The setting sun brought about the gathering of all of Besaid's people to the stage set up outside of the temple. Young and old alike were overcome with excitement for the show. Gippal and Tidus were down in front switching on all of the equipment. Buddy was keeping an eye on the pair of techs. Brother was keeping an eye on females in the crowd and the Gullwings were preparing to take the stage together for the first night of their tour.
"Oh! I'm so excited!" Rikku gushed, banging her drumsticks against her thighs in excitement.
"Our first show on the road of a Spira wide tour," Yuna grinned. She shot a smile at Rikku. No matter how much they bickered like sisters, just before a show? Yuna and Rikku put everything behind them in order to enjoy every second of their time on stage. It was too hard not to. Playing together was too much fun!
"This is so awesome!" Rikku was bouncing with excitement.
"Rikku, Paine," Yuna said, looking back and forth between her friends. They both looked up alarmed. "I'm really happy to be out here doing this with the both of you."
"Aw, Yunie, that's sweet," Rikku spoke up before Paine had a chance to say anything snide.
"Let's just make this the best concert we can for all the people here. What do you say?" Yuna smiled wide.
"I say we perform out little butts off!" Rikku threw a fist in the air. Yuna laughed.
"One minute to go, Gullwings!" Buddy called over to them. He ducked back onto the stage and they could hear him introducing them and thanking Besaid for having them in town.
"Well," Yuna trailed off, giving Rikku a side smile. "For old time's sake?" Yuna grinned. Rikku nodded. "Give me a Y!" Yuna thrust her hand out.
"Give me and R!" Rikku slapped hers on top of Yuna's.
"Give me a break," Paine rolled her eyes.
"PAINE!" Rikku and Yuna snapped in unison.
"What? You said for old time's sake?" Paine smirked. She slapped her hand on top. "Give me a P," she sighed, smiling.
"Let's go, Gullwings! You're on!" Buddy hissed, hurrying the girls onstage. A thunderous applause erupted at just the sight of the Gullwings. They all exchanged smiles and set up, then started to play.
"Hey," Gippal nudged Tidus in the bicep with his elbow. They were standing side by side in front of the control board, Gippal monitoring a lot of flashing lights while Tidus grinned up at Yuna, singing and dancing and playing her heart out. She glanced down at him and winked, then back out at the crowd.
"Yeah?" Tidus asked, shaking his head.
"They're pretty good," Gippal shrugged.
"You've never heard them?" Tidus stared at Gippal.
"Once or twice. Not in at least half a year," Gippal replied, watching Paine rip through a bass solo while Yuna encouraged the crowd to clap along. Gippal was shocked to see her so full of life up there. The past year and certainly the past two days had lead him to believe that Yuna was getting tired. He had always been pretty convinced she was a prude and a bad time. She reserved all of her looks of distaste for his and Rikku's relationship. But there she was, the crowd in love with her, singing and dancing and having a great time.
"Jeeze, Man. You need help, dude," Tidus laughed, clapping Gippal on the shoulder.
"Your girl's real good," Gippal yelled over the noise.
"What's that?" Tidus asked, his eyes glued to the stage.
"Yuna. She's good!" Gippal yelled back.
"Oh, yeah, man. She's something else up there!" Tidus grinned, a look of complete and utter adoration in his eyes. Yuna kept catching his glance, sending winks and hip moves and finger points that were all for him. Gippal tried to mask his jealousy with apathy as he watched Paine strum and Rikku drum. Rikku was a lot better at this than he remembered. Either she'd been practicing or those dresspheres had upgrades.
Either way, it was totally hot.
"You going to the after party?" Tidus asked Gippal.
"Sure," Gippal replied with a shrug.
"You been to a Gullwings after party lately?" Tidus smirked, turning to look at Gippal a bit.
"Not since we broke up," Gippal sighed, watching Rikku jump up, crashing her sticks on cymbals as the girls drew another song to a close.
The beaches of Besaid were dotted with fires and covered with people all celebrating and partying. There was plenty of food and drink for everyone, musicians were out playing around the fires from seasoned adults strumming away to young boys and girls just learning, shaking tambourines. There wasn't a villager who missed it. Everyone was happy.
"Nice show tonight, Dr. P," Rikku nudged Paine's arm with her elbow. The pair of Gullwings were enjoying a drink by one of the less crowded fires. They had just finished cleaning themselves up form the concert.
"Besaid is always a great show. They love Yuna here. They'll cheer for anything she does," Paine smiled, sipping her beer.
