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Final Fantasy X: Scratching the Surface (part 4 of 5)
In dedication to Si-kun, without him I don't think I would have
finished the third chapter. You are truly my biggest fan, thank you so
much for all of the ego boosting that you have done!
"You can not do this, you have no right to dismiss Rikku from her
guardianship!" Screamed Lulu as she slammed her hands against a metal
panel, sighing heavily Yuna kept her blue and green eyes focused onto
the dark sorceress's red hues.
"Do you think that I want this either? Of course not, but I cannot
defy my uncle's request in dismissing Rikku. I have no choice in the
matter, Lulu I am sorry but this is the way it has to be." Breathed
the young summoner as she brushed a lock of bead adorned hair from her
cheek, gritting her teeth the fair skinned mage slammed her fist
against the same metal paneling as she did before, tears streaked down
her ivory coloured face as her chest began to heave up and down with a
heavy sob.
"If, if you release Rikku, then I will resign from my status as
guardian as well. Don't push me to do that Yuna." Lulu spat with venom
in her tone causing the young brunette to blink back a shocked look,
both from the sudden lack of formality and the sincerely rage that was
lashing out with each syllable she spoke. Calming folding her arms
over her small chest Yuna closed her eyes and clinched her jaw muscle
before she tried to give voice to her thoughts.
"Lulu, you know very good and well that you cannot just resign. You
know the only way to be able to relieve yourself from your duties is
if I were to release you or one of the two of us die. I know you love
Rikku, but so do I, and that is my reasoning for letting her go. There
is no use putting her endanger, you should be happy that she will be
safe here with her family and friends, Lulu just let her go. I promise
that the two of you will be together again, as soon as we defeat Sin.
" Murmured Yuna as she slowly opened her eyes and concentrated on the
ebony haired witch's face, with an almost snarl Lulu pulled back a
sore hand and swung towards the aeon summoner just barely missing her
face.
"You can't do this! You just can't!" Sobbed the mistress of the black
arts as her fragile looking frame slid to the floor shaking violently,
bending down Yuna gently took the older woman in her arms and held her
comfortingly.
"I am so sorry, but I just can't help it. Cid wishes for Rikku to stay
here, it is out of my hands now, but perhaps you could persuade him to
change his mind in the matter." Whispered the young summoner as she
forced a warm smile and stood up then exited the room before Lulu
could even reclaim her voice.
The day dragged on painfully slow for the black mage as she
contemplated discussing her feelings towards Rikku with Cid, though in
her mind the act seemed futile and useless. The soft mattress under
her slender body squeaked slightly as she turned to lay on her
stomach, Lulu didn't want to see Rikku in her condition nor did she
wish to come out of her room, all the ebony haired guardian wanted at
the moment was to sulk in privacy. Lazily shutting her wine red eyes
Lulu could feel sleep slowly creeping up on her conscience mind,
momentarily burying all of the raw emotions that were filling her
whole being.
"Lulu, are you awake?" Squeaked a shaking sounding voice as the mage's
bedroom door snapped open with an automated click.
"Against better judgment, yes I am. What is it Rikku?" Lulu murmured
with a hazy scratching noise to her deep tone, not even bothering to
turn around from her position on the large overstuff mattress the
older woman folded her arms in front of her and gently placed her head
onto the makeshift pillow she had created. With soft steps the young
Al-Bhed padded over to the large bed and claimed the edge as a seat
before she crawled over to Lulu on her hands and knees.
"I have something to tell you." Stated Rikku in a low skittish tone
that seemed to be masking something of great importance, with a
furrowed brow the ebony haired witch slowly began to turn to face her
young lover but was stopped as the blonde thief straddled her backside
and tenderly lowered her own body on top of that of Lulu's.
"Rikku, are you alright? Something seems off, is anything the matter?"
Inquired the dark haired sorceress as she felt the young blonde shiver
against her back and tenderly wrap her thin arms around her sides in
an awkward embrace, laying her pale cheek against the older woman's
shoulder Rikku nuzzled her body closer to the ebony haired mage.
"Lulu," Breathed the Al-Bhed in a meek tone that was laced with traces
of anxiety and pure panic. "I told Cid, about us. H-h-h-he took
it?r-r-r-rather well, I think." Rikku stuttered as she clung onto the
older guardian for dear life, with a raised brow Lulu cranked her head
around towards the short thief; her red orbs widened as the fact
suddenly hit her head on.
"You did what," Choked out the pale witch as Rikku loosened her grip
and slid onto the bed shaking as if frozen to the very marrow of her
bones. "Rikku, sweetie, what in Spira possessed you to tell your
father about us?" Blathered Lulu as she placed a quaking hand on her
ivory coloured cheek blinking off the shear shock of what the young
blonde just told her. Rolling onto her back Rikku looked up at the
ceiling raising her hand into the air as she stared at her thin digits
twitching involuntarily, taking a deep breath Lulu gathered her
thoughts as she reached out and took hold of the young Al-Bhed's
outstretched hand and intertwined their fingers.
