Hey guys! Here's another chapter for ya! I also want to say a
special thanks to WinterSiren! That was such a nice review! Thank you!
And did you really add my story to your favorite story list? ( I don't know
for sure, my friend told me you did). That is so cool! Thanks again! (by
the way...I mean what I said when I said your story rocks!)
Chapter 3-
".....D-Daddy?"
Yuna's face had grown so pale she became almost indistinguishable from the apparition that stood in stark contrast to the rich color of the dining hall walls. The shade that had taken the form of Lord Braska lifted it's head at the sound of his beloved daughter's voice. No...it wasn't a shade...it was him, Lord Braska himself. An unsent? No, it was impossible...he was...a ghost? Baralai all but threw himself onto the floor in reverence of the great summoner. "Lord Braska..." "Rise, there is no need for formalities at this time," the ghost rasped, barely above a whisper. The young, frightened praetor did as he was told. Braska made his way toward his child, touching her cheek. "Yuna...forgive me, there I much that needs to be said, and I have not much time."
Her father's hand felt cold on her face. Not that her face wasn't already icy...but even though it was her father...it felt, unnatural. 'Yuna, it's your father, what is wrong with you?' But she knew the answer to this question right away. He was her father yes... 'But he's dead'. She said to herself. The ghost tilted her head up toward his. "Do you still have it? The necklace that I gave you before you left?" She withdrew from her father's hand. That necklace...she had packed it away long ago. The one with the white mini-sphere. "Yes...but.." A rough warm hand on top of hers hushed her. Tidus' hand. She glanced down and realized that she had grown more ghastly pale than she had realized. He was trying to help her, comfort her, and maybe remind her that she also still was in the presence of the living. She was grateful. "Yuna" her father met her eyes with urgency that commanded her attention, and at the same time made her very nervous. "keep it with you...don't let it out of your sight" Yuna knew her expression must have given away her dire desire to know why, her father gave a saddened sigh. He sank to his knees and held her hands in between his icy, white ones. "Because he wants it Yuna. He has set his plans in motion and he needs only the pendant to complete them." Questions swam through Yuna's head. Dumbfounded, she only managed to utter one question. "Who?" her voice croaked with fear. Braska's ghostly head dropped at the question, his answer written clearly on his face. He couldn't tell her, not any more than he already had. She desperately wanted to hug him, tell him it was okay. But it wasn't, she could tell now that it wasn't. Something very dangerous was happening, but what? "Daughter..." She jerked her head up again. "I have to go...I'm out of time." 'No' she wanted to wisper, and her lips made the movements, but no voice obeyed. Something unexpected happened then. Her father's lips curved into a proud smile. "I can't believe my little girl's getting married." He nodded approval at her fiance. "You have chosen well, Yuna. I'll be there...even if you can't see me, I will be." At this, a small tear ran from the corner of her eye. "I know you will, Daddy."
Kerra couldn't believe for the life of her what she was seeing. Yuna's father gave her one last embrace, before pyreflies began pouring from him like a fountain of crystal water. He gave one last nod to Tidus and a small bow to the young Praetor. Baralai was afraid, she could tell. They all were afraid. What they all knew is that something very dangerous was happening, what they all lacked was the knowledge of what it was. This struck fear in all their hearts. How could it not? The whole world could be unraveling for all they knew. By this time pyreflies were flooding the room with a beautiful glow. Under any other circumstances she might have laughed and delighted in such a breathtaking sight, but for now all she could do was sit there, and gape stupidly. Through the swirls of brilliant colored lights she saw Braska making a bow. Only this time, it was directed toward her. She recognized the gesture, it was the kind the summoners use to make to each other in the time of Sin...and the fayth. It terrified her. She wanted to run, hide, anywhere...anywhere to leave this room. Above all, she wanted to scream. To scream in fear and frustration, and confusion. Her hands clutched her face, trying to get a grip on herself. She was afraid...so afraid. Her feet finally returned to her own control...and she ran.
As she ran she heard footsteps behind her.
He ran after her the moment he saw her frightened shadow dance on the floor of the doorway. He shouldn't do this, he knew. This was against his code of conduct. What would the elders think if they saw him chasing after a hyserical girl. 'forget them.' He scolded himself sharply. She needed him now...even if she didn't know it, or wouldn't admit it, she needed him. 'Your wrong, Baralai' his heart told him. 'You need her even more...' He pushed that thought away immediately. He was praetor, this is not how he was to think., or act. It was much easier to excuse to the council and the elders if he was rescuing her. It was also easier to explain to her. He was gaining on her...just a little farther...
