Dancing All Around Me : A Rikku x Gippal Fanfiction
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Note : This takes place one year after the Final Fantasy X-2 gameplay, after the defeat of Vegnagun. The Gullwings have gone their separate ways for the time being: Brother, Shinra, and Buddy are traveling around Spira; Rikku is staying with Yuna in Besaid; Paine has "run off" somewhere (though she refuses to disclose her location), but manages to keep in touch with the other girls by sending spheres; Nooj, Gippal, and Baralai have remained leaders of their individual factions, and they have maintained a peace bond between the three groups; Leblanc and her syndicate have stayed in Guadosalam, and have caused no recent trouble. Spira is becoming a better place, and many fiends have been cleared out of the land. The people are looking forward to the future with much hope.
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CHAPTER FOUR : The Big Problem
With an overly emphasized sigh, Rikku plopped down onto the uncomfortable wooden deck by the railing of the S.S. Winno. "Ouch!" Unexpectedly, she had landed a little too hard for her liking, and she gently rubbed her backside as she muttered, "They need to get cushions or pillows to cover the deck. How do they expect their passengers to get any sort of comfort around here?" Well, yes, it was true that there were no fancy, first-class accommodations on the S.S. Winno, but still. Rikku wouldn't mind starting a petition to get some sort of comfort around these ships. Nothing too fancy, of course, but more than what they had to offer now. But she'd put that off for another day.
After moments of shifting about in her position on the deck, she leaned against the metal railing behind her (which wasn't too comfortable, either, but she'd adjust to it). She pulled her knees up to her face and wrapped her arms around them. Lifting her head to the sky, she gazed up into the azure expanse, absorbing the warm sunlight and the crisp smell of saltwater. White clouds dotted the sky here and there in paintbrush strokes and seagulls cried joyously as they soared upon the fresh breeze.
I could get used to waking up to mornings like this, Rikku thought.
She looked around at the other fellow passengers on the ship. A young couple, probably not much older than herself, were standing together at the railing just a few feet from her. The young man had his arms wrapped around the girl's waist, and they looked as though they were deeply in love. Despite the fact that Rikku didn't care to think about such things, a pang of slight envy struck her heart, somewhere deep inside.
Before she could ponder on anything more, she shifted her gaze to another figure standing in the shade of the cabin several feet from her position at the railing. Rikku canted her head to the side as she surveyed this person from afar. A worn, dull brown cloak covered the person's small figure, and the hood was thrown up over the person's head, leaving the face hidden in shadow as well. Thus, Rikku couldn't tell whether this person was male or female. All she could see was the brown cloak... and the matching, plain boots that the person wore.
Apparently, the person in question was staring back at her. Rikku shuddered a bit as she broke her gaze from the cloaked figure. She mentally reminded herself not to do that again.
Finding no one else of particular interest on the ship, she looked out at the incessant waves below her. After a few minutes, she leaned her head against the surprisingly cold metal bars behind her. She closed her eyes and basked in the early sunlight, reveling in the way the slight breeze danced through her hair and tingled the skin on her arms.
Slowly, slowly, the Al Bhed girl drifted into a dreamy reverie, rocking with the ship as it made its way toward Luca, the blitzball city.
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Yes, she had noticed the blond girl staring at her, and had bothered herself to stare back, though the girl couldn't see her eyes. Or her face, for that matter. But she had evidently felt it, for she had given a slight shudder and looked away immediately. From this, she found her second bit of amusement of the day; the first bit being the part where the girl had clumsily dropped down onto the deck too roughly and evoking a yelp of pain in the process. She couldn't help but become more and more interested in the young Al Bhed woman. It wasn't every day that you encountered someone as intriguing as her... in appearance, at least. Not that she was turned on by the girl, no. People who dressed that way typically were the ones that ran into adventure and trouble. And it had been longer than necessary since she'd last had some sort of fun.