"Lulu, I didn't mean to tell him! Honest I didn't! It's just, we were
talking and he said that I could tell him anything and he wouldn't get
upset?and I got caught up in the moments and I told him about us! He
took the news really wonderfully?well?after he um?regained conciseness
that is." Murmured the younger woman with a barely visible smile that
lightened the whole mood of the room, gently brushing a loose tress of
sandy blonde hair behind Rikku's dainty ear the ebony manned sorceress
forced a small smirk of her own.
"Please tell me you are just joking." Declared Lulu in a soft voice as
she felt the young Al-Bhed gently squeezed the hand she had used to
straighten her disorderly hair, lightly snuzzling the palm of the
mage's hand Rikku coyly moved closer to the older woman until her nose
lightly rubbed against that of Lulu's.
"No, I'm being serious, Cid fainted when I told him?I guess I should
have been more discrete when I told him. Err, then again I did just
blurt out 'Dad I'm a lesbian'?anything would have been more discrete,
huh?" Rhetorically inquired the short blonde thief as the pale mage
wrapped her frail arms around her and brought her into a tight
embrace.
"Cid fainting? Yes I do believe that comment would practically make
any grown man pass out from shock." Smirked Lulu as she stared into
Rikku's clear blue orbs relishing the sight in itself, with a smile of
her own the younger guardian almost hesitantly leaned in and gently
pressed her lips against the ebony haired woman's lightly purple
coloured mouth giving her a small kiss before she pulled back
slightly.
"Lulu, umm?there?is something else I need to tell you." Whispered
Rikku in a shallow tone as she traced the curves of the older woman
face with her fingertips, narrowing her wine red hues the mistress of
the dark arts looked at the blonde Al-Bhed as a wave of un-subdued
seriousness took over her features.
"What is it?" Lulu inquired with a wavering frown as she felt her
lover teasingly trail her hands down her neck and just above her
cleavage line, playfully Rikku stuck out the tip of her tongue and bit
it lightly in a manner that Lulu knew very well.
"It's good news, very good news." Giggled the blonde girl as her
cheeks slowly began to flush a pale shade of pink causing Lulu to
raise a slender eyebrow questioningly.
"So, tell me then, I could uses some good news." Chided the mage in a
low tone as she slowly reached out and stroked small soothing circles
against the younger woman's reddening cheeks with her thumb, with an
innocent smile Rikku gently pushed against Lulu's hand as she let a
soft throaty purr escape her barely parted lips.
"I don't have to give up my guardianship. I can stay here with you!"
Squealed the blonde teenager as she lunged forward and tightly hugged
the ebony haired woman.
"?You don't?!" Exclaimed Lulu in a high-pitched voice that slightly
startled Rikku, both from being so amazingly girlish and from the
loudness of being so close.
"Nope, I talked my dad into letting me stay on the team!" Gleefully
announced the small-built Al-Bhed girl as she began to plant kisses
all over the black mage's face and neck, skillfully Rikku placed a
guiding hand onto Lulu's bare shoulder rolling her onto her back.
Grinning wolfishly the young Al-Bhed sat up on her hands and knees so
her lithe frame hovered above that of Lulu's, playfully biting her
tongue again Rikku straddled the ebony manned witch's hips as she
slowly leaned over the older woman and smiled sweetly.
"And I suppose the little 'I am so scared and sad' act earlier was
just for shear shock value?" Mumbled Lulu as she reached up and
loosened a buckle on Rikku's outfit, with a nod the Al-Bhed beamed a
wide grin.
"Yah-huh, I could barely keep from laughing the whole time. But
luckily I am a wonderful actress." Mused Rikku in a giddy voice as
another buckle was undone without her notice.
"I will store that little bit of information away for future use,"
Chuckled the dark haired mistress of the black arts as she slid open
the leather like shirt her girlfriend wore revealing her collarbone
and soft pale flesh.
"And what do you think you are doing?" Inquired Rikku as she stared at
Lulu with raised eyebrows watching her unclasp a third buckle, coyly
smiling the mage lifted her vision from the younger girl's chest to
her face.
"Well, I was trying to seduce you, but apparently I failed." Retorted
Lulu in a low tone as she began to tap Rikku's goggles with a slightly
vexed expression on her pale face, frowning lightly the young Al-Bhed
slowly pressed her body against lulu's slender form.
"I wouldn't say that, and anyhow, you can't seduce someone that is
willing." Replied Rikku as she slowly began to lap at the base of
Lulu's neck causing the ebony haired mage to let out a soft moan,
arching her back slightly Lulu wrapped her legs around that of the
younger woman's waist locking her feet together securing the fair
blonde on top of her.
"Hmm, you are so very licentious, do you know that?" Cooed Lulu as she
ran her fingers through the younger girl's blonde tresses while
savouring the feel of Rikku's hot breath beating down on her flesh,
giggling lightly the half clothed thief tenderly bit down onto the
mage's gorgeously exposed neck again.
"Stop with the big words, my poor brain can't take it," Chided Rikku
as she groped along the edges of Lulu's silken black dress, causing
agues of pleasure to gently take hold of the tall ebony haired witch.
