Chapter 15: Festival at the Black Mage Village

            The group finally reached the Black Mage Village. As Freya had thought, Mikoto, Kuja, and Eiko were already there. When the trio saw them arrive, they rushed to them.

            "Kristin! Are you alright?" Kuja asked worriedly.

            "I'm fine, but what about you?"

            "Vivi!" Eiko cried.

            "Eiko!" Vivi cried back and they hugged each other.

            "Okay…" Chris said as he watched the two run off to the chocobo shack.

            "They must be going to see Bobby Corwin," Mikoto said.

            "I still don't see why they named a chocobo Bobby Corwin," Miranda said.

            Fratley shrugged. "Beats me."

            "I think everyone deserves to do whatever they want," Freya suggested. "Lets meet at the inn in the evening, alright?"

            Everyone nodded and went off their own ways. Mikoto, Freya, and Fratley went to the items shop to restock. Kuja and Kristin went off together somewhere. Chris went straight to the inn, saying he was beat from all the running and fighting.

            I wonder what this place REALLY looks like…Miranda thought to herself as she walked down the paths. She saw many black mages and genomes. They waved to her and she waved back. They are so nice. And it's really quite peaceful here thanks to the magic. She entered a quiet peaceful spot behind the village and sat against a tree.

            "Howdy!"

            Miranda jumped up startled. "Wh-who's there?!"

            A lean, handsome male genome jumped down from the branch above her and stuck out his hand. "Name's Tristan. You don't look like you're from around here."

            Miranda shook his hand and smiled. "No, I'm not actually. My name is Miranda."

            He took a quick glance at her. "Hm…"

            She shifted uncomfortably. "Uh…so…uh…what do you like to do?" she asked as she quickly started walking back to the village.

            Tristan followed her. "Fighting really. What about you?"

            "I guess now fighting, as well. But I'm more of a loner, so I'm not that social."

            "A loner, huh? I'm kinda like that too, though it gets frustrating with girls surrounding me."

            She raised an eyebrow. "Must be popular with the ladies, then."

            "Well, I am the main defender of this place. Guess I look like a hero or something."

            "I see…what weapon do you use?"

            "Sword. Here, I'll show you." He unsheathed his sword and showed it to her. It had a double-edged blade and a simple hilt. "What about you?"

            "Sword also." She unsheathed her sword and held it for him to see.

            "Wow, nice. Where did you find that?"

            Better not talk too much… "By the Evil Forest."

            "Ah…lucky."

            She shrugged. "I guess."

            "Soo…you got a boyfriend?"

            Miranda blinked and looked him. "No…why?"

            Yes!! "No reason in particular."

            She shrugged and continued walking.

            "Got anyone in mind?"

            She sighed. "Why do you want to know? You're starting to act like Chris."
            "Chris?"

            "Yeah, he's a friend of mine that keeps asking me who I like back home. He's here at the inn now, really."

            "Hm…well, I got some business to attend to. I'll see you later." He kissed her hand and walked off.

            Miranda stared after him. Okay…that was…odd…I don't even know the guy. She shrugged. Polite though. Better keep my wits up thought, just in case.

            She entered the inn a few minutes later and found a sleeping Chris in one of the beds. "Oi…he must have been pretty tired. I've been gone for an hour now." She sat in a chair and picked up a book on the desk. "Hm… "So You Want to Learn Magic? Read Me!" Interesting…" She opened it and started reading. She looked up when she saw Chris move.

            Chris yawned and stretched. He saw Miranda and bolted upright. "What the? Oh…we're in the inn, hehe."

            Miranda rolled her eyes. "Duh…"

            Chris raised an eyebrow. "Ok…so what have you been up to since we got her?"

            "Oh, just walkin' around, exploring the place."

            "See anything interesting?"

            "Basically like the game. Though I did meet this guy…"

            Chris looked at her. "Reeeallly?"

            She shrugged. "Yea…no biggie. Asked if I had a boyfriend though…quite odd."

            He blinked. "Boy isn't he fast!"

            She looked at him. "What?"

            "Uh…nevermind…"

            She shrugged again. "Whatever you say…"

            Mikoto walked in carrying a lot of bags. She put them down by the door and dusted off her hands. "Well that's done. You guys should freshen up some. They're holding a festival tonight and it's getting late. We came in at the right time I should say…" She hurried back out and went to find the others.

            "Cool, a festival! I wonder what it will be like," Miranda said excitedly.

            "Yeah. You don't get much festivals back home."

            "No kidding."

            "I have already taken a shower, so I'm fine…you though…" Miranda looked at Chris. "Well…"

            He looked down at himself. "Ugh…I still have all this crud on me…well I'm off to the showers. I'll meet you outside." He hopped out of the bed and went to the bathroom.

