AUTHORS NOTE: Who do you love? yeah that's right! ME! XD Chapter 17! ^_______^
I found this chapter extremely fun to write - invisioning young Auron all moody is so kawaii! - plus Rikku all dolled up was fun too! Purdy girl! Lol - hey, she even got a reaction out of Braska! ^.~ Let me know what you think of it!! *wants to own the rights to young Auron! Sob!*
Big fuzzy hugs go to:
Blurry - Yeh, Auron does have a big mouth! Lucky Rikku!! *sigh* XD Ok, retrieving my mind from the gutter now! ^.^ Too bad you can't set him straight ne? Such a stubborn sexy guy! ^.^
Auron's Biggest Fan - Oh oh! Looks like you judged Auron too soon! He has his pride too you know! ^.^ besides, it would hardly be fun for me if there wasn't a HUGE chunk of turmoil to spice it all up! Heehee
Era Yachi - Yes, the cows, the poor poor cows. When WILL people learn? XD I think they have sorta long lives - kinda like horses (20-25yrs). Yeah, Braska swimming is unusual too - but he wasn't really swimming, more LOUNGING in the water kinda.. well that's how I envisioned it while writing that part. I think that future and young Auron aren't THAT different really - they both have that resistance to emotions to some degree and don't look THAT different (except that young Auron is even more dishy! XD), but remember, when Rikku met Auron when she first travelled into the past, he didn't act THAT different from future Auron - and by the time he finally started showing SOME emotion she'd already fallen for him. Past and future may seem different, but they are still both Auron! ^.^
kingster0517 - You said it - a very big oopsies indeed! Young Auron is a duffa! XD 'duffa'.. haven't said that in a while! ^.^
DracusXero - Oh stop! You're making me blush! ^.^ I'm really happy you like my writing too. When i first started submitting this story i really didn't expect people to react all that much to it - but seeing all these reviews makes me so happy! Motivates me too! ^.^ *glomps*
cool-kitsune - aww, the Wakka accent is cute! Wakka is so clueless - I like him!! Good you brought him up too - read what's below these 'thanks' messages!
AFTERMATH: Chaotic Wind - lol, you really think about this alot huh! Me too, I'll just be doing something during the day and an idea will pop into my head and I think of how I can formulate it into the story - which leads me to my little announcement! :
********
THE POWER OF CHANGE SEQUEL. As yet it's unnamed, but I'm already in the planning stages, so as soon as this fiction is finished I'll be able to get straight into posting it up! This will be a really interesting change from TPOC! Obviously it takes place back in Rikku's 'current time' (6 years after the events of FFX game). You'll be able to see just how much Rikku's actions in the past have effected Spira! If you're currently thinking of what will change, it'll probably be hard to imagine for one key reason: You aint seen nothin yet! What's coming up in this fiction (keep in mind that it'll be over 100 chapters) will really change alot. Oh, and now for the spice: Auron x Rikku x Wakka pairing in the sequel. ^.~ ...and what will become of Tidus? ^.^
ANYWAYS - enjoy this chapter my sweeties! Al Bhed translations/pronunciations at the very bottom! Ja! ^.^v
********************************************************************************
The Power of Change
A Rikku and Auron romance
********************************************************************************
Chapter Seventeen: 'Unsecured Emotions'
********************************************************************************
Let's put our dreams on high, you and I, forever
Only in your future do I want to be contained in, forever
Now, just look at only me
I'll never let go of you
On those nights when you're not with me, all that surrounds me is blurred
Even the sound of the rain that beats at my heart is muffled
Why is it that only you can take my heart the way you do?
Forget everything as if it were all tangled together
We've been reborn in the light
For as great as my loneliness is or will be,
I will always feel you,
Through all space and time
We are forever bound together...
~"Inside You" by Luna Sea (translation)~
********************************************************************************
Auron was in a state of confusion. For the past hour that he'd been traveling through Macalania Woods with Lord Braska and his guardians, a fierce battle had ensued within. The feelings consisted of both anger and dismay - each equally as strong as the other and thus preventing the dark guardian from settling on any solid conclusion.
