"Mommy! Daddy! The feathers tickle!" Screamed a little girl of ten. The large yellow bird, known as a Chocobo, rubbed its face against her's.

Smiling parents stood by giggling at thier excited daughter. "Does it, sweetie?" The mother asked, leaning down to her.

"Can I tickle it back?" She asked, smoothing her tiny hands through the large feathers.

"No, honey. But, I think it would like a scratch by the neck." The father suggested.

The little girl looked up, reaching her arm as high as she could to reach the neck. The bird noticed her struggle, it crouched down and lowered its neck for her to reach. She scratched it gently, as she continued the Chocobo's head rose up making a purring sound vibrate from it's throat. The little girl's shoulders shook as she giggled, her shoulder length pine green hair bounced about.

"Mommy! Listen! It's purring like a cat!" She ran over to her mom, as the Chocobo stood and wandered off with a small herd by the pens.

The mother, with a darker shade of hair than her daughter's, picked her up hugging her close. "It really likes you, Lexi." She told, as the daughter blushed. "You'd want to be a Chocobo Breeder, right honey?"

"Hm-hm." The mother raised a brow at her daughter's answer. She put her down as Lexus ran around the grounds. "I want to be a famous Chocobo Racer! Just like daddy!" Her big bright blue eyes sparkled.

The father gave a hearty laugh, "That's my girl!" taking his daughter and sitting her on his shoulder.s She gripped his blond hair as he ran around, bouncing his daughter about like she was riding a chocobo. She laughed loudly, gaining people's attention who smiled at her.

"The Duscae Chocobo Cup race is about to begin!" Came over a voice on the speakers. "Racers get your birds ready and take your spot at the starting gates!"

They all stopped, the father smiled as his race was coming up. His daughter bounced again, "Daddy that's your cue- as mommy would say." She laughed, her father chuckled.

"Yup, want to wish Ferris good luck?" He asked lifting him off and placing her on the ground. Lexus nodded and took in lead to the jockey's pens.

Varin Quintin was a top Chocobo racer of all of Lucis, winning races and making top breaking records with his steed Ferris. He grew up in Duscae spending his teen years working at a Chocobo post, shoveling stalls, feeding birds, and training one he grew fond of to become the number one Chocobo racer. Winning his first race at seventeen, he met the love of his life and his future was set.

At the gates, jockey's approached and soothed their birds getting them ready for the race. Varin held his wife's hand as their daughter went over to the end gate where a bright red chocobo stood with its saddle and reins set on it. The bird fidgeted at his owner's arrival and lowered his head nuzzling against Lexus.

"H-h-hi Ferry!" She giggled petting his peak and scratched his head. "Good luck in the race, boy!"

Ferris stretched his neck in the air letting out an excited cry, and shifted left and right in his small gate. Varin pulled a pair of goggles over his head and placed them over his eyes, around his neck was a black feather chained to a necklace. He knelt down to Lexus and she kissed his cheek with good luck. She spotted the necklace, and touched the soft feather.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Did you get this feather from a real black chocobo?" She asked, tilting her head.

He chuckled and stood, "Of course I did, I've told you the story almost one hundred times." Varin climbed over the gate and mounted his chocobo. Adjusting himself and taking the reins he jokingly took a heroic pose. "It's my secret weapon. You're father will win and make it to the Lucis Royal Prix!"

His wife, Hilda, took Lexus' hand smiling down at her. "We'll be at the stands, Var." She informed.

Hilda bent over the railing, Varin leaned down as the two kissed, Lexus smiled at her parents. Most children she knew found these things gross, but she was just happy to see her parents loved each other, and her. Hilda patted his cheek, whispering to be careful. He Grinned back assuring he would be.

Hilda picked her daughter up and walked over to the bleachers taking a seat at the third row from the front in the middle. Hilda watched Lexus beam ear to ear waiting eagerly for the race to start, bouncing in her seat. The worried wart of a mother just smiled, the bells ran and the race started!

"Go Daddy!" Cried Lexus shaking her mother's sleeve with excitement.

