AUTHOR'S NOTE: CHAPTER TWO-OH! Ah yes, this is such a hallmark moment! XD Hmm - it's a sorta short chapter, peoples - but don't worry, because the next chapter will be pretty damn long! *sigh* I hope everything sounds okay, I wasn't feeling very well today (sickishness) so it might have shown in my writing or something. Lets hope not.
Hehe.. for the first time I decided to go outside of my music collection to find the 'theme' to go with this chapter - I wanted one that described the situation A & R are both in atm.. and I think I hit the jackpot! XD I couldn't help laughing as I put the lyrics up though - imagining Auron with icicles hanging from his... his.. knees.. yes, knees - NOT what you were thinking! XD Ok - directing my mind OUT of the gutter now! ^.^
Auron & Rikku plushies to the following Auronites! (I dub thee my Auronites! ^.^):
DibMagician - Glad you like the fic! Hope you'll continue to read it!
Era Yachi - If you have to resort to using half the sugarbowl to make your coffee drinkable, why don't you just drink hot chocolate like Rikku? XD But whatever floats your boat.. (or coffee in the case of how many sugars you put in! Heehee.).
kingster0517 - Aww, missed you while you were gone! (Ok, so i didn't even know you were gone, but meh XD) You know I wouldn't have Auron die - who would there be to get jealous of Jechts little advances on Rikku then? ^.^ *glomp*
arcander - Thanks for reviewing again! I love getting new reviewers! Everyone's opinions are so interesting for me to read - they make my day! So i hope you continue to leave your comments!
MeowMix - Hmm.. foldgers - hang on - I'll ask the expert. *turns to Rikku & taps her on the shoulder* "Was that Instant coffee you were drinking by any ch--"; Rikku *in a screaming-growl*: "Let me tell you where you can SHOVE your Instant coffee!"; Auron (to Berry-sama): "If you don't mind, we're kind of busy saving our asses at the moment." - So there you have it! From fear of having Instant stuffed where the sun don't shine I think I'll have to leave that question unanswered! XD
Blurry - You always smell mush! ^.^ Mush doesn't grow on trees you know! lol - I'm just kidding (well - not about the trees bit XD) - mush will come when they're all reunited (jealousy too! ^_____^)
Jay - Another kawaii new reviewer! ^________^ Will ye be staying for the long run? Hope so! And yes - like I mentioned above, jealousy is just around the corner! Lovely lovely controversial jealousy! ^.^ Thanks for the sweet comments too! *hugs*
cool_kitsune - *is scared by her enthusiasm* Where am i ment to go, go, go? *looks around frantically* ^.^ Oh, and what do you mean 'it's getting interesting' - wasn't it before? :P heehee.
AFTERMATH: Chaotic Wind - You're too good to me! How about some shunning for a change? That way i might feel worthy of your praise! ^.^ Actually - if you do shun then go easy on me - I'm very fragile! XD
DracusXero - You don't sound like a fruitcake! You don't have to apologise either! I didn't take anything you said badly, so dun worry! *pettles* If you wanna talk or ask about lemons (mm.. I like eating lemons XD) then feel free! ^.^
Thanks so much to all the fabulous reviewers - really, you guys motivate me so much! Its hard to express just how grateful I am for all of your support and praise, but know it means alot to me - ok? You guys always manage to make me smile! ^.^ Anyways - till next chappy! Ja! *scurries off*
***********************************************************************
The Power of Change
A Rikku and Auron romance
***********************************************************************
Chapter Twenty: 'Underground Plan'
***********************************************************************
Is anybody
Out there please?
It's too quiet in here
and I'm beginning to freeze
I've got icicles hanging
from my knees
Under fifteen feet of pure white snow
~"Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow" by Nick Cave~
***********************************************************************
"Rikku!"
"Hmm?"
"Here."
The pretty Al Bhed felt a coolness pressing against her lips, and moments later - that foul brown instant coffee she detested so much was seeping into her mouth.
"Auron!!" She spluttered, turning to him with a scowl on her face. "Why on earth--"
"You were falling asleep."
"Oh gimme that!" Rikku wrenched the cup from his hands - sighing as it spilt all over her. "I was starting to have the most beautiful dream too!"
"You know we can't afford to--"
"I know, I know" She grumbled, feeling ill as she tried to swallow the disgusting slush. "Say... what do you suppose Braska and Jecht would be doing at the moment?"
"If they were thinking sensibly then they'd both be waiting for us at the temple. I have a feeling they're still up there, though." He replied, indicating towards the holes through which they'd fallen with a sigh. "One thing I know about Braska... even Jecht... is that they're loyal to friends - they won't leave until they either think of a way to get us out of here or die trying."
