[Authors note] Heya again! Only me! Another chapter for you lucky sausages! Sorry its been so long. Someone thought it would be fun to send my brother an email with a virus in it, so we had to wipe the computer!!! Nargh! But anyway, here you go, enjoy! BYEEEEE
Chapter 1; Blushes in the night
I had felt so ashamed as I sat at that table, crying. I had made everyone uncomfortable. Yunie and Lulu had escorted me through the rain back to the inn in the village. I was soaking wet and cold by the time we got back. But now I was relaxing in a hot steamy bath. My tears had run dry, but my heart was still full of aching pain. What made it worse was that I hadn't even been able to say my goodbyes...
Dad had disappeared about 2months ago. He'd done it before, but never for this long. I remembered Auron and Tidus had finally convinced me to go to the authorities, but though they took our details and photos we offered, they took no real notice. I suppose another Al Bhed gone would be a blessing. A dry sob racked my body, causing the still water to ripple.
They never found his body. The claim was that a couple of respectable Guado's found his body floating in the moonflow. They fished it to the side with a large stick, and identified him. Then a Varlon fiend had attacked and they had fled. Yeah right!
The coffin wasn't empty though. We filled it with pictures, small items of machina and other priceless family treasures, as well as some photos of mum... Mum. He was on his way to see her in Guadosalam. It was their 20th anniversary and he said he'd wanted to be there. It was funny. I suppose it was meant to be. At least they would be together now. IF he'd managed to cross over. I shuddered at the thought that he could be still floating around; a pyrefly, just waiting for the right time to become a fiend.
How long I lay there, I don't know. The bubbles gone, and the water getting cold, I gently lifted myself out, grabbing one of the fluffy white towels that had been warming by the small log burner that heated water in the en- suite as I rose. Wrapping it around myself I noted how weak I felt, but then crying for hours did that to you. I'd sit and watch dad pine over pictures of my mother for hours. She was very pretty; with our trademark green eyes and long blonde hair, almost always down, unless she was helping dad or Brother in the workshop, in which case it was swept into a graceful French twist. I used to wear it long, but it made dad sad, so I'd taken to wearing it in a ponytail, though now it hung in wet strands about my neck. I walked over to the mirror that hung on the far wall of the bathroom and looked into it deeply. Condensation had formed and streaks of water slid down the misted image, giving me a distorted reflection. I reach up and wiped my hand across it sharply, gasping at the coldness of the glass. Two puffy jade eyes stared back at me, I looked terrible. I turned from the truthful mirror and shuffled into the bedroom. Sitting down on the bed I began to dress my plain white nightshirt, falling down to just above my knee. I picked up my bag that was lying on the bedside table and rifled though until I found my hairbrush and gently began untangling the knots in my hair when I heard a knock at the door. "Who is it?" I called, my voice a little horse. "Auron." the reply was quite what I had expected. What did Auron want with me? We hardly ever spoke, unless it concerned Yuna or the pilgrimage. "Oh, erm, yeah come in. It's open." I felt myself blush at my stammer. The door creaked open slowly and in stepped Auron, red cloak swishing slightly. He was carrying a large blanket. He looked at me, blushed and turned his back. Then it was his turn to stammer. "Oh excuse me. I didn't realise you were going to bed just yet. I'm sorry. Should I get Yuna or Lulu?" It took a moment for me to register what he was telling me, until I looked down and remembered my nightshirt. Dammit! I cursed silently and quickly drew the bedcovers around my half naked torso. "No, I'm sorry, it's my fault." Auron nodded to the wall. There was a pause between us. "So, you wanted something?" I asked gently. "Oh right yeah, erm; Tidus suggested you might want an extra blanket. Cause, you know, its, cold and, yeah..." What's wrong with him? Is he nervous? "Oh, thank you, that very... nice of you" I said, immediately wishing I hadn't. Nice? That's great Rikku. The most conversation you get out of him since, ever and you say it's nice... smooth. "Yeah, well, I guess I'll just put it here" He said gesturing towards the dresser. He walked over to it, careful to avert it eyes from me and when he turned, he did not look at me, instead, stared blankly at the wall, "Well, I guess I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight Rikku" "Night Auron." And with that he left. What on earth was all that about? I asked myself silently as I walked over and picked up the comforter. Switching off the light I agreed to myself that this week had been bad, but that was possibly the weirdest thing ever. I clambered into bed and, with the extra blanket, feeling smug as a bug closed my eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep...
