The bandanna: she found it. A bird had brought it to her, maybe a goddess in the form of such a sleek, winged animal.

The gull had nursed her back to health after she'd plunged off a reasonably high cliff overlooking the tormented ocean. The bird itself had been nursed by the almighty article of clothing, wrapped around its wing like a bandage.

The sun had been setting then, dragging all the light of day back into itself. Shards of the golden glow had seemed to cling to the glistening waves as if in hope of staying bright somehow, against all odds. It had been in that fading light that Celes had caught sight of her now treasured keepsake.

The bandanna: it was a rich shade of blue once; she could see traces of the old color crying out amidst smudges of dirt and lone shreds of material. She remembered how she kept it close to her during her travels throughout the World of Ruin. It was her connection to hope, to security.

Still, Celes was in denial of her own feelings. The warrioress, the battle veteran, the ex-Imperial General, the Magitek Knight — love was not in her cards; she had convinced herself of that. She had never given it a thought, to surrender to the softer side of things, to give up all her contempt and inhibitions about love and allow it to make some magic in her life. She thought that, being a self-made woman, to cling to another human being would take away all the independence she had been through hell to achieve.

She was indeed self-made, ever since her break from Vector. Self-made, self-reliant...and always by herself.

Yet she owed part of her freedom to another person, ironically. Locke. Had it not been for his persistence, she might not have been walking this very earth.

After the fall of Kefka's tower, Celes took up the needed position of governor in the village of Maranda, living in a modest cottage near the city gates. Maranda had been the very city that she had claimed for Vector two years ago. Yet it was now the target not of political threats, but of recompense — recompense using those same hands that had once been stained with the citizens' blood.

But that was all in the past, and the past is done. So, did that mean that Celes was no longer a warrior? Did that mean that she could at long last discard her disdain of romance?

It was a tough decision to make. Celes Chere lived life as a paradox: hard, tough, strong, a swordswoman in the finest and a magician to boot, but also a die-hard sentimentalist incognito. The things nearest to her heart were guarded closely, almost viciously. Imperial upbringing certainly didn't endow one with the ability to translate the language of one's heart. Celes hadn't even made peace with hers: when her heart spoke, it would often contradict the calm exterior she presented to the world, and that drove her crazy, threatening to shatter the image she had lived with since she could remember.

She told herself many times that there had to be a way to resolve everything. And whenever she did, immediately afterward she'd go straight to the source of all of it and start what she thought was impartial analyzing. Yes, she respected Locke for saving her from certain death, for helping her gain a steady foothold in a world that she had not experienced without being under the command of Gestahl. She held Locke in high esteem for all of that. She also admired how utterly relentless he could be at times. It was what persuaded her to place trust in him right from the start. He had introduced her to the Returners, even defended her honor against a raging Cyan back in Narshe. Yes, she owed Locke for plenty. And that was that, right?

Love doesn't fit into that equation, does it?

Maybe not, but love certainly was the sighs Celes breathed in solitude. It was her desire to give up her hardness of heart and dabble in waters she hadn't previously thought about...much.

Sometimes thinking about Edgar and Terra's marriage got her going. She remembered all the arrangements that had been made, all the trouble that Terra had gone through sorting out business with the children of Mobliz and Duane and Katarin, her closest friends. All of them now enjoyed a palace residence, after Terra had offered Edgar the condition that the people she cared for dearly were to be close by and well taken care of. All that trouble, just to be with someone she loved. And all those extra residents in Castle Figaro, whom Edgar tolerated because there was no condition too great to be met for his bride.

Terra turned her world around for someone she came to love. Why couldn't Celes give in similarly, even just a little bit?

The blonde sorceress drew herself up tall and inhaled deeply. She had been leaning against her dresser lost in thought. It was an old piece of furniture, that: scarred and with a wearing finish, but Celes appreciated the character that those flaws lent it. And there, most notably, resting in a heap before her, was that threadbare bandanna.

It stirred up something sweet inside her by just looking at it. Yet it also begged her to do some soul-searching, to be honest with herself and her feelings. But Celes Chere was not introspective. She never looked inside for answers and it wasn't in her blood to start now.

