Shades of Wings Chapter 10
Hey hey hey! How's it going guys? Been a while since a chapter, but I assure you – this will make up for the wait!
As of which...
Tiffa: 1
Luna: 1
It's tied at one vote for each! Remember to review and VOTE!
ANYWAY, ENOUGH TALK! More chapter! More Shades of Wings!
Chapter 10 – Rainbow Wings
Last time in Shades of Wings…
"Lady Adrian!" From nowhere, a Guado ran up to the group, panting, "Maester Seymour wishes to have you at his manor immediately! Please follow me!"
"Should we go?" Tai asked.
"No other option," Kevi shrugged, "He is the Maester."
"All right then…" Adrian nodded, "Let's see what he's got to say."
"WOAH!" Juka exclaimed as she saw Maester Seymour's giant mansion, situated right at the head of Guadosalam. "This guy must be loaded!"
"What? You thought the Maesters lived in huts?" Kevi asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"I must admit," Tai let out a low whistle. "This place is huge."
"Oooo big shiny house…" Luna wooed under her breath.
Briu, on the other hand, was looking quite proud of himself as he sauntered up to the house and knocked on the door. The group looked at him as though he was crazy, and he put on a "don't worry" face and explained himself. "Don't worry, Maester Seymour and I are tight."
"You're "tight" with a Maester?" Adrian questioned.
"Yep!" Briu smiled. "You see, around here, I didn't have many friends, but Maester Seymour was always watching out for me. Inviting me in, sharing food; everyone was jealous. Now we're really close friends: man to man."
"Don't you feel kind of strange being around a half human, half Guado?" Ashnigh asked.
"I don't think that a half breed is strange at all," Tiffa spoke up in a terse tone. "Just because Maester Seymour's mother was a human doesn't make him any different from his Guado fellows."
"Of course it does," Ashnigh argued. "Some people say that Maester Seymour was suddenly elected after his father's death because of the fact that he could make ties between the humans and the Guados."
"He is pretty young isn't he?" Spiler brought up. "Twenty something if I remember."
"Twenty eight," Briu corrected. "The youngest Maester in history. But he's really talented, so of course he'd get the position after Lord Jyscal's sudden death."
"I am kind of tired of all the Maesters being old farts," Juka commented.
"Juka!" Adrian snapped and Juka reddened.
"W-well they are!"
Tromell
Adrian was about to pummel Juka more; that is until the door suddenly swung open to reveal a Guado with pointed green hair, a large green top and a long nose. Juka thought he resembled a tree, but knew better then to bring it up."Why hello there," the Guado bowed to the summoner and guardians, and they all quickly turned to face him. "You must be Lady Adrian and her guardians. I am Tromell, butler to Maester Seymour."
"Hey Tromell!" Briu smiled at Tromell and Tromell gave a warm smile back.
"Hello Master Briu, how are you today?"
"Fine, fine," Briu smiled. "How's Seymour?"
"Maester Seymour is doing well," Tromell smiled. "He has made an amazing recovery after the death of his father." Tromell turned to the rest of the group. "I'm afraid I'm forgetting my place, please, all of you, come in."
So, they did as they were told and all filed into the grand house, which turned out to be just as grand on the inside as it was on the outside. Luna, of course, marveled all the paintings, intricate wood workings, and tables in the room, while Juka joined her, Adrian looking displeased at their behavior.
"See?" Briu smirked. "I can get in here any day I want."
"I really just want to talk to him and get out," Kevi snuffed. "We're busy people."
"Hey, hey, hey!" Spiler threw his arm around Kevi's shoulder, much to Kevi's dissatisfaction. "Don't an opportunity such as this go to waste! Look at this place, this guy must be loaded!"
"You should all be ashamed of yourselves," Ashnigh scolded. "Talking of a Maester that way!"
"Well…we're just telling the truth," Spiler shrugged.
"Ahh, Lady Adrian and guardians!" The group looked up to where the voice was coming from. Right at the top of the stairs stood a man with electric blue hair, a red sagging top and ceremonial sleeves and pants. He had the traces of the trademark Guado veins in his face, and one of his hands had long fingernails on it, just like Briu's. The other hand was normal though, and his ears were round, like a human's.
"Yo! Maester Seymour!" Briu waved to Seymour and Seymour smiled.
"Ahh, Briu. Please, do not call me Maester, it does not suit me with you around," Seymour came downstairs and walked up to Adrian. Bowing, he smiled at her. She, as usual, stayed stoic, yet more polite then usual. "Lady Adrian, I am Maester Seymour Guado, pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Likewise, I'm sure," Adrian smiled at him as he took her hand and kissed it. Juka wished she had a sphere recorder for the face Adrian made at that moment.
"I'm sorry to have called you from your pilgrimage," Seymour apologized. "But I just had to speak to you."
"About what, pray tell?" Adrian asked, still doing her best to sound as polite as possible.
"Straight to the point, I like that," Seymour smiled. "But first, you must come with me, all of you. Up to my chambers, I have something to give you all."
"A gift?" Spiler asked. "Like what! Money!" His eyes became wide.
Seymour laughed. "Oh no, not at all, something much better. Come, come."
Auron
The group followed Seymour up the large flight of stairs up to his chambers, Juka still wary and keeping with Luna. As they entered the room, Juka stopped as she saw three giant statues. One of the Legendary Lord Braska, the other of his guardian, Sir Auron, and the other of his other guardian, Sir Jecht. Of course, Lord Braska was dead, and Sir Jecht had passed away as well, but Sir Auron's whereabouts were currently unknown. He had been missing for ten years, ever since Braska had defeated Sin."Do you like these new statues I've received?" Seymour spoke up and Juka and Luna turned towards him. "High Summoner Braska's is being put up in all the temples, but I was lucky enough to receive all three."
"They're nice," Juka nodded. "Do you know where Sir Auron is right now?"
"Unfortunately I do not," Seymour smirked lightly. "Shall we continue on?"
