CHAPTER 2
Rikku smirked. She was beginning to like this girl. "So tell me more about this Xarith...no that's not right... Xamaths....uhhh...thing..." Rikku was never good at remembering names...that reminded her. "So what's your name?"
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"Xaranth." Lili pointed at Rikku. "And my name is Lili." Lili squirmed further up on the table and put her feet up on a chair. "Okay so I'll try and explain this real slow for you." Lili flashed Rikku a smile. "You understand that there are different Provinces, like separate countries, that each have their own type of government and head city right?"
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Rikku nodded. She had that much. She hoped everything was this simple to understand.
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Lili continued. "When you came to this town you entered a new province, one called Xaranth. The head city of Xaranth is called Harraspor and the king and queen live in Harraspor." Lili placed her apple core on the floor beneath them. "Now there are two types of government in Harraspor. The royal court which runs trade and upholds the law and stuff. And the court of the rouge who help to keep assassins and thieves from getting out of hand."
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Rikku nodded. "I see I see....um why are there two?"
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"Because!" Lili smacked Rikku on the back of the head lightly. "The rouge court isn't recognized as an official government. It's made up of skilled thieves and assassins most of them are wanted by the law. Their job is to regulate the amount thieves steal and they prevent mass murders from happening."
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Rikku rubbed the back of her head. "Okay, okay. Geez. Go on."
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"Well recently there has been a string of kidnappings and the royal court is blaming the rouge court for them." Lili shrugged. "Nothing unusual, but anyone who is caught stealing can get in big trouble for it." Lili nodded to herself. "Anyone who may be associated with the rouge court can get in trouble if they're caught" Lili looked at Rikku out of the corner of her eye. "And you were stealing apples. Dummy."
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"Neee. I can take them."
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Lili rolled her eyes and leaped off the table. "Well you suck as a thief, that's for sure. And if they catch you next time and put you on the rack don't expect me to come save your butt. It's far too big." Lili grabbed her apple core off the ground and walked over to the bar. "So what's your name?"
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"Name's Rikku, coolest person you will ever meet." she said with a big grin.
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With a sigh Lili threw her apple core into a wastebasket behind that bar. "This stinks. I'm bored."
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"Me to..." Rikku brought her knees to her chest.
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~*~MEANWHILE~*~
Risa listened to the two girl's conversation from the top of the stairs. Her face lacked any kind of emotion, she had been right Rikku wasn't a big threat after all. In fact, she seemed almost too clueless. Risa turned away from the stairs and headed back into her room, locking it tight behind her. The room was located on the second floor and Risa opened her window wide open and poked her head out into the small side street it looked out onto. In order to get out of here without those two buffoons from noticing she would have to climb out. Thankfully the ground wasn't too far and Risa was certain she could make it, but she wouldn't be able to bring her sword, armor, or bow with her. Cursing the thought Risa jumped out the window smoothly and landed on the ground easily. She began to jog down the street, she was going to be meeting a new client soon.
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Rikku's ears twitched as she heard a noise from upstairs. Was it that girl from before? Was she listening the whole time? that would suck if she was. Rikku was going to extort money from her with the information that she got from Lili. Rikku sighed in defeat. I guess she was going to be broke for ever. Rikku turned her attention towards Lili. "Hey, did you hear something?"
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Lili looked at Rikku in disbelief and rolled her eyes. "For that type of information you're going to have to pay." Lili gave a little snort. "Not really. Of course I heard it. Female, around 17-19, not wearing armor. Why?"
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"I think it was that girl from earlier! Let's go see!" Rikku grabbed Lili's arm and started to drag her towards the stairs. It wasn't that hard. Lili was light and Rei was strong.
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Lili hissed as Rikku grabbed her arm. Well what did she expect?! It was uncomfortable. Lili began to squirm furiously in Rikku's grip, Rikku was surprisingly strong but Lili was more flexible and she wasn't carrying large weapons or pack like Rikku was.
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Rikku noticed Lili's struggling and let go. Rikku smiled. "Hehe sorry. I guess I don't know my own strength." They finally reached the Risa's door. Rikku knocked but when there was no answer she tried to open it but it was locked.
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Lili shot Rikku a cold glare and stood up straight. With a small 'humph' she turned her back on Rikku and the door and turned towards the room next to Risa's. She pushed open the door easily and walked inside without even knocking, leaving Rikku alone in the hall.
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"Hey it's locked," wined Rikku. "Hey Lili, do yo-you're not here." Rikku sat down on the ground and puffed her cheeks out. Rikku let out a sigh as she leaned against the locked door and tried to come up with a plan.
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Lili stood in the empty room and walked over to the window whistling softly to herself. Happily she flipped the lock on the window and slid it open. "Rikku~~~!" Lili said in a sing-song voice. "Come here~~~!" Lili sat down on the windowsill and swung her legs out of the window. "Hurry!" She looked over towards the bedroom door expectantly waiting for Rikku to come in.
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Rikku didn't answer Lili's calls. She wanted to but there was a heavy weight upon her and she couldn't move. Her eye lids fell heavy as she went into a deep sleep. That's right she hadn't slept in a while nor had a decent meal. No wonder she was falling a sleep.
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Lili waited for a moment longer for Rikku, but when she didn't reply Lili shrugged. She looked out the window and to the left, just as she thought, the window was open. The air around Lili began to glow a pale shade of green and the glow stayed with her, clinging to her skin. Lili squeezed out of the window and stood on the wall smiling to herself. The spell had worked! Two spells in one day and she hadn't failed once yet! This was exciting for her.
Lili walked across the wall and entered the girl's bedroom through her window. A quick look around told her that she wasn't here anymore, and by looking at the ground underneath the window she had jumped out while she and Rikku were talking. The blonde haired youth chided herself, she shouldn't have let herself be distracted by Rikku. Completely silent Lili walked over to the door and pressed her ear against it. There was deep, slow breathing on the other side. Rikku was SLEEPING?!
Lili hesitated for a moment. Should she wake Rikku up or should she go after the girl by herself? Alone. Lili nodded as she began to cross back over to the window. Rikku was stupid and would probably try to steal something from the tavern to eat or maybe even break down Risa's door to get in. Melissa the barmaid had already gone off to find the owner or maybe the police, so if Rikku tried anything stupid she would immediately be tossed off to jail. Lili climbed out the window shutting it behind her, Risa would know she had been here now. She walked down the wall, being careful not to make a single mark on the ground of the dusty road as she lowered herself down and released the spell. That's right... Lili thought as she started down the road after Risa, unaware of the pair of eyes that watched her. If she needed Rikku later for something she could just swing by the jail and pick her up.