Through the Oaf's Eyes
By:
pnaixrose

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


Chapter 6: Jet Blows Up

Jet kept his now dark eyes staring straight ahead at the makeshift stage, I saw the crowd whooping at the princess and prince. Obviously, they knew something romantic was going to happen in the play between the two characters. I would've been laughing my butt off at Virginia's and Shane's red faces but I was actually worried. Maybe I had gone too far?

I saw a muscle in Jet's jaw twitch.

Yeah. I definitely had.

The nerd knew it too. I could tell by the small frown on his face. Man, and I'd actually thought that things were going to turn up for me!

Damn. I thought this would be the perfect plan to get the punk jealous! I swear that when I put Virginia's and Shane's names on the lists for the characters, I just knew it would work. I was right…after all Jet was jealous. But it had worked too well. He wasn't just jealous…he was furious!

And Clive and I just stood there next to him, feeling the burning jealousy.

Whoa. Talk about scary.

Mr. Igan continued his explanation of the play when the crowd finally quieted down. He gave out sheets of paper to the actors in the front. The scripts.

Hopefully they won't read the end.

"Now before we continue," Mr. Igan said with a smile on his face, "There are a few rules. Characters aren't allowed to look ahead in their scripts."

I sighed in relief. Thank the Guardians!

Our host of the evening got out a box with clothes in it and handed the outfits to the appropriate characters. "Now here are the costumes," Mr. Igan said. "Most of them you can just slip on right now. It's just a little something to add flavor…" He winked. "…I made them so they obviously will look good on you, right?"

The crowd around us laughed good-naturedly, but I still stood there stiffly. I couldn't help but think how stupid I am. If Jet really did like Virginia that much, wouldn't you think that I would at least think of the consequences? Wouldn't you think that I would at least conclude that maybe Jet would get really, really angry that he's on the verge of exploding?

Ugh…how stupid can I get? Why would I ever do that to Jet? Am I really that cruel?

Wait a minute. Aren't I supposed to hate the kid? Why do I feel so sorry for him?

Oh well. Who cares?

When I looked up at the area the play was taking place, I saw an embarrassed Virginia with a shiny gold crown on top of her head, a matching scepter, and a pink slip-on tutu around her waist. Shane, on the other hand, was wearing a simple velvet cape, a crowd placed on top of his shaggy hair, and a belt around his waist that held a sword. Fake I hoped. The other characters were similarly dressed. The funniest was the villain though. The man had a fake, curly moustache, a black cape and the weirdest wig and hat I've ever seen in my life.

I would've been laughing my head off along with the crowd at how stupid they looked up there but it seemed Jet would growl if I even move an inch. It was so scary. Even a couple of strangers around us took a step away from him.

Note to self: Don't piss off Jet Enduro.

"And now," our host continued as he moved out of the way, "Begin the play!"

The audience hushed in expectance as the first character began the story and the other characters went to the places their scripts told them to go to. The first character to speak was Shane, the prince.

"Um…" my brother said nervously. Boy, was he nervous. I could tell because the script in his hands was shaking. I bet Shane never saw this coming when he had volunteered to help out the colony with the festival. "I-I am tired of having this conversation with you, Father," he said weakly. "I-I will not marry."

A few friendly chuckles were heard throughout the crowd. Make sure to remind me to tell Shane not to have a career in entertainment. No offense or anything to my little brother, but…

…he sucks at acting. But don't tell him I said that.

Another man, obviously the king because of the huge crown that kept falling off his head, stepped up and read from the bunch of papers in front of him. "Do you want your kingdom to fail, son? You're marrying the princess and that's final," the guy said, trying to hold on to his crown.

Mr. Igan's voice boomed from somewhere we couldn't see. He was probably on top of a hut or something. Not only was he the costume designer and coordinator, he also seemed to be the narrator. He surely had his work cut out for him. "That day, the princess from the neighboring kingdom set off in a carriage to the stubborn prince's castle."

Shane and the king stepped to the side of the stage. Virginia and two other people who seemed to be her mother and father stood in front of the former characters. I noticed Shane and Virginia look down at their scripts and turn red. My face fell. I knew what was to happen next. After all, I had read the script. I shut my eyes tight, waiting for the next lines. They didn't come as fast as I thought they would though. As expected, Virginia and Shane were fidgeting on stage, trying to decide whether or not to do what the script said. The audience seemed to notice and laughter started to fill among them.