Rikku nodded. "I hope they're not too worried about us."
"Unfortunately there isn't anything we can do to erase their fears at the present."
She nodded, staring up at the icy roof for a moment before turning to look at Auron's injury. "How's your leg?"
"It's fine."
"Doesn't look fine - let me try something." kneeling close to Auron, she inspected the broken limb for a second before placing her hands above it.
"Rikku, stop." the dark guardian reached down and grasped her arm, pulling her back into a seated position. "You can't heal the injury - I forbid it - your energy would be completely drained."
"What?" Her eyes widened and she pouted. "Are you crazy? What does it matter?? I'm not gunna just leave you here when we eventually think of a way to get out of this place!"
"I had no intention of letting you leave me here!" He stated, chuckling and shaking his head. "There is another way. I'm not completely helpless you know."
"You have a plan?!" Rikku's eyes lit up as she clasped his arm, waiting to hear the details.
"Well... it's still a long shot... to say the least."
"Right now anything's worth a try - I think I'll go insane if I have to spend another moment drinking Instant while knowing there was a chance I could be outta here and enjoying a nice hot chocolate! So... let's hear it!"
"Would you mind letting go of my arm first? You're cutting off the circulation."
Rikku blushed and dropped her hands to a clasped position on her lap - where they kneaded together in anticipation. "Sorry."
"According to my knowledge of the geography of this area - Macalania Lake - as well as having various underground sources that resurface at different points on the land - has several frozen rivers that connect its different parts together. They melt and flow a little during the warmer months, stretching the lake's volume over a wider area."
Auron's explanation was met with a puzzled stare. "I don't get it... how is that a plan?"
"I hadn't gotten to that yet - allow me to finish." He sighed and shifted a little, fixing her with a slightly irate look. "It's quite possible that this chasm we're in now is one of those frozen rivers. It's also feasible that its course leads to the part of Macalania Lake that lies directly underneath the temple."
Rikku's eyes were large as saucers by this point, and as Auron finished speaking she gave him a huge grin. "Of course!!! Whoa!! That's so brilliant! That's so... so... um... wait a second." The look of joy disappeared from her face and she sighed, rolling her eyes. "We're surrounded on all four sides by ice - remember? How can this be a frozen river??"
"Tap on that wall and tell me what you hear." He simply stated, indicating towards the steep incline lying diagonal from where they both sat.
She did just that - cautiously rapping at the ice with her Kaiser Knuckles. "Sounds kinda hollow... oh!"
"As I suspected. There's only a thin layer of ice - no more then, say, five centimeters in width between this part of the river and the next. If we break through all of the walls in that direction then eventually we should end up on the lake." Rikku smiled warmly and walked back over, wrapping her arms around Auron as she sat down.
"Have I told you lately how much I adore you?" She smiled gently and lent up, directing her lips towards his.
"It's best we get going," Auron broke in, brushing off the Al Bhed's advance as if it was never even made. "Let us see just how helpless I am with this injury."
Rikku swallowed back her disappointment and nodded enthusiastically, supporting the dark guardians arm as he cautiously rose to stand on his uninjured leg.
"You're going to try and walk on your own?"
"Yes. I can steady myself with my sword."
"Oh! Won't the movement hurt you though?"
"I've never been afraid of a little pain. Besides, it's the best idea I have currently."
"Okay well... there's just one more little question I have. When... if we get to the lake, how do we get to the temple from there? I mean, it leads off from a cliff that's sort of suspended over that whole body of water..."
Auron stared at her, an odd look on his face. "How did you know that?"
Rikku felt her face redden a little. "Uhh... Well, um... I think I heard it somewhere..."
"Come, we'd best get going," the dark guardian stated after a moment, regarding her with one last strange look before walking towards the chasm wall which would, hopefully, provide their escape.
Leaning against the side that led off from it, Auron raised his Kotetsu and with the full force of his body, drove the weapon through the icy barrier. It held for a moment, prompting the dark guardian to repeat his former action before it splintered into a shower of tiny frozen shards that rained down upon him. He shielded his face against the sharp projectiles; the few cuts he did managed to sustain being quickly healed by Rikku, despite his protests.
Just as Auron had imagined, the next area of the chasm led off in the same direction - sealed on the far side by yet another icy wall.
"Looks like luck is finally on our side!" Rikku grinned, hugging the dark guardian's arm affectionately before jumping in the air with a momentary burst of energy. "Let's go! I'm in the mood for a nice cup of hot chocolate! Yeah!"
