Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy X, or Final Fantasy VII, or
SquareSoft.but I will someday. Somehow.
Typical. It had rained right through her time off and now the weather was perfect, the sky almost as blue as Cloud's eyes. Almost. He almost made it worth getting up and going to work for. Almost.
Maybe my memory's just tainted, thought Rikku. I'm so stupid, I've been dreaming about him and I bet he doesn't even remember me.
Of course he does, said her good, optimistic side, the little angel with the puff of blonde hair and huge pools of green ink for eyes, didn't you spend time with him? Didn't he love you for you? No-one is forgettable. Come on, Rikku, get a grip.
I wish, she thought bitterly, and opened the curtains, muttering angrily about 'how unnatural it is for the sun to be so bright at this time of day.'
That's right, said the self-conscious, negative part of her. It always appeared as a sort of side-effect to the misty-eyed good feelings that thoughts of Cloud gave her. It's natural for people to forget too. Even the prettiest girls get forgotten, and let's face it, you're OK but not exactly something to write home about. You'd be better off realizing that he's moved on, and you should too, because he's never going to look twice at you again.
But he must, thought Rikku, eyes shut tight as if in desperate prayer, we met, we laughed, we held on fast.
And then you said goodbye, finished the voice in her ear.
But that's just a word. Goodbye. You can't hurt me with it.
Oh, said the voice, so full of spite, I can, I will, just like you did. Did it look like he was remembering you that night at Freya's? The voice was closer now, like a lover might whisper in another's ear, but this was far from loving and it knocked Rikku like a physical blow.
No, wished Rikku blindly, you're wrong, you're wrong. We met, we laughed, we held on fast.
And then you said goodbye. The voice was right in her head now. And then you said goodbye.
Her own voice was failing now, overpowered by the vengeful tones, backing down, admitting defeat.
And then you said goodbye. Not him. You. You. You.
She woke up, gulping in air, swallowing hard in a futile attempt to calm her ragged breathing. She swiped under her eyes with her hand. No tears this time. She wasn't doing too badly. She needed more sleep, though. Rikku was always a little afraid to sleep again after a dream like that, lest the nightmare return. Sssh, it's okay, she told herself, willing her heart to believe what her head dictated. It won't happen twice in one night, and come tomorrow, you won't remember this at all.
---
'Aeris! Over here!'
Aeris swung round to see Yuna waiting for her, leaning against the door. She looked like a new person. Yuna was slimmer (Aeris couldn't fathom how she'd lost the weight from her already excellent figure) and was showing it off to her advantage in a tailored pair of black jeans and a silvery top with long sleeves. The top heightened her pale skin and transformed her entirely. Her whole person seemed to be a different story. Had it not been for the braid in her hair, and the two different coloured eyes, Aeris would simply have walked past her friend experiencing a mild stab of jealousy at the girl's overall demeanour. Yuna's eyes still conveyed respect, but she glowed with confidence and composure. She had hardly changed physically yet seemed to be holding herself differently.
Aeris felt like a small admiring figure next to her hyper-attractive friend. She was quite frankly beautiful herself, her tendril-like chestnut hair was always in fantastic condition and her turquoise eyes sparkled with intelligence-but Aeris was completely unaware of this, and she suffered from insecurity as much as any average female. Aeris also failed to realise that she was way above average-a fact Yuna parroted constantly.
'Did you have a good summer?' asked Yuna.
Aeris laughed. 'Yeah, I did. Well, it wasn't too bad, you obviously had a better one than me or I'd look as hot as you!'
Yuna flashed her a death look, saying 'I am not hot!' then adding 'We'd better get to this department meeting. Can't be late on our first day back!' She glanced around. 'I think we already are.'
The two girls picked a hasty path to the meeting room, Yuna admiring Aeris's jacket, skirt, hair, boots, bag ('Yuna, it's my old bag!') and necklace. Aeris just laughed it off.
'Stop it. You know how I am with clothes; I just throw on the first things I come into contact with.' Aeris sat down at the elliptical table, Yuna following suit. From their seats, they could see everyone in the room, but the only familiar faces were those of Cloud, Vincent and Auron.
'Jeez,' said Cloud, 'We're stuck with all the girls!' Vincent raised an eyebrow and Cloud grinned. 'Okay, so that might not be such a bad thing. Aeris is over there so it looks like you're in already. Yuna.hmm.she's lookin' mighty fine, but I don't think so.'
Vincent groaned. 'Translation. "Rikku isn't here, so I'd better see if she's single first." How many times do I have to say it? Get yourself another, hotter, chick. There's not exactly a shortage of them.'
'Maybe, but there's a shortage of chicks hot for me, and Rikku is now just a smudged phrase in my story.'
'Very poetic,' Auron chuckled, 'Maybe you should transfer from character design to scriptwriting.'
'Wow,' countered Cloud, 'He speaks. But if you don't mind, I'd rather be me than you, 'cause there's maybe two ladies here who I stand a chance with and you have as much chance of finding a girl as Vincent does of.let's see.getting a date with that skinny little thing over there in the black pants.'
'Where?' asked Vincent.
