Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Final Fantasy x-2.
A/N: Wow! I'm still half in shock. Thank you guys for the reviews! So great to know that people out there are reviewing my fanfic and are liking it. Lol, I thought it would be sorta boring at first. I do so badly want to thank each of you guys individually, but you know about that email about we authors can't do that, so…
Nwaiz! On with the story…
Chapter Four
Was this the face that launch'd a thousand ships?
"Holy Thorn! Isn't that your sister?"
Gippal felt Rielle stiffen; then she gave a thrilling laugh. "Oh no, that's not Rikku. That's one of the crofter women."
He didn't see the quick glance that passed between the two sisters.
Gippal said nothing, but he did gaze out the window one more time.
It was Rikku, not a crofter woman.
She looked a rumpled, filthy mess, and those were men's boots on her feet. The sleeves of the fading gray wool jacket were rolled up beyond her elbows, and she was striding, yes, striding about like a damned man. He leaned back, a frown puckering his brow.
"Are you enjoying your stay here, Gippal?" Sister asked.
Gippal wondered at the nervousness in her voice. As for Rielle, he could have sworn that she was snickering.
"Yes, of course." He said, lying fluently. He had been so bored he'd believe death by slow torture would have been preferable, then decided that he'd have the torture.
"We do enjoy visiting witty and charming people!" Said Rielle. "And Djose and Luca, so many parties to attend! How exciting it will...it must definitely be."
Gippal was suddenly blessed with a very clear vision of is future. Either Rielle or Sister as his wife, his hostess for an endless series of boring routs and soirees and balls and dinners. Giggling, gossiping, demanding his time, flirting with his friends, taking him away from freedom and work. Or painting his friends and quoting Eda.
Life as he knew it would be over. It would die without a whimper. He wished at that moment that he'd never sold out, that he'd never left. Dammit, he wanted to be free, and that included freedom from a wife. He wanted his newly found life of the past fourteen months to continue to intact. He wanted to go back to Djose temple and work all day and night with his machina without someone clinging onto him demanding that he attend some boring party. He wanted to head to Luca and continue his ways. He just wanted to be free again without a bloody wife.
But how could he, with a wife dangling on his sleeve in Djose?
"Oh yes." He heard Sister say with great enthusiasm, drawing his thoughts away from a future that chilled him. "So much to see, so very much to do."
"Yep."" added Rielle. "To meet all your friends, all the sites in Spira!—I can't wait!"
Gippal wanted to cry and howl at the moon.
Rikku was present at afternoon tea. She bore no resemblance at all as the frowsy woman he'd seen from the hover-craft. She was neatly dressed, her hair in a severe knot at the back of her neck, and looked so homely that he felt a spurt of pity for her. She said absolutely nothing.
Rielle entertained him with spicy gossip, and flirted outrageously.
Sister gave him wistful looks, but thankfully made no more mention of the Macalania Woods.
He was on the point of excusing himself when he saw Rikku ease out of her chair and walk briskly toward the door.
He had to do it, he had no choice.
"Lady Rikku." He said, rising quickly. "May I have a moment of your time?"
Rikku remained with her back toward him.
So, it was my turn to be interviewed for the post of wife. Well, at least he was fair.
"Ok." She said, turning slightly. "In the work room?"
"Yes, that'll be fine."
"I shall see you there, sir, in ten minutes." She slipped out of the room and headed toward the work room. She pulled the spectacles out of her pocket and onto her nose. A stray strand of hair had worked itself loose and she left it hanging along the side of her face.
She realized her heart was pounding. She couldn't be rude, not overtly. She had to be…
"Lady Rikku?"
She started, whirling about to see him standing in the open doorway.
"Yes." She said, not moving an inch.
"I haven't had much chance to speak to you."
"No." she said.
Damned ungrateful wrench.
Gippal immediately felt guilty after he'd thought of those three words. She couldn't help her appearance, couldn't help that she looked a fright next to her lovely sisters.
