Hey there :)

I have been reading a lot of fanfiction over the last years and now I feel like I may be able to write something too. Since it is my absolute first don´t expect too much, I am trying but I am not a native english speaker (need to practise, that´s another reason ;) . So be warned. I am open for (gentle) critic if you want to :D

Plans are a slowly building friendship between all characters and my OC, also a (very) slowly building romance with Auron. Will go with the game script but from time to time edit a few chunks. If I get too careless please say so.

If you are still here you might be about to read this! So have fun :)

Disclaimer: FFX and all it´s characters belong to Square Enix, I own nothing but my OCs.

Maybe escorting a merchant to Luca while the huge tournament to honor the Maesters 50th year in the office was not the best idea, Riona mused. Just as the ship with her and her protegee arrived she could already feel the pulse of the city. Everybody was ready to cheer for their favorite team and if it weren't for the blitzball all the supporters of Yevon, what meant almost everybody, would celebrate the Maesters anniversary. The moment the ship came to halt was when the first people jumped to the mainland and vanished pacing in the crowd.

It was a bad idea. She took her time, shouldering the few wares of her merchant and escorted him to the market of Luca. A deal was a deal after all and so they both made a slow way to the city. "Have you seen the ship with summoner Braskas daughter? Heard she wants to journey like he did, I hope she succeeds just like her father", the merchant mumbled cheerfully. Riona only nodded. What difference made another summoner to the sea of them? It was not like it was impossible to become a summoner and many decided to break up their journey when it became too dangerous. "Hope so, too. But you never know", she answered lazily.

The market was spreading out in front of them and both let out a sigh. The wares were heavy after all. She had not even asked what it was but decided to not bother now. "This should be it. We arrived safely." The merchant cheered. "Yes we did! Nothing has gone missing unlike the last time I came here..." He seemed lost in thought for a moment and with a soft "ahem" Riona brought him back to reality. "Ah sure, I won't forget. Here is your payment and also a small bonus. I would like to travel with you again if I have the chance. Until then maybe enjoy the game tomorrow?" She only nodded and left with a rather forced smile. He was not her best client and though the bonus was nice she silently cursed for accepting this job.

Her chances to get away soon were minimal now that everybody wanted to stay and see the game. She would find herself a place for the night and maybe even watch the game tomorrow but after this she would need to get another client, need to get out of this city. Maybe something more exiting.

Riona found what she looked for after a long stroll; most inns were booked out after all but she wasn't picky. The owner had a small room left, big enough for a bed, a small table and an even smaller window. It gave a nice view across the whole city. This was what made the tiny room expensive. She decided to rest for another hour or so, enjoying the view, before she would go back into town, visit a smith to sharpen her sword and have a drink afterwards.

Having asked the inn owner for a good smith she soon found herself at the shop. It looked like there was much work to do, dozens of swords stood there, waiting to get sharpened and two apprentices were darting around without taking a break. Something was going on there. She moved towards the counter and waited, further inspecting the shop. Maybe there was something that could be useful. "How may I help ya?" A dark tanned man in his fifties grunted in a deep voice. "I want that", she unsheathed her longsword, "to get sharpened and inspected. Do what is necessary". He took the long blade out of her hands and looked inquisitively at it. "Mhm, unusual for a lady to wield a sword like this but I see ya two get along nicely. Give me until tomorrow, best after the game and I am done." Riona winced inwardly, almost a day without her sword was hard but now she had the time. "Okay. See you then." As she was ready to move the smith called her back. "Here", and threw her a small dagger, "don't want ya to be all weaponless, just in case." She nodded thankfully and gave him a smile. "Take care."

She wasn't in the mood for a drink so she decided to watch ships arriving at the harbor. Ever since a child she and her friend Tommen did this when they had time to kill. It was soothing, sitting there wand wathcing ships arrive as the sun descended. They had always imagined how it would be, traveling the wide world in a ship and seeing the wonders out there. Not being a poor fisherman. She missed him. It was not what she expected at all, it felt dull, more like a chore than the magnificent adventures she always dreamt of.

Having found a place she relaxed and watched the sailors do their work; loading and transporting, polishing the planks and painting the hull. From time to time another ship would arrive and merchants, tourists and a few locals were pouring out of the ship until the were blending in with the crowd. Lost on thought nothing really caught her interest until she saw a man in a dark red coat passing by, unmoved by neither crowd nor wind. She wasn't completely sure but he may have shot a quick glance with sunglass covered eyes in her direction before he moved onward to the city.

The night was uneventful, she had heard a few drunkards passing by but otherwise nothing happened. The first night in bed after having spent the nights on the cold ground was always the best. She yawned. Maybe it would be the best idea to get another contract now before all were taken. She changed quickly into her armour, examined the small dagger the smith had given her and tested its weight before she was ready. Breakfast was calling first.

An omelette, several notice boards and inquiries later she had still no job. A female lone mercenary was, although nobody spoke it out loud, extraordinary. Most mercenaries joined the order of Yevon or became warrior monks, home guardians or guardians of a summoner because they perceived it as an honor. But Riona didn't. And because she would say so if somebody asked her it did not make her much loved among the more spiritual people in Spira.

There was still some time until the game would begin so she made her way to the market. Her armour could use an update after all. She always wore a light, flexible leather armour that covered her torso, beneath a black or white shirt, a pair of thickly woven black trousers and sturdy leather boots. Only her left arm was covered by a few metal plates and a metal-coated glove that allowed to keep her movement range and, if necessary, to dodge a few hits. She only added them recently after having experienced that a fiends blow could do more damage than expected. It had made her enjoy a two weeks vacation. What she could need was another pouch, large enough for a few potions just in case. So Riona wandered around until she found the perfect one and bought it after a harsh session of bargaining. How tourism did increase the prices. "Luckily" enough the vendor had also a ticket to sell, the price he made suggested he wanted to get rid of this thing very fast.

So it was sealed. Now it was time for the game.