She picked up the shabby bandanna and studied it with seemingly expressionless eyes.

This means a lot to me, I can't deny that. Since the day I found it I've kept it near me. Locke never asked for it back.

I remember when we were leaving Kefka's tower as it fell apart. I dropped it, then turned around to pick it up. The tower started shaking again; I lost my balance and nearly fell. The ground ahead of me broke apart...

Then Locke came after me. He jumped that chasm like it was nothing and scooped me up in his arms. What did he say to me again? I nearly forgot.

...Something along the lines of "all that for a silly bandanna." It hurt at first, but now I see... He had no idea. I wanted to keep that bandanna, but not because it was pretty. Hell, look at it: it's falling apart, for goddesses' sakes.

Not to mention the damn thing nearly cost me my life...

At those memories Celes smiled. She was starting to see it then.

Hypocrite, hypocrite, hypocrite, she chided herself, suddenly. That's what I am. She had kept Locke's bandanna, but she had never once kept in touch with Locke himself ever since she arrived here in Maranda. She had harbored a sentimental reminder of that man and dwelt on it nearly every day, and yet she had never given it thought to go out and see him again, even if it was just for old times' sake.

Sometimes I wonder if everyone else knows. I wonder if I ever gave anything away...?

Celes hung her head, curling her fingers around the bandanna draped loosely across her palms.

Now this is the only shred of him that I have left besides memories. But what are those worth? Nothing, no matter how many times I reflect on them.

Slowly her fingers began to constrict, crumpling the bandanna under their pressure. Soon she was wringing it in her hands, eyes closed, her body trembling.

Why can't I face up to myself? Why can't I admit that maybe I feel something more for Locke than just respect and gratitude? Is it because I never felt anything like this before?

...Is it because I'm afraid of getting hurt...?

I trust Locke. I trust Locke more than anyone. But I can't trust what I don't know for sure, and that's how he feels about me. When I was in the Imperial Army, I never made a move in battle unless I could size up my enemy appropriately and come up with a strategy.

She opened her eyes then, and started chuckling to herself. Well, it seems you've reached an agreement, girl.

She tossed the bandanna back onto her dresser. Very well then: she admitted that she felt something more for Locke than just friendship and respect. She wouldn't call it love just yet, but it was a step in the right direction. So then, now that she owned up to herself, she now had to own up to the object of her affections.

She drew a bit of a blank then, frustratingly. But when a gentle knock sounded at her door and she rose to answer it, her thoughts fled like frightened animals.

Her initial expectation: a villager with some trivial complaint. So naturally she was surprised when she stood face-to-face with a very familiar face, dimpled and radiant like the sun that shone over his very kingdom.

"Edgar...! It's been a while, I must say..."

"Been six months to date," Edgar said, wearing his usual flirtatious grin that could turn women's knees to water. He reached out, making to hug his old friend, then hesitated slightly until Celes returned the gesture. It had been a long time, and Celes missed him, missed everyone. When they parted there was a brief moment of quiet, as Celes looked him over. He was dressed unusually casual, as if he were in hiding. But before she could comment, Edgar said, "I can't lurk in doorways, Celes. It goes against five years of social etiquette schooling."

"Oh!" Celes felt a little foolish, but she brushed it off and quickly welcomed the King of Figaro inside her humble home. "Make yourself at home," she said mechanically, before turning around and following that up with, "And then tell me why you're dressed like a villager. Or are you just demonstrating that the common style of dress is really good enough for the royalty of Figaro?" She shot him a characteristically teasing look.

Edgar smiled quaintly. "You just haven't lost it, have you?" He shrugged off his brown overcoat.

"If you're talking about a sense of humor, I didn't really think I ever had one to start with." Goddesses, it was like old times now: the two of them exchanging quips the way they used to when they had traveled together. Celes quickly discovered that it could be quite easy to beat Edgar at that kind of game.

