Chapter Nine: Taking Names
I've always said that in politics, your enemies can't hurt you, but your friends will kill you.
-Ann Richards
"What? You got to be kidding me? When did this happen?" an angry father shouted at the quivering being before him. Emerald eyes glared at the shaking man before a sigh emitted out of his lips. "Explain to me again what happened, eh?" the father mumbled as he forced himself to sit down. His fingers twitched slightly as it searched for something to occupy it's self.
"Yes, sir. We were sent by Lord Rin to seize the girl so he could question her, for he wished not to harm her. She seemed out of place when she came in, or so what Rin tells me. Just in case we armed ourselves and searched the vast city of Luca. Half a day passed and we were ready to leave. However, we saw your daughter in the heart of the city…and she was kissing the Praetor of New Yevon," the trembling Al Bhed replied in a soft voice as he neared the end, not really wanting to get more into the event. As captain of the squad that Lord Rin sent out, he lost five of his best men. They were brothers to him and now they were gone into the Farplane. Life was cruel but its brother, death, was even worse.
Cid frowned deeply and took in the air that now seemed sour and vile to his senses. "She…kissed a Yevonite? Why? What made her do such a thing? You know…she's the heir to all my work. And now she wants to shove that down the drain with this pretty boy. And I thought Gippal was bad for her…now I'm starting to have second thoughts," he growled. His hands were clenched into tight fists and he had the sudden urge to punch someone.
"You're dismissed…I'll handle this problem. Tell Rin that I'm sorry for this and I'll take care of it," Cid spoke out in his stern voice as he relaxed his fists. The man nodded and quickly left the room. "She kissed a Yevonite…let alone the Praetor of New Yevon. What is that girl thinking?" he spoke to his desk as his emerald eyes glowed with fury.
Grabbing his commsphere, he dialed a number and waited for it to connect. A grinning face appeared on the commsphere. "What's up, old man? Isn't it a bit early for you to be bustin' a nerve?" a voice from the commsphere laughed. Cid frowned and narrowed his eyes, almost wishing that the problem could be shown through facial expressions. "Huh? You don't say. So Brother is stuck in a well and you want me to rescue him?" the voice added as Cid rolled his eyes.
"No…get your head out of the sands, kid. I need you to come over to my office…I have something important to tell you. So get your ass over here now!" Cid replied gruffly. Laughter crackled through the commsphere again and again, which really began to piss Cid off.
"Not like I have a choice…or you'll throw a screwdriver at me. I'll be at your office around noon…seeing that it's two o' clock in the morning. Geez don't you sleep? Well see ya later…be good until I come to go change your diaper," the voice roared with laughter before the call was over with. Cid glared at the blank commsphere before muttering curses in Al Bhed.
"I really do need to rethink this…ugh. Damn girl, why does she do this to me? Kissing a Yevonite…that is like destroying Home again. It's crazy!" he whispered angrily as he leaned back into his chair.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Two days ago….
The rain continued to pour down on the city of Luca, which proved to be a disadvantage and an advantage to the new couple. The light posts were dim lights of hope as the darkness began to settle in. Feet splashed through the puddles of murky water, eyes darted to and fro in the gruesome dark. Finding an alley, they pressed themselves to the wall…praying that they wouldn't be caught.
Baralai gave a warm smile to Rikku that sent her into a state of daydreaming and sighing with content. "Fa lyh caa oui! Fa femm luihd du drnaa yht fa aqbald oui du fymg uid fedr ouin ryhtc ib. Ihmacc oui fyhd du kad crud..." an Al Bhed shouted as the sound of guns getting ready to kill filled Baralai's ears. They gave each other a look for permission; agreeing silently, Baralai crouched down as he gave her his gun. (1)
"Drnaa!"
Baralai formed his hand into a prayer but only his index and middle finger were up. Those two fingers were pressed together sideways on his lips; eyes closed in concentration, he whispered inaudible words to the flesh pressed against his lips. A small tingling filled his body as he felt the spell ready to be released.
"Dfu!"
Baralai opened his eyes and stared at Rikku, who was giving him a wicked grin. "Alright…I'll go out and you cover me," she whispered as she readied Baralai's well-polished gun. A playful side of him that lay dormant in his body began to wake up; in his Crusader days, he would always be using this side of him with Gippal. Times changed afterward…but somehow the irony in this battle began to recall back memories.
"Scared?" Baralai asked softly as he held the spell until it was needed. Rikku looked up at the sky and remembered hearing the phrase. Scratching her arm she suddenly smiled and looked down at Baralai.
