Chapter 14
Okay, here's the next part of this. Yes, I'm finally getting around to updating it.
Yami: You just won't quit will you?
No. (Puts duct tape on his mouth)
Yami: Mmmmmmmpppphhhh!!!!
Same to you. Now, on with the story.
Chapter 14:
The next morning, we all headed out fairly early to make it in time for the celebration of Naboo's victory. The five of us were to ride in on a large float, hailed as heroes. I was excited and extremely nervous, almost to the point of feeling nauseaous aall at once by the time we had arrived. Qui-Gon had apparently sensed this, because he reached over and placed his hand lightly on my arm in a comforting gesture, and also-I'm sure-to try to help still my trembling. Our eyes met, Qui-Gon offering me a slight but genuine smile, and became just a little less uneasy about this whole thing.
"Relax, angel-love. It's a victory parade, not a death march," he replied jokingly, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I blushed. "Cheeky. I know that. It's just that..." I started.
"Just what?" Qui-Gon asked softly.
"I...it's just that..well...I'm just not used to having a lot of attention drawn to myself like this. I've always been completely ignored by all but a few people in the past, you know? I've always been just another faceless nobody in the crowds," I said, offering him a slight shrug. Then I gestured towards the huge crowds that had gathered as we all boarded the float. "But this...it's just a little bit unsettling to me, that's all."
"What about when you used to go up on stage at that one place and perform?" Casey pointed out.
I shook my head. "The crowds were never this large. Besides, that's all in the past now, anyway," I replied, a little sadly. At the guys' confused looks, I explained, "I used to do a few singing gigs back home. I never got paid anything, but just being able to lose myself in the music and forget just how much I hated my life was payment enough. I loved it."
"I'd love to hear you sing," Qui-Gon whispered.
I shrugged. "Maybe some other time, love."
He never got a chance to answer, for just then, the float started to move, and my anxiety rose once again. I glanced over at the others nervously. Casey and Obi-Wan stood together with their arms around each other. Anakin was half-way leaning over the edge with a goofy grin on his childish face as he waved to the crowds.
"Wow, this is so wizard!" Anakin said excitedly.
I just smiled faintly and shook my head at his antics. It struck me as being very hard to believe that someone so seemingly sweet and innocent would eventually turn into an evil, sadistic monster that would almost destroy the entire galaxy.
After a few more minutes of this, we reached the end of the parade route. The float finally came to a stop and Qui-Gon jumped down, followed by Obi-Wan and Casey, then Anakin. I hesitated for just a brief moment, then leapt down into Qui-Gon's waiting arms. He put me down gently, and then we made our way up the steps to take our places on the platform with the Queen.
Anakin and Amidala smiled at each other as the music stopped. Boss Nass and Jar Jar joined us on the platform, both of them waving to the crowds. Amidala and Boss Nass offered each other a slight bow, and then Governor Sio Bibble stepped forward and handed the Queen what looked like a glowing crystal ball. She took it and gave it to Boss Nass. The Gungan leader took it from her and held it up in the air for all to see.
"Peace!" he called out, and the crowds burst into loud cheers and applause.
I glanced over at Casey and grinned like an idiot as we gave each other a high-five when no one was looking. "We did it! We actually did it!" I whispered excitedly, relieved that this whole mess was finally over.
Or so we all thought.
To Be Continued....you all thought this was the end, didn't you? (cheeky grin) Not quite, there's more insanity to come for these two girls. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up tonight. I apologize if this was kind of short, but my muse wasn't really being very cooperative. (Sigh) Next chapter a secret is revealed that will put Layla's life in danger. Please R&R! No flames, please. Constructive criticism welcome, but mindless flames like 'this sucks!' will be ignored and ridiculed. Anyway, until next time, ja ne, minna-san!
(Ryou and Bakura's Princess)
Okay, here's the next part of this. Yes, I'm finally getting around to updating it.
Yami: You just won't quit will you?
No. (Puts duct tape on his mouth)
Yami: Mmmmmmmpppphhhh!!!!
Same to you. Now, on with the story.
Chapter 14:
The next morning, we all headed out fairly early to make it in time for the celebration of Naboo's victory. The five of us were to ride in on a large float, hailed as heroes. I was excited and extremely nervous, almost to the point of feeling nauseaous aall at once by the time we had arrived. Qui-Gon had apparently sensed this, because he reached over and placed his hand lightly on my arm in a comforting gesture, and also-I'm sure-to try to help still my trembling. Our eyes met, Qui-Gon offering me a slight but genuine smile, and became just a little less uneasy about this whole thing.
"Relax, angel-love. It's a victory parade, not a death march," he replied jokingly, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I blushed. "Cheeky. I know that. It's just that..." I started.
"Just what?" Qui-Gon asked softly.
"I...it's just that..well...I'm just not used to having a lot of attention drawn to myself like this. I've always been completely ignored by all but a few people in the past, you know? I've always been just another faceless nobody in the crowds," I said, offering him a slight shrug. Then I gestured towards the huge crowds that had gathered as we all boarded the float. "But this...it's just a little bit unsettling to me, that's all."
"What about when you used to go up on stage at that one place and perform?" Casey pointed out.
I shook my head. "The crowds were never this large. Besides, that's all in the past now, anyway," I replied, a little sadly. At the guys' confused looks, I explained, "I used to do a few singing gigs back home. I never got paid anything, but just being able to lose myself in the music and forget just how much I hated my life was payment enough. I loved it."
"I'd love to hear you sing," Qui-Gon whispered.
I shrugged. "Maybe some other time, love."
He never got a chance to answer, for just then, the float started to move, and my anxiety rose once again. I glanced over at the others nervously. Casey and Obi-Wan stood together with their arms around each other. Anakin was half-way leaning over the edge with a goofy grin on his childish face as he waved to the crowds.
"Wow, this is so wizard!" Anakin said excitedly.
I just smiled faintly and shook my head at his antics. It struck me as being very hard to believe that someone so seemingly sweet and innocent would eventually turn into an evil, sadistic monster that would almost destroy the entire galaxy.
After a few more minutes of this, we reached the end of the parade route. The float finally came to a stop and Qui-Gon jumped down, followed by Obi-Wan and Casey, then Anakin. I hesitated for just a brief moment, then leapt down into Qui-Gon's waiting arms. He put me down gently, and then we made our way up the steps to take our places on the platform with the Queen.
Anakin and Amidala smiled at each other as the music stopped. Boss Nass and Jar Jar joined us on the platform, both of them waving to the crowds. Amidala and Boss Nass offered each other a slight bow, and then Governor Sio Bibble stepped forward and handed the Queen what looked like a glowing crystal ball. She took it and gave it to Boss Nass. The Gungan leader took it from her and held it up in the air for all to see.
"Peace!" he called out, and the crowds burst into loud cheers and applause.
I glanced over at Casey and grinned like an idiot as we gave each other a high-five when no one was looking. "We did it! We actually did it!" I whispered excitedly, relieved that this whole mess was finally over.
Or so we all thought.
To Be Continued....you all thought this was the end, didn't you? (cheeky grin) Not quite, there's more insanity to come for these two girls. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up tonight. I apologize if this was kind of short, but my muse wasn't really being very cooperative. (Sigh) Next chapter a secret is revealed that will put Layla's life in danger. Please R&R! No flames, please. Constructive criticism welcome, but mindless flames like 'this sucks!' will be ignored and ridiculed. Anyway, until next time, ja ne, minna-san!
(Ryou and Bakura's Princess)