After watching the girl drift to sleep for a few minutes, she fixed her disheveled cloak and moved from her spot. The girl wouldn't be going anywhere for the time being, and observing her sleep would most likely bring her the greatest degree of boredom, if not death. The thudding of her boots on the wooden deck was masked in the endless splashing of the waves against the ship. She made her way silently to the other end of the ship.
Ugh, she thought, they seriously need to add a little more to these ships. How the hell am I supposed to enjoy myself while riding to Luca? But then, this wasn't a cruise ship. Only a transporting vessel... or something like that. Ah, fuck it.
She gripped the railing with hands covered in black, fingerless gloves and leaned as far out as she could. Looking down at the chaotic waves crashing against the ship, she breathed in the smell of the sea. Oh, how she had missed venturing out across the ocean waters. Before, she had done it so often that she had come to view the seas as her secondary home. It was one of the more comforting memories she treasured.
Pulling back, she stood with her hands still clasped around the top metal bar of the railing. She eyed the vast ocean waters, extending out as far as she could see, nothing but pure blue. And it was now that she finally decided to reflect upon her journeying. How long had it been since she had gone frolicking about? A year, more or less. That wasn't too lengthy, but it had been enough to make her yearn for action again.
It wasn't the brightest idea to stalk the Al Bhed girl, but she couldn't think of another way. Just walking up to her and introducing herself would be too simple. There wouldn't be any excitement in that, now, would there? She intended to surprise the girl. Yet she didn't know how she'd accomplish something like that... but she'd figure something out. She had been through enough to know that planning it would only spoil it; she'd have to let to happen on its own.
So for now, she'd just follow the bouncing Al Bhed.
- - x - -
The young man desperately wiped his sweaty palms down his shirt. He stood in front of the door leading into his boss's main office. He hadn't been working at this company for very long, but that was only because the company itself was new. But he thought of himself as a mere amateur, someone inferior to the more elite-appearing co-workers.
Yet he banned that thought from his mind as she prepared to enter the office. How would he disclose the news to the boss? He'd get fired, surely. His boss had already been infuriated more than a few times about the project, and that was because they had less than two weeks to finish everything. Oh, why did he have to be the one to tell the boss?
He breathed a deep breath and exhaled as he stepped forward, making the heavy, metal-enforced door to automatically slide open. The young man entered the office and bowed upon entering, keeping his head down.
"Sir! I have... some news for you regarding the project! ... sir!" He cursed himself silently for sounding so insecure in front of his boss.
From the great desk he sat behind, the heavyset man puffed on his cigar and eyed the young employee standing before him. He enjoyed the superiority he exhibited over him and the other employees. His very presence made them cringe in the slightest fear. And to that, he could only smile slyly.
Now, however, he was in a more serious mood. This project would have to be completed... and soon. "Yes, boy? Go on, spit it out."
The young man, all the while keeping his head bowed, sputtered, "Th-the project has encountered a big problem, sir."
"Problem?!" The man behind the desk exploded. "What problem?! This project is to be finished in its perfection within two weeks! I want no problem in any part of it, you hear, boy?!"
The young man swallowed with difficulty as he replied, "D-Do you want me to tell you what the problem is? ...S-sir."
The man pounded his fist on the desk, causing the young man before him to jump a bit. "No, I want to hear no more of this problem! Fix it, or you'll be walking out this door without the smallest amount of gil in your pockets, if any at all! Now leave!"
The young man bowed lower as he half-stumbled, half-turned on his way out the door. Once the heavy metal door closed shut behind him, he leaned against the nearby wall, sweat pouring down his face. Good. He didn't have to tell the boss what the problem was. Otherwise, he'd have been even angrier than he had just been.
Besides, he thought, how would I have been able to tell him that the ribbons are suddenly exploding and severely injuring the employees handling them? He would have been fired for sure.
- - x - -
Author's Note: Hi! :D Sorry I haven't been updating very much, but I finally managed to get the next chapter in! Please review and tell me if you like what's happening so far! Thanks!
