Practice Makes Perfect
Chapter Four
Obsession
By RingPrincess
A/N Sorry about the wait, wanted to get most of the really long date done before I got to posting what was next. Anyways, always, remember Rippal shippers, rippal(underscore)shippers(dot)livejournal(dot)com. It'd be great to see more people there!

Rikku

We found the sphere. Yet there wasn't the feeling of satisfaction that normally accompanied the accomplishment, at least, not on my part. If the others felt anything they certainly weren't sharing with me, which I expected. The entire mission had passed in sullen silence after our argument. And it had been less than twenty-four hours since I had lost my temper though it felt like much longer. This proves I can't work miracles.

By the time we found the sphere we were far off the beaten Mi'ihen path and so of course there'd been no sign of Rin. He was a civilized man and didn't like to stray away from cities or populated areas. Yuna wanted to go back and hunt him down and as Yuna is the leader, forgoing Brother's delusions, that was what we did. We walked in silence back towards the road, comfortable silence I suppose. Silence supported by the hum of insects and the call of birds. A slight breeze caressed our bodies and the long grass whipped against our legs. My mind wandered paying superficial attention to my surroundings.

Yuna had come up with our current quest, something that was to bring Spira together, a city, a city of light, one that never slept, a reborn Zanarkand of sorts. A place where every species could live powered by the Farplane, a city to be built on the banks of the Moonflow. Okay, the Moonflow was Tidus' idea. It was a good one. The Moonflow was beautiful, a tourist attraction and ideally situated between the human cities of Luca and Bevelle and right next to Guadosalam. A great idea, no? Well, wanting a city and actually building a city were two different things, which Yuna was discovering much to her dismay. Home wasn't built in a day and Pops had the help of all the Al Bhed. I'm sure there were problems that Yuna hadn't even thought of yet. She was still at the 'work up hype' stage and if her vision was to come true she needed the support of all species upon Spira. She had to sell the idea to as many important people as possible in hopes of making it a reality.

Strangely we started with Gippal. Of course, this city wouldn't be built without him and the technology the Machine Faction was creating to control the Farplane's power. Gippal was well, Gippal. Amiable when he wasn't being annoying and he would want to see the technology used to prove to those financing him that it had been a worthwhile use of time and manpower. Rin had been one of these. Rin was a merchant and not very mechanically inclined. Money was something he understood. I'm sure he could rule the world if he tried hard enough through the power of Gil. Fortunately, Rin was politically inclined, unlike Gippal. Though Gippal had little choice because of his friends and not wanting to come between them. Which, when you thought about it was a really shitty reason to have to be political.

It was a needed position. Someone had to keep the two human parties in line. Humans have this insane ability to fight each other over the smallest differences in ideology. Other species disagreed within themselves. They didn't make organizations over it. Other species fought each other quickly and moved on. No disrespect to Nooj or Baralai intended, but their inability to get along was plain stupid.

"Lord Rin!" Yuna yelled, jerking me from my reverie. Yuna ran on ahead, long blue-tiered skirt flapping. I stared after her and bit my lip. Wasn't I supposed to talk to Rin? By the time the rest of us caught up Yuna and Rin were already in deep conversation about the city.

I licked my lips. I should say something but jumping in would be rude and undermine what Yuna was doing. The whole city was her idea and the rest of us were going along because, um, well, I personally thought it was a great idea. Spira needed something like this, rebuilding, unity, something that the Al Bhed felt very personally.

Yet my chest hurt as I stood there next to her. We'd agreed days ago that I was to talk to Rin. Did that mean nothing now? I understood how Rin thought. I could get him to agree to help us. Heat rushed to my face and I stepped a few feet away. Rin didn't look at me and Yuna continued her spiel. I stared at my feet, hoping my hair hid my face. Rin didn't know I was to talk to him, convince him through shared specie and experiences. Rin didn't know but the others did. Worst of all, I did and it hurt. I didn't need to be here, a dangling third wheel. I should be on the ship, being here was humiliating and embarrassing.

"I'll think about it Lady Yuna." Rin smiled and bowed, a cosmopolitan gentleman.

Yuna smiled back, pleased. I stole glances at her, hands behind her back. "Thank you, once we've more information we'll contact you."

"Of course," Rin Nodded and left walking down the Highroad towards Luca. I stared after him, lip tucked between my teeth.

Yuna clapped. "That went well."

