Through the Oaf's Eyes
By: pnaixrose

Disclaimer: I don't own Wild Arms 3 or any of its characters.


Chapter 5: The Power of Jealousy

ARGH! I hate him! I hate him, I hate him, I hate him!

That damn nerd...

That's basically how I felt as soon as I woke up on day two of the festival. I'm still grouchy and haven't talked to him since yesterday. Can you blame me? He got me into trouble!

Now I can't get my freakin pies!

I stomped around the festival grounds, passing by all the pie stands with a hungry look. Granny had told everyone in the colony about what I had done and advised all of them not to give me any pies. And they were obeying her!

Maybe if I walk around like a big, pathetic, hungry guy they'll gimme some.

Hell...I already look like a big, pathetic, hungry guy.

"Aw, Gallows! Don't be so sad!" Virginia, who was walking around with me said. "There's lots of other things you can do today besides the pies! Like there's games, things to buy..."

Virginia's so nice sometimes. But I was just so let down from yesterday. I had been expecting the pies ever since we came! And the pie eating contest is tomorrow! Maybe if I'm really good, Gran will let me compete.

Haha...like that will happen.

Maybe I'll just get Shane to sneak me some. He's a cool guy like that.

"Don't try, Virginia," the punk said. "That oaf will never think about anything else but pies."

Damn. Why'd he come along?

Another annoying voice came. "No Jet, you're wrong. Pies and women are what he thinks about."

Grr...and why'd he have to come too?!

Oh wait. That's right. We're a gang. We're the gang who's supposed to be killing off Beatrice and save Filgaia and instead we're here in Baskar Colony at a festival. Boy, what great heroes we are.

"Shut up, Clive!" I yelled. "This is all your fault anyway!"

He grinned. "I said I was sorry."

That was bull. He didn't look a bit sorry and he knew it. He was enjoying my sorrow.

"I still don't understand why you guys barged into her room like that," Virginia said disapprovingly. "You knew you would've gotten caught."

Jet scoffed. "He's even dumber than I thought. Halle has eyes everywhere."

I swear...I'm about to explode right now. That's why when I heard what Virginia said next, she was from then on my very favorite person in the world.

The female of the group frowned as she stopped walking and put her hands on her hips. "Jet! Don't say that! Apologize!"

Jet shook his head and looked at her like she was crazy. "Hell no."

But Virginia didn't back down. "Jet!"

He glared at her for a moment as she glared back. After a second of them silently fighting, Jet obviously lost. That loser...losing to a girl.

"Sorry," he mumbled and Virginia gave a satisfied grin.

Clive smirked. "Didn't know you'd bow down to Virginia's powers so easily, Jet."

"Shut the hell up."

Hehe...interesting...

-

BORING! Today was boring. The festival was a lot more fun when I was younger. Eh but that was expected. I did grow up after all. But I did enjoy seeing all the girls–ahem– people roaming about.

I was tired though and rested on my bed, looking at the ceiling. Maybe it was the fact that it was as hot as a desert outside, but I didn't feel like going out there anymore. I was tired.

And bored.

Maybe we should leave soon and go kick Beatrice's ass. Everything seems to get slower and duller when I'm not kicking some monster's butt!

"Hey Gallows."

I growled. Not him. The second person in the world I hate the most.

The nerd.

I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. It didn't work though. He knew that I was up. I do that thing where if you close your eyes and aren't asleep, your eyelids flicker. That's why when I younger, Granny always knew when I was up at night or not.

"Gallows look, I'm sorry that you...don't get to receive the pies that you've wanted," he said chuckling.

He thinks I'm sort of pig doesn't he?! I bet everyone thinks that! Besides the fact that Gran's pies were really, really good, that wasn't the only reason!

I rolled my eyes and sat up. "It isn't only that. Gran's mad at me again. You know how long it takes for her to cool down and finally accept me as being her grandson again? It'll take days! Months! Maybe even years!" I said with a frown. "After all, she's still quite angry I quit being a priest."

"Well I apologize once more. You see...I still need your help with Jet and Virginia," Clive said sheepishly.

WHAT?! Was he crazy? What was his stupid plan now? I grunted and shook my head. "Forget it! I'm not getting into any more trouble!"

"Don't worry! You won't get into trouble with Halle again! I promise! I've come up with a new idea that will prove as a solution for things. Or at least help them out. It's fool proof! It cannot be beat!"

I shook my head. "No way. Nope. Sorry." I just couldn't trust him a second time. By the end of this plan I bet I'd be beaten by Granny's cane again. I might even get kicked out of Granny's house!

Clive smirked that evil smirk. "I knew you'd say that. That's why I talked to Halle. She said if you help them tell each other their feelings, she'll forgive you."