"Umm…be right there!" Juka called as the group continued on. Luna stayed behind with her, looking at the statues as well. "Luna?"
"Hm?"
"Do you think…Sir Auron's dead?"
"Yep!"
Juka fell over at that statement, then quickly recovered. "Just because he's missing doesn't mean he's dead!"
Lord Braska
"But I know," Luna smiled. "He's dead all right! Dead as a door knob! He should be in the Farplane, but he isn't."Juka was confused at that statement. "What do you mean?"
"He ran away!" Luna laughed. "He ran away from the Farplane to help tell a story! Kind of silly, don't you think?"
"I'm not getting you…"
"He's dead!" Luna insisted, getting slightly frustrated. "But he's not where he should be!"
"I…" Juka shook her head. "What about Sir Jecht? Is he dead too?"
"Nope! He's alive!" Luna smiled and Juka once again fell over.
"You idiot! Everyone knows he's dead! He died along with High Summoner Braska! Only fools think that he might still be alive!"
"But he is!" Luna frowned. "And everyone knows he's alive too!"
"No they don't!" Juka snapped. "He's dead Luna! You're just being silly!"
"I am not, I am not!" Luna shook her head, almost shaking her cap right off of it. "Look at the statue!" She pointed to Jecht's statue. "Look at it! Really look at it!"
Juka did really look at it; as long as she could. She stared at every detail, hoping she would find some sort of clue, but stopped, as she felt a shiver go up her spine. "What was that?" she asked.
"You know he's alive!" Luna insisted. "Just not in the way he's supposed to be."
"Huh?" Juka asked, once again confused. "You're so weird Luna."
Luna didn't answer, and Juka looked over at her. Her eyes, usually bright and happy, were now darker, and more emerald then usual. She was staring at the statue of Jecht in a deep meditation. "It's funny…" Luna smiled lightly. "He's not even supposed to be here."
"Huh?"
"C'mon!" Luna returned to her usually perky self and grabbed Juka's arm. "Let's go! I want presents, I want liver, Choco mix choco mix please deliver!"
"All right, all right!" Juka laughed. "I'm coming!"
"You're joking."
Adrian had completely dropped the "be polite to the Maester" act and was now in complete and utter speechlessness, except for those two words of which she said again. "You're joking."
"A…dance party?" Tai asked, slightly confused at the notion that Maester Seymour had just suggested.
"Yes! People from all over Spira will be coming to enjoy themselves," Seymour smiled at them. "When I heard that a summoner was passing through, I just had to invite you."
"You're jok-"
"I think what Adrian is trying to say," Ashnigh spoke nervously, interrupting Adrian. "Is that we have nothing to wear to such a formal occasion."
"That's why we're here!" Seymour smiled as he pulled out a lavender dress and gave it to Ashnigh, who was in slight stupor at the gift. "I've all had dress robes and gowns prepared for you. Now there's no excuse."
"We're much too busy," Kevi said, thinking that was excuse enough. "You, of all people, should understand what Adrian is doing right now."
"Of course," Seymour nodded. "But taking a break isn't supposedly wrong. You've been traveling for days now, you must be tired."
"Hey!" Briu stepped forward. "C'mon guys, it'll be fun, loosen up! Let's enjoy it while we've got it!"
"Well said Briu," Seymour smiled.
"If it's only for one night…" Adrian grumbled. "I suppose that we can stay."
"Fabulous." Seymour's eyes narrowed with delight. "The party is starting in only a few hours. You'll find all your dress robes and gowns in here." With that, he walked down the stairs, his long fingernails gingerly touching the banister.
"This – is – dumb," Adrian stated.
"Adrian," Ashnigh calmed her. "You might enjoy yourself."
"Yeah, right. The day I enjoy bunnies is the day I'd enjoy a "dance party"."
"Okay!" Tiffa stepped forward. "Girls get this room, boys can change in the other one!" She threw the four sets of dress robes at the guys, Kevi still looking slightly annoyed that the pilgrimage had been delayed.
"All right, let's get…" Tai sighed and the guys trudged into the next room, slamming the door behind them.
"All right girls!" Luna cheered. "Make-over time!"
"GAH!" Briu finally screamed. The boys, already dressed, had been waiting at the bottom of the stairs for about an hour, still wondering where the girls were. "How long does it take a girl to get ready! Just slip on the dress, that's it!" Briu was decked out in white dress robes, long sleeved and lined with gray silk. He kept his sunglasses, but wore a white Guado shoulder guard.
"I must admit…" Kevi said, tapping his finger against his crossed arms. "They are taking a long time." Kevi had royal blue dress robes on; two chest pockets and a long sky blue lining decorated it. He kept his goggles and boots on, but had blue fingerless gloves adorned with blue stones.
"I don't really mind…" Spiler said, his mouth full of fruit from the table in the main room. "This food is great." Spiler was wearing a dull yellow set of dress robes, the top separate from the bottom. The top was lined with gold circular trim, and the bottom was made up of a pants set that had the legs connected by fabric.
"I've never worn such fancy clothes…" Tai observed, picking up his long orange dress robe bottom, making sure that his shoes were still underneath the billows of fabric. The collar of his robes came all the way up to his neck, and he had a tight orange sash on his waist. He kept his headband. "My dad would kill me if he found out that I had accepted such a fancy gift."
"If they take ONE MORE MINUTE to get ready…" Briu fumed. "Then I am seriously going to go up there and"
"WE CAN HEAR YOU PERVERT!" the girls simultaneously screamed from upstairs, and the boys all reddened from embarrassment.
"Fine!" The guys looked up as they heard a voice. "You could have had a little patience!" It was Tiffa, now adorned for the party in a red silk dress with no sleeves and thin straps. The dress had a sash that went around Tiffa's arms, and the entire thing was decorated with red rhinestones. She had on red high heels instead of her usual boots, and her hair was now in a neat bun, held by a red rhinestone hair tie that fell to the back of her neck. A few strands of hair framed her face. She walked down the stairs and the boys looked at her, strangely wondering who she was and what she had done with their gun-totting friend.