            Miranda got up and walked outside. She leaned against the wall next to the door waiting for Chris. Hm hm hm…I wonder what the festival will be like…and I still have yet to see Bobby Corwin…still don't get that name…oh well…and that Tristan fellow…She had a puzzled look on her face. Don't tell me I have a guy that likes me now…She laughs to herself softly at that thought. Pshh..yea right…well Chris had better hurry up. She glanced at her watch, amazed that it still works.

            At that precise moment, Chris walked out all refreshed. "Aaahh…that was good."

            Miranda raised an eyebrow and moved away from the wall. "Uh…right. Lets go."

            "You seem moody today."

            "Nah…just thinking about stuff."

            "That guy?"

            Miranda blinked. "What?"

            He shook his head. "Never mind. Come on! We're going to be late!" And with that they ran to where the others were waiting.

            It had already started to get dark. The black mages and the genomes had lit the paths with fire spells so they could see clearly. Lanterns filled with fireflies and magical fire were hung every few feet. Miranda looked around in awe.

            "It's so pretty…"

            "Heh. Yea I guess," Chris said.

            She looked at him disapprovingly. "Come on, get into the spirit!"

            "Since when did YOU get into festival spirit?"

            "Hey now!"

            He smiled. "Heh, well it's the truth!"

            "Hmph." But she was smiling.

            They continued on and saw a great burst of flame suddenly appear. They glanced at each other and ran the rest of the way, past the cemetery, onto an open clearing where all the genomes and black mages were gathered around a gigantic bonfire. Kristin saw them and waved them over to a spot a little away from the bonfire.

            "What to took you guys so long?" Eiko asked.

            "It was him," Miranda said while jutting her thumb out at Chris.

            "Hey!"

            Mikoto shook her head chuckling. "Well they're here now. Oh look!" she suddenly said as a group of genomes assembled on a small platform that was constructed in front of the bonfire.

            "Where'd Freya and Fratley run off to?" Vivi asked as he sat down.

            "Something about guests or something or other," Kuja said as he joined Kristin.

            A shower of leaves suddenly fell down upon the group.

"Hey watch it up there!" Eiko yelled up.

"Sorry!" Miranda called back down as she settled herself onto a branch and propped her leg up, letting the other one dangling. This is a great spot!

Vivi groaned. "I can't see anything!"

"Wanna come up here with me Vivi?" Miranda asked.

Vivi shuddered. "No thanks! I think I'll just go up front."

"I'll come too!" Eiko said as she jumped up.

"Hold on!" Mikoto yelled as they started to run. They turned around and looked at her. "You need chaperones."

"We'll go," Kristin volunteered.

"All of you can move up front if you guys want." Miranda said. "I'm perfectly fine up here. Probably got the best seat in the house, heh."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "Sure you'll be fine on your own?"

"Like what's going to get me up here?"

He shrugged and walked after the others.

The mystery of where Freya and Fratley went was soon solved when a group of Burmecians came on the platform. A harp was propped up in the corner, and an orchestra was situated around the stage. Silence fell among the crowd as the performers entered onto the stage. They watched entranced as the Burmecian dancers danced to the music (You know…like that River Dance thing at Cleyra).

Wow…this is better than the game! Miranda thought amazed at the fast paced dance.

"Cool isn't it?"

Miranda jumped startled. "Who's there?!"

"Just me," Tristan said as he jumped down beside her. "So how are you likin' it here?"

"It's pretty cool. Everyone is pretty nice and it's peaceful here."

"Glad you think so."

Freya and Fratley appeared on the stage and they led the dancers in a complex series of steps. When they finished, everyone stood up and applauded. As the Burmecians left the stage, a group of moogles appeared. They did a cute little play, which turned into a huge fight among the moogles because one of them didn't remember their lines. Everyone was laughing hysterically.

Tristan leaned back laughing. "Moogles…never put them in show biz!"

Miranda laughed. "But they ARE making a big hit."

"Yeah…"

Miranda turned her attention back on the stage as some young genomes and black mages were doing what looked to be a talent show. It wasn't long before that turned out to be a disaster. One of the black mages accidentally lit a genome on fire and everyone was trying to extinguish the flames.

"Poor genome," Miranda said.

"I told them not to do that," Tristan said sighing. "They never listen…"

They continued watching and after a while food was laid out on long tables and everyone gathered around to grab something to eat. By the time everyone had had his or her fill, nearly everything was gone. Miranda looked around to find the others and spotted them no to far away by a cluster of apple trees. She motioned for Tristan to follow and they joined them.

