Time and Tides Archives

The fixation was returned, as Rydia found it helpful to do so instead of attempt to watch how other people moved throughout the dance. Besides, it wasn't as though the view was hard on the eyes.

And as a portion of the dance brought them closer, Rydia was all too aware of the diminished proximity. Suddenly her conversation with Yuna came to mind, but...no. It wasn't the right time, and she wasn't certain what she wanted anyway. Things couldn't be rushed, however much Yuna wanted for her. Instead, she focused on not stepping on his feet. "You're not bad at this...."

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"I'm good at other things too."

This had always come easy for him. He always enjoyed the closeness this dance evoked. This was the point in the dance where he was to steal a kiss from his partner, but this time was different. This was not some ordinary girl who thought herself lucky that the Prince had asked her to dance. This was Rydia of Mist. He was actually nervous about the possibility of rejection. He began to lean his head inward.

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"HEY YOU!"

That was the sound of an incoming Eiko, who noticed a certain man was getting personal with one of her summoners, namely Rydia. After that dummyhead with Yuna, there was no way she was going to let some other guy run off with another summoner without learning everything she could about them. Starting with the most important one"

"Do you like Rydia?"

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As Edge began to lean in, Rydia froze. Was he really going to...in a corner of a castle hallway with no one watching was one thing, but how to respond to this? Caught between the urge to pull away or let him, Rydia didn't notice the incoming Eiko until it was too late. She jumped and turned her head at the sound of her young friend's voice, cheeks reddening.

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Edge was intent upon his partner when he was unceremoniously interrupted by none other than the birthday girl herself. He was frustrated as he felt the heat start to rise to his cheeks, but was determined not to let that ruin an otherwise good evening.

Relying on his charm, he turned towards the birthday girl, "Eiko, I've heard all about you from Rydia, but she didn't mention how pretty you are. Happy Birthday!" He could only hope that his deflection would distract her from her question.

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Not one bit. She was a pushy child with an agenda. "Yeah, thanks," she answered crossly, still giving Edge the I-expect-an-answer look that she'd learned from the last four years of living with Hilda. And if he thought one question was bad, now he was getting a litany of them. "So, do you like her or not? What's your name? How old are you? Where are you from? What do you do?" If she didn't like his answers, she'd just have Mother oglop him then feed him to Sam.

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"Eiko, this is--" Rydia paused, deciding that...why not. Let Eiko satisfy her curiosity directly. Besides, she knew well enough from her interaction with Tidus that the girl could be tenaciuos about these questions. She fell silent, darting a glance over to Edge, half-apologetic, half-'be nice to her.' The sooner he cooperated, the sooner they could be left in peace.

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Edge raised an eyebrow over towards Rydia, letting her know that he'd play along for now, but was not too happy.

Focusing his attention back on the littlest summoner, he turned on the charm. "What, hasn't Rydia here told you all about Edge, the King of Eblan? She helped me save the world back home. Of course I like her."

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Eiko eyed Edge suspiciously for a moment, sparing a glance at Rydia to ask, "Is he really a king?" Not waiting for the answer, she stepped up closer, peering up at him. "What's your favorite food? What's your favorite color? What kind of moogles do you like? What kind of eidolons do you like? What kind of summoners do you like?" And without skipping a beat, she asked a really important question, "Do you like kids?" Because if she didn't like his answer to that one, the deal was off. Same with the next. "How much do you like Rydia?"

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Edge couldn't believe she really questioned his honesty, but he would stay nice for Rydia's sake. He looked towards Rydia for help, yet seeing none he promptly answered. "I prefer a good stew, and surely you can see that Rydia's hair is a beautiful shade of green. I can't say I've seen a moogle before coming here, but they seem nice. I like all the eidolons that listen to Rydia over here. I can't believe you would even ask if I like kids. I came to your party didn't I." He hoped his quick response would placate the little kid.

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Rydia doubted that would completely placate Eiko, but she smiled at Edge's cooperation. She smiled, amusement in her gaze, though she answered Eiko's question to her once Edge got in his say. "Yes, he really is a king. He doesn't always act like one, but that's not necessarily a bad trait." Better a slightly annoying, reckless Edge than him succumbing to stuffiness and excessive formality, so she thought.

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Nice try Edge, but you managed to avoid one of the important ones.

Eiko noticed the lack of an answer to the question that truly mattered to her. So she asked it again. "How much do you like Rydia?" Where before, she'd just been a normal child full of questions, now she was turning into a serious summoner on him, arms folded over her chest.