'Wow…that really must be Tiffa… She's drop dead gorgeous!' Briu thought, smiling widely, trying to keep in drool.
'I can't believe that Tiffa could actually get into an outfit like that…she's usually pretty rough…but now…' Kevi pondered.
'Tiffa looks awesome…red is definitely her color!' Spiler grinned as Tiffa reached the bottom of the stairs.
'What a knockout…hmm…older women…' Tai thought, hoping that Tiffa wouldn't somehow smack him for the "older women" comment.
"I'm reeaaadddyyyy!" A cheerful voice came from the top of the stairs, and everyone knew who it was who came sliding down the banister. It was Luna, and she too had been dolled up for the party. She wore a long green skirt and short sleeved green top in which the sleeves fell onto her arms instead of resting on her shoulders. She wore emerald green shoes and had emerald bracelets on. Her hair had been brushed more then usual, and she wore a green emerald circlet. In her green gloved arm was her usual Black Magic doll. She landed at the bottom and smiled.
'Luna may be weird…but wow, she's kind of pretty…' Briu thought.
'That nut-job can actually get formal? Who would've guessed…' Kevi gulped as Luna ran around the room.
'Luna's just as pretty as she is strange!' Spiler laughed inside his head.
'The doll's a nice touch…hmm…younger women…' Tai thought once again, Tiffa now wiped from his mind.
"I'm here…" grumbled you-know-who. It was Adrian at the top of the stairs, trudging down, obviously angry at the get-up she was in. She was wearing a long sleeved, black lace covered black dress, along with long black high heeled boots. He hair was now swept into a bun with a trial of hair sliding out to her mid back. A long bow of black lace held it in place, and she obviously had been forced into make up. She wore five necklaces, all black or white in color. Her skirt billowed slightly, but not so poofed that it looked silly.
'Adrian's grumpy as hell, but she's really pretty when she wants to be…' Briu reasoned.
'Adrian? In a formal gown? This isn't happening…' Kevi tried to wipe the image from his head.
'Adrian: Sour, nasty, and amazingly good-looking!' Spiler evaluated.
'The slightly Gothic looks suits her…hmm…slightly older women…' Tai pondered.
"Guys! I'm ready!" The guys looked up and had their jaws hit the ground as none other then Ashnigh came down the stairs, looking just a tad bit off the most gorgeous thing ever to hit the planet. She was wearing a tight white top with thin straps. At her navel, her long lavender skirt started and fell to her ankles. On her arms was a lavender wrap, shiny and covered with purple flecks. She wore her usual Yevon necklace and high heels. Her hair was gathered into a bun, a long lavender ribbon holding it up, and her make-up was perfect. As she came down the stairs, the guys all immediately ran to help her down, even Kevi…who made it perfectly clear that he was walking (As opposed to the sprinting that the other guys were exhibiting) to help a lady, like a gentleman. All four of them grabbed her hands and helped her down.
'What a BABE! Ashnigh's looking good tonight!' Briu smiled, drooling slightly.
'…' Kevi thought, trying to hold it in, then, finally, just let it spill all out. 'She's hot okay!'
'Ashnigh's really pretty…' Spiler thought, sounding rather dumb.
'…R-r-really older…women…' Tai drooled inwardly as Ashnigh came down and gave them each a kiss on the cheek for helping her.
"Thanks boys," she winked and they all blushed.
"N-no problem…" They all said simultaneously, then quickly returned to what they were doing.
"I'm ready, okay!" The boys looked up as the final girl came down the stairs, Juka. She was wearing an indigo tank top that billowed over her indigo long skirt after she had tucked it in. On her arms were her usual arm bands, and her feet had short indigo zipper boots on them. She wore an indigo choker and kept her usual hair-do and headband. "Well?" She asked, hoping for some sort of reaction. "How do I look?"
'I wonder when this thing is going to start…' Briu thought.
'Is that dust on my shoe?' Kevi wondered, staring at his boot.
'Ashnigh's really pretty…' Spiler said again.
'I'm hungry…' Tai rubbed his stomach.
The boys all received simultaneous drop kicks from Juka at their inward comments. "Somehow I can hear your thoughts and they aggravate ME!" Juka screamed, getting up from her kicks.
"Ah!" Maester Seymour stepped into the room, wearing his usual Maester attire. "You all look wonderful! Come, come, the party is about to start!"
The group walked into the room, and saw at least a hundred people all milling around, talking, eating, dancing. Mostly Guado were there, but plenty of humans and a few Ronso as well. Of course, no Al Bhed attended.
"Come, come," Seymour beckoned them in. "The party has already started."
"Corner, must find corner…" Adrian muttered under her breath, then quickly sped off towards a corner in the room. The others followed her, but Ashnigh didn't get too far.
"Will you dance with me?"
"Hey, back off, I saw her first!"
"Would you join me for cocktails?"
"I love your dress, would you care to dance?"
"Hey babe, let's dance!"
"Uhh…I…" Ashnigh had been surrounded by men, all asking her to join them for drinks, food, or dancing. She didn't know what to do. Meanwhile, Juka and the others (except for Adrian of course) were looking slightly jealous.
"Hey!" Juka yelled and the men turned their heads. "I'm open if anyone wants to dance!"
Silence.
"So babe, care to dance?" the men continue to bark at Ashnigh, Juka now extremely angry at all of them. Tiffa had to drag her off before she drop kicked all of them as well.
"I…umm…I…"
"There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!" Through the crowd of men came a man with blue long hair, about to his shoulders, and cream and emerald colored dress robes. He smiled at her with bright blue eyes and Ashnigh stopped from shock.
"L-Lai…"
"Yep! That's me, Lairon! I'm surprised you remember me! It's been at least seven years since acolyte training! Come over here, we've got so much to catch up on," he grabbed her wrist and quickly pulled her away from the crowd of men, all of which were disappointed that the prettiest girl at the party was now taken.
