Mage vs. Mage
Final Fantasy IX OST PLUS
// Got my Garnet muse back~ :D So gonna be re-vamping her page and joining a new group hopefully~ //
The expression that was, just mere seconds ago, a rather small, but prominent, nostalgic smile began to fade—almost in an attempt to hide the rather sheepish expression that would have replaced said smile. It was true, he had quite the youthful appearance—especially for a fully trained knight. It was almost a disadvantage, really. Being as young as he was led to many people doubting him, branding him as weak, inexperienced—false accusations that upset him greatly. Of course, he never let it show—not once. He was disciplined, he could take a few insults, mockery, and the like with dignity. Or, at least, he tried to.
“I’ve only served His Majesty for a mere year,” he replied simply, folding his arms across his chest. He had been knighted just before his fourteenth birthday—an impressive feat—as he liked to call it.
Ingus gave a slight tilt of his head as he took in the young woman’s explanation, and nodded once as she finished. “I see,” he said curtly. He was rather eager to run into at least one monster. His sword skills, which he took pride in, could always use a little improvement. Perhaps his black magic, too. Of course, he wouldn’t recklessly run into battle. No, that was Luneth’s forte. If he just so happened to run into something, he would use that encounter to his advantage.
The boy nodded slowly once again. He certainly hoped that this library contained what he sought. After all, he didn’t want to go there, and find his information was nonexistent, or possibly located elsewhere. It would be a waste of a trip…wouldn’t it? It seemed strange, but he felt that, even if it wasn’t for the library, Ingus would have wanted to pay this village a visit at some point. Perhaps it was due to the odd familiarity, or maybe it was simply because it was a location he had yet to see? Both notions seemed likely, he thought.
A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth at her answer. It was faint, of course, and soon faded, but it was sincere, and he glad to know she would be accompanying him—as she did have the directions, after all. And, perhaps, there was also the fact that she didn’t necessarily looked experienced in combat. He ought not judge someone by appearance, though. Refia was always able to fend for herself in battle, and even the Lady Sara was able to cast various spells. But, as far as Ingus was aware, magic was nonexistent in Garnet’s world. And if that truly was the case, then what means of protection could she rely on? And even if she could fight, she was still royalty—maybe not in this world, though. But, being the chivalrous boy that he was, he almost felt obligated to protect her. Such was the duty of a knight. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if she was able to hold her own in battle, would it? The knight didn’t know the customs of the royalty in her world, but if Lady Sara was able to learn magic and such, then perhaps Garnet did, too?
“It’s a bit of a walk, you say?” he asked, uncrossing his arms as he took in their surroundings, and soon spotted the closest way out of the city. “Come then, we must make haste,” he started, taking a few steps towards the exit, then stopped in his tracks, and glanced over to the other. “If we happen upon these monsters that you speak of, will you be able to defend yourself?”
She supposed it just showed how skilled he was, to be a Knight at such a young age but she could understand how others might underestimate him because of that reason. Of course she didn’t, age didn’t always mean you were stronger though it was usually the case. “Only a year? You must be rather skilled to be Knighted at such a young age” she complimented, though she knew the burdens of having a lot of responsibility at only a young age. She was eager to know more about his world, about the Kingdom he came from but didn’t want to seem nosy. His responses were minium as he contemplated her words hoping her information was at least somewhat useful.
Garnet on the other hand would rather avoid any conflict, she wouldn’t actively go out seeking it but her skills didn’t necessarily require monsters for her to train. Still the possibility was high that they would confront such beasts so she would be prepared and she was certain Ingus could look after himself, of course he could. With a confident nod of her her she took a slight step back to start their little journey at his request, her brown eyes glanced back at his question, a reasonable one she supposed.
“I’ll be fine, I have my summons to protect me and you of course” she replied with a bright smile. A Queen she may be but she was more than capable of looking after herself. Of course she’d always felt best working in a group, she was usually the white mage of the party and such a class needed some protection from the front. “And if you happen to get hurt, hoping that you don’t, I can heal you” she explained further not wanting to feel like a burden. Presumably as a Knight he wouldn’t have many magic capabilities but she could be wrong, not everything worked how they did back in her own world. Having a black mage in their little party as it were would complete a nice team but it wasn’t like they were going on some epic adventure or anything.
Linking her hands neatly behind her back as they walked, glancing at him every so often it was nice to have a companion that she felt was familiar to her in some way. Though she enjoyed the company of the people she’d met here like Cloud and Elesa their worlds seemed so different than her own, albiet with a few similarities like magic as she’d discussed with the blonde male. Exiting the city, Wisdom was directly south from here from what she remembered. “The path is pretty straight forward, the Village of Wisdom is south from here” she explained, he probably could have figured it out himself.
“Well, if you’ve been meaning to visit, why don’t we go together? I wouldn’t mind visiting at all, since reading is my hobby.” Estelle paused, listening as Garnet continued.
“O-Oh… I’m sorry…” Estelle murmured, quickly sobering up. Ah, how careless of her… She had been talking about how excited she was to have found Flynn while Garnet had not been able to locate her own friends. “Please, excuse me…”
Estelle leaned forward and took Garnet’s hands in hers. “I’m absolutely positive that your friends are here, Garnet! I’m sure you can find them!” Estelle nodded once before releasing the girls hands and smiling.
“You wouldn’t mind?” She inquired glad that Estelle had offered. Though she was perfectly fine going on her own it was nice to have a companion too. Hands clasped together as she mentioned how reading was her hobby. Of course Garnet loved to read especially plays.
“Oh! What books do you like to read?” She asked eagerly, it was comforting to be able to just talk about normal things rather than worrying about where she was and where her friends were. Her eyes softened at her apology, really there was no need sure she was sad that they weren’t here but she would make do on her own. “That’s all right, I’ll be okay on my own” she nodded with a bright smile “I’m sure I will but at least I get to meet new people here, it’s pretty exciting.”
// I’ve been neglecting my poor Princess~ Aqua keeps me busy. I shall resume things with Garnet after my deadline on Wednesday when I will have more time to work on all my accounts. //
“Oh, yes, I was very confused at first,” Estelle admitted, “But the library in Polis was very helpful. I was able to learn about Arcadios’ history, but there were no specifics on the Goddess. It’s a shame… She seems like a very benevolent deity.”
Estelle nodded. “Yes! I have found one of my friends, though not all of them. I hope the rest of them are all right. How about you, Garnet? Are your friends safe?”
Oh yes the Library! She’d been meaning to go there but everytime she’d been on her way something or someone had popped up. She’d met a Knight who’d offered to go there with her but she hadn’t seen him around since.
“I’ve been meaning to visit the library but I always seem to get distracted on my way there,” she chuckled softly as a gloved hand raised to her mouth. “You’re right though she doesn’t seem dangerous at all,” she had saved them all hadn’t she? Unless she had other intentions. She briefly glanced away at her question but looking back up with a smile not wanting to sadden the girl. “Sadly I have not but I’m glad you have one friend at least, I was told the others who aren’t here are in some kind of sleep” she explained hoping the information was correct.
// Gonna be on Aeris and Aqua for the rest of the night (since I owe a ton of stuff on Aeris whoops). I’ll hopefully get to replies here tomorrow when I get home. //