"BANG!" she replied her gun dancing in the air as if she just pulled the trigger and the shock from the shot was jerking her hand. Baralai looked at her with surprise, how…did she know? Did I tell her this? No…did she read my mind? "Wasn't that your catchy phrase, Baralai?" she laughed as she watched the praetor relax but he still wore a surprised look.
"Uha!" (2)
Baralai sighed with amusement and gave the girl a gentle shove, "Go get them, my Al Bhed tiger," Rikku giggled softly and flashed him her innocent smile. Walking out with her hands raised she watched the soldiers before her relax their grip on their guns. Al Bhed tiger…I like it. The soldiers failed to notice the gun in her hand due to the poorly lit area, which made it easier for her to 'mess around' with the men.
"Ymnekrd E's uid, E's uid. Pid E ryja y fynhehk du keja uid, 'Nih...ihmacc oui fyhd du kad rind.' Oui kioc yna kuehk du pa naymmo crulgat frah oui veht uid fryd E ryja eh cduna vun oui kioc," she shouted in her innocent and angelic voice that even made him shiver in awe. Baralai took that as his cue and closed his eyes; bringing his hand down in a swift movement, streaks of angry and random dashes of electricity struck the soldier. (3)
Baralai was impressed, their silent plan worked flawlessly. The Al Bhed were soaked with water, so a nice bucket of lightening and you have steaming Al Bheds for dessert. They really made a team…and not one word was spoken about what they were going to do but mostly when they were going to strike. Now it was Rikku's turn; she watched as five men staggered upward, pointing her gun at them she frowned slightly.
To shoot her own people, it was a daunting task and was easier said to yourself then done. She shot them in the legs or arms, trying to avoid killing them at all costs. Nodding with grim satisfaction, she felt Baralai grab her hand and tug her back though the alley way. They had to remain hidden, just in case reinforcements come running about.
"So it seems you know how to handle a gun…I'm impressed," Baralai mused as Rikku handed him back his beloved but yet retched weapon. Rikku grinned and ran her finger across his jaw line. She carefully closed up the space between them so that her wet body pressed against his.
"I can handle a lot of other things other than a gun," she spoke seductively as her finger ran down his clothed chest. She felt him shiver in anticipation as their faces neared each other. They were about to devour each other's lips when her communicator crackled and roared with life. Baralai blinked a few times in confusion as he noticed the small black communicator on her shoulder.
"Rikku! Where are you! Everyone is looking for you! Also what are you talking about and who are you talking too?" Brother's voice shrilled in his horrible english. Rikku growled furiously and grinded her teeth, we were getting to the 'juicy bits' or what LeBlanc rants about.
"Oooo! Shut up! This is a covert operation!" Rikku replied in a hiss, and she could feel Baralai's lips leaving warm sensations on her neck. Resisting the urge to moan his name out, in fear Brother might hear, she turned her gaze to Baralai who was busy with her neck at the moment.
"AHHHHH! RIKKU! DON'T TELL ME TO SHUT UP! WHO'S THE LEADER? I AM, I AM! I'M COMING TO PICK YOU UP!" Brother shrilled with anger through her communicator and somehow she found it amazing that no one found them. Rikku turned her communicator off and focused her attention on the Praetor of New Yevon. He somehow managed to have her shirt folded upward so that he could have access to her breasts. Sneaky, sneaky man. Where did he learn to do that? I underestimate the temples in Bevelle…must be the holy water. Who knew Yevon was a lusty love-bird…interesting.
Running her hand through his hair, she noticed that his headband was no where to be seen. "I like your hair, makes you look wild," she murmured as she continued to run her hand through his damp but yet warm hair. His tongue ran over her hardened nipples in response, making her moan out in a deep lust for more, "Praetor Baralai!"
He grinned at this and began to claw at her skirt, eager for her now. However, all good things can't last forever. "Rikku! Where are you! Brother is throwing a fit back at the ship!" a sweet voice rang out through the rain. Baralai and Rikku stopped and looked at each other. Their eyes were widened with shock as they both recognized that voice. Rikku could imagine the source of that sweet voice finding them…in the alley with her shirt up and the Praetor of New Yevon's lips on her chest. She cringed as her name was being called out again.
"Yunie! Oh Baralai…I have to go. I don't want to…oh Yevon I want you so badly," she mumbled nervously of being caught in the state she was in. The tanned-skinned man just smiled and pulled her shirt down gingerly. "I love you." she whispered softly.
"I know…we'll visit each other often until the heat dies down with the whole Rin incident," he whispered back as he wiped awaya lonetear that slid down her cheeks.Rikku nodded silently and sucked on the bottom half of his lip, which seemed to make his heart and body yearn for more.
