Time To Meet The Praetor?

[Kiwi]

Two girls were walking along the streets of Bevelle. Well actually one of them was practically being dragged by the other. "Ow! Let go, Rikku! I can walk on my own thank you very much." the one girl said bitterly to the other one who was obviously named Rikku. The girl pulled her wrist from Rikku's grasp and stood up crossing her arms across her chest, swirling green eyes narrowed. Rikku just laughed one of her cheery laughs, "Sorry, Azul." she said apologetically smile turning to a smirk, "I just get overly excited you know...". Azul shook her head and smirked back, "I know, I know. But what's so exciting about this place? It's full of Yevonites!" she exclaimed looking around at all of the people in their robes, even the poor little kids. Rikku nodded, "Yeah I know, I don't like it very much either...maybe we can go to Djose after you meet Baralai." Azul almost burst out laughing, "Djose? Hey...isn't that where the Machine Faction is?" she asked accusingly. Rikku's face flushed slightly red and she nodded slowly, "Yeah...why?" Azul smirked, "Ohh....You just want to see that guy don't you?" Rikku purposely acted clueless as if she didn't have a clue what her sister was talking about, "W...what guy? There are a lot of guys there...why just one?" she asked back, stuttering her words slightly. Azul's smirk widened, "What's his name? Gippal or something? The guy that owns the place? You want to see him don't you?" Rikku narrowed her eyes, "I do not! I hate him so much, he's so rude and erg..." she denied sounding pretty serious even though she wasn't. Azul raised an eyebrow as if she didn't believe her, but shrugged it off. "Okay if you say so...." Rikku nodded, "I say so, now come on!" she yelled grabbing Azul's wrist again and beginning to drag her again. Azul tried to pull away again, but he sister's grip was too tight.

[Strawberry]

Baralai let out a sigh as the man kept talking, his left hand over his face in thought. "So have you found anything new about everything going on?" he interrupted, looking past his hand at the young man. He already had a slight headache and this was only making it worse. The disappearances and the new arrival of fiends was as much a puzzle as figuring out how to kill Sin without sacrafices, as Yuna had tried to do. Pushing the thoughts away, he tried to concentrate back on the important topic he had been discussing.

The man had shook his head, shrugging his shoulders slightly. "Not really. Two more people were reported missing for a few of days from a family of six. They began to worry on the third day and finally brought it up with us on the fourth day. Sir, do you believe that the Al Bhed might be turning their backs on us again and trying to take us down little by little?" Baralai's hand dropped to his side, his chocolate brown eyes narrowed at the man.

"I wouldn't say that, no. The Al Bhed have no reason to retaliate against nothing. If anyone had done anything wrong, I'm sure they would have brought it up. That mishap with them kidnapping the summoners long ago was all it was, a mishap. Don't start jumping to conclusions so easily because of past mistakes," he said, beginning to walk down the hall. The man followed like an obedient dog, ashamed of even accusing the Al Bhed like he had. "What about the fiends? Have the guards and barriers been able to keep them away from any civilians near the forest entrance?" The man nodded and spoke his affirmation as they neared the front door.

Baralai abruptly stopped as he raised his brown eyes from the ground and to the door, spotting Rikku. What is she doing here? he contemplated in his mind. He then noticed that she was dragging someone else with her. A clone, by the looks of it, yet extremely different in taste of clothes and hair color. He held back a sigh of question and leaned a shoulder against the wall, his arms crossed. "If it isn't the infamous Rikku... What are you doing in Bevelle?"

[Kiwi]