"Sister showed me many of her paintings. Has she done one of you?"
Rikku looked over at him for the first time. She squinted, and wanted to grin at the slight stiffening of his face. "Yes."
"I should like to see it."
You have, you stupid sod. You're just too blind to know that it was me.
"I don't know where it is."
"Oh, a pity. Do you like to read?"
She heard the distaste in his voice, and realized that Sister must have gotten carried away with Eda and the Macalania Woods. She should have known that Sister wouldn't realize that Gippal had blocks in his head for brains. Poor Sister…wasting her precious poetry on a flan of a man.
"Yes." She said, forcing her voice into a boring monotone. "I read whatever I get my hands on, and I enjoy reading aloud on long winter nights." Did he look as if he'd just swallowed some disgusting fiend?
Take that, you arrogant…
"Do you like to visit and go to balls and parties?"
He likes cheerfulness, wit, and charm.
"No." she said, with not so much as a creak of hesitation. "I prefer being alone."
"With your books?"
"Yes."
"And you like to be outdoors, do you not?"
"Yes, alone."
"Ah."
There were several minutes of absolute silence. She felt no compunction to say anything. It was his bloody interview, after all. She kept her eyes on her toes.
Gippal cleared his throat. "Thank you, Lady Rikku." He said, turned, and left the room.
His brow was furrowed as he strode to his bedroom. By the time he opened the door, he was smiling with grim determination.
Grunyon wasn't there.
Gippal finally found him in the north tower, gazing out over the barren landscape.
"Cook told me where you were. I think that bloody chief was drunk. I have reached a decision." He continued straightforwardly.
Grunyon searched his master's face. He seemed calm, morbidly so.
"If I wed either Rielle or Sister, my life will change. I will have a prattling wife hanging on my sleeve, demanding my time, quoting poetry, painting, giggling, flirting."
"I see." Said Grunyon slowly. "There is, however, Sir, the matter of the oath."
"I know. Yevon, I know. I will wed Rikku."
Grunyon could only stare at his master. "Wh-What?"
Cid stood below, listening with unabashed interest. He'd planned to discuss things with Gippal this very evening, in the drawing room, over a Brandy. He leaned outward, his ears ready to be filled, a crooked smile on his face.
"Rikku." Gippal repeated. "Yes." He went on determinedly, as if convincing himself. "She is unattractive. That's her only failing. On the other hand, she dislikes people and parties; she doesn't carry on like a damned magpie. She would leave me alone. The servants would learn to put up with her wretched dancing and singing."
"That seems to be true." Said Grunyon. "But I don't understand why."
"For Yevon's sake, Grunyon, I will take her to Djose where dad has planned to be, breed a child on her, then take myself to Luca if I need a break. Everyone would be content, especially the lady. Yevon knows, if I don't wed her, she'll end up unmarried for life."
"You pretend that you're doing her a favor?"
"Don't you try your damned sarcasm on me! It is the solution, I tell you."
Cid wanted to laugh at poor Gippal's misguided impressions, and he had to press his hands over his mouth to keep himself quiet.
Ah, my smart little Rikku, you've done it this time. Outsmarted and outflanked. As for you, my boy, you don't know what you're in for.
"It still doesn't seem very fair." Said Grunyon, digging in, He felt sorry for Lady Rikku.
"Fair be damned! My dad is responsible for this stupid disaster, not me. I am making the best of it. I wouldn't be a proper husband to either Rielle or Sister, that is, I'd try to be, but I'd be a pain. I'd never be alone. Yevon, I'd probably have to make intelligent conversation over the breakfast table. As for Rikku, you'll see, Grunyon, she'll be happy as a sand wolf with a bone in Djose. The only thing missing is an Oasis and some sand. She can stride about the moors to her heart's content, read aloud to the butlers, and do whatever else she does here."
