Chapter 5: Preparations
So it took me long enough, but here's the next chapter. It's much longer this time, I'm pretty proud of my self for sticking with it and not trying to cut it short just to get it out there. Thanks to Kathleen Dee and Imagination 5 for not giving up on me and everyone else who's commented. Hope you like it.
"HOLY MACHINA!" the young Al Bhed girl stopped in the doorway, unable to process all of the items she wished to either steel or play with first. "We hit the jackpot with this place!" Rikku was still torn between exploring the other rooms, checking out the view from the balcony on the far side of the main room, or jump on the plush furniture that adorned said room, when Wakka entered behind her, shoving her out of the way.
"Whoa, you're not kiddin'!" he exclaimed throwing his arm in front of his face in a warding gesture of shock. Yuna and Lulu would have entered behind the other two if their stunned figures weren't blocking the entrance.
"I'm truly thrilled that you two are so impressed by our accommodations but do you have to look so ridiculous in the process?" Lulu said dryly as she slipped between Wakka and Rikku. The room really was magnificent. Brilliant Lucan sunlight spilled through the French doors at the end of the room illuminating the ornately decorated suite. The walls were engraved and painted with traditional Lucan designs, which were reflected on the rugs that covered the stone floors. Overstuffed couches and chairs sat around the common room along with a few polished wooden tables. The corner of the room contained a mini bar with an ice box built into the wall, a granite counter, cabinets with glasses, and sink. A crystal chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling refracting the golden sunlight into sparkling multicolored points that splayed throughout around the room.
Rikku, having finally recovered from her initial paralysis, went running through the rest of the suite, checking out the two bedrooms and full bathroom shouting exclamations: "These beds are soo huge!" "Did you see the sphere in the common area?" "More gold fixtures!"
After having checked out the entire suite the four friends stood in the common area.
"Wow, I can't believe the hotel let us stay in this room for free!" Wakka said as he looked around the room.
"Yunie is the high summoner after all, and we're her legendary guardians! We're pretty much super stars." Rikku sighed contentedly as she collapsed back into a sofa. Lulu crossed her arms and peered through the now open doors to the view beyond, ten stories above the city.
"It is a nice suite. I just wonder where we are expected to sleep with only two bedrooms for four people." Yuna frown and tilted her head to the side,
"I hadn't thought of that."
"Yunie and I can share a room!" Rikku jumped up and threw her arm around her cousin's shoulder, "It'll be like a slumber party!" Wakka laughed as he tousled Rikku's hair,
"Good luck getting any sleep with this ipiria fiend bouncing around the room all night," Yuna chuckled behind her hand as Rikku brushed his hand away indignantly,
"Hey! I happen to be a great bed partner!"
"Oh yeah? Says who?" The little Al Bhed gave him a cocky grin,
"Wouldn't you like to know."
"Who? Your stuffed cactaur?"
"Don't mock Sparky! At least he doesn't take up the entire bed like you would fatty. Sorry Lulu, you can just use fire spells to keep him off your side of the bed." Wakka's eyes widened.
"Uh… what? We can't sleep together… er I mean, that didn't sound good…"
"Sure you can! You guys have known each other forever!" Rikku nudged Wakka in the ribs and winked, "Plus she ain't to hard on the eyes, eh?"
"No she's not! I mean she's really pretty but…" Wakka stopped and slumped his shoulders, "Oh brudda." All the girls were laughing at Wakka's extreme discomfort at this point, even Lulu.
"Calm down Wakka," Lulu said in her soft yet authoritative voice.
"Look I'll just sleep on the sofa, ya." They all looked at the two couches in the room, both of which were more than comfortable for sitting, but not exactly the proper size for a 220 pound blitzer to sleep on.
"It's fine Wakka, you don't need to get so worked up," Lulu said, neither revealing disdain nor overwhelming favor for the prospect of spending the night next to Wakka. She turned and walked into the next room, a small smile touching the edge of her mouth as she went.
Lulu wasn't sure whether she was smiling at Wakka's discomfort of something else. Either way it didn't matter, she had more important things to consider.
