-Chapter 8
A/N: This'll be the first I update or write a fic on my new computer. ^__^ It almost means I don't have to wait as long to update after I actually finish the writing -since I don't have to go anywhere to do so. Stayed up late writing this chapter -I've been hellbent on updating this ASAP
Oh! And the best news of all:
I've started a RikkuxPaine shrine with my friend Dreav -yes that means thief in Al Bhed- who, from this point on, this fic is dedicated to. ^___^ It's called Fynneun&Dreav and it's at rikkuxpaine.envy.nu!
Please vist!! Love you all!
----------------
The next morning Rikku woke up to see Paine being served breakfast from Barkeep. After getting up and making her bed, she too went down to the bar for breakfast. It was silent other than the usual sounds one makes when eating.
"Uh..." the blonde started, pausing in her meal. She had to try and snap Paine out of this mood. Rikku wanted to help.
"... How do you think the weather's been lately... kinda nice, you know?"
Lame? Yes. But ... it was something, right?
She was met with silence as an answer. Taking that as a negative response, she continued.
"Come on... it's not that bad, blue sky... it's warm..."
And green eyes shifted over to the seat next to her just in time to see her partner push her plate forward and charge out of the Cabin.
"Ookaay..." the blond murmured under her breath. "Someone's touchy today..."
"Ish everyshing alright Mish Rikku?" Barkeep asked, cleaning up what was left of Paine's breakfast.
"Yeah, don't worry about it." she lied, smiling at the Hypello. He didn't need to get involved. She would just have to try talking Paine out of things when no one else was around. That was it, that was why she didn't feel like talking. Rikku was sure of it.
However, the blonde not get the chance for another talk with Paine. Rikku couldn't catch her, most likely due to the fact that they had made a pit- stop in Macalania to check in with O'aka. Paine must have gone out on her own that day. Instead, Rikku spent the day hanging out with Wantz, helping out around the shop -which was still not frequented by many.
While exiting the shop, the blond caught site of what could be now considered Macalania Lake. Rikku recalled the expedition she went on with Paine to get the papers. And how she so fool-hardily jumped off the side of their raft in order to get the papers for Paine. Rikku had been reckless, she knew. But... she hadn't been thinking about that at the time. All she had wanted to do was help her friend. ... She just wanted to make Paine happy. And look what had happened.
Well, she would just have to change that now -wouldn't she? Rikku would get Paine back to... well, the Paine that she knew before they went to the cliff top. The one that was willing to talk with her, and open up to her...
The blond shook her head after boarding the Celsius. It was now late, and she found herself tired. She would talk to Paine tomorrow. Definitely.
That morning Rikku made sure to wake before her fellow sphere hunter did. This time, she would be direct and to the point. She was going to talk about what happened a few days ago, in the Calm Lands.
The blond moved over to the next bed, looking down at the prone form of Paine. The other girl hadn't had any nightmares since the other day, but... Emerald eyes scanned the crimson eyed girl's body. A hand reached out to touch the sleeping girl's cheek as Rikku sat down on the bedside.
All she wanted to do was make Paine happy... The blond held back the urge to take the sleeping girl in her arms. What was she thinking? She was supposed to be waiting for Paine to wake up so they could talk.
So Rikku waited. Which was really hard for her to do considering she was not a patient person. But... for Paine's sake... she waited.
After what had to be an hour... crimson eyes fluttered open, and the girl stirred. Rikku had been sitting on the edge of Paine's bed, staring out of the window, until she heard a shuffle of the sheets.
"... Paine?" the blond hesitantly asked, moving her legs to sit cross- legged on the bed facing the other girl.
"Hmm?" Paine replied, eyes still hurt. She moved to sit up and slowly tried to make herself fully awake, absentmindedly rubbing her eyes.
Rikku waited a few moments until it seemed that Paine was ready to have a decent conversation.
"Well, it's about the other day -in the Calm Lands."
At this, Paine went noticeably rigid. She paused for a moment before continuing, without waiting for some kind of acknowledgment from the crimson eyed girl.
