*(Blinks..) Wow, what can I say? Chapter 19, ALREADY!!! So glad to see you guys are likin' it and reviewin', it means alot! ^_^ Well, you asked for it, here's Chapter 19!!!*
"I woke up in a dream today, to the cold and the static,
Put my cold feet on the floor.
Forgot all about yesterday, remembering,
I'm pretending to be who I'm not anymore."
-With You
~Linkin Park
"Bite me." ~Andrea Valcun
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*Hello...? Hello?~*
(Not this again.)
~*Hey, are you okay?*~
(Look, Rennan. I know I screwed up, you don't have to tell me.)
~*Botta? Hey, wake up!*~
(Wait a minute...that doesn't sound like...)
~*Hey!*~
The redheaded Guard slowly opened his eyes to find himself lying flat on his back on Besaid Beach. He sat up and looked around, confused, for the source of the new, feminine voice.
~*"Hello...?"*~ His voice echoed throughout the area of his dream, he shook his head, trying again, ~*"Hello...?! He-"*~
The last time, his call was cut short when he turned around, and was met by the deepest forest eyes he'd ever seen.
~*"You're awake!*~" She exclaimed, her voice young, but seemingly familiar.
Botta jumped a little, leaning back, ~*"Uhhh...who are you?"*~
The girl shook her head and laughed, standing up. She had to be a teenager, a young one. Her dark brown curls framed her tan face, giving her a slightly older appearance, but her voice was what gave her away.
~*"My name's Teale,"*~ She said with a smile, tugging at the one-sleeved shirt she wore with her other gloved hand, ~*"You must be Botta."*~
~*"How did you-"*~
~*"I could tell from your red hair and your uniform,"*~ She answered before he asked, ~*"We've been watching you, Botta, you and my sister."*~
Botta froze at this, slowly looking at the girl carefully. The picture...the one on the nightstand next to Naida's bed..The girl said her name was Teale...
~*"You're...Naida's sister...aren't you..?"*~
She nodded, ~*"Yeah, that'd be me."*~
He continued to look at her, shaking his head, ~*"But...you said..'We,'...who else..is..watching me?"*~
~*"Just a few of us from the past,"*~ She smiled slightly, ~*"Nothing to worry about."*~
They sat for a moment, before Botta finally stood up.
~*"This...is about Naida, isn't it? Rennan told me to look after her, and ever since then I've just been hurting her."*~
Teale looked at him, her green eyes suddenly looking a bit older and darker.
~*"You think last night was something? She wasn't even in danger. My sister knows how to fight to protect herself and someone else.."*~
~*"I know, I know...she did a great job of it, too."*~ He paused, looking at Teale, who only stared at him, then down to the ground. After a moment, he took a breath, looking at her,~*"Hey, ahh...look. I'd love to stay and talk, but I've got a Blitzball Championship Game to play. So...See ya, nice meeting you!"*~
He turned from her to leave, but was stopped by something else...or someone.
~*"Going somewhere?"*~
The deep voice hit Botta's ears and almost made him jump back. He held his ground, but looked up, his crystal eyes connecting with a pair of royal blue ones even more fierce than his.
~*"Um...hi."*~
The man, obviously a couple of years older than him, leaned down, examining him.
~*"Hmm...so you're the guy Naida fell for? Don't see why."~
Botta raised his eyebrow, ~*"Fell for? Hardly...now, uhh.. I don't know you either, so I'm just gonna...go."*~
He went to walk past the spiked blonde, but was stopped when the man picked him up, slamming him against the rock wall at the back of the beach and leaving his feet dangling inches from the sand.
~*"You're not goin' anywhere 'til you listen to what I've got to say."*~
Botta's crystal eyes widened a bit, and for the first time in a long time, he could actually say that he was slightly frightened by another guy.
~*"Wait! Leon! Put him down!*~
The man didn't look, but Botta looked past him to see Teale running for the two.
~*"Teale, he's not gonna listen any other way."*~
~*But you don't have to be so violent about it!"*~ She reason, pulling her side-slitted ankle skirt up so she could finish running the distance to the man and Botta, ~*"We're here to warn him, not kill him!"*~
(Leon...)Botta looked at the man, suddenly recognizing him as well.
~*"Naida's brother,"*~ He said, his voice suddenly alot calmer than he felt.
The man nodded, ~*"Good to see you know me, now this shouldn't be so hard."*~
~*"You said you were here to warn me,"*~ He reminded, ~*"Is there something else..that I need to know...?"*~
Leon paused, before looking back at Teale. She stepped closer.
~*...Rennan told you to keep an eye on our sister, right?"*~
~*Yeah, and I'm doing a sucky job of it."*~
~*"Which is why we're here,"*~ Leon continued, ~*"To make you see just HOW serious we are. Your own brother couldn't make you understand, so it's up to her brother and sister."*~
Botta raised an eyebrow, ~*"What's gonna happen to her...?"*~
Leon looked at him, then back to Teale, who had walked back a few feet, and was staring at the ground.
~*"You sure you want to do this, T?"*~
~*"Positive,"*~ The young girl replied instantly, not looking up.
Botta watched her, only glancing at Leon when he turned back around and looked at him.
~*"Brace yourself,"*~He instructed, ~*"She freaked me out the first time she did this."*~
Botta looked back to Teale, who'd started glowing. Her curly brown hair whipped around her face, and her green eyes began to glow light green. Her clothes almost seemed to grow onto her body, spreading out to form a flowing white dress. She started walking toward them, her body making small yet noticable changes.
~*"What's she doing?"*~ Botta asked, never taking his eyes off of her.
~*"Timeshifting,"*~ Leon replied, glancing at his little sister, ~*"Become the age she would be if she were still alive."*~
Botta nodded, and continued to watch. As she got closer, her hair became a bit longer, and she became a few inches taller, taking on the curves of a woman, and the gentle, flowing gait that made her look even older. When she finally stopped glowing, she stood next to Leon, looking up at Botta.
~*"Mad res tufh."*~ She said softly, her dark eyes still glittering slightly with what Botta could only identify as her spirit's power.
Leon did so, but didn't take his hands out of the deathlock he hand on Botta's overall straps. The redhead didn't notice, of course, because he was so occupied with staring at the now 17 year old Al Bhed.
(So beautiful...)He thought, (Just like her older sister...)
His thoughts went on as the younger girl walked under Leon's arms, coming up in between them, and right in front of Botta. Not speaking, she continued to stare into his eyes.
~*"Hey, Leon? What's she doing?"*~
~*"She's connecting with you so she can send you the image. Don't talk."*~
~*"The image? Wha-..whoa!"*~
Botta's pressed question was cut short with a yelp as suddenly, the seemingly frozed Al Bhed girl moved foreward, pressing her small body close against his. He tried to resist, tried to move, but every little struggle he gave only caused her to lean closer, until she was within centimeters of his face. He stared at her emotionless face, her eyes still glowing strangely through the normal forest green. He breathed heavily, pressing his head against the rock behind him as much as he could, but without much avail. She was so close to him that his uneasy breathing was gently blowing her soft curls away from her oval face, and every breath he took in seemed to draw her even closer.
Finally, with mere millimeters between them, Teale stopped. Her eyes still locked deep into his, and the glitter in her eyes stopped, leaving them to their normal green.
~*"Drec....ec fryd'c du lusa..."*~ She whispered.
Before Botta could say a word, the Al Bhed's hands flew up and pressed tightly against both sides of his face. Suddenly, the world went spinning.
*~Flash~*
"Well two minutes left in the last half, and it looks like we've lost the ball!"
"Oh dear, it DOES look like a rough game tonight in Luca."
"Especially for the new player for the Aurochs, rising star, Naida Dark."
"That's right, Jim. Just looking at the Al Bhed makes me cold-"
~*Flash*~
Coldness, all around. But there's people swimming. The game.
~*Flash*~
A whistle, someone laughing, Letty shaking his head.
"Bloody Goers."
~*Flash*~
Datto reeling back after being tackled. He holds his arm as it starts to swell.
~*Flash*~
The ball's spinning, but something's wrong with it. Someone's yelling.
~*Flash*~
The buzzer sounds, people are yelling, but there's somthing wrong. Someone's close, floating in the water...are they alive? Try to look, try to look, but there's no way. Someone's right there, not moving. It's getting colder, the water's getting tighter, there's no air. So cold, so cold...
*~Flash~*
Botta's eyes shot open, but still he could hear someone screaming.
~*"Leon, I'm losing him!"*~
~*"He's waking up, let him go."*~
~*"But, the vision, it wasn't complete! What about Naida?!"*~
~*"You've done all you can, just let him go!"*~
The redhead's world continued to spin as he tried to focus on the whirling form of Teale, who was still holding his face. Leon stood back behind her, arms cross across his muscular chest.
~*"Are you trying to kill him? Let him go!"*~
The young Al Bhed's eyes began to fill with tears, ~*"One more try, please!!! That's all I need!"*~
~*"Teale, he's suffocating!!"*~
She looked at him, seeing that the Auroch was gasping for air.
~*"No.."*~ She pleaded softly, ~*"It's too soon..."*~
Botta continued to gasp, and Leon continued to yell.
~*"Teale!"*~
~*"I'll let you go now..."*~ She said softly, ignoring her brother, ~*"But..I'd better not see my sister anytime soon, or I'll make sure you come soon after."*~
Leaning foreward, she pressed a light kiss against the dying Guard's face, then jerked her hands down. Botta gave one last gasp, the world suddenly turning white.
~*"Yevon pa fedr oui."*~
"Botta, Botta?!! Botta!!!"
(Someone's...yelling.)
"What's the matter with you? Breathe!"
(Breathe...? I'm not...)
"Botta, come on, breathe!"
(No..air...lungs..burning..)
"Bloody Ifrit, for the love of Yevon, BREATHE!!!!"
Once again, crystal eyes shot open, and this time as Botta gasped for air, he received it.
He sat up straight, head almost colliding with that of the young man kneeling next to him. Datto fell back onto his butt, eyes still wide with unmistakable fear and shock.
"What the freaking cow?!" He exclaimed as the redhead jumped up and ran to the bathroom, looking in the mirror and splashing his face with cold water, "What the freak is wrong with you?!"
He stood up after a moment, approaching the Dreaming Psycho and trying again.
"Are you listening to me? What's wrong with you? You scared all Shiva out of me just now! Care to tell me what happened?"
"Not really,"His response finally came.
Datto shook his head, "Like Ifrit you don't! You were yelling and choking and makin' a bloody scene!"
Botta paused, looking at him, "Making a...scene?"
"Uh, YEAH."
Immedietly, the older Auroch closed the distance between them, grabbing onto Datto's uniform straps and pulling him close.
"Was anyone in here...just then..? While I was yelling?"
The young Shooter eyed him, a mix of confusion, worry, and slight fear smeared across his young face, "....No...you've only been doing that for a few minutes, and then you started choking, and I woke you up...."
Botta stared at him for a moment, before letting him go.
"Sorry..."He muttered, running a hand over his face, "I'm just a little..."
"Crazy?" Datto filled in, earning a glare. He smiled slightly, "Oh, easy now, I'm just teasin' ya. It's not every day one of the best Guards in Spira does something that outrageous."
"Then obviously no one's watching Jassu." Botta replied emotionlessley, walking back into the bathroom and looking into the mirror again.
Datto laughed, "Well, I guess that's true."He paused for a minute, watching his friend in amusement as he pinched his face repeatedley, sticking his tongue out every few seconds and looking at it. Once he'd had his fill, he smiled slightly and shook his head, "Alright now, I've had enough of this, I'm gone."
"Gone?" Botta's quick response caused the younger Auroch to freeze, turning to meet his gaze, "Where are you goin'?"
"..To the cafe..."He said.
"What?"
"To...the...cafeeee....." His voice became comically slow, sounding out each syllable,"To CLEEEAAAANNNN."
"....Why?"
He snorted, running a hand over his face. What the crap was wrong with Red today? He's never been this stupid before.
(Or maybe he has,)Datto thought, (And this is the first time I've ever noticed.)
"Because, there was a fight last night, remember? There's lots of broken wood and glass everywhere, and since we kinda helped make it that way, it'd be a good idea to go help make it UN-that way."
Botta stared at him blankley, and for a moment, Datto thought he was going to have to repeat himself yet again. However, before he could open his mouth to make the remark, Botta nodded.
"Okay,"He said, walking out of the bathroom, "I'll come with you."
Datto raised his eyebrow, "You sure, Red? You don't seem like yer doin' too good, and...yer face is pretty pale.. Looks like you seen a ghost."
"Two, actually."
Datto froze, looking at his friend for signs of a smile signalling a joke, but none came. The redhead only looked back at him, and after a minute, raised an eyebrow.
"Well? We goin' or what?"
The Shooter sighed, shaking his head, "Alright, you weirdo, let's go. But I'm tellin' you, if you start to feel woozy or anything, just...sit down, okay?"
Botta looked at him, raising an eyebrow, but nodded, "Ahh...sure....oh, and Dat, could you...do me a favor?"
Datto didn't even turn around as he walked to the door, "I'm not going to tell anyone, don't freak."
He smiled, "Thanks."
With that, the two exited the lockeroom.
"Alright now, Uncle Cracker, get ta steppin' and hand me the bloody mop!"
Jassu turned around to face the younger yet taller Auroch, thick eyebrow raised.
"Uncle Cracker? What kind of white name is THAT?"
"A white one,"He replied, "Now, hand me the mop, PLEASE."
Jassu reached over to grab the mop behind him, eyes never leaving Keepa as the Goalie stifled a laugh.
"Geez, we got Marshmallow Boy, Papa Smurf, Bulldozer, and now Uncle Cracker. What's Spira comin' to, when all of the players on a Blitz team sound like a bunch of cartoon superheroes."
"Wait...Bulldozer?" He managed to get out,"Who's that?"
Jassu grinned, leaning further back and trying again to grab the seemingly invisible mop, while Keepa tried even harder not to laugh.
"Datto, of course."
"Since when?"
"Since I said so about 3 seconds ago."
"...Ah."
Keepa raised an eyebrow, then nodded and laughed, "Sure, Jassu, you just...call 'im Bulldozer. I'm sure he'll love it."
"Yeah, 'specially considerin' he's the smallest on the team, next to Naida anyway....Man!"
With a slightly frustrated groan, Jassu twisted around, giving up altogether on trying to locate the mop without his vision's aid. As he did, he turned around and ran smack into Drea, who stood, holding the mop just out of his reach. Keepa finally let it out, laughing good and loud.
"Ohhh, no." He said, getting up, "We've got another superhero right here."
The Luca Cafe waitress grinned, "Oh really? Another name?"
"Yeah, Heiffer."
She stopped, jaw slightly opedn, "...Heiffer?!"
"Yeah," He grinned.
Drea glared at him, signalling she wasn't joking anymore. Jassu's grin faded a bit, but his humor still lingered a bit.
"Oh, c'mon, Drea! You're the best lookin' Heiffer Spira's got to offer! We'll call you, Hot Heiffer!"
At this, the actually petit woman smiled somewhat, "Jassu, you seriously need to be shot."
"Only if you're holdin' the gun, babes."
