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Chapter V: Attic of Despair
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"Why'd you dye your hair?" Rikya asked restlessly as we walked down the long aisle leading towards the kingdom gates. We would've taken the lift down the waterway, but somebody was afraid of getting his expensive cloak wet. What a pre-madonna!
"What do you care?" I asked, stretching my arms towards the darkening sky. Gray clouds drifted amongst themselves, conjoining to form a heavy rain cloud and blocking the blazing sun. It was definitely going to be raining soon, so it wouldn't have mattered if we took the lift or not. Besides, what's the point of a cloak if it's not going to be sheltering you from the rain or snow? Pretty pointless if you ask me.
"Your hair was the most lovely shade of blond before is all. Orange is so unbecoming," he scoffed, brushing a few long braids away with just the nod of his head. So many braids . . . how could he stand it?
"Yeah? Well so is black," I replied lamely, eyes fixated with his hair. "Hey, do you braid your hair every morning or does it play the role of dreads?" I asked, flicking a tight, thin one with my pointer finger.
"I braid them once a month; twice if it gets knotted and raggedy to a point where I can no longer bare it," he answered, fingering one of his waist-length braids and the black bead holding the end together.
"Ooh, when did you become so feminine and prim?" I teased, forgetting for a second that this was a man who did not take teasing well. He could be so uptight about the smallest things sometimes, I soon realized. What happened to the scrubby Rikya that we all knew and hated?
"Gothic fashion has always played a major role in my attires. Yet what of you, Miss Orange? When did clothing not become a necessity?" He asked casually, trailing a long, pale finger down the line of my stomach. I swatted it away and shrugged, brushing a few strands of hair out of my eyes.
"Clothing gets in the way of action," I smiled, then frowned to see a surprised brow of his raise. "You pervert! I meant battles and fighting, gees . . . "
"Whatever you say," he smirked, waltzing with dignity as his velvet cloak billowed behind him. We looked like super-heroes marching up to the gates of Bevelle's luxurious castle, guards saluting us (well, maybe just me) as we passed. If Yunie were here, they'd be on their knees bowing like slobbery villagers and showering her with gifts, but because I've only been her little helper, I got the salute. Ah well.
A defender in red and orange robes stopped us at the door, bowing before me, then turning to Rikya crossly. "What business do you have here?" He asked directly, standing straight and tall like a menacing fiend trying to defend his home, puffing out his chest in order to scare away offenders. And right when I thought this day couldn't get any cornier . . .
Rikya was about to say something rather nasty before I jumped in, hopping between the two towering men. "We're here to see Paine and Baralai; they around?" I asked, beaming with an angelic innocence.
He eyed Rikya for another moment or so (Rikya rolling his eyes with exasperation), then turned to me and bowed low with indubitable respect. "My apologies, but they're not within Bevelle's perimeters today. Master Baralai informed us that they were to be visiting in Guadosalam for the weekend, holding a meeting with the leader of the Youth League faction," he explained as I rubbed my chin with thumb and pointer finger. Hmm . . . what was Nooj doing in Guado—oh, duh! Leblanc! I thought, snapping my fingers randomly. The two men stared down at me quizzically, probably wondering if I had fallen off a chocobo recently.
"Oh, heh-heh, um, thank you very much! We'll be on our way, then," I nodded up to the Bevelle defender, taking my leave with my head held high. Rikya was left to catch up and follow, grabbing at my shoulder in confusion.
"Where are we going now?" He asked warily, waving his cloak purposely against the face of a guard and acting as if the wind had manipulated it.
"Where else? Guadosalam! We could use the exercise," I replied, swinging my arms playfully from side to side.
"You mean we're walking there? That's through the Thunder Plains, though! I'd easily get my cloak mussed and wet!" He exclaimed, voice shrill as if to say I were mad.
That's exactly why we're cutting through there, he-he. "Oh, relax, it's just a measly cloak," I pointed out, waving away the conversation as I skipped ahead down the path, nodding towards the bowing guardsmen on my way. Payback's a bitch, I mentally cackled, noting on how he'd felt me up earlier on the ship.
He slumped his shoulders as he dragged his feet from behind me, muttering offensive words to himself under his breath. Surprising how he hadn't suggested just boarding the airship and letting me be on my way, but he followed nonetheless as I skipped ahead towards the Macalania Woods. As I skipped, I thought of memories with a sad smile, pace fading into a steady walk after moments passed.
Memories, I've found, are bittersweet . . . may they be wistful or joyous, you'll still feel a faint sting underlying whatever tough exterior you've created to block out those emotions. The Macalania Woods were certainly no exception, and while they were faded and no longer glowing, the memories built there were. I just hoped that I could travel past this memory lane and be on my way, without any pyreflies to reenact my one big mistake.