"Guys! Paine! Rikku! Ladies! Guys! Hey!" Tidus sputtered, coming up behind the girls and throwing his arms around their shoulders.
"Speaking of things Yuna does," Paine rolled her eyes. Rikku snorted and giggled.
"What are you two doing all the way over here?" Tidus slurred. He wreaked of booze and was falling all over himself.
"We're just getting started! We just got here!" Rikku laughed, hoisting Tidus up onto her shoulder more.
"Well! Then the party can begin!" He smiled.
"Is this why Yuna never lets him drink?" Paine glanced at Rikku.
"Oh yeah," Rikku nodded.
"Rikku! I was over there with the Aurochs! You know, they all think you're pretty cuuuuute!" Tidus joked, tickling Rikku's side. She swatted him away.
"Shut up, Tidus!" She laughed, glancing over her shoulder towards the Aurochs. Gippal was standing with Wakka. No need to be over there. She didn't want to even have to LOOK at him. Kind of. At least he had a shirt on. A really nice shirt. But so what! She glanced to another one of the fires where she could see Lulu and Yuna laughing. That might be a safe bet. Although, Buddy was standing not too far of. She tried not to blush thinking about how badly she treated him. He liked her, and she knew it, and she knew they were getting too old for her to do the things she did with no strings attached.
"And where are my manners!" Tidus giggled. "There are some foxy lady groupies over there, too, Paine."
"WHAT?!" Paine cried, tossing Tidus's arm off of her.
"I thought that you-"
"NO!" Paine cried. Rikku covered her mouth with her hand, trying to decide if she should laugh or be appalled.
"Oh," Tidus's eyes shot open.
"Where did you hear that?!" Paine snapped.
"I, well, I just," Tidus looked to Rikku for help as he stuttered.
"WHERE?!" Paine grabbed Tidus by the front of his shirt and jerked him closer to her.
"Gippal! Gippal told me!" Tidus yelped.
"Oh, he is dead. He is fucking DEAD!" Paine shoved Tidus away and stormed off towards the Aurochs.
"He really said that to me! I'm not being a jerk! I was just being nice! Some of those groupies are really hot! And were suggesting frisky things!" Tidus said defensively. Rikku laughed.
"Oh, Tidus. It's okay." Rikku assured him. "Did Gippal really say that? Or was he joking?"
"He did say it. I don't know if he was joking!" Tidus shrugged.
"Calm down, I think Paine can take care of it herself," Rikku patted his arm affectionately. "Now," she grinned. "Which of those Aurochs said I was cute?"
"Gippal!" Paine marched up to one of the fires where Gippal was chatting with Wakka. She grabbed him from behind by the shoulder and whipped him around to face her.
"Whoa!" He cried out, spilling his drink.
"What the hell is your problem?" Paine asked sternly.
"Well, Gee, Dr. P. That's kind of vague," Gippal laughed.
"Cut the crap, Gippal! Why did you tell Tidus I was into women?" Paine crossed her arms over her chest. Gippal just laughed. "It's not funny!"
"It's kind of funny," Gippal chuckled, reaching to a nearby table for another drink. Paine knocked it out of his hands.
"No it's not!" She snapped.
"Sheesh, Paine, lighten up! I was just joking with the guy! I didn't know he was going to believe me?" Gippal backed a step away from her.
"Give me a break!" Paine threw her hands in the air. "You and your stupid jokes have gone TOO far!"
"Paine, it's just Tidus, it's no big deal," Gippal shrugged and sipped his beer.
"You told him I was a lesbian, Gippal!" Paine hissed, getting flustered. "He told me there were 'foxy lady groupies' at this party!"
"Oh, that is a RIOT!" Gippal laughed. "Look, Babe. It was a passing joke, don't stress about it. His darling Yuna will straighten him out in no time, don't worry about it," Gippal smiled.
"You're a dipshit," Paine sad flatly, punching him in the shoulder.
"Ow!" Gippal laughed.
"So what's you're problem? What are you doing hiding over here with the Aurochs?" Paine nodded over Gippal's shoulder where the team was getting too drunk too fast.
"Just having a drink with the guys," Gippal shrugged.
"The Aurochs are not your guys," Paine gave him a look.
"What are you talking about? Wakka's my boy," Gippal shrugged her off. "And there's Botta and Lotta and Gotta and Something-else-otta," Gippal trailed off, pointing at the guys.
"You're full of crap," Paine snapped.
"You know it," Gippal smiled into his drink.
