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Black Dreams, White Dreams By Lulu-san
Chapter 3 - Scraping the surface
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Wakka arose early the next morning feeling refreshed and energetic. He stretched several times, changed into his bright yellow blitzing outfit, wolfed down some instant porridge and decided to head off for an early morning swim.
The small village of Besaid was peaceful so early in the morning, as most of its residents were still fast asleep. Wakka jogged down the path from his hut to the beach and, feeling especially lively, he sprinted the last 100 meters at full pelt. He immediately waded into the inviting water, enjoying the warm morning sun on his skin as he floated on the waters surface.
"You're certainly full of energy today" he could hear a voice from the beach call.
Wakka smiled as he saw Lulu standing at the edge of the water. He began sloshing his way back to the beach.
"Mornin' Lu!" He grinned, pulling her long braids affectionately.
A grumpy "Mmph." was all she replied, but it was enough for him.
"Mornin' to you too." He chuckled again, prodding the moogle that Lulu was holding.
Lulu couldn't repress a smile at his childish smile. Wakka was almost cute that way, how he always treated her moogles as though they were alive and living.
"Ahh! Gonna be a nice day, ya!" Wakka exclaimed, raising a hand to block the suns glare.
"Like almost every other day on Besaid." Lulu commented dryly.
"Well, that's why we live here, ya!" Wakka smiled, sitting down on the sand.
"Hmm." Lulu turned her head away from Wakka, crossing her arms.
"C'mon Lu, sit down!" Wakka whined, tugging her sleeve like a child. "Lu- uu."
Lulu gave him a cold look.
"Don't ignore me, Lu-uu~" Wakka continued his childish act. "C'mon, show me a smile!"
With the his last sentence, Wakka reached up and forcefully pulled the woman down to the sand, so she landed with a crash on the soft ground below.
"Ow.Wakka!" Lulu complained, rubbing her sore legs. "That.really.hurt"
But when Lulu turned and saw the mischievous smile on the blitzers face, she couldn't help but chuckle softly. She began to laugh softly, trying to suppress her giggles with the back of her hand. Wakka watched with a bemused grin.
"I just said smile!" he told her. "You didn't have to overdo it or anything!"
Lulu smiled at him, and biffed him across the back of his head.
"Lu!?" he exclaimed, faking distress. "How could you? If I'm handicapped in the tournament." They both laughed at the stupidity of the situation.
Lulu liked these moments best, when she could behave immaturely and not be judged for it. She did like spending time with Wakka, but that didn't count as love, did it? Lulu's thoughts circled around in her mind, consuming her attention. Wakka looked on as Lulu began staring into space again, completely oblivious to her surroundings.
"It's weird." He thought to himself. "One moment she's laughing, then a second later she's off in her own world again. But even when she laughs, her eyes are still hollow."
Wakka watched the mage with concern for what seemed like hours, before he gently shook her shoulders.
"Lu?" he softly questioned. "Lu?"
"Wha-?" Lulu looked up at him, confused. "Oh no. I just spaced out again, didn't I?"
"Don't worry about it. I'm just gonna finish my swim, ya?"
Lulu nodded, and Wakka set off for the water again. Suddenly he felt her hand grab his wrist.
"Wait. Wakka, I'm sorry." Lulu said quietly.
"Sorry?" Wakka repeated, baffled. "For what?"
"For everything." She said, almost inaudibly.
"Everything?" Wakka asked. "What's everything? For being my closest friend?" He pulled her into a friendly hug.
"Don't be dumb, Lu. You've got nothing to apologize for! Nothing, you hear me?"
Lulu broke out of the hug, and gave him a small smile.
"Go take your swim, little boy."
"Oi!" Wakka grinned, before heading back out in the water.
Lulu watched him swimming for a while, before heading back to the village.
"Closest friend" she thought bitterly. "Why does that make me so sad?"
Wakka lay floating on his back in the water, the movement of the water caressing his skin.
"Man, what was with that?" he thought to himself. "Sine when did Lu need to be reassured and comforted?"
As far as Wakka could remember, Lulu was always the strong person. She was always the one reassuring him, comforting him and leading them forward. For her to suddenly apologize, and look so unconfident gave him a funny feeling. He was beginning to get really worried about her.
Wakka submerged himself underwater, trying to empty the thoughts from his mind. He lay there, wishing his troubles could melt away into the ocean. As his body was carried in the underwater tides, he stared up at the distorted sky from under the waters surface.
"Lu would like it under here." Wakka thought, as a few of Besaids native fish swam past him. "I wonder why she doesn't swim anymore. Gotta make her one day, ya. Wonder how she'd like Blitz?"
