Nabiki pointed to the dressphere lying in the box that was labeled with 'Alchemist'. "What does this one do?"
"Oh, that's one of my favorite dresspheres. The alchemist's specialty are items. He can mix up various potions and other useful stuff just by himself, and in battle, he can mix up different ingredients to create dozens of effects. I learned to do that myself, but I'm not as good as a true alchemist, though... But, an alchemist is really handy, as his item skills don't need magic."
"Um... I really can't do any magic, you know?"
"Doesn't matter! Witch dresspheres, everyone can use magic. But as I said, with this one, you won't even need it. And... it comes with a big gun!"
"Okay, I think that sounds pretty useful... but I'm still only doing this because your lovely little brother doesn't leave me any choice!"
Rikku shrugged. "Sounds fair enough!"
After they returned to the deck, Rikku's brother stepped in their way. He took a grim gaze in Nabiki's direction, then he asked his sister:
"Fuh'd cra pa y hiecyhla?" ('Won't she be a nuisance?')
Rikku shook her head. "Oui ina dra pekkacd hiecyhla rana!" ('You're the biggest nuisance here!')
----
Meanwhile, inside a quiet and gloomy manor, far away from the ocean...
An elderly man with a rampant beard and extremely long fingers was knocking on a wooden door. "Master Seymour? May I enter?"
"Come in, Tromell," the voice of his master could be heard.
The old servant entered a big dining-hall, with some sort of strange pendulum hanging from the ceiling.
The master of the house was standing at the other side of the room.
He stepped into the light. Seymour Guado could be called handsome by some people, but only if they didn't mind the bizarre way his blue hair was growing, or his slightly elongated fingers. Humans and Guado had become pretty close several years ago, and Master Seymour was the result. He always wore a reassuring smile on his face, but if someone looked into his eyes, he would see coldness and no pity for other living beings.
"What is it, Tromell?" Seymour asked his servant. "Has Maester Kinoc arrived yet?"
"No, mylord!" Trommel Guado, the elderly servant of the family, took a bow. "But, I'd like to remind you that the captain of the Guado Glories is expecting your presence this evening - he likes you to be present when he makes an announcement to our team!"
"I'll see if I can make it, Tromell! Thank you!"
The old man looked around the room and sighed. "The house surely has become quiet in the past year... Ever since your father Jyscal... may he rest in peace... has left this world, there haven't been any significant events happening in this room. I remember how your father loved to invite people to his festivals. I miss those days, truly..."
Seymour lowered his head and thought about something. When he looked at his servant again, his eyes seemed to flicker. "Do not worry, Tromell... I can assure you, in the very near future, there will be various events of great significance happening inside these walls. Trust me..."
After Tromell left the room, Seymour turned around and snickered. Tromell, the old fool... I he only knew what REALLY caused his father's death... He had no idea... As well as most of Spira's people had no idea what Seymour Guado was planning...
The young maester made sure that no one was entering the room, then he pressed a well-hidden switch on the wall. A secret door slid open, which lead to a hidden corridor.
Not even Tromell knew of this corridor, and he was living in this house for a far longer time than Seymour himself.
The corridor lead to different rooms Seymour was using as some sort of research facilities... This was the place where the Guado learnt how to summon and control fiends by manipulating the pyreflies the fiends are composed of.
But sometimes, he also uses these rooms as prison cells.
He heard the cries of the prisoned girl even before he entered the room. Before he could enter the door, it opened. Goba Guado, the most loyal of his subordinates, opened the door. "Oh, Lord Seymour! I was just about to search for you."
"Did you gather some information from our... guest?"
Goba nodded. "Why, yes, mylord! It was definitely very intriguing. If we are to believe her words, she and several other persons have come here from a different world than others."
Seymour thought about that. "Hmm. Even IF she speaks the truth, this won't be very important for us. Did she say anything about her particular... condition?"
"Not yet, Master Seymour, I was just getting to that. But what I can say is, that whatever caused this strange effect, was clearly of a magical nature."
They entered the room. On the wall, hold by manacles, hung a young girl with lavender hair, who certainly would have been beautiful, if it weren't for her tattered clothing and the painful grimace on her face.
Seymour took a step closer. "Greetings, young girl! I am Seymour Guado... this house belongs to me. My loyal servant here just told me about a rather intriguing magical... effect that water seems to have on you. Care to explain to me how this can be possible?"
When she didn't answer his question, Seymour snapped his fingers. Goba stepped up to the girl and waved his hand. Seconds later, a lightning bolt jutted out of his fingers and shocked the girl. As her screams were indicating, this was certainly very painful.
"You were saying?" Seymour snickered.
The girl took several deep breaths. "Jus... Jusenk... kyo... Magical... springs... curse..."
"I see," Seymour mused. "And just what causes these changes?"
The girl wanted to say something, then shook her head. "N... no... Is... secret..."
Seymour sighed. "Goba, please..."
Another lightning spell shook the girl's body. This time, Seymour almost feared that her scream could be heard outside these hidden rooms.
"Cold... hot... water..."
"See, that wasn't that hard, wasn't it? I will see if I can join you again in some hours. But I'm afraid I'm a very busy man. But don't worry, Goba will keep you entertained! Isn't that correct, Goba?"
"Oh yes, certainly, Master Seymour," the rotund Guado exclaimed excitedly.
"I leave it to you, then. Farewell, Miss..."
He walked out of the room. This transformation magic of the girl was certainly something... Perhaps he could use it... and her... for his own plans. He would see how this 'curse' would react if one would add some pyreflies...
When he heard the screaming to begin anew, the young master and leader of the Guado snickered, while his eyes were glittering coldly...
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(Posted Wed, 12 Jul 2006 09:53)
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