The Matchmaker

::Dancedance:: This is the second-to-last chapter! XD Whoots, go me. And there'll be an epilogue, methinks... I'm not sure, I don't know what to write. ^_^ And, yeah, that's it. Onwards! Oh, and this is considered the 'Day before the Festival.' I'm not sure if I mentioned that before or not... But... Yeah. Just to verify. And please, don't let the FBM hurt meee! ;;

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The Matchmaker

Chapter eight

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"Nononononononononononononononono!"

"Aw, Mia, come on! It's just a dress!"

"A dress?! It looks like a scarf!"

"Mia! You won't look like a scamp in this, I promise!"

"Nooo!"

"What's going on in there, anyhow? It sounds like everyone in the world screaming as Weyard blows up into pieces." Garet muttered. Ivan glared at him.

"Don't joke around with the 'Weyard blowing up into little bits' thing, Garet. It can happen, you know." He said sternly.

"The women are getting dresses." Isaac told Garet, answering his question. "Sounds like Mia's in mortal danger, or something."

"Isaac, help!" Mia shrieked as the door blasted open. She made a desperate lunge for said Venus adept, almost managing to touch his shoulder, when Sheba and Jenna yanked her back in by the shoulders.

"Mia, you got to look pretty for the Festival!" Jenna cried, forcing her to sit and closing the door so the boys wouldn't peek. "Or Isaac won't care." She added in a hushed whisper. Mia appeared to break out in pink spots.

"Jenna, would a blue or a purple look better?" Sheba asked, holding up materials of the mentioned colors up to Mia's bare arm. "I'd honestly say a mix of the two, but with what the other women have been doing -- "

" -- we'll be lucky if there's any green left." Jenna sighed, chin in hand. Mia had an eerie feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Do-don't you two have your own dresses to make?" She squeaked as Sheba moved in for the kill -- armed with her measuring tape.

"Mia, we made ours a few days ago. You're nearly the only one who doesn't have a dress."

"What about them?" Mia asked, pointing past her friends to the bustling women fighting over a few inches of cloth.

"Oh, they're just touching theirs up, since they know I'll steal the show." Jenna said absent-mindedly. Sheba managed to snag a bolt of blue silk embroidered with small, white flowers. "....No, that won't do. What can we do?" The Mars adept tapped her foot on the floor, scrutinizing Mia's thin frame. "Hmm..."

"Whatever we have to do to get her with Isaac." Sheba said blandly. Mia gawked.

"You're -- what?!"

"It's a known fact Isaac has had the hots for you for ages, Mia. Sheba and I noticed right off the bat as soon as we met up with you guys in Contigo." Jenna said, putting her glare on a dark purple cloth, then tossing it aside.

Mia felt like fainting. And she did.

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"Oh, she's starting to -- "

"Ssssh! Shut up, Garet!"

"Men..."

"Urrgaaggh...? Wha?" Mia asked, much less eloquent than usual. "Whe-where am I?"

"You're in Isaac's bed, Mia." Sheba informed her. Jenna appeared to chuckle, but recieved a sharp jab in the side from Sheba's elbow. "How are you doing?"

"Fine.. I -- ow, I have a headache."

"No wonder. With all that noise those crazy women were making..." Garet huffed. Jenna squashed his toe brutally while nursing the injury Sheba gave her. "What?"

"Shut up, Garet."

"Mia, are you okay, besides that head pain?"

Her drowsy blue eyes traveled over to Isaac, who was holding her hand. As her gaze dropped down to her clutched palm, he blushed and dropped it, then picked it up again so her arm wouldn't be at an awkward angle.

"I'm..." She paused, noticing the nice warmth of his hands on hers. "Yeah, I'm okay. Some medicine, though, would be nice."

Sheba appeared to be stifling a giggle. Jenna was about to whack her over the head, but she was saved from losing brain cells by Dora.

"Oh, Mia, I got so worried when you had another fainting spell! I suppose dress-making got your worn out?"

"Um, yes, it did, ma'am..."

Dora smiled at her knowingly, pat Isaac on the head, and gave her a glass of water and a capsule to swallow. Isaac seemed to be mortified. Mia chuckled, swallowed the pill, downed the water, and gave Isaac's hand a slight squeeze.

"Can I get up?"

"You sure? We don't think the fever's come back." Sheba slipped one of her hands onto Mia's forehead, but the Mercury adept threatened her with her teeth. Sheba snatched her hand away, blinking.

"I am a feral animal, fear me!" Mia laughed. She flipped the blankets off, and swung herself out of bed. Isaac helped her stand, and she eyed Jenna warily. "Now, about that dress?"

