Bwuah. I plan on poking fun in this chapter.
More soon.
- - -
"Oh, oh..! Check this out." Tidus glanced away a moment, twirling one finger in his bangs so that his hair stood up for a brief moment while he got in his "ya." Rikku was tickled pink with laughter as they neared the camp, continuing to do impressions of the rest of the group. They had almost stumbled on the group when they arrived.. And Wakka was baffled by Tidus' impromptu impression of him. Yuna chuckled, but Auron, Lulu, and Kimahri remained unamused.
"Know what time it is?" Lulu stated in that matter-of-factly tone.
"Time to eat..?" Tidus nervously grinned, but was only greeted by the glare of the more serious members of the party.. And the nervous smiles of the others.
"Past that."
"Don't tell me it's time to pack up?" Rikku cut through the conversation between the mage and blitzer, and Kimahri and Wakka shook their heads in unison.
"Kimahri no catch butterflies." The cobalt feline shook his head lightly.
Wakka sounded quite frustrated as he cut in, muttering lightly.. "More like 'Kimahri no catch blue butterflies', ya. I think we have to try hunting butterflies in an easier spot."
With that the group started in their own side conversations, laying out their bedrolls, slipping into the tents, and getting ready for bed. Wakka was the first to talk in the silence of their usual nighttime preparations.
"Who has watch tonight?"
"Well.." Yuna paused, Auron cut her off while he pushed his glasses upwards lightly.
"This is.. A rather safe part of Macalania." He took a moment to listen to the rustles of bedrolls being laid out, and waited for the group's full attention to be focused upon him. When he spoke, he demanded recognition. "We can do watches in singles tonight. I shall be first. Kimahri, Wakka, and finally Lulu."
Yuna never had to perform watch, it wasn't her duty anyway. The guardians were supposed to watch her, and it didn't work in reverse.
"All right. No arguments there!" Tidus yawned, before retiring in his tent; soon followed by Wakka. It was rather uncomfortable for them, since Wakka took up so much space. And the group was often reduced to laughter as the duo tried to make themselves comfortable in the temporary canvas protection of the tent.. Or as other things happened behind the cover of their tent, obscured from the group's view.
The others began to retire.. Kimahri leant against the nearest tree, shutting those golden oculars; Auron sat by the smoldering and dying fire.. Which was smothered by a simple water spell produced by Lulu as she retreated to the tent she shared, just after Yuna, and before Rikku. Though, all gazes were cast towards the tent of Wakka and Tidus, and the girls peeked their heads out of their tent to watch hearing the blitzers' muffled complaints from their tent.
"Quit it, Wakka!"
"Hey, hey..! Keep your hands where I can see them, ya!"
The rest of the group seemed shocked, and baffled as they heard Wakka and Tidus' conversation. It only caused their mind to wander.. Be it in a perverse direction or not. Though, they were all somewhat relieved when Tidus' next statement quelled their curiosity.
"How come you get to eat all the good stuff Rin gives us?"
"..Because..Um.. Just don't touch my food, ya?"
Rikku and Yuna were overcome with giggles when it turned out the odd conversation between the two was nothing more than an argument over food.. Retreating to their tent. Rikku took time to rummage through their belongings to find what she needed..
And produced a towel, fine cloth she bought off of Rin at a discounted price. A lather, another product of shoopuf, but she didn't want to know in what way.. Finally, sandals, something she pilfered from a Besaid Auroch. A little too big for her, but it worked.
She wanted to take a nice, refreshing bath. To rinse off the mud and dirt which caked her skin and stained her attire from her klutzy tumble.
Furtively, she slipped out of the tent, and crept past the campsite. Lulu and Yuna assumed she was going to clean up a bit, which was a good idea because they didn't really want to sleep next to somebody covered in dirt. Wakka and Tidus fell asleep quite quickly, and Kimahri was tuned out.. Which left Auron.
She took a glance over to where he sat. Without a glimpse towards her. Maybe he didn't notice her, or was annoying her.. Or.. Well, Rikku couldn't be sure if he was awake or not, because of his glasses, but she paid him little attention and thought about the trail she'd use to find a pond, or other source of water.