"Umm…what do you mean acolyte training?" Ashnigh whispered to him once they were out of sight from the men. "I don't remember yo"
"Ahh, I just made that up to get you out of that mess," Lairon smiled and Ashnigh blushed and looked away. "Sorry, did I meddle in something I shouldn't have? You just looked in trouble."
"N-no…not at all…thank you very much…" Ashnigh sat on a chair and Lairon stood over her. "It's just…nothing…I'm babbling."
"I've got time," Lairon smiled. "But I would much prefer for you to babble over a dance." Ashnigh looked up and Lairon smiled guiltily. "C'mon! Don't tell me that your savior doesn't get at least one dance?"
"You're just like all the others," Ashnigh stated, slightly terse in her tone.
"So what if I am? C'mon, it'll be fun." Ashnigh blushed as red as her hair as Lairon grabbed her hand and led her up onto the dance floor. Placing his hands on her waist, he glided her around the dance floor. She, however, refused to look him directly in the eye.
"Grr…that lucky Ashnigh!" Juka growled from the corner that Adrian had picked out. "She's already got a date!"
"As long as no one notices me, I'll be fine…" Adrian mumbled to herself.
"Well…one babe's gone, but there's got to be more around here," one turned down man sighed, then looked at the corner of girls. He and his friend walked over. "Hey," he said to Tiffa. "Care to dance?"
"Actually n"
"Great! C'mon!" Before she could object, the man had grabbed her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. The other man walked up to Luna.
"Care to"
"I'D LOVE TO!" Luna jumped onto the man and started dragging him onto the dance floor, in which she proceeded to dance fast, against the beat of the slow music. The man looked as though he knew he had made a mistake.
"Grrr! C'mon! It's not like I'm THAT less attractive then Tiffa!" Juka yelled.
"Yeah, if you had a chest then you'd be right up there with her," Adrian sniggered and Juka eyed her with a murderous look.
"I DO TOO HAVE A CHEST! I'M AT LEAST A C CUP!"
"Do we have to hear this conversation?" Spiler asked, reddening.
"What about you! What's YOUR bra size!" Juka asked Adrian.
"OH LOOK, FOOD!" Briu said, doing his best to avoid the conversation at all costs. "Let's go eat!" He quickly grabbed all three guys and led them over to the buffet table while Adrian was snapping at Juka that it was none of her business.
"I need alchohol…" Kevi complained and grabbed a wine bottle.
"Hey, no drinking for minors!" Briu snapped and grabbed the bottle from Kevi.
"I'm technically an adult," Kevi warned him. "And a lot bigger then you…so watch it Pops."
"Fine, fine," Briu poured him a glass and Kevi thankfully drank it. Briu, on the other hand, chugged the rest of the bottle and reached for his second.
"Dude – no." Spiler snatched the bottle and looked at Briu warily.
"Hey! This is quality drink we've got here!" Briu told him, grabbing the bottle back and chugging the contents. "After all…itsh…not likesth…I'd lets myself gethts drunks or something…hahahaa…"
"Oh crap…" Tai sighed. "Dad always told me drinking only ended in misery."
"Heehe…"
"Go ahead!"
"He's kind of cute, ask him!"
A group of three human girls came up to Tai, one blushing lightly in the cheeks. "Umm…I was wondering if you'd like to dance."
"Uh-uh…uhh…I…I…umm…" Tai stumbled, trying to fight off his lack of experience with the other gender. "I'd love to!"
"Tai…you're talking to the ham on the buffet table…" Kevi told him and Tai blushed redder then his hair.
"He's kind of weird…" one of them whispered.
"Uh…I've got to go to the bathroom, bye!" the three waved and ran away quickly.
"Craaaaapp…I just missed my chance at cute girls…" Tai cried waterfall tears.
"Why not just dance with the ham?" Kevi asked, snorting lightly.
"Oh yeah, and you're a big womanizer I bet!" Tai snapped. "How would you handle a girl?"
"Like this," Kevi said, prepared to defend himself. He quickly walked up to a woman engaged in conversation and smiled. "Hello miss, would you care to dance the next song with me?"
She didn't answer.
Maybe that was because she was a plaster bust and Kevi's nerves were making him hallucinate. Kevi looked hard through his goggles and realized his mistake. Tai was back at the table, snorting into his water glass.
"Fine! I'll dance with the ham if you dance with the bust!" Tai laughed hysterically while Briu downed his third bottle.
"Dude, let's sit down…" Spiler dragged Briu over to a chair and practically forced him to sit in it. "Now breathe…"
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Briu laughed hysterically, his legs kicking slightly.
"Master Briu always was a happy drunk…" Tromell said, coming into the room.
"Hey Tromell," Kevi greeted, still getting over his "bust" at asking a girl to dance. (Haha…pun…) "What's up?"
"I have two of Lord Seymour's esteemed guests," Tromell told him. "They say that their friend is already here. Come in Master Albatross, Lady Katrina."
After Tromell walked two people. The first was a woman, obviously Katrina. She had long reddish brown hair and was in a pink formal gown that showed off her curves quite well. Long slits were in the skirt of the dress, and in her hair was a pink quartz circlet. Her hands, dainty and thin, had rings on them and pink bracelets. Her eyes were wide and brown.
The man following her was obviously Albatross. He had short light brown hair with brown high lights in it. He wore a crimson red dress robe top and golden pants. His boots were brown and intricate golden lines decorated his crimson top. His eyes were a unique golden color.
The boys, even Briu being in his drunken state, all noticed that Katrina was probably the biggest knock-out at the party, next to Ashnigh, and so did all the other guys in the room. Already losing Ashnigh to Lairon, they all ran up to Katrina, asking to dance.
"Hey, another babe, how's about a dance?"
"Miss! Miss over here!"
"Would you like a drink? Or something to eat?"
"I'm free for the next dance!"
Katrina looked at all of them, obviously annoyed. She pushed through each and every one until she got to the dance floor and eyed Lairon and Ashnigh dancing. Her eyes narrowed.
