Hi all. I hope you enjoyed my last chapter. Ok so on with the story!
Disclaimer: As always I do not own FFX-2
Yuna's P.O.V:
The snow was spectacular. Soft and crystal and pure beauty. I'm sure we would have appreciated it much more if we weren't all freezing our feet off. The pink tint in my ski goggles made everyone look a little flustered. I wiped the snow away that was falling into the hood of my white faux- fur lined coat. Yevon I was glad this coat went down to below my knees. I was wearing three pairs of tights, two pairs of socks and snow boots and I still couldn't feel my feet.
"Poopie! I forgot how cold it was here." Rikku shivered to my right. Her puffy yellow snow jacket was juddering up and down as she shook. The crazy Al Bhed has decided to wear thick tights and fluffy orange leg warmers.
"Even I could have told you wearing a skirt to Macalania was a stupid plan Rikku." Paine smirked from under her black hood. Her shoulder length hair was held tight against her face by a red scarf. Paine, being ever resourceful, had worn some thick jeans and large black walking boots to match.
"Can we start moving again please? I'm freezing my bal-"
"Gippal, we really don't need to know what parts of your anatomy are falling off." Baralai interjected, unzipping his coat a little from his mouth. He was wearing a thick white snow jacket like me, much like the ones from 'Inception'. Gippal pouted and hid his head back into his purple jacket, kicking a pile of snow into Baralai's leg causing the latter to scowl uncontrollably at him before putting his goggles back on. Seemed me and Baralai were the only sensible ones to actually remember to bring something to stop our eyes freezing over. It wasn't the first time we had to stop because of Nooj.
"Wasn't this meant to be a two minute walk from the car to the lodge?" I asked Rikku who was jumping up and down on the spot to keep warm.
"Well it would have been if Nooj didn't stop every 30 seconds." Rikku whined. Nooj shuffled up to the group, having spent the last two minutes extracting snow drops from his limbs.
"I'm sorry Rikku, but I don't want to rust up like last time we were here." He growled.
"Six years! Six years and you cant let it go." Baralai muttered in annoyance. That camping trip was fun though. I have no idea why we chose here, guess it was just a random decision.
"Lookie! Its Lenne!" Rikku giggled, forgetting how cold she was and running towards her university friend.
"I hope she realises that I'm giving up a whole summer with my girlfriend for this." Nooj growled.
Nooj's P.O.V
To be honest, just the thought of leaving Leblanc for two months was stressful. I've never even had a crush before let alone a real life girlfriend. Sure she was a bit needy and clingy and scarily obsessed with me, but hey.
"Rikku!" The long haired brunette at the entrance yelled happily and came running towards the small blonde.
"Rikku really has the best taste in friends." Gippal grinned as Lenne tripped mid-run and slid over the ice straight into an unexpected Baralai. 'Lai gave a yelp as the brunette crashed on top of him in a pile on the floor.
"Um, hi. I'm Lenne." The girl nervously giggled, stretching out her hand to the stunned boy underneath her.
"Baralai." 'Lai said, returning her gesture and bringing her gently to her feet and pulling a glowing Paine to his side quickly. "This is my girlfriend, Paine." He said autonomously, pointing to the angry girl next to him. "Paine." He repeated in a dumbstruck voice, more to remind himself than anyone else I think.
"Pleasure." Paine growled, claiming Baralai's hand and dragging him inside the lodge quickly.
"Um, did I offend her?" Lenne asked in a worried voice. She reminded me a lot of Yuna, I could really see the two becoming good friends.
"Don't worry." Yuna assured her with a big smile. "She's a little protective over 'Lai. They've been together for nine years."
"I'm guessing you're Rikku's cousin, Yuna?" She asked. Yuna nodded happily. "Well guys, welcome to 'The Lodge'. No fancy title I'm afraid, what you see is what you get with my mum." Lenne introduced, beaconing for us to follow her inside. The hotel was amazing. Lenne took us to the reception where her mum waved to us from behind the beechwood desk. The Lodge was a giant log cabin with thirty rooms, a restaurant, spa, pool, gym and bar. The rooms were all styled like a mountain lodge should look. Warm, cosy and full of interesting objects like a flan scull mounted on the wall.