"Anyhow, Lulu, I have something else to tell you." Whispered the
blonde Al-Bhed as her face suddenly blanched and the intimacy in her
pale hues lessened, pursing her lips Lulu examined Rikku's soft facial
features finding it arduous to read clearly.
"What is it?" Gruffly inquired the mistress of the dark arts as her
stomach knotted up tightly threatening to spill the contents she
consumed earlier.
"It's," Breathed the blonde girl as she all but quailed away from her
lover's firm grip. "Cid, he wants to?talk?to you about?us. I know
there isn't anything to worry about, it is just that?you see, there
are some?Al-Bhed customs?that?sort of frighten me." Rikku hoarsely
stated as her throat caught on an unshed sob, gently reaching out with
a comforting hand Lulu slowly stroked calming circles into the small
of the young thief's back; the tension giving way under her long
slender digits.
"I am sure, whatever the customs are, we can handle it. After all,
what is a simple Al-Bhed dating ritual in comparison to fighting Sin?
See, it is relatively minuscule." Lulu muttered in a consoling tone
that caused Rikku to feverishly nuzzle the crook of her neck as a sign
of thanks.
"You always know what to say," Chimed the blonde as she sat up and
gazed down at the black haired beauty underneath her slim frame, a
small trace of anxiety still remaining in her cool blue orbs. "But,
sweetie, er?the thing is, Sin and my family are two totally different
things. You really can't compare them. Lulu, the thing is?you have to
be judged by my family. Yunnie, dad, even brother, they all have to
make sure you are?the right one for me." Meekly stated Rikku as her
heart started to beat in her chest, she could see the way Lulu's red
eyes had widened at the old fashion ways of the Al-Bheds courting
traditions.
"Well," Lulu allowed herself to swallow rather hard before she went
on. "I think I can handle that easily. After all we both know that
lady Yuna is completely in favour of our relationship." Stated the
ebony haired witch in a low tone as she looked into Rikku's eyes
scanning for any further hidden information.
"Neutral, Yunnie is more neutral than anything else," The young
Al-Bhed corrected as looked deeply into Lulu's crimson hues with a
soft frown etched on her childlike face. "But don't worry about it,
you will do fine, just be yourself and everything will go fine, I
promise." Whispered the blonde guardian in a serious tone that caused
Lulu to flinch.
"I know, and besides, you are the one that seems to be worrying. Just
calm down a bit." Murmured Lulu as she sat up bringing the smaller
girl into a tight embrace. Nodding slightly the blonde thief hugged
her lover more before she released her and quickly pounced to her feet
so that she stood up on the bed; causing the black manned mistress of
the dark arts to sigh lightly at the juvenal antics her girlfriend
displayed.
"I am calm! Er, well, I am not worried that is for sure. I am just so
anxious I can barely wait! Then again, dad wants to have the Judging
Ceremony tonight at dinner." Squealed Rikku as she began to jump up
and down on the soft mattress with glee. Grunting slightly Lulu rose
up from her sitting position on the bed and stood on the metal floor
causing her heels to clink on its hard surface, stifling a large yawn
with the back of her hand the black mage slowly strolled towards the
automated door.
"Rikku I am going to go take a shower, promise me you won't break my
bed before I get back." Coolly declared Lulu as she looked over her
shoulder giving the short blonde girl a sultry wink, giggling lightly
the young Al-Bhed smiled and leapt from the overstuffed mattress
landing with a loud thud.
"M-m-m-maybe I s-s-should j-j-join you? So, I will keep out of
trouble." Lamely inquired Rikku as she kicked at the flood meekly,
pursing her purple coloured lips the ebony manned witch gave the
younger girl a look of deep thought before she bit her bottom lip as
her mind filled with a plethora of dirty thoughts.
"How long do we have before dinner anyhow?" Lulu asked as she smirked
wickedly at the younger guardian, tapping her forehead Rikku shrugged.
"Three hours, maybe less, it all depends on if they are making
something fancy or just some quick meal. But seeing as how there is
gonna be a ceremony tonight I am guessing something really elegant and
time consuming. Why?"
"Oh, I was just wondering if we will have time to?er?spare." Smirked
Lulu as she continued to stroll off towards the exit swaggering her
hips seductively as she went, slag-jawed and slightly blushing her
young lover followed her lead; with every step her cheeks turned a
darker hue of red.
"So you think this is the way to go about handling the situation with
those two?" Inquired a soft voice that belonged to the young Summoner,
nodding lightly Cid crossed his arms over his broad chest giving Yuna
a look of pure determination.
"Yuna, you should know those two better than anyone, and you still
seem uneasy about the whole idea of them being together. Ya know, that
leaves me feeling pretty unsure, so I have to see for myself if this
Lulu person is right for my little girl." Commented the bald Al-Bhed
pilot as his gaze shifted from his niece to the far wall of the room.
