1
Baralai laid the back of his hand over his eyes, groaning as the feeling of lucidness came to him. He sighed, moving his hand to slide down to the silky green sheets that covered him. He took in a deep breath through his nose, exhaling slowly. The praetor opened his amber eyes, sitting up slowly, the sheet slipping down his bare chest. He laid back down though, feeling unnaturally tired; he had a headache on top of that. Baralai ran his fingers through his white hair, sighing once more. He closed his eyes, though he could still see light through his eyelids. He cursed the sun mentally, being he wanted to sleep longer. Sleep, though, wouldn't be able to come to him. A knock came from the door, followed by a female's voice calling his name.
"What?" Baralai asked, his voice rough. He cleared his voice, calling out again, "What?"
"I'm sorry to wake you mister Baralai," The woman said, her voice was sincere, "But you have a guest."
The praetor opened his eyes. Guest? He wasn't aware of any guest coming. He sighed, pushing the sheets from his bare body. The young man stood, stretching. He walked over to his closet like room, pulling some pants from a rack. He pulled him on over his bare behind, and then tied them with a yellow cloth so they would stay on his body. Baralai grabbed a tight white tank top like shirt, pulling that over his chest. He ran his fingers through his hair once more and started to head for the door as the woman's voice called out once more.
"Praetor?" She called.
"Yes, yes," Baralai replied as he opened the door, "Who is it?"
"A woman, mister Baralai," She replied, pushing her long blonde hair behind an ear, "It seems urgent."
The praetor raised an eyebrow, and then shrugged. He nodded at the woman to lead her to the waiting guest. He walked down a series of hallways before opening a door. The blonde woman stayed behind, allowing Baralai through. The man looked ahead, seeing the once high summoner before him. He smiled at her, bowing slightly.
"Lady Yuna," Baralai said, smiling, and nodding at her, "Good to see you."
"And you Baralai," Yuna replied, her voice extremely delighted, "I'm sorry to visit you so early."
The praetor shrugged, "And I'm sorry for the improper attire," He laughed, pushing his white hair from his eyes, "Now let us get to the point, shall we?"
Yuna nodded, "Yes," She said, her voice rushed, "I want you to meet someone," She looked over her shoulder, "Tidus!"
A boy, a little older then Yuna herself came from around a corner. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, hugging her tightly. He couldn't let her go, after not seeing her for two years. Yuna touched his arms, grinning at Baralai.
"I found him," She said, tears coming to her eyes. She couldn't believe it herself; it felt like a dream, "He's back," Yuna paused, tears rolling down her cheeks, "And… and we're getting married."
The praetor smiled, looking up to Tidus. He tilted his head to the side slightly, the smile still on his face, "You're Tidus then," He walked over to them, holding out his hand. Tidus grasped it, shaking it, "I'm glad you have reconnected," He said, smiling, and looked at Yuna, "I'm genuinely happy for you, Lady Yuna."
She grinned, nodding, "As am I," She looked over her shoulder at Tidus, who looked that he was boring quickly. She looked back at Baralai, "I'm sorry about the early, unexpected visit," He shook his head, as Yula continued, "But I must go now, though. Brother, Paine," She shrugged, "They're all waiting in the airship for us."
Baralai smiled, nodding, "I see," He gave Yuna a quick hug, "Until next time, Lady Yuna?"
She nodded, smiling at the praetor as she walked away from him with Tidus wrapped around her. Baralai watched her for a moment before turning, and walking back towards his room. He was in a sudden bad mood, though not knowing way. He sighed, pausing for a moment before opening the door to his room. He leaned his head against the wood, his hand reaching for the handle. He opened the door, still leaning on it, and stumbled into the room.
"I'm not jealous of Tidus, am I?" Baralai thought aloud, then shook his head, "No, I've never liked her in a romantic way."
The praetor sat on his bed, pulling his shirt of his head. He threw it on the floor near his bed, sighing. He fell back, rubbing his eyes with his palms, pondering what his problem might be. He shook his head again, letting his hands hit the bed. Baralai sighed again, shaking his head. He brought one of his hands to his face once more, laying the back of one across his eyes. He just wished someone would hold him.
Baralai's eyes snapped open. That was his problem; he was alone. Yuna reconnected with her lost Tidus; on top of that, she was getting married. Nooj had Leblanc after him, no matter how annoying and stalker-like she was. Gippal… He chuckled under his breath upon thinking of his once Crimson squad member. Gippal probably had a different woman with him in bed every night.
Baralai sighed again, upon realizing and accepting his problem. He crawled up to where his feather soft pillows where, falling face first into them. He stayed there for a moment until he ran out of breath, then turned over onto his back. He closed his eyes, ready to get the sleep he much desired. The young man started to drift off, rolling over onto his side.
"Mister Baralai," Said the same woman's voice as before. She knocked at the door, "Sorry to bug you once more, Mister Baralai…"
Baralai cursed under his breath, his hands balling into fists. He dug his fingernails into his palms. All he wanted was some fucking sleep; is that really too much to ask? He opened his amber eyes, hearing the knock at the door again. He felt a strong urge to throw something heavy at the door, but suppressed it. Taking in a deep breath, Baralai walked to the door. He opened it, leaning against the doorframe. He stared down at the woman. She was… surprisingly pretty; he didn't really notice her before.
"What?" He asked, now ignoring how beautiful she was. He was aggravated, and made it obvious.
The woman's eyebrows furrowed in an almost scared way. Baralai had no idea why she would be scared of him. He'd never done anything to her, or anyone in this building. He shrugged it off though, looking at her as she spoke.
"Gippal and Nooj have called you to Djose temple," She gulped, "They… um… wish to speak with you, sir."
Baralai ran a hand down his bare chest and nodded. He turned without replying, walking to his large closet-like room. He grabbed his normal, long coat and blue headband, then walked from out of the closet once more. He threw the items onto the bed and pulled the tight shirt over his flat stomach, then grabbed the jacket. He slipped that on, and walked towards the door, his headband in hand. As he walked past his boots, he picked them up, not feeling like putting them on just yet. He nodded at the woman, who started to lead him to an airship.
Once there, Baralai stared at it. It was small, enough room for maybe five people to sit comfortably; nothing like what the Gullwings had. He walked inside of it, sitting down on one of the dark green seats. He stared at the pilot for a moment before looking away.
"Djose temple," Baralai said coldly, looking over his shoulder and out the window that stretched behind him.