"Now I know why they call them punchlines," the king replied. But his eyes were twinkling, and soon his face broke out into a smile. "No, this here... This is just a disguise." He indicated his clothing. "Can't walk around dressed as I normally do, Celes. You know the drill: if I do, I'm to be accompanied by an escort, a team of guards, and a carriage with six white chocobos. This way makes travel a bit easier."

That last remark got Celes thinking. "Wait — that's a good question: why did you travel all the way over here from Figaro? And don't tell me it's just to see if I'm still as pretty as you say."

Edgar hesitated, humor in his eyes. "Well...yes — yes with a but! As in but also to see you in the flesh, since I haven't done that since the wedding, if I remember right. And really Celes, everyone misses you. What with you hanging around here all the time, we don't get to see much of you at all! Not to mention, you're not one to write..."

Celes led him over to the sofa and watched him sit down. She replied, "I know, I know, but I've been busy. I can't help that. I've been setting up government here. I owe the place my help. You want anything to drink? Water, tea...?"

"Oh, tea would be just fine, thank you."

"All right, then." Celes headed for her kitchen and put on some water. In a moment or two she returned to her living room carrying two cups of hot tea. She gave Edgar his before turning and pulling up a chair so she could sit opposite her friend. Now relaxed, she took a sip of her own tea and asked, "So, what news from everyone?"

There was a lot of news to tell. Being the King of Figaro, Edgar had contacts all over, and was able to keep in touch with nearly everyone from the "old gang," as he fondly called them. After turning down a position in the Figaro Army, Cyan had all but disappeared. Setzer was doing relatively well, dropping in every now and then, and always unexpectedly. Sometimes Edgar would hear a thing or two from him, since in his extensive travels the gambler was prone to running in to quite a few old faces.

Strago and Relm were doing well back in Thamasa. Of Relm Edgar said, "She's nearly as beautiful as you are. Becoming more and more of a woman every time I see her."

"Hey now, what would Terra say to that remark?" Celes leered at him, still teasing. "I don't think she'd be too happy..." She shook her head demonstratively.

"Oh come now, Celes! I'm not exactly the same man I was a year ago. Things have changed. Instead of belonging to all the women of the world, I belong to one now, but that doesn't mean that I'm forbidden to admire beauty." He gave her a curt nod as an example.

Celes was flattered by his honesty, but she wasn't the type that succumbed to such wily tricks for long, even if they were the fruits of better intentions.

Edgar went on, "Besides, Relm's got quite a mouth on her...imagine being married to that! I could see her with handcuffs in one hand and a barbed whip in the other and a dozen well-rehearsed profanities on her sharp little tongue." He cackled at that bizarre fantasy.

With the rest of the old gang, Edgar's twin Sabin had a flourishing job training eager youth in martial arts, which, while keeping him quite busy, still allowed him the time to occasionally drop in on his brother. The best news was saved for the near end: Terra was two months pregnant, which made Celes very happy. When all was said and done, Celes had completely finished her tea, and her cup was now in her lap with her hands curled around it.

Of course, the most important person to Celes' heart that had yet to be mentioned. Predictably, she was the one to bring him up. "Hear anything from Locke?" she asked, out of the blue. Immediately after the words fell from her lips, blush came to her cheeks. She hadn't meant to be so direct about it.

Goddesses, girl. If Edgar had no idea before, he certainly knows now.

"Locke?" Edgar repeated, putting on an air of surprise. To Celes, it seemed as though the king's reaction was feigned. He took a long sip of his tea before resuming. "Well, he and I talk all the time. We write a lot, and he's recently been staying at my place, fresh out of Narshe. Rumor has it that old ruin has gold in its hills. He's been going up there to check it out. He's planning on becoming a rich man. How do you like that? I dare say, with money like that he'll be able to get rid of all that old leather for something a bit more fashionable." He laughed a little there, then paused. "Funny thing though, that you mentioned Locke..."

Celes froze, staring almost intently at the man before her. Oh, I should've known he knows...