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The woods hadn't disappeared, contrary to popular belief two years ago. Matter cannot simply vanish into thin air, yet it was still different. It might as well have disappeared, though, because the trees no longer illuminated their magical glow. The leaves no longer embodied the soul of a sparkling free spirit and the glimmering path that cut across and above the woods was no longer there. The Macalania Woods had lost its magic that had attracted so many and homed the bodies and souls of the Guado for some time two years ago. Even fiends no longer treaded the walkways through the woods; it was as dead and soulless as a vacant city.
Actually, I was surprised that no group of people hadn't spied this piece of land and thought to build a town or machina city out of it yet, but I guess even I wouldn't want to live here. With the glow of the trees, the memories created here too faded. It felt eerie to walk among its dead dirt, and I wanted nothing more but to be rid of this place.
"I smell death; the scent of corpses and roses," Rikya wondered aloud, fingering the crisp leaves of the trees that hung from low branches as we passed.
"It's just the woods," I barely whispered, voice caught in my throat. The trees weren't dead, and they weren't holding onto life by a thread, but the woods still harbored a shallow glimpse of life, lingering about its roots. It smelt of a cemetery, dull and sweet with a hint of light, but it was just a hint. Darkness swallowed each crèmes of the trees' bark, every pinch of dirt that soiled the pathway. It felt so lonely, and I wanted somebody to hold me right then and there.
Then I looked up at the disgruntled Rikya, who was probably a head and a half or two taller than I was. If he held me in those thick tree-branches for arms, all I'd feel was a cold quietness, unlike the heat that radiated from Gippal whenever our bodies would merely touch. I wanted Gippal to hold me right then, to be comforted by his adoring flames of desire. I wished that I'd have never broken up with him in those woods four years ago, because if I hadn't, we'd probably still be together at that very moment in time and I wouldn't feel afraid or lonely anymore.
But regretting was futile. I would see him soon and forsaking past memories was a coward's way out of confrontation with the present. I sped ahead of Rikya, keeping a steady pace for I was eager to leave that forest of despair.
"Mind?" Rikya sighed, referring to my hasty state as we neared the woods exit. I had had it up to here with him! Maybe it was my paranoia of the Macalania Woods but something drove me to insanity once his words wrung inside my head, echoing like the steady beat of an annoying drum.
"Why did you come back?" I demanded, spinning around on my heel to confront him. He stopped abruptly; appearing confused with the scene I was making. Humph, what a big surprise, Rikya was confused!
"What do you mean? Where have I gone before for me to return to?" He asked, sneering down at my horrendous state. I jabbed my index finger in his face, squinting my eyes to express my utmost infuriation with him.
"You! What's wrong with you? You disappear for five years without so much as a howdy, yet pop back up and start feeling me up like messing with my life is a game? Well I'll tell you what Mr. Big Shot, if you so much as lay a finger on me or Gippal, I'll make sure that that precious cloak of yours is the last thing you see before departing to the Farplane! Do I make myself clear?" I threatened, voice shrill with sincerity. I swept my hand away quickly before he could react and spun around once more, stomping off towards the Thunder Plains as my fists quivered with fury. I was so mad that I didn't sense him coming, storming up from behind me.
Rikya violently grabbed at my left wrist and swung me around with ease, throwing me against the tough bark of a black, withered tree. He yanked both of my wrists above the hairs on my head; face too close for comfort as I could feel the first hint of heat rise from beneath him for the very first time. Flames licked and flickered along the edges of his steel blue eyes and I could tell that maybe, just maybe, I had struck a nerve. Me and my big mouth.
"Fucking you would be too easy," he hissed, a speck of his spit landing on my cheek, "and raping you would lose my position as an Al Bhed with an actual name. I've always enjoyed misery and pain, but impaling it upon you is like a fucking orgasm in itself. You know why I've decided to show my face again, Hero? I'm here for a little request," he tightened his grip around my wrists as they grew numb, bruising them, most likely, and squeezing my veins until they felt like bursting. His voice lowered dramatically, and for the first time in years, I could see Rikya's true form arise from the ashes like a filament phoenix. I puffed out my chest, accidentally brushing my hard nipples against his own since he came down to level with me, bent over my puzzled face for our raw, burning eyes to meet. Hmm, nice to know I was excited about something.
"What's that?" I squeezed out my displeased words as my lips pursed with disgust.
"You know, you've just made this all too simple," he snickered, damp forehead resting upon my own as he pinched a hard nipple of mine through the material covering it. I gasped, loins tightening below for this malicious seducer. "Today, my only intentions were to take back what was mine: a sphere long lost. I planned on making this arrangement sometime soon considering on if we would have the chance to be alone or not, but since your short fuse is so persistent, I figure . . . yes, you'd be perfect for the job," he rambled, hot breath steaming against my flushed face. I jerked my head away as far as possible while struggling for him to let slack of his grip on my wrists, his legs tightening around my own.
"What's your point?" I managed to hiss out, left cheek scraping against the bark of the rough, black tree. He rolled the very erect nipple between finger and thumb, a painful pleasure catching a surprised moan from my throat.