Her mother sat silently, she strained her throat enough through the years of racing to cheer her husband on. Lexus did well, screaming over the cheers to her father as he sped by. The red blur made Lexus scream louder, the smile as wide as her cheeks would allow. Hilda kept a hand on her daughter's shoulder to keep her from falling off the bleachers as she bounced about.

"Go Daddy! You're the best ever!" Lexus cried clapping her hands.

"The winner is…Varin Quintin!"

Lexus gasped, shaking her mother's sleeve more. She chuckled at her daughter. "Mommy! That means Daddy gets to be in the Grand Prix right?"

"That's right, do you know where that's being held?" She shook her head as her mother stood, holding Lexus' hand. "Insomnia, the Lucis capital."

Lexus' jaw hung, her eyes were wide with shock. "Really!? The actual city, wa-y over the lo-ng bridge?" She asked, widening her words.

"Indeed, that's where your uncle Roland lives." Hilda reminded her, walking toward the pens. "Remember him?"

Lexus nodded, "Yea, he's the one with the bar right? Your brother?"

"That's right, Lexy. We'll be staying with him during event." Hilda stopped and knelt down to her daughter, hands on her shoulders. "I want you to remember, that you have to stay in your room at night, okay?"

Lexus blinked, and smiled. "Okay, Mommy. It's because Uncle Roland's friends become weird, right?"

Hilda nodded, and stood with a smile. "Yup, if you need any company I'll sit with you, okay?"

The ride to the city Insomnia was longer than Lexus expected. In the back of the car, as her father drove along the bridge just passing the border for clearance and legal entrance, Lexus was anxious still seeing the water and not the city.

"Daddy, when will we see the city? This bridge is too long." She whined, folding her arms in a pout.

Varin peeked at the rear view mirror and chuckled, bringing his eyes back to the road. "It's as expected, honey. It's not like back in Liede where there are dirt roads to cut through."

Hilda looked back at their daughter, then to her husband. "Maybe we should've kept her at the post where for Wiz to watch her."

Varin waved off the notion, resting his arm on the door with the window opened. "You know your brother won't let anything happen to her, Hilda. It's not like he lives in a crime infested street." She gave him a look, "This is Insomnia after all, safest place of all of Lucis. Hey, Lexus, maybe you'll even get to meet his highness' son, Prince Noctis?"

Lexus stuck her tongue out in disgust. "I don't like princes, Daddy."

He chuckled coming to a stop for a second inspection. He handed the papers and looked back once more. "So, you're saying you don't like the future king? He's only two years younger, if Roland informed us correctly."

Hilda gasped, "That's right, he'd be about eight years old, correct?" she clapped her hands together. "He must be so adorable!"

Varin was handed the papers, getting approval from the guards. Lexus gave a childish glare at her mother's head and looked out the window seeing the guards. Said suited man who was instructing her father were to go noticed her, he smiled and waved to her. Lexus ducked down, but gave a wave back as the car pulled away.

"What were those big things in their hands, daddy?" She asked, turning her body around to see them shrink away as the car continued.

"Those? They were-"

"Lexus, look we're here!" Her mother suddenly barked, pointing at the high buildings coming into view. She gasped and leaned to her left, right, and even between the parents to catch as much of the city sights as she could.

Varin stopped at a traffic light, and side glanced to his wife. He can understand wanting to keep the innocence of their darling daughter, but he knew that wouldn't last forever. It was a dangerous world, he hoped she kept the future of racer in her heart. So far, that was the safest life to have next to Hilda's brother's life as a bar owner.

"Uncle Roland!" Cried Lexus as she burst into the building, a bell above the door rang.

A man stood behind the bar, cleaning his counters when he heard the shrill yell of a tiny girl. He smiled with hands on his hips, his bald head hidden under his black beanie. He wore jeans and a black shirt with a white apron over it to keep the filth of his dishes off his precious clothing. "Is that my little Lexy?"

He came around and scooped her right up, "My goodness! You've grown so much since I last saw you!"

Her parents soon followed in, Hilda smiled at the sight as Varin carried the suitcases in. The bar was called, 'Casa Nova Bar'. Hilda thought the name was inappropriate, but her brother kept it nonetheless. Hilda looked around, keeping herself to the door unlike her husband who walked right over to greet his brother-in-law. It wasn't as though she was snobby about the establishment, Hilda just didn't feel comfortable about any kind of bar or drinking places.

