Zidane's jet moved silently through the air. It was early in the morning and the sun was just starting to rise in Alexandria.

“You sure you don't want to stay longer?” He asked.

Drake shook his head. “No... I'm familiar with all your attacks and I have the hope you've been paying attention enough to know most of mine. I cannot see what more we can do.”

“I guess... all that practice has to have helped.” Zidane agreed, “I guess you're right. Not much else we can do. I've never even really prepared this much for a fight before besides picking my team and equipment.”

“Mh.”

“Still, though, you sure you don't want to stay?”

Drake had been thinking about that for a while. He'd been gone a long time... putting off the inevitable. How cowardly... besides, there was a balance. He needed to be gone long enough to let Eclipse cool off but not long enough for the man to then be upset with him for being gone, “I need to get back.”

“You need to get back, but you don't want me to take you to Daguerreo.” Zidane stated, giving a slight nod and looked at Drake questioningly.

“Right.”

“That makes no sense to me.”

“If you fly anywhere near Daguerreo I can guarantee Eclipse will kill you.” Drake told him; sure of it. “Besides, you wanted me to talk to Garnet, right? Alexandria is the clear choice. I can tell people I've been there all week and she'll back me up.”

“... Good point.” Zidane shrugged, “I'll drop you off outside the town.”

“Works for me.”

“You sure you can get in without anyone noticing you?”

Drake just looked at Zidane.

“... Alright, alright.” Zidane shook his head, “I'm not used to people who can be as stealthy as you who aren't...”

“Thieves?”

“...Yeah.”

“Mh.”

Zidane parked the jet about a mile outside of town. “You sure you'll be oka—... bye-bye then.”

Halfway through Zidane's sentence, Drake had jumped out of the jet and swiftly headed for the town. He heard the engines of the Chariot power up and the ship take off again, only then did he even glance back.

Getting inside was easy. The guards didn't even notice and he kept to the shadows once inside, avoiding the crowds while he made his way to the dock leading to the castle and taking a seat on the stone steps.

“Drake!” Garnet called, “I didn't know you were in town!”

Drake looked over at her and gave a smile, moving over to allow her a place to sit, “That was the idea. I find it much easier to avoid my guards when they don’t know where I am.”

Garnet sat down. “I saw Eclipse in the palace, he’s looking for you.”

Drake gave a mental curse. This was his luck, though. Of course Eclipse would be here... “Took him a lot longer than I expected… Horrah for me.”

“Won’t you get in trouble?”

“Undoubtedly.” Drake grinned, looking at Garnet.

Garnet laughed. “Don’t you care?”

“I suppose… but not nearly enough.” Drake smirked, looking away and thinking of what excuse he could give Eclipse that would make it look like he had a good reason to be here.

“Been here long?’

Drake shrugged. “A week… should anyone ask.”

“And would my answer be honest?” Garnet raised an eyebrow.

“As far as you know.” Drake smiled, not giving anything else away.

“So what are you doing here?” Garnet asked.

“I wanted to be sure you were alright.” Drake explained, standing up. “And yourself?”

“Oh, I wanted to apologize to Ruby. Mother sent me to ask her even more questions yesterday and I get the feeling they no longer like me.” Garnet explained, also getting up.

“I need to speak to you about something.”

“Oh?”

“Yes... but it can wait.”

“It have anything to do with—?”

“Yes, that's why it can wait. Like I told you before, Garnet, I promise I'll explain everything once it's the right time. That time is very, very soon.”

Together, they returned to the palace. Getting a few surprised looks from the guards as the entered.

“It appears you managed to sneak out as well.” Drake observed, his voice sounding fairly proud.

Garnet nodded. “They don’t like me out on my own due to… current events. Sneaking is the only way, it seems.”

Drake gave a nod, “It’s dangerous for you.”

“… He’s mad at you, too.” Garnet reminded, looking at the ground.

Drake gave a laugh. “Who could forget?”

“So isn’t it dangerous for you as well?”

“The immortal reply... I laugh in the face of Danger. HAHAHAHA!” Drake mocked.