"C'mon, you two," Mr. Igan said with a laugh. He of course knew what was written in that script too. "No backing out of it now, you know."

The two main characters glanced at each other sheepishly. They both knew that the man was right. "N-Nice to meet you, your majesty," Virginia said as she took a stiff bow.

I opened an eye and glanced at Jet. It was coming. And when it did Jet was going to be angry as hell.

Shane let out a frustrated sigh on the stage. "M-My princess…uh…" He grew red. "My ideas of marriage suddenly vanished when I…" He looked down sheepishly, hiding his eyes. "…when I saw your b-beautiful face."

Hoots and catcalls filled the air as he said it. But even over all the laughter and levity of the entire crowd, I could actually feel Jet's fury. It brought shivers up my spine as I peeked at his face. His eyes were so dark and narrow that you'd actually think his eyes were almost black instead of violet. His palms were balled into tight fists. What was even freakier was that he was shaking.

Taking a step back, I looked over to Clive who was as silent as I was. He actually looked kinda…scared.

I mentally slapped myself as I remembered what else happens in the play, especially the end of it. If you thought Jet was angry now, wait until later. He'd be beyond than angry. In fact, I think he'd be even beyond than beyond being angry.

Oh shit. This is all my fault, ain't it?

-

About ten minutes later, the play was almost done. It was a short play thankfully. I don't think I could stand there much longer.

Clive tried talking to him. He tried to tell the punk that maybe they shouldn't watch anymore. But Jet just stubbornly – and angrily – denied by saying the same thing over and over again: "Shut up." I didn't know what to do. Jet didn't want to move and we obviously couldn't stop the play right in the middle.

And for once, I think Clive was stumped too.

I turned my attention to the center again, almost wanting them to never come to the end of it. I knew what the finale was. And if Jet got angry when the "prince" and "princess" just simply hugged or pretended to flirt with each other, I know for a fact that Jet definitely wasn't to like it.

Shane had just saved Virginia from the evil villain who happened to be the princess's advisor and was recently hugging her stiffly. Wow. He looked like a plank of wood up there. Same with Virginia.

"O-Oh," the princess stuttered fakely as she read aloud from the piece of paper in her hand. "Thank you for saving me."

Her savior gulped and read his next lines. "I-I must admit something. I'm quite a selfish prince. I saved you not to save your kingdom…but to…" Shane paused. "…see your smiling face all through my life."

Catcalls, laughter, and hoots filled the air again. I must say that even though Jet wasn't enjoying the play very much, the audience certainly did. In fact, it was a huge success so far! Not in Jet's eyes though. Oh no. Especially not in that punk's eyes. I heard Jet let out a low growl that was buried beneath the audience's very different response to the scene. Even though I could barely even hear him, I still felt the shivers run up my back.

Damn. He's that scary!

Or maybe it was the guilt. He was going through all this because of me. How ironic. I finally do something that gets him pissed off and I feel guilty.

The crowd's applause disappeared once more and the play continued. It was almost done. The finale.

And here it comes…

"O-Oh my prince," our leader said, "Thank you again." Then as I expected, her emerald eyes widened with surprise as her eyes scanned the script in her hands. I saw an uncertain look crossed her face as she looked up at the prince across from her.

Shane was in no better condition. He too must've read the next part of the script. He was pale as ever as he stood up there. He reminded me of a ghost. Or better yet, he reminded me of when I was little and Granny used to try to swoop down and kiss me. I shivered.

Not that was a scary thought.

"Mr. Igan," Shane said, still pale. "I-I can't do this."

The man laughed heartily. "C'mon Shane. It's not real. It's for a play for heaven's sakes. Go for it."

"But-"

"Shane," Mr. Igan replied, "Think of how many people will come to next year's festival if this play is a success. Baskar Colony will be better off, right?"

Shane looked at the man with uncertainty with a steady frown on his face. Then he turned to Virginia who was standing there stiffly.