Edgar continued. "I almost forgot the third reason I came to see you, Celes, and that would be to extend a personal invitation. Locke and Terra and I have been discussing it, since Locke is staying with us right now, and we decided to see if we could round up everyone and have a little gathering at the castle, if everyone's up to it — if you're up to it," he added slyly at the end, throwing Celes a coy look. "Come now, you can't say no to this! If you come I'll forget about all the letters you should be writing." He winked at her there.

Celes turned the suggestion over in her mind, weighing the pros and cons, taking into account the fact that Locke was there for the time being. That alone made a trip to Edgar's homeland very desirable. It's the chance I was looking for, a way for me to get everything off my chest. You're right Edgar, I can't say no.

"You're right, my friend. I think I owe Figaro a visit." She raised her face to meet Edgar's and caught his waiting smile. It encouraged her greatly. "I'd have to appoint someone to watch over Maranda in my place, but I don't think it should be too much trouble. I'll make the arrangements as soon as I can. If you don't mind waiting here for a bit, I could have them finished before the end of the day, and I could travel back with you."

"You don't know how happy I am to hear you say yes," Edgar cooed, eyes brimming with eagerness. "Terra will be thrilled. Well, then! Rise, madam, and allow me to take care of these dishes," the King of Figaro spoke suavely, taking Celes' cup from her hands and carrying both it and his own to the kitchen.

For a moment Celes said nothing, now paralyzed in reflecting on everything she had said. She finally went through with it, after so long. Would everything turn out all right?

She recalled her lack of teacup then. Oh, wait a minute... "Edgar, are you sure you can... Wait, you know what? I think I should get those cups —"

"Celes, don't worry! You just go make your arrangements. I can handle a few dishes; I'm not that inept! Go on!"

Go on, he said. Celes rose from her chair, but took no step forward. She had always been somewhat frustrated when it came to making decisions, especially since a part of her was so perfectly sure of one thing, while another part wanted to try the opposite route. Now her quick decision-making had frightened her a bit. Maybe she should have dwelled on it longer, gave it more thought, or... She chewed on her lip for a time, her ears taking in the sounds of dishes clinking in the kitchen.

Hope Edgar knows what he's doing in there...he's no handyman around the house...

The sound of china shattering into fragments on the wooden floor, followed by a well timed "oh shit" snapped Celes back into reality again.

"Edgar!"


The making of arrangements for the absence of a governor in Maranda took more time than Celes had anticipated. It was nearly evening by the time she had it all straightened out. Her chief secretary would assume her responsibilities and every man below him was moved up a notch in rank to fill in the gaps left behind. Deciding that it was too late to begin the long haul back to Figaro, Celes accomodated Edgar's stay for the night as best she could.

She awoke that morning very groggy and unwilling to start the day. Reason: sleep had evaded her last night like an hunted beast. She tossed and turned among her sheets, trying to force all her worries out of her mind. She blamed the fact that she was even carrying out her travel intentions on Edgar's cheeriness. It was hard to resist his demeanor, no matter how sour Celes' mood was.

Before she left, she pocketed the bandanna. She told herself it was because she couldn't imagine traveling without it.

The trip to the desert castle from Maranda was a very long haul, though considerably shorter than what it would have been before the incident with Kefka way back. Edgar and Celes took a ship ride from Maranda, then hoofed it on chocobo to Kohlingen. Then they rode on the newly-built railroad running through a tunnel in the mountains that separated Figaro's desert territory from Kohlingen and its neighboring small towns.

Edgar's castle hadn't changed much since Celes had last visited, about six months or so ago. Although the elements had worn away some of the sharpness of the walls and reduced fragile stone corners to rounded curves, the place was still in good shape. The intricate circuitry that wired the place together aided it in aging better than most other castles that Celes knew of.

Edgar lead her through the grand castle gates and through the courtyard, whose corners littered with sand from its last submersion. The place always seemed to be filled with fond memories, like the celebration Edgar hosted after the defeat of Kefka and his wedding to Terra, not to mention a countless number of royal balls and parties that occurred long before Celes had even joined the Returner movement.