"Wakka!" Rikku laughed as she dragged Tidus over to the fire the Aurochs were hanging out around.
"Hey Rik!" Wakka cried and opened his arms for her to hug him. He had a can of beer in one hand and was being even louder than usual.
"Does Yunie know about this?" Rikku pointed to Tidus who was slung around her shoulders. He was now high fiving Wakka over Rikku's head.
"Probably?" Wakka grinned. "Here. Letty, take this," Wakka pulled Tidus off of Rikku and passed him off to his drunk teammates where he joined in the chants about victory. "Now come here, you! I barely got to see you yesterday!" Wakka scooped Rikku up into a big bear hug, her feet leaving the ground.
"Hey! Put me down!" She giggled.
"It's good to have you around, Rikku. We miss you around here, yah?" Wakka set her down and messed up her braids. She gave him a look and straightened them out.
"It's nice to be around. I miss you guys too," she replied, softening into a smile.
"Hey Rikku," Keepa shyly waved to her. He and half the team were inching towards her.
"Hi boys," she smiled back.
"Um, good concert tonight," Letty grinned, blushing something awful. Rikku recalled a night with him that she'd like to forget. Unfortunately, it was something he'd always remember.
"Thank you! I'm glad you guys could all make it out tonight and this slave driver didn't have you putting in extra practice!" Rikku backhanded Wakka playfully in the chest.
"Hey! During a Gullwings concert? I would never!" He put his hands on his hips.
"I'm just joking, Big Fellah," Rikku grinned up at him.
"Say, uh, Rikku? Would you sign my blitzball?" Keepa held ball and a pen out. Rikku laughed.
"Of course!" she took the pen and signed her name.
"Oh look at her. Just LOOK at her!" Gippal huffed, casting a hand towards Rikku where she was flirting up a storm.
"So what? She does this all the time," Paine shrugged.
"Thanks, Paine, that makes me feel great, really, thank you," Gippal glared at her.
"Well, Why don't you go over there and ask her to sign YOUR blitzball?" Paine tried not to laugh.
"I wish you had some blitzballs cause I'd kick you square in them right now," Gippal grumbled. Paine laughed.
"You know what, Pal? She's done. She's had enough of you. You blew your shot and she's moved on," Paine said. The two of them watched Rikku sign Letty's butt. "WAY on," Paine cocked her head to one side.
"Anybody ever ask you to do that?" Gippal glanced at her.
"Nah. I signed a pair of boobs once. DON'T SAY ANYTHING!" Paine cut him off before he could make a joke.
"Were they big?" Gippal raised an eyebrow.
"You're filthy."
"I know."
"They were alright. Now are you going to stand here and talk about breasts with me or are you going to go over there and make nice with her?" Paine asked.
"I'm not making nice with her. I'm leaving her alone, and being polite, just like we agreed at the bar," Gippal looked away, scratching the back of his neck. They both sighed in a lull.
"Paine!" Lulu called out, coming up behind the pair. "There you are! I've been looking all over!" Lulu grinned. She had an ever present glass of wine in one hand.
"Here I am," Paine smiled.
"I wanted to compliment you ladies on a job well done. I had a wonderful time this evening!" Lulu rested a hand on Gippal's shoulder to steady herself. She had probably had quite a few of those glasses of wine by now. He glanced at her hand, startled.
"Thank you very much, Lulu," Paine smiled genuinely. She'd always liked Lulu. Lulu was just as honest as you needed her to be. She always made you feel good.
"You're very welcome. Why are you two hiding all alone? I know you have plenty of good friends here?" Lulu asked, glancing back and forth between the two of them. Paine laughed and Gippal scowled.
"Paine!" Rikku cried out. She was sitting on Letty's shoulders, signing the top of his head. "Paine come here! They want your autograph!" She giggled. Gippal watched Letty's hands on Rikku's exposed thighs and cringed.
"Well, duty calls. A Gullwing's job is never done," Paine shrugged and smiled sarcastically as she strode away from the pair.
"Oh those Gullwings. Always so busy," Lulu smiled after Paine.
"They certainly are," Gippal sighed, putting back a healthy amount of his beer.
"How's it going, working for them?" Lulu asked, turning to face Gippal a bit.
"It's alright," he shrugged.
"And now how about the truth?" Lulu joked.
"I'll need a little more to drink if you want me to tell you the truth," Gippal laughed. Lulu just smiled.