'Look out the window. Blue stripy fitted shirt. Looks a little under pressure.'
At that very moment the girl in the blue stripy fitted shirt was running so fast she thought her lungs would explode. She was also berating herself furiously.
'Yuffie, you idiot, late again, in big trouble, gone straight past the door, DAMMIT, sorry I'm late, Miss Lockheart. It won't happen again.'
'It had better not,' warned the Department Manager.
Yuffie sighed. Her boss was yet another person who had blossomed over the two-week break. Her long curly hair was streaked with blonde and she had lost at least five pounds. Where was Rikku? Her friend also worked at the department's front desk but she was nowhere in sight. Yuffie was marginally grateful-she wasn't sure she could face yet another person who had become amazingly beautiful.
Thankfully, she looked fairly regular, a shade more tan than usual. Her already blonde hair had been lightened by the sun and her emerald eyes sparkled with their usual vivacity. She sprang to her feet at the sight of her friend framed in the doorway.
'Yuff!' Squeezing her in a tight hug, Rikku half dragged, half carried her across the room before depositing her on a chair. 'What did you eat for breakfast? Cement?'
Yuffie blushed. 'Thanks a lot, Rik. You really know how to make a person feel good. I come in, everyone's turned into supermodels and now you ask if I eat cement.'
'Um, excuse me, Rik?! My name is Rikku, R-I-K-K-U.'
'Um, Yuff? My name is Yuffie, Y-U-F-F-I-E. And the Rik was just my little way of saying thanks for your cement concerns.'
Rikku grinned, then burst out laughing. Yuffie joined in, noticing that a black-haired girl was laughing too.
Rikku tried and failed to pull herself together. 'This, this is,' she broke off and started over, 'This is, this is.'
The girl composed herself instantly. Her brain kicking in was almost audible. 'I'm Lulu.'
Yuffie was transfixed. She was taking in everything about Lulu, eyes travelling slowly from her partially braided liquorice-black hair right down to the floor. There were no shoes visible. She was looking strikingly individual in a fitted black silk shirt and a long, sweeping, storm-grey denim skirt. The skirt was panelled and got wider as it got longer. The result was a very baggy, floor length piece of clothing which was more tailored around the hips, revealing a curvy shape.
'Hi,' said Yuffie, snapping out of it almost as quickly as she had begun laughing earlier. She opened her mouth but was distracted by the entrance of two athletic-looking guys. She wasn't the only one. Every female in the room was staring without inhibitions and each male had a varying degree of contempt on his face. For the second time in five minutes Yuffie was drawn in, but once again noticed Lulu, this time how indifferent she seemed.
Typical. It had rained right through her time off and now the weather was perfect, the sky almost as blue as Cloud's eyes. Almost. He almost made it worth getting up and going to work for. Almost.
Maybe my memory's just tainted, thought Rikku. I'm so stupid, I've been dreaming about him and I bet he doesn't even remember me.
Of course he does, said her good, optimistic side, the little angel with the puff of blonde hair and huge pools of green ink for eyes, didn't you spend time with him? Didn't he love you for you? No-one is forgettable. Come on, Rikku, get a grip.
I wish, she thought bitterly, and opened the curtains, muttering angrily about 'how unnatural it is for the sun to be so bright at this time of day.'
That's right, said the self-conscious, negative part of her. It always appeared as a sort of side-effect to the misty-eyed good feelings that thoughts of Cloud gave her. It's natural for people to forget too. Even the prettiest girls get forgotten, and let's face it, you're OK but not exactly something to write home about. You'd be better off realizing that he's moved on, and you should too, because he's never going to look twice at you again.
But he must, thought Rikku, eyes shut tight as if in desperate prayer, we met, we laughed, we held on fast.
And then you said goodbye, finished the voice in her ear.
But that's just a word. Goodbye. You can't hurt me with it.
Oh, said the voice, so full of spite, I can, I will, just like you did. Did it look like he was remembering you that night at Freya's? The voice was closer now, like a lover might whisper in another's ear, but this was far from loving and it knocked Rikku like a physical blow.
No, wished Rikku blindly, you're wrong, you're wrong. We met, we laughed, we held on fast.
And then you said goodbye. The voice was right in her head now. And then you said goodbye.
Her own voice was failing now, overpowered by the vengeful tones, backing down, admitting defeat.
And then you said goodbye. Not him. You. You. You.
She woke up, gulping in air, swallowing hard in a futile attempt to calm her ragged breathing. She swiped under her eyes with her hand. No tears this time. She wasn't doing too badly. She needed more sleep, though. Rikku was always a little afraid to sleep again after a dream like that, lest the nightmare return. Sssh, it's okay, she told herself, willing her heart to believe what her head dictated. It won't happen twice in one night, and come tomorrow, you won't remember this at all.
---
'Aeris! Over here!'