Kerra felt something grab her wrist. She panicked even more, if that was possible. Spinning around to face her attacker, she writhed and wriggled desperately to get free. She did so with her eyes closed...she didn't dare look as to what it looked like, she only knew that she must get free. Her captor however had a firm grip. Smooth hands, she noticed...and warm. Warm with life, which then registered with her as meaning that whoever he was, he was alive. Alive and not dead. He slowly let go of her, but Kerra's strength gave out. Her newly fallen tears soaked whatever clothing he wore, as his strong, warm arms held her carefully to his body like a rag doll.
His heart beat faster as he held the hysterical girl. He wanted to speak to her, tell her it was okay...that it was gone. However, one word and he would be betrayed. She would know his voice...the voice she hated, and she would surely run again. Baralai never wanted this moment to end, but he knew it would, it would have to. She would open her eyes, and disgusted she would hate him even more. For now however, she only cried, too weak to stand on her own feet. By this time, the rest of the party had come to the doorway, Tidus holding an weak, but not hysterical Yuna. Paine hung her head while any cheer in Rikku's face or body language drained and replaced by fear. She shook, but stabled her self against the heavy dark wood door. "I will send someone to find you rooms in the palace for the night." Shelinda. How long had she been there? "Thank you" answered Tidus for Yuna, she was in no condition to speak. Her eyes spoke for her, however, out of concern for her friend that he held. He nodded as to reassure her, and she smiled. Tidus braced the Lady as she attempted to walk to the rooms that were being prepared for Baralai's honored guests. She was no longer weeping, but she was still weak, shuddering and cold, and still afraid to open her eyes. Bevelle palace was huge, he knew right now Kerra would never make it to the room, at least without falling on the cold marble floor. She moaned softly as he let go just enough to slip his arms behind her back and around her legs, and then lifted her up and held her close, hoping to keep her warm. The group followed Shelinda through the twisting, colorful halls of the palace. All the servants they passed looked nervous...they had been told of the incident, gossip traveled faster than anything in these halls.
At last they came to the designated rooms for them. Tidus opened the door to Yuna's room, where she insisted adamantly that Kerra should stay also. Baralai consented, he knew how worried she was about her. As he held her closer he felt something that made him quite relieved. Her breathing had slowed...she was peacefully sleeping in his arms. He gazed at her sleeping face and found he couldn't stifle the oncoming smile if he had tried with all he was. "You might want to put her down sometime" Yuna's ability to be humorous after what she had been through tonight was amazing. "I'm sure that's uncomfortable for you..." 'No...I want to hold her here forever...where she can't hate me.' Then he realized with sadness that she had meant uncomfortable in a way where she thought he didn't like her in the least. He wanted to tell her how wrong she was, about his part anyway, but no one would understand.... especially the New Yevon council. With this thought, he regretfully let go of her, placing her with care on the sapphire blue silk sheets the way a child places her first glass figurine in a cushioned chest, as not to harm it. "I would like to stand watch for a while if it would not bother you, Lady Yuna." He breathed finally. "If someone or something is after you, I don't feel safe leaving you alone." In truth he was the one who didn't want to be alone. He was just as afraid as Kerra had been, if not more. The only difference being that Baralai was accustomed to hiding his emotions well, a requirement of his position he loathed. Yuna nodded her sleepy head in appoval. Not two minutes later she was breathing heavy in a rhythm of sleep. At last, he wept, only quietly as not to disturb the sleeping girls. He was fatigued with it...keeping his emotions bottled up. Always having to attend to other people's worries and needs with no one giving second thought to his own. Always being required to put on a mask for the people never allowed to show who he truly was. At this he glanced at Kerra. 'Who am I really?' he thought to himself, not having to wait long for an answer. 'You have forgotten.'
His eyelids grew heavy, until he decided he could do no more to protect them for the night. Standing up, he took one last glance at Lady Yuna and the golden-haired girl sleeping next to her. He slouched to one knee next to the bed, smoothing the shimmering cloth with a well-tanned hand. As he leaned over and gathered courage he leaned over, meaning only to kiss her porcelain cheek. Nevertheless, he passed over her cheek and both by accident and intention, softly brushed her lips with his. Surprised by his mistake he rose from the bedside and whispered his last words to her before parting. "Sleep well, Kerra, soon tomorrow will come, with it the reality of who we really are.... Or who we must continue to be..."
The last part, he whispered mostly to himself.