"I've lost someone very important to me, and you're going to help me find her," he settled his request . . . well, more demand, brushing his lips against my right cheek lightly. He revolted me, but his words sprung a peculiar emotion from deep within. Someone important to him, and he wanted me to help him find her? Has Rikya found love? No, it couldn't be that, otherwise he wouldn't have acted like such a pig towards me, feeling me up and undressing me with his eyes. If somebody were truly in love, they wouldn't need any other eye candy to settle their lust, or so I've always thought.
"And why, exactly, do you think I'd help you of all people?" I asked, voice low and near growling.
"Because, precious, you're-"and those were the last words from Rikya before his steel blue eyes lulled to the back of his head and his body dropped to the moist dirt, slick, sweaty hands falling away from my wrists and nipple, straining against the fabric. I looked up to see a steaming Paine, glaring down at my sadistic companion in silent fury while her hands were clasped tight around the handle of a bamboo sword. I was so caught up in my own anger that I hadn't even noticed her approach and bop him swiftly but with strength on his head.
Her crimson eyes slipped from the unconscious Rikya to my stilled state, hands scratching along the rigid bark of the tree to my tender thighs. Before I could explain, she spoke, "Rikku, who was that? What are you doing here? Are you alright?" She dropped her bamboo stick on the ground away from Rikya, stepping over his black figure to comfort whatever damage he may have done to me.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Ease on the questions, all right? That's Rikya, I'm here to see Baralai and you, and yes, I'm fine. He's just a dick, that's all," I sneered, kicking his still leg without any passion or strength, turning back to Paine with cheerful eyes. I didn't want to include her on my list of problems that day, and explaining to Paine that I was being harassed by an industrial prick who wanted me to join his league of vampires (or whatever) was definitely not something she needed to carry the burden of. She probably wouldn't be able to do anything about him, anyway, and what's my problem is my problem. I still felt breathless, but I guess I can recover more quickly than I had ever thought.
"Seemed more like he was about to rape you. Who is this guy?" She asked, hand wavering about the air above Rikya.
"He's, uh, an old Al Bhed . . . friend. Yep, haven't seen him in five years or so; he must've been ecstatic to see me or something," I flashed her a forced smile and stepped around Rikya's limp body, bending over to pick up the thick bamboo stick. "Ooh, what's this? What happened to your big manly sword, Paine?" I poked her with the makeshift sword, attempting to change the subject from my offender.
Paine, as usual, saw right through my plastered on exterior and crossed her arms across her chest, giving me a skeptical, 'no-bull' stare. "Rikku, I haven't seen you for over a year and this is how you greet me?" She sighed, closing her eyes as her gloved hands fluttered to her temples. She too still wore the exact same outfit as the day we had all left our separate ways . . . except for the bamboo stick. "Look, I only came out here as a getaway from the meeting Baralai is attending, so you're damned lucky that I stumbled upon you and this 'friend' rubbing up against a tree. I know you're lying to me, Rikku, but I can wait for you to give me an explanation," she retaliated, grabbing her 'sword' away out of my grip as she walked away from the shadowy scene and back towards the Thunder Plains. Something was . . . off. Why had she come all the way out here just to get away from some boring meeting? I was grateful that she had torn Rikya away from me (even if he was finally getting to an explanation for his actions, or so I assumed), but why was she all the way out here?
"That seems like a pretty long walk you've just taken," I wondered aloud peculiarly, my voice laden with sufficed curiosity. That made her stop in her tracks. I continued, grabbing at any word that might strike a nerve, thus luring her towards my bait, "What's up, Paine? I'll tell you my problems if you tell me yours. I'm sorry for this abrupt meeting after all this time, but I need to talk with you, and seeing Yunie and Tidus again would be nice." I suspected that before, she was about to walk away from me again without so much as a good-bye, and my prediction had been correct. She hadn't expected me to follow; leaving me to tend to an unconscious foe, so I was happy to see her turn around to face me once more. Her expression, as usual, was emotionless. It was an act, and I knew that she could be happy if she wanted to, but that dead mask she put on was one of her more popular traits that I think she'll probably never grow out of or abandon.
She spoke, but her words were dry with haste. "Bring your friend. Meet me at the Mansion of Past Maesters; I'll be waiting," she instructed me, turning around on her heal again to face the rain and lightening that was the Thunder Plains. But wait . . . Mansion of Past Maesters?
"Wait, Paine! What's this mansion business? Where's that?" I asked, voice rising for her image was fading off into the murky distance.
She didn't bother stopping to shout her reply, "Where else? Leblanc and Seymour's old place!" With that her figure faded alike the Macalania Woods, along with its memories, leaving me to scratch my head slouched over Rikya's now groaning form.
Mansion of Past Maesters . . . but wait; wasn't Leblanc living there? Hmm . . . wait, oh yeah! Tremoll! Although my memory's a little fuzzy, he became the maester or whatever of Guadosalam, right? What about Leblanc, then? Why are they holding a meeting in Guadosalam if Leblanc or Nooj doesn't even live there? Maybe it was Yunie's doing? My thoughts buzzed around my head like the pesky pyreflies floating amongst the woods' grave, never stopping to take a rest or never dying like a familiar, hybrid soul.