"I've... been worried about you lately. You seem so... far away lately." Rikku paused, choosing her words, her eyes met her lap.
"Away... from me." The blond paused, letting the words sink into her own heart. It was true, had this been before Yuna had left, Rikku doubted this kind of behavior form Paine would worry her at all. But after what had happened... from Macalania to the moment they reached the cliff top... A sudden light blossomed in her chest. Rikku cared about Paine. After all, they had been through so much... and she wanted Paine to be happy so badly.
"I... care about you, you know? And... I don't like seeing you like this."
Her eyes took a glance up to her partner. She noticed that Paine was quietly listening to her, taking in her words. That was a good sign.
Rikku tried to think of why Paine would be shutting her out. Then it came to her as she recalled how the other girl described her memories.
"It's... It's not your fault, you know." Rikku calmly stated. That must have been why Paine was blocking her out. Guilt. It seemed like something Paine would do... but what had happened that would make her feel so guilty?
Suddenly, Paine's expression went cold.
"You wouldn't understand." she stated as she stood up beside the bed.
"It's none of your business, just drop it." she finished before proceeding to walk downstairs.
"Vilg." Rikku murmured to herself as Paine's form left her vision. That was the last straw.
And she had been so close too.
What was Paine's problem, anyway? She was acting like an asshole. Rikku had only been trying to help, and Paine shoved it back in her face.
'None of your business' her ass. It had always been her business. She had been with Paine every step of the way. And now the girl was just walking out on her.
Rikku had time to brood on this all day. Needless to say, she was pissed.
When Rikku thought about it, she realized how much Paine's personality annoyed her. She was always so cold. And unexpressive.
And -uncolorful! Paine's personality was so plain -how couldn't she see that before? Why had Rikku ever want to help someone as dull as Paine?! Life around the other girl was so boring. Nothing of interest had ever happened while she was left alone with Paine. Like that time on Besaid, when they had nothing to do but explore the island.
Rikku was lost as to how she had ever thought of Paine as someone she wanted to be close to. Pained wanted to know about her past, so Rikku helped her. She followed the girl around the world trying to help her find the truth about her childhood. And how was Rikku repaid?! With every effort she put out for Paine thrown back in her face with the words 'it's none of your business'.
The blond continued to rage as she made her way from the Bridge to the lift. Blindly walking in a huff, she did not see the form of the object of her recent thought exit the lift. They collided head on.
Rikku's eyes shot up to the figure in front of her.
"Paine!"
The crimson eyed girl had been avoided her, she knew, and somewhere inside her chest, her heart hurt.
The other girl just gazed back at her, anger not absent from her gaze.
"I was going to see if I could stand being around someone for a while." she replied coldly.
"Why? It's not like you'll do anything! All you ever do is stand around and sulk!" Rikku shot back, the dam holding back all of her feelings finally breaking at full force.
"At least I know when to leave people alone." Paine retorted.
"At least I have a personality! And I thank people when they help me!"
"I never asked for your help. Why can't you just leave me alone, Rikku?"
"E tuh'd ajah ghuf fro E dno...(I don't know why I even try...)" Rikku murmured spitefully.
"I don't know why you're being so immature about this."
At this, Rikku grew angrier.
"Ehcahcedeja ihlynehk ... pedlr! (Insensitive uncaring... bitch!)"
"You can't even accept that you're a nosey and clingy brat!"
"E ys hud y lmehko pnyd! (I am not a clingy brat!)"
"Oh really? Well how about this -you hardly aren't as brave as you claim you are. You cling to Yuna and me to save you."
"Dryd'c hud dnia! Frah ryja E tuha dryd?! (That's not true! When have I done that?!)"
"I haven't once seen you live up to any of you're boasts. Fight me blind folded and I'll change my mind." Paine stated loudly, although keeping her composure far better than the blond.
"Veha drah! E femm! Saad sa uh dra talg pavuna cihcad! (Fine then! I will! Meet me on the deck before sunset!)" Rikku finished, stomping off past Paine and onto the lift. Once on the lift, Rikku realized what she had just got herself into with a sick saddening feeling.
"... Fryd ryja E tuha?(What have I done?)"