"Ivan's working on it." Jenna smiled. Mia couldn't help but fishmouth.

"IVAN?"

"Well, yep. He's persuading some cloth merchants to come and fit you for a dress, Mia!"

Mia stared.

"I can't believe you people!" She stalked past them, and out the door.

"She's happy, isn't she?" Sheba said, looking at the closed door. Jenna chuckled.

"Oh yeah." She winked secretively at Garet, who took her hint, and stood abruptly.

"Come on, Isaac! You have to look handsome for the Festival, too!"

He and Isaac exited (With Isaac complaining the whole way, obviously). Jenna couldn't help but stand and whoop.

"Operation M.U.D. is under way!" Jenna shouted, bouncing excitedly up and down.

"And may I ask what 'M.U.D.' stands for?" Sheba asked dryly.

"Um, umm..." She paused, scrunching up her face. "Oh! Mad, Undying Desire! Buwahahahaa!"

Sheba wasn't sure she liked this side of Jenna.

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With Picard, Felix and Ivan

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"That's Jenna's problem." Felix said stoutly, stirring his tea boredly. "And Garet's, Sheba's, and yours. I don't want to get messed up with this."

"Mine, too." Picard chirped happily. Felix was about ready to chuck his tea (Which was near-to cold now) at the Lemurian.

"Why? I prefer to think romances work out on their own, without help from others." Felix ground out, choosing to step on (stomp on) Picard's toe instead.

"Romances normally work out for the better if friends contribute to the cause."

"And since when was this a cause?" Felix snapped. Picard eyed him for a moment, then sighed.

"And why would a dispassionate, hateful, depressed man as you possibly understand the ways of love and romance?" Picard shot back dramatically, waving his hands for good measure.

Ivan blinked.

"You've been reading too much of that blasted Lemurian poetry again, Picard." Felix snorted. Picard laughed, which nearly scared the poor Venus adept out of his skin.

"It's not poetry, Felix! It's just...... It's merely a way of life."

"Ivan, you're a nut." Felix grouched.

"Why me? Isn't Picard the nut here? Besides you?"

Felix scowled and threw his spoon at Ivan, who gave a cry of "Ow!"

"You're a nut for ever persuading Sheba to invite him here! He's a psycho!"

Picard only laughed more.

"You're a psycho, Picard. Yes, yes you are." Felix nodded, as though reassuring himself.

"But can't you SEE Isaac and Mia together? Like Jenna and Garet?" Ivan paused, then meeped, as a cupful of tea was splashed at him. "Forget I said that last part." Ivan said, dripping, and under the table. Felix kicked at him, but ended up only smacking Picard's shin.

"Yes, I can see Isaac and Mia together. And they'll have three children; two boys and a girl. They'll live on the hill overlooking the ruins of Sol Sanctum, and their house will have two stories. The children will all sleep on the upper floor, as will Isaac and Mia. On the bottom floor will be the kitchen, a hearth that will *always be warm,* and -- "

"Alright, Felix, that's enough." Picard said, throwing his own spoon at the brunet.

"Gee, Felix, you've been spending a whole lot of time around the ladies to go on and on about a boring subject like that." Ivan remarked. Felix kicked him, and managed to knock him against the hip. While Ivan whined and complained (And slapped Felix's knee repeatedly), Picard continued to try to win Felix over.

"Oh, come on, Felix! Think of... er... how it'll benefit the rest of us!"

"Really? How, then?" Felix asked, his eyes steely. Picard fidgeted a bit.

"Erm... Isaac will have another adventure! You know he always said he wanted another adventure! So... So he won't bother us anymore about having the adventure-bug!"

"Oh? When did he say THAT?" Felix asked, arms crossed over chest. Picard visibly sweated. Ivan sighed morosely.

"A while ago, on the ship, while you were, err... umm... Sleeping! Yes, that's it. And, um, Mia won't have a reason to go back to Imil, right? And... Uhh...."

"That's it?" Felix cocked his head, eyes slitted.

Picard sighed. "Yes, that's it, Felix. But please... Even Garet's trying to do things! From what I've heard, he purposely got sick to leave Isaac and Mia alone! ...But of course, Jenna apparently forgot to leave earlier..."

Felix sighed.

"Jenna and Garet, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G... First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes -- "

Felix reach down and swung at Ivan's head, but he dodged, so his fist connected with Picard's leg. The Lemurian yelped, and stood up suddenly, shaking the table and spilling his tea. Felix sat back up on his chair, looking sheepish.

"Felix, that was unnecessary! And trying to murder one of our dear comrades!" Picard scolded, casting a Ply on his bruised leg. Felix found the spiderweb in the corner of the ceiling verrrry interesting...