Cid very quietly left his post and wandered back into his bedroom from the balcony. He was thoughtful, examining the consequences of Gippal's decision. The decision was, after all, cold-blooded in the extreme. But Rikku, his thinking continued, Rikku wouldn't allow him to stay cold-blooded. She'd give him fits. His Rikku wouldn't be able to keep her tongue quiet in her mouth for very long. "Everything'll work out." Cid said to the empty bedroom. "Ah yes, it certainly will. I will send a message to Chandos straight away."
If he could have justified it to himself, he would have arranged the marriage between Gippal and Rikku, but he'd realized he couldn't exclude Sister or Rielle. Now Gippal had fallen in with Cid's wishes, for all the wrong reasons. He shrugged, then grinned widely, picturing the look on his daughter's face. He wanted to dance a jig.
He saw Rikku that evening before the family met in the drawing room. She looked as awful as possible and he smiled at her. "Good evening, Rikku." He said. "How're ya feeling?"
Rikku stared at her father. "Oh no, what have you done this time?"
"Don't be a fool, my girl. Why should there be anything wrong?"
"You're not behaving as you were." Rikku said slowly, studying his face. "Has Gippal offered for Rielle or Sister yet?"
"No, not yet." Cid said. "But I suspect that he'll talk to me soon."
"Oh right, he did allow himself three days, didn't he?"
"You have a sarcastic mouth, Rikku." On those less-than-loving words, he patted her shoulders, leaving her to flounder like a ship in a storm, sails flapping in the wind.
Just what was he up to?
She was pleased with her performance of the afternoon. She was certain Gippal was disgusted with her, and not just her face. Her answers, short and curt, had been inspired. She felt smug and safe.
She was unaware that during the never-ending meal, Gippal was gazing at her beneath half-closed lids. He was relieved that she ate like a lady. He was more than relieved that she said not a word, unlike her sisters, who seemed to be competing with each other for his attention. The time he would have to spend with Rikku in the future stretched out before him in peaceful silence.
He forced himself to applaud when Rikku finished singing and dancing after dinner. To his surprise, this time Cid applauded also.
He did notice the odd looks passing between Rielle and Sister. It was as if they were restraining themselves from bursting out in laughter. It angered him.
How could they treat their sister with such barely veiled disrespect? It wasn't her fault, after all, that she lacked so much of everything that they had in abundance.
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Rikku was whistling as she made her way down the stairs and across the entrance hall with her long-legged stride. The three days were up today.
"Rikku!"
She walked toward him, her expression wary, her head cocked to one side in silent question. He looked down at her, a gentle smile curving up the corners of his mouth. Suddenly he drew her into his arms and hugged her to him.
"I am very pleased, Rikku. Now, make me proud."
Confused, Rikku said automatically: "Right Pops. This has got to be the first time in forever since you've hugged me. It's quite scary."
"Go into the work room."
"You want me to repair a machina?"
"No, no, I don't. Don't shame me, Rikku. Go now." He gave her a gentle shove, and Rikku, staring back at him, opened the door and slipped inside.
Shame him? Why the hell would he say such a thing like that?
"G'morning, Rikku."
Rikku jumped at the sound of Gippal's voice. She turned to face him, her expression one of confusion.
"Do you want me to repair something for you?" she asked. "Pops sent me here. Is there something wrong?"
"No." Said Gippal. Get it over with before you lose your nerve. His eyes moved from the top of her head downward. The jumper she was wearing was frumpy, too big, out-of-date, and too short for her. But, he realized, her body wasn't all that bad. She was slender at least. He would be able to bring himself to bed her.
Rikku stiffened at his ill-disguised inspection. She quickly fished in the pocket of her pants for her glasses. She slipped them on and squinted at him. The lecherous man was looking at her. Her hands curled into fists on her sides.
She squinted all the harder. "What is it you want, sir?"
"I have selected you, Rikku." Gippal said.
She understood immediately, but could only gape at him. Was he blind? Utterly without taste? And he was looking at her as if her very presence gave him pain.
She said without thinking, her voice clipped and as cold as the Oasis. "Then unselect it."
