Chapter Two: Deus Ex Machina
The shadows padded across Baralai's still face as he inhaled and exhaled softly. The morning's dim rays warmed his hand as the day was now upon Bevelle. Towers came into view as the sun splashed colors on it, revealing the marvelous shades of crimson and white. Birds sang into the whispering air as the first priest walked out into the quiet streets and smiled at the rising sun.
Muttering softly underneath his breath, as the praetor's dream began to fade away into the morning dew, the word 'green eyes' filled the silent room. Eyelids slowly opened and closed, but only to be slammed open with Baralai quickly jerking his head up. "What time is it?" he asked quickly to the sun's rays that momentarily blinded his eyes. Blinking back the tears that threatened to come out, the praetor studied the sun and assumed that it was around six o'clock.
"What the hell is wrong with me?" he shouted with frustration as he pounded his fist into his desk. His white hair was standing in odd ways on his head as his chocolate orbs glared at the pile of papers before him. Blinking a few times he realized what he just said, placing his index finger on his bottom lip he felt an unnatural shiver run through his spine.
Whispering soft prayers and apologies he straightened his clothes out and ran his tanned-colored hand through his hair. Staring quietly at the request before him he felt his eyes read but his mind was asleep. Rubbing his eyes he tried again to read the request and finally his mind accepted the information. Mumbling softly to himself he grabbed a pen and scribbled a large, 'Declined.'
"Idiotic request…why even ask?" he whispered harshly as he placed the paper on an already large pile of declined requests. The sounds of laughter and shouts of joy protruded through his office door. Wincing at the noise, that seemed a thousand times louder, Baralai countinued to read the new request.
Ignore it…just keep on writing. You have fifty more requests left until that damn messenger brings more. Jut keep on reading Baralai. He thought sourly to himself as he heard running footsteps head his way.
Keep on reading…
The footsteps became even louder, filled with the shouts of his name. "Baralai! I mean, Praetor Baralai! They are here! Lady Yuna is here!" they shouted as the door knob turned.
This one is a decline…now to the next paper.
Two beaming guards stood before Baralai with there hands by their foreheads in a salute. Baralai slowly tore away his eyes from the request and looked up silently at the guards. "Yes?" the praetor asked in a drawling tone as his high collar hid the snarl tugging on his smooth lips.
"They have arrived! They are waitingby thetemple, Praetor Baralai." one of the guards grinned as they both dashed off to spread the news. Sighing heavily as he attempted to restore his calm self, he rose up from his chair with ease. Cracking his neck, he sauntered down the now noisy hallways to find even the calm priests scurrying around and laughing.
"Odd." he murmured into his high collar as he found himself making his way quickly out of the back part of the temple. Bursting out of the doors and into the freezing morning air a sigh of relief fell out of his lips. His breath curled up lazily in the air as the praetor found peace at last. Sticking his hands further into his sleeves for warmth he walked silently toward the front entrance of the temple.
The sound of angry whispers brushed his ear as he neared the entrance. Pausing, he listened quietly as he recognized a voice he wished would disappear from his memories. Leaning his side against the wall beside him he closed his eyes and strained his ears to hear the conversation. This is wrong…
"I don't want too!" a voice whined as the sound of a foot stomping on the floor was heard. The sound of soft chuckles and laughter made the voice become silent with confusion. "Hey! Stop it! This is not funny! I'm fine! Look my side is all healed up and pretty!" the voice countinued.
A soft voice replied, "Rikku…just deal with it. It will only be for a few weeks or so. Anyway…Yuna and I have business to take care of down in the Thunder Plains."
"Yunie?" Rikku whined once more, making Baralai shake his head in fear of what the Gullwings would ask of him.
"Sorry Rikku. It's for the best. Oh stop giving me those puppy eyes…you know you can't be in the Celsius because everyone knows you will somehow run out." Baralai assumed Lady Yuna said this comment as he could hear the tinge of sympathy in the voice, it was typical. Rubbing his hands together he straightened himself up and turned the corner to see the backs of Lady Yuna and Paine. However, Rikku was facing him and shot a deadly glare his way.
The other two turned to face Baralai who quickly did a formal bow to Yuna. Yuna merely bowed her head stiffly, so the rumors were true…she really did cast off her beliefs and faith in Yevon. Frowning into his collar his eyes turned to Paine and lingered on her face before turning to Yuna again. "What can I do for you?" he asked softly but soon regretted those words that made him sound like a measly servant.
Paine soon had a small smirk on her face as if reading his very emotions and thoughts. The urge to prank her as Gippal and he did when they were together in a group filled his mind. Sighing heavily he waited patiently for Lady Yuna to reply in her gentle voice she always seemed to use. Does she ever get mad?
"Well…I was wondering if you could do the Gullwings a favor but mostly me a favor," Yuna started seeing Baralai's eyes flash with disapproval when she mentioned her group's name, "…Rikku was badly wounded by an aeon we recently battled." The praetor frowned, why even continue talking in that sweet voice of yours? You know very well I would rather stick myself in a cage than deal with this disgrace.