"Well, who's this young fellow here?" Fratley asked as they came up.

"Hey guys," Miranda said. "This is Tristan. Tristan, these are my friends that I've journeyed with."

"Howdy!" he smiled and waved.

Everyone introduced themselves and made room for them to sit.

"Is this they guy you were talking about?" Chris said in a low voice so no one would hear.

"Yea, same guy," she said back. "He just appeared in the same tree that I was in."

"Hmm…"

"So where are you folks headed?" Tristan asked as he plucked an apple and bit into it.

"We'll be heading to Burmecia in the morning," Freya replied. "Regent Cid said he'll take us, since he has to bring back the troupe anyway."

"The Realm of Eternal Rain…" Miranda said softly. "I wonder what it's like…"

"Probably wet and soggy," Tristan said smiling.

"Heh, we got a funny one here," Kuja said.

Kristin laughed. Miranda thought she overdid it a little too much. Heh, but who am I to tell? She's happy…that's all that matters.

Chris yawned. "Boy was that filling or what? But now I'm beat and tired!"

"Tired?!" Miranda exclaimed incredulously. "But you just woke up like 5 hours ago!! And had like 3 hour nap!!"

"So…" he said sheepishly.

Miranda shook her head. "Aye…well, I guess we should hit the hay…"

Everyone got up at that and collected their things. Eiko and Vivi had already fallen asleep, so Chris picked up Vivi and placed him on his back.

"There we go, kiddo…"

Miranda smiled and did the same with Eiko, who had woken up but was still sleepy.

She gave a huge yawn. "So where are we going tomorrow?"

"We're gonna go to Burmecia," Miranda said softly as she made her way back to the inn.

"Really…? Better bring an umbrella…."

Miranda smiled as she heard Eiko's steady breathing, signifying that she was asleep again.

They reached the inn and everyone trooped inside.

"Well, I'll see you off tomorrow," Tristan said almost regretfully to Miranda.

She looked him. "Uh…yea, ok." Odd…

"Night!" He kissed her hand and walked off.

"Night!" she called after him. She saw him give a backward wave and turned around. That was…interesting…

"Interesting fellow isn't he?" Chris said as he emerged from the shadows.

Miranda looked up startled. "Chris!! You nearly scared me half to death!!"

He smiled. "Heh, must have been thinking deep."

She pushed him to the side as she made her way into inn. "Ah, leave me alone."

"Do you like him?"

She stopped startled and looked at him. He was leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed and looking out into the village. "Huh?"
            "I said 'Do you like him?' Do you?"

She looked at him thoughtfully and slowly made her way back to him. "Hm…he's cool as a friend…" she turned to him, "but I don't like like him."

He looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

She looked at him in surprise. "Are you jealous or something?"

He raised both his eyebrows in surprise and shrugged away from the wall. "Me? Jealous? Why would I be jealous?"

"I unno…you're startin' to sound like it, heh."

"Eeehhh, nah I'm not jealous…just being the curious little boy that I am."

"Haha…persistent you are."

"Heh." He glanced at his watch and gave a low whistle. "Whoa, it's getting late. Better get inside and get some shut eye if we want to be awake tomorrow."

"Alright then." She walked into the inn.

Kristin was waiting there already and looked at them surprised when they entered. "And what were YOU two doing, hmmm???"

"We were just talkin'!" Miranda said.

"Sheesh…we talk and she gets ideas," Chris muttered.

"I heard that! Well, I was just makin sure you guys got to bed, so scoot!" She shooed into their rooms and followed Miranda (they're sharing rooms).

Miranda took a quick shower and flopped onto the bed. "Mmm…not as comfy as the beds in Alexandria…but just as nice…"

Kristin laid down on her bed. "Yea…so…what were you two talking about, hmm??"

Miranda gave her an exasperated glance. "Oh come on! It was nothing…" Was it?

Kristin shrugged. "Oh alright…well, good night."

"Night…"

Miranda laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling. That was weird…I think there was more to that conversation than meets the eye…and Tristan…I guess he does like me…wonderful…she thought sarcastically. Just what I need…well…better get some sleep…And with that she dozed off into a dreamless slumber.

Author's Note: GOMEN!!! I haven't been writing lately but I've finally finished ^^;;; I'm really sorry to keep you guys waiting ^^;;; I'll post chapter 16 soon (hopefully) I've been playing Final Fantasy X. WONDERFUL!! ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!!! *_* I love that game! Well, lots of surprises await…hopefully revealed in the next couple of chapters ^^;;; Thanks for being patient with me ^^;;;; sorry again ^^;;;; *bows repeatedly and gives everyone cake and Mr. Pibb*