"It isn't that I don't feel they aren't right for each other, it is
just that I am?uncomfortable with them seeing each other. I've know
Lulu all of my life, and Rikku a good majority of the time as well,
but to see them together is odd for me. It is like?for me at
least?almost incest in a way. I see Lulu as my older sister, and Rikku
is my cousin after all?I know I am just being selfish and
closed-minded but, I can't get over it for some reason." Murmured Yuna
as she ran a shaking hand over her cheek in effort to calm herself but
only succeeded in realizing how nervous she was, warding off the young
Summoner's awkward demeanor Cid turned to face the large control
sphere in the center of the cockpit.
"Your jealous." Stated the owner of the Highwind as he spun around on
his heels facing the daughter of lord Braska causing her blue and
green orbs to harden with guile.
"Maybe, maybe I am, I know I should be happy for them. But, why can't
I be loved without the feeling of it being a burden to my duties as a
Summoner? I have the right to be in love too! It just isn't fair!"
Shouted Yuna as she looked at her uncle with pain glinting deeply in
her eyes.
"I understand sweetie, I really do. But life isn't fair, and we all
have to deal with that. Just, just enjoy the time you have with him; I
know that is what Tidus wants you to do. Screw em' all and write your
story the way you want it to be not the way everyone else wants it!
It's your life?live it." Grumbled the older man as he gave the young
aeon summoner a weak smile, bowing her head Yuna sighed.
"Thank you." Uttered the daughter of High Summoner Braska as she cast
her line of vision upward just as the sudden sound of Lulu murmuring a
hushed conversation to her lover echoed up from the hallway outside of
the cockpit.
"Well, there they are, we had better go out and tell them dinner is
ready, eh?" Rhetorically inquired Cid as he walked over to the
automatic door and stepped out surprising both Rikku and Lulu.
"Ugh dad, don't sneak up on people!" Yelped the petite blonde as she
brushed a damp braid away from her face with an expression of
embarrassment set on her facial features. Smirking broadly the bald
Al-Bhed rubbed the back of his head semi-apologetically.
"Just the two girls I needed to see," Mused Cid as he dropped his
voice to sound a bit more serious. "Dinner should be done in a few
minutes so I think we all should head towards the dinning hall before
supper gets cold eh?" Stated the Bald Al-Bhed as he slowly motioned
towards the direction that the galley was in, Rikku smiled broadly as
she wrapped her arms around Lulu's waist not caring if it made anyone
uncomfortable.
"Sounds great to me!" Squealed the blonde thief with a shiver of glee
running up and down her spine, her excitement didn't go unnoticed by
the ebony haired mage who lightly cuddled her thin frame against that
of the younger girl's.
"Then shall we venture off?" Inquired Lulu in a low tone as she slowly
guided the young bouncy girl beside her towards the dinning hall,
nuzzling the ebony manned woman's arm the young Al-Bhed half dragged
the older woman with her as she finally decided to move towards the
galley; leaving Cid in the hallway chuckling.
"Hurry up Lulu," Whined Rikku as she rushed inside of a large room and
hopped up and down trying to lure the pale mage into the area faster.
"Don't be so impatient Rikku, they will wait a few more moments if
need be. I don't have to break a sweat just trying to get to dinner
ahead of everyone." Lulu calmly proclaimed as she strolled down the
hallway at a leisurely pace, folding her petite arms over her small
chest the blonde Al-Bhed pouted silently before she turned her back on
the black mage and stared at the long table with plates and other
eatery ware laid out on it.
"Whoa?just look at this place, I haven't seen it like this in years.
In fact the last time I saw it looking like this was when someone got
married." Breathed Rikku in a shallow voice as her face began to
redden at the thought of the Al-Bheds going to such lengths just for
her and Lulu's Judging Ceremony.
"What was that, Rikku?" Lulu asked as she wrapped her arms around the
thin thief's waist from behind bring her body against the older
woman's silken dress clad frame, purring lightly the blonde haired
Al-Bhed slowly turned around with a soft smile etched on her pretty
face.
"Can they not keep their hands off each other for longer than five
minutes?" Gruffly chortled Cid as he stepped into the galley, his
hardened gaze piercing into the two female guardians as he stared at
them half loathing the fact his child was now a woman in love and the
other half of him still in shock that his daughter was a woman in love
with another woman. Stepping up behind the bald Al-Bhed giggling Yuna
shook her head.
"Thus far their record is about four and three fourth minutes without
any physical contact whatsoever." Stated the young aeon summoner with
a light smile on her face, taken a step closer to the two lovers Cid
cleared his throat to gather their attention.
"Well, well, well, if we all are ready to get started." Declared the
pilot of the Highwind as he clasped his meaty hands together causing a
loud smack to echo through out the room, looking up at the older man
Lulu loosened her grip on Rikku but suddenly found herself being
latched onto as if the floor were going to give way and she was the
only stable object in arms reach. Turning her head slowly in the
direction into which the younger girl was staring the black haired
witch suddenly saw why her girlfriend seemed so scared, standing in
the doorway of the dinning hall stood Brother with a look of pure
disgust upon his face.
