3
Baralai stood as they started to land a short distance Djose Temple. He walked from the small airship, waving at the pilot to take off. The pilot stayed though, looking at the praetor uneasily. He cleared his throat.
"Would you like me to accompany you to the temple, Praetor," The pilot asked.
Baralai stared at the man for a moment. Yes, he was doing his job, but he wasn't listening. The young man shook his head, looking at the man with a mixture of frustration and disgust.
"No, just do what you're told," He said and started to walk away from the man and airship.
Baralai made his way to the large doors of Djose Temple and stared up at them for a moment. He reached to open the door, but it swung open by itself. Before him stood a very tall, bald Al Bhed. Baralai blinked, crossing his arms in front of him.
"I'm here for Gippal and Nooj," Baralai said flatly, his eyes narrowed slightly.
The large Al Bhed before him blinked, almost shocked by this man's coldness. He nodded, then nodded again and motioned for Baralai to follow. He led Baralai to Gippal's room. He nodded at Baralai again and left him. The praetor stared at the door for a moment, and lifted his hand up to knock upon it. He paused though, thinking about what Gippal might be doing. The young man sighed, going through with it and knocking on the door.
"Come in!" Gippal's voice said through the door and followed by a female yelling curses at Gippal in Al Bhed.
Baralai opened the door, finding Rikku standing in front of the laying down Gippal. She had a sheet wrapped around her bare body. A small smirk was on Gippal's face, finding Rikku's yelling humorous. He looked over at Baralai and nodded.
"Kind of you to join me," He then looked over at Rikku, "Tyssed, Rikku, lyms tufh yht pnaydr. Ed'c zicd Baralai!"
Rikku stared at Gippal in disgust, she shook her head, "Zicd Baralai! ZICD BARALAI? Fryd tu oui sayh 'zicd Baralai'? Drec rybbahat mycd desa duu! Lyh'd oui keja sa zicd y meddma ped uv desa du..." Rikku pause for a moment before continuing her rampage, "Du yd maycd lujan socamv! E'S HUD FAYNEHK YHODREHK GIPPAL!"
Gippal nodded, "I know!" He replied in the common tongue of Spira, then continued in Al Bhed "Ku eh dra pydrnuus yht kad lryhkat drah! Tysh, Rikku, oui haat du lyms tufh!"
She stared at him for a moment, her eyes widening, and then turned, picking up the clothes that were throughout the room. She was mumbling in Al Bhed under her breath, shooting Gippal glances. He wasn't paying attention; he was looking to Baralai, who was speechless. The praetor's eyes were following the flustered Rikku around the room until she collected all her things. She ran into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Baralai blinked, looking back at Gippal, with a frustrated expression on his face. Gippal didn't notice, being that he was staring at the door still. The door flew open again, a few moments later. Rikku ran out, looking not as pretty as she could have, causing Gippal to chuckle.
"Dryd'c dra vycdacd oui'ja ajan-" He started, but then was cut off by Rikku.
"Hu, Gippal, hud huf. E's kuhhy haat y ped uv desa du lyms tufh. Tuh'd ajah pudran dnoehk du lymm sa, E fuh'd yhcfan," Rikku glared at him, "Tuh'd bmyh uh sa lusehk pylg!"
Rikku stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Gippal laughed almost sadly, laying back. He sighed.
"Vilg..." He looked back at up Baralai, "Sorry you had to see that."
Baralai sighed, "Couldn't you at least be a little ready if you're planning on people coming?" He growled, "Damn, you make it obvious you're a teenager."
Gippal's eyebrows furrowed, and he looked down at the covers of his bed. He looked back up at Baralai, who was glaring at him. The Al Bhed sighed, getting up, and bring the thick cover with him. He actually looked slightly disheartened. Gippal looked over at Baralai for a moment, and then continued to the bathroom, picking up his pants as he passed by them. He looked over his shoulder at the other man, and went into the bathroom.
"Idiot…" Baralai whispered angrily, pangs of jealously coming to him once more. His eyes narrowed, "Damn…"
He shook his head, touching his forehead with his index and middle finger, and his thumb. He sighed, walking over to a chair in the corner of the room. He put his head in his hands, breathing deeply. He heard the door start to open, causing him to look up. Nooj stood in the doorway, leaning against the cane in his hand. He looked at Baralai, and then looked around the room.