Rikku looked up in surprise as her ears caught the Praetor's words. She thought he would have been inside. The poor blonde was about to ask 'What are you doing in Bevelle?', but then she remembered that he lived him. Her swirling green gaze went to him and she turned back at Azul who was somewhat agitated. "I brought my sister here," she said cheerfully with a smile, "She hasn't seen all of Spira yet, so I brought her here to Bevelle. I hope you don't mind." Azul looked up at well, brushing herself off. Her gaze also went to him, wondering who he was. Rikku nodded, "Azul this is Praetor Baralai, and Baralai, this is Azul." she said motioning between the two. Azul blinked slightly, as if she couldn't believe what her sister was telling her. He was the Praetor? She thought they were supposed to be much older then that. "Hello," she said in response to Rikku's introduction. It was in as much enthusiasm as she could give to a Yevonite, especially the leader of them. Rikku frowned slightly, true she didn't exactly like the Yevonite's either, but Baralai was somewhat her friend I guess you could say. She managed a nervous giggle looking between them both, nudging her sister slightly and whispering, "You should be a little nicer you know it's not like he's evil." Azul rolled her eyes and shrugged gaze going to the ground instead of looking at either one of them. She'd rather be at Djose even after hearing the many stories about Gippal, wow he sounded like a huge jerk, too. It had to be better then these Yevonites though......

[Strawberry]

Baralai watched them, a faint smirk appearing on his face when Rikku's sister didn't really look at him. He couldn't blame her, seeing as she was Al Bhed and the Yevonite's history of the past year dealing with Vegnagun. Pushing away from the wall, he walked over to Rikku and placed a hand on her shoulder as he stood next to her, his brown gaze on the ground. "Next time you see Yuna and the others, tell them my hello. I've been too wrapped up in the recent troubles that I haven't really been able to get out much or visit," he said. He glanced at them both, that faint smirk returning. "Take care of yourselves. Don't get lost in the forest or you might get ambushed." He then kept walking, his hand slipping from Rikku's shoulder. The man who had followed him nodded a wary hello as he stepped after Baralai, the guilt still nagging at him. Even as Al Bhed, they're wary of us Yevonites... I don't see why. We put our past behind us at this point.. he thought, placing a hand on his waist and his other on his forehead.

"Do you have anything better to do than to follow me around all day? If you really want to help me, then you should be getting information, not following me like a lap dog, Kran," he said calmly. Kran, the boy, stopped with a surprised look on his face, but he bowed his head immediately.

"Y-yes, sir!" he managed to say before hurrying away. Baralai sighed with relief and stopped at the bridge, propping his elbows on the stone edging and putting his head in his hands. Too much was going on and he had to take a break or he was going to literally explode on someone. Baralai let his arms fall so he was looking down at the bottom of the chasm wherethe water fell, mist clouds puffing up, but not quite reaching far enough. Whatever was happening, there needed to be a stop to it. Of course... if it was as bad as it seemed, all the factions might have to gather and even ask Yuna and the rest to help. It would be their last resort.

[Kiwi]

Rikku watched after him and nudged her sister again, giving her a look. "Don't just stand there you poopie! Go apologize!" she told her trying to act frustrated, but the 'poopie' comment somewhat degraded it. Azul glanced up, rolling her eyes. "Fine, but I don't see why I need to apologize, I said hello didn't I?" she asked already getting annoyed. Rikku nodded, "Yeah but you sounded kind of mean...Baralai isn't a bad guy really! Didn't you hear him? He's trying to help with the missing people and he even told us to be careful!" Azul mumbled something to herself, "It's probably just an act, I bet they have kidnapped the people and are hiding them in that creepy building of theirs." Rikku heard her and glared, "Baralai wouldn't do that, Azul. Just go apologize and then we can leave." Azul sighed in defeat, "Fine, I'll go apologize...." she muttered. Rikku gave her a push seeing as she was being stubborn about it. Azul finally trudged over to him, keeping her gaze away from him. "Hey um...Baralai? Yeah....look I'm sorry about a few minutes ago, It really was nice meeting you..." she said trying to be as sincere as possible. It was hard for her though, but she somewhat mean it. Don't get me wrong, she's a very nice person....just sticking to her beliefs.

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[Strawberry]

Baralai averted his gaze to Azul, sitting up slightly. Sorry? he thought before it hit him. "Oh, don't worry about it. I'm pretty used to it by now. I guess it was our fault for doing what we did. I just don't let it get to me as most of the Yevonites do," he said, returning his gaze to the waterfall. She was a first to apologize, truthfully. He thought a moment before standing straight up and turning around, leaning against the stone edge with his arms crossed. "If you two have been traveling for a bit, you could always stay here for the night. We fixed up the temple to allow more rooms for guests on a journey or visits. There should be a room or two open, a choice if you want to share a room or not."