"Heehee!" Ivan giggled. Felix resisted urge to stomp on him. Hard.

"Come on, Felix. You do it this once, you probably won't have to do it again." Picard begged, ignoring the fact his sleeve was getting soaked in black tea. Felix glared at him. "Please? I'll let you do whatever you want with Ivan that goes along the lines of pain!"

Felix obviously perked at that.

"Yes?"

"And, er...."

"Picard, you're a psycho, AND you're evil!" Ivan shrieked. Picard put his foot on Ivan's head and pushed downwards. Hard. Felix raised his eyebrow. Picard normally didn't do this...

"Puh-leeeeaase?" The Lemurian asked one final time, while Ivan went on and on with his chorus of "Ow"s. "You just have to make sure Isaac and Mia have some slow-dancing time to themselves, nobody else around. Is that alright? And I'll..." He gulped, feeling electricity sparkle at his toes. "I'll let you harm Garet, Ivan, whomever you want... I... guess. Just do this? For the sake of (Mudshippers everywhere! XD) Isaac, of Mia, of VALE?"

Felix looked grim, shook his head, and sighed. Picard's hopes sank.

"Alright, alright. I'll do it. But just this once." He said grumpily.

"Splendidly wonderful!" Picard said, obviously happy. The table, in fact, was so happy as well, it spontaneously combusted into chunks of wood. Ivan snarled and stood up, purple light sparkling at his fingertips.

"PICARD! YOU ARE A DEAD LEMURIAN!" He snarled, immediately beginning to chase said Mercury adept. The Lemurian squeaked, yanked the door open, and dashed down the stairs, drawing some odd stares from Kyle and Dora, who were having *their* tea. Felix stood at the top of the stairs and sighed.

"Do you...?" Kyle gestured to the open doorway. Beyond it, random obscenities, cries of help to the gods, and the sound of Earth rupturing violently every so often were heard. Felix shook his head no, then went to go help Picard.

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With Sheba

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Oh, look, Sheba thought, looking up the cliffs, the Terrible Retribution is happening, or Felix is dying a very gory, bloody, painful death. She groaned softly, and turned back around. She circled the Psynergy stone, making sure the gilded pillars were in a perfect circle. Then, she used Reveal. The Psynergy stone gleamed prettily, a beautiful, twisting purple and blue aura snaking around its rough edges, giving it a mystical sort of look. The Wind adept smiled, and closed it off, nodding in satisfaction.

"Sheba, are you done?" Garet's father asked, coming up. Sheba nodded. "Good! I'm sure it'll look wonderful. Everything you do turns out beautiful, Sheba."

"Thank you, sir," But she was painfully aware that the man had never seen what else she had ever done in the past.

"Right, right." The man nodded, wandering off, taking the streamers from the playing children to twist around the trees himself. Sheba rolled her eyes.

"Chris! Natalie! You can put the drapes around them, now!" She called. Some women hustled up, holding up a length of silvery cloth. They nodded to her, and began their decorating. She admired their handiwork a moment, then went back to the inn, where Mia and Jenna were talking to the merchants. Or, if it was how she thought, it would be Jenna talking, and Mia sulking.

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With the said Mercury and Mars adepts

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"No, that wouldn't work. No. Too skimpy. No, she'll trip over that! Now, mister, these can't POSSIBLY be your best wares, now can they?"

"Jenna, has the thought occured to you that I might actually like the dresses you're rejecting?"

"Oh, you do?" Her eyes shone. Mia grimaced.

"Um, no. But let me look over them, alright?"

Jenna frowned, her eyebrows furrowed.

"Oh alright."

Mia smiled at her, and looked over the assortment of blue and purple, and occasionally light green, dresses. She was right, that looked too much like a scrap of cloth, that would be dragged on the ground and dirtied... She looked around and scrunched up her mouth. These really weren't all that good...

"Do you have any others?"

"Well, just one other..."

"Let me see it." She ordered. The merchant grimaced.

"It's... er... Rather pricey, ma'am."

"Doesn't matter, we're all rich after this quest anyhow." She said. The merchant paled slightly, then reached into his trunk, bringing out a dress with a dark, heavy cover over it, obviously to protect it.

He unzipped it painstakingly slowly. Mia gasped, and Jenna let out a barely audible squeal.

"It's pretty!" Jenna squeaked, peering over Mia's shoulder to gaze at the dress.