Wakka smiled and shook his head, as his thoughts once again turned to Lulu. He folded his arms behind his head, and slowly closed his eyes.
"I wonder why I always think of her?"
A large grin spread over his face, as a sudden thought flashed in his mind.
"Admit it, ya." He told himself. "You're in love with her. You've always liked her. You've just never let yourself say it before, not even to yourself."
Wakka blushed a little in the water, frowning slightly.
"Chappu wouldn't like this, ya." He thought resentfully. "An' anyway, it's only a one-sided love."
A tight feeling in Wakka's chest alerted him to the need for air. He swam to the surface, and took several deep breaths before making his way back to the shore. It was mid-morning by now, and the sand was warm. Wakka didn't stop to enjoy it though, and he made his way back to his hut.
"Gotta get cleaned up." He thought, running his fingers through his spiky hair.
He stripped off his old blitz uniform, and took a long hot shower. After drying off, he pulled on a pair of loose comfortable pants. Although he still wore his Blitz uniform most of the time, he would often choose just to dress simply and comfortably. Just as he was drying off his shoulders, there was a loud knock on his door. He paused, about to put on his shirt.
"C'mon Wakka! Open up! I know you're in there!" he could hear Rikku yelling. He sighed, and draped the towel over his wet hair.
"Wa-kka!" Rikku was now banging furiously on his door.
"I'm coming, ya!" he called, making his way to the door.
"About time!" Rikku huffed, marching in.
"I was just in the shower!" he protested.
"Aw, Wakka!" Rikku complained. "You could at least get half dressed, y'know. Put on a shirt or something."
"I would've, but there was someone trying to break down my door!" he grinned. Rikku giggled and tossed him some clothes.
"Anyway, what'cha doin' here?" he asked as he pulled on a shirt.
"I came to get you!" she replied. "Everyone's at Yuna's house. We're settling arrangements about the tournament."
"What tournament?" Wakka grinned, adjusting his bandanna.
"Wakka." Rikku growled.
"Ok, Ok, I'm coming, ya." Wakka assured her, pulling on his sandals.
"Well, hurry up then!" Rikku giggled, grabbing his arm and pulling him along.
She practically dragged him to the small hut the Tidus and Yuna shared. Although Tidus and Yuna had never officially announced their engagement, it was automatically assumed that they would wind up together anyway. Sharing a house was just another assumed part of their life.
"Must be nice." Wakka thought to himself.
"We're back!" Rikku announced, barging through the door pulling Wakka with her.
"My, you're so energetic today Rikku!" Yuna giggled.
Lulu and Yuna were sitting at a small table in the middle of the room, and appeared to be playing some sort of game with Lulu's moogle. Lulu would make it walk towards Yuna, who would try to catch it before it ran away again. The whole situation looked extremely comical, as Lulu was motionless, resting her hand in her head and looking bored, while her altar ego was all over the place.
"Hey everyone!" Wakka said, walking over and picking up the squirming moogle. "You're not being a naughty child again, are ya?" Wakka questioned the moogle, tugging its ears. In response, the moogle grabbed the curl of Wakka's hair and pulled it hard.
"Ow!" Wakka laughed, as the moogle jumped from his arms into Lulu's.
"Hey Wakka!" Tidus called, emerging from the connected kitchen.
"Yo!"
"Great! Everybody's finally here!" Rikku said, sitting down next to Yuna and pulling out some papers. She looked up at Wakka and Tidus.
"Sit down!" she ordered.
"Yes, sir!" the two men saluted in sync.
"Ok. Here's the deal. We leave two days before the day of the tournament, and stay for a further two days afterwards." Rikku announced.
"So.that's five days." Yuna confirmed.
"Right! And we'll be taking the ferry to Luca." Rikku added.
"Ferry? What's wrong with the air-ship? It's faster!" Tidus asked.
"We-ll." Rikku said, with an embarrassed giggle. "I asked Dad to take us, but he's got another job at that time."
"I don't mind." Yuna smiled. "Ferry's are fun!"
"Ya, but it'll take a day and a half to get to Luca!" Wakka complained.
"Yeah, well." Rikku said apologetically. "We go on the ferry the day before the first day. We stay on the ferry for one night, and get there in the morning."
"So it's really six days." Lulu said.
"Yeah!"
"Nah, seven. If you include the ride back." Tidus calculated.
"No, silly! Dad can give us a ride back, just not a ride there." Rikku told him. "Is everyone packed?"
"Aw, come off it, Rikku!" Wakka grumbled. "There's still a few days before we go, ya?"