This caught my ears. Did I just hear that right? She'd forgive me? Why would she do that? Was this whole Jet and Virginia thing that important to her? Nah. She just enjoys seeing a couple being all lovey dovey. It's her sick form of entertainment.

I sighed. The idea of Gran not mad at me sounded good. And Clive knew I would agree. I could see it in his sick smile of his. I sighed and threw my arms up in frustration. "Fine. I'll do it. What's the plan?"

Clive grinned slyly. "It's the power of jealousy."

Huh?

-

What a stupid guy. His plan was so stupid.

It was perfect.

Getting Jet jealous? It was a great idea! Knowing him, he'd probably blow up and sooner or later admit his feelings! Didn't know Clive was that smart.

But there was one tiny catch.

Now all that nerd told me to do was try to find a way to get Jet jealous.

How am I supposed to find something like that? It's not like ideas fall from the sky! He said there's probably an interesting event going on in the festival that might do the trick. But gosh...Just because I'm from Baskar Colony doesn't mean I know every single event going on!

Roaming around, I looked at the event signs people had put up. None seemed like something that would get the punk jealous.

I sighed. I'll never find something! Frowning, I kicked at the dirt and leaned against a stand while I thought for awhile.

Wait! What was Clive doing while I'm out here doing this!? He's probably sitting back expecting me do all the work just because I'm from Baskar Colony! That damn-

"Hey Gallows! I heard you were back but there's so many people here I didn't have a chance to drop by Halle's to say hi!"

I turned and saw a guy at the stand I was leaning against. Whoa...didn't notice him there.

Hey, wait a second! This stand looked familiar...

"You remember me?" the guy asked with a smile.

I grinned. "Of course, Mr. Igan! How you doing? Hey that reminds me, I saw your wife and kids the other day. My two friends were helping her out with building the stand." I pointed to the stand I was leaning against.

He looked surprised. "Oh! She told me about them! She said you guys helped out a lot especially with the kids!"

I shrugged. Hehe...I remember that day. That's when I first found out about Jet and Virginia, the day when they were playing with the kids. That was a weird day.

Then I noticed the sheets of paper lined up on his stand. "What's this?" I asked curiously, seeing the word 'Prince,' 'Princess' and 'Villian' on top of some papers.

Mr. Igan smiled. "I forgot you haven't been here for awhile. It's a new festival event that some kids suggested. People sign up to perform at the play tonight and we randomly pick one to act just minutes before the play." He laughed. "It'll be funny. They'll be reading from scripts they've never even seen before and they'll have to act the part. It's going to be hilarious! You going to sign up? I made the costumes myself."

Impressive, but expected of Mr. Igan. After all, he made the clothing for the Colony. He probably was out two days ago to get some last minute fabric or something.

But then I noticed two sheets blank.

"Hey, how come there are no names under the prince and the princess?" I asked.

He sighed. "I guess the people don't wanna be the center of the show. But it really is a shame. The show can't go on without them. If I don't get a prince and a princess, I'll have to cancel the show."

That's a real shame. Mr. Igan worked so hard to make those costumes and no one wanted to be the two main characters? Heck, I knew why they didn't want to be the prince and the princess. It would be so damn embarrassing! They were bound to have to act like they fell in love and be all close and stuff and-

Wait...

"Mind if I see the script?" I asked.

An evil plan was starting to form in my head.

He looked uncertain. "Well...I don't know. No one's supposed to really know about it. But...since you helped my family out the other day, I think you can have a peek."

Yes! Thank you!

He handed me a set of papers and I scanned the page.

Bingo!

I handed the papers back, a smile still on my face. "Do you have a pen?"

As he handed me one, I wrote two names. One under 'Prince' and one under 'Princess.'

This was going to be good...

-

"Oh hey, Gallows!" Virginia chirped as I went inside our hut. Everyone was there resting from the busy day. "It sure is crowded out there!"

I nodded, a smile still on my face. I still can't believe I did that. That must've been the most evil thing I did. Oh well. It was bound to get interesting. I couldn't wait another minute.

"Oh yeah," I said, "Some guy was handing out flyers outside. About some play or something?"

Boy was I good.

As I thought, Virginia's eyes lit up as Jet let out a loud groan. "A play?"

I nodded again and handed it to her. "Here."

She took it and giggled. "'Come to our first annual Baskar Colony play. Who are the actors and actresses? You! Sign up before dusk at the Igan stand to play in the parts of the characters! They are randomly selected just minutes before the actual play begins.' Sounds like fun!" She turned to Clive, Jet and Shane who were sitting at the table behind her. "Let's go, okay? Besides, the Igans are part of it!"