He walked foreward, grabbing the mop and her hand that held it with one of his own strong hands, and wrapping the other arm around her small waist and pulling her to him. She chuckled softly, looking up at him and flipping a locke of blonde hair out of her face.
Still watching, Keepa rolled his eyes, "Alrighty, kids. I NEED that mop. So, if you don't mind...."
Before he could say another word Jassu took the mop and tossed it to him, never taking his eyes of the woman in his arms. She laughed again as he leaned foreward, nuzzling into the hair that pressed against her neck. Keepa caught the dispatched object, and quickly turned away, laughing a little at the scene he knew they were about to create.
"Hey, Keepa!" Svanda emerged from behind the bar, which for the most part had remained unscathed, save all the glass that'd been flung to the floor on the other side, "D'you get that mop?"
"Well, yeah."He said, looking at the small, pitiful cleaning stick, "If that's what you wanna call it."
She looked at it, laughing, "It'll do, sweetie. Thank you."
Keepa smiled, walking over and handing it to her. She leaned over the bar, feet dangling almost half a foot above the floor, as she planted a sweet kiss on first his cheek, then his lips. They hovered for a moment, before she dropped back behind the counter, mop in hand.
"Thanks again, Keeps."
"Anytime."
She turned and disappeared to the back to find the mop bucket, leaving Keepa to his cleaning out front with the little broom that Amelio had given him when he walked in. It was a tiny thing, almost as wimpy as the mop he'd given Svanda, but like the mop, it worked just enough.
He walked over to it, picking it up off the trashcan next to the door. He turned to start cleaning, when suddenly the entering bell rang. He turned to see Botta and Datto walk in, Botta looking a little sick, and Datto looking...well..like Datto.
"Hey guys!" He said as soon as both of his feet were in the room. Keepa laughed.
"Hey Dat, what's up? Why so late?"
"Hey, I was here earlier, you just didn't seem me."
"That right?"
"Yep," His mouth split into a wide grin, "You were too busy smoochin' Svanda."
Keepa rubbed the back of his neck, feeling his face turning slightly red, "Uhh..."
Datto laughed, "Yeah yeah, it's all good. Now, where's the brooms and mess?"
"Actually, we've got plenty of people sweeping, and we need a few people to start fixing the tables."
Datto turned to Letty, who walked up next to Keepa.
"Alrighty, I'm on it!" He said with a smile, starting toward one of the piles of broken wood, halfway there, he stopped, "Uhh...where's the stuff to fix 'em?"
Letty laughed, "In the back. Just ask one of the girls, they'll throw somethin' at ya."
"'Cept that one," Botta said suddenly, tossing a glance over at Jassu and Drea, "She looks a bit...occupied."
"Nah,"Letty grinned,"You get on her nerves enough, she'll just throw Jassu."
Botta smiled as Keepa and Datto laughed. Datto turned and walked to the bar, leaning over it and yelling for one of the girls.
"Hey! Hey!! Someone back there I need some tools!! Hey!!"
"Just a second, I'm coming!"
Botta winced at the sound of Naida's sweet voice, wishing silently for it to stop, but then wishing for it to sound again.
"Hey! HeyheyheyheyheyheyHEY!!!"
"I'M COMIN'!!!"
Everyone in the cafe looked up to see the slightly irritated blonde come running out of the back, toolbelt in hand. When she reached the bar, she slammed it down, eying the young Shooter with annoyed green eyes.
"Happy?"
Datto smiled, grabbing the belt, "Very."
They stared at eachother for a minute, tension hanging overhead. Everyone in the room stared at the two, almost afraid Naida would jump the counter and beat the younger Auroch for ticking her off.
Instead, she raised an eyebrow, her stone-faced expression softening to a small smile as Datto grinned even bigger. Shaking her head, she reached a gloved hand up and rubbed his stubbled head lovingly.
"You psycho,"She laughed, leaning back down to her feet behind the counter.
Datto smiled, "That's ALL me."
Laughing, she shook her head again, looking around the cafe. A split second later, her eyes locked onto the crystal blue ones staring at her from the door. Botta quickly looked away, unable to stand looking at the pain that shrouded those beautiful green eyes every time they caught sight of him.
Sensing the tension building once again, Letty cleared his throat.
"Umm..okay guys, there's 6 out of 10 tables we've gotta rebuild, then, we're restockin' the glasses."
"What?" Jassu's voice came from the side of the cafe, "Restockin' glasses? Where we gettin' those?"
"Macalania," Drea answered next to him, placing a hand on the side of his face and turning him to face her, "He had them emergency shipped from the Agency."
"...Oh."
She smiled sweetly at him, "Yeah, insane. I know. Now," She picked her earlier discarded towel off the booth table behind Jassu and looked back up at him, "I..have to go, and help the rest of the women in the back."
Jassu pouted, pulling her back into his arms, "But..but.."
"No buts,"She laughed, "We kicked enough of 'em last night."
Jassu started to say something, when the effect of her joke hit him. He started laughing, shaking his head.
"Man, I'm tellin' ya,"He said, "You are NOT white."
Drea smiled, looking down at her tan skin, "Well, in a way, that's true."
He stopped laughing, a wide smile still playing on his lips. They both stood, silent, before Drea leaned up and pressed a light kiss on his still smiling lips. She leaned back, but he leaned foreward, stealing first a short kiss, then a longer one. When they broke apart, she laughed.
"Okay, I'm really going this time."
He laughed with her, releasing his grip of her, "Alright, alright. See ya in a bit."
"Bye."
She turned and walked back to the back, jumping up on one of the chairs and clearing the bar without conflict. Jassu watched her go, pausing for a moment before he picked up his broom and went back to his origional job cleaning, a content smile on his handsome face.
Botta watched him from his now taken place in the floor, hammering nails into the wood that would soon become table 4. With every second he saw Jassu's lovesick smile, something inside him tore, pulling at him like a cat with it's claws hung on his skin.
(It's not right...)He thought, (Naida and I have been arguing off and on since the day she came into the group. While the rest of the guys find someone on their first try, and they're perfect.)
He paused, before shaking his head, (...Not that it's her fault. I'm just a stubborn jack-)
"'Ey Botta?"
The redhead was shaken from his thoughts by Datto, who was staring at him with the same worried expression he'd shown back in the lockeroom.
"Hm?"
"..You okay?"
"Yeah, why?"
"..You zoned out."
"Oh..sorry. I'm good."
"You sure?"
"Promise."
"...Okay..."
The younger Auroch went back to work, leaving Botta to his thoughts. He sat for a moment, before returning to his hammering.
(If there were an award for Biggest Idiot. I think I'd win, hands down. I don't deserve her, and I put her through WAY too much...Why am I like this?)
He shook his head again, realizing he wasn't hammering anymore. He started up again, letting his mind drift to things other than the beautiful Al Bhed behind the bar.
~*"You'll never replace her!!!*~
Naida winced as Botta's words relplayed inside her head.
"Stop it.."She muttered, partially to the voice, but mostly to herself.
~*"Just...leave me alone. I can't do this."*~
It was so unfair. How had that argument even starte? HE was the one that came into the lockeroom after her. Shouldn't he have been wanting to make up for being such a jerk earlier?
(He just made it worse...) She thought, scrubbing the stove even harder, (He keeps pushing me away, then reeling me back, and I'm getting tired of it.)
(*But he's been hurt, you know that.*) Her little voice of Reason argued.
"That doesn't give him the right to hurt me."
(*He's a boy, he'll learn from his mistakes.*)
"So I'm a mistake?"
(*Don't be stupid. Viranda was the mistake.*)
"He sure doesn't make it seem like that."
(*You know what they say: Sometimes Yevon sends the wrong person first, so you'll know when the right person arrives.*)
"Psh. That's a good one, d'you think of it yourself?"
(*Hey, I'm you, remember? It's not a stupid saying, it's true. Besides, your Mother was the one who told you that.*)
At that, Naida stopped scrubbing for a moment.
"Mother..."She whispered, absently sliding one hand up to Leon's tags still hanging around her neck.
"Naida?"
The Al Bhed jolted out of her trance at the sound of Svanda's gentle voice. She looked up at the younger woman, who was standing with her rag in hand, eyebrow raised.
"..You okay?"
"Yeah...why?"
"Well, I thought I heard you talkin' to yourself...so I wondered."
"Oh, I'm sorry...yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."
Svanda paused, eying her friend for a moment, before drawing in a slow breath.
"O...k. Anyway...All 10 tables are back in tact, and some of the guys went to the dock to get the new glass stock."
"New...glass?"
"Yeah, most of 'em were broken last night."
At this, Naida couldn't help but smile, "That'd be my bad."
Svanda smiled back, "Hey, you can't take all the credit, we helped."
"Heck yes you did."
The two laughed for a moment, before Svanda smiled.
"C'mon, Drea's workin' with the tv in there, let's go watch."
Naida nodded, "Alright."
She set her rag down on the counter next to the stove, and followed her taller yet younger best friend out of the kitchen.
"Which port did he say to go to?"
"Kilika's."
"Where's that?"
"Should be next to ours."
Jassu lead the way to the docks to retrieve the needed cafe items, Keepa right behind him and Botta trailing after.
"What if they're not there yet?" Keepa's questions started up again.
"They will be,"Jassu answered, not even turning around, "You know how Kilika's all about bein' on time. Amelio said they'd be here about 3, and it's almost 15 after. If anything, they'll be mad at US for being late."
"Ahh...ok."
The small group continued on in silence, reaching the dock minutes later. Waiting for them were three crates, the word "Fragile" Stamped across each one. An old man stood next to the carts, clipboard in hand. As he spotted the three approaching, he pulled out a pen and set it on top.
"You gentlemen here for the crates?"
"Yes sir,"Jassu replied, taking the pen, "That'd be us."
"Amelio's a good man, had to get these here fast for 'im."
"He told us to say thanks."
"It's no problem."
After Jassu had finished signing for the crates, he handed the clipboard back to the man, and picked up one of the crates.
"Whoa,"He managed to get out, "Just a bit heavy guys, watch out."
The two nodded, picking up their crates. Keepa didn't have a problem, and Botta adjusted. After a moment, Jassu turned and looked at them.
"You guys ready?"
"Wait!"
The three stopped short when the new voice sounded. They each turned to find the source, not being able to see well from the crates in their arms. Botta was the first to set his down, and immedietly saw the stranger next to him.
The man was tall, about the same height as Jassu, but not quite as big as Keepa. He had dark, spiked black hair, and his eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses. He was obviously some kind of fisherman, because he was built. Botta almost stepped back as the man took another step looking between the three. Keepa finally set his box down, Jassu following soon after. At the sight of the stranger so close, Keepa tensed up. The man seemed to not notice.
"Hi, um..sorry 'bout jumpin' in so suddenly,"He said, "But, I recognized you guys as the Aurochs, and..."
"Whaddya need?" Botta said, almost irritated.
Keepa eyed his friend, then looked over to the man, "Sorry 'bout that, he's not in his best mood."
"No kidding,"Botta murmured.
"Oh, it's no big,"The man smiled, tightening his grip on the sack he held slung over his shoulder, "I was just wondering where I could find Naida Dark."
At this the redhead jerked up, "What about her?"
The man laughed, shaking his head, "Hey, hey...I'm an old friend. I'm not here to steal 'er from ya."
Botta only glared at him. Still, he seemed unfazed.
"So...you gonna tell me where she is..? Or..am I gonna have ta look for her?"
"She's at the cafe," Jassu answered finally, "She should be in the back, just ask Letty for her."
"Thanks man," The stranger called, "I'll see ya later!"
With that, he took off at a steady jog toward the cafe, leaving the three men in silence.
That is..until Jassu caught Botta's death glare.
"What?"
"...Nothin'."
The redhead picked his crate back up and continued to walk. Jassu looked at Keepa, who shrugged, picking his crate back up and following after Botta. Jassu stood for a moment, before shaking his head and picking his crate back up.
"White people confuse me."
"What the crap did you set it on?!"
Letty smiled as sweet laughter rang out from the side of the bar, where four women sat. Well, three, actually. Drea stood on one of the tables, trying to reach the tv that was perched high above them.
"I didn't set it on anything!" She laughed her answer to Naida's question, "Do I look tall enough to program this bloody thing?!"
The girls laughed again, and this time Drea jumped down off the table, grabbing a chair from one of the other tables nearby. She turned back to the booth, setting the chair on top of the table, then climbing up.
"Someone hold it!" She called down as she began to climb up to the top of the chair.
Immedietly all three of the remaining women grabbed a leg on the chair, Lacy grabbing two. They held it in place as Drea stood up straight, stretching out as far as her small body would let her to the tv, which was now just in her reach.
"Got it!" She yelled, pressing random buttons to switch the station from some puppet singing love songs to what looked like cartoons. At one point, Svanda yelped.
"It's Chuck the Chocobo!!" She squealed, "Leave it leave it leave it!!!!"
"Wait," Lacy said, looking at the honey haired Chocobo Trainer, "Isn't that the cartoon with Maggie Moogle on it?"
"And Mikey Moomba?" Naida asked.
"You know it!" Svanda laughed.
"LEAVE IT!!" The two remaining women yelled.
Drea laughed, "You got it!!! I personally like Freddy the Frog on here!"
"He's cool too!" Naida approved.
The three women laughed as Drea climbed back down, landing safely back on the floor after a minute. The four then sat in the booth, watching their favorite childhood cartoons get into something as always, then find some magical way to get out, while saving many lives in the process.
"Ohh..they're so cute..."Svanda said, leaning on her elbows, and her chin in her hands.
"If I were a Moomba, I'd definately marry Mikey," Naida sighed.
"That's because you're a looney," Drea said, causing the young Al Bhed to laugh.
Minutes later, much to the 4 women's dismay, the cartoon went off. As the credits rolled, the announcer came on, naming the sponsors, and what other stations you could find Chuck the Chocobo and friends on.
"Hey,"Lacy said, her hazel eyes lighting up, "He said channel 7! You guys have that, right?"
"Sure do!"Drea nodded, "But there's no way in Ifrit I'm climbin' back up there!"
"I got this!" Naida took over, jumping up in her seat next to Svanda in the booth.
The younger woman laughed as her best friend, and the shortest one in the room, climbed up on top of the white table, grabbing ahold of the cushioned wicker chair and pulling herself up on top. The three remaining women grabbed the chair as they'd done for Drea earlier, holding it steady.
"What channel's it on now?"
"6,"Drea answered, "Just go up one, it won't skip."
"Okay!"
The Al Bhed stood on her booted tiptoes, stretching as far as she could without losing her balance.
"Naida, be careful!" Lacy called.
"Don't fall!" Svanda added.
"You go girl!" Drea laughed.
Naida laughed a little as she stretched even further.
"You girls don't let her fall," Came Letty's voice from behind the bar. He and Datto had been cleaning in the back and had come out to see what the commotion was about, Datto right beside him.
"Yeah, seriously," He agreed, "I can name a few people who'll beat the tar outta you if ya do!" He laughed a little.
"They won't!" Naida assured, not that she would know. She was so concentrated on the tv buttons, she didn't even hear the entrancebell ring, and the sound of a familiar stranger's voice asking where she was.