[Kiwi]

Azul smiled slightly, noting his generosity. She had always thought the Yevonites were rude snobs who could care less about people who didn't believe in what they did, especially the Al Bhed. "Really? Thank you, thats very kind of you." she replied glancing up at him for a second then looking at the waterfall as he was doing. A smirk formed on her face, "I'd have to ask Rikku though, she's been dying to go to Djose....for certain reasons." She snickered slightly, oh how she loved to hint at her sister's secrets. "I think she wants to see some guy named Gippal....the Machine Faction leader.., I hear he's a jerk though...I don't know why she'd want to see him." she explained smirk widening, "Hmm....hopefully she can wait a day to see him..." A playful sparkle was in her eye, knowing Rikku didn't have a clue what she was telling him. Rikku was standing a ways off, staring at all the people in their heavy robes. She had started talking to one of the little kids, who looked like a girl but was really a boy. "Oh I see......Your grandfather owns it?" she asked. The little boy nodded. "And you only have it carry people two feet?" The boy nodded again. "Well that doesn't make much sense!" Oh....how random can you get?

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[Strawberry]

"Heh, he makes himself seem that way, doesn't it? He's really a sentimental guy once you really get to know him. He just likes to tease her to no end when she's around. They were a couple some time ago, but I still don't know why they split up," he said. Baralai shrugged and shook his head. "Well, I'm sure she can endure the agonizing pain of being split from the person she claims she hates. It happens to everyone."

[Kiwi]

Azul laughed, "Oooh, so they were a couple? She never mentioned that..." she said still smirking holding back even more laughter. "I could use that for major blackmail." She grinned happily, "You know...you're alright....for a Yevonite." she told him breaking out into an outburst of laughter. "That rhymed!" Azul had to bite the inside of her lip to stop her laughter, it was just so funny to her. "Heh, sorry....didn't mean to go crazy like that." Rikku was still talking to the little boy, "So you're not hot?" she asked. The boy shook his head 'no'. "So you're cold?" He shook his head again, "Uh...so you're nothing at all? Thats absurd!"

[Strawberry]

Baralai shook his head, glancing over at Rikku. "No, you should laugh like that more often. If you don't laugh enough, you'll just seem hollow and uncharacterized. It just makes you feel better than before," he said, smirking. He nodded his head in Rikku's direction. "You might want to save her before she makes herself seem like a bigger fool than she really is. Just by watching the boy, he already thinks she's crazy. It'd be a shame if she was known as a crazy woman instead of the spunky girl with an attitude I met long ago."

[Kiwi]

She smirked and nodded, "That's true! Laughter is the best medicine after all." she said smiling up at him, "Hmm, I didn't think the Yevonites had a sense of humor...I guess I was wrong." She gladly admitted that, perhaps she had the wrong view on his type. "I guess times really have changed, thats good to know." Azul tilted her head at his next comment and turned around to see her poor sister spazzing over something the boy said. The little boy looked somewhat afraid, I guess he was already thinking she was crazy. "Yeah, you're probably right. I wouldn't want people mistaking me for her or anything." she replied and walked over to them both saying a few words. The little boy laughed then ran off almost tripping over his long robe. Rikku shook her head, "That kid was weird..." she mumbled frustratedly. Azul smirked, "Yeah, I'm sure he was....I think you might have scared him..."

[Strawberry]

Baralai followed after Azul slowly, a smirk on his face from her comment. "I didn't think the Yevonites had a sense of humor...I guess I was wrong. His chocolate brown eyes flashed to the boy laughing and running away, his smirk turning into a faint warm smile, then he turned his attention back to the sisters. "So, are you-" Baralai was suddenly cut off by a woman's voice calling his name and he turned to see one coming to a stop right behind him. She was panting for breath and her hair seemed slightly messy from the wind blowing through it crazily.

"P-p-praetor Baralai..." she panted, standing up straight. Her hair was black naturally, but she had permanently dyed her bangs a lime green when she was much younger. Her orange orbs switched between the three in front of her, hestitant, but she bowed her head. "Praetor Baralai, the council is asking to speak with you. They said it was urgent and they need to talk to you as quickly as possible."