***********************************************************************
©Erica Runge, 1st of August, 2003. All characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFX. ©Nick Cave.
Hehe.. for the first time I decided to go outside of my music collection to find the 'theme' to go with this chapter - I wanted one that described the situation A & R are both in atm.. and I think I hit the jackpot! XD I couldn't help laughing as I put the lyrics up though - imagining Auron with icicles hanging from his... his.. knees.. yes, knees - NOT what you were thinking! XD Ok - directing my mind OUT of the gutter now! ^.^
Auron & Rikku plushies to the following Auronites! (I dub thee my Auronites! ^.^):
DibMagician - Glad you like the fic! Hope you'll continue to read it!
Era Yachi - If you have to resort to using half the sugarbowl to make your coffee drinkable, why don't you just drink hot chocolate like Rikku? XD But whatever floats your boat.. (or coffee in the case of how many sugars you put in! Heehee.).
kingster0517 - Aww, missed you while you were gone! (Ok, so i didn't even know you were gone, but meh XD) You know I wouldn't have Auron die - who would there be to get jealous of Jechts little advances on Rikku then? ^.^ *glomp*
arcander - Thanks for reviewing again! I love getting new reviewers! Everyone's opinions are so interesting for me to read - they make my day! So i hope you continue to leave your comments!
MeowMix - Hmm.. foldgers - hang on - I'll ask the expert. *turns to Rikku & taps her on the shoulder* "Was that Instant coffee you were drinking by any ch--"; Rikku *in a screaming-growl*: "Let me tell you where you can SHOVE your Instant coffee!"; Auron (to Berry-sama): "If you don't mind, we're kind of busy saving our asses at the moment." - So there you have it! From fear of having Instant stuffed where the sun don't shine I think I'll have to leave that question unanswered! XD
Blurry - You always smell mush! ^.^ Mush doesn't grow on trees you know! lol - I'm just kidding (well - not about the trees bit XD) - mush will come when they're all reunited (jealousy too! ^_____^)
Jay - Another kawaii new reviewer! ^________^ Will ye be staying for the long run? Hope so! And yes - like I mentioned above, jealousy is just around the corner! Lovely lovely controversial jealousy! ^.^ Thanks for the sweet comments too! *hugs*
cool_kitsune - *is scared by her enthusiasm* Where am i ment to go, go, go? *looks around frantically* ^.^ Oh, and what do you mean 'it's getting interesting' - wasn't it before? :P heehee.
AFTERMATH: Chaotic Wind - You're too good to me! How about some shunning for a change? That way i might feel worthy of your praise! ^.^ Actually - if you do shun then go easy on me - I'm very fragile! XD
DracusXero - You don't sound like a fruitcake! You don't have to apologise either! I didn't take anything you said badly, so dun worry! *pettles* If you wanna talk or ask about lemons (mm.. I like eating lemons XD) then feel free! ^.^
Thanks so much to all the fabulous reviewers - really, you guys motivate me so much! Its hard to express just how grateful I am for all of your support and praise, but know it means alot to me - ok? You guys always manage to make me smile! ^.^ Anyways - till next chappy! Ja! *scurries off*
***********************************************************************
The Power of Change
A Rikku and Auron romance
***********************************************************************
Chapter Twenty: 'Underground Plan'
***********************************************************************
Is anybody
Out there please?
It's too quiet in here
and I'm beginning to freeze
I've got icicles hanging
from my knees
Under fifteen feet of pure white snow
~"Fifteen Feet of Pure White Snow" by Nick Cave~
***********************************************************************
"Rikku!"
"Hmm?"
"Here."
The pretty Al Bhed felt a coolness pressing against her lips, and moments later - that foul brown instant coffee she detested so much was seeping into her mouth.
"Auron!!" She spluttered, turning to him with a scowl on her face. "Why on earth--"
"You were falling asleep."
"Oh gimme that!" Rikku wrenched the cup from his hands - sighing as it spilt all over her. "I was starting to have the most beautiful dream too!"
"You know we can't afford to--"
"I know, I know" She grumbled, feeling ill as she tried to swallow the disgusting slush. "Say... what do you suppose Braska and Jecht would be doing at the moment?"
"If they were thinking sensibly then they'd both be waiting for us at the temple. I have a feeling they're still up there, though." He replied, indicating towards the holes through which they'd fallen with a sigh. "One thing I know about Braska... even Jecht... is that they're loyal to friends - they won't leave until they either think of a way to get us out of here or die trying."
Rikku nodded. "I hope they're not too worried about us."