Aww...poor Baralai, must be tough to be a praetor, yes? And I just love how Kerra's oblivious to the whole thing...haha. Okay...this chapter was hard to write, so reviews will be more appreciated than usual!
Chapter 3-
".....D-Daddy?"
Yuna's face had grown so pale she became almost indistinguishable from the apparition that stood in stark contrast to the rich color of the dining hall walls. The shade that had taken the form of Lord Braska lifted it's head at the sound of his beloved daughter's voice. No...it wasn't a shade...it was him, Lord Braska himself. An unsent? No, it was impossible...he was...a ghost? Baralai all but threw himself onto the floor in reverence of the great summoner. "Lord Braska..." "Rise, there is no need for formalities at this time," the ghost rasped, barely above a whisper. The young, frightened praetor did as he was told. Braska made his way toward his child, touching her cheek. "Yuna...forgive me, there I much that needs to be said, and I have not much time."
Her father's hand felt cold on her face. Not that her face wasn't already icy...but even though it was her father...it felt, unnatural. 'Yuna, it's your father, what is wrong with you?' But she knew the answer to this question right away. He was her father yes... 'But he's dead'. She said to herself. The ghost tilted her head up toward his. "Do you still have it? The necklace that I gave you before you left?" She withdrew from her father's hand. That necklace...she had packed it away long ago. The one with the white mini-sphere. "Yes...but.." A rough warm hand on top of hers hushed her. Tidus' hand. She glanced down and realized that she had grown more ghastly pale than she had realized. He was trying to help her, comfort her, and maybe remind her that she also still was in the presence of the living. She was grateful. "Yuna" her father met her eyes with urgency that commanded her attention, and at the same time made her very nervous. "keep it with you...don't let it out of your sight" Yuna knew her expression must have given away her dire desire to know why, her father gave a saddened sigh. He sank to his knees and held her hands in between his icy, white ones. "Because he wants it Yuna. He has set his plans in motion and he needs only the pendant to complete them." Questions swam through Yuna's head. Dumbfounded, she only managed to utter one question. "Who?" her voice croaked with fear. Braska's ghostly head dropped at the question, his answer written clearly on his face. He couldn't tell her, not any more than he already had. She desperately wanted to hug him, tell him it was okay. But it wasn't, she could tell now that it wasn't. Something very dangerous was happening, but what? "Daughter..." She jerked her head up again. "I have to go...I'm out of time." 'No' she wanted to wisper, and her lips made the movements, but no voice obeyed. Something unexpected happened then. Her father's lips curved into a proud smile. "I can't believe my little girl's getting married." He nodded approval at her fiance. "You have chosen well, Yuna. I'll be there...even if you can't see me, I will be." At this, a small tear ran from the corner of her eye. "I know you will, Daddy."
Kerra couldn't believe for the life of her what she was seeing. Yuna's father gave her one last embrace, before pyreflies began pouring from him like a fountain of crystal water. He gave one last nod to Tidus and a small bow to the young Praetor. Baralai was afraid, she could tell. They all were afraid. What they all knew is that something very dangerous was happening, what they all lacked was the knowledge of what it was. This struck fear in all their hearts. How could it not? The whole world could be unraveling for all they knew. By this time pyreflies were flooding the room with a beautiful glow. Under any other circumstances she might have laughed and delighted in such a breathtaking sight, but for now all she could do was sit there, and gape stupidly. Through the swirls of brilliant colored lights she saw Braska making a bow. Only this time, it was directed toward her. She recognized the gesture, it was the kind the summoners use to make to each other in the time of Sin...and the fayth. It terrified her. She wanted to run, hide, anywhere...anywhere to leave this room. Above all, she wanted to scream. To scream in fear and frustration, and confusion. Her hands clutched her face, trying to get a grip on herself. She was afraid...so afraid. Her feet finally returned to her own control...and she ran.
As she ran she heard footsteps behind her.
He ran after her the moment he saw her frightened shadow dance on the floor of the doorway. He shouldn't do this, he knew. This was against his code of conduct. What would the elders think if they saw him chasing after a hyserical girl. 'forget them.' He scolded himself sharply. She needed him now...even if she didn't know it, or wouldn't admit it, she needed him. 'Your wrong, Baralai' his heart told him. 'You need her even more...' He pushed that thought away immediately. He was praetor, this is not how he was to think., or act. It was much easier to excuse to the council and the elders if he was rescuing her. It was also easier to explain to her. He was gaining on her...just a little farther...