"Roland, can't thank you enough for letting us stay here." Varin thanked, holding a hand out to shake.

Said man laughed heartedly, placing Lexus to sit on the bar counter. "You're family, brother! Of course you can stay here whenever!" He wrapped his large arms around the tiny thin man and lifted him up into a crushing bear hug. "Congrats on your latest win, by the way!"

Varin coughed, wheezed out a "Thanks.!" before brought back down to the floor, leaning on the bar for support. Lexus giggled, hand hiding her large smile.

Roland spotted his little sister by the door, he raised a brow with fists against his hips. He was a very fit, muscular man working as a bouncer at clubs for a while before owning his own bar. He stayed in the city, keeping any updates he heard about. Sometimes the Crownguard members or those that worked at the Citadel talked about information if drunk enough. Roland wished his family visited more, his sister always worried for the safety of her family. It only made sense to live beyond the safety of the walls of Insomnia, right?

"Hilda, aren't you going to give your big brother a hug?" He told, opening his arms waiting for the said hug.

The sister smiled and nodded, she approached him wrapping her arms around him. Unlike to Varin, he was more gentle in returning the hug. Lexus kicked her legs, she looked out the windows seeing the sun shining on the buildings and road. Hopping off, she ra overlooking outside as the adults talked.

"Injured?" Hilda asked, hand at her chest sitting behind her husband at the bar.

Roland got them cold waters, nodding at her words. "He should be returning from Tenebrae soon. That's where he's currently resting."

Varin sipped his water, he gave a sigh. "Thank the Gods he didn't get killed. But, why Tenebrae?"

Roland shrugged, "I can't get every single detail about it all, just what those guards say when drunk off their rockers."

"I don't even want to imagine what his highness must have felt." Hilda shook her head, it scared her enough whenever her daughter tried to wander from home or the chocobo post.

"It's been quiet here without the royal family. Once they return, that's when the chocobo races should be held right? I hear it's as a welcoming event for the prince as well."

"Is that so, that's nice to that for Prince Noctis." Hilda praised, a smile returning.

Lexus frowned at the conversation, her mother seemed to always get excited whenever the prince was mentioned. Well, he wasn't in the city now and what were the chances of ever meeting him any who?

"Not only that," Roland leaned over the counter, as if being secretive to his next statement. "Winner is earned as Chocobo Racing Master, by King Regis himself!"

Hilda gasped, fanning herself at the shock -a bit dramatically- Varin smirked at his brother-in-law's conjecture. "Sure thing, will he offer my daughter's hand to betrothal to his son as well?"

The men laughed, Hilda joined in but had a bit of hope in there. Lexus frowned, she decided she was done hearing this. Opening the door, but stopped looking up seeing the door right against the bell. Not wanting to be stopped, she slipped through the doorway best she could and stomped off down the street… to who knows where.

Lexus knew the city Insomnia was large- but not so big that she'd get lost within ten minutes of leaving the bar. She was so sure her mother was having a heart attack-

"..No." She muttered. "All she cares about is the stupid prince." She muttered, stomping down the sidewalk again with clenched fists.

Though her eyes were cast downward, she didn't watch where she was going, hearing the honks of cars brought her back. Eyes shot up seeing she was walking right into traffic. Lexus jumped back onto the sidewalk, letting the cars continue onward with their travel. She sighed, and looked up at the tall buildings, as the sun shined against the windows. She could barely see the sky, with highways and buildings blocking it. There were people all over, crowding the walkways and there wasn't as much freedom of walking as Duscae or Liede gave.

"Move it, kid." Groaned an older man shoving her out of the way to cross the road.

Lexus stepped against leaning against the building at the corner. Where was she? How would she get back to the bar? Would her parents or uncle find her? Wait, maybe she could ask someone for a phone and call the bar. Oh, but she didn't know the number. If only she had a mobile phone like her parents. Looking up at the street signs, Lexus thought maybe she could try and memorize her way back. Peeking around the corner, she tried to find anything down the street that rang a bell. Maybe a store, a sign or two, but as she began walking back down Lexus instantly forgot how many turns she made.