“You’re not afraid of what he might do?” Garnet wondered.

Drake spread his arms out, trying to ease her mind by making her think he really wasn't afraid. “I welcome him to try something—anything! He might find it harder than he thinks it will be. Besides... he doesn't know what I have planned.”

Garnet eyed him for a moment. “You really are not afraid?”

“One cannot let fear control them,” Drake informed. “I have no doubt that, if given the chance, he’d attack.”

“You almost sound like you want him to attack you.” Garnet observed, only halfway meaning it.

Drake smiled his snake like smile. Slow, taunting, demonic, hidden… a lie of a smile. “Perhaps…” In all honestly, he didn't want Eclipse to strike first... but he wouldn't let her known that. “Would it not be better than waiting?” Drake asked.

“Wondering…”

“At the very least, if he attacks you know what his intentions are.” Drake offered, giving a grin.

“What are your intentions?” Garnet teased.

“What an accusation.” Drake faked shock, but was still smiling.

“What avoidance.” Garnet countered, grinning.

“My intentions are my own.” Drake mused, looking at her again.

“As I would have guessed,” Garnet breezed.

“As I imagine you would have.” Drake played, enjoying the game.

“But what are these intentions?”

Drake smiled wider. “My own, or others?” “Your own.”

“Are my intentions my own?” Drake toyed.

“One would hope.” Garnet said, putting her hands on her hips.

“Would one?” Drake baited.

“Do you always avoid answering?”

Drake crossed his arms. “Do you always ask so many questions?”

“If I say yes, what does that make me?” Garnet countered.

“If you say no, what does it make you?” Drake turned, walking in another direction.
It was a bait; he wanted to see if the Princess would follow him... He was very pleased to find she would.

“So either I am nosey or I don’t care?”

“Your words, not mine.”

“You are a pest,” Garnet giggled.

“Garnet!” Brahne called.

Garnet looked and then ran over to her mother. Drake stopped by the door, watching. He regretted their conversation ending so soon, he hadn't gotten to speak with her at all, really, about anything important...

Garnet turned back and waved to him, smiling, before following her mother upstairs. Drake’s red eyes watched the Princess go until she was out of sight, then his attention dropped to the danger he felt lurking behind him.

No... The air around Drake grew colder; the light seemed to flee in terror. A shadow blanketed him and he himself almost seemed to disappear in the new darkness. He had to struggle against his desires to fight or flee this terror.

“There you are, My Prince. I was wondering where you had gone to.”

“Master Eclipse, I was simply protecting the castle.” Drake replied, turning to face his advisor, figuring it was best to get this over with.

No more scars... or at the least, no more visible ones, if there is any justice, don't let it happen again... It seemed like a good enough lie... even if Eclipse knew he'd been in Shivel, he'd left that place a week ago. Stating he was here working was the best he could come up with and it at least made it look as if he were making an attempt to show he was willing to obey.

Eclipse showed neither anger or understanding. His face, as always, remained neutral and anyone who might have been watching would not detect anything out of the ordinary. Drake caught it, though... Eclipse was buying the lie, he thought Drake was angry at Zidane and wanted this to move on... it was pathetic, but a willing excuse. Letting it seem as if he blamed Zidane for the sudden faults and mistakes... the whole 'my life was fine before you showed up, thus I blame you' argument. Whatever worked...

“… Not yet.” Eclipse finally said in a low, cold voice. “I told you…”

“I grow tired of waiting,” Drake grumbled; keeping up the act. “Why not yet?”

“We want him to open the door for us, remember? Then he’s yours to destroy, but not until then.”

Drake sighed. “How much longer? The Queen has let him slip through her grasp countless times, she will never learn.”

“Queen Brahne has given me permission to take over.” Eclipse informed, “And preparations have already begun.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. We are going to force his hand by attacking his planet.”

He'll be thrilled to hear about that... “Actions speak louder than words.”

“Precisely. He will come here, as he has no other option. He may kill Brahne, but that really is not much of a loss.”

“No loss at all.” Drake agreed, shaking his head.

