A/N-Welcome to my second "Rippal" fanfic! Since so many of you guys wouldn't stop telling me to spell it Gippal I finally gave in grin Here's the first chapter! Tell me what you think, k? Let's get started! Oh yeah, this is gonna be Gippal's POV since I wanted to switch and try something new. Also, this fic is gonna be more lighthearted and fun. But if you want some angst, tell me so I can change the plot a little bit. I won't mind. There will barely be any conflicts and when they do come around, they won't be life-altering. Oh, and I want everything to be perfect, like spelling, grammar and all that jazz so even if there's the tiniest mistake, please tell me because I really want this story to be absolutely perfect! Let's get started!
♫Caprice♫
Chapter One: Timeless Waltz
"My love for you burns deep
Inside me, so strong
Embers of times we had
And now here I stand lost in a memory
I see your face and smile."
This party sucks.
That one thought remained on my mind as I took another swig of who knows what. I ruffled my already messy blonde hair and leaned against the table, bored out of my mind. What was I doing here, anyway? Oh yeah, I remember. Celebrating the defeat of Vegnagun and the Eternal Calm. Yeah…right. Whoopee. How important is this? WHY did I have to come?
I sighed, walking back over to the refreshments and pouring some punch into my cup. Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I slowly turned around, plastering on one of my famous fake-but-you-can't-tell-it-is smiles.
"Hi…Gippal." The girl started laughing shrilly, covering her mouth with her hand. I resisted the urge to wince and merely smirked at her, winking. She blushed. That was effortless Shyly, she placed her hands behind her back and leaned her head to the side, smiling. "Will you dance with me?"
"Sorry, babe. Dancing isn't my thing," I replied. To be honest, I can't dance. You heard me. Now shut up. The girl smiled up at me and grabbed my hand anyway. I really don't like it when other people touch me like that.
"Once you dance with me, you'll want to dance!" she said in a sugary voice and proceeded to try and drag me to the floor. I tugged back and sauntered back to the refreshment table, shaking my head.
"I said no, babe." She frowned at me, huffed, spun on her heel, and stormed away. Yeah, well, whatever. I didn't really care anyway. So the party continued on and I wondered why I was staying here anyway. I obviously wasn't needed. I soon felt a presence at my side and glanced at the person. "Baralai," I greeted.
"Gippal," he replied, nodding his platinum-colored head. "How are things with the Machine Faction?"
"Good. How's Bevelle doing?" I asked, trying to sound interested.
"Good." He seemed to be avoiding my gaze, his eyes searching the couples dancing, as if…seeking someone. A sly grin appeared on my face and I nudged Baralai suggestively, wiggling my eyebrows.
"Looking for someone, eh? EH?" I cackled as he blushed faintly, scoffing and crossing his arms.
"I am looking for no one, Gippal." I rolled my eye and shook my head, still grinning.
"Riiiiight." I knew exactly who he was looking for. That Paine chick. Back in our Crimson Squad days, it was so obvious how Baralai felt for Paine. Hell, Nooj and I had been placing bets on when he was gonna confess his undying love for her. Sadly, it still hasn't happened, and if someone doesn't do the pushing, they're never gonna be together.
I scanned the crowd with my one eye and smirked as I spotted Paine, who was chatting with Yuna. Grinning, I shouted as loud as I could.
"PAINE! HEY, PAINE! OVER HERE!" I could hear Baralai gasp in mortification as the woman clad in black focused her ruby gaze on me. She said something to the ex-summoner and strolled over, looking almost as bored as I was.
"Yes?" she drawled, crossing her arms and eyeing Baralai, who was deliberately avoiding her piercing gaze. Feeling happy playing matchmaker, I looped my arm around Baralai's neck and hugged him close, hearing him choking.
"I think Baralai here would like a dance with a certain woman in front of me." I winked as Paine's eyes widened and Baralai started to protest, his cheeks flaming.
"No, no! It's not like that!" Baralai tried futilely, waving his arms frantically. Paine's left eyebrow shot up. "Umm…I mean, not that I don't want to dance with you. I mean…ugh…" Then something rare happened. Paine smiled.
"Let's dance, then." She grabbed his arm and dragged him off to the dance floor as Baralai continued to stutter like an idiot and I gaped at the couple. Well who would've thought that Paine had it in her?
"Well…my work here is done," I muttered. I was alone once more. I glanced down at my watch and noted that it was now eight o'clock. Well, there was nothing to do here, so I might as well go back to Djose and work with my Machine Faction, right? That thought in mind, I made my way across the floor and was about to walk up to Yuna to bid her goodnight when someone collided with me. I nearly fell over from the impact and composed myself quickly, standing straight up to glare at my attacker. The person latched onto my arm and dragged me next to them.
"See, I have a boyfriend! This is him! And I don't think he'd want me to dance with you because he gets jealous really easily!" My eye widened as I recognized the voice.
