As always, I don't own FF X-2 or any characters therein.
Bevelle, as always, was breathtaking. A city situated on the edge of a giant waterfall could not help but have breathtaking scenery. The mist generated by the waterfall reflected light from the sunrise perfectly, creating countless rainbows and prisms that engulfed the area. The buildings were awe inspiring. Tourists were easy to spot, since their necks were always craned to see the top of the cathedral.
Whoever decided to use blue feathers and jewels for decorating has horrible taste. Nooj could not decide which city he disliked more, Luca or Bevelle. Both had a dark side, only Bevell's dark side was deeply rooted in Spira's history. Despite his disagreement with the decorator, there was little Nooj had to complain about during his brief stays in Bevelle. Baralai made certain that he and the other guests had comfortable lodgings in the heart of the city. I could do without the servants stumbling over one another to serve me, though.
"That meeting was longer than I liked."
"I apologize for that, Lady Yuna." Nooj watched Baralai bow slightly from the corner of his eye.
"Oh, it's alright. You're the one who has to deal with Paine after she's waited four hours to see you."
"Yes. I will have to make it up to her. Lady Yuna, Nooj, are you leaving immediately?"
"I have to wait for Brother to get back, so no."
"Well, then would you care to-"
"Relax, Baralai." Gippal said, slapping his friend on the back and grinning. "You don't have to invite them to eat every single time they're here. Hey, Noojster, how's that new gadget holding up? I forgot to ask last time I saw you."
"It works perfectly." The 'gadget' was a safe, one more accessible yet more secure than it's predecessor. "I have yet to find a way to keep Al Bhed out of my office, though."
"What? You don't like visitors? Here I thought we were buddies." Nooj had no chance to respond. Gippal's head shot up like a dog hearing its master whistle. The younger man slapped Baralai's back once again and started to walk off into the crowd. "I'll see you later."
"What was that about?" Yuna asked, turning to her companions. Baralai shrugged, indicating his ignorance. "Nooj? Do you know something we don't?"
"What Gippal does on his own time is his business. But if you must know, Rikku is waiting for him at that fountain."
"WHAT?!" He had to restrain Yuna from running to her cousin. "Let me go! She's been out of contact with everyone for weeks! I'm going to knock her socks clear off."
"No. Stop and look before you rush in and destroy what is left of your relationship with her." Nooj let her arm go and watched the ex-summoner search the crowds around a nearby fountain. Her eyes widened in surprise when she found Rikku. Nooj turned to look as well, and found her walking away from the benches, arm entwined with Gippal's and smiling at him.
"When...did that happen?" The question was directed at Nooj, even though her eyes followed her cousin. Baralai was wearing the same shocked expression as Yuna.
"Does it matter?"
"But-"
"Yuna. Leave them be." He left her standing there and began walking to his inn. Baralai walked beside him, hands clasped behind his back. "Is there a reason you are following me?"
"That was a bit harsh to say, don't you think?"
"No. After all the trouble those two have caused me, I have no wish to be dragged back into the muck by Yuna's misguided attempts to 'fix things'."
"So you do know what happened."
"Brat." Baralai had a way of weaseling information out of people without them being aware of it. It was an irritating ability to have in a friend when there were secrets to be kept. The younger man was smiling benevolently while walking.
"At least Gippal will be easier to deal with. I never thought he'd become so upset over a girl. I wonder how long it will be before they get married."
"That is no concern of mine."
"I asked him what was making him so miserable and he said 'If you gotta know, Rikku won't even talk to me. The one girl I want to marry, and she won't talk to me.' He threw one of his tools at the machine he was messing with."
"How long are you going to elaborate on this? I have other things to think about."
"Just a bit longer. And I do think you care about what happens to them. I'd like to know why that is." Nooj remained silent, not willing to admit that Baralai was correct. "I think, that you found out something about one of them that piqued your interest. I can't picture Gippal doing anything that interesting, so it has to be Rikku."
"Is there a point to any of this? Or have you become a gossiping old woman?"
"I suppose there isn't a point that you would see. Have a good day, Nooj. Feel free to join me for lunch."
