A/N: Yeah…so this chapter just would not come out. It was terrible typing it up and it sounded so forced and terrible and that's why it's so short. I'm just warning you.
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy, Squeenix, or any of the affiliates.
Rikku, Friday April 12, 1912
After they had ordered, the conversation began to lag. It was almost awkward to be alone with him in the silence. Rikku was used to some sort of conversation going on at all times and she was having trouble not fidgeting.
He would take a sip of wine and she would smile and look away. The sounds of other people's conversation and cutlery on china surrounded them. She noticed there was a loose thread on the tablecloth, the only lack of perfection held on the entire ship. Every once in a while he'd clear his throat as if he were about to speak, but then nothing would happen, almost like he changed his the food came, they both focused upon it, only polite conversation passing between them. Rikku wasn't quite sure why things were so awkward. She usually had no problem saying exactly what was on her mind. Maybe his stoic silence intimidated her? He did seem like the kind that only spoke when it was necessary, whereas Rikku herself chattered incessantly. Or so her mother said. Finally, Rikku couldn't take it anymore, so she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"My mother didn't want me to come tonight," she said. He looked up from his food, an eyebrow quirked.
"Oh? And might I ask why not?"
Rikku sighed in exasperation. Why had she brought this up of all things?
"Well, I an only child and I'll be eighteen soon, and my mother is starting to go a bit mental. She's preparing a debutante ball and it's all getting really out of hand…"
"You're not interested in being presented to society?" he asked with an amused smile.
"Not particularly, no," she admitted. "On top of that, they are trying to force me to marry a man I don't love, let alone know."
He looked serious now. "You are betrothed?"
"I would be if my parents had any say in what I do with my life," she said. "However, last night I decided that as an adult it is my responsibility to make my own decisions and I will not marry unless I love someone. It is as simple as that, really."
He nodded. "I must say, I agree with you, Miss Rikku." She had to admit, she was a bit shocked.
"I'm sorry…what?"
"I agree with you. You seem to be quite an intelligent girl, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to make such important decisions yourself."
Rikku smiled, recovering from her shock. "You are a smart man," she declared. "Possibly the smartest and most sensible I've ever met."
"I'm flattered that you think so, Miss Rikku."
"Yesterday I was quite convinced that you were an arrogant jerk, but I'm beginning to think I might have judged you too harshly." He let out a deep chuckle, looking at her in amusement.
"You have no secrets, do you, Miss Rikku?" She flashed him a small smile.
"Of course I have secrets, major. Just because I share a lot doesn't mean I don't keep some things for myself. I do, however, feel it is necessary to speak my mind."
He nodded, taking another sip of wine. "Of course. If you don't speak your mind, how are we to know what you are thinking?"
"Well, major, in this day and age, many men seem to believe the thoughts of women are not worth listening to."
"I concede your point. However, I think I must tell you that I am not most men."
She nodded and smiled more widely. "I do believe you've shown me as such, considering that you let this conversation continue as it has. Many I have met seem to believe that I should be seen and not heard."
He chuckled, a deep, low sound. "With all due respect, Miss Rikku, I can hardly believe there is a moment in which you are not heard."
"Are you accusing me of being loud?"
"No, Miss, of course not. Who could ever imagine such a thing?"
She pouted at him. "Sarcasm doesn't become you."
Very abruptly, he stood and offered a hand to her. Her eyebrows rose in confusion as she stared at the offered hand.
"What are you doing?"
"I do believe the atmosphere is stifling. Perhaps a stroll of the A deck might be a more worthwhile venture?" Rikku wasn't sure whether to be relieved or worried that he too had noticed the lack of communication throughout the meal. Nonetheless, she took his hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet. It was so cold outside that she could see her breath as they walked. She wished she'd have thought to bring a shawl or other matters to keep herself warm. Her skin was prickling with goose pimples and her teeth chattered slightly, but she tried not to let it show. Still, the major seemed to notice. Without even a second thought, he whipped off his jacket and set it on her shoulders. She gratefully slid her arms through the sleeves and tightened the jacket around herself. It smelled of some wonderful spice, just as she imagined he himself would smell.
"Thank you," she murmured, letting the sleeves fall past her hands and bunching her fingers in the cuffs.
"We can't have you freezing, can we? Whatever would your mother think?" he teased. She had to fight back a snort of laughter.
"After what I said to my mother this evening, I hardly believe she'd even care."
He raised a broad eyebrow, looking skeptical. "Do you honestly believe that?"