Rikya rubbed the back of his sore head tentatively and squinted cool, blue eyes at me, puzzlement filling his forlorn face. Humph, well, at least I wouldn't have to drag him to Guadosalam all by myself, or I hoped not. He towered over me like an advanced machina, looming like a dead, black tree. Putting his weight on my shoulder would've been a real pain. Then again, I could've always just abandoned him there lying on the ground, confused on what had just smacked him on the back of his pretty head, but that wouldn't have solved anything . . . as usual. I can't say I wasn't tempted, though, but I helped him stand and 'accidentally' flicked the back of his aching head a few dozen times before I was satisfied. When he was feeling better, he would give me the down low on what he had been trying to spout out from earlier, or curiosity wouldn't be the only mind-number that killed the cat.
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He hadn't spoken a word to me as he dragged his feet along the wet, slick earth of the Thunder Plains. It was surprising as well, since he didn't even vocalize his complaints about his outfit being sloshed and dirtied, his cloak dragging along in the mucky mud like a limp, sad rug ready to be stepped on again. Pity, I didn't think Paine had hit him that hard, but at least I didn't have to help him walk. Who knows, if I were lucky, he'd have gotten a concussion.
The Thunder Plains was still a hefty piece of land to cover, and even though it was still as rainy and cold as an ogre's black heart, it was bearable and we arrived at Guadosalam in one piece. I should've sent him back to the ship, but when I suggested that option to him, he refused like a stubborn child. You'd think his pride and dignity had been tossed and torn, but he still trudged through the sludge like every other creature in Spira, rain or shine or healthy or injured. Humph, what an ego that must've been to harness.
They planned on building a force field around the Thunder Plains; like a giant dome, making these lands far simpler to tread on and travel across. It was as if they were taking the fun out of traveling, for the dangers that might ensure and the weather that befalls ahead! Yet of course, the Al Bhed were in on this plan for upgrading the Thunder Plains a step further, creating a utopian paradise for people like me wanting to walk about on foot in peace. Then again, hovers and chocobos were being ranched just about everywhere nowadays! The days of the Pilgrimages have passed . . . now it was onto a new and brighter generation, filled with high-tech machina and the city that never sleeps! I guess you could say my anticipation wasn't as chock full of energy as others, and I'm usually the most optimistic, energetic one of the group. I just wanted my life back, whatever that had been, but my journey was days, maybe even weeks ahead. Reaching its purpose could take a lot longer than I had first prophesized, and I'd have a lot more encounters to stall my progress in the future.
Gippal was the leader for each upgrade assignment. He had moved onto bigger and better things since the days of digging on the Bikanel Island and the defeat of Vegnagun, but they no longer included the labor of interviewing those with high, false hopes. He worked alongside Pops; somebody who considered Gippal to be the son he never had (much to Brother's tweaked discretion). They made a good team when it came to completing work and keeping everybody's schedule in check, but I felt that they were taking advantage of Spira's welcoming arms to the Al Bhed as of late years. I'm usually the one to root for change when it came to machina, but . . . maybe I was finally maturing. That sucks, too, because who wants to mature at the age of nineteen?
Yet Yunie's presence assured me that I had not fully matured yet, because I dropped my achy, disgruntled 'sidekick' and leapt into her arms, embracing a warm hug once Rikya and I had traveled through the depressing paths of the Thunder Plains without a single random encounter of a fiend.
"Yunie!" I shouted gleefully, squeezing her tight against me. "I can't believe I haven't seen you in so long!" A lone, warm tear found its way to the ducts in my eyes, trickling down my cheek as I fluttered my eyes closed and swallowed the moment whole. It tasted sweet like sugarcanes, a spice I hadn't licked in so long. I didn't even care to notice the many of Guado eyes clashing stares our way, and hadn't realized Tidus standing before Yunie and me before his words shattered the heart-warming moment encasing us.
"Well if it isn't the young Al Bhed girl here to grace us with her presence," he spoke with forgotten tongue-in-cheek humor powdering over his words. I quickly slipped away from Yunie's willing embrace and jumped at Tidus, ringing his neck with my arms.
"I missed you, too," I replied with laughter bubbling up my throat, wiping a warm tear against the fine cloth of his white hood. He didn't inflict the moment with words already unsaid, only wrapped strong arms around me and patted my bare back with care. I could now see why Yunie had cherished him so, but those protective arms were nothing compared to . . . no, not now, I wasn't going to think about him yet.
"Dare I interrupt this warm, fuzzy moment?" Paine strutted down the humid path, using her bamboo stick as a casual cane. I peeked over Tidus' puffed shoulder and sneered with my brows. I would've hugged her as well, but it just seemed a tad . . . inappropriate. I don't know how, really, because she was a missed friend as well, but Paine's true self never stirred from its seemingly eternal slumber. She could laugh at times, but that cool expression guarding her soul with a rampant, steel shield warned me that retracing past, fond steps with her wouldn't be at all too simple.