“The moment he is within reach, I will make sure he opens that door for me.” Eclipse concluded, turning, in no great hurry, toward the dock.

It was apparent he expected Drake to follow. A silent signal no one that did not truly know Eclipse would understand. It was both an order and a threat at the same instant, yet it was nothing.

Drake saw it. There was no realization; he had spent far too long seeing it and understanding it. He followed blindly before his mind could even begin to understand the threat.

“And then?” Drake asked.

“Destroy him.” Eclipse replied, without even the slightest change in his icy tone. “Until then, you wait.”

“Yes, Master Eclipse, as you wish.” You just think whatever you need to think... “... Why are there so many airships here?"

“More will be arriving shortly soon.”

“Yes?”

“Yes. Tomorrow, perhaps. That is when the attack will take place and I want to be here to make sure Brahne doesn't mess it up. We will be staying the night to ensure nothing goes wrong.” Eclipse said, eyes forward.

“Rather soon for an attack...” Drake pointed out, though he greatly doubted he'd be able to change Eclipse's mind. An attack that soon wouldn't give Zidane any time to prepare and Drake had no idea how to contact him...

“Not soon enough, in my opinion.” Eclipse replied, watching the ships.

“Short notice—,”

“Maybe for you.”

Drake visibly flinched at that before regaining control of himself and looking at the ground. One short little sentence, but it was a reminder and warning that Eclipse had not forgotten the fight or the fact that Drake had chosen to disappear for such a long time. It was going against the untold rule of “ignore it and move on” and that bothered Drake.

“... Yes, sir.”

“I think we have waited long enough for action.” Eclipse informed, “The stupid Queen wants to wait for a an answer to fall into her lap.”

“... What a horrid mental image.”

“It is time some action was taken. He has not been here, right?”

Drake spotted that test. Eclipse was trying to determine how long Drake had been there. “No, sir. Not for a week now, anyways.”

Eclipse gave a nod, satisfied with that answer, “Keep an eye on the Princess. Distract her. She already seems rather resistant to the Pearl's power. I do not need her figuring out anything is wrong right now.”

Drake gave a nod and turned, walking back into the palace. “That I can do...”

Garnet stared hard at the Dark Prince. Trying to figure out if he had meant what he'd said. “... I just don't understand... When I said 'he's mad at you, too'... I meant Zidane.”

“I know. I meant Eclipse.” Drake replied, easily.

“This whole time you've been talking about Eclipse?”

“Garnet... you knew there was more to this.” Drake said, looking at her steadily, into her eyes.

Garnet looked back into those eyes. It was true... deep in her heart she'd suspected more... She went out on her own, she went and tried to make nice with Zidane's friends... all because she'd had the distant hope that it wouldn't be over between them. That Zidane would come back to her. “... How did you know?”

“I see it in your eyes.”

“My...”

“Those are the eyes of a warrior, Garnet. You fight so hard and you try your best, Princess. It's not always enough, is it?”

“I want it to be.” Garnet whispered, still unable to turn away.

“In a perfect world, hm? But this world is far from perfect. It isn't your fault.”

“It's my mother. My boyfriend, my friends, my actions. How can it not be my fault?” Garnet questioned, shaking her head.

“The pe—.”

“The red pearl. Is that really any kind of excuse?” Garnet interrupted.

Drake was mildly startled by that, enough so that he lost his focus and his persuasion power failed.

“I can't just say “oh, it's just this” and move on.” Garnet stated, “I'm still guilty in this! I let some voice in my mind turn me against my soul mate. When it happened to him, I was there for him, to help, and he allowed my help. He had everything in the world on his shoulders and he didn't have to listen to me, but he did. I didn't return that. This was no different... He trusted me above all else, why couldn't I trust him?”

“... There's still time.” Drake answered, “You can make it right.”

“How?”

“He wants to meet you.”

Garnet's eyes sparkled at that. “... He does?”

Drake nodded. “He doesn't blame you, Garnet. However, I do believe it would be a great benefit if you would meet with him—.”

“Of course! Even if he doesn't blame us, he needs to know his friends still care about him. Otherwise this is all just too much! I want to be with him. I have to!”