"Right there," Letty pointed, "The one that looks like she's aimin' to kill herself."
"The one that's tryin' to put herself back in the hospital," Datto added with a laugh.
Almost as if taking their words to heart, Naida stopped stretching. Drea looked from the stranger, then up to her.
"Hey, Naida! There's someone here to s-"
Before she could finish, the short Al Bhed's leg muscles visibly tensed beneath her chaps, and she lunged upward, stretching as far as she could.
"Naida!" Svanda yelped, gripping the chair for the coming impact.
"Letty!" Lacy shreiked, holding her two sides for all she was worth.
"Oh, man,"Drea said softly, watching as Naida successfully hit the tv button, then came falling back down.
"Crap!" Letty yelled, jumping the counter to rush to the women's aid, Datto right behind him.
Everything went into slow motion as Naida came down on the wicker chair with a loud pop. Some of the strands on the chair snapped, sliding her back to the edge of it. She screamed, feeling herself fall off the edge of the chair and down toward the hardwood floor below.
Drea, Svanda, and Lacy watched almost in awe as the stranger that had just entered the room dropped his bag, covering the distance between him and the falling Al Bhed within seconds. He stretched out his strong arms, catching the small woman before she even hit even with the table. Instictively, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling close to him, her eyes shut tight.
Svanda breathed a sigh of relief, slumping down into the booth. Lacy slid out from her place between Naida and the stranger and the table to stand next to Letty, who was standing beside the two, arms crossed. Drea stood, leaning against the side of the booth for support, her heart pounding her her chest as she tried to calm down, and Datto just sat on one of the tables beside them, shaking his head.
"That was...some catch," Came Naida's small voice, her body still not moving.
"Well, that was some fall,"The man's deep voice sounded close to her. Too close. Naida loosened her grip on him, leaning back.
She paused for a moment, before opening her bright green eyes and looking up at the stranger. His eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses, but there was just, something about him..that was so familiar.
"Glad to see you're doing well, Naida." He smiled, setting her down.
"Yeah..ahh..thanks." She said, laughing a bit.
The entrance bell rang once again, this time letting in Keepa, Botta, and Jassu. As they saw the scene of Naida looking up at the stranger, a strange pale look on her face, Keepa and Jassu looked at Botta, who looked like he was about to explode.
"Remember me?" The stranger's voice was lower now, and for a moment, Naida felt almost giddy.
"...Should I?" She replied softly.
The man smiled slightly, taking off his sunglasses to reveal shocking, white-blue eyes that immedietly locked onto Naida's green, and a scar, tracing from his left temple, almost to the corner of his eye.
"Well, I imagine you should, considering you so lovingly gave me this while I gave you that." He pointed at her tattoos.
Naida's jaw dropped as she continued to stare at the man, because she DID recognize him.
~*Flash*~
~"What? You don't think he can do it?"~
~"It's not that I don't hink he can do it..it's just..I don't trust him when he gets up around your... chest area."~
~"Yeah..alright!"~
*
~"Yeah, but that's not the half of it. He was 18, and he had a major crush on me. When he was puttin' it on me, he tried to pretend it was an accident, but I didn't buy it."~
~"You nailed him, didn't you?"~
~"You bet I did. I had a ring that I wore back then too, my sister had given it to me."~
~"Ohhhh..."~
~"Oh yeah..he still has a scar goin' down the side of his face."~
*
The pictures...the boy standing behind Naida and pointing at her tattoo, a grin across his handsome face...
*
~"So, where is that boy now?"~
~"You know...I don't know..."~
~*Flash*~
Naida Dark slowly stared up at the man, who watched her with slightly concerned eyes. She paused, before breathing one word.
"Robert...."
Wth that, she fell foreward,right into the arms of Robert Finch.
~~~~
"So...let me get this straight. You knew her for 2 years...you're her..brother's best friend?"
"Yeah."
"And..you lived in Kilika 'til you were 17..then you were in Home 'til you were...19?"
"23," He corrected, "Naida moved there when she was...15 or just 16, then she moved to Kilika when she was late 17 or 18."
Letty stared at the man...Robert, hazel eyes connected with his white-blue, but not intimidating at all. He shifted his gaze momentarily to the resting form of Naida on the bar, where Svanda was placing a pack of ice on her head and whispering to herself quietly as Lacy stood beside her with a towel.
"I'm surprised YOU don't remember me,"Robert said, shaking the Center out of his daze, "I did give you those tattoos."
At this Jassu laughed, "Whoa whoa whoa...You?" He walked and stood next to Letty, looking down at him, "HE'S the one who did that to you?"
"Yeah yeah yeah..."Letty rolled his eyes,"This's him."
Jassu stepped back, laughing, "Geez, that's..that's great!"
Letty merely shook his head, turning back to Robert.
"So...you lived in Home..."
"'Til it was destroyed a few months ago," He answered before asked, "Then I moved to Guadosalam."
"Guadosalam??" Drea echoed, from beside Jassu,"Why in Shiva would you want to go there???"
"Family,"He looked at her,"I have and Aunt and Uncle with three cousins that live there. The Jones'?"
"Karri and Taron? I didn't know they had any family outside of Guadosalam..."
"Well, now they don't, since I moved there, anyway."
"So..."Keepa said, stepping up, "What brings you here..? To Luca?"
"Well..."He said, sitting back in his chair,"That's just it..I'm here because I'm actually looking for a house."
"You're MOVING here???"
"Uh...yeah," He raised his eyebrow slightly, "Me and my girlfriend, Laura, she's lookin' for a nursing job here."
At the name "Laura," Drea jumped foreward.
"You're goin' out with Laura Sky?!?!?"
Robert grinned, "Sure am..I gotta be the luckiest guy in Guadosalam to have her."
Drea smiled, "That's freakin' awesome!! She was one of my best friends when I lived there!! How's she doin'?"
"Why don't you ask her yourself? She should be here any-"
Before he could finish, the entrance bell rang, and a loud but seemingly gentle voice flooded the room.
"Robert!!! Bloody Ifrit yer hard to find, you know that?!?!!"
"Speak of the devil.." Robert said softly, turning around.
Before the group stood a young woman, obviously Al Bhed. She had royal blue eyes, with bleache blonde hair that was for the most part pulled back in a ponytail, but a few rebellious lockes hung down in her beautifully shaped tan face. She would've looked a lot like Drea, save the fact she was Al Bhed, and her hair was streaked dark blue and black. She stood at least 2 inches shorter than Naida, somewhere around 5'1", a strange comparison to her boyfriend's 6'1". She wore a pair of bluejean shorts, obviously homemade, because strings of thread were hanging down on her well defined legs, and she wore a dark blue strapless tank top. A pair of dark goggles hung around her neck, clinging noisily when she moved. In one cut-off gloved hand, she held a black duffel back with a hospital cross on it, while the other gloved hand rested on the backpack strap going across her shoulder.
Growing impatient with everyone staring at her, she shifted her weight from one black-booted foot to the other, breathing out.
"What? Why's everyone staring at me like I grew a third arm?"
Robert laughed gently, while a blur of black and blonde flew across the room at the new girl.
"LAURA!!!"
In a flash, the young Nurse dropped her two bags just in time to catch the whirlwind of Drea, who knocked both of them to the floor. A tangle of blonde, navy, and black rolled across the floor a couple of feet, before stopping on the rug at the door. There, Drea sat, leaning against the side of the large restaurant trashcan and grinning down at her old friend as she lay sprawled on the floor, once almost-tame hair now loose around her face, acting as a sort of curtain for the confused dark blue eyes behind them. She rolled over onto her side, propping herself up with one arm, while brushing her hair out of her face with her free hand. She looked up at Drea, and immedietly her confused face dropped.
"DREA!!!"
Instantly she flew out of her layed out position to one on her knees, embracing the bar waitress in a tight hug. Drea laughed, returning the hug, and they sat there for a moment, laughing at nothing in particular.
"Hoo-boy..." Jassu said, running a hand over his face, "Another white chick in the picture."
Robert looked at him, eyebrow raised, "That one yers?"
Jassu returned his gaze, smiling slightly, "You could say that."
Finally, the two women settled down, and stood up, Drea grabbing Laura's backpack and setting it on one of the loose tables near the bar. The shorter woman picked up her duffel back, walking to stand next to Drea in front of the group.
"Hey guys," The Lucan barwaitress grinned, "This, is Laura Mari Sky! One of my best friends in Spira!"
Immedietly and array of "Hi"'s and "Hey"'s broke out in the group, accompanied by waves. Laura smiled, waving back. Robert laughed.
"Geez, L. I know you told me Drea lived in Luca, but I didn't think she'd be the one introducin' you to everyone."
Laura laughed a little, "Neither did I," She looked at Drea, "You didn't have to tell 'em my middle name, you know."
"I know,"Drea grinned,"But..it just fits together so well, Laura Mari."
Laura rolled her eyes, smiling. After a moment, she looked back at Robert, who was looking at the young woman laying on the bar, a pack of ice on her head.
"Oh, dear,"Her voice suddenly filled with concern, "What happened here?"
"Well,"Lacy said, brushing the unconcious girl's hair out of her face, "Naida here fell off that chair on that table over there, Robert caught her, they talked until she figured out who he was, then she passed out."
"Hmmm...."
"Wait a minute,"Jassu said, turning to the Counter Lady, "THAT chair?" He pointed to the one on the table, "Right there?"
Svanda, Lacy, and Drea exchanged glances before laughing nervously, and turning away. Jassu rolled his eyes.
"White girls..."
"Hey,"Datto turned to Laura from his seat next to Letty, "Didn't Robert say somethin' about you bein' a Nurse?"
"Way ahead of ya little man." She said, already moving around the bar with her duffel bag.
She reached Naida's side, Svanda and Lacy moving out of the way, and set her bag down on the floor. Standing up on her tiptoes, she leaned over the younger Al Bhed and reached up, pressing her fingertips to her forehead.
"No fever..."She stated, sliding her hand down to Naida's neck, checking her pulse, " ...Pulse normal..." She then shifted foreward again, this time taking both hands and cupping Naida's jaw with one and tilting her head back with the other. She held her hand there for a moment, before shaking her head, "Her breathing's fine," She said, letting her head rest on the towel under her.
She settled back flat on her feet, looking out at the group, "She's perfectly fine, you could wake her up if you wanted to."
"She's sleeping?" Botta's voice startled everyone in the room.
"Oh, he speaks!" Drea teased, nudging him playfully, then leaning against Jassu's arm.
Botta only returned her gesture with a slight smile, before returning his gaze to the shorter than Naida Al Bhed.
"Yeah,"She answered, "But I don't see why you'd want to wake her up, she looks like she hasn't slept in weeks."
"She hasn't."Letty stated, glancing over at Botta.
"Ah." Came Laura's response. The Nurse had once again leaned foreward on the bar, and was now examining the strange yet familiar tattoos that littered the girl's stomache.
"You know Robert..."She said,"Didn't you tell me a while back that you'd done a crop circle tattoo for your best friend's kid sister...? Is this what they looked like?"
"Well Laura,"He laughed a little, "That's kind of..well...that's Leon's kid sister."
Laura's jaw dropped slightly, and she turned her gaze back to the woman on the bar.
"THIS is Leon's kid sister..?" She shook her head a bit, "...She doesn't look like a kid."
"Well, he had another little sister too, Teale, but..."
He trailed off, looking at his girlfriend with an almost sad expression on his face. Her face softened.
"It's okay, honey, I know."
He paused, gazing at her, before shaking his head, "Anyway...you guys are playin' tonight?"
"Yep,"Keepa grinned, "Last game of the season."
"Against the Goers too...man that's gonna be somethin'."
"You bet, people from everywhere are gonna be here!"
Robert smiled, looking back to Naida.
"Hope she's awake by then."
"Ah,"Letty laughed, "She will be, trust me."
As if on cue, the small form began to stir, rolling over onto her side, then settling back down.
"'Ey Drea,"Jassu said softly, "You might want to get her some coffee, I got a feelin' she'll be wantin' some pretty soon."
"Yeah,"Drea laughed, "Me too."
The barwaitress slid through the group and to the back, grabbing the normal stray coffee pot that sat on the stove in the front, right behind the bar.
"So..."Svanda started while fixing the towel under her best friend's head, "How did you know Naida was here in Luca?"
"Well," Robert smiled, "I'd seen her on Tv, Blitzin'. You can imagine how shocked I was to see her playin' Leon's sport, but I thought it was awesome all the same..."He shook his head, "Anyway. You know Laura's a Nurse, right? Well, word got out that Luca was in need of some Nurses, and one day I get a call from my cousin over here, and she tells me that the hospital over here's offering big pay for anyone with experience. So I told Laura, and her parents said okay, so long as I was with her, and here we are."
"Wow," Datto said, leaning over on the bar, "That's pretty wild."
"You said your cousin lives here...?" Lacy asked, "What's their name?"
"Oh," Robert started again while pulling one well define leg up and fixing his strap sandals, "Well, she hasn't moved here just yet, but she's workin' on it. She and her "Good Friend," Ropp, they've already found a place to live."
"You're related to Mifurey?" Botta asked, eyebrow raised.
"You know her?" He laughed, "Geez, small world. But yeah, that's my cousin. I know she-"
Suddenly, the conversation was interrupted by Naida, who groaned, and sat up.
"Geez..."She said, propping herself up on one hand, and pressing the other to her forehead, "What a drea-"
She stopped in mid-"Dream" when she saw Laura beside her, grinning.
"Sorry, sweetie, it wasn't a dream."
"Wha..t?" Naida looked at the woman, before twising around and looking at the rest of the group, her gaze stopping on Robert, "Robert!!!"
He smiled gently, "Hey kid."
With a loud yelp, the woman slid off the bar, landing unsteadily, but catching her balance just enough to lunge foreward into the open arms of her long lost friend. She laughed happily, hugging him so tightly that if it'd be anyone weaker, they would've suffocated. He smiled and hugged her back, stroking her soft blonde hair like the big brother he'd grown to feel like over the years.
(Even after the little, "Incident," When I was 16,) She thought with a laugh, leaning back and examining the scar on his face.
"Still there,"She grinned, reaching up and touching it gently.
"Yeah, yeah." He laughed, "You don't have to remind me."
Behind them, Letty laughed histerically. Naida turned and looked at him.
"You hush!" She smiled.
"Sorry, sorry!" He calmed down just a bit, " I ..I just remembered you tellin' me about this guy!"
She shook her head, turning back to Robert, "So, what brings you here to Luca?"
"Well..."He said, sitting back down. In a few minutes, he quickly explained everything he'd already said before, stopping at the question almost everyone had to ask.
"I thought Mifurey was an orphaned Al Bhed?"
"She is,"He stated, getting many confused looks, "Okay okay...just listen. You see, she's really my STEP cousin. Her mother, married my uncle, WHILE she was pregnant with her. After she had her, you know, we all grew up, blah blah...Until we were both about 20, and she was doin' her Blitz thing. Her Mom and stepdad went to visit her mom's cousin in Kilika, when the attack was made there...She took leave from the game and went to Mi'ihen Highroad to stay with Ropp for a while, and when she finally went to get rid of her goggles, she called me up, and I went with her. So...the cousins I have aren't the same ones she has..bloodwise."