Uh-oh. As I thought. Shane would never back down out of something. That little brother of mine always listened to whatever people say, especially when it came to the good of the colony. I sighed heavily. Shane was going to do it. Darnit! Mr. Igan was exaggerating. Shane didn't have to kiss someone to get the colony more popular!

Woopsie. I spilled it didn't I? But you probably saw it coming anyway.

In the front, Shane took a shaky step towards our leader and placed his hands on her waist. He nervously dipped his head a little bit towards her face. The crowd got excited again when they figured out what was next and Jet's blood was probably boiling so much by now that he was a smoldering pile beside me.

I glanced his way and my eyes widened.

He wasn't there! Where the hell did he go!

Suddenly the crowd got silent again and all turned towards the stall nearby, whispering. What the heck was going on? I saw Clive next to me looking towards the top of the stall with his jaw dropped. I turned too.

Oh shit.

A certain silver haired punk was standing on top of it like a madman. Actually, the fact that he was a madman right now wasn't what scared me. It was the fact that Jet was an angry, jealous madman that I feared.

"DON'T YOU DARE!!"

Before I knew it, he threw something towards the stage. I didn't see what it was but I knew what it was by the orange whir I saw.

His boomerang.

I knew I should've burned that thing a long time ago.

Before I knew it, my brother was knocked down, obviously unconscious. The people around us were in chaos. They didn't know what the hell was happening. One minute they were enjoying a rather interesting play, the next minute the main character gets his lights knocked out. Poor people. I'd be confused too.

"JET!" a voice yelled over the crowd. She obviously wasn't pale or nervous anymore. If anything, she was definitely angry. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!" She knelt next to Shane and turned back to the punk. "You hurt him, you jerk!"

Jet glared intensely at the woman who yelled at him but said nothing. Then he jumped down from the stall and disappeared in the chaotic crowd.

He has a knack for disappearing doesn't he?

I turned to Clive. "Let's go to Shane," I said. "I'll kill the punk later."

Hey, I was worried okay? Shane's my only brother and I dragged him into this mess. It's all my fault.

Besides Virginia didn't look too good either.

-

"Shane!" I yelled as I ran over to him. He had been unconscious so Clive and I brought him home to his bed. There wasn't anything serious except for a bump on his head that was going to stay for awhile. I was grateful for that. "You're awake!"

I patted his back as he sat up and looked around in confusion. "You okay, Shane?" Clive said as he came over.

Shane nodded as he rubbed his head but smiled a bit. "My head hurts." Well duh. "Where is everyone?"

I frowned. "Granny's out somewhere with Mr. Igan. Probably apologizing. Virginia's somewhere and Jet," I looked at Clive. "…he's somewhere too."

My brother groaned. "It was you, Gallows! Wasn't it?"

Whoa! How'd he find out?

Shane let out a small smile. "When you came home and told us all about the play you were smiling like there was no tomorrow. And then I remembered that you were going to help Virginia and Jet get together. It was the jealous method, wasn't it? You tried to get Jet jealous?"

Damn. That's one smart kid. "Yeah," I said sheepishly. "Sorry…I didn't mean for it to happen."

He sighed and lay down on his bed again. "It's okay. You were only trying to help them," he said. "It's my fault that I continued with the play anyway."

"You were only doing what you were told, Shane," I protested. "It wasn't your fault."

"It wasn't anyone's fault," Clive interrupted. "Things just got out of hand. And now we have to figure out a way to bring the two together. First we have to find them though."

Shane and I agreed.

I groaned secretly. Another long day. Matchmaking was hard work.

-

I stepped out into the night air. After talking to Shane and Clive for awhile, I ended up being the one to find the two bozos. Why me? Why is it always me? Grr…they're lucky I'm as nice as I look.

Haha.

There were barely any people out now. It was pretty late though. They were all probably sleeping especially after a tired night of the play. I hope Granny fixed things up with Mr. Igan. I feel so guilty.

THWACK!

What the heck! Where did that come from!

I turned and saw Gran standing behind me with a deep frown on her face.

"You!" she yelled. "You did this all didn't you!"

I nodded meekly as I rubbed the back of my head. I felt like a little boy being punished.

"Next time you try to set up Virginia and Jet, tell me!" She turned towards the house, grumbling. I heard a word that sounded like "oaf."

