Chapter 6
Blank was seated with his back against a rather large boulder, whittling down a twig with a knife, when he saw the white flash in the sky.
Immediately wary, he leapt up, the twig forgotten though he still clutched the knife in his hand. He peered upward, but aside from occasional flashes, it was too far away for him to see. But the way the flashes were moving, he was sure it was something alive. Taking a deep breath, he cautiously lifted the flap of his blindfold, making sure he kept his gaze securely trained on the object in the sky.
Colors assaulted him at once, a myriad of swirling shapes a hues, more information than his brain could possibly handle but somehow, through focus, practice and sheer force of will, he managed to zero in on that speck, concentrating on seeing its essence, its identity.
With a gasp, he let the blindfold fall back down. 'Dragon!' his mind screamed. He knew he ought to go back to the palace for help, but what if the dragon was here for a purpose? What if it was trying to destroy something specific in the area and he was giving it time to do so? Shit.
'Well, I think if I start fighting a dragon, someone's bound to notice, right?'
He took a deep breath. 'Holy shit. I can't believe I'm even thinking of doing this.' Clambering on top of the boulder, he got a good throwing hold on his knife and hurled it in the direction of the dragon, as hard as he could. He didn't expect it to actually do any damage, only to get the monster's attention.
It worked. Within seconds, with a roar and a great flapping of leathery white wings, a magnificent shimmering white dragon swooped down to land in front of him. To Blank's surprise, he saw someone sitting astride its neck. Someone who was currently sliding off the back of his mount and striding over to him, looking furious.
"What the Hell were you doing?!" screamed the man Blank now recognized as Zidane's brother Kuja. "What on Gaia did you do that for?!"
Blank held up his hands in a pacifying gesture. "Hey, sorry. I saw a dragon and I just thought... I mean, I assumed he was attacking-"
"That's the problem with all of you people," Kuja interrupted, ranting. "You think just because you see a dragon, it means they're automatically there to kill everyone and burn all your dwellings to the ground! I'll have you know that most dragons are perfectly content to spend most of their time just lounging around in their chosen lair, and they could care less about the lives of us mortals! They don't just attack places for the sake of killing, you moronic, disgusting-"
"Whoa, whoa, hold on now," Blank said, honestly taken aback. "It was an honest mistake, okay? Really, I apologize. I do. I didn't know. Now I know, okay? So I won't do it again."
Kuja huffed and turned on his heel. "Come Zaruyon," he said, addressing the dragon, "let us go back to the corral." He began to march stiffly away, the dragon ambling after him.
"Hey, wait," said Blank, hurrying to catch up to him and then matching his stride. "You're Kuja, right? Zidane's brother?"
Kuja's expression suddenly changed from sullen fury to an open and surprisingly vulnerable expression, though Blank could see the anger still lurking somewhere in the back of his mind, waiting to resurface. "Do I know you?" Kuja asked.
"I don't think we've been formally introduced," said Blank. He stuck out his hand. "I'm Blank. I'm a childhood friend of Zidane's. I'm one of the Tantalus. I was on the ship you came in on, remember?"
Kuja eyed the hand warily, his frown an uncomfortable omen forewarning the return of his anger. "I don't know if I want to associate with someone who throws knives at dragons."
"Aw, come on. It wasn't that big a deal." Blank lowered his hand, but continued to walk alongside Kuja. "Actually, I was really interested in meeting you. I've heard a lot about you from Zidane, and you seem really fascinating."
This time the expression Kuja turned on Blank was one of incredulity. "You wanted to meet me?" he repeated.
"Sure," said Blank. "I was actually hoping we might become friends."
In a second, the vulnerable expression was back, this time mixed with undiluted surprise. Blank was starting to see what Zidane had meant about Kuja not being accustomed to human emotions and relationships.
"Friends," the other man said softly, apparently to himself, no longer looking at Blank.
He said nothing more until they reached the corral, where the white dragon flexed the muscles of his haunches and hopped over the fence in a curiously inelegant awkward little leap. The great white beast lumbered over to the center of the pasture and flopped down, apparently to take a nap.
"Aren't you worried it's going to fly away?" Blank asked.
Kuja looked at him coldly. "He could have gotten away anytime he chose before this. The pitiful system that the Stable Master rigged up to contain him was frankly laughable. He's been staying here so far of his own volition, and he will continue to do so as long as it suits him."
Duly chastised, Blank followed after Kuja as the other man began walking back towards the palace. "So, uh... how come you know so much about dragons?" he asked, not wanting to stop talking with Kuja but slightly desperate for a topic.
"I am a dragon-bond," said Kuja quietly. "It's rare among mortals, but I happen to have the gift. I can speak with them, as they speak to each other. I have always gotten along well with dragons."
"Oh," said Blank. He saw where Kuja was headed and stepped in front of him; the man had stayed locked in his room practically the entire voyage over here, and Blank would be damned if he was going to let him do it again now.
"Hey," he said eagerly, "Why don't you and I sit outside somewhere? You can tell me more about yourself. I really would like to get to know you."
Kuja looked hesitant for a moment, but then...
"Very well," he said. "Lead the way. I'm afraid I am not too familiar with the areas around the castle."
Blank grinned, sidling up to Kuja and throwing a companionable arm around his shoulders. "Hey, you just leave everything to me."
Oh God, that was hideous. Take me back.
or
Oh God, that was hideous. Let me complain to the author.