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Edge spared a glance towards Rydia wondering if she put the birthday girl up to this. He and Rydia hadn't ever really talked much about what they meant to each other, so how could she honestly expect him to share it with a little kid. Beckoning Eiko closer, he winked towards Rydia before quietly acknowledging, "Rydia is very important to me."

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At Edge's glance, there was slight headshake. No, she didn't plan for this...though it would be stretching things to say that she wouldn't have guessed that the birthday girl would interview him eventually. Tidus' had given her plenty of warning; she just hadn't expected any of that to come his way for a long time...if ever.

However, Edge's response to Eiko made her smile. Whether he was just placating Eiko or not, it was still nice to hear. Maybe sometime later, she would be able to find out if he meant it.

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Eiko stood still, sizing up Edge in silence. His answers were okay and he reminded her a lot of Zidane. He was thick too at first. He liked Rydia, he didn't treat her like a kid, and he was okay with eidolons. Yep, he passed. Bonus points in his favor that he was a king, if he wasn't fibbing about that.

"Okay, you can have her then," she pronounced, entirely serious. Then with no further ado, she turned on her heel and scampered off. "Bye!"

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Edge was rather pleased with himself for passing Eiko's test. He was also extremely relieved that she was done and leaving him alone. The grin on his face belied the satisfaction that this little pre-teen would beat off any would be guys in her life. How's that for the King of Eblan.

Focusing his attention back upon Rydia, "Nice kid!"

Edited Date: 2010-03-25 02:14 am (UTC)

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Rydia flashed a smile at the departing Eiko, waving. Then she turned to Edge, chuckling. "Don't get too cocky just because she gave her stamp of approval, though." He would need more than that, or at least her look said as much. But now wasn't the time to speak of certain matters, so she picked another topic. "Now, back to dancing?"

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Edge had seen that look before and braced himself. Luck must have been on his side tonight as she quickly dropped the topic and requested that he embrace her once more in a dance.

He repeated his Royal bow and offered his hand. "It would be my pleasure."

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Rydia grinned and took his hand. As luck would have it, a new dance was just beginning. "Start us off, then." She stepped in closer, ready to start over again.

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Rydia wouldn't have to ask twice as he quickly wrapped his arms around her waist, breathing in quickly as his hands rested lightly on her dress. While he may not fully understand this power Rydia had over, he had to admit that he rather enjoyed it.

Nudging her into the dance, he looked into her eyes, allowing them to captivate his thoughts.

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The way Edge was looking at Rydia made her want to simultaneously tug away and move closer. Dancing seemed like a good way to shift the subject from Eiko, but at the same time, she saw the danger of it bringing them right back to where they were before she interrupted. If he tried to kiss her again...uncertain what she should do, Rydia did her best to shove such thoughts out of her mind and simply dance with him as offered. She peered up at him, as though trying to tell how much he meant of what he said to Eiko.

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While Edge hadn't felt comfortable talking of personal matters with the child, he wasn't sure what Rydia thought of everything. It wasn't like they spoke about their feelings everyday. In fact, Edge had made a habit of hiding them from everyone including himself.

He pulled Rydia close to himself as they danced, but suddenly felt self conscious that should he make a move on Rydia, a certain pre-teen summoner might announce it to the world. His eyes belayed his desire yet trepidation to attempt another kiss upon her.

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Telepathy via staring wasn't working out too well, but then she wasn't sure that conversation was one she wanted to have in possible earshot of a little summoner either. Still...suddenly she wondered if Yuna was right. Perhaps there would be time to find out after--

And then Edge pulled her close. A simple gesture, yet the heat rose in her cheeks. It must be that champagne, right? She would use that excuse if need be, yet upon seeing that look in his eyes, that attempt to justify it died before it left her lips. Her own mirrored that trepidation...yet there was some curiosity as well. Would he try again?

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Edge was too preoccupied with the eyes of the woman in his arms to notice the heat that filled their cheeks. He knew he had to maintain control of his senses. Perhaps it was the champagne that was beginning to cloud his judgment, but he was sure it was the closeness of that special someone.

The distance between them continued to close as he melted from her gaze. Captivated by her presence, it was easy to forget they were in a crowded ballroom. Ignoring any possible sense of interruption, he only felt the lightness of her breath upon his cheek. It was more than the ninja could handle as he leaned in towards her.

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