"What is this?" Fred demanded, squinting his eyes against the bright glare
of artificial light. "Where is my blasted dragon?" Rikku huffed,
unconcerned with Fred's animosity. "My dear fellow, calm down!" Fred
glared at him, and laid his hand upon the hilt of his sword. "Listen here,
Rat Man, you agreed to lead me to the dragon, and-" Fred's voice faded as
a group of strangely-garbed young people walked by, swinging bright sacks
and chattering wildly. Rikku grabbed Fred's arm and hustled him off the
platform. Fred offered little resistance. The shabby wood of the platform
creaked, shuddered, then moved up and away with surprising speed. Fred
barely noticed. He stood there, unable to absorb the hubbub surrounding
him. Men, women, children... All clean and bright, talking loudly to one
another and some talking to little boxes that they held in their hand. No
one appeared to be armed. Rikku shook Fred roughly. "Come on, man. Snap
out of it. You're damn out of place as it is, what with your armor and
giant sword. Looking like you're trying to catch flies with your mouth
isn't making you any more endearing, let me tell you. Now, look at me...
See what I've done?" Fred raised his eyes to his rodent-like companion and
started. Rikku's face was smooth, and handsome. Well, not so much handsome
as human, which was a vast improvement. He wore clothing like the wild
beings surrounding them. Rikku grinned. "Did you not know that I'm a
Raht?" Fred managed a smile. "Of course I knew that you're a rat, Rikku.
The whiskers gave it away. And, well.... the teeth." Rikku looked
miffed. "No, Fred. Not a 'rat.' A 'Raht.' R-A-H-T. You know, the race of
magical beings? You can't be that sheltered, can you?" Fred just looked at
him blankly. Rikku shook his head. "Anyhoo, I have a bit of magic, you
see. Not much, but enough to make you look less like you're going to
pillage property and maidens alike. Now, apparently I didn't know these ol
caves as well as I thought. But we can get through this! Just hold still,
and I'll make you blend right in. That is, if you're still with me....?"
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5/22/2008 7:43:03 PM
21394647 episodes viewed since 9/30/2002 1:22:06 PM.