Chapter VI
Big Mouth
The next morning when I woke up Baralai was gone yet again. He's rather good at getting up without disturbing me, I thought as I went into my room and sphere changed into the Berserker. I was hoping the same group of Warrior Monks were at the training grounds. When I got there I discovered that the group training wasn't the one that I had sparred with the previous day. Ah, well, more fun for me.
I guess that word had gotten out about me though. Before I even had a chance to introduce myself the captain rounded on me and sent me a knowing glance. "Are you here to whip my troop into shape as well?"
I was rather taken aback by his statement. I hadn't been expecting him to say something like that. "Well...I will if you want me to."
"What's your name, girl?" He asked, sticking out one of his large hands.
"Paine," I replied, taking his hand into my Berserker paw and shaking it.
"Oh, no wonder why you're such a good fighter," he said with a smirk. "You're a Gullwing."
I nodded. "I am. So do I have permission to spar with your men?"
"Of course you do! Have at 'em!"
"Why, thank you," I said, turning towards the group of Warrior Monks that were watching me.
The men this time around had been trained a little better in hand to hand combat and, even though it was harder to take them by surprise, they were still no match for me. Since none of the monks wanted to be trounced by a girl the sparring match went on for much longer than the previous day's match. The captain eventually stopped us after almost three hours. He applauded his men on their persistence but also told them that he was disappointed that they hadn't taken me out in the first five minutes. A large chorus of grumblings followed the captain's words. I thanked him then sphere changed into the Black Mage and left the training grounds, venturing over to Baralai's office.
I didn't bother to knock, knowing that Baralai wouldn't mind if I walked in unannounced. As soon as the heavy wooden door of his office clicked shut he looked up at me with a dazed expression, numbers and letters dancing across his eyes. "Oh, Paine," he said, dropping his pen and leaning back in his chair. "How are you?"
"Just finished another training match with a group of Warrior Monks," I said, sitting on a corner of his desk and laying my arms over my legs. I bit my lip, hoping that we wouldn't start screaming at each other again. Just as Baralai was beginning to speak I interrupted him. "I'm...sorry...for my attitude over the past few days. I know what you're trying to do and I really do appreciate it but..." I paused, at a loss for how to continue. I looked away from him and wrapped my fingers around the edge of his desk, racking my brain for something, anything, to say.
"It's alright. I understand," he said, reaching out and taking one of my hands in his.
I jumped at his touch, almost succeeding in ripping my hand out of his grasp. I swallowed the lump that had magically formed in my throat and tried not to think about how soft his hand was. I took a deep, shaky breath, hoping my voice wouldn't betray how nervous I was. "Baralai..." I began, my voice only wavering slightly. "I think it's best that you don't touch me."
He gently squeezed my hand before returning it to the edge of his desk. I then quickly folded both my hands in my lap to prevent him from getting anymore ideas. I heard him sigh and turned my head in enough time to catch him run his fingers through his hair. "I just wish there was something more I could do. You have no idea how helpless I feel."
I nodded and looked away from him when his eyes met mine. "I feel pretty helpless myself."
Another awkward silence passed between us for many more moments before Baralai broke it. "I guess I'll just have to learn not to be so protective of you," he said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his desktop.
I frowned and turned my head back to look at him, confused by his words. "Why would you feel the need to protect me anyways, Baralai?"
He smiled sheepishly and looked away from my stare, chuckling nervously. "I don't know. It's not like you need my protection. It's just...a feeling I have."
I averted my gaze away from his once again when he looked at me. He's right. I'm a big girl. I can look after myself. I was about to open my mouth and say something when my old Gullwing communicator sprang to life and started beeping. I jumped, not expecting that thing to go off, and quickly answered it.
"Hello?"
"Painey!"
I rolled my eyes at Rikku's nickname for me. "Yes, Rikku?"
"I was just calling to tell you that Yunie and Tidus are getting married in two weeks!"
"Really?" I said, figuring that little speech I gave her actually did sink in. Wow, they moved pretty fast. It's only been two days since we had that conversation.
"Well duh! We're having Yunie's bachelorette party tomorrow night!" Rikku paused and I could hear whispering in the background. When she began speaking again her voice sounded annoyed. "And I guess we're having Tidus' bachelor party tomorrow too. So both you and Baralai need to get your butts to Besaid! Rikku out!