A/N: This'll be the first I update or write a fic on my new computer. ^__^ It almost means I don't have to wait as long to update after I actually finish the writing -since I don't have to go anywhere to do so. Stayed up late writing this chapter -I've been hellbent on updating this ASAP
Oh! And the best news of all:
I've started a RikkuxPaine shrine with my friend Dreav -yes that means thief in Al Bhed- who, from this point on, this fic is dedicated to. ^___^ It's called Fynneun&Dreav and it's at rikkuxpaine.envy.nu!
Please vist!! Love you all!
----------------
The next morning Rikku woke up to see Paine being served breakfast from Barkeep. After getting up and making her bed, she too went down to the bar for breakfast. It was silent other than the usual sounds one makes when eating.
"Uh..." the blonde started, pausing in her meal. She had to try and snap Paine out of this mood. Rikku wanted to help.
"... How do you think the weather's been lately... kinda nice, you know?"
Lame? Yes. But ... it was something, right?
She was met with silence as an answer. Taking that as a negative response, she continued.
"Come on... it's not that bad, blue sky... it's warm..."
And green eyes shifted over to the seat next to her just in time to see her partner push her plate forward and charge out of the Cabin.
"Ookaay..." the blond murmured under her breath. "Someone's touchy today..."
"Ish everyshing alright Mish Rikku?" Barkeep asked, cleaning up what was left of Paine's breakfast.
"Yeah, don't worry about it." she lied, smiling at the Hypello. He didn't need to get involved. She would just have to try talking Paine out of things when no one else was around. That was it, that was why she didn't feel like talking. Rikku was sure of it.
However, the blonde not get the chance for another talk with Paine. Rikku couldn't catch her, most likely due to the fact that they had made a pit- stop in Macalania to check in with O'aka. Paine must have gone out on her own that day. Instead, Rikku spent the day hanging out with Wantz, helping out around the shop -which was still not frequented by many.
While exiting the shop, the blond caught site of what could be now considered Macalania Lake. Rikku recalled the expedition she went on with Paine to get the papers. And how she so fool-hardily jumped off the side of their raft in order to get the papers for Paine. Rikku had been reckless, she knew. But... she hadn't been thinking about that at the time. All she had wanted to do was help her friend. ... She just wanted to make Paine happy. And look what had happened.
Well, she would just have to change that now -wouldn't she? Rikku would get Paine back to... well, the Paine that she knew before they went to the cliff top. The one that was willing to talk with her, and open up to her...
The blond shook her head after boarding the Celsius. It was now late, and she found herself tired. She would talk to Paine tomorrow. Definitely.
That morning Rikku made sure to wake before her fellow sphere hunter did. This time, she would be direct and to the point. She was going to talk about what happened a few days ago, in the Calm Lands.
The blond moved over to the next bed, looking down at the prone form of Paine. The other girl hadn't had any nightmares since the other day, but... Emerald eyes scanned the crimson eyed girl's body. A hand reached out to touch the sleeping girl's cheek as Rikku sat down on the bedside.
All she wanted to do was make Paine happy... The blond held back the urge to take the sleeping girl in her arms. What was she thinking? She was supposed to be waiting for Paine to wake up so they could talk.
So Rikku waited. Which was really hard for her to do considering she was not a patient person. But... for Paine's sake... she waited.
After what had to be an hour... crimson eyes fluttered open, and the girl stirred. Rikku had been sitting on the edge of Paine's bed, staring out of the window, until she heard a shuffle of the sheets.
"... Paine?" the blond hesitantly asked, moving her legs to sit cross- legged on the bed facing the other girl.
"Hmm?" Paine replied, eyes still hurt. She moved to sit up and slowly tried to make herself fully awake, absentmindedly rubbing her eyes.
Rikku waited a few moments until it seemed that Paine was ready to have a decent conversation.
"Well, it's about the other day -in the Calm Lands."
At this, Paine went noticeably rigid. She paused for a moment before continuing, without waiting for some kind of acknowledgment from the crimson eyed girl.
"I've... been worried about you lately. You seem so... far away lately." Rikku paused, choosing her words, her eyes met her lap.