The dress was naturally a very light blue hue. Over it, a wispy sort of light purple gauze (barely any differen than the light blue) with small blue flowers rested. Much to Mia's relief, the neckline didn't plunge at all, it was barely enough to show off her collarbone. The short sleeves were split down the middle, and they sat atop the shoulders with ribbons tied together. A very short cape, barely reaching past her shoulderblades, would drift past her as she walked. The merchant held up a circlet set with diamonds and a silken scarf that went around the waist. Jenna snatched up the head piece, examining it for authenticity, perhaps.

Mia nearly fainted again.

"I'll take it!"

Jenna paused, very perturbed. The merchant clapped his hands together gleefully.

"That'll be 30,000 gold, ma'am."

Jenna gaped at Mia, wondering where all that money would turn up. Mia went over to a corner of the room, shifting around in a trunk. Finally, she returned with a bag heavy with money.

"30,000 coins, sir. Thank you." She accepted the dress from him, and the scarf. Jenna still held on to the circlet. "Ha, Jenna! I have a dress!" She leaped happily up and down, squeezing the dress to her chest.

Jenna smiled. Another step completed in Operation M.U.D.!

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Back with the boys

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Isaac didn't seem to notice the fact that a homicidal Felix ran after a snarling Ivan who ran after a screaming Picard, and that Felix was threatening to Grand Gaia them all into next year, Ivan was screaming curses at both of them, and Picard was close to tears and screaming for Boreas to help him. (Garet thought it odd, however.) He had just been tossed around viciously from Garet to some of their other friends, all the time being teased about Mia, girls, and future marriage plans. Oh, and did he mention having to get fitted? He sighed.

"Hey, Felix, watch where you throw those rocks!" Garet shouted, dancing away from another rock.

"Stay away from my sister, you caveman!" Felix yelled back, swiping at Ivan but missing. Ivan was yelling things incoherently. But, if you really needed to know, press the Shift key, and run your index finger (either one) over the numbers above the letters on your keyboard. Yep. Ivan has a potty- mouth, doesn't he? And he speaks another language! ^_^;;

"Caveman? Felix, you're a -- "

"AIIIEEEE!" Picard cried, thankfully keeping this story down to a PG- rating. While Isaac continued to walk, without Garet, as though he were a zombie, Garet proceeded to chase after Felix. (Sigh) Men. So now the chain was: A stumbling Garet ran after a homicidal Felix who ran after a snarling Ivan who ran after a screaming (for mercy from the gods) Picard.

"Garet, go away!" Felix said, as though Garet would listen. (Rolls eyes)

"Make me, stupid!"

"What was that?" Felix whirled, Levatine glowing dangerously in his hand. His eyes, Garet thought uneasily, were starting to turn red. "SAY THAT AGAIN TO MY FACE, YOU MOUSE!"

"Eep!" Garet turned tail and ran, nearly bowling over Isaac. Felix was snarling (and frothing at the mouth too, probably) viciously and waving his Levatine like a villager chasing after a supposed demon with a pitchfork.

"RAGNARO -- *THUD*..."

Isaac paused, turning around.

Felix lay unconscious on the ground, spread eagle, and his nose was bleeding. His Levatine lay a few feet away from his head.

And Garet was laughing like there was no tomorrow, clutching his sides. Even Ivan, whose hair still seemed to stick up as though he were possessed (Or Yami Yugi, take your pick), and poor, air-deprived Picard, stopped to stare at the unconscious, drooling, Felix. Before Picard or Ivan could ask, Isaac answered.

"He ran into a tree." Isaac blinked, rubbing his forehead tiredly.

And Garet was laughing like there was no tomorrow. As I said earlier.

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End

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XDDDD HAAAR!

[Felix] *Sniffle* I ran into a tree... ;.;

::Waits a moment:: 0_o;; Felix... You... You just didn't happen to cast an Earthquake or... rather... Quake Sphere, did you?

[Felix] No... Why do you ask?

0_0!! FELIX! BEHIND THE COUCH! ::Dives::

[Felix] *Dives as well*

*A huge mob of fans waving signs storms overhead*

....::Cries:: I knew I shouldn't have hurt Ivan! or Picard! ::Sobs::

[Felix] 0_o..... *Silent, duh*

::Cries:: Review... and... ::Sniffle:: Make me feel better!

[Fans] NO MORE HURTING IVAN! NO MORE HURTING IVAN! DEATH TO THE AUTHORESS! DEATH TO THE AUTHORESS!

[Other fans] NO MORE HURTING PICARD! NO MORE HURTING PICARD! DEATH TO THE AUTHORESS! DEATH TO THE AUTHORESS!

Myeep... 0_0;; ::Hides::

[Felix] What about me? -_- I'm important too.

You have me. Among other people. ^_^