Update

HOORAY. I got so caught up with schoolwork that I didn't notice this had been updated, and when I did, I was like "!"

I think you handled the anger and frustration of Gippal and Baralai perfectly. They each reacted differently and in ways that I think they really would. Baralai does usually appear to be quite calm, but then when he gets mad... Whoo, buddy. XD I agree with the "veiled insults" thing, too.

My suggestions would be to watch out for change of tense (I only noticed a slip-up in the second sentence, though) and to be careful with the punctuation after dialogue. Also, sometimes when a character talks, another character does something in that same paragraph, making me think they're the one speaking until I figure it out in the next paragraph.

Gah, I can feel the tension building! Eep. I'm dying to see where the conversation between Baralai and Gippal goes. :D I thought the little thing at the end was quite interesting, too. Now I wanna know~

It's music to my ears, and a beautiful chapter.
Diplomat: "using veiled insults" - that is perfect.

Oh, and I already know what's coming in the next chapter.

Gippal: There's something you have to know.
Baralai: Hmm?
Gippal: Cid found you a long time ago, and thinking you at frist a girl, signed papers that day to have you given away in marriage to the next boy at the orphanage. Once he found out you weren't Al Bhed, he sent you to the monastaries in Bevelle.
Baralai: I um...*bites his lips* That's not still valid, is it?
Gippal: I'm afraid so, considering legally he is your gaurdian. And as a kid you signed your name.
Baralai: ...
Gippal: I know this hard to accept, but the engagement I was talking about is *yours*.
Baralai: Right... and who was the next person admitted to the orphanage?
Gippal: *grin* Me.
Baralai: Oh.
Gippal: *frowns* That's it? Oh?
Baralai: Um... Uh-*oh*
Gippal: *sighs hopelessly*

Forever your fan,

~Hidama

Great work! How dare you leave on that line! Gr...lmao. Well written though!

aw! so sweet.. this is really good, i'm hooked :)

Poor Baralai! I hope Gippal doesn't get married. 'Lai loves Gippal and Gippal loves 'Lai! This is a Gippal and Baralai fic. *calms self down* Okay well I really hope you right some more soon. It should be illegal to put such a cliff hanger right here.

Paine is surprisingly more cheerful than I thought she'd be...^^

And although this is a Gippalai story, I hope you'll mention more of Tidus/Yuna, and especially about the Farplane happenings too~

Update soon!

Go on! continue it i can´t wait!

Yay!

I love Gippal and Baralai, and your version of the two together is priceless. Gippal has just the right blend of sarcasm and vulnerability while Baralai's innocent confusion over his feelings is perfect. Hopefully we'll get to see alot more of this, especially as the boys get closer to understanding their feelings toward one another.

The only thing I'm a bit confused by is the whole arranged marriage thing. Hopefully future chapters will give us a more in-depth look at that? Just hard to imagine Cid being actively involved in arranging a marriage between Gippal and Nhadala. Looking back on the game he DID make some comments to the effect that young girls shouldn't be running around adventuring while unwed (in reference to Yuna and Rikku, both of whom are relatives), but I also got the impression from the game that Nhadala was older than she looked (perhaps closer to Rin's age than Gippal's).

Maybe the upcoming marriage could tie in to some hare-brained scheme to revitalize Home? That seems to be Cid's main concern later in the game, and maybe he feels that by joining two leading figures among the Al Behd he can unite the scattered people? Just a possible explanation I thought up.

Anyway, just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know how much I loved the story. I'm a new writer here, and hopefully I'll get MY first story up soon. In the meantime I can't wait to see where you take the boys in your next chapter. Any chance we might see LeBlanc rear her head? Not my favorite character, but having her around might help flesh Nooj out a bit more.

O.O oh please oh please oh please update soon! you have a wonderful plot going!

you have to write the next chapter :(

Ahh! How could you leave it off there? The suspense is killing me...! *dies* I can hardly wait to see this continue. ^ ^

You know Wai? I think that is very cruel. Leaving it off like that.

And what's with wussy Lai-kun anyways? He's running off to the ship to cry? He's a man, he should keep his emotions bottled up for more angst.

*imagines the cry fest in chapter 7* Lai: sniff "I wanted to be your bride!" *cries*

Gips: *teary-eyed* "I wanted to marry you too...*sniff* but I can't! I have to marry someone else, my lovely dove. *sniffles* Maybe we can have a three-some,; and I promise we'll always have our short liasons." *cries*

Lai: "I'm not going to do that! If you don't marry me..I'll...I'll go off and be with Isaaru and Maroda!"

Gips: *gasp* "No! I could never win you over once they get their paws on you!"

Lai: *evil laugh* "Isaaru here I come!"

-Okay, so it's a tad twisted. Now you go have fun; I'll be eagerly awaiting your return. And Aki, nice job on the chapter. Go on another road trip and have a great summer.

wh-what? You're telling us you are not updating this for at least 2 months and then you leave it there? Such a horrible cliffie! *cries*
I wanna know what happens. Wah...
You are a meanie.

Anywhoo...
Excellent chapter. I've always said that this is one of the BEST Gippalai fics out there. Hope you have fun and update when you return.

**Tootles**
~*Eternal_Darkness*~

I LOVE this story so much! Please write the next chapter sooner, because Gippal and Baralai are meant to be!