Why was everyone so mean?

I sighed and began my search. Hopefully I'd find them soon and get things cleared up. I was dead tired.

And hungry.

I walked around the colony a bit, knowing that it was hopeless to find them. They were probably out of town somewhere by now. Or maybe they were together, already patching things up. Maybe they were confessing that they love each other right this minute!

I sighed again. I highly doubted that.

After a couple more minutes of searching, I lost hope. There was no way I would find them. So I turned back towards my hut and that's when I noticed a red and white scarf billowing in the wind on top of the roof. Jet was up there?

I groaned out loud. "He was there the whole friggin time!"

-

I hoisted myself to the rooftop and immediately saw Jet sitting there quietly. He spotted me as I slowly crawled over to him.

Aw man. Couldn't he pick a spot on the ground to think? I don't exactly like heights all that much. I'm not a bird. I'm not meant to be in the sky. I ignored it though. I had to get this whole this over with. "What's crackin?" I asked as I sat a couple feet away.

He groaned loudly. "What are you doing here, you big oaf?"

Okay, Gallows, calm down. Don't kill him…Don't kill him…Don't kill him. At least, not yet. "You know why I'm here, punk," I replied. "What the hell happened to you back there? You exploded."

He avoided looking into my eyes and instead turned his gaze to the sky. "Wh-What do you mean? Nothing happened."

I rolled my eyes. He must be one of the worst liars in the whole of Filgaia. "Aw you know what I'm talking about. Why'd you get so angry? You okay?"

Jet snorted. Not a very gentleman thing to do, don't you think? "Why do you care?"

I shrugged. I couldn't tell him that I was doing this because I felt guilty because then he'd know that I was the one who put Shane's and Virginia's names on the lists for the characters. Before I knew it, I might be falling off the roof. So I decided to tell him the other half of the truth. "Jet, I know why you were angry," I said. I smirked a bit as he stiffened. "You can't hide it no more. You like her. You like Virginia and you were jealous. Admit it. You like our leader."

"N-No!" he answered quickly, defending himself. Ugh. When was this guy going to just give in! I was about to tell him that he didn't have to lie to me but he interrupted me with a deep sigh. "I…I think I love her."

I was surprised at first but then I laughed a bit. Well at least he admitted it. It was the first step.

Jet groaned loudly and buried his head in his hands. Boy, this guy got it bad. "I-I don't know what came over me! Just seeing Virginia hugging another guy makes me…UGH!"

"But you know," I added. "Shane would never try to get with Virginia." That was the truth. Shane and Virginia a couple? I shivered at the mental image.

"Well, you never know!" Whoa. He exploded again. "He could like her! He could be trying to steal her away from-" He stopped.

This was actually pretty amusing. "…From you?"

He turned and glared at me before burying his head in his hands again. "…I know Shane would never like her. But what if Virginia did? What if Shane was her type of guy?" He sighed once again. "She could never like me, Gallows. After all, she's Virginia. We argue all the time."

"What if she does like you though?" I answered. "Even though she would have really, really bad taste, it's not totally impossible that she could like you, you know." I grinned as he glared at me again. "After all, people have different tastes. I think you should tell her."

"WHAT! Are you crazy, you oaf!" he shouted. I was afraid he's fall off the roof in anger. "I can't tell her!"

"Why not? Too scared? You chicken."

"Sh-Shut up! That's not it!"

"Then do it," I replied. "That was the only way you'll know if she likes you right? Besides, you don't want to avoid her forever. Think of how hard it'll be when we kick Beatrice's ass."

He rolled his eyes. Haha. My joke was pretty lame, wasn't it? Oh well. I was just trying to cheer up the guy. "Whatever."

"Well I'm out. Think about it, Jet," I said as I started climbing down the side of the house. I stopped and grinned as I looked at the punk sitting there thoughtfully. "By the way, you're not as bad as I thought."

I didn't get to see his reaction because just then, I lost my footing. Then I fell flat on my back. Aw shoot. That hurt like hell.

I lay there a couple of seconds as I heard Jet laughing his head off. "I TAKE IT BACK, YOU PUNK!"

Didn't I tell you I wasn't a bird?

Feh. I'm gonna kill that punk next time.