Chapter 11: Another Riddle and Hidden Emotions

            Everyone was at Eiko's house. Eiko and Miranda were preparing lunch while Kristin told the rest about her eidolon. Miranda smiled when Kristin said that it tried to bite her head off and Chris told her that all it did was nudge and nuzzle her like a puppy.

            "That Kristin…" Miranda said as she chopped up some vegetables. "So how's the soup coming along, Eiko?"

            Eiko smiled up at her. "It's almost done! Wanna taste?"

            "Sure!" Chris said as he barged in and took a spoonful. "Hm…needs a little salt…"

            Miranda shoved him playfully. "We told you not to come in here!"

            He grinned at her. "Well I couldn't help myself. It smelled too good out here."

            Eiko added some more salt to the soup and Chris tried again. "Well? Is that better?"

            Chris nodded. "That's good. So what else is on the menu?"

            "Um…cooked fish with steamed vegetables, steak with rice, and for desert, hedgehog pie!"

            Chris turned a little green. "You're kidding about that hedgehog pie, right?"

            Eiko laughed. "Of course she is! We're having chocolate cake instead."

            He gave a sigh of relief. "Well, how are you making steak if there are no cows around here?"

            Miranda looked at him mysteriously. "Oh, we have our ways." (I really have no clue .)

            Eiko shoved him back inside. "Now stay in there! It's almost done anyway!"

            After a few more minutes, Miranda and Eiko brought out the delicious meal. Everyone dug in and soon the dishes were cleaned off. Eiko ran to the kitchen and brought back the delicious looking, mouth watering, sweet smelling chocolate cake (Oh…now I want some!). Chris cut out a slice, and then took the rest of the cake.

            "Chris! Quit it!" Kristin said.

            He sheepishly took the slice instead and returned the cake back to the middle of the table. "Hehe…sorry…"

            When they were through, Kuja and Kristin went outside to talk.

            "How do you feel to have your own eidolon?" Kuja asked as he looked out at the sea.

            "I can't really explain it," Kristin said as she leaned against the railing. "It's happiness, a feeling of pride, and shock at the same time. I mean my very own eidolon! I sometimes wonder if it was just a dream."

            "I remember when I wanted to have all the eidolons that ever existed to control the entire world," Kuja said in a bitter tone. "I destroyed kingdoms and people just to satisfy my own wishes. Madain Sari wouldn't look like this if I hadn't have the misfortune to be the Angel of Death."

            Kristin placed her hand over his. "But you're not like that anymore, Kuja. I can feel it. You're nice, caring, polite, a gentleman. You're not evil anymore. But you're still cool and that's why I like you."

            He looked at her startled. "How can you like someone who nearly destroyed a whole planet? Someone who can easily destroy someone with one spell?"

            "Yeah, and how can she like someone who cross dresses?"

            They whirled around to see Miranda and Chris with their backs toward them, whistling.

Kristin glared at them. "Do I go barging in when you two are together?"

"What? You mean you think…?" they said together. They looked at each other. "Nah!"

Eiko went in between them. "Suuuuure…that's what they all say."

"Chris and Miranda sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Vivi sang as he walked up behind them.

Chris picked him up and held him upside down. "What was that, pointy-hat boy???"

"L-l-let me go!" Vivi squeaked. "T-t-the blood is r-rushing to my h-head!"

Chris put him down. "You got off lucky that time."

"Vivi! I would have never suspected you to do that!" Miranda said shocked. "You've been corrupted!"

Kristin and Eiko turned around whistling. "Well, then you two DO like each other or you wouldn't be so defensive."

Chris and Miranda turned away. "Ah, what do you know?" they said in unison.

"What's with the talking at the same time thing?" Kuja asked inquiringly. "Why don't you guys admit it?"

"We're just friends," Chris said firmly.

"Yea, there's nothing going on between us," Miranda added.

Kristin shrugged. "Suit yourself." She looked at Kuja slyly. "Come on, lets go somewhere private (.)." She grabbed his hand and almost dragged him off.

Vivi looked after them wide eyed. "Do you think?"

Miranda looked at him shocked. "Vivi! Nasty little mind!"

"What?? What I do??"