Surprisingly I was awake early the next morning, and that was a first for me! I was always last up, except maybe for Tidus. As I stumbled into the bathroom, I smiled bleakly at my new reflection. My eyes were bright and clear again and the sun was streaming in through the skylight window. A new day. A new Rikku. I turned on the small shower in the corner of the room and let the water heat up. I opened the small window, smiling at the cool breeze that met my face and stripped off my clothes. After washing my hair and body, I walked back into my bedroom area and dressed quickly, my usual orange tank top and green shorts, complete with boots, gloves, claws and clips. My hair was still a little wet so I figured I'd go sit outside in the fresh air to let it dry some, before styling it.
The sun had just risen as I stepped outside and I shielded it from my eyes. The rain from yesterday had cleared and the sky a cyan blue, yet the grass and plants that surrounding the inn still held its trace. Everything had a shine of water to it. I walked over to a small bench, situated under a small apple tree, full of ripening fruit, shading her from the ever rising sun and sat down lightly. I couldn't help but let out a small sigh. It was so peaceful here, with the sun, the apples, and the ever-so-slight breeze that whispered through the leaves above me. I felt my eyes closing in bliss feeling the long grass tickle my legs above my socks. I didn't even realise I was asleep until I heard Tidus shouting to me from the door way,
"Hey! Rikku, I've been lookin' all over for you! How are you?" he asked, turning from playful to serious in moments. I pondered the question. How was I feeling?
"I'm not sure. I think I'm just not really thinking about...things." I said, choosing my words carefully, "Better than I was yesterday. But anyway, enough about me how are you? You get any sleep with Sir Snore-A lot Wakka."
The face Tidus pulled then made me burst out laughing, "That bad huh? Well should try bunking with Lulu. I'm afraid to sleep incase one of her dolls decide I'm a fiend in the middle of the night."
It was Tidus's turn to laugh, "Yeah, those things are scary. Just as long as they can be kept under her control...and far away from me, I don't mind." We both laughed and there was a slight pause. I figured he was uncomfortable around me, wondering what to say. "I guess its up to you now Rikku, they're all gonna be like this."
"So," I said, bringing him back from his thoughts, "Where to next?"
"Huh?" He looked confused, and kinda sweet with the sun all around him, giving me a halo of sorts.
"The Pilgrimage; saving the world, beating the big fish Sin, making a nice big calm for the peoples of Spira," I said, sound very textbook-ish, "Ringing any bells?"
He looked shocked, then kind of nervous. He scratched the back of his head, "Yeah, about that. We were wondering, if, you know, you wanted to, I dunno, leave for a while, you know, to grieve and that, It would be ok. No one would think any less of you." He added quickly. Well that was new. I hadn't even thought about quitting the pilgrimage. It just wasn't done. And I certainly wasn't going to be the first one.
"What and leave you guys to have all the fun?! No way. Besides, I figure that keeping busy would probably be the best thing." I smiled to reassure him that I was ok, but more to reassure myself. Tidus nodded and no more was said. We sat admiring the view, chatting about Blitzball and who was going to win the Blitzball tournament that was up and coming in Luca. Dad and Brother had tickets for the whole season. It was a gift from the Al Bhed's to them for re-organising Home in our greatest hour of need. I remember they had said they were going to go and watch it together. I had had a screaming match with Brother because I wanted to go. I smiled gingerly at the memory.
I felt Tidus looking at me and turned to him. "What?" I asked innocently. "I don't know, you I guess." He replied, looking sheepish, "When my old man died, I was angry at him, and I guess I never really grieved, but you... from what I've heard from Yuna, you two were really close. And somehow you've bottled it all up inside. I could never do that. "When I was younger, I used to get picked on at school, because of my dad being the 'famous Jecht, Blitzball star' and, at home, a junkie. Well, people picked up on it, and rumours would fly, so when we beat other teams, I'd get it. I'd sit and cry at home and if my old man caught me, he'd really lay into me. Not physically, but his words, they were like punches to the gut. I guess I hated him for it. For never realising what was going on in my life, and for screwing it up at such a young age. I could never forgive him for it."
I started at Tidus, my mouth open slightly looking at him in a different light. I had never known. His bubbly personality was a perfect shield, but his pain inside was a negative force on him. I didn't know what to say. So I did my next best thing. I reach out and pulled him into a hug and let my actions do the talking.
After a few minutes of just sitting like that, the bird's songs and the sunlight getting stronger, I felt him pull away slightly.
"Thanks" he said, smiling. I nodded and stood up, stretching. Tidus followed suit and briefly told me he was going to go and find Auron, the only other member of the group up, and see when we'd be leaving. I nodded again wandered over to the door. I figured I'd go back to my room and wait for the departure. Only, I never got that far.