'Hmm.. I wonder where that lake Yuna and Tidus were talking about is'.. Rikku pondered. She didn't know the area all too well, and risked getting attacked while unarmed if she got lost. She had unclipped her claw and removed her targe so that she could better carry her toiletries. And though hesitant, and not taking a moment to glance from her boots, she spoke; obviously addressing Auron.
"Um.."
"What?" His tone had a sour sound to it, and he probably wasn't in the mood for talking to anybody.. Much less, Rikku.
"I need to find a lake.. An.. I.."
With that Auron pushed himself up from his seat on the log, Kimahri would probably assume watch soon enough anyways, the feline found it hard to sleep at night. He casually strode past Rikku, acting as if she weren't there.. Leaving her behind, until he paused, and glanced back at the girl. "Are you coming?"
She beamed immediately, despite the rather bland tone of his voice and caught up to him in skips. He was gonna help her..! Soon enough, her energetic attitude would tone down as she obediently followed him. What seemed like an eternity of silence ensued as they walked down the glittering trails, encountered by the occasional, but minor fiends.. Which were cut clean in half with a single swing of Auron's sword. It was Rikku who broke the silence.
"A-Auron..?"
His reply was a simple grunt, eyes not moving from the path laid out before them.
"I just wanted to say thanks.." A pause. "And.. I'm sorry. I'm sorry about what I said last time. I didn't mean it. Really. I guess I was just being greedy, ya know? An -- " Eventually, Rikku's hurried and mashed apology trailed off, and converted into Al Bhed, only to be hushed by Auron.
"Look before you leap." His curt response, it was then they happened upon the lake. Glittering in twilight. The water looked like a pool of midnight cobalt, abysmal in depth, and glittered with the illumination of pyreflies swirling towards the canopy. The moon's faint glow was cast upon the waters and the ground around it, one of the few openings in the forest where daylight, or in this case, moonlight could shine through.
"Got that right." With that, Rikku hurried towards the nearest series of stones by the water. Setting down the towel, laid flat on the stone. Sandals beside it, and later atop it.
It didn't occur to Rikku, but it did to Auron.. What he once explained to the group about these oasises. That they were what composed spheres, preserving memories.. That attracted people. However, fiends were also enticed by the allure of these watering holes too. He sighed. Kimahri would assume watch, he had to make sure the girl returned to camp. "Rikku."
She had just begun to undo her hair; ties, clips, and pins. "Uh huh?"
He didn't know how he'd phrase it.. And hesitated a moment. "Fiends... Are drawn to these places. You won't be able to take them down alone."
"What are you saying?"
"I'd.."
"You'd have to stay here? While I take a bath..?!" Rikku shook her head. "No way." They always had the option of getting somebody else to watch Rikku, Lulu perhaps.. Though, that either meant Auron had to return to the camp and leave Rikku prey to fiends until Lulu returned in his place.. Or Rikku had to go with him, and take the long journey between the camp and pond multiple times. 'Tendo umt syh.' She thought to herself, but when she muttered it, it came out in Spira's universal language.. "Dirty old man."
"Maybe I should leave you to the fiends." Auron offered only the slightest inclination of a chuckle before it died into that usual austere facade.
"Oh..." She pouted. "Fine, but sit facing that way. I'll call if I need help."
"Fine." Auron didn't really seem to mind, and found a spot on a log, facing away from the water as Rikku continued. She had taken her hair down completely now, and it was just an inch or so past her clavicle. She undid the latches on the side of her shirt, and slipped it off the top of her head. Her items and gadgets were shed, boots kicked off, black pouch unstrapped from her thigh, and eventually she wriggled from those lime hued shorts. She was hesitant as she shed her undergarments. It was quite unnerving to have him sit there, even if he wasn't looking. She grabbed the circular bar of lather and slipped into the chilling waters.
Eventually, the soothing water drowned out her surroundings, and so did the pinkish bubbles and foam which rose around the surface of the water nearest her.