Nooj watched Baralai walk away for a moment, then continued on his way. The canals and waterways throughout the city provided quick transportation to wherever a person needed to go, but Nooj preferred to walk. There was a certain satisfaction gained from getting to a destination with one's own feet, even if one of those feet was a machina.
The people milled about, none of them in a hurry but the messengers; they darted through the pedestrian traffic with practiced ease. Few people recognized him. Those that did would nod or bow to him as he walked past. None attempted to speak with him. It was just as well, since he was in no mood to make pleasantries with strangers.
His rooms awaited him, providing him with a silent and peaceful refuge from the throngs of people outside. He sat down in an overstuffed chair that faced a large window with a view of the passing clouds instead of people. As time went by, the clouds became gray and menacing, once again threatening Spira with a downpour. Nooj imagined the entire population sighing at the sight. He only hoped it was not an omen of things to come. The last downpour brought Rikku into his office uninvited.
"There you are, love! I was looking all over for you."
"What are you doing here, LeBlanc?"
"That's no way to talk to someone who came to visit you, love." LeBlanc sat herself down on his lap, which offered a superb view of her breasts. Nooj barely spared her a glance.
"I'm in no mood for you to visit."
"Oh, come now, Noojie. I went through all the trouble of bribing a servant to give me a key." The woman pouted at him slightly. He could not figure out why she tried pouting as often as she did. It had no affect on him.
"Hmmf." He toyed with the idea of letting her have her way. She could provide a temporary distraction from his thoughts. The woman was adept at pleasing men. Nooj wondered, briefly, just how many men enjoyed her attentions when he was not around. "Why did you come all the way here?"
"Because, love, I don't want you to get interested in that Dullwing. She can't and won't make you feel as good as I can, and you know it."
"I have no way of telling such a thing without a sample."
"You're NOT getting one!"
"So you say. And how many men 'visit' you in Guadosalam? Don't attempt to stop me from taking pleasure where I wish when you do the same." LeBlanc stood up, ready to storm out of his room. "You should put your dress back on if you leave. People here are more modest than you."
"Hhhhn!" LeBlanc did indeed storm out of his room, slamming doors in her wake. Nooj shook his head and returned to watching the storm gathering its strength. The clouds roiled and darkened to charcoal gray as they neared Bevelle. He took a great deal of pleasure in knowing that the ridiculous feathers adorning every building would be ruined and washed away once the rain began.
If only the rain could wash away everything else I dislike in this world. Then again, I wouldn't be here to enjoy it. I wonder if Rikku would be here if the rain washed away everything SHE disliked?
Rain had a long history of making people think. There has yet to be an answer as to why that is, but it still remained a fact. Rain has power, certainly, especially over the mind. It casts a pall over the world, a dreary, gray haze that obscures the senses. Nooj rather enjoyed the lack of sunlight and warmth. It matched the state of his soul more often than not; dark, foreboding and silent.
The silence of the world during a storm is the most deafening thing. Certainly the rain creates a noise of its own, yet Nooj had watched the world cease to move when it fell. The rain is all there is. It causes a person to stare out the window, and wish that the rain could wash away the stains of the soul. The way it comes and goes, leaving no trace of where it had been centered or where it will go causes a certain kind of envy in human beings. There is no true way to remove their troubles, yet people yearn to stand beneath the downpour and release everything, allowing them to begin anew in a place quite unexpected. The puddles would be full of their doubts and fears, leaving them a clean vessel.
To be free from the constraints of life is a wondrous dream. It has consumed many, some seeking penance while others seek to forgive. As of yet, none have been able to release the darkness within. They strive for it like a plant yearning for the sun but never quite reaching it. Once the dream has been given up, they fall to the side of the road and let the rain camouflage their tears and their worries. They can wrap themselves in their misery and have none the wiser.
He wondered, sometimes, what would happen if the rain stoped and found the dream had come true. Perhaps the misery that was washed away would be too deep and he would drown in it. How very ironic, to die from the very thing that was so sought after.
Rain is an ill omen indeed. Perhaps this time there would be no Al Bhed intruders waiting in his office for him. Although if they brought a flask of Firewine, Nooj might be persuaded to forgive them.