Broken [Closed, In Progress]

[crimson_rogue_x]

WHO: Red X and Rikku
WHAT: A thieves' reunion under... unexpected circumstances
WHERE: X's suite
WHEN: Sunday night

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[crimson_rogue_x]

Violence. War. Loss. It sounded far too much like almost all the other stories he had heard in Reggio Calabria. Heartbreaking all, even from the sweetest and most innocent of souls. And though Rikku was hardly the sweetest or most innocent, here she was, caring for him, trusting him, even after all she and her people had suffered at the hands of outsiders.

"I'm sorry..."

What was that Kairi had said about him apologizing for things not his fault? Well, it didn't matter. Even if it wasn't his fault, even if she didn't need to hear it from anyone, especially him, somehow, he felt it needed to be said. Yes, he was a thief. But those he stole from were rich enough that it hardly made a dent in what they had. He never set out to ruin anyone. Perhaps, for a city like Reggio Calabria, he was too soft. But somehow, that completely cold, callous mentality of the guild had never quite managed to totally infect him.

Holding onto her hand lightly, X frowned a little, then looked back up at her, into her swirling eyes.

"You still planning to move somewhere new sooner or later?"

[cunningness]

The sharp knowledge that she still was, and would always be, different from people like X hurt more than she would ever let on, but being an outcast was an art which she had mastered long ago. It was a way of life, the way she had been raised, the way she would die. Fitting in meant dying her hair and buying specialized contacts, and those façades only worked for so long. It was demeaning to hide like that-she was by no means ashamed of her ethnicity, of her beliefs, but others thought she should be. It was almost easier to go along with what they wanted, just so she wouldn't have to think about how she shouldn't.

The young thief's nose twitched and she bit the inside of her cheek. I'm sorry. How many times had she heard those words? Only Shiva knew. How many times had they been sincere? Certainly not enough. She could hardly even tell anymore when someone meant it, but here he was, and she was almost positive that he did mean it, was serious. It was more important to her than she was willing to admit, though he probably deserved to know.

Letting people in like this had never been easy; she loved to be loved-it was just the loving back part that made her stumble sometimes.

Rikku gave a half-shrug, mentally congratulating herself on maintaining eye contact once again. "I don't know. It would probably be in my best interest to pack up and skip town tonight. But there are a lot of things holding me here, more than my head likes to think about." Like her garage. And Kairi and Lulu. And him. Far too many connections. Another sigh left her lips, and she didn't even bother to hide it. "'Never attach yourself to someone you can't walk away from in a split second.' It's a basic rule in our lives. One I pretty much fail at following."

[crimson_rogue_x]

X was a joker, a trickster, and even a clown at times. But he wouldn't lie to his friends like that, not on stuff like this. And especially not to her, after what she'd been through. Still, even roughed up as he was, he didn't miss Rikku's reaction: hesitation. It wasn't outright rejection of his words, but, at the same time... At the same time, after what she had been through, he couldn't blame her. Even if she trusted him enough to tell him all this, well, she'd been through a lot, and he was an outsider, an outsider whom she had known for a while, who had disappeared on her, and came back like this. He couldn't blame her... but he was going to do better.

He smiled lightly up at her. It was a practical rule. Also one he broke way too often for his own good. But, more and more, his own good seemed less and less important to him.

"I'm glad.

"To be honest, Rikku, rules like that... the Guild had them, too. Weren't spoken, but you kind of knew anyone in the guild or outside could backstab you for power or position or what you did at every turn. I didn't like it. Never did. But, well, you know what happened with that."

He laughed softly, and, with great effort, forced himself to sit up, though he maintained eye contact.

"You know, even with all that happened... because of you, and my other friends... I don't regret leaving. Not one bit. If I was still alone, I might... but I don't."