"I guess we have no choice in the matter," Baralai said, leaning back in his chair once again.
I shook my head and turned my communicator off to prevent anymore surprise conversations with Rikku. "No, looks like we don't."
Baralai laced his fingers behind his head and stared up at the ceiling. "When would you like to leave?"
I shrugged and toyed idly with my sleeves. "Well, whenever you can I guess."
Baralai reached forward and thumbed through a few papers that were scattered about his desk. He pulled a couple out of the conflagration and applied his signature to them before setting them in a tray on the front corner of his desk. He scooted his chair back and stood, examining his desk for a few more seconds before nodding. "I've done everything that needs to be done for now. Go on ahead of me. I have to tell the council that I'm taking another short leave."
I nodded and followed him to the door. Just as he was about to open it, I reached out and stopped him by laying a restraining hand on his forearm. He looked at me expectantly and I quickly moved my hand away from him. "I just remembered...how did your talk with them about me being your secretary go?"
"Surprisingly well, actually," he replied, holding the door open for me. "When they heard that I was appointing a Gullwing to do the job they were rather set against it, but I was able to persuade them otherwise."
I looked out of the corner of my eye at him and smirked. "Oh really? And how were you able to accomplish that?"
"I have my ways," he said, turning his head in my direction and winking at me. I was about to offer a retort when he stopped at the entrance to the court room. "Well, looks like we part ways here. I promise not to take too long."
I nodded. "I'll contact Shinra on my way back and see if Brother is available to fly us to Besaid."
"Sounds like a plan," he said, before disappearing behind the large stone doors.
I flicked my communicator back on and tried to pick up the Celsius' signal. It took a few minutes but Shinra eventually answered. "This is the Celsius."
"Hello, Shinra. It's Paine."
The boy genius snickered. "I take it you got Rikku's message?"
"I did. When's the earliest time that you and Brother can get to Bevelle?"
"Well, we just finished dropping off a shipment of machina in Bikanel so we should be there within the hour."
"See you in an hour then. Thank you, Shinra."
He snickered again then the connection was cut. I was approaching Baralai's home when said Praetor skidded to a halt beside me. I shot him a surprised glance and looked back in the direction of the temple. "That didn't take very long," I said, stopping so Baralai could catch his breath.
Baralai shook his head. "They have granted me leave though," he said, taking a deep breath and leaning up against a tree.
"Shinra and Brother are going to be here in an hour to take us to Besaid." I continued walking once Baralai looked able enough. He is quite out of shape. All that Praetor work must be making him soft.
Once we were inside I retreated to my room to make sure my bag was organized and to put my old leather outfit back on. Baralai knocked on my door just as I had finished putting my belt in place around my hips. "That outfit always was my favorite," he said from my doorway.
"And why is that?" I asked, adjusting a few of the buckles on my legs. I was instantly sorry that those words had come out of my mouth. I knew that I had only set myself up for another suggestive comment from Baralai. I mentally kicked myself, reminding myself that I wasn't on vacation.
"Because," he said, chuckling nervously. "It makes you look so much more beautiful."
I was glad that I still had my back turned to Baralai so he wouldn't see me roll my eyes. His comment was flattering, to be sure, and it even made me blush a little, but I had already told him that those types of comments were far from welcome. So all I could do was give him a small smirk in return. "Thank you," I said, grabbing my bag and walking past him.
I felt the Celsius' engines long before I heard them. Baralai jokingly told me I was imagining things, but he quickly took his comment back when he saw the Celsius drop out of the sky and land on his front lawn. Once we were on board, I snuck off to the cabin while Baralai was chatting with Shinra in Al Bhed to get a little quiet time to myself before we got to Besaid. Barkeep greeted me and slid a large mug of tea with honey over to me. I thanked him then walked up the stairs and deposited my bag on my old bed.
Mmm...chamomile... A quiet smile spread over my face as the steam from my cup drifted by my nose. I gently blew over the surface and took a small sip, careful not to burn my mouth. I sighed in contentment as I sank into the soft cushions of the couch, extremely enjoying the time to myself while I still had the chance. Once I had polished off my tea and set the empty mug on the table in front of me, I finally took note of all the magazines laying on the surface.
I smirked as I grabbed one and stared at the cover. Rikku was an avid fan of several girl magazines and she had left over a dozen of them on the Celsius. Why, I have no idea.
