Natame Secrea: It's all your fault because of the length it's taken me to
update. Your attack on me scared away Nialk, and he's the person that
writes my stories. And besides, how am I supposed to write if I'm being
attacked? *Giggles*
- -
Chapter 8
~~~Evasive Answers~~~
"Protect me; you tried to... to... kidnap me! You call that protecting me?" I yell.
"We only wish to protect you from yourself. It appears we are too late though." He nods to the approaching Aeon. "Good eve sir."
Behey smiles and chuckles, "with your manners it is hard to believe that little Zali is terrified of you. Unless I am mistaken, and I rarely am, you are one of the Al Bhed that is intent on capturing her."
The Al Bhed makes a half bow. "I am honored that you would take an interest in us. I had not thought that Aeons cared about mortals."
"We don't." He says bluntly, "occasionally there is a person on Spira that will attract our attention, like Zali here, but other than that, unless we are summoned we generally have nothing to do with mortals if at all possible."
I blush faintly at the praise. I never knew that the Aeons did not take an interest in most people.
The Al Bhed stretches, "I must be off now, always a pleasure talking with you." He nods his head and turns to leave.
"Wait!" I call after him. He turns and looks at me, a 'What?' clearly expressed on his face. "Your name, what is it?"
He smiles and disappears into the gardens, leaving his name unsaid.
I stand up and brush the tears from my eyes. "I suppose we might as well go back to the party." I sigh and brush the wrinkles and loose dirt from my dress. "We wouldn't want any stuffy nobles to come looking for us, or worse, mother."
Auron stands up and dusts his pants off before offering me his arm. I giggle and accept it then look around to see where Beheyshee is. That's strange, I don't see him anywhere. Oh well, I guess he's already gone back to the party.
Auron and I enter the ballroom to be confronted by a smirking Braska. "Did you two have fun? I certainly hope so, seeing as mother wants to talk to you, sis."
I roll my eyes, "then brother dear, would you be so kind as to point me in the direction of our esteemed mother?"
"She's over by the far balcony, along with several high-ranking nobles." He gives me a shove in the direction of mother.
My grip on Auron's arm is all that kept me from toppling over. I turn and glare at Braska. Just you wait, bro, just you wait. I'll get you back for that.
I walk over to my mother, my hand gently resting on Auron's arm. When I reach them I drop a small curtsy and Auron takes a bow. "Mother, Braska said you wished to speak with me."
"Yes dear, I just wished to inquire about where you were. You left quite suddenly, if I recall correctly."
I raise my hand delicately to my forehead. "Forgive me mother, I was beset by a headache and I felt the need to take a walk in the garden. Forgive me for not coming in search of you first mother, but, I fear that when I am in pain my expression is most... unladylike. I did not wish to be an embarrassment to you." What a load of bullsh-err... crap.
"I trust you are feeling better now?" one of the nobles asks.
I nod and murmur a polite, "yes milord."
"That is a relief to hear my dear. Would you be feeling well enough to take a dance?" I think he noticed the slight stiffening of Auron's spine, because he hastily added, "not with me though dear, my joints are much too old, but I have a son not too much older than you."
"I would be honored to dance," I say with a slight glare at Auron. "Sir Auron, I am sure you and my brother have much you wish to talk about. I will call you if I need you."
The rest of the evening was spent dancing with various nobles. I did manage to sneak in a dance with Auron though.
"Auron," I whisper as we perform a slow waltz, "I'm sorry about earlier... I didn't mean to insult you. It's just, well, I didn't have much choice, and you were over-reacting. The 'Laws of Nobility' state that when a, forgive me, 'servant' insults and/or slights another noble the 'person in charge' of the 'servant' must either reprimand or send away the offender." I smile wryly up at him and lean my head against his chest. "I really didn't want to reprimand you, so I took the other option."
He smiles lightly, "I understand dear one. I understand all to well." He unconsciously tightens his arm around my waist.
- -
So, here I am, back, writing more for you. Aren't I so good? Semi- cliffhangers seem to be my favorite way to end things. I'm planning on making another time jump here. But Nialk may have a different idea. Well, R&R my loyal fans!
