A/N: I thoroughly enjoyed my last chapter. I think I'll have some fun writing this one. Heehee.
Moonflow Harbor, on the Deck of the S.S Liki
Rikku stood there, watching the shadow of Gippal and Athilda disappear. She didn't cry out, like she wanted. She didn't scream at him, which she also wanted. She just stood there silently, which was the last thing she wanted to do.
But she did it anyway.
"'Ey."
Rikku whirled around to see who was talking to her. She took a few steps back in startled revulsion. It was the boat driver, who was just as fat, smelly, and stinky as he ever was.
"Er-yes?" She asked, realizing her voice came out high and squeaky.
"Are you stayin' on me boat? Iffin not get orf."
Rikku raised her eyebrows in a surprised sort of annoyance. "I'll be staying, thank you." She stated coldly and very un-Rikku like.
He only glared at her, but Rikku stood her ground. She placed her hands on her hips, shook back her hair, and glared right back. The two stood like this for a while until the boat driver snorted and turned away. Rikku shuddered as his stomach fat wobbled out of his stained white shirt.
That is SO disgusting. She thought in mortification.
"Get orffa my boat." He finally grunted in a low voice. Rikku could barely hear him, but got the gist of his order.
"I don't think I will." She said, wondering why in all of Spira he wanted her off of his boat so badly. She spun around and was about to head down into the cabins where she could moan and whine and curse Gippal in silence, but something rubbery grabbed her arm. Her head snapped around and she realized the rubbery thing was the pudgy hand of the boat driver.
"I SAID GET ORF!" He roared, something like madness glinting in his eye.
Rikku felt her anger slowly starting to rise. "Let go of me." She said in a steely stone that would have normally caused anyone to back off so she could finish them off with her blades.
"No."
"NOW."
"NO."
"WHY NOT!" Rikku screamed, feeling her heart starting to pulse wildly with rage.
"'Cause I want you orffa my boat, that's why. Get orf and I won't bother yous."
Rikku stared at him-hard. She wanted to stay on just to annoy the living daylights out of this man, but his grip was starting to numb her arm, and the thought of sleeping in the same boat as this character gave her the heebie-jeebies.
"Fine." She hissed, and the man finally let go of her arm.
"Orf! Orf!" He cried. Rikku stuck her tongue out at him before jumping off the side of the boat and into knee-deep Moonflow water.
With a splash, Rikku felt like ice had just entered her veins. She shivered and realized her teeth were chattering. This water was nothing like normal ocean water. It was cold and chilling to the bone marrow. She waded her way onto the land, rubbing her arms for warmth. She was a little freaked out as to why she had gotten so cold so fast.
"It's the pyreflies."
Rikku's gaze lifted from the endless, empty dark blue waters of the Moonflow and up to the land, which she was nearly at. She grinned nervously at the man standing there.
"Hello." She said slowly, taking in his appearance carefully. He was wearing traveling clothes, but she couldn't really tell what they looked like because everything from his shoulders down was covered in a moss green cloak, except for two brown boots poking out from the bottom. His cloak was clasped together with a little golden button, and his hair was a dark chocolate brown, which went well with his tawny skin. She couldn't see what color eyes he had, but she guessed they were hazel.
"What's that about the pyreflies?" She asked, feeling the land rise slowly beneath her.
"Pyreflies haunt these waters, that's why it's so cold. If you go any deeper than up to the waist, you usually die. That's why only Shoopufs and boats make their way across."
Rikku shivered. "How can you die?"
"It gets too cold for the body. Your heart rate slows down, and soon your body just stops working all together. The weird part is that when the people drown, they're still trying to move when their heart's stopped. It's almost like a delayed reaction."
Rikku felt herself getting really creeped out. "That's really spooky." She voiced, tromping up onto the sandy shore. A nearby Shoopuf made some weird honking noise, and a Hypello was trying to calm it down. Suddenly Rikku felt terribly alone and alien. She didn't know anyone here, and it was a dull grey sort of afternoon. People milled about, but they were all different. All unknown and strange. Rikku had never felt so lonely.
"Er-this might sound weird, but who're you?" Rikku asked rather bluntly.
"Jermane, at your service." The man bowed low to Rikku, but she wasn't really interested in guys at the moment. She was still trying to get over one, but he just wouldn't leave her sorry brain.