Auron sat there all the while, uninterested, or atleast it seemed. Taking the occassional sip of his sake, and contorting his visage in a slightly as he did so. He heard the splashes she caused as she played in the waters.. Was this a bath, or a swim? Rikku some how managed to make it both. Then, the splashes ceased. He let it go, because Rikku had the ability to hold her breath for long amounts of time.. As did blitzers all the same. Though, it took her too long.. "Rikku?" He voiced, not bothering to turn around. Though, heard no reply. It was then he turned slightly to glance over the waters.. Too calm. Perhaps something had pulled her beneath the surface?
He was about to move, when the calm surface was shattered by Rikku's lithe physique. And though he didn't wish to complicate things, she didn't notice his gaze was now in her direction. She was on the other side of the lake, not far away at all, facing away.. Standing in the shallows as she extended her arms upwards.. Rivulets of crystalline spilling down the contours of her figure, and Auron.. Ashamed that he took so long to glance away.
Once again, she slipped beneath the surface of the water, and rose on the original side she departed from.. Slipping a towel about her midsection, and securing it in a tube dress fashion. Petite feet slipping into the Besadian's sandals. Quickly did she grab her clothes and items, scooping them up in her arms as she walked up to where Auron sat.
"Ready to go!"
Auron seemed skeptical on how she was going to return to the camp. "You're going.. Like that?"
"What's wrong?"
A smirk coiled upon his lips, though it was hidden by his collar when he bowed his head lightly.. "Your in a towel.. I've been drinking.. We were together. What will they think?"
"'eeey. They won't think that."
"I thought I was a dirty old man."
"Well. I gotta wash my clothes. An ya know how handy Lulu's spells are for that sort of thing."
"We've got all night. You can do it here." Auron closed the arguement. He wasn't about to have his authority above the rest of the group shaken by being caught in such a situation. He'd rather the Al Bhed return to camp fully clothed. "I'll get some wood for a fire." With that, he stood up and headed off with his sword for a nearby plot of small tries and wilted branches. It was the least he could do, since she'd have a hard time getting around in those clumsy sandals and a towel.. Though, taking one brief glimpse at those spiraling emerald pools of her's before he left.
More soon.
- - -
"Oh, oh..! Check this out." Tidus glanced away a moment, twirling one finger in his bangs so that his hair stood up for a brief moment while he got in his "ya." Rikku was tickled pink with laughter as they neared the camp, continuing to do impressions of the rest of the group. They had almost stumbled on the group when they arrived.. And Wakka was baffled by Tidus' impromptu impression of him. Yuna chuckled, but Auron, Lulu, and Kimahri remained unamused.
"Know what time it is?" Lulu stated in that matter-of-factly tone.
"Time to eat..?" Tidus nervously grinned, but was only greeted by the glare of the more serious members of the party.. And the nervous smiles of the others.
"Past that."
"Don't tell me it's time to pack up?" Rikku cut through the conversation between the mage and blitzer, and Kimahri and Wakka shook their heads in unison.
"Kimahri no catch butterflies." The cobalt feline shook his head lightly.
Wakka sounded quite frustrated as he cut in, muttering lightly.. "More like 'Kimahri no catch blue butterflies', ya. I think we have to try hunting butterflies in an easier spot."
With that the group started in their own side conversations, laying out their bedrolls, slipping into the tents, and getting ready for bed. Wakka was the first to talk in the silence of their usual nighttime preparations.
"Who has watch tonight?"
"Well.." Yuna paused, Auron cut her off while he pushed his glasses upwards lightly.
"This is.. A rather safe part of Macalania." He took a moment to listen to the rustles of bedrolls being laid out, and waited for the group's full attention to be focused upon him. When he spoke, he demanded recognition. "We can do watches in singles tonight. I shall be first. Kimahri, Wakka, and finally Lulu."
Yuna never had to perform watch, it wasn't her duty anyway. The guardians were supposed to watch her, and it didn't work in reverse.
"All right. No arguments there!" Tidus yawned, before retiring in his tent; soon followed by Wakka. It was rather uncomfortable for them, since Wakka took up so much space. And the group was often reduced to laughter as the duo tried to make themselves comfortable in the temporary canvas protection of the tent.. Or as other things happened behind the cover of their tent, obscured from the group's view.