"Umm…Miss?"
"Get out of my way maggots," she snarled and pushed through all of them, walking up to the couple dancing.
Kevi whistled. "She may have Ashnigh's looks, but her personality definitely could use some adjustment."
"I know," Albatross spoke, smiling widely. The guys looked up and saw that he was looking at them with cheerful eyes. "Katrina's like that sometimes, give her a chance."
"And you are…?" Kevi asked.
"Oh! Where are my manners?" Albatross giggled. "I'm Albatross Valdamar," he smiled, shaking each and every one of their hands. "I'm a Yevon Priest."
"Valdamar?" Kevi asked, his eyebrow raised. "I've heard that name. You're rumored to be the one who's supposedly going to take Maester Mika's place once he passes away."
"Well yes, I suppose that's true," Albatross shrugged. "But I really do get tired of everyone treating me special! It's annoying as hell!"
The guys chuckled at that one. They all quickly engaged Albatross in conversation, as he was an easy person to talk to. Meanwhile…Katrina had already "cut-in" on Ashnigh and Lairon's dance.
"Lairon!" She yelled to him and Lairon sighed.
"Oh Yevon…"
"Lairon!" She walked up to the two of them. "What are you doing dancing with this girl? I thought you promised you would dance with me!"
"I never said I would dance with you Katrina…" Lairon told her, rolling his eyes.
"I don't care," she sniffed. "You're dancing the next dances with me!"
"Actually…" Lairon smiled in Ashnigh's direction. "If I could Miss Ashnigh, I was wondering if I could take the liberty of reserving you for the next dance as well."
"Umm…well…I have no problem with it," Ashnigh blushed, then looked at Katrina.
"Lairon!" Katrina growled. She then turned to Ashnigh. "This is all your fault! You probably forced him to dance with you!"
"I-I didn't, I jus-"
"Don't lie!" Katrina snapped. "There's no way he'd dance with an ugly, nasty girl like you unless you forced him!"
"Katrina!" Lairon yelled. "You'd better apologize to Miss Ashnigh right away!"
"Only if you promise to dance with me!"
"KATRINA!" Lairon roared, obviously now angry beyond words. "How many times do I have to make this clear! We're just friends!"
"That's what you think!" Katrina said nastily, then turned to Ashnigh. "Don't think I'm letting you get away with this! I'll get you!" She then turned on her heel and stomped out of the room.
"I have to apologize for Katrina…" Lairon sighed as the music ended and they broke. "Just recently she said she loved me…but…I don't feel the same way about her. She refuses to accept it."
"You could've danced with her…" Ashnigh murmured.
"B-but I really wanted to dance with you!" Lairon insisted and Ashnigh turned to him.
"You did?"
"Y-yeah…" Lairon lowered his eyes. "Sorry…I guess you're right. I only saved you because I wanted to dance with you. It was a really cruddy thing to do, right?"
Ashnigh looked at him and her eyes narrowed. For the first time that evening, she smiled at him. "Let's dance," she took his hand and started to dance around the floor as the music started. Lairon smiled, relieved and started to dance with her.
"Excuse me…" Tiffa said to her partner as the dance ended. "I'm afraid there's somewhere I have to go…" Tiffa had seen Katrina threaten Ashnigh and stomp out of the room. She waved to her partner and ran out the doors, following Katrina, who was now just outside the manor.
"What do you want?" Katrina snapped as Tiffa stepped in front of her.
"I heard what you said to my team mate back there…" Tiffa said warningly.
"Yeah? So what? I'm going to get her…" Katrina snarled. "That witch! I'll kill her!"
But Katrina didn't say anything more, because the next thing she knew, she was at gun point. Tiffa had drawn her rifles, hidden under her skirt, and was now pointing one straight between Katrina's eyes. "Let's get one thing straight…" Tiffa said, her voice slow and cold. "I hate Ashnigh's guts, but she's still my team mate. You lay one finger on her, and prepare to have your brains blown straight out of your head." Tiffa lowered her guns and Katrina cackled.
"What? You think that just because I'm wearing pink means I'm helpless?" she asked, and, from the folds of her dress, she pulled out a long shining sword with a pink and silver handle. "Let's go, one on one."
"You? A sword wielder?"
"I have to protect Albatross," she smirked. "After all, he is next in line to be Maester. While Lairon defeats fiends with magic, I more of go for the slice n' dice type."
"All right…" Tiffa said, quickly taking out her knives.
"None of those…" Katrina smirked. "You've got to use your machina."
"These?" Tiffa asked, holding up her twin guns. "You're joking right? I can easily beat you if I stay long range. And what about all the people in the town?"
"They're all inside or visiting the Farplane," Katrina smirked. "No witnesses, no one gets hurt, except you. Oh, and as for the "long range advantage", please, I don't need your advice."
"Fine!" Tiffa snapped and pulled out her twin guns. "Let's go!"
"Hey guys!" Spiler waved to Adrian and Juka, who were still in the corner of the room. "Meet Albatross, he's really cool."
"Hello Lady Summoner and Lady Guardian," Albatross smiled cheerfully. "I am Albatross."
"Hi!" Juka waved and pulled Adrian over to Albatross. "I'm Juka, and the morbid one here is Adrian!"
"Hello Lord Albatross…" Adrian muttered.
"Pleased to make your acquaintances!" Albatross bowed.
"Tross, man, let's go and have a drinking contest!" Briu suggested, holding his fourth bottle of wine.
"Sounds splendid!" Albatross cheered and made his way back over to the table with the boys.
"What a weirdo…" Adrian sighed.
"I can't believe it!" Juka snarled. "Half the party and not a single person has asked me to dance! Well…" she smiled. "At least you haven't got a partner yet, so that means that we're still equal!"
"And I care because…?"
"Lady Adrian!" Lord Seymour smiled and came over to the two girls. "Would you care to dance?"