"And may I have the pleasure of knowing your name, Miss?" He asked. Rikku opened her mouth and was about to tell him her real name. After all, he seemed like such a gentlemen.
He wants to kill you Rikku.
They're getting to you because they're tracking through me.
"Daphne." She blurted out, forcing herself not to flush at the stupid excuse that had escaped her lips. She could see Jermane's lips twitching, as if he were trying to stop himself of smiling.
"I see. What an odd name for an Al Bhed to have…"
Rikku did flush this time. "Well, you know, my parents are pretty odd themselves…" Rikku gave a nervous laugh and rubbed at her chilly arms. She was still freezing, and just wanted to get away from Jermane. He seemed sort of eerie.
"Would you care to wear my cloak for warmth, Miss…Daphne?"
There it was again. A hidden little smirk…like he had his own little private joke. Rikku shook her head.
"No thanks Mister Jermane. I'm fine." Just then the boat that Rikku had been riding slowly began to back up from the port. Rikku turned to look at it and felt the sudden urge to run back into the Moonflow waters, hop the boat and go back to Luca. She didn't know where to go or what to do here…and danger was here.
But then she remembered Jermane's story about death in deep waters. It seemed a little out there, but Rikku believed it after feeling the cold she had in those dark, murky waters.
"All right then."
The two stood in awkward silence. Jermane was watching Rikku with a silent, piqued interest, whereas Rikku was hurriedly trying to think of an escape plan.
I could go to Bevelle too…but then Gippal will just think I'm desperate. I am NOT desperate! I could go to the Calm Lands or something, or back to Luca…but that's all so far away. And I'm a chicken alone…Djose! That's it! I'll go to Djose! I'll go and get my job back. Then Gippal will come back and poof, I'll be there! He can't POSSIBLY kick me out there! Well, unless he fires me, but that's not the point…
Filled with a sudden new burst of hope, Rikku grinned shakily at Jermane. "It's been fun meeting you Jermane, but I really need to go now."
She turned on her heel and began walking swiftly past the Shoopuf and towards Moonflow Pass.
We have to get away from there…especially Moonflow Pass.
Gippal's words echoed in her head, but she continued to walk quickly, hoping that maybe if she kept her head down no one wanting to murder her would recognize her.
I thought I could—could protect you…even then, not now…I'm just USELESS!
"No Gippal, you were wrong." Rikku muttered under her breath. "You weren't useless…you were never useless…"
Something cracked from behind Rikku. She spun around to see something green vanish behind a tree. She shivered.
Oh no…this is NOT good… Rikku had the distinct impression she was being followed. That green color looked familiar…
And then it hit her.
Jermane.
She knew something had been creepy about that guy…he was overly friendly. It almost seemed like he had been waiting her for her to get out of the boat…
Rikku quickened her pace at that thought. He was a bandit. Her gut was telling her so. Sure, she shouldn't always trust her gut, but today, at this very second, she decided to. She remembered Gippal saying Saleed lived with the bandits, or something along those lines. She glanced out of the corner of her eye to see if anyone was following her. She felt like crying out in shock when she saw a shadow glide between the trees beside her.
Just keep moving, just keep moving…
She risked a glance up at the sky. She could see the stormy clouds that surrounded Djose coming nearer. But she was also now on the Moonflow Pass. Sudden visions of bandits attacking her from all sides brought her to an abrupt stop. Even thought it hadn't really happened, Rikku was now pretty scared. Sure, she'd be able to handle quite a few of them, but if they ever called for reinforcements, she was a dead woman. Especially if they had that Saleed with them.
Rikku continued to walk; hearing the not-so-silent swish of what she knew was Jermane's cloak. Another crack to her left. Something like leaves being brushed away to her right.
Stupid Gippal, stupid Gippal…
Something like a whisper. Pebbles being scattered. A dagger being unsheathed…an arrow brushing across the tight string of its bow…
Rikku ran now. She didn't know if she was losing her mind, or if bandits were really surrounding her. She just ran with all of her life, forcing her legs to move, cursing her foul hair for getting in her eyes, breathing heavily, eyes fixed on the path ahead…
Her legs started to tire out. She hadn't run this hard in a while. She felt her heart rate slow down. Rikku pushed herself, breathing heavily. She didn't dare to look back. For all she knew, a group of bandits would be chasing her with drawn weapons.
