Chapter 2: The Proposition

The next day started out normally.  Cid had calmed down from the "theft" of his spark and Rikku was sleeping like a baby.  That is, until Paine screamed, "Rikku get the fuck out of the bathroom!  You've been in there for fifteen fucking minutes!  That brought Rikku out of her slumber and running to the bathroom.  When she arrived, she calmly said, "Paine, hun, that's not me in there."

"Well then, who is it?"

"It's Kanau.  I met her on Llanowar after the ship crashed.  Her family took me in until the ship was fixed.  So I invited her on the rest of the mission."

"Well, that sure explains a lot.  How did Cid react to the visitor?"

"Roughly, at first."

"What do you mean?"

"She wanted to learn Al Bhed so I took his sparkers into my room to teach her.  After his outburst about the sparkers in his room, she accidentally said, 'I killed your cat.'  That brought him running."

"What was she trying to say?"

"They're in here."  That's when Kanau came out of the bathroom.  She looked first at Paine then to Rikku and asked, "Rikku, who's this?"

"This is my friend, Paine," said the blond Al Bhed.

"Hi, Paine.  Was that you screaming?"

Paine returned the greeting and answered, "Yes."

"I'm sorry it took me so long."

"Don't be.  I shouldn't have over-reacted like that.  It's that I'm not really that patient."

"Your being impatient isn't your fault.  With all that screaming, I thought you wanted to shower."

"It's too-" is all the farther she got before Yuna screamed, "Come and get it!"

"Rikku, was that your cousin?"

"Yes, her name's Yuna.  How'd you know I had a cousin?"

"You told me last night."

"That's right, I did."

"Where's-" is all Kanau could get out before Paine called, "Hey slowpokes!  Get down here!  The food's getting cold."  Simultaneously, they shot back, "Who're you calling a slowpoke!?" and raced to the table.  After eating, Rikku said, "Paine, could you delay your shower a little longer to fill Yuna in on who Kanau is?"

Paine answered, "Sure," and filled Yuna in while Kanau and Rikku talked to Cid about Kanau becoming a Gullwing.