"Ahh..." Naida nodded slightly, "I...think I understood that..."
Robert laughed, "It's alright, it's hard to explain anyway."
She nodded again, this time followed by a small period of silence. Finally, Datto couldn't take it anymore.
"That's it!" He yelped, "I'm goin' back to the lockeroom. I HATE uneasy silences, I often get shoes or somethin' thrown at me after 'em."
He tossed a smirk to Naida and Botta, who looked at him, then eachother, then quickly away. Quickly, the young Shooter got up and made his way for the door.
"Besides," He added, stopping halfway,"The game starts in about an hour, if you haven't noticed. So...feel free to..I dunno..come get ready!"
"I'll come,"Keepa laughed, stepping foreward. He turned and looked at Svanda, "You comin' too?"
"Sure." She smiled, coming out from behind the bar and taking his hand as they walked out behind Datto.
Once again thrown into silence, the group looked at eachother, before Letty stood up.
"Well, I don't think the silence is uneasy, but I don't like it. I'm gone." He laughed a little, and walked for the door, stopping only to wait for Lacy, who came out from behind the bar and walked out with him.
"Geez," Naida smiled, "Attatched at the hip, I say."
Without even saying a word, Botta left.
"Except for you and him, "Jassu pointed, "You two are just on a string."
Naida glared at him, and he laughed, "My bad, my bad."
"Well Rob?" Laura stood up out of her chair, looking down at her boyfriend, "You ready to go check in? We're only oh..."She looked at her wristwatch, "....2 hours late."
She laughed as he stood up, smiling, "Yeah, they'll still take us, we're booked in."
She smiled back at him as he pulled her to him, pressing a kiss on her forehead, before picking his bags and her backpack up and walking for the door.
"Good to see you guys!" He called, waving, "See ya on the field!"
"We'll be cheerin' for ya!" Laura added, taking his free hand as they walked out the door, "Tell Drea I said bye!"
"I hear ya, L!" Drea called from the back, "Come back and see me!"
"You know I will, missy!"
"Bye!" Naida waved, sitting down at the bar and turning to it.
Jassu sat next to her, grinning, "Man, this day's actually been pretty good, save the fact that you passed out."
"Yeah..."Naida smiled thoughtfully, looking at him, "I guess it has, better than yesterday, anyway."
Jassu laughed, "Definately."
Suddenly, Drea re-emerged from the back, holding a full pot of coffee.
"Anyone want some...." She trailed off when she saw Jassu and Naida were her only two customers, "Well bloody Ifrit!"
Naida and Jassu laughed, Jassu shaking his head.
"Well, if you'd gotten yer white butt out here about 2 minutes earlier, there WOULDA been people."
Drea rolled her eyes, pouring Naida a cup of coffee and setting it in front of her.
"The stuff to fix it up is on the stand next to the trashcan,"She said, ignoring her dark skinned boyfriend.
"Hey, Hot Heiffer!" He stood up, "I'm talkin' to you!"
Her only reply was flipping her hair behind her shoulder and walking to the front stove to set the coffee pot down. He raised an eyebrow.
"Ohhh...you're just bein' white now."
"Ever notice how he ALWAYS blames peoples problems on being white?" She asked Naida, who was blowing on her coffee and nodding her agreement.
"Well, it's TRUE." Jassu said, then pointed at Drea, "And yer the worst one of all, Little Miss Temper over there!"
"Bite me." She said bluntly, turning to walk back to the back, "Hey, Naida? When you get yer coffee, could you switch the sign on the front door to Open, then circle 7 to 1 on it? The marker's strapped at the bottom of the board."
"Sure," She replied, getting up.
"Ohhhhh no." Jassu said, jumping up in his seat, "Don't think I'm ignorin' yer little comment. I WILL bite you, don't think I won't."
Drea ignored him still, walking back to the back. Jassu laughed.
"You asked for it!"
With that, he jumped over the bar, running back to the back after her. A loud, laughing yelp was heard, then a mix of the two talking at the same time, before Drea's voice was suddenly cut off, and nothing else was heard.
Naida knelt down in front of the sign, circling the numbers Drea had suggested. She paused at the sound of Drea's abrupt cutoff, smiling slightly and shaking her head.
(Either he killed her or their back there makin' out.) She thought, (...I vote the latter.)
With a short laugh, she stood back up, grabbing the contents to put in her coffee before going back to her seat. She sat quietly, stirring everything in with her straw while watching the momentarily slowing rain fall on the dome window in the back. At one point she glanced down and thought she caught a glimpse of Jassu and Drea through the small frame in the shelf that gave a peek into the back, but when she looked again, they were gone.
After a few minutes, she finished her coffee, setting the empty glass down on the bar with a hollow plink.
"Hey, guys!" She called, standing up, "You don't have to answer or anything, "She laughed, "Not that ya would, but still, I'm leavin', and Jassu, we've got almost 30 minutes left before gametime, you remember that, okay? Bye!!"
She turned and left the scene at a steady pace, walking out into the rain with her arms wrapped around her small body. However, when she approached the bridge, she stopped, looking over it.
(Yeah, it looked safe last time too...) She thought sagely, taking in a deep breath as she stepped onto the bridge alone once more, narrow green eyes darting around to each corner, searching for strangers.
"Hey!"
Naida jumped a little at the sound of the yell. Turning around as fast as she could, her eyes connected with a pair not unlike her own. She stepped back, fists bunching at the thought of Viranda, but she calmed down when she saw the eyes didn't belong to the Goer.
"Well now," Mifurey laughed a little, "Someone's jumpy."
"Oh," Naida laughed with her, "I'm sorry, it's just...the bridge, you know."
"Yeah," The older Al Bhed smiled, "I'm sorry. Ropp and I were just headin' to the stands."
Naida nodded, glancing up at the other Al Bhed that had been seemingly quiet the whole time.
"'Ey Ropp," She raised an eyebrow, "You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm good," He smiled slightly, "Thanks. I'm just a little zoned out. Big last game's in half an hour, ya know."
She laughed, "Yeah, I know, I'm playin' in it!"
"Yeah..."His face fell a little, "I just...I got this feelin'...somethin's not right..."
Naida and Mifurey exchanged glances.
"Like what?" Naida asked.
"Hey, let's talk about this WHILE we're moving across the brigde," Mifurey said, shuffling foreward for emphasis, "We're all getting soaked."
"Well..."Ropp answered, while listening to Mifurey's suggestion, "...I'm not sure...I just..I remember hearin' what the Goers were sayin' at the beginnin' of the Season...about some "Secret Weapon." I dunno, maybe I'm just paranoid."
Naida shook her head, she'd completely forgot about the Goers talking about their "Secret Weapon" at the beginning of the season.
"Strange that they stopped," She said quietly, "They wouldn't shut up about it earlier."
"Yeah..." Ropp sighed, "Those guys can't do much more..they're treadin' on thin ice as it is. I'm surprised they're still in the game..."
The group reached the end of the bridge, and the couple turned to the Auroch.
"Well," Mifurey said, hugging Naida, "Good luck!"
"We'll be cheerin' for ya, "Ropp added, "Stomp 'em into the ground!!"
"Thank you," Naida smiled, "Now you get goin'. They're gonna open the gates into this town any freakin' minute, and people'll be FLOODING in here. Go get a good seat, okay?"
"Gotcha!" Mifurey called back, already walking off with Ropp.
As they disappeared, Naida shook her head.
(I completely forgot to ask her about Robert, darn.)
"Naida!"
This time, she turned around to see Lacy behind the counter.
"Woman, get movin'! It's 15 'til! They're opening the gates now!"
"Oh, c'mon, Lacy," Naida laughed, "It's not like people actually-"
"Oh my Yevon, it's Naida Dark!!"
"From the Aurochs?!"
"Yeah, she's right there, look!"
"Oh my Yevon, it IS her!!"
"Naida! Naida!!!"
Naida turned to see two young girls running toward her, Blitzballs clutched in their hands.
"Miss Dark, Miss Dark!" They yelled in unison, skidding to a stop in front of her.
"Can we have your autograph???" One of the piped, brown eyes wide.
"Can we can we???"
"Oh..."Naida said, feeling a strange blush creep up her cheeks, "...Sure..I guess!"
"YAY!!" They both yelled, pulling out permanent markers.
Naida gawked for a moment, then shook herself from her trance, taking one of the markers and signing one of the balls, then the other. Once she was finished, they squealed.
"YEAAHH!!!"
"...Blondie, WHAT are you doin'?"
Naida didn't even have to look up, "Well Jassu...I don't know."
Instantly the two girls squealed again, running to Jassu and begging him for his signature. After tossing a grin to Naida, who smiled back, he signed both of the Blitzballs.
"Wow, two of the Aurochs!!" One said, "Thanks!"
"Yeah, thanks!"
Naida and Jassu laughed, "You're welcome."
"We'll be cheerin' for ya!" One of them said as they ran off.
"Yeah, listen for us!!"
After they were gone, Lacy's laughter filled the empty space. They turned to her.
"Man, white girl," Jassu raised an eyebrow, "What're you laughin' at??"
"You..you two think that was crazy..you just wait 'til THEY get here."
She pointed, and slowly, the two Aurochs turned, and almost screamed.
In front of them, was the hugest swarm of people Naida had ever seen...running straight for them.
"Holy Ifrit!" Jassu yelled.
"Run!" Lacy laughed, pointing toward the lockerooms.
And the two did so. They ran for all they were worth, the people flooding their former standing spots, taking pictures and yelling their names.
As they slid down the hallway, Jassu looked at Naida.
"You know, that's never happened before, ya?"
"Really?" She yelled back, the screams of the people behind them still deafening.
"Yeah!"
They came to a stop at their lockeroom door, jumping in and slamming the door. They both turned around at the same time.
Just to meet 5 smiling faces.
"Bunch of people, ya?" Letty laughed.
"A BUNCH?" Naida breathed, "There's like, 2000 people out there!!!"
"Sweet!" Datto yelped, jumping up, "This is gonna be freakin' awesome!"
"You said it, little man, "Botta smiled, slapping him on the back.
Naida looked at him, his eyes connecting with hers. He smiled even bigger, causing her to smile. He was back to normal.
(Or so I think...) She thought with a small laugh.
"Aunt Julia's supposed to be comin' too,"Keepa added, "I hope she gets a good seat."
"Oh, I'm sure she will," Svanda reassured him, "I've already got some spots reserved. They know where to go."
"I ran into Ropp and Mifurey on my way here, "Naida said, "They said good luck."
"Good,"Letty said, sitting down, "We're gonna need it."
"Hey,"She came up again, "Does anyone remember anything about the Secret Weapon?"
At this, everyone fell silent, looking at her.
"Man...I totally forgot about that..." Datto said quietly.
"Me too," Keepa agreed.
The rest of the group slowly nodded, and Svanda just shook her head.
"I don't know what you guys are worryin' about. The Goers are under close watch as it is, what could they pull?"
"Alot..."Botta muttered, looking up. His eyes connected with Naida's, and a chill swept through him.
(~*Watch her...*~)
"I am.."He murmured softly, never taking his eyes off of her beautiful face. She smiled slightly, nodding at him. He nodded back.
"C'mon guys," Jassu said, stepping foreward, "Let's do this."
"For the Cap'n," Keepa added, stepping up with him to the slowly forming circle.
"Yeah, for Cap'n Wakka," Datto agreed, standing on the other side of Svanda.
"For Yuna and Lu, " Letty said, getting up.
"For all of 'em out there, the group, the fans, everyone," Botta said.
"And for Leon..." Naida said, looking down.
"Yeah..." Botta said, causing her to look at him, "For Leon too."
She smiled, and Jassu's voice filled their ears as they wrapped arms around eachother's shoulders and leaned in.
"Yevon, creator of Spira, giver of Life, maker of Fayth, hear us now...."
He led the most courageous prayer Naida had ever heard, closing it just as well. When everyone had broken apart, Naida still felt like they were all together, in spirit. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Botta, who had shifted to be next to her.
"You ready for this...?" She said quietly.
"Yeah,"He replied, "You?"
"You know it."
The two exchanged glances, before Naida laughed a little.
"Well then, let's do this."
He smiled, looking from her, to the group, then back to her.
"It's time to get it on."
~~~~~~~~~~~Author's Note: Hey guys!! I know, this chapter was really just a time waster, you get to know the characters more, and I even bring an old one back in along with a new one! I hope you liked it, because it was gonna be longer, I was actually gonna try to fit the game into this, but then I looked at the little scroll bar in the corner, and thought "Nahhh..."
*lol*
Alright now, here goes with the Thankios! (heeheehee...Spaghettios)
First off, to Carter: Still doing a wonderful job on yer story. *laughs* Last chapter you weren't on yer vacay yet, but I'm pretty sure you are now! I hope you're having fun in your place overseas, and I'll pray for your safety!
Then of course there's Ti: Woman, I give you Laura! *smiles* I hope you like her, she's short, like you asked, and even though I haven't had her long enough to build on her attitude and story backround and such, I will, and I hope you like what I have so far! ...I'm still waiting for you to upload your wonderful stories, and now that I've finished this backbreaking time waster, I'm gonna go recheck yer site to see if you have!
To Daemon, DA, Sonata: I don't know if you guys are still reading, but I'm still thanking you just in case!
Nikki Ash: I'm so glad to see your new one shot, but I really wish you'd make it a story! ^_^ It has great potential, especially since you're such an awesome writer! Keep up your great work, woman. I'll be checkin' in on ya soon!
Flaming Cross: Thank you for your reviews, as usual! I'm glad to know you like my story! Please keep reviewing, and if you ever get a story up, just let me know! ^_^
Sean: *smile* I'm glad you like this! Even if I don't know you, I just thought it was crazy that you reviewed, because not too long ago, I kept having dreams about a guy named Sean! *laughs* Don't think me too crazy now, and thanks for reviewin'!
Echo: Woman, you're so sweet! When I say you compliment me too much, I mean it! *laughs* You really don't have to say all that, you have no idea how bad I was blushing when I read all of the reviews I got from you and Drea and Tio and the rest! Thank you so much for reviewing, and I'll be tackling some of your stories soon!
And last but not least there's Drea: Okay, Missy. You've got me droolin' for that new TMNT fic, even though I'm desperate for more Forever Silent! Please post more chapters on it, it's such a wonderful story!! And thank you so much for readin' this, I hope you're happy with my little Drea/Jassu interlude there, lol!
Alright everyone, just so you know, I'm planning on having the next chapter be relatively short. *grins* Heh..that's what I usually plan, and look at that. *Points at scrollbar* Well bite me on the rear sideways if I don't get it right! *laughs* I hope you loved this chapter, and if ya do, just yell it at me in the reviews! Thanks again for readin', and now I'm off to my choir concert! Remember to tell me when you guys've updated!!!
-Keepin' it "Real,"
~Ari
P.S.Just so you know, I'm trying to work something out that all of my reviewers get at least one character in the story. Drea was my first, and Tio my second. I'm not gonna put you all in this story in particular, but just remember, I've got Shattered Image coming up, and I'm also working on an X-Men fanfiction! *Note* Drea got a main character because of somethin' goofy we both did, Tio too. If you get a character in this story, it's more than likely not going to be a main one like theirs. Please don't be mad!!!