Mid-morn had long since drawn into midday, the sky no less bluer than a shower of sapphires, topped by the brightest jewel of them all: the sun, a diamond amidst the blinding cerulean expanse. The desert had begun to heat up like a frying pan under the watchful eye of the sun and Celes could feel the dry hotness as it reflected off the brown-gray walls of the Figaro stronghold. Edgar wasn't to be bothered by it in the least.

The pair of ornate doors ahead parted wide, and out stepped a lithe figure cloaked in royal blue and purple, silk and velvet, the darkness of the attire contrasting with the lightly browned skin. All that time out under the desert sun had indeed made Terra look a little less waiflike. The sun's rays had added some pearl highlights to her jade hair, something reminiscent perhaps of the days when magic had flowed hot and lively in her veins.

"Celes! Goddesses, it's been months...!"

Terra left the entrance to meet up with her husband and her long-time friend, and Celes came up halfway to meet her. Her arms fell around a body still as delicate as before, but with a touch of strength that hadn't previously been there. Celes could feel that Terra had indeed changed slightly, but for the better. Celes pulled away to study her old friend.

"All that desert sun," she remarked, taking note of Terra's darker skin, then of a very slight bulge at her middle. "Oh, I heard about the baby. Congratulations!" Terra spared her a laugh, something that always sounded sweet and musical.

"Thank you! You know, you haven't aged a day! How are things in Maranda?"

"Same as always. Town's flourishing under the new government, but the credit doesn't go entirely to me. The people there are always willing to pull through. It's their nature."

Edgar caught up to the two girls and Terra momentarily left Celes to give her husband a hug-and-kiss greeting. "And how was the trip here, both of you? Here, come inside and tell me all about it." She took Celes' hand and Edgar's hand and led them both inside the main court of the castle, her hair breezing out behind her.

They passed the twin doors and into the larger main hall, with its lush carpeting and banners hung high, bearing the royal standard in rich gold. Celes spotted a familiar figure resting against a stone statue, leather hat lowered over sharp features, hiding the glitter of sky-blue eyes. He was studying something in his hands, but quickly pocketed it at the sound of everyone's entrance. Celes knew who it was instantly and stopped in her tracks. Her hand still in Terra's soft grip, she ended up forcing the girl to stop.

"Celes?"

But it was all too obvious what attracted her attention. The name fell from her lips almost automatically. "Locke?"

At the moment he heard his name, the shady figure dressed in tattered leather raised his eyes to the source of the sound. "Celes?"

The former general was speechless; her breath caught in her throat and all her thoughts of him dashed up to the front of her mind. The moment of truth. It must be written all over my face. Feeling embarrassed, she lowered her eyes and blush touched her pale cheeks. Locke came towards her, slowly and casually.

"Half a year and I don't hear a thing from you. Is Maranda keeping you that busy?" He took her tall frame into his arms. For a moment there Celes felt herself slip away, and it was then that she knew that she had to confess to him. If not now, then very, very soon. It took her a while to find her voice.

"Well, busy enough that I forget to write," she managed. He let his arms fall away from her and for a brief flash of a second their eyes met. Celes was reduced to a point beyond words, just fascinated by the glow in the depths of the treasure hunter's eyes. There was something comforting in that glow. She had always been able to pick it out in times of distress whenever Locke was near, but now... Now there was no distress, nothing to upset her save her own emotions.

"You look beautiful," Locke said, affectionately pushing a lock of her golden hair behind her ear.

"Locke's spoken of you quite a bit," Edgar cut in, until Terra nudged him in his side. She whispered something to him, something Celes couldn't hear, then she turned back to her friend. "Celes, if you need us, we'll be in the throne room," Terra called out as she led her husband away. Every now and then along the way, Edgar tossed a curious glance over his shoulder.

The doors creaked open, then closed with a muffled slam. The sound bounced off the walls and high ceiling of the hall as echoes. Celes closed her eyes and inhaled softly, then turned away from Locke.

"I'd been thinking about you quite a bit myself," she stated, reaching into the pocket of her pants and pulling out something worn and soft. The bandanna. With her back towards Locke, he didn't see what she was holding, but she knew him well — she had definitely made him curious.