Drake watched her as she spoke. He knew that she as a Princess had been taught the same etiquette he had been taught as a Prince... Interruptions were a sign of disrespect and a lack of class, especially when you interrupt someone of the same or higher ranking than yourself. He knew she must have been taught against interrupting, yet she had interrupted him twice...

Either she's forgotten herself and her teachings because it involves him and he really is the only thing on her mind... or... she just doesn't consider me in the same group as she is... though I fear it's both.

“When?” Garnet pressed. “How?”

“Soon. Right now you need to make sure your actions nor your attitude changes. We cannot let them find out you're not under the Red Pearl's control anymore.” Drake cautioned, being serious but trying not to worry her about the event.

“I'll try,” Garnet promised. “I'll... I'll do anything!”

“Good.” Drake got up, “Go to sleep.

Garnet looked confused by that. “With all this news... how can I be expected to just sleep? There's so much to do.”

“There is nothing for you to do but get some sleep, Princess. You must not let anyone know your mind has been set free or Eclipse and Brahne will find out.”

“We can't tell anyone? But... Our friends deserve to know that's going on! They're in danger.”

“They'll be in greater danger if they find out anything has changed...” Drake informed her softly. “Leave it all to me, Garnet, I will make sure they are safe.”

Garnet gave in, giving a nod, “Thank you. They... they mean the world to me. I can't let my mistakes get them hurt...”

“I bid you adieu, Princess.” The Dark Prince walked out, closing the door behind him and thinking how much Zidane and Garnet's opinions really were alive... that was practically the same thing Zidane had told him.

It was rather late, as it was. It had taken a while to explain everything to her. She'd seemed so scared... it had been much easier to tell Zidane... though, he'd left a few things out when he told Garnet. Zidane knew Drake had been against them at first. Garnet would assume he'd been with them from the start... which he preferred.

Telling the Princess that her mother was evil... seeing the crashing behind her eyes as her hopes disintegrated. She wanted her mom back. She wanted the kind, sweet woman she'd told Drake about so many times. She wanted her happy life.

... Brahne was a cancer to that happy life. A festering growth set on destroying everything good. Garnet had accepted it faster than Drake thought she might. He'd been able to explain it all, tell most of his plan and get her to accept it all in hours rather than the days he expected it would take.

He'd expected her to leave in the middle of the explanation. Expected her to need to take long breaks as her mind reeled over this new information. He'd thought this would take forever to explain. Truth be told, Drake had hoped it would. It would have been easier than watching the pain in her eyes as she sat there and took it.

Now she knew the truth. She knew Brahne was using that Red Pearl to affect the minds of everyone she came into contact with. She knew Eclipse was helping Brahne and had his own plans in mind and she knew that their plan was to destroy that pearl.

She'd asked a lot of questions... how long had Zidane known about all this? Since he visited Daguerreo with Brahne. Was he mad at her? Of course not. Who else knew? No one. Why was Eclipse involved? Brahne called him because she wanted help. What did he want? Power. Zidane would explain the rest.

Right now, he needed to find a safe place for Garnet to meet with Zidane.
Drake moved silently through the palace. The guards heard whispering in their heads, telling them to ignore any movement as he swept past them. The fools wouldn't ever realize he'd been there.

Drake sped up, practically jogging down the hallway as silent as could be. He passed Brahne's room. She was asleep and he could hear her snoring loudly.

Sheez... I don't have to move silently with that horn going off! Can't tell if she should see a doctor of a priest, but something is wrong there.

He moved till he saw an open balcony and ran to it, jumping off without a moments hesitation or even a breath of sound. He landed behind a few guards who didn't turn to face him, they were staring toward the dock and whispering conspiracies about why the ships were there.

Drake rushed past them and away from the palace. He didn't dare shift to his TF, not with Eclipse so close. There wasn't much of a chance that Eclipse would know... but there was a slight chance and it wasn't something Drake was willing to risk while he was still healing, practicing with Zidane had been hard enough with open wounds. Aruging with Eclipse would be deadly.