"I woke up in a dream today, to the cold and the static,
Put my cold feet on the floor.
Forgot all about yesterday, remembering,
I'm pretending to be who I'm not anymore."
-With You
~Linkin Park
"Bite me." ~Andrea Valcun
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~*Hello...? Hello?~*
(Not this again.)
~*Hey, are you okay?*~
(Look, Rennan. I know I screwed up, you don't have to tell me.)
~*Botta? Hey, wake up!*~
(Wait a minute...that doesn't sound like...)
~*Hey!*~
The redheaded Guard slowly opened his eyes to find himself lying flat on his back on Besaid Beach. He sat up and looked around, confused, for the source of the new, feminine voice.
~*"Hello...?"*~ His voice echoed throughout the area of his dream, he shook his head, trying again, ~*"Hello...?! He-"*~
The last time, his call was cut short when he turned around, and was met by the deepest forest eyes he'd ever seen.
~*"You're awake!*~" She exclaimed, her voice young, but seemingly familiar.
Botta jumped a little, leaning back, ~*"Uhhh...who are you?"*~
The girl shook her head and laughed, standing up. She had to be a teenager, a young one. Her dark brown curls framed her tan face, giving her a slightly older appearance, but her voice was what gave her away.
~*"My name's Teale,"*~ She said with a smile, tugging at the one-sleeved shirt she wore with her other gloved hand, ~*"You must be Botta."*~
~*"How did you-"*~
~*"I could tell from your red hair and your uniform,"*~ She answered before he asked, ~*"We've been watching you, Botta, you and my sister."*~
Botta froze at this, slowly looking at the girl carefully. The picture...the one on the nightstand next to Naida's bed..The girl said her name was Teale...
~*"You're...Naida's sister...aren't you..?"*~
She nodded, ~*"Yeah, that'd be me."*~
He continued to look at her, shaking his head, ~*"But...you said..'We,'...who else..is..watching me?"*~
~*"Just a few of us from the past,"*~ She smiled slightly, ~*"Nothing to worry about."*~
They sat for a moment, before Botta finally stood up.
~*"This...is about Naida, isn't it? Rennan told me to look after her, and ever since then I've just been hurting her."*~
Teale looked at him, her green eyes suddenly looking a bit older and darker.
~*"You think last night was something? She wasn't even in danger. My sister knows how to fight to protect herself and someone else.."*~
~*"I know, I know...she did a great job of it, too."*~ He paused, looking at Teale, who only stared at him, then down to the ground. After a moment, he took a breath, looking at her,~*"Hey, ahh...look. I'd love to stay and talk, but I've got a Blitzball Championship Game to play. So...See ya, nice meeting you!"*~
He turned from her to leave, but was stopped by something else...or someone.
~*"Going somewhere?"*~
The deep voice hit Botta's ears and almost made him jump back. He held his ground, but looked up, his crystal eyes connecting with a pair of royal blue ones even more fierce than his.
~*"Um...hi."*~
The man, obviously a couple of years older than him, leaned down, examining him.
~*"Hmm...so you're the guy Naida fell for? Don't see why."~
Botta raised his eyebrow, ~*"Fell for? Hardly...now, uhh.. I don't know you either, so I'm just gonna...go."*~
He went to walk past the spiked blonde, but was stopped when the man picked him up, slamming him against the rock wall at the back of the beach and leaving his feet dangling inches from the sand.
~*"You're not goin' anywhere 'til you listen to what I've got to say."*~
Botta's crystal eyes widened a bit, and for the first time in a long time, he could actually say that he was slightly frightened by another guy.
~*"Wait! Leon! Put him down!*~
The man didn't look, but Botta looked past him to see Teale running for the two.
~*"Teale, he's not gonna listen any other way."*~
~*But you don't have to be so violent about it!"*~ She reason, pulling her side-slitted ankle skirt up so she could finish running the distance to the man and Botta, ~*"We're here to warn him, not kill him!"*~
(Leon...)Botta looked at the man, suddenly recognizing him as well.
~*"Naida's brother,"*~ He said, his voice suddenly alot calmer than he felt.
The man nodded, ~*"Good to see you know me, now this shouldn't be so hard."*~
~*"You said you were here to warn me,"*~ He reminded, ~*"Is there something else..that I need to know...?"*~
Leon paused, before looking back at Teale. She stepped closer.
~*...Rennan told you to keep an eye on our sister, right?"*~
~*Yeah, and I'm doing a sucky job of it."*~
~*"Which is why we're here,"*~ Leon continued, ~*"To make you see just HOW serious we are. Your own brother couldn't make you understand, so it's up to her brother and sister."*~
Botta raised an eyebrow, ~*"What's gonna happen to her...?"*~
Leon looked at him, then back to Teale, who had walked back a few feet, and was staring at the ground.
~*"You sure you want to do this, T?"*~
~*"Positive,"*~ The young girl replied instantly, not looking up.
Botta watched her, only glancing at Leon when he turned back around and looked at him.
~*"Brace yourself,"*~He instructed, ~*"She freaked me out the first time she did this."*~
Botta looked back to Teale, who'd started glowing. Her curly brown hair whipped around her face, and her green eyes began to glow light green. Her clothes almost seemed to grow onto her body, spreading out to form a flowing white dress. She started walking toward them, her body making small yet noticable changes.
~*"What's she doing?"*~ Botta asked, never taking his eyes off of her.
~*"Timeshifting,"*~ Leon replied, glancing at his little sister, ~*"Become the age she would be if she were still alive."*~
Botta nodded, and continued to watch. As she got closer, her hair became a bit longer, and she became a few inches taller, taking on the curves of a woman, and the gentle, flowing gait that made her look even older. When she finally stopped glowing, she stood next to Leon, looking up at Botta.
~*"Mad res tufh."*~ She said softly, her dark eyes still glittering slightly with what Botta could only identify as her spirit's power.
Leon did so, but didn't take his hands out of the deathlock he hand on Botta's overall straps. The redhead didn't notice, of course, because he was so occupied with staring at the now 17 year old Al Bhed.
(So beautiful...)He thought, (Just like her older sister...)
His thoughts went on as the younger girl walked under Leon's arms, coming up in between them, and right in front of Botta. Not speaking, she continued to stare into his eyes.
~*"Hey, Leon? What's she doing?"*~
~*"She's connecting with you so she can send you the image. Don't talk."*~
~*"The image? Wha-..whoa!"*~
Botta's pressed question was cut short with a yelp as suddenly, the seemingly frozed Al Bhed girl moved foreward, pressing her small body close against his. He tried to resist, tried to move, but every little struggle he gave only caused her to lean closer, until she was within centimeters of his face. He stared at her emotionless face, her eyes still glowing strangely through the normal forest green. He breathed heavily, pressing his head against the rock behind him as much as he could, but without much avail. She was so close to him that his uneasy breathing was gently blowing her soft curls away from her oval face, and every breath he took in seemed to draw her even closer.
Finally, with mere millimeters between them, Teale stopped. Her eyes still locked deep into his, and the glitter in her eyes stopped, leaving them to their normal green.
~*"Drec....ec fryd'c du lusa..."*~ She whispered.
Before Botta could say a word, the Al Bhed's hands flew up and pressed tightly against both sides of his face. Suddenly, the world went spinning.
*~Flash~*
"Well two minutes left in the last half, and it looks like we've lost the ball!"
"Oh dear, it DOES look like a rough game tonight in Luca."
"Especially for the new player for the Aurochs, rising star, Naida Dark."
"That's right, Jim. Just looking at the Al Bhed makes me cold-"
~*Flash*~
Coldness, all around. But there's people swimming. The game.
~*Flash*~
A whistle, someone laughing, Letty shaking his head.
"Bloody Goers."
~*Flash*~
Datto reeling back after being tackled. He holds his arm as it starts to swell.
~*Flash*~
The ball's spinning, but something's wrong with it. Someone's yelling.
~*Flash*~
The buzzer sounds, people are yelling, but there's somthing wrong. Someone's close, floating in the water...are they alive? Try to look, try to look, but there's no way. Someone's right there, not moving. It's getting colder, the water's getting tighter, there's no air. So cold, so cold...
*~Flash~*
Botta's eyes shot open, but still he could hear someone screaming.
~*"Leon, I'm losing him!"*~
~*"He's waking up, let him go."*~
~*"But, the vision, it wasn't complete! What about Naida?!"*~
~*"You've done all you can, just let him go!"*~
The redhead's world continued to spin as he tried to focus on the whirling form of Teale, who was still holding his face. Leon stood back behind her, arms cross across his muscular chest.
~*"Are you trying to kill him? Let him go!"*~
The young Al Bhed's eyes began to fill with tears, ~*"One more try, please!!! That's all I need!"*~
~*"Teale, he's suffocating!!"*~
She looked at him, seeing that the Auroch was gasping for air.
~*"No.."*~ She pleaded softly, ~*"It's too soon..."*~
Botta continued to gasp, and Leon continued to yell.
~*"Teale!"*~
~*"I'll let you go now..."*~ She said softly, ignoring her brother, ~*"But..I'd better not see my sister anytime soon, or I'll make sure you come soon after."*~
Leaning foreward, she pressed a light kiss against the dying Guard's face, then jerked her hands down. Botta gave one last gasp, the world suddenly turning white.
~*"Yevon pa fedr oui."*~
"Botta, Botta?!! Botta!!!"
(Someone's...yelling.)
"What's the matter with you? Breathe!"
(Breathe...? I'm not...)
"Botta, come on, breathe!"
(No..air...lungs..burning..)
"Bloody Ifrit, for the love of Yevon, BREATHE!!!!"
Once again, crystal eyes shot open, and this time as Botta gasped for air, he received it.
He sat up straight, head almost colliding with that of the young man kneeling next to him. Datto fell back onto his butt, eyes still wide with unmistakable fear and shock.
"What the freaking cow?!" He exclaimed as the redhead jumped up and ran to the bathroom, looking in the mirror and splashing his face with cold water, "What the freak is wrong with you?!"
He stood up after a moment, approaching the Dreaming Psycho and trying again.
"Are you listening to me? What's wrong with you? You scared all Shiva out of me just now! Care to tell me what happened?"
"Not really,"His response finally came.
Datto shook his head, "Like Ifrit you don't! You were yelling and choking and makin' a bloody scene!"
Botta paused, looking at him, "Making a...scene?"
"Uh, YEAH."
Immedietly, the older Auroch closed the distance between them, grabbing onto Datto's uniform straps and pulling him close.
"Was anyone in here...just then..? While I was yelling?"
The young Shooter eyed him, a mix of confusion, worry, and slight fear smeared across his young face, "....No...you've only been doing that for a few minutes, and then you started choking, and I woke you up...."
Botta stared at him for a moment, before letting him go.
"Sorry..."He muttered, running a hand over his face, "I'm just a little..."
"Crazy?" Datto filled in, earning a glare. He smiled slightly, "Oh, easy now, I'm just teasin' ya. It's not every day one of the best Guards in Spira does something that outrageous."
"Then obviously no one's watching Jassu." Botta replied emotionlessley, walking back into the bathroom and looking into the mirror again.
Datto laughed, "Well, I guess that's true."He paused for a minute, watching his friend in amusement as he pinched his face repeatedley, sticking his tongue out every few seconds and looking at it. Once he'd had his fill, he smiled slightly and shook his head, "Alright now, I've had enough of this, I'm gone."
"Gone?" Botta's quick response caused the younger Auroch to freeze, turning to meet his gaze, "Where are you goin'?"
"..To the cafe..."He said.
"What?"
"To...the...cafeeee....." His voice became comically slow, sounding out each syllable,"To CLEEEAAAANNNN."
"....Why?"
He snorted, running a hand over his face. What the crap was wrong with Red today? He's never been this stupid before.
(Or maybe he has,)Datto thought, (And this is the first time I've ever noticed.)
"Because, there was a fight last night, remember? There's lots of broken wood and glass everywhere, and since we kinda helped make it that way, it'd be a good idea to go help make it UN-that way."
Botta stared at him blankley, and for a moment, Datto thought he was going to have to repeat himself yet again. However, before he could open his mouth to make the remark, Botta nodded.
"Okay,"He said, walking out of the bathroom, "I'll come with you."
Datto raised his eyebrow, "You sure, Red? You don't seem like yer doin' too good, and...yer face is pretty pale.. Looks like you seen a ghost."
"Two, actually."
Datto froze, looking at his friend for signs of a smile signalling a joke, but none came. The redhead only looked back at him, and after a minute, raised an eyebrow.
"Well? We goin' or what?"
The Shooter sighed, shaking his head, "Alright, you weirdo, let's go. But I'm tellin' you, if you start to feel woozy or anything, just...sit down, okay?"
Botta looked at him, raising an eyebrow, but nodded, "Ahh...sure....oh, and Dat, could you...do me a favor?"
Datto didn't even turn around as he walked to the door, "I'm not going to tell anyone, don't freak."
He smiled, "Thanks."
With that, the two exited the lockeroom.
"Alright now, Uncle Cracker, get ta steppin' and hand me the bloody mop!"
Jassu turned around to face the younger yet taller Auroch, thick eyebrow raised.
"Uncle Cracker? What kind of white name is THAT?"
"A white one,"He replied, "Now, hand me the mop, PLEASE."
Jassu reached over to grab the mop behind him, eyes never leaving Keepa as the Goalie stifled a laugh.
"Geez, we got Marshmallow Boy, Papa Smurf, Bulldozer, and now Uncle Cracker. What's Spira comin' to, when all of the players on a Blitz team sound like a bunch of cartoon superheroes."
"Wait...Bulldozer?" He managed to get out,"Who's that?"
Jassu grinned, leaning further back and trying again to grab the seemingly invisible mop, while Keepa tried even harder not to laugh.
"Datto, of course."
"Since when?"
"Since I said so about 3 seconds ago."
"...Ah."
Keepa raised an eyebrow, then nodded and laughed, "Sure, Jassu, you just...call 'im Bulldozer. I'm sure he'll love it."
"Yeah, 'specially considerin' he's the smallest on the team, next to Naida anyway....Man!"
With a slightly frustrated groan, Jassu twisted around, giving up altogether on trying to locate the mop without his vision's aid. As he did, he turned around and ran smack into Drea, who stood, holding the mop just out of his reach. Keepa finally let it out, laughing good and loud.
"Ohhh, no." He said, getting up, "We've got another superhero right here."
The Luca Cafe waitress grinned, "Oh really? Another name?"
"Yeah, Heiffer."
She stopped, jaw slightly opedn, "...Heiffer?!"
"Yeah," He grinned.
Drea glared at him, signalling she wasn't joking anymore. Jassu's grin faded a bit, but his humor still lingered a bit.
"Oh, c'mon, Drea! You're the best lookin' Heiffer Spira's got to offer! We'll call you, Hot Heiffer!"
At this, the actually petit woman smiled somewhat, "Jassu, you seriously need to be shot."
"Only if you're holdin' the gun, babes."
He walked foreward, grabbing the mop and her hand that held it with one of his own strong hands, and wrapping the other arm around her small waist and pulling her to him. She chuckled softly, looking up at him and flipping a locke of blonde hair out of her face.