"Well guys, I wasn't sure how to arrange rooms so here you go." She said, giving Yuna four keys. "Room 14 is on the first floor and has a great view by the way, but its a single room with double bed." I saw Gippal hint suggestively at Rikku. Lenne clearly saw this. "Um, guys I know you two are engaged but my mum doesn't want a reputation for letting unmarried couples stay in the same rooms. Its not personal or anything. She just doesn't want to deal with the stress of wives and mistresses wrecking her hotel." She giggled in embarrassment.
"No worries, I have Paine to protect me from the evil Gipster." Rikku giggled, hiding behind her cousin.
"Room 20 is on the also on the first floor, this has two beds but has the best TV. Room 8 is on the ground floor around the corner from the restaurant. Its a three person room. And finally, room 15 is a single room, first floor. Sorry, its the best I could do. I guess I'll leave you guys to sort out arrangements and settle down. I'll meet you all at seven for dinner and hand out your job itineraries." Lenne smiled and walked away.
` "Well as it has to be boys and girls, who wants their own room." Yuna asked. Me and Paine instinctively said yes.
"Nothing personal Rikku, but if I spend two months sharing a room with you and watching stupid chick flicks every night I will kill you." Paine assured taking room 14 and 15. "Heads or tails?" She asked, taking a coin out of her bag.
"Heads." I called as she flipped.
"Good call." She said, handing me room fourteen's key.
"Thanks. Guess I'll see you guys in a bit then." I said, dragging my suitcase away with me upstairs.
Baralai's P.O.V
"I guess that means us guys are in room 8." Gippal grinned, taking the keys from Yuna and dragging his suitcase away to the room.
"Rikku, is Lenne's mum ok with this?" I asked a little confused. "I mean we are taking four rooms away from paying customers." Rikku shook her head and laughed.
"Its no worry at all. If worst comes to worst we can all pack up and share a room." The blonde said, poking me hard in the chest and running away down the corridor. As the girls left I decided it was a good idea to get to our shared room before Gippal starts hiding mouse traps under my bed. Again... I wonder if Paine would be okay all alone in that room. As I opened the door to my room a horrific site befell my eyes. Tidus and Gippal, within a space of three minutes I may add, had already managed to wreck half of the pleasantly decorated room. Feathers fluttered down from the ceiling and the two guys looked like giant chocobos.
` "What in Spira!" I yelled just as a feather pillow hit me square in the face. "Guys!" I cried, grabbing hold of the abandoned pillow before either of the two blondes could grab it again. "I hope you realise that we could get kicked out for this?" I explained, placing my hands on my hips knowing I would have to 'play mum' to the two little children staring at me like I was crazy.
"Chill out 'Lai. Its only a bit of fun." Gippal grinned, hitting Tidus hard in the face with the pillow he had in his hand. I rolled my eyes and started to unpack my clothes into the wardrobe, locking it and hiding the keys in my pockets swiftly. I locked everything else up in my suitcase similarly (including both of the pillows on the bed that had been left for me) Luckily my bed was nearest to the exit. I had a feeling that I may be spending as little time as possible in this room. I looked over to the window where the two guys were still hitting each other hard in the face laughing. To be fair, I knew they were just having fun and under any other occasion I'd probably join them but there was no way I was getting kicked out before our jobs even started. It seemed a little pointless to have spent all that time and money on a degree to be serving desperate lodgers with Rikku as my sidekick. I leant forward into my hands and gave a small moan. Tidus's constant screams of 'Nooo Gippal." was hurting my head. I climbed off the bed and waved goodbye to the two guys who didn't even notice I was there in the first place.