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In the other room, Wakka had gone out to the balcony to hopefully hide the redness in his cheeks that he suspected everyone had already seen anyway. The cityscape below really was breathtaking though. He leaned against the railing, looking down at the bustling streets filled with the colors and noises of tourists and merchants alike that he knew so well. This was the Mecha of blitzball after all.
The blazing Lucan sun was approaching midday, causing the green and blue rooftops of the buildings bellow to glimmer in the heat. Wakka turned his head to the side to avoid the glare for a moment and looked at the balcony next door. A rather large, bulky man stood there leaning against the railing like Wakka. The red headed islander looked back over the city to the glittering ocean, when something struck him. Was that? He looked back at the big man more closely who wore only leather straps across his bare chest, blue strips of cloths that zig zagged up his arms and baggy grey pants and had short cut brown hair. Before he could stop himself Wakka jumped up and pointed at him.
"Hey! Your that guy who guards Lady Dona!" The man turned to look at Wakka.
"And you're Wakka, captain of the Aurochs, who guards Yuna!" he said in his baritone voice. The two guardians stood staring at each other across the balconies for a moment, Wakka trying desperately to remember his name. He scratched the back of his head in embarrassment,
"Ah, sorry, I don't really remember you're name, ya." The other man smiled a little,
"Barthello,"
"Oh yeah, I remember now… Wait if you're here than that that means…" At that moment a tanned, scantily clad Dona walked out on the balcony,
"What's with all this raucous going on out here?" Barthello turned to her,
"Uh, remember Lady Yuna?"
"Of course I do, she beat me to defeating Sin, how could I forget."
"Well, uh," he glanced over at Wakka who was still in a bit of shock. He wasn't really sure what to make of Dona, considering she had tried to ruin Yuna's pilgrimage multiple times and never really thanked them for saving her life in the destruction of the Al Bheds' Home. Before he could do anything, Dona flicked her eyes over to Wakka's balcony.
"Oh it's you, what was your name again?" Well she certainly had no compunctions about forgetting names.
"Uh… I'm Wakka."
"Right, the clumsy one. I remember seeing you on the sphere the other day. They're calling you and that black mage the Sky Wyrm avengers these days. Quite the name."
"Yeah, I guess." Wakka still had no idea how to respond to her.
"Well are you going to invite us over or not, I take it Yuna's here."
"Oh, yeah she is. I'll go get her, ya."
"Fine, we'll meet you at your door." Wakka slunk back into the room completely at a loss. Yuna was in her and Rikku's room unpacking the few clothes she had while Rikku talked to her a mile a minute. Lulu appeared to still be in her and Wakka's room.
"Hey Yuna," Wakka stepped into her room. She turned around with a shirt still in her hand.
"Uh, I don't really know how to say this, but um, Dona's here." Her dichromatic eyes squinted in thought for a moment then widened in surprise as she dropped the shirt to the floor and jumped up.
"Oh! Right now?" Someone rapped on the door three times in quick succession. He laughed nervously,
"Guess so." The young high summoner ran out of her room to the door, followed quickly by Rikku and Wakka, Lulu appeared on the other side of the common room.
"Wow, I didn't think we'd be seeing her again," Rikku exclaimed.
"I don't know what I'll say, what if she's upset?" Yuna stammered as she approached the door.
"Yuna," she spun around to look at Lulu who gave her a stern look, "remember, you have nothing to prove to her, just be yourself." Yuna stared at her for a moment then sighed,
"You're right, thanks Lulu." Turning around, she opened the door to find Dona and Barthello standing in the hall.
"Well that took long enough. I'm not used to being kept waiting." Yuna only smiled in response.
"Lady Dona, it's been some time." Dona looked taken aback, but only for a second and seemed to change her entire demeanor on a dime.
"Well you haven't come to visit me, I can't be expected to travel all over Spira chasing the high summoner. But it really is good to see you again." She stepped forward and gave her a hug and quick kiss on the cheek. A pleasant smile spread across her face.
"It truly has, please come in?" Yuna stepped to the side and gestured for the two to enter.
"Delighted, come on Barthello." Dona followed Yuna to the sofas and chair in the common area so that they could all sit down. Lulu sat beside Yuna on the sofa opposite Dona and Barthello while Rikku and Wakka took two of the cushioned chairs near the windows. Dona glanced around, a look of mild surprise etched on her features.