[cunningness]

The corner of her eye twitched and she felt her muscles locking up. "We're not like that," she said almost too quietly. "Power only goes to the maytan, and everybody accepts it. The maytan's word is law, and only their family or a chosen heir can lead our people. Things are simpler that way for us." But not for her, because she was next in line of Brother denied the position, which he likely would. Then there was just her and Gippal, and both of them had an equal shot at Cid passing on the title. Politics had never been her strong suit, but she knew her father would be pushing for her to accept the position once he retired.

She was sighing far too often these days. Her sysy would've told her to smile because she was prettiest that way, and Cid would've told her to suck it up and keep going. Either way, she knew being melancholy didn't suit her, and made a mental note to do something fun once she was sure X was going to make it through the next week without killing himself.

The young thief forced herself to calm down again, and even gave a touch of a smile at his words. "I always used to hate the idea of being alone. When Keyakku died, I was so sure that everyone else I cared about would follow because maybe I was just unlucky like that." She cocked her head to the side and drummed her fingers lightly on her thigh as she thought. "And when Gippal decided to leave fo-" There it was, she'd slipped, and she clamped her mouth shut and changed the subject in the only way she knew how.

Her spiraled gaze flicked down for just a second to rest on his shaking arms, and she knew how much it was costing him to stay upright. Her jade gaze returned to his, though her face was set in a stubborn half-glare. "Just lie down already," she said, exasperated. "You don't have to play tough guy, y'know. That potion should kick in any time and help with the pain."

[crimson_rogue_x]

It sounded a bit like a tyranny, to X. But then, given what their people had gone through, dissent, chaos... that would only weaken them. Given it was one small group against the rest of the world, they had to present a united front, and that was probably the best way to go about it. Still, he could tell that it didn't sit well with her-- or, well, something about it didn't sit well with her, from the way she was talking about it, and from those little physical tics that showed up when she talked about it. Even though she smiled, he could tell it was a little strained, but he decided not to push. If she didn't want to talk about it, well, she was here with him, and not there with them, so it really shouldn't matter all that much, and if it did, he trusted her to trust him enough to tell him someday.

And then she cut herself off. He had to admit, he was curious now as to what she was talking about... but again, he knew better than to press, and smiled and rolled with it when she changed the subject, smiling cheerfully at her.

"I think it already is. Well, either that or talking with you is."

[cunningness]

And then she managed to relax, because it was so easy to fall back into this routine. Joking, flirting-so much better than worrying and being secretive. It suited her much more, was a playing field she was very familiar with. And it didn't change the fact that he should really lie down and get some rest, but she almost wanted to keep him up just so she could talk to him. It wouldn't have been fair in the least, but her idea of "fair" had always been a bit different from everyone else's.

But morality won out over selfishness, and she puffed out a cheek in annoyance.

"Lie back down or I'll make you." Almost as an afterthought, she grinned and added: "You can interpret that any way you wish." There was a fifty percent chance that she'd just push him down-the other fifty involved a lot of flirting and trickery. The former would be better for his health, but the latter sounded rather tempting, and she couldn't help but smile just thinking about it. Shiva knew he'd probably hurt like Hell-and that was more than enough reason for her to nix the idea-but she could always imagine.

[crimson_rogue_x]

X laughed and smiled devilishly. He didn't need her second line to send his mind in that direction, though her tone certainly didn't make it hard.

"Tempting."

He was being honest. It was tempting. Sure, it would cost him... but depending on what she had in mind, it could totally be worth it. Okay, it'd probably hurt, yes... but, well, it wasn't like he hadn't flirted with that kind of thing once or twice.

Challengingly, he arched an eyebrow, and, oddly enough, he did seem to be holding himself up a bit better now. Maybe it was the medicine, or maybe it was just the playing around distracted him from how much his arms were screaming at him at the moment.

[cunningness]

Being obstinate had always been one of her stronger traits, and had gotten her into a cred load of trouble more times than she could count. But it was also a sort of blessing, because when she put her mind to something there was usually no stopping her, except maybe by force. But even then, she might have been tiny, but was by no means weak. So there were few people in the world who were as stubborn as this particular Al Bhed.

But it seemed as if X was one of them.

