Chapter Seven: Distant and Longing Light
Our situation is desperate, and we can afford no illusions, no retreat into a land of dreams. Now, more than ever, optimism is cowardice.
-Prof. Revilo P. Oliver
Your on my mind, you are all that I think of now as I sit here in this chair. It's odd; I never felt anything for you in the beginning. You touched me with those burning lips of yours and now I'm longing for your touch once more. Running a hand through his ruffled hair, which stood up in odd ends and ways, he grabbed the commsphere. Dialing the number to Lady Yuna he waited patiently for her to answer.
"Hello?" a warm voice spoke through the commsphere as a blue image of Yuna appeared. Baralai smiled and watched as Yuna waved at him, "Baralai! It's so good to see you. How is everything? Is something wrong?" The praetor laughed softly, it was like Lady Yuna to be so concerned.
"Everything is going well. However, I have to speak to Rikku…is she around?" Baralai stammered as he felt his hands suddenly get sweaty. Why is this happening? I just said her name… Yuna just smiled sweetly at him, not taking notice of his quivering voice and nervous expression. Baralai fidgeted with his long sleeves as he felt Yuna's gaze on him. Bringing his eyes to the former summoner he saw the laughter in her eyes. Does she know? Am I that obvious?
"I'm sorry Baralai; Rikku actually went off this afternoon on her own. She said something about 'finding myself.' Last time I heard she was heading to Luca from Mi'ihen Highroad…if you are lucky you could catch up with her…she should be getting there in the next thirty minuets," Yuna replied thoughtfully as she observed Baralai's far off look. "I hope that helps you," she added after a pregnant pause.
The praetor nodded absentmindedly, "Thank you, Lady Yuna. I hope to talk to you soon." Yuna smiled and nodded as the commsphere blanked into its normal blue screen. Staring at the ceiling he flicked off imaginary lint off his shoulder; breaking out of his train of thought, he started his way toward his hover roadster. In a way it was quite ironic how Bevelle uses machina but yet the teachings of Yevon forbid it. Climbing in he combed his hair with his fingers as he reached out to turn the hover on.
"I look like the walking dead." he murmured as the hover's engine rumbled with life. Smiling to himself as he managed his hair to its normal self; speeding toward the Mi'ihen Highroad he found himself doubting Gippal's plan. Is it even worth it? What is the point of doing this when you feel so…unsure?
A pained expression fell on his face as he realized that maybe this wasn't the right time or moment. Gripping the handles on the steering wheel until his tanned knuckled turned a soft shade of white, he found himself nearing Luca's entrance. Already here? Am I worrying that much to make me lose track of time? Stopping the hover by a curb, he gracefully got out and locked the vehicle up.
Sticking his keys in his pocket he felt the rain begin to drizzle down on him. Shivering as a lone rain drop slid down his back, he continued to make his way into the bustling city. Merchants and buyers rushed back home, trying to out race the worse of the storm that was predicted to come. Baralai ignored the stares of those that recognized him, he could feel their thoughts burn through his clothing and onto his skin. 'What is the praetor doing here? Is there an attack that happened here recently and he came to check-up?'
A part of him wanted to turn and assure the suddenly worried civilians, while another side wanted to laugh at their stupidity. It seemed a few months after Shuyin's defeat did not wipe away the lingering anger that whispered in his heart. Thunder roared through the darkening sky as the clouds cried silently in response. The waves crashing against the docks could be heard from the stairs that led to the Mi'ihen Highroad. Wincing as more raindrops seeped through his clothes to his shivering skin, he waited patiently on the stairs.
This better work Gippal…or I am going to seriously give you a black eye. Rubbing his freezing hands together in an attempt for warmth, he allowed his thoughts to roam around. Leaning casually against the railing his brown orbs never left the entrance to the road. He chewed the inside of his cheek, which already had scars from this habit, he felt his conscience plead with him to leave and forget this foolishness. Baralai knew his conscience for once was being right, this was foolish but he was willing to take this cruel storm…even if it stabbed him in heart twenty times.
Emerald eyes swirled with awe as a bolt of lightening ripped through the dark canvas of a sky. A blue shimmer of light ran through her body as she neared the Travel Agency. "Ya, I really did find myself," she laughed darkly as her blonde braids hanged by her face, soaked with rain.
Before she left, too supposedly 'find myself,' she remembered being on her knees, hacking up blood. The soft singing of pyreflies filled her ears; immediately she slammed her eyes shut, hoping to get rid of this all. However, a set of beautiful eyes filled her mind, followed by a cruel chuckle. "I grow impatient…you brought this pain to me along with those other dog-flies. It's time you helped me get my final revenge on a certain someone and of course yourself," a voice whispered along with the pyreflies, which danced around her in a frenzy.
Looking at the muddy road, as her feet kicked a few specks of mud on her boots, she sighed with satisfaction. Pushing open the dark-colored door of the Travel Agency, she spotted a smiling man. His blonde hair stopped at his jaw line and his emerald eyes danced with happiness. "Rikku, what a pleasure surprise! Is there anything I can do for you?" the man continued to smile from behind the counter.
The Al Bhed returned the smile at Rin, as she trotted toward the counter, "Well…I was wondering if I could have a place to stay for the night." Rin nodded and turned his back to look for a key to an empty room. Before he could turn around and give the girl a key, he felt something cold hit him in the head. Feeling his legs get wobbly he collapsed on the ground, his eyes glued to the tile.