Baralai glanced back at Rikku and Azul, then turned his attention mainly on the woman who had appeared. "Do you know what it is, Chiana?" he asked. He noted her glancing hesitantly at the twins and smiled. "Hey, it's okay. They're friends of mine. What comes to me is safe with them." Chiana nodded and wrung her hands together.

"Well, they said something about more people disappearing close to here. They were told that they were reported last seen on the path leading to the Gorge Bottom in the passage between the Calm Lands and Mount Gagazet. They say it might be important, due to the fact that a Fayth used to be down there. I personally doubt it has anything to do with that, but they still want to talk to you," she said, supplying the information formally. Baralai sighed and nodded.

"Could I ask you to go back and see what exactly they want from me? I'm in the middle of taking care of guests. It'd be rude to just leave them standing here..." he said. He was tired of dealing with the council and with the new uprisings, let alone everything about the Fayth. It was all just.. mind racking.

[Kiwi]

The two twins returned the girl's hesitant glance, however they could tell the girl seemed to be one of Baralai's messengers, so they dismissed the look. They both listened curiously to what the girl had to say. So there was another kidnapping? So soon after the one before it. Rikku frowned slightly, the Ronso lived on Mt. Gagazet, she hoped her friend Kimahri was alright. Azul just had a surprised look on her face, she hadn't met the Ronso elder yet, so she wasn't as worried as Rikku was. It puzzled Rikku more than anything though, hadn't the Fayth disappeared three years ago when Sin was destroyed? None of them had any comments, what was there to say? They looked at each for a second then back at Baralai and Chiana. Azul tilted her head slightly, noting that Baralai looked very stressed. "Hmm, it wouldn't be rude really. Business should come first after all, especially if it's dealing with people's lives in a way." she said to him with a shrug. Rikku nodded, "Yeah you don't need to worry about us! We can keep ourselves entertained." Azul smirked, "I'm sure you can Rikku, all you have to do is daydream about that Machine Faction guy hmm?" she asked giving her sister an accusatory look. Rikku narrowed her eyes, "No way you poopie head!" she exclaimed rather childishly. it only made Azul smirk more.

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[Strawberry]

Chiana looked back at Baralai after the girls insisted that he go, but he was shaking his head. "I'll go on ahead, Praetor, don't worry about it," she said cheerily with a warm smile. "I understand that you need to relax sometime and get all this stuff out of your head. You've been working too hard for everyone for the past few weeks, so you really need to sit down and put your feet up. Quit stressing out and taking everything on your shoulder for once. Praetor or not, you're human, too!"

Baralai returned her smile. "Thanks, Chiana. That'd be great, but I just can't do that in the middle of this type of crisis," he said, shaking his head lightly. Chiana only nodded, her bright smile on her face still, and walked back into the building hence she came. Baralai ran a hand through his snowy white hair, returning his attention back to Rikku and Azul. "Sorry about that.... Now.. were you two going to stay? I can get a room, or two if you aren't sharing, ready in a few minutes if you are."

[Kiwi]

Azul turned to Rikku, waiting for her answer. "so Rikku, can you wait just a bit longer to see that guy?" she asked smirking widely. Rikku continued to glare at her, "Yes I can wait forever!" she yelled in false angerment. Azul laughed and looked back at Baralai, "sure we'll stay." she told him with a smile. "Just give us one room, sharing isn't a problem." Rikku nodded, "Nope not a problem at all. They you won't here my footsteps in the hallway when I'm on my way to go to kill Azul." she said smiling as well. "Hey Rikku?" asked Azul. "Yeah...?" she replied. "Can I see your Dressphere for a second, your thief one?" Rikku blinked, and being quite the gullible girl she was, handed it over to her sister. Azul laughed and switched it with her own, instantly looking exactly like Rikku. instead of having multicolored hair, it was plain blonde. Her clothes were their yellowish shades as well. They not looked like the exact same person. Azul laughed, "this will be fun." she said with a smirk. Rikku gasped, "Hey thats not funny! I don't want people thinking I'm an idiot." Azul nearly died laughing at the one, "Don't worry. I'll probably make you look more intelligent." They both looked back at Baralai, Azul was still smirking, Rikku was giving him a look as if saying 'Make her stop!'.