"Rikku" a voice called out to me in reception. I spun around, almost loosing my footing on the gleaming floor. I looked around, trying to find the source of the noise, and was shocked to find Rin standing there.
"Rin! What are you doing here?" I asked the merchant. I had known him as a child, in the first Home, before the Guado's decided to blow it up that was.
"I am working here now." Came the simple reply, "It pays the bills." He added, shrugging.
"But what about you?" he asked, he smile disappearing and he tone becoming more serious.
I looked away. Of course Rin knew. In fact, I thought as an after thought, I expect Brother sent him here to check on me! Figures. Never was able to do anything himself.
I shrugged, "I 'm ok I guess...really!" I added to sooth his expression, which had turned to blatant doubt.
"Well, your Brother thinks, and if I am honest I agree, that you should maybe go back to Home for a little while, you know, be amongst your own kind and that?" Rin spoke slowly, trying to word his thoughts without causing offence or anger.
Well that confirmed my suspicions about Brothers involvement with Rin's appearance. Still at least he cared, even if it was in his own way.
I shook my head, no.
"I think I need to be with Yuna. She needs me, and all this talk of 'our own kind' it just shows how isolated the Al Bhed's really are. I'm going to complete the pilgrimage with Yunie."
'And' I added as an afterthought to myself, 'find a way to beat Sin without her sacrifice.'
Rin nodded and smiled, his first genuine one since I had seen all day, "I figured as much. You are so much like your mother like that, always putting others before you. I see her presence in you more, each time I speak with you."
I felt my mouth open slightly in shock, "I...I remind you of her?"
"Yes! Can you not see it yourself?" his booming laugh asked.
I smiled my reply. A loud giggle at the other end of the hall drew my attention away from my friend and I saw Tidus and Yuna laughing about something. I smiled again. They had grown so close, in fact I was almost sure they were falling for each other, but neither could see it. It was cute. I was daydreaming about a future wedding I could plan for them when I heard Rin speaking.
"I must go now Rikku, but I have no doubt that we will meet again during you journey. Keep your spirits high and do not dwell on what cannot be changed." He said simply. I knew he was talking about my father, without actually saying it. I nodded in agreement and we shared a hug. As he turned to leave he handed me a letter.
"Oh yes, there was a messenger outside for you earlier, asked me to give you this. I hope its good news."
I looked at the stamp on the back, it looked familiar, yet I could not place where. The writing on the front was slightly blotched, but there was no mistaking the addressee's name; Rikku.
"Hmmm" I wondered aloud, "Who could be writing to me?"
I pocketed the envelope and said goodbye to Rin once again before wandering over to Yuna and Tidus.
"Hey guys!" I called, "How's it going?" My bubbly personality slotting back into place. Yuna looked over to me, her smile slipping slightly, but with a small nod from me, returned and she unnecessarily gave me a hug.
"A simple, 'Hi Rikku, I'm fine thanks' would have done I laughed."
Yuna blushed and bowed slightly. I shook my head, rolling my eyes dramatically as I went. All this formality's between friends. It seems ridiculous to me. And do not get me started on "sir" Auron. He is just a man for crying out loud! Why does he get the right to be a "sir"? Okay, so he may have saved Spira once or twice, so what? I had better be Lady Rikku when all this is finished.
"Have you seen Auron?" Tidus asked me. I snapped my head up, and for one fleeting moment, glared at Tidus, as if he had been reading my thoughts.
"Nope. Just me" I shrugged.
"Great, that means he has gone-a-wandering again. Ah well, I guess I'll just wait for him to come back. I ain't going after him again. Last time I did that, I nearly got flattened by a tree fiend that thought it would be funny to throw a log branch at me!"
Yuna and I glanced at each other and burst out laughing.
"Hey! It's not funny you guys! I would have been mince meat! Then who would be here to protect you from the big bad fiends."
"Auron" I said, immediately wondering why I had. I could have said Lulu or Kimahri, hell I could even have said Wakka, but I didn't. I said Auron. I reassured myself, by saying it was only because I had been thinking about him only moments before.
I saw a slight flicker pass between Yuna and Tidus, but I figured it was just a private joke.
"Anyway, I'm gonna go and pack up my stuff, just incase we do leave today. I am always the last ready and then I got to walk at the back. And believe me, its not so great, everybody's feet churning up the dust on the paths. It's not great at all! Come and find me, once you got the verdict from Auron." I explained.
"Sure thing, see ya later." Came they're reply.
I decided I'd leave them to it. They need as much time as they can get.