Adrian did her best to smile, Juka thought that it looked like it hurt. "Well…uhh…I'd love to…" She took his normal hand and he led her out to the dance floor. She mouthed to Juka 'You're my guardian, save me!' But Juka was too angry that now even Adrian had a partner.
"GAH! THIS SUCKS!" She screamed. "I'll go over and join the guys."
"So, Lady Adrian," Maester Seymour finally spoke as they danced, Adrian doing her best not to look at the tattoos that Seymour had on his chest. "Have you heard the news of High Summoner Braska's daughter, Lady Yuna?"
'Great!' thought Adrian. 'He asks me to dance just so he can talk about another girl! That's tactful!'
"Yes, I have," Adrian said, trying to sound polite. "It seems that she has a lot of potential."
"And very young," Seymour added. "Even younger then you."
"Yes, yes, she's great," Adrian rolled her eyes. "Why bring her up?"
"I was just thinking which one of you will become High Summoner," Seymour shrugged.
"Don't worry," Adrian suddenly looked dark. "This girl might have potential, but I'm afraid that the title of High Summoner belongs to me."
"That's what I like to hear!" Seymour laughed as the song ended. "Anyway, I was just wondering if you knew of her whereabouts."
"She's probably around Kilika somewhere," Adrian shrugged. "Maybe on the S.S. Winnow."
"Thank you very much," he smiled and let her go back to her corner.
"Disgusting, filthy, creepy man!" she muttered under her breath, glad to be back in her corner.
"W-would you do me the honor of dancing with me again?" Lairon asked and Ashnigh smiled. "I really like the way you dance."
"Of course," she smiled. "What is this, number ten?"
"We've been dancing all night," Lairon laughed. "The time's passed so quickly."
"Yeah…" Ashnigh said, her eyes becoming duller.
"You all right?" Spiler asked as Juka trudged over to the boys.
"NO! Adrian's dancing with Maester Seymour! I'm the only one who hasn't got anyone to dance with!" Juka snarled.
"I know!" Albatross spoke up. "I'll dance with you! WE'LL KICK ASS ON THE DANCE FLOOR!"
Juka got pepped up by Albatross' victory scream. "YEAH! KICK ASS! POUND IT!"
"POUND IT!" The two pounded fists and Albatross grabbed Juka's hand. "OUT OF OUR WAY MEDIOCRE DANCERS!"
"Hey guys…" Kevi's eyes narrowed. "Have you seen Tiffa?"
"HYAH!" Katrina ran forward towards Tiffa, but Tiffa, an expert at her trade, quickly backed off and fired another few rounds that hit Katrina dead on. "Damn! Rubber bullets? You're just playing with me…"
"Then get better at fighting…" Tiffa snarled. "I've been dominating the entire fight. You're not even a challenge."
"Hmm…I guess you're right…" Katrina shrugged and Tiffa's eyes widened. "I've successfully gauged you. Time to get serious!" From her back, she pulled out a long curved shorter blade then her long sword and prepared them both. "Like what I have hidden in my dress? I call it my Hawk Eye sword! No one's ever beaten me with it!"
"There's a first time for everything! Eat this!" Tiffa fired another round of rubber bullets, and Katrina quickly raised her long sword and blocked them. Tiffa cursed and reloaded her gun. "You're making me switch to stun bullets, don't blame me if you get hurt!"
"Believe me!" Katrina lunged at Tiffa. "I WON'T! HYAAAH!" She slashed the Hawk Eye so fast that Tiffa couldn't jump back in time and was sliced across the cheek.
"Argh!" she held her face, yet raised her gun and fired a few bullets at Katrina. She quickly blocked them with the long sword and chucked the Hawk Eye at Tiffa. It spun around like a boomerang and Tiffa had to jump over it to avoid it. Her slash fell from her arms and was sliced in two. The blade came back to Katrina and whizzed perfectly into her hand. "I get it…" Tiffa reasoned. "You use the long sword as a shield, then use your swift Hawk Eye blade to attack."
"Good observation," Katrina smirked. "But it won't help you now. Soon you're going to end up like that sash! HYAH!" She lunged at Tiffa, the blade ready to perform a round-a-bout slash. Tiffa jumped high and fired bullets, only having them clang off of Katrina's sword. Katrina sliced with her blade, and Tiffa dodged only in time to save her life. A strand of Tiffa's hair fell to the ground and she jumped back.
"Damn…" she murmured. "There's no way I can beat her…that sword is like a permanent shield." She looked at the sword, and saw its silver blade crackle.
Crackle?
The stun bullets! Of course! The paralyzing effects of the bullets were affecting the sword! That meant… Tiffa stood up, took out her bullet cartridge and dropped all the bullets to the ground. She quickly loaded in another cartridge and stared at Katrina. "You've forced me to get serious. I'm aiming to kill."
"Just try!" Katrina cackled. "With this sword and my Hawk Eye, I'm invincible!"
"Shut up."
"HYAH!" Katrina lunged forward and Tiffa fired a few shots, only to be blocked by the sword. "You never learn do you!" Katrina laughed as she slashed at Tiffa, who dodged it just in time to fire a few more rounds. "You're only wasting bullets! Come at me!"
"Wasting my ass!" Tiffa smirked. "It's time for you to go down."
"Just try!" Katrina snarled.
"I will…" Tiffa smiled widely and held out her guns. "OVERDRIVE: ELEMENTAL SHOT ROUND!" She gathered red energy around her guns, "FIRE!" She fire six rounds of the fire induced bullets, only to have them be blocked once again by Katrina.
"You fool!" Katrina laughed. "It doesn't matter that you hype up your bullets, I can still just deflect them with a flick of my sword! You really are a fool! Wasting all those shots so you could power up enough to use your overdrive!"
"Who says I was aiming to hit you?" Tiffa asked and Katrina's eyebrows raised. Her hand grew warm, then hot and she dropped the sword immediately.
"What the!" she looked down and almost screamed as she saw her longsword melting into a pool of useless steel. "Y-you…you used fire to melt my sword!"
