After fifty years - a remarkable lifespan for the people of Spira - Gippal was finally dying of the same ailment that struck many Al Bhed. They called it aqbucina, or “exposure”. There were a number of reasons that they used to explain the sickness - too much sun, too long in the desert in their childhood, toxins left over in the desert from ( Read more... )

Author’s Note: I always asked myself why, in Crimson Record 1, did Baralai not introduce himself to Gippal - yet they already seem friendly. This may be why.

IX.

A large group of recruits had arrived the night before training was to begin, and they were now camping out alongside Mushroom Rock Road. Several of them had gotten the briefing ( Read more... )

Title: VIII. Before We Die
Series: Variations on The First Kiss
Characters: Baralai, Gippal
Rating: PG-13
Warnings/Notes: Part of a series of drabbles/ficlets about the various ways that Gippal and Baralai might have shared their first kiss.

VIII.
The Crimson Squad candidates had been talking. They called this cave the “den of woe”. They said that this ( Read more... )

“I can’t believe Nooj sent us here,” Gippal whispered, peeking down through the grate that led to the small gathering room in the Djose temple. “I know he wants to find out what the Maesters want with the whole Crimson Squad thing, but sneaking around in a Temple? What if we get caught? What if we miss our orders? What if--?”

“ ( Read more... )

Title: VI. For His Life
Series: Variations on The First Kiss
Characters: Baralai, Gippal, Nooj, Paine
Rating: PG
Warnings/Notes: Part of a series of drabbles/ficlets about the various ways that Gippal and Baralai might have shared their first kiss.

( VI. )

Title: V. During A Visit
Series: Variations on The First Kiss
Characters: Baralai, Gippal
Rating: PG
Warnings/Notes: Part of a series of drabbles/ficlets about the various ways that Gippal and Baralai might have shared their first kiss.

It had been almost a year now since their trip to the Farplane with Vegnagun. Almost a year since Baralai had felt the ( Read more... )

There was little to do on these rainy days in the camp on Mushroom Rock Road. They were waiting to board the boats to take them to their first mission site - Bikanel, some had heard - but a fierce storm had just come in off the ocean, delaying their departure. The rains had destroyed the road and the surrounding grasslands, so any exercise ( Read more... )

Title: III. In The Office
Series: Variations on The First Kiss
Characters: Baralai, Gippal
Rating: PG
Warnings/Notes: Part of a series of drabbles/ficlets about the various ways that Gippal and Baralai might have shared their first kiss.

( III. )

II.

“Oh Yevon, please forgive me for my sins. Cleanse my hands of the traces of this unholy, forbidden machina…”

Gippal couldn’t help but listen. Baralai was only inches away, it seemed, and his prayer was so fervent - Gippal had never heard anything like it in his life. He had never heard anyone pray, really, except for the summoners; ( Read more... )

I.

Baralai woke up too often out in the desert. The shifting sands made small noises in the night, scratchings on the tent that sounded like animals trying to claw their way in. Every time the wind blew, he woke up.

He knew he needed sleep. He pulled his pack up over his head, hoping the canvas material would do something to ( Read more... )