Placing a foot on the Rin's back she pressed all of her weight on it; delighted when she spotted his squirms; she closed her eyes. Inhaling the scent of blood she slowly raised her foot off the Al Bhed and awarded him with a harsh kick in the ribs. "I trust you will be fine in the morning. It's a shame one of your own people helped destroy my only chance at destroying this retched world," Rikku cursed darkly as she made her way to the exit. "I hope you enjoy the Al Bheds trying to kill you after my business is done, Rikku."
Quickly leaving she heard the sound of footsteps from inside followed by a piercing scream. Bursting out into a run she felt that dark and brooding presence fall silent as she found herself in control of her own body. Fear embraced her as the sound of shouts and screams accompanied by thunder fill the air. The clouds seemed to cry even harder as they watched the scene from above.
The exit and entrance for Luca came into view, beckoning her to hurry up. Shoving aside a small machina, which trotted down the side of the road, she felt it crackle in confusion as it toppled on its side. Stumbling down the stairs she spotted Baralai with his arms dangling by his sides. Slowing down as she reached him a cold shiver ran down her back, he's here to turn me in. What do I do?
Rikku fell into an endless trance of fear and doubt as she finally reached the soaking praetor. The rain pattered on them roughly as Rikku heard a soft snicker that rose out of her own throat. Baralai raised his eyebrow in question but remained silent as his chocolate orbs scanned her body. She watched with a dark satisfaction as the man appeared to be not carrying any weapons. In one fluid movement she grabbed the tanned man by the neck, her fingernails digging into his skin. It mentally surprised the Al Bhed by how quick this dark soul was quick to act around Baralai.
"R…Ri…Rik..Rikku…wh…what are…you…doing?" he chocked as she tightened her grip. The blonde Al Bhed tossed her head back and released a gruesome and victorious laugh. Wiping the rain that attempted to slide in her eye, she gave the praetor a smug grin.
"I'm afraid she isn't here at the moment. It doesn't matter…this conversation is mostly between you and me anyways," Rikku spoke sternly as Baralai finally caught the hint of a masculine voice in her's. Eyes widened in shock as he realized his worst nightmare was becoming a reality. Feeling his lungs squeeze together in search for oxygen, his blood began to pound loudly in his ears.
"Shuyin? How? I thought the others stopped you for good," Baralai managed to breathe as he felt Rikku's grip relax a bit. The sky released a deep rumble, making the air vibrate with tension. Lighting streaked through the sky and thunder trailed after it like a dog. The raindrops became heavier as they continued to beat against the praetor's head and shoulders.
A feathery and soft snicker filled his ears, "Correct as always, praetor. However, you are partially wrong. Yes, your friends did stop me. But I still left a part of me in Underground Bevelle…just in case. As you see…Yevon isn't the only one who keeps secrets. So here I am, getting the last of my revenge…my plan was flawless and they ruined it. You are probably wondering what I meant by 'secrets' when we met in your office. Well…I need to know –" Baralai growled but forced himself to calm down…his anger would allow Shuyin to possess him once more.
"Why Rikku? You could have chosen me…again," Baralai butted in, ignoring the glare from the Al Bhed. Sighing heavily and placing her free hand on her forehead, she looked up at Baralai with a frown.
"I though you were better than that…must you act like an idiot? Rikku was one out of the many that thwarted my plan. So I am going to ruin her life…slowly of course. Ad for yourself…I think I made your life a living hell already," Rikku replied in a knowing voice. Pushing the praetor against the railing a sad smile crept on her beautiful face, "You know too much…so no hard feelings, right?"
He could feel his body bending backward as she released her grip on his neck and attempt to push him over the railing. Glancing down at the razor-sharp rocks that jutted upward toward the sky, he could feel his gut twist in shock. His hand reached inside his robe, searching for a familiar item.
The waves crashed against the rocks as the Al Bhed prepared for the finally shove. Her hands stopped midday as cold metal touched her forehead; looking at the set frown on the praetor's face, she backed up. "Stop." Baralai shouted over the roar of the ocean. The look of horror on Rikku's face made a rush of guilt seep through his body. Shaking away this feeling, knowing it could be used against him, he stared at Rikku's swirling green eyes.
"You shoot and you kill me and the girl. Do you think that is wise, praetor?" Rikku hissed as she gained her composer as that thought floated in her mind. Crossing her arms across her chest, as the rainwater continued to drip through her clothes, she gave the praetor an innocent smile.
Taking a step closer, gun still pointed at the girl's head, he silently went over any kind of a way to handle this. Only one seemed to be logical but there was one deadly flaw that pierced his insides. This was not what I expected out of Gippal's plan…what am I saying…I didn't even start yet. "I know what will happen…but who said I cared?" Baralai answered as the cool metal of the gun pressed against her forehead once more.
"No hard feelings, right?" Baralai mocked with a clam expression etched on his face. The wind howled and crackled with delight as it tossed around the Al Bhed's and the Yevonite's hair playfully. The ocean whined with frustration as it pounded against the craggy rocks, the sky boomed with life and power and the clouds whimpered and cried in distress. This was Spira, this was life and this was a normal day in Baralai's book.
A/N: Ah, true love...nothing is more romantic than pointing a gun at her. ...I just jokeing...really I mean it. So I left this lovely cliffhanger for all of you because I love you soooooooooooooooooooo much. Yup. So expect a new chapter soon...for this winter break is going to be a chapterpaloza! Hurray! (does victory dance) Yup, don't be jealous of my mad skills in my victory dance. So if you have a comment or a question don't hesitate to review. So have a wonderful New Years...which is tomorrow...right? Darn't what is today? Ah poopie.