Chapter 4
It had two weeks since Yugi and his friends had landed in the strange world, Gaia. Yugi had been amazed the first day when he had stepped out of the visitor house after the blizzard had subsided and he had seen the amazing and bewildering sight of the Moogle city, built in the branches and trunks of dozens of enormous trees. The whole city was a confusing combination of bridges, ladders, and platforms.
Another amazing thing was the fact that while moogles made up the majority of the citizens, there were plenty of other strange races as well, even a few humans. They used the bridges and ladders with as much ease as the moogles.
One thing that confused Yugi though was why so many moogles called him "kupo". He asked Kiki about it and she replied "Oh, it's just something most moogles add to their sentences. Even most moogles don't really know why they say it". "But you don't say it all the time" said Tea, who was listening. Kiki blushed "Well, I don't say it because Stiltzkin doesn't say it". "What do you mean by th…" Yugi began but Kiki jumped up from the table. "S-sorry, but I forgot something at home, see ya later!" and she ran out the door.
Yugi stared after her while Tea giggled. "Okay, what was THAT all about?" Yugi asked Tea. "Isn't it obvious?" Tea asked, still giggling, "Kiki clearly has a crush on Stiltzkin and is copying his speech habits in order to impress him!" "Oh"." Yugi replied. That was the first time he ever heard of a girl speaking like the guy she has a crush on. Maybe moogles were just different.
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For the most part, things were going quite well. Kiki had taught him a card game called Tetra Master and he had to admit that it was a pretty great game, though he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if it was adapted into holograms like Duel Monsters. He had also taught Kiki how to play Duel Masters, Joey generously lending his deck to Kiki so she could learn. Kiki seemed quite impressed with the game and was in awe when Yugi explained that back in their world, they had machines that could make the monsters look real.
Kaiba was being very surely and rude to everyone. The second day they were there, Kiki's grandfather had come to visit them and Yugi immediately liked him. He reminded him very much of his own grandfather, except not as perverted. He had offered to help Kaiba enroll Mokuba into the local school until they left for Lindblum. Kaiba refused. "What, enroll Mokuba in your hick school so he can learn how to plow crops and milk cows? No thanks!"
"Kaiba!" Tea snapped, "Do you have to be so rude?!" "It's alright", the old moogle replied calmly, "No doubt he is simply on edge about this whole affair and it's taken his toll on him". He turned towards Yugi and his friends and smiled kindly, "But we have a library if you wish to use it. It's always open so feel free to use it anytime you wish." Kaiba looked interested, despite himself though he tried to hide it. "Hmph, it's a wonder anyone in this medieval hell can read". He then stood up and called "Come on Mokuba, we might as well check this place out. I can't stand sitting in here looking at the fireplace all day. Mokuba gave an apologetic smile and followed after his brother.
Yugi turned to the elderly moogle "Sorry about that, Kaiba can be pretty grouchy sometimes but he's really not so bad once you get to know him!" "Yeah, he's worse!" Joey said, half-jokingly. The old moogle smiled and then looked serious. "It won't be too much longer before winter is over and then we'll be sending you to Lindblum. However, in order to get there quickly, you will need to know how to ride a chocobo." "A chocobo? What's that?" Yugi asked nervously. "It's a large bird that we use to ride on," said Kiki, who had just walked in, clearly having overheard. "They are really strong and fast. What kind of creatures did you ride in your world?"
"Well, we don't really ride creatures anymore, we now have automobiles and planes. We did used to use horses and some places use camels and elephants but it's not very common anymore" Yugi replied.
Kiki looked impressed. "Wow, your planet must be very advanced!" Yugi laughed while rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, I guess you could say that".
Kiki's grandfather announced "Well then, starting tomorrow if there isn't a blizzard then we'll start your first riding lesson".
So, how will the riding lessons go? Stay tuned and see!