With such a terrifying thought, for Rikku believed it to be true, she ran the last mile or so to Djose with a new burst of speed she didn't know she had in her.
Rikku slammed into the large metallic doors of the temple. Never before in her life had she been so happy to see the stormy, cold temple. She could have kissed it-but she didn't have time. Still feeling like her lungs were about to burst, Rikku opened the door, which emitted a loud and aching creak. She ran in, turned around, locked the door and then let out a sigh of relief. She slid to the ground with her head in her arms.
Rikku was safe…
For the time being.
She was surprised to hear no one around her. She glanced up to see nothing but the few machina whirring around, mechanically cleaning up tools and the like. Their steps echoed around her ears, and Rikku had a sudden terrifying thought that the bandits had invaded, killed everyone, and were now waiting for her to walk into a trap.
She stood slowly back up, her heart pounding. Rikku had never known herself to be so scared in her whole life then she had been these past few moments in the temple and outside it.
Oh my Yevon, oh my Yevon…
Rikku's eyes darted around the room. It was deathly quiet. All she could hear was the buzzing of the machina and her own labored breathing.
She twitched. Something had made a noise down the corridor. It didn't seem threatening though…more like a laugh.
More laughs. Three of them. Rikku didn't feel so weak and sickly anymore. She heard voices, chattering and talking, laughing heartily. She felt her heart swell to new sizes.
"I'm safe…I'm safe…" Rikku couldn't help grin shakily.
Now she truly knew what Gippal had meant by the danger she was in.
"Rikku?"
A familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Rikku looked towards the corridor where the laughing had come from. There, in the entrance, stood a surprised looking…
"Wynter!" Rikku cried, breaking out into laughter. She had never known herself to be so glad to see someone in her whole entire life. She ran up to her friend and gave her an impulsive hug. "Wynter, I'm so glad to see you!"
Wynter chuckled. "How come, Rikku?"
Rikku drew back. "I was just…you know…lonely." She couldn't bring herself to tell Wynter the real reason why she was so happy to see a familiar face.
"What's all the laughter back there?" Rikku suddenly asked, not so cleverly switching the subject.
"Oh, it's dinner time. The workers are just eating." Wynter raised her eyebrows. "Why?"
"Just-just wondering." Rikku gave a nervous laugh. "So…how're things?"
"Okay. With Gippal gone it seems a bit more light hearted. But then again, people are also slacking off terribly…" Wynter suddenly eyed Rikku with curiosity, and the young girl dreaded Wynter's question before it even came out.
"Where is Gippal? Last time I saw him, he went looking for you…"
Rikku felt her heart warm slightly. Wynter knew Gippal cared about her.
"Oh. Um. He has a meeting. To attend. That's why we went. He needed me to accompany him on some machine faction business to Luca, and then he headed off to Bevelle while I came back here to work."
"Hmm…" Wynter muttered, and Rikku knew her story was short, undetailed, and so terribly vague Wynter would have to be an idiot not to see right through it.
"Well, here you go then." Wynter held out her hand to shake. Rikku looked at it, bewildered.
"Um…thanks?" She asked hesitantly, shaking Wynter's hand. Wynter laughed.
"You were the boss' closest assistant!"
Rikku was silent, but didn't like what was coming.
"And…?"
"And that means you're the new temporary Machine Faction Leader until Gippal gets back! Welcome, new boss!"
Rikku stared at her, mouth agape.
"That doesn't make any sense." She said bluntly, mind whirling with thoughts and horrors.
"Yes it does! Gippal appointed you second in command, correct?"
"Well, I was his secretary." Rikku wanted to go any means to not be the Machine Faction Leader-even if that mean using Gippal's favorite word for her. Mind you, she hated being called a secretary with all of her being, but drastic times call for drastic measures.
"He states in this note you were his assistant."
"Note?" Rikku asked shrilly. "Where's that note? Let me see it!"
Rikku didn't even think it was odd, (and a bit freaky), that Wynter had the note deep within her jacket pocket. Rikku unfolded it and scoured Gippal's familiar scrawl, feeling her heart sink all the while.
To my Machine Faction people,
While I'm away, if such a thing ever happens, the person put in charge shall be Suttin, a close friend of mine. If I ever return, I will of course take back my place as Machine Faction Leader. But if my second in command ever returns without me, she will take Suttin's place as temporary Machine Faction Leader.