"Sounds like a plan…I'll see you soon, my handsome praetor," she smiled as she ran a hand across his cheek before heading off. Baralai smiled and leaned against the wall with hands stuck in his pocket. What a day…what a beautiful day.
"Be good, my Al Bhed tiger." he whispered as he closed his eyes and saw her shinning green eyes once more.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ten hours after Cid's call…
A young and lively man strolled into Cid's office. It looked as if some fiend came in and had a party… And I wasn't invited...bastards. Taking a seat he laced his fingers together and placed them behind his head and smiled at a glowering Cid. "Wassup Cid?" the young man asked in an innocent voice. Cid muttered a curse and began to pace before him in a mad fury.
"I have a favor to ask of you."
"Uh huh."
"Recently my daughter committed a horrible act upon our traditions and people."
"What? Did she come up with the idea that even less clothes is the Al Bhed way?"
"No…even worse. She kissed…a Yevonite."
"….ok, go on."
"That's it…there is no 'go on.'"
"Am I supposed to be shocked or scared…something like that?"
"Yes. You are. Now I need you too 'woo' my daughter."
"Go on."
"For the love of Spira! That's it! Nothing is left to say!"
"Uh huh, and?"
Cid groaned with dismay, this guy obviously stayed out in the sun too long. "Gippal…try to stay focused. So will you do this old man a favor and say 'yes.'" Cid begged as he stopped his pacing and stared at the laid back Al Bhed.
So Baralai actually got Rikku…amazing. I thought for sure my plan wouldn't work. Well…it's just that after I was walking home…I saw all the flaws in my plan that I didn't catch. I was a bit grateful…I still think that I have a thing for Rikku. I still miss having her around in my arms like in the past. We really did make a lovely couple…so here's my chance. I even have Cid's permission to grope her in public now! I wonder…
"Alright…but only cause I'm such a nice guy," Gippal finally replied as he stood up. Adjusting the elastic fabric that covered his eye, he gave Cid a confident grin. "Why do you want me to 'woo' her anyway?" he asked as he eyed the still angry father.
"If she gets any further with this Yevonite…she will destroy me. She is my successor and she must not taint the traditions," Cid replied in a solemn tone. Gippal scratched his chin before rubbing the back of his head.
"But Yuna is half Al Bhed…her mom is your sister." Gippal replied as he saw Cid shake his head. Gippal raised his eyebrow in question and he got a look that told him that he was going to get an answer.
"My sister was never my father's successor…I was. It didn't really apply to her. Gah! I'm sick of these questions…now leave before I decide to poke your good eye out," Cid shouted, making Gippal grin foolishly.
Waving his hand at Cid he took his leave, "Be good Cid…I don't want to put you in time-out if you throw a tantrum again." Cid growled in anger but was relieved…his problem would all go away now. He trusted Gippal; after all, he was Rikku's first love.
A/N: Well? What ya think? I personally liked it...well duh I wrote it. Heh, anyway I want to thank Farplane again and I hope you will notice that I used the phrase, 'Al Bhed tiger' for Rikku. Yup. So for all my lovely readers...I'm blown away by you guys. 903 hits...holy muffins...and holy shoopuff (that's how you spell it...right?). Oh another funny thing happened today...Sarah (crazy girl who threatened me to update or my lovely new shirt get's eaten) and myself were...well how do I say this without sounding like a lunatic. Umm...we were mocking the Hypellos...ya I know it's weird but hey that's what us teenagers do. "Mish Yoona, what can I do for yoo" or"We ish counting on yoo!" Oh man...I feel sorry for the man I marry... OOo! I know! On ourwedding I shall talk like a Hypello! Squee, yay! I hope I can remeber that in...what five years. Am I that old? Well I always thought fifteen was the lucky number not the sign that you are old...well, I like being fifteen, it makes me feel powerful. GawdbutI'm old...my poor blonde hair will soon be turning gray...damn.
(1)Fa lyh caa oui! Fa femm luihd du drnaa yht fa aqbald oui du fymg uid fedr ouin ryhtc ib. Ihmacc oui fyhd du kad crud… We can see you! We will count to three and we expect you to walk out with your hands up. Unless you want to get shot...
(2)Drnaa! Three! Dfu! Two! Uha! One!
(3) Ymnekrd E's uid, E's uid. Pid E ryja y fynhehk du keja uid, 'Nih...ihmacc oui fyhd du kad rind.' Oui kioc yna kuehk du pa naymmo crulgat frah oui veht uid fryd E ryja eh cduna vun oui kioc. Alright I'm out, I'm out. But I have a warning to give out, 'Run...unless you want to get hurt.' You guys are going to be really shocked when you find out what I have in store for you guys.