"Where's the brat?" He asked.
Baralai nodded at the bathroom, "Changing."
Nooj blinked, "I'm not going to ask," He said, and made his way to a different chair placed randomly in the room and eased himself into it.
"You don't want to," Baralai replied dryly.
The other man opened his mouth to say something, then the door to the bathroom opened. Gippal walked from it, where tight black jeans and a form fitting wine-colored tank top. He looked at each of them before walking to the edge of the bed and sitting.
"So?" Gippal said, breaking the awkward silence. He looked at Nooj, "You wanted us to get together, so talk."
Nooj's eyebrow rose for a moment before he sighed and shook his head. He looked at Baralai for a moment, and then turned his gaze to Gippal.
"We might have resolved part of the conflict between the factions," Nooj said, "But they still aren't completely coming together," He sighed, "We had better stop this before it grows into something like we just dealt with."
"It's partly our fault that it did last time though," Baralai said, "We didn't speak with the members of our groups."
"We had more important things to do," Gippal said quickly, "Like making sure you didn't do anything stupid."
Baralai's face darkened as he looked at the floor, saying nothing. He couldn't say anything. It wasn't his fault that Shuyin used him as a puppet, yet he was too weak to fight against him. His eyes narrowed, having sudden feelings of hate towards Gippal. Nooj continued to speak, but Baralai wasn't paying attention
"Baralai," Nooj said upon seeing the man not paying attention, "Hey brat!" He looked up, "Did you hear anything I just said?"
"No… sorry," Baralai replied quietly, staring at the floor again.
"Damn, Baralai," Gippal said, "You've been really weird after…" He didn't finish the sentence, seeing the look of poison that was shot at him by Nooj, "Uh… never mind."
"Look," Nooj said, "Just talk to your faction. You're the only person that they'll listen to, okay," He sighed, "We need to get them to unite as one group."
Baralai nodded and stood. He looked at Nooj, and then at Gippal, "Are we done?" He asked, "I must be going."
Nooj's eyebrows furrowed and he nodded. Baralai turned on his heel, exiting the room quickly. Gippal and Nooj were speechless. The Al Bhed looked over at Nooj and stood.
"I'm going to go talk to him," He said and ran after the Praetor.
"I've been weird, have I?" Baralai whispered under his breath, "Even if I have, I wouldn't blame myself," His eyes narrowed, "It doesn't matter though," His continued in a whisper, "I haven't changed…" He stopped, looking up as his eyes widened. He struck him that he was… talking to himself. He ran his fingers through his hair, taking in a ragged breath.
He continued to walk, wanting to reach his airship quickly. Thoughts of Gippal being right ran through his head, no matter how much he didn't want to agree. Gippal was younger, having two years less of life experiences then Baralai. It was unfair for Gippal though, he, too, had been in the Crimson Squad, he had more experience then most people his age.
"Baralai!" Gippal yelled, his voice distant. Baralai didn't look over his shoulder, even though he heard him, "Dammit! BARALAI!"
His voice was closer as he said the man's name again. The praetor's eyes narrowed as he looked over his shoulder and saw how close Gippal was. He could run fast, which didn't surprise Baralai much. He looked back ahead again, continuing to walk. He felt a hand grip his arm and pulling on him.
"Da… dammit Baralai," Gippal panted. He had sprinted after Baralai, "Wou… would you just stop and lis… listen to what I gotta say?"
Baralai blinked, then shrugged, "Why not," He crossed his arms in front of his chest, "I'll humor you."
"Dammit, Baralai, what the hell's wrong with you?" He looked at Baralai with an expression of worriment, "What happened? You've never been this cold!" Baralai looked away, causing Gippal to take him by the shoulders, "What's wrong!"
Baralai looked back up at Gippal, biting the inside of his lip to keep from saying anything. His eyes narrowed, looking away from his once close friend. Gippal let his hands drop from the man's shoulders, as he, too looked away.
'He's right,' Baralai thought in horror, but let no emotion show on his face, 'I have been… odd,' He looked up at Gippal for a moment, then looked back down at the ground, 'He's right…' He shook his head angrily, 'I can't tell him though; it's none of his business'
"Baralai…" Gippal said quietly, "Tell me," He looked up at his friend, "Baralai, I'm worried!"