I spoke without thinking. "No. It didn't. Yuna, translation, I'll think about it means no." Her face went blank. I spun about, away from her. "Why didn't you let me talk to him like we agreed?" It would probably hurt me but I had to know. Silence behind me, tears stung my eyes. "I get it. I can't do my job now either." I said. "Rin's a merchant, profit and loss is his language. His type of idealism isn't your idealism. He isn't a humanitarian." The silence deepened. "Oh never mind," I muttered. I wanted to go home. I hadn't realized how painful being ignored was. I wanted the comfort of my computer screen or the warmth of my bed.

The Celsius' engine noise made me look up and cover my eyes as she swooped and hovered over us, ramp extended. I was closest so I managed to get aboard before the others.

Brother waited in front of the sphere-oscillafinder, arms crossed. "So?"

"We found the sphere. Rin said no." I reported, voice flat.

"He did not!" Yuna cried. I looked over to see her throw her hands out at her sides, fists clenched. "He said he'd think about it."

"Which means no." I reminded Brother.

He glared at me. "What did you say?"

It was my turn to gesture with my hands. "I didn't."

"Then how?"

I pointed at Yuna. "She talked. I never got the chance."

Yuna's fists clenched tighter and she whirled leaving. Tidus looked back and forth and went after her. The Mi'ihen Highroad's silence infected the bridge.

"No matter," Brother finally said, far too late. "We need Father more than Rin."

I rebelled at the thought. Sure we needed Father, but not more than Rin. We needed them equally for different reasons. I didn't want to include Father. He had this problem of trying to take things over. "I don't agree." I said, deciding to voice my more cynical thoughts for a change.

Brother flailed his arms about. "Of course we need Father, he is the Elder."

"Neither one is more important than the other. We could do without both of them if we had to. Rin may have Gil, but so de we as do other human merchants, like O'aka. Pops is Elder. He isn't acting like it. If Al Bhed support is what Yuna wants, Gippal fulfills that role nicely. Enough Al Bhed will follow his lead, Rin included that Pops won't be needed in that role."

Paine spoke. "Why do you say that?"

I'd forgotten she was there, forgotten that not all those on the bridge were Al Bhed. I crossed my arms and looked at the ceiling, unsure exactly how to put my hunches into words. I didn't have this problem with Gippal. Around him the words flowed out of me, easy and natural. Gippal though was more accepting than Paine. I thought back to what I said to him and grimaced. I didn't want to belittle Father to Paine. She was human and while I could complain all about his parental abilities I shouldn't belittle his leadership or lack thereof. At least, no more than I had already said. For it was a problem, Pops not doing his job. We couldn't do anything about it though that was up to him. So, I went for the middle ground to try and give Paine some idea. "Gippal is the new face of the Al Bhed." My lips twitched into a smile and a sexy face he had. Sensuous lips, especially against mine, fine cheekbones, heat twisted in my gut and I looked away so hopefully they wouldn't see my expression.

"He's not the leader, the Elder." Paine pointed out.

"Doesn't matter. If he does something other Al Bhed are going to follow. He's a leader, but not a political leader." I said. At least not yet, I thought.

"A social leader."

I shrugged. "Label it what you want."

Buddy walked over and stood next to Brother. He crossed his arms. "Still, we can't cut Cid out. He'd be might peeved."

Brother nodded.

"Yep," I said.

Brother gaped. "You agree."

I put my hands on my hips and leaned in. "Weren't you listening? I said we didn't need Pops in the role of Elder."

Buddy stared at me, face relaxing in shock as something occurred to him. "Cid built Home."

I rocked back on my heels and grinned. "Bingo. Just what Pops needs, a city to plan, a city in which he needs to focus on all people instead of just Al Bhed."

"It'll be a challenge." Buddy tapped his foot.

Brother grinned. A grin that usually included picking me up and spinning me around, not this time though. "Then he'll stop bugging me!"

I giggled. Leave it to Brother to think of himself. I bounced on my feet. "Get him off the idea of rebuilding Home." Now there was an idea to talk about with Gippal, a city, an Al Bhed city but in a different location. Let Home and all of its memories rest in peace or was that piece.

"Buddy grinned. "Sounds good to me. So, where's Cid?"

Brother and I looked at each other. I sighed. That was the million gil question. I shook my head. "Oh Pops," I muttered. He'd disappeared after Vegnagun, again.

"Gullwing time!" Brother shouted.

Paine shook her head. "I'll go get Yuna and Tidus."

I'm glad she volunteered to go. Who knows what they could be doing? But that left me alone with Brother, his best friend and Shinra and as soon as the doors shut silence fell over the bridge. Silence filled with tension. Buddy and Brother avoided my eyes.

