Chapter Six: Walking Home
"Love is a fire, but whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you cannot tell."
-unknown
Pacing back and forth in front of his desk was the only sign of life in his body. His chocolate eyes were glazed as he entered another world inside his mind and his breathing was too relaxed to be normal. Hands clasped behind his back his mind was in a middle of a mental war between his conscience, gut and heart. Licking his lips as he went through the possible methods of solving this problem, he found flaws and mistakes in each plan.
Isaaru stood there by the door for five silent minuets before the Praetor of New Yevon paused and stared at his now cluttered desk. Papers scribbled with notes of each of his plans and part of him wanted to rip them into shreds and toss them in the air. Sighing, seeing how childish and idiotic this was, he turned his gaze upward at the window. Rain pattered lightly on the window as the sky rumbled angrily. "You saw it…didn't you." Baralai spoke making the question into a stern comment.
The ex-summoner fidgeted as his sleeves quivered slightly in the air. Swallowing the lump in his throat he answered softly, "Yes, I did." Isaaru remembered just two hours ago how he peered through Baralai's office window and saw the two with locked lips. It sent horror down his body as he watched the man he looked up to begin to turn Spira into turmoil once more. An Al Bhed and a Yevonite together was like changing a hound into a bird…it was possible but dire consequences came with the package. There was also something else to remember, in the past, the Al Bhed race has become a victim to the Yevonites' attacks. Even though some Al Bheds accept the past and leave it at that, hoping to make the present a new start…many are still angry and full of rage.
Baralai frowned slightly as he realized that he said 'yes' instead of 'what are you talking about?' "Must you be so disgustingly honest?" Baralai muttered under his breath, failing to reach Isaaru's ears. What am I going to do? Sighing again, realizing that he now had a fifty percent chance of being discovered by the world, he turned to face Isaaru. Walking slowly toward the ex-summoner, his hands fell to his sides as he paused when he was a hand-length away.
"I advice you to keep the past event silent, I would hate to drag you in the Farplane kicking and screaming." Baralai whispered harshly, feeling the vibrations from the ex-summoner lightly touch his sleeves. Watching Isaaru nod in a silent agreement, Baralai turned and went to his desk. Baralai knew that he was bluffing but yet fortunately Isaaru didn't catch that hidden meaning in Baralai's words. Cleaning up his desk, he spoke directly to Isaaru with his eyes on his scribbled notes, "You are dismissed, Isaaru. Oh and another thing, don't forget this deal or you will pay the price with your life. Of course, I will be forced to collect…slowly."
The praetor heard the door open quickly and close silently, allowing a smile to creep on his tanned-colored face; he continued to clean his desk off. "Since I can't look for Isaaru for advice, due to the fact that I scared him to death…literally, I guess I have to ask the last person I would expect for advice," he spoke lightly to himself, "Yevon help me get though this."
It unceasingly rained as three days flew by quickly just like how the sun disappears behind the gray clouds. A knock reverberated through the silent air in the office, looking up at the door Baralai answered, "Come in." The door opened and closed quietly as a grinning figure collapsed on one of the chairs. "You're late…two days late," Baralai looked up and returned the grin, "I thought you could do better…I was expecting five or six."
"You're being unfair, 'Lai. I came as fast I could when I got your message; I would have came a few hours earlier but…" an emerald eye gleamed with laughter, "I entered through the guest room window to your house, don't ask why. Anyway I was observing the room and I found a piece of clothing that shocked me." With that said he reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled orange piece of something, or so what Baralai saw through his eyes.
"Hmm?" was all the praetor replied, Gippal saw his expression and sighed heavily. Straightening out the piece of clothing it revealed a sunny-yellow bikini top with a thick strand of orange outlining it. Baralai remained silent as he mentally kicked himself for not checking on the guest room. "Is that yours Gippal?" Baralai finally replied to the smirking Al Bhed.
Gippal narrowed his eye and wagged a finger at him, "Hey, this definitely not my size…how could it be mine? Oh, I also found this garment grid too…what have you been doing 'Lai?" Baralai sighed softly, resting his chin on his hand; watching the Al Bhed mess around with the garment grid for five minuets made a smile creep on the praetor's lips. "Hey what if I tried this one on? You think its just girl's clothes?" Gippal asked as he curiously looked at the choices.
"Not sure…why don't you try one on?" Baralai replied lazily as his chocolate eyes gazed at the grinning Al Bhed. Gippal nodded and eagerly chose one; an odd tingling sensation ran through his fingers down to his toes, a blinding flash of light filled the room afterward. Baralai closed his eyes and slowly opened his eyes as he heard Gippal chuckle softly.
"Does this make me look fat?" the Al Bhed asked as Baralai looked up to stare at an image of Gippal that would probably never fade from his mind. There he was, muscle and all, in a white thong and other revealing clothing. Claws took place of fingers as Gippal studied himself, "The grid says this is the 'Berserker' dressphere. Hmm, this is definitely a lady's magnet ally."