"Unfortunately there isn't anything we can do to erase their fears at the present."
She nodded, staring up at the icy roof for a moment before turning to look at Auron's injury. "How's your leg?"
"It's fine."
"Doesn't look fine - let me try something." kneeling close to Auron, she inspected the broken limb for a second before placing her hands above it.
"Rikku, stop." the dark guardian reached down and grasped her arm, pulling her back into a seated position. "You can't heal the injury - I forbid it - your energy would be completely drained."
"What?" Her eyes widened and she pouted. "Are you crazy? What does it matter?? I'm not gunna just leave you here when we eventually think of a way to get out of this place!"
"I had no intention of letting you leave me here!" He stated, chuckling and shaking his head. "There is another way. I'm not completely helpless you know."
"You have a plan?!" Rikku's eyes lit up as she clasped his arm, waiting to hear the details.
"Well... it's still a long shot... to say the least."
"Right now anything's worth a try - I think I'll go insane if I have to spend another moment drinking Instant while knowing there was a chance I could be outta here and enjoying a nice hot chocolate! So... let's hear it!"
"Would you mind letting go of my arm first? You're cutting off the circulation."
Rikku blushed and dropped her hands to a clasped position on her lap - where they kneaded together in anticipation. "Sorry."
"According to my knowledge of the geography of this area - Macalania Lake - as well as having various underground sources that resurface at different points on the land - has several frozen rivers that connect its different parts together. They melt and flow a little during the warmer months, stretching the lake's volume over a wider area."
Auron's explanation was met with a puzzled stare. "I don't get it... how is that a plan?"
"I hadn't gotten to that yet - allow me to finish." He sighed and shifted a little, fixing her with a slightly irate look. "It's quite possible that this chasm we're in now is one of those frozen rivers. It's also feasible that its course leads to the part of Macalania Lake that lies directly underneath the temple."
Rikku's eyes were large as saucers by this point, and as Auron finished speaking she gave him a huge grin. "Of course!!! Whoa!! That's so brilliant! That's so... so... um... wait a second." The look of joy disappeared from her face and she sighed, rolling her eyes. "We're surrounded on all four sides by ice - remember? How can this be a frozen river??"
"Tap on that wall and tell me what you hear." He simply stated, indicating towards the steep incline lying diagonal from where they both sat.
She did just that - cautiously rapping at the ice with her Kaiser Knuckles. "Sounds kinda hollow... oh!"
"As I suspected. There's only a thin layer of ice - no more then, say, five centimeters in width between this part of the river and the next. If we break through all of the walls in that direction then eventually we should end up on the lake." Rikku smiled warmly and walked back over, wrapping her arms around Auron as she sat down.
"Have I told you lately how much I adore you?" She smiled gently and lent up, directing her lips towards his.
"It's best we get going," Auron broke in, brushing off the Al Bhed's advance as if it was never even made. "Let us see just how helpless I am with this injury."
Rikku swallowed back her disappointment and nodded enthusiastically, supporting the dark guardians arm as he cautiously rose to stand on his uninjured leg.
"You're going to try and walk on your own?"
"Yes. I can steady myself with my sword."
"Oh! Won't the movement hurt you though?"
"I've never been afraid of a little pain. Besides, it's the best idea I have currently."
"Okay well... there's just one more little question I have. When... if we get to the lake, how do we get to the temple from there? I mean, it leads off from a cliff that's sort of suspended over that whole body of water..."
Auron stared at her, an odd look on his face. "How did you know that?"
Rikku felt her face redden a little. "Uhh... Well, um... I think I heard it somewhere..."
"Come, we'd best get going," the dark guardian stated after a moment, regarding her with one last strange look before walking towards the chasm wall which would, hopefully, provide their escape.
Leaning against the side that led off from it, Auron raised his Kotetsu and with the full force of his body, drove the weapon through the icy barrier. It held for a moment, prompting the dark guardian to repeat his former action before it splintered into a shower of tiny frozen shards that rained down upon him. He shielded his face against the sharp projectiles; the few cuts he did managed to sustain being quickly healed by Rikku, despite his protests.
Just as Auron had imagined, the next area of the chasm led off in the same direction - sealed on the far side by yet another icy wall.
"Looks like luck is finally on our side!" Rikku grinned, hugging the dark guardian's arm affectionately before jumping in the air with a momentary burst of energy. "Let's go! I'm in the mood for a nice cup of hot chocolate! Yeah!"
***********************************************************************
©Erica Runge, 1st of August, 2003. All characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFX. ©Nick Cave.