"Yuna!" Rikku called out a few drinks later. Paine and Rikku had signed just about every inch of the Besaid Aurochs and were now three sheets to the wind. Yuna had signed an autograph for every child in the village and was still working on her first social glass of wine.
"Hey girls!" Yuna smiled as she headed over to her friends.
"Yuna!" Wakka cried out scooping her up and throwing her over his shoulder.
"WAKKA!" Yuna hollered. "Put me down right now!"
"Oh come on! You used to love this!" Wakka was laughing uncontrollably. Even Paine was in stitches watching Yuna fuss and huff.
"I was five?!" Yuna cried. "Put me down!" She demanded.
"Alright, alright!" Wakka set her feet back on the ground. "Where you been, yah? We've been having a great time!" he cast his hand at his team that was covered in marker. Rikku was dotting the I in her name on Keepa's behind with a heart. Yuna frowned.
"I was just talking with some of the village kids," Yuna replied as she snatched the marker away from Rikku and yanked up Keepa's pants. She sounded tired.
"That's real sweet of you!" Wakka said sincerely.
"Baby!" Tidus came running over and planted a big wet one on Yuna's mouth. "Are you having a good time?" He stumbled over himself.
"Tidus!" she gasped. "How much have you had to drink?"
"Um," he looked at his hands and pretended to count on his fingers. "Too much!" he laughed.
"Oh goodness," Yuna put a hand over her eyes. She pointed at Wakka. "I have to imagine YOU had something to do with this!"
"Who, me?" Wakka pointed to himself. "Get out!"
"Oh Yunie, relax! He's having a good time!" Rikku chuckled.
"You know, I could use some water. Can we get some water?" Tidus asked Yuna, drunkenly over excited.
"Yes, I think that's a fine idea," She guided him away. Letty waited until they were out of ear shot, then made the sound of a whip and moved his hands in a whipping motion. The Aurochs burst into laughter.
"She needs it bad, yah?" Wakka laughed pointing after Yuna. Paine and Rikku exchanged a silent laugh.
"I'm gonna get another drink," Rikku moved to go.
"What do you need?"
"What were you drinking?"
"Let me get it for you!" Three of the Aurochs cried out at once.
"Yikes, Gentlemen! I can get it myself!" she giggled as she walked away.
"Do al Al Bhed girls have legs like that?" Letty asked. Every man in the group watched her walk away. Paine rolled her eyes.
"Most of them do," she sighed.
"Really?" Keepa lit up. Paine waved a hand at him.
"Hey there, Rikku," Buddy was standing by one of the tables of food and drinks. He was holding a beer and grinning. He was also speaking directly to Rikku without blushing so he had to be on his way to drunk.
"Hi," she smiled back.
"Great show out there tonight," he grinned, handing her a drink.
"Thanks," she said, taking it form him and taking a long sip. He was just drunk enough to not be ashamed of some of the things they'd done in the past.
"You know, those drum solos are really coming along," He slid an unwelcome hand over her hip. She glanced down in shock as he moved to rest it at her lower back.
"Thanks?" she said, uneasy.
"Real great stuff you're doing on the set, there, Cutie," he touched her hair and shot her a smile.
"I've been practicing," she squirmed a little and reached around him for some food she didn't want, but it got her out of his grip. She only liked this sort of affection from him on her terms. And when she was wasted. Or when she was being a bad person and using him. This was out of hand, this all had to stop.
"It shows, Baby. It shows," he looked her up and down and took a step closer.
"Excuse me?" Rikku gasped a little.
"Hey," Paine tapped Rikku on the arm.
"Oh! Paine! Hey! There you are!" Rikku grabbed onto Paine's arm.
"Uh…hi?" Paine shook her arm a bit to get Rikku off.
"What's up?" Rikku asked, trying to play it cool.
"Wakka was looking for you," Paine nodded over her shoulder.
"Okay. Thanks. Talk to you in a bit, Buddy!" Rikku smile politely.
"Yeah. We'll talk to you later, BOSS," Paine shot him a look. Buddy just looked drunk and disappointed as the two girls walked away.
"Feeling better?" Yuna asked Tidus after he drained a second glass of water.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," he waved, drunkenly at her. He took her hand and they headed away from the crowds and towards the water.
"You know I just worry," Yuna sighed, resting her head on his shoulder.
"You gotta stop that, Sweetheart! I told you! With you always!" Tidus kissed the top her head and smiled. She nuzzled into his shoulder a bit and pulled him a little closer as the sounds of the party behind them got further and further away. It was darker down by the water but the moon and sky full of stars cast enough light for the couple to see perfectly fine.