The Yevonite faith played a large part in Auron's life, even now after he'd been banished from monkshood. It had been true that he could not bring himself to love - much less marry - the Abbot's daughter, no matter how attractive she'd been or how strongly he held to the ways of Yevon.
But this... Rikku was an Al Bhed, and as surely as he'd enjoyed the time they'd spent together - perhaps he'd been entirely too ignorant of his faith and dislike of her race during that period. Could Auron really afford to turn his back on everything he believed in for a second time?
He'd just been so wrapped up in Rikku's presence while he'd been with her. She'd managed to make all unpleasant thoughts the dark guardian felt just drift away like the tide, as if they never even existed in the first place.
Yet... did he love her?
As a monk of Yevon he'd never had to deal with relationships. His faith was his whole life - nothing else mattered besides spreading the holy word and ensuring that Spira was free of doubt and sin. Whilst his fellow monks had taken the time to marry and raise a family - Auron had tirelessly studied the scrolls of ancient wisdom, learning the laws of religion that governed the earth. Through it all he came to know of the unspeakable practices the Al Bhed partook in - using forbidden machina in the home and workplace as if it were a perfectly acceptable thing to do!
Had they learnt nothing from Spira's war-torn history?
It was because of people such as this that Sin kept returning time and time again after each summoner's sacrifice. Did they truly believe that working against Yevon would help contribute to repenting for the actions that had caused this whole Sin fiasco in the first place?
Of course, the fact that the Al Bhed didn't even BELIEVE in Yevon made it even worse. Auron wasn't sure if he could stand being with a girl who thought that way....
The dark guardian slipped from his thoughts for a moment as he felt a sudden blast of icy wind against his face, signifying that once having left the shelter of Macalania Woods the group would have little protection against the harsh elements of the snowfields. After crossing this vast expanse, much of which was treacherous to travel in even the calmest weather - Braska would receive his third Aeon from the temple situated there.
Even as they took the first few steps into this unknown territory, a light veil of snow began to fall - as if testing the group's dedication to the task they wished to fulfill. It was a known fact that the weather here usually became worse before it became better.
One thing it succeeded in doing was making a certain under-dressed guardian feel worse than she already was.
"It's so cooold" Rikku whimpered through chattering teeth, rubbing her arms in an attempt to keep the blood circulating. "This is no place for an Al Bhed!"
Auron, who had sympathized and began to remove his coat to lend her, recoiled at the mention of her race - pulling the garment back on without a word and receiving a glare from Rikku that was icier than the land through which they journeyed.
Jecht, on hearing her woes, also decided he had service to offer - jogging back to her from his place behind Braska and draping an arm around her shoulders with a wink. "How's this?"
"Better! Thanks," Rikku smiled, despite the fact that it made little to no difference to her body temperature, she hoped it would go a way in the direction of annoying Auron.
Which of course it did.
Scowling at the Al Bhed's back - and shooting daggers at Jecht's - Auron picked up his speed and pushed past the two guardians, hearing the Blitzer talking of the time he scored a goal using his butt, and Rikku's laugh in response.
Auron gritted his teeth.
"Well this is a rare occurrence!" Braska grinned, as the scowling guardian appeared by his side. "I trust things can get pretty quiet and uneventful at the back of the group."
No thanks to Rikku! Auron thought moodily, gripping his Kotetsu a little tighter to fight the wave of annoyance that washed over him.
Braska noticed this, and responded with a raised eyebrow. "Something the matter?"
"No, nothing my Lord - I'm just anxious to reach the temple."
The summoner studied his guardians face for a moment, unsure whether to believe that to be the real reason for his strange behavior - but he chose to let it go without comment.
"Which Aeon will you be receiving this time, my Lord?" Auron asked, eager to change the subject from where it would undoubtedly lead.
