I know that the last update of mine was a filler and that some were disappointed. Still, every story has its boring parts and I wanted everyone to have something to fill in the gaps before I came out with the next installment. This one's better, believe me and it's been worth the wait. The one after this one will be good as well. Just, bare with me...
On the way to the stadium, Rikku couldn't help but feel that there were eyes on her. She shivered and Yuna, walking next to her noticed. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
"I just feel like someone's watching me," the blonde replied, hugging her arms.
Her pace slowed and she looked around, but didn't turn her head. Indeed, as they passed, some were looking in their direction.
"And if someone is?" Paine asked, having calmed down a bit since they made her change outfits.
"Maybe because we did save Spira," Yuna tried with a little smirk. "Again."
"And you are the only single one among us," Paine mentioned.
At that, she stopped to look at her. Her friends did as well, turning back to look at her. "What?"
"You are, aren't you?" the warrior asked. "Single."
"Of course, but why would they look at me anyway?" She gave them the look of confusion, but not the innocent kind she usually had. "I mean, come on...I'm not that attractive."
Paine crossed her arms. "She obviously hasn't looked in a mirror lately."
Yuna giggled. "You think you're unattractive?" she asked, coming up to her. "That's the silliest thing I've ever heard."
"Considering that you run around half covered and that you don't look like you're jail-bait anymore—," with that, Paine earned herself a pout, "—I'd say, who wouldn't want you on their arm?"
"Really Rikku, I think everyone doesn't care that you're Al Bhed," Yuna said. "If that's what you were concerned about."
She shook her head. "It's not that...I guess I'm just not used to it yet."
"Being on the market?" Paine asked. "Weren't we all about a few months ago?"
"That makes it sound like she's some kind of meat up for auction," Yuna pointed out, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
"That's what guys call it," their warrior friend replied. She started in the direction they were heading before. "Don't ask how I know."
The two followed, catching up to them quickly and they climbed the stairs to the port, that led to the stadium. "Look, Rikku," Paine said. "If you're not sure, just look for it. I'm sure plenty of guys have tried flirting with you."
Rikku snorted a laugh, as they approached the second set of stairs. Their conversation stopped there, since at the top were a few other people, who were talking amongst themselves before the big game.
One in particular was a familiar face. Rin, the most well known man to find any way to get money, was talking to some of his employees. He looked up at their girls' approach. He waved them down and nodded.
"Ah, there you are," he said. "Lady Yuna, we've been expecting you."
"We?" Yuna asked.
"Yes," he said. He looked at Rikku and Paine as well. "And of course, the Princess Rikku and Lady Paine." Since saving the world, they'd all gotten themselves titles, Paine included.
He bowed to them and the took Rikku by the hand. He kissed it with a smile and she blinked, glancing to her friends out of the corner of her eye. The two gave her a look, and she just smiled at Rin. "My princess, it seems that you're more lovely than ever."
Rikku laughed nervously. "Thank...you," she replied. "You were waiting for us?" she asked in attempt to move along the conversation.
"Yes, you see, since I was the one to arrange this evening's tournament, I invited every important person from every organization. It was in hopes to make everyone's fighting come to a complete end."
"How nice," Yuna said. "But tell me, are the Aurochs down in the locker rooms?"
"Why yes," he said. "You wish to see Sir Tidus? I'll have someone escort you." He motioned for one of the small men to come over. He bowed and led her away.
"Shall I show you two ladies to your seats?" he then asked, to the remaining two.
Rikku glanced at her friend as though for an answer. "Well, is everyone there?"
"That I can tell yes. Everyone has arrived."
"Then, yes," she replied. "You can show us."
After being led around the stadium, Rin showed them to the steps that would lead to the top box. "I'm sorry, but matters need to be tended to or else I'd show you the entire way," he said. "You can find the rest of the way yourselves?"
Rikku nodded and he walked away, and they climbed the steps to the box. When they got to the top of the stairs, the group of people didn't stand in the box itself, but in the curtain behind it.
There were quite a few there, all familiar. Lulu was there of course, Vidina with her. She was talking to Kimahri, who was with another female Ronso and they spoke with Tromell, the Guado. There was also a few Hypello with them. Not only that, but Cid was there, talking Nooj and Leblanc with Nhadala. Gippal talked to Baralai by himself. Her henchmen were nowhere to be seen.
The blonde simply put her hands on her hips. "What are you all waiting for?"
