Edonil: Me again! I'm sorry for the lack of updates; I just finished my Christmas shopping yesterday. (I hate shopping. Unless it's shopping for me, of course.) I'll try to get something accomplished after Christmas…
Disclaimer: FFIX is not mine.
Claimer: Crims, Sarah, Avylonn, and Saniiro are mine.
Edonil: By the way, have a Very Merry Christmanukwanza!
To Change
Chapter Thrirty-Four
Saniiro looked around. Rain. He hated rain. That was why he lived in Alexandria and not Burmecia. But there was still precipitation in Alexandria. And it looked like it was getting worse.
Most people had gone inside. So had most ruffians. Not much for Saniiro to do but wait for the storm to end. Unfortunately, his hideout had recently been invaded by cutthroats, and Saniiro hadn't gotten around to getting rid of them. And his hideout was on top of a rather large building, and the footing wasn't good at the best of times. Not a good place to be right now.
There was a flash of lightning. Saniiro counted the seconds between the lightning and the thunder. His results weren't good. The storm was only a few miles away. He'd better get off the streets.
---
Avylonn peered out from beneath her hood. Drat her feathery hair! It couldn't get wet without consequences! But she did like the rain. It felt strangely refreshing.
There was a second flash of lightning. Almost immediately, there was a low roar. Did that mean the storm was close? Drat!
---
Saniiro watched as a bolt of lightning hit his hideout. Apparently he'd have to find a new house. At least the cutthroats were gone. A pity he'd lost his belongings, though.
Another bolt of lightning struck a little too close for comfort. What was driving this storm? It couldn't be natural. There was no way! A third bolt fell. It was time to move. Quickly.
Saniiro took off running down a narrow side street. He glanced up at the storm for a moment. Oh dear. It was directly overhead. It was-
BANG!
---
Avylonn was getting worried. She didn't think being hit by lightning was a very good idea. It would no doubt hurt. What did she know about lightning…? Not much. Maybe she ought to hide. Avylonn quickly ducked into a small niche in the wall.
The storm was nearly directly overhead. Oh no! She didn't want to be burnt! Turning around to see how deep the niche was, Avylonn barely had time to see something coming right at her before it hit.
BANG!
---
Kuja paced back and forth anxiously. He shouldn't have let Avylonn go outside. But she was so fascinated by the rain… Why did he let her go? It had been nearly twenty-four hours! The city had been nearly decimated! And his daughter was outside, somewhere…
"Kuja!" Kuja turned to see Crims entering the room. "Have you heard anything?" she asked. Kuja shook his head. "Do you think she's alright? What if she was hit by the lightning? She could be dead!"
"Don't worry, Crims. She will be fine. Even if she was hit… I'm sure she's alright."
---
Saniiro sat up slowly. Every muscle in his body hurt. What had happened? He'd been running, and then… He must have run into something. He hadn't seen any lightning coming at him.
Something beside him groaned. Saniiro looked at it. It was Avylonn. Oh dear… Running into a woman? He felt sick.
"Are you alright, Lady Avylonn?" he asked her. She turned her head slightly.
"Ow."
"I'm sorry, My Lady. I seem to have run into you… Are you alright?"
"I… I think so." Avylonn sat up. She seemed to be in great pain. Saniiro felt extremely guilty.
"Let me help you." Saniiro carefully helped Avylonn to her feet.
"Thank you."
"Um… Would you like me to help you get home?"
"Yes, please."
Saniiro hated walking so slowly, but judging by the way Avylonn was limping, she had sprained something. His stomach turned. How could he harm a woman? Avylonn tripped, and nearly knocked Saniiro over when she fell on him. He'd have to think later. She needed all of his attention right now.
"You!" Saniiro turned to see Captain Steiner. "What are you doing? Why are you with her?"
"I, um… ran into her last night. I was helping her get back to the palace."
"Of course." Captain Steiner grabbed Avylonn. She gave a small yelp. "Be quiet, Avylonn."
"But Steiner-"
"Be quiet. Your parents are worried. You're coming with me. Now." Captain Steiner then roughly wheeled her away, despite her complaining.
Interesting. He doesn't seem to care about her very much. I suppose it's because she is the daughter of Kuja. Captain Steiner never was very accepting.
---
"Him? Again?!"
"Yes, Kuja. Him."
"Captain Steiner, could you please explain why he is bad when all he has ever done is voice his opinion?"
"Kuja, that information is not available to the public. Good day."
Kuja watched Steiner leave. Stupid rusted bloke! Kuja didn't particularly like the fellow. What went on in Steiner's mind? Why was he so prejudiced?
Never mind that now. Avylonn didn't look too well; he ought to go make sure his daughter was alright.
---
"Adelbert!" Steiner turned around to see Beatrix. "Come here a moment!"
"Yes, Beatrix?"
"What's this I hear of Avylonn being escorted here by Saniiro, and you being rude?" Steiner flinched.
"Uh… Nothing. That scoundrel was bring Avylonn here, and I saw them and volunteered to escort her the rest of the way…"
"Of course." Beatrix was tapping her foot. A bad sign. "What am I going to do with you?"
Edonil: I'll try to put more of Beatrix and 'Adelbert' in future chapters… Just in case you haven't guessed, no they are not married, and no, they are not dating. They are merely friends. Good friends. Please R&R!