Aeris swung round to see Yuna waiting for her, leaning against the door. She looked like a new person. Yuna was slimmer (Aeris couldn't fathom how she'd lost the weight from her already excellent figure) and was showing it off to her advantage in a tailored pair of black jeans and a silvery top with long sleeves. The top heightened her pale skin and transformed her entirely. Her whole person seemed to be a different story. Had it not been for the braid in her hair, and the two different coloured eyes, Aeris would simply have walked past her friend experiencing a mild stab of jealousy at the girl's overall demeanour. Yuna's eyes still conveyed respect, but she glowed with confidence and composure. She had hardly changed physically yet seemed to be holding herself differently.
Aeris felt like a small admiring figure next to her hyper-attractive friend. She was quite frankly beautiful herself, her tendril-like chestnut hair was always in fantastic condition and her turquoise eyes sparkled with intelligence-but Aeris was completely unaware of this, and she suffered from insecurity as much as any average female. Aeris also failed to realise that she was way above average-a fact Yuna parroted constantly.
'Did you have a good summer?' asked Yuna.
Aeris laughed. 'Yeah, I did. Well, it wasn't too bad, you obviously had a better one than me or I'd look as hot as you!'
Yuna flashed her a death look, saying 'I am not hot!' then adding 'We'd better get to this department meeting. Can't be late on our first day back!' She glanced around. 'I think we already are.'
The two girls picked a hasty path to the meeting room, Yuna admiring Aeris's jacket, skirt, hair, boots, bag ('Yuna, it's my old bag!') and necklace. Aeris just laughed it off.
'Stop it. You know how I am with clothes; I just throw on the first things I come into contact with.' Aeris sat down at the elliptical table, Yuna following suit. From their seats, they could see everyone in the room, but the only familiar faces were those of Cloud, Vincent and Auron.
'Jeez,' said Cloud, 'We're stuck with all the girls!' Vincent raised an eyebrow and Cloud grinned. 'Okay, so that might not be such a bad thing. Aeris is over there so it looks like you're in already. Yuna.hmm.she's lookin' mighty fine, but I don't think so.'
Vincent groaned. 'Translation. "Rikku isn't here, so I'd better see if she's single first." How many times do I have to say it? Get yourself another, hotter, chick. There's not exactly a shortage of them.'
'Maybe, but there's a shortage of chicks hot for me, and Rikku is now just a smudged phrase in my story.'
'Very poetic,' Auron chuckled, 'Maybe you should transfer from character design to scriptwriting.'
'Wow,' countered Cloud, 'He speaks. But if you don't mind, I'd rather be me than you, 'cause there's maybe two ladies here who I stand a chance with and you have as much chance of finding a girl as Vincent does of.let's see.getting a date with that skinny little thing over there in the black pants.'
'Where?' asked Vincent.
'Look out the window. Blue stripy fitted shirt. Looks a little under pressure.'
At that very moment the girl in the blue stripy fitted shirt was running so fast she thought her lungs would explode. She was also berating herself furiously.
'Yuffie, you idiot, late again, in big trouble, gone straight past the door, DAMMIT, sorry I'm late, Miss Lockheart. It won't happen again.'
'It had better not,' warned the Department Manager.
Yuffie sighed. Her boss was yet another person who had blossomed over the two-week break. Her long curly hair was streaked with blonde and she had lost at least five pounds. Where was Rikku? Her friend also worked at the department's front desk but she was nowhere in sight. Yuffie was marginally grateful-she wasn't sure she could face yet another person who had become amazingly beautiful.
Thankfully, she looked fairly regular, a shade more tan than usual. Her already blonde hair had been lightened by the sun and her emerald eyes sparkled with their usual vivacity. She sprang to her feet at the sight of her friend framed in the doorway.
'Yuff!' Squeezing her in a tight hug, Rikku half dragged, half carried her across the room before depositing her on a chair. 'What did you eat for breakfast? Cement?'
Yuffie blushed. 'Thanks a lot, Rik. You really know how to make a person feel good. I come in, everyone's turned into supermodels and now you ask if I eat cement.'
'Um, excuse me, Rik?! My name is Rikku, R-I-K-K-U.'
'Um, Yuff? My name is Yuffie, Y-U-F-F-I-E. And the Rik was just my little way of saying thanks for your cement concerns.'
Rikku grinned, then burst out laughing. Yuffie joined in, noticing that a black-haired girl was laughing too.
Rikku tried and failed to pull herself together. 'This, this is,' she broke off and started over, 'This is, this is.'
The girl composed herself instantly. Her brain kicking in was almost audible. 'I'm Lulu.'
Yuffie was transfixed. She was taking in everything about Lulu, eyes travelling slowly from her partially braided liquorice-black hair right down to the floor. There were no shoes visible. She was looking strikingly individual in a fitted black silk shirt and a long, sweeping, storm-grey denim skirt. The skirt was panelled and got wider as it got longer. The result was a very baggy, floor length piece of clothing which was more tailored around the hips, revealing a curvy shape.
'Hi,' said Yuffie, snapping out of it almost as quickly as she had begun laughing earlier. She opened her mouth but was distracted by the entrance of two athletic-looking guys. She wasn't the only one. Every female in the room was staring without inhibitions and each male had a varying degree of contempt on his face. For the second time in five minutes Yuffie was drawn in, but once again noticed Lulu, this time how indifferent she seemed.