Over the moat, past the town, through the grassy fields and, finally, into the forest. It didn't take long for Drake to find a safe place, but he took his time to carefully examine and search the surrounding forest. He wanted to know of any places hidden from view. Wanted to be sure there wasn't any hermits, hunters or travelers in the area.

If there was any way someone could be watching this place, Drake was going to know about it. If there were any traps, he was going to find them and if there was anything that might endanger Garnet even the slightest he was going to take care of it. His keen eyes and sharp senses caught everything from the thorny vines surrounding this place, to the tiny ants passing through. A little heat encouraged them to move along quicker.

Once he had checked over the place enough to assure himself it was safe, he stalked the way back to the palace, familiarizing himself with the path till he was satisfied he could find it again even with his eyes shut. Nothing was going to put the princess in danger while he was around.

Drake walked back to the palace as the sun was rising. He stopped short of the palace walls when he heard voices and slunk over to investigate. The two voices were coming from the pathway leading to the dock and as he approached he recognized the voices as belonging to the Captain Knight and the General.

“I don't like it.” Steiner said, staring intensely at the airships. “None of them can answer me when I ask what they're doing here!”

“I know...” Beatrix began, “They tell me they do not know. Just that they were called, or they are just following orders.”

“... This is Brahne's doing.” Steiner insisted, “I know it is!”

Now this... could be interesting. Drake thought, watching them.

“I'm not arguing that.” Beatrix gave a nod, glancing around. “But we don't know what they're up to...”

“She's up to no good, that's what!”

And you're discussing it in her own palace. Drake shook his head, rather amazed at the stupidity of this.

“I bet they're trying to go after Zidane.” Steiner huffed, “All those ships! I bet they're trying to get to Terra!!!”

“Steiner!”

“Those monsters won't leave him alone!” Steiner jumped up and down, causing his armor to clank loudly. “Now they have to go there!?!”

Drake's jaw nearly hit the floor. He'd always known these two would be problematic, but... he'd forgotten about them recently. Now here they were screaming about mischief when their enemy was all around them! How stupid could you get!? He was amazed to see they were still siding so strongly with Zidane... it was a good and bad sign. Good that it showed Zidane's friends still had strength enough in their hearts to fight back against the Red Pearl, but bad in that he worried how far these two might try to go on their own. They'd be killed before they even knew what happened!

“Steiner!” Beatrix whispered.

“We have to do something!!!!”

Drake couldn't just wait any longer, Silence! He ordered, directing that command to them.

Steiner and Beatrix stopped talking instantly, but they blinked a bit, confused, noticing something wrong about that. Drake had never used his persuasion powers so openly. He'd never given direct orders, just suggestions. He made people ignore him or made them leave a room by playing off their emotions. Giving direct demands was... very difficult. There was a chance they would realize it wasn't their own voice in their head.

“... Did you?” Beatrix asked, looking at Steiner.

Drake shifted his weight, loosening up as if this would be a physical struggle. Silence...

“... I don't hear anything.” Steiner said, looking back at Beatrix.

Drake shrugged that off. It wasn't the direction he'd been going for, but it could work.

“Me neither.” Beatrix confirmed, “I thought I had, but... everything seems—,”

Fine.

Beatrix hesitated a moment, looking around again. “... Everything seems fine.”

Steiner nodded, “Yes. That was odd.”

“It was.”

Ignore it “Oh well,” Beatrix said.

“Nothing can be done about it.”

Drake gave a slight nod. Best to just move on. It doesn't matter.

Steiner shook his head. “Whatever it was doesn't matter, we need to do something about these ships!”

Oh, come on! Drake argued to himself. This was tougher than he'd thought...

“They can't get to Terra, right?”

“I don't know!” Steiner shouted, shaking his fists. “This is all just wrong!! I—!

Can't contact Zidane!

“I can't even contact Zidane to ask him!” Steiner threw his hands into the air.

“So what do we do?”

“Well, we.... we...!”

Have to trust they cannot get in. Drake tried, hoping to regain control.

Steiner just shook his head. “What if they can get in? He needs help... He'd be there for us!”

Drake bit his lip, trying to think of what to say.

