? She’d drag him out…

Then he spotted the balcony. What about the roof? She hated heights…

Drake ran for it just as Pricilla reached the top floor.

 

Eclipse watched the scene with slight amusement, moving a little out of the doorway so that Pricilla would be a little less likely to actually talk to him.

 

Pricilla hardly even noticed Eclipse as she ran in and looked around. Where was Drake?

“Drake?!” She shouted as she made her way to the empty balcony.

Drake clawed his way onto the roof where Vanda had already flown. “I should have let the other raptors out… perhaps one of them would eat her.”

 

Vanda hopped a few feet toward him in reply.

 

Eclipse wondered if the birds were really as distressed as they sounded, having got louder once Pricilla entered. It didn't matter though as he quickly and silently darted out of the room, the same feeling washing over him as he made it past the doorframe as someone who might have just escaped the jaws of a rabid wolf.