"Sounds stupid," Jet spat. "Those people are going to make fools of themselves. They don't even know the lines."

Yeah, I agree with him. I wouldn't want to do that either. But it will be funny watching other people making fools of themselves...especially two certain people.

Shane smiled. "That's what makes it fun. I heard some people talking about it. Turns out it's popular and a lot of people are going."

Jet grunted.

Shane laughed and turned to Virginia. "I'll go with you, Virginia, if you'd like."

Her emerald eyes lit up and she jumped in excitement. "Yay! We'll have a wonderful time!"

"I'll go too," Jet grumbled suddenly.

I smirked, wondering why Jet changed his mind all of a sudden. Heh. Jealousy already?...

Virginia brightened even more. "Yay! We'll have an even more wonderful time! You'll come too, right Clive? Gallows?"

I nodded. Of course I was going! I wasn't going to miss this for the world!!

Virginia turned to Clive for his answer. He looked at me for a second and I gave him an "I-did-it" look. Smiling, he turned to Virginia and nodded. "I'm sure it'll be interesting."

Hehe. He was right about that!

-

"Jet! Stop lagging behind! I wanna get a good seat!" Virginia exclaimed, dragging a sour looking punk.

We trudged through a crowd standing and sitting at the center of town. They were all facing one way, which was obviously the stage.

"Virginia...I'm not some kind of dog!" Jet growled.

I kept my mouth shut before insulting him. I could've said so many things right then but I was just too proud of myself for doing what I did. Trust me, even Granny would be proud of me!

"Here are some good spots!" Shane said. Good. They can all see the entire stage.

Virginia nodded. "Yup! These are really good spots!"

"Are you sure you can see?" Jet asked with a smirk, "You're pretty short!"

Virginia pouted. "Hey! I am not short!!"

"Yeah you are."

"No!"

Will those two ever change?

While the two rambled on, Clive came up to me and said in a quiet voice. "What are we doing here, Gallows?"

I smirked. "I found what you wanted me to find."

He looked surprised. I bet he didn't expect me to find something. But I did! I proved him wrong for once! Now, this plan's going to be a success and I'll get to win back Gran's approval and we can all be happy and eat pies!

"What's going on?"

Heh. The almighty Clive was going to be surprised too for once. Everyone was.

I shrugged and grinned. "It's the power of jealousy."

He raised an eyebrow. Ha! Now who sounds smart?

"Shush you two!" I heard Shane say to the two bickering teenagers. "It's started!"

Virginia jumped and forgot Jet insulting her shortness...ahem...I mean height.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Mr. Igan said loudly in front of everyone, "Welcome to the first Baskar Colony play where you are the actors and actresses!" People cheered and when they died down again, he continued. "We'll now announce the randomly chosen person who will be playing the characters!"

I bit my lip when I noticed something I had overlooked. What if someone else signed up for the parts? Then that would flush my plans just fall down the drain, wouldn't it? Hopefully, no one else signed up for the princess and prince parts...

Everyone was hushed as Mr. Igan continued once again. "The part of the princess is...a Miss Virginia!"

I smirked once again as I saw Virginia's shocked face. "B-But I didn't...m-me?"

Everyone clapped as the pale girl looked at us for help. Jet was slightly grinning and looking at her with a "ha-ha" look. She probably took it as a dare and gathered her courage and walked to the front. I knew she wouldn't back down, that she would never let Jet Enduro have the satisfaction of letting him see her scared. Oops. If she ever found out that I had put her name there, she'd me killed. Oh well.

At least it seemed no one else signed up for the parts. That means the prince would be...

"For the second main character the prince, our very own Shane Carradine!"

Shane let out a yelp, obviously as shocked as Virginia. People from the colony cheered very loud and he stiffly walked to the front next to Virginia in confusion.

But I took a peek at Jet and my smirk widened. This was exactly what I wanted to see...

His violet eyes had turned a shade darker and were twitching, his mouth in a tight frown, his palms balled into fists, a muscle in his jaw jumped, and he was stiffly standing there staring at the two people standing at the front.

Needless to say...he was angry.

And I was loving it. Ha! Go me!

Clive realized what I had done and turned to me with a grin. He gave me a nod. Heh. See that? Even the great nerd Clive thought my plan was good.

But I turned back to Jet and almost regretted what I did. He looked angry...real angry. Just like when he found out he wasn't exacly human. Uh-oh.

Clive noticed too and suddenly became concerned for him. "Hey Jet, you alright?"

"Shut the fuck up," he said slowly and darkly.

Clive immediately backed down and we looked at each other. Whoa...talk about jealousy...

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

I knew what was in that script...and Jet wasn't going to like it one bit.

Oh shit...maybe I just made a big mistake.