"Only two!" Rikku corrected him. "We meet on Sunday morning, at 11:00, near the pier!"
"It does sound exciting. I wonder if the hotel has a pool?" Yuna wondered.
"It does, it does!" Rikku said, practically bouncing off the walls.
"And other stuff too?" Tidus asked her. "Like a Blitzball practice place? And a spa? And minigolf?"
"Uh huh! Look at the brochure!" Rikku said, tossing him the paper.
"Wow!" Wakka exclaimed, peering over Tidus's, shoulder.
Lulu sat back, watching the noisy scene. It was cute how Wakka and Tidus still got so excited over little things. Even Rikku and Yuna were chatting excitedly. Suddenly, she felt so alone. She was just an onlooker, watching the scene through windows. She never felt a part of the joyousness. She never chose to be.
"I think I'll head home now." She announced, abruptly standing up.
"Huh?" Rikku said, turning to face her. "What'cha say?"
Lulu nodded towards the door and grabbed her moogle, before quietly slipping out. Through the excitement and noise, no one noticed her quiet exit.
Lulu entered her own home, and shut the door. Her house was dimly lit, and extremely bare. The only decoration was a vase of wilting flowers. Wakka had given them to her, telling her that her house needed colour. She had scoffed at him, but still the flowers took their place in the middle of the room. They were getting old, she noticed, and would have to been thrown out soon.
Lulu sat down on the edge of the bed and rested her head in her slender hands. From where she sat she could see into her small closet, and the miniscule amount of clothes that she owned. A few night clothes, undergarments and other casual clothes, besides the unique dress that she always wore. Looking at the small collection depressed Lulu.
"Guess I have to go shopping in Luca" she thought to herself, trying to think optimistically. "I should start packing now".
She rose, and walked over to her closet, unenthusiastically picking up a few garments. Then, not knowing quite where to begin she put them down again.
"Maybe I'll take a walk first." she murmured to herself, and headed off towards the tropical forests of Besiad.
"Anyway, I've still got two more days to get ready." Lulu reasoned to herself, as she walked. "The trip to Luca is ages away..."
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Well, how's it going? Now all the intro stuff is over, I can get into the real juicy stuff of the plot! Yay~! Poor Lulu.she's one of my favourites in FFX. I haven't got much else to say, except chapter 4 is coming up sometime soon, so look out for it!
Black Dreams, White Dreams By Lulu-san
Chapter 3 - Scraping the surface
**************************
Wakka arose early the next morning feeling refreshed and energetic. He stretched several times, changed into his bright yellow blitzing outfit, wolfed down some instant porridge and decided to head off for an early morning swim.
The small village of Besaid was peaceful so early in the morning, as most of its residents were still fast asleep. Wakka jogged down the path from his hut to the beach and, feeling especially lively, he sprinted the last 100 meters at full pelt. He immediately waded into the inviting water, enjoying the warm morning sun on his skin as he floated on the waters surface.
"You're certainly full of energy today" he could hear a voice from the beach call.
Wakka smiled as he saw Lulu standing at the edge of the water. He began sloshing his way back to the beach.
"Mornin' Lu!" He grinned, pulling her long braids affectionately.
A grumpy "Mmph." was all she replied, but it was enough for him.
"Mornin' to you too." He chuckled again, prodding the moogle that Lulu was holding.
Lulu couldn't repress a smile at his childish smile. Wakka was almost cute that way, how he always treated her moogles as though they were alive and living.
"Ahh! Gonna be a nice day, ya!" Wakka exclaimed, raising a hand to block the suns glare.
"Like almost every other day on Besaid." Lulu commented dryly.
"Well, that's why we live here, ya!" Wakka smiled, sitting down on the sand.
"Hmm." Lulu turned her head away from Wakka, crossing her arms.
"C'mon Lu, sit down!" Wakka whined, tugging her sleeve like a child. "Lu- uu."
Lulu gave him a cold look.
"Don't ignore me, Lu-uu~" Wakka continued his childish act. "C'mon, show me a smile!"
With the his last sentence, Wakka reached up and forcefully pulled the woman down to the sand, so she landed with a crash on the soft ground below.
"Ow.Wakka!" Lulu complained, rubbing her sore legs. "That.really.hurt"
But when Lulu turned and saw the mischievous smile on the blitzers face, she couldn't help but chuckle softly. She began to laugh softly, trying to suppress her giggles with the back of her hand. Wakka watched with a bemused grin.
"I just said smile!" he told her. "You didn't have to overdo it or anything!"
Lulu smiled at him, and biffed him across the back of his head.
"Lu!?" he exclaimed, faking distress. "How could you? If I'm handicapped in the tournament." They both laughed at the stupidity of the situation.