Yet his voice gave nothing away. "Edgar exaggerates sometimes..." He shrugged, trying to sound as nonchalant as he could, given the situation. "You know how he is. But he's right in a way: I have been thinking about you... After all, I see everyone else more often than I see you... I just miss having you around."

It had been like that with Locke and Terra at one point, but after the opera, after seeing Celes in that beautiful gown, singing the way she did, and after the fall of the world... Locke came to realize that his days of protecting Terra were long over, and that he was searching for something deeper than just guardianship. But since he had never told Celes the full of it all, Celes was left in the dark.

There was a lot of thinking, but no talk. Thoughts, nothing but thoughts. Thoughts wouldn't push things forward.

"Everyone misses me, so Edgar says," Celes replied softly, her fingertips brushing over the bandanna's homespun texture. Locke's curiosity got the better of him then.

"Whatcha got there?"

"Something," she replied with maddening vagueness. A pause.

"Can I see it?"

Celes chuckled, her eyes never quite leaving the scrap of blue cloth. "Ha, it must be killing you not to know... Am I right? You were always so curious..."

"Damn straight, now let me have a look!" He playfully spun her around, and instead of holding her ground Celes went with the flow, until she was facing Locke again, the bandanna still coiled around her fingers. Again, she blushed. But Locke was focusing more on what she was holding.

"You kept that old thing?" He drew closer to her, eyes fixed on the ratty bandanna. "You kept that after so long? It's just a bandanna..."

"It's more than that to me," Celes whispered. His remark had insulted her then, just like it had done long ago, back when he saved her for the last time. You were as cold then as you are now. You made me feel like a fool. Why? At last she raised her eyes to him and retorted firmly, "Why do you think that it's 'just a bandanna'? It was the first thing I found after the fall of this world, after Cid died, and for some reason it convinced me that you were alive —"

Locke's playful expression melted into one of genuine sadness. He had only been teasing her. "Celes, I had no idea —" He tried to answer her, but she cut him off bluntly.

"Well now you do, and I'd appreciate if you'd show a bit more respect." Her eyes blazed. She couldn't quite believe it herself, but there she was, angry and now close to tears. "I hate crying. You know that. Everyone knows that." Celes paused there and lowered her eyelids, a lone tear sliding down through her lashes. At the sensation of it falling, she raised her gaze again to meet Locke's, who's own eyes betrayed such uninhibited emotion. For a fleeting moment it occurred to Celes that she could still hold it all back, just flee and never say anything, but with that thought came the realization that it was far too late to run away.

Suddenly Locke's eyes darted away. "I'm sorry..." For one reason or another, the incident at Albrook came to his mind, when Celes refused to speak to him after he had doubted her back in the Magitek Research Facility. He had hurt her then, terribly, and now it seems that he had done just that all over again. It took him many bitter feelings and anger at Celes to realize just how much he had hurt her by doubting, or not recognizing what she was trying to say. She was hard to read, but given her upbringing, that was only natural.

And though Celes didn't know, he wanted to read her, very much. He wanted to understand, and where there was a will, there was a way.

Finally Celes spoke to him, though none too kindly. "Look at me," she hissed. "If you're sincere, look at me."

"I am sincere!" His voice came out a bit louder than he had intended. "I am..." He stopped there to swallow. "I'm sincere about not hurting you ever again. I'm sorry, I didn't know that the bandanna had that kind of meaning. How was I supposed to know? Girls get attached to such silly things... But you're not like those girls. Not like them at all.

"You think I enjoy doing this? I don't mean to, I never meant to! It just wasn't the same after everything that happened. I started protecting how I felt by protecting so many other people, and in doing that I guess I got insensitive. I was just trying to make myself feel better. I was protecting myself by pretending that... That I don't feel about them the way I do."

Celes was touched by his words, but she remained level-headed. She wanted a direct answer; she wanted everything spelled out. That was her guarantee against being hurt. So she asked him. "Define 'feel about them,' please."