Eiko tugged at his sleeve. "Better get going," she whispered and ran off dragging him. "See you guys later! I'm going to show Vivi something!" she yelled back.

Chris shrugged. "Boy, that was very interesting."

Miranda leaned against the railing. "No kidding." She turned and gazed at the sea, the wind blowing her hair softly back.

Chris stared at her then shook his head blushing. We're just friends, we're just friends, we're just friends. He turned away and stared at the wall instead. Right?

Miranda was having some thoughts of her own. So it's true. We are just friends, she thought a little sad. But, that's alright. I wouldn't have to worry all the time. Now we can just hang out without me feeling nervous around him. But…She glanced at him and blushed. I don't know! Rarg…this is just too aggravating.

"Hey, Miranda," Chris said suddenly, still facing the wall.

Miranda looked at him. "Yeah?"

            "Who do you like at school?"

            "Like I would tell."

            He turned at her grinning. "So you DO like someone."

            She turned coolly away. "I didn't say that."

            "So you don't like anyone."

            "I didn't say that either."

            Chris started to twitch. "So do you or do you not like anyone?"

            Miranda smiled slyly. "Oh look! There's Kuja and Kristin! I'm going to spy on them some. Catch you later!" She started to go but then stopped. "Heh, you don't have any pencils to break now, do you?" She then ran to find Kuja and Kristin.

            "Grr…" Chris said leaning against the railing. "I'll never know if she likes me or not still." He paused. "But why should I care so much?"

            "Maybe you do like her but you don't know it."

            He turned around and saw Mikoto holding a book. "Well? You really should let time tell." She joined him at the rail and spotted Kuja and Kristin chasing Miranda with a mallet. "Where the heck did they get those??"

            Chris smiled at her. "Yep, you've hanged out with Zidane too much."

            She looked at him sheepishly. "Well, he would have said something else, but…"

            He shrugged and sighed. "What do you think, Mikoto?"

            She looked at him thoughtfully. "I think that you should let your feelings decide and when you've reached a decision, no matter what it is, stick by her and be a good friend. It'll work either way!"

            He gazed at the sea thoughtfully. "I guess so…"

            "Are you going to help us or not?" Freya called to them from inside.

            "We're coming!" Mikoto called back. "Come on, Freya can get really mean if you get her too annoyed."

            They went inside and poured over some books. There were many historical documents about Madain Sari and its summoners, but they haven't found anything yet about Systania.

Sir Fratley sighed as he put another book down. "We're getting nowhere. Maybe Madain Sari's summoners didn't even know about Systania."

"Don't give up so easily, Fratley," Freya chastised him. "That was one thing I didn't like about you. You gave up to easily in researching."

"Well, it's so boring! I'd battle a monster any day," he grumbled as he picked up another dust-covered book.

Morrison flew in excitedly. "Kupo! Stiltzken is coming! Kupo!!"

The other moogles appeared out of nowhere and flew about excitedly. "Stiltzken! Stiltzken!"

Chris shook his head. "What's up with Stiltzken? He's just a traveler moogle."

Mocca looked at him wide eyed. "He's not JUST a traveler moogle! He helped save Gaia you know! And he has his own business now! You can get anything you need now, kupo!"

"Moogles get excited easily," Mikoto said.

After a moment, they waited as Stiltzken walked in. The moogles hovered about him, calmer though.

"Kupo, hello everyone! Miss me?" Stiltzken said smiling.

"Welcome back, kupo!" Morrison greeted him, shaking his paw. "Did you enjoy your journeys?"

"Eh, they were alright," Stiltzken replied. "Need anything?"

"You wouldn't have any historical books about Systania would you?" Chris asked sarcastically.

Stiltzken searched his bag. "Well, I think I have something…"

The group jumped on him. "Where??!!"

Stiltzken waved his hands. "Hold your chocobos! Let me find it first! I was at the Black Mage Village talkin' with Mogryo. He had found this parchment that had the word Systania on it. Exchanged it for some kupo nuts."

"Yea, yea," Chris said hurriedly. "Just find that parchment!"

"Aha! Here it is!" Stiltzken said as he held the rolled up sheet of paper triumphantly. He clutched it. "What do I get out of it?"