"You want me to look after her while you are gone. I'm not a babysitter, Lady Yuna. I'm Praetor of New Yevon…not some housewife." Baralai finished Yuna's sentence as she barely opened her mouth. Paine's smirk vanished as her eyes narrowed into fine slits as Yuna blushed a deep scarlet as her words became mush.
"Baralai…walk with me." she growled as she walked over to him and grabbed his limp arm roughly. It seemed more like Paine was dragging him rather than both of them walking…typical again. "What are you trying to pull? You know very well this is for Yuna's sake not Rikku's. She needs someone to help Rikku heal and rest, the Celsius is not the place for her. You are her last hope…everyone else is too busy to watch her-"
The white-haired man growled softly, "What makes you think that I am not busy, Paine?" Paine stopped him and faced him with a calm expression on her face. Baralai watched in frustration as she leaned in and kissed his smooth lips.
"Make time. Now go over there and do your duties as Praetor of New Yevon." Paine snapped back, ruining the kiss and the moment she just placed on Baralai. The praetor frowned as he walked back slowly to the Al Bhed; his thoughts were heavily on Paine and Rikku. Why even do that when it isall but a false hope…dream…Brushing his hands against his waist he spotted once more the furious Al Bhed.
"E lyh'd pameaoa drec em rybbahehk!" she threw her arms in the air, revealing the white gauze surrounding all of her stomach and sides. Her emerald eyes flashed with anger as she watched her friends leave with a soft smile and a wave. This meant leaving her with a silent, white-haired man…for a few weeks. "Cdibet veahtc!" she cursed as she folded her arms across her chest. (1)
Baralai sighed heavily and walked past herin silence as he forced himself to calm down. Ever since Shuyin possessed him in Bevelle, in his odd and eventful meeting, he began to feel that anger and sadness pump in him again…just like in his old Crusader days. The sound of light, running footsteps stopped short followed by a soft voice, "Meanie."
Baralai raised an eyebrow and countinued to walk to his, rarely used, house. He couldn't help but smile at this comment by the stubborn Al Bhed it was so sudden and random. 'Meanie?' Of all the words to call him she picked the unlikeliest of harsh words…or pathetic in her case. To his surprise when he looked up he was by his private lift that lead to anyplace, crook, cranny and corner in Bevelle.
Gracefully getting on he watched as the Al Bhed refused to jump, "I'm injured, you poopie! If I jump my side will begin to bleed again." Her arms were crossed against her chest with her left foot tapping impatiently. "Well!" she growled impatiently as her eyes glimmered with annoyance.
Baralai stared blankly at the girl before letting out a soft hiss as he realized what he was being forced to do. Jumping down he quickly scooped her up in his arms and crouched down slightly to gain more height in his jump. Her warm breath buffeted his neck as her mouth found a way to rest on top of his jacket's collar. Wincing at this he hurriedly jumped in and almost dropped the Al Bhed if it wasn't for his mind to quickly warn him. "Sorry." the white-haired man mumbled as he turned to the control panel before him.
Rikku just snorted in disgust before holding onto the railing as the lift zoomed through the beautiful city of Bevelle. Her eyes widened as she soaked in the heavenly city, "It's…amazing." Baralai smiled at her comment as they made a gentle turn to the left. Closing his eyes and allowing the wind tobrush against his smooth face, he opened his chocolate eyes and laughed softly.
"She's a beauty and yet she is still thriving with life." he agreed as the lift slowed down as it neared a giant-sized building with large windows that gleamed in the light. Rikku gasped and gapped as she felt herself sit down on thelift and hop off. Eyes wide with amazement, she walked aimlessly to the entrance. "Welcome to my home, Rikku," he smirked as he watched the girl walk around like Gippal when he is drunk.
Opening the door for her he shut it quietly behind him; motioning for her to follow, he began to show her to the guest room. After several moments of screaming in excitement, jumping up and down and dancing…Rikku thanked the praetor as she just examined her new room. Baralai felt a cold and cruel shiver run through his body as she embraced him. Her thin arms tightened around his neck as her body rammed against his. Praying silently for Yevon to restrain this animal the girl released him and dashed into her room. Slamming the door shut in his face he cursed angrily at the white-washed door, "Ajem fusyh." (2)
"I heard that you son of- hey when did you speak Al Bhed? But still…you slimly, cruel, big meanie! That's what you are!" she screamed fiercely as she recalled how grateful she was to him for the room. Stomping her feet as she countinued her angry rants, Baralai scowled and walked away.
"Today has to be one of the worst days in my life," he sighed heavily as he wondered if he could somehow lock her in her room. Or even poison her drink so she would stop ranting like a piece of junky machina the Al Bheds' all love. "Yeah…definitely a bad day," he countinued as he walked to his own room, in a hope to drown these events in some blissful dream…
(1) E lyh'd pameaoa drec em rybbahehk! (I can't believe this is happening!)
Cdibet veahtc! (Stupid fiends!)
(2) Ajem fusyh. (Evil woman.)
Also the title 'Deus Ex Machina' means 'god from the machine' in latin. Pretty spiffy word, eh?