"Hmm, Shiva I do believe," Braska spoke, looking thoughtful for a moment. "She's an enchantingly beautiful maiden that rules over the element of ice."
"What's this about an 'enchantingly beautiful maiden'?" Jecht broke in, jogging up to the two males with a look that resulted in Auron groaning inwardly.
Meanwhile, Rikku was kicking at the snow as she walked, still steaming over Auron's tactless remark about the Al Bhed.
Stupid monk! She thought angrily, why does he have to be so harsh?! At least the Auron I came to know during Yunie's pilgrimage was respectful towards the Al Bhed - he'd long since given up on Yevon's ridiculous teachings.
A tear trickled down Rikku's icy cheek as she once again recalled the day that he was taken from her - taken without even knowing how she felt....
And now! Now she had a chance to make the move she couldn't before, and that pig-headed fool had to ruin everything!
Hearing Jecht hollering ahead of her, the Al Bhed looked up to see a small shack on the roadside. By the looks of it and where it was situated, it must have been the early stages of one of Rin's Travel Agencies. Rikku couldn't help but twirl on the spot after her realization, visualizing herself seated in front of a roaring open fire with a hot drink... and brand new WINTER clothes! She couldn't possibly go on wearing the ones she was currently, unless she intended to catch pneumonia!
Zipping past the rest of her little group, Rikku reached the agency and flung open the double doors with a wide grin plastered on her face.
But just as soon as the look had crossed her face, it disappeared.
She was still standing there, frozen in the same spot when Braska and his guardians caught up.
After taking a look past Rikku, the summoner merely turned to her with a casual expression. "Well what do you expect? This branch of the agency only opened very recently."
Inside the shack there was boxes and crates everywhere - strewn across the floor without order. The shelves on the walls were all but empty, aside from a few hastily placed jars of preserves and essential supplies needed to keep the workers alive.
There was no fire.
There were no hot drinks
...and there were certainly no racks of winter clothes for Rikku to buy.
She looked to be on the verge of tears.
"This can't be happening!" She wailed in anguish, surprising her fellow guardians and summoner with the outburst. Frankly they hadn't expected her to have reacted with such dismay over something this minimal.
But it was really a little of everything that was taking its toll. Rikku just couldn't believe how badly she was lacking in the luck department as of late.
Auron resisted the urge to take her in his arms after seeing her distress, remembering at the last moment how annoyed he was with her. So he merely folded his arms and turned away slightly.
"C'mon kid," Jecht finally spoke up, placing a hand on her trembling shoulder, "Lets see what they can do for us, ok?"
Through her dismay, Rikku felt a twinkle of hope and looked up to give the Blitzer a dazzling smile. "Yeah!"
The shop keep, a young female Al Bhed that couldn't have been older than ten years of age, regarded the summoner's group with a wary look - particularly Auron.
"Ruf syo e ramb oui?*" she asked, getting straight to the task at hand.
"Just the regular supplies for now. We can stock up on the essentials when we get to Macalania Temple." Braska replied, having understood the language from the days when his wife still lived.
After passing on their request, the girl merely nodded, shooting Auron a look of distrust as he picked up a preserve and studied it.
"Damm ouin yhkno-muugehk vneaht dryd ev ra pnaygc dryd zyn, ra'mm ryja du pio ed!*"
Rikku laughed, causing the dark guardian to look up suspiciously.
"What did she say?" he demanded, glaring back and forth between the little girl and her fellow Al Bhed.
"She wants you to put the jar down." Braska grinned, patting Auron on the shoulder. "She's a little intimidated by you, I think."
Placing the preserve back on the shelf, the dark guardian scowled and took a seat on a nearby box - irritated that he had to take orders from a ten year old Al Bhed girl.