Lulu liked these moments best, when she could behave immaturely and not be judged for it. She did like spending time with Wakka, but that didn't count as love, did it? Lulu's thoughts circled around in her mind, consuming her attention. Wakka looked on as Lulu began staring into space again, completely oblivious to her surroundings.
"It's weird." He thought to himself. "One moment she's laughing, then a second later she's off in her own world again. But even when she laughs, her eyes are still hollow."
Wakka watched the mage with concern for what seemed like hours, before he gently shook her shoulders.
"Lu?" he softly questioned. "Lu?"
"Wha-?" Lulu looked up at him, confused. "Oh no. I just spaced out again, didn't I?"
"Don't worry about it. I'm just gonna finish my swim, ya?"
Lulu nodded, and Wakka set off for the water again. Suddenly he felt her hand grab his wrist.
"Wait. Wakka, I'm sorry." Lulu said quietly.
"Sorry?" Wakka repeated, baffled. "For what?"
"For everything." She said, almost inaudibly.
"Everything?" Wakka asked. "What's everything? For being my closest friend?" He pulled her into a friendly hug.
"Don't be dumb, Lu. You've got nothing to apologize for! Nothing, you hear me?"
Lulu broke out of the hug, and gave him a small smile.
"Go take your swim, little boy."
"Oi!" Wakka grinned, before heading back out in the water.
Lulu watched him swimming for a while, before heading back to the village.
"Closest friend" she thought bitterly. "Why does that make me so sad?"
Wakka lay floating on his back in the water, the movement of the water caressing his skin.
"Man, what was with that?" he thought to himself. "Sine when did Lu need to be reassured and comforted?"
As far as Wakka could remember, Lulu was always the strong person. She was always the one reassuring him, comforting him and leading them forward. For her to suddenly apologize, and look so unconfident gave him a funny feeling. He was beginning to get really worried about her.
Wakka submerged himself underwater, trying to empty the thoughts from his mind. He lay there, wishing his troubles could melt away into the ocean. As his body was carried in the underwater tides, he stared up at the distorted sky from under the waters surface.
"Lu would like it under here." Wakka thought, as a few of Besaids native fish swam past him. "I wonder why she doesn't swim anymore. Gotta make her one day, ya. Wonder how she'd like Blitz?"
Wakka smiled and shook his head, as his thoughts once again turned to Lulu. He folded his arms behind his head, and slowly closed his eyes.
"I wonder why I always think of her?"
A large grin spread over his face, as a sudden thought flashed in his mind.
"Admit it, ya." He told himself. "You're in love with her. You've always liked her. You've just never let yourself say it before, not even to yourself."
Wakka blushed a little in the water, frowning slightly.
"Chappu wouldn't like this, ya." He thought resentfully. "An' anyway, it's only a one-sided love."
A tight feeling in Wakka's chest alerted him to the need for air. He swam to the surface, and took several deep breaths before making his way back to the shore. It was mid-morning by now, and the sand was warm. Wakka didn't stop to enjoy it though, and he made his way back to his hut.
"Gotta get cleaned up." He thought, running his fingers through his spiky hair.
He stripped off his old blitz uniform, and took a long hot shower. After drying off, he pulled on a pair of loose comfortable pants. Although he still wore his Blitz uniform most of the time, he would often choose just to dress simply and comfortably. Just as he was drying off his shoulders, there was a loud knock on his door. He paused, about to put on his shirt.
"C'mon Wakka! Open up! I know you're in there!" he could hear Rikku yelling. He sighed, and draped the towel over his wet hair.
"Wa-kka!" Rikku was now banging furiously on his door.
"I'm coming, ya!" he called, making his way to the door.
"About time!" Rikku huffed, marching in.
"I was just in the shower!" he protested.
"Aw, Wakka!" Rikku complained. "You could at least get half dressed, y'know. Put on a shirt or something."
"I would've, but there was someone trying to break down my door!" he grinned. Rikku giggled and tossed him some clothes.
"Anyway, what'cha doin' here?" he asked as he pulled on a shirt.
"I came to get you!" she replied. "Everyone's at Yuna's house. We're settling arrangements about the tournament."
"What tournament?" Wakka grinned, adjusting his bandanna.
"Wakka." Rikku growled.
"Ok, Ok, I'm coming, ya." Wakka assured her, pulling on his sandals.
"Well, hurry up then!" Rikku giggled, grabbing his arm and pulling him along.
She practically dragged him to the small hut the Tidus and Yuna shared. Although Tidus and Yuna had never officially announced their engagement, it was automatically assumed that they would wind up together anyway. Sharing a house was just another assumed part of their life.