The others began to retire.. Kimahri leant against the nearest tree, shutting those golden oculars; Auron sat by the smoldering and dying fire.. Which was smothered by a simple water spell produced by Lulu as she retreated to the tent she shared, just after Yuna, and before Rikku. Though, all gazes were cast towards the tent of Wakka and Tidus, and the girls peeked their heads out of their tent to watch hearing the blitzers' muffled complaints from their tent.
"Quit it, Wakka!"
"Hey, hey..! Keep your hands where I can see them, ya!"
The rest of the group seemed shocked, and baffled as they heard Wakka and Tidus' conversation. It only caused their mind to wander.. Be it in a perverse direction or not. Though, they were all somewhat relieved when Tidus' next statement quelled their curiosity.
"How come you get to eat all the good stuff Rin gives us?"
"..Because..Um.. Just don't touch my food, ya?"
Rikku and Yuna were overcome with giggles when it turned out the odd conversation between the two was nothing more than an argument over food.. Retreating to their tent. Rikku took time to rummage through their belongings to find what she needed..
And produced a towel, fine cloth she bought off of Rin at a discounted price. A lather, another product of shoopuf, but she didn't want to know in what way.. Finally, sandals, something she pilfered from a Besaid Auroch. A little too big for her, but it worked.
She wanted to take a nice, refreshing bath. To rinse off the mud and dirt which caked her skin and stained her attire from her klutzy tumble.
Furtively, she slipped out of the tent, and crept past the campsite. Lulu and Yuna assumed she was going to clean up a bit, which was a good idea because they didn't really want to sleep next to somebody covered in dirt. Wakka and Tidus fell asleep quite quickly, and Kimahri was tuned out.. Which left Auron.
She took a glance over to where he sat. Without a glimpse towards her. Maybe he didn't notice her, or was annoying her.. Or.. Well, Rikku couldn't be sure if he was awake or not, because of his glasses, but she paid him little attention and thought about the trail she'd use to find a pond, or other source of water.
'Hmm.. I wonder where that lake Yuna and Tidus were talking about is'.. Rikku pondered. She didn't know the area all too well, and risked getting attacked while unarmed if she got lost. She had unclipped her claw and removed her targe so that she could better carry her toiletries. And though hesitant, and not taking a moment to glance from her boots, she spoke; obviously addressing Auron.
"Um.."
"What?" His tone had a sour sound to it, and he probably wasn't in the mood for talking to anybody.. Much less, Rikku.
"I need to find a lake.. An.. I.."
With that Auron pushed himself up from his seat on the log, Kimahri would probably assume watch soon enough anyways, the feline found it hard to sleep at night. He casually strode past Rikku, acting as if she weren't there.. Leaving her behind, until he paused, and glanced back at the girl. "Are you coming?"
She beamed immediately, despite the rather bland tone of his voice and caught up to him in skips. He was gonna help her..! Soon enough, her energetic attitude would tone down as she obediently followed him. What seemed like an eternity of silence ensued as they walked down the glittering trails, encountered by the occasional, but minor fiends.. Which were cut clean in half with a single swing of Auron's sword. It was Rikku who broke the silence.
"A-Auron..?"
His reply was a simple grunt, eyes not moving from the path laid out before them.
"I just wanted to say thanks.." A pause. "And.. I'm sorry. I'm sorry about what I said last time. I didn't mean it. Really. I guess I was just being greedy, ya know? An -- " Eventually, Rikku's hurried and mashed apology trailed off, and converted into Al Bhed, only to be hushed by Auron.
"Look before you leap." His curt response, it was then they happened upon the lake. Glittering in twilight. The water looked like a pool of midnight cobalt, abysmal in depth, and glittered with the illumination of pyreflies swirling towards the canopy. The moon's faint glow was cast upon the waters and the ground around it, one of the few openings in the forest where daylight, or in this case, moonlight could shine through.
"Got that right." With that, Rikku hurried towards the nearest series of stones by the water. Setting down the towel, laid flat on the stone. Sandals beside it, and later atop it.