"Rikku?" I hissed, looking down. And sure enough, it was Cid's little girl. She was wearing her usual Thief dressphere, her long blonde hair decorated with colorful baubles and beads. She looked up and gaped, then looked back at the guy that she was talking to, who I hadn't noticed.
"Play along with me, please!" she pleaded quietly, and then forced a grin at the creepy looking guy. The guy's stormy grey eyes flicked up from Rikku's face to mine and he frowned slightly.
"You're…her boyfriend?" His voice seemed almost taunting and disbelieving, as if he didn't buy someone like me could go out with someone like her. That pissed me off, quite frankly, and I rose up to the silent challenge. Smirking, I wrapped an arm around Rikku's shoulders, pulled her in front of me and pushed her up against my chest, hearing her squeak in protest.
"Yeah, what does it look like?" What the hell was I doing? And what did it look like? The brown-haired man seemed to take it into consideration and nodded slowly.
"…Ok. May I have a dance with her, please?" His gaze refocused on Rikku, who started to fidget uncomfortably.
"No. I'm dancing with her." As soon as the words slipped out of my mouth, I wanted to punch myself. I'd dance with her? I can't dance!
"Um…you are?" she squeaked as if reading my mind, peering up at me with her swirled eyes.
"…"
"Yes! Yes he is!" I turned behind me to see who it was. That ex-summoner chick. Yuna. What the hell was she thinking? I scowled as I noticed the sappy smile plastered onto her face. What was going on in that mind of hers? She opened her mouth to say something when a blonde-haired man came up behind her and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled lovingly at him and I realized that he must be that guy…what was his name again? Tie-dye? Well whatever, not my problem. He then whispered something in her ear. She nodded energetically and waved us goodbye before leaving with her boyfriend. Back to our current situation…
"Well then…I guess I'll leave you two to your dance, then." Without another word, the stranger turned around and disappeared into the crowd. I scratched the back of my head as the two of us stood awkwardly in the middle of the dance floor.
"Well…I guess I'll see you later." As I turned around to leave she latched onto me again and I noticed the anxiousness in her eyes.
"You don't understand! If he sees me alone, he'll most likely come on to me again! You have to dance with me!" I stared at her.
"No way." I continued to walk away and smirked slightly as Rikku continued to persist, digging her heels into the floor as I started to struggle to leave.
"PLEASE!"
"Hmm…no."
"Giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiippppppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll……"
"How many times do I have to say—" I turned around to reprimand her for whining so much, but then I realized that was a bad idea. She grabbed my other hand and jabbed her slender fingers into the only spot that made me vulnerable, the only spot that only she knew about (and only by pure accident). My ribs. Damn those ribs. I immediately started laughing like a psycho as she continued her merciless assault, proceeding to drag me to the dance floor.
She placed her left hand in my right and placed my left hand onto her waist. The song was a fast pace, and while other couples were dancing without touching, Rikku didn't give me that chance as she was sure I was going to run away if she loosened her grip. She was very wise.
Needless to say, it was a very awkward dance. She spun me around while laughing heartily, which only made me smile in return. Damn her. Deciding to play along, I pulled her body closer to mine and outstretched our hands, smirking when she squeaked. We started doing the tango, which was totally ridiculous because it had nothing to do with the song, but I couldn't help myself. We started laughing madly and I realized just how good of a time I was having.
That was Rikku for you...always making me smile. She caught the intent gaze I was giving her and blushed, earning a smug smile from me. The fast paced song soon faded into a slower one. Hesitantly, I pried her fingers from me, deciding that one song was enough. Apparently not for her. She latched onto me again and I sighed, giving into her.
"Does that guy really scare you that much?" I teased, seeing her starting to pout. I didn't think she would reply, since it was meant to be rhetorical.
"Just a little," she admitted, surprising me. I unconsciously pulled her closer to me, hearing her sigh. Orchestral music started to play and a young woman stood up on the stage. She was dressed in a floor-length sleeveless white gown that made her look like an angel. Her long light brown and wavy tresses tumbled past her shoulders to mid-waist and her pale face had light makeup on, enhancing her deity-like beauty. The audience ooh'd and ah'd at the stunning looker and she smiled, blue eyes twinkling.
When somebody loves you
It's no good unless he loves you - all the way
Happy to be near you
When you need someone to cheer you – all the way
A handsome man dressed in a fine tuxedo appeared on the stage and the song became a duet. The crowd cheered. Couples danced on the floor, each lost forever in the other's eyes. Rikku moved closer to me and leaned her head against my chest, hiding a smile. I looked forward and noticed that stranger staring at us from his place on the sidelines. He caught my glance and frowned a little. I smirked and wrapped my arm more snugly around her waist, making him scowl.