Paine's P.O.V:
I knew it wouldn't be long before someone would interrupt my solitude I thought as a knock sounded at my door. Sighing I rose from my bed and unlocked the door. When I had swung open the door to angrily greet the intruder I was met with a smiling Baralai leaning casually against the wall, the temple of his head pressed firmly to the cold surface.
"Problem?" I said, pulling him in by his arm. My tough edge fading quickly at the pleasant interruption from lying on a bed watching day time television. Without question he threw himself down on the edge of the bed, lulling over both edges like a cat. I sat down next to him pulling my legs up onto the covers and leaning on one arm facing him.
"Two problems actually." He chuckled, placing his hands over his eyes and fake crying.
"I can imagine. It always amazes me how Yuna and Rikku's counter-parts manage to act like three year olds as soon as they are left alone. What did they do this time?" I asked, raising my eye brows in question.
"Let's just say they both look like chocobos and I've locked my pillows in my suitcase." He grinned. I reached over and softly touched his lips. I loved it when he smiled. He grabbed hold of my hand and rolled over so he was facing me. Leaning forward he kissed me gently and then chuckled.
"Can I spend a little time here with you instead?" He asked, quivering his lip in pleading.
"Well, you have the great choice of day time TV or sitting here doing nothing." I reasoned.
"I think I'll take my chances." He laughed and grabbed hold of me, pulling me into his arms tightly. "Its only two months right? Nothing much." Baralai chuckled. Yeah, two months. I think both the guys would be dead if I had to spend two months with them. "Can I stay here tonight please?" He whispered, drawing circles of my hand with the tip of his index finger.
"You heard what Lenne said. She didn't want couples sharing." I sternly advised, knowing full well that Yuna and Rikku would soon pick up on the fact I wasn't alone.
"Yeah, but its not technically sharing. Its visiting. And I can sneak back out really early right?" he asked, staring into my eyes.
"Won't that look a little, lets say, promiscuous?" I questioned his logic. He gave me a would it? Look and sighed.
"I guess you're right. And I suppose that it would be unfair to everyone else anyway ." He grumbled, pouting slightly.
Lenne's P.O.V
Staring down at the large table filled with Rikku's friends was a little unnerving. I had never much liked public speaking. Singing was a different matter. When I sang I was free, like a butterfly, nothing else mattered but the words that the music gave me. Looking around the table gave me a small idea into their group dynamics. Obviously, having gone to university with Rikku for three years I knew all about who was who and their relationships, yet meeting them all was completely different. Gippal was really funny, probably the group clown and chief trouble maker and although Baralai seemed like the sensible one I could tell Gippal was his best friend and probably a co-conspirator to his plots. Paine I had made my mind up about as soon as I met her. She was cynical but protective over those she loved and put up her walls to all outsiders. Yuna was the group mother no doubt, a friendly shoulder to cry on and the driving force of motivation. Tidus was just here to please his girlfriend and more over eat all the food free to him. Then I came fall circle to Nooj. He was quiet, deep in thought and always cynical of most things.
"Right guys. I hope you all settled in well and didn't wreak too many pillows." I giggled, winking at Gippal and Tidus who had traces of yellow feathers in their hair. "Rikku has told me that you all have picked job roles so I'll just leave you with the basics. The restaurant is open from six till ten for breakfast, twelve till two for lunch and seven till ten for dinner service." I explained to Baralai and Rikku who had been assigned the job of waiting tables. "When I'm not helping mum with the housekeeping I tend to do dinner service so you two can take alternate patterns. For example, Rikku if you did breakfast and lunch service, me and Baralai will do lunch and dinner service and you get the evening off. Then the next day swap over. Ok?" I asked. They both nodded quite happy with the deal. "Everyone, the kitchen is always open for you guys to get food at the assigned times, just make sure you come before or after the restaurant gets too busy."
"Um, do we have to pay for meals?" Tidus asked, I could see fear building in his eyes. I laughed a little and shook him head.