Gippal blinked. He couldn't have heard her right, could he? He repeated himself, trying to keep the awful fatalism from his voice. "Rikku, I am…choosing you as my wife."
"Are you mad?" Rikku asked, looking him squarely in the eye, no longer squinting over the spectacles hanging hazardously on the tip of her nose. "Why?"
Her clipped voice, her words, startled him. He'd expected her to accept him immediately, in all likelihood with gushing pleasure. After all, how often did the ugly sister win out over the other two?
Perhaps she didn't believe he was really serious. The poor girl probably couldn't believe her good luck.
He smiled at her and said: "I don't think I'm mad. I believe we'll suit admirably. Now, your Pops and I have worked out the details of the marriage settlement; as you know, my dad is quite ill. We will leave immediately after the ceremony for Djose. Here, this if for you."
He took three steps forward, clasped her hand, and shoved his grandmother's exquisite emerald ring upon her finger.
She's speechless, overcome with disbelief!
But that was fine. If she never spoke, he'd be happy. He forced himself to lightly kiss her forehead and look down into her face. She'd shoved her spectacles back up and her eyes looked small and distorted behind the thick lenses. At least at night, in bed, he wouldn't have to see her. He'd allow no lamps to be lit; otherwise it was a strong possibility that he wouldn't be able to do his duty in the marriage bed.
"I'll see you in two days, Rikku." He said, and strode from the room. It didn't occur to him that she should have said at least a brief yes to his approval, expressed some opinion after he'd given her his very abrupt, detailed plans.
He closed the door of the work room behind him and strode through the great hall to the drawing room, where Cid awaited him.
He thought he heard Rikku say something, but the thick door muffled the sound. He kept going.
Rikku stood still as a stone, her mind numb, disbelieving of what had just happened. Then she looked at the ring and shouted: "No! This is outrageous! No!"
There had to be some mistake. Yevon, all he had to do was but look at her. What about Rielle? Sister? The man was mad, she was sure of it. Well, she would just have to put a stop to it now. She jerked the door open and marched into the great hall.
Rikku stumbled from Home. It took her several minutes to realize that it was raining, a think, muzzling rain that was as cold against her skin as she was inside. She ripped the spectacles off her nose and stuffed them in a pocket. The cap was the next to go. She watched it sink under the weight of the rain into the wed sand. She started to shiver, and began running toward the machina workshop. Once inside, she leaned against the door.
Why?
The one word kept careening through her mind. It made no sense, none at all.
Why?
She forced herself to think slowly and clearly. Why would an admittedly handsome bachelor select a dowdy no one to wed when two quite lovely and amiable non-no ones were available? Even if her Pops had told him that it was a disguise, what man would want a wife who obviously didn't want him? Had he seen through her disguise? She shook her head, remembering his look when his eyes had roved over her. He'd been disgusted, yet he'd still selected her.
It made no sense, none at all. How could it be true, particularly after he'd heard her sing and dance?
She could think of nothing until an offhanded remark of Rielle's flitted through her mind.
I'd say Gippal is very popular with the ladies in Djose and Luca. He told Sister and me that he spends much of his time in the two places. All the entertainments, I'm guessing.
Gippal was a handsome man. And it was quite true that he must have ladies fawning all over him.
And the last thing a man like that would want is an energetic, delightful, demanding wife.
"No…" Rikku said, expelling her breath in a long, disbelieving sigh. "He couldn't, it's too vile, too outrageous a thought."
She refused to dismiss the idea. Could he have picked her because she wasn't any of those things? Had he chosen her so that he could continue in his carefree, likely extravagant ways?
Rikku had to know. She rose to her feet. It had finally stopped raining. She squared her shoulder and marched back to Home.
TO BE CONTINUED…
A/N: Whoa…this has got to be the longest chappie I've done so far, it's 11 pages on Microsoft word shi-mick. Woot!
I'll be posting the next chappie in three or four days, I don't know. I'll see everyone then! Bye bye!