- - x - -
Note : This takes place one year after the Final Fantasy X-2 gameplay, after the defeat of Vegnagun. The Gullwings have gone their separate ways for the time being: Brother, Shinra, and Buddy are traveling around Spira; Rikku is staying with Yuna in Besaid; Paine has "run off" somewhere (though she refuses to disclose her location), but manages to keep in touch with the other girls by sending spheres; Nooj, Gippal, and Baralai have remained leaders of their individual factions, and they have maintained a peace bond between the three groups; Leblanc and her syndicate have stayed in Guadosalam, and have caused no recent trouble. Spira is becoming a better place, and many fiends have been cleared out of the land. The people are looking forward to the future with much hope.
- - x - -
CHAPTER FOUR : The Big Problem
With an overly emphasized sigh, Rikku plopped down onto the uncomfortable wooden deck by the railing of the S.S. Winno. "Ouch!" Unexpectedly, she had landed a little too hard for her liking, and she gently rubbed her backside as she muttered, "They need to get cushions or pillows to cover the deck. How do they expect their passengers to get any sort of comfort around here?" Well, yes, it was true that there were no fancy, first-class accommodations on the S.S. Winno, but still. Rikku wouldn't mind starting a petition to get some sort of comfort around these ships. Nothing too fancy, of course, but more than what they had to offer now. But she'd put that off for another day.
After moments of shifting about in her position on the deck, she leaned against the metal railing behind her (which wasn't too comfortable, either, but she'd adjust to it). She pulled her knees up to her face and wrapped her arms around them. Lifting her head to the sky, she gazed up into the azure expanse, absorbing the warm sunlight and the crisp smell of saltwater. White clouds dotted the sky here and there in paintbrush strokes and seagulls cried joyously as they soared upon the fresh breeze.
I could get used to waking up to mornings like this, Rikku thought.
She looked around at the other fellow passengers on the ship. A young couple, probably not much older than herself, were standing together at the railing just a few feet from her. The young man had his arms wrapped around the girl's waist, and they looked as though they were deeply in love. Despite the fact that Rikku didn't care to think about such things, a pang of slight envy struck her heart, somewhere deep inside.
Before she could ponder on anything more, she shifted her gaze to another figure standing in the shade of the cabin several feet from her position at the railing. Rikku canted her head to the side as she surveyed this person from afar. A worn, dull brown cloak covered the person's small figure, and the hood was thrown up over the person's head, leaving the face hidden in shadow as well. Thus, Rikku couldn't tell whether this person was male or female. All she could see was the brown cloak... and the matching, plain boots that the person wore.
Apparently, the person in question was staring back at her. Rikku shuddered a bit as she broke her gaze from the cloaked figure. She mentally reminded herself not to do that again.
Finding no one else of particular interest on the ship, she looked out at the incessant waves below her. After a few minutes, she leaned her head against the surprisingly cold metal bars behind her. She closed her eyes and basked in the early sunlight, reveling in the way the slight breeze danced through her hair and tingled the skin on her arms.
Slowly, slowly, the Al Bhed girl drifted into a dreamy reverie, rocking with the ship as it made its way toward Luca, the blitzball city.
- - x - -
Yes, she had noticed the blond girl staring at her, and had bothered herself to stare back, though the girl couldn't see her eyes. Or her face, for that matter. But she had evidently felt it, for she had given a slight shudder and looked away immediately. From this, she found her second bit of amusement of the day; the first bit being the part where the girl had clumsily dropped down onto the deck too roughly and evoking a yelp of pain in the process. She couldn't help but become more and more interested in the young Al Bhed woman. It wasn't every day that you encountered someone as intriguing as her... in appearance, at least. Not that she was turned on by the girl, no. People who dressed that way typically were the ones that ran into adventure and trouble. And it had been longer than necessary since she'd last had some sort of fun.