"I can't find my way anywhere.." She mumbled, going back against a building and sitting down hugging her knees. Her eyes started to burn and throat tightened. "I'm lost." She squeaked, tucking her head into her arms, shoulders shook as the little girl began to sob.

Seemed no one payed any mind to the girl, foot steps passed by, but paused, and turned around. The steps approached Lexus, shadow draw over her. The figure examined her, seeing she was clearly distraught, possibly hurt? Looking around, they saw no adult approach her as well, where were her parents?

"Are you alright?"

Lexus sniffled, she looked up finding a young boy about her age, maybe older looking down at her. She blinked away some tears, and wiped her eyes feeling the swelling set in her cheeks and eyes. The boy knelt down, reaching into his pocket looking for a handkerchief. She now got a good look at him, he wore glasses on his face, light brown hair was swept back, though his bangs stood tall. He dressed pretty formal, wearing a black vest, white dress shirt, and black tie with dress pants. She wasn't wrong about him being possibly the same age right, or was he much older?

"Here." She noticed him offering a handkerchief, she took it nodding a thanks and wiped her eyes, though tears still formed. "Are you hurt, by any chance?"

Lexus shook her head, and hid her face once again, shoulders shaking much less. The boy looked around some more, then back to her. "Are you lost?" She nodded at that, sniffling some more. "Use the handkerchief." He instructed, reaching out to lift her hand, taking the cloth and wiping her eyes and nose.

She felt this boy give a motherly vibe, showing concern for her and even properly wiping her face. Though he was gentle, he got a good look at her face. He spent most of his time taking care of a certain prince to notice any other kids his age, but he certainly never seen a girl with hair color such as hers.

"Where do you live?" He asked.

Lexus rubbed her cheeks, "I live in Duscea." He was taken aback, she lived outside the city? "I'm visiting my Uncle Roland." Ah, that made more sense.

"Where does he live?" He asked, letting her hold the cloth. Possibly helping her calm down as she rubbed it between her thumb and index finger.

"At a bar, it's called Casa Nova Bar." She answered, her voice much lighter than before through her crying.

The boy looked to his wristwatch, he pushed his glasses up and stood. "I've seen the place in my passing, I'll take you home." He held his hand out, though a smile never showed at his kind gesture. His green eyes behind the glasses were stern, like a parent.

Lexus didn't need it, as she took his hand letting him lead her down the street back to her home. Things were starting to become familiar as they continued, though she still pondered who the boy was. Her eyes went down to their hands, she tightened her grip and moved closer to him. It was the same feeling she got when holding her parents' hands; security and protection.

The boy looked to her, she had to be at least younger than the prince. His height was over her, then again boys tend to tower over girls. He didn't care for how tight of a grip she gave to his hand, soon she'd be home and he can continue his way back to his own home.

"What's your name?" The girl asked, looking up at him.

He glanced before looking back ahead. "Ignis."

She smiled and swung their hands, suddenly cheerful and lighthearted. "I'm Lexus, do you live here in the city?" He nodded, getting a 'wow' from her. "How do you know where you are?"

"Living here long enough helps you memorize the streets and buildings." He told, turning a corner only to pause at a street crossing. Lexus leaned forward to see his serious demeanor not change. He noticed her staring and looked down to her, "What?"

She giggled and said, "I like your accent." Ignis raised a brow at that, a tad out of the blue. "I also like your glasses, kind of like daddy's goggles. But I think I like your hair most of all."

Ignis stared back at her for a while, he wasn't used to being around much girls unless it was Iris. He thought maybe she was around the shield's little sister's age. They seemed to be the same, maybe they'd get along well.

"Hey, we can cross, right?" Lexus asked, tugging his hand.

He broke from his thoughts, looking up seeing the sign indeed indicate they can safely cross.

The walk soon ended as the sun was starting to set. Lexus' hold on on his hand loosened, she was silent again and Ignis took notice. "Tired?"

She shook her head, and stopped walking. Ignis stopped and turned back to her. "..Mommy will be mad."