At her words, everyone turned. "Well, if it isn't the Du—I mean Gullwings," Leblanc said, fanning herself. Nooj gave her a look with a raised eyebrow and she cleared her throat. "Where's Lady Yuna?"
"She went to see Tidus," she replied. With that, many went back to what they were first talking about.
Paine was silent as she came over to her fiance's side. Rikku sighed at who he was with, but then followed her. He simply smiled, took her hand and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. At her outfit, he looked her up and down. "You're..." he started with alarm, eyebrows to his hairline.
"Wearing a skirt," Gippal finished for him, arms crossed.
"Say anything, I'll hand you one of your body parts," she warned, giving him a look. That seemed to make him a little intimidated.
"She's serious too," Rikku said. "You don't know what I did to get her to wear it."
"Well, if anything, you look very nice," Baralai said, trying to cheer her up.
Rikku laughed triumphantly. "Told you," she said, pointing a finger at her. "No, but really, why are we standing out here?" she asked, looking around. She tried to get to her original point.
"Rin thinks it'd be neat if we made an entrance," Gippal replied. He looked her up and down. "Speaking of outfits, you got dressed up too."
She crossed her arms with a pout. "So did you."
Everyone dressed up a little, but for his case, he dressed down. He got rid of all his armor and wore only things made out of cloth. His shirt was a tank top of purple, and his pants the same. He still wore gloves and belts, not to mention boots, but other than that, that was all. She avoided looking at his shown skin, seeing as that now he didn't have sleeves, he showed off all the muscles he had. And did he have them.
She tore her eyes away from them before she stared, 'cause he did have nice arms, begged to be touched. The shirt had a lower neckline too, to that added to the amount of chest muscle too. If anything, she did not want to boost his ego.
"Or should I say, dressed down," she said, speaking her thoughts.
"It's a formal occasion, I need to look the part," he replied.
She hid her eyes rolling. "Of course." She looked around the room and accounted for everyone that was there. "Where's Lulu?"
"I think Lady Lulu is down in the locker rooms as well," Baralai replied. "She said something about wishing Sir Wakka good luck. Though, she should come up for the game."
"Wakka isn't playing, but he is the captain," Rikku said. She laughed. "Guess Vidina is a good luck charm."
"More or less."
They turned when the black mage climbed up the stairs, Yuna following shortly behind. Lulu was the one to speak, who came over to them. "The game should start soon," Yuna informed them. "We should be announced shortly, by group I suppose. So be ready for it."
Yuna stepped down from the place where she made a small speech, before she sat down. There were a few rows of seats in the box, and in the first row Rikku sat, Yuna next to her. Lulu was on the other side of Yuna, on the end with baby Vidina in her lap. To Rikku's other side, was an empty seat and then Paine, then Baralai. The others were behind them, all talking amongst themselves.
When the game began – Luca against Kilika. Rikku was watching eagerly, ignoring Paine and Baralai off to the side. Apparently he liked to hold her hand, a bare one. So, her glove had been removed and he held it, occasionally bringing it up to his lips to kiss it. She didn't respond herself, not being one to do that, but she still had a small smile on her face. It was actually very affectionate and nice to see them showing it for one another.
But, Rikku felt entitled to leaving them alone, so she talked to Yuna. "Who do you think will win?" she asked.
"Well, it's a pretty good shot for anyone. All the teams are good."
"They're all here, right?"
"I saw them all," her cousin said. "They said hello to me."
Rikku should have known. Yuna was a figure of Spira – the savior twice in a row. Of course everyone would say hello to her; it was for good luck. She nodded, just as Gippal came over and sat next to her.
At first she didn't notice, but then he cleared his throat. She looked over to him with a raised eyebrow. "Gippal."
"Cid's girl." He gave her his usual cocky look, grin on his lips.
Yuna chuckled and looked away. She bit her lip, looking for a way to get out of there. "You know, I just got a craving, do you want anything?"
Rikku gave her a look; 'You're gonna leave me?' it said.
Yuna gave her an apologetic look. "I'll get you some chocolate or something," she said, knowing what her cousin liked. She stood and waved her off before disappearing behind the box.
The blonde only laughed nervously before clearing her throat. She smiled at her old friend falsely. "You needed something?" she asked, finding herself asking the same question again.
He shrugged. "Not really," he replied, watching the game like she did. "But I was talking to Cid a few days ago and I wanted to know something."
Her brow wrinkled. What was he talking about? But then, he leaned over and whispered something in her ear. "When's our wedding?"
At this, her eyes widened so much that she thought her eyes would pop out. He knew all along?