[LOG] Once Upon A Time

[powerofchange]

CHARACTERS: Maria, Aligoté, Fayt, Cliff, Mirage and who knows who else from Maria’s circle of friends
WHEN: SD 773 / 7QJ51, after this and this
WHERE: starts at Aquios, possibly ending up all the way in Surferio
SUMMARY: Maria and Aligoté start a new life together, after Econtra.
WARNINGS: Excessive cute? ♥

It felt like the moment when it all began - being drafted to Econtra. The blinding light, the feeling of falling, the disorientation. But when Maria finally opened her eyes, she wasn’t in a white room, and there was no Warden. Instead, she was standing on the balcony of a familiar castle, which overlooked a familiar lake, and up on the sky, against the backdrop of a stunning sunset, were three familiar moons.

She drew in a breath. Elicoor. She really was here, she’d really escaped Econtra—

“Aligoté,” she gasped in realization, whirling around to face him. She looked halfway between laughing and crying. “We’re here. The Warden, he did it. We’re not in Econtra anymore.”

Comments

[aviances]

Maria squeezing his hand was the sort of reaction that Aligoté had hoped for, because it confirmed that their unspoken communication -- which admittedly, had never been their strong suit in the past and caused more than one misunderstanding -- had done as intended to reassure.

He kept Fayt's attention on him a moment longer, both to answer the man's question and also to give Maria another moment. "That's her all right, an' don't let her fun attitude fool you, she's got a temper to behold," he replied loftily. "In all seriousness though, and don't take this the wrong way, but she might only be showing everyone else including you the side that her and Albel figured might work best as her 'entrance' here."

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Maria didn’t let go of Aligoté’s hand, but her composure had relaxed noticeably after their exchange. She glanced at him for moment, giving him a small smile of thanks, although he probably didn’t know what it was for; she hadn’t exactly told him about her (quite literal) existential crisis.

“What did they say Sheifa’s cover was going to be?” she asked, jumping back into the conversation almost like nothing had bothered her. But the question just wasn’t for the sake of having something to say, as she’d also been thinking about the story she and Aligoté would have to create for themselves.

Fayt had nodded in agreement at Aligoté’s comment, then turned to Maria, to answer her question. “Count Woltar’s niece. It was even the Count’s suggestion, since apparently their youngest sister had eloped with an Aquarian, and was consequently disowned. They both later died, with no confirmed children.“

Maria had known Woltar was a brilliant strategist, but she was still impressed. “Clever. Since the Count’s sister was disowned, to the Glyphians it’ll be as if she - and her family - never existed. He’ll have to adopt Sheifa to legitimize her, but as Count Woltar’s niece... well, she’ll be high enough on the social ladder to marry Albel Nox with minimal opposition.” Then she frowned at Fayt. “So the problem is with the Aquarian side of the story? That’s why he asked for Nel?”

“Yeah. The sister’s husband was a member of Secret Legion. He worked for Nel’s father.” Fayt frowned, too. “Records are easy to manipulate, but it’ll be suspicious if nobody in Aquaria knows who Sheifa is, especially since she’s supposed to have grown up here. Nel’s still working out the details, so until then, Sheifa’s hiding out at the Count’s manor.”

Maria sighed audibly. The last thing they needed were political complications, which would be a certainty if they’d decide to stay in either Airyglyph or Aquaria. She turned to Aligoté, smiling wryly. “I think we might have to go somewhere quieter. They’re having enough trouble creating a new identity for one person, let alone three.”

At that, Fayt chuckled. “I’d invite you both to relocate here, but Maria’s already got a following in the Legions. She’ll probably get roped into one of them eventually if she stays.” He shrugged. “If you want quiet, Surferio maybe? Aznor can help establish your identities there, and Roger’s always been sweet on Maria...”

“Fayt, Roger is sweet to all women.” Maria had definitely blushed at the mention of a following; although she disliked the attention, it did please her to know that she was looked up to.

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"Surferio," Aligoté echoed thoughtfully, searching his memory for whatever Maria had mentioned about the place before. "I think we could do with some quiet," he confirmed after a moment's thought.

Maria's remark got a startled little laugh from him; it hadn't been that many years ago when he, as Kir, had been the one sweet on all women.

"Hey, don't knock it when it's gonna help us out," he teased Maria.

[powerofchange]

Maria met Aligoté’s gaze, and anyone watching them could not possibly miss the way they looked at each other. It had been there, for a while, but it took the final battle against the Entropi for them to acknowledge it.

“Yes, we could,” she echoed. Then she turned back to Fayt, the businesslike undertone returning. “Fayt. Thank you, for having us here. And Nel, too. But I have to ask a couple more favors.”

The blue-haired boy only shrugged. “Sure. Anything for you, Maria.”

“I need you to contact Cliff and Mirage for me. I don’t have my communicator anymore; it was taken when I was drafted, and I wasn’t able to get it back. I don’t need the entire crew, just... them.” Her expression was strange for a moment, like there was something she wanted to say, but quickly decided against it. “And it might be good to let Albel and Sheifa know we’ve arrived.”

“Got it. I’ll send a message to Cliff and Mirage ASAP. And I’ll rig you a communicator while I’m at it — I’ll have it ready by morning.” Fayt grinned, suddenly energetic at the thought of having something to do. “And I’ll have Nel send out the missives to Airyglyph. It’ll take a few days, but they’ll get the message.”

“Thank you, Fayt.”

“Don’t mention it. Now why don’t you two get some rest? Unless you have any more pressing concerns?”