Than, each of the men did their own thing as they waited for the supplies to be gathered together. Braska retreated to a quiet corner where he seemed to be studying his magic a little and noting how long it would take before mastering his next invaluable spell. Jecht had found a stray ball lying amongst the crates and boxes and was currently trying a few simple Blitzball maneuvers outside of the agency. Auron remained where he was and sank deep in thought.
But Rikku stood at the counter, eager to have at least one of her simple requests fulfilled.
As it turned out, there was no source of warmth in the little store. The Al Bhed girl explained that between cleaning and small tasks that required her attention, she sat in the back of the agency wrapped in some warm blankets and alternated between reading books and daydreaming. Because of the complete lack of heating devices, there were also no hot drinks - although the girl did offer Rikku some chilled chocobo milk - which she gratefully declined.
Much to the pretty guardian's delight, she was informed that there was indeed a set of winter clothes available - which she happily bought for one-thousand gil. Following the shop keep into the back of the store, the bundle was pointed out to Rikku and she was left to get changed in peace.
"Phew! Cold out there!" Jecht declared when he returned, as if no one would have guessed.
"I'm surprised at you, Jecht." Braska informed him, smiling and shaking his head. "You're dressed as if it was the height of summer, yet you're not even shivering." The Blitzer grinned in response, puffing up his chest a little.
"You seem to be forgetting that I'm the number one Blitzballer in all of Spira!" He boasted unabashedly, "I'm used to swimming in sub-zero temperatures."
"Is that so..." Braska smiled and raised an eyebrow, "Funny, I recall hearing that they heat the water before every match."
"So where's Rikku?" Jecht inquired, changing the subject and looking around for a glimpse of her blonde mop.
"Right here..." came the sullen reply. The Al Bhed was standing in a place where the light didn't reach - hiding in the shadows.
"Heeey, come on out and model your new outfit!" Jecht invited, taking a few steps forward to get a better look.
"I'm... not sure I want to." She murmured, backing up a little.
This caught Auron's interest as well - rising from his seat he quietly joined Jecht at the counter - remaining silent as he watched.
"Come on Rikku, surely it cannot be that bad." Was Braska's response.
Deep sigh. "Okay... but don't say I didn't warn you... oh! And don't make fun either!"
Slowly she moved towards the three curious men, stopping short when she was fully visible.
Silence greeted her.
"Whoa... that's... some outfit!" Jecht chocked out, his eyes nearly dropping out of his head.
Auron spoke not a word, but the voices in his head were having a field trip.
Braska simply smiled and blushed a little. "It's very nice, Rikku. Truthfully."
The garment was a one-piece dress made of a heavy rich-red material that reached down to her ankles and was fringed with wool along both the bottom and sleeves. The cloth sat against Rikku's waist and hips as if it were a second skin, accenting her curves beautifully and making her truly look a vision of elegance.
"You don't think it's too fancy or... revealing?" she whispered, blushing and folding her arms across her bust protectively.
"Of course not, keep in mind that the tighter it's set to your skin, the warmer it will be. By eliminating any space between your skin and the cloth, it seals the warmth in." Braska explained, failing to hide the blush that turned his cheeks a light pink.
"Yeh, it's ahh, nice!" Jecht blabbed, unable to deny his interest.
Auron just glanced at her in silence.
He'd never seen anything so beautiful in his entire life.
********************************************************************************
AL BHED TRANSLATIONS AND PRONUNCIATIONS:
----------------------------------------------------------
*Ruf syo e ramb oui? (RAoo-fe seeaeoh eay raahm-bae ohooee?) = How may I help you?
*Damm ouin yhkno-muugehk vneaht dryd ev ra pnaygc dryd zyn, ra'mm ryja du pio ed!
(DEahmm ohooeen ae-ha-kuknoh moooo-geeay-ha-kuk funeayah-ha-te de-raae-de eay-fu raah penahae-ge-ku de-raae-de zaen, raah'mm raae-jaeah deoo peeeoh eay-de!)
= Tell your angry-looking friend that if he breaks that jar, he'll have to buy it!