"I just don't see why you had to have so much to drink!" she said quietly, looking out over the water.
"Aw, come on! I was just letting loose with the guys? It's not like I do this all the time!" He looked down at her.
"I know," she sighed.
"No harm in it! Everyone's happy! Everyone is celebrating! They're celebrating you! And Spira and friends and food and all kinds of stuff!" He laughed.
"I know," she repeated.
"I'm just having a good time? Are you having a good time?" He looked at her more sincerely.
"Yes, I'm having a perfectly lovely time," she snapped.
"Yuna," he warned.
"What?" She huffed, stopping and facing him.
"The weight of Spira is no longer on your shoulders!" He emphasized his point by reaching out and giving her shoulders a gentle rub. "We're all safe now thanks to you! There's only one thing left to do!" He grinned.
"What's that?" she said, hints of a smile at the corners of her lips.
"Party, of course!" Tidus laughed. "Celebrate! Enjoy! What do you say?" He pushed her dark hair behind her ear and she rested her cheek into his palm.
"I'll try," she smiled.
"There's my girl!" He chuckled and kissed her forehead.
"And another thing!" Gippal cried. He and Lulu were sitting in the sand, two empty bottles of wine beside them and they were working on a third. "The BS about my contract!"
"I have heard no BS about your contract?" Lulu said, concerned. The pair had been chatting casually and the more they drank, the heavier the topic.
"That's cause it's all a big dumb secret!" Gippal spat out. "I wouldn't sign that piece of crap!"
"What was wrong with it?" Lulu asked.
"Everything!" Gippal threw a hand in the air. "It was air tight, first of all. Second it said absolutely no involvement, romantic or otherwise, with any member of the band."
"Get out!" Lulu cried, topping off their glasses.
"Yeah! And like, Paine and I are together all the time, that constitutes involvement, doesn't it?" Gippal gestured at Paine a few yards away.
"I suppose some may say so," Lulu shrugged.
"And I mean, we're all adults here, Lu," Gippal leaned in. "Rikku and I weren't just playing jacks when we were dating." He said quietly.
"I gathered as much," Lulu laughed.
"And we're not even speaking now, so I don't have to worry about playing jacks with HER anymore, but you never know what a night at the bar will do to two people who used to play jacks and skip double touch and hop scotch and hide and seek and all that other jazzy shit!" Gippal was getting worked up.
"No, that is very true. You never can tell where the booze thresh hold is on simon says," Lulu winked.
"See? You know what I'm saying?"
"Honey, I have a son," Lulu reminded him.
"The mage gets it? Why does no one else?!" Gippal threw his hands up and looked around sarcastically. "And I'm not allowed to make lesbo jokes about Paine anymore, she got mad," Gippal grumbled.
"I can't say I've heard those jokes, but I can see where she's coming from," Lulu chuckled.
"And Yuna hates me," Gippal was counting on his fingers.
"Yuna does not hate you," Lulu assured him, a hand on his forearm.
"Yes she does. Ever since I cheated on Rikku she's been nasty."
"With all due respect, Gippal. You cheated on her cousin. It may as well have been her sister," Lulu said.
"Rikku was no saint either! She blew me off all the time and wasn't allowed to be with me because of who her father is and all this other crap, 'I have to save the world, Gippy, I gotta run'!" Gippal imitated Rikku's voice to a T and Lulu fought laughter.
"I heard through the grapevine that you left her for the crimson squad," Lulu eyed him over the top of her glass.
"Yeah, ONCE. After that it was always 'Gullwings this' and 'My Daddy that' and 'Yuna and Paine this' and 'rock concert that'. A guy can only take so much of that shit, Lu." Gippal said. He was so frustrated he was turning red. Or maybe that was just the wine.
"I understand," Lulu said sympathetically.
"And you know, if I knew she was going to hate me with everything she had, I would've signed the damn contract because her father bought me out!" Gippal beat a fist into the sand.
"Cid did WHAT?" Lulu gasped.
"Cid all but annexed the machine faction for New Home. He needed more supplies and more man power to keep the project going. He guilted me into it and said if I didn't sell he'd have me killed and take it himself. I got robbed blind in the deal and a hearty Al Bhed 'Dontcha ever touch muh baby girl again, dirt bag!' It was pretty unpleasant," Gippal looked sincerely at Lulu.
"That's terrible," Lulu gave his shoulder a little squeeze. "I had no idea."