After watching the girl drift to sleep for a few minutes, she fixed her disheveled cloak and moved from her spot. The girl wouldn't be going anywhere for the time being, and observing her sleep would most likely bring her the greatest degree of boredom, if not death. The thudding of her boots on the wooden deck was masked in the endless splashing of the waves against the ship. She made her way silently to the other end of the ship.
Ugh, she thought, they seriously need to add a little more to these ships. How the hell am I supposed to enjoy myself while riding to Luca? But then, this wasn't a cruise ship. Only a transporting vessel... or something like that. Ah, fuck it.
She gripped the railing with hands covered in black, fingerless gloves and leaned as far out as she could. Looking down at the chaotic waves crashing against the ship, she breathed in the smell of the sea. Oh, how she had missed venturing out across the ocean waters. Before, she had done it so often that she had come to view the seas as her secondary home. It was one of the more comforting memories she treasured.
Pulling back, she stood with her hands still clasped around the top metal bar of the railing. She eyed the vast ocean waters, extending out as far as she could see, nothing but pure blue. And it was now that she finally decided to reflect upon her journeying. How long had it been since she had gone frolicking about? A year, more or less. That wasn't too lengthy, but it had been enough to make her yearn for action again.
It wasn't the brightest idea to stalk the Al Bhed girl, but she couldn't think of another way. Just walking up to her and introducing herself would be too simple. There wouldn't be any excitement in that, now, would there? She intended to surprise the girl. Yet she didn't know how she'd accomplish something like that... but she'd figure something out. She had been through enough to know that planning it would only spoil it; she'd have to let to happen on its own.
So for now, she'd just follow the bouncing Al Bhed.
- - x - -
The young man desperately wiped his sweaty palms down his shirt. He stood in front of the door leading into his boss's main office. He hadn't been working at this company for very long, but that was only because the company itself was new. But he thought of himself as a mere amateur, someone inferior to the more elite-appearing co-workers.
Yet he banned that thought from his mind as she prepared to enter the office. How would he disclose the news to the boss? He'd get fired, surely. His boss had already been infuriated more than a few times about the project, and that was because they had less than two weeks to finish everything. Oh, why did he have to be the one to tell the boss?
He breathed a deep breath and exhaled as he stepped forward, making the heavy, metal-enforced door to automatically slide open. The young man entered the office and bowed upon entering, keeping his head down.
"Sir! I have... some news for you regarding the project! ... sir!" He cursed himself silently for sounding so insecure in front of his boss.
From the great desk he sat behind, the heavyset man puffed on his cigar and eyed the young employee standing before him. He enjoyed the superiority he exhibited over him and the other employees. His very presence made them cringe in the slightest fear. And to that, he could only smile slyly.
Now, however, he was in a more serious mood. This project would have to be completed... and soon. "Yes, boy? Go on, spit it out."
The young man, all the while keeping his head bowed, sputtered, "Th-the project has encountered a big problem, sir."
"Problem?!" The man behind the desk exploded. "What problem?! This project is to be finished in its perfection within two weeks! I want no problem in any part of it, you hear, boy?!"
The young man swallowed with difficulty as he replied, "D-Do you want me to tell you what the problem is? ...S-sir."
The man pounded his fist on the desk, causing the young man before him to jump a bit. "No, I want to hear no more of this problem! Fix it, or you'll be walking out this door without the smallest amount of gil in your pockets, if any at all! Now leave!"
The young man bowed lower as he half-stumbled, half-turned on his way out the door. Once the heavy metal door closed shut behind him, he leaned against the nearby wall, sweat pouring down his face. Good. He didn't have to tell the boss what the problem was. Otherwise, he'd have been even angrier than he had just been.
Besides, he thought, how would I have been able to tell him that the ribbons are suddenly exploding and severely injuring the employees handling them? He would have been fired for sure.
- - x - -
Author's Note: Hi! :D Sorry I haven't been updating very much, but I finally managed to get the next chapter in! Please review and tell me if you like what's happening so far! Thanks!