"Must be nice." Wakka thought to himself.
"We're back!" Rikku announced, barging through the door pulling Wakka with her.
"My, you're so energetic today Rikku!" Yuna giggled.
Lulu and Yuna were sitting at a small table in the middle of the room, and appeared to be playing some sort of game with Lulu's moogle. Lulu would make it walk towards Yuna, who would try to catch it before it ran away again. The whole situation looked extremely comical, as Lulu was motionless, resting her hand in her head and looking bored, while her altar ego was all over the place.
"Hey everyone!" Wakka said, walking over and picking up the squirming moogle. "You're not being a naughty child again, are ya?" Wakka questioned the moogle, tugging its ears. In response, the moogle grabbed the curl of Wakka's hair and pulled it hard.
"Ow!" Wakka laughed, as the moogle jumped from his arms into Lulu's.
"Hey Wakka!" Tidus called, emerging from the connected kitchen.
"Yo!"
"Great! Everybody's finally here!" Rikku said, sitting down next to Yuna and pulling out some papers. She looked up at Wakka and Tidus.
"Sit down!" she ordered.
"Yes, sir!" the two men saluted in sync.
"Ok. Here's the deal. We leave two days before the day of the tournament, and stay for a further two days afterwards." Rikku announced.
"So.that's five days." Yuna confirmed.
"Right! And we'll be taking the ferry to Luca." Rikku added.
"Ferry? What's wrong with the air-ship? It's faster!" Tidus asked.
"We-ll." Rikku said, with an embarrassed giggle. "I asked Dad to take us, but he's got another job at that time."
"I don't mind." Yuna smiled. "Ferry's are fun!"
"Ya, but it'll take a day and a half to get to Luca!" Wakka complained.
"Yeah, well." Rikku said apologetically. "We go on the ferry the day before the first day. We stay on the ferry for one night, and get there in the morning."
"So it's really six days." Lulu said.
"Yeah!"
"Nah, seven. If you include the ride back." Tidus calculated.
"No, silly! Dad can give us a ride back, just not a ride there." Rikku told him. "Is everyone packed?"
"Aw, come off it, Rikku!" Wakka grumbled. "There's still a few days before we go, ya?"
"Only two!" Rikku corrected him. "We meet on Sunday morning, at 11:00, near the pier!"
"It does sound exciting. I wonder if the hotel has a pool?" Yuna wondered.
"It does, it does!" Rikku said, practically bouncing off the walls.
"And other stuff too?" Tidus asked her. "Like a Blitzball practice place? And a spa? And minigolf?"
"Uh huh! Look at the brochure!" Rikku said, tossing him the paper.
"Wow!" Wakka exclaimed, peering over Tidus's, shoulder.
Lulu sat back, watching the noisy scene. It was cute how Wakka and Tidus still got so excited over little things. Even Rikku and Yuna were chatting excitedly. Suddenly, she felt so alone. She was just an onlooker, watching the scene through windows. She never felt a part of the joyousness. She never chose to be.
"I think I'll head home now." She announced, abruptly standing up.
"Huh?" Rikku said, turning to face her. "What'cha say?"
Lulu nodded towards the door and grabbed her moogle, before quietly slipping out. Through the excitement and noise, no one noticed her quiet exit.
Lulu entered her own home, and shut the door. Her house was dimly lit, and extremely bare. The only decoration was a vase of wilting flowers. Wakka had given them to her, telling her that her house needed colour. She had scoffed at him, but still the flowers took their place in the middle of the room. They were getting old, she noticed, and would have to been thrown out soon.
Lulu sat down on the edge of the bed and rested her head in her slender hands. From where she sat she could see into her small closet, and the miniscule amount of clothes that she owned. A few night clothes, undergarments and other casual clothes, besides the unique dress that she always wore. Looking at the small collection depressed Lulu.
"Guess I have to go shopping in Luca" she thought to herself, trying to think optimistically. "I should start packing now".
She rose, and walked over to her closet, unenthusiastically picking up a few garments. Then, not knowing quite where to begin she put them down again.
"Maybe I'll take a walk first." she murmured to herself, and headed off towards the tropical forests of Besiad.
"Anyway, I've still got two more days to get ready." Lulu reasoned to herself, as she walked. "The trip to Luca is ages away..."
**********************
Well, how's it going? Now all the intro stuff is over, I can get into the real juicy stuff of the plot! Yay~! Poor Lulu.she's one of my favourites in FFX. I haven't got much else to say, except chapter 4 is coming up sometime soon, so look out for it!