Still watching, Keepa rolled his eyes, "Alrighty, kids. I NEED that mop. So, if you don't mind...."
Before he could say another word Jassu took the mop and tossed it to him, never taking his eyes of the woman in his arms. She laughed again as he leaned foreward, nuzzling into the hair that pressed against her neck. Keepa caught the dispatched object, and quickly turned away, laughing a little at the scene he knew they were about to create.
"Hey, Keepa!" Svanda emerged from behind the bar, which for the most part had remained unscathed, save all the glass that'd been flung to the floor on the other side, "D'you get that mop?"
"Well, yeah."He said, looking at the small, pitiful cleaning stick, "If that's what you wanna call it."
She looked at it, laughing, "It'll do, sweetie. Thank you."
Keepa smiled, walking over and handing it to her. She leaned over the bar, feet dangling almost half a foot above the floor, as she planted a sweet kiss on first his cheek, then his lips. They hovered for a moment, before she dropped back behind the counter, mop in hand.
"Thanks again, Keeps."
"Anytime."
She turned and disappeared to the back to find the mop bucket, leaving Keepa to his cleaning out front with the little broom that Amelio had given him when he walked in. It was a tiny thing, almost as wimpy as the mop he'd given Svanda, but like the mop, it worked just enough.
He walked over to it, picking it up off the trashcan next to the door. He turned to start cleaning, when suddenly the entering bell rang. He turned to see Botta and Datto walk in, Botta looking a little sick, and Datto looking...well..like Datto.
"Hey guys!" He said as soon as both of his feet were in the room. Keepa laughed.
"Hey Dat, what's up? Why so late?"
"Hey, I was here earlier, you just didn't seem me."
"That right?"
"Yep," His mouth split into a wide grin, "You were too busy smoochin' Svanda."
Keepa rubbed the back of his neck, feeling his face turning slightly red, "Uhh..."
Datto laughed, "Yeah yeah, it's all good. Now, where's the brooms and mess?"
"Actually, we've got plenty of people sweeping, and we need a few people to start fixing the tables."
Datto turned to Letty, who walked up next to Keepa.
"Alrighty, I'm on it!" He said with a smile, starting toward one of the piles of broken wood, halfway there, he stopped, "Uhh...where's the stuff to fix 'em?"
Letty laughed, "In the back. Just ask one of the girls, they'll throw somethin' at ya."
"'Cept that one," Botta said suddenly, tossing a glance over at Jassu and Drea, "She looks a bit...occupied."
"Nah,"Letty grinned,"You get on her nerves enough, she'll just throw Jassu."
Botta smiled as Keepa and Datto laughed. Datto turned and walked to the bar, leaning over it and yelling for one of the girls.
"Hey! Hey!! Someone back there I need some tools!! Hey!!"
"Just a second, I'm coming!"
Botta winced at the sound of Naida's sweet voice, wishing silently for it to stop, but then wishing for it to sound again.
"Hey! HeyheyheyheyheyheyHEY!!!"
"I'M COMIN'!!!"
Everyone in the cafe looked up to see the slightly irritated blonde come running out of the back, toolbelt in hand. When she reached the bar, she slammed it down, eying the young Shooter with annoyed green eyes.
"Happy?"
Datto smiled, grabbing the belt, "Very."
They stared at eachother for a minute, tension hanging overhead. Everyone in the room stared at the two, almost afraid Naida would jump the counter and beat the younger Auroch for ticking her off.
Instead, she raised an eyebrow, her stone-faced expression softening to a small smile as Datto grinned even bigger. Shaking her head, she reached a gloved hand up and rubbed his stubbled head lovingly.
"You psycho,"She laughed, leaning back down to her feet behind the counter.
Datto smiled, "That's ALL me."
Laughing, she shook her head again, looking around the cafe. A split second later, her eyes locked onto the crystal blue ones staring at her from the door. Botta quickly looked away, unable to stand looking at the pain that shrouded those beautiful green eyes every time they caught sight of him.
Sensing the tension building once again, Letty cleared his throat.
"Umm..okay guys, there's 6 out of 10 tables we've gotta rebuild, then, we're restockin' the glasses."
"What?" Jassu's voice came from the side of the cafe, "Restockin' glasses? Where we gettin' those?"
"Macalania," Drea answered next to him, placing a hand on the side of his face and turning him to face her, "He had them emergency shipped from the Agency."
"...Oh."
She smiled sweetly at him, "Yeah, insane. I know. Now," She picked her earlier discarded towel off the booth table behind Jassu and looked back up at him, "I..have to go, and help the rest of the women in the back."
Jassu pouted, pulling her back into his arms, "But..but.."
"No buts,"She laughed, "We kicked enough of 'em last night."
Jassu started to say something, when the effect of her joke hit him. He started laughing, shaking his head.
"Man, I'm tellin' ya,"He said, "You are NOT white."
Drea smiled, looking down at her tan skin, "Well, in a way, that's true."
He stopped laughing, a wide smile still playing on his lips. They both stood, silent, before Drea leaned up and pressed a light kiss on his still smiling lips. She leaned back, but he leaned foreward, stealing first a short kiss, then a longer one. When they broke apart, she laughed.
"Okay, I'm really going this time."
He laughed with her, releasing his grip of her, "Alright, alright. See ya in a bit."
"Bye."
She turned and walked back to the back, jumping up on one of the chairs and clearing the bar without conflict. Jassu watched her go, pausing for a moment before he picked up his broom and went back to his origional job cleaning, a content smile on his handsome face.
Botta watched him from his now taken place in the floor, hammering nails into the wood that would soon become table 4. With every second he saw Jassu's lovesick smile, something inside him tore, pulling at him like a cat with it's claws hung on his skin.
(It's not right...)He thought, (Naida and I have been arguing off and on since the day she came into the group. While the rest of the guys find someone on their first try, and they're perfect.)
He paused, before shaking his head, (...Not that it's her fault. I'm just a stubborn jack-)
"'Ey Botta?"
The redhead was shaken from his thoughts by Datto, who was staring at him with the same worried expression he'd shown back in the lockeroom.
"Hm?"
"..You okay?"
"Yeah, why?"
"..You zoned out."
"Oh..sorry. I'm good."
"You sure?"
"Promise."
"...Okay..."
The younger Auroch went back to work, leaving Botta to his thoughts. He sat for a moment, before returning to his hammering.
(If there were an award for Biggest Idiot. I think I'd win, hands down. I don't deserve her, and I put her through WAY too much...Why am I like this?)
He shook his head again, realizing he wasn't hammering anymore. He started up again, letting his mind drift to things other than the beautiful Al Bhed behind the bar.
~*"You'll never replace her!!!*~
Naida winced as Botta's words relplayed inside her head.
"Stop it.."She muttered, partially to the voice, but mostly to herself.
~*"Just...leave me alone. I can't do this."*~
It was so unfair. How had that argument even starte? HE was the one that came into the lockeroom after her. Shouldn't he have been wanting to make up for being such a jerk earlier?
(He just made it worse...) She thought, scrubbing the stove even harder, (He keeps pushing me away, then reeling me back, and I'm getting tired of it.)
(*But he's been hurt, you know that.*) Her little voice of Reason argued.
"That doesn't give him the right to hurt me."
(*He's a boy, he'll learn from his mistakes.*)
"So I'm a mistake?"
(*Don't be stupid. Viranda was the mistake.*)
"He sure doesn't make it seem like that."
(*You know what they say: Sometimes Yevon sends the wrong person first, so you'll know when the right person arrives.*)
"Psh. That's a good one, d'you think of it yourself?"
(*Hey, I'm you, remember? It's not a stupid saying, it's true. Besides, your Mother was the one who told you that.*)
At that, Naida stopped scrubbing for a moment.
"Mother..."She whispered, absently sliding one hand up to Leon's tags still hanging around her neck.
"Naida?"
The Al Bhed jolted out of her trance at the sound of Svanda's gentle voice. She looked up at the younger woman, who was standing with her rag in hand, eyebrow raised.
"..You okay?"
"Yeah...why?"
"Well, I thought I heard you talkin' to yourself...so I wondered."
"Oh, I'm sorry...yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."
Svanda paused, eying her friend for a moment, before drawing in a slow breath.
"O...k. Anyway...All 10 tables are back in tact, and some of the guys went to the dock to get the new glass stock."
"New...glass?"
"Yeah, most of 'em were broken last night."
At this, Naida couldn't help but smile, "That'd be my bad."
Svanda smiled back, "Hey, you can't take all the credit, we helped."
"Heck yes you did."
The two laughed for a moment, before Svanda smiled.
"C'mon, Drea's workin' with the tv in there, let's go watch."
Naida nodded, "Alright."
She set her rag down on the counter next to the stove, and followed her taller yet younger best friend out of the kitchen.
"Which port did he say to go to?"
"Kilika's."
"Where's that?"
"Should be next to ours."
Jassu lead the way to the docks to retrieve the needed cafe items, Keepa right behind him and Botta trailing after.
"What if they're not there yet?" Keepa's questions started up again.
"They will be,"Jassu answered, not even turning around, "You know how Kilika's all about bein' on time. Amelio said they'd be here about 3, and it's almost 15 after. If anything, they'll be mad at US for being late."
"Ahh...ok."
The small group continued on in silence, reaching the dock minutes later. Waiting for them were three crates, the word "Fragile" Stamped across each one. An old man stood next to the carts, clipboard in hand. As he spotted the three approaching, he pulled out a pen and set it on top.
"You gentlemen here for the crates?"
"Yes sir,"Jassu replied, taking the pen, "That'd be us."
"Amelio's a good man, had to get these here fast for 'im."
"He told us to say thanks."
"It's no problem."
After Jassu had finished signing for the crates, he handed the clipboard back to the man, and picked up one of the crates.
"Whoa,"He managed to get out, "Just a bit heavy guys, watch out."
The two nodded, picking up their crates. Keepa didn't have a problem, and Botta adjusted. After a moment, Jassu turned and looked at them.
"You guys ready?"
"Wait!"
The three stopped short when the new voice sounded. They each turned to find the source, not being able to see well from the crates in their arms. Botta was the first to set his down, and immedietly saw the stranger next to him.
The man was tall, about the same height as Jassu, but not quite as big as Keepa. He had dark, spiked black hair, and his eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses. He was obviously some kind of fisherman, because he was built. Botta almost stepped back as the man took another step looking between the three. Keepa finally set his box down, Jassu following soon after. At the sight of the stranger so close, Keepa tensed up. The man seemed to not notice.
"Hi, um..sorry 'bout jumpin' in so suddenly,"He said, "But, I recognized you guys as the Aurochs, and..."
"Whaddya need?" Botta said, almost irritated.
Keepa eyed his friend, then looked over to the man, "Sorry 'bout that, he's not in his best mood."
"No kidding,"Botta murmured.
"Oh, it's no big,"The man smiled, tightening his grip on the sack he held slung over his shoulder, "I was just wondering where I could find Naida Dark."
At this the redhead jerked up, "What about her?"
The man laughed, shaking his head, "Hey, hey...I'm an old friend. I'm not here to steal 'er from ya."
Botta only glared at him. Still, he seemed unfazed.
"So...you gonna tell me where she is..? Or..am I gonna have ta look for her?"
"She's at the cafe," Jassu answered finally, "She should be in the back, just ask Letty for her."
"Thanks man," The stranger called, "I'll see ya later!"
With that, he took off at a steady jog toward the cafe, leaving the three men in silence.
That is..until Jassu caught Botta's death glare.
"What?"
"...Nothin'."
The redhead picked his crate back up and continued to walk. Jassu looked at Keepa, who shrugged, picking his crate back up and following after Botta. Jassu stood for a moment, before shaking his head and picking his crate back up.
"White people confuse me."
"What the crap did you set it on?!"
Letty smiled as sweet laughter rang out from the side of the bar, where four women sat. Well, three, actually. Drea stood on one of the tables, trying to reach the tv that was perched high above them.
"I didn't set it on anything!" She laughed her answer to Naida's question, "Do I look tall enough to program this bloody thing?!"
The girls laughed again, and this time Drea jumped down off the table, grabbing a chair from one of the other tables nearby. She turned back to the booth, setting the chair on top of the table, then climbing up.
"Someone hold it!" She called down as she began to climb up to the top of the chair.
Immedietly all three of the remaining women grabbed a leg on the chair, Lacy grabbing two. They held it in place as Drea stood up straight, stretching out as far as her small body would let her to the tv, which was now just in her reach.
"Got it!" She yelled, pressing random buttons to switch the station from some puppet singing love songs to what looked like cartoons. At one point, Svanda yelped.
"It's Chuck the Chocobo!!" She squealed, "Leave it leave it leave it!!!!"
"Wait," Lacy said, looking at the honey haired Chocobo Trainer, "Isn't that the cartoon with Maggie Moogle on it?"
"And Mikey Moomba?" Naida asked.
"You know it!" Svanda laughed.
"LEAVE IT!!" The two remaining women yelled.
Drea laughed, "You got it!!! I personally like Freddy the Frog on here!"
"He's cool too!" Naida approved.
The three women laughed as Drea climbed back down, landing safely back on the floor after a minute. The four then sat in the booth, watching their favorite childhood cartoons get into something as always, then find some magical way to get out, while saving many lives in the process.
"Ohh..they're so cute..."Svanda said, leaning on her elbows, and her chin in her hands.
"If I were a Moomba, I'd definately marry Mikey," Naida sighed.
"That's because you're a looney," Drea said, causing the young Al Bhed to laugh.
Minutes later, much to the 4 women's dismay, the cartoon went off. As the credits rolled, the announcer came on, naming the sponsors, and what other stations you could find Chuck the Chocobo and friends on.
"Hey,"Lacy said, her hazel eyes lighting up, "He said channel 7! You guys have that, right?"
"Sure do!"Drea nodded, "But there's no way in Ifrit I'm climbin' back up there!"
"I got this!" Naida took over, jumping up in her seat next to Svanda in the booth.
The younger woman laughed as her best friend, and the shortest one in the room, climbed up on top of the white table, grabbing ahold of the cushioned wicker chair and pulling herself up on top. The three remaining women grabbed the chair as they'd done for Drea earlier, holding it steady.
"What channel's it on now?"
"6,"Drea answered, "Just go up one, it won't skip."
"Okay!"
The Al Bhed stood on her booted tiptoes, stretching as far as she could without losing her balance.
"Naida, be careful!" Lacy called.
"Don't fall!" Svanda added.
"You go girl!" Drea laughed.
Naida laughed a little as she stretched even further.
"You girls don't let her fall," Came Letty's voice from behind the bar. He and Datto had been cleaning in the back and had come out to see what the commotion was about, Datto right beside him.
"Yeah, seriously," He agreed, "I can name a few people who'll beat the tar outta you if ya do!" He laughed a little.
"They won't!" Naida assured, not that she would know. She was so concentrated on the tv buttons, she didn't even hear the entrancebell ring, and the sound of a familiar stranger's voice asking where she was.
"Right there," Letty pointed, "The one that looks like she's aimin' to kill herself."
"The one that's tryin' to put herself back in the hospital," Datto added with a laugh.