I don't know why Brother decided to help with Yuna's city. I'm sure that's what everyone will call it, Yuna's city. Did Brother just want to keep Pops off his back and away from lecturing him? Did he do it out of love for Yunie, a desire to be close to her, prove he could be part of her life even with Tidus around? Or was it the desire not to lose his crew? Or did he really believe in Yuna's dream? Brother loved Home, our time there was precious to him. One reason why I think he didn't want to rebuild. It wouldn't be the same. It wouldn't be home. Why sully the memories?

But that wasn't why we were uncomfortable now. No, this was because I'd become enraged, attacked Paine. Something neither of us had been prepared for or thought could happen. And now he feared. He feared I'd do it to him. I was close enough. I could reach out and touch him. So I did. I wrapped my hand gently around his lower arm. "Brother," I said. He tensed and I squeezed his arm. "I'm sorry."

He looked over at me. "You're always sorry." He knew what I was talking about without a topic sentence. Nice we could start in the middle, bad, since it meant we'd done this far too often and knew the lines by heart. "You keep hurting others. When will it stop?"

My heart wrenched. "I don't know." I moaned. "There're no guarantees it ever will and there never has been. I thought, I thought it was gone."

"I don't want to be hurt again." Brother whispered, staring at the floor.

I swallowed hard. "I don't want to hurt anyone either." I paused. "Unless they really, really deserve it." I added.

Brother smiled, but didn't look up.

Buddy leaned in. "Which Paine didn't."

I sighed. My head drooped. "No. She didn't." My ability to admit that seemed to make both Buddy and Brother feel better. Now if I could admit aloud to Paine.

Brother dragged me into a hug. I snuggled into his chest. He was like a big moogle. He rested his cheek on the top of my head. "Just try not to scare me like that again." He admonished.

"I can't promise anything, but I'll try." I mumbled.

"And just for the record then. I don't entirely trust you." He said, which was utterly ridiculous sounding since we were hugging. I giggled.

Buddy reached up and rubbed a hand through the short curly stubble of his hair. "You know me. I can't keep a grudge. But I'm on guard for you now."

"So don't try anything." Brother finished the threat.

I reached out a hand towards Buddy. He squeezed it. "You're such a good friend." I said.

His grin was lopsided. "Try to remember that."

"I have. I've never been mad at you, like Gippal. It's not my fault you keep getting involved in the-" I stopped speaking as I couldn't think of a good word.

"Carnage," Buddy supplied.

I blinked. That worked, but was a bit too apt.

Brother leaned his head down to look at me, eyes narrow and his cheeks sucked in. It made his prominent cheekbones stand out even more. "Gippal, huh."

I flushed and pushed away from him. "Well, it's true." I sputtered. Fortunately Shinra saved me before I could make a complete fool of myself by confessing to the very chaste kiss I'd shared with Gippal. Shinra cleared his throat.

"Not to interrupt family bonding, the others will be back soon."

I trotted over to stand by his chair. "Shinra?"

"What?"

"Are you okay?"

He paused in his work. "I'm fine. I assure you I found your emotional outburst quite fascinating."

Emotional outburst, that was one way to put it. I guess. "Well, fascinating is better than cute," I muttered.

"Who found it cute?"

I turned red, again. I had to stop that. "Gippal, fourteen or so years ago."

Shinra chuckled, the brat. I leaned over his chair and watched him work. It was all theoretical and dealt with the Farplane. Buddy and Brother discussed places Pops could be hiding, sulking, whatever. We all glanced over as Yuna, Paine and Tidus entered the room.

Yuna crossed her arms. "Paine says you have a mission for us."

Buddy returned to his station. Most likely to plot courses to locations Pops might be at. Talk about a wild gull hunt.

Brother hooked his thumbs into his red suspenders. "We're going to find Father."

"No."

"No?" Brother frowned.

"We'll need more than the Al Bhed to build the city. Next we're speaking with Baralai, Trommell and Nooj."

Brother looked at me. I shrugged. He was the leader but this really was Yuna's project. Yuna was running the show and we were along for the ride. Was it worth it to protest?

"We can include Pops later." I said mildly. "Gippal might be the only Al Bhed Yuna needs for the city to be started."

"You keep saying that," Paine said. I couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic or questioning. I settled for answering her with a shrug. Her face clouded. "Why?"

"I told you."

"I don't believe you."

I rolled my eyes. "Well, that makes us even. Tell you what make an even trade. You'll tell me why you're angry with me and I'll tell you why I think Gippal is-" I blinked. "Um, Gippal." I muttered in confusion, unsure what to say without giving everything including my feelings away. "I guess you could say important." I fumbled to make up for my mistake.

Tidus grinned and opened his mouth to make some comment and immediately bit down on it as soon as I glared at him. His shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. I spun on my heel, head high and strutted to my station.

