Royal Pains.

[edgar_roni]

[Edgar prided himself on being a man of his word. He always kept true to it, even if the circumstances called for him not to (or if it would benefit him if he didn't). So when the time came for him to either let the so-called bandit go or haul 'him' back to Figaro, it was clear the young king had already made up his mind. He did say he was going to do it and he had no intention of fibbing. Even if it meant a lengthy journey back. The time could be better spent scaling up the tower and rescuing the trapped Princess but Edgar, in his infinite wisdom, figured he would get in better graces with her parents if he himself arrested and booked the 'man' that dared to defile their precious daughter. Besides, it wasn't as if she wouldn't be there when he returned.

This was all easier said than done, of course. After a number of miles, all of which were traveled wearily on foot as his suspect was hog-tied and placed over the back of his chocobo, he cursed the day he decided to ever be so honest and valiant. His feet hurt, he was hot and sweaty, the rations were running low and, frankly, he was tired. Of everything.

He shot Faris a dirty look over his shoulder when they passed a road-sign. One direction pointed towards Figaro, the other Tycoon.]

You've become a lot more trouble than you're worth, you know that?

Comments

[andrarrrgynous]

You owe me because you're the one who got me into this mess in the first place!

["This mess" being returning to home and being treated like a princess.]

Whatever, does it matter? Are you gonna help me or not?

[edgar_roni]

Very well.

[His shoulders sagged and he shrugged, finding no other reason to argue with that train of thought. It could be interesting. It could be disastrous. Either way, it was better than staying here in Tycoon, lonely and homesick.]

But.

[And he leaned in, holding up his index finger.]

On one condition.

[andrarrrgynous]

Really?

[The look Faris gives Edgar is more than suspicious. She wasn't expecting him to actually agree.]

What's the condition?

[edgar_roni]

[And her look garnered one from him: one more sly than anything else. He could easily come up with any term he wanted, and as long as she needed his compliance, the sky was the limit. Well, almost.

He wouldn't exploit that, however.]

Easy there, I won't suggest you marry me or anything. Though that would be fun, if only for a little while...

[He pressed the index against the tip of her nose.]

Spend an entire day with me in Figaro.

[andrarrrgynous]

That's it?

[Her tone is dubious, as if expecting there to be some sort of catch.]

I thought you were sick of me when you were gettin' ready to dump me in Tycoon's prison.

[edgar_roni]

I was.

[Matter-of-factly, too.]

But a man can change his mind, can't he?

[And he leaned back away from her just then, to inspect the lead gathered under his thumbnail -- occupational hazard of tinkering around with small clocks and pencils.]

So, what do you say? Will you spend a full twenty-four hours in Figaro, as my guest?

[andrarrrgynous]

You changed your mind awfully fast.

[And she could venture a few guesses as to why. Faris wasn't born yesterday.]

And then what? I'll be free to do whatever I want? What's the catch?

[edgar_roni]

[What? He was completely and utterly innocent!]

You said you wanted to venture off into the sea, didn't you? You can do so from South Figaro. Whatever you choose to do after that day is entirely up to you.