Almost as if taking their words to heart, Naida stopped stretching. Drea looked from the stranger, then up to her.
"Hey, Naida! There's someone here to s-"
Before she could finish, the short Al Bhed's leg muscles visibly tensed beneath her chaps, and she lunged upward, stretching as far as she could.
"Naida!" Svanda yelped, gripping the chair for the coming impact.
"Letty!" Lacy shreiked, holding her two sides for all she was worth.
"Oh, man,"Drea said softly, watching as Naida successfully hit the tv button, then came falling back down.
"Crap!" Letty yelled, jumping the counter to rush to the women's aid, Datto right behind him.
Everything went into slow motion as Naida came down on the wicker chair with a loud pop. Some of the strands on the chair snapped, sliding her back to the edge of it. She screamed, feeling herself fall off the edge of the chair and down toward the hardwood floor below.
Drea, Svanda, and Lacy watched almost in awe as the stranger that had just entered the room dropped his bag, covering the distance between him and the falling Al Bhed within seconds. He stretched out his strong arms, catching the small woman before she even hit even with the table. Instictively, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling close to him, her eyes shut tight.
Svanda breathed a sigh of relief, slumping down into the booth. Lacy slid out from her place between Naida and the stranger and the table to stand next to Letty, who was standing beside the two, arms crossed. Drea stood, leaning against the side of the booth for support, her heart pounding her her chest as she tried to calm down, and Datto just sat on one of the tables beside them, shaking his head.
"That was...some catch," Came Naida's small voice, her body still not moving.
"Well, that was some fall,"The man's deep voice sounded close to her. Too close. Naida loosened her grip on him, leaning back.
She paused for a moment, before opening her bright green eyes and looking up at the stranger. His eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses, but there was just, something about him..that was so familiar.
"Glad to see you're doing well, Naida." He smiled, setting her down.
"Yeah..ahh..thanks." She said, laughing a bit.
The entrance bell rang once again, this time letting in Keepa, Botta, and Jassu. As they saw the scene of Naida looking up at the stranger, a strange pale look on her face, Keepa and Jassu looked at Botta, who looked like he was about to explode.
"Remember me?" The stranger's voice was lower now, and for a moment, Naida felt almost giddy.
"...Should I?" She replied softly.
The man smiled slightly, taking off his sunglasses to reveal shocking, white-blue eyes that immedietly locked onto Naida's green, and a scar, tracing from his left temple, almost to the corner of his eye.
"Well, I imagine you should, considering you so lovingly gave me this while I gave you that." He pointed at her tattoos.
Naida's jaw dropped as she continued to stare at the man, because she DID recognize him.
~*Flash*~
~"What? You don't think he can do it?"~
~"It's not that I don't hink he can do it..it's just..I don't trust him when he gets up around your... chest area."~
~"Yeah..alright!"~
*
~"Yeah, but that's not the half of it. He was 18, and he had a major crush on me. When he was puttin' it on me, he tried to pretend it was an accident, but I didn't buy it."~
~"You nailed him, didn't you?"~
~"You bet I did. I had a ring that I wore back then too, my sister had given it to me."~
~"Ohhhh..."~
~"Oh yeah..he still has a scar goin' down the side of his face."~
*
The pictures...the boy standing behind Naida and pointing at her tattoo, a grin across his handsome face...
*
~"So, where is that boy now?"~
~"You know...I don't know..."~
~*Flash*~
Naida Dark slowly stared up at the man, who watched her with slightly concerned eyes. She paused, before breathing one word.
"Robert...."
Wth that, she fell foreward,right into the arms of Robert Finch.
~~~~
"So...let me get this straight. You knew her for 2 years...you're her..brother's best friend?"
"Yeah."
"And..you lived in Kilika 'til you were 17..then you were in Home 'til you were...19?"
"23," He corrected, "Naida moved there when she was...15 or just 16, then she moved to Kilika when she was late 17 or 18."
Letty stared at the man...Robert, hazel eyes connected with his white-blue, but not intimidating at all. He shifted his gaze momentarily to the resting form of Naida on the bar, where Svanda was placing a pack of ice on her head and whispering to herself quietly as Lacy stood beside her with a towel.
"I'm surprised YOU don't remember me,"Robert said, shaking the Center out of his daze, "I did give you those tattoos."
At this Jassu laughed, "Whoa whoa whoa...You?" He walked and stood next to Letty, looking down at him, "HE'S the one who did that to you?"
"Yeah yeah yeah..."Letty rolled his eyes,"This's him."
Jassu stepped back, laughing, "Geez, that's..that's great!"
Letty merely shook his head, turning back to Robert.
"So...you lived in Home..."
"'Til it was destroyed a few months ago," He answered before asked, "Then I moved to Guadosalam."
"Guadosalam??" Drea echoed, from beside Jassu,"Why in Shiva would you want to go there???"
"Family,"He looked at her,"I have and Aunt and Uncle with three cousins that live there. The Jones'?"
"Karri and Taron? I didn't know they had any family outside of Guadosalam..."
"Well, now they don't, since I moved there, anyway."
"So..."Keepa said, stepping up, "What brings you here..? To Luca?"
"Well..."He said, sitting back in his chair,"That's just it..I'm here because I'm actually looking for a house."
"You're MOVING here???"
"Uh...yeah," He raised his eyebrow slightly, "Me and my girlfriend, Laura, she's lookin' for a nursing job here."
At the name "Laura," Drea jumped foreward.
"You're goin' out with Laura Sky?!?!?"
Robert grinned, "Sure am..I gotta be the luckiest guy in Guadosalam to have her."
Drea smiled, "That's freakin' awesome!! She was one of my best friends when I lived there!! How's she doin'?"
"Why don't you ask her yourself? She should be here any-"
Before he could finish, the entrance bell rang, and a loud but seemingly gentle voice flooded the room.
"Robert!!! Bloody Ifrit yer hard to find, you know that?!?!!"
"Speak of the devil.." Robert said softly, turning around.
Before the group stood a young woman, obviously Al Bhed. She had royal blue eyes, with bleache blonde hair that was for the most part pulled back in a ponytail, but a few rebellious lockes hung down in her beautifully shaped tan face. She would've looked a lot like Drea, save the fact she was Al Bhed, and her hair was streaked dark blue and black. She stood at least 2 inches shorter than Naida, somewhere around 5'1", a strange comparison to her boyfriend's 6'1". She wore a pair of bluejean shorts, obviously homemade, because strings of thread were hanging down on her well defined legs, and she wore a dark blue strapless tank top. A pair of dark goggles hung around her neck, clinging noisily when she moved. In one cut-off gloved hand, she held a black duffel back with a hospital cross on it, while the other gloved hand rested on the backpack strap going across her shoulder.
Growing impatient with everyone staring at her, she shifted her weight from one black-booted foot to the other, breathing out.
"What? Why's everyone staring at me like I grew a third arm?"
Robert laughed gently, while a blur of black and blonde flew across the room at the new girl.
"LAURA!!!"
In a flash, the young Nurse dropped her two bags just in time to catch the whirlwind of Drea, who knocked both of them to the floor. A tangle of blonde, navy, and black rolled across the floor a couple of feet, before stopping on the rug at the door. There, Drea sat, leaning against the side of the large restaurant trashcan and grinning down at her old friend as she lay sprawled on the floor, once almost-tame hair now loose around her face, acting as a sort of curtain for the confused dark blue eyes behind them. She rolled over onto her side, propping herself up with one arm, while brushing her hair out of her face with her free hand. She looked up at Drea, and immedietly her confused face dropped.
"DREA!!!"
Instantly she flew out of her layed out position to one on her knees, embracing the bar waitress in a tight hug. Drea laughed, returning the hug, and they sat there for a moment, laughing at nothing in particular.
"Hoo-boy..." Jassu said, running a hand over his face, "Another white chick in the picture."
Robert looked at him, eyebrow raised, "That one yers?"
Jassu returned his gaze, smiling slightly, "You could say that."
Finally, the two women settled down, and stood up, Drea grabbing Laura's backpack and setting it on one of the loose tables near the bar. The shorter woman picked up her duffel back, walking to stand next to Drea in front of the group.
"Hey guys," The Lucan barwaitress grinned, "This, is Laura Mari Sky! One of my best friends in Spira!"
Immedietly and array of "Hi"'s and "Hey"'s broke out in the group, accompanied by waves. Laura smiled, waving back. Robert laughed.
"Geez, L. I know you told me Drea lived in Luca, but I didn't think she'd be the one introducin' you to everyone."
Laura laughed a little, "Neither did I," She looked at Drea, "You didn't have to tell 'em my middle name, you know."
"I know,"Drea grinned,"But..it just fits together so well, Laura Mari."
Laura rolled her eyes, smiling. After a moment, she looked back at Robert, who was looking at the young woman laying on the bar, a pack of ice on her head.
"Oh, dear,"Her voice suddenly filled with concern, "What happened here?"
"Well,"Lacy said, brushing the unconcious girl's hair out of her face, "Naida here fell off that chair on that table over there, Robert caught her, they talked until she figured out who he was, then she passed out."
"Hmmm...."
"Wait a minute,"Jassu said, turning to the Counter Lady, "THAT chair?" He pointed to the one on the table, "Right there?"
Svanda, Lacy, and Drea exchanged glances before laughing nervously, and turning away. Jassu rolled his eyes.
"White girls..."
"Hey,"Datto turned to Laura from his seat next to Letty, "Didn't Robert say somethin' about you bein' a Nurse?"
"Way ahead of ya little man." She said, already moving around the bar with her duffel bag.
She reached Naida's side, Svanda and Lacy moving out of the way, and set her bag down on the floor. Standing up on her tiptoes, she leaned over the younger Al Bhed and reached up, pressing her fingertips to her forehead.
"No fever..."She stated, sliding her hand down to Naida's neck, checking her pulse, " ...Pulse normal..." She then shifted foreward again, this time taking both hands and cupping Naida's jaw with one and tilting her head back with the other. She held her hand there for a moment, before shaking her head, "Her breathing's fine," She said, letting her head rest on the towel under her.
She settled back flat on her feet, looking out at the group, "She's perfectly fine, you could wake her up if you wanted to."
"She's sleeping?" Botta's voice startled everyone in the room.
"Oh, he speaks!" Drea teased, nudging him playfully, then leaning against Jassu's arm.
Botta only returned her gesture with a slight smile, before returning his gaze to the shorter than Naida Al Bhed.
"Yeah,"She answered, "But I don't see why you'd want to wake her up, she looks like she hasn't slept in weeks."
"She hasn't."Letty stated, glancing over at Botta.
"Ah." Came Laura's response. The Nurse had once again leaned foreward on the bar, and was now examining the strange yet familiar tattoos that littered the girl's stomache.
"You know Robert..."She said,"Didn't you tell me a while back that you'd done a crop circle tattoo for your best friend's kid sister...? Is this what they looked like?"
"Well Laura,"He laughed a little, "That's kind of..well...that's Leon's kid sister."
Laura's jaw dropped slightly, and she turned her gaze back to the woman on the bar.
"THIS is Leon's kid sister..?" She shook her head a bit, "...She doesn't look like a kid."
"Well, he had another little sister too, Teale, but..."
He trailed off, looking at his girlfriend with an almost sad expression on his face. Her face softened.
"It's okay, honey, I know."
He paused, gazing at her, before shaking his head, "Anyway...you guys are playin' tonight?"
"Yep,"Keepa grinned, "Last game of the season."
"Against the Goers too...man that's gonna be somethin'."
"You bet, people from everywhere are gonna be here!"
Robert smiled, looking back to Naida.
"Hope she's awake by then."
"Ah,"Letty laughed, "She will be, trust me."
As if on cue, the small form began to stir, rolling over onto her side, then settling back down.
"'Ey Drea,"Jassu said softly, "You might want to get her some coffee, I got a feelin' she'll be wantin' some pretty soon."
"Yeah,"Drea laughed, "Me too."
The barwaitress slid through the group and to the back, grabbing the normal stray coffee pot that sat on the stove in the front, right behind the bar.
"So..."Svanda started while fixing the towel under her best friend's head, "How did you know Naida was here in Luca?"
"Well," Robert smiled, "I'd seen her on Tv, Blitzin'. You can imagine how shocked I was to see her playin' Leon's sport, but I thought it was awesome all the same..."He shook his head, "Anyway. You know Laura's a Nurse, right? Well, word got out that Luca was in need of some Nurses, and one day I get a call from my cousin over here, and she tells me that the hospital over here's offering big pay for anyone with experience. So I told Laura, and her parents said okay, so long as I was with her, and here we are."
"Wow," Datto said, leaning over on the bar, "That's pretty wild."
"You said your cousin lives here...?" Lacy asked, "What's their name?"
"Oh," Robert started again while pulling one well define leg up and fixing his strap sandals, "Well, she hasn't moved here just yet, but she's workin' on it. She and her "Good Friend," Ropp, they've already found a place to live."
"You're related to Mifurey?" Botta asked, eyebrow raised.
"You know her?" He laughed, "Geez, small world. But yeah, that's my cousin. I know she-"
Suddenly, the conversation was interrupted by Naida, who groaned, and sat up.
"Geez..."She said, propping herself up on one hand, and pressing the other to her forehead, "What a drea-"
She stopped in mid-"Dream" when she saw Laura beside her, grinning.
"Sorry, sweetie, it wasn't a dream."
"Wha..t?" Naida looked at the woman, before twising around and looking at the rest of the group, her gaze stopping on Robert, "Robert!!!"
He smiled gently, "Hey kid."
With a loud yelp, the woman slid off the bar, landing unsteadily, but catching her balance just enough to lunge foreward into the open arms of her long lost friend. She laughed happily, hugging him so tightly that if it'd be anyone weaker, they would've suffocated. He smiled and hugged her back, stroking her soft blonde hair like the big brother he'd grown to feel like over the years.
(Even after the little, "Incident," When I was 16,) She thought with a laugh, leaning back and examining the scar on his face.
"Still there,"She grinned, reaching up and touching it gently.
"Yeah, yeah." He laughed, "You don't have to remind me."
Behind them, Letty laughed histerically. Naida turned and looked at him.
"You hush!" She smiled.
"Sorry, sorry!" He calmed down just a bit, " I ..I just remembered you tellin' me about this guy!"
She shook her head, turning back to Robert, "So, what brings you here to Luca?"
"Well..."He said, sitting back down. In a few minutes, he quickly explained everything he'd already said before, stopping at the question almost everyone had to ask.
"I thought Mifurey was an orphaned Al Bhed?"
"She is,"He stated, getting many confused looks, "Okay okay...just listen. You see, she's really my STEP cousin. Her mother, married my uncle, WHILE she was pregnant with her. After she had her, you know, we all grew up, blah blah...Until we were both about 20, and she was doin' her Blitz thing. Her Mom and stepdad went to visit her mom's cousin in Kilika, when the attack was made there...She took leave from the game and went to Mi'ihen Highroad to stay with Ropp for a while, and when she finally went to get rid of her goggles, she called me up, and I went with her. So...the cousins I have aren't the same ones she has..bloodwise."
"Ahh..." Naida nodded slightly, "I...think I understood that..."