I pulled away from Tidus and smiled foolishly her way, scratching another lone tear away from my cheekbone with a hasty finger. Tidus glanced her way as well and nodded, looking back to his lover Yunie and reconciling, "I just remembered—I have to go back to the meeting. They'll blow a fuse if I'm gone for too long." He jogged up the dirt pathway and added over his shoulder, "Hey, we'll talk some other time, 'kay?" Referring to me. I nodded to nobody in particular and watched as his golden body disappeared from over the sloped hill, noting on how many resemblance's he and Gippal shared.
"Coming?" Paine cocked her head towards Yunie and me, gesturing for us to follow her lead. That reminded me . . . how had Paine reached Guadosalam before me in record timing? I mean, sure, I had some extra luggage to weigh me down, but she had to have jogged to make it to Yunie and Tidus to inform them of my visit, right?
We followed her relentless, all the while Yunie gushed about how glad she was to see me again and why I had never dropped by before. I practically just smiled and nodded throughout her entire warm greeting as reply, allowing her to make do with her welcoming first. Paine, on the other hand, seemed very . . . cool. As cool and casual as I'd ever seen her! What had happened while I was gone to help her adept to a serpent-like flow of calm and attitude? It was unsettling, to say the least.
As we were walking through the main entrance, Guado servants bowing subtly along the way, I was made aware of 'the strapping young man in black', still lying on the cool earth of Guadosalam's entrance. How pitiful; he just laid there limp! I thought he was conscious before, but I guess Paine really had hit him with a stunning blow, contrary to my previous thoughts. Either that, or when I had dropped him carelessly, it brought his throbbing headache back and blood flowing again . . . oops. Oh well. I told the servants to leave him be, said with a bittersweet tongue, but they went to inspect him anyway, disregarding my orders. He needed urgent medical assistance so they summoned the royal healer pronto after surveying his severe head injury. Props to Paine was what I wanted to congratulate, but who needed the Guado to think of me as a heartless wench, anyway? What they didn't know couldn't hurt them.
We entered the dining room where I had first caught glimpse of Seymour. Seymour had been attractive . . . in this goofy-haired, girly-sounding villain sort of way, but he was the real heartless bastard whom I'd still never forgive, even after four years passed. Hell, it'd be a millennia before I would even consider forgiving that pompous ass. Remembering those awful memories brought a bad taste in my throat, and I tried to swallow down the fictional bile before recalling that Paine had said something to me.
"Come again?" I asked with a toothy smile, trying to pass off my startled state with an apple from a fruit dish on a long, white robed table, flicking it up in the air and catching it with my other free hand. Feeling the cold skin of that fresh apple also reminded me of how hungry I actually was, so I decided to take a hearty bite out of the dull red, juicy fruit, remembering to be attentive to Paine's words this time around.
"I said, now are you comfortable telling us of who that man was?" Paine replied in an aggravated tone, leaning her weight on the strong bamboo of the stick. It caught my eye again, glistening against my pupil. Again, where was her he-man sword?
"First, you tell me why you've got that weird stick at your belt now instead of your sword," I wagered, spitting flecks of the apple's meat out of my mouth by unmannered accident. One landed on the toe of Yunie's boot, but I don't think she noticed. She was too preoccupied with me still, even if I wasn't saying anything of actual importance.
Paine sighed her typical why me sigh and wiggled the bamboo stick from beneath her. "It's called a defense sword; not 'weird stick', woven with wicker and bamboo. I decided to sheath my old sword in place of this one at Baralai's suggestion. This is less violent and intimidating, since intimidation against foes won't be necessary as long as I reside in Bevelle. Now, you," Paine prompted, sparing a sideways glance towards Yuna and back to my innocent stature. I raised eyebrows at that. Paine taking suggestions from a man, replacing her combat sword for a guard one? Now I've heard everything.
But I didn't share my thoughts with the others; feeling it would stir more tired exasperation with Paine, and explained my own situation. I told them that Rikya was an old friend of mine who had boarded the Celsius to retrieve a treasure sphere of his, and that he wanted to accompany me on my meeting to Bevelle. I practically left out everything else and could tell that Paine had noticed. She didn't comment on my bland explanation; probably thinking that she could question the more intimate bits in later private conversations, but nodded her acknowledgement and allowed Yunie to reply first. I guess she didn't want Yunie to worry, either.
"Rikku, I'm so glad you're okay," she expressed, stepping forward to hold a reluctant hand of mine. "So that's why you were on the ship, right?"
"Um . . . what?" I asked hesitantly.
"I can't believe Gippal tried to rape you! He seemed like such a gentleman, despite his rough surface . . . he didn't hurt you, did he?" Yunie asked, tone thick with worry as she clutched at my hand in a more desperate grasp.
"Word travels fast," Paine complied flatly after seeing my befuddled state.