"Company perk." I explained. "Also Rikku said a couple of you were worried about taking these rooms away from paying customers. Well, mum hardly ever has over twenty rooms booked out at a time so no worries ok?" I gave the group a reassuringly smile. I was a little unsure how I was doing with my speech, apparently everyone had taken to ignoring me apart from Yuna and Baralai. Gippal had dragged Rikku onto his lap and was cooing over her, Paine and Nooj were locked in an arm wrestle and Tidus was looking through the menu already. Yevon...
"Guys, can we not be rude and listen to Lenne please?" Yuna said, standing up with both hands on her hips. Everyone looked down moodily and apologised to her. I thanked Yuna and continue my speech.
"Reception opens at six till six but mum will take over midday. The spa opens from ten till four but Marcus, our fitness instructor, will be in all day so, Paine, you can take an hour for lunch at any time." I took a deep breath and read off the next note on my list. "Tidus, unfortunately we recently got rid of our valet service but our lifeguard at the pool could use a hand. Can you swim?" I asked innocently.
"Only the best blitzer in Luca. I had a contract to play with the Besaid Aurochs buuttt, well that never really happened." He returned, not wanting to go into the reason.
"Gippal, our caretaker Larry is off with a broken hip, slipped in the snow. So here," I said, giving him a new pager. "Take this and reception will page you when you need anything done."
"Awesome." He grinned, taking the pager and sticking his tongue out at Rikku.
"Nooj, housekeeping starts at ten for all guests but when guests leave their room takes priority. I'll tell you every day who is leaving. So guys, I've got to help on dinner service but enjoy your meal and I'll see you all tomorrow." I said waving goodbye and walking towards the great glass doors of the restaurant to the reception. That's when I heard the collective gasp...
Gippal's P.O.V,
And smack...Lenne went straight into the glass.
"I'm alright!" The brunette cried, clinging onto the handle and pulling herself to her feet. I grinned and waved her goodbye as she left.
"Rikku, you sure you and Lenne aren't related somehow?" I teased, pulling her braids gently creating a pout on the precious lips in front of me. I turned her around and kissed her on the neck softly, leading a trail up to her mouth. She giggled and tried to push me away.
"Gippal. Stop." She laughed harder as I continued to do this. Rolling his eyes Baralai hit me on the head with his menu.
"Yes, please stop Gippal." He added, opening up his menu and browsing the choices for dinner.
"Hey, we had to put up with you two in high school." Rikku teased poking him in the cheek and sticking out her tongue.
"Yeah, that is true 'Lai." Tidus added, tucking his napkin into his collar and picking up his knife and fork eagerly.
"Can we just order please." Paine growled, calling over one of the kitchen staff.
"'Lai, you wanna be in charge of taking our orders, since you were so good at it last time." I teased, remembering the struggle he had at the motorway café on our group holiday five years ago.
"Very funny Gip. Unfortunately I will have to take your orders everyday for the next two months." He growled, bashing his head against the table and pretending to cry.
"Can I get your orders?" A pale man asked, looking totally uninterested.
"Yeah, double whiskey and coke on the rocks." I laughed, preparing for a night of partying. I remember laughing at Tidus's eagerness to try everything on the menu in one sitting. By the second drink I remember thinking about Rikku, a lot! By the third drink I was fixated by this weird lock of hair that Paine had out of place from her shoulder-length do. I remember her hitting me hard when I kept staring at it. By the forth drink Baralai was the funniest guy in the room. After everything he said I would laugh, even if it was serious. I remember Paine hitting me hard again...
After the fifth drink I don't really remember much more of that evening apart from someone, who I assume was Tidus, carrying me to bed and leaving me under the covers fully dressed, including shoes, and singing a little song about chocobos. At least he was nice enough to put me into bed with my girl. I put my arm around her and pulled her closer, half asleep. She put her leg over my body. I don't remember Rikku being this heavy. Maybe Tidus had drugged me and everything felt out of proportion? Uuuh, I'll get him in the morning I thought as I snuggled into Rikku.