She shrugged. "I can't really say I know what my mother is capable of anymore." She suddenly had the feeling she was revealing too much. A change of subject was in order. "So, major, I notice that you have a bit of an accent. Where might you be from?"
"I might be from Tennessee," he answered teasingly.
"Oh?" she asked. "How does a man from Tennessee end up all the way in England?"
"My grandmother originally hales from England. She hadn't been doing well and I decided to use my leave to pay her a visit. She died a fortnight ago and I decided that it was time to go home."
She nodded. "I'm very sorry for your loss."
"Thank you." They were quiet for a long moment as they strolled along before he spoke again. "And what about you, Miss Rikku? Where are you from?"
"I am from New York," she answered.
"And your reason for coming to England?" he asked.
"We came to collect my cousin Yuna. Her parents died just recently and she was left an orphan. My father agreed to take her in, but she couldn't afford to come out, so we had to go to her. My mother was not at all pleased, so my father bought us passage aboard the Titanic to quiet her complaining. I must admit, though, it really didn't help much. She still complains about everything and then some." He let out another deep chuckle. "You certainly are honest."
"I'm not going to dignify that with a response," she informed him. He merely laughed and she enjoyed the sound as they continued on their walk.
It was past midnight when Rikku finally returned to her room. Much to her delight, the door actually opened when she tried it. Yuna was stretched across their bed, seemingly asleep, but Rikku could see the sparse light from the hallway reflecting off her eyes. As soon as she had the door closed behind her, Yuna sat up and switched on the lamp. Rikku watched her in amusement, perfectly aware by the dreamy look on her cousin's face that she had news.
"Oh, Rikku, Tidus is so wonderful!" she gushed.
"Tell me all about it while you help me with my dress," Rikku instructed. Yuna jumped out of bed and began undoing the buttons on the back of Rikku's dress, pushing her hair over her shoulder and out of the way. She chattered away as her fingers worked.
"Tidus took me up to the Crow's Nest and he had a picnic set out for us," she gushed. "He's so sweet and thoughtful and funny. I'm in love with him, Rikku."
Rikku glanced over her shoulder at her cousin. Yuna looked happier then Rikku had seen her in a long time, her bi-colored eyes sparkling, a faint blush spread across her cheeks.
"I'm really happy for you, Yunie." Yuna let out a wistful sigh and started on the laces to Rikku's corset. The blonde let out a deep breath as the torture device was loosened and she was able to properly breathe for the first time since that morning.
"How did things go with the major?" she asked, stepping away and allowing Rikku to undress. She dutifully pulled a nightgown from the dresser and handed it over to her cousin.
"I don't know, really. For a long time we didn't really have anything to say to each other. It was…awkward. Eventually, though, we ended up on the deck and the conversation was nice. He's a fine man, funny in a sarcastic way and very serious at the same time. I will admit I enjoyed being in his company. I've never been so glad to have defied my mother." Yuna squeezed Rikku's hand and smiled.
"That's very nice Rikku…but I think maybe you should tone your defiance down some. You wouldn't want to cause a rift between you and your mother, would you?" Rikku almost rolled hey eyes as she climbed into bed.
"Think nothing of it, Yuna. I'll handle my mother, not to worry."
Yuna sighed quietly and climbed into bed as well.
"I just hope that you're thinking through the consequences of your actions," Yuna sighed quietly.
"Don't worry, Yunie. I have it all under control."
Rikku only wished she felt as confident as she sounded.
At that very same time, two men sat conversing in the card room, one a redhead with a cigar clenched between his teeth, the other a large man with hair so black it looked blue.
"She most certainly is a fine vessel, isn't she captain Wakka?" the blue-haired man said, more as if he were stating a fact rather then asking a question.
"Yes, I would say so Mr. Kimahri. We've already brought her up to twenty-one knots. She sails like a dream."
"You say that…yet I have noticed something. You haven't lit the last four boilers…" Kimahri said, almost conspiratorially.
"Ah, yes. I didn't think it was necessary as things were going so well…"
"I wondered if, perhaps, you might speed up this journey. Arrive a day early and really give the papers something to write about…of course, I leave this reasoning all up to your decision and reasoning. Still…it might be something you ought to think about."
With that being said, Kimahri excused himself from the table, leaving the captain to stew over his words.
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A/N: So…dudes, I'm watching Titanic on TNT as I write this. God, I always forget how powerful this movie is. I never cry, but my chest gets all…floaty and I'm just so moved every single time. It's prolly not a good idea to write this and watch the movie at the same time b/c I don't want to idea steal, but whatever. I don't care. Considering there are only twenty minutes left in the movie, it probably doesn't matter anyway. Review!