"Um, heh-heh, I'm fine, really! Nothing I can't handle; we've dealt with scarier fiends in the past, right?" I said, tense with anxiousness. I explained to them what had happened last night with the ordeal, though not in great detail. I didn't want to have to worry Yunie, really I didn't, so I said nothing more to Yunie's skeptical eyes. Skidding over the uncomfortable atmosphere of the room with a different subject, I prodded, "So," I laid full attention on Yunie, allowing my hand to fall out of her own slick one. "Are you and Tidus gonna get hitched, or are ya gonna get hitched?" I nudged her inwardly, walking between my two wary allies.
She blushed at that, a pale hand of hers sliding up to the full, pearly pink lips of her upturned mouth. I could tell that she wanted to further the discussion on Gippal's actions, but could feel that it was awkward for me to even explain. I've always been grateful for Yunie's sentimental consideration. "Well . . ."
Her words were cut off by a commotion in the fancy foyer. Thank you, I sighed deep within, fully understanding her intentions of wanting to talk more of Gippal. Talking about my would-be boyfriend was pretty tiring, and I didn't want to burden them with my problems . . . as usual.
The door to the bright, white dining room was pushed open slowly—the oaken door was rather heavy—and a platinum blond head peaked its way through.
"Sorry I'm late; these dumb-asses couldn't work out the kinks on the electricity tower for some sector of . . ." his eyes rolled up suddenly, head nodding up with them to catch a full view of the three of us, gaping at him in shock as he dropped his jaw. I had to be the most embarrassed of the three; a haughty heat rising towards the surface of my face, bruising it in burgundy. I didn't know why I was blushing; he hadn't said anything to me, but seeing him again brought back . . . it didn't matter what it brought back, because I then realized why he had dropped his jaw so abruptly. His eyes fell upon me before anyone else—must've been the hair—lapping up every bit of my startled pose, until he caught himself quickly and snapped it shut.
"What are you doing here!" We both said in unison, pointing an accusing finger at one another in disbelief. Our eyes rounded wide like a chocobo caught in hover-headlights, unsure of what to say to another after the trials we had just endured. I could hear Paine chuckle from behind me; probably rolling her eyes as well. I knew she knew something! But . . . um, what?
"I forgot to tell you, Rikku. Baralai, Nooj, Tidus, and Gippal were to attend a meeting together today to discuss their future plans for Spira. But, since you were so slow in arriving here and hasty to share with us a brief explanation of the word-about, it must've slipped my mind," Paine informed rather bluntly. There was no amusement in her words, no tilt of sarcasm to emphasize any of her syllables, only the plain and simple truth. I had a feeling that she knew of what Gippal had committed the other day, which would explain why she had no comment after my own explanation, so I guess she felt sort of guilty for not warning me. But . . . it was okay. I wanted to see him again, anyway, and this was the easier way about . . . I supposed.
I relaxed a bit, the pang between my shoulder blades easing after realizing that I had much more to discuss and there was no time in my future contemplation's for finger-pointing. I guess I was maturing, after all! Gippal noticed how I had calmed; allowing my arm to fall limp to my side, and he slowly followed my lead as well. Skepticism leaped about the soles of his eyes. It was obvious what he was thinking: Is this a set-up?
"Um," he murmured, scratching the back of his bright, sunny head in astonishment, "where's, uh, Nooj and Baralai, Dr. P.?" He placed his full attention on Paine, deliberately trying to ignore me.
"The party's in the conference room," Paine replied smoothly, glancing at me under Gippal's radar as she paced past the three of us, silent as ghosts. "Come, Rikku. I'll show you Yuna's new home. Yuna, show Gippal to the ballroom . . . please," she ordered, hesitating over the last word. She hardly ever said please, which was why we hardly protested.
"Who died and crowned you queen," I muttered, pretending to be preoccupied with the beige ribbons on my arms as I passed Gippal, placing the uneaten ruby red apple on the table's ledge. The tension between us was so thick you could've cut it with a dull, Hypello knife. I concentrated so hard on fingering my ribbons, trying to remain casual as my eyes teetered along the material, that my body brushed Gippal's shoulder and waist and smacked right into Paine's back. As Paine growled my name in infuriation, my body seemed to respond to Gippal's and ignored the numbing pain after making contact with Paine's own stiffened one. It was static energy, brisling along my own arms and waist in reaction with my past lover's. I wonder if Yunie had ever felt this intimate energy with Tidus . . .
Gippal moved on though, snorting arrogantly as he followed Yuna through the open passageway through the dungeon area. Apparently, there had been many more rooms uncovered after Tromell's reign in the palace. "Hey Summoner, how's it goin'?" I could hear Gippal greet Yunie as their steps faded away into the depths of the shadowed corridors.
I sighed without intention; Paine eyeing me precariously as she raised a curious brow. I snapped my mouth shut quickly and walked past her through the open doorway, expecting her to follow. "So, uh, where's Yunie's place now?" I asked, swinging my thin, muscular arms freely; still tingling from contact with Gippal.