Rikku's P.O.V
Ok, so it was a little mean but I just couldn't resist. Seeing Gippal get so drunk was just a target of my attention. Nooj, who had also drunk a few more than he should had headed to bed early and that's when plan 'Gooj!' Began. It stood for Gippal and Nooj. It was meant to be the other way round till 'Lai pointed out Nooj's name on the beginning of Gippal's was just wrong...I agree. Anyway, when Gippal was drunk enough not to notice his surroundings I paid 'Lai five gil to carry him up to Nooj's room where I picked the lock to his door. When we were inside we placed Gippal in the bed fully clothed and silently giggled as he snuggled up to Nooj who began singing a little song about chocobos in his sleep. Paine, who had followed us up, snuck out a camera and snapped the incriminating picture of the year. Gippal's arm was over Nooj's head and the latters leg was wrapped over my fiancée's waist. I smell blackmail. Giggling silently to each other we headed out into the corridor, clicking the door shut behind us. I waved goodnight to Paine and Baralai who were both headed back to Paine's room for the evening. I don't even want to know. Smiling happily to myself I came into mine and Yunie's room to see my cousin in her pink fluffy dressing gown on the end of her bed watching the latest film on TV.
"I was wondering where you got to." She said as I jumped onto my bed, star fished out.
"Lets just say, you'll hear a pair of screams in the morning." I giggled, showing her the picture Paine had got of the two guys.
"I guess Baralai and Tidus are downstairs then." She wondered aloud. I shook my head.
"Well, 'Lai was in Paine's room last I knew so Tidus is all on his lonesome." I said with a fake quiver. Yuna looked worried and I instantly knew that look. "It's fine," I assured, giving her a small hug as she thanked me and snuck out the room in her hypello slippers. As the door closed I'd never felt so alone.
"Typical." I snorted out loud. "Nooj is the only person here without a partner yet I end up spending the evening alone." I pouted and switched through the channels. It wasn't fair. Yunie was with Tidus, Paine was with Baralai and Gippal was with Nooj. At least I always had Lenne at uni when I missed my family and even now she was no where to be found...
"This is gonna be a long night."
Tidus's P.O.V
Me and Yuna stayed up talking long into the night. She had adopted Baralai's bed to rest on, saying it was probably the cleanest. Slowly she started to fall asleep and I was ever grateful for having such a wonderful woman in my life. As the clock ticked towards five am the door clicked open and Baralai snuck into the room to find his bed taken up by a snoring Yuna.
"'Lai, you're as stealthy as a ninja." I teased as he tripped over Yuna's shoes and caused a massive crash in the room. Luckily, Yuna could sleep through the destroying of sin.
"Guess tonight was the room swap of the century then?" He said, pointing at my girlfriend who was snuggling Baralai's jacket he had left on his bed. I wish I was that jacket.
"I guess so. Rikku is all alone though." I told him, his brow rose with worry.
"Yikes, I had no idea. Ti, you'd better wake Yuna. Me, her and Rikku have to start work in an hour. Did Lenne stop by with the uniforms?" He asked, looking into the closet for them.
"They're in the closet. She must have put them in during dinner." I said lazily, beginning to fall asleep. The pool didn't open until ten anyway, so I had at least four more hours to sleep last night away. I woke up Yuna gently and she gave a small yawn and stretch and leaped out of bed ready for the day ahead. How does she do it? I wondered as she bid me and 'Lai goodbye and I started falling asleep again. Just before I hit the point of no return, 'Lai came out of the bathroom changed into his waiting suit. It was black with the silver outlined collar and buttons going from neck to left shoulder. It had short sleeves and black trousers to match.
"Glad I just have to worry about a life guard uniform." I whispered, eyes drowsy. I heard Baralai mutter something under his breath as he left for the kitchen to get some breakfast. As the door clicked shut I started to dream. Dream of Yuna and the chocobo feathers that were still stuck in her hair...