Robert laughed, "It's alright, it's hard to explain anyway."
She nodded again, this time followed by a small period of silence. Finally, Datto couldn't take it anymore.
"That's it!" He yelped, "I'm goin' back to the lockeroom. I HATE uneasy silences, I often get shoes or somethin' thrown at me after 'em."
He tossed a smirk to Naida and Botta, who looked at him, then eachother, then quickly away. Quickly, the young Shooter got up and made his way for the door.
"Besides," He added, stopping halfway,"The game starts in about an hour, if you haven't noticed. So...feel free to..I dunno..come get ready!"
"I'll come,"Keepa laughed, stepping foreward. He turned and looked at Svanda, "You comin' too?"
"Sure." She smiled, coming out from behind the bar and taking his hand as they walked out behind Datto.
Once again thrown into silence, the group looked at eachother, before Letty stood up.
"Well, I don't think the silence is uneasy, but I don't like it. I'm gone." He laughed a little, and walked for the door, stopping only to wait for Lacy, who came out from behind the bar and walked out with him.
"Geez," Naida smiled, "Attatched at the hip, I say."
Without even saying a word, Botta left.
"Except for you and him, "Jassu pointed, "You two are just on a string."
Naida glared at him, and he laughed, "My bad, my bad."
"Well Rob?" Laura stood up out of her chair, looking down at her boyfriend, "You ready to go check in? We're only oh..."She looked at her wristwatch, "....2 hours late."
She laughed as he stood up, smiling, "Yeah, they'll still take us, we're booked in."
She smiled back at him as he pulled her to him, pressing a kiss on her forehead, before picking his bags and her backpack up and walking for the door.
"Good to see you guys!" He called, waving, "See ya on the field!"
"We'll be cheerin' for ya!" Laura added, taking his free hand as they walked out the door, "Tell Drea I said bye!"
"I hear ya, L!" Drea called from the back, "Come back and see me!"
"You know I will, missy!"
"Bye!" Naida waved, sitting down at the bar and turning to it.
Jassu sat next to her, grinning, "Man, this day's actually been pretty good, save the fact that you passed out."
"Yeah..."Naida smiled thoughtfully, looking at him, "I guess it has, better than yesterday, anyway."
Jassu laughed, "Definately."
Suddenly, Drea re-emerged from the back, holding a full pot of coffee.
"Anyone want some...." She trailed off when she saw Jassu and Naida were her only two customers, "Well bloody Ifrit!"
Naida and Jassu laughed, Jassu shaking his head.
"Well, if you'd gotten yer white butt out here about 2 minutes earlier, there WOULDA been people."
Drea rolled her eyes, pouring Naida a cup of coffee and setting it in front of her.
"The stuff to fix it up is on the stand next to the trashcan,"She said, ignoring her dark skinned boyfriend.
"Hey, Hot Heiffer!" He stood up, "I'm talkin' to you!"
Her only reply was flipping her hair behind her shoulder and walking to the front stove to set the coffee pot down. He raised an eyebrow.
"Ohhh...you're just bein' white now."
"Ever notice how he ALWAYS blames peoples problems on being white?" She asked Naida, who was blowing on her coffee and nodding her agreement.
"Well, it's TRUE." Jassu said, then pointed at Drea, "And yer the worst one of all, Little Miss Temper over there!"
"Bite me." She said bluntly, turning to walk back to the back, "Hey, Naida? When you get yer coffee, could you switch the sign on the front door to Open, then circle 7 to 1 on it? The marker's strapped at the bottom of the board."
"Sure," She replied, getting up.
"Ohhhhh no." Jassu said, jumping up in his seat, "Don't think I'm ignorin' yer little comment. I WILL bite you, don't think I won't."
Drea ignored him still, walking back to the back. Jassu laughed.
"You asked for it!"
With that, he jumped over the bar, running back to the back after her. A loud, laughing yelp was heard, then a mix of the two talking at the same time, before Drea's voice was suddenly cut off, and nothing else was heard.
Naida knelt down in front of the sign, circling the numbers Drea had suggested. She paused at the sound of Drea's abrupt cutoff, smiling slightly and shaking her head.
(Either he killed her or their back there makin' out.) She thought, (...I vote the latter.)
With a short laugh, she stood back up, grabbing the contents to put in her coffee before going back to her seat. She sat quietly, stirring everything in with her straw while watching the momentarily slowing rain fall on the dome window in the back. At one point she glanced down and thought she caught a glimpse of Jassu and Drea through the small frame in the shelf that gave a peek into the back, but when she looked again, they were gone.
After a few minutes, she finished her coffee, setting the empty glass down on the bar with a hollow plink.
"Hey, guys!" She called, standing up, "You don't have to answer or anything, "She laughed, "Not that ya would, but still, I'm leavin', and Jassu, we've got almost 30 minutes left before gametime, you remember that, okay? Bye!!"
She turned and left the scene at a steady pace, walking out into the rain with her arms wrapped around her small body. However, when she approached the bridge, she stopped, looking over it.
(Yeah, it looked safe last time too...) She thought sagely, taking in a deep breath as she stepped onto the bridge alone once more, narrow green eyes darting around to each corner, searching for strangers.
"Hey!"
Naida jumped a little at the sound of the yell. Turning around as fast as she could, her eyes connected with a pair not unlike her own. She stepped back, fists bunching at the thought of Viranda, but she calmed down when she saw the eyes didn't belong to the Goer.
"Well now," Mifurey laughed a little, "Someone's jumpy."
"Oh," Naida laughed with her, "I'm sorry, it's just...the bridge, you know."
"Yeah," The older Al Bhed smiled, "I'm sorry. Ropp and I were just headin' to the stands."
Naida nodded, glancing up at the other Al Bhed that had been seemingly quiet the whole time.
"'Ey Ropp," She raised an eyebrow, "You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm good," He smiled slightly, "Thanks. I'm just a little zoned out. Big last game's in half an hour, ya know."
She laughed, "Yeah, I know, I'm playin' in it!"
"Yeah..."His face fell a little, "I just...I got this feelin'...somethin's not right..."
Naida and Mifurey exchanged glances.
"Like what?" Naida asked.
"Hey, let's talk about this WHILE we're moving across the brigde," Mifurey said, shuffling foreward for emphasis, "We're all getting soaked."
"Well..."Ropp answered, while listening to Mifurey's suggestion, "...I'm not sure...I just..I remember hearin' what the Goers were sayin' at the beginnin' of the Season...about some "Secret Weapon." I dunno, maybe I'm just paranoid."
Naida shook her head, she'd completely forgot about the Goers talking about their "Secret Weapon" at the beginning of the season.
"Strange that they stopped," She said quietly, "They wouldn't shut up about it earlier."
"Yeah..." Ropp sighed, "Those guys can't do much more..they're treadin' on thin ice as it is. I'm surprised they're still in the game..."
The group reached the end of the bridge, and the couple turned to the Auroch.
"Well," Mifurey said, hugging Naida, "Good luck!"
"We'll be cheerin' for ya, "Ropp added, "Stomp 'em into the ground!!"
"Thank you," Naida smiled, "Now you get goin'. They're gonna open the gates into this town any freakin' minute, and people'll be FLOODING in here. Go get a good seat, okay?"
"Gotcha!" Mifurey called back, already walking off with Ropp.
As they disappeared, Naida shook her head.
(I completely forgot to ask her about Robert, darn.)
"Naida!"
This time, she turned around to see Lacy behind the counter.
"Woman, get movin'! It's 15 'til! They're opening the gates now!"
"Oh, c'mon, Lacy," Naida laughed, "It's not like people actually-"
"Oh my Yevon, it's Naida Dark!!"
"From the Aurochs?!"
"Yeah, she's right there, look!"
"Oh my Yevon, it IS her!!"
"Naida! Naida!!!"
Naida turned to see two young girls running toward her, Blitzballs clutched in their hands.
"Miss Dark, Miss Dark!" They yelled in unison, skidding to a stop in front of her.
"Can we have your autograph???" One of the piped, brown eyes wide.
"Can we can we???"
"Oh..."Naida said, feeling a strange blush creep up her cheeks, "...Sure..I guess!"
"YAY!!" They both yelled, pulling out permanent markers.
Naida gawked for a moment, then shook herself from her trance, taking one of the markers and signing one of the balls, then the other. Once she was finished, they squealed.
"YEAAHH!!!"
"...Blondie, WHAT are you doin'?"
Naida didn't even have to look up, "Well Jassu...I don't know."
Instantly the two girls squealed again, running to Jassu and begging him for his signature. After tossing a grin to Naida, who smiled back, he signed both of the Blitzballs.
"Wow, two of the Aurochs!!" One said, "Thanks!"
"Yeah, thanks!"
Naida and Jassu laughed, "You're welcome."
"We'll be cheerin' for ya!" One of them said as they ran off.
"Yeah, listen for us!!"
After they were gone, Lacy's laughter filled the empty space. They turned to her.
"Man, white girl," Jassu raised an eyebrow, "What're you laughin' at??"
"You..you two think that was crazy..you just wait 'til THEY get here."
She pointed, and slowly, the two Aurochs turned, and almost screamed.
In front of them, was the hugest swarm of people Naida had ever seen...running straight for them.
"Holy Ifrit!" Jassu yelled.
"Run!" Lacy laughed, pointing toward the lockerooms.
And the two did so. They ran for all they were worth, the people flooding their former standing spots, taking pictures and yelling their names.
As they slid down the hallway, Jassu looked at Naida.
"You know, that's never happened before, ya?"
"Really?" She yelled back, the screams of the people behind them still deafening.
"Yeah!"
They came to a stop at their lockeroom door, jumping in and slamming the door. They both turned around at the same time.
Just to meet 5 smiling faces.
"Bunch of people, ya?" Letty laughed.
"A BUNCH?" Naida breathed, "There's like, 2000 people out there!!!"
"Sweet!" Datto yelped, jumping up, "This is gonna be freakin' awesome!"
"You said it, little man, "Botta smiled, slapping him on the back.
Naida looked at him, his eyes connecting with hers. He smiled even bigger, causing her to smile. He was back to normal.
(Or so I think...) She thought with a small laugh.
"Aunt Julia's supposed to be comin' too,"Keepa added, "I hope she gets a good seat."
"Oh, I'm sure she will," Svanda reassured him, "I've already got some spots reserved. They know where to go."
"I ran into Ropp and Mifurey on my way here, "Naida said, "They said good luck."
"Good,"Letty said, sitting down, "We're gonna need it."
"Hey,"She came up again, "Does anyone remember anything about the Secret Weapon?"
At this, everyone fell silent, looking at her.
"Man...I totally forgot about that..." Datto said quietly.
"Me too," Keepa agreed.
The rest of the group slowly nodded, and Svanda just shook her head.
"I don't know what you guys are worryin' about. The Goers are under close watch as it is, what could they pull?"
"Alot..."Botta muttered, looking up. His eyes connected with Naida's, and a chill swept through him.
(~*Watch her...*~)
"I am.."He murmured softly, never taking his eyes off of her beautiful face. She smiled slightly, nodding at him. He nodded back.
"C'mon guys," Jassu said, stepping foreward, "Let's do this."
"For the Cap'n," Keepa added, stepping up with him to the slowly forming circle.
"Yeah, for Cap'n Wakka," Datto agreed, standing on the other side of Svanda.
"For Yuna and Lu, " Letty said, getting up.
"For all of 'em out there, the group, the fans, everyone," Botta said.
"And for Leon..." Naida said, looking down.
"Yeah..." Botta said, causing her to look at him, "For Leon too."
She smiled, and Jassu's voice filled their ears as they wrapped arms around eachother's shoulders and leaned in.
"Yevon, creator of Spira, giver of Life, maker of Fayth, hear us now...."
He led the most courageous prayer Naida had ever heard, closing it just as well. When everyone had broken apart, Naida still felt like they were all together, in spirit. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Botta, who had shifted to be next to her.
"You ready for this...?" She said quietly.
"Yeah,"He replied, "You?"
"You know it."
The two exchanged glances, before Naida laughed a little.
"Well then, let's do this."
He smiled, looking from her, to the group, then back to her.
"It's time to get it on."
~~~~~~~~~~~Author's Note: Hey guys!! I know, this chapter was really just a time waster, you get to know the characters more, and I even bring an old one back in along with a new one! I hope you liked it, because it was gonna be longer, I was actually gonna try to fit the game into this, but then I looked at the little scroll bar in the corner, and thought "Nahhh..."
*lol*
Alright now, here goes with the Thankios! (heeheehee...Spaghettios)
First off, to Carter: Still doing a wonderful job on yer story. *laughs* Last chapter you weren't on yer vacay yet, but I'm pretty sure you are now! I hope you're having fun in your place overseas, and I'll pray for your safety!
Then of course there's Ti: Woman, I give you Laura! *smiles* I hope you like her, she's short, like you asked, and even though I haven't had her long enough to build on her attitude and story backround and such, I will, and I hope you like what I have so far! ...I'm still waiting for you to upload your wonderful stories, and now that I've finished this backbreaking time waster, I'm gonna go recheck yer site to see if you have!
To Daemon, DA, Sonata: I don't know if you guys are still reading, but I'm still thanking you just in case!
Nikki Ash: I'm so glad to see your new one shot, but I really wish you'd make it a story! ^_^ It has great potential, especially since you're such an awesome writer! Keep up your great work, woman. I'll be checkin' in on ya soon!
Flaming Cross: Thank you for your reviews, as usual! I'm glad to know you like my story! Please keep reviewing, and if you ever get a story up, just let me know! ^_^
Sean: *smile* I'm glad you like this! Even if I don't know you, I just thought it was crazy that you reviewed, because not too long ago, I kept having dreams about a guy named Sean! *laughs* Don't think me too crazy now, and thanks for reviewin'!
Echo: Woman, you're so sweet! When I say you compliment me too much, I mean it! *laughs* You really don't have to say all that, you have no idea how bad I was blushing when I read all of the reviews I got from you and Drea and Tio and the rest! Thank you so much for reviewing, and I'll be tackling some of your stories soon!
And last but not least there's Drea: Okay, Missy. You've got me droolin' for that new TMNT fic, even though I'm desperate for more Forever Silent! Please post more chapters on it, it's such a wonderful story!! And thank you so much for readin' this, I hope you're happy with my little Drea/Jassu interlude there, lol!
Alright everyone, just so you know, I'm planning on having the next chapter be relatively short. *grins* Heh..that's what I usually plan, and look at that. *Points at scrollbar* Well bite me on the rear sideways if I don't get it right! *laughs* I hope you loved this chapter, and if ya do, just yell it at me in the reviews! Thanks again for readin', and now I'm off to my choir concert! Remember to tell me when you guys've updated!!!
-Keepin' it "Real,"
~Ari
P.S.Just so you know, I'm trying to work something out that all of my reviewers get at least one character in the story. Drea was my first, and Tio my second. I'm not gonna put you all in this story in particular, but just remember, I've got Shattered Image coming up, and I'm also working on an X-Men fanfiction! *Note* Drea got a main character because of somethin' goofy we both did, Tio too. If you get a character in this story, it's more than likely not going to be a main one like theirs. Please don't be mad!!!