"Humph, cecdan E druikrd dryd oui fuimt ryja paddan dycda dryh du tyda
cusa cmid uv y syka. Oui naymmo tecybbuehd sa. Ur famm yd maycd fa kad
du ayd famm duhekrd." Brother stated as he lazily walked into the
galley shrugging off the looks that everyone gave him, narrowing her
red eyes at the Mohawk haired Al-Bhed Lulu protectively held the
younger girl that clung to her tightly, the silken rolls of her dress
slowly became damp as Rikku buried her face in a loose fold of the
fabric letting the material dry her cool blue eyes as tears trickled
down her cheeks.
"Seht ouin duhkia, puo. E ryja aync yht E lyh ihtancdyht ajano funt
oui cyo. Tu hud ehjuga sa, ed fuimt pa nydran ayco yd drec susahd eh
desa." Gruffly snapped Lulu in a overbearing tone as a thin hand shot
out in front of her with a single long digit pointing warningly at the
young male Al-Bhed that stood before her, an expression of shock
flashed on Brother's face before he forced a harsh glare at the black
mage.
"Mecdah fusyh, oui tuh'd nyeca ouin juela du sa! E ys ypuja oui eh
ajanofyo, yht ev oui drehg dryd y fruna mega oui lyh clyna sa, drah
oui yna yc cdibet yc oui yna ikmo. sa vayn y fusyh, ruhacdmo meddma
cecdan oui luimt ryja yd maycd belgat y cmid fedr pnyehc." Stated the
Mohawk haired Al-Bhed as he slowly pulled out a seat and flopped down
into it, raising her fist so that they were level with her cheekbones
Rikku stood on her tiptoes as rage threatened to knock her off
balance; the only thing keeping her from falling flat on her face as a
gentle hand placed on her left shoulder.
"How dare you say that to Lulu, you don't even know her! She isn't a
whore and she is anything but stupid, she is the most articulate and
eloquent woman in all of Spira! You don't have any right to call her
those names you b*****d, of all people you, you, dare call the person
I love such horrible things! I should kick your worthless a**, ya know
that! But, but I won't, ya know why? Because I wouldn't be able to
stop if I started, not after what you did to me! Not after all these
years, I forced myself to forget it, I let the whole thing feaster
into a pulsating rage and if I start to settle things now, I would end
up killing you!" Screamed the short blonde Al-Bhed as she began to
shake violently with tears rushing down her pale face, helplessly
Brother blinked causing his knit brow to soften enough for everyone to
see beads of sweat running across the wrinkled crease of his forehead.
"What are you two talking about?" Barked Cid as his hardened eyes
narrowed into small slits and a vain on his temple began to visibly
throb as anger rose up his whole body causing his voice to lower an
octave. Spinning to face her father Rikku clutched her fist together
wearing an expression of complete malice, her cool whirlpool like eyes
blazing with both guilt and rage.
"It's business between Brother and myself dad, you don't need to worry
about it, okay?" The blonde Al-Bhed declared in a meek trembling voice
that caused the younger of the two males in the room to shiver ever so
slightly.
"Um, okay then. Whatever you say Rikku. I'll let you handle it."
Murmured Cid in a deep tone as he pulled out a chair for Yuna then
seated himself, letting out a swallow sigh the energetic thief brushed
her unruly bangs from her face in order to calm her rattled nerves.
Leaning in closely to the young Al-Bhed Lulu placed a gentle kiss
right below the blonde guardian's earlobe that was meant to calm her
down rather than to excite her. Tenderly squeezing Rikku's right
shoulder the ebony haired mage ushered the thin girl to a chair at the
end of the long dinning table, silently Lulu pulled out a cushioned
chair and without any need for words Rikku took the offered seat.
In the back of Cid's mind he noted how his daughter and the older
woman seemed to act as one at times, how their body movements flowed
like the finest of silk or how they both seemed to act in manners
complementary of each other, with a small smile the bald pilot of the
Highwind nodded approvingly.
"So," Calmly began Lulu as she seated herself and sought out the
younger girl's hand and reassuringly held it with her own. "Things
seem to be a bit on the tense side this evening, perhaps it would be
better if we were to retire for the night and do this some other time,
when things are less disagreeable." Muttered the fair skinned witch
with a stoic expression adorning her pale face, coughing into the palm
of his hand Cid cleared his throat as if the gesture itself signaled
for the discussion to be closed immediately.
"That is impossible," Grimly stated the aged Al-Bhed as he ran a
quaking hand over the top of the table smoothening out the nonexistent
crease in the fabric. "You see Lulu, this is a one shot ordeal, and
there's no rescheduling or second chances. That is why this is a
milestone event with the Al-Bheds, if the?partner?isn't completely fit
to be with the family member then that person is forbidden to see that
family member ever again."
"Wha?" Gasped Lulu as the ability to form complete sentences abruptly
eluded her, tapping a long slender index finger against the middle of
her forehead the black mage gathered her thoughts before she tried to
speak again. "Um, so you are saying that, if I don't 'pass' tonight
then?."
"You never get to see me again." Lamely stated Rikku as her gaze
pieced the long dinning table as she bowed her head and refused to
look up, sighing deeply the ebony manned sorceress lifted a steady
hand to her girlfriend's face and gently tucked one knuckle under her
chin and tilted the blonde Al-Bhed's vision upward until their eyes
locked.