Taller than the tallest tree is
That's how it's got to feel
Deeper than the deep blue sea is
That's how deep it goes – if it's real
What…? What is this feeling inside of me? I looked down at the girl in my arms and smiled a little. How could she always elicit this feeling in me? This sense of possessiveness and care…I didn't want to let her go now. I hugged her closer, burying my face into her neck and inhaling her sweet scent. She stiffened a little, but relaxed, sighing contentedly.
When somebody needs you (When somebody needs you)
It's no good unless he needs you (It's no good unless she needs you) – all the way
Through the good or lean years (Through the years…)
And for all those in-between years (For all those years) – come what may (come what may)
Yuna and Tidus stood off to the side. The ex-summoner was leaning against her boyfriend's chest as his strong tanned arms wrapped around her. She stared at the couple in front of her, a faint smile on her face. It seemed as if they didn't notice anyone else around them. Looking to her right, she spotted Baralai and Paine dancing quite closely, a small smile on the warrior's face.
Who knows where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say (Only a fool would say)
But if you let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you
All the way
All the way…
"Hey, Gippal?" Rikku whispered, snuggling up against my chest. I smiled and looked down at her blonde head, tucking it under my chin.
"Hmm?"
"This is nice, isn't it?" she mumbled quietly. I smirked and a chuckle escaped me, making her giggle.
"Sure is."
Taller than the tallest tree is
That's how it's got to feel
Deeper than the deep blue sea is
That's how deep it goes – if it's real
"Tidus?"
"Yeah, Yuna?" The brunette looked up at her smiling boyfriend and felt her heart melt at the simple gesture.
"Rikku's done so much for me. If it weren't for her, you and I wouldn't be together right now."
"Is that so?" the ex-blitzball player questioned, kissing her lips. Yuna smiled and returned it, pulling away.
"Yeah. So I want to return the favor. You see Gippal dancing with her?" Tidus blinked and then nodded, an evil smile on his handsome face. "I see you understand where I'm going with this. Want to be matchmaking partners?"
"Wait a second…don't tell me you were the one who sent that stranger over to Rikku so she would bump into Gippal…"
"Well, no…that was pure coincidence, but it did give me an idea…I'm going to have a 'chat' with this stranger…"
And when somebody needs you (When somebody)
It's no good unless she needs you – all the way
Through the good or lean years
And for all those in-between years – come what may (come what may)
As the music continued to surround us, I heard Cid's girl gasp.
"What?"
"Look, look, look! Yunie's dancing with that creep!" I casually twirled us around so I could see what Rikku was observing. Sure enough, the brown-haired chick was in the arms of that dude, and her mouth was moving. What was she doing? I looked at the crowd to spot Tidus with his arms crossed, but no scowl on his face. What the…?
"I don't get it," she muttered, as if reading my thoughts. I silently nodded in reply. "Oh well…" She trailed off, hiding her face in my shoulder once more. If possible, I brought her closer to me, not really listening to the music, just moving around feeling warm.
Who knows where the road will lead us
Only a fool would say
But if you let me love you
It's for sure I'm gonna love you
All the way
All the way…
As the song ended we reluctantly pulled away from each other. She was looking at me with an unreadable look, and I remember seeing her stare at me like that years ago. Heh ok…this was getting kind of…weird. I scratched my head, a sign of nervousness, and managed a crooked smile.
"Well that was…fun."
"Yeah! Maybe we should dance again some time!" Rikku chirped, swaying her hips side to side, a grin on her face. I snorted and she pouted playfully, punching me pretty hard in the side. Of course, I wouldn't let her know it hurt like a bi—yeah, you know what I'm gonna say. "Anyway, thanks for saving me. I know you don't like dancing, so I'm sorry I caused trouble…I'll make it up to you, promise!"
"Nah, it's alright, Cid's little girl." I ruffled her hair and she grumbled as the shiny stuff in her hair became entangled with her golden locks. "I'll see ya around." Something glinted in her emerald eyes briefly, almost like…disappointment. But before I could clarify, it was gone in a flash and she smiled, nodding her head vigorously.
"Oayr. Ed fyc kuut caaehk oui ykyeh, Gippal." (Yeah. It was good seeing you again, Gippal. )
Smirking, I blew her a kiss to which she blushed in embarrassment (there were still people watching us and how could I blame them? We put on quite a show.) and stuck her tongue out. With that, I left the party with tomorrow in mind.
I'm gonna love you all the way…
A/N- How's that for the first chapter? Please review, I'd appreciate it! By the way, the song in this chapter is called All the Way. It was originally performed by Frank Sinatra, but the one I put here is a more recent version with Frank Sinatra and Celine Dion. I was listening to it and I fell in love with it. It's so pretty:D Oh, and I sorta…lied…heh. I haven't finished any other chapters for this story besides the first, but they're coming along smoothly…sort of. You see, I lost interest in the game after not playing for a while so…yeah those things happen. And the quote at the beginning is the chorus from a song. Let's play a game! Whoever guesses the name and show the lyrics at the top of the chapter are from gets a cookie! Sound like fun? xP
-Mai