Kerra felt something grab her wrist. She panicked even more, if that was possible. Spinning around to face her attacker, she writhed and wriggled desperately to get free. She did so with her eyes closed...she didn't dare look as to what it looked like, she only knew that she must get free. Her captor however had a firm grip. Smooth hands, she noticed...and warm. Warm with life, which then registered with her as meaning that whoever he was, he was alive. Alive and not dead. He slowly let go of her, but Kerra's strength gave out. Her newly fallen tears soaked whatever clothing he wore, as his strong, warm arms held her carefully to his body like a rag doll.
His heart beat faster as he held the hysterical girl. He wanted to speak to her, tell her it was okay...that it was gone. However, one word and he would be betrayed. She would know his voice...the voice she hated, and she would surely run again. Baralai never wanted this moment to end, but he knew it would, it would have to. She would open her eyes, and disgusted she would hate him even more. For now however, she only cried, too weak to stand on her own feet. By this time, the rest of the party had come to the doorway, Tidus holding an weak, but not hysterical Yuna. Paine hung her head while any cheer in Rikku's face or body language drained and replaced by fear. She shook, but stabled her self against the heavy dark wood door. "I will send someone to find you rooms in the palace for the night." Shelinda. How long had she been there? "Thank you" answered Tidus for Yuna, she was in no condition to speak. Her eyes spoke for her, however, out of concern for her friend that he held. He nodded as to reassure her, and she smiled. Tidus braced the Lady as she attempted to walk to the rooms that were being prepared for Baralai's honored guests. She was no longer weeping, but she was still weak, shuddering and cold, and still afraid to open her eyes. Bevelle palace was huge, he knew right now Kerra would never make it to the room, at least without falling on the cold marble floor. She moaned softly as he let go just enough to slip his arms behind her back and around her legs, and then lifted her up and held her close, hoping to keep her warm. The group followed Shelinda through the twisting, colorful halls of the palace. All the servants they passed looked nervous...they had been told of the incident, gossip traveled faster than anything in these halls.
At last they came to the designated rooms for them. Tidus opened the door to Yuna's room, where she insisted adamantly that Kerra should stay also. Baralai consented, he knew how worried she was about her. As he held her closer he felt something that made him quite relieved. Her breathing had slowed...she was peacefully sleeping in his arms. He gazed at her sleeping face and found he couldn't stifle the oncoming smile if he had tried with all he was. "You might want to put her down sometime" Yuna's ability to be humorous after what she had been through tonight was amazing. "I'm sure that's uncomfortable for you..." 'No...I want to hold her here forever...where she can't hate me.' Then he realized with sadness that she had meant uncomfortable in a way where she thought he didn't like her in the least. He wanted to tell her how wrong she was, about his part anyway, but no one would understand.... especially the New Yevon council. With this thought, he regretfully let go of her, placing her with care on the sapphire blue silk sheets the way a child places her first glass figurine in a cushioned chest, as not to harm it. "I would like to stand watch for a while if it would not bother you, Lady Yuna." He breathed finally. "If someone or something is after you, I don't feel safe leaving you alone." In truth he was the one who didn't want to be alone. He was just as afraid as Kerra had been, if not more. The only difference being that Baralai was accustomed to hiding his emotions well, a requirement of his position he loathed. Yuna nodded her sleepy head in appoval. Not two minutes later she was breathing heavy in a rhythm of sleep. At last, he wept, only quietly as not to disturb the sleeping girls. He was fatigued with it...keeping his emotions bottled up. Always having to attend to other people's worries and needs with no one giving second thought to his own. Always being required to put on a mask for the people never allowed to show who he truly was. At this he glanced at Kerra. 'Who am I really?' he thought to himself, not having to wait long for an answer. 'You have forgotten.'
His eyelids grew heavy, until he decided he could do no more to protect them for the night. Standing up, he took one last glance at Lady Yuna and the golden-haired girl sleeping next to her. He slouched to one knee next to the bed, smoothing the shimmering cloth with a well-tanned hand. As he leaned over and gathered courage he leaned over, meaning only to kiss her porcelain cheek. Nevertheless, he passed over her cheek and both by accident and intention, softly brushed her lips with his. Surprised by his mistake he rose from the bedside and whispered his last words to her before parting. "Sleep well, Kerra, soon tomorrow will come, with it the reality of who we really are.... Or who we must continue to be..."
The last part, he whispered mostly to himself.
Aww...poor Baralai, must be tough to be a praetor, yes? And I just love how Kerra's oblivious to the whole thing...haha. Okay...this chapter was hard to write, so reviews will be more appreciated than usual!