"Well then, I guess I have nothing to worry about. Because we are
perfect for one another." Warming whispered Lulu in a hushed voice as
she rubbed the younger girl's jaw with her thumb, nuzzling into the
movement Rikku smiled a lopsided grin and suddenly felt reassured.
"Ugh! Oui dfu syga sa celg! E's mayjehk." Stated Brother as he mock
gagged and pushed away from the table letting his chair fall over
behind him adding to the outraged effect he was trying to establish.
As the Mohawk haired Al-Bhed stamped around the table towards the exit
he paused for a moment, his shoulders tightening up and his fist
clutching at his side. With a cocky demeanor Brother leaned over Rikku
placing a large hand on her petite arm and whispered in her ear, as he
pulled away a large smile spread across his face as his eyes twinkled
dangerously.
"E ihtancdyht," Choked out the small blonde guardian as if she had
just watched someone drown in the Moonflow. A sudden anger flared up
in Lulu's wine red hues as she outstretched her right hand to smite
the man beside her lover, a feather light touch abruptly stopped the
ebony haired mage before she had the chance to even think of a spell
to summon. "Please don't Lulu, not here."
Nodding lightly the mistress of the dark arts let her hand fall to her
side as anger swelled to the surface of her emotion pool, taking a
deep breath the tall black mage ripped her gaze way from the Mohawk
haired Al-Bhed as he moved away from the youngest of the Al-Bheds in
the room and slowly strolled out of the galley.
"I don't understand what the hell is wrong with you two, but whatever
it is you and your brother had better settle things up soon or I swear
I will kick both of you off of my ship!" Roughly bellowed the pilot of
the Highwind as he rubbed the sides of his pounding head.
"Sorry." Blankly retorted Rikku as three male Al-Bheds pushed large
trays of streaming food towards the long dinning table, skillfully
each man placed the shimmering plates in front of each of the people
that were seated. Leaning back in his chair Cid let his eyes fall over
the tall ebony haired mage again, seizing her up, a look of slight
confusion and irritability etched its way across his face as he tied
in vain to piece together what was going on between his children.
Snubbing the side of his nose the bald Al-Bhed closed his tired orbs
then slowly batted them open again sighing heavily as he did so.
"Anyhow," Coyly droned Cid in a flat tone as his hands lifted a tray
top that was placed in front of him that was golden in colour. "Seeing
as how Brother isn't here to give his verdict, I, being the head of
the house, hereby void his opinion in this Judging Ceremony. So, lets
all continue on with the feast." Mirthfully announced the bald man as
he pushed the open gold tray towards Rikku, a sudden high-pitched
squeal echoed throughout the room as the young blonde thief shot up
from her chair and clumsily grasped a water pitcher that sat in the
center of the golden plate.
"Daddy you're the best!" Squeaked the thin blonde Al-Bhed as her lithe
frame glided around the long table, with an impish grin Rikku poured
Cid a glass of water, then Yuna, and lastly Lulu before she slid back
into her seat and all but bounced up and down in the cushioned chair.
With a raised brow the mistress of the dark arts took hold of the
water pitcher and silently filled her girlfriend's glass, the crystal
coloured liquid swirled in a downward column along the inner china
works until the cup was filled just below the brim.
Shifting her red eyes forward Lulu took note how Cid seemed pleased
with her resent action, slowly reaching over the ebony haired witch
reclaimed Rikku's small hand and tenderly entwined their fingers
together.
"Lets eat." Bluntly ordered the bald pilot with a hint of humour to
his voice, with out any further instruction the sandy manned thief
lifted a handle to a silver tray lightly pulling the metal covering
off of the Al-Bhed delicacies.
"Is this?what I think it is?" Groaned Rikku as her face twisted into a
half shocked look, the expression she wore for a moment was unreadable
to Lulu but quickly the black mage recognized it as detest.
"Yes Rikku, it's your favourite, saut饤 chocobo marinated in pur饤
cactuar juices." Smugly grinned Cid in a sardonic tone as the younger
of the two Al-Bheds made an audible 'ugh' noise and scooted her plate
forward.
"Aw man, dad you know how much I hate this type of food, and think of
the poor chocobos and cactuars that were killed to make this stuff.
Ew!" Groaned the blonde Al-Bhed in an almost nasally voice as she
stuck out her tongue and lightly bit the tip of it, signaling her
complete dislike in the matter.
"Oh c'mon Rikku, it isn't all that bad." Chimed Lady Yuna in a
slightly humorous voice, one that seemed to cause the lithe framed
thief to giggle as if the two just shared an inside joke.
"Your one to talk Yunnie, which one of us has a phobia of snow peas?"
Teasingly mused the sandy manned blonde as she grinned wolfishly at
her cousin, laughing into the palm of her hand the young aeon summoner
waggled in a mock warningly fashion.
"Oh no you don't, you aren't going to bring that up, and if you do, I
will fully blame your girlfriend for it." Mirthfully announced Yuna in
a feather-light tone, upon hearing her name mentioned the ebony haired
mage looked up with a blank expression adorning her ivory pale face.