Beatrix gave a sharp nod. “Yes, he would.

“Therefor we cannot just stand by and let this happen! I can't!” Steiner shouted.

Drake heard movement somewhere behind him. The stupid Knight was too loud!

“If they get in—!” Steiner started again.

Nothing you can do, this time. “... I can't contact him...”

Just have to trust him.

“He's strong, though.” Steiner said, as if saying it to himself. “If anyone has a chance, it's him.”

The Knight and the General were silent for a long while, before Beatrix turned back toward the dock. “But what are those ships doing here?”

Brahne's paranoid enough to want more security.

“Well, you know how terrified the queen is right now. Probably called in extra aid.” Steiner figured, shrugging.

“You think?”

If it's anything else, handle it later.

“If it is anything other than that, we can make sure it gets handled soon enough! Now isn't the time.”

Drake let himself relax a bit at that. He needed to figure out what to do with these Knights, though. There could be trouble if these two tried to get in the way... they'd be exposed for the traitors they were and would be executed. Best to just get them out of the way. The airships were leaving in just a few hours...

Morning patrol.

“... I think I'll go over to Ruby's Mini Theater. Ask her some things.” Beatrix said, giving a nod as if confirming the suggestions to herself.

“I'll go with you.” Steiner said, “I need to talk to her anyway.”

Drake smirked as he saw them turn and leave. It hadn't been easy, but he'd managed to get it done.

“You did it wrong.”

Drake would have flinched had he not expected something else to go wrong. He turned to look at Eclipse. “... Did I?”

Eclipse walked over, watching Steiner and Beatrix. “Yes... Giving them a task in town right before the ships are to leave is not a guarantee they will be gone long enough. They could get there and realize the Theater is closed.”

Drake hadn't thought of that... why would a Theater be open at six in the morning. “Ah...”

“Are they causing problems or did you just get fed up with them?”

Drake shrugged, “A little of both. They're still loyal to Zidane... They're sure the ships are going to Terra and they want to stop it.”

Eclipse gave a faint nod, “Brahne has been ignoring them.”

“Seems so.”

Drake wasn't sure all of what Eclipse had overheard. He wanted to make sure he didn't appear to be lying, in case Eclipse had heard it all. He needed Eclipse to think he was trying to behave. He also didn't want the man to do anything about it either, so it was a tough situation settled when he realized he really didn't give much of a care as to what happened to them.

Eclipse's face gave away nothing. There was no way to tell what he was thinking as he watched the two soldiers. He could strike now and no one would see him except Drake and what would he do about it? Or he could work his persuasion on them and make them as zombified as most of the guards in Daguerreo. His options were limitless...

“Well?” He finally asked.

Drake stared at him with a hint of fear in his eyes, unsure what he was asking, afraid he had missed something. “... Well?”

Eclipse's eyes darkened just the faintest bit, “Fix it.”

“Oh! Right!” Drake tore off after the Knight and General fast enough that he was just a blur of movement.

That pleased Eclipse a bit to see. He liked the mild fear in Drake's eyes. He liked that he said to jump and Drake did. It was about time the boy realized there were dangerous consequences to his slip ups. Eclipse was sick of the boy doing as he was told at his own pace and desire. It was irritating not to have that obedience and he was finally starting to get it.

The prince was afraid of him now. Eclipse liked that. Where there was fear, there was control and control was necessary in all of this. He had started to think Drake wouldn't obey, which just made him a curious creature. The prince had no idea what and who he really was, yet his attitude reflected it. He'd been raised under such control and such restrictions it was a wonder he wasn't everything Eclipse had wanted him to be. His spirit showed a desire for freedom that Eclipse had never imagined. He went against his upbringing to make life what he wanted it to be, or at least as close as he could get it.

Eclipse had worried about it at first, but it didn't matter. He was still stronger than the boy and if pain was the only way that child learned to behave, then pain is what he'd receive. That was no problem.

Drake planted the suggestion to both Steiner and Beatrix that they just could not leave town without speaking to Ruby. He made them think about the ball as well. They both knew that Zidane knew about it.