I wandered back to my room and slid my empty pack from under my bed. Then, opening the drawers, I began to refold my clothes into the holder. As I picked up my diary and pen that I took with me everywhere, recording all my thoughts and feelings, my small cartridge of ink toppled of the desk and landed all over my top and shorts. "Argh!" I cried as the ink began to spread into the material and grabbing the last remaining items in the draw ran to change in the bathroom. I shrugged out of the orange top and slid the white trimmed green shorts, replacing them with a tight, mini skirt of khaki green and a yellow bikini top I used for sunbathing in Luca with. Not the best combination I thought, but it would have to do until I could get my regular clothes washed.
I wandered back into the bedroom, carrying my stained outfit and began to fold it. A slight friction in one of the pockets of my shorts halted me. My letter! I hastily snatched it from its hold and sat cross legged on the bed. I re-read the address, checking for any signs of mistaken identity, but, finding none, flipped it over a slid a finger beneath the red waxen seal with its bizarre stamp. The letter its self, I realised was quite short, though it was written upon thicker paper and a heavy scrawl was etched across it, as though its author was in a hurry. Scanning the letter I gasped and nearly dropped it as I read the signed name at the bottom;
Ev oui yna naytehk drec maddan, dra funca ryc bnupypmo rybbahat. Drana ech'd silr desa du aqbmyeh, pid E haat du fynh oui. Eh vyld, po fnedehk drec maddan E ys bnupypmo biddehk so ufh calnad ehdu zaubynto. Dra Guado's yna, ihtan hu lenliscdyhlac, du pa dnicdat! Drao yna bmuddehk cusadrehk, fryd E lyh'd cyo, pid drana ec cusadrehk tyhkanuic ypuid dras. Oui ghuf, frah E mavd vun Guadosalam dryd E fyc kuehk du jeced ouin sudran eh dra Farplane. Famm uh dra fyo pylg, E ujanraynt Maester Seymour dymgehk du dryd canjyhd uv rec, Tromell. Maester Seymour ec yh unsent. Oui sicd tu fryd E luimt hud; oui sicd kad du y summoner yht caht res. Frydajan drao cyo, oui lyhhud dnicd dras. Damm fru oui sicd, vun ymm fru ghuf drec ehvunsydeuh yna yd necg. E ys cunno du myo drec pintah uh oui so yhkam. Pid oui yna cdnuhk, oui ryja ouin sudran'c yht E'c pmuut nihhehk drnuikr oui. Dra Al Bhed femm haat y maytan. Luhdyld Brother, ed ec rec tido du dyga so bmyla, pid tu hud damm res uv drec maddan. Ra ec hud yc cdnuhk yc oui, pid tu hud funno ypuid res. Dra Al Bhed's femm bnudald res. Ymcu, tu hud funno ypuid sa. E muja oui Rikku E's zicd cunno E luimth'd damm oui drec eh bancuh. E femm caa oui cuuh. Ouin mujehk vydran Cid qqq
A knock at the door startled me and I hastily stuffed the letter under the bed. "Come in" I said, noticing the shaking in my voice. Blonde hair, followed by Tidus's face was poked round the wooden door, his usual grin in place. "Auron says we're good to go. You ready?" "Nearly" I said slowly, willing my throat to behave and not start screaming as they so wanted to. Tidus nodded and the head was reclined. I once again withdrew my letter and re-read it. It this letter was genuine. We were all in a lot of trouble!-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Author's note] Dun dun dun! Cliff-hanger! Mind you, now that I think about it that was probably really obvious. I will try and get the next chappie posted and viewable by the end of this week, but I have a maths module on Wednesday plus an English "Romeo and Juliet" essay due in. Damn school work! Ah well.
Translation of Cid's letter:
Dear Rikku
If you are reading this letter, the worst has probably happened. There isn't much time to explain, but I need to warn you. In fact, by writing this letter I am probably putting my own secret into jeopardy. The Guado's are, under no circumstances, to be trusted! They are plotting something, what I can't say, but there is something dangerous about them. You know, when I left for Guadosalam that I was going to visit your mother in the Farplane. Well on the way back, I overheard Maester Seymour talking to that servant of his, Tromell. Maester Seymour is an unsent. You must do what I could not; you must get to a summoner and send him. Whatever they say, you cannot trust them. Tell who you must, for all who know this information are at risk. I am sorry to lay this burden on you my angel. But you are strong, you have your mother's and I's blood running through you. The Al Bhed will need a leader. Contact Brother, it is his duty to take my place, but do not tell him of this letter. He is not as strong as you, but do not worry about him. The Al Bhed's will protect him. Also, do not worry about me. I love you Rikku I'm just sorry I couldn't tell you this in person. I will see you soon. Your loving father Cid xxx