Paine laid down the blow and I cringed in preparation for it. "Rikku: out with it," she demanded, refusing to flex a muscle as she stood her ground. I halted and sighed again. This was going to be a long night.
oooooooooooooooooooo
Yunie's new place was just off of the Farplane, a small accommodations sandwiched between other equally eerie houses. If Guadosalam was anything, it was eerie. They really had expanded the city since Tromell's rule; I should know, the Al Bhed helped along with their upgrade as well as other places. The paths were strung high throughout the city; a dirt pathway that wound up and around the residences like an upward spiral. They even expanded the shops and houses outward and down the current streets of a past Moonflow's forest. Well, at least you didn't have to endanger yourself with a longer travel through the Moonflow, that was for sure.
Yunie's pad was humble yet advanced; it had a touch of class but held electronic devices and technology as well. I was impressed, actually. It was a huge upgrade from her childhood home in Besaid, the only place that has refused to deal with the Al Bhed's befuddling machina and computers. Paine had me sit on an overstuffed couch in the living room, just off of the kitchen where she was offering me a drink. After I declined her offer, she sat across from me on a stiff rocking chair, hands strumming on the wooden armrest as she awaited my first words. I kicked my feet atop the coffee table and eyed her suspiciously.
After I refused to talk, she made the first move. "Question for a question. What we say here stays here, fair enough?" she wagered as she furrowed her brows at my stubborn self.
"Fair," I nodded, continuing after hesitating for a moment, "are you and Baralai fighting?" I could tell she wasn't going to appreciate my bluntness, but it was a question, right?
She cleared her throat. Wow, was she actually going to be honest with me for once? "We're not at our prime. Who, in truth, was that man accompanying you? He had you pressed against a tree, Rikku, I knew for a fact that he wasn't a friend of yours."
"He's a childhood enemy. He boarded the ship, wanting some sphere back; that I didn't lie about. What are you and Baralai fighting about?" It was going to be a standoff, I could tell. Both of our faces were straight and unmoved. I was surprised with myself, in fact, because I had not giggled or joked once so far.
Paine, expectantly, hesitated, but she was aiming for subtle truth. I'd have to be more specific in the future. "He suspects Nooj and I are having an affair. Was that Rikya guy threatening you?" I widened my eyes a bit, but let no emotion cross my face.
"Um, no, well sort of . . . he wanted me to help him find someone. Are you having an affair with Nooj?" My fists clenched with anticipation. Paine really was taking her time on answering this one; her tension was apparent. Maybe I shouldn't have pressed . . .
Finally, she closed her eyes with light lids and replied, "It's not as simple as you would think. Leblanc and he had a fight in Luca, so he came here to live with Yuna and Tidus last month. Tidus and he are the best of friends now, so he finds it difficult to return to her. But a few days ago . . . never mind that. Are you still in love with Gippal?"
I would have pursued the topic of Nooj, but Paine knew exactly how to distract me. I sat there, still as a Ronso statue, as I looked off to a nonexistent distance, hoping that her peering eyes would stray away. I found it quaint that she used the word 'still' in question, but I guess it was obvious two years ago of who I pined for.
I finally replied, after what seemed a tense hour in my sweating head, but it wasn't what Paine had probably expected. "Paine . . . I had this really weird dream this morning. I was wondering if you could help clarify it for me . . . "
I couldn't tell what her reaction was since my eyes had fallen to my lap where nervous fingers twiddled, but she didn't press her question again. Maybe she could tell that this dream would lead up to my answer.
"I can try," she replied, voice baring a certain sympathy. I told her of my dream, down to the last toothless detail, and her reaction was . . . different than how most would react, to say the least. It was difficult for me to explain, especially after her question that strung a nerve, but I managed to meet her cool eyes with stride. She looked thoughtful instead of a confused open wound like how I felt, and she sat there a moment, mentally contemplating what her reply would be.
"Well," she prompted, "Bevelle has a philosophy on particular events in dreams we have, so I'll trust their teachings and say this: when you are pursued by a monster, it foretells bad omens, such as you'll meet with many sorrows and worries soon. Teeth falling out denote death, and that you'll meet with much grief soon as well. As for the rest . . . I can only recall by memory. They all denote bad omens, such as grief, distress, death, and so forth. This includes shadows, seeing yourself in a mirror, witnessing yourself being married, and an unknown man. But . . . attic follows under different criteria. You have certain hopes that will not materialize through lack of solid basis and that you will solve all of your problems through careful reasoning."
My jaw dropped and I could feel the skin around my eyes tighten as they were widening; I could feel my unease draining away as confusion butted in. How did she know all of that? "Um, Paine? How do you know so much about dreams?" I asked, furrowing my brows as my fingers continued to absently twiddle.
She smiled slightly, "I'm studying philosophical dreams and how to interpret them in Bevelle. Baralai churned my interest . . . "her smile faded at speaking her lover's name. I knew I had yet to answer her pervious question, but I was just dying to know!
"Paine, do you love Baralai?" I asked softly, hoping not to sound too sharp or nosey.
She sighed, turning away from me to stare off into oblivion. "It's . . . complicated," she sighed, turning sad, crimson eyes back to on my own. "I'll . . . tell you . . . if you tell me."
