Final Fantasy XII - Even a Stray has Pride

Part II : Affliction - The Zodiac Sisters

Imperial City of Archades, 695 (o. V.)

'Gabranth! Your hair!'

My mind stopped for a moment as I was filling my mess tin in the Akademy's refectory. Vitu's words didn't click until I remembered my visit to the hairdresser the previous week. Actually, I had meant to cut my hair for a long time, but didn't resort to it due to my fear of looking – even more – like Basch. However, the hassle of keeping such long locks inside the helmet most of the working day overtook my reluctance.

I joined him on the table where members of both our divisions used to gather to eat. More precisely, I was the only member of the Sixth amidst the joyous din of the Ninth. Sometimes, when they're all busy chatting, I imagine the viera appearing next to us and watching over me, but she had disappeared for good since the Empress's death.

'Why did you do that?' Vitu insisted. 'Nobody will recognize you this way! Judge Drace will certainly be disappointed.'

'I never talked to Judge Drace, nor to any Judge Magister for that matter', I noted before emptying my glass of water. 'We are the rank-and-file, only supervised by majors and sometimes generals'.

There was an unusual silence – unusual for Vitu, at least. I raised my eyes towards him and saw a dreary face, with a lowered grim gaze and an absent smile.

'What about you?' I asked. 'Did you ever meet Judge Zargabaath?'

'I did.'

He had waited for his colleagues to leave the table before answering.

'But I shouldn't have!'

'Why is that?' I asked. 'If he summoned you, it is a normal thing for you to appear next to him.'

'He did not summon me', Vitu revealed. 'And that is the utter problem, my friend...'

His behavior was definitely atypical. His head was shaking while he joined his hands in apprehension. His food was barely touched. In this worrying state, he decided to continue:

'It has been weeks and weeks I was itching to see him. Last year's events left a much bigger trace on him than what he shows to his troops. I could somehow... feel it. Everyone in the division talks about his guilt of not fulfilling his duty as Empress Sentia's official guard, but I can sense there is something else. Something that cannot be grasped or even described, but that makes him suffer terribly. Without identifying its nature which does not concern me, I know it does make him suffer and I can't help suffering with him. The echoes related by the judges made me more troubled each day, and I couldn't stand imagining our Judge Magister endure unsaid misfortune without his soldiers' support. So... So I decided to go seek him with neither formalities nor warning, and I used all the courage I had to ensure him out loud of my loyal backing, as well as all of the division's, for the charge we're holding together.'

His words resonated distinctly in my mind, but unlike his dull mood, I felt much delight at his action. Although he had no trouble engaging a conversation, Vitu was definitely the timid kind, so considering that Judge Zargabaath was a sort of idol for him, I could only imagine the grit needed to make such an appearance.

'And what was his reaction?' I inquired.

'None. Nothing at all. He stared at me perplexedly and all I could do was salute and leave.'

He took his head between his hands and added with terror:

'I should never have done that!...'

'I believe what you did was unexpected but if neither your major nor Lord Zargabaath himself reprimanded you afterwards, no offense was taken and you should be alright.'