That cocked eyebrow sealed it, and she just smiled back at him before hoisting herself the rest of the way onto the bed. She crawled around him and flopped back against the pillows, hands behind her head. The young thief let out a long, melodramatic sigh and made her voice almost mournful. "I'll just lie here all by myself, then." She bit her cheek to hold in a laugh and added: "Besides, your back has always been your best side."

And then she raised an eyebrow right back, one corner of her mouth pulled up in a half-grin, almost like a dare.

[crimson_rogue_x]

And he was tiny, too. Well. Compared to most guys. Especially in Reggio Calabria. Really, with all the tall and strapping gents around, even he was surprised sometimes with how easy it was for him to attract a pretty girl's eye. And what pretty eyes this pretty girl had.

Still, for all his charm and jokes and trickery, he wasn't that easily fooled or duped, and if she wanted to play things that way, well, he couldn't let her win the game that easily, now could he? That hardly sounded fun for either of them, since the outcome would be the same anyway.

They both knew he wanted her to win, after all.

"Oh, really? It wasn't a bit hard to see with the cape and all?"

It really was a ridiculous outfit. But at least it wasn't those garish, neon colors the new ones were all over.

Laughing softly-- and with a fair amount of effort that he tried to use the laughing to mask-- he moved himself up the headboard and reached out a hand to toy with her hair in an almost catlike manner. Normally, he'd have been able to do a flip or something equally athletic or acrobatic to get into the position, but the raw nerves were cramping his style. Though he really was enjoying the company, just as sincerely he hoped that her serum would be able to help him get back to normal quicker.

"I think the view might be nicer from up here."

He smiled down at her, and teasing though his words were, his eyes didn't actually wander, instead staying fixed on her own.

[cunningness]

“I never look when you’re wearing the cape.” Which was partially true-because first of all, it was so damn hard to see him with that dark cape, and second because it did indeed block her view. She wouldn’t deny that he was attractive, and he wouldn’t deny it either, she was sure. His ego was big enough to rival even Gippal’s, but she wasn’t about to tell either of them that. There was no doubt that it’d end with an argument of some sort, and she’d have to intervene eventually, no matter how entertaining it might have been.

Spiraled jade followed him as he moved, her muscles tensed and ready to catch him in case he fell-which was stupid, because he would have just fallen on the bed, which had a ridiculously soft mattress anyway.

And he was certainly a sight for sore eyes, though he did look rather sore at the moment. He’d never say it, she knew, but he was hurting something fierce. She wished he wouldn’t keep playing tough guy, but then, boys would be boys. If his pride was kept whole by playing I’m-going-to-be-all-strong-even-though-I’m-aching-like-hell, then she wasn’t going to stop him. Though that probably would have been the right thing to do.

Rikku let her head loll to the side, looking up at him through her lashes. She shifted her body and let one of her legs knock against his knee, trying to throw him off balance so he would indeed fall. Hopefully, she would catch him off guard in the midst of their eye-lock. A dirty trick, but a necessary one.

[crimson_rogue_x]

Well, run around dressed like that, and you'd better have a big ego to back it up. It was sort of like a power tie. A power tie that allowed him to teleport, fire blasts from his palms, increased his strength and speed, and a bunch of other stuff. Still, wear the mask, play the part.

And, X had to admit, it was fun playing the part.

Still, for all his bravado, this had definitely proven that X was anything but invincible-- and Rikku was about to prove it again. He could even see it coming, and figured it had been coming, but had forgotten to figure into the whole equation his slower reaction time.

Rikku would probably be gratified by the way his eyes widened a little when he realized he wouldn't be fast enough to get out of the way, and was sent off balance and into the mattress and sheets below. Still, after a moment, during which he blew a free lock of back hair from his eyes, he looked at her and laughed, rolling his eyes.

"Fine. You win. Pick your prize."

[cunningness]

Her thief garb, she knew, wasn't the most practical of outfits. But it was the height of Al Bhed fashion, sans all the leather. Which, she had to continually point out to others of her race, was rather uncomfortable when worn for an extended period of time. She supposed that most of them were used to it after all these years, but really.