"Away... from me." The blond paused, letting the words sink into her own heart. It was true, had this been before Yuna had left, Rikku doubted this kind of behavior form Paine would worry her at all. But after what had happened... from Macalania to the moment they reached the cliff top... A sudden light blossomed in her chest. Rikku cared about Paine. After all, they had been through so much... and she wanted Paine to be happy so badly.
"I... care about you, you know? And... I don't like seeing you like this."
Her eyes took a glance up to her partner. She noticed that Paine was quietly listening to her, taking in her words. That was a good sign.
Rikku tried to think of why Paine would be shutting her out. Then it came to her as she recalled how the other girl described her memories.
"It's... It's not your fault, you know." Rikku calmly stated. That must have been why Paine was blocking her out. Guilt. It seemed like something Paine would do... but what had happened that would make her feel so guilty?
Suddenly, Paine's expression went cold.
"You wouldn't understand." she stated as she stood up beside the bed.
"It's none of your business, just drop it." she finished before proceeding to walk downstairs.
"Vilg." Rikku murmured to herself as Paine's form left her vision. That was the last straw.
And she had been so close too.
What was Paine's problem, anyway? She was acting like an asshole. Rikku had only been trying to help, and Paine shoved it back in her face.
'None of your business' her ass. It had always been her business. She had been with Paine every step of the way. And now the girl was just walking out on her.
Rikku had time to brood on this all day. Needless to say, she was pissed.
When Rikku thought about it, she realized how much Paine's personality annoyed her. She was always so cold. And unexpressive.
And -uncolorful! Paine's personality was so plain -how couldn't she see that before? Why had Rikku ever want to help someone as dull as Paine?! Life around the other girl was so boring. Nothing of interest had ever happened while she was left alone with Paine. Like that time on Besaid, when they had nothing to do but explore the island.
Rikku was lost as to how she had ever thought of Paine as someone she wanted to be close to. Pained wanted to know about her past, so Rikku helped her. She followed the girl around the world trying to help her find the truth about her childhood. And how was Rikku repaid?! With every effort she put out for Paine thrown back in her face with the words 'it's none of your business'.
The blond continued to rage as she made her way from the Bridge to the lift. Blindly walking in a huff, she did not see the form of the object of her recent thought exit the lift. They collided head on.
Rikku's eyes shot up to the figure in front of her.
"Paine!"
The crimson eyed girl had been avoided her, she knew, and somewhere inside her chest, her heart hurt.
The other girl just gazed back at her, anger not absent from her gaze.
"I was going to see if I could stand being around someone for a while." she replied coldly.
"Why? It's not like you'll do anything! All you ever do is stand around and sulk!" Rikku shot back, the dam holding back all of her feelings finally breaking at full force.
"At least I know when to leave people alone." Paine retorted.
"At least I have a personality! And I thank people when they help me!"
"I never asked for your help. Why can't you just leave me alone, Rikku?"
"E tuh'd ajah ghuf fro E dno...(I don't know why I even try...)" Rikku murmured spitefully.
"I don't know why you're being so immature about this."
At this, Rikku grew angrier.
"Ehcahcedeja ihlynehk ... pedlr! (Insensitive uncaring... bitch!)"
"You can't even accept that you're a nosey and clingy brat!"
"E ys hud y lmehko pnyd! (I am not a clingy brat!)"
"Oh really? Well how about this -you hardly aren't as brave as you claim you are. You cling to Yuna and me to save you."
"Dryd'c hud dnia! Frah ryja E tuha dryd?! (That's not true! When have I done that?!)"
"I haven't once seen you live up to any of you're boasts. Fight me blind folded and I'll change my mind." Paine stated loudly, although keeping her composure far better than the blond.
"Veha drah! E femm! Saad sa uh dra talg pavuna cihcad! (Fine then! I will! Meet me on the deck before sunset!)" Rikku finished, stomping off past Paine and onto the lift. Once on the lift, Rikku realized what she had just got herself into with a sick saddening feeling.
"... Fryd ryja E tuha?(What have I done?)"