"What now?" Inquired Lulu with a raised brow and a hint of confusion
laced gently in her voice, with a wrinkled nose Rikku turned to her
lover, her cheeks reddened with laughter.
"Yunnie," Whined the youngest of the guardians as she reached over and
cuddled against her lover at an awkward angle. "You can't blame her,
you were the one that didn't eat your dinner, can she help it that she
was trying to be the disciplinarian?"
Before the young summoner could respond with a definite 'yes' to the
question she had just been asked, the black haired witch tapped her
chin with a long slender index finger as she searched her mind for
what the two teenagers were talking about, shaking her head Lulu
suddenly laughed out loud as she realized what the two were
reminiscing over.
"You have to be kidding me, you still remember that time I forced you
to finish all of your vegetables." Chortled the older woman as she
leaned back in her chair with a half smile on her face, placing both
hands on the table the daughter of Braska made a face that seemed to
melt away her mature composure.
"Peas, they were snow peas," Snapped Yuna in a half serious tone as
her differently coloured orbs narrowed on the black mage. "They're
crunchy, I hate that consistency in my mouth, and you made me eat
every single piece on my plate, for over the course of a week, that
was traumatizing." Pouted the young aeon summoner as she tucked a
loose braid behind her ear and let out a quiet 'humph', rolling her
red hues Lulu folded her arms over her abundant chest and smiled
lightly.
"Ya big baby!" Mirthfully taunted Rikku causing her cousin to stick
out her tongue and blow the blonde Al-Bhed a loud raspberry, shaking
his head Cid raised his glass signaling for everyone to do the same.
"Here is a toast to my sweet little Rikku, I hope that you and Lulu
have many years of happiness together," Bellowed the bald Al-Bhed as
everyone said 'cheers' and took a sip of water. "And the two of you,"
He turned his gaze on Yuna and Rikku. "Had better eat everything on
your plates or no banana pudding for either of you!" Gruffly announced
Cid in a semi-serious tone.
Upon hearing the words 'banana pudding' Lulu all but spit out the
small amount of liquid she was in the process of swallowing, clamping
her hand around her mouth the ebony haired mage choked down the water
as the thought of her young lover slowly spreading the thick sticky
yellow dessert all over her nude form flashed in her mind causing the
mistress of the black arts to flush a dark hue of red.
"Banana pudding you say." Wolfishly smirked the blonde Al-Bhed as she
reached over and patted Lulu on the back trying to help the older
woman free her airway, the gentle pounding of her hand slowly turned
into a slight caressing causing the black manned witch to gradually
regain her composure even though she knew Rikku was thinking the same
thing she herself had thought only few moments ago.
"I don't even wanna know," Bellowed Cid as he fought the urge to
imagine what in the name of Spira the two guardians had in mind with
the yellow dessert, running a rough hand over the smoothness of his
scalp the Highwind pilot took a long swallow from his cup before he
mustered the nerve to speak again. "Well, with all that said and done
lets dig in." Cid declared as he clasped a fork from the table and
feverishly began to devour the lump of food on his plate.
The dinner carried on slowly, every few minutes or so someone would
try to strike up a light conversation but would slowly retreat back
into consuming their meal after a simple one-word answer was giving in
reply, with a gentle nudge of her fork Lulu stirred the thin paste
around her plate in a small effort to seem as if she were actually
trying to eat the delicacies placed before her. In the back of her
mind the ebony haired mage knew she would later regret not forcing
herself to at least try some of the food but for the red-eyed witch
the simple act of eating was impossible, the cold knot growing at the
pit of her stomach was beginning to lurch forward and twist violently
causing her frail frame to tremble just enough for only one other
person to notice.
"Lulu," Rikku asked in a low voice, her slender hand reaching out
almost hesitantly beside her until it rest gently on the older woman's
arm. "Are you ugyo? Oui look sort of celg." Stammered the short thief
as she slipped in and out of her native tongue, concern evident in
both her voice and facial expression. Lightly almost playfully batting
away the younger girl's hand Lulu smiled a weak unsteady grin and
gently patted Rikku's knee under the table.
"Yes, I am fine, no need to worry about me, although I am feeling a
tad unsettled. Perhaps, and only if it is alright with your father, I
may retire to my sleeping quarters?" Lulu inquired in flat tone that
in itself told Cid that she was indirectly talking to him, nodding
lightly the bald Al-Bhed wiped his chin with a damask napkin and
slightly swallowed what was left in his mouth.
"It's alright, go on to bed, you look a bit green around the gills.
Anyhow, we would have to ask you to leave in a few minutes anyway, the
verdict is only given to the family member and the suitor is told to
leave until that following morning when the head of the head of the
house informs that person what the outcome is." Calmly stated Cid in a
warm tone one that seemed to almost say 'welcome to the family'; Lulu
could feel the corners of her purple lips tug into a soft smile,
standing from her chair the black manned mistress of the dark arts
took a step away from the table but slowly ambulated back to where she
had been sitting, with one quick movement Lulu bent down and lightly
kissed the blonde Al-Bhed on the cheek and whispered into her petite
ear.