All that chafing. She much preferred leaving her body unhindered, ready for use.

And the fraction that his eyes expanded just before he fell was more than enough satisfaction for her, and she just smiled as he flopped down. Even though she had more or less known that there was no way he could catch himself, it was fun to watch him fall from just a little nudge. That was most certainly ten points to her, none to him.

The young thief giggled lowly with him, and then sighed, brushing that stray tuft of ebony from his face. "You need to rest," she told him gently. "The potion works wonders, but you'll still ache like hell in the morning."

[crimson_rogue_x]

Practical or not, X liked her thief's outfit. And not for the obvious reasons. Well. Not just for the obvious reasons. It was bold, it was daring, it was unique. It was Rikku. And, for the record, while leather would have been hot on her,somehow it just didn't suit her personality that well. She was too... carefree for it. Or seemingly carefree, at least.

From his position on the bed, he arched an eyebrow at her and sighed. He wasn't going to argue that he needed rest-- he knew that much, however stubborn he was in fighting it. Ironic as it sounded, he was tired of laying around doing absolutely nothing. Well, at least he had good company.

"You said you needed rest, too. Want to crash here tonight?"

Okay, he could have worded it differently, and probably would have if it weren't for the worry in her eyes and the very real fact that he probably couldn't handle what they were doing being more than what it was already. Still, she did say she was due for a crash, and, for once, it might be nice to have someone to just crash with.

[cunningness]

Sitting still for too long was not something any Al Bhed liked to do-they were always moving, always fidgeting in some way. Motion was an inbred necessity, and it was automatic, half the time they didn't even realize they were shifting at all. Rikku had more than once found herself pacing without being aware of doing so, or rolling her weight from foot to foot, bouncing on her heels, at the most inappropriate times.

Incidentally, though, she was a ridiculously light sleeper, just like the rest of her people. With the constant threat of having your throat slit in your sleep looming overhead, it was also habit.

She cocked an eyebrow at him. That was a rather tempting offer-his bed was ridiculously comfortable, much better than her own. She was so used to the hard, lumpy cots of Home that this seemed like paradise, which it actually was. And she would be able to keep a better eye on him, because she had already decided that she wasn't going to leave him alone for the night.

So she shrugged and stretched her arms over her head, toeing off her shoes and socks at the same time. "Sure." So easy, such a light answer. The blonde girl rolled to her side, propping her elbow up on the pillow and resting her head in her palm. She gently poked him in the chest, a smile flicking over her lips. "But you have to promise to sleep."

[crimson_rogue_x]

"I will. Eventually."

He shrugged and smiled at her, finally letting the tension out from his body, and relaxing, though his eyes didn't move off of her. The way her eyes spiraled... it was almost dangerously easy to get lost in them. And, as dangerous a girl as she was-- every bit his equal in thievery and cleverness, if not his better-- she didn't make him feel threatened. She made him feel... safe. Funny, how he could spend years among a guild of thieves, and somehow never feel this way for any of them, even those who had been his lovers. Never... comfortable, just lying there with them. Only her.

"Cross my heart and hope to die."

[cunningness]

Rikku rolled her eyes at him, shifting towards him so that she could gently poke him again. "Eventually had better mean soon, and soon had better mean within the next ten minutes." But she was grinning, so there wasn't much force behind the words.

Al Bhed were used to sharing more or less everything. So personal space wasn’t an issue, couldn’t be an issue. Her people had lived in such cramped quarters for so long that it was almost instinctual not to mind having another being closer than normal. Rikku herself had probably shared a bed with most of the girls at Home-and more than a few of the boys-simply because there was just not enough room for all of them. Some would have called it whorish, disgusting-but it was just necessity. She would never know why people didn’t understand that, because after all, it was their fault her people had been forced into such conditions.

The blonde girl reached up and began twirling one perfectly-formed honeyed braid around her finger, the aqua bead that held the end sending a small flick of light over her tanned skin. "No dying," she said firmly. "That's not in the contract."