"Come party with us, Rikku!"

"Gippal?"

Gippal was lying on velvet cushions, surrounded by pretty native girls. He looked rather smug and rather drunk as well.

"Look at this, Rikku! They're very hospitable, aren't they?"

"UGH!" Rikku scowled and marched off into a dark, perfumed corner. She tucked her knees up to her chest and hugged them close to her and buried her face in her arms to cry. Her hair shielded her from view. She felt so vulnerable. Warm tears washed her face. She hated when people were cruel. Lately, she'd been taking too much of this. She needed Yuna, or Lulu…or anybody that wasn't Gippal.

The doctor, Dayn, tapped her on the shoulder.

"BY NEW YEVON," Rikku cried, spinning around, startled.

Dayn laughed.

"Rikku, would you like to dance for us?"

"What?"

"Every year, the most beautiful girl at the festival is chosen to perform a dance before the party-goers. It's supposed to be good karma, to welcome peace."

Rikku paused, but then saw Gippal, apparently having the time of his life with the other women, and she took Dayn's hand and stood. Hiding her face, she wiped the tears off her face.

"What do I need to do?"

Dayn smiled, and led her to a room where a beautiful woman gave her a pink top and harem pants. The outfit had veils everywhere. Rikku slid a gold band onto her arm, up near her shoulder and the other on her wrist. A veil was attached to it, flowing and pink. She did the same with the other arm. She sighed, and waited as some girls braided her hair into lots of tiny braids and coiled the largest, normal sized braid on the top of her head.

They crowned her with a golden tiara type band that kept the braid coil in place. The other plaited hair fell loosely around her tiara, and brushed her neck. It tickled, and she scratched her smooth skin savagely. The girls clapped their hands in unison, bowed, and walked out, leaving Rikku confused. She looked in the gilded mirror. The beautiful reflection looked back.

As Rikku had fretted about her hair, the girls had pressed rhinestones on her eyelids and put glitter on her eyelashes and round her cheekbones, on her arms. She tugged on the poofy gauze that concealed her legs. It was so…pink.

Dayn came in and pretended to be knocked over.

"You're amazing," he said with a chuckle.

"Thank you." Rikku biffed him over the head with a cushion nearby. He laughed.

"Just walk out there and when the flute plays, dance."

"O-okay," Rikku said, unsure. Dayn waved his hand and left.

It seemed as if Rikku waited for hours before soft, sweet flute music wafted into the room. Swallowing, Rikku stood…and walked gracefully out into the center of the room. It was dark, but for one light dimly lit somewhere, illuminating her movements. The flute music wrapped around Rikku, and the movements came easier and easier. She felt the rhythm in her heart, setting the beat. All eyes on Rikku, she raised her arms above her head.

She swung her hips in tandem with the sweet notes of the flute, running her fingers through her hair and slowly turning around. She closed her eyes and touched her neck, as if feeling for a pulse. Then her eyes snapped open and she leaped across the floor. She fell into a split and lifted one leg above her head, then spun down and lay on her stomach. She rose up to her knees and then raised her hands, as if welcoming the moon. She spun in rapid circles, kicking her leg out twice, and then stopping. She moved to the side, then the other side. She swayed. The flute was so pretty.

Gippal was staring at her. Rikku didn't notice.

A pale boy with dark hair stepped onto the floor and took Rikku's hand. She smiled mysteriously into his eyes. This was probably part of the whole ritual thing. They did a strange waltz, the boy's arm lightly slipped around Rikku's waist, his dark eyes locked on hers. Tears poured from Rikku's eyes. The warmth of them comforted her. The boy continued to look at her, as if absorbing the moment. When the music ended, Rikku's heart was still dancing. She mourned the end of the night. The boy kissed her lips.

After the pretty Al Bhed girl had changed back into her brown skirt and yellow top (for some reason, she hadn't seen her gloves lately), she left the pavilion, humming the flute tune to herself under her breath. It had been so enchanting.

Rikku felt rubber grips brush on her arm, then grab her, hard.

"Ouchies!" On impulse, she brought her hand flying to her arm.

"Gippal?" Rikku pulled away as he glared at her. "What is it?"

"Who do you think you are, dancing with a guy you don't even know?" Gippal was flushed with fury…and too much alcohol.

"And letting him kiss you?"

Rikku looked offended, then upset.

"Do you own me or something? Get away!" She gave Gippal a shove. "It's not of your concern what I do!"

Gippal slapped her.

Rikku gasped.

"Y-you…" Tears formed in Rikku's eyes. "How…could you?" With a sob, she shook her head and ran off.

"Rikku! Rikku, I didn't mean…ah, DAMMIT!"

Gippal sat on the ground with his head in his hands as the sun rose slowly and the tide went out.

"What the hell is wrong with me? I've never hit her before…ever…"

Something told him to get an idea, and fast.