"Well, the high summoner certainly travels in style I see… And so you should, you've certainly proved yourself by bringing the eternal calm. Congratulations by the way, quite the accomplishment." Lulu maintained her composure, suppressing a smile. It seemed Dona was having trouble adjusting to being civil with them. But at least she was trying.
"Yeah, we really let Sin have it!" Rikku interjected as she pounded her fist into the palm of her other hand.
"Hmm, it was a bit more complicated than that." Lulu looked over at Rikku who only laughed in return. Yuna giggled as well,
"So what are you doing here in Luca Lady Dona? I believe Kilika is where you are originally from if I remember correctly."
"We're doing what everyone else in Spira has been doing for the past six months since Sin was defeated, partying." She said, letting out an uncharacteristically light-hearted laugh, "Oh and you can just call me Dona, no need for titles amongst friends right?"
"Right." Yuna genuinely smiled now, she never thought that Dona and her would actually be able to get along like this.
"It's settled then." They all looked at Rikku, everyone feeling as if they'd missed something. She unleashed her most infectious smile upon their unwitting eyes.
"What's settled?" Lulu was the only one with the presence of mind to actually speak up at this point.
"Dona and Barthello are taking us partying tonight of course. And they can show us all the best places." For the second time in the past two minutes Dona appeared to be at a complete loss. Lulu had to hand it to her though, she was quick on her feet.
"Of course you're coming with us tonight. How could I let the high summoner come to Luca without getting a taste of its famous night life." It seemed everyone in the room was unsure of what to say except Rikku who only seemed capable of committing them to even more plans with Dona.
"Woo Hoo!" The very excited Al Bhed girl leaped up from her chair and thrust her hand into the air, pointing skyward. "And first, we go shopping for new outfits!"
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Half an hour later, a lecture from Lulu to Rikku about thinking before she spoke, and some quick preparations, the unlikely crew were walking through the bustling streets of Luca, on their way to the shopping district. Barthello walked slightly ahead of the group, plowing a path through the crowds, Rikku, Yuna and Dona followed close behind, while Wakka and Lulu brought up the rear. Barthello remained quiet and brooding as usual, while Rikku and Yuna mostly listened to Dona tell stories about her travels after she gave up her pilgrimage and Lulu and Wakka made their own conversation.
"I can't believe Dona is being so nice, ya," Wakka said in a low voice to Lulu so he could be heard by Dona, not that it was likely considering how loudly she was recounting a particularly dramatic story of how she saved an entire village from a swarm of bomb fiends single handedly. Curiously she didn't mention Barthello in the tale.
"She has no reason to bare Yuna any ill will. Dona may seem a bit shallow and petty, but she appears to be a essentially a good person none-the-less."
"Yeah, you're right, but that still doesn't mean she's not more annoying than a swarm of giant wasps, ya." The two laughed under their breath as they continued on their way.
Upon arriving in a small park at the heart of the shopping district the group stopped to decide on what to do.
"I say the girls go one way and the guys go the other!" Rikku suggested as she jumped up and down. Wakka immediately understood the implications of this. Being stuck with the hulking, silent Barthello for an entire afternoon did not fit his requirements for a fun day.
"Uh, why do we have to do that?"
"Because you have to be surprised when you see how amazing we look tonight. It'll be worth the wait Wakka, believe me." He folded his arms and scoffed.
"I don't know about that. I never seen an Impiria (Those lizard fiends that are really finicky and agile. You see the comparison right?) look good no matter how much you dress it up." Before he could even react Rikku had thrown a wickedly powerful punch into Wakka's stomach causing him to collapse to the ground gasping for air.
"That's what you get for calling me a lizard you big meanie!" Wakka had still not recovered from the hit when the petite Al Bhed suddenly transformed back into her usual effervescent self. "Ok, we all ready!" Wakka gasped again and looked up pleadingly at Lulu and Yuna,
"Lu, Yuna, you gonna let her get away with that?" Lulu shook her head and Yuna looked sympathetic.
"Comparing a girl to a lizard can bring about unfortunate consequences. You would do well to remember that."