Morrison went out and came back with a bag. "How about this?"

Stiltzken peered into it and "kupoed" in delight. "You got yourself a deal!" he said as he gave the parchment to Freya. "I have to be going now. Got to check some things with Noggy in Daguerreo. If I find anything else, I'll let you know. Good bye!" He walked out and flew off.

Mikoto looked questioningly at Morrison. "What did you give him?"

He looked at them slyly. "Playmoogle magazines." (.)

They looked at him wide eyed. Chris groaned. "Good thing Miranda isn't here or she would have strangled you."

"Kupo!" Morrison flew off and hid somewhere.

Freya shook her head. "Anyway, what does the parchment say?"

"Uh, you're the one with it in your hand, Freya," Chris said.

"Oh, I do have it don't I? Haha, ahem, lets see…" She unrolled and laid it on the table. She groaned. "Another batch of riddles!"

Mikoto sighed. "Well what does it say this time?"

"Ok, it says:

If you seek the place of summoners lost,

            Then start at Madain Sari's eidolon wall.

            Find the clues hidden within

            Then you'll have no trouble at all.

            Seek the place where black mages live

            Where magic is learned and made

            And add another member to your group

            But be wary of the plan he laid.

            A young maiden will be lost

            But found again.

            Unfortunately when she is found

            Evil is what will remain.

            Parallel to the tree of life,

            Almost lost within it,

            Hidden in the roots that spawned         

            The dreaded evil Mist.

            Unable to capture Systania's power,

            The evil enveloped and destroyed it instead.

            Driven by hate and hunger,

            He listened to all what evil said.

            No longer existing within this world,

            We left one summoner left.

            She was reborn in another universe,

            In hopes she needn't know the rest.

            The evil's daughter was saved

            By the powers of goddess Serenity.

            Only a baby she was reborn again

            Surrounded by love and sincerity.

            She will come again to this dreaded place,

            Following fate's inevitable path.

            Only the one she loves

            Shall save her from Democlese's wrath.

            Seekers beware of what destiny has laid,

            Filled with joy and pain,

            If caught lost and unaware,

            Then all hope is lost and evil shall reign.

            Thou hold fate in thy hands

            But only to a certain degree.

            It can be changed to good or bad,

            Only thou can see."

Mikoto sighed. "That's half a story and have a riddle. Well, we're on the right track anyway. And it mentions Systania and Democlese."

"It also mentions Serenity and a chosen summoner," Fratley added.

"Maybe that's Kristin," Chris suggested.

            "What's about me?"

They turned to see a panting Kristin leaning against the doorway.

"Where are Miranda and Kuja?" Freya asked.

She looked around. "I thought they already came up here."

At that moment, Vivi, Eiko, Miranda, and Kuja ran up to them. "Sorry we're late," Kuja said huffing. "Eiko and Vivi forced us to play tag."

Eiko stuck her tongue out at him. "Well you promised me we would have a game!"

Miranda walked up to them and sat down next to Chris tiredly. "So whatcha got there?" she asked as she pointed to parchment.

"Some more riddles and stuff," he replied. "It's really quite confusing. But we're on the right track and…" he stopped when he noticed she wasn't listening and was sleeping on his shoulder again.

Kristin looked at him slyly. "Hm…you seem quite content there, Chris."

"Wha?!" he exclaimed. "She just fell asleep that's all!"

"Ssssh!" Mikoto said. "She's sleeping. It's been a long day for her, especially being chased and then playing tag."

Chris picked her up and placed her on a bed. "Well she can sleep there then."

Vivi yawned. "I'm tired too," he said and jumped onto a bed. "These beds are bouncy!"

"Are there enough?" Fratley asked.

Morrison came in when he saw the coast was clear. "Kupo! Yep, we set it up while you were working."

They all wearily went to bed and fell right asleep.

Author's Note: Phew! Another riddle/poem/story/…uh…nm like thing! That took some thinking. Well, not really, but anyway, hope you guys are liking it! Going to get really good soon, hehe. Really! Keep reading to find out! And, as always, REVIEW! I'd be glad to have them you know! *pleading eyes* Pwetty pwease?