There was no way of getting around that. But I wasn't sad anymore. Not like her, anyway. After a moment of biting my lower lip, I replied with clarity, "Yeah, I still do."
Paine chuckled. "Lucky you. You have the fortune of loving only one. Baralai . . . wasn't my first love," she said resentfully, eyes dropping down to her sweaty palms.
There was no turning back now. "Nooj was, wasn't he?" I prompted, allowing my feet to fall away from the burnished coffee table.
She nodded, shoulders aligned straight and still. After a few moments of her absent words, I figured that she wasn't going to continue and thought to leave her be, but to my surprise, she spoke on. "That bastard . . . he knew I was in love with him during our days in the Crimson Squad. He knew it, even though I had never confronted him with my own feelings. I also knew he hadn't felt the same way, even after Leblanc . . . but after those two years, I was able to let go. Meeting Baralai again spurred an interest . . . and we began dating after Tidus returned. I was happy with him, I was finally happy again . . . until Nooj showed up a month ago. I ignored him and attempted to remain happy with Baralai at first, but Nooj began baring . . . emotions. Emotions unknown to me, or at least from him. That's why I walked all the way out to Macalania . . . Nooj had confronted me before the meeting, away from prying eyes . . . How could he do this to Leblanc, to Baralai? Why would he let his emotions straddle him so?" Her questions died in her voice, and I stiffened to hear that last unanswered question, a question foreign to us all. My pity reached out to her . . . but it did raise a fine point.
"I . . . don't know," I shrugged mainly to myself, head nodding away from Paine's . . . um, pain. I never knew that her love life was just as complicated as mine, and I felt that for once, somebody may be able to understand me under these circumstances. But wait . . . I was forgetting the real reason I had come to call upon Paine and the hopeful Baralai. Something rather important concerning Gippal. My eyes strayed back to her bowed head. "Paine . . . "I began before being typically interrupted, as usual, but from a familiar voice this time. I was always being interrupted when something important arose!
Yunie creaked the door to her small, humble home open, poking her head inside. "Is it okay if I come in?" She asked, eyes tinted with worry. Paine and I shook out of our melancholy trance and looked her way, nodding.
I smiled and joked, "Why shouldn't you? It's your place!"
Yunie smiled weakly as she pushed the wood on its hinges, prostrating herself in the breezy doorframe. "Rikku . . . they've asked for you at the meeting. They'd like to know if you'd join them," she informed like a good messenger-girl, clasping her hands in front of her. Oh great, what did he want this time? They couldn't possibly have predicted my arrival, so what could they have had to say?
"Um . . . "I glanced sideways to Paine, but her expression was void of emotion. "Sure," I agreed reluctantly, standing to join Yunie.
This had better be worth my time, I thought as I strode beside my accomplice; away from the Farplane and Paine's dreary thoughts. Hell, maybe if I was lucky enough, I could ask Gippal himself if his intentions were to marry me four years ago. I was beginning to feel more confident and high-strung that day, for this attic of memories was really beginning to wear me down of its dust.
oooooooooooooooooooo
A/N: Whooo! And there's another chapter gone by! I'm actually surprised that I've gotten up to five chapters so far (old, unfinished fics haunt my past), but I really do enjoy typing this. No, Ally (nondenominational sister) , it hasn't been your persistent urging that's kept this fanfiction ongoing, it's been my love for writing; a flame that will never famish! (unless you pour really, really hot water on it; I hate hot water ) I would like to thank all of those who have reviewed so far; I haven't had the chance to thank you yet! My updates will hopefully be frequent, but I follow my own schedule, sorry . No, I'm not going to say I have a life outside of this fanfic (heh, it's rather boring to be frank), but I think a lot of you know how it is. You can't FORCE yourself to be in a writing mood, because if you aren't and you write anyway, the outcome is unsatisfying and painfully awful (in my experience). But, I will try and exert myself, that much I can assure you! I was actually surprised that I didn't get any flames; benefit of a doubt, I guess. I was secretly hoping to have a HUNDRED reviews (XD) but I suppose that not everyone is a Rikku/Gippal shipper. Different people, different flavors, right? This chapter also isn't one of my favorites (no Gippal action again ), but I PROMISE there will be plenty in the next chapter, mkay?
P.S. Since so many of you have replied to my question in the previous author's note, I'd like to ask another, and hopefully you'll respond as well . Hmm . . . let me see . . . oh yeah! Who was your favorite boss in FFX and FFX-2? I'm sorry, but I LOVED Seymour (despite his nasally voice), yet he was a real bitch to beat. Okay, HOW many times did he show up?! Throughout the entire last half of the game, you had to beat him about ten times, and he would JUST NOT DIE! I felt like I was taking crazy pills (XD)! After every battle with him, I was all, "Okay, that's the LAST TIME," then later on, "No . . . NO FUCKING WAY, he's back again?!" Grrr . . . anyway! Who was yours? This has been Grimmy, signing out!