"You're obsessed." Paine muttered.

I stumbled to a halt a few feet away from safety. I took a deep breath and recovered my balance and kept going. This time I actually made it without hurting someone.

--

Gippal

I had my three days, three sunrises and two sunsets to figure out how to ask Rikku out to the tournament. Three days of suffering under Ken's knowing smirk and employee's questioning looks. And three days to realize that Djose was absolutely full and Lady Yuna's idea of building a city had come not a moment to soon.

In fact there were so many people at the temple. People were constantly bumping into each other in the corridors and everyone married or not had roommates, except me. I wasn't about to give up my privacy because rank hath its privileges. All employees were fully occupied and I was going to wish for twice the number if this city got off the ground, if I didn't build it myself out of sheer desire for space and increasing claustrophobia. Anyways, so three days had passed, one problem I hadn't considered. Where was Rikku?

An obvious problem but I'd other things on my mind and neglected to remember it. Third reason I'd never taken Rikku out on a date. I couldn't keep track of the girl. Besaid one day, Zanarkand the next, she'd always been something of a butterfly. Living on an airship had made the habit of being constantly on the move worse. Okay, admittedly I didn't help matters either. I hated to be in one place more than a week at a time, but still. Would it kill the girl to conveniently waltz into Djose today? Hell, I wouldn't care if she walked, just as long as she was here and not someplace else. I wanted to see her smile then wring her lovely neck, kiss her and ask her to the blitzball tournament. The fact she had conveniently yet to show up was frustrating.

I daren't bring this up to Ken. He'd just laugh at me and as the only Al Bhed besides Rikku that knew something might be between us. I didn't need his mockery or someone else to overhear. Besides, Ken would be full of all sorts of good advice, none of it useful.

"Hey, boss," One of my many nameless employees stuck his head inside my office.

I looked up. "Yeah."

"A man just arrived from Mushroom Rock. Ken thought you'd like to hear his news." Ken thought, what a concept.

I nodded and after tidying my desk, which involved putting all the papers in a rather haphazard pile and sticking the writing utensils in a mug especially commandeered from the mess for that purpose, a process that took less than thirty seconds. I headed downstairs, anything to save me from my dilemma. Ken stood next to Nedus, one of the door guards. They'd have been twins except that Nedus opted to wear a yellow facemask. It made distinguishing them that much easier. Uh huh, right. Another of my nameless employees made it a group not a pair. I racked my brain for a name. His outfit didn't help either, standard blue and yellow shirt, gray pants, red belts and goggles. Damn it. I should talk to Rikku's tailor. See about introducing some variety to the rest of the Al Bhed population. I looked at Ken. "News?"

Ken smiled. I turned my gaze to the nameless guy whom I knew I didn't pay to spy on Nooj. Yet, they all did if called to go to Mushroom Rock. Whatever affected Nooj would spill over and affect us. Come to think of it the employees at Bevelle 'spied' too. Nameless guy nodded at me. "The High Summoner and the Gullwings just arrived at the entrance to Mushroom Rock. Lady Yuna asked for a meeting with Mevyn Nooj."

Of course, Yuna would ask. The girl didn't know how to demand. Wait, Lady Yuna and the Gullwings. I grinned. This was almost too easy. To think I'd spent the better part of my morning agonizing about it. "Rikku?" I didn't much care about Yuna really. I already knew what she wanted of the Mevyn.

"She was there."

My grin broadened. I couldn't help it. I clapped his arm. "Thanks." He rocked back on his heels. An eyebrow rose above his goggles. Ken snorted. I whirled and pointed at him. "Don't say a word." I growled and strode off down the bridge. I remotely heard Ken break into laughter behind me. I ignored it. Sometimes it was better to ignore such things. Besides if I made it to Mushroom Rock in time to see Rikku it was worth a little laughter at my expense.

It didn't take too long to get there courtesy of a very fast hover ride. Yaibal met me at the final gate. I smiled at him. He was a decent enough guy, a bit enthusiastic, but decent.

"Mevyn Nooj is in a meeting with Lady Yuna, right now."

I held up a hand. "Relax Lieutenant. I'm not here to see Nooj or Yuna."

"Oh," he blinked, sidetracked off his canned message.

I grinned. "Don't worry, I can keep myself occupied, as you were, Lieutenant."

He unconsciously saluted and took off. I shook my head, ex-military types. The Youth League overflowed with them, most retaining or even going up in rank. Lucil was a commander now rather than a mere Captain of the Chocobo Knights. A rank her loyal follower and inferior, Elma now held. I leaned against a cannon and eyed Nooj's little capitol, all the dragon sword banners flapping in the breeze. Nooj had never been subtle. Of course, he was ex-military as well and the military didn't need to be subtle. Crusaders, I shook my head, to think I once wanted to be one of them. Oh to be that young and stupid again. Of course, I was still young, just hopefully a smarter side of stupid.