********************************************************************************
©Erica Runge, 27th of July, 2003. All characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFX. ©Luna Sea.
I found this chapter extremely fun to write - invisioning young Auron all moody is so kawaii! - plus Rikku all dolled up was fun too! Purdy girl! Lol - hey, she even got a reaction out of Braska! ^.~ Let me know what you think of it!! *wants to own the rights to young Auron! Sob!*
Big fuzzy hugs go to:
Blurry - Yeh, Auron does have a big mouth! Lucky Rikku!! *sigh* XD Ok, retrieving my mind from the gutter now! ^.^ Too bad you can't set him straight ne? Such a stubborn sexy guy! ^.^
Auron's Biggest Fan - Oh oh! Looks like you judged Auron too soon! He has his pride too you know! ^.^ besides, it would hardly be fun for me if there wasn't a HUGE chunk of turmoil to spice it all up! Heehee
Era Yachi - Yes, the cows, the poor poor cows. When WILL people learn? XD I think they have sorta long lives - kinda like horses (20-25yrs). Yeah, Braska swimming is unusual too - but he wasn't really swimming, more LOUNGING in the water kinda.. well that's how I envisioned it while writing that part. I think that future and young Auron aren't THAT different really - they both have that resistance to emotions to some degree and don't look THAT different (except that young Auron is even more dishy! XD), but remember, when Rikku met Auron when she first travelled into the past, he didn't act THAT different from future Auron - and by the time he finally started showing SOME emotion she'd already fallen for him. Past and future may seem different, but they are still both Auron! ^.^
kingster0517 - You said it - a very big oopsies indeed! Young Auron is a duffa! XD 'duffa'.. haven't said that in a while! ^.^
DracusXero - Oh stop! You're making me blush! ^.^ I'm really happy you like my writing too. When i first started submitting this story i really didn't expect people to react all that much to it - but seeing all these reviews makes me so happy! Motivates me too! ^.^ *glomps*
cool-kitsune - aww, the Wakka accent is cute! Wakka is so clueless - I like him!! Good you brought him up too - read what's below these 'thanks' messages!
AFTERMATH: Chaotic Wind - lol, you really think about this alot huh! Me too, I'll just be doing something during the day and an idea will pop into my head and I think of how I can formulate it into the story - which leads me to my little announcement! :
********
THE POWER OF CHANGE SEQUEL. As yet it's unnamed, but I'm already in the planning stages, so as soon as this fiction is finished I'll be able to get straight into posting it up! This will be a really interesting change from TPOC! Obviously it takes place back in Rikku's 'current time' (6 years after the events of FFX game). You'll be able to see just how much Rikku's actions in the past have effected Spira! If you're currently thinking of what will change, it'll probably be hard to imagine for one key reason: You aint seen nothin yet! What's coming up in this fiction (keep in mind that it'll be over 100 chapters) will really change alot. Oh, and now for the spice: Auron x Rikku x Wakka pairing in the sequel. ^.~ ...and what will become of Tidus? ^.^
ANYWAYS - enjoy this chapter my sweeties! Al Bhed translations/pronunciations at the very bottom! Ja! ^.^v
********************************************************************************
The Power of Change
A Rikku and Auron romance
********************************************************************************
Chapter Seventeen: 'Unsecured Emotions'
********************************************************************************
Let's put our dreams on high, you and I, forever
Only in your future do I want to be contained in, forever
Now, just look at only me
I'll never let go of you
On those nights when you're not with me, all that surrounds me is blurred
Even the sound of the rain that beats at my heart is muffled
Why is it that only you can take my heart the way you do?
Forget everything as if it were all tangled together
We've been reborn in the light
For as great as my loneliness is or will be,
I will always feel you,
Through all space and time
We are forever bound together...
~"Inside You" by Luna Sea (translation)~
********************************************************************************
Auron was in a state of confusion. For the past hour that he'd been traveling through Macalania Woods with Lord Braska and his guardians, a fierce battle had ensued within. The feelings consisted of both anger and dismay - each equally as strong as the other and thus preventing the dark guardian from settling on any solid conclusion.