"Right!" Tiffa laughed. "You're catching on! Now!" She loaded in stun bullets again. "EAT THIS!" She fired the rounds, and Katrina, unable to block them, fell backwards from the shots.
"Y-you…actually beat me…" Katrina murmured, getting up, her lip bloody. "I can't believe it…"
"Yeah! So don't you dare lay a finger on the prejudiced bitch, all right?" Tiffa commanded.
"Tiffa! Tiffa, what's going on?" Tiffa turned her head to see Kevi, Spiler, and Tai all running towards her.
"Tiffa, what happened?" Kevi asked, looking at Katrina.
"Gave a brat a smack-down," Tiffa shrugged. "That's all."
"C'mon," Tai held out his hand to Katrina. "Let's get you back inside and cleaned up."
Katrina batted Tai's hand away and stood up, still slightly stunned. "I'm fine!" She walked swiftly back into the house. "This isn't the end of this!" With that, she slammed the door of the manor behind her.
"Woah…what went on here?" Spiler asked Tiffa.
"Nothing, let's get back inside." Tiffa looked around, confused. "Hey, where are Juka and Adrian?"
"Adrian's back in her "corner" and Juka…well…" Tai gave a long sigh.
"AND SPIN, 2, 3, 4!" Albatross spun Juka around rapidly as the two danced outrageously, knocking over other couples and enjoying themselves beyond their limits. "And JUMP!"
Juka jumped into the air, only to be spun around by Albatross. "OH YEAH BABY!" she laughed as she came down. The music ended, and the couples quickly cleared the dance floor except for Juka and Albatross. "I must say Tross-man, you KICK BUTT at dancing!"
"I could only kick as much butt as I do with a good partner," Albatross complimented and Juka laughed.
"Ahh, you flatter me."
"The next dance is starting!" Albatross cheered. "Let's dance again!"
"Fine by me!"
"Katrina!" Albatross looked out the door of the room to see Katrina, bruised and bloodied walking up the stairs. "Sorry Juka, I have a bad feeling Katrina got into another fight. Let's dance later, kay?"
"Okay…" Juka frowned as Albatross launched after Katrina. "Great…now I'm without a partner…AGAIN."
"Would you like to dance once more?" Lairon asked Ashnigh and she smiled wearily.
"Sure, but aren't you tired?"
"Ahh, you don't have to tell me when to rest," Lairon laughed. "You're not my mother."
Ashnigh's eyes widened and she bit her lip. She looked like she was about to cry. "Miss Ashnigh, I'm…I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."
"It's not that…" Ashnigh said, tears in her eyes. "We need to talk, it's very important."
"Sure, you can come up to the guest room," Lairon grabbed her hand and led her out of the room just as Tiffa and the others entered.
"Man!" Tai sighed. "Tiffa, what did you do to her?"
"I said it was nothing," Tiffa snapped. "I just felt like fighting her."
"Why did you fight her?" Kevi asked, obviously seeing right through Tiffa. She looked at the ground.
"It's none of your damn business, okay?" she said, a dark tone to her voice. "Just leave me alone, I need some wine." She proceeded to the buffet to drink.
"So Adrian…" Juka walked over to Adrian, now without a partner once more. "What did Maester Seymour want to talk to you about?"
"Lady Yuna."
"Lady who?"
"You really are clueless!" Adrian snapped. "She's High Summoner Braska's daughter! She started her pilgrimage a short time ago."
"Oh…why did he want to talk about her?"
"Everyone says she's got "so much potential"," Adrian mimicked. "Please, she just gets treated special because she's famous."
"You sound jealous," Juka pointed out and Adrian turned to her, eyes narrowed.
"I am not!"
"Are too," Juka sniggered. "You never defend yourself unless what's being said is true."
"Look!" Adrian said sharply. "I'm going to become High Summoner, not that sniveling little brat, okay!"
"Okay, okay…" Juka bit her lip. "Just asking."
"Miss Ashnigh…" Lairon sat down with her on the guest room bed, Ashnigh now on the verge of tears.
"Call me Ashnigh…" she murmured.
"Ashnigh…" he started again. "What's wrong?"
"It's…it's that…" Ashnigh wiped her tears. "It's such a long story. I guess…I should tell someone besides myself." Ashnigh sighed. "You look almost identical to my old lover, Lai…"
Lairon's eyes widened as Ashnigh continued to tell her story. "Even your name…it scared me for a bit. And you act like him too. It's that…just that…"
"You broke up?" Lairon asked, putting his hand on Ashnigh's.
"Yes…" Ashnigh said. "But…it's not that…where do I start? It all started at the Calm Lands…I was getting cold feet about Lai going through with his pilgrimage. I didn't want him to die…after I had been with him all that time."
"Lai…" Ashnigh spoke softly as she walked along with him. The other guardians stayed behind. "Lai, are you sure you want to do this?"
"Ashnigh…you've been asking me that since we left the Moonflow…" Lai sighed. "The answer is yes, I'm going to become High Summoner."
"But at the cost of your life!" Ashnigh asked and Lai stopped.
"Ashnigh…this is for the people of Spira. The ultimate sacrifice. As a summoner, it's my duty."
"But…but what about me?" Ashnigh asked frantically. "I love you and you're going to die!"
"THEN YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO KEEP ON LIVING!" Lai screamed and Ashnigh stopped dead in her tracks.
"Lai…"
"You've got to support me Ashnigh," Lai told her. "This is my decision. If you really love me…then you'll let me die."
"That was his ultimatum," Ashnigh whispered to Lairon. "If I really loved him…I'd let him die. I wondered more times then I could count "what kind of choice is that?"."
"What happened after that?" Lairon asked.
"He…suddenly…" Ashnigh searched for the words, "changed."
The group was now on Mount Gagazet, suffering through the cold winter snow. Ashnigh bundled herself up as the others fought fiends; she sporadically healing when necessary. Lai was growing colder, darker, more abusive.
