Phase 4
Paine's P.O.V.
What happened back there? That feeling… it came out of nowhere. I looked up as Baralai approached me in the small courtyard, the building hidden from view by large evergreen bushes. No, not him- not now. I honestly can't take it at the moment.
"Paine, are you okay?" he asked and I could tell he was worried, which made me feel a little better. I don't know why, it just did- don't ask me to explain it and don't you try to explain it either. Because I know someone would come up with the stupid idea that I was in love with him.
And I'm not.
I can't be.
"I just needed a little air," I said simply and though Baralai seemed to accept this, he gave me an odd look and for a moment, it seemed like he was going to say something more… but we were interrupted.
"Painey, are you okay?" whimpered Rikku, rushing up, "Lulu said we had really better check on you again."
"Lulu's here?" I asked and Rikku, somewhat reluctantly, showed Baralai and I, Shinra's new invention.
Rikku's P.O.V.
"It's not my fault, guys!" I whined as the others started ragging on me, "if I hadn't let them make accounts on the whole SphereChat thing they would've known something was up!"
"You're right," said Yuna eventually and I shot her a relieved smile across the table in Lulu's house where we were all meeting.
"Hey, Shinra," said Lulu, "is there any way we can lock the more private chats? You know- make them password-protected or something."
"That seems plausible," said Shrina, shrugging, "in the mean time, just be careful, alright?"
"'Kay," I promised for all of us.
"Right- well now you have to chose a password."
"Umm…" I tried, but Gippal clamped a hand over my mouth.
"Not you," he said, "heaven knows what you'd pick."
I glared at him evilly but obliged to let someone else pick.
"How 'bout the Gullwings!" Yuna suggested.
"Because that isn't the most obvious thing in the world," said Lulu sarcastically.
"True Love," said one of us- dunno who- and the rest agreed.
"It's perfect," I sighed wistfully.
Nooj nodded, grinning, "and Yevon knows that neither of them will ever guess it."
"Heh. That's true too."
-
SphereChat
(Codename: KickItsAss enters the chat)
(Codename: PraetorB enters the chat)
KickItsAss: What a creative name, Baralai.
PraetorB: (embarrassed) Hmph!
KickItsAss: Sorry, whatever… so what do you think they're talking about in that locked chatroom of theirs?
PraetorB: Do we even want to know?
KickItsAss: Well, they're probably talking about us you know, so yeah, I'd say I do.
PraetorB: Us? What gave you that idea???
KickItsAss: Haven't you noticed that we're the only ones who don't know the password?
(Codename: FluffyBunny007 enters the chat)
KickItsAss: (evil laugh) Payback. Follow my lead, Baralai.
PraetorB: Sure.
KickItsAss: (soppy voice) I… I love you, 'Lai…
PraetorB: 0.o ???
FluffyBunny007: Maybe if I'm really quiet they won't notice I'm here…
KickItsAss: Wanna cyber?
PraetorB: Uhh… sure?
KickItsAss: You start.
PraetorB: Umm… uhh… okay… (kisses Paine)
FluffyBunny007: OMG!
KickItsAss: (glomps)
FluffyBunny007: OOOOOMMMMMMGGGGGGG!
PraetorB: (touches shyly)
FluffyBunny007: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMFFFFFFFFFFFFGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KickItsAss: (giggles)
FluffyBunny007: My eyes! My eyes!
PraetorB: (pulls off Paine's shirt)
FluffyBunny007: GACK!!!
KickItsAss: Mmm… Baralai you taste so good.
FluffyBunny007: 0.o !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KickItsAss: Let's go do it for real.
PraetorB: Definitely.
FluffyBunny007: O.o !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Codename: Crimson enters the chat)
Crimson: (reads backpost and chuckles) I think you got played, Ree.
(Codename: FluffyBunny007 vomits… then exits the chat)
Crimson: Bye bye, baby.
-
"If only we could have seen Rikku's face," laughed Baralai, slinging an arm around Paine as they met around lunch that day, strolling along the beautiful, warm beach.
"It serves her right for locking us out," said Paine grumpily, but she was smiling.
"Sure does but you do realise that if she doesn't get the joke she'll try and stick us together for the rest of ours lives, don't you?"
Paine grinned, "you should've thought about that before you started feeling me up."
"What! But you-!"
"Jokes, 'Lai," said Paine, shaking her head in amusement, "no worries- anyhow, you don't think she's pinned us together already?"
"She has?"
"Everyone has," said Paine, "you didn't notice?"
Baralai blushed a deep red, "n-no! Of course not! Why would I? It's ridiculous!"
Paine chuckled lightly, "you've got a lot to learn about Rikku."
Baralai groaned jokingly and put a hand to his head. "More surprises?"