The Yevonite faith played a large part in Auron's life, even now after he'd been banished from monkshood. It had been true that he could not bring himself to love - much less marry - the Abbot's daughter, no matter how attractive she'd been or how strongly he held to the ways of Yevon.
But this... Rikku was an Al Bhed, and as surely as he'd enjoyed the time they'd spent together - perhaps he'd been entirely too ignorant of his faith and dislike of her race during that period. Could Auron really afford to turn his back on everything he believed in for a second time?
He'd just been so wrapped up in Rikku's presence while he'd been with her. She'd managed to make all unpleasant thoughts the dark guardian felt just drift away like the tide, as if they never even existed in the first place.
Yet... did he love her?
As a monk of Yevon he'd never had to deal with relationships. His faith was his whole life - nothing else mattered besides spreading the holy word and ensuring that Spira was free of doubt and sin. Whilst his fellow monks had taken the time to marry and raise a family - Auron had tirelessly studied the scrolls of ancient wisdom, learning the laws of religion that governed the earth. Through it all he came to know of the unspeakable practices the Al Bhed partook in - using forbidden machina in the home and workplace as if it were a perfectly acceptable thing to do!
Had they learnt nothing from Spira's war-torn history?
It was because of people such as this that Sin kept returning time and time again after each summoner's sacrifice. Did they truly believe that working against Yevon would help contribute to repenting for the actions that had caused this whole Sin fiasco in the first place?
Of course, the fact that the Al Bhed didn't even BELIEVE in Yevon made it even worse. Auron wasn't sure if he could stand being with a girl who thought that way....
The dark guardian slipped from his thoughts for a moment as he felt a sudden blast of icy wind against his face, signifying that once having left the shelter of Macalania Woods the group would have little protection against the harsh elements of the snowfields. After crossing this vast expanse, much of which was treacherous to travel in even the calmest weather - Braska would receive his third Aeon from the temple situated there.
Even as they took the first few steps into this unknown territory, a light veil of snow began to fall - as if testing the group's dedication to the task they wished to fulfill. It was a known fact that the weather here usually became worse before it became better.
One thing it succeeded in doing was making a certain under-dressed guardian feel worse than she already was.
"It's so cooold" Rikku whimpered through chattering teeth, rubbing her arms in an attempt to keep the blood circulating. "This is no place for an Al Bhed!"
Auron, who had sympathized and began to remove his coat to lend her, recoiled at the mention of her race - pulling the garment back on without a word and receiving a glare from Rikku that was icier than the land through which they journeyed.
Jecht, on hearing her woes, also decided he had service to offer - jogging back to her from his place behind Braska and draping an arm around her shoulders with a wink. "How's this?"
"Better! Thanks," Rikku smiled, despite the fact that it made little to no difference to her body temperature, she hoped it would go a way in the direction of annoying Auron.
Which of course it did.
Scowling at the Al Bhed's back - and shooting daggers at Jecht's - Auron picked up his speed and pushed past the two guardians, hearing the Blitzer talking of the time he scored a goal using his butt, and Rikku's laugh in response.
Auron gritted his teeth.
"Well this is a rare occurrence!" Braska grinned, as the scowling guardian appeared by his side. "I trust things can get pretty quiet and uneventful at the back of the group."
No thanks to Rikku! Auron thought moodily, gripping his Kotetsu a little tighter to fight the wave of annoyance that washed over him.
Braska noticed this, and responded with a raised eyebrow. "Something the matter?"
"No, nothing my Lord - I'm just anxious to reach the temple."
The summoner studied his guardians face for a moment, unsure whether to believe that to be the real reason for his strange behavior - but he chose to let it go without comment.
"Which Aeon will you be receiving this time, my Lord?" Auron asked, eager to change the subject from where it would undoubtedly lead.