It didn't occur to Rikku, but it did to Auron.. What he once explained to the group about these oasises. That they were what composed spheres, preserving memories.. That attracted people. However, fiends were also enticed by the allure of these watering holes too. He sighed. Kimahri would assume watch, he had to make sure the girl returned to camp. "Rikku."
She had just begun to undo her hair; ties, clips, and pins. "Uh huh?"
He didn't know how he'd phrase it.. And hesitated a moment. "Fiends... Are drawn to these places. You won't be able to take them down alone."
"What are you saying?"
"I'd.."
"You'd have to stay here? While I take a bath..?!" Rikku shook her head. "No way." They always had the option of getting somebody else to watch Rikku, Lulu perhaps.. Though, that either meant Auron had to return to the camp and leave Rikku prey to fiends until Lulu returned in his place.. Or Rikku had to go with him, and take the long journey between the camp and pond multiple times. 'Tendo umt syh.' She thought to herself, but when she muttered it, it came out in Spira's universal language.. "Dirty old man."
"Maybe I should leave you to the fiends." Auron offered only the slightest inclination of a chuckle before it died into that usual austere facade.
"Oh..." She pouted. "Fine, but sit facing that way. I'll call if I need help."
"Fine." Auron didn't really seem to mind, and found a spot on a log, facing away from the water as Rikku continued. She had taken her hair down completely now, and it was just an inch or so past her clavicle. She undid the latches on the side of her shirt, and slipped it off the top of her head. Her items and gadgets were shed, boots kicked off, black pouch unstrapped from her thigh, and eventually she wriggled from those lime hued shorts. She was hesitant as she shed her undergarments. It was quite unnerving to have him sit there, even if he wasn't looking. She grabbed the circular bar of lather and slipped into the chilling waters.
Eventually, the soothing water drowned out her surroundings, and so did the pinkish bubbles and foam which rose around the surface of the water nearest her.
Auron sat there all the while, uninterested, or atleast it seemed. Taking the occassional sip of his sake, and contorting his visage in a slightly as he did so. He heard the splashes she caused as she played in the waters.. Was this a bath, or a swim? Rikku some how managed to make it both. Then, the splashes ceased. He let it go, because Rikku had the ability to hold her breath for long amounts of time.. As did blitzers all the same. Though, it took her too long.. "Rikku?" He voiced, not bothering to turn around. Though, heard no reply. It was then he turned slightly to glance over the waters.. Too calm. Perhaps something had pulled her beneath the surface?
He was about to move, when the calm surface was shattered by Rikku's lithe physique. And though he didn't wish to complicate things, she didn't notice his gaze was now in her direction. She was on the other side of the lake, not far away at all, facing away.. Standing in the shallows as she extended her arms upwards.. Rivulets of crystalline spilling down the contours of her figure, and Auron.. Ashamed that he took so long to glance away.
Once again, she slipped beneath the surface of the water, and rose on the original side she departed from.. Slipping a towel about her midsection, and securing it in a tube dress fashion. Petite feet slipping into the Besadian's sandals. Quickly did she grab her clothes and items, scooping them up in her arms as she walked up to where Auron sat.
"Ready to go!"
Auron seemed skeptical on how she was going to return to the camp. "You're going.. Like that?"
"What's wrong?"
A smirk coiled upon his lips, though it was hidden by his collar when he bowed his head lightly.. "Your in a towel.. I've been drinking.. We were together. What will they think?"
"'eeey. They won't think that."
"I thought I was a dirty old man."
"Well. I gotta wash my clothes. An ya know how handy Lulu's spells are for that sort of thing."
"We've got all night. You can do it here." Auron closed the arguement. He wasn't about to have his authority above the rest of the group shaken by being caught in such a situation. He'd rather the Al Bhed return to camp fully clothed. "I'll get some wood for a fire." With that, he stood up and headed off with his sword for a nearby plot of small tries and wilted branches. It was the least he could do, since she'd have a hard time getting around in those clumsy sandals and a towel.. Though, taking one brief glimpse at those spiraling emerald pools of her's before he left.