Baralai placed his head on the desk and prayed to Yevon that somehow this was some weird nightmare. "Damn the grid won't let me change back…ugh…I'm going to freeze to death when I get outside. So tell me, 'Lai, what's the problem with you-know-who?" Gippal sighed heavily as leaned back into his chair, watching as Baralai lifted his head. Baralai took a deep breath and began to tell Gippal all the events that occurred when she first rode his private lift. Just my luck that the grid doesn't work now…perfect, now I have to talk to an almost naked man.
It was difficult to talk to Gippal with his appearance being extremely revealing but, he managed to spill out each event and emotion from his mouth. That is when Gippal leaned forward and gave Baralai a sly look. "I have an idea…but it will take time." the Al Bhed looked left and right before jumping up and dashing to Baralai's side. Leaning his head to his ear he whispered his plan, in fear someone would hear it and steal his genius idea. "Well?" Gippal smiled as he headed back to his chair, arms folded across his muscular chest he observed Baralai's hands that twitched slightly.
"It…sounds….perfect. I'm impressed." Baralai murmured as he stared at his uncluttered desk.
Gippal nodded with content, "I am a genius after all, eh? So about this Isaaru guy he sounds like a bastard…I propose that we scare him…again. You can escort me downstairs and since I saw that guy patrolling the hallways, we are bound to run into him." Baralai raised an eyebrow and waited for an explanation on how this was supposed to be frightening. "Don't worry just play along with me." Gippal assured him as he got up and stuck the garment grid in his pocket, tossing the bikini top on his desk he chuckled softly.
Baralai eyed the top before getting up from his seat as Gippal linked arms with the praetor, "Shall we?" Gippal nodded his head as he watched Baralai sigh softly, trying to hold back the laughter that began to rise up his throat. They strolled though the endless hallway and quickly they spotted Isaaru a few strides away.
Gippal shifted slightly as the emotions running though the garment he wore began to rub on him. "Huh? 'Lai I have the urge to bite something." Gippal muttered as he scratched his head with his free hand. Isaaru was now one stride in front of them and stood there, paralyzed with shock as he saw Gippal and Baralai arm in arm. Before Isaaru could stutter a question, Gippal sank his teeth into Baralai's shoulder. "You taste good, 'Lai." Gippal smiled as he watched the blood drain from Isaaru's face.
Baralai managed to place a grin on his face as he felt the Al Bhed nuzzle his neck. Strolling down the stairs the sound of a body collapsing rang through their ears. "Gippal sometimes I wonder if you really are attracted to women." Baralai mumbled as he heard the Al Bhed laugh out loud.
"Are you trying to ask me out 'Lai? 'Cause for you I would do anything." Gippal teased as he felt the praetor punch him roughly in the arm. Good times, good times. "Ouch, nice punch…now how am I supposed to get home in this outfit? Stupid grid won't work," the blonde man cursed as he pushed random buttons. A buzzing sound filled the air and in a blink of an eye Gippal was no longer in a thong but his normal clothes. "Thank Yevon...it was starting to ride up in the back." Gippal smiled as he handed him the grid.
With everything said and done, Gippal gave a small wave before leaving the building. The rain gently pattered on him as he stuck his hands in his pockets, a wave of jealousy ran through his spine. Rikku now had her eyes on Baralai from all the events he told him…it was similar to his own past with Rikku. First she's stubborn as a fiend and then she randomly gives you a kiss before running off. Frowning he gazed at the sky and realized he could never stay angry at Baralai…they gone through so much. It's not worth ruining a friendship like the one they share. No…it was never worth ruining it over Rikku, for there is always that harem of women and a pool of pudding to look out for.
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A few days earlier...
Tidus stared at the moody blonde as his eyes watched her search her room furiously. Leaning against the doorframe he felt an amused smile tug on his lips as she tossed pillows into the air. "Where is it? Where is my garment grid? Also why am I missing my extra top?" she growled as she kicked a random book that laid in her way.
"Hey, Rikku. Dinner is ready; I'll tell Barkeep to warm up your food for you later." Tidus spoke in a calm voice as he watched Rikku's head nod in agreement. Satisfied he left the troubled Al Bhed, not sure if it was wise to help or not. Rikku sighed and fell back on her bed; arms outstretched on the bed, she went over the places she forgot to look at.
Bathroom? Already looked.
Closet? Already looked.
This room? Already looked and trashed.
Ship? Don't really think it's hear, Barkeep didn't see anything while cleaning up.
Bevelle? Nah, why would it be in there? Ugh, where is that blasted thing?
"Cren ndlzn. If I find out who took it I'm going to-" she spoke angrily at the ceiling but suddenly began to cough. Sitting up with her head bowed to her lap, she coughed viciously as a cold presence crawled up her veins. The sound of pyreflies singing filled her ears as she slammed her emerald eyes shut. (1)
A/N: Wow another chapter is finished, I'm still surprised how I'm not even to the juicy bits yet. (sigh) Well I guess that means it's a cliffhanger for the both of us...man what's wrong with me. Also good news...the hits on this story rose up like a fiend on steroids! The lucky number is 451...holy guacemole! I feel like a three year-old whose birthday is today! Squee! So keep on reading you guys make feel like lucky three again (I don't even remember what I even did when I was three. Umm...well.)good times, good times.
(1) Cren ndlzn. This sucks.