"Hmm, Shiva I do believe," Braska spoke, looking thoughtful for a moment. "She's an enchantingly beautiful maiden that rules over the element of ice."
"What's this about an 'enchantingly beautiful maiden'?" Jecht broke in, jogging up to the two males with a look that resulted in Auron groaning inwardly.
Meanwhile, Rikku was kicking at the snow as she walked, still steaming over Auron's tactless remark about the Al Bhed.
Stupid monk! She thought angrily, why does he have to be so harsh?! At least the Auron I came to know during Yunie's pilgrimage was respectful towards the Al Bhed - he'd long since given up on Yevon's ridiculous teachings.
A tear trickled down Rikku's icy cheek as she once again recalled the day that he was taken from her - taken without even knowing how she felt....
And now! Now she had a chance to make the move she couldn't before, and that pig-headed fool had to ruin everything!
Hearing Jecht hollering ahead of her, the Al Bhed looked up to see a small shack on the roadside. By the looks of it and where it was situated, it must have been the early stages of one of Rin's Travel Agencies. Rikku couldn't help but twirl on the spot after her realization, visualizing herself seated in front of a roaring open fire with a hot drink... and brand new WINTER clothes! She couldn't possibly go on wearing the ones she was currently, unless she intended to catch pneumonia!
Zipping past the rest of her little group, Rikku reached the agency and flung open the double doors with a wide grin plastered on her face.
But just as soon as the look had crossed her face, it disappeared.
She was still standing there, frozen in the same spot when Braska and his guardians caught up.
After taking a look past Rikku, the summoner merely turned to her with a casual expression. "Well what do you expect? This branch of the agency only opened very recently."
Inside the shack there was boxes and crates everywhere - strewn across the floor without order. The shelves on the walls were all but empty, aside from a few hastily placed jars of preserves and essential supplies needed to keep the workers alive.
There was no fire.
There were no hot drinks
...and there were certainly no racks of winter clothes for Rikku to buy.
She looked to be on the verge of tears.
"This can't be happening!" She wailed in anguish, surprising her fellow guardians and summoner with the outburst. Frankly they hadn't expected her to have reacted with such dismay over something this minimal.
But it was really a little of everything that was taking its toll. Rikku just couldn't believe how badly she was lacking in the luck department as of late.
Auron resisted the urge to take her in his arms after seeing her distress, remembering at the last moment how annoyed he was with her. So he merely folded his arms and turned away slightly.
"C'mon kid," Jecht finally spoke up, placing a hand on her trembling shoulder, "Lets see what they can do for us, ok?"
Through her dismay, Rikku felt a twinkle of hope and looked up to give the Blitzer a dazzling smile. "Yeah!"
The shop keep, a young female Al Bhed that couldn't have been older than ten years of age, regarded the summoner's group with a wary look - particularly Auron.
"Ruf syo e ramb oui?*" she asked, getting straight to the task at hand.
"Just the regular supplies for now. We can stock up on the essentials when we get to Macalania Temple." Braska replied, having understood the language from the days when his wife still lived.
After passing on their request, the girl merely nodded, shooting Auron a look of distrust as he picked up a preserve and studied it.
"Damm ouin yhkno-muugehk vneaht dryd ev ra pnaygc dryd zyn, ra'mm ryja du pio ed!*"
Rikku laughed, causing the dark guardian to look up suspiciously.
"What did she say?" he demanded, glaring back and forth between the little girl and her fellow Al Bhed.
"She wants you to put the jar down." Braska grinned, patting Auron on the shoulder. "She's a little intimidated by you, I think."
Placing the preserve back on the shelf, the dark guardian scowled and took a seat on a nearby box - irritated that he had to take orders from a ten year old Al Bhed girl.
Than, each of the men did their own thing as they waited for the supplies to be gathered together. Braska retreated to a quiet corner where he seemed to be studying his magic a little and noting how long it would take before mastering his next invaluable spell. Jecht had found a stray ball lying amongst the crates and boxes and was currently trying a few simple Blitzball maneuvers outside of the agency. Auron remained where he was and sank deep in thought.