Ignis sighed, could he count this as part of his education for children? He never expected this kind of thing from the prince, but would with another certain little girl. "She will be, but that means she cares, right?"

Lexus' expression suddenly turned from sad to angry. "If she did care, she wouldn't be talking about that stupid prince all the time." He was shocked by those words, and wanted to defend for his highness. "All she talks about is how cute he must be, he'll be a great king, and was worried when we heard he got hurt. I hope he stays in Tenebrae and never comes back."

Ah, he understood. This was just a small bit of jealously. This would be the same like if a younger sibling was earning more attention than the elder sibling. But in this case, it was over the prince. His mind scrambled how to handle this, stay silent and just take her home, give more comforting words, or tell her she was wrong? Possibly all three.

"I don't believe it's your mother caring more about the prince than you. Maybe she's just showing her respect, and as a mother she might just show concern as the prince lost his mother when he was just an infant." He explained, Lexus looked to him at that.

"I.. had no idea." Lexus muttered, now feeling guilty. She didn't ever want to imagine her mother gone from her life, let alone never knowing her. Her father wouldn't be as happy as he was now. Uncle Roland would be really said too if his sister was gone.

"Lexus!"

The two heads shot up, seeing Lexus' mother and father at the end of the street staring at them. The mother did a full sprint toward the two. Ignis let out of her hand just in time for the mother to fell to her knees and hold her daughter tightly. "Thank the Gods! You're alright!"

Her father wasn't far off, he leaned on his knees as his wife sobbed, rubbing their daughter's back and hair. "You had your mother worried to hell and back, Lexus." He scolded softly.

"Mommy, Daddy-"

Hilda grabbed her shoulders tightly, tears were down her face worse than Lexus' was when Ignis found her. "Don't you ever wander off like that again! Understand me!? You don't know this city, you could've been taken or hit by a car!"

Lexus blinked, her jaw hinged not knowing what to say. Her eyes went to Ignis, who finally let a soft smile grace his lips. He was right; she was really, really worried about her. Her eyes swelled up with tears again, her free hand still held the handkerchief with the grip tightening.

"I'm sorry!" She cried hugging her mother, hiding her face in her shoulder. Tears stained her blouse, as she embraced her daughter not planning to let go anytime soon. "I'm sorry, Mommy! I'm sorry, Daddy!"

Varin chuckled at the sobbing the two girls in his life let out on the pavement. He shifted his attention to the boy. "Thank you, for bringing my daughter back. Sorry if she caused you trouble."

Ignis bowed his head in respect to the girl's' father. "She was no trouble, just needed a guide was all." He lifted his head, finding the man holding a hand out. Varin smiled, the same smile his daughter held. Ignis took his hand earning a handshake as thanks.

"Oh, yes! Thank you, young man." The mother cried, keeping a hand on her daughter's shoulders. A free arm came around Ignis pulling him into an awkward teary hug. Lexus' gave a giggle as his glasses struggled to stay on his face against her shoulder.

Varin helped free the boy, and helped his wife to her feet. "Thank you again, could we give you a ride home?" He offered, seeing the boy wasn't off on age to their daughter.

He raised a hand, "No thank you, I'll be fine on my own. Have a good evening." He bowed again, and turned to leave.

"W-Wait! Ignis!" Lexus cried, he turned back seeing her hold the handkerchief to him.

"Keep it, you seem to need it far more than I do." He told, hands shoved in his pockets.

Lexus' smile came back, with a sudden step forward she hugged the boy just as tightly as her hand held his. "Thank you, Ignis."

The boy felt uncomfortable by the hug, would he hug back? Before he could even make the motion, she gave one last smile and ran back to her parents. She held their hands as they lead her back to the bar.

There were many, many people who lived in the city Insomnia. Ignis couldn't memorize every human being within the wall, but he would find it impossible to forget the girl with pine green hair.

Welcome to the new story! Those who are following my Sherlock, don't worry! I am keeping the two well intact! What do you think of child Lexus and her family? How about her meeting with Ignis? This week is super bowl, so work will be utter hell for balloons (why I don't know) and tableware sales, no updates until after that. Then things are slow again until April for Easter. See ya next time!