It took a while, but he finally got the hang of it and he was glad he did. It would keep these two out of trouble and away from Eclipse for a while longer, and it was a realization that he needed to work on his persuasion abilities... He'd never felt much of a desire to. Never had much of a need to since anyone he would need to influence either already had to obey him or... were Eclipse and Ellipsis and wouldn't fall for his tricks... or Pricilla... oh how he'd tried on Pricilla so many times... she must have some thick skull because his words never seemed to be heard.

Once back at the palace, Drake found he'd missed any hope of breakfast and highly debated going out hunting... it's what he'd been doing for most of the week anyway, but his attention was quickly altered when he heard Garnet's voice.

“What are all those airships here for?”

... Knew I'd forgotten something... “Hm?”

Garnet motioned toward the dock. “You see that? I hadn't noticed how many there were last night! Why are they here?”

Drake debated that swiftly in his head. Did he want Garnet to know about this when there was nothing they could do about it? Definitely not. She'd get upset and he needed her focused on causing the illusion that she was still under control. “... I'm sure they're just... Playing a rather high stakes game of Polo. Trying to make it interesting, you know. For the audience. On its own it's hardly any fun to watch and barely anyone plays since the chocobo's wings get in the way and the horses have out smarted them.”

Garnet put her hands on her hips. “I'm serious!”

“As am I! Have you ever played? I cannot go an entire game without someone getting bucked off their horse!” Drake stated, “That and Ruxy bites people...”

“I'm going to find out!” Garnet said and walked outside.

Drake hesitated only a moment before following her. He knew Brahne and Eclipse were out there, he could sense them. Garnet... you're going to get us into trouble....

“Find out what?”

Garnet glanced back. “Why all those ships are here.”

“I already told you, they are playing a very deadly game of Polo!” Drake grinned.

“Well then I want to watch.” Garnet said, hands on hips.

Drake got a fake look of shock and disgust. “You heartless beast! You want to watch a suicidal game of Airship Polo?”

“I want to find out why they’re really here.” Garnet insisted, turning back toward the ships.

Drake heard Eclipse say something from above them, but it was quiet enough that even with his superior hearing he couldn't make it out. He hung back by the door, trying to force her to return if she wanted to stay in the conversation. “Come on, Princess… they are about to take off, you don’t want to upset anyone.”

Garnet stopped, slowly… and turned back to look at him, “I just want to find out what’s going on.”

“And you will… but is now the appropriate time?” Drake tipped his head to the side.

Garnet seemed to think about that. “… No. I suppose not.”

“Right. Ask your mother later, there is nothing you can do now.” Drake reasoned, leaning back a bit.

Garnet nodded and walked back over to him, following him back inside. “I just want to know...”

“If there was any way I thought you could safely stop it, I'll tell you. But if there is no way to help, Garnet, I'm not going to mention it.” Drake told her, pausing so she would catch up and walk next to him.

“I don't need to be sheltered, Drake.” Garnet, said, grabbing his arm. “If something is going on, just tell me—.”

“I know that, Garnet. If I did not think you could handle it I'd never have told you any of this.” Drake interrupted, with a slight edge to his voice. He didn't want to have this conversation with her... why didn't she understand? No matter what she said, he was going to protect her. She could stab him in the back right then and he'd still protect her... he knew she was strong... but she was a lamb amongst wolves in this.

“Then why won't you explain why those ships are here?” Garnet asked, letting go of his arm.

Drake registered her words as a side note. The main thing his mind caught was the cold feeling that overtook his arm once she'd released him. The actual temperature change was probably only a few degrees... but it felt like more in his mind. “... They're going to try and gain access to Terra— but!” Drake raised his voice as Garnet brought her hands up over her mouth and her eyes widened in fear. He gave her a stern look, willing her to calm down. “... Zidane will handle it. They've had their guards up and I can't imagine those ships getting through.”

“...They?” Garnet asked.

“Yes.”

“Who are 'they'?”

Drake looked at her for a short while, then tried in vain to hide his smirk. “Oh... I believe I'll let Zidane tell you about that.”