But Rikku stood at the counter, eager to have at least one of her simple requests fulfilled.
As it turned out, there was no source of warmth in the little store. The Al Bhed girl explained that between cleaning and small tasks that required her attention, she sat in the back of the agency wrapped in some warm blankets and alternated between reading books and daydreaming. Because of the complete lack of heating devices, there were also no hot drinks - although the girl did offer Rikku some chilled chocobo milk - which she gratefully declined.
Much to the pretty guardian's delight, she was informed that there was indeed a set of winter clothes available - which she happily bought for one-thousand gil. Following the shop keep into the back of the store, the bundle was pointed out to Rikku and she was left to get changed in peace.
"Phew! Cold out there!" Jecht declared when he returned, as if no one would have guessed.
"I'm surprised at you, Jecht." Braska informed him, smiling and shaking his head. "You're dressed as if it was the height of summer, yet you're not even shivering." The Blitzer grinned in response, puffing up his chest a little.
"You seem to be forgetting that I'm the number one Blitzballer in all of Spira!" He boasted unabashedly, "I'm used to swimming in sub-zero temperatures."
"Is that so..." Braska smiled and raised an eyebrow, "Funny, I recall hearing that they heat the water before every match."
"So where's Rikku?" Jecht inquired, changing the subject and looking around for a glimpse of her blonde mop.
"Right here..." came the sullen reply. The Al Bhed was standing in a place where the light didn't reach - hiding in the shadows.
"Heeey, come on out and model your new outfit!" Jecht invited, taking a few steps forward to get a better look.
"I'm... not sure I want to." She murmured, backing up a little.
This caught Auron's interest as well - rising from his seat he quietly joined Jecht at the counter - remaining silent as he watched.
"Come on Rikku, surely it cannot be that bad." Was Braska's response.
Deep sigh. "Okay... but don't say I didn't warn you... oh! And don't make fun either!"
Slowly she moved towards the three curious men, stopping short when she was fully visible.
Silence greeted her.
"Whoa... that's... some outfit!" Jecht chocked out, his eyes nearly dropping out of his head.
Auron spoke not a word, but the voices in his head were having a field trip.
Braska simply smiled and blushed a little. "It's very nice, Rikku. Truthfully."
The garment was a one-piece dress made of a heavy rich-red material that reached down to her ankles and was fringed with wool along both the bottom and sleeves. The cloth sat against Rikku's waist and hips as if it were a second skin, accenting her curves beautifully and making her truly look a vision of elegance.
"You don't think it's too fancy or... revealing?" she whispered, blushing and folding her arms across her bust protectively.
"Of course not, keep in mind that the tighter it's set to your skin, the warmer it will be. By eliminating any space between your skin and the cloth, it seals the warmth in." Braska explained, failing to hide the blush that turned his cheeks a light pink.
"Yeh, it's ahh, nice!" Jecht blabbed, unable to deny his interest.
Auron just glanced at her in silence.
He'd never seen anything so beautiful in his entire life.
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AL BHED TRANSLATIONS AND PRONUNCIATIONS:
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*Ruf syo e ramb oui? (RAoo-fe seeaeoh eay raahm-bae ohooee?) = How may I help you?
*Damm ouin yhkno-muugehk vneaht dryd ev ra pnaygc dryd zyn, ra'mm ryja du pio ed!
(DEahmm ohooeen ae-ha-kuknoh moooo-geeay-ha-kuk funeayah-ha-te de-raae-de eay-fu raah penahae-ge-ku de-raae-de zaen, raah'mm raae-jaeah deoo peeeoh eay-de!)
= Tell your angry-looking friend that if he breaks that jar, he'll have to buy it!
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©Erica Runge, 27th of July, 2003. All characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFX. ©Luna Sea.