"It was well hidden," Gippal slurred, taking a large gulp of wine. "So I'm broke. I'm doing pro bono grease monkey work, my whole staff hates me except for Paine, no more dyke jokes, and I'm living in a closet."
"Gippal, you poor thing!" Lulu patted him on the back.
"Yeah, well. I'm bringing it on myself," He shrugged.
"And why is that? You could just leave, couldn't you?" Lulu suggested. "No contract?"
"Well," Gippal trailed off.
"Ah ha!" Lulu pointed at him and smiled.
"What!" Gippal yelped.
"Nothing, go on. Well what?" she gestured with her hand for him to continue.
"Well, Rikku-"
"HAH!" Lulu interrupted him again.
"Hey!" Gippal snapped.
"Listen, friend," Lulu slurred, pausing to take another sip of her wine. She brushed her bangs out of her face and tried to keep her eyes open. "You are not very good at hiding your feelings."
"What?!" Gippal sat up a little straighter.
"About the girl! About Rikku!" Lulu flicked her hand at him and a small burst of flames shot Gippal in the chest.
"Lulu!" He cried.
"Whoops?" She blushed and sat on her hand to keep from any more accidental spells.
"You just shot fire at me!" Gippal laughed.
"I know, I hate it when that happens, I'm terribly sorry," Lulu grimaced at him.
"I think I'll be alright," Gippal laughed and reached for his drink.
"As I was saying before I so rudely interrupted myself," Lulu paused for another sip. "What's your plan, Gippal?"
"My plan?" Gippal looked back at her.
"You're obviously not on this tour for the fun of it," Lulu glanced around. "Although now that I mention it, this is probably going to be a blast."
"She doesn't want me, Lu." Gippal said after a long lull.
"Are you certain?" she smiled at him.
"Well," Gippal paused, his fuzzy thoughts recalling those three little words. Stay with me. "No, I'm not certain."
"Well, that's a step in the right direction?" Lulu shrugged.
"Lu, can I ask you a female related question?" Gippal asked.
"Gippal, if this has anything to do with where babies come from or where the right stuff is inside, there is not enough wine in Spira to make me have that conversation with you," Lulu said frankly.
"What?! No! Oh, goodness, no. Not ever, no. don't worry!" Gippal cried out. Gross.
"Well, then I suppose you may ask away," Lulu said, patiently awaiting his question.
"So, let's say, hypothetically speaking, you were kind of on again off again with this hot blond guy," Gippal grinned. Lulu rolled her eyes and laughed at him.
"Okay. For how long?" Lulu asked.
"Like, you know, just speaking situationally, like, four years," Gippal shrugged.
"Very well."
"So let's say you're off again for good, and you are marching around Spira in a mini skirt conquering everything in your path with your drum set," Gippal continued.
"Hypothetically?"
"Hypothetically."
"Okay."
"So, let's say the studly blond in question brings you back to your bed because you are too drunk to do so yourself," Gippal continued.
"You know I don't drink Gippal," Lulu gave him a playful shove.
"Hypothetically!" He tried not to laugh. "Now, this is the serious girl part," Gippal leaned in, his face and his voice serious. "If he tried to leave after he tucked you in, and you grabbed his hand and said 'stay with me', what exactly would that mean?" Gippal asked.
"Stay with me?" Lulu sat back a bit.
"Yeah. And for the record of your hypothetical experience, in Spiran and Al Bhed, if that like, makes a difference. And you situationally speak al bhed too of course and so does your studly blond suitor." Gippal said quickly.
"Well in that case," Lulu swished the wine around in her glass and thought it over, then looked up at Gippal. "I'd hope he brought jacks."
"WHAT?" Gippal cried in disbelief.
"But I would most certainly say so in Al Bhed," Lulu joked.
"Really."
"I'm too far gone to lie at this point," Lulu tipped her glass to him.
"Interesting," Gippal thought aloud.
"I'm speaking, of course, hypothetically," Lulu reminded him. "But realistically," Lulu nodded across the way to where Rikku was dancing with a couple guys form the team. "Don't push. Be yourself. Take her cues. And if she asks you to stay with her?"
"Yeah?" Gippal asked.
"Stay with her!" Lulu flicked him in the forehead and a small spat of ice appeared. "Well. Looks like I've reached my limit," she said, setting her glass down beside her. "Does that answer your question?"
"Yes, it does, thank you, Lulu," Gippal wiped the ice off his forehead as he smiled at the mage.