"I love you." Hoarsely breathed the older woman just before she felt
thin arms encircle her waist and pull her so close it was hard to
breath because of the sudden tightness around her ribs and abdomen.
"I love you too Lulu!" Yelped Rikku as she buried her face against the
silken fabric of the black mage's dress, tears were already starting
to spill from the young Al-Bhed girl's cool blue spiraling hues, with
a gentle hand the taller of the two stroked a sandy tress of braided
hair from the left side of Rikku's childlike face.
"I'm just going to bed, not dying. Bed, dying, dying, bed, see not the
same thing, everything will be fine. I promise you." Wheezed Lulu in a
half hallow voice that was low and sounded as if she were about to
faint, the pain in her stomach suddenly throbbing against the added
pressure of Rikku's firm hug. Sniffling lightly the blonde thief
pulled away from her girlfriend and wiped the corners of her eyes with
the back of her small gloved hand and nodded with a small smile,
shaking her head lightly the ebony manned witch casually strolled from
the galley until she heard the automated door seal behind her.
Clutching her midsection with both hands Lulu squeezed her eyes shut
causing tears to run down her exceedingly white face, the anger and
hatred that she had so recently bottled up and stored away was already
rearing its ugly head. Never before had she felt so completely taken
over by the emotion, at least not the point it hurt her physically.
All the mistress of the black arts could hear was the beating of her
own footsteps down the metal corridor and the erratic pounding of her
heart in her ears as a searing pain shot to every nerve of her body,
rounding the nearest corner the black mage all by threw herself into
her poorly lit sleeping chamber. Gritting her teeth Lulu staggered
over to her bed and fell onto the mattress face first, her nails
digging small gashes into the soft fabric of the sheets beneath her
prone form, the soft sound of her bedroom door opening didn't even
registering in the ebony haired woman's ears as she fought the urge to
scream until her anger subsided leaving feeling completely useless to
protect her lover.
"Fruna," A sudden voice spat from the darkness with such harshness
Lulu thought for a split second she was having a nightmare. "Ruf lyh
oui dyga ran yfyo vnus sa?! Cra fyc seha ihdem oui crufat ib, hu uha
fyhdat ran aqlabd sa, E lmyesat ran! Oui ryja hu nekrd du zicd dyga so
meddma cecdan vnus sa!" Brother screamed as he launched his rigid body
from his hiding place in the shadows and landed on the fair skinned
woman's bed pinning her on her face down, his gloved fist slamming
against the back of Lulu's head causing the ebony haired mage to let
out a howl of pain. Laughing bitterly the young male Al-Bhed wrapped
his large hands around the older woman's neck cutting off her airway
instantly, feebly Lulu reached out behind her with a violently shaking
hand as unconsciousness quickly tried to claim her, her long nails
ripping and clawing at her attacker's eyes. Brother boomed with an
almost insane cackle at the helpless mage's attempt to rid herself of
him, tightening his grip around the black haired witch's neck the
manic Al-Bhed snarled as he leaned in close to Lulu forcing all of his
body weight against her hoping it would aid in smothering her. A
twisted smile inched its way across Brother's face as he felt the
guardian beneath him twitch violently then suddenly to limp, the
sudden bolt of lightening that smashed against his chest took him off
guard knocking from the prone mage's weakened frame. Staggering
quickly to her feet Lulu out stretched her hands and screamed even
though no words could come out, the fear that glinted in the young
Al-Bhed's dark hues was enough to cause her to give him a wicked grin
of her own. Lightening danced circles around Brother's body as he
scurried to his feet to keep from being hit by the white-hot bolts, in
a low voice Lulu bellowed out just above a whisper.
"Now you know how she felt," Muttered the ebony haired mage as her
body slumped forward as wave after wave of pain hit her full force as
her body pulsated with raw emotion and power. "Rage." Lulu stated as
the room lit up as bright as the neon lights of Zanarkand and the
sounds of screaming and pure electricity flooded the air until the
only thing that filled the black mage's senses was the smell of burnt
flesh and the dim flow of the overhead halogens, barely managing to
stand Lulu squinted through the oncoming darkness that was fogging her
vision but the only sight that greeted her blurry eyes was that of
Brother's maimed body, his frame still involuntarily jerking as small
waves of lightening still surged through him.
Smiling lightly Lulu's spent form fell to the floor like a disregarded
toy that no longer was used for play, as unconsciousness took hold of
her and sent her into a deep troubled sleep.
To Be Continued?
Author's Notes: Well here it is, the fourth chapter, by far the
HARDEST piece in the series to write! It took me long enough didn?t
it? I would like to thank all of you that sent me e-mails saying how
great my fic is, it really means a great deal to me, I am proud that I
have touched so many with my work and I am hoping to continue to do
that. I would also like to thank Resident Evil Code: Veronica X for
the completion of the fourth chapter, seriously I bet that game the
night before I finished this chapter and it somehow FORCED me into
completing this? :: cough :: I have had that game for two years?so I
was inspired to finish this, something that I am not only doing for
myself, but something that I am doing for all of you great people out
there who read my story. THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYBODY!!!
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