Nooj and Yuna walked out the door together heads close still deep in conversation. I had a good idea what they were talking about but Nooj would have to come to his own conclusions. Rikku was the last out the door. The sun hit her hair making it glow. I swallowed, doubts rushing to my brain. What the fuck was I doing? She looked back and forth and in doing so caught my eye. She smiled and my heart stopped. I couldn't resist that smile. I grinned back. She sauntered towards me separating from her friends, whom I don't think even noticed I was here. Good.

"Gippal," she said stopping to grin up at me. "You here to see Nooj?"

I shook my head. "I was hoping to see you."

Her eyes widened. "R-really." A hint of rose stained her cheeks. She looked adorable.

"Yeah, I had it on good authority you were here. Face it. You're harder to keep track of than I am." I leaned down a bit. "Which makes getting a hold of you rather difficult. So, I thought it best to come talk to you before, poof, you vanished."

She giggled. "I can see the problem."

I sighed. "I don't think you do."

She shook her head. "But I do, though I didn't realize it was that urgent to see me." Her eyes sparkled.

"I wouldn't say urgent."

She pouted. I hate it when she cries and I can't stand it when she pouts. It's irrational. I want to admit to anything to make her stop. I don't of course, that would be dumb and let her know she had a hold over me. "At least, not yet." I finished.

That made her stop. "Yet?"

"Well, time constraints and all that."

"Time constraints?"

This question and answer thing was getting bothersome and I hadn't even gotten to the important question yet. "Well, I was wondering if you'd come to the tournament with me? See, time constraints. I know it's short notice-"

She reached up and placed a finger on my lips. "I'll come."

I blinked, her words not quite sinking in because of the light pressure of her fingers on my lips. She'd stopped me in the middle of my babble, which was good since cool guys like me didn't babble. But, she'd come. I slowly grinned, her hand returning to her side. "You'll come with me?"

She nodded.

I wanted to ask if she was sure, but that would make me appear unsure. I licked my lips. "Luca, the Crystal Square, noonish."

"The games don't start till evening." She whined, a frown pinching the skin between her eyes.

"There's the Fair and someplace I want to take you to lunch."

"Where?"

"It's a surprise." I grinned.

She ground her teeth, as I knew she would. Rikku hated being left out in general and surprises in particular.

"Rikku," Tidus shouted. "Come on or we'll leave without you."

At least someone had noticed she was missing. She rolled her eyes. "Luca, Crystal Square, noonish, first day of the games."

I nodded.

She spun and looked over her shoulder at me. "I can't wait."

She was gone before I could answer. 'Me neither,' I thought as my heart thudded in my chest. I could only hope that the next four days would pass quickly. It wasn't until after she left that I realized I hadn't asked how she was doing. Damn it, that was important, especially now. I repressed a sigh. Stupid, stupid me. Nooj cleared his throat, appearing next to me sometime during my musings of missed opportunities.

"You should work on that cough." I said.

"I suppose you wanted something." He replied, as surly as ever. Like I ever showed up to talk to him without sending a message first. Okay, there was this one time but it was one time, really.

"Not from you," I crossed my arms.

He frowned and rubbed the bridge of his nose under his glasses. "Then why are you here?"

Rikku's positive answer had restored my sense of equilibrium and it was nice to taunt someone else for a change. "To be mysterious."

He gave me the look, the one given to small frustrating children and annoying adolescents. I smirked back. He shook his head. "Intriguing I'm sure, if I had time for it."

"As pondering on whether on not we really need to build a city at one of Spira's biggest tourist attractions takes a lot of time." I nodded. "Yet, I'm sure it will bug you. Later Nooj." I pushed off the cannon and walked away with a wave of my hand. I could feel Nooj's gaze burning into my back and I started to whistle just to piss him off. Yeah, this was a lovely day.

--

TBC...

You know TBC looks so ominous sometimes. Okay shoutout time!
marajade963: EEE! Another update. I hope this keeps you interested. Thanks for reading.
Gippals0Ladyee: I'm sorry your dissappointed in them, but I'm trying to portray something less than a sugar spun relationship between the girls. Something more real life and Poor Gipster... he gets to be so tormented and abused. Here's the UPDATE!
Delilah Wigglesworth: Ack! hides I hope this was soon enough for you. Prolly not. SORRY. I'm so happy you liked it though. I've put a lot of work into this story. Thank you... hooked in the first paragraph YAY!