Gippal actually being worried was a rare thing. It took Baralai by surprise, maybe he should tell him… He shook his head though; even in Gippal's time of worriment, he wouldn't tell him. He shook his head again.
"Nothing," Baralai growled, turning, "Not like it's any of your business anyway."
Gippal blinked, watching Baralai walk away, "You know what," He snarled through his clenched teeth, "Fuck you man…" He whispered, his becoming louder, "Fuck you too! I just asked what the hell your problem was!" He turned, throwing his hand in the air, "I thought we were better friends then this," Gippal turned, spitting at Baralai, "I guess I couldn't expect more from a damned Yevonite though."
Gippal turned, waving at Baralai sarcastically with the back of his middle finger. Baralai fists clenched at his sides. He shook his head, staring at Gippal's back with disbelief and anger. He blinked, almost for a moment.
"What?" Baralai asked, his voice sounding hurt and frail, "What?" His voice becoming stronger, getting over his shock quickly, "Why you little greasy sand monkey!" He started walking after Gippal, who didn't really pay to Baralai's previous words, "Turn around!" He whispered. Gippal heard him, but did nothing, "TURN AROUND!"
Gippal turned, bringing his fist with him, and hitting his once friend square in the jaw. Baralai fell, catching himself though. He swung his legs around, tripping Gippal and knocking the wind out of him once he hit the ground. Baralai rolled over onto him, punching him in the face, but causing little damage. Fighting wasn't really Baralai's forte. Gippal brought his fist up once more, having it collide with Baralai's eye. He pushed the praetor off him, jumping to his. He kicked Baralai in the stomach, then again.
"Fucking brats!" Someone yelled from a distance, but didn't catch their attention in the least bit.
Baralai got up slowly, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. He stared at the red liquid for a moment, before looking back up at Gippal in shock. He blinked, looking back down at the blood.
Gippal laughed, "If you didn't think you were going to bleed, then why'd you take me!" He taunted, arms held out at his sides, "We weren't about to bitch fight."
"Never said we were," Baralai growled quietly.
Gippal chuckled, walking towards Baralai threateningly. He stopped a good distance from the praetor though, a small smirk on his face. Baralai took this to his advantage, rushing Gippal. He jumped, spinning him in the air to kick him in the side of the head. Gippal went down once again. The other man stayed a decent distance away, looking down upon Gippal triumphantly. Gippal touched the side of his head, feeling blood. He looked up at Baralai, shaking his head.
"You've never been like this," He said quietly.
Baralai shrugged, "People change, Gippal, you had better get used to it."
Gippal stared at him for a moment and started to rise. A crutch smacked him on the top of the head, causing him to fall back down to the ground. Nooj stood before them, looking quite aggravated.
"We plan on bringing our factions together, and then you brats start cock fighting," Nooj rolled his eyes, "Great example you children are setting."
"Tyssed!" Gippal growled to Nooj, "Oui teth'd ryja du tu dryd, oy ghuf!"
Nooj hit him on top of the head with his crutch, "Yes I did, you brat"
"Tysh oui..." Gippal whispered.
Nooj rolled his eyes, "Whatever," He looked at Baralai, "We need to get along just a little better then we are," His eyes narrowed, "Just act like how you did. If you want to be depressed and idiotic; go ahead, be stupid. Just don't fuck things up for the rest of us," He turned to Gippal once more, "And do your self-image a favor and don't beat on the frail."
It was obvious to the other men that Nooj was rather angry with the both them. They did act rather childish, and he did bring that to their attention… no matter how harsh. Baralai ran his hands over his hair, sighing angrily.
"Fine," Baralai said turning on his heel, "Call me if you think of any other impossible plans."
The other two watched the praetor storm off without a word until he turned a corner in the road, disappearing behind the rock wall of the beginning of the Mushroom Rocks. Nooj looked over at Gippal for a moment and started to hobble back to the temple. Gippal stood, walking quickly after Nooj.
"You know you're going to explain what the hell happened, right?" Nooj said, not looking at the other man.
Gippal nodded, "I'll try, but I don't even know."