Locke stood perfectly still for a moment, doing nothing but breathing. He scrubbed the building tears away from his own eyes, then spoke at long last.

"Celes, I don't want to have to return to Kohlingen without knowing if you're going to be okay, or if you're going to have someone to be there for you when you need them. Someone who's close enough to understand you. Or..." He paused there momentarily, drawing a breath. "Or someone who's willing to try." He stopped again, smiling slightly. "How's that for a definition?"

Celes said nothing. The bandanna fell from her hands as her fingers went limp, and in the blink of an eye Locke crouched down to catch it. It fluttered down into his open palms, a butterfly whose wings had been torn up by the elements, a creature intent on descending into graceful death, only to be raised back up by a stroke of fortune: in this case, something Celes had denied herself for too long a time.

She looked down at Locke and smiled genuinely. "I was just testing you," she said, her voice a whisper. Locke raised himself back up to his full height.

"Did I pass?" He looked into her eyes, his face a hair's breath away from hers.

"We'll see," was all Celes said, before their lips touched. There was a soft sizzle as Locke's mouth met with her own, amidst a backdrop of buzzing silence. She had never been kissed before, not like this, and it was an experience that she would never forget. Not to mention, she had a feeling that Locke would see to it that there would be many more kisses just like this in the years to come, if Celes was willing.

And willing she was.

They continued their kissing in the stillness of the castle court. Time had no other rhythm save for the movements of their mouths; the clock was nothing but springs and numbers. They were so close that their heartbeats had melded into one strong pulse. For a few breathless minutes, there was nothing that could shatter the spell.

Then Edgar burst through the doors to the throne room, Terra in tow. Locke and Celes broke from each other, both of them breathing heavily, eyes fixed on the intruders, as they were.

"Yes!" The married couple slapped hands and cheered. "We did it!"

"Did what?" Locke threw them a slightly cross look.

"Got you two to finally 'fess up," Edgar replied, eyes shining.

Terra explained to Celes, "After hearing Locke talk so much about how he missed you, we figured something was up. So, Edgar decided to go see you himself and invite you over here for a visit. That and you've been distancing yourself from everyone, Celes. We really did miss you."

"But Locke missed you more," Edgar grinned. He turned back to Terra. "You know, there could be another wedding in the future..."

"Indeed there could be."

"Locke, promise me you'll make me best man."

"And I'd like to be one of your bridesmaids, if that's all right with you, Celes."

The two of them laughed. Celes observed them, shaking her head.

"Edgar, you conniving bastard...thanks." A small smile curved the corners of her lips.

"So that's why you were hanging around in there the whole time," Locke reasoned. "For a minute there I just thought that —"

"That we were having a quickie? Come now, Locke, it's not comfortable in there! If I were to do anything like that, I'd at least make the trip to the bedchamber..." There he allowed his sentence to trail off, as his eyes glided towards Terra. Glances were exchanged, as something bright flickered back and forth between the two stares. "...And as much as I'd like to continue this conversation, I'm afraid I have business to attend to," Edgar said slowly. He gathered Terra into his arms and carried her off down the length of the carpeted court, the two of them giggling like fools as they went.

"Make yourselves at home!" Terra added as Edgar reached the doors. When the pair was gone, it was Locke's turn to shake his head, smiling.

"Idiots. They're the craziest married couple I've ever seen. Someone should lock them away."

Celes let silence come into bloom once more, slipping her pale hand into Locke's free hand, allowing their fingers to lace. She was staring into the future, wondering what kind of baby Terra would have, who it would turn out to resemble more — and most importantly, if the role of mother was destined for her own future.

"Hmmm. I think I'd like to have a baby of my own someday."

Locke turned to her, eyes curious. "Would you?"

"Certainly. Do you think I'd be a good mother?"

"Well," Locke responded, "that remains to be seen." With that, they strode out of the Figaro hall, hand in hand. As for the bandanna, the lone threadbare piece of material that had been the only visible root of this enduring affection, it was right where it should have been: interlocked between the two hands.