- -
Chapter 8
~~~Evasive Answers~~~
"Protect me; you tried to... to... kidnap me! You call that protecting me?" I yell.
"We only wish to protect you from yourself. It appears we are too late though." He nods to the approaching Aeon. "Good eve sir."
Behey smiles and chuckles, "with your manners it is hard to believe that little Zali is terrified of you. Unless I am mistaken, and I rarely am, you are one of the Al Bhed that is intent on capturing her."
The Al Bhed makes a half bow. "I am honored that you would take an interest in us. I had not thought that Aeons cared about mortals."
"We don't." He says bluntly, "occasionally there is a person on Spira that will attract our attention, like Zali here, but other than that, unless we are summoned we generally have nothing to do with mortals if at all possible."
I blush faintly at the praise. I never knew that the Aeons did not take an interest in most people.
The Al Bhed stretches, "I must be off now, always a pleasure talking with you." He nods his head and turns to leave.
"Wait!" I call after him. He turns and looks at me, a 'What?' clearly expressed on his face. "Your name, what is it?"
He smiles and disappears into the gardens, leaving his name unsaid.
I stand up and brush the tears from my eyes. "I suppose we might as well go back to the party." I sigh and brush the wrinkles and loose dirt from my dress. "We wouldn't want any stuffy nobles to come looking for us, or worse, mother."
Auron stands up and dusts his pants off before offering me his arm. I giggle and accept it then look around to see where Beheyshee is. That's strange, I don't see him anywhere. Oh well, I guess he's already gone back to the party.
Auron and I enter the ballroom to be confronted by a smirking Braska. "Did you two have fun? I certainly hope so, seeing as mother wants to talk to you, sis."
I roll my eyes, "then brother dear, would you be so kind as to point me in the direction of our esteemed mother?"
"She's over by the far balcony, along with several high-ranking nobles." He gives me a shove in the direction of mother.
My grip on Auron's arm is all that kept me from toppling over. I turn and glare at Braska. Just you wait, bro, just you wait. I'll get you back for that.
I walk over to my mother, my hand gently resting on Auron's arm. When I reach them I drop a small curtsy and Auron takes a bow. "Mother, Braska said you wished to speak with me."
"Yes dear, I just wished to inquire about where you were. You left quite suddenly, if I recall correctly."
I raise my hand delicately to my forehead. "Forgive me mother, I was beset by a headache and I felt the need to take a walk in the garden. Forgive me for not coming in search of you first mother, but, I fear that when I am in pain my expression is most... unladylike. I did not wish to be an embarrassment to you." What a load of bullsh-err... crap.
"I trust you are feeling better now?" one of the nobles asks.
I nod and murmur a polite, "yes milord."
"That is a relief to hear my dear. Would you be feeling well enough to take a dance?" I think he noticed the slight stiffening of Auron's spine, because he hastily added, "not with me though dear, my joints are much too old, but I have a son not too much older than you."
"I would be honored to dance," I say with a slight glare at Auron. "Sir Auron, I am sure you and my brother have much you wish to talk about. I will call you if I need you."
The rest of the evening was spent dancing with various nobles. I did manage to sneak in a dance with Auron though.
"Auron," I whisper as we perform a slow waltz, "I'm sorry about earlier... I didn't mean to insult you. It's just, well, I didn't have much choice, and you were over-reacting. The 'Laws of Nobility' state that when a, forgive me, 'servant' insults and/or slights another noble the 'person in charge' of the 'servant' must either reprimand or send away the offender." I smile wryly up at him and lean my head against his chest. "I really didn't want to reprimand you, so I took the other option."
He smiles lightly, "I understand dear one. I understand all to well." He unconsciously tightens his arm around my waist.
- -
So, here I am, back, writing more for you. Aren't I so good? Semi- cliffhangers seem to be my favorite way to end things. I'm planning on making another time jump here. But Nialk may have a different idea. Well, R&R my loyal fans!