"Yeah, that was kind of harsh, but you did have it coming Wakka." He looked up at them in disbelief as they turned to go. Great, now I've got a stomachache and I still have to spend the day with Barthello, ya.
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"You know, that was a bit excessive Rikku," Yuna said as they continued on to a clothing store Dona had suggested.
"I think a man needs to be put in his place every now and then," Dona interjected, tossing her hair to the side dramatically.
"That's right! He'll never call me an Imperia again!" Lulu only shook her head and gave Dona a look.
"She doesn't need any more encouragement you know." Dona laughed and looked at Lulu brightly.
"So you do have a sense of humor then. I was beginning to lose hope." Lulu wasn't sure whether to take this as an insult or compliment so she let it be for now.
"Here we are," Dona said as she gestured to the chic looking storefront. The manikins behind the glass wore miniskirts, slitted dresses, tube tops, high boots and various leather straps all over. Rikku was instantly enchanted and sprinted into the store while Dona followed close behind. Lulu and Yuna on the other hand exchange uncertain glances and entered slowly.
"Well… it's interesting." Yuna tilted her head to the side as if trying to figure out a puzzle.
"It certainly doesn't leave much up to the imagination." Lulu said in a somewhat amused voice. Yuna giggled behind her hand at this.
"Well I think it's simply stunning." Dona said as she walked behind Rikku to get the full effect.
"Yeah! Dona likes it! I can't wait for tonight!" Rikku yelled as she jumped up and down. She had just stepped out of the dressing room, the first to try on her new outfit. She wore a red and orange top that strapped over the shoulders and revealed her midriff, along with a short light blue skirt with yellow designs on the edges. Other than that she wore a few yellow and orange bands on her arms and a blue and green striped scarf for accents. It was the latest style in Luca, as Dona had assured her, and there was no changing her mind, so Yuna and Lulu decided it wasn't worth discussing.
"Ok you're turn Yunie!" Yuna smiled shyly,
"Um, I think I'd rather find something in another store if that's ok."
"Oh, you're no fun! What about you Lulu! Are you going to abandon me too?" Lulu cast a glance about the store.
"I have to agree with Yuna. Beside, if I'm going to pay for new clothes, I'd rather the amount of fabric be equal to the price." Dona already had something that she'd made Barthello buy her the other day so they moved on to another store in search of a less revealing clothing selection.
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Meanwhile, Barthello and Wakka had already found things to wear for the evening, having walked into the first men's clothing store they saw and had the, excessively enthusiastic sales woman pick for them.
The two men walked down the street, pretending that the clamor of the streets was to loud to talk over.
"So… you want to just head back to the hotel then?" Wakka asked as they got back to the park where he had had the wind knocked out of him by the surprisingly strong 17 year-old Al Bhed girl.
"That sounds fine." They continued on down the street, the two large men easily cutting through the throngs of shoppers and salesmen. Wakka was still frustrated that he'd been left to deal with Barthello. He didn't have anything against the guy, he just didn't have anything in common with him and on top of that he didn't talk much in the first place. Might as well try to start up a conversation anyway, ya?
"So uh, how you been since Dona stopped her pilgrimage?" Barthello looked down at him, squinting as he usually did. Wakka wasn't sure whether he was unsure of what to say regarding his time after the pilgrimage or whether he was surprised that someone asked him to talk about anything at all.
"Ah, uh… I don't know, it was good I guess." A combination of both he guessed.
"Well, what'd you do?"
"Dona and I left the calm lands where you guys dropped us off and we traveled back to Kilika."
Huh, that sound good, ya."
"Yeah." Wakka struggled to think of something else to say.
"You do anything fun in Kilika?" Barthello looked off into the distance over the crowds.
"Dona and I helped the villagers rebuild some more… well I guess I helped and Dona told me what to do. But she helped organize people." He laughed a little. "She's good at telling people what to do." Wakka smiled.
"You said it brudda."
"She's a good person though." His stern face softened, to Wakka's surprise. "She helps lots of people where ever she goes, even if she makes it seem like she's done more than she actually did." Wakka wasn't sure what to say exactly. He had no idea Barthello actually thought so much about these kinds of things, or even that Dona had a nice side.
"I guess you guys work well together then, huh? She does all the talkin' and you do the fightin'." They both laughed.