"Keep moving!" he snapped. "I swear, you're so slow!"
"What are we in a hurry for Lai?" one man asked.
"You fool!" Lai snapped. "For me to become High Summoner of course!"
"Lai…" Ashnigh whispered. "You're scaring me."
"You too Ashnigh! Don't you dare slow me down!" Lai walked on ahead and Ashnigh had to run to catch up with him.
"Lai!" She grabbed his shoulder. "Lai wait!"
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" With a swift push from Lai, Ashnigh staggered back and felt herself lose her footing on the ice bridge.
"HELP!" she screamed and grabbed the edge of the bride. The other guardians rushed to her side to help her up, but Lai didn't move.
"What's the matter with you!" the man from before asked. "Don't you love her!"
"She never supported me," Lai snarled. "Why should I love such a traitor?" He turned his back on Ashnigh.
"That's…when I turned my back on him too…" Ashnigh spoke softly.
"I hate you."
Lai turned back, as did the other guardians towards Ashnigh who had just spoken. "I hate you," she said again, tears now flowing down her hot face. "I HATE YOU! I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" With that, she ran down the ice bridge, leaving all of the guardians and her former love alone.
"After that…" Ashnigh spoke softly. "I learned that Lai and the others had been found dead on the snowy mountains of Gagazet…" Tears came to her eyes again this time forcing their way out. "And I could've prevented it!" She cried, her fists clenched. "The last thing I ever said to him was that I never wanted to see him again!" She didn't try to wipe the tears as they kept falling. "IT'S ALL MY FAULT LAI'S DEAD!"
"Ashnigh!" Lairon grabbed her arms and Ashnigh stopped crying suddenly. "Don't beat yourself up! It's…it's not your fault at all! You made the choice anyone would have made!" Lairon looked at her face and she blinked. "Lai didn't love you…not really. But…" His face moved very close to hers, and Ashnigh knew what was coming. "I do."
And then he kissed her. (Okay, everyone: 1, 2, 3, Everyone: Awwwwwwww… Me: Little do they know what awaits them…how I love to play with their tiny and un-knowing minds…MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! ...umm…YOU DIDN'T HEAR THAT!) Ashnigh's eyes widened as she felt his lips press against hers, but she didn't stop him. She closed her eyes and kissed him back. 'He…he kisses me…just like Lai used to.'
"Where's Ashingh?" Adrian asked as the party-goers started to leave. Their ranks dispersing, the group of guardians had assembled. Only Ashnigh was missing. "Did anyone see her leave the party?"
The group looked at each other, all shaking their heads.
"I know whereths sheths went!" The group looked behind them to see none other then Briu coming forward, as drunk as one could get, holding another bottle of wine in his hand. "She wenths upstairs with thatsh Lairon guy!"
"You're so drunk you don't know what you're talking about," Adrian said. "Like Ashnigh would actually fall for a guy that easi-"
"Oh, hi guys." The group looked up to see Ashnigh coming down the stairs, led by Lairon. Adrian's eyes widened as she looked at the man.
"L-Lai…"
"Lairon," Ashnigh corrected. "Guys, this is Lairon."
"Ashnigh…" Adrian looked at her. "He…he…"
"Looks just like Lai? I know, but believe me," Ashnigh assured her. "He treats me much better then Lai did."
"Treats you…does that mean that…you and him are?" Juka asked.
"That's right," Lairon took Ashnigh by the waist. "Ashnigh and I have just consented to-"
"I…I haven't decided anything yet…" Ashnigh pulled out of Lairon's hold. "I'm just not ready yet…it was just one kiss."
"WHAT!" A harsh voice came from the top of the stairs and everyone knew who it was. Sprinting, Katrina ran down the stairs to face Lairon. Albatross followed her, looking slightly put out. Katrina's wounds were now bandaged. "What do you mean Lairon!"
"I kissed Ashnigh," Lairon told her.
"B-but…but you're in love with me!" Katrina told him.
"Katrina…" Ashnigh said softly.
"Don't you dare!" Katrina warned her. "You SLUT! Going around and kissing any guy that you meet! Especially when he's taken! I ought to kill you!"
SMACK.
Katrina fell back as Adrian's had made contact with her face. "How dare you…" she snarled. "How dare you insult Ashnigh that way! I'm the one who ought to kill you!"
"Adrian…" Ashnigh spoke softly.
"I apologize for Katrina's behavior," Albatross stepped forward, sighing. "C'mon you two, we've got to keep moving. Maester Mika wants me at his manor in Bevelle by tomorrow afternoon."
"Will we see you guys again?" Juka asked and Albatross smiled at her.
"Of course…we'll be seeing lots of each other, I'm sure."
"Goodbye Ashnigh…" Lairon smiled. "I…I hope that…I'll get an answer from you soon."
"I'll do my best," Ashnigh smiled at him. "I just need to think things over."
Katrina looked at both Adrian and then at Tiffa. "Hey you…" she snarled at Tiffa. "You only beat me because you used those forbidden machina! If you hadn't had those I would've won! I'll get my rematch."
With that, the three of them walked out of the manor. "Goodbye but not farewell!" Albatross waved, smiling widely as the doors closed behind them.
"Those wounds…forbidden machina…" Ashnigh looked at Tiffa. "Tiffa! Did you use those guns against Miss Katrina?"
"So what if I did?" Tiffa asked.
"It's forbidden machina!" Ashnigh told her. "Made by the Al Bhed!"
"So what if they are!"
"I don't see why you're so intent on defending them when they defy the teachings of Yevon!" Ashnigh snapped.
"I don't see why you're so intent on persecuting them!" Tiffa screamed. "Along with the rest of Spira!"
"Look…I'm not in the mood," Adrian snapped. "Let's get out of these clothes. We rest the night, and then…"
"Then what?" Juka asked.
"And then, we go on."
THE END! FINALLY! Holy crap that was a long chapter.
I hope you all enjoyed it! Don't forget to vote!
Next chapter: White Wings Part II