Author Notes:: Ok, here's the actual beginning. BTW, that was Aria in the last chapter. She's... well, depressing to a point. Lol. Based mostly on me, scary enough.
Disclaimer:: I still don't own ff10... I'm telling you, it's really late for you guys to have missed Christmas.
Chapter One:: Trouble
Aria wasn't an open, emotional person, by nature. Even as a child, she'd been on the quiet, aloof side, though wise for her years and smarter than most youngsters.
Aren was used to this, after eighteen years as her twin brother, though, and as he watched her staring off into the beautiful sunrise, he placed a smile firmly on his face and approached her. She had to of heard him, but she didn't bother to show it if she did.
"It's a beautiful morning, isn't it?" he spoke. She didn't move, and most would have guess she was ignoring them. She finally sighed.
"Yes, it is."
He nodded once, suddenly a bit guilty at the sadness in her voice. Her arms were crossed across her stomach, like she was nauseous, and her face seemed pained. Her long, dark hair fell over her shoulders and far down her back, untamed.
She turned her head slightly and twin sets of jade eyes met. "The ship leaves soon." she began. He nodded.
"I know... I have to go up to the temple to pray for a safe journey." he began. She tensed slightly and turned her head back to look out over the waves. "You're sure you won't come with me to pray?" he pressed. She stiffened.
"I'm sure." she replied evenly. He sighed, but did not argue with her. He turned and walked to the far end of the village, where the tall temple stood, he turned back to once look down on the small village. It would be the last time they'd see it, he knew.
He took a hesitant breath and turned to enter the temple.
Aria gently slung her pack over her shoulder and smoothed her straight, knee length blue skirt. The wind blew and her hair billowed out behind her. She restlessly adjusted her white tank, tugging at the violet, green, and blue edging along the collar. Her armlets and tall boots were the only things she didn't toy with as she climbed aboard the ship. She stopped at the head of the gangplank and turned back.
Gathered around her brother were a good portion of the townsfolk to see him off. She waited patiently as he said his goodbyes. Small gifts from the children were pocketed and bundles of no doubt food and supplies were handed to him until Aria wondered if Aren would able to walk up the gangplank at all.
"Come on, Aren. We have to go." she called. She received a few glares, and a few respectful looks to even them out as Aren glanced back at her.
"Alright." he called back. He turned and made the motions of the prayer to Yevon and turned to go. "Good bye!" he yelled as he turned back and waved again.
"Good luck, Lord Aren!" the children called. The elderly woman dabbed at their tears and the men saluted. Aren joined his sister and the two moved further onto the ship.
"Miss Laurei had a farewell gift for you, Aria." he spoke finally, as the ship pulled away from the dock and the two leaned against the railing facing their destination. Aria looked up, a bit surprised and noticed the small box in his hands.
"She did?" Aria asked, taking the box and sliding it open. Inside was a crescent shaped pendent made of silver, on a heavy chain. She felt herself tear up a bit as she slid it on. The pendant hung at about her stomach.
"It's pretty." Aren commented, with a smile.
"What did she get you?" Aria commented. He raised an eyebrow, but ducked to pick up a flat bow among his things. He slid the lid off of the box and smiled. Aria ducked around to look inside the box.
Inside was a blue/silver staff, with a webbed head. He smiled and brought the pieces out. He quickly assembled the handle and then added the head. "It's a staff... wow... it had to be expensive..." he trailed.
Aria watched his amazement at the intricate beauty as she fingered her own gift.
"I guess it makes sense... we will need weapons after all." she finally spoke up. He nodded, a bit distracted.
"I guess..." he trailed. Faintly he shook his head. "I'm going to go into put my things into my cabin." he spoke, taking his mass collection of things with him as he wandered off. Aria turned her attention back to the waves.
An amount of time, that Aria couldn't have possibly told you how long it actually was, passed, before she began to feel stiff. She pushed off of the rail and stretched, turning. Not many were on the ship, and those who were seemed to have deserted the deck. Only one other person was present, and he was an older man that she recognized from her village. She lifted her small back and drifted slowly back to where the cabins, no doubt, were.
Her stomach was protesting to her, and she had to think to realize it had been awhile since she'd last eaten. A long while, if she was right. She descended into the cabin area and found the one that was assigned as hers. Pushing the door open, she walked in and closed the door. She tossed her bag aside and sat on the edge of her bed.
She sighed and lifted the discarded bag, looking for a bite of something to eat, when she realized that she didn't have any. She'd have to go ask Aren for whatever he had.
She stood and dropped the bag beside her bed, and left her chamber. Aren's was just beside hers and she didn't bother to knock.
Aren was lying back on his bed, reading, when she entered. He glanced up at her entrance.
"Do you have anything to eat in here? I'm famished." she spoke. He laughed and tossed a pouch at her.
"Of course." he replied, sitting up and motioning for her to sit next to him.
She dug in the pouch and found small oranges, cheese, and hard bread. It made a good midday meal, she thought, as the two shared what she'd found. She leaned back, finished, and stifled a yawn.
"Tired?" he asked, peeling one of the oranges. She dropped her gaze.
"Yeah... I didn't sleep well last night." she replied. He looked concerned.
"Any real reason?" he pressed.
"Don't worry about it. It was probably nerves." she replied evenly. She sighed a bit.
He didn't buy it, but said nothing more on that subject. The two, instead, ended up in the middle of one of their debates on magic.
It was an hour or so later when she finally left and entered her own cabin.
She stopped dead in her tracks. The mattress had been shredded and there were claw marks on every wall. The small dresser had been turned into scrap wood.
All that was untouched, in actuality, was her bag. It was still in the same spot she'd left it.
She took a deep, careful breath, and forced herself not to panic. "Who...?"
He laughed at her expression. Maybe the little whore would get the hint. She was no Guardian. She wasn't supposed to be.
"Run, little bitch." he laughed as she backed away from her door. Every movement she made, no matter how guarded, made him laugh. He licked his lips and could almost taste her flesh.
That sounded like fun, he thought. He wanted to taste her flesh, to feel her ripping skin and to drink her crimson blood as it streamed out of her.
She was so slim, her curves generous and her skin a pearly peach. She would, he didn't doubt, taste fresh.
His mouth watered just watching her breathing increase it's speed and her eyes dart around the room.
She saw him, watching her, and he could see her shudder. He tensed in response, but waited. The hunt was often times the best fun. To end it now, would be too easy.
"You're safe, for now, little mage... for now." he growled slightly.
Author Notes...2:: Alright, I didn't intend to include that last part in this chapter, but I did. So we have a... problem at the least. *shudders* He scares me, and I wrote him. So, who wants to read more?