"I think so. I heard someone say once that opposites attract, or something like that. That's kind of how I think of me and Dona, each of us does what the other can't." Wakka couldn't help but think about the battle against the sky wyrm a few days ago. They both had done their parts in the fight, even if Lulu had more firepower, he'd been able to do more accurate damage and even act as a distraction so that Lulu could finish it off. Now that he thought about it, he was happy that he'd been injured like that because in a weird way he felt like he was taking the damage for Lulu. I'd do anything to keep her out of harm, ya.
"Cap'n!" Wakka was surprised out of his reverie when a hand clapped him on the shoulder. He spun around to see the two Auroch defensemen, the dark complected Jassu and the lighter skinned Botta, his shock of red hair pulled back in a short ponytail.
"What are you two doin' here!" Wakka shouted in surprise. The two men grinned at his disconcerted response.
"Is that anyway to greet you're two best players?" Botta exclaimed, throwing his hands up in mock chagrin.
"Ya! We ain't seen ya for almost a week and this is how you treat us?" Jassu added. Wakka laughed,
"Sorry boys, guess you missed my workouts, huh?"
"To no end, ya." Botta said as he pulled Wakka into a hug.
"I actually been havin' enough energy to stay up for the bonfires these days, ya. It ain't right." Jassu joked as he hugged Wakka next.
"Ah, well I'll just have to work you extra hard when I get back then, ya." Both blitzers slumped their shoulders in defeat.
"I don't think I'm ready to die, how 'bout you Jassu."
"I gotta agree with you there brudda. Maybe we should join the Ronso Fangs, I hear they only train once a week cause they got to travel from Gagazette every time."
"Hey now, I'm not havin' no blasphemous talk out a you two." Wakka folded his arms. "So what you guys doin' here for real anyway?"
"We came to get a few new blitz balls and an arm guard for Datto. Keeps complainin' that I been hittin' him to hard, ya." Jassu grinned.
"Plus we were kinda curious to see how you were doin'. We heard about the sky wyrm," Botta added. "You lookin' pretty good though!"
"Oh yea, Yuna came along and healed me better than any of those Lucan white mages could ever dream of. She may not have summoning anymore but she's got plenty of other talents up her sleeve."
"Yeah, she's always been an over achiever that one. Never any time for a boyfriend, maybe that'll change now." Botta said, winking at Jassu. Wakka wasn't sure what to make of that, but decided to ignore it for now.
"Anyway, we're glad to see you're better cap'n. We've got an appointment with that blitz supplier by the docks who always gives us discounts. We'll see you later though?" Wakka remembered that they were going out that night. His eyes lit up instantly.
"Oh yea! Yuna, Lulu, Rikku and… oh forgot to introduce you guys." Wakka turned to Barthello who had been standing, characteristically quiet the entire conversation, surprisingly unnoticeable for his significant stature. "Barthello, this is Jassu and Botta, boys this is Bathello." They all shook hands and exchanged greetings. "He used to guard a summoner we met on Yuna's pilgrimage and still does. They, and the rest of us, are goin' out tonight to some clubs, you guys in?" Botta and Jassu responded instantly.
"Absolutely! We'll definitely be there, ya!" Botta answered for both of them.
"Great, be at our hotel by 8 o'clock, ya. We're stayin' in the Luca Sunrise, suite 1005."
"Cap'n!" After a few more words the two Aurochs began to disappear into the crowd. Wakka turned around and shouted after them,
"And dress nice, ya!" causing a man to nearly drop his bag of vegetables who happened to be walking by at the time.
"Cap'n!" Wakka turned back to Barthello.
"Sorry 'bout that, ya. Ready to go."
"Alright." They continued on to the hotel that was visible now, looming above many of the other buildings on the crowded street.
"So you like blitz?"
"Of course I do! I'm kind of embarrassed to admit it, but I've been a fan of the Aurochs since I can remember!" Wakka smiled. Maybe I could get to like this guy after all, ya.
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Alright, so we've got a night of partying and something weird going on with Jassu and Botta up ahead. Don't worry, we'll be getting back to some hard-core action, but first, lets have some fun. Hope to see some reviews, thanks for reading.