I'm sure that's a huge weight off Suttin's shoulders.
Gippal
PS: If you didn't know, my second in command, a.k.a assistant, is Rikku.
Rikku stared at it. He knew. He knew he was going to leave her sometime in that stupid journey of theirs. Rikku suddenly felt hate towards Gippal. She hated the one man she loved. She ripped the note into tiny shreds, threw it on the floor, and jumped up and down on it with her muddy, dirt boots.
"Stupid sayhea! He can't even be a gentlemen enough to come back here himself! He's putting ME in charge when I'm already in danger? MORE to add on? Zang! Loser! Jerk!" She continued to curse and yell insults in Al Bhed at Gippal, who sadly, wasn't there to enjoy her anger and tears of frustration. Instead, Wynter got to watch her in horror.
"Rikku! Stop!" She finally cried, grabbing the girl's arm. "Look, Gippal should be back soon. When he is-" Rikku saw her blush, and this only infuriated her more, "when he is, he'll take his place back. Now, I don't know why you keep yelling you're in danger, but up in the office of the Machine Faction Leader, you'll be fine.
Rikku glowered at Wynter. When she had once felt so happy coming to Djose, she now regretted it with almost all of her life. Normally she'd have been happy to be Machine Faction Leader…but not now. Not when there was too much on her mind. AND after he just ditched her.
Again.
"I can't do it Wynter." Rikku stated firmly, looking into the girl's eyes and drawing herself up to her full height. "I can't tell you why, but there's too much on my mind, and there's too much for me to deal with. Don't tell Suttin he can sit back and smell the flowers yet. I am not taking his place."
"Rikku, you have to!" Wynter cried desperately. "Suttin is terrible at his job! He's so confused and so lost…Gippal wants you to do it! Why won't you do what he asks?"
"Because whenever that happens I always end up on the receiving end of all the terrible, horrible, evil things in Spira!" Rikku yelled, throwing her hands up in the air. "He won't come back! I have a feeling the meeting he went to was fishy. I have a feeling something's planned against Gippal. I have a feeling he's TRYING to protect me by sacrificing himself. I have a feeling that Gippal is just a lazy, rude, arrogant, selfish, handsome, caring, kind, sweet, and nice JERK!" Rikku stamped her foot and whirled around, ready to leave the temple.
"Just for a while Rikku…please. Gippal wants you to."
For some reason, Wynter kept bringing up Gippal. And everytime she did, Rikku felt worse and worse.
Just do it. It'll be fun.
FUN! I'm having a mid-life crisis at the age of seventeen!
Just do it.
Is that ALL you have to say in your defense?
Yes.
Fine.
Rikku turned back to Wynter, a glint in her eye. "Fine. I'll do it."
Wynter gave her a grateful smile.
Rikku couldn't help herself. She cracked a curious grin. "Does that mean I get the Leader Suite?"
Wynter chuckled. "Why not?"
And for a fleeting moment Rikku forgot everything. She forgot about Gippal ditching her, she forgot about being followed, she forgot about someone trying to kill her, she forgot about the creepy boat driver and Athilda and Wynter when she was in her annoying stage, and Sunny and Liam and Bilak, her betraying friends, and how Gippal said he wanted to protect her by leaving her...
For a moment, Rikku was a happy. But that's all it was.
A moment.
A/N: Whoa. Weird. Didn't know that was going to happen. I didn't go in detail very much. So sorry. The book I'm currently reading is influencing me. They don't talk much. No Gippal yet! I think it's a good twist I decided to plop on there-Rikku being Machine Faction Leader. Muaha. Don't worry, it won't last very long. By next chapter…well, you'll see. Read and review please, this chapter took me forever.
My arms hurt now. Sniff.
-EDIT-
PS: What! There's a LINE tool? Augh. Um, actually, the reason for this is to tell you all my directions and memory of the game suck hard. Okay. I messed it up. So let me fix it. Everytime they talked about going into Macalania Woods from the Moonflow, let's say I wrote Guadosalam, as it should be. And in my last chapter, let's again say that Gippal walked away, but came back after to board the Shoopuf, because getting across is the only way to get to Bevelle by going through Guadosalam, then the Thunder Plains, then the Macalania Woods, and finally Bevelle. So I screwed up on my directions. Terribly, TERRIBLY sorry everyone. That's why you're probably all very confused. So sorry.