I idly skimmed through the pages, reading about scandalous love triangles, malicious break ups and article after article of teenage drama. I quickly lost all track of time as I sat there reading and listening to the thrum of the Celsius' engines.
I felt Baralai's presence long before I saw him. I frowned and let my magazine fall against my legs as I examined this new ability. I wasn't exactly sure how I could feel Baralai before I could see him but I figured it had something to do with my mind powers. I even sensed Barkeep and Darling shuffling around behind the counter and Brother, Buddy and Shinra on the bridge. I was extremely puzzled about what I had just discovered about myself. I wasn't exactly sure if I should embrace my new ability or not.
I saw Baralai walk into the cabin but I pretended not to notice. When he ascended the stairs and stopped at the top I had to will myself not to look up at him. I didn't have to use my mind powers to know that he was staring at me. I instantly began to wonder why in the world he would want to stare at me.
He just told you that you're beautiful a few hours ago. That's why!
I bit the inside of my bottom lip and calmly turned the page that I had been staring at since Baralai had walked into the room. I sighed and pretended to read an article on Shiva knows what just to keep my mind off the person standing near the stairs. I breathed a sigh of relief when he began to walk towards me. I looked up and acknowledged him just as he passed my bed.
"I was wondering where you had run off to," he said softly, stopping a few paces away from the couch.
I nodded and tossed the magazine back onto the table. "I just wanted a little quiet time to myself before we get to Besaid," I said, collecting my mug and standing up. "Once we're there Rikku is gonna make sure I don't have any time to myself." I paused as I took a few steps toward him. "But I don't think I'll mind this time."
Baralai sent me a knowing smile and fell in step next to me. "At least it's better than being holed up with me in Bevelle," he said, folding his hands behind his back.
I was about to open my mouth and tell him that I much rather preferred to be holed up in Bevelle with him. Instead I decided to clear the subject up once and for all. "Fa haat du cdub bmyoehk draca kysac fedr aylr udran, Baralai," I said as we stopped in the hallway outside the cabin.
Baralai crossed his arms and cocked an eyebrow, unsure of what I meant. "What kind of games? What do you mean?"
"Draca kysac fa bmyo fedr aylr udran'c raytc," I mumbled, having a hard time saying it.
Baralai shook his head and looked into my eyes deeply. "I'm not meaning to play games with your head, Paine. Everything I have ever told you is true."
"E cruimth'd ryja cyet yhodrehk," I said, walking away from him and onto the lift.
I slammed my hand down on the deck button then spun around and harshly kicked the lift door. I had been prepared to tell Baralai that when I left with The Invisible to forget all about me and that I was going to leave as soon as Yuna and Tidus were married. I stomped out onto the deck and rested my hands on the wings of the seagull, leaning against it.
My hands tightly gripped the metal bird, fuming over what I hadn't been able to tell him. What the hell is wrong with me? I can take on a machina over a hundred times my size but I can't even say what I want to Baralai's face? What the hell!
My mental tirade was interrupted and my thoughts snapped back to the present when I felt a small hand come to rest on my arm. I looked over and was surprised to see Shinra standing there, looking up at me expectantly. "What are you doing up here?" I asked a little more harshly than I intended, not meaning to take my anger out on the boy.
Shinra's hand shied away from my arm and he eyed me critically. "I just wanted to make sure you're alright."
"I'm fine, Shinra." I looked away from him and up to the sky. "I just don't know what to do anymore."
Shinra was silent for a few moments and the next thing he said shocked me beyond belief. "If you love Baralai you should just tell him."
I whipped my head around and stared at him in astonishment. I really didn't know how to react to the boy's words. Was the kid a psychic as well as a mechanical genius? "I...I don't...love him," I stammered, averting my eyes away from his penetrating blue eyed stare.
Shinra was silent for awhile after I had made a complete ass of myself. I bit down on my tongue and swore that I wasn't going to say another word. My mouth just got me into too much trouble nowadays. Just as the young boy was getting ready to open his mouth to say something else I turned and quickly placed my index and middle fingers over his lips to prevent him from speaking. "You know...just forget I said anything, alright?"
Shinra nodded and accompanied me back inside the Celsius. I could see Besaid on the horizon and I was a little worried that The Invisible